Hemia (Occupied), Empire of Alantieus, 6th Day 1st Phase 1457th Set
Once a bustling small trade city powered by a small fraction of the infinite power source. Is now but an empty shell of its past prosperity. The once towering walls of immovable stone are now crumbling under its own weight. Streets now littered with blood, carnage, rubble and... The grand Mayor's Mansion with white marble outlook, perfectly tiled rooftop, polished windows and velvet purple curtains. Was now grey in colour, windows shattered, curtains ripped apart and roof with holes. Black smoke billowed from all around the city, the screams of people could still be heard at every corner of the city. Some laid beside the corpse of their loved ones. Some were just staring at the sky as if looking for answers or help in the heavens, only to see an endless blue. Crows were circling about the city's sky instead of the usual doves. The smell of rotting meat was beginning to diffuse through the once sweet-smelling city. Yet, the cause of this destruction was not to be seen anywhere in the plundered city.
***
Luteun Fields, near the border between the Empire of Alantieus and Peacius, 6th Day 1st Phase 1457th Set
The sound of metal boots marching on a dirt path formed by continuous movement on the path rang out into the distant Alantien farmers. All the farmers could do was look at the passing battalion in fear of the future and contempt for the foreign military force. The soldiers of Xenis paid no attention to the looks they were getting. Still fully clad in battle armour, they followed tirelessly behind their charismatic Veteran General, Kogher Bajer. The leader rode on a horse that wore silver chainmail on its border with a black mask on its head. Even with such weight on its back, the horse showed no signs of fatigue. Behind the Veteran General were several Rear Generals carrying their own company banners on their backs while they rode on unarmoured horses. Following behind the banner group was a stream of Noctian soldiers marching in sync with each other. The different company marked different companies in the marching contingent. First, were the swift cavalry companies. Second, were the fierce infantry companies. Third, were the precise archer companies. Forth, the artillery and siege companies. Lastly, the ever-ready resource companies.
Presently, the Battalion of Xenis was marching to form up with the Empire of Persidius' battalion of Sesar at the border between Peacius and Empire of Alantieus. The border was a day march away from Heizen's encampment...
***
Heizen's encampment, Plateaus of Haui, Peacius, 6th Day 1st Phase 1457th Set
"OIE, YOU NEW TWATS," shouted a seemingly familiar Verserien soldier, to Teiga's memories. "GET YOUR ASSES OVER HERE AND FORM UP!"
"Hey, Teiga. You better get going, man. He is our company's Rear General," suggested Hanco. "I'll be training with other soldiers if you need any help."
Teiga nodded and proceeded to join the group of new enlistees heading over to the guy shouting.
"IF I DON'T SEE A PROPER FORMATION IN FRONT OF ME IN 10 SECONDS. Y'ALL FUCKERS CAN BE THE FIRST TO FIGHT THE ENEMIES!"
"10!"
All the new enlistees were stunned.
"9!"
All the new enlistees were starting to process what he just shouted.
"8!"
All the new enlistees made the realisation that he meant what he said.
"7!"
All the new enlistees with a panicked look on their faces made a mad dash towards the Rear General.
"6!"
All the new enlistees started to form up properly in neat rows and columns.
"5!"
All the new enlistees except for Teiga were in formation.
"4!"
Teiga realises why the person shouting looked so familiar, the shouting guy was the soldier he sparred with at the enlisting area.
"3!"
Teiga also realises he was the only one not in formation.
"2!"
Teiga realises he fucked up.
"1!"
Teiga made a desperate attempt to get into the formation but fails spectacularly. "I've never tried this before but if I want to make it there in a second I have to charge my legs with mana." thought Teiga. Because he was rushing, the young soldier channelled a tad too much mana into his legs and leapt forward and upwards with such force that he landed further away behind the Rear General than he expected to be.
"Fuck..." mumbled Teiga as he closed his eyes and attempted to hide his face by looking and bending down.
"NICE TRY YOU PIECE OF SHIT! YOU ARE GOING TO BE ONE OF THE FIRST TO FIGHT THE ENEMY TOMORROW! NOW GET BACK HERE. I AM GOING TO START TRAINING."
Teiga quickly jogged back to the formation and joined the ranks. Surprisingly, no enlistees were judging the failed attempt at getting into the formation of the young soldier. All the enlistees had a stern look on their faces when the previous day, all they had were their own belongings and a worried look. How much can be changed with a single short speech by Tailun?
