Chapter 19:

Grand Elder POV:

‘Damn this snow!’ I thought, slipping a bit while throwing myself out of the way of yet another thrown spear.

This fighting style is foreign to the steppe. These people have three spears, two for throwing and the last for melee. This is an amazing tactic, one that we’ve never thought of.

As worshippers of Banta, we glorify up close and heated battles, however, under the current circumstances I can see the benefits of a ranged skirmish beforehand.

They’ve forced me to run like a headless chicken, wasting my stamina, while they merely watch from a safe distance.

This can’t continue.

Roaring, I sharply turn towards Kaito while he’s grabbing a spear from the ground.

The sudden change in movement startles him as he flinched backwards. That small movement was enough for me, I brought my body close to the ground as I darted towards him.

Gripping my spear tightly with both hands, I thrust it upwards towards the man’s chin.

The spear whistled from the sheer force I’d put into it, arcing towards the vulnerable underside of Kaito’s jaw.

While I was already anticipating my next move, waiting for the squelch of spear meeting flesh, I was met with a hard rebound force nearly knocking the weapon from my hand.

Quickly snapping back to reality, I took three quick steps back, one of the unnamed hunters had managed to parry my blow.

Since I was now on the defensive, the two unnamed hunter pushed their advantage, while that “Kaito” still appeared to be in shock from his near-death experience.

‘Very good, it’ll only be a two-versus-one for now then.’ I affirmed.

The two hunters were aggressive, throwing multiple jabs and forcing me backwards. They would also occasionally swing their spears horizontally, it wouldn’t cut, but it would leave me bruised and off balance, so I had to be cautious of that as well.

Knowing that I had to break the flow, I leaped backwards before suddenly rushing forward again, letting out a reverberating roar at the same time.

The experienced hunters weren’t as shaken as Kaito was, but I noticed one of them slightly lose their footing on the slippery ground.

That was enough for me.

Rushing towards my left side, which is where he was, I raised my spear for an overhead strike, intending to stun him.

His partner quickly thrust forth in the area he thought I’d dash into, however, that’s exactly what I was waiting for.

I crashed my spear onto his with as much force as I could muster, causing him to lose his grip and drop it.

Then, using the rebound force of my strike, I quickly lifted the spear and slammed its shaft roughly against the temple of the unarmed man.

I didn’t get to see him crash to the ground unconscious, because the other hunter had already regained his bearings and ran at me with a maddened roar.

Twirling my spear, I was able to divert the power of his thrust by hitting his spear with a glancing blow.

The man fought inertia as he brought his spear back to a defensive position. We eyed each other as we slowly circled one another, looking for any openings as we desperately caught our breaths.

“Although you Woodlanders have unique tactics, your fighting ability with the spear is worse than a young dambi!” I taunted.

If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

The man clearly didn’t understand the steppe tongue, because he had no reaction, he just continued to watch me.

Suddenly I noticed an unprecedented excitement in his eyes.

I firmed my muscles and tightened my grip on the spear, readying myself for the next bout. However, to my surprise he hadn’t made a move yet.

“Ahck-”

I couldn't help but let out a pained cry.

There was a searing spot that sent small spasms of pain throughout my body. Looking down I spotted a bone dagger being withdrawn from my side, as that cowardly Kaito-il scampered away.

“YOU MUTTAN OF A MAN!!!” I roared as I swept my spear in his direction.

‘How dare these primitive people use their primitive weapons on me?!?! The people of the steppe would laugh if they heard I’d been wounded by a bone weapon. We’ve long switched to black rock spears!’ I raged.

My small rant was cut short by the other assailant throwing yet another sharp jab to my throat. I side stepped the attack, gritting my teeth against the searing pain that I felt coursing along my ribs.

I felt the air shift behind me, and I instinctively rolled forward, lashing my spear out in an arc to preemptively avoid either one of these wretched Tula from taking advantage of my position as I regained my bearings.

A spear sailed over me as I stood and faced the enemies once more. I felt a bout of dizziness attack me. My eyes flittered for a moment, but I refused to give in to this weakness. I am the Grand Elder of the Tamul. I forsook chosen and sparkling, all so the tribe would be my family, as ordained by our Ancestors and the Elders before me. If I am alive, the Tamul Shall. Not. Fall.

