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As Kai's eyes slowly blinked open, he found himself surrounded by the chaos of battle. A massive dragon loomed over him as he tightly gripped his sword. His body bore the marks of the fierce struggle, with cuts and bruises marring his skin and soreness creeping into his muscles. But Kai knew that the battle was far from over. He was determined to free the dragon from Ras' control, no matter the cost.
How he had gotten here, under a bright red moon, much like- he had no idea.
Kai fought off wolf masks left and right as he got closer to the dragon, roaring with fury, the dragon swiped at Kai, wiping out anything in the way of its talons.
Kai whipped around quickly as his spinjitzu erupted from his body, dodging the attack and getting closer to the dragon- then.
Kai's eyes flew open, his chest rising and falling rapidly as he struggled to catch his breath. He coughed and groaned, trying to shake off the remnants of the vivid nightmare that had jolted him awake. Gazing out of the window, he noticed the familiar night sky, but something felt off. Before he could make sense of the unsettling feeling, a hand suddenly grasped his side, causing him to jump in surprise.
"Did you have a nightmare?" a quiet voice behind Kai inquired. It was Cole.
"Yeah," Kai murmured, feeling Cole's comforting embrace enveloping him as they nestled together.
Cole's warm breath brushed against Kai's neck as he held him close. "Wanna talk about it?" Cole asked softly, his voice full of concern.
Shaking his head, Kai struggled to articulate the fading images from the dream. "It's nothing," he managed to say, his hand finding solace in Cole's reassuring grip as it rested on his stomach.- what was wrong?
They lay there for a few minutes in comfortable silence, the soft glow of the moonlight seeping through the window. Kai shifted slightly and turned to face Cole, taking in the familiar sight of his handsome features. Cole reached out, his large hand gently cupping Kai's cheek as he whispered, "I love you, you know that, right?"
Kai's eyes widened as he gazed into Cole's deep, forest-green eyes, feeling the full weight of his words sinking in.
When did they-
"I... I know," Kai whispered, looking down, but then immediately looking back up when he saw Cole's bare chest, a furious red blush flushed his cheeks.
Cole's smug tired smile just made it worse.
"I thought you were over that..." Cole chuckled softly, and Kai put his head into the crook of Cole's neck, closing his eyes.
"Shut up, you're really hot..." Kai muttered, and Cole smiled as he kissed his head.
"So are you, firefly," Cole whispered as he slipped his hand down and onto Kai's butt, ripping a flustered yelp out of the fire ninja.
"Stop it!" Kai said as he blushed even darker, "You're going to make me overheat!"
"But you're so cute when you're all flustered," Cole said as he rolled on top of Kai.
"When did you get so confident!?" Kai cried as he tried to stop the assault of the kisses peppering his neck.
"I learned from you," Cole teased as he put a hand on Kai's side.
"Is this some ploy to get me to talk about my nightmare?!" Kai laughed when Cole's fingers tickled lightly into his side.
"Maybe," Cole said as he ran his hand down his side again, lifting Kai as he sat up, pulling Kai into a kiss.
This isn't-
Kai returned it as he felt tears prick his eyes.
Why was he-
"Kai?" Cole whispered.
Kai wiped his eyes, but the tears wouldn't stop.
What was-
"Kai!"
Kai's eyes snapped open to a scene of utter chaos. The deafening clash of swords and roars of a massive orange and red dragon echoed around him. Gripping his sword tightly, he surveyed the battlefield, taking in the evidence of the fierce struggle. His body was adorned with cuts and bruises, and every muscle ached with exhaustion. Despite the weariness, Kai was resolute in his determination to liberate the dragon from the clutches of Ras, fully aware that the battle was far from over.
What-
How he had gotten here, under a brighter red moon, much like-
"I'll distract the Wolf Masks, go for Ras!" a voice yelled to Kai.
Who was-
Kai fought off wolf masks left and right as he got closer to the dragon, roaring with fury, the dragon swiped at Kai, wiping out anything in the way of its talons.
Kai whipped around quickly as his spinjitzu erupted from his body, dodging the attack and getting closer to the dragon- then.
