Kairocksrainbow: I have a song for you this week, finally! I'm sorry that I haven't done it lately. It's from the movie Hotarubi no Mori e. The song's titled Natsu wo Miteita. (You should watch the movie too, by the way. It's on youtube.) Thanks for the review!
Breeze Winder: Ahem. Senai would be a bad *woman*. ;) Lol. But I can't tell you if she's good or bad. You'll know soon enough, though. Promise. :) Thanks for the review!
Hey guys! Sorry for how late this is. I've been a bit sick this month. -_- I hope you enjoy!
Barnacles
Jay landed on the top of the cliff and ran straight to the edge. He looked down on the water far, far below, Stormstrider tightly clenched in his hand. The wind blew viciously up here, taking his breath away as he faced the headwinds.
I don't understand why you're so upset, the Blade said. Cole was not-
"No," Jay murmured. "Cole was right. My question was stupid. He had a right to be upset with me." He plopped down on the dusty ground, letting his feet dangle over the cliff face. Out on the horizon the sun was rising, painting the ocean a vibrant orange. He shivered. The wind seemed a little chilly as it blew in from the east. From Ninjago.
He wondered that they were doing right now. Cyrus, Liana, Zane… What was happening over there? Had they found a cure for Garmadon, or were things getting worse? Was the antidote for the plague being distributed, or were there still people dying from that horrible, bloody disease? A disease Kai started, Jay thought. Not that he blamed Kai. How could anyone have known what would happen when Kai eloped with Besai? It was all Overlord's fault. All of it. The plague, Garmadon's poisoning, Jay losing his leg, Kyle dying…
Why are you upset, Master? Stormstrider asked.
"You know why," Jay snapped. "You're in my mind constantly. I can never have a moment alone anymore."
There was a moment of quiet. If you want me to leave…
"No!" Jay sighed. "I'm sorry. My mouth is running off today. That's my problem, I guess. I'm upset because I insulted Cole." He pocketed the Blade, then held out his hands. "He's got so many problems to deal with. Anyone can see that he's ashamed of his Transformation. And I…hurt him."
Saying this out loud was like picking at a scab. His anger started to bleed through his pores again, and he exhaled sharply against the wind, standing. He backed up a few steps, then did a running jump over the cliff's edge. Closing his eyes, he fell face first toward the rocks below. The thrill exhilarated him. Made him forget his anger for the moment.
He smiled wanly, opening his eyes as the rocks rushed up to meet him. Wanting to crush this human's body and let the waves carry it away. A speck of dust in the grand scheme of the universe, blown away by the cosmic wind.
I wonder if the Retired God is real, he found himself thinking. A God that knows each of us by name. Who loves us. Who wants us to give up our fantasies of a First King and turn back to him.
Such a question seemed foolish in the light of what his prayer had done for Kai, but no one could blame him for still having some doubts. Kai's healing could have been completely unrelated to Jay's prayer.
Jay dug into Stormstrider's power reserve and mentally grabbed himself a handful of the blue light, gripping it tight in his mind as he righted himself, pointing his feet toward the ground.
This was his favorite part of the fall. He let out a yell, pushing down against the ground with his powers. His descent slowed, then stopped, only inches from a boulder. He let go of the power and let himself land on the rock with a slight jerk. He sat again, boots dangling close to the frothy waves, and picked at some barnacles that had latched themselves to the side of his rock. They did not come free.
Barnacles were so strange. They were one with the rock. Immovable. Few things could crack their shells. Jay leaned down, reaching his hand into a wave that crested and crashed against his rock. Instantly, the barnacle's shell opened, letting out feathery tendrils that searched the water for food.
Then the wave was gone, and the barnacle closed its shell again, faster than Jay could blink. How strong they were, shutting out the world like that for so long, only coming open for the bare necessities.
"People aren't barnacles," said a voice behind Jay.
Jay sighed, turning to Pixal. "I can't go anywhere without my babysitter, can I?"
"I was thinking of giving you a little slack," Pixal said, sitting on the rock beside him, "but then Suki saw that stunt you just pulled, and I changed my mind."
Jay shook his head. Another wave hit the barnacles, then left just as fast. "How did you get down here? And why didn't I hear you come?"
"I'm a Nindroid," Pixal said. "I have my ways."
Jay harrumphed.
Pixal shook her head, seeming to consider something. "Okay. So…you know how Zane has the laser in his fist?"
