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Having slain the three mutant monster-women, Cao approaches the tower that Shang Tsung bid him to find. The structure is ancient and abandonned, much like the rest of this island, with vines and ferns growing up around its walls. It seems stable and from the outside he doesn't see anyone within. With Speelock on his shoulder and his sword in hand, he steps into the doorway of the first floor. The floor is covered in dusty pieces of broken reflective glass, with three large mirrors that are shattered.

As he inspects them, he sees that some kind of old trap had sprung here long ago, shoving spikes through two of the mirrors. A skeleton, old and rotting, lies upon one of the sets of spikes. He notices an activated switch behind the third, already pulled, allowing access to the second floor.

Climbing the stairs, he carefully steps into a room with three coffins. One of these coffins is open, and bones litter the floor in front of it. Cao walks up and picks up the skull, staring into the empty eye sockets.

"There's nothing here," he says to Speelock. He looks over and sees the way up to the third floor is open. He spares a look at the other two coffins; one has a peaceful human face while the other is of a monstrous demon.

He shrugs and walks towards the stairs leading up when he hears a noise. He pauses and turns back; Speelock heard it as well. It sounds like it's coming from the coffin with the feminine face. He approaches it cautiously and puts his ear to it.

A muffled woman's voice, sounding distressed, reaches his ears. "Please... help..."

He looks at the coffin, his brow arching upwards. This must be some manner of trickery...

>A) Open it
>B) Ignore it and move on
>C) Talk to the coffin
>D) Inspect the demon-faced coffin
>E) Other

>>46400950
>>B) Ignore it and move on

>>46400950
>C) Talk to the coffin
Because that totally isn't weird.

>>46400950
>>C) Talk to the coffin
Is this coffin that Kaito met?

>>46400950
>C) Talk to the coffin

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>>46401034
>>46401192
>>46401206

Cao knocks on the stone coffin with the woman's face. "Hello?"

"Please, help me," the voice from within calls out, desperate. "I've been trapped in here for so long... I only want to be free again..."

"How long have you been in there?"

"I don't know... It's so dark... Please, help me, you're the first person in years! Please! I can't take it any more! I'm so lonely... So terribly lonely..."

Cao looks at Speelock, who shakes his head. He's afraid of whatever might be inside.

>A) Open it
>B) Ask who she is
>C) Move on from the room
>D) Investiate the demon-faced coffin
>E) Other

>>46401341
>A) Open it

>>46401341
>>C) Move on from the room

THIS IS FUCKING BAIT.JPG

>>46401341
>C) Move on from the room

>>46401341
>>C) Move on from the room
Trust not your eyes, or your ears, or your junk.

>>46401341
>E) Other- "How are you still alive? Would you promise not to eat me or my friend?"

>>46401341
>D
Don't actually touch it

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>>46401403
>>46401433
>>46401450

Cao backs away from the coffin. The woman inside screams, begging him not to leave. "Please! Don't leave me! Don't leave me again! I'm sorry, I'm so sorry, please! Don't go! Don't leave me!"

>>46401462

As he walks towards the stairs, he can hear her crying, wailing behind the stone coffin. Against his better judgment, he turns to the coffin.

"How are you still alive?"

"I'm not," she says between sobs. "I just want to be free... I don't know what the sun or the moon or the stars look like anymore..."

"Would you promise not to eat me or my friend?"

"The curse was broken long ago but I cannot leave," she says. "Please, believe me! I won't hurt you I promise! I swear it! Just please let me out!"

>A) Open it
>B) No, it's too suspicious. Don't trust her. Leave the room now.
>C) Ask her more questions
>D) Check out the other coffin
>E) Other

>>46401564
>A) Open it
Make sure we're holding the dadao.

>>46401564
>A) Open it

>>46401564
>A
We haven't fought a ghost so why not

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>>46401602
>>46401647
>>46401737

Holding his dadao up, Speelock runs off and hides behind one of the coffins and peeks around it. The outworlder nervously reaches for the handle on the side of the stone, grabs it and pulls. But it does not budge.

He yanks a few times, but it is solid. Inside the woman continues to wail. Cao grunts and puts his sword down slightly, using both hands. He grits his teeth and pulls as hard as he can, managing to open it just a crack.

The door flies open and Cao is knocked back by the sheer force of it. Fog rolls out and covers the floor as Speelock squeaks in fear and hides. Cao looks up and sees a spectral figure emerging from the fog; feminine but not quite defined, with no face to speak of. Her hair splays out in the air, held up as though she were underwater. She wears a white dress that clings to her body even as it flows behind her as though she were in the wind.

Her voice is strange and echoing. "Finally... After all this time..."

Cao grips his sword and prepares for the worst. She rushes towards him and his eyes widen as she throws her arms around his neck. "Thank you! Thankyouthankyouthankyou!" she cries over and over. He's surprised at the solid nature of the spirit. She lets go and flies around the room, laughing in glee. Cao tries to keep up with the blue spirit as she spins around, arms outstretched. "I'm free! After so long, so very long, I'm free!"

She rushes back up to Cao and grabs his hand. "Please, tell me your name? Tell me who you are so I know who to thank for my freedom?"

>A) Uh... Cao
>B) Who are you?
>C) You're not going to attack me?
>D) Who put you in there?
>E) Leave
>F) Other

>>46401919
>A) Uh... Cao
>C) You're not going to attack me?

>>46401919
>>A) Uh... Cao
>>C) You're not going to attack me?

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>>46401993
>>46402082

"Uh... I'm Cao," he tells her.

"Thank you so much, Cao," she says. "My name is Minerva."

He looks her spectral form up and down. "You're not going to attack me?"

"Attack you? Why would I attack the one who gave me freedom?" She grows quiet. "It's true, once I was meant to attack those who opened the coffin, but that was so long ago... I've been trapped inside that coffin for... I don't know how long. I was a guardian for the study upstairs but I failed and I was punished, left as a trap only to be forgotten... I thought I had lost my mind and would never again know the light of day."

"Well, I'm... happy to help," he says, still unnerved by the ghost.

"You answered my prayers," she says, her voice cracking a bit. "You've given me hope again. Please, if there is anything I can do to help you, simply name it and you will have it."

>A) Would you travel with me?
>B) What can you tell me about the study upstairs?
>C) I set you free, do as you please.
>D) Tell me everything you can about Shang Tsung.
>E) Flirt with her
>F) Attack the spooky ghost
>G) Other

>>46402255
>>C) I set you free, do as you please.
>>D) Tell me everything you can about Shang Tsung.

>>46402255
>>C) I set you free, do as you please.
>>E) Flirt with her
I couldn't resist. She can travel with us if she wants.

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>>46402358
>>46402434

"You're free," Cao tells her with a slight shrug. "Do as you please, I say."

The spirit seems almost ready to cry when she hears those words; she's wanted to hear them for so long.

She surges forward like a wisp of wind and hugs him again. "Thank you," she says, on the verge of tears. "I'll never forget this. I'll never forget you."

Turning her head, Minerva gives him a kiss on the cheek and flies towards the wall, vanishing from sight, giving him a wave as her arm slips through. Cao touches his cheek and looks at where she left, wondering if he will ever see her again.

Speelock comes out of hiding. "Ghost lady gone?"

"Guess so," he says as he lowers his hand.

>A) Head upstairs
>B) Open the third coffin
>C) Go to the window and look for her
>D) Tell Speelock to wait here and go on
>E) Other

>>46402434
Ditto plus ask what she knows about this place

>>46402627
>A) Head upstairs

>>46402627
>>A) Head upstairs

>>46402627
>>A) Head upstairs
Up the stairs we go

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>>46402682
>>46402808
>>46403075

Letting Speelock back up, Cao moves to the stairs and climbs them. He finds himself in Shang Tsung's study. The room is dark, lit only by the light from a nearby window. He approaches a podium at the heart of the chamber with a book upon it. The symbol of the Elder Gods, the dragon, is carved into its cover. The shelves are lined with books, potions, old ingredients and skulls. The tables nearby feature an odd assortment of tools, bowls, jars and other things, along with many, many bottles of strange liquids.

>A) Take the book and leave
>B) Open the book
>C) Look around the shelves
>D) Inspect the potion table
>E) Other

>>46403108
>>B) Open the book

>>46403108
>>B) Open the book

>>46403108
>>C) Look around the shelves
>>D) Inspect the potion table
Let's check for anything worth keeping
>A) Take the book and leave

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>>46403133
>>46403271

Cao approaches the book and opens it.

"...I can't read this," he says, mostly to himself.

He was expecting something more. Some kind of power or energy. But nothing happens. He flips through page after page, discovering only writing, writing and---

Upon opening up the center of the book, he finds a page with the dragon symbol. It burns as though on fire, lighting up the room. The Tao Te Zhan begins to glow, the pages turning bright white, as the light from the book shoots into his eyes. Speelock falls back from the brightness as information flashes before Cao's eyes.

It's too much, far too much. He screams as images, names, dates, spells, rituals, creatures, futures, pasts, entire realms of knowledge blur together in front of him. His nose and ears begin to bleed as his hands tremble.

