Lloyd POV
The words echoed in my mind, sending a jolt of surprise coursing through my veins as I stared at Alex, who held the box in his hand. Meeting the owner of the hotel was not part of my plan, but it presented an unexpected opportunity that I couldn't ignore.
"The owner of the hotel wants to meet you two," Alex reiterated, his voice tinged with a hint of urgency. "He wants to greet the intern personally, but it is quite tiresome running a hotel." His gaze swept over both of us, silently imploring our understanding.
Setting the box aside, I mulled over Alex's words, a sense of anticipation building within me. The owner's invitation could only mean one thing: an opportunity to advance our goals within the Order of Assassins. It was a chance I couldn't afford to pass up.
As I contemplated the situation, I couldn't shake the feeling of unease that washed over me. In my past life, I had wielded power and influence as the leader of the Outcast, but now I was merely Lloyd Garmadon, stripped of the formidable reputation I once held. It was a humbling realization, one that reminded me of the weight of my current circumstances.
Despite my reservations, I couldn't deny the significance of the moment. My father's absence loomed large in my thoughts, his legacy of evil still casting a shadow over my life. Yet, I couldn't bring myself to feel any sense of joy or relief at his supposed redemption. My focus remained steadfast on my own goals, driven by a determination to succeed at any cost.
"Lead the way, Alex," I said, forcing a polite tone despite the lingering frustration from the day before.
With Alex as our guide, we traversed countless halls and climbed what seemed like an endless number of stairs until we finally reached an office nestled at the top floor of the building. Alex knocked on the door, his voice carrying a note of deference as he announced our presence.
"Sir, it's me, Alex," he called out, awaiting permission to enter.
After a brief pause, a voice from within granted us entry with a simple "Come in."
As Alex swung open the door, we stepped into the office, taking in the opulent surroundings. The room exuded an air of sophistication, with rich furnishings and an expansive desk piled high with paperwork. It was evident that the owner's responsibilities left him with little time for formalities.
Seated behind the desk was a man in his late thirties, his expression focused yet welcoming. I approached him and extended my hand in greeting, noting the rough, calloused texture of his own hand as it met mine.
"Hello, sir," I began, mustering a cordial smile. "I'm Lloyd, and this is Pluto. Thank you for allowing us the opportunity to intern here."
"Of course, who am I to stand in the way of those seeking knowledge," the owner replied, his tone genial yet businesslike.
I nodded in acknowledgment, my mind already racing with anticipation. Now was the moment to broach the topic of the invitation, to gauge the owner's receptiveness to our aspirations within the Order of Assassins.
"I have a request for you," the owner began, drawing our attention back to him. "I want you to clear out the sub-basement."
Pluto and I exchanged a quick glance, both of us momentarily surprised by the unexpected task. It seemed our assumptions about the purpose of our meeting had been premature, but we quickly composed ourselves and nodded in unison. If this was what it took to prove our worth, then so be it.
"Consider it done," I replied confidently, though a part of me couldn't shake the slight disappointment at the missed opportunity to discuss our aspirations within the Order of Assassins.
With our farewells exchanged, we exited the office, leaving the owner to his myriad responsibilities. As the door closed behind us, I closed my eyes briefly, trying to dispel any lingering frustration. Perhaps the owner was simply a hired official, lacking the authority to extend invitations to join the organization.
Shaking off my thoughts, I turned my focus to the task at hand. The sub-basement awaited, its depths shrouded in mystery. It was akin to a basement within a basement, and the prospect of exploring its depths filled me with a mixture of apprehension and curiosity. With a determined stride, I led the way, eager to tackle whatever challenges lay ahead.
…
"This basement is huge," Pluto grumbled, his frustration evident in his tone. "Why are they asking us to do this?"
I glanced around the dimly lit space, filled with stacks of crates and forgotten objects, and shrugged. "Because we're just free laborers," I explained matter-of-factly. "I'd probably do the same if I were in their shoes."
