`Chapter 2.22: Back in Time For The Party

As the sunlight streamed through the windows, Bruce, Amelia, and the three tribal chiefs—Talgrin of the Dragonkin, Dorgran of the Bearkin, and Lysandros of the Centaurs—found themselves gathered around a table covered with maps and sketches.

Bruce kept glancing at the centaur outside the dining room window. He was too big to fit in the house, so they opened a window to let him in. Dorgran had almost been too big to get through the doorway himself. He mused that whatever else they built would have to be size-compatible. Throwing a quick analyze at him, he was curious to know more about their version of Beastkin.

Name: Lysandros Bright Star

Level: 31

Race: Centaur

Description: Descended from Sváfnir, the mystical horse linked to wisdom and prophecy in Norse legend, Centaurs embody the union of intellect and instinct. Their human upper bodies and equine lower halves grant them unmatched speed, endurance, and power.

Nomadic and deeply attuned to nature, they roam in tribes led by chieftains who uphold tradition and strength. Masters of mounted combat and healing protect the wild, wielding deep herbal knowledge passed down through generations. Their oral traditions and songs preserve their history, ensuring their wisdom endures.

Bruce's fingers drummed restlessly on the table when Chief Dorgran broke the silence. "Words on parchment can only show so much. Now that there is a better base understanding, a more detailed tour of the premises? I think the scope would better reflect what you are trying to do here."

Bruce nodded, appreciating the Bearkin's direct approach. "Excellent idea, Chief Dorgran. Now that you have had time to settle, we can discuss more specifics about how these defenses and plans should be implemented."

They all rose, leaving behind the confines of the main house. As they walked the perimeter of Wolf's Run again, Bruce discussed some of the plans they had been considering in more detail. The barracks would be expanded and arranged in rows near the existing ones. The main road in front of the house would be used for crafting and business purposes.

"Before our world changed to this clean slate, it was badly designed. No one did much of anything for infrastructure until it was too late, leaving you with more problems than it was worth. So, here we are trying to plan all this out far in advance." Bruce explained as they looked at the current buildings on the property.

As they approached the eastern boundary, Chief Lysandros spoke up, his voice strong and assured. "I'll send out four of our fleetest scouts to gather intelligence on the horde's movements. The better we understand our enemy, the more effective our defense will be."

"Much appreciated, Lysandros," Bruce replied. "Time is of the essence."

With a nod, Lysandros whistled sharply. Four centaurs emerged from the temporary stables where they had been putting the horses that pulled the carts. Lysandros relayed the orders, and without a moment's delay, they took off, hooves pounding the earth and kicking up dust as they galloped into the horizon, headed in each cardinal direction. Their tails flicked in unison like war banners, signaling the moment's urgency.

Talgrin said, "We have been in our fair share of towns that did not plan accordingly and were as you described. You should be in a good position with your head start and planning mindset. If my hunch is correct and this place grows as quickly as I think it will, you need to plan for something far bigger."

Looking over at him, Amelia scrunched up her face with concern. "Far bigger? Just how big are we talking here? And why do you think that?"

"The System has a way of doing things. It seems to be piling resources into this one area. If I had to guess, when your other people are done with their tutorials, there will be quite a few portals nearby. Once others hear of this place, they will naturally migrate for safety, opportunities, etc. It is just the way of things." He continued.

They nodded along as he spoke. The reasoning made sense. They hadn't thought about it in that light.

The group continued their circuitous path around Wolf's Run, stopping at the North Gate. The wooden structure looked sturdy but untested. They would soon find out how sturdy it was.

"Four gates," mused Chief Talgrin, his reptilian eyes narrowed in thought. "One for each cardinal direction. That's both an advantage and a liability. Each one is a potential point of entry for the horde."

"Agreed," said Amelia, her eyes flicking from one chief to another. "We must assume the enemy won't come from just one direction. The scouts will give us better information, but with words like 'Beast Horde,' they will likely hit one side and flow out as they press in."

Chief Dorgran rubbed his furry chin thoughtfully. "The East Gate should be our priority for reinforcement, given that it faces the forest. It's the most likely direction for an initial assault. And, yes, they will most likely hit one section, and those behind will spread out as they try to push forward. This means the gates next to the one being hit must be protected."

The geographical landscape surrounding Wolf's Run had undergone considerable transformations since its reintegration into The System. Once peaceful and inviting, the forest to the south and east had turned into a menacing sea of trees from which the beast hordes could emerge. In stark contrast, a new mountain range stretched imposingly across the horizon, to the north and west, its peaks veiled in mist. It was in this direction that Sinclair had ventured and had yet to return from. Towards the northwest lay the spider forest and the mine, which had already proven perilous. They had been methodically mapping out these surrounding terrains as if assembling the pieces of a grand, chaotic puzzle.