"LISTEN UP YOU FRESH MEATS, I AM REAR GENERAL ZECH FRANDIS. AND YOU HEARD IT, WE ARE FIGHTING OUR FIRST BATTLE TOMORROW. WE WILL BE FIGHTING THE BATTALION OF XENIS AND BATTALION OF SESAR. A COALITION BETWEEN THE EMPIRE OF NOCT AND PERSIDIUS. DUE TO THE LACK OF TIME, I'LL ONLY TELL YOU GUYS THE BASICS AND MOST IMPORTANT SKILLS A SOLDIER OF HEIZEN SHOULD ENCOMPASS. FROM THEN ON, YOU GUYS WILL PRACTISE BY YOURSELF."
The enlistees didn't even need to be told to listen up because the Rear General's voice was already loud to enough to be heard from the opposite training ground of the cavalries. Even the horses were startled and started to run amok before being calmed down by their riders.
"NOW, I SHALL TELL YOU THE VITAL PARTS OF THE HUMAN BODY AND WHERE TO STRIKE. FIRST, THE NECK IS WHERE WE GO FOR USUALLY BUT THE ENEMIES WE ARE FACING HAVE THEIR'S PROTECTED WELL BY CHAINMAIL AND STEEL PLATES. SO, WE GO FOR THE NEXT TARGET. THE MIDDLE OF THE CHEST, WHERE THE HEART IS. THEIR CHEST PLATE IS THINNER THAN OUR'S. SO IT SHOULD BE EASIER TO PIERCE THROUGH. THESE TWO ARE THE MAIN VITAL PARTS EVERY SOLDIER ON THE CONTINENT OF PACIFIA WILL GO FOR. BE CAREFUL THAT. NEXT, IF YOU FAIL TO STRIKE ANY OF THE TWO VITAL PARTS. YOU GO FOR INCAPACITATIONS. STRIKE THE ENEMIES AT THEIR JOINTS WHERE THEIR ARMOUR IS AT THEIR WEAKEST. WITHOUT THEIR JOINTS, THEY CAN'T MOVE. THE FIRST JOINTS YOU GO FOR SHOULD BE THE ONES IN THEIR ARMS. NEXT, THE ONES AT THEIR LEGS. WITHOUT THEIR ARMS, THEIR LEGS ARE ALMOST USELESS EXCEPT FOR KICKS AND RUNNING. BUT WITH THEIR ARMS, THEY CAN STILL KILL YOU. UNDERSTAND THAT?"
The question was redundant cause his fierce face already signalled to the enlistees that they should already understand.
"NEXT, AS A SOLDIER OF HEIZEN. YOU NEED TO KNOW THE SIGNALS. BE IT FLAGS, HORNS OR SMOKE. WE DON'T USUALLY USE SMOKE CAUSE IT IS HARD TO SEE SOMETIMES.
GREEN FLAGS: IT MEANS TO GET IN BATTLE FORMATION ON THE BATTLEFIELD AS BRIEFED. IF SHOWN IN THE ENCAMPMENT, IT MEANS FORM UP AT THE ARENA.
BLACK FLAGS: CHARGE TOWARDS THE TARGETED ENEMY COMPANY AS ASSIGNED, IN FORMATION.
RED FLAGS: PREPARE YOURSELF FOR CHARGING ENEMIES.
BLUE FLAGS: RETREAT THE FUCK OUT OF THE BATTLEFIELD WHILE THE REAR GUARD COMPANY HOLDS OUT.
YELLOW FLAGS: BATTLE IS OVER AND WE WON.
WHITE FLAGS: THE WORST AND MOST UNCOMMON FLAG. IT MEANS WE LOST THE BATTLE. YOU TWATS MUST BE WONDERING HOW IS A BATTLE DECLARED OVER."
But the enlistees were not wondering about that. They have full confidence in Tailun and his aides.
"TO WIN A BATTLE. WE CAN ROUTE THE ENEMY AND DESTROY THEIR MORALE, MAKE THEM RETREAT LIKE PUSSIES. WE CAN KILL OR TAKE THEIR VETERAN GENERAL HOSTAGE, WHICH IS INCREDIBLY HARD. SO WE TRY HARD FOR MAKING THEM RETREAT. NOW, FOR THE HORNS.
A SHARP 10 SECONDS HORN: TO GET INTO BATTLE FORMATION. THIS IS USUALLY ACCOMPANIED BY THE GREEN FLAGS.
