In the more untapped areas of Northern Russia, dozens of indigenous people lived far away from the civilization that we normally know about.
One of the largest groups of such people was the Nenets. There are more than 30.000 of them spread out all over the northern Tundra. Or at least, that was their number before the apocalypse came.
They are the keepers of Siberia's article, and they were known as the toughest people due to their achievement of being able to survive in the wilderness and remote places with the harsh, unforgiving climate.
Half of the people living in Arkhangelsk are from the Nenets. Thanks to the apocalypse that descended to Earth and wreaked havoc at every corner of the world, they were forced to abandon their nomadic lifestyle and stay in the town for the sake of safety.
One of the younger Nenet boys living in the town named Kosta had just turned fifteen this year. For the last two years, he had been contributing to the town's well-being by doing his chores, and now with the town needing as many people as possible to guard the gate, he couldn't help but feel the opportunity to prove his mettle finally came.
"Guard the gate! Guard the gate!" Roman, the town's strongest fighter shouted.
In the middle of the other adults, Kosta stood straight making a defensive line in front of the gate. His eyes roamed around and vigilantly sought the threat. He held the weapon he was given tightly, ready for whatever threats coming in their way.
Baaammmm!!!
The thick steel doors were broken open, and like opening a flooded dam, dozens of little critters interspersed with flaming dogs rushed through the gate. Kosta glanced at the adult who stood next to him, and the boy clearly saw the man trembling on his feet. From the corner of his eyes, he even saw a few panicking adults abandon their weapons and run back into the town.
However, he was different from all those cowards.
Once, a few years ago when he was small, his family welcomed a visitor. He remembered the man introduced himself as an American documentary writer who would like to write a story about the Nenets.
The American man stayed with his family for one month, but he brought many things and introduced them to him. The things were so foreign and different, it was as if the man had come from a different world altogether.
Kosta remembered the man gave him a few pieces of sweet chocolates and a nice colorful baseball cap. However, the most memorable for him was the American comic books the man read to him. All those books told the story of heroes who stood straight and protected the weak despite their inner fear and the danger.
Now that the people of Arkhangelsk were being threatened, it was time for Kosta to prove himself. Even if fear nibbled at his heels, he vowed and shall not back down.
He raised the small knife given to him by the elders and watched intently, his eyes focused towards one of the charging dogs.
Since he was a child, he was taught how to hunt and survive in a confrontation against wild beasts. As a result, the boy was agile enough to dodge the flaming dog as it pounced at him. With his speed, he pinned the beast down and stabbed its neck until it bled out in the snow.
Right as he finished off one creature, another immediately charged at him. But Kosta maintained his calm and repeated the process. In his gaze, there were no traces of hesitation or fear. There was only determination to protect his beloved town.
However, reality was cruel as bravery alone would only take him so far.
There were simply far too many creatures pouring out of the gates, yet the energy barrier was still not activated. Still, the boy didn't give up and attacked another creature pouncing at him.
"Do not let any of them pass!" Roman shouted and stood bravely above the walls.
Roman, the sky realm fighter, along with all the top fighters in Arkhangelsk were all busy dealing with and shooting at the flying monsters trying to go over the walls. This obviously left Kosta and many other amateur fighters in charge of holding the gate.
For a few minutes, the tactic they adopted worked in their favor. However, eventually, the tide of creatures pouring it from the gate became far too much to handle. Three dogs surrounded Kosta, and as he tried to kill one, a sharp pain erupted from his body. Before he realized what happened, a deep gash appeared on his arm.
A quick glance revealed that the other adults were not doing any better either. The nauseating smell of blood started to fill the place as the dead bodies of humans and creatures alike started to pile up.
ραпdα nᴏνɐ| сom "We cannot hold the line! Retreat!" One of the adults shouted.
With that order, the other adults shouted in agreement, drowning the weakened Kosta's pleas.
"No, don't go! No!" He called out as loudly as he could, but his weakened voice and the sound of footsteps from the retreating crowds made no one could hear his voice.
The defensive line became thinner, and Kosta saw more creatures barge through the gate. Fear started to take hold of his soul, and he was forced to steady his arm to not tremble.
At this moment, he realized. He was not one of the heroes from the comic books. He was apparently one of the helpless nobodies who could be killed off at a moment's notice. As his vision blurred and the pain from his wound increased, a desperate plea spilled out of his mouth.
"Help... anyone… Please help us."
Right as the words left his mouth, he was shocked to see a figure dashing past him from behind and sending the creature that was about to kill him barreling away with a kick.
Shiny silver and gold metal shimmered in the light of the sun, and he was stunned in awe as that fond memory of his resurfaced in his mind.
The figure stood in front of him without any trace of fear and started using an ax to cut all the incoming creatures to pieces.
Not only that, the metal-clad figure dashed around and started to help all the wounded fighters to Kosta's left and right. It was to the point where the figure was holding the defensive lines by himself.
He was fast, he was strong, and the most amazing of all, he looked just like the hero he had always dreamed to become.
Kosta was unable to take his eyes off the figure's broad back which seemed capable of withstanding anything.
In a few minutes, the figure managed to slay the flood of creatures and protect the defensive line. As if to celebrate his victory, the energy barriers returned right after, and the whole town cheered.
Then, all eyes were staring at the mysterious metallic figure.
Kosta was the first to approach the mysterious figure. With awe in his eyes, the boy asked.
"Mister… are you really him? you... you are mister... Iron Man!"
The figure looked at him and said, "Iron ma- What! No! No... I am… I am... the Metal Guardian!" The figure said confidently.
As the other residents came approaching, the hero suddenly jumped into the air out of the gate and disappeared from sight.
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