Chapter 86

Villain POV

The guard tensed up as he saw his superior walking towards him. What is he doing on this side of the prison? He straightened himself as his superior looked at his name tag.

"Scott, open the door," his superior ordered. "There was a hint from someone that someone is going to break into this prison to take Pythor."

The prison guard was shocked by the information but something felt off. "Where is your keycard?"

The superior's eyes narrowed as he began to scowl. "Officer, did you not hear what I just said? Do you think we have time to worry about why I don't have my keycard?"

The officer cringed, realizing he had just talked back to his superior. "I apologize, but you're always scolding us for not having our keycards, so who on earth are you?"

"Not your superior, you could say," the 'superior' said before grabbing the guard's head. "Sorry about this."

The guard was confused, but his confusion abruptly ended as his entire head exploded. The 'superior' looked at the keycard guard's corpse before picking up the keycard and opening the cell door. He entered the room, which was empty except for a table where a dollhouse resided.

The 'superior' walked over and bent down slightly to see where the snake was hiding. "Pythor, it looks like someone's here to bail you out," he explained.

There was silence before a spray of venom splashed into the 'superior' eye, causing him to recoil backward. Pythor emerged from under the doll bed, seizing the opportunity. He had been waiting for someone to enter so he could make his escape.

He jumped from the table and slithered out of the room, feeling freedom within his reach. He laughed but froze in his tracks when he found the corpse of the dead guard. Pythor felt a pang of concern for a moment and couldn't help but turn back to check the 'superior'.

"You're quite annoying," the 'superior' guard said, struggling to his feet. "Do you know how much that hurts? I can barely see."

Pythor looked at the 'superior's' face, which was partially burned by his venom, but his eyes scared him the most. They were filled with rage and a disturbing lack of humanity.

The 'superior's' eyes started to bleed, turning his entire eyes red. He walked over to the small Pythor before picking him up. "I told you that someone was here to bail you out."

Pythor squirmed in the 'superior's' hand as he made his way out of the prison. What on earth is going on? The 'superior' held Pythor tightly, not allowing him to escape. Pythor watched the imposter rub his eyes, muttering something in annoyance.

"Can't believe I have to deal with this," the 'superior' grumbled, his grip tightening as they moved through the dimly lit corridors of the prison. The metallic clang of doors and the echoing footsteps added to the tension.

"Pythor twisted and turned, trying to free himself. "Let go of me! Who are you?" he demanded.

The ' superior' didn't answer immediately;y. Instead, he continued to march forward, his eyes scanning the surroundings with an eerie intensity. "You're not in a position to ask questions, snake," he finally said, "Just be grateful you're getting out of here."

The serpentine creature hissed, baring his fangs. "Grateful? To a bleeding-eyed imposter? I don't think so."

The 'superior' chuckled, a dark and unsettling sound. "You have no idea what's happening, do you? Consider this a favor. There are worse things than being stuck in a prison cell."

Pythor's mind raced. Who was this man? And why did he need him so desperately? "I demand to know where you're taking me!" he insisted.

"All in good time," the 'superior' replied. "Right now, our priority is to get out of here without any more incidents."

As they approached the main exit, the 'superior' paused. He set Pythor in his shirt pocket. Reaching another pocket, he pulled out a small device and pressed a button. A faint hum filled the air, and the security cameras along the corridor flickered off.

Pythor watched in a mixture of awe and fear. "What is that?"

"A little trick I picked up," the 'superior' said with a smirk. "Now, let's go."

The sound of a gun cocking made the 'superior' stop in his tracks. He turned around to see a guard pointing a gun at him.

"Sure, our superior is an asshole, but killing him is messed up," the guard said with anger. "I am going to take you down."

The imposter looked at the guard, unimpressed. "I don't think you can."

He snapped his fingers, and the guard exploded in a shower of blood and viscera. Everything in the prison went silent. This man was ruthless. The man turned around and somehow went invisible. They slipped through the final door, stepping into the cool night air. The stars above seemed to mock Pythor's confusion and fear.

