My eyes flicker open, and the world comes back into focus. The first thing I notice is Harumi lying nearby, still and silent. My heart clenches at the sight, but there's no time to dwell on it.
"The sky..." I whisper, my voice barely audible against the backdrop of chaos. It's an inky black void, devoid of stars, filled with the eerie presence of shadow demons.
"We need to find the others," I say urgently, my words a quiet mantra in the darkness. I reach out to Harumi, gently shaking her shoulder in an attempt to rouse her.
"Harumi, can you stand?" I ask, my voice tinged with concern. But she remains unresponsive, her breathing shallow and weak.
The weight of the situation bears down on me, but I push it aside, focusing on the task at hand. With determination fueling my every move, I lift Harumi into my arms, ready to face whatever challenges lie ahead.
As I scoop Harumi into my arms, the weight of her body against mine feels like both a burden and a responsibility. Nonetheless, I press on, determined to bring her to safety.
With each step towards the monastery, the weight of the world bears down on me. The sky above is an abyss of darkness, and the air is heavy with the presence of shadow demons. But I push forward, driven by the urgency of the moment.
When we reach the monastery gates, I rap on them with a sense of urgency, the sound reverberating in the stillness of the night. Cole and Zane emerge, their expressions a mix of surprise and concern as they take in the sight before them.
"Lloyd... and Harumi," Cole murmurs, stepping forward to offer his support.
Zane's gaze is sharp and analytical as he assesses the situation. "Bring her inside," he instructs, his voice steady and reassuring.
As we enter the monastery, a sense of relief washes over me. Harumi is safe now, under the care of Zane and Cole, and I know they'll do everything they can to help her.
Inside the monastery, Zane and Cole's faces light up with a mix of surprise and joy as they welcome us back. Their expressions are a testament to the passage of time, with Cole sporting a rugged beard and Zane's features bearing the weight of wisdom and experience.
"Lloyd, Harumi," Cole exclaims, his voice filled with warmth and genuine happiness. "It's been far too long."
Zane nods in agreement, his eyes glinting with a sense of camaraderie. "Indeed," he replies, a hint of nostalgia tingeing his tone. "We've missed you both."
Despite the years that have passed, the bond between us remains unbroken. It's a comforting reminder that, no matter how much time may separate us, our friendship endures.
As we lay Harumi down to rest in a quiet bedroom, Zane and Cole's curiosity gets the better of them, and they turn to me with eager anticipation, their eyes filled with questions.
"What happened out there, Lloyd?" Cole asks, his voice tinged with concern.
I take a deep breath, steeling myself to recount the events that transpired over the past decade. "It's a long story," I begin, my voice steady despite the weight of the memories. "But it all started with Kai."
With a heavy heart, I tell them about Kai's betrayal and how he turned us to stone, freezing us in time for ten long years. The memories of those lost years weigh heavily on me, each word dredging up the pain and confusion of our imprisonment. But amidst the darkness, there's a glimmer of hope—a resolve to fight back against the shadows that threaten to consume us all.
"And Nya..." I pause, my voice catching in my throat. "She sacrificed herself to save me. I... I don't know what happened to her after that."
Zane and Cole exchange somber glances, their expressions reflecting the gravity of the situation. "We feared the worst," Zane murmurs, his voice barely above a whisper.
"But now that you're back," Cole interjects, a flicker of determination in his eyes, "we'll find a way to set things right. Together."
After I finish recounting what happened to Nya, Cole's expression softens with understanding. "At least she's with Jay in The Departed Realm now," he says gently, his voice carrying a touch of solemnity.
The weight of his words hangs heavy in the air, a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made in the name of protecting Ninjago. Harumi's eyes glisten with unshed tears, and I can feel my own emotions stirring within me.
"Yeah," I murmur, my voice barely above a whisper. "She's found peace."
Harumi shifts in her bed, her gaze distant as she processes Cole's words. "It's what she would have wanted," she says softly, her voice tinged with sorrow.
As we sit in somber silence, the enormity of our loss weighs heavily on our hearts. But even in the face of adversity, we find solace in the bonds of friendship that unite us, ready to face whatever challenges lie ahead.
Lloyd's brow furrows in concern as he gazes out at the bleak landscape beyond the monastery walls. "But why is it just dark everywhere?" he asks, his voice tinged with unease.
Cole shakes his head, his expression troubled. "I'm not sure," he admits, his tone heavy with uncertainty. "One day, the sun just quit rising, and Ninjago fell into darkness."
The gravity of Cole's words hangs heavily in the air, a stark reminder of the world's dire situation. Harumi's hand finds mine, her touch offering silent reassurance in the face of the unknown.
"We'll find a way to bring back the light," I declare, determination burning bright in my eyes. "We have to."
Together, we stand united against the encroaching darkness, ready to embark on a journey that will test the limits of our strength and resolve. Though the path ahead may be shrouded in shadows, we will face it with courage, for the fate of Ninjago hangs in the balance.
Cole's voice breaks through the somber atmosphere. "Hey, Lloyd," he begins, a hint of determination in his tone, "you up for a spar? Might help shake off some rust and get us in fighting shape."
"I may be in my 30s now," he continues, a determined glint in his eyes, "but I can still hold my own."
I meet his gaze, noting the resolve in his eyes. "Absolutely," I respond, a flicker of excitement dancing in my eyes.
With a shared sense of purpose, we gather in the training yard, the familiar sound of clashing metal filling the air. Cole's movements are fluid, his strikes precise, but I hold my own, my new prosthetic arm serving me well as I engage in the friendly combat.
The spar is intense, each of us pushing ourselves to our limits. It's a reminder of the bond we share as Ninja, forged through countless battles and trials.
After what feels like hours, we finally come to a pause, both of us breathing heavily but with smiles on our faces. It's a small victory, but an important one as we prepare to face the challenges ahead.
As we catch our breath, Cole suggests, "We need a plan to break into the city. That's where Kai is likely holed up, discussing his final battle plan."
Zane nods in agreement. "Agreed. We'll need to approach stealthily, avoiding any patrols or traps he may have set."
Harumi, who has been listening intently, speaks up. "I can use my stealth abilities to scout ahead and gather information about the city's layout and any potential threats."
Nodding in approval, I add, "Once we have a clear picture of what we're up against, we can formulate a strategy to infiltrate the city and confront Kai."
With our plan in place, we steel ourselves for the challenges ahead, knowing that the fate of Ninjago hangs in the balance.