The Iron Devil

The inside, ch.2

"...The mutations began recently, barely 30 years ago as this tome is written, in year 1840. Mutants, Changed or "Wicked", as they were called seemed to sprout out of a ground, people suddenly noticed the growing number of "Wicked" all around the lands, and with that change came fear. "Normal" people kept to themselves, as far as they could from "Wicked", which steadily grew, from individuals, to small group, to whole neighborhoods of Tailed people, some even said that distant cities are populated purely by the Tailed man and woman. Those words only deepened hatred between townsfolk, as some grew fear to even touch anyone that was even remotely showing signs of mutation, families would often abandon children that were transforming out of fear, especially after the Incident.
Bodies were found in the middle of the town, with a "Wicked", a middle-aged Wolf-man, his face was stuffed to the brim with meat, causing his death by chocking on other townsfolk.
In following years.."
His eyes were glued to that part, as he sat in front of the book, his body feeling heavy and weak, in constant pain, making him shiver a bit once in a while, even his mask was feeling tight, like it didn't matched him.
-Sir...- Eris said from behind the doors, with shiver in his voice- is everything ok?
But he couldn't respond, he tried, but he was too weak for that too. Silently, Eris walked toward the Mask and waved his hand in front of him, but there was no response, however, the Mask smelled it again, same thing he smelled yesterday, only more precise.
-"Bite him"- Something echoed in his head.
-Sir, you are worrying me, you are like a c-corpse!- he slowly reached to his face, almost touching the mask.
-"Grab him!"- Voice said and the Mask did so, grabbing Eris's hand softly-"Now bite!"
But he did not, his grip only loosened a bit.
-What are you doing?- the Mask mustered with last of his will power.
-I thought that your mask was too tight, it would be better for you to take it off- Eris said, while trembling in fear, the most powerful weapon the Mask had, something he knew he could use against any enemy.
-I don't need any help, except...-the Mask tried to get up, slowly, sluggish.
Eris helped him, for him the Mask was light as air, like empty husk.
-Sir, w-what's happening?!- Bat-man grabbed the Mask as he seemed to fall onto him.
Then he heard it, a quiet growl, followed by sounds of wet drippings hitting the wooden floor, paralyzing fear wrapping around Eris like spiderweb cover a helpless fly.
-Say, Eris, are you injured again?-the Masks voice was deep and quiet, like he was about to yell.
-N-no sir, you treated me yesterday, remember?- Eris lied, his chest was severely wounded.
-I smell it, don't lie!- he ripped the shirt of Eris with his hand, which felt different, more pointier.
However, Eris found a courage to fight back, as he pushed the mask back, making him stumble. Eris got out of the room as fast as he could, and closed the doors, as the Mask struggled to stay straight on his legs, wiping his saliva off the mask, but it was like a waterfall. He then walked out of his room, hunched over, shambling with his legs, leaving behind drops of saliva. The night had provided a cover for Bat-man, but the Mask could smell the blood.
-"in the back"- he said to himself as he smelled the ground, walking on all fours, like a spider, slowly getting closer to his prey.
He entered the room in the back and gagged lightly, as smells of decay and blood overcame his nostrils, it was putrid, to say the least, he never realized that, but he didn't had time to take care of it.
-Eris, where have you gone?-He said, as he got up and walked toward large cage he used for "Taming" the Tailed man, inside was Eris, holding something, but the Masks mind was occupied with only one thought.
-"Eat him"
He slowly reaches toward Eris, as his mask shines in moonlight, he barely touched Bat-man's chest, as Eris ripped off the mask, causing the Iron Devil to move back, before Bat-man splashed something onto the unmasked face, which caused him to start to cough and gag more, falling onto the floor, as Eris escaped again, but this time, he locked cage. The Iron Devil have fallen onto all fours, as he was slowly fainting from powerful stench hitting his nostrils, but then he recognized familiar smell, and shyly licked rim of the mask, yes, he was sure of it, it was mix of water, alcohol and blood.
-Finally...- he said and collapsed onto the floor, as he felt a bit of pain going away, like if a stone was took out of his chest.
But the dream he had didn't helped him.
It was cold day, his face pinched by freezing breeze, cooling his tears, his hand clenching a small knife, his tiny body shivering as it took a step toward the monster, slowly stepping into blood soaked snow.
-S-stand back!- he said, his voice trembling like the rest of his body.
But the monster didn't even budged, he just stand there, letting out clouds of hot air, slowly grabbing his face- I will murder you!
Then he realized, he was looking at himself, as himself stabbed the monster, sold metal embedding into the skin, sharp pain covering his body.
