Sareena

Pronounced: se-REEN-a

From a late Latin name which was derived from the Latin word serenus meaning "clear, tranquil, serene."

Reiko

Pronounced: REE-ko

Finnish form of Gregory from the Latin Gregorius, which was from the late Greek name Gregorios, which was derived from gregoros meaning "watchful, alert, guard."

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Prologue

"Premonition"

The Edenian Arena was a massive temple, decorated with gold and jade. The arena was candlelit with large dragon statues surrounding the center arena floor and velvet drapes hanging from the walls all around. The central floor where competitors would fight was a shining bronze with the dragon symbol of Mortal Kombat embedded in. The Edenian people took great pride in their knowledge of the martial arts and the Mortal Kombat tournament, and they thought it was only fitting that the arenas suited the beauty of battle.

The arena was empty except for three individuals. Two were fighting in the central floor while the third watched from the shadows. The first fighter was the Edenian King, Jerrod, who was fighting to defend his realm from being conquered. His opponent was Shao Kahn, the Emperor of Outworld, who sought to add Edenia to his growing empire. This final conflict would decide the fate of Edenia. Jerrod's best warriors had all fallen in battle with Kahn's Outworld fighters and this Final Kombat was his last chance to save not just his world, but his people, his wife and his newly born daughter.

The third individual was Reiko, who stood in the shadows, watching the fight. Reiko was one of Shao Kahn's elite warriors and generals and had personally defeated some of Edenia's best warriors in Mortal Kombat. Reiko was a mute, although it was unknown if it was because he was unable to speak, or that he simply just didn't. He watched the battle unconcerned for his master's safety. He knew how this would end. Jerrod fought well, but Kahn was far stronger and much more savage. As the battle wore on, Jerrod was getting more desperate and leaving himself more open to Kahn's attacks. It was always the same. It was inevitable.

Not surprisingly, Jerrod fell to Shao Kahn's power. Kahn viciously slew the Edenian king and absorbed his soul for himself. As Kahn reveled in his conquest, Reiko turned and stepped outside the arena onto a balcony and looked out upon the kingdom of Edenia. He watched as the clouds over the land quickly began to change from a beautiful purple and blue to a sickly blood red and burnt black.

None of this was out of the ordinary for Reiko who had served Kahn since the beginning. It was no different than Zattera. Or the Vampire realm. Or the dozens of other realms that had fallen before Kahn's might before. He felt no pity for these people nor any shame for the atrocities that were waiting for them. However, as Reiko watched the view, he suddenly felt a chill. Not just from the cooling breeze, but something deeper. In his gut. He wasn't sure how or why, but deep down, he knew things would be different on this realm.

End of Prologue