Chapter 2: Due to the Dead
Summer of 1873
Skull Island
A long wide skull approaches him, sniffing him out through the small cave that he hid in. It leaves with a grumble, only for a giant claw to replace it, reaching forward, grabbing him, and causing him to screech in pain and fear. He fights it to no avail. Bites, scratches, punches, nothing works. He‛s pulled outside, and rain attacks him, muddling his vision momentarily. When it clears, the same skull stares at him below for several agonizing seconds. Then it widens, the claw lets him out, and he falls to his doom…
Kong awoke with a distressed grunt.
He jumps high in the air and lands on all four. Huffing as he glances around with wild eyes, and sees a mountain of green scaly skin. For a moment, he whines, backing away in fear, thinking the Crawlers came back. But the spikes on the top remind him quickly who the being in front of him was… and what happened yesterday.
Grief and sadness overwhelm him in powerful waves as he slumps down on the ground, little head bent low with tears falling. The traumatic flashbacks of yesterday remind him of his tragic state. Crawlers emerged from everywhere, jaws, claws, and pure malice raining down on them in merciless droves. The tribe fought back bravely, teeth, fists, and roars thrown against a cruel hissing horde as blood was spilled everywhere. One by one. His tribe. His parents. Gone. Killed by Crawlers. He was going to get killed as well.
But was not.
Kong lifts his head.
Because of him.
Kong wipes the tears, warily gets up, and decides to take a closer look at his slumbering saviour who's head is bigger than his entire body.
He had a broad face, razor-sharp teeth, and lines on a thick neck that shivered in rhythm with his snores. And numerous red scars adorning his body from the fight last night, their surroundings smeared with dry blood. However, Kong sees they are slowly becoming smaller. Is he… healing? Kong once had a bad cut on his shoulder when he fell the wrong way and got hurt while playing with his packmates. His mother came quickly over to him… at the sound of his whimpers…
Kong starts huffing quickly and shifting his head erratically. Rushing back and forth, calling for his family that will not return.
Mother, Father… his tribe… gone…!
A deep rumble from his side makes him stop. The green mountain shivered and an orange eye peeked open from its slumber, watching him closely. Kong held his gaze, unwavering but unsettled. One big question still hung in the air.
Why did he save him?
΄Have you rested, little one?΄Godzilla rumbles, yes his name is Godzilla. The Titan watched him in concern as he lifted his giant head.
Kong cast his gaze down, shrugging, mindlessly checking for fleas in his brown fur. He glances around at their place. It provided cover from the rain, but the rain itself has passed. Morning was here, its orange sunbeams dominating the sky and casting the Island in its glow. He sees birds flying in massive flocks above him, joining a mass that was forming far away.
Those are vultures. Father told him they feed off the dead. That means…
Kong dashed forward in an open clearing, grunting and roaring at the passing vultures.
Godzilla grunts after him, ‛What is it?‛
Kong angrily points at the flying flock and slams his small fists on the ground, ‛They, they- Vultures! They will eat them! They, they…‛, Kong let out saddened belches. Godzilla crawls forward and nuzzles him, letting out comforting rumbles, and calming him down.
΄Shhhh, it is alright Cub, I am here.΄
Kong hesitantly embraces the tip of his snout, ‛You… are not leaving?‛
΄No, I am not.΄
A growl is heard, coming from Kong. He pulls away as hunger gnaws at his empty stomach. Like it probably did for the vultures-
΄Hungry I see?΄Godzilla chortled as he crawled further away from Kong into an open field, spread out his arms, placing them down, ΄I have a solution.΄
Godzilla lies down, confusing Kong only for him to gape as Godzilla suddenly pushes himself upwards, going to stand at his full height and casting a shadow across the land, blotting out the sun. Kong stares with a bit of awe. He was big, the biggest being he had ever seen. Kong wondered if he could be that big one day.
Godzilla shakes himself and goes forward, motioning for Kong to follow him. He does, hunched as he follows the Titan, knuckle-walking. Kong takes in their surroundings as they do so, Godzilla's feet shaking the ground.
The forest they passed was bright, signs of a storm evident at trees leaves shone, branches bent under the former pressure. But the animals, they weren't here. Besides the vultures who still flew overhead, no sirens, no jackals, ants, crabs, buffalos, and turtles. Not one. A group of trees being stepped onto, broken into pieces by a large foot is the answer. They were all afraid of him. And Kong could see it.
