The Empires Rise

Arriving at the manor, I rush to the dining room with everyone. In front of everyone are the different chests that need to be opened. Finding the pile of tokens, I pull them onto the table.

"Are we ready to get these chests opened?"

"Hurry up, Drake, we don't have all day," Shadow says urgently.

With the six chests on the table, I note the difference in appearance other than the size of one; there is a gold band wrapping around the wooden exterior, and there are places to put your hand to lift the lid quickly.

I start with this chest. When I open it, a golden glow shines out from within. I didn't notice this with the resource boxes, but they must not be as important for this display.

Once the top is fully opened, the chest contents are displayed.

- Instant Completion:

3 X Iron

1 X Bronze

3 X Silver

3 X Gold

1 X Platinum

Time Reduction:

1 X Wood

3 X Iron

1 X Bronze

2 X Silver

1 X Gold

Resource Reduction:

2 X Wood

1 X Gold

2 X Platinum

Instant Level Up:

3 X Iron

1 X Bronze

2 X Silver

1 X Gold

4 X Platinum -

Seeing the two new ranks for tokens gets me excited. It is going to be great once we can get to those levels. We continue to open the rest of the token chests and only take note of the level-up tokens for the moment.

- Instant Level Up:

1 X Silver -

Looking around at the others, I shrug, "At least we got one more out of all of them." A pile of tokens is in front of us.

"How many tokens in total did we just go through?" Shadow asks.

"If my count is correct, there were 94 tokens in total. Since we haven't cataloged the others, we don't have time to now," I reply.

"Fair enough," He steps back. "What should we do about building the defenses?"

"With all my commanders here, let's figure out where to place the towers."

"We should put one tower on the wall's northwest, northeast, southeast, and southwest points. The wall's current circularity makes some portions harder to target than others, but it shouldn't be a big deal now." Draemish offers first.

"Ssshould we put flame towersss near the gatesss to help if the attackersss get congesssted there?" Vranjaya asks.

"That would be a good idea." I started implementing the changes as we speak. First, I add the arrow towers to the walls. Then, I place the first of two flame towers near the gatehouse.

- Building Queue:

Wooden Arrow Tower Level 1 X 4: Time until Completion 6 Hours

Wooden Flame Tower Level 1 X 1: Time until completion 6 Hours -

I selected Oria and Shadow as the jobs' foremen and used the time reduction tokens. First, I used five bronze tokens to lower the time by four hours, and then I ironed to finish the remaining time. I ensured I had Shadow or Oria on the different buildings between each completed building.

As I complete the first batch of defensive buildings, I have one question for everyone: "We have 315 wood left. Do we want to add some more arrow towers near the gatehouse? It would be nice to have the extra help."

"We should," Draemish agrees, "It will give our people more chances to rest."

With affirmation, I start three more buildings.

- Building Queue:

Wooden Arrow Tower Level 1 X 2: Time until Completion 6 Hours

Wooden Flame Tower Level 1: Time until Completion 6 Hours -

All the defenses are ready, following the same process as the last set of towers.

"What is next?" I ask.

"Team tactics, we need at least one quick response team," Shadow recommends.

"OK, who do we want as the leader of the QRT?" I ask.

"I will take the lead for the team." Draemish says, "I will be of more use for it since we will need some melee fighters to be able to float around. I would also like to have your father as part of the team. He knows how to handle a blade based on how well he did when we were exterminating the camps."

"You can talk with those you want in the team since you will control it," I say.

"Sound fair enough."

"Shadow, Vranjaya, why don't you two team up, grab everyone else that Draemish doesn't grab, and have them run some drills on the wall? Then, have them work on scenarios of potential wall breaks and what to do."

"Right away," Vranjaya says.

"What will you be doing while we are all working?" Shadow inquires.

"I will work on my healing spells based on what Laxreal has taught me. It's the best I can do while remembering him. I hope my contributions to the fights can help me make amends." I resolutely say.

"He would like that," Draemish offers in consolation.

"Yeah."

- Time Remaining until the attack: 3 Hours -

I have worked on the highest potential spells but have not leveled them up. The thought that I was the one to kill Laxreal has been resting on my heart like a lead weight. With three hours remaining, I leave my manor and head to the enchanting hut.

