Horizon before dawn

Early in the morning, Orlok returned, leading a group of ten rescued prisoners. They were all Nora this time, their blue tribal markings and attire unmistakable. As they approached our settlement their eyes were drawn to the imposing walls of stone and metal. Suspicion flickered in their expressions,. It was clear they were unaccustomed to such designs, so different from the natural, woven architecture of their sacred land.

Their surprise deepened when they caught sight of our buildings. My forget was a give away and The housestructures bore some resemblance to the Nora's traditional dwellings but deviated in form and color.

These were no outcasts, that much was evident. They carried themselves with the proud bearing of those still embraced by their tribe And yet, here they stood.

I stood near the entrance, Albedo by my side, as the group took their first tentative steps onto the hardened paved ground.

One of them, a older woman, looked around with an air of defiance. "What is this place?" she asked, her voice rough from weeks of captivity but still carrying the fire of someone unwilling to submit. "Where are we? What do you want from us?"

Albedo stepped forward, her posture calm. "This is our home." she said, her voice steady. "You're safe here. But understand, this is not a place for those who cannot adapt."

The woman scowled and murmured something about outsiders, her companions equally wary. They hadn't yet seen the best we had to offer, our food, our weapons, the protection of our walls the strength of our unity. They saw only a place foreign to them, and to some, it felt like a cage full of outsiders. 

Orlok spoke then, his deep voice breaking the tension. "We're not your enemies." He said. "We rescued you. You're here because we need your help to fight the Carja, and we can offer you something you don't have out there in the wilderness, weapons and security. But only if you're willing to work with us."

Albedo's gaze flicked to me, as if seeking confirmation. I nodded. "We have resources you could never gather on your own. Food, shelter, and most importantly, safety. The world out there is harsh, and you need more than what the wilderness can offer. But it's a give and take here. You contribute to the whole, and the whole protects you."

The woman who had spoken earlier eyed us warily, as if weighing the sincerity of our words. "And if we don't?" she asked.

"Then you're free to leave." Albedo said without hesitation. "But know that the world beyond these walls is unforgiving. We offer a choice, not a prison."

The Nora group exchanged glances, murmurs passing between them some looked intrigued, others uncertain, and a few were clearly unconvinced, but for now they had no choice, the way to the Nora lands were full of Carja and machines and they knew that leaving now was certain death.

In the days that followed, the Nora would be given the chance to see what we could offer. Orlok organized training for them, how to adapt to the new ways of our people. They were taught the basics, our daily routines and how we kept the settlement running smoothly.

And as the days passed, it became clear that their presence here would be both a challenge and an opportunity. They were survivors, there were a good amount of good warriors shaped by their harsh world, and while they had much to offer, their loyalty was not easily won for them, the sacred lands was their home, and to ask them to accept our way of life and outsiders like the utaru and banuk was no small thing, expecialy the older ones.

Would they choose to fight with us, to adapt and grow stronger together? Or would they cling to the past and go back to the Matriarchs? 

I turned to Orlok, who had been silently observing the group. "We can't force them to stay." I said quietly. "But if they leave... "

Orlok met my gaze. "Then we'll make sure they understand what they're leaving behind."

"How's the patrol going? Anything unusual out there?" I ask, trying to shift my focus away.

He pauses for a moment, his gaze distant as if replaying the scene in his mind. "A new machine showed up near the lake." he says, his voice steady but tinged with intrigue. "It's huge, and it spits fire. Looks like something a Banuk hunter would be eager to face, definitely a challenge worth a song. I think I'll take Kira with me for the hunt." He smirks slightly, clearly excited by the prospect of testing his skills against such a formidable opponent.

I nod. "Be careful. If it's as dangerous as you say, you might need more backup."

He gives a slight chuckle, but there's a serious edge to his tone. "Don't worry, I've faced worse. But you're right, i will take two more hunters just in case. Maybe they can learn something' from us Banuk."

I nod. "I trust you, but don't take unnecessary risks." My gaze hardens as I think about the group, our safety always on the line. "Once you take care of the machine, report back. If anything goes wrong, we'll need to act fast."

"Got it. We'll make sure it's handled." He turns, starting to walk away before pausing, looking over his shoulder. "If we don't make it back in a couple of hours, you'll know where to find us."

"Just make sure you do," I reply, my voice low but firm.

As Orlok departed, my focus activated with a sudden message. It was Albedo. She had discovered a new ruin, and with it, three additional focus devices. She was already on her way back. The timing couldn't have been better. With the forge nearly completed, the addition of three more focus devices, and new allies joining us, our strength was steadily growing.

I let out a quiet chuckle, my thoughts aligning with a new sense of purpose. "One brick at a time, I will build my 'castle.'" I murmured to myself, the weight of those words settling in. 

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Every 25 power stones a new chapter