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She Was Loved By The Multitudes	By : Johnny-Topside Category: +M through R > Mortal Kombat Views: 17164 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Mortal Kombat or any of its characters. I do not profit from this work

Chapter List
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Chapter 4: Old Tigers Bare Broken Fangs

The four boards were arranged in diamond pattern, the top most a head above Jerrod and that was the one he kept having trouble with. He'd been running this exercise for longer than Earthrealm's written history, but today was frustrating. He'd take breaks from the diamond to run his sword katas, hoping he'd have better luck when he came back, but he'd yet to hit all eight boards to his satisfaction. It was no longer a matter of getting better but not letting himself get worse now that he was middle aged. He would have liked to fight in the tournament, especially now that Shao Kahn had begun to accumulate victories, but it was likely too late already. Jerrod was good by any standard, but not great, and never would be with all the additional responsibilities his kingship foisted on him.

He took a ragged breath of air in, trying to clear his mind of the fatigue his legs felt. His foot slammed against the lower board, the kick zig zagged seamlessly to the two middle boards before Jerrod bounced off his toes, drawing the leg back and striking upwards. That second kick took him about triple the effort it had taken 5000 years ago. He landed, immediately switched to the other foot, thrusting from the hip, before jumping staight up and bringing it around in a sweeping arc. His heel grazed the board from the wrong side, the kick lost it's force and Jerrod landed awkwardly, barely keeping his balance. Damn. Well his swordwork was better and he could still hit them all with the other leg at least. He heard a sound behind him and turned to see Giles clapping sarcastically.

"I thought you were supposed to break the boards, not the other way around." Jerrod massaged his stiff calf.

"Just an off day. Not as young as I used to be."

"I was just joking. I never hit the fourth board even when I was in my prime." They'd gone through academy training as young men, Giles had only passed the physical trials with Jerrod's help and in returned had helped the prince on the written exams and they'd remained friends ever since. He'd been irrepressible as a youth but now that he was losing hair Giles was becoming more dour. "Speaking of not being as young as you used to be-"

"Not this again. I need to grieve in my own way. When I'm ready-"

"When I'm ready, when I'm ready, sometime soon, later, never." Giles mimicked and Jerrod sighed. Older or not he could still be obnoxious. "You need an heir. Shao Kahn isn't going away, and the kingdom needs a royal family to lead it." He stressed. "To inspire it, to defend it. If your line ends, then what?"

"You can be king." Jerrod said.

"Thanks. No, it has to be you. I know Gia meant the world to you, but you have to accept she's gone, and she's not coming back. I hate to be brutal, but none of us are getting any younger waiting for you to take a new queen. If not for yourself, think of the kingdom."

"She wasn't just the queen, she was my wife Giles. You just don't understand." How could he? He'd never lost a wife, or the unborn child growing in her belly. He'd never even been married.

"Maybe not, but I do understand you can't keep on like this for another 2000 years."

"Two thousand two hundred thirty eight years. And 9 months." Jerrod corrected, and began kicking the boards again, but half heartedly.

"You know, a new love might help mend your heart better than kicking wood out here."

"What am I supposed to do? Gia's death ripped my heart out, how am I supposed to laugh and smile with another woman?"

"Just dinner with some ladies. A festival. Something. If you don't want to smile don't, but at least try. Stop taking everything so damned seriously Jerrod. Think about what I said. It's past time to start living your life again, for everyone's sake." He said nothing, focusing on the movements of his leg, and Giles didn't continue. When he turned a minute later, Giles was mercifully gone. Jerrod trained for another ten minutes, but soon gave up. It was unseasonably warm, but he couldn't seem to work up the fire to keep going. The diamond mocked him, so he decided to go on a run.

His legs pumped, lungs burning, all the time Giles words echoing in his ears and Gia's face swimming up from his memory to greet him. She'd been his first love, they had tried for so long to have a child and when the heavens finally graced them with such a precious gift his wife had fallen down a flight of stairs, breaking her neck. It had been too early for the baby, and he had lost them both, just like that. Just a pointless, common death. He tried to outrun Gia's memory, for how long he didn't know until a voice brought him out of his thoughts.

"Excuse me! Excuse me good sir! Could you please help?" The woman was knelt besides a cart on the side of the road, trying to hammer one of the lopsided wheels with a mallet and long nail. She wore a purple cloak and her black hair was piled high and held in place with a silver band. Two strings of pearls hung from either side of it, combed back behind her ears. Her hair had come loose in a dozen places, her face covered with sweat and frustration, but it lit up when he slowed and strolled over. "Thank you. One of my wheels is broken and I'm afraid I don't know much about this kind of work."

"Well I'll see what I can do." Jerrod said doubtfully. As king, he didn't fix many horsecarts. He knelt down, examining her handiwork for a minute while she stood by anxiously. "There's no fixing it with this. Part of the axle broke too. See there?" She knelt beside him and he pointed the fracture out to her. "That wheel will stay loose and break off again further down the road."

"Damn." She whispered, then smoothed her hair a little. "Thank you for looking. I don't suppose I could trouble you to go to the next town and bring back a smith or another cart? It would be a great help, and I could pay you."

"No need for that, it would be a pleasure to help. My name's Jerrod by the way."

"Sindel." She said demurely, then curtsied a little and he couldn't help but smile at her disheveled state. "Elder Gods above." She sighed, wiping her brow and examining the broken cart, then laughed. It was a warm, musical laugh, and for the first time he noticed she was quite attractive. She was unmistakably a noble, with a bearing that made her seem more mature, but she stood naturally with him.

"Don't you have servants?" He asked, eyeing the jewelry and she blushed and covered the pearls self consciously. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean anything."

"No, I'm afraid it's just me."

"Why not just take the horse?"

"I can't leave the cart." She searched his eyes with a trace of distrust, and Jerrod smiled again despite himself. These were his training clothes, but he was still amused she didn't seem to recognize him.

"Why not? I only want to help."

"Alright." Sindel beckoned him over to the cart and pulled the tarp aside. Underneath were pieces of furniture and heirlooms, a small jade lion statuette, a Xian folding screen, a crate of carefully packed china. "I was taking this to sell in the next town." She said simply, and when he didn't laugh or move to rob her she relaxed and handed him the statuette. "If this is enough, I'd be forever grateful."

"Again, that's not necessary. I don't need any money, believe me." He put the statuette back into the cart and covered it again. "Why not come with me to the palace and we'll send for the cart and your valuables? We'll take the horse."

"With you?" She seemed hesitant. "I appreciate the offer and it's not that I don't trust you, but what I'm wearing and that cart and horse are my only means in the world right now. If something were to happen to them..." Chances were Sindel would be safe here, her belongings were worth some money but didn't look like they worth a robbery. Crime was still mostly unheard of in Edenia, but it had been getting worse lately with talk of Shao Kahn and he didn't like the idea of leaving a beautiful woman alone by the side of the road. Besides, the sky was growing overcast.

"You do know I'm King Jerrod right? If something happens to them I'll reimburse you."

"You're King Jer-" She said disbelieving, and then her eyes widened in recognition. "Oh! Oh!" She bowed on one knee, having no care for the dusty road and he yanked her gently back up. It was a violation of protocol on his part but he didn't want to see her like that when she'd been so easy with him before. She flushed furiously. "I'm sorry I didn't recognize you, I just thought you must just have the same name. I mean, what would King Jerrod be doing helping me fix a cart?"

"Did you think I went running in royal robes and a crown?"

"No, I just never expected to see you outside the palace. I thought you'd look older."

"I'll take it as a compliment. Anyway, I'd be honored to escort you back to the palace my lady. If that doesn't sound like a line to you." They laughed and when he extended her hand she took it with a mix of embarassment, good humor and something else that he only realized later.

