Different

Janae looked at Inian differently as they drove out of the city. His wings had already been retracted back into his body, and there were no marks left from them ever coming out.

Inian focused on the open land in front of him when he heard Janae ask, "hey Inian, where are we going?"

Inian smiled, "you can rest and relax for now Janae. I'm taking us to see a couple of friends I met recently."

Janae raised an eyebrow but didn't ask any more questions. Her faith in him was complete.

Inian focused back on the open land to continue driving. It was like he could sense when a loyal monster was close, and, he could know the difference between them.

He knew that Reclusa and Kraque had been following them ever since he commanded them to go to Segar. But they had stayed a little bit out of the city for further commands, so Inian was heading there now to give them their next orders.

While he was driving, he reflected on what he just did at Segar. He felt the raw power he had and how the citizens living there all trembled in fear of him. He loved being able to fly far above the city and have the freedom of escaping.

He had the whole city under his complete control, and granted that was one of the least defended cities he had ever seen; he could've destroyed it easily.

He shook his head out of these thoughts, remembering that he has a great responsibility because of these abilities and that it is not meant for his gain.

Nothing could stop him if he became strong enough. He could force the whole world into peace, so no nation or monster could hurt him again. He could have saved his adoptive father if he had become stronger sooner, and he could have saved his family along with Seyukha.

Inian was becoming frustrated at his lack of power. So much, so that part of the wheel cracked from gripping it so hard.

Inian calmed himself down and continued driving, and soon they reached an oasis of sorts with some trees for cover.

At this point, it was night, so Reclusa and Kraque could easily blend into the surrounding landscape. "Welcome back my liegggeee." Reclusa welcomed. "Sire, I see you come with another human, why is that may I ask?" Kraque asked.

Janae saw the massive bugs and was trembling in her seat. She had been through a lot within the past couple of days and just needed a break.

Inian tried consoling her, "it's okay Janae, they are my servants. Remember when I was telling you about the heart of the king and how it lets me command monsters? These are some of those monsters. I was hoping to show you them under more comfortable circumstances, however."

Janae nodded like she understood everything. She had given up trying to keep up with Inian and just went along with it.

"Kraque, this is what I want you to do," began Inian, "I want you to take Janae to Irigia and protect her in the forest there."

Janae looked at him angrily, "you think I'm going to go with these bugs just because you say so? No, thank you!"

Inian gave a gentle look, "I understand why you don't want to go, but I am going to the monster lands between the Trostan Kingdom and the Kotus Empire. I need to get stronger, but I'm not yet strong enough to protect you at the same time."

Janae shut her mouth and pouted after hearing him. She knew he was right, but that didn't mean she had to like it.

Kraque spoke up, "it will be done as you command sire. Just remember that in order to become stronger, your mind and body must resonate with your heart. The more they resonate and work together, the stronger you can become."

Inian nodded, "Alright then. Leave the car here in case our enemies follow. They won't ever suspect humans to be in the direction of monster tracks."

Kraque bowed and had Janae hop on Reclusa's back. Janae cringed as she felt the spider's skin but sat and squeezed her legs around the spider.

"Inian, please stay safe," Janae said. Inian smiled at her and motioned for the bugs to move. The bugs hastily moved in the direction of Irigia.

'Irigia is the furthest nation away from the Empire. She will be safe there.' Inian thought.

He looked up at the clear sky and the bright moon. He sprouted wings on his back and began flying in the direction of the monster lands.

He was humming an old song that was meant for Marc and him, to help comfort him on his flight east.

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

Marc was humming that same tune while he was on the ship. The behemoth level ship had begun its flight back to the Empire for any refitting that needs to happen before the next war on the Ranid Kingdom.

None of the soldiers were too worried, however, as the Trostan Kingdom was meant to be their most challenging fight. Many were drinking and celebrating in different parts of the ship, but Marc sat and polished the exosuit humming that tune.

He began to wonder how much of the Empire was corrupt. Whether it was just the Emporer or the entire nation itself, he needed to know so he could put a stop to it. Marc's eyes had been growing more tired and wild over the past week. The stress of revenge heavy on his heart, along with the need to stop the Empire before they wiped out the rest of the nations.

Marc wanted destruction, and he was heading back to the person he needed to give it to.