Lloyd POV
In a moment of fleeting calm, I believed I had finally managed to steady my emotions. But just as quickly as the storm had settled, it surged forth once more, overwhelming me with its intensity.
Frustration surged through me like a tidal wave, threatening to engulf me in its suffocating embrace. How dare he waltz back into my life and act like he had all the answers like he could fix the shattered pieces of my soul with a few well-meaning words? He had no right to play the role of the concerned parent, not after everything that happened.
With a growl of frustration, I seized my pillow and hurled it against the wall with all the force I could muster. The impact echoed through the room, a resounding testament to the anger to the anger and bitterness that churned within me. Who was he to pretend like he understood the turmoil that raged inside me like he knew the depths of my suffering?
But deep down, beneath the layers of resentment and anger, I knew the truth. It wasn't his fault that I was consumed by this burning desire to make everyone who had wronged me pay for their sins. No, that burden rested squarely on my shoulders, a heavyweight that threatened to crush me beneath its unbearable weight.
And yet, despite my best efforts to bury those feelings beneath a facade of indifference, the hollow emptiness in my chest refused to be ignored. It gnawed at me relentlessly, a constant reminder of the pain and anguish that I had endured.
But as I stood there, surrounded by the wreckage of my own making, I realized that there was only one person who could fill that void, only one person who could offer me the happiness I so desperately craved. And it wasn't my father, or my mother, or even Noah. It was me. Only I had the power to change my destiny, to forge a new path free from the shackles of the past.
With a heavy sigh, I sank to the floor, exhaustion washing over me like a tidal wave. It would be a long and difficult journey, filled with trials and tribulations beyond imagining. But I was determined to see it through, to emerge from the darkness stronger and more resilient than ever before. For, in the end, the only person I could truly rely on was myself.
As the sound of a voice pierced through the haze of my emotions, I turned abruptly to locate its source. "Human, why are you so emotional?" The words echoed in the air, their tone a curious blend of confusion and disdain.
Startled, I found myself facing the baby dragon, whose presence seemed to materialize from the shadows. "You're usually like a sociopath, or was the word psychopath," he continued, their voice tinged with a mixture of curiosity and incredulity.
I blinked in surprise as the baby dragon spoke, its voice a curious blend of innocence and wisdom. It was a surreal moment, hearing words coming from a creature that I had always assumed to be nothing more than a simple beast.
"Since when could you talk?" I questioned, my curiosity piqued. "Were you hiding it from me all this time?"
The dragon paused in its attempts to snag a fish from the tank, regarding me with a thoughtful expression. "Why would I reveal something about myself to a human?" it replied cryptically. "But then again, you are different from the humans I have encountered."
I furrowed my brow, puzzled by its response. What did it mean by "different"? Was it referring to my ability to communicate with it, or was there something else that set me apart from the others?
Before I could voice my thoughts, the dragon returned its attention to the fish tank, its playful antics momentarily forgotten. As I watched it dart around the table with a newfound sense of wonder, I couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to this creature than met the eye. And perhaps, if I dared to delve deeper, I might uncover the secrets that lay hidden within its enigmatic gaze.
"Well, I did die and went back in time, does that count as different?" I asked, my voice wavering slightly with a mixture of curiosity.
"Wait, you died and went back in time?" Eclipse's eyes widened in surprise as it processed my words. "I've never heard of anything like that before."
I nodded solemnly, the memories of my death and subsequent resurrection flooding back to me. "Yeah, it's a long story," I admitted. "But I don't understand it myself. "It's like… someone or something intervened and gave me a second chance."
As I spoke, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of uncertainty gnawing at the edges of my mind. How had I been able to cheat death and travel back in time? And more importantly, why had it happened to me of all people?
But then again, dwelling on such questions seemed futile in the grand scheme of things. After all, I had been granted a second lease on life, and for that, I was grateful. As for the mystery surrounding my resurrection, well, perhaps some things were better left unanswered.
After reviewing the footage captured by Eclipse's collar, I wasn't surprised to discover Master Chen's true colors. The revelation that he was the leader of a cult didn't shock me; I had always suspected the hiding something nefarious beneath his facade. While Noah and his friends seemed taken aback by the revelation, I found myself more irritated than anything else. It seemed like every time they attempted to unravel the truth, they only ended up exposing themselves further.
