Night stretched deep across the plains.
The fire inside the ruined house crackled softly.
Warmth filled the small space.
The smell of smoked meat lingered in the air.
For the first time since entering the Dream Realm—
Rynelle Aeris and his team were not starving.
---
Kael chewed slowly.
"…This is actually good…"
He leaned back slightly.
"…Didn't think monster meat could taste like this."
---
Soren smirked faintly.
"…Hunger makes everything taste good."
---
Elric sat quietly.
Eating in calm silence.
"…Nutritional recovery stabilizing."
---
Rynelle Aeris remained seated near the fire.
Watching the flames dance.
His long black hair shimmered faintly under the firelight.
Quiet.
Still.
Alert.
---
Then—
He froze.
---
A faint sound reached his ears.
Footsteps.
Uneven.
Dragging.
Weak.
---
Rynelle's eyes sharpened instantly.
"…Movement detected."
---
Kael froze mid-bite.
"…Where?"
---
Elric stood instantly.
Sword forming in his hand.
"…Outside."
---
Soren grabbed his daggers.
"…Multiple signatures…"
"…Three."
---
Outside—
Three figures stumbled across the plains.
Barely standing.
Barely breathing.
Barely alive.
---
Tarin Volke walked in front.
His legs shaking violently.
"…There…"
He pointed weakly.
"…Light…"
---
Mirelle Dusk followed closely behind.
Her breathing uneven.
"…Please… let it be people…"
---
Brakus Thorn carried a broken shield.
Dragging it weakly.
"…If it's monsters…"
"…We're done…"
---
They continued forward slowly.
Closer.
Closer.
Closer.
---
Then—
They saw them.
Inside the ruined house.
Four figures.
Silhouettes moving around firelight.
---
Tarin narrowed his eyes.
"…Wait…"
"…That hair…"
---
Recognition flashed instantly.
Shock.
Relief.
Hope.
---
"…That's… Aeris…"
---
Before they could react—
The door exploded open.
---
BANG.
---
Rynelle and his team burst outside violently.
Weapons drawn.
Armor active.
Eyes cold.
Ready to kill.
---
Kael shouted loudly.
"CONTACT—!"
---
Soren moved instantly to the side.
Daggers raised.
---
Elric positioned himself defensively.
Sword steady.
---
Tarin froze completely.
Fear shot through his body.
His mind screamed one thought—
This is the end.
---
Mirelle gasped weakly.
"…We're dead…"
---
Brakus tightened his grip.
Even in exhaustion—
He raised his stance.
Ready to fight.
Even if it meant death.
---
They forced their bodies into battle stances.
Weak.
Shaking.
Desperate.
---
Then—
Recognition hit.
---
Kael blinked.
"…Wait…"
"…That's not monsters…"
---
Soren lowered his daggers slightly.
"…Students…"
---
Rynelle stepped forward slowly.
Eyes scanning them carefully.
Confirming.
Identifying.
---
"…Stand down."
---
Kael relaxed immediately.
"…Well damn…"
"…Almost skewered them…"
---
Tarin collapsed to his knees.
Relief flooding his body.
"…Aeris…"
"…You're alive…"
---
Mirelle nearly cried.
"…Thank… heavens…"
---
Brakus dropped his shield.
Breathing heavily.
"…We made it…"
---
Rynelle stepped forward calmly.
"…Inside."
---
No hesitation.
No questioning.
Just action.
---
They brought the three survivors inside quickly.
Guiding them carefully.
Supporting their bodies.
Helping them sit near the fire.
---
The warmth hit them instantly.
Comfort.
Safety.
Life.
---
Kael grabbed smoked meat immediately.
"…Here."
He handed it over.
"…Eat first."
---
Tarin grabbed the meat desperately.
Eating without hesitation.
---
Mirelle followed.
Tears formed in her eyes as she chewed.
"…Food…"
"…Real food…"
---
Brakus ate silently.
But his shaking hands revealed everything.
---
They ate like starving animals.
Without pride.
Without shame.
Just survival.
---
Rynelle watched quietly.
Observing their condition.
Torn clothing.
Bruised skin.
Exposed flesh.
Almost naked.
Barely covered.
---
After they finished eating—
He stepped forward.
Mana gathered around his fingers.
Threads formed instantly.
---
"…Elemental Weaving."
---
Cloth threads appeared from thin air.
Soft.
Clean.
Warm.
---
Fabric formed rapidly.
Shaping.
Expanding.
Completing.
---
New clothing appeared.
Simple.
Comfortable.
Protective.
---
He handed them out calmly.
"…Wear these."
---
Mirelle held the fabric gently.
Her voice trembled.
"…Thank you…"
---
Brakus bowed his head slightly.
"…You saved us…"
---
Tarin nodded silently.
Respect clear in his eyes.
---
Rynelle continued weaving.
Creating more cloth.
Large.
Wide.
Thick.
---
Soon—
Another bedding cloth formed.
Long.
Foldable.
Soft.
---
Then—
Bed sheets appeared.
Light.
Warm.
Comforting.
---
"…Use these."
---
They wrapped themselves quickly.
Covering their bodies.
Restoring dignity.
Restoring warmth.
Restoring humanity.
---
Silence settled briefly.
Peaceful.
Safe.
Alive.
---
Then—
Rynelle spoke again.
Calm.
Direct.
Practical.
---
"…What resources do you carry?"
---
Tarin swallowed.
"…Inside our storage rings…"
"…We have supplies."
---
Mirelle nodded slowly.
"…A huge log of wood…"
"…Several pieces…"
---
Brakus added.
"…Different building materials…"
"…Stone blocks…"
"…Iron supports…"
"…Basic construction materials…"
---
Kael's eyes lit up instantly.
"…Wait…"
"…Building materials?"
---
Soren leaned forward slightly.
"…That changes things…"
---
Elric nodded calmly.
"…Shelter expansion possible."
---
Rynelle stood silently.
Thinking.
Planning.
Calculating.
---
Then—
He spoke.
Voice steady.
Certain.
Clear.
---
"…Tomorrow."
---
Everyone looked at him.
Waiting.
Listening.
---
"…We expand this shelter."
---
Kael grinned widely.
"…Now that sounds like progress."
---
Soren nodded slowly.
"…More space means more safety."
---
Elric added calmly.
"…Defensive advantage increased."
---
Rynelle looked at the ruined walls.
Cracked.
Weak.
Temporary.
---
But soon—
That would change.
---
With wood.
With stone.
With iron.
With skill.
---
This ruined house—
Would become something greater.
Something stronger.
Something safer.
---
A base.
A fortress.
A home.
---
And tonight—
For the first time—
They slept.
Not as survivors.
But as builders of something bigger.