Manado can be seen walking through a dense forest with Ashrah and Sareena close behind him. Eventually, they reach a clearing and stop.

"I'm starting to think the General sent us on a wild goose chase. I mean, how do we even know the temple even exists?" Manado asks.

"Trust when I say that if it did not exist, Mileena and Kotal wouldn't have sent us here in the first place." Ashrah assures.

"Or my future self." Manado says.

Hearing the mention of Manado's future self, Ashrah and Sareena lower their heads down in sorrow. Manado notices.

"Sorry I brought up that topic." Manado says.

"It's alright, Manado. No one could've predicted what happened that night." Ashrah assures.

"And we still don't know what truly conspired that led to his disappearance." Sareena says.

"Maybe one day, you'll learn the full truth." Manado says.

"Maybe." Ashrah says.

The three then continue moving through the forest.

"Manado. I just want to let you know that we truly do care for you. Us, Mileena, even Nitara. You can imagine how devastated we were when you disappeared." Ashrah says.

"Yeah, I guess I can imagine." Manado says.

The three then climb up a hill and as they reach the top, they look off in the distance and find a large structure. Despite it being very worn down with many holes with missing parts, it still stood tall.

"There it is." Ashrah says.

"The Temple of Argus." Manado says.

"Inside resides the resting place of Blaze, the fire elemental." Sareena says.

"Let's do this." Manado says before he, Ashrah, and Sareena venture down the mountain.

About an hour passes before Manado, Ashrah and Sareena reach the base of the temple. Suddenly, a voice catches their attention.

"You sure this is the place?" The voice asks.

The three quickly hide behind some trees and as the look, they notice two men standing at the entrance of the temple.

"I can guarantee it, brother. Father sent us here, and he's never been wrong about locations, Taven." The man known as Daegon says.

"I know Daegon. I just feel unsure about all this." Taven says.

"And that uncertainty will get you killed. Remember bother, this is what father prophesied. Defeating the elemental... is our destiny." Daegon says.

"Understood." Taven says.

Unknown to them, Manado can be seen glaring at the two.

"Taven and Daegon? Aren't they Argus' sons?" Manado asks.

"Yes. They must be here for Blaze." Sareena says.

"We cannot let that happen." Ashrah says.

"Agreed." Manado says before moving from the tree.

As Taven and Daegon begin their descent into the temple, Manado jumps over them and kicks them away from the entrance. The two quickly rise to their feet.

"Here I thought you dead. No matter, you are no match for the sons of Argus." Daegon says.

"Then it's a good thing I brought some friends." Manado says.

Taven and Daegon turn to see Ashrah with glowing Angel-like wings flying above them. Using her Kriss, she summons hundreds of magic spears glowing the same color as her wings towards the two brothers. The two then summon swords and begins the defend themselves against the spears. With them distracted, Sareena takes the opportunity and kicks the two brothers in the back, knocking them down to the ground. Ashrah then ceases her magic and lands beside Sareena and Manado, who all assume fighting stances and Taven and Daegon rise to their feet.

"So Earthrealm's champion has allied himself with demons. How the mighty have fallen." Taven says.

"These are no ordinary demons. They have risen beyond the darkness of the Netherrealm and now side with the light." Manado says, Ashrah and Sareena smiling at him.

"It matters not. Because tonight, we shall rise while you will fall." Daegon says.

The brothers then charge towards Manado, Ashrah, and Sareena. As Daegon takes on the demonesses, Taven takes on Manado. Taven sends a series of strikes which are then blocked by Manado. Taven then tries to follow that with a roundhouse kick, but Manado grabs hold of his leg and throws him to the ground. Manado then jumps into the air and prepares to land a kick to Taven's head, but he manages to roll out of the way just before Manado's lands onto the ground. Taven then takes out his sword and jumps up to strike Manado down, but he manages to block it with his daggers. As they try to overpower the other, Taven finds an opening kicks Manado in the chest, staggering him back. He then follows that with a shoulder strike, pushing Manado down, but he manages to quickly roll back to his feet.

"I have always considered it an honor to kombat Outworld's Guardian. But it will be more of an honor for you to die by my hand." Taven says.

They then fight. Taven quickly proves himself to be a formidable kombatant. His fighting style however while unique in its own way, Manado finds to be predictable. Exploiting Taven's predictability, Manado gains the upper hand and knocks Taven unconscious.

"This fight dishonors you, Taven." Manado says.

Daegon can be seen avoiding strikes from Ashrah's Kriss. Suddenly, Daegon manages to grab hold of the Kriss and quickly disarms Ashrah before knocking her down to the ground. He then throws the kriss to the side as Sareena charges. She then jumps into the air to send an overhead strike, but Daegon backpedals away from the strike and grabs Sareena by the throat. Daegon then punches Sareena in the face twice before throwing her to the ground besides Ashrah. Daegon then takes out his sword and readies to finish the demonesses off, but before he could, Manado shoulder strikes him in the chest, pushing him back and causing him to fall to the ground. Manado takes the opportunity and helps Ashrah and Sareena back to their feet.

