Rolling thunder echoed at the edge of the sky, yet the heavens were clear and cloudless. Golden-red sunlight passed through the treetops and fell on the open fields by the river. The fields had been cultivated for many years; broad stretches of farmland were overgrown with grass, and before there had even been time to burn them for the spring plowing, they had been trampled to mush by the marching feet of great companies of warriors.
The river flowed north, the farmland stretched along the river, and the marching footprints came from the west. At the center where farmland, river, and footprints converged stood an ancient city-state in the jungle, "the wandering place of the wolf in the woods"—Coyote City.
Ancient Coyote City was built of brick and stone. The temple within the city rose high, but the city walls were not very tall. At this moment, one corner of the low western wall had already been blasted down, and flames were burning atop the wall. Faint gunsmoke drifted everywhere, spreading the breath of Volcano. And frightened, chaotic shouts rose and fell one after another, spreading through the defenders above and below the walls.
"Ah! Sun God! The wall! The wall actually collapsed!"
"It's the Aztec! They summoned terrifying Thunder! The Thunder God's priest is dead too!"
"Divine punishment! This is divine punishment! Everything is over—how can we resist gods?!"
"Ah! They've broken in! They've broken in!"
"Where is the chief? Where is the mighty great chief?"
"The great chief fled into the city! He fled toward the granary!"
"Gods and ancestors! We surrender! We surrender!"
Black Wolf Toltec wore heavy armor and stood outside the city. He watched the defenders fall into chaos and begin surrendering, and also watched the Totonac Vanguard Battalion roaring with excitement as they fought