Lloyd had finally calmed down a little while later, now taking deep breaths as he pulled away.

"There, there... I have you now little one...I have you now..." the sensei whispered, cradling a hand against his son's cheek.

"I know, Dad... I was just...overwhelmed..." the Chosen One replied, his head lowered in remorse. Lloyd reached over to embrace his father again, Garmadon returning the gesture.

"Still scared?" the destruction elemental whispered, concern laced so deeply in his tone.

"Kinda..." Lloyd replied, strained and on the verge of breaking down again. "I-I just...I-I just don't want to lose you after what happened to our home... I couldn't do anything to fix it... I'm sorry..."

"Oh, my child...don't be..." sighed Garmadon softly. His voice held such tender, paternal compassion. "You have always been so emotional and loving. And I adore you for that." He cradled his son's cheek, then pressed his forehead against his child's. "You're just too precious to me, Lloyd Ryuda... I don't want to lose you ever again."

"It hurts..." Lloyd whimpered, burying deeper into his father's arms. "I'm so scared..."

"I know, little one...I know..."

Silence fell amongst the pair once more as Garmadon continued to hold Lloyd so tightly against his chest. The both of them had been through so much these last several days, and all of them, including the rest of their family, as well as the Akurais, wanted it all to be over. To let peace finally reign free in Ninjago forever.

"I'm sorry, Lloyd..." Garmadon sighed again, stroking his son's hair. "I should have protected you further, instead...instead of leaving you to–" A shuddering sob escaped the destruction elemental's lips as he tightened the embrace, as he was too broken from the memories to say his thoughts aloud.

"Garmadon," Xenudah sighed as well, placing a hand on the said father's shoulder. "I'm the one who should be taking the blame for all of this."

"No! It was neither of your faults," Yakunan insisted, his hands balling up into fists, body trembling and shaking in relentless fury. "Tohakai cursed us all and everything only spiraled from that!"

"Otōsan–" Xenudah tried to calm his father down but to no avail.

"Xenudah, enough!" Yakunan commanded, startling everyone within the temple's vicinity.

Lloyd yelped and barreled into his father's arms. Garmadon tightened his hold in response. Mystaké, Wu, and Hikari just stared at the angered father in much concern.

"How dare he use us for his own nefarious schemes!" continued the former Overlord. He created a small purple stone with his creation powers and threw it out into the open dirt field in utter frustration with a harsh snarl. "I am done being his puppet and I shall not stop until he perishes along with the rest of his kind!" His voice fell to a soft whimper as he pressed the heels of his hands against his eyes. Another shuddering breath escaped him as he became overwhelmed with heartwrenching despair. "He has to die... You all have suffered because of him, and I cannot take it anymore... I will take care of him myself if I have to..."

Xenudah sighed softly, placing a hand on his father's shoulder, stroking his back in reassurance. "I'm here, Father..."

"Not right now," Yakunan spoke, an edge in his voice. "Please just leave me be..."

"But Father–"

"I said enough, Xenudah..." the former Overlord couldn't look at his son at this moment. He was too furious at Tohakai for tearing them apart. "I truly am sorry, but right now, I just need a moment to myself."

Xenudah nodded softly. "Alright then. I'll be inside the temple if you need me."

"I love you beyond anything, my child..." Yakunan whispered as the two of them embraced one another momentarily.

"So do I, Father..."

The Akurais pulled away, Xenudah leaving Yakunan to gaze once more at the now blue horizon, the others following suit.

"I'll always love you so much..."

Lloyd nearly sobbed. The thought of fighting his own father, though it may have been so long since those thoughts had so vividly swirled his mind, they were now just as fresh as it was when his destiny was revealed. "I DON'T WANNA LOSE YOU! I DON'T WANNA FIGHT YOU! I DON'T WANNA LEAVE YOU! I DON'T WANNA–"

Garmadon drew him close instantly, rocking his violently trembling body with such gentle loving care. "Lloyd Ryuda... Lloyd Ryuda... Shhhhhhhhhhhhhh... I can assure you that won't happen...not anymore... I'm free from that cursed venom...don't you remember...?"

Lloyd wouldn't stop crying. "But what if?! What if you get corrupted?! WHAT IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN?!"

"Absolutely not, Son... That'll never happen... I'll not allow it... Never again... For as long as I remain...I refuse to stand against you..."

"I just don't want you to leave me either way... FAAAATHEEEER, DON'T LEEEEAAAAAVEEEEEE! DON'T LEEEEAAAAAVEEEEEE! NOT AGAAAAAIIIINNNNNNN!" The desperation within Lloyd's voice as he cried harder pulled at Garmadon's heartstrings. Lloyd's sobs strengthened, his head reared up to the sky, his body trembling violently.

The destruction elemental cradled his son so tightly and, caressing his hair with gentle strokes, whispered with a soft tender voice, "Oh, Lloyd... Lloyd Ryuda Kamiare...my precious golden dragon, my beloved little one... All will be okay..."

And deep within, Lloyd knew.

It would be.