He'd run much further than he thought, the trip took them almost half an hour by horse, not that they were going faster than a trot. Luckily he was in no mood to make the trip shorter. Thousands of years later, days like this would always bring back this memory. Spring, just before the rains, when the green leaves had just burst from from their delicate buds, followed by cotton white flowers.

"So you're the Marquis' widow?"

"That's why I had to travel to sell my things. Nobody nearby will do business with me." He felt her hands shift a little around his waist as they rode. Marquis Rai. He'd had quite a reputation back when things were quiet. A vicious, uncouth drunk who brawled at the drop of a hat and abused his servants to the point the courts had reprimanded him. He'd been infamous enough Jerrod had been thinking of stripping him of his title, but instead fate had disposed of him. Killed in a nasty tavern fight he started but couldn't finish. None of the nobility had wanted to associate with the Marquis, and Sindel's name had become tarnished alongside his. The cloud over her had persisted even after his death.

"That's all he left me. A bad name and mountains of gambling debts."

"It must be hard. She was half nestling against him, to keep her balance on the horse maybe, he let himself enjoy the pressure. It was good that she'd decided to come with him, it was surely going to rain. Sindel's scent and cultured voice mingled with the flowers and sound of far off thunder, soothing him before he caught himself. She was just a woman he was helping, and he was too damned old to be thinking that. Besides, she was 8000 years younger than him.

"I get by." It had been hundreds of years since the Marquis had died, and still Sindel had no suitors, even though she was very beautiful, and this time Jerrod didn't kill the thought. Her prospects had dwindled until he'd found her, broken cart and all. "I'm alright with it though. I really don't think I'm ready to marry again. I miss the man Rai was when we first met, but not the man he turned out to be. I'm in no hurry to go through that again. Everyone keeps saying, 'You can't grieve forever, pick yourself up and get back on the horse.'" Jerrod thought of making an observation that they were both on horse now, but decided it was too soon. She chuckled. "As if it's a riding lesson or something stupid. Sometimes you just can't pretend."

"I understand the feeling well, believe me."

"I didn't mean to dump all my troubles on you." He heard her say and glanced back at her. She was still putting on a tough front but now she looked embarassed. "It's all doom and gloom isn't it?"

"It's fine, I get tired of hearing how everything is wonderful in everyone's life. I never know if I'm being humored. I enjoy listening to you, tell me about before." So she had. They didn't talk of their youths and their marriages and their dreams, at least then. That came later, when they had time to lose themselves in the mysteries of eachother, and though Jerrod never found the time for Sindel that he wanted later, at least back then there had been some. Their conversation was a spot of warmth, she wasn't dazzled by his crown and didn't seem to have any interest in him outside of friendly conversation. When they arrived at the castle, he knew he wanted to see her again. Maybe because they had so much in common, maybe because she so patently wasn't trying to move on him despite her circumstances, he suggested dinner later that week. Just friendly and casual.

Why do you dream things like this? That woman is gone. Why do you let her haunt you?

Jerrod woke , relieved to find his body where he'd left it. Then again, only a fool would move from this place. He caressed the bare tanned back which tensed slightly before relaxing. His other hand was at her stomach, and he traced an easy line up until he grazed a brown nipple. His thumb made soft circles around it, making it rise the way Jade had made him rise these past nights. He paused, remembering the dream, and her head turned slightly. She was always awake before him.

"Why did you stop?"

"I thought I'd give you a break. These hands tend to roam now."

"Afraid you'd worn me out?" She held his hand to her breast but made no other movement. He kept control during daylight hours, but for the last few nights he'd lost it with her. Not like before though. It was Jerrod, King of Edenia, still very much married who let himself be a slave to his loins with this girl. No. Woman. His hand stroked Jade's coltish leg, a lover's caress and it was easy to pretend they were in a frank way.

Pretending, he thought. It wasn't that Jerrod hadn't thought of Sindel these past days, just there hadn't been time to pursue those thoughts. From morning till night they were kept busy with war plans and preparations, with no time for themselves. It was tiring just to think of what they'd deal with in their relationship on top of the exhaustion. Then at night, Jade would comfort him, kiss him all over and whisper words of patience, encouragement...and passion. So he'd found a different way to lose himself now.

They had gone at it almost continuously like a couple of teenagers, he the willing partner. Jade was beautiful, incredibly flexible and concentrated on his pleasure. After he slept with Jade, he always felt a black guilt, but there was no denying the clarity he was feeling now that his needs were being met, and he seized on this feeble justification to make it through the day. The dream brought the guilt back again, and he heard Jade sigh before turning her head on the pillow to face him.

"You're thinking of the Queen again?" Her green eyes were like deep pools, her expression calculating.

"I'm sorry. I've been a coward too long, I need to tell her what I've been doing."

"Do you really think she'll understand?"

"I'm not sure if I do. That all this could happen on the eve of yet another war..." She touched his bare cheek. "It's the last thing I want to drop on Sindel, but I have to. The longer I wait the worse it'll be. Maybe it would be the closure she needs." Jade's eyes had softened, and he saw a selfish hope in them.

"Is that what you want?"

"I want her to be happy."

"But are you?"

"You know I am." He kissed Jade and their lips locked and melded together. The voices were there, in the back of his mind. Unintelligible, but he knew what they wanted. Reluctantly he broke it. "None of this has been fair to her. Or you."

"You still want her." He closed his eyes, ashamed, but when he reopened them she had the same look.

"Sindel made it clear last time our chances would be very poor, but despite all that she's my wife. Or was." Jade nodded to herself, seemed to come to a decision.

"If things don't work with you and the Queen, maybe you'd consider me? You wouldn't have to start over alone." She was strangely shy when she asked, and Jerrod was reminded again just how big the difference between their age and positions really was.

"I would be a lucky man." He croaked, and Jade's characteristic playful smile burst forth, but she quickly doused it with seriousness. In some ways she was harder to read than his wife, alternating between solemn and vivacious with him, he could never tell how much was genuine or just a defense.

"I have to take care of something. Get some rest, you need it." She kissed him on the forehead then sat up, giving him another glimpse of her amazing body before going. He lay thinking afterwards about what she'd just offered, it was a luxury to be able to think some of the time at least.

It had an irresistable appeal. Give up the kingship and run off with this exotic beauty who still had all the fire and free spirit of youth. She had no baggage, no history with him, and she understood his situation. It would be a fresh start. Shao Kahn was dead and once the last enemies had been dealt with Edenia wouldn't need him...and neither would his wife. Let Sindel move on with her life and find happiness with someone new. It was what she wanted, and he was standing in her way.

That's not what you really want Jerrod. You want that laughing woman who rode with you that spring day.

Then try, but if you two can't make it...

Jerrod wanted to make the right decision and yet, selfishlessly, he couldn't bring himself to give up on Sindel. Laying in bed was another luxury he couldn't afford now, so reluctantly he got up and tried to banish women from his mind, though that was hopeless.

An hour later Jerrod was on his way to meet Giles again when he saw Jade walking hurriedly in the other direction with her face mask pulled up. Then he noticed the black eye.

"Jade!" She stiffened, then stopped. "What happened?"

"It's just a little accident. It's nothing. I'm going to see the physician."

"Let me see." She half turned, reluctant to let him see as he pulled down the facemask to reveal a large discolored bruise on the other side of her face. "Where did you get these?"

"I told the Queen about us."

"What!? Why would you do that?!" He was baffled, and Jade gingerly replaced the facemask.

"So you wouldn't have to." She looked over Jerrod's shoulder. "And here she comes now, good luck." He turned to see his wife striding evenly up to them. Sindel's face was coldly calm, and when Jerrod glanced back Jade had vanished.

"Well." She said, with no real inflection, arms folded.

"Well." He replied lamely. They stood awkwardly like strangers, and Jerrod had no idea what to say. For once he wished the voices would offer something. "She told you?" She nodded. "If you wanted to hit someone, I'd rather it be me."