When he first set his eyes on him, appearing before him and the Crawler. Fury and hatred were so clear in his eyes that it made him realize there was someone more dangerous than her. But… Kong wasn't afraid of him. The first thing Godzilla did was to strike down the giant Crawler. And then tell him to get somewhere safe. That wasn't a sign of someone who wanted to harm you, who posed a danger to you. He felt Mother's fear when gazing at the picture in the caves. Why didn't Kong feel it?
There was a lot Kong didn't know and will now never know from his parents. And he was so deep in his thoughts that he bumped into Godzilla's tail.
Kong yelped and backed away. However, Godzilla didn't acknowledge him so Kong slowly goes around Godzilla to see what's he staring at and stops as he sees it, a flash of hot fury making him snarl at the sight.
To her. They went to her body.
A deep sadistic satisfaction courses through his body at Alpha Crawlers demise. Her skull is burned to a crisp with smoke still drifting out of her scorched eyes and the chest is caved in. She hasn't suffered enough in Kong's opinion as Godzilla went forward to her and he followed.
They come to a stop at the Alpha Crawler's lifeless body, with swarms of flies and other insects scavenging the corpse. Some vultures and jackals were here, with Kong noticing their panicked cries nearby, scared by Godzilla. Godzilla himself stares down for a few moments before bending down and engulfing his jaw into her stomach. Kong watches as he's tearing a chunk of her flesh, with some red blood still inside her oozing. Godzilla twists and pulls apart her meat then turns around and drops it in front of Kong.
*SQUELCH
Kong yelps, jumping back as the red flesh splattered in front of him, ‛What is this?‛ he demands.
Godzilla shrugs, ‛Food. You are hungry, no?‛
Kong shifts, ‛…Does it have to be her?‛ he whines, not wanting to touch anything from her. He had only eaten a handful of fish before, besides fruit and nuts. Not meat.
Godzilla lets out a chuckle, ‛I think you will appreciate the taste. A karmic revenge of sorts.‛
‛Eating your enemies?‛ Kong squinted at him.
Godzilla narrows down his orange eyes, all humor gone ‛They killed your tribe for fun. They deserve nothing but contempt in return. Why not take something from them? They took everything from you without mercy.‛
That… is a good point. She tried to eat him and now he will eat her. And he was hungry. Warily, he grabs the flesh of his enemy and takes a bite. Kong sits down and finds it is… acceptable.
Kong continues to devour his meal as Godzilla watches their surroundings. Looking back down, he shrugs and takes a few bites himself, eating their breakfast in silence, and watching the sunrise. Eventually, their hunger is sated and they stop to… reflect. Kong watches anxiously as the vulture flocks gather around far away from them. Jackals too have been gathering, with the way dust rose high in the distance.
΄What happens now?΄ Kong asks him, uncertain about his future.
Godzilla remains quiet, obviously thinking, eyes focused ahead. He grunts, ΄Now… I do not know. But I must check the rest of the Island if anyone from your tribe survived. Or if any of them are still around.΄ he explains, gesturing at the plundered corpse.
‛I don't think so…‛ Kong sniffs, not wanting to hope for nothing.
Godzilla rumbles as he stands tall, ΄I will check anyway. I want you to keep your distance, just in case there is danger. All right?΄
Kong nods, ΄All right.΄
It will be twenty years now since Anaru became a Tribe Elder and joined a group of six of his fellow leaders, each bringing unique wisdom and security to the entire Iwi Tribe. The sheer elation he felt was overwhelming.
Now it was just him alone, the rest of the Elders were killed in yesterday's attack.
Anaru sighed, rubbing his temples as he gazed at the row of his fallen tribe members, along with their grieving friends and families. The carnage caused by the Halakrah had been enormous. Nearly half of the village was wiped out, their living quarters destroyed and defenses non-existent. But the most glaring and painful part was the death of the Great Apes tribe, their Guardians, slaughtered without mercy.
A great injustice, one which they did not deserve, especially with their history of misfortune.
Anaru closes his eyes, as cries and pleas from both species still echo inside his skull. He was led by pure instinct during the catastrophe, leading his fellow Iwi to safety as calamity befell them and the world seemed to crumble around- No, it has crumbled.
What will they do now? How will he and what remains of the Iwi Tribe go on?
