Fantasia (Part 4)

I did not find screenshots from Ragnarok that would convey the action, so I got screenshots from the recent movie 300 instead. Images available from IMDB. Note that these images are merely for establishing the mood and do not depict the actual events in the story.

(Part 1 2 3)

On the day that Daniel left for the practice tournament, Mervin was in the fields of the Pillars observing the formation of trainees for officership. He was waiting for his turn to instruct the troops on a special matter. In the meantime, his thoughts wandered to events that happened more than a month ago...

After finishing the Officership Training Course, Mervin would go on to be the Intelligence Officer of the Knight battalion. They were to compete in the annual War Games of EveAlone. For decades, this was the contest that the Pillars had dominated. The Knights would time and again display to the entire land their superior discipline, arms and tactics, and vanquish any other group that came in their way. But recently, other battalions have stepped up training and have slowly but surely surpassed and surprised the Knights whose morale had been slowly decreasing. Instead, they've been grumbling that warfare had long been gone, that it was the time of Magic, and the Knights have been more successful in that kind of competition anyway: what was the use of competing in mock military battles now?

Ironically, Daniel the champion for Magic, although physically incapable of participating, had been supportive of the martial endeavor. He believed that it would be infinitely better that the Knights show supremacy in all aspects: a sound mind in a sound body. Thus he, together with Dominic, was there at the battlefield on the day of the War Games. They were to document the event for the annual chronicles Tagumpay.

The young troops stood silently in their staging area. Their armor and their shields were heavy but they never moved an inch. Mercifully, since this was only a mock battle, they only carried wooden swords and blunt spears rather than the real ones with heavy steel blades. Mervin was at the lead formation, together with the Commander, while Daniel and Dominic kept their distance from the unmoving mass of armor. This statuesque display was meant to impress upon everyone their discipline, and the stoic mien was meant to unsettle their opponents. But, having witnessed their training, the two chroniclers knew better. The noontime sun was slowly taking its toll on the troops, and one of them silently buckled down. Medics helped the unfortunate one back up, and in a few minutes he was again standing still in the formation.

For Mervin, the veteran of the War Games, standing still was its most difficult part. The boredom could be unnerving, but he must not slide into daydreaming lest he might miss a command. Thus, when the commander finally turned to bark an order, he was aware. It was time. They would now march into a free-for-all battle. Mervin listened to the stomping of their boots and can only sigh. These should thud like there was only one giant Knight marching on the field, but what he heard was like that of a giant caterpillar instead.

A battalion from an obscure academy in a rural town of EveAlone engaged the Knights. Suicidal fools, Mervin thought, but fighting them could still be a good warm-up. "Close formation! Raise shields!" He heard the Commander's orders and couldn't help but sneer. "We'll fight with shields ... and only shields." The troops laughed in agreement. They would push the opponent out of the field, which by the rules would constitute sure defeat.

On another battalion, they used spears only. The blunt spears and wooden swords were laced with red dye to indicate a successful hit. Anyone who was marked but would still stand up and fight would invite disqualification for his or her entire battalion.

At last the battalion of Greyhounds, an up-and-coming rival, decided to engage the Knights. In earlier War Games, the Knights would merely belittle the challenge, but this time, their proud disposition was immediately replaced with worry, most especially the officers who know the real score. They leveled their spears to prepare to charge in close formation. But the two lead platoons of the Greyhounds veered to the left and to the right respectively. Mervin cussed under his teeth at this unknown maneuver. Was his espionage and counterintelligence effort not good enough?

"Bravo Company," the Commander barked to the rear, "form platoons, engage flanks! Alpha Company, follow me!" The two platoons of the Bravo Company found action in no time. Meanwhile, the officers and the Alpha Company made a spear charge to the opponent's battalion at the center, but the latter merely marched backwards in loose formation.

"Commander," Mervin shouted, "I think they intend to flank us too!"

From outside the field, the two chroniclers were also worried. "It seems the Greyhounds are finally fighting using their strengths," Daniel pointed out to Dominic. "Before, they keep on engaging the Knights using force against force, but with superior armor and the rough training, the Knights would have the upper hand of course. Now, the Greyhounds fight with speed and mobility while armor would slow the Knights down. The present inadequate and unmotivated training also helps in further slowing down how the Knights shift formation, enabling the Greyhounds to find kinks in their defenses."

"You really know all these stuff, don't you? Why didn't you tell it to Mervin?" Dominic replied in jest.

"Mervin and the other officers have the same vague idea," Daniel sighed, "it's just that the guys under them don't really take these things seriously."

Alpha Company retreated to rejoin the two platoons of Bravo, one of which was surrounded and taking in losses. The Commander issued a series of orders for a formation that will make the platoons defend from the enemy on four sides.

"Well I have to give credit to our guys," Daniel pointed out, "look, there is a part that is receiving attack, but the orders are to move, so they follow the command and do not fight back. Maybe they can still be cited for discipline in the awards."

"Hope so, Daniel." Dominic knew they could only hope. "But the position they are making has an obvious weakness. All the Greyhounds have to do is pour all that they have on one side so that they can go to the center, and slay the troops whose backs are turned."

Mervin thought so too, especially when the piddling force facing them did not dare to attack his side, the officers' side. It was the opposite side being attacked. Mervin knew it was the weakest side. He turned to the Commander.

"Sir, permission to take command of the center, as a contingency."

The commander hesitated, but had to concur. It was just in time: the Greyhounds had found a break and four of them came rushing to the center. Mervin threw his spear to the Greyhounds still massed outside; it was of no use for close-quarter combat. It expectedly missed since the troops simply stepped away. The veteran Mervin was good in sword fighting, and he downed the four intruders in no time. Unfortunately, the beleaguered side collapsed under the relentless attack. Mervin and the few troops at the center faced the spears of an entire Greyhound company.

Daniel was surprised at Dominic's insight. "It's happening almost exactly as you told. Gee, Dominic, never knew a holy acolyte also know the way of violence."

"Well, it's all thanks to you, my friends."

"Oh, don't look at me; I'm just an armchair general."

Their laughter was short. The fact was the Knights were slowly being withered down in strength, speared and hacked, until the last man fell.

"Drop, you insolent fools!" The Commander's orders shifted Mervin's attention back to the fields of the Pillars. The first thought that came to him was that the Commander has caught him daydreaming, for after the War Games were over, he had allowed himself to relax. But before he could perform the command, he saw the trainees carrying out the punishment. They must've done another stupid misdemeanor, he thought. His joyous instructions would have to wait.

Then he thought of her.

Helen was back in his life. What if she came earlier? Could he had fought more fiercely if he knew she was there? Mervin was amused with his wishful thinking. No matter, he assured himself as the instructions he bore came to mind. Tomorrow would be a great day anyway.

(To be continued)