After the first Mortal Kombat tournament, whispers echoed through the realm - rumors of a red-clad specter seen near the edge of The Pit. Ermac had watched from the shadows, countless souls bound within him, their rage stirring. Shang Tsung's failure cracked the balance, and in that chaos, the souls screamed for release. Ermac stepped forward - eyes glowing, fists clenched. “We are many,” he whispered, “and now... we are ready.”