A collective intake of breath rippled through the concealed ranks of the Evergreen Tribe. Sergeant Syka watched intently, her hand firm on the hilt of her bow as she observed Vala and Ren sprinting towards their position, the massive, enraged form of the Iron-Backed Ape lumbering close behind them. The ground trembled with each powerful stride of the ape, its furious roars echoing through the air. Syka looked at Usato, her eyes asking for the command to engage.
Usato, his gaze fixed on the approaching ape, spoke in a low but firm voice, his words carrying clearly to Gorthok. "Gorthok, you're up!"
Hearing Usato's instruction, a wide grin split Gorthok's face, his initial nervousness now overtaken by unrestrained excitement. With a guttural yell, he surged forward from the concealed line, his large frame moving with surprising speed. He positioned himself directly in the path of the enraged Iron-Backed Ape. Then, the power of his lineage surged within him. "Activate: Ironhide Bison"!
Seeing Gorthok move to intercept the ape, Corporal Vala and Private Ren continued their retreat and ran directly towards Usato. Reaching his side, both were breathing heavily.
"Chief," Vala reported quickly, "just one ape for now. We saw it near a patch of bitter-bark trees further down the gorge."
Ren nodded in agreement, his eyes still scanning the surroundings.
Usato, glancing briefly at them before focusing back on the now-engaged Gorthok, gave his orders. "Vala, Ren, stay at the entrance of this path. Watch carefully. If you see any other Iron-Backed Apes approaching, report to me immediately."
Vala and Ren acknowledged his command and moved to position themselves at the opening of their concealed location, their attention now fixed on the gorge below.
The stage was set. Gorthok stood as the first line of defense, facing the furious charge of the Iron-Backed Ape, while Vala and Ren kept watch for any reinforcements. The Evergreen Tribe held its breath, waiting for the first clash.
As Vala and Ren positioned themselves at the concealed entrance, keeping watch on the gorge, Corporal Kael subtly signaled towards the younger members of Vala's team – Naya, Torvin, and Wren. They tensed, their initial eagerness now tinged with a palpable nervousness as the enormous Iron-Backed Ape continued its charge towards the seemingly smaller figure of Gorthok.
Just as the ape reached Gorthok, the young warrior roared. With a guttural yell, he surged forward from the concealed line, his large frame moving with surprising speed. He positioned himself directly in the path of the enraged Iron-Backed Ape. Then, the power of his lineage surged within him as his Ironhide Bison totem manifested behind him as a powerful, translucent avatar. The totem's influence flowed into Gorthok, granting him enhanced resilience. He planted his feet firmly, bracing for the impact.
The Iron-Backed Ape collided with Gorthok with tremendous force. The ground shook, and a sickening thud echoed through the gorge. Gorthok staggered slightly from the impact, a grunt escaping his lips, but his enhanced resilience allowed him to remain standing, momentarily slowing the ape's momentum. This brief pause was the signal.
"Now, you three! Move!" Kael hissed, his voice low but urgent, gesturing towards Naya, Torvin, and Wren. "Remember the plan! Wren, flank left! Torvin, you support from the right! Naya, stick close to Gorthok and look for openings!"
Vala's team surged forward. Wren, nimble despite his nervousness, darted to the ape's left, attempting to distract it with quick strikes from his wooden short swords. Torvin moved with slightly less grace but determination, positioning himself on the ape's right, trying to find a gap in its thick fur with his wooden spear. Naya, the most hesitant, stayed close to Gorthok, her movements cautious as she observed the massive beast, holding her wooden shield defensively.
The Iron-Backed Ape, momentarily surprised by Gorthok's resistance and the sudden appearance of the others, roared in frustration. It swung its massive arms, forcing Wren to hastily retreat. Torvin managed to jab his wooden spear, but the thick hide of the ape absorbed most of the impact, drawing only a bellow of rage.
"Keep moving! Don't let it focus on one of you!" Kael called out, his eyes scanning the chaotic scene. "Wren, try to draw its attention with quick jabs! Torvin, keep probing its sides! Naya, when Gorthok creates an opening, try to use your shield to find a weakness or create an opening!"
