A Trip to the capital.

Chapter 6: Meeting the emperor.

“That’s it. You’re doing it perfectly.” Fenrir said with a satisfied grin, guiding Ermac with small, careful gestures of his hand as though he were directing an orchestra rather than a warrior forged from countless souls.

Before them, the grotesque trophies that had once decorated the emperor’s chamber were slowly being removed from the walls.

Stuffed animal heads, ancient weapons and war banners soaked in blood and victory.

Remnants of Shao Kahn’s reign.

With effortless precision, Ermac lifted the macabre decorations using his telekinesis. The green aura of his power wrapped around the objects like ghostly tendrils, pulling them free from the walls one by one.

Each trophy floated gently through the air before lowering carefully to the ground intact.

“We know,” Ermac replied flatly, though a hint of confusion crept into his voice. His glowing eyes shifted toward Fenrir.

“We simply do not understand the purpose of this task. Our abilities are capable of far greater applications than removing decorations.”

Fenrirchuckled softly. “Oh, I’m sure they are. But right now?” He leaned casually against a nearby dresser, folding his arms. “You’re doing the gods’ work.”

Ermac stared at him in silence.

The next mounted head, a massive horned beast from the Wastes of Outworld, slowly detached from the wall.

Within Ermac’s mind, murmurs stirred.

Whispers, Fragments of consciousness:

“Waste of power…”

“The emperor dishonours us with this triviality…”

“No… observe him… this ruler is not like the last…”

“Silence.”

Ermac suppressed the rising discord with practiced ****.

“We do not understand,” Ermac said slowly, “but we will obey these orders.”

Fenrir raised a finger. “It’s not an order,” he corrected gently. “It’s a favour.”

He pushed himself off the dresser and walked closer, watching the floating trophies descend in neat rows across the floor.

“I asked if you could help me with a problem,” Fenrir continued. “You said yes. That’s cooperation, not obligation.”

Ermac’s glowing eyes narrowed slightly. “A… favour?” he repeated.

The concept clearly puzzled him.

“Yes,” Fenrir replied easily. “And I intend to repay it.”

Ermac paused mid-motion.

One of the weapons hovering beside him trembled slightly.

“Skarlet mentioned something interesting about you,” Fenrir continued, his tone calm but deliberate. “She told me some of the souls inside you have been… difficult.”

The reaction was subtle, but it was there.

“…Yes,” Ermac admitted.

Inside his mind, the whispers intensified.

“Do not reveal weakness.”

“He will exploit us.”

“No… this emperor has shown restraint…”

“Trust is dangerous.”

Ermac **** the voices down again.

“Some of the souls our former master bound to us when we were created remain restless,” Ermac explained. “They struggle for dominance; they resist the unity of our being.”

Another mounted skull slowly drifted from the wall.

“We suppress them,” he continued, voice steady. “But the conflict is constant. The strain damages our structure. Our existence is… unstable.”

Fenrir studied him thoughtfully.

Not with pity, with calculation.

“You’re one of the most powerful beings in this palace,” Fenrir said calmly.

Ermac looked at him.

“If your mind fractures,” Fenrir continued, “Outworld loses one of its strongest defenders.”

He shrugged lightly.

“Helping you isn’t just kindness, It’s good strategy.”

The words settled heavily in the room.

Within Ermac’s mind, the souls stirred again:
“Pragmatic…”

“Logical…”

“This ruler understands power.”

“Accept!”

Fenrir continued. “There’s someone in Earthrealm who might be able to help you.”

Ermac’s attention sharpened instantly.

“A blind swordsman,” Fenrir explained. “Master of telekinesis; One of the greatest mental warriors I’ve ever met.”

Ermac’s aura flickered faintly.

“Kenshi Takahashi,” Fenrir said. “If anyone can teach you how to harmonize the voices inside your mind… it’s him.”
Ermac stood still for a moment.

