Chapter 085: The Shaman’s Prayer

As the warmth of the rising sun began to dispel the darkness and chill of the early morning, the Black Rat Tribe was about to face an ominous day. While the tribe's members busied themselves with morning routines and prepared for the day's hunts, an unforeseen threat lurched towards them, casting a long shadow over their peaceful community.

A woman from the Black Rat Tribe, carrying a clay pot, went to fetch water from a nearby stream for the morning meal, intending to stew a pot of meat soup. As she approached the stream, her peaceful routine was shattered when she spotted a group of men painted with fierce white totemic patterns advancing stealthily towards her tribe. These men, clearly not from her tribe and looking hostile, were gripping weapons and sneaking closer with ill intent.

Frightened but quick-witted, the woman abandoned her task, dumping the water and running back to her tribe, clay pot still in hand. She shouted warnings as she sprinted, "Enemies! Many enemies are coming! Grab your weapons and get back to the village!"

Caught off guard by her cries, the cannibalistic hunting party, which had hoped to covertly observe the Black Rat Tribe and possibly ambush them, realized their presence was discovered. They hastily abandoned their stealthy approach, grasping their bone spears and stone axes, and charged toward the tribe.

Reacting swiftly, the Black Rat Tribe mobilized for defense. Their leader, Rat Big, emerged from his tent, wielding rudimentary, somewhat crooked stone spears. He shouted orders for preparation: "Men, take up arms for battle; women, bring out the stones we've prepared and stand behind; children, hide inside the tents. Move quickly!"

The tribe's elderly shaman, leaning on his staff, watched with a heavy heart as the enemy closed in rapidly. This was a critical moment for the Black Rat Tribe, which could face decimation if they could not repel the invaders. Regret filled him, pondering if they should have accepted Luo Chong's earlier invitation to join the Han Tribe with its superior defenses and resources.

As the cannibals approached, they found the tribe's defenses to be meager—a simple fence of woven sticks and vines rather than the sturdy palisade they had anticipated. The fence, however, was quickly bolstered by whatever the tribe could muster, including makeshift barricades.

Rat Big and the tribe's men stood ready with their spears, as the women prepared to support with rocks. Children, the most vulnerable, were hurried away to safety under the stern gaze of the tribe's adults.

Then, from behind the thin line of defense, an assault launched by the cannibals surged forward. They hurled their weapons—stone axes and bone spears—toward the defenders. The Black Rat Tribe's lack of shields became painfully apparent as the air filled with deadly projectiles.

Despite their brave stand, the hastily assembled defenses began to falter under the relentless assault. Cannibals pushed against the barriers, and with shouts and grunts of exertion, the fence started to give way.

Amid the chaos, the shaman began to pray fervently, not just to their tribal deity—the great Black Rat—but silently wishing for Luo Chong and his warriors to appear. In his heart, he knew that only with the Han Tribe's aid could they hope to survive this onslaught.

As the battle raged, Rat Big rallied his fighters, "Push them back! Hold the line!" The men of the Black Rat Tribe fought desperately, spears thrusting, stones flying, each trying to protect their homes and families.

But as the enemy broke through the defenses, the tide of battle seemed to turn against them. Just as all hope appeared lost, an unexpected development shifted the balance. From behind the cannibalistic invaders, a new force emerged. Luo Chong, leading a contingent of Han Tribe warriors, had arrived just in time.

With precision and coordination, they launched a fierce counterattack. Arrows rained down upon the invaders, sowing confusion and fear. Luo Chong, at the forefront, signaled a full charge. The Han warriors, equipped with their superior weapons and tactics, cut through the enemy lines, swiftly turning the battle in favor of the beleaguered Black Rat Tribe.

As the dust settled and the sun climbed higher in the sky, it was clear that the day had been saved, not just by the valor of the Black Rat Tribe but by the timely intervention of their newfound allies from the Han Tribe. This battle, though fierce, had forged a new bond between the tribes, one that promised greater security and cooperation in the face of any future threats.