Chapter 32: The Hidden Worlds - Part 3

Kai and Aaron, after a flight of several hours through the Purple Jungle, arrived in the area of the Hanging Mountains. The two friends couldn't longer decide for themselves, which was the best place they had been given to see.


To tell the truth, they both thought that somehow these ,,Hanging Mountains'' would be connected to each other by some vines to give them the effect of hanging, but no.


The mountains were actually floating in the air. Some even had flowing waterfalls. The ground beneath them was completely overgrown by lush deciduous trees, and a crystal clear, large and winding river flowed through the forests.


The bird's eye view of it all looked amazing. One would like to stop and sit on the sandy bank of the rushing river.


The sun was slowly starting to set, so they had to stop and rest.


- Do we make a stop? It's dangerous to travel at night. - Aaron said.


- Let's take a break, I need to rest. - agreed Kai and directed Flame down.


So, they both landed on the hot sand by the riverbank.


Kai cancelled Flame in and sat down on a rock, while Aaron sat with his legs crossed close to the water. 


Draco followed his master and lay down on his stomach beside him. He immediately closed his eyes and fell asleep.


- Wow. You're a fast sleeper, mate. - said a slightly amused Aaron, patting the dragon on the head.


- So. We are in these Hanging Mountains, then where are we now?- asked Kai.


- I have no idea at all. - shook his head Aaron.


Kai sighed and looked to the horizon. Seeing, that the sun had almost set, he got up from the stone and stretched.


- 'I'll go get some wood. It will be dark soon.


As he said, so he did. He quickly disappeared among the trees to look for good wood. Draco opened his eyes and stood up quickly, sniffing the air. He looked into the water and walked over to it. He jumped onto a stone, that was sticking out of the water and stared into the water for a moment.


Aaron watched him curiously and leaned his elbows on his knees, and rested his head against his hands. 


Draco's eyes turned to slits and with a quick movement he dipped his head into the lukewarm water and pulled out four fish, that happened to be swimming through the river current.


The dragon returned to the sand with a satisfied smile and lay down on his stomach, beginning to consume his meal. He glanced at Aaron, who was looking at the water with a slight smile, and glanced back at the fish. He picked one up and walked over to the man and placed it in front of him.


Aaron looked at the fish given to him and looked at Draco, who pushed the fish with his nose, closer to him. Night Fury muttered and looked at Aaron.


 - Thanks, buddy. But I'll wait for Kai, to cook it somehow, right?


The dragon muttered and nodded a few times, and went to his fish.


Kai returned a moment later with the sticks in his arms and placed them on the ground. He knelt down and began to set the sticks in the position of a tent, then set them on fire.


When the fire was ready, he sat down on the sand and looked into the flames. Aaron reached for one of the sticks and impaled a fish on it. He washed the fish in water first and walked over to the fire, placing the fish over the fire. 


Kai looked suprised at him.


- Where did you get the fish from?


- Draco gave it to me.


The red ninja groaned displeased. - The benefits of having a dragon. - He complained, glancing at the sleeping Draco.


Aaron giggled at him and focused on roasting the fish.


= Skipping time=


First thing in the morning, they started their flight in search of the Castle Between Dusk and Dawn, but to no avail. They didn't know, where to fly to. There were, no directions to the capital.


- Argh! We've been flying for an eternity and we're still not there. - groaned Kai.


- 'We could have asked for some kind of map. - groaned Aaron in agreement.


- 'Are we really one people here and there isn't at least a bird here?!- shouted Kai, looking around for a birds.


- Well, that's right. It's quite suspicious. Maybe they have some kind of... migration?


- I don't know, but I'm really considering the option of going home.


- No, we can't give up, and if that's the point? Maybe Aya somehow wants us, to find her instead of her finding us?


- Do you think, this is some kind of test of loyalty?


- Well, nothing is impossible, is it?


After that, they began to traverse the valley in silence. Aya has a plan, it's impossible ,that Flame could have brought them here for no reason, right?


They were flying above the clouds, when Flame and Draco sniffed the air and smelled a creature. They both became animated at this and began to look around for the creature, as they felt it was flying close to them.


Seeing the sudden behaviour in their dragons Kai and Aaron turned to them.


