WLTBneet

Chapter 37 - The Builder Falters

With a final exhale, Athan dusted off his hands and turned toward the watering system. His muscles protested with every step, but there was a quiet satisfaction in his weariness. This was the work of building something lasting—not just for himself, but for everyone.

Reaching the system's controls, he activated it for a few minutes, listening to the gentle rush of water as it flowed through the channels. Stepping closer to the basin, he plunged his hands into it, the coolness instantly...

Chapter 11: Secrets of the Market

After the excitement of the morning James and Ofelia prepared their belonging and then their armor and weapons in case of an emergency. The scent of freshly baked bread and sizzling meat wafted through the air, drawing them downstairs for breakfast. The common room was alive with the sounds of clinking cutlery, low conversations, and the occasional burst of laughter from adventurers recounting their tales.

James and Ofelia settled at a corner table near the hearth, where the fire from t...

Chapter 36 - Ash, Sweat, and Stone

After a moment of reflection, he gestured for his father to join him. Once Wade was by his side, Athan pointed toward the materials and spoke. "Once the walls of the house are fully assembled, could you and the others go out to gather more logs? We're going to need more materials to continue building."

He paused, then gestured beyond the walls toward the area near the settlement's entrance. "You could cut the trees in front of the gate. That would clear the terrain, making it easier for...

Chapter 10 - Day's of a slave

"Call me James," he corrected gently. His voice was soft, not demanding or harsh, but it carried a weight that made her look up at him. There was something in his eyes she hadn't seen in a long time—kindness.

James nodded to something his compagnon as said, his eyes still on her, filled with a mix of emotions she couldn't decipher. He didn't seem entirely sure of what he had done either, but there was a resolve there she couldn't ignore.

"Let's go," he said quietly.

She gl...

Chapter 35 - When the Flowers Bloom

Once they had finished their work, they headed to the basin to wash up, removing the layers of dried clay and dust that clung to their skin. The cool water refreshed them, washing away the exhaustion of the day.

Kali, however, frowned as she scrubbed her hands. "Clay… under nails. Don't like."

Lara chuckled, rinsing her arms. "You get used to it."

Kali shook her head, still digging at the stubborn bits stuck beneath her fingernails. "No. Too much. Stays there."

Athan...

Chapter 9 - Waking Fears, Lingering Scars

The room was quiet, but the silence was far from peaceful. As the moonlight streamed through the small window, casting a pale glow across the bed, James found himself unable to sleep. He had drifted off for a while, but the day's events replayed in his mind like a broken record—meeting Hegor, the trip to the merchants, the purchase of Ofelia. It was a lot to take in, and his thoughts kept him awake, staring up at the dark ceiling.

Beside him, Ofelia was trembling. At first, he thought...

Chapter 34 - The Shape of Progress

As the evening deepened, members of the tribe began gathering around the fire pit for the communal meal. After a few minutes, Athan shut off the watering system and returned to tend the kiln, making sure the fire remained steady. Before long, Lara and Kali joined him, their eyes shining with excitement after speaking with the rope and textile group.

A moment later, Rael stood near the fire pit, clearing her throat to get everyone's attention. As conversations died down, she spoke loud e...

Chapter 8 - A Step Towards Trust

They continued down the street, the sounds of the bustling market growing louder as they approached a pair of shops standing side by side. One had a sign depicting a shining sword, while the other displayed a sturdy shield.

"Here we are," Hegor announced with a grin. "Welcome to the Redan and Mira Emporium—where the arguments are as fierce as the merchandise."

James couldn't help but smile as they approached the shops, curious to see what lay inside and how this unusual couple c...

Chapter 33 - Woven Progress

With his hunger now undeniable, he made his way back to camp, his stomach growling in anticipation of the evening meal. As he approached, the distant aroma of cooked meat and roasted roots filled the air, making his pace quicken slightly.

Lining up with the others, Athan took his portion of food before waiting for the girls. Once they had their meals, they all sat together, eating and discussing the day's events.

Lara let out a deep sigh as she took her first bite. “Finding good...

Chapter 7 - Acts of Kindness, Seeds of Change

Ofelia's world had been a blur of chaos ever since that fateful day when the bandits captured her. She remembered every painful detail—the rough hands that dragged her away, the laughter of the men who tied her to the pole, and the cold, biting fear that had numbed her body. She had given up hope then, resigned to whatever fate awaited her. But something unexpected happened. A young man had appeared, fighting desperately alongside the guards. He looked inexperienced but determined, his eyes...

