As Ermac awakened, they felt a strangely familiar sense of clarity in their mind. They were looking around to try to get a better sense of their surroundings when a blindfolded swordsman approached them.
"You're finally awake," the swordsman informed them. Having a feeling that he was the swordsman they had fought earlier, Ermac looked at him. "Can you tell me how you're feeling? Are there any strange voices telling you to obey Shao Kahn?"
Ermac thought for a few moments. Judging from the concerned tone in the swordsman's voice, they developed a suspicion that he might have had a role to play in granting them this welcome clarity.
"We felt this strange sense of clarity once before... it was during the most recent Mortal Kombat tournament. We do not hear any voices telling us to kill, nor are we compelled to obey Shao Kahn," Ermac answered. They needed to know who this swordsman was and whether he was the one who saved them. "We have but one question for you. Are you the one who freed us?"
The swordsman was surprised, but quickly regained his composure.
"That would be me," the swordsman replied. "If you must know, my name is Kenshi."
Ermac hummed.
"Kenshi... that is a name we will not soon forget. We are Ermac, and our gratitude is eternal," Ermac said to Kenshi. They thought about their battle in the Living Forest. How he seemed to be trying to avoid harming them as much as possible. And how he seemed to wield the power of telekinesis much like they did.
Ermac thought for a while. It felt nice to be able to think on their own. It was then that an idea struck them. They could sense unawakened potential within Kenshi, and they wanted to help him reach it.