"Yeah."
"Well…I technically don't have any built-in weapons. But…" Pixal's face darkened a shade, and she rolled up her sleeve. "I have a rope in my arm. Suki fastened it at the top of the cliff so I could climb up that side and come down here. And…there's a lot of wind, so you probably just couldn't hear my awkward cliff-scrabbling."
She looked so embarrassed. Jay broke into a smile.
"What?" Pixal went onto the defensive, one hand on her hair to keep it from whipping her face.
"You just…I don't know," Jay shrugged. "Just…the combination of you blushing, and me finding out that your arms are full of rope… Why didn't I know about that sooner?"
"It's a rude reminder that I'm not human," Pixal said, looking at the sunrise. It was a remarkable contrast, the orange light reflecting off her green irises. She looked so human.
Jay didn't know how to reply to Pixal's words. So, in an effort to not make a fool of himself and accidentally use his infamous lightning mouth to hurt another person this morning, he said nothing. Both of them, blessedly, seemed to value the silence more than largely useless words. This was good, because Jay felt that any conversation they had would ultimately lead them back to Kai and his scene that morning, screaming and stripping off his clothes.
They watched the sun rise together for a while before Jay spoke.
"Being human is overrated," he said. "You shouldn't be ashamed of not being one of us." He smiled at Pixal. "I think you're kind of cool."
Pixal looked down. She fiddled with the laces of her boots. Jay had never seen her more uncomfortable than she was now.
Embarrassed, Jay turned from her. Stupid. Why did I blurt out something like that?
"I don't think you realize the dilemma I'm faced with by not being human," Pixal said softly, voice almost stolen by the wind. "Lloyd is gone. He was the only eligible heir to the throne. So me and him never stood a chance. Because I'm not human, I couldn't produce an heir for the next generation."
"That's why you were always so cold toward him," Jay realized.
"Yeah. Lloyd had his heart set on me, and…well, I'd be lying if I said I didn't care for him too. But it never would have worked, so…I brushed him off. I figured it would be kinder to discourage his infatuation now than let him continue in his fantasies until King Garmadon finally broke us up."
It's funny, in a not-funny kind of way, Jay reflected. Her problem with Lloyd is a lot like the problem I would have had if I'd married Nya.
Jay patted his pocket and found Nya's letter. The wax seal still sat unbroken on the paper. Begging to be opened, its secrets spilled out on the page.
Pixal looked at the letter, and her expression softened. "I guess it was selfish of me to think I was the only one who felt this way," she said. "You've felt the pain of heartbreak more deeply than I ever did."
Jay fingered the seal, feeling now more than ever the temptation to open it. He couldn't, though, and he knew it. Breaking the seal- spilling all of his love's words out on the paper for his unworthy eyes to read- would be like digging up her grave to get one last look at her corpse. It simply wasn't done.
"You're the heir now," Jay said, pocketing the envelope. "Once Garmadon dies, you'll be on the throne, right?"
Pixal nodded. "I'm the last one," she said. "My eyes are fake, but after Lloyd's death, there's no one else to take the throne. Except for Wu, maybe. But I don't think I'd ever be able to convince him to come home." Her eyes were on her feet as she drew her knees to her chin. "I don't know what will happen, honestly. If I become Queen, I could marry, but I couldn't ever have green-eyed kids. So no matter what, the First King's line has ended with Lloyd. The dynasty has collapsed."
"I wouldn't say that," Jay said. "You never know. There's got to be someone out there related to the First King. Some long-lost cousin that will come forward to make a bid for the throne." He winked. "Maybe Cole could be King. He's got green eyes."
Pixal smiled dishearteningly. "Maybe."
The conversation tapered off. Jay picked at a fraying spot in the knee of his pants.
He couldn't understand his own mind sometimes. There were days where he viewed Nya as a bittersweet memory. Where he smiled at memories of their childhood, and sighed wistfully as he recalled more recent pictures of her beautiful face, chin tilted toward the sky as she laughed the most amazing and beautiful laugh.
And then there were days like these, where he felt sick to his stomach with guilt, unable to conjure a single happy thought. Appetite gone, depression deep. Feeling like the worst failure- the worst excuse for a man- since the world's beginning.
"What's wrong?" Pixal asked. "You've got that look in your eyes again."
Jay drew his legs close and set his head between his knees, wishing he could block out the world.
