The darkness of the Underworld enveloped the ninja as they moved forward. The underground mountains seemed endless—massive stone walls rose around them, and deep chasms tore through their path, forcing them to find alternative routes. Here, in this place, the earth had a life of its own. The echoes of distant tremors rolled through the tunnels, causing stones to crumble from the vaults, while a faint tremor beneath their feet felt like the underground was warning them of something.
- I don't like this place.
Jay muttered, glancing around.
- It looks like it wants to kill us.
- Just keep your balance.
Cole said, jumping over a crack in the ground.
- And don't fall behind.
Deeper into the mountains, the atmosphere grew even more tense. The air was thick with dust and the scent of ancient stone, while the narrow passages forced them to tread carefully, unsure of what lay beyond the next turn. They passed walls covered in ancient symbols, which seemed to flicker in the dim glow of phosphorescent rivers.
- What are these inscriptions?
Nia asked, running her hand over one of them.
Master Wu stopped and studied the markings.
- This is the ancient language of the Terran clan... The inscriptions warn: 'Only one who understands the depth of the earth can wield its wrath.
- That means the scythe must be here somewhere.
Cole said, staring tensely into the darkness ahead.
Another tremor made the walls shudder. A deep rumble rolled beneath their feet, and suddenly, a fissure opened before them, revealing a passage into a vast hall.
There, in the center, among stone columns and ancient altars, stood a temple. Its walls seemed to be carved from the earth itself, and at the entrance hung massive stone doors covered in glowing symbols.
- We're here.
Wu said quietly.
The ninja cautiously moved forward, knowing that the real trial was yet to come.
***
The ninja carefully studied the center of the temple, where the Scythe of Earthquakes lay on a stone pedestal. Its blade, as if forged from the earth itself, shimmered with a golden glow, while its hilt seemed to be a part of the ancient stone.
- Oh! Look!
Jay exclaimed, pointing with his hand.
- Yes, we see it. We're not blind.
Kai replied sarcastically.
- But it looks like you are.
Elis remarked.
She casually turned Kai's head with her finger, and he finally saw Samukai and his army of skeletons—the same ones they had fought in Kasaimura village.
- Well... happens to the best of us...
Kai muttered, crossing his arms.
- Looks like they also know where to look for the Golden Weapons.
Zane observed, watching the skeletons.
Master Wu studied the enemies with a serious expression.
- I underestimated my brother and his servants...
He said quietly.
- But if they found the Scythe of Earthquakes, why didn't they take it?
Nia asked, eyeing Samukai suspiciously.
- Yeah! Why?
Jay chimed in.
Master Wu focused on the symbols on the temple walls and slowly recited:
- Only one who understands the depth of the earth can wield its wrath.
Then he added.
- Only a true master of its element can claim the Golden Weapon.
- So, a master of earth. A Terran...
Elis said thoughtfully, stepping forward.
- Exactly.
Master Wu confirmed, his voice echoing through the temple walls.
The ninja turned to Cole, who waved his hands in slight confusion, trying to deflect their stares.
- Why are you all looking at me? I haven't even unlocked my true potential!
Cole protested, trying to sound confident.
Master Wu calmly placed a hand on his shoulder and said,
- The Golden Weapons recognize true elemental masters, even if they haven't fully become one yet.
Cole pressed his lips together and shrugged, shaking his head.
- Alright, I get it. But don't expect too much from me.
- Don't stress! If anything, you've got me!
Elis reassured him with a grin, stepping forward.
- And here I thought we only had one of you, Kai.
Jay added, glancing at Zane, who gave him a knowing look.
- What?!
Kai and Elis exclaimed in unison, trying to understand what he meant.
Jay smirked.
- Oh, nothing. Just that we've got another superpower—comedy!
Kai shot a teasing glance at Elis.
- Yeah, and it's definitely not me.
- I don't know what you're talking about.
Elis replied with a smirk, though there was a flicker of curiosity in her eyes.
Kai smirked back, but this time with a more serious expression.
- Alright, we settled that. Now, what about them?
Nia asked, nodding toward the skeletons.
- What do you mean? We still owe them for that gas attack.
