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Wu held his breath as he pressed his hand against the paper and slowly and quietly as he could, pushed the sliding door to the side. He leaned in through the doorway and peered inside. The lights were out - no surprise, the sun had set hours ago - casting the room into shadows, save for a single stream of moonlight that fluttered in through the window. But it was nothing he couldn’t handle thanks to his inhuman ancestry, he could see just as clearly in total darkness as he could in the middle of the day.
His eyes landed on the bed at the opposite side of the room and traced the outline of a figure laying under the covers with her back turned to him. Except there was only one figure. When there should’ve been two.
Wu furrowed his brow and took a step into the room to get a better look around. He peered over the sleeping form of his sister in law, but saw no trace of her husband. He turned to look over into the corner and squinted, trying to get a peek at the shape that had recently begun occupying that space of the room.
“He’s outside.” Came Misako’s voice from the bed. She sounded tired and frankly not in the mood for visitors. Wu couldn’t blame her.
“Thank you, Misako. Rest well.” He bowed his head and stepped backwards out of the room, closing the door.
Letting out a breath he hadn’t realised he was holding, the youngest son of the First Spinjitzu Master ran a hand through his short blonde hair and walked down the hallway, before opening the sliding door and stepping out into the cold, quiet night.
He sighed, stepping off the front porch of the monastery and gazing around the courtyard, only to be met with no sign of his brother. Misako hadn’t said where he’d be exactly, but he supposed she couldn’t exactly know if she was too exhausted to get out of bed and follow her husband to wherever he was headed.
Had he told her where he was going exactly?
Well, he wasn’t about to go back in and ask her. She needed her rest.
Wu cast his eyes to the front gates of the monastery and shook his head. There was no way Garmadon would leave the monastery at this time of night. He sat back on the porch and crossed his legs, resting his palms on his knees. Closing his eyes, he focused his hearing for any tell-tale signs of his brother somewhere on the premise.
He remained like this for a few moments, concentrating, before his heightened dragon hearing picked up on a light murmuring sound of a male voice. He strained his ears, trying to pinpoint the exact direction the voice was coming from when he realised it was to his left and slightly higher than ground level.
He opened his eyes and stood up, taking a few steps forward and looking toward the roof of the monastery. He grinned and ran toward the extended roof, jumped and grabbed onto the extended canopy with just enough momentum to swing his whole body backwards all the way until his hands let go and his bare feet landed silently on the black tiled roof.
He could hear the sound more clearly now, it was his brother’s voice for certain. It sounded almost melodical. He silently crept up the slanted roof of the building and peered over. Sure enough, there was his brother, laying on his back, resting against the black tiles and looking relatively relaxed despite the dangers of the situation he was resting in.
Wu was about to jump down and join him when he finally pieced together the low, gentle noise coming from his brother and what he was doing out here in the first place.
“Dragons have silent eyes, cracked eggshells, fireflies.” Garmadon sang. His head was leaned back against the roof, eyes closed and resting against his chest was his three week old son, sleeping peacefully in his father’s supportive hold. “I don’t wanna tame you, I don’t wanna tame.”
For a few moments, Wu remained there, listening to his stoic, confident, if a little arrogant older brother singing a lullaby to his little nephew. Misako would kill him if she knew he’d brought their son up out here in the middle of the night. Eventually, he swung his legs over and slid down the roof, stopping himself with his feet just before he could topple of the edge of the mountain.
“Mind if I join you, brother?” Wu grinned.
His older brother gave him an unamused glare, sleepiness clouding his gaze. “I swear if you wake him up I just might give into this curse and carry out my fratricidal murder fantasies.”
In any other circumstance, Wu would’ve been mortified by his brother’s threat, even if he knew it were empty. But now, knowing his brother was simply exhausted and adjusting to life as a new parent to a colicky baby, all he could do was chuckle. “And I wouldn’t blame you.”
“What are you doing out here?” Garmadon asked, taking his eyes off Lloyd to look over, curiously at his brother. There was a mist of dark grey under his eyes, which appeared more red than usual. And he was so pale. Wu knew his brother hadn’t been sleeping particularly well – in fact, no one in the monastery had slept a full night’s sleep since the baby was born – but this looked worse than simple new parent exhaustion.
