The morning light crept softly across the rocky ground outside their cave, tinting the salt lake in pale silver hues. Mist hung low, curling and unraveling with every breath of wind. Evan stirred before the others, the lingering scent of ash and warmth from last night's fire still clinging to his clothes.
He rubbed his eyes and smiled faintly. The cubs were a tangle of soft limbs and fur near the hearth; Kael slept near the entrance, his arm lazily draped over a spear, while Silas sat upright already, sharpening a bone blade with quiet focus.
After breakfast — a simple stew of roots and salted strips of dried meat — Evan finally opened the system screen. It shimmered into view like a ripple in air, faintly humming. The blue light illuminated the cave's inner walls, casting a soft glow on his face.
The screen displayed a glowing schematic — intricate, pulsing lines that seemed almost alive. It showed an extension of their current cave — two chambers clearly marked Bath and Toilet. Thin blue veins spread beneath them like roots, branching into a network of drainage lines.
Evan stared, captivated.
"It's not just luxury — it's progress," he thought. "Warm water, cleanliness, comfort… this is how civilization starts. One step, one idea, one bit of warmth in a cold land."
His fingers brushed through the light as if touching the future. Then, with a decisive nod, he closed the system.
"Silas! Kael!" he called out, his voice carrying into the crisp air outside.
Both men looked up, curious. Silas had already rolled up his sleeves, his expression expectant. "What's it this time, Evan?" he asked with a small grin. "Another idea of yours?"
"Something like that," Evan said, picking up a piece of the burned firewood. He crouched near the cave wall, brushing away a few specks of dust before starting to draw. "I've been thinking… we should build a bathroom and a toilet."
Kael blinked. "A what?"
"A bathroom," Evan repeated, sketching quickly. "A chamber where we can bathe inside — with privacy and warm water. And a toilet — a separate chamber for… you know." He coughed lightly, avoiding their stares. "For excreting."
Silas raised a brow, amusement flickering across his face. "You mean no more running into the cold woods at dawn?"
"Exactly," Evan said, straightening. "It's dangerous in winter. Especially for the cubs. And honestly… I like things clean. The idea of washing in a frozen lake isn't exactly thrilling."
Kael let out a small chuckle. "You and your strange habits, Evan. Always thinking of comfort before the hunt."
Silas laughed, but his eyes softened with pride. "Still, he's not wrong. Comfort means strength. A orc who rests well fights better."
Evan smiled at that. "Then let's make this together."
He continued sketching, his strokes firm but graceful. The rough black lines formed two domed chambers — one slightly above the ground level, connected by a narrow set of stairs.
"This one here," he said, pointing to the larger dome, "will be the bathroom — built about six feet I mean some distance higher than the main cave. The slope allows the water to drain out easily through a small outlet hole here." He tapped the sketch. "The toilet chamber will be next to it, just a few steps away. We'll keep it lower, close to the ground — to keep the air flow better."
Kael squinted at the drawing, scratching his chin. "You think of all these things… as if you've seen them before."
Evan hesitated, lips parting slightly. "I just… imagine how things could be better."
Silas chuckled, shaking his head. "You never stop surprising me, little one."
Evan puffed a cheek playfully. "And you never stop calling me that.I am not little"
"Well, until you stop these new ideas , I don't think I will."
The air filled with laughter — a rare, easy sound that warmed the cold morning.
Silas studied the blueprint drawn by Evan again, impressed despite himself. "It looks difficult to made, but manageable. We can raise the bathroom level with stones from the western ridge. Kael and I can start cutting while you… draw your mysterious drawings "
"I'll draw and help, thank you very much," Evan said, mock-indignant.
Kael chuckled. "Then let's start with the toilet chamber.This one looks easy to build. The higher one can wait till we complete this one."
Evan nodded. "Good idea. And… we'll keep the toilet chamber sealed tight once it's done. The smell shouldn't mix with the living space."
Silas grinned. "You're even thinking of the smell? Oh Beast God, how came you give me such sensible mate."
Evan rolled his eyes. "Hn... always mocking me."
...
By mid-morning, the sound of chisels and scraping filled the air. Silas's powerful strikes echoed against the rocks, each thud sending vibrations through the ground. Kael worked steadily beside him, his hands and forearms dusted with pale stone powder.
Evan stayed inside the cave , tending to a pot over the fire. Steam rose lazily, carrying the scent of herbs and wild roots. He occasionally looked outside, for checking their progress.
Inside, his thoughts were a whirl of satisfaction and wonder.
"They're actually doing it. This place… this lonely cave in the wilderness… is becoming a home."
A soft breeze swept in, carrying dust motes that shimmered like gold flecks in sunlight.
