Civilization

I rush up the slope with an excited grin on myself. I think to myself, how much stronger has he gotten? Has he acquired allies? Has he changed? What was the purpose of him coming back?

Thoughts flood my mind and once I reach the top I see in the far distance, standing at the gate was Luke. Not just Luke though, he had allies standing next to him.

"Lucina, come with us, let's meet him at the front."

With a nod, she hurries on over, and not before long we reach Luke. A gentle smile on his face as he watches us come closer. He was standing in the middle of the gate waiting behind it with his companions around him. A total of 12 NPCs stood around him. I take this chance to check his status as well as his companions. 

Name: Luke

Race: Human

Health Points (HP): 60/60

Mana Points (MP): 12/12

Strength: 19

Vitality: 30

Intelligence: 24

Dexterity: 10

Agility: 20

Luck: 1

Skill: Pack Leader ( Passive ), Golden Ascension ( Active ) - ( 50% Hp and 50% MP) ,

Moonlight Renewal ( Active ) - 2 MP

However, I could only see Luke's status. For some reason, I could not see the status NPCs around him. Does that mean I cannot see the status of someone who is not classified as 'under' me? Would I need to convince them to stay at HavenFall before viewing their status is available? Maybe…

"Ian, Lucina, Howard. I'm back."

A soft voice escapes Luke's lips and before I could say anything, Lucina runs up and hugs Luke over the gate.

"I'm so, so, so glad that you are okay."

"Lucina, I'm fine."

"No! Stay for just a moment."

Howard comes over and breaks up the hug, opening the gate for everyone to come in.

"I'm glad you are doing well too Luke and hello everyone my name is Howard."

"I'm glad as well, Luke. Hello everyone my name is Ian and welcome to HavenFall."

I say introductions and with a slight nod from a few of them was my reply.

"No need to be shy, come in first, let's get you guys something to eat while we introduce each other."

Seeming slightly unwilling to move in at my request I felt slightly awkward.

"Everyone, let's go."

But at Luke's command, they follow. It seems he built quite a loyal crew while he was away. We walk quickly towards the fire pit where we eat dinner and I ask one of the NPCs to prepare a pot of soup as well as bowls for our guests. After, settling down near the fire and acquiring food for everyone I tried to strike up a conversation again. I had heard slight whispers from the group as they walked through HavenFall but decided to wait until we were in a more comfortable position to talk. 

"So, is the girl with black hair and blue highlights Luke's girlfriend? Wife maybe?"

"NO! What are you saying, Ian?"

"Aww, don't be like that sweetie. Don't you remember that time when we did that thing?"

"Wow Luke, smooth moves. So when did you and Sylvia get together?"

"Stellar! Do not add to the confusion. Ian there is nothing going on."

"Sweetie, how can you do this to me? I-I thought we had something special."

"SYLVIA SHUTUP!"

"It seems like your companions are very lively given the right setting. I'll reintroduce myself, My name is Ian. I have created a place for people to live here in HavenFall. I would like to know your names if that is okay?"

"My name is Sylvia. A cute and cheerful girl right Luke?"

"Sylvia shut up."

"Ian, this was my first companion after I left. To my left are Solar and Stellar. Both of them are elves and they have helped me greatly in my journey. Behind me are Spike, Val, Rex, Lily, Rose, Daisy, Meg, Ken and Kaede. Ken and Kaede are both of wolf-kin, demi-humans."

"Great to meet everyone. As you might have noticed there are humans, goblins, and demi-humans living here. We live together in harmony so please do not be worried about discrimination of sorts." 

The tense expressions on the elves and the wolf demi-humans slowly relaxed. I could tell they were worried about the treatment they would receive in a new home. 

"Does anyone have any questions they want to ask first?"

"If I may."

The blonde elf raises her hand slightly.

"Solar, am I correct? What is your question?"

"Do you know that this location is extremely perilous? There are constant fights from different 'Kings' nearby and yet you still choose to settle here. Why is that?"

"I know this place is in the middle of the continent. Our location is part of a dead man's land and we have already experienced battles with Kronos's golems."

"Then why stay?"

