After days of relentless travel, Young-Sik and his trusted generals steered their steeds toward the northwestern shores of Chiongsun, determined to halt the relentless march of the Aranese forces. Per the age-old customs of warfare, the commanders of the opposing armies convened, seeking a pact to avert the horrors of battle.
The Aranese General stood resolute, flanked by three loyal lieutenants. Young-Sik approached, riding alongside Captain Gi and two stalwart Chiongsun generals.
With a raised hand, the Aranese General signaled his intent for peace, and Young-Sik mirrored the gesture. "*It is an honor to meet a scion of Chiongsun. Have you come to accept our terms and lay down your arms? *" ("**" translated from the Aranese dialect)
"*General, do not waste your words on these Chiong mutts; their limited understanding cannot grasp our refined language, *" the lieutenant laughed heartily with a smirk directed at Young-Sik.
"*Brother, observe their frail prince! He gazes at you in utter confusion, his small mind cannot process our language, *" the other lieutenant jeered, his laughter ringing out as he aimed to ridicule the prince.
"*Yet I advise you to stifle your laughter, for I am here to demand your surrender, *" Young-Sik proclaimed in the Aranese dialect, causing the mirth to vanish and fury to take its place.
The Aranese general laughed, "*The Chiong prince knows our language? A most unwelcome surprise! You come here to accept our surrender? How bold! We are the superior force, and you have no hope of standing against our might. *"
Young-Sik retorted fiercely, "*I am here to discuss a course of action that will spare countless lives. But should you insist on your current course of action, let me remind you. That you tread upon my land, and if you do not withdraw from Chiongsun and never return, you will witness your so-called superior army fall before a force far fiercer than your own. *"
In a moment of treachery, an Aranese lieutenant hurled a dagger at Young-Sik without a hint of warning. The prince, with a calm demeanor, leaned back just enough to evade the lethal blade, deftly snatching it from the air with two fingers, as it passed him. With a swift and powerful flick of his arm, he sent the dagger hurtling back toward its thrower. The lieutenant, attempting to mirror the prince's skill, was caught off guard by the speed of the returning weapon. It struck true, embedding itself deep in his forehead, and he tumbled from his steed, lifeless.
The Aranese leaders, taken aback by this display of prowess, were left in shock. "*I see you have made your choice. Let that be your final warning, leave our shores or die in a foreign land,*" declared the prince, before turning his steed and galloping back to his ranks.
The two Aranese lieutenants dismounted swiftly, their hearts heavy as they hoisted their fallen comrade. The general turned to the prince, his voice a cold command, "*Rend him asunder!*"
Upon returning to his forces, Young-Sik set about organizing his troops for the looming conflict. "Pike and spear bearers, take your positions in the center! Sword and shield soldiers form the vanguard! Archers, take your place at the rear!" He then turned to Captain Gi "You know your places, go!"
As the prince rode along the ranks, of the several battalions under his command, the soldiers raised their weapons in a respectful salute, honoring him as he assessed their formations.
A roar of cheers erupted from the Chionsun forces, a rallying cry for the battle that awaited them. The prince advanced to the heart of his army, dismounting to speak to his valiant soldiers. He gazed upon the raw recruits, their eyes betraying the fear and uncertainty within. "Most of you have never heard the cries of a man in agony, nor have you witnessed the last breath of a life extinguished, or seen a man frozen in fear. I understand the terror that grips your hearts, for I too have been a prisoner of fear, perhaps even more so than you. But take heed, I care not how many times you have been in battle, because I am honored to fight alongside brave men like you. It is in the crucible of battle that the fiercest warriors are born. It is on the anvil of war that the unyielding spirit is forged." His voice and words thundering through the air, his message embedded in the hearts and minds of the soldiers.
