Start calling around.

According to Lord Barkis, even under such dire circumstances, proper communication to the Circle of the Unicorn's chairmen is incredibly difficult. They tend to all do their own thing, and care about themselves, as they are powerful but eccentric mages. He's going to come at least, and you eventually get word from Eva's father, Rada Beela, saying that he'll be there too. As for the rest, you'll just have to hope for the best that they care enough for the well-being of this world to show up and help defend it.

While you haven't heard from Nyllia yet, she's doing what she does best--help the people. Not only will adventurers hopefully heed her call, but regular folk might start changing their minds about who should be in power. When the time comes and the queen returns, she'll need supporters lest the Empire of Tivera fall into disarray, even after the defeat of Demon King Elok Daven.

Rose is thankfully on your side completely. Both her and Mina heed the call, and not only that, but they know the underbelly of Tivera better than anyone. This means more allies, but she can also weed out Elok's supporters. If Lord Vraelion's attack showed you anything, it was that a lot of people seeking power from any source necessary are willing to serve any evil **** that is willing to offer such. The last thing you want is an uprising of cultists as soon as the battle begins.

A few more people wish to join Castle Phoenix as well. Perhaps they heard word of the others who have found shelter here, or they feel that trouble is brewing.

Sitting in the War Room one day, you ready the magical mirror of communication in order to speak with Lady Vex. You sit up straight, garbed in your suit of armour, as you prepare yourself to call upon an army like a general. It isn't that far off from reality. While it can certainly at times be fun and games, right now you've never felt more serious. You clear your throat, use the mirror's reflection to tidy up your hair, and then lean it back against a pile of books. Using its magic, you reach out and hope she answers. It rings, then it rings some more. It makes you wonder what it might be like if Fava and the others can figure out how to get a smart phone working.

Half a minute passes. You wonder if this time, she isn't going to be available. You can always try later either way. You have time left before the attack. Though while you're thinking about this, an image springs to life to replace the reflection in the mirror. It's Vex herself, with the camera held too close to her face at first. She pulls it back, stares for a moment, and then gives a cheeky smile.

"Oh good. It's you. Every time you contact me, I get kinda nervous it'll be that weirdo William, or maybe even Elok. Oh! Before you start talking about boring stuff, let me show you something awesome. Let me just... Gah, this is hard without Masumi to hold it for me." She fumbles around with the mirror for a moment before lowing it enough to show she's topless. You can't tell if she's laying back on her throne entirely naked or just doesn't have a shirt. Either way, she brings the mirror incredibly close to her flat chest to show a beautiful silver stud thread through one of her nipples. "I got a boob piercing! Isn't it awesome? I never even thought to pierce my nipples before. Wow it hurt, but don't worry. Masumi kissed it better for me."

She's gotten a lot more comfortable around me it seems. "It is awesome, yes. Very fitting for you."

"You think so? I did too." She lays the mirror down upon her lap, propping it up slightly with her knees as she leans back on her throne. It isn't the most formal position--a start contrast to how you prepared yourself--but you didn't expect anything else. "So why'd you call?"

"It's time," you respond. You then lay out the plan, step by step. It takes longer than you originally hoped due to having to repeat a handful of things, but you feel it's best she knows the whole thing. As an allied Demon King, she's going to be expected to send in troops, so it's only fair she knows what's in store. You tell her not only about the plan, but things you've discovered, and who will hopefully be coming to aid in the attack.

After all is said and done, she's shifted numerous times in her seat. Now she's curled up sideways with the mirror leaning back against her legs. "Well, you've got my support. I can't send every last person away from Zettanko though. For one, he might attack. For two, I have other enemies too. But I'll definitely be there. I'll probably send Masumi with me, Kashura, Taffeta, Kiki, Kis-sa, uhh maybe Cid too? We'll see. Farin might want some real field experience actually. I'll deal with all that. Just let me know where you need me and when, and I'll be there."

"You might want to wear a shirt then," you jest.

"Please. I'm gonna have them both pierced, and I'll wanna show it off!" She cackles. "Relax. I know how to be a Demon King, probably even more than you. See, you're too nice for people to be calling you that."

"You're not so bad yourself."

"Take that back!"

"Hey. Thanks for everything, Vex. I hope that when all of this is over, we can party together."

She grins wide. "I'll make you pay me back for the help."

After the call, you take some time to breathe. The next one will be a little less fun. Though William is a fellow Earthling, speaking to him is always strange. He's definitely the polar opposite of Lady Vex. He's uptight, while she takes things too easy.

You can't procrastinate forever. You sit back up again, and then give William a call.

The person who answers is not William, however. It's the raven-feathered harpy you know as Jika. By how she stands, it seems the magic mirror has been mounted to something, as she doesn't have hands to hold it, yet she stands before it. She offers a formal nod in greeting, though the stare of her eyes is just as intense by distant communication as it is in person. You can feel her cold demeanour from here.

"Oh. Hello, Jika. Is William present?" you ask.

"He is not. But he said that you would likely be calling soon."

"Of course he did. Yeah, things are moving along. I need to speak with him as soon as he's free so we can discuss what's about to happen."

"He told me to heed your words in his absence. Please tell me all you were going to tell him."

"Well, all right." As you're not speaking to him directly, you don't go into every last detail, but you do explain the plan. She listens intently, unlike Vex prior. You need his power, and his allies, and he did say he would help when the time came. As you continue to talk, Jika only listens silently. "And I hope we'll see William at our side on the battlefield," you end with.

"You shall," she responds. "Laputa will make haste, and you will have the support of the following allies. William Cresswell. Jika. Trin. Stilet. Ribi. Juggernaut. Storm. If more are decided upon, our lord will inform you. Goodbye for now. I have much to do."

"That was quick. Are you sure you'll remember all th--And she hung up. All right." You fall back into your seat with a sigh. I guess that was easier than expected.

You then look to the conch shell sitting nearby, wondering if she'd even bother. It has nothing to do with her, and she lives so far away. You don't have anything to lose, however, so you lift it up and clear your throat before speaking.

"Hey, Gwyn. Are you there?" you ask into the conch. "Within the week, we're going to have a big multi-army battle to take out a powerful Demon King. If you wanna come, you can. I know you don't have any stake in the problem, but--"

"Maybe," her voice responds.

You wait in silence for a moment. You then proceed to summarize the plan, though you're cut-off relatively early on.

"That is enough. I have much to do today. You should be grateful that I even responded. Goodbye."

This world stresses me out sometimes.