Mystic Bone Art—Prana Claw!
Inala took on his Stage 1—Jaw—transformation, watching the effects of his Prana Bomb apply to it, resulting in the colour of his claws being tinted grey.
It happened at the same pace as a Free Human activating their Human Avatar. Inala’s jaw morphed, followed by his hands and legs. Among them, the claws at both his hands and legs were subjected to the effect of the Prana Claw Skill.
His Puppetry Skill allowed him to control four Spirit Weapons. Now, the very same effect was being transmitted through his four claws. Of course, because of it, while his Prana Claw Skill was active, Inala wouldn’t be able to control a Spirit Weapon.
His figure flashed around, shredding an Iron Grade Pranic Beast to bits, ending up absorbing all its Prana before it breathed its last.
Mystic Bone Art—Life Claw!
Inala took on his female form, applying the effect of a Life Bomb—one birthing a queen—on his claws and stabbed into a Pranic Beast, absorbing its Lifeforce to grow young.
Since the effect of four Life Bombs was being applied to his claws, this transformation cost him four decades of his lifespan. Once he killed a bunch of Pranic Beasts, he managed to absorb enough Lifeforce to return to his actual age.
Following that, he undid the transformation and activated it once again, this time focusing on regular Life Bombs.
Mystic Bone Art—Prana Claw!
His regular Life Bombs too could be used for the Prana Claw Skill. But they came with a limitation. He was only able to absorb as much Prana as necessary for the birth of an Empyrean Zinger.
Since the Life Bomb’s shape had been manipulated, it would fail to hatch an Empyrean Zinger. Hence, once it absorbs the necessary amount, it would stop working.
Inala only had to deactivate and reactivate the Prana Claw Skill to begin absorbing Prana once again. It was just a bit trickier to use than in his male form, but it was still practical.
He returned to his male form and stretched a little, breathing in and out slowly as he firmed his mind, going through his plan numerous times, ‘Even when I’m influenced by my Natures, I should exercise my best to remain in character.’
“Dad, will you be alright?” Gannala asked in concern, “You’ll be maintaining a biome for a longer duration than during the Centinger Mating Season.”
“I won’t die, if that’s what you’re worried about.” Inala said, “I’m pretty much using my own abilities. So, it’s not an issue.”
“You know it’s not about that.” Gannala argued, “Your mind just isn’t robust enough to handle the strain.”
“I’m aware,” Inala nodded, “I might probably lose consciousness for a few months once this ends. But that won’t be a problem with the army of Empyrean Zingers protecting us.”
“Besides, I have a Skill to handle it.” He smirked.
Mystic Bone Art—Biome Endurance!
By consuming larger amounts of Lifeforce than usual, he would be able to handle maintaining a biome, for extended durations. It would still produce a large amount of strain on his body and mind, similar to the Prana Blood Skill, but by using it, he would avoid the fate of his stomach exploding in the future.
Things would be within reasonable levels for him with the Biome Endurance Skill, allowing him to proceed with his plans without worrying about adverse side effects.
“Okay,” Gannala nodded and hugged him, “But if it ever gets too dangerous, just drop the plan. It doesn’t matter if I don’t get a Tertiary Nature. All that obsession towards the Mystic Grade was my predecessor’s, not mine.”
“I’m content with remaining a regular Empyrean Tusk.”
“Don’t worry too much,” Inala patted her head, “Irrespective of how you’ve been birthed, at the end of the day, you’re my daughter. And I just dislike seeing you die before me. It’s very simple. Also, as long as you reach the Life Stage,”
He said in seriousness, “One body of yours can remain in human form while the rest becomes an Empyrean Tusk. You needn’t entirely restrict yourself to the Mammoth Clan.”
“Besides,” He pointed at her forehead, “With the Inhibition Needle, you can hide in a human Empire in the worst-case scenario where the Mammoth Clan is annihilated by the Boar King.”
“I understand,” Gannala nodded, slightly saddened, “You’re preparing for all possibilities.”
“Of course,” Inala nodded, “No matter how much I plan and scheme, there only needs to be a small variable that could screw up everything. And in Sumatra, such variables are endless.”
“I am limited in my capacity,” He said, his tone firm, “And in that, I’ll do my best to one day explore this continent without worries.”
“I’ll be cheering you on, Dad,” Gannala said and grabbed his Sumatra Canon, Sumatra Ship, Sumatra Lantern, and his fourteen Sandy-Grey Bombs. It was impossible to store them in his biome, and since he had to appear unarmed to the Cooter Clan, he gave them all to her.
“Return as soon as possible,” Asaeya said and placed a peck on his cheek, her eyes moist. She then accompanied Gannala as the duo walked towards the mine with the Free Humans.
Standing at the entrance was the gruff middle-aged man who snorted at their appearance and didn’t comment as he allowed their entry. Well, he was just playing his role. He too was a puppet controlled by a group of Empyrean Zingers stationed in his lungs.
Accompanying Gannala and Asaeya were a bunch of puppets disguised as Free Humans. Ralral introduced them as another batch she had brought. They would help Gannala and Asaeya disguise themselves among the Free Humans and remain hidden here.
The human and Empyrean Boar King form puppets of Brangara were currently in Gannala’s stomach, accompanied by a couple thousand Empyrean Zingers. They continued to refine these puppets and improve their functions, intending to do so until the day the puppets would be put to use.
Gannala had more than enough Prana Bombs and Life Bombs in her stomach for everyone, able to last two years. That was how much they managed to collect in the past two months, taking advantage of the Death Hour.
‘It seems I have gotten attached to the two of them.’ Inala thought as he missed Gannala and Asaeya already. It became habitual to be in their presence and now that they had gone away, he felt the void left behind in his mind.
Shaking his head, he slapped his cheeks twice, brisking himself as a biome began to form in his stomach.
Keeping a biome within a biome would create a clash between the two compressed spaces and cause a singularity. If not for this, Inala would have brought Gannala with him in his stomach. The Sumatra Ship and his other trump cards too were formed using biomes, and hence couldn’t stored in either his or Gannala’s stomachs.
Inala swallowed the remaining Prana Bomba, Life Bombs, and a large horde of Empyrean Zingers. He stared at a tiny puppet in his possession and threw it in his mouth the last. It was a puppet sporting Gannala’s baby voice, meant to be used as a radar.
That was how he would reveal his position to Gannala, since as an Empyrean Tusk, her hive mind would be able to listen to the cries of a newborn Empyrean Tusk.
[I’m Here!]
That was the message recorded in the puppet. When it was time, he would alert Gannala, causing her to enact their plan and kidnap Wittral.
There was no trace of him and his actions on Leh Island as Inala waited patiently for the Cold Shower to conclude. Right as it ended, he stared at the three Gold Grade Pranic Beasts positioned two kilometres away, still watching him cautiously.
He was able to see them clearly thanks to the glowing Dralh Sea. Grinning a little, he condensed a Prana Bomb and chucked it towards them, shouting in their language,
[Trash that even an Ewworm avoids! Catch me if you are born to a single father!]
There was a stir in the waters in response to his shout. Without any hesitation, Inala turned tail and ran, leaving Leh Island as he rushed into the water, making a beeline towards the island where Wittral was posted.