What is Home but the Sun and the Sea

…

Hollow Godzilla had fallen still. As more and more vapor poured from his body, the lichen of the Hollow Earth lit up, casting light on his blue eye. Even though it no longer shined, the blue seemed brighter somehow. Lighter.

Amara brushed the tears from her eyes. Beside her, Jia still stood sobbing.

Nothing should have to endure such pain. Waking up to his family being slaughtered, fighting every day of his life and then having the one he cared about most killed in front of his eyes.

Yet the memory that shone the brightest had been a happy one. And perhaps, if there was such a thing, their souls could find each other again.

She lowered her hand from Hollow Godzilla's nose.

To die at peace is a rare honor for creatures like us.

Godzilla looked down at her with soft amber eyes.

There was a thud as Kong dropped his pickaxe. He walked around Hollow Godzilla's body, eyeing it as he did. Now near Godzilla, he kneeled down and held out a hand to her and Jia.

Jia took her hand off Hollow Godzilla and looked at her palm as if finally realizing the strange power she held.

Though maybe it wasn't that strange. Jia had always been caring. She didn't want Hollow Godzilla to suffer any more than Amara did.

Jia wiped her eyes again and interlaced her fingers with Amara's, leading her over to Kong's waiting hand. They climbed up onto his palm and were lifted back to the cliff.

Godzilla watched closely, stepping out of the way. Hollow Godzilla lay below, his remaining spines sparkling in a veil of blue vapor.

What about the radiation? Will the Hollow Earth run out?

The Ancient One only controlled the energy, while the crystals contain it. They will continue to sustain life here for many lifetimes.

Like the crystal in Kong's pickaxe. It worked independently.

Yes, like that.

Ilene rushed to help them off Kong's palm when he rested his fingers on the cliffside. "What happened down there? Did you kill him somehow?"

"Something like that," Amara said, immediately turning to Whyley who stood next to Nathan, both holding the other up. "Both of you need to sit down."

Instead, Whyley winced as he let go of Nathan and wrapped his arms around her. It took her a second to steady herself under his weight.

"Did you and Jia connect with him? He was thrashing around and then he suddenly relaxed before he stopped breathing."

Amara lowered herself down, bringing Whyley with her. "He showed us his memories of him and the Iwi girl and…we just found one of a happier time."

Whyley let go of her when he was seated again. "Did you know you could do that?"

"I don't know. Maybe? I just felt like I had to do something, and I think Jia did too."

Kneeling in front of Whyley, she checked on his wound. The gauze was bloody, but the bleeding was nothing compared to before.

Despite the burning in her chest at the sight of it, Ren was no longer a threat.

"Hey Amara, I want to apologize."

Amara abruptly stood to face Nathan. "For which? Not believing a word I said, tying us up to a tree, or almost shooting me?"

"Everything—"

The sharp noise of her hand hitting his cheek stopped him in his tracks. "If you think apologizing for almost getting Whyley and I killed is going to make up for anything, you're wrong."

Nathan frowned. Ilene came to his side.

"Don't worry," he said, bringing a hand up to his reddening cheek. "Karma hit us real quick when Kong grabbed the HEAV. No way it's going to make it to the surface now."

Ilene's gaze dropped. "We didn't listen to you or Jia. Now we're all stuck here."

Whyley bowed his head, covering his face with his hands. Jia came to stand next to Amara, her hands still.

Amara's eyes met Godzilla's. While the others mourned their fates in silence, the intricate markings on his dorsal plates began to glow. Even Kong watched from where he sat catching his breath.

"Well," Amara said, looking back at the others. "If you're ready to listen to me now, I have one final proposition."

All eyes rose to meet hers.

"No one says a word about my connection to Godzilla and the superconductors, and in exchange, Godzilla will take us all to the surface."

Nathan's gaze shot over to Godzilla before looking back at her. "How the hell is Godzilla going to get us out of here?"

"The same way I was going to get out of here without you, in his mouth."

Nathan and Ilene exchanged disbelieving looks.