He slams the book shut and it stops. He falls down, shaking, his eyes wide and bloodshot. Speelock nervously goes to him before leaving his side for a bucket of water. He pulls it over and dumps it on Cao's head, releasing him from his stupor. He pants as he tries to understand what he just saw, but he just saw seventeen lifetimes of knowledge flash before his eyes in an instant. He brings a hand to his nostrils and touches the blood there.

"Hurt?" Speelock asks.

He blinks a few times. "No... No, just, confused..."

He grunts as he gets back up to his feet. He picks up the book and puts it into his backpack. He's not ready to understand that kind of knowledge, whatever it is. He's not sure what it will do for Shang Tsung, but he isn't sure he likes it.

>A) Search the room some more
>B) You have the book, leave now
>C) Try opening it again
>D) The book is wicked; destroy it
>E) Other

>>46403636
>>A) Search the room some more
Lots of other potential goodies

>>46403636
>>A) Search the room some more

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>>46403726
>>46404139

Cao approaches the shelf and looks at the many ointments, oils, potions, mixtures, admixtures, reagents, concoctions, cures, balms, chalks, salves, lotions, lubricants, waxes, soaps, soups, stews, blends and brews that line it, along with their ingredients, additives, elements, components and other such things.

Cao isn't quite sure where to even begin with everything that's up here, not to mention that it's all been stewing for who knows how long.

>A) Drink something random
>B) Inspect all the bottles
>C) Let Speelock test something
>D) Leave
>E) Other

>>46404198
>>D) Leave
NaAh. Let's bounce

>>46404198
>D) Leave

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>>46404403
>>46404423

Deciding that it is perhaps best not to tamper with things he knows nothing about, Cao leaves. He passes the second floor, ignoring the unopened coffin lest something unpleasant be lurking within, and strides out of the tower.

Immediately stopping and coming face-to-face with the four-armed mutant tormentor he met earlier. The creature stands with one of the mutant women he killed earlier hanging from its mouth. He freezes on the spot but the beast's black eyes lock upon him.

It opens its mouth and swallows the remainder of the mutant creature. It raises all four arms, each tipped with claws that could rend him into pieces, and roars at him. Its breath is like a typhoon of foul-smelling corpses.

"Run?" Speelock whispers.

>A) Go back into the tower
>B) Run for your life
>C) Try to hide from it
>D) Fight it!
>E) Other

>>46404556
>A) Go back into the tower? Slowly back away?
Maybe the book knowledge will help us?

>>46404556
>>B) Run for your life

>>46404556
>B) Run for your life

>>46404556
>>B) Run for your life
>C) Try to hide from it

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>>46404782
>>46404796
>>46404808

After a few tense moments of staring at the creature, Cao breaks off into a run. The monster chases after him, crashing through trees and pushing aside rocks. It uses its lower arms like another set of legs to propell itself at surprising speeds, and nothing gets in its way.

Cao is a runner, though, and always has been. He sprints through the forest and across fields, leaping over streams. But through it all, the beast is right behind him.

>1d100+10 to RUN!

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Rolled 96 + 10 (1d100 + 10)

>>46404889
FLY YOU FOOLS!

Rolled 45 + 10 (1d100 + 10)

>>46404889
Screeeech

Rolled 51 (1d100)

>>46404889
Take the money and run

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>>46404973

Cao finds a straight path and turns on it, running harder and faster than he's ever run before. He leaves the beast far behind him and finds a cave, running inside. The creature crashes against the mountain wall outside, reaching in with a lower arm, but Cao is already inside and running up the stairs. The growling roars are left far behind as he makes it to the top, finding himself on a bridge.

The bridge spans a pit full of spikes, more than a few of which feature corpses impaled upon them in various stages of decay. He breathes easy as the roars from far away die off. He begins to cross the bridge.

"You run good," Speelock compliments him.

Suddenly, he hears a noise, a crashing sound. He turns around as the beast lands on the mountain he just exited from, having jumped from where he was onto the stone. His eyes widen as he watches the stones crumble beneath its massive feet.

The beast, despite its incredible size, has not lost the power of shokan jumping.

"That's impossible..." he breathes.

The beast roars as it looks at him and he turns to run across the bridge.

>>46405043

As he makes it to the other side, once more the shokan tormentor leaps from his mountain. He lands upon the bridge in front of Cao, cracking the stone and blocking his path forward. The entire bridge shakes and the thief is thrown to his feet as the creature rises and turns around. Its frame is wider than the bridge and so it carefully moves forward, all four arms raised as its maw drips with saliva in globules as big as his head.

Cao crawls backwards as Speelock clings to his back. The beast roars and takes a step forward; it's not going to let him leave this bridge.

Not by that way, anyway...

>A) Jump off!
>B) Stand and fight
>C) Attempt to trick it and run under its legs
>D) Find a way to make it fall into the pit
>E) Other

>>46405165
>>D) Find a way to make it fall into the pit
Check if there are any shadows flying over the moon, if yes attempt to use a stage fatality.

>>46405165
>>C) Attempt to trick it and run under its legs
Flight, I fear is still our best option.

>>46405165
>D) Find a way to make it fall into the pit

>>46405165
>>C) Attempt to trick it and run under its legs
Cao is a master deciever.

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>>46405199
>>46405278
>>46405291
>>46405314
Being a thief, you learn not only to run well.
You learn to juke and break ankles.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DW51z3SBvy0

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>>46405199
>>46405291

Cao looks down at the stone beneath its feet. It cracks, but holds. Still, he doubts it could take another beating.

As the creature swipes at him with two of its arms, he rolls back and dodges the attack, getting up and running away. Just as he had hoped, the creature is far from clever. It leaps up high, soaring through the air, landing on the opposite side of the bridge. Just as before, it cracks but holds.

Now comes the final step. He turns and runs in the opposite direction. As the bridge is too narrow for the creature to chase him, its only option is to once more jump. It pushes off and he can see its massive shadow overhead as it falls onto the already-weakened spot. It crashes upon it and the stones crack beneath its feet; the bridge begins to break.

It roars at him again and Cao runs straight for the creature. "What are you doing? You crazy?!" Speelock asks, holding on for dear life.

"Trust me!" Cao shouts. He charges onwards, even as the beast loses its footing. The stones beneath it break and fall and the monster goes with them, tumbling towards the pit. The rest of the bridge shakes and begins to crack.

Cao leaps, intent on jumping across the monster's head and safely to the other side!

>1d100+10 to succeed!

Rolled 88 (1d100)

>>46405404

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Rolled 44 + 10 (1d100 + 10)

>>46405404
Cao. Channel the Great One. He can help you.

Rolled 37 + 10 (1d100 + 10)

>>46405404
Gotta be Like Mike

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>>46405424
>>46405453
>>46405468

Cao leaps onto the creature's head, running across its snapping face, before jumping off. He lands on the solid floor of the entryway as the creature falls to the pit floor, where many spikes dig into its hide. Cao stumbles for a moment and nearly falls back, but Speelock moves to his front to help counter-balance the weight and Cao regains his footing.

The runt hops off and Cao pats him on the head as they both look over the edge. He can see the creature flailing its four arms as it attempts to escape, traversing the pit and sustaining many wounds. It cannot find good ground to jump and escape. One of its arms digs into the wall and it begins to pull itself up, bleeding from many holes.

Cao spits down at the beast. "Bleed to death," he bids it before turning and walking away, pausing only briefly to let Speelock back up onto his perch.

With the book in hand and the beast taken care of, they are free to return to Shang Tsung.

>A) Head to the palace
>B) Read the book again
>C) Try having Speelock read it
>D) Destroy the book
>E) Other

>>46405664
>B)
>C)
We know damn well that Shang is up too something, we have too try to figure out what.

>>46405664
>B)
Shang probably wants to steal our body

>>46405787
>>46405800

Let's have a 1d100 to attempt to comprehend the ancient and mysterious tome.

>>46405664
>B) Read the book again

>>46405787
>>46405800
Shang Tsung is a battered, broken old man. There's not much he can do to Cao.

Rolled 90 (1d100)

>>46405903
>>B) Read the book again

>>46405911
I'd be overjoyed if all the deaths and rebirths have humbled Shang abit and he mellowed the fuck out.

Rolled 61 (1d100)

>>46405911
Yeah I would not put it past him too try.
>>46405933
Honestly I'm a Shang fan so I'd love that too.
>>46405903
I'm assuming your Damashi

Rolled 12 (1d100)

>>46405903

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Cao finds a dark corner of the cave and tells Speelock to wait nearby. He sits down and gets comfortable. Just in case, he takes out the Kriss blade and lays it across his lap, hoping its protective influence might deter something bad from happening.

He takes out the book and unwraps it from the cloth he originally put it in. He breathes deeply several times and opens the book to the page with the dragon symbol.

He focuses as it once more blasts his eyes with information. He grits his teeth and summons up all his strength, courage and determination to press on through.

>>46405915

At first, it seems the book is actually bending to his will, reacting to his new determined mindset. He thinks about the city of Z'unkahrah, his home, and he sees it in his mind. The book is showing him the founding of the city. Several times it has been torn down, rebuilt, crushed, built up, conquered and changed. Its great infastructure of ancient buildings is why so much is buried beneath, caverns, even the aqueducts in which he made his home were once above ground.

