Chapter 64: The Fear

“Are you alright?” Safo rushed to ask. Maun was shaking, his bald head had drops of sweat like morning dew. Safo was always amused by Maun Drew’s name due to recalling a refreshment drink from Earth. But now he chuckled inwardly thinking that they should call the man “Maun Dew.”

“What does your resource do, boy?” Sweat and saliva dripped, accumulating under Maun.

“I… I could just feel if someone wants to kill me or attack with an intention to murder. That is all.” Safo was startled a bit, he didn’t want to make an ire of the general. Safo was still under the impression that the Military Advisor could create a blue fireball, 65.000 degrees hot even without using Torch. Previously he was playing a “humble guy” saying that his limit was only 50.000 with Troch.

Meanwhile, Safo’s max achievement, with the help of the Torch, was 10.000. The Cannonball was easily destroyed by Maun with only one hand's motion. Wordless, Maun was a formidable opponent, capable of killing Safo, solely with one fireball. They both figured out that even 65.000 degrees couldn’t burn Safo but the mere power and weight of the fireball, which was as big as a car, could simply crush Safo to the floor.

“It definitely can do more than that, boy. I suspect that you can project the same type of emotions onto other people. Fear of being attacked by a superior enemy.” Maun sat down wiping off his mouth and sweaty head. “I’m sorry that you saw me like that. I lost my dignity as an Advisor. But you know what? It is for good. Now we are closer than before. And I can trust you as you can trust me.”

Safo felt relieved for the fact that Maun Drew wasn't angry at him. He sighed and sat down in front of the Advisor, sensing that the latter wanted to reveal something important.

And truly Maun started to talk. “I felt this type of wild panic attack only once, in a war. I’m not sure if your resource artificially created that amount of threat or it simply recalled my lost fear.” Maun paused, pondering about the answer to his question, leaving Safo hanging, waiting for the rest of the story.

Finally, he couldn’t bear it any longer. “Who was it, that scared you that much?” Faintly, deep down Safo knew the answer, but he wanted to make sure.

“The Emperor. It was him. He has no limits to his energy. He is the most powerful entity in the universe. It might be a coincidence but he has the fire resource as well. But completely different from ours. His fire is cursed, black in color, like the darkness in his heart. His fire never stops, never dies out, it eats your flesh and melts your soul to create a weapon that will serve him for eternity. The black flame can reach millions of degrees. If you ever encounter him - run, like you never did before. For everything that you will leave behind will be burnt to ashes.” Tears gathered in the corners of his eyes. Great pain and sadness were attached to his words. Maun Drew, the man who saw the terror of the war against the Empire, had a wounded soul.

Safo sat, looking down, imagining the looks of the Emperor. Almighty, apparently cruel on the battlefield, but probably good with his subordinates. After all, the Empire ruled most of the universe for over 15 thousand years. And the current Emperor was alive for nearly twelve thousand years, creating gossip that he was an immortal being, maybe even a god.

Safo made a mental note not to forget to ask Yon everything that he knew about the Emperor.

After a moment of mutual silence, Maun spoke first. “Can I ask you a favor, boy?” Maun’s eyes seemed determined on something, the glint of a spark appeared where there were no purpose barrens before.

“O...of course.”

‘It is a rhetorical question. How can I refuse a big and scary guy like you, man?’ Safo smiled at his thoughts, still happy that the general was kind to him.

“Can I ask you to do your trick again? Not today! It is enough for me for today. But some other day. I need to conquer my fear. I will train you, and you will train me.” There was no hesitation or embarrassment in Maun’s eyes. He accepted his fear towards the Emperor or the beings stronger than him and wished to fight them without dreadful thoughts distracting him. Despite his age, he wanted to stay sharp and never lost his hunger for improvement. He had nothing to be embarrassed about.

“Are you sure?” After a firm nod from Maun, Safo agreed.

“So what do you call this skill? I noticed your strange tendency to give funny names to your skills.” Maun asked, walking to the exit, the training session was over for the day.

Safo Nur laughed and considered for a moment. “I will just call it the ‘Fear’.”

Kutch and Yon were anxiously waiting for them for little more than two hours. They both ran to the exiting Maun and went inside to check Safo. Both sighed in relief after making sure that he wasn’t scorched anywhere.

Saying his gratitude many times Safo Nur left the building heading towards his new ship. He told everything that occurred in the armored room to Kutch and Yon with excitement in his voice. Guy’s were shocked and didn’t move for a while before regaining their awareness.

To be able to kneel the Military Advisor with a resource was an unheard action. Despite him losing to the general in terms of the fireball temperature, Safo showed himself in a good light and was certainly the candidate to be respected.

In the cabinet of the Maun Drew, he sat troubled by his thoughts when a shadow appeared in front of him.

“You asked for me, Maun? What is the matter?” Kundlur Gar - Internal Security Advisor stood with his hands behind his back.

“Today, Safo Nur came to me, I’m sure you already know. I saw what is he capable of, he is impressive I should tell. Soul gauging definitely went wrong. There is room to grow, but the boy has potential. He already can throw 10.000-degree fireballs.” Maun stopped talking, he looked at his old friend waiting for any reaction.

“I’m glad that you had fun, but I do not think that you called me just to praise a rival of my son. I can see that something upset you greatly. What is it that you wanted to tell me, my friend?” There was no reaction on Kundlur’s face. He had mastered his emotions perfectly.

“He reminded me of my boys. I want to join you in your crusade.”

“I didn’t expect that you would say it any time soon. What exactly happened there, I wonder.” For the first time in dialogue, Kundlur couldn’t hide his emotions, curiosity took over him.

For many years Kundlur tried to recruit a Military Advisor to his team of rebels against the Empire. A powerful ally like the former general could be a huge boon on the mission of revenge.

“Let's just say that now I can overcome my fears,” Maun answered with a smile.

“Good for you. But I have to disappoint you, Maun. For now, I’m not ready for the actions. Excavation is still continuing, two out of three are found so we can only wait and hope. I will let you know when the time comes. For now, be yourself and do not attract too much attention. We don’t want Halazar’s eyes on us.” Kundlur returned a smile while talking about grave matters.

“I will play dumb as usual. I can do it, I've been doing it for two decades. Just promise me that I can rip off the Emperor’s head.” The Military Advisor clenched his teeth.

He remembered the burning bodies of his wife and three sons. The attacking army almost reached the main planet when the Emperor decided to show up. In less than a minute, a blazing black fire took the lives of billions of psiora and their allies. General could do nothing to save his soldiers and family. He witnessed them die while he froze frightened.

Maun Drew never forgave himself, nor did others who saw him standing still that day, those who didn’t faint. Not that someone could blame him. They were there too, next to him, trembling in terror.

“We will do it together, my friend. The head is yours to rip off and the heart is mine. Welcome to the Cult of Dark-Black.” Kundlar slowly sank to the floor as if it was water and soon disappeared from sight leaving the Advisor alone in his cabinet

“It is just a shame that Safo Nur can’t be the King. He would never understand us anyway.

Oh, I have a brilliant idea. Haha.”