Symbiotic: Chapter 62

Chapter 62

Sara spent the day with her hands busy, weaving spores into repairs, shaping tools, and crafting small reinforcements for the Valley’s defenses. She stayed close, knowing Cadri and Brogan were still watching the marked spies, her presence a quiet reassurance should things turn suddenly dangerous.

The scouts’ reports trickled in steadily. The suspects never acted openly, never spoke to one another, but their silence was deceptive. Messages were being left at drop points around the village, coded notes tucked away like seeds in soil. When one was finally copied and brought to Cadri, his sharp eyes unraveled the cipher. Guard counts. Locations. Levels. Defenses. It was damning.

At dawn, the VDF moved. The three spies were taken from their single person housing. Two were captured quietly, bound and brought to the Barracks. Haven had no jail, no sheriff’s office, only the Barracks to serve as a holding place. Tas acknowledged the gap, promising to address it with the morning’s TAP reward. The third spy resisted, injuring a Wallguard and nearly escaping. The VDF had no choice but to cut him down.

Later, in the dim light of the Barracks, Sara stood with Tas and the VDF Captains. The air was heavy, the decision before them heavier still. The spies could not be released; their gained Valley knowledge was too dangerous. They could not be allowed to linger; they would only plot again or cause harm to her citizens.

One voice suggested feeding them to Fluffy. Sara’s rejection was immediate, sharp. Another proposed handing them to the Life Lions. Sara shook her head, unwilling to turn the Lions into executioners.

She sighed, shoulders tight, and said quietly that she should do it herself. But Brogan and Cadri spoke against her, their voices firm. The VDF should carry out the sentence, they argued, and the village should elect a Sheriff to handle law in the future. Haven Valley needed to stand on its own. If Sara stepped in now, it would undo the lesson of self reliance they were trying to build.

Reluctantly, Sara agreed. She stood back as the VDF brought the manacled spies into the training yard. The Captains oversaw the grim work, ensuring it was done swiftly, without cruelty. The executions were carried out, the soldiers’ heads held high though their hearts were heavy.

When it was done, Sara and the Captains thanked their troops for defending the Valley once again, dismissed them, and ordered the gear recovered and bodies disposed of.

Life in Haven Valley continued. Safety was sustained. But Sara knew, as did everyone who had stood in that yard, that another slice of innocence had been lost.

<>

Sara walked slowly through Haven Village, her steps deliberate, her eyes lingering on every familiar corner. The morning light caught on rooftops, some old and many new, on the faces of villagers who paused their work to greet her. She returned each smile, each nod, each brief word of encouragement, committing them to memory as if she were engraving them into stone. Every laugh of a child, every bark of a dog, every hammer strike from the smithy. She memorized it all.

She knew she would leave soon. And under the System, nothing was guaranteed. Conflict was encouraged, Strength demanded. She had done what she could to prepare Haven Valley, and she was proud of what it had become. But pride was not certainty. She could only hope it would be strong enough for what might come, and that she would return in time for whatever they were not ready to face.

"And you are certain that you can notify me if the Valley faces more than it can handle?", Sara asked Tas once again.

Tas appeared in Sara's face near the Lifewheat granaries, arms folded, expression stern but softened by worry. “You’ve asked me a dozen times already,” Tas said, shaking her head. “Yes, Sara. If danger comes, I’ll send the notification. It will reach you unless you’re in a Dungeon or Trial. You’ll know. And your Signet ring will allow you to transport yourself back to the Residence.”

Sara exhaled, relief mingled with guilt. “Sorry Tas. It's just… I need to be sure. I can’t stand the thought of being too far away when you need me.”

Tas’s gaze softened further. “We’ll manage, Viscount Bloom. You’ve given us the tools and access to the training. Even access to the Dungeon to put theory into practice. Now trust us to use them.”

Sara then met with Cadri and Brogan for one last report. They stood tall, their voices steady as they recited patrol schedules, wall reinforcements, and the readiness of the Valley Defense Force. When they finished, Sara presented them with her gifts. To Cadri, she handed a Masterwork Mycorrhizal Bow, its surface alive with faint threads of light, and a quiver of one hundred Masterwork arrows. To Brogan, she gave a Masterwork Mycorrhizal Spear and Shield, the shield’s surface pulsing faintly with fungal resilience.

