Setting the goals

For the longest time, Dane had been just moving around pieces on the board. He had not gained a full picture of what he wanted. Rather, this was what he told himself, for what he really had set his sights on seemed truly impossible. This was a word that mortals used quite often, but for him, it was a rare occurrence for him to consider anything to be truly out of his reach.

Dane no longer wanted to submit, to be under someone else. This was because, for the longest time he believed his position to be secure. There was a path that his life had been on, and he truly believed that that was who he was, or he was meant to be. However, now he was not so sure.

As a faction protector, all he had been was a soldier, albeit a very overpowered one. As a soldier, his role was to take orders and follow instructions. He had taken this role as who he was, and they were some good times.

One of the advantages of being a soldier was that he never had to worry about the power and politics, or the weight of his decisions. He would be given a set of objectives, and some leeway on how to accomplish it. Whatever the case may be, even when he had to do some atrocious things, he never once asked why.

That blind faith in the established system had been shattered. This was because he saw fellow soldiers, friends, people he had known since he was young, desert him because of a stupid order. The indoctrination that happened was so deep that he hadn't noticed until then. This was how they handles the powerful beings, by tying them into a belief that they were serving the greater good, never once do they pause to really look at what they doing.

The reason these thoughts were coming up in Dane's mind was that right at that moment, that was what he was doing. He had sold the idea of a selfless organization, one that strives to do good.

Though in planet Endar, this was a new concept, there were a plethora of such organizations. One could say that his organization, the Order, was the pioneer. The reason why the idea of a benevolent being or organization was so easy to permeate a planet was because everyone needed it. Somewhere they could find hope, something to trust in to be able to do for them what they couldn't do for themselves.

While a benevolent organization was good, it all depended on the morals of the creator, and the reasons for its creation. Many who create such are do gooders who are seeking to serve the people. They have selfless hearts and their desire is true. These were the best kinds, but not the only kind.

There were those that were started with ulterior motives, or after the creators have handed over, those that inherited were not that virtuous. In such cases, these organizations stop being life giving and become life sucking, and should it ever be known, it would lose all credibility.

Of course Dane wouldn't want that. His organization was supposed to be the pillar that would support his faction. Yes that was his ultimate goal, to create a faction. However, he had decided that he would leave behind anything that he called his own, so he was using Kedan for that. However, his real intentions, the ones that remained unvoiced or even unrecognized, was to take over his faction. This was his impossible task, would he, or rather, could he do it?

Currently, in Kendar's form, he watched as many lavels express their intentions to join the ranks and be a part of this unique journey. He was moved to see them, as they would be the foundation on which he would build an entire army, and hopefully a powerful faction.

While he could simply absorb anyone that applied to join. It was common knowledge in the universe that people do not appreciate what they've been given. Only in those things that they worked hard for, and watched others miss out on, did they truly appreciate how fortunate they were. This is what Dane was giving them. He had then proceeded to announce that tests would be carried out the following day.

Now all he had to do was sit down and come up with some standards or rules to allow entry.

It couldn't be too difficult otherwise no one would make the cut. Neither could it be too easy otherwise it would lose value. At the same time, it had to be something that strained the participants to a point that they had to give their all to survive.

He did not want to discourage anyone from trying so he resolved that there would be no fatalities. However, he also didn't want just everyone trying so he made it to be such that it would be such a spectacular sight to behold.

With this in mind, it was time to get to work.

***

While looking at the varied expressions that were against him, Kedan couldn't help but wonder what his objective was.

First clue was that whatever he came for here would definitely be thousands of years old. Secondly, for as long as he can remember, he never once found a situation where his big brother would walk away from a fight especially one that involved humans. It was something about his specific side of the Maa faction, they were crazy over human sovereignty. However, he didn't forget that it was this notion that actually caused all this.

All in all, this Quest of Keeling was the closest thing he had found that resembled what he was looking for. That promise of treasure at the end was quite enticing, and who knew, maybe Dane wasn't even referring to the treasure to help the humans, but himself and his quest, after all, they really were just mortals, in the grand scale of things, their lives were but fleeting sands.

