It's Time
…
On the way back to Godzilla and Whyley, Amara stopped at her sleeping bag. She packed up all of her stuff before doing the same for Whyley. After rolling up his sleeping bag and attaching it to the bottom of his backpack, she put her bag around her shoulder and his on the other.
No wonder he lost so much weight. His bag was easily forty pounds heavier than hers, which only carried clothes and toiletries at this point.
She stopped at the water and dipped her face cloth in. Now that light shone into the temple, the rocks at the bottom were visible under the ripples.
Not so much as opening an eye, Godzilla moved a finger to allow her passage. A few Iwi that sat nearby jumped up at the subtle movement. Once regaining composure, they nodded their heads at Amara and sat back down.
Whyley was still sound asleep. Amara put down the backpacks and placed Whyley's sleeping bag under his head. She sat down and began wiping the blood and grime from his face.
He mumbled something that sounded a lot like "mom," and limply attempted to swat her hand away.
It is almost time, Amara. Has the girl called Kong back yet?
Amara wiped the blood from Whyley's brow. Not yet.
She is upset. You did not fight for her.
As much as I know what it's like to be bonded to a Titan, I'm not her mother. It's not for me to decide.
Perhaps it is not for her guardian to decide either.
To think, if she had connected to Godzilla at a young age, would her mother have made the right decisions for her? The answer wasn't black and white. There had been so many dumb things she did as a child, so many stupid decisions she'd made thinking they were perfectly logical at the time.
It was bad enough being connected to Godzilla in her early twenties. All the poor decisions she'd made as an adult. Who knew what would have happened without Mi Sun there to guide and encourage her.
Maybe her and Jia's situation wasn't so different. Wasn't it a parent's job to guide and encourage their children? Let them make decisions on their own and learn from their mistakes?
It came down to the parent then. How protective they were. How much they were willing to trust their child to make the right decisions or at least trust they would learn from the wrong ones.
Ilene was like her mother in some ways. She loved Jia, worried about her as much as any mother would a biological child. And it had to be difficult, adopting the last Iwi on Skull Island, one with a connection to Kong nonetheless. It was too easy to become overprotective of a child who had something traumatic happen to them. And Jia had suffered much more than an abusive father.
Amara put the cloth down. Bruises were forming around his cuts, but at least the skin had scabbed over. If Godzilla had any radiation to spare, they'd probably be healed by now.
Perhaps woken by the thoughts of him, Godzilla's conciseness pricked at her mind. I have taken all I can from the crystal. The rest is Kong's.
Alright, I'll go find Jia soon.
Soon? Godzilla let out a puff of air from his nostrils, sending a plume of dust. You will postpone this battle to let him rest?
I will.
He will be allowed to heal when we return to the surface. We should get this over with.
Godzilla's body began to shift around them.
"No wait!"
His movement stilled.
"Just…" she whispered looking down at Whyley, "…a few more minutes."
So be it.
Amara took a deep breath, in through her nose and out through her mouth. Whyley needed whatever sleep he could get before the fight. Who knew what would happen, and if they even would make it out.
No, now wasn't the time for thoughts like that. She and Godzilla had Whyley and Kong on their side. And even if Godzilla wasn't at his peak power, he was still Godzilla.
She'd seen it on TV all those years ago. Footage of two alien-like creatures devastating Hawaii, Vegas, and San Francisco. It was their emergence that first woke up Godzilla. He was weaker then. Fighting without his atomic breath until he was almost defeated. But this time was different, he wasn't alone. Like his fight with Destroyer, he had her fighting experience now. And if there was one thing she was good at, it was taking down larger opponents.
Destroyer was big, but Hollow Godzilla was huge. If he fell, it would take a while for him to get back up again.
She has returned.
By the time Amara looked up from Whyley's face, Jia hopped from in between Godzilla's claws. Her expression was somewhere between resentful and determined. She sat down on Whyley's other side and practically slapped the piece of paper onto his chest. Before she could write more than a few words, Whyley's eyes fluttered open.
"Jia!" she hissed. Why did she have to be so forceful? Didn't she like Whyley?
Jia leaned back in surprise when Whyley sat up. The paper landed on the ground next to him as he rubbed his face only to recoil in pain when his fingers brushed against his eyebrow.