"Believe me, I wanted to. Then I realized you were the last person I should be hitting after what we've been through. So I suggested a friendly sparring match with Jade."

"Friendly? You gave her a black eye!"

"You're trying to control yourself, so was I. I went easy on her, after everything I think I deserve a medal. Jade told me all about it, so why didn't you come to me?"

"I wanted it to happen naturally. After our talk I didn't want to trap you into something you didn't want."

"I..." Her expression became total confusion, like she wanted to be angry but couldn't and finally just shook her head. "Thank you." She said it sincerely, but then more sternly: "This hasn't been easy. I understand you have...needs, and I haven't been faithful. We both haven't. That's why I'm trying hard to forgive you." She took a deep breath. "Tell me it's helping at least."

"The voices are still there, but I don't feel like I have to fight them for my body every second of the day now. They're more docile, I feel like I'm getting it under control."

"Just tell me she hasn't been taking care of your emotional needs."

"What? I still love you Sindel, that hasn't changed. If you want I'll-"

"This is just till we get this war sorted." Sindel dabbed her eyes, and then her regal voice reasserted itself. "Then we'll see. We've still got a kingdom to run." She put a hand on his shoulder and squeezed before turning on her heel and leaving him standing there more confused about where they were than ever. He closed his eyes and concentrated, he hadn't much time to practice yet, but sometimes he found he could tune the voices in and out if he wanted. He had no idea what to make of her mixed signals.

I'm open to suggestions.

She's jealous! If she didn't still want you she wouldn't care!

Well she didn't kill you or Jade. Given what I've seen, I'd say your marriage still has a chance, but I'd stop seeing Jade.

Are you kidding? Other men would kill to be in this situation. Sleeping with someone like Jade and his wife accepts it? Or, er, what I meant to say was, she'll tell you when she's ready.

That's what I'm saying. She knows they've both made mistakes and that's why she's overlooking this.

I still say you should cut your losses and go off with Jade. Say, where'd she go?

Jerrod found Jade at the physicians' with a cream drying on her face.

"Does it hurt?"

"It's tender, but I've had worse. I think she was holding back, I gave her everything I had."

"That was stupid and dangerous. Why didn't you just let me tell her?"

"You're too close to it, too much of a sore spot for her to listen. I thought it was better coming from me."

"What else did you tell her? What did she say?"

"I told her why we did it, and I told her if she wanted you back, she was welcome to take you any time she wanted and I'd step aside." She rubbed her jaw and winced. "That got through. Ouch."

"So where do we go from here Jade?"

"We go where we go and we fight this war. I'll help you keep your condition under control as long as you need me, it's not like it's any burden on me." She winked, then winced again. "Agh, that eye hurts. The Queen will come around or she won't. I'm honestly alright with either outcome." Her voice was nonchalant but the look that came with it told him which outcome she preferred. "Although now I'm worried how Kitana would react if I had to tell her about my new lover. And what if we married? That would make me her mother in law." He flushed, and the ghost of a sultry smile returned to her lips.

"I'm overdue to see Giles. We'll talk more tonight."

"Yes. We'll...talk." Her eyes met his with the promise of a night of carnal sin. He wasn't fooling anyone, least of all her.

"You know I don't like it down here Giles."

"I know. Just this once." Besides the dungeons and the armory, which regrettably still found use even in times of peace, there were chambers beneath the palace that had less palatable purpose. The torture chambers and the flesh pits sat disused and stripped of most of their sinister equipment, but Jerrod could still feel the ghosts of victims past as he followed Giles through. If he had the time he would fill in every room down here with earth but for now they had their uses, at least according to the Rat.

"So he's using Shang Tsung's old machines for work on this weapon of his and you don't think that's a problem? Why under all the Elder Gods would he-"

"You'll see. He's never let me down. We might not even need it, but we can't rest on our laurels now." Almost as unnerving as the Rat's use of these dubious facilities was the lack of movement from Thraxa. They had been advancing inexorably then two days ago they'd simply stopped, for no apparent reason that the scouts could see. It might be coincidence, Jerrod knew he shouldn't dare to hope, but it was possible Reptile had succeeded and there'd be no war at all.

The Rat was wiping his forehead with a cloth as his assistants went here and there moving crates and monitoring a series of bubbling glass vats, but it was the gruesome machine that dominated the room that got Jerrod's attention.

"This is..." Jerrod trailed off. He knew what it was, but what purpose it could possibly serve them was a mystery. A bin at the top of the giant device fed down into a metal grate with dozens of holes in it. A large opening in the side exposed the spiked rollers and jagged gears for easy cleaning. It was a giant meat grinder that Kahn had fed prisoners into while they were still alive for his own amusement.

"Hope you haven't eaten already." Giles gestured at the assistants and the Rat merely smiled. "They're all trustworthy. They'd sooner drink piss than talk to a Takartan."

"Maybe you could explain this to Jerrod."

"Well." He took out his pipe and spent an endless amount of time preparing it before taking a drag. "Go ahead and look in the trough." Beneath the grinder was the trough, and Jerrod realized the pungent smell emanating from it was familiar. He peaked over the edge and saw a disgusting slurry of body parts, here and there he could make out the odd eyeball. Gingerly he reached in and pulled out the remains of an arm with a fragment of Takartan blade sticking out of it.

"Who were they? How is this supposed to help us?"

"That's what's left of the kill team you and the Queen disposed of." Next to the trough was a series of tubes leading to a glass vat, which was filled with a bubbling green liquid. "Waste not want not. Nineteen Takartans distilled into concentrated Takartan essence." He spread his hands and smiled morbidly. "Imagine. A few canisters of this catapulted into the middle of their ranks. They'll think their own forces are rival males and they'll tear themselves to pieces before they cross a single blade with us. Here." He tossed Jerrod a hollow metal sphere with holes drilled into it. "That's the delivery there. Once it's in the air those slots will open up and it'll rain everywhere. Unless we get it into gas form. We're almost there." Giles gave Jerrod a cautious look, ready to pounce on any disapproval.

"It'll give us an edge we badly need." Jerrod simply shook his head, but said nothing. He had no more misgivings. It didn't matter what he thought about the means at this point, only what would keep Edenia and the fragile peace they'd built safe. The time for chivalrous, gentlemanly warfare was long past, if there ever was a time.

"We'll use it if we have to. I just hope that day doesn't come."

"It's always better to have the option and not need it than wish you did. If it makes you feel better, it was Edenia's enemies who gave us the means to destroy them." The Rat's grin widened and his eyes lit up like a child. "Say. If it's ethical dilemnas you're into, then you'll love this!" He beckoned them to a pile of crates, behind which several of his men were painstakingly pouring over a series of books.

"What's all this now? Homework?"

"The very best kind." He walked over and pulled on a large tarp nearby. "It's heavy, help me out." Jerrod grabbed an end and when they pulled the tarp Giles whistled admiredly.

"You're insane." Jerrod murmured as his eyes fell on what was underneath. "You'd keep this down here?"

"Another gift from Edenia's enemies eh? We have it figured out for the most part. I promise you it's harmless unless we use it. Another option if it comes to it."

"If it comes to it." He covered the contents again, still feeling uneasy knowing this lay just beneath the palace. Still he knew they were undeniable edges and he should use every weapon at his disposal. This would be a war unlike the one fought with Shao Kahn. Clean, conventional, and depressingly brief. This time, Jerrod would fight as dirty as he had to if it meant keeping his kingdom free.

