Brimgan Sea!
It had recovered its original beauty, teeming with life and constantly targeted by the Brimgan Empire, the same as usual. The statue of Amita Brimgan stood right beside the entrance.
Ten kilometres away from the entrance, constructed along the Lotus Range was a port. The Lotus Range wasn't damaged just to build the port. Instead, massive elevators and even escalators had been constructed, operated by a large group of professionals trained for the task.
Once the submarine arrived at the port, surfacing like a ship, a team of Free Humans entered it and began their usual checks, obtaining a list of goods from a Mystic Human in charge of the task. As they had traded a few times already, the process had been refined and professionalised.
"Good, the inspection's completed." The Free Human announced and turned around, commanding the group of workers who began to transport the goods into the Brimgan Empire. At the same time, a team of Mystic Humans were busy layering the submarine with their tools, intending to row it back to the Dralh Sea.
Once it has arrived there, Virala will keep it safe until his second body returns home. Or in the case the second body gets killed and he's forced to make a new one, he'd give the Tratham composing the submarine to the new body.
As their side had just begun refining it, Tratham was limited in volume. If not for the existence of Parute Fruits that Peikaha--the Spirit Eater Guardian with a Rutham Human Avatar--consumed in large batches to refine Zarzelite into Tratham, it would be harder for the Mystic Humans to develop.
The Mystic Humans were producing Parute Fruits constantly upon assuming Spirit Eater form. And a good portion of them were solely consumed by Peikaha. With a diet solely consisting of Parute Fruits, Peikaha was extremely busy.
He had been revived by the Spirit Eater stationed with the Abode of Mystics. It was controlling him, and it was controlled by a Minor Treasure of Mystic Human Stamp. This way, Virala protected the vested interests of the Mystic Human Race--Tratham.
Seeing his Mystic Humans rapidly make changes to the submarine, Virala grinned in pride and stared at Inala, "Aren't they amazing?"
"It'll be a shocker if they weren't." Inala retorted, "I mean, these guys will outlive an Empyrean Tusks. If they were any less capable, I would have questioned your brain cells' competency."
"Would it kill you to give an honest praise?" Virala grumbled.
"They haven't done anything worth my praise." Inala shrugged, "They're simply controlling Tratham like a Spirit Weapon. You'll find hundreds of Free Humans with better skill than that in every street of the Brimgan Empire."
"Dude, they have been systematically raised as miners for thousands of years." Virala grumbled, "They are doing their best to grow out of their mould and improve on all fronts. It's not something that can be achieved overnight."
The duo argued as they landed on the port, approaching the Brimgan Royal in charge of the place. Upon seeing them, the Brimgan Royal stiffened in shock.
Leader of the Mystic Humans, Ruler of the Dralh Sea, and father of the second Brimgan Guardian--The Violet Mystic Path, Virala.
The first Calamity, Mutated Beginner Mystic Grade Pranic Beast--the Indigo Mystic Path, Inala.
The identities of the two men flashed in his mind as the Brimgan Royal hurriedly approached them, asking nervously, "May I ask the purpose of your visit?"
"We wish to meet with the Brimgan Emperor!"
The general public thought the Brimgan Guardian was Amita Brimgan. However, the Brimgan Royals at the Life Stage knew that the other identity of Amita Brimgan was Inala. They were now privy to the information about the Mystic Paths, having gained a clear understanding from Orakha.
That was how the Brimgan Royal recognised Inala. And during the time Resha spent at the Guna Caves, he spread rumours about Inala being the First Calamity through the Cooter Clan's channels.
And thanks to the Cooter-Brimgan Trade Agreement, the Brimgan Empire came to know that their Guardian also went by the title of the First Calamity.
Following that, when Orakha brought Ruvva to the Brimgan Empire, Boul Brimgan thought of the way they could integrate this Mystic Human into their fold. Mystic Humans were just Free Humans with their potential raised to the extreme.
