Baraka is the fiercest of the Tarkatans, vicious nomadic mutants from the wastes of Outworld. Like all Tarkatan males, he joined Shao Kahn’s army once he came of age and survived the brutal Ritual of Blood. He gained the rank of Enforcer after single-handedly defeating a rebel faction. His loyalty and strength make him a favorite of the emperor; his retractable blades have slain many of Shao Kahn’s most bitter enemies. As a kontestant in the Mortal Kombat tournament, he will ensure his emperor’s claim to EarthRealm.

An assassin of the Lin Kuei clan, Kuai Liang commands the power of ice and cold. Unlike other members of his clan, he and his older brother, Bi-Han, were abducted as children by the Lin Kuei and trained in the techniques of assassination throughout their lives. Though his codename is Tundra, he has now assumed the mantle of Sub-Zero to honor his brother after Bi-Han’s mysterious death. With the help of his fellow Lin Kuei Smoke, Sub-Zero tirelessly hunts the one who killed his brother.

A skilled Motswana warrior, Cyrax relies on his natural fighting ability, his chi, to carry out Lin Kuei missions. He is proud to serve, but when the Grand Master initiates a program to convert the clan into cyborgs, Cyrax resists. He is reluctant to lose his humanity, which he believes is more effective than any mechanical augmentation. He has contemplated leaving the clan, fearing that it is no longer an organization of honorable assassins. Cyrax knows, however, that such a decision means death at the hands of his former comrades. No one leaves the Lin Kuei.

As punishment for resisting Shao Kahn’s claim to the realm of Edenia, the souls of the vanquished were torn from their bodies and fused together to form the being now known as Ermac. Bent to Shao Kahn’s will, Ermac is his foremost enforcer. The essences of so many souls bound together give Ermac immense telekinetic power — an advantage that will destroy EarthRealm’s resistance to Shao Kahn’s rule.

An assassin for Shao Kahn, Jade has earned a reputation as an agile and stealthy warrior. Her family was Edenian nobility and served the emperor once he conquered their realm, giving Jade to him as tribute when she was a child. After years of rigorous training in the art of kombat, Shao Kahn awarded her the position of bodyguard to Princess Kitana. Over the centuries, she and Kitana have become close friends, which makes Jade’s secret orders from Shao Kahn painful to accept: should Kitana’s loyalty falter, Jade must kill her friend.

A decorated member of the U.S. Special Forces and a formidable close-kombat warrior, Major Jackson Briggs’s current mission is to bring down the notorious criminal organization known as the Black Dragon. With Lieutenant Sonya Blade, he has seized many of their weapons caches. But when a trusted informant, Kano, was revealed to be a high-ranking member of the Black Dragon, Jax made Kano’s capture his priority. Kano has gotten the better of Jax thus far, leading the Special Forces into numerous deadly ambushes. Jax and Sonya finally cornered Kano on an uncharted island but were overpowered by the island’s inhabitants. They have now been forced into a sadistic ritual of bloody kombat.

There is no greater martial arts movie star than Johnny Cage. Films such as Dragon Fist, Time Smashers, and Citizen Cage have made him one of the most highly paid actors in Hollywood. But there is more to Johnny than even he knows. He is a descendant of an ancient Mediterranean cult that bred warriors for the gods — warriors who possessed power beyond that of mortals. This legacy has made Johnny Cage a star. More important, it will aid him in the battle to come.

Once a member of the Black Dragon clan, Kabal gave up his life of crime and put his fighting skills to more positive uses. He joined the New York City police force to kombat the underworld element he once served. This transition helped ease the pain of dark memories. But when New York was invaded, he underwent another transformation — one that would afflict him physically. Severely injured in battle, he is doomed to wear a life-support system forever.