More than a week after dispatching Reptile, Thraxa's hordes remained where they were. After an unstoppable advance east they'd ceased movement a week ago. With the respite, they'd managed to consolidate their forces a little and Jerrod had even taken to meditating again with some success. He found Jade was right about the souls. In a way, they were like dogs. Keep the leash too tight, and they strained, leave it too loose and they ran wild. Toss them Jade's sweet, sensual flesh and they were content. Maybe he couldn't cure the disease, but he could at least live with it. He'd had to change his way of looking at things radically in the last few days. Now he'd begun to think of it as a collective again instead of only his body. Sometimes he'd close his eyes, and he knew what they knew, sometimes they were loud and insistent and he lost the thread of himself in their voices, but always he could bob back up from the depths now. With the added control over himself, he had a lifeline.

He still spent his nights with Jade, but he'd found time that afternoon to spend with Sindel and in just a few hours he felt like he was reconnecting with her. It had been awkward the first few days after Jade had told her they were sleeping together, but his wife had gotten over it remarkably quickly. With all the cards on the table now, there was less tension between them somehow. She seemed to be making up her mind about them, which way he couldn't say yet. She was more approachable than ever now, yet after everything he still didn't expect them to end well.

It was one of those misty days, and he'd spent it telling Sindel all this as they sat on the stone bench watching the water run underneath one of the palace's ornamental bridges. He wanted to kiss her, but it had been an effort just to get her this close and he had enough self control for now to wait.

"Do you remember how we first met?"

"How could I forget?" Sindel chuckled. "You showed me your blacksmithing skills."

"It was a day just like this. I didn't think I could love again till I met you."

"I felt the same way." She shifted uncomfortably. "I just can't move forward right now, not while I don't know if we're going to war or not. The waiting is torture."

"They haven't moved in days. Suppose Reptile did end it. What then?"

"We'd need to disperse the Takartans, rebuild the villages and garrisons they'd destroyed, and-"

"After all that. What about us?" She sighed.

"After everything, I have no idea at all."

"You're just afraid of getting hurt again. That's why you're always pushing me away. "

"You think you have me figured out?"

"That's what they say." He pointed at his head. "Now that I've had time to think a little it makes sense."

"That's another thing I'm having trouble accepting. Thousands of strangers eavesdropping on our every private moment. I don't know if I could live with that."

"It comes and it goes. Most of them are asleep now. It's usually only a few dozen at a time." She squinted hard at his eyes, as if trying to see who was inside.

"You're so different, and it's not just me."

"You lost your first husband, then you lost me, and you don't want to go through that again. I understand that. But you didn't lose me, I'm right here. We just had an...interruption."

"An interruption? Is that what you call us being dead for thousands of years?"

"If you want it to be. I still love you and I'm still waiting for you."

"I love you too if that's enough. It always felt dangerous, like I was setting myself up to get my heart ripped out again, and yours too. There, I said it. You're right, I was afraid." Sindel leaned her head against his shoulder and Jerrod felt his hand tremble before it rested on her leg. He wasn't sure if he'd moved it or not, but she didn't mind so he left it there. There was a stir within him as the touch sparked feelings in other souls, and he let them share in the sensation of his wife's skin. Their thoughts surged and ebbed against him like an ocean wave, and though it confused him he was still himself. It was something he'd learned, keeping his feet firmly planted against their tides. He was coming to accept he might never be truly alone inside his mind again but maybe it was going to be alright.

"Jerrod! Jerrod!" The couple pulled away from eachother, startled as Giles came bellowing from the other side of the bridge, waving frantically. "Your Majesty." He bowed quickly to Sindel, he'd avoided her since she'd heard whose idea it was that Jerrod get his needs met elsewhere, but whatever happened had overcome his fear. He was sweaty and wheezing, he wasn't young and evidently he'd run the whole way. "You both need to come see this."

It's like the Elder Gods are trying to tell you something, isn't it?

Jerrod already knew somehow. Just as soon as he saw Sindel's face fall at the contents of the box.

"Are you sure it's him?" She asked.

"Hard to mistake that face, he's the only Zaterran we know of. It's him. Do you want to see it?" Giles held open the box before him, his eyes wandering down to it's gruesome, staring contents.

"No." Jerrod said quickly. The box had come to them wrapped in gold paper with a black satin bow on top, addressed to Jerrod. "From Thraxa", the note read. They'd known immediately it was nasty business, just not what brand. The note itself had given Jerrod pause as well.

"To the so called King of Outworld. I found this trash in my tent and thought it might be yours, so I've returned it. Please come to the Gorban plains in three days time to accept my personal regards. If that's inconvenient, I can meet you at the capital gates."

The bow and the tone of the note jarred him. They were the kind of playful flourish and condescending formality he'd expect from someone like Shang Tsung. But Shang was dead, and that was an absolute certainty. He'd ripped the sorceror's head from his body himself, or rather, Ermac had. Jerrod's chin sank into his hand along with his spirits. Reptile was no lamb, he'd known the risks, but it did little to ease his guilt. He'd sent the assassin to his death and it was likely the Zaterrans truly were extinct now. Giles saw his expression and closed the box again. Sindel's hand found his and Jerrod found his depression replaced with a refreshing righteous anger.

"I was wrong about him." She was looking at the box.

"He died fulfilling his duty."

"Still, he must have given Thraxa pause for them to wait so long. Does he really want to meet?"

"He wants to draw me out." He squeezed her hand. "He wants his war. Giles?"

"Gorban is Takartan for as long as I can remember. It would be stupid to rise to this bait."

"He said he'd come here to the capital. Better to meet them on the field, with soldiers, then boxed in and worrying about civilians. Could they use the terrain against us?"

"No..." Giles said carefully. "We'd be out in the open, but so would they. It would come down to numbers and tactics."

"So a straight fight."

"Which would ill favor us, he outnumbers us at least three to one. We're better off shoring up the defenses here."

"Leaving Thraxa to consolidate his position, surrounding the palace until we have no choice but to fight him here. No. We know when and where he'll be, I'd rather fight while we still have some say over the conditions. Call our allies. Call the Rat. We're going to play all our trump cards. Will you fight with me this time Sindel?"

Now her milky white eyes blazed, her chest was rising and falling rapidly, and there was an expression on her face he hadn't seen in a long time. Excitement. Happiness. Her hand squeezed his back with incredible strength and he finally accepted that she'd never be the helpless noble by the side of the road ever again.

"To the death husband."

The outpost sat on top of a mount in the Gorban wastes, dry, cracked, dusty land surrounded some miles off by large, ugly spires of unclimbable rock. This place was right on the very border of civilization, philosophically as well as geographically. Here was Outworld, Edenia's influence barely perceptible, forcibly merged by Shao Kahn's conquest. Beyond were ancient deserts, the Takartan hordes, other native creatures to Outworld, ravenous and alien all. The army had encamped that afternoon at the outpost, called A'Thala in some ancient caravanner's tongue that had long been lost, only the meaning held. "Forsaken." It was crumbling from millenia of neglect. Jerrod's force was far too large to be housed within, but enough of the foundation had withstood the wars to make a servicable command center and supply depot.

It had been a grim ride Jerrod reflected as he finished unpacking. Good, they were both here, he thought as he found the large lacquered boxes at the bottom of the packs. Jerrod opened the first one and removed his ancestral sword, squinting a little bit as the candle light gleamed off it. A king's sword. The painstakingly crafted hilt was a great roaring dragon, from which the long, straight blade sprung forth like steel fire. Kahn had ripped it from Jerrod's dying hands during Edenia's last war, taking it as a trophy. He could have just as easily shattered it to send the realm a message, it was a stroke of luck bordering on miracle the sword had survived intact. He held the handle and gave it a few experimental swings, it was as if it had never left his hand. If this sword and his wife by his side couldn't anchor Jerrod, nothing would.

With resignation he turned his attention to the contents of the other box, a hand axe made of a black alloy they'd never been able to identify. It was far heavier than it looked, most men couldn't wield it one handed. Shao Kahn had gifted it to Ermac after his creation, it's history was sordid and Jerrod was grateful he couldn't remember it for the most part. There was no knowing how many good lives the hateful thing had cut short, he could barely stand to look at it, but couldn't deny it's raw power. Giles and the Rat had both insisted such things could be used in service to good without losing one's soul, he guessed he would find out tomorrow.