"What'd I miss?" he mumbled.
Jia immediately dropped the pencil and began singing to him. He blinked a few times and rubbed his eyes again.
"Why're you mad at 'Mara?" he asked.
Jia huffed and singed the long pattern again as if she had to retell him the whole story because he hadn't been listening.
"It's not up to 'Mara if you can stay or not," he spoke while signing back to Jia. "Ilene's your mom, so you have to listen to her until you're bigger."
"What's she saying?"
"She says that just because Ilene is her mother doesn't mean she knows best. You're the only one who knows what it's like so you need to convince her to let Jia stay."
"I did try, I told her how the connection works and everything!"
Whyley looked up at Godzilla, a thoughtful expression on his face. "But did you explain to her how it feels?"
"Yeah, like a thread or magnet or whatever."
"Not how it physically feels, emotionally."
"Why would I tell Ilene that? She already knows way more than I ever wanted her to, now you want me to tell her that Godzilla is everything to me? That the reason I think we die together is because it would be like losing half of ourselves? No, if Jia wants Ilene to know what she feels, it's for her to tell, not me."
Jia looked from her to Whyley to translate. Whyley, however, still gazed at Amara. "You really think that's why?"
Amara picked up a crystal fragment off the ground, turning it in her fingers. "Like I said before, Hollow Godzilla is just that. Hollow. All that remains of his soul is misery and anger. We had a glimpse though, of what he was like before. When we saw him last, he saw his effect on the lichen and brought it back to life."
"Do you think killing him is the humane thing to do?"
"It is."
Whyley straightened. Jia's eyes went wide as if she too could hear the difference. Feel the difference. The crystal tumbled from her fingers as Amara looked up to Godzilla. The words that fell from her mouth hadn't been hers.
It never crossed her mind before, but maybe Godzilla was right. Maybe it was humane. Like putting an animal out of its misery.
But it wouldn't be quick. He was too strong.
We will do what we must to set things right.
Amara nodded to Whyley who was watching her and Godzilla. She shuffled closer to Jia.
"Can you translate for me please?"
Whyley nodded. He sat on his haunches beside her.
Amara spoke slowly, allowing Whyley to keep up.
"Jia I'm sorry, but I can't tell Ilene what to do. She is your guardian, and until you're older, it's wise to listen to her. She and Kong want the same thing for you, and that's your safety. Even though it hurts to be apart, it's better that than putting yourself in danger. If you're safe, Kong can fight knowing he doesn't have to worry about you."
Jia's frown deepened. She signed something to Whyley.
"But that's what you're trying to do," he said on her behalf.
"Godzilla and I have tried both, fighting together and apart. We fear for each other's safety and have made mistakes because of it. Yes, I'm choosing to stay behind with him, but the difference is I'm older. I know now that I have to keep myself safe for both our sakes, but I also need to be able to help in whatever way I can."
Jia signed again, this time her hand movements were sharp. When she finished, she crossed her arms, glaring at Amara.
"So just because she's a kid, she can't help?" Whyley translated.
"Yes, Jia. Your connection with Kong is still developing, you're still developing. I know you're not dumb, in fact, I think you're incredibly wise for your age. I think when you're older, you and Kong will be capable of amazing things. But I want you to know that when that time comes, people will try to take advantage of you, maybe not intentionally, but they know the power you wield, the power your decisions wield. And because of that, you must trust yourself to know what's right no matter how much people may tell you otherwise. Because no one knows what it's like to be like us, and they never will."
As she spoke, Jia's shoulders slowly dropped. Her hard expression softened. When Whyley finished signing, she looked down.
After only a moment's pause, Jia leaned forward and hugged her.
When Amara wrapped her arms around Jia, Whyley smiled. "Amazing what happens when you open up to people."
Though his tone was light, there was a different kind of look in his eyes. Something deep and meaningful. Something she could search for all day, as if finding it would answer all her questions, take away all her anxiety.
Jia let go, drawing away her attention. She brushed a stray hair from Jia's cheek. Jia singed the familiar gesture of "thank you" before signing something more to Whyley.
"Is it time to call Kong?"
Amara avoided looking into his eyes this time. She took a sharp breath. "It's time."
