Hello everyone,
I have a few changes to implement for future plot developments:
* "Tribal Leader Thorne" will be changed to "Tribal Chief Thorne."
* Borak's skill, currently "Mana Blast," will be changed to "Aura Blast."
* "Mana" will be established as a power source for mages in future plots, while "Aura" will be the power source for knights.
That's all the adjustments for now. I hope these changes are clear and will enhance the story. Thank you for your understanding and I hope you continue to enjoy it!
"Usato groaned, his eyes fluttering open. The room, lit by the warm glow of a nearby fire, swam into focus. He tried to sit up, but a sharp pain in his ribs stopped him. 'Where am I?' he asked, his voice rough. 'What happened?'
Immediately, Sky's voice, cool and clinical, filled his mind. 'Diagnostic scan complete. Multiple severe injuries detected: ruptured spleen, lacerated liver, internal bleeding from a torn artery, fractured ribs with a punctured lung, and torn ligaments in your knee and shoulder. Current internal healing capabilities are insufficient. External medical intervention is necessary.'
Usato blinked, trying to make sense of Sky's report. 'What…' he started to ask, confusion clouding his thoughts. He was about to ask 'What external intervention?' when the door to the hut opened.
Syka entered, her expression a mix of happy surprise and relief. 'Usato, you're awake,' she said, her eyes widening slightly. She quickly moved to his side, her gaze searching his face. 'How are you feeling?'
Usato, still disoriented, could only manage a confused, 'What…?'
Syka's brow furrowed. 'Are you okay?' she asked, her voice filled with worry. She leaned closer, her eyes searching his.
Before Usato could respond, Sky's voice echoed in his mind. 'Information update: You engaged in combat with Borak of the Bloodfang Tribe. You achieved a narrow victory. Due to multiple severe injuries, and excessive energy expenditure maintaining the Golden Cicada's artificial manifestation, you lost consciousness for approximately one day.'
Usato blinked, trying to process the information. Borak. The fight. The golden sparks. It all came flooding back, a jumbled mess of memories and pain. He tried to sit up again, but the sharp pain in his ribs stopped him.
'I… I won?' he managed to say, his voice still rough.
Syka nodded, her expression softening slightly. 'Yes. You did. You won. But you were badly injured.' She looked at him with concern. 'You pushed yourself too far.'
Usato looked around the hut, his gaze lingering on the simple tools and herbs laid out on a nearby table. 'How long…?' he asked, his voice trailing off.
'A day,' Syka replied. 'You've been unconscious for a day. The elders held a council meeting last night. They discussed… a lot.' She hesitated, her gaze shifting away.
Sky's voice interrupted his thoughts. 'Additional information: The Evergreen Tribe Council has decided to offer you a choice: undergo the Ancestral Awakening ritual or receive a tribal heirloom. They are awaiting your decision.'
Usato frowned, confused. 'Ancestral Awakening? Heirloom?' He looked at Syka, seeking clarification.
Before she could answer, the door opened again. This time, it was Tribal Chief Thorne who entered, his large frame filling the doorway. His expression was serious, but his eyes held a hint of concern. 'Usato,' he said, his voice deep and resonant. 'You're awake. Good. We need to talk.'
Tribal Chief Thorne stepped further into the hut, his gaze fixed on Usato. 'How's your body?' he asked, his voice carrying a note of genuine concern.
Usato shifted slightly, a grimace flickering across his face. 'Currently weak, but I'm getting there... Chief,' he replied, the title feeling a little foreign on his tongue but intentional.
A subtle warmth flickered in Thorne's eyes, though his stern expression remained largely unchanged. He was secretly pleased by the address, interpreting it as a sign of Usato's growing acceptance within the tribe. 'Good to know,' he said, his voice firm. He then moved back to the pressing matters. 'You already know that the tribe held an emergency meeting, right?' He watched Usato carefully, his gaze steady. 'As you know, the Bloodfang tribe threatened us, demanding we surrender and become their accomplices in uniting the tribes for the Silica Kingdom. And as of this moment, we do not yet know the name of their Lord.'
Usato nodded slowly, the movement sending a jolt of pain through his ribs. 'Syka mentioned it briefly.'
Tribal Chief Thorne continued, his voice grave. 'Their alliance with the Silica Kingdom is a grave threat to all the tribes of the Wildbeast Border. We cannot face them alone. The council has decided to send messengers to the other tribes – excluding the Bloodfang, obviously – to warn them of this impending danger and to seek alliances.'
He paused, his gaze meeting Usato's directly. 'Your actions in the arena yesterday… they bought us time. They showed the Bloodfang, and perhaps even the Silica Kingdom through their envoy, that the Evergreen Tribe will not be intimidated easily. You fought bravely, Usato. Your resilience against Borak's Aura Blast was remarkable.'
Thorne's words, though simple, carried a weight of respect that Usato hadn't expected. He felt a sense of pride, mixed with the lingering ache of his injuries.
'The council also discussed your… strength,' Thorne continued, his tone shifting slightly, becoming more measured. 'The power you displayed was significant, unlike anything many of our younger warriors have yet achieved. It is clear you possess considerable inner strength.'
He gestured towards the far corner of the hut, where a small, intricately carved wooden box rested on a low stool. 'Because of your contribution, and the power you have shown, the council has decided to offer you a choice. As a sign of our gratitude and recognition, you may choose to undergo the Ancestral Awakening ritual, a sacred rite of our tribe… or,' he paused, his gaze returning to Usato's, 'you may instead choose to receive a tribal heirloom, an item of significance passed down through generations.'
