Interlude: At the Sound of the Cannon…(Lloyd's POV)
Lloyd tried to suppress his nerves. He had been training for the past month and half. He could do this. All he had to do was cast a Bubble Head charm, an advanced spell that Zane found in a book, and if that failed, then Lloyd just had to control the water so a pocket of air remained around him. Simple.
Not really.
Lloyd glanced around. Where was Kai and the others when you needed them? They said they would meet him at the dock before the task began. But it was almost time to start and there was still no sign of any of them. The second year sighed.
A hand on his shoulder shocked Lloyd out of his thoughts. It was his dad, with a large toothy grin on his face.
"Hey there, L-loyd! You ready to conquer the second task?" he asked.
Lloyd edged away from his father's hand. "I guess," he replied flatly. "And my name is Lloyd. It's not that hard to pronounce."
Garmadon's face fell. "What's the matter, son? You have a plan don't you?"
"I do. It's just…complicated," Lloyd looked down at the ground. He had only preformed the Bubble Head charm correctly a couple times, not nearly enough for him to feel comfortable.
Garmadon knelt to look into his son's eyes. "If anyone can do it," he said with uncharacteristic softness, "It's my son. You can win this task, L-loyd. I have faith in you."
Lloyd didn't even bother to correct him. "Thanks, Dad." And he meant it. Just then, a cannon sounded, signaling the second task was about to start.
"Good luck, son," Garmadon said as he turned to go. Lloyd smiled and lifted a hand in response.
He weaved through the crowd to get to the edge of the dock with the other champions. Right then, his friends called his name.
He glanced over. "I got to go, guys."
"We just wanted to wish you luck," Cole said.
"And ask you if you've seen Kai," Nya added nervously.
"You haven't seen him?" Lloyd asked.
His friends shook their heads. He frowned. It wasn't like Kai to be late. Where could he be?
"Champions, you will soon be entering the Great Lake."
"Now, I really have to go," Lloyd told his friends.
"Good luck!" Jay called, but Lloyd was already at the edge of the docks where he would be jumping into the cold, black waters.
"You will have one hour to retrieve the item you've lost," The announcer said. "Once you hear the sound of the cannon, the time will begin. Ready?"
The champions nodded.
BOOM!
Lloyd pulled out his wand. Better hope the Bubble Head charm works, because there's no going back now. The Second Task had begun.
(back to Kai's POV)
I never saw the spell coming. The professor finished speaking, and then she just whipped out her wand and like that the whole world went black. I was starting to get some feeling back into my limbs, but I felt incredibly groggy, my eyelids 100 pounds heavier than normal.
I could feel ropes on my wrists. Had I been captured? No. That didn't make sense. The professor, no matter how strict, would have no reason to kidnap me. Unless she was connected to the Overlord. But there were others in the room too.
I tried to get a feel for my surroundings, but I couldn't move. My body felt like it was floating, but that was probably an after effect of the spell. Whatever was going on, I hoped someone would find me soon.
Suddenly, I could feel pressure on my wrist. Something was rubbing the rope back and forth, back and forth. Then, I could feel the same thing on my other wrist. Suddenly, I was free.
Someone grabbed me and we began moving slowly away, only to stop again. What was going on? My rescuer paused for what felt like forever. Come on. Keep moving, I silently begged. Finally, we did, but slower than ever. But all that time gave the spell a chance to wear off. I slowly opened my eyes.
It seemed like I was still under the spell. Everything was murky, blurry, and vague, like I was in a dream or something. Someone called my name, then let go of my arm pushed me upwards. That's weird. I shouldn't be able to go up. Gravity would just pull me back down.
Unless. No. I didn't want to think about it. I looked up. The sun was dancing above me on the surface of the water. No. That couldn't be right. I couldn't be underwater. I cracked open my lips, only to get a mouthful of nasty liquid. I quickly spat it out, along with a lot of precious oxygen. My worst nightmares were coming true.
I flung out my arms and legs and pumped wildly toward the surface. My heart pounded. I pushed harder, willing myself up. I wasn't going to die. I refused to die. The sunlight danced above me.
How could something be so close, and yet so painfully far? My chest was burning. I flailed and kicked. I needed to breathe. I opened my mouth, only to find ice water pour into my lungs. I gave one last push toward the surface.
