Realm of Kong: The Culling

by Dane G. Kroll

  “The whole world should know what kind of threat we are dealing with. Instead, we sit back and throw our bombs and giant robot fists at the monsters hoping that our already ruined cities won’t crumble any further.

  “I am not going to die like that. If the kaiju are roaming then I will find a way to fight them on their own terms. I will survive for as long as I can. Nothing will stop me from saving the human race.”

  Mankind’s time on this planet has been miniscule compared to that of the kaiju or even the Mu of old. You have no claim to your homes. Your time was a fluke, and it is now up.

  “No, it is your time that is up. It was a fool’s dream to think Mu could challenge the world. All you have done is given me a chance to further study the kaiju.

  “I get it now," Macy said in ecstasy, "All this guilt. Your people are not here to take the world. You’re here to show me what this world is capable of. You are just the first step to my destiny. I will make the ultraman. Then we will take every kaiju down. One by one they will fall and I will study them all.”

  Macy looked over at the specimen jar containing Mellora’s head. Her dead eyes stared back at Macy’s wide grin.

  “You’re not a victim. You’re the sacrifice. Your death has saved our race. I will never forget you, Mellora. You have given me the world. It is the least I can do.”

  Macy’s head remained silent. Once again he had quelled the ghostly voice.

  Chapter 25

  Cassandra Weathers was in the locker room to the training center. She had just finished her work out. It lasted longer than usual. She was exhausted. Her limbs felt as if they were going to fall off. Weathers would have been thankful if they did. Relief would wash over what remained of her body.

  She put those thoughts away and tried to focus on why she was there. Her work out went long because she noticed Nina Malick also in the training center. Weathers did not want to approach her during her training, but she also did not want to seem like she was waiting around to talk to her.

  Once Malick finished up and headed back to the locker room Weathers also called it good. She waited a minute before going inside to change.

  Casually, Weathers walked through the room to her locker. She saw Malick sitting alone the next aisle over. This was her chance.

  Malick had a towel draped over her head. She did not see Weathers approach. Several feet behind Malick, Weathers stopped. She saw the rest of Malick’s uncovered body. Her back was several different shades of skin color. There was evidence of skin graphing all across her body. She was a patchwork of human art.

  Weathers lost the thought in her head. She did not know any word to say. That did not stop Malick from acknowledging Weathers’ presence.

  “What?” Nina Malick asked. Her voice was muffled from the towel. It was harsh and to the point.

  “My name is Captain Weathers, Cassandra. I wanted to ask you something?” Weathers choked out.

  “I’m busy,” said Malick.

  “I know I’m disturbing you, but I’ve seen you fly. It’s amazing.”

  “Did you come for an autograph?” quipped Malick.

  “No,” said Weathers. “I want to know about the Mighty Men. What is it like to fly them? Are the designs like Robo-Kong?”

  Malick chuckled. She removed her towel to finally look at Weathers. Her hair had fought its way out of its braid during her work out. It revealed more evidence of her skin grafts. There was scarring from stitches all the way around Malick’s neck.

  “You want to fly them?” Malick asked.

  “Yes.”

  “Don’t,” replied Malick.

  “Like hell,” said Weathers. “Since day one I’ve been training to pilot Robo-Kong. That’s gone, but the Mighty Men offer the next best opportunity. I want in.”

  “Then you’ll become a mutant?”

  “If that’s what it takes,” said Weathers.

  “Then what?” Malick asked with a smile.

  “Then I prove that I can pilot one of the Mighty Men, even better than you if I have to.”

  Malick’s grin grew wider. She looked as if she was laughing but no sound came from her mouth.

  “That is a lot of pressure,” said Malick. “Will you be able to handle it? All eyes will be on you. You’ll be responsible for one of the most valuable weapons in the world. One mistake and they own you.”

  “Yes, I can handle it,” said Weathers. “Robo-Kong was the same way.”