He stepped out of the tent, casting his gaze down the incline, Jerrod hesitated to call it a hill, at the the massive army camped around the outpost. It was a sea of firefly torch lights underneath the bruised purple night sky. He squinted, some miles west he knew the Rat's men were busy digging but whatever light they were working by wasn't visible. If he couldn't see them chances were Thraxa wouldn't either. From the camp below came the smell of roasting meat and vegetables, the sharp smell of alchohol, somewhere a slightly drunken voice began singing what sounded like a Shokan song. After a minute of this, a chorus of what must have been Centaurs began caterwauling in response until a number of Shokans joined with their fellow and drowned them out. This went on for a minute, until the unmistakable sound of Edenians starting in with a bawdy tune and the entire thing devolved into a cacophany of cursing and then mercifully, drunken laughter that subsided.

Giles had turned in early, old bones he claimed, the Rat was supervising his late night project, all that was left was for those who could to snatch sleep and those who couldn't to raise their cups for what might well be the last time. Jerrod knew which he'd prefer but the dread was something he couldn't simply wish away, not for himself but for his family and kingdom. He wanted to walk, obstensibly to get his mind off the upcoming battle and loosen his muscles.

Why do you still lie to yourself? We both know which muscle needs release.

Jade had given him an open invitation to her tent tonight. The situation with Jade and Sindel was more complicated than ever now. Even with both women's permission, he felt like a heel, but he couldn't deny the clarity he had now. The voices were murmuring in the background, he knew what they wanted, what he himself really wanted. He needed-

"Am I interrupting?" He snapped back, startled to see his wife at the tent flap. "You seemed to be staring off into space."

"I was just wool gathering. When I think to myself it's never just myself you know."

"I can only imagine. Jerrod...I can't sleep. I keep thinking about tomorrow."

"Me as well." She looked torn, like she couldn't decide whether she wanted to kiss him or run away, and he also felt paralyzed, his breath was caught. They had made so much progress since that day at the pavillion, but for her to come to him on her own like this was a new development. He felt awkward, like a boy with his first girl, terrified he would drive her away again while the voices yammered at him, begging him to crush her in his arms.

"I guess you could always have a drink. Smoke some Y'len. See Jade." She said it too casually, but before he could answer she spotted his sword hanging in it's scabbard and picked it up, examining it with far too much interest. "I'm glad it's here, it's only right you should hold it again. I-"

"Sindel." His hands settled on her shoulders, ever so gently and she shuddered. "I always wanted you, and I still do. I came back for you."

"I should be going."

"I'll let you go if you want love, but you must have come here for a reason." She turned and he could see the milky eyes were moist. Very slowly and carefully, like he was handling a snake he leaned in and kissed the plum colored lips, and when she responded her kiss was firm. It was the first time she'd returned his in earnest.

Emotions flared inside him, bringing back a flood of memories that weren't his own. Night time flowers and his best girl. The surprised look of the guard as she (he?) kissed him, then kneed him in the balls and made off with the sack of jade jewelry. Raising his wife's Isa's veil and their kiss at the wedding. His first whore in a Nalat port. Dao's lips and strong arms as they kissed in the trenches the night before the battle with Shao Kahn. The moment swirled about Jerrod with a storm of voices, but somehow he managed to anchor himself to the pressure of Sindel's mouth on his. Hers opened and her tongue explored, intertwined with his, and the breath of her sigh filled him with such longing he nearly ravaged her. But he'd gotten so much more control now, and he let the feeling pass, like a receding wave. She ended the kiss and stared up at him.

"I came to say I'm sorry. Again. For the way I treated you."

"It's alright, you don't have to apologize, just...just keep talking to me like this." He took her hand and led her to the bed, but instead of pulling her down like he really wanted, they just sat hand in hand. "Here's what I suggest. We share a drink, we share some Y'Len." She quirked an eyebrow at this, even he wasn't completely sure if he was serious anymore. "Or just the drink. Then if you want, maybe we can share the bed." He grinned at her and she couldn't help smiling.

"Y'Len's a filthy habit, you really have changed . Well maybe once wouldn't hurt, but...alright, listen. We both know what's going to happen if we share a drink here, and I won't say I don't want it, but I want to have a clear head and no distractions. I know it's stupid but last time we made love before you went off to fighting Shao Kahn and I just feel like history would repeat."

"Things are completely different this time."

"I know, and I wanted to be with you tonight. I understand the way things have been with Jade but I just didn't want you in the arms of another woman. I know I'm a selfish mess to keep you and not give you anything in return but I want to try something."

"Anything."

"Just something different, this one time. Fight my love. Fight and live and win tomorrow."

"I intended to darling."

"Yes, but maybe you'll fight harder if I make you a promise. Do this for me and I'll give you...everything." Her nail traced a line down her neck, drawing his eye as it made it's way down to her bosom. She was slightly flushed, almost embarassed as she puffed her chest out just a bit, inviting him to see what her bodice hinted at. It drove him crazy. "I'll share myself with you, and anyone else in there who helps you tomorrow." At this many of the voices roared in approval, he himself was burning with lust and a hand tried to slip around her without his consent, but she held him back gently by his wrists when he moved to kiss her again and that was just enough to stop himself. "And one more thing," She smiled impudently. "I want to sleep here tonight, with my husband. Just sleep."

"That might be hard for us."

"I trust myself. If you try something, I'll understand, but don't expect to get anywhere." She laughed, but inwardly he groaned. Several of the voices chided him for jumping through all these hoops but after Sindel's promise it seemed most of them were anticipating their prize.

"You're very good at sending mixed messages."

"You too. All those voices."

"So do we just...?"

"Keep your clothes on lover. Just hold me." They lay together in bed, his arms enveloping her, and just this was bliss to him, he hadn't realized how much he'd missed the simple act of holding her till now. Until he soon realized all the control in the world wasn't going to save him with her bottom pressed up against his groin.

"Maybe we should switch sides."

"Mmmm." She draped her arms over his side and nestled her chin between his shoulder blades and he allowed himself a deep breath.

"Sindel?" All he heard back was a light snore, she had fallen asleep almost immediately, and somehow this was enough for him to drop off as well, quicker than he could have thought.

Jerrod woke the next morning with a start and his disorientation was nearly total. He turned in the dim purple of first light, with difficulty he found, to find his wife still holding him and sleeping soundly. He panicked for a moment, wondering if he had been out of control again before remembering the previous night. They hadn't "slept" together, just slept together, the constant war rooms had been exhausting to both of them. He tried to shift and Sindel stirred, murmured nonsense and resumed her even breathing and he realized why he was having trouble moving. Her hair had wrapped itself posessively around his waist and arms in great clinging creepers, or maybe he had tried to make it with her in the night.

That's definitely one way to stop us from fucking her.

Better get used to sleeping like a fly in a cobweb Jerrod.

He couldn't remember but felt rested, so he contented himself with being her prisoner for the moment, appreciatively running his fingers over her bare, beautiful shoulders and inhaling the scent of her hair. The sound of horns blaring and drums thundering came much too soon, and she opened her bleary eyes to see him already up.

"Did I?" He asked, and she shook her head.

"If you can fullfill a lady's request, you can try." She smiled suggestively and then her hair slithered back into place like white serpents, releasing him. The horns blared again, and they both heard Giles exclaim very clearly from outside.

"Fuck my mother that's loud." A moment later the tent flap opened and the old man hobbled in, scratching the fuzz that remained on his head but when he looked up to see the couple in bed he seemed to wake up immediately. "Oh. You're actually here. Both of you." He said, managing to supress his amazement. "It's time."

