Langston walked up to Robert quietly as they sat under a pavilion's shade. Golden sunlight slipped through the fabric above, wrapping them in a warm glow. The air felt cool and calm, with lazy clouds drifting across the blue sky, stretched out like pulled cotton. Langston seemed different today, quieter than usual. His typical awkwardness had softened into a stillness, like his thoughts had settled him into something new.
"I've been thinking," Langston said, his voice steady but careful, like he was testing new ground. "About everything you've built here, what you've done, how you've pulled so many people together. It's not something I ever thought could happen. Not after ENCLAVE, not after all I've seen."
Robert tilted his head a bit, waiting. His steady look gave Langston room to keep going. The ex-scientist glanced down, then back up, a spark of something real in his eyes. "I'll be honest. I doubted you. Doubted all of this. But seeing it, seeing you… it's been a long time since I felt this. Hope. Hope for people, for life, for something better."
Robert's face softened, his eyes warm. He stayed quiet, letting the silence between them feel like a connection, not a gap.
"That's why I've been wrestling with this," Langston went on, his tone picking up a sharper edge, like he'd found his footing. "I want to help more than I am. I want to learn magic. Not for fighting or blowing stuff up, but to build. To mix it with tech. Picture it: machines running on magic, tools that could change medicine, buildings, everything. I'd follow any rules you set, of course."
To show what he meant, Langston pointed to his bracelet, a relic from the fae dungeon. Its surface was carved with old runes that seemed alive with secrets. With a small flick, he triggered it, and a golden chain spilled out, spinning in the air with a sharp crackle. The chain moved like it had a mind of its own, shifting between attack and defense, a snake of light and metal. Robert watched, curious but wary, the chain's glow throwing quick shadows across his face. He wasn't sure what it could do, but it looked impressive.
Robert leaned back a little, eyeing Langston thoughtfully. His fingers tapped lightly on the wooden bench. You could see the honesty in Langston's words, the cautious hope in his eyes. The prickly ex-ENCLAVE guy was changing, his old doubts bending under the weight of magic's reality, like metal softening in a forge.
"You're serious about this?" Robert asked, his voice calm but digging for the truth.
Langston nodded hard, his jaw set. "Dead serious. I know it's a big ask, not something I'm owed. But I want to really pitch in. If you'll let me."
Robert's lips curved into a small smile, a hint of approval in his look. "We'll hash out the details, but I think it's worth a shot. Magic's not just power, Langston. It's responsibility. If you're up for that, maybe we can make it work."
Relief hit Langston like a wave, softening his face, though he covered it with a quick nod, his shoulders easing up. "Thanks, Robert. I won't mess this up."
After sending teams to hunt down runed tiles for the Arch and chatting with Langston about his next steps, Robert figured it was time to tackle some chores at home. The weight of leading slipped off for a bit as he focused on the simple stuff that kept him steady.
He stepped into the heart of Doras Dagda, where the settlement buzzed with life. Hammers banged, voices chattered, and a soft shimmer of mana hung in the air. Above the settlement console, STEVE's hologram glowed sharp and eerie, like stars pulled down to earth. Rows of data floated in neat columns and pie charts, flickering as Robert got closer.
A huge Kobrute stomped into sight, hauling two dead Auruchs in its giant hands. The massive oxen, their fur caked with dirt and their ivory horns shining like polished bone, dangled limp as the brute carried them like they weighed nothing. Its rocky muscles flexed with every step. A kobold rider perched on the Kobrute's wide shoulder, guiding it with quick, sure moves, like a little boss on a big beast. They headed for the console where STEVE's display glowed, the kobold puffing out his chest, scales catching the sunlight.
"Deposit successful," STEVE said as the Kobrute dropped the Auruchs, the ground shaking a little under the load. "Resource intake: 2,108 pounds of meat, 456 square feet of hide, 22 ivory horns, and some extra bits. Payment: 28 gold."
The kobold rider grinned wide, pocketing his cash before scampering off to the market, his tiny legs blurring. Soon enough, Robert saw him grabbing a tankard of berry mead, laughing loud with his buddies, the drink splashing as he toasted.
