Lloyd gazed softly at his father, letting a soft breath escape his lips. He let out a sigh of anxiousness, pulling away and balling his hands tightly into fists.
"You're still scared…" Garmadon noted. his head tilting slightly to the side as he stared up at Lloyd with narrowed eyes.
"I'm not."
Garmadon tilted his head further to the side, causing his eye ridge to furrow. "You are, but you won't admit it."
Lloyd remained silent. His eyes averted down to his feet.
"It's okay if you are, Lloyd. Just know I'll be here for you, no matter what. Even if that means staying quiet sometimes."
The boy looked back up. Garmadon smiled lightly at him, reaching his hand out and rubbing his thumb against Lloyd's knuckles, trying to comfort him even more. The child's body tensed up. Garmadon's eyes grew wide.
"What? Why did you tense up? Did I hurt you?" he questioned worriedly. "Was something wrong?"
The boy shook his head slowly.
"Oh, thank goodness. I didn't want you to get hurt," he said quietly.
They continued like this for a while, Garmadon soothing Lloyd by simply being there for him. Eventually, Lloyd calmed down, though Garmadon noticed the child hadn't loosened up in the least.
"You've done so well, son…"
"But I'm weak…" Lloyd whispered. "Even though I'm stronger than everyone else, I'm still weak…" Tears began to stream from his cheeks again. "I don't want to lose you…!"
Garmadon frowned deeply, his eyes falling shut as the words sunk in. He took ahold of the boy's hand once more. "My sweet, precious son."
Lloyd's breathing came in short bursts, and he blinked back the tears.
Garmadon smiled sadly, pulling him close to him and wrapping an arm around him. "No matter what happens, I will always love you." The destruction elemental assured. "I'll be there for you, no matter what happens. You have to believe me when I say this. You have to understand how proud I am of you. How much I love you."
"I'm sorry for crying… I really am… I just hate feeling weak… I feel worthless…"
"You're not worthless, Lloyd," Garmadon reassured him. "And you aren't weak."
"I am."
Garmadon sighed. "No, Lloyd. No one's weak or worthless. Everyone has flaws, they're human. Sometimes we all need to feel safe, to feel like we can depend on someone else. I'd rather it was us than some random stranger. I would rather it be you than anyone else. Okay? I love you… I love you so much, Lloyd Ryuda…"
Lloyd's breath shuddered as he clung tight to his paternal guardian. He felt better now. More centered. It helped ease his anxiety, but that doesn't mean the burden of the world had lifted. There were still many things that weighed heavily upon his mind.
He still felt afraid. Helpless. As long as he knew he could rely on his dad, he wouldn't go crazy thinking about what would happen. But knowing that didn't change the fact that there was always the possibility he'd be left behind.
"I can tell you're still scared. But I'll help you… I promise…"
Lloyd turned to face his father, taking a deep breath in an attempt to calm himself. He gave a slight nod, squeezing his father tightly, making sure he knew that he appreciated everything he was doing for him. He needed this. "Thank you…"
"Of course, Lloyd. Of course…"
Lloyd's eyes drifted closed; he nuzzled into the crook of Garmadon's neck, relaxing further. "Dad…thank you..." He repeated.
Garmadon returned the squeeze, placing a soft kiss onto the top of Lloyd's head, gently brushing through his hair. "Always…" He held him close. He wanted nothing more than to protect his boy. He didn't deserve such pain. But Lloyd wasn't alone.
Garmadon wasn't going anywhere anytime soon.
"Lloyd, Garmadon," Xenudah called. "We're trying to think of a plan to get my family back, and we need your help." His voice was on the verge of breaking from the emotions he was trying to contain.
The father and son duo responded promptly and followed the son of the former Overlord to where the others were. Xenudah explained that the situation had gotten very bad over the past few days—the Oni attack was far worse than anything they were expecting to encounter. They thought they'd dealt with most threats that they faced, yet they were mistaken, and they couldn't afford to make mistakes anymore—especially when their whole world could be in jeopardy if they made one.
Lloyd's face paled as Xenudah spoke, and his father placed a gentle hand on his shoulder, attempting to reassure him. "There's got to be a way out of this," Lloyd stated, gripping Garmadon's hand tightly.
Yakunan nodded quickly. "There is a way, and it's not easy but…"
"If there's even the tiniest chance–"
"If there's even the slightest chance, we have to take it!" Xenudah snapped, unable to contain his emotions. "I have to get them back!"
