Chapter 12: The Siege of Kaligarh
The first rays of dawn barely touched the horizon when the air around Kaligarh grew heavy with tension. Scouts returned from the forest with grim news: the zamindar's army had arrived. From the ramparts, Arjun watched as enemy forces gathered in the distance. Rows of soldiers, clad in chainmail and armed with swords and spears, marched in unison. Behind them, massive wooden siege engines—battering rams and catapults—creaked ominously.
Arjun's system interface displayed an urgent notification:
Battle Commenced:
Enemy Force: 120 soldiers, 2 siege engines.
Allies: 60 defenders.
Objective: Survive the Siege and Defend Kaligarh.
"Here they come," Ravi muttered, gripping the hilt of his sword as he joined Arjun on the wall. "I hope our defenses hold."
"They will," Arjun replied, his voice steady. "We've prepared for this moment."
The First Wave
The zamindar's commander, a burly man riding a black horse, raised his sword high. At his signal, the enemy soldiers advanced in formation, shields locked together to create a moving wall.
"Archers, ready!" Kesar shouted from one of the watchtowers. The villagers-turned-fighters, armed with repaired bows, nocked arrows and waited for the command.
"Fire!"
A volley of arrows rained down on the advancing soldiers. Though many struck their shields, some found gaps in the formation, dropping several enemies to the ground. The assault slowed, but the enemy pressed on.
System Update:
Enemy Casualties: 10.
"Hold the line!" Arjun shouted as the enemy reached the base of the walls.
The defenders hurled rocks, boiling water, and makeshift spears down at the attackers. Below, the battering ram slammed against the gate with a deafening crash.
System Alert:
Gate Durability: 70%.
"Ravi, take a team and reinforce the gate!" Arjun commanded. "Don't let it fall!"
Ravi nodded and disappeared down the stairs with a group of fighters.
The Saboteurs
Meanwhile, Ishaan and his hunters crept through the hidden tunnels beneath Kaligarh, emerging behind the enemy lines. Their mission was to disable the siege engines before they could inflict significant damage.
"Stay quiet," Ishaan whispered, signaling his team to move.
Using their knowledge of traps and sabotage, the hunters coated the catapult ropes with oil and set them ablaze. The flames spread quickly, reducing one siege engine to a smoldering wreck.
The enemy soldiers guarding the engines turned in confusion, but it was too late. Ishaan's team retreated into the forest, vanishing before the enemy could retaliate.
System Update:
Siege Engines Destroyed: 1/2.
The Turning Point
Back at the gate, Ravi's team fought fiercely to hold back the attackers. The battering ram had splintered part of the gate, and enemy soldiers were beginning to push through the breach.
Arjun's system highlighted weak points in the enemy formation.
Tactical Recommendation:
Deploy Reinforcements to Flank.
"Kesar, take your fighters and hit them from the sides!" Arjun shouted.
Kesar nodded, leading a group of villagers to attack the enemy from the flanks. The sudden assault disrupted the enemy's formation, forcing them to retreat from the gate.
System Update:
Gate Durability Stabilized: 50%.
Enemy Casualties: 30.
Despite the small victory, Arjun knew the battle was far from over. The second siege engine, a massive catapult, began hurling boulders at Kaligarh's walls. The ground shook with every impact.
System Alert:
Wall Integrity: 85%.
"We need to take out that catapult," Ravi said, rejoining Arjun on the ramparts.
"Ishaan's team already destroyed one," Arjun replied. "I'll handle the other."
Arjun's Gambit
Arjun activated his system's Combat Mode, enhancing his speed and strength. With Ravi covering him, he slipped out of the outpost through a hidden tunnel and made his way toward the remaining siege engine.
The catapult was heavily guarded, but Arjun's system highlighted their patrol patterns and weak points. He moved like a shadow, dispatching guards with precision strikes.
Reaching the catapult, Arjun placed explosive charges—small devices crafted by combining materials scavenged from the outpost's armory.
"Time to end this," he muttered, lighting the fuse.
The explosion tore through the catapult, sending debris flying. Enemy soldiers scrambled to put out the fire, but the damage was done.
System Update:
Siege Engines Destroyed: 2/2.
The Final Stand
With their siege engines gone, the zamindar's forces launched a desperate final assault. Soldiers swarmed the walls, using ladders to climb up and engage the defenders in brutal hand-to-hand combat.
Arjun returned to the ramparts just as the fighting reached its peak. His system alerted him to a dangerous presence among the enemy ranks.
Warning:
Elite Enemy Identified: Captain Dhruv, Master Swordsman.
Captain Dhruv, a towering figure clad in black armor, scaled the wall with terrifying speed. Arjun stepped forward to confront him, their swords clashing in a flurry of sparks.
"You're the rebel leader," Dhruv sneered. "Let's see if you can fight as well as you plan."
Arjun's system analyzed Dhruv's movements, highlighting his weaknesses. The duel was intense, but Arjun's speed and precision gave him the upper hand. With a final strike, he disarmed Dhruv and sent him crashing to the ground below.
The sight of their captain's defeat shattered the enemy's morale. The remaining soldiers retreated, leaving Kaligarh victorious.
System Update:
Battle Complete: Victory.
Rewards: Increased Morale, Loot from Enemy Supplies.
Aftermath
As the sun set, the defenders of Kaligarh gathered to celebrate their hard-won victory. Villagers cheered, their spirits lifted by the knowledge that they had defended their home against overwhelming odds.
Arjun stood atop the ramparts, his mind already on the next challenge. The zamindar would not stop, and the rebellion had only just begun.
To Be Continued…