The morning after the gathering brought an unexpected energy to the settlement. As construction crews assembled for another day of building, conversations buzzed with talk of mana and cultivation.
Small groups had formed around the plaza, with people sitting in meditation poses they'd observed AJ's team demonstrate. Some sat with eyes closed, faces scrunched in concentration as they attempted to sense the energy that was supposedly all around them.
The enthusiasm was infectious, though results varied dramatically. Some people claimed to feel subtle sensations—warmth, tingling, or slight pressure—while others felt nothing despite earnest effort.
A few seemed naturally attuned, their eyes widening with surprise as they successfully sensed their first hint of mana flow. Meditating would become part of their morning routines from now on.
Soon enough the sound of hammers on stone and the scrape of timber being shaped sounded out again.
Doctor Hayes had begun organizing her medical supplies in the soon to be completed medical center.
The buffalo had started to provide a modest amount of milk, just enough to supplement a few people's diets. The wheat-like grain grew steadily, they would be able to harvest it in less than a month.
Lily coordinated food gathering. Hunting parties brought in game from the safe zone's boundaries, foraging teams collected wild fruits and vegetables, and a few people took to fishing.
The food situation had stabilized but required constant attention and careful portioning.
By the 10th day since the takeover, 18 houses stood completed with their new occupants moving in as soon as they could.
The transformation in community morale was visible in daily interactions—people lingered to chat rather than hurrying between tasks, children played around the houses during their break times.
On the 11th day, Victor spotted something in the distance. A column of travellers moving along the northern approach, their pace unhurried but steady.
He counted 25 adults plus kids, with packs and basic equipment but no obvious weapons or threatening postures.
"Newcomers," he reported to Maria at the morning meeting. "30-35 people, traveling together, approaching from the north."
Maria studied the group as they approached. "Families, maybe, or survivors who've managed to stay together."
"Could be refugees from another settlement," Sam suggested. "Or people who've been traveling since the wish event, constantly looking for places to stay."
Ethan flexed his shoulders, preparing for potential conflict. "Want me to intercept them?"
"Let's go together," Maria decided. "Victor takes point, Ethan cover our backs. We can welcome them if they aren't a threat."
The newcomers halted when they spotted the delegation approaching. Their leader, a woman in her forties with greying hair and steady eyes, stepped forward with empty hands visible.
"I'm Catherine," she called out when they were within speaking distance. "We're looking for the settlement we've heard about. The one in a safe zone."
"You've found it, I'm Victor. This is Maria, our settlement leader. What brings you here?"
Catherine gestured to her group. "We've been traveling for weeks, looking for a new place to settle. We've heard rumours about a safe zone with a settlement."
"Where did you come from?" Maria asked.
"East of here, we had attempted to create a settlement of our own with others but we didn't have the protection of a safe zone." Catherine's expression suggested unpleasant memories. "After it fell apart we decided to look for somewhere safer."
Sam stepped forward with interest. "What kind of skills does your group have?"
"Engineers, mostly," Catherine replied. "Civil engineering, mechanics, some electricians though that's less useful now. We've also got a few teachers, a veterinarian and a family of farmers."
The mention of engineers caught everyone's attention immediately. Infrastructure development had been limited by knowledge gaps that such expertise could fill.
"Are you looking to join permanently?" Maria asked. "This isn't a temporary shelter. We're building a permanent community with expectations for everyone."
"That's exactly what we want," Catherine said. "We're tired of moving, tired of just surviving. We want to finally settle somewhere."
Victor exchanged glances with Maria. Engineers and people with agricultural and veterinary knowledge represented exactly the kind of skilled immigrants the village needed.
"There's a process," Maria explained. "We'll need to discuss your integration, assign temporary housing, and figure out where your skills can best serve the community. Are you willing to accept our authority and follow our rules?"
"What kind of rules?" Catherine asked.
Victor stepped forward. "Everyone contributes according to their abilities. Everyone receives basic necessities regardless of their status. Leadership makes decisions based on community needs, not individual preferences. And there's zero tolerance for behaviour that threatens community safety or cohesion."
Catherine looked back at her group, seeing nods of agreement. "That sounds reasonable."
The newcomers were assigned temporary shelter while actual housing was under construction. Victor took responsibility for their orientation, explaining the village's organization, current projects, and expectations for new residents.
"22 houses completed, functioning medical center, and a school," he outlined, walking Catherine and her key people through the settlement. "Food is stable but not abundant. Everyone contributes what they can."
Sarah, the veterinarian in Catherine's group, immediately gravitated towards the livestock pens. Her expertise with animal husbandry could improve breeding programs and health management for the rabbits and buffalo.
The engineers in Catherine's group studied the village's infrastructure with professional interest. They noted the construction techniques, and identified improvement opportunities.
"Your foundation work is solid," Catherine told Thomas during the building tour. "But we could help with more advanced techniques. Arch construction, drainage systems, maybe even some basic machinery."
The teachers in the new group connected immediately with Janet's educational programs. The combination of practical learning with traditional academics was appealing to them.
