>>6291430
“So if the issue is needing to focus our abilities, to function well together, then isn't the solution obvious?” you ask, everyone now looking to you as you meet Tanya's gaze. “We need a leader.”
“A leader.” she replies flatly, but you sensing a curious undertone to her voice. “You think having a leader is enough to handle the scope of this issue?”
“Of course. Having someone who understands everyone's abilities, who can coordinate everyone will be important.” you say, then gesturing over to Kars. “Which is why I recommend Kars for this role. From the stands, he'll be able to observe the entire battlefield, as a Stand wielder he can see them and call them out to us, and best of all, with telepathy, we don't have to shout and call out our strategy to the other universes mid-battle.”

Everyone's silent at your declaration, you seeing them all considering your words. Aside from Kars, who seems rather smug, and Cooler who also looks annoyed. Clearly having been wanting to call himself the Seventh Universe's leader, to feed his ego.

“I see. You have given this some thought. But what if outside influence is forbidden by the gods?” King Cold asks, chin in his right hand as he ponders your idea. “If only those participating can communicate with the combatants?”
“If that were the case, there wouldn't be stands to observe from.” your wife answers, backing you up. “But, having a backup commander wouldn't be a bad idea. Establishing a chain of command could prove important. Kars can't address everyone all at once for the entire 48 minutes.”

“Having a field commander as well as a central command could prove invaluable.” Tanya answers, clearly thinking it over as well. “Someone to control overall strategy, as well as someone down in the proverbial trenches would be necessary in the madness of battle. I agree, having a second-in-command will be necessary. Or even having two, each with authority over their individual groups of four each. The better our leadership structure is, the better we'll be able to work efficiently together. Everyone who you've signed onto our team can follow orders, can't they?”


cont

>>6284175
“We're going to wait. But, as we do, I need to make another call.” you tell her, closing your eyes again. “This time to Kars, as I doubt Shin told him any actionable intel. We'll need his help with King Cold to come up with a winning plan for our universe.”
“Right.” she answers, sounding slightly uncertain. You clear your mind, reaching out once more.
“Kars. We need to talk.” you think to him. “When King Cold arrives on New Salda, could you come down here as well? We need to plan for this tournament.”

“You are aware that I cannot compete, yes?” he asks, you sensing the bitterness and anger in his voice at being completely at the mercy of the higher deities, unable to fight this battle himself.
“Yeah. But that doesn't mean you can't help everyone prepare.” you reply, then tell him who you were just talking to. “Just spoke with Amazo, he's scouting the other universes competing as we speak. And when he returns in twenty hours, he'll have actionable intel on the other universes' strongest fighters.”
“Oh? You actually convinced Amazo to help our cause? I'd already written him off.” Kars replies, sounding genuinely impressed. “Very well. When the king arrives, I shall as well. And we shall begin this little strategy meeting. I may not be able to fight directly, but I can still offer whatever aid I can to our cause.”

And with that he ends the link, you opening your eyes to look to your wife.

“He's in. When King Cold arrives, we'll be in business.” you tell her, to which she walks over to you. Flying up and wrapping her arms around your neck.
“Good. Then I get you to myself for a little bit.” she says, lifting into the air as the two of you kiss. Your wife holding you close, you feeling a slight tremble in her arms as she kisses you with surprising desperation. You hold her tight, feeling a sudden wetness against your cheek. Pulling back, you see tears in the corners of her eyes falling.
“Meloka? What's wrong?” you ask her, feeling your worry suddenly growing.

“Dammit.” she mutters, reaching up and wiping her eyes with the back of her hand. “I-I'm fine. I'm fine.”
“You're clearly not. What is it?” you ask, brows furrowing slightly as you stare into her eyes. “Meloka, you can tell me.”
“We're... We're about to fight. Again. With everything on the line.” she says, you feeling her frustration and anger in her voice. “Why? Why must the stakes always be so dire? I don't want this. This pressure, of everything being on me, on you, on us. Of our entire reality's fate resting on our shoulders.”


cont