The imposter reappeared as he started to walk away from the prison. "Sit tight. This is going to be a long night."

After walking for a while, the imposter stopped and pulled out of his phone, dialing a number. He placed it next to his ear and waited for a few moments. Pythor could hear the faint ringing on the other end, his curiosity mingling with fear.

"I got him here. Pick me up," the imposter spoke, calm and authoritative.

As soon as he hung up, a swirling portal materialized before them, simmering with an eerie, iridescent light. Without hesitation, the imposter stepped into the portal, dragging Pythor along. The sensation was disorienting, like being pulled through a vortex of colors and light.

When they emerged, they found themselves in a dimly lit room adorned with arcane symbols. The walls were covered in intricate runes, and the air hummed with otherworldly energy. Pythor squirmed in the shirt pocket, still trying to comprehend what just happened.

A new figure entered the room, his demeanor gloomy yet his eyes gleaming with satisfaction at the sight of Pythor. "Good job, Lloyd, but you look awful," he remarked.

Lloyd, now back in his form after shedding the guise of the superior officer, stood before them. Pythor recognized him immediately. This was the boy who had freed him from his tomb long ago. His mind reeled with confusion and anger.

"What the hell? Aren't you supposed to be the good guy?" Pythor spat, his voice dripping with venom. "Aren't you supposed to lock up threats to protect the people of Ninjago?"

Lloyd's expression twisted in disgust, his pupils shrinking as he stared at Pythor, "Who are you to talk about righteousness? You scum are the reason why Ninjago is never safe. But we need you to complete a spell."

With a swift motion, Lloyd hurled Pythor onto a large hamster wheel-like contraption. The impact made Pythor wince, but he managed to keep his gaze defiant. Lloyd's words were chilling, filled with a cole, bitter resolve. "Why should they feel happiness when they cause pain to others?"

Turning away from Pythor, Lloyd addressed the gloomy man. "Did you do what I asked?"

The man nodded, a smirk playing on his lips. "Of course. My master should already be talking to them."

…

Heroes POV

All the contestants looked up in anger at Master Chen, who was standing on a stage so high up it seemed like he was looking down on them from the heavens, His smug expression made their blood boil. What did he want now?

"I've got a lovely idea on how to deal with you guys, but first, Kai, please come here," Master Chen announced with a grin, his voice echoing through the large chamber.

Kai looked up at Master Chen in confusion, his brow furrowed. "What do you want with me?" he demanded, trying to keep his voice steady despite the sudden anxiety gripped him. Before he could react, a door opened, and two cult members entered the room. They grabbed him by the arms and started to drag him toward the exit.

"What do you want with me?!" Kai shouted, struggling against their grip, his eyes wide with anger.

Master Chen watched with a satisfied smirk as Kai was dragged away. "You'll find out in good time," he said, his tone dripping with condescension. As the door closed behind Kai, Master Chen turned his attention back to the remaining contestants. "Now, I have decided to have one last challenge for you all."

Master Chen smiled menacingly, his eyes gleaming with sadistic delight as he prepared to address the eliminated contestants. "Welcome, fallen contestants, to the most ruthless challenge of all," he announced, his voice echoing ominously through the chamber. "This is 'The Crucible of Redemption.' Here, you will fight to the death, and only the last one standing will earn the right to reclaim their ability and their freedom. Remember, this is your final chance to prove your worth. May the best warrior survive."

The words hung in the air like a death sentence. The contestants exchanged uneasy glances, their faces reflecting a mix of fear, anger, and disbelief. They had endured pervious challenges, pushing their bodies and minds to the limit, but they had never been forced to kill one another. This was a line being forced to kill one another. This was a line none of them had ever crossed.

Before anyone could react, weapons started to fall from the sky, landing with heavy thuds on the ground around them. Swords, spears, axes, and daggers scattered across the chamber floor, each one a grim reminder of the brutality they were about to face.

"It looks like the challenge begins," Master Chen said, settling into his seat with a satisfied smirk. He watched with twisted pleasure as the contestants stared at weapons, the reality of their situation sinking in.