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Chapter 28 - Chapter 28: A Newborn Demigod

The air was thick with tension and dust as Gail and Gamesh, two fierce warriors, clashed in a brutal battle. The crowd engulfed in amazement and wonder, watched as the wind swept across the battlefield, lifting the dust and obscuring their view. When the dust finally settled, only one body lay motionless on the ground. Gail's and Gamesh's comrades stood in stunned silence, astonished by the sight. As everyone rushed towards the fallen warrior, Edward sat quietly on the ground, a knowing look in his eyes, as if privy to a secret the others were not.

The commotion among the tribe grew louder, with whispers and murmurs spreading like wildfire. Some believed the gods had intervened, vanquishing one of the fighters and making him disappear from the earth. Others speculated that the victor had killed his opponent and fled the tribe, though this made little sense. The winner of the battle was destined to become the next tribe leader, an honor no warrior would abandon.

As the crowd gathered around the body, they noticed something peculiar. The fallen warrior appeared robust and powerful like Gamesh, yet his face bore a striking resemblance to Gail's. Healed wounds marked his chest, abdomen, the back of one leg, and one arm. His upper body showed traces of burns that had long since healed. The people, awestruck, surrounded the mysterious figure.

Suddenly, the warrior's eyes fluttered open, revealing a piercing, otherworldly gaze. He blinked a few times, disoriented but swiftly regaining his composure. With a deliberate, almost reverent movement, he extended his arm towards the magical sword lying beside him. The blade, shimmering with an ethereal glow, seemed to hum in response to his touch. As his fingers curled around the hilt, a surge of energy coursed through his body, igniting a visible aura of power around him.

With a mighty thrust, he drove the sword into the ground. He used the sword's power to pull himself upright, his movements fluid and graceful despite the intensity of the moment. He rose to his feet, emanating a powerful aura that enveloped him in a radiant glow. The battlefield, drenched in blood and littered with the remnants of the fierce struggle, seemed to retreat into the background as he stood tall and resolute.

The warrior's body, though surrounded by the aftermath of violence, was immaculate. His skin bore no fresh wounds, only the marks of battles long past, now fully healed. He appeared almost invincible, a figure of divine strength and unyielding will. The tribe, awestruck and bewildered, witnessed something beyond their comprehension.

He was tall and statuesque, with chiseled features that radiated both nobility and an indomitable spirit. His eyes, now clear and focused, held the crowd's gaze with a commanding intensity. As he stood before them, he exuded an aura of authority and charisma that left no doubt of his elevated status.

"I am Gilgamesh," he proclaimed, his voice resonant and powerful, carrying across the battlefield. "A demigod. The gods have chosen me to lead this tribe and forge a new path for us all. Under my guidance, we will rebuild our village and unite the surrounding tribes. Together, we will create a civilization that transcends our current existence."

He paused, letting his words sink in, his gaze sweeping over the gathered tribe members. "A great temple to the goddess Ishtar will be built here," he continued, his voice filled with conviction. "It will stand as a testament to our devotion and the divine favor that has been bestowed upon us. With the gods' blessing, we shall rise to greatness."

The tribe, initially struck silent by the magnitude of his declaration, began to murmur in awe and excitement. They had never seen such a spectacle, nor heard such a bold vision for their future. The combination of Gail's and Gamesh's essence in this new, formidable being had created a leader who embodied both their strengths, yet transcended them with an air of divinity.

The crowd's astonishment turned to fervent belief as they absorbed the reality of their new leader. Bowing before Gilgamesh, they acknowledged his divine right to lead them, feeling both humbled and honored to be part of his grand vision. The ordinary tribe members, along with Gail's and Edward's supporters and Gamesh's comrades, all united in their reverence for Gilgamesh. The presence of this seemingly divine warrior instilled a sense of hope and purpose they had never felt before.

As the people bowed, Gilgamesh stood among them, a living symbol of their unity and newfound destiny. The air crackled with the energy of change, and the tribe, now galvanized by his words, awaited the dawn of a new era with bated breath.

The crowd, including the ordinary tribe members, Gail's and Edward's supporters, and Gamesh's comrades, all bowed before Gilgamesh, believing they had witnessed a divine miracle. They were convinced that the power of the gods had been involved, though they did not fully understand what had transpired.

Edward, however, remained seated at the edge of the crowd, deep in thought. He recalled his last conversation with Gail, where Gail had confided in him about a new mission assigned by the system: to defeat Gamesh. The reward for success was the leadership of the tribe, but failure meant exile to another body. Edward tried to piece together the clues in his mind.

He speculated that during the battle, Gail had both won and lost, resulting in his essence being merged with Gamesh's body. This new entity, Gilgamesh, embodied elements of both warriors. Edward remembered that Gail was sometimes referred to as Gil. Now, the newly formed persona called himself Gilgamesh, a combination of Gil and Gamesh. Edward pondered what kind of leader Gilgamesh would become.

That night, Gilgamesh instructed the people to rest in the remaining structures and to gather at the tribe's center the next day to hear his future plans. He selected those he deemed most obedient to assist him in leading the tribe, but Edward was not among them.

In the morning, the tribe members and representatives from surrounding tribes gathered at the tribe's center in front of the chief's tent. They believed their new leader had been chosen by the gods and possessed extraordinary powers. Edward attended the ceremony, curious about what the future held.

The crowd waited in anticipation until Gilgamesh emerged from the chief's tent, moving slowly and majestically. He addressed the crowd, "From now on, I, Gilgamesh, the demigod, will be your leader. We will rebuild and expand our village."

He pointed to the representatives of other tribes, "Your people can join us in this grand project. We will create a civilization unparalleled in the land between the two rivers and beyond. For other tribes to join us, they must accept my leadership and be completely under my command."

Pausing for a moment, he continued, "We will soon become more than a tribe and village. We will build the first city, and I will be its king."

The crowd erupted in joyous celebration, believing that a representative of the gods had come to save them. However, Edward felt uneasy. He sensed that the people, including his former allies, were mesmerized and could no longer see the truth. Forced to remain silent among Gilgamesh's many supporters, Edward felt a profound sense of loneliness.

After the chief's death, the former chief's supporters and Gail had vanished. Edward knew that Gail, his loyal companion and their only hope for salvation, was now part of Gilgamesh. Despite this, Edward did not trust Gilgamesh, whose behavior and words were nothing like Gail's. As the tribe celebrated their new leader, Edward sat quietly, contemplating the uncertain future that lay ahead.