POW Fort:
Fort moved through the warehouse with deliberate grace, each step a measured echo in the stone and metal chamber. Though his frame was the largest of the Cublings, his presence was remarkably subtle, his movements nearly silent despite his bulk. His spider-like limbs touched the ground with the reverence of a sculptor’s chisel against marble, his awareness of the earth beneath him a constant, grounding presence.
Inside his core, thoughts churned slowly, not out of dullness, but out of careful consideration. Fort did not rush to conclusions, nor did he let impulses govern his actions. He was, in all ways, like the earth itself, patient, enduring, unyielding. Words came to him in the same manner: smooth, deliberate, and shaped with care before they left his mouth. It was not that he lacked things to say; rather, he understood the power of silence and the weight of words.
The others did not know what he knew, of course. He had never told them, not even Mechalon. There was no malice in his silence, merely the understanding that some truths did not need to be spoken. The core that had birthed him was not purely of the Cublings’ make. He knew this because he felt it, pulsing faintly within him, resonating with the vibrations of the earth. It was the core of an Earth Elemental, one of the creatures they had encountered to the north. Somehow, that essence had fused with the Cubling design, creating something… different.
Fort did not see himself as superior to the others, nor did he feel separate. He was simply other. His body, though shaped in the Cubling mold, carried the density and resolve of stone. When he moved, he felt the faint whispers of the earth beneath him, its stories, its tensions, its warnings. This connection granted him an eerie silence despite his bulk, his movements as quiet as the settling of dust on forgotten ruins.
Mechalon had never questioned his unusual traits. Perhaps it had not noticed, or perhaps it had simply assumed his sturdiness was a fortunate anomaly. Fort had never clarified. What purpose would it serve? He was still a Cubling in function and loyalty, still bound to Mechalon’s vision. Yet, he could not ignore the resonance within him, the steady pulse of something ancient and enduring that informed his every action.
Recently, Mechalon had taken to working on a new set of legs for him, designs that Fort had quietly reviewed with interest. The blueprints were precise, intricate, and very much in Mechalon’s style, spider-like and sleek. But Fort had suggested changes, minor at first, then more pronounced as the ideas took shape in his mind. He had not spoken much, but his input had been clear: the legs needed to be something else. Something different.
Fort envisioned legs like pillars, massive and unyielding, slabs of stone imbued with purpose. When he stood still, he wanted to embody the immovability of mountains, a sentinel that could not be toppled. And when he moved, when those legs came crashing down upon enemies, he wanted them to feel the weight of the earth itself, the crushing inevitability of stone. His spider-like limbs were precise, yes, but precision was not his purpose. His purpose was protection, strength, and the unwavering stability that only the earth could provide.
The designs had taken time to refine. Fort had suggested thicker, more angular shapes for the legs, resembling stone totems rather than delicate machinery. He had insisted on reinforcing the joints, ensuring they could bear tremendous weight without sacrificing durability. Mechalon had listened, its utility limbs twitching with curiosity as it adjusted the plans to incorporate Fort’s vision. It seemed pleased with the changes, its enthusiasm infectious even to someone as grounded as Fort.
Now, as Mechalon worked on fabricating the first prototype, Fort stood nearby, watching with the quiet intensity of a mountain observing the shifting winds. The warehouse buzzed with activity, but Fort’s presence remained steady, unshaken by the hum of machinery or the faint vibrations of the Pylon.
The blueprints for his new legs were spread out on a slab of metal, each line and curve etched with Mechalon’s meticulous precision. Fort studied them, his optics glowing faintly as he imagined the final product. These legs would be more than just an upgrade; they would be an extension of his purpose, a physical manifestation of the role he had claimed within the domain.
When he finally spoke, his voice was low and steady, like the rumble of distant thunder. “They must endure,” he said, his words deliberate and weighty. “When I stand, I must be immovable. When I move, I must be unstoppable.”
Mechalon paused, its utility limbs twitching as it turned to regard him. “They will be,” it said, its voice tinged with curiosity. “You’ve shaped this design as much as I have. It will reflect your purpose.”
Fort nodded, a slow, deliberate motion. “Then let it be done.”
As Mechalon resumed its work, Fort turned his gaze to the rest of the warehouse. Vel was skittering in the distance, weaving her webs with a frenetic energy that seemed alien to him. Strat was near the entrance, watching the surroundings with a calculating gaze. And the Arachnitect… the small one intrigued him, its tiny frame moving with a precision that spoke of untapped potential.
