Chapter X

"Revelations"

Reiko stood on a balcony of the Edenian Palace watching Shinnok's army march through the capital city. Shinnok's army was made of all kinds of Demons. Some resembled humans while others looked like trolls, dragons, and other creatures. The Damned souls were also employed as ground troops and first wave attackers. Some of the more evil and powerful Damned souls were recruited as commanders. The Demons were being bred within the pits of the Netherealm for millions of years, since Shinnok took power. The army was nearly endless and Edenia fell quickly.

Reiko stepped off the balcony and back into the Palace where the other generals, a term used very loosely to describe them, were plundering whatever they could find. Reptile was sniffing around for food while a new recruit named Baraka was searching for liquor.

"Where'ssss all the damn food?!" Reptile hissed. "Thissss isss the Edenian Palacccccce for God'sssssssake! Did you find anything Baraka?"

Baraka turned with a large box full of rum, whiskey, wine and other liquors and said "Aye, I got what I want. This'll keep me occupied for the rest of the bloody war!" He then cackled and ran off.

In the hallway Mileena and Tanya were arguing over who would get control of Edenia when Shinnok was through with it.

"I am the rightful princess. I should rule Edenia!" Mileena said.

"Please, it'll be a cold day in hell before I crook my knee to some ugly mutant whore!" Tanya sneered.

"Call me that again and I'll cut your God damn throat!" Mileena snarled pulling out her sais.

"Try it bitch. I'll feed you to the damn lizard!"

Reiko didn't bother to hear the rest of the conversation. He sighed and walked off. Surrounded by degenerate, mindless children. The only ones not making fools of themselves were Scorpion and Noob Saibot who were no where to be found. In the throne room Reiko found Quan Chi meditating on Sindel's throne.

"Enter Reiko." he said not looking up. Reiko entered the throne room and stood at attention in front of Quan Chi. "Our time is short. The Elder Gods have already sensed Shinnok's movements." he continued. "The gods are mobilizing as we speak. They will be ready for battle within the week." Reiko nodded as Quan Chi opened his eyes and grinned. "But we will be ready first. Shinnok's ordered to strike the Heavens tomorrow." Quan Chi rose from the throne and approached Reiko and said "Shinnok will open a portal to the Ethereal Planes and you shall lead the first wave with three hosts." A host included 6 billion Damned souls and 6 million Demon warriors. The bulk of Shinnok's army was made up of 6 hosts. "The gods and the Ethereal warriors will be unprepared and drastically outnumbered. Strike hard and fast and cripple whatever defenses they have." Reiko again nodded. "You are dismissed general."

Reiko left the Palace and went to the Demon's camp which was set up outside the city. He went to his tent to rest for the coming war. The severity of the battle was not lost on him. He would be leading the forces of Hell against the forces of Heaven. In just about every religion or mythology he had encountered throughout his life, that was usually considered the end of the world. He was leading Armageddon. However, Reiko was not one to be intimidated by war or battle, no matter how severe it was. He was a soldier. If he is meant to encounter his destiny tomorrow, victory or death, so be it.

When dawn came, the three Demons hosts shaped into formation. Reptile, Baraka, and Scorpion were placed at the head of each host and Reiko took charge at the head of the army. Shinnok appeared in front of them with Quan Chi by his side.

"My warriors!" Shinnok bellowed. "This is the moment we have waited are entire lives for! This is the hour we strike back at those who have wronged us! Too long have we suffered in the bowels of the Netherealm! Too long have we been ground under the foot of the gods! Too long have we tolerated the indifference of the Elder Gods! Now is the time they feel our pain! Now is the time we make them suffer!" As Shinnok spoke, the Demon army began to cheer and pound their chests and drum their weapons in the ground. "On this day, we shall stain the Ethereal Planes with the blood of the gods themselves! Look above you!" Shinnok suddenly pointed to the sun that was still rising, making the sky look blood red. "The gods have witnessed their last sunrise! To WAR!" The Demons all yelled and cheered in a crazed frenzy.

Elsewhere, the Ethereal Planes were a place of beauty and tranquillity. The sky was a bright white and the land was peaceful and serene. They existed on a plane outside normal reality, similar to the Netherealm. The Ethereal Planes were the gateway between normal mortal reality and the Heavens where the gods, Seraphim, and good souls dwelt.

The forces of the gods were camped outside the gates to the Heavens. The Ethereal army was made up of realm gods and Seraphim warriors. They were the forces of light and good and were existed to keep order and peace between the realms.

Suddenly a massive portal tore open in the distance. All the gods and warriors in camp looked to the portal with growing concern and dread. Suddenly a black horde began to emerge from the portal.

"The Demon army is attacking! To arms! To arms!" a Seraphim warrior called out. At once all the warriors and gods began to prepare for battle as the Demon army began to charge. Their psychotic roars echoed throughout the Planes. The Seraphim and gods began to charge out and meet their foes head on. They all collided and in the center of the Planes and the battle was on.