Naya, seeing Gorthok manage to momentarily stagger the ape with a powerful shove, finally found her courage. She darted forward, attempting to strike at the ape's thick, muscled thigh with the edge of her wooden shield.
The ape retaliated with a swift swipe, its massive hand narrowly missing Naya, sending her stumbling backward. Torvin, seeing his opportunity, lunged forward, his wooden spear finding a slightly softer spot near the ape's armpit. The ape roared in pain, finally turning its full attention towards Torvin.
"Torvin, get out of there! Wren, distract it!" Kael yelled, his voice laced with urgency.
The fight was clearly difficult. The Iron-Backed Ape was far stronger and more resilient than any foe Vala's team had faced before. Their wooden weapons and simple shields were proving inadequate against the brute force of the beast. The controlled combat experience Usato had envisioned was proving to be a brutal lesson in the raw power of these creatures and the desperation of their situation.
...The fight was clearly difficult. The Iron-Backed Ape was far stronger and more resilient than any foe Vala's team had faced before. Their wooden weapons and simple shields were proving inadequate against the brute force of the beast. The controlled combat experience Usato had envisioned was proving to be a brutal lesson in the raw power of these creatures and the desperation of their situation.
Watching Naya stumble back after her shield barely scraped the ape's thick hide, and seeing Torvin's wooden spear splinter slightly upon impact, a wave of concern washed over Usato. 'Sky,' he thought urgently, 'their weapons… they're not enough. Can you create something more effective for them? Even temporary?'
'Host,' Sky responded in his mind, 'I can initiate a fabrication sequence. However, the current nanobot reserves are limited. I can only generate a single batch of equipment.'
Usato considered this quickly, his gaze flicking between the struggling youngsters and the powerful ape. 'Alright, Sky. Create three sets. One set of a weapon and a shield. Another with a single melee weapon, something with more impact than wood. And the last, a single long-range weapon, whichever you assess to be most immediately useful based on the current situation and their likely skills.'
With that silent command given, Usato refocused his attention on the unfolding fight, a glimmer of hope amidst the tense situation. He still needed to observe and guide, but the thought of providing better tools for the trainees offered a measure of relief.
...The thought of providing better tools for the trainees offered a measure of relief. Focusing back on the immediate danger, Usato saw Wren narrowly avoid a crushing blow and Naya struggling to keep the ape at bay with her wooden shield. He knew he needed to intervene quickly.
"Kael!" Usato called out, his voice cutting through the din of the ape's roars and the warriors' shouts. "Get Vala's team to fall back here, now! Temporarily disengage them. I have something important for them!"
Corporal Kael, though initially focused on shouting instructions, turned sharply at Usato's urgent tone. He could see the difficulty Vala's team was having against the powerful ape. "Alright, you three! Fall back! Now!" he bellowed, waving his arms to get their attention. "Wren, Torvin, Naya! To the Chief!"
Wren, nimble as ever, managed to create some distance and darted back towards Usato's position. Torvin, who was currently locked in a precarious position with the ape, used the opportunity of Wren's sudden retreat to roll away and followed. Naya, who was closest to Gorthok, cautiously retreated, keeping her wooden shield raised as she backed away from the furious ape.
Gorthok, seemingly unfazed by the sudden withdrawal of his temporary allies, continued to hold his ground against the Iron-Backed Ape, the translucent form of his Ironhide Bison totem shimmering behind him as he absorbed the ape's powerful blows.
Vala's team, breathing heavily and showing signs of the struggle, quickly made their way to Usato. Their expressions were a mix of confusion, anticipation, and a hint of worry. 'Why did he call us back?' Wren wondered, his heart pounding in his chest. 'Did we mess up?' Naya kept her gaze low, fiddling with the straps of her wooden shield, while Torvin tried to appear more confident, though a flicker of unease crossed his brow. They looked at Usato, waiting to understand why they were pulled from the intense fight.