Chapter 32 - Foundation and Flow

Upon arriving at the construction site, the boy carefully observed the connections that had been completed. The three central columns now had almost all their joints successfully secured, with the top and bottom connections finished on the north and south columns. Ok was focused on completing the upper connections of the central column, ensuring the beams that would form the roofing frame were properly fitted and secured. The rhythmic sound of knife and axe scrapping or striking wood echoed t...

Chapter 6 - Unveiling the Maze

The lively atmosphere of the Guild of Explorers' hall was in full swing as the early afternoon sun streamed through the windows, casting bright patterns across the room. James and Hegor had found seats at the bar, sharing a hearty meal and a drink. The warmth of the food and the camaraderie brought James a momentary sense of peace, but his mind was buzzing with questions he hadn't had the chance to ask earlier.

Hegor noticed his contemplative expression and chuckled. "What's on your min...

Chapter 31 - Laying the Groundwork

The next morning, Athan was awakened by Wade, who had taken the last shift of the night. Blinking away the remnants of sleep, he stretched before heading to wash his face, the cool water refreshing him as he prepared for another day of work. The early morning air was crisp, carrying the faint scent of damp earth and smoke from the kiln.

Around him, the settlement was already stirring—sound of conversations, the clinking of tools, and the rhythmic chopping of wood filled the air, signa...

Chapter 5 - A Ruff Wake up

As time flew by, the guards, James, and the rescued slave girl gathered what they could salvage from the bandits' camp. They loaded equipment, supplies, and any weapons they found onto a small cart hidden just off the main road, likely the same one the bandits had used in their ambush. James felt a strange weight settle over him as he helped lift various packs and bundles onto the cart. Each item told its own story—copper, bronze, and iron swords, dusty or muddy leather armor, scraps of clo...

Chapter 30 - The Kiln’s ReAwakening

As the first light of dawn crept over the horizon, Athan stirred from his sleep, feeling the warmth of two bodies beside him. Lara and Kali slept soundly, their breathing slow and steady in the quiet of the early morning. The embers of the fire still glowed faintly, casting a warm, flickering light over the shelter. The air was crisp, carrying the distant sounds of the waking clan as they began their morning routines.

Stretching his stiff muscles, he sat up and rubbed his eyes. Today wa...

Chapter 4 - A new look on life

The world felt like a dark haze, suffocating and cold, as if she were submerged in something thick and unyielding. Her body ached, her wrists raw from the rough ropes that bound her to the post. The pain no longer registered; it was just part of the background now, like the constant gnawing hunger in her stomach, the weariness in her limbs, the ache in her heart. At that moment, she could no longer remember a time when things had been different.
She didn't feel fear anymore. Fear was a lux...

Chapter 29 - Breath of Magic

Taking his knife, Athan paused in thought before selecting a straight, sturdy branch. Rolling it between his fingers, he pressed one end against the ground, testing its resistance with a gentle bend. The wood held firm but had enough flexibility, making it a good candidate for a bow. Satisfied, strip the branch from any bark before he began shaping it, carving out a grip in the center while thinning the ends. He then added notches on both sides before heading to Nat for a strong yet fine cord...

Chapter 3 - Kill or be killed

As James followed the guard toward the small squad assembling near the cart, he couldn't help but feel a mounting sense of unease. He had just seen the wreckage and witnessed a deadly force at work, and now he was being thrust into a situation where his every move seemed to carry weight. His thoughts were interrupted when the guard suddenly turned toward him, his expression puzzled.

"Also… where is your Regalite? How did you pull it off !?" the chef asked, eyeing his left wrist carefu...

Chapter 28 - A Builder’s Burden

Athan woke up groggily, feeling the familiar weight of exhaustion pressing down on him. His body ached from a restless night, his limbs stiff and numb from being wedged between Lara and Kali. Both girls had latched onto him unconsciously, shifting and pressing closer each time he tried to move, their warmth turning the space into a suffocating trap. He had spent much of the night awake, repositioning himself over and over, only for them to instinctively cling to him again. The fleeting moment...

Chapter 2 - First Encounter

After leaving the wagon, James moved forward with heightened caution along the path that seemed safest. His gaze swept over his surroundings constantly, every rustling leaf and whisper of wind reminding him of his vulnerability. After nearly an hour of tense walking, he finally spotted the edge of the forest—a dark line where the shadows of the trees stretched out, promising some semblance of refuge. A sigh of relief escaped his lips, and he allowed the tension in his shoulders to ease a li...

