From the horizon, the rhinoceroses prepare for the attack. With the beasts immense strength, the defense will be broken immediately, and those behind the wall will be trampled.
"Everyone, fall back to the second line of defense!"
Knowing this, Nordur commands everyone to retreat to the second line of defense; trying to contain the beasts here would be foolish.
All soldiers quickly retreat to the village entrance. When they arrive, they form a defensive line using their shields. This formation was another of the general's suggested strategies; now that the wall will be breached, the battle will become a full-scale engagement in open field.
The front part of the infantry raises their shields, while those behind them support the long spears on their comrades' shoulders. The defense now resembles the Greek phalanxes. The archers also position themselves at the back, awaiting the order to attack.
Unfortunately, the general did not have time to train these men extensively, so he could only employ simple strategies. A strategy too complex for poorly trained soldiers is a recipe for chaos.
"Stand firm and do not break the defense. Today will be the day you die as warriors or be condemned as cowards. So, what are you?"
"YIBAMBE!"
One of the men shouted.
"YIBAMBE!"
The others responded, shouting at the top of their lungs.
"The enemy is coming for your lands, your women, and children. Your people are behind us now. So, will you fight to protect them?"
"YES!"
"Will you die if necessary?"
"YES!"
"Great, then I will stand with you, and those who fall, fear not, for one day we will fight again, side by side in Ragnarok."
"YIBAMBE!"
"YIBAMBE!"
"TRUMMP!"
A loud explosion occurs at the wall, sending wood fragments and bodies flying into the sky. The rhinoceros tramples over the remnants of the wall and the bodies of its fallen comrades.
"ATTACK!"
The rider atop the charging rhinoceros shouts as it barrels toward the shield wall.
"Lances!"
A man passes a spear to the general, who throws it skillfully. It soars high and then falls, hitting the beast squarely in the forehead, causing it to crash forward, crushing its rider.
"HAAAAAAAAAAA!"
The army cheers in jubilation.
Two more explosions grab his attention. Two more rhinoceroses burst through the wall, heading toward the defense.
"Archers, at my command."
The general grabs another spear, waiting for the right moment to throw it. When the two riders are as close as possible, he throws once again, hitting another beast square in the head.
"Now!"
When he gives the order, a hail of arrows flies, hitting the second rhinoceros. Its skin is tough, causing minimal damage, but the man mounted atop it is struck by several arrows and falls dead to the ground. Unfortunately, the beast does not halt its advance.
Nordur, fearing his defense will be breached by the onslaught, steps forward from behind the shields and attacks the beast alone.
As he faces it head-on, he rolls to the side, landing a blow to its leg. The animal collapses, unable to rise. Nordur then approaches the fallen rhinoceros.
"I'm sorry for this."
The general plunges his sword into the creature's head, then returns to his position behind the defenses.
Seeing no more beasts attacking the wall, he now awaits the main assault. Moments later, several men pour through the three breaches in the wall. Unlike his men, the enemies lack a coordinated formation, scattered and awaiting the attack order.
"Kill them all!"
With a roar, all enemies surge forward.
"Hold steady!"
"YIBAMBE!"
"Release the arrows now!"
As the enemy draws near, Nordur commands, and a volley of arrows flies, killing many. The bodies of the dead and wounded are trampled by their comrades who press onward.
The first soldiers to approach the shield wall hurl their spears, which bounce off harmlessly. Unable to breach the defense, they crash against the shields.
"Now, spears!"
At Nordur's signal, spears thrust out from behind the shield wall, striking the front-line soldiers. The number of dead on the ground increases, but others take their places. Due to the sheer numbers and solid defense, those in the front are being crushed against the shields pushed by those behind.
As the soldiers on the shield wall fall, and the enemies breach the defense, they are met with spears wielded by those behind. The fallen soldiers are quickly replaced, ensuring the shield wall remains unbroken, giving the impression that the defense will never falter.
The stalemate continues for several minutes as casualties mount on both sides until...
"AHHHHHH!"