  “No. No, no, no,” said Malick. “Robo-Kong was special. You have no idea. The designs are similar. They work the same way if that’s what you want to know. But Mechiju could never truly duplicate what the Manlins had created.”

  “Then what’s the problem? Why are they only letting mutants pilot the Mighty Men?”

  “I do not know,” said Malick. “I was given my orders to train for this mission, so I did. They pulled me out of my cell everyday and put me in the simulator because I am damn good at what I do, and even I crash.”

  “Then maybe they shouldn’t have given the job to somebody named Icarus,” said Weathers.

  “I know the shame in my name,” said Malick. “I am the disappointing child. That’s why I’m here. My superiors brought me here because I am to prove myself before I die. It’s my last chance. Die in the field or in the firing range.”

  “That’s horrible,” said Weathers.

  “There is a lot riding on the Mighty Men, a lot more than either you or I know. Stay away from them. Find something else to prove your worth.”

  “Thank you,” said Weathers. “I’ll think about it.”

  Malick let out a laughing sigh.

  Weathers turned away. She could hear Malick, but she was done talking to the Russian pilot. Even the fallen angel could not sway her.

  Chapter 26

  Tol-in-Ar watched over his field of slaves. Over the last few days his soldiers expanded the ranks of the slaves by the thousands. They rounded up caudata from across the country. Ryugu-jo was not the only city in the country. It was only the grandest. Tol-in-Ar no longer cared about the comforts of his people. His city needed Lord Tatsumi back. It was his subjects’ duty to aid in that effort.

  Kong remained motionless. Only his moans could be heard. The nights echoed with Kong’s cries of pain. The poison from Rhaco was leaving his body, but it was not quick.

  The earlier sacrifices had done no good for Mu. Lord Tatsumi was still nowhere to be found. Tol-in-Ar needed more. The sacrifice of Kong would be enough. The Doiar knew it.

  The slaves all worked around the paralyzed body of Kong. They strung ropes around the beast-god’s limbs. Kong roared in defiance, but the soldiers and guards kept their slaves in line.

  Anyone that stopped was punished. They were whipped until they could no longer walk. Then they were dragged to the end of the cliff and thrown off into the water below.

  More slaves marched out into the land. They ventured out to a nearby gully. When they returned each slave carried rocks equaling their own weight.

  The ropes that wrapped around Kong reached out to the canyon’s edge. The ropes hanged down and came together into one solid piece. It would act as a net for the rocks being brought by the slaves.

  One by one the slaves walked by the edge of the cliff and dropped their rock. They landed in the giant net hanging along the canyon wall.

  It was only the beginning, but soon it would drag Kong all the way down to his grave, and bring about the return of Lord Tatsumi.

  Chapter 27

  Noah was more than happy to leave with the guard when he was ordered to go with him. His cell was stifling, and Noah needed a break from it all. The bald chaser was not shutting up, and it was driving Noah crazy.

  The guard escorted Noah to one of the interrogation rooms. Noah knew the path well. He was brought to one of those rooms at least once a week. The meetings were usually boring. He rarely said anything. Noah was never going to tell him about his time in Tokyo, and he was never going to use his family as a way out. That le
ft little to talk about with the soldiers who, at this point, were just going through the motions. Noah was thrilled to be going through the monotony of his stay if it meant getting out of his cell for a little bit.

  To Noah’s surprise when he arrived at the room Cassandra Weathers was the one waiting for him. Before the guard closed the door behind him he gave Weathers the remote to Noah’s proximity collar.

  Noah smiled at her. Usually she would visit him in his cell. He wondered what was different.

  “I thought you would like some time away from the others,” said Weathers.

  “You have no idea, thank you” said Noah. “When are they leaving?”

  “In a couple of days, I heard,” said Weathers.

  “What about me?”

  “You’re still staying here.”

  “Bullshit,” cursed Noah. “What the hell do they want from me?”

  “They still aren’t saying,” said Weathers. “Just your time in Tokyo put some people on edge. You were the first chaser to be found in Tokyo. Disturbing Kong is a concern.”

