The return home.

Chapter 7: Giving in.
The pale crimson light of Outworld’s dawn spilt across the black stone steps of the imperial palace.

Morning in Outworld was never gentle. The sky above the capital churned with heavy clouds tinted with ember-red hues, while distant volcanic winds carried the dry scent of ash across the city. Banners bearing the new imperial crest fluttered along the palace walls, freshly raised only days before, replacing the brutal insignias of Shao Kahn. But since Shao Kahn’s ****… little by little, Outworld seemed to cleanse itself. This morning was proof of it, a clean sky morning it was.
At the top of the palace steps stood Kitana.

She remained perfectly poised, her hands resting calmly behind her back as she gazed down the long road that led from the capital gates to the palace. Her posture was regal, composed… yet beneath the calm exterior, there was tension in the slight tightening of her shoulders.

Two days.

Two days since Fenrir and Jade had departed for Sun Do.

Behind her, a modest welcoming party had gathered. The palace guard stood several paces forward along the road in disciplined lines, forming a protective corridor leading toward the entrance. They held their positions in silent vigilance, spears planted firmly against the stone as they awaited the return of their emperor.

Closer to the palace doors stood the inner circle of the new regime.

Syzoth, known to many as Reptile, stood quietly behind the Empress, his reptilian eyes scanning the horizon with practised caution. Beside him, Skarlet waited, arms folded behind her back in perfect posture, her crimson attire swaying lightly in the morning wind.

Neither truly needed to guard Kitana, but old habits died slowly in Outworld.

Nearby stood Mileena.

She remained slightly apart from the others; her arms loosely crossed as she leaned against a pillar near the entrance.

Her eyes, however, were fixed on the distant road. Though hidden behind her veil, her thoughts were anything but calm.

Two nights had passed since the kiss she shared with Fenrir. Two nights, and she still had not decided what it meant.

Not far from them stood two advisors.

One was Barong, master of spies and keeper of the emperor’s intelligence network. The elderly Outworlder leaned slightly on an ornate black cane, though whether it was truly needed or merely theatrical was difficult to tell. Several dark-feathered crows perched upon the palace roof above him, their black eyes watching the road with unnatural attentiveness.

Barong noticed everything; it was a habit formed over centuries.

Few in the palace truly understood how long the spymaster had served the throne of Outworld; to most, he was merely an ageing advisor with an unsettling flock of birds.

The truth was far more complicated.

Barong had served Shao Kahn during the earliest years of his rule, long before many of the current generation of warriors had even been born. In those days, he had been the emperor’s most valuable intelligence asset. Assassins never reached Shao Kahn; poison never touched his lips. Plots and conspiracies rarely survived long enough to mature.

Barong ensured that.

Many suspected the spymaster possessed unnatural longevity; few dared ask.

Barong himself never spoke of it.

Yet as he watched Kitana standing at the palace steps, the faintest hint of satisfaction crossed his face.

For the first time in centuries…He found himself approving of the throne he served.

The other man beside him stood tall and broad-shouldered.

His name was Captain Carkas, newly appointed Marshal of the Imperial Guard.

Unlike Barong’s quiet stillness, Carkas carried the rigid posture of a lifelong soldier. His armour bore the new wolf-like imperial insignia recently forged for the palace guard, its polished metal reflecting the faint crimson light of the dawn.

Carkas shifted slightly beside him. “I must admit,” the marshal muttered quietly, arms folded behind his back, “waiting is not my favourite part of military duty.”

Barong’s wrinkled lips curved into a subtle smile. “A soldier who dislikes waiting,” the spymaster replied dryly. “How unfortunate for you; Empires are built on patience.”

Carkas exhaled through his nose.

“Empires are built on structure,” he corrected.

Barong raised an eyebrow. “Oh?”

Carkas glanced across the palace courtyard where the newly reorganised guard stood in disciplined formation. “Shao Kahn built an army,” he said. “But he never built a system. Conquest was always his priority. After the wars ended… the soldiers were left idle.”

His gaze shifted toward Kitana.

“This new regime understands the difference.”

Barong studied him quietly. “You believe the Empress will reshape the realm.”

“I believe she intends to,” Carkas said. “And for the first time in my life, I have the authority to help build something that lasts longer than a battlefield victory.”