Cole said.
- Yeah, my back hurt so much after that!
Jay added.
- What?
Elis asked, confused, as no one had told her what had happened in Kasaimura village.
- Oh, nothing important.
Zane said dismissively, waving it off.
- Just another little adventure.
Kai added, rolling his shoulder as if nothing serious had happened.
***
- Well, now that that's settled...
Cole started.
- Let's go!!
Elis shouted and leaped toward the skeletons, ready to move forward.
Cole looked at her, shrugged with a smile.
- Hey! That's not fair!!
Kai yelled after her and dashed forward.
The other ninja also jumped down, ready for another battle.
The second round against the skeletons had begun. Each ninja fought with all their courage, knowing that this time they weren't just defending—they were restoring justice for the previous attack. The faint sound of battle filled the underground corridors as Kai and Cole coordinated their strikes, while Jay and Zane covered their flanks. Elis, always stubborn and determined, swiftly took the offensive, her movements precise and relentless.
- You're not escaping this time!
Kai shouted, dodging a skeleton's attack and responding with a powerful counterstrike.
As it turned out, Elis was the fastest of all the ninja, able to move and fight at the same time with unmatched agility. Her movements were incredibly quick and precise—every step, every turn seemed perfectly calculated. She dodged the skeletons' strikes with ease while delivering attacks that left them no chance to retaliate.
The other ninja weren't far behind. Kai, though trying to appear indifferent, couldn't allow Elis to be faster than him. His strikes were just as powerful, but he used his own strategy—closing in on the skeletons quickly to surprise them with sharp, precise attacks while they were occupied with others.
Zane remained calm, his face emotionless as he glided across the stone floor of the underground. He was like a shadow, making it impossible for the skeletons to predict his movements. His attacks were precise but efficient—not a single wasted motion.
Cole, though not as fast as Elis, had his own advantage—raw power. Every strike of his was like a thunderous blow, shaking the skeletons apart and echoing through the corridors. He sent them flying in all directions as if shattering stones.
But perhaps the most interesting sight was Kai. He stayed close to Elis, trying not to fall behind her pace, and with every swift movement of hers, he felt his heart race faster. His attacks were impressive—perhaps not as precise as Zane's or Elis's, but undeniably strong and always hitting their mark.
Together, they formed a perfect battle ensemble—each with their own unique technique and speed, executing their strikes like a synchronized machine. With every new attack, the skeletons seemed to weaken.
- You're not getting away from us!
Kai shouted as another skeleton collapsed from his powerful strike to the back.
- We're not done yet!
Elis smirked, her rapid attacks leaving the enemies with almost no chance to defend themselves.
Nia moved swiftly and precisely, her strikes nearly invisible but deadly. Every step allowed her to dodge attacks and neutralize enemies instantly, hitting them in their weakest spots.
Jay fought aggressively, never pausing for a moment. His attacks were powerful, striking the skeletons with such force that they couldn't recover.
Master Wu remained calm and composed. His movements were precise and controlled, attacking only when necessary, eliminating skeletons with one or two strikes, never wasting energy.
- Is that all you've got?
Nia taunted as she grabbed a skeleton by the arm and threw it aside.
- You'll pay for that gas! My back was sore because of you!!
Jay smirked, striking another skeleton in the chest and sending it spinning across the corridor.
- Your time is over!
Master Wu declared, slicing through another enemy with a precise motion.
The ground trembled, and massive rocks fell around them, creating chaos. Elis barely managed to dodge the debris that came crashing down. Her speed was astounding—she moved through the air, avoiding the falling stones with flawless precision.
- Goodness!
Elis shouted as she narrowly dodged a boulder that almost crushed her.
- Over here!
Kai yelled, reaching out his hand to help.
Elis immediately grabbed his hand, and he pulled her up to him. They regrouped with the others, forming a defensive circle, standing back-to-back, fending off the skeletons and avoiding falling debris.
The earthquake continued its destructive course, but the ninja didn't back down. They stood firm, fighting and protecting one another. Master Wu observed the situation, his gaze focused. As the debris continued to crash down, he suddenly looked at Cole and Elis.
- Cole, Elis!
