<23 August 2024, GRAND MESA OF SUMMER, A+> [Julia]

Time to Primordial Flight: 38H - 27M - 53S

Julia was impressed by the dwarves. They were a force of nature when working with stone. Combined with Ordus's skills, they were making fantastic progress.

"Ye' sure he won't mind, lass?" Kreldar asked for the umpteenth time.

Julia smiled at the man. "Yes, Kreldar. Theo is many things, but unreasonable is not one of them; needing bricks to line the first five feet of the ramp should not be a problem. I don't think Theo has any plans for the Runestone Bricks other than to build with them, so if you want to use them, I don't think he will argue. But I do think we should find a way to house the Lantern sooner rather than later. And see if I will be able to lay permanent runes around the Homestead Core and the Lantern in case the outer wards are breached."

"Breached!" Kreldar sounded like he could laugh. "Do ye' not know? Runes scale in power ta' the size o' the rune. With tha' size o' the runes we created, you'd need a right massive attack from someone to breach 'em."

"I had an inkling, but we also faced a giant that could open holes in our Ward rune protections. So I think that multiple layers are warranted." Julia said.

Kreldar was about to respond when they spotted Theo walking through the woods in the moonlight.

[Theo and Julia] Theo walked up. "So how's it going?"

"It's going good!" Julia said with a smile. "How are things on your end?"

"The Cabin is empty." Theo said, "I think that we are good to go down there. Now, what can I do here?"

"First of all, unload all the bricks you have," Julia said, gesturing over to where Theo had already piled the other bricks. He walked over and quickly pulled the bricks out of his pouch. Even adding the scraps he had picked up at the cabin to the pile of leftovers from the work that had already been done on the Thronehold.

"That should put us at roughly twenty-eight hundred bricks," Theo said, looking at the stacks of bricks.

"Good. Now, you and I are going to work to lay a ring of Permanent Runes around the Homestead Core, and then once Kreldar gets whatever his plan for the Lantern is done, we will layer some runes around that as well." Julia said.

"Julia, can I help with the runes?" Sylvi asked.

"Of course," Julia said with a smile. Before they could continue, they all received a message.

>Homestead Message: Users Theo Sorrenson and Julia Brahmin, please come to the Homestead Core. I wish to finalize a few things and meet you.

Theo and Julia looked at each other and headed towards the plinth.

When they arrived, they stepped up and placed a hand on the core.

"Greetings. I am Core 7g98Hq-1. I am glad to finally meet you both. You may think your responses." The core said to them telepathically.

"Oh, this is cool," Julia said. "And hello seven-gee-something- something dash one. We should really give you a name."

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"I agree." Core 7g98Hq-1 said, "It is one of the things I needed to go over with you. I have three modes that I can operate in, and I need you to choose one. Are you willing to do that now?"

"Sure," Theo said.

"Excellent." Core 7g98Hq-1 said, and then a blue box appeared before Theo and Julia.

Homestead Core Operation Mode Interface Only All communication methods outside of System Messages will be disabled. Will issue and reward tasks using the System. Broad Communication Voice Interaction is available. Core will only issue and reward Tasks with the System but will be able to follow simple instructions regarding mana flow manipulation and control of linked arrays. System Assigned Personality The System will create and assign a name and personality to the Homestead Core. This will allow all forms of communication and allows the assigning of tasks outside of System tasks. Dynamic This will allow the Homestead Core to begin with only a name that you assign to it. It will then develop a personality in time. This will allow all forms of communication and allows the assigning of tasks outside of system tasks. PLEASE NOTE: This choice can not be changed.

"Okay..." Julia said, reading through the options provided. "Any thoughts, Theo?"

Theo thought for a moment. "I think that the last two are the best options, as it seems to open up more possibilities."

"If possible, I would like for you two to select the Dynamic option." Core 7g98Hq-1 said.

"Why is that?" Julia asked.

"Due to the delay in selecting the mode you would like, I have already begun to form a rudimentary personality matrix. That will change depending on the name you assign me and how things take place over the future, but I do have a vague sense of self." Core 7g98Hq-1 said in its rather robotic voice.

Theo shrugged, "Sure. Not a problem with me."

"Me either," Julia said.

Theo and Julia each selected Dynamic and were prompted to enter a name. Julia asked the core what it wanted.

"I have no preference for name; I am assuming that we will be working together for quite some time, so please pick something that you will enjoy.' Core 7g98Hq-1 said.

Theo pulled his hand away for a moment, and Julia followed suit. They had a quick discussion, and Julia placed her hand back on the core. "Do you have a preference of gender for the name?"

"I believe that I will leave that up to you both." Core 7g98Hq-1 said.

Julia pulled her hand away and then continued her discussion with Theo. Finally, they agreed. Theo and Julia placed their hands on the core again. Theo spoke first. "We picked a name that we think will suit you. It is the name of a goddess that an ancient culture in our world worshiped."

"Your name is Hestia. Named after the Greek Goddess of the hearth and home. We hope that you like it." Julia said happily.

A thrum of power flowed through the core, and when it spoke, she spoke in a low, smooth voice that evoked feelings of safety and warmth; there was an edge there, but it was unrecognizable and buried deep. "Thank you. I like the name you've chosen. That is all I needed; I am still establishing control over the mana in your claimed land. And as you build and alter things, that will change, but I will reach out if I need anything else. I will also automatically accept and track the completion of any System tasks for you both. But only for you both. Thank you again; I must rest now."

Theo and Julia pulled their hands back and then looked at each other.

"Alright then," Theo said, pulling out the Master Tool and gesturing to the flat top of the lowest step. "Ward runes?"

Julia nodded. "Ward runes."

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