Heroes POV
Noah's heart sank as he beheld the extent of Dream Nya's wound, a grim reminder of the dangers lurking within their nightmare. Her back, once vibrant and full of life, now bore the ravages of decay inflicted by a Shadow Wrath. The sight sent chills down his spine, prompting a surge of conflicting emotions within him.
Dream Kai's horrified gaze mirrored Noah's own shock, his voice barely a whisper as he struggled to comprehend the severity of the situation. "When…?" he managed to utter, his words tinged with disbelief.
Dream Nya's explanation cut through the heavy silence, her voice tinged with resignation. "When the hotel was getting overrun. I think it got me when we were evacuating people."
Noah's shock gave way to a simmering anger, his mind racing with thoughts of what could have been done differently to prevent this tragedy. If only they hadn't stopped to help those people—if only they had prioritized their own safety over the well-being of strangers—perhaps Dream Nya wouldn't be facing this grim fate.
Despite the turmoil raging within him, Dream Zane managed to maintain a composed facade, his voice steady as he broached the inevitable question. "How long do you think you have left?"
Dream Nya's response hung heavy in the air, each word laden with the weight of impending doom. "Maybe a few hours," she admitted, her gaze meeting theirs with a mix of fear and acceptance. "Can you guys kill me if I turn?"
The room fell into a suffocating silence as the gravity of her request sank in. How could they even entertain the thought of ending the life of their beloved friend and comrade? Dream Kai's outburst shattered the stillness, his anguish pouring forth in a torrent of emotion.
"Are you crazy?!" he exclaimed, his voice raw with emotion. "You think I'd let anything happen to you?!"
Dream Nya's tears mirrored their own, her desperation palpable as she clung to the hope of salvation. "What are we going to do?" she implored, her voice trembling. "I don't want to turn into one of them."
Dream Kai's resolve hardened, his embrace a comforting anchor amidst the storm of uncertainty. "I am not going to let it happen," he vowed, his voice firm with determination. "We are going to get out of here and head to the school as quickly as possible so they can do something to help you."
Noah couldn't help but harbor doubts about their chances of finding a cure in time. The weight of grief pressed down upon him, his sword a solemn reminder of the grim reality they faced. With a steely resolve, he squared his shoulders and addressed his friends.
"Let's get a move on if we want to save anybody," he declared, his words carrying a sense of urgency as they braced themselves for the harrowing journey ahead.
…
The streets stretched out before them, bathed in the pale light of dawn as the first tendrils of sunlight pierced through the thick canopy of clouds. After days of navigating the treacherous urban landscape, the sight of the relatively empty streets brought a sense of relief to Noah and his companions. With fewer Shadow Wraths prowling the shadows, they could finally breathe a little easier, if only for a fleeting moment. Noah's gaze drifted to Dream Nya, nestled against Dream Kai's back as she slept soundly, her face serene in repose.
Despite the grim reality of her condition, she seemed at peace, her breathing steady and even. Noah couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy as he watched her, wondering what she might be dreaming of amidst the chaos of their waking nightmare. His thoughts turned to her wound, the gruesome sight of her decaying flesh still fresh in his mind. Did it hurt? The mere thought sent a shiver down his spine, imagining the agonizing torment she must be enduring with every passing moment. He clenched his fists in frustration, wishing there was something more he could do to ease her suffering.
As they continued their journey through the desolate streets, Noah couldn't shake the sense of longing that gnawed at his heart. If only their friends—Cole, Jay, Sensei Wu—were here with them, perhaps half of this nightmare would never have come to pass. Their absence weighed heavily on him, a constant reminder of the bonds they had forged and the sacrifices made along the way.
But dwelling on what could have been served no purpose in their current predicament. With each step forward, Noah resolved to focus on the task at hand—to navigate the dangers of their twisted reality and find a way to save their friend before it was too late. And as they ventured deeper into the unknown, he clung to the hope that somewhere, amidst the chaos and despair, a glimmer of salvation awaited them.
The tension in the air was palpable as Dream Nya's sudden awakening jolted everyone into action. Noah and his companions rushed to her side, their faces etched with concern and fear for their ailing friend. Dream Nya's labored breathing echoed through the silence, her body wracked with sweat and tremors as she lay sprawled on the floor.
Dream Zane's voice cut through the stillness, his tone filled with genuine concern as he addressed Dream Nya, "Are you okay Nya? Do you need your bandage changed?" His eyes flickered with worry as he scanned her form for any signs of deterioration.
