As the hands rose in unison, signaling the group's decision to join the Bear King's war, the atmosphere was charged with anticipation and a sense of unity. With the vote concluded, the leader, a player named Kenai, broadcast the Alliances decision across the Ursa Kingdom.

Regional Announcement:

The Bearkin Player Alliance voted in favor of joining the upcoming war. King Ursa VI will reward players who participate with EXP, bloodline potion, titles, and skill books. The Alliance encourages players to fight alongside the Ursa Kingdom.

Thaddeus felt a surge of excitement after reading the regional announcement. It reminded him of when he played as a top-ranker in past VRMMO games. Nothing was more thrilling than turning the tides against an overwhelming opponent.

When Thaddeus and Sabrina returned to their coliseum seat, they overheard players heatedly discussing the announcements.

“What the fuck, those idiots from the Alliance sure are lively...”

“I’m so excited! EXP and rewards, let’s go! I’m going kick those lions' asses...”

“Are you kidding me? Do they know how strong the Lion Army is? If they face them, the only reward they’re going to get is death and a lost level…!”

“Ha-ha, let’s wait and see how many of those Alliance players actually fight! ...”

“Assholes, I’m waiting to see what the Lion King offers. I’d rather get EXP and get my life than EXP and lose it…”

The commotion in the coliseum drew the attention away from the tournament. Instead of waiting for the gladiators' battle, guilds and players held impromptu meetings.

The early unity and determination of the Bearkin Player Alliance splintered. The Alliance was a loose coalition of guilds and adventurers. There was no force to mandate people to fight. The largest guilds rallied their troops. These guilds knew if the Ursa Kingdom lost, their influence would wane.

As the largest guilds and high-ranking players in Ursa pledged their support, players began to fall in line. The call to arms from Bearkin Player Alliance was not just an invitation but a clarion call for glory, promising not only the experience points so coveted by players but also awards that could elevate one’s status.

For many, the allure of gaining experience points and awards under the banner of the Ursa Kingdom was irresistible. The game’s forums and chat rooms buzzed with excitement, strategy discussions, and pledges of allegiance. The decision to join the Ursa Kingdom in war sparked a movement, inspiring a wave of solidarity among players who might otherwise have remained on the fringes of this conflict.

As the renewed excitement of the Bearkin Player Alliance continued to spread, the atmosphere within Ursa shifted Players, citizens, and refugees’ mood brightened. Hope bloomed across the realm. Even players outside Ursa began to arrive happy to take advantage of the benefits.

For most, the collective call to arms crystallized their resolve. The prospect of fighting alongside their chosen character build and under the guidance of The Players Alliance was more than just an opportunity for personal gain; it was a chance to be part of something greater, to contribute to a collective effort aimed at securing a legendary victory. The war offered a rare opportunity to test players’ skills, strategize with allies, and face challenges that could forge his legacy within the game.

Just as the enthusiasm peaked, a new regional announcement pierced everyone’s excitement like a dagger to the heart.

Regional Announcement:

The Lion King has decreed rewards for players who pledge their lives to his service. Rewards include EXP, bloodline potions, titles, land, gold, rare weapons, and skill books.

In a strategic move, no one saw coming, the Lion King swiftly countered the burgeoning alliance. Players once unified under the Alliance’s banner began to splinter again. The Lion King’s proclamation offered tantalizing rewards to switch allegiances.

By presenting an alternative that promised equal, if not superior, benefits, the Lion King adeptly played into the game's inherent dynamics of choice, loyalty, and ambition. Players, previously united under a single cause, now found themselves reassessing their loyalties, torn between the allure of the rewards and their commitments to their initial alliance. It was clear to all, that the Lion King's meant to sow seeds of doubt among the ranks of the Bearkin Player Association.

The next morning, Thaddeus and Sabrina witnessed the unfolding drama, as players whispered in hushed tones, debating the merits and implications of the Lion King's offer. The landscape of the impending war began to shift. Alliances formed in the heat of a moment now faced the test of temptation and strategy.

