I Was Sent To The Zulu War Era With A System

War Sounds

  The raid had left its mark and not just on the torn-up ground and patches of blood on the grass, but in the faces of the people. They looked tired, shaken, and unsure. No one said it out loud, but the same thought hung in the air: what happens now?

  

  

  

    Ndabuko walked slowly through the camp, taking in everything around him. People were tending to wounds, fixing up torn shelters, or just sitting quietly, lost in thought. Every face he passed showed signs of pain and strength. He could feel their hopes resting on his shoulders, it was heavy, but meaningful.

  

  

  

    Sipho came up to him, holding a wooden spear tightly in both hands. There was a quiet determination in the way he moved. His grip was a little shaky, but his eyes were clear and serious as he looked up at Ndabuko.

  

  

  

    "The boys are ready to train harder," he said. His voice was calm, even though his hands were still trembling a little. "After what happened during the raid, they want to be better and be ready."

  

  

  

    Ndabuko looked at him for a moment, feeling a mix of pride and urgency rise in his chest. Sipho's courage reminded him of himself at that age, full of fire, determined to stand tall no matter the fear. 

  

  

  

    "Good," Ndabuko said, his voice steady as he placed a reassuring hand on Sipho's shoulder.

  

  

  

    "But fighting isn't just about being strong or fast. You have to understand yourself, understand your enemy, and know your limits. Today, we're going to start with meditation. It'll help you stay focused and calm, so your mind is just as sharp as your spear."

  

  

  

    Sipho's eyes widened a little, his nervousness giving way to curiosity. He nodded quickly, holding his spear a bit tighter, typical of a young lad.

  

  

  

    Just then, the System's voice echoed softly in Ndabuko's mind. 

  

  

  

    New Skill Unlocked: Battle Meditation Active. Duration: 5 minutes. Cooldown: 10 minutes. Effect: Boosts focus, helps you recover stamina faster, and reduces damage taken by 10%.

  

  

  

    The words settled in his chest like a quiet spark, it was both a sign of new strength and a reminder that every edge counted in what lay ahead.

  

  

  

    He could feel the System inside him like a second heartbeat, it was something powerful, helpful, but to him it was still a mystery. It gave him strength, yes, but he was still figuring out how to use it fully. For now, he pushed those thoughts aside as there’s been a lot going on. There was something more important to focus on, like turning the clan into something strong enough to survive any predicament, rival clans and enemies.

  

  

  

    Ndabuko led the young boys and warriors to a quiet clearing just outside the camp. A mist hung low over the ground, wrapping around the roots of tall, old trees. The air was cool and smelled of damp earth and pine. The grass beneath their bare feet was wet and soft. Slowly, the group sat down in a wide circle, legs crossed, their breaths rising in small clouds. Some looked unsure, others curious, but all of them were ready to listen.

  

  

  

    Ndabuko stood in the middle of the group, calm as ever and solid facial expression, he started talking as he was expected to.

  

  

  

    "War isn't just fought with weapons," he said. "It's also fought up here," he tapped his temple while also pointing at his head. "Fear can make you freeze, and qnger can throw off your aim and make you do reckless things without thinking twice about the outcome and remember my fellow warriors, for you to be strong on the outside, you have to be strong internally on the inside. Today, I'm going to teach you how to stay in control, how to steady your mind like you would a spear, that is the fundamental basic."

  

  

  

    He paused for a second, making sure they understood and letting the words sink in, then continued formally.

  

  

  

    "Close your eyes, Breathe deeply, Feel the ground under you."

  

  

  

    His voice ensured they stayed calm and steady as he led them through slow breaths, Inhale, exhale, little by little, they began to relax, their breathing started falling into rhythm with his. The tension in the air eased as their focus grew, pulled inward by the simple act of breathing and listening.

  

  

  

  

    The tress were quiet, except for the soft sound of leaves rustling and a distant bird call that cut through their focus. Ndabuko watched the group closely, noticing the small changes. Sipho's shoulders had dropped, he could see they were longer stiff with tension. Mthetho's brow, usually tight with worry, had relaxed. Even Jabulani, who was always shifting around, now sat still and calm.

  

  

  

    Time passed had passed and gone by. The sun rose higher and slowly burning away the mist. By midday, the air felt different, clearer and lighter. When the boys and men stood, there was a new energy in them. Their movements were sharper and their eyes were focused. It was like the meditation had cleared their heads and in return taken away some of the fear and hesitation.

  

  

  

    Ndabuko ran them through drills, calling out for strikes and dodges. This time, they moved with purpose and intention, just like Ndabuko had wished. Their spears sliced through the air with control and strength he hadn't seen before. Pride rose in his chest, but made sure he didn't let it blind him. He knew this was just the first step and the real test would come, it may not be now but potentially in the future, so this task was very fundamental.

  

  

  

    Later, as the sun went down and painted the sky in dark, a scout came running into the camp, was out of breath, he could barely breathe, soaked with sweat, panic in his eyes. The warriors turned instantly, their hands tightening around their weapons. Ndabuko felt a chill creeping through him inside.