"Thank you, Manado." Ashrah says.

"Your welcome. Sit tight, I'll handle this." Manado says.

He then approaches Daegon, who is seen slowly rising back up.

"This fight is over, Daegon. Surrender and you'll have the chance for you and your brother to safely go back home." Manado says.

"This fight won't be over until my destiny is fulfilled." Daegon says as he stands back onto his feet.

"Well today, you destiny is about to change." Manado says.

They then fight. Daegon proves that compared to Taven, he is the more experienced and more unpredictable of the two brothers. Noticing this, Manado relies on his knowledge of kombat taught to him by Raiden and the Shaolin and takes Daegon head on, eventually knocking him down to the ground.

"Your destiny is to fall by my hand." Manado says.

As Daegon struggles to stand, Manado grabs him by throat and hoists him in the air. Manado then sends a punch to his face, causing Daegon to fly in the air and hit a tree behind him, knocking him unconscious. Manado then turns towards Ashrah and Sareena.

"You two alright?" Manado asks.

"We are fine, Manado." Ashrah assures.

"Then let us go." Manado says before he and the demonesses venture into the temple.

Inside, they find themselves wandering through a series of corridors when they come across a mural of some kind. The mural shows the temple with a bright golden beam coming out of the top of it. It also shows the inside of the temple with a depiction of Blaze.

"It appears we'll find Blaze inside a chamber at the top floor of the temple." Manado says.

"Then let's make haste." Sareena advises.

The three then proceed further into the temple when Manado steps onto a plate that quickly moves down. The doorway behind them suddenly closes. The three then notices spikes, swinging axes, and other various deadly contraptions begin to appear.

"I should've known this place this place has been rigged with traps.

"What do we do?" Ashrah asks.

Suddenly they turn to see a large wall cover the closed doorway covered with sharp spikes. The wall suddenly moves quickly towards the three kombatants.

"RUN!" Manado yells.

The three quickly run through the deadly traps. Ashrah ducks under various arrows as Sareena slides under the swinging axes and Manado long jumps over a pit filled with spikes.

Outside the temple, Daegon slowly wakes up and notices Taven kneeling down next to him with his hand on his shoulder.

"Brother, are you alright?" Taven asks.

Daegon quickly swats his hands away.

"I'm fine, Taven." Daegon says as he quickly rises to his feet.

"Quickly. We must stop them from destroying our destiny." Daegon says.

The two then quickly rush for the temple when they are suddenly blasted away by a blast of red energy, causing them to roll to the ground. They then look up to find Revenant Manado standing before them. Daegon quickly takes out sword and points it towards him.

"You will go no further, demon." Daegon says.

Revenant Manado merely chuckles before touching the tip of Daegon's sword with his finger. Quickly afterwards, red energy engulfs the sword and melts it right out of Daegon's hand, much to his shock. Manado then grabs Daegon by the neck and holds him against a tree.

"Pathetic. I expected better from you. But that doesn't matter. What you are going to do is tell me who is inside the temple and what they are planning." Revenant Manado demands.

"Try all you want. You'll never get anything out of me." Daegon says.

Revenant Manado then slams Daegon into the tree before releasing his grip on him, causing him to fall to the floor.

"I don't have to." Revenant Manado says.

He then moves to the side and reveals Dark Raiden. Dark Raiden then glares on Daegon as red lightning forms in his hand. Daegon goes wide eyed in fear, not knowing what will happen next.

Back inside the temple, Manado, Ashrah, and Sareena can be seen still running through various trap with the spiked wall still in quick pursuit behind them. Manado then notices a doorway in front of them.

"Quickly, through that opening!" Manado urges.

The doorway slowly then begins to close.

"It's closing!" Sareena yells.

"Keep Moving!" Manado urges.

Once they were close enough the three then jump through the gap just before the doorway closes, the spikes wall leaving an indentation on the doorway. The three can can panting heavily from all the running.

"Are you alright?" Manado asks.

"We're ok." Ashrah replies.

"Yeah, we're good." Sareena replies.

"Good." Manado says.

Catching their breath, the three continue venturing through the temple when they eventually the come across a large room with carvings of Blaze scattered on the walls.

"This must be Blaze's chambers." Ashrah says.

"Now that we're here, how do we summon him?" Manado asks.

Suddenly, the chambers begin to shake, as if the actual temple was moving on its own, only it wasn't. A glowing fiery ball of energy suddenly appears and begins to take shape. After a moment, the ball of energy takes the form of a humanoid, seemly made of molten lava.