He thinks about Shao Kahn. He sees the Emperor as an advisor to Onaga. He looks almost regal. He learns that Shao Kahn and Raiden, a god of thunder and lightning from Earthrealm whom he's only heard stories of up until now, have a strange and shared origin, but when he probes deeper, the book refuses; the knowledge has been lost.

He sees Shao Kahn poisoning Onaga; the Dragon King choking and Shao stepping up to rule. He sees a history of conquered cities, nations, realms laid out before him.

>>46405977

But it begins to grow more blurry. He maintains his focus. Shang Tsung. He wants to learn about Shang Tsung.

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>>46406283

A warrior from Earthrealm who long ago fell sway to the dark powers. He found his way to Outworld and pledged himself to the Emperor, becoming reborn and gaining great powers in return; he fed off of the souls of others, much like his master Shao Kahn. He joined the Mortal Kombat tournaments and corrupted them from within until he was its champion and Goro his enforcer. Goro became the champion and Shang Tsung the master. He promised Shao Kahn the realm of Earth.

But he failed. He fell from grace at the hands of Liu Kang, spared only by his wits when he convinced the Emperor of another path. But this led to ruin as well when again the heroes of Earthrealm bested Outworld's forces in a second tournament.

During this time, Shang Tsung died again. He sees the sorcerer's death---at the hands of none other than Kaito.

>>46405981

The knowledge overwhelms Cao as he loses focus. His eyes burn and his nose bleeds again while his brain throbs from absorbing the information.

Cao slams shut the book, breathing. Speelock walks up with a small rag and Cao uses it to wipe his nose clean of blood.

'This thing is like a magical library,' he thinks to himself. 'If I think about something, it tells me about it.'

He wonders if he could use it to learn other things, but with his head pounding the way it is now, he knows he shouldn't. It will take time before he can attempt that again---but now he understands how useful the Tao Te Zhan can be. In the right hands, it could be used to learn many things.

>A) Sleep
>B) Return to Shang Tsung
>C) Let Speelock try
>D) Destroy the book
>E) Other

>>46406298
>>B) Return to Shang Tsung

>>46406298
>>B) Return to Shang Tsung

>>46406298
>B) Return to Shang Tsung

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>>46406335
>>46406436
>>46406464

Cao returns to the palace, walking through the courtyard in silence. He enters through the main door to find Shang Tsung upon his throne once more.

"You've been busy, I see," the old sorcerer notes. "Found a pet?"

"He's a friend, actually," Cao says, letting Speelock down.

The old man doesn't seem to pay the little lizard much mind. "Did you retrieve the Tao Te Zhan?"

"I did," Cao replies, taking it out.

"You are a good thief, to make it through a jungle of monsters to take a book from an old man's tower." Cao can't quite tell if he's being sarcastic.

"How did you make those?" Cao asks.

"I take two things and mix them together. Sometimes three things. I like to see what I can make. For an old man, I've little else in the way of entertainment."

Cao hears a noise from the corner of the room. He turns around and sees a broom brushing the floor, guided by Shang Tsung's magic.

"You're... cleaning?"

"I have company," Shang says with a sour face. "Not that it was invited, but it isn't an unwelcome thing. Now bring the book over, boy, and we'll see about getting you home."

>A) I don't trust you
>B) Tell me what you're doing to do with the book
>C) I know what the book can do. What do you need it for?
>D) Tell him you used the book to learn more about him
>E) Other

>>46406690
>>B) Tell me what you're doing to do with the book
>>C) I know what the book can do. What do you need it for?

>>46406690
>C) I know what the book can do. What do you need it for?

>>46406690
>D)
If we leave it vague, and he has evil plans, this might provoke him.

>>46406690
>>B) Tell me what you're doing to do with the book
>>C) I know what the book can do. What do you need it for?

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>>46406718
>>46406818
>>46407206

Cao holds it up. "Hold it. I've used the book and I know what it can do."

"That must have been difficult."

"I figured it out. It feeds you information; you think about something and it forces it into your brain."

"That it does, and more. You can use it to learn much more than information. Skills. Spells. Entire realms of knowledge are contained in this book."

"And you what do you plan to do with it? What do you need it for?"

"It can also be used in rituals. The book has other power and can enhance a sorcerer's spellcasting. It is a powerful artifact, the only remaining of its kind in all of the realms."

"Are you going to use this to regain your youth?"

"You do know what happened the last three times I did this, yes?" Shang asks. "I died. Would it surprise you to know that dying is unpleasant?"

"More unpleasant than old age?"

"I will take eternal life as a frail old man over becoming young only to have some Earthrealmer or hybrid come along and kill me again. I know myself too well; if I became young again, I would return to my work of plotting and scheming. My ambitions and power would return and I would suck up souls left and right." He lets out a long sigh. "And eventually, no matter how well entrenched I made myself or who I allied with, someone, Liu Kang or Kaito or Mileena or---gods help me, Johnny Cage---would come along and stop me."

He closes his eyes and shakes his head. "I tire of the game of being the boogeyman. I've been punched one too many times in the groin in past lives, I would rather avoid it again. Or being hit at all. I'm an old man and I want my peace for once in my life. Shao Kahn is dead and now I serve only myself." He brings up his head. "Now bring me the book so I can get you off of my island."

>A) Hand it over
>B) Ask more questions
>C) Inquire about Kaito
>D) Delve deeper into his supposed change of heart
>E) Other

>>46407244
>>D) Delve deeper into his supposed change of heart
"From what I have seen, most who gain power are loath to lose it. I don't understand how you don't seek power once more"

>>46407244
>C) Inquire about Kaito
so no revenge schemes? just get off this island and live a normal life?

>>46407244
>>A) Hand it over
>>C) Inquire about Kaito
I've heard analog about this guy from a bunch of different people.

>>46407244
>>D) Delve deeper into his supposed change of heart

>>46407244
>C) Inquire about Kaito

>>46407353
He said it himself: with power and youth come old habits, habits that invariably force him to cross path with champions of good and get pasted. Shang's learned his lesson and would rather retire than try again.

>>46407380
I meant to say a lot. Fuck you autocorrect.

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>>46407353
>>46407376
>>46407380
>>46407381
>>46407429

"I've heard that name before. Kaito."

"I'd be surprised if you hadn't, since he was the one who dealt the final blow to Shao Kahn. I imagine all across the realms names like Mileena, Liu Kang and Akayama Kaito are celebrated while Shang Tsung is cursed and spat upon." He shakes his head. "Well, let them spit. I don't care about what they think."

"And just what do you think, exactly?" Cao asks as he steps closer. "You know, I have heard of you before. You were what you said you were: one of the strongest men in all of Outworld. And you expect me to believe that you don't want to try again? That you've given up? From what I have seen, most who gain power hate to lose it. I don't understand why you wouldn't seek power once more."

"I haven't given up," Shang Tsung replies in a venomous tone. "I'm merely no longer an active players. Let the realms do what they please, let the heroes be praised. I'm done with it all. Perhaps when you die a few times, you'll understand, if you're as unfortunate as I."

"You were a great warrior. Don't you want it back?"

"For a thousand years I was undefeated. I mastered plots so intricate that none could escape them. I was a master of a legion of souls... what good did it do me in the end, boy? Look at this," he indicates his palace, "all of this means nothing now. A monument to lost glory and a roof over an old man's head. Nothing more. There's only one way a man like me gains power, and I've learned that there are others, stronger warriors, who oppose my methods and would seek to kill me. My enemies think I am dead: I say let them. I've no interest in getting their attention anymore."

Shang Tsung sighs and leans back in his chair. "Let them sing their songs. I'll have no further part in them and I want no further part. To the hells with the realms."

>A) Hand him the book
>B) Ask him some more questions
>C) Ask what he will do now
>D) Ask him to teach you
>E) Other

>>46407861
>>A) Hand him the book
This thread has a distinct lack of girls. Let's get the fuck out of this old man island.

>>46407861
>A) Hand him the book

>Shang Tsung in maximum "fuck it all" mode
This is kinda surreal.

>>46407861
>>A) Hand him the book
>>C) Ask what he will do now
>>D) Ask him to teach you

I wouldn't mind hanging out with a depressed old man listening to his war stories.

>>46407954
Poor old guy has no friends, no family and literally all of the enemies.

>>46407897

You should see his basement.

>>46407974
Hell, it's not even like MK9 Shang Tsung, who - in his arcade mode ending - turns face and goes to Bo Rai Cho for training because Liu Kang turned heel.

>>46407996
Grandpa Shang can join Spirit Dad and Blood Construct Mom.

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>>46407897
>>46407954
>>46407961

Slowly, Cao approaches him and hands him the book. Shang Tsung runs his thin fingers across its surface.

"Yes... this will do nicely," he says. His face twists into a dark, evil grin. "You foolish boy! You know not the power you have granted me! The Tao Te Zhan is mine again, as is your soul! With their power I shall rise up once more and rule!"

Cao immediately goes for his sword and Speelock takes out his knife as the sorcerer cackles, but then the cackling turns from sinister to joyous. He is laughing almost at himself.