It wasn't the massive horde of Takartans across the plain that froze Jerrod's blood. It was the eerie familiarity it all. It had been more than 10,000 years since he'd led an army like this and last time Shao Kahn had ended his life and plunged his world into darkness. Remembering his final breath was like experiencing it all over again, and in his mind echoed similar deaths on the same battle field. Not all the souls that made up his being had been part of that battle, but hundreds had, enough. He let it all wash over him, channeling it into anger, then tightened the reins again. They'd win here no matter the cost this time.

Under the iron gray clouds, the army assembled below reflected this new philosophy. As large an army he'd ever commanded, it was made up of a motley assortment of warriors that had tasted freedom since the tournament and had no desire to be ground under the heel of another would be dictator. On Jerrod's left flank were the Shokan and Centaurs, led by Prince Goro and Motaro respectively. The two races had always loathed eachother, coming together once again under one banner more to snatch glory and prove which was superior than any real love of peace. Jade commanded the right flank, with Giles heading a contingent of sorcerors to provide fire power. Jerrod commanded the center, mostly comprised of Edenian and Outworld regulars. Even Order Realm had sent material support, if not any warm bodies for the fight.

Along with the main force were several odd detachments loosely arranged into their own batallion. As well as allies who'd answered the call out of honor and duty, the Rat had convinced Jerrod to bolster their forces with mercenaries before the Takartans hired them first. Deathwatch Lancers and Lei Mo's Hounds stood at the ready next to the Cult of White Trees, depraved zealots with a reputation for bloodlust and winning seemingly hopeless battles. Colorful, famed warriors alongside the worst the realm had to offer. The surplus in the treasury they'd built up over the past year of peace and plenty had gone to pay for this dubious help, and the Rat rode up and down their columns directing his field commanders. He was in charge of coordinating the so called shadow batallion.

It was all civilization coming together to stop the incoming flood, a slide back to barbarity and bowing before another Shao Kahn pretender, and his pride tempered his fear. Astride their horses next to Jerrod were Sindel and her new bodyguard Sheeva. He could see his wife was thinking the same thoughts as her eyes searched the opposing army. An ocean of blades and teeth and feral orange eyes stretched as far as they could see, waiting to fall on them. If Thraxa was among the horde Jerrod couldn't see him. Sindel caught him watching her and smiled, one of the most natural smiles since their resurrection.

"They'll advance soon. Are you ready my love?" She asked, and he nodded. "Remember our promise when you fight out there." Love and lust for her and the battle bubbled up inside Jerrod in a heady brew, and he didn't even try to separate which feelings belonged to him. They all did. It didn't matter now.

"For a victory over these kind of odds I'll have some special requests when we get back."

"Anything." She winked, then remembered her Shokan bodyguard and coughed awkwardly. Sheeva was within earshot, but if she heard anything she didn't let on. Across the battlefield there was a roar as the Takartans began their charge, legs pumping and jaws slavering. If blood was what they wanted, Jerrod was going to give it to them. He signaled his man who rode up and down the line carrying a green banner. Another endless minute passed as the insane screams of the enemy grew closer, they'd closed half the distance and still Jerrod's army had not stirred. There was the sound of rope and leather violently snapping back, and suddenly the sky above Jerrod was whistling with projectiles. Metal spheres sailed overhead, more than forty in all, pelting the center and front ranks of the Tatarkans. They were densely packed, and every sphere struck one of them before releasing a sickly green gas that rose and crawled over their army in strategically placed clouds. Their front line was now leading a suicide charge, their center had faltered, and though Jerrod couldn't see through the green mist, he could hear the clash of metal and what sounded like wild animals feeding. The fighting was spreading among them like a fever, and any Takartans managing to escape it seemed at a loss, some retreating to the rear which had wisely stopped advancing as the gas spread.

A cheer rose up from the Edenian force, deafening, and the souls inside Jerrod echoed the cry as he gave them all voice. There was shiny glee in Sindel's milky eyes as she grinned at her husband.

"Do it."

"For you my Queen!" He said, and then louder "For Edenia and all free realms! Run down their line, and then crush the rest!" They went at full gallop through the remaining line of Takartans like an avenging wind, it was wide but couldn't have been more than ten men deep at that point. Bodies were crushed underneath the weight of horses and lances and scalog riders with heavy axes, and what few survived the initial charge were quickly skewered by those on foot. The green clouds were clearing, revealing the bloody, decimated remains of the Takartans. They had ripped eachother to pieces, the center was an abatoir of blood and organs.

They'd rode down the front line, all that was left of the Takartans was the rear, leaving the two sides with about equal numbers. He yanked the reins and signaled to his generals to separate the flanks as planned, then his wife who nodded, riding for Jade's position. He leapt down from his horse and drew his ancestral sword with his right hand, the black axe with his left. Such a thing would have been impossible when he was younger, but he found he could fight just as easily with both hands now. He hated the axe but it was a butcher's weapon suited to butcher's work and that was what he was about now. He lifted the weapons above his head and shouted, a primal roar that his men took up and echoed as both opposing forces ran at eachother and then clashed in a cacophony of blood and metal. Jerrod pushed with his mind, clearing a gap in the center of the Takartans and then they were upon him, slashing, gnashing teeth and the chaos of war all around.

They went for Jerrod like he was chum in shark infested waters, just as planned. He was a prime target, and he used that to his advantage, with any luck he could draw out Thraxa. He killed when there was an opening, but otherwise he concentrated on drawing them in, distracting them so his men could attack while he himself tried not to get blindsided. Bodies fell all around him, and gradually faceless waves of enemies gave way to individual Takartans who looked less confident in themselves. Jerrod cleaved an enemy head in half before spinning the axe easily in his hand and drove it into the chest of the nearest Takartan. It was an overwhelming weapon but not suited to dealing with so many opponents. He had used one similar during his days pirating the Nalat coast. No, that had been someone else he thought and ignored the chain of memories that tried to surface. A group of fresh enemies came out of nowhere and in his distraction the axe was knocked from Jerrod's hand.

His sword flashed, there'd never been anything wrong with his swordmanship and the offending Takartan dropped to the ground in so many cutlets. The clang of metal intensified, the beasts had overextended themselves and there was a roar as his forces crashed in from the sides in a pincer attack. What was left of the Takartan ranks broke or were swiftly cut down. There was laughter and cheering from his side as Jerrod retrieved the axe and his generals rendevouszed.

"This was much too easy, unworthy of such a force!" Goro bellowed, laughing, his four arms flexing. His wife was flecked with blood, radiant blooms in her cheeks.

"We did it Jerrod. We did it." He shook his head, and her face fell. "What is it?"

"This was a probing attack. They didn't fall for the bait."

"What? There were so many, you can't mean-"

"Giles estimated their numbers at seven million. They held back their main force." From far away sounded Takartan horns, and the ground shook and thundered as countless feet marched towards them. There were two northern canyons in the distance, and the Takartan army streamed out of them like hungry ants, more and more, coalescing in a body that must have been double the previous force. They'd done exceptionally well against the other force, Jerrod's losses were minimal and he had not lost many commanders but there must have still been four of them for every Edenian. They might be waiting for them to the west, but the Rat had assured them it was all but impassable.

"Great, now they're pissed." Giles observed dryly.

"Not enough yet. The plan, stick to the plan!" Jerrod hissed, and he nodded before riding away for the mount. "Jade, you know what to do." She nodded, her green eyes conveying more than just acceptance of her order, and she took off as well.

"Catapults!" He heard Giles scream in the distance. The Takartans closed the distance now even as Jerrod's army pivoted around the mount. They crashed against Jerrod's retreating lines and his men went down by the thousands. He'd known it would be this way, but it was still demoralizing after they'd crushed the first Takartan force with small effort. The catapults swung, this time with heavy, reinforced iron canisters. They sailed over Takartan heads before releasing their deadly cargo, caustic acid drawn from the pits beneath the palace. Yellow skin melted off and orange eyes dissolved into puddles in their sockets, leaving the battlefield smelling like a charnel house.

