The Glitched Mage

The next few days passed in a relentless cycle. Seeds were planted, harvested, and planted again.

Riven pushed his mana reserves to their limit, expanding the farmlands inch by inch. Each time he drained himself, he'd restore his energy with the new Etherbloom-infused mana potions Mal had crafted, only to push himself again. The process was exhausting, but the results spoke for themselves.

By the end of it, the once-barren fields stretched farther than before, rich with abyss-touched crops. The storage room Krux had constructed—sturdy, reinforced, and designed to preserve the herbs' potency—was filled to the brim with carefully packed bundles. Rows of Nightshade Marrow, Bloodroot, Etherbloom, and Void Thistle were stacked neatly in crates, each labeled and sorted.

Finally, when the last batch had been secured, Riven allowed himself to collapse into a chair near the cookfire, surrounded by his generals. His entire body ached from the days of relentless work, his mana reserves a constant cycle of depletion and restoration.

Across from him, Nyx let out a groan, dropping onto the dirt floor as if her body had given out entirely. "Gods, I feel like I'm dying."

"Tell me about it," Damon muttered, crouching near the fire to warm his dirt-streaked hands. His usual smirk was gone, replaced with exhaustion. "I don't think I've built something so fast in my entire life."

Riven glanced up at their handiwork—the towering three-story apartment block that now loomed over the encampment. It was modern, its structure inspired by the buildings he had seen in his previous life, yet adorned with intricate carvings and embellishments that gave it an unmistakable presence in this world.

For a moment, the contrast struck him. A grand, sturdy building standing among the scattered tents and barren wasteland. It looked out of place—yet at the same time, it was a symbol of what was coming.

A future that would no longer be dust and ruins.

Damon sighed, stretching out his legs. "The walls are still drying, but by tomorrow, you should be able to take a proper look around. If everything holds up, we can start moving some families in by nightfall. Give it a trial run."

Riven nodded, closing his eyes as he let his head rest against the back of his chair. "Sounds good."

The scent of rich spices and simmering meat filled the air, drawing everyone's attention as Vera approached with a steaming pot of stew. As one of the people responsible for managing food distribution, she took her role seriously—and the warm smile on her face told them she knew exactly how much they needed this meal.

"Food's ready," she announced, beginning to ladle out portions into wooden bowls.

Riven sat up slightly, accepting his portion with a grateful nod. "Thank you, Vera."

The woman leaned in slightly, lowering her voice as she handed him his bowl. "I gave you an extra scoop, my liege," she said warmly. "You've been working too hard."

Before Riven could respond, Krux let out an exaggerated huff from across the fire. "Hey! I've been working hard too!"

"Yeah, don't be stingy, Vera!" Nyx chimed in, waving her empty bowl expectantly.

Vera let out a laugh, shaking her head. "Alright, alright." She set the ladle down and walked over to a side crate, pulling out something wrapped in cloth. "I actually managed to arrange something special to celebrate the auction and the new homes."

She unwrapped the bundle, revealing several wooden tankards filled with a sweet-smelling amber liquid.

Mead.

A rare commodity in the wastelands.

The group perked up instantly.

"Can I kiss you, Vera?" Nyx asked, deadpan, as she grabbed a tankard.

"Me too! Me too!" Damon grinned before downing a long gulp of the drink, sighing in satisfaction.

Aria accepted hers with a small smile, giving Vera a nod of appreciation. Beside her, Mal simply took his with a quiet "Thank you," though the exhaustion in his posture was evident. His under-eyes were darkened, the toll of staying up for two nights straight to ensure the herbs were properly packaged showing clearly.

Riven took a sip of the mead, the warmth of the alcohol spreading through his tired body. It wasn't strong, but it was smooth, sweetened with honey and something faintly spiced. A rare indulgence—but one they had all earned.

Vera wagged a finger at them. "Now eat quickly before the food gets cold. And don't forget—tonight, you're all getting a full night's rest."

"Yes, Vera," they all replied in unison, even Riven, before digging into the food.

The warmth of the meal, the clinking of tankards, and the rare moment of respite settled over the group like a comforting blanket. For the first time in days, the weight of rebuilding didn't feel quite so crushing.

