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The dark sky outside the cold iron bars of Outworlds prison carried winds that whispered that General Shao’s rebellion had fallen, Outworld was at peace. Empress Mileena had successfully brought him down, everyone felt relief, the civil war had died….it…was over.
It was over, the rebellion had failed…General Shao found himself locked away in a cold, dimly lit cell. He was furious with himself, consumed by the burning anger of failure. How could he have allowed that diseased wench to triumph over him? He leaned his head against the wall, internally cursing himself. Were his father here, he would be deeply disappointed in his son's inability to protect their legacy. All the training he had put him through, all the work he did to make him into a soldier was for nothing, Shao had failed.
He was impulsive in that moment. He had made the decision to send his lieutenant, Reiko, and his troops to ambush Kitana's soldiers. Little did he know, it was a well-laid trap by the princess. Damn Edenian, she captured Reiko, threatening to slit his throat if they didn’t surrender. Shao didn’t comply, to hell with her empty threats. But, as fate would have it, he too was eventually captured, adding to the bitterness of his defeat.
Days after his capture, as Shao brooded over his failures, his solitude was shattered by the arrival of Kitana and Empress Mileena. Shao's fanged teeth gritted in frustration and anger as he laid his eyes on them. Mileena's eyes held a rare undertone of remorse, as though she hadn't truly wanted it to come to this. Shao's dark eyes narrowed, unwavering in his defiance. Fear of death did not grip him; it comes for everyone, sooner or later.
But as his mind wandered in the confinement of his cell, it inevitably gravitated towards thoughts of his loyal second in command, Reiko. Locked away in the depths of the same prison, Reiko's exact location remained a mystery to Shao. He knew, however, that Reiko was to meet the same grim fate as him. Whether by an executioner's blade or a hangman’s noose, Shao knew that Reiko would approach his impending demise with unwavering humility. The thought of Reiko's inevitable end weighed heavily on Shao's heart, for he knew that his lieutenant would face it with unyielding bravery, without shedding a tear, showing distress, or begging for mercy. Reiko would kneel before his executioner, knowing in his core that he had given it his all. Shao would never openly admit it, but he loved Reiko with a fierce and unbreakable bond. He would sacrifice his own life for him, just as he knew Reiko would do the same in an instant.
Interrupting his musings, Empress Mileena, with an unexpected hint of sympathy in her voice, announced, "Your execution is set for tomorrow morning, General Shao." Those words reverberated through the silence of the cell, and a darkness flickered in Shao's eyes. He would meet his fate head-on, unyielding to the bitter end.
Thinking of Reiko, Shao found his voice, his question laced with concern. "And Reiko?" he asked, his voice steady despite the turmoil in his heart.
Mileena sighed, her heart heavy with sorrow. She didn't want to do this, but Shao had forced her hand. Tears threatened to spill down her cheeks as she remembered the days, thousands of years behind her, when she, Kitana, and Reiko were children.
Shao had taken Reiko in as a young boy, allowing him to live in the palace alongside him and the Royal Family. Reiko had been traumatized by the war, losing both his mother and father and surviving as a captive. Mileena and Kitana tried their best to bring a smile to his face, inviting him to play in the palace gardens or engage in their favorite hobbies. But Reiko, burdened by his painful past, remained distant and aloof.
Most of the time, Shao forbade any interaction between Reiko and the princesses. He saw potential in the young boy and dedicated himself to molding him into the perfect soldier for future battles. As the years went by, Reiko grew up under Shao’s watchful eye, eventually becoming the lieutenant of Outworlds army. His loyalty to Shao was unbreakable, and Mileena and Kitana were proud of the warrior he had become.
Despite their limited childhood interaction, Mileena and Kitana still considered Reiko to be like a brother to them. They exchanged words and waves whenever they were in the same vicinity, cherishing those brief moments of connection. But now, everything had changed. Reiko had betrayed their realm.
Desperate to protect her people and ensure the safety of Outworld, Mileena reluctantly signed Reiko's death warrant. It was a heavy burden to bear, condemning someone she once considered family. But she understood that her duty as Empress required her to make difficult decisions, even when they broke her heart.
When Mileena finished signing the document, she took a deep breath. She knew that she would carry the weight of this decision forever, haunted by the memory of a brother turned traitor. A single tear escaped her eye, falling onto the parchment as a silent symbol of her pain.
Mileena’s deep sigh echoed through the empty chamber, a poignant reminder of the sacrifices she had to make in the name of her people. "He shall be put to the sword just moments before you," she declared, her words slicing through the air like a merciless blade.
A lump formed in Shao's throat, sorrow setting in. He was surprised by the answer and the despair it brought him, yet, he refused to show his internal struggle. He always was cold and stoic but he couldn’t witness the boy he had taken in and raised as his own beheaded before his very eyes. Shao clenched his fists in anger.
