Lacking both a strong charge and a shield ability to support allies, Dhaga resorted to using his speed to pick off enemy stragglers. Cridror was doing plenty in disrupting the enemy formation, allowing the young naga to isolate and kill off foes that were easy prey. The training he went through in finding the orb owners was also paying off. He felt that, the more he observed, the better his positioning was. He could almost get a rough idea of where the enemy would regroup following one of the orca’s charges. Then, he would be there to finish off the survivors and shift the momentum ever so slightly in their favor.

  “They’re falling back,” shouted a naga. “We’ve held them off a second time. Victory will be ours!”

  It’s a shame these small victories matter little.

  Dhaga knew from his patrols how powerful the Kraken’s followers could be. They only faced the equivalent of foot soldiers on land who boasted only quantity. To the Kraken, these soldiers were plentiful and disposable as long as they served the purpose of weakening the enemy. Dhaga only had to study the nagas in the vicinity to know the Kraken’s plan was working. Despite their outward appearance, fatigue was settling in for the naga soldiers. If the Kraken forces continued sending wave after wave of their weakest soldiers, the nagas would soon have no more defenders to fend off the invasion. With the Kraken controlling the pace of the battle, it was a matter of time before the nagas suffered a complete defeat.

  How do we win this? We cannot handle this level of attrition.

  The young naga expected the two orcas to lecture him on finding the answer out himself. To his surprise, Cridror went straight to the point.

  You orb owners must get stronger fast. The Kraken won’t wait for you five to grow strong at your own pace. Tap into your powers and turn the tide of the battle. Fail to do so and the Kraken will win.

  I see.

  At the mention of tapping into his powers, Dhaga noticed something odd. He swam a quick circle around the orcas to test his theory. When he stopped, he stared at them.

  I don’t feel fatigue despite participating in the battles…

  I see you have started tapping into your orb.

  Acro went on to explain the powers of the orbs. Each orb granted powers in a specific area and, as long as the orb owner trained in that specialty, the orb granted them faster recovery from fatigue and injuries. In other words, the orbs were the perfect training tools to get a naga to the level needed to defend the naga race.

  This novel's true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.

  Why? Why are these orbs not given during times of peace so the orb owners can be ready for the Kraken’s invasion?

  Did you think there are no downsides to using the orbs? Everything comes at a cost. The greater the benefit, the steeper the price one must pay.

  Downsides?

  Dhaga felt all over his body but he couldn’t feel any abnormalities. He closed his eyes to go into meditation but he felt nothing odd there either. Despite his best efforts, he couldn’t see the downside mentioned by Cridror. As he was about to give up searching for the solution, something came to his mind.

  No way…

  As nagas approached adulthood, their scales would transition from a light blue color into a much darker blue with light green spots here and there. Dhaga should have two more years before he went through such a transition but he could already spot his scale colors changing. As reality dawned on him, the naga turned to the orcas.

  How much time do I have left?

  The timer begins as soon as you reach your prime. Then, you have at most a week worth of time before your body crumbles under the influence of the orb.

  A week should be plenty.

  Dhaga thanked the orcas and went in search of Soce. Nagas took mating for life very seriously so it wasn't a lighthearted decision when he and Soce became mates. There were certain exceptions to the rule of mating for life so, in his instance, his death would set Soce free. Yet, he still had many words he wanted to share with her before the next attack. Using his heightened awareness, Dhaga soon located Soce and, to his relief, she was unharmed. His mate was busy carrying the wounded to a tidal well when he swam up beside her, startling her with his presence. The sight made him realize that he was becoming more and more like Cridror.

  “Trying to show off your abilities?” said Soce with a mischievous smile on her face.

  The naga gestured to Soce that he wanted to talk to her privately. When he made the request, the smile disappeared from his mate’s face and was replaced with a frown. The two of them swam some distance from the other nagas. Dhaga then took a full minute to prepare what he was going to say.

  “What happened?” said Soce to break the silence.

  “The orb gives me great powers at the cost of my life. I want to share everything I wanted to say to you before it’s too late.”

  For the next hour, Dhaga shared all he wanted to say to Soce. He didn’t bother hiding his feelings nor hide anything he considered too embarrassing. With his time ticking down, the naga wanted to get everything off his chest, fearing that he wouldn't get another chance once the Kraken got serious.

  “I’ve been dealt a cruel hand but I want my sacrifice to mean something. Please find another mate after my death and be happy.”

  The sirens sounded once more and, without another word, Dhaga swam off to the frontline. The naga didn’t want to hear what her response was.

  All that matters is protecting the future so Soce and the others can live peaceful and happy lives. Seiluxr, did you make your decision knowing that you too won’t see such a day?

  Understanding what his duty was, Dhaga only picked up his pace. He checked his body once to note that he was now an adult naga. Soon, he would reach his prime and the countdown to his death would officially begin.