The air crackled with the raw energy of Borak's Mana Blast. The Evergreen warriors erupted in a cacophony of shouts and cries.
"Mana! What sorcery is this?!"
"They've broken the ancient laws!"
"The Bloodfang have consorted with outsiders!"
Thorne, his face a mask of fury, rounded on Korga, his voice booming across the clearing. "Korga! You dog! You dare bring the forbidden energy of the kingdoms into our sacred lands? You swore allegiance to the Wildbeast Border! You have betrayed us all!"
Instead of the unease Thorne expected, Korga erupted in a wild, arrogant laugh. It echoed through the clearing, a chilling sound that silenced the outraged cries of the Evergreen warriors.
"Betrayal?" Korga sneered, his eyes gleaming with a manic light. "You fools cling to your outdated rituals and your pathetic 'ancient laws.' You think your indignation matters? You think your cries will reach beyond this forest?"
He gestured dismissively at the assembled tribesmen. "You are insects, crawling on the edge of the kingdom. And the Silica Kingdom... it is the storm that will sweep you all away."
Korga's laughter intensified. "You think your accusations matter? By the time you even understand the threat, it will be too late. The Silica Kingdom is preparing an expedition. An expedition to 'cleanse' the Wildbeast Border. Every tribe, every warrior, every last one of you will be crushed beneath their heel. Your 'sacred lands' will become a graveyard!"
Meanwhile, away from the immediate uproar, Thornek and Thaggar exchanged a swift, significant glance. Thornek's eyes held a flicker of surprise, quickly replaced by a smug satisfaction. Thaggar's nervous winces from his "injuries" seemed to lessen, a subtle air of relief washing over his features.
Thornek gave a nearly imperceptible nod to Thaggar, a silent communication passing between them. They truly possess such power, Thornek's eyes seemed to say, a hint of awe mixed with his self-congratulatory thought. We were right to align ourselves with the Silica Kingdom. This confirms our wisdom.
Thaggar offered a slight, tight-lipped smile in return, his earlier discomfort seemingly forgotten. Our future is secure, his expression echoed. The old ways are weak. The Kingdom's power is the path to survival... and perhaps more. They watched the unfolding scene with a newfound sense of security in their treacherous decision.
Amidst the chaos, Usato remained remarkably calm. His eyes, fixed on Borak, held not a trace of fear or panic. Instead, they gleamed with a strange, almost clinical interest.
"Sky," he murmured internally, his voice laced with excitement, "analyze the properties of this 'mana.' It appears to be a distinct energy source, unlike the Totemic energy we've observed. What are its potential applications and weaknesses?"
Sky's response was immediate and focused. "Analyzing, Host. Mana signatures indicate a highly concentrated form of external energy, distinct from the internal life force utilized in Totem manifestations. It appears to be readily manipulated for offensive purposes, as demonstrated by Borak's 'Mana Blast.' Potential weaknesses are being calculated."
Borak, witnessing Usato's unnervingly calm demeanor, misread it entirely. He assumed the outsider was simply too stunned to react. A cruel smile spread across his face. "What's wrong, outsider? Cat got your tongue? Or are you finally realizing the true power of the kingdoms? You tribal savages are nothing compared to us!"
With a renewed surge of mana, Borak launched another attack, a barrage of mana-infused strikes aimed to overwhelm Usato. As Borak's attacks came raining down, Usato, still dodging and weaving, continued his mental conversation with Sky. "Sky, based on your analysis, what are the possible countermeasures? Can we adapt our nanobot projections to counter this 'mana'?"
"Negative, Host," Sky responded, its electronic voice devoid of emotion. "Mana's potent energy density renders direct counteraction with our current nanobot configurations ineffective. The optimal strategy is to observe and exploit Borak's weaknesses. Await a lapse in his control, an opening in his defenses, or the depletion of his mana reserves. Then, we counterattack."
Usato, understanding the strategic implication, a familiar thrill coursing through him, responded with a grin. "Ah, so it's a 'mana management' boss fight. Got it. We'll bait out his big attacks, wait for the 'cooldown,' and then 'DPS' him down. Classic."
"Affirmative, Host. That is the optimal strategy," Sky replied, its tone as clinical as ever, seemingly unfazed by Usato's strange jargon.
The fight resumed, a deadly dance of evasion and calculated observation. Usato, with the golden cicada hovering silently behind him, moved with a newfound precision. He dodged Borak's mana-infused strikes, each near miss a calculated risk, a data point recorded by Sky. Borak, growing increasingly frustrated by Usato's evasiveness, began to expend more mana, his attacks becoming wilder, less controlled.
Sky's voice, a constant stream of information in Usato's mind, pinpointed the critical moment. "Host, energy signature fluctuation detected. Mana reserves nearing critical threshold. Defense pattern analysis reveals a momentary lapse in kinetic focus during the next attack sequence."
Usato's eyes narrowed, a predatory gleam in their depths. He saw it too – a slight tremor in Borak's stance, a flicker in the mana surrounding his fist. This was it.
As Borak unleashed his next mana-fueled punch, a desperate, almost telegraphed strike, Usato moved. He flowed like water, slipping past the wild blow, his dagger flashing, a blur of motion.
"Sudden Strike!" Usato roared, his voice amplified by the surge of adrenaline and the silent power of the golden cicada.
"Critical Strike Imminent!" Sky echoed, its voice resonating within Usato's mind, a perfect synchronization of human and machine.
The dagger, empowered by Usato's speed and the subtle augmentation from the nanobot manifestation, pierced Borak's guard, driving deep into his mana-depleted core. The force of the strike, combined with the sudden disruption of his mana flow, sent a shockwave through Borak's body. His eyes widened in disbelief, a strangled gasp escaping his lips. The sabertooth tiger manifestation behind him flickered and vanished, its energy source extinguished. Borak collapsed, his body trembling, the faint blue glow of his mana fading into nothingness.
Then, the golden cicada hovering behind Usato reached its limit. With a silent, brilliant flash, it exploded, not with destructive force, but with a dazzling display of golden light. Nanobots scattered like miniature fireworks, creating a shower of shimmering sparks that bathed Usato in an ethereal glow.
For a moment, the entire clearing was silent, the tribesmen stunned by the spectacle. Then, the Evergreen tribe erupted in a wild, unrestrained cheer, their voices echoing through the forest. "Usato! Usato! Usato!" They had witnessed the impossible, a display of power that defied their understanding.
Amidst the roaring cheers, only Thornek, Thaggar, and their hidden accomplices remained silent, their faces etched with a mixture of shock and apprehension. They had seen the power of the Silica Kingdom, but now they had also witnessed the unexpected might of the outsider. A new, unsettling uncertainty crept into their hearts.
Usato, his chest heaving, his body battered and bruised from Borak's earlier attacks, managed a weak grin. "Sky... I won..." he whispered, before his eyes rolled back, and he collapsed unconscious onto the arena floor.