Chapter 50: When Titans March

The sun had barely touched the sky when the rumble of engines echoed across the valley. I flew to the peak, watching from above as Monarch moved with purpose.

They came with machines—ones I remembered all too well.

Massive aircraft, choppers, and a floating fortress that hovered just off the coast of Skull Island. They didn't come to fight Kong.

They came to take him.

Chains.

Harnesses.

Gas.

None of it was foreign to me. I had seen it before, sitting in that theater in another life. Kong being transported across the ocean… toward a battle that would shake the world.

Kong didn't resist. He rarely did unless given a reason. I saw the look in his eyes as he glanced back one final time—toward the mountain, the valley, the dens… toward us.

Toward me.

Then he was gone.

Carried off like a living god taken by sky chariots.

I stood silent for a long moment.

Then I turned and spread my wings.

It was time.

The Elders came at my call. All five. My eldest son, the wise second, the powerful third, the brave fourth, and the clever fifth—each shaped by the fire and stone of this land, each hardened by time, like me.

We met in the stone hall carved into the mountain behind the dens—a place now used for dragon counsel, and where Kong himself once rested. The echoes of his footfalls still clung to the walls.

"They took him," I said. "Monarch. It's the same path I remember from my old life."

They didn't question how I knew.

Not anymore.

"And you plan to follow," said the second elder, his voice calm as always.

"I do," I answered.

"The clan?" asked the third, always thinking about strength, about defense.

"I won't leave it alone," I said, already knowing what needed to be done. "My mate will act as temporary Clan Head. Until I return."

They nodded, understanding.

I left the cave and flew down to the valley. My older children were gathered near the playpond, training the younger ones and guiding strays as they integrated.

I landed in front of them with a heavy heart.

"I'll be gone," I told them. "Maybe for days. Maybe longer."

They stared at me, wide-eyed but calm. My children had never known weakness. And yet, I could feel the weight of this moment on them.

"I leave the dens in your care. Keep the ponds clean. Watch the skies. Protect the cubs. Listen to your mother."

They nodded, one after another.

I looked at each of them. My sons. My daughters. My legacy.

I had built a civilization with claws and fire and heart. And now I was leaving it—not for power, not for conquest—but for an old friend.

One who had walked with me through decades of peace.

One who was walking into a storm.

I turned to the sky.

Behind me, the five elders followed.

Dragons of fire.

Titans of sky.

We were going after Kong.

Not to save him…

But to stand beside him when the world cracked open again.