Depression. It always came when he least expected it, casting the brightest days into dark storm clouds.
I really am the most miserable excuse for a man. I can't even control my emotions.
"Jay…" Her hand rested on his shoulder. He almost brushed it away. But she felt so…warm. He didn't ever want her to let go. And he hated himself for this selfish thought.
"What did you mean?" he asked at last, voice weak. "About people not being barnacles?"
"What, so the difference isn't obvious to you?"
Jay raised his head and gave her a look.
Pixal reached into the water and touched a barnacle. It instantly retreated, closing its white shell tight. She removed her hand. It came out a few moments later, tentatively testing the water before continuing its search for food in earnest.
"I wasn't talking about physical differences, obviously," she said. "I was talking more…philosophically."
"Philosophical? You?"
"Oh, I know," Pixal sighed. "Shocker. Anyways. You know how barnacles live in tight groups. But they really don't seem to interact. If anything approaches them, or if they're left out of the water- out of their comfort zone- they shut themselves into a shell. And that works for them. It helps them to survive."
"But…" Jay prompted.
"But we aren't like that," Pixal said. "We can't just take the bare necessities and survive off that. We need little pleasures- like adding spices to food, or preferring different styles of music. Bland food is just as nourishing as spiced food, but to stimulate our minds- to keep us sane, I guess- we add flavors to our meals. The same could be said for everything we do. We all have different personalities and preferences. Barnacles…" She gestured to the water. "They're all the same. So you shouldn't try to be a barnacle."
There was a moment of silence.
"Pixal, are you feeling okay?" Jay asked, caught between a smile and a frown. "Say that last sentence again, and tell me to my face that you're completely serious."
Pixal stared Jay square in the eyes and set her jaw. Then she wavered and looked away, shoulders shaking.
"Pixal?" Jay leaned forward, trying to look at her face. "Pixal, are you laughing?"
"No!" Pixal chortled. "No, I'm not laughing! Stop looking at me!"
Jay leaned back, relishing in the moment, his sadness momentarily abandoned. After all his efforts, he had finally gotten a smile out of Pixal. No, more than a smile. She really was laughing. And she couldn't stop.
"Barnacles," he said when she started to regain her composure.
"No!" Pixal exclaimed, bursting into another fit. She smacked Jay's shoulder. "No, no, no! Jay!"
Then Jay was laughing with her. Laughing until he had a stitch in his side and he doubled over, tears on his face blown dry by the wind.
And it felt good.
One Year Prior
The cell was rank, smelling and looking as though it had not been cleaned once in the thirteen years since Overlord's coming into power. A single lantern hung on the walls, casting long shadows at the feet of Ronin and Tina's captors.
"We have a problem, Dark Knight," Overlord said coolly, standing before his two prisoners. "They have not answered my questions. Check their mouths. Do they have tongues?"
The Dark Knight stepped forward, taking Ronin's mouth in his firm grip, squeezing to force his mouth open.
"He has a tongue," the Dark Knight said. He was a short, sturdy-boned young man, looking no older than eighteen winters. With the most brilliant green eyes Ronin had ever seen. Could he possibly be related to the First King?
"I see. What about the girl?"
The Dark Knight released Ronin's face and grabbed Tina. Her deep brown eyes widened with fear, but she made no sound as Overlord's henchman forced her to open her mouth.
Ronin's blood burned with carefully concealed rage as Tina was examined.
"You have tongues," Overlord said. "Shall I open your throats to see if your voices have sustained some sort of damage? Does Borg only hire mutes as his spies?" He struck Ronin's face with the back of his hand. Pain flared under his skin and stars gathered in his vision. He blinked them away and ground his teeth.
"Not a word from either of you," Overlord growled. "Do you have so little respect for authority? No wonder you work for that rebel, Borg." He struck out again, hitting Tina's larynx with a fist. Her eyes bulged and she let in a sharp breath, tears filling her eyes. Rage filled Ronin's belly, and he couldn't stop a quiet snarl. No one could hurt his Tina like that and get away with it.
Overlord regarded him smugly, with slightly raised brows.
Ronin realized his mistake. His rage turned to backpedaling panic. If Overlord had suspected Ronin and Tina's relationship before, he now had confirmation.
"I will ask one more time," Overlord said. "This is your final opportunity to save yourselves. Why, if you cooperate, I may even consider letting you go home!"
