Atlas returned back to the forest, but this time with a large group of people— in order to collect the rocks they needed for making stone tools.
For the spears and arrowheads they went with the crystal, but for the pickaxes and hammers, they went for a more sturdy rock.
The next few minutes were spent with Atlas educating a group of people on how to make stone tools.
Surprisingly, out of everyone present, an old man named Draft showed far more fitness than even the younger people and was as such left in charge of the preparations.
When he was sure that they knew what they were doing, Atlas left them to themselves and walked to one of the shelters Dahlia had constructed, with Akaman in tow.
They soon arrived in front of the shelter where Dahlia was waiting for them, but while Atlas went underneath it, Akaman stood at its entrance, watching the structure warringly.
"Are you sure this is safe?" He asked, poking the roof with his spear. "Dahlia did make it after all…"
Dahlia smiled, but not the pleasant kind of smile. She suddenly grabbed the stone dagger Aylas had made out of his hands and played with its dangerously sharp tip.
Akaman immediately sat down strategically beside Atlas.
"On second thoughts… It looks pretty sturdy!"
Dahlia then frowned and turned her attention to Atlas.
"What did you want to discuss with us?"
Letting out a tired sigh, he grabbed the dagger and pried it out of Dahlia's grip to avoid any unfortunate 'accidents' before speaking.
"There are a few things we need if we want to survive in this forest, the stone tools are for this exact purpose."
"One of the things on my list is proper housing."
Akaman cackled from his side but looked away immediately Dahlia's murderous gaze landed on him.
It was not that Dahlia was incompetent, at that time they simply needed shades above their heads, it was never meant for long term use.
Ignoring them, Atlas continued speaking:
"We need wood to build proper homes, but there was no way to cut down trees with the tools we had at that time…"
Dahlia nodded.
"That is why you made stone axes."
Spears, daggers, axes, pick axes and hammers were the five primary tools they were currently constructing.
"I understand what you are aiming for, but stone weapons are nonsense compared to iron. Why don't we just try finding people?"
Akaman scoffed and placed his spear on his lap.
"What if they are hostile? We can't protect ourselves with what we currently have. If they are the least bit advanced, they could wipe out every single one of us within a day."
"Aren't you being a little pessimistic?" Dahlia asked, giving him a blank stare but Atlas shook his head slightly.
"No, he's right. And there is still the matter of trade. It would have been different if it were just two or three people, we can't expect them to offer assistance that will cover our entire population for free."
"We need whatever they use to trade here, or at least something valuable enough to put us in a better position."
"Now for what we'll be doing with the stone tools…"
Atlas then went over his plan for their village over the next couple of weeks.
First, they needed a well, currently their primary source of water was a river some distance away from camp.
The only thing they had for fetching water were bamboo stems that had been transformed into flasks.
Although they were in the process of making water skins with the leather they obtained from their hunts… it was still inefficient.
There was also the matter of disease. They still didn't know what kind of illnesses were in this new world.
If anyone were to get sick from drinking contaminated water, then it would spread like a plague and without the drugs needed to combat this sickness, the results will be catastrophic.
Also, the well was not just useful because of the water…
Atlas was planning on getting clay from the well as well (pun intended), clay they he would fashion into pots and vessels.
And finally, the last thing on their short term list of advancements was a village center. They would try to build a log cabin, using the materials they had currently!
"Building a well with stone tools… That is quite ambitious. But I like it, let's get started!" Dahlia said, rising to her feet."
***
Whoosh!
With one massive swing, the dirt was suddenly parted as Akaman drove his pickaxe into the soil. A wooden shovel soon followed to shovel out the loose earth.
The sun stood high up in the sky like an ever present observer watching them from above. Unlike the soft morning rays, the sun had become merciless and bathed them with its scorching rays.
Akaman had long taken off his shirt to stave off the heat, revealing his toned muscles, a gift from the many years of war.
His antics had gathered quite the fan club, the girls who had finished foraging now stood by the side, under the pretence of inspection, while in truth they were secretly stealing glances at the former soldier—
As well as hoping the heat would push their Lord to replicate his actions.