"I am Blaze. Guardian of the Temple of Argus. I exist to fulfill the destiny of the sons of Argus, Taven and Daegon, prophesied by Argus himself." Blaze says.

"The sons of Argus have been defeated, Blaze." Manado informs.

"Then you... are their new successor. And now, you must complete one more task." Blaze says.

Blaze then turns and using his magic, he then summons of a golden beam of fiery energy then extends into the sky which can seen throughout all of Outworld.

"To gain the power of Blaze, I must be slain by the hand of a worthy opponent." Blaze informs.

"Then by my hand, you will be defeated." Manado says.

"I don't think so, Manado." A voice says.

Manado, Ashrah, and Sareena turn to see Revenant Manado on the other side of the rooftop. Manado suddenly goes wide-eyed.

"By the elder gods." Manado says.

"Yes, Manado. Look upon me, and know fear. For you gaze upon the slayer of the Elder Gods." Revenant Manado says.

Manado looks on in shock. The elder gods... dead? And killed by a revenant version of himself nonetheless. Manado's shock then becomes anger as he glares at his revenant counterpart.

"Your evil will not stand." Manado says.

He then charges towards his revealed counterpart, but is quickly blasted away by red lightning. He then looks up and sees Dark Raiden.

"Raiden? No." Manado says.

He then looks towards his revenant counterpart.

"What have you done to him?" Manado asks.

"It didn't take much. Just a bit of convincing. But enough of that. I shall take Blaze's power for myself and then all the realms will be mine." Revenant Manado says.

Manado rises to his feet as Ashrah and Sareena stand by his side.

"Keep my dark self occupied. I'll handle Raiden." Manado says.

Ashrah and Sareena then charge towards Revenant Manado as Manado confonts Dark Raiden who land on the rooftop.

"I don't know exactly what he did to you, but it's clear that you a threat that must be disposed of. How could you betray Earthrealm?" Manado asks.

"I do what I must to save Earthrealm. Kronika's new era will help in its protection." Dark Raiden says.

"No Raiden, she seeks to wipe you from history. You can't protect it if you don't exist." Manado points out.

"Silence! You will now share Shinnok's fate." Dark Raiden says.

They then fight. Manado finds himself at a disadvantage fighting the one who taught him everything he knows. Not to mention Dark Raiden wields lightning and his more kombat experience. In the end however, it was a sheer battle of wills and after an excruciating battle, Raiden is knocked down.

"Forgive me, Lord Raiden." Manado says.

Manado then looks upon Blaze who has been surveying the battle.

"I must finish this now." Manado says as he walks towards the fire elemental.

meanwhile, Revenant Manado effortlessly avoids all of Ashrah and Sareena's attempts to strike him. He then knocks them down with his magic and notices Manado walking towards Blaze.

"We're not done yet." Revenant Manado says.

He then summons his magic and envelopes Manado in red energy before pulling him away from Blaze. As he rolls on the ground, Manado looks up towards his revenant counterpart.

"Watch Chujin as I read your friends' flesh." Revenant Manado says.

He then sends a blast of red energy towards Ashrah and Sareena, causing them to scream in agony. Manado can only look on in horror as he witnesses this. He then feels his anger build up when all of a sudden, his eyes begin to glow red.

Revenant Manado continues to send the blast of red energy on Ashrah and Sareena, laughing maniacally as he does so. Suddenly he is sent flying by a blast of red energy. He quickly rolls back to his feet and notices Manado angrily glaring at him with his red glowing red and his arms embedded with red energy.

"So... it seems you have now unlocked your magic. No matter. As in the end, it will not save you." Revenant Manado says.

Revenant Manado then charges and sends a series of strikes at his counterpart but finds his strikes effortlessly being blocked and dodged. Frustrated, he sends out a blast of red energy but Manado forms an energy shield and blocks the attack. He then sends a blast of his own and it strikes Revenant Manado in the chest, forcing him to cease his magic and staggers him back. Manado ceases the opportunity and sends a knee to his chest, followed by a two strikes to his head and ending with a swift kick, knocking him to the floor. Manado then forces his revenant counterpart to his feet and proceeds to delivers a devastating beat down, inching closer and closer to the edge of the rooftop. Once Revenant Manado stands on the very edge of the rooftop, Manado ceases his attacks and approaches his revenant counterpart.

"Tell your master, that she now has someone to fear." Manado says.

Manado sending a kick to his chest, causing Revenant Manado to fall off the rooftop. A moment passes before a loud bang is heard and Manado looks down to see his Revenant Counterpart lying motionless on the ground. Satisfied, Manado turns to find Blaze standing before him.