“Nothing really. I just wanted to check on you two.” Then he turned the question around. “What are you doing out here?”
Garmadon shrugged. “Just thought I’d get us both some fresh air.”
“Little one being fussy?” Wu asked, refraining from reaching out to stroke the tiny strands of blonde hair already growing from Lloyd’s head, knowing it would certainly wake him and then his brother may follow through on the promise he’d made a minute ago.
Garmadon inhaled a deep breath and sighed, chuckling lightly. “No. I uh… I think it was me this time.”
“Oh?” Wu rose a brow as he moved to sit cross-legged on the black tiles beside his brother and nephew.
The Master of Destruction didn’t take his eyes off his son. Wu couldn’t get over how tiny he was. And now even more so, swaddled in a green blanket that in ten years the brothers would remember and laugh at the irony of. “I’m worried, Wu…”
“Worried about what?” Wu questioned. There were many things to be worried about these days. Garmadon and Misako had recently had their little boy after many years of fertility issues, but the birth had left Misako weakened, almost dead in the delivery room. She was recovering now but was plagued with post-partum depression. She couldn’t even bring herself to hold the baby for more than a few minutes.
Wu knew his brother was trying to be as supportive of his wife as he could. After all, she as much older when she’d gotten pregnant than when she’d married him. A baby was not the healthiest thing for her to be having at her later age. But Garmadon had convinced her that he would be there for her and even handle most of the child care if need be. He’d always wanted to be a father, even if his mixed hybrid genetics plagued him with fertility issues.
He’d been trying his best to keep his promise, but Lloyd was a fussy little thing. He needed his mother. And Wu could already see the cracks beginning to form in the marriage.
Taking a step back from their family issues, it seemed as though there was no good news to be heard outside of the monastery. Ninjago was at peace, the Serpentine Wars were nothing but a distant memory of the land, but it hadn’t been long ago that Wu had received one devastating bit of news after the other, of the Elemental Alliance. Hibernus, the elemental Master of Ice, one of the most powerful elemental masters Wu had ever met, had died without an heir. Libber, a talented, carefree Master of Lightning had died a mother and Wu hadn’t heard news of the condition of the baby boy she’d left behind. Lilly, a Master of Earth as brave as she was compassionate had come down with a deadly illness and would not live long enough to see her son inherit her elemental powers. Ray and Maia, Masters of Fire and Water had gone missing, leaving no trace of their whereabouts and their two young children left to pick up the pieces.
It made Wu worry about the future, worry about possible turmoil Ninjago could be thrust into in the future, about what would become of the new elemental masters without their predecessors to guide and nurture their powers. He couldn’t even imagine the anxieties all these various bits of news must’ve had on his brother, whose son was set to inherit at least some form of unprecedented elemental power in the next decade.
“About my curse, Wu.” Garmadon replied.
“Oh.” Wu looked down.
“You know ever since I was bitten, I’ve been kinda able to avoid thinking about it. Sometimes the curse lays dormant for long enough than I can forget I even have it. Only to then be with the sudden urge to go all out during a friendly sparring session as if I’m fighting to the death and intend to cause as much damage as possible completely out of nowhere after three years of trying to be a good person.” Garmadon released one hand from Lloyd to hold it up near his head, staring intently at the two red dots on his hand. A scar that had been there for so many centuries now.
Wu stayed silent, letting his brother talk and listening to what he had to say while trying not to focus too much on the feeling of guilt welling up within him. His shoulders were suddenly very heavy.
His brother shook his head. “But ever since we found out Misako was pregnant, it’s all I’ve been able to think about.”
Lloyd gave a fussy little whine and his father quickly returned his hand to him, running it up and down his back soothingly. The baby didn’t wake.
“I’m scared, Wu.” Garmadon admitted. There was a tremor in his voice. “I’m scared that one day I’m going to give in to this curse. Do something I can’t take back and get my dumbass into serious trouble.”
“Brother…” Wu started, but didn’t continue.
