Ancient Greece did not know a more bloodthirsty warrior than Kratos, who for a time was the God of War. Mortal once more, Kratos forsook the ancient clashes between men and gods. But his loneliness was broken when he was ripped from space and time. When the madness had subsided, Kratos found himself in the current Outworld, kneeling before Shao Kahn. To ensure his victory in Mortal Kombat, the Emperor had invoked an ancient ritual, the sacrifice of the souls of his vanguard to summon and enslave the mightiest warrior of all time. But the spell alone could not contain Kratos, who soon regained his free will. Angered by Shao Kahn's arrogance, Kratos vowed to break the Emperor's spine. The god of war had returned to battle.