Chapter 11: The Charge
The sun barely broke through the clouds as the first wave of Syndicate forces descended upon L'Manberg. The dull roar of battle echoed across the fields, growing louder as the enemy approached. The air was thick with tension, soldiers and civilians alike holding their breath for what was to come. This was no longer about strategies and tactics-it was survival.
Tommy stood on the wall, sword in hand, watching the approaching army with narrowed eyes. His heart raced, adrenaline pumping through his veins, but his mind was steady. He had prepared for this moment. They all had. Now, it was just a matter of fighting with everything they had.
Tubbo stood beside him, his face a mask of concentration, though Tommy could sense the worry underneath. Neither of them had spoken much since the meeting the night before. There was an unspoken understanding between them-a mutual acknowledgment of the enormity of what was happening. But this morning, words weren't necessary. They knew what was at stake.
The Syndicate's forces were formidable, their ranks filled with skilled fighters and war machines that had been assembled with ruthless efficiency. At their front, Techno's imposing figure stood tall, the gleam of his weapon catching the light. He was calm, collected-ready. Beside him, Philza and the masked figure moved with precision, their presence casting a shadow of dread over the battlefield.
Tommy clenched his fist, his knuckles turning white. "We've got to hold them back," he muttered under his breath, more to himself than anyone.
Tubbo nodded. "We will."
The alarm bells rang louder, signaling the beginning of the battle. The gates of L'Manberg creaked open, and the first group of their soldiers rushed out to meet the advancing enemy. Tommy felt his heart lurch in his chest as he watched them go, the clash of metal against metal filling the air.
He glanced at Tubbo. "You ready for this?"
Tubbo exhaled sharply, tightening his grip on his sword. "I don't think I'll ever be ready for something like this, but yeah. I'm as ready as I'll ever be."
Tommy gave him a brief nod. "Good. Because it's time."
---
The battle began in earnest as L'Manberg's forces clashed with the Syndicate on the battlefield. Shouts and the sounds of combat filled the air, and Tommy found himself thrust into the thick of it almost immediately. He and Tubbo fought side by side, their movements in sync, each watching the other's back.
Tommy felt the familiar rush of combat-the adrenaline that dulled the pain and heightened his senses. Every strike he made felt purposeful, every block a reminder that they were fighting for more than just territory. This was for L'Manberg, for their home, for the people who depended on them.
And for Tubbo.
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Tubbo engage with a Syndicate fighter, his movements sharp and precise. Tommy wanted to keep an eye on him, to make sure he was safe, but the chaos of battle pulled him in every direction. He had to trust that Tubbo could handle himself.
But it was hard.
As the battle raged on, Tommy caught sight of a familiar figure cutting through the ranks with terrifying efficiency. Technoblade. His cold, calculating demeanor was in stark contrast to the chaos around him. He moved like a force of nature, taking down anyone in his path with ease.
Tommy's heart pounded as he watched Technoblade's approach. He knew this moment would come, but now that it was here, the reality of it hit him hard. Techno was a legend-a warrior who had fought in countless battles and emerged victorious. Tommy was just... well, Tommy.
But this wasn't just about him. This was about L'Manberg. About Tubbo.
Technoblade's gaze swept across the battlefield, and for a split second, their eyes met. The briefest flicker of recognition passed across Techno's face before he turned away, continuing his deadly march toward the heart of L'Manberg.
Tommy's fists clenched. He wasn't about to let Technoblade tear apart everything they had worked for. Not again.
He pushed his way through the battlefield, determined to intercept Techno before he could reach Tubbo or anyone else in L'Manberg. He knew this fight wasn't going to be easy. But he didn't care.
He had something to fight for.
---
Tubbo could feel the weight of every decision pressing down on him as he fought. Every move felt like it carried the weight of the entire nation-every strike a reminder of what they were fighting to protect. The Syndicate was relentless, their forces strong and well-coordinated. But L'Manberg was fighting with everything they had.
He glanced over at Tommy in the midst of battle, catching sight of his friend pushing forward with that same fire in his eyes. For a moment, Tubbo felt a surge of something stronger than fear-hope. They could do this. Together, they could protect what mattered.
But then, in the distance, he saw it-the unmistakable figure of Technoblade cutting his way through their forces. His heart skipped a beat. Tommy was moving toward him, clearly intent on intercepting Techno before he could reach them.
"Tommy, wait!" Tubbo shouted, but his voice was drowned out by the roar of the battle around them.
He knew what Tommy was thinking. He knew that look in his eyes-the reckless determination that had gotten him into so many scrapes before. But this was different. Technoblade wasn't just any opponent. He was a legend for a reason.
Tubbo pushed through the crowd, his heart racing as he tried to catch up to Tommy. He couldn't let him face Techno alone. Not again.
But before he could reach him, something caught his eye-a flash of movement from the Syndicate's flank. A group of soldiers, led by the masked figure from the meeting, was moving quickly toward a weak point in L'Manberg's defenses. If they broke through there, it would be disastrous.
Tubbo hesitated, torn between his duty to the city and his instinct to follow Tommy.
With a curse under his breath, Tubbo made his decision. He turned toward the weak point in the defenses, rushing to meet the incoming threat. He could only hope that Tommy would hold his own against Techno-at least long enough for him to return.
But as Tubbo fought his way through the battle, his mind kept drifting back to Tommy. They had been through so much together, and Tubbo couldn't shake the feeling that something was about to change. Something big. Something they might not be able to walk away from.
---
Tommy finally caught up with Technoblade, his breath coming in short bursts as he skidded to a stop in front of the warrior. For a moment, they stood there, facing each other amidst the chaos of the battle. It was as if the world had shrunk to just the two of them.
"Technoblade," Tommy growled, gripping his sword tighter.
Techno raised an eyebrow, his expression unreadable. "Tommy."
For a moment, neither of them moved. The tension between them crackled like electricity in the air. This wasn't just a fight for L'Manberg. It was personal. It always had been.
Without warning, Tommy charged, his sword swinging toward Techno with all the strength he could muster. The fight had begun.
---
In the distance, Tubbo could see the battle unfolding between Tommy and Techno. His heart raced as he continued to fend off the Syndicate soldiers, his focus split between his own fight and the one happening across the battlefield.
This was it.
The future of L'Manberg hung in the balance, and everything they had fought for was on the line.
But in the back of his mind, one thought remained:
Would they both survive to see the end of it?
