GREED: ALL FOR WHAT?

Elder Stein felt like killing someone. His excuse for such a craving might be flimsy, but he wanted to lose himself in it. The kids might not have been his own, but he spent some of his time watching over them during their birth. He didn't have feelings of attachment or anything, he just needed an outlet and he was grateful that someone was stupid enough to give him one. Bottling up his powers and emotion all day was trying. It isn't every day that he gets the opportunity to release his pent-up energy. It is why he selected this particular position to be in charge of discipline and security, but even then, the opportunity for him to shine is rare.

There are two main approaches to the way of life of a titan. You could either stamp down on your powers and live a longer life or you could ride the outburst of power rush and live a short life. The former method will restrict the power within you, of which the advantage is that you will slow the rate at which you die but the disadvantage is the lack of progress. The former method will allow you to make progress by embracing and becoming the embodiment of your power. They both have their advantages and disadvantages. There is a third perfect approach which is the combination of the two but it is very difficult. If the third approach is achieved then one will certainly become a sovereign. But how do you do the third approach with lightning? Elder Stein chose to become the voice of law and justice for the family. The law must be balanced, open, transparent, and fair. Justice will allow him to throw his weight around against those that deserved it. According to him, it is the perfect mix of restraint and embodiment.

Within the inner ring of the city on this very fine evening. In a particular mansion with the latest technology that caters to luxury. A particular King of law is about to have dinner. Or maybe lunch, he didn't know and he didn't care. Screw rules and societal norms. He ate whenever he wanted to, and he didn't even have to eat at all. He had long become free from the requirement of food but why would he care about all that when he had power. He ate because he wanted to.

Haden Kroft had the power of a king of law, he also had a lot of money. He had two strong advantages in life, power, and money. If power didn't work, money would. There was rarely any situation he couldn't have his way with considering his two advantages. Rarely anywhere he couldn't go. Rarely, anyone, he couldn't talk to. But today, he knew he was in trouble. He was about to dig into the scrumptious meal when he started feeling a faint trepidation in his mind. He was sure he was in trouble.

How was he so sure he was in trouble? He had followed the original path of the battle sage monkey, the path of foresight. It is also known as the path of causality or the eyes of the sage. It was a path only available to those with little or no bloodline in their bodies. He had small success in it and that is why he was able to become a king. It was a great achievement. He was able to foresee events that were far into the future albeit with little accuracy. It rarely happened, that's why he was so appreciated in the family. He had used his ability to push his way to the top, and when he lost all his ambition he used it to create a large amount of wealth. He lost his ambition because he foresaw certain death if tried to break through to the level of titan. His path may be prestigious but few were able to complete it.

Breaking through to the titan level is probably the easiest thing to achieve for every king. They just have to destroy the energy stars within them and survive the outcome. If they fail to survive the aftermath, they can die comfortably with the knowledge that most titans will die too. The danger of breaking through to the titan level for him is greater because of the need to master the concept of cause and effect. Even if he were to succeed he would probably have to settle with being mediocre for the rest of his life. Because, unlike others who could have emotional outbursts and throw tantrums as titans, he would be besieged with uncontrollable and unbidden visions of the future. He ran the risk of running mad before dying. Why would he do that when he could seat at home and enjoy the best meals from all over the entire realm.

Except now, he didn't have any appetite. He sighed and muttered, "I knew I shouldn't have listened to that stupid boy?"

Then he stood up from the table and went outside to wait for the inevitable calamity. He was not scared or anxious. The coming calamity may be dangerous but he had confidence in coming out safe or at least alive. While he waited he thought back to how he had arrived here, it was an exercise he always did to keep track of cause and effect. His pampered son had asked him to trouble Ghoto by delaying the life evaluation process of his children for as long as possible. He thought it through and decided that 3 months wouldn't bring too many dangerous repercussions. Every child of a privileged member of the family will undergo this life evaluation after reaching a year of age. A 3-month delay was what his premonition told him to be acceptable.

He thought back to his son. He didn't want to have a child when he was younger. Who would want to have a parasite attached to them, a parasite that had been created by nature and perfected over time to drain a person of their financial, mental, and physical resources? He certainly didn't. Children are liabilities if you ask him. But one day, less than an origin cycle ago he had an urge to have one. He followed his gut feelings like many times in the past and so, he had a child. He received a message from the future on the very day the boy was born. The message was ... His thoughts froze immediately with the arrival of the two titans.

Unlike before when Stein had control over his emotions enough to reduce the volume of his speech such that a measly transcendent could still talk in his presence. The current Stein is too close to losing total control of himself. The aura that was billowing out of him is enough to freeze the mind of kings much less their bodies. A star may be powerful and full of energy but it cannot compare to the destructive ability of a dying or collapsing star.

"Calm yourself, Stein. Let him talk." Mihila spoke up. She was glad she came with the director of security and discipline. 'This is why no one likes the presence of these guys. They always escalate the matter. A Titan is not suited for management' Mihila rubbed her face in concern.

"Fine," Stein said with some effort before withdrawing his power.

"I apologize for my actions. Your majesty." Like a wound-up clock, Haden began putting his plan of getting out of this mess into action. It was almost like an instinct for him, his body, mind, and soul were working together on reaching the best possible outcome for him.

"I am disappointed in you Haden. You should have known better. I am sure your son put you up to this. Why do you even tolerate such nonsense? You have such a good personality. Your son is your weak point." Elder Stein began to rant and complain. Haden didn't dare to interrupt him, his instincts were telling him that it was either this or Elder Stein would explode. It was easy to stay quiet, especially when everything Elder Stein said was right. He should know better, why did he do something like this? Everyone had a favorable opinion of him because of his powers, he had managed to create the best public image for himself so his offense came as a shock to Elder Stein.

Elder Stein had managed to calm himself by the time he was done complaining. He had released his pent-up aggression through this outburst. This was his control method, it was also the reason why he shouts when angry and why he always spoke his mind. He could communicate with his divine sense but he liked to use his mouth, it just felt better to yell at someone. It could not be compared with the transmission of words and emotions. The next best thing will be when he gets to mete out justice and retribution. Only then does he really feel alive.

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