By noon, Silas and Kael had carved out the rough chamber for the toilet — smooth-walled and round, with a gentle curve that caught the light.
Evan called them for lunch.
"Take a break," he said, setting out bowls of steaming broth and roasted tubers. "You'll both faint if you keep going like that."
Silas sank down beside him, sweat glistening along his neck. "We are orcs Evan, you are just spoil us too much."
"Consider it a reward for your hard labor," Evan said, handing him a cup.
Kael smirked. "If building strange things for you comes with this kind of food, I'll agree to build a castle next."
Evan laughed softly. "One thing at a time."
After lunch, he joined them outside. The air had grown colder, and the mist had thickened.Evan was once again impressed with the power of orcs . Then he walked towards the newly build chamber. After reaching there he evrolled up his sleeves and knelt beside the chamber, inspecting the walls.
"Here," he said, pointing to a spot near the edge. "The pit will go here. Make sure the stone base is thick. Once it's ready, we'll carve a stone slab with a hole in it — and place it over the pit boundaries which will be surrounded by stones , the seat will not too high, just enough to sit comfortably."
Silas gave him a teasing look. "Comfort again?"
"Yes," Evan said firmly. "Clean and comfortable. My two favorite things."
Kael laughed, shaking his head. "You really don't belong in the wild, do you? Different from all the females I had seen."
Evan met his eyes, a quiet smile curving his lips. "Maybe not. But I belong here — with my small family."
For a brief moment, neither of them spoke. Then Silas cleared his throat, cheeks faintly flushed. "Right, let's get back to work."
.....
Hours passed. The rhythmic sounds of stone carving continued, blending with the occasional chirp of distant birds. Silas fetched water, mixed clay soil for sealing the stone joints, and Evan offered quiet instructions. His delicate hands often brushed against rough granite, tracing lines to test for cracks.
By evening, the outline of the toilet chamber was complete. The floor was smooth, the walls firm. Together, they arranged carved stones around the pit, layering them with care. Finally, Silas lifted a heavy slab — thick, solid, and carefully hollowed — and placed it over the ring of stones. A small, precise hole sat at its center.
"There," Silas said, stepping back and wiping sweat from his brow. "Your strange invention is ready."
Kael ran his fingers along the stone seat, admiring the clean structure. "It's actually… beautiful," he admitted.
Evan's eyes gleamed with pride. "It's not just beautiful — it's safe. And practical."
Silas laughed, his deep voice echoing. "You know, for someone who hates dirt, you've got a gift for shaping earth and stone."
Evan looked up at him, cheeks flushed from the heat and exhaustion — and before he could think, he leaned forward and pressed a quick kiss on Silas's cheek.
Silas froze, eyes wide.
But in his excitement, Evan turned — and accidentally brushed his lips against Kael's cheek too.
A thick silence fell. The air itself seemed to hold its breath.
Evan blinked, realizing what he'd done. "Oh— I— I didn't mean—"
Kael's ears turned scarlet, his lips twitching. "That… was unexpected."
Silas rubbed the back of his neck, his grin replaced with a expression of something awkward with a hint of jealousy "I suppose that was a mistake.Evan didn't mean too."
Evan groaned, hiding his face. "Don't mention it !"
"It's a way to celebrate our hardwork..."
By looking at Evan's red face and awkward smile.
Both orcs burst out laughing, their voices blending with the gentle echo of the evening wind.
---
That night, exhaustion settled deep into their bones. The fire crackled quietly inside the main cave. The cubs slept soundly, curled against each other in their chamber.Outside, the new stone chambers gleamed faintly under the pale moon, their smooth surfaces catching soft silver light.
Evan lay near the hearth, listening to the faint hum of the wind through the cave mouth.
"Little by little," he thought, "we're building something real. A place not just to survive — but to live."
Silas turned on his side, his low voice breaking the silence. "Tomorrow, we'll start the bathroom."
Evan smiled faintly, his eyelids growing heavy. "Mm. The blueprint of comfort is only halfway done."
Kael chuckled sleepily from the other side. "Blueprint of comfort… that sounds like something only you'd say."
Evan's voice was soft, almost dreamlike. "Maybe. But someday, we'll look back and remember — it started here. In this little cave."
The sound of the crackling fire filled the air once more, and one by one, their breaths evened out. The day's labor faded into the rhythm of quiet rest.
Outside, the stars shimmered like watchful eyes above their humble creation — a testament to warmth, to unity, and to the small miracles born from human hands.
That night, even the wind seemed to whisper through the stones, carrying a promise —
a promise of comfort, and of beginnings yet to come.
.....
Some pictures for reference.