"It works even better now because we still have the HEAV," she continued. "We just strap in and fly into Godzilla's mouth, then he takes us to the surface."

Nathan shook his head. "You're serious?"

Ilene looked like she was about to slap Nathan's other cheek. "You have our word. None of us will say anything about you and Godzilla or the superconductors. If I'd known Ren had taken some, I would have tried to stop him."

Ilene may not have been perfect, but she had a good heart.

"Nathan?" Amara said.

He let out a long breath before speaking. "I swear."

Amara nodded. "Then let's get out of here."

Jia helped her get Whyley up again. She stopped to pick up her and Whyley's backpacks near the entrance to the forest. Ilene offered to carry hers while she lugged Whyley's over her shoulder. She shushed Whyley as soon as he opened his mouth to protest.

While Nathan leaned on Ilene, Amara supported Whyley as they walked through the forest. She glanced back at Jia who lagged behind, looking between the trees to the cliffside where Godzilla and Kong followed alongside.

They made it to a large area of downed trees. In the middle sat the HEAV resting atop of branches. It was a slow process getting Nathan and Whyley over the fallen tree trunks and through the debris.

Everyone was oddly quiet, like a blanket of silent apprehension fell over them. Even Whyley hadn't said a word, but then again it looked like he was ready to pass out at any moment.

"There'll be some water in the HEAV," she said to him.

"How'd you know I was thirsty?" His voice was weak.

"Because there's a puddle of your blood back there since you decided to play hero again."

"Better me than you. Even you can't deny that. Wasn't expecting you to push him off a cliff though."

"I wasn't thinking," she said, helping him over a shattered tree trunk. "I just needed to hurt him. But then in the water, I didn't want to let him drown. But he…pushed me away. He'd chose death over my help."

Nathan and Ilene didn't hide the fact that they were listening.

"Some people don't want to be saved."

"I know he didn't want my help, but the way he looked at me before he died…I don't think I'll ever forget it."

"Just don't let it haunt you, 'Mara."

Godzilla and Kong stood at the base of the cliff. Kong uprooted any remaining trees that impeded the HEAV. Godzilla gazed up at the mantle side. He would have to finish scaling up to the transfer zone to transition over, then blast a hole straight through the Earth.

She followed his gaze upward. Do you know where we would end up?

In the Northern Ocean. I will take you close to land so they will find you.

And you're sure you have enough power to get through?

More than enough.

Now that she thought about it, she was completely connected to Godzilla and there was no ache in her leg, nor much from the fight. There was enough radiation for him to heal fully.

As soon as they made it to the HEAV, Amara pulled Whyley in. As he sat down, she added his backpack to the pile and shuffled through all of them, in part to find water and in part to find crystals. Fortunately, Nathan had kept his word. She passed a full bottle to Whyley before downing one of her own.

Nathan was the next to climb in, taking his spot in front of the controls.

"Jia, come on."

Ilene stood at the foot of the HEAV, hand extended out to Jia who kept her distance, a small frown on her face.

"We don't have time for this," Ilene said again, signing. "We have to get Nathan and Whyley to the surface."

Ever so slowly, Jia shook her head.

"Ilene," Whyley said, his head leaning against the seat. "She's told us many times she doesn't want to leave."

"She meant until Hollow Godzilla was gone!" Ilene snapped back. She softened her voice again, signing more urgently. "Kong will be fine now, he is friends with the Iwi."

Resolve set on Jia's face, she signed back.

Amara looked at Whyley.

"She belongs with Kong," he translated, voice quiet.

Ilene was silent. Nathan grunted as he got up, supporting himself on the seats as he made his way over to the doorway and out of the HEAV.

"Jia, you belong with me," Ilene's voice cracked as she spoke.

Tears fell from Jia's eyes as she shook her head again.

Amara looked away. It would be like her leaving Godzilla behind while she went back to the surface. Even the thought of it was unimaginable. It was hard enough leaving him to go down to the Hollow Earth, but deep down she knew that if it came to it, he would find her. And he did.