Barong chuckled softly. “Ambitious.”

“Necessary,” Carkas replied. “It’s about damn time someone did something about it, and I believe we have found that man.”

Barong chuckled again; this time, respectful for his fellow council member. “Ambitious and loyal.”

At the top of the stairs, Skarlet stepped forward beside Kitana. While Kitana’s beauty overshadowed everything around her, Skarlet had nothing to be ashamed of. She shared a tea cup-toned and athletic body like Kitana’s, only Jade and Mileena could rival that deadly beauty and the way she carried herself. Her back was majestic, leaving you jaw-dropped and mesmerised as your eyes slowly lowered. Her butt was just as perfect as her figure, perfectly shaped through beauty and dedication to her training and work. Her legs were fit and athletic, yet not overly muscled, just enough to give her speed and flexibility in combat, like an Olympic medalist completing her figure and skill. Skarlet could only be described as a deadly beauty, an assassin that could destroy you in the blink of an eye, but a beauty in disguise.

“You look concerned, Empress.”

Kitana did not immediately respond; Her eyes remained fixed on the distant road, where the capital’s outer walls were barely visible beyond the shifting haze of the morning air.

“It has been two days,” she said calmly.

Her voice carried the smooth authority expected of an Edenian ruler, but Skarlet could hear the subtle tension beneath it. “Fenrir and Jade should have returned by now.”

Skarlet tilted her head slightly. “Sun Do is not a quiet city,” she replied. “If the emperor addressed the people personally, it would not surprise me if the visit extended longer than expected.”

Kitana considered that.

“Yes… perhaps.”

Yet her eyes narrowed slightly. “Barong’s agents reported disturbances in the city last night.”

Skarlet glanced briefly toward the spymaster behind them, giving her an unbothered shrug. “Barong’s agents report disturbances every night.”
Kitana allowed a faint smile.

“That is precisely why they are useful.”

The hemomancer gave a small chuckle. “Well… the scouts confirmed their approach earlier this morning. They should arrive shortly.” She folded her hands behind her back again. “Unless something unfortunate has occurred.”

Kitana finally turned her gaze toward her.

“Let us hope not.”

A moment of silence passed between them, then Kitana spoke again. “Tell me something, Skarlet.” The tone of her voice had changed…Slightly colder, more deliberate.

“Can I trust you?”

Skarlet blinked once in mild surprise, but she recovered quickly.

“Of course you can.”

Kitana turned toward her fully now, studying her expression with quiet intensity.

“That was not the question.”

The hemomancer smirked faintly. “No,” she admitted. “It was not.”

Kitana stepped slightly closer. “You were created in the Flesh Pits by Shang Tsung,” the Empress said evenly. “Raised under Shao Kahn’s command.” Her gaze sharpened. “Your loyalty was forged by two of the most dangerous minds in Outworld.”

She paused, allowing her words to linger in the air with presence. “So, I will ask again.”

Kitana’s voice lowered slightly.

“Where does your loyalty truly lie?”

For a moment, Skarlet simply looked at her, then she laughed softly. “You Edenians ask such beautiful questions.”

Kitana’s expression remained unmoved.

Skarlet stepped closer as well.

“My loyalty lies with the throne of Outworld,” she said calmly.

Kitana raised an eyebrow. “The throne… or the one who sits upon it?”

“The two should be the same thing,” Skarlet replied.

“That much loyalty, Skarlet? What if, for example, the emperor ordered you to kill me?” The question came without hesitation, her tone cold and commanding. “Would you follow that command?”

Skarlet paused, only for a moment. Then she smiled slightly.

“If the emperor ordered that…” she said slowly, “I would ask him why.”

Kitana studied her carefully. Skarlet’s voice softened. “But I suspect he would never give such an order.”

“And why is that?”

Skarlet’s crimson eyes flickered with something thoughtful.

“Because he is not Shao Kahn.” Her gaze drifted briefly toward the distant road. “He treats people… differently.”

Kitana watched her carefully. She agreed with the sentiment, but she wanted to finish her test.

“Differently how?”

Skarlet hesitated, as if the answer surprised even her.

“He sees us,” she said quietly, which earned a small reaction from Kitana. “Not as weapons, not as minions to be crushed with fear.” Her fingers curled slightly. “He speaks to me as if I am a person.”

