As Rose prepared to enter his longest slumber yet, he gathered Ice Lord and the Helper to explain his intentions. They met in a quiet chamber within the village's central hall, its walls lined with symbols and runes from various powers the tribe had mastered over the years. The three of them sat in solemn understanding, each feeling the weight of what was to come.
"Ice Lord, Helper," Rose began, "I have decided that this time, I will sleep longer—100 years or more. Our people need time to grow into their powers and adapt to this world. My presence here would only hinder the natural development they need to experience. We've reached a point where only true advancement in civilization can help us unlock the mysteries of the X-particles and overcome the limitations we face. If I remain active, they'll look to me for answers instead of finding their own."
Ice Lord nodded, his gaze somber. "You're right, Rose. Without the challenge of discovering their own path, the people won't grow beyond what you can give them. They need to experiment, struggle, and learn on their own terms."
The Helper, always quick to support, added, "And we'll make sure they know of the bottleneck, at least those who have minds capable of deep analysis and creativity. Knowledge will be shared among the individuals who can make a real difference."
Rose gave a small, approving smile. "When I wake, I expect the tribe to be stronger than now, with people who have dared to explore new paths. And you're both correct—the task of overcoming this bottleneck must be entrusted to our people."
With the plan in place, they discussed one final arrangement: Rose's new role. He shared his vision with them in hushed tones, his eyes serious and thoughtful. "When I return, I'll no longer be part of the tribe as I am now. I'll act as a god of the tribe, watching from the shadows. This way, I can guide when needed but won't interfere in your progress. I won't make my presence known; I'll be invisible to all, including those I have helped. My goal will be to ensure the tribe's survival and growth, but only from a distance."
Ice Lord's eyes widened, a mix of awe and respect flickering across his face. Helper looked at Rose thoughtfully. "You intend to become a legend, don't you? A figure that the tribe can look up to but not rely on."
"Precisely," Rose confirmed. "They'll grow more independently if they think they're following their own path, yet my presence in the shadows will offer protection if they encounter dangers beyond their strength. And if they need guidance, I'll find subtle ways to provide it—whispers in dreams, signs, things they can interpret on their own."
Helper nodded, understanding the wisdom in Rose's choice. "In a way, you're giving them the freedom to build their own future, but with a safety net no one will see."
Satisfied, Rose then gave them instructions for when he would wake. "Make a secure place for me to sleep within the city," he told them. "That way, when I emerge, I'll be within the tribe's core. By then, I may adopt any identity that best fits the time. Ice Lord, Helper, you two won't be here when I wake, but I'll be watching over the generations to come."
After the plans were finalized, Rose decided it was time to prepare for his slumber. He stood at the center of the village square, surrounded by the tribespeople who had gathered, curious and respectful. They watched as Rose extended his hands, calling forth his energy and distributing it to all of them. The power radiated from his body, swirling through the air like shimmering particles that gently settled upon each tribe member. He focused his energy, granting each tribesperson a portion of his power. He felt the strain of distributing his 99 X-particles, yet his strengthened body bore the load this time without difficulty.
Each person received a fraction of the essence he had accumulated, their bodies glowing momentarily as they absorbed his energy. The young gained new abilities, while the older members felt a rejuvenating warmth. With this power, the entire tribe would be better equipped to face the challenges ahead.
Rose took one final look at the faces of his people—men and women of all ages, each marked with the spark of potential he had given them. He trusted that they would carry forth his legacy in ways he could only imagine.
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The Next Steps of the Tribe
With Rose's departure imminent, Helper took it upon himself to develop a roadmap for the future of the tribe. He knew that advancing past the 99 X-particle bottleneck would require a deep understanding of their powers and an analytical approach to the phenomenon of X-particles. In Rose's absence, he would ensure that the tribe's knowledge would not only grow but also pass down through generations.
He spent days organizing detailed plans for experiments, written carefully in scrolls and bound in leather tomes. These instructions included observation techniques, exercises to strengthen X-particles, and theoretical hypotheses for breaking past the human limitations. Each scroll was to be passed down to those who had sharp minds and could understand the deeper nuances of their powers, building a legacy of knowledge to overcome the barriers they faced.
The Helper appointed trusted members to lead the different research paths, instructing them on the importance of recording and sharing their findings with others. The bottleneck would not be solved in one lifetime, he knew, but the seeds were planted. The tribe would study X-particles, pushing their understanding and stretching their boundaries until one day, they would find the breakthrough needed.
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Rose's Farewell
With the preparations complete, Rose prepared himself for his deep sleep. This time, he was not headed out into the wilderness. Instead, the Ice Lord and the Helper had arranged a sacred space within the village, hidden from the common areas yet accessible to future leaders who might someday seek his guidance. The chamber was concealed under layers of earth and reinforced with sturdy stone, ensuring that only those with sufficient knowledge of its purpose would ever approach it.
Rose entered the chamber with a calm sense of purpose. He lay down on the stone platform prepared for him, closing his eyes and steadying his breathing. As his consciousness faded into slumber, he left behind the world of the living, trusting that the tribe would grow into its own potential.
From now on, Rose would be the god in the shadows, a figure of legend and guidance, known only in stories and whispers. He would watch as the tribe developed into a civilization, ensuring their safety from afar, until they could rise to a strength that rivaled the titans.
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A New Beginning
As Rose drifted into his deep, hundred-year sleep, the tribe entered a new era of self-discovery. His departure left a void, but it was filled with purpose. The people felt a responsibility to honor the gift he had given them—to find answers to the mysteries he had hinted at.
In the years to come, the legacy of Rose's power and knowledge would become the foundation of the tribe's growth. Each generation would strive to solve the puzzle of the bottleneck, to push past the limits of the human body. And as Rose slumbered, hidden from view but always present in spirit, he awaited the day when his people would finally be ready to ascend to new heights.