BECOMING AN ANCESTOR

Perplexed, Alex wondered how something like this was possible. Such an act shouldn't be something someone could simply achieve. Even with knowledge, there was no technology or method to accomplish something of this magnitude.

"How? Even if Scar is someone who cares for no one but himself and has psychotic tendencies, he wouldn't have the ability to do something like this."

With a face full of regret, the elder began to explain:

"Scar didn't do this alone. He had help... our help."

Seeing Alex remain silent, waiting for him to continue, the elder carried on:

"We didn't know at the time, but Scar had created another invention. He taught us to plant and harvest so that we would never face food problems again and wouldn't have to fight over resources. He had us cultivate some herbs and, with them, made a mixture. If you burned it, it made you smarter and calmer. At first, it wasn't an issue, but then he created a different mixture. He said it was for our neighbors and that we shouldn't burn or smell it. We thought it was odd, but we followed his instructions and gave it to our neighbors."

The elder paused for a moment, the weight of his words evident, before continuing:

"But in doing so, we doomed them all. We didn't know that once you inhaled the scent of that mixture, you would lose your mind and destroy everything that didn't share the same smell as you."

The elder lowered his head, his voice filled with guilt.

"It was something abnormal. We never thought such a thing could happen. It was like an evil being manipulating everyone."

Hearing this, Alex had only one thought: Were they smoking marijuana? And the mixture Scar made was like a heavier version of some hallucinogen he discovered? I have no idea how he managed to affect so many individuals for so long, but one thing is certain—if this is true, Scar is far more dangerous than I imagined.

"If what you're saying is true, then why? Why would Scar do this? He's strong enough not to need things like this."

The elder responded with a frustrated, bitter smile.

"Why? Because he enjoys it. Simple as that. He thrives on the suffering of others." The elder's words were filled with resentment.

"Alright," Alex said, his expression serious. "If what you say is true, Scar is far more dangerous than I imagined. But tell me, what is your plan in telling me this? Do you want me to defeat him? Or should I flee and bring reinforcements to fight him? What exactly do you have in mind?"

Taking a deep breath, the elder looked Alex in the eyes.

"We want you to defeat him. To help you, we want you to eat this."

Looking at the elder's hand, Alex saw a small green orb, about the size of a bottle cap.

"And what is this?" Alex asked, suspicious and wondering if the elder was offering some kind of drug. The thought of refusing crossed his mind—after all, he'd been taught not to accept green orbs from strangers.

The elder replied, his tone resolute:

"This is something that will give you Scar's strength!"