"Your doppelganger and his friends are stupid," Eclipse remarked, echoing my sentiments.
"You can say that again," I muttered under my breath as I tucked the collar away in my pocket. The footage had confirmed my suspicions about Master Chen, but it had also raised new questions. Most notably, it hinted at the possibility that Zane might still be alive, or at least involved in some capacity.
"Master Chen, you bastard," I seethed, unable to contain my anger at the thought of him plotting to steal our abilities. In my previous life, he had never attempted such a brazen act, but it seemed he was growing bolder with each passing day. Well, if he thought he could outsmart me, he had another thing coming.
As Eclipse perched proudly next to me, I couldn't help but admire his confidence. "You're very smart since you're a dragon, right?" I inquired, curious to hear his response.
"Of course, I am, human," Eclipse replied, lifting his head high with a sense of superiority. "Dragons are among the strongest and smartest beings created."
"I believe you," I said, giving him an affirming pat on his head. "I want to know why I am so different, even from Noah."
In response to my query, Eclipse leaped onto my lap and lowered his head. A soft glow emanated from his forehead, and I watched in awe as scales began to form on my skin, spreading across my hand. It was a surreal and unexpected transformation, leaving me with more questions than answers about my true nature.
As Eclipse deactivated his ability, the scales on my skin faded away, leaving me bewildered and searching for answers. "What did you do?" I questioned, my curiosity piqued. "Why did I have scales?"
Eclipse's eyes narrowed slightly as he regarded me. "You ask too many questions," he remarked, leaning his head against my chest. "You are part dragon, just like the boy named Noah. The only difference is that you also have a lineage tied to something darker."
His words sent a chill down my spine as I processed the implications. Part dragon? I had suspected as much, given my recent transformation, but the revelation of another, darker heritage caught me off guard. It must be connected to the First Spinjitzu Master, I reasoned, considering his non-human origin.
Gathering my thoughts, I decided to focus on something more immediate. "I fetch you some good meat," I promised Eclipse, feeling grateful for his insight into my identity. "You've helped me learn something new about myself."
Eclipse responded with a contented purr as I placed him on one of the nearby pillows. "That's right, human," he affirmed. "You know how to treat a dragon well."
I reclined on the other side of the bed, feeling the weight of the day's revelations setting in. "Well, you're going to be invaluable to me in the future," I remarked, my gaze fixed on the ceiling. "I need to get some rest now, though. Tomorrow's challenge awaits, and I'll need to be well-prepared."
Curiosity gleamed in Eclipse's eyes as he nestled into the pillow. "What's tomorrow's challenge?" he inquired.
"It's something that requires mental preparation," I replied cryptically, the details of the upcoming challenge swirling in my mind. Tomorrow, if I manage to advance past the second challenge, I'll be collecting some abilities. But until then, I need to focus on resting and strategizing what lies ahead.
…
I shoveled food into my mouth, relishing the flavors of breakfast much more than last night's dinner. As I ate, I discreetly slipped bits of meat to Eclipse, who remained invisible, enjoying his share.
Across the room, Noah and his friends huddled together, engaged in another whispered conversation. Undoubtedly, they were discussing their discovery of Master Chen's identity as the leader of a cult. I couldn't help but let out a sigh as I swallowed a mouthful of eggs. Dealing with cults seemed to be a recurring theme in my life, and it was starting to wear on me. Life certainly had a twisting way of favoring.
"The Tournament of Elements continues," Master Chen's voice echoed over the intercom, drawing everyone's attention. "The second challenge is the Chamber of Peril. Let me explain the rules: Contestants will be locked up inside individual chambers, each containing a deadly obstacle or challenge. They must use their powers to overcome the obstacles and escape their chambers before time runs out. Those who fail to escape will be eliminated, while those who succeed will advance to the next round. Simple, right?"
The simplicity of the challenge belied its potential dangers, and I knew that navigating the Chamber of Peril would require all of my cunning and skill.