Inside him, dozens of voices erupted into debate:

“Earthrealmer…”

“Weak realm…”

“But powerful mind…”

“Telekinetic mastery…”

“Possible solution…”

“…You would arrange this meeting?” Ermac asked slowly.

Fenrir nodded. “Next time I travel to Earthrealm, I’ll contact him.”

Then he added “If you want the help.”

Ermac turned toward him fully now.

“Why?” he asked. “You are emperor,” Ermac continued. “Your existence stands above ours in this material plane. Why assist a servant?”

Fenrir crossed his arms again, leaning back casually.

“Because loyalty deserves reward,” he said simply.

His voice hardened slightly, carrying the quiet authority of a ruler.

“You’ve served Outworld faithfully. You’ve fought its enemies. You’ve obeyed every command given to you.”

He met Ermac’s glowing gaze.

“Under my rule, that kind of loyalty matters.”

He gestured toward the room.

“And besides… an emperor who takes care of his strongest assets tends to keep his empire standing.”

For a moment, Ermac said nothing.

The final mounted trophy slowly floated down to the floor.

Inside him, the voices whispered again:

“Different ruler...”

“HE IS NOT Shao Kahn.”

“Strategic… yet merciful.”

“ACCEPT!”

“…You are different from Shao Kahn,” Ermac finally said. “In a good way.”

A small smile formed on Fenrir's face. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”

Ermac inclined his head slightly. “We accept these conditions.”

“I’m glad to hear it,” Fenrir replied warmly.

For the first time since the task began, Ermac hesitated before speaking again.

“There is something we wish to understand.”

Fenrir raised an eyebrow.

“Why remove these decorations… and keep them intact?” Ermac asked. “You possess the power to destroy them effortlessly.”

Fenrir glanced around the room at the grim trophies.

He snorted softly. “Because they’re worth money.”

Ermac blinked. Fenrir grinned.

“Collectors across the realms love this kind of thing. Weapons from fallen champions, heads from extinct beasts and even war trophies from Shao Kahn’s campaigns.”

He nudged at the massive horned skull with his foot.

“To me? They’re just ugly decorations.”

He spread his hands. “But to the right buyer?”

Fenrir's grin widened.

“They’re priceless.”

Ermac considered this. “You intend to sell them.”

“Exactly.” Fenrir shrugged. “Take something that has no value to me and trade it for resources that can actually improve Outworld.”

He began pacing slowly. “Roads, cities, trade routes and infrastructure, to name a few.”

He looked back at Ermac.

“An empire isn’t built on skulls mounted on walls.”

He tapped one of the trophies.

“It’s built on stability.”

Ermac nodded slowly.

“…This is a wise course of action, Emperor.”

Just then, Knock.

A soft sound echoed from the doorway.

Both of them turned.

Standing at the entrance was Reptile; The Saurian warrior stood respectfully at the threshold, clearly **** to step inside the emperor’s private chamber.

“Good morning, Emperor,” Reptile said, placing his fist against his chest in salute.

“Morning, Reptile,” Fenrir replied casually. “What brings you here?”

Reptile hesitated. Under Shao Kahn’s rule, entering the emperor’s chambers uninvited was a **** sentence.

Even standing in the doorway felt dangerous, but Fenrir had changed many things.

Still…Old instincts lingered.

“My lord… I know this is much to ask,” Reptile said carefully. “But I would like to request your personal time.”

Fenrir tilted his head. “You would like to request a private audience?”

“…Yes,” Reptile confirmed, forcing himself to hold the emperor’s gaze. “I have something important I must share.”

Fenrir studied him for a moment, then he nodded.

“Of course.”

Ermac gently lowered the final decoration to the floor.

“Amazing work,” Fenrir said as he passed by him. “Thank you.”

He stepped into the hallway with Reptile.

“Oh! and Ermac?”

Ermac looked up.

“Remind me later to give you a raise.”

Fenrir gave him a wink, disappearing down the hall with Reptile.

Inside the room, Ermac remained standing among the piles of war trophies.

