(Luke's POV)
Luke simply stared at Cervantez in disbelief for a while, as he could not understand why the guildmaster would betray him like this?
In private, when the two of them held a conversation, Cervantez did say that joining hands with the rebels wasn't entirely unfeasible since the guild did stand to gain a lot from this alliance, however, in the end he seemed to decide against it.
"Start preparing for a two front war. We still need to stave off the demons, but we can't ignore the threat of rebels either.
Start expanding your divisions and recruiting more men.
Increase the purchase of weapons.
Don't leak the news within the guild that we are expecting a war to break out just yet, but start arranging mock drills and tactical practice sessions.
If we're going to do this, then we must do this right" Cervantez said, as Luke let out a self-deprecating chuckle as he stood up from his seat.
"The meeting is not yet over, Vice-Guildmaster….." Cervantez said, however, Luke paid no heed to his words as he walked out of the room in anger.
"What happened to him? Why is the vice guild master upset?" Lysa asked, as the majority of the guild members could not understand the reasoning behind Luke's frustrations.
"This behavior is unlike him, Vice Guild Master SkyLion is not an emotional man that gets upset easily.
There must be a deeper meaning behind his departure–" Tor observed, as the rest of the guild members agreed with his assessment.
Everyone within the DarkSky guild knew Luke very well. He was the guild's backbone, and at times even more important to the guild than the guildmaster.
Nobody liked to see him upset, and hence everyone felt worried by his response.
"Should someone check on him? Should I?" Cola asked, as Cervantez raised his hand in disagreement, asking Cola to stay put.
"Give him space…. You guys don't know what he's going through–" Cervantez said, as he prevented any guild member from going after Luke, and decided to personally talk to him later, when he was more calm.
This was a poor decision on Cervantez's part, as the longer he left Luke alone the more his rage bubbled, as the feeling of betrayal only intensified.
Hence, when after a few hours, Cervantez came looking for Luke, the man that he faced was not the usual and cordial vice guildmaster that he knew.
"Listen, Luke, about my decision…." Cervantez began, however, Luke simply pulled up his finger in rage and pointed it towards Cervantez, with fury evident in his eyes.
"Don't…. Just don't" Luke said, as he grit his teeth and contemplated what words he should use?
"There is NOTHING that I have not done for this guild and for you.
I am very grateful for EVERYTHING that you have done for me, as without you I probably would not be the player that I currently am, but all that ends today.
You have betrayed my trust, and I no longer consider you to be a friend.
The others have no idea as to who my brother is, but you do.
You know who my brother is, and you know my relationship with him and you still took this incredibly selfish decision of putting the guild against him.
It's over man,
I can never respect you the same again" Luke said, as Cervantez rolled his head in disappointment.
"Seriously? Are you seriously offended by such a small decision?
If you thought it's going to be a 100% sealed deal, why did you not promise your brother an alliance with the DarkSky guild before you came to me?
Why did you not make all the choices yourself? You certainly have the power to….
If you did not want to put it to vote, why let me take the discussion to the council? Why not tell me in private, that listen guildmaster, I expect us to take this proposal hands down, and wag our tails before the great Boss like the dogs that we are.
Don't put this on me now SkyLion.
We took it to vote like mature adults and it did not turn out in your favor.
There's nothing for you to cry about now" Cervantez said, as instead of consoling Luke, he decided to spit facts instead.
"Why did I not make the decision? I did not make the decision because I RESPECTED your authority as my senior in this guild.
Why did I let it go to the council? Because I don't care if the council rejected the idea, but the council did not.
The vote was tied 3-3 and YOU had the deciding power.
I am not upset by the outcome here, I am upset by how that outcome came to be.
You can spin it a million ways guildmaster, but the fact remains that you broke my trust" Luke said, as he refused to let Cervantez pin the blame on him.
"Oh you seriously need to grow up here, SkyLion.
Not all of us have younger brothers to carry us in life.
Some of us have to make a name for ourselves, and this is a chance for us to do exactly that.
This is our shot at leaving a legacy.
We can be the last bastion of hope for the anti rebels" Cervantez said, as Luke simply scoffed at his words, not bothering to dignify it with a response.
"Deliver the news of our refusal to your brother in person. But if you don't have the balls to do so, I'll draft a message myself, the choice is yours.
Also, when you finally grow up and decide to put this incident behind you, come meet me in my office, so that we can finally discuss strategy on how to fight the rebels in three months" Cervantez said, as he walked away from Luke rather arrogantly, turning his back on his friend and ally.
His words, especially his last sentence, stung deeply in Luke's heart, as if the betrayal felt bad, the aftermath was surely even worse.