"See? See how quick it would be? Now imagine you are someone like Liu Kang. Would you have stopped?" He chuckles and waves a hand dismissively. "Of course not. If I were young, I would have seriously considered using the power of the Tao Te Zhan for evil once more. Perhaps suck out your soul. I was quite the thief in my younger days, too, you know---but I stole souls instead. All they did in the end was rise up against me. Souls... a poor investment."

He opens the book. "Now, let's see about getting you home."

"Wait, you weren't serious?"

"Come now, I thought you were quicker than that," Shang mutters as he flips through the pages. "Ahh, here we are... portals. Gateways between realms. The holes in the links of the chains that bind our reality."

Cao's hand slides off his sword. Shang Tsung runs his hand across the page. "Now... Where shall I be sending you?"

>A) Z'unkahrah
>B) Living Forest
>C) Kove
>D) Talk to him some more
>E) Another realm

>>46408107
>>A) Z'unkahrah
Perhaps we are in time to save our sister, even if we doom ourselves by returning.

>>46408107
>A) Z'unkahrah
Will we meet again?

>>46408107
>>D) Talk to him some more
Ask him if he knows how to remove a Ky'tin spawn safely and if he could teach us.
Also ask if we can come back and visit? I'd really like to talk to him more and he probably shouldn't be alone for so long with only mutant monsters for conversation.

>>46408107
>A)
Got too get back to our sisters
Also tell Shang we were seriously about to kill him for a second there.

>>46408107
Goodbye Minerva. No ghost waifu. Extremely disappointed with the lack of flirting.

>>46408266
Fucking a vampire is one thing, but a ghost is something completely different.

>>46408310
Yeah. AWESOME. After that it would've been a ghoul.

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>>46408129
>>46408138
>>46408161

"I need to return to the capital city," he says. "That's where my sisters are."

"Ah, family," Shang whispers. "The sacrifices we make for them."

As he reads the section on portals, Cao says to him, "You know, I would have killed you. That wasn't a very good joke."

"Jokes never are when the only person who can laugh at one is the person who tells it. And of course you would have killed me. Every single person in the realms, I suspect, would kill me if they knew who I am."

"Then why introduce yourself? Why not lie?"

"Because every lie I spun in my spider's web of a life only led to my death," Shang says. "But you are right: even the truth would lead to people wanting to kill me. Quite the irony."

"I'm not going to kill you," Cao says. "Not when you can help me."

"Oh, of course," Shang replies. "We are all very selfish, aren't we? It's our nature." He closes the book and looks the thief in the eyes. "Here's a lesson on selfishness, thief. Look at what sits before you. I have more enemies than I could fill a book with. Outworld, Orderrealm, Chaosrealm, Netherrealm, Edenia, Earthrealm..." He smiles as his voice trails off. "I may in fact be the most hated man in all of the realms." He throws his head back and laughs.

He holds up the book. "Place your hand upon this."

Cao does so. The sorcerer closes his eyes and chants. Slowly the wind in the room picks up and a rumbling noise grows as a vortex forms before the throne. Lightning shoots forth from it as the orange energy swirls about.

Shang Tsung opens his eyes. "Well, go on then," he nods towards the portal. Speelock runs towards the portal and jumps in without a second thought.

Cao takes his hand off the book and approaches the portal. He stops and looks back at the withered sorcerer. "Will we meet again?"

"I can't imagine why you'd want to," Shang replies. "Go."

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>>46408422


As Cao turns back towards the portal, they both suddenly hear a noise. Minera flies out of a nearby wall and tackles Cao on her way into the portal.

The vortex closes behind them, leaving a surprised Shang Tsung behind.

"Was that the ghost I locked in the coffin twenty years ago?" he asks himself, stroking his beard. "Huh... I had forgotten she was even there."

His thoughts turn to the third coffin and wonders if its occupent is still inside. "Likely, but probably dead by now," he muses.

He sits up and cracks his back before shuffling down to his new flesh pits he built beneath the palace to tend to his latest experiment.

He walks up to a green tank filled with green fluid. Inside floats a woman, a tarkatan-edenian hybrid. Unfinished. Nearly perfect.

And in other tanks, several exact copies of her.

He places his hand upon the tank and smiles.

'Soon.'

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>>46408510
>Minera

Minerva. I'm tired.

I'll continue in the morning; we're back in Z'unkahrah.

>>46408522
Is it weird that Shang may have actually made a friend?

>>46408536
Shang considers Cao an acquaintance at absolute most.

>>46408522
>HaHa
>Ghost waifu
Good night.

>>46404556

>Rancoro

I JUST GOT THAT

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>>46408522
I have a good feeling where this probably isn't but might end up heading if we play our cards right.

>>46408510

>Shang Tsung is cloning Mileena
>"But why would-"
>Suddenly remember

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsTWrm7cC-k

DAMASHI PLS

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>>46408657
I'm retarded and never understood this ending

>>46408690
Mileena beating Shinnok awakens the Mileena Hivemind.

>>46408711
Also Shang Tsung kaikakuified it, and Emracs ending. I love how some of the endings are tied together.

>>46408522
>magical companion
>rescued by protagonist
>Not having proper bodies for sex
Pls no second Turana. Ghost blowjobs instead.

>>46408728

Or Meat

I miss Meat

>>46408711
I hope they all backfire on Shang and the clones all seek out Kaito for group cuddles

>>46408828
You'd think Mileena Prime would be weirdly possessive of Kaito around all the clones.

>>46408850
good, we need more jealous Mileena

>>46408850
It wouldn't be weird. It would be entirely justified. Buncha clones of yourself show up and try to fuck your man.

>>46408850
The original would be, the others would be totally down with clone gang loving. Kaito would be conflicted.

>>46408883
Never understood stories where someone meets copies of theirself, be it cloning or time travel or alt dimensions, and they fight. That movie Looper frustrated the shit out of me, if it was me in that situation, we'd become the most inseparable team ever.

Who's more fun to hang out with than someone who agrees with you about everything and knows all your inside jokes?

>>46408983
>Who's more fun to hang out with than someone who agrees with you about everything and knows all your inside jokes?
Someone who has all those and a pussy attached to them?

>>46409072
Dangerous to just assume the Rule 63 version of yourself would be attractive

>>46409088
Never mind the ever-present "If you have sex with a clone, is it masturbation?" question.

>>46409164
Does that really make a difference?

>>46409164
I'd fuck me.

bump

We'll be resuming in a little bit.

>>46412294

>those tattoos

Dropped

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>>46408510

Cao, Speelock and Minerva fly through the portal. It opens in an old alleyway and they all tumble through at the same time, piling on top of each other. Speelock squeaks in pain as Cao lands on top of him and Minerva lays on top of Cao. She picks up her ghostly head, her hair flowing in all directions as she looks around.

"Oh, where are we? Somewhere new?"

Cao pushes himself off of Speelock. "What was that for?"

"I wanted to get off that island," she says. "There's nothing but bad memories. And Shang Tsung. I hate him---he put me in the coffin in the first place!"

'He was right, everyone really does hate him,' Cao thinks to himself as Minera floats up and off of him. He dusts himself off as he stands up and looks around. He knows this alley; it's in the noble housing district of the city.

"Where are we?" Minerva asks again.

"Outworld," he replies.

"I've never been to Outworld! Can I have a tour?" she asks, wide-eyed and excited.

"I don't have time for a tour," he replies, looking at the ghost. "I need to find my sisters. And Skarlet... Hopefully, she is with them." He thinks about his last words to them---to find Ruby.

"Can I come along? Nobody would even see me!" She turns invisible so as to demonstrate.

Cao scratches the back of his head. "Sure, that's fine."

Speelock picks himself up and shakes his small head. He hops up onto Cao's arm, getting back to his shoulder. As Cao walks towards the exit of the alleyway, he feels an invisible hand wrapping around his.

He cocks an eyebrow. 'Holding hands...?'

>A) Head to Kotal Kahn's palace
>B) Head to your home
>C) Head to Ruby's estate
>D) Head to the library, which Ruby maintains
>E) Other

>>46412671
>C) Head to Ruby's estate

>>46412671
>C)
She'll want too change up and look her best to take bug ladies place

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>>46412741

Cao heads to Ruby's estate, which is thankfully not far, thinking that perhaps his sisters may be there. He has never been inside nor ventured too close to her house, due to the hinparian guards. As Ruby is the representative of the hinparian people, herself from the conquered realm of Hinpar, she has great sway over the secretive population that made up that shadowy realm.

Sure enough, two guards are posted out front. They wear uniforms of black and red, with their heads covered. Their eyes peer at him, red as their cloaks. "Halt," one of them speaks. "Lady Ruby is currently unavailable."

"Begone, street rat," the other says.

>A) Demand to know if your sisters are inside
>B) Order them to step aside as a representative of Shao Kahn
>C) Send Minerva inside to scout around
>D) Sneak into the manor from another way
>E) Other

>>46412984
>C)
>E) Tell them to tell Ruby that Cao is here

>>46412984
>A) Demand to know if your sisters are inside

>>46412984
>>A) Demand to know if your sisters are inside

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>>46413056
>>46413335

Cao points a finger at them. "I demand to know if my sisters are inside that estate! Tell me now!"

"Why would we--"

The doors to the estate open, interrupting the guard, and Ruby walks out. She is surprised to see the thief.

