Gathering Forces
The tension in the room felt as if it were squeezing the air from Biodun’s lungs. The weight of their reality—being vastly outnumbered by Hassan’s forces—pressed down on him like a vise. Even with the critical information Mariam had given them, it wasn’t enough. They were a small team, and Hassan's influence expanded like a shadow, covering more of the city with each passing day. If they were to survive, they needed to be more than just a small group fighting for survival.
“We can’t win this alone,” Biodun finally said, breaking the uneasy silence that had settled over them. His voice was low, but the determination in his tone was unmistakable. He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees as he spoke. “Hassan’s got too many people under his thumb. If we don’t start building alliances now, we’re done.”
The others exchanged glances, the gravity of his words sinking in.
Tunde, ever the tactician, nodded, but the tightness in his jaw revealed his own concerns. “We’ve barely scratched the surface of what Hassan’s planning. If we’re serious about stopping him, we need to expand—and fast.”
Zainab leaned back in her chair, arms crossed, her face a mask of skepticism. “And who exactly are we supposed to ask for help?” Her tone was sharp, cutting through the tension. “Most of the community leaders are either too afraid of Hassan or too busy scrambling to protect what little they have left. They're not going to risk everything for some grand cause.”
She wasn’t wrong. The system users in the city had fractured into isolated groups, each more focused on survival than resistance. Fear of Hassan’s retaliation had forced many into hiding or compliance. Convincing them to form a coalition would be an uphill battle, and Biodun knew it.
Biodun met her gaze, understanding her frustration but unwilling to back down. “We start with those who have the most to lose,” he said firmly. “People who understand that Hassan’s takeover will destroy any future they hope to have. We offer them protection, resources—whatever it takes to get them on board.”
Zainab exhaled sharply, the edge of frustration in her voice more pronounced. “Easier said than done. No one trusts anyone anymore. They'll think we’re just trying to drag them into a losing fight.”
Tunde crossed his arms, his eyes steady but determined. “That’s why we show them this isn’t just about survival. We have a plan, and if they want to stop Hassan’s control from tightening even further, they’ll have to fight with us.”
Biodun remained silent for a moment, feeling the weight of responsibility settle deeper on his shoulders. Could he really ask others to risk their lives for this fight? His thoughts churned with doubt, but he couldn’t let it show. His team was looking to him for direction, and right now, they needed confidence.
As if sensing his thoughts, the system interface buzzed, snapping him back to the present.
Gssmzzz!
Ding!
New Group Task: Form a Coalition of Allies.
The cold, emotionless nature of the system’s task only served to intensify the pressure Biodun felt. The system didn’t care about the difficulty of the task or the human cost. It was always there, pushing them toward success or failure, reducing everything to a binary choice. His dependence on it made his stomach twist in discomfort, but there was no escaping it. The system dictated the terms, and they had to comply.
Zainab glanced at the notification, her expression hardening further. “Even the system’s breathing down our necks now. Guess we don’t have a choice.”
“There never was,” Biodun muttered under his breath, his jaw clenching.
The team split up, each with a list of community leaders and influential system users to approach. Biodun and Tunde were tasked with meeting Adisa, one of the more prominent leaders who controlled the southeastern sector of the city. Known for his pragmatism, Adisa was as likely to negotiate as he was to turn them away, depending on whether he saw any advantage in joining them.
As they neared Adisa’s territory, the oppressive atmosphere thickened. It wasn’t just the crumbling buildings and deserted streets that made Biodun uneasy—it was the tension in the air, the feeling of being watched. A few of Adisa’s guards appeared from the shadows, their eyes sharp with suspicion, their hands hovering near their weapons.
“We need to speak with Adisa,” Biodun said, keeping his voice calm but authoritative. “It’s urgent.”
The guards exchanged wary glances before one of them nodded, motioning for them to follow. The walk through the territory was tense. Biodun could feel the mistrust in every gaze that followed them, the unspoken question of whether they were friend or foe.
When they reached Adisa’s headquarters, the man himself was waiting for them in a dimly lit room, his presence commanding despite the modest surroundings. He didn’t rise to greet them, and his sharp gaze seemed to size them up in an instant.