Ronin and Tina said nothing. In Ronin's mind he prayed to whatever forces ruled the world- be it the First King, Cyrus' god, or some other entity entirely- that they might escape. Endure and escape.
Overlord stood tall over his kneeling prisoners, hands clasped behind his back. "Where is Cyrus' fortress?" he asked, his voice a menacing, almost inhuman growl.
Not for the first time, Ronin was tempted to speak. But, as he had each time before, he resisted, staring unblinking into Overlord's soul-piercing gray eyes. He could not betray Cyrus. He would die before allowing this monster to obtain the information he wanted.
Overlord stared back, seemingly caught between frustration and amusement. "You have wasted your lives," he declared, waving a hand to the Dark Knight, who retreated into a corner of the room and returned with a large stone mallet in one hand. The rumors about this Dark Knight's strength had not been exaggerated. "You have squandered your final opportunity for survival. But please, don't get your hopes up just yet. I have no intention of killing you until you answer my questions."
With those words hanging in the air, he gestured to Tina. "Break her legs."
Before Ronin could process what was happening, the Dark Knight raised the mallet and brought it down on Tina's left leg.
She couldn't help the restrained whimper as bones snapped. Ronin's didn't expect her to. She'd never been very good with pain.
Ronin had to look away as her lower leg began to bleed. He didn't dare try to comfort her: any noise on his part, any sign that he cared, would only hurt Tina worse in the long run.
With considerable effort Ronin breathed evenly, giving no visible indication to Overlord that he cared about his wife's suffering. His jaw tensed, and he forced it to relax. Though, hidden behind his back, he allowed his fists to clench.
Another loud crack. Ronin spared her a glance in the corner of one eye, chest tight with emotion.
Tina teetered on her knees, then fell forward, unable to catch herself with her hands bound behind her. Her blue dress- sewn herself not too long ago from expensive material he'd given her as a gift- was now splotched with purple as her broken legs bled.
Ronin narrowly held back tears. Why was this happening? What was so important about Cyrus that Overlord thought it necessary to hurt them? As Lord Julien's chief advisor Cyrus was an important man, yes. But beyond that, what could Overlord possibly need to know?
Whatever his reasons, they weren't good. And Ronin could not allow Cyrus to be hurt any more. He'd already lost Liana and his wife to Overlord. Ronin couldn't bear the thought of Cyrus losing Jay or any of his close friends because of Ronin's cowardice.
But Tina…
Her fists were clenched, fingernails digging into her palms, bleeding. Her dark eyes pleaded with his. There were no tears yet. Just pain, and lots of it. Her breathing came in stifled gasps. Under her rumpled dress Ronin could see the unnatural bend to her legs. The second break had happened on her right knee.
A lump formed of guilt and bitter resolve rose in his throat. He just had to keep quiet until they left. Then he could help Tina. Maybe Overlord would leave their cell unlocked, and he and Tina could escape.
But Tina… She may never be able to walk again, he realized. If they ever attempted to escape, he would have to carry her out of here.
And just how do you plan to escape the island, let alone this fortress, Ronin? he asked himself. You have no way to get home. Cyrus has probably counted you among the dead, just like Liana.
Relishing in his accomplishment, no doubt, the Dark Knight backed away from Tina, the mallet swinging in his hand.
Overlord smiled. He took the mallet from his henchman and stood over Ronin. "Should I break you, too?" he asked. "I could find a more delicate instrument and break each of your fingers. One by one."
Ronin stared back, but still offered no response. Go ahead, you snake. Beat me until I can't even remember my own name. I won't say a word.
Overlord was silent a moment, casually returning the stare. "Dark Knight," he said, "what do you think of the girl? Would she be a good addition to my breeding program?"
There was a moment of tense quiet. Ronin knew Overlord was baiting him, so he maintained the wicked man's gaze without visible emotion, though his insides were all twisted as the rage inside him struggled to find an exit. If my hands were untied, Overlord…
The Dark Knight answered slowly.
"She is…older than most women you have, Master," he said. "She looks like she's already given birth a number of times, but she still has some life left, I suppose…"
Bastard, Ronin cursed in his mind, finally breaking Overlord's gaze to look at the Dark Knight. The Dark Knight did not hold his gaze.
Overlord looked satisfied. "Very well," he said with dip of his chin. "We can keep her alive." He turned for the door. "I have work to do. Dark Knight, I want you to run an assessment of her abilities. Tell me how she does. If the stone warriors will like her."
