" Thank you very much." "I'll see you later." " Have a nice weekend." "Welcome." "Thank you." "Is it too late to get something to eat?" "A, uh, little stew, some bread would be good." "We don't close for awhile yet." "Would you like some wine?" "Uh, no thanks." "Water will be fine." "Gorgeous and polite." "Can't be from around here then." "Good evening." "You look like you've been on the road a while." " Several months actually." " What brings you to Zhu Zin?" "I've come to see a man l was told lives in the area." "What's his name?" "Maybe I know him." " Kung Lao." " Sure." "Lives in the old Reyland Trading Post." "Near here?" "Just over in the square." "Since you're new here, I'd be happy to show you around." "Anyway, I just live around the corner." "If you want, you could meet me after work." "I get off pretty soon." "Well, thanks for your offer." "I'm a little tired." "Let me think about it." "Sure." "See you." "Who's there?" "In each of us there burns a soul of a warrior." "In every generation, a few are chosen to prove it." "Centuries ago in a time of darkness and fury that fate befell three strangers." "A monk" " Kung Lao..." "An exiled guard" " Siro..." "And a thief" " Taja..." "Who have to defend our Earth Realm from the forces of Outworld." "By fighting for their lives." "By fighting for their honour." "Your soul is mine!" "And by fighting for their realm." "It's the burden you must carry." "In a tournament called..." "Mortal Kombat." "Where's Siro?" "He said Magda wanted to see him." "Sounded urgent so he took off." "Although everything's urgent when you're getting as close as those two are." "May I help you?" " Are you Kung Lao?" " Yes." "Oh, finally." "I've come a long way for this." "What does that mean?" "Who are you?" "Sorry, I'm just excited to find you." "My name's Tomas." "We were supposed to have met long before this... at the last Mortal Kombat tournament." "How do you know about that?" "I was gonna fight in it." " On whose side?" " Yours, of course." " For the Earth Realm." " That's good to hear." "Well, you weren't there." "Why?" "My village is high in the northern mountains." "A sudden avalanche nearly killed me... destroyed the only route out." "It's true." "I trained my whole life to be ready... and in an instant it was lost." "You know the tournament's over." "Why did you come?" "To join you." "I wanna fight at your side." "It's nothing personal, but you sound too good to be true." "We've been searching for fighters without a whole lot of luck and you just... walk right through the door." "I understand your being surprised." "But I'm telling you the truth." "My whole life has been about preparing for the day I would have to fight... to protect our Realm." "As I'm sure yours has." "Well, who trained you?" "Told you about Mortal Kombat and the different realms?" "His name would mean nothing to you." "Look, I can see it's gonna take some time to win your confidence." "I just hope you'll give me the chance." "Well, do you have any idea of what our training is like and... the type of fighters you might have to face?" "I don't want to sound arrogant, but I think I'm up to it." "Feel free to test me whenever you're ready." "Fair enough." "But I'd like to wait till our friend returns." "He's talking about Siro." "I'm Taja." "Nice to meet you, Taja." "Same." "The three of us share this place." "It'll be an honour to fight at your side." "Um, I was just about to make something to eat." "Uh... might as well join us while we wait for Siro." "I'd appreciate that." "Thanks." "Right this way." "You wanted to see me?" " What's wrong?" " Ella's dead." "Murdered last night on her way home." "Who did it?" " No one knows." " Boyfriend?" "She wasn't seeing anyone." "But last night, a stranger came in." "They talked for a while." "She seemed really interested in him." " Maybe he..." " What did he look like?" "Nice-looking." "Well-built." "It was late." "Would you know him if you saw him again?" "Yes." "I'm sure I would." "I can't believe Ella's dead." "Magda... where is she now?" "It might help if I saw the body." "I'll take you to her." "I checked the body." "No cuts." "She was strangled." "Maybe a rope." "The guy knew what he was doing." "Looked like a fast, clean kill." " Any idea who could've done it?" " Magda saw the guy she thinks did it." "If we can find him, she can identify him." "A little early to close up." " We need the courtyard." " For what?" "Tomas." "This is our friend Siro." "Pleased to meet you." "KUNG LAO:" "Tomas is interested in joining us." "A little sudden, isn't it?" "I've only been gone a couple hours." "I mean, who is he?" "Relax, Siro." "He just arrived." "We haven't seen him fight or anything yet." "But you invited him in, fixing him meals..." "Sorry, I just got some bad news this morning." "I guess..." "I'm a little edgy." "Nothing's been decided yet." "But Tomas says that he was trained for Mortal Kombat." "Now if that's true, how can we turn