Chapter 1 - Part 2 of 2 (Patreon)

High Elder Cai Bo marched into the Willful Institute’s [mc1] headquarters, her head raised high as her guards flanked her.

People moved out of their path, whispering to one another in her wake.

Cai Bo’s face was emotionless, she had returned directly from Vuzgal.

War is coming and people are still attacking one another within the Institute for position. Idiots! If people take it as a sign of weakness, we are open for more attacks.

She let out a long breath through her nose as her group dispersed as they got closer to a pair of doors protected by guards wearing the Institute’s Head’s personal seal.

They opened the door as she marched into the heart of the Willful Institute headquarters.

The room was filled with killing intent, like a dark swamp with dangers everywhere. The attacks that were just carried out. Some people are blind, attacking one another at this time for power plays? Her nostrils flared as she took her seat, amidst the clashing killing intents around the table.

The Head is about to explode.

She sat straight but back in her chair, not wanting to draw attention to herself.

The Head shifted in his seat. The killing intent dimmed as the High Elders looked over.

He opened his mouth as his sound transmission device buzzed. He answered the call, his expression turned from annoyance, into calm.

Cai Bo felt a chill. Dealing with someone that freely showed their emotions was much easier than someone who covered up everything.

He finished the call. The others hadn’t been able to hear what he’d said or read his lips.

“Several large trade convoys in the Third Realm were attacked recently.” [mc2]

High Elder Petrunas balled his fists. His personal power came from the trading in the Fourth and Third Realms. He’d carved out a niche, being the person that could supply the other factions with the supplies they needed. In return he had gained positions, training techniques and resources.

“Though we should not worry because the resources have not left the Institute. Isn’t that correct High Elder Ramus?” Head Foster ’s voice was calm.

“I am not sure what you are saying,” High Elder Ramus looked deeply confused.

“It has been revealed that the attacks were led by the Emerald Vipers, Red Ravens, Eternals and Abandoned.”

Ramus paled under the Head’s and the other high elders’ gazes.

“Were my orders not clear? Did I not tell all of you to cease attacking one another for personal power? While you were trying to increase your own power bases, you weakened us overall!” The Head slammed his fist on the table, cracking it as he stood, taking in their eyes and forcing the high elders to look away.

“People saw that the Institute’s own convoys aren’t able to do anything and are being attacked by random groups of bandits!” The Head’s voice continued to rise, shaking the room as his eyes scoured those in it. “Bandits that are under our control! There has been a marked increase in attacks between the factions since the beginning of the conflict. You will personally make sure that your different factions hold their blades. Or I will have your head!”

The high elders were shaken by his words.

“You will stop the assassination attempts,” he stared at Cai Bo. “You will stop the attacks through your mercenaries,” he stared at another high elder. “You will stop kidnapping people and using them as leverage against your opponents!”

Assassination attempt? Cai Bo was inwardly shocked but she didn’t voice it. Instead she felt others staring daggers at her.

Those reports I heard about people attacking one another? Do they think that is somehow linked to me? Just what is happening? While confused inwardly, she allowed a bit of her killing intent to leak out, showing her stance with the Head and her anger at others that wanted to disrupt the operations of the Institute.

I need to connect to everyone in the faction. Just what the hell is going on? Do they think that they can act on their own in my name?

Her rage wasn’t faked as she felt that her limbs had been cut off and things were working on their own.

The Head snorted and lowered himself back into his seat. His every action a warning.

“We have lost Meokar. Forces in the Third and Fourth Realms are mobilizing. Those that are in the Fourth and have bases in the Third are the first. Alliances have started to draw together a lot quicker than I was expecting. There are three armies moving on three of our cities in the Third Realm. They all have the backing of level fifty members. Their numbers are swelling as they hire on the Adventurer’s Guild members. High Elder Cai Bo, you were able to get more information on this guild?”

Cai Bo bowed her head before she looked at the others.

“I ran into the Adventurer’s Association in the city of Vuzgal. They are one of the largest guilds in the city, if not the largest. They are closely connected to the leadership. They have early level forty fighters, though their cultivation is much higher than most people in the Fifth Realm. They purchased a massive amount of weapons, armor, concoctions, training aids and more, from Vuzgal at reduced prices. And, have transported them into the lower realms. Their people are loyal and they have connections to the Fighter’s Association and loose ones to the other associations.”

“They don’t just have a few powerful experts, they have a lot of them. They were able to field an army of thousands at Meokar. Now they are sending out groups of five to fifty thousand to support the different battlefields against us,” the Head concluded. “Cai Bo, do you think that if we asked for peace, paid them off, that they would take it?”

Cai Bo shook her head.

“I don’t think so. They are a new group. But, they are vicious and determined. If we ask for them to back off, then they will double their attacks. I think that their end goal is to wipe us out.”

“Some upstart guild thinks that they can eliminate us!” A high elder scoffed.

“An upstart guild with members numbering in the hundreds of thousands. They are merely working as a support to these other groups, bolstering their numbers. Though it is enough to make other armies join in.” The Head flicked his eyes to the high elder, silencing him before he studied the table in front of him.

“Consolidate our locations in the Third Realm. We can lose some cities, but we cannot lose them all. Strengthen our positions in the Fourth Realm to be ready for immediate attack. We cannot lose those cities. If we lose them, then they will be ten times harder to take them back. Call all of our people back.”

“With these actions other groups will see us as weak and attack,” Petrunas said.

“We have the enemy coming at us from every direction. If we are over extended, then we will lose much more. We must hold onto the cities with the greatest value so that once this ends we can recover quickly. Communicate with our allies. See what their stances are. See where we can get more support.”

“Our supplies and resources are low, it will hold back our development,” 234[mc3]

“In the act of banding together, I am sure that all of the factions will work together to share their resources.”

There was a shifting in the room as the high elders looked displeased and nervous.

“Are you telling me that my orders will not be carried out, again?”

“It is not that Head[mc4]  Foster, my faction’s resources are lower than ever. We have been dealing with a number of price fluctuations. And, there have been issues with our contracts."

“You as well? We have had a number of bandit attacks that have weakened our trade routes and allowed new groups to take over protection,” Petrunas stared at Ramus.

“I didn’t order anything of the kind. I’ll have the heads delivered to you from those that dared to create their own orders!” Ramus growled.

“Convenient how dead heads can’t say anything,” Petrunas sneered.

A heavy pressure fell on them all as they snapped their mouths shut, staring at the Head.

“All of the factions will work together. Anyone that is found to be attacking or working against their fellow Institute members will have their cultivation stripped as well as their families! Or, they will have to regain their honor on the front lines against our enemies.” He pulled out a list and put it on the table.

“I have decided the cities that we must hold, the ones we will fight for and the ones that we will turn into death traps. If the enemy wants to take our cities, they will have to pay a dear price. In war there is no such thing as mercy, only the release of death[mc5] .