June marks the rainy season by the seaside, where strong winds sweep dark clouds, accompanied by the drizzling rain, surging from the northern sea. Beyond the water village of Sunrise Village, a grand fleet of the Naval Forces had prepared everything for their departure on such overcast days.
"Sea breeze, blow, blow! Those are the departing wings of the Wind God, seeking the faraway place where souls vanish...
Raindrops, fall, fall! Those are the tears of the Feathered Serpent Divine’s descent, causing even the earth to weep...
Sun, disappear! That is the reluctant gaze of the Sun God, watching the divine warriors, heading towards the cold battleground of death! ~"
On the shore of the village, thousands from the Totonac Tribe, young and old, gathered. They watched the brave fleet departing westwards for a last-ditch attack, their eyes filled with strong reluctance and sorrow. Leading the Farewell Song for the warriors, the aged Hidden Snake Priests wept, singing with the most desolate and solemn voices!
"Mother of the Serpent, Mother Goddess of the Totonac! Please hear my mourning song and my sincere prayers... Our land, occupied by the evil xica, the descendants of the Sun and the Great Serpent, were tornted by the War God’s cruel progeny... But today is the last mont, let us stand bravely one last ti, against the forces of evil!"
On the flagship’s longship, a tall Divine Platform was erected. As the leader and priest of the fleet, the Papu Priest, donned in a splendid feathered garnt, held high the Divine Staff given by the Coastal Chief Priest, leading the prayer before setting out. At this mont, his face brimd with the resolute determination and sorrow of facing death. His chants filled with dauntless fearlessness, prompting the samurai to lower their heads in reverence.
"The All Gods witness in the Divine Kingdom! The mortal combat lies ahead, and the blazing fire shall burn!...
Totonac warriors! We must carry the spirits of our ancestors and fight the mightiest enemies!...
We shall awaken the heroic spirits of the tribe, awaken the courage and strength of the past, seek along the coast...
We must locate that most wicked Wolf Banner, and towards the xica’s God of Death, roar the bravest calls and unleash the final, most indomitable roar!"
Upon reaching this point, the Papu Priest raised his head, gritted his teeth fiercely, and with a powerful swing, wielded the Divine Staff towards the western coast!
"Charge! Charge! Charge!!... The fleet charges, ambushes the xica’s Death God below! It is the Totonac Tribe’s final hope!... For All Gods, ancestors, and the tribe, let us fight to the death, let the powerful xica also hear the cry of our spirits, know the strength of our defiance!"
Hearing such heroic calls, the Hidden Snake Priests and warrior leaders of the fleet could not help but shout in excitent. Soon, even the crowd on shore joined in, the sorrowful dirges transforming into spirited calls, echoing through the skies!
"Charge! Charge! Charge!!... Towards the xica’s below, charge to death, fight to the end!"
Amidst the thundering shouts, Forest Wolf Mayakun, clad in a warrior’s uniform with a trusted aide’s wooden helt, stood among the flagship’s warriors, drawing no attention. At this mont, he stared wide-eyed at the courageously fearless Papu Priest leading the chants, transfixed. After a long pause, he finally could not help but mutter lowly.
"Damn it! That thick-skinned, shaless old fox!... If this guy gets to see His Highness, our status as surrendered generals might have to move back a spot..."
The sea wind howled, as the more than two thousand naval forces set out westward, taking with them twelve large ships, one or two hundred small boats, along with all the samurai, sailors, and shipwrights. As the ships moved westward, creating rippling waves, it was as if those waves fell right into everyone’s hearts.
The elegy was bold and moving, the desperate departure. The entire Totonac Naval Forces adhered to the Papu Priest’s command, relying on reliable intelligence to ambush the xica’s Supre Commander stationed by the Great Divine Mountain’s seaside, His Highness, the Death God Xiulote. Yet, at this mont, as everyone shouted aloud, the thoughts turning in their hearts were entirely different!
