Chương 8: Chapter 8: The Battles End
The battlefield was a maelstrom of chaos. The orcs surged forward in a wave, their guttural war cries tearing through the air as they battered the crumbling human lines. Hadrian darted through the carnage, his heart pounding in his chest as he clutched his crude sword. Around him, Scythian mercenaries fell one by one, their blood soaking into the mud.
He ducked behind the remains of a shattered cart, his breath coming in ragged gasps. His mind raced, trying to make sense of the chaos. The mercenaries were losing—there was no question about that. Their cavalry had charged too early, shattering against the orc lines like glass. Now, the survivors were scattered, leaderless, their horses panicked or dead.
This isn't working, Hadrian thought, his grip tightening on his weapon. We need to break their momentum, or we're all going to die here.
A movement caught his eye. A Scythian cavalry leader lay sprawled nearby, his ornate bronze helmet gleaming in the dim light. His horse stood a few feet away, pawing nervously at the ground. The sight sparked an idea—desperate, reckless, but the only one he had.
Hadrian sprinted toward the body, his boots slipping in the mud. He dropped to his knees and yanked the helmet free, grimacing at the blood that smeared his hands. He jammed it onto his own head, the metal wobbling slightly as he adjusted the straps. The weight was unfamiliar, but it felt... right. He grabbed the reins of the leader's horse and pulled himself into the saddle, his muscles screaming in protest.
The beast shifted beneath him, unsteady as it adjusted to his one-handed grip. Hadrian gritted his teeth, holding the reins tightly. This has to work.
He turned the horse toward the scattered cavalrymen, who were regrouping a few yards away. Their faces were pale, their armor dented and streaked with gore. Some glanced up as he approached, their eyes widening at the sight of the bronze helmet.
"Rally to me!" Hadrian shouted, his voice hoarse but commanding. "We're not done yet!"
The men hesitated, their expressions a mix of confusion and hope. One of them, a grizzled veteran with a shattered lance, stepped forward. "I thought you died sir," he said, his voice hollow.
"I know," Hadrian replied, lifting his sword. "But the fight didn't. Follow me, or we'll all die here!"
The cavalrymen began to form up, their hesitation giving way to grim determination. Hadrian turned his attention back to the orc lines, his mind racing as he formulated a plan. The human infantry was pinned down, their shields locked in a desperate attempt to hold the line. The orcs pressed against them relentlessly, their brute strength threatening to break through at any moment.
We can't fight them head-on, Hadrian thought, his gaze darting to the forest on the edge of the battlefield. But we can outmaneuver them.
He raised his sword, pointing toward the orc flank. "We'll hit them from the side! Break their momentum and drive them into the infantry!"
The men exchanged uncertain glances, but the sight of the helmet—the symbol of command—seemed to galvanize them. One by one, they nodded, their grips tightening on their reins.
Hadrian turned his horse, his pulse hammering in his ears. The system's faint glow flickered at the edge of his vision, a constant reminder of its presence.
System Notification:
Challenge Initiated: Lead the Cavalry to Break the Orc Lines. Rewards: 1 Attribute Point Per Orc Killed.
He took a deep breath and spurred his horse forward, the cavalry following in a thunderous charge. The ground shook beneath them as they barreled toward the orc flank, their lances and swords gleaming in the pale light.
The orcs were caught off guard. Their attention was focused on the infantry, their crude weapons hammering against shields and armor. When the cavalry smashed into their side, it was like a dam breaking. The orcs roared in confusion, their formation buckling under the sudden assault.
Hadrian swung his sword with all his strength, the blade biting into the shoulder of an orc. The creature howled in pain, staggering back before collapsing under the weight of its wounds. Another lunged at him, its axe raised high, but Hadrian's horse reared, knocking the orc to the ground.
"Push them back!" Hadrian shouted, his voice rising above the chaos. "Drive them into the infantry!"
The cavalry surged forward, their momentum breaking the orc lines. The humans on foot seized the opportunity, their spears and swords striking out with renewed vigor. The orcs, caught between two forces, began to falter.
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From the center of the chaos, the orc leader bellowed orders, his guttural voice cutting through the din. His scarred face twisted in rage as he watched his warriors fall.
"Humans fight like rats!" he snarled, his tusks bared. "Crush them! Break their bones!"
But his commands fell on deaf ears. The orcs at the front were in disarray, their brute strength no match for the humans' coordinated assault.
----------------------------------------------------
"They're scared," Hadrian realized, his eyes narrowing as he spotted the leader. "They're not used to fighting like this. They rely on fear, but now they're the ones panicking."
The orc lines were faltering, their crude shield wall buckling under the relentless pressure of the Scythian infantry. From atop his horse, Hadrian could see the chaos spreading among their ranks. The guttural roars of their leader echoed over the battlefield, trying to keep them together, but their disarray was clear. Still, they weren't broken yet.
Hadrian glanced back at the ragged formation of cavalry behind him. They'd rallied under his stolen helmet, . Leon and Skyles rode on the same horse beside him, their expressions tense but determined.
