The Extra Wants Control

Seraphina leaned back in her chair, her eyes gleaming with a mix of curiosity and amusement. "So, Ray," she began, her voice smooth, "I can't help but wonder how your kind would have fared in the tournament."

Ray, his expression impassive, took a sip of his wine. "Vampires," he mused, "are lazy, Seraphina. But given the circumstances, I believe we could have held our own quite good."

Seraphina raised an eyebrow, a playful glint in her eyes. "Oh? And what exactly are these ' circumstances' you speak of, Mr. Alistair?"

Ray leaned forward, his eyes glinting with a hint of amusement. "Simple really, that is if their pride was challenged or there was a suitable reward to motivate them."

Seraphina chuckled, "But doesn't that motivate any being?" She asked in amusement.

" Yes, that's why I said the vampires could have performed well, also the sun in there is artificial so they wouldn't have been disadvantaged."

" Speaking of sun, how are you holding up?"

" I'm rich."

" Is that so, I'm quite curious of the artifact you are using~" she said.

She then paused, her expression turning serious. "And what did your kind do when you were recalled? What did the vampire do in that enclosed space?"

Ray's expression turned guarded. "The council made its decisions," he said, his voice flat. "Restructurings, adjustments, the usual bureaucratic maneuvers." He paused, his eyes distant. "But that is a matter for another time, Seraphina."

Seraphina nodded, understanding the unspoken implications, but she wasn't satisfied, she was annoyed that she wasn't answered. And annoyed.

Maintaining her composure she changed the subject, her voice light and casual. "Well, let's focus on the present, shall we? I'm curious to hear your thoughts on the tournament's outcome."

" I'm also curious... I wonder how the blessed have grown." He said and for some reason these words made Seraphina suspicious and she asked.

" If Neveah were here, how do you think he would have performed? Also do you know how strong he is now?" She asked and Ray looked at her with a raised eyebrow.

" Don't get me wrong, that boy is rather competitive and since he and most of the blessed lost to Neveah that time... I'm sure he would like to know his progress."

" The information on the Royal family is very guarded, but the blessed shouldn't worry how strong he is, unlike them due to probably their blessing the Prince is still a normal person and he is bounded by the longevity factor, I don't know how strong he is but I'm sure they have surpassed him unless..."

" Unless what..." Seraphina asked in a curious voice.

" Unless he found a way to get past his limitations, then he should be able to compete decently. And back to your previous question the vampires if they were in that tournament, unless something special happened they wouldn't have won but they would have caused damage." He said.

Looking at the virtual screens with different contenders meanwhile Seraphina remained silent.

" Found a way to ger past the longevity factor huh?" She thought.

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

The desert sun beat down relentlessly, casting long shadows that stretched across the unforgiving landscape. Hours had passed and Lara and her faction had transformed their designated area into a formidable fortress.

The central structure was a massive, circular wall, constructed from a combination of compacted earth and reinforced with the remnants of the colossal serpent's essence from its mana core as well as huge viney trees courtesy of Lara.

It was a testament to elven-dwarven engineering, a fortress designed to withstand the onslaught of any potential threat.

Inside the wall, a series of interconnected Small buildings had sprung up, each serving a specific purpose. A central command center, built atop a raised platform, offered a panoramic view of the surrounding desert. With underground vines connected to it, here, Lara and her lieutenants could monitor the perimeter and coordinate the faction's defense.

To the south, a sprawling infirmary had been established. Elves, with their innate connection to nature, were sorting potions and herbs as well as going through their response measures. Were they would ensure a steady stream of injured faction members would flow in and out.

To the north, a bustling workshop hummed with activity. Dwarven smiths, their muscled arms corded with strength, forged metal compounds and armour to reinforce the walls and their soldiers. The workshop was a testament to dwarven ingenuity, a place where raw materials(gathered from resources in the dessert) were transformed into instruments of both defense and offense.

In the heart of the fortress where the huge clear pond was, a communal area had been created, a place for rest and recuperation. A roaring fire provided warmth during the cold desert nights, and a stockpile of food, carefully rationed and preserved, ensured the faction's survival.

As the sun began its descent, casting long shadows over the fortress, Lara stood atop the central command platform, surveying her new domain.

The desert, once a hostile and unforgiving environment, had become their base and starting point.

