Setting the stage
Cochin, Vijayanagara Empire
Bhairava had gathered his army and began the march to the capital. The biggest battle for the throne would happen right close to the capital. He had taken control of the royal army of Cochin. Although dismissed, many soldiers integrated into the army of the Empire. Some quit the army due to the historical cede of Cochin.
The army was remade from the ground up as soon as the Bhairava took control of the Cochin faction, giving him a lot of leverage and political power. The defeat of Keshav Pillai reached him.
It was an unnatural victory for the imperial faction. Bhairava didn't really care about the death of his pawn, Keshav. He made him march first to give them some trouble initially and lose some strength defending.