So, their human supremacy tendencies weren't in conflict. Moreover, Ruvva was a greater human supremacist than even Boul Brimgan, which made integrating her into the Brimgan Empire extremely simple.
And the identity used towards that was the Brimgan Guardian. Ruvva became the Brimgan Empire's second Brimgan Guardian and also the more popular one, since the Royal Zinger only appeared before them once.
"Let me escort you to His Majesty, the Emperor!" The Brimgan Royal said in a hurry and used his Spirit Weapon to send the message to the nearby station. Immediately in response, through a line of Information Slips transmitted from one station to another, the news reached the Brimgan Emperor within a few minutes.
He then escorted the duo to a lavishly decorated railway compartment and served them some refreshments while the railway sped at high speeds.
"They have improved this technology." Inala's eyes lit up as he stared at the changing scenery, "It's at least twenty percent faster than before. The ride's even smoother."
He expanded his Prana, condensing a faint filament of air, having erected a Biome Bomb. With that, he observed the inner workings of the railway, commenting in praise, "They added a suspension system and it's incredibly efficient."
'Boul Brimgan is indeed different.' Inala thought, realising that every generation of Brimgan Emperors was built different. And even among them, Boul Brimgan was in a league of his own.
This was why Inala took action to protect the Brimgan Empire at the end of the Second Major Disaster, thereby putting a stop to their loss of life. The temporary sense of security he provided was enough for the Brimgan Empire to get back on their feet, stronger than before.
'They haven't survived the test of time through multiple eras for no reason.' He thought, frowning upon seeing Virala remain mum through the entire journey, "Are you constipated?"
"Fuck off, dude!" Virala cursed under his breath. "Leave me alone."
"Hmm..." Inala observed Virala in closeup before murmuring in shock, "Don't tell me..."
"You haven't met Ruvva until now?"
"...No," He faced away from Inala, "I didn't."
"Wow!" Inala burst into laughter, "You've stayed true to your character as a deadbeat."
"Get off my back!" Virala spat in irritation.
"Alright, alright, don't cry," Inala chuckled casually and was just about to drop the matter when his eyes caught sight of Virala's legs trembling ever so faintly. "Dude…"
"Are you nervous?"
"I'm leaving! To heck with your plan!" Virala got up and turned around, intending to jump out of the railway.
"Someone's afraid," Inala clutched his stomach in laughter, "Doesn't even have the balls to face his child. And this guy is the leader of an entire race. That's a riot!"
"What about you then?" Virala's eyes were red as he glared at Inala, "Your daughter was almost killed by Brangara and you weren't even aware. And the moment you got a chance, you disowned her."
"Your own daughter calls you by your name instead of addressing you as her father, and you're talking about me?" The moment he started talking, Virala unleashed a flurry of words, "Do you even know how much she'll be tortured if she ever were to be captured by Brangara?"
"Forget all that," He huffed, "Do you even know where she's at currently? You don't! Whether she's alive or not is irrelevant to you. I mean, it makes sense when you think about it."
"Gannala wasn't even a planned birth…"
"One more word out of that rotten mouth of yours, and I'll erase your pathetic existence from the face of Sumatra." Prana billowed out of Inala as his expression was incensed, "You know nothing about what I've done for her."
"Don't measure me with your rotten yardstick." It was Inala's turn to spew, "I know her birth was forced upon me, but I took responsibility even then. I was batshit weak but despite everything, I did everything in my power to ensure she grew up physically and mentally sound."
"But you…" Inala stated in disgust, "You raped Yarsha for your twisted desire and birthed Ruvva. And once she was birthed, you discarded her. For namesake, you put in some effort to gain possession of her, but you did shit after that."
"I'm pretty sure Orakha was the one who took care of her, since he's soft-hearted." He spat, "And now what? You're putting on an act as if you've cared about her. Why don't we make things clear?"
"You're trash, nothing more than a gutter trash refined to be the absolute epitome of disgustingness."
