Ghidorah sped across the sea with extreme caution daring not to stir up a storm fearing they would make their presence known to Godzilla. They also stayed above the cloud layer letting it shield themselves from being seen too easily from the surface in an event that one of the titans would see them. Ghidorah has escaped death and wanted to keep it that way. Ichi knew that a fight against the Kaiju would be futile given they were powerless against his new form. Ni was bitter from they're defeat and Ichi knew it, but his brother couldn't find a way to bring it up. He felt his mind debating over the battle unsure what to make of it. Ichi tugged at his mind but Ni didn't share it until after an hour into the flight he caved to Ichi's persistence.
If they would've won, they would have control of everything and ruled over the titans adding another world conquered to they're collection, however they would have still been under the voice influence – its control.
Where instead right now they died but somehow was reborn. The voice no longer present and Ghidorah felt something they never felt before.
Freedom.
It hit them very differently as there was no guidance, no commands, no pressure. Ghidorah can go as he pleased anywhere without conflict within their very minds. Their objectives changed. All they wanted right now was survive and figure out how to elude the other Kaiju's.
This new source of freedom was foreign to Ghidorah and he wished to exploit it to its full potential, however, that would be unlikely however as they must shelter themselves from view before planning what they were capable of.
Ghidorah dared not challenge Godzilla. Right now, he sees no beneficial value than what the voice made them think. Where they could've retreated the voice sent them in to die.
Despite where they could've died, Ghidorah was thankful for the death as the outcome was much more promising. They can now take control of their lives and perhaps live in peace?
The idea was up for debate depending on how the current events will go. Death was too much for the golden dragon seeing they rather live together than die alone. Ni despised the idea of living without conflict to test their power against other creatures, but if it meant staying with his brothers forever than he will uphold that promise. San didn't mind anything and always supported his brothers and living a life of peacefulness brought joy to him.
Ichi could see why and sensed it from the second they merged minds. San was the youngest of the three which means his mind was more susceptible to influence and was the worst one to be traumatized in death. He rarely spoke which was the opposite of himself before death. He was always communicating with his brothers making it seem as if he would never run of topics or things to say.
He's been more affectionate however when talking to either him or Ni not giving a care in the world if his love was rejected for it being too much. It disturbed Ichi making him upset to think about whatever San faced in that void. It was starting to show and hopefully he would open back up soon. Not that he like hearing his brother babble on but he would be himself again.
He's hiding something and Ichi wants to know what is causing so much turmoil in his brother. Was he slowly starting to mature? Did Ni take notice as well. Was Ni experiencing anything of the sort. What of Ichi himself.
Ichi shrugged off the questions and didn't ponder on about the questions. They were all obviously experiencing something whether it be the voice no longer having a presence to command them or enduring death itself.
"Oh… I think see it now," Ni pointed out. Ichi set his gaze on the island slowly coming into view noticing how the volcano was nowhere near being inactive and has pooled lava onto the lower portions of the mountain and into the human city below. The remains of the city seemed to have decayed overtime to the point where some building was barely standing. The lava pools that formed in certain areas of the city left it uninhabitable and Ghidorah was pleased that they wouldn't have no intruders roaming the land they are about to seize.
Dropping altitude and slowly their decent, Ghidorah circled around the top of the volcano and landed atop the edge of it. Where he thought lava was flowing from the top, it instead was flowing through tunnels of it and exiting from certain areas of the volcano. The tunnels were the arteries of the volcanic structure pulling magma from the inside of the earth and cycling it out onto the unsuspecting land. The entrance of the volcano was a tight squeeze barely managing to fit his entire wingspan but years of being active expanded the entrance of the volcano.
Ghidorah landed inside where the heat increased immensely but Ghidorah payed no mind to it. Centuries of traversing space left the golden dragon practically immune to any source of natural element. He wasn't fond of living inside a volcano, but it will have to do. Until they discover a more suitable home for them from the eyes of the Kaiju and humanity, they must remain here in hopes of ensuring their survival. Ghidorah scanned the area searching for any signs of a previous occupant but discover no tracks nor was able to identify any scents.
