At Death Associates' new guild headquarters in Aurebor, Red Death and Blackjack stood outside its gate entrance.
"This is Death Hall?" Standing beside them was an elderly draconian female. She was Black Death, the original leader of Death Associates.
"Yes, it is originally in Themisphere. White Death relocated the headquarters here because he offended the Themisphere kingdom. It has been a mess since he took over leadership. With Aunt Clara back, we should be able to get the guild back on track."
"I doubt that…," Black Death said.
Her gaze was on the wall of players formed outside Death Hall's gate entrance. The expressions on their faces didn't show delight or relief for having their leader returning to them. Neither she nor Red Death even recognized most of the faces that formed this human wall.
But as more players came out of the headquarters, some familiar faces with friendly expressions finally grazed them.
"Leader! Red!" Blue Death called and pushed past his guild members. Several players followed him, including Scarface and Stonecleave.
"Where have you been all this time?" Blue Death asked Black Death.
"It's a long story," Black Death answered.
"It's good to see you back again, ma'am," Scarface said. The other members that came with the two expressed the same sentiment.
Blue Death turned to Red Death and said, "You've finally returned."
Red Death simply nodded at the remark.
"Don't worry, we will sort this misunderstanding," Blue Death assured her.
"Misunderstanding? She is a traitor to our guild. That fact is crystal clear!" Killingred, who was amongst the players forming the wall, exclaimed. "What are you people doing buddying up with a traitor? Do you lot plan to betray our guild as well?"
"Watch your mouth!" Scarface scolded. "You are before our true leader!"
"True leader?" White Death's voice was heard. The players forming the wall split to provide a path and White Death walked out. Beside him were Yellow Death, Green Death, Violet Death, Bigarm, Earmouth, and Grimclaw.
"I'm afraid that is not what this world system acknowledges," White Death said with a faint smile.
"Sir… But, she is our leader," Blue Death uttered.
White Death ignored Blue Death. He instead asked everyone. "Those of you who think of her as the leader of Death Associates, you're welcomed to stand over by her side."
None of the players who formed the human wall moved.
Black Death shook her head. "Wayne, I know you've always been ambitious. You are just too cautious that you never vie for the top place out of fear of becoming a main target. Have you finally grown a pair that you dare to show your fangs?"
Wayne was White Death's real name.
White Death grinned wider at the mockery. "Madam Clara. You might think that is shameful, but I believe being the second-in-command allows me to better survive. That, of course, as long as you choose the correct leader."
"So, what makes you change your mind?" Black Death asked.
"I don't," White Death answered. "I've simply chosen to follow another leader. A better one. A stronger one. Someone who can finally give us a piece of a world, so that our guild can become one that we have always aimed to be. With my guidance under this new leader, our guild will reach a height that is never achievable when you are in charge."
"So, you choose to downgrade from a second in command to a lackey of another organization? This is the height you say will elevate our guild?" Red Death mocked.
"I don't need to listen to a traitor's words," White Death returned. His smile never diminished.
"You, people! Have you all forgotten who your true leader is?!" Blue Death shouted. He couldn't believe that everyone supported White Death. "Have you forgotten how we all fought together under Black Death's guidance and grew to become one of the most feared guilds in gaming history?!"
No one from the opposite side showed any reaction to Blue Death's words.
"This is absurd! Black Death is the true leader of Death Associates. Certainly, there is a way to get her acknowledged," Blue Death uttered.
Scarface sighed. "I think he has made preparation. Look at the guild's high-rank positions," he said.
A guild's high-rank positions consisted of the leader, co-leaders if any, councilors, and officers. For the main leader to be ousted, a unanimous decision is needed from all the players in those positions except the leader. Currently, all the players who held these ranks were players loyal to White Death.
Even Scarface and Blue Death weren't included in these ranks. They considered these ranks as superficial so they didn't truly care when White Death demoted them. Now only did they understand the reason. White Death had known all along that they never truly accepted him as their true leader.
"Honestly, I never expect you to just hand over the reign after you taste the power of being the main leader," Black Death said. "I'm here simply to call those who are still loyal to me, which I must admit, are much fewer than I hoped for."
Less than two hundred players were standing next to her.
"Never mind. When I built Death Associates, it is with fewer members than this. I will make do. Let's go," Black Death said.
She turned around and started walking. Scarface and Blue Death looked at one another. They looked at Black Death who was walking away. They made their decisions then. They opened their guild page and quit Death Associates. They then followed after Black Death. The others who had followed them did the same after seeing their leads.
"Hold!" White Death called, which caused Black Death to stop.
Black Death turned back and asked, "What is it? Have you changed your mind?"
"Hehe," White Death's grin turned wicked. "I've been preparing for this. I've been waiting for you to show up. All so that you can help me pluck out these members who are just loyal to me on the surface. Now, this guild can truly be mine. I thank you. But I, of course, cannot just let you all go just like this."
The players who formed the human wall spread out. They were getting into a formation that surrounded Black Death's group.
"I know you will never get over me for taking the guild from you. You will certainly devise a plan to get back at me," White Death continued. "To eliminate future problems, it is better that I reduce all of you to level one today."
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