It hadn't been long since the incident at the Fire Temple. But neither has it stood in the way of Pythor's ambition, or halted Skales' desire to support him. Especially not with their goal so close to completion.
"You mind telling me what we're doing out here?" Skales asked, while calmly slithering through the sand.
"Patience, number two, patience! We'll be there soon enough, so don't get too worked up." Pythor replied, who was at the front, with Skales following behind him.
They were currently in the middle of the Sea of Sand, far away from anything, even Ouroboros. A surface dweller might have suffered under the blazing sun and smoldering sand, but for a Serpentine, it was the perfect climate to be in. But even then, it did little to make the act of traveling through a desert, surrounded by nothing, less tedious. Pythor had nevertheless made it abundantly clear that it was of utmost importance that Skales traveled with him. Apparently, he had something to show him.
It had been only a couple of days since their expedition to the Fire Temple, searching for the Fangblade. While they had been caught by surprise by the meddlesome ninja and forced to retreat, they had still succeeded in their mission. After the volcano had erupted, Pythor together with a few Venomari managed to find the blade. It had been flowing down the mountain with a stream of lava, but as Pythor had predicted, it didn't leave a single mark on the Fangblade. Which meant that they now had three of the four Fangblades in their possession. And yet, they still haven't gone after the final one.
"I understand that thisss matter is of utmost importance…but I ssstill don't understand, why are we not sssearching for the final Fangblade?" The Hypnobrai asked.
In truth, their activity after finding the Fangblade had drastically decreased. To the point that Skales had heard a few Serpentine were sneaking off to other parts of Ninjago, to entertain themselves. Still, they had only been the ones without anything to do. A large number had been given mysterious orders and disappeared, but this was with Pythor's permission. Even the other Generals were nowhere to be seen. Something was going on, something Skales had yet to learn of. He could only hope that whatever place Pythor was taking him to had something to do with it.
"Why the rush! It isn't going anywhere." The Anacondrai cheekly answered, to Skales' surprise.
"No, not unlesss the ninja getsss to it before usss!"
"My dear Skales, I know we have had a few bad run-ins with the ninja when it comes to the Fangblades. But the first time I calculated to have been incidental, the second time because of unfortunate circumstances, and finally, the third, because they tracked us. Do you know what that means?" Explained Pythor, before looking back at Skales and waiting for a response.
"...That they have never known where the Fangblades are?"
"Exactly!" Pythor exclaimed, though it was hard to tell if it really was Skales he was proud of, or his own intellect.
"Which also means that they haven't got the faintest clue where the last one is located. And trust me, according to the map, not a single living soul will be able to guess it!"
"Where is it then?"
Pythor looked at Skales with a slightly smug look.
"Don't you worry your silly little head about that. Just know that it gives us plenty of time to finish my latest project."
"Your project?!" Skales said surprised.
"Yes. Oh, speaking of which, we're here." Pythor stated, turning his gaze to a pile of rocks, sitting at the top of a dune.
He slithered over to it, with Skales following cautiously behind him. Until at least he realized that it was truly just a bunch of rocks. Skales was about to call him out when Pythor made his way over to them. Standing in front of a round, but flat stone, he curled his tail around it and pulled. To the Hypnobrai's surprise, the rock gave in easily. But even more, it seemed to be nothing but a cover. For beneath, there was a tunnel, with a faint, orange light emanating from within.
Skales looked shocked at Pythor, who seemed entertained by his surprise.
"After you," Pythor said, gesturing for Skales to go in.
The Hypnobrai was unsure, but he couldn't help but be curious about what Pythor was leading him to. With that, Skales went over to the entrance and jumped in. There was a short fall, but otherwise, the ground was flat and sturdy. Ahead, he could see that the light he had seen outside was in fact torches, stretching down the tunnel.
As he started slithering forward, a sound from outside caught his attention.
"*AHEM*!" Pythor loudly uttered.
Skales could already guess what the Anacondrai wanted. He rolled his eyes and went back to the entrance. He stretched his arm out apathetically, with Pythor taking it and using him as support as he descended.
"Remind me to teach you some manners in the near future, hm?" He commented with a teasing smile, before slithering down the tunnel.
