A player opened the door, "Hmm? You guys aren't members. If you want to join visit our branch in local cities, though I do not recommend you join for now."
"I wish to speak with Guild Leader Stabbed."
The player frowned at Akiol's words, "Guild Leader? Why?"
"He knows who I am, I deliver important news that must reach him."
"Let me see what I can do then."
"You have my thanks."
The player went inside and silence filled outside. After ten minutes the player opened the door, "He's willing to see you. Follow me."
Akiol was lead through the Guildhouse, it was ordinary looking. If anything it looked more like a pub than a Guildhouse. Yet Akiol did not comment on it, he thought it would be rude to do so.
The player gestured towards a door, "He's in there. Go on ahead."
Akiol once again gave thanks before opening the door. As he walked in he saw a stressed person leaning on the desk. Another person he could not tell the gender of was behind them, a bow on their back.
Akiol greeted, "Stabbed, it has been a while."
Stabbed sighed, "Indeed it has. Why have you come here? After all this time?"
"Someone is after your Guild. They plan to send a Guild War invitation to you."
"A Guild War? I'm sorry, but do you have anything to prove this?"
Akiol was intrigued by Stabbed's calmness and cool headed attitude throughout their conversation. He assumed that they would be in an outrage. Still Akiol shook his head, "I don't have this proof. I know the reason why they are doing so."
"Why then?"
"They are after the Seer's Eye."
Stabbed sighed, "So that's what this is about. We already received the declaration of war. My Guild members are slightly excited and stressed, however none of them know our current position."
Shot, the archer behind Stabbed, suddenly asked, "Are you sure we should be telling him this?"
"This info will get out soon anyway, let it be by my own hand at least."
Akiol sat down on a chair nearby, "Is there something wrong?"
"Funds, I overestimated our income at one point and began investing in too many opportunities. The branches in other cities is a prime example of this. As more and more people join, our basic costs rise. I don't wish to raise the Guild tax to make up for it."
"So this war. . .", Akiol trailed off to let Stabbed finish.
"We cannot hope to fight. The costs would be astronomical to compensate my members. Something I cannot hope to afford. I do not wish to send my members into a battle that would be their undoing."
"Then rid yourself of the Seer's Eye. Once they realize their goal is no longer here, then they should cancel the war."
Stabbed closed his eye, for a moment Akiol could see a frail and stressed man with no hope. Someone who was struggling to stay afloat.
Stabbed looked over to Shot, "What do you think?"
Shot hesitated for a moment before speaking, "It's a good chance, that eye has brought as more trouble than it is worth. If we can avoid trouble and buy time to fix our issues. . . it would be worth it."
Stabbed nodded, "I think the same, we cannot hope to turn down this war. They give us no options otherwise."
Stabbed opened his palm and the Seer's Eye was in his hand, "To think the object I spent so much to obtain would actually cause this much trouble."
An indescribable look in Stabbed's eyes appeared. This look lingered for a few moments before it vanished. Stabbed tossed the eye to Akiol, "Take it, although it pains me to throw my troubles to you."
Akiol caught the eye, "Thank you Stabbed, I wish you luck with your issues."
"You can go then, I still have things to work on."
Akiol left in a timely manner. As he looked back at the Guild house he remembered a set of words from his old mentor: If stress does not change a man, then it will break them.
Even if Akiol could not remember what exactly they said after that, he couldn't help but agree. Stabbed didn't show a single sign of arrogance when he met up with him, unlike their first encounter.
Akiol absorbed the eye, as he teleported back to the Chalkworth he told Stars and Givale, "I'll be back."
'Be quick!' -Givale
Akiol logged out and exited the pod. He turned on his phone and went to uninstall the chat group app. Yet he hesitated for a moment, and idea forming.
He sent a message through the app.
Akiol: Got the Seer's Eye from Pierced Moon. When we are ready for our next move let me know.
Akiol waited a bit before uninstalling the app. If their phones really were tapped, then that should get Withered Oaths away from Pierced Moon. Or at least distract them.
For now he would make something to eat. He was hungry.
~ ~ ~
"You need to see this message."
A person looked at the screen. After a quick read they frowned, "Is it a bluff?"
"I don't know, I have already sent a message to our spies to investigate this situation. If it's true then what do we do now?"
The person ran their fingers through their hair, "These brats are actually pretty pesky. If we gain news this is true then send the info to the higher ups. We shall await orders at that point.
"I shall make sure it is done sir."
~ ~ ~
Opportunity waited next to a house. It was shabby, at least compared to the Cities and Kingdoms.
She was at a beginners village, aiming to pick up her parents. They spawned at different villages, so she needed to give one of them a teleport scroll to the different village.
Charles couldn't help but admire the place, "This is pretty realistic."
Jessica nodded, "Very."
Opportunity let them explore before teaching them the basics. After introducing the inventory and status menu she brought them to a good leveling place.
Charles chose archer, he specialized in long-ranged weapons when he worked for the government. The bow was the closest he could get to that.
Jessice chose thief, since she specialized in stealth when she worked for the government.
The two worked together splendidly, although Charles' aim could use some work. With their teamwork however, their leveling was decent.
Opportunity spoke up, "If you dedicate some time on weekends, there is usually a double experience bonus for lower leveled players."
"Double experience?"
"You will level twice as fast."
They understood now. They silently agreed to spend time on the weekends instead.
Opportunity then took a breath, "I'll need your help too."
Charles was confused, "We just started, what can we help with?"
"Withered Oaths, they are after my friends, me, and James."
The expressions on their faces turned serious. They knew how cruel Withered Oaths can be towards their targets. Jessica immediately asked, "Are you okay? Did they do anything?"
"I managed to keep them searching for me. I'm constantly on the run. Recently James was hospitalized, so he joined our group not too long ago."
"Hospitalized?! Why didn't he tell us?"
"I'm not sure, he acted like it wasn't a big deal when he told me. In fact the only reason he contacted me was because they wanted to know my location."
"What did you do to acquire the ire of Withered Oaths?", asked Charles.
"I messed with their underground operations in-game. They were hunting players in the real world, so of course I had to intervene."
Jessica nodded, "As we thought, they began making a move in here. Don't worry Rebecca, we will get you to a safe house, let us know who your friends are as well. We can get you on a monitored house for your safety."
"What about James?"
"We don't know where he is. Once we find him we will definitely send him there as well."
"You don't know where he is? Don't you have connections with the actual government?"
"We don't have the authority to access info on his every movement. Spending those kind of resources would be a waste. Is what we were told at least. After he cancelled payments on his apartment, his purchases stopped."
"Well he is fine."
"We will call him soon. We have to go now, there is some preparations that need to be made."
"Okay, thank you."
"No problem sweetie, just stay safe alright? Do not hesitate to call us if you feel like you are in danger."
Opportunity nodded as she watched the two vanish.
Her face turned serious, Withered Oaths has been going too far recently. If she didn't stop them, then who knows what they will do.
She opened the group chat, surprised at what was inside. James had obtained the Seer's Eye?
She grinned. This. . . this was fantastic news. With this they could bait Withered Oaths into a serious trap, crippling their operations in A World's Legacy.
She figured she'd listen to James' idea for now. She would come up with a plan.