Author's Note:

WARNING: I realize that alot of things do not correlate with the Dynasty Warriors game but I changed them on purpose to fit my story. Hope you don't mind!

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Chapter 2: The God of War's End

Tensions were high within one of the many tents placed just outside of Si Shui Gate. It was the largest tent of any inside of the encampment, and perhaps somewhat centered as well. Previously, its use had been as a place of council, where the Generals and other high ranking leaders in the Shu army came to discuss further plans for their campaign. Liu Bei, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Jiang Wei, and Ma Chao had all been present at one point together within its confines, deep in conversation and debate. The rise of Dong Zhuo had been, for the majority of the time, the main topic of discussion, but they still were undecided of how to deal with the matter. Wei continued to pursue them, as well and, though they were allied with Wu, overall moral was low. It, of course, did not help the hopefulness of the two armies that one of Shu's prized members, and sworn brother to Liu Bei and Zhang Fei, Guan Yu had gone terribly ill merely a few days ago. Over these days, he'd grown weaker and weaker, having been forced to remain in bed within the coordinating tent while care was being administered to him. Pang Tong oversaw this, as he was a sorcerer and new much about medicinal healing and the way of a cleric. Unfortunately, he found he could do little for the "God of War".

Guan Yu's young and ambitious son, Guan Ping paced nervously inside, his hands clasped behind him. He feared the worst for his father. Soon, a tired and sullen looking Pang Tong brushed aside the cloth that separated the compartment with which Guan Yu was resting from the rest of the tent. He motioned for Guan Ping to come closer, and spoke in a whisper once the boy had.

With a long sigh he began, "Guan Ping, I am sorry. Your father has stopped breathing since I began treatment this morn. His heart is no longer beating. . .he's gone, I'm afraid." Pang Tong appeared to be in deep anguish, as if he was holding tears from flowing down his cheeks. Everyone respected Guan Yu, he was a hero of the Shu army.

Guan Ping only swallowed hard, speechless. It was as if a very large boulder had been placed across his back, and he'd be forever forced to carry its merciless weight. His eyes were downcast. Pang Tong said nothing, only sliding past the boy with another deep sigh. I pray that whatever attacked Guan Yu's body, does not come to rest upon anyone else. The sorcerer thought, his mind riddled with concern, I have never witnessed anything like it, and it seems to be invulnerable to anything I have used to stop it.

The poor boy never moved from his spot, just outside of the room his dead father now lay in. His mind was blank, unable to process anything at all. All that he could manage with his brain was, My father. . .Dead. . . Over and over again. There was a gentle hand on his shoulder, belonging to Xing Cai. She stood behind him, frowning.

"I. . .I heard about your father. I'm so sorry, Guan Ping." Her voice faltered.

Guan Ping said nothing, didn't even make a move to show acknowledgment of her presence.

She gathered herself again, realizing how much pain he was in. "He was a hero to us all. You are not alone in your grieving for him." Perhaps she was just making matters worse, or perhaps he didn't even realize that she was present. He didn't move, not until, eyes still focused on the ground ahead, he swept out of the tent. Xing Cai watched helplessly as he exited, her frown deepening. She cared for him, hating to see him in such a state, compared to his usual, spirited self. If anything bad happened to him because of this event, she would be beside herself with sorrow. A silent tear ran down her cheeks for Guan Ping, before she, too, exited the tent.

Pang Tong saw it as his duty to let the army of Shu know about Guan Yu's passing. He told all the Generals that were available, instructing them to tell the others that were not currently present if and when they could. Mostly, he received the same reaction from the Generals after breaking the news to them. They were aghast, and then struck by sadness for the God of War. Each also seemed to realize how much more difficult their campaign would be without the man. He had been an invaluable asset. Having done what he felt he needed to do, he returned to the main tent. He needed to study Guan Yu's corpse, if he hoped to find out more about what caused his death. He entered once again, emotional pain still striking him as he looked upon the still form of the General. He walked across the room to kneel at his side, working to undo his robes for closer examination.

And then Guan Yu moved.

Pang Tong reared back in utter surprise, gasping. That had been no reflex left by his brain after death, that was real, controlled movement. Guan Yu had shifted himself where he lay, as if he were sleeping.

How is that possible!? His mind cried out.

He continued to watch now, his heart pounding. The God of War sat up slowly, almost as if something else was forcing him upright. His head was bowed, his chin resting against his chest.

"G-Guan Yu?" Pang Tong stammered.

The General turned his head upward, but the sight caused a yelp from the sorcerer. Guan Yu's eyes were burning with some sort of blue energy, that completely engulfed the eye. No pupils or Cornelia present. His robes had lost all color, now a dull gray throughout and his skin had gone to a bright pail. Pang Tong knew then, sensed, that the man sitting upright before him was no longer Guan Yu.

He got his confirmation as Guan Yu—or, what used to be Guan Yu—charged forward and tackled him to the ground, knocking the air from his lungs. He struggled to keep the possessed Guan Yu from strangling him with his strong hands and managed, somehow, to roll atop of the warlord and grab his staff, pinning the flailing being to the ground.

"What happened to you, Guan Yu?" Pang Tong cried out in despair, using most of his strength and weight to keep him down. "This is an act of pure defiling!" His question was meant to be towards no one.

Meanwhile, Guan Ping had reentered the tent, still in shock as this horrible occurrence. He'd come to visit his father's body, to mourn his heart out. But he heard struggling in the other compartment and rushed to the scene, finding Pang Tong atop of his father, who looked as if he'd been altered by a ghost.

"Pang Tong!" He demanded, "What are you doing to my father!?"

Pang Tong lifted his head up just enough to gaze at the boy, grunting with exertion.

"Guan Ping- ack!" He used more of his strength. "Whoever this is. . .It's not your father."