"Does the Mammoth Clan intend to become my enemy?" Inala's words thundered across the minds of all Empyrean Tusks, alarming them to the extreme.
They were already in a state of despair due to the emergence of the Celestial Boar. If they had to add the Royal Zinger atop that, then forget trying to survive. They could give up on life right then and there, no need to bother resisting death.
"Dad!" Gannala shouted, "Stop it!"
"Okay," Inala retracted his presence that was in the process of growing to the Gold Grade. Once he calmed down, the two Biome Bombs—slung at his hips—shrunk themselves to the size of his thumb, retracting their presence too. In that short instant, he was ready to attack Raaha.
Inala eyed Raaha, following his gaze to the location where the latter was grabbing him. He maintained eye contact for a couple of seconds until Raaha gave in and retracted his hand.
"You needn't fear me. I'm not the Mammoth Clan's enemy." Inala observed a nervous Vhalla and revealed his empty hands, "I wouldn't have arrived here after suppressing myself to the Silver Grade if I considered you all as my enemies."
"It hasn't been long since we saw each other, but I can no longer recognise you." Vhalla stared at Inala and asked hesitantly, "Are you still Inala?"
"Yes," Inala nodded and pointed at himself, "The difference you're sensing originates from two things. First, I've inherited and fused with the Brimgan Founder's accumulations. So, his thought process is currently making me seem alien to you. Second, I'm drunk on power now."
He was telling the truth. The Brimgan Founder's accumulations of a lifetime, from his memories, feelings, disposition, character, etc. had all become a part of Inala. So, they were indeed affecting his state of being.
But this disjointed state wouldn't persist for long. They'll eventually align themselves according to Inala's character and disposition. Once that happens, he'd return to his original state of being, but one armed with the Brimgan Founder's capabilities.
It would take a few years for the assimilation to be completed if he remained a Silver Grade Royal Zinger. But a few days would be enough as a Mystic Grade Royal Zinger.
The only difference is the fact that his relationship with the Mammoth Clan had to be forged anew. Basically, Inala was no longer a Mammoth Clansman. So, he was no longer being influenced like a Mammoth Clansman.
Unlike his past self, Gannala was his daughter, nothing more, nothing less. She was still the most important individual in his life but things stopped there. Inala was no longer obsessed with Gannala's safety.
As a father, he would do his fatherly duties for her betterment, care for her, and nurture her, but he wouldn't sacrifice his everything for her benefit. Even if he wanted to do so, it would be a conscious decision.
Before, that decision was subconscious. Before he could even think of it, Inala considered things from a perspective that benefited Gannala first. It was a common sense that had been built in him due to his state as a Mammoth Clansman.
Currently, Inala had enough Prana and Lifespan in his second Biome Bomb—obtained from his actions at the Lotus Range—to become a Gold Grade Royal Zinger. Therefore, once he elevates himself to a Beginner Gold Grade Royal Zinger, he'd be able to assimilate the Brimgan Founder's accumulations in a month or two.
And during this assimilation process, he planned to live with the Mammoth Clan, to forge new bonds, so that he would care about them.
It was apparent once he began to self-reflect, understanding that he was treating the Empyrean Tusks at a level a tad better than strangers. Hence, he wanted to become close with the Mammoth Clan, for both Gannala and Asaeya were a part of it.
As for Inala's second reason, it was a valid concern. The current Inala, after enough accumulations, could become a Mystic Grade Pranic Beast. In that state, he felt invincible. The base processing capabilities of his brain were no different from taking a bath in a pool of High-Grade Elixirs.
Stuff that Inala would have to ponder for hours before was processed in a matter of seconds in his Mystic Grade form. And he wasn't even hitting the limit of his mental capacity at that. Heck, he wasn't even sure if it was possible to fully harness the entirety of his mental capabilities, for a Mystic Grade Pranic Beast's mind was just that superior.
A mere presence from him could stop or unleash a Major Disaster. And he himself was a walking, talking First Major Disaster. A thought from him could decide the fate of countless Kingdoms and Pranic Beast territories.
