"You were the only student I ever took," Dominus' voice told him, as crystal clear as if it had been right next to him. "That's as close to a son as I could have. Feel your fear boy, do not shy away from it. I will allow it of you. But I will not allow you to stand still in the face of it. To feel the fear is wise. To stand still from its burden, that is cowardice."
Oliver gritted his teeth. He had felt fear so much more strongly years ago. At a certain point, it had started to dull. When he had first put the dagger in his hand, and gone to hunt goblins, the fear had been overwhelming then.
