An Ancient Hell (Discontinued)

Chapter 3: The Decision

The battle begins with a bang. The first lines of both armies collide into one another. Shields against shields, swords against swords. Even during all the rain and thunder the loud clanging and scraping of metal can be heard. The ferocity of the battle spirals out of control. The blood of the fallen coats the ground, puddles of mud and water turn to thick blood. Some soldiers try running through it, but the thickness of the blood and its consistency sucks them into the thick muddy blood making them fall into it. Those who fall do not get up, instead they become trampled by the armies. General Augustus is in the midst of battle with his army close behind. Trees nearby have suddenly been struck by lightning and ignite quickly. The flames of war have been lit, and now it thirsts for the blood and bodies of the fallen. The flames quickly spread making it impossible for all the Huns to move back farther if needed. "The Gods favor us! Let us show them what we can do not just for them, but for Rome!" Another rallying cry is heard from all the soldiers causing another blow to Hun morale. Since the Huns army is so large, the archers begin firing volleys of arrows onto the far back of the army. From the front and back they lose men, the Romans however are also losing men at too quick a pace. Augustus takes notice quickly and orders his men to retreat back and prepare for a charge. He has lost two of his elite guards, three others are wounded but still fighting. Their bravery and courage do not go unnoticed by the general.  The remaining Roman force dwindles in men, clocking in at about 1,200 foot-soldiers left alive. The Huns, though large were very uncivilized against Roman strategies and tactics. Their men and woman were being lost at a very quick rate. From the strong 10,000 men and woman that attacked, only 4,000 remain, some horsemen, most foot-soldiers. The Roman archers continue to make work lessening the army severely.  The arrows kill with precise accuracy, hitting key points usually in the shoulders or chests of their enemies. The flames that have erupted from the lightning strikes is being kept under control by the ravaging wind and rain. The crackling of thunder begins to take shape as a low, deep voice laughing. The lightning bolts seeming to grow stronger and quicker and getting closer to the Hun forces. Augustus takes this as a sign and orders the men to charge quickly. "Come forward, we must attack now while the Gods continue to aid us!" Points his blade forward and charges again with his army. As soon as his men began to come forward, a lightning bolt hits the middle of the Hun army, causing the soldiers to scatter and become unorganized. This makes them easy prey for the General's army. The general rides along with his elite guards to try and keep the Huns unorganized. His men ravage and move swiftly through the ranks of their enemies, slashing and stabbing with their blood soaked blades. Their armor splattered with their allies blood and the blood of their enemies. Within mere moments the Hun army loses more then a thousand men. The lightning bolt also killed a few hundred as well, they lay dead amidst the mass of bodies toppled onto one another. The ground is now covered in blood. The rain is unable to penetrate the oozing and thick blood only adding to it making it slide around and extend it's reach further outwards. As the last remnants of the Hun army are wiped from the area, the flames begin to die down. Once the last Hun had fallen, the flames subside and end, the rain lights up and so does the wind. The storm has ended, but the damage caused will forever be known. As the beaten and weak remaing army moves back towards the gates the rain stops fully now. Within a few brief moments, the stench of the dead is unmasked.  The foul odor was a miasma for death and disease. It reeked of fetor and decay. Soon enough the last 550 foot-soldiers of the Roman force are now within the city walls. "You have done well men, you have earned rest and a place to dine with the gods. All of you, including the dead. Your valiant effort will always be known by Rome and many ages to come." The soldiers give a weak cheer as they go to rest, the city now feeling empty and almost quiet. No one dares speak or holds conversation, all are within their barracks or homes resting or giving prayer. The General meets up with a few of the remaining Officers. Aither, one of the three officers. His name means bright upper air. In mythology this was the name of one of the first gods. The God of pure upper air which the Gods breathe instead of the gloomy and lower air breathed by mortals. Canicus was the name of the second Officer. The meaning behind his name is a simple one, It means being born of fire.  Last but not least of the three Officers was Helier. The meaning behind his name is also a simple one, it basically means to be joyful or happy. The names of these Officers also happened to reflect their personalities and their way of thinking. "I think that we should go out and find the enemy, take them by surprise." Says Canicus with slight enthusiasm enjoying the thought of his idea. "I disagree, I feel we should hold defense here." Says Aither with a proper and polite tone. "Whatever we may do I feel as though the gods will support us and defend what is left of us." Helier replies with a soft chuckle and a warm smile. He was one of the younger Officers, clean shaven and hearty, his hair blonde and his eyes a light green. Unlike the rest he was always positive and always seemed to get a laugh out of things. Canicus was growing a rough beard, gray in color he was the higher ranking Officer than the others and was also quite old out of the bunch. Always fiery and seeming to enjoy being on the offensive. He enjoyed being up front and personal. He also told people things directly instead of going around. His eyes were a dark brown and seemed black. His hair was a brownish orange depending on the light it seemed to change. If he was to tell someone bad news he would be direct and serious. Then there was Aither, proper and polite. Always respectful and stood straight when adressing anyone. Also young but not as young as Helier. His mood was serious yet people felt at ease around him. When talking to someone he would do his best to retain eye contact and be as respectful as can be. His hair was coal black but his eyes were a light blue. He had a beard but it was not as rough as Canicus', it was also not as long. It was short and well kept. "Listen" Said Augustus "We need to defend this area, I will not go out in search of the enemy. We may catch them by surprise but they have a much larger army." "I support the General. Defending this point will be of great use. We may build more defenses as well." Aither says in support of Augustus' idea. "Say what you will, but being on the offense means we are the hunters. Right now we are prey." Canicus states with a determined and stubborn tone. "You are outnumbered Canicus" Says Helier as he pulls out a map of the city for all of them to decide how to defend and set it up. "You have not even voted, vote with me and we can make it two on two." Canicus says while patting Helier's shoulder. "I did vote however, I said I did not care meaning I am neutral on this matter. The majority said to defend and well that is what we will do." Helier chuckles some as he states his reasoning. "See Canicus, Helier has his wits about him why don't you?" Augustus says with a hearty laugh. "I am only joking with you Canicus I hope you know that." "You sometimes joke too much Augustus" Says Canicus with a roll of his eyes. "I personally enjoy the Generals humor, I think you are being too serious." Helier states while laughing. "Let us please continue on the idea of defending. We need to figure out something for if we get attacked again we shall be in trouble." Aither says while pointing to the front of the city. "They attacked here meaning they are coming from this direction. Most of the defenses should be set up along here." "I see where you are coming from Aither but we can not be for sure, they may have circled around thinking this would be the easier side, let us go attack them and find out." Says Canicus with a stubborn tone. "Sure Canicus, we'll give you some armor and a sword and you can go out there alone then come back and tell us where they are." Says Helier with a laugh as he sits back and raises his legs resting them upon the table. "I would gladly do so, not alone though, with the whole force rather yet-" Canicus becomes interrupted as a soldier comes in to inform Augustus of something. "Sir!" He stops before the General. "Yes what is it soldier?" Augustus says with a questioning tone as if to say what is so important. "Rome has sent aid, supplies, weapons, and 8,000 soldiers. With a messenger saying to hold out as long as we can for the larger armies are on the march across rome to defeat these mongrel invaders." Replies the soldier with a joyful hint in his voice and an enthusiastic smile. "Seems the Gods do favor us. This may be just what we needed." States Augustus while shaking the Roman soldiers hand. "A new officer has arrived with them as well." Says the soldier as the Officer walks in. Augustus and the others stare in disbelief. Augustus wide eyed shakily says "How in the heavens..?" "I'm back" States the mysterious figure with a rather deep tone.