Chapter 174: 174:Violence Isn't An Option

At the first light of dawn, as it filtered through the thick canopy of the forest, the tribal village stirred with an air of solemnity. 

The early morning mist clung to the ground, giving the scene an ethereal quality. Members of the various tribes gathered around a central clearing, their expressions a mix of sorrow and anxiety. 

The cries of children blended with the soft murmur of women speaking in their native tongue, their voices laced with worry and resignation.

The village chief, a tall and dignified figure adorned with traditional garb and ceremonial markings, stood at the center of the gathering. 

His face was set in a grim line as he surveyed the scene. The missing men were a heavy burden on his shoulders, and the weight of their absence was palpable in the air. 

"Where are our men? Has anyone returned from yesterday?" the chief's voice boomed, though it was tinged with an undertone of desperation.