I opened a portal back to the shard, the familiar shimmer of energy swirling around the air in front of me. As the portal stabilized, I could feel the pull of the dimensional shard's unique atmosphere, welcoming me back. I wasn’t giving up on the bandits, though. Fernando, ever vigilant, had left a clone out in the forest, ready to report any movements or changes. I trusted his instincts, and I had plans—big plans. Expanding the forest in this direction would allow us more control, give us more resources, and ensure that anyone sneaking around wouldn't stay hidden for long.

But first, I was going to make good on my promise to the goldfish. I was going to create the coolest fish pond the shard had ever seen.

I stepped through the portal, the cool air of the shard brushing against my skin as I entered. The soft hum of magic filled the space as I carried the makeshift stone bowl filled with my new aquatic friends. I made my way toward the central clearing, where the light filtered down from above in soft, ethereal beams.

The shard had endless possibilities for creation, and with the proper amount of focus, I could shape the very earth itself. I knelt by the clearing, setting the bowl down gently and placing my hand on the ground.

"Alright," I said softly, closing my eyes. "Let’s make this something special."

I reached deep into the earth beneath the shard, feeling its potential. The ground responded eagerly to my call, and I began to shape it—visualizing a wide, deep pond with smooth stones, surrounded by lush greenery and flowers. As the mana flowed through me, I encouraged the earth to form itself, pulling water from a nearby underground spring to fill the pond.

The ground shifted, rocks rose, and a natural basin began to take shape. I smoothed out the edges with a flick of my fingers, creating gentle slopes and rocky outcroppings for the fish to explore. The water filled the pond in steady streams, crystal clear and shimmering with the shard’s ambient mana.

The result was magnificent—a pristine pond surrounded by vibrant plant life, the water reflecting the soft light from the shard’s sky above. The surface of the water rippled slightly, and I felt a sense of accomplishment as I finished the last touches, placing smooth stones at the edges for the fish to dart in and out of.

I gently lifted the stone bowl and poured the water and the fish into their new home. They darted out immediately, exploring their surroundings, their golden scales catching the light. The first goldfish, the one that had agreed to come with me, swam in wide circles, clearly pleased with its new environment.

"Welcome home, little guys," I murmured, watching them swim happily in the pond.

Thor and Loki wandered over, their noses twitching as they inspected my handiwork. Loki sat down, her head tilted in approval. "Nice work," she said, her voice dripping with mischief. "Though I wouldn’t mind a few ice spiders crawling around the edges."

I chuckled. "Let’s keep the fish pond spider-free, okay?"

Loki huffed, but she was smiling.

Thor, always the more easygoing of the two, dipped his nose into the water and then quickly shook his head, spraying droplets everywhere. "Fish are weird," he muttered before lying down beside the pond with a yawn.

I took a step back, admiring the pond. It wasn’t just a place for the fish—it was a symbol of the shard’s potential, of what we could create here. This place wasn’t just a refuge or a hiding spot; it was becoming something much more. A place where we could grow, where the rules of the outside world didn’t apply.

The goldfish swam happily in their new home, oblivious to the troubles of the outside world. But I wasn’t. The bandits were still out there, and they had proven to be elusive. Fernando’s clone would watch for any signs of movement, and I had every intention of expanding the forest northward, covering more ground, making it harder for anyone to hide from us.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

But for now, I allowed myself this small moment of peace.

Seraphina approached from the distance, her graceful presence barely disturbing the tranquility of the pond. "This is beautiful, Gavrin," she said softly. "You’ve truly made something special here."

I smiled, feeling a sense of contentment. "Thanks, Seraphina. I figured the shard could use a little more life."

She nodded thoughtfully. "And you’ll need places like this—places of peace—to balance out the chaos that’s sure to come. The world is changing faster than any of us expected."

I sighed, glancing up at the peaceful surface of the water. "I know. But for now, let’s enjoy the calm while we have it. The bandits, the monsters, they’ll wait. I’m ready for them, but it’s good to have a place where we can retreat, reflect, and recharge."

