The city was growing fast.
Stone houses stood in rows. Shops buzzed with voices. Golem Guards stood tall at the gates. The banner of the Stone King flew high in the sky.
But now, it was time to build the heart of the city.
A place of strength.
A place of peace.
A place for Jin to lead, to rest, and to dream.
"We will build the citadel," Jin said to his people. "It will be the center of our home. Strong like a mountain. Watching over the forest."
The people nodded. They trusted him. He had given them safety, food, and hope. Now, he would give them a heart.
Jin chose a hill in the middle of the city. It was high and round, perfect for looking far into the distance—over the trees, the roads, and the sky.
"Here," he said, pointing. "This is where we will lead."
Big lizardmen builders came with stone arms. Healers brought moss and roots. Magic users arrived with glowing runes in their hands.
Together, they worked as one.
They cut stones from deep caves. They carried wood from tall trees. The citadel rose, day by day.
Black and gray walls. A high tower in the center. Rooms for maps, books, and beds.
Jin worked beside them. He lifted stones, drew runes, and planned each room with care.
"No gold walls," he told them. "We need strong walls. A place of peace. A place to protect everyone."
The citadel became more than a home. It was a promise—
A promise to never fall.
A promise to stand tall in the storm.
When it was finished, Jin stood at the gate. He looked up at the tower, where the banner waved in the wind.
"This is not just my home," he said. "This is for all of us. Our future begins here."
The people clapped. Some cried. Some smiled.
The heart of the kingdom had begun to beat.
---
Later, Jin had a new idea.
"I want to build more golems," he said. "Stone guards. Stone workers. Stone friends."
The people remembered the first golem—the tall one standing by the gate. It never moved, but it made everyone feel safe.
Jin looked at his hands. He had once been a golem too—strong, quiet, full of power. He wanted to share that strength with others.
"We will make a workshop," he said. "A place where we create golems with magic, stone, and runes."
They chose land near the citadel. Flat and quiet. Good for magic.
The builders made thick stone walls and wide doors. Inside were long tables, glowing crystals, and magic circles carved into the floor.
"Place the core here," Jin said, showing them the runes. "Shape the body. Speak the words. Give it a name."
Their first golem was small—only the size of a child. It stood, glowing with blue eyes, and walked with slow steps.
The people clapped.
"Stone child!" someone said with a smile.
But Jin had more plans.
"We need workers," he said. "Helpers for farming, building, and guarding."
So they made many types of golems:
Strong ones with big arms.
Flat ones to carry things.
Sharp-eyed ones for watching the walls.
Each golem had a crystal heart. Each had a name.
The people called the place the Golem Workshop. It became a gift to the whole city.
"You will not fight alone," Jin told them. "Stone will walk beside you."
Soon, the workshop was full of life. New ideas came every day—stone animals, flying rocks with wings, even talking stones with small voices.
Children watched with wide eyes. Builders worked faster. Guards felt safe.
One night, Jin stood at the door of the workshop. He looked at the stars and smiled.
"This is only the beginning," he whispered.
"Stone will help life grow."
---
But even with strength and stone, something was missing.
Jin stood at the top of the citadel and looked down at the busy streets. Soldiers trained. Golems worked. Smoke rose from chimneys.
"It is strong," he said, "but where is peace?"
He remembered his old life—dark, cold, deep in the dungeon. No light. No color. No rest.
Now, he wanted something soft. Something healing. Something beautiful.
"We will make a garden," he said.
The people were surprised.
"A garden?" a warrior asked. "Is it useful?"
"It feeds the heart," Jin replied. "It brings peace."
They agreed.
They chose a wide space near the citadel. They brought rich soil from the forest and planted tall trees and flowers in every color—red, yellow, purple, and blue.
They made a small river with magic. Clear water flowed gently, with soft sounds.
Stone benches were placed around the trees. Children played. Elders rested. People laughed and talked.
Then, Jin said, "We need a bathhouse."
"A bath?" someone asked. "For everyone?"
"Yes," he said. "A public bath. With warm water to clean the body and steam to calm the mind."
Builders worked quickly. They made stone walls and wooden roofs. Inside were pools—some hot, some cold. Fire magic heated the water from the ground.
Steam rose into the air. It was warm and gentle.
Jin visited one evening. He stepped into the hot water and closed his eyes.
"This is good," he whispered.
Soon, people from all parts of the city came to the bath. Old and young. Soldiers and workers.
In the evening, they walked through the garden, looking at the flowers, holding hands, smiling.
Jin saw them and nodded.
"This is not just a city of stone," he said.
"It is a home."
---
One morning, as the sun rose high, Jin stood on the citadel balcony.
The forest was quiet. The city was alive.
Stone homes. Golems. Gardens. Baths. Laughter.
But one thing was still missing.
"This place is alive," Jin said. "It is strong and full of light. But it has no name."
Everyone gathered. Warriors, builders, healers, even children—all turned to him.
"You gave us life, Master Jin," one said. "You must give it a name."
Jin closed his eyes. He thought of his past life—alone in the dark, without a voice or a name.
Now, he had a voice. A people. A dream.
He looked at them and said:
> "This land is born from stone.
It is strong, but kind.
We rose from earth, pain, and battle.
So I name it… Garnolith."
The people repeated the name softly.
"Garnolith…"
Jin raised his hand.
"It means Stone of Rebirth.
We are born again here.
This is our beginning."
Cheers rose from every corner.
Then they change the first banner with A new banner.
A great new banner was lifted high—black stone cloth, with a golden crest shaped like a mountain and a flame.
"Long live Garnolith!" they cried.
Jin stood tall as the wind blew past him. He felt his heart beat strong.
This was no longer just a forest.
No longer a place of survivors.
This was a kingdom.
And he… was its king.