Mercy found its way into the darkness that engulfed Shao's emotions. Kitana revealed with a sliver of compassion, "You'll be granted the opportunity to see Reiko one last time, General Shao. Consider it a token of mercy."
Shao nodded, silently grateful for this small act of kindness amidst the sea of despair that surrounded him. He needed to see him before the morning he would be decapitated, to tell him everything he needed to. Mileena and Kitana walked away, leaving Shao alone once again.
Hours passed, the weight of anticipation heavy upon his shoulders until the sound of approaching footsteps reached his ears. It was Reiko, accompanied by a guard. Chains bound Reiko's wrists, his hair hanging loosely, and his war paint removed, revealing the vulnerable features beneath. Shao's dark, intense gaze met Reiko's white, tired eyes as he entered the cold confines of the cell. The guard, perhaps sensing the gravity of the moment, walked away, granting them a few precious moments of solitude.
Memories flooded Shao's mind as he looked at Reiko, the young warrior who had fought by his side through countless battles. They had shared victories and defeats, laughter and tears. Reiko had become like a son to Shao, and the thought of losing him was unbearable.
"You fought valiantly, Reiko," Shao praised, his voice filled with a mixture of pride and affection.
Reiko, ever loyal, nodded in acknowledgment. There was a quiet resolve in his voice, tempered by the conviction and loyalty that comes with selfless devotion. "Thank you, sir," he whispered, his voice barely audible. The weight of their impending separation hung heavy upon him, but he stood tall, ready to face whatever lay ahead.
The lump in Shao's throat returned, threatening to suffocate him with a wave of grief. He rested his large, powerful hand on Reiko's shoulder, the touch offering comfort in their final moments together. "It infuriates me that it has come to this," he confessed, his voice quivering with raw emotion. The injustice of their fate fueled a fire within him, burning with a desire to right the wrongs that had been inflicted upon them.
Reiko sighed, his breath carrying a mixture of sadness and acceptance. "We did everything we could," he acknowledged. "But perhaps we should have done better. I was foolish to take on Kitana without warning. It was a mistake I will never forget."
Shao shushed him, running his claws through his black hair in a moment of contemplation. "None of that matters anymore, Reiko," he said, his voice laced with a bittersweet tenderness. He knew the cruel fate they were both set to receive. Their moments were numbered, and the executioners' blade was sharpened. There was no escape from their destiny. "They're executing you before me," Shao whispered, his voice filled with resignation.
Reiko nodded in reluctant acceptance, he had always pledged his loyalty to the General and was prepared to give his life in service. But as he looked up at Shao, he saw a hidden sorrow in his eyes. It was as if Shao didn't want to witness the beheading of the boy he had raised as his own.
As the gravity of the situation weighed heavily upon them, Reiko couldn't help but ask, "You don't want me to be killed first, do you?" There was a vulnerable tremor in his voice.
Shao shook his head, his expression softening. "No, I don't," he answered. He couldn't bear the thought of Reiko's life being snuffed out before his own. After all, Reiko was not just a loyal soldier; he was family. He was proud of Reiko for his loyalty, his unwavering dedication. He wanted to snap Mileena and Kitana’s necks like twigs, it would be so easy to do so, like breaking a toothpick. However, deep down, he knew there was no getting out of this predicament. Shao had faced many challenges, defying the odds time and time again, but this time, it wasn't possible. No allies remained, no last-minute savior awaited their call. The death warrants had been signed, sealing their fate.
Their time was up.
Shao did something he had not done in millennia. He pulled Reiko into a tight embrace, his powerful arms enveloping him, refusing to let go. Reiko could feel the strength in Shao's hold, a strength that had been honed through countless battles and centuries of existence.
"I want you to know how proud I am of you, Reiko," Shao whispered, his voice choked. “I always have been, and I always will be."
Reiko shut his eyes tightly, a torrent of emotions threatening to overwhelm him. He had trained all his life to be strong, to suppress his emotions when necessary. But in this last moment, he allowed himself a moment of vulnerability. He let go of the walls he had built around his heart and let Shao's words wash over him. "Thank you," he whispered, his voice trembling. The weight of his impending death hung heavy upon him, but he found solace in Shao's embrace.
They stood like that for a few precious minutes, locked in an embrace that conveyed a lifetime of unspoken words and emotions. Shao tightened his grip, as if trying to hold onto time itself, unwilling to let go. He had never been so emotional before about anything.
Throughout the centuries, he had watched Reiko grow, overcome countless challenges, and become a true warrior. And now, faced with the reality of losing him, his buried emotions threatened to consume him.
Reiko felt the pain in Shao’s hold, and it touched him deeply. He had always respected Shao, admired him for his wisdom and guidance. Shao had been more than just a General to him; he had been a father figure, a friend, and a constant source of inspiration.
