Ethan Carver stood at the edge of the outpost's ruined courtyard, the evening sky bleeding orange and purple above. The air carried the tang of moss and old stone, but beneath it lurked a sharper scent—danger. Kael paced beside him, his silver fur bristling, while Lila notched another arrow, her movements precise. The growl from the tower had grown into a rhythmic thud, each step shaking the ground. Whatever lurked within was close.
Ethan's mind sifted through options, cold and methodical. The Tier 2 summon slot pulsed in his awareness, a tool yet to be wielded. He considered the choices—Shadow Wraith for stealth, Stone Golem for defense, Ember Fox for agility. The wraith tempted him; its ability to strike from shadows could turn the tide. But the thudding suggested bulk, something a golem might counter. He needed to see it first.
"Lila, cover the left," he ordered, his voice steady. "Kael, with me." She nodded, slipping into position, her trust a fragile thread. Ethan raised his hand, the blue glow intensifying as he focused on the summon interface. Not yet—he'd wait for the right moment.
The creature emerged, a hulking mass of sinew and horned flesh, its eyes glowing like molten lava. A beast born of the wilds, perhaps drawn by the outpost's history. It charged, its roar splitting the air. Ethan sidestepped, calculating its trajectory, while Kael darted in, snapping at its heels. Lila's arrow struck true, embedding in its shoulder, but it barely slowed.
Now. Ethan channeled the summon, his will shaping the energy. "Stone Golem," he intoned, and the ground rumbled as a hulking figure of jagged rock rose, its fists crashing into the beast's side. The impact staggered it, buying time. Ethan directed the golem to hold the line, its durability a shield, while Kael flanked and Lila aimed for the eyes.
The battle was a dance of strategy—Ethan's mind mapping every move, every feint. The golem absorbed a brutal swipe, cracks spreading across its form, but it stood firm. Kael's agility drew the beast's attention, allowing Lila's final arrow to pierce its skull. It collapsed with a shudder, the silence returning heavy and thick.
Breathing hard, Ethan dismissed the golem, its form dissolving into dust. He turned to Lila, who lowered her bow, her expression unreadable. "You're not just a survivor," she said, a hint of respect in her tone. "You think like a leader."
He didn't respond, his mind already shifting to the aftermath. The outpost was theirs, for now. He gathered the beast's hide—useful for insulation—while Kael sniffed the carcass, ensuring no threat remained. Lila joined him, her hands deft as she salvaged the claws. "We can trade these," she suggested. "Or use them. Your call."
Ethan considered her, the slow burn of possibility flickering. She was capable, resourceful—a potential ally, maybe more. "Stay," he said finally. "Help me build this place. We'll need it."
She met his gaze, a faint smile breaking through. "Deal. But I'm not cooking."
The night deepened as they worked, clearing rubble and stacking stones. By the firelight, Ethan reflected on the day. The golem had proven its worth, a decision validated by survival. Kael rested nearby, his loyalty a quiet strength. And Lila—her presence added a new layer, a bond forming amidst the chaos. He let the thought linger, a rare moment of peace between wars.