Ruler Of Iron And Flesh

Inian and Janae were by the free woods in the Trostan Kingdom.

Inian had slowly been opening back up to Janae over the past week. He hadn't used any of his abilities or powers since he destroyed Kairo.

Janae enjoyed spending time with Inian, and he enjoyed spending time with her. However, every night haunted Inian as he had nightmares about the devastation he caused, how he laughed and found joy in destroying humans.

His powers had been corrupting him, and he hadn't figured out how to control it yet.

"Why do you feel such a strong need to be the world's savior Inian?" Janae asked one night around a campfire.

Inian responded, "I feel like I have the responsibility to protect the world. Because I've been given this power."

"I disagree with you. I think you are putting all of that responsibility on yourself when you don't need to. You didn't ask for that power."

Inian scoffed, "I wish it were that simple. But the dragon's descendants are still out there, and if I don't stop them, then who will?"

Janae took a moment to respond, "when I met the eldest descendant, he wasn't at all what I thought he would be. He was kind and gentlemanly, and seemed to have the monster's best interest at heart. Do you think you may be mistaken about them?"

Inian shook his head, "I fought the descendant of the sea. He was cruel and loved having power over others. I'm sure I wasn't mistaken about him."

Janae's brow furrowed, "and you took thousands of human and monster lives. Does that make you any better? I'm not trying to put you down, I'm just trying to shift your perspective a little bit."

Inian looked back down at the ground, his shoulders drooped as if the weight of a mountain rested on him.

Janae bit her lip, "I remember you telling me that Marc believed until the very end of his life that he was doing the right thing. He wanted to wage war against the whole world, and tens of thousands of lives were lost in that war. But he believed he was fighting for the greater good."

Inian rubbed his head, "I'm not sure that what I'm doing is right anymore. If I am unable to use this power for good, then what's the point of having such kingly power?"

Janae looked into the darkness of the woods, "maybe try doing what you want instead for a change? Don't feel the weight of responsibility when you never voluntarily accepted it."

Inian looked up at Janae's beautiful face. The light from the fire reflected her features into Inian's eyes. He remembered his first encounter with her, and being captured with her and escaping the kingdom with her. He remembered freeing her from the clutches of Segar and watching her fight it out against the Queen of Irigia.

Janae fought with him in the war against Marc, and always stood by his side. Now, she was rescuing him from his monstrous side.

Janae tilted her head and gave Inian a strange look, "What are you looking at me like that for?"

Inian moved closer to her and kissed her cheek. He didn't escape to his tent after this time though.

Janae seemed slightly taken aback and blushed. Inian then moved his hand to c.a.r.e.s.s her face, gently stroking her cheek.

"Maybe I should do what I want for a change."

Inian leaned in close and gingerly kissed Janae's lips. She placed her hand on the back of his head, pulling him in for a more intense kiss.

Inian pulled back for a brief moment, "I love you Janae."

Janae had tears in her eyes, "I love you too Inian."

.....................................

Far off to the North Demarcus was pacing a clean and well decorated room with Jonah sitting at a long wooden table.

"I may need to give him a bit more of a push Jonah. That woman you let go stopped Inian's rampage. Now, we've got to wait for another opportunity!"

Jonah lifted a hand up, "relax! Inian has already fallen to his kingly form, which means he can fall once more again easily! What they don't know is that if Inian refuses to use his powers. It will consume him all at once, and he will be completely consumed by his kingly form."

Jonah wickedly smiled, "That's when we will use the opportunity to end him, and truly take our place as the rulers of all monsters."