"Administrator," STEVE cut in, his voice flat and loud enough to rise above the noise. "Latest stats are ready. We need decisions now to keep resources flowing right."
Robert raised an eyebrow, a half-smile tugging at his mouth. "You don't mess around, do you?"
STEVE's hologram twitched slightly, his tone steady as a rock. "Efficiency matters. Ready to go?"
Robert nodded and leaned in, hands on the console's edge, studying the glowing map of the settlement. Bright markers popped up, showing key spots. The Arcane Crafters Tower, a big structure for magic work, shimmered near the center, its progress bar at 92%. Once done, it'd be the hub for crafting enchanted gear, potions, and tools, linking Albion's magic to the settlement's needs.
"The Arcane Crafters Tower is almost ready," STEVE said, clipped and precise. "It'll crank out more magic stuff and boost research. But we need to pick: finish it up or shift resources to defenses."
Robert tapped his chin, his Insightful Vision kicking in, his left eye glowing faintly. The data got clearer as he spotted mana flows, picking out weak points STEVE had tagged. "How're the walls holding up?"
"Stone walls are solid," STEVE answered, flipping the display to the perimeter. "Smooth build, single-file rampart with kobold patrols. Four watchtowers with archers. Kobrutes roam outside, handling threats. Defenses are good for now, but could use a long-term boost."
Robert checked the numbers again, thinking it over. "What about the settlers? Any trouble?"
STEVE's map zoomed in on part of the settlement. "Some folks are slow getting used to magic. Work's okay, but training could fix that."
"Training, huh?" Robert said, mulling it over. "Moira could help with that."
STEVE kept going, unbothered. "Plan: wrap up the Crafters Tower, send labor and mana to beef up the walls, and start training settlers."
Robert's mind wandered for a second, feeling the bigger picture press down. Balancing the settlement with their mission was tricky. He let out a slow breath, hearing Moira's voice in his head: Efficiency's one thing, Robert, but harmony's the goal. Unity keeps this place alive, not just plans. He smiled a little, warmth flickering inside. "Alright, STEVE. Finish the Crafters Tower. Then move extra resources to the walls. I'll team up with Moira for the training."
"Got it," STEVE said, his hologram shifting as he locked in the orders. "Reallocation started. Done in 3 hours."
Robert mentally pinged Moira to check on the settlers STEVE flagged. On it, Vessel. Thanks! Trusting her, he headed toward the tower, itching to craft something new. But four steps in, a panting kobold messenger raced up, his shiny leather armor glinting. He saluted fast, hand shaky. "Master Robert! Big news! Something's coming from the east. Huge, magical, and quick!"
STEVE's display flickered as he crunched the data. "Threat level: high. Suggest scouting it out now."
Robert's eyes snapped to the east, his jaw tightening. "Guess our plans just got shuffled. STEVE, keep things rolling here. I'll grab a team and check it out."
He grumbled under his breath, annoyance flashing across his face. These interruptions bugged him, throwing off his mission. Still, he knew skipping small issues could mean big trouble later. He moved fast to find Hamish and Chaucer, the Poet Warrior.
Before he got far, Lillia bounced into view, her black curls springing. She waved a mace studded with magic crystals, pointing at herself with a serious look, her green eyes locked on him. Robert found her determination cute and funny, swallowing a laugh to focus on her vibe.
"Want in this time?" he asked, keeping it light.
She nodded big, curls bouncing hard. Robert grinned, the tension easing a bit. "Alright, healer and support, you're on," he said, his voice warm.
Right then, Hamish and Chaucer strolled up, figuring they'd be needed. Hamish slapped Chaucer's back, nearly toppling him, and the Poet Warrior fired back with loud, fake gripes. Their back-and-forth was sharp and fun, lifting the mood.
Robert smirked at the crew. "You lot ready for some action? Lillia's with us. Keep up, okay?"
Chaucer chuckled, fiddling with his twin swords. "With her here, Robert, you'll be the one lagging. Let's roll before Hamish gets peckish."
