As Erle Island was enveloped in darkness, a serene stillness settled upon the island. The gentle breeze whispered through the trees, and the stars adorned the sky with their sparkling brilliance. Yet, the inhabitants of this island don't care about this veneer of tranquillity.
The news of the Ryntum invasion spread like wildfire through dry grass, reaching the ears of every villager, farmer, and fisherman across Erle Island. Fear and concern gripped the hearts of the islanders. Those who had witnessed the capture of their villages fled and sought refuge in other regions of the island.
With the southern part of the island falling under Ryntum's total control, the islanders living in the east part of the island begin to pack their belonging on the same night. Since they are the closest to the occupied south, the enemy's next target would definitely be here.
In this time of distress, the people turned their hopes towards the soldiers stationed in the city of Erle to come as soon as possible to repel the enemy.
Each passing minute felt like an eternity as they yearned for daybreak, hoping it would bring with it the long-awaited arrival of their protectors. They clung to the belief that the soldiers would restore a sense of safety and normalcy.
....
Meanwhile, the four galleons from the Ryntum fleet that split earlier charted a course to the west, veering towards the northern reaches of Erle Island.
The captains and their crews were tasked to approach the major city of Erle under the cover of darkness and unleash a devastating assault on its naval facility.
Silently cutting through the calm waters, the galleons maintained a strict formation while their crews prepared the cannons and ammunition.
As the night grew darker, the galleons stealthily approached the coastal city.
By captain's order, the cannons were primed and aimed, ready to rain destruction upon the city.
"Fire!" With a signal from the lead galleon, the first cannon was fired, shattering the tranquillity of the night.
Boom—
The cannons unleashed a barrage of destructive power, obliterating a section of the naval facility's defences. A direct hit caused a massive explosion, sending debris and flames cascading into the night sky.
The remaining galleons joined in unison, sending projectiles hurtling towards their targets.
Each cannon shot reverberated through the city of Erle. Under their relentless assault, buildings near the port area crumbled in a matter of seconds. With each shot, the Ryntum showcase its overwhelming firepower and precision to the enemy.
The deafening symphony of cannon fire continued until all the key structures were dismantled. Warehouses storing supplies were reduced to rubble, docks were rendered unusable, and watchtowers crumbled under the relentless barrage.
The fire spread, engulfing the city of Erle in flames and smoke. Chaos and panic consumed the inhabitants. Homes crumbled and streets were strewn with debris. Amidst the chaos, cries for help echoed through the air. Injured and disoriented, citizens stumbled through the smoke-filled streets.
Families desperately sought shelter, fleeing from the raining destruction that Ryntum's cannons unleashed upon them.
The once-thriving city was reduced to a scene of devastation.
In a square near the city centre, a group of survivors huddled together. Their faces bore the weight of loss and anguish.
Among them, a seasoned sailor who had witnessed the devastation caused by Ryntum's cannons stood up and said, "We cannot stay here forever. Sooner or later, we'll be trapped inside our own island. Our only chance to survive this onslaught is to find a way out of this island." His voice filled with determination.
His words caused others to murmur before nodded in agreement. Their eyes filled with a glimmer of hope. Soon, word spread among the survivors. More and more people gathered and banded together for the same goal of finding a means to leave Erle.
They scoured the city for any seaworthy vessels that had survived the bombardment.
Fortunately, there were a few small ships and boats that manage to escape Ryntum's relentless assault. These vessels, hidden away in less conspicuous areas of the port, had been spared the full force of the bombardment.
Gathering their collective skills and knowledge, the survivors set to work repairing the damaged vessels. They scoured the city for salvaged materials, improvising and adapting to make the necessary repairs. Ropes were re-knotted, sails patched, and hulls reinforced.
As the repairs neared completion, anticipation and anxiety gripped their hearts. They are aware of the escape plan comes with risks. Nonetheless, they have no choice but to try.
A group of brave men volunteer to embark on this dangerous escape attempt and deliver the news to the nearby island. With hope and trepidation intertwined, the volunteers pushed the repaired vessels into the water. They silently paddled away from the shore with eyes fixed on the horizon, searching for any sign of the enemy's ship.
