Everybody still with me? :P
I do not own any of the characters. They belong to KOEI Corporation.
~ The Border of Jing, Fan Castle, Sunrise
POV of Lu Xun-
"Lord Lu Meng, I'm nervous."
"Easy, Lu Xun. It's very normal. You should be proud of yourself though. Sending those letters of praise to Guan Yu while he attacked Wei was a brilliant idea. Look at them."
We scanned the Shu camps and how little their numbers were.
"They have no idea either."
"As dangerous a consequence as this may be, Guan Yu is far too powerful to be left standing." Lu Meng said.
"Sir, so you thought about what could happen as well, too? I have an uneasy feeling."
"We need to set out." He interrupted. "It's time, Lu Xun. Let's put your plan into motion. I am very proud of what a fine strategist you have grown into." He patted me on the back. I felt so honored.
Our forces quietly approached from the shore.
*Guan Yu is focused on Wei right now. With his attention on them, we should be able to smoothly and quickly take back our territory. Once he figures out we're here, he will most likely retreat to Fan Castle and put up all of his defenses that he has left.*
"All right, Lu Xun. That's the first base right over there." Lu Meng pointed out.
"We need to be as careful and silent as we can. We're going to take down each and every tower BEFORE they have the chance to alert Guan Yu. We need to buy as much time as we can. Go in, take down the tower before they can light the flame, and kill any soldiers who try to flee towards other bases." I explained.
"Everyone, we move as one whole unit. With each base we take, I want two troops to stay and occupy that base while the rest of us move on to the next one." Lu Meng announced to our army.
"Wait, how are we going to take every base with so few soldiers here? We didn't bring that many because we listened to this inexperienced strategist IN TRAINING and now you're asking us to leave some of the troops behind to occupy?" Zhu Ran protested.
"Here is what's going to happen: there are many officers and soldiers amongst Shu who will be easy to sway onto our side. Remember why Lord Sun Quan enacted the 'Win the Hearts of the People' plan? It was for this very reason. We just need to give a little extra 'effort' to convince them to our side."
"I understand, Lord Lu Meng" he praised. *Good grief…*
"Let us begin."
~ Seizing Jing Province, The Battle for Fan Castle
POV of Shang Xiang-
We approached the first tower with great speed. For a mediocre disguise, I decided to wear a little more over my usual attire. I'm stuck with a black hood and face mask that covers the bottom half of my face and stops right where my nose arcs. This is it, Shang Xiang.
I followed up the rear of the group and by the time I got in there, the watch tower was already seized. Incredible. We cleared the base of the remaining soldiers. I didn't realize how easy it was to end a life. This…almost didn't seem real to me.
The group began to head to the second base. I followed right behind. I could see Lu Xun in the front of the pack with Lord Lu Meng. When we got in the second base, Shu Officer Fu Shi Ren was there. He was one of the officers Lu Meng was speaking about. Lu Xun and Lu Meng had him pinned down. I raced up the watch tower to stop any soldiers from lighting it. One was just about to with the torch in his hand. I increased my speed and lunged at him, striking his back with one blow. I was exhausted from running, but was exhilarated all the same.
"It's over. You have no choice, but to join us. If you do, you will maintain your rank in Wu and lead a promising life. Join us." Lu Meng negotiated with Fu Shi Ren.
"This is it, isn't it? But…right now, I guess it's every man for himself. I will join you." The former Shu officer complied.
*One more tower is left. After we take that, Shu will discover us and begin mobilizing for a strong defense.*
"Ouch!" I dropped my left chakram and grabbed the bag of my neck. "What? Why is this hurting? Did I get hit?" No…the bump, it's throbbing and it feels…bigger.
*Snap out of it, Shang Xiang. You need to ignore this pain. So much is at stake right now.*
We began to move again. I felt my fatigue grow more and more as we went on. We reached the third tower and another Shu officer defected onto our side. *Here comes the hard part, Shang Xiang. You can do this.*
~ The Battle for Fan Castle
POV of Lu Xun-
*Everything is going according to plan. Guan Yu should be discovering our forces right now.*
"Lord Lu Meng, do you think Wei will continue to battle Guan Yu and choose to accept our temporary assistance?"
He slashed a soldier to the ground and slammed his Rainmaker into the soldier's back. "They would be foolish not to see this through all the way, Lu Xun. Even if they do decide to turn on us at the end, they would be greatly outnumbered due to the casualties of facing General Guan Yu's forces alone."
*He's right, but I can't help but have this strange feeling.* I looked on at Wei's castle in the distance.