Undisciplined and dangerous, Kano is a thug for hire. From weapons dealing to cold-blooded murder, his military training has made him the go-to man for the Black Dragon. But when an operation went to hell and his face got horribly mutilated, Kano’s crime spree was almost ended. Ever the survivor, he used his underworld connections to find a cyberneticist capable of repairing the damage. Kano was fitted with several high-tech enhancements, most notably his eye laser. With these new weapons, Kano’s reign of terror has only just begun.

Over 10,000 years old, Princess Kitana remembers little of her early years. Her mother, Queen Sindel, died mysteriously ages ago in EarthRealm. Most of her life she has loyally served her father, Shao Kahn, in his unending quest to conquer the realms. With her closest friend, Jade, Kitana enforces her father’s brutal will. But there is a feeling tugging at her, a feeling that the life she has known is a deception. For the moment, Kitana dutifully works to ensure Outworld’s victory in this latest Mortal Kombat tournament. If she were to lower her guard, however, she might discover that her EarthRealm opponents can lead her to answers.

Ancient Greece knew no more bloodthirsty a warrior than Kratos, who for a time was the God of War. Mortal once more, Kratos withdrew from the ages-old clash between men and gods. But his solitude was broken when he was ripped through space and time. As the madness subsided, Kratos found himself in present-day Outworld, kneeling before Shao Kahn. To ensure his victory in Mortal Kombat, the emperor had invoked an ancient ritual, sacrificing the souls of his vanguard to summon and enslave the most powerful warrior of all time. But the spell alone could not contain Kratos, who soon regained his free will. Enraged by Shao Kahn’s arrogance, Kratos vowed to rip the warlord’s spine from his body. The God of War had returned to battle.

Kung Lao is the last descendant of the Great Kung Lao, a champion of the first Mortal Kombat tournament. Like his ancestor, Kung Lao is a Shaolin monk and a member of the White Lotus Society. Unlike his ancestor, he has no desire to enter the Mortal Kombat tournament. He instead wishes to live a life of peace and harmony. But he soon realized that he could not escape his destiny. With his deadly razor-rimmed hat, he will honor his heritage by becoming a champion of EarthRealm.

Liu Kang was the Shaolin’s greatest warrior and champion of Mortal Kombat. When the tournament was discovered to be corrupt, he was its most vocal opponent. Although he is a follower of Raiden, the thunder god, Liu Kang’s faith is tested by the brutality of the tournament. He must not only defeat Shang Tsung and his minions but also come to terms with the dark destiny that awaits him. Liu Kang is EarthRealm’s last hope.

Shao Kahn had long desired a daughter to combine Tarkatan savagery with Edenian grace. Thus was Mileena created. She is a clone of Kitana, formed from sorcery and Tarkatan blood. Though raised as Kitana’s twin, her true nature is that of a vicious predator. For years, she fought alongside Kitana as her ally and sister-in-arms. But her grotesque origins cannot be hidden forever. When her Tarkatan side emerged, Shao Kahn had her confined. Now free, Mileena is determined to kill Kitana and take her rightful place as princess of Outworld.

A Native American warrior, Nightwolf was chosen by the Great Spirit to be his champion. In addition to his fighting skill, he is a powerful shaman. His magic is a force for good, and he has devoted his life to the cause of protecting EarthRealm. The Great Spirit has given him extraordinary powers, including the ability to channel lightning and summon spirit animals to fight alongside him.

The original Sub-Zero, Bi-Han, was murdered by Scorpion during the first Mortal Kombat. In death, he was resurrected as the wraith Noob Saibot, corrupted by darkness. He now serves Quan Chi and the Brotherhood of Shadow, spreading evil and death. With his shadow clone, he is a deadly assassin feared across all realms.

A powerful sorcerer from the NetherRealm, Quan Chi is a manipulative and cunning being. He serves Shinnok and the Brotherhood of Shadow, but his true loyalties are only to himself. His mastery of dark magic and necromancy make him a dangerous foe. It was he who corrupted Scorpion, turning him into an agent of vengeance. His schemes often span centuries, always working toward his own sinister ends.