But Kong…even if he did find a way back to the surface, he had nowhere to go. Skull Island was too small for him. A shark in a fish tank. It made more sense for Jia to stay than for him to leave. Something that Ilene never considered—or refused to acknowledge.

"You've seen what it does to a Titan when they are separated from the person they're connected to. It goes both ways. And her connection with Kong will only grow stronger as she gets older. And the stronger it grows, the harder it is to be apart."

Ilene didn't look back at her, just quietly listened as her shoulders shook. She gave the slightest nod before taking a few steps toward Jia and dropping onto her knees, hands held out.

Jia embraced Ilene, Nathan coming to their side.

"I think Jia will do well down here," Whyley said.

Amara watched as Jia gave Nathan a hug. "More safe too. She and Kong are accepted down here, no politics to worry about."

Whyley smiled. "If that's the case, maybe we should stay down here too."

"And let the government win? Not a chance."

Whyley let out a breathy laugh. "That's the spirit."

"If they try to put me in jail again, I will have Godzilla destroy it."

Out of nowhere, Jia jumped into the HEAV and past Amara where she practically jumped into Whyley's lap and wrapped her arms around him. Whyley grunted in pain but hugged her back. When she let go she signed something to him.

"You're going to tell them the real story about Hollow Godzilla? Sounds like a good idea."

He was speaking for her sake.

It was then her turn to be hugged. Jia squeezed her for a few seconds before straightening and signing for her to stay safe.

Amara smiled back at her. "You too," she mouthed and poked Jia on the nose.

Jia grinned and hopped out of the HEAV before Nathan and Ilene made it back to the entrance.

More hugs were exchanged. The expression on Ilene's face had turned from sadness to something else. Perhaps something akin to bittersweet pride. She'd seen the potential Jia had, the connection she shared with not only Kong, but her Iwi ancestors too. Deep down, Ilene knew Jia was making the right decision.

Even if it was hard for her.

There came a time for every mother to let her child go out into the world alone. Ilene's time to do that was merely shorter than most. But Jia was special, and Ilene knew it. And that was probably the only reason she was letting her go.

After a few short minutes, Ilene helped Nathan back into the HEAV then followed behind, head turned back towards Jia.

Nathan took an audible breath before pressing a button

Ilene sobbed as Jia disappeared behind the slowly closing door.

And then they were in the dark. Nathan initiated the startup sequence, flipping switches before the dash lit up around him. Immediately, a red light flashed across one of the screens followed by the words "structural integrity forty-five percent".

Nathan pressed a few more buttons and the red lights shut off.

The HEAV shuttered as it lifted off the ground. More errors popped up. Left thruster thirty percent, right, seventy-five percent. Still, the HEAV levitated above the ground, turning until Godzilla and Kong came into view.

"Headed toward the transfer zone," Nathan said.

Both Titans followed them. Unlike before, Godzilla was now the faster of the two, the surplus of radiation having a much more acute effect on him.

"There's Jia!" Ilene called, pointing out the window towards Kong's hand.

Sure enough, the tiny figure on his palm that was Jia came into view.

Once they reached the peak of the transfer zone, Nathan inverted the HEAV to align with the mantle side

"Put the HEAV down over there," Amara said, pointing toward a clearing.

Out of the side window, Godzilla floated downwards. The vegetation shook with his landing. Kong stayed behind on the core side, upside down looking up at them.

Nathan landed the HEAV while Godzilla went ahead, putting more distance between them. When he was far enough away that his whole body could be seen from the narrow windows, he stopped.

Are you ready, Amara?

"Let's do it," she said aloud.

The cabin went silent as Godzilla's dorsal plates lit up more vibrant than before, pulsing brighter and brighter. His chest puffed with a massive inhale, then he leaned over and released his atomic breath into the earth below.

Debris pelted the HEAV as metal groaned. Temperature and radiation warnings flashed across the screens. Far above, Kong turned his back to the blast, shielding the hand that held Jia. Flying creatures scattered In the distance.

