A dark cloud loomed overhead, and the foreboding sense of fear and war filtered through the mid-afternoon atmosphere that surrounded Fancheng, Jingzhou. A clear downhill battle had been fought, and all was but lost in the rampage. In the mad storm that fell from the sky, three figures clad in emerald stood at the mouth of the castle, tensed, waiting as the cold evening crept across the sky.

The tallest figure, a man of evident authority, gazed up at the great structure that refused to yield to his powerful hand. A shadow of anger passed quickly across his face as he spoke in a deep growl.

"It seems I have underestimated you, Sun Quan. You will not relinquish Fan Castle to Shu, even for your own betrayal against us. What arrogance."

To his right, a burly young man spoke up, his eyebrows knit in unchallenged fury. His voice rang clear through the thunder and rain, echoing against the stone walls.

"Father, we still have time! We can still take Fancheng. Let us help you reclaim this for Lord Liu Bei!"

At this, he turned to the last companion, who, with an unreadable expression, met his eye and nodded once firmly.

"No, Guan Ping. The risk is unnecessary. Fan Castle is lost. We must now focus on our escape or jeopardize any chance of reclaiming Fancheng in the future."

"But father –" The young man protested, but was immediately silenced into bitterness by the raising of his father's hand.

"Do as I say, Guan Ping, or we will all regret such rash decisions!"

In the muteness of his obedience, Guan Ping performed a curt nod and motioned to his still taciturn cohort, who in turn, approached him and stood stiffly by his side.

"Go, make for Chengdu. We must inform Brother Liu Bei. Have no fear, Guan Suo," He added to the youngest, who stared up at his towering father. "We will prevail against Wu in the coming battles. Now, go, and make haste, my sons!"

In a practiced formality, the two bowed low to the former, and quickly retreated from his side, moving towards the main camp.

The God of War directed his fierce gaze upon Fan Castle, his bloodied scythe gripped tightly in his right hand. A shameful defeat for the mighty Guan Yu, but it was not over. On his life he swore to unite the land under Liu Bei's name. This effort against Sun Quan was merely a minor setback. Whatever fire Wu had under their banner would soon be extinguished. He would see to that.

But for now, there was no other choice. Before resent took over him, he turned on his heel and strode quickly away from the emptied castle, through a field of battle aftermath and new corpses. On his soldier's life, he swore to take Jing back for Shu. However, for now, he needed to return home.

"Hurry, Guan Suo!" Guan Ping urged his younger brother, who had continued to glance back constantly after their departure from Fancheng. The anxiety in Guan Suo's eyes did not need to be translated into words – the fear for his father was too great. He willed his legs to carry him further forward, but his mind seemed too immersed in worry to command them properly. A heavy breath escaped his lips, and Guan Ping stopped in his tracks, his features creased in questioning. "What's wrong?"

"It's father, he still hasn't arrived," Guan Suo breathed, his voice almost imploring.

"We cannot worry about that, he said to make for Chengdu in all haste – you heard him," Guan Ping urged him, and yet Guan Suo chanced another look over his shoulder. The elder held his brother's shoulders and gave him a light shake. "Brother, have you no faith in our father, whose strength is legend throughout the land?"

"I have all the faith in our father, and more." Guan Suo replied firmly.

"Then we must put that faith into use – our father will not abandon us. And as his sons, we must hold the legacy to his name. Come, Guan Suo," Guan Ping pressed. "We are almost at the main camp."

Guan Suo nodded, and followed quickly after his brother – but no sooner had he taken a step did he hear a loud cry of fury, uttered wordlessly in the familiar voice of the God of War.

"It's Father," He cried, and began to retrace his steps, and would have done so all the way at that moment had Guan Ping not held his wrist with a firm grip that might have broken a bone.

"No, Guan Suo, we must keep moving forward!" Guan Ping insisted.

"You continue on to Chengdu without me, Guan Ping," Guan Suo wrenched his arm out of his brother's tight grasp. "Send the message to Lord Liu Bei. I will help our father."

Guan Ping remained silent, considering. But in the moment he met his brother's gaze again, he found himself agreeing quietly, his head nodding in consent.

"I will bring Father back, Guan Ping," Guan Suo promised, his eyes shining bright.

"And I pray to the gods for me to see you both alive in Chengdu," Guan Ping replied. "Be careful, my brother."

"And you." Guan Suo inclined his head, and turned on his heel to hurry back to his father, his nunchucks clutched tightly under his slim fingers. Labored breaths fell from his lips, and his mind raced faster than he – what if he was too late?

No, he could not afford to think that way. His eyes scanned the gray horizon for any sign of his father. Almost blindly, he moved forward, calling out for his father.

Finally, a small silhouette appeared against the minimal light, poised for battle, prepared to strike. Guan Suo cried for his father, and the shadow turned to him, as it grew bigger with each step he took towards it.

"Father!" Guan Suo mustered all the oxygen in his lungs and called out, as if stopping would make him disappear into the evening darkness.