Lloyd's heart raced, worry gnawing at him as the gears in his mind spun. What should they do? Were there even any other options? They had to find a way out of this. Xenudah couldn't lose them again. Lloyd was starting to realize just how strong the bonds between people were. He wondered how he would've ever survived without the support of the Ninja team and his father, despite him saying he could handle it alone. He wondered how he could possibly survive without his family too. Without them, he wasn't worth anything.
Xenudah looked at everyone gathered around him, eyes filled with determination as he spoke again. He was going to save his family no matter what it took.
He swore it.
"Xenu," Yakunan whispered, softly carding through his child's hair, trying to keep him calm and grounded, knowing full well that it was almost impossible with his feelings getting the best of him like this. "You're going to be okay. We will find a way out of this, together."
"But what if–" Xenudah's voice faltered at the end. He couldn't even say the words. What if they lost each other? What if they lost their home forever?
"I won't lose you…" Yakunan assured, his voice steady and quiet in his ear. He didn't want him to cry again, but knew he needed reassurance more than anything else. "I won't let anything happen to you."
"I've been feeling so insecure lately… I've noticed Lloyd is too… I think it's the Oni trying to tear us apart from the inside, and I don't know how much longer I can take this! We barely escaped from the Oni invasion last time!"
Yakunan sighed deeply. "Look at me…" he urged, lifting Xenudah's chin until he finally met his gaze, and he pressed his palm to his cheek as he spoke. "We're going to be okay. Together. That's what matters. Nothing will stand in our way. Not anymore. We'll get out of this. Together."
Xenudah blinked at him before smiling slightly. He nodded in reply. "Father, I-I'm scared…"
"I know you are… We all are. We'll get through this. I'm sure. I promise…"
The son of the former Overlord leaned his head forward, placing it on his father's shoulder.
"Oh, Xenudah…" Yakunan whispered, "I'm sorry you feel so bad… But I promise...none of this is your fault."
"Father, help me!" Xenudah let out a piercing shriek, rearing his head back, slipping from his paternal guardian's hold. "Please!"
The elemental of darkness watched his son's composure crumble like sand. "Xenu, my child…" he breathed, tears begging to fall in empathy. "Come here… Let me help you…"
Xenudah trembled violently, unable to breathe. He stared at the ground in fear. His body shook uncontrollably. He tried to control himself, but he could hardly even speak, let alone move. "I-I don't know what to do! I want Kymika and Shiren back!"
"Xenudah…please calm down…"
"H-How can I?! You're right there! You're right next to me and they aren't! How am I supposed to sleep tonight?!"
Yakunan stood silent for several long seconds, taking in the sight of his son breaking apart before him. "Xenudah… I need you to look at me, please…" he said quietly, reaching out for his child who had already begun to retreat away from him.
Xenudah flinched in response, shrinking away. "N–No… Don't touch me..." he whimpered.
"Let me just talk to you for a second…" the former Overlord pleaded. "Can you just look at me for one moment? Please?"
"LET ME GO!" Xenudah screeched, bolting away from him, crashing into a wall before sliding down to a seated position on the floor, covering his face with his hands as he began sobbing uncontrollably.
"Please stop screaming..." Yakunan whispered sadly. He sat down beside him, wrapping an arm around his shoulders. "Xenu, listen," he continued, "We will find them. They won't die, or go anywhere."
Xenudah cried harder and pulled his knees to his chest shaking his head, refusing to make eye contact. "Every moment we're out here puts them at risk! I have to save them NOW! If something happens, if I'm not quick enough to get them out of there…" His breathing became erratic, his heart racing, and tears falling relentlessly. "If something were to happen to either of them...! I don't have the strength to live with myself knowing that! I need them both safe! I have to save them! And I will! I swear! If it kills me!" His words came out in a rushed stream, and he was panting heavily by the time he finished.
"Xenu, you know as well as I that it's quite hard for you to think straight with your mind running in circles like that. Calm down first and then try to clear your mind. You have to be focused. The sooner you start concentrating the better your chances of being able to accomplish everything."
"I can't calm down, father! My heart won't calm down! I know where they are, but I don't know where to go! I can't think straight without thinking about them! I WANT THEM BACK! WHY IS THAT SO HARD TO UNDERSTAND?!"
Yakunan rubbed soothing patterns on his son's back as he continued to sob. His own heartbeat quickened when Xenudah reached up and clasped one of his hands in his own, squeezing tightly as he continued to sob.
Xenudah looked up, tears streaming down his cheeks and eyes wide in desperation. He seemed to want to speak further, but couldn't form the right words. All he could manage was a strangled plea. "I can't do this…"
"Shhh... It's okay, Xenu. It's alright." Yakunan comforted.
