Title: N/A
Summary: Though he'd never promised anyone Ma Dai's safety, it always felt like his responsibility.
Word Count: 353
Rating: K+ / PG-13
Pairings: N/A
Fic Warning: Character Death
Disclaimers:The Ma family belongs, respectively, to Tecmo Koei as well as anything else mentioned pertaining to Dynasty Warriors.
The sword dug into him, sliding into the weak spots between pieces of armor, and just as quickly, it was yanked out again without regard for his internal organs. Ma Dai inhaled sharply, looking down where the blade had pierced, at where the blood pooled to the surface staining the fabric. The soldier stared him down, triumphant over his sudden victory. He tried to attack the man again, to retaliate, it would be a disgrace to his clan just to stand there and take it. But fighting felt more like grasping at straws now.
Ma Dai's vision wavered soon after the wound was inflicted, and he found himself on his knees, grasping the leg of the man before him in shock. His weapon clattered beside him, and the firm sound of his cousin commanding his horse grew closer. It wasn't but a second before he felt the wind of the horse gliding by, and felt the fabric of the soldier's uniform ripped from his grasp. It was longer before he heard the sounds of metal approach him, he looked up, uncertain of the world and himself. He was afraid, everything felt...strange. His hand stretched out, reaching for familiarity.
Ma Chao knelt down to Ma Dai's level, studying his younger relative, and the wound. He reached, cautiously, to touch the gash, trying to determine the damage, but Ma Dai flinched away and nearly knocked himself over. Ma Chao, instinctively, grabbed Dai's shoulder, pulling him forward to rest on him. The sinking feeling he'd felt just once before had returned to his stomach, forcing him to look away from his wounded comrade. He stared intently forward, listening to Dai's shallow breaths and the sound of his horse pacing behind them.
"...Chao..." Ma Dai's voice was low, quiet, like an echo he barely caught drifting through. "...Don't work so hard..."
He half laughed, half choked on his emotions, burying them before agreeing quietly. He was apologetic, though he'd never promised anyone Ma Dai's safety, it always felt like his responsibility. He failed. His dropped his head to stare at the ground, and Ma Dai exhaled heavily.