NOVPUBThe long wind surged across a thousand miles, bringing the solemnity of deep autumn after a season of growth and decay. The sunlight shone brightly, reflecting off the war clubs of the warriors outside the city and into their murderous eyes, casting the silhouettes of the defending army. The Tarasco defending army silently gathered on the city walls, stacking up defensive equipment. Dark red blood traces congealed on the bluestone walls and seeped into the grayish-yellow soil, waiting for new blood to flow.
The Mexica camp gates opened, and tens of thousands of warriors and militia filed out in succession, filling the fields in front of the fortress. The battlefield was filled with suppressive clamor and uncontrollable low roars.
Xiulote, dressed in a magnificent feathered garment with a towering flag on his back, stood at the center of the great army, on a newly built high platform. He summoned "Black Wolf" Toltec, whispering a few commands. The other party, already prepared, nodded and went off to carry out the orders. Then, the young commander-in-chief called over the newly arrived commander of the Divine Blessing Legion, Natali, and issued a loud order.
"Praise the Chief Divine, He has promised us a great victory today! Natali, in today’s siege, the Canine Descendants will be the first wave in the vanguard, with the Divine Blessing Legion following as the second wave for the assault. You shall be the true main force!"
The young legion commander’s face showed devout sincerity as he solemnly nodded.
"Praise the Chief Divine! In our sacred battle, we dedicate our lives to Him! In the fearless fight, we will turn the fortress before us into an altar for the Chief Divine! The Divine Blessing Legion is ready and awaiting your order!"
Xiulote nodded in satisfaction. The converted Otomi Warriors were exceptionally devout and obedient, and he intended to reduce their casualties as much as possible. With this thought, he looked towards his teacher, Olosh.
"Legion Commander Olosh, are the clay tribuli for the assault ready?"
The formidable Jaguar warrior nodded. He had heard of the power of these new weapons but was somewhat skeptical.
"The gunpowder craftsmen have prepared everything. There are several batches of support, and now we have over a thousand of those clay spheres."
The young commander-in-chief expressed satisfaction. He patted Olosh on the shoulder and spoke in a deep voice.
"Teacher, the eastern siege is in your hands! The warriors from the western city-states shall serve as the main force. Here we should contain the defending army as much as possible, but there is no need to overly pressure the leaders of the Great Nobility."
Olosh nodded, understanding.
"The Holy City lineage and the nobles from various city-states have a longstanding friendship. I will do my best to persuade them to launch several assaults!"
Then, Xiulote smiled faintly and gave another order.
"Bring all the chieftains of the Chichimec’s Canine Descendants to me!"
Soon, dozens of Canine Descendant chieftains, fear written on their faces, came before his highness. From a distance of more than a dozen steps, they all knelt down and cried out in awe.
"Great Sorcerer, controller of souls!"
Xiulote, expressionless, issued his command.
"The highest Chief Divine watches over this divine war. He bestowed upon us divine weapons that condensed Divine Power into roaring spheres. Divine Power always longs for life, and it will take all living things around it! Now, go back to your tribes and select a thousand of the most fearless warriors. They will carry these weapons of mythology and hurl them into the ranks of the defending army on the city walls.
Remember, Divine Power craves life; the spheres must be thrown accurately. If they fail to kill the enemy, the throwers will be executed as sacrifices offered up!"
Upon hearing the translator’s words, the Canine Descendant chieftains showed deep terror and a hint of hidden doubt. The heavenly divine of the Mexica would actually intervene personally to aid their war?! After a moment, the chieftains prostrated themselves to accept the command and left obediently.
Xiulote glanced toward the nearby area. Facing the great battle, the Canine Warrior’s showed no fear. Clutching their stone axes and hammers, wearing plain cloth without armor, they were restless and roaring, shouting challenges at the city walls. The young commander pondered for a moment, then gave an order.
"Give each Canine Warrior a shield, so they can make it to the bottom of the city walls!"
His trusted aides carried out the command, and the chieftains began to select fearless warriors; everything was quickly in place.
Xiulote surveyed the east and west; the tens of thousands in the assembled army were ready, the battlefield filled with heavy breathing and deep chanting. He looked up at the blazing sun that had climbed into the mid-sky, and under the gaze of thousands, he suddenly waved the command flag.
The intense sound of war drums burst forth with tremendous force! The warriors let out an earth-shattering cry and, following the command flag, surged forward.
Four hundred stirrup crossbowmen were the first to ascend the mounds, their whistling arrows suppressing the enemy on the city walls. Accompanied by several screams, the defending army crouched low, carefully taking cover behind the earthen mounds and wooden shields. Next, hundreds of shield carts carrying over a thousand longbow warriors advanced from both the eastern and western sides of the city walls, quickly closing to within ninety paces. Arrows swiftly flew from the city walls while the archers behind the shield carts retaliated, and a reciprocal rain of arrows began to obscure the sky!
The horn sounded once more, and an assault was simultaneously launched from both sides of the city walls. On the eastern wall, which was designated for distraction, four thousand Mexica warriors from the western city-states carried their ladders with steady steps. Under the tight protection of their shields, they steadily advanced towards the city walls, seeking support from the shield carts at times.