After their argument at the Fire Temple. Things hadn't exactly been the same between them. Or rather, Skales felt so. The few times they were alone, Pythor would still make comments to him and say sweet things. He even still called him to his chamber a few times, and the Hypnobrai accepted the invitation each time, but Skales had stopped doing it on his own. Even if things seemed fine on the surface, he felt an underlying tension. His mistake still hung heavy on his head, and he imagined that Pythor hadn't forgotten about it, not yet. But for some reason, it was as if Pythor wanted to act like it didn't happen. Skales could barely even guess what was going on inside the Anacondrai's head, let alone his reasons for doing so. Which perhaps was why he felt so compelled by him.
"You must excuse the architecture, this tunnel is still due for some renovations," Pythor explained, as he led Skales through the tunnel. "The ones connected to the tombs are far more superior, not to speak of, less cramped."
Pythor looked with apprehension at the walls of the tight tunnel. There was barely room for two Seprentine to go through it, side by side. But in reality, the rocky and sharp walls meant only one could go through, with the rest going behind them.
"Wait, did you sssay thisss was connected to the tombsss?" Skales muttered as the sheer scale of Pythor's 'little' project started dawning on him.
"Indeed, yes. But wait a moment, and then all shall be clear, I assure you."
With that, they continued to go down the tunnel, silently. Contrary to Pythor's claim, it took a little longer than a moment. At first, it went downwards for a while, before the curve became flatter. Soon enough it straightened out and they went in a straight line, for what felt like miles. In the end, Skales was rather interested in where it was leading.
His wish was granted, as they finally reached the end of the tunnel. He was first met by a myriad of voices echoing through the tunnel. Then a greenish light became clear on the other end. As they slithered to the end, the sight Skales was met with was awe-striking. What he saw was a giant underground room, which seemed to be a few hundred meters tall. Its shape was round and tightened the further up it went. Skales could see that along the walls were several entrances to tunnels like the one they were in. Though most were much wider and lightened by green lamps in the ceiling. The tunnels were connected to the ground floor by a path that went around the room, carved into the walls.
All around there were Serpentine, the ones that Skales had thought disappeared. Most were just standing about on the ground floor, but a few were seen hauling mining equipment in and out of the tunnels.
"Construction is still underway, but it shouldn't be long before our new base of operations is finished!" Pythor explained with a prideful tone, as he looked over his work.
"But, isn't Ouroboros our headquarters?"
"It was, temporarily. In truth, it was little more than a grand symbol of which to reunite the Serpentine under. And with its location known to the ninja, conspiring my schemes there is a risk I would rather not take. No, this! This is where we will do our work!" He proclaimed confidently.
"From here, once the Devourer is freed and chaos is unleashed on the surface dwellers, we will be able to attack from nearly any place in Ninjago! After that, actually conquering the land will be as easy as stealing candy from a child."
Skales looked around and tried to fully take in the sight. He was starting to understand where Pythor was coming from. Not only would this new base conceal their activity from the ninja. But if Pythor truly meant that every tomb was connected, they could strike in most places at a moment's notice. The only thing that Skales had against it, was that it meant they were once again forced underground. Something he wasn't exactly looking forward to.
"Thisss will ssstill be a…temporary measure, yes?"
"What?" Pythor said, caught off guard. But as he looked at Skales, it seemed he may have guessed where the Hypnobrai's question was coming from.
"Oh, sure, definitely." The Anacondrai replied, but it was rather half-heartedly. Skales was at least not very convinced. But it was something they could discuss later.
As Skales looked down again, he noticed three rather familiar Serpentine, seemingly bickering with each other.
"Isss that the other Generalsss? Ssso thisss isss where they have been."
"Of course, I needed someone remotely competent to look over something this important. And, I needed at the least all three of those buffoons to make up for one of you." The Anacondrai said sweetly.
The Hypnobrai looked stunned at Pythor, who smiled and gave him a wink. Skales couldn't do much other than try to hide away his embarrassed expression. But as he did, a question came to him.
"I…I thank you for your compliment. But, that ssstill doesn't explain how I wasn't informed about thisss."
"Why, you had so much to look after! I didn't want to burden you with any more unnecessary work."
"But-"
"Besides, now you do know about it! Wouldn't you say then that everything has been sorted out?"
"...Yes," Skales answered, with a small sigh hidden between his words.
"Splendid! Though, I must admit, perhaps it would have been more practical to have had you oversee this project. Having three of the four Generals away seems to have made the other Serpentine restless. You reported it to me yourself, didn't you?"
