SETTING: Royal Territory, Edenia. 8,010 B.C.E.

SCENE: Palace Corridors, At Night

(Fade in) Queen Sindel runs frantically through the gold and lavender corridor, with many armored warriors pursuing her. In Sindel's arms is her recently born daughter, oddly sound sleep in the midst of the turmoil. The warriors scream threats and obscenities as they chase the Edenian queen, aiming their swords and axes at her and her child.

Sindel turns left down an ivory corridor and continues to run. As the warriors advance, two guards each throw a small axe at Sindel, missing her just barely.

Sindel: (in a fearful tone) No! Stop! ( utters a cry)

Freeing a hand from holding her baby, Sindel looks behind her and shakily waves her hand, casting a violet-smoked hex on two large ivory pillars. The pillars begin to crumble, and they fall dramatically, crushing many of the warriors pursuing Sindel. Four warriors, two of them being the warriors who previous ly threw the axes, survive the falling pillars and continue to pursue Sindel.

Sindel resumes cradling her baby with both arms as she runs. She again turns left, down a dimly lit black-walled hallway. Though dark, Sindel can still hear the angry screams of the four warriors. At the end of the hallway is a maroon door with a golden handle. Sindel picks up speed and dashes tow ards the door. W hile shivering in fear, Sindel frees a hand and opens the door. She quickly slides into the room and slam the door shut. With her freed hand, Sindel flicks her fingers at the handle, casting a small violet-smoked hex which appears to enhance the door's locking mechanism.

Sindel turns around to face the room. It is empty, save for a n elliptical mirror on the back wall. On the left wall is a window, the moonlight strongly shining through it. Through the window, Sindel can see the palace door st airway, cover in flames and many lifeless bodies of the palace guards. After a brief view, Sindel runs toward and crouches into the far right corner of the room. Now, her baby begins to wake and slightly cries. Sindel begins to rock her baby in an attempt to calm her.

Sindel: (whispering and shushing) It's okay; it's okay, Kitana. Don't cry. Everything is going to be alright. Don't cry, sweetheart.

As Sindel continues to sooth her baby, a loud explosive noise is heard from outside the door. Sindel looks up toward the door, frightened, and cradles her baby tightly toward her chest. Sindel continues to stare at the door. Silence ensues. Sindel continues to eye the door, with a look of both worry and seriousness upon her face. Faint steps can be heard nearing the door. Silence ensues again, briefly. Abruptly, a large explosion occurs, destroying the door and the surrounding portion of the wall. Sindel shields her eyes from the debris with her arm, holding her baby against her chest with the other.

The debris slowly settles and Sindel lowers her arm, resuming it to cradle her child. Thro ugh the gaping hole, Shao Kahn steps into the room, looking directly at Queen Sindel. Many armored warriors, including the previous four, follow into the room behind Shao Kahn. Sindel fearfu l l y backs into the corner , holding her bab y tighter. Her eyes never leave Shao Kahn's.

Shao Kahn slowly takes a few steps toward Sindel, smiling sinisterly as he does.

Shao Kahn: (softly; while walking) You greatly amuse me.

Shao Kahn ceases his walk and takes glances at the room. Sindel continues to stare at Shao Kahn. Kitana, oddly, ceases to cry.

Shao Kahn: (slightly louder) You run from corridor to corridor, using magic that (pauses briefly) surely could have destroyed all of my men. (looks to Sindel; smiling) Where are you priorities?

Sindel: (in a serious tone) My daughter is my priority.

Shao Kahn: (slowly nodding in agreement) Yes, of course.

Shao Kahn takes a few more steps toward Sindel. Sindel clutches her baby, her eyes never l ooking away from Shao Kahn.

Shao Kahn: (in a strong tone) I suppose that is why you failed to collect your dear husband.

A look of confusion forms on Sindel's face. Shao Kahn looks behind him and gestures at one of his warriors. The warrior tosses to Shao Kahn a large sword with a green and silver handle , its blade sparingly covered in blood . Shao Kahn catches the sword with ease, turns to face Sindel, and nonchalantly drops the sword in front of her. Sindel, finally ceasing to eye Shao Kahn, looks down at the sword in shock.

Shao Kahn: (softly) It's amazing the things you lose due to your (pauses slightly to smile) priorities.

Sindel gazes at her husband's sword in horror. Tears begin to fall from her eyes as she slowly shakes her head in disbelief.

Sindel: (crying) No, no. Please tell me no. (crying intensifies) Please tell me no!

Shao Kahn: (strongly; interrupting Sindel) A proud king and a legendary swordsman. Slaying foe after foe and in the heat of battle (tone shifting to imply wonder) he drops his sword.

Sindel: ( softly; sobbing; gazing at the sword) I'm so sorry, Jerrod.

Shao Kahn: (softly) Worry not, my queen. King Jerrod died a most noble death, by his own sword no less.

Shao Kahn stands straight and takes a deep breath. Exhaling, he once again surveys the room. Sindel continues to gaze at her husband's sword.

Shao Kahn: (in a moderate tone) I am not entirely a man of immorality, as I do believe in mercy. This realm is mine, and it shall merge with Outworld within a day's time, but you shall not perish.

Sindel looks upward to Shao Kahn, confusion forming across her face. Shao Kahn looks to Sindel.

Shao Kahn: As a show of mercy, I would like to take you as my queen.

Sindel: (in a serious tone; slightly sobbing) You might as well throw me into the dungeons with the rest of your slaves, because I would never agree to be your wife.

Shao Kahn laughs hardily. Sindel glances at him in a bit of terror.

Shao Khan: (following laughter) Agree?

Shao Kahn slowly bends down toward Sindel. His face nearly touches hers. He smiles slyly.

Shao Kahn: (softly) I wasn't giving you a choice.

Complete and utter horror strikes Sindel's face. Shao Kahn resumes standing straight, turns around, and walks out of the room through the hole. The warriors behind him surround Sindel and begin to apprehend her. Sindel clutches Kitana closely to her chest as she looks up at the warriors in fright. Suddenly, Kitana begins to slightly cry once again. (Fade out)

Author : Goshous

Creation date: 2014-6-6-19-8

Modification date: 2014-6-6-19-8