A DEEP 10 SECONDS HORN: CHARGE TOWARDS THE TARGETED ENEMY COMPANY.
A SHARP 5 SECONDS HORN: TO GET PREPARED FOR CHARGING ENEMIES.
A DEEP 2 SECONDS HORN: GET THE FUCK OUT IMMEDIATELY WHILE REAR GUARDS HOLD OUT.
A SHARP 20 SECONDS HORN: WE WON THE BATTLE.
A SHARP 2 SECONDS HORN: WE LOST THE BATTLE.
ALL IN ALL, THE COLOURED FLAGS ARE USUALLY ACCOMPANIED BY THE BATTLE HORNS CAUSE SOME OF YOU BLIND FUCKS CAN'T SEE FOR SHIT! NOW, THESE ARE THE BASICS. GET TRAINING WITH YOUR PARTNERS!" shouted Zech as he pointed to the Verserien soldiers sparring with each other using wooden swords.
Even with all the profanities and insults spat out by Zech, the enlistees remained unwavering. Occasionally, when he was shouting, droplets of saliva flew out of his mouth like a boulder launched from a catapult. With the order given by the spitting Rear General, the enlistees split out from their formation and went to consult their Verserien training partners.
"Teiga Ura, over here!" shouted Baverus as he waved his wooden sword in the air like a flag carrier waving his company's flag proudly in a parade. He was the only one being rowdy on a serious training ground.
Trying to stop that embarrassment of a training partner, Teiga dashed to him.
"What were you thinking, Baverus?!" questioned Teiga as he forced the barbarian's hands down.
"I thought what Zech said was true and that you guys can't see for shit. Heh," replied Baverus jokingly as he lowered his wooden sword to his sides. He then took out another wooden sword attached to his back and handed it over to Teiga who was face-palming himself. "Just joking man. Here's your training sword, a wooden gladius."
The young soldier took hold of the sword in a relieved manner and was surprised by how light the sword was. Even though the sword looked thick and heavy, the actual weight was something of the opposite. It felt like a wooden twig instead! Teiga immediately tried some sword movements and manoeuvres to get a feel of fighting with the sword but still felt uncomfortable with it.
"You will get used to it when we spar with each other. Don't worry..." comforted Baverus as he leapt at his unsuspecting partner who was still looking at the gladius.
"Boom, you're dead," whispered the initiator of the spar as he leaned into Teiga's ear with his wooden sword resting on his prey's shoulders and aimed at his neck.
"What the..."
"That's one for me! You will not survive the first battle at this rate if you are going to be one of the front liners. In fact, many of the enlistees here won't..."
"..."
Teiga was speechless at the reality that was presented to him in verbal form and that he lost the spar in a second.
"...Let us start over again..." said Teiga as he prepared the gladius like he prepares his katana, readied by the side of his face. It was such an awkward stance with a gladius and the young soldier did not realise it.
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"Very well," replied Baverus as he channelled energy to his limbs, readying himself for the next leap.
The awkward soldier was on the defensive while the cheerful predator was on the offensive. With one contraction of his limbs, the predator launched himself forward towards his prey with greater force than the first one. The intent to kill was evident with the edge of his gladius heading for in between Teiga's neck and chest. The sword was ready to switch between the two targets and confirm a kill within a blink of an eye.
Before Baverus contracted his limbs, Teiga was already channelling mana into his whole body. Enhancing every physical ability he has. The young soldier rooted himself to the ground while keeping his arms flexible enough to defend against any offensive actions by his training partner. Noticing the contraction of the limbs. The young soldier started to channel mana into his wooden sword.
When the predator was just within reach of his prey, the prey swung his mana-charged sword up like a fist doing an upper-cut. Sensing an oncoming sword, the predator quickly swung his sword perpendicular to Teiga's sword in an attempt to deflect the attack.
As the two swords clashed in a fierce burst of blue flames that had a blast radius of 5 metres. The wind generated by the violent clash blew up an enormous amount of dust around them and obscured the vision of the whole training ground.
"WOI! WHO THE FUCK CREATED THIS DUST CLOUD?!" screamed a familiar voice.
Both of them were immersed in their fight such that they couldn't hear Zech shouting. Taking advantage of the dust cloud, Baverus quickly stomped his master leg on the ground again to launch himself forward more and make a dash to the left side of Teiga who's sword was on the right side. The predator changed his forehand grip to a backhand grip of the sword to "slice" his prey's neck. Unexpectedly, the prey turned his body 180 degrees and the two swords were on collision path again. The scraping sound of wooden swords was loud due to the force directed at each other by the sparring partners. Wooden pieces of their swords fell off as if it was the dwindling health bar of the sword.