There was a pause.
"…Master?"
Overlord turned back, anger written on his face. "Must I repeat myself?"
The Dark Knight looked down. "No, Master. It's just…her legs. She will need immediate attention if you want her able to walk again."
"Bah." Overlord waved a hand dismissively. "Is that why you hesitate? Don't worry yourself. She'll have her care. An hour's wait won't hurt her legs any more."
"…Yes, Master." The Dark Knight offered him a stiff bow. "It will be done."
Overlord nodded curtly and left the room. The Dark Knight stared after him, expression unreadable.
Tina sniffled. Ronin met her gaze, barely able to keep back tears of his own as she began to cry weakly. She was so pale. Her body trembled against the filthy stones. With all of his heart Ronin ached to help her. Talk to her. Touch her. But they had both agreed on the Black Bounty not to speak, and his hands were bound the same as hers. The best he could do was continue to look her in the eyes and hope his thoughts- his desperation, his empathy for her- could provide some small bit of support.
Why couldn't he do something?
Finally, the Dark Knight looked back at them. But place of his former cold, ruthless stare, there was sympathy. His eyes no longer glowed with a hateful light.
"All he wants is information," the Dark Knight said. "Tell me what Overlord wants to know, and I won't have to do this."
When Ronin said nothing, the Dark Knight knelt before Ronin, tentatively touching his shoulder. "Let Cyrus take care of himself," he said. "You know that he's able. Please, don't waste your lives trying to be heroes."
Ronin's resolve finally snapped. Overlord wasn't here anymore, so what did it matter? He bared his teeth at the Dark Knight and spoke, his voice full of malice. "Where is Cyrus' daughter?"
The Dark Knight seemed surprised by Ronin's voice. "Um…alive," he said. "Liana's all right. In a cell nearby. Nobody's allowed to go near her. I don't know why, but Overlord hasn't interrogated her."
Ronin allowed himself to feel a little bit of relief. Just a little. Poor girl, he thought. At least she's faring better than us. If this man's word is to be trusted.
Suspicion seeped into his mind with that thought. What if the Dark Knight was just playing nice to get them to talk? He'd succeeded to a point so far, if that was the case.
"Please," the boy said, his green eyes imploring. "I don't want this to happen any more than you. Just…please, tell me what my master wants. I won't tell Overlord that I disobeyed him, and your wife should be left alone until her legs are healed."
Ronin ground his teeth. Cyrus had been his mentor and best friend for so many years. To betray him now would be to disregard all that Cyrus had ever done for him.
"I get it," the Dark Knight said. "You have a difficult choice to make. I've been there. But let me give you some advice." He paused, looking at Tina. She seemed barely conscious, her auburn hair dark with sweat.
"You have to consider your priorities," the Dark Knight said. "Which is more important to you? Your honor, or your family? Cyrus, or your wife?"
That's where the Dark Knight's logic faltered. Cyrus was just as much Ronin's family as Tina. Ronin had practically been raised by Cyrus. He'd been one of the first to welcome little Liana into the world. The first to befriend John- or Jay, as he preferred to be called now. He couldn't let them down.
"Ronin…" Tina moaned. She looked about ready to faint from the pain, eyes rolling back in her head, lips quivering, skin eggshell white in the lantern's light.
Ronin ground his teeth, unable to look away. He couldn't let her continue to suffer like this.
"Ronin. That's your name?" The Dark Knight forced a smile. "Mine's Cole."
"I don't care what your name is," Ronin snapped looking back at him. "You hurt my Tina. She may never walk again. I'm not afraid to return that favor."
"Ronin," Tina said again, barely coherent. "Make it stop… Please. Please make it stop."
Ronin pulled at his ropes, desperately wishing to break them so he could take her broken body in his arms and comfort her. His helplessness filled him with wild, animalistic desperation. He needed to do something for her! He just needed to get to her! He couldn't save himself- Overlord had made it very clear that he'd missed his chance. But he could help Tina.
Cyrus could take care of his own. If Ronin continued to resist until he was finally killed, then Overlord would just have his Dark Knight take more people from Cyrus' group and hurt them too.
…What if Jay was taken…?
Ronin couldn't bear the thought. He closed his eyes, trying to block out the images that followed, and felt his chest tighten again. He could hardly breathe.
