Symbiotic: Chapter 53

Chapter 53

Sara returned to her residence, the warmth of the hearth chasing away the chill of the evening. Taking a quick shower and readying herself for bed, she checks in on the Status of her Valley, “Tas, show me the Haven Valley Prosperity Tracker. With the Volcano added, I want to see the numbers.”

The holographic spirit, a floating green miniature of Sara herself, shimmered into view, glyphs unfolding in the air like a ledger of light. Tas’s voice was calm, precise, but carried a faint note of satisfaction.

Tas: “Adjustments complete. The Valley’s prosperity has increased by approximately twenty percent overall with the upgrades and added third Territory link. Here are the updated Prosperity figures.”

Haven Valley Prosperity Tracker

• TAP: ~18/day present, ~13/day absent

o (Current TAP Reserve: Tas fund: 5 TAP emergency)

• SCr: ~ 26,000/day present, ~19,500/day absent

o (Curent SC Reserve: Academy Fund: 30,000 SC, Tas Fund: 30,000 SC)

[Note: Active Defenses Current Cost +12 TAP while active. (Barrier 3 TAP, Nodes 1 TAP per x4 = 4 TAP, Watchtower Anti-Air 1 TAP x2 = 2 TAP, Wall repair/reinforcement .25 TAP per section x12= 3 TAP)]

“In addition,”, Tas continued, “The Mines are producing the following additional value thanks to improvements, and the efforts of Thurge and the Miners.”

Crystal Cavern Mines Current Production (Not Included in Prosperity Tracker)

Daily Output:

• 16 × Small Neutral Energy Crystals x120→ 1,920 SC/day

• 5 × Medium Neutral Energy Crystals x 600 → 3,000 SC/day

• 35 lbs Crystal Dust x12 → 420 SC/day

Daily Production Value: 5,340 SC/day

Additional Weekly Output:

• 4 × Large Neutral Energy Crystal → 4 × 3,000 SC = 12,000 SC/week

“And the new VDF teams joining the Foreshadows in running the First Floor of the dungeon will add more in average value of harvested materials.”, Tas added. “That was smart thinking. Their runs will grow their levels, improve their training and bond as a team, and help pay for the crafting done to support their defense of the Valley.”

Crystal Cavern Dungeon - Current Production

• Crystals ~600 per day. 1 Dungeon Team (Foreshadows) 2nd Floor (Free Access)

• Crystals ~400 per day. 1VDF Team. 1st Floor. (Free Access)

Daily Dungeon Production Value: 1,000 SC/day

Total Value (56,380 SC/week)

• Daily Production Value: 6,340 SC/day (not including weekly large crystal)

• Weekly Production Value (including large crystal):

o 6,340 SC × 7 days = 44,380 SC

o 12,000 SC (large crystals)

= 56,380 SC/week

“Wow Tas. So I’m effectively making over 6,000 SC a day even if I do nothing else. Excellent results. I really should have you do the work more often!”, Sara stated pleased.

“Yes. Indeed, Viscount Bloom. The Valley’s Growth is proceeding nicely without your interfe…. Ahem, necessary involvement in the day to day!”, Tas responded

Nodding in agreement, Sara paused and glared at Tas, but the Administrator Spirit maintained a professional demeanor at odds with the inference in her words.

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Sara lay back in her oversized heaven of a bed, the glow of the Prosperity Tracker still shimmering faintly in the air. She tapped the edge of the projection with one finger, lips curving into a small smile.

“Yes. Well. Good. We both agree then that you are doing an excellent job, Tas,” she said, eyes scanning the numbers once more. “So what do you think we should focus on for Valley growth next?”

Tas’s hologram flickered, her expression calm but purposeful.

Tas: “Several options present themselves. First, additional watchtowers. One at the top of the western ridge, another to the east, and a third at the Volcano crater. These would extend the Valley’s sightlines and provide early warning against threats. Guardposts could also be constructed in these areas, allowing rapid deployment of troops if defense is required.”