She let out a quiet breath.

“I find that… intriguing.” She allowed herself a genuine, warm smile. “I like him.”

Kitana turned her gaze back toward the road.

“Yes,” she said quietly, smiling softly. “So do I”

After a moment, she added, “I will be watching you closely, Skarlet.”

The hemomancer smirked again. “I would expect nothing less from the Empress.”

Suddenly, one of the forward guards lifted his spear; movement appeared at the far end of the road.

At first, it was little more than shifting shapes through the haze…Then the sound reached them. Hoofbeats; Several of the waiting attendants straightened immediately.

Syzoth’s eyes narrowed, Carkas stepped forward beside the guard line, and Barong tilted his head slightly as several crows above them took flight.

Kitana’s gaze sharpened. “There,” she said quietly.

Through the drifting ash winds, two mounted riders finally emerged into view. Behind them followed a small escort of soldiers and two supply carts rolling slowly along the road.

Even from a distance, the figures were unmistakable. Fenrir rode at the front, Jade beside him.

Relief flickered across Kitana’s face, quickly hidden behind her regal composure and posture.

“It was about time,” Mileena muttered as she stepped forward beside her sister.

Kitana allowed herself a small smile. “Yes.” She turned toward the others.

“Come. Let us welcome them properly.”

As the riders reached the palace courtyard, Fenrir and Jade dismounted while the guards bowed respectfully. Servants moved quickly toward the carts to begin unloading their cargo.

Kitana approached with confident grace. “Well then,” she said with a playful smirk. “You two look as though you enjoyed your little vacation.”

Jade groaned dramatically. “Vacation is not the word I would use.”

Kitana laughed softly. “Productive, then?”

“Oh, very,” Jade replied with a grin.

Then the two women embraced warmly. “It is good to see you safe,” Kitana whispered.

Afterwards, she turned toward Fenrir.

He leaned slightly down as she wrapped her arms around him briefly.

“You as well, Fenrir”, she said quietly and warmly with a smile on her lips.

When they separated, Fenrir noticed Mileena standing a short distance away.

She gave him a small, shy nod, and he returned it with a warm smile… Yet her gaze quickly dropped.

Kitana clapped her hands softly. “Well then,” she said elegantly. “I believe we have much to discuss.”

Behind her, the advisors bowed respectfully.

Carkas stepped forward slightly. “Welcome back, Emperor,” he said with a soldier’s salute.

Barong bowed respectfully in silence.

Fenrir returned the gesture with a nod.

Jade glanced toward the others. “Yes… Though perhaps we should discuss certain matters inside.”

Her tone lowered slightly. “There are… delicate developments.”

Kitana and Mileena exchanged a brief look, then both nodded.

“Very well,” Kitana said. “Let us move to the throne room.”

---

We made our way into the throne room. The vast chamber had been cleared of nearly everyone. Only the four of us remained at its centre, while Syzoth, Skarlet, and Ermac stood along the perimeter like silent sentinels, watching, listening and guarding. None spoke unless spoken to.

Even in stillness, their presence carried weight.

We gathered around the throne itself, though none of us chose to sit upon it. The seat of Outworld’s ruler loomed behind us, imposing and symbolic, but tonight it felt more fitting to stand as equals and speak openly.

Jade and I recounted everything that had transpired in Sun Do.

We told them of the tense meeting with the local leadership… of General Baraka and Overlord Zafeero, of the loyalty chosen by the people of the city and of the challenge issued by Reiko.

I described the battle in detail, how it unfolded, the moment his arrogance faltered and how the citizens of Outworld had ultimately accepted my claim to the crown.
Kitana listened without interrupting.

Her eyes remained fixed on me, absorbing every word with sharp attention. Occasionally her expression shifted; First surprise, then calculation and finally a quiet note of approval when I spoke of the kneeling crowd and Reiko’s defeat.

Mileena listened just as closely.

Despite the unresolved tension between us, she missed nothing. Her Tarkatan eyes followed every detail, every implication. She leaned slightly forward at times, as though afraid a single word might escape her notice.

When the explanation ended, silence lingered for a moment.

Kitana exhaled slowly.

“So…” she murmured, concern threading her voice. “It was true.” She reached into the folds of her robes and handed me the letter she had received from the opposition.

