Suddenly, the tent flap burst open, and a strong, stout figure limped into the tent. He was a stark contrast to the slender Gail, his presence commanding and intimidating. His face was flushed with anger, his eyes burning with fury and resentment. It was Gamesh, the chief's son, known for his prowess and, of course, for being defeated by Gail in an ancient fight. His intrusion shattered the calm, filling the tent with tension.
Gamesh's voice was sharp and accusatory as he addressed his father, showing no respect for the clan chief's authority. "Father, you know that this sword is mine. I will be your successor. Why didn't you tell me the secret of finding the sword all these years? Why did you hand over the sword to a skinny stranger whom you don't trust?"
The chief's eyes narrowed as he regarded his son, the weight of authority and disappointment clear in his gaze. He took a deep breath before responding, his voice steady but firm. "Gamesh, power, and heritage are not just about strength. They are about wisdom, courage, and destiny. Gail has proven himself in ways that go beyond physical prowess. The sword chose him, as did the crystal. This is not about succession but about fulfilling a greater purpose. Finally, remember this, you lost the ancient fight to him."
Gamesh's hands clenched into fists, his body trembling with barely contained rage. "This is unacceptable! I have trained my whole life for this, and you give it all away to an outsider? This is a betrayal!"
The chief remained calm, his gaze unwavering. "It is not about what we want, Gamesh, but about what is needed. Gail's journey has just begun, and his role is crucial for the future of our tribe and beyond. You must learn to accept this and find your own path within this new reality."
Gail felt a mixture of emotions: gratitude for the chief's support, unease at Gamesh's hostility, and a burning desire to prove himself worthy of the trust placed in him. He stood, the sword glowing softly at his side, and faced Gamesh. "I do not seek to take your place, Gamesh. I only wish to uncover the truths of our past and fulfill the destiny that calls to me. There is more at stake here than any of us realize." Gail spoke words that he did not know where they came from.
The tension in the tent was palpable, the silence heavy as the words hung in the air. Gail and Gamesh stared at each other, a silent challenge passing between them. The chief watched them both, the future of the tribe resting on the decisions made in these critical moments.
"Hey, Gamesh, don't be upset. Sit down," the chief said. "The sword is the inheritance of this boy, and it is his right."
Gamesh ignored his father's words and stormed out of the tent angrily.
Gail was speechless and astonished. He thought without caring that he had won the fight, "Had the chief of the tribe really preferred him over his son to obtain the magic sword because of the heritage of his ancestors?"
Gail muttered to himself, "The chief chose me over his son, but I don't feel good about it. It's the same feeling as what my father did to me. He also chose the government over me."
Then he remembered Tommy's words in his memories. Tommy had said, "I shouldn't forget that an ancient Eastern legend says: 'A son never betrays his father, but a father... It is possible!'"
Gail decided to give the sword to the chief and ask him to give it to his son. "Chief, please accept the sword from me and give it to your son. I think he is more worthy."
The chief of the clan determinedly told Gail, "This sword is your right. The gods have chosen you, those who created us. You are of their lineage, and it is your right. You must obey their command. The sword is for you, not for Gamesh. This is what they want."
Gail, very surprised by the chief's words, felt he had uncovered hidden knowledge. He used to think these were ancient superstitions and nonsense, but now he felt differently. So, he asked, "How and why did the Anunnaki gods create us?"
The tribal chief replied, "Years ago, the Anunnaki gods came to Earth. They were looking for resources, valuable mana resources, like the crystal you touched. These stones are very powerful and highly valuable to them. They didn't have time to harvest these stones themselves, so they created humans to help them in this task."
"So humans were created by the Anunnaki as slaves to harvest mana?" Gail asked.
"When the number of humans increased, the gods showed mercy and granted freedom to some. But humans became arrogant and stopped worshiping the gods. So, they decided to make the insolent humans work again. But a rebellion happened in the south. These humans had become lazy and no longer wanted to work for the gods. So the gods sent a great flood, and this calamity befell all of us. It is better for you and Gamesh to be obedient to the fate and choice of the gods to avoid disaster."
Gail, recalling the tyranny of his city and his forced labor in the mine, said, "So probably even now some humans are in slavery?"
"Yes," the tribal chief replied. "It is the gods' mercy that we have been chosen as free people."
Gail thought that perhaps Neo Eden is also governed by the Anunnaki, who have created an enclosed space and forced some people into labor to obtain more powerful mana stones. If he could find a way to fight and stop them in the past, perhaps their oppression in the future would also cease.
With a dream of freedom, Gail said, "We must find a way to fight them. I come from a future where there is no freedom. Their oppression will increase daily, and in the future, they will establish a complete authoritarian regime that controls all humans. In my time, some people live under their rule in a city called Neo Eden, while the rest live in a world destroyed by war and environmental problems."
The tribal chief, now somewhat trusting Gail, said fearfully and quietly, "I am not satisfied with the current situation either, but I am forced to obey and worship them. We cannot oppose the gods. More importantly, many people in the tribe and my son Gamesh are supporters of the gods. Gamesh seeks to become the next chief of the tribe by worshiping the gods and obeying them, thus gaining great power. He has rallied many people in the tribe to his side. Others are completely obedient to the gods as if they are bewitched and have no will of their own. Only a limited number remain who are my main followers, those who celebrated your victory and oppose Gamesh."
Gail, looking for a solution, asked thoughtfully, "Can we rely on them?"
"They are very trustworthy to me," the tribal chief replied. "You can count on their help in my absence. Moreover, don't forget the eighth king of the south. According to rumors, he is the most successful person in history to fight the gods. His name, as I have heard, is Uta. You can travel south, learn the secret of shipbuilding and how to survive the great flood from him, and seek his help in fighting the gods. I hope the rumors are true and he trusts and helps you."
Then he paused, thought, and continued, "Before that, I have an important mission for you!"
The chief's voice carried authority and wisdom as he declared, "To understand your true heritage, you must journey to the Sacred Temple, hidden deep within the mountains. There, you will find the answers you seek and the power to change your fate."
The system was activated once again:
[New Quest: Journey to the Sacred Temple]
[Reward: Recover part of the memories and gain power]
[Failure: Permanent exile from your lineage]
This time the punishment for failure seemed heavier than ever. On the way to the new mission, the magic sword could very well come to Gail's aid. However, he decides to give the magic sword to him to build a sense of trust so that Gamesh will not think that his father has betrayed him. Presenting the sword to Gamesh could be the foundation of friendship and destroy his hatred and jealousy. Then Gail could explain the whole story to him. But Gail, in search of Gamesh, the chief's son, learned that he had gone into the forest after leaving the tent and there was no news of him. Distrusting the villagers, Gail chooses to keep the sword with him and give it to Gamesh personally after returning from the temple.