Even as they approached cautiously, Alex and the others were noticed. The giant ox turned toward them.
They froze, waiting.
The ox locked eyes with Alex in particular and... waved at him.
Alex stood stunned. Did it just wave at me?
"Let's move closer, but be ready to retreat," Alex said.
Everyone nodded, prepared to step back at any sign of danger.
As they approached, Alex noticed the ox's gaze was fixed on him—not with anger, but with the look of an elder observing a curious child. It was strange to feel scrutinized like this by an ox.
When they were close enough, the ox lay down and gestured again, this time inviting Alex nearer.
"Hello, little monkey from afar," said the ox.
What?! Did I hear that correctly?
The ox... spoke?
"Ah, judging by your faces, you didn't know. What was his name again? Oh, Scar, yes. Didn't he mention I could communicate?" asked the ox, speaking in the slow manner of an old man.
"No," Alex replied. "For various reasons, I had to defeat Scar in a challenge. He told me nothing except of your existence."
Alex glanced at Snow, Jack, and Qin. Their stunned expressions confirmed that Scar had kept this secret from them as well.
"You defeated Scar? Hmm. I see. What a pity. He had his flaws, but I didn't wish for him to die so young. Well, it's part of life," the ox said solemnly.
"How should I address you?" Alex asked.
"My name is Manuel. That was the name given to me in my past life, and it's stayed with me ever since," replied the giant ox.
"You see, it's funny," Manuel continued, chuckling. "In my past life, I killed oxen. Now, I am one. Hahaha! It's always something that amuses me."
"So you're like me and Scar," Alex said, his curiosity piqued. "You came from another life. Do you know why this happened to us? How? And what exactly is this place?"
"Uhmm, I know… and I don't know," Manuel said cryptically. "Scar asked me similar questions. I'll answer what I can."
"Alright," Alex agreed, eager for answers.
"This world resembles primitive Earth, from when the human species began to emerge. But this world is not Earth, just similar to it," Manuel explained.
"How are you sure?" Alex asked. He already had his own theories but wanted to know why the ox shared his belief.
"Well, I can't share everything I know," Manuel said, his tone shifting slightly. "But I'll say this: this world is larger than Earth, and it has animals from different times and places coexisting. You see, I was born from an ordinary cow. But look at me—everything about me is far from ordinary. If you think I'm big, wait until you encounter creatures that could swallow me whole in one bite."
"You can't share everything? And there are creatures so massive they could eat you in one bite? That's hard to believe," Alex said skeptically.
"Hahaha, I know it's hard, but it's the pure truth," Manuel said, laughing. "I'll tell you the same thing I told Scar: 'Everything has its time. If it's meant for you to know, you'll discover it—just as I did.'"
"So, you can't give me more details?" Alex pressed.
"Essentially, no," Manuel replied. "What I can say is that you're on the right path. Just keep moving forward. Yawn… Well, now I must sleep. Good luck on your journey."
And with that, Manuel lay down, closed his eyes, and began snoring.
Alex stood there, dumbfounded. How could anyone fall asleep like that? Hey, answer my questions!
"I guess that's it. Let's head back!" Alex declared.
"Uh, Chief? What just happened?" Aurélio asked, still in shock.
"That? That was a talking ox. Don't worry about it," Alex replied dismissively.
Deciding to leave it at that, they followed Alex back toward the tribe.
"So, Chief, what now? What will we do?" Martins asked. Max, Aurélio, and the others were equally curious. The group had been assembled for exploration, but so much had happened since then—new members, new challenges, and new mysteries.
"Now? I already said it. We're going back. It's time to return home," Alex said firmly.
After all this time, Alex and his companions were finally heading back—this time, with new allies and renewed purpose.