  

  

  

    The scout stumbled to a stop in front of Chief Bheka, he barely was able to get the words out. "The northern tribes," he panted, "they're moving faster”… He Gasped again, his lungs begging for air, “they are moving faster than we thought, they've brought in more warriors, maybe from another clan Reinforcements possibly and they're not far."

  

  

  

  

    The camp seemed to freeze, tension filling the air like a tightly wound rope. Chief Bheka's face darkened, his jaw tightening as he slowly turned to Ndabuko. His eyes were hard, focused. Something was definitely coming for sure.

  

  

  

    "How soon can your units be ready?" Chief Bheka asked. His voice was low and calm, but every word hit hard, like a rock dropped into still water, Ndabuko could tell he was nervous, even though he tried so hard not to show it, understandably.

  

  

  

    Ndabuko's mind was already working fast, going over what they had, what the boys could handle, and what still needed to be done. The warriors were strong, but were they strong enough?

  

  

  

    Then the System kicked in, its voice clear and urgent in his mind.

  

  

  

    Clan Alert: Enemy Forces Increasing. Prepare for Imminent Assault.

  

  

  

    The words sounded in his head, sharpening the burden of the moment. He intensely looked Bheka in the eye, steady on the outside even as pressure built inside him.

  

  

  

    "The boys are getting stronger, but they're not ready yet," he said, voice steady and clear. "Give us two days. We can form small, fast units trained to strike and move. But when the northern tribes come, we'll need every man here to hold the line."

  

  

  

    Bheka nodded slowly, his face tight with resolve. 

  

  

  

    "Then make it happen," he said, his voice firm, no room for argument. "The war isn't coming anymore. It's already here."

  

  

  

    Around them, the warriors exchanged tense looks. Some gripped their spears tighter. Others shifted where they stood, unease in their eyes. Fear mixed with determination hung in the air like smoke. Ndabuko felt all of them, every life in the camp was resting on his shoulders.

  

  

  

    He turned to Sipho, who stood nearby, his face pale but his eyes steady. The boy was trying to be brave, but the fear was all over him.

  

  

  

    "You heard the scout," Ndabuko said quietly, speaking only to him. "This is what we've been training for. Are you ready?"

  

  

  

    Sipho hesitated, then nodded. His jaw tightened, and his voice was barely a whisper.

  

  

  

    "I'm scared," he said honestly. "But I'll fight. For you and for the clan."

  

  

  

    Ndabuko placed a firm hand on his shoulder, grounding them both.

  

  

  

    "We all carry fear," he said. "But you can use it. Let it sharpen your focus. Don't let it control you, you will be alright.”

  

  

  

    Sipho nodded again, this time with a hint of a smile, small but sure, trying to make sure the boy was comfortable.

  

  

  

    As night fell, the camp came alive with quiet purpose. Warriors checked weapons, sharpened spears, fixed torn armor, and muttered soft prayers to the ancestors. The fires flickered, casting long shadows across determined faces. Ndabuko moved among them, giving small nods, helping a boy correct his grip on a spear, offering a few words of encouragement when needed. He tried to steady them, even as his own thoughts raced.

  

  

  

    The System's warning looped in the back of his mind, as a constant reminder that time was running out. He imagined the enemy camp, it was larger now, filled with more warriors than before, their Sharp spears catching firelight as they prepared to march.

  

  

  

    Could his people really hold them back?

  

  

  

    The System stirred again.

  

  

  

    Objective Updated: Train rapid-response units. Fortify camp defenses. Reward: Skill Upgrade, Clan Morale +15%.

  

  

  

    He pushed away the doubt and he had to. Now wasn't the time for second-guessing, it was either die or live situation. He looked around at the faces around counting on him, you could tell they trusted him with their lives. That trust was like a flame he wouldn't just let it go out.

  

  

  

    Chief Bheka approached just as the fire was burning low, his figure standing tall against the glow of the last embers.

  

  

  

    "You've done more than teach them how to fight," Bheka said, with a quiet voice yet but full of meaning behind it. "You've given them something to believe in but belief alone won't stop spears, action does.”

  

  

  

    Ndabuko met his eyes, and his was heart pounding nonstop.

  

  

  

    "Then we'll give them everything else they need, skill, strategy, and steel."

  

  

  

    Bheka studied him for a long moment, then gave a slow nod.

  

  

  

    "Tomorrow, we build that wall you spoke of," he said, then turned back to the fire. 

  

  

  

    As the camp grew quiet and everyone settled in for a restless night, Ndabuko stood alone under the stars. They sparkled in the dark sky like distant watchers, cold and quiet. His fists clenched at his sides, the weight of the clan heavy on him, but he didn't flinch.

  

  

  

    The war was here and he could feel it in the ground, in the air, in the looks people gave each other.

  

  

  

    The System pulsed quietly in the back of his mind, it was full of promises, full of power but he knew everything came with a price, this was something he learned in his old life in the township.

  

  

  

    Will Ndabuko stand tall in this upcoming potential threat?