Baverus landed behind Teiga with each of their backs facing each other. Still using the backhand grip of the sword, the predator stood back up and faced his prey with a satisfied smile. Holding a sword perpendicular to the ground, the young soldier also stood back up and turned to face his opponent with a wide smile on his face.
"Very well done, Teiga. But we are hardly near the end of training. Can you endure it?"
"You're asking a stupid question Baverus," replied Teiga wiping off beads of sweat from his face.
The spars between Teiga and Baverus ended in draws after draws. A countless number of clashes between them could be heard across the training ground. The dry dirt ground was moist with sweat from the fighters. Throughout the training, the predator skillfully dodged Teiga's swift strikes through side steps, bending or leaping. While the young soldier absorbed every strike from the predator without flinching as would a shield. Occasionally, every soldier was able to hear Zech screaming about at different soldiers but not at the duo fighting violently. Other Rear Generals were training their respective companies in mass sword drill sessions while the men shouting the timings in unison. While some of Heizen's infantries were sparring with each other without breaks. Only breaks in their equipment were occurring. The whole training ground was alive with energy pouring out of the soldiers locking swords with each other.
It would seem that they were all trying to get pumped up for the battle just a day's march away from them.
***
Hills of Maricu, border between Empire of Alantieus and Peacius, 6th Day 1st Phase 1457th Set
While Battalion of Heizen was training.
"I shall only say this once, my soldiers of Vaex. Tonight, we sleep well behind this hill. Tomorrow, we fight well in front of this hill on the field," exclaimed Devius as he pointed his unsheathed silver longsword at one of the major hills of Maricu. After stating his expectations, Devius nodded to one of his four aides.
"Soldiers, we shall set up temporary camp here for us and Heizen. Hasten the set-up and remember to write down your final words to your families and hand them to the resource company," ordered Seon Courage while holding a paper in his hands that stated the plans for the day.
Upon hearing their orders, every soldier quickly tended to their roles: pitching tents, setting up temporary defence mechanisms, constructing temporary armouries and building up a food station. Within 1 hour and the combined efforts of the battalion, we large camp was set up. But it was small enough to be obscured by the major hill in front.
"Veteran General Devius, emergency report!" shouted a scout of Vaex as he ran into the main tent and knelt down in front of Devius.
"Speak."
"Yes. The enemy battalions of Sesar and Xenis have arrived behind the other major hill opposite to ours
. They have begun to set up their own camps. A battle can be expected tomorrow." informed the scout as he placed his right hand on his chest to present his loyalty.
"Acknowledged. You may take your leave. Inform the soldiers to be prepared for the battle. Especially their last words." ordered Devius as he nodded his head and turned to a map of the Hills of Maricu that had strategic notes scribbled about on it.
"Yes, my lord." said the scout as he stood back up and left the tent promptly.
Devius then took a glance at the map for a while before walking towards a medium-sized sand table. The table was a representation of the battlefield with carved wooden pieces representing different companies. Both friendly and enemy forces were placed carefully on the table by another one of Devius' aides. To a pair of normal eyes, the table would look like a playground for children. But in reality, it meant the success or failure of the battalion.
"Don't you guys need to write your final words to your families as well?" questioned Devius as he glanced at each of his 4 aides.
"We need no final words, my lord. Actions do speak louder than words," said Seon as he smiled confidently while the other aides just nodded their heads in agreement.
"No wonder you guys are my aides," replied Devius who had a relieved look on his face. "Now, let us summarise our plans..."
No one knew what the elite five of Vaex were discussing in the main tent but everyone knew that the next day could be their last. As such, the scribbling sound on papers could be heard from every occupied tent in the temporary camp. The sound of prayers and sharpening of swords could also be heard accompanying the scribbling. Even with all these downtrodden sounds, the morale of the Battalion of Vaex remained at its peak.
As the sun set lazily to the west of the camp and sky dyed pale orange with tints of violet clouds hanging around. The fully armoured Battalion of Heizen marched proudly towards the temporary camp. The sound of steel armour banging against each other could be heard from the battalion in the tents. The smell of steel was evident from the number of steel armours the soldiers were wearing. The dangling chainmail was creating sprinkling sounds.Curious about the sound and smell, the soldiers of Vaex rushed out of their tents to find answers for their senses. They saw the setting sunlight reflecting off the armours and made the marching battalion seem as though it was a river of lava flowing towards the camp without stopping.