Sara nodded slowly, picturing the ridges and the crater, imagining the towers rising against the horizon.

Tas continued, his voice shifting to a tone of quiet excitement.

Tas: “The Scouts have returned with discoveries. They have found a vein of Force Ore and a grove of Ironwood trees. Both are exceptional resources. Force Ore can be forged into Masterwok armor and weapons, highly durable and uniquely capable of holding enchantments. Ironwood, similarly, is prized for bows, arrows, staves, and other implements requiring resilience and precision.”

Sara’s brows lifted, interest sparking. “Force Ore and Ironwood… that could change everything for our growing crafters.”

Tas: “Indeed. I recommend sending one of the Miners, Thurge or Syla, escorted by Valley Defense Force guards, to estimate the worth of the Force Ore vein. Syla may be young, but she’s proved a keen eye for tracking veins to target. If it proves valuable, we may consider reassigning miners from the Crystal Mines. As for the Ironwood, Kaelenor should lead a small VDF contingent to assess the grove. It is vital to determine how much can be safely harvested without harming the old wood growth. Sustainable use will ensure long term benefit.”

Sara tapped her lip in thought, her mind already racing ahead. “Then let’s set it in motion. Send the parties to review the resource potentials. And start with the Watchtowers, and we will discuss Guardposts at a later date. Right now I want to focus on building some levels and teamwork on the VDF, not splitting them up to separate camps.”

Tas inclined her head, hologram flickering with quiet approval.

Tas: “As you will, Viscount. There is also the matter of the expected arrivals. The first Crafters and families looking to join Haven Valley should, by my estimates, be arriving as early as tomorrow, and surely within the next few days. And with new Crafters comes new crafting, but also new needs. So we will need to set aside TAP to be ready to build the Crafting Workshops to accommodate the crafters as promised.”

Sara exhaled, the weight of responsibility pressing against her shoulders, but, with a smile, Sara proudly passed the buck. “Ah, the glorious feeling of delegation. I’m sure you will do swimmingly with the new Crafters and their needs, Tas!”

And, with that discussion out of the way, Sara slid deeper into her plush pile of covers and let sleep wash over her.

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The first rays of morning light had barely touched the walls of Haven Valley when Sara’s sleep was ended. Sara stirred listlessly as Tas’s voice chimed gently in her ear. The hologram shimmered into being, a miniature, green hued version of Sara herself, her tone calm but urgent.

Tas: “Viscount, a party has arrived at the Valley gates. I thought it best to wake you.”

Sara rubbed her eyes, already anticipating the first of the crafters and families she had been expecting. “The settlers? This early? They would have needed to be traveling through the night?” she asked, reaching for her boots.

Tas shook her head, her holographic form flickering.

Tas: “Not settlers. Four Life Lions. They have stated no purpose for their arrival, merely requested your presence.”

Sara froze, her heart tightening. Life Lions did not come lightly. If they were here, something might have gone wrong elsewhere. What had she missed? She called forth her gear, her mind already racing. “Teleport me to the gatehouse. Now.”

In a shimmer of green light, she appeared atop the gatehouse wall. Below, the sight stole her breath. Four massive golden lions sat calmly before the Valley gates, their manes shimmering like molten sunlight. Two she recognized instantly: She Who Laughs Last, her eyes sharp and knowing, and Gentle Stalker who Pounces with Fury, whose calm posture belied the raw power coiled within him. The other two were strangers, their names yet unknown, but their presence radiated the same regal weight.

The lions did not appear agitated. They sat in quiet dignity, tails flicking lazily, as if waiting for her. She Who Laughs Last stood at the forefront, her gaze darting immediately to Sara as she appeared.

Sara nodded to the watchful VDF posted at the gates and with what she holed was a reassuring smile, hopped down from the gatehouse, the gates creaking open to admit her. She strode forward with measured steps, then bowed deeply, her voice carrying respect.

