"I possess a token that allows us to select one structure from the system for free," Sinclair started, catching everyone's attention. "Given our circumstances, a barracks seems the most logical choice as we'll all likely be living here for the long term sooner rather than later. Of course, there are other options, so I'd like to hear your thoughts."

Pulling the token up he read what it said to everyone.

Item: Domain Token (Unique)

Description: This token allows the bearer to add one building to their property. All build costs are covered through the stored mana in this token. Please pick from the following options.

Buildings:

Barracks

- Open floor plan style barracks. Will sleep 40 people. Simple baths and facilities included.

Barn

- Storage for animals or feed. Will house up to 25 cows and 200 hundred bales of hay.

Grain Mill

- Used to grind grain into flour. Must have external power source to power the grinding mechanism.

Saw Mill

- Used to process fallen logs. Can process logs up to 2 foot in diameter. Must have an external power source to power the grinding mechanism.

"The way it has been explained to me is that when the remainder of the system comes online, rather than just the early access we—" he gestured to himself and his friends, "—have been benefiting from, I will 'claim' this land and we will get to place buildings on it. I am hoping there will be some bonuses for being first. We don't have power sources for grain or saw mills and we already have a barn so a barracks makes the most sense to me."

Sinclair looked around the table. His friends were just nodding along, not having anything more to say. His parents though… were not ones to let anything go without a barrage of questions.

"Well, it seems like the barracks is the best option for now. So, you have that one down. How does this work? Do you just pick a spot and it appears?" Bruce asked.

"I assume it's like the market crystal I just put up. I'll activate the token and it'll give me some sort of grid layout, or a hologram thing, and then I'll get to choose when it goes. Hopefully it won't just appear and land on top of me like the Wicked Witch of the West!"

"Do you still have those old drawings of the property? We can look at that and I'll help position it for you."

"Yep, hold on, they should be in the closet upstairs." Sinclair got up and went upstairs to rummage for the old tube containing the last survey drawings of the farm.

While Sinclair was gone his parents turned to his friends and asked them quickly and somewhat quietly. "How is he really doing? He looks fine but it sounds like he's carrying a burden that would break Atlas."

Rose and Alice's expressions grew more serious, although Ed just looked confused. As Rose leant over to Ed to very quietly whisper to him, "Atlas is the Titan who holds up the sky. Dammit Ed, have you got the memory of a goldfish?" Alice began to speak with urgency in her voice, her eyes filled with concern.

"He's changing. He's having to, with everything he's going through," she said, her words coming out in a rapid—but hushed—torrent "He's seen things he should never have had to see, done things he would never have had to do in his old life. He glossed over some points today, sparing you some of the worst things he's experienced. But, he needs all the help he can get, or he'll try to carry so much weight it will crush him."

Her words hung in the air, a heavy truth that weighed on everyone's minds. Sinclair's parents exchanged a worried glance, fully aware of the gravity of the situation. Their son was facing a new reality, one filled with unimaginable challenges and burdens, and they realized they must support him in every way possible. The room was filled with a solemn silence as everyone began to understand the gravity of the path ahead.

Rose also spoke up, quickly, "Also, Sinclair's hearing is amazing and he can probably hear everything we're saying."

They all settled back into their seats as they heard Sinclair's footsteps clomping down the hallway upstairs. When he returned, he found everyone quietly waiting for him. Placing the rolled-up drawings on the table, he unrolled them, laying them out for his father to see.

Taking a pencil in hand, his father asked, "Do you have the design sizes, Sinclair?"

Sinclair nodded and toggled back over to the system interface, selecting the Barracks. A second panel appeared, revealing more details, and he read aloud, "It's 60 feet long by 35 feet wide, or roughly 18 by 11, I think, if the new world is going to use metric? I think Victoria and I are the only ones who didn't grow up learning it."

His father rolled his eyes and began to study the drawings, pencil moving thoughtfully over the paper. Everyone watched with interest—sure, they knew what Bruce's job as an architect meant in an abstract sense, but the details had always been a bit lost on them.Watching him size up the plans and make snap decisions—inevitably correct ones—on placing a permanent building was interesting to see.

"How about here, near the training barn but with some distance from the main house?" he suggested, marking a spot on the drawing. "It allows for easy access to training areas while maintaining some privacy for the living quarters."

Sinclair leaned over the table, scrutinizing his father's proposal. It made sense, and the placement seemed to utilize the space efficiently without encroaching on the existing structures.

