The Split Element- Book 1 (Ninjago: Zane X Oc)

The Gilded Path...

Aly's POV:

Where am I?

What is this place?

I was floating in a black void, though I could still see my hands clearly in front of me.

The only sound present was my breathing and quickening heartbeat. 

I looked around, in search of my friends. "Zane? Jay? Anyone?!"

There was no response, just the echoes of my own voice.

But then, a sharp pain came from my back, and something wrapped around my throat. 

I desperately clawed at it so I could try to catch my breath, but it only became tighter.

A cloud of purple mist started floating towards me as I struggled to breathe.

A figure emerged, one with very large horns and glowing purple eyes. 

It looked like something I'd seen before, but I couldn't put my finger on it.

It reached out for me, and touched my arm.

Suddenly a million different things started flashing before my eyes.

Images of the Ninja and other things I couldn't make out. 

It was going so fast I couldn't see much.

But then darkness came again, followed by a blinding golden light.

A hand moved towards me before I woke up in a cold sweat.

I looked down, and felt the sand between my fingers. I was still in the First Realm. I looked towards the others to find them sound asleep. I looked over at Wu, who'd gotten bigger since last night. He was about the size of a teenager now.

But I was still in a panic.

I quietly stood up, and decided to take a walk. I turned towards the sunrise, and started to walk.

I needed to clear my head.

More and more things were filling my mind that I began finding it hard to even think. I just needed a break from everything.

Once I was far enough, I sat in the sand, and held my head in my hands, sighing.

I sat there for a while. I was finally able to think straight and calm myself. 

It was nice.

Suddenly, I felt a hand on my shoulder.

My hand shot towards it, and grabbed the person's wrist. I held tight and flipped them over, quickly putting my foot on their back to keep them in place. 

"Hey!"

Shit...

"Crap, Zane...I'm so sorry!" I let go of his wrist, and moved my foot, letting him stand back up. "It is...fine..." He looked at me, almost reading me. "Are you, alright? You seem extremely tense." I was tense, but I didn't know how to explain my situation to him. "Why were you out here?"

"Well...I, umm." I thought for a moment. "I've just been a little stressed I guess." I sighed. "I just...needed time to think." "Is there anything I can do to help?" Zane asked, and I was way too quick to respond. "No, no, it's fine don't worry about me." I blurted out. "Are you sure?" He genuinely looked concerned, which made my face warm again. "Y-yes, I'm sure."

"Well, alright then. We must get back to the others." He turned around, and I noticed a small vehicle. And I quickly recognised it. 

"Wait, Zane." I walked over to him, stopping him. "There's hunters." "I know. We have help." He told me, walking towards it. "What do you mean we have help?" I asked, not sure how hunters would be helping us.