[Phase 5] Harmonia vs Grassland at Caleria [Concluded]

[Vextor]

After the humiliating defeat at the Mountain Pass, Harmonian forces were recuperating at Caleria, waiting for reinforcements from Crystal Valley to continue with the invasion. For this reason, tensions ran high when Harmonian forces learned that Grassland has sent an invasion force against Caleria. Many officers laughed it off, saying that Caleria has held off against the "barbarians" many times in the past. Although that was true, those who faced the Grasslanders in the last battle knew that they were not the Grasslanders they once knew.

It didn't take very long for Harmonian guards to spot Grassland troops amassing at the rugged hills positioned ahead of Caleria. Caleria was a sturdy fortress, buttressed on both sides by towering cliffs, allowing defenders to simply focus on one direction. This was the main reason why Caleria was considered by many to be impenetrable. It's high, thick walls also made most siege engines useless, and their gate was made of thick forged steel. Caleria was virtually impenetrable.

Gazing down at the Grasslanders, the Harmonian soldiers perched on top of the walls saw one mounted figure approach the walls. The armored figure donned an ogre-like mask over his helmet, and carried a spiked club.

"I ask for duel!" The man proclaimed as he raised his club.

After some discussion, Harmonia replied, "Declined!"

Seeing the denial as a sign of cowardice, 3350 Harmonian soldiers abandon their regiment!

"That is too bad." The figure retreated to his camp, and then promptly threw down his mask and helmet.

"Too heavy, people must be crazy for wearing this for duel," the mystery dueler revealed himself as Anton Misri, strategist for Grassland. He tried to disembark, but fell to the ground mid-way due to the weight of the armor. Soldiers came to help him up and remove his armor. Grassland warriors laughed out loud as they realized that their frail strategist challenged Harmonian forces to a duel, and was refused. This alone invigorated Grassland troops, making them think that Harmonian soldiers are not as strong as they used to think.

"Everything is as planned, all regiments advance!" Anton Misri unceremoniously ordered all forces to advance. Grassland forces and mercenaries numbering more than 100,000 advanced in unison, led by the mercenary captain, Synchysi, and his mercenary regiment. His men, numbering 75500, surged towards the left side of the massive walls protected by Master Varg's magicians. The magicians rained fire on Synchysi's regiment as they tried to climb the walls using grappling hooks.
Many mercenaries fell to their deaths as Master Varg attacked them, however, there were simply way too many mercenaries clambering over the walls. Master Varg was overwhelmed in the end, and his entire regiment numbering 12500 was slaughtered by Synchysi's men by the end of the battle, while the mercenaries suffered 6250 casualties.

While all that was going on, Tenko Star and his 7594 archers attempted to rain arrows upon Harmonian forces inside the fort. However, they were met with an endless volley of arrows launched by Jurhael and her 15187 archers. The two exchanged a volley, but outnumbered and standing on lower terrain, Tenko Star was completely out-gunned, leaving 268 men alive by the end of the battle. Tenko Star retreated before his regiment was completely annihilated.

While Tenko Star attracted enemy fire, Calupict and her 60000 Spirito Della Foresta magicians pounded the walls with tremendous firepower, attempting to breach the walls that was said to be "impenetrable." She was interrupted by skymansxeno's 10125 magicians, but defeated his regiment by diverting some of her forces to attack skymansxeno. She managed to annihilate his regiment while suffering 5063 casualties.

As the siege continued, Grassland forces were suddenly attacked by massive catapults. Reinforcements seem to have arrived from Crystal Valley. Seeing the sudden shift in the battlefield, Anton Misri ordered a temporary retreat. Synchysi's mercenaries and Calupict's regiment quickly retreated from the battlefield before they suffered any damage.

However, the walls of Caleria were visibly damaged, showing that it was not completely impenetrable.

Grassland wins this turn!