"A… raise?” Ermac murmured aloud, genuinely confused.

---

Fenrir sat upon the imperial throne, one arm resting lazily against the armrest while his posture remained relaxed yet unmistakably authoritative. The massive chamber of the throne room echoed faintly with distant footsteps and banners rustling in the quiet air.

Before him stood Reptile. The warrior stood respectfully, posture straight, hands folded behind his back as he met the gaze of his new emperor.

Fenrir smirked slightly. “You know,” Fenrir said casually, leaning forward just a bit, “you’re making history right now.”

Reptile blinked, confused.

“This,” Fenrir gestured around the throne room, “is my first private audience as crowned emperor.”

For a moment the Saurian simply stared; Then a small chuckle escaped him.

“Then it is an honour to be part of such a moment, my lord,” he replied, bowing respectfully. “Hopefully I will not be the last to request one.”

Fenrir chuckled softly. “That depends on how well this one goes.”

Reptile opened his mouth to begin speaking, but Fenrir raised a hand gently.

“Before we continue,” Fenrir said, tilting his head thoughtfully, “there’s something I want to address.”

Reptile straightened slightly.

“Jade told me something interesting,” Fenrir continued. “She said Reptile is merely a nickname.”

Syzoth remained silent.

“And that your true name… is Syzoth.”

The Saurian’s eyes widened slightly. “…Yes, my lord,” he confirmed cautiously.

Fenrir nodded. “Then that’s what I’ll call you.”

Syzoth looked surprised.

Fenrir leaned back in his throne.

“I will not have one of my warriors walking these halls with a name that makes him sound like a mindless beast.” His voice carried quiet authority. “You have a name, a history and culture.”

He gestured lightly toward Syzoth.

“And I will respect that.”

For a moment Syzoth said nothing.

He had served under Shao Kahn for most of his life, the former emperor had never cared for such things. To Shao Kahn, Syzoth had simply been a useful creature. A weapon, nothing more.

“…I would be honoured, Emperor,” Syzoth finally said quietly, bowing his head deeper this time.

Yet behind the gratitude in his voice there was also growing respect.

Fenrir was not naïve; kindness did not blind him. Syzoth could already see it.

The man was just as cunning as any ruler Outworld had ever known.

“Excellent,” Fenrir said with a warm smile.

He gestured lightly.

“Well then, Syzoth… I’m listening.”

The Saurian adjusted his posture. “My lord… I know this is much to ask of you,” he began carefully. “But I wish to request your assistance in a matter of great importance to me.”

Fenrir leaned forward slightly. “You have my attention.”

Syzoth inhaled slowly.

“As you have likely noticed… I am different from most inhabitants of Outworld.”

Fenrir nodded.

“That is because my species is known as the Saurians.”

His voice lowered slightly. “Long ago our home realm… Zaterra… was invaded by Shao Kahn.”

The words carried quiet bitterness.

“He merged our world into Outworld.”

Syzoth’s gaze dropped toward the polished stone floor. “At first, we believed we could survive the conquest. But slowly… deliberately… our people began to disappear.”

Fenrir's expression hardened slightly.

“Hunted, enslaved and exterminated.” Syzoth continued quietly.

A shadow passed through his eyes. “I still remember the jungles of Zaterra.” His voice softened. “The air was warm… thick with life. Rivers ran through emerald forests that stretched beyond the horizon.” He closed his eyes briefly. “I can still hear the voices of my people in my dreams.”

Syzoth opened his eyes again.

“But when I awake…” His voice grew hollow. “There is only silence.”

Fenrir listened carefully.

“I believe I am the last of my kind,” Syzoth said quietly.

He lifted his head and met Fenrir's gaze.

“My lord… I only ask for a way to honour my people’s legacy, for one day I too will die. And when that happens…The Saurians will vanish from history forever.”

The throne room fell silent, Fenrir slowly rose from the throne.

He walked down the steps toward Syzoth.

“I think,” Fenrir said thoughtfully, “I can give you something better than a monument.”

