"Syka," Usato said, his gaze still lingering in the direction of the gorge in his mind's eye, "gather the others. Tell them I need to hold another briefing, quickly."
Syka nodded promptly. "Right away, Chief," she replied, and with a few swift strides, she disappeared back into the trees to relay Usato's message.
It wasn't long before the familiar rustling of leaves announced the group's arrival. Kael and Elara emerged first, their expressions a mix of anticipation and concern. Vala followed closely behind, her eyes sharp as she scanned their surroundings. Bringing up the rear, however, was a disheveled Gorthok, his usually bright eyes still carrying a hint of sleepiness.
Syka, who had returned with the group, immediately rounded on the younger warrior, her hands on her hips and a mock-stern look on her face. "Gorthok!" she exclaimed, her voice a stage whisper that still carried a sharp edge. "Did you fall asleep on guard duty again? Honestly, some guardian you are!"
Gorthok winced, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly. "It... it was just for a little bit, Syka. I was really tired, and nothing was happening..."
"Nothing was happening because you were asleep!" Syka retorted, her voice laced with playful exasperation. "What if a Bloodfang scout had wandered by? Or another monster? We're relying on you to keep watch!"
Kael chuckled softly, while Elara offered Gorthok a gentle smile. Vala remained silent, though a slight twitch at the corner of her lips hinted at amusement.
Usato watched the exchange with a small smile. The group dynamic, even with its occasional comical moments, was starting to solidify. He cleared his throat gently, drawing their attention. "Alright everyone, let's focus. Syka has found a promising location – a gorge just ahead – that could be ideal for dealing with the Earthshaker."
Usato then began addressing the entire group, his tone shifting to one of authority. "Alright everyone," he started, his gaze calm but carrying a note of seriousness. "Syka's scouting has confirmed the presence of a narrow gorge ahead. It's exactly the kind of bottleneck we need to exploit the Earthshaker's size against it. However," he paused, his gaze sweeping over the group, "initial reconnaissance of the area within and around the gorge reveals a few... inhabitants we'll need to deal with first."
He gestured with his hand, outlining the territories. "The first zone, which extends roughly to the first bend in the gorge," Usato continued, "appears to be the territory of a pack of Dark Wolves. Readings suggest they are relatively few in number, perhaps five or six, and while wolves are cunning and hunt in packs, this initial territory should present a manageable challenge for us to clear. Think of it as our entry point and a chance to coordinate our movements in this confined environment. From what has been observed, these wolves are fast and prefer to strike from the shadows, using the dense undergrowth to their advantage."
Usato then pointed further into the imagined map in his mind. "Beyond the first bend, we enter the territory of Savage Iron-backed Apes. Readings indicate a more significant presence here, likely a troop of around ten to fifteen individuals. These apes are far more physically imposing than the wolves. They possess thick hides that are incredibly resistant to معمولی attacks, and their brute strength is considerable. This will be a tougher challenge, requiring us to utilize our combined strength and tactics effectively. We'll need to be careful of their powerful limbs and potentially aggressive territorial behavior."
Finally, Usato focused on the deepest part of the gorge, the area leading up to where they intended to lure the Earthshaker. "And then, at the very end of the gorge, residing in a small cavern, there's a single, larger creature. While it is still significantly weaker than the Earthshaker – readings suggest roughly seventy percent of its power – it will still be a formidable opponent. Think of it as a territorial alpha or perhaps a juvenile of a larger, unknown species. This will be our final obstacle before we can focus solely on the Minotaur. We need to be prepared for a challenging fight, even against this seemingly weaker foe."
He looked at each member of the group, his expression earnest. "This gorge presents a strategic advantage, but we must clear it methodically and cautiously. We'll stick to the 'Kiting Style' as much as possible within the confines of the gorge, using our agility and ranged attacks to our advantage. Any questions?"
A heavy silence descended upon the group after Usato finished his briefing. The weight of the challenges ahead, combined with the precariousness of their situation, seemed to hang in the air. Each member absorbed the information, considering the implications of the three territories and the creatures that lay between them and their ultimate goal.