Riven leaned back in his chair, letting the warmth of the stew spread through his body. The exhaustion was still there, but for now, it was manageable. Across the fire, Nyx had half-curled into herself, her tankard balanced precariously on her knee as she took slow sips. Damon, now on his second serving of mead, had finally relaxed enough to stretch out his legs and lean back on his elbows.

Krux wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. "So, what's the plan for tomorrow?" he asked, turning to Riven.

Riven tapped his fingers against the arm of his chair, considering. "First, we inspect the apartment building and ensure everything is structurally sound before moving people in. Then, we finalize the auction details."

Mal, who had been absentmindedly swirling his mead, nodded. "I'll do another round of checks on the herbs tonight. We've already confirmed their potency, but I want to ensure they're properly sealed before we transport them."

"I'll help," Aria offered, shifting slightly. "No offense, but you look like you might pass out before you finish."

Mal smirked but didn't argue.

"The road is also coming along," Damon added, tilting his head toward Riven. "I have patrol rotations set up, but we should check it before we leave for Eldrin's Crossing."

Riven exhaled, running a hand through his hair. There was still much to be done, but they were close.

So close.

Nyx raised her tankard lazily. "To the auction, then?"

Damon lifted his. "To gold in our pockets."

Aria clinked hers against Mal's. "To making the merchants beg."

Krux grinned. "To the Shadow Kingdom."

Riven hesitated, then lifted his own tankard.

"To our future," he said.

They drank.

The night stretched on, conversation flowing easily, the fire crackling against the cool evening air. For a while, it almost felt normal. As if they weren't in the middle of a rebuilding effort, as if they weren't surrounded by ruins and hardship. Just a group of warriors, survivors, and leaders sharing a drink under the open sky.

One by one, they drifted to their tents, exhaustion winning out over celebration.

Riven stayed behind a moment longer, his gaze lingering on the encampment. The apartment complex loomed in the distance, solid and real. The fields, now thriving with abyss-touched crops, pulsed faintly under the moonlight. The road leading to Eldrin's Crossing stretched further than it had days ago.

The Shadow Kingdom was no longer a forgotten ruin.

It was rising.

And soon, the world would know it.

With that final thought, Riven exhaled and stood, making his way toward his tent.

Tomorrow, the next step of their plan would begin.

And he was ready.

—x—

The morning air was crisp and cool, carrying the scent of damp earth and freshly tilled soil. A faint mist clung to the farmland as Riven stepped out of his tent, stretching his sore limbs. The exhaustion from the last few days still lingered, but after a full night's rest, his mind was sharp, and his body—though aching—felt steady.

Today marked the final preparations before their departure to Eldrin's Crossing.

He exhaled, stretching his limbs once more before heading towards the apartment complex. The three-story building stood solid against the barren landscape, a stark contrast to the temporary tents scattered throughout the encampment. Workers bustled around the site, reinforcing the structure and cleaning up debris.

Damon was already there, overseeing the final touches. He leaned against a half-assembled railing on the second floor, barking orders to the builders below. When he spotted Riven, he gave a mock salute.

"Your Majesty finally decides to check my masterpiece?" Damon grinned as he hopped down the half-built staircase.

Riven arched a brow. "Your masterpiece?"

Damon huffed. "You might have drawn up the blueprints, but I'm the one who turned them into reality."

Riven crossed his arms, glancing over the building. "And? Will it hold?"

Damon scoffed. "Of course. I'd never put my name on shoddy work. The stone reinforcements are holding strong, and we ran tests on the support beams—everything's sturdy. The first families can move in tonight."

Riven nodded in approval. "Then let's make sure they're settled before we leave."

Damon's smirk widened as he dropped into a dramatic bow. "Of course, my liege."

Riven ignored him and turned towards the farmland, where Mal and Aria were busy loading crates of herbs onto reinforced carts. The storage room, once overflowing, had been neatly sorted, with only the best batches prepared for transport.

Mal looked up as Riven approached, his silver eyes bright with focus despite the dark circles beneath them. "Everything's packed," he said, wiping his hands on a cloth. "We'll take two carts—one for the Etherbloom and Nightshade Marrow and another for the Void Thistle and Bloodroot."