Tribal Chief Thorne then shifted uncomfortably, a hint of awkwardness in his voice. 'We know that I agreed to let you have the last slot for the Ancestral Awakening, right?'
Usato, who had been expecting this line of questioning, nodded slowly, a flicker of disappointment he couldn't quite suppress crossing his face.
Noticing Usato's expression, Thorne quickly added, 'Don't worry, the tribe will not go back on its promise. It's just that… you have already awakened your Ancestral Totem. Letting you take the slot for the Ancestral Awakening now seems… already useless.'
Understanding Thorne's reasoning, a wave of relief washed over Usato. He nodded again, a small sigh escaping his lips, signaling Thorne to continue.
Sensing Usato's understanding, Thorne visibly relaxed. 'Then listen closely, Usato,' he said, his voice regaining its usual firmness. 'The Elders and I will give you a choice.' He paused slightly, his gaze direct. 'One, you can still take the last slot and perform the Ancestral Awakening ritual, though as we discussed, its benefit to you is uncertain. Two,' he gestured towards the black, ancient-looking box, 'we will give you our oldest heirloom. To be honest, we no longer possess any knowledge of how to use it. It has been passed down through generations, a valuable relic of our past, but its purpose remains a mystery to us. However, our traditions dictate that it holds significance for its destined owner.'
As Thorne spoke of the heirloom, Sky's voice echoed in Usato's mind. 'Scanning the artifact… Energy signature remarkably similar to the dormant ancient tree at the center of the Evergreen Forest. Highly recommend acquiring this artifact.'
Usato considered Thorne's words, his mind racing. 'To be honest, Chief,' he began, his voice still a little weak, 'the slot for Ancestral Awakening is still very useful for me. My… "awakening" is special, and I still have much to study and understand about how to use it. However,' he glanced at the black box, 'I also feel that this seed… this heirloom… could be useful to me. To be honest, I don't know which path to choose.'
Thorne nodded understandingly. 'Take your time, Usato. I believe the Bloodfang tribe will not attack immediately; we still have some time to prepare.' His expression then hardened, becoming strict and authoritative. 'But I must inform you of one thing. If you accept the heirloom, you will be promoted to the position of Guardian Warrior for our tribe. Do you understand?'
A few moments of deliberation passed, Usato's gaze shifting between Thorne and the mysterious box. Finally, he spoke. 'I'll accept the heirloom, Chief!'
'Alright,' Thorne said, a hint of satisfaction in his voice. He carefully picked up the black box and extended it towards Usato, pausing just before handing it over. 'Before taking on the mantle of Guardian Warrior, you need to know our Evergreen tribe's origin, Usato.' Thorne seemed to fall into a reminiscent state, narrating almost unconsciously.
'Originally, our ancestors were not from this forest. Records say they were once Lords under a great empire. Due to wars and conflicts, our ancestors' clan was lost and persecuted, until they found refuge in this very forest. By the time they reached here, our ancestors numbered only four. They became the founders of this tribe, vowing to avenge their fallen members. But unfortunately, through the years, our tribe members grew weaker.'
Thorne paused, a hint of sadness in his voice. 'As you know, we take our name from the Evergreen Forest. We are the only tribe brave enough to settle so close to its depths. In our heyday, we were one of the dominant tribes; not even the Bloodfang dared to treat us with disrespect. Unfortunately…' Thorne stopped his narration, his gaze returning to Usato. 'Take care of this, Usato. And also, before you officially become our Guardian Warrior, you will still need to undertake the trial.' He then carefully placed the black box in Usato's hands. The wood felt strangely cool and smooth beneath his fingers.
Just then, Syka re-entered the hut, carrying a small bowl filled with a dark, pungent-smelling poultice. 'Tribal Chief, the elders believe this will help with his bruising,' she said, her gaze flickering between the two men. Noticing the black box in Usato's hands, her eyebrows rose slightly in curiosity, but she remained silent.
Thorne nodded. 'Thank you, Syka.' He turned back to Usato. 'Rest now, Guardian Warrior. We will speak more when you are stronger.' With a final, serious look, Thorne left the hut.
Syka approached Usato, a gentle smile on her face. 'So, you chose the heirloom?' she asked softly, gesturing to the box.
Usato nodded, turning the box over in his hands. 'It felt… right. And Sky seemed to think it was important.' He looked at the herbs Syka had brought earlier, a thoughtful frown creasing his brow. The intricate patterns of the leaves seemed to resonate with something deep within him, a connection he couldn't yet understand.
(Scene Change)
Inside Thornek and Thaggar's roughly built wooden house, Thaggar paced nervously. 'Father, are you sure about this?' he asked, his voice laced with anxiety.
Thornek's face was grim, illuminated by the flickering light of a single oil lamp. 'We don't have a choice anymore, son. The dice has been cast.' He turned, his eyes cold and determined, and addressed the shadowy figures lurking in the corners of the room – a handful of Evergreen warriors whose loyalty he had secretly cultivated. 'Initiate the plan. Burn the huts and houses. Kill those who are against us. By morning, the Evergreen Tribe will be ours, and the Silica Kingdom will have their foothold.' A cruel smile stretched across his lips. 'Let the cleansing begin.'"