Syzoth looked up suddenly.

“What if I told you,” Fenrir continued calmly, “there might be a way to bring your people back?”

Syzoth froze. “…What?”

His voice cracked slightly.

“How?!”

Fenrir folded his arms thoughtfully. “During the Mortal Kombat tournament at Shang Tsung’s island,” Fenrir began, “Raiden offered Scorpion a deal.”

Syzoth listened intently.

“If Scorpion spared Sub-Zero’s life,” Fenrir continued, “Raiden promised to ask the Elder Gods to resurrect the Shirai Ryu clan.”

Syzoth’s eyes widened.

“Unfortunately,” Fenrir continued, “history did not unfold that way…Scorpion chose vengeance. But the offer itself proves something important.”
Syzoth leaned forward slightly.

“The Elder Gods can restore the dead.”

Fenrir nodded. “Exactly.”

He began pacing slowly.

“Of course, asking them to revive an entire species would be… unrealistic.”

He stopped and looked at Syzoth. “But a smaller request?”

Now Syzoth’s breathing had quickened.

“How many…?” he whispered.

Fenrir smirker at him. “Twenty.”

Syzoth blinked.

“Ten males. Ten females.”

Fenrir continued calmly. “Enough to rebuild your people. But not enough to destabilize the political balance of Outworld.”

Syzoth frowned slightly.

Fenrir elaborated. “If thousands of Saurians suddenly returned, the other races would panic. Tarkatans, Shokan, Osh-Tekk. Even Edenians;” He shook his head. “They would see it as the birth of a new rival nation.”

Fenrir's eyes sharpened.

“But twenty? That’s enough for a second chance.”

Syzoth stared at him in awe.

“You… have truly thought about this.”

Fenrir shrugged slightly. “That’s my job now.” Then he added “The next time I meet Raiden… I will propose the deal.”

Syzoth’s voice trembled. “I… I do not know what to say.”

Fenrir placed a hand on his shoulder.

“There is nothing you must say…But there is one thing I will ask in return.”

Syzoth immediately straightened.

“Anything.”

Fenrir's voice became firm.

“If the Saurians return… you will lead them.”

Syzoth froze.

“You will represent them in Outworld, you will ensure they live in peace with the other races. And you will answer for their actions.”
Syzoth nodded instantly. “I would accept that responsibility with pride.”

Fenrir smiled slightly. “And if the Elder Gods refuse…Then I will build a monument to the Saurians so great that none in Outworld will ever forget them.”
Syzoth’s throat tightened, “My emperor… if you grant my people this future…” He bowed deeply. “My loyalty will be yours until my final breath.”

Fenrir nodded.

“And I will gladly accept it.”

A moment later Syzoth departed the throne room, but the reverence in his posture had changed.

He did not leave as a servant.

He left as a man who had just been given hope.

When the doors closed behind him, a soft voice echoed from the shadows.

“That was a remarkable thing you just did.”

Fenrir glanced toward the columns.

Jade stepped forward gracefully, emerald silk catching the torchlight.

Fenrir raised an amused eyebrow. “You were listening?”

She smirked. “You were holding a private audience in the middle of a palace,” she replied lightly. “Secrecy was never guaranteed.”

Then she added with a softer smile

“And I did promise to protect you.”

Fenrir chuckled. “Well, did I pass the test?”

Jade studied him thoughtfully. “Restoring the Saurians would earn you loyalty from more than just Syzoth,” she said.

Fenrir tilted his head.

“You’re thinking politically.”

“Of course I am,” Jade replied calmly. “The other races will see a ruler capable of mercy… but also just.”

She stepped closer with a courteous glance.

“Reviving twenty instead of thousands was clever.”

Fenrir smiled. “Glad someone noticed.”

Jade’s eyes sparkled slightly. “Oh, I notice many things about you, Emperor.” There was a playful edge in her voice.

Fenrir smirked. “Hopefully only the good ones.”