"That seems like a good spot," Sinclair agreed, appreciating the expertise his father brought to the task. "It allows us to keep everything well-organized and centralized without crowding the property."

The others at the table nodded in agreement, trusting the judgment of Sinclair and his father. The planning was coming together smoothly, and it felt like a step forward in preparing for whatever awaited them. The sense of collaboration and familial support was helpful in strengthening their resolve.

"I guess that settles the where. Who wants to see it go up?" Sinclair grinned at everyone. "Then we can have another lunch."

Everyone got up quickly, making their way to the other side of the barn. Sinclair brought his display back up and selected the barracks. Just like with the crystal, he was presented with a layout and an outline of the building.

The virtual image floated before them, displaying where the barracks could be placed. The size and shape of the structure were clearly defined, and they could even see faint details of the exterior design. It was a fascinating glimpse into the system's capabilities, showing how seamlessly it could integrate with their physical surroundings.

Laying the building out according to his dad's instructions, Sinclair hit "accept." The instant he did, he realized he had forgotten to tell his family to close their eyes. A brief flash of light later, and two more people were left sightless. Whoops, Sinclair thought to himself as he rushed over to calm his parents down. Fortunately, his sister had remembered at the last moment to close her eyes tightly, but his parents had not been quite so lucky.

"Sinclair, I can't see anything!" His mom spoke, her voice filled with alarm. Bruce, to the contrary, appeared to have just raised one eyebrow and was waiting for Sinclair to fix things. Wow, my Dad really does have confidence in me. That's a pretty cool feeling—but it's not the time to think about that, focus Sinclair. Rose walked over and, with her healing touch, restored their vision, earning a grateful hug from Mrs Hagerson—Amelia— once she could see again.

The barracks now stood where it had been placed. Though unassuming, it represented something much greater: a future filled with possibility, challenge, and the unknown.

The building was simple but sturdy in appearance, made of robust wooden planks and reinforced with metal brackets. Its design was utilitarian, reflecting its intended purpose to house and support a large number of people. The roof was slanted, covered with weather-resistant tiles, and several windows were placed around the structure to provide natural light. Excited, everyone made their way over the doors and rushed inside to investigate the interior.

Upon entering, they found a long hallway that led to two vast sleeping quarters, one on either side. The rooms were filled with double bunk beds, each room designed to sleep 40 people comfortably. The beds were arranged in neat rows, providing a sense of order and maximized space. Each bed had two small vertical storage lockers at the end—one for the top bunk, one for the bottom— which could be locked to ensure privacy and security for ones personal belongings.

Further into the barracks, they discovered communal bathing and toilet facilities. There was a sense of practical design here too, with multiple shower stalls, sinks, and toilets to accommodate many people at once. The facilities were clean and well-lit, complete with mirrors and essential amenities. They were separated by gender, offering a degree of privacy.

At the end of the hallway, they found a common area, furnished with tables and chairs. It seemed like a place where people could gather, eat, or just relax. Nearby, a small kitchenette was equipped with basic appliances and cabinets, allowing for simple meal preparation.

Sinclair's parents were visibly impressed with the accommodations. They recognized the thoughtfulness that had gone into creating a space that could house a community. Victoria's eyes twinkled as she explored the bunk beds, while Sinclair's friends discussed the potential advantages of having such a facility.

Sinclair's observation about the mana-powered lighting added another layer of fascination to the building. The recessed lights in the ceiling cast a warm, even glow over the rooms, providing ample illumination without being harsh or glaring. The integration of magical energy into the technology was a tangible reminder of how their world was changing, with the mystical and the mundane becoming seamlessly interwoven.

His dad couldn't help but marvel at the ingenuity of the design. "It's not just practical; it's sustainable too," he remarked, clearly impressed. "Utilizing mana as an energy source means we won't have to rely on conventional power. It's completely self-sufficient."

The others in the room shared in his admiration, each one taking a moment to fully appreciate the ingenuity used within the barracks. It was a concrete demonstration of the possibilities that lay ahead, where traditional limitations could be overcome with the clever application of the system's magic.

Rose, with her magical insight, added, "It also means that the energy will likely be cleaner and more harmonious with the environment. This place truly represents a new era for us." In her best impression of the Orc from one of the Lord of the Rings movies she said "The age of Men is over, the Time of Magic has come." It wasn't, to be honest, a particularly good impression.