"The fire demon must be truly dead," Ichi mumbled sounding almost disappointed. He doesn't know why, but he dreaded the death of his perhaps faithful ally and he felt his brothers feel slightly upset over it. It was also weird at the same time where Ghidorah wouldn't care for the Kaiju before until now. The voice influence was gone so did it change their attitude and personalities? Ghidorah begun questioning who they were before and who they were now.
Ichi was brought out of deep thought as his brother San yawned loudly not realizing how quickly the sun was setting and nighttime was upon them. "Its been a long day of flying, we should rest brothers. I'll take the first shift in an event someone unexpectantly arrives" Ichi said and Ni nodded in acknowledgement. Finding a comfortable area to rest all three heads relaxed onto the hardened surface. They tucked their massive wings against their bodies and wrapped their tails around it. Ichi nuzzled each other his bothers heads getting a smile out of Ni and a purr from San before they bid their farewells and fell into deep sleep.
Ichi was pleased to see his brothers resting peacefully in his presence for it has been too long being trapped within that wretched void wondering all alone succumbing to the depths of insanity. Life has given them a second chance and this time Ichi wants to make sure they make the most of it. After all, they are immortal beings capable of living and never aging, other than maturity affecting his other brothers if they were going under some significant changes anyway. Death was an immense experience that not a single soul could avoid, yet somehow, they were able too.
It was all too surreal to distinguish between whether they were alive or dead and it was all an illusion, but Ichi knew this was real. His brothers are alive, and he was with them. That's all that mattered to him after Godzilla brought an end to them. He only cares for his brothers for not even the title of being king could replace them. He didn't realize how much he really loved his brothers until death encroached upon them and now being freed from the voice, they could take charge of their own lives.
Ichi gazed at both his brothers and leaned down to nuzzle both they're heads one more time to relish that they were safe with him. That however raised the question – how long would they be safe for?
Ichi knew that someday they may encounter another Kaiju again and Godzilla would be alarmed to his presence. Ichi shouldn't be worried but he will no longer underestimate the Kaiju's power, including Mothra. No doubt she has already awakened from her cocoon just as she had before. Before Ghidorah was frozen – sealed away from the other Kaiju's and the voice remaining dormant until they're eventual return – it wouldn't be the first time that Mothra fell to the dragon. Just as she did before, she gave her life to ensure the golden dragon demise whether it be freezing them in the ice or giving Godzilla the power to eradicate them in a mere instant.
Ichi recalls the vague memories of Godzilla purging him with atomic fire, moments before he succumbed to death, something he was unable to see in the void. He shuddered at the thought and decided to gaze around him to shave off the thoughts that plagued him.
The volcano around him sprung to life with activity glowing and illuminating all around him as the lava flowed throughout the structure. Bubbles popped from the surface of the pool nearby and sometimes an eventual burst of lava would launch several feet into the air before crashing back into the pool or onto the rock surface next to it. Ichi grew accustomed to the noise rather preferring to here something other than the silence of space. He set his gaze to the sky where he saw the many stars that harbored in the beautiful night sky and started to marvel around in thought that he possibly known a few of them.
The starry sky was a reminder of why they should remain on Earth for if they ever left its protective grounds, they would find themselves hunted down by the voice that commanded them and enslaved. Ichi grumbled in severe disinterest noting how they were never to traverse the stars ever again and remain on a hostile planet with a Kaiju that – to Ichi regretful honesty – overpowered the golden dragon. He struggled to fathom how his brothers would live and endure their future lives of hiding unsure what would their course of action would be once they actually settle down but continue to remind himself that he would set aside higher goals if it meant just staying alive and living with his brothers.
This volcano will serve them temporally until they find a suitable home to house them. They naught be picky with what they choose either. Appearance was the last thing on the list. Safety, nearby food supply, and room is what they would search for in terms of a new home.
If they can't find a new home, then this volcano will have to become it and hopefully Godzilla would stick to the depths of the water and never rise above the sea.
