Battle of the Black Gates

### Performers

The Grand Army (The Ancients) v. 2nd Legion "Renovatii" (2nd Republic of Aeternia)

### Location

The Black Gates, Eastern Aeternia

**Battle of the Black Gates**, was a siege/battle that took place during the Coalition's Uprising in the Third Season - Inquisition. The battle was the climax of the Uprising and where it transitioned into the Final War. The Ancients held a insurmountable advantage in numbers, while the 2nd Legion who manned the Black Gates are reportedly 2/3 strength, with their only advantage is holding the Black Gates.

## Overview

### Before the Confrontation

The Ancients' forces marching towards Cova Dragao then saw their path blocked by the 2nd Legion of Shaka who manned the Black Gates that protected the road towards Cova Dragao. With overwhelming numbers the Ancients began their attack on the Black Gates. Deciding that they can't afford to retreat and risk Cova Dragao being captured, Shaka and his legion decided to make their last stand, their Saragarhi, death or capture before the dishonor of retreating.

### The Confrontation

#### The Siege

Before the Ancients had fully sieged the Black Gates, Shaka had sent 4 messengers, only 1 his adopted son Lucius managed to reach the main forces of the Republic at Cova Dragao and the capital at Palatina-Shakapura, his orders include handing over his consulship to Jordy and continue their gathering of forces, along with a peace of paper. The long siege began with an attempted attack at the main entrance of the gates by The Ancients, which was repelled by the shear ferocity of the 2nd Legion. But as time goes on, the number of Legionnaires began to deplete, and after a year, the Legion's number had been reduced to half of what it was during the beginning of the siege, while the Ancient's larger army dealt a similar number but it's less notable thanks to the larger size. Seeing that the siege will drain them even more Shaka agreed a sortie, and attack has to be done.

#### The Battle

The remaining of the legion's forces moved out of their fortified positions and into the field in front of the gates at dawn, where the Ancients awaited them. The Legion formed a shield wall, and their archers fired from the vantage point on top of the Black Gates. The Ancients charged at the shield wall, both sides cut each other with such ferocity it'll make even the bravest fear war. The Legion held their ground, their small numbers making them far more compact and organized, but their flanks are slowly pushed inwards. Shaka and his men tried holding on, and they did for a while cutting down the enemy soldiers while one of their own fall one by one to the sword. They fought until the last man, until only 2 were left alive, Shaka himself and a lone bloodied Centurion. Shaka is captured while the Centurion is decapitated by the swing of an axe by Noah, the same axe Shaka had given to him years ago,

### The Aftermath

The Black Gates is a great victory for the Ancients, their moral rose significantly especially with the capture of Alan Shaka, the face and founder of the Coalition & Republic. Freddy, Noah, and their army returned to the Ancients Homeland in triumph, with Shaka imprisoned.