"I have a promise to fulfill." He revealed the dragon pendant gifted by Jin-Ri, kissed it gently, and tucked it back beneath his tunic. "I know each of you carries promises of your own—perhaps to a child, a father, a mother, or a sibling. Like me, you may hold a promise to someone truly special." Turning to face his troops, he declared, "I am committed to keeping that promise; I will return to her and share my life with her." He paused for a while approached a soldier and placed his hand on the soldier's shoulder "Our promises will be meaningless if we don't have a country, or a home to return to. Fight for our country, fight for our families, and fight for our liberty"
With a commanding gesture, the prince pointed toward the Aranese forces gathering just beyond the horizon. "These invaders seek to claim your land, to rob you of your freedom, and to crush your indomitable spirit. Yet, I declare that they have made a grave mistake; they underestimate the might that resides within you. They fail to see the fierce and wild tiger that lies in the heart of every Chiongsun warrior, eager to be unleashed in the heat of battle. They covet your land, your territory, and for their greed, they shall pay dearly. Today, the ground of Chiongsun will bathe in the blood of every Aranese invader!" The Chiongsun army roared in unison, their spirits ignited by the prince's fervent words. He mounted his horse, drew his sword, and proclaimed "FIGHT WITH ALL OUR MIGHT AGAINST ANYONE WHO DARES TO STAND IN OUR WAY!"
The Chiongsun army erupted with a powerful roar, each soldier driven by the unwavering commitment to fulfill the vows they had made to their families. With a decisive gesture, the prince thrust his sword forward, signaling the troops to advance. The front lines raised their shields high, while the spearmen and pikemen readied their weapons in front of the shields. The archers meticulously nocked their arrows, poised and ready for the order to unleash their deadly projectiles.
The Chiongsun army at first marched at a walking pace, gradually speeding up. "FOR CHIONGSUN!!!" the prince shouted speeding his horse to a full gallop followed by his lieutenants and army, they charged into the fray.
With a roar that shook the ground, the Aranese invaders charged, their voices a cacophony of rage, eager for the blood of Chiongsun. The prince, undaunted, raised his sword to the heavens, its blade a beacon of defiance aimed squarely at the advancing enemy.
Without warning, Chiongsun archers came to a standstill, their bows aimed high, taut, and ready. They unleashed a torrent of arrows that filled the sky, a lethal shower of steel that fell upon the battlefield, striking down all who dared to stand in its path.
When the armies met, the sound of clashing steel filled the air like thunder. Pikes and spears ripped through bodies, swords battered against shields, and the battlefield echoed with the screams of the injured and the dying. In an instant, the atmosphere was saturated with the acrid stench of blood and death. Prince Young-Sik charged forth on his swift steed, his dark robes trailing behind him like a shadow. With each swing of his sword and with brutal efficiency, he eliminated foes with lethal grace, leaving a trail of death in his wake.
The prince leaped from his steed, soaring through the air, and with a fierce descent, he brought his sword crashing down upon an enemy officer's helmet. The blade, defying the metal's protection, sliced through the soldier with brutal precision, splitting him in two. Rising with agility, Young-Sik unleashed a deadly spin, decapitating a line of Aranese soldiers in a display of lethal grace.
Grasping a spear, the prince armed his left hand for battle. In his hands, the spear morphed into a merciless shield, eliminating anyone reckless enough to enter its lethal zone. Young-Sik's attacks were rapid and pinpointed, relentlessly targeting the neck and jugular of his adversaries. The prince combined his anatomical knowledge with his brutal precision, always aiming for the weakest points of the human body.
Like a storm unleashed, a horde of enemy soldiers bore down on Prince Young-Sik. He seized his spear and flung it with deadly accuracy, finding its mark in an enemy's throat, claiming a swift kill. In a blur of motion, the prince danced through the chaos, targeting the necks of his foes with ruthless efficiency. Each cut, each thrust was a death sentence, as he carved a path of destruction with no chance for survival.
The prince heard Chiongsun horns, three sharp blares, and a long continuous fourth. He focused his attention on the incoming Aranese archers.
Just days ago, the prince delivered a crucial update, his tone firm and commanding. "As we predicted, the bulk of the Aranese forces has shifted their operations from the western corridors to the northwestern coast," he stated, having received the latest scout reports. "No enemy ships are visible along the southwestern coastline, and the soldiers trapped in the corridors are no longer a concern in this conflict."
With a decisive motion, he pointed to another area on the map. "The invaders have landed in a remote section of the northwestern coast, surrounded by dense forests and swamps. I suspect they will traverse through these terrains, as a detour through the northern dunes would be perilous. Once they break through, they will enter the central Valley, where we will meet them in battle."