"Cao! There you are! Quickly, your sisters are inside."

Cao sneers at the two guards as they part to allow him to enter. Ruby's home is very nice, well-furnished (if dimly lit). He follows her swiftly. "What happened? Are they alright?"

"I had to bring them here, where I keep my study," Ruby explains. "The younger one---Hua?---she was implanted by a kytinn larva and---"

"I know," he cuts her off. "Is she alright?"

"...For now. I was just leaving to secure additional supplies from the palace stores. Here, in this room..."

She reaches a door and opens it up. It's a kind of laboratory and study, with shelves of books and tables with jars and vials. It reminds him of Shang Tsung's study at the top of the tower, only much cleaner. At the center of the room is an operating table, and on it is Hua, whose midsection is covered with a bloody sheet. She is asleep, or so he hopes, because she is not moving other than her breathing. Tubes are connected to her, running red with blood.

The sight frightens him to the core. "Where is Sanra?" he manages to choke out.

"At the palace, speaking with Kotal Kahn," she replies. "She was here earlier, but I needed privacy for the... more risky parts of the operation."

He approaches his little sister and gently touches her arm.

"Don't disturb her," Ruby cautions him. "She is in a very delicate stage. The slightest miscalcuations could result in her going from bad to worse."

"Is it out?" he whispers.

"Yes."

>A) Thank her
>B) Ask her what may happen
>C) Sit silently
>D) Ask her what you can do to help
>E) Other

>>46413522
>A)
>B)
>D)

>>46413522
>A) Thank her

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>>46413553
>>46413573

"Thank you," he says to her.

She nods and places a hand on his shoulder.

"She may yet live. We must be careful and patient." After a moment, she changes the subject. "In all the excitement, I wasn't able to learn. Was D'Vorah...?"

"Yes," he replies. "She's gone."

Ruby nods. "Good. The city is better for it."

"What's going to happen?" Cao asks. "To Hua."

"I'm the only one in the city who could have performed this operation with even the slighest chance of her living," Ruby says, "but not even I know if she is going to pull through. You must understand that even with my magic, science and alchemy, a body so young can only take so much. She lost a lot of blood. I need to go find more."

She turns back to the door. "I'll be back soon."

"Is there anything I can do?" he asks.

"Stay with her and give her something to anchor onto," Ruby suggests. "It may save her."

She leaves, closing the door behind her. Cao closes his eyes and breathes as he holds his sister's hand. She is very still and very pale. Speelock is on the other side, looking sad with his head hung low. "Hua hurt," he whispers.

Minerva appears alongside him and places her hand on his. "You know... death isn't so bad," she offers.

"I don't want to hear that," Cao says. "She's going to live."

She quietly withdraws her hand. "I'm sorry."

>A) Ask to be alone
>B) Talk to Minerva
>C) Leave the room
>D) Inspect the wound
>E) Other

>>46413727
>B
>D

>>46413727
>B)
Introduce her to Hua. It might also do Hua some good too hear our voice.

>>46413935
Hua mustn't be disturbed. Damashi please add C to my vote here: >>46413861
after we inspect the wound.

>>46413966
Actually yeah that might include talking. Just too be safe.
>>46413935
Change too C

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>>46413861
>>46413935
>>46413966
>>46414056

"This is my sister Hua," he says to Minerva.

"Hello," the ghost says with a small smile, even though the girl cannot hear her.

Cao holds Hua's hand. "I'm sorry," he says to her again. "You shouldn't have seen that before I left."

He stands up. "Come on, Speelock, let's let her rest." The lizard follows along quietly as they leave the room.

Cao finds Ruby's parlour, a comfortable room. He sits upon a couch, an extremely comfortable piece of furniture. Nearby, Speelock climbs onto a chair and sits. Minera floats about the room, inspecting things, curious about all she can see now that she is free.

He looks up at her. "What's it like?" he asks. "Being a spirit."

"I miss some things," she says, picking up a silver teacup. "Touch, taste, smell... But I can still see, and hear. It's strange..."

He stands up. "How can you touch things? Pick things up? But also go through walls?"

"I just can," she says. "When I want to."

She turns around and places her hand against his. "What do I feel like?"

"Cold," he admits. "Like... fog."

"I thought as much," she says somewhat wistfully. "I certainly didn't think I would be warm."

>A) Ask how she died
>B) Ask where she is from
>C) Ask what she is going to do now
>D) Sit and wait
>E) Other

>>46414142
>A
>B
>C

>>46414142
>B)
Try too stay calm and collected for Hua.

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>>46414242
>>46414246

Cao looks on as she floats to a tapestry on Ruby's wall to look at it more closely. "Where are you from?" he asks.

"Seido," she replies. "The Realm of Order."

"I've never been," Cao admits. "Was it nice?"

"I must've thought not, because I ran away from it. I think I didn't like the rules... So much scheduling, so many laws... Do you know that we had to plan our dinners three months in advance? Can you imagine?"

"No," he replies.

"I don't miss it," she says, "but I do miss some things."

Cao remains still, trying to keep calm and collected for Hua. He rises and explores some more of Ruby's mansion. She's done well for herself as the Executive Secretary, and soon First Minister if her plan works. Her home is filled with hinparian relics. Were he so inclined he would rifle through them all and fence them later, but that wouldn't be a good idea to spit in the face of the woman who is trying to save his sister.

His ghostly companion floats along behind him, silent as the breeze, looking at things left and right.

>A) Explore the mansion
>B) Wait for Ruby
>C) Talk more to Minerva
>D) Step outside into the city
>E) Other

>>46414457
>A)
and while we do so
>C)
and tell Speelock to tell Ruby what were up too if she gets back.

>>46414457
>A
>C

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>>46414488
>>46414507

Cao looks back at Speelock and tells him to come find him when Ruby returns. Speelock nods as they walk into the deeper parts of the mansion.

Minerva questions him on a few things; such as his life and how he grew up. He speaks honestly, only leaving out grittier and more unpleasant details. She floats alongside him as they step into what appears to be some kind of smoking chamber, with a large hookah in the center. Minerva floats around the room while Cao sits and examines it.

There is also a large cabinet nearby, filled with hinparian wines and ales. It seems that despite her scholarly nature, Ruby enjoys more decadent ways of relaxing.

>A) Smoke
>B) Continue exploring
>C) Stay here and chat with the ghost
>D) Drink
>E) Other

>>46414457
>>C) Talk more to Minerva

>>46414634
>>C) Stay here and chat with the ghost
We weren't offered smoke or drink, so we had ought not partake.

>>46414634
>C

>>46414634
>C) Stay here and chat with the ghost

>>46414634
>>A) Smoke
I wanna see if ghost can get high. Don't forget to comment on her ghostly curves. As if she can make herself more defined.

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>>46414641
>>46414653
>>46414701
>>46414756

Cao sits on the comfortable couch around the hookah but does not partake, lest he offend Ruby. The ghost sits nearby, even though she cannot feel it and does not need to.

They chat for a while. It keeps Cao's mind off of other matters. After a while, however, Cao hears someone coming. Minerva turns invisible as Sanra enters the room.

"Cao!" she says, running to him and hugging him. He returns the hug. "I was so worried. Where were you? Where did you go?"

"An island," he replies. "I found a way back with some help." He pulls away and gives her a worried look. "What about you?"

"A woman guided us out of the hive," Sanra replies. "She wore red... but kept to the shadows. I thought she was Ruby, at first. But it wasn't."

'Skarlet...' Cao thinks to himself.

"Cao..." Sanra's voice drifts low, "I spoke to the Kahn."

He looks her in the eyes, seeing her uncertainty and fear. "And?"

"I didn't tell him what I saw. What you became."

Cao looks away. "Listen, Sanra, I---"

"Just tell me what's going on, Cao," she insists. "Please."

He hesitates. He knows Minerva is still in the room.

>A) Tell her the whole truth
>B) Tell her only parts of the truth
>C) Lie completely
>D) Promise to tell her later
>E) Other

>>46415003
>>D) Promise to tell her later
When we are alone and Hua isn't dying.

>>46415003
>A) Tell her the whole truth

>>46415003
>D) Promise to tell her later
when we're alone- and everything is settled.

>>46415003
>>D) Promise to tell her later
"This is a conversation to be had in private. I swear I will tell you"

>>46415003
>A
but
>D

>>46415081
>>46415127
>>46415128
>>46415131

He closes his eyes and thinks before looking at her again. "I promise I will tell you everything... but not now. When Hua is okay, and everything is settled, and we are alone."

"We're alone now," she insists.

"No, we aren't," Cao shakes his head. "Not here, someplace we can't trust. Just please, Sanra, believe me that I will tell you everything."

She stares into her brother's eyes, unsure of what to do. But after a moment, she presses her forehead to his. "Okay. I believe you. I'm just... I'm scared, Cao. For Hua and for you, too."

"I know," he replies as they part. "But for now, let's just see how Hua is. Did Ruby bring you?"

"She did," Sanra replies as they leave the hookah chamber. "She's up with Hua now, but she wasn't able to get more blood for her."

