Clanging echoed through the home forge. Nathaniel struck a copper pan, flattening out the side. When it was finished, he set it on the cooling rack and then headed to the pile of knives that needed sharpening. He was exhausted, since he was trying to return to a normal day schedule. He still had a few more days to go. A knock came from the forge door, and Sierra walked in.

“Morning Nathaniel,” Sierra smiled setting a basket on the table, “Could I get you to fix these pots for me?”

Nathaniel nodded, “I’ll get to them after I’m done with these,” he said gesturing to the knives, “I should finish them by tonight.”

“Great,” Sierra said playing with her hair.

“Light,” Barrett stormed in carrying a sack full of pewter mugs, and dropping them at Nathaniel’s feet, “Pa wants these fixed before the harvest festival.” He glared at the smith.

Nathaniel looked at the cups, before picking up the bag and placing it on the table, “I’ll have them done by then.”

“Are you sure?” Barrett sneered looking at the door to the house, “Shouldn’t you be tending to your-”

“Leave Barrett!” Sierra glared at him, “Now,” Barrett snarled and rushed out of the forge, “I’m…sorry you’re getting caught up in all this.”

“I was once his age too,” Nathaniel sighed setting a knife to the side, “As long as he directs it towards me, I’m fine,” he smiled at her, “Thanks for sticking up for the others though.”

“O-of course,” Sierra cleared her throat and covered her face, “They’re my friends, after all.” She straightened her dress, “I need to get back to the tavern.” She ran off waving goodbye.

Nathaniel chuckled as he continued sharpening the knives. He made his way through the work, and by late afternoon he was finishing up with the last pot Sierra brought in. The cool autumn air felt wonderful as it blew through the forge.

“Master, dinner’s ready,” Bella called out to him.

Nathaniel dunked his head into a water basket and dried his hair with a dirty towel. As soon as he stepped inside, the savory scent filling the room made his mouth water. He made his way to the dining room where the women were finishing setting the table.

“How did training go?” Nathaniel asked Ralia and Hope when he sat down.

“I’m level ten now!” Hope jumped up and down.

Ralia affectionately patted Hope’s head, “She did well today,” she said with a smile, “She finally got a hit on me.”

“Congratulations,” Bella said warmly, “How about some donuts to celebrate?” Hope cheered as she took her seat.

The evening ended with wonderful chaos. Hope ran around the house, joyful about having sweets. Bella hummed to herself as she mixed the dough together. Ralia stood to the side, and as Hope ran by her, she threw flour into the fey’s face. This caused the two to end up in a flour fight. Nathaniel quickly shielded Bella from a stray puff of flour, and she smiled up at him, only to throw a small pinch into his face with a laugh. Nathaniel laughed too, before throwing some on Bella’s head, and soon the kitchen was filled with laughter.

After enjoying their dessert, and a hot bath. They gathered in the sitting room around the fireplace. Hope sat on Nathaniel’s lap, dozing off against his chest, and Ralia lay against his right arm, her eyes closed. Bella sat in the high back chair next to the sofa, and she was knitting a scarf from brightly colored wool. Nathaniel enjoyed the silence as he sat on the couch watching the fire.

“I wonder how long I have left,” Nathaniel mused out loud.

“Does something worry you?” Bella said with a small frown.

Nathaniel nodded as he pulled Ralia and Hope close, “It’s only a matter of time before I have to return to the war,” he sighed, “The Guild has their eyes on me, so I’m sure Gilbrant does too. My identity as the Inventor Hero will get out there eventually.”

Bella nodded, “Do…you want to go back?”

“Honestly, no,” Nathaniel looked down at his girls, “But what kind of hero would I be if I continue to run from my responsibilities. Especially now that I have you all to look after.”

“You’re right,” Bella stared at her hands, “It’s irresponsible to keep running,” she set her scarf to the side and made her way over to him. Bella knelt in front of him and stared up into his eyes, “Know this master, no matter where you go, we will follow you. If the world looks down on you, then we’ll cherish you,” she cupped his face, “And if no one acknowledges you as a hero, then know this, you are our hero.”

A tear leaked out and Bella wiped it away, “I’m glad to have people I can trust,” he smiled at her, “After Fort Cadarn…I…”

“Master, who hurt you?” Bella’s eyes glistened in the light.

