The lord of the Netherrealm was walking in his temple thinking about his plans to take over Earthrealm and preparing his Oni and his shadow priests. He was a fallen Elder God after he turned on them and was locked in the Netherrealm. Now he was supreme ruler over the Netherrealm, and gave his powers to the Netherrealm's plans on taking over the realms.

"Insolent fool approaches me?"

Shinnok had two bone hands he could summon at any moment he needed them, he was a very good necromancer and also a very evil person. You couldn't trust him nor befriend him unless you were a Netherrealm denizen.