I stared at my food for a moment, contemplating the upcoming challenge. "This challenge is going to suck," I muttered to myself, memories of near-fatal encounters from my past life flooding my past life flooding my mind. I wondered what kind of chamber fate would assign me this time.
Pushing my plate aside, I stood up, leaving the remnants of my breakfast for the Kabuki assistants to clear away. Clouse awaited us, flanked by two individuals who stood out amidst the Kabuki crowd. Their attire bore resemblance to Master Chen's and I couldn't shake the feeling that they were somehow connected to the cult.
"They are one of the cult members," Eclipse whispered from my shoulder, his voice low and cautious. "There are quite a lot to handle."
As we approached Clouse and the two mysterious figures, a sense of unease settled over me. It seemed that the challenges ahead would not only test our physical abilities but also our ability to navigate the murky waters of deception and betrayal.
I sighed, feeling the weight the weight of the situation pressing down on me. "It looks like I have to deal with this situation myself," I muttered under my breath, casting a glance at Noah and his friends. I couldn't rely on them- they were clueless, and their existence had already been exposed to the cult. Master Chen would undoubtedly make the challenges harder to eliminate them and steal our powers in the process. I needed to distance myself from them to avoid making Master Chen my enemy.
As I reviewed the footage in my mind, Clouse's voice broke through my thoughts. "Does this challenge bore you, Lloyd Garmadon?" he inquired, his tone laced with a hint of curiosity. "Do you want the stakes to be raised?"
I winced slightly, hoping for Clouse to buy my excuse. "My apologies, it's just that my back is sore from an accident," I explained, trying to sound convincing despite the tension in my voice.
Clouse's frown deepened as he scrutinized me for a moment before nodding. "Very well. Follow me," he instructed, gesturing for us to form a line. As we obeyed, Clouse led us to a room filled with individual chambers, each one designed to challenge us uniquely. I watched as my fellow contestants were directed to their respective chambers, noting the spaciousness of the room that allowed for freedom of movement.
Then, Clouse's voice cut through the air once more, singling me out. "Lloyd Garmadon, this chamber is for you," he announced, a small smirk playing on his lips. "I wonder what miracles you are going to show us in this round." His tone held a hint of challenge as if daring me to prove myself.
With a nonchalant shrug, I stepped into my designated chamber, greeted by a pristine white interior adorned with an array of colorful buttons. Each button seemed to hold the promise of either salvation or peril, and I eyed them warily, weighing my options.
Opting for the closest button within reach, I pressed it tentatively. In response, the wall before me slid open, revealing a barrage of arrows hurtling towards me at alarming speed. Reacting swiftly, I summoned my Energy Manipulation ability, conjuring a shimmering barrier of energy to deflect the deadly projectiles.
As the arrows clattered harmlessly against my shield, I realized that navigating this chamber would require more than just quick reflexes- it demanded strategic thinking and adaptability. With a grim determination, I prepared myself for the challenges that lay ahead, knowing that the path to escape would be fraught with danger and uncertainty.
As I confidently strode towards the next button, anticipation thrumming through my veins, I pressed it without hesitation. Suddenly, the chamber was inundated with a swarm of spiders, their skittering legs sending shivers down my spine. Reacting instinctively, I conjured flames with my Energy Manipulation, reducing the arachnid invaders to nothing but charred remnants.
Encouraged by my success, I continued to press buttons in rapid succession, each one summoning a new challenge that I dispatched with ease. Whether it was blocking projectiles, dodging traps, or launching counterattacks, I handled each obstacle with calculated precision.
But as I approached the next button, adorned in a chilling shade of blue, a sense of foreboding washed over me. Without pause, I pressed it, only to be met with a deluge of icy water flooding the chamber. Panic surged through me as I realized the gravity of the situation- I was trapped, and drowning was now a very real threat.
Frantically scanning the array of buttons that adorned the walls, I felt a sinking dread settle in my chest. It dawned on me that Clouse had orchestrated this perilous scenario, a cruel twist designed to test my mettle and survival instincts to their limits. With the time ticking away and my options dwindling, I knew that escaping this watery tomb would require every ounce of strength and resourcefulness I possessed.