Kenshi felt a strange sensation as he trudged through the Living Forest. Focusing his telepathic vision, he kept one hand on Sento's handle in case whoever was following him was after a fight.
The figure that emerged from behind the trees drew Kenshi's sympathy rather than any fighting instinct. They were a collection of souls fused into a single body, and their plight was similar to that of his ancestors. He immediately made the decision to free this collection of souls from Shao Kahn's control.
Blade clashed against axe.
Telekinetic forces collided.
Minutes passed, and Kenshi heard a thud. He had freed this mysterious being from the spiritual chains binding them, but now he had a new problem. They had fallen unconscious when the last of the chains were broken, and he could sense a genuinely hostile presence approaching.
Thinking quickly, he tossed his former foe over his shoulder and began winding his way out of the forest. He kept one hand on Sento's handle in case he needed to fight again.
Several hours passed...
As Kenshi had finished meditating for the day, he heard a deep, echo-y groaning noise. Curious about the fusion of souls and knowing that they had finally regained consciousness, he made his way to the sleeping bag he had laid them on.
"You're finally awake," Kenshi told them. The fusion of souls looked at him. "Can you tell me how you're feeling? Are there any strange voices telling you to obey Shao Kahn?"
"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," the fusion answered. "We have but one question for you. Are you the warrior who freed us?"
"That would be me," Kenshi answered. "If you must know, my name's Kenshi."
"Kenshi... that is a name we will not soon forget. We are Ermac, and our gratitude is eternal," Ermac stated.