Seraphina smiled gently. "Wise words, Gavrin. This shard... it’s becoming something extraordinary under your guidance."

I settled down in the center of the shard, feeling the soft hum of mana around me. The air here was thick with potential, every element eager to be shaped and molded. I closed my eyes, sinking into the tranquil darkness behind my eyelids, and reached out through the web of my connections.

The plants were already attuned to my presence, their roots intertwined with the shard's essence. I could sense the gentle pulsating energy of each one, ready to respond to my call. Using Fernando as my guide, I directed my focus northward, extending my reach beyond the current boundaries of the forest.

Fernando, the ever-watchful scout, offered subtle nudges through our connection. "Easy now, boss," his familiar voice echoed in my mind, laced with his usual Bronx accent. "Gotta go slow if you wanna cover distance without messin' things up."

I nodded in understanding, taking his advice to heart. The forest was vast and wild, teeming with life. To stretch my influence northward, I had to work in harmony with it, not impose my will recklessly. I concentrated on the edges of the forest, where my power still lingered from previous excursions.

I extended my senses through the roots of the towering oaks and the smaller, yet resilient, shrubs. Bit by bit, I reached further north, the earth beneath my influence shifting and stretching like a living, breathing organism. I felt the soil and roots responding, their energy channels expanding as I infused them with mana.

“Steady,” I whispered, channeling a steady flow of magic through the roots. “Just let it grow naturally.”

The forest responded eagerly. New saplings sprouted along the edges of my reach, the underbrush thickening. I could feel the ground shifting, adapting to the influx of energy. The trees swayed gently as if acknowledging the expansion, their branches brushing against one another in quiet approval.

Fernando guided me like a beacon in the darkness. His knowledge of the terrain was invaluable as he identified suitable locations to root deeper into the earth. “Over here, boss,” he directed, showing me areas where the soil was rich and fertile. “If we tap into this spot, we’ll cover more ground.”

I followed his suggestions, feeling the roots dive deep into the earth, anchoring the forest's expansion. The network of plants spread steadily, like tendrils of green fire slowly igniting the untouched land. I could sense the balance of mana shifting as new connections were formed, the landscape beginning to pulse with life.

A cool breeze swept through the shard, rustling the leaves around me. I felt a shiver of exhilaration. This was creation on a grand scale, the forest becoming an extension of my will, reaching ever outward.

“Good work,” Fernando’s voice echoed in my mind. “We’re makin’ progress, but don’t overdo it. There’s a lot of land out there, and we don’t wanna stretch too thin.”

“I know,” I replied, focusing on maintaining a controlled flow of mana. The plants in my domain responded with a surge of energy, their leaves and roots intertwining further. The forest expanded in layers, forming a natural barrier that would make any encroaching bandits think twice.

As I continued to work, I could sense other creatures moving through the undergrowth—small animals, insects, and even the faint traces of mana-infused flora. This forest wasn't just a collection of trees and plants; it was a living entity, and I was its steward.

Gradually, the forest’s presence pressed further north, inch by inch. I knew this was just the beginning. The expansion needed to be deliberate, rooted in harmony with nature. There was no rushing it.

“Alright,” I said finally, easing back on the flow of mana. “Let's settle for this for now. We’ve extended far enough to cover more ground.”

“Not bad, boss,” Fernando remarked. “We’ve got a good reach up north. This'll give us eyes where we need ‘em.”

I opened my eyes, the familiar sights of the shard coming back into focus. The air was still thick with the magic I'd woven into the earth. This was just the first step in turning the forest into a natural defense network—a place that could sense intruders and react accordingly.

With a satisfied sigh, I stood up, brushing off the leaves that had gathered around me. The forest now had a stronger foothold to the north, and with it, our domain had grown. I wasn’t sure what we’d find further ahead, but I knew we were ready to face whatever lay in the shadows of the wilderness.