Back in his tent, Alex requested solitude. As soon as he entered, his strength abandoned him, and he collapsed to the ground. The searing pain in his body drew groans he could barely suppress.
All Alex could do was fight to keep from screaming, hoping sleep would claim him.
Despite receiving emergency treatment, he knew there was no technology capable of recovering a lost arm in his condition. The limb was irretrievably gone.
Beyond his missing arm, he also had to contend with the side effects of the strength drug he had used. His paralyzing and coagulant venom had helped stop the bleeding, but the effects were temporary. Had the battle lasted longer, Alex would undoubtedly have bled out.
Now, he relied on regular doses of the venom until his wounds healed. While the venom was less debilitating than stone powder, it still made movement difficult.
As time passed and pain became his only companion, Alex finally fell asleep.
The following morning, he woke up. The pain was still there but more tolerable than the night before. Rising with effort, he stepped out of the tent.
Outside, he found his tribe members, now accompanied by the former members of Scar's tribe.
"Come in. We have much to discuss. I hope to get answers to many questions."
"Yes, sir. We will answer everything we know," replied the former members of Scar's tribe in unison.
Inside the tent, Alex sat down, flanked by Martins on his left and Max on his right. The new tribe members also took their positions: Snow, Jack, Anibal, Quiteria, and Qin. Alongside them sat the elders, forming a complete circle.
The atmosphere was tense. Although calm on the surface, all former members of Scar's tribe were visibly uneasy.
"Let's begin!" said Alex firmly.
"First question: I've heard that Scar used a giant worm to create the strength drug and that he used the last one available. He told me there are five guardians—now three. The leopard in the cave, the giant ox in the clearing, and a giant worm in the desert. I want to know: what's the difference between this worm and the one he used? Or was he lying?"
"That wasn't a lie," said the elder on the left. "There is a giant worm known as the Guardian of the Desert, but it's not the same one Scar used. The guardians are species that surpass the characteristics of their normal counterparts."
"The worm Scar used belonged to an ancient species," added the elder on the right. "The giant worms we know today are like oversized larvae with round mouths that consume everything. But the worm Scar used had a mouth divided into four parts and a protective carapace."
"I see," Alex replied. "The night before my duel, I encountered someone claiming to be an exile. Tell me more about them."
"Sir, the exiles are members who opposed Scar's actions against our neighbors. That's why they were expelled from the tribe," explained Anibal.
"That's not entirely true," interrupted Jack.
"Silence, Jack!" Anibal shouted irritably.
"Quiet!" Alex commanded, ending the argument. "Jack, continue. Why isn't it entirely true? From what I know, that was the reason your former elders were exiled."
"Sir, it's true that this was one of the reasons," said Jack, "but the exiles also included those who opposed Scar not just for his actions but for his innovations. Some even supported his deeds but rejected his technologies. They claimed they were unnatural and would bring death to everyone. This created a dissident group that eventually tried to assassinate Scar. However, Scar chose to exile them instead of killing them because many were important figures. Their deaths would have caused more harm than good."
"I see. So they're not as trustworthy as they appear," Alex muttered.
"Anibal, why didn't you like Jack interrupting you?" Alex asked, his gaze sharp.
"I... it's... it's insignificant," Anibal stammered, bowing his head. "They wouldn't dare try anything against you. They couldn't even do anything to Scar, let alone to you, who defeated him."
"Let me make this clear," Alex said with severity. "I decide what is or isn't insignificant!"
After a brief silence, Alex concluded the meeting.
"For now, that's all. You're dismissed. I'll call you when I need you. I need to reflect on what to do next."
"Yes, sir. We'll be waiting," replied the new members.
With that, the meeting ended, and Alex returned to his thoughts. Now, he had to decide the next step to consolidate his leadership and unite the two tribes.