Predestined Clash

"But after surviving its first stage I was able to arrive at a city. There, people were merciless and filled with greed. Only because of what Renir did we had the chance to escape that hellish world."

"That's why you want to meet him because you're grateful for him?" Ernanfo felt something was off. Their boss was known as the Symbol of Fear among the shadows. Quick-witted and cold-blooded, the death of another is nothing to him. The force of the whole Fellnigh was single-handedly controlled by him. If he wanted, he could seize a whole country even without using force.

Sceke was the one who made the madness in Aavron and was still further producing lifeless puppets for him to experiment on.

"Of course, that's not all." Sceke shook his head, "I wanted him to help me once again. Only he has the power to do it..." both his complexion and voice became melancholic. A tone Ernanfo had never heard before, it was like he was talking to a different person.

"And remember when I said that I discovered a city filled with merciless people? These people are now in our world."

"What?" Ernanfo calmly reacted.

"I already recruited one of the two leaders there. His power is outstanding. Soon, you will meet him. But in the meanwhile, we have to recruit these people or else STATOS will obliterate their arrogant asses."

"STATOS?" Ernanfo's mood became sour just from hearing that name again.

"Time will only tell them that I am on their list too being that I also have powers from Gantlet." blue energy emerged out of thin air and coagulated to form Sceke's sword.

Ernanfo wasn't that surprised after knowing Renir but for the bodyguards, it was their first to see something out of the world.

"You mean, STATOS will target us?" a fierce glare could be seen through Ernanfo's eyes. It looked like the clash between the two factions is inevitable.

Receiving this glare, Sceke slashed down the sword through the air and pointed it at Ernanfo's face, "Easy, I said there will still be time." then Sceke thrust the sharp energy sword forward but before it touches Ernanfo's face, it dissipated, "It will still take them a long time before they pinpoint me. And by taking the people from Gantlet before STATOS does will rob them of their leads and will give us more time and more manpower at the same time."

"....." Ernanfo's aggressiveness disappeared.

"You're still afraid of STATOS?" Sceke asked.

Hearing this, Ernanfo jumped out of his sofa and forcefully grabbed Sceke's collar.

The bodyguards reacted quickly but not quick enough as they could only point their weapons; a gun, and a blade, towards Ernanfo. The bodyguards were profusely sweating. This was their third surprise and the most fearful one, it was the first time they saw their calm master react this way. If Ernanfo was really serious about his actions, then none of the two of them couldn't possibly stop him.

"Sceke, I've worked for you my whole life... If you are not going to respect my few wishes then I can just kill you and take the Fellnigh for myself." Ernanfo said with a sharp voice.

However, Sceke just signaled for the bodyguards to retract their weapons as he was still calmly staring at Ernanfo.

"I found the way on how to get to Gantlet. And that is when you wished for something you truly want. The will behind it become the key to unlocking the gates of Gantlet. These happen especially when one is desperate when they are at rock bottom and they knew that it would take their all to achieve what they want but still, their will never wavers." Sceke just stared into Ernanfo's confused eyes as he said this, "Then why didn't you enter Gantlet when Sasha disappeared that day?-"

Before Sceke could continue any longer, Ernanfo just pushed him and released his collar before sitting back. His head rested on his hand, facing another direction, "You know me too well..." Ernanfo's eyes rolled towards Sceke, "But please, don't talk about that when there are outsiders here, boss." he then glanced at his former disciples and gave them chills

"Hmm..." Sceke fixed his collar and said, "That's not how you should act towards your boss. But true, it was rude of me to talk about that. Also, I am not dumb enough to order you to fight STATOS, I remember and respect your wishes well... However, what I said earlier about the unwavering will is true. That is the key to entering Gantlet. I have been producing psychopaths these past few years and thought that by doing so, it would make them a perfect candidate in completing Gantlet, but I was wrong. No, I was right at the very beginning. Your daughter is the perfect candidate for completing Gantlet." Sceke smiled while Ernanfo frowned, "Tenacious, strong-willed, and calm-minded. These are the traits I saw in Renir is the perfect combination in completing the trials in Gantlet. Although Imee wouldn't be put in a situation where she couldn't get what she wants so I can't just force her to enter Gantlet."

"Don't talk like you own my daughter." Ernanfo was pissed at the idea of Imee entering Gantlet.

"No, I know that she would someday be the ruler of the world after we annihilate STATOS and complete Gantlet. I wouldn't talk as if she's my own, but rather, my future leader. That's your most-wanted wish, correct?"

"No, I've never wished that. If anything else, I want her to have a normal life."