Ethan shadowed the group during their first few days, observing interactions and watching for signs of trouble.
The newcomers seemed genuine in their desire to contribute, asking detailed questions about ongoing projects and offering suggestions based on their experience.
"They're legitimate," he reported to Maria after three days of observation. "No hidden agendas, no attempts at subversion. They actually seem excited about what we're building here."
Victor agreed. "Catherine's group has been traveling together for quite a while. They've clearly developed their own internal cohesion, but they're adapting well. The engineers are already proposing improvements to our construction methods."
By the 14th day, 34 houses were completed, meaning a majority of people were now under the protection of solid, weather proof housing.
The new buildings incorporated suggestions from the engineers—improved foundation drainage, better timber joining techniques, and more efficient heating systems.
The engineering expertise proved invaluable for the village's most ambitious project yet: a water mill for grain processing. Before it had been up to the people to manual process the grain but with the increased production a mill would be well worth it.
Catherine had identified a good location along the river where a mill could go.
"Water mills are an old technology," she explained to the gathered construction team. "Simple principles that our carpenters and stoneworkers can handle with proper guidance."
The mill project required skills the village had been developing rapidly during the construction of the houses. The carpenters crafted wooden gears and axles, while the water wheel took shape from carefully selected timber.
AJ contributed by creating the heavy grinding stone and the mill's stone base, materials that would have taken many days to quarry and shape by hand.
By the end of the second week, the mill's foundation was complete and the water wheel was ready to put in place.
The structure would take a few days to finish, but its completion would mark a significant advancement in the village's technological capabilities.
The third week brought the completion of the houses. Every family had a stone house with proper roofing, heating, and storage. Even the newcomers had their own houses.
Catherine's engineers had integrated seamlessly into the village's decision-making processes. Their suggestions for infrastructure improvements were practical and immediately applicable.
Road drainage, building ventilation, and workshop organization all benefited from professional expertise.
Sarah had revolutionized the livestock management program. Under her guidance, the rabbits showed improved health and early signs of successful breeding. The buffalo were producing more milk through better feeding and handling techniques.
Richard had begun appearing around the village during the third week. His recovery from the injuries Ethan had inflicted allowed him to perform simple tasks—carrying water, sorting materials, and cleaning work areas.
As he looked around he couldn't help but notice that people were happier than before. Despite the very different approach, AJ's team managed to maintain order, showing that violence and absolute obedience weren't at all necessary.
He moved carefully, his healing bones still causing obvious discomfort, but he worked without complaint under the watchful supervision of the villagers.
His presence created mixed reactions among the residents. Some watched him with satisfaction, seeing justice in his reduced circumstances.
Others felt uncomfortable seeing their former leader. But most simply accepted his new role as part of the village—he was useful for basic tasks and no longer posed a threat to them.
The agricultural teams had expanded their operations based on the farmer's advice. The wheat continued growing steadily, with a harvest in the near future that showed promise for substantial yields.
The water mill construction had progressed to the wheel installation phase. The massive wooden wheel, crafted by the village's carpenters, would soon begin turning with the river's flow.
By the 16th day, the mill's basic structure was complete. Testing showed that the water flow provided adequate power for what they needed, though fine-tuning would continue during the coming weeks.
On the 18th day, Mark volunteered for a hunting patrol that worked the safe zone's eastern boundary. He had been one of the settlement's original members and he wanted to contribute beyond construction work.
The hunting team—led by Tom, one of the settlement's experienced hunters—worked systematically through the forested areas where game was most abundant.
They had established patterns over the months of operation under Richard, knowing which areas produced the best results and which zones to avoid.
Mark proved a capable addition to the team. His ability to read the terrain and trail signs, and his physical conditioning from construction work made him a strong contributor to the group.
They had bagged two rabbits and were making their way back towards the settlement when Mark spotted movement through the tree line.
"Something large," he whispered to Tom, pointing towards dense undergrowth about 50 meters away.
Tom studied the area carefully. After months of hunting in the safe zone, he knew the normal wildlife patterns. This movement was different, abnormal.
"We should head back," Tom decided. "That doesn't look like anything we've encountered before."
They began moving away from the area, but the creature had noticed them.
It emerged from the undergrowth with predatory grace—a wolf like creature with gray, stone like, fur, it had muscular shoulders and intelligent eyes that tracked their movement with clear hostile intent.
The creature was clearly a predator and unmistakably focused on them as potential prey.
"Run," Tom whispered urgently.
They broke into a sprint towards the settlement, their bags bouncing with each step. Behind them, they could hear the creature following—not running, but pursuing with the patient confidence of a hunter that knew it was faster than its prey.
Mark stumbled over a root. He rolled, stood back up and continued running, but the delay had cost precious distance.
The creature closed in rapidly, its powerful limbs carrying it forward with terrifying speed.
Tom reached the tree line first, bursting into the cleared area around the settlement with desperate relief. He turned to help Mark—
The scream cut through the afternoon air like a blade. Tom watched in horror as the creature struck Mark down, its claws and teeth ending Mark's life with brutal efficiency.