That night, Le Fay's quaint bar livened with chatter and laughter once more. Amongst refined ales and spirits, and hearty stews of plants and animals sourced from the nearby forest, the group grew merrier the darker the outside got. They all laughed and talked like it was their last night alive, and perhaps it was. They would all most certainly continue on living to the next day and the next after that, but there was no guarantee that any of them would live until their next smile. In the dark waters of the new era, lurking seabeasts and crushing waves swam, which could at any time hurl the shallow wooden raft humanity clung to into the abyss of fate.
But that didn't matter to them as they clung together, drinking tastes that may be their last. Musique sang new songs he'd conceived about a joyous hero of the East. Samson and Epsilon balanced themselves on each other as they stuffed themselves with roast birds and booze until they couldn't see their toes. Brax drank ale and happily ate like a king. They all did. Even Cygnus, diligent as he was, partook in a bit of the town's special wine, growing red in the face.
They all raised a glass, unaware as to what loomed just beyond their peripheries.
…
"I never knew guilds held that kinda influence," Brax said to Arthur. He would normally have been nervous speaking so casually to the king, or rather, ex-king, but after a hefty helping of warm spirits, Arthur was little more than a drinking mate. Such was what he wanted, anyway.
Arthur swirled around the mug, staring at his reflection in the caramel liquid. "Indeed. The top five hold as much power and influence as I, if not more, dare I say."
"Hm. I never knew they were all ranked like that," Brax said. "How do ya even determine rankin' in the first place? Like, do ya hold a poll or do ya make em' all fight in an all-out, free-for-all brawl?"
"Quite the chatty one when you're comfortable, ay?" Arthur laughed. "Honestly, while Avalon's a blatant number one, you shouldn't take the ranks at face value. Their standing is merely determined by a competition we hold every year. Given the rules and regulations, it's not a true show of their power, but it does give us an idea. It's also our most prized festival, the Guild Games. Surely you've heard of them before, being a citizen of the kingdom."
"Ah, I have. Never been to it though," Brax said. "Didn't know they were used for ranks either."
"It's quite the spectacle!" Samson said, turning to them. The blood in his face was swelling, and he looked as if he were about to fall over. "I always find myself rooting for Silva's guild, but it seems the underdogs never win."
"You're just going off the fact that they took third one year and you won big in the betting lottery," Epsilon remarked, drinking a bit more reservedly than his portly friend, who, like always, overindulged. "Don't you know lightning doesn't strike twice?"
Samson swallowed a huge swig and pointed his finger between Epsilong's eyes. "You're just jealous! I made so much money that year, I ate out every night!"
"And how much of that wealth is left?" Epsilon asked. "Not a single bronze coin because you spent it all on jack-all. Food, booze, uh, well, that's it. I'm not sure how, but you spent it all on just those two things."
"Wait, are you guys talking about the big tournament of games and fights they put on every year in Wunderdum?" Musique asked.
"Oh, so you've watched them before, too, son of Kitsune?" Arthur asked, amused. "Did she break her own rules and let you sneak in?"
"No, I've always enjoyed watching them from the screens atop Kitsune's mountain," Musique said. "I always find myself cheering for Avalon, though the guy with shiny hair is fun to watch. He might be my favorite individual."
"That would be Silva," Samson said. "He's certainly the most interesting fella there."
"A force to be reckoned with," Epsilon said. "I've met with him a few times. He's much different in person than you'd expect. Too bad this year's tournament will be canceled."
"Hopefully, we can return to days where we can listlessly play meaningless games," Arthur said. "At least we can rest assured knowing they're there to guard the kingdom in my absence."
"I know of Avalon, but I don't know about the others," Brax said. "Can ya tell me more about 'em?"
"But of course," Arthur said. "Avalon may be our prized jewel, but the number two guild is quite the force to be reckoned with as well. They're called Twilight. Unlike Avalon, which takes on a variety of trades, they're a group of mercenaries that only work for the richest of the bourgeoisie. They're a faction of incredibly powerful fellows who slay monsters and hunt down bandits for a living. It's not a group you'd want against you."
"I ain't ever heard of em," Brax said.
"Unlike Avalon, they're not open to the public," Arthur said, sighing.
"Why would rich people need monsters and bandits killed?" Brax asked.
"Not for the greater good. It's merely to protect trade routes for business and such," Arthur said. "Mayhaps you've heard of Odyssey instead? They're usually the number three guild and make up a wonderful exploration network focused on mapping out uncharted areas and uncovering lost treasure. As such, they're a bunch of fellows strong enough to brave dangerous environments and fight unknown beasts in a life of constant danger. I believe they have the power to rival the top two, but fall short when it comes to unity, simply because it's made up of a bunch of independent groups seeking treasure. They do serve a guildmaster, but only if it profits them."