He called out, nodding toward the Earthquake Scythe.
Cole and Elis instantly understood—it was time to act. They exchanged a glance and, without hesitation, rushed toward the scythe at the top of the collapsing structure.
Elis, with her incredible speed and reflexes, navigated through the falling debris effortlessly. She moved with such precision and smoothness that even as the ground beneath her became unstable, she never faltered.
They climbed over rubble and rocky ledges, pushing forward toward their goal, never falling behind each other.
Finally, when Cole was almost within reach of the Earthquake Scythe, he sprinted toward it, leaving Elis slightly behind on the ledge. He grabbed the scythe, feeling its weight in his hands.
In that instant, the scythe began to glow with a dark light, signifying that it had accepted Cole as the true master of earth.
The earthquake ceased immediately as soon as he lifted the scythe. However, the last massive boulder, which had been hanging precariously, finally fell—and it was heading straight for Elis. The ledge she stood on crumbled beneath her, sending her plummeting downward.
- Elis!!
The ninja shouted as they saw her falling.
Elis slid down the debris, but as she hit the ground and surveyed the surrounding chaos, she quickly realized she was unharmed.
- This feels just like our first meeting.
Jay chuckled, watching as Elis and Kai once again found themselves in a similar situation as on the first day they met.
- Oh! Sorry...
Elis said sheepishly as she got up from Kai.
- I think I'm getting used to this!
Kai laughed.
- Good!
Cole replied, grinning.
Cole approached them, the Earthquake Scythe in his hand. He extended a hand to Kai.
- Grab on!
And helped him up.
As Cole held the scythe, a newfound sense of power and responsibility gleamed in his eyes. He was now ready to lead his team through new challenges.
- Cole, I never doubted you.
Master Wu said, pride in his voice as he looked at his student.
The ninja all smiled, realizing they had overcome an important step in their journey.
- By the way, where did the skeletons go?
Nia asked, looking at the now-empty battlefield.
- They got scared of our future master of earth and ran away.
Jay laughed, relaxing as he looked around.
- What's next, Sensei?
Kai asked, glancing at Master Wu.
Master Wu, without hesitation, replied:
- Now we head for the Trident of the Depths. This weapon is hidden in a forgotten temple beneath the waters of the Ice Abyss.
He explained, looking at his students.
- It is guarded by ancient creatures that allow no one to reach the golden weapon. But only with the Trident of the Depths can we control the power that is awakening.
The ninja exchanged glances, sensing the next stage of their journey approaching—ready for the next trial ahead.
Without hesitation, they gathered themselves, prepared to move forward, knowing that their mission was far from over.
***
The ninjas moved in different directions, forming three groups to ensure greater efficiency and safety on their way to the Sea of the Fallen. Zane and Master Wu led the way, discussing their next steps, while Jay, Nia, and Cole took the left flank. Kai and Elis brought up the rear.
- Hey! Listen, aren't you the girl who shut my mouth at night and then knocked me out?
Kai asked, recalling the moment when someone had held him back, preventing him from even reacting.
- I don't know, maybe I am, maybe I'm not.
Elis replied with a smirk, not even turning to face him before walking over to join Cole, Jay, and Nia.
Kai froze for a moment, deep in thought.
- So it was her...
He muttered, realizing he wasn't going to let this go anytime soon.
"I WILL remember this!"
He added to himself, subconsciously feeling an urge to put her in her place.
With that thought lingering in his mind, he joined the rest of the group, watching them with a hint of distrust.
***
And so, their new adventure began—the search for the legendary Golden Weapons, the only force capable of defeating the evil that was awakening. The ninjas, united in strength, advanced step by step through uncharted lands, preparing for the trials that awaited them. Each of them carried their own goals and memories, but now they stood together, moving toward a common purpose—to find the weapons that could change the course of the battle and restore balance between light and darkness.
With every step, the path grew more treacherous, and they all knew: only together could they overcome what lay ahead. Yet despite the challenges and dangers, their resolve remained unshaken. They were ready to fight—not just for their own futures, but for the future of the entire world.
Somewhere out there, the Golden Weapons awaited, and only together could they find them.