Prolouge

I climbed tiredly. I had to get to the top. I had one chance, and it was him. I had only one option. And that option led me here. I looked up. I was close. I could see the glowing of a torch. It was nearly out, but I could see it, and it gave me hope. I took another step, clutching my bundle as it was all I had left. I trekked up the slope of the mountain stairs, my legs ready to give out with each movement. The rain enhances every one of my sorrows. My husband was gone. He up and left, promising me he would return to me. Until that point, I never once doubted his love for me. He would sing me to sleep; he would praise my every movement. He worshiped the ground I walked on.

And then he was gone.

My father died in the epidemic of smallpox that washed over our village. And without him, our town is left defenseless without a blacksmith. My mother could not save him. She was the most talented woman I knew when it came to healing. And I took after her, doing all I could to assume her knowledge so I could take her place. When my father died, my mother rejected me. Widows were considered cursed, and were often thrown out of the village brutally. It hurt that they considered me a widow instead of someone who has been abandoned, but that was who I became. And when my mother decided I was a widow, the rest of the town did too. And now, this monastery, with a glowing torch faintly glowing, was my only hope. And finally, I was there. I took a deep breath, relief slowly filling my soul. I reached up to pound on the door when my bundle began howling with hunger. "Shh, baby! One moment, you will be safe." I held him tightly with one of my arms, and pounded harder with the other. "Wu! Wu," I screamed, begging for his help. "Wu!"

I heard rapid footsteps, the clicking of multiple of locks and finally, the door opened. I was breathing heavily, waiting for his face to appear. Wu.
The only friend that stood true every day of my life. He had always been patient with me and my pursuits. He approved of my husband, he approved of everything I was and never asked for me to change. He was like my father, a constant light of guidance, and my only pillar of support. When he saw me, he was surprised. "Kiyuo?" His voice was filled to the brim with concern. He looked around frantically.

"Wu, please," I said holding my crying son. "Help me… I've been kicked out. They call me a widow."

Wu pursed his lips, and pulled me inside. "Don't be afraid anymore. I am here, and I will protect you."

His words nearly brought me to tears. "Thank you." I said. "I will only be here for a few-"

"You don't need to limit your time here." He said leading me inside. "You are welcome and wanted here. And so is your son." I held my son tighter as he spoke. "Stay where I can keep an eye on you. A woman in your position will never be able to survive around here. Not alone anyway. Please, stay."

I nodded. "Thank you." I said. "I just wish I didn't have to run to you. I don't want to trouble you so soon after Morro,"

"Morro was destined to leave. He is young, impulsive. I have genuine faith he will return to me. I hope one day soon he will come so I can teach him again."

"I wish that too. He had so much promise." I looked up at Wu. His face was young only five months ago. But now his eyes held an acute sadness, his face began forming lines along his eyes. His blonde hair was becoming grey. He had also fallen out of the habit of shaving and messy stubble had appeared. It was never easy seeing him that way. I wanted him to be the old Wu I knew. But I feared at that moment, that he would never return to us. Like Morro, he was gone. "Come, eat. I'm sure you're hungry."
I nodded, following him. He glanced back at me. "You're soaked." He stopped and looked at what I was wearing. "Wait here, I don't want you to get sick. " And before I could refuse, he was gone getting me something warm to wear. He reappeared a few minutes later, holding a simple black kimono. "It will do," He sighed looking at it. I knew whose it was.

I took it and rushed off to the adjacent room to change. Once I had, I peeled the wet blanket off my son. He began crying again. "Wait, son, wait." I sighed wishing I knew what I was doing. "Be patient, Konomi." I wrapped him in the loose fabric of the kimono and tucked him against my chest not needing to hold onto him. He stopped crying now that he was warm. I sighed, satisfied.

I walked back into the tiny kitchen and dining room. "I don't have much," Wu said. "But I have enough. Fried rice?" He asked holding the food out to me.

It was impossible to refuse. I was so hungry. Once I had gotten my fill, Wu ushered me to a room that once belonged to his brother. It still had his bed, everything that Garmadon had decided was unimportant remained. "Do you think he'll come back?"

"I'm sure he will. He wants the Golden Weapons. He'll come one day."

I put an arm over my son and bowed deeply. "Thank you, Wu. I thank you so much. I can never repay you."

"I don't need you to repay me. Raise your son." With that, he left.

I was finally free to be with my son. Carefully, I took him out of the carrier I fashioned from the fabric of my kimono. I held his body with one hand, his head with the other. He was barely three days old. His eyes opened reluctantly. His eyes were still blue. Soon they would become black or brown. I wanted them to be black, because if he had brown eyes he would be the exact same as his father. I could already see that he would have his father's face, hair and he already had his smile. He stared at me and yawned. "Oh, I have such a beautiful baby." I said finally allowing him to eat. I began tearing up. And before I knew it, I began silently sobbing, a talent I had mastered. I breathed heavily. I was so tired and I just wanted to sleep, but my boy needed me. He was the only good thing I had now. "I love you, Konomi. I will protect you. Even if your father didn't want you, I do." I barely remember what I did after that. Because finally, Konomi was full and I could sleep. Lucky for me, my sleep was dreamless and restful.