It was a boggy summer morning, in the marshlands of ancient Europe. Ten thousand years ago. Nomadic humans, named the Polin Clan, trekked through the knee-deep water, some clutched infants in their arms. They were chasing bison. Long horned bison. They knew the dangers of the hunt; their best hunters had been pierced by the horns of one. But this time. It will be different.
Takkai led the group through the marshes, clutching her stone club, made from the femur of a rival tribe member. The stone was dark obsidian, gleaming in the dim morning sun. Takkai crept slowly and low to the ground, ready for any attack from anything. Suddenly, a scream erupted from the large group of humans.
“Ghost!” They wailed. Takkai knew all too well of this name. Ghost was a giant cave lion, with bright white fur, and glowing red eyes. Ghost and her partner, Night, stalked this group for ages. Night was the same size, but deep black, with the same crimson eyes. Over the years they lost so many to these monsters, but Takkai decided to put an end to it.
Suplix and Kranja ran, away from the group, to get away from Ghost. It was just her today, which they thought was odd. However, they didn’t care much, for they would die all the same if they stayed.
“Run Suplix!” Kranja yelped, and Suplix nodded hastily. Suplix and Kranja have known each other for a long time, most of their life, and Kranja could not bear to lose Suplix.
“I am! Don’t worry too much, we’ve been through this gig lots Kranja.” Suplix assured him. It’s been months since the casualties from Ghost and Night have even gotten into the double digits.
“I’m allowed to be worried!” Argued Kranja. “Ghost and Night have killed twenty a week! I’m surprised this group is still up and running!”
Suplix and Kranja finally arrived at tall grass, two hundred feet away from the mess of screams and snarls. They crouched low, breathing heavily, from their sudden usage of energy.
“Did we get too far?” Mumbled Suplix. He was always a nervous little kid. Especially when two cave lions were unleashed on the group.
“Were fine. We can get back easily.” Assured Kranja. Kranja drew his small club, with spikes fixed onto the blunt part.
Takkai screamed curses at Ghost, as she swung her club at the large beast, cutting off tufts of fur from her shoulder. “Die your horrible monster!” Takkai had a very special hatred for Ghost. She had her parents murdered by Ghost. She would target Ghost rather than Night. Takkai felt that of hands pressing onto her shoulder, and as quickly as they grabbed her, she felt what was like hot nails boring into her. “Aaah!” She wailed; she knew this feeling. Night was upon her.
Suplix gasped when he saw the monster grab onto her, and he immediately drew his longbow. Taking aim and leveling his hand.
“Suplix? You haven’t used that in months! Last time you did you shot someone!” cried Kranja, worried about his attempted shot at Night. He pulled back a slender arrow, and squeezed his eyes shut, as he let the arrow loose.
Night fell off Takkai, before he could deal any critical damage, an arrow stuck out of him. Takkai got up, and looked around, and saw Suplix wave at her. Krajna just started walking their way as Ghost followed close behind Night.
Multiple days later, as they were closing in on the bison herd, they heard distant bellowing, muted by the light crunching of the plains leaves. Every few hours a howl could be heard, by the dreaded dire wolf. “We must find the bison, for salvation.” Muttered Takkai. She was restless, she hadn’t eaten in days. She was about ready to eat her own kind, but she wouldn’t. Their enemies were cannibals, she mustn’t become them.
“We must find the bison now!” She assured everyone, reminding them that she is not the only one that is hungry.
Suplix and Kranja stalked a rabbit. They were away from the main group, and they were walking quickly and quietly. Suplix drew an arrow and held his breath as he brought his fist to his cheek; he clenched the arrow, steadying his aim. He let the arrow fly; it pierced the rabbit’s eye. Suplix yelped excitedly, and ran, grabbing the carcass.
“Takkai, Takkai!” Suplix yelled. He held his fresh kill, still warm, blood dripping out of the arrow wound. She whirled around and gasped excitedly.
“We have food! We have food!” Takkai yelled at everyone. “W-we have food.” A heavy task has been lifted from her weary shoulders.
Someone screamed. It was a scream that was all too familiar.
“It’s Ghost and Night! They have come back to finish what they have started!” Someone yelled. Suplix and Kranja are finishing this nightmare. Kranja drew his club, and Suplix aimed his bow. Everyone has their weapons drawn and aimed, ready for an attack.
“Fire!” Takkai ordered loudly. Fifteen arrows flew in volleys to the pair of beasts. An arrow stuck out of Ghosts shoulder.
“It’s bleeding.” Muttered Kranja. “Finish it!” He roared. He brought down his large club onto the back of Ghost, but a giant paw, with black fur lining the top, slammed into Kranja’s face. His ear was nearly severed, and he was badly injured. His tribe members formed a ring around him. He was in no shape to fight.
“Fire!” Growled Suplix. He let an arrow fly, right into Ghost’s eye. She roared and lay motionless. Takkai grinned. It was all coming together. Finally!
Night lunged to Suplix. His claws extended, ready to kill. His jaws were practically unhinged. He was attacking with deadly intent. Takkai let down a cruel swing of her obsidian club, crashing down onto Night’s skull. It was over. They were safe.
“Look Takkai!” Suplix pointed towards the herd of Bison. This nightmare was finished.
Takkai made an important announcement.
“Tonight! We feast!”