<strong>"Ieremia wins!"</strong><br/><br/>Raiden sighed, shaking his head as Ayumi lay helpless before the vampiric warrior. Shang Tsung sat smirking and confident in his throne...<br/><br/>The Thunder God turned to Ajei, saying,<strong>"You're right... but he has won the right to determine her fate. We can only help her after he has consummated his victory."</strong>As Ayumi faded in and out of unconsciousness, Raiden teleport in a blast of thunder besides the dueling pair. Ayumi's eyes betrayed only the faintest awareness of where she was. The pain was gone, mostly... either from the shock or some result of Ieremia's fangs.<br/><br/><strong>"You are victorious."</strong>Raiden said to Ieremia, his tone explanatory and devoid of emotion,<strong>"But this one belongs to Earthrealm- she will <span class="bbc_u">not</span> become Shao Kahn's slave. Finish her or let her live. But you will not have this opportunity again."</strong><br/><br/>In Raiden's words there was the hint of a threat. After this, Ayumi would no longer be participant in the tournament. To Raiden, this meant that she was exempt from any further punishment... Shang Tsung interpreted it much differently.