And then he woke up.
As light brushed against his face, he opened his eyes. He was on his bed.
-"Was it real?"- he thought and got up, noticing the absolute silence-"it must have been a dream, or a nightmare..."
He slowly walked out, nothing out of ordinary in other rooms so far.
-"Time to wake Eris"
As he opened the doors he felt something, making him run his tongue on his teeth, which felt sharper, he stepped in and saw Eris, holding a knife to his chest, terror written on his expression.
-Don't come c-closer...-Bat-man said and clutched the knife tighter- I won't give you that satisfaction!
-What are you talking about?- The Mask said and slowly walked closer- You know I wouldn't hurt you.
Eris lightly lowered the knife as the Mask grabbed it, pulling it away, but the Bat's face was still in shock.
-Is something wrong?- he said, but Eris stayed silent, as he reached to the Mask's hand, raising it- it's a weird time for handshakes.
But as soon as the Mask looked down, he saw something weird, a slender, long fingers, ending with sharp claws and scarcely covered with grey fur. He slowly raised it, examining it, realization slowly setting in, as he raised his second hand, but it was the same, his breathing getting faster as he slowly sat down, against the wall, looking at his hands, trying to keep them away from himself.
-Impossible...- he whispered- I couldn't...
Eris grabbed his hand.
-Slow breaths, close your eyes, it will calm you sir- Bat-man advised, but the mask immediately growled back.
-What you have done to me?!-he slowly got up and grabbed Eris's wrist-you sneaky little...
-Sir, I don't understand, I only helped yesterday- Bat-man felt overwhelming fear, as he said it.
-What do you mean?!- he tighten his grip and huffed angrily- What happened?!
But Eris stayed silent again, knowing that one wrong move or world will cause him a great pain, so he slowly put the mask's hand on his face, which didn't met cold, smooth metal, but a something fuzzy, like a beard, but much warmer, and all around his face.
-My face...
-I had to take off your mask to protect myself, I'm sorry- Bat apologized and slowly run his hand down the Mask's neck, brushing light fur and grabbing the other hand- Do you remember? I'm not mad, I understand what are you going thru.
But the Mask remained calm, he knew what it meant.
-Do I have them, the ears?-the Mask said calmly.
-Yes sir, but they aren't fully developed yet.
-Cut them off- he said with pain, but calmly.
But Eris didn't even moved.
-Sir, you don't have to...
-It's not for myself, I want you to take revenge, then run away, till I'm not enraged again- he guided Bat's hand to his ears- you can even bite them off.
-Sir, I couldn't do it to you- he said and rubbed the ears.
-Then just run away, I don't want to pour the blood of someone close to me- he got up and walked away slowly toward the back of the house.
-Sir, I can't leave you like this, you need help- Eris followed him.
-Help? No, nothing can help me now, so go away- he opened the cage and stepped inside, closing it behind.
-Why is that? You can still c-change yourself!-Eris twitched a bit.
-Change? Do you mean "Taming"?- he answered and rubbed Eris's head- I guess you can try...
-No! I don' mean "Taming"- he said and pushed Mask's hand off his head- yesterday I realized something, and I can help you- Eris grabbed his hand, but that was cut short as the Mask took it back.
-I crave blood, as long as you are here, you will be in great danger- He turned and picked up his Mask from the floor- but I guess you were always in pain, all the "Taming", all the fear, your must be trembling inside right now.
Eris stayed silent, as the Mask sat down on the ground.
-"How ironic, all my work done, just to go against me"- he felt someone holding him from behind then-"what a stubborn Bat"
He grabbed Bat's hand and put it in his mouth.
-"Might as well quench this thirst"- he thought and slowly closed his jaws on the hand- I'm sorry.
But he didn't fought back, rather, Bat's other hand softly closed the jaw, applying a little bit of pressure on his own hand.
-Bite and don't worry, I'm used to pain- Eris calmly embraced him, without a twitch, without a tremble, it was weird for the Mask, as he stopped and took the hand out.
-Why are you doing it? I have only hurt you, all my life, every day- he turned around- I cut off your ears, punctured your wings, and yet, you don't run away when you can.
Eris only smiled softly.
-I know, and I would lie if I would say that I don't want to hurt you, like you hurt me, all the pain you caused me... - he rubbed the Mask's face- but, in all that pain, and time spend around you I realized what were you trying to accomplish, and why you didn't just killed me like the rest.
No answers, they both knew why, but only Eris knew what he will do next.
-Lets go, this isn't a place for you.
They walked slowly back, Eris leading slowly transforming monster, still clutching his mask.