Garmadon pulled Lloyd closer to his chest. “I’m scared that my son will have to grow up not only without his father, but also ashamed of him.”
Wu looked away and raised his hand to his mouth, not saying anything. Because what could he say?
Beside him, Garmadon took a shaky breath. “The way Misako and I argue. With this curse I almost end up saying some things I don’t really want to say to her, just to hurt her. And to blow off some steam afterwards, I contemplate setting crops from near farms on fire or killing animals just to cause harm. How can I even expect to be a good father when those are the thoughts that run through my head when I argue with the mother of my son?”
His younger brother finally spoke up. “But you don’t truly act on it though.”
“Of course not!” Garmadon stopped himself from yelling. “But it’s the thought that counts.”
Before Wu could say anything more, his brother ran a hand through his hair and tilted his head back. “Fuck, Wu. What am I gonna do?”
In any other situation, Wu would’ve responded with a stern ‘language’ especially with the baby around, but given the circumstances, he knew it was only inappropriate. “Just what you can do. Keeping moving forward for you son.”
Garmadon sighed, taking his hand from his hair to lay it lay it flat against the roof. He didn’t say anything more.
Wu held back a sigh, knowing it would aggravate his brother something fierce. He disguised it through a deep inhale of breath followed by a long slow exhale. “Truth be told I…”
He started and stopped abruptly, unsure whether to continue. He’d already begun speaking, he may as well finish it. “When you first told me that Misako was pregnant I was a little worried for you.”
Garmadon turned his head to look at his brother. Wu did not return the gaze. “You’ve always tried to bury this part of yourself so deep you were almost pulling yourself down with it. I was so happy for you when you told me you were going to be a father, but I was also so worried what this would mean for your curse. I knew you’d never harm the child, but well I guess I knew this would happen.”
Garmadon shifted to sit up, struggling a little on account of the baby in his hold, but in no time he was sat cross-legged on the black tiles beside his brother, who was now gazing intently at. Lloyd still peacefully snoozing away without a care in the world. “You knew what would happen?”
“I knew you’d be worried- scared even. So much has happened in the last few decades, good and bad. The Serpentine Wars, the Time Twins, the Elemental Alliance, your marriage and now you’re a father, like you always wanted to be. We’re not used to this much activity in such a short amount of time. Normally we’d go another fifty years before a war or a new enemy or ally. And there hasn’t been a baby in the family since us.” Wu chuckled and Garmadon rolled his eyes at that last point.
“That was once thousands of years ago.” He muttered under his breath.
The younger brother chuckled and returned to his original point. “All this to say, all through that it’d just been us. The Aspheera fiasco, your snake bite, our quest for the Cat’s Eye Jewel, father’s death, it was just us, we were always there for each, you and I. That isn’t the case anymore. We have allies now. You have Misako and your son. But that doesn’t mean you don’t also have me anymore.”
He took a deep breath and finally turned to look at his older brother, who’s gaze hadn’t shifted. “If ever you feel like you’re struggling to hold on. To fight this curse. To not give into the darkness inside of you. I’ll always be there for you. And even if you do give into this curse, I’ll be there for Misako and for your son. And I swear on my life I’ll make sure he grows up knowing his father was a good man and that his father loved him very much.”
Wu reached up his hand and rested it gently but firmly upon his shoulder. “I won’t let you be lost to this curse.”
Garmadon gasped and it was only now his brother realised his eyes were growing wet. He took a shaky breath and grinned, though his smile was a little wobbly. “What would I ever do without you?”
Wu shrugged. “I don’t know. But you definitely wouldn’t last long, that is certain. How you managed to score Misako is beyond me.”
Wu laughed and as Garmadon returned it, Lloyd, who had been sleeping peacefully against his father’s chest, bundled in a green blanket with a tiny fistful of his robes and held securely in Garmadon’s scarred but gentle hands suddenly awoke with a jolt of his stubby arms and legs, startling his father and drawing his uncle’s attention.
“Oh?” Wu voiced. Lloyd scrunched up his face, opening his eyes just a peep, revealing two small jade eyes that were unnaturally vibrant and almost seemed to glow in the darkness of the night. A second later, he gave a small cough which quickly erupted into a whine and then a cry.
