Less than a day after the Dark celebration.

  Two was examining the legendary sword, holding the black Crystal within it. Then he focused his third eye into the center of that Crystal. In that moment he felt Horw’s presence.

  That’s not possible… THAT BRAT IS REALLY IN THERE… or at least his soul or something. I expected anything from this mission, but this… this really surprised me.

  Two’s thoughts were interrupted by chains being fired in his direction. Two managed to dodge the shot. It was Eighty seven. The number who can shoot chains from his hands. Those chains once dragged Horw into the portal.

  “I hate to interrupt you from examining your shitty little sword, but it’s time to have an important conversation.” - In the background behind Eighty seven stood several other numbers… They looked like they were supporting Eighty seven in what he was doing. The action of this number began to attract attention from the crowd. More and more numbers were coming to the scene.

  “What do you need, friend? Yeah and… I don’t think shooting at your leader is nice… You better apologize, you wreck.” - Two’s expression quickly changed from calm and stupid to very serious.

  “Leader. That’s exactly why I want to talk to you… actually several of us. That mission of yours… that stupid mission eliminated a quarter of us. The goal was to get the Crystals… and how many did we get? One. One shitty Crystal.” - “If I count correctly, we got three.”

  Two and Eighty seven were looking at each other like they wanted to beat each other up. Their conversation was getting more and more tense. - “You’re right, Two. Three… AND TWO OF THEM WE CAN’T USE! As our leader you seriously failed.”

  Two slowly started walking toward Eighty seven. - “You think so? That I failed? Oh nooo. That really breaks my heart. Let me clear one thing up for you, you idiot… without me you wouldn’t even get to these damn islands!” - Eighty seven had an expression full of pride. - “Without you… without you we would already have most of the Crystals. If you had planned this more… a little better… we would have already won… Two. You are not One… and you never will be.”

  “You’re starting to piss me off more and more… you know that? Eighty seven… your head is really empty.” - “End of chit-chat.” - Eighty seven fired chains from both of his hands toward Two. Thanks to his third eye, Two figured out their trajectory and caught both chains in his hands.

  Two pulled with all his strength and dragged Eighty seven toward himself. As soon as Eighty seven was close to Two, Two slammed his knee with full force into his face, knocking him to the ground. - “What? Are you trying to take over the leadership? Eighty seven, you are such a pathetic person that it makes me want to cry. There is a clear reason why I was chosen as your leader and you got one of the highest numbers. Without me… without us… you are nobody.”

  “Nobody who will listen to a man who leads them to destruction.” - “Interesting thoughts, Eighty seven. Take them to your grave. You knew what awaited you when you tried to take over the leadership.”

  Two pulled out his sword and stabbed it into Eighty seven’s head. Eighty seven tried to dodge the hit, but Two predicted it.

  Two looked at the other numbers. - “So what?? Is there anyone else who thinks I’m leading you to destruction? Is there anyone else who forgot how far I brought you, who One chose as his successor, WHO GOT THREE LEGENDARY WEAPONS AGAINST ALL ODDS??? If yes, step forward.”

  A man who had the number ten burned into his arm stepped forward. - “Two, come on. Don’t freak out. You scared everyone now. Nobody will step forward. People here can think whatever they want. But reality is clear, thanks to you we have three legendary weapons. Oh and also, One set us a clear goal that we all must fulfill. So calm down and tell us the next steps.”

  “You’re right, Ten! You can always be relied on. That’s why I gave you the spear that controls the yellow Crystal. As for the plans… I’ll tell you now that you’re all gathered here so nicely. Listen!!!

  Yellow month, day 23.

  Horwann sat alone in the darkness in the Great hall. Horwann had already sent his envoys on their way to various kingdoms for support against Two and his group. Just ten days ago, Horwann’s whole family was together. Now the only member of his family left in the kingdom was Onyx. Horwann was truly in distress.

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  Members of the great five began to enter the room… or at least those who were able to come. That is, Cent and the Grandmaster. Bowler and Sand also came into the room. - “Thank you for coming. It is time to discuss our next steps.” - Horwann opened the meeting. The goal was clear. To come up with a solid attack plan on the Black islands. The kingdom managed to get information a few days ago that Two and his group are based on the Black islands, thanks to the fact that ships stopped sailing from the Black islands and thanks to the fact that ships that sailed around the islands did not return.