"I think I am going to move my stuff out here to the barracks to give you back some more room in the house." Ed spoke to Sinclair. "With your folks here, I think they would like an actual bedroom rather than bunk beds. I talked to Alice about it already and she is moving out here too."

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Overhearing the conversation, Alice chimed in too, "Yeah. This will be a great place to stay. We will just come over for meals and stuff."

Victoria, just a couple years younger than Sinclair and his friends, wasn't about to be left out. She quickly volunteered to sleep in the barracks as well.

Sinclair, always finding humor in the situation, nodded in agreement. "That works for me. That leaves the guest room or my old room for mom and dad. And, then the pets can stay out here," he said, glancing at Ed and his friends with a playful smirk, clearly meant to imply that they were the pets. The joke earned him several unimpressed stares from the girls, and a blank stare from Ed. I don't know if he didn't get the joke or if he's playing it really straight. Funny either way, I guess.

He then called his parents over and handed them the books he had acquired from the market. "I know you two are already knowledgeable about these topics, but these books from the shop cover the basics of starting from scratch with our home."

His parents accepted the books with interest, leafing through the pages. "Thank you, Sinclair," responded his mother, with a "We'll get started on these right away," from his father.

His mother, being a project manager and naturally rule-oriented, gravitated towards the book on law-making, while his father chose the one on infrastructure. With books in hand, they both made their way inside to dive straight into the material.

Turning to his friends with a Cheshire Cat's grin on his face. "You know what this means, don't you?"

The groan was almost harmonic.

*****

A few minutes later, the friends stood outside, each wearing a black, long-sleeve hoodie. Before coming outside, Sinclair had explained what was about to happen.

"We are going to go and play hide and seek, or hide and go seek—whatever you want to call it. Through adversity, we've already found that you can build and generate skills, so this is going to be full of adversity. The rules are simple: you have 10 minutes to get out there and hide, and then I'll come looking for you. If I find you and land a hit, you have to sprint the circumference of the farm and hide again. I won't use any skills, items or even Chewy and Leia to hunt you down. Just my hands and feet. Does that sound good?"

Now that they were outside, the three hiders were waiting for Sinclair to tell them to get going. Sinclair told them to hide on the count of three. On one, he turned his back. On two, he pulled a controller out of his pocket. On three, he heard the noise as Ed, Alice and Rose launched themselves away from him, and hit a button on the controller. Sinclair grinned as he heard all three fall over flat on their faces, their garments having become as heavy as lead. Shouting over his shoulder—but not turning around, he wasn't a cheater after all—Sinclair yelled "you'd better get a move on!"

*****

Sinclair had given them an extra 30 seconds, to make up any time lost due to his trick at the start of the game, but the time had come for Sinclair to hunt. He rose to his feet and began stalking towards the trees, his eyes narrowing in on the faint indentations that marked where his friends had split up. Deciding to begin on the right side and work his way left, he followed the trail closest to the house. It was a calculated move, as he suspected that someone might have chosen to stay near, perhaps thinking it the least likely place he'd look.

Sinclair moved with a quiet grace, his senses fully engaged, ears straining for the slightest rustle and eyes scanning for any unnatural shadow or movement.

With the forest enveloping him, Sinclair made his pursuit, guided by a mix of intuition and subtle but unmissable clues. The path he was following began to meander, and he noticed a slight disturbance in the underbrush, a twig snapped in haste. The sign was minuscule, but to his sharp eyes it was a beacon.

Slowing his pace, he began to move ever more stealthily, his breathing controlled and footsteps light. Every sense remained attuned to his surroundings as he approached a dense thicket. The scent of the forest was rich and earthy, but something else lingered in the air. Is that a faint trace of sweat?

His heart began to beat a little faster with anticipation. He circled around the thicket, choosing an angle that would give him the best chance of surprising whoever was hiding there. As he drew nearer, he heard a soft, almost imperceptible sound – the gentle rustle of fabric against leaves.

His lips curled into a knowing smile. The game was afoot, and he was closing in on his prey. In moments like these, Sinclair felt alive, each sensation amplified, each movement a dance. The thrill of the hunt was in his veins, and he knew that his friends were experiencing the same rush.

With a final, deliberate step, he pushed through the underbrush, eyes fixed on a shadow that didn't quite belong, ready to make his move.

The shadow Sinclair had fixed his gaze upon stirred, and from behind the foliage emerged Ed, eyes wide with surprise but a grin spreading across his face.

