Gannala approached Yennda, ignoring the latter's unwillingness as she touched him and began to seep her influence into his body. There were too many people around her, supporting her. As a result, Yennda was unable to either resist or make excuses.
He watched as he was accepted as part of Gannala's immune system, causing his Mammoth Clansman's characteristics to flare up in response. To date, without the influence of his Empyrean Tusk, Yennda had remained his own person, despite the troubles he had encountered.
But that all changed once Gannala touched him. 'Is this how things are going to be?'
He sighed despondently but was stunned to see Gannala lean forward and whisper in his ears, "I won't restrict you in the slightest. If you're capable enough, you'll receive my support, similar to how my predecessor supported all seven."
"If you're capable, that is." She smiled and backed away, "Once I resume action as an Empyrean Tusk, I'll become impartial thanks to my omniscient perspective."
"I understand," Yennda nodded and bowed slightly, "I don't want to admit it, but I'm honestly glad you've returned."
"Alright, I won't interfere with your work. Keep working hard." Gannala turned around and exited the room, commenting once she was far enough away from Yennda's earshot, addressing Inala and Raaha, "He has interesting plans too. He lacks confidence in himself and suffers from a serious case of inferiority complex. But other than that, it's just a matter of time before he begins to reveal his schemes."
"Do I start treating him differently?" Raaha asked, intending to take notes. After all, as Gannala had gone through Yennda's memories, she would have a perfect idea of his character, thoughts, and plans.
"That's not necessary for the time being." Gannala said, "He has a lot of thoughts, but he doesn't have the necessary mindset to act upon them. Currently, his focus is on building his character. Once he does that, his plans might change entirely. We'll have to wait until that moment. Besides,"
She stared at the Empyrean Tusk herd, "Whatever he does will end up becoming fuel for Harrala's growth."
Currently, Harrala had no special characteristics. She had already assumed Empyrean Tusk form and taken up the spot as the 105th Empyrean Tusk—with Gannala being recognised as the 104th for the time being.
Her rank will change once she matures. But to date, she had expressed nothing different that sets her apart from other Empyrean Tusks. She was pretty much average in that regard, whether she was in human form or after becoming an Empyrean Tusk.
The reason was Yennda's negligence towards her. After she had been birthed, not once did he approach Harrala or even intend to communicate with her. He remained an elusive dad until the end.
And since Harrala's mother, Yuza died at her birth, she had no parental figure to support her emotionally during her human years. As an Empyrean Tusk, she was naturally able to read the memories of every one part of her Settlement.
As a result, even though Zahaella took on the role of a mother in nurturing her, Harrala knew by reading her memories that she wasn't her mother. And she witnessed the sight of everyone abandoning Yuza the instant she birthed Harrala.
Unlike in Gannala's case where Inala heavily nurtured her from day one, allowing her to experience a variety of things and develop both physically and mentally, Yuza remained sheltered in her house that was part of a caravan, with Yennda doing nothing for her.
A few years down the line, when she had developed enough, Yahard Tusk requested her to assume her role as their Settlement's Deity, which she did without hesitation, since she didn't have much to look forward to in her life as a Mammoth Clansman.
"Dad, do you mind talking to Yennda about it?" Gannala asked Inala upon seeing a tiny Empyrean Tusk at the rear end of the herd, "Harrala is very pitiful."
"Does he have any thoughts in regards to nurturing Harrala?" Inala asked her in response.
"Yes, he does, very much so in fact. But," Gannala sighed, "He fears that she'll abandon him just like his family on Earth. As a result, he doesn't dare approach Harrala. He's not even part of her immune system. But despite knowing that she cannot read his mind, he refrains from heading anywhere close to her."
"I see," Inala nodded, "So that was why he asked for help from Virala."
"Yes," Gannala nodded, "Can you help him change, Dad?"
"I'll try," Inala sighed, "But not now. I can't waste time on this at the moment."
"I know," Gannala nodded.
"Besides, this is very late in the picture." Inala stared at Harrala, "She has already become a Deity. Helping Yennda become a father figure in her life was something that should have been done two decades ago."
Yennda was someone who planned to consume Harrala to gain power. So, Inala was unsure if it would ever be possible for Yennda to face her in the future.
While Inala and Gannala conversed with Raaha, Grehha, and the Mammoth Chief, Asaeya travelled from one Settlement to another and finally reached the 105th Settlement. Originally, it was the 106th Settlement, but after the Boar King killed an Empyrean Tusk, the number dropped by one.
Her heart thumped emotionally as she was finally arriving home, 'After more than nineteen years!'
She jumped onto the back of a Mammoth Clansman who had transformed into a Zinger and watched as the latter glided towards the 105th Settlement. Staring at her Deity, she became emotional, "Ahh, my Deity!"
The moment she landed on her Settlement, Asaeya kissed the floor, shedding tears in response, "Finally! Finally, I'm here!"
Kurrr-alalala!
Harrala trumped in response, obviously affected by her emotions upon reading through all of Asaeya's memories in a matter of seconds. As Harrala was still young, she was pretty vocal about her emotions.
But her trumpet wasn't merely reflecting Asaeya's emotions of longing for her home and finally managing to reunite with her Deity. Harrala noticed how Asaeya took care of Gannala, learning through her memories the extent of care Inala had given to Gannala. She became sad, knowing that her father never came to see her even once.
While Asaeya was crying, the Zinger who had brought her let out a shriek, communicating everything to the Zinger from the 105th Settlement. Information was promptly passed on to the Settlement Leader and Lady Mother.
"You're here!" Zahaella spoke in joy as she rushed to hug Asaeya, "Welcome home."
"Yes…" Asaeya's tears refused to stop as she inhaled her mother's scent, feeling her warmth after so long. "I'm back."
"You've done well to endure out there, Asaeya." Yahard Tusk embraced the mother and daughter duo, happy, "I can feel your strength."
"At the 2-Life Stage, you've already surpassed me."
"It wasn't easy." Asaeya managed to recover after some time had passed, "Living away from my Deity was especially the toughest part."
"Seems you've been through a lot." Yahard Tusk sighed and patted her, "Let's talk comfortably in our house."
"Yes," Asaeya nodded and accompanied her parents. But a few seconds later, the steps of the trio halted spontaneously, hearing the sound of a man shrilling in maddened excitement with such a loud voice it reverberated across a few Settlements.
"MY…DEITYYYYYY!" Bora Tusk slid across the ground like a serpent while in a prostrated position, expressing the zenith of his excitement while remaining the most humble and respectful as possible. His body formed a shallow trench on the ground, raising a small dust cloud as he slid to a stop and perfectly touched Gannala's feet with his head.