The two injured men and their wives could also be made examples of, for now, everyone had been watching. Geth didn't want them thinking he was some benevolent pushover. There would be rewards for their fealty, there would be no room for those who could become unruly.
'I'll give her one more chance, but not until the point gets across.' He thought, wondering if he would have kept himself from approaching Zolis in that situation. Regardless of his own thoughts, he wouldn't waver, he could never look weak in front of those he planned to lead.
He walked directly over to Hulk. "You ready to get everyone inside?"
Sara left his embrace and stifled her tears while gesturing for him to go ahead. Hulk then turned to Geth and nodded.
"Good. Then let's go ahead and get this over with." Geth walked back towards the double doors with Hulk following behind.
Those who were standing in the path quickly stepped to the side to let them by. Once they reached the doors the two of them turned to face the waiting crowd.
"Alright," Geth spoke loudly so that everyone could hear. "It has become clear to me that you have witnessed just how cruel this new world has become."
He stepped over to the woman and sister who were grieving for the young child nearby. His tone became softer "I am very sorry for your loss. If you decide you would like to raise your daughter here, I will make sure that your son is buried where you can visit him daily."
The woman wiped her tears and nodded, she couldn't just leave him in the woods. Geth stood and turned back to the crowd, this time looking at the other men and women.
"We may not know each other by name, but we are familiar with each other. We've lived in the same area for a few years and some of my children are friends with yours." He then looked over towards the woman who had stood in his way earlier.
"I will give you one chance, and one chance only." He cast Restoration on the man, the ragged breaths ceased and his wounds began to close. "I can offer all of you a safe place to live... But if anyone stands in my way, I will not hesitate to cast you out."
"My goal is for all of you to become strong enough to survive in this world. Of course, my reasons aren't selfless. You all becoming strong will help provide for and protect my family, just as I intend to help protect yours. If anyone here disagrees with any of this, you may leave now."
The woman whose husband he'd just healed hesitated, but ultimately she stayed after seeing that he had been completely healed. No one else budged. Geth waited for a moment before he looked around and nodded.
"Those of you, men or women, who wish to be fighters line up here to my right." He indicated with his staff.
There were a total of 7 young children. The others were men and women who were grown or in their teens. He watched as two teenage boys rushed forward to be first in line.
Behind them, ten men and three women followed behind. There was only one older man left in the group of five that didn't want to fight. Geth raised his eyebrow at him but didn't question it.
As he went to speak to the others, the old man stepped forward and spoke up.
"Sir, it isn't that I'm not willing to fight. I served our country, but I was almost discharged when they found I wasn't willing to take another human life..." He hesitated. "I ended up working the kitchens. If it's alright, Sir, I would be willing to hunt game out here in these woods and provide meals for those on the front lines."
Geth turned his full attention to the man, "What's your name?"
"I go by Chum here, Sir."
"Very well Chum, request granted. I would like for you to choose a couple of the women behind you to help in the kitchens. I know that one baked for a living. There will be a lot more mouths to feed than what you see here."
Looking at the last two women he asked, "Do either of you happen to be adept at sewing or working with clothing?"
Both women shook their heads, but the grieving woman stepped up for a moment and spoke. "I ran a small boutique, we made and sold our own clothing."
"Then if it is alright with you, I would like you to continue that work. Of course, the decision is up to you." He looked at her. The woman's eyes were strong, even after the hell she'd been through.
"If I can help in any way, I'm willing."
"Very well." He nodded. Then looked to the last two women who were unwilling to fight. "As for the two of you, I will expect you to watch and educate the children throughout the day. Is this something that you can handle?"
Both women nodded vigorously.
"Then it's settled." Geth pointed his staff to the green gem on the arched door. "Step forward one at a time to place your hand on the door."
The first teenage boy in line for the fighters did so, Geth swiftly added him as a resident.
"Welcome to Valhalla."
It didn't take long for everyone to line up and be brought into the Dungeon. None of them knew what to expect, but every one of them was amazed as soon as they stepped off of the last stair. The sadness that most of them felt was immediately washed away.
"I thought this was going to be some kind of cave!"
"It's so beautiful!"
"Is this actually where we'll be living?"
"How is all of this underground?"
Geth couldn't help but chuckle a bit at the last question. 'At least one of them thinks reasonably.' He thought.
He turned towards Farris, who was carrying the young boy's corpse. Geth gestured to him, the mother, and the young girl. "Come with me."
They followed him for a couple of hundred yards to one of the large trees surrounding the Barracks area.
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