Hamish's face hovered inches from mine, his bushy eyebrows furrowed in deep concentration as he peered directly into my pupils.
"Gah!" I screamed, startled beyond reason.
"AHH!" Hamish yelled back, stumbling backward as if I'd just hit him. His arms flailed wildly, and for a moment, I thought he might trip over the chair behind him.
"WHAT'S HAPPENING?!" came another scream, this time from Snow, who had been sitting quietly on the far side of the room. She bolted upright, her hands clutching her forehead, where her sapphire flared with power, ready to act.
"Hamish!" I pushed him away, sitting up with a groan. "What are you doing in my face?!"
"What am I doing? You scared the soul out of me, Chief!" Hamish shot back, shaking a finger at me. "One moment ye were sleeping like a babe, the next ye're screaming in me face like some banshee!"
Snow, her breathing still rapid, pressed a hand over her chest. "I thought something terrible happened! You two are ridiculous!"
Hamish rubbed his ears dramatically. "Ach, lass, ye dinnae need to scream louder than us. My poor ears are ringing like a church bell."
"You startled me!" Snow huffed, though her glare softened as she looked my way. "Robert, are you okay? You've been out for a whole day."
"A whole day?" I repeated, massaging my temples. My body ached, but not nearly as much as I expected after the fight with the grub. "What happened while I was out? I feel like I've missed a year."
Snow came over and sat beside me, her sapphire glowing on her forehead as she spoke. "Hamish and I went into the dungeon yesterday, remember? We trained together, and it went really well. When we got back, though, the villagers were worried about you."
Hamish nodded, pulling up a chair and slumping into it. "Aye, Chief. They've taken to tending the grove ye created. We're talking fences, spacing the plants, keeping out pests, not that there are many, what with the magic keeping the place pristine."
Snow added, smiling, "And some of the hunters started harvesting the grub. They've been collecting the chitin plates, poison sacs, even the fangs. It's impressive how resourceful they are."
I glanced at Hamish, raising an eyebrow. "And you didn't stop them?"
"Stop 'em?" Hamish snorted. "Why would I? They've a right to make use of the beast. Besides, better they're busy doing something useful than sitting around wringing their hands over ye."
Snow nodded. "It's true. The grove looks amazing, by the way. They're treating the golden tree like it's sacred. Nobody's touched it, but they keep stopping to stare at it like it's a miracle."
I leaned back against the pillows, digesting the information. The villagers had stayed. Not just stayed, they'd started working together, using their skills to stabilize the dig site. It felt surreal, but also strangely heartwarming. These people, many strangers until recently, were investing in this place because of me.
"Moira's been quiet," Snow said softly, her expression flickering with concern. "I thought she might say something now that you're awake."
I closed my eyes briefly, reaching out mentally. Moira was present, and I felt her warmth and reassurance like a gentle hand on my shoulder. "She's still here," I said, opening my eyes. "Probably letting me recover."
Hamish cleared his throat. "Speaking of recovering, Chief, ye dinnae look quite yourself. How're ye feeling?"
"Better than I should," I admitted, swinging my legs over the edge of the bed. My muscles protested slightly, but I felt far more stable than I had any right to be after expending so much energy. "But there's no time to waste. If that grub was drawn here, what's to stop something worse from showing up?"
Snow frowned, her sapphire pulsing. "You think more creatures might come?"
"Not think. Know." I pushed myself to my feet, though my head spun briefly. "The grove is radiating magic now, and it's only going to grow stronger. That's a beacon for anything in the area that feeds on magic or hates it. We need defenses."
Hamish tilted his head, smirking. "Defenses, eh? Sounds like a job for your new best friend."
I blinked, confused. "Who?"
Hamish's grin widened. "The settlement core, of course. Ye dinnae think we'd leave your favorite crystal alone, did ye?"
I groaned, running a hand down my face. "You've got to be kidding me."
"Not at all," Hamish said, his grin turning mischievous. "It's been keeping itself busy, ordering the villagers about like it owns the place. They've a love-hate relationship with it already."
Snow giggled. "It told one of the hunters to efficiently dispose of the remaining grub residue, and he just stared at it for a full minute before walking away."
I shook my head, a small smile tugging at my lips despite myself. "Alright, fine. I'll go talk to it. Maybe it has some ideas about defenses."
Hamish clapped his hands together. "That's the spirit, Chief! Let's see what your shiny overlord has to say."
I shot him a look, but couldn't help the chuckle that escaped. "You coming?"
"Wouldn't miss it," Hamish said, rising from his chair with a stretch. Snow followed, her sapphire glowing as she stood.
Together, we stepped out of the cottage, and I was immediately greeted by a wave of reactions from the villagers scattered across the dig site. The air hummed with the grove's magic, golden motes drifting lazily, while wildflowers near the central tree pulsed faintly, their vitality bolstered by the land's energy. The sight steadied me, a reminder of what I was fighting for.
"Robert!" one of the farmers called out, his face breaking into a relieved grin. Others quickly joined him, their excitement palpable as they rushed over.
Before I could say a word, hands were thrust toward me, hearty claps landed on my shoulder, and voices overlapped in a chorus of gratitude and cheer. "You're awake!" "We thought you might not pull through!" "The way you fought that beast, unbelievable!"
I tried to respond, but the sheer warmth of their welcome left me momentarily speechless. These people, many of whom I'd barely met, were looking at me with admiration. It stirred something deep within me, a resolve to live up to their faith.
Hamish chuckled beside me, leaning in to murmur, "You're a proper hero now, Chief. Maybe I should just call you hero?"
I managed a sheepish smile, shaking hands and offering reassurances as the crowd finally began to disperse, their lingering smiles and words of encouragement leaving a warmth in my chest. The villagers' resilience shone through, their hands calloused from toil, yet their eyes bright with hope. They'd faced a monster and stayed, turning fear into action.
