Homestead Survival

<15 August 2024, GRAND MESA OF SUMMER , A+>
[Theo and Julia]
Theo made it inside in time to see Ordus wrapping a cloth around Julia's shoulder. "Is she okay?"

Julia beat Ordus to the punch. "I am fine. But now that you are back, I am going to stop the focused healing on you."

Theo felt the heat that accompanied Warmth of the Hearth dull. And Julia seemed to relax. She let out a long sigh. "I think I will just let the healing work on everyone for now. And if you are both okay with it, I think I am going to go to bed."

"Of course," Ordus said with a nod.

"Let me help you into the cabin," Theo said, helping Julia to her feet and walking with her to the cabin door. She lay down, and Theo draped the warm blanket across her. "Are you okay?"

Julia smiled up at him. "I am fine. I think that Goblin had a mine or something of the sort to try and blow up the wall. You and Ordus keep an eye out."

"We will," Theo said, smiling at her and going back outside.

[Theo and Ordus]
The next several hours of early morning darkness were filled with a variety of attacks. Some were bombarded by the Orcish archers, and others were attacked by the elementals. And one another Goblin rushing towards the wall that Theo killed by launching a brick through its head with all of his strength.

As the sun crested the horizon, Theo remembered the ring and that he had a question to ask. He also realized he had forgotten to ask the day before. "Hey, Ordus, so I have an opportunity to ask the System a question. What do you think I should ask it?"

Ordus was quiet for a moment. Shook his head and then spoke. "I have many thoughts on that, Theo; many are selfish, but one that may prove helpful is to ask what or who of the force arrayed against us is the biggest threat? Or who we should eliminate first to increase our odds of survival?"

Theo thought for a moment and smiled. "I like that."

Theo focused on the ring and asked, "What or who is the biggest threat of the force arrayed against us?"

The ring shimmered.

>Private Message: Query - "What or who is the biggest threat of the force arrayed against us?"
>Private Message: Processing...
>Private Message: Failed Roll
>Private Message: As the Ancestors will not always answer, the System will not always answer.
>Private Message: Re-Processing...

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.
>Private Message: ADMIN OVERRIDE
>Private Message: This answer provided by ADMIN "Hold out for as long as possible. The Primordial Flight shall remedy all."

"What the fuck?" Theo muttered.

"May I ask what it said?" Ordus inquired.

Theo nodded and repeated what the message had said. Ordus's eyes grew wide. "Do you interact with the System in such a way regularly?"

Theo shrugged, "I mean no. We have had the System in our lives for a total of about two and a half weeks. Is this abnormal?"

Ordus nodded fervently. "Yes! Everyone has heard of the legend of the Administrators. Even gods and other Divine entities do not interact with them regularly. The fact that one has overridden the System to give you a message is beyond abnormal. I..."

Ordus's eyes grew wide, and he dropped to one knee. "Forgive me, Lord Sorrenson. I was unaware of whom I spoke to! I will do better in the future! Please show mercy!"

"Whoa, Whoa, Whoa!" Theo said, raising his hands. "I don't know what you are thinking or who you think I am, but I can assure you that I am not that. We have been over this Ordus; just call me Theo."

"I... I will struggle to do so now." Ordus said, looking scared to stand up.

"Alright, first off, get up, Ordus," Theo said, grabbing the man's shoulders and pulling him to his feet. "And secondly, I am just some dude. I have no affiliation with you or the System other than what you already know of. Whatever you think is not accurate."

"But... I..." Ordus seemed to struggle internally. Then he took a breath and let out a sigh. "Very well, Lord Theo... I..."

"Just Theo, Ordus," Theo said encouragingly.

"Of course, Theo." Ordus took another breath and was about to continue speaking when a bombardment that was stronger than the previous ones impacted the Ward runes.

Theo and Ordus dove for cover. Julia comes out of the cabin. "What in the hell is that?!"

[Theo and Julia]
The bombardment lasted a few more moments. Theo stood up. "Everyone okay?"

"I am well," Ordus said.

"I'm good!" Julia said. "And I am all good to go!"

"Then, if it is all the same to you all." Ordus said, "I will get some rest."

"Go for it," Theo said with a smile.

"I hope the explosions don't keep you up," Julia said.

"I am a very sound sleeper," Ordus said, bowed slightly before disappearing into the cabin.

Theo and Julia looked at each other as another wave of explosions rocked the air, impacting the Ward runes.

"Well," Julia said, looking around, "I guess it will be a long day."

Julia proved to be right. For the next four hours, the bombardment was almost constant. When Ordus came out of the cabin he looked well-rested.

Theo had been keeping an eye on the gathered Elementals, who looked as if they were waiting for something.

Julia called out. "Theo! Come over here!"

Theo and Ordus both rushed over to see a contingent of archers, several Orc warriors with shields, and a single Goblin gathering with the Storm Giant, instructing them.

Theo, Julia, and Ordus watched as the shield-bearing Orcs created a moving room of protection around the Goblin, and they started to rush toward the wall. Theo rushes forward, and Julia began to layer Ward runes, only for the Storm Giant to hold a hand up and create another temporary Null Rune Zone.

Theo tries to get to the Orcish column but is fended off by the archers keeping watch. Despite their best efforts, Theo, Julia, and Ordus are forced to watch as the column of ten Orcs and one Goblin get right next to the Ward runes.

The Goblin sets down what looks like a glowing pot, smiles a savage grin at Theo, and then brings his hand down on the lid of the pot. The world seems to go white, and bricks fly into the air, along with the tattered remains of ten Orcs and a Goblin.