Selene felt an odd connection to them both—a bond born of her transformation into the Queen of Balance. As their Queen, they were hers to command, but she sensed something deeper, almost like a familial loyalty, as if they had known her for centuries.
“I appreciate your introductions earlier,” Selene began, her voice steady despite her nerves. “But I need to understand what you can actually do. We’re starting from nothing, and I’ll need every advantage to survive this world.”
The Fae Lord of Snow inclined his head, his expression calm. “Of course, my Queen. Allow me to demonstrate my capabilities.”
He raised one hand, and the temperature in the grove dropped sharply. Frost crept across the ground as a soft wind stirred the leaves. A small group of shimmering creatures emerged from the glowing Fae Circle. Frost sprites, no taller than her knee, darted forward, their translucent forms glittering with icy light.
“These are frost sprites,” Snow explained. “They are swift, industrious, and skilled at harvesting wood and stone. They will not engage in combat, but they are vital for resource collection.”
With a flick of his hand, the sprites scurried into the forest, their movements precise and efficient. Within moments, Selene could hear the faint cracking of wood as they began felling trees and gathering timber.
“Impressive,” Selene admitted. She turned to Ember, who was practically glowing with anticipation.
“My turn,” Ember said, her voice brimming with excitement. She lifted her hand, and a burst of heat radiated outward. The air shimmered as fire sprites—small, winged creatures wreathed in flame—emerged from the circle. Alongside them, two sleek fire foxes padded forward, their red-orange fur flickering like embers.
“The fire sprites specialize in clearing obstacles and gathering food, particularly from beasts,” Ember explained. “The fire foxes, on the other hand, are hunters. They will eliminate any creatures we need for sustenance or resources.”
The fire foxes dashed into the woods, their movements silent and predatory. Moments later, the air was filled with the sounds of distant growls and scuffles.
Selene watched, impressed by how quickly her new army had begun its tasks. The frost sprites returned soon, their tiny arms laden with stacks of wood and stone, while the fire sprites brought back bundles of herbs and other resources. Even the fire foxes returned, dragging the carcass of a small beast between them.
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“You’ve been busy,” Selene murmured, amazed by the efficiency.
“This is only the beginning, my Queen,” Snow said. “But before we continue expanding, there is something you must do.”
Ember stepped forward, her fiery gaze fixed on the decrepit wooden house that stood at the center of the grove. “That house—it is your castle, for now. But as it stands, it is unworthy of the Queen of Balance. You must claim it.”
“Claim it?” Selene asked, stepping toward the building. “What does that mean?”
“When a Fae Lord claims a home,” Snow explained, “the home transforms to reflect their domain. But you, as the Queen, must claim it first, infusing it with your essence. Only then can it grow to suit you and your Fae.”
Selene hesitated for a moment, then walked up to the house. It was worn and weathered, its wooden walls etched with faint, glowing runes. She placed her hand on the rough surface, and a surge of energy rushed through her.
《System Alert: Castle Claimed!》
The house began to glow, its structure shifting and reshaping itself before her eyes. The wood became smoother, stronger, and more intricate. One half of the house turned black, the other white, and the center shimmered with shades of gray, a perfect balance of opposites.
But the transformation didn’t stop there. Snow and Ember stepped forward, each placing a hand on their respective sides of the house. The black side expanded, forming intricate towers of ice, while the white side grew spires wreathed in flame.
“This is now our home,” Ember said, stepping back to admire her fiery spires. “The Court of the Fae Lords begins here.”
Selene stood back, marveling at the transformation. The castle—or grove house, as it now seemed—was no longer decrepit. It was alive with energy, reflecting her title as the Queen of Balance and the domains of her two Fae Lords.
Inside the newly transformed house, Selene explored her newfound capabilities. A glowing pedestal in the center of the main hall displayed a list of options.
《Accessing Store...》
The interface was sparse, with only a handful of items available for purchase:
- Basic Rations (10 Energy Stones)
- Wood Bundle (5 Energy Stones)
- Stone Bundle (5 Energy Stones)
Selene frowned. She didn’t have any energy stones yet, but she supposed the fire and frost sprites would gather what she needed soon enough.
Exiting the store, she turned her attention to another glowing option.
《Accessing World Chat...》
A flurry of messages appeared, scrolling rapidly as other lords communicated with one another:
- [LordOfSteel]: "What’s the fastest way to gather stone? My barracks is eating through resources."
- [ShadowDancer]: "Anyone near coordinates 54, 32? Let’s trade."
- [GoldenDragon]: "My barracks gave me dragons! Bow down, mortals!"
Selene leaned back, unsure of how to respond. The chat was chaotic, filled with boasts, questions, and trade offers. She made a mental note to use it carefully—she didn’t want to reveal her unique barracks just yet.
Returning outside, she found Snow and Ember waiting. The frost sprites and fire sprites were hard at work, gathering resources and clearing the surrounding land.
“This is only the beginning,” Snow said, his voice calm as ever.
“Next,” Ember added with a smirk, “we conquer the forest.”
Selene smiled, confidence building within her. She didn’t know everything about this world yet, but she had a castle, two powerful Fae Lords, and an ever-growing army of sprites. She would learn, adapt, and thrive.
This was her grove, and the Boundless Continent would soon feel the power of the Fae Queen.