Ruler Of Iron And Flesh

After a week of driving, Inian had another painful episode at the broken pass in the Northern lands.

The next day, Burt was crouching down next to Inian, "after today, we will finally fight the remaining descendants. I don't want to be unrealistic, so if you would like to write a letter, I'll make sure to deliver it back, just in case."

Inian was staring up at the sky, "no, I feel like that would be me giving up too soon. I WILL defeat the descendants."

Burt nodded, "let's go then."

They drove all through the day and most of the way through the night. They rested before going towards High Rock in the morning.

When they got up, the morning light revealed the mountain in the distance.

Inian stared at the mountain and took a great shuddering breath.

Burt patted his back, "you aren't alone Inian. You have me and one hundred automatons at your back."

"Thank you."

They drove towards the mountain, but it soon, it was covered in a thick fog that blocked out the sun.

"This doesn't seem natural Inian."

"I know."

The fog descended lower to the ground next to their vehicle.

Inian breathed out, and he could see the frost sticking to his breath.

"It shouldn't be this cold here at High Rock."

He looked over and saw Burt violently shivering. Ice was forming around his hands on the wheels.

"Stop the vehicle Burt!"

With effort, Burt moved his foot on to the brakes and stopped the vehicle. Inian hopped out and looked every around them. Nothing was in sight of the vehicle because the fog has descended to heavily.

An eerie air began to burn Inian's skin, 'now it's hot?' He thought. He looked over and saw gentle snowflakes sizzling on the vehicle.

Burt looked as if he might pass out soon.

Inian needed to find the source, so he stepped further out into the fog.

He heard a quiet but desperate call, "Inian! Please come help!"

It wasn't coming from the direction of the vehicle, but Inian ran out towards the sound anyway.

Soon he could see a figure out in the shadow of the fog. He squinted his eyes to get a better look.

"Marc?" He called out.

Marc looked back at him, "There are monsters everywhere! I don't know how I got here!"

Inian couldn't believe his eyes; Marc was right here in front of him.

Numerous monsters were slowly moving towards Marc.

Marc looked back at Inian with pleading eyes, "Inian, I don't know what's going on. Jonah told me that you were here and you know what's happening. Please tell me!"

Inian recalled hearing that name from Janae, "Marc, Jonah is not a good guy; he is manipulating you!"

Marc shook his head, "he said you kill me in the future! Why?! We're supposed to be brothers!"

Inian felt his heart well up with sadness as his mind was confused, "in the future?"

Another voice stepped forward, "yes, Inian, in his future anyway."

It was Jonah, stepping forward with his scaly skin and toothy smile.

Inian began to transform when he saw Jonah, but Jonah put of a hand, "I don't think you want to do that in front of Marc."

Jonah motioned to Marc, and he looked mortified as he watched Inian begin to transform into another monster. Inian stopped his transformation.

"What did you do Jonah? Is this an illusion?"

Jonah shook his head, "I'm afraid not. You see, my absolute power is time. I am allowed to bring back something or someone from the past for a bit. The Marc you are seeing is the real Marc. But he is the Marc from before you even joined a mercenary crew."

Marc looked towards Jonah, then at Inian, "Inian, do you end up killing me?"

Inian slowly nodded as tears sprung to his eyes, "yes, Marc. I am."

Marc shook his head, "why? We were going to help our family, help the world. We were never meant to fight each other."

"Apparently we were. You became Emporer of the Kotus Empire and tried to destroy every other nation on earth. I didn't have a choice."

Inian didn't know what to say or do. The Marc he knew was standing right before him, and this was truly Marc, not some illusion.

"I'll get you out of here Marc, don't worry."

"Inian..."

Jonah spoke up, "great, now that the family reunion is over..." he swiped his hand in a fast motion, and Marc's head exploded.

"NOOOOOO!!!" Screamed Inian as he fell to his knees.

Jonah smiled crookedly, and Inian's vision blurred.

'no...I... can't fall...'

Inian's mind slowly faded into darkness, but his body stayed and began to glow. His wings sprouted from his back, and darkness overcame his eyes.

Jonah smiled, even more, when he saw Inian's transformation, "yes! You see now monsters, the true form of your king!"

The air sizzled around Inian as his body heated up.

A voice spoke that was Inian's but also wasn't, "you do not defy me, FOR I AM THE KING!!"