Since I can't get my spells to level up, I figured I would try and be productive in another area. I almost reach the hut when Draemish stops me with Nelaedeth, Strauvana, Rognar, and Narus behind her. "Drake, I need you to join me with some training."

I look at her with shock. "Why?"

"You are the only healer we have. We need to work on getting you to people who are hurt fast and having you in the QRT would be a good solution. We will move quickly around the battlefield to plug holes."

Knowing what she means when we have to plug holes, I can't help but have a grim reminder of what could go wrong with this battle. Not everyone has taken the chance to level up as much as possible. Some people still have a small health pool and could quickly die if they are overwhelmed.

Following along behind Draemish, we start to run drills.

Rognar is in the front, charging into a 'cluster' of enemies with his large shield, while Draemish and Nelaedeth follow behind to cover his flanks. I am situated in the middle, where I can easily access everyone on the team. Following behind me are Narus and Strauvana. They cover the back with arrows and spells, and if people get too close, Strauvana will pull out her daggers and fight in melee.

We practice this formation for an hour before we start a mock battle with the teams led by Shadow and Vranjaya.

- Time Remaining until the attack: 30 Minutes -

We are resting on the battlements of the walls before the attack. Our coordination has improved, with everyone focusing as hard as they can in these last five hours. We are still rough since we didn't have long to practice and are heavy on ranged units, but our work gives us a better chance of survival.

My father approaches me, "Are you ready, Drake?"

"I don't know," Is the only response I can give now.

"You have done what you can for everyone. We now hope our rushed training will give us the edge we need in the coming fight. The worst-case scenario is that we fall back to the manor."

I nod while thinking if there was anything else I could do.

There is a flutter of wings, and Ritotorous lands before me on the battlements. "I am glad you are okay, and I am sorry I hit you," I say apologetically. "Have you heard what has happened since you passed out?"

"I did hear Laxreal perished. It is saddening to hear that as life passes, another shall begin. Life is just a journey of leaving a legacy on the way towards death. Never view death as scary, just as another part of the journey." He says a bit cryptically.

Confused, I ask, "What does that mean?"

"Who knows?" is all the response I get back.

Sighing, I ask, "Can you tell us what we can expect from this attack?"

"No, this will be new to me. I am glad you have upgraded the buildings as much as possible."

I smile lightly at the acknowledgment. I had increased the level of five of the eight built towers. We now have one Level 3 Wooden Flame Tower, one Level 2 Wooden Flame Tower, and three Level 2 Wooden Arrow towers. These were all I could do before I ran out of level-up tokens.

- Time Remaining until the attack: 5 Minutes -

With the last five minutes, I stand up and look towards everyone. "We have done what we could to prepare a defense with the limited people we have. Fighting the unknown is one of the scariest things we could do, but I know we can make it through."

I look over the friends I made in a short time. Zul'Zara, Strauvana, and Uxa. "I haven't known many of you for long, but I am glad to call you all a part of this settlement. My hope for the future rests with all of us. I want us to grow together and bring our families to this world. For those from a ravaged world, I hope this can become your new home," I smile towards Uxa and Bryst.

"For those that dwell in the night, I hope this can be a sanctuary where you can study and share your knowledge," I nod towards Strauvana and Draemish.

"For those who seek refuge and want to explore the world and build their own legacy, I hope the spoils become abundant, and you live long and have longer stories," I gesture towards Zul'Zara and Slyvasti.

With one final look, I look towards my family, "And for the world that has to hide itself, I hope that we can become stable enough to help those in need and to grow so we don't become a danger to ourselves." I sadly look towards my own family.

With all these words said, I use the one skill I received from the Noble's Skill Chest.

- Heroic Stand Level 1: When used, increases the morale of all people within the bounds of the settlement based on the walls of the settlement. Increases damage dealt by all forms by +1. Reduces damage taken from all forms by +1. Increases resource regeneration by 10%. Lasts for 24 hours. -

- Time Remaining until the attack: 5 Seconds -

I shout one last thing, "FOR CAELNOVA!" And a golden glow spreads from by body before touching everyone else.

They shout back, "FOR CAELNOVA!"