The sky was vast and the autumn air crisp.
On the cliffs of Eagle's Nest Peak, an hawkmen messenger with dark gray feathers soared high above, gripping a two-meter-long bone spear. He looked down condescendingly at the small Eagle's Nest Peak tribe below.
Casting a glance at the tribe's population, the messenger sneered, then called out loudly,
"Eagle's Nest Peak tribe, the royal court has issued a decree! Fifty hawkmen warriors are to be summoned! You have three days to depart for Oceanwood and obey the Thunder God's command!"
The familiar call of the royal summons echoed across the cliffs, its words unchanged even after decades. Clearly, the royal court had little regard for the small tribes like Eagle's Nest Peak.
Fifty warriors—too many.
The Eagle's Nest Peak tribe, including newborns, barely numbered two hundred. Of those, only thirty-odd adult male warriors remained.
At that moment, Jano finally understood the sadness and helplessness his father had once felt. The phrase, "I hope my son grows up healthy," now seemed to carry such deep sorrow.
On the cliffs, the other hawkmen people lowered their heads, defeated.
Standing at the forefront, Jano clenched his talons in silent fury, inhaling deeply to steady his breath. He stepped forward and, like his father before him, pleaded,
"Messenger, as you can see, our tribe cannot possibly field fifty warriors. Please, grant us more time. I, Jano, will lead all the adult males to fight for the Thunder God and the royal court!"
"Hmph! The royal summons is not up for negotiation!"
The dark-winged messenger coldly scoffed, his voice freezing.
"A pitiful tribe like yours, surviving here under the protection of the royal court, should be grateful for the court's grace."
His gaze shifted toward Jano's clenched talons and burning eyes, and a murderous glint flickered in his mind. A small tribe like Eagle's Nest Peak was like the weeds of the plains—one wave dies, another rises. Their destruction would not matter in the grand scheme of things.
With a sudden surge of intent to kill, the messenger's eyes narrowed, and the winds around him began to stir. It was the power of the wind—supernatural strength!
A chill ran down Jano's spine. He stiffened and quickly lowered his head, calling out,
"Messenger, Eagle's Nest Peak will obey the summons!"
The winds fell silent for a moment. The messenger hovered in the air, watching Jano's every move with sharp, calculating eyes. After a long pause, he spoke,
"Fifty warriors, three days. Remember—one less warrior, one day late, and your tribe will be destroyed!"
With that, the messenger turned and, with a flap of his wings, disappeared into the distance.
Jano's heart surged with anger. "D*mn it, one day, I'll overthrow this useless royal court!"
As the messenger departed, the tribe's people let out despondent sighs.
"When will this war end? When will life get better?"
"We're too weak."
"Our ancestors never returned. It seems we're destined to follow their path."
Jano, looking at the mournful faces of his people, stepped forward. His voice rang out with resolve
"Please trust me, everyone. This time, I will bring everyone back!"
"If I don't return, I'll die before all of you!"
"Also, the fifty warriors—please, any adult women of the tribe should come with us. The younger ones will stay in the tribe."
"Yes, Chief."
At once, ten or so adult female hawkmen people stepped forward, warriors of Jano's generation. The tribe was now left with only the elderly and the weak.
Sighing, Jano cast a final glance at the young, strongest hawkmen youth of the tribe, smiling at him.
"Cha, when we're gone, you'll be the strongest among the men here. You must protect everyone."
Cha, his eyes brimming with tears, nodded solemnly,
"Yes, Brother Jano!"
Jano gave a nod, then reassured his mother before stepping forward again to address the warriors.
"Alright, no time to waste. Let's go prepare our bronze armor and weapons. We leave for Oceanwood in fifteen minutes."
One hawkmen warrior, confused, spoke up,
"Jano, isn't the deadline three days away? Why rush?"
Jano shook his head.
"In previous generations, none of our ancestors returned from their expeditions. This time, we need to scout out Oceanwood, see what we're up against, and make sure we're fully prepared."
While the use of Titan's blood was a far more shocking method, he chose not to reveal it yet. Instead, he used a more reasonable explanation to allay any suspicions.
"Alright, we understand. We'll gather our gear and be ready in fifteen minutes."
The warriors nodded in agreement.
They trusted Jano implicitly. Over the years, they had grown up together, forming a bond stronger than mere kinship.
And so, in fifteen minutes, fifty hawkmen warriors, armed with bronze spears and swords, were ready. With a single command from Jano, they soared westward, leaving behind the sorrowful gazes of the elderly and the children.