Ch4: The Hearts of Gods
Mothra never lied.
It was in her best interest as the Guardian of Life to uphold certain standards so she can live the days the best she can be. And, more importantly, it was within her nature to be someone who strived to do no wrong- and to do this, she would have to live life as true as possible. Every action done, word spoke and thought within her mind had purpose and meaning; she was true to herself as well as to others, never would she hind behind a fake mask to limit her natural self. Of course, that true self being the kind-hearted, powerful and gentle persona the world would be greeted with, and would come use the longer she lived on the earth.
Despite knowing many of the earth's inhabitance-Titan and human- despised her ideals of kindness and love, Mothra would never sway. She had accepted this truth that she, as a whole, was vastly different from any other Kaiju, and took solace within this truth. There was no doubt this certain way of thinking had brought her up into a position where she was worshiped as a benevolent, protectful Goddess by beings who sought her strength for many years to come. And, as always, the Goddess would stay true to herself and help those in need.
The same could even be said about the way she perceived her relationship with the King. She promised herself that no matter how much time had passed, no matter how much the world or they themselves had changed, she would forever remain by Gojira's side. They were two sides of the same coin, after all. And it was her responsibility to not only protect the King from whatever harm came his way- no matter what- but also care for him when he needed her. Her adoration for her King being the truth she would hold dearly close to her heart, and remain precious within her heart.
Truth. The thing the Great Goddess Mosura would strive to pursue and maintain, whether it be the truth in the world or the truth within herself. Never would she lie- not to the humans who worshiped her, or the other Titans (despite some that hated her truth) and especially not to her King. And naturally, no matter how much she wanted to disregard her feelings and emotions about something in particular, Mothra could never lie to herself. Truth be told, she had wanted to lie to herself for so long now about a feeling that kept her mind at disarray whenever she thought about it. It was one that could destroy the most precious thing in the world to her, and one- in her eyes- was a selfish thing for her to desire.
But, like her ideals; like her status, she had ended up accepting it into her. There, within the dark concealment of the night, she gently brushed her long forelimb against the side of the King's sleeping face. She smiled a sad smile, and sighed to herself, her thoughts as uncertain as the waves that clashed or stilled within the ocean outside their home.
She had fallen in love with Gojira.
A small number of weeks had passed ever since Mothra had first been reborn into the new world, and reunited with Godzilla. For those few weeks, the time of peace had surprisingly been maintained. In the half a year that had passed since the King's clash against The Golden One in Boston, it seemed the humans had actually started to make an effort to co-exist with the Titans, albeit it in their own small ways. For starters, they managed to stay out of the way from the giant beasts, and left them to live and prosper in their own accord. No longer did the human government feel it any need to send fighter jets or armed personal near the location of a Titan whenever it would awaken or start to travel (although it was always in everyone's best interest to have Monarch relentlessly keep a watch on them). Somehow, an unspoken form of trust had formed between the humans and the King. In return for keeping his subjects away from the affairs of humanity, they would do their part and refrain from their own attacks on the Titans. A wise decision.
Like most mornings in the past week, Mothra had seen Godzilla rise from his slumber and prepare to go out into the world to maintain the peace. And, always in those mornings, Mothra would happily travel with him to give him company and comfort- as per her promise to herself. However, on this particular morning, she started the day off with a cluster of emotions and contradicting thoughts that overwhelmed her mind. She thought to herself that it would be wise to allow herself time to recuperate with her thoughts, alone- only for today.
"Are you sure you don't want to come with me?" The King spoke in a low tone. His voice was confused and somewhat sad. When she had returned, he looked forward to the times in the morning where they would travel together, and was initially surprised at her, quite random, decision to not go with him today. But, he knew Mothra had her reasons- important reasons- to whatever she did.
"Yes, I'm afraid so," Mothra replied, giving a sad smile, guilty she had left her King disappointed, "Ever since my return, I have had a lot on my mind about the new world and the current situation we now live in. It's all changed so much, and I believe it to be wise for me to spend the entirety of the day to study this new era and contemplate on such changes, without any distractions."
"Of course." Godzilla replied, taking in a deep breathe and ridding his face of his sullen look. It was selfish of him to want to throw away her responsibilities for himself. "Admirable as always, Mosu."
"Only for today, of course." Mothra quickly added, furrowing her antennae in embarrassment and guiltiness, wanting to reassure him as best as she can.
"Don't worry," the King reassured, his disappointed face now adorning a soft smile as he walked closer to the Goddess, "Take as much time as you need. You know I will always wait for you."
Stretching out her wings to its entirety, Mothra quickly flew upwards towards Godzilla and rested herself against his chest, her wings draping over her sides and her head leaning forward against his neck.
"Please, call for me whenever you find yourself in need." Mothra whispered softly, closing her eyes and finding comfort in his embrace.
