Endless, never-ending, unending, torture.
It had been this way for hours, could've felt like days if the sun actually did go down. But no, it was merely the end of the afternoon. The ninjas couldn't help but stiffen up a little each time a sorrowful scream had been sought out.
Then again, the question remains, who did it belong to? Who could have done such wrong in the world to be condemned to what seemed to be eternal torture. Even the resistance were losing their minds, the same sound, in a different pitch every time, accompanied by forced cries and sobs.
"The oni's logic is composed truly nothing more than flaws." Mistaké reminded, as they all sat down in the centre of the cage and listened attentively for another. It was painful on their part to urge another scream to be heard, they knew how much that person was in pain. Yet, if only they could identify who was being tortured...
Nya rose a brow as she glanced at Cloud and Nix's cage for a second. "Think about it, who's not here with us?" She asked the rest of the group. As far as they were concerned, the only ones missing are Harumi and Garmadon. The group instantly let out a light gasp at that, Lloyd was the first to speak up. In an argument or in agreement, no one knew for certain.
Then, "My fath-no, Garmadon, couldn't possibly be captured, right? He's an oni just like they are." He pointed out, standing up from the cage to try and prove a point, having the higher ground always hinted at the lower subordinates that the leader wanted to intimidate them into believing his ways. However, from the other cage, a sigh was heard.
"Lloyd, you saw what happened a few nights ago." brought up Cloud with a tired look on her face. "Garmadon was no match for them and Rumi still got hurt."
It was in fact true, did Garmadon perhaps lack training? Always bragging all the time that the elemental masters couldn't defeat them yet it was merely a blunt. Of course, the ninjas couldn't defeat him, they were no match for them. But, if they put him on the batter field with onis, the ninjas would be the ones bragging now.
Lloyd sighed at his turn, "Yeah..I guess you have a point." His eyes glared over to Cloud, who gave a semi-pleased semi-hateful smile. "Guess we agree with each other, then?" Her words dripped of venom, full of spite. Even if she was able to speak now, it would take far more than that to convince her that Lloyd would be worthy of being around Harumi again.
Before anyone else could respond, they were interrupted when four oni guards including a far taller, greater, oni walked among them. He looked like Garmadon, old with age, yet, this one looked even older than the dark lord. That could only mean one thing. But Mistaké beat them all to the same thought.
"King Omega, you've shown yourself at long last!" It was not a calling for them to rejoice at his presence, but rather a greeting meant for a coward. Hours now that they've been imprisoned yet they weren't properly greeted by the king himself. Omega smirks and nods. "I couldn't help but be late to the party. But that's because whatever you were talking about was so interesting." He claimed.
Dangerous information, definitely. They couldn't allow such authorities to grasp their plans nor their concerns. The ninjas all turned to each other for some guidance. They didn't like being in a cage with Omega out of it, it gave an unsettling atmosphere. After a few minutes of silence to spare them from the initial shock, Omega spoke again.
"One such question I couldn't help but overhear, you may wonder who is down there, yes?" He asked the burning question that everyone, even the puppies were wondering. They all gulped, not wanting to know the answer to their question anymore.
Please no....
"Well that's very simple!" He exclaimed.
It's not Garmadon, isn't it?
"Why, down there, it's Harumi! Not just the clone, but the real one! It's really her. Aren't you all so happy?" He widened his eyes, the pupils becoming tiny as they flooded with insanity. Followed after, was the devil's laugh.
Growling, Cloud's ears perked up. No, she didn't feel safe around this 'Omega' person at all. Yet, her ears picked up on a sound coming from downstairs, she could hear it.
A scream, a terrified and long one. One that lasted like it was...some suffering message left by a dying angel. Point is, it harmed her hearing very much.
Cloud stood up from the cage and paced back and forth, trying to calm her nerves. Of course, she couldn't prevent herself from reacting such a resolution. Her eyes widened and her desire for freedom bit at her even more. She rushed over to the edge of the cage to try and find a better spot to listen for the noise.
Nix, lifting his paws from his face, raised a brow and just observed the Pomeranian pup.
Awfully odd behaviour coming from her at a time like this. He knew that she was not at all the silent one and would always beat the bush to something she discovered. Yawning slightly, he glared at her, not at all pleased with her reckless behaviour.
"What the heck are you doing? Didn't you hear the guy?" He stood up and joined her—however, he was stopped early when Cloud raised a paw, a sign for him to stay where he is.
He didn't need to think much to know what would happen to him if he dared make a bold move that would make her even more anxious. Nix laughs to himself, yeah, no. Another scar won't do, he was sure of it.
"Are you planning something?" This time, he cut to the chase and showed no suspicious behaviour—unlike her, who refused to say anything to him and relied on her muzzle and small ears.
Cloud merely rolled her eyes and glare away from the Husky. "I think I hear Harumi and I think I may know which room she's in exactly." She concluded with a small whisper.
