"Clang clang..." sounds of swords clashing with swords, and shield bashing with shields echoed in the great hall. Multiple fully armed soldiers were sparring all across the hall. Loud noises and panting accompanied the clash of weapons. "BANG" a loud sound disrupted the already noisy atmosphere as a huge metal rod was dropped onto the ground by a brown-haired, dark-eyed young man. A moment of silence followed by annoyed looks fell on the young man drenched in sweat.
"Hey, be careful," said a nearby soldier "you are disturbing others".
"ya ya," said the young man, took a deep breath, again picked the metal rod up, and went back to training.
The hall was filled with similar situations happening everywhere. Young men of similar ages were all around the hall drenched in sweat and panting for breath. Still, they continued on with their actions. Some were sparring, some were stretching, some did weight training and some were running. Nearly 500 people occupied the grand hall and trained together every day. These are the volunteer soldiers who have taken up arms to come here and protect this border city of Bali from the invaders. One might think why will someone volunteer to come to a border city where regular scuffles happen and risk their life? It is exactly because of that very reason that so many young men volunteer to be posted here. Well our story will begin here so we started here and will comeback to the present, but before that lets go on a little flashback on the legend that made Bali the City of Swords.
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Bali is the fortress city on the eastern border of the kingdom of Roge. It blocked and protected the only mountain pass connecting the two kingdoms of Roge and Albania. Due to its strategic location and utility the city was always well fortified and guarded. But after the marriage of the two royal families, the kingdom of Roge and Albania have been in peace for more than 10 years. Resulting in negligence in the city's defenses. Taking advantage of the situation Albania broke its treaty and launched a surprise attack on Bali. Although the city is well fortified and difficult to attack, the city severely lacked soldiers to man the wall. This is a city at a very advantageous location on the mountain pass connecting these two kingdoms. Once captured would give direct access to the plains of Roge and a strong base for their future expansion. At this time only 100 soldiers were stationed in the city who were the patrol guards responsible for normal security and maintenance. While in such a desperate situation the news of the Albanian army numbering more than 8000 strong shook the morals of the people to the core.
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Shocked and panicked by the huge numbers of the enemy everyone looked at each other as cold sweat dropped down and contemplated whether to surrender or retreat from the city. The notion of standing up and fighting against the huge foe was something unimaginable by any sane individual at that moment. The Albanian army also thought the same and surrounded the city from all sides and started building their camps and ladders, while giving their soldiers a moment to catch their breath after the long march. A messenger came out of the camp near the walls of Bali and gave the ultimatum to open the gates and surrender before noon or there will be no mercy. "Surrender now and live or fight and die," were the exact words of the messenger.
The already frightened people became even more fearful. Cries of horror filled the streets as the civilians begged to be spared. The few guards of the city have lost all will and were ready to surrender. Yet, one insane person was enough to make this whole situation turn for the worst. With the pressure and stress piling up a young soldier's hand slipped as he let go of the bowstrings accidentally releasing an arrow. Which swiftly flew out and hit the massager in the arm. Blood gushed out of the wound with a differing cry of pain. The messenger's eyes were blood red and filled with pain as he gave an anger-filled look to the city and rapidly galloped back to the camp.
The arrow was fired and any chance of negotiation vanished. The depressed and desperate people had no other choice but to fight, but even with all the men, women, and children taking up arms it will be impossible to defend the city. Will a defense made up of hastily arranged thousand civilians desperately fighting to save their lives and their homes be able to hold out in front of the massive army of 8000 well-trained soldiers attacking simultaneously!