Jia got up, as if Amara's body language was enough for her to understand. She disappeared through Godzilla's claws, leaving Amara and Whyley without a backward glance.
Whyley began going through his backpack. He fastened his sleeping bag to the bottom and paused. "Have you seen my knife?"
Sure enough, the sheath clipped onto one of the straps was missing the knife.
"I probably dropped it when I was bringing it here. We can go look—"
"Amara, tell me you didn't leave while I was sleeping?" He put his head in his hand. "Ugh, you went to talk to Ilene. I knew sleeping was a bad idea."
"I was with Ilene and Nathan the whole time."
Whyley slid his hand down his face. "I'm sure. Here I was about to compliment your maturity, but never mind."
"Whyley, we have bigger things to worry about right now. Like the massive Godzilla we're about to fight. So stop worrying about a Japanese guy who weighs ten pounds more than me and start worrying about the Titan twice the size of Kong."
Whyley looked like he was about to fight back, but Godzilla stirred.
Listen to the boy, Amara. Though the Ancient One is a bigger threat, it does not mean the human is not.
Godzilla pushed upwards onto his arms.
Whyley immediately began moving away from Godzilla's shifting body.
Amara, however, remained still. Godzilla looked down at her, eyes peering behind teeth and scale. His jaws opened. Pale blue mist, almost invisible to the eye, blew gently across her skin.
Almost instantly, the remaining ache of the scratches on her shoulders dissipated.
"Thanks, Goji," she said as he rose off his forelimbs. She craned her neck, but it was impossible to see his head being so close. She truly was nothing more than an ant in his presence.
Whyley stood by a group of Iwi, some were even gathered behind him. He turned his attention away from Godzilla back down to her as she walked toward him.
"Did he just heal you?"
"Yeah," she said. She pulled down her shirt to reveal the bandages Whyley applied.
He peeled one back and sure enough, raised scares remained. "Damn, I should have stayed by you."
Amara peeled off the other bandage, shoving both into a nearby fire. "Probably help that goose egg from getting any bigger on your forehead."
They followed Godzilla's retreating form out of the temple. Any Iwi in his path stayed close to the walls or gathered near the crystal. Godzilla was careful though, walking slowly and intentionally out of the cavern.
He stopped halfway between the temple and the outer wall. His posture was still slouched, but his eyes scanned the horizon of the crater, like an eagle searching for prey. The lichen under his feet grew brighter.
Can you not absorb the radiation from the lichen?
There is so little. Godzilla turned an amber eye on her. There is no point in killing it for so little benefit.
Amara gave the slightest nod as she and Whyley approached the others. They too, looked up at Godzilla. Jia, however, had her sight set on the horizon. No doubt that where she looked would be where Kong would come from.
It was such a weird sense to have. To know without knowing.
Ren and Ilene were loading the last of their belongings into the HEAV. Nathan was visible from the door. He sat on one of the seats, head back, eyes closed.
Ren made eye contact with Whyley for less than a second before scowling down at the bag he was putting in the HEAV.
Whyley stopped at a distance, reaching out to grab Amara's arm to stop her as well. If Ilene noticed, she didn't make any indication of it.
"Keep me between you and Ren at all times," he hissed in her ear.
"Good luck with that. We're all taking the HEAV when Kong gets here," she whispered back.
"What do you mean?"
"We're getting a ride away from the temple so Hollow Godzilla doesn't destroy it. They'll drop us off at a good spot to overlook the fight."
"Anything else I need to know?" His voice rose with agitation.
She slid her backpack off her shoulders. "Just put my stuff in the HEAV if you want me to stay back."
Whyley took it wordlessly and walked up to the HEAV. His body language alone was enough for Ren and Ilene to stay out of his way.
He passed his rifle up to Nathan and out of sight. He climbed up, disappearing for a minute. When he came back into view, he was shirtless and a toothbrush hung from his lips. He jumped out of the HEAV, throwing Ren a glance as he passed. Ren glared at his back. Ilene openly stared before she caught herself and went back to what she was doing.
Amara looked away. If Whyley looked like that after losing who knew how much weight since they got here, what had he looked like before?
Annoyance sparked in the back of her mind. Godzilla was right, now wasn't the time.
Whyley only just started to pull a fresh white t-shirt over his head when the ground rumbled. Jia perked, jumping up from where she sat.
