Original - The 17th Realm (The Maniac Trilogy - Book 1)

19 - A Place for my Head

NYA'S POV

We decided to keep moving North to avoid getting caught by the cloud. The travellers forest was weird. It was as if every few meters there was a different temperature. We were hoping we could find some travellers tea on the way but we had no luck so far.

The cloud became faster every few minutes. I was talking with Emily because I knew she was upset about Ryan... I'm quite sad myself. Not because of Kai though... something else.

Either way, Ryan felt like a new member of the team along with Emily. They were like the perfect duo. I could relate to Emily with this situation with Kai... Probably not as much because I haven't witnessed Kai's death unlike the others back in Ninjago.

I had this weird feeling at one point at the back of my neck. It was like a tingling feeling. Then a cold breeze rushed down my spine. I looked back to see the cloud meters behind me. I turned back around and started running but saw no-one else. Before I knew it I was completely consumed by the cloud.

KAI'S POV

I made myself a little campfire with my powers because of the cold. I was just sitting there and overhearing the conversation everyone was having with Cole's Yang, Lily. I was listening to the conversation, staring into the abyss until I felt a weird feeling on my fingers. I looked down to see that they were grey.

I looked down to see that I had stone hands.

I stood up in alarm from the fact that I was turning into stone. "What's happening??" Then I heard Garmadon's voice from behind me.

"I gave you a choice... I did warn you... You know, you can still change your mind before you completely-"

"NEVER! I will never join you! You and your stupid threats can go to hell along with the overlord!"

We heard a faint voice in the distance. "Guys! Can you hear me? Where are you?!" It was Nya's voice.

"You wouldn't want anything to happen to your precious little sister, would you? Or her daughter..."

"Daughter? Her daughter's dead..."

"You don't know? I thought you'd be the the first person she'd tell..."

"Kai?" I turned around.

"Nya!" She started running towards me... I reached out, "NYA!" but when I did I found that I was completely still. I felt something burn on my neck... it must've been that metal stamp Garmadon was chasing me with this entire time with.

"No! Leave Kai alone!" Nya shouted.

"Whoops... my hand slipped..." The burning started to cool as the stamp was taken off my neck. I couldn't see anything... I only heard Nya's footsteps ascending and then felt her arms around my shoulders.

"Kai, I'm sorry.." I heard her cry. I couldn't do anything. I couldn't comfort her. She rested her head on my shoulder and continued crying.

"I..." she sniffed. "I love you, Kai..." she whispered as she hugged me tighter. My heart sank. She never told anyone those three words. Not even to Jay.

Her touch suddenly turned cold.

She was turning into stone...

That's when I heard another set of footsteps running closer.

LLOYD'S POV

Twice in a fucking row in the space of five minutes. I'm starting to get bored of it. Not only was I underwater but I almost made Harumi and myself drown because our hands were still tied. I'm still getting migraines so I don't think it's a good idea to untie the knot but you know. So, as always, it seemed that the darkness came closer until it caught up and I was also glad to finally have the chance to let go of Harumi.