The conversation with Sky faded as Usato's attention drifted back to the physical world. The fiery spectacle of the sunset had now yielded to the soft, encroaching darkness. Below him, the clearing buzzed with the organized activity of his troops. He could see the flickering light of newly lit campfires and the silhouettes of figures moving purposefully as they established their encampment for the night. It seemed Syka and the officers had things well in hand.
Lost in his contemplation of souls and cultivation, Usato didn't immediately notice the small figure approaching him. It was Kana, the youngest of their group, moving with hesitant steps. The boy's slight frame seemed even smaller in the growing shadows. He stopped a respectful distance away, fidgeting with the hem of his tunic.
"Chief…" Kana began, his voice barely a whisper, laced with a noticeable nervousness. "The camp is set. The officers…they asked me to tell you that dinner is ready. They were hoping you would join them."
Usato nodded slowly, his mind still partially in the realm of his internal discussions. "Thank you, Kana. Tell them I'll be down after a moment."
Kana remained rooted to the spot, his gaze fixed on the ground, shuffling his feet. He seemed to be wrestling with something, his initial nervousness giving way to a more profound hesitation.
"What is it…young Kana?" Usato asked, his curiosity piqued by the boy's uncharacteristic reluctance to leave.
Kana finally lifted his head, his large eyes, reflecting the distant firelight, filled with an earnest plea. "Chief…I…I just wanted to ask…is there…is there any other way…to, you know…awaken my totem…without…without killing a beast?"
Usato stared at the boy, a profound bewilderment washing over him. In the Evergreen Tribe, the understanding was clear: a warrior's totem was awakened by facing and overcoming a beast, its essence fueling the connection. It was a rite of passage, a necessary act. Yet here was Kana, this small, seemingly unassuming boy, questioning that very foundation. Usato felt a strange disconnect; Kana was like a square peg in a round hole, his question seeming so out of sync with the ingrained beliefs of their tribe. He looked like he simply didn't fit with his surroundings.
After mulling over young Kana's earnest question, Usato realized that the tribe's current understanding of totem awakening might be too limited. He had, after all, managed to facilitate Ren's awakening without the need for a final, lethal blow, using a modified altar. His mind began to explore other possibilities.
'Kana might be onto something,' Usato thought, his gaze softening as he looked at the boy still waiting for an answer. Perhaps the act of taking a life isn't the only way. Several possibilities began to form in his mind, drawing on his limited understanding of the totem system and his own unique experiences.
First, he mused, there's the idea of a hunt followed by a sacrifice at the altar. Maybe the energy isn't solely derived from the death itself, but from the focused effort and offering at the sacred site. Second, there's the possibility of totem imitation. Studying the essence of a beast, understanding its symbolic representation, and then finding a way to channel or embody that essence through energy or another medium. It might be possible to replicate the awakening process by carefully mimicking the connection to a specific creature.
A third, more direct idea sparked in his mind, one that felt instinctively plausible. Maybe it's possible to directly bind the beast's spirit into the individual's soul during awakening, without relying on the ancient altar at all. After all, the beast's spirit seems to become engraved within the individual's soul during the traditional awakening.
Satisfied with these initial thoughts, Usato mentally addressed Sky. Sky, take note of this. I think there are other ways to awaken a totem besides just killing a beast or solely relying on the ancient altar.
'Acknowledged, Host. I have recorded your observations and hypotheses regarding alternative methods for Totem Awakening.'
Good, Usato thought. Maybe in the future, I can explore these possibilities further. It would be good to offer the tribe, especially the younger ones, more options. He turned his attention back to Kana, a thoughtful expression on his face.
After a moment of contemplation, Usato turned his gaze towards Kana, a thoughtful expression on his face. "Kana," he began, his voice gentle but serious, "you asked if there's another way to awaken your totem without killing a beast. I've been thinking, and perhaps…perhaps it might be possible to directly connect with a beast, to somehow bind its spirit to your own soul."
Kana's eyes widened in surprise, a flicker of hope igniting within them.
Usato held up a hand, preempting the boy's excitement. "However," he cautioned, "this is just a possibility, a theory in my mind at the moment. We don't know if it's truly feasible, and it would definitely require a lot of careful thought and experimentation. It's not something to rush into lightly."
He noticed the hopeful gleam in Kana's eyes and felt a sense of responsibility. "If you are truly interested in exploring this path, Kana, you need to promise me something. You need to study and explore this option thoroughly first. Don't just jump into it without understanding the potential risks."
Usato leaned forward slightly. "And if you do decide to pursue this…this direct binding…I want you to tell me. Promise me you will inform me before you try anything. I want to be there to protect you, to guide you if I can."
A new thought solidified in Usato's mind. For something this potentially dangerous and groundbreaking, it was better to be directly involved. "In fact," Usato added, his voice firm, "how about this? If you're serious about exploring this, you and I will study this together. We'll figure out the safest way, or if it's even possible, together. What do you say, Kana?"
Kana's face lit up with a wide, genuine smile. "Yes, Chief! I promise! I want to learn," he exclaimed, his earlier nervousness completely replaced by an eager enthusiasm.
Usato smiled back, feeling a warmth spread through him at the boy's earnestness. "Alright then, young one. Now, go on down and have your dinner. I'll be there shortly."
Kana nodded eagerly and hurried off towards the flickering lights of the camp. Usato watched him go, a thoughtful expression returning to his face. The possibility of alternative totem awakenings…it was another avenue worth exploring.
As he was about to descend from his rocky perch, Sky's voice echoed in his mind. 'Host, I have completed the analysis regarding the mutated nanobots for the construction of a weapon.'
Usato paused, his previous train of thought momentarily suspended. And? What did you find?
'Based on the analysis, a weapon constructed using these mutated nanobots will possess unique capabilities. Firstly, it will have the ability to absorb the blood of its enemies upon contact. This absorbed blood can then be directly transfused to the weapon's wielder, providing a potential source of healing or sustenance.'
Usato's eyebrows rose slightly. That's…useful. Especially in combat. What else?
'Secondly, the weapon will be capable of storing the absorbed blood-like energy. This stored energy can then be utilized by the user for offensive purposes, such as energy-based attacks, or for defensive measures, potentially forming energy barriers or enhancing the weapon's durability.'
So, it's a weapon that can heal me and also be used for attack and defense? That sounds…incredibly potent, Usato thought, a new sense of possibility stirring within him. This could be a significant advantage for him, and perhaps for others in the tribe in the future.