Taking Control. (a Ninjago fanfic)

Chapter 55- Knowledge

W U

I knew it was here somewhere.

The hard part was finding it.

The monastery library stretched high above me, shelves packed to the brim with ancient scrolls and books, each one holding pieces of history long forgotten. It was a place of knowledge, a place of wisdom—but tonight, it felt like a maze— every shelf and parchment another obstacle between me and the information I sought to find.

The candlelight flickered, casting long, wavering shadows against the wooden walls, making the room feel even older, heavier. The night was dark, cold, and the fragile flame of the candle in my hand was the only warmth I had.

The scent of old parchment, ink, and melted wax filled the air—familiar, comforting. But I had no time to dwell on nostalgia.

I moved quickly, fingers skimming over the worn edges of scrolls, searching. Dust clung to my hands as I yanked another one free, heart pounding as I unrolled it—only to find it wasn't the right one.

I exhaled sharply, setting it aside with more force than I meant to.

At my side, the Lumine prowled restlessly. His golden eyes glowed in the dim light, his thick fur shining with a faint, weak red.

His ears flicked, nose twitching as if he, too, was searching for something unseen. Every so often, he let out a low growl, tail flicking in irritation. He could sense my frustration. Maybe even my urgency. Or perhaps he just missed Lloyd.

I clenched my jaw. Focus, Wu.

There was no time for hesitation.

The ninja were out there, fighting. I had sent them into battle with nothing but half truths and vague understandings. If I didn't find what I needed now, something could go very wrong.

Very easily.

I forced my hands to steady as I pulled another scroll from the shelf. My own system of organizing these texts, one I had created many years ago, was failing me now. Or perhaps it was simply that there were too many.

So much knowledge, so many histories—and none of them the one I needed.

Try to remember.

My father had told me of the Mirror of Shadows long ago. He had told me to bury the knowledge deep within the monastery walls so that no one—no one—could ever hope to wield its power again.

But the past seemed to always have a way of creeping back into the present.

And now, the ninja were fighting for their lives against a darkness I had hoped was long gone.

If I was too late—

No.

I would not let that happen.

Another scroll. Another failure.

The Lumine huffed beside me, impatient, his movements sharp and restless.

Then—

A flash of navy.

My eyes snapped to a small scroll, half-hidden beneath a pile of others. Its edges were curled, its wax seal cracked and broken. But the inked symbol on its surface was unmistakable.

I knew this one.

With careful fingers, I unrolled the parchment.

The words on the page were old—older than most records in this monastery, written in my father's familiar handwriting. The ink had faded, and the paper had yellowed with age, but I could still read them. I had to.

The Mirror of Shadows.

I swallowed, scanning the words, my pulse quickening.

"The Mirror of Shadows, an ancient relic created in times when the veil between light and dark was thin and mutable. Crafted by hands lost to memory and imbued with the power of both creation and ruin, the Mirror is no mere glass. It is a portal to the soul's hidden depths. It reflects not the outward form alone, but the very essence within, revealing truths unseen by mortal eyes."

Creation?

The word stuck with me. What could that possibly mean?

"It is said that those who gaze upon its surface shall confront the darkest fragments of their nature—the unspoken fears, the buried regrets. For within its depths, the forces of life and death intertwine; souls may be captured, their light diminished, or released in a final, fateful exchange."

My breath hitched.

The ninja did not know the full extent of what they were dealing with.

"Legends declare that the Mirror of Shadows was forged by a cult who went by the name of 'Dawn of the Untainted.'

Its power is dual: to imprison the soul of one who is deemed impure, or to withdraw the darkness lurking in the depths of one's pure soul. To bestow redemption upon those whose hearts remain true, one must face their impurities and overcome. But woe to the unworthy—those who seek its gifts without courage shall find their essence forever lost in a labyrinth of despair, a prison of chaos from which none may ever escape."

My hands tightened on the parchment.

This wasn't just an object of power. It wasn't simply a weapon.

It was a test.

And if Jay failed—

I shut my eyes briefly, exhaling.

I had trained the ninja for battle. Had trained them for war. I had trained them to fight, to learn, to understand.

But this?

This was something else entirely.

For I had never trained them to face their own fears, to delve back into the past and confront the nightmares that keep them up at night.

"The Mirror does not choose sides. It does not judge. It only reveals. Those who seek its power must be prepared to face what lies within, lest they be consumed by what they refuse to see."

The Lumine whined beside me, pressing his cold nose against my wrist. I blinked, realizing my hands were trembling.

Maybe if I had been on the mission with them— none of this would have happened— Jay would of been safe and well—

No.

There was no use in regret.

No use dwelling on what I could of done. I should focus on what I can do now.

I glanced back down at the scroll again, reading the last paragraph.

My breath hitched in my throat, eyes widening in shock.

This— this would change everything.

I had to tell the ninja. Immediately.