Chapter 4
A Dark Impression

.:Lara:.
'Sixth of August 1975'

"Such a foolish girl, don't you know who you're dealing with?!" The man in front of her yelled, much louder than the rest of the war and battle cries.

He was at least in his twenties; late or early she couldn't tell. It was hard especially when he has dark make up around his eyes to give off an ominous aura. But the redhead could easily feel the darkness emitting of him as if it was cold heat. His greasy hair looked like it was slicked back but due to the battle, some strands were astray. His hollow cheeks and narrow figured gave him the sharpest features, sharper than hers. His eyebrows are what annoyed her the most. They were bushy and arched up to an extent that it looked like the outer half is missing.

"Of course I do," she sneered, no longer caring for the consequences that are to follow, "you must be that horrible clown everyone talks about. Hideous eyebrows, disgusting hair-"

"Don't mock me you stupid girl!" He roared, his eyebrows flaring up to his uneven hairline.

Of course she knew who he was, Clouse. He was the master of dark arts and pupil of Chen – the one who started this vile serpentine war. Lara never encountered the two but she was aware of their manipulating techniques. Already they have brainwashed the master of earth to fight against the alliance. Plus the two were cowards, cowering behind the trees as they watch this battle. In a way, she was glad Clouse was after her. At least Chen didn't have his 'number two' with him to defend him. But she was awfully aware that this may be the end of her. At least the burden of her brother's and mother's death will be lifted. Hesitantly, Lara looked down to her hands to still see her mother's blood on them.

'Stop it Lara.' She thought to herself as she focused her attention onto the master of dark arts.

"Who's calling who stupid? At least I don't wear a dress like you." She snarled vicious but carefully eying the purple mystic orb that glowed in his hands. "You're nothing but a chicken!" The red-head declared before start to mimic chicken noises.

"At least I'm not the one who killed my own mother." He fought back viciously. This simple statement ignited a flame within her and in a matter of seconds, Lara jumped towards him.

Armed with her katana, she swiftly dodged Clouse's hands and tried to stab his sickening body. Lara was blinded with grief and rage, all she wanted was to see death onto the man's face and for him to die in the cruellest way ever. It was like she lost her grasp on humanity and her brother's and father's teaching were out of the window. They would say 'don't be blinded by your own rage in a fight. That's the quickest way you'll die out there' but not this time. If she dies, so be it. Her brother was already gone, her mother was exactly what Clouse said and Lara hasn't seen her father. She was as good as dead but she wanted to go down in honour like they did.

But distracted by her own thoughts, Lara only caught onto the last few words that left Clouse's mouth as they fought. To her absolute horror, they were words to an enchantment. It was too late however to dodge this attack. Within seconds, she was hit.

It was like Death itself was upon her, breathing along her skin - leaving goosebumps in its path. Her sight was obscured with a thick hue of purple cloud which slowly seeped into her with every agonising breath she took. It burned within Lara; the mist felt like it was poison as it flooded into every vein and artery. Her heartbeat was accelerated as her legs gave out to the weight that now settled into her chest. The snow felt like fire against her skin however the goosebumps didn't cease. The roaring sound of the battle was deafened in her ears by the sound of her own rapidly beating heart.

"Die little pathetic girl. Die." She heard Clouse's voice which was laced with hatred and anger and possibly some amusement. That was all she managed to hear until darkness took her mind.

.::.
'Twelfth of July, 1995'

She remembered that day and every event clear. The day of the Serpentine War. Not only did her family die then but when she was cursed. It was the day that changed her life. But of course, Clouse's spell didn't work as she isn't dead but suffered something else: Eternal life. She only discovered this after nine years when she didn't look twenty-six but seventeen.

It has been four months since she have seen Howard Julien and his robotic son Zane. True to their word, they let her leave after the storm. The redhead might have had a rough run in with a couple of Treehorns but she managed to outrun them. Four months. So much has happened in such a short time frame. As usual, she travelled around Ninjago and into a few villages when young kids immediately recognise her and beg for the story of the Great Serpentine war. She didn't mind telling anyone about the war but she always excluded her family's part in the matter but slightly tweaked the encounter with Clouse.

What pained the redhead was how much everyone looked up to her as a hero, a role model or idol. They all thought she was heroic for being one of the few villagers that survived along with the Elemental Masters and being the only girl to survive and the youngest (apart from the female Elemental Masters and the water and fire elemental masters who were five years younger than her). And it's not just that too, they admired the way she dedicated herself to explore Ninjago and have eternal life to do so. But only if they knew what really happened in the battle, how many close friends and family she had to watch and the blood she spilt onto the once pristine snow. How her smart-ass mouth got her stuck with the age she is now and the real reason she dedicates herself to wander. If everyone knew, she wouldn't be seen as a hero but a coward and an idiot.

Sighing to herself, Lara forced herself to stray from her thoughts and to the scenery. From where she stood, laid the most beautiful country sight she has seen. There were dense patches of lofty forest; where a great river wound its silvery way. To the left stretched a vast expanse of rich, undulating veldt or grass land, on which the redhead could just make out countless herds of game or cattle, at that distance she could not tell which. But just a bit further, she could make out the outlines of Ignacia. Lara knew the sight she was viewing needed to be recorded. Ignacia isn't normally on her usual trips but only last week she decided she wanted to see it again. Normally the small village would bring back sad memories of her family but she knew sooner or later she had to face it.

Lara's feet finally stopped for the first time in a few hours and she searched her bag for her sketch book and pencil. After she found them, she did a sketch of the current view she had. It didn't take her long. Normally it would take a couple hours to perfect every detail but this time, it took an hour. Scribbling at the bottom, she labelled: Ignacia – South West view. Then she continued on her journey.

It was sunset when she finally reached the rice paddies. Most farmers looked at her before gasping and whispering among themselves – not that Lara really cared. It has been over a decade and a half since her last visit here. Of course they would slightly remember her. Every time she visits a village, she would replenish her bag and find a hotel – both she doesn't get charged because of the 'services' she did in the Serpentine War. The next day, when she heads out, there would always be a crowd of kids in the main square wanting stories. It's like a tradition in every village she has been to. However, this time it was different.

"Lara's home!"

OMG! I had to change this chapter so many times, I just couldn't be satisfied with it XD. But massive thanks to everyone who reviewed once again! So thank you to: MMM, LightningDanino23, ALookIntoMyWorld, Kai4Ever, Mihoshi 2.0, ElementzGirl7 and all my silent readers! I'll see you all soon!

Xoxox – ZaneLoverFan88