Bruce nodded. "Makes sense. After that, we can shift our focus to the South and North Gates. They offer the easiest access to the settlement, closest to the plains and future farmlands."

"And the West Gate?" asked Chief Lysandros.

"We can consider it a lower priority for now," Bruce suggested, "but it'll still need some attention. We can assign a smaller but skilled team to fortify it while we focus on the other gates. There is a spider forest on that side, and unless they come out from their tree home, we should be fine. Any beasts circling would have to deal with them first."

Amelia began to write down the order of operations on a small notepad she had brought. "So, we agree, then? If we have the resources, we should start with the East, the South, and North simultaneously, and lastly the West."

Heads nodded in agreement.

"Then that's our plan," Bruce declared. "Let's move to the next phase—preparing our defenses."

The community of Wolf's Run transformed into a hive of activity. Beastkin and humans had divided into specialized work groups, each taking on a task suited to their strengths and skills.

Closest to the East Gate, a group of burrowing beastkin—members of the mole and badger tribes—were hard at work. Their claws made quick work of the earth as they dug trenches and moats. The soil flew in all directions as they worked tirelessly.

Another team facing the expected route was stationed closer to the forest. Armed with shovels, they worked in unison to lay out a series of crude but effective log-and-rock walls. These would serve as funnels, guiding the incoming beasts into traps and kill zones, a strategy suggested by Chief Lysandros, who had experience in tactical warfare.

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The steady and relentless rhythm of axes echoed through the clearing. Bruce and Chief Dorgran led the logging effort. Their team consisted of Bearkin and other larger Beastkin who took naturally to the work. Each swing gleamed in the late-day sun, the metallic glint of steel followed by the resounding thud of blade meeting timber. Trees toppled, sending tremors through the ground as their trunks gave way.

"We'll need more than this," Dorgran muttered, eyeing the pile already forming with a grim look as another tree cracked and fell.

"We'll have it," Bruce replied, dragging an arm across his brow to wipe away sweat. "Right now, it's about getting enough raw material in place. And if we can't build it in time, we'll use the system construct options for the rest."

The team emerged from the woods with a makeshift caravan when the sun dipped below the treeline, bleeding orange and violet across the sky. The bulk of the wood had gone into inventories, but enough remained to form a dragging trail of branches and trunks behind them. It would all be used, fashioned into sharpened palisades and braced against the gates and walls of Wolf's Run.

There would be no rest tonight.

The town transformed as the last light faded and the sky deepened to indigo. Magic lanterns hovered in the air, their pale glow dancing above work zones like ghostly stars. Fire pits burned bright, casting flickering shadows and warming chilled hands. Workers rotated in shifts, sweat-soaked and wearied, but no one slowed.

Among them, Talgrin moved like a force of nature. The Dragonkin Elder's presence drew attention, his scaled frame catching firelight with every step. He prowled through the work sites with a quiet authority, barking orders with a voice like thunder. Occasionally, he would unleash a full-throated roar that rolled through the camp like a battle horn. It wasn't fear he summoned—it was purpose. Each roar sparked new energy in the laborers, rekindling focus and defiance in the face of the coming storm.

Buff: Draconic Resilience (Rare)

Description: Draconic Resilience is a unique ability harnessed by Dragonkin leaders to inspire and support their community members. When activated, the Dragonkin emits an aura of strength and determination that envelops nearby citizens.

Effects:

+3 Endurance

+4 Willpower

Duration: 1 hour

As midnight approached, teams began rotating, some breaking off to grab a few hours of rest before their next shift. Despite their best efforts to create a constant rhythm of work, human and beastkin alike felt the creeping fingers of exhaustion. Yet, there was no room for weakness, not with their survival hanging in the balance.

The following day, the sun rose higher in the sky, casting long shadows as it penetrated the thick canopy of trees surrounding Wolf's Run. The atmosphere in the settlement was one of controlled chaos: sawdust floated in the air, the clang of metal rang out, and orders were shouted over the noise.

The South Gate creaked open, and four figures entered: Ed, Victoria, Rose, and Alice. Their eyes widened in disbelief at the scene that greeted them.

"What in the world… ?" Ed began, his voice tinged with awe and confusion.

"It looks like they started the party without us," Victoria said, her smile breaking through her initial shock. She always appreciated good work, and what she saw before her was miraculous.

Glancing up and seeing familiar faces, Bruce walked over, handing off his work near the newly reinforced East Gate. His face broke into a vast, relieved smile. "Ed! Victoria! You're back! And not a moment too soon."

"Looks like you've been busy, Mr. Hagerson," Ed noted, still taking in the fortifications, the newly dug trenches, and the armed guards standing at strategic points along the walls.

"We had some help," Bruce said, gesturing toward Chiefs Talgrin, Dorgran, and Lysandros, coordinating efforts nearby.

Seeing her returning daughter and her son's friends, Amelia rushed over. Her eyes welled up as she hugged each one. "Thank the heavens you're back safely."

