The Mountain Ascent
Ryker, Maverick, Gorthok, Thane, and Kael gently lifted Demos' battered body, careful not to worsen his wounds. Together, they began the arduous trek up the mountain, their footsteps slow and heavy.
As they climbed, each warrior stole glances at the battlefield below. The Perezosos lay broken and lifeless, scattered across the ground like fallen titans. Demos had fought with unmatched fury, and they all knew—they owed their lives to him.
After what felt like an eternity, they reached the summit. The air was crisp and clean, and from the mountaintop, they could see for miles in every direction.
They laid Demos down gently. Ryker knelt beside him, placing a steady hand on his shoulder.
"Demos, can you hear me?" he asked again, his voice laced with worry.
But Demos didn't stir. His body remained motionless, silent. The warriors exchanged anxious glances, fear etched deep into their expressions. His wounds had been grave—they feared he might not survive.
Then, something strange began to happen.
A soft, pulsing glow emerged from within Demos' chest. The light throbbed gently at first, then grew brighter, wrapping his entire body in a warm blue aura.
Ryker, Maverick, Gorthok, Thane, and Kael stared, transfixed. They had never seen anything like it.
Demos' body began to twitch—his muscles contracting in rhythmic spasms. The glow intensified, until he blazed like a small sun atop the mountain. And just as suddenly as it had begun, the light vanished.
Demos lay still once more, his chest rising and falling in slow, steady breaths.
A collective sigh of relief passed through the warriors. He was alive. But as they looked at him, they couldn't shake the feeling that something had changed—something they couldn't quite name.
Three Moons Later
Demos slowly opened his eyes.
He was lying in a grassy field, surrounded by tall blades swaying in the breeze. The sky was clear, the sunlight soft. He tried to sit up, but dizziness overtook him, forcing him back down.
Memories returned in fragments—the battle with the Perezosos, the desperation to protect his tribe. But something was… off. A vague sense of unease gnawed at the edge of his thoughts.
This time, he managed to sit up. Around him, Ryker, Maverick, Gorthok, Thane, and Kael watched with cautious relief.
"Demos, thank the gods," Ryker said, visibly relieved. "We were worried sick."
Demos rubbed his temples. "What… what happened?"
"You saved us," Maverick said solemnly. "You fought the Perezosos, but… you were badly hurt. We thought you were going to die."
Demos blinked, the memories returning in a flood. "How long was I out?"
Gorthok hesitated. "Three moons, Demos. You've been unconscious for three moons."
His eyes widened. "Three... moons?"
He sat up fully and examined his body. His wounds were gone, healed at an unnatural rate. But what truly caught his attention were the strange markings on his limbs.
Intricate, swirling patterns covered his forearms and calves, glowing faintly with a blue-gray light. They followed his veins, flowing from his fingertips to his elbows, and from his toes to his knees. The designs were alive, shifting subtly, pulsing like something sentient.
"What… are these?" he whispered, staring at his hands. "What's happening to me?"
The others looked at one another uneasily.
"We don't know," Ryker admitted. "We've never seen anything like this. But we think it's connected to the battle."
"You started glowing after the fight," Maverick added. "That light… it came from you. Then these markings appeared."
Demos remembered a surge of power, the fear in the Perezosos' eyes… but not how or why the markings had come.
Frustrated, he asked, "Why me? What does this mean?"
No one had an answer.
Then he remembered—the system mission. The interface.
A familiar pulse of light shimmered in front of him as the system interface flickered to life.
System Interface
Name: Demos S. Sparta
Age: 15
Level: 1
Health: 46/100
Strength: 12
Agility: 12
Intelligence: 10
Ability:Warrior's Heart
(Info: $#$$¥₩$##¥¥¥ | (#_#$#) sealed | (#$$#$$) sealed)
Unique Ability:Five-Colored Lightning
— First Color: Blue
(Info: The Lightning of Purification. Cleanses the body of all impurities. Can be used offensively, but lacks the destructive power of the other colors.)
Sealed Ability: Ice Age
Language Pack Installed: Azuran
Skill: Hand-to-Hand Combat (Level 1)
New Mission:MIGRATE THE TRIBE
New Mission:RENAME THE TRIBE (Reward: Location of the next race)
Demos stared at the screen, eyebrows raised.
Warrior's Heart…? He didn't recognize the description. He placed a hand on his chest, trying to understand it.
Suddenly, he heard soft laughter.
He looked at his companions, then said:
"I'm not sure what's happening… but I'll get answers. My mother will contact me soon. For now, we need to move. We're heading to the center of the forest. That's where our new beginning starts."
His companions nodded solemnly and began gathering the rest of the tribe.
Seven Moons Later
Seven moons had passed.
The tribe had traveled deeper into the forest. Demos still struggled with his recovery, but Gorthok had stayed by his side every step of the way. Thane and Ryker hunted, Maverick and Kael kept guard, and Akira tended to the wounded.
She noticed something strange about Demos—his wounds healed at an incredible speed. She wanted to ask him, but hadn't found the courage.
At the heart of the forest, the tribe gathered. Fifty strong, they stood before their leader.
Demos stepped forward.
"We've reached the Meridian Destination Forest," he said. "It's time to build our new home."
Cheers broke out. But Akira stepped closer, voice quiet.
"Demos… what's happening to you? Those markings—on your arms, and your legs too…"
He paused. "I don't fully understand it. But my mother… she's behind this. She can explain everything."
Akira blinked. "Your… mother? I didn't know you had one."
Demos nodded. "I didn't know either. But she's going to contact me. Through… other means."
Akira looked thoughtful. "Even if she does… will you understand her?"
"I'll try," Demos replied. "And when I do, I'll share it with all of you."
Then he turned to the tribe. "Let's begin."
Under Demos' guidance, the tribe began constructing their village. He taught the women and elders how to make stone axes and beds. He taught the children to gather materials, make ropes, and skin animals for clothing.
Demos worked alongside them—lifting logs with ease, his markings softly glowing.
After several moons of labor, fifteen sturdy huts stood in a circle. The final hut was raised to cheers.
Demos surveyed the village proudly. "We did it," he said. "We built a new home."
As the villagers celebrated, a phoenix burst across the sky, circling the village three times before disappearing.
"It's a good omen," Demos whispered. "We're blessed."
The Leader's Hut
Later that night, Demos entered the largest hut at the rear of the village. Inside, a wooden bed covered in fur awaited him. He lay down and reopened his system interface.
System Interface
Name: Demos S. Sparta
Age: 15
Level: 1
Health: 46/100
Strength: 12
Agility: 12
Intelligence: 10
Ability:Warrior's Heart
(Info: $#$$¥₩$##¥¥¥ | (#_#$#) sealed | (#$$#$$) sealed)
Unique Ability:Five-Colored Lightning
— First Color: Blue
(Ice Age: sealed)
Language Pack Installed: Azuran
Skill: Hand-to-Hand Combat (Level 1)
Mission: MIGRATE THE TRIBE — Complete
Mission: RENAME THE TRIBE (Reward: Next race's location)
Mission Reward:
— Teach tribe to craft 12 stone axes
— Build wooden huts and beds
— Make ropes and convert hides into clothes
Reward Gained: +15 Agility | +15 Strength | +20 Intelligence
Demos smiled at the stat boost. He began preparing to allocate the points—bracing for the familiar, excruciating pain that came with each increase.