The morning after the crimson sky, Kael was still trying to convince himself it hadn't happened.
He went about the usual smithy routine: clearing the ashes from the forge, sorting iron scraps, and sharpening tools for the farmers who came in early.
Torren was quieter than usual, humming tunelessly as he hammered a blade.
"You're walking like you didn't sleep," Torren said after a while, not looking up.
Kael shrugged. "I didn't."
"Too much bread before bed?" Torren smirked, then swung the hammer again. "Or still thinking about that glowing sky?"
"I'm thinking about how you told me the sky's color doesn't matter to a man who works steel," Kael replied.
"That's right." Torren wiped sweat from his brow. "Steel doesn't care for omens."
Before Kael could answer, voices outside caught their attention. The sound was unusual for this early, too many people speaking at once, like something had happened.
The door swung open and Jorren Kade poked his head in. "Mayor's called everyone to the hall," he said. "Something from the city."
---
By the time they reached the hall, half the village was there. The mayor stood at the front, holding a sealed parchment. Next to him was a courier in a mud-stained cloak, looking impatient.
"This is official," the mayor began.
"By order of the Crown, the abandoned Blackspire Hold and its lands are to be claimed and managed by Graywick Village. For settlement and defense purposes."
People murmured. Kael noticed a few exchanging uneasy glances, Blackspire was old and half in ruins, but it was also rumored to be near strange places in the hills where people had gone missing.
"We'll need someone to act as steward," the mayor continued. "The position is voluntary, but carries the responsibility of upkeep, security, and...."
Rion Valen's father stepped forward. "My son's the clear choice. A-tier wind talent, already accepted to Windspire Academy."
"That's nice," someone muttered, "but he's leaving in two days."
Alyra Fen spoke from the side, her tone calm. "If this is about security, you'll need someone who's not afraid to stay there. The hold's near the old cave network, isn't it? The ones people think are dungeons?"
The room quieted. People didn't talk much about the caves.
Old Garrick, leaning on his cane, nodded. "Used to be miners there, before things… changed. Strange lights, noises at night. Could be beasts moved in. Could be worse."
"Worse?" Jorren asked.
"Dungeons," Garrick said simply.
Rion rolled his eyes. "Children's stories."
"They're not stories," Alyra said flatly. "You can sense mana build-up in the area even from the hilltop."
The mayor cleared his throat. "Point is, the hold needs someone. It's too important to leave empty."
Kael felt the golden panel stir faintly in his mind.
Potential domain detected.
He stepped forward. "I'll do it."
Several people turned to look at him.
"You?" Rion laughed. "The F-rank? You'd be lucky to fix one broken wall before the hold falls in on you."
Kael ignored him. "I'm not leaving the village, and I can work. If no one else wants it, I'll take the responsibility."
The mayor studied him for a long moment, then looked at the room. "Any other volunteers?"
Silence.
"Then it's settled," the mayor said. "Kael Draven, steward of Blackspire Hold."
---
The ride to the hold the next morning was quiet. Jorren came along to help carry supplies, and Lina Morwen joined to bring food and tools. Alyra, surprisingly, walked with them for the first mile, saying she wanted to "check something" before parting ways.
The hold itself was worse than Kael expected. The outer wall was broken in two places, weeds had taken over the courtyard, and the main gate was hanging off one hinge.
Jorren whistled. "You're going to need half the village to fix this."
"Or I'll work twice as hard," Kael said.
They unloaded the supplies. As Jorren and Lina prepared to leave, Kael wandered toward the back of the courtyard. There, half-hidden by vines, was an old stone stairway leading downward. The air from below was cool and faintly damp.
"Basement?" Jorren called.
Kael shook his head. "Too deep for a basement."
He felt a faint hum under his boots—familiar, like the one he'd felt before the sky turned crimson.
The panel flashed in his mind.
---
[Hidden Structure Detected: Unregistered Dungeon Entrance]
Dungeon growth rate: ×100 under current domain bonus.
---
Kael's pulse quickened.