our back on the one thing we're looking for?" "All right..." "let's see what he can do." "Give him a break." "He hasn't even finished eating yet." "That's okay." "Hey, I made that food and it's not going to waste." "Come on." "Sit down." "Talk." "You can beat each other up soon enough." "Come on." "Come on." " You've brought him here?" " As I ordered." "Give your report." " His arrival went well." " So easily." "They're still on their guard, but they're willing to let him prove himself." "Kung Lao has no idea what he has opened his doors to." " Is he as good as Kung Lao?" " Or better?" "May I ask... how do you know so much about this Tomas?" "I knew the man who trained him." "A true master." "A victim of one of my conquests." "He found a brilliant student." "Tomas can fight." "As Kung Lao will soon learn." "He can fight." "Now it's time for you both to return." "It'll be an honour." "I hope you push me hard in our fight." "I think we should start slowly." "No offence but I don't want to hurt you." " Maybe I should work with him." " No offence, but I don't want to hurt you." "Why don't we get at it and see what happens?" "Very well." " I'm sorry." "It was just a reflex." " How bad is it?" " Dislocated." " His shoulder?" "Boy, this is a good start." "I really am sorry..." "These things can happen." "We all know that." "People get hurt in training as much as in combat." " Should I get the doctor?" " I suppose." "No, there's no need." "I mean, I can put it back if Siro will permit me." "I don't know." "The longer you wait, the more painful it'll be." "All right." "Get it over with." "Hold him." "Hey..." "I want to make damn sure I use this arm again." "Of course." "You should have something to bite down on." "Just do it." "Ready?" "Are you okay?" " That depends on what "okay" means." " He'll be fine soon." "The arm should be wrapped and put in a sling till the swelling goes down." "Try not to use it." "I don't think that's going to be a problem." "It's just for a few days." "My apologies again." "Yeah, yeah." "I'll fix a sling, then you should get some rest." "Fine." "Why don't you guys take off for a while?" "Come on." "I'll show you around." "You know he wasn't trying to hurt you." "I know." "But it doesn't make me feel any better." "Then why did you keep pressing him in the fight?" "Guess I couldn't believe he's that good." " Stupid, huh?" "He's that good." " He's incredible." " Funny, you don't look like a thief." " Well, I'm not anymore." "But at the time, given the other option I had available... it seemed the way to go." "I know what it's like to end up on your own so young." "I lost my parents when I was six." "My destiny, I guess." "Their deaths led me to my teacher." "He took me in, gave me a home and a purpose." "At least I had someone." "Sounds like you had it much harder." "Well, I came out okay." "You did." "From what I can see." "That must've been some teacher you had." "Got great moves." "Even Siro'd have to admit that." "Thank you." "Siro's a very good fighter, too." "That might've been the problem." "We got a little too seriously into it and my instincts took over and I hurt him." "I sure didn't want to." "I believe you." "Where'd you learn to reset a shoulder like that?" "My teacher also." "I lost a lot of fights early on." "And I learned most of my doctoring on myself." "Fighter, physician." "You're an interesting guy." " You mean that?" "Find me interesting?" " You flirting with me, Tomas?" "I suppose I am." "Is that a problem?" "Siro?" "Kung Lao?" "No, no." "Not them." "We're... we're strictly friends." "I'm free." "Good." "Because I'm interested in you." "I like you." " It's that simple?" " That simple." "Let's go look at that stuff over there." "God, it's amazing the junk people will buy." " So what do you sell at the Trading Post?" " Junk." "Junk?" "We'll take it." "Thank you." "Well, you like it, don't you?" " Well, yeah, but..." " A gift, for my host." "Thank you." "Then you must have one, too." " No, it's not necessary." " Neither was mine." "Gift for my guest." "I'll wear it with pride." "I was worried about coming here." "Not sure what I'd find." "Now I wish I'd gotten here sooner." "I've prepared some tea." "It should cut the pain." "Shoulder's fine." "I'm just getting hungry." "Well, maybe Kung Lao can fix you something." " Aren't you eating?" " Yeah." "Out." "Let me guess." "Mr. Wonderful." "Yeah, and don't take that tone." "It's not like you to hold a grudge." "Oh, actually it is." "He didn't mean to hurt you." "I know." "Look, just be careful, okay?" "All we really know so far is he's a fighter." "Not much to go on yet." "Yeah, well, I'm trusting my instincts." "And they say Tomas is a good guy." "Really good." "I hope you're right, Taja." "Thanks." " Where is Kung Lao anyway?" " Tavern." "Picking us up the dinner we were all going to have together." "How is it?" "Painful." "It'll be okay." " Ready?" " Yes." " Can we bring you anything?" " No, Kung