-----=<Results>=-----
[Harmonia]
Round 1: Master Varg (Magician) 12500 - 12500 = 0
Round 2: Jurhael (Archers) 15187 - 2948 = 12238
Round 3: skymansxeno (Magician) 10125 - 10125 = 0

[Grassland]
Round 1: Synchysi (Infantry) 75500 - 6250 = 69250
Round 2: Tenko Star (Archers) 7862 - 7594 = 268
Round 3: Calupict (Magician) 60000 - 5063 = 54937

[Cedric]

It had been days since the first battle and much of the time spent by the Harmonian soldiers were used to reinforce the walls of Caleria. The battle with Grassland surprised the populace and weakened the foundation and walls. But the walls were nothing in comparison to the blows left inside the Harmonians. Caleria had always protected them from harm, and if there were any threats, the Harmonian Frontier Defense Force would seemingly brush them away time and time again.

But they had to face facts, Grassland had succeeded in gaining an initial upper hand in the previous battle, and now they were stationed closer to Caleria than they were, previously. The soldiers did all they could to keep that slab of information out of their heads, forcing themselves to work faster with their assignments. Still, for a merchant town, it was eerily quiet.

But that quiet calm was suddenly penetrated by a loud horn. This signal was the sign of invasion, and lately, the citizens were familiar with the proper evacuation procedure.

Outside Caleria, the Grassland Army was making their way down the Mountain Path with Caleria in sight. Fresh off their recent victory, their morale reached the skies. Caleria could hear their aggressors as the Grassland troops yelled in unison. That was about all the Harmonian soldiers could take as the gates of Caleria opened unleashing hoards of Harmonian troops. SuikodenIIIDisaster and 3,500 horsemen stormed out of the gates in a loud frenzy. Back in Caleria, Harmonia's strategists smiled as they figured to have figured out the Grasslanders. Expecting Synchysi and the Angels of Damnation, the Harmonian Army sent out numerous horsemen to obliterate the infantry unit.

However, Grassland saw through this tactic and planned a counter attack. Before the Horsemen reached the Grassland front, a massive wind began to spring forth from all sides. Callupict and the Spirito Della Foresta magicians numbering 54,937 manipulated the will of nature asking the spirits of Alma Kinan to assist them in their time of need. The spirits heeded their call and unleashed their full fury. The earth shook underneath the horsemen knocking off the riders from their steeds. The wind then manifested into a gigantic tornado that flung the helpless soldiers in the sky. The current also unearthed debris and heavy stones that struck the Harmonians mid-air. Within a few minutes, the wind finally calmed down, but not before the entire regiment was flung off the cliff. SuikodenIIIDisaster escaped the onslaught by hanging on to a dead tree for his life. Capulict thanked the Alma Kinan spirits as SuikodenIIIDisaster sprawled back to Caleria to inform his superiors about the exchange.

After SuikodenIIIDisaster reported to the Calerian Head strategist, his assistants pounded their fists on their tables. Two of them condemned SuikodenIIIDisaster and his so called "cowardice" on the battlefield. The young general tried to explain himself, but the head strategist would not have any more of it.

"Incompetence" He shouted. "You are herby relieved of your duties as general!!! And furthermore . . ."

"That won't be necessary." a mysterious voice interrupted him.

"Who the hell said tha . . . Oh my . . ."

The assistants' eyes grew enormous proportions and their mouths gaped as High Priest Nutflush himself stood at the door. He looked around the scene and shook his head.

He glared at the men and woman in the room. "You call yourselves strategists. They expected us to plan against the strongest regiment from the last exchange. Only fools would rush into that logic." He walked over to the downcast general and placed his hand on his shoulder. "I want you to report to the medic and treat any of your wounds. I expect you back in the morning."

SuikodenIIIDisaster bowed at the High Priest and quickly made his way out the door. As soon as he was gone, he motioned to his soldier escort behind him. "Please escort that burly man over there. As of this moment, he has been relieved of his duties due to ‘incompetence'" he smiled. The soldiers took the head strategist by the arms and roughly escorted him out the door.

Nutflush yawned and fluffed his hat "Good thing we won at Drumstick, otherwise I wouldn't have been here." He laughed.

"Uhhh sir" one of the assistants nervously chimed in "I believe it's Dusumnek."

"Did you just correct me or was I just hearing things?" Nutflush lashed out.