"We missed the memo about turning our home into a fortress," Alice quipped, her eyes darting to the frenetic activity around them.

"Long story, here's the quest we got," Amelia said. "But right now, every pair of hands is needed. We're about to face something big, something dangerous."

Quest: Survive the Beast Hordes

Description: Driven by an unnatural force, the local wildlife has been pushed toward your settlement, their instincts overridden by a growing frenzy. As their numbers swell, Wolf's Run faces an onslaught of feral beasts determined to overrun its defenses. Stand firm and defend your home through four relentless waves of attackers to solidify Wolf's Run as a bastion of safety in Midgard.

Goal: Survive and repel four waves of attacking beasts to protect the settlement of Wolf's Run.

Rewards:

Rewards are calculated based on the death ratio and the difficulty level completed.

Progress: Waves 0/4.

"We're in," Rose declared, rolling up her sleeves. "What needs doing?"

Before anyone could respond, a horn's deep, resounding roar echoed through the air, silencing the cacophony of construction and chattering voices. Everyone's eyes turned to the East Gate, where a scout was signaling an alert.

"The first wave is approaching!" Talgrin's voice boomed across the settlement. "To your positions, everyone!"

General Valthorn, a veteran Gryphkin, stepped forward as the dust cloud on the horizon grew more prominent. His experience leading troops in some of the most challenging campaigns on his former planet had lent him an air of authority that no one could ignore. With a few crisp orders and well-placed gestures, he arranged the troops and volunteers in a formation that would offer the most robust defense.

Upon seeing the massive Gryphkin, Ed couldn't help but analyze him.

Name: Valthorn Skyclaw

Level: 48

Race: Gyphkin

Description: Descended from Hraesvelgr, the giant eagle who stirs the world's winds, the Gryphkin are masters of the skies. With the head, wings, and talons of an eagle and the robust frame of a lion, they embody both precision and strength.

Living in high mountain aeries, the Gryphkin value freedom, honor, and the wisdom of their elders. Their sharp senses make them expert navigators and weather predictors, attuned to the shifting winds. Fierce warriors and vigilant guardians, the Gryphkin soar as protectors of their domain and symbols of nobility and ferocity.

His deep-set eyes scanned the horizon one last time before returning to the newcomers. "You four, with me."

Victoria, Rose, Ed, and Alice gathered around the General, introducing themselves briefly and outlining their primary skills. The General listened intently and nodded as he processed the information.

"Very well," he said.

"Ed, take the Eastern wall. You have control abilities; I want you to use them to slow down or halt any beasts our spotters deem high-priority."

Ed nodded, his face set in a grim line. He was getting better with his control spell and was eager to put his talents to good use.

"Alice, you'll be behind the wall on the ground with some other reserves. Your hand-to-hand skills are needed there in case something gets past the wall. If anything gets past our defenses, I expect you to deal with it swiftly."

Alice, slightly more obsessed with the fighting aspect of this new world, grinned at the assignment.

"Rose, your magic is best suited for the area of effect. Take the eastern wall and focus your spells on clustered enemies."

Rose nodded, heart speeding up a little at the thought of fighting something called a Beast Horde.

"Victoria, you're with the medics. Healing will be critical. Keep our troops on their feet."

Victoria nodded solemnly. She had hoped to be more in the thick of it, but she knew the importance of her role.

As Bruce, Amelia, and the elders retreated to a makeshift infirmary, ready to tend to the wounded, General Valthorn gave one final look at his hodgepodge of an army. He had done all he could to prepare them; now, it was up to each individual to do their part.

The horn sounded again, a long, mournful note that seemed to hang on long after it had stopped. A quiet, tense energy settled over Wolf's Run as everyone took their positions. The first wave of the beast horde was nearly upon them.

Rose perched on the eastern wall, her eyes narrowed as she surveyed the approaching horde. Beyond was a sea of fur and fangs, with smaller predators like coyotes and wolves leading the charge. Her fingers tingled, and she itched to unleash a barrage of spells but forced herself to wait. Timing would be crucial.

Confusion and excitement filled the air around her, yet she couldn't shake the feeling that this situation was fundamentally wrong. Beasts attacked en masse, and many of them struck their neighbors as they ran for no apparent reason—it was like something out of a nightmare.

From her vantage point, Rose could see the first wave of the horde nearing the pit traps that had been hastily dug. She could see the ground collapse inward from this distance as the traps claimed their first victims. She initiated a quick analysis of some of the fallen animals. "Level 15," the system readout flashed before her eyes. Not overly formidable by themselves, but in these numbers, they'd pose a serious threat.

Her lips curled into a grim smile. Perhaps she would have preferred a more straightforward enemy, but life rarely offered such conveniences. The moment to act was fast approaching. The wave of fur and teeth was almost within range of her spells.

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