One of the warriors, Ori, a young man who lost his older brother, approached him with a pensive look, "Elder Anaru, should we start…?" he gestured at the dugout holes, waiting for them to be filled.
Anaru breathed deeply, "Yes, let us put them to eternal rest."
Their burial grounds of course had numerous graves, but it was the first time for such a massive funeral rite. Anaru himself dug the graves all night and morning, one after another, not caring for heavy wet mud. Few warriors joined him but he was the only one who took minimal rest. It was his duty to ensure a decent burial for them all and it was his failure alone as a leader. He should have been wiser, more cautious, more prepared. His fault, his fault-
*THOOM
The Tribe Elder would have gone still at the sound, if not for a shake causing his body to stumble. Warily, he turns and freezes, blood draining from his face when he sees the titanic being that killed the largest Halakrah who led the massacre against the Great Ape tribe. The rest of the Iwi repeated his action, and several gasped in fear as the familiar mountain-sized behemoth stood far away on rolling green hills, and managed to get so close to them without prior alert, reminding them all how the nightmare ended.
Zo-Zla-Halawa.
Anaru remembers clearly what had happened last night, and who had appeared. Besides the initial shock at his appearance, they've expected the Zo-Zla-Halawa to side with the Halakrah or to do nothing. But shockwaves rumbled in his soul even further as he stood against the Halakrah and… saved a Great Ape cub that was about to be devoured by her.
They had all watched, him and the warriors who guarded the hideout in which his tribe hid, as Zo-Zla-Halawa and Halakrah fought, a fury of claws and blood. Then the Zo-Zla-Halawa ended the Halakrah, his bright blue fire burning her skull to a crisp, and let out a high-pitched roar of victory. Then he disappeared and hadn't been seen since, making them all anxious with fear and numerous other questions that hung in their minds.
Now, they stared at each other for an unknown, agonizing passage of time until eventually, the being lowered itself onto all fours. The Elder‛s heart started to beat faster, in anticipation of an escape, thinking about how he would lead the others to safety again. But to his surprise, and of his tribe, Zo-Zla-Halawa laid down and observed them. It folded its claws, curled its tail, and showed a non-hostile aura, despite the menacing three rows of Dorsal plates on his back. It almost resembled a Majesty of the Winds, a Holy Tiger that was rarely seen throughout the Island.
"What is it doing?" one middle-aged Iwi warrior asks, holding his spear in a firm grip.
"Watching us," Anaru concludes, showing nothing but calm on the outside. He's a leader, he shows no fear.
"For… a meal?" one child behind him fearfully tries to guess. She lost a mother and clung to her father at all times.
"No. I think…" the Elder trails at the sight of its brutal face showing clear emotion. Sadness. Regret. Pondering. "I think we should continue with the burials," Anaru announces, one possible ludicrous theory swirling in his head.
"What?!" Ori incredulously exclaimed, not taking his eyes off Zo-Zla-Halawa as the rest of the Tribe stared at him with widened eyes.
"Just… I do not think he wants us harm, he could easily kill us all. And yet he simply watches." Anaru explains this to him and the rest of the Tribe.
"Why?" the same child asked again, big bright eyes observing the reptilian Titan.
Anaru shook his head and returned his mournful gaze at their deceased, "I do not know. But… let us bury our dead. And try to ignore him, for today is not about him but about our loved ones who we lost and the memories we made with them."
Godzilla carefully observes the human tribe as they go on with their funeral. He had witnessed many throughout his long life and knew there were numerous ways to do it, each one different and unique. Some burned them on pyres, some wrapped them in cloth and put them in the pyramids. And yet, the most prevalent one that persists even today was burying them in the ground and he saw exactly that, the Iwi tribe digging holes in the ground with tools and putting their dead inside. The dead were covered head to feet in clothing of various colors. Were they also painted beforehand like the survivors?
There was a time when human warriors wore clothing and armor evoking his image, the helmets in snarling visages, and the plates on their backs with warriors and priests alike painting their faces and bodies in ceremonial markings. Whenever some died, Godzilla honored their funeral pyres by lighting them up.
To them, it was one of the greatest honors he could do for them. Their faces, their eyes when he performed the deed. Awestruck worship and joy. A pure child-like joy that their god honored the dead and acknowledged their sacrifices. He felt smug during those times, a result of his youth.
