Spring Writes Stuff

25. First

Kubo felt the need to find more answers after everything that had happened within his broken family, leaving his grandfather behind to go back to his father's fortress.

It was roughly a month after Kubo lost both of his parents, but still, his grandfather (along with some concerned citizens from the village) allowed him to go on his own, on the condition that he has to know how defend himself.

As he embarked on his journey, he didn't feel the same, unsurprisingly. There's no one else with him towards his destination, unlike his last visit.

Even though he didn't know that Beetle and Monkey were his real parents back then, at least he had someone to walk with, to talk to and share a small laugh with.

He was alone.

As the golden heron flew by the bluish pink tint of the sky, he realized the full extent of the statement he told his grandfather when they were battling at the cemetery; that memories are the most powerful kind of magic there is.

That is what initially brought him back to that place once again.

It took him almost three days to get to his father's fortress, but the distance felt too short, even for him.

Kubo stood in front of his father's fortress, staring hard at the place that was once his family's home.

The strong wind blew past him wildly, making his brows knit as he squinted through the wisps of hair dancing in front of his eyes.

The moon's bright light shone with all its breath-taking beauty from above, blending perfectly with the dark black shade of the night, reminding him of the gruesome events that took place here almost a month ago.

Taking a deep breath in, he finally encouraged himself to walk towards the old historic place.

Nothing has changed one bit, except for some trees slowly growing tall inside the fortress.

The once sturdy wooden pillars that kept the walls strong are almost rotten enough to break by itself, so he needs to be mindful on what he's getting himself into.

Kubo climbed carefully on top of the long wood that led to the rooms up ahead, reminiscing the moment when Beetle- his father, was guiding him by his side as they walked.

When he finally got to the next room, he saw the painting of their family once again, making him smile bitterly to himself.

Their family looked so happy in that painting, and he wished it would've stayed that way forever, even though he knows that's not how the story goes.

He sighed, getting himself out of his sorrow-filled thoughts, as he turned his attention to the paper scattered around the small room. The same ones his mother had been scanning on their last visit.

The paper felt rough and gritty on his hands, but even though the ink told him no words, it was clear that these papers contained parts of his father's preparation for his quest.

His father must've prepared for this all his life, but it seemed like fate had other plans under its sleeves.

Knowing what he knows now, Kubo understood how it must've been for his parents when they had him.

A gust of strong wind passed by inside the room, snapping him out of his deep thoughts.

Kubo scanned the entire space around him, instinctively gripping onto the sword unbreakable's handle in its sheath.

When he was positive that no one else was inside the room with him, he slowly let go of the sword's handle, but has remained very much alert.

"I know you can see me," he warned in a low voice, letting his eye scan sharply around his surroundings as he quietly walked forward.