Jade laughed softly.

“The best ones.”

She folded her arms lightly. “Now… are we still traveling to Sun Do today?”

Fenrir nodded. “Yes. Everything is prepared. Barong already sent ravens announcing our arrival.”

Jade nodded thoughtfully. “I assume we’re traveling by carriage?”

Fenrir shook his head.

“No. The caravans will carry supplies for the city. Food, medicine and construction materials.”

Jade raised an eyebrow. “And we?”

Fenrir grinned. “We ride.”

Jade chuckled. “You brought horses.”

“Of course.” Fenrir leaned slightly closer. “And I picked a beautiful one for you.”

She smirked. “How thoughtful.” Then she asked casually “Anything else I should know about this trip?”

Fenrir nodded. “We’ll meet the mayor of Sun Do, and Baraka.”

Jade’s eyes sharpened slightly.

“He’s made his decision?”

“So, he claims,” Fenrir said. “But more importantly…”

Fenrir stepped closer, lowering his voice slightly.

“I want the people to see their emperor.”

Jade tilted her head.

“And?”

Fenrir smiled warmly. “It would be an honour if my queen rode beside me.”

Jade laughed, but there was warmth behind it.

“Hmm… perhaps.”

She tapped a finger thoughtfully against her lips. “If you behave yourself… I might stay close.”

Fenrir laughed, “You’re going to be the **** of me.”

Jade stepped closer, placing a finger under his chin playfully.

“Oh no,” she whispered teasingly. “You’re far too handsome for me to lose.”

Then she turned and walked toward the exit, her hips swayed slightly with deliberate mischief and seduction for me.

Fenrir watched her go with appreciation at the beautiful view and chuckled.

“Women.”

---

An hour later we were already riding along the main road leading toward Sun Do.

The morning air was cool, the sky painted with soft golden light as the sun slowly climbed over the distant mountains. Our small escort of soldiers rode behind us in disciplined formation while several supply carts followed further back along the road.

Before leaving the palace, Jade and I had said our goodbyes to Kitana. I had left both her and Mileena in charge of the palace during our absence.

Kitana had accepted the responsibility with her usual calm grace.

Mileena, however…I hadn’t seen her.

Not once.

Not at breakfast, not in the hallways… Not even when we departed.

She was avoiding me.

I sighed quietly as my horse continued forward along the dusty road; It was understandable.

After all, the kiss we shared last night had not exactly been a small thing.

Still… it hadn’t felt wrong.

If anything, it had felt ****.

Like someone reaching for warmth after years in the cold.

I could still remember the way her hands wrapped around my neck… the way she had pulled me closer with sudden urgency.

There had been hunger in that kiss; Loneliness too.

But the moment it ended…I remembered the fear in her eyes.

The uncertainty.

As if she had suddenly realized what she had done.

Maybe she regretted it, maybe she felt ashamed.

Whatever the reason, she clearly needed space.

And I would give it to her.

Still… I hoped that space wouldn’t last forever.

The sound of hooves approaching snapped me from my thoughts.

Jade guided her horse beside mine with practiced elegance. She studied my expression for a moment before speaking.

“Something on your mind, Fenrir?” she asked casually. “You look disturbed.”

I blinked, surprised, I hadn’t even noticed her riding up beside me.

“That obvious, huh?” I replied.

Jade smirked slightly. “Well, yes,” she said lightly. “But then again, I tend to read people rather easily.”

She tilted her head toward me, her emerald eyes studying my face with quiet tender curiosity.

“So,” she added, “what’s troubling our mighty emperor?”

I exhaled slowly. “Well… that depends.”

“On what?” she asked.

“On whether you’re asking as my royal bodyguard,” I said, glancing sideways at her with a teasing smile, “or as the woman who has been flirting with me for the past two days.”

Jade raised an eyebrow. “Oh? Have I been flirting?” Her voice carried playful innocence.

“Shamelessly,” I replied.