Meanwhile, Dahlia was watching them from underneath the safety of one of the shelters.
"Is that the best you can do?!" She screamed from a distance, causing Akaman to momentarily stop and stare daggers in her direction.
"Use that anger to dig properly you oaf, the ground isn't going to dig itself you know!"
Akaman rose to his feet and pointed his pickaxe at her.
"Why don't you join us if it's so easy?"
"I am an intellectual, the dirty grub work is for people like you! Idiots with no brains!"
Atlas sighed, for someone so small she was actually rather loud.
'What does that make me then…' He was catching stray bullets just by existing.
Atlas expected the work to slow down due to their argument but the reverse was the case.
Using his anger to fuel his work, Akaman drove the axe into the soil with even more vigour, earning a smile from Dahlia.
The work was progressing quickly, the good thing about having so many people was that there was no shortage of workers.
Whenever a group of workers got tired, another group world take their place. Only Atlas and Akaman refused to switch out, both of them having an unspoken bet of who would retire first.
The work would have proceeded even faster but—
'This heat…'
Many of the workers were breathing heavily while gulping down large amounts of water underneath the shades.
The sun was just too merciless.
Atlas grabbed the corner of his shirt and tugged it forward. Unknown to him, the girls that were watching by the side leaned in ever so slightly.
But when he released his shirt and went back to work they all let out disappointed sighs.
Atlas and Akaman continued to work on the well along with the rest of the workers for hours but by then the heat had become unbearable.
The girls were already on the verge of giving up but they were a few who were highly motivated.
Some had even gone as far as plucking large leaves to use as umbrellas.
Yet, a few of them had gotten tired and were about to leave when Atlas suddenly grabbed his shirt and tossed it to the side.
"Yes!!"
Someone screamed from the side while Dahlia sighed, tapping her forehead with her palms.
Akaman let out a small laugh.
"Took you long enough, now let's get this well over with!" Akaman lifted his axe high above his head and brought it down with tremendous force.
"Hyaaaaa!"
Boom!
His pickaxe suddenly exploded against a rock, shattering the tool to pieces. Simultaneously, Atlas' shovel snapped from overload.
They both stretched out their hands and screamed simultaneously, sweat making their bodies glisten under the sun.
"Next!"
But the old man in charge of the construction shook his head slightly.
"That was the last of them, you are breaking them faster than we can produce— we need more time."
The man then watched how they both were panting heavily.
"In the meantime you boys should get some rest or you'll drop dead."
Akaman hissed.
"I guess our battle remains undecided for now!"
Atlas smiled, breathing heavily as sweat dripped down his face.
"Too bad, especially when you were just a few seconds away from breaking."
Akaman smirked.
"We both know that would have never happened."
The two of them began climbing out of the well, but just as they stepped on solid ground…
"My lord! Akaman! You must be exhausted!"
They were suddenly accosted by a flood of beauties.
"Here have some water."
"You should rest over here."
"Have you eaten? Have some berries."
Atlas smiled nervously, he was not used to this kind of attention.
'I guess this is what being loved by your people feels like.'
For the first time since he was born, he actually felt like the lord he was meant to be.
***
Over the Next couple of days, the project proved to be far more difficult than they expected.
They discovered clay on the first day and began making the clay pots they desperately needed.
Using the clay and rocks, they lined the sides of the well they were constructing to keep the water clean.
And finally, on the third day…
{Advancement! Medieval Well!}
Surrounded by his people, Atlas took a clay bowl and took the first sip of the water.
The water was cool and refreshing, free of any form of contamination or chemical treatment. With just a sip, Atlas felt his body tingle with excitement, he gulped down the rest of it in one go.
He then lifted the bowl into the air and let out a satisfied sigh.
"Tastes like heaven!"
"HURAHHHHH!" The people cheered in celebration, just before rushing forward to have a taste for themselves.
They were one step closer to restarting civilization.