Taking Control. (a Ninjago fanfic)

Chapter 29- Shrine of Natures Veil

R U E

The air inside the temple was thick with dust and age. I glanced over my shoulder at Lloyd, Zane and Nya, their expressions varying from caution, wariness and determination.

Despite the solemn atmosphere, I couldn't help but grin.

"Well," I said, stepping forward, gesturing around the place. "Welcome to the Shrine of Natures Veil. Fancy name, right? Don't let it fool you, though—it's a death trap."

Nya raised an eyebrow. "Comforting."

I chuckled, turning back to face the dim corridor ahead. The walls were carved with intricate patterns of vines and flowers, their details fading with age. Man, I hadn't been here for a while.

"Stick close," I said, brushing my fingers along the wall to guide myself forward. "And watch your step. There are traps everywhere.'"

Lloyd sighed. "You sound like you're speaking from experience."

I shot him a quick grin over my shoulder. "Oh, absolutely. My dad loved dragging me here as a kid for 'training exercises.' Because nothing says bonding like almost being impaled by a spear trap."

Nya snorted, but I could see her eyes scanning the walls carefully, already looking for traps.

"Well, this should be a breeze then, if you know the traps." Lloyd commented, and I shared a shaky grin with him.

"It's been a while, but hopefully." I responded, turning around to face what was ahead of us.

~~~

The first trap was almost laughably simple: a pressure plate disguised as a regular stone tile. I pointed it out to Zane, who carefully disabled it with a flick of his wrist.

"See?" I said. "Piece of cake." I blew my bangs out of my face and carried on.

The next one was trickier—a dart launcher hidden in the vines overhead. I used a twist of my elemental power to grow the vines, forcing the mechanism to jam. Lloyd looked impressed.

"You're like a walking cheat code," he said.

I laughed, and realised - how much I actually liked them.

I wasn't helping them just because of the danger they were facing- I was helping them because they were genuinely good people.

And I wanted to help even when they'd gotten the mirror. I wanted to go back to Ninjago with them and help defeat this 'Overlord' they speak of.

Because by the sound of it, they needed all the help they could get.

I'd have to ask them later.

We moved deeper into the temple, the air growing warmer with every step. The torches lining the walls flickered ominously, casting long, writhing shadows that danced ahead of us.

The traps came in quick succession—humongous swinging blades that screeched as they cut through the air, collapsing ceilings that rained dust and stone, and even a swarm of spiders that Zane froze in an instant with a sharp burst of ice. His precision was almost unnerving, the way the frost crept across the walls and froze the creatures mid-scuttle.

It was almost too easy.

That should have been my first warning.

We stepped into a wide chamber, the dim light revealing a floor of intricately carved stone tiles. I froze in the doorway, holding up a hand, the hairs on the back of my neck prickling.

"Wait," I said, my voice sharper than I intended.

Nya bumped into me, peering over my shoulder. "What now?" she asked, her tone tinged with tiredness.