Godzilla stepped off to the side as Kong landed on the crater wall. In his hand was his old axe handle and some sort of rope-like vine. He jumped down. The Iwi began forming lines along the entrance of the temple. Kong looked down at them as he entered. Jia ran after him.
Whyley spit out his toothpaste and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. "We're not getting in until Ren is strapped in his seat."
Amara nodded and followed him toward the others. Ilene and Ren both looked toward the temple.
"Ilene, go get Jia. Ren, in," Whyley said. His tone didn't allow for any argument.
Ilene gave a curt nod before jogging to the temple.
Ren didn't move. "If anyone's in charge here, it's me. Unless you think you can fly us back to the surface."
Amara stepped forward. "I don't know, Ren, might be hard to fly with a broken arm."
"Oh you think you can threaten me now?"
"I can."
A deep rumble engulfed the clearing. Ren's eyes flew upwards to Godzilla who bared his teeth at him. He sneered, and without another word, got into the HEAV and sat in the pilot's seat. Nathan got up with a grunt and switched to the seat beside Ren.
Amara and Whyley waited outside the HEAV. It didn't take long before Ilene and Jia appeared from the massive entrance. They were holding hands, Ilene guiding Jia who was looking back at the temple.
Whyley beckoned them into the HEAV. He hoisted Jia up before helping Ilene through the narrow doorway. Looking back at Amara, he inclined his head.
Go quickly. Do not wait for me, I will find you.
Her gaze fell back down to Whyley. He held out a hand to help her up. When she placed her hand in his, he grinned. "At least we're not in Tokyo."
She replied without thinking, "At least I have you."
Her words must have caught him off guard. His eyes went wide for a moment, the speck of brown appearing in his blue eye. When it disappeared again, his smile was different.
But now wasn't the time.
He helped her up into the HEAV, following close behind. Nathan reached over and pressed a button and the door closed, encasing them in darkness.
Ren began the starting sequence to power up the HEAV. Her chair shook as the engines rumbled to life, firing up to a high-pitched whine.
Iwi gathered around outside. Many of them interlaced their fingers, holding their hands up and bowing their heads.
Jia got up to wave out the window only for Ilene to pull her back into her lap. It was the last time Jia would see her living ancestors. It was a shame she never got to say a proper goodbye.
They had only just begun to rise when Kong came out of the temple. His new pickaxe shone in the light. From the other side of the window, Godzilla regarded him. Then both looked up at the HEAV.
"Go," Amara called to Ren.
Ilene twisted in her seat to look back at her, Jia in her lap. "We can't or we'll lose Godzilla and Kong."
"She's right, Ilene," said Nathan from the front. "They'll be able to find us."
The HEAV lurched forward. Godzilla had just begun walking when he and Kong vanished from view. They had plenty of time to scout ahead. Godzilla's exertion was already weighing on her. He wasn't even close to full power, but at least he wasn't running on fumes now.
"I think Kong is staying back with Godzilla," Nathan said, leaning over to see out of the corner of the windshield.
Ilene looked between Nathan and Jia. "It's not a bad idea, if Hollow Godzilla intercepts them on the way, they'll be together."
Jia turned back to her. Eyes fierce, mouth set. It was very likely that Kong stayed with Godzilla at her request.
There was no sign of Hollow Godzilla as they flew over the core side. Flying creatures veered out of the way when they passed. Some small, some much bigger than the HEAV. Some even looked like the raptor birds they had ridden.
Everything was so much dimmer now. The vibrant warm white light of the Hollow Earth now faded, resembling overcast skies.
Ahead was a transfer zone. Instead of a steep mountain, this one rose gradually up to the mantle side. They flew over a river that carved away the edge of it, creating a cliff that grew taller and taller as they neared the transfer zone.
A portion of the river expanded into a lake. While the cliff overlooked half of it, the rest was bordered by rocky tundra. Trees lay far beyond, stopping where the soil became stone. Like most of the barren parts of the Hollow Earth, glowing blue crystal speckled across the exposed red earth.
"Here," Amara said. "Land up on the cliff above the lake."
The cliff was far enough away to watch but not to be in immediate danger. And if they had to get away again, they could jump into the water and swim downstream again.