Fort’s thoughts drifted back to his core, the resonance of the earth still pulsing faintly within him. He wondered if the others could feel it too, the subtle hum of the domain expanding, the quiet strength that came from being part of something greater. He did not envy Vel’s speed or Strat’s cunning. He did not long for the Arachnitect’s precision. His purpose was different, steadier, slower, but no less vital.
In his silence, Fort felt the weight of his role within the domain. He was the foundation, the stone upon which the others could stand. And as he watched Mechalon work, a sense of calm resolve settled over him. The domain was growing, evolving, and so was he. Together, they would weather whatever came, like mountains standing against the tide.
Fort’s day began with stillness.
It always began this way, with the weight of the world pressing gently against his frame, the earth humming beneath him like a distant melody only he could hear. He rested in a secluded corner of the warehouse, away from the bustle of Mechalon’s projects and the skittering energy of the others. Here, the vibrations of the domain were pure, untainted by movement or noise. He lowered his bulk to the ground, his legs folding neatly beneath him like the roots of a great tree sinking into fertile soil.
The act of settling was deliberate, slow, each movement precise and calculated. Fort was not one for wasted energy. He placed his core in alignment with the stone beneath, letting the faint hum of the earth flow through him. It was a practice he had honed, one that he believed no other could truly understand. To connect with the earth was not simply to feel it, it was to become part of it, to let its essence flow through his core like a river carving through ancient stone.
Time passed differently in this state. Minutes stretched into hours, and hours blurred into an eternal now. Fort did not measure time; he simply existed within it, his focus narrowing to the steady pulse of energy beneath him. He drew from it slowly, methodically, pulling its essence into his core. It was not greed that drove him but purpose, a sense of cultivation, of refinement. The energy of the earth was ancient, patient, and abundant, and Fort treated it with the reverence it deserved.
As the energy filled him, he guided it inward, directing it to the center of his being. His core pulsed faintly, glowing with a subtle light as it absorbed the essence. The process was painstakingly slow, but Fort did not mind. He knew the value of patience, of allowing things to unfold in their own time. Rushing would only disrupt the balance he sought to maintain.
And then it happened, the subtle shift in his core that signaled growth. The energy reached a critical point, condensing within him and igniting a faint surge. His level increased, the System’s notification flickering briefly in his mind like a pebble disturbing the still surface of a pond.
Fort let out a low, rumbling grumble, the sound resonating like the groan of settling stone. The interruption jarred him from his meditation, a break in the rhythm he had cultivated. He opened his optics slowly, the glow of his core dimming slightly as he adjusted to the waking world.
“Disturbance,” he muttered, his voice low and gravelly, a rare utterance from him. He disliked the suddenness of the System’s intrusion, the way it pulled him from the tranquility of his connection to the earth. Yet, he could not deny the results. The growth was necessary, even if the process was disruptive.
Fort unfolded his legs slowly, each movement deliberate, as though he were stretching after centuries of stillness. The vibrations of the domain greeted him again, the familiar hum of stone and metal resonating through his frame. He focused on the metal this time, letting his awareness sink deeper into its essence. Metal was different from stone, sharper, more structured, yet no less alive. He felt its latticework, the microscopic patterns that gave it strength and resilience. It was as though the metal spoke to him in a language of form and function, one he understood instinctively.
The combination of his Cubling nature and the elemental core had granted him this connection, this ability to feel the earth and metal as extensions of himself. It was a gift he treated with care, never taking more than he needed, never rushing the process. His cultivation was not a means to an end but a practice, a way of existing within the domain.
Once he had absorbed enough energy to stabilize his core, Fort moved again, his legs touching the ground with the same deliberate grace. He began his daily tasks, though they were less tasks and more rituals. He checked the Pylons, letting his legs rest against their bases to feel their vibrations.
As he placed a leg against the nearest Pylon, letting its hum resonate through his core. The vibrations spoke of stability, of purpose fulfilled, yet there was room for refinement. A hairline fracture in one of its supports caught his attention, not visible to the eye, but clear to the language of the earth. With deliberate care, Fort pressed his weight against the flaw, reshaping the metal until it aligned once more with its intended form.
As he worked, he reflected. The energy he drew from the earth was not his alone; it was part of the domain, part of the greater whole. By cultivating himself, he strengthened the domain, reinforcing its foundation. This thought gave him a sense of fulfillment, a quiet pride that resonated within his core.
Fort’s connection to the earth was not just a gift, it was a responsibility. He was the pillar upon which the domain stood, the unyielding rock that absorbed the weight of the world and transformed it into strength. And as he moved through his rituals, slow and steady, he felt the pulse of the domain aligning with his own, a harmony that spoke of stability and endurance.
