The plan was set. Hruaia, Lianchhiari, and a small group of warriors would lead the British soldiers to the cliffs, using the terrain to their advantage. The rest of the villagers would stay behind to defend the village, buying them time to execute their desperate strategy.
As they moved through the forest, Hruaia's mind raced. The cliffs were not far, but every step felt like a gamble. The British were disciplined and well-armed, and one misstep could mean disaster. He glanced at Lianchhiari, who walked beside him with a calm determination that steadied his nerves.
"Are you sure about this?" he asked quietly.
She nodded, her eyes fixed on the path ahead. "The spirits are with us. Trust them."
Hruaia took a deep breath, forcing himself to focus. He had to trust her—trust the plan. There was no other choice.
When they reached the cliffs, the group spread out, positioning themselves to create the illusion of being cornered. The drop was sheer, the rocks below jagged and unforgiving. Hruaia's stomach churned as he peered over the edge, but he pushed the fear aside. This was their only chance.
The sound of approaching footsteps snapped him back to attention. The British soldiers emerged from the trees, their rifles raised and their expressions grim. They moved cautiously, their eyes scanning the area for any sign of a trap.
"Hold your ground," Hruaia whispered, his grip tightening on his spear.
The soldiers advanced, their numbers overwhelming. Hruaia's heart raced as they drew closer, their bayonets gleaming in the sunlight. He exchanged a glance with Lianchhiari, her calm presence a steadying force.
Then, with a shout, the warriors launched their attack. They surged forward, their movements swift and coordinated. The British soldiers hesitated, caught off guard by the sudden assault.
Hruaia moved with the others, his spear striking true as he fought to push the soldiers back. The edge of the cliff loomed behind them, a deadly drop that promised no escape.
One of the soldiers lunged at him, his bayonet aimed at Hruaia's chest. Hruaia sidestepped and thrust his spear, the blade finding its mark. The soldier fell, and Hruaia barely had time to process what he had done before another was upon him.
The battle was fierce, the air filled with the sounds of clashing weapons and cries of pain. Hruaia fought with everything he had, his movements fueled by adrenaline and desperation. Beside him, Lianchhiari moved with a grace and precision that was almost otherworldly, her knife flashing in the sunlight.
But the British were relentless, their numbers and firepower slowly turning the tide. Hruaia felt a surge of panic as he realized they were being pushed back, the edge of the cliff drawing closer with every step.
"We can't hold them off much longer," he panted, his arms aching from the effort.
Lianchhiari's expression was grim. "We need to retreat. Now."
They signaled to the others, and the warriors began to fall back, their retreat covered by Hruaia and Lianchhiari. The British pursued, their advance slowed by the dense forest and the villagers' guerrilla tactics.
As they reached the edge of the village, Hruaia turned to see the British regrouping, their numbers still formidable. He knew they couldn't win this fight, not with the odds stacked against them. But they couldn't afford to lose, either.
"We need a plan," he said, turning to Zaii and Lianchhiari. "Something to give us an edge."
Zaii nodded, his face streaked with sweat and blood. "What do you suggest?"
Hruaia's mind raced. He thought of the stories he had read, the battles where the underdog had triumphed through cunning and strategy. "We need to create a diversion. Something to draw them into a trap."
Lianchhiari's eyes lit up. "The cliffs. If we can lure them to the edge, we can push them over."
Hruaia felt a surge of hope. It was risky, but it might work. "Let's do it."
As the villagers prepared for the next phase of the battle, Hruaia felt a strange sense of calm. He didn't know what the outcome would be, but he knew one thing for certain: he would fight to protect these people, no matter the cost.