Also, in terms of food supply, when was the last time the massive Kaiju had a meal. Albeit, they can rely on radiation to supply energy to their regenerative cells which can act as a food source and have done so throughout their travels in space, they never actually 'had' a proper meal since settling down upon the planet. Ghidorah recalls massive size fish or mammals should he say, that roamed the depths of the ocean and seemingly seemed of the only size on the planet that would satisfy the massive dragon's appetite.
There was one problem however, where the whales swam, Godzilla lurked. Ghidorah either would take the risk of flying into space and getting close to the sun to absorb enough radiation to ample their supply for weeks or rely on seaborne entities.
Ghidorah was judging his odds seeing that they could secure whales much more easily at night than to venture off into space and risk exposing them to the voice that may find them once more. There wasn't no question in if the voice would find them, he knows the voice 'will' find them.
Technically they should be dead, and the world knows it, the voice knows it and he wanted to keep it that way. They would have to tread carefully and avoid being seen at all costs. This world is very large compared to others his visited and the ocean is vast. He recalls Rodan being the only airborne Kaiju, other than Mothra who would no doubt only be within the King's presence, that would be capable of crossing the sea without too much trouble. The traffic in the sky would be low and they're worries should only be under the ocean.
Should they come close to foreign land they will avoid, whether it be human or Kaiju, they naught wish to disturb either and rather remain within their own boundaries. Ichi sighed laying his head onto the ground and started to grumble to himself. There was so much restrictions to what they can do in a world that was against them. Sure, they might have destroyed a few cities and whipped up super-hurricanes and ended up killing Mothra again but Ichi lets their death serve as a reminder.
There is always a bigger fish and Godzilla being that fish.
Ichi expects humanity to be the first to discover they're presence and hopefully doesn't lure the Kaiju towards their home but as long as they show no threat to the civilization, they hope the humans would return the favor, else they'll focus all their anger onto more population centers.
Ichi once again snapped from thought nearly missing a whimper that sounded next to him. He looked towards San who seemed distressed in his sleep twitching every so often and letting out more whimpers. Ichi checked around San's head searching for anything that could've pierced his skin or signs that was causing his brother so much pain. He touched his brother mind and felt so much grief and sadness protruding from it.
"San, wake up!" Ichi prodded against his brother's head and after several attempts to stir the young brother from his sleep, San snapped his eyes opened, breath becoming ragged. He almost looked like he seen a ghost considering how weak his face seemed.
"San, are you ok?" Ichi asked, concerned for his brother. San took some deep breaths and relaxed himself once he realized where he was.
"Yeah… I'm fine, Ichi… just a bad dream," he weakly said. He attempted to form a smile for his brother despite what troubled him and Ichi tug him to find out what was the cause. "It's nothing really, just one of those random bad dreams you get every so often." Ichi didn't believe him but didn't want to push the matter if San was refusing to share it and instead offered San to stay awake during his shift until it was Ni turn.
San happily agreed not showing the will to go to sleep anytime soon and as time passed It became a sort of brother bond moment. They talked about the stars and took guesses of which one could be which and Ichi discussed plans with San on what they should prepare for when morning comes. San relished in the free time to talk to his brother and absorbed every moment of it. They spent more time fighting than talking that he couldn't recall a time where they sat down and spoke to one another. Sure, they always communicated to each other during their space flights in the universe, but the brothers weren't as vocal to one another. They would fight, rest, sleep, fight, rest, and sleep once more. San himself wasn't as vocal back then as well, fearing that his brother would chastise him for talking too much.
Right now, though, his brother was more acknowledging of him and treated the same level as he did to Ni. He was more caring, a hell lot nicer and more sympathetic towards his younger sibling. It was a different experience as they talked about things unrelated to what should be the main topic. This made San happier and at some points where he thought Ichi would get annoyed at him, he didn't and just continued to listen to him.
Sadly, the time came to where it was Ni's shift and he awoken with a loud yawn noticing that San was awake as well. Ichi described what happened and Ni voiced his concerns. It took a minute for San to convince both of his brothers that he was alright and will be fine. Its just one bad dream, nothing to worry about.