"We make for the west canyon!" Jerrod yelled. Arrows flew high into the air before raining down on both sides, the Takartans taking greater losses as they tried to make the mount. The catapults flew again, this time hurling rubble, but this did almost nothing to slow their charge. There was a sound like a pyre being lit, and bolts of magical energy cracked and rained down from the hilltop on Thraxa's hordes. Gile's mages were letting them have it.

Jerrod had reached the checkpoint now, so he stopped his horse and looked back. The Takartan forces had split to engage the mount and Jerrod's retreating forces, as bad as this looked, he couldn't have asked for better. Giles, get going you old fool he begged silently. His men marched rapidly by in a steady stream, many hurt in the initial skirmish, he knew it looked like they were running, but he couldn't take a force that size on head on. From the river of soldiers, the Rat appeared by his side.

"If he doesn't come, we'll have to blow it soon." The other man said. He'd traded his pipe for some disgusting root he was chewing, which he now hawked and spat. He might have been high as a kite at that moment, but Jerrod didn't care. If they won somehow he was going to bury the man in medals. The stream had slowed to a trickle, the handfuls of men passing them now were bloodied and haunted looking. Behind them, there were only waves of Takartans harrying them like wounded animals, maybe minutes away. They were coming faster now, smelling blood and fear. It was too far to see now, but the magical lights from the mount had stopped, in the distance he could see the hordes coming off the mount, apparently having killed everyone there. With a heavy heart, he was about to offer a prayer for his friend when Giles and his men broke through the dust, galloping like all hell was behind them. Which as Jerrod could see and hear as the enemy emerged, it was.

"He's not going to make it."

"I'm going to go help him." The Rat's hand clasped his arm and Jerrod settled himself. No, he couldn't. "C'mon Giles!" He urged, and as if hearing the old man dug his heels into his horse and pulled ahead. Many of his men were not so fortunate, pulled from their horses, the lucky ones breaking their skulls in the fall, the rest coming to know just what an animal being slaughtered alive felt like. Giles raced by them at breakneck speed with the remainder of his men, not more than a dozen.

"Are they far enough?"

"They'll be on us in soon. Better send your horse on." With a smack, Jerrod sent the animal off.

"Then do it."

The Rat took the Earthrealm device out of his pack, setting it down carefully. They'd kept him out of the heavy fighting for just this moment. He flipped a switch on the device, causing a light on it to turn red. Next to the light in Earthrealm text was the word "Armed", which in this context meant the device would work. He pressed a button.

Jerrod wished he'd covered his ears. Even from this distance, the sound was louder than his wife's sonic scream at the pavillion. The ground beneath shook, it felt like some angry Elder God had jostled the world and torn open the sky at the same time. It only lasted a few moments, but the description didn't do the massive explosion justice. .

Ammonium nitrate. Nitroglycerin. Composition C-4. Gile's scholars had not undersood the strange Earthrealm terms initially, but they didn't need to. Kano had sold a bit of everything, and left detailed instructions so clear on their use an idiot could follow them. It was the C4 that set the rest off. Jerrod had been leary of using Tanya's explosives at all, no one was entirely sure of the blast radius, or that they'd work. They had argued over the placement, but in the end they decided a line that they could fall back across was their best option. The smoking chasm in the wake of the explosion scarred the the length of the field and was deep enough to kill any man who might fall in.

Enhanced by magic, the blast was enough to destroy several city blocks, and it caught the largest proportion of the Takartans in it. There was a stunned silence on the battlefield, and then the body parts, some whole and in grisly chunks rained down. It was a ghastly wonderous rain of carnage, and parts of Jerrod stood in joy, awe, and horror, depending on the soul. He watched the remnants of the Takartans, on either side of the chasm their lines were sluggishly getting to their feet, some with more success than others. It might well be that the ones that weren't just shell shocked were deaf now.

But as the world fully came back into focus and the ringing finally subsided in his ears the grin he'd been wearing slid off his face as he realized he could hear the blare of horns. The stream of Takartans from the canyons had in truth never really stopped, they were still coming in staggered formations and as he looked on in horror he could see that their ranks were already almost replenished. He would have liked to push their broken line into the chasm but already their reinforcements were swarming in from the sides. The Rat fired the Earthrealm flare into the sky, bursting black, and a minute later one of Jade's runners came back with a spare horse. Jerrod swung into the saddle with the Rat riding behind.

"They're coming in, tell the generals to be dug in and ready. Go quickly man!" He shouted, and the man bowed and was off.

"We'll be boxed in. Just like they planned anyway. There'll be no escape." The Rat observed as Jerrod urged the horse at top speed.

"There never was. Giles told me they had that many but I never believed...it's the only chance. At least this way they can't surround us." When they made it back, his generals stood in a semi circle, looking grave.

"Now's not the time for a pretty speech." Jerrod said, meeting each of them in the eyes, but especially Sindel and Jade. He looked out into the grim faces of his soldiers. "We are all that stands between the horde and another endless reign of death. Take heart, and rally to your commanders. Draw them in where they can't flank us. I would put any of you against their best any day. Your king is with you. We can win."

A feeble lie and you know it.

The cheer that went up was, Jerrod was sorry to say, half hearted. This was suicide, but they all knew surrender wasn't an option. It was just as well that his speech was short, because the first wave crested the hill a moment later and came at them at full speed.

The Takartans had brought in their calvary. Scalog riders, squat, jagged toothed beasts with two short powerful legs and long scaly tales, as vicious as they were ugly.

"Archers!" Jade ordered, and arrows flew, thinning their ranks, but still they were closing rapidly. His wife stepped forward, putting a hand on Jerrod's shoulder as she passed, and her smile was more of a smirk.

"I'll show you how you rally an army husband. Cover your ears, everyone." She shouted as the first group eagerly bore down on her. At this range, the noise was almost bad as the bomb as she screamed at the oncoming calvary. Beasts and their riders tumbled like pins, those in front disintegrating under the onslaught. The next line behind them got the same treatment, some jerking their mounts to the side to avoid the wave of destruction.

"Elder Gods, what a mighty female!" Motaro remarked, and this time the cheer that went up was full throated. "Centaurs, ride these pretenders down!" Sindel had driven a wedge into their center, and the Takartan riders that remained came at them in a sort of wishbone formation, greatly weakening the attack. For the moment, none of them were eager to try for the center again. Sindel was holding her throat and coughing, and Jerrod went to her.

"I'm fine, I'm fine!" She wheezed, and took a swig of water from her canteen before hefting her spear. Jerrod, let's get out there!" His entire army counterattacked with more strength than Jerrod could have imagined at that point. The fighting was bloody and endless, it seemed to all flow together. Sindels archers and the remnants of Gile's mages unleashed continuous volleys, Jade herself taking out enemies that got close with her iron rod with a lithe, deadly grace that flowed like liquid death. Motaro and his brethren rode through the enemy ranks, making the Takartan cavalry look amateur compared to the natural skill of the centaurs. Goro tossing Takartans about and stomped on them like rancid grapes. And always Jerrod kept an eye on his wife, easily visible from her snow white hair and the trail of smashed bodies she left in her wake. Sheeva was competent in keeping stray Takartans off her back Jerrod was relieved to see, bludgeoning them into bloody pulp with two spiked clubs. Everyone fought like their lives depended on it.

Then the battle began to turn away from them as the Takartans broke the front rank's back and they began to really pour in.. As he watched, two Scalogs fought over a soldier, urged on by their riders. The victim was a woman who screamed shrilly until the two beasts tore her into two bloody halves and devoured the pieces. There was a woosh from behind and a spinning object flew through the air in an arc, decapitating both riders before returning to Jade's hand. He saw his sometimes lover's look across the clash of steel and bodies before she turned her attention back to her next enemy..

