Chaos Divinity Tome

The sun pieced through the cloudy sky to illuminate a vast plain with tall grass. In the distance one could also see a mountain, and a forest surrounding it. In the middle of this grassy plain was a clearing that was fenced with with wooden spikes. A small village existed in this clearing, with a hundred or so huts scattered inside. This was the Nyasanga Clan. The Clan was very lively at this hour with the clan members bustling about making various preparations. Today was the initiation ceremony of the younger generation, to chose the youngsters that would become the warriors of the clan. This was a major point in the lives of these youths. Warriors had a high status in the clan, providing it with security as well as hunting for food in the dangerous mountain forest. It went without saying today's ceremony was a major matter. It would determine the continuity of the clan!

In the center of the clan was a hut that was larger than the others. Inside of it was a group of sixteen young boys about eight years old gathered together with solemn expressions. They were paying close attention to a large man seated in front of them on a throne. It was made of numerous ivory tusks and padded with the fur of some large beast. The man on the throne was incredibly well built with a tall seven foot height. Even sitting down his presence was still imposing. He wore a shocking tiger skin as a cape, with the tiger's jaws as the hood. This was the Chief of the Nyasanga Clan, Saito Nyasanga. He was giving the younger generation pointers ahead of the initiation.

"It is not that a warrior has no fear, it is only that he faces it head on and doesn't cower before it." he said with a gentle smile. It was at this moment that the animal skin door was pulled back and a village elder peeked in.

"We are ready, Your Highness" he solemnly announced.

"That's all for today, good luck children." Saito dismissed the youngsters with a wave. The group could only dejectedly exit the hut. It wasn't every day that you received pointers from the chief himself after all. The man was a legend! However, such thoughts quickly went on the back burner and looks of anticipation appeared on their faces. Up ahead outside the chief's hut, the area had been cleared out and a large circle had been drawn in the sand. The village people sat on one side around the circle in an arc and behind them was a raised platform, where six elderly men sat. the middle seat was vacant, and the elder who announced the preparations took another seat on the podium. Clearly the middle seat was for the chief, and these were all the seven clan elders. The village people were clapping in a rhythm as the young boys came over. They youngsters went over and stood in a line outside the circle, facing the villagers with earnest faces.

Phillip was among them, and he stood out by being significantly less muscular than the other children. With a flap, Chief Saito stepped out of his hut, and immediately the villagers stopped clapping and stood up respectfully. With a nod, he proceeded majestically to the center seat of the podium and took a seat. Only after a wave of his hand did the other villagers also return to their seats.

"Let the tournament begin." Chief Saito said with another wave of his hand.

The elder who had called the chief earlier stood up and bowed. He then stepped down from the podium and walked slowly to the center of the circle.

"Just our luck we get Elder Charles" a burly boy next to Philip whispered.

Philip's face also contorted slightly. If there was any hope of lucking out in the tournament, they had been completely dashed with Elder Charles managing the proceedings. Who in the village didn't know how diligent and fair he was? He wouldn't even favor his own grandson!

"We all know why we are here so I wont waste time. I will now explain the rules." the elder said with an aged low voice. "Only the strong can be warriors, therefore we will have a wrestling tournament to determine the strong from the weak. Two will face each other, and the losers will drop to a losers pool. the losers will face each other and losing twice is elimination. the winner of the winner pool and the winner of the losers pool will face each other in the end to determine a champion. Any questions?"

"Very well then. These sticks are numbered and identical. Step forward and choose one. Your number will determine your opponent." he said while pulling out a small bunch of sticks from the beast-skin pouch on his waist. He held them out with the numbers hidden, and it was impossible to tell them apart.

"It seems our opponents will depend on our luck" the burly boy whispered to Philip before stepping forward and picking a stick. With this precedent, more and more boys went forward and picked a stick for themselves. Finally, with all the sticks picked out, Philip could only step forward and receive the remaining last one. Looking at the stick, a small "Three" had been curved into it. All the boys returned to their previous positions and stood at attention.

"Let the games begin. Number Ones step forward" Elder Charles announced grandly. The villagers broke out into cheering and clapping as two boys in the group stepped into the circle, and gave each other cold glares. The warrior initiation had officially began!