Legendary warriors part 1.

"Have you, mortals, ever experienced suffering that cannot be described in human words? Have you stood among banners fluttering in the wind, and before your eyes came the image of an army as terrible as the most terrible cries calling for help straight from the depths of Hades, the land of the dead? Have you finally seen the terror of your companions who, bound by helplessness, begged the gods for mercy, and wanting to save their existence from terrible torture, plunged the blades of their swords straight into their hearts? This sight is impossible to forget. It still lingers before my eyes, and like a self-scavenging wound, it lacerates my pain-stricken mind.

My name is Titus Andronicus, and I will tell you a story as terrible as the visions of hell seen through human imagination. You don't have to believe me. Just remember one thing: everything that happened to me can happen to you too..."

Emperor Valentinian was a tall and well-built man. As an elderly man and experienced leader, he believed he had seen everything the human eye could see. He fought among the Thracians—wild and fierce as African lions, whose fury in battle was so fierce that they seemed invincible. He also fought among the Celts—masters of deception who refused to acknowledge his authority. He defeated them after a few clashes. He also subjugated the Persians, an enemy from across the sea so dangerous that other peoples surrendered without a fight. But not the emperor of the Roman Empire, who marched with two legions to this land of barbarians and conquered it within six months. Much could be said of his successes. Chroniclers have written countless pages about the emperor's exploits. He was such a great emperor that rulers from the farthest lands—even those from the ends of the earth—paid homage to him.

However, every power, like a colossus with feet of clay, can falter. For if someone trusts too much in their own strength and believes they are the master of the world, they may be unpleasantly surprised by the treacherous Fortune. Valentinian didn't believe anything bad could happen to him. He believed that his previously undefeated army, which had already traversed almost the entire world with great force, would be able to tame any obstacle. Three hundred thousand soldiers guaranteed the immortality of the Empire...

However, storms came from the east in the form of the Hunnic onslaught. The Emperor of China, fed up with the brutal attacks of these inhuman creatures on his own Empire, separated himself from them with a wall. He erected a great barrier that kept the savage barbarians at bay. However, during their relative peace, they developed such strength that they began seeking new lands to subdue. Their leader, Attila, wanted to create his own powerful state, one that would become a terror to the Chinese emperors. So he set out along the western route in search of a new world. He brought behind him an army as large as the world had ever seen. Over a million powerful creatures with the heads of wild beasts and a body so powerful that a single Hun could take the lives of up to three legionnaires at once. These were hellish machines, utterly invincible. The mere sight of their fangs chilled the blood in one's heart. It was as if an infernal army stood at the gates of an invincible Empire.

"The council of elders says that we must fight," Titus Andronicus spoke first at the senor meeting.

The senators sat silently. No one wanted to make a hasty decision, and although the people outside the senate doors demanded a fight, the authorities had a different opinion. The oldest of them, Critaeus, a former praetorian commander with vast experience in warfare, stood up.

"I know what you're thinking. The enemy is too strong to be faced on equal terms. These are not men, but powerful creatures thirsting for blood. But should we give them our hearts and burn our honor with it? Never, I say..."

The senators finally perked up from the lethargy that had previously gripped their bodies. Discussions began, as the oldest of them supported Andronicus's idea as the only one. "Foolishness, or fear has tamed them," they whispered to each other, their faces refusing to confirm their former commanders' opinions. Polybius stood up, straightened his white toga, and spoke.

"Dear Titus. Your fame as a commander has long since faded. Do you wish to compete with them? No one your age should be thinking of waging war, and just yesterday you were inciting the people to attack. Do you think you can handle the hardships and lead our armies to victory? Ha, idolatry, I say. Pride, as the Christians say. And you, Critaeus," he turned his head toward the senator, who was the only one in the room wearing an officer's uniform, "support him. How could you betray our clan? You know perfectly well that the equites do not support Titus's offensive plan. It is suicide. We must negotiate and thus save innocent lives, for it is the only path to peace."

"I am not concerned about my own treasure, for it has all fallen into your hands. Therefore, I have nothing to lose." I want to fight, and a small clique of senators will not be the voice of the entire Roman population, Titus protested.

Then he looked gravely at Critaeus and nodded as if giving him a signal. Critaeus responded with the same gesture. Then Titus nimbly jumped into the center of the hall and threw off his toga. Beneath it was his officer's uniform. His armored, golden breastplate gleamed in the sunlight, which streamed into the room through the building's few openings. The senators also saw a sword strapped to his side, which he immediately drew from its sheath and exclaimed.