What a bold claim of hers that was. Nix prevented himself from address a laugh directly to the Pomeranian. Knowing that she wasn't up to anything that posed a threat for this cage of theirs, Nix laid his head back down on the bottom of the metallic space. "You're insane, we're a rooftop of one of the highest buildings in Ninjago." He muttered.
"Get some rest or something, you need it. Don't blame me if you end up hallucinating the enemies as dog chews." He grinned, joking at that and quite frankly, expected a little jab on Cloud's part like she would do so or even just a little disapproving bark. But no, all he received was another eye roll. The puppy was too focused in her own personal plans to pay attention to his attempts at helping her.
She squeezed her little body and growled at the metallic bars in front of her before charging directly at them, trying to squeeze through to no avail. Even if she failed several times, she didn't give up. Stiffening up and squeezing her paws together, Cloud tried again and again and again, all of this unlimited energy was to save her beloved owner Harumi.
Nix initially started watching her with an amused grin. But slowly as he noticed her failed attempts over and over again, his grin fell and was replaced with a pitiful look instead.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
As a new day finally started, no one would be surprised if they forgot how many days have they been kept hostage by the oni. One would guess three or four days but again, being locked up in the same empty space for more than five hours was not only nauseating but cruel.
Watching the sun rise, Kai blinked. He woke up earlier than the rest of the resistance including the ninjas. He'd been looking at the sun a lot lately, perhaps it's because it's the only source of light in the dark territory. Plus, now they were up here, he felt more connected to Ninjago's light in a way? He sighed and leaned back against the bars, his lips trembled as they pronounced inaudible words:
"Harumi...I hope you're okay."
He shut his eyes and allowed the sun's radiance to flicker over his eyelids and warm his skin for the day. At this point, he didn't mind. Not like he ever, considering his element. He didn't want to seem like a boring guy, but he enjoyed the sun's touch very very much.
Waking up beside him was the black-haired water ninja. Her brother's legs was used a pillow for her head and she slept well through the night. Yawning, Nya rubbed her eyes and moved to sit down beside her brother. "Morning Kai, what are you looking at?" She noticed her brother not looking down on her as she made the day's first few noises to alert her conscious state. She then noticed his eyes completely fixed on the sky.
"The sun." He replied quietly and Nya gave a questionable hum as she too, began to lift her head up to look in the same direction as him.
"Why are you looking at the sun?" She wondered, not being judgemental as to why her family member was paying more attention to something they cannot reach. Now, he didn't have an certain answer for that, so he just shrugged and turned his head to face her.
"Dunno, guess...it just makes me feel safe. It's so bright." He responded in a whisper.
Nya sighs, "It sure is bright.." she even had to place her hand over her cerulean eyes at some point. A minute or two of silence occurred between the Smith siblings before Kai chuckled and brought his hands back to support his aching head, who was pressed against the bars the entire time. Hearing him laugh, the water ninja couldn't help but ask what he was laughing about. She asked, like expected. But the answer she received wasn't one she would expect.
"It's to cope with all of this. Laughing is important, you need to smile ever once and the sun even when things are going really badly..." his happy smile dropped into an anxious one.
Nah raised a brow, noticing the smile and brought a hand to tap on his shoulder lightly, reminding him that she was here for him and to listen. Kai shook his head and just looked down to his knees.
"I'm worried for Harumi. We don't know what's going on but we know that she's suffering or maybe she's not? Not anymore as in...what if..." he paused, not wanting to finish that train of thoughts. Ah, Nya recognized these concerns of his, in fact, he was sure that he wasn't the only one thinking the same.
Everyone was worried for their sister Harumi, she was a part of their family after all. She's already sacrificed too much.
"Look, I cannot say for certain that everything will be okay. But let's just keep those smiles and good vibes for Harumi, alright?" Nya tried her very best to reassure her brother. She knew she wasn't really good at comfort itself, quite happy that Lloyd went through with her support back when Garmadon and Harumi first invaded Ninjago.
But she just wanted to help her brother feel better about all of this. When he does, they'll break out of here with everyone and put an end to this. Put an end to Harumi's suffering.
"You bet, sis." The fire ninja replied distantly.
Just like that, concerned and curious as ever, Kai and Nya went back to looking at the sky. Desperately searching the sun for any answers for their problems.
~~~~~~~~~
How many hours has it been since she was chained to the wall?
Ever since her petty attempt on freeing herself, the oni, especially that boy Zackery, crushed her chances of escape rather easily. From tying her to the torture device, she found herself back-pressed to the cold.
Harumi barley registered the room's door opening. She could barely lift her head up for her eyes to meet with the new comer. What was it this time? Lunch, bedtime? She honestly forgot all about time. The pain was mind-numbing.
Her hopes, already being reduced to debris, didn't even raise a single bit when seeing that it was once more, the oni prince Zackery.
"Rumi, hey Rumi." He called quietly, no smiles on his lips this time. He came here to speak with her again.
But she didn't want to listen to his aimless attempts on holding a conversation with her.
She bit her lips, too hard that blood was drawn.
Anything but to have her be hurt by him again.
"Hey. Listen to me when I'm talking to you."