Somewhere, a horn sounded, and moments later he heard the thwip of arrows from behind the Takartans. The arrows seemed to come from every direction, like poison rain, and by the time Jerrod realized the sheer volume he knew there was no escape.

"Shields!" He heard Goro's bellow, but for the rest of them there would be no respite.

"Under your horses damn it!" Jerrod yelled, ducking, and a moment later the poor beast was a pincushion. He wasn't proud of this action, but it only meant there would be one dead instead of two. Sindel and Sheeva had done likewise he saw, Sheeva's strong arms propping their mount up as a barrier, and still the arrows came.

"Why doesn't it stop!?" He heard his wife scream, indeed he'd never experienced an attack like this, even from Shao Kahn, the arrows fell in a deluge. Then, just like that, they stopped. Cautiously, the remnants of his army emerged, pulling themselves out from the bodies of their mounts and comrades. Half of what remained of Jerrod's army was gone, just gone, and the Takartans out front had fared even worse. He saw his wife's shocked face as she surveyed the destruction. Jade, a veteran of some of Shao Kahn's greatest atrocities looked about as if she'd never seen such a thing. The green eyes were calm, but as he watched her take it in he could see her arms shake. He couldn't see what had become of Goro, Motaro, Giles, or even the Rat. Then they saw them, and Jerrod thought, even after all, the enemy has finally shown it's face.

More Takartans now, a mighty force marching for as far as Jerrod could see. This was it.

"Sindel!" Her clothes were ripped in several places and Sheeva had a shallow cut on one arm, but they seemed to have weathered the storm. "I'm coming with you, this is it." She stared at him with white eyes full of regret.

"No, they'll go for the two of us straight away. Divide them, it's our only chance. Make them work for it love." He shook his head, not understanding. It went against everything he felt and it didn't make any real military sense at this point, if any could be made.

"I have to protect you."

"I have a bodyguard for that. Apart, we can both cut loose without worrying about the other. I'm going to scream bloody murder." When he still shook his head, she pulled him close and kissed him. "Remember what I promised you. We'll find eachother again." She broke the kiss and ran towards the fighting, already Jerrod could see a large detachment peel off one to pursue her.

"That one." Jerrod pointed at the slavering Takartans rushing at his wife, and together he and his remnants moved to engage.

Blades clashed, endlessly, his sword parted flesh, parted heads. Their calvary had been decimated, luckily the remaining Takartans were also on foot. For what felt like hours, he fought the odds. It became monotonous work, less like martial arts and more like chopping cordwood. He killed dozens, hundreds, only able to keep going because of his massive strength. Everything was lost in the melee, he saw no one he recognized, only targets. Maybe he was the only Edenian left alive he thought before he heard his wife's sonic scream again. It came periodically, like thunder, and every time it sounded he got a little wind back. He lost the axe buried in a Takartans skull in the second rush, his sword in the fifth wave.

No time to think know, we'll use our fists.

He moved through hordes of Takartans like a killing wind, and whereever one stepped in his path a body was left to rot. He responded without hesitation, instinctually calling on the fighting knowledge of the throngs inside himself. A sharp toothed grin was shattered into jagged shards with a backwards roundhouse kick combo that had been rehearsed by it's previous practioner over 600 years. Another Takartan staggered back after Jerrod's surprisingly feather light counter blow before hemoraging internally, the black eyes weeping tears of blood.

The Bai Se Du fist. Only passed down from each master to a single heir.

Two of them were coordinated enough to attack him as one and a blade tore a gash in his arm. Jerrod tucked and rolled away and by the time he came back up he already had a handful of sand which he threw in the other Takartan's eyes, blinding him momentarily. It was a technique she'd picked up as a nameless footsoldier, not respected by the men, but she would fight with her wits, she would rise in rank and her father would be proud of her.

And my name was-

The first Takartan's blade gave him another nick and Jerrod came back to himself. He couldn't let himself be overtaken like that again. He feinted and then moved in closer, relying on his own knowledge, and blocked the creatures wrist with his arm before punching it in the throat with all his might. It gagged and fell to his knees, and it's comrade regained it's sight just in time to get it's face caved in by his elbow. They kept coming at him, like a mass of insects and he only had half seconds to gather his thoughts.

Teleketic neck snap. Push two or three away with the power, make some room to breath.

Let them strike first, weave, evade, wear them down just like you learned in the monastery. I loved the abbess, if only she could have understood my feelings.

Another woman's voice. A blade almost took Jerrod's head off, and he tried to rein in the voices, drawing on their instincts while blocking the words themselves out. He tackled the nearest Takartan and they fell in a tangle of limbs before Jerrod managed to get on top and bludgeoned it with a series of wild punches. He rolled away and began the dance again with another snarling warrior.

Break his arm in two places, use him as a shield as two more overzealous Takartans make him a pincushion trying to strike. Blow to a nerve cluster in the back of the neck permanently paralyzes one, and another leaves an imprint in the other's forehead about the size of the heel of Jerrod's hand. A blade cut his shoulder from behind, and Jerrod fell to his knees. Too many, just too many.

It was no good. They were endless.

Sindel.

But the end didn't come as a thick chain looped around the Takartan's throat and it quickly lost interest in Jerrod, twisting about for leverage. He could see the Rat dangling off his back, he was a slight man and didn't have the weight to bring the thing down. Jerrod got his bearings and planted his fist in it's gut, rupturing organs until it sank to the ground. When the Rat didn't get up, Jerrod knelt down to see he was wheezing, then noticed the sausages of his intestines were dangling out of a deep gash that ran from stomach to chest.

"Shouldn't have come out here to fight them. Shoulda let them come to us." His voice had a bubbly quality to it.

"They would have penned us in at the capital. At least this way Kitana has a chance. Is Giles-"

"Went down with the mages. Dead to the last man. I-" He coughed hard and Jerrod was sure he'd had it. Already the fighting was moving close again, and he didn't have time to comfort the dying man. He was finished and they both knew it.

"Kill the head." He sputtered, and the eyes stared, the rasping breathing grew faint. Jerrod looked up from the corpse to see himself surrounded. There wasn't a wink of daylight between any of them, they ringed him like an impenetrable wall. Jerrod stood up as best he could and verified for himself they were several rows deep. There was no possibility of breaking out of this. Things had grown quiet, so quiet. He couldn't hear his wife's screams or the din of battle anymore. Was it over? Was he the last?

"Well come on then." He spat, taking a stance. The Takartans didn't move, just regarded him with those stupid grins, drool dripping from their jaws. Silently, they parted, leaving a path that receded farther than his eyes could see. He looked around at the parted sea of his enemies, and with no other choice, Jerrod dusted himself off and walked in the only direction they allowed.

Authors Notes:
So first off, thanks so much to all who encouraged me to keep writing, I didn't get this kind of response on any other stories, and I appreciate it's fans, I hope the same people are still reading. The last chapter I posted was TWO AND A HALF YEARS AGO! I know, I know, but I've been sick, lost my designated writing time, have low grade ADD, and the cat was on fire, so I had to work in snippets and then put it all together like IKEA furniture. But funny thing, I looked up and realized just this much was 13,000 words and I'm still not finished, so, here's an extra chapter I guess, sans sex.

Just like chapter 2, this is actually the first half and we'll get a new chapter for the finale (with sex). Just means I can focus more easily and make the last one really snap, the bigger the mountain the less I want to climb it you know, so everybody wins hopefully. At this pace I hope to have it out before September.

Next chapter:
The final battle with Thraxa. Some named characters will die, and some will never be the same, and an ending that will make you reevaluate everything you thought you wanted for Sindel and Jerrod.
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She Was Loved By The Multitudes