"ok, ok…" Ichi said defeated. "Do you want to go back to sleep?" he asked.
Ichi saw the hesitation in San's eyes as the young dragon looked away unsure what to say to his brother. A weak "no" left his mouth and Ichi sighed turning his head towards Ni.
"Hey, wake me up again and I'll pull another shift with San and try to make sure he gets some sleep."
"Are you sure you want to do a double shift?" he asked.
Ichi chuckled. "Of course, what do you take me for, a cat?"
Ni snorted in humor. "Ok mate, I'll wake you up then."
With that Ichi yawned and got comfortable and soon fell into the darkness of his slumber. For Ni and San, they talked a little bit as San noticed Ni wasn't the type to talk for on and on but whenever San crossed the border of their previous battles, he hit the jackpot. Ni started telling stories and reminiscing their conflicts against foes they encountered. Ni seemed to almost remember every single detail all except for one battle.
The battle against Godzilla was left out and San knew why. Ni pride was damaged as he always thought they were the most powerful Kaiju in the universe. He also sensed his brother tunneling with guilt and this puzzled San, so he brought it up, concerned for his old brother.
Ni avoided the issue, but San was always a curious, persistent brother and eventually Ni caved into his pleas. He started off hesitant but managed to get the words out.
"Don't tell, Ichi… but it's like… I given up during that fight," he said softly, his throat becoming tight, "and that's usually something that I don't do." He took a deep breath unsure if he could say anymore, but he felt San rub his cheek with his snout which the kind act Ni managed to push out more of his words. "I regret it so much because…. It felt like I gave up on two as well." Tears formed in his eyes as he avoided looking into his brothers eyes. "I should've stayed strong, I should've pushed harder and because of my failure…." He choked momentarily on his words. "I thought I lost both of you…"
San felt himself swell up on the inside, desperate to ease his brothers' pain and reached across, pressing his head against his. Ni tensed up but eventually relaxed against his brother's touch. "It isn't your fault Ni," San purred. I felt powerless against Godzilla as well and felt that were doomed when we were unable to defeat him, I feel like I was the one who failed the most. I am… the weakest link out of all us," he sheepishly admitted.
Ni looked up to stare into his brother's eyes but San looked away, ashamed to even meet his. "I always been… scared and afraid when we go into battle. I try to stay strong for both of you and make it seem like I'm a tough guy but I break down on the inside. Even tho we won battle after battle before I couldn't help but feel that… maybe someday… someone stronger than us would…." San sighed, struggling to describe how he felt, closing his eyes feeling guiltier than he ever has been before.
Ni leaned in and nuzzled his brother. "San, you are not our weakest link, you never were," he weakly chuckled.
"But I am, Ni, I'm the biggest failure out of all of us and feel more of a liability than anything else!" Tears started to escape his eyes as he downgraded himself as nothing more than a waste of time.
Ni was shocked, never expecting San to hate on himself so much. Is this how his brother really felt about himself and were Ichi and Ni too occupied to ever notice or even take a chance to see how he was doing emotionally? Its not like they had much of a choice anyway as the voice that once commanded them took away most opportunities to have an actual discussion with each other. They were always so preoccupied with battling enemies or straight up surviving. Ni also regretfully recalls not really wanting to strike up conversations with his younger brother. It also seemed like he isolated him from his life, focused just on tackling any enemy that just happens to drop in front of them, perhaps he needs to open himself up more to his brother. They were freed from the voice and they can do whatever they please without interference. Ni should do some catching up with San, just for old time sakes.
"No, San, you're not anything of what you say you are, the fact that your able to put on a strong face when the going gets tough shows how brave you are. There is nobody else I rather be with going into battle with other than you. So, what if we have a few flaws, that's what are brothers are for, we rely on each other support to get us where we need to be and to tackle out the little things." He gave his brother smile. "Look, we made mistakes, I made mistakes, you made mistakes and these mistakes nearly cost our lives. Right here, right now though, we have been given a second chance. We know our weaknesses and together 'as brothers' we can work them out together."
