Day 4
Ravian awakens, his golden eyes flicking open as he senses the absence of Wulfric. "Still not back yet?" he murmurs to himself, a hint of curiosity in his voice. He rises, stretching his well-built frame, and looks over the construction site. The elevated dirt is still a work in progress, the landscape slowly taking shape under the swarms' tireless efforts. He moves to the metal furnaces, his eyes narrowing as he inspects them. "Ready to operate," he says with satisfaction, his voice filled with anticipation.
Creating another set of swarms, he assigns the 24 bat-like creatures to their task. "Smelt the metals, extract them from the ores," he commands, his voice firm and authoritative. The swarms respond, their bodies a blur of motion as they set to work. He turns to the idle swarms, his mind filled with plans and visions. "Make places to start casting steel beams, mix metals together to form alloys," he instructs, his voice filled with purpose.
Ravian's eyes are drawn to a small lake forming at the side of the river, a result of the swarms taking dirt to create the elevated platform for the castle. The water sparkles in the dim light, a serene oasis amidst the chaos of construction. He notices the waterfall in the distance, its roar a faint echo, and an idea begins to form in his mind.
"The water could flow from the mountain ridge to the castle directly," he muses, his voice thoughtful, "from higher to lower elevation." The thought is appealing, a private source of water, untouched and pure. Poison may not be a concern to him, vampirism and all, but the elevated accessibility and guarantee of safety to future visitors are all the reasons he required.
With a graceful motion, Ravian transforms into a swarm of bats, his body dissolving into a writhing mass of wings and fur. He takes to the air, flying up the mountain, the wind rushing past him, the scent of the forest filling his nostrils. The world below him falls away, replaced by the rugged beauty of the mountain ridge.
As he ascends, the mountain ridge reveals itself in all its nocturnal splendor. The clouds drift lazily above, illuminated by the soft glow of the moon, casting ethereal shadows on the terrain. The origin of the waterfall is a tranquil pool, nestled between jagged rocks, fed by a gentle stream that winds its way down the mountain. The water glimmers in the moonlight, a silver ribbon that dances and sparkles. The air is crisp and cool, filled with the scent of pine and wet earth.
Summoning the blade of red light again, he sets to work, carving a path for the water to follow. The sword glides through the rock, its glow casting an eerie light on the surroundings. "This will guide the water," he says, his voice filled with concentration, "from the mountains to the castle." He flies, and the sword follows him, cutting through the ridge with precision and grace.
The path takes shape, the water beginning to flow in its new direction. Ravian watches, his golden eyes glowing with satisfaction as the water finds its way. "A new river is born," he says, his voice filled with pride. He sends some swarms to carve out the new river, their bodies a blur of motion as they uproot and devour trees in the way. The sound of splintering wood fills the air, the scent of freshly turned earth mingling with the cool mountain breeze.
After roughly an hour, the task is complete, the water redirected, flowing past the construction site. Ravian surveys his work, the new river, a silver thread that winds its way down the mountain. Ravian's mind is filled with plans and possibilities, the castle taking shape again in his imagination. He takes to the air again, his body a swarm of bats, flying back to the construction site, the mountain ridge a silent witness to his triumph.
Day 5
Under the cloak of night, Ravian stands watch over the swarms as they begin the intricate process of casting steel beams. The molten steel flows into clay structures, taking shape within wireframes, glowing with a fiery intensity. "Soon," he murmurs to himself, his golden eyes reflecting the dance of the flames, "the skeleton of the castle will rise." The swarms move with precision, their bodies a blur of motion as they churn the first batches of cement in large clay mounds. The scent of hot metal and wet earth fills the air, the sound of bubbling cement a constant background hum.
Turning his attention to the bear-like creatures, he studies them for a moment, his mind working. "Carminexes," he says, the word rolling off his tongue, a name for these unique beings. They look up at him, their many eyes glinting, their mandibles clicking in response. "You have done well," he tells them, his voice filled with approval, "Now, let us create pools of red dye."
He instructs the Carminexes to begin creating clay pools, his hands moving with grace as he guides them. The creatures follow his lead, their bodies working in unison, their appendages shaping the clay with an artist's touch. "This red powder will become a vibrant dye," he explains, his voice filled with anticipation, "A color to adorn the castle." The Carminexes click and whir, their movements filled with purpose, the piles of red crushed powder ready to be transformed.
As the clay pools take shape, Ravian watches, his mind filled with plans and possibilities. The construction site is alive with activity, the swarms and Carminexes working tirelessly, each task a step closer to his vision.
"In a day or two," he says to himself, his voice filled with determination, "the true construction will begin." The night wears on, the stars twinkling above, the sound of organic industry a constant companion. Ravian's body is still, but his mind is a whirlwind of thoughts, the castle taking shape in his imagination.
Day 6
The sixth day dusks, and with the first steel beams and wireframes ready, Ravian stands before the construction site, his golden eyes filled with determination. "Today," he says to the swarms, his voice filled with resolve, "we begin constructing the skeleton of the castle." He raises his hand, and with a graceful motion, he summons a small blue flame that dances at the tips of his fingers. It flickers and glows, a magical plasma welder, a simple spell passed down from his father. "Watch and learn," he instructs, his voice tinged with pride as he welds the beams together, the scent of hot metal filling the air.