Dream Nya's response was barely a whisper, her voice strained with exhaustion as she struggled to articulate her thoughts. "Go ahead without me," she managed to choke out between ragged breaths. "I don't think I'm going to make it."
Dream Kai's heart clenched at her words, a sense of desperation clouding his features as he pleaded with his sister to hold on. "Come on Nya," he urged, his voice tinged with urgency. "We are going to make it, just hold out." His hand reached out to grasp hers, offering what little comfort he could in the face of impending doom.
Tears welled up in Dream Nya's eyes as she shook her head weakly, a sense of resignation settling over her like a heavy shroud. "I don't think so, Kai," she murmured, her voice barely audible above the pounding of her own heartbeat. "I messed up big time, huh?"
Noah's heart ached at the sight of his friends in distress, their faces drawn with anguish as they grappled with the harsh reality of their situation. In that moment, he felt a surge of helplessness wash over him, knowing that there was little they could do to save Dream Nya from her fate. All they could do was stand by her side, offering whatever comfort and support they could muster as she faced the final moments of her battle against the encroaching darkness.
Dream Nya's words hung heavy in the air, each syllable laden with despair and resignation. As she gazed at the sword clutched in Noah's hand, her voice trembled with a mix of fear and acceptance. "One of you guys have to kill me," she pleaded. "I don't want to become one of those monsters."
Noah's heart constricted at her words, his grip on the sword tightening reflexively. The weight of the decision bore down on him like a leaden burden, threatening to crush him beneath its oppressive force. How could he possibly bring himself to end the life of his friend, even if it was in this twisted dream-like reality? Dream Kai's expression mirrored Noah's inner turmoil, his eyes reflecting the torment of the impossible choice before them. With a heavy sigh, he stepped forward, snatching the sword from Noah's trembling grasp. His gaze locked with his sister's, a silent exchange passing between them—a testament to the unbreakable bond of sibling love and sacrifice.
In a swift and decisive motion, Dream Kai raised the sword high, his hand steady despite the tumult raging within him. With a single, piercing thrust, he drove the blade straight through Dream Nya's skull, ending her suffering with a final, merciful blow. As Dream Nya's body slumped lifelessly to the ground, her transformation halted in its tracks, Noah felt a wave of anguish wash over him.
The weight of their collective grief hung heavy in the air, a somber reminder of the harsh realities they faced in this unforgiving world. But amidst the sorrow and loss, there was also a glimmer of relief—a fleeting sense of closure in knowing that Dream Nya's torment had come to an end. And though their hearts were heavy with sorrow, they knew that her sacrifice would not be in vain, fueling their resolve to press on in their quest to save Ninjago from the encroaching darkness.
The weight of sorrow hung heavy in the air as tears streamed down Dream Kai's face, his heart heavy with the burden of having taken his sister's life. Collapsing to his knees, he felt the weight of grief crushing him, his spirit shattered by the unfathomable act he had been forced to commit. Noah watched him with a mixture of pity and empathy, unable to comprehend the depths of pain that Dream Kai was experiencing in that moment.
Dream Zane moved forward silently, using a napkin to cover Dream Nya's face as a sign of respect for her final moments. Together, they bowed their heads in solemn reverence, honoring Dream Nya's memory and the sacrifice she had made to protect them all. Noah reached out, placing a comforting hand on Dream Kai's shoulder, the gesture laden with unspoken sympathy and understanding.
"I can't imagine the pain you're going through after having to make such a heartbreaking decision," he spoke softly, his voice filled with compassion. "You showed immense love and courage in a difficult situation. It's okay to feel overwhelmed, but please know you did what you thought was best. I'm here for you if you need to talk."
Dream Kai's eyes met Noah's, but the anguish etched in his gaze revealed a soul weighed down by grief and guilt. Despite Noah's attempt to offer solace, Dream Kai felt numb inside, the enormity of his loss too profound to be assuaged by mere words of comfort. With a heavy heart, Dream Kai turned away, his footsteps heavy as he trudged forward, his resolve firm despite the pain that gnawed at his soul.
"Let's get out of here," Dream Kai muttered, his voice barely above a whisper. "We can't stop our mission now."
And with that, they pressed on, their hearts heavy with grief but their determination unwavering as they continued their journey, guided by the memory of their fallen comrade and the hope of a brighter future.