  A few days ago, the first meeting after the Dark Celebration took place. This meeting happened only among the people whom Horwann intended to send to other kingdoms. Horwann did not attend this meeting… in fact, today is the first day since the celebration that Horwann left his room. The kingdom of the black Crystal was standing on thin ice.

  A person who represents the place of Grin II entered the room. That is, the new leader of the army of the kingdom of the black Crystal… Raven II.

  Raven approched the table in the middle of the room. There was a map on the table. Raven pointed with a knife to the eastern side of the Black islands. - “From this place the main attack will be carried out. The inhabitants of the island will expect that we will attack from the western side. That is, from the side from which the islands can be reached the fastest. We will send one ship full of users of legendary weapons and the best members of the army. This ship will have the task of getting back the stolen legendary weapons and saving the inhabitants of the island.”

  Suddenly a voice from one corner of the table spoke up. - “That’s your plan? Sail around the island and sacrifice the people who will sail from the west?” - The person who spoke was Sand. Sand was sitting at the table like a king. Legs up on the table and rocking on his chair.

  “Do you have any other ideas?” - Raven asked Sand. From Raven’s expression it was clear that Sand was really annoying her. Sand stood up from the chair. - “First of all, a plan this weak will be seen through by anyone. That Two, I saw him with my own eyes… he really scared me. I don’t think he will leave one side of the island unguarded. Yeah and… we must not forget that every member of his group has DAMN SUPERPOWERS.”

  Sand approached Raven and grabbed her by the shoulder. - “We need a better plan. We are talking about legendary weapons here… one of them is my new weapon. Gold would want me to have that spear. And I WILL have it. From every side, a fleet from one kingdom. Yeah and… screw the inhabitants. Those legendary weapons have FAR greater value. And you… I repeat YOU and your celebration… the kingdom of the black Crystal left such a mess. So you have to pay for it. We get the items and we run. All-in attack.”

  Raven pushed Sand away. - “We are talking about hundreds of lives. Do you think we’re going to jump around because you couldn’t guard your own weapon??” - The situation was getting more and more tense. Suddenly Horwann interrupted it with his sword. A sword that he would always carry with him from now on.

  Horwann stabbed the sword into the image of the Black islands. In a very calm voice Horwann spoke to both of them. - “You two calm down… Raven, your plan is nice, but too pathetic. Sand, your plan is disgusting, but it is the harsh reality. If we want those weapons back, we have to take off the gloves.”

  Raven knelt on the ground. - “Your Highness… with all due respect. Of course, Sand’s plan came to my mind, but… there will be so many casualties, if we sent all fleets to one place, they would have a chance to defend themselves. And of course… what about your son? You saw how he was captured by Two’s group… don’t you want to save him?”

  Horwann’s eyes began to fill with tears. Horwann started looking at the ground so no one could see his expression. - “I had the honor to speak with Two face to face… twice. And I will tell you all something… I don’t think Two is the type of person who takes hostages. My son is most likely dead.”

  A great silence filled the room. Sand broke the silence. - “You think clearly, Your Highness. So we are settled. Get to work. Get back the spear that belongs to Desert paradise. I expect success. You have our financial support. I will give the support of the people in the future only if you get that spear.” - Sand left the room.

  Bowler spoke up. - “So it’s an all-in attack? That’s our plan?” - Horwann sat back down in his chair and looked at the map. - “I don’t know… Raven, what would you add to this plan. I would expect more from you, considering your position.”

  Raven was getting more and more nervous. - “Yes, Your Highness. We don’t have any new information about Two’s group, because our prisoners didn’t say a single word no matter what methods we used, but we know that one member of Two’s group can create portals. So that Two’s group doesn’t escape… or so that they escape to us, we will need bait.”

  Raven continued planning with the others. Then Cent introduced the members of the meeting to the financial situation of the kingdom, how many resources they can use and so on. In the end, the plan was refined with advice from the Grandmaster.

  The following month was spent preparing for the mission. Armies from other kingdoms began arriving in the kingdom by ships. Bases began to be built around the kingdom. Leaders were planning. The people were preparing. One of the greatest missions in the history of Middleword was approaching.

  Brown month, day 26.

  Two was sitting with Ten at the highest point of the Black islands. - “Ten, do you see that sea. Tomorrow dozens of ships will be sailing on it, thinking they have a chance against us. If they only knew what everything my third eye can do. Tomorrow, when Horwann watches his whole plan fall apart before his eyes, I will tell him about it… I’m already looking forward to his expression.”