Chapter 4: The Ice Lord and the Truth
Rose moved silently through the dense forest, utilizing his stealth power granted by one of the deceased tribe members. His steps were almost imperceptible, his body blending into the shadows. With 43 X-particles coursing through him, Rose had become a force to be reckoned with, and the quiet forest seemed like a perfect place to practice his newfound abilities. The village was near, and as he approached, he could sense its growing energy. The once small and struggling tribe had transformed, and Rose could feel the strength that now pulsed through the land.
As he neared the village, Rose noticed the significant changes. The tribe's defenses were better than ever, with thick barricades made of sharpened wooden thorns surrounding the entire settlement. The population, once meager, had expanded significantly, and Rose could feel the energy of about 500 individuals. This was a clear sign that the tribe had grown and evolved, now standing as a stronger and more formidable presence.
The guards at the village gate were alert, but Rose wasn't concerned. Using his teleportation power, he disappeared from sight and reappeared just inside the walls. He used his stealth ability to remain unseen, moving swiftly and silently toward the heart of the village. His spiritual sense gave him insight into the layout of the village and the key figures within it.
As he gathered information, he learned that the most powerful figure was the Ice Lord, who had become the undisputed leader of the tribe. His second-in-command, known only as "the helper," was a person with mind-based powers, capable of analyzing and strategizing in ways others could not. Rose had already gathered much from the memories of the dead and knew that these two were crucial to the tribe's survival.
After waiting for the right moment, Rose teleported once more, this time directly into the Ice Lord's chambers. The Ice Lord, shocked by the sudden appearance of a figure exuding immense power, was momentarily stunned. Before he could react or speak, Rose used his stealth ability to silence him. The room fell into an eerie quiet.
"I am God," Rose said coldly, his voice echoing through the stillness. "I have come to learn the truth of what has happened during my absence."
The Ice Lord, still struggling to comprehend what was happening, nodded slowly, his eyes filled with confusion. Rose continued, maintaining his hold over the Ice Lord's senses.
"Tell me everything."
The Ice Lord, compelled to speak, began recounting the events that had transpired since Rose's disappearance. He told Rose of how, after gaining their powers, the tribe had spent an entire year confused and uncertain of how to use their newfound abilities. It was only when the helper, with his mind-based powers, had analyzed the situation and introduced the concept of the X-particles that the tribe began to understand their strengths. The helper had spent a year teaching the tribe how to harness these particles, and the results were immediate.
However, their progress was interrupted when a massive tiger, standing at over 5 meters tall, attacked the village.
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The Battle with the Tiger
The tribe had been caught off guard. The tiger, drawn by the scent of the tribe's powers, was a terrifying force of nature. Its massive form crashed through the jungle, its claws like daggers. The fighting members of the tribe immediately mobilized, using their abilities to defend their home.
The flame reader, one of the most powerful of the tribe, summoned fire that roared toward the beast. The tiger howled as the flames scorched its fur, but the creature was far from defeated. It retaliated with vicious swipes of its claws, knocking the flame reader aside.
The teleporter, quick and agile, moved in and out of the fray, striking from unexpected angles. His teleportation abilities, though limited, kept him one step ahead of the tiger's ferocity.
The Ice Lord, determined to protect his people, summoned freezing winds to bind the tiger's limbs in thick ice. The creature roared in fury, but the freezing winds held firm. Despite the Ice Lord's efforts, the tiger's strength was overwhelming. It tore through the ice, its fury growing as it realized its attackers were not going to back down. The battle continued for hours, the tribe's warriors using every ounce of their power to stop the beast.
Finally, through sheer determination, they managed to drive the tiger off. The beast, heavily wounded, fled, but not before it had taken a heavy toll on the tribe. Eighteen of their strongest members had fallen in the fight, and the tribe was left shaken and vulnerable.
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The Tribe's Current State
Rose learned that, after the battle, the tribe had relocated temporarily, wary of the tiger's return. After regrouping, they resettled and fortified their position. Now, they had a population of 500, made up of a mixture of old, young, and strong members.
The tribe's population was distributed as follows:
12 fighting-ready males (aged 18-40), the primary protectors of the tribe.
30 young, trainable fighters (aged 12-17), who were still learning to harness their abilities.
70 elderly, non-fighting members, mostly women and older men, who contributed to the village's upkeep and care for the sick and children.
60 sick and disabled members, unable to fight but still part of the tribe's daily life.
200 women and children, who helped with gathering, cooking, and maintaining the village.
Rose now understood the situation the tribe was in: they had survived, but they were weaker without the 18 most powerful members. Their power reserves were depleted, and no new individuals had developed abilities in years. This stagnation had caused concern among the leaders. The Ice Lord had requested that Rose grant new powers to the tribe, so they could continue to grow and protect themselves.
Rose thought for a moment before responding.
"I will help you," he said, his voice calm and resolute. "But my assistance comes with a price. I will grant power to your people, but know this—only the worthy will survive the consequences."
Rose's words hung in the air, heavy with meaning. The Ice Lord, his eyes filled with a mixture of gratitude and desperation, bowed his head in understanding.
The future of the tribe was uncertain, but one thing was clear: Rose's arrival would mark the beginning of a new chapter for them all.