"I uhh . . ." the assistant stammered "n . . . no sir, not a thing."

"That's what I thought." Nutflush snapped. "Alright that's enough toying out of me. They weren't the main ones at fault anyway."

The High Priest took a look at the battlefield and looked at the surroundings. He noticed that Capulict's spell had flattened the ground and made a special note of this to himself. "You! Bring me a pen and paper," he commanded an assistant. The woman rushed towards Nutflush as her hands shook holding the affirmed items. "I'm taking over command here. Send the following new troop arrangements. And care not to mess this up, alright?"


***


Back at the opposing front, the Grassland Army continued their attempt to capture Caleria. Spotting the new and favorable terrain caused by Capulict's mages, the Grassland Army sent out the mercenary, Barbarossa Rugner and the Golden Mercenaries numbering 12,712 soldiers to take the point. The Cavalry troops paved through the terrain and hastily made their way towards the Harmonian city.

At the last minute, thanks to Nutflush's new assignments, Harmonia's infantry regiments were pulled back and were replaced by Jurhael and her 13,500 Archers. The archers ran ahead into the open anticipating their range and comparing it to Barbarossa's rate of movement. Jurhael flipped her long hair back and looked back at her troops. "Here we go! Fire!!!" The Harmonian troops sent numerous arrows flying into the air with an alarming rate of speed. Volley after volley was hurled as many of the arrows struck home and pierced the exposed body areas of the Golden Mercenaries. As the horsemen drew closer, Jurhael commanded the archers to unsheathe their weapons for a close range battle. Here Barbarossa's regiment reigned supreme, but their numbers were deeply hindered by the long range assault. In addition, Jurhael's archers were tenacious in their resistance. Barbarossa Rugner had no choice left but to retreat leaving the tired archers to withdraw to the city gates as well. After the numbers were tallied, Jurhael lost 6,356 of her troops while Barbarossa Rugner lost a few more, numbering 6,750 deaths.

Back at Caleria, Nutflush smiled as his plan began to unfold. "Nice! With the Cavalry retreat, they're going to have to send reinforcements to fill their ranks. And the best regiment to use as reinforcements is probably archers, but just in case we can't get near them, I'll probably counter with . . ."

True to Nutflush's anticipation, Spell Breaker and his Cannon Fodder Archers attempted to blend in with The Golden Mercenaries and provide support fire. Spell Breaker's regiment was numerous but in the chaotic retreat of the Golden Mercenaries; only 1,757 of Spell Breaker's regiment were able to break the ranks of the retreating horsemen and reach striking distance of the Harmonian Army. Even then, Jurhael's archers were already out of range, and a new batch of Archers had stepped in their place. Ardus and 6,500 archers had their heads held high and bows aimed even higher. Spell Breaker and Ardus' regiments continued their assaults as their arrows collided in mid-air canceling out their effectiveness. But Ardus sheer numbers were too much for the Cannon Fodder. In the end, Ardus annihilated Spell Breaker's regiment while suffering only 879 casualties.

With the tide turning against them, the Grassland Army was forced to retreat back to camp for the remainder of that battle. Harmonia did not attempt to chase them using the opportunity to recover their own. Once more, the walls of Caleria were damaged severely. Much effort would be needed to restore its usefulness this time, but at least the result was different.

Nutflush sat back in a chair and breathed a sigh of relief. "Whoops that was close!" he exclaimed. "We got really lucky there. But we're going to get the worst of it next time, so I want everyone prepared." The assistants calmed down a bit after seeing Nutflush's calmer personality. They started smiling at one another but stopped when they heard a command from the High Priest.

"Can someone brew me some tea, please? Highland-style." He snapped his fingers and the three of them immediately fled out the door.

***


Harmonia wins this turn!