“When I was summoned, they gave me an attendant,” Nathaniel sighed, “But Helmer didn’t like that I was a crafter, and when the fort was attacked, he left me to die.”

Rage burned in her eyes, “We will never abandon you,”

“I know,” Nathaniel leaned down and kissed her forehead, “That’s why I’m working on something special for all of you.”

Bella gave him a large smile, “We look forward to it,” she looked out the window, “We should probably get to bed.”

Nathaniel nodded and gently nudged Ralia awake. The dragon-heart stretched as Nathaniel carried Hope to her room, and they all went to bed.

Nathaniel woke up early the next morning. He stepped out into the cool air with the stars still shining. He jogged over to the dungeon and [Warped] into the central chamber. He headed over to the training room where a cylinder sat ready. After changing into the under armor, the cylinder opened revealing the newly made power armor. Mechanical arms outfitted the armor onto Nathaniel, and it hummed to life when it was complete.

“Preparing training scenario,” Seneschal said as three guardian bots entered the room, “Commencing test of glide runes.”

The guardian bots aimed their lasers at Nathaniel and fired. Nathaniel leaned back and he moved backwards gliding over the floor. However, he leaned too far and ended up falling onto his back. Several lasers struck him, but the damage was minimal.

Nathaniel deactivated the rune, and rose to his feet, “Again,”

Time and time again Nathaniel continued practicing with his power armor. Each time he ended up falling with the lasers bathing the armor. Nathaniel got to his feet, thankful that the armor was protecting him, and he activated the rune again. The guardians fired their lasers, and he leaned to the right, but he kept his feet evenly spaced out. When he neared the wall, he shifted his feet so that the left leg was behind the right, and he leaned backwards. Nathaniel glided backward with his back leg bearing his weight, he shifted the right leg back and leaned to the left. Once Nathaniel returned to the starting point, he deactivated the hover rune.

“Congratulations sir,” Seneschal said as the guardians stopped firing.

“Thanks,” Nathaniel panted, “That finally got my power armor skill to level three. Bring up the project list.” A menu appeared in front of him

[Projects]

• Paladin: Ongoing improvements

• Valkyrie: R&D

• Chariot: Fabrication underway

• Citadel: Implementation ongoing

• Iron Legion: Gathering resources

Nathaniel walked over to the cylinder and let the arms remove the armor, “How goes the research into a flight rune?”

“Difficult sir,” Seneschal said with what sounded like a sigh, “Magically induced flight drains a lot of mana. Our drones can do it because of their small size. To make power armor fly, will take some more research. Fabrication for the other armors are underway.”

“I’ll make it my top priority, once the festival is over,” He stripped out of the under armor and put his clothes back on. The canister closed and [Warped] back into storage.

“Lady Ralia and Hope have arrived,”

“Thanks. Clean up the training room for them please.” Nathaniel stepped out of the room.

Hope ran up to him, “Are you going to watch us train?”

“No sweetie,” Nathaniel patted her, “I need to finish my work for the festival tonight.”

“Come Hope,” Ralia said leaning on Nathaniel, “Let’s go train so we can spend tonight with master.” Hope cheered as she ran into the changing room. “You’re welcome.” Ralia chuckled as she kissed him.

Jovial cheers filled the air as the villagers of Treante gathered in the center of town. The children ran around with the boys sparing with wooden swords and the girls playing with their dolls. The carpenters set up the stage where a few of the villagers played handcrafted instruments and sang songs. The youths danced around the central bonfire, the young men hoping to impress the young ladies. The housewives cooked the feast that filled the air with a wonderful aroma, and their husbands sat at the table where Oden had barrels of ale set up.

Barrett sat at one of the side tables, his eyes never leaving Sierra who was helping serve food with Bella. Hope danced around the fire with Daisy, their laughs helping the cheerful atmosphere. Ralia sat at the beer table with a sneer as she glared at a few of the housewives who surrounded Nathaniel.

The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

“Don’t you think she’s pretty. She’s beautiful right?”

“My girl’s a wonderful cook. You’ll never want for a meal again.”

“Look at my gal, don’t you find her figure enticing. She has hips meant for childbearing.”