  “Nobody knows what they’re talking about,” said Noah. “I didn’t go near Kong.”

  “They still plan on keeping you hear until further notice,” said Weathers.

  “Wonderful,” said Noah sarcastically.

  “Are you comfortable?” Weathers asked.

  “No,” said Noah. “They split us up the other day. One of the rooms cleared out, but they kept me with the whackjob. Just talks nonsense all day. He keeps singing this stupid song. Oh, give me a home where the kaiju roam…”

  “I get it,” said Weathers. She had to stop Noah’s rant or she feared he would have kept going like the other chaser.

  “I just want some peace and quiet.”

  “Well, luckily for you, this is an interrogation room. According to law we can hold someone in here up to twenty-four hours before returning them to their cell.”

  “Oh, please do it,” said Noah.

  Weathers put her feet up on the table and leaned back in her chair. “Then get ready for a very boring day.”

  “Get ready for a very boring night. I’m going to sleep,” said Noah.

  As soon as the words came out of Weather’s mouth that she could hold him in the cell for an entire day, relief washed over him. Noah felt his body begin to shut down. His eyes grew heavy in a second. The metal chair he was in was not comfy, but he did not care. Noah melted down to the ground. His arms braced his head up like a pillow, and without another word he was fast asleep.

  Weathers watched the entire scene in an impressed silence. She felt bad now that she had not gotten him a blanket.

  In Noah’s cell, the bald monster chaser continued to press up against the window. His eyes peeked around the window seal to see the sky above. It was a clear night. All the stars were out.

  Noah leaving the room did not disturb the crazed man in any way. He kept to his bizarre mantra.

  “The sun will set. The sun will fret. We are free. We are we. We will screaaaaaam.”

  The chaser contorted his body to see deeper out the window. The sky above grew darker. The stars were going out.

  There was smoke in the distance.

  Chapter 28

  The net that hanged along the canyon wall was nearly filled to capacity. The slaves walked in a single file line along the canyon’s edge. When they approached the net they threw their rocks onto the pile hanging in the air. The pile was so high most of the rocks simply rolled off and fell to the churning waters below.

  Estuar waited patiently at the bottom. The kaiju alligator was hungry. Kong had been teased bait for far too long.

  Kong stirred more in his restraints. The beast-god was gaining back his strength. The ropes jostled up and down with Kong’s movements. The slaves had to dodge the moving barrier or risk being thrown over the edge by Kong’s colossal power.

  “Faster!” yelled Tol-in-Ar. He was watching Kong begin to fight against the ropes harder than ever. His guards got to work.

  They began to whip and beat the slaves that were moving too slow. The line of ravaged caudata picked up its pace. The rocks were thrown on a wider spectrum across the net.

  Each piece of weight made the ropes tighter. They dug into Kong’s fur and skin. Blood puddled on the ground around Kong’s limp body.

  Kong roared out in pain. It was accompanied by the screams of the slaves on the ground. But they did not scream in fear. They were screaming out in pain. The guards were getting more violent on the orders of their Doiar.

  The line became a mob of slaves. Rocks avalanched down the canyon wall toward the net below. Several of the caudata were unable to get out of the way before another slave was forced to the front. Some were knocked out by rocks that were thrown too far back and did not make it over the edge. Others were knocked over the edge. Their bodies collided with the rocks below. Their blood left a trail as they slipped down the small mountain and fell to the hungry Estuar.

  The sudden downpour of rocks finally tipped the scales. The ground rumbled as it lost its grip on the mighty Kong. The beast-god slid forward to the canyon’s edge. The ropes restrained Kong’s limbs to his side. There was no stopping the momentum.

  The slaves panicked. Many of the guards abandoned their post to get out of the way of the runaway Kong. The slaves were not as lucky. There were too many of them to be able to get out of the way. They were trapped between the canyon’s edge and Kong’s oncoming body.

  Kong hit the group of slaves like a typhoon. Bodies went flying in every direction. Some were caught under Kong’s body and crushed by his weight.