"Lu Xun, behind you!" Lu Meng shouted. I turned my head and saw a spear being hurled right towards me. *I can't dodge it!*
Slice!*
*What-what happened? I didn't feel anything.* I opened my eyes to see a figure with a black hood in front of me and in their hands, their weapons…chakrams!?
"He didn't get you, did he?" the familiar voice asked. The soldier who saved me pulled down her hood and mask.
"Shang Xiang,…what are you doing here? Don't tell me you actually stowed away on the ship!" I was angry.
"I've been training all of my life to get this opportunity, Lu Xun. There's nothing I want more than to fight for my kingdom, my family, and...other important people in my life." She looked over her shoulder at me with a slight expression of concern. Her face was a little red, but I looked at her neck and saw a gruesome site. What is that? Is that the bruise she received two days ago? No, it can't be. That looks far worse than an ordinary bruise. It…it looked like a foreign object was infecting her neck. A large dark, purple bump. She caught me staring at her.
"…I don't even know what to say to you right now. You're doing exactly what got you in trouble the other-"
"A thank you would be a brilliant start, Lu Xun." Lord Lu Meng walked over. "Like it or not, she is here and appears to be doing just fine. We need to get ready to push forward and corner Guan Yu."
The three of us looked at each other and nodded.
As our group approached the fourth base, 3 or maybe even 5 Shu officers launched an ambush. We were surrounded, but not to be outdone. The defected Shu officers came to our aid and another brawl commenced. The presence of the former Shu officers confused them and they were no longer sure if they should attack.
"Fu Shi Ren! Why would you betray your kingdom! How could you do this to us and General Guan Yu?!" They pleaded. Fu Shi Ren gave no answer.
"What should we do?! Should we wait for General Guan Yu's orders?!" shouted a Shu soldier.
"No…no, forget it. They have made their choice and now we must defend this place with our lives!"
"You two, take most of our forces and continue the assault!" Lu Meng ordered.
"But sir, what about you?"
"I'll be fine…We can take it from here. I'll handle Guan Yu." He looked at me straight in the eyes.
I bowed my head. "Let's get going!" I raised my sword in the air. Shang Xiang followed my lead by raising her chakram, and then I had the entire force under my command.
As we ran, I felt the dark feeling again. I felt it also at the beginning of the battle, but now it's stronger and more troubling than before. Something can't be right.
Shang Xiang sure is amazing to watch in battle. She really does know what she's doing. She truly becomes one with her weapon. And with the two of us back to back, we're an unstoppable force.
We were able to crush Shu's forces into Fan Castle. It was quiet. I haven't seen Lord Lu Meng yet.
"He'll be all right, Lu Xun. We should be seeing him in no time." Shang Xiang reassured me.
"Right." *Why haven't we seen Wei's forces yet either though?* That also troubled me greatly.
There was an uneasy silence all around us. I tried my best to keep my nerve. I had to. For the men. The clouds in the sky became darker as time went by. It was getting ready to rain. Something kept prodding at my thoughts. As if I kept seeing bad omens all around me.
I couldn't bare it any longer. "Shang Xiang, come with me. We're going into Fan Castle."
The two of us alone went in to search for Lord Lu Meng. I had a very bad feeling.
As we reached the opening, everyone in the castle was annihilated. There were no signs of life. All I saw were scattered bodies of fallen Shu and Wu soldiers, soaking in a pool of mixed blood. I looked at Shang Xiang. Her face was pale and her hands were shaking. I told her to stay put. I began to panic a little and frantically searched for Lord Lu Meng.
I ran into the castle's courtyard. Suddenly, from the corner of my eye, I saw two fallen soldiers. One with a great long weapon in his hands. That was General Guan Yu. And the other…it was Lu Meng's weapon, Rainmaker.
"L-…Lord Lu Meng!" I cried. *Oh my God. He is alive still, but barely.*
"Lu…Lu…Xun." He tried with all he could to get his words out.
"My Lord, hang on, we'll get you out of here. We'll get you some help!" I pulled his arm over my neck and tried to lift him up.
"No…" He said with exhaustion. "Lu Xun,…my time is up in this…world." He coughed up blood.
"No, my Lord, you can beat this. Please, don't give up!"
He shook his head. "I have…been fighting this illness…for a long time…I am happy…I was able to see you grow…into…into a brilliant strategist." Tears began to form in both of our eyes.
"Look-look at me, Lu Xun. I have faith in you…" His voice and eyes became more fatigued and dim. "You must live on… and unite this land…under the name…of Wu!" His body went limp on me. His glazed over eyes of a dead man stared blankly into the sky. It began to rain.