"And you as well." Godzilla answered back, tightening his arms around her body, savouring every second. For a moment, the King contemplated saying anything more. It seemed like the perfect opportunity to do so, anyway. But, within the silence and calmness of it all, the King caught on his breathe and struggled to say anything else back to her. Instead, he opted for a more practical approach. And, much to the Goddess's surprise and amazement, touched the front of his bulky snout on the top of her fur-covered head in a kiss-like manner.
Mothra, stunned and confused at his gesture, quickly looked back at Godzilla's face after he pulled away, desperately trying to find an answer to his action within his golden eyes. There, she noted the subtle pink hues offsetting the blue that glowed through his dorsal plates- and rapidly tucked her wings behind her back as she realised she was glowing pink with him. As her crystal eyes questioned him, all she could get back was the tiniest of smiles, his somewhat erratic breathe slightly blowing back her fur as he finally let go of her and turned around, heading out of the cave and into the ocean. There, Mothra watched absent-mindedly as the King's massive form slowly disappeared past the horizon the farther away he swam.
He was never really good with words.
Though he didn't want to admit this, Godzilla was grateful he could spend some time alone with his thoughts. The weeks passing by living with Mothra had given him more time to think about their odd and rare situation they found themselves in, that being, there was seemingly no indication of any sort of threat to the entirety of the Earth. And so, having spent all his time living with Mothra ever since she returned, it was obvious that the slow days would bring forth more thought and contemplation of the Goddess. And so, he was thankful that he could clear his thoughts and better reflect on her without being distracted by her presence.
Of course, he recollected, they were together near enough to the beginning of their lives, having traditionally formed their symbiotic relationship with each other the moment Godzilla became of age to warrant such a partnership. But even in the Olden Days- the days where the King and the Goddess would forever remember fondly- even then, were times not as peaceful as the modern era they now lived in. With the Titan population split and torn apart into differing sides, Godzilla and Mothra had strengthened their bond through the various fights and countless battles they'd have to endure together. Together, protecting one another in the Great Titan War that dominated the majority of their lives.
The King was known to be fearless: a God that knew no dread, for he was all powerful. But, despite his omnipotence, even he feared the possibility of another war coming to pass. And based on what had happened half a year ago, that fear could become a reality should humans get too involved with the Titan's own affairs.
He swore he would never put her though that again.
To put it simply, having the majority of their lives fighting rather than in a state of peace didn't warrant much thought of his relationship with Mothra. It seemed so simple back then; she would protect him and he would protect her, following in their ancestors footsteps. Nothing more, nothing less.
But that couldn't just be it, could it? The King knew his relationship with Mothra was vastly different from his ancestors relationships with the Divine Moth species. So, he asked himself within the warm, open ocean he swam through, what was Mothra to him? Was she his greatest and most trusted friend? Was she her guardian, or him, hers? What she nothing more than a partner that increased both their chances of survivability in the world? Or could she be… his…
Queen?
The moment the thought entered the mind of the King, Godzilla quickly raised his head from the water and shook it violently, causing great splashes to erupt forth from the surface of the water. How could he think that? How would Kaiju from vastly different species live together like that?
How could he be so selfish to wish that?
A Queen- the mate to the Alpha of all Titan life- weren't unheard of nor were they a rare thing millions of years ago. They would be chosen by the Alpha themselves, their main purpose being to bare the heir of the Alpha and keep his linage growing. No doubt were they well respected by their fellow Titans, but they were otherwise irrelevant in the grand scheme of things and bore no such level of power and authority the King would have, despite their position as his mate. If Godzilla would bring Mothra into a position of that of Queen, being who she was and how her relationship with him should be nothing more than symbiotic, the outrage it would undoubtedly caused would put her in danger- making her live a life of uncertainty and isolation.
And it would be prime time for the Titans that opposed Mothra and her ideals- Titans that Godzilla despised with all of his soul- to use her new status as an excuse to gain support and strength from others and revolt against them. It would undoubtedly create yet another Titan War. And it definitely didn't cross the King's mind that Mothra's brother would absolutely detest the idea of such a relationship. The King knew for a fact, from the start, Mothra's brother had hated the alliance between the Divine Moth's and his species. It would cause even more turmoil and conflict for her.
All because of his selfish desires. So selfish that he had forgotten what was most important- her say in the matter.
When an Alpha would choose a mate, the decision was final- for both parties. There would be no discussion nor any objection- similar to that of an arranged marriage common in human royalty. But Godzilla knew Mothra wouldn't stand for this- nor would he. If he were to court her, her decision would be the most important, more important than his.
Court. As in to involve yourself with someone romantically. To love and to have fallen in love with someone.