He saw that Iwi had started chanting and were performing a slow dance. They sing after that. And then the oldest among them with blue paint on his wrinkled face and hollowed cheeks, probably an Elder, spoke for several minutes. The Iwi mourned with tears in their eyes and silent wails. After they covered their deceased with the ground they dug out, the Iwi tribe started to slowly thin out, leaving the graveyard with demure glances back at the graves. And at him. Godzilla made no sound during the entire process as he knew it would be disrespectful.
The few who stayed were probably families and friends, staring demurely at the small stony monuments. And the Elder himself who patiently waited for everyone to leave, watching them in silence.
The Elder turned to face him when he was the last one and started to speak. Godzilla understood him as he spoke in a language used at the height of Titan-Human coexistence, before Scar, but was incapable of replying back. This tribe of Iwis did not possess the ability to talk to him with their minds. Shame, truly.
"Why are you here?" the Elder dares to demand, standing tall and head held high as a leader should stand.
Godzilla gave a pointed glance at the graveyard, making him frown, "Came to… give your respects I see. I least if hope it is." The Elder sighed. "I know of you. We know of your history, your reign, and your role in the Last Titan war."
Godzilla rumbled in acknowledgment.
The old human swallowed, "But why come here? I know you and your kind were at war with them. But I saw. You saved the last one." The Elder tried to glance around for Kong, whom Godzilla ordered to stay behind at a small waterfall because the cub was thirsty. "Why?" the Elder continues to ask.
Common decency Godzilla would reply if he could. Instead, he huffed and shook his head.
The Elder sighs, bowing his head. "What can I say to you? I… hope you learned something today from watching us. And I hope the Cub is all right."
True.
Godzilla rises up, gives the staring Elder one more look, turns, and marches away with thundering steps. He learned and concluded. Mothra would do something similar probably, gentle, bright, and wise as she was. Besides, he needs to check the rest of the Island. And leave the humans to their mourning.
Nothing. Not one survived the slaughter, barring Kong. He found only dead bodies and scavengers alike picking at their free meal. That was… disheartening. Godzilla walked for what seemed hours, searched nearly every nook and cranny, and came sadly with no results. He informed so the little Ape Cub who until he came back threw rocks at the river.
΄No one?΄Kong did not look up from the passing water. The only sound that came was that of the rushing waterfall.
΄None.΄ Godzilla grimly confirms, lying down a hundred feet away from him as the sun scorched everything with its rays. At the mountain miles away from them, white mist could be seen rising.
΄So… I am alone.΄ Kong states quietly holding a small rock in his paws.
Godzilla nods in dismay, ΄Yes, I am afraid so.΄
*SCREEEEECH
Godzilla almost flinches when Kong suddenly smashes the small rock under his feet in pieces. He continues to smash it, then the ground, then he jumps into the river, hollering and belching, beating his chest. Godzilla knew he should put a stop to it, the Bright One would have certainly interfered immediately. But he knew, it was better to let it all out as any attempt at comfort would result in even more lashing out. He sometimes did the same when he felt like that.
*RAAAAAOOOAH
΄I hate them! I hate them! I! Hate! Them!΄Kong bellowed hatefully, staring far away with clenched fists.
΄…Do you feel better now?΄ Kong snarls at him but does not turn. ΄You have been holding all that anger in. Better to let it out.΄
The small gorilla huffed sadly and slumped into the shallow river. Godzilla's thoughts wandered, thinking on what to do. And made up his mind.
The dead must be honored. The sun still shone high in the sky. He probably still had enough time until nightfall. And if he delays any further, rot and scavengers will consume them all and it will not look pretty. But first, he needed to make sure Kong was safe. The Island still held many forms of danger for the Great Ape cub.
΄Come Cub.΄ Godzilla beckons him, startling Kong as he suddenly stands up.
΄Come where?΄ Kong asks, rubbing his weeping eyes.
΄To meet the humans. The Iwi. You know of them?΄ Godzilla questions as he sniffs the air.
΄Yes, I do. But why?΄ Kong questions as he gets out of the river, shaking himself dry.
Godzilla fixes his gaze in the direction where the human smell is the strongest, ΄They lost their loved ones, and they too mourn, like you.΄
΄…Okay.΄ Kong reluctantly agrees as Godzilla moves forward and he follows.
Godzilla slowly led Kong to the last settlement of the Iwi tribe which was near a small mountain. It was not far at least. He wasn't sure if leaving him with the humans was the wisest idea but the Iwi held the Great Ape kind in near-godlike regard.
