The Game

Chapter Three: The Arena Beckons

Y/n stood in the aftermath of her battle with Sub-Zero, the world around her eerily still. Her breath came in short gasps, her heart still hammering from the fight. The realization of what she had just done—facing one of the most dangerous warriors in Mortal Kombat - and coming out alive—made her limbs tremble with a mix of adrenaline and disbelief

Raiden stood silently beside her, his gaze fixed on the horizon as if sensing something far beyond her comprehension. His presence was calm, yet heavy with the unspoken truth that there were far worse challenges to come.

“You fought well,” Raiden finally said, his voice low but steady. “But this was only a test of your will. There are more dangerous foes who will show no hesitation, no mercy.”

Y/n wiped the sweat from her brow, still processing what had just happened. She had won the fight—her first battle in the Mortal Kombat universe. But her victory was far from reassuring. The sheer reality of it all was overwhelming, even terrifying. The momentary triumph over Sub-Zero didn’t erase the fact that she was in a place where death was just another part of the game.

“I barely made it through that fight,” Y/n muttered, still feeling the sting from the ice shard that had grazed her. “What if I’m not strong enough for the next one?”

Raiden turned to her, his expression unreadable, yet his glowing eyes softened ever so slightly. “Strength is not measured by a single victory or defeat, but by the resolve to continue fighting, no matter the odds.”

Y/n swallowed hard. She knew he was right, but the weight of it all pressed down on her. This was more than just fighting—this was survival. And survival meant fighting again and again until either she made it out… or she didn’t.

Before she could ask what came next, a ripple of energy spread through the battlefield, like the echo of a distant explosion. The sky, already a chaotic swirl of red and blue, seemed to darken further, and the ground shook beneath them.

Raiden’s eyes flashed with concern, his hands clenching into fists. “They are coming.”

“Who?” Y/n asked, instinctively tensing.

As if answering her question, the horizon shifted, and dark silhouettes appeared. From the swirling clouds and mist, a group of figures emerged. Y/n’s heart sank as she recognized them. She didn’t need an introduction—these were warriors from the depths of the game, elite fighters known for their ruthlessness.

At the forefront stood Scorpion, his yellow-and-black armour gleaming under the blood-red sky. His piercing gaze, visible even through his mask, was fixed on Y/n. He gripped his kunai chain, the blade glinting ominously in his hand. Beside him was Baraka, the vicious Tarkatan with jagged blades extending from his arms, and to their left, Skarlet, blood mage and assassin, her red eyes gleaming with hunger.

“They’ve come for the next round,” Raiden said, his voice calm but laced with urgency. “But this time, you are not alone.”

A familiar voice rang out from behind her. “We’ve got this, kid.”

Y/n spun around to see a group approaching—her breath catching as she recognized them. Johnny Cage, Sonya Blade, and Liu Kang. They strode confidently onto the battlefield, each radiating the power and poise of seasoned fighters.

Johnny Cage grinned, flashing his trademark arrogance as he adjusted his sunglasses. “Don’t worry, newbie. We’ll keep things fun.”

Sonya gave Y/n a curt nod, her face all business. “You held your own against Sub-Zero. You’re stronger than you think.”

Liu Kang, ever calm and centred, gave her a reassuring look. “We fight together. This is the true test of a warrior—facing overwhelming odds, but never alone.”

Y/n’s chest tightened as she looked between the three of them, her pulse quickening. She was standing with the legends of Mortal Kombat, fighting alongside the very characters she’d spent hours mastering in the game. It was surreal, but now there was no time to process the gravity of the moment.

The battlefield around them began to shift, the jagged terrain warping as the environment morphed into a massive arena. Stone pillars rose from the earth, and jagged spikes lined the edges of the battlefield. The distant sounds of roaring crowds echoed through the air as if unseen spectators awaited the coming clash.

Scorpion stepped forward, twirling his kunai chain in a wide arc. His voice was a low growl as he addressed Raiden. “We have come to finish what was started.”

Raiden stepped forward, his tone unyielding. “You fight for power and conquest, Scorpion. But this battle will not be yours to win.”

Without another word, Scorpion hurled his kunai with lightning speed, aimed straight at Raiden. But before it could reach him, Liu Kang leaped into the air, deflecting the chain with a fiery kick that sent sparks flying.

The fight erupted.

Baraka charged forward with his brutal, savage speed, and Sonya Blade dashed to intercept him, her energy rings already forming in her hands. Skarlet hissed, her hands swirling with crimson energy, but Johnny Cage was already moving toward her, ready to meet her challenge with a grin on his face and a flash of green energy in his fists.

Y/n stood frozen for a split second, her mind racing. This was no longer a game, no longer a simulation—this was real. Her new abilities hummed beneath her skin, urging her to join the battle. But who would she face? Her gaze flicked to Scorpion, whose eyes were now locked on her.

“Get over here!” Scorpion roared, his voice a battle cry that sent shivers down Y/n’s spine. His kunai lashed out again, this time aimed directly at her.

Y/n’s reflexes kicked in just in time. She dodged the chain by inches, the blade narrowly missing her torso as it whipped past her. Her heart raced, her mind catching up with her body as she realized she had no choice but to fight.

Summoning the power Raiden had given her, she charged forward, the gauntlets on her arms crackling with electric energy. Scorpion was fast—too fast—but Y/n could feel the rhythm of the fight taking over. Every move she made felt guided by instinct. She ducked under a flaming punch, countering with a sharp uppercut that sent a jolt of electricity through Scorpion’s body.

He staggered back, more surprised than hurt. His fiery eyes narrowed in on her, and he launched himself into the air with a spinning kick. Y/n barely managed to block, the impac  sending a shockwave through her arms.

Suddenly, she heard Raiden’s voice echo in her mind. “You have the power of lightning within you. Trust it.”

Y/n gritted her teeth. Lightning. That was the key.

Scorpion came at her again, his fists blazing with hellfire. This time, Y/n didn’t retreat. Instead, she braced herself, planting her feet firmly in the ground. As Scorpion drew closer, she raised her arms, focusing on the surge of energy flowing through her gauntlets.

In a flash, bolts of lightning shot from her fists, arcing through the air toward Scorpion. The electricity hit him square in the chest, and he let out a guttural cry as the force of the attack sent him crashing to the ground, his body crackling with the lingering charge.

Panting, Y/n stood over him, her heart pounding in her chest.

But the fight wasn’t over yet.

From the corner of her eye, Y/n saw Baraka overpowering Sonya, his bladed arms swinging wildly as he pressed her back. Johnny Cage was barely holding his own against Skarlet, her blood magic twisting and swirling in a chaotic dance of red energy.

The arena roared around them, and Y/n knew that this was only the beginning.

The real battle was far from over.

And this time, there would be no turning back.