No one objected. Ren steered the HEAV upwards to the cliff, landing near the edge in a clearing surrounded by wilting trees.
Not a second after touching down, Ren reached over to Nathan's side of the control panel and pressed a button. The door slid open.
Amara's fingers shook as she unfastened the harness. Whyley was standing before she even got one strap off her shoulder.
There it was, finally. The nerves. The numbing sensation that tingled her body, the brick in the pit of her stomach. The sense of dread. This really was it. No one else was moving. They weren't even going to get out.
Whyley's seat rocked when he got up. The screws were still loose.
"Come on 'Mara," he said softly, helping her take off the other shoulder strap.
Her legs were oddly unstable when she stood. Nathan, Ilene, and Jia's eyes were on her as she passed their seats and stopped at the doorway, Whyley just in front, both backpacks and gun in hand. He hopped out, putting everything on the ground before turning back to Amara and reaching up to her.
There was a part of her that hesitated. Leaving the HEAV was it. It sealed her fate and everything would come down to the battle. If she'd leave or stay; live or die.
But then she looked into Whyley's eyes. Every emotion she felt was reflected back at her. How would she ever repay him for staying? How could she?
Godzilla's presence lingered in the far reaches of her mind. But the feeling of reassurance was there. All she had to do was get both of them out.
Once again, she accepted his hand and got out of the HEAV. She and Whyley took a few steps back, but neither spoke.
What was there to say? Goodbye? Thanks for leaving with an empty promise of coming back for them?
Maybe Ren would just close the door and fly off—save them the awkwardness. And perhaps he would have if Jia hadn't jumped out of the HEAV after them.
Ilene shouted at her. Nathan yelled at Ren to wait.
Jia ran further away from the HEAV, away from Amara and Whyley. She shook her head and signed something to Ilene.
"She's not leaving," Whyley said.
Ilene got up, speaking as she signed to Jia. "You can't stay here. Amara will look out for Kong until we come back."
Jia pointed toward the direction they came from and then herself before she put her fists together and made a circle. Together, it meant. She and Kong, together.
"No, Jia, we are going!"
When Jia stood her ground, Ilene got out. Only then did Jia run behind Amara.
"Jia, your mom's right, you have to leave," Whyley said, signing to her.
Jia gestured something back, all the while sidestepping to keep Amara between her and Ilene.
"What?" Amara asked him.
"She said if you're staying, she's staying. That it's her decision, not Ilene's."
Amara spun in Jia's direction. "Jia! That's not what I meant!"
"What did you tell her?" Ilene's voice was sharp. Her eyes flashed from Jia to Amara.
"I told her she needs to trust herself—when she's older! I didn't ask her to stay!"
Nathan stumbled as he got out of the HEAV. "Just grab her, Ilene. We need to go now."
Ilene's expression turned from anger to frustration. She went after Jia, but Jia was too quick.
"Jia, go with them!" Amara pleaded.
Whyley tried signing, but Jia wasn't looking. He let out a frustrated sigh and got on a knee, holding his arms out for Jia. She stopped, looking between Ilene and Whyley.
Nathan watched from behind Jia from where he stood next to the HEAV.
Ilene waited too.
Would Jia fall for the trap?
Jia looked from Whyley to Amara and back again. Every time it looked like she was about to step toward Whyley, she stopped herself. Her lips pulled tight, her brows furrowed. Brown eyes shone with unshed tears.
Then Ren grabbed her from behind.
She let out a small noise of shock then began to trash against Ren's body when he lifted her off the ground.
"We don't have time for this," Ren huffed, attempting to walk back to the HEAV while Jia fought against him.
Whyley didn't hesitate. One moment he was kneeling on the ground, the next he grabbed Ren by the backpack. "Put her down."
Why was he even wearing a backpack?
"Get your hands off me!" Ren went to jerk his backpack out of Whyley's grasp. One of the straps pulled off his arm. Jia took the opportunity to jump out of his arms and distance herself from everyone.
Whyley's attention, however, was now on the backpack. "What's in here?" His words weren't questioning, but accusatory.
Ren snarled, shoving his arm back through the strap and once again trying to yank it out of Whyley's steel grip.
This time she heard it. The sound of hard objects hitting each other.
"Ren—I thought I told you—" Ilene began.
