Victor’s Plan Moves Forward

Victor had been carefully cultivating an idea among the villagers: independence. Not just from the storms or the cycles of planting and harvest, but from the Creche themselves. He had started small, planting the seeds in casual conversations.

“Why should we always rely on the Creche?” he would ask, his tone conversational but pointed. “They’re useful, sure, but doesn’t it bother you that we don’t know what they’re really thinking? What if they decide we’re not worth the trouble?”

Over time, this idea began to take root. The villagers respected the Creche, but they also feared them—a fear Victor skillfully exploited. His ultimate goal was clear to him: control. If he could wean the village off their dependence on the Creche, he could reshape their society in his image.

To this end, he had secretly begun stockpiling resources—tools, seeds, even rudimentary weapons. Maren and Elias were instrumental in this effort, recruiting a small but loyal group to help.