Primitive Man

A few minutes before Garnt encountered Baktou inside the seaside village, in the camp outside of the village that was used for medical purposes, two beautiful yet familiar women exchanged worried glances.

Gundo, Garnt's mother and a woman of formidable medical talent unlike her former primitive woman self, couldn't shake the guilt that etched lines on her face. "Rona, you should have gone with him," she confessed, her eyes filled with regret. "I'm holding you back because I'm weak,"

Rona with a heart as brave as all the other women in Garnt's harem, shook her head, her expression unwavering. "Gundo, you're just as important as Garnt. We each have our roles. I believe in Unami and Kara. They're with him, and they'll protect him."

Gundo nodded, appreciating Rona's reassurance, but worry still etched lines on her face. "I know, but he's my son. I should be there."

Rona placed a comforting hand on Gundo's shoulder. "He'll come back, Gundo. We have to believe in them."

Gundo sighed, her gaze fixed on the distant horizon. "You know, Rona, it feels like just yesterday when Garnt was a little boy running around, looking like a cute little boy. Now he's out there, facing who knows what. I still can't believe how much he grew both physically and mentally."

Rona smiled warmly, her eyes reflecting memories. "Time flies, Gundo. But you've raised a strong and capable man. He's doing what he believes in, and he's got good friends by his side."

Gundo nodded, a small smile breaking through her concern. "I suppose you're right. It's just hard being a mother sometimes. Especially, when I can't do anything to help Garnt. He is too capable. I became a doctor because he helped me and without his help, I would have been a woman who is rotting in a cave.."

Rona chuckled, "Tell me about it. I remember the day when I first him I thought he was a cocky little kid, but now look at us. I even have a daughter with him,"

Gundo raised an eyebrow, curiosity sparking in her eyes. "How is Mera doing right now? I heard they are following their big sister Guni. In future they will have to compete for what Garnt is going to get them, so make sure she is ready for it."

Rona smiled at her words and nodded, but they couldn't speak for too long.

As they spoke, the distant sounds of battle echoed in the air, a reminder of the turmoil that engulfed Baktou and the seaside village. The war cannons beat in the background, amplifying the anxiety that hung heavy over the camp.

After a few more minutes, a figure emerged on the horizon, running toward them. The women's hearts raced as the silhouette became clearer. It was a messenger, a young soldier breathless from the urgency of his message.

"Medics! We need medics!" he shouted, his voice cutting through the tension.

Rona and Gundo exchanged a glance, their roles now crystal clear. Without wasting a moment, Rona steeled herself and turned to Gundo. "Gundo, gather the medics. We're needed."

Gundo nodded, her motherly instincts kicking in. "I'll be there. Go, Rona."

As Rona rushed to assemble the medical team, the same messenger continued, "And we need a backup army! They're rallying the troops for a counterattack! You're leading, Lady Rona! Lady Unami asked me to let you know that Baktou is currently fighting with Garnt personally."

A surge of determination filled Rona's eyes. "Understood. I'll lead the backup army. We won't let them down."

The camp erupted into controlled chaos as medics hurriedly gathered supplies, and soldiers prepared for the imminent counterattack. Gundo watched Rona with a mix of pride and concern, knowing that they were about to face a pivotal moment in the war – a moment that would decide the fate of not only Garnt but the entire campaign.

***

As the clash between Garnt and Baktou escalated, the air crackled with tension. Garnt's eyes narrowed, determined to stop his once-brother from causing more harm.

Baktou, now angered and looking rather strange, snarled at Garnt's words. "Survival, Garnt. Our paths diverged, and I won't let you jeopardize our way of life. You won't reach the sea, and your people will fall."

Undeterred, Garnt unsheathed his sword, the glint of its blade reflecting the gravity of the moment. "Baktou, this ends now. We were brothers, but if I must be the one to stop you, so be it."

