Threads of the Soul

Dismissing the projection, Seth tossed the coin-sized device back over to Cynthia before letting out a deep, grumbling sigh.

As he processed everything that he had seen, his body suddenly felt just a hint heavier and his eyelids drooped ever so slightly more. For some reason, no doubt completely unrelated to yet another burden landing on his shoulders, Seth felt his energy dip and exhaustion creep its way in by the smallest margins.

Brushing his hair out of his face, Seth rubbed the creeping exhaustion from his tired eyes as the marker pen danced across the page, adding the finishing touches to the plan he was laying out. Once it was finished, it floated itself over to the side of the table before dropping out of the air and simply laying on the table. It was as if it had never had the ability to fly and was just a simple pen once more.

"Go round up the others, will you? Everyone we have that can and will fight."

"Even our glorious leader, Lord Crow?"

Just hearing that dreadful name was like a spike being driven into Seth's mind, making him flinch slightly. He had no idea who came up with that name, but it was truly awful. Sure, he had little room to talk since he had used the name 'Corvus', and had his own stupid name, but for some reason this one just hit different. It was like a child trying to sound cool while making up a username. Something that absolutely didn't hit too close to home with Seth, no sir.

Turning his gaze towards Cynthia, who was accepting his death glare with a nonchalant, oh so mischievous grin across her face.

"Yes, even him."

"I'm sorry... I didn't quite hear you. Even who?"

That devilish grin just widened even more, as if she was literally feeding on his mental anguish. Narrowing his eyes at his friend, and restraining the urge to lunge at her, Seth grumbled through gritted teeth.

"Get 'Lord Crow' Now... Please."

"Oh, that guy! Sure thing buddy."

She gave him a gentle punch in the arm, before sauntering away and cackling to herself. Glaring at her retreating back, Seth was already devising plans on how to torture her back.

Shaking his head, he grumbled to himself as he stared at the map and the markings he had made onto it.

"Lord Crow... What a joke. I mean, his cloak isn't even from a crow, it's from a raven. They're totally different!"

***

Once every capable individual, regardless of their ability, was gathered Seth, while possessing the body of... ugh 'Lord Crow', began to inform them of the information he had gathered. Putting the process of this information gathering down to simply having one of his minions follow the enemy. It wasn't exactly a lie and the details they were missing wouldn't exactly hinder them in any ways.

However, even whilst he was detailing the route he thought they should take to mount their attack, as well as listening to suggestions from others, Seth found it hard to focus completely on the briefing, even if it was one he had called for.

After watching those videos, now that he was once again in the body of Corvus, he really couldn't shake the feeling of being watched. He had felt it before, countless times, but he never exactly realised why until those videos.

Even the dozens of eyes on him from the briefing wasn't the same as the singular pair of predatory eyes he could constantly feel on him. It was like a prickling in the back of his neck, making him always feel the need to glance over his shoulder only to find nothing there.

But whereas before that empty space would have relieved him, now it simply made the creeping feeling even worse.

It was as if he was being haunted by his own personal, otherworldly ghost stalker. He had been ghosted when it came to relationships before, but this was just ridiculous.

Eventually, during the course of the meeting, one individual within the crowd eventually voiced a concern that was on many peoples minds.

"What do we do about those who don't fight?"

Granted, it was a valid concern. Especially since they were planning on a full scale war with the Hemogoblins residing in the castle. There were only really three options that they had.

One, All the combatants leave the library and attack the castle as one unified force. Those who do not fight are left behind to fend for themselves. This was one of the first suggestions to be made, understandably so, and when it was made it was done so alongside a lot of mutterings of words such as; 'Lay about' 'Free loader' and 'Useless Wretch' among some other more colourful phrases.

Many had been left feeling slighted by those who sat around and did nothing while others fought for survival, brought back food and helped in other ways. In fact this issue had already began to be addressed when it came to food distribution.

Everyone got a basic allotment of food, but those who did more got a extra dependant on their tasks. It was a manageable solution, but little could be done to stop the growing resentment. A problem that was only exacerbated when many of these people took it upon themselves to start tearing apart bodies in a frenzy, which was the first thing many of them had even done to be useful and even then it was simply down to greed over a feeling of contribution.

It was safe to say this was a popular sentiment among particular crowds. Especially when it came to those without powers, or those without combat useful abilities. However, there were others who felt it wasn't very humane.

Not everyone was doing so out of laziness. Many were simply terrified or could not find themselves a good place, or were simply physically unable. Seth wasn't the only one who looked starved and skinny, but he had advantages that others didn't when it came to his body.

Thus came suggestion number two, split the party. Some may stay to defend while others go and fight. Already bringing with it issues from the previous suggestion and the poor relationships they had with the defended ones, there was also another main issue.

Even with the scouting, they had only a fractional idea of what they were going up against. No one would want to be overrun because they left behind some of their forces, but they also wouldn't want to win the battle and come back to nothing either.

If this suggestion was taken, then it would be the delicate balance of who to bring and who had to remain. What forces to send away and which could be expected to defend against any possible attacks.

And finally, there came suggestion number three. If they couldn't be certain about splitting their forces, nor could they bring themselves to abandon those in need. Then their option became simple. Take everyone.

They could bring along every single person within this library as if they were migrating towards to the castle. They could stash the non-combatants in a relatively safe location with minimal defences, even less than they would require to protect the library, while the full main force laid siege to the goblin infested castle.

It was a great suggestion and the perfect compromise, on paper. But in reality, moving a group this size throughout the streets would be a nightmare. They would move slower, have to be on constant vigilance for creatures that would be attracted by the size of their group and might result in injuries that could have been avoided if they weren't defending the 'useless'.

However, it also brought with it it's own benefits, such as transportation.

Not just in the form of the gifts that many had received from the system, but in the form of actual, physical labour.

They had a lot of food, enough to last them weeks or many even months. If they were planning on settling in the castle, they desperately needed to move that food lest it be utterly wasted. Even if they could gather more, there was no guarantee to that. So why bother wasting?

Not to mention, it was unclear how long it would take them to arrive at the castle. A walk that might have taken no more than an hour and a half before, could easily take hours or even a day now.

After all, no longer could you go for a simple stroll down the road to the shops. It was paths filled with danger at every turn, possible fights that could drag on. Not to mention the recovery time after said fights.

If they were going to go through all that, god knows they would need to take some form of supplies, no matter how quick their group was planning on travelling. Only a complete idiot would attack immediately after a march, on empty stomachs no less.

Still in possession of Corvus' body, Seth drummed his fingers against the mahogany table as he leant against it. Drumming the same video game tune that had been stuck in his head for countless years after he had played it to death. Those memories always comforted him, the tune helped drown out the noise of his brain as he listened to the suggestions of others.

If these people wanted him, their 'Lord Crow' to lead, then what would a good leader do? What should he do?