The ancient snail continued to move as many of the other leaders followed. Uneasily, so did their followers.
A divide began to appear in the group.
Of course, it was because many decided to stay behind. Defiant, they called my great-grandmother a coward and other's cussed. Instead of listening to her, they rushed the other way towards the tree.
"RETREAT!" she continued to shout as she slid away from the ancient tree.
Some groups that heard her calls took it to literally and began to leave... Especially the smaller colonies of furry animals. Deciding amongst themselves that they signed up for more than they bargained for and ran as quick as they could from the battlefield. I'm sure they thought that they could ride on the coat-tails of the other creatures, but soon realized that it was going to be an all-out one-sided slaughter. That their lives weren't even going to account for much, that they were going to be turned into cannon fodder as well. So they left.
My ancestor stayed strong and continued to slide away from the ancient tree as she shouted. "RETREAT!"
...
The ancient voice boomed in my head once more as I was pulled away into the air.
"Child, I wasn't a coward. It was all part of the plan. Those useless creatures who ignored my calls decided on their own to give away their lives just like those that flew into the sky. Once again, I knew that this was going to happen. But their sacrifice was of even more important for my plans."
Higher in the sky now, I saw the movement of the groups below me more clearly. Those that chose to stay, those that ran away and those that followed my ancestor's orders.
I could hear screams and roars from the group that chose to stay behind. Yelling out loud they shouted out their hatred for those that were on the tree.
Their shouts were mostly in vain as the beasts who couldn't fly remained in their lofty positions as they sat on the ancient tree and watched the show.
They pointed down at the meadow dwellers and laughed.
"You cowards, don't even dare to come up here and face us. HA. Look look at them shake in despair. Look at their weak leader run away like the puny thing she is."
Indeed, as I looked closer, many of the creatures that stayed were shaking. But they didn't shake with fear, the shook with anger as some smashed their giant fists creating craters as they did.
"COME DOWN HERE AND FIGHT US YOU COWARDS!"
'Looks like they aren't as dumb as I thought they were.' I thought to myself as they didn't blindly rush as their enemies and instead stood their ground.
The denizens atop the tree just laughed at the proposition as they hopped off the tree. Their gigantic bodies created small craters as they landed.
Upon flashing, they clenched their fists, flexed their muscles and roared. The creatures that didn't rely on brute strength flashed their fangs, talons, and claws instead.
"Ha, this isn't some show you tree dwellers. This is a battle. COME AND FIGHT US NOW!" one of the leaders of the meadow shouted. Instantly his outburst was met by roars of support from those that decided to stay and fight.
The tree-dwellers responded as well as their faces of glee soon turned serious as they got off of their positions and began their assault on the group head of them.
At first, both groups seemed to be evenly matched. Blood was drawn and splattered from both sides as cold bodies fell onto the floor. Their blood becoming fertilizer for the world tree. It was a match between brute size and force of those that fed off of the World tree against the tactics and honed bodies of organisms that thrived and survived numerous battles.
Roars continued to blast through the air as my great-grandmother's group retreated. Not looking backward, a divide began to form.
Both sides began to shout for reinforcements.
Hearing the calls for help, the ancient snail didn't pause, nor did she look back. "LEAVE THEM, RETREAT." She shouted as she continued to slide away from the battle behind her. Again, a few groups didn't listen and decided to join the battle "We can win... look at their standstill we can break it if we go." they said as they left the main group. Even though their logic was sound and the shouts for reinforcements continued to fill the air, my ancestor didn't shake nor go back on her decision. It was like she already decided in her mind that they were dead to her. Or they were as good as dead.
Those on the tree didn't ignore the cries though. Soon more and more beasts jumped off from their high perch and joined the battle.
The balance was broken. Outnumbered now, the creatures from the meadows appeared to be pushed back.
Scared one of the leaders immediately turned tail at the sight.
"RETREAT!" he shouted as he stumbled backwards only to be cut down by a giant pair of claws.
But it started a cascade.
Soon, those that chose to fight began to panic as they ran in all directions and away from the tree-dwellers.
The battle became a one-sided massacre once more.
Still, my great-grandmother ignored their screams and continued to slide away.
'I don't understand... what is she doing...?' I thought to myself.
As if the ancient snail read my mind she replied.
"Child, you might think that I'm stupid for not reinforcing them. No child. I wasn't. It was all part of the plan. Tactics child. Tactics are important. Those that I left behind were the bait. I set up a trap and those tree-dwellers fell for it. Dear child, this is my third lesson. Remember to use your mind, trick your opponent into thinking that they have the upper hand. Lull them into a false sense of confidence and security, child. Then crush them the moment they misstep." the voice boomed in my head.
...