-----=<Results>=-----

[Grasslands]

Round 1: Calupict (Magician) 54937 - 0 = 54937
Round 2: Barbarosa Rugner (Cavalry) 12712 - 6750 = 5962
Round 3: Spell Breaker (Archers) 1757 - 1757 = 0


[Harmonia]

Round 1: SuikodenIIIDisaster (Cavalry) 3500 - 3500 = 0
Round 2: Jurhael (Archers) 13500 - 6356 = 7144
Round 3: Ardus (Archers) 6500 - 879 = 5621
_________________

[Synchysi]

"We will find a day to massacre them all," A Harmonian commander hollers on his troops' shoulders. "We will find a day to raze and ruin their families and men alike. They will rue the day barbarians lashed the throats of noble men! Tonight, men, we may not be able to destroy all of Grassland and cash in our full revenge upon their factions of ignorance and stubbornness, but... it certainly is a start!" Row upon row of soldiers applaud and whistle and with a thundering echo, the sound of their cheers could be heard miles and miles away by a deaf man.

Morale was high in the still Harmonian-controlled Caleria after their victory two days old and it was time to defend their fort once again.

Tonight was to be the night this fort's fate was to be decided; clouds lined the sky, billowing and thundering like a sound before a great storm. The first raindrop fell from the sky, and hit the rocky cliffs with a tiny tapping sound. Soon after is the whole downpour, smelling of fresh flowers the way you imagine them in a god's garden.

Two veteran Grasslander generals begin to gather their troops on the scarcely visible skyline. Trevoke, the infantry general, known to be a vicious and powerful leader and Sparda, the cavalry general known in many circles as the God of Death. Both stared down the mountain pass to the large contingent of forces standing affront the castle gates led by none other than Ardus, a man of few words who once led his armies to victory a time before and now he prepared his archers to cut the air again with their arrows.

"Sparda ready your horses. And we will proceed as planned. Give the signal when you are ready." Trevoke declared to Sparda who simply nodded. The infantry gathered in formation. Though a motley mismatch of man and lizard and duck, they seemed to be pretty organized. Oddly enough, they carried square shields with them which were very unlike the Grasslands, but Harmonia would soon realize their purpose.

The front line of Grassland troops formed up, making that sound that dropping something wooden from a high altitude would make. They held their shields at the ready to the front of them, and all other lines raised their shields over them, cavalry units interspersed between them. Behind them all, Sparda unsheathed his general's blade and gave the signal to move in.

The Grassland forces stomped slowly onward, arrows ricocheting off their shields. Some arrows would get thru the holes in the top where some cavalry troops lay crouched, but, oddly enough, any and all of those arrows came from inside the castle that had more angles to their shots.

Trevoke's veteran infantry threw down their shields, unsheathed their swords and struck down the defenseless archers. What was once a mighty army of archers over seven thousand strong, gets massacred like the Harmonian troops said they would do to the Grasslanders. Ardus, finally had enough and gave the order for a full retreat, his troops still wedged between a great army and castle walls. 4083 of his archers were slain, and the blood was still hot and sticky on Grassland swords.

Meanwhile, Sparda's cavalry were piercing through the heavy fortifications at Caleria. Arrows were flying from the inside gates killing horses and men left and right, but the men kept on and sallied forth, breaking down the main gate and seizing the castle.

Arrows still roared at the cavalry, but they were valiant and saw the mighty commander Jurhael leading his archers for volley after volley of arrows. Each arrow make that plucking sound then that sizzle as it cut through the air and into the flesh of a horse or man. The cavalry moved toward him, men and horse alike plummeting to the muddy dirt below.

Trevoke's cavalry unit, which was well over twenty thousand strong, kept losing forces, but when they met the archers they would pay them back, double. Jurhael's unit had over eight thousand units, and each one of them, died at the hands or hoofs of Sparda's cavalry unit. Only the general, by some miracle, escaped.

With a Harmonian heavily fortified territory taken, massacring all Grasslanders seems like an impossibility...

-----=<Results>=-----
[Grasslands]
Round 1: Trevoke (Infantry) 5444 - 0 = 5444
Round 2: Sparda (Cavalry) 25402 - 4465 = 20937

[Harmonia]
Round 1: Ardus (Archers) 7026 - 4083 = 2943
Round 2: Jurhael (Archers) 8930 - 8930 = 0

Grasslands win this round!
Grasslands take Caleria!
_________________