Jay draped his general's coat over the sleeping Nya, shivering in the cold drizzle. He carried her into the ship's cabin, laying her on top of one of the cots. He stroked her cheek, gazing down on her before walking outside.

He sighed softly, staring at the cloudy night sky as he leaned against the railing. I can't go back. He thought, rubbing at his temples. I can't.
-
"Fucking idiot!" The General of Fire pursued Jay, whip in hand. "Do you even understand what you've done?!"

Jay stopped in his tracks as he approached a dead-end. The frigid air of the underworld and Kai's anger caused the hairs on the back of his neck to stand. "Kai, please, I didn't mean to-"

"Silence!" Kai barked, stalking towards Jay. "Your incompetence nearly cost us our lives, and my position as second-in-command! Do you know how humiliating it is to be demoted? To be loyal to Garmadon since your childhood, only to have fucking Samukai snatch up your position?"

Jay opened his mouth to speak, only to find himself unable to. He didn't mean to- the gliders weren't meant to malfunction-

"Answer me, asshole! Do you?!"

"N-No! I'm sorry-"

Kai growled in frustration, whipping the side of Jay's face. Jay screamed in horror, clutching his bleeding face.

"Let that be a lesson to you. Don't fuck me over ever again. Do you understand?"

Jay whimpered a yes, tears welling up in his eyes. "I'm sorry..."
-
Jay felt the scar that traveled from his eyebrow to just above his chin. It served as a reminder to avoid failure at all costs and that he was loyal to the Underworld for life.

He frowned, glancing back at the cabin. No. Now it served as a reminder to never look back, and to not let anyone treat him like less of a human ever again.
-
"Wake up, Nya."

Nya's eyes fluttered open, meeting her older brother's. She groaned, glancing at the window. "It's too early, Kai..." She mumbled into her pillow.

Kai laughed, pulling at her arm. "Come on, sis. You gotta get used to waking up early if you wanna run this shop someday."

"I don't." She sighed, getting up. "Just because I'm good at it doesn't mean I wanna do it."

Kai rolled his eyes, waiting for her to finish dressing herself. "Alright then, expert. What do you wanna do then?"

"I don't know." She huffed, putting on her boots and following him. "I just wanna explore. I'm tired of being here."

"I promise we'll get out of here, sis." He turned towards her, smirking.

Something was off. He was taller, older, scars slashed across his face. A devilish glint to his eye.

"I'm leaving you, sis. I'm leaving you here to work. Lord Garmadon promised me the world, and I want it more than anything. He said I had the potential to burn cities down and build them back up again." He stalked towards her, his hands engulfed in flames. "I'll burn this village down and build you a mansion. You'll be so happy here, you won't even need a reason to leave. You'll be happy."

"Happy?" Kai was older, but she was still seven years old. A child, innocent and naive. She walked towards her big brother. He was so warm, so inviting.

"Yeah. Happy." He smiled at her, reaching out, his hand burning hot. "Do it, you fucking bitch. Say yes."

Nya stepped back, shaken. "Wh-What?"

"You heard me, you dirty whore." Kai stood up, walking towards her. She was eight years older now, her current age. "I know you want to fuck him. You act like you're so innocent, training under Sensei Wu." He frowned. "But I know your dirty little secret. You like the darkness. You want to fuck the enemy. Admit it!"

Nya collapsed to the floor, stunned. "I- No!"

Kai pressed his palms against the hardwood floors, flames filling the entire shop. Nya sobbed as fire spread across her body. She couldn't escape.

"Water Lily. Water Lily." Kai called out to her, laughing. "Wake up, little Water Lily. Wake up!"
-
Jay was shaking her awake. "Nya! Come on, Water Lily, wake up!"

Nya gasped, clutching onto Jay's arms. "K-Kai!"

Jay held her close, shaking his head. "It's me, Nya. It's Jay. I'm here." He rubbed her back. "You were dreaming. It's okay."

Nya slowed her breathing, resting her head against his shoulder. "I'm sorry, I- I didn't mean to make you worry." She closed her eyes, tightening the blanket around her shoulders, only to realize it was Jay's coat. She moved it to her face, taking in its scent. "Was I... talking in my sleep?"

Jay shook his head. "You didn't make a peep, but you were tossing and turning like crazy. You looked scared."

"I was." She sighed heavily, moving her head closer to his neck. "Were you watching me sleep?" She chuckled gently, half-joking.

"Er, no." Jay protested. "I was... in the area."

"Uh-huh. And I bet I just magically appeared on this bed with your coat around my shoulders." She smirked, snuggling into his chest. This surprised both Jay and herself.

"I, um..." He blushed darkly, unsure of where to put his hands, or probably unsure of what he was doing altogether. "What are you...?"

"Just hold me, silly." She laughed, crawling into his lap. "Don't tell me you don't know what cuddling is."

"I know what it is, I just- are you sure you want to cuddle now? I mean, it's not like we're..."

Nya hushed him, hugging him. "You're cold. I'm cold. We're simply staying warm."

Jay wrapped his arms around her slowly, moving his head into her shoulder. She shivered for a moment, from the cold or perhaps from his touch, clutching onto his shirt tighter. She was fierce and stubborn, with the spirit of a cunning and strategic warrior; it was a shame she was also the most adorable girl in the world as well. Jay was falling for her, badly.

"Nya?" He whispered after a few minutes.

"Jay, I told you, let's just-"

"No." Jay pulled away from her, holding her by the shoulders. "Nya, starting now, at this moment, I pledge my allegiance to you. I promise you that no harm will come your way, including myself."

"What about the rest of the generals?" Nya asked, glancing down. "... Including my brother."

"I have a... feeling." Jay leaned against the wall, staring at the ceiling. "They'll be easy to turn. Cole is as solid as a rock, but he has a strong moral compass. Zane is the easy one, a machine; you can reprogram him at any time."

"And my brother?" Nya pressed on. "Will he turn? Will he hurt me- us?"

Jay inhaled sharply. He remembered the discipline. The lashings. The blood. The scars. Scars. He touched the one scratched across his eye. "I think we should talk. Tell me a bit of your past and I'll tell you mine. We'll figure out together who this Kai is, and... his intentions too."

Nya sat still, expressionless. Jay had met with Kai recently. He knew him better than she did. She was terrified to hear Jay's accounts, but she knew deep down that it was the only way for her to truly understand why her brother left her.

"Alright. Tell me what happened after you went with him."