Kai's eyes snapped open, he cried out as he sat up, it was more like a scream of pain, his stomach, it hurt-
What was wrong-
Instinctively, Kai wrapped his arms around himself, but it didn't ease the agony coursing through his gut.
This Isn't Right -
"Whoa, hey, shhh, you're okay," a voice whispered, and Kai nearly fell off the bed, but strong arms gripped him, holding him steady.
Someone sat up beside him, rubbing their hand into his back, it was-
"C-Cole...?"
He's Not-
"Yeah, I'm right here," Cole said as he pressed a kiss to Kai's temple.
Stop-
"Another nightmare?" Cole whispered, and Kai nodded his head.
Not-
"Hey, don't worry, I'll always be here when you wake up," Cole smiled gently as he caressed Kai's cheek, wiping the tears.
LIAR-
"O-Okay," Kai whispered, and Cole kissed under his eye.
"I wish you actually loved me..."
Kai looked up at Cole.
"What?" Kai asked it was just a quiet whisper, but what-
"Huh? I didn't say anything, Kai," Cole said, and Kai looked down at his hands, something was wrong, the light-
Red, Blood, like the-
"Geo... what about... Geo?" Kai suddenly said the first words he'd thought of.
"Who's Geo?"
WHAT-
Kai's eyelids flew open, revealing a scene of total mayhem. The piercing clash of swords and the thunderous roars of an enormous golden fiery orange and red dragon reverberated through the air. Gripping his sword firmly, he surveyed the battlefield, taking note of the signs of intense conflict. His body bore the marks of numerous cuts and bruises, and every sinew ached with fatigue. Despite the exhaustion, Kai remained unwavering in his resolve to free the dragon from the clutches of Ras, fully cognizant that the battle was far from its end.
Where-
How he had gotten here, under a brighter red moon, much like-
"I'll distract the Wolf Masks, go for Ras!" a voice yelled to Kai. Lloyd? Wylfyre? Nya?
Who was-
As Kai closed in on the dragon, its furious roars echoed through the air . With swift movements, he deftly fought off the attackers wearing wolf masks, determined to reach his target. As the dragon unleashed a powerful swipe, Kai skillfully dodged the attack, allowing his spinjitzu to surge forth , propelling him closer to the beast.- then.
Kai screams he bolts up from the bed, throwing off his blanket, jumping off the bed, and backing away from it, his vision is hazed and unclear, and his senses are not aligned with one another.
What was-
Make it stop, make it-
"Kai!"
Kai turned and attacked the source of the voice, fire flew, but it didn't hit its target, thankfully.
It was Cole, Cole was here
NO!-
"Hey, hey, you're okay, just breathe," Cole said, and he put his hand on Kai's shoulder.
"I wish we could be more."
Kai pulls away from his touch, fear embedded in his eyes.
"No, No! I can't, Cole?" Kai whispered.
Don't-
"Yeah, yeah, it's me, I'm here, always."
LIAR!-
As Kai's eyelids flew open, he was greeted by a scene of utter chaos. The sound of clashing swords and the deafening roars of an enormous, majestic dragon painted the air with fierce intensity. Gripping his sword tightly, he surveyed the battlefield, taking in every detail of the ongoing ferocious conflict. His body displayed the evidence of the brutal battle, with numerous cuts and bruises covering his form, while every muscle screamed with exhaustion. Yet, in spite of his weariness, Kai remained resolute in his mission to liberate the dragon from the clutches of Ras, fully aware that the true conclusion of the battle was still distant.
Where-
How he had gotten here, under a brighter blood red moon, much like-
"I'll distract the Wolf Masks, go for Ras!" a voice yelled to Kai. Lloyd?
His body moved, but he wasn't in control, he was doing what he was told, why couldn't stop .
MAKE IT STOP-
As Kai closed in on the dragon, its furious roars echoed through the air . With swift movements, he deftly fought off the attackers wearing wolf masks, determined to reach his target. As the dragon unleashed a powerful swipe, Kai skillfully dodged the attack, allowing his spinjitzu to surge forth , propelling him closer to the beast.- then.
