Empire Ascension: The Rise of the Fated One

Glaives were a polearm weapon which had heavy blades at the end. The specialty of this weapon was to break formations and carve its own path. The psychological damage is immense, as it not only damages the shields but also the morale of the soldiers wielding it.

Tenzin knew the specialty of this weapon, as he himself had once wiped out elite enemies clad with metallic shields. But the stakes were different here. He was now commanding the Kashmiri soldiers, who were regular units with wooden shield frames. On the other hand, the quality of the Ladakhi soldiers was similarly not so great. They were regulars too, with good skills in handling, but not experts able to overpower a group.

The key weakness of this weapon was its heaviness and the time taken to maneuver for another strike, which could be lethal if exploited by a quick attack from enemies. He made the Kashmiris stand in a tight formation and hoped to somehow use this gamble.

The air was thick with tension as the Ladakhi soldiers, wielding glaives, charged at the Kashmiri ranks with fierce momentum. The first impact hit like a battering ram, nearly breaking through, and many Kashmiri soldiers were pushed back. Yet, they held their ground, thrusting spears that impaled the bold attackers, momentarily slowing their advance.

But the Ladakhi soldiers moral, perhaps were forged of different steel. They crashed into the shields with relentless force, ignoring the spears’ deadly tips, driven by a singular purpose: to break the line. If one fell, another quickly took their place, pressing on with unyielding determination.

Shields splintered, and breakthroughs began to emerge, leading to brutal, mutual casualties. Yet, with the sheer numbers on both sides, the gaps were quickly filled. Inch by inch, both armies clashed in a grinding struggle of destruction, where every step forward was paid for in blood, neither side willing to yield as the battle progressed.

Soon, a horn sounded, and the Ladakhis began to retreat a few steps. Tenzin frowned as the sea of soldiers parted, revealing Commander Norbu at the end of the formation.

Wielding a glaive none like other, its blade shaped like a crescent moon with a dragon design at the tail, Norbu charged forward clad in padded armor.

Tenzin bellowed from behind, urging the frontliners in a panic, "Brace for impact! Don’t falter!"

But it took only one strike. Norbu’s blade descended in a deadly arc, and the shields buckled under the force. Soldiers standing behind were overwhelmed by the sheer power of the Ladakhi commander.

With ruthless efficiency, Norbu shattered the shield wall as if it were made of straw. He maneuvered his glaive expertly, thrashing the shields left and right, opening a path for his soldiers.

Unwilling to stop, he carved a path through the ranks, cutting down soldiers with ease. He paused only when a dagger flew toward his head, deflecting it effortlessly. But that was merely a feint; a spear came sweeping in for a wide strike.