>A) See if Skarlet followed Sanra
>B) Go to Ruby with Sanra
>C) Wait with Sanra in the parlour
>D) Speak to Ruby in private
>E) Other

>>46415003
"Once Hua wakes I promise I'll tell you both everything, for now just know I'm still your brother and I wouldn't have hid this if I had a choice. Can you trust me just a little longer?"

>>46415207
>>A) See if Skarlet followed Sanra
Maybe skarlet can give her blood?

>>46415207
>A

>>46415239
>Giving magic murder blood to a little qt
I LIKE IT!

>>46415207
>>A) See if Skarlet followed Sanra

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>>46415239
>>46415269
>>46415301
>>46415316

As Sanra goes upstairs, Cao lingers behind for a moment. He steps into a dark corner. "Skarlet."

His suspicions are confirmed; she was with Sanra. A familiar sound of blood pooling and dripping is heard as she rises from the floor. To his surprise, Skarlet hugs him and whispers, "I am sorry, but I am glad you are safe. I was not there to protect you when the portal took you."

He returns the hug and Skarlet kneels before him. "What is your bidding?"

"Can you help my sister?" he asks. "She needs blood."

Skarlet gives him a curious look. "I am more accustomed to taking blood, rather than giving it... but if you command it, I shall obey."

Cao looks for an empty bottle and finds one. He hands it to her. She sticks her finger in it and a small stream of blood pours out. "This won't hurt her," Skarlet assures him. "The blood will make her strong."

"Are you certain?" he asks. She nods. "Thank you."

"You needn't thank me. I failed you. I deserve punishment."

Cao is a bit taken aback. "What? No, you didn't."

"When the girl took you," Skarlet says. "Khameleon. I was there, to ensure your protection."

Cao swallows, a bit nervous at the fact that Skarlet was watching at the time.

"She didn't harm you, but your sister was taken while it happened. I know you care for your sisters; that means I must care for them as well." She bows her head down low. "It is my hope that this blood can pay for a fraction of my failure."

>A) Absolve her
>B) Thank her for the blood
>C) Tell her to watch over your sisters instead of you
>D) Ask what Khameleon did to you
>E) Other

>>46415425
>A) Absolve her

>>46415425
>>A) Absolve her
>>D) Ask what Khameleon did to you
I need to know

>>46415425
>>A) Absolve her
>>B) Thank her for the blood

>>46415425
>A
>B
>D
>E) Other
Option C, but at our direction or when we're busy.

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>>46415468
>>46415566
>>46415626
>>46415848

"It's alright, Skarlet," he says to her, taking the vial of blood. She looks up at him with her red eyes. "Thank you for this."

"Of course," she bows her head again.

Cao pauses for a moment. "Say, uh, if you don't mind... what did she do to me?"

"She mated with you."

"I understand that, I do, but was there anything else?"

"She left after the act was complete," Skarlet replies. "That is, after you were finished."

He nods. "Right... Did she like it?"

Skarlet seems a bit awkward. "She made... pleased noises."

'Well, at least one of us got something out of it,' he thinks. "I'm sorry you had to see that. I wasn't expecting it..."

"It is my place to guard you," she replies. "But if you do not mind me saying, you should be careful when it comes to who you lie with. You don't yet know the importance of your lineage."

"I know, but---"

She interrupts him. "There are other ways to obtain relief. If you need help, you need only ask."

Before he can question her meaning, she sinks into the floor.

>A) Head upstairs to give Ruby the blood
>B) Wait for Ruby to come downstairs
>C) Head upstairs but keep the blood for now
>D) Hide the blood
>E) Other

>>46416465
>A) Head upstairs to give Ruby the blood

>>46416465
>E) Blush
>A) Bring Ruby da blood

>>46416465
>A

Let's lie and say we got it from our previous journeys. Maybe with Nitara.

Seconding this E
>>46416667

>>46416465
>>A) Head upstairs to give Ruby the blood

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>>46416511
>>46416667
>>46416689
>>46417059

Cao blushes a bit as the blood construct vanishes and can only wonder at her implication. He travels upstairs and into the room with Hua, Sanra and Ruby, discovering her checking on the girl's condition. He walks in and hands Ruby the blood.

"What? Where did you get this?" she asks, looking it over.

"A previous journey," he replies, and Sanra looks a bit suspicious. Ruby wastes no time in taking the blood and connecting it to a tube feeding into Hua's body.

"This may be the push she needs," Ruby says, "but it will still take time to heal."

"What did you do with the thing in her belly?" Cao asks.

"I removed it and placed it in a jar of preservative fluids," Ruby replies. "It's dead, don't worry. I just tend to collect scientifically interesting specimens."

>A) Thank her for her work
>B) Demand the spawn be destroyed
>C) Stay with Ruby and Sanra to help
>D) Ask to speak to Ruby alone
>E) Sanra and Cao leave
>F) Other

>>46417242
>>C) Stay with Ruby and Sanra to help
>A) Thank her for her work

>>46417242
>A
>B
>C

>>46417242
>A
>C
>F) Ask to see the thing at some point out of curiosity.

>>46417350
This. Morbid curiousity and all.

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>>46417317
>>46417347
>>46417350

"Thank you for your work, Ruby."

Ruby looks at Cao. "It's mutually beneficial. After all, my position as First Minister is now all but secure, thanks to you. I know not why Kotal Kahn has taken such a liking to you and your family, but if I can save your sister, he will be pleased."

"Is that all you did this for?" Sanra asks, slightly offended.

"It was a challenge," Ruby says. "I have never removed a kytinn spawn from a host before. I suspect I could write quite a bit about what I've learned from it. That, and the Kahn ordered me to help in any capacity I could. But more than both, I consider it an act of good an an act of good will from me to you and your sister. It may surprise you that I am not without a heart of my own."

Cao holds up a hand. "I understand. I'm just glad for Hua."

"She will need rest," Ruby says. "But this blood you provided... I think it will do her good. Come."

She brings them both to the door while Speelock remains behind. "Speelock watch Hua. Hua nice to Speelock."

"Alright," Cao nods. Ruby brings them downstairs into her parlour.

"The Kahn will be expecting a report, soon," Ruby says. "In the meantime, make yourselves comfortable in my home." She turns to walk down one of her manner's halls.

>A) Report to the Kahn
>B) Speak to Sanra alone
>C) Speak to Ruby alone
>D) Wait here for the time being
>E) Other

>>46417534
>B

>>46417534
>>B) Speak to Sanra alone
It's time

>>46416465
>>A) Head upstairs to give Ruby the blood
>>46417534
>>B) Speak to Sanra alone
Jesus Christ ruby is bad at talking to people.

>>46417612
>>46417670
>>46417686

Cao stands up. "I need to talk to you alone," he says to his sister. "Meet me outside."

She rises, giving him an uncertain but trusting look, and steps out.

"Skarlet, Minerva," he calls out the names of the two women. The ghost and the blood construct both appear, looking at each other. "I need to be alone with my sister."

Skarlet nods. "I will await you inside."

Minerva looks out the window. "I'm going to fly around the city. So many sights to see!"

As they both vanish, Cao steps outside and into Ruby's garden. He finds Sanra there upon a bench.

>A) Speak to her in the gardens
>B) Speak to her somewhere else
>C) Go back inside
>D) Introduce Sanra to Skarlet
>E) Other

>>46417768
>A

>>46417768
>B) Speak to her somewhere else

>>46417768
>>B) Speak to her somewhere else
Let's maybe go somewhere in the city, maybe one of our old hide outs on the sewer, we can say we are going to report to kotal of anyone asks

>>46417954
This. Somewhere where we can be somewhat sure that we are alone.

>>46417945
>>46417954
>>46418027

Cao and Sanra walk into the city. Soon enough, they're sitting on a rooftop that overlooks much of Z'unkahrah.

"I've been keeping a secret," Cao says, starting the conversation as their feet dangle over the rooftop's edge. "A lot of them, actually."

"I can tell," Sanra replies. "What is all of this about, Cao? What's happened to you?"

"More than I can know," he says. "But... the truth of it all...

>A) Tell her absolutely everything
>B) Keep some things secret
>C) Tell mostly lies
>D) Lie outright
>E) Other

>>46418068
>A) Tell her absolutely everything

>>46418068
>A) Tell her absolutely everything

>>46418068
>A

Senpai comes first

>>46418068
>>A) Tell her absolutely everything
She's our sister, she wouldn't do us wrong.

>>46418068
>A) Tell her absolutely everything
I am Shao Kahn.
...Well, more like a deep part of me is trying to become Shao Kahn against my will.
Remember his invasion of Earthrealm? Apparently, I'm his contingency plan.

>>46418140
whose senpai? isn't she oneesan?

>>46418216
Autocorrected from f.am

>>46418247
Is that still happening? I thought they stopped that months ago.

>>46418336
Well, I certainly didn't write senpai

>>46418068
>>A) Tell her absolutely everything
No secrets between us

>>46418068
>telling people about literally being shao kahn
>ever
>when all that would do is get us killed
anons plz.
>B) Keep some things secret

Cao tells her everything. Everything that has happened, everything he has seen, everything he fears he may become. Throughout it all, Sanra is mostly silent, speaking up only to ask a few questions here and there.

When he is done, they sit in silence for a while. The sun is beginning to set.

