Zagreb, Zinmo, and Milan exchanged bewildered glances, their hesitation palpable. The allure of the throne was undeniable, yet the thought of antagonizing the entity capable of providing such formidable equipment to Josephine gave them pause.
Noticing their indecision, the old man's voice cut through the air. "Anyone who joins her will become my enemy!"
A hush fell over the courtyard. Josephine, who had been poised to act, froze, her gaze sweeping across the faces of the assembled family heads. The twenty men and women gathered on the castle grounds instinctively lowered their eyes as her unwavering stare passed over them.
"I won't force or threaten anyone," Josephine stated, her voice clear and resonant, "but if you choose to join me, I will ensure your protection."
"Hahaha!" The old man let out a booming laugh. "Protect them?! There are precisely two reasons why I have emerged from my seclusion! Firstly, your reckless announcement! And secondly..." He turned his attention to the twenty family heads.
"Most of you represent the top families of your respective clans. The Lion Clan," he gestured towards Zagreb, "the Snake Clan," his gaze shifted to Milan, "even the Tiger Clan," he fixed his eyes on Zinmo.
"All twenty of you are heads or representatives of your clans! Your decision today will seal your fate! Because, as I speak, ten thousand Wendigos are converging on this very location! And you will require someone as formidable as me to defend yourselves! Otherwise...?" He paused:
"More than half of you haven't even crowned an Elder yet! The Elders who are present are all Heavenly Rank or below! I am far stronger than she is! Or whoever might be in that starship! In fact, I even doubt there's anyone in there at all! Because if there were, why haven't they shown themselves?!"
The beastmen and women slowly, cautiously, nodded their heads. The news of an impending attack sent a shiver of unease through them, yet Malik's presence offered a glimmer of hope, a promise of assistance.
_____
[Aboard the Starship.]
"Are they really going to vote?!" Star asked, disbelief lacing her voice as she stared at the unfolding scene on the screen.
"Let them," Sunny replied, resting his jaw on his fist, a thoughtful expression on his face. "This way, we will know precisely who to eliminate and who to keep."
____
"Thank you for your eloquent speech," Josephine said, her tone laced with a hint of sarcasm. She then added, "Who do you intend to bestow the throne upon, then?"
The old man pondered for a few seconds before nodding. "I have individuals in mind, but you must be removed first! Now! Vote."
"I... I vote for the Elder."
"I vote for the Elder."
"I also vote for the Elder."
"Same here, the Elder."
"I vote for the Elder."
Josephine's surprised gaze swept over the crowd as a chorus of votes for the Elder erupted. She wasn't surprised by Zagreb, Zinmo, and Milan; she had anticipated their allegiance to the Elder's side.
"I vote for the Queen."
"...?!"
Every head in the courtyard swiveled towards the fox lady, who appeared to be in her late twenties. She calmly walked towards Josephine and positioned herself directly behind her.
"You?! I know you're a member of the Fox Clan's top family! What you're doing will bring disaster upon your clan! Think about your fellow clan members!" Zagreb bellowed, his face contorted in anger.
"I already thought about it! The Queen has helped us for two straight years! She didn't even have time to mourn her family before swiftly taking on the throne... I know she made some mistakes along the way, but we are all here, alive, because of her." The lady's voice was firm, resolute.
"Because of her?! What do you think we have been doing?!" Zinmo scoffed, his voice dripping with disdain.
The fox lady merely rolled her eyes and looked away, refusing to engage further.
"I... I... I go with the Queen."
A young woman with delicate bird wings spoke up. Before she could move to join Josephine, the Queen's hand gently stopped her.
"I don't want those who are unsure of their position. You must decide before coming here!" Josephine's voice carried a clear message, intended for any other wavering individuals.
The bird lady stared at Josephine for a second, then turned her gaze to the Elder. She pondered for two seconds before nodding her head decisively. "Every night, when my grandmother was still alive, she would say... 'No matter what happens, always stand by the royal family. They are good people.' So now, why would I go against you?" she asked, her voice soft but unwavering.
Josephine gazed at her for a second, then gave a slight nod of approval. The lady offered a small, grateful smile and took her place beside the fox lady.
"I go with the Queen."
Malik watched as a wolf guy walked towards Josephine and stood beside the two young women.
And so, everyone cast their votes. In the end, fourteen individuals stood behind the Elder, while six pledged their allegiance to Josephine.
The Elder and Josephine then turned their attention to Xanor, awaiting his crucial vote.
'No matter how I look at it, Josephine is doomed. My objective is the throne, and if she dies, I can live with that.' Xanor's thoughts raced. He turned to face the old man.
'If this old bastard gives the throne to someone else, I'll simply kill them both and reclaim it myself!'
He adopted a mournful expression and turned to Josephine.
"Josephine, you know I love you... I will help you out if you agree to be my mate, just let me mark you."
"That will never happen in five lifetimes," Josephine stated firmly, her voice devoid of any compromise.
"You! Fine! You've made your choice! I vote... for the Elder." Xanor declared, his voice tinged with feigned regret.
Malik smiled, a sinister gleam in his eyes, and then bellowed, "Take these seven traitors, and throw them into the dungeon! They will be beheaded tomorrow for their betrayal!!"
"...?!!!"
His words stunned everyone present; even the six who stood behind Josephine were aghast.
"No!! No! I can't die!" A man with rat ears, and nose shrieked, his eyes wide with terror. Seeing the general and soldiers advancing, he quickly rushed forward and dropped to his knees before the Elder. "I am sorry! I made a mistake!! Please let me join you! I will do anything!!" he pleaded desperately.
"You see that?" Malik smirked, and with a snap of his fingers, the man instantly disintegrated into dust.
Gasps of surprise and shock filled the air as everyone recoiled in horror, taking a step back.
"I don't need betrayers in my group," Malik declared, his voice chillingly calm. He then turned to Zagreb, who nodded and gestured to the General.
"Take them all!" Zagreb commanded.
"One second," Malik interjected, raising his head to stare directly at the starship. "Let her watch as I destroy her ship."
He channeled ninety percent of his full strength, and from his outstretched hand, a powerful beam of dark light surged towards the starship.
"No!" Josephine screamed, a flicker of horror crossing her face.
BOOOOOM!!!
The attack struck the starship with devastating accuracy, engulfing it in a massive explosion of flames.