Guan Yu stood in silence at the edge of a tall precipice, having fallen the last of the Wu corporals that had followed him from Fan Castle. He watched his son approach him, but did not reply to the calls. His chest rose up and down in heavy strain, the fatigue beginning to seep into his tired bones. But he molded his face into fierceness as Guan Suo reached his side, looking down at his son.

"I heard you – Guan Ping has – he has gone to Chengdu for – for Lord Liu Bei," Guan Suo panted, exhausted from the effort of both his marathon and his worry.

"Good," Guan Yu replied. "Now, Guan Suo, we must go. It is not safe to –"

"Halt, Guan Yu!"

Guan Yu muttered one bitter word – "Ambush". A band of Wu lieutenants appeared, surrounding them from every side. One man – a brave one, standing directly in front of him – spoke in a voice that, for the unpracticed ear, seemed not to quiver the slightest in the presence of the famous Yunchang.

"By the order of our honorable Lord Sun Quan, we cannot allow you to go further," He spat. "Surrender or die, God of War."

Guan Yu said nothing, merely stared down at the lieutenant in some contempt. However, Guan Suo took the liberty of answering in some anger.

"You will take my head first before my father surrenders, and I will challenge you with all my might!" He said boldly – but no sooner had he uttered these words, Guan Yu pulled his son back, a warning look forming on his stern features.

"Who are you to challenge me, little brat?" The lieutenant scowled.

"I am Guan Suo, son of Guan Yu, and I dare you to fight me!"

The lieutenant sneered at Guan Suo, as his father began to speak in a low tone.

"Bloodthirstiness does not become you, my son – it would be wise to practice prudence in your words at this moment. Our focus is escape, not victory."

"You are nothing like your father," the lieutenant scorned him with disgust. "Nor will you ever be. You shall forever live in the shadow of your ancestors, and shall only bring shame to the name of your father!"

A vigorous heat coursed through Guan Suo's blood – he had but to bring his arm up to attack that swine of a lieutenant…

A heavy hand rested on his wrist, and Guan Suo looked up at his father's cautionary gaze. Guan Yu gave a small shake of the head, and, reluctantly, Guan Suo relaxed his muscles, bitterly glaring at the sneering general.

"Daddy's boy," He mocked contemptuously. "Can't even fight like a real man! What a disgrace!" With this, the fellow lieutenants burst out in guffaws, and Guan Suo felt his face heat up.

"Sons of Wu," Guan Yu suddenly spoke in a voice that caused all noise to cease. "I admire your courage. Let us make this battle even for all."

A heavy silence of confusion hung about the air around the Wu soldiers, but Guan Yu grasped his son's shoulders and looked him deep into his bewildered eyes.

"My son, we shall see each other again – in this life or the next, we cannot tell. Only know this," He commanded sternly. "My spirit lives on in you, if you should choose it. You, Guan Suo, are a God of War as well."

"Father-"

But in the moment in which Guan Suo began to understand, Guan Yu had lifted him into the air, and in a tremendous effort of pain, had thrown him off the cliff, into the raging waters that lay below.

Ignoring the ache in his heavy heart, he turned to face the Wu soldiers, all staring in shock at his actions, and readied his blade.

"Now, sons of Wu," He boomed, his eyes glistening like onyxes in the rising moonlight. "We shall fight to the death."

Author's Note: Hi guys :3 So I tried something completely new this time, and I know this was just a prologue. Don't worry, the romance kicks in, I promise, it's not going to be one of those draggy things (I hope). Anyway, a few things I'd like to point out:

1. No one (according to the apparently reliable search features) has done a Bao Sanniang / Guan Suo fic, but I like how this is a fresh couple (and not slightly strange, like Sun Quan and Lian Shi with her, ahem, gifts). If you're unfamiliar with their look, or want to know about their background story, or their relationship status, or just have a lot of free time and want to read up on Dynasty Warriors, visit .com and just hit that sexy search box!

2. I've deviated a bit (a lot?) from my previous writing style, because (a) I don't have an OC as a revolved around main character here, and, (b) I'm not writing in first person, which makes it a little difficult for me right now. Please forgive me if it seems a little bland at the start, but I'm planning to make up for my failure in writing in third person omniscient by inserting a lot of drama and romance.

3. If you guys have any questions about the story in this chapter, what it is, or why it's even relevant, just e-mail me! Just know that it's there because it's my stepping stone for all them good stuffs.

4. I might occasionally use style names here, so I'll put them in the last part for reference, in case people would like to know. :) Guan Yu's style name is Yunchang.

5. This is not a one shot. Guan Suo is not dead, I swear to you. Otherwise this would be a failure story and I would commit suicide.

6. If anyone has access, time and the interest, pick up a copy of Dynasty Warriors 7! That game is killing me right now, I'm too in love with it. Also, Guan Suo's and Bao Sanniang's first legend stage is the next chapter's subject, so it's gonna be some great stuff. :)

I know this is a very unusual thing for me to do, but I hope you guys can give it a shot. Rest assured I will try to make it as interesting as possible, while keeping it short and sweet. If anyone has comments, suggestions, questions or even angry reactions, leave it in that review box! I love hearing from you guys!

All the best,

Aimee :)