Raiden is the eternal God of Thunder, protector of EarthRealm. For countless centuries, he has defended the realm from the forces of Outworld and the NetherRealm. With his command of lightning and teleportation, he is a formidable warrior. But Raiden’s greatest strength lies in his wisdom. He has guided EarthRealm’s champions through many Mortal Kombat tournaments. Once again, he must lead them to victory — or watch EarthRealm fall.

Reptile is the last known member of the Saurian race, a reptilian species driven to near-extinction by Shao Kahn’s conquest. Though he serves Outworld’s emperor faithfully, his true loyalty is to his own people. He dreams of one day restoring his race to its former glory. His ability to spit acid, turn invisible, and fight with feral savagery make him a dangerous opponent.

Once a member of the Shirai Ryu clan, Hanzo Hasashi was murdered by Sub-Zero and resurrected by Quan Chi as the wraith known as Scorpion. Driven by vengeance, he seeks to destroy Sub-Zero and all who stand in his way. His mastery of hellfire and his iconic spear attack make him one of the most feared warriors in Mortal Kombat. Though enslaved by darkness, a fragment of his humanity still lingers.

A loyal member of the Lin Kuei, Sektor was the first to undergo the clan’s cybernetic transformation. Now a soulless machine, he carries out the Grand Master’s orders without question. His arsenal of rockets and flamethrowers make him a deadly opponent. To Sektor, there is no higher purpose than serving the Lin Kuei as the perfect killing machine.

Shang Tsung is a sorcerer of Outworld and one of Shao Kahn’s most trusted servants. He has lived for centuries by stealing the souls of others. With each stolen soul, he gains the victim’s knowledge and power. His shapeshifting abilities make him a dangerous and unpredictable opponent. Shang Tsung is the host of the Mortal Kombat tournament, luring EarthRealm’s champions into a deadly trap.

A member of the Shokan race, Sheeva is a four-armed warrior who serves as protector of Queen Sindel. Proud and powerful, she is a skilled fighter who demands respect. Though she serves Outworld, she is also loyal to her own people. Her strength and combat prowess make her a formidable ally — and a deadly foe.

Queen Sindel of Edenia is the mother of Princess Kitana. Long ago, she was forced into marriage with Shao Kahn after he conquered her realm. In despair, she took her own life — but was resurrected by Shang Tsung’s sorcery. Now she serves Shao Kahn as a loyal queen, her voice transformed into a lethal weapon. Her Banshee Screams can shatter bones and kill instantly.

Once a member of the Lin Kuei, Tomas Vrbada was kidnapped as a child and trained as an assassin. Nicknamed Smoke for his ability to vanish in a puff of smoke, he is one of the clan’s most skilled warriors. Unlike many of his comrades, he has resisted the cyber initiative. Loyal to Sub-Zero, he now fights alongside EarthRealm’s champions against Outworld.

Lieutenant Sonya Blade is a Special Forces officer tasked with hunting down the Black Dragon clan. Determined and fearless, she will stop at nothing to bring them to justice. Alongside her partner Jax, she has fought in many dangerous missions. Her rivalry with Kano fuels her determination. Skilled in martial arts and equipped with advanced tech, she is one of EarthRealm’s fiercest defenders.

Kurtis Stryker was a member of the New York Police Department’s riot control division. When Outworld invaded EarthRealm, Stryker found himself in the middle of chaos. Armed with only his training, courage, and a few firearms, he stood his ground against the invading forces. Though not a mystical warrior, his discipline and bravery make him an unlikely hero.

Kuai Liang is the younger brother of Bi-Han, the original Sub-Zero. After Bi-Han was killed by Scorpion, Kuai Liang took on his brother’s mantle to honor him. Unlike his brother, he is more compassionate and just. As Sub-Zero, he has mastered the power of ice, able to freeze enemies solid. He is a champion of EarthRealm, fighting to protect it from Outworld’s domination.