"I'm afraid," Sanra says to him.

"Me too."

"How are you going to stop him? If he keeps taking you over, keeps getting stronger, what then?"

"I don't know."

"He doesn't care about you, or us," she says. "I saw him lift his hammer. He meant to strike us."

Cao lowers his head. "I know. I stopped him."

"But will you always be able to?"

He doesn't answer her. Looking at him for a few moments, she suddenly scoots next to him and puts an arm around his shoulders. "Listen. It doesn't matter what happens. You'll always be my brother and I love you. We're all that we have... but I don't know what I can do."

"I wanted you and Hua to leave Outworld."

"No. Not without you."

"I don't know if I can," he says. "I know Shao Kahn doesn't want me to. He wants to rule the realm again, like Kotal Kahn and Onaga. Wants everyone to kneel." He looks up at the sky and sighs. "There's a war coming soon and I don't want you to be here for it."

"But you do?"

"If I had a choice, I wouldn't."

Sanra looks at the setting sun. "We could stay," she offers. "Kotal Kahn wants to make a son of you. A daughter of me and Hua. We could live in the imperial palace like royalty and help fight Onaga."

"Is that what you want?"

"I know what I want: I want you safe. I want our sister safe. I want the three of us to always be together, no matter what." She looks into his eyes. "And I want to help you beat this thing. Shao Kahn won't take my brother away from me."

>>46418784


"But I don't know what to do," he says. "Do we leave Outworld? Kotal Kahn doesn't want us to but Onaga isn't going to stay across the sea forever."

"You know I don't love Outworld any more than you do," she says, "but this city has been our home. I've known for years and I know the people here. I want to help it if I can, and maybe the best way to do that is to join Kotal Kahn."

"He killed father," Cao mutters. "How can we trust him?"

"Trust isn't easy, I know," Sanra says. "But we'd be together. We won't let them split us apart. But what would we be abandoning them to if we fled from Outworld?"

"They don't matter," Cao says. "Only we do."

"I know. That's why I'm going to let you make this decision."

"Why me? You're smarter."

"Because you're the one who's survived up until now. Me, I'm the one who got sucked on by a vampire."

"I did that too, actually. Well, not in the same way..."

"Shut up," she nudges him playfully. "I don't want to hear about that again, and you're keeping that from Hua, understood?" He laughs and nods. "But seriously... Cao, you've gotten more destiny wrapped up in your life in these last few months than our entire family. You're the one who should determine what we do next. I'll just be there to knock you upside the head and tell you how stupid it is."

He smiles at her as she holds him close in a hug. "No matter what, I'll always love you little brother."

He returns her hug, considering her words. He doesn't truly know what to do next.

>A) We're going to leave Outworld when Hua is up
>B) We're going to stay in Outworld, for now
>C) We're going to stay in Outworld until the war comes here
>D) We're not going to leave Outworld.
>E) Other

>>46418802
>>B) We're going to stay in Outworld, for now

>>46418802
>>E) Other
"You and Hua are going to Earthrealm. I trust the Blade family would be as good as their word. I have to stay here, see if I can save Outworld. I will find you when I win."

>>46418802
>B

>>46418802
>>B) We're going to stay in Outworld, for now

>>46418902
How would we send them to earthrealm?

>>46418802
>B) We're going to stay in Outworld, for now
At least until we can find a way to Earthrealm. The last one was destroyed.

>>46419022
No idea how at this point. Goal before means.

>>46419066
We still have the OWEA portal device, don't we? I thought it was just the Osh-Tekk Portal Stone that got smashed

>>46419098
Other way around. Kotal could send them to earthrealm though.

>>46419098
Kotal has the Osh-Tekk portal stone. The OWEA portal device was destroyed by Shao Kahn and is what sent Cao to Shang Tsung's island when it malfunctioned.

>>46419118
He won't, but he could.

Here's a crazy new goal Cao should consider, and is probably the riskiest goal to date, considering the parties involved:

Cao should talk to Raiden.

Granted, Raiden could go MAXIMUM BLUNDERGOD and try to kill Cao on the spot for having the spirit of Shao Kahn in him, but the Tao Te Zhan explained that Raiden and Shao Kahn have history. If anyone knows how to deal with the spirit of the butcher of Outworld, it's him.

>>46419233
I'm down. In raidens weakened state I doubt he could kill us without help.

>>46419382
I wouldn't say Raiden is weakened. Just like Shang Tsung, Raiden learned how to chill the hell out after dealing with the Crimson Lightning. Unlike Shang Tsung, Raiden is not retired.

Kotal didn't mind our sisters going to Earthrealm, I imagine after all that's happened he would do it to show goodwill. After all Hua got kidnapped on his watch. Then we just need to find ourselves a way.

>>46419405
Unless you think he's going to use that Mileena legion as his kitchen staff I don't think he's retired.

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>>46418844
>>46418904
>>46419007
>>46419066

"We'll stay in Outworld for now," Cao says. "At least until things change. I don't know what's going to come next."

"I spoke to the Kahn about his plans for us," she says. "He wants us to help him. Join his court. He thinks that we could offer a perspective of those on the streets and help guide him to make life better... and, well, he wants to make use of our skills." She smiles. "We are very good at what we do, after all."

"And in return?"

"He offered a few things. Gold, titles, property."

"Property?"

"Countess Mira's old estate has been taken over and is being rebuilt. He's offered it to us as a home."

"...An actual home," he says in disbelief.

"There were other things he spoke about that I wasn't so sure on," she says. "He spoke of a blood ritual that would make us his heirs. Cutting our hands and clasping them together."

"What do you think of that?"

"I don't know," she admits. "To share blood with the Kahn... I guess that would make me a princess. Or a kahnum? I don't know," she laughs. "But he also spoke of marriage."

"To him?"

"What? No! Elder Gods, no. He spoke of a need to unite his kingdom with the shokan for the upcoming war. He mentioned some of them by name... Rokuro and Jagara, I think."

Cao's eyes narrow. "He would use us like bargaining chips?"

"He didn't say it was a certainty," she replies. "Hua read in a book once that noble lords and ladies are married all the time to seal political alliances. But I have to admit, I don't know if I would be happy to be put in that kind of situation. I'd like to choose who I spend my life with... and I don't think it would be a prince, or a man."

>A) Head to the palace to speak to Kotal
>B) Return to Ruby's estate
>C) Spend some time alone
>D) Ask her what she meant by that last part
>E) Other

>>46419443
Maybe he just wants to enjoy his twilight years with a harem of a thousand beautiful women.Wouldn't you?

>>46419485
>>E) Other
"I fought with Rokuro. He seems a good and decent sort."

>>46419485
>A) Head to the palace to speak to Kotal

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>>46419485
>He spoke of a need to unite his kingdom with the shokan for the upcoming war. He mentioned some of them by name... Rokuro and Jagara, I think."
PRAISE JESUS THERES A CHANCE

>>46419485
>>B) Return to Ruby's estate
>>D) Ask her what she meant by that last part
Wait... Is she implying...?

>>46419619
I would still prefer sheeva over Jagara. Jagara doesn't like us much anyway.

>>46419485
>B) Return to Ruby's estate
As expected, Kotal wants Cao and his family as assets more than anything. He acknowledges he's turned Cao into an animal and wants him on his side.

It still doesn't change that Onaga is on the prowl, and Earthrealm has no idea it's happening.

>>46419621
I think she's implying what you think she is. Draken turned her off men.

>>46419485
>>A) Head to the palace to speak to Kotal
On the way
>D) Ask her what she meant by that last part

>>46419495
No I want that shit when I'm young and strong enough to work them hard. Oh... wait...

>>46419686
Either that or she really, really liked getting sucked on by Mira

>>46419686
>Draken turned Cao's sister gay
MOTHERFUCKER

Does anyone want to try to proposition Skarlet or Minerva? I don't want a smutbin or anything I just want to see some reactions.

>>46419656
That can be changed, I think she can understand once Rokuro explains why we had to steal her necklace

>>46419485
>draken was literally such a shit that his girlfriend turned gayer then Elton John
Huh.

>>46419759
I've been holding back my ghost fetish so I don't think I could take it

>>46419703
He's going to suck the Mileena armies souls out isn't he?...

>>46419776
So what you're saying is we should definately hit on the ghost.

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>>46419621
>>46419543
>>46419696

"I fought Rokuro, he seemed nice. He promised he would bring good word back to the other shokan."

"I know, I was watching, but... Marrying him? He's just not my type."

"Well, what is?"

She's silent for a moment before she stands up. "Well, it took a vampire for you to get into girls, didn't it?"

She walks away. "Thanks for killing Draken, by the way, but he was never my type either."

His brows furrow in confusion. "Wait, I still don't get it!"

Less than an hour later, they're back at Ruby's estate. Hua is resting up; she seems much better than before. Skarlet's blood has returned the color to her skin. Ruby sits Cao and Sanra at a large table and has her hinparian cooks prepare a meal for them.

Ruby herself is no longer wearing her red and black masked outfit, but is instead wearing a plain dress with large red jewel earrings. Cao has to admit, she's quite lovely beneath that mask, with short black hair and dazzling eyes. As they wait for the meal, she speaks to them from her seat at the head of the table.