“You’re the ones stirring up trouble,” Adisa said, his voice cool and measured. “I’ve heard the rumors. But whispers don’t win wars.”
Biodun held his ground, knowing this was his moment to convince Adisa—or walk away empty-handed. “Whispers are just the beginning,” he replied. “We’re not just talking—we’re planning, strategizing. Hassan’s been chipping away at the city for too long. If we don’t stop him, there won’t be anything left to fight for.”
Adisa’s brow raised slightly, but his expression remained neutral. “And what exactly do you want from me?”
“Your people, your resources, your influence,” Tunde cut in smoothly, his voice as sharp as ever. “We’re forming a coalition—a group strong enough to challenge Hassan. We can’t do it without you.”
Adisa leaned back in his chair, considering their words carefully. The silence in the room stretched, heavy with tension. “You’re asking me to risk everything I’ve built for some dream of taking down Hassan. What makes you think we stand a chance?”
Biodun inhaled deeply before answering, knowing that his response had to carry more than just conviction—it had to offer hope. “Because if we don’t fight him now, he’ll come for you next. Hassan doesn’t leave anything standing in his way. You know that.”
Adisa’s sharp eyes narrowed as he studied Biodun and Tunde. Finally, he exhaled, the decision made. “I’ll join your coalition—but not because I believe in your chances. I’m only joining because I know Hassan’s coming for me whether I stand with you or not.”
It wasn’t exactly a vote of confidence, but it was a start. Biodun nodded, feeling a mix of relief and apprehension settle in his chest. They had Adisa, but the hard part was just beginning.
The following days blurred together as they continued their efforts, meeting with more leaders, system users, and potential allies. Each negotiation carried its own complications, with each faction bringing their unique set of grievances against Hassan, yet also mistrust for one another. Fear dominated every conversation, and Biodun quickly realized that forming this coalition wasn’t just about strategy—it was about convincing people to hope again, to believe that they could stand against a force as overwhelming as Hassan.
The coalition grew, but so did the tensions within it. Mistrust simmered just beneath the surface, threatening to unravel their fragile alliance at any moment.
Zainab, always quick to voice her doubts, confronted Biodun one evening after another tense meeting. “We’ve brought these people together, but how long before they start pulling in different directions? Half of them are only here because they’re terrified of Hassan. Fear won’t hold this group together.”
Biodun nodded grimly, knowing she was right. “We don’t have time to forge unbreakable bonds. This has to work, even if it’s built on fear. Right now, that’s all we’ve got.”
Zainab’s frustration was palpable, her eyes burning with the weight of her doubts. But she didn’t argue further.
The coalition gathered in an abandoned warehouse near the city’s center, a neutral space where the different factions could meet without feeling threatened by one another. Biodun stood near the back, surveying the group. The diversity of talents and abilities they had managed to gather was impressive—combat experts, system hackers, and a few with strange, unpredictable magic, like the quiet but powerful Kemi.
Tunde joined him, crossing his arms as he surveyed the room. “It’s not perfect,” he said quietly, “but it’s a start.”
Biodun nodded, though his heart was heavy with uncertainty. “We’ll make it work.”
As the group began to train and strategize for the inevitable confrontation with Hassan, the cracks in their unity remained. Arguments broke out over tactics, mistrust lingered between factions, and more than once, Biodun had to step in to prevent disagreements from boiling over.
But even with the tension, there was progress. Every day, the coalition grew a little stronger, a little more unified. They didn’t have the luxury of time, but they had no choice but to make this work.
Gssmzzz!
Ding!
Group Task Completed: Form Coalition.
Earned 200 XP.
The system’s notification rang out, and for the first time in what felt like weeks, Biodun allowed himself a moment of quiet satisfaction. They had done it—they had formed the coalition. But as the system’s reward buzzed through him, he knew that this was only the beginning.
He opened the system interface and checked their progress.
[Level 7]
[XP: 2100]
[Skills: Basic Fitness, Strategic Analysis, Meditation, Basic Combat]
[Weapons: Basic Blade, Energy Rifle]
As he looked around at the faces of their new allies, the weight of leadership settled back onto his shoulders. They had succeeded in bringing this group together, but keeping it together? That would be the true test. The real battle was just beginning.