Letting out a battle cry, I engaged the invaders with fresh vigor. Dodging the cowardly strikes of Kaito-il, parrying the strong thrust and swipes of the other hunter, all while attempting to land a few decisive blows of my own.

The battle wore on as I heard the cries of my people, smelt burning flesh and smoked hides, as the rising heat of the fire consumed all my predecessors had worked for.

It was becoming harder and harder to keep my eyes open, the smoke obscured my vision, and my body was slowly shutting down.

“THE RESOURCE ELDER IS DEAD!!!” a voice yelled, somehow overpowering the madness.

This caused my eyes to shoot open, a mix of frustration, rage, and sorrow overtaking me.

PUCHI-

In my moment of shock, the strong-willed hunter had managed to land a well-placed blow to my stomach.

I resisted the urge to cough out an unhealthy amount of blood as I saw my lifeforce seep from the wound and paint his spear red.

He tried to pull back his spear, but I wouldn’t let him. Grabbing the slippery spear tightly, I yanked him forward. Not expecting this turn of events, he stumbled a few steps forward.

This was enough for me, ignoring the wound on my side, ignoring the spear in my gut, I whipped my spear through the air.

Allowing myself to appreciate the whistling of the wind as the spear tore towards its target.

The man could only scream, “FUCK!”

Before the spear contacted his eye, tearing through the thin membrane it pushed further and further, reaching the brain before piercing that too.

Almost immediately the man lost control of his body as his soul was whisked away by his gods.

As the brave hunter fell, the spear snapped whilst still lodged in his head, I dropped the spear while letting loose a guttural roar.

Suddenly a force impacted my back, before I could understand the full scope of the situation, I felt multiple stings on my back and neck.

I delivered swift and vicious elbow strikes to the ribs of the muttan that’d once again attacked me like a coward.

Once the muttan had released me in fear, I wrenched the spear from my gut, and leaped forward with it, striking downward horizontally to take one of his eyes. Unfortunately, he managed to scramble backwards. I only managed to nick just above his eye as he fell into the slushed snow.

“We worship Banta… we worship the strong.” I began.

“Please spare me!” the muttan begged while crawling backwards, towards a spear not far from where we were.

Ignoring his pleas, I continued, “Only the strongest of the strong are allowed the title Grand Elder. In my prime, you muttan woodlanders wouldn’t have been able to land a single blow on me! I would’ve slaughtered you all like a bantila hunting a newborn dambi.”

“Indeed, you are truly strong!” Kaito said, swiping blood out of his eye. “If you let me go, I can assure your life and that of your clan.” He continued, while inching ever closer to the spear on the ground.

I smiled heartily at that. I have no family, and I can tell that I will die soon. There is only one thing I can do now.

“I tell you all of this, so that even a muttan like you can die with honor. Knowing that you were killed by a true bantila, clothed in man’s hide. MY NAME IS JOCHI-GA, STRONGEST UNDER THE HEAVENS, GRAND ELDER OF THE TAMUL!” I roared as I plunged my spear towards his heart.

Perhaps it was the blood loss, or maybe the gods are just on this Kaito-il’s side, but my spear missed his heart, instead embedding itself in his left shoulder.

Although disheartened, a savage smile still rested on my face as I fell to the side, my wounds finally getting the best of me.

“A muttan to the end.” I whispered to Kaito, who was too scared to approach me and send me on my way to The Mighty Banta.

“What muttan?” Kaito responded shakily, as he dragged himself to his feet with a grimace.

“There are only the living and the dead. I choose to live by any means necessary.” He said as one hand nursed his wound, the other tightly clenching his spear.

I pondered that as my body began to warm up, reminding me of my time as a youngling. My mother hugging me to fend off the cold of a winter’s night such as this one.

The snow glistened and shined as fires danced and the people’s screams played as the backdrop to this insanity.

‘It’s strangely beautiful’ was the last thing I thought.

“THE GRAND ELDER IS DEAD!!!”