“Phoenix” Watercolor, Digital Tweaks; Done For The “Fire” Issue Of ZAFTIG (#9) - Check Out

Luna

Garmadon goes overboard in his efforts to woo Koko for Valentine’s Day 💕

I guess he wasn’t expecting such an enthusiastic response on her part 😂

Also, yeah this is late for Valentine’s Day but whatevs… couldn’t get it done in time xD

Art by K⭕メグル (@cloudrops)

https://twitter.com/cloudrops?s=09

Lady Iron Dragon & Lord Garmadon once became engaged in a particularly nasty battle whereupon the ending was decided as victory in their favor as their enemies scattered in the wind after witnessing Lord Garmadon tear out the throat of their leading general, of which Garmadon did with his own teeth. Koko had seen Garmadon commit this action, but she almost couldn’t believe it. She knew the man that was capable of such gentle, loving touches to her. He couldn’t possibly have done that… could he?

After the last of their foes vanished into the distance, rumbles of thunder broke through the sky & rain began to pour down onto the scarred earth. Garmadon froze completely, only moving as to toss the mutilated body of the vile general into the mud. Koko dropped her bow & she quickly approached him from the back, a cold sweat building on her brow, it mixed with the chilled rain rolling down from her hair. Before she could address her companion, Garmadon removed his helmet, glanced at it for a few moments, only able to observe his own grim reflection, & then violently tossed it besides the general’s prostrate form.

Koko finally built up the courage to place a hand on his back & called out his name, trying to break him out of whatever stupor had a hold on him. Garmadon turned & snapped at her, his eyes were crazed like a caged, wild animal - his mouth was still even covered in blood. Koko trembled in horror as she no longer recognized the man before herself. She always feared there was something more - something evil - inside him & now, she was face to face with this monster, whether or not she was ready for it.

Koko’s mind screeched at her to pick up her blade or grab her bow, which was still a good few feet away stuck in the mud, send a few arrows his way & cut him out of her life forever. But, she stayed. She wasn’t even frozen in fear, no, she just chose to stay there, despite her logic telling her otherwise, hoping he would soon return to his senses. But… that gaze in his eyes had her still very worried… Suddenly, his expression shifted & Garmadon grabbed at his face in horror of his own actions. He was so filled with venom he could have - he even wanted to! - kill the only person who would stay with him on his worst days. He backed from her as he continued to cover his eyes, urging his blood lust to subside. He needed to get away from her. Garmadon was ready to do something so gruesome to her, & if he failed to contain himself, he knew he was going to kill her. He couldn’t stop himself from wanting to kill the only person he cared about. The thought kept prowling through his mind & he couldn’t shoo it away. The evil shadow had been lingering in his mind his whole life, but more & more often, it had been trying to completely control him. The fact that he could even be so mean to Koko, the only woman he ever cared for… Well, this was terrifying to him.

Garmadon took another step from Koko, he was about to turn & run, vacating himself from her life entirely for her own sake, but as he moved, suddenly her hand locked onto his one, currently gripping at his face. Her hold on him was unrelenting & tight. Koko wasn’t trying to hurt him - she only intended upon keeping him there with her. She didn’t understand why, but she knew he was planning on running - she could feel it in her veins.

Though he tried to resist her, Garmadon eventually gave in. She was permitted to pull his hand from his face & the two locked eyes instantly, & were stuck gazing each other in. Koko was grateful to see that though he appeared scared & in a state of shock, his eyes were without that frenzied look & she squeezed his hand, uttering to him that it would be ok.

Garmadon wiped at his blood stained mouth & even as he tried to contain himself, the warlord was wracked by sobs as Koko took him in her arms. Koko continued to tell him that everything was ok while comfortingly patting him on the back. Garmadon again grabbed at his face as he tried to stifle his sobs, but even the warm hold of the warrior on him was not enough to help him back to his faculties & he fell to the mud covered earth.

Koko watched him fall out of her arms with a look of humor on her face & looked down at the man who usually towered above her when he was standing. His hunched over form made him look so small & so frail - two things Lord Garmadon was not - & now, he simply looked like a bloody disaster.

In spite of her mind still urging her to leave this madman be, Koko followed him downwards, taking one of his hands in her own to provide some form of comfort to the pitiful warlord. Garmadon pulled her lithe frame closer to himself & she replaced her hand on his back as she rested her face against the top of his head.

The rain started to slow as the two remained interlocked with each other on the ground. The final rain droplet were falling as Garmadon lifted his face to his saviour, tears still streaming down his own cheeks. He laughed quietly in seeing that Koko was barely able to fight back her own tears & her face was red with all sorts of overrun emotions. The warlord suddenly threw himself at the warrior & the two embraced as the clouds drew back & the storm receded.

Though neither could prepare for it, from that moment on, the two became completely inseparable. If Garmadon could push aside the forceful thoughts instilled into him by his vile, Oni blood only through the aid & touch of Koko & her alone, he vowed never to leave her side so that she could always keep him from returning to his past monstrous self. & in turn, he decided he would give himself to this warrior. He would do anything & everything for her, no matter what, nothing would be to much to ask. For Garmadon understood that she did the impossible for him & he was determined to do the same for Koko.

Even if it took him all of his life to make it up to her.

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