"Y-You're kidding, right?" Yennda shouted, losing his cool, "Don't you fucking screw with me!"
"You're…Yuza, right?" Grehha stared at the girl and spoke upon seeing her nod, "I'll be honest with you. Growing in your womb is an Empyrean Tusk. But, it is not guaranteed to succeed, as the requirements are tremendous. There's a nonzero possibility of successful birth only if you're a master."
"So, whether or not it's a success, you'll die, Yuza."
"I…see," All Yuza could do was sigh in response, "I don't have enough strength to even walk now. I can feel my cultivation dropping steadily."
"Therefore, I wish to propose something to you." Grehha displayed a wry smile, "You'll die either way, but with your permission, I will use my ability on you and ensure a successful birth."
"You mean to say…" Yuza glanced at the shouting Yennda once before grumbling, "I'll be giving birth to an Empyrean Tusk?"
"Yes," Grehha nodded.
"Can you guarantee it?" Yuza gasped.
"On my life." Grehha nodded.
"Then, do it." Yuza glared at Yennda, "I only don't wish for that man to benefit."
"Grehha! Stop!" Yennda bellowed, his eyes red in rage as blood dripped out, "That's my TREASURE! Don't you freaking touch it! YOU! Fu…"
"Shut up for a moment," Grehha snapped his finger as suddenly, the layer of bone covering Yennda's limbs expanded, reaching his face.
Yennda shrieked for a couple of seconds before becoming a bone sculpture, losing his life.
Not even glancing at the reincarnate he had just killed, Grehha focused all his attention on Yuza, 'The baby will come out soon. She hasn't developed enough to survive. I must prevent that.'
Tertiary Nature—Empyrean Incubator!
A greenish bubble condensed in his hand and gently seeped into Yuza's stomach, fusing with her womb. His Prana flowed into the Empyrean Incubator and was converted into an Empyrean Tusk's essence, nurturing the baby inside.
Yuza felt some strength return in her body, sensing that she wouldn't be giving birth anytime soon. "How…long must I be in this state?"
"I'm not sure," Grehha shook his head, "My ability will perfectly incubate the baby. But as I'm not strong enough, it'll take a while before the baby develops fully to become an Empyrean Tusk."
"It might take a few months," He said and lifted Yuza, carrying her in his arms as he walked out of the room.
Waiting in the living room nervously were two men, the strongest the Mammoth Clan had to offer—Bora Tusk, and Yahard Tusk.
Seeing his arrival, Bora Tusk asked in a hurry, "How is it? Is there hope?"
"Yes, Settlement Leader." Grehha nodded, "But it will take a while before she's born."
"Good! Good! Good!" Bora Tusk shed tears, "As long as there's hope, it's fine. A little bit of suffering is nothing compared to that."
"Bora, the carriages are ready." Yahard Tusk said, "I'll harness them to the 43rd Empyrean Tusk's tail. We'll protect you until you're ready."
"Thank you." Bora Tusk bowed, "I'll remain forever grateful to you."
"Man, you're creeping me out. This isn't like you." Yahard Tusk felt goosebumps on his skin, 'Why is this madman acting sane now?'
'Should I tell them or not?' Grehha felt conflicted. The baby growing in Yuza could never replace Gannala. After all, the imprint was completely dependent on the woman giving birth.
Meaning, the born Empyrean Tusk could only succeed the 43rd Empyrean Tusk. Otherwise, it would have to take up a new identity. 'The newborn can only obtain an inheritance from the 43rd Empyrean Tusk.'
If he were to reveal it, Bora Tusk might lose his sanity. Therefore, it was best to keep quiet about it until the baby was born. 'Besides, Gannala left this to my discretion. There must be a reason then.'
'Is Granny Oyo too attempting the same?' He wondered. In the Mammoth Clan, there were two women with the Fragment Disease: Oyo and Yuza.
In Sumatra Chronicles, Oyo simply ends up dying at the First Major Disaster. 'But now, things might be different. Maybe that's why Gannala didn't say anything to me about continuing her legacy. Maybe she left it to someone else. I feel Inala is the most likely, but I can't say for sure.'
He continued to think of the various possibilities while Bora Tusk and Yahard Tusk protected him and brought him to the 43rd Settlement.
An hour later, right as the First Major Disaster started, Virala rushed into a shelter alongside Ruvva and Luttrena.
"Defend! Don't let the Zingers steal our Empyrean Tusk's Prana!" An elite bellowed as he used his Bone Spear to pierce a Zinger that mistakenly flew close by.
Those in the shelter too threw out attacks, all while Virala huddled at the very back, acting weak. His attention was on the two women beside him.
"Aah!" A Prana Bomb slammed into a student and caused her to scream in pain. Her leg shattered from the impact while her Prana was being sucked by the projectile.
"Ruvva, help her!" Virala shouted in urgency, causing Ruvva to instinctively move.
"Come with me." Virala grabbed Luttrena's hands and dragged her away. While Ruvva was distracted by the student, Virala arrived at a corner of the shelter and whispered, "Where's the channel?"
"Here," Luttrena pointed as she infused her Prana into a region, revealing a narrow hole. "This leads to a main channel."
Virala jumped into the hole, followed by Luttrena. Right as she was about to close the entrance, Virala grabbed her hand, "You don't need to bother with that."
"But…" Luttrena intended to retort but a peck on her lips and she turned silent. Her eyes were glazed as she didn't seem to be aware of what she was doing.
As Luttrena led the way, Virala travelled from one channel to another, eventually entering a major channel that was wide enough for ten people to walk side by side. Security was minimal in the channel now as everyone rushed out to defend against the Zingers.
They couldn't afford to leave part of their strength inside the Empyrean Tusk. Zingers were unlike Mud Vipers. They wouldn't enter the channels. Therefore, guarding the entrance was enough.
This meant there was none to obstruct their actions as Virala sported a smile, calmly following a dazed Luttrena who took the initiative to lead him through the complex network of channels.
"We're finally here." Virala entered a dome and spoke in excitement, staring at the cylindrical object before him, covered by a thick layer of bone.
It was the 43rd Empyrean Tusk's heart!