Homestead Survival

<15 August 2024, GRAND MESA OF SUMMER , A+>
[Ban'Go' Ordus]
Ordus was shocked - he had expected punishment if anything. But here it was a Rectification offer.

Ordus's eyes bulged. To change the name of an elemental was no mean feat. He pondered the options of the names. One he recognized. Go' Ordus had been his name before that witch Ban'Xe' Flarra had slain his father... He shook his head, clearing away the bad memories. He also knew what Van' Signified. He accepted the offer and was presented with a screen.

Ordus Looked at the choices he had and instantly realized what the System was offering him. Suddenly, he heard Theo ask a question, and all three of the divines assembled had told him to take a token. Julia then echoed the question and was told the same.

"They have real problems. Shouldn't bother them with my questions." Ordus muttered to himself.

"Now, why'd ya' say that lad?" Gurndin said suddenly, only a foot or two away. Then his eyes narrow. "Wait. I know ye'..."

Ordus had been very careful to keep his head down. He had once met Gurndin before. "Yes Lord Darksmasher. We have met before. You came to my father in search of some specific gems a few years ago. I was in the meeting."

Gurndin nodded. "Aye. I remember. Then, that coup. Now the rat bastard that has your pa's throne... Well, I don't like him."

Ordus nodded. "Well, anyways. I was offered a way to change my name."

Gurndin nodded. "If my memory holds true, that's a big deal for you 'an yer kin? Isn't it?"

Ordus nodded, tears welling up. "Yes. It is a big deal. Normally, our parents have to be involved. But the System is facilitating it. And it offered me a way to reclaim what should be mine. But it also offers something else."

"What names did it offer ye?" Gurndin asked, puffing away on his pipe.

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

"The option I will not be taking to keep my name as it is, Ban'Go' Ordus. The two I am choosing between are Go' Ordus and Go'Van' Ordus." Ordus explained, Saying the names in his native tongue.

"You choose between the son of the king and royalty destined to serve," Gurndin said, pulling on his memories of the Elemental language to translate. He glanced to Theo and Julia. "I can not tell ye' which ta pick, lad. But I can tell ye' that both are good choices. I can also say both paths might lead ta' things you do not expect. Theo an' Julia over there are bright stars on the rise and standing with 'em... Well, might take ye' higher than ye' think."

Gurndin patted Ordus on the shoulder and left him to think his choices over.

[Angram Stormborn]
Angram was very confused. He had been Corrupted for a long time. He had been forsaken by his family. He had accepted that his survival had meant the end of his life. But here was an offer he was shocked to receive.

Angram glanced around, and from the looks in the eyes of the others, he knew that he was the only one who had received this offer, or any offer. He quickly accepted and was greeted with another text box.

Angram let out a troubled chuckle. He heard the human male say something, followed by a unanimous response from the divines. Then he saw the Dwarf appear next to the traitor. "Well, I guess I have to decide."

Suddenly, Lady Eg'Valla was next to him. She gave a withering look to the other Corrupted. "Leave us. Now."

Angram felt a skill envelope himself. She looked at him. "What did you get offered?"

Angram shrugged; if she was going to kill him, he had no way to fight back, let alone stop her. He quickly explained what he had been offered. Then he looked at Eg'Valla, "Lady Dreamscaper, I have a question if you would answer it."

Eg'Valla nodded. Angram took a deep breath. "I was stranded with my best friend, my two children, and my wife. How or where we were stranded is unimportant. What ended up happening was that my friend was dying and knew it. He informed us that we should live no matter what it took. So he gave my children his last meal, gave my wife a nod, then leaned down to tell me where I would find his body."

Eg'Valla listened with no judgment. Angram continued. "After we were rescued, we were all tagged with Corrupted. My wife, unable to take the shame that her own parents cast on her, took her own life. Then, her parents killed my children under the guise of protecting the bloodline. I went berserk. I killed them and then fled; that was when Durn found me. I... I do not know if anyone would care for my presence even though I could be free of the Corrupted Tag. Do you know of two people deserving of the Tokens it is offering me?"

Eg'Valla was torn. She knew that many worlds had stringent views on the Corrupted, and she felt for this man. He was apparently a semi-decent person if all his story was believed. She did know of a few people who might be worth uncorrupting. She nodded. "I do, but I also know that if what you tell me is true, you also deserve this second chance."

Angram shrugged. "I don't know that I do. I was fully prepared to force that young elemental over there to become corrupted. Or beat him to death if he did not. I am not a good man. But I recognize that I have an opportunity to help two people. Maybe I can do a little good on behalf of my wife and children before I die that way."

Eg'Valla nodded, "I understand. Know that if you decide to go that route, I will ensure the Tokens get to two who are deserving of it."

Angram nodded and wandered towards the other corrupted, a thoughtful look on his face.