- Are you alright, Flame/ Draco?


The dragons looked around confused, searching for the creature, until they tensed up when they heard a distant sound reminiscent of, a bird. They looked to their left and saw a large griffin, on whose back it was.... Man!?! 


The dragons roared happily and surprised, and their riders looked over to, where they were and also gasped.


- Hey, can you see the same thing as me?!-cried an excited Aaron.


- Yes. Someone of us!- cried Kai in the same tone.


The dragons flew towards the beast and it's rider, who disappeared among the clouds. They stopped and looked around excitedly.


- Where did they disappear to? - Kai asked.


From behind them they heard a shout and at the last moment they got out of the way of the big bird and the person who was on its back.


- What is that?! - asked a shocked Kai.


- This is a griffin. There are pictures of these creatures in Knighton after all, they're even in the castle (Y/N). Don't you remember?


- No. I don't pay attention to art.


The griffin turned sharply and flew up to the dragons, who opened their mouths to shoot, attacking the creature with plasma and fire.


The griffin stopped in front of them, and the person on its back, who is male looked at the two heroes with a hostile gaze, wielding a large, sharp, silver lance. 


The man had pale skin and was bald. There was a huge scar running across his face and he had no facial hair. He also had a few scratches on his arms. He wore a steel breastplate and black trousers. At his belt he had a belt with daggers attached to it.


Surprisingly, apart from the sharp lance, his hand glowed with a blue light and there were blue glowing veins leading from his hand to his shoulder.



- What are you looking for here, freaks. - he demanded with venom in his voice.


The dragons growled at this tone and narrowed their stern gaze at him.


- Hey... em... I'm Aaron, and this is Kai... I... we're from Ninjago.


- What are you looking for here?


- Actually... we're not looking for trouble or anything like that, we're just... looking for the Castle Between Dusk and Dawn. We're looking for Queen Aya. - explained Aaron in a slightly irritated tone, as the stranger pointed his lance at him.


- What do you want from our queen, stranger.


- So you know, where she is? - Kai asked, but after a moment he squealed and scowled when the stranger looked at him with daggers in his eyes.


- Our queen, she does not want to deal with strangers, such as yourselves, at the moment. Especially, if they are not from this kingdom.


- But we must see her! Our friend's life is in danger, we need her help! - shouted Aaron, staring at the guard.


- That is not an option. Get out of here and don't come back, or I will help you do it.


- You don't understand anything. Aya knows our friend well and she needs to help us. Do you know, by any chance... (Y/N) Moorington?


The guard widened his eyes in surprise and tensed up, when he heard the name of their new princess. He shook his head and growled at the knight, who spoke so nonchalantly about her.


- You do not have the slightest respect for our new princess and ruler. You have no right to come to the capital of the kingdom. But if our princess needs help... I can take you to her. But if you lie to me and she does not know you at all... you will pay bitterly for it. Both of you.


The guard grabbed the reins and led the griffin towards the castle. Aaron and Kai nodded with smiles and began to fly after the guard.


After about an hour, they reached... more mountains.


- Seriously! More mountains? - exclaimed Kai.


- Quiet there! We are here. - growled the guard.


- So where? I don't see any castle here. - replied the red ninja, looking around for a castle.


- Fly all the way behind me, halfwits. - he ordered.


- Okay, whatever you prefer.


The griffin accelerated flying straight into mountain. Kai and Aaron were starting to get a little apprehensive, about where the guard was going.


- 'Wait... and shouldn't we be flying upwards sometimes?- questioned Aaron.


- Fly all the way up behind me and no questioning.


Griffin and the dragons flew straight into mountain. Aaron and Kai closed their eyes, fearing they would collide with it, but.... Nothing happened?


They opened their eyes and gasped in amazed. To their eyes appeared a great castle, that was hidden by the illusion of mountains. Clever.


- I can see, that you like the view. For years, we had been fleeing the evil, that was once inevitable, but here we found refuge. Here, we were able to put down roots. - recounted the guard, glancing over his shoulder at them with a smile.


- Woah... this looks amazing. - sighed Kai.


They landed in a courtyard, swarming with guards and servants.


