Stronghold Rising

They found ruins. Now they must build a future - or die trying. When Edwin and his weary band of survivors stumble upon the abandoned village of Greenreach, they uncover more than just ash and rubble. Signs of a brutal goblin raid mark the land - but so does the opportunity to start again. Armed with a mysterious Stronghold Stone and guided by a game-like System interface only he can see, Edwin has one shot to turn these ruins into a stronghold. But the village still hides secrets... and possibly traps left by those who came before. Goblins. Tragedy. A defiled shrine. And winter is coming fast. A base-building LitRPG short story packed with exploration, tense decision-making, and a spark of hope in a brutal world. Perfect for fans of survival fantasy, settlement progression, and stories where a stronghold rises from the ashes.