"You're actually getting the hang of this," Skyles remarked, leaning slightly forward to avoid jostling Leon. His bow was slung across his back, and his grin, though faint, was teasing. "I'd say you look almost regal up there, princess."
Hadrian scowled, his mouth from twitching. "Shut up and focus, Skyles. We're not done yet."
Leon, gripping the reins behind Skyles, gave Hadrian a faint smile. "He's right, though. You're riding like you've done this before. Better than earlier, at least."
"I'll take that as a compliment," Hadrian muttered, his focus shifting back to the battlefield. His muscles ached from gripping the reins with one hand, but his newly gained strength and endurance from the system made it manageable. Every movement felt smoother, more deliberate, as if the horse were an extension of his body.
The system flickered at the edge of his vision again, pulling his attention momentarily.
System Notification:
Attribute Distribution in Effect: Strength +3, Endurance +4, Agility +3.
Orc Race Points Acquired: Healing Factor Fully Unlocked. Limb Regeneration Active.
The notification about his arm made his stomach twist, but he didn't have time to dwell on it. He flexed the stub instinctively, feeling the faint tingling sensation of growth beneath his skin. The system was making him stronger, but at what cost?
"Hadrian," Leon said sharply, breaking his train of thought. "What's the plan?"
Hadrian scanned the battlefield, his mind racing. The orcs had regrouped into a crude defensive line, their shields locked together, and a cluster of archers was positioned at their rear, raining arrows onto the advancing Scythian infantry. The humans were gaining ground, but they were exposed, their momentum slowing under the constant barrage.
Then he saw it—a gap in the orc line where their shield wall was thin, exposed. It was their weak point, and if they hit it hard enough, they could collapse the entire formation. But the archers were a problem. If the cavalry charged the gap, they'd be easy targets.
Hadrian's heart pounded as he weighed the options. They could wait for the infantry to deal with the archers, but by then, the orcs would have reinforced their line. Or they could charge now, splitting their forces to deal with the archers and the weak point simultaneously.
If we act now, we can end this, Hadrian thought, his grip tightening on the reins. But it'll cost us.
Hammer and Anvil in Action
"Listen up!" Hadrian shouted, turning to the cavalry. "We're hitting their weak point. Skyles, Leon, you're with me. The rest of you, circle wide and take out those archers. Don't stop until they're down!"
The men nodded, their faces grim but resolute. They trusted him now, and that trust felt heavier than the sword in his hand.
"Don't screw this up, princess," Skyles said, his tone light but his eyes serious. "I'd hate to see you end up with more holes than you started with."
"I could say the same to you," Hadrian shot back, spurring his horse forward. "Let's go!"
The cavalry thundered across the battlefield, the sound of hooves pounding against the earth like a drumbeat. Hadrian leaned forward, his body moving with the rhythm of the horse. Skyles and Leon rode close beside him, their expressions taut with focus.
"Not bad for a one-armed rider," Skyles called over the noise, his grin returning. "You might even survive this!"
Hadrian smirked, the adrenaline coursing through him making his voice steadier than he felt. "Try to keep up."
The orcs saw them coming, their leader roaring orders as he gestured wildly. The shield wall tightened, their crude weapons bristling like a hedge of spikes. But their confusion was evident—this wasn't the disorganized cavalry they'd faced earlier. This was precision, purpose, and they weren't ready for it.
The cavalry slammed into the orc flank like a hammer striking an anvil. Hadrian's sword lashed out, catching an orc across the neck as his horse plowed through the line. The impact jolted him, but he held firm, his enhanced endurance keeping him steady in the saddle.
Skyles loosed an arrow from the back of their horse, the shaft burying itself in an orc's eye. "That's one!" he called, his voice laced with grim satisfaction.
Leon drove his spear forward, the tip punching through an orc's shield and into its chest. The creature fell with a gurgling roar, its weapon clattering to the ground.
"Keep moving!" Hadrian shouted, his voice carrying over the chaos. "Don't let them regroup!"
The gap in the orc line widened as the cavalry pressed forward, their momentum unstoppable. The infantry seized the opportunity, surging into the breach with renewed vigor. The orc formation crumbled, their cohesion shattered.
The archers, meanwhile, were overwhelmed by the flanking cavalry, their crude bows no match for the speed and ferocity of the charge. One by one, they fell, their snarls fading into silence.
The orcs began to retreat, their leader bellowing in frustration as he tried to rally them. But the humans pressed the advantage, cutting them down as they fled. The cheers of the Scythian mercenaries rose above the din, a triumphant cry that echoed across the battlefield.
Hadrian slowed his horse, his chest heaving as he surveyed the carnage. His arm throbbed faintly, the sensation of regrowth both alien and strangely comforting. The system's notification flickered again, drawing his attention.
"Not bad, huh?" Skyles said, guiding his horse closer. "You actually looked like you knew what you were doing out there."
Leon gave a faint smile, his hands still trembling on the reins. "You saved us, Hadrian. All of us."
Hadrian glanced at them, his expression unreadable. "We're not done yet," he said quietly, his gaze shifting to the horizon where the orcs had fled. This is just the beginning.
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