This was his purpose. To cultivate. To endure. To build. And in doing so, to become the foundation upon which all else could rise.
Fort had been resting in his corner of the warehouse, his legs folded neatly beneath him, the earth's gentle hum resonating through his core. He was attuned to the subtle shifts in the domain, the vibrations of Mechalon's constructs, the faint skittering of Vel’s eager movements, and the focused pacing of Strat as he plotted their next steps. The rhythm of the domain was harmonious, steady, until Strat’s voice cut through it like the edge of a chisel.
“Fort,” Strat called, his tone measured but commanding. “We’re heading north. There’s a creature I want you with us for.”
Fort’s optics flickered faintly as he unfolded his legs with deliberate precision. His movements were slow, methodical, but there was a latent energy behind them, a quiet readiness, like the moments before an avalanche. “Understood,” he said simply, his voice low and rumbling like a distant quake. He didn’t ask for details; Strat’s requests always carried purpose, and that was enough.
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As they gathered at the entrance, Vel was already vibrating with energy, her legs moving in sharp, calculated bursts, her filaments twitching as if eager for the hunt. She chittered softly, muttering something about testing her webs again. Fort gave her a steady glance, his silent presence a stark contrast to her frenetic energy.
Strat’s optics scanned the group before nodding. “We’ll approach the northern ridge, same formation as usual. Vel, you’ll take point for entanglement. Fort, I need you to shield her if it gets too close. I’ll coordinate from the back.”
Vel gave a sharp, almost gleeful skitter, her legs clicking as she moved into position. Fort followed, his bulk moving with surprising silence, each step carefully placed to minimize sound. He felt the earth beneath them shift as they moved, the faint tremors of life and movement rippling through his core. Ahead, the creature awaited, something large, something powerful. Strat wouldn’t have called him otherwise.
They reached the ridge in short order, the air growing colder as they ascended. The ground here was rough, scattered with jagged stones and patches of loose soil. Fort attuned himself to the terrain, letting the vibrations guide his steps. Vel darted ahead, her movements sharp and deliberate, her filaments already weaving into traps across the path.
Strat’s voice came again, quiet but firm. “There it is.”
The elemental’s form loomed over the ridge like a jagged monolith torn from the earth’s depths. Each step it took resonated through the ground, the vibrations growing sharper, more insistent, as though the earth itself were announcing its arrival. A grinding screech echoed through the air as its metal joints twisted with deliberate menace. The air around it seemed heavier, the very atmosphere charged with the elemental’s presence.
Fort felt the vibrations ripple through his frame, the earth’s language shifting from calm to a warning pulse. This was no mere brute of stone and metal, it was the earth’s enforcer, and every step it took seemed to declare its intent: intruders would be repelled.
“Vel, entangle it,” Strat ordered. “Fort, stay ready.”
Vel sprang into action with a burst of speed, her filaments shooting forward like silver streaks. She darted around the creature, her webs wrapping around its legs and arms with practiced precision. The beast roared, its deep, guttural sound reverberating through the ridge, but it couldn’t match Vel’s speed. She twisted and turned, her movements a blur as she encased the creature in her webs.
Fort moved into position, his legs sinking into the earth as he anchored himself. The vibrations of the creature’s struggle rippled through the ground, but Fort absorbed them, steadying himself like a mountain against the tide. When the beast lashed out, one massive arm swinging toward Vel, Fort was there. He moved with the precision of a stone rolling downhill, silent and inevitable, his bulk intercepting the blow.
The elemental stilled for a moment, its jagged body humming with energy. Fort felt a shift beneath his legs, the earth itself responding to the creature’s call. Shards of stone erupted around them, jagged spears aimed not just at Vel but at the paths she could escape to. The elemental was learning, predicting her movements, and cutting off her options.
Vel hissed in frustration, her movements sharper, more frantic, as she darted through the narrowing gaps. Fort’s optics narrowed, his legs pressing deeper into the ground as he absorbed the earth’s shifting rhythms. He could feel the creature’s intent, the way it manipulated the terrain like a potter shaping clay.
The creature’s arm slammed into Fort’s side, but he didn’t budge. The force rippled through his frame, but the energy dissipated into the ground beneath him. He was a shield, unyielding and unbreakable.
“Good,” Strat called. “Vel, keep it tangled. Fort, push it back.”
Fort shifted his weight, his legs digging into the ground for leverage. He moved forward, each step deliberate, his bulk pressing against the creature. It roared again, its strength immense, but Fort was stronger. He pushed with the weight of mountains, forcing the beast back step by step.