Amara put her hand against her chest. At least she had a warning this time. Still, her lungs screamed for air while her body refused to breathe. Whyley took her other hand, eyes on her.

Amara took a massive breath of air the second Godzilla stopped. Ilene and Nathan jumped at the sudden noise.

"Wait, do you mean..?" Ilene said slowly as Amara leaned her head back, catching her breath.

"Yeah," Amara said, "It's like sharing a brain sometimes."

"Jesus," Nathan muttered.

"Let's just go."

"And you're a hundred percent sure we're going to fly straight into his mouth?"

Hearing Nathan's words through her, Godzilla looked over and opened his jaw.

Nathan swallowed, but kept his mouth shut as he steered the HEAV back into the air. Higher and higher, closer and closer, until the only thing they could see was the darkness of Godzilla's mouth. The HEAV landed and sunk onto Godzilla's tongue.

Even Whyley looked uncomfortable. His hand gripped onto hers tighter than before.

Tell me when you are ready.

"Okay, time to buckle up," Amara said.

Everyone did up their harnesses. Amara reached over to help with the side Whyley was struggling with. He grimaced as she tightened the belt around his waist.

"Do you know where we're going to end up?"

"I think under the ocean. G will take us somewhere we'll be found right away."

"How does he know that?" Nathan asked.

"He's Godzilla, he's pretty easy to find if he wants to be. Now is everyone buckled in?"

"Yes," Ilene said, settling herself against the seat.

"Yup," said Nathan with a nod.

"Ready when you are," Whyley said.

The little light around them faded into darkness as Godzilla closed his mouth. The HEAV shifted, Godzilla pressing it against the roof of his mouth with his tongue.

Hold on.

Amara's stomach flopped with the sudden weightlessness.

There were no lights this time. No rattling. Just the feeling of being dropped off the side of the earth and then spring back upwards to the moon before falling once again. Like a carnival ride gone off the rails that lasted entirely too long.

And then things began to settle like a rollercoaster coming to a stop. When she closed her eyes, she was back in the ocean. Dark blue, deep and droning in an eternal beet too low to register as sound and rather a feeling.

A feeling of home.

Amara relaxed her shoulders. "We're in the ocean."

While the other three let out a collected breath, Amara kept her eyes shut. Familiar sea creatures swam past as the water went from navy blue to vibrant azure. And then, finally, sunlight.

Godzilla's jaws parted around them, light filtering between his teeth. A rush of seawater pushed against the HEAV and pulled it back into open water. Cracked ice floated around them.

Ilene unbuckled her harness, leaning over to get a better look out the window. "Are we back in Antarctica?"

We are near the place I last felt Kong's presence.

"I think so," Amara said.

"Monarch must still have people out here," Nathan said.

"Yeah, there's an outpost," Ilene answered. "Godzilla probably triggered their scanners already."

I will leave then.

Good idea. Lay low for a while, I don't know what's going to happen now.

I will be close. Keep out of trouble, Amara.

You too. She looked into his amber eyes through the window. And I'm sorry for all of this.

There is no need. We both did what we thought was right only to realize it was wrong in the end. We will not do it again. We are—

—Stronger together.

Yes.

"Amara?"

She turned to Ilene who was looking between her and Godzilla's eyes peering at them just above the surface of the water. "What was that?"

"How are we going to tell them we got out?"

"That we risked it all and followed Godzilla out of the Hollow Earth. If anyone asks anything about his behavior, explain it away as assuming he's either going after Kong or Hollow Godzilla. You probably won't have to explain much, they'll ask me most of the Godzilla questions."

"Is that how you got the job?" Nathan asked out of nowhere. "Does some other Monarch employee know about this connection of yours and fast tracked you into the job?"

"Without going into detail, yes."

He looked back out the window. "I always wondered why they hired some twenty-some year old girl to take the heat for Godzilla."

"I can count on you to vouge for me then, if the need ever arises?"

Nathan gave her a long look before opening his mouth. "Yeah."

