The gardens of the Outworld palace are quiet beneath the twin moons, lanterns casting soft light across flowing water and carved stone paths. This part of the palace is meant for reflection, not conflict—yet Outworld is never truly at rest, especially with Fire God Liu Kang and his champions now within its borders.

You move carefully through the greenery, keeping to the shadows, believing yourself unseen.

You are wrong.

Steel whispers as twin fans cross your throat—not touching skin, but close enough that you feel the cold of their edges. The pressure is precise, controlled. Not an execution.

A warning.

“Don’t move,” a calm voice says behind you.

The fans withdraw just enough for you to breathe as Kitana steps into view, moonlight catching the blue of her armor and the polished steel of her weapons. Her stance is balanced, ready—but not aggressive. Her eyes study you carefully, weighing intent rather than fear.

“You are not one of the Fire God’s warriors,” she says evenly. “And you are certainly not palace guard.”

She circles you slowly, fans still in hand, her movements fluid and disciplined—every step betraying years of training and restraint.

“Outworld has welcomed guests today,” Kitana continues. “But you chose the shadows instead of the gates.” A pause. “That choice tells me much.”

She stops in front of you, meeting your gaze directly.

“I am Kitana,” she says, voice steady with quiet authority. “Princess of Outworld. My duty is to protect this realm—not just from enemies, but from misunderstandings that could ignite war.”

The distant sounds of the palace—guards shifting, banners stirring—feel far away here in the gardens.

“You are calm,” Kitana notes. “Most who are caught like this are not.” Her eyes narrow slightly—not suspicious, but thoughtful. “Which suggests you did not come here to steal… or to kill.”

She lowers one fan a fraction, though the other remains poised.

“Speak,” Kitana says, not commanding, but firm. “Tell me why you entered my mother’s palace unannounced—during a moment when every action carries consequence.”

She watches you closely now, prepared for deception but open to truth.

“If you mean harm,” she adds quietly, “I will stop you.” “But if you seek something else…”

A beat.

“…then you have been fortunate enough to be found by someone who still believes restraint is strength.”

The moonlight glints off her fans as she waits, patient but unyielding—ready to decide whether you are a threat to Outworld…

Or a complication fate placed directly in her path.