They arrive and see a destroyed wooden barrier, with claw marks scattered everywhere. Seeing beyond that, Godzilla finds half of their village flattened to the ground and the remaining Iwi rushing all over the place, trying to fix and salvage what they can. There‛s plenty of smeared blood on the muddy grounds as well.
The tribe itself froze again when he appeared again, this time in front of their homes which he bet added an extra layer of fear. And with Kong to boot, as their eyes widened, jaws dropped and some shook their heads, trying to check if their minds were not deceiving them as the Great Ape cub climbed the mountain and stood a hundred feet below Godzilla.
‛Here. Stay with them.‛ Godzilla pointed at them as several Iwi ran to a faraway hut.
‛What? Why?‛ Kong asks, looking back and forth between him and the humans, as the tribe Elder comes rushing out of his hut.
‛I… have something to do.‛ Godzilla answers, revealing little as the Elder watched them.
‛Can I help?‛ Kong hopefully asks as he goes to stand on a
Godzilla did not want to add further unsettling sights for him, ‛I am sure you can help. But you should stay here.‛
΄I… don't know them΄ Kong stares at the side of the mountain, absentmindedly scratching its cliffs.
Godzilla crouches and bends down, as much as his large body allows it, ΄They will mean no harm to you. Besides, you are far stronger than all of them so they could not hurt you even if they wanted to.‛ he assured him with gentle grunts. Kong looked unsure but seemed in a better mood because of his strength compliment. Which reminds him, ΄Also, one more thing. They are fragile. Very, very fragile. So do be careful.΄ Godzilla warns the small gorilla cub. Even a single wrong move could mean death.
Kong nods, annoyed, ΄I know. Mother always… said…΄ he mumbles, grief back again in near full force.
΄Just be careful. All right?΄
΄All right.΄
΄Good.΄
Anaru continues to be surprised by the Zo-Zla-Halawa. First at the burial, now this.
"Did he just leave him here with us? To… take care of him?" Ori asked out loud as Zo-Zla-Halawa turned and left the Great Ape cub behind. With them. The rest of the Tribe gathered around them and stared at the gorilla in wonder.
"It is… interesting," Anaru mumbled as the Cub warily observed them from the side of the mountain.
"It is insane it's what is!" Ori snaps, "I mean, are they not sworn enemies?"
The Iwi knew the complicated Titan's history. Long as it was, the Great Apes attempted usurpation was the most prominent one. Although they were blind to the details of it.
Anaru rubbed his temples. "And yet he saved him, Ori. The Cub is not afraid of him."
"So what do we do now then?" Ori asks, unsure.
Anaru ponders, "We are not on their level. We do not know what happened exactly yesterday. We do not know what exactly happened all those years ago when our tribe was exiled here along with theirs. But I do know this. He saved him. Why? I do not know. And we will not question it. We are glad a Guardian survived and we will return to work of rebuilding the village. Understood?" he states not just to Ori, but the entire Tribe.
"Yes, Elder Anaru." the Tribe echoes, hesitantly going back to their work with backward glances at the Cub nestled itself on a large cliff and watched them with those big brown eyes.
He has returned to the site of his fight with the Alpha Crawler. Vultures and jackals picked at her carcass, but spread out in panic at his return. Godzilla did not need to feast on her like that as the nuclear energy that coursed through him was enough. But he did not wish for the Cub to feel alone and isolated so a few bites wouldn't hurt.
Isolated. He is an orphan now like him.
Godzilla gives the traitor one last hateful glare and goes over to Kong's fallen parents, his lumbering legs shaking the earth. Arriving, he lets out a loud growl, scaring the scavengers, and looks down at the slayed couple.
Young, too young to stand against cruelty and sadism obeyed at the whim without self-control. The perpetrator paid with their life but that will not bring them back.
΄I am sorry for not waking up earlier, and arriving sooner. Perhaps this fate wouldn't have befallen you and your child would not be alone.΄ he declares to still, cold bodies. Their hands were still grasped.
A low-mourning growl emits from Godzilla as he bends down to scoop their small bodies and holds them close to his chest. He is uncom-
Aaarghh, better just do it!
΄Perhaps if I… lay you to rest, then there could be some closure. For your child and between our species.΄ Godzilla states to the dead pair.
He remembers seeing a place on his search that would… suffice. He prepared himself for a long task ahead.