"Found you," Sinclair declared, his voice a mix of triumph and playfulness.

Ed's reaction was immediate and almost ridiculously athletic. He sprang to his feet, his body twisting and turning as he sought to evade Sinclair's outstretched hand. The woods became their arena, the sounds of laughter and exertion mingling with the natural symphony of the forest.

Sinclair's pursuit was relentless, his movements calculated and precise, sometimes even exceeding Ed's own agility. They darted between trees, leaped over rocks, and slid through narrow gaps, a choreographed dance that pushed Ed to his limits.

Despite Ed's valiant efforts and impressive maneuvers, Sinclair's experience and natural ability began to show. He anticipated Ed's moves, read his intentions, and slowly but surely closed the distance between them.

In a final burst of energy, Ed made a desperate leap for a low branch, aiming to swing himself out of Sinclair's reach. But Sinclair was right there with him, lunging forward and managing to tag Ed's leg just as he took flight.

"Gotcha!" Sinclair exclaimed, both of them panting and laughing.

Ed landed gracefully and turned to face Sinclair, his face flushed but his eyes sparkling with excitement. "Alright, you got me. Time for my lap, I guess."

Sinclair clapped him on the shoulder, still grinning. "You gave me a good run. Now, off you go! I've got others to find."

With a mock salute and a playful roll of his eyes, Ed took off, his steps carrying him around the perimeter of the farm. Sinclair watched him for a moment, appreciating the connection they'd found in this simple game. Then, turning back to the woods, he resumed his hunt, two more friends still hidden, and the thrill of the chase calling him forward.

Sinclair's senses were on high alert as he moved through the woods, his instincts guiding him to where he suspected his next hidden friend might be. The silence of the forest seemed to hum with anticipation, his keen eyes scanning every shadow.

Then, something caught his attention—a slight rustle in the trees above, a soft creak of a branch bending underweight. Sinclair's gaze snapped upward, but he didn't have time to react before a figure dropped from the tree, landing gracefully behind him.

It was Alice, and her aim was true. Her foot connected with the back of Sinclair's head, her enhanced kicks delivering a powerful and non-lethal blow. The impact sent Sinclair stumbling forward, a surprised grunt escaping his lips as he fought to keep his balance.

By the time he turned around, Alice was already in motion, sprinting away in the opposite direction, her laughter echoing through the trees. Sinclair could only marvel at her agility and audacity for a moment before giving chase.

"Nice hit, Alice," Sinclair called out, his voice a blend of admiration and playful challenge, "but you won't get away that easily!"

He sprang into action, chasing after her, his body still resonating from the impact of her kick. A mixture of surprise and exhilaration lent a fresh intensity to their playful skirmish. Alice had taken her turn, and now it was Sinclair's moment to retaliate.

Their pursuit resumed, transforming into a wild and exhilarating chase that tested their limits. Sinclair was fully aware that he was contending with a formidable and clever adversary in Alice, and he had no intention of underestimating her capabilities again.

Sinclair's pursuit of Alice led him to a particularly dense grouping of trees, where he momentarily lost sight of her. As he navigated around the obstruction, his eyes caught a glimpse of fabric snagged on a stick. It was a piece of clothing, and it looked like Rose's.

His curiosity piqued, Sinclair abandoned his chase of Alice and began to follow Rose's scent instead. It led him to a spot where she was seemingly hiding, but not very well. A slight smile tugged at his lips as he approached, thinking this would be an easy tag.

But as he reached out to tag Rose, his instincts screamed a warning. It was a trap!

Alice suddenly sprang out from his blind side, her attack catching him completely off guard. At the same time, Rose turned and unleashed a powerful water blast. The combination of their surprise attack sent Sinclair stumbling backward, his body tangled in the branches of a nearby tree.

His friends' triumphant laughter rang in his ears as they both made their escape, leaving Sinclair to fight his way out of the entanglement. The realization that they had set him up, and done so successfully, brought a mixture of frustration and admiration.

Once he had finally extricated himself, Sinclair couldn't help but shake his head in disbelief, a grin spreading across his face. They had gotten the better of him, and he had to acknowledge their clever teamwork.

"Okay, you got me that time!" he shouted after them, his voice filled with playful defiance. "But I'm not giving up yet!"

His heart still pounding from the excitement, Sinclair set off once more, the game taking on a new level of complexity. His friends had shown they were capable of outsmarting him, working together in unexpected ways. Now, the challenge was on, and Sinclair was more determined than ever to prove his own skills.

