The clang of hammers and the hiss of molten metal filled Dock 13. What was once a battered ruin now blazed with purpose. Rows of dwarven forges belched thick black smoke, their fires burning day and night under Iron Bastion command. Sparks danced like stars in the dim haze, lighting up the faces of blacksmiths and workers.
Ethan walked along the main causeway, inspecting every structure that rose from the wreckage. Reinforced walls of darksteel lined the docks. Towers—short but thick—were now equipped with swivel-mounted rune cannons powered by condensed mana crystals.
It was no longer just a dock. It was becoming a fortress.
[System Notification]
Dock 13 Upgrades in Progress:
Defensive Rating: 60% → 78%
Reinforced Walls: Level 2 (Iron Plating)
Rune Cannons: Level 1 (Mana Burst)
Guard Barracks: Under Construction (ETA: 8 Hours)
Brandon stood nearby, overseeing a group of Iron Bastion engineers etching runes into the new cannon barrels. "You know," he said, wiping sweat from his brow, "for dwarves, they sure work fast. But they're bossy as hell."
Kaela gave him a dry look. "They're not bossy. They just hate incompetence. Which means they must love you."
Brandon frowned. "Ha-ha."
Grumhald, the Bastion Overseer, stomped toward them, his heavy boots echoing against the iron floor. "Aye, that's enough jesting. We've got walls to fortify and soldiers to train. Dock 13's a stronghold now, but she's not invincible yet."
Ethan nodded. "What about the mines? Any progress from the southern shafts?"
Grumhald handed him a rough map marked in glowing chalk. "Aye. We've expanded two levels deeper. Found veins o' pure verdanite—rare stuff, sings with mana. Worth its weight in gold and blood. But ye best be careful. That much mana draws attention."
Ethan's eyes flickered to the horizon. "You mean the Magisterium and the Consortium."
"Aye." Grumhald spat to the side. "The mages are sniffin' around again. Got reports of spies in the tunnels last night. Shadows that don't belong to men."
The Fortress Takes Shape
Hours passed. NPC guards in heavy dwarven mail patrolled the perimeter while player volunteers trained under Iron Bastion instructors. Every clang of steel echoed like a heartbeat through the dock.
The new defense system was fully operational by evening. When Ethan stood at the watchtower and activated the central core, the entire fortress lit up with lines of crimson light tracing through the steel plating.
[System Notification]
Dock 13 Defense Protocol Activated!
Rune Wall Barrier: +45% Magic Resistance
Automated Turret Response: Enabled
Detection Radius Expanded: 150 Meters
Brandon grinned. "Damn, now that's a light show. Feels like we're running a sci-fi base instead of a dock."
Kaela crossed her arms, eyes scanning the defenses. "Enjoy the view while it lasts. They'll come for it soon."
As if summoned by her words, a Bastion scout ran up, panting. "Commander Ethan! Enemy activity detected north-east of the reef! Two vessels flying black sails—likely Shadow Consortium."
Ethan's grip tightened on his weapon. "Everyone to positions. Grumhald, activate the cannons."
The Shadow Consortium's Move
The waves churned as sleek, dark ships approached under the cover of night. The faint gleam of poisoned harpoons and grappling hooks flashed in the moonlight.
From the tower, Kaela shouted, "They're deploying assassins on the southern ridge!"
Ethan gritted his teeth. "They're testing our defenses. Fire!"
[System Notification]
Rune Cannon Fired!
Damage Dealt: 731 | 735 | 739 | Critical Hit: 945!
Explosions lit up the sea, sending one of the Consortium's ships veering off course. Dwarven gunners cheered, reloading with disciplined precision.
Assassins leapt from the shadows onto the dock's edge—only to meet Brandon's blade.
"[Whirlwind Slash]!"
Damage Dealt: 523 | 547 | 559 | 563!
Blood splattered across the iron plating. One assassin tried to counter, slashing upward.
[Enemy Status Window]
Name: Shadow Consortium Assassin
HP: 8,500 / 9,000
Attack: 680
Agility: 920
Skills: [Shadow Blink], [Poisoned Edge], [Veil Strike]
The assassin flickered out of sight—only for Kaela to intercept, activating her ability.
"[Arcane Trap: Phase Seal]!"
Damage: 687 | 701 | 709!
The shadow blink failed mid-step, trapping the assassin in place as Ethan's aura flared.
"[Abyssal Rend]!"
Damage: 777 | 793 | 815 | Critical Hit: 917!
The assassin crumpled, dissolving into digital ash.
Ethan turned to the rest. "Keep them off the walls! No one breaches the core!"
The Battle for the Dock
The fight stretched into hours. The Shadow Consortium's ambush grew desperate. Waves of stealth units and sea mercenaries attacked in bursts. But for every blade that reached the dock, a rune cannon roared in retaliation.
Grumhald himself joined the front line, his hammer glowing with molten fury.
"By the Bastion's name!" he roared, smashing a mercenary flat. "No shadow'll claim me walls!"
[System Notification]
Grumhald used [Molten Quake]!
Damage Dealt: 1003 | 1009 | 1015 | AoE Burn: 213/sec (5s).
Kaela coordinated from the watchtower, marking targets and channeling mana into the cannons. Brandon darted between enemies, blades flashing like lightning.
By dawn, the last Consortium ship retreated beyond the reef—burning and battered.
[System Notification]
Battle of Dock 13 – Victory!
XP Gained: +185,000
Reputation Gained: +400 (Iron Bastion)
Reputation Lost: -200 (Shadow Consortium)
Dock Integrity: 78% → 91%
Aftermath and Resolve
When the sun rose, Dock 13 glimmered gold and steel. The wounded were treated in makeshift infirmaries, while Bastion smiths began immediate repairs.
Grumhald approached Ethan with a grim smile. "Ye've done well, lad. The Bastion'll remember this day. Dock 13's no longer just a fort—it's a symbol. And symbols draw both allies… and enemies."
Ethan nodded slowly, eyes fixed on the horizon where the Consortium's ships vanished. "Then we'll build it higher. Stronger. Until no one can touch it."
Kaela stepped beside him, her tone cautious. "And what about the Magisterium? They won't sit idle. If they see the Bastion growing too strong, they'll intervene."
Brandon cracked a grin. "Let them come. The more the merrier."
Ethan's expression hardened. "No. We won't wait for them. We'll prepare. Every weapon, every defense, every trade route. This dock will be the heart of the ocean."
[System Notification]
Main Quest Updated: "Forged in Iron and Blood"
Status: Completed
Reward: +1 Iron Bastion Reputation Tier (Allied → Honored)
Unlock: "Fortress Dock 13 Blueprint" (Grants access to advanced naval upgrades and mana-reactive weapons.)