“She Who Laughs Last. Gentle Stalker who Pounces with Fury. You honor Haven Valley with your presence,” she said, her voice carrying respect. She turned to the two unfamiliar lions, bowing again. “And to you as well, noble Pridebrother and Pridesister. I am Viscount Sara Bloom of the Mycorrhizal Pride. What can I do this day for the family of the great Baron, The Glorious Lion who Roars at the Sun’s Pride?”

She Who Laughs Last inclined her head, her eyes gleaming with sharp amusement. Her voice rolled like thunder wrapped in velvet.

She Who Laughs Last: “Viscount Sara Bloom, allow me to name my kin. This is Silent Paw who Watches the Horizon, ever vigilant, and Bright Fang who Shines in Twilight, whose bite is as radiant as the stars.”

The two lions dipped their heads in acknowledgment, their golden eyes fixed on Sara with regal intensity.

Sara straightened, expecting summons or tidings of trouble. Instead, She Who Laughs Last’s words rang with fierce pride.

She Who Laughs Last: “Be peaceful, watchful sister. We come bearing no ill tidings, Viscount. We have come at the request of Baron The Glorious Lion who Roars at the Sun to enter two leg Haven Valley and test your dungeon against our might. The Valley’s depths call to us, and we will see if its shadows can withstand the strength of the Life Lions.”

Gentle Stalker who Pounces with Fury rumbled low in his chest, his voice deep and commanding. “The dungeon is built to test your people, is it not? Then let it be tested by those who embody life’s fury. We will measure its worth, and in doing so, prove our own.”

Silent Paw’s tail flicked once, his gaze sweeping the horizon as though already searching for the path inward. “If the dungeon falters, it is unworthy of Haven Valley. If it endures, then it shall be honored by our challenge.”

Bright Fang bared his teeth in a grin that gleamed like polished gold. “Either way, Viscount Sara Bloom, Honored of Baron The Glorious Lion who Roars at the Sun, the Valley will know that the Pride of the Sun has walked its halls.”

Sara’s lips parted, surprise giving way to a slow, delighted smile. The Life Lions had not come as messengers of doom, nor as allies in need. They had come as challengers, proud and unyielding, to pit their strength against her dungeon and grow.

She bowed once more, her voice steady. “Then Haven Valley welcomes your challenge. May the dungeon prove worthy of your might, Pridemates of Baron The Glorious Lion who Roars at the Sun!”

Sara gave the orders that the Life Lion party were to be allowed into Haven Valley and treated as the honored guests that they were, and was again pleased as the apparent leader of the Lion party, She Who Laughs Last, offered her a gift in exchange for entry.

She Who Laughs Last stepped forward, her golden mane rippling like fire in the morning breeze. In her jaws appeared a small satchel of animal hide, which she laid reverently at Sara’s feet. The faint, unsettling glow of black crystals shimmered within, five small and one medium, their edges sharp with the essence of death.

Her voice rolled out, deep and resonant, carrying both pride and solemnity.

She Who Laughs Last: “Viscount Sara Bloom, you have opened the gates of Haven Valley to the Pride, and in return we honor you with tribute. These crystals were torn from the corpses of our eternal foes, the vile Death Dogs of the Umbral Peaks. May their corrupted essence now serve life instead of shadow.”

She lifted her head, eyes gleaming with fierce pride.

She Who Laughs Last: “They are yours, to wield as you see fit. Know this: they are not mere stones, but trophies of our victory, proof that the Life Lions do not bow to darkness. We give them freely, one hunter to another, for you have shown respect to our Pride and granted us entry to test your dungeon against our might.”

And as Sara added ‘Umbral Peaks’ to her growing list of things to explore, the rest of She Who Laugh’s Last’s party roared in agreement, the sound shaking the very stone of Haven Valley’s Gates.

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