"Where do you want me to start?" he whispered at last.
The sky was high behind the clouds long before Besai and Kai came back from the river. Besai stooped to enter the cave first, shivering, dress clinging to her wet skin. Kai came behind her, walking stiffly, wearing only his pants. He regarded the room with a cool, impassive glance. Jay sat to the side with Merv. They both looked worriedly at Kai, who met their eyes for a moment before moving on.
It's like he's two different people, Cole thought as Kai moved close to the fire, where Wu sat on a cushion. There's this stone-faced Kai. Then there's the other Kai who wears his heart on his sleeve. And speaking of his heart...
Cole's eyes wandered down to the tattoo on Kai's chest, and he suppressed a grimace. The mark was bad enough on women. To even imagine such a thing on a man- on Kai- made him sick. Overlord was a terrible, terrible creature.
"Good morning, Kai," Wu said, a cup of hot tea cupped between his wrinkled hands. He smiled affably. Then he also noticed the tattoo, and he faltered. "Ah, Merv made breakfast. Please, sit." He asked Merv to fetch Kai a bowl. It was done quickly.
Kai stared at the hot bowl of grain boiled in broth from the bird they'd eaten last night. He gave it to Besai and continued looking about the room.
"Here." Pixal held out Kai's rumpled shirt.
"Thanks," Kai grunted. He slipped it over his head and finally sat at the fire next to Besai. Merv quickly procured another bowl for him, but Kai shook his head.
"Looks like you were right, Wu," Ronin said. He stood with his back to the cave wall, spinning his hat between two fingers. "The weather's turning pretty quick. It'll probably start raining soon."
"Why did you ever doubt me?" Wu's eyes sparkled, and he sipped at his tea. "I've been here for over twenty winters. I know the weather here better than anybody."
Sighing, Ronin placed his hat on his head. "My men are probably battling this storm in the middle of the ocean right now. I hope they're doing okay without me."
"Men?" Cole repeated.
"Ronin came on a ship," Wu said, smiling as though Cole had said something funny. "Or didn't he tell you? Cyrus sent Ronin on a ship to collect the slaves since…" He gestured to Cole. "…the Dark Knight isn't bringing them back anymore."
Cole froze. "How do you know about that?"
"I've been involved in your doings for a lot longer than you realize, child."
"What is that supposed to mean?" Cole found himself glancing at Sage, who still slept on the floor with Chedva.
"Hurting you and your family is the furthest thing from my mind," Wu reassured him. He paused, taking in Cole's expression. "But…understandably, you need a lot more than verbal affirmation from me. Here." He held out his hand. "May I see your Blade?"
Cole snorted. "Why should I trust you with it?"
"Because I know what its power is."
Cole paused.
Wu's smile softened. "As Prince, I spent a lot of time studying the Old World. I know a few things about the Blades and their workings."
"Like what?"
"Like…they're not magic," Wu said.
Cole stared at him for a moment. "Then what are they?"
"Let me look at it and I'll tell you."
Reluctantly, Cole pulled the Blade from his pocket. Wu took it with a nod, squinting. "My eyes aren't what they used to be," he sighed, holding the Blade at arm's length. "A clear taaffeite Gem," he observed. "One of the rarest- and most powerful- Gems in the world."
"What does it do?" Cole asked.
"It purifies things," Wu said, handing the Blade back to Cole. "Take a bucket of refuse, release some of the taaffeite's light, and…" He waved his hand. "…clean water. It will pull the dross from gold and silver with a simple command. Stop trees from rotting. Diseases from spreading."
"So it's a healing Gem," Cole said. "Like Zane's Blade?"
"Zane's Blade is a clear diamond, I'm assuming? Diamond is helpful, but much less potent than a taaffeite." Wu took Cole's hand, feeling the gray skin. He spoke in a low whisper. "Diamonds cannot reverse a Transformation. Taaffeites, on the other hand…"
Cole's pulse spiked, and he pulled his hand away.
"I have your attention, then." Wu stood stiffly, leaning on his cane. "Follow me outside, and I'll show you how it works."
Cole sat in stunned silence for what seemed like a million pounding heartbeats.
He could be human again! He wouldn't have to worry about succumbing to Overlord's command, or losing himself to bloodlust and killing his companions.
…He would be vulnerable again. Things that he had walked out of unscathed before- like when Nephilim smashed his nose with her foot, or when he put his hand in the fire- would actually hurt him.