As Sinclair continued his pursuit, he couldn't help but feel a sense of pride in his friends and in their growing connection. The game of hide and seek had become something more profound, a symbol of their unity and resilience. And it was a game he was more than willing to play.

For the next hour, the game of hide-and-seek evolved into a spirited and challenging dance. Sinclair's friends, having found success in teamwork, began banding together, skillfully thwarting his attempts to tag them. Every time he got close to one, another would intervene, redirecting his swing or distracting him just long enough for the intended target to escape.

Though the exercise was lighthearted in nature, it had become a serious test of their abilities. Sinclair was not attacking lethally or using his full set of skills, but he was pushing them hard, and they were responding with intelligence, creativity, and determination.

Sinclair watched with growing satisfaction as his friends adapted, collaborated, and found new ways to evade him. They were learning, growing, becoming stronger, and he felt a profound sense of pride in their achievements.

In the last round of the game, his friends had positioned themselves with their backs against the wall of the barn, attempting to reach the house, which they had designated as "safe ground." Sinclair was stealthily stalking them, ready to make his move, when something unexpected happened.

With a sudden and almost ethereal presence, Odin appeared before them. The god's stern visage and commanding aura momentarily halted their game.

"A new Myrkr has emerged in the Aosta Valley vineyards, in Italy," Odin announced, his voice resonating with urgency. "It must be dealt with swiftly and it is currently headed towards a nearby town. If it makes it there, it will destroy everyone it can and convert the rest."

Alice's stance was resolute, her eyes locking onto Sinclair's with unwavering determination. "We are coming with you this time, Sinclair," she declared, her voice firm yet reassuring.

Sinclair faced her, a furrow of concern creasing his brow. "Are you sure about this? This is a far cry from our usual games," he cautioned, weighing the gravity of what lay ahead.

Rose, her smile imbued with playful confidence, added her own reassurance. "Sinclair, we're fully aware of the dangers. That's precisely why we need you as our backup," she said, her eyes sparkling with a blend of jest and earnestness.

Ed stood firmly beside them, his silent nod an unspoken pact of solidarity. His gaze met Sinclair's, filled with a quiet determination that spoke volumes. "Wouldn't miss it for the world, buddy."

Sinclair, turning back to Odin, voiced his acceptance with a mix of reluctance and resolve. "It looks like we're all in on this."

From behind them, Chewy and Leia's enthusiastic barks punctuated the moment. Sinclair glanced over his shoulder at his loyal companions, their canine enthusiasm unmistakable. "And it seems these two knuckleheads are on board as well. Odin, do you have any further information for us?"

In response, Odin nodded solemnly. With a gesture, a shimmering quest screen materialized before the group, filled with details of the task at hand.

Emergency Quest: Myrkr Found!

Description: A Myrkr has been detected in the Aosta Valley region and is headed toward the city of Aosta. Eliminate the creature before it reaches the city and unleashes devastation upon its inhabitants. Time is of the essence—act swiftly to protect the region.

Rewards: N/A

You do not have the option to decline this mission, it has been automatically accepted.

With the quest information read, the mood among Sinclair and his friends shifted palpably, whatever lightheartedness remained from their earlier training session giving way to the gravity of the task ahead. They set about gathering their necessary gear.

Sinclair sent a mental summon to Chewy and Leia, their companionship a source of reassurance in these uncertain times. Entering the house, he relayed the urgent situation to his parents, maintaining a steady voice despite the flicker of concern in their eyes.

"Be safe, please," his dad implored, lightening the atmosphere with a chuckle, his arm wrapped comfortingly around his wife. "I always wanted to visit Italy," he added.

Sinclair chuckled as he responded to his dad's light-hearted remark. "I'll bring you a postcard," he said.

After sharing a round of heartfelt hugs and words of reassurance with his family, Sinclair turned his attention to the new feature he noticed on his interface: a tab labeled Groups. Exploring this functionality, he found it allowed him to form a group with his friends. Quickly, he added Ed, Alice, and Rose, along with Chewy and Leia, placing them all under his icon within the display.

Heading out of the door, Sinclair cast a final look back at his parents. Their expressions were a complex blend of pride and worry as they watched their son and his friends leave to face unknown challenges. With a sense of resolve and preparedness, Sinclair led his group away, ready to tackle the dangers awaiting them in the vineyards of the Aosta Valley.

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