—Ashrah to Johnny Cage in Mortal Kombat 1 |
Biography
- Mortal Kombat 1: "As a demon, all Ashrah knew was pain and violence. She assumed all beings, in all realms, lived as she did. But once she journeyed outside of the Netherrealm, she realized her error. Other realms were of beauty and peace. She could not aid in their defilement. Ashrah fled from her sister demons. Along the way, she found an enchanted kriss. It was a demon slayer, which she used to finish her pursuers. She was stunned to discover that using the kriss to destroy evil was purifying her soul. And that if she continued to do so, she could free herself from the Netherrealm. Ashrah senses that her final absolution is near. Once achieved, she will finally enter the light."
Storyline
Mortal Kombat 1
In Liu Kang's New Era, the demoness Ashrah used to look fully human in the past, but now she looks half-demon on her quest for absolution.
Prior to the events of the main story, Ashrah once thought herself consigned to the horrors of the Netherrealm, along with her sisters. The Outworlder Quan Chi, having gained powerful magical prowess, was able to master the sorcery necessary to infiltrate the Netherrealm and force Ashrah and her sisters into servitude, creating his Sisterhood of Shadow. However, Ashrah eventually broke free from Quan Chi's reins, witnessing the tranquility of other realms in stark contrast to her homeworld and realizing she could not aid him in his realm-sized conquest. Though Quan Chi sent Ashrah's own sisters after her, Ashrah would luck out upon discovering a kriss that was enchanted to suitably smite evil. Seizing the opportunity to cleanse her soul, Ashrah took the kriss and began a journey of razor-sharp self-purification, destroying Kia and Jataaka along the way, all while hoping to free her remaining sister, Sareena, the same way she attempted to free herself. Eventually, she found herself in Outworld, chased by more of Quan Chi's demons.
In the midst of Ashrah slaying her demonic pursuers, the noise from her battle alerts a nearby party of Baraka, Johnny Cage, Kenshi, Kung Lao and Syzoth. Seeing the approaching Baraka and Syzoth in his natural form, Ashrah mistakes them for more of Quan Chi's minions and attacks them in a rage, only to be defeated by Baraka. After being told they are not demons, she apologizes and is relieved that no permanent harm was done. She tells the others her identity and that she is both targeting and targeted by Quan Chi, the sorcerer who is working alongside Shang Tsung. Realizing that their goals align, they join forces and allow Ashrah to lead them to Quan Chi using her enchanted kriss.
Along the way, Ashrah explains more about why she defected from the Sisterhood of Shadow and seeks to absolve herself of sins and, thus, her demonic blood. Deep in the Living Forest, they encounter Quan Chi powering up a soul stealer alongside Ashrah's sister Sareena and their cohorts Nitara, Darrius and Havik. Ashrah warns the others that single soul stealer can consume hundreds of thousands of souls, and that if a battery of them were unleashed on Earthrealm, it would be devastating. The group resolve to put a stop to Quan Chi's plans, with Ashrah leading the charge. Ashrah battles and defeats Nitara, but Quan Chi uses the souls of the Living Forest to construct a new servant: Ermac.
Ermac proves a formidable opponent, but Ashrah battles Havik and Darrius and then Quan Chi and Ermac. Wishing to help his friends, the recently-blinded Kenshi brandishes Sento and, hearing the voices of his ancestors, manages to stab Ermac and steal some of his powers. He and Ashrah join forces against their enemies, defeating each until the souls within Ermac go awry, momentarily allowing Jerrod to manifest before the soul warrior faints. Furthermore, the souls Quan Chi took from the Living Forest turn against him and grab at his face, causing his skin to turn its trademark white color and leaving him unconscious. Their immediate goals complete, the group part ways with Baraka.
Returning to Sun Do, the group disguise themselves and the unconscious Quan Chi as festival-goers to elude the Outworld military. Ashrah is less than thrilled about a festival hat Johnny picked out for her, but Johnny insists it suits her (a subtle reference to the original Ashrah). Syzoth manages to distract Outworld security for long enough despite being injured by Reiko's shuriken, and bests Li Mei, Kitana, Tanya and Khameleon. Meanwhile, General Shao and his soldiers catch up to Ashrah and the others, allowing Quan Chi to escape, but Syzoth and Kenshi swing down from a building to rejoin them in battle (Ashrah opting for one of the guard's swords rather than her kriss to fight). They battle through Outworld's forces and escape back to Earthrealm, where Liu Kang welcomes Syzoth and Ashrah using their real names, much to their surprise. Ashrah asks Liu Kang if he also knows of Quan Chi, and informs him of his schemes with Shang Tsung. Liu Kang is disturbed at the idea of the Deadly Alliance repeating itself, and urges them to recount all they know.
The current Ashrah is not seen again in the main story afterwards, but various versions and amalgamations of Ashrah are seen during the second Battle of Armageddon, including one allied with Titan Shang Tsung, an amalgamation with Johnny Cage called Screen Demon, and many more. Additionally, a version of Ashrah that resembles the current one can be selected as the final warrior who aids Liu Kang in defeating the Titans Shang Tsung and Quan Chi, before being sent back to her respective timeline.
After the battle, she resides living in Earthrealm, as one of the Wu Shi Academy's new initiates. While enjoying her new life in Earthrealm, she worries for Sareena as she returns to the Netherrealm to free her of Quan Chi's influence, with Liu Kang's help. With Sareena freed, they formed the Order of Light.
Endings
- Mortal Kombat 1 (Canonical): "I couldn't believe that Liu Kang welcomed me in Earthrealm. Or that he thought me worthy to study with his Shaolin masters. After a lifetime of wishing for one, I finally had a home. But my joy was tempered as I thought about Sareena... my Shadow Sister was still under Quan Chi's yoke. And she deserved a life free of him as much, if not more, than I. Quan Chi and my other sisters proved tenacious, but they were no match for my blade. I snatched Sareena from them. Then Liu Kang helped me break Quan Chi's spell. Her mind free of his influence for the first time in years, Sareena chose to join me in Earthrealm. My sister and I once again fight side by side. Only now we do so for Earthrealm. Together, we have formed the Order of Light."