"I spoke to the Kahn," she says as her servants deliver food. "He will be sending out official letters tomorrow to his vassals that I am to take over as First Minister."

"Congratulations," Cao says to her.

She holds up a goblet of wine. "Out with the old, in with the new," she smiles before drinking.

Speelock digs into his meal; the steak is almost as large as his torso.

>A) Eat and converse
>B) Excuse yourself to see Hua
>C) Ask Ruby some questions
>D) Ask where you and Sanra will be staying for the evening
>E) Other

>>46419759
I doubt we have to ask Skarlet. She'll probably give Cao some to keep him out of trouble.
>She tells him about how powerful he is and he'll conquer the whole time because that's Shao was into

>>46419942
>A) Eat and converse

>>46419942
>A

>>46419942
>>A) Eat and converse
>>C) Ask Ruby some questions
How many of the people from her realm are left?
>>D) Ask where you and Sanra will be staying for the evening
Can we possibly get a room just for Cao? I wanna try something.
>>E) Other
Is Skarlet back? If she is we can dump her some wine.

>>46420042
ghost handjob?

>>46419942
>A) Eat and converse

>>46419975
Skarlet pretty much outright said the is always available to "relieve" himself, such is her duty as servant to Shao Kahn. Considering Skarlet is a blood construct, and considering she gets drunk super easily if exposed to alcohol, does Skarlet get excited and more lustful if exposed to, y'know, seed?

>>46420056
Among other things.

>>46419999
>>46420027
>>46420042

As Cao eats, he asks Ruby, "How many of your people are left?"

"The hinparian people are widespread. Almost all of them in the city are represented by me and I exclusively hire them for my guard. But ever since the fall of our realm we have spread out far and wide; truthfully, I know not how many are left."

"I heard that Hinpar didn't fall too long ago," Sanra says.

"Just before Earthrealm would have," Ruby says. "We don't miss it. A dreadful place; eternally dark, full of terrible beasts. Shao Kahn conquering it was the best thing to happen to the realm, in my opinion." She drinks the wine. "Outworld has much nicer weather and many more opportunities."

She sets the goblet down. "Of course, things are going to change now with Onaga's return. The Kahn is already preparing to shift into a state of war."

"What about you?" Cao asks.

>>46420559

"I am preparing myself. War means shortages of supplies, soldiers, homes, money for repairs... I was here during the war against Reiko, Gorbak and Motaro. A trying time. I fear this one will be even greater." She pauses. "They say Onaga can raise the dead; that his greatest army was comprised entirely of corpses. A nasty thing to fight against; the logistics are much different. No supply lines to cut, no strategic assets to take, and when one of your soldiers dies they join the enemy. Unfortunate odds."

"When do you think he will arrive?" Sanra asks.

"It is difficult to say. We control both of the major ports, the Kove and Sun Do. We expect that he will attempt to attack one or both to control a landing area for his troops arriving across the sea. But we are also contacting allies overseas; we may be able to stop them from arriving here at all, if the Empire prepares enough. That would be most ideal. But there's always the problem of Onaga himself, and it is said he had the strength to crush an army single-handedly. Hard to know if that is a metaphor or not."

>A) Ask about the war
>B) Ask about the preparations the Kahn is making
>C) Ask more about herself
>D) Finish eating
>E) Other

>>46420576
>A
>B
>C

>>46420576
>>B) Ask about the preparations the Kahn is making
Has Kotal made contact with earthrealm yet?
>>C) Ask more about herself
What sets the Hinparian apart from other outworlders? I'm afraid I don't know much about them.

>>46420655
>Has Kotal made contact with earthrealm yet?
This is our ticket out of here. Cao and company can serve as the "Earthrealm envoy" and warn them about Onaga.

>>46420768
There's no royal Shokan in Earthrealm

>>46420768
I would vote for this

>>46420620
>>46420655

"Has Kotal Kahn contacted Earthrealm yet?" Cao asks, curious about General Blade and the Special Forces.

"I do not believe so," she says. "He is presently focused on securing his allegiances with the shokan, tarkatans and Lady Yanake's people across the sea. But with the Portal Stone back, he could ask for assistance from other realms."

"But will he?" Sanra inquires.

"That I do not know," the hinparian admits.

Cao eats in silence for a while before asking her, "I never met any of the hinparians before you. What sets you apart?"

"Most of the Kahn's scouts are hinparian. Our natural talents at stealth, infiltration and subterfuge make us valuable allies to the Empire. We came from a realm of shadow, where the only way to hide from the dark beasts of our realm was to hide in even darker places."

Ruby finishes her meal and the butler takes it away. "Make yourselves at home tonight," she invites them. "I know you likely do not wish to go far from Hua, so I shall not turn you away from my estate."

"Thank you," Sanra says to her. "Is Hua comfortable?"

"As comfortable as I can make her with my people's sheets and pillows," Ruby nods. "She is in the master bedroom. I myself shall take one of my guest quarters; there are two other rooms that have been prepared for you both."

"You've done very well for yourself," Cao says.

"I'll do even better as the First Minister," she grins. "If you will excuse me."

She rises and heads upstairs. Sanra looks over at Cao. "What now?" she asks him.

>A) Go to your room
>B) Leave the estate for a while
>C) Ask her about possibly becoming Earthrealm envoys
>D) Catch up to Ruby and talk to her
>E) Other

>>46420875
>C

>>46420875
>>C) Ask her about possibly becoming Earthrealm envoys

>>46420875
>C) Ask her about possibly becoming Earthrealm envoys
We dodge Onaga, we don't have to immediately deal with Kotal, and we don't have to deal with any more Outworld bullshit, at least for a while.

>>46420921
>>46421146
>>46421148

"How would you feel about becoming envoys to Earthrealm?" Cao asks her. She's a bit surprised but not entirely so. "We could talk to General Blade; you could meet some of the friends I made there."

"You think Kotal Kahn would allow this?" she asks. "He has the Portal Stone; it would be up to him."

"Perhaps I could convince him," Cao says.

"I wouldn't be against it, certainly. But I'd rather wait for Hua to wake up first or see if her condition worsens; I don't want to be away if it does."

Cao nods; he hadn't considered that. "You're right about that."

"We should think on this more tomorrow," Sanra replies. They both look over at Speelock, who takes a plate of food up to Hua's room. "I think I'm going to bed," Sanra tells him. "You?"

>A) Go to your room
>B) Spend some time with Sanra
>C) Find Ruby
>D) Head out into Z'unkahrah
>E) Other

>>46421327
>>D) Head out into Z'unkahrah
Maybe there's something interesting going on.

>>46421327
>>D) Head out into Z'unkahrah
We should probably see what Minerva is up to.

>>46421327
>A) Go to your room
>E) Bring some wine back to the room for Skarlet
I feel bad that she doesn't get to hang out with us outside of shadowing us.

>>46421327
>A

>>46421327
>>D) Head out into Z'unkahrah
This first

>>46421353
>>46421384
>>46421523

Cao decides to leave the estate. The moon is only just rising above the land; where to from here?

>A) Kotal Kahn's palace
>B) Wander the streets
>C) Stroll about the noble district
>D) Head to Mira's estate and see what they've done with the place
>E) Other

>>46421754
>>C) Stroll about the noble district
Let's walk with skarlet out. She's always skulking around

>>46421754
>C

>>46421754
>C) Stroll about the noble district

>>46421754
>B) Wander the streets
>C) Stroll about the noble district
Time to become a roof jumping superhero!

>>46421754
>>D) Head to Mira's estate and see what they've done with the place
Let's check our future digs

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>>46421819
>>46421841
>>46421861
>>46421946

As he steps out, Cao summons Skarlet to walk with him. "Is this wise?" she asks. "I have always shadowed you up until now."

"Wouldn't it be nicer to walk around instead of slopping everywhere as a pool of blood?" Cao asks.

"It would," she admits. "But I dare not ask for such a thing."

"Why not?"

"I serve. I do not question."

"Well, you could," Cao tells her. "In fact, I would like you to tell me about things that bother you. I'm still uncomfortable with this whole 'do whatever I say' thing. I wouldn't want to be a slave, why should you?"

"I am a willing servant, not a slave," Skarlet says as they walk through the noble district. "But... if you bid it, I must. I want to eat and drink. I don't need to but it has been long without such... simple pleasures."

"You should've said so at dinner," Cao says. "I'd have given you my plate. I'm not used to eating so much."

"But you should be wary of who you show me to. There are those who remember me as a servant of Shao Kahn. If you want to remain secretive until the time of your transformation, it would be best."

"You can change your appearance, right? Your clothing? Do you have anything more disguising?"

She closes her eyes. Blood rolls around her skin until it turns black; she is now clad in a black bodysuit. "Does this please you?"

"I like it," Cao admits. "I mean, not that I didn't like you other, more revealing outfits..."

"Which would you prefer?"

"We had this talk, didn't we? Wear whatever you like."

She nods. "I live to serve."

>A) Ask her if she would like more free will
>B) Inquire about that offer she made earlier
>C) Search the district for anything going on
>D) Head back to Ruby's estate to give her some food and drink
>E) Other

>>46422119
>A
>B

>>46422119
>C) Search the district for anything going on