I glanced around the dimly lit space, filled with stacks of crates and forgotten objects, and shrugged. "Because we're just free laborers," I explained matter-of-factly. "I'd probably do the same if I were in their shoes."
"Is this nailed onto the wall or something?" Pluto muttered, his brow furrowing in frustration. "Should we just remove the books and report it?"
I pondered his suggestion for a moment, but something about the situation didn't sit right with me. Why would there be a fully stocked bookshelf in the sub-basement, of all places? It seemed out of place, even for a hotel with its own library.
Without a word, we began to remove the books from the shelves, our curiosity piqued. As Pluto tugged on an old, dusty tome, the bookshelf suddenly shuddered and swung aside, revealing a hidden passage concealed behind it.
A thrill of excitement shot through me, mingled with a sense of apprehension. Could this be what I had been waiting for, a chance to uncover the secrets hidden within the depths of the hotel? With a determined grin, I exchanged a glance with Pluto, silently acknowledging the unspoken invitation that lay before us.
"Well, let's check it out," I said to Pluto, trying to mask my excitement. "Let's start our mission."
We began to descend the spiral staircase that led us deep below the hotel. The only source of light came from torches that dimly illuminated our path, casting eerie shadows along the stone walls. With each step, the air grew cooler, sending a shiver down my spine.
After what felt like an eternity, we finally reached the bottom of the stairs. Before us stretched a network of passages, winding their way through the bowels of the hotel. It was like a labyrinth, and I knew that getting lost down here was a very real possibility.
Without hesitation, I made my way towards the passage in the middle. If my memories served me right, this should lead us to the leader's chamber. My heart raced with anticipation as we ventured deeper into the darkness, the echoes of our footsteps reverberating off the ancient stone walls.
"I never liked the leader of the Order of Assassination," I muttered to Pluto, frustration evident in my voice. "I'd like to say he's got 'Obsessive Love Disorder' (OLD)."
The mere thought of the leader made my head ache. He had been a constant thorn in my side during my past life, always meddling in my affairs and making my existence more complicated than it needed to be.
As we continued our descent into the dark passages beneath the hotel, memories of our previous encounters with the leader flooded my mind. His relentless pursuit of power and control had caused nothing but trouble, and I had no desire to deal with him again.
But here we were, on a mission that seemed to lead us straight to his domain. I clenched my fists, steeling myself for whatever challenges lay ahead. Whatever the leader had planned, I was determined to face it head-on and emerge victorious.
I stood before the leader of the Order of Assassination, my disdain for him masked behind a façade of indifference. His masked visage stared back at me from the center of the room, and for the first time, I found myself curious about the face hidden behind that mask.
"Lloyd Garmadon, I was surprised to find out you were here at this hotel," the leader spoke, his voice cold and calculating. "I wanted to offer you something."
I fought to maintain my composure, refusing to let my feelings show. Inside, I seethed with anger, but I knew I had to play along for now.
"What offer do you have in mind?" I inquired, my voice betraying none of the turmoil within. "If it's compelling enough, I might consider it."
Beside me, Pluto looked on, his expression mirroring my own confusion. I prayed silently for strength, knowing that whatever the leader proposed, it would likely come with strings attached.
The leader's offer hung in the air, his hand extended in anticipation of my response. I resisted the urge to scoff at his words, the notion of becoming the "greatest assassin" holding no appeal for me. My ambitions far exceeded such petty titles.
I regarded him with thinly veiled disdain, struggling to contain my revulsion. "Join the Order of Assassins," he declared, his voice dripping with false promises. "I can make you the greatest Assassin that ever existed."
I resisted the urge to roll my eyes at his audacity. "What will I get in return?" I countered, my voice cool and collected. "The offer is tempting, but it only benefits you. I don't want some title."
My words hung in the air, heavy with unspoken implications. I had no intention of aligning myself with an organization that offered me nothing but empty promises. If the leader wanted me on his side, he would need to offer far more than mere accolades.