Amara marched up to Ren, forcefully unzipping the backpack. The interior lining glowed blue in the darkness. Seven or eight rocks containing crystal sat at the bottom.
Ren turned as much as he could and smacked her hand away.
She didn't flinch.
How dare he.
"What, little girl thinks it's up to her to decide what's best for the world? Well I hate to break it to you, but that's not up to you just because you think you're special."
Whyley's grip tightened. He pulled Ren closer.
"No Whyley, maybe he's right. Let him go."
Whyley glanced down at her, eyebrows raised. He let Ren go. Ren stumbled from the sudden weight change. He turned on a dime and opened his mouth.
Amara slapped him. The sound echoed against the trees.
Ren's eyes were wide. His cheek instantly turned red. His reaction was quick, but not quick enough. She leaned out of the way as the backhand swung at her. Before he had a moment to process that he missed, Amara's fist connected with his nose.
If the sound of the slap had been loud, it was nothing compared to the crunch of cartilage and bone breaking.
Ren collapsed onto his knees. Both hands covering his face, blood poured between his fingers.
She kneeled down, grabbing the straps on his shoulders. "Too bad your opinion means shit to me."
A gun cocked.
Amara's hands froze. Her body froze.
Nathan sat at the base of the HEAV, Whyley's rifle in his hands. It was pointed at her.
Everything else disappeared around the barrel of the gun. A black void that could end it all.
"Nathan put the gun down!" Whyley's voice rang over the sound of her heartbeat.
"No, I'm done with this. Both of you back up."
Whyley's hand took her arm, pulling her backward. She stumbled.
"Ren's right, it doesn't matter who you are, it's not up to you to decide on our behalf. We're taking the crystals to the surface and you're staying down here with Godzilla." Nathan beckoned to Ren. "Take Jia and put her in the HEAV."
Ren got up, attempting to wipe the blood off his face with his sleeve. Jia's gaze never left Nathan even as Ren picked her up.
Ilene stayed still. For the first time, she looked terrified of Nathan.
"You can't be serious," Whyley said, "You're taking Ren's side over ours?"
"He's not the one threatening and assaulting people." Nathan's eyes met Amara's again. "Nor is he the one trying to turn Jia against us." The barrel stared at her. "Tie her to that tree."
A paracord bracelet landed by her feet.
"What, are you joking?"
"Tie her up!" Nathan shouted. "I'm not taking any more chances!"
Whyley didn't budge, even when Nathan shouted again.
Then a gun shot, Sharp. Deafening.
She and Whyley both jumped. Dirt shot up and pricked her skin. The bullet made a mark in the ground feet from where they stood.
When she looked back at Whyley, he was shaking. Perhaps in fear or anger. Maybe both.
"Just do it," her voice was so quiet compared to the ringing in her ears.
Whyley picked up the bracelet. His fingers moved clumsily over the knot until it began to unravel.
Amara backed up until her back hit a tree trunk. The gun still pointed at her, daring her to try anything.
Whyley slowly approached. He tied the cord around her and the trunk, her arms pinned down at her sides.
"Tighter!" Nathan called.
Whyley was biting his lip. He refused to make eye contact. His eyebrow was swelling. His jaw was red. The cord dug into her stomach and wrists while Whyley tied the knot. It didn't take him long…she should have been watching his hands.
"Ren, go tie him up."
Whyley's head whipped in Nathan's direction.
Ren got out of the HEAV and took the rope from Whyley's backpack. Whyley glared as he walked toward them, but he didn't move even though the gun wasn't pointed at him.
Whyley backed into the tree beside her. Ren's face was covered in blood. His nose was crooked, but his eyes held a satisfied look.
"Don't try anything," Whyley whispered darkly when Ren neared.
"Why would I?" he answered, tying Whyley's wrists together. "I just won." He then walked the rope around the tree and fastened it. "Thanks for staying behind. Makes things easier."
"Ren!" Whyley yelled after him.
All they could do was watch as the others got back into the HEAV. Ren ushered Ilene in first. She never took her eyes off them but said nothing. Next, Ren helped Nathan up, taking a long look at the rifle that Nathan had strapped around his torso.
With a final smirk, Ren too disappeared behind the door.
And the HEAV took off.
…