"Then don't hold back! Try and kill your so called brother if you can," Baktou answered Garnt and both of them quickly got into their battle postures.

The clash of steel against bare fists echoed through the village landscape as Garnt and Baktou faced off. The ground beneath them trembled with each forceful strike, creating a tense symphony of conflict.

[Garnt! He is strong, too strong. This might be the effect of the DNA syringe, so be careful.]

Eva warned since she wanted Garnt to beat Baktou and she knew he was fully capable of doing it despite not being able to use most of his weapons.

Garnt lunged forward, his sword slicing through the air with a precision overhead strike. Baktou, however, effortlessly dodged the attacks, his movements fluid and almost dance-like. "You always underestimated me, Garnt," he sneered, landing a powerful punch that sent Garnt staggering backwards.

"Maybe you see still see that little boy in me that got beaten up by you when we were training! I'm not that boy Garnt," Baktou shouted.

Garnt gritted his teeth, regaining his balance. "I never underestimated you, Baktou. I just never thought you'd abandon our principles for power like this."

Baktou's laughter reverberated as he circled Garnt, his eyes getting red with an otherworldly intensity. "Principles, Garnt? The world has changed, and survival requires adaptation. Your methods I just don't simply agree with them. I need you to go back to your own village and develop that. Don't come here and try to find things that are not needed for you."

With a fierce yell, Garnt charged again, determined to put an end to Baktou's madness. His weapon and Baktou's fist clashed, the metallic sound echoing in the air. Baktou, however, disarmed Garnt with a swift move, sending the sword clattering to the ground.

"Now, Garnt, witness the strength that comes from embracing the power! The power that you refuse" Baktou proclaimed, launching a series of rapid punches and kicks that Garnt skillfully evaded but Garnt felt that Baktou wasn't even trying to him in the first place.

It was like he was trying to intimidate him into retreating and Garnt knew there should be more to his story than just Baktou being power hungry.

"Garnt! You can take your sword if you want otherwise I will feel bad about this fight. I want to completely destroy your self confidence so you won't ever lay your foot on this village,"

Garnt's eyes narrowed as he quickly assessed the situation. Despite Baktou's overwhelming strength, there was a hint of desperation in his opponent's eyes. Eva's warning about the DNA syringe echoed in his mind, making him more cautious.

"Even a beast like you have some sense I guess, I will gladly take your offer then" Garnt declared, his voice steady despite the chaos around them. He darted towards his fallen sword, swiftly reclaiming it and adopting a defensive stance.

-verified

Baktou chuckled, the red glow in his eyes intensifying.

"That's more like it! Once I kill everyone except you and Unami, I will throw you out of this place." Baktou said and bended, as if he was trying to jump. "But Garnt... I have to thank you for bringing all these cannons here. You helped me big time,"

And as soon as he finished saying those words, he jumped into the sky and attacked where Garnt had previously been standing, creating a huge crater there.

Garnt rolled to the side just in time, narrowly avoiding the powerful blow that had created a massive crater in the ground. He sprang back to his feet, a determined glint in his eyes.

The two engaged in a mesmerizing dance of combat, a struggle for ideals and survival, while their men were massacring each other. Both Garnt and Baktou's sides had suffered considerable casualties, but Unami and Kara had managed to kill more than fifty men as they were concerned about the formidable enemy dealing with Garnt.

"Damn it! Why is he so strong? Is it true that he used one of those weird syringes? If that's the case, won't this be dangerous for Garnt?" Kara questioned Unami. They tried to run in his direction but were confronted by a large group of Baktou's men, preventing them from doing so.

Meanwhile, hidden in a corner, a violet-haired woman observed everything with a grin on her face. She knew this was the development she needed.

"I need to kill Garnt with my own hands if I want to take Eva into my body, just like how Eva went into Baktou's body. But first—" She looked at the huge metal pipe next to her, which was being loaded with a significant amount of gunpowder and aimed at the ongoing battle. "Let's just kill that beast!"