“They are moving.”

Jade and I unrolled the scroll together. The message was identical to the one Baraka had shown us.

“When did this arrive?” Jade asked quietly.

“Yesterday,” Mileena answered before Kitana could speak.

Her tone was steady, though a trace of irritation lingered beneath it. “Barong intercepted it. A crow delivered it through the palace window. The message was addressed to both Kitana and me.”

Jade frowned. “To what purpose? Inviting you two to such a gathering is absurd. Shang Tsung knows Kitana’s distrust of him better than anyone.”

“Indeed,” Kitana said grimly, she folded her arms slowly. “But Shang Tsung never acts without purpose. If he invited me… it is likely because he believes he can offer something tempting enough to fracture this alliance.”

Her gaze turned toward me, serious and searching.

“He will attempt to bargain with me, to persuade me to betray you.”

The words hung heavily in the room.

Mileena scoffed. “He probably assumes I’m the more likely candidate for corruption,” she said bitterly. “After all, I was closer to Shao Kahn than Kitana ever was.”
Her eyes hardened.

“He’s a fool if he believes I would even consider stabbing the three of you in the back.”

“I know you wouldn’t.” I gave her a small, reassuring smile. For a split second, her composure faltered. A faint blush touched her cheeks before she quickly looked away.

Still… she didn’t reject the reassurance.

“But regardless,” I continued, my tone turning serious again, “we must assume this is only the beginning. Reiko was not acting alone. If Shang Tsung is organising a coalition, this meeting could determine their next move.”

Kitana nodded slowly. “There may be a way to learn their intentions.” She glanced toward the shadows where Syzoth stood.

“Syzoth could infiltrate the meeting. His abilities would allow him to observe without being detected.”

She shook her head. “That won’t work,” Jade said almost immediately. “Shang Tsung knows Syzoth far too well. If I were the sorcerer, I would expect him to try exactly that. Illusions, detection spells, even soul wards…Shang Tsung will have layered protections everywhere.”

Syzoth inclined his head slightly in agreement.

Kitana muttered a quiet curse beneath her breath.

Mileena had been silent during the exchange, though her posture shifted slightly as if wrestling with a thought.

I noticed. “Something on your mind, Mileena?” I asked gently.

She stiffened in surprise.

Her eyes widened slightly, caught off guard that I had noticed. Kitana and Jade both turned toward her.

“Well…” she began slowly. “I do have an idea.” She hesitated for a second, “…though I doubt any of you will like it.”

“Say it,” Jade encouraged.

Mileena drew in a breath.

“Perhaps… I should attend the meeting.”

“WHAT?!” Kitana’s reaction was immediate; shock and anger flashed across her face. “Mileena, that is insanity! You cannot seriously be suggesting that!”
Jade and I exchanged a glance but remained silent, allowing Mileena to continue.

“I know how it sounds!” Mileena snapped.

She stomped a foot sharply against the floor.

“Just, let me finish!”

The room fell quiet; Even Syzoth, Ermac, and Skarlet seemed momentarily taken aback.

Kitana took a breath and visibly **** herself to calm down, ashamed of interrupting her sister so quickly, she nodded slowly.

“…Continue.”

For a brief moment, the affection Kitana once held for Mileena surfaced again.

“Thank you,” Mileena said softly. She straightened her posture and continued. “I believe the letter wasn’t truly meant for you, Kitana.”
Her gaze sharpened. “I believe it was meant for me.”

Kitana’s expression stiffened.

“The sorcerer has always taken an… interest in me,” Mileena continued. “I’ve never fully understood why, but he has watched me closely for years.”
Kitana turned her face slightly away, and concern flickered across her eyes. She knew exactly why Shang Tsung viewed Mileena as valuable.

Because he created her.

The secret burned quietly in Kitana’s chest. Shang Tsung, and perhaps Shang Tsung alone, could reveal the truth of Mileena’s origins at any moment.

And if he chose to weaponise that truth… Kitana clenched her hands behind her back. Fenrir noticed the tension in her expression.

Something deeper was happening here.

“I think,” Mileena continued, unaware of the storm in Kitana’s thoughts, “that I could attend the meeting under the pretence of hearing Shang Tsung’s offer. If I play along, I might be able to gather valuable information.” She crossed her arms. “Yes, it would be dangerous. But it could also give us insight into their alliance.”

