In the Egyptian community, 2 main forces controlled everything. The 18th dynasty faction had Ahmose the first as its founder and current advisor. Thutmose the third became the leader ever since Ahmose stepped down. Finally, Thutmose the first held the position of the chief officer of internal affairs.

The other major power was called the Great Empire faction. The leader was the warrior-king Ramesses the second, with Seti the first as his second in command. Another important figure was Hattusili the third who hailed from the Hittite community. However, due to various events, he decided to join forces with Ramesses.

These 6 individuals were the 6 who held the most power and influence within their respective factions. Thutmose explained to them all of what Sun Tzu had planned for their community.

“So, Ramesses II. What do you make of this situation?” Asked Thutmose III, a very capable land strategist in the Egyptian community.

“This is no doubt a great opportunity for trade and exchange of knowledge. What say you, Hattusili?” Answered a heavy-set fellow. This man was one of the, if not the, foremost naval experts of the Egyptian community, as well as a likely candidate for the highest position in this particular region.

“I think that this comes at a very fortunate time. This community has been slumping in terms of growth, and this could very well be the push we need to encourage our best to strive for the top.” Hattusili III respectfully replied to his greatest ally.

“You may not be of Egyptian origin, Ramesses, but your inputs are quite valued. I agree.” Seti interjected.

“Ahmose and I may have been traveling for the past 3 decades, but has the growth slowed that much?” Asked Thutmose I.

“Child, your senses and reasoning don’t seem to be quite developed yet. Even before we left I could tell that things were starting to turn sour. Naturally, without anything exciting like this happening from back then to now, there is no way to stop it.” Ahmose replied, displeased at Thutmose I’s question.

“No need for such hostilities, Ahmose. We are part of the same dynasty, after all. But to answer your question, yes, it is indeed that bad. I hope the two of you have had your fun venturing the other communities because now is the time to work ceaselessly to prepare for such a grand event.” Said Thutmose the third.

“What about the other issue that we have been keeping an eye out for?”

“The one where fewer strategists are coming in? As terrible as it can be. Year on year we have started decreasing at an ever-increasing rate.”

“We shouldn’t feel too bad about this. Of the few communities that Thutmose the first and I have ventured out to this past little while, every one of them has had the same problem. I imagine that it is a shared problem that all communities face.”

“What of the Greek and Roman communities?”

“They show the greatest slowdown of all. There are rumors amongst themselves that they will not be able to retain a position in the top 10 communities. It is a shame.”

“We must not fall for the same mistakes that they have. It was a great idea to spend more of our resources on longer-lasting infrastructure, and other such projects to assist the general masses in their journey to becoming better at leading armies. I realize that now, Ramesses.” Seti the first said humbly.

“I must admit that I thought we would be on top for a bit longer as well and that all those programs were best developed at a later date. Oh, how wrong I was. This is all thanks to you, Ramesses.”

“Yes, thanks to you, we have managed to temporarily secure our position in the top 10. I mean, it is still a far cry from our glory days, but we shouldn’t complain. We will need to implement many more procedures and such so that we may have a chance yet to reclaim what is rightfully ours.”

“Your thanks are unnecessary. I may have gotten the ball rolling on such an ambitious project, but we would not have had such success if it weren’t for your faction getting in on this and opening up a bit of your vault for us to use.”

“I believe that all of us here at least have a bit of foresight into who should be attending, no? There isn’t much of a change since the last time we had to take part in the Deathmatch tournament.”

“I would have to disagree on that point, Seti. I believe that since this is a mock tournament of that tournament, we should be putting in more of our hidden gems.”

“Oh? What makes you say that, Ahmose?”

“Just that there are far too many who go and don’t gain anything meaningful from such a cherished opportunity. I feel that is a waste. Plus, there is the fact that although we are receiving less strategists overall, the quality of the last few arrivals has been quite high actually.”

“Valid point. Let’s put it to a vote. All those in favor of cutting a few laggards and adding more of our promising new potential?”

Thutmose III was the first one to raise his hand, followed by Ramesses, then Ahmose. Seeing that the three most influential people in the room were in favor of this move, the other three quickly shot their hands up.