The first wave of Damned souls, although considerably weaker than the forces of light, far outnumbered their enemies. For every god or Seraphim, there were ten Damned souls. Like cockroaches, they would be struck down in waves, but then twice as many would emerge and take their place.

After the first wave of Damned, Demon hordes charged in. At first it was the ones who resembled humans and they attacked with spears, swords and arrows. All weapons were enchanted by Shinnok and Quan Chi so they would kill the gods and Seraphim when they hit. Then the dragon Demons attacked from the air. The breathed fire onto the Seraphim and gods and violently tore down the ones who could fly. The slaughter in the air made blood come down like rain.

Reiko, armed with his Spiked Klub and ninja stars struck down all who attacked him. Elsewhere, he saw Baraka savagely tearing into anyone he could get his hands on. Baraka was laughing and cheering for himself like a lunatic, cutting down all who attacked him. Reiko then saw Reptile who appeared to have gone feral. He was savagely mauling anyone within his reach, jumping onto them and biting into their faces and throats. Anyone who tried to stop him was met with a face full of acid he spat in their face. In the distance, Scorpion was cutting down his enemies with an unmatched ferocity. He used everything at his disposal including his own fire breathe.

As the battle began to favor the Demon army, the sky above began to darken and turn to a blood red. Thunder and lightning could be heard and seen in the distance. The battle in the Heavens affected the mortal realms too. Earthquakes and thunderstorms began on Earth and several other realms throughout Reality. As hope for the forces of light began to fade, the Demon army got stronger.

Behind Reiko, a group of Demons suddenly burst into flame and he heard someone call "Face me now abomination!"

Reiko turned and saw it was the Earth God of Fire, whose name Reiko didn't know. As fire burned from his body he charged at Reiko who quickly dodged the attack. He threw four stars at the Fire God who quickly melted them before they hit. However, he didn't see that the four stars were distractions for the fifth which struck his throat. Injured, but not down, the Fire God began to unleash a series of fire balls onto Reiko who dodged most and blocked others with his Klub. The Klub however caught fire causing Reiko to throw it away.

The Fire God was about to strike the unarmed Reiko, but Reiko suddenly did his Spinning Teleport which in the blink of an eye put him behind the Fire God. The Fire God was caught off guard and Reiko unleashed an series of attacks onto the weakened god. He ignored the burning pain in his hands when he struck the god and continued his assault. He did a Flip Kick which sent the Fire God down to the ground. Before he could stand, Reiko unleashed ten ninja stars which punctured the god's arms, legs and chest making him collapse.

Reiko picked up a nearby spear from the ground and approached the defeated god intent on finishing him off. However, he was suddenly interrupted by a thunderous voice yelling "You shall not harm him Demon!" Reiko turned and was struck by electricity and someone plowing into him like a torpedo. It was the Thunder God Raiden who violently struck Reiko away from his fallen comrade. Before Reiko could stand, he was lifted into the air by Raiden who began to pulse electricity into his body. Searing pain wracked through Reiko as Raiden poured lightning into him. As everything began to fade away, Reiko accepted his fate, content to know he died in battle with honor. Everything then faded to black.

________________________________________________

Reiko slowly awoke feeling wasted. His body was sore with pain and he could barely move. He opened his eyes and saw his was in a room of light which looked a lot like Heaven, which confused him a bit. He turned and saw Raiden standing over him talking with who appeared to be the Earth God of Wind.

"It is a risk Raiden." he said with concern. "We should just kill this creature now."

"I know Fujin." Raiden answered. "But if it works, I think it will be worth it. Besides, at this point, what have we to lose?"

"I just hope you're right."

Raiden knelt down in front of Reiko and said "Can you hear me general? I know who you are and I'm sure you know who I am." Reiko stared at Raiden puzzled about why he was here. "I have spared your life because I know deep down you are an honorable man, and I believe there is a chance for you. But you must listen to me and believe my words." Reiko didn't know what Raiden was talking about but since he could barely move he figured he may as well pay attention. "Your master has deceived you. The girl you promised to protect so many years ago, Sareena, was not killed by the Lin Kuei ninja Sub-Zero." Reiko's immediate thought was that he's lying. "I know this will be difficult to believe, but the truth is Sub-Zero spared Sareena's life when they fought. She later helped him in his fight against Quan Chi." Reiko still didn't buy it. "She wanted Sub-Zero to help her escape the Netherealm. You know yourself how much she hated the Netherealm and how much she wanted to escape, correct?" Suddenly, Raiden's words began to ring clear. "However, she was struck down by Shinnok, your master. It was Shinnok. Not Sub-Zero. They lied to you." Although Raiden's words sort of made sense, Reiko still didn't believe it. "I'm going to allow you to return to Edenia and your masters, but I hope you will reconsider your loyalty to them." Raiden then rose and began to walk away, leaving Reiko shocked and confused. "Believe what you wish, but what I have told you is the truth. What happens next, I leave up to you."

End of Chapter X