- Main article: The Onslaught/Script
As Imperial generals Paulus and Baldack ready their troops, Eda and Linoan discuss the situation in Tarrah. Their conversation eventually turns to Deen, whom Linoan holds in very high regard, because he saved her from the house arrest she was stuck in after her father's death and protected her afterward. Eda explains to her that the rescue was Arion's idea, and to accomplish what he did, Deen had to desert the Thracian army. Eda then makes for the front lines and leaves Linoan in the castle.
The battle begins. During the battle, inside one of Tarrah's houses, Homer and Shannam have a conversation. Homer picks up on the fact Shannam is only pretending to be Prince Shannan, and then learns that Shannam is escaping from the city. Homer intends to escape as well, but he is staying for the night to have some fun before he goes. Shannam then leaves Tarrah. If Nanna visits this house later, she expresses indignation over the fact Homer is not fighting in the city's defense, convincing him to lend a hand and join Leif's army.
If Deen visits the south-western house outside Tarrah, he meets with Altena, who gifts him the Dragon Lance. Altena declares that this is Lord Arion's apology for making Deen desert the Thracian army and ruin his reputation, and although Deen wants to refuse the gift at first, he accepts it in the end.
Late into the battle, Travant and McCloy arrive to survey the battlefield alongside Arion. Travant explains that while they have come here as the Empire's allies, the plan is to swoop in and seize Tarrah after the Empire's army exhausts itself. Arion suggests fighting for Tarrah instead of seizing it, but Travant retorts that they cannot win against the Empire in an outright battle, as the Battle of Melgen - which Thracia lost - proved in the past. Arion then claims he will help his father seize Tarrah, and Travant gives him free rein to act as long as Tarrah falls into his hands.
Arion flies into the city to meet with Linoan, and he warns her that Thracian forces are about to fly into the city. He urges her to surrender to Thracia, as Thracia will protect the citizens, unlike the Empire, which is likely to commit genocide with its Loptian Order forces. Leif and his soldiers will have to withdraw, but Tarrah will be spared. Linoan accepts Arion's offer, but chooses to accompany Leif instead of staying in Tarrah, and asks Arion if she will get the city back after they overthrow the Empire. Arion does not think they can succeed in such a goal, but promises that if they do succeed, he will return the city.
This section details unofficial strategies that may help with completion of the chapter. This may not work for everybody.
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If you would like to acquire the Dragon Lance (which is located in the house far away in the southwest corner of the map), take extreme caution, as Deen will have to deal with a ballista, Paulus's Tornado spell, and general thunder magic, all of which can severely injure him, if not outright killing him in one hit. You can circumvent this by using a Warp staff to send him to the house, visit to get the Dragon Lance, then use a Rescue staff to get him out of harm's way. The Nosferatu tome is similarly out of the way, though thankfully it has far less protection.
Don't be intimidated by the large number of enemy units on this map, as this is merely a defend chapter, and since Thracia 776 can have only fifty enemy units on the same map, simply unequipping some bulky and dodgy units and putting Nanna and Leif with the King Sword in the center is recommended. Be careful that they cannot be captured, however. Additionally, the amount of Axe Armors with Hammers means that Dalsin will have to be cautious. In fact, defeating Paulus to stop reinforcements isn't necessary for this reason. Do be prepared to heal your units, however.
Because this chapter has so many enemies and takes 10 turns, this makes it a great chapter to train up units. Salem can use Physics, and if preferred Magic Ups, to bring his staff rank closer to an A. Tina can also gain experience, though she is limited to Heal and her personal staves. Other units such as Mareeta and Homer can train on the hordes of enemy units, though the quantity can make this dangerous of the proper precautions are not taken.
Be prepared for the green reinforcement Wyvern Knights. They are not your friends, and three have Ridersbanes. Magic and bows should help, though they start far enough away that they may not be able to reach your units. Remember that the chapter ends on their turn 10, so they cannot attack you after turn 9. There is also a large group of enemy Dark Mages that comes from the right side, though like with the Wyvern Knights they start from far enough away that they can be avoided, especially if the player is still in the center.