No one in the political envoy expected to gain access to the rectangular tent so soon, so they didn't prepare for the event. Yet, their best soldier was handling the issue, and information never stopped flowing into his brain.
The presence of wood inside the tent gave Khan a few ideas. He firmly believed the Scalqa or the Bone Tribe paid special attention to that resource, and its scarcity inside that central place seemed to confirm that.
However, Khan couldn't confirm whether the material had some holy purpose. The rectangular tent seemed to belong to Rok-Go, adding value to that hypothesis due to the old Scalqa's status among the tribe. That detail was worth reporting, but Khan did his best to avoid developing biases.
The absence of furniture could mean much or nothing at all. Khan didn't see a single chair or table in the settlement, so it made sense that Rok-Go's tent would also lack them. Still, that conclusion was impossible to confirm without inspecting other habitations.
Khan didn't spot any specific tool, either. He could understand that Rok-Go was in charge of carving weapons and bone equipment, but nothing in the tent helped that purpose. The hints conflicted with many of his hypotheses, leaving a lot of uncertainty.
At last, the tent's main item seemed to speak for the tribe's unwillingness to use the nearby trees, but Khan stuffed those thoughts in the back of his mind. Further studies of the small bush and the other settlements were necessary to obtain reliable answers. For now, Khan could only develop countless reasonable simulations.
Of course, Khan didn't stop at simulations. His senses were incredibly accurate, even in the middle of that toxic air. He could finally watch the plant's effects without the hindrance of the pelts, and his whole attention focused precisely on that.
The bush was clearly mana-related. Its large blue leaves carried that energy's shade, although in a darker fashion. Moreover, Khan had tasted the magic power of the toxic liquid they produced, almost confirming his assumption.
The ground around the plant further reinforced that idea. Brighter colors shone under the surface, hinting at improved and more resilient terrain. Khan felt the urge to touch it but held back for the time being.
The toxic liquid produced similar effects. The drops that fell into the ground spread their energy, creating splashes in the underground symphony. The plant was affecting that material, paving its way toward higher states of power.
Those effects came at a steep price. Like any machine, the plant required energy to thrive and perform its functions. That was even truer for mana-based items since simple fuel couldn't be enough to support them.
The underground symphony around the plant was thriving, but the terrain above appeared beyond brittle. The surface layer seemed ready to crumble at the first whiff of wind. Something had drained it, and the culprit wasn't hard to find.
Nevertheless, Khan couldn't find more clues to support that hypothesis. The plant might have drained the surface, but the process seemed to have ended. Khan couldn't see any ongoing absorption, pushing his thoughts toward different simulations.
The tribe's apparent customs popped into Khan's mind. Suddenly, that vast empty spot in the middle of the forest didn't feel natural anymore. He had begun to believe the Scalqa would have never cut trees to clear the area, paving the way for another explanation.
'This plant might have prevented the growth of trees altogether,' Khan considered. 'The forest might have given birth to this small thing instead of thirty or so trees.'
The new hypothesis spread into multiple simulations, altering the various ideas Khan had developed during the previous days. Maybe the settlement's location wasn't random. Maybe the Bone Tribe had chosen to be there precisely because of the blue bush's presence.
The new idea changed the meaning of politics among tribes. The Scalqa probably fought for the control of those unique locations rather than due to customs and traditions. If that were true, the nomadic groups would have lower value in the environment, hinting at why the invaders submitted so quickly.
Of course, Khan couldn't confirm any of that yet. His hunches told him he was right, but his reasonable side demanded more proof. His feet almost itched to set off and fly above the forest to inspect the other settlements and search for similarly empty areas, but the strange plant managed to retain his attention.
Tribe's politics, customs, and environmental questions aside, Khan's main interest remained the plant's effects. He was curious about its origin, meaning, and more, but its strange influence was still at the top of his priorities. If his initial assumption were correct, the finding would be monumental for humankind, but further inspections had to come first.
The ground had already endured the plant's effects for a prolonged time, so Khan focused on his skin. He could feel his very flesh and lungs fight against the exposure to that toxic influence. His body rejected it, but that response wasn't too intense.
'It's not something that goes against my mana,' Khan guessed. 'My body is only reacting to its toxic properties.'
That conclusion seemed reasonable but left Khan in a pickle anyway. The mental trip had probably come from the liquid's intrinsic properties, from its ability to prepare the materials to change, making the toxins a simple side-effect.
