The Iberian assault began with the precision of a well-oiled war machine. The drums of war echoed across the field as their formations advanced in unison, shields locked and pikes gleaming in the early morning sun. The defenders of Maynilad braced themselves atop the walls, but the sheer size and discipline of the Iberian force sent an unspoken wave of dread rippling through the ranks.
---
The Iberians Strike
The first wave of the Iberian assault smashed into Maynilad's outer defenses like a tidal wave. Their siege engines, though delayed by the earlier sabotage, were now operational. Catapults hurled boulders at the walls, shaking the city to its core. One section of the eastern wall crumbled under the relentless bombardment, opening a gap in the city's defenses.
Amaron's voice rang out over the din of battle. "Reinforce the breach! Do not let them through!"
Callao led a detachment of warriors to the collapsing wall, their spears bristling as they formed a defensive line. The Iberians pressed forward with relentless determination, their heavy infantry cutting through Maynilad's defenders with brutal efficiency.
Amaron himself fought at the forefront, his machete flashing as he cut down foe after foe. Yet even he could see the tide turning against them.
---
The Cost of Sacrifice
On the southern flank, Tala and her warriors held the line against a detachment of Iberian scouts attempting to scale the walls. Her twin daggers were a blur of motion, each strike precise and deadly.
But the Iberians were relentless. A grappling hook latched onto the wall near her position, followed by another and another. She shouted for reinforcements, but the defenders were stretched too thin.
A grim realization dawned on her: the southern flank was at risk of collapsing. "Pull back!" Tala ordered her warriors. "Regroup at the main wall!"
As they retreated, Tala covered their escape, taking down several Iberians but suffering a deep gash to her side. By the time she reached the main defensive line, she was bleeding heavily but refused to falter.
---
Ignacio's Dilemma
In the Iberian camp, General De Valera stood atop a ridge, overseeing the assault with a cruel smile. Beside him, Ignacio and Esteban watched the carnage unfold.
"You see?" De Valera said, his tone mocking. "They're crumbling before us. This city will fall by nightfall."
Ignacio's fists clenched at his sides. Every fiber of his being screamed to act, to do something to stop this madness. But he knew the risk. One wrong move, and De Valera would execute him without hesitation.
Esteban leaned closer, his voice barely a whisper. "The men are losing morale, Ignacio. If the sabotage had worked better..."
Ignacio shook his head. "The time for half-measures is over. If we don't stop De Valera soon, this will be a massacre."
But as they spoke, a messenger arrived with grim news: one of the Iberian supply lines had been compromised again. De Valera's expression darkened, and his paranoia deepened.
"Someone in this camp is working against us," he growled. "Find them, and make an example of them."
---
Aling's Vision Fulfilled
Back in the city, Aling's staff pulsed with energy as she chanted over a wounded soldier. Paranan stood guard, his spear ready.
Suddenly, Aling gasped and staggered back, her eyes clouded with a new vision. Fire consumed the city, and the cries of her people filled the air. But amid the flames, she saw Amaron, bloodied but unbroken, standing at the center of it all.
"The gods test us," she murmured. "We will endure, but the price will be steep."
Paranan placed a steadying hand on her shoulder. "What do you see, Aling?"
She met his gaze, her voice heavy with sorrow. "The walls will fall. Maynilad will burn. But Amaron... he will not yield."
---
Quest Update: Defender of Maynilad
Repel the first wave of the Iberian assault: Failed
Rally and inspire your warriors: Partial Success
Bonus Objectives:
Callao: Alive and fighting.
Tala: Wounded but alive.
Siege engines: Minimal damage inflicted.
Failure Consequences: The outer defenses of Maynilad have been breached.
---
As the sun dipped lower in the sky, the Iberians redoubled their efforts. The breach in the eastern wall widened, and Iberian soldiers poured into the city like water through a broken dam.
Amaron rallied his warriors for a final stand in the central square. His voice rang out above the chaos. "This is our home! Every step they take is one step closer to their defeat. Fight! For Maynilad!"
The defenders roared their defiance, surging forward with renewed fury. Yet for every Iberian they struck down, two more took their place.
Tala fought alongside Amaron, her wounds slowing her but not stopping her. Callao defended a group of civilians, his spear striking true again and again.
Above it all, Aling stood on the temple steps, her staff glowing brightly as she called upon the gods for aid. The air around her shimmered with power, and the Iberians hesitated, unnerved by the sudden display of divine energy.
But even divine intervention could only delay the inevitable.