My eyes started to hurt. My body could not stop shaking. "Master Lu Meng. Master Lu Meng!"
All that was heard was the sound of rain hitting the ground, hitting the many bodies, and mine.
My mind went blank. I screamed at the top of my lungs.
~ Inside Fan Castle, The Front Gate
POV of Shang Xiang-
I heard a desperate cry. It was Lu Xun! I ran as fast as I could and searched for him. My heart was beating so fast, I thought it was going to jump out of my chest. Suddenly a large group of soldiers appeared before me. They were Wei soldiers. They had their weapons pointed right at me.
"What is the meaning of this? We are supposed to be allies right now." I questioned them.
I heard a laugh amongst the crowd of Wei soldiers. It was a familiar laugh. My stomach dropped. *Where have I heard this before?*
The soldiers moved aside to let someone through. It was HIM.
My heart sank and my jaw dropped. My legs were shaking. It felt like I was carrying a ton of weight. I felt like I was going to collapse any second.
"No…"
"Well, well, well, if it isn't Princess Sun Shang Xiang, daughter of the Tiger of Jiang Dong. It is a pleasure, my Lady. I am Sima Yi, strategist for the Kingdom of Wei." He bowed. "However, judging by the look on your face, I'll take it that this isn't the first time we have met, no?"
*I can't say anything. My body…it refuses to move!*
"Absolutely astounding. So…where have you seen me before?" He asked me as if he already knew the answer, with a sinister smile.
"I…I…" that's all I could say.
He chuckled at my obvious fear. "Well, we're going to get to know each other a lot better now, won't we? You see, my Lady, with a valuable officer eliminated from Shu now, it takes care of the threat from them. The only obstacle currently is the kingdom of Wu. Now, I have their princess in the palms of my hands. How lucky, how fortunate. It must be the work of fate itself!"
"No…no, what are you talking about?" I was able to find some strength in me. "I am NOT in the palms of ANYONE'S hands. If you think you can kidnap me, I will give you the fight of your miserable life!" I bent my knees a little bit and positioned my chakrams for battle.
"I figured as much, my Lady. That is why I took some precautions."
He raised his hand and slowly began to turn it into a fist. My eyes widened.
I let out a chilling scream and I saw a blinding purple light from behind me again.
"What…what is this?" I went to touch the back of my neck, but the light pushed it back. The pain…it was excruciating. It tore deeper and wider inside me. I could feel the ripping of my insides. The pain began at my neck and slithered its way to the rest of my body.
*I can't give up. I can't!*
I tried to lift my body up as best as I could. I began to run away. I plowed and cut through so many Wei soldiers who tried to block my path.
"Run all you want, little princess. You're mine now."
I ran as fast as I could. The pain from my neck continued to worsen the farther I ran. I looked down at my arms; my veins were incredibly visible. My vision began to fade and my body felt like it was being pushed to the floor. I looked for Lu Xun. *I need help. I need him!* Tears broke from my eyes and streamed down my face.
Soldiers began to slowly close in from all around me. I did my best to keep them off of me.
"Lu Xun!" I screamed at the top of my lungs. "Lu Xun! Please! Help me!"
I continued to fight off the soldiers. I reached the middle of the castle. I saw Lu Xun several yards away from me holding a body. It was Lord Lu Meng. *Did Wei go after him, too?*
"Lu Xun! Look at me!" I tried to yell, but I was so exhausted from the pain, my cries came out as pitiful weeps that sounded as if someone had a hold of my lungs. A lone Wei soldier ran over and raised his sword to Lu Xun.
I was suddenly filled with great anger.
"NO!" I yelled with all of my might and threw one of my chakrams with the remaining strength I had left. My chakram cut straight threw the Wei soldier before he had a chance to hit Lu Xun. My body couldn't take it anymore. I dropped my other chakram and fell to the ground. I could no longer move.
Soldiers gathered around me and picked me up to take me away. I tried to scream to get his attention. I don't know if he heard me or not. He seemed frozen.
Sima Yi approached me and grabbed my chin with one hand. "Come quietly from now on, and we won't kill the boy. Your choice, my Lady."
Tears continued to fall down my face, and I gave him a nod. I began to feel feint. The soldiers were taking me deeper into darkness. Right before the doors closed, I saw Lu Xun lift his head.
Certainly makes up in length for the brief chapter before. Obviously the battle from DW7 was a huge help in writing this part. Hur hur hur. :P