Jade nodded slowly. “It is not an outlandish strategy,” she admitted. “But it would leave you dangerously exposed.”

“Sister…” Kitana said carefully. “I am not entirely opposed to the concept, but this is Shang Tsung we are discussing.”

Her voice sharpened.

“You might deceive Motaro, perhaps even Goro; Rain might be arrogant enough to underestimate you.”

Her eyes darkened. “But Shang Tsung? Quan Chi?” She shook her head. “They will be watching and waiting for deception even amongst themselves; one misstep could expose you instantly.”

“I know,” Mileena insisted. “But that is precisely why it could work; they expect us to remain defensive.”

“Could work,” Kitana corrected firmly. “Not will.” Her voice carried quiet authority. “There are other ways to gather intelligence. Recklessness should not be our first choice.”

“I’m not being reckless!” Mileena snapped.

“Perhaps not,” Kitana replied. “But you are volunteering to walk into a wolf’s den.”

“I can take care of myself, Kitana.”

“I know you can,” Kitana said softly. “That is not the point.”

Her voice rose slightly.

“You would be surrounded by enemies. Shang Tsung, Quan Chi…possibly Reiko again. You would have no support.”

“I think she should do it.”

My voice cut through the room, and everyone turned toward me.

“The idea is sound,” I continued calmly. “Perhaps incomplete, yes. There are details to refine, but the core strategy has merit.”

I looked directly at Mileena.

“I trust her.”

The room fell silent.

Jade’s eyebrows lifted slightly, Kitana studied my face carefully, and Skarlet smirked faintly from the shadows.

And Mileena…She froze.

Warmth crept across her cheeks beneath her mask. Her eyes shimmered with something she rarely allowed herself to feel.

Validation.

Why was he always like this with her? Why did he believe in her so easily?

“Kitana,” Jade said gently after a moment. “I must agree with Fenrir.” She placed a hand over her heart. “We are all capable of making our own decisions. Mileena has survived worse odds than this.”

She smiled at Mileena.

“I believe she can handle herself; I support her plan.”

“If I may,” Skarlet added from the side.

All eyes turned to her.

“I would like to accompany Queen Mileena on this mission.”

Kitana raised an eyebrow. Skarlet continued calmly.

“If Queen Mileena agrees, I can remain hidden as her bodyguard and intervene only if necessary. This way, she will not be alone.”

Kitana considered the idea carefully, and finally she turned to Mileena.

“Are you certain you want to do this?”

Mileena met her gaze.

“…Yes,” she said firmly. “I am.”

Kitana studied her for a long moment, then she nodded.

“Very well.”

Her voice softened. “…Just be careful, sister.”

For a fleeting moment, the old bond between them resurfaced. Love, complicated and wounded, but still present.

“Well,” I said with a small smile, breaking the tension. “That settles that.”

“Now… let’s set that matter aside for tonight.” I glanced toward Kitana and Mileena. “What have you two been doing while we were away?”

Kitana’s lips curved slightly. “Oh… a few things.”

Mileena smirked. “Well, for starters,” Kitana said proudly, “I performed a bit of… cleaning in the palace.” Skarlet and Mileena both struggled not to laugh.
Jade and I exchanged a glance.

“…Cleaning?” I asked cautiously.

Mileena grinned. “She means she removed half the palace staff and reorganised the entire administration.”

“Well,” Kitana said with regal composure, “that is one way to describe it. They were incompetent,” she added bluntly. “The only reason many of them remained employed was their enthusiasm for licking Shao Kahn’s boots.”

“Who exactly did you remove?” Jade asked, amused.

“Most of the so-called council,” Kitana replied. “Barong remains, of course. And I promoted Carkas to oversee marshal affairs.” She folded her arms. “Carkas handled the guards who refused to acknowledge the new crown.”

“And Barong?” I asked.

“Handled the quieter problems,” Kitana replied smoothly.

“…Ah.” I nodded slowly. “Who is overseeing and stewarding?”

Kitana raised both hands slightly.

“I am.”

She shrugged lightly. “I did not believe anyone else currently met the necessary qualifications.”

Mileena leaned forward proudly. “She’s actually very good at it.”

