Chapter 18

Bairavendra, driven by Karthikeya's directive, quickly left the bustling street, his movements exuding a sense of urgency. As he reached his army, anticipation hung heavy in the air. Organizing his troops was a swift affair, as he had already made preparations based on Karthikeya's prior instructions.

Bairavendra didn't deploy his entire army; instead, he divided them into three groups. Two groups, each comprising 20,000 seasoned soldiers, were led by Bairavendra himself and his trusted subordinate Veerappa, while the third, consisting of 5,000 soldiers, was under the command of Karunan, another subordinate.

Bairavendra's group marched through the city streets towards the mansion of the Dakkhina Vihara family, while Karunan's team took a hidden route to block potential escape routes, instructed to intercept anyone fleeing through Bairavendra's blockade.

Concurrently, Veerappa's group of 20,000 soldiers received their own crucial assignments. Bairavendra strategically directed them towards smaller families and residences of former monarchy officials and colluding Chola officials involved in the plot against Karthikeya. These targets were either complicit in the assassination attempt on the king or staunch supporters of the Dakkhina Vihara family and its leader, Agnathan.

As the sun began its descent, Bairavendra's army marched with unwavering confidence, their determination to secure justice for their revered king burning brightly in their hearts. The resonant echoes of their footsteps reverberated through the city, signaling the impending events that would forever alter the kingdom's landscape.

Under the fading sunlight, casting an eerie glow upon the besieged Dakkhina Vihara family mansion, Bairavendra's soldiers tightened their encirclement, forming an impenetrable ring around the formidable compound.

"Swish!"

"Swish!"

Archers from within Bairavendra's ranks raised their bows, taking aim at the guards stationed atop the mansion's walls. With a resounding crash, the siege equipment breached the front gate, its deafening roar shattering the stillness of the evening air.

In the wake of the sudden chaos, a tense silence descended upon the scene, broken only by the labored breaths of the soldiers and the pounding hearts of those trapped within the besieged walls.

Leading the charge with unwavering resolve, Bairavendra surged forward, his sword gleaming menacingly in the fading daylight. His soldiers followed suit, their movements exuding seamless coordination and unyielding determination.

Inside the fortified mansion, guards, soldiers, and family members stood ready in a defensive formation, their faces etched with grim determination. The sound of steel clashing against steel echoed through the once peaceful estate, marking the commencement of a fierce and unforgiving battle.

Bairavendra stepped forward, his sword poised at the enemy, and spoke with a voice that carried the weight of authority. "Surrender. We act under the orders of His Highness Karthikeya Chola. Lay down your arms and avoid resistance, and the king may show leniency for your transgressions."

The defenders, fiercely loyal to the Dakkhina Vihara family, stood their ground, their weapons drawn, their resolve unwavering.

"I take that as a 'No'," Bairavendra responded with a grim expression. "Soldiers, eliminate all who resist."

Clad in ancient armor and wielding gleaming swords, Karthikeya's soldiers clashed with a ferocity that shook the very foundations of the mansion. The clash of blades filled the air, as both sides surged forward with unwavering determination etched in every movement.

Amidst the chaos, the sunlight danced off the polished armor, casting dazzling reflections that illuminated the frenzied combat. The warriors displayed swift and fluid movements, their strikes generating sparks that painted the battlefield with fleeting brilliance.

Bairavendra, a towering figure among his men, wielded his colossal sword with superhuman precision, cutting through the enemy lines with an unstoppable ferocity that defied mortal limits. His men, inspired by his resolute leadership, charged into the heart of the battle, their formations unwavering against the enemy's fierce resistance.

The defenders of the mansion, driven by an unwavering loyalty to the Dakkhina Vihara family, fought fiercely against the Chola soldiers. Adorned in intricate armor and wielding an array of lethal weapons, they met the Chola charge with unwavering determination, each strike fueled by a deep sense of duty and honor.

The clash of weapons echoed through the halls, the ancestral portraits of the Dakkhina Vihara family bearing silent witness to the unfolding tragedy.

The mansion's once pristine interiors were now marred by the scars of the relentless battle, torn tapestries and blood-stained floors serving as grim reminders of the violent confrontation.

Amidst the tumultuous scene, Bairavendra's imposing figure stood out, his authoritative commands piercing through the chaos, urging his troops forward with an unwavering resolve that seemed to defy all obstacles. Each sweep of his sword cut a path through the opposing ranks, his relentless onslaught instilling both reverence and dread among friends and foes alike.

As Bairavendra advanced, more Chola soldiers surged through the breached gate, their numbers and superior skills overwhelming the resistance. The Chola warriors demonstrated their prowess, their disciplined movements and coordinated attacks proving to be a formidable force.

Suddenly, a swishing sound alerted Bairavendra, prompting him to block an arrow with his sword. "Shields up!" he shouted, his seasoned Chola warriors responding in unison. With synchronized movements, they raised their round shields, forming an impenetrable barrier against the incoming assault of arrows and slashes.

The unexpected volley of arrows, launched with reckless abandon, demonstrated a disregard for life, whether friend or foe. However, thanks to the swift response of the well-equipped Chola soldiers, casualties were kept to a minimum within thier ranks but the same can't be said for the other's.

Undeterred, the Chola forces formed an impenetrable shield wall, providing their Chola archers and skilled Valari warriors with the protection they needed to launch a devastating counterattack.

Chola archers, with their keen eyesight and steady aim, targeted the enemy archers positioned atop the mansion walls and on the ground, their arrows piercing the air with deadly accuracy. Simultaneously, the Valari, boomerang-like weapons imbued with deadly force, arced through the air, eliminating those who sought refuge behind pillars and other barriers.

With each impact, bodies thudded to the ground, the fallen succumbing to the deadly rain of arrows, the precise strikes of the Valari, or the sheer impact of the fall itself. The once pristine courtyard was now a scene of carnage, the air thick with the smell of blood and the cries of the wounded.