Everyone in the courtyard looked in wonder at the new arrivals. The guard jumped off the back of the griffin, and it flew away. Kai and Aaron climbed down from the dragons and looked around at their surroundings.


They felt more than a uncomfortable, feeling the stares of other creatures and people on them. The guard walked bravery towards the gate and faced the two guards, who were centaurs.


- I request an urgent audience with Queen Aya. We have dignitaries from another kingdom.


The centaurs looked at each othe,r and nodded and proceeded to open the gates. All three, plus one dragon went inside. They walked through great white corridors, lined with green carpet with golden patterns.


- This castle is even bigger than the one in Knighton. - muttered Aaron.


-  Yes and bigger than (Y/N). - agreed Kai.


After walking for a while, they stopped in front of another door, which was guarded by... Roog and Reex!?


A/N: These two brothers of the Three Brothers.


They stood at attention, holding halberds in their hands. Their eyes widened as they recognised the two newcomers.


- Nexo Knight!? - exclaimed both of them.


Aaron's jaw dropped in shock as well.


- Don't catch flies. Open the gates.


Roog and Reex shrugged and grunted in agreement. They slowly opened the door for them, and entered the throne room.


Two thrones. One white and gold and one black and purple. They had symbols of the sun and moon on the backs. There was currently no one here.


Aaron, the Guard, Kai and Draco faced the thrones and looked around.


On the other side of the door stood more guards, who were fauns. On the columns, near the ceiling sat... stone gargoyles from the Monstrox army!?


Fox gasped once again at this sight and rubbed his eyes.


- Dude, tell me I'm dreaming.


- No, this is not a dream.


A purple Serpentine came out from behind the thrones, somewhat similar to Anacondrai, if not identical. He had a staff made of silver with a blade in his hand. 


- Lead us to Queen Aya and King Darkness. - said the guard, standing proudly.


The snake didn't reply, but looked behind him, where there was another corridor in the wall.


- If they come out of there, how are they going to get down?- whispered Kai.


- I have no idea. - whispered Aaron.


Suddenly everyone in the hall bowed low. Aaron and Kai looked at each other confused and looked into the hallway where two lions with wings appeared.


One had a golden mane and white feathers and (E/C) eyes and on its head was a golden crown with the symbol of the sun. The other had a black coat with purple wings and a wavy starry mane and on its head was a crown with the symbol of the moon. 


Aaron and Kai's jaw dropped at this sight and they stared at the creatures in shock.


The two lions flew to the thrones and sat on them, looking proudly at the people below. Aaron and Kai, seeing the reaction of the others in the room, also bowed, even Draco.


- Welcome Aaron Fox, Nexo Knight. Welcome Kai, Master of Fire. Welcome also to you Fluminox, you have our thanks, for bringing the strays here. - said the golden lioness, in a grateful tone.


They got up from their knees and looked at the rulers.


- Aya?- asked Aaron in a whisper.


- Indeed. It's been a long time since we've seen each other, hasn't it? - She said with a smile.


- It is wonderful, that you managed to find your way to my kingdom and visit me after such a long time. My brother and I are extremely pleased.


- Thank you, but we are on a matter other than visiting. - Aaron said.


- Then tell us boy, what is going on. - said Darkness with a kind look.


Kai had to admit himself that if someone had told him that Darkness had once been an Overlord, he would not have believed it. His true form, is quite different from his corruption incarnation.


- We need your help. (Y/N) is in danger. - (T/N) informed Aaron, and everyone in the room gasped.


- A princess in danger? We need to help her. -  said Serpentine in a worried tone.


- Peace, Saskia. There is probably an explanation. - interrupted Darkness.


- Yes. (Y/N) fell victim to corruption. - explained Kai.


- How did that happen? What made her? - Aya asked.


- It's our fault... We were mean to her, because we were... distraught over our sister's passing, and she... helped us afterwards, and then....


- She was too concerned about such a sudden turn of events. Too much happened in one day. Now she's called Peacebreaker and she's part of the Council of some Crystal King. - Aaron informed.


Darkness furrowed his brow, hearing the name of someone he knew very well.


- The Crystal King, you say. - he growled, in a serious tone.

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