With the new announcement, players and residents openly brawled in the streets. Yet, Thaddeus’ attention was drawn to Regional Leaderboards. The leaderboards listed the top players in categories based on Level, Wealth, PVP, Weapons, and Petty Lord. He noticed all the top players agreed to participate in the war on the Ursa Kingdom’s side.

As Thaddeus and Sabrina walked the streets, waiting for the magistrate’s summon, they eavesdropped on players’ conversation.

“Do you think they’ll succeed?”

"Maybe, but I don’t know. So far, all we’ve heard is that the Lion Kingdom army is massive and filled with their vanquished enemies.”

“They probably don’t even have a one in a hundred chance of succeeding at all! "Who knows, a one in a hundred chance of success is more than enough,”

Several conversations just like it were taking place across the capital. Players and residents debated whether to stay and fight or flee. People spoke with a mix of fear and confusion. Beast people were the most anxious, the Bear Kingdom was the last remaining kingdom. To leave the Bear Kingdom meant a self-exposed exile in human kingdoms.

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Humans and Beastkin were oil and water, they did not mix. Humans were known to raid Beastkin villages and force their captives into slavery. Beastkin who weren’t enslaved were looked down upon in human settlements, for a Beastkin to live in a human city meant a life of poverty and discrimination.

Thaddeus and Sabrina walked the streets until they came to the Alchemist Guild. The guild was a mess, papers and broken beakers littered the floor. Doors were smashed open, and the building looked empty.

“What happened?” Sabrina asked.

“Maybe the riot outside, sacked the building looking for potions?” Thaddeus guessed.

As they walked along the dimly lit hallway until they arrived at the Guild Master’s suite. Outside the office, they heard a person coldly laughing, “It’s over, all my research is gone. What was the purpose of my life if this was to be the outcome? I’m doomed!”

“Are you okay?” Sabrina asked, walking into the room.

“Did you come to steal potions and recipes? Well, nothing is here. Everything down to the last ingredient was stolen. The other alchemists have all fled,” the guild master said depressed.

“If you want, I sell you some ingredients?”

“Oh, I see you’re a merchant. At least you’re an honest thief. It doesn’t matter as I have no money, to purchase your wares anyway,” he complained.

“I’m not a merchant. I’m an alchemist.”

“Then have you come to mock me? The once great Albeart Bearenger!”

Thaddeus wondered where he remembered hearing the name Bearenger, but then he remembered, “Bearenger, you’re a member of a minor clan.”

“Minor clan, how insulting. There is nothing minor about my family. We are just as notable as the six prominent families!” Albeart spat vehemently. “Who are you to judge halfling!”

“We’re getting off track,” Sabrina said diplomatically. “I came to hear to purchase skill books and ingredients, since you have none, we’ll take our leave.”

“Wait!” Albeart said putting up his head. “I’ll trade you, five gold coins for my research notebook.”

Thaddeus and Sabrina could see the desperation in his eyes. He looked like a man who reached rock bottom and would grab at any straw to climb back up.

“Don’t you know there is a coin shortage in the capital? Only bankers and moneylenders have that much money. At most, we can give you 50 silvers?” Thaddeus countered.

“This is my life’s work. The lowest I’ll go is three gold!” Albert demanded.

“Thadeus! Can’t you see he’s hurting? Let’s settle on 2 gold and 50 silver. But, first let me skim over your notebook to verify it’s,” Sabrina mediated.

“Show me the money the first,” Albeart pleaded.

“Fine,” Thaddeus said shaking his head and displaying the coins in his hand.

Albeart’s eyes sparkled seeing the coins, and his hands gravitated to the coins. Just before he could touch the coins, Thaddeus balled up his fist, and spoke, “Hand over the notebook first.

It was clear Albeart didn’t trust Thaddeus, but he did trust Sabrina, so he did as he was told. When Sabrina received the notebook, she slowly perused the contents, until she got to a section. Thaddeus could see her at once being pulled in, her entire focus drawn to the book’s contents.

“Well?” Thaddeus asked, jolting Sabrina from her trance.

“Thaddeus, it’s fascinating! He’s researching golems, and he’s close to figuring it out too. He’s an artificer!” Sabrina blurted out excitedly. “Hurry, pay him!”