"Let's be happy he never abused that power," Epsilon scoffed. "I hear their leader is a bit of a wildman."
"That's true! But perhaps even more wild than him is number four," Arthur continued. "They're a do-anything guild with only three members, one of them being their guildmaster. Silva… what a funny man he is. Anyway, the fifth group I've entrusted my kingdom to is a guild of craftsmen and weaponsmiths known as Diamond Forge. They forge and sell deadly weapons, arms dealers if you will. While I'm not sure their work is good for the kingdom, I can't help but admire their incredible skills. I pray the day they turn their swords on the kingdom never comes, for I know they're hiding some pretty scary stuff beneath their heavily guarded guild halls. A guild focused on creating weapons to harm others must have a body or two beneath the floorboards, or in their case, weapons."
"Hey, wait. Doesn't one of those guilds seem out of place?" Brax asked. "A do-anything guild that has only three members? Ain't that just a shady business? How are they ranked number four?"
"It's true that they don't hold nearly as much influence as the others, but don't underestimate them," Arthur said. "It's a little guild run by my friend, Silva Sol, and while they don't appear to be much on the surface, they manage to rank fourth almost every year in the games."
"With three members? How is that possible?" Ada asked.
"Well, in part because the games are heavily regulated and not a direct confrontation," Arthur said. "But also because Silva himself is responsible for holding it all together. He's a man capable of going against enormous odds, even with just three people. If everyone in the kingdom fought right now, I bet he would likely rank number two or three. He and his two companions had been away on a job for the past couple of months, but returned at just the right moment, which I'm thankful for."
"It seems the West has many warriors in hiding," Kofi said. "I think I'd like to meet this man. With such resolve and strength, I can only imagine the ambition he has."
"Ambition? Well, he does want something, but it's not a noble goal or anything," Arthur said. "The truth is… he's just a man who needs money, and he's willing to do anything to get it."
"Seriously?" Brax asked. "What kinda resolve is that?"
"I met him once, and I can assure you he's just as odd as he sounds," Cygnus said. "I heard claims he was quite strong, yet it's baffling that he's never been recruited to serve the kingdom. Surely you could have compensated his price."
"Yes, well, actually, he's quite lazy and only does what he wants to do," Arthur said, laughing once again. "Lucky for us, his greedy self seems to be on our side this time. Maybe there's something he wishes to protect. Or maybe he just wants to run our treasury dry. Who knows? Doesn't matter though, because with him around, Wunderdum's people are safe."
"Still, do you really expect us to create a whole new kingdom in this awful state?" Brax asked. "It don't seem possible."
"As someone who's built a kingdom before, I assure you it's very possible," Arthur said. "Once we're strong enough to make this world one, with force if we must, then we can focus on the greater entropy beyond. But first, I must ask, Cygnus, are you still able to do it? Can you create a machine that'll transport humanity across the sea?"
"Yes, it was never a question if I could, but if I could do it before it was too late," Cygnus said. "It's in the works, however! I believe I've stumbled upon something greater."
"What could that be?" Arthur asked. "Something more significant than the device that can teleport objects anywhere?"
"Quite possibly. It's the magic nullification device," Cygnus said. "The one my father theorized."
"Cygnus, my friend…" Arthur started. "You knew all along?"
"Aye," Cygnus said. "Alas, there wasn't a point in pursuing it until now. It was too dangerous and was never guaranteed to protect us from the heavens. But Xinyu, even without the tech that defies gods, proved it so! Using only her grit and willpower, she showed that gods could die, and even gave us the means to do it. I will spare you the details, but I see a new opportunity before me."
"Do you have faith in it?" Arthur asked.
"More than anything," Cygnus said. "The ability to transport all life elsewhere is tempting, but I'm not sure we could accomplish it in time. This is something I can do in the now, and so, I shall. Once we unite this broken world, we'll turn our attention to the heavens and confront the gods as one. The era where technology and knowledge reach the skies is soon to come, and mark my words, we will surpass them. To the stars, and beyond that, this world will persist far into the future."
"Then I shall put my faith in you and follow through on my part," Arthur said. "I'll build an army so mighty, all will yield. From there, it shall be up to you and your allies to ensure this future you speak of."
"We shall, sir," Cygnus said. "All of us, united, shall surpass the heavens, with brilliance."
That night, they drank and ate and sang well into the darkness, falling asleep on the floorboards of the bar and dreaming of a new world. A world that was free and true.