No matter how much he tried to remain humble, Inala was still getting drunk on power. It was why the moment his purpose was completed at the Lotus Range, he left the place and used up the remainder of his Prana quota to revert to Silver Grade strength.
It would take a lot of time for Inala to adjust himself physically, mentally, and emotionally and stay humble. For that to happen, he would have to ground himself to reality. Being with his family was the surest solution to it.
Hence, he had approached the Mammoth Clan, despite there being other pressing things to do. If Inala doesn't do this, he himself would become a danger, possibly even to the Mammoth Clan in the future.
His natural state as a Royal Zinger was to rule and make the Zinger Race prosperous. The moment he embarks on that journey, he becomes his own self, with his focus being solely on the improvement of his race.
"You understand now?" Inala smiled, having transmitted the content to everyone at the same time in the same process the Biome Bomb communicated with Resha. As he emitted Prana fluctuations, all the Mammoth Clansmen felt information appear in their mind space through their respective Mystic Bone Arts.
"Whether or not you wish to be an ally is entirely dependent on you." He stared at Gannala and Asaeya, "I only care about these two. It was the same even when I was a Mammoth Clansman. But back then, I also thought of the well-being of the Mammoth Clan as I was a part of your group. But now, I could care less about your fate."
"So," He eyed the Empyrean Tusks, "Give me a reason to care about the Mammoth Clan."
"That…" Vhalla fell silent, contemplating Inala's words, thinking of how the Mammoth Clan could have a relationship with Inala. There wasn't anything in terms of resources that they could use to forge a trade relationship, since they didn't even know what Inala wanted.
But even if they did, a trade relationship was merely an exchange of benefits. It wasn't enough to bring a Mystic Grade Pranic Beast to their side. Other forms of relationship too weren't strong enough. Thankfully, they had a familial relationship.
Irrespective of Inala's current identity, it was a fact that he was born and grew up as a Mammoth Clansman. The woman he loved was a Mammoth Clansman and even his child was the same. So, there was enough reason for Inala to be allied with the Mammoth Clan.
In a matter of seconds, all Empyrean Tusks arrived at this conclusion, staring at the figures of Gannala and Asaeya who stood side by side, facing Inala.
"A reason to care?" Asaeya chuckled in rage as she stared at Inala, "You need a reason, fucking bastard?"
"Did you forget everything? Or have you lost all semblance of humanity after becoming a Pranic Beast?"
"If I…stop addressing you as my Dad, will you be hurt?" Gannala stared at Inala, tearing up in response to his lackadaisical reaction. She wiped her tears and stared at him coldly, "You have your answer."
"The Mammoth Clan doesn't need you, Inala."
"I understand, you've made your stance clear." Inala nodded and began to walk away, "It seems I've wasted my time with this trip."
"Though, I'll say this." He turned around to face Gannala, "If your life's ever at risk, call for me. I'll be there to rescue you."
"That's the least I can do for you."
"That won't be necessary. The Mammoth Clan will be leaving Sumatra soon." Gannala bit her lips as she stared at the familiar silhouette of her father, but one whose character and disposition wasn't in the least familiar, "You can see yourself out now."
"Alright, no need to be rude about that." Inala nodded and disappeared into the forest. A few seconds later, his figure had taken flight and was flying towards the Brimgan Empire. A second later, his voice resounded, "Though, I'll advise against leaving Sumatra. The situation outside doesn't seem safe. Don't decide without contacting Mahira Tusk first."
Thud!
Gannala collapsed to the ground and shed tears, in anger, "You…
were right, Asaeya."
"That's not my father!"
"I'm sorry," Asaeya kneeled beside her and embraced Gannala, "I didn't realise it in advance."
"I'm not blaming you," Gannala punched the ground in regret, "Even after reading his memories, I still failed to see through his scheme. You didn't even know as much as I did, so how can I hold you accountable?"
"I'm just…sad!" She screamed, "My dad…bring him back, please."
"I'll remain myself and won't transform into an Empyrean Tusk. So, please, Asaeya." She stared at Asaeya, trembling as she cried, "Do something to bring him back!"
