The New Emperor(Public)

The sand of the arena beneath my boots felt coarse and dry. The air was heavy, and the copper scent of blood, ever present on the ground, seemed to cling to everything. In that moment of realization, I saw my enemy fall. Shao Kahn, the tyrant emperor of Outworld and scourge of the realms, lay defeated; his massive helmet lay shattered on the arena floor.

The Outworld crowd was stunned into silence, their roars of anger and loyalty reduced to murmurs as they absorbed the sight: their ruler felled by an Earthrealmer. Around me, Outworld warriors muttered in disbelief, while my own comrades began to celebrate. A booming voice cut through the rising noise, and in those instant black clouds gathered overhead, until a golden shaft of light pierced through them. The Elder Gods had
made themselves known.

“Mortals!” came the combined voices of six celestial beings, both male and female. “The champion of the Mortal Kombat tournament has been revealed. We, the Elder Gods, have come to a decision. The champion, Fenrir Blackmore , is now the Emperor of Outworld and the merged world of Edenia!”

Whispers rippled through the crowd, growing louder by the second. The stunned expressions of both friends and rivals said it all.
Shock was the only description that came close to capturing the looks on their faces, and it was the same for me.

“And in order to solidify the unity of the worlds and uphold the purity of the throne,” the Elder Gods continued, “Fenrir Blackmore enters into a sacred alliance with the daughters of the fallen outworld emperor. Henceforth, he is the lawful husband of Princess Kitana, Princess Mileena and their loyal companion, Jade.”

“WHAT?!” Kitana hissed, standing jolted from her seat in the royal box, her voice cracking with disbelief. Her eyes, wide with confusion, darted between the glowing gods and me as her mind struggled to piece together the proclamation.

Across from her, seated to the right of the throne, Mileena let out a low, guttural noise beneath her pink veil: part growl, part sob. Throughout her life she’d been hated, feared, or used and now, at last, the decree made her a legitimate wife of the new emperor alongside Kitana. Her grin was unhinged and hungry with possibility. She slammed her sai’s hilts into the railing of the podium, eyes locked on me with predatory intensity. This was her chance, the chance for the affection and power she’d been denied for centuries.

Jade’s reaction was more restrained, but no less sharp. Her grip tightened on her staff, muscles tensed as though ready to defend, or to strike. Unlike Kitana or Mileena, Jade’s allegiance had always been shaped more by duty and loyalty than by emotion, unless it was Kitana. How could she know whether I would be better or worse than Shao Kahn? All she knew was that her first priority was Kitana’s safety. And yet… she was shocked to find her name included in this proclaimed “political alliance.” Why would a free Edenian warrior, loyal protector and champion, be bound to the new ruler and above all become an empress?

“This is the will of destiny and fate,” the Elder Gods declared as the dark clouds began to disperse, and the golden light merged seamlessly with the sun’s rays, leaving all assembled in awed silence.

W/R: MAKE YOUR OWN BRANCH, IF YOU ADD TO A BRANCH THAT DOESN'T BELONG TO YOU THE CHAPTER WILL BE DELETED