The air around the dig site intensified with an otherworldly hum as the settlement core's magic reached out to begin its work. The ground near the grove and cottages shimmered, pulses of blue light emanating from the crystal's heart. I watched as villagers paused in their tasks, transfixed by the spectacle unfolding before them.
Stone and timber floated upward, each piece caught in a soft aura of pale gold. Rocks assembled themselves in orderly piles, and beams of wood spun gently in midair, awaiting placement. The first stones slid into position with a soft crack of stone against stone, layers of mortar forming between them like magic. Timber supports aligned precisely, blending rustic Highland craftsmanship with a subtle, otherworldly precision.
It was more than just a barrier; the wall itself held an elegance. As each layer settled, carvings of vines and Celtic knots glowed briefly, merging the land's aesthetic with the realm's power. A stout gate took shape at the front, its thick wooden planks bound by gleaming metal bands etched with runes. The grove's magic seemed to guide the process, its golden light weaving into the structure, reinforcing its strength against potential threats.
I stood near the settlement core, my arms crossed as I monitored the progress. "That's impressive," I admitted aloud, glancing at the crystal. "And fast. How much longer until it's complete?"
The core pulsed once, its tone clinical. "Estimated time for completion: 16 minutes. Defensive perimeter integrity at 43 percent. Continuing construction."
I let out a low whistle. "Efficient, I'll give you that."
As the wall rose steadily, I turned my gaze to the heart of the grove. The golden central tree soared skyward, its broad branches arching protectively over the fruit-bearing plants. Its bark shimmered bronze and gold, while enormous pear-shaped fruits glowed with an inner light. I stepped closer, curiosity tugging at me, the air around it thick with a sweet, vital energy that seemed to pulse in time with my heartbeat.
"Settlement core," I said quietly, "what exactly is the function of this grove? And that tree in the middle, what are its products, and what can they be used for?"
The crystal brightened slightly, its tone formal yet brimming with a hint of pride. "The Albion Grove is a legendary agricultural enhancement. Its primary function is to provide a continuous and abundant source of food and resources for the settlement. The grove produces fruits, vegetables, and herbs at twice their natural size and with enhanced nutritional properties."
I nodded, already impressed. "And the tree?"
"The central tree is the Golden Heart of Albion," it continued. "It enhances the vitality of all flora within the grove. Its fruits, called Albion's Ambrosia, provide restorative effects, replenishing stamina and mana, accelerating healing, and granting temporary immunity to disease or toxins. They are also potent alchemical reagents."
My eyebrows shot up. "Temporary immunity to toxins, huh? Wish I'd had one of those before the grub incident."
The core droned on. "The tree's leaves may be harvested sparingly to amplify spellcraft, though overharvesting will diminish its power. The grove's magic attracts aetheric wildlife, so the wall construction will mitigate this risk."
I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "Alright, so we'll need to maintain it properly. Still, this is an incredible resource."
A sudden clashing noise drew my attention. Behind me, I heard Hamish's sword clang against a straw dummy, followed by Snow's gentle laughter. When I glanced back, I saw her casting another layer of frost on his blade, the dummy shattering like brittle ice. Their training, bolstered by the grove's ambient magic, showed their growth, a quiet strength building among us.
By the time the wall was finished, it stood twelve feet high, encircling the dig site, cottages, and Albion's Grove in a unified perimeter. A solid parapet allowed for patrols, and crenellations offered cover for defenders. At the front, a wide wooden gate reinforced with iron beams was etched with swirling patterns, a harmonious blend of art and functionality. Villagers admired the wall's completion, adding personal touches like inscriptions and polished hinges. A small sun emblem was carved near the gate, symbolizing Albion's hope, its glow faintly echoing the grove's light.
I returned to the settlement core, finding it glowing with a sense of accomplishment. A new build menu appeared, highlighting watchtowers for each corner. "Core," I said, "queue up the materials for these towers and let me know when we have enough resources." It pulsed in acknowledgment.
Satisfied, I decided to test my evolving magic. Near the grove, just off the main path, I fused Light and Earth in my mind. Their energies coalesced, swirling into a single force I directed downward. In moments, a four-foot-wide hole formed in the ground, soil and stone rising neatly in separate mounds. I extended the pit to a depth of sixty feet, shaping the sides for stability. Then I combined Light and Water to purify and fill the bottom with clean, shimmering liquid. The grove's magic amplified the effect, the water glowing faintly with restorative energy.
Glancing around at the curious onlookers, I asked if anyone knew a carpenter who could outfit the new well with a pulley and cover. An older villager volunteered to fetch one from the nearby settlement.
"This'll keep folks hydrated," I said, nodding in satisfaction. "We'll probably be seeing a lot more people soon."
I sought out Hamish and Snow next, eager to see what they had gleaned from the dungeon. "Any crystals?"
Hamish's face lit up. "Aye, Chief." He rummaged in his satchel, producing fragments that glowed with soft luminescence. Snow did the same, handing over hers. I collected them carefully, already imagining how these resources could strengthen our settlement or fuel our spells. The grove's ambient power seemed to enhance their glow, a sign of their potential.
Everywhere I turned, I saw villagers tending new tasks, shoring up walls, sorting supplies, and caring for the grove's verdant life. The synergy of magic and ordinary know-how was weaving this place into something extraordinary. The air thrummed with possibility, the grove's golden motes dancing as if celebrating our resilience.
Finally, I took a deep breath and gathered my resolve. These people had stayed out of gratitude or curiosity, and some would return to their villages with tales of this place. They needed a clear message, a purpose to rally behind against the threats looming on the horizon.
I stepped forward, clearing my throat, ready to speak.