With the final words of Enki, the creator of the Earthborn, Gail felt the weight of fate and responsibility pressing heavily on his shoulders. The revelation that he was not human had initially been unsettling, a disorienting shift in his self-identity. But now, as Enki's chosen representative, he felt a burgeoning pride. Overcoming numerous challenges had proven his worth, earning him his place as the most significant individual of his kind. Understanding his heritage and learning the nature of the system had given him a newfound sense of purpose. As he pondered these revelations, the system appeared before him, demanding his attention.
[Quest: Return to the tribal chief immediately]
[Reward: Becoming the new tribal chief]
[Failure: Misfortune]
[Title: The Truth-Seeking Wolf]
[Level: 3]
[Success in the previous quest has increased your attributes]
With the system's announcement, Gail's confidence soared. He was ready to advance to the next quest. Becoming the new tribal chief was a critical step toward uniting his people against the Anunnaki. However, the path back to the temple had become impassable due to the challenges he had overcome. The bridge had collapsed, and a frozen lake now blocked the tunnel. Exhausted and sleep-deprived from his battles, including the harrowing encounter with the Soul-Killer Serpent, Gail felt physically and mentally drained. The weight of the revelations about his past added to his fatigue. Deciding to rest in the temple and resume his mission in the morning, he looked to his loyal companion, Zephyr, who would help him find a faster route back to the tribe.
Gail searched the temple for a suitable place to sleep. Most rooms were locked behind large, imposing doors. Eventually, he found a room that was relatively warmer than the rest of the cold, stone structure. He beckoned Zephyr to rest beside him, and the dog wagged his tail in approval. Gail lay down on the warm stones and, before succumbing to sleep, asked the system to show his attributes.
[Mana: 3]
[Health: 9/10]
[Endurance: 3]
[Intelligence: 6]
[Strength: 4]
[Charisma: 7]
[Vitality: 5]
[Agility: 4]
[Luck: 7]
All his attributes had increased, filling him with a renewed sense of power. His charisma level, now at 7, made him hopeful about becoming a strong leader for the tribe. Reflecting on Gamash, his serious rival, Gail reconsidered his previous intention to give the magic sword to Gamash. With his newfound understanding of his heritage and purpose, he deemed himself more worthy of the title "The Truth-Seeking Wolf." To confront the Anunnaki, Gail needed to complete his mission and become the new tribal chief. Zephyr and the magic sword were crucial for this task. He decided to keep the sword upon his return and hoped to convince Gamash to join him in fighting the Anunnaki. Lost in these thoughts, he fell asleep, with Zephyr settling beside him.
They rested for a few hours until dawn when Zephyr's bark woke Gail. The dog seemed eager to remind him of their mission. Gail rose and prepared to leave the temple. He attempted to summon Enki's hologram again to ask for directions, but his efforts were futile. The entrance they had used was blocked, forcing them to find another exit. Heading towards the back door, Gail's intuition told him to move south.
As he approached the exit, the gate opened easily, a stark contrast to the blood required to enter. Stepping into the cold morning air, Gail felt less affected by the chill due to his increased strength. He pondered the requirement of blood to enter the temple, questioning if Enki, despite being different from other Anunnaki, still had a penchant for sacrifices. Unable to find an answer, he pressed on, trusting in the logic and honesty of Enki's hologram.
Gail asked Zephyr to guide him, hoping the dog could find the way back to the tribe. Orienting himself with the rising sun, Gail deduced they needed to head south. He and Zephyr began the mountainous path, which, though challenging, seemed easier than their initial journey to the temple, especially with Zephyr by his side. As they distanced themselves from the temple, the magic sword began to pulse, guiding them towards a path that skirted a ravine.
On the way back, Gail's thoughts turned to his father, Tommy, and Kaz, and the city of Neo Eden. Pride welled up within him as he imagined returning as a hero. Chosen by Enki and having overcome numerous challenges, he envisioned himself as the savior of his loved ones, their protector against the looming threat of the Anunnaki.
His heart swelled with a sense of superiority. He had been tested and had proven his worth. However, this pride began to cloud his judgment, making him overconfident in his abilities. When Zephyr barked a warning about noise from the cliff above, Gail brushed it off, dismissing the threat. He stroked Zephyr's head reassuringly, confident in his ability to handle any challenge that came his way.
"We've faced worse, boy," Gail said, smiling. "Nothing we can't handle."
The path they were on was narrow and treacherous, winding along the edge of a deep ravine. The morning light cast long shadows, and the cold mountain air nipped at Gail's skin, though his increased strength made him less susceptible to the chill. The sound of their footsteps echoed in the quiet, broken only by the occasional rustle of leaves or the distant call of a bird. Gail felt proud and looked down on everything. A proud man is always looking down on things and people; and, of course, as long as you are looking down, you cannot see something that is above you.
Suddenly, without warning, a wild cat sprang from the cliff above. Its fur was matted and its eyes glowed with a feral intensity. The attack was so swift that even the system had no time to alert him to the wild cat's level. In an instant, the beast was upon him, its claws slashing and teeth sinking deeply into his already injured arm. Gail's cry of pain mingled with the cat's ferocious growl.
Zephyr, with a snarl, launched himself at the wild cat, his teeth bared and his eyes blazing with loyalty and fury. The two animals clashed in a whirlwind of fur and teeth, Zephyr's growls and the cat's snarls filling the air. Despite the intense pain, Gail struggled to draw his magic sword, his fingers fumbling with the hilt as his vision blurred with tears.
The wild cat's claws tore at his flesh, ripping through his clothes and leaving deep, bleeding gashes. Gail gritted his teeth, fighting through the agony. Zephyr's brave assault created a perfect opportunity for Gail to strike. Summoning all his remaining strength, he raised the magic sword, its blade shimmering in the pale light.
Just as he prepared to deliver a killing blow, another figure moved on the cliff above. The wild cat's mate, larger and even more ferocious, leaped down with a blood-curdling screech. The impact was like a sledgehammer, knocking the breath out of him and sending him sprawling. Gail barely had time to register the second attack before he was hit with a severe blow that left him dazed and disoriented.
The force of the attack caused Gail to stumble, his footing slipping on the loose gravel. He teetered on the edge of the ravine, the world spinning around him. With a final, desperate swipe, the wild cat's mate struck him again, sending him over the edge. As he fell, the last thing he saw was Zephyr, still fighting valiantly against their attackers.
Gail's body tumbled down the steep slope, hitting rocks and branches, the pain exploding in his mind with every impact.