Upon hearing the word artificer, now it was Thaddues’ turn to be stunned. Artificer was a lost class, or at least no one had unlocked it yet. Thinking back, the last time he thought about golems was when Demeter offered him two spells when he was leaving White Pines. If he could create golems, then he could build an army of earth golems to protect his territory.

Sabrina gave him a small nudge, and Thaddeus returned from his thoughts. He quickly unclenched his hand and he paid Albeart.

“If you need a place to stay, you’re welcome to come to Woodhaerst. I’ll be happy to sponsor your research,” Sabrina smiled.

No sooner had they left the Alchemy Guild than they received a message:

Regional Announcement:

The Bearkin Alliance is hosting a War Council. All members are welcome.

From the street, Thaddeus and Sabrina saw players rushing to the coliseum. It was clear, that everyone wanted to know how The Players Alliance would counter the Lion King’s declaration.

Thaddeus and Sabrina too followed the crowd, until they arrived back in the basement chamber where the meeting was held. This time, the crowd inside was larger. They quickly found an open spot at the back. Resting their backs on the back wall, they listened to the Alliance leaders doing their best to answer questions.

“I bet those shameless bastards, urged the Lion King to announce players benefits too. Those Golden Compass guild guys have no other talents than bluffing!”

“Smokey, no matter how strong they are, we can’t possibly take on ten people by ourselves? There just aren’t enough people in Ursa willing to fight.”

“Thank you, Smokey and Baloo, for sharing your passion. It seems we’ve gone off-topic, let’s return to the main topic. Does anyone have any ideas to suppress the invading army?” Kenai, the Alliance leader polled.

“Kenai, has the Mythical Guild gotten back to use?”

“Cindy is still in Redwood, and I’ve yet to hear anything,” Kenai said doubtfully. “But I suspect they want to sit by and watch. If we win, then they’ll offer a few words to congratulate us. And if we lose, they’ll shame us on the forums to ingratiate themselves with the new Beast King.”

“What about mercenaries? What did Brynison say?”

“Fozzie said he’s agreed to help us if we pay 500 gold. But finding that kind of money now is impossible,” Kenai said disappointedly.

Dark expressions hung on people’s faces. The war seemed a foregone conclusion.

“We’re not defeated yet! Don’t we attack them preemptively? They’re in the middle of fighting the Bovine Kingdom. Those minotaur bastards are tough, they won’t lose easily. If we attack now, we can split their army in half.”

“Who agrees with Corduroy?” Kenai asked.

“I’m against it. The Bear King sent reinforcements to the Bovine Kingdom, but they were ambushed and wiped out. If it didn’t work the first time, why try it again.”

“Paddington, you’re wrong. The plan didn’t work because King Ursa only sent a lackluster force because of their peace agreement. Corduroy’s plan is different. He wants to send out thousands of players to help the Minotaur soldiers. I agree with the plan, but it can’t just be us players. No one here wants to needlessly lose levels. If we attack, it needs to be the entire Bearman Army!”

‘Humphrey’s right!” yelled the crowd in agreement.

Dropping his head in shame, Kenai announced, “I’ve told you already, King Ursa won’t agree to it. He says it’s cowardly.”

“The fuck the king! If he can’t tell the difference between strategy and cowardice he doesn’t deserve to be king,” someone shouted from the crowd.

“Kenai you should be king instead!” another shouted.

“Long live King Kenai!” the crowd cheered.

“All in favor of usurping the king, raise your heads!” said a woman standing next to Kenai.

“Winnie, why?” Kenai asked awkwardly.

“Because we need a king who knows how to win. And once you’re king, you’ll have the full resources of the kingdom at your disposal!” Winnie explained.

The room went silent. Everyone waited for Kenai’s response.

“Fine, I’ll do it!” Kenai smiled enigmatically.

As the crowd erupted in cheers, a message chimed in Thaddeus’ inbox:

System Message:

You are summoned to appear before the Capital Magistrate’s Courthouse. A panel of judges shall preside over your claim of being the missing Bearington Heirship.

Sabrina, sensing the shift in Thaddeus's demeanor, leaned in, “What's wrong?”

"It's time," Thaddeus murmured, showing her the system message.