Chaos' Heir

914  Fear

"Shall I give word then?" Prince Thomas' voice escaped the phone, diving directly into Khan's ear.

"Yes," Khan confirmed, Baoway's night breeze blowing on his face as he flew outside the city. "Once I deal with the descendants' families, I'll meet the other factions' leaders."

"Are these meetings arranged already?" Prince Thomas questioned.

"Monica is setting them up," Khan explained. "She will have proper dates in a day or two."

"Very well," Prince Thomas stated. "Nephew, should I inquire about your current activities now?"

Khan didn't bother replying and closed the call, storing his phone in his pelts. Theoretically, the meeting with the descendants was his last task for the day, but the night had room for more, and he could think of something that required his attention.

Truth be told, the matter was only an idea. It would work with the Empire's mission, and Khan even saw many benefits to it. Yet, he couldn't take it for granted. He had to ask for permission there.

The workers dismantled many structures outside the main city once the tournament ended. However, multiple buildings still existed to host labs and other activities that were too dangerous for the general population. Roger Foxnor's element fell into that category, earning him special quarters.

The initial plan was for Roger to live there alone, surveilled by scanners and occasional doctors. However, Princess Rachel Montares' auction paved the way for a better arrangement.

Moses Parket and Roger were basically the same age. Their level was also similar, and they both attended Khan's lessons. They were the perfect roommates since they could study and train together, so Khan relocated Moses into those special quarters.

The two didn't actually share rooms. The building provided them with all the privacy they needed. Still, Moses and Roger had multiple common areas, and Khan found them in one of them that night.

The place was a mix between a classroom and a training hall. It had multiple elevated interactive desks arranged in a half-circular manner, but its bottom worked as a battle floor capable of recording data. Every surface was also reinforced, making it perfect for experiments and dangerous exercises.

Moses and Roger sat behind the same interactive desk, but Khan's arrival on the floor made them stand up to perform polite salutes. The visit was unexpected, but both descendants looked pleased about it.

Khan didn't immediately address the salutes. His eyes focused on the symphony and the descendants' mana, spotting clear differences between the two. Moses would probably jump at his idea, but Roger would hesitate. Khan wasn't even sure he wanted to throw them into that mess.

"At ease," Khan announced, beckoning the two young men to join him on the battle floor. By the time he sat down, Moses and Roger had climbed down the desks and gathered before him.

"Did you review your notes?" Khan asked, his gaze darting between the two descendants.

"We did, Prince Khan," Moses promptly confirmed. "We also exchanged opinions as you requested."

"And?" Khan questioned, looking at Roger.

"There's much to study, Prince Khan," Roger admitted.

Roger appeared slightly defeated, and Moses shared that sentiment. Khan's lesson had been long, and a single day wasn't enough to go over everything he had taught, let alone understand it. The topic also required a radical mindset change, which took time to achieve.

"I didn't expect instant success," Khan reassured. "Most of what I've taught you goes against your education, and I have many lessons left. Take your time to absorb it. You must if you want the mana to answer you."

Roger and Moses struggled to follow Khan's reasoning, but both noticed something. Khan sounded more compassionate and gentler, creating a stark difference from his usual intense and overwhelming vibe.

That gentle vibe had a clear source. Ideally, Khan wouldn't put the descendants before a similar choice. He had always been about sparing others from the tragedies he had faced, so he didn't feel good about the idea.

On the other hand, Roger needed Khan's constant surveillance, and Moses wouldn't become worthy of Princesses with theory alone. Khan had to mold the two into superior warriors, but the Empire's mission required his departure. He could postpone the descendants' training or bring them with him, using Senerth's battlefield to accelerate their growth.

"I've put you two together to facilitate exchanges of ideas," Khan explained. "I always had alien teachers in alien environments, but I can only provide an imitation of that. Isolating you would have slowed you down."

Khan didn't need to explain his reasons but did anyway. He wanted to provide a complete picture so the descendants could make an informed decision. After all, he knew about the naivety of young minds and the tragic difference reality offered.

