Chronicles of the Desolate

The Ocean Call

Her eyes snapped open, and it was still dark.
Despite being way too far away to hear it, Nya was aware of the sound of the ocean lapping on the shore. She could hear it bright and clear.

But they were in a tower, on one of the highest floors.

But she could hear it.

And taste the sharp salt in the air, stinging her nose with each deep breath.
Each inhale was like breathing in life.

And the salty smell that ignited something deep within her.

There was also a pull.

It was a strong pull, an invisible string tied tight around her heart and pulling. Pulling so hard. A cloud enveloped her mind and Nya could barely think straight.

Only the thought of the beautiful silver moon reflecting off the gorgeous, enticing ocean.... The blues that softened her anxious mind, clearing it, and beckoning her....

"Nya?" A soft, sleepy voice.

She started when her eyes refocused and she saw her reflection.

Without realizing it, she had moved to the window,  standing staring out of it, slowly shedding her excess armor.

Jay sleepily rolled to his feet, and stumbled to her side. "Nya? What's wrong?"

"The ocean...."

"Huh?"

"It's... calling me,"

🌊🌊

Jay had woken without Nya's head on his arm, and for a hot moment he'd internally panicked, but then he rolled over and caught sight of his girl staring out the window.

🌊

Nya turned to him, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. She wasn't sad, those were tears of an emotion Jay couldn't interpret.
"I have to go, Jay. I have to answer the call of the ocean."

Jay's heart clenched at her words, a sinking feeling settling in the pit of his stomach. "No, Nya. Please don't go. Stay with me. We can find another way, a different way to save them, please."

But Nya shook her head, a determined look on her face. Her eyes were glowing. "I have to, Jay. It's where I belong."

And with that, Nya slipped out of his grasp, her form shimmering and transforming into water before his eyes. Jay reached out to touch her, but she slipped through his fingers like liquid silk.
Like liquid water.

He watched in despair as she flowed out the window and into the night, disappearing into the darkness.

Jay woke the rest of the Ninja, but there was nothing the could do. News soon reached them that a water spirit had defeated Kalmaar and Wojira and saved Ninjago City.
It was a Pyrrhic Victory.

The Ninja expected Nya to return, but they knew deep down she wouldn't.

Days turned into weeks, weeks turned into months, and the Ninja never saw Nya again.

One by one they gave up.

Jay never did. He was left with nothing but memories of her, memories that haunted him day and night.

And as he lay awake in the dead of night, staring out at the moonlit ocean, Jay imagined what it would be like if Nya were there by his side. The ache in his heart never faded, a constant reminder of the love he had lost.

And so Jay spent the rest of his days longing for the one who had slipped away, lost to the call of the ocean.

"Nya..."