“I’m sure she is,” I said warmly with a loving, genuine, proud smile at her.

Kitana blushed slightly. “Well, we want this to work, and for that we need to be well accompanied by people we can trust and can give Outworld growth in the future.” She stated, regally trying to regain her composure.

“It’s a good thing I’m well accompanied then,” I said, flirting with the three of them. They smiled, noticing my compliment. “Something else I should be informed about here in the castle?”

“Yes,” Kitana continued. “We closed and disabled old rooms belonging to Shang Tsung and Shao Kahn. The flesh pits, for example, have been completely dismantled. Its items and…experiments have been confiscated and or destroyed.”

I nodded, agreeing with the choice and course of action “Besides that, you will notice some things missing or removed in the next couple of days. We had been re-organising them, as mentioned, by changing and removing symbols belonging to Shao Kahn’s reign, like banners, decorations and the like. Your room has also been redecorated as you requested. You will find only the desk, bed and empty drawers and wardrobes for you to fill with your personal items.”

Jade smiled at that; a thought crossed her mind on something she’s pondering about on the return here…something intimate between them.

“Gods, I love the sound of that. Thank you two.” I added warmly.

“You are more than welcome, it’s your home now after all.” She stated returning the warmth.

“Our home, I think you meant,” I added with a charming smile, to which the three of them chuckled and giggled cheerfully. “That being said, I would like to help you and continue with the renovations. Tomorrow morning, I will speak with you privately to see what we can do with the coins and resources we have at the moment.”

Kitana nodded; she would love to spend some more time with me alone. “What about diplomatic and domestic affairs? Anything I should know about?”

Kitana soon grew serious again “The abolition of slavery has been proclaimed across the realm.” She paused. “However, that decision will not be welcomed everywhere.”

Jade nodded. “Certain noble houses built their fortunes on **** labour and trade.”

“They will resist,” Mileena added. “Quietly at first… but resistance will come.”

“Barong believes several merchant guilds may attempt economic retaliation,” Kitana said. “They may halt trade shipments to pressure the crown.”

“And some warlords along the frontier will likely ignore the decree entirely,” Jade added.

“Then we make them obey,” Mileena said coldly.

Kitana shook her head.

“No. We make them understand.”

Her voice carried the calm resolve of a ruler. “Reform imposed only through fear rarely lasts.”

I nodded.

“Then we prepare for both outcomes.”

The conversation continued, continuing on around agriculture, infrastructure, trade and diplomacy.

Not for conquest, but governance.

“Kitana and I have been studying ways to improve infrastructure and, in a way, increase the development and culture of the cities and the capital. Something that should be addressed as soon as possible.” Mileena said measured.

“I believe you two have already made a reform to be sent,” Jade added with a smile, knowing they together can be a **** to be reckoned with.

“Of course, who do you think we are, Jade?” Mileena added with a grin beneath her mask, teasingly, but with no malice in her words.

“In hand with it, tax adjustments and a new law project have been made for us to review together over the next couple of days.” Kitana closed off the debrief.
“Oh! We could also adjust the agriculture sectors; this way, we can increase the production of resources and find a way to distribute them more fairly and evenly around the states of Outworld.” Jade added with a smile.

“New tools can be acquired by realm contact and diplomacy…” Mileena added thoughtfully.

“That’s a great idea, I will add it to the list,” Kitana said with a smile as the three of them continued to debate, entangled in their interest for growth and betterment of Outworld.

And as I watched them debate the future of Outworld together…I smiled.

“You three are incredible,” I said with a loving smile at the beautiful scene in front of me. They were so beautiful to look at together. I could see the most beautiful piece of jewellery or precious stone in the world, and I would rather have it instead.

They laughed jovially; Skarlet smirked from the sidelines, watching us, knowing he was genuine in his words. “Hey, you are not so bad yourself at it. You managed to get the whole of Sun Do to bow to you.” Kitana said in a teasing manner. Bowing slightly playfully, almost sounding and acting like Mileena for a second in tone and teasing.

“Oh, you should have seen him.” Jade added with a smile, “He was amazing, truly inspiring.” She gave me a flirtatious look at the end.

I chuckled at their comment. “Hey! I’m just doing my work.”

Their laughter filled the room, and for the first time since my arrival…The palace felt almost like home.