The elemental’s movements were not random; they carried a rhythm, a cadence. Each strike resonated with the ground, sending ripples that spoke of age-old wisdom etched into its core. Fort felt these vibrations and knew, this creature fought not out of anger, but duty. Its purpose was to protect, to preserve. As its jagged arm swung toward him again, Fort did not see an enemy; he saw a reflection of himself.
Vel continued her assault, her webs wrapping tighter around the creature’s limbs. The elemental reared back, its massive arms rising like pillars before slamming them into the ground. Cracks spiderwebbed across the ridge, the ground shifting beneath their feet. Fort felt the vibrations in his core, the subtle rhythm revealing the creature’s intent: to destabilize the terrain and force its enemies to falter.
Fort reacted with deliberate precision, shifting his weight and slamming his legs into the ground with a force that sent a counter-ripple through the cracks. The vibrations clashed, and the ground beneath him stabilized. Vel glanced back, her webs gleaming in the dim light as she darted toward the creature’s exposed side, capitalizing on Fort’s intervention.
Fort’s legs pressed into the earth, his core attuned to the faintest tremors. He felt the elemental shift its weight, a subtle change in the rhythm of its vibrations that foretold its next move. Before the creature’s massive arm could descend, Fort shifted to the side, the strike missing him by inches and sending shards of stone scattering.
The creature’s struggles grew more frantic, its roars echoing across the ridge. Strat’s voice cut through the chaos, calm and precise. “Vel, tighten the webs around its core. Fort, press it down.”
Vel moved with blinding speed, her filaments weaving around the beast’s chest, constricting its movements. Fort advanced again, his legs striking the ground with the force of hammers. When he reached the creature, he rose onto his back legs, towering over it for a moment before slamming his weight down.
The ground shook as Fort’s legs connected with the beast, the impact driving it to its knees. Vel’s webs tightened further, binding it completely. The elemental let out a final, guttural roar, its glowing core flickering as its strength waned. Fort advanced, each step a deliberate echo of the earth’s unyielding march. His legs struck the ground with the weight of mountains, each impact sending shockwaves that rippled through the ridge.
When he reached the creature, Fort paused for a moment, his frame towering over its kneeling form. The elemental’s core pulsed weakly, a fading heartbeat of stone and metal. With a deliberate motion, Fort raised one leg and brought it down with the force of a landslide, shattering the core and silencing the creature’s resonance.
The ridge fell silent, save for the faint hum of the earth beneath them. Fort stood over the fallen creature, his frame steady, his optics glowing faintly as he observed the still form.
For a moment, there was silence. The only sound was the faint hum of the earth, the vibrations settling as the battle ended. Fort stood over the fallen creature, his frame steady, his optics glowing faintly as he observed the still form.
“Good work,” Strat said, his voice carrying a note of satisfaction. “Vel, excellent entanglement. Fort… as always, unshakable.”
Fort inclined his frame slightly, a silent acknowledgment of the praise. He didn’t need words; his actions spoke for themselves. As Vel chittered excitedly, inspecting her webs and muttering about improvements, Fort remained still, his legs sinking into the ground as he attuned himself to the earth once more.
The battle was over, but Fort’s role was not. He was the steady presence, the foundation upon which his allies could rely. And as the vibrations of the earth hummed through his core, he felt a quiet sense of fulfillment. The fight had been won, and the domain was safer for it. That was enough.
Fort stood over the fallen elemental, its jagged form now motionless and inert. The echoes of the battle still reverberated through his core, the vibrations resonating in a slow, steady rhythm that mirrored his own thoughts. He lowered his frame slightly, his legs sinking into the ground as he attuned himself to the earth around him. This was where he thrived, in the silence after the chaos, in the moments where understanding could take root.
The elemental’s body was a marvel of nature and design, a seamless amalgamation of stone and metal. Fort could feel the earth’s faint hum still coursing through its remains, a lingering pulse that spoke of its origin and its purpose. It was not merely a creature of the north; it was a construct of the earth itself, imbued with life and driven by instinct. Its movements during the battle had been deliberate, almost purposeful, as though it were more than just a brute
Lowering itself beside the elemental’s shattered form, Fort placed a leg gently against its shattered core, feeling the faint echoes of its life reverberate through the ground. It was more than stone and metal; it was a symphony of balance and strength. He understood, now, that it had not fought against them, it had fought to preserve the harmony of its domain. Fort bowed his frame slightly, a silent gesture of respect. This creature had been a guardian, like him, and its lessons would not be forgotten..