She chuckled softly. “Well then,” she said, straightening slightly in her saddle, “perhaps I’m asking as both.”

I smiled faintly, that answer made it harder to lie.

For a moment I considered keeping the truth to myself, but I had promised her honesty.

“…Mileena kissed me last night.”

Jade nearly pulled her horse to a stop.

“WHAT?!”

Several soldiers riding behind us glanced forward at the sudden outburst.

Jade quickly lowered her voice, clearing her throat.

“I mean-” she continued more quietly, “how exactly did that happen?”

Her expression was a mixture of shock and intense curiosity.

“Well,” I began, rubbing the back of my neck, “after dinner she seemed… distant, stranger than usual.” I allowed a pause for focus.

“So, I went looking for her.”

“And?”

“I found her on the palace balcony…Alone.”

Jade frowned slightly.

“That’s unusual.”

“I thought so too,” I said. “She looked… upset.”

“About what?” Jade asked.

I hesitated. “Her relationship with Kitana.”

Jade’s expression softened slightly with understanding.

“That explains a lot,” she murmured. “Mileena has always struggled with that.”

“She believes Kitana hates her because of her appearance.”

Jade sighed quietly.

“It’s… complicated between them.”

I nodded. “Anyway, we talked.” I shrugged slightly. “One thing led to another…And then she kissed me.”

Jade looked thoughtful. “And?”

“…And I kissed her back.”

Jade studied my expression carefully.

“Did it feel wrong?”

I thought about that question for a moment.

“…No.”

I sighed quietly. “That’s what worries me.”

Jade raised an eyebrow. “Why?”

“Because she looked terrified afterward,” I admitted. “As if she suddenly regretted it.”

Jade nodded slowly. “That sounds like Mileena, she feels things very intensely.”

I looked ahead at the road again. “I’m worried I might have made things worse.”

Jade shook her head gently.

“I don’t think you did.”

That answer caught me off guard.

“What?” I asked.

She looked at me calmly. “Objectively speaking, forming a connection with Mileena is not a bad thing, she is one of your queens Afterall, and from what you told me, she initiated the kiss. That means she wanted to do it.”

She paused thoughtfully.

“My guess? She acted on emotion… then panicked afterward.”

I nodded slowly.

“I suppose you’re right.”

Jade smiled faintly. “You should talk to her when we return.”

“I will,” I said. “But I think she needs space first.”

“She does,” Jade agreed softly.

For a moment we rode in silence, then a thought crossed my mind.

“Let me ask you something.”

Jade glanced at me. “Yes?”

“Would you have done the same?”

“In her place.” She frowned slightly. “What do you mean?”

“Would you have kissed me?” I asked quietly.

Jade blinked, for a brief moment she looked genuinely surprised; Then her cheeks flushed faintly.

She looked ahead at the road as she considered the question.

“…Yes,” she admitted softly.

The honesty in her voice caught me completely off guard.

“You would?” I asked.

She nodded. “You have kept every promise you made to me.”

She glanced toward me again.

“And you are earning my respect.”

I smirked slightly.

“…Only your respect?”

Jade smiled slowly, there was something mischievous and tender in her eyes now.

She reached over and briefly took my hand.

“Perhaps more than that.”

Her fingers were warm and soft, for a moment neither of us spoke. Our horses continued walking side by side while we simply looked at each other.

I couldn’t help noticing how beautiful she looked in the morning light; Her dark hair moved gently with the wind. Her emerald eyes shimmered like polished emerald. Her skin was flawless, soft and perfect.

“You’re beautiful,” I said softly.

Jade immediately blushed, she lowered her head slightly before looking back at me with a shy smile.

“Thank you.” Then she added in the same tone and emotion, “You’re very handsome as well, Fenrir.”

Her hand squeezed mine slightly, for a moment it felt like she was tempted to close the distance between us.

But fate had other plans.

“My lord!” One of the soldiers riding behind us suddenly called out. “Look!”

Jade and I turned forward, and there it was.

Sun Do.