In the violent, chaotic realm of Mortal Kombat, power often comes at a price. Warriors clash for supremacy, gods descend to influence fate, and blood is spilled in every corner of the multiverse. Yet among the many powerful beings and legendary fighters, the idea of the ‘One Being’ stands out as a mysterious, godlike force that transcends even the Elder Gods. The One Being is not just a figure of myth it is a core part of the lore that defines the very fabric of the Mortal Kombat universe. For fans of deep storytelling, this entity represents the origin of creation, destruction, and the eternal conflict that drives the saga forward.
The Mythology Behind the One Being
Origins of the Mortal Kombat Universe
Before realms like Earthrealm, Outworld, and Edenia existed, the Mortal Kombat universe was united under a singular force: the One Being. It was an all-powerful entity that existed alongside the Elder Gods, consuming realms and merging all realities into one chaotic whole. The One Being sought complete dominion over existence, thriving by devouring the elemental forces that formed reality.
However, the Elder Gods powerful deities tasked with balance and order saw the One Being as a threat to all of existence. To prevent complete annihilation, they waged war against the One Being and ultimately shattered it into pieces. These pieces would later become the realms of the Mortal Kombat universe: Earthrealm, Outworld, Netherrealm, Chaosrealm, and others. Thus, the One Being was dispersed, and its essence infused the very world itself.
The Elder Gods’ Role
The Elder Gods created weapons of immense power known as the Kamidogu sacred artifacts infused with divine energy to divide the One Being and seal its return. These relics are central to Mortal Kombat’s mythos, appearing in multiple games, especially in the Mortal Kombat: Deception storyline. The Kamidogu represent the only safeguard between the One Being’s rebirth and total universal collapse.
The One Being’s Influence on Mortal Kombat Lore
Shinnok and the Forbidden Knowledge
Shinnok, a fallen Elder God, sought forbidden power to dominate the realms and was one of the first beings to dabble in knowledge tied to the One Being. Though he never succeeded in reviving the entity, his ambition mirrors the ever-looming threat of the One Being’s return. Shinnok’s corruption, manipulation of the Netherrealm, and his war against the other Elder Gods are all influenced by the lore surrounding this ancient entity.
Onaga and the Kamidogu
Onaga, the Dragon King of Outworld, serves as another key figure associated with the One Being. In Mortal Kombat: Deception, Onaga’s quest to gather all the Kamidogu is an explicit attempt to reassemble the scattered pieces of the One Being and restore it to power. His goal is not just conquest, but total unification of the realms under one supreme being himself as the vessel for the One Being’s rebirth.
The Threat of Reunification
If the One Being were to return, the barriers between realms would collapse, and reality as known in Mortal Kombat would cease to exist. Time, space, and identity would be absorbed into a single force. This makes the One Being not only a figure of immense power but also of existential dread. The entire universe is designed to keep this threat dormant, making its myth a powerful narrative device for raising stakes across different Mortal Kombat games.
The One Being in Mortal Kombat Games
Not a Playable Character, But Ever-Present
While the One Being has never been a playable character, its presence is felt across several games through lore, dialogues, and the motivations of other characters. In particular, Mortal Kombat: Deception and Mortal Kombat: Armageddon reference the One Being frequently as a looming catastrophe tied to misuse of power.
Armageddon and the End Times
In Mortal Kombat: Armageddon, the escalating power struggle among fighters leads to the cataclysmic Battle of Armageddon. This final conflict was seen as a way to prevent someone from gaining enough power to awaken or become the One Being. The game’s opening cinematic even suggests that the chaos and imbalance across the realms is a result of the One Being’s influence gradually leaking back into reality.
Liu Kang and Raiden’s Role in Balance
Throughout the series, Liu Kang and Raiden act as agents of balance. Their roles often involve thwarting those who seek power that could resurrect the One Being. Raiden, in particular, understands the delicate nature of cosmic harmony and the danger that lies in tampering with forces beyond comprehension. These storylines highlight the One Being’s indirect role in shaping the fates of Mortal Kombat’s most iconic warriors.
Philosophical Themes of the One Being
Order vs. Chaos
The One Being symbolizes the struggle between unity and individuality. If all realms become one again, identity, free will, and diversity disappear. This adds a philosophical layer to Mortal Kombat, reflecting on the importance of balance, boundaries, and the preservation of difference in a multiverse filled with conflict.
The Danger of Absolute Power
Characters who seek to revive the One Being like Onaga or those tempted by the Kamidogu are cautionary tales about the corrupting influence of absolute power. The idea that someone can become a vessel for universal domination is a central theme in many Mortal Kombat arcs. These stories warn against ambition unchecked by morality or wisdom.
Fan Theories and Future Possibilities
Could the One Being Return?
Many fans speculate that future Mortal Kombat titles may reintroduce the One Being as an ultimate antagonist. With the introduction of timelines, reboots, and the expansion of the Mortal Kombat multiverse in titles like Mortal Kombat 11 and Mortal Kombat 1 (2023), it’s possible that writers will explore new storylines involving the One Being’s return or the consequences of attempts to revive it.
Potential Vessels and Plot Hooks
Several characters in the franchise could be shaped into potential vessels for the One Being, especially those with links to the divine or arcane:
- Geras: A being tied to time, his immortality and unknown past may connect to the One Being.
- Kronika: As the Keeper of Time, her manipulations could be seen as preventing the One Being’s return.
- New Characters: Future installments may introduce fresh characters directly created from fragments of the One Being’s essence.
The One Being in Mortal Kombat represents more than just an ancient myth it embodies the ultimate threat to the multiverse and the thematic heart of the franchise’s lore. Though never fully seen, its presence looms over every realm, decision, and battle. Whether through the ambitions of tyrants like Onaga or the desperate struggles of champions like Liu Kang, the One Being remains the ultimate reminder of what lies beyond power: the potential end of all things. As Mortal Kombat continues to evolve, fans watch closely for the return of this mysterious entity and the chaos it could unleash if ever revived.