Chapter VI

"Misery"

Sareena awoke curled in a ball at the edge of her bed. She wanted to put as much distance between herself and the person in bed with her as possible. The other person was Quan Chi who decided that, in addition to being one of his personal assassins and bodyguards, Sareena should be his personal concubine. This was not a decision Sareena was happy with and, at first, refused. She only refused Quan Chi once though. Because the first and only time she refused Quan Chi he beat her into unconsciousness and put a curse on her for good measure. The curse was she would bring bad luck and misfortune to anyone she genuinely cared for. After that, she never said "no" to Quan Chi again.

Sareena rose from her bed quietly so she wouldn't wake Quan Chi and walked to the window. When she first came to the Netherealm she hoped it was just a dream. That she'd wake up any moment and be safe. Unfortunately, she woke up every morning in the same place, feeling the same emptiness and always cold. Once she gave up that hope, she began to pray that she'd simply be able to escape. Days stretched to months. Months to years. Years to centuries. Her body didn't grow older, but her eyes gave away her true age. It had been nearly 10,000 years since she woke up in the Netherealm for the first time. She still wasn't used to the cold.

In the time that had passed, Sareena excelled in her training and became a very formidable fighter. She even earned Jataaka's respect, although Kia still seemed to resent her presence. Quan Chi seemed to take particular interest in tormenting Sareena hence why he decided she should be his concubine. This decision also seemed to upset Kia who was probably jealous of the attention Sareena was getting, which pleased Quan Chi even more. Any misery he could spread only made him happy.

In the many years that had passed, Sareena saw less and less of Reiko. She would periodically see him, as if he was checking up on her every so often. She never really understood why he would do that. It didn't really matter to her anyway. To Sareena it was Reiko's fault Ash died and it was Reiko who brought her to the Netherealm.

"Pleasant sleep my dear?" Quan Chi hissed rising from the bed and putting his clothes and armor on.

"Yes master." Sareena answered. He would ask that question every time he slept with her and the irony of the question was never lost on her. He knew damn well she never liked sleeping with him.

"Good. I must take my leave now. I have business that needs to be taken care of on Earth today."

"Will I be accompanying you master?" Sareena asked. Quan Chi often had business on other realms and Sareena, Kia, or Jataaka would sometimes be asked to join him as his bodyguards. Sareena usually looked forward to Quan Chi's dealings with other realms because it meant she'd get a chance to leave the Netherealm, even if it was just for a brief amount of time.

"That won't be necessary. You'll stay here and await any further orders." Quan Chi said leaving Sareena's chamber.

Sareena dressed and went to the training chamber. She favored two small sickles as her weapon of choice. She stood alone in the training chamber and began practicing fighting and using her weapons. Whenever she fought she was often tempted to imagine it was Quan Chi she was fighting although she was apprehensive about it. She was afraid that Quan Chi or Shinnok would read her thoughts and punish her for thinking such treasonous things. However, with Quan Chi on Earth and Shinnok nowhere to be found she took the opportunity to vent.

"Sareena! Master Shinnok wants to see us." Jataaka called entering the chamber. "He said it's important."

Sareena followed Jataaka to Shinnok's chamber which was at the pyramid's apex. When they got there Kia was already waiting and Shinnok was sitting on his throne. The three assassins all knelt in front of Shinnok.

"What is thy bidding master?" Kia asked keeping her head down. They all kept their heads down. Shinnok often demanded his servants not look him in the eye unless he granted permission. They were not worthy to look at the great god Shinnok.

"A small matter that should require little time from the three of you." Shinnok answered. "There's a problem in the 5th Plane being caused by the Oni called Drahmin."

"The Oni-Tormentor?" Sareena asked. Drahmin the Oni-Tormentor was a creature who had garnered a terrible reputation within the Netherealm. He was once a man who was so evil he was banished to the 5th Plane of the Netherealm. Over time, he became so consumed with rage and madness that he became an Oni and became one of the torturers of damned souls. Drahmin's tortures were reserved only for the worst and most evil of souls.

"Yes. Seems he's once again gone mad with power and is attempting to escape the 5th Plane and make his way here." Shinnok continued. Periodically Drahmin would start to believe his own hype and think he could overthrow Shinnok and take control of the Netherealm. So every so often he would have to be reminded of his place. "I need the three of you to go down to the 5th Plane and reeducate him in the concept of humility."

"Yes master Shinnok!" the three assassins said at once and they left Shinnok's chamber. After gathering their weapons, they took a transport that teleported them to the Black Tower. Inside the tower was a stairway that connected the Ten Planes of the Netherealm. The 10th Plane was the one Shinnok resided on and the only place in the Netherealm where the sky could be seen. All the other planes were underneath and each plane varied from the other. One plane was a frozen wasteland that was even colder than the 10th Plane, if that were possible. Another plane was a desolate bog where wretched flesh-eating creatures resided.

Most of the Netherealm Planes were used to torture and torment the Damned. The Damned are the evil souls who are banished to the Netherealm when they die. Damned souls lose any power they had in their life leaving them easy prey for the Demons and other torturers.

The 5th Plane of the Netherealm was the worst and reserved only for the most evil and vile souls. The 5th Plane is a place of fire and brimstone where the Oni reside. Oni are basically Demons, only much worse. They are sadistic, despicable creatures who live to torture and torment anything. And among the Oni, the one called Drahmin stood out as one of the worst.

