Chapter 55: Finishing the Second Floor and Future Village Projects
Chapter 55: Finishing the Second Floor and Future Village Projects
Year 0003, I-III Month: The Imperium
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Peace and Serenity
Meanwhile in the Lonelywood Forest…
The rhythmic thudding of axes against thick trunks echoed through the forest surrounding Maya Village. Men worked tirelessly, felling trees to provide the wooden materials needed for the long-delayed final phase of the house construction. After months of postponement, the project had finally resumed with renewed urgency, driven by the recent influx of newcomers to their community.
The second floor would feature bunk beds to accommodate the new arrivals and some existing residents, while the ground floor would be reserved for the married couples and August's private quarters. Though they had stockpiled wood previously, additional lumber was necessary not only for the current construction but also for upcoming projects: the water wheel restoration, potential emergency repairs, and a planned guest house near the gatehouse—a forward-thinking preparation for the anticipated growth of Maya Village.
Food security demanded attention as well. The current six garden fields, each measuring eight by eight meters, would be doubled with the addition of six more plots of identical size. The fruit-bearing trees, currently eight in number, would also be doubled, with new saplings to be planted within the newly planned garden expansion.
After August and his group finished cutting the required timber, they hauled the logs back to the village, storing them near the warehouse alongside previously harvested lumber. The day's labor complete, they retired to rest before dawn would bring new tasks.
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Another Busy Day
The following morning began well before sunrise. August and the others rose early, their bodies stiff from yesterday's exertions. They stretched thoroughly until sweat beaded on their skin and their hearts pumped vigorously. Then they began their daily regimen—running laps around the village perimeter, followed by push-ups, sit-ups, pull-ups, and combat training. The newer members received extra attention during these sessions, their inexperience requiring additional instruction.
All this occurred before the first rays of sunlight crested the towering mountain that stood sentinel behind their settlement.
With exercises completed, the day's work commenced in earnest. The women headed to the garden fields to harvest ripe produce, while the men resumed construction on the second floor. The valley filled with the symphony of industry: hammers pounding nails, saws buzzing through timber, voices calling instructions and encouragement.
The women cleaned the freshly harvested food before transporting it to the root cellar for storage. Their additional task was preparing the ground for the new fields, which would extend further back and to the right of the existing plots. They removed obstacles and debris, occasionally enlisting the help of one of the men when they encountered something too heavy to move themselves.
With more hands available than during previous construction phases, the house would be completed within the week, including all necessary beds and furniture. Their breaks were brief—just long enough to consume a hasty breakfast—before returning to their respective duties.
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The Women of The Village
Inside the main dwelling, Theressa worked alongside the two new girls Adarna (13) and Hiraya (14), teaching them the daily chores. The kitchen area had been temporarily relocated outside as the expansion above created too much dust and debris below. The change was inconvenient but necessary until construction finished.
In the fields, Angeline, Betty, and Isabel demonstrated proper agricultural techniques to Donna, passing along the knowledge August had imparted to them. Donna embraced each new experience with characteristic enthusiasm, her cheerful disposition undiminished by the hard work. Her days at Maya Village had been filled with constant learning, never a moment of tedium.
Hunting expeditions had been postponed until after the construction was complete. Fortunately, their meat stores remained well-stocked with the preserved flesh of Arborwyrm, Boarat, and Rabbiet—exotic game unique to these lands.
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The Average Villager Level
The village inhabitants now averaged Level 2, with some notable exceptions. August led at Level 15, followed by Erik, Red, Jonathan, Christopher, Bren, Betty, and Angeline at Level 3. Isabel, Adam, and Theressa remained at Level 1. Progress was slow with experience points distributed among so many members, and beast-hunting had never been their primary focus.
August typically completed only his daily missions, while others practiced hunting independently or in groups to improve their teamwork while gaining valuable experience points. The meat they brought home served as both reward and sustenance. Now, however, all hunting activities had been suspended until the construction projects concluded.
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Phase 2.2 Complete!
Days passed swiftly, and soon the house stood 95% complete. Only beds, furniture, and finishing touches remained.
"Looks good, don't you think?" August asked Gel as they stood together admiring the upgraded dwelling, its newly added part of the second story rising proudly against the backdrop of forest and mountain.
Gel's eyes swept across the structure, remembrance and wonder mingling in her gaze. "Yeah, it was unthinkable just last year that we would have something like this built here. To even imagine people living with us seemed like such a remote possibility then." She looked beyond the house to where their companions celebrated outside, a makeshift feast spread across the new outdoor table they had constructed to enjoy meals amid the natural beauty surrounding them.
"True," August nodded, squeezing her hand gently. "I never expected you would find your father in that same forest, along with your friends. And the Trio—they seem to be having fun right now." He gestured toward the three newest members, who were laughing at something Erik had said.
"Let's go join them!" August tugged Gel's hand, pulling her toward the gathering.
The community would take a well-deserved break for the next couple of days, resting their bodies while their minds turned to planning the next phase of construction projects. The guest house, the water wheel, the expanded gardens—all would require careful consideration and preparation. But for now, they would celebrate what they had already accomplished, strengthening the bonds that made Maya Village not just a settlement, but a home.
As dusk settled over the valley and stars began to emerge overhead, August looked around at the faces illuminated by firelight—some he had known for what felt like lifetimes, others still new and full of mystery. Each person represented another thread in the tapestry they were weaving together in this remote place. Every day brought new challenges, but also new opportunities to grow stronger, both individually and as a community.
Tomorrow would bring more work, more growth, more life. But tonight was for celebration.