Open air greeted me. I coughed and gulped oxygen, till the burning eased. I'm alive! I made it! My limbs were heavy, and I was barely treading water, but I was alive.
Now, to get out of the water for good. I turned my head. The docks were only a few yards away, and full of people. I was going to make it! I kicked and pushed myself toward salvation. I was getting out of here.
"Help! Hel—"
I turned. A little girl was flailing in the water behind me. She was sinking fast, and if I didn't do something, she was going to die. I hesitated. Maybe one of the adults would help her. I couldn't go underwater again. I couldn't. I barely survived last time. I hated water before, but now…I don't think I could stand it.
The girl went under. I swam toward the spot where I last saw her. I promised myself I would grab her when she surfaced and then I would get out the water for good.
I waited. She wasn't coming back up. I had to make a choice. I looked around the water, but I was alone. No one was coming.
I dove. I grabbed the girl and swam back the surface as fast as I could. She coughed in my ears and flailed in my arms. The girl gasped and thrashed and kicked and I almost let go of her. Water splashed in my face. I sputtered and shook my head wildly. That was the last straw.
"I'm trying to save you!" I yelled. "Stop thrashing or we're both going to die."
She stopped. I took a deep breath, adjusted my grip, and pushed myself back as fast as I could toward the shore. I was already tired before the girl started struggling, and now each stroke was agony. I didn't know if we were going to make it. Why wasn't someone helping us?
"Kai! Are you okay?" It was Lloyd, calling from somewhere behind me.
"I will be once I'm out of the water," I shouted back. "How about you?"
"I'm okay! I'm the last one to finish the second task though. Do you need help?" he asked.
As much as I hated to admit, I could use some major assistance. My limbs felt like they were dead cold with 30 pound weights attached to them, and the girl was not helping me either.
"Yes," I replied.
Lloyd was a good swimmer, thanks to Nya's water training, and together we made it back on the docks. I crawled as far away from the edge as I could, and snatched the nearest towel and scrubbed and scrubbed until all the water was gone. I flopped down on the wood, completely exhausted.
"You saved her, even though she wasn't yours to save!"
I raised my head. The French champion was fussing over Lloyd and the girl who nearly drowned.
"My little sister!" She gushed, and then she turned to me. "And you! You helped!"
I mustered enough strength to shrug. I didn't feel heroic at all. In fact, I almost didn't help her sister. She could have drowned. All because I was afraid of the water.
Fleur ran up and pulled me into sitting position, and then planted a quick kiss on each cheek. She was incredibly warm, sending a tingling sensation throughout my whole body, and made me feel even colder when she left. I blinked at her, hoping she'd come back for a second hug.
The French champion just smiled back at me. "Thank you!" Then she and her sister disappeared into the crowd.
"KAI!"
I glanced behind me. Nya, Jay, Cole and Zane burst through the crowd.
"Where were you?"
"We thought you were dead—"
"We looked everywhere for you!"
"We were so worried!"
My friends flooded me with towels, concerns and questions. Everyone kept talking over each other and I could hardly understand any of it.
"Guys, I was under the lake, but I'm fine now," I said, trying to shut down their fussing.
Nya's eyes widened. "You were under the lake?"
I winced. After so many years together, she knew exactly what it meant. "Yeah, but it's done, and I'm fine. Really."
Nya raised her eyebrow, but fortunately she didn't say anything.
"So, what was it like under the lake?" Cole asked.
"Was it scary?" Jay asked.
I shivered. Of course it was scary! I nearly died in the thing I hate the most.
"I was out for most of it," I muttered. "Lloyd found me and that was it." I was not reliving that nightmare again. Nya folded her arms. She knew I wasn't telling everything, and I was going to be in for it later.
"We will now announce the scores for the second task," one of the judges called.
Everyone turned to Lloyd. I breathed a sigh of relief now that the attention was off me. For once, I was content to hang in the back, far from the water's edge. I hoped Lloyd did well; it would be the only thing that would make this worth while.
"In first place, with 47 points, is Cedric Diggory," the judge announced. The Hogwarts' students roared and lifted their champion in the air, chanting his name like crazy.
The announcer cleared his throat, and gradually the noise died away, but Cedric Diggory continued sitting on his peer's shoulders. "In second place, is Lloyd Garmadon, for not only did he save his hostage, but also rescued Fleur's. For this outstanding display of moral fiber, Lloyd earns 45 points."
