Laba gently urged Gail to rest and recover his strength so they could leave the cave by dawn. While conversing with Laba, Gail gradually realized that the medicinal herbs administered by the forest healer had worked miracles. His pain had significantly diminished, though he hadn't noticed the change right away. The system had shut down, leaving him unable to check his attributes or health, but after about three days, he felt remarkably better. Deciding to sleep, he prepared himself mentally to leave the cave the next day and continue his mission to reach the tribe.
Before drifting off, Gail reflected on the challenges he had faced. His mind wandered back to the grueling forced labor in the mine, where the air was thick with dust and the clang of metal against rock was a constant reminder of his captivity. The sweat and grime on his skin were a testament to the harsh conditions he endured daily. Each swing of the pickaxe felt heavier, not just from physical exhaustion but from the weight of his circumstances. The days blurred together until that fateful moment when the system, a mysterious force, transported him thousands of years back in time.
The memory of his sudden displacement was still a mystery to him. One moment he was in the mine, and the next, he found himself in a completely different era. The disorientation was overwhelming, but he had no time to dwell on it as he quickly encountered the tribe. Meeting the tribe chief had been a pivotal moment. The chief, a towering figure with eyes that seemed to peer into his mind, had an air of authority and wisdom. Gail remembered the tense atmosphere when he was forced to combat the chief's son, Ghamash. The memory of that battle was still vivid. Ghamash was a formidable opponent, his muscles rippling with every movement, eyes burning with fierce determination. The clash of their weapons echoed in Gail's ears, and he could still feel the adrenaline coursing through his veins. Luck had been on his side that day, allowing him to emerge victorious, but the encounter left him shaken.
His thoughts then turned to his perilous journey into the forest. The storm that had struck was unlike any he had ever seen. The sky had turned an ominous shade of black, and lightning cracked through the air, illuminating the chaotic scene below. The cult's child sacrifice rituals were disrupted by the tempest, but tragically, the children were already lost to the fire. The flames roared, consuming everything in their path, and the air was thick with the acrid smell of burning flesh. Gail had tried to save them, but it was too late. The cult members, dressed in dark robes with eyes gleaming with fanaticism, were caught in the chaos. Some were struck down by lightning, their screams swallowed by the storm's fury. The urgency of his mission to find the temple intensified with each passing moment.
Navigating through the narrow, deadly passages was a harrowing experience. The walls of the passages were jagged and unforgiving, and every step could be his last. He could feel the ground beneath him shift and crumble, threatening to give way. Crossing a collapsing bridge had been a test of his nerves and agility. The bridge swayed precariously with each step, and he could hear the wood creaking and splintering. Below, a chasm yawned, ready to swallow him whole if he made one wrong move.
The dark, foggy dreamscape he entered was like something out of a nightmare. The fog was so thick that he could barely see his own hands in front of him. It seemed to have a life of its own, swirling around him, whispering taunts and threats. It was in this oppressive fog that he encountered his doppelganger. The sight of his double, a perfect replica down to the smallest detail, was unsettling. Defeating his doppelganger had taken every ounce of his strength and willpower.
The thought of his doppelganger reminded him of the amulet he had taken. It was a strange, ancient-looking object that seemed to pulse with an eerie energy. Reaching for his neck, he realized with a jolt of panic that the amulet was gone, likely lost during his fall into the valley. The fear that his doppelganger could be freed from the amulet and create another challenge stressed him deeply. The possibility of facing his double again, without the advantage of surprise, was daunting.
Feeling both stressed and lonely, Gail lamented the absence of his loyal dog, Zephyr. Zephyr had been his constant companion, a source of comfort and loyalty. The dog's absence was a heavy loss, and Gail missed the reassuring presence by his side. Additionally, the shutdown of the system, which had been his guide and support, left him feeling vulnerable and isolated. The system had been a lifeline, providing him with information and assistance when he needed it most.
As he lay there, the weight of his thoughts pressed down on him. The cave felt both a refuge and a prison, a place where he could rest but also where he was cut off from the world. The flickering light of the fire cast shadows on the walls, creating a dance of light and darkness that mirrored his turbulent emotions. After much contemplation, exhaustion finally overcame him. His body, weary from the trials he had endured, demanded rest. Slowly, his eyes closed, and he drifted into a restless sleep, his mind still buzzing with the memories and challenges that lay ahead.
In his dream, the luminous figure of Enki appeared again. Gail now knew this being was Enki, the creator of the Earthborns. The presence of Enki brought a soothing sensation, knowing that guidance was near. However, Enki seemed distressed.
Gail, worried, asked in his dream, "Enki, what has happened? Why are you in this state? I am stranded in the forest, and the system has shut down."
Enki replied, "You should not have delayed your mission. Return to the tribe immediately. The tribe chief needs your help. We are under severe attack from the serpent race, and their advanced weapon occasionally disrupts the system. I am doing my best to restart it, but do not wait—continue your journey at dawn."
Gail woke abruptly, his heart racing. He knew he had to return to the tribe without delay. He called out to Laba, who was sleeping by the fire. The forest healer awoke, her face etched with concern, and asked, "What happened? Did you have a nightmare?"
Gail, still frantic, replied, "I must return to the tribe immediately. I need to take the magic sword with me and continue my journey until the system is reactivated."
Laba calmly added logs to the fire, her movements deliberate. "Did Enki, the Anunnaki god, ask you to do this?" she inquired.
Gail, surprised by her knowledge, asked, "How do you know about the system and Enki? I asked you before, but you didn't answer."
Laba, eyes reflecting the firelight, continued placing logs. "I knew you had traveled to Enki's temple, which is why I trusted you with my past and my family's history. Others before you attempted to reach the temple but got lost. They spoke of the system and their mission, and I realized they were talking about Enki's temple. I understand that Enki is gathering an army of humans. But what is his true intention?"
Gail, amazed by Laba's insight, replied, "Enki wants to save his creations from the oppression of the Anunnaki with the help of chosen individuals."
Laba, skeptical yet intrigued, responded, "He intends to save humans, you say? Are you sure the system isn't just a tool for control?"
Without hesitation, Gail replied, "No, I am certain. The system and Enki have helped me reach this point. I have traveled thousands of years from the future. For instance, I couldn't speak your language initially, but the system enabled it."
Laba pondered this for a moment. "You said the system allowed you to communicate, but it's now shut down. Yet, we're still talking."
A profound realization struck Gail. He had been communicating without the system, relying on his innate abilities.
Laba continued, "I told you before, rely on yourself instead of the system. You've been speaking our language without its aid. This is your ability, though how you achieved it, I don't know. But it's clear the system is down, and this is your doing."
Gail was silent, absorbed by the truth of Laba's words.
Seizing the moment, Laba pressed on, "I don't know Enki's true goal or why a god would need human help. You have encountered him more than I have, so judge for yourself. But remember, ultimately, rely on your abilities. Now get up, let's go outside. You need fresh air."
Gail felt a deep respect and admiration for the old woman's wisdom. He rose, feeling less pain than in the past days, and stepped out of the cave. The morning sun was rising, casting a golden hue over the landscape. Laba's words made him think, but he remained committed to his mission, deciding to rely more on his abilities. The forest healer had helped him understand himself better.
Laba emerged from the cave with a bundle of provisions and handed them to Gail. Ready to continue his journey, Gail felt a renewed sense of purpose and determination.