Volume 1 Chapter 3 - Home

  The dull footsteps echoed through the endless corridors of the citadel. The boy followed Quan Chi, looking at the walls made of bck stone that seemed to be alive. The darkness literally flowed along it, writhing like a snake, reflecting vague shadows.

  Quan Chi:

  "This pce is the heart of the Underworld," he said, gesturing to the massive gate ahead. "Here lies your father's true power and your own destiny."

  The huge gates creaked open, revealing a majestic sight before the boy. The citadel's surroundings were as if carved out of nightmares. Fields flooded with blood, mountains of skulls, crimson rivers flowing with smoking banks. Guards were posted everywhere - demonic creatures with glowing eyes and curved bdes instead of hands.

  Quan Chi:

  "Welcome home, Vakas," he said with a grin. "This is your kingdom. Well... almost."

  The boy didn't answer, but his insides were churning. The word "home" brought him nothing but a strange feeling of emptiness. How could you call a pce home that was soaked in pain and destruction?

  Quan Chi led him down a long hallway that led to the citadel's tower. Everything here was soaked in magic - the walls emitted a faint glow, and the ceiling seemed to dissolve into endless darkness. They stopped at a massive door with symbols.

  Quan Chi:

  "This is your room," he said, pushing the door.

  The room inside was spacious, but cold. The walls were decorated with ancient runes and symbols, and in the center stood a massive bed, like an altar. On one side of the room was a rge table covered with books and scrolls that seemed to radiate their own energy. On the other side was a rge mirror portal that pulsed with a faint light, reflecting something rger than just the room.

  Quan Chi:

  “Here you will live, learn, and become who you were meant to be,” he said, gesturing around the room. “The time you spend here will make you stronger.”

  The boy walked up to the table and ran his hand over one of the books. There were strange symbols etched into the cover that he could somehow read, even though he had never seen them before.

  Quan Chi:

  “You must understand, this pce is not just your home. It is the pce of your transformation. Each day, you will discover new sides of your power, and when the time comes, you will be the one to free Shinnok.”

  “And if I don’t want to?” the boy asked quietly, turning to face him.

  Quan Chi chuckled, his eyes fshing a cold light.

  Quan Chi:

  "It is not a question of your desire, Vakas. It is a question of your destiny. You were created for this."

  The boy was silent, his gaze falling on the mirror. It seemed to call to him, showing him vague images - worlds colpsing, people screaming, disappearing into darkness. His own face distorted, turning into something indescribable. He turned away, but the images remained in his mind.

  Quan Chi:

  "Rest," he said, heading for the exit. "Tomorrow your training begins."

  When the door closed, the boy was alone. He looked around his new "room", but felt nothing in it except cold. This castle was majestic, but he felt like a prisoner.