As they approached the heart of the village, a commotion broke out near the gates. Lyssandra's heart quickened as she spotted a group of weary figures, their faces lined with exhaustion.
Her breath caught—some of them were familiar, a duo of young girls standing wearily at the back of the group. Her friends.
Lyssandra rushed forward, her pulse pounding in her ears. Their gazes were downcast, whether that was from exhaustion, hunger, depression or a combination of all was up for debate. "Laera, Syrelle!"
The worn figures were slow to react, but they eventually lifted their heads. Her friends' eyes widened as they recognized her, and a wave of relief swept over them. She embraced them tightly, tears pricking her eyes. "You made it," she whispered.
Something broke within them when they heard Lyssandra's voice and her follow up embrace, the duo broke down, falling to their knees, they both started to bawl their eyes out.
Theron arrived shortly after, his gaze unreadable as he surveyed the newcomers. Looking at the girls her daughter called friends, it was all too easy to see that these were not tears of joy because they had been reunited, but tears of grief.
'They must have lost a lot, for them to be this downcast.' He pitied them, yes, but in no way did he feel responsible. The trio went on embracing as the arrivals were led into the gates. Lyssandra silently caressed her friends, she understood that no words could soothe their aching hearts at the moment, so she settled for what she could do.
Lyssandra stepped forward, and approached her father would had gone back to doing his duties, her fiery determination reigniting. "Father, can they join us at the castle?"
Theron regarded them with a thoughtful expression, .... he was about to speak, but looked towards Lyssandra again, seeing her expression he sighed, she wasn't taking no for an answer, 'Why even ask'. "Okay, lead them there, we have a lot of free rooms."
Lyssandra's heart swelled with hope, and she turned to her friends with a silent promise burning in her eyes.
....
"Come on, let's get you settled," Lyssandra said gently, guiding Laera and Syrelle towards the entrance of the castle. As they moved, Lyssandra's heart was still heavy with concern for what her friends might have faced on their journey.
The back-and-forth exchanges with her grandfather had sparked a fire in her, a relentless hope that she could help rebuild not just shelter, but a safe haven for the weak.
The sound of hammers striking nails and the chatter of workers surrounded them as they crossed the threshold into the castle grounds, which were more vibrant than they had been a few days ago. Work was underway, and as they passed, the labourers offered them warm smiles, recognizing the newcomers' weariness. They had been in the same situation at some point not too long ago.
"Thank you for helping to bring us here, Lyssandra," Laera said softly, her voice barely breaking through the noise. "We didn't think we'd make it." Her eyes betrayed the words she spoke so earnestly, they were devoid of emotion.
Lyssandra's resolve strengthened at the sight of her friends. "You did make it! And now we'll protect each other. We're safe here." She gestured toward a cluster of newly built cottages further down the path. "Those are for new families soon arriving. You'll both have your own space, in the castle right here."
Syrelle wiped her eyes, trying to regain her composure. "It's so beautiful," she murmured, looking around. "I never thought we would end up in such a place after everything. It's a surprise to see it still standing."
As they entered one of the modest rooms near the exterior of the castle, Lyssandra ushered her friends inside. The interior was warm and inviting, with just enough furnishings to make it comfortable—a simple table, some chairs, and two beds. The stone walls kept out the chill of the mountain air, creating a sense of fortress-like security.
"Feel free to rest here, and I'll bring you some food," Lyssandra said. "You both must be starving."
Laera and Syrelle exchanged a grateful glance before nodding. Lyssandra stepped out, her heart swelling with a mix of hope and determination. She knew they had made it to this sanctuary, but the bigger challenge remained: building a community strong enough to withstand the world outside their fortress walls.
As she headed toward the main hall, her mind raced with thoughts of how to integrate Laera, Syrelle, and others into their growing settlement. She could visualize the kind of place this settlement would become soon where every person fought for supremacy and it would be survival of the fittest, where strength and size of a fist mattered the most, and where they could combine their skills to fend off the enemies outside these walls.
"Lyssandra!" Theron's voice called from behind. She turned to see her father approaching, his expression more serious than before.
"Did your friends settle in okay?" he asked, his brow slightly furrowed.
"They're in their cottage. They're tired but safe. Father, we need to make sure everyone who comes here feels welcomed and valued. I want to help them find their roles so they can contribute to if only just a little, lest they get left behind."
Theron studied her for a moment, impressed by her maturity and charisma but also concerned about the burden she was placing on herself. "You're right; everyone should have a part. But remember, it's a process. Strength isn't just about giving someone a crutch to lean on; it's about ensuring we leave them to grow on their own and be able to support themselves in the long run."
She nodded, understanding the weight he carried but still feeling motivated. "I'm willing to help and learn father. If we work together, I believe we can build something special here. A real proper community, maybe not perfect, or nowhere near modern earth, but safe enough for people to feel at ease at least."