"Yes!" I hollered, but my voice was lost among the hundreds of voices cheering for the second year. I saw Garmadon pumping his four arms in the air, a toothy grin splitting his face. He was pushing his way through the crowd, until at last he picked up his son.
"You did it, L-loyd!" the warlord yelled.
"You're tied for first," Zane announced.
The crowd cheered even harder. People from other schools had joined the chant. And Lloyd just sat on his dad's shoulders, a shy smile on his face. I laughed and cheered with everyone else. Seeing him up there, successful and most importantly alive, made everything worth it.
But I was even more elated when we went back inside to have a school wide party for Lloyd, far away from the lake. I took big steps toward the door, each one carrying me further and further from the cold, dark waters. I was almost there. Just a few more feet.
My next step never landed. A hand pulled on my kimono. My foot was still in the air as I went backward. I flailed my arms, lost my balance and fell on my back. Hard.
"Ow," I groaned. I pushed myself and turned around. "What's your problem?" I snapped.
Oh. I sighed. It was Nya. She folded her arms and waited for me to get up. Even though she was the one who knocked me down. Figures. I scrambled to my feet and brushed the dirt off my robe.
"What do you want?" I mumbled, ready for my sister to yell at me again.
"I thought you were dead," Nya said quietly.
I sighed. "I'm sorry. I didn't know what was going on either. One minute I was in that professor's office and the next I was waking up underwater," I replied.
Nya frowned. "Do you know how much I worried about you?"
I took a step back. My sister edged forward as she talked until she was practically in my face.
"I said I was sorry."
"All I could think about is how I've been fighting with you this whole time and then you were gone and I the last memories of you were going to be us arguing, and how I just wanted to see you one last time, and—" her voice broke.
Nya's eyes were watering. She sniffed. I can't believe I worried her that much. Through our years of school, and even in foster care, I never saw my sister cry, or at least, not that I could remember.
Nya wiped her eyes and took a deep, shuddering breath. "I thought—" She looked down at the ground. "I thought I'd never see you again," she whispered.
I stepped back toward my sister and put my arm on her shoulder, then changed my mind. Nya never liked comforting, physical gestures; always hated being a damsel in distress.
I wish I could make her feel better. I watched tear after tear roll down her cheek, and I wished I could just make them all go away.
"Look, Nya, I'm here now. I'm sorry I worried you, but it's really fine."
Nya sniffed again and rubbed her sleeve across her face. Then she lifted her head. Her eyes were red, but there was a hard glint to them. I almost smiled. She was going to be okay.
"But you were under the lake that entire time, are you sure?"
I pushed away the frantic memories clambering in the back of my mind. I survived. That's all that matters.
"Yeah."
Nya frowned. "Okay then, Kai." There was a moment's pause.
Nya was amazing. She dropped the subject and respected me enough to give me space. As we walked into the party, I decided that I would tell my sister what happened someday, but not right now. Not when the memories were still fresh.
Right before the door, Nya stopped. "I accept your apology."
I glanced back at her. "What apology?"
"Back at library, when you apologized for everything. I was going to say I forgive you, and that I'm sorry for being such a drama queen and dragging the whole thing out."
"That's okay, Nya," I replied, but my sister didn't look convinced. So I pulled her into a hug and gave her a squeeze. "I love you," I whispered in my sister's ear.
"I love you too," she whispered back. I let go and Nya pulled away, a smile on her face. "Now let's go celebrate with Lloyd!" she said.
I grinned back and together we went inside. The party was filled with people from all over the school, the food was delicious, and there was loud pop music playing in the background, but the best part was laughing and celebrating with my friends.
The third task was four months away, plenty of time to relax and study. We taught Lloyd the spells we learned in class so he would be somewhat prepared for the third task when it came.
Soon, March faded into April, and April into May, and before we knew it, June was here.
In the Quidditch field, a western game that was popular at Hogwarts, a maze made of twenty-foot tall hedges had been set up. I began to train Lloyd twice as hard. Who knew what lay inside that dark labyrinth?
AN: Dun, dun, dun! The third task is coming! What do you think is in the labyrinth? Thanks to all the guest reviewers and favs and follows! I really appreciate the support! Hope you enjoyed this longer chapter!