"Most impressive, Manado Chujin. I have never seen power as grand as what I have seen be displayed today. It only strengthens my belief that you are worthy to kombat me." Blaze says.

Manado looks upon Ashrah and Sareena who struggle to their feet.

"You have no need to worry about them. They will survive. But now, the time has come. Face me... in Mortal Kombat." Blaze says.

"Very well. Today, you shall fall." Manado says.

They then fight. Manado finds himself in one of the most difficult fights of his life. Struggling against Blaze's power. Manado is forced to resort to using his own newfound magic which much to his surprise, is able to change the tides in the fight. After a long and exhausting battle, the fire elemental is defeated.

"It is done." Manado says.

Manado looks down at the downed elemental as Ashrah and Sareena limp their way towards him.

"You did it." Ashrah says.

"Indeed I have." Manado says.

"And now... there only one thing left to do." Sareena says.

Manado nods his eyes before approaching Blaze who has risen to his knees.

"You have proven worthy, Manado Chujin. Come. Kill me, and take my power." Blaze says.

Manado then summons his magic and summons a blade made of red energy, preparing a finishing blow. Before he deliver the blow however, a hand suddenly burst through Blaze's chest much to everyone's surprise. Blaze then is risen up before he glows in a blast of bright yellow light, forcing Manado, Ashrah, and Sareena to cover their eyes.

After a brief moment, the glow dissipates, allowing Manado, Ashrah, and Sareena to see a figure standing before them, glowing with Blaze's power. The figure looked like a male humanoid with black kombat armor with torn rags wrapped around his hands and waist. Manado looks towards his face but finds it covered with mask and a large hat in a similar shape and style as Raiden's.

"Who are you?" Manado asks.

The figure doesn't respond, merely stares him down. Suddenly, the temple begins to shake, causing everyone to stagger. Manado falls to his knees momentarily before looking back up to find that the figure has vanished. Manado then looks towards Ashrah and Sareena and notices the the rooftop crumbling underneath them. Manado quickly rushes over to them just as the rooftops gives out form under their feet, causing them to fall through. It is then revealed that the entire temple is crashing down and it falls in pieces as it lands to the ground, creating a large cloud of debris.

As the cloud slowly dissipates, it is revealed that Manado has protected himself, Ashrah, and Sareena in a ball of red energy, inches from hitting the ground. The red energy then dissipates, leaving Manado, Ashrah, and Sareena lying on the ground. Manado quickly rises and kneels down towards Ashrah to help her up. The two lock eyes with each other, neither of them speaking a word. Then they lean closer to each other and before any of them knew it, they began to lock their lips together in a kiss, much to their surprise. After a moment passes, the let go of each other to breath.

"I did not expect that." Manado says.

"I don't think anyone could predict this would happen, Manado." Ashrah says.

Manado smiles as he helps Ashrah back to her feet. Manado then walks over to Sareena and helps her back to her feet. As Sareena stands back on her feet, he surprises Manado with a kiss of her own before releasing a moment later.

"You think you can kiss my sister and not me?" Sareena asks.

Manado chuckles.

"I suppose I cannot." Manado says.

Manado, Ashrah, and Sareena then looks at where the temple once stood.

"Blaze's power must've kept the building standing. Without it, the temple collapsed in on itself." Manado says.

"Who was that man that took Blaze's power?" Ashrah asks.

"I don't know. But I have a feeling that won't be the last time we'll see if him. We need to go inform Mileena and the General of the situation." Manado says.

The three then walk into the forest to venture back to to the empire. Unbeknownst to them, among the rubble of what used to be the temple, a hand rises through the rubble, followed by an arm until a head comes out, revealing that Revenant Manado has survived. Revenant Manado then glares angrily before yelling out in anger.

Meanwhile in an deserted area of Outworld, the figure from earlier can be seen walking through the area when a bright light forms in the air in front of him. He then kneels down on one knee as if he bowing before the light. The light then dissipates, revealing Cetrion.

"The task is done, Goddess." The figures says in a very deep voice.

"Were there any problems?" Cetrion asks.

"None. Everything went according to plan." The figure says.

"Excellent. Soon, you will be ready." Cetrion says.

"If I may ask, what is your purpose for this? Why would you want to betray your own mother?" The figure asks.

"My mother seeks only balance among the realms and cares little about those who reside within them, not even her own children. She now leaves me with no choice." Cetrion says.

"I see. Apologizes for stepping out of line." The figure says.

"No apology needed." Cetrion assures.

"Is there anything else you wish for me to do?" The figure asks.

"Keep an eye on what happening here in Outworld. If something urgent happens elsewhere, I'll inform you immediately." Cetrion says.

"As you wish, lady Cetrion." The figure says.

Cetrion then approaches the figure, and places a hand on the top of his head.