14th September 1700.
The weather in what would be known in Vijay's past life as Los Angeles, the centre of the world's media industry, was warm and pleasant. Since there were no people excessively pumping groundwater for their own use, forest fires were far less frequent, and the region was noticeably greener.
Amidst the sparse shrubs and trees in a steep valley, a group of men stood at attention. Their bodies were covered in tattoos and red paint, marked with red orchid and black charcoal patterns, with only a single cloth covering their lower bodies. Surprisingly, each of them held a musket in hand, scanning their surroundings with sharp vigilance.
Suddenly, the lookout gave a unique signal that sounded like a bird's chirp. Everyone instantly understood, someone was approaching.
The men tensed and raised their guns, aiming toward a faint figure visible on the horizon.