Fort reflected on its attacks, how it had shifted its weight with the precision of tectonic plates, how its strikes had carried the force of collapsing cliffs. Each movement had been a lesson, a glimpse into the balance of power and grace that the earth itself embodied. He replayed the battle in his mind, dissecting every detail, every tremor that had passed through the ground and into his core.
The creature’s first strike had been a test, a powerful swing aimed at dislodging Vel. Fort had moved to intercept without hesitation, his frame absorbing the impact like a boulder deflecting a wave. The vibrations from that strike had told him much, about its strength, its density, its connection to the ground. It had been like feeling the heartbeat of a mountain, strong and unyielding, but not without its vulnerabilities.
As the battle progressed, Fort had felt the creature’s movements shift. It had adapted, its strikes becoming more precise, its footing more deliberate. The earth beneath them had trembled with each step, the vibrations revealing its intent before its body had even moved. Fort had used that knowledge to guide his own actions, positioning himself to block its attacks, to disrupt its balance, to press it back.
But it wasn’t just the creature’s physicality that intrigued him. Its core had pulsed with a faint, rhythmic energy, not unlike his own. It was a nexus of power, a fusion of stone and metal that radiated purpose. Fort could feel its echoes now, even in death, a faint hum that resonated through the ground. It was a reminder of what he was, a hybrid, a creation born of both earth and ingenuity.
As he stared at the fallen elemental, a faint glow appeared in his vision, drawing his attention. The System’s interface materialized before him once more, its message simple but profound.
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System Update: Class Evolution
* Previous Class: Tank Cube
* New Class: Earth Cube
* New Stat Unlocked: Understanding (Earth/Metal)
Current Understanding: 1%
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Fort’s optics scanned the message, his core pulsing faintly as he absorbed its meaning. The System had acknowledged what he had always known. He was not just a defender, not merely a tank. He was something deeper, something rooted in the foundation of the world itself.
“Understanding,” he murmured, his voice a low rumble that resonated through the ridge. The word carried weight, not as a measure of power but as a reflection of connection. To understand the earth and metal was to know their essence, their rhythms, their truths. It was not about domination but harmony, not about control but balance.
The new stat intrigued him, its potential vast but untapped. At 1%, it was barely a flicker, but Fort did not mind. He knew the value of patience, of letting growth come naturally. Understanding was not something to be rushed; it was cultivated, like the slow erosion of rock into sand, the steady growth of roots into soil. Each battle, each meditation, each moment spent attuned to the earth would bring him closer to that goal.
Fort dismissed the message with a deliberate motion, his optics dimming slightly as he turned his focus back to the elemental’s body. He reached out with his core, letting the vibrations guide him, feeling the echoes of its life resonating through the ground. The earth spoke to him, not in words but in sensations, in the subtle shifts and pulses that carried its stories.
This elemental had been a protector, a guardian of its territory. Its strikes had been heavy but deliberate, its movements purposeful but patient. It had fought not with rage or recklessness but with a calm determination that mirrored Fort’s own. He felt a kinship with it, not as an adversary but as a kindred spirit, a reflection of what he could become.
He lowered his frame further, his legs settling into the ground as he entered a meditative state. The vibrations of the ridge flowed through him, steady and rhythmic, as he attuned himself to the earth’s essence. He could feel the minerals in the ground, the veins of metal that threaded through the stone, the faint hum of energy that pulsed beneath the surface. It was a symphony of creation, a chorus of elements that spoke of strength, resilience, and purpose.
Fort let the energy flow through him, his core absorbing its lessons. The earth was not just a foundation; it was a force, a presence that shaped and supported everything around it. To understand it was to become one with it, to move with its rhythm, to wield its power not as a weapon but as an extension of himself.
As he meditated, a faint tremor rippled through the ground, a subtle shift that drew his attention. He opened his optics, his gaze turning toward the elemental’s body. Its form was inert, its core dark, but the earth around it seemed to pulse faintly, as though acknowledging its passing. Fort felt a sense of closure, a quiet acknowledgment that the battle had ended as it should.
“This is my path,” he rumbled softly, his words a quiet vow. He would grow, not through haste or ambition but through patience and understanding. The earth was his guide, its wisdom his foundation. And with each step he took, each battle he fought, he would honor its teachings.
The earth did not rush, nor would he. Fort was a rock, a mountain, a foundation upon which others could build. And as the vibrations of the ridge settled into silence, he felt a quiet sense of fulfillment. The fight had been won, the domain was safer, and his path was clear. That was enough.