This made him pause further. Had he really become so comfortable with his new body?
What would Sage want?
Cole looked at her again. She was so beautiful, skin dark and smooth. Chest rising and falling as she slept, baby snoring softly in the crook of one arm. Even back in Overlord's cell, knowing that at any moment he could snap and murder her, she stayed by him. She loved him with all her heart, not caring even the slightest bit about his Transformation. And she knew that he loved her the same- why, his love for them was the reason he'd managed to defy the Overlord's command in the first place!
And Overlord…
Cole knew he had to go back and fight. There was no way around it- it was his destiny. He was part of the First King's prophesy. Didn't they have a better chance of winning the fight if he was a stone warrior?
"Cole," Wu said, snapping Cole out of his thoughts. "Are you coming?"
Cole's eyes wandered the room. Everyone else went about their business, completely unaware of the internal battle Wu had thrust in Cole's face.
"I…can't," Cole said. "Not yet. I'm sorry. Thank you."
Wu sat again with a heavy sigh- because of the pain it caused his old joints to sit, or because of Cole's decision, he did not know. But for a few moments after that, neither spoke.
"You were talking about Ronin's ship," Cole said at last. "I'm still confused about this whole thing. Why is he here, while his ship is heading back to Ninjago?"
"I already told you," Wu said. "He came to rescue the slaves for Cyrus."
Cole shook his head slowly. "I can't believe he managed it," he said. "Um…how much do you know of my part in it all?"
"I don't know much," Ronin said evenly as he approached them from behind. "So how about you give us a refresher, Dark Knight?"
There had been no malice in his voice, but Cole couldn't help but cringe as Ronin addressed him that way. Nothing made Cole more uncomfortable than hearing his old alias, and it showed in his mannerisms as he tried and failed to meet Ronin's eyes. It didn't help that he found something familiar about the one-eyed man. Had they met before? Perhaps on one of the Dark Knight's raids. Cole always tried his best to forget faces from his old work: it made it easier to cope with the guilt.
But if Ronin knew me, wouldn't he say something? Cole asked himself. Then as a horrible afterthought: I wonder what I did to him.
"…Right," Cole began, clearing his throat. "Uh, while I was fulfilling my year-long contract to Overlord as the Dark Knight, I decided to start secretly helping the slaves. I approached this woman named Ryndl, and she agreed to help. Ryndl's job was to take four or five slaves a month to this cove right here, where I would pick them up on my way to do my monthly raid in Ninjago. My excuse for stopping was that I liked the way the water tasted this far downstream, so I'd refill my water barrels here, and then smuggle the slaves aboard."
"Cyrus found the first slaves you sent outside Lord Julien's mansion," Jay interjected.
"I didn't know they'd go there," Cole said. "I just left them in a clump of Northern woods and pointed in the direction of town."
"But before you released them, you ordered them all to never tell anyone that you had let them go," Jay guessed.
"I had an evil, ruthless face to keep up among the common folk," Cole said dryly. "I couldn't have a bunch of slaves running around telling people that I'd let them go."
"Right," Ronin said. "Though, after a while, we figured out that you were probably leaving them behind on purpose. But-"
"Stop it!" Kai abruptly shouted. All eyes turned to him.
Wu set down his cup. "Stop what, Kai?"
Kai stood, face flushed pink with anger. "Stop having a conversation like everything's normal! We all know what I did this morning. I'm losing myself."
"You had a bad dream, Kai," Jay said. "It happens to all of us."
"Well, it shouldn't happen." Kai hugged himself, shivering. Cole noticed for the first time the gooseflesh along his friend's exposed lower arms. Sitting in the river for so long must have chilled him to the bone.
"Kai, we both know I am not much better," Besai said. She shivered lightly, holding a hot cup of tea in her hands that Merv had offered her moments earlier.
"You've never been like that," Kai argued, raising his voice further. "I was completely delirious. I stripped off my clothes, cried, and sulked like a child! I'm weak!"
"We're all weak," Cole said. "I've done my fair share of crying after a bad dream. Like Jay said, it happens. It's nothing to be ashamed of."
"Yes it is!" Kai's face reddened further. "I am sick and tired of-"
"Kai," Wu interrupted. He stood, placing a hand on the enraged man's shoulder. "I think it's time we talked. Come outside with me, please." He looked at Cole, then Besai. "Give us a few minutes of privacy, please."
