He knew something, Himself was weak. It was an advantage he needed to appreciate. But what he didn't know was where Himself had been all these years and why he hadn't done anything before. It never even occurred to him to wonder why he even was king, he guessed it was just something he always knew. But since when? The memories of his past were hazy.

As he reached the center of the city, more and more sand covered the ground. That was another thing he wondered; why was everything turning into sand? Where was everyone?

The latter was answered when he stumbled over something, or better said, someone. Reena let out a shriek. The person seemed to be made out of sandstone. It did not move, like a statue. Ahead, more and more human sandstones were frozen in mid-action. The city had become to look more like a desert. The King finally reached his castle. It looked the same. He pulled the doors apart and then saw Millard, as if he were waiting for him. The King's heart sunk. He was sandstone too. He wondered if his frogs were as well, but stopped himself. There were more important things to worry about.

Like what would happen if he let Himself inside him. Nothing good, he knew that much. Could he bring back his citizen's?

He was beginning to get irritated. What was he going to do? Where was Himself? How do you defeat something like him? The anger boiled in him, he needed to get it out.

"WHERE ARE YOU? SHOW YOURSELF, COWARD." He growled at the wall. It was quiet, but then, the ground shook. The King turned around and saw Himself again. He was breathing hard, and looked out breath. He clutched his stomach, but quickly straightened when he noticed the King looking.

"You talk with much confidence, but really, you're weak." The King snickered.

"Everything takes much more energy when you are incomplete." His voice was deeper than it had been before.

"Just die already. What is even your purpose in this world?"

"Die?" He began to chuckle. It was eerie, like it wasn't natural. "You probably haven't figured this out, but if I die, you die as well. We were supposed to be one, right?"

"What have you done to my people?" The King demanded.

"Enough questions! Make up your mind and give me your body! You know, your people will look nice as house adornments."

"Do you think I believe you? If I accept, you will leave them as they are."

"You're right, but you have no choice. Vessels don't last long on their own, either." He smiled that creepy smile again, and then lunged himself at the King. His claws dug into his eyes as Himself's force threw him back. The King bellowed and tried to pry Himself off but he clung tight. The tight pull on his heart was harder than before and it blinded him. The air had been sucked out of his lungs. He kept thrashing, and when he opened his eyes, Himself was melting into him. The King screamed and bit at anything he reached. Himself cried out, but he was sinking into him, there was no way to throw him out, so the King quit flailing his arms and remained calm until Himself was fully inside him.

∞

It was pitch black, and he was tense. His skin felt tight against his bones. He flexed his fingers, rolled his head back. Wherever he was, it was neither hot nor cold. There seemed to be no temperature, like there was no light.

Somehow, he felt at peace. He felt good.

And then, something smacked hard against him. It took the breath out of him. Something pinned him down like a boulder. He struggled against it but it didn't budge.

He heard laughter. "I was the weak one?" Himself echoed. He was nowhere to be found but his voice seemed to come from everywhere. "You were meant to be the toy, not the controller. You wouldn't have lasted a second." Himself appeared from the shadows. He was wearing a white sleeved shirt, but it was stained with black. "But look at the bright side... now we are powerful." He reached forward and wrenched his heart out.

End of part I