CHAPTER SIX: CHALLENGING
The air was electric with excitement as the news of their victory over Makoto village spread throughout the land. Chief Ake stood tall, a proud smile on his face. "I told you our soldiers are capable of greatness. We may have been outnumbered, but we had faith in our warriors, and they proved us right. This victory will send a strong message to the other villages: we will no longer be intimidated or bullied."
Another chief, however, sounded a note of caution. "While this is indeed a triumph, let us not forget that we have now become a thorn in the side of the other villages. They will stop at nothing to eliminate us, and we must be prepared to defend ourselves. We cannot afford to be complacent."
Chief Ake countered, "Why should we panic? If we had not taken bold action against Makoto village, they would have continued to oppress us, and we would have remained their slaves. We must change our mindset and recognize that we, too, are a force to be reckoned with. Our perspective can either limit us or elevate us; it's up to us to choose how we think and place ourselves."
The majority of the chiefs nodded in agreement, but some still harbored doubts and fears. The king, however, was resolute. "My eyes have been opened, and I see that our mentality has been holding us back. We are not inferior to the other villages. We must wake up, stand up, and fight for our freedom, just as our ancestors should have done. We owe it to ourselves, our children, and future generations to take a stand."
Chief Ake added, "I trust our soldiers implicitly. They have proven themselves time and again, and I have no doubt they will emerge victorious against Sakoto village. I can see the fire in their bellies, and they are ready to defend our village to the death."
One of the chiefs expressed his concerns. "But, my lord, Sakoto village is among the top ten villages in terms of manpower and resources. I fear we may be no match for them."
Chief Ake retorted, "Enough of your fearful words! You are draining our fighting spirit with your negativity. We will prepare, we will fight, and we will emerge victorious, no matter the outcome. We have already planted a seed of fear in Sakoto's mind, and that can be their downfall."
The king concluded, "Let us not waste any more time. We must prepare for battle, and I need your cooperation. Let us keep this information confidential and focus on our strategy. I have already relocated our soldiers' barracks, and they are training intensively. Only Chief Ake is allowed to visit them, as he is the only one who can elevate their spirits."
One of the chiefs protested, "But, my lord, why only Chief Ake?"
The king replied, "Because he has the heart of a lion, and he is the only one who can inspire our soldiers to greatness. Let us proceed, and if you need anything, do not hesitate to ask me. We have ample resources from our previous victory to aid us in this battle."