Heroes POV
Perched by the window, Noah's gaze lingered on the moon, its luminous glow casting an ethereal light over the desolate landscape below. But instead of finding solace in its gentle radiance, Noah's heart was filled with resentment towards the celestial body. The moon had become a symbol of dread, a harbinger of doom, as the Shadowy being utilized its phases to orchestrate the destruction of Ninjago. His thoughts turned to Dream Kai, who lay asleep nearby. Despite the facade of tranquility in his slumber, Noah sensed the weight of grief that burdened his friend's soul.
The memory of having to end his sister's life haunted Dream Kai, leaving him to grapple with a sorrow too profound to be easily assuaged. Noah's concern for him weighed heavily on his mind, knowing that the wounds of loss ran deep. As he glanced at his other friends, their peaceful rest provided a stark contrast to the turmoil within Noah's own heart. The weight of responsibility bore down on him, his thoughts consumed by the relentless struggle against the Shadowy being and the dangers that lurked beyond the safety of their refuge. Through the window, Noah observed the eerie stillness of the night, a deceptive calm that belied the malevolent machinations of their unseen foe. In the distance, shadows danced ominously, a silent testament to the ceaseless vigilance required to combat the encroaching darkness.
With a heavy sigh, Noah turned away from the window, his mind filled with a sense of foreboding. Though the night was quiet, he knew that the Shadowy being was far from idle, its sinister plans unfolding beneath the cloak of darkness. And as the moon cast its pallid light upon the world below, Noah braced himself for the challenges that lay ahead, resolved to face them head-on alongside his steadfast companions.
Noah turn back to the window, his gaze sweeping across the desolate landscape stretched out before him. Everywhere he looked, the mark of the Shadowy being was evident, a sinister imprint upon the land. The once vibrant city of Ninjago now lay shrouded in darkness, its streets empty and its buildings crumbling beneath the weight of despair. As he surveyed the scene, a sense of apprehension gnawed at Noah's insides. His thoughts turned to the Elemental Alliance Academy (EAA), a bastion of hope in the face of adversity.
Yet, a nagging doubt lingered in Noah's mind. If EAA hadn't sent aid in the past three days, what hope did they have of finding refuge there? Perhaps the academy was facing its own struggles, overwhelmed by the relentless onslaught of the Shadowy being's forces. Despite this uncertainty, Noah found solace in the knowledge that he wouldn't be facing the darkness alone. Closing his eyes, Noah offered a silent prayer, his thoughts turning to his father, Jay, and Cole. He hoped against hope that they were safe within the walls of the academy, their strength and courage unwavering in the face of adversity.
But amidst his concerns for his loved ones, Noah couldn't shake the realization that he had neglected to consider his mother's safety. Opening his eyes once more, Noah's heart weighed heavy with guilt. How could he have overlooked such an important person in his life? His mother, who had always been a pillar of strength and support, deserved just as much concern and protection as the rest of his family. With a determined resolve, Noah vowed to keep her in his thoughts and prayers, determined to ensure her safety amidst the chaos that threatened to consume their world.
Noah's sigh echoed through the desolate landscape, a heavy exhale of resignation. The thought of seeking refuge at the EAA offered little comfort, for he knew deep down that it wouldn't hasten his awakening from this nightmarish dream. If anything, venturing to EAA might prolong his stay in this surreal realm, trapping him further within its grasp. Running a hand through his disheveled hair, Noah's mind churned with questions and uncertainties. Why was he unable to rouse himself from this dream? What set this particular dream apart from the countless others he had experienced?
Suddenly, realization dawned upon him like a bolt of lightning illuminating the darkness. His eyes widened in epiphany as the pieces of the puzzle fell into place. Unlike previous dreams, Noah had never engaged with the enigmatic figure of the Shadowy being. In his past dreams, he had often succumbed to its malevolent presence, only to awaken upon his demise. However, in this iteration, he had avoided direct confrontation, thereby preventing the usual cycle of death and rebirth.
"I never interacted with the Shadowy being," Noah muttered to himself, the revelation dawning upon him with crystal clarity. "That's what Dream Lloyd meant by 'triggering something.'"
His heart raced with a mixture of fear and determination as he realized the gravity of his situation. If he hoped to escape this nightmarish cycle, he would need to confront the Shadowy being head-on, engaging with it in a manner he had previously avoided. With newfound resolve, Noah steeled himself for the challenges that lay ahead, determined to unravel the mysteries of this dream and reclaim control of his own destiny.