Chapter 27 - A Weed’s Worth

Athan woke up the next morning after a restless night, surprised of even having fallen asleep, his thoughts awash with confusion and apprehension. Following Kali's declaration that she wished to become his partner—just as Lara intended to be in the future—he felt the weight of uncertainty pressing down on him. Torn between curiosity at what such a life might entail and doubt over his own capabilities, the boy struggled to find clarity in the whirlwind of emotions swirling within him. Befo...

Chapter 1 - The Meadow Awakening

A soft breeze grazed James's face, carrying the crisp scent of grass, cool earth, and something else he couldn't quite place. He felt the damp blades of grass beneath him, brushing gently against his skin, as if urging him to wake. Blinking against the sunlight, he opened his eyes to a vast, cloudless sky above, framed by towering mountains that loomed on the distant horizon.

He sat up slowly, his body stiff, his mind still grasping at the memory of falling asleep in his bed the night b...

Chapter 26 - Choosing to Stand Together

Athan woke up to an unusual warmth surrounding him. His body felt sticky, uncomfortably hot, and for a moment, he couldn't recall falling asleep. A strange sensation pressed against his back—soft, yet firm—and his mind slowly registered the fact that a pair of arms were wrapped around him.

Blinking groggily, he turned his head slightly, his breath hitching when he found himself face to face with Lara. Her features were relaxed in sleep, her soft breaths tickling his skin. But what c...

Chapter 25 - Sharing the Burden

Satisfied with his speech and after listing the benefits of the first house he intended to build for the clan, the boy took a step forward, excitement still gleaming in his eyes. He wanted to explain how they would carve the beams that the construction team was preparing, how each piece would fit together to create a strong and lasting structure. His body betrayed his exhaustion, but his mind remained sharp, eager to continue teaching.

But just as he opened his mouth to continue, a firm...

Chapter 24 - A Future Worth Fighting For

Kali had spent weeks wandering with her clan, their journey filled with exhaustion and fear. They had left behind familiar lands in search of safer grounds, but danger had followed them at every turn.

The first night of terror had come without warning. Strange, eerie laughter echoed through the darkness, surrounding their small group. It wasn't human—it was something else, something unnatural. The sound sent shivers down their spines, and when dawn arrived, a clan member was missing. ...

Chapter 23 - On This Stone, I Shall Build My Home

Lara, observing the strangers among the group, felt an uneasy curiosity stirring within her.

Her gaze lingered on them, analyzing their posture, their expressions, their potential threat or usefulness.

Each movement they made seemed calculated, yet foreign to her, and she could not help but feel unsettled.

But when Athan invited them to stay, something unfamiliar churned inside her—jealousy.

A sensation she had never confronted before.

The feeling coiled in her...

Chapter 22 - No One Left Behind

Athan looked up at his father, curiosity in his eyes. "Why can't we go in the water? When it's hot, it helps cool us down."
Wade shook his head firmly. "Water bad. When in water, fall like rock. No air, then dead. So no water alone. Water danger."
"But we can swim," Athan responded.
Wade looked his son in the eye before shaking his head absolutely serious. "No. Only those who go in water end dead by water. If we not go in water, then no dead by water." Wade's tone left no room f...

Chapter 21 - The Price of Progress

Athan woke up like every morning and went to check on the condition of the fields. He then activated the watering system before washing his face. Lara, still groggy with sleep, followed his routine and did the same. As she rubbed her eyes, she suddenly noticed something new.

"What that?" she asked, pointing at the bricks that hadn't been there the previous day.

The boy smiled and replied, "These are bricks. They're used to build things. But these ones aren't ready yet."

"Nee...

Chapter 20 - Shaping Tradition

Athan woke up the next morning to the faint glow of dawn creeping over the horizon. Stretching his arms, he pushed himself up from his bedding, shaking off the lingering drowsiness. His first instinct was to check on the fields. As he approached, his gaze swept over the young crops, their leaves slightly curled, a sign that they hadn't received water overnight. A quiet sigh escaped him as he realized he had forgotten to activate the watering system the previous evening. Without hesitation, he...

Chapter 19 - Closing the Gaps

Athan rose from his bedding and grabbed his wooden bowl. As he stepped forward, he moved toward the forming line for the evening meal. However, something felt off. The usual chatter that filled the air during mealtime was absent. Instead, an unsettling silence had settled over the clan, making his steps slow instinctively.

He exchanged a glance with Lara as she filled his bowl, her own expression mirroring his confusion. The two of them, unsure of what was happening, kept quiet and took...