However, their hopes were instantly shattered. The Ryntum patrolling ship appeared before them. No warning or reminder was said. The cannons simply roared, obliterating the floating vessels with fiery explosions.
As the last remnants of the vessels sank beneath the waves, the relentless pounding of the cannons subsided. The atmosphere was filled with the eerie stillness of defeat.
The escape attempt was thwarted. Desperation engulfed the volunteers as they clung to debris, struggling to stay afloat amidst the chaos. The survivors faced a bleak reality.
....
Back at the port, a heavy silence also settled over the battered city of Erle. The smoke began to dissipate, revealing the extent of the devastation that lay the city in ruin.
The remaining galleons, having inflicted significant damage, closed in on the shoreline to make landfall. They disembarked from their imposing ships, stepping onto the soil of Erle with conquest in mind.
"Stay vigilant, soldiers. We have decimated their defences, but do not underestimate any remnants of resistance that may linger." The captain reminds them.
"Yes, sir!" The soldiers responded.
Under the moonlit sky, the soldiers cautiously moved through the ravaged streets. Their footsteps echoed amidst the ruins. Unbeknownst to them, Blande's soldiers are hiding among the rubble and ruins.
Swoosh—
An arrow flew through the air, finding its mark in one of the unsuspecting Ryntum soldiers. "Arggh!" He let out a pained cry, clutching his wounded arm.
"We're under attack! Take cover!" shouted his comrade. His voice filled with alarm.
The battle erupted in the narrow streets. Blande's soldiers utilise the ruined cityscape to their advantage. They emerged from hidden corners, launching swift and deadly attacks before vanishing back into the shadows.
"Stand your ground! Maintain your formation! Do not let them break our ranks!" commanded a Ryntum captain, rallying his troops. "Keep your rifle ready!"
Amidst the confusion, the Ryntum soldiers hastily sought cover behind crumbling walls and debris, desperately trying to regain their composure. The echoing sounds of clashes filled the air as Blande's soldiers engaged the disoriented Ryntum troops in close combat.
"Form a defensive line! Protect one another!" the captain commanded, his voice resolute.
Despite the initial chaos, the Ryntum soldiers were quick to move. Ryntum soldiers, armed with percussion cap rifles, took aim and fired at their adversaries.
Bang!—
The loud cracks of the rifles cut through the night, accompanied by the clashing of steel as Blande soldiers attempted to close the distance.
"Hold steady! Reload and return fire!" yelled the captain.
The Ryntum soldiers carefully reloaded their rifles. In the midst of reloading their rifles, Blande soldiers also seized the opportunity to regroup and reorganize themselves.
Bang—
The whizzing bullets found their targets, causing the Blande soldiers to falter and retreat.
"Advance! Drive them back!" the captain's voice boomed, urging his comrades to push forward.
The Ryntum soldiers do as they were told. Their rifles blazing with deadly accuracy. Each shot found its mark, forcing the Blande soldiers to retreat further into the depths of the ruined city.
The Blande soldiers unable to withstand the onslaught and gradually lost ground. "Fall back! Fall back!" shouted one of the Blande soldiers, realizing the tide was turning against them.
The desperate cries of the retreating Blande soldiers echoed. Not far behind, the Ryntum soldiers pressed on, pursuing their enemy deeper into the heart of the ruined city.
Amidst the crumbling buildings and debris-strewn alleys, the battle raged on. The Blande soldiers fought to hold their ground. However, the superior firepower of the Ryntum soldiers proved to be an insurmountable advantage.
Clang—
In such a desperate moment, Blande's swords clashed against the metallic rifles. But, their efforts were in vain. Aside from shooting, Ryntum soldiers also were trained in close combat.
With each passing moment, the tide of battle shifted irreversibly. The Blande soldiers were forced to yield more and more territory. By now, half of the total city area is under Ryntum's control.
The only choice they had is to move inland and regroup. And that's exactly what Blande did.
They abandoned the city of Erle and its inhabitants, leaving the city falls in the hand of, its conqueror, Ryntum.
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