“Get back you vultures,” Oden came to Nathaniel’s defense, “He’s marrying my Sierra!”

“Pa!” Sierra buried her face in her hands.

“Go on, go on,” Barin shooed the women away, “Leave poor Nathaniel alone.”

“This is important,” the women stood defiant, “A man of his age needs to find a proper wife.” Their glares shifted to Bella and Ralia.

Nathaniel sighed rubbing his face, “Ladies, please,” he said, “I’m grateful for your concern, but don’t you think I’m too old for your daughters.”

“What nonsense is that.” The women scoffed.

Ralia slammed her drink onto the table and stormed up to them. She slid onto Nathaniel’s lap and wrapped her tail around his waist.

Ralia smiled wickedly at the women, “What need would he have for your daughters when he already has me?”

Nathaniel sighed, but then felt another slid onto his other leg. Bella held him close with a smirk.

“And me,”

“And me!” Hope jumped onto the three of them.

“You heard them ladies,” Nathaniel groaned under the weight. The women sneered as the walked off, “Thanks ladies, but could you get off me.”

“No, I’m quite comfortable,” Ralia smirked at him.

Bella smiled, “As am I,”

“Me too,”

Nathaniel chuckled hugging them, “You three are going to be the death of me,”

Master!

“Seneschal?” Nathaniel looked at his slaves worried.

Warp to the dungeon, quickly!

“Why,”

Before Seneschal could answer, thunder sounded from the west. A sharp whistle sounded before transforming into a loud explosion that destroyed one of the houses. Cries of terror filled the village center ran around in confusion.

The Horde is attacking. The moment the drones spotted them I reshaped the dungeon’s domain so that you can warp.

Nathaniel looked around in fear, “Damn it, they’re here,”

Memories of Fort Cadarn came rushing back. Gordon laying against the wall. Ramsey and Anton laying on the floor with daggers sticking out of them, and Moses with his sad smile.

“Master,” warmth flooded him as his women hugged him. The three of them gave him a determined look.

Nathaniel felt his heart return to a normal rhythm, “Alright girls, I’m leaving the villagers to you. [Warp]” Nathaniel stood in the dungeon’s central chamber. A table with his under armor sat nearby with the canister containing his power armor. “Where are they?”

“They’re on the border of the village,” Seneschal said, “They’ve stopped their bombardment and are preparing for an invasion. I’ve sent every available robot out to help with the defense.”

“Have them assist the girls in getting the villagers into the dungeon for safety.”

Ralia growled at the destruction. The Horde had stopped with their strange attacks, and thankfully no one was hurt, but most of the villagers were too scared to act. The children and women cowered while the men attempted to remain brave with makeshift weapons. Ralia held a simple bronze spear that was in the forge while Bella had her rifle ready. Hope carried a wooden club with a few nails sticking out of it.

Elias ran up to them, “Where’s Nathaniel?”

“He at the dungeon,” Ralia said scanning the area, “He’s getting ready to fight.”

“We need to get everyone to the dungeon,” Bella waved Barin over, “Ralia and I will cover everyone’s retreat. We need you and Hope to lead them.”

“What’s going on?” Barin said with shallow breaths.

“The Horde is attacking,” Bella took a calming breath, “We need to get everyone to the dungeon. They’ll be safe there.”

“The dungeon, are you mad!” Barin’s shout drew everyone’s attention.

“It’s a trap Pa!” Barrett snarled, “That’s where the monsters will come from.”

Elias shook his head, “It’s not a trap. Nathaniel has made the dungeon safe. It’s the only place we can run to.”

Barin looked at the villagers. Barrett shook his head, “Everyone, head to the dungeon!”

“Don’t do it, it’s a trap!” Barrett snarled.

“Let’s go everyone,” Sierra stood up, “If they’re telling us to go to the dungeon, then it must be safe.” Barrett turned to snarl at her.

Ralia sniffed at the air, “Get going now,” she cried, “They’re coming!”

A feral roar filled the air as a group of hobgoblins charged out of the brush. Ralia rushed forward and quickly speared two of them before backing off. A hobgoblin roared and charged forward, but a blast of light struck it in the chest leaving a gaping hole. The villagers screamed as they ran to the dungeon.