"I see that they have arrived..." said Devius with passion burning in his eyes.
"Of course we have arrived," shouted Tailun as he leapt from his horse towards the middle of the camp where the main tent stood.
Tailun was wearing an armour that had golden steel tiger heads at the shoulders with them brandishing their canines. The body plate was forged into a muscular look with the abs and chest carefully sculpted into the armour. His helmet was a silver lion head with its mouth wide open to show Tailun's face. Its mane was made of red silk threads precisely stuck into the helmet and led down to the Veteran General's neck. The joints on the golden steel sleeves had hooks facing down while the joints at the golden leg armour had hooks facing up. Finally, covering the hands were gauntlets in the shape of a flying oriental dragon.
"As usual, the captivating armour," said Devius sarcastically.
"It is beautiful, you piece of fuck," rebutted Tailun with a frown on his face.
"Nevermind that. Let's get to business," replied Devius trying to deviate from the conversation and guided Tailun to the sand table.
In a minute, Irisia and Yiun entered the tent unimpressed as their leader left them to guide the soldiers to their accommodations.
"I would really prefer if you didn't leave us like that, Veteran General Tailun," said Irisia with a fierce look on her face.
"Yes, it is really unbecoming of you, Lord Tailun..." supported Yiun as he adjusts his spectacles.
"Aheheheh... Nevermind that. We have more important business to handle~"
Irisia and Yiun proceeded to the sand table reluctantly when they realised their words were not taken into serious consideration by Tailun.
Meanwhile, at the soldiers' sleeping area.
"Wow, this sure is small. Especially with us wearing these armours," said Teiga surprised at the size of the tent that his 3 tent mates and he have to sleep in.
The tent was 2 times smaller than their previous one and Hanco himself would take up half of the tent.
"This is the life of a soldier, Teiga," said Baverus as he threw his belongings onto the tent floor.
"Damn it, have to sleep in this damn type of tent again..." complained Deirus.
"Ahahahaha... Sorry in advance guys," apologised Hanco knowing that he is going to take up a lot of the tent space.
"It is just one night, we should be able to endure it..." encouraged Teiga who was being unsure about his new sleeping environment after sleeping in a comfortable environment for years. "But the real problem is our final words..."
"The three of us have no need for that! Pffft," proudly exclaimed Baverus as he threw his arms across Deirus shoulders but struggled with Hanco's broad shoulders. "We already said what needs to be said to our loved ones. No turning back."
"Maybe I shouldn't write one as well," the young soldier said feeling a little more inspired by his tent mates. "If I have any last words, I should say it face to face with them instead."
"It's up to you, man. We are just stating our opinions," reaffirmed Hanco as he gave a slightly worried look at his newest tent mate.
"It is getting damn late. Let's just grab something to eat and turn in already," complained Deirus again.
Everyone agreed and proceed to the temporary canteen. As the 4 fully armoured soldiers walked leisurely towards the canteen, every tent was lit orange in colour by the candles. Faint shadows of soldiers in the tent could be seen on the tent fabric. Frantic writing together with soft sniffles was common along the path towards the canteen.
"What a good way to end the day," said Baverus sarcastically as he smiles at Teiga as if trying to find amusement in Teiga when the young soldier heard the feeling of regret through actions of fellow soldiers.
As expected, Teiga had a worried look on his face. "What should I be feeling about tomorrow being my very first battle? What if I die tomorrow?" thought Teiga to himself. He was very obviously stressed.
"Hey, my man. Don't dwell too much on a particular subject. It is bad for you," comforted Hanco while he gave a slightly comforting smile.
The supposedly comforting phrase was not of any assistance to Teiga's current state of mind.
"Oi, damn kid. You are dulling the damn mood," Deirus pointed out to Teiga.
Realising that he was really ruining the mood further, the young soldier snapped back into reality. Just as he got back to reality, the 4 soldiers reached the canteen. The canteen was surprisingly crowded. A majority being soldiers drinking alcohol to escape from reality.
"Let's just grab 2 meat buns each. We shouldn't stuff ourselves the night before a battle," suggest Baverus with a serious look on his face.
Everyone's facial expression was changing at the snap of a finger. From laughter to cries.