That idea was in line with what Khan had witnessed during Colonel Norrett's evolution and had studied in the Harbor. Changing often was a violent act, and he had experienced that first-hand on Milia 222, which meant the plant could be used if handled carefully.
However, if the simulation was correct, Khan believed the process would push him closer to the Nak. After all, that was what his body contained and the toxic liquid affected. He would probably gain more power, but not the kind of power he desired or could accept.
As the pondering continued, Khan suddenly recalled the passage of time. His mind snapped back to reality, but the toxic air prevented him from fully focusing. His brain was gradually giving in to the strange influence, slowing its functions and keeping him locked in a loop of thoughts.
Even stranger, Rok-Go seemed to understand and respect Khan's state. The old Scalqa calmly waited behind him, supporting himself on his wooden staff while gazing at the blue bush. The alien appeared aware of that reaction and let it unfold.
Nevertheless, Rok-Go moved as soon as he noticed Khan returning to reality. The alien stepped forward and slowly sat before the bush. Words that seemed to carry a profound meaning also escaped his mouth as he stabbed the staff on the ground and stretched his hands.
Everything happened in slow motion in Khan's vision. Rok-Go carefully stretched his arms, placing his fingers under the blue leaves. He didn't touch the plant but waited for the dark green drops to fall in his palms. Faint sizzling noises spread upon contact with his skin, but the alien didn't move.
Rok-Go mumbled something again, his tone carrying the same depth as before. He wasn't trying to convey precise words. He was stating something as if convinced Khan would understand him.
Khan watched everything unfold, paying special attention to Rok-Go's hands. The dark green liquid dug through his skin, fusing with his fingers to send its strange influence into his flesh.
The event strongly reminded Khan of Colonel Norrett's evolution, although in a slower and more natural manner. The process was clearly similar but also different. The absence of machines and other artificial mechanisms was evident, adding a pleasant touch to that otherwise hideous and intoxicating procedure.
As for Rok-Go's mumbling, Khan couldn't understand anything, but the urge to nod arrived anyway. Khan couldn't translate nor put into words the meaning Rok-Go was trying to convey, but his mind comprehended something nonetheless. Rok-Go was speaking to him as an equal, shaman to shaman.
Khan remained on his feet, watching Rok-Go taking the toxic drops into his hands. Sometimes, the alien retracted his arms to let his skin rest, but those breaks were short and rare. Occasionally, more words escaped his mouth, but Khan didn't seem to be their target. The old Scalqa was speaking to himself or something only he could see.
The process altered Rok-Go's mana, enhancing the intoxication it radiated. The liquid was effective even without ingestion, and Khan was no stranger to the process. Merely breathing the tent's air was affecting him in ways beyond his awareness. It almost seemed his flesh could transform under that passive exposure, albeit at a far slower pace.
Normally, Khan would come up with an excuse to leave. Rok-Go wasn't even paying attention to him anymore, so departing from that toxic environment appeared more than feasible.
However, the mission took a backseat in Khan's mind, allowing him to consider the full extent of that opportunity. He had gotten first-row seats to what probably was one of Baoway's most important resources, and ignoring it to return to more translation work sounded dumb, especially after his mental trip.
'This thing might make me stronger,' Khan admitted. 'Less human, but stronger.'
Khan couldn't be sure of that, but the truth had long since been clear in his mind. He had achieved a lot through sheer resolve and hard work, but the Nak's mutations had provided a few advantages. They had come at a steep price, but their value was undeniable.
The plant seemed able to awaken that hidden power, and Khan couldn't ignore it. The universe could burn and crumble for all he cared, but he wouldn't forgive himself if he turned a blind eye to a threat that could hurt his loved ones. That would be unforgivable, and Khan was ready to use himself as a test subject to avoid that.
A sad smile tried to appear on Khan's face, but he killed it. He knew he was falling back into old habits that had made his girlfriends livid. He knew he wouldn't hear the end of it when Monica listened to his reasoning. Yet, Khan had his priorities straight, and sacrificing himself had never been easier.
Khan stepped forward, bending down to sit cross-legged before the blue bush. He was right beside Rok-Go, but the two didn't exchange any glance. The alien also respected his silence when he saw him closing his eyes. Khan slipped into a meditative state, forcing his mana to flow and expand while the plant tried to affect his body.