Kai resisted Wu's pull at first, but eventually relented and followed the old man outside.
As they left, Besai sniffled. With tears, or because she was cold? Probably both, Cole decided.
"He is getting worse," Besai admitted. "Yesterday morning, you were all asleep. Kai woke up for the first time after he…was healed. And he wouldn't stop crying. For a long time, all I could do was hold him and ask what was wrong. He never answered." She shivered. Merv draped a blanket over her sister's shoulders and sat beside her.
"He took the earring back," Besai whispered, tears in her eyes. "But he did it to trick me so that he could leave us and let Overlord kill him. I don't think he really loves me anymore."
"I don't believe that for an instant," Jay said. "Sure, he's been a little distant lately. But that just means that he needs time alone to sort through his thoughts. Trust me, I've been there."
"Yeah," Pixal agreed. She hadn't added much to any of their conversations today, and Cole was surprised to hear her speak up now. "I think Kai still cares for you, Besai. He probably took the earring because he wanted to give you one last good memory of him before he…left."
After he was healed. Before he left. Here they all were, trying to ignore the obvious. Kai had left to fight Overlord. He'd practically committed suicide. He'd been dead. As horrible as it sounded, it was the truth. Although Cole understood their desire to dodge the actual D-word and pretend that it was less of a big deal than it actually was, the truth of the matter was…it was a pretty big deal.
"He was willing to…to die for you, Besai," Cole said. "He did die. To protect you and your baby. That's got to count for something." He wasn't really certain protecting his family had been Kai's motive, but he felt the need to say something at least partially positive. Even if it might be a lie. Even if, in hindsight, it wasn't really positive at all.
Besai shook her head sadly. "In this world, dying is too easy," she said, wiping tears from her cheeks. "I don't want Kai to do the easy thing. I want him to do the hard thing.
"I want him to be willing to live."
When Misako opened her eyes, the sun was shining through the cracks in the carriage's curtains. She lay on her side, a thick blanket wrapped around her. Her arm throbbed where Senai had injected the syringe in her arm.
Senai.
Misako bolted upright, gasping. Her breath was visible in the air, and she shivered, drawing the blanket around herself, as she more closely examined her confines. She was alone in the carriage, though she could hear the heavy breathing and footfall of a horse outside as it pulled them along the road. From the jerky movement of the carriage, Misako guessed that she was on wheels. Which meant there was little or no snow on the roads. Which meant…
…she was in the South.
A chill settled in Misako's bones, and she tucked herself in the corner of her seat.
Garmadon surely knew she was gone by now. Kidnapped by none other than her servant and friend Senai. And she wasn't working alone to be sure.
Oh, child. What have you done?
So much to say... Where should I start? How about barnacles. XD I have a feeling that barnacles could become our little "fandom joke". Like how the John Green fandom is all about metaphors, and the Hunger Games fans are crazy for mahogany. We'll all be like BARNACLES! and people will slowly back away...
...or not. :)
Ah, Kai. You're doing good. The first step to fixing a problem is acknowledging that you have one. Keep at it! :D
I hate Overlord. Have I already mentioned that? Hate hate hate.
And Cole's Blade. It's funny how long we've all gone without knowing that much about Raindancer. Now we know! And by the way, I'm pretty sure taaffeite is pronounced tar-fite. It's a person's name. Weird, I know. But it's a real gemstone.
All right. I've got a little announcement to make. I'm taking a break. I know I just took one, but man, it's been a difficult couple of months for me. Add to the this stress of trying to tie TG up decently, having a wife to murder, and Guilder to frame for it... *Humperdinck voice* I'm swamped. XD
I'm sorry for making jokes. I'll be back hopefully the beginning of March. Though no promises on returning to a normal schedule, because I'll be busy then too. Right now I just need to take a step back from TG and work on other projects. I'll come back hopefully refreshed and with tons of new ideas, and we'll finally have this story finished!
In the meantime, I'm about halfway done with the next chapter of Confusion for a Companion. I'll hopefully post it on Saturday. And I'll also try to work on The Ties that Bind. But mostly right now I just want to finish CfaC. So check that out if it strikes your fancy! It feels a little shallow right now, but it does get better. There will probably be about 15 chapters total.
Thanks for sticking with me! I'll see you all soon. Please review if you so fancy, it means the world to me. Have a great day!