“Good, no objections. Even though those who will be cut are going to be upset, well what can they do? The most powerful people in this community are in this room. Not many can even compare.”

“Is there anything else that needs to be said before we conclude this meeting?”

“Uh, yes. I would like to put forth a proposal.”

“Hattusilis? What are you planning?”

“As you all know, I come from the Hittite community. I have been speaking to my fellow top strategists. We believe that both of our communities would benefit from a merger.”

“You should know, Hattusilis, you are only here due to Ramesses. Your position as a top official in our community has sparked quite a controversy among the citizens. Those of us in this room might not care as much, but that is only because we have more important matters to worry about.”

“Yes, I understand that.”

“Don’t mind Thutmose I, I support this merger.”

“Thank you, Ramesses.”

“Don’t mention it. Brothers should be there for each other should we not?”

“A moment, please. A merger right now might not be the best course of action.”

“Would you care to explain?”

“Hattusilis might have been active in our community for the past millennia, but he still has not gained the trust of many of our top brass. Do you think that an additional few thousand immigrants are a good decision at the moment?” Seti tried to sway the decision of the group.

“I don’t think this is a very complicated matter. Historically, a merger of two or more communities has always had many more benefits than drawbacks.”

“Yes, but the people will-”

“-The people will learn to live by it, even if they don’t like it, boy! I, for one, gladly welcome your Hittite brothers and sisters, Hattusilis.”

“Thank you, Ahmose.”

“Don’t mention it.”

“I think that is a good move, Hattusilis. I don’t necessarily mind merging, but there is one condition that you must agree to.”

“Name it, if it is within my power, I can guarantee it.”

“Your Hittite history, how do you say, is limited, but us Egyptians are far greater… You know what I am referring to, don’t you?”

“Of course! The name of the community will continue to remain as the Egyptian community. For a small group such as us to merge with you is already an honor.”

“I’m glad you understand.”

“Our few centuries of Hittite history and warfare just cannot compare to Egypt’s few thousand years.”

“Hattusilis, brother, what about the other Mesopotamian communities? I don’t suppose you have kept close ties with them?”

“...I have. Whatever you have heard in your reports...it is much worse.”

“No doubt, I have heard that their counterpart on Earth has not existed as a nation for thousands of years at the very least. That means that they no longer receive any new strategists. That is the ultimate death flag for a community. I’m surprised that the Akkadians, Babylonians, and Sumerians are kicking as much as they are.”

“Those bastards are hard-headed, it is in their blood.”

“Tell you what, Hattusilis. I know you feel a kinship to them since they are technically the ancestors as well as descendants of your Hittite nation. If you can get them all to agree on the aforementioned agreement, then incorporating them into the Egyptian community should not be that difficult.” Thutmose III told Hattusilis.

“Really?”

“Of course, with me, Ramesses who always supports you, and Ahmose who loves your people, no one has the power to contest against us. Should we put this to a vote?” Thutmose III looked over to Seti who had been the sole voice of opposition before.

“No need, I can see that I am alone in my way of thinking,” Seti replied.

“Excellent, then what of the matter with the 100 positions for the mock tournament?”

“Ramesses, do you agree that 15 positions should be reserved for them?”

“I believe that is more than fair.”

“Good, then we’ll just go with that. However, Hattusilis, you have to get them to agree to the merger first. If you can’t convince them, then you won’t get anywhere close to 15 seats.”

“I understand. I will do my best to get them over to our side.”

“Now, if nothing else, then this meeting will be concluded.”

Everyone got up to stretch and loosen up. However, just as Ramesses, Hattusilis, and Seti were at the door, a voice called out to them.

“Remember you three. No slacking off! We cannot afford to do as terrible as we did in the last tournament. Mock or not, this is a form of advertisement. One we cannot afford to mess up...again.”

The three of them winced at that thought and nodded. Even after having left the room, they felt the sting of regret in their minds. Their abysmal performance in the last tournament had severely impacted their relationships with the other communities who were all power hungry. If they performed so terribly again, who knows what would happen.