Querencia

S1 E9: Vestigal

(adj.) Forming a very small remnant of something that was once much larger or more noticeable.

Warning:

- Mild Talk of Injuries

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It took Lloyd and [M/n] an hour to calm themselves, with Lloyd having cried himself to exhaustion while [M/n] simply had no more tears to shed. Garmadon glanced around, searching for a blanket to cover them with and found one folded up on the counter. Quickly fetching it, he draped it across the two as Lloyd struggled to even keep his eyes open. 

Looking at [M/n], the man could see that even the little activity had completely exhausted him so he reached for that shred of humanity he clung to, "Sleep ninja. I will guard you from the darkness."

"Thank you," [M/n] slurred, already slipping back into unconsciousness. Lloyd tucked himself more securely against [M/n]'s side, nearly disappearing beneath the blanket, before falling asleep.

Garmadon held true to his word and spent the night awake, though one could not tell at first glance. Reclined in the chair, his head was resting back against the wall, eyes closed with his armor set on the floor beside him. To a stranger, they would think him an easy target for he had no weapon but an Elemental Master is never weaponless. 

Morning came with Zane quietly entering to take the old bandages off. He planned on letting the burns air out a bit, to help the process along. 

Stopping just before the bed, he was only a little surprised to see [M/n] partially turned towards Lloyd, who was really only a white tuft of hair for he was still hidden beneath the covers. 

"He woke not long after you all left."

Zane jumped, having not seen the Dark Lord hidden within the shadows. The room was still dark – as Zane had no need for lights anymore – so all he could truly see were two ruby eyes staring back at him. The rest of Garmadons body blended in too well with the shadows and he had a hard time distinguishing him. 

"How long was he awake for?" Zane asked, too drained to be afraid. 

"An hour, maybe a few minutes more. He and Lloyd cried themselves to exhaustion but . . . he barely moved and he was absolutely exhausted. Passed out almost immediatley."

Zane was surprised. [M/n] had always taken time to fall asleep, mind always working, and always woke at the slightest sounds. But now that Garmadon mentioned it, the ninja had not even twitched or responded at all to Zane's presence. 

"Sensei said he would heal himself but it would be a slow and exhausting and would come at a price. Though he would not elaborate."

"My brother would know all about his Aether, wouldn't he," Garmadon murmured to himself. Zane, who overheard, glanced at him in curiosity.

"His Aether? I apologize but [M/n]'s element is Nether, not Aether."

"His element is a two sided coin. He cannot have one without the other." 

Garmadon offered no other information, and Zane let it be.

He did help remove Lloyd from [M/n]'s side so Zane could remove the bandages. Both froze in shock at the sight of his skin. 

Instead of gaping holes, blackened bone, and skin there were waxy burn scars.

"How- How is this possible?" Zane asked, undoing the rest of the bandages to find much the same. The burn scars across his face were barely noticable, as only drops had hit his face and there was less damage done.