Ralia and Bella continued to fight back the monsters. Since they weren’t wearing armor, the women had to fight defensively. Bella kept herself at a distance, sniping any monster that tried to attack Ralia’s blind spot, and Ralia used the length of her spear to keep the hobgoblins away.

“If only we had the robots,” Ralia growled as she removed her spear from a hobgoblin’s chest.

“I need to reload,” Bella called out.

Ralia nodded as she backed away from the charging horde. She took in a deep breath and released a fiery blast from her mouth. The hobgoblins yelped in fear as they backed away. Some had their fur singed. Eventually she inhaled and started coughing. The monsters roared and charged at her, but a small flying ball ran into the face of one. It exploded killing five of the hobgoblins.

“It’s about time!” Ralia growled as more sentry bots flew around them.

“Forgive the delay,” Seneschal’s voice came out of a drone, “We are ready to start the counterattack.”

“Good timing,” Ralia smiled viciously at the monsters, “I’m ready to have some fun.”

Hope led the group of villagers out of the village. It normally took twenty minutes to walk to the dungeon, but they came to the entrance in half the time because they were running. Hope smiled when three guardian bots stepped out of the cave. The villagers stopped and screamed as the robots came into view.

“See, I told you it was trap!” Barrett pointed at the giant robots, “There are monsters waiting for us.”

“They’re not monsters,” Hope snapped, “They’re robots!”

“What’s a roe-baat?”

“They look like monsters.”

“Why didn’t we listen to Barrett sooner!”

As the crowd stared at the machine’s in fear, Elias stepped forward, “It’s safe, trust me.”

“How do you know that?” Barin glared at Elias.

Elias swallowed, “Because… Nathaniel has brought me here before,” he said, “He’s claimed the dungeon, and these are his servants.” The crowd’s murmured anxiously.

Sister Rose stepped forward, “What do you mean he claimed the dungeon?” she glared at him.

“He’s been using the dungeon for all manner of things,” Elias scratched his head, “Like making all his wares. Did none of you think that it was strange that he could make so much metal works in such a short time?”

“But why did he claim the dungeon?” Rose snapped.

“So, I could use it,” Nathaniel stepped out of the dungeon wearing a suit of armor. It looked like full plate mail, but it had veins of glowing blue energy, and a strange helmet with a singular glowing line running across the eyes. “Why are you all standing around? Quickly, inside!”

“We… aren’t sure,” Barin said looking at the villagers, “All this has us worried.”

“Fine,” Nathaniel pulled up his menu to show them, “Does this help?”

Barin’s eyes widen, “You’re… the Inventor Hero,” The villagers stared at Nathaniel in awe.

“We’ll talk about this later. They’re here,” Nathaniel materialized a sword and shield.

A roar came from the brush, and a group of hobgoblins charged at them. The villagers screamed and stormed into the dungeon as the guardian bots addressed the attackers. Their lasers tore through the hobgoblins before they could even approach.

“Master, I’ll join you,” Hope pulled on Nathaniel’s arm.

“No sweetie, I need you to stay and keep everyone safe, okay.” Hope nodded and Nathaniel patted her head, “Good girl. I’ll be back soon.” A rune on the armor’s spine, and two on the legs, lit up and Nathaniel ran back to the village.

The glide runes allowed Nathaniel to get back to the village in no time. He passed by Ralia and Bella who were taking the fight back to the village. The sentry bots continued their kamikaze strikes which caused the hobgoblins to distance themselves from each other. Nathaniel charged forward and attacked the monsters.

It was strange. The hobgoblins appeared to be moving in slow motion, and he weaved through the horde slashing at them. His sword easily cleaved through their flesh, and they were dying instantly.

“Are you recording this, Seneschal?” Nathaniel said as he dodged another attack.

“Yes master,” Seneschal’s voice echoed through the helmet, “I think you’ll find the footage intriguing.”

“Am I tearing through these monsters as easily as I appear to be?”

“Yes sir,” Seneschal sounded slightly interested, “It seems as if the exponential enhancement rune is having an unforeseen effect on your abilities.”

Nathaniel sliced through two hobgoblins, “You mean how I seem to have masterful control over the armor,” he chuckled, “It seems that the enhanced base stats are compensating for my low skill level. Even if one’s ability to use equipment is heavily determined by the skill and not the stat.”