"With this, I will defeat the invaders." This must have been a prearranged sign, because immediately after these words, soldiers from the Praetorian Guard thundered into the building. They surrounded the sentons and placed spears at their throats.

"And your denarii will be useful as tribute for the soldiers," Titus announced. "We will gain allies and drive the enemy from our lands. The tribes of our Empire will support us." Alaric, king of the Visigoths, is already waiting with a mighty army at the bar of Rome. Others will arrive. Visigoths, Ostrogoths, Alans... I won't name them all, because so many have announced their arrival that I don't have time.

"This is treason!" shouted Senator Proteus. "Let the emperor only learn of this crime, and you will all be crucified. All of you, I say.

" "It was Valentinian's idea," Criteus sneered at the senator. "He broke off the negotiations yesterday because Attila demanded an exorbitant ransom. He decided to fight, not hide, like you, behind the robe of law and count denarii." He turned to his loyal soldiers. "Tomorrow we will defeat the enemy! We have a large army to cope with this. The gods will help us! Do not fear the appearance of the Huns, for truth lies with us, not the pagans." Soon, the combined forces of the entire Empire will rise to the heights of their potential and drive evil from its borders.

At these words, the roar of the soldiers crashed against the walls of the Senate. The people outside overheard this and rejoiced as well.

"Tomorrow we will win," the people shouted. All the estates felt equal that day. They stood shoulder to shoulder as one and proudly announced the expulsion of the Huns from the Empire's borders. Drums and trumpets sounded. All of Rome was already reveling in the future victory. On this scorching day, no one was thinking of defeat.

"Put these traitors in prison," Titus gestured to the senators.

"You will regret this," Polybius threatened. "These accursed hordes will invade the capital and destroy everything. Everything, do you hear?

May the gods protect us..." but he didn't finish his words. He broke free from the guard of one of the legionaries and grabbed the knife strapped to his belt. He didn't even run a step as he plunged it into his heart. "They won't catch me..." he fell dead.

The senators were gripped by fear. None of them wanted to die like Polybius. But they knew their days were numbered. If they didn't fall under the Hunnic sword, they would rot in prison. Oh, the fate of a senator is grim!

"Get them out of here," Criteus said angrily. "Clear away this carrion, for it is unworthy of this holy place. And you, Andronicus, get ready. The people have chosen you as their leader. You will lead us to victory, and I hope you are up to the task.

" "I don't feel old, and fear gives me strength. The gods are on our side, so what are you worried about?

" "Just... With gods, you never know.

The Catalaunian Fields."

"It was supposed to be doomsday. The Imperial army stood in a vast clearing. Among them were people of all walks of life, as well as tribes from the farthest, allied lands. I don't know how many there were in this mass. Around four hundred thousand. It was warm and sunny, and favorable omens confirmed my belief that the battle was the right decision. I saw no fear in anyone, and although these masses were still milling about in disorder in the morning, I knew the Huns would face a difficult challenge. None of us wanted to give up without a fight..."

Memnon, as Titus's deputy, somewhat disoriented, followed the rear of the army. "

You've gathered a large army, Titus," he noticed the commander and spoke. "But do you think that will be enough? Although we have a large army, chaos reigns within it. Look at all the foreigners here. Germans, Celts, Vandals, Goths, and gods know who else. I don't know what to make of it all myself." We stand packed, disorganized, and all it takes is for the Huns to ride up the nearby hills and they'll trample us like defenseless cattle.

After these words, Tutys looked at the hills. He smiled wryly.

"My dear Memnon. If you don't know my plans, how can the enemy? I'm counting on these hordes to attack us from there. They'll try to exploit our weaknesses and throw themselves into battle with all their might. But then we'll loosen our ranks, so their army will ride into the empty space. Our wings will scatter, flee to the sides, and then gather and surround the enemy.

" "Haaa, you've planned this well, but don't you believe too much in the Huns' stupidity and weakness? If they see us fleeing, they won't enter the center but will chase after our wings.

" "Don't worry about that. Alaric has given me such a brilliant idea that it's bound to work." At night, the Goths worked tirelessly to mask obstacles. Trust me, the plan is sound. We just have to wait for the enemy.

To be continued...