Dynasty Warriors: To End the Chaos

First chapter of the third story in my Liu Shan/Xingcai trilogy; enjoy.

Disclaimer: Dynasty Warriors belongs to Koei.

Chapter 1: The Battle of He Fei

Sun Jian looked around; taking in his camp, all his men assembled and ready for battle. They had gathered at He Fei; ready to fight against the Wei army. Sun Ce approached his father.

"Father, we're ready to begin." He stated, Sun Jian nodded and turned to head to his tent.

"What do the scouts report?"

Ce replied promptly; "Only the castle on the northwest is occupied, just by a small force. But reinforcements are on the way."

Sun Jian nodded and they reached his tent; his officers sat inside, waiting for him. As well as Ce, Sun Quan was also present, along with Zhou Tai, Lianshi, Lu Meng, Gan Ning, Ling Tong and Taishi Ci. After Sun Jian and Sun Ce sat down in their seats the remaining officers arrived. Han Dang, Cheng Pu and Zhu Zhi arrived first, followed shortly later by Zhang Zhao and Zhuge Jin. Now that everyone was assembled Sun Jian nodded.

"We have to launch our attack quickly; Cao-Cao and the main forces aren't here yet. If we can occupy all the garrisons and both castles here, then we'll have the advantage." He declared. "There are only three officers occupying the castle to the northwest; the other places are empty of manned only by foot troops."

So the army was planned to split into two groups with Sun Jian leading the west group, the east group was led by Sun Ce.

They advances easily; occupying garrisons and finally Sun Ce took over the northeast castle. Sun Jian took up position in the central garrison and spread his army and officers evenly throughout the field. Ce gave his orders, his men occupying their strategic points; he held the castle, along with Taishi Ci. With their orders given, Sun Quan, Zhou Tai and Lianshi advanced from the northern garrison to attack the remaining castle. When they reached the castle they unleashed a barrage of arrows and issued challenges which were ignored for a long time.

"I don't like this." Sun Quan stated, "Things are too quiet; they're plotting something."

Lianshi nodded. "We will have to be cautious my Lord."

Zhou Tai agreed.

"I will protect you both with my life if necessary."

However one of the soldiers who was with them disagreed.

"My lord." He stated, "Why do you not advance, it is obvious they are afraid. We hit them with arrows and they refuse to come out and stop us. They are cowards!"

As he declared this he stepped close to the wall and suddenly, from the wall, a man jumped down. The soldier was slain as the man landed and straightened up, readying his twin axes; it was Zhang Liao.

The archers stopped firing and Yue Jin and Li Dian appeared on the wall. They were staring in amazement at their comrade. Zhang Liao glared at those who stood opposite him.

"I am my lord's blade." He declared. "I shall cleave a path for him through his enemies. So stand aside, or face me!"

With that he charged forwards, aiming directly at Sun Quan. Lianshi fired her crossbow at him but Zhang Liao deflected the bolts. Zhang Liao then went to strike but had his axes blocked by Zhou Tai.

"You shall not harm my lord." He declared.

With that both warriors started fighting each other until suddenly Yue Jin and Li Dian charged with their army. Realizing they were facing a desperate and emboldened army Sun Quan and his army were forced to flee back to their garrison. Zhang Liao pursued them with Li Dian while Yue Jin and his men returned to the castle. When Quan and his army returned to their garrison they found Taishi Ci had come to their aid. Taishi Ci charged out and met Zhang Liao, challenging him to a duel. Both sides fought desperately; clashing and dodging. Finally however Zhang Liao delivered a strike which injured Taishi Ci and forced him to flee. However Zhang Liao was aware the castle could be attacked so he fled back to the castle with Li Dian. The armies had reached a stalemate.

With Zhang Liao's strength the Wu army could not take the castle. But Zhang Liao lacked the army to push Wu back. It was then however that word arrived of Wei's reinforcements. Led by Wang Yi an army arrived to reinforce the castle, along with Sima Yi, Yu Jin, Man Chong and Cao Hong. At the same time Xu Huang led his army, along with Cao Ren, Cao Zhen, Cao Zhang and Sima Wang. They had appeared next to the northeast castle. Ce noticed this and gave instructions.

"Everyone, fall back, we'll be surrounded. Get Quan to fall back too!"

The orders were given and, with the injured Taishi Ci the army on the east began to fall back to the main camp. Sun Jian heard this and knew his army was now in trouble, the Wei army was charging directly at them and Cao-Cao himself had taken to the field. Lu Meng turned to him.

"My Lord, you must escape. Leave the rear guard to me and Gan Ning. Ling Tong, defend our lord with your life."

Ling Tong nodded. "You got it, let's go my lord."
Sun Jian nodded and the Wu army fell back to their camp; those who attacked them in the rear were beaten back. Finally the Wu army regrouped in their camp, dismantled it and fled the battlefield.

After fleeing the Wu army returned to their main city and regrouped. Sun Jian laughed.

"Well, that was rather unexpected." He turned to the messenger. "Has anything arrived?"

The messenger nodded and handed him a letter. Sun Jian read it and smiled.

"Good." He turned to his men. "Our smokescreen worked. Cao-Cao's 'victory' has convinced Dong Zhuo that he is working with him still. Cao-Cao is poised, ready to strike and take out Dong Zhuo when he can. We best prepare too."

His men agreed and got to work. Sun Jian smiled again, it wouldn't be much longer now, he was sure, soon Dong Zhuo would meet his end.

End of chapter, hope you enjoyed it, read and review please.