Noah's gaze lingered on his slumbering companions, a pang of guilt tugging at his heartstrings. Despite knowing that they were mere figments of his imagination, crafted by the subconscious confines of this dream, the bond they shared felt all too real. They had weathered countless trials together, facing untold dangers with unwavering solidarity. Yet, a sense of detachment settled over him as he reminded himself of their ephemeral nature. These dream versions of his friends were but fleeting shadows, reflections of the real individuals he longed to reconnect with beyond the confines of this fractured reality.
With a heavy sigh, Noah rose to his feet, the weight of his sword in his hand a comforting reminder of purpose amidst the uncertainty that surrounded him. If this was to be his final stand, then he vowed to face it with courage and resolve. Steeling himself for the confrontation that lay ahead, Noah cast one last glance at his sleeping companions, silently bidding them farewell in the depths of his mind. With determined steps, he ventured forth into the unknown, his heart set on confronting the enigmatic being that had ensnared him within its web of dreams.
"If I'm to meet my end," Noah whispered to himself, his voice barely audible above the hushed stillness of the dream world. "Then I'll make sure to leave my mark on this shadowy entity, even if it's just a fleeting moment of defiance."
…
Noah's pulse quickened as he approached the familiar yet foreboding presence of the Shadowy being. Every step felt like a weighty decision, each movement bringing him closer to an uncertain fate. The air around him seemed to thicken with tension, suffused with an eerie stillness that mirrored the palpable silence of the dream world. As he drew nearer, the figure of the Shadowy being loomed larger, its form cast in shadowy obscurity yet somehow commanding an undeniable presence. Its crimson eyes bore into Noah with an intensity that sent shivers down his spine, their gaze piercing through the veil of his apprehension.
Despite the unease that gnawed at his core, Noah tightened his grip on his sword, summoning every ounce of resolve within him. He reminded himself that this encounter was a necessary step, a crucial juncture in his quest to unravel the mysteries of this enigmatic dream realm. Stopping just a few feet away from the Shadowy being, Noah squared his shoulders, steeling himself for whatever confrontation lay ahead.
The figure before him remained ominously silent, its inscrutable countenance betraying no hint of emotion or intent. Summoning his courage, Noah spoke, his voice steady despite the tremor of uncertainty that lingered beneath the surface.
"I've come to confront you," he declared, his words echoing in the emptiness of the dream space. "To face whatever truth lies hidden within this dream."
In the eerie stillness of the encounter, the Shadowy being's voice reverberated through the darkness, its words laden with a chilling certainty. "I just showing you what is going to happen," The Shadowy being explained. "I want you to know what is going to happen and to watch your little attempt to survive."
Noah's blood boiled with a mix of frustration and rage at the being's callous disregard for human life, its actions nothing more than a twisted spectacle for its own amusement. Summoning all his willpower, Noah fought to quell the rising tide of fury within him, knowing that losing his composure would only play into the Shadowy being's hands. With a steadying breath, he steadied his nerves, his mind racing as he sought a way to turn the tables on his enigmatic adversary. In a bold move, Noah issued a challenge to the Shadowy being, his voice laced with determination as he demanded a glimpse behind the veil of its inscrutable facade.
"Give me a hint about yourself," He spoke. "I want to guess again."
The Shadowy being looked at him before saying, "I know you more then you know yourself."
Noah's heart skipped a beat as he grappled with the unsettling notion that this entity held knowledge beyond his own grasp. Pushing aside the gnawing sense of unease, Noah focused on the task at hand, his grip tightening around the hilt of his sword. With a swift, fluid motion, he launched himself into action, the blade slicing through the air with lethal intent as it sought to cleave through the darkness that enveloped them. The sound of metal meeting shadow reverberated through the void, punctuated by the sickening crunch of impact as Noah's strike found its mark.
A surge of grim satisfaction washed over him as he witnessed the Shadowy being recoil, its form contorting in response to the grievous wound inflicted upon it. But even as Noah savored this fleeting victory, he knew that the battle was far from over. With the Shadowy being's relentless gaze fixed upon him, he steeled himself for the inevitable confrontation that lay ahead, determined to press forward in his quest for answers, no matter the cost.
In the tense atmosphere, the Shadowy being's transformation elicited a surge of apprehension within Noah, its arm morphing into a formidable weapon capable of slicing through the very fabric of reality. Despite the overwhelming fear gnawing at his insides, Noah resolved to stand his ground, his resolve steeled by the grim acceptance of his impending fate. As the chilling voice of the Shadowy being pierced the silence, its words dripping with disdain, Noah's blood ran cold.
