The Empires Rise

Upon entering the hut, Xelyphe sits on the bed as Laxreal, Strauvana, and I all stand around. It didn't take long before they started firing off questions at my new companions. "What exactly are you? I don't mean to be rude. In our world, we don't have anything like you."

"Right now, that isn't a question that requires much explanation. I am a skeleton, and this specimen is a zombie. Also, I'd like to introduce myself. I am Laxreal and this is Strauvana." Laxreal says.

Strauvana starts, "Why didn't you have the third option? From what we have seen, everyone has at least three options for picking a class."

"I think I know the answer to this one," I speak up. "If I am not mistaken, our world doesn't have mana. Remember, I don't even have a full set of Mana Veins."

"Is that what that growth around your heart is called? Mana Veins." Xelyphe interjects.

"No, that is something different entirely. The growth around my heart is called a Mana Heart. Mana Veins run parallel to the blood vessels in the body. I can circulate mana through those channels to open them up slowly. It is a painful process, and I wouldn't recommend it unless you want to have magic." I stare intently into their eyes to hone in on how much it hurts.

"Does that mean you have been slowly expanding the vein structure as you have been here?" Xelyphe asks.

"Yes, and no. I can let them passively clear. Causing less pain, but the process is slow. Or I can circulate my mana and speed up the process by a factor of 10." I offer as an answer.

"And that leads to him hurting himself so much that others must step in. To make sure that he doesn't kill himself." Strauvana finishes my sentence before I can make it sound less harmful than it is.

I shrug my shoulders as Xelyphe gives me a death glare. "What do you expect? I wasn't going to tell you that even if you asked. I don't like causing you stress." I turn towards Strauvana, "You could have at least let me get the chance to say lessen the blow before throwing that grenade into the room."

"What is a 'grenade'?" Laxreal asks.

"Think of it like a small fireball, except with a metal casing that throws pieces everywhere after the explosion," I answer quickly. "Moving along. What other questions do you have for everyone here?"

"First was about their races since I haven't seen them before. Next, I am curious about what happened the first day you were here. And some of the events leading to you helping or saving your fellow inhabitants. Also, it shows that I have received a new personal quest. What are these personal quests? And what do they do?" They start the conversation with a strong start. I sigh while looking at the other two.

"Let's start with the last two questions first. Personal quests I have found are for someone's personal growth. They usually appear when you know more about something or to work on yourself. What is your quest?" I ask.

"It says I need to find someone who can inject mana into my system and start cleaning my Mana Veins." They reply.

I look at Laxreal, then Strauvana. "What could that mean?"

They both looked at me like I was being stupid. "You do know that you have already done this process before. Though, it is a little different. While helping Zul'Zara, you injected your mana into their Mana Veins. While it wasn't as dangerous as helping someone start their own, it was not without risk. Thankfully, Zul'Zara knew how to circulate her mana and could grab the extra you provided."

"Oh," I look at them. "Would one of you be able to help them start to clear their Mana Veins?"

"Honestly, I would like to help. What I would recommend, though, is that you do it again." I was about to interrupt his explanation when he held up one of his skeletal hands. "It is best that someone of the same species helps. Mana Veins are different from one species to the next. If I were to help, it could lead to a disaster of them being unable to use mana again as I scour their veins with my alien mana. I recommend getting your Mana Veins fully cleared before helping out your sibling. The clearer your picture of your own, the easier it will be to help others."

I nod my head, "Thank you for the explanation. I will do as you say and hold off until I have cleared my Mana Veins first." Looking back at Xelyphe, "Why don't we answer the rest of your questions that you have before we are called out to have a settlement meeting." Then, we delve into the events of the last four days. Some things shock them, while others make them furious at the risks I took. During this time, several "Dings" happened in my head. I put them off until we are done with the current conversation.

After an hour of the telling, there is a knock on the door. Strauvana, who was closest to the door, opens it. "We be all gathered outside. I be thinking we be having the full conversation with everyone now." Zul'Zara says.

"Let's head outside, meet the new Tengu, and see what they are like." Laxreal offers.

We all head out shortly after. When we are all together, the conversation starts again. This time, we can skip to the reason we have gathered. "Let's first be introduced to our new friend," I say while gesturing to the newcomer.

Uxa starts to introduce her, "This is Bryst. She is a mage class, and she chose the tailor profession. I want to mention a couple more things. First, she is my sister. Second, she doesn't like to fight. Third, I won't let anyone tell her what she needs to do. I want her to live without fearing becoming a monster. Lastly, while she doesn't seem like much, she is skilled in manipulating her mana to make garments. I thought this would be beneficial as we lack proper attire for most mages."

Laxreal steps forward, offering his hand. Bryst, still unable to control a tremor in her body, looks back at her brother. Thankfully, Uxa nods in approval, and she takes the proffered hand. "It will be a pleasure to work with you, Bryst. If you have any questions or need help, do not hesitate to come and find me or Strauvana. I understand from your brother that your world was in a terrible position. Know that Strauvana and I both are from a different planet. Where we are from, there are no uncontrolled undead wandering. And if there is a future option to return to your world. I will do my best to get control so you can live in peace at home once again."