Lao's handling it." "You get some rest." "More for Siro." "See you later." "How's Magda?" " Better." "Worried about you." " I don't want her leaving work alone." "Not till we find Ella's murderer." "I can walk her home if you want." "I think I can handle it." "I'll need a walk after all this." "Well, it seems like we're out of small talk." "Well, I mean, after this afternoon..." " what we talked about..." " Uh-huh." " I was pushing too hard." " Yeah." "Am I going too fast?" "Absolutely." "Am I going too fast?" "Just fast enough." "Come on, tavern's right over here." "Tavern?" "Is there somewhere a little nicer?" "I'd like our first dinner together to be special." "Sure, but it's a little bit further, a little more expensive." "You're worth it." "Report?" "Tomas has become close with the one called Taja." "Kung Lao and Siro still have their doubts." "Perfect." " My plan to weaken Earth Realm has begun." " Shall I attack now?" "No." "First you must know your enemy." "Each fighter is formidable." "But each possesses a weakness." "Find that flaw." "Then you'll know the moment to attack." "I understand my mission." "Good." "Now return to Earth Realm and complete your task." "I had a great time." "Me, too." "I hate to see tonight end." "Now that is moving a little fast, Tomas." "Good night." "Night, Taja." "You should be in bed." " I'm fine." "I just wanted to see you." " Protect me, you mean." "You might have to protect me." "Thanks for doing this." "I wasn't looking forward to walking alone." "But you can go now." "Really." "I can see my place from here." "Come on, door to door." "This is ridiculous." "You're practically white from pain." "You've gotta take care of yourself." "There's a murderer running around." "And you really aren't in any condition to deal with him." "I'll come by the Trading Post tomorrow and check on you." "Now get going before I have to walk you home." "Right in and lock the doors, okay?" " Good night, Siro." " Good night." " It's okay, it's me." " What are you doing up?" " Couldn't sleep." "Got a lot on my mind." " Better try." "We'll have a workout at sunrise." "Need some help?" "I'm fine." "Will you hold still?" "Ah, take it easy." "What's wrong?" "There's been another murder." "Someone we know." "I'm so sorry, Siro." "It was Magda." "What?" "I walked her home." "She was safe." "They found her body just outside the city gates." "Any idea who?" "No." "I thought I should tell you first." "I'm going to take a look around, see if there are any clues." "I'm going with you." " Are you sure?" " Yeah." "Anything?" "I think she was killed in the city then brought out here." "Just dumped in the woods." "She was strangled, like the others." "Looks like she fought back." "Clawed at her attacker." "Sorry." "No, it's okay." "She would fight." "Anyone see or find anything?" "Anything at all?" "I found this." "Right over there beside the body." " I wasn't going to keep it." " Magda's?" "Didn't wear one." "Besides, it's too big." "This came off a man." " Anything else?" " No, but people are talking." "They say the same thing happened two towns west of here." "Less than a month ago." "Never found out who did it." "We've got more than we had." "Doubt it'll do much good the way you're running around." " Find anything?" " This." " Hey!" " Where'd you find that?" "Next to Magda's body." "Why?" "Have you seen this before?" "They're all over the place." "Cheap things you can buy right in the bazaar." "Let me see that." "Nearly the same." " I don't remember seeing this." " It's new." "Tomas bought it for me." "And...?" "I bought him one." " Where is he?" " Right here." "What's going on?" "Where's the bracelet Taja bought for you?" " In my room, next to my bed." " Get it now." " What's wrong?" " Maybe nothing." "Just show us the bracelet." "This is ridiculous." "You can't possibly suspect Tomas." "Why not?" "Who the hell is this guy?" "I know I left it there." " Where'd you get those?" " I don't know." "Travelling." "Tree branch probably." " You bastard!" " Easy, Siro." "What... what's going on?" "What're you getting at?" "You murdered Magda." " Murdered?" " Yes." "And you killed Ella and the others." "From the west they said." "The same way he was travelling." "Both died at the hands of a skilled fighter." "His bracelet next to her body." "Scratches from poor Magda on his neck." "What more proof do you need?" "Tomas was here asleep when Magda died." "Tell her." "He was in the courtyard when I came in." "Said he couldn't sleep." " I didn't kill anyone." " It all points to you." " Then someone's trying to set me up." " Like who?" "I don't know, but I'm going to find out." " You're not leaving here." " I am and don't try to stop me." "You either." "I swear I'm telling the truth." "Don't worry." "He won't get far." "Rayden." "Go away." " We have to talk." " No, you have to." "I have to rest." "Come on, Rayden." "I'm not going away." "You really know how to ruin a nap, you know