Rube begins his murderous rivalry with Otzi the Iceman, who steals the woman he loves, and humbles him with the creation of a seemingly magical copper ax, setting Rube on his course to kill Otzi.
Rube steals the valuable copper ax from Otzi and flees to trade it, only for Otzi to follow him and engage in a violent confrontation with him, one that will permanently change the nature of their relationship.
Otzi emerges from his near-fatal encounter with Rube, soothed back to health by a mystical healer. He travels back towards his village, hoping to be there in time for his wife to give birth.