Seeing the Resistance, and coming to terms that they were the ones in control of it, it made sense. The ruling faction would do everything they can to destroy, naturally, the humans would seek to protect it. The only people powerful enough to keep it going were these Resistance. He therefore understood that if he wanted to take part in this Quest, he definitely needed to join in their quest to make humanity great again.

Yet, at the moment, the members of the Resistance were snarling at him, trying to intimidate him. Even the believers and those that would be on his side. Whatever the test was going to be, clearly they thought it wasn't something that he would enjoy, and they enjoyed rubbing it to his face, scare him.

Kedan was used to this sort of thing. Its a sort of welcome, or initiation in many fighter groups. One had to prove their strength to deserve even a shred of respect.

When someone gets to your face, acting all tough and wants to start a fight, what do you do? There are 2 things, you can choose to be the bigger man, receive all that and do nothing. Or, you can turn back at him, back straightened, arms out and your hands balled as though you want to throw a fist. Get a no nonsense look on your face but do not EVER let your gaze leave his. Trust me, you do this, they will think twice before coming at you.

What is aura? This is the distinctive atmosphere or quality that seems to surround and be generated by a person, thing, or place. By doing that to your assailant, you letting your aura known, releasing a killing intent.

If an ordinary human such as yourself is capable of releasing such a powerful aura, how much more would someone who has lived countless lives. Fought in countless battles, faced of foes of unimaginable power and resources. How much more can his power be felt by those he chooses to lock on.

At that moment, the brave shouts that had filled the halls died down, until not even a peep could be heard. The pin drop silence, only labored breathing could be heard. For those who were extremely weak willed, some even fainted, and others began to nose bleed. Almost everyone was either sweating from the forehead or the small of their back, or both. The entire atmosphere was saturated with killing intent.

The old man felt as though he had been locked on by a ferocious beast, one that he had no hope of escaping. He felt so small in front of such grandeur power, and he was practically panting in fear.

Not even Kayla and the rest of those that he had traveled with were spared. While he could isolate them, and not target them, he felt that they too needed to feel this. This was his big announcement into this world. I am done being taken lightly, intimidated or cowed!

He was putting these humans who dared to consider themselves his equals in their place. Showing them just how low in the food chain they were compared to him.

This was not done for vanity though. Kedan understood one thing about this Resistance. They somehow held the key to whatever he had to accomplish on this planet. As such, he needed to get off on the right footing.

Warriors understand strength above all else. That's why they are willing to follow even despicable people as long as they show strength. This is what he was showing. Power, absolute power. By doing so, he was earning himself a much easier time.

Just imagine the following day, if he needed something from a member, had he let them intimidate him, he'd be met with a sneer and some bit of contempt. Now, after his stunt, only fear and respect would be accorded.

And finally, the last reason. There were many that awaited someone to come along and help them in their pitiful conditions, and many were in that room. Kedan felt obliged to aid them, their plight was just heart breaking, he wouldn't leave them in such deplorable conditions, even after his objective was done. At the very least, he had to set in motion what was required for complete freedom of the race.

As such, he showed his power to give them that awaited help some hope. It was an annunciation that its alright, you can rest assured, hope has arrived. Thinking up to this point, Kedan noticed that his aura was affecting those that received it in a not so positive way. He promptly switched it off and smiled at the lady speaking.

As she looked, she couldn't help but shudder. It was like seeing the devil himself smiling at you. That look made her skin almost crawl. What she didn't know was that what she had felt was only a fraction of Kedan's aura.

How could he go all out. With his aura alone, he can put down a Grade E Super due to fright. These humans who hadn't even awakened any abilities were nothing more than ants to him, he could decimate them all at will.

This was such a cheat on his part, to be so overpowered. This was also part of the reason why he was so confident in being able to complete the Quest of Keeling, and overturn the power politics in the continent. Maybe even the entire planet, but he didn't have that kind of time. For now, he'll just have to see how far he can go.

Looking around, he saw everyone was looking at him fearfully. They could now breath easy as the aura was off, but the fear, it lingered. Kedan even momentarily wondered if he had overdone it. Seeing Kayla sweating, he handed her another Hexham gem from his pouch and told her to eat it, before walking out of the hall. The meeting was adjourned.