A Mythical Invasion

Living Flame

Sorry this took so long!

Kai's POV:

I didn't know what to do except to just continue staring away, my back turned to my team. As if on cue Zane speaks up: "My scanner's are picking up strange vitals, Kai. Will you please talk to us? Even accompanying me to Med-bay."

I feel like I'm about to puke. I forgot that damn ninjroid has scanners...

"How about you all go eat dinner before it gets cold, I know you wouldn't want to miss Zane's cooking! I'll stay here with Kai til' he's all good, he's just been stressed out about passing out on our last mission." Cole says as he goes in-between me and the team, his hand on my shoulder. I relax at his touch, thank the First Spinjitsu Master he spoke up. 

"Awww Kai! Don't get upset about that!" I hear Nya say as I hear her footsteps coming nearer before Cole grabs her shoulders and leads them all out with an "Enjoy Dinner, Save some for me!"

I hear the door close and I let out a breath I didn't even know I was holding. Well, not like I needed to breathe now anyways...I guess it's just a 'habit'. 

I turn around as I hear a patting sound to Cole sitting on my bed, motioning for me to come sit next to him. And so I do. 

I slowly walk over and sit down, the silence becoming the loudest thing in all of Ninjago. I want to say something, but what do I say...oh...

"Thank-you...Cole..." I say, a bit embarrassed. I say thanks all the time...but this feels...different. 

"You don't have to thank me, Kai. That's what friends do. Plus, I need you to be honest with me."

I freeze at his words, I told him everything-wait. Did he know what happened when I left the kitchen...

"There's something else wrong, Kai. Please tell me." He says. I look over to my side, meeting his soft brown eyes. If you look close enough there's a hint of orange in them, making them all so beautiful. Yet right now they we're full of concern and worry. 

I sigh, tears swelling up in my eyes. I don't know how to quite say it, that I'm...well...dead? Living dead? Ugh! this is so confusing. I guess Cole saw my forming tears as he embraced me in a hug. 

I tighten, but then I just let it all out. I bury my head into his shoulder and I just cry. 

~ - ~ - ~ - ~

Cole's POV:

I feel Kai's head on my shoulder, which is now drenched in his tears. I've only ever seen him cry once, and that was a long time ago. I guess whatever's wrong is pretty bad. 

I then only realize how cold the master of fire is in my arms. The boy who's now sitting on my lap, legs on either side of me on his bed is cold. Like cold as a corpse...

no...

"Kai..." I say as Kai's tear stained face looks up at me. I pause for a moment. His hair is all messy, and he now looks different again. Pointed ears, sharp teeth, and a very memorizing set of ruby red eyes that glistened with tears. 

I take a deep breath in, I hope I'm wrong about this. "...are you...dead...Kai?" I ask, sorrow covering my face. 

The master of fire freezes, his pupils shrinking as he slowly nods. More tears flowing out of his ruby eyes than before. Jeez, I shouldn't have even asked..."...but...how? From earlier on the mission?"

He shakes his head, a constant stream of tears as he places his hand over his heart: "Someone ripped out my heart...Co...Cole..." He says as his voice breaks due to his sobbing. 

I'm shocked, and I guess my face says so too since Kai now looks panicked. I pull him closer once more, hugging him tightly as he returns the hug. 

"Don't worry Kai...you'll always be a living flame to me."

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Sorry this took so long, like really long! But it's finally time for this story to get updated, even though this chapter is pretty short. I promise more chapters for this story, and as always, I hope you've enjoyed!

Published: November 15, 2022

Word Count: 700