"Because there are resources here we can use to stay safe and repel them. We have fought on a couple of occasions with Kronos's golems and we have come out victorious. From the first victory, we used the body of the body to fashion weapons which in turn damaged the rest of the golems easier."

"What about general golems? Have you encountered one before?"

"Yes, and we were able to come out victorious. However, a few goblins did pass away."

"So you want to stay here and fight them?"

"Yes, where else can we go? The more we move the more likely we are to encounter a situation where we cannot run and we would have to fight. Rather than go looking for danger, why not stay and slowly build up our strength?"

"Solar, I like this guy's thoughts."

"Stellar, I think it is reckless."

"Reckless or not, combined with our current strength we should be able to become stronger as well."

"Ladies, for now, how about everyone here rest for the day. You are allowed to go wherever you want and do whatever you want as well. Just relax. We will find a house for everyone here as well as beds."

Standing up and leaving them to their own thoughts while they experience life in HavenFall is most likely the best thing to do for now. I motion Luke to come over and walk with me since I wanted to learn more about his experiences. 

"Did the scouts not see you on your way here, Luke?"

"No, they discovered us first. By firing an arrow from far away from upwind, outside the range of Belle and Dawn's nose they were able to initiate the conversation. They asked about our purpose as well as who we were. After giving your name, Lucina's, Howard's, and Gobi they allowed us to pass and show us the direction we needed to take in order to get here." 

"So, Noah is teaching them well. Tell me about your companions."

"Well, Sylvia can be annoying but she is good at heart. Her cheerful and childish temperament lights the mood and allows for an easier flow of conversation."

"I could tell that by the way she teased you. Am I right though? About the two of you?"

"No. We are merely just friends. Moving on, Solar and Stellar were originally captives at a goblin encampment. One of Kronos's experiments was housed there and they were meant to be fed to the beast. After defeating the beast I was about to rescue them and we move away from that area."

"So Kronos does more than just create golems?"

"Yes, according to both Sylvia and Solar. Kronos prefers to experiment on monsters, humans, demi-humans in order to create a new monster."

"Wah, like Frankenstein."

"What is a Frankenstein?"

"Don't worry about it. What about the rest? Spike, Val, Meg and even Lily look extremely young to be out on an adventure."

"I rescued them from goblin encampments. They shouldn't be fighting but instead living a happy safe life. That includes Rex, Daisy, Ken and Kaede"

"Is that why you came back? To give them a home."

"That was one of the reasons. Before deciding to come back I had to fight a general golem. The rest of them could not damage the golem and instead of putting them in danger, I told them to run while I tried to handle the situation. It was tougher than I expected since it wielded a giant sword but eventually I beat it. I was heavily wounded and Solar advised me to think about my decision to continue."

"Solar is right. If you could only barely beat the monster then retreating is the best option."

"Yes, so I came here. I intend to go back out once everyone is settled."

"Well, you can after a while. For now, don't leave. You want to leave but I can tell you that you would be going to your death. I saw the weapons you were holding and the lack of armor on yourselves as well. With no protection and no way to deal a decent amount of damage how do you expect to survive out there?"

"I was just going to get old man Hus to make me a knife and then I would go back out…"

"See, Luke that's where you are wrong. Wait a bit. Once we acquire copper and make bronze you will get stronger weapons and armor. Then instead of leaving HavenFall for an unknown time, you can go at a couple of days time or even a week to scout further out. Of course, it won't be by yourself either. HavenFall has grown and so have you. I think you too need to experience what it is like being here for a bit. Go and run around, I think Sylvia might be lonely without you."

"I'll see and she wouldn't feel that."

"We will see."

Watching Luke jog away towards Sylvia who was next to Lucina at her farm made me feel warm inside. Luke had come back stronger than before. Not just physically but also mentally. While he doesn't think too far ahead and is still somewhat spontaneous, I believe that he had matured on his trip away from HavenFall.

The sun was reaching its peak and the game was almost about to finish for the night.. I walk back to the training grounds to see Gobi training the goblins and I sit on the ground waiting for time to pass, within 10 minutes I was back home, outside of the game.