Could a beast like him truly know what love is? The feeling of love was something deemed as a mental minority within his position as King and balancer of life- emotion as a whole was to be boxed off. As King, as Alpha, he couldn't form any sentimental attachments to any forms of life, nor harbour any personal vendetta to any forms of life. Doing so disgraces his name as King. Mothra knew as well as he did what his position entails for him. He would either protect life or take it. He was simultaneously a Guardian and a Destroyer. How can someone who has taken so many lives, someone who has fallen victim to his rage and destructive tendencies multiple times in the past ever be so naive to think the benevolent and pure Mosura would love him? Hell, was he even capable of genuine love- and maintain it for that matter?
Even now, the anger and frustration boiled within him, causing a reactionary tail whip to harshly smash against the water, and his teeth to bare. Then, the King stopped in the middle of the ocean, and took a deep, sombre breathe. Just like that of a monster, he thought to himself as he carried on forward, the water vibrating as he did his best to stop growling within the ocean, happy Mothra wasn't their to witness his outburst.
The afternoon came by, and Mothra was still deep in thought within her mind, much like Godzilla had been. Alone, sitting upright within the cave, she occasionally shivered from the gust that would blow inside, and her inner turmoil. Staring calmly at the sky and blanketing her beautiful wings around her, the Goddess had somehow ended up reflecting on her love for Godzilla, and what he meant to her. She knew from long ago that her species- the Divine Moths- had formed an agreement and partnership with that of Godzilla's species back in the Olden Days, the times being much different from the present she now lived in. But it hadn't always been this way. Long before even she or Godzilla was born, every single type of species of Titan had been at war with each other- including her and Godzilla's species. Both sides, she recalled being told when she was young, were as determined as each other, refusing to back down and accept defeat. But, as the years went by, and stronger, more fierce monsters continued to ravage the war-stricken planet, both species had come to the realisation that there were vast advantages and rewards to be gained by working together with one another. Their species had come to terms with one another and were the first Titans in existence to create a symbiotic relationship with each other. The first to put aside their differences and work together.
Now, there was always an underlying, great respect and camaraderie between the two species once they had formed this relationship, despite their previous bad-blood with one another. They had realised each others strength and abilities, leading them to live lives of peace between one another. However, it wasn't a typical friendship the two species had between them. It was only a formal alliance based solely for survival- Godzilla's species were more inclined to keep their relationship with the Divine Moths like this. No, despite being brought up the same way through their childhood, Godzilla and Mothra were the first ones to extend past acquaintanceship and form a true friendship with one another. Why? The Goddess had asked that question many times within her life, but somehow, she and Godzilla had delved past the formalities and ended up truly caring for one another.
And the aftermath of the Great Titan War leaving them the only survivors of their species, it was seemingly inevitable for a deeper relationship to form between them. They are all they have left, and they'd be damned not to give their all to maintain it.
But to go even further than that of friendship, to have fallen in love with someone of a different species, was something not just unheard of between the two species, but all of Titan kind. No two Kaiju of different species- especially species so vastly different from one another, whether it be in appearance, status or morality- no two species can ever find a good way to live like that.
Mothra urgently took her mind away from such pessimistic thoughts, it would do no good to start thinking like that. Instead, she turned to a more happy time, and reminisced on the days she and Godzilla had first met and spent time together. She remembered the pride and determination she felt when she was personally hand-picked to be the Prince's guardian and partner by the Divine Moth leaders and when she was approved by the King, at that time, to be worthy enough to carry such a burden- she also remembered the nervousness and weight of responsibility when she was chosen as well. But, when she had first laid eyes on the Prince, this pride and nervousness soon melted away, and all she felt was pity. There, she remembered, she noticed how the Prince's golden eyes were sharp with conviction and responsibility, and his claws were one of hardened training and resilience, and how his deadpan face conveyed barely any emotion beside from an unbreakable will and defiance- he was prepared for his future responsibility.
And was she prepared, as well? She was ordered to not only protect him, but act as a guide through his life- a life undoubtedly full of hardship and constant violence. So, was this the reason she had found herself caring more for him than others in her species would have? Did her innate kindness- possibly the strongest out of any in her species- naturally cause her to try and alleviate his isolated emotions and soften his hard personality? Had she simply taken pity on the young Prince all those millions of years ago and felt it a necessity to bring a brighter light upon his life?
Again, the Goddess knew no answer. When it came to something like this, she pondered to herself, there can never be a solidified answer, really. All she had, was her immeasurable amount of faith and optimism for the future she and the King would share together. Maybe one-day she could confess, and it will be all good, and they can live a happier and more peaceful life, and no one would care for it was up to them to decide how they lived it.
Maybe...
A more world-building, set-up chapter for today.
I wanted to give more insight on the (current) relationship between Godzilla and Mothra.
Will it work? Will it not? And, even if it does, just what are the consequences to such an intimate relationship?
Thanks for reading!