The Carminexes watch, their many eyes fixed on Ravian's hands, their bodies poised and ready. "Join me," he commands, his voice filled with authority, "Climb the beams and reinforce them." They scuttle forward, their spider-like appendages gripping the steel, their movements fluid and precise. "Use your silk," he tells them, his voice filled with encouragement, "Tie the beams together, make them strong." The Carminexes respond, their mandibles clicking, their bodies working in unison, their silk weaving and wrapping, a dance of creation.
As the beams are tied together, Ravian watches, his mind filled with satisfaction. "More," he says, his voice filled with anticipation, "Create thick webs and ropes, stronger than steel." The Carminexes obey, their silk flowing, their bodies a blur of motion, the steel skeleton taking shape, wrapped and reinforced. "It's like a protective layer," he explains, his voice filled with admiration, "A unique spider silk, a gift from you to this castle." The Carminexes click in response, their work continuing, the castle rising.
The night wears on, the construction site alive with activity, the sound of welding and weaving filling the air. Ravian moves with grace, his hands guiding and shaping, his voice filled with command and encouragement. The swarms and Carminexes respond, their bodies working tirelessly as is their magical nature, each task a step closer to the vision.
As the castle's skeleton takes shape, Ravian directs the swarms and Carminexes with meticulous care. "Leave those areas unwrapped," he instructs, his voice filled with precision, pointing to where future windows, facades, hallways, and doors will be. "Only cover the bare minimum of the basic structure." The creatures obey, their movements deliberate and exact, their silk weaving and wrapping, leaving spaces open and untouched.
The castle's vast size demands time and effort, and as daytime approaches, Ravian feels the pull of sleep. "Continue the work," he commands, his voice filled with trust, "Place the wireframes and tie them together with the webs." The swarms and Carminexes click and buzz in response, their work continuing without pause, their bodies tireless like eternal machines. Ravian retreats to his tent, his mind filled with satisfaction, his body at rest, the sound of construction a gentle lullaby.
High above, an ominous silhouette takes to the sky, circling the construction site, its movements stealthy and watchful. It observes the swarms and Carminexes, its eyes fixed on the rising castle, its presence a shadow of curiosity and intrigue.
Hours pass, and it continues to circle, its interest piqued, its intentions hidden. Finally, it loses interest, its wings carrying it away, its form vanishing into the distance, a mystery left unresolved, a question left unanswered. The construction site remains, the swarms and Carminexes working without pause, the castle growing even as its master lays asleep.
Day 7
Ravian's eyes widen as he awakens to the sight of the central dome of the castle, a magnificent structure 60 meters wide, being meticulously covered in cement and spider silk by the swarms and Carminexes. The hollow center buzzes with activity, a hive of creation and design. "Two days," he murmurs to himself, his voice filled with awe and satisfaction, "Two days for the rooms and interiors of the central dome."
A sudden rustle draws his attention, and Wulfric appears, his presence almost startling. Behind him, he drags entire mounds of steel bars and a collection of fantastical creatures Ravian had never seen before. "You've outdone yourself, Wulfric," Ravian exclaims, his voice tinged with surprise, "This is beyond efficient."
The first creature Wulfric presents is a Glimmerwing, a bird-like being with wings that shimmer with a metallic sheen. "Observe, Master," Wulfric commands, and the Glimmerwing's wings manipulate a magnetic field, lifting a steel bar effortlessly. Its size is that of a large eagle, and its ability to carry and place metal objects with precision is evident. Its eyes sparkle with intelligence, and its beak clicks in anticipation, ready to assist in the construction.
Next, Wulfric reveals a Stonemelder, a stout creature resembling a tortoise but with crystalline scales covering its back. "Watch its grace," Wulfric says, and the Stonemelder touches a rough stone, melding and shaping it into a smooth surface with a mere touch of its clawed feet. Its ability to carve intricate designs makes it invaluable, and its slow, deliberate movements are a dance of creation, its eyes filled with wisdom and patience.
Finally, Wulfric introduces a Timberwraith, a serpentine creature with bark-like skin and vine-like tendrils that extend from its body. "See its mastery," Wulfric instructs, and the Timberwraith weaves a complex wooden structure in mere moments. Its ability to manipulate and weave wood is clear, its movements fluid and graceful, its form a blend of nature and artistry, its purpose focused.
Ravian's praise is cut short as Wulfric, without a second thought, leaps towards a Carminex and begins dragging it into the forest. "Wulfric, what are you--" Ravian starts, but Wulfric interrupts, "A tribute, Master, for your grand design." Then he hears Wulfric's sinister laugh, a sound that sends a chill down his spine. He laughs nervously in response, his voice half in jest and half in concern.
Turning back to the creatures Wulfric brought, Ravian's intense gaze stared them down. Just the right amount of intimidation with a single gaze, to clarify who the alpha is here. The creatures bowed in their own ways, quickly acknowledging their new master. He would have Wulfric manage them but considering the forest god was doing Lord knows what with the Carminex, he would not bother with him… for now.