  Then Kong stopped.

  The slaves had a moment of reprieve. The rocks hanged midair unable to finish the job.

  The ground cracked underneath the pressure. Kong was digging into the ground with one hand. His strength had returned.

  Now, Kong’s body only slid forward an inch at a time. The beast-god was losing the battle against gravity.

  The slaves in the path of death took the opportunity to rush out of the way. The surging crowd began to pour out around the struggling Kong.

  Then the guards stepped back into place. They formed a barrier not allowing the slaves to advance any further. The captives were once again trapped against the canyon wall. Kong roared. It was the battle cry to keep fighting.

  “Lord Tatsumi needs a sacrifice!” yelled Tol-in-Ar to his slaves. “Kong must perish for our creator to live. Bring down the usurper! Throw yourselves onto the rocks. The monster must fall! This is what Lord Tatsumi demands of you!”

  The guards began to march forward. They showed no remorse. Every step pushed the slaves closer to the edge. The guards held to the side forcing the slaves in the direct path of Kong.

  Kong continued to fight against the weight of the rocks he was tied to. He fought to free his other hand and get a better grip on the ground. His free hand left a trail as the beast-god slowly lost ground.

  “It is your obligation to Lord Tatsumi to end Kong!” Tol-in-Ar ordered. “Your lives are his for the taking. Give it freely and Lord Tatsumi will reward you in your rebirth!”

  The slaves at the edge of the canyon listened to the words that their Doiar was saying. Their feet began to shuffle over the edge as the crowd in front of them was pushed further back.

  The first caudatas began to fall. They fell onto the net of rocks. Some fell off, but many of them stayed, stuck to the rocks by the impact.

  The added weight pulled Kong closer to the edge. The sudden loss of ground brought fear into the slaves. The newest ones on the edge lost their faith in Kong’s strength and regained their faith in Lord Tatsumi.

  They jumped toward the rocks below. Hundreds of caudata followed suit. The canyon rained bodies. In the water below, Estuar eagerly awaited its meal. The kaiju splashed through the water back and forth gobbling up whatever body fell to the choppy waters.

  The weight was becoming too much for Kong. Out of the corner of his eye he could see the slaves advancing
toward the canyon’s edge. They were making the sacrifice to bring Kong down.

  Then Kong let go. His body slid forward under the power of the rocks. The momentum rolled him across the ground. Kong moved with it. The beast-god charged to his feet and pushed him faster than the rocks could drag him. The ropes lost their tension, and Kong propelled himself over the edge and into the canyon. He cleared the field of slaves still on the edge.

  The rocks slammed to the water below. Estuar was caught by the landslide. The kaiju had been so caught up with its meal of the caudata it had not noticed the rocks falling. Estuar was caught underneath the collapsing net. The rocks crushed a portion of the kaiju before it could make an escape.

  Kong was next to hit the water. First, his shadow cast over the kaiju alligator. Then Kong collided with Estuar.

  The impact sent waves crashing against the canyon walls. The caudata slaves still alive in the water collided with the canyon. They cried out for help. There was no place to swim to for safety. The fight between Kong and Estuar was beginning once again. Every strike sent reverberations through the canyon moat. The kaiju’s power collapsed pieces of the canyon wall.

  Kong grabbed hold of Estuar. His massive arms wrapped around Estuar’s throat. Estuar fought to break free. The kaiju began its death roll. Kong held on as the two kaiju went spinning through the water. They crashed into a canyon wall then were sent spinning into the other one.

  Estuar dove under the water. Having not let go, Kong went under with it. For the moment the water’s surface went calm. The caudata swam for the canyon to offer some sort of support. The canyon offered several paths from the top to the bottom, if only they could make it to one without it being destroyed by the two battling kaiju.

  Underwater, Kong pummeled Estuar with jabs to the stomach. It was the least defended part of the kaiju’s body. Estuar snapped its jaws, but Kong kept himself out of range of the powerful teeth.