In that embrace, Reiko felt a surge of gratitude and love for Shao, realizing the immense significance of their bond. He pondered what his fate would have been if Shao had not intervened and rescued him from his captors during the war. Perhaps he would have perished, or worse.
The memory of the moment Shao stumbled upon him, battered and wounded on the cold stone floor of the dungeon, flooded Reiko's mind. The General's outstretched hand, offering salvation, was etched in his mind forever. From that instant, Reiko knew he would willingly and blindly follow Shao through the darkest valleys and bravest battles.
As the first hints of dawn painted the sky in shades of pink and orange, Shao clung desperately to Reiko, unwilling to let go. They both knew that their embrace couldn't last, for the impending daylight would tear them apart. Reiko, destined for his own execution, had accepted his fate with a stoic humility that both impressed and writhed within Shao's heart. The pain that would soon embrace Reiko would be far more agonizing than the slash of the executioner's blade upon Shao's own neck.
Footsteps resonated in the distance, growing louder with each passing second. Shao's grip tightened, his every muscle in protest against the inevitable separation that awaited them. But time was running out, like sand slipping through their fingers, and Shao knew that he had to release Reiko. It was incomprehensibly difficult, harder than anything Shao had ever endured.
Despite every emotion in his body screaming at him not to, Shao slowly relinquished his hold on the boy who had become like a son to him. Their eyes locked again, Shao needed to goodbye, but the guard had already swung open the door and seized Reiko's arm with an iron grip. The forceful drag tore Reiko away, leaving Shao alone in the dimly lit chamber.
Shao's breath caught in his throat as he watched Reiko being taken away, his heart pounding with regret. In that fleeting moment, Reiko's eyes pleaded for something unsaid, a final farewell that never came. Shao's fists clenched, and with a surge of raw pain, he struck the wall beside him. The impact scraped against his scaly skin, drawing crimson blood.
Why hadn't he said something? The question reverberated in Shao's mind, echoing through the hollow chambers of his heart. Why hadn't he uttered those three simple words, the words that held the weight of a lifetime of fatherly affection?
Tears welled in Shao's dark red eyes as he whispered into the quiet room, his voice trembling with regret. "I love you," he choked out, the words carrying the weight of an entire mix of emotions. But it was too late. Reiko was gone, swallowed by the unforgiving darkness of his impending death.
Shao clenched his fists tighter, his knuckles turning white. He could still hear the sound of Reiko's chains rattling as the guard led him away. The sight of his son, shackled and defeated, tore at Shao's very soul. How could he have let this happen?
The guilt washed over Shao like a tidal wave, drowning him in remorse. The memories flooded his mind, each moment with Reiko etched into his heart. Shao stood alone in the chamber, the cold walls closing in on him, suffocating him with it’s icy embrace. The realization of his silence crushed his spirit. He didn't say goodbye. Why didn't he say goodbye?
The minutes ticked by as Shao paced back and forth anxiously in his cell. It wouldn’t be long before he would be taken and walked to his execution. The guilt of not saying goodbye or even ‘I love you’ to Reiko gnawed away at him.
He once again heard the sound of footsteps growing closer, and he took a deep breath, knowing that his time had come. Four large guards entered his cell, shackling his wrists in heavy chains. They led him through the dimly lit tunnels of the prison and into the courtyard. The crowd of Outworlders stood by, their faces filled with a mix of pity, anger, and satisfaction. Shao's gaze scanned the sea of faces, narrowing his eyes as he did so.
As he was brought to the center, where the raised platform stood, Shao noticed Li Mei, Sun Do's first constable, standing on the platform. Beside her stood an unknown executioner, dressed in a black cloak, holding a large sword while Empress Mileena and Princess Kitana stood by the scaffolding dressed in black attire. Shao was surprised at their choice of clothing, even after everything, they had still chosen to mourn.
The guards approached the front of the platform, their footsteps halting as they reached the stairs. A heaviness hung in the air, and the tension was palpable. In the courtyard, two guards led Reiko, his hands bound in heavy chains. Shao's face drained of color as his gaze locked onto him. Reiko, ever the stoic, slowly made his way towards the platform. Mileena and Kitana’s eyes welled with tears. Memories of a time when Reiko was like family flooded their minds.
Reiko's eyes met Shao's, and though his own remained dry, the desperation to break free from his unspoken words was evident. He ascended the stairs methodically, the guards loosening his shackles to grant him a fleeting freedom. Every step he took felt like an eternity as he approached the platform.
As Reiko stood before the executioner, a tall figure draped in a black cloak, holding a menacing blade, a silence settled over the crowd. Reiko held his breath, cursing himself internally for his failure. His knees trembled imperceptibly as he fought to maintain his composure. A mix of fear, defiance, and a glimmer of hope painted his expression.