Cadri’s eyes widened, his fingers brushing reverently over the bowstring. “Sara… this is more than I deserve.”

“You deserve it,” Sara said firmly. “Both of you do. You’re the Valley’s strength now. I hope you will have no cause to use them. But if you must raise arms, show our foes the mistake of making Haven Valley their enemy!”

Brogan hefted the shield, testing its weight, then pierced the air with a series of test jabs of his spear. Bowing, his jaw set. “We’ll hold the line. You can count on us.”

Sara nodded, her throat tight. “I know. I could not have asked for better people to defend Haven Valley than you both. Thank you!”

She met with the Village Elders next, Herman, Serga, & Russo, thanking them for their guidance, their patience, their trust. She bade them farewell, promising it was temporary, though her heart whispered that nothing was certain.

<>

A last stop by the Territory Control Shard was next. The chamber was quiet except for the faint hum of the hologram. Tas shimmered into being before Sara, the image of herself rendered in pale light, eyes sharp and steady. The Territory Administration Spirit folded her hands, waiting, patient as always.

Doublechecking, Sara confirmed that Tas had full Administrative access to make changes and decisions, and could spend the TAP and SC that the valley gained daily as necessary. Once she was confident that Tas had full control capability in her absence, she lamented for a moment or two that her leaving would mean the 25% production bonus from her Commander ability would be lots. But with the improvements they had made, and the additions of the Territories and Shards, the valley was quickly carving its way to being a powerhouse of profit, resources, and skills. As well as having the VDF forces to defend it.

Sara exhaled, fingers brushing the edge of the glowing token she summoned from Pocket Inventory into her palm. “Tas,” she said, her voice low, “before I leave the Valley, I need to know. Should I use this ‘Resource Yield Increase 50% Token’ now, or save it for something we might discover later? I won’t be here to guide things directly.”

Tas tilted her head, the holographic projection flickering faintly as if considering. “Viscount Bloom. There are two resources that matter most right now,” she said. “Force Ore and Neutral Energy Crystals. Force Ore means capacity for our skilled smiths to make Masterwork armor and weapons. Security for the Valley. Once we refine enough into Ingots, even weapons and armor, we could trade them. It strengthens our defenses and gives us export option for the future.” Her tone sharpened, pragmatic. “Increased yield of Neutral Energy Crystals, on the other hand, would mean power that comes from great wealth. Fifty percent more of a resource that is always needed across the System. That kind of yield would bring prosperity, trade, and influence. It would never be wasted.”

Sara frowned, weighing the words. The hologram’s logic was sound, but the choice gnawed at her. “Security or wealth,” she murmured. “Which is more vital to the Valley now?”

Tas’s eyes glowed faintly, reflecting her own. “If you were staying, Viscount, wealth might serve you better. But if you are leaving, the Valley must be able to defend itself without your battlefield domination. Force Ore enhanced equipment will be a good step towards ensuring that. Allowing for powerfully enchanted armors and weapons while access to your Mycorrhizal weapons is lost.”

Sara closed her hand around the token, decision settling like stone in her chest. “Then Force Ore it is. Haven Valley will have a well armed and armored Defense Force in my absence. Equipment to rival any in the Contested Lands. And hopefully…” she glanced toward Tas, the fear unspoken of what might happen to her people in her absence evident in her eyes, “…they’ll never need to use it.”

Tas inclined her head, the hologram’s expression unreadable but resolute. “The Valley will endure, Viscount.”

<>

Sara reached out, her fingers steady despite the weight of the decision, and pressed the shimmering Resource Yield Increase 50% Token against the Territory Control Crystal. The chamber lit with a pulse of energy, the crystal’s surface rippling as if alive. A prompt appeared, glowing letters offering her the choice of which of the valley’s many resources to empower. She did not hesitate.

“Force Ore,” she whispered, and confirmed the selection.