There was silence between the duo for a couple of seconds before Prana billowed out of their beings, rupturing the compartment they were travelling through.
Faint sparks of lightning condensed through the Prana Inala emitted, bluish-golden in colour. On the other hand, a crimson light emanated from Virala's Prana, generating force through his Tratham.
'S-Shit!' Seated on the opposite end, the Brimgan Royal trembled in fear, 'M-Monsters! Both of them are terrifying monsters!'
He wasn't even weak, but a Gold Grade master at the 6-Life Stage, someone strong enough to kill a Gold Grade Pranic Beast. But in this situation, he felt like an ant, unable to do anything against the billowing presence. But right as he despaired, hope bloomed in his mind as his heart set at ease.
With a start, he bowed, announcing aloud, "I greet His Majesty, the Emperor!"
A golden humanoid stood between the duo of Inala and Virala, his expression stoic. Staring at the two, he opened his mouth, uttering with a tone of authority, "It seems interesting. Shall I take part in it too?"
'This guy…!' Veins popped all over Inala's eyes as he glared at the golden humanoid, in a momentary state of disbelief, 'Orakha, that dumbass! What has he done?'
Boul Brimgan was indeed a powerhouse, one of the strongest in Sumatra. He was strong, but not as powerful as what Inala was feeling from the golden humanoid. There can only be one reason for the change.
Sumatra Gold!
'He must have given them to Boul Brimgan. But what prompted him to do so?' Inala frowned, feeling irritated for some reason. He couldn't put a lid on it, unable to determine why he felt this way. A couple seconds later, he figured out the answer.
Mystic Paths!
Irrespective of how strong they were, all Mystic Paths will find themselves in the centre of the Major Disasters, facing Brangara. Only at the Mystic Grade could Inala resist this influence.
Therefore, no matter how strong the Mystic Paths grew, he wasn't concerned, since their focus would be against Brangara. And even if things change, he knew they'll face each other in a Major Disaster, which allowed him to plan and prepare accordingly.
However, Boul Brimgan wasn't a Mystic Path. There was no external influence piloting his actions, making him a powerful, uncontrollable variable.
What Inala was the most worried about was simple. When the Third Major Disaster starts, all Mystic Paths will be at war in the Influenced Region of Armoury, against Brangara. This meant that their respective forces no longer had a leader to protect them.
The previous Boul Brimgan, though powerful, could be defended against by the Quip Clan, especially since Zhya was still there. However, things changed completely once Sumatra Gold came into the picture.
Upon integrating them into his Human Avatar, Boul Brimgan would attain Mystic Grade strength. Even if he hadn't entered the Mystic Grade currently, he was close. It was just a matter of time. And he was free to do as he pleased during the Major Disasters.
If Inala wasn't present to protect the Quip Clan, they'd be at Boul Brimgan's mercy. They were stationed in the Ravaged Federation, which wasn't that far from the Brimgan Empire.
With the Cooter-Brimgan Channel, travel between the Brimgan Sea and the Dralh Sea was safe and incredibly quick. Boul Brimgan would be able to travel even faster once he rides his Kinesis Felines. And he had already been at the Ravaged Federation.
So, it wouldn't take him long to enter the place once again and take control of the Quip Clan, strip them of all their resources, annihilate or enslave them, etc. Whatever he wanted to do, he was capable enough to do.
Virala too retracted his presence, his expression foul, having arrived at the same conclusion as Inala. Having a neighbour on par with them was too dangerous.
Even though Boul Brimgan might not kill the Mystic Humans, he might bring them under his fold and systematically brainwash them according to his ideals. He was very well capable of that, and the Mystic Humans were susceptible to it, due to their history.
That didn't sit well with Virala.
"Since the both of you are here, try to behave, alright?" His voice was calm as Boul Brimgan said, his every word echoing his confidence, "Let's have a face-to-face discussion at my palace."