San purred happily at his brother's choice of words feeling better about what they could accomplish together. "Also, San, I think you are our strongest link. No matter what happens you try to maintain that confidence, even if its fake. Just know whenever you are scared, me and Ichi are literally right next to you. Whatever we face, we face it together, Okay?"
He nuzzled his younger brother atop the head… "When the time comes, we'll talk to Ichi about tonight. No more hiding feelings, no more fears, no more secrets."
"Ok, big brother" San responded gleefully.
The two brothers rubbed away their tears and continuing talking to each other throughout the night. Ni to his surprise learned a lot more that night and it overwhelmed him as he thought he really knew his brother, but it seemed centuries of conflict has just made him think that. His brother wasn't an annoyance or anything of that sort. He just lacked what he didn't have back then.
A proper family.
In this life however, they can choose to start over even if it means living on a planet that wants to kill them. He just hopes that nothing bad would happen and they can just isolate themselves from the rest of the universe. Just him, Ichi, and San.
Eventually Ichi double shift came and Ni stirred him from his slumber. A loud yawn escaped the middle head as he licked his chops. Ni said his goodnights again, nuzzling both his brothers before going to sleep and Ichi offered San to rest himself for the remainder of the night.
San once again hesitated but remembered his conversation with Ni earlier that night. He was willing to sleep under one condition that would help him.
"umm…. Ichi?" San asked almost embarrassed to mention it.
"Yes, San? Ichi replied.
"Can I… sleep under you for tonight? It would help a lot."
Ichi stared at his brother unsure how to respond to that. It was a first for him cause usually the brothers share their own space when sleeping but San never came to him with this sort of unusual request. Ichi swore he saw disappointed flash across his brothers' eyes as San looked away regretting what he said. Ichi mentally slapped himself as he didn't want his brother to be down. He recalled how the 'bad dream' earlier caused his to stay awake the entire night and noted that perhaps being closer to an older sibling would eradicate those foul dreams. Ichi thought his brother was maturing, but he showed some resemblance to that of a child. Either way, he wasn't going to let his brother down.
"Of course, San," Ichi blurted out
San spun his head around, his demeanor changed significantly "Thanks, Ichi!" he cried out and dove onto the ground beneath getting comfy and snuggled the upper portion of the end of his neck against Ichi while the remaining top portion was lined up to Ichi's in a event he ever chose to lower himself to the ground.
San sighed happily as Ichi lowered most of his neck to act as a blanket for the younger brother and before long San was sleeping.
Ichi attempted to hide his fluster, his cheeks burning red. Nuzzling, purring and grooming was different compared to sleeping in someone's bubble. Ichi heard a snicker nearby and gaze over to where Ni's head lied. Ni, with his left eye open watched the whole situation.
Ichi, embarrassed and angered that such a sweet scene was witnessed sent a volley of wretched words at Ni who just humored away at Ichi's outburst.
"I don't know what you mean, mate seeing how I'm involved as well," he said.
"What do you mea-" before Ichi could finish, Ni slid his neck across the ground and against Kevin side, snuggling close enough to touch the edges of Ichi's neck. At this point Ichi face was visible red and not even the scales could hide the shade of the color. Ni only did this to get a rise out his brother teasing him. Ichi huffed in place trying to settle himself down and eventually Ni fell back to sleep.
All three heads were mashed together with Ichi lying on the top grumbling to himself of why he did this and how he wish morning would come. It would be hours before Ichi could get used to his brothers sleeping under him but by then the morning sun was rising across the landscape. Ichi didn't complain as much as San slept well during those hours and the burning sensation within his cheeks was more than enough to keep him wide awake.
His head jumped up when heard a noise such as a low whirling sound and listened closely. After several minutes has passed, he assumed he just imagined it and went about awakening his brothers.
Little did Ichi know, there was a noise and small four-propellered hover drone that edged the volcano's entrance observed their every action before leaving the area and returned from which it came.
Author notes: idk about you but this felt like it took a while to complete but its only 4.5K words _
Yeesh, but oh well brother bonding moment. Can't wait to write the next chapter Px