The display flared, numbers climbing rapidly, each digit a measure of the Valley’s future strength. Sara’s eyes tracked the rising yield, but her mind drifted deeper. She imagined the mountain beneath her feet, veins of Force Ore spreading like roots, branching wider, thickening, opening themselves to access. The ore gleamed in her vision, a lattice of power waiting to be smelted and forged into armor, weapons, and shields.

The Control Crystal pulsed again, sealing the change. Force Ore was no longer just another resource. It had become a cornerstone, a difference maker. Haven Valley would now possess the means to arm its defenders, to forge strength from stone, to stand against whatever threats might come in her absence.

Sara exhaled, relief mingling with resolve. Security first. Wealth can wait. Tas was correct. The Valley must endure.

<>

Returning to the Residence, Sara gathered her things for travel. Foods, Potions and Salves for her own use, and boxes of samples of her and the Valley's crafters to offer as potential start for trades. A travel Alchemists Kit she had acquired from the System store. A palm sized piece of Fluffy's egg.

Until, finally, there was nothing left to stall with.

<>

Sara took a quick moment to review the changes that absorbing her Stored Energy from all of the new kills had given her.

Growth Energy Stored:

Eyebats x5

Kobolds x5

Wraithlings x5 (T2)

Mindspinners x5 (T2)

Gem Mantis x5 (T2)

Crystal Devourer (Dungeon Boss Variant T3)

This wasn’t the first time she’d stared at the seemingly impossible results, and likely wouldn’t be the last. The synergy of her Symbiotic Network was really showing its strength when she was able to fight, and absorb, new creatures.

The higher her Soul: Sum grew, the more she was able to absorb stat energy from lower power kills. For her current growth, she had been able to absorb energy from any creatures who’s stats above 1/4th her own. And that had been just about everything she had fought in the Dungeon for one stat or another. And with her new Commander bonus for her ‘army’ of microbes, the multiplier to those increased stats Just. Kept. Growing. 700% had been crazy, putting her way above any Challengers or NCP’s she had met thus far. But now… 1000% bonus? That’s just insane.

“Core Stats”, she called to the System.

Sara Bloom Core Stats (Commander Bonus 1000%)

• Body: (97) 970

o Force:97 (Effectiveness 1000% = 970) (Equipment +20)

o Speed: 106 (Effectiveness 1000% = 1060) (Equipment +15)

• Mind: (93) 930

o Thought: 99 (Effectiveness 1000% = 990) (Equipment +28)

o Knowledge: 93 (Effectiveness 1000% = 930) (Equipment +13)

• Soul: (101) 1,010 (-50 Soul Bond T2)

o Self: 103 (Effectiveness 1000% = 1,030) (Equipment +11)

o Sum: 101 (Effectiveness 1000% = 1,010) (Equipment +11)

[Free Stat Points for allocation: 10]

________________________________________

Physical Defense: 970 (Equipment +40) = 1,010

Mental Defense: 930 (Equipment +30) = 960

Soul Defense: 1,010 (Equipment +30) = 1,040

“Yeah. Just Insane.”

Turning her attention to the other System Notifications that had arrived that morning, Sara just shook her head. She’d hoped that something like this might be an option. A pinnacle achievement that many Challengers might never reach in even a single Stat. And yet, there floated the three notifications for her to review.

*Ding* Milestone Reached: Speed (106) has reached Milestone 1.

[New Speed Ability Learned: Afterimage Step]

• Afterimage Step: Once per minute, Sara can blur her movement, creating a phantom double that confuses enemies. Automatically dodge one non critical attack per minute if Speed is higher than that of the attacker.

*Ding* Milestone Reached: Self (103) has reached Milestone 1.

[New Self Ability Learned: Self Sustain]

• Self Sustain: Passive regeneration of 1% Soul energy per minute outside combat.

*Ding* Milestone Reached: Sum (101) has reached Milestone 1.

[New Sum Ability Learned: Balanced Aura]

• Balanced Aura: Allies within 10 meters gain +5% to their lowest stat, reflecting Sara’s stabilizing presence.

“Not bad for starting with stats of all 1’s. Absolutely Mad!”

