During the previous series' installment, Mukai, a member of a group known as "Those from the Distant Land", stole the seal belonging to the demon Orochi. Taking advantage of this situation, Ash Crimson attacked Chizuru Kagura in her weakened state and stole the Yata Mirror from her, draining her powers in the process. During The King of Fighters XI, a new tournament is established, in which both established fighters and newcomers participate. "Those from the Past" are hosts of the tournament; they consist of a weapons expert named Shion and a dimension manipulator named Magaki, who serve as the respective sub and final bosses of the game. Following their defeat, Magaki tries to steal Orochi's power, but instead ends up being murdered by his own ally.
