<){CHAPTER ONE: THE TOUCH OF DARKNESS}(>

The sound of heavy footsteps echoed through the sheer, jagged cliffs of the realm of Outworld. A clattering rhythmic pattern wriggled loose the tiny chunks of rock and earth fell precariously to the ground, holding for dear life as the miniature seismic force shook them from their highly placed positions. Speeding towards the dirt below, they would break instantaneously on impact, making the least bit of noise to no one, except those listening for it. It was oddly similar to that of a person, plunging to their awaiting bed after being murdered in cold blood. It was oddly similar to a person of high-power, being taken from that position because of ``unfavorable circumstance,'' as some would like to conceive the idea. Yes, the whole act, from top to bottom, was oddly similar to the situation one Governor Magda was about to encounter. As simple as one pebble turning to dust, it reflected a target's life turning to dust as well.

Death may be called unfair. Death may be called cruel. But death is another ordinary, day-to-day errand for the Emperor Shao Kahn. To this dreadful lord, death was business. Today, the entrepreneurship had not been succeeded. Not for long, however. As Governor Magda galloped along in his heavily secured brigade, he was all along unaware that his transaction was about to be complete. It is not fair trade when one in such a favorable position betrays a person in an even more favorable one. Governor Magda was a wealthy man, ruling over the city of Dun-Lai in the northern provinces of Outworld. Yet, he did not feel that he was wealthy enough. No - the monstrous palace, adorned with riches from every realm; the beautiful slaves he had surrounding him all the time, pleasuring his most sickening of thoughts; the loyal townsfolk, who were barely giving any quantities of payment, food, or shelter, groveled in his shadow day and night. No, none of those things were appeasing him. So Governor Magda concluded that taking an extra amount of tax money for his ``laborious work in Shao Kahn's domain'' was fit in his eyes. However, another pair of eyes was watching as well. What they say did not make the Emperor happy in the least bit.

In the world of business, you arise to the top of the conglomerate ladder by taking out the competition. That was exactly what Shao Kahn planned on doing. Governor Madga challenged his rule, but the rules can only be bent so far. The breaking limit is a very short one indeed in the rule of Kahn. As the powerful lord stared out his carriage window, it was one of the last sights he would ever see. A blurry mixture of oranges, reds, grays all took into one another, creating a collage of colors, resembling a painting that Magda had taken from a poor couple in the Chaosrealm. The mere thought of pain to another being brought a conniving smirk to the vile man's face. A stirring on his shoulder broke his corrupt cycle of conscious. A slave girl that he had recently brought in was fidgeting in her slumber.

``Oh yes, my sleeping beauty,'' he murmured under his breath, staring at her like prey, ``Your gleaming, black hair, your full, lush lips, your beautiful, soft skim - it is mine now.'' Magda stirred the girl from her sleep, him still smiling all along. So many things he could to do her at this moment, and no one to interrupt for another hour or two. The slave woman awoke, realizing where she was. He name was Mika, a young, innocent lady from the mountainous area of Outworld. She, along with many of her close friends and family, were captured from their tribe to strive under the harsh command of Governor Magda. Mika despised the very aura of the loathed man.

``You,'' she spat with all the ferocity she could muster, ``stay away from me you incestuous, appalling bastard! You took me from my people, and then you kill my sister for disobeying you! Take your bottomless, black eyes and turn them elsewhere!'' The grin was still firmly attached to Magda's face, as he moved closer to the girl. A few yards ahead, he could see the entrance to Daagoon's Tunnel, his least admired part of the journey back to Dun-Lai. The lord had always feared the dark, and that fear was about to be transformed into his worst nightmare. He moved closer, to Mika again, grabbing her.

``No! No! You keep your filthy hands off me!'' She began to kick and scratch at the Governor, but her frail, petite figure was no use against his hulking mass.

``Now, don't fight it, my dear, it will be more pleasurable than you imagine. In the dark, you won't even be able to see anything! Just close your eyes, and imagine your dead husband that so stupidly tried to attack me! I will be ten times better!'' Giving a maniacal laugh, Magda thrust himself upon Mika as they entered the abyss of Daagoon's Tunnel. Before he could act, a loud thud vibrated from the roof. Frozen in his actions, Magda listened closely, trying to perceive anything over the girl's whimpers. The clatter of the horse's footsteps from his security echoed even more loudly inside the cave than out. To Magda, the moment seemed like eternity. When a few more minutes passed by, he resumed his proposition. However, out of the corner of his eye. Light a star glimmering in the twilight of the night sky, Governor Madga spotted a weapon glinting in the dim light, beckoning. At that second, all of the pathetic man's worst fears collided together, just like the sharp edge of a fan blade collided with his throat. Blood gushed out like a geyser, spraying the compartment with a crimson tint.

Mika was in shock at what had just occurred. The man that was about to rape her had just been slaughtered in front of her very eyes. Warily watching the cloaked assailant, she waited for the blade to swipe away her life as well. However, the figure did not move, but began to speak.

``The job is finished, let us leave now,'' said the mysterious assassin. To Mika, it did not mean anything to her, as if this person, a woman it seemed, was talking to someone else. She could not tell as the voice was slightly muffled, but elegance flowed with every syllable pronounced. It was the most magnificent thing Mika had ever heard. The girl's answer was confirmed when a second voice came out of nowhere. This one was cutting, high-pitched. Like nails on a writing a chalk-board,

``What about the filth that sits in the corner? Shao Kahn specifically told us not to leave any witnesses. Besides, I have not killed anyone today!''

``Keep your voice down!'' said a third party; this one was slightly reclusive and quieted, speaking with great intelligence wisdom, skill leaking from her words. ``If any of the guards here us, we shall be slaying more targets than necessary.''

The scraggly voice spoke up again, almost causing the windows to shatter with her awful vibrations. ``Good, let us then! Shao Kahn certainly would not be disappointed if we took out some of his men as well. In fact, he would be most pleased!''

The first voice quelled the arguing of the other two, and began to speak words of reassurance to Mika. ``Let us not murder this girl out of cold blood. She obviously hated this man as much as Kahn does from what I gathered from outside. She will not cause us any harm, or our operation. What is your name?''

Mika gathered up with what breath she could speak with and responded softly, ``Mika.''

``Well, Mika, you would gladly like to escape from the predicament, would you not?''

``Yes...'' she stammered out, afraid that at any moment her life might be cut short.

``Well then, you are free to go. Make good of this instance, and do something to regain your worth of life. But, if any word gets out of who has done this, we will see you again. No let us depart yet us be discovered.'' The assassin took Mika by the arm as each of them silently left the carriage, taking one last glance at Magda's bloody carcass. Hiding in the shadows as the troop solemnly swept pass, unaware that their purpose was now concluded. When they had disappeared back into the shadows, Mika looked around for her saviors, yet they seemed to have gone back into the darkness as well.

Author : Allan Michael Ciciriello

Creation date: 2006-12-14-20-47

Modification date: 2006-12-14-20-47