"May All Gods and ancestors protect us! Bringing seven days’ worth of food, launch a desperate attack! As long as we capture the xica’s below, their grand army will retreat! This is the City-State and tribes’ last opportunity, worthy of the honorable warriors laying down their lives for one last shot!"
The devoted Hidden Snake warriors and Tribal Warriors all harbored the determination of facing death, seeking the last chance. They held their heads high, their deanor solemn as if making a sacrifice, with hope glimring in their eyes. As for the warrior leaders at the bow of the ship, most prayed silently, their gazes sowhat flickering.
"Ancestor’s protection! The Papu Priest has already said... Just one final ambush, and it would be worthy of the Hidden Serpent Holy City’s Priesthood, worthy of the tribes and ancestors!... But if the tide turns unfavorable, without hope of success... then disperse eastward, regroup near Red Lake Town, seek refuge with the coastal Maya city-state... During the escape, rowing an inconspicuous small boat increases the chance of survival!"
As for the key personnel on the large ships, the warriors and sailors from the Eastward Migration Tribes maintained a persistent silence. Though only vague whispers reached them, they already understood that this journey westward wasn’t just a pure ambush... The leaders seed to have other plans...
The grand fleet ventured westward in silence, passing en route the outer sea of the Hidden Serpent Holy City under the cover of night, making no attempt to draw near. From the ships, one could distantly observe, how the shadows outlined by the sprawling tents and the expansive fires vigilantly patrolled along the shore. From the distribution of these tents and fires, it was clear to see the thousands-strong xica legion had encircled Hidden Snake City from three sides, completely controlling the essential outposts and pathways at the city-state’s periter.
"Dispatch two small boats under the cover of night, to inform the city’s Priesthood! The Naval Forces are launching a desperate strike, ambushing the xica’s below... Request their prayers in the Temple for us!... Also, reconnect with the Divine Descendant Nobility wishing to flee, those we’ve been in touch with..."
The Papu Priest narrowed his eyes, studying the besieged Hidden Serpent Holy City, discreetly laying a hidden move. Then, under the pretense of maintaining secrecy, he allowed the fleet to row through the night without pause.
The silent sea night quietly passed, while the fires along the shore never extinguished. The xica troops continually moved eastward. anwhile, this Totonac Naval Forces was the sole force progressing westward against the current!
Rain veiled and storm surged, with the entire fleet pressing on day and night. Over two days and nights, three hundred miles were traversed, making it from the water village of Sunrise Village to the eastern seaside of the Great Divine Mountain. On this journey, fortune seed to favor them, encountering no adversarial vessels nor even a xica Scout was likely to spot them. When the fleet reached the foot of the Divine Mountain, they observed a towering Black Wolf Royal Banner proudly flying over the shore’s water village!
"May All Gods and ancestors shield us! The xica’s below resides here!"
"The ancestor’s spirit shines! The xica below’s escort is sparse! Comparable to our numbers!"
Upon witnessing the Royal Banner’s rise, the fleet’s Hidden Snake warriors broke into a burst of excited cheers. Before their departure, they had imagined many possibilities but never anticipated that everything would proceed so smoothly!
"Toot! Toot toot!"
Upon sighting the sea’s fleet, an alarm horn imdiately blared from the bluestone water village. Soon after, the water village’s gates flung open, a procession of warriors stread out, and on a small hill by the shore, they erected an unusually tall Royal Family banner.
Then, two thousand armored Imperial Guard Warriors, Armor Leaves clanking, stood silently, forming a disciplined battle line for combat. Donning a golden cloth-covered copper armor was a King, surrounded by many trusted aides, ascended the small hill, appearing beneath the Black Wolf Royal Banner. He gazed upon the fleet on the sea, then closed his left eye, retrieving a brass telescope from his bosom, placed it before his right eye, observed for a mont, then nodded in satisfaction.
"Indeed! Chief Divine’s protection! Twelve large ships... He finally arrived as promised!..."
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