Finally, Syka broke the silence, her brow furrowed in thought. "So," she began, her gaze meeting Usato's, "the plan is to clear this gorge of these... territorial inhabitants, and then use it as a trap for the Earthshaker?"
Usato nodded. "That's the core of it. We use the environment to our advantage, funneling its massive size into a confined space."
Syka's eyes then drifted towards the others, a thoughtful expression on her face. "Chief," she said, her voice laced with a newfound urgency, "this might be the right time to start properly training the unawakened members of our tribe. With the destruction of the awakening altar..."
Her voice trailed off, the unspoken words hanging heavy in the air.
A palpable wave of sadness washed over Kael, Vala, and Elara. The loss of the altar was a significant blow to the Evergreen Tribe's future, hindering their ability to naturally produce new warriors with awakened totems. The realization that their tribe would inevitably weaken without a new way to empower their people cast a shadow over their faces.
Usato, however, remained unaffected by the wave of despair. Sky already devoured the altar before our escape. It will serve a much greater purpose within our new settlement. His thoughts were calm and resolute.
"Syka, that's an excellent idea," Usato said, his voice firm and reassuring, cutting through the group's somber mood. "In fact, I was already considering how to best utilize everyone's strengths. The destruction of the altar was a setback, yes, but it is not an insurmountable obstacle. I assure you all," he continued, his gaze sweeping across the worried faces of his companions, "our tribe will not weaken. We will find new ways to grow stronger, perhaps even stronger than before... and who knows, there might be other paths to awaken the power within our people that we haven't yet discovered." His confident tone and the subtle hint of a hidden possibility offered a renewed glimmer of hope in the face of their uncertain future.
After his subtle hint, Usato looked around at his companions. "We need to start training the unawakened young members of our tribe as soon as possible. Someone needs to make the journey back to our temporary settlement and bring them here. Who among us has the speed and stamina to make the round trip swiftly?"
Vala stepped forward immediately, her gaze determined. "I can go, Chief. Scouting is my duty, and I know the fastest routes."
Usato nodded, his expression approving. "Excellent, Vala. Your speed and knowledge of the terrain will be invaluable. Make haste, and bring back as many of the unawakened young tribesmen as you can manage."
(Scene Change: Evergreen Tribe's Temporary Settlement)
Meanwhile, back at the Evergreen Tribe's temporary settlement, a small group of unawakened young tribesmen were diligently practicing their martial arts. Despite their earnest efforts, a palpable sense of discouragement hung in the air. The vibrant energy that usually accompanied their training was muted, replaced by a quiet resignation. The knowledge that the awakening altar was gone had cast a pall over their future prospects as warriors.
The rhythmic thud of fists and feet against makeshift training dummies echoed through the clearing, punctuated by the sharp commands and corrections of Elder Borin and a few other older tribe members.
"No, no, young Kana! Your stance is too wide! Remember what Chief Usato taught us about tempering the body! Focus on your core, keep your feet grounded like roots!" Elder Borin's voice, though firm, held a note of underlying sadness. He had hoped to see these youngsters awaken their totems and become strong protectors of the tribe.
Another voice, belonging to a seasoned hunter named Nara, called out, "Rela, you're relying too much on your arms! Channel your energy, feel the flow through your entire body! Remember the breathing exercises!" Nara demonstrated a series of swift strikes, her movements fluid and precise, a testament to the Evergreen Tribe's traditional fighting style.
Despite the guidance and encouragement, the young tribesmen moved with a noticeable lack of their usual enthusiasm. The thought lingered in their minds: What's the point? Without the altar, we'll never truly be strong. We'll never be like the awakened warriors. The absence of that hopeful future weighed heavily on their young shoulders, making each punch and kick feel a little heavier, a little less impactful. They continued to train, driven by discipline and the ingrained need to protect their tribe, but the spark of excitement for their martial future had been significantly dimmed.