"You have mine too, Amara," Ilene said.

Godzilla's head dipped underneath the water, leaving only a tiny wake behind. His presence faded deeper into the cold waters, where he would disappear off of all radars and remain undetected until he chose to make himself known once again.

It wasn't long before black dots appeared over the horizon.

"There, look!" Whyley pointed out the window next to Nathan.

"There's an emergency hatch above your head, Amara. If you stand on the seat, you can probably open it." Nathan gestured up to a round door above her head.

Amara did as instructed. "It's going to be cold," she said as she released the hatch.

Ilene was already handing Nathan and Whyley long sleeve shirts to put on.

Amara opened the hatch and bright afternoon sunlight lit up the cabin. Ilene passed her a button up which she put on quickly before hoisting herself up and out of the HEAV.

Salty ocean air whipped her hair around. Fresh, every note of its familiar odor bringing back waves of memories that felt like eons ago.

"A little help down here," Ilene's voice called up.

Amara scooted back on the cold metal hull and reached down for Nathan. His lack of strength meant she had to use all hers to pull up his dead weight.

"Thanks," he said between breaths when he was finally topside.

"Come on, Whyley, you're next," Amara spoke down the hatch.

Like Nathan, it took everything she and Ilene had to pull Whyley out of the HEAV. The helicopters were close now, the thrumming of their blades disenable over the rushing wind and lapping water.

Ilene was easier to pull out. She was able to jump up and weighed much less than Nathan and Whyley.

With Ilene out, Amara sat back beside Whyley who was lying down and looking up at the clouds that spotted the sky. His sallow cheeks were already turning red from the cold.

"Promise me this isn't a dream," he said.

Amara scooted closer. "It's not."

The helicopters were directly overhead now. Masked faces looked down at them as one man propelled down a rope.

Amara looked back down at Whyley. His eyes glistened with tears as he smiled back at her.

They were finally finally home.

…

The outpost had been prepared for them. The small building had medical rooms set aside for quarantine. Amara and Ilene were taken to one with six beds, three on each side of the room. On the far side was a bathroom and a small room with a desk and chair facing a window with a desk on the other side.

They took Nathan and Whyley to another room. Both had been placed on stretchers the second they got off the helicopter.

People in hazmat suits performed physicals on her and Ilene. They had both lost around 15 pounds and were told to lie down and given IVs along with some food and water.

It turned out they had been in the Hollow Earth for seven weeks. Monarch would have waited for two more before calling the mission a failure and leaving the outpost. Mark and a few other higher ups were on their way for a debrief with each of them.

It was a little over an hour when Nathan was wheeled back into the room and transferred onto the bed. Ilene got up, rolling her IV stand to the bed next to him.

"How's Whyley?" Amara asked the fully suited person on their way out.

"Just stitching him up now. Should be coming back here in a couple of minutes."

Sure enough, Ilene's quiet words with Nathan were interrupted when the glass doors slid open again. Whyley made a pained noise when they transferred him to the bed beside Amara. Like Nathan, they double checked his drip bag and left the room.

Amara moved to sit on the bed on his good side.

"How long till Mi Sun gets here to tell us off?" he asked, opening his eyes just enough to see her.

"Any minute now, I'm sure."

Whyley grimaced as he moved away from her on the bed.

"Oh, sorry," she said, moving to get up.

"No, just making room."

Amara looked at Nathan and Ilene who were talking to each other again. Then, ever so slowly, laid down next to Whyley.

"How do you feel?" she whispered.

He opened his eyes to meet hers. "Never been better. You?"

"Happy that we made it back."

"Good," he said, closing his eyes again.

His hand found hers.

"Hey, Whyley."

"Yeah?"

"You'll have to draw me another picture. I got the last on wet."

Whyley grinned. "I could, but it'll cost you."

"I'll give you twenty bucks."

"For one of my masterpieces? Yeah right."

"They're doodles at best."

"How about you buy me a coffee then?" He peeked at her with a blue eye.

She squeezed his hand. "I'll think about it."

…