Rise of the Horde

After passing by the gateways of the tribe atop the Rhakaddon which was walking forward with slow footsteps under the leading of Xiao Chen, its pace increased in speed. At first it was a trot, then turned to a full sprint as the huge beast run with the wind. Xiao Chen enjoyed the sound of the wind whistling pass by his ears. It reminded him of the days where he rode dirt bikes through the muddy trails near their headquarters in his previous world.

He had many hobbies aside from his most favorite, which was playing strategy games, which prompted him to read about historical wars. The strategies, maneuvers and makeup of the armies in history. He researched on them when he wasn't planning for the next operation or training his skills in combat.

Xiao Chen closed his eyes as he pulled on the reins of the Rhakaddon making swerve to one side as its hooves skidded on the ground and created long but shallow line carvings on it. Hurrying the huge beast under him to break into full sprint again as he felt the adrenaline of the sudden swerve, which resembled how he go on turns while on the mountain trails on his dirt bike.

The Rhakaddon obliged to his rider's wishes and continued on swerving around the open fields near the farmlands after going on a full charge forward. The war beast seemed to also enjoy what his rider was feeling as it dashed forward at full speed after drifting on the ground with its hooves.

In the vast open field, a mighty three horned beast that would surely make someone have second thoughts on standing on its path run around sliding to a halt before breaking out in a charge again and again. Atop the beast was a rider who seemed to have been glued on the back of the Rhakaddon as no matter how unstable and shaky the riding experience looks, he maintained himself perfectly balance atop the creature.

For some time, Xiao Chen and the Rhakaddon enjoyed the moment and pump of adrenaline coursing through their veins as they played around the open field before the young chieftain pulled on the reins of the steed and halting their fun. Xiao Chen patted and caressed the back of his now steed, while muttering, "Let's go! Let's go and show your kin and their riders what we can do."

He led the excited Rhakaddon who charged forward towards where the riders of the Rumbling Clan were gathered at as a trail of dust was left behind in its tail. Xiao Chen closed his eyes while his steed run forward at full speed and adjusted his balance whenever he felt that he needed to. It was a way for him to get more accustomed to being atop the moving creature.

"Do you feel that!? Dug'mhar questioned his clansmen who were with him as he noticed the trembling of the ground. The shaking of the ground announced the arrival of a big and heavy creature. His warriors stared at each other in confusion at first, which made Dug'mhar point at the ground, saying, "The ground, feel the ground. It is shaking!"

The Rumbling Clan riders focused their attention towards the ground and they all felt it. The ground was trembling ever so slightly, but still noticeable by them. "Battle formation! We don't know what is headed towards us." Dug'mhar cautioned them as he slowly climbed atop the back of his steed with difficulty.

The Rhakaddon Cavalry all climbed to the backs of their steed with their hands on their weapons as they prepared to engage whatever was headed towards them. They were all on alert as they didn't know if it was a friend or foe just yet, as they can only see a small, tall and hollowed dust cloud in the distance.

"Crescent Formation! Advance forward!" Dug'mhar shouted his commands as he and his clansmen moved forward while forming a 'C' formation with the flanks first and the ones beside them lagging behind until the center. This was a formation for them to catch their foes, who are fewer in numbers than them, which they can quickly encircle and trap with no path for retreat.

The riders all strained their eyes to be able to discern who was headed for them and they saw that it was a Rhakaddon which would mean that it might be one of them but they remained alert still because there is also a possibility that someone else managed to tame one of them for their own use. A moment of silence was instilled in the air and they could hear only the snorting and sound of the hooves of the Rhakaddons moving forward.

"It's the chief!" Those from the flanks spotted Xiao Chen first and informed their peers who were further back than them and still could not see their chieftain clearly.

"It's the chieftain!"

"The chief is here!"

"Chief is coming!"

"The demon is coming..."

"Chieftain is headed towards us!"

"It's just the chief!"

The Rhakaddon Cavalry finally relaxed themselves after hearing that it was the chieftain, but also still felt nervousness about what might have made their chieftain to come for them. They all had the same thoughts and prayed for the same thing, hoping that it isn't because of more training, since they are still exhausted.

Dug'mhar rode forward to meet with their chieftain and broke away from their formation. The other riders halted their advance and waited for their chieftain while hoping that the reason their chieftain arrived was because of what they feared.

" Chief!" Dug'mhar saluted towards Xiao Chen while still atop his steed and his sickness of flexing his muscles was becoming less and less as he was continuously exhausted every single day while training.

"Who is your best rider!?" Xiao Chen questioned as he pulled on the reins of his Rhakaddon to halt it in its tracks. Dug'mhar had a look of confusion on his face as he stared at the chieftain. "That would be me, chief." he answered after a few moments of silence while thinking why he asked him that question.

"Let's see who is the better rider between us." Xiao Chen grinned mischievously, which made Dug'mhar even more confuse and also nervous for the safety of their chieftain. "I don't think that would be a good idea, chief. Dug'mhar said, as he was against the idea of fighting against their chieftain while atop their steeds.

Their chieftain might be great at combat since he had proved it already through the many beatings that he meted out upon during their spars. And he still remembers the painful memories of him being thrashed by the chieftain with just one hand of his. Literally just one hand, just the right hand and no leg strikes involved even tackles and other form of attacks wasn't used. Just pure punches, chops, and slaps from their chieftain's right hand. But he still was mercilessly trampled, and that was a memory that he would really like to forget.

Dug'mhar shook his head, as he was the best rider among his clan and might even be the best among the Yohan Tribe. He might have been throughly f*cked by Xiao Chen when they were on foot. But when it comes to duelling atop their steeds? Only Haguk would come close to his skills.

"We'll see." Xiao Chen's grin became even wider. "No, chief! You would be hurt badly if we do this. Duelling on foot might be your forte, but fighting atop Rhakaddons is mine. And fighting on foot would only make you suffer from the hands of your opponent, but while riding, your steed could also injure you or from falling down from it in a bad way." Dug'mhar continued to caution Xiao Chen.

"We will spar while on our steeds. That's an order." Xiao Chen's tone became serious as he stared at Dug'mhar, who was dissuading him from engaging in a battle against him while atop their steeds.

Dug'mhar frowned, but he had no other choice. He doesn't want to be punished again for disobeying orders like the many times before. "As you command, chief." he saluted before leading away his Rhakaddon about fifty meters away from Xiao Chen.

Xiao Chen smiled as he gripped the reins of his Rhakaddon tighter. "Let's start!" he shouted after seeing that the distance between the two of them was enough for a charge. He kicked the sides of his steed and started their charge.

The duel in finding out who is the better rider between the Rhakaddon riders was done in an unarmed fight. They would charge at each other while atop their steeds. The goal was to dismount your opponent from his or her steed and make him or her call to the ground. All limbs and kinds of attack can be used in dismounting their opponents as long as they maintain themselves atop their steed. Using any form of weapon is not allowed, including their steeds and their reins. Just your own body could be used in the fight.

Dug'mhar also kicked the sides of his steed with his legs and made it charge forward with all its speed. Dust clouds were kicked up as the two riders charge at each other and prepared themselves to take down their opponent. Extending his right arm, Dug'mhar was attempting to bring down the chieftain with a shove, punch, or a clothesline like attack.

The Rumbling Clan riders watched with no idea what was going. But after seeing their clan chief and the chieftain of the tribe charging against each other with no weapons drawn out, they finally knew that duel was going on. They broke into murmurs and some sort of gamble was going on as they bet for the one who they felt would win against each other.