“Exactly,” Seneschal said with a slight chuckle, “Also, I located where the Horde was bombarding us from. They have cannons.”

“Thanks,” Nathaniel struck down three more hobgoblins, “I think I’ll test my own cannon against them.”

Geega stared in horror as he watched the battle from his familiar. He had hoped the boom tubes would have the humans swarming around in a panic, so that his forces could easily tear through them. Instead, they immediately started running to the dungeon while a dragon-heart and dark elf fought. The dark elf had a strange weapon that released beams of concentrated magic, and Geega was itching to get his hands on it. Then, bizarre flying metals balls appeared and joined the fight by exploding. If that wasn’t bad enough, golems he had never seen before appeared from the dungeon, and they tore through his men with beams of red magic, but the worst of all was the knight.

He appeared from the dungeon, and ushered the humans inside, then he joined the fight. He was effortlessly gliding through the battle, it was the only way to describe, cutting down every hobgoblin he came across. Geega’s fingers curled as if he could force the armor into his grasp, but then one of the flying balls struck his familiar.

Geega screamed in fury as he tore off the oculus, “Prepare the boom tubes!” he spat at the goblins, “Destroy that accursed village.”

“Master Geega!” Ubaal stared in horror behind him. Geega turned and saw the knight rapidly charging.

“Quick, ignite the boom tubes!”

The goblins ran around panicked as they prepared the boom tubes. Thunder shook the area as the weapons launched their projectiles, but the knight easily dodged every single one. The knight stopped and pointed his arm at them, and then the metal on the arm shifted into a smaller version of the boom tubes. Magical energy coalesced into the weapon.

Geega squealed as he tore at his pouches. He flung the useless tools from his pockets, desperately trying to find the right one. He smiled as he spotted the small glowing green crystals, and he held it up, shattering it in his hands. A magic circle appeared beneath him, and the nearby goblins rushed to be inside it. The knight released the magic as a powerful beam of energy, and Geega covered his eyes in fear.

Geega’s breathing came out in rapid breaths, and there was the strong smell of urine, but no pain. Slowly, he lowered his arms. He was standing in a large chamber with a seeded power core sitting in the middle. It’s light painted the brick walls an eerie blue, but Geega couldn’t help but laugh in relief.

“I’m safe,” Geega wiped the spittle from his mouth, “Ubaal!” he turned around and groaned in frustration.

The goblins that were with him all lay at his feet, their blood spilling onto the floor. Their bodies were split in half, an unfortunate circumstance that happened when one wasn’t fully in the teleportation circle. Ubaal himself was split right down the middle with his left side being the only thing that made it. Geega pulled on his ears as his screams echoed through the stone room. His eyes were filled with a fiery hatred.

The long night finally turned to day. The corpses of monsters littered the ground, their blood turning dirt to mud. The remains of the festivals were scattered about with the bonfire being nothing but ashes. Several houses were destroyed while others had large holes in their roofs. The church was missing a wall with the sanctuary exposed and the altar destroyed. The tavern was the only building to escape unscathed. The villagers moved through the wreckage, letting their tears fall as they cleaned up.

Nathaniel and his girls stared at their home. The roof collapsed on one side, exposing the rooms to the elements. The forge was undamaged, but many of his tools lay scattered on the floor, tossed from the explosion. When they stepped inside, the damage was much worse. The bedrooms, bath, and sewing room were gone. Broken and dented dishes lay throughout the kitchen, and the furniture lay broken and scattered.

“Our home,” Tears ran down Hope’s face.

Ralia glared at the mess with smoke seeping from her mouth, “Damn goblins, I’ll kill them!”

“They’re already dead,” Bella sighed, trying to keep her own tears from falling.

“Come here,” Nathaniel embraced them in a group hug, “I’m just glad you all are safe,” He let himself enjoy their presence, “We can always rebuild, right girls. I’ll have Seneschal summon new robots, ones that can operate outside the dungeon. Now that everyone knows, we don’t have to keep it a secret anymore, and together, we can rebuild. We can make it bigger even.”

“You are right master,” Bella wiped her eyes, “As long as we have the dungeon, then there’s nothing to worry about.” The three women smile proudly at him.

“Then let’s get started girls,” Nathaniel smiled back.