Grey Dawn

[Shang Tsung]

For what felt like ages, Shang Tsung dropped through the darkness. Perhaps more unnerving than the complete blackness was the lack of sound of noise, as even the air made no noise as it whipped passed him.

When he gave up wondering when he’d stop falling, Shang suddenly stopped.

The sorcerer blinked a few times as the environment around him took shape. Gone were the metal and concrete walls of the lab. Gone were the flickering lights and the stench of stale water and bloated corpses. In their place, the sorcerer was surrounding by a plain landscape colored in blacks and grays. The only thing that broke up the drab terrain was the occasional white line that seemed almost painted onto the black surface.

“What is this?” He mumbled, listening as his voice echoed around him as a body dropped down next to him.

Atelos let out a grunt as he rose to a vertical position and did the same quick scan of their surroundings that Shang had done. “Where are we now, Sorcerer?”

The sorcerer shook his head. “I’m not sure, but I don’t think we’re in the Pale Moors or Silent Hill for that matter.”

“Is this where Omni lives? This doesn’t seem like a realm fit for some sort of god.”

“This is probably a transitional area,” Shang mused as he pointed down at one of the white lines. “Surely these lines have to lead somewhere.”

Atelos reached for a shield that wasn’t there, and the expression on his face was like a father coming home to find his own flesh and blood unaccounted for. Seeing the look, Shang tried to quickly divert the other man’s attention.

“Let’s get a move on.” The sorcerer said as he pattered his associate on the back and started to follow one of the white lines.

[Atelos]

“I think that’s best sorcerer.” Atelos’ head ached and his head rushed up to try and subdue the pain. His head was throbbing and he felt like it could implode at any minute upon him. He kept his straight face and continued along the white lines constantly looking at the expressionless sky.

Why hello there Spartan. I see you’ve come to your senses. Hades?! Oh the curse had lingered onto him. He muttered a curse and ignored Hades. You can’t feel it do you Spartan? You can’t feel yourself getting closer to him. He waved away these thoughts and pushed on with the Sorcerer. His head got light and he began to stumble.

Face it Spartan. You’re just afraid that I’m right. You’re afraid of not being important. You’re afraid of crumbling into the dust along with the rest of your pathetic village.

“Get out of my head Demon!” Atelos fell on his knees and clutched his head in agony. A piercing scream rang in his ears and he felt an arm on his shoulder. The screaming stopped and he saw Shang with a concerned look on his face.

“Are you alright Spartan?” He extended his hand to the Spartan and Atelos couldn’t help but smile. He took up the hand and he felt the Sorcerer pull up with his strength and he felt for once that he was at home once more. The piercing screaming had stopped, Hades’ voice was muffled and Atelos enjoyed the company of his close associate. He forgot where he was and the past and didn’t care much for the future. As long as he was supported by his friend it didn’t matter where the battle was and what it was against. Even something he thought was once good.