“Is he alright? Does he need anything?” Wu questioned, about to jump to his feet but his brother merely shook his head.
“No he just gave himself a little fright.” He whispered tenderly. A soft smile plastered on his face as he sat up, now cradling the little one in his arms and began rocking backward and forwards, gazing so impossibly lovingly at the baby. He shushed him. “It’s alright. You’re okay. Daddy’s here. Daddy’s got you.”
Wu sat back and smiled fondly, watching his brother – his usually stoic, temperamental older brother who was prone to aggressive outbursts, denying the truth of the venom that ran through his veins and used training as an escape from the truth of his fate, who trained elemental masters in the most effective ways to harness their powers and led armies into battle against serpentine, who bellowed war cries and demanded no survivors, now sat cross legged on the roof of the monastery they’d lived in since they were children, under a dark sky full of stars, smiling down so softly at the tiny innocent life in his arms with so much love and adoration, whispering gentle nonsense to the child in an attempt to calm him from the sudden fright.
Maybe the next few years wouldn’t be so difficult after all.
Eventually Garmadon was able to calm Lloyd down from his little cry, now replaced with sniffles and whimpers, confused and frustrated at having woken himself up. Wu sighed and pushed himself up to his feet, holding a hand out for his brother to take. “We best be getting back inside.”
Garmadon reached up and clasped his brother’s hand with his own. But he cast his gaze down to the now settled child in his arms and remained silent for a few seconds. It only took Wu a few seconds to realise he was trying to figure out the best way to do this, knowing the sudden movement and jostling about would most certainly send Lloyd into another fit.
Wu chuckled. “Let me help.”
He let go of his brother’s hand and moved to stand behind him, he bent down, ignoring Garmadon’s clear confusion and looped his arms under his brother’s shoulders, careful not to disturb the child. Garmadon seemed to catch on to what he was attempting to do and leaned back against Wu’s chest, shifting his legs so that he was no longer sitting cross-legged but rather crouched low to the ground with both feet planted firmly on the ground.
They had done this a few times before. Though all the previous times had been missing the infant in Garmadon’s arms. Instead there was usually an injury involved. The last time had been during the conflict with the Time Twins, Wu had dislocated his shoulder and Garmadon had assisted him in getting to his feet almost exactly like this.
Garmadon chuckled as Wu tightened his hold and started to lift him to his feet. “I swear, sometimes you act like I’m the one who gave birth.”
Wu gave a laugh at that. “Come on, lets get you two back in bed.”
They both climbed back over the roof and jumped down onto the cobble stone ground of the training yard, though for now all the obstacle courses and training equipment had been hidden away. Wu rushed up to the sliding front doors of the monastery and reached a hand to open them.
“Brother?” Garmadon spoke behind him, and Wu stopped dead in his tracks, turned his attention to lock eyes with his brother. Garmadon was stood in the middle of the yard, no longer smiling. But rather a troubled, worried look plagued his features. Lloyd had finally settled in his arms, now struggling to keep his eyes open. “Just answer a question of mine please?”
Wu smiled gently, stepping off the porch and approached his brother, stopping when he was stood right in front of him. “Yes?”
The older brother hesitated, looking down at his son for a few moments and when he looked up, his eyes were no longer red but their natural golden they had been so long ago when he was a child. Before he was bitten. He looked healthier. The bags under his eyes were missing, he wasn’t so pale or skinny. It was like he’d never been bitten at all. “How is my son doing?”
Wu’s brow furrowed, gaze slipping down to Lloyd. “Is he not right here?”
“Wu.” Garmadon shook his head. “I mean now. How is he now?”
The blonde took his eyes off his nephew to return with his brother’s intense gaze. Garmadon continued. “And our students. Kai, Cole, Jay and Zane? And Nya?”
Wu sighed, he grinned a mixture of sadness and fondness. “They’ve grown into exceptionally powerful ninjas that have protected Ninjago from greater and greater threats, and will continue to do so for the future. They don’t need their Sensei anymore.”