Upon receiving each of their meat buns. The tent mates stood by the side of the canteen to avoid blocking the traffic. And started wolfing down their own buns before waiting for the others to finish. Once their snacks were finished, the 4 soldiers retreated back to their tents. On the way back to the tent, Teiga noticed a large tree sitting atop the major hill and felt comforted by its black silhouette with its leaves swaying back and forth in the gentle breeze.
"You guys go ahead back to the tent. I kind of want to spend the night by myself," said Teiga as he continued to gaze at the lonely tree.
"Sure, make sure you get sufficient rest then," said Hanco while the other 2 tent mates walked on without realising Teiga was deviating from them.
After informing his tent mates that he was going to be alone for the night, Teiga walked calmly towards the tree. Eventually leaving the protection of the camp and began to ascend the hill onward to the tree. The young soldier stood under the tree for a while reflecting on his decisions before sitting down back against the tree trunk. To the young soldier's left was the camp and to the right was the battlefield and the major hill that his enemies lurk behind.
The sky was cloudless, the air was cooling from the constant breeze that blew through the land randomly. Stars twinkled incessantly as if looking for attention from the mortal souls on the ground. The landscape was totally different from that of Haui. The fields were covered with swaying carefree wild grass that reached the knee and random taut boulders strewn over the battlefield. Energetic yellow fireflies danced on the fields while the crickets played their songs. The scene was so ever relaxing to Teiga as he admired the field between the two major hills. In order to achieve maximum comfort, Teiga tried his best to think of his helmet as a pillow and unbuckled his katana in its sheath. Placed it in between his thighs and let it lean against his torso. Gradually, he faded away with the breeze.
***
Hills of Maricu, border between Empire of Alantieus and Peacius, 7th Day 1st Phase 1457th Set
A repetitive sharp 10 seconds long horn blew throughout the temporary encampment with green flags placed on top of the major hill. Teiga was jolted awake by the horns and woke up to see Tailun and Devius standing in front of him under the tree. His eyes widened to take in what he was seeing. Two Veteran Generals riding proudly on their armoured horses in front of him. Their bodies were fully armoured with black capes fluttering behind them.
"You finally awake, boy?" asked Tailun as he looked forward at the opposing forces who were already in tight formation.
"YES, MY LORD!" shouted Teiga as he desperately tried to regain composure.
Once he regained composure, Teiga looked behind the two Veteran Generals only to see the Battalion of Heizen and Vaex were also in their respective company formations.
"Then get the fuck to your company," ordered Devius as he gave Teiga a side stare.
"YES, MY LOR-"
"Don't forget that you are one of the front liners!" Tailun butting in with an excited smile.
It was with that reminder that Teiga remembered what Zech said the previous day. Upon remembering his position, he dashed back to his company, the tenth vanguard company of Heizen, the Pike. In the tight company formation, an empty position was obvious in the front row. The empty spot was screaming for Teiga to get into formation. In which the young soldier swiftly responded to and got into the formation.
"Hey, here you go. Your javelin. Buckle it to your back strap. It is for ranged attacks if we are ordered to throw it," said Baverus in the most relaxed manner he ever expressed.
Grabbing hold of the javelin and buckling it to his back, Teiga looked around him and saw similar javelins buckled to each of his company mates who were staring ahead at the Battalion of Sesar and Xenis.
"We are in the same platoon but Hanco and Deirus are in another," informed Baverus. "Our platoon is at the very front and one of the 10 platoons that form this current formation. You remember the briefing yesterday, right? The one before we marched off to this camp."
"Of course, as if I could forget about that briefing..."
The battalions stood steadfast on top of their own hills in silence. There was no breeze blowing through the field. The sky was still violet in colour but orange specks began to appear in the skies as the sun rose up reluctantly. No birds dared to fly across the field except for the messenger eagles deployed by the Rear Generals to communicate with each other. Stars were trying to hide from the hellish scene that was going to be presented in the fields. The moon quickly lowered itself down beyond the western hills.
Soon, the slight glimmer of steel armours could be seen by the naked eyes of the soldiers on both sides of the field. No one uttered a single word. The horses kept quiet and focused on the field. The smell of metal was getting stronger with each passing second. The horn blowers were already taking deep breaths. The signalers were readying the coloured flags. The Rear Generals dug their company flags into the soil before mounting their own horses. Metallic scales on the armours of the soldiers were rattling with excitement while the chainmail underneath shook with anxiety.
Finally, the first yellow sun rays hit the field. That was when all hell broke loose...