Innovations II
It was a battle, like any other. Blood was decorating the faces of dead and living alike, and neither were aware of it. The intensity of the slaughter was tangible, as the very air was hot, smelly and filled with the clashes of bronze. Here a Veritasian would hack off an arm, moments later being stabbed in turn by a Khemrian. A volley of flaming arrows fired by the dreaded Phoenixes would rain down upon the entire melee, killing a full dozen and wounding twice as many. In this bloody mess, Thomas was just another life about to be snuffed.
A squad from the 7th Shalamari Phalanx was marching steadily down into the boiling center of the battle. Their spears were slanted in beautiful parallels, ready to be eased down and braced against the ground. The Phalanx steadily moved on, a strict line of order, descending into a pool of chaos. After halting once or twice to ward off a hail of arrows with their large shields, the Phalanx reached the bottom of the valley. The bodies of friends and foes alike were strewn across the field, creating a wet, uneven carpet of flesh beneath them. But Thomas was not aware.
A minute later, the Phalanx who took pride in ordered lines and impregnable defence had themselves been reduced to a mob of desperate, fighting men. Not even their discipline could stand against the worst of war's disruptions. Their tactics were forgotten, their officers slain, their targets abandoned for new ones, their rational mind exchanged with a bestial instinct. The worst of Man came to the surface, and as the fighting continued, more and more the soldiers became wild beasts - filled with rage, hatred and lust to kill. Thomas fit the description perfectly.
All in all, the personal heroics and struggles of Thomas is forgotten, just like the fates of countless others who fought and died that day. The fates of every dead soul can only be reckoned by
The Red Lady herself in the Netherworld. Still, there was one last action Thomas was to be remembered for. The witness called Nailab, a blacksmith's son who served in the same 7th Corps, retells his comrade's final moments. Observe:
"I spotted Thomas Saniuqa, identifyable by his scar that went from brow to chin, as he was fighting a mix of Veritasian Falchions and latismen. It was just one of those encounters from our nightmares, when we were pitted against bladesmen without a proper line or formation. It really was the fight - and fright - of my life. But we did what we could, and Thomas most certainly did.
"He was, as pointed out, in a tight place with half a dozen latismen charging him. He braced with his shield and spear, and the small mob practically ran him down. A couple of them were impaled by the force of the following men pushing them against the braced spear, which broke off at the base of the bronze spearhead with a snap. I was then distracted from this dramatic struggle of the 7th Corps' unsung veteran by the same latismen advancing on our main group.
"When I looked down and spotted Saniqua again, he was fighting a good distance away from where he had initially met the latismen. His shield was lost, and he was fencing and jabbing away at the fearsome Veritasians with his short blade only. It was an amazing show of cunning, reactions and sheer speed, as he elegantly stabbed one of the two, quickly spun around in the air and rolled to avoid yet another swing. As he came up, he held the fallen Veritasian's latis in his hands, and hurled it with all his might at the other. With immense luck and accuracy, it struck - and was stuck.
"Alas, this sight was soon followed by the terrible advance of the Veritasian Falchions, which was to be the near annihilation of our 7th Corps. Thomas had only his blade left, and desperately needed both reach and defence. Where I expected him to turn and flee, he istead grabbed the haft of a spear - his spear - and swiftly unwound his bandana. The sight robbed me of all initiative: Thomas was binding his curved bronze blade to his spearhaft, fashioning a makeshift spear or blade - or a
nagi as it is known today.
"What followed was branded into my memory, and indeed is my only clear memory of that day. Thomas Saniuqa brandished his makeshift weapon, bellowed the tradishional '
Ten'chaaaaar!!!' and huled himself into the mass of Veritasians. His
nagi swirled about him, blacking here and slicing there, causing considerable confusion and pause for the enemy. At last, he was swarmed by a full dozen Veritasians, most likely trampled to death.
"It was quite ironic, the way his fearless charge was so brutally stopped. But the rage that brought about his odd but genius invention was what made me the one I am today - and I thank him for his service, both for my fortune and to Shalamari. He was, indeed, a hero."
The weapon design that was inspired by Thomas Saniuqa, and later perfectionized by Nailab who returned to learn his father's craft, was named the
nagi. It was essentially a spear with a curved blade, designed to be used both for stabby defense and slashing offense. Still, the fact that a straight metal point was not used, allowed for a lot of different shapes. This has resulted in every Corps of Phalanx having their own variations to the blades. It has also revolutionized the Phalanx, allowing them to train and excel in both offense and defense.
More innovations will come... I'm planning to make a series out of this.
