The Tribe

The Great Tribe of Arizona, formed by the Great Leader in 2337, was defeated by two unknown enemies, influenza and the Vicious Band, another tribe from the Great Salt Lake. In this story, I tell about the beginning of my people, 2337, about 10 years after the bombs dropped.
Somewhere in October, a man known as the Great Leader, formed the Great Tribe of Arizona. A band of civilians and warriors alike, trying to make their way in the wasteland. Armed with little more than courage and the stubbornness to survive, the Great Leader led us against the Mighty Phoenix, a man who led a large tribe in a huge nearby pre-war city. We smashed his army at Guanotona, short to the north of the city. We invaded the Land of the Phoenix, his city, and killed the Mighty Phoenix. We pillaged the city, taking resources and people we needed.
Upon returning home, we paraded the Mighty Phoenix's body through Staff Flag, our city. We renamed it in respect and pity of the souls that were trapped by the radiation and explosions.
In 2338, an army of blue captured the city of Page, an army called the Soldiers of the Great Beyond, or SOGB as we called them. They had an idea that if they could capture and unite the world, a holy act would occur, and reset the damage from the bombs. The SOGB was formed in Wyoming, and have fully captured that state. Tore through and mostly captured Utah, and have now entered Arizona. Our leader, the Great Leader, and his top band of elders, came to the conclusion that we have to keep the Great Tribe of Arizona and Staff Flag independent.
Our warriors nervously watched the burnt, rocky horizon for the SOGB, waiting to give a warning whoop. In late 2338, most of northern Arizona was captured, and tribes like the Orange Hands, Red Trees, Sand Crawlers, had all been absorbed by the men in blue. Our sentries could see the SOGB rehabilitation centers and forward operating bases on the horizon, and we knew that eventually Staff Flag would be invaded. The Great Leader told us that the Great Tribe of Arizona would go to war if need be.
In early 2339, the SOGB invaded Staff Flag from the north, but we repelled them within a few hours. Day after day they attacked us, but still, we defended our home, sealing our name as the "Great Tribe" of Arizona. By mid 2339, their attacks stopped coming. They had completely been defeated by a tribe, probably for the first time.
But then, disaster struck. Influenza ravaged our tribe, the local Shamans and medicine men worked their hardest for physical ailments, while the local priests called for God's help with spiritual and mental help. We all went to church during that year, and studied a tribal form of Christianity, following old world practices. Maybe it was luck, maybe it was medicine, maybe it was God, but by the end of the year, the sickness went away.
However, a tribe from the Great Salt Lake in Utah called the Viscous Band, that had been pushed out by the SOGB, attacked us, killing some of our people, capturing others, then they just left. The Great Leader had gained infamy with the tribe, and local priests, war chiefs, and medicine men were throwing their hats in the election race. The Great Leader made a bold decision however, and went personally to a SOGB fortress, and asked for their forgiveness and help. The SOGB General agreed to help, and the Great Tribe of Arizona disappeared. So would the Viscous Band. All of us became SOGB.
They converted us to Beyondism, the belief that once the world is united by the SOGB the damage from the nukes would be reversed. And so, that was the end for The Great Tribe of Arizona. For a little while.

The End