With a slight smile and a hint of pride, Theron placed a hand on her shoulder. "Alright. Let's gather everyone for a meeting later. We'll discuss what we can do to bring in more people and how we can integrate them effectively. I think your friends can help too. I think the first thing you should do is take a look at their abilities to help them effectively."
A spark of excitement ignited within her. "Yes! The sooner we start, the stronger we'll be."
As they turned to head back towards the hall, Theron couldn't help but admire Lyssandra's tenacity and vision. This wouldn't be an easy journey, but knowing her, he knew she could be relied upon to make a name for herself. Lyssandra made a beeline for the kitchen, before Theron stopped her again.
"By the way, I need to look at your system."
"Oh of course, with everything that has been going on, I forgot to take a look at it. Status" A semi-transparent window came into view in front of Lyssandra, she beckoned it towards Theron so that he could look at it as well.
This was her first time calling out her status window. And it brought nothing but intrigue in her mind. 'Wow, looking at my physical and mental capabilities is quite disturbing if I do say so myself.'
[Status]
Name: Lyssandra Veyl
Age: 15
Race: Human/Enchantress
Innate Ability: Shroud You wield the divine power of mental sovereignty, a force so potent it transcends the bounds of mortal understanding. Your very presence is a siren's call, an irresistible allure that captivates the senses and overwhelms the will. With every movement, you exude an aura of seduction and majesty, drawing all eyes to you as though the universe itself orbits your beauty. Your charm is not merely skin-deep—it is an all-encompassing force, one that emanates from the very essence of your being.
The power of Shroud manifests as an ethereal mastery over minds and souls. A single glance from you is enough to ensnare hearts, cloud judgment, and enthral the spirit. Without uttering a word, you weave an imperceptible web of influence, bending thoughts and emotions to your will. The afflicted will never know they have fallen prey; their thoughts become yours, their desires reflect your intentions, and their memories bend and shape as you see fit. Resistance is futile, for your dominion over their consciousness is absolute.
Your hypnotic beauty acts as both a weapon and a shield, a spell that entrances and disarms. To look upon you is to invite a serene trance, a blissful surrender of self to the power you embody. Crowds are brought to their knees, not through violence or fear, but by the sheer weight of your magnificence. You hold the power of persuasion that is beyond mortal comprehension, one that reshapes reality through the sheer force of your will. The truth becomes what you say it is, and the line between imagination and actuality blurs in your presence.
Your abilities are not limited to the visible; they extend into the deepest recesses of the mind. You walk unseen in the thoughts of others, uncovering secrets, rewriting intentions, and planting suggestions so subtle they seem to bloom of their own accord. Your power is not merely control—it is domination, a godlike claim over the essence of consciousness itself. Those who encounter you become a part of your grand design, pawns in a game they do not realize they are playing.
This divine gift of Shroud has no equal. It is a symphony of seduction and sovereignty, a power that reshapes the lives of others while leaving them blissfully unaware. You are the unseen storm, the enigma that captivates, the sovereign over all who dare to meet your gaze.
Active Abilities: (Mind Shroud, Eclipse of Will, ???)
Passive Abilities: (Aura of Allure, Unseen Influence, ???)
Strength: 18
Speed: 22
Agility: 24
Defence: 16
Unique Title:The Bewitching Sovereign
Intelligence: 52
Health: 30
Mana: 50
Charm: 130
Stamina: 30/40 (Restore by resting, consuming elixirs, food, or enthralling living beings)
Coins: 85 (Awarded for mesmerizing adversaries and completing trials of persuasion)
Theron was genuinely surprised by Lyssandra's stats, 'She's even stronger than me and she hasn't taken any potions or used artifacts yet. I haven't even started on that innate ability, and how does she have a title already.'
His head was spinning already. But before he could make a comment, Lyssandra's system went, ding...
(System note: The world spirit is enthralled by your presence, stats boosted by 300% while on earth)
Ding!.....Stats redistributed....
[Status]
Name: Lyssandra Veyl
Age: 15
Race: Human/Enchantress
Strength: 54
Speed: 66
Agility: 72
Defence: 51
Unique Title: The Bewitching Sovereign
Intelligence: 156
Health: 90
Mana: 150
Charm: 390
Stamina: 120
]
Theron watched all this unfold with wide eyes. He was failing to comprehend what was going on before him. He was genuinely scared of what Lyssandra would had become or would become in the future. ' What is this, her base stats are already exaggerated, but this, this is something else, 300% stat boost.
one had to understand the average evolved human being at the moment would have stats in the region of 8-15, while a regular unevolved person would typically not go higher than 7, having a stat that ranged from 15 to twenties on your first evolution, having not consumed anything yet, you would be considered a genius.
One would think then, what did that make the likes of Adrien, Alex and Lyssandra. Well, there was only one word for that, monsters. Complete anomalies, who were not part of the spectrum.
Lyssandra was still very calm, probably because she did not understand how the system worked, neither did she understand the benchmarks set for everyone else. What she did know though was that a 300% boost was insane!