"Yesss, it had come to my attention that some Serpentine have wandered off. But, with these tunnelsss, it ssshould be easy to gather and take them back to Ouroboros. You just need to give the order, and I will take care of it."
"No, this is…an opportunity, actually," Pythor said, and Skales could see that a new scheme was underway.
"Let it lie, for now. I might yet find some use for this little predicament. Now, come, there's something I must show you." The Anacondrai said, before slithering down the stone walkway.
Skales followed behind him, and soon enough they were at the bottom. The Serpentine that had stood around either bowed to their king or tried their best to look busy. Meanwhile, the Generals noticed Pythor and bowed. As Skales came past them, they nodded welcomingly, though, for all but Fangtom, it was more of a formality than anything.
On the floor, there was carved into the stone ritual-like patterns, and a circle lined with Serpentine symbols. From the ceiling hanged chains with claws. And in the middle, was what seemed to be a pedestal, with acid oozing from its basin.
"Here, the Fangblades will be kept from now on," Pythor stated, pointing to the pedestal. "Ouroboros is not as safe as it has been, as I said before. And unlike that four-armed monster, I can't carry all of the blades at once."
That monster. Skales have heard rumors that the thing they met at the Fire Temple was none other than Lord Garmadon himself. Wu had survived until now, so it wouldn't be unthinkable that Garmadon had done the same. But that thing in the volcano was far from the Spinjitsu master they knew. Skales had tried to approach Pythor about the topic, but he had shut down any attempt he made. On the whole, Pythor discouraged any talk about the matter. For what reason, the Hypnobrai couldn't guess.
"So here they shall be, safe from the surface dwellers and the ninja." He continued to explain, with Skales wondering about the usefulness of gathering all in one place.
"But if all the Fangbladesss are gathered together, wouldn't it make it easier for the ninja to sssteal them? Ssshouldn't we ssspread them across Ninjago, ssso that if even one wasss lost, we would ssstill have the othersss?
"Theoretically that would be the right course of action, but that too would spread our warriors. No, if even one is lost we will end up in a cat-and-mouse game with the accursed ninja for who knows how long! I'd rather we focus all our efforts in one safe location, where the ninja will have little chance of succeeding when they try."
Skales caught on to Pythor's use of 'when', and made a realization.
"...You intend thisss to be a trap." The Hypnobrai exclaimed, to Pythors delight.
"That's why you're my second-in-command!" The Anacondrai said with a sweet tone, before explaining his plan further. "Once I start my search for the final Fangblade, it won't be long before the ninja notices. But thanks to our tunnels, I will have a headstart and they'll have no hope of reaching its location before we're long gone. In desperation, they will then seek out the other Fangblade in our possession. And once they do, they will make one heroic attack! Which of course will end in their capture, and no one to stand in our way, any longer."
"And you're sssure of this?"
"Truthfully…not completely. But what I do know, is that no matter what series of events that will transpire, we will turn out victorious!" Pythor proclaimed with such vigor, that no one could question that he truly believed it.
"But, here your part comes to play," He said, before calmly slithering behind the Hypnobrai, and grabbing his shoulders. He directed him over to the pedestal and made him stare at it.
"While I trust the other Generals to oversee a digging site, I'm not thrilled at the idea of trusting them to guard the Fangblades, without my supervision." He started to explain, with Skales listening attentively.
"That, is a task I could only ever trust to my most loyal follower; you! So when I soon depart for the last Fangblade, I need you to be here and protect the rest."
A sense of pride shot through Skales, as he started to understand the importance of the mission he was being given. To feel his loyalty being rewarded was a beautiful sensation of gratification. But Pythor wasn't quite finished, and leaned his head over to Skales' ear, and whispered his final words.
"See it as a way to make up for that little blunder you made back at the Fire Temple."
The words pierced Skales like spikes of ice, making his already cold blood chill as a tundra. The shock nearly made him gasp, but he managed to keep his composure.
"I know you didn't mean to stand in my way. But what's done is done. Now I'm giving you the opportunity to correct it."
Skales could feel Pythor tighten his grip around his shoulders.
"I expect you, to accept it," Pythor whispered closely to him, his tone dark as if he was threatening him.
