Chapter 52: Kardon

The same old stage that was so familiar already. Safo stood on his side under the cold gaze of his opponent. Kardon Gar’s bug-like facial features made him look even deadlier. His polished skull-carapace shone reflecting the lights of the stadium.

The day ended a couple of hours ago and the old star hid itself behind the horizon bringing the brizes of night.

Tired from all the emotional roller coaster, the crowd was no longer their cheerful selves. Most of them just wanted for the event to come to its end so they could go home and gossip about it tomorrow.

Still, they couldn’t leave the stadium, how could they when the main candidate was about to fight with the rising star of the day. The young lad proved to be not so useless in using his resources. While many believed that one orb psiora could never beat the experienced soldier with seven orbs they felt sympathy towards the royal psiora.

Still, no one dared to oppose those who blindly supported the favorite. People quietly made notes to change their votes for the bloodline that already used to rule over New Tenga for thousands of years.

Hush tones here and there talked amongst each other discussing the previous matches.

“Did you hear that the heir of the Ptech wants to withdraw from the race?”

“No way! They invested so much money to gain his stars. If it is true it could be only one thing, he is scared to face “him” in the next tournament.”

“I think he would be scared to fight a child from now on. You saw what happened to him in the last two matches, right?”

“Of course, poor guy, I pity him. While in fact, Kardon was the one I rooted the most, he is showing his flaws recently. And the fight with Yon Ace is proof to my words."

"What are you talking about? He won the match! You don't know what had transpired there. They both had some strange resources. Maybe they fought in a different dimension or something."

"Yeah, keep your ill comments to yourself. He will crush the next candidate and will be the owner of two champion titles."

“I don’t want to take sides for now even though I voted for Kardon, I began to like this weird kid too. I want to tell you what I heard from my nephew, you know Komr, he works in the Internal Security Army.” A man started to talk in a whispering tone. “It is a secret but I will tell you, he is in a Strike force so he happened to work under Kardon’s command.” Several people admiringly nodded to the man, his nephew should be a good soldier to achieve such a high position.

“Anyway, he told me that once, they located the whereabouts of that damned psiora from the opposition which they were hunting for several weeks across the three planets. When they finally came close to the camp Kardon ordered everyone to stay put and went alone to face the terrorists.

And what do you think happened then?” A man drifted his gaze through his audience requiring an answer. When no one dared to guess he resumed his story.

“For ten minutes no sound came from the camp. Total silence, when finally Kardon Gar returned and commanded his troops to clear the place they found over 100 dead bodies of an infamous dreads to the New Tenga. The majority of them were the most wanted criminals that were never considered as weak.

He finished them off in ten minutes without a sound to hear. Believe it or not, Kardon Gar is the best candidate for the King's throne.”

Somewhat intimidated but refusing to show, people around the man returned to their seats with thoughtful expressions on their faces and snouts. Everybody tried to prognosticate the results of the match, the question was not about who would win, it was simply how bad Safo Nur would end up.

With the first second of the match, Safo Nur turned on his Flame Armor. With his open palms ready to act at any moment he faced his opposer.

Kardon Gar looked curiously at Safo for a moment and began to speak instead of an attack. “I feel like I must introduce myself. I’m Kardon Gar, the head of the ISA. I have a proposal to offer if you care to hear me out.”

Startled, Safo frowned and ran his eyes all over looking for some kind of sneaky attack not letting his guard down even for a second.

“You seem like a reasonable person, so I will speak openly. I do not enjoy fighting but I never run from it. I spend my life... I dedicated my life to securing New Tenga. I will sacrifice my life if necessary. I want you to know it.” Not a single emotion passed through the stern appearance of a winged humanoid bug, his four hands were resting. Kardon didn't look like being in the middle of a fight.

“Why are you telling me this?” Safo felt impatient, he started to suspect that Kardon was simply buying time to pass the one-minute time frame to check his theory about Safo’s resource being actually more than just one orb.

“I want you to understand my intentions. I’m not here to win over these three planets and use them for my profit, nor to give it to my old father who wishes to fulfill his lost dreams, and certainly not to gain the power to utilize to run from here back to my home planet.

This IS my home planet.”

{“He is talking about other candidates and you.”} Luna was struck by the knowledge that held the head of the spies.

Safo could see that Kardon’s speech wasn’t to scare him but to show that his purpose came from true love for New Tenga.

Kardon continued. “Yon Ace is down for my proposal to be a student of the Military Advisor and replace him one day. I offer you the same, to be by my side as Regal Advisor after Halazar Woods.”

“What about B’hemah? You almost killed him because he refused you?” Safo said half taunting half concern.

A wave of anger flashed in Kardon’s eyes for a split second and he returned to his calm self once more. “I don’t have proof yet, but I know that it is Ptech who stands behind the kidnaps of the orphans. They sell them as slaves or entertainment tools and I do not regret the form of my warning.”

Safo’s eyes widened in horror after hearing about the shady deeds of the multi-billion company. Kardon didn’t stop his speech.

“I spent my life for the security of the psiora and will keep doing so. All I dream of is the prosperity of the New Tenga. I wanted you to understand my motivation, that is all. I do not mean harm to you or your friends. Whatever reasons you have to fight for the title, I will help you to achieve it if you will help me.”

{“His words make sense. Probably that is why there wasn’t any fight between him and Yon. What do you think? Do you want to be a King or go home?”} Luna didn’t want Safo to risk his life in a fight if it was feasible by negotiations.

After analyzing and taking his time to decide Safo spoke again.

“I feel your words, perhaps more than you think I would. You are right, I want to return home as soon as possible and save them from the invasion or something like that. And of course, I understand your motivations. I know that it is better for New Tenga if a king will be the one that they know and respect, not some outsider like me or other candidates.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts with me, it means a lot. And thank you for not attacking or using your resource while distracting me with your speech. I really appreciate that, it makes our conversation much more pleasant. Haha.” Safo laughed genuinely seeing that for the first time a smile cracked out on Kardon’s face.

For the duration of their negotiations Kardon never took a battle stance, he simply stood with his arms down as if he was talking to a friend.

Meanwhile, the anxious crowd felt bored, they hoped to see more from a match between the main candidate for the title and the royal descendant. But all they did was talk on the stage. People couldn’t even hear from their seats which made their irritation grow into intolerance. Some began to boo towards the ring.

Lowly at first, with hesitation but gaining more confidence by each minute of the not entertaining spectacle.

“Don’t tell me that Kardon will win by coaxing the kid to give up.”

“He could just give him candy or a VD game. Haha, this is not a match of the future kings.”

“Actually, negotiations are also part of the king's job. So it works for me.”

“Well not for me, I’m thirsty for some blood and action, bastards.”

Fuss aroused amongst the crowd and online viewers. Mumbles of irritation avalanche to the curse shout towards the ring.

“Don’t mind them, I will explain afterward that we came to an agreement.” Said Kardon assuring Safo.

“Yeah, no problem." Safo waived the hand. "Before I agree though, can you answer my question?”

Kardon tilted his head showing his interest in the question.

“Why do you want to kill so badly?”