"But that's impossible, she is the daughter of the only Enzen successor. She is the link between Fellnigh and STATOS, the underworld and the surface world; the otherworld, and the original world. If Gantlet really went back to Earth while the people are yet to be ready, extinction is not far off. Just the Water Sentinel that I said could destroy multiple cities in one night while eating people to refill itself and continuously destroy another. And that is still the weakest Sentinel in Gantlet with still other four more."

"I get it already. I am not against Imee being the link, and also, since you want to hire Renir, I wouldn't mind welcoming him..." Ernanfo waved his hand.

"Oh... what do you mean by that?"

To this, Ernanfo just furrowed, "But what about you, boss? Didn't you want to escape your fate too and that's the reason you were able to enter Gantlet?" he changed the topic which Sceke just stared at him with a smile.

The silence was suffocation for the two bodyguards as they felt that they don't belong there and that they shouldn't be hearing this conversation. What STATOS? What Gantlet? What ruler of the world? What Water Sentinel? What extinction?!

Ernanfo and Sceke just stared at each other and the two bodyguards didn't dare to make a noise even by breathing. Only Ernanfo and Sceke can stand each other's stare without getting intimidated even after knowing who the other one is.

After a long pause, Sceke finally answered, "You're correct. When I was at Gantlet, I felt so free even though I died more times than how many your fingers can count. There, I met a few friends and Renir is among them even though he's new... There are times I repented but when I came back here, I know it wasn't that easy to change my fate." he then sighed and continued, "But enough about me, let's talk about business." he smiled at Ernanfo.

"Fine..." Ernanfo just went on with it, "What business are you talking about?"

"I saw that the underground facility is now in ruins. There are some important things and some random people there, right? I'll call Jaran here and we'll talk again after he arrived."

Ernanfo just stayed silent. Jaran is one of the three Fellnigh Elites, also known as the Symbol of Wealth.

"Why not call Qrue here too?" Ernanfo then suggested, "Once in a while, we should meet altogether."

Qrue was also one of the three Fellnigh Elites, the Symbol of Intellect.

Sceke nodded as Yuime handed him a phone, already dialing a number which was immediately picked up.

[Boss? What is it?]

A thin voice answered the call.

"Jaran, come here to Ernanfo's place as soon as possible." Sceke immediately stated his intentions without hesitation.

[T-to Brother Ernanfo's place? Umm... Boss, can I pass?]

"Why?"

[I can't really act properly, Brother Ernanfo scares me a lot so if possible-]

"I can hear you," Ernanfo said.

[Eh!?.. Hahahaha, that was just a joke! I will be on my way!]

"Good" Sceke smiled as he dialed another number and that too was immediately picked up.

[Boss, this is Qrue speaking.]

"Qrue, come here to Ernanfo's place as soon as possible."

[Oh... to Brother Ernanfo? Should it be there?]

"Why?"

[Brother Ernanfo is someone I'm not comfortable with. If I'm with him, I feel like I might die any secon-]

"I can hear you..." Ernanfo got tired of these cowards.

[Brother Ernanfo is there? Oh, I was just messing with you. I will be on my way.]

"Good" Sceke then put down the call, "It's funny how I am called the Symbol of Fear while you are the Symbol of Power."

"Why are they so scared of me?" Ernanfo just blabbered while not interested in the answer.

"Well, maybe because you're always smiling and then glare in just a blink of an eye in front of people other than your daughter and coupled with your ability that literally makes you invincible, it shouldn't wonder you why they are so scared of you."

'That is so true.' the two bodyguards behind inwardly commented.

"So, what are you going to do in the meantime, boss?" Ernanfo asked.

"You calling me boss is really forced." Sceke lightly chuckled, "I was tired of searching and recruiting this person who was one of the leaders back in the city of Gantlet so I'm going to take a rest first while I wait."

Ernanfo nodded in agreement, "Me too, I still have to rest more. Later, I have to pick my daughter up in her school so I need a lot of rest." knowing that Imee would definitely still be angry with him, he wanted to prepare, "You can use the guest room, boss, just make yourself at home."

"Sure" Sceke then stood up, "Then I'll be going to that guest room now."

"Rest well, boss."

"You too." Sceke then left and whispered to his bodyguards, "Tell the disciples that I am expecting Qrue and Jaran. When any of the two arrived, order them to report it."

The male bodyguard nodded and separated from them.

Back at the lobby, Ernanfo sighed and stared at the ceiling, "That was a lot to take in. Renir, I am counting on you." he then stood up and rested in his room to perform Enzen Breathing, First Form again to fully recover this time.