The Hypnobrai gathered the rest of his strength and managed to keep standing. He took Pythor's words to heart and knew what it meant. That Pythor of course hadn't forgotten or forgiven what he did. No matter what his intentions had been at the time. It gave him a sinking feeling, but he managed to see some light in the situation. The fact that Pythor was allowing him to make up for it, meant he was willing to forgive him. And Skales wasn't about to squander it.
"O-of course, my King," Skales replied, his voice shaken but still filled with determination. Which seemed to satisfy the Anacondrai.
"Goodie!" He said light-heartedly, a such rapid shift from his previous demeanor, that it took Skales a moment to register it. Pythor padded Skales on the shoulder before going away.
He then slithered over to the other Generals, who had been watching and wondering what the two had been talking about.
"My Second-in-command will be in charge of this fortress until further notice! Understood?" Pythor proclaimed, loud enough so that the surrounding Serpentine also heard it.
"Yes, Pythor," Acidicus said, speaking for the three of them, before bowing.
Pythor didn't say another word to them and instead continued on his way. But not before turning to Skales one last time.
"I'll let you know once my plan is set into motion. In the meantime, familiarize yourself with this place. There are quite a few traps that the other Generals will be sure to tell you of, and I want them all to be ready for when the time comes." The Anacondrai explained, before making his way up the walkway to the tunnel they had entered from.
Meanwhile, Skales stared disorientated at the snake, until he finally disappeared. He felt lost for a moment until the determination from before came back. Now he knew he had a way to redeem himself in Pythor's eyes. Something he was going to try to do with everything he had. He looked around at the Serpentine and saw that they had stopped their work to listen.
"Alright, you heard our King, I'm in charge! And I want thiss fortresss finished before the end of the week! Get to work!" Skales ordered, earning a few groans from the tired Serpentine workers. Nevertheless, they went on their way and construction continued as before.
Skales made his way over to the other Generals, with some seeming less than thrilled with the change of management.
"Ah, Skales, how nice of you to come! Did Pythor finally tell his favorite snake about his little plans?" Skalidor mockingly asked.
"Keep your insultsss to yourself, Constrictai. We have work to do, and I anticipate you won't be a problem."
"Sure, oh great Skales, the dear right hand of the King."
"Watch your tongue Skalidor,-you can insult Skales all you want but-you should ask yourself if you dare accidentally mock Pythor as well," Fangtom warned him, with the Constrictai turning pale as he considered the consequences.
In the end, he hissed at Skales before slithering away, who smiled at him teasingly. Acidicus looked back at him and then over to Skales, before shaking his head.
"I'm getting too old for this." He lamented before going after Skalidor, not sure whether to console or ridicule him.
Once it was only Fangtom and Skales, they both seemed to relax their posture and breathed easier.
"Don't loathe him too much my friend, he is a-very proud and stubborn snake. Being under Pythor's control still irritates him-to no end." The Fangpyre explained though it invoked little sympathy in Skales.
"Ssso I sssee…can I ssstill expect him to follow my ordersss?"
"If they come from someone-other than you, then probably."
"How reassuring," Skales muttered with a weary voice. Pythor had barely been gone a minute and already the Hypnobrai couldn't help but be worried about his return, and if he would find Skales' work, satisfactory.
"Ssstill, alwaysss good to know I can rely on you." He said, with a more hopeful tone.
"Of course! Now-was there anything you wanted to know?"
"Pythor mentioned sssome trapsss." Skales said as he looked around, wondering just how close he was to one of them.
"Oh yes, he sure does like his traps, doesn't he? They're all around the center and-built into the foundation. There are a few arms that grab-onto you if you get too close, and a few cage-traps. And then my personal favorite, a switch-to open the floor to a pool of acid."
Skales looked over to the pedestal with an amazed look.
"How could all of these even fit?" He asked, astonished.
"They barely-did, but he was rather insistent on it," Fangtom told him, and Skales didn't have a hard time believing him.
Now that he knew all he needed to know, the Hypnobrai prepared himself. He was going to redeem himself in Pythor's eyes, no matter what.
"Well then, letsss get to work!"
Now that the setup for the next chapter has been done, we're getting close to the inevitable release of the Devourer. But first, Skales is going to make one more mistake, and whether Pythor can forgive him for this is harder to guess. I hope you enjoyed the chapter, and have a pleasant day!