Admiral avatar disappeared.

When Robert saw Naell's state he simply took her in his arms and asked her with concern.

"What happened Naell? I felt your presence back then and I think it was your magic that held my rage at bay. Thank you my love for your assistance, but what happened? Why are you so tired?"

Naell breath eased up, she hugged him and started crying. He took her to his bed. He will just drink one more coffee this day. Naell finally calmed down and slowly started talking.

"When I first time used my mana so you could overcome your anger that was nothing. Like blowing down a candle Robert." She hugged him even tighter and whispered. "But the second time when Admiral mentioned Shadows and..."

She hesitated, didn't want him to feel this ever again. Robert told instead since He was able to say it now normally

"Shadows and Novar?"

"Yes, Robert... It was horrifying! I never felt such fear in my entire life. Even when I was hiding in the ruins of my home back when Xhrestla killed my parents when I was almost found. But this... Robert, it was like standing on the verge of a bottomless void full of darkness. And in the bottom of that darkness I finally saw flames and millions of tormented souls. This was hell? It must have been! I saw a dark-blooded fang emerging from it aiming straight for me and I couldn't even close my eyes. And then I heard your voice calling me. Suddenly shards of memories... Your memories! Danced around me and shielded me from that fang. I saw Guardian and Wrath, some sailors and marines from our crew, saw people I never knew but somehow I know who they are, your parents, your chidhood friends, teachers, and all the friendly souls that ever blessed you. In the end, I saw Johan, Queen Shanti, King Konrad, Prince Thuel, Lords Rosis, Crestfields and finally Me and some woman but I couldn't take a good look at her. All these memories covered void, barring all evil inside. It was so scary Robert!"

She started crying again. He delicately laid her down on the bed and started to stroke her cheek. She calmed and held his hand with tears in her green Fa'enni eyes.

"Please stay with me."

He lay down near her. She hugged him and sobbed a bit. He hugged her back. She calmed down after ten minutes and fell asleep so weak and defenseless. He knew she is a gift from the heavens he didn't deserve. He closed his eyes. In his dreams, he saw Marry who pushed Naell into his arms with a big smile on her face.

One hour later he woke up. Naell was looking like she woke up just before him still laying her head like a delicate feather on his chest. She climbed on him and smiled at him when she saw his look. She hugged him and smiled to herself this time when one happy thought crossed her mind 'he is mine'.

"Thank you, Robert. Thank you stayed with me."

He smiled back. "You agreed to be my fiancee in front of the entire Galaxy Naell. I hope we will soon pick the date of our wedding. I will stay with you forever and ever and hope you feel the same way."

Naella was probably happier than he was. She laid her head on his chest and pressed it hard like she didn't wanted to let him go.

"You Humans are so different. When you hate, you hate with all your heart. When you love, you love with all your heart. And you all really mean it. I envied Queen Shanti or Lady Khrisa so much for all love they received. I never hoped you will love me back."

"I knew this for so long Naell. But I didn't want to acknowledge or embrace your feelings. I didn't want to hurt you. I thought I can't love anymore after Novar."

He closed his eyes and felt once again this too-familiar cold and anger deep within. But for the first time, he has absolute control. Shadows are connected to Novar somehow and he will find out how. He finally have an enemy to chase. His eyes shone with fire.

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He felt Naell shiver and heard her surprised voice. "Robert how you did that?" He didn't understand.

"I did what?"

"This void! It tried to break through again but you held it effortlessly. What is it, Robert? Tell me please."

He doesn't understand her... What void? What darkness?

Unless... He focused.

"I think I know what do you meant. We Humans never saw it or percept as you Fa'enni can. I don't believe we are born with it, but we create it on our own during our lifetime."

Her eyes opened wide surprised and fearful. How they can do such a thing to themselves? But she was silent waiting for his words.

"I believe what you described as an endless void, this pit of darkness is placed in the souls of every Human. The place where we push and store all our grief, sadness, anger, wrath... Every single bad memory or emotion we have we keep it in this single part of our souls. And when we are weakest or furious all our inner darkness is unleashed. Sometimes we have control over it, we can give this darkness shape and purpose so we can use it to empower ourselves. But sometimes when we are weak, unprepared, or reminded of something particularly painful this darkness breaks its chains, overwhelms us, and sometimes devours us. I am sorry you had to face my darkness Naell. I am sorry you saw my own personal hell within me."

She was speechless. She holds him tight afraid and scared. No wonder Humans are so deadly when angered. She always wondered why and how King Konrad was able to go alone and slay Xherstla's most dangerous warriors- Royal Guard and Hegemon himself like it was nothing. Now she knows. She saw this power inside Robert.

Suddenly she felt immense warmth from him. She closed her eyes and investigated it after a brief hesitation.

She was standing in a clearing in the middle of a forest full of alien trees, full of unknown flowers, and strange creatures that must have been Earth animals. She had never before felt so safe and secure as in this place, overwhelming happiness was filling her soul. She want to lay down on this flowery meadow and rest when she heard splashes of water like a brook with small waterfalls. Over her head, she heard songs of unknown birds and when she looked up at the sky she saw it.

The giant flame which soft light engulfed this wast place. So serene, so tender, and full of love. True love Fa'enni rarely share with others of their kin.

All memories Robert holds dear, all the good things in his life, and all blessings he received were there. And in the middle of this flame, she saw two memories. Robert's son- Johan image was constantly changing, and all the happy moments of Robert's life were dedicated to his son. The second image was a woman frozen in time she didn't know but recognized her immediately.

It had to be Marry, Robert's late wife. She saw her soft warm smile and her eyes full of happiness. She heard a woman's laughter like faint echo but when she tried to focus on it she was pushed deeper into the light. Naell was basking in this soft light and with every second she drowned deeper and deeper to its center where she has found a bright ember and inside it she saw herself. She hesitantly touched it...

When she opened her eyes Robert was watching her with concern.

"You spaced out for a long moment my Dear. Everything is all right? Are you still afraid of my darkness?"

She kissed his forehead. She had always wanted such love, but now that her dream had finally come true, she began to fear whether she would be able to return it.

They are so different she thought. No Fa'enni man would allow himself to burn his own soul with love so strong it could pirce any darkness for others.

But the love of Human is absolute and full of passion, she will have entire centuries to learn how to embrace it and return with the same passion. The endless darkness and brightest of lights are hidden in a single soul.

"I'm not afraid as long as you are with me. Not only darkness hides inside you, Robert. I saw it. The force much more powerful than darkness. It was your Love and I believe I found a place in your soul where all good memories are held. It's the most beautiful place I have ever seen."

Robert was watching her with a smile on his face. He barely understood what she meant but he will probably never fully understand Fa'enni. Maybe one day...

He was happy everything was fine. This short nap helped her to regain strength. She looked as if she was deep in thought and wanted to ask something but didn't know how. But before he could ask her she carefully started.

"Robert... I think..."

"Hmmm?" He wanted to lay the entire day in bed hugging her.

"I think I should tell Lady Khrisa about this light and darkness inside your soul. This may help with her research of mana Robert. Can I?" Naell was speaking slowly, uncertain. He looked at her surprised.

"As long as you don't gossip too much about me, that's fine I guess." He smiled and grabbed her waist. She was slightly amused by his statement but smiled back.

She closed her face to his and gave him a long passionate kiss. When it ended so fast she whispered to his ear. "I love you Mr. Admiral but we have to start preparations."

He sighed powerless...

Oh yes. Work.

He almost forgot.