Kia, Jataaka, and Sareena entered the 5th Plane where the miserable screams of the Damned could be heard, which was something they were used to. The only good thing about the 5th Plane was that it was the only warm place in the entire Netherealm. But every single thing else about it was a nightmare. They walked along the narrow pathways careful to keep their balance. One slip could send them into one of the pits where they'd be mobbed by a thousand Damned souls and God only knows what they'd do to them. Kia walked ahead, followed by Jataaka and Sareena who couldn't help but look into the pits to see how many souls were trapped there.

"It's so hard to believe." Sareena said quietly.

"What is?" Jataaka asked.

"That they're are so many evil people in existence. Thousands are trapped here. Millions scattered in the other Planes. Maybe billions." Sareena paused for a moment. "Kind of depressing."

"How so?" Jataaka asked. Jataaka was born a Demon so she had little understanding of life outside of the Netherealm. To her, all this was normal.

Up ahead, Kia began asking one of the Demon guards where Drahmin was located. It'd be difficult to find him because the 5th Plane was like a maze. As Kia talked with the guard, Sareena started to wonder if Ash was sent here when he died. It was possible, but she didn't want to believe it. After all the time that passed, Sareena could barely remember him, but every so often a memory would briefly return to her.

"What's the matter?" Jataaka asked seeing Sareena thinking.

"I was thinking about someone I used to know. He died a long time ago and I was thinking if he came here." Sareena answered.

"Well was he evil or not?"

"Well, he worked for Shao Kahn. But he seemed like he had a good heart. Would that matter?"

Jataaka shrugged and said "No idea."

"Oh grow up!" Kia suddenly yelled hearing the conversation. "Anyone stupid enough to serve Shao Kahn is obviously a bastard who deserves whatever they have coming." she then motioned them to follow her. "Come on, we've wasted enough time here."

There was a time early on that Sareena would've been furious over that comment, but she's since gotten used to Kia's remarks. For some reason, Kia would always get angry whenever someone mentioned Shao Kahn. Sareena was always kind of curious why, but she didn't care enough to ask.

Jataaka and Sareena followed Kia to a large cave located very deep within the 5th Plane where Drahmin was said to have attacked some of the other Demon guards. They entered the cave where they saw Drahmin drenched in blood tossing around what looked like a Demon's body. His mask was off which meant that he was even more berserk than usual. He turned and saw Kia, Jataaka, and Sareena and roared something that could've have been a sentence, but it was hard to tell.

"Glad to see you too Drahmin." Sareena moaned.

"What Shinnok bitches want?" Drahmin growled.

"To give you a reminder." Kia said. "Shinnok owns you. And the world will end before a lowlife Oni takes control of the Netherealm."

With that Drahmin lunged at the three assassins and they quickly sprang into action. Even though it was three against one, Drahmin would not fall easy. With his mask off he'll be even harder to take down. Although Kia and Sareena didn't like each other they fought like a cohesive unit. Even though neither would ever admit it, they were a remarkable team. And with Jataaka fighting alongside them they were a force to be reckoned with. Few stepped out of line when the threat of Shinnok's three assassins came up.

In spite of all Drahmin's brutality, he was defeated. It was Sareena who delivered the final blow the sent him toppling into a pit where he was immediately swarmed by a dozen Damned souls. He would get out eventually, but the message was delivered.

"Try not to forget this time Drahmin!" Sareena yelled down to him. "Shinnok rules you. You're in his world."

"Job's done." Kia groaned. "Let's get out of this pit."

Kia, Jataaka, and Sareena returned to Shinnok's Fortress. Kia went to the apex to tell him of their success. Jataaka returned to her chamber to get some rest. Sareena however, went to a balcony where she could think in private. For some reason, Kia's words about Ash kept bothering her. And there was something else.

As she thought she noticed Reiko in the hallway behind her. He was checking up on her again. She usually just ignored him but she wanted to ask him something.

"Reiko. I want to talk to you." she called to him, but he started to walk away. "Wait! Please, I just want to ask you something."

Reiko approached Sareena and stood next to her waiting for her question.

"I um, I wanted to know..." she paused a moment, thinking about how to phrase her words. "Was Ash....a good person?" Reiko stared at her, apparently confused by this question. "I know he worked for Shao Kahn and Kahn was a bastard, but....was he a good person? Deep down?" Reiko continued to stare at Sareena and merely shrugged. She gave a light smile and mumbled "Thanks anyway."

Sareena sat quietly staring at the view for a moment then suddenly said "I don't remember him. I don't remember a lot of things. I kind of remember what he was like, but I don't remember what he looked like or sounded like. All I remember is that he was nice to me and I was happy with him." She paused for a second then continued "I don't remember my mother either. I don't remember her at all. What she looked like, what she was like. I don't even remember her name. I think I loved her. I'm honestly not sure anymore. I don't remember a lot of things from before I came here. I don't remember feeling things. Fresh air, being warm, food...nothing. Everything is so...numb."

Sareena then fell silent for a few moments. Reiko stared at her, a little surprised that she'd open herself to him like this. She then sniffed, as if she was about to cry and said "I hate this place. I hate everything about it. I hate the smell. I hate the way it looks. I hate hearing people scream everyday and I hate not feeling anything but hate. Most of all, I hate being cold. I'm just so tired. I hear master Shinnok talk about Earth all the time. About how beautiful it is and how great it is there. I wish I could see it." she was quiet and rubbed her forehead. Reiko continued to stare at her shocked that she confide all this to him. She then let out a small laugh and said "Well, thanks for listening anyway. Sorry, I just unloaded all this on you like that. I guess that's why Ash liked you. You're a good listener." With that, Reiko let out a slight smile.

"Sareena. We got another job." Jataaka said walking onto the balcony.

Sareena composed herself and asked "What is it?"

"There's a disturbance at the Prison of Souls. Some kind of ninja who freezes things."

End of Chapter VI