<>

When she finally reached the Valley Gates, she froze. Nearly the entire population of Haven Village was there, gathered to see her off. Villagers, farmers, crafters, children, elders… All stood together, their faces lit with pride and sorrow. Sara’s heart swelled, warmed beyond measure. She had not expected this.

And there was Fluffy, trying once again to sneak to the valley’s edge, coils shifting awkwardly as if he could somehow hide his massive form and travelling earthquake that followed wherever they tunneled. He whined, tears of magma pooling in their glowing red-orange eyes when Sara again told them they could not go with her. “But… Sara. You shouldn’t be alone,” he rumbled, voice thick with emotion.

Sara knelt, pressing her forehead against his basalt scales. “You have to stay. You’re the Valley’s Great Defender. Their secret weapon. My very best boy. If I take you with me, Haven loses its shield.” She scraped along the thick basalt scales under Fluffy’s chin. “It is only knowing that you are here that allows me the strength to go, my little Furball.”

Fluffy’s rumble deepened into a mournful growl, but he did not argue further.

Then, from the edge of the Lifewheat fields, a voice rumbled like distant thunder. “By order of Baron The Glorious Lion Who Roars at the Sun, Sara Bloom will not travel alone.”

Sara turned, startled, as She Who Laughs Last strode forward, mane gleaming in the morning light, eyes bright with determination. She stopped beside Sara and Fluffy, her presence commanding yet warm.

“Baron Glory has decided,” Laughs Last said, her voice carrying across the gathered villagers. “The Life Lions must reach beyond the Lifewheat Fields. I have been tasked to travel the surrounding lands, to see if there are other Prides, or other Two Legs like Sara Bloom, worthy of being friends of the Pride. Another Pridemate will be assigned to watch the Two Leg Valley of Haven. I will accompany the Viscount.”

Sara blinked, stunned. “You… you’re coming with me?”

Laughs Last’s grin was sharp, her teeth flashing. “I will Walk beside you. Though you leave your Bond behind to defend those under your care, you will not walk alone, Sara Bloom. Let your enemies know… The Pride walks with you.”

Fluffy sniffled, nodding, magma tears steaming as they hit the ground. “If Sara must go without The Fluffy… then She Who Laughs Last must protect her. Let her come to no harm!”

Sara’s heart clenched, torn between sorrow and gratitude. She looked at the villagers, at Tas, at Cadri and Brogan, at Fluffy, and finally at Laughs Last. The weight of departure pressed heavy, but the warmth of their faith lifted her.

Sara chuckled to herself as she looked from Laughs Last to Fluffy. ‘If we brought Fluffy with us I’d have a definitely not Cowardly Lion, and a huge hearted much trougher than Tin man.’, she thought to herself. ‘Find us a super Intelligent Scarecrow and I’d be off to see the Wizard… Wait…’, she thought, suddenly shivering in childhood fear.

“There better not be Flying Monkeys!”, she muttered aloud, and gulped as Laughs Last responded. “Raptor Apes? Nasty creatures. But fear not for your people, Viscount. There should not be any this far away from the Umbral Peaks!”

She straightened, gripping her spear, looking to the Life Lion in hopes she would sense them joking. But Laughs Last just nodded stoically.

Sara shrugged and, with a last pat of Fluffy’s hardened armor-plated chin, took her first steps towards her next adventure in the Contested Lands. “Then let’s go. For Haven Valley. For the Pride.

And for whatever comes next.”

And with the Valley erupting in cheering behind her, Fluffy watching with molten eyes, and Laughs Last at her side, Sara Bloom left her Territory of Haven Valley behind and stepped into the Lifewheat Fields.

Sara sighed, her chest beginning to relax from all the knotted up emotion of leaving. “I guess we need to figure out where the heck we're going?”

Taking a deep breath, she raised her head to stare around her at the world outside the Valley. It was time. Time to travel. Time to Grow. Time to learn more. Not only about the Contested Lands and the challenges ahead. But also about the System itself. Why does it demand conflict? Why does it pressure growth and offer such strength?

What does the All-Powerful System fear that makes it so desperate for warriors to protect it?

<>

The End?

…

…

…

Or, just the beginning?