Tears began to form, no energy to actually allow them to drip from her cheeks though.
"Hey-"
She shut her eyes. No, she didn't want to talk, she didn't want to go through the pain of finding words to say to him.
He approached her, Rumi jumped a little as she heard him coming closer to her. Ah, anything but this. Why couldn't he just leave her alone already? Why did she need to remain here as a prisoner? Just when she thought her plans were going so well...
His fingers disgusted her. They trailed to her cheek, not intending to stay there though fortunately. He forcefully grabbed her by the strands of her hair and lifted her head up.
That way, he could finally speak to her.
He chuckled and leaned in a little closer, noticing her tired and dreadful eyes. It seems that she hasn't slept nor thought about the positive side for awhile. Just to think, her little rebellion started a night ago. Look where it brought her, augmenting her rope privileges to chains.
He could always try lecturing her, to tell her that mortals needed to rest if they wanted their minds to function. But, he knew how stubborn the princess is, so he didn't bother. Instead, he was surprised to say that he heard the slightest of mutters coming from the prisoner of his.
"You'll pay for all of this." She spat, keeping her eyes shut as she pronounced every word with every ounce of hatred in her body. "You'll pay."
Zackery raised a brow, followed by a mocking laugh. "Pay? Now, how exactly will I pay?" He let go of her hair and allowed her head to abruptly fall back down. "No, the real question is: Why do I need to pay? This is my kingdom, my territory!" With so much delight and arrogance, he claimed to be all mighty.
She knew she needed to repeat herself, to make herself clear. "The ninja will save me and once they see me in this state, I don't think you'll last for too long." She growled.
The oni smirked, "That's what she said." He mouthed in clearly inedible laughter. But the expressions were there, the amusement.
Harumi sighed and struggled to get her hands out of these cuffs. "What's so funny?" She inquired, not even trying to sound serious at this point. She was just...so finished with all of this, so finished with this tortue and this pain.
Zackery swoons and leaned against the wall to be beside her, clearly a childish act. "Nothing nothing nothing," he reassured her with a dreamy sigh before staring at the ceiling.
"Just thinking on how confident you are."
Harumi raised a brow, "I can be as confident as I want despite reaching rock bottom...I know my friends will come." She hissed, the pain in her wrists swelling up. It was possible that she earned many scratches from struggling too much.
He didn't seem entirely convinced with that. She was shattering every second they stood here chattering between one another. But that's exactly what fuelled him. The fear and conflict in her eyes and mind, he loved it all.
"Now tell me, what's more important for your friends? Saving you or stopping us, the oni?" He asked her a question, one that required thought.
But even with his polite he was being when asking, Harumi didn't what to answer. She didn't want to show that this question troubled her. However, all she could do is pray to the FSM that her friends, her precious family, will come for her. They've gotta...she's counting on them, her entire reason to believe in hope was for them. Otherwise, she would have sunken to the seas of despair and denial already.
Even if her family doesn't save her, somebody will. Somebody like her father...Of course, she still had Garmadon. She could count on him when all things go wrong.
"What a start! Didn't I tell you?" He grinned. Ah, this will be just fun. He got off the wall and stepped up to glare at her directly in her eyes. "No one is coming for you, no one is here for you." He taunted.
She shook her head. "That's false. My family will come for me, family doesn't leave family behind." She reminded the boy.
"Ah family. Haven't heard that one in ages." He whistled, not seeming to care very much about her statements.
"What do you mean? You're the prince of the oni, your father listens to you." For once, her curiosity pricks her, at the worst times as well.
He shook his head. "Don't have the rights to go into detail about my father, don't want to as well." He chuckled and turned to face the door for a second. His eyes turned from menacing ones to nostalgic ones.
"I guess I could let you in on a secret of mine." He whispered. It was strange, but even his expressions seemed to want to tell the truth in pitch darkness. His eyes contained light.
"How do I know you won't lie about it?" She wanted to make sure. Not like she'll believe him anyways. Onis are deceitful creatures, the ones under Omega's reign anyways.
"You can take my word." The prince promised.
"Well, what is it?"
There was silence between them. Zackery bit his lips before sighing in defeat.
"Long ago, I had a younger sister. No, I don't know if she's still alive, but my best bet is that she died millennia ago."
Harumi was actually pretty appalled with that confession of his. He was giving up on his family just like that? Perhaps things hasn't been so well with his father
He brought a hand to cup her cheek and leaned a little bit closer to her ear. Harumi tensed, obviously at the closeness. But the feeling died down when she heard him whisper a few words.
"Her name is..."
A name was revealed in a valley of silence.
~~~~~~~~~~
A/N: (Yes, the beginning was a reference to Krul's inner thoughts in the beginning of chapter 62: Unremembered Trauma)
Hey! Thank you for reading chapter 105! The end is definitely near! We learned new information! Including that...prince Zackery has a younger sister? :0 The fact that he gave up on her just shows how much he dislikes the idea and family! Maybe Harumi might change his mind on that? The more chapters, the more answers! See you guys in the next one! Cya!