Lazarus

The coolness of the cave's shade could only provide a certain amount of comfort. Many of elements could collude and conspire to make relaxation impossible. The buzzing of insects and birds might make it hard to sleep. The sight of a large beast, whatever it may be, might cause alarm. The hunger of a day without food would cause Ghrelin to force wakefulness on the occupants. Another thing that could prove lethal to any hopes of a respite from the trials of 10,000 BC was the stomping of feet on the hard earth and the yelling of a fellow member of the tribe. These couple sounds were what roused the seven members of the tribe who annexed this particular cave from mother nature.

A moment after they scrambled to their callused feet, a figure, sweating, wild-eyed and known to them all, came to a stop at the entrance. His muscular form eclipsed the passing sun as the group looked up at him and with a few grunts and gestures, he pointed out to the plains. The message was clear, and the group in the cave turned, reaching for the basic rock and bone tools that lay around the cave, drenched in the stench of animal carcass that had since been removed.

Emerging from their shelter, the seven early humans met the one. He had been joined by the rest of their tribe and as the seven fanned out, their eyes locked onto the cause of alarm. A troop of other humans were gathering nearby. What their intention was, was unclear, but there would no waiting to find out. The tribal leader, one of the larger men, stepped forward, struck his chest with meaty hand and let forth a bellow, raising a sharpened bone in the air. The rest of the tribe stood together in the merciless heat and ever-present long grass, sickly yellow from the attempt of eking out a living under the poor botanical conditions.

"Rarrrrr!" another man yelled, brandishing a sharpened stick as spittle flew from between his parched lips. His rage was echoed by the screams of his tribal members, and, egged on by the feral cries of the women, the men stormed forward, muscled legs slashing their way through the grass, weapons raised and their animalistic fury bursting forth from their bared teeth and clenched fists.

As the two groups clashed, the momentum of the charge showed its effectiveness. Several members of the opposing tribe fell to the ground and others stumbled back to be cut down when they were off balance. As the battle raged and improvised weapons were splattered red, the other group fell back in a tangled mass of panic and pain. The victorious tribe roared their delight at the battered foe, turning to their womenfolk with delight. Some silenced the enemy wounded, others dragged by their own wounded, others still kept guard lest the battle be resumed. One of the victors, particularly gripped with adrenaline, let forth another wild scream, following it up with vicious stab through the chest of an already dead foe. It was not until the opposing tribe was out of sight that the plains fell silent.