“And my son?” The older brother asked again.
The younger brother grinned. “He is powerful, brave and good, just like his father. He’ll make for a great and wise sensei someday.”
Garmadon grinned, casting his gaze down to the baby sleeping peacefully cradled in his arms. He was so tiny. So innocent. So untouched by the horrors of the world outside of his father’s world. From the horrors that lay in his destiny. “I wish I could see.”
He looked up and his shaky gaze already welling with tears met his brother’s strong, unshaken one. He chuckled.
Wu’s gaze softened. He stepped forward, opening his arms out to engage his brother in a sturdy, warm embrace. “You would be so proud of him.”
Garmadon rested his chin on his younger brother’s shoulder, unable to hug back on account of Lloyd still cradled in his arms. He choked. “I already am.”
For a few moments they remained like this, brothers separated by death and by fate relishing in each other’s touch and warmth. Wu patted his brother’s back. “I love you, Brother.”
“I love you too.” Garmadon responded. He went silent for a few seconds and then slipped away, forcing Wu’s hold on him to slacken, so he shifted his arms to hold his shoulders firmly.
Garmadon wasn’t looking at him, but rather at the horizon, over the walls of the Monastery at the sky turning a bright shade of golden with dawn. Wu didn’t follow his gaze. Garmadon took in a deep breath. “You should get going.”
Wu hated that he agreed with him. He nodded and took a few slow steps back, not breaking eye contact. He closed his eyes. His shoulders slackened and he felt all the tension, all the anxiety, all the worry for the future leave his body, just purely relaxed.
When he opened his eyes again, he was sat on the floor of the monastery’s meditation room. His legs were folded beneath him and his hands rested on his lap. His body ached with age and scars and strain put on his body over the last few centuries. His hair, once a pale blonde, now white and frail with age tied back into a braid down his back.
His brother was nowhere to be seen. And perhaps for the time being, that was a good thing.
His gaze caught onto the dancing, flickering flame of the candle on the table in front of him. The wax having melted down to three quarters of its original length. He’d been meditating for a while now.
Before he could even begin to contemplate for how long exactly, there was a knock on the sliding doors across the room.
“Sensei?” A voice followed. And Wu recognised that voice anywhere.
“Yes Lloyd?”
The doors slid open and into the room stepped his now seventeen year old nephew. He was dressed in his green gi, with his golden sword in its hilt over his back. His blonde hair was tied into a short braid and rested over his right shoulder.
He bowed and spoke formally. “There’s been a bandit uprising in some of the small villages outside of Ninjago City. The ninjas and I are gonna check it out.”
Wu rose a brow. “Bandits?”
Lloyd nodded. “Yes, Sensei.”
Perhaps it was simply his emotions being stuck in that meditation dream he’d just had, but Wu couldn’t help but ponder the dangers of such a mission. He knew his former students were more than equipped to handle themselves out there, but part of himself couldn’t help but worry.
Still, he simply nodded his head and smiled warmly at his nephew. “Be safe, nephew.”
Lloyd's perfectly emerald green eyes widened the littlest bit, evidently a little surprised by the warmness in his uncle’s voice, rather than the indifference he’d grown used to in the last few months. Lloyd smiled back. “We will, Uncle.”
Wu nodded. For a few moments he studied the sight before him. Lloyd in his green gi, golden shoulder pad, black boots, golden sword strapped to his back, blonde hair reaching to just below his shoulders and emerald green eyes that seemed so vibrant and wise and emanated pure life. Quite the contrast from the tiny, fussy baby boy swaddled in a green blanket and supported so lovingly by his father’s hands he’d just come from in his meditation dream. His nephew, not so little anymore. So grown up. So powerful. So brave. So compassionate.
The son of the First Spinjitzu Master waved his hand in dismissal, and Lloyd nodded, stepping backward out of the room and sliding the door shut.
Wu listened to the sound of his nephew’s footsteps as they carried him down the hall and turned his gaze back to the still burning candle on the low table before him that had almost burned itself out entirely.
He sighed.
Their family had always been broken. But at least his nephew had grown into someone the man his father used to be would cry with pride for.