"NO!" Xenudah snapped. "WE DON'T HAVE ANY CHOICE HERE! I NEED YOU TO HELP ME GET THEM OUT OF THIS SITUATION BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE!"
"Shhhhhh…" Yakunan whispered as he continued to rock Xenudah in his arms. "I understand that you're angry, Xenu. We all are. But, please, listen to me… There isn't anything in this world that would make me happier than to see you safe and reunited with them. I am doing everything I can, but please, just trust me, for now…"
"If we do nothing, we'll lose them for good..." Xenudah insisted, his voice falling to a fragile, quiet tone. "What would I do without them!? I…" he trailed off. He buried his face in his hands, trembling as his entire body shook. "I can't… I can't lose them both…"
It broke Yakunan's heart to hear him sounding like this. To see him broken, crying, and helpless as he fought against the overwhelming thoughts clouding his brain. "I'm sorry, my son. I love you so dearly." He pressed a kiss to the top of Xenudah's head, rubbing his back with the other hand to try and calm his son down, letting him know that he was there, and he was never leaving him again. Never. "They'll be fine. I'm sure of it. They're capable. Don't–"
"No, father! They're not okay! I'm not okay!"
Yakunan winced upon hearing that. Hearing his son's voice cracking like that, breaking down in front of him… It made him ache more than ever to hear those kinds of things coming from his son…
"I-I have to save them! Even if it kills me!"
"I can't lose you too... I won't survive losing you, my dear…" Yakunan replied, lightly brushing his hair in gentle motions. "I've lost enough..."
"You don't get it! The Oni came back because I'm the one who released them! It's my fault they went in the first place! It's my fault my wife and daughter got captured! I'm responsible!"
"Please...just stop…"
"I can't!" Xenudah shouted in return. "I am trying! For once in my life... I'm TRYING, father! Do you understand that?!" he demanded, looking up into Yakunan's eyes with his teary ones. "It hurts…it hurts so much! I don't know how I could live with myself! I don't want to live like this anymore… I don't want to hurt anymore...!" His voice began to shake, tears cascading down his face, his body shaking uncontrollably. His cries were loud, echoing across the room.
"Calm yourself! Please!"
"No! No, no… No! I can't! Not when they're both gone! Not when the only family I have left in the whole universe are taken away from me!" He screamed, struggling to stand up. "I can't keep living like this! This is torture! I can't stand it anymore! Why do I have to live like this?"
"Just calm down!"
Xenudah fell to the ground, curled into a ball, sobbing wildly. "Why is it always me?!" he screamed, his voice breaking completely. "Why did I have to lose everyone?!"
Yakunan held his son close to him and rocked him gently in an attempt to bring some sense back to him. "Xenudah, sweetheart... I don't know how to help you feel better." He spoke in a low tone. "But I will do whatever it takes." He paused as Xenudah continued to sob uncontrollably. "And if I must, I will protect you forever." he continued, holding him tight.
Xenudah cried harder. He didn't care that he was getting dirty or wet, nor that his robes were stained with his tears. He didn't care at all. He couldn't handle this anymore… Everything hurt too much. Every little thing was too painful, every single sensation felt like needles pricking his skin, piercing deep inside him. He just wanted it to end.
He couldn't stand it… Everything was hurting him... Every day of his life since their separation felt like a nightmare that had been haunting him every night ever since he woke up with bloodshot eyes... Every single emotion was unbearable, agonizing, suffocating, and devastating to endure… He needed her…
His wife... His life was incomplete without her… Without her smile… Without her laugh… Without that soft touch of hers whenever she hugged him. Without her warmth. Without her smell. Without her presence… Without her voice... Without her smile... Without her touch…
Everything was painfully despairing. Everything hurt. His heart, his soul, everything hurt... He just couldn't take it anymore.
"Dad, I'm scared…" Xenudah sniffled, sitting up on the floor, resting his chin on his knees as he continued to cry. "I… I hate this... I hate everything I can't control…" His voice cracked. "I'm so sorry..." His shoulders started to shake, his head dropping into his hands as he tried desperately to contain the torrent of emotions. "I miss them so much."
Yakunan sat with his son on the floor in silence, holding him close while he cried. He didn't have anything to say that would make any sense. What could he possibly say to his son? Words wouldn't help him right now; none of them did. So instead he sat there rocking his son, hoping his actions were comforting him, hoping that his touch was something that would ease his heartache. He prayed silently to whoever might be listening that they would help them.
That whatever it took, they would let them reunite…