The Liar (ON HOLD)

Chapter 45

Zane

Zane ran alongside his comrades as they chased Alptraum down some halls. Eventually they reached a strange looking stairwell that led upwards into a building.

"I got bad vibes." Cole muttered.

"Same." Kai added.

Zane frowned and began walking up the stairs, his shurikens at hand. The others cautiously followed him, and they came up into a room. It looked almost like torture room. (dunno what it's called)

Kai growled and Zane turned to see his face morph into a deep scowl. "This is where he interrogated me." He stated angrily. 

Cole tensed and a deep frown appeared on his face.

"Let's get a move on." Lloyd stated.

Zane nodded in agreement, but Kai marched ahead of them and walked out of the room.

"Kai, wait for us." Nya called out, but Kai ignored her. 

Zane ran out of the room to catch up with Kai, but just as Kai entered his vision a door slammed down in front of him. 

"What the-" Zane began.

The others stopped behind him and they all turned to run down the other hallway in hopes of going a different route. 

The five-ninja kept running, only to come across more dead ends.

"He's keeping us away from Kai." Cole realized. "He's just playing with us." He added.

Zane frowned but nodded in agreement. "That's what it seems. I'm afraid Kai's on his own now. The best we can do is get the citizens out safely." Zane stated.

"We can't just leave him!" Nya exclaimed.

Jay walked over to the girl and put a hand on her shoulder. "We don't have another option. These walls and doors are indestructible. The only way we can go is back." Jay said sadly.

Nya fumed and marched over to a door and started kicking it. It was a futile attempt but that only fed Nya's anger.

Cole stayed silent the whole conversation and Zane looked over at him. Cole's face was pale, and he was sweating.

"Cole? Cole!" Zane shouted.

Everyone looked at Cole in concern until they heard a gasp. Zand looked over to see Nya drop to the floor like a rag doll.

Jay rushed over to her and tried shaking her, but she didn't respond. Her eyes were wide and full of fear.

Jay looked up a Zane in confusion as Lloyd went over to Cole.

Zane's eyes narrowed, "Alptraum's messing with their minds." Zane stated. Then Zane's vision blurred, and he started seeing things. Terrifying things. Nightmares were brought to life. Childhood fears. Terrors that lurked in the back of every man's mind. All of them seemed to wake up and become reality. Zane closed his eyes in order to not see it, but then he started to hear voices. The harder Zane tried to block out the noise the louder it became...just like last time. "Just like last time." Zane thought. "It's only a nightmare. It'll end." Zane told himself. He relaxed a bit and the voices retreated in volume, only by the slightest though.

Zane relaxed himself and opened his eyes. Looking his fears straight in the eye. He slowly regained feeling in his body. He blinked and once again everything was back to normal. He was on the ground, but he quickly stood up. He looked at his watch and froze. "I was paralyzed for an hour. How is that possible? I was only passed out for a few minutes." Zane muttered. Zane walked over to Lloyd and shook him, but he didn't respond.

"Great." Zane muttered. He couldn't leave them there, but at the same time he knew that he couldn't help them. They had to face their own fears on their own. Only then could Alptraum become powerless over you.

Zane looked back towards the way he had come and sighed. He ran down the hallway until he reached the room where Kai was held captive. Zane then looked around for the stairway, but it was gone.

Zane looked around and smiled. "Clever, but not clever enough." Zane stated as he held his hand against the wall. He felt around for what he was looking for and smiled as his index finger pressed a button into the wall. Part of the floor slid away to reveal the stairs. Zane looked back to the door of the room and frowned as he ran down the steps. 

Zane rushed down the hallways that soon followed until he reached the cave. The citizens had all the shadow warriors locked in the cages that had previously hosted them.

Zane smiled again when he saw Pixal. "Pixal." He greeted.

Pixal looked up and smiled, but then frowned. "Where are the others?" She asked. "Did you get him?" She added.

Zane sighed and shook his head. "The others are currently paralyzed by nightmares. For now, there's nothing I can do. Alptraum is gone and so is Kai who was in pursuit. I don't know what has befallen them." Zane answered. "The only thing I could think to do was come here and check on you guys. By the way how on earth did you get them in the cages? And how have they not escaped?" Zane added curiously.

"Long story. Humans aren't the only beings Alptraum locks in those cages. When I first got here there was a shadow warrior in one of the cages. With that information I began formulating a plan to escape. I had everything sorted out...I just needed a distraction. Fortunately, you guys came along, giving me the perfect means of getting out. As to how I got them in there...I'd rather keep that a secret." Pixal replied with a smile.

"Remind me to never get on your bad side." Zane stated.

Pixal let out a small chuckle.

Zane smiled at her and Pixal smiled back.

"Sorry to interrupt you two love birds, but when can we go back outside?" Someone asked.

Zane looked over and smiled. He quickly stood up to hug the person. "Dad, are you ok?" Zane asked as he pulled back from the hug.

Julien laughed. "I'm perfectly fine." He assured. "What about you? There's cuts and bruises all over you." Julien observed.

Zane shrugged. "I'll be fine. Is there anything I can do to help?" He asked.

"Maybe let us all know when it's safe to go back outside?" Julien offered.

Zane smiled. "I wish I knew. Kai is currently with Alptraum. I can't get to him. The others are all paralyzed." He answered. An idea hit Zane. "Father? Could you gather some men to help me get the others out of there? It'd be easier if they woke up in a place with people then if they were alone." Zane added.

Julien nodded. "I can do that." He replied confidently. Julien walked away to talk to some men.

"Can I do anything?" Pixal asked.

Zane's eyebrows furrowed trying to think of something. "Yes actually, could you-" He began.

The End (For now that is) ;)