With the weight of the world upon him, Reiko cast his gaze upon the sea of onlookers. He knew the time had come for him to kneel, to submit to his fate. But he wasn't ready just yet. The lieutenant's eyes looked at Shao again, silently pleading for a final connection, for one last moment of understanding.
“Kneel, Lieutenant." Li Mei's soft voice ordered, commanding Reiko's attention. He rolled his eyes, a defiant gesture that betrayed his reluctance, but eventually, he dropped to his knees. His gaze lingered on Shao, hoping for a connection, but Shao kept his eyes lowered, refusing to meet Reiko's searching gaze. This refusal puzzled Reiko, and his confusion morphed into frustration. He clenched his fists, silently begging Shao to acknowledge him, to provide the reassurance that only a father could give. "Look at me, Shao, please," Reiko pleaded, the words resounding in the depths of his mind.
As Reiko wrestled with his emotions, the executioner made his way towards him, purposeful yet displaying a subtle sympathy. The executioner knelt beside Reiko, offering a tender gesture by gently tucking his hair behind his ears. "Forgive me for what I must do, Lieutenant," the executioner whispered, his voice brimming with remorse. He proceeded to blindfold Reiko, enveloping him in darkness. Reiko's breaths grew shaky, but it wasn't fear that gripped his heart—it was desperation for Shao's presence, a yearning for his father figure's embrace. Deep down, Reiko knew this reunion was an impossibility, both in this life and the next.
As the world faded into shadows behind the blindfold, Reiko's senses sharpened. He honed in on the tension that enveloped the courtyard, the silent gazes and held breaths. The executioner positioned his sword, cold and unyielding, against the nape of Reiko's neck. The touch sent a shiver through Reiko's spine, causing him to twitch involuntarily, yet he quickly regained his composure. Kitana, unable to bear witness to the impending tragedy, turned her head away, shielding herself from the gruesome reality. However, Mileena intently watched as the events unfolded before her eyes.
Seeking her approval, the executioner stole a glance at the Empress. Mileena's narrowed gaze met his, and she nodded, granting the order he silently sought. The executioner acknowledged her command and pulled the sword back, preparing to deliver the fatal blow. In that tense moment, Shao finally lifted his head, his tortured gaze looking at Reiko.
Time stood still as the sword descended, severing Reiko's head from his shoulders in one swift motion. The crowd held its breath, unable to comprehend the brutal reality unfolding before their eyes. Reiko's hands twitched involuntarily, the last remnants of life resisting the inevitable fate that had befallen him. His head rolled onto the wooden platform, crimson blood staining his lifeless body in a macabre display of tragedy.
Shao stood, frozen in disbelief, as the weight of loss settled upon him. His heart shattered, but he refused to let his emotions consume him. Resolute, he locked away his pain, his sorrow, and his anguish, burying them deep within his being. Only a single tear escaped his eye, falling down his cheek.
Mileena and Kitana looked on in silence. They had long borne witness to the treacherous acts committed by Reiko and Shao, their thirst for power leaving a trail of chaos and despair. Although their duty compelled them to support his execution, a faint glimmer of empathy tugged at their hearts. They understood that Reiko, despite his deep attachment to Shao, had also been a victim of his ruthlessness, though Reiko would never admit it.
Two guards solemnly approached the platform, one covering Reiko's dismembered body with a white sheet, while the other respectfully wrapped his severed head in a cloth. With measured steps, they carried his lifeless form away, destined for an unknown location and an unmarked grave. The silence was deafening, the heaviness of the moment engulfing the entire arena.
Shao's breathing became shallow as he was led up the steps of the platform. Each footstep echoed in his ears, a haunting reminder of the palpable finality that awaited him. Every fiber of his being trembled, his heart writhing with an anguish that threatened to consume him. He had just witnessed the execution of the boy he had loved like a son, and now, he too was about to meet his tragic end.
As he kneeled on the wooden boards that still bore Reiko’s fresh blood, he was blindfolded. Shao braced himself for what lay ahead, seeking solace in the darkness that enveloped him. The world became an ethereal void, a realm where time held no meaning. The stifling silence pierced his core, echoing the mournful cries of his shattered soul.
In this moment of solitude, as the executioner prepared to raise his sword, Shao's thoughts turned to Reiko. He yearned for one last glimpse, one final connection before their souls would part ways. For all the pain and sorrow that had plagued the end of their lives, Shao desired closure, a chance to express his remorse, to bid a proper farewell, and to disclose the depth of his love for the boy who had been both a loyal soldier and a beloved son.
As the blade descended, Shao's head slowly dropped from his shoulders, severed and lifeless. The world spun into a whirlwind of blurred images, obscured by the blackness of eternal nothingness. It was over, the rebellion had failed, and Shao and Reiko had paid the price.