Master Predo

Inian felt much better once Burt spotted land on the horizon. It had taken them a couple of weeks to make it to the Predo Dynasty. Seeing land means that they were entering shallow waters, and the descendant of the dragon would not follow them.

Inian went and grabbed a spyglass to look at the land.

Lush greenery and a beautiful array of colors dotted the shore. Pink and yellow flowers were dancing in the wind.

The beauty would typically take away his breath if it weren't for the high count of soldiers lining up the beach.

"Do ya think that's for us?" Janae asked.

Inian continued looking through the spyglass to observe the soldiers. Inian raised his eyebrow when he realized that every single one of them had bright red exosuits on.

"Well, I don't think they are going to greet us with song and food," Burt added from the ship's wheel.

The closer they got to shore, the more yelling they could hear.

"Intruders!"

"Invaders!"

"Kill them!"

"No, I think they are going to greet us with some food and flowers," Inian remarked sarcastically.

Janae went down below deck and brought out a white flag. She waved it from the front of the ship.

She continued to wave the flag until Burt docked the boat and tied it up.

The trio stepped off the ship onto the wooden dock where hundreds of soldiers were lined up, aiming rifles at them.

One of them stepped forward, "how did you get across the Sea? We haven't had any visitors for years due to the monster infestations."

"Lucky I guess," Inian said.

The man scrunched his forehead, "You can speak to Master Predo then. Let's move them!"

The hundreds of guards circled them and began moving them inland.

Inian observed the landscape as they continued marching by, and he noticed some bizarre things.

He leaned in towards Janae, "they have buildings that are not within any walls."

Janae looked towards as the information clicked in her mind, "oh yeah, aren't they worried about monster attacks?"

Inian shrugged. They walked past large farms and open fields with not so much as a single guard. Families looked up at the newcomers walking by with fear written all over their face.

"I'm guessing they haven't seen any newcomers for quite a while," Burt added.

After walking for a while, they came upon several large buildings that were sitting together.

The man who spoke earlier motioned for them to enter the centermost building. They followed instructions, and only that man followed behind, leaving the other hundreds of guards outside.

The three of them came to a sliding door that was pushed aside, and in the next room was an open space with a single man sitting in the center of it, deep in meditation.

"Master Predo, these are the first outsiders that we've had in ages. I brought them to you for questioning."

The man opened his eyes; they were full of focus and quiet strength.

"Outsiders, you say? Come, sit."

The trio sat in front of the man.

Inian spoke first, "Master Predo, I'm sorry to disturb you, but our request is an urgent one. Are you aware of everything that is happening off your large island?"

Master Predo observed Inian and waited a minute before speaking, "I know everything both on and off my island. I know myself, but you struggle to know yourself. I see a lot of power in you. But also much confusion. Tell me, why would someone who's heart is so troubled come to the leader of a nation for help? Perhaps he needs the nation's military? Perhaps he is on a personal vendetta? Maybe both. Why are you here?"

Inian felt almost violated as he was read like a book, "that's exactly it Master. The Empire is spreading across all the land and will soon conquer every nation before it. You will be the last nation attacked, but by that time, it will be too late for you, and your nation will crumble under the might of the Empire."

Inian paused for a moment to let his words sink in, but he gained no reaction from Master Predo.

He continued speaking, "Irigia has already agreed to follow me into war against them. But we need you and your military might to stand against them."

Master Predo closed his eyes in thought, "you believe that we will all fall under the might of the Empire if we choose not to fight alongside yourself and Irigia?"

Inian nodded.

"Then tell me, what do you have to show that a whole country was willing to follow you?"

Inian looked at Burt and Janae, who both nodded to show their approval.

He then put his hands together and shot lightning between his fingertips and palms to show his abilities.

When he stopped, he looked at Master Predo, but there was still no reaction from him.

Inian explained in detail who he was and why he had this power to Master Predo.

"So this is the power I sensed," Master Predo said. He stood up and walked towards the exit, motioning for the three of them to follow.

They stood up and followed him to where the hundreds of soldiers in exosuits were outside.

The soldiers stood and pounded their chest as a salute to Master Predo.

Master Predo faced Inian, "our force is the smallest in the world, but our forces and technology are the strongest. It's what has kept us in peace for so long." His eyes became fierce, giving Inian chills.

"My nation and I will help you if you can prove your strength as a monster to us. I will fight you in one of our version 3 exosuits. You lose if you die."

Janae covered her mouth and Burt began stepping forward until the man who followed them in held out a sword to stop him.

Inian answered, "I accept."

Master Predo chuckled, "I'm afraid it wasn't a request. You either win, or you will die here."

He began walking away when Inian asked, "why are your buildings out in the open with no protection?"

Without stopping, Master Predo answered, "It is because we eradicated all the monsters on our island." He glanced back at Inian with anger, "and apparently, there is one more left to eradicate."

He left, leaving Inian to steel himself for the upcoming fight.