Heroes in the Shadows

Chapter 33 Second Chance Pt. 2

Thump!

Wu's blood ran cold. His body shriveled. His forehead began to sweat. He watched as his brother collapsed to the ground as if he were a mere sack of flour. The young man didn't scream. He didn't run. He didn't have the common sense to even check on Garmadon. Wu was frozen...

He had never seen anyone carry so much power, let alone a power that terrifying. The black smoke leaking off Soto rippled and swirled as if it had a mind of its own. The captain huffed out a breath of exhaustion with his arms dangling to the side like a puppet with strings. A smile crepted over his ashy cheeks while his pupils were consumed by a purplish glow.

"Your turn..." he muttered. Wu shuddered at the words before the captain formed another black sphere. The young man's mind finally kicked in as he reached for his unconscious brother. The Master of Destruction was as pale as a ghost. He puffed out quick breaths of air while his body grew goosebumps. Wu threw Garmadon's arm over his shoulders quickly, ready to start his sprint with the lifeless body. He could hear the chilling sound of Soto conjuring up another sphere of dark power even after turning away. "FACE ME LIKE A MAN, CHILD!" Soto's voice boomed. The commanding tone shook Wu to the bone. He nearly dropped his brother and fell to the ground himself.

Is... this how I die? It can't end like this! But... there's no where to go. I can't out run him. I can't fight. It's... it's hopeless...

Screams of the civilians echoed all around the young man. The weight of their cries shook him to his core as the Earth practically begged him to collapse.

"I said TURN AROUND!" Soto demanded once more with his weapon ready to fire. His voice screeching like a horrific monster more than a man. Wu glanced at his brother once more.

"I'm sorry. I'm... I-I'm not strong enough. I can't... I'm too... scared..." he whispered with tears welling up in his eyes.

"LAST CHANCE, BOY!" Soto continued.

It can't end like this... it can't... it--

"Wu!"

The young man's eyes snapped open. He turned his attention to a little girl in the distance. Her raven-hair blew in the wind while chaos blew around her.

"Don't give up! Please..." Maya pleaded with tears spilling from her eyes.

"Maya! Get over here, now!" a woman cried from the side while two men faught off pirates beside her. Another young lady stood next to the woman. She sprinted towards Maya. "Lilly, no!"

"Come on! We need to go!" she cried towards her little sister as she ran over.

"B-but they need help!" Maya spat. Her tiny legs then sprinted over to Wu.

"Ooo, a fan of your's?" Soto said, causing the young master's skin to crawl.

"Maya! No!" Wu exclaimed holding up a hand at the child.

"Don't worry, I'll squash the little pest for you," Soto muttered as he shifted his focus to the tiny villager.

"Maya!!" Lilly and her mother cried all at once. Wu's body kicked into overdrive. He dropped his brother and dashed for the child. It didn't matter if he died or had the same fate as his brother. There was no way he was going to let anyone else get hurt today.

Wu hugged Maya tightly, waiting for the inevitable blow. He counted the seconds till the pain consumed him.

1..2...3.4...5.6789--

BOOM!

"AAARRGH!"

Wu's eyes shot open. He whipped his head around to see Soto holding a wounded shoulder. The captain was staring off at something with an enraged gaze.