Riven eyed the crates, noting the reinforced seals and protective enchantments drawn over them. "You've tested everything?"

Mal nodded. "Aria helped last night. Each herb is in peak condition. The merchants won't have any doubt about their quality."

Aria, leaning against the cart, smirked. "Once they see the potency of our stock, they'll be begging to buy."

Riven's gaze darkened slightly. "That's the goal."

Nyx joined them then, tying her hair back into a loose knot. "Scouting report's in." She handed Riven a parchment. "Eldrin's Crossing is busy—busier than usual. Seems like several influential merchant guilds have arrived ahead of the auction."

Riven scanned the report quickly. "Any trouble?"

"Nothing unusual, but we should still be cautious," Nyx said. "You'll be posing as Shadow Kingdom merchants, but if anyone gets suspicious, it could complicate things."

"Let them suspect," Riven murmured. "They won't act unless they're sure. And by the time they are, it'll be too late."

Nyx's lips curled in amusement. "I like when you talk like that."

Riven rolled his eyes and turned back to Mal. "How long until we're ready to leave?"

Mal double-checked the carts. "If we finish loading, we can depart by midday."

"Good," Riven said. "Then let's get moving."

As the final crates were secured, the reality of what they were about to do settled over the group.

This auction wasn't just about selling herbs.

It was about making the Shadow Kingdom known again.

And Riven intended to make sure the world never forgot it.

—x—

By midday, the encampment buzzed with movement. Workers and soldiers moved efficiently, securing the final adjustments on the two carts carrying their precious cargo. The medicinal herbs—carefully packed and reinforced with protective enchantments—gleamed faintly under the harsh sunlight, their storage crates lined with mana seals to preserve potency.

Riven stood beside the lead cart, arms crossed as he watched the last of the preparations. The air carried a weight of expectation. Today marked their first step outside the safety of the Shadow Kingdom's borders—not as wandering survivors, but as traders carrying something the world had never seen before.

Mal double-checked the straps on the crates before straightening. "Everything's accounted for. The protection sigils are stable, and I reinforced the locking mechanisms. But even with the enchantments, it wouldn't hurt to keep a close eye on them." His silver eyes flickered toward Riven. "Are you sure it's just the two of us going? We'd be safer with more hands."

Riven shook his head. "A larger group would draw too much attention. If something goes wrong, we can handle it."

Nyx approached then, adjusting the hood of her cloak. "You both know the plan—once you enter Eldrin's Crossing, you're not warlords or rulers. You're independent traders from the frontier. No mention of the Shadow Kingdom. You're new to the trade, but well-connected enough to justify the goods." She met Riven's gaze. "Keep your cover."

"We will," Riven assured her.

Krux stood nearby, arms folded, his sharp golden eyes scanning the horizon. "I've stationed patrols along the road. They'll stay out of sight, but if anything unusual happens, they'll be close enough to intervene."

Riven nodded. "Good. Keep the encampment secure while we're gone."

Damon exhaled through his nose, clearly displeased about being left behind. "I still don't like this. If someone recognizes you—"

"They won't," Riven said flatly. "And if they do, it won't matter."

Damon scoffed, but he didn't argue further. Instead, he clapped Mal on the back. "Try not to let our king here start a war before the auction's even over."

Mal smirked. "I make no promises."

Aria stepped forward then, "The herbs will sell themselves. The more desperate the merchants are, the better for us. Let them fight for the privilege of doing business."

Riven's expression darkened with amusement. "That's the goal."

Damon crossed his arms. "And if anyone tries to undercut you?"

"We remind them who they're dealing with," Riven said simply.

Damon grinned. "That's what I like to hear."

With everything in place, Riven climbed onto the lead cart, settling into the driver's seat with Mal beside him. The horses, well-fed and sturdy, shifted restlessly as if sensing the shift in atmosphere. The others stood watching, their postures tense despite their confidence in him.

Riven took one last glance at the encampment—the apartment complex standing firm against the wasteland, the fields pulsing with abyssal energy, the people who had once been scattered survivors now growing into something more.

This was only the beginning.

With a flick of the reins, the cart rolled forward, dust kicking up in its wake as the journey to Eldrin's Crossing began.