Chapter Text
One thousand, three hundred and seventy eight days.
That’s how long he had waited for his father to return. One thousand, three hundred and seventy eight days since his father told him to hide in the basement, for his own safety.
It made sense, really. The Skulkin would tear him apart the moment they realized he wasn't a weapon or war machine. He glanced at his left arm, hanging by a few wires. Not like they would need much help with that anyway.
But it had been quiet, other than the chitter of Tai-D, his own voice, and the creaking of his body whenever he moved around. Normally, he’d hear the thumps of his father and the Skulkin walking around upstairs, or their voices faintly slipping through the basement door.
Zane picked up the screw driver kept amongst various other tools, and put his arm back to place.
He was halfway through repairs when he heard Tai-D chitter. “Father has not told us it is safe yet, Tai-D. Must I remind you?” Tai-D beeped again, waving its little arms around to exaggerate its point.
“He will come back. He said we could come up when he said it was safe. I trust his word.” It only turned to stare at him in silence, expressing more than it could with binary before rolling off to sweep the dust gathering on the floor.
He stared at it, the specks dancing in the waning sunlight, and finally indulged in the thought playing his mind. Would his father really come back? Was Tai-D correct? He didn't want to believe it, it was a fragile thread of hope he clung to.
But it had been one thousand, three hundred and seventy eight days. 3 years, 9 months. 12 days. He had seen his father before, he looked so frail.
His knowledge may be limited, but he knew about organic processes- he’d read all the books down here several times through his boredom. Or at least what he assumed boredom felt like.
There were no books about emotions, nor psychology. He’d have to tell his father all the different things he was learning in his isolation. If he met his father again. He worried he may have soon joined the departed realm.
He twisted the last screw driver into place, and his face moved into what he knew was a smile. His arm was not perfect, and he needed to replace the ball joint soon, but it could work.
He rotated his arm, hearing the soft whirr of the gears and machinery working alongside the groan of rusted metal. It was familiar, and gave him something to do while waiting.
Boredom wasn't exactly a bad experience, but he’d prefer if he had something to do. He yearned to go up and re-explore the lighthouse, go back into the kitchen and cook something, and read his father’s books on that overstuffed chair near the window.
Zane glanced at the shelf that contained various books, all educational, non fictional works to explain what happens and why. He learned many things from them, things his father had not taught him.
He learned biology and why children look like their parents. He read about physics, and why the moon sings to the ocean tides. He studied history, and learned about how the Elemental masters culled the Serpentine.
He noted that at some point, the serpentine had escaped their tombs, and released the Great Devourer, who was later defeated by Lord Garmadon.
He learnt all this information, yet they didn't bring the same enjoyment as reading the books about heroes and villains. Reading about experiences he could never have, meeting people he would never speak to, and visiting places he could only dream of.
There was a certain profound emotion he always felt while reading those books. He could never put a name to it, and his father was distant by the time he wanted to ask them.
He slowly stood up, and his joints creaked. He needed to remember to lubricate the joints and slides in his legs. With that thought quickly forgotten, he walked over to where the window was, watching the sun dip below the waves, casting golden rays of light. He always watched the sunset, it comforted him in a way.
Zane remembered whenever the waves used to crash against the glass pane, lighting streaking across the sky with raucous applause following soon after. How, even when he doubted his ability to feel fear, he would still worry if the window would break, and sit at the top of the basement ramp with Tai-D.
“Tai-D, do you ever feel afraid?” Tai-D looked up at him and chittered, tilting its head. Fear. Noun. An unpleasant emotion caused by the threat of danger, pain or harm.
He smiled, and watched as the last of the sun disappeared, the stars gently twinkling in its place. “I suppose so. I think I feel afraid sometimes.”