BXBX NOVEL Chapter 107: Battle of Hampi [1]
"CHARGE," roared Bhairava.
The infantry charged into the shield wall with a metallic boom. The clashes of steel pierced through the battlefield. Thousands of infantry were clashing with the shield wall. The fresh metallic scent of blood started to permeate through the air.
The first prince put his army into a low defensive position. He knew very well about the aggressive nature of Bhairava. He wanted to prolong the clash since he was in an advantageous position.
Chandra, with the backing of his sister, was even more likely to win than Bhairava. He could finally win against him.
The cries of agony of the wounded were being heard on the frontlines. Death was an everyday thing on the battlefield. The chaotic situation on the frontline was interrupted with a precise charge by two cavalry units of Bhairava breaking through the ranks of the infantry and taking out some support soldiers.
War elephants were preparing for a charge in the distance. Anticipating the charge, Chandra put some more archers as support to take out the Mahouts atop the war elephants. The elephants were a huge asset; if left unattended, they could damage the formation more than any other soldier.
There was a bigger threat than the war elephants.
*BOOM*
*BOOM*
*BOOM*
Cannons roared, launching shells into the frontlines, turning the soldiers into mush. Limbs and intestines flew in different directions due to the impact of the solid iron shells. The blood was smeared all over the ground.
The cannons were periodically causing issues on the frontline. The overwhelming might of the cannons pushed the infantry into panic mode for a while. They had faced cannons before. But compared to those smaller cannons. The cannons that Bhairava had could deal much more lethal damage to the enemies.
"FRONTLINE REGROUP!!." screamed a commander in the frontlines.
Meanwhile, a unit of cavalry from the second prince's army charged into the right flank of the defensive shield wall using the panic situation caused by the cannons. They cleared through the ranks of the disorganized infantry and killed many of the exposed archers.
*BOOM*
*BOOM*
*BOOM*
Cannons roared once again, firing at the frontline of Chandra's army. The cannon crew was swiftly moving to reload the shells after each shot.
Casualties were mounting up as the battle raged on. Smoke billowed from the cannons as each shell was launched into the air.
Chandra was tipped by Nakul about the cannon's ability to fire approximately 20 to 30 shots consecutively before having to cool off the cannon for further use. The heat builds up and makes it dangerous to use beyond 30 shots.
As time passed, the cannons hissed at each shot. They were being overused after trying to cool the barrel. The crew had reached a certain point where they had to let it sit for a while to cool before loading it.
The leader of the cannon crew looked at the backline commander and screamed.
"COMMANDER!! Cannons are out of communication."
Bhairava had ensured proper protection to the backline in case of an ambush on the cannon crew. He placed a backline commander with a special unit with skrimishers and infantry to fight off potential threats.
The special unit quickly took charge and began to spread out close to the cannon crew, scanning the surroundings. Only a quarter of the special unit moved since the rest were assisting with the battle. In case of the ambush, the rest would prioritize the cannon crew.
That was the order given to them from the strategist Vikrama Rama.
Bhairava was letting go of his anger on the battlefield. He was like a monster, killing many enemies. He was drenched in blood. At some point, the soldiers began to run away as soon as they saw him approach.
He was being a menace on the battlefield. Cutting down his enemies with precise strikes. Bhairava was running amok like a tiger hunting down its prey. Allies and enemies alike were shuddering at the display of skill by Bhairava.
After a while of combat. Bhairava finally stopped. He managed to control himself from going rogue. A barrage of arrows was launched at the place where Bhairava was cutting down his enemies.
"Protect the prince." Screamed Arjun.
The infantry moved in front of Bhairava and shielded him from the arrows by forming a small shield wall in front of him.
"Your Highness, please move to the back and command the army!" advised Vikrama, who approached after the barrage.
Bhairava nodded and got back on his horse and moved to the back line. The battlefield was a mess.
Meanwhile, Chandra was watching the battle from the backline. He was in command of the army. Since his sister told him that she would take control in the later stages of the battle.
He didn't like to be ordered around by his sister. But he had no choice but to follow her after knowing about the information she provided. It was clear he couldn't win without the help of his sister.
So he had to shamefully take upon the offer.
Even his sister told him to be careful of Harsha. Chandra was visibly furious about the statement.
'What the hell is wrong with everyone? That talentless fool is nowhere close to me! Why should I be careful of him?'
Chandra had taken defensive position for the 1st day of the battle since it was a favorable situation. He had more supplies and numbers compared to Bhairava. Although casualties were larger on his side due to the cannons. It was still an advantageous situation for him.
The sun cast its orange hue upon the battle as it dipped down the horizon. The darkness was slowly encompassing the battlefield. The first day of the battle was coming to an end. Countless corpses piled up on the battlefield.
Many had lost their comrades, brothers, and friends in the battle. Both the princes kept the tradition of not fighting at night intact.
The fatigue settled into the soldiers, and many were clutching on their wounds, returning to their respective camps for the night.
The first day of the Battle of Hampi had ended in a stalemate.