The sun hadn't risen yet, but Caelen was already outside. The morning air felt cold against his skin. Mist curled low around the trees. Even the birds hadn't started chirping yet.
Inside the town square, Borin rolled out a rough sketch on the table. "Nine rooms. Each fits four. Two shared kitchens. Stone base, wood walls, tile roof."
Everyone gathered around. Zira leaned forward, eyes locked on the layout. Garin nodded in approval. Dorgrim, half-awake, grunted sothing that sounded like agreent.
Borin looked around. "We'll need stone, iron, wood, nails, clay... maybe even more glass if we've got enough left."
"We'll make it work," Caelen said. "I'll get the golems ready."
[Command: Help]
Four stone golems activated nearby. Their eyes glowed soft blue as they stood at attention.
Garin and Zira pulled materials from the shed—planks, beams, baskets of nails. Dorgrim grabbed his tools and started shaping tal brackets. Caelen shaped the land flat using his magic, then helped lay the first stone base. Dust clung to his clothes. His hands felt sore already.
By noon, half the house was standing. The walls reached shoulder height. Borin smiled proudly. "Faster than I expected."
Caelen cooked with Garin while the others rested. Zira joined in, helping slice root vegetables. They sat on the grass and shared the food—simple stew, warm bread, and so dried at.
After lunch, Caelen wiped his hands and returned to his hut. He sat in his wooden chair and opened his interface.
[Search: How to find grape tree]
A red mark appeared on his map—30 ters east.
He followed it through the trees and found a thick vine tangled around a stump. Small, dark purple grapes hung low. He smiled and picked a few.
[Search: How to make alcohol]
The answer was simple: crush grapes, fernt in sealed containers, store in cool, dark place. Tools needed—barrel, press, jar, and ti.
He returned to the mine, built a small hidden room off the main tunnel, and began setting up. A small wooden press. A few jars. A barrel in the corner. He crushed so grapes into thick juice and poured it into the jar.
"Let's see if this works," he muttered.
He covered the jar and left it to fernt.
Back in the village, the house was almost finished. Caelen and Borin worked together to build the bed fras. Dorgrim helped shape iron hinges for the doors. Garin carved simple chairs and tables. The elves helped clean up debris.
By sundown, the building was done.
Nine rooms. Four beds per room. Windows in each wall. A wide front door. Caelen stood outside with the others, watching as the last light touched the roof.
Zira smiled. "They'll have a place now. A real place."
Before anyone could speak again, a sharp whistling noise ca from the forest.
Everyone froze.
Caelen turned toward the sound.
[System Alert: Unknown fire signal detected – Source: North-East]
Dorgrim's face went pale. "That's not a bird. That's a goblin flare."
Caelen narrowed his eyes. "Soone's signaling. But who?"
Then, another sound—deep footsteps. Dozens of them. Fast.
[System Alert: Nearby lifeforms approaching – Unknown number – Status: Ard]
Borin grabbed his hamr. "They're not alone this ti."
Zira ran to Caelen's side. "Could it be the ones chasing my people?"
"No ti to guess," Caelen said. "Form a line!"
Golem units stood in front. Elves took high ground. Garin and Dorgrim moved into cover. Caelen stood still, eyes locked on the trees.
Then ca a voice—low, rough, and urgent.
"Help! Don't shoot! We're not enemies!"
Out from the trees ca two goblins. Young. Bloody. Exhausted. One fell to his knees.
Behind them, ten more stumbled out. So carried others. Two held makeshift stretchers. Smoke clung to their bodies. Eyes wide with fear.
Zira gasped. "No... not again..."
Caelen stepped forward. "Who are you?"
One of the goblins looked up. His face was cut across the cheek. "We ca from the north. Orcs attacked our village. We ran. We tried to warn the others. But now they're chasing us."
Zira ran to his side. "Did they see you co here?"
"I don't know. We moved fast. Changed paths. But they had wolves... flying beasts..."
More goblins stumbled from the woods—at least fifteen more. So were children. Others looked barely able to stand.
Dorgrim growled. "They brought death to our door."
"No," Caelen said. "They brought a warning."
One of the older goblins looked up. "We followed the flare. One of the kids launched it before he passed out. We didn't know where it would lead. We just hoped..."
Zira helped a small girl lie down on the grass. "She's burning up," she whispered.
Caelen opened his inventory and pulled out food, water, cloth bandages. "Give them everything."
"But if the orcs are really close..." Borin said, eyes grim.
Caelen t his gaze. "Then we prepare. But we don't abandon people. Not now."
Zira nodded. "We protect them."
Tilo, her younger brother, appeared beside her, gripping her hand. "We'll fight if we have to."
"No, you'll rest," she said.
Garin set his axe against the wall. "I'll help build defenses. Again."
Caelen looked toward the hills. The sun dipped low. The light turned orange, casting long shadows.
They had a new building.
They had more people.
And now... they might have a war coming.
Caelen stood tall and spoke clearly. "Everyone rests tonight. Tomorrow, we prepare for whatever cos."
Zira looked at him with quiet pride.
Tilo said softly, "You're not just building a village, are you?"
Caelen looked back at the new house.
"No," he said. "I'm building a ho. One worth protecting."
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