An object hurtles over the enemy army at high speed. A human, screaming in panic until he crashes down onto the defense, causing the front portion to collapse, creating a large breach.
"HAHAHA, it worked."
The man responsible for hurling his own comrade as a living weapon is from the Jibari tribe. He grabs another man from his side.
"No, please, sir!"
Ignoring his companion's plea, he tosses him over the army, landing on the other side of the defense. As a result, the defense is breached, and now, everyone is engaged in open combat without strategy, where the only path to victory is to eliminate as many foes as possible.
"Attack!"
Nordur draws his silver sword and strikes at the enemies.
With great battle skill honed over hundreds of years, all the enemies in his path are quickly dispatched, boosting the morale of his army.
(If the battle continues like this, victory is certain)
Nordur thinks, though many will perish until the invading army surrenders.
(No matter, my lord is coming, I already pity these fools.)
In the initial days, the defense led by the general of the new ally of the Panther tribe was a great success. Everyone was excited, knowing their defense was now formidable.
Their defenses were now divided on the left and right sides. Some disagreed with giving command of one side to a foreigner, but it was Bashenga's order, so they had to obey.
On the third day, the attacks grew more savage, until a gorilla-man leaped over the wall, causing panic. Then Bashenga demonstrated his new power to his people.
Running at the speed of an animal, he impaled the enemy on his spear and lifted him into the air before hurling him over the wall, instilling more fear in his enemies and more conviction in his people that their leader was chosen by their god.
Bashenga, who had been wearing a panther skin passed down from his father since the beginning of the fight, began to be called the Black Panther by his people. Now they were sure they could defeat the enemy.
Then came the fourth day. Seeing that the defense would be breached by the massive beasts, Bashenga ordered his men to fall back and assumed the position taught by Nordur. The beasts easily broke through the defense and advanced until their leader rushed towards them.
Bashenga ran and leaped onto one of the beasts. After dispatching its rider, he pulled the reins, causing the animal to collide with the other beast. With both creatures on the ground, he struck each in the eyes, killing them.
The rider from the second beast, still alive, rises and attacks him with a sword aimed at his chest. Bashenga dodges and punches the man in the face, sending him flying. He crashes to the ground, unconscious or dead.
Shortly after, the enemy army attacks them. The defense proves stronger than expected, resisting the initial waves of enemies until it is breached by another gorilla-man.
Then, total war breaks out. With Bashenga's leadership, they are certainly at an advantage and unafraid of the enemy. The ground is stained with blood, and no one can say whose blood it is. Bashenga finds himself in direct confrontation with the leader of this enemy army.
Unlike the other gorilla-men, this one is not only wearing a skin covering part of his body. The leader is entirely covered in a massive white gorilla skin, resembling more of a giant white gorilla with a human face. Bashenga could kill the leader in seconds, relying on his speed. Unfortunately for him, an arrow strikes his leg from behind, robbing him of his advantage.
"It's time to die, little man."
Overjoyed with the unfolding events and the certainty of victory, the enemy unleashes a storm of blows upon Bashenga, attempting to end it all quickly. With his injuries, Bashenga can only defend himself against the enemy's onslaught.
"Protect the leader!"
"Protect the leader!"
"Protect the leader!"
Several men shout, attempting to save their lord, but they are all slain by the gorilla-man.
"You bunch of insects."
While trying to retreat, Bashenga stumbles and falls backward. Seemingly pleased with this turn of events, the gorilla-man prepares for the final blow.
Then, a golden glow illuminates the horizon from behind the broken wall.
Both armies halt their fighting in shock, gazing at the radiant golden light. They watch as it approaches the wall and passes through it.
"What is that?"
Taken aback by the light, the gorilla-man hesitates to deliver the final blow to Bashenga, giving him a chance to rise.
As the golden light comes to a halt just a few meters from the two armies, its warmth becomes palpable. The light begins to dim, revealing a man.
He appears to be around twenty-five years old, with long golden hair and eyes shining with a divine, beautiful light. He is adorned in golden armor and holds a magnificent spear.
"He has finally arrived," Bashenga speaks, relieved.