"I don't like you," The Shadowy being intoned, its emotionless tone sending a shiver down Noah's spine. The revelation that this malevolent entity harbored a personal vendetta against him sent waves of confusion and dread crashing over him. How could it hold such feelings toward him, and why? Before Noah could process the implications of the Shadowy being's declaration, it unleashed a devastating strike, its arm slicing through the air with frightening speed.
Reflexively, Noah squeezed his eyes shut, bracing for the inevitable impact. But to his bewilderment, he felt nothing at all, the anticipated pain failing to materialize. Was this the end? Had he finally succumbed to the relentless onslaught of the Shadowy being? As the seconds stretched into an eternity, Noah dared to crack open his eyes, half expecting to find himself cast into the void of oblivion. Yet to his astonishment, he found himself still standing, and Dream Zane before him taking the hit.
Noah's mind spun with confusion as he beheld Dream Zane sprawled at his feet, lifeless and motionless. Blood seeped from his body, staining the ground beneath him like a macabre painting. It was a sight that froze Noah's thoughts, his brain struggling to process the sudden and unexpected turn of events. The pull of Dream Kai's grip jolted Noah back to reality, the intensity of his friend's anger palpable in the air. Dream Kai's face contorted with fury, his features flushed crimson and his veins pulsating with unrestrained rage.
"What the fuck are you doing?" Dream Kai's voice thundered, his grip on Noah tight as he attempted to drag him away from the looming presence of the Shadowy being. "Are you suicidal?"
Noah's own frustration boiled over at the accusation, his heart pounding in his chest as he wrestled against Dream Kai's hold. "What the fuck are you doing here?" he shot back, his voice laced with incredulity. "Weren't you both sleeping?"
Dream Kai's response was immediate and unforgiving, his words laced with a potent mix of anger and concern. "We were until you decided to run off to kill yourself," he retorted, his tone sharp and biting in its delivery. The weight of his words hung heavy in the air, underscoring the gravity of the situation they found themselves in.
Noah's words reverberated with frustration and desperation, his voice laced with an intensity born of profound realization. "You don't understand anything, do you?" he spat out, his gaze piercing as he locked eyes with Dream Kai. "This is my dream, and you are not real."
Dream Kai's initial anger gave way to bewilderment, his features contorting with confusion at Noah's revelation. "What…?" he stammered, struggling to grasp the gravity of Noah's words.
"I am stuck in a dream, and I want to get out," Noah's voice rose to a crescendo, echoing through the desolate landscape. "There is no way we can defeat that."
Noah's gaze shifted skyward, his eyes fixating on the looming threat of the moon hurtling toward Ninjago. The sight served as a grim reminder of the futility of their efforts. "What's the point of even trying?" he murmured, his tone heavy with defeat.
With a heavy heart, Noah sank to the ground, the weight of his exhaustion and despair pressing down upon him. Closing his eyes, he surrendered to the darkness, a faint glimmer of hope flickering within him as he prayed for deliverance from the confines of his cursed dream. Perhaps, in the real world, he would find the solace and answers he sought.
…
Noah's eyes fluttered open, greeted by the sight of a serene white sand beach stretching into the distance. Shards of wood, remnants of what was once the majestic Bounty, littered the shoreline like forgotten memories. Blinking away the remnants of his dream, Noah's gaze shifted to his friends, their expressions a mosaic of shock and relief. It was finally over. Before he could fully grasp his surroundings, Noah felt his mother's arms envelop him in a tight embrace, her tears mingling with the salty breeze.
Her words tumbled out in a torrent of emotion, a mix of relief and disbelief at his awakening. He returned her embrace, a rush of gratitude flooding his heart as he realized the depth of her love and concern during his slumber. Amidst the emotional reunion, Noah couldn't ignore the somber undertone that lingered in the air. His friends wore expressions heavy with grief and sorrow, their eyes reflecting the weight of the recent events.
Concern etched into his features, Noah turned to Cole, seeking answers amidst the sea of emotions. "What's going on, guys?" he inquired, his voice laced with trepidation. "Did something bad happen while I was out?"
Cole's response was blunt, the words hanging heavy in the air like an ominous cloud. "We lost," he said simply, the weight of their defeat palpable in his tone. "And Lloyd is dead."