*********

Kim, the tigerkin, stood at the mouth of the cave, her eyes scanning the surrounding terrain.

The cave, a natural formation, was being made into a sprawling labyrinth, its walls adorned with strange, glowing formations by her faction members since they couldn't set up a fort in the middle of a valley.

It was a perfect base, a fortress hidden in plain sight.

"We're going to make this sturdier," she announced, her voice echoing through the cavernous space. The beastmen, some dwarves, elves and humans in her faction, nodded in agreement, a sense of purpose igniting in their eyes.

The work continued immediately. Teams of burly cowmen, their immense strength invaluable, dug deeper into the cave, expanding the existing tunnels and chambers. Others, under the guidance of human engineers, began constructing earth and metallic structures, pillars, and support beams.

The cave, once a raw, natural space, was being transformed into a fortified stronghold.

Kim, with the help of others(who studied more in engineering) and her innate understanding of terrain and tactics, oversaw the entire operation.

She marked out specific areas for different purposes – a central command center, sleeping quarters, a medical bay, and a training area.

The cavernous space, once chaotic, began to take shape, each section serving a specific function.

Ventilation was a priority. Kim, using her enhanced senses, identified natural air currents within the cave. With the help of the engineers, she designed a system of vents and chimneys that would ensure fresh air circulated throughout the fortress with numerous exit points so that their enemies wouldn't get the best of them.

The entrance was reinforced, a series of traps and defenses designed to slow down any potential invaders.

As the time passed, the cave transformed. It was no longer just a hiding place; it was a living organism, a fortress that breathed, a testament to the ingenuity and resilience of Kim's faction.

The once-dark depths of the cave were now illuminated by a series of bioluminescent plants or crystals, cultivated by the faction's botanists and alchemists. The air was clean and fresh, thanks to the efficient ventilation system.

And at the heart of it all, a central chamber, adorned with the trophies of their victories – the fangs and claws of defeated beasts, served as a constant reminder of their strength and determination.

Kim, surveying her creation, felt a surge of pride. It was sturdy and now they needed a plan to move forward and attack.

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

The mountainside, once a barren expanse of rock and scree, was now a canvas for Azrael's vision. Under his meticulous guidance, the faction worked with a synchronized efficiency that was both awe-inspiring and terrifying. The mountain itself became the foundation, its natural contours shaping the fortress's design.

Specialists were assigned to different tasks. Earth mages, with their mastery over the elements, sculpted the mountainside, creating platforms and terraces for the fortress's structure. Beastmen, their hands naturally hardened by the uniqueness of their race, carved intricate patterns into the rock, transforming the natural stone into psuedo works of art.

And the engineers, with their knowledge of structure and load-bearing, ensured that the fortress was not just beautiful but also impregnable.

At the heart of the fortress, Azrael oversaw the construction of a central command center. It was carved into the mountain's core, a natural cavern transformed into a bastion of power.

The walls were adorned with intricate carvings to add aesthetic to it. In the center of the chamber, a crystal, infused with Azrael's light magic, served as a communication hub, linking the entire fortress.

Around the command center, a series of interconnected chambers were carved into the mountainside. Barracks, armories, and a medical bay were given priority. Each room was designed with both functionality and aesthetics in mind. The living quarters were warm and inviting, filled with natural light that filtered through strategically placed windows.

The armory, a place of both awe and dread, was a showcase of great craftsmanship by the blacksmiths getting material from the resource rich mountains, weapons and armor gleaming under the soft glow of strategically placed torches.

As the fortress took shape, a sense of unity and purpose grew stronger among the faction members. They worked tirelessly, their efforts fueled by a shared vision. The mountain, once a lifeless expanse, was becoming their starter base, a symbol of their resilience and determination.

And at the heart of it all was Azrael, their charismatic and chivalrous leader who had transformed a barren landscape into a fortress of hope.

As the sun began its descent, casting long shadows over the mountainside, the fortress that was beginning to take shape stood as a testament to their unwavering spirit. It was more than just a place of refuge; it was a declaration of their strength, a beacon of defiance in the unforgiving sub-dimension.

And as the first stars appeared in the night sky, the faction gathered around a crackling fire, their laughter and stories filling the air with warmth and camaraderie. They had survived, they had built, and they were ready for whatever challenges the sub-dimension would throw their way and meeting the other factions.