"Listen closely, Captain Gi! The valley is flanked by hills on both sides. Your task is to command the cavalry, but you will not engage in the first skirmish. Instead, you and your troops will remain concealed among the hills, waiting for the enemy archers to take their positions. The cavalry will be split into two regiments, one on each side of the valley. When the horns sound, charge forth from your hiding areas to ensnare the enemy archers in a pincer maneuver!"
The moment Captain Gi heard the fourth blare, he shouted "LEAVE NONE ALIVE!" and a wave of Chiongsun cavaliers emerged from their staging area and charged the enemy archers from both sides. Confusion blanketed the enemy archers, unsure as to where to point their weapons. The enemy archers without even firing a single arrow, were mowed down by Captain Gi and the Cavalry.
The fierce battle raged on for quite some time, after a few hours of brutal battle a triumphant smile spread across Young-Sik's face, for fortune favored their defenders on this day of reckoning. He glanced around, witnessing the Chiongsun soldiers charging fearlessly, while the Aranese invaders scattered like leaves in the wind.
With the speed of a striking serpent, Young-Sik vaulted into the air, evading an arrow that sought his life. Upon landing, he locked eyes with the Aranese General, bow in hand, flanked on both sides by a lieutenant wielding whips and another with a spear. "*Victory is ours; there is no need for more blood to stain this ground*" Young-Sik proclaimed to the three enemy commanders.
"*This battle is no longer about triumph; it's about retribution! *" the General roared, his fury palpable. "*You murdered my son, and I swear I will take your head as a trophy! *"
With a smirk, Young-Sik retorted, "*If only you had taught your son some decency, he might still be alive. *"
A lieutenant lashed his whip dangerously close to Young-Sik, snarling, "*Silence, you wretched Chiong mongrel! *"
Another lieutenant twirled his spear, trying to instill fear, "*We'll dismember you and carry your carcass as we march into your capital! *"
"*If you wish to drown in blood! *" Young-Sik replied, his determination igniting against the three challengers. He thrust his left arm forward, sword held high, the blunt edge resting on his palm. His knees slightly bent, his right foot positioned behind his left, he braced for the impending battle.
The two lieutenants swiftly maneuvered to encircle the prince, while the general stood resolutely in front, bow drawn and aimed directly at Young-Sik. In a flash, the prince lunged at the general, his sword slicing through the air with lethal precision, targeting the throat of his foe. Yet, just as victory seemed within reach, an enemy spear intercepted his blade, sending it off course. Undeterred, he attempted a spinning strike, but the whips of his adversaries lashed out, keeping him at bay. The general unleashed a volley of arrows, forcing the prince to retreat to a safer distance.
"*I am General Akai, the ruthless bear of the Aranese Empire. With my sons by my side, we have never tasted defeat on the battlefield. Should you fall into our grasp, prepare for a torment that eclipses even death itself! *" General Akai warned, his voice dripping with menace as he addressed the prince.
"A bear indeed; with such a hefty physique, it's hard to believe he possesses any nimbleness. This explains his preference for the bow, while his sons opt for the whip, spear, and dagger—each requiring a deft touch". He reflected, "All arms are meant to keep adversaries at bay, enabling a lethal strike from a secure position." Young-Sik resumed the posture he had adopted moments before.
The prince surged forward, aiming straight for the whip wielder who attacked him, Young-Sik intercepted, slicing through one of the whips and rendering it powerless. The spear fighter pursued the prince with relentless speed. General Akai unleashed a storm of arrows, raining down upon the prince. Anticipating the onslaught, Young-Sik crouched and then turned around, now facing a different direction he leaped toward the spear wielder, deftly ducking to evade the deadly thrust aimed at him. "You are mine," he roared silently within.
In an instant, the prince felt a sharp pull on his right hand, halting his advance. He glanced down to find his sword-wielding hand ensnared by the whip. A quick look to his left revealed the spear hurtling toward him. Young-Sik intercepted it, catching the weapon by the pole, mere inches from his throat. "Damn it! This isn't how it's supposed to go," he muttered to himself.