"Sweet!" Robert said, clapping his hands. After a quick gear check, he waved them along. Passing the gate, the fields spread out, soaked in afternoon light. Kobold patrols paced the walls, and Kobrutes dragged fresh kills back home.
Chaucer walked next to Lillia, smirking as he adjusted his blades. "So, Robert, any guess what magical mess we're hitting?"
Robert laughed, eyeing the horizon. "Nope, but I bet it's not bringing snacks. Stay alert."
Hamish's laugh boomed out. "Hope it's ready for my sword. Been too long since a good scrap."
Lillia rolled her eyes at Hamish but cracked a small smile. She kept pace with Robert, her green eyes sharp with focus. He glanced at her, nodding. "You're good. Stick with it, and we'll sort this together."
Heading east, a faint rumble hit their feet, then a weird buzz filled the air. The treeline ahead shook, a sickly glow seeping through the leaves as something big moved. Chaucer's grin faded, his grip tightening on his swords. "No snacks, then."
Robert slowed, hand up. "Stick tight. Let's see what's up."
The ground shook harder, a steady thud growing. Trees snapped and fell as a giant thing burst out, glowing with twisted magic. It towered twenty feet, part stone, part wood, its bark skin webbed with glowing mana veins, wild and wrong.
Its bright eyes fixed on them, and it roared, rattling the trees. Hamish yanked out his sword, steel flashing in the odd light. "No snacks!"
Lillia edged closer to Robert, clutching her mace, its crystals glowing soft. She cast a warm protective light over them all, her green eyes worried but firm. She tapped her chest, pointed at the thing, and twisted her fingers. Robert got it: corrupted.
He nodded. "It's a corrupted guardian. Something's messed it up."
"Weak spots?" Chaucer asked, swords ready.
Robert's Insightful Vision flared, his left eye glowing as he scanned it. Corrupted mana swirled, knotting in its chest. "The core," he said. "Hit the chest. Break the mana, and it might collapse."
The creature roared again, charging, the ground quaking. Robert braced himself and barked, "Positions! We drop it now. No slip-ups."
The fight kicked off fast. Hamish rushed in, sword slashing at the guardian. It swung a huge arm, but he dodged, cutting its bark. Sparks flew, though the mark was light.
Chaucer zipped around it, twin swords slicing quick, aiming for joints. The blows barely scratched it. "Like chopping rock with a stick!" he snarled, jumping back from a swing.
Lillia hung back, eyes glowing as she lifted her mace. Healing magic washed over them, a warm boost. Green orbs floated around, ready to heal. One flared when Hamish dodged, fixing a nick on his arm. She threw a shimmering shield over him too, her light blinding the creature, making it stumble and roar.
Robert jumped in, weaving fire and light with his mana. A blazing beam shot out, loud and bright, hitting the chest in a burst of gold. Smoke rose, embers flew, and cracks glowed on its bark. It staggered, howling, the ground shaking.
But it wasn't done. It lunged, smacking Hamish into a tree. He crumpled, out cold, swords dropping. Chaucer swung again, but a swipe sent him skidding through the dirt.
Robert's heart raced as the guardian turned on him, roaring and slamming a foot down. He threw up a red-hot shield, holding it off, the heat scorching its foot. It pushed harder, draining his mana fast.
Pinned, Robert gasped, looking up. Pain and fear filled its eyes, not just rage. "You're hurting," he muttered, straining.
He couldn't hold long, mana fading. But its suffering hit him. It's not evil. It's twisted. Gritting his teeth, he took a wild shot: Unweave the corruption.
Focusing his last mana, he targeted the chest's dark knot, pulling the corruption apart. The air snapped as it unraveled, the guardian shaking and roaring in pain.
It drained him hard, his chest aching as his Core pushed its limit. His sight blurred, but he kept at it. With a loud snap, the corruption broke, turning to ash. The guardian wailed once, mournful, then crumbled to dust and dirt.
Robert dropped to his knees, shaking, mana gone. Lillia ran over, her healing light easing his pain. Hamish and Chaucer groaned, waking up.
"We did it," Lillia signed, her hands fast, eyes shining with relief as she cast more healing.