"I'll always be here."
LIAR!
"Just stay with me-"
I CAN'T!
"I love you-"
YOU CAN'T!
"Kai!"
A moon, bright and red as blood.
"I'll distract the wolf masks, you go for Ras-"
NOT RIGHT!
From every direction they came.
Energy ripping through.
So close, not close enough, every. time .
NO!
Then-
Hands around his body-
kisses peppering his skin-
Loving words in his ears.
"I'll always be there when you need me-"
LIAR! MAKE IT STOP!
Bright blood red moon
Yelliing
Every direction
Energy ripping through
Never making it
MAKE IT STOP!!!
Then-
Hands in his
Soft forest eyes
Warm , comforting smile
"I'll always be here for you-"
LIAR!
Blood red moon
Every direction
Energy ripping through
Never making it
MAKE IT STOP!!!
MAKE IT STOP!!!
MAKE IT STOP!!!
THEN-
Kai's eyes blinked open once again. Things didn't feel right, it all felt wrong, and it wouldn't stop.
Hands grasped Kai's stomach. Kai will be the one to say it... this time?
This has happened before...?
"I know you're not really here... I miss you so much... but you're not here..." Kai whispered, turning his head to the man he missed with all his heart, the man he loved.
But he wasn't there, he wasn't here, and the cold hard truth hit him... again?
This has happened before...?
He really wasn't here, he wasn't here for Kai as he promised.
LIAR!
Bright blood red moon
Energy ripping through
Never making it
Then-
Kai's eyes didn't open... this time?
This has happened before...?
"You really think you can stop this? Do you really think you can stop loving me? Do you truly believe you can get out? When have you ever been able to do anything about it? You can't save them, you can save anyone! You can't even save yourself! You're trapped here! They're all going to die! You were too weak! Too powerless! You're useless! YOU'VE COME TO THIS CONCLUSION, YET YOU KEEP TRYING, WHY? YOU KNOW, DEEP DOWN, IT'S ALL USELESS, EVERYTHING YOU DO!!! USELESS!!!! YOU CAN'T SAVE THEM!!!!! IT'S TOO MUCH!!!!!! YOU AREN'T-"
Kai's eyes blink open, and everything is silent, and all he can see is a bright blood moon.
Then-
Kai screams, and fire rips through Kai's body, discharging through his body. But there was nothing there, nothing there that could hurt him, he was just trapped in the same place that he had been for so long.
And he felt like shit.
He remembers the previous few days(?) he'd become feverish and sick from the lack of food or water, but at least Bonzle was fine, she'd revealed that she didn't need food or water to live, which was a lot less stress off of Kai's shoulders, but now that there were very, very, very few sources of water or any food, not to mention they had to keep away from the blood red aura that was the rest of the Forbidden Five.
He remembered that he had sent Bonzle to try and find some more water sources , Kai could live a while without food, but they desperately needed water.
They'd barely escaped the last skirmish with one of the Forbidden Five, and hadn't stopped being hunted by them for days(?) but he needed to stay strong, he needed to be careful.
He needed to keep Bonzle safe.
"You know, Cole never really mentioned you..." Bonzle suddenly said to Kai as they walked through the maze that was this place.
"Really?" Kai asked quietly, and Bonzle shrugged.
"I tuned out half the stories he told, but whenever I'd listen, he never really talked about you, Kai, but the times he did, they were pretty nice," Bonzle explained.
Kai looked at her with a sharp inhale, "How? What did he... say?"
"Well, I remember him always talking as if you were the center of his world, but after one story, Geo and the kids would ask for more stories about you, then Cole would sigh and clench his hands saying 'I think that's enough for now' and he would say he was going to go take a nap, or go make dinner, he'd say anything to stop talking about you, it honestly didn't matter to me then who he talked about, or what stories he would tell, but I don't understand how he didn't talk about you more, you are pretty cool and for a guy that's trapped in here, you're pretty optimistic," Bonzle said, and Kai sighed.
"I think it was too painful," he'd said, and there was nothing more on the topic.