"Th-Th-Thank you, th-th-that is very kind of you. B-B-But I think once brother gets st-st-strong enough, w-w-we will be able to clear our home of the infestation." Bryst stutters but gains a little confidence as she speaks to Laxreal.

Strauvana asks me, "What new tasks do we need to upgrade the settlement level?"

"Let me check quickly," I answer, pulling up the settlement menu.

- Settlement Menu:

Name: Caelnova

Tier: Roadside Hovel

Level: 3

Experience: 0/50

Territory Size: 1.2Km X 1.2Km

Buildings:

Basic Hut Level 1 X 3

Small Dock Level 1 X 1

Small Garden Level 1 X 1

Wooden Fence Level 1 X 1

Basic Tomb Level 1 X 2

Small Cemetary Level 1 X 1

Basic Blacksmith Hut Level 1 X 1

Wood Arrow Tower Level 1 X 1

Small Mine Level 1 X 1

Basic Scribes Hut Level 1 X 1

Basic Enchanters Hut Level 1 X 1

Basic Alchemists Hut Level 1 X 1

Basic Formation Masters Hut Level 1 X 1

Outposts:

Tiny Mining Outpost X 1 (+10 units of Tier 1 Stone, with a worker: twenty units of Tier 1 Stone, two units of Tier 2 stone, and an additional chance to harvest Tier 2 metal)

Tasks: Reach a population of at least 10 (8/10)

Survive at least one night attack (0/1)

Have at least two professions up to Level 2 (0/2)

Have at least two classes at Level 3 (0/2)

Optional Tasks: Clear out monster encampments in the fog (0/?)

Have one of each profession (8/12) -

Staring at the screen with wide eyes, I look at the group. "It looks like we have much to do before we can get the settlement to the next level." I share the screen so they can all see.

I shake my head and ask Bryst, "Would you mind holding something quickly?" She agrees with some confusion. I hand her the Tier 2 Personal Evolution Box. "With this, you should get an achievement that will give you one of the same boxes."

She nods in agreement as a box appears before her. "Okay, with that out of the way, let's break down the tasks as best we can," I say.

The first task is easy; we must use the population scrolls to get more people. This also applies to the second optional task. Surviving the night attack is the only one that bothers me. There has yet to be any information about what that is. So I ask Ritotorous, "How will we know when the night attack happens? Or better yet, what should we expect with night attacks?"

He shrugs his feathered shoulders to the best of his ability. "Honestly, Drake, I don't know. This is new to me."

Hearing he doesn't know, I remember some notifications when talking with Xelyphe, Laxreal, and Strauvana. I pulled them up to see what they were about.

- New Quest:

We're Going to Need a Bigger Wall

As you have leveled up your settlement, forces have started to take notice. Plans are brewing to attack your fledgling settlement. You have given your settlement more time by destroying one of the encampments. But be warned, sometimes more time is worse.

Tasks: Prepare defenses for the attack (1/?)

Destroy encampments to delay and reduce the attack force (1/?)

Time until attack: 35 hours

Rewards: ???

Penalty for Failure: Death and destruction of the settlement

Note: Increasing the population could help or hinder the attacking force. Be careful.

New Personal Quest:

Did Someone Call for a Training Montage?

You have leveled up once, but will that be enough? Before the night attack, reach level 3 in your class, learn more spells, and clear your Mana Veins.

Tasks: Reach Level 3 (0/1)

Learn more spells (0/?)

Clear more Mana Veins (45%/?)

Rewards: Random wooden consumables box

Pill of mana nourishment -

I look at every one. "Did anyone else just get a personal quest?" Everyone nods their heads. "What are some of the objectives we need to focus on?"

Uxa starts, "I have to get to level 3 and also learn some martial techniques."

Next is Zul'Zara, "I be needing to either reach level 3 in my class or level 2 in my profession. I be also needing to learn to control my form."

Laxreal picks up after, "I need to learn my new spells, get to level 3, and learn to control my death-attuned mana."

Strauvana answers, "Learning more assassination techniques, learning how to track more efficiently, and reaching level 3."

Xelyphe looks at the others and then tells of their quest. "Mine is to level my healing profession to level 2 and raise my class level to level 2. It also says that I must learn to wield a sword and shield and look for someone to train me." Their eyes dart over to Uxa, being they are the only one who is a warrior currently.

Uxa, noticing the look, slowly shakes his head. "I can't teach you. I am still learning more about the sword myself. Maybe we can get someone summoned who will know how to wield a blade."

With a look of disappointment, Xelyphe acknowledges his remark.

Sylvasti follows the brief interaction. "I need to level up my cooking profession to level 2 and create three new recipes. I have an optional task to go and hunt to level up and get ingredients."

Last is Bryst, "My tailoring skill needs to level up to two, and I need to talk with someone who knows magic and can help tutor me on how to use it more." There is a look of pleading in her eyes as she turns to me. "Could you, by chance, help me learn?"

I shake my head at her, "I am sorry, I will not be able to teach you about magic. I am new to it myself. I would recommend that you reach out to Laxreal. He was and still is a scholar. The amount of information you could get from him is multiple times that from me."

One more "ding" sounds in my head. I sigh and open the following notification.