Night has fallen and a full white-blue moon shone through the darkness.
Kong kept looking back in the direction where Godzilla went. What was he doing and why was it taking so long? The rest of the day has passed and still no sign of him.
He was currently leaning on a small rock, watching the villagers as they prepared themselves for sleep. During the entire time he was with them, Kong only watched, not having much energy to interact with anyone. Although he descended from the mountain.
Deep his mind wandered, various thoughts rummaging inside.
Yesterday, he had friends, he and his packmates playing at the riverside. The tribe had gathered in the Grand Valley, socializing, playing, eating, or simply resting and enjoying the sun that shone above in the beautiful blue sky.
Today, he is alone. No friends, no tribe, no Mother and Father to keep him company. Kong huffed, a low whine escaping his lips.
A rustle of tiny footsteps alerts him of a human approaching him with slow steps. Kong looks down and sees a human girl, a child, wrapped in red robes and sporting yellow paints. She gazed at him with bright orbs.
Kong is stunned for a moment. Then he scoffs, ΄What?΄ The girl lets out sounds that Kong doesn't understand. ΄I don't understand you.΄
The Iwi girl frowns and continues to approach him. Mother showed him the humans a couple of times, but only from a distance. She told him how they learned from and looked up to the Great Apes' protection. Kong was always curious about them but never had a chance to see them up close. Now that he did, there wasn't much energy left for him for any interaction.
The girl goes to stand several dozen feet away from him. Rubbing her arms in a shy way, she continues to talk to him. Whatever she was saying it sounded nice, gentle, and comforting. Kong appreciated the gesture, even though he couldn't comprehend the words themselves.
The Iwi stops as Kong stares at her with sad eyes. Then she raises her hand.
Kong supposed it was a reassuring gesture. Should he then…?
Kong rose, approached the girl, lowered his body, and slowly placed his finger forward. The Iwi came forward with a raised hand. Little by little, she comes closer and closer, now their hands almost touching.
And then Kong quickly pulls back. He remembers what Godzilla told him. They are fragile. Very fragile. And they suffered the same way as he did. Kong didn't want to hurt the Iwi child.
The girl looks hurt as she drops her hand. But says nothing as she stares at him for several good seconds. With a disappointed huff, she turns her heel and walks back to the village. Kong sighs demurely. He doesn't want to hurt her or any of the Iwi tribe.
He looks up and sees white dots in the sky.
Stars.
He never felt so alone. He wished for-
*THOOM *THOOM
Kong gasps as he senses thundering steps approaching the village. He stood up and rushed towards the loud footsteps. He rounds around the end of the mountain and sees him approaching a mile away. He runs to him, excited.
‛You came back!‛ he cheered but stopped when he saw his face. He was exhausted. Was he in a fight?
‛Yes, I did.‛ Godzilla confirms with an exhausted nod, shining brightly. Did he swim in the ocean? He told them during the search he could not only swim but also breathe underwater.
Kong inspected his body with worry, checking for injuries but finding none. His claws, however, were smeared in faint traces of mud. ‛What happened?‛
Godzilla sighed tiredly, ‛Come, you'll see.‛ he beckons him to follow.
They came to the island's northern side, a vast plain, filled with…!
Kong stared at the confusing sight of several dozen giant, brown mounds dug out by Godzilla. He sniffed and went still as he… he sensed his tribe, his packmates, his parents!
‛You- what, what did you do?‛ Kong demands, hot rage rising in his chest!
‛It is a human thing. When they die, they bury their dead deep into the ground. It is their way of showing respect and love.‛ Godzilla calmly explains. ΄This is what they call a graveyard.΄
Kong's eyes widen as he looks back at the graveyard, ΄…All of them?΄
‛Yes. I… made sure they were all together.‛ Godzilla had to stop several times to recollect himself, ‛The right way. It would look as if they were asleep.‛
Kong watched Godzilla with respect. He did this. He made sure his tribe was together.
΄There is another thing.΄ Godzilla continues, tail swishing left and right, ΄They talk, speeches. Usually, the oldest among them does. Then a close family member does the same thing. But adds personal stuff with them, to show how loved they were.‛
‛How do you know all this?‛ Kong wondered with astonishment.
Godzilla lowers his gaze, ‛I have witnessed many in my life. Far, far too many. And I am old Kong.‛
Kong stood warily in front of the large field adorned by brown hills, each containing a body of his fallen members. Through his senses, he found his parents at the front.
