Chapter 29: The stone

The meeting room where currently all the authorities of the New Tenga system were at. It was a manifestation of the word “Quarrel”. If it wasn’t for their position they would’ve engaged in a fight with Regal Advisor without hesitation. Guards had to interfere and stand in two lines between Halazar and the rest.

Safo’s team went behind the Regal Advisor’s seat to be protected.

Even O’rmon was frustrated visibly, however, she couldn’t allow herself to dispute the words of her uncle. She was on his side no matter what, dedicated to her loyalty she clutched to her disk-swords and was ready for anything.

Strangely, Dost was still. He could raise his shield to be sure that the Regal Advisor will be protected well, but for some unknown to Safo reasons, he didn’t.

To say that Safo Nur felt uncomfortable was to say nothing, he literally was witnessing the potential start of the civil war because of him.

He first thought to ask Kutch about “Stone of the King” but soon neglected the idea. ‘Maybe I should say that I withdrew from the race? But then all of our efforts will be for no reason.” He couldn’t make that selfish and premature decision and disappoint Kutch and O’rmon. It was their mission to bring him safe and stay by him till he became a King.

Very soon a young humanoid reptile boy ran into the room but stopped in hesitation, crowd sent murderous gazes upon him. If he delivered the stone to the Adviser he would most certainly be dead by the end of the day.

“Sit down you all! Where do you think you are now? How dare you disrespect the Heroic Hall’s rules? I’m talking, you are listening. Boy, bring it here.” At the moments of crisis, Halazar was the most intimidating person despite his elderly age. Psiora in the room acknowledged that he was the fear of the Empire in the war, a veteran like that couldn't be taken easily.

“Safo, come here too.” The Regal Advisor addressed Safo not even looking at him.

Both compiled. The reptile boy was holding a small metal box which he gently transferred to Halazar.

“This is the box from the King's castle, there is a Stone of the Kings inside. Yes, Safo is not a king yet, and I heard and guessed that some of you, candidates are running this election to obtain this box. I’m not the one who will judge you, for now, you can fancy it.” He moved his intense glare through the room, fixing it on particular individuals longer than others.

“I respect the rules more than any of you here, and I wouldn’t give away this box to anyone but the King of Psiora. I intend that Safo will give it a try to open the box. If he is truly the last one from the royal lineage - the box will open. It will allow him to participate in the event as a grandson of the King Admaloo.”

The audience understood the circumstances and besides a few people who tried to say something others sat back anticipating the result.

“Now Safo, use your resource on this box, and if you are the son of Tala, it will open.”

Back on the ship, O’rmon feared that there was a chance that they would have to fight their way to the Hall, so she waited 5 minutes for Safo to prepare.

Halazar stretched his hand with a box in it. Safo did the same.

At the very moment when he barely touched the box, it clicked and opened wide displaying an egg size yellow diamond gem. It was rough without any particular form. Nevertheless, it shined bright like a light bulb.

Every single figure in the room was hypnotized by its warm yellow radiation. Safo was the most affected, even after Halazar snapped out of his trance and shut down the box, Safo stood there for a while unable to move.

In those mere seconds, a ton of the information penetrated Safo’s consciousness. Seconds were like hours to him.

A voice, a man’s voice rang out of nowhere.

“Hello, my son, and his son and every one after. My name is Atan, the present King of the proud Psiora. This stone and my knowledge in it is a gift from me to you. Unfortunately, I cannot go with you. I’m sorry to put so much responsibility on your shoulders. But please survive and help your people.

…

By the time you will get this message I will be dead. Maybe the whole Psio race as well. But someday, only when your nation will be strong enough to kill Gods, come back and free us.

I love you, I bless your beginnings by the name of Ten.”

When Safo Nur finally regained his awareness he stood at the same place, only a few seconds pass. The Atan’s monologue was an hour-long, though. Safo raised his eyes and met Halazar’s cunning smile, he nodded to him and gestured to join his team behind the seat.

‘The old man knew that I would receive the long lecture from the first King in just a second. That’s why he wanted me to touch the box? Atan huh? I learned a lot about resources and the soul itself but I have more questions than answers. I wonder if Halazar could answer me.’ Safo missed what was going on, because of his thoughts.

“Concluding my words, come back in 5 hours. We Advisers will come up with a new election competition. That it is.” The meeting was over.

The audience moved towards the exit sending laser beams from their eyes. Safo felt numerous murderous intentions, he obtained new enemies. Young and full of potential candidates with old influential supporters, all with powerful resources.

“You guys go straight to my cabinet, do not leave it. I will send a messenger to call you when we finish discussing the details here.” Halazar better than anyone knew how bad the situation was.

10 or so soldiers guided Safo and his team to the Regal Advisor’s personal cabinet.

5 hours flew fast for Safo at least, he spent his time digesting the words of Atan. While Kutch and O’rmon guarded the door and windows. Dost this time maintained the shield around them all.

Same reptilian psiora knocked on the door and asked them to come to the meeting room once again.

When they arrived everyone was there already.

“By the decision of the Advisors - Safo Nur is recognized as a grandson of the King Admaloo and will participate in the election as a candidate to the title “The King of the Psiora”! We will announce the demands - a trial, if you wish, to be qualified for the title. People of New Tenga will be watching the results of the competition until the end, which is in 3 months from today.

Additionally, in three days from today, there will be a tournament for all candidates…” “

At this point, Safo got distracted by his thoughts about the tournament and trials. It meant he had to compete or fight when he was so bad at it. Of course, he was more or less ready mentally but still nervous because of his physically weak body, compared to other candidates.

As he learned, the tournament will be in three parts, fights with using a resource, fights without using a resource, and a soul gauge. He had no idea what the last was.

The tournament was a way to show voters everything that candidates were capable of in their current state. The second tournament was to show how much they improved themselves in 3 months' length. If a candidate could achieve higher results than on a previous tournament it meant that one can develop the nation too. The King that could lead the way had to learn more than everyone.

Then Halazar talked about the trial to pass the qualification for the title.

They were tough. 7 tasks from each Adviser and 1 extra from all 6 Curators.

1. The task from the Financial Advisor - Attract investments for more than 500.000 zees.

2. The task from the Military Advisor - Finish any order from the mercenary bureau

3. The task from the Internal Security Advisor - Finish any order from the mercenary bureau

4. The task from the Development Adviser - Launch an innovational way of doing certain things in New Tenga

5. The task from the Environment Adviser - Help to improve general condition on Atan or Hfen

6. The task from the Regal Advisor - Earn a Status

7. The task from the Curators - Find three 4 star animals for breeding.

To pass, candidates had to finish at least 4 out of 7 tasks. Results will be available to the public to give voters a clear image of the candidates. Time limit - 3 months.

Three months from that day was the upcoming holiday of Goddess Ten and her husband God Uan. On that day The King will be selected.

Safo didn't understand half of the terms in Halazar’s announcement but it wasn't the time to ask questions. The meeting room listened intently and in silence.

"Now all five candidates step forward. We will count your pre-trial stars." The Regal Advisor ordered Safo and others to stand in line before him.

Safo looked at Kutch and after his approval went to take his spot after four hostile-looking candidates.