"However," Khan continued, "In my experience, facing dangerous situations can help with training, especially with me constantly demonstrating those theories. Training halls have limits the battlefield lacks."

Excitement filled Moses' eyes, which Khan's glare promptly admonished. He had expected and feared a similar reaction from the descendant, making him more serious about that warning.

"I'm sure you checked the network," Khan announced. "The Thilku Empire assigned me a mission, which I accepted. I'll depart soon to wage war on a planet. I don't know how long I'll be away, but my experience tells me the trip won't be short."

"Congratulations, Prince Khan!" Moses exclaimed, smiling from cheek to cheek. "The Thilku Empire couldn't have chosen a better commander."

"No, they couldn't have," Khan confirmed. "I'll bring the Scalqa to the planet and systematically eradicate the Tainted animals' threat. You two can join me if you wish."

The descendants' different personalities became evident after the invitation. As predicted, Moses was ready to accept, while Roger was hesitant. Still, Khan lifted his hand before anyone could speak.

"I want you to understand what this trip would entail before making any decision," Khan declared. "You have never seen a real battlefield. It's dirty, bloody, and tragic. Many will die before your eyes, and your very life will be in danger."

The statement's last part seemed able to speak some sense into Moses' excitement. However, Khan didn't feel satisfied yet.

"I'm strong," Khan continued. "Very strong, but I won't be able to protect you all the time. I'll actually have to let you deal with your battles to allow your growth. That's the only way to enforce improvements."

"Prince Khan," Moses called. "All due respect, we have trained for that. That would have been our future if it weren't for your tournament."

Khan glanced at Roger, but the descendant avoided his gaze. Still, Moses had a point. The Global Army would have deployed most of those young soldiers to different battlefields if it hadn't been for the tournament. That would have been their fate due to being born into average families.

"You are correct," Khan confirmed, "But your training failed you. I've witnessed it first-hand. Most descendants freeze and die before making a single move."

"I'm a proud descendant of the Parket family, Prince Khan," Moses declared. "I can't shy away from Princess Montares' expectations and must repay your generosity in the tournament. I'll put my life on the line for that."

Moses' determination was genuine, but Khan only saw ignorance in that resolute face. Romanticizing war was easy for those who had never witnessed it. However, Khan couldn't dismiss Moses' drive, either. He wouldn't disrespect him like that.

"What about you?" Khan asked, looking at Roger. "Mister Parket has heavy responsibilities to carry, but you don't need to rush it. I swore I'd help you, and my promises don't have an expiring date."

Moses also looked at Roger, who kept his head lowered. The idea of a war scared him, but a stronger feeling existed in his mind. Roger had never expected his life to provide such incredible opportunities. That was his shot at redemption, and he didn't want to miss it. Roger owed it to the relatives who believed in him.

"You-," Roger muttered before adjusting his words. "Prince Khan achieved the impossible by fighting his way to the top. I won't dare claim I can do the same. That's impossible, but I'd like to try to do something."

Roger lifted his face, showing a hesitant but resolute expression. Moses spotted those emotions and shot an excited look at Khan. The two were on the same page, so the mission sounded unavoidable now.

"Such good kids," Khan sighed. He honestly understood the two descendants' mindsets, but preparing them for the imminent danger was his responsibility, which he didn't take lightly.

A pushing force suddenly hit the two descendants' chest, flinging them away. The two flew across the floor, slamming on the first row of interactive desks. The abrupt attack left them dumbfounded, but the terrifying aura that surrounded them cleared their heads.

Roger and Moses felt unable to breathe as they lifted their heads, half-crawling on the floor. Khan had stood up, pointing his intense eyes at them. The kindness from before had disappeared, replaced by chaotic violence.

"Do not freeze," Khan said, slowly drawing the cursed knife from his pelts. "I'll give you the battlefield, but only after experiencing true fear."