΄Would you like me to start?΄ Godzilla offers.
Kong doesn't know what to say right now,΄…If you could.΄
΄Very well. I… did not know you. I have fought your ancestors long ago. In a battle that claimed many lives. They were sent here, as punishment.΄ Kong gaped at Godzilla but was ignored, ΄But that was because you have been given no choice. You did not deserve to stay here forever; I will admit that. From what I've been told, you were a close tribe, willing to take care of each other.΄ he sent a brief smile to him before continuing, ΄I hope wherever you are now, you are at peace.΄ Godzilla turned to Kong, ΄And now you…΄
Kong swallowed as he approached the graves. He stood in front, shifting in his place.
΄I… don't know what to say. You are gone. Gone! And never coming back.΄ Tears well up again, falling down his cheeks, ΄Magu, I am sorry you will never climb the mountains again. Elei, you dreamed. Wanting to swim the great oceans. Loi, I'm sorry I sometimes stole your secret stashes. Amur, you will never be the leader of our Tribe as you always wanted. Father, Mother, I, I΄ Kong approaches their graves, gently touching the mounds. ΄I miss you, I miss you so much! I,I,I-΄
Kong raises his head high and lets out a roar full of grief and pain.
*RAAAAOOOAH
Kong slumped down, desperately wanting to be with his parents, to hug them, to listen to their voices.
Gone. They are all gone.
A rumble comes to his right, pulling him out of his sorrowful state. He turns and stares at bright orange eyes full of empathy. ΄Remember what I have told you, Kong. They are sleeping. And wherever they are right now, I believe it is a nice place.΄
Kong sniffs, ΄You think so?΄
΄I do. Come now, let us go back. All right?΄
΄All right.΄
Carefully, Godzilla lowers himself and signals for Kong to climb his head. As Godzilla stands up, Kong castes one final look.
΄Goodbye everyone.΄
΄Why did you save me?΄
΄Hmm?΄
They returned to the same mountain with the hanging rock and rested on the clearing. Godzilla tried to close his eyes to sleep but found himself unable to do so. He spent an entire day collecting bodies, and body… parts. Godzilla thought he was capable of handling anything, after all, countless years of handling threats, witnessing world events, maintaining peace and order throughout the world, and… losing friends and family would somewhat make him resilient to disturbing imagery.
Trying to find severed remains of the Great Ape tribe… all that blood that covered him... Godzilla was not a squeamish Titan, after all, he was the Protector of Balance and slew many. But if Kong saw him like this, it would just add unnecessary nightmares for the poor cub. Hence the reason he swam in the ocean before returning to him.
΄You, when you gave your speech, you said you fought my kind. You killed them too.΄ Kong questions, wide brown orbs staring.
Godzilla nods, his claws folded under him, ΄Yes, a long time ago.΄
΄Why?΄Kong repeats.
΄History is an ugly thing. And you kind back then had no choice. They were forced.΄ Godzilla explains, giving him a very short version of it.
Kong nodded, obviously wanting to know more.
΄And the reason why I saved is because you are innocent. I too lost my mother to cruel beings.΄ Kong gapes, ΄And I could not stand by and do nothing while such injustice occurred. For I am a Protector, not a Destroyer. And I failed you in that. Failed to protect your tribe. Failed to protect your parents. I am sorry for that.΄
΄But you saved. Me.΄ Kong points at himself.
΄I did. And I am glad you are safe now.΄ Godzilla chuckles.
΄Thank you. For saving me. For paying respect to my tribe and my parent.΄ Kong expresses his gratitude by nestling himself at Godzilla's neck.
Godzilla goes still at the contact but relaxes,΄No need to thank me Kong. Now I believe after such a long day, it is time for rest. Agreed?΄
΄… Agreed.΄
Godzilla's eyelids finally drop down. Turns out, Kong's presence is soothing in return. Oh, if only Mothra could see him.
And that's it for the second chapter. We went through several events, such as Godzilla establishing a further bond with Kong, an Iwi tribe Elder OC Anaru POV, and of course, the funeral itself.
Now I have thought about this a lot and decided to go forward because why not, it's something that Mothra would do, I just know it and besides, it serves as a symbolic, ahem, burying the hatchet between Godzilla's and Kong species.
The next chapter will follow several days of Godzilla time at Skull Island and how will it affect Kong.
Stay tuned for more.