Chapter 5- Spirit of hope
"Not escaping tonight I'm assuming?" A voice reached Lloyd's ears. It was familiar. Too familiar. He groaned, opening his emerald green eyes and sitting up.
"I don't feel like talking to you." Lloyd's voice was groggy, his eyelids heavy with lack of sleep. Before him stood the ghost of Ninjago's last emperor, or so the spirit claimed. He had been in Lloyd's life for as long as he could remember. The ghost seemed to follow him around from place to place, with annoying and cynical remarks about every one of Lloyd's actions.
"I'll leave you alone, if you stand up and do what's right." The ghost stepped closer to Lloyd, his long robes floating behind him as he moved forward. His well proportioned muscles seemed to test the fabric's strength, as the memory of the ghost's muscles seemed to be imprinted against the cloth. The ghost's face was handsome, with sharp features that were perfectly accentuated by the few wrinkles around the ghost's eyes. Gray, soft looking hair hung just above the man's eyebrows, while the back of it curved in different directions.
"I am doing what's right," The slave closed his eyes, running his pale hands through his tangled blonde hair. In a flash of pain, memories of all the ones he had lost by the hands of the Serpentine flashed past him. All the people he had befriended briefly while he was younger, ripped away from their lives after making a mistake. People publicly murdered for stepping out of line with thoughts of rebellion. No offense, no matter how small, was ever forgiven. "I'm keeping my head down and staying alive. I bet you get lonely being dead and all, but I don't really want to join you."
The ghost glided closer, his powerful gray eyes focused upon the young man. "So you will become a sheep, blindly following your leader, until the day of your death? The life you lead now is no life at all. Taking risks is the only way to move forward."
"I want it all to end. I want to be happy, but I can't do anything." Lloyd stood, feeling small and helpless in the presence of the large spirit. "I'm just me and I'm terrified. I can't make a difference."
"That's where you are wrong, Lloyd. No matter how insignificant you may feel, you can always make a difference." The ghost reached towards Lloyd, a tender expression embedded on his eyes. His hand slipped right through the boy's golden hair. The ghost quickly moved his hand away. "Besides, you are more powerful than you give yourself credit for."
"Let's say I can make a difference," Lloyd shrugged, slowly letting himself be pulled into the ghost's rebellious ideas. "How do I survive long enough to actually do anything? If I do escape, I've got nowhere to go. How much of a difference would I make if I'm always on the run?"
The ghost waved his arm, creating the image of a small temple. Its walls were painted with a potent shade of crimson, while the curved roof was glowing with golden paint. A gigantic door protected the temple's entrance. Strange symbols had been painted on the wood with a golden substance. Lloyd's eyes shone bright as he tried to take in every single detail. The crimson walls had beautiful images carved upon its surface. The first image to catch his eye was that of a dragon, wings spread widely. Its eyes seemed to shine, almost as if it was actually real. Below the dragon, stood a boy. He was small, but he didn't look helpless. He was young, but he didn't look weak.
With a wave of his arm, the ghost erased the image. Startled, Lloyd's feet shuffled back. The young man looked back up at the ghost, waiting for him to speak.
"That, is the Temple of Light. Within it lives a man that can teach you everything. And you will never be afraid again."
The possibilities ran wild through Lloyd's head. He nodded, eyes full of childish wonder. To not fear anything again. . . the offer was too tempting to decline.
A small smile tugged on the ghost's lips. Nodding his head towards the door, he urged Lloyd forward. "Go on then. . . I will guide you to the island. Ah, and do not forget that special book of yours."
"Of course not!" Lloyd trotted out of his room, keeping his footsteps light and silent. With an expert hand, he slid open his master's main door and stepped out into the cold night. The ghost followed, gliding noiselessly through the house's obstacles. Lloyd dropped to his knees, moving away the loose foundation to retrieve the golden book.
Lloyd took a deep breath, holding the heavy book tightly against his chest. With slow, shaking steps he stepped out into the city's empty streets. The ghost guided Lloyd through the night, avoiding the light and staying close to the shadows. Breathing harder and harder with each step, the young man tried his best to keep up with the ghost's pace.
It was a tough challenge. The fact that Lloyd hadn't eaten more than a stale piece of bread didn't help at all. By the time they were nearing the edge of the city, Lloyd's breath was loud and forced. "Can we. . . take a break? I don't think I can run anymore."
"Now? We can't stay in the city. They will find you in no time if you don't keep moving. " The ghost shook his head, causing a strand of his gray hair to fall out of place. "No, you need to listen to me. Keep on moving. "
"No I should have never listened to you. . ." Lloyd stopped, trying to regain his strength. His shaking legs, begging for rest, caused Lloyd to fall onto the muddy road. "Maybe if I walk fast I can get back in time. . . they won't even know about this dumb charade. . ."
"No you need to keep moving," the ghost hissed.
"No I need to go back," Lloyd growled.
"Listen to me!"
"No!"
"Who goessss there?"
Lloyd's head snapped to the side. He stumbled to his feet, slowly stepping back and away from the voice. He shot an angry look at the ghost, silently cursing him for getting him killed. A snake stepped out into the light. The color of its scales stood between green and blue. Its eyes were large and red, sending a chill through Lloyd's spine. Hypnobrai.
"A ssslave iss it?" The Hypnobrai raised its spear. "I think the Great Devourer will be happy to receive another meal. . ."