that?" "I'm sorry." "This is important." "It always is." "What now?" "Plaster cracking?" "Well go dry?" "Do you always have to be so sarcastic?" "Yes." "Well, maybe this'll change your tune." "We have a visitor." "A tremendous fighter from up north." "North?" "Named Tomas?" "You know him?" "Mm-hmm." "He was supposed to be in the last Mortal Kombat." "What else do you know about him?" " Like what?" " Is he capable of murder?" " Murder?" " Some women have died in town." "One of them was a friend of Siro's." " Clues point to Tomas." " Hmm." "All I know is he's a world class fighter." "Whether he's also some sort of lunatic... you got me." "We have another problem." "I think Taja's falling for him." "Oh, boy." "Kung Lao... one of the reasons you're a good fighter is because you have good instincts." "You have learned to size up your opponent, look for his weaknesses, his strengths." "Do that with him." "Get a read on the man and go with that feeling." "Eventually, his true nature will come out." " That's it?" " That's it." " And if I read him wrong?" " Then you're wrong." "Kung Lao... whatever else Tomas may be... he's still a great fighter." "So either embrace him or be very careful." "Help me!" "Somebody help me!" "Help me!" "Someone, please!" "Oh, please!" " Who invited you?" " I did." "Leave her alone." " You gonna make me?" " Yes." "He... he attacked me." "Looks like I stopped you before you could kill someone else." "You haven't stopped anything yet." "Get up!" "Feel my wrath!" "Help me!" "Help me!" "He's killing me!" "Somebody please help me!" "What's going on here?" "It's him." "The killer!" "He jumped me on the road." "He tried to strangle me." "What?" "No." "I came to save her." " Save me?" "From what?" " From the man attacking you." " Where?" "What man?" " We don't see anything." "There's no one here." "What're you talking about?" "There's no one." " He's lying." "He's the killer!" " This is insane." "Where is she?" " I'm telling the truth." " You're coming with us." "Fine, I'll go." "It appears I've chosen well in sending you." "Clever, using my palace guard as your attacker." "Thank you, Emperor." "But the brilliance is yours." "To destroy Tomas in Kung Lao's eyes..." "Two of Earth's greatest fighters turning against each other." "And who are we betting on, Tomas or Kung Lao?" "Doesn't matter." "Either way, I win." "With luck they'll kill each other." "Better still." " What's going on?" " We saw him trying to kill another woman." "We stopped him." "I told you, it was a set-up." "She lied." "He attacked a woman?" " I did not." "I fought a man attacking her." " That's not what she said." " Where is she?" " She disappeared." " Caught red-handed and still lying." " I agree with him." "We'll handle this." "He's my responsibility." "Trust me." "All right." "Someone's gone to a lot of trouble to do this to me." "You're not buying this." "I do." "It's all too neat, everything pointing to him." "Because he did it." "Now he has to answer for what he's done." "Magda, Ella, the others." "Siro's right." "Sorry." "You can't do this." "He's telling the truth." " Then prove it to me." " I can't." "I just know he is." "Thank you, Taja." "But they've already passed judgement." "Yes." "On a murderer." "I came here to fight with you, Kung Lao." "Not against you." "I'm leaving." "I'm sorry." "You can come if you want." "She's not going anywhere, nor are you." "Are you going to stop me?" " If I have to." " You will." " My God." " Tomas, no!" "My god." "I have found that... brooding does little good." "Damn it, Rayden, I let him die." "Like you said, his true nature would come out." "But I was too slow to see it." "Well, you didn't get much time." "At the moment you acted, it looked like Tomas was the killer." "But he wasn't." "Taja knew he was good." "She believed in him." "Taja wanted to believe, in her heart." "There's a big difference." "But it's the end that matters." " How could I have been so wrong?" " Trying to be right all the time... can bring you pain even greater than this." "Kung Lao... you did not kill him." "But I couldn't save him either." " From that..." " He's called Reptile." "As are all his people." " There are more of them?" " Thousands." "He comes from a realm called Zaterra... allied to Shao Kahn." " This is the Emperor's doing?" " Yes." "He knew that if you two joined forces, it would be a great threat to him." "The smart play was to pit you two against each other." "Using me to do his work." "Shao Kahn will do anything to win." "Anything." "It is done." "Well done." "My assassin." "And my spy." "But Kung Lao still lives." "Still looking for more assignments?" "One threat at a time, Vorpax, one threat at a time." "Return home with honour." "I will call on others from Zaterra soon." "As you wish." "Come." "You will have the reward of the Emperor." "Beautiful little spot." "It seemed right for him." "I was really falling in love, Rayden." "I was really falling in love."