The Extra Wants Control

The remnants of the colossal serpent lay steaming in the sand, a gruesome reminder of Lara's victory.

Ignoring the fatigue stink of blood and poison, Lara focused on the task at hand. She had to cleanse the oasis.

Channeling her magic, Lara wove together wind and water magic. A swirling vortex of blue and green which was air and moisture materialized before her, then solidified into shards of ice.

With a flick of her wrist, she sent the shards flying, severing the chains of solidified earth and venom that bound her. Dusting herself off, she approached the water with a wary gaze. As she'd suspected, the serpent's presence had tainted the oasis with its poison.

Lara closed her eyes, focusing her magic. A green glow emanated from her hand, spreading over the water's surface. Tiny, luminous green specks condensed, forming into plants.

With incredible speed, they grew, thin roots anchoring themselves to the poisoned water surface, spreading a cross like hyacinth. They budded, blossoming into a breathtaking display of white flowers. As the magic flowed through these miniature flora, the water itself began to shimmer and cleanse. The poison was being neutralized, the water returning to its former purity.

But Lara knew the plants shouldn't be here.

With another mental command, she froze the plants and flowers all the way to their roots, shattering them into a fine frosty dust.

A gust of wind, conjured by her magic, swept the dust away, leaving behind a pristine oasis revitalized by both destruction and creation at tge hands of Lara.

Then a small green barrier, shimmering with protective energy, materialized around Lara. With a deep breath, she dove and swam into the cool depths of the oasis. Her senses expanded, reaching out into the edges of the water. As if responding to her will, small geysers erupted, each one pushing the boundaries of the oasis outwards.

Lara was careful, ensuring the life-giving water didn't drown the plants aroundm Satisfied with her work, she resurfaced, just in time to see a people in the horizon. Her subordinates had arrived.

Lara, a solitary figure amidst the transformed oasis, stood tall.

The battle with the serpent had been completed and she decided to set up roots here.

She had not only survived, but thrived, showcasing her mastery of magic and her unwavering determination. The oasis, once poisoned and stagnant, was now a testament to her power and resilience. As her subordinates rushed towards her, Lara knew this was just the beginning for her.

************

A gentle breeze ruffled the tall grass of the plains, carrying with it the scent of wildflowers and damp earth. Here, Astrid's mostly dwarven faction found themselves deposited by the whims of their vice chancellor.

Though the landscape lacked the familiar ruggedness of their mountain homes, a spark of determination ignited in Astrid's eyes. This was their new battlefield, and they would conquer it.

But their first impression of the plains was shattered with a guttural roar that echoed across the plains.

A hulking figure, clad in crude skin clothing and wielding a massive axe, charged. It was an Orc, its face contorted in a feral snarl, its beady red eyes glinting with hostility and aggression.

This wasn't a peaceful plain, where they were, was deep Orc territory and they met an inhabitant.

Astrid, let out a loud war cry of her own. Her call resonated with the members (the warrior group), their resolve solidifying into a wall of steel and determination. Hammers were raised as axes gleamed in the sunlight, and the group of sturdy dwarven shields locked together. As more of the orcs began coming in waves holding large weapons.

The first clash was a brutal symphony of metal on flesh. Astrid smashed her warhammer into the Orc's chest, sending it sprawling back with a pained grunt. Her deep voice boomed across the battlefield, barking orders as she fought. "Hold the line! Push them back!"

The dwarves, renowned for their unwavering discipline, fought with the ferocity of cornered badgers. Their hammers swung with devastating force, their axes tore through Orcish flesh, and their shields held firm against the relentless onslaught. The Orcs, used to bullying weaker prey, were taken aback by the intruders' resistance.

They fought with brute strength, but lacked the unity and tactics. Though they fought together it was not coordinated just a bunch of individuals jumping others

Astrid weaved through the orcs, since most were six stars and five stars it was easy for her to cut down their numbers.

Her warhammer, engraved with intricate runes, sang a deadly song as she crushed skulls and shattered bones.

Around her, her faction members fought with a practiced efficiency, their blows precise and brutal. The initial Orcish charge faltered, replaced by a desperate struggle for survival.

One by one, the Orcs fell. Some fled, their roars turning into whimpers as they realized they were vastly outmatched. The plains, once serene, were now stained crimson, a testament to the ferocity of the battle.

When the last Orc their chieftain crumpled to the ground, a heavy silence descended. Astrid surveyed the battlefield, her chest heaving, her gaze unwavering. She had won.

With a curt nod, Astrid directed her dwarves to clear the battlefield. Orcish bodies were piled high, a grim reminder of the price of victory.

But there was a purpose to this brutality. The Orcs, known for their filth and disregard for the land, had left behind a mess of refuse and waste. The dwarves, with their innate respect for order and craftsmanship, set about cleaning the area. Their sturdy hands, accustomed to forging weapons and shaping stone, now worked tirelessly to scrub the land free of Orcish filth.

And then, with a renewed sense of purpose, the dwarves turned their attention to building their stronghold. Hammers clanged against rocks, picks struck stone,. Slowly, a sturdy dwarven fort began to take shape.

*************

Kim, a literal predator in every sense of the word, surveyed the lush valley with narrowed eyes. Sunlight dappled through the leaves of the bushes, casting a dappled pattern on the ground where a gentle river snaked its way through the landscape. While the initial impression was ideal, Kim didn't seek comfort, it sought advantage. This passive, serene location didn't sit right with Kim.

Her faction, also a diverse crew but consisting mostly of beastmen, shared a similar outlook.

Their eyes, sharp and feral, scanned the surroundings, searching for weaknesses instead of beauty.

These weren't farmers seeking fertile land; they were survivors seeking dominance.

"This place," Kim growled, her voice a low rumble that echoed through the valley, "is too... exposed. It's too unsuitable."

Her gaze fell upon a dark maw nestled amongst the rocks at the valley's edge – a cave. A spark ignited in her amber eyes. "There," she declared, her voice laced with predatory excitement. "We expand and reinforce that cave. We make it our den, our base of operations. We use the resources in our valleys.

Get the proper personnel and begin immediately. I want the earth elementalists and engineers to be useful."

The beastmen, a mix of hulking cowmen, catfolk, and lycanthropes(werewolves), rumbled in agreement.

The engineers mostly dwarves and humans, hardened by the unforgiving nature of the sub-dimension, nodded with grim understanding. This wasn't a place for picnics; they were in a tournament of power.

Just as the faction began to move towards the cave, a guttural howl shattered the peaceful serenity. A pack of wolves, their fur grey and scarred and eyes glowing with malice and hunger, emerged from the thick bushes, fangs and mouth wet with drool. The beastmen prepared for battle. The humans reached for their weapons, a mixture of axes, swords, and crudely fashioned bows.

But Kim remained unfazed. A low growl emanated from her throat as her killing intent multiplied and grew, a feeling that sent shivers down the spines of even her fiercest warriors. A chilling emanation of raw power and predatory dominance. The wolves tried to resist but sensing the apex predator before them, faltered.

The alpha bowed and their howls turned into whimpers, their bravado replaced by fear. Their tails tucked between their legs, the pack slunk back into the undergrowth, their challenge extinguished before it even began.

The beastmen and humans( which was most of her group, she barely had any elves, she had no dragons and had some Dwarves.) stared at Kim, awe and a hint of fear flickering in their eyes. Kim, the leader, had established her dominance on these wolves not with brute force, but with a terrifying aura, a chilling reminder that she was the apex predator in this new domain.