A Twist in Time
Chapter Five: Lu Bu's Revolt
An Jian stood on the practice field, sharpening his Dragon Breaker. The great sword lay quietly in his hands, the slightly jagged blade glinting in the sun and the rune words glowing.
Practice had gone well. The tired warriors had all but left, looking forward to a calm afternoon. The white-haired man had sensed Diao Xin's eyes on his back during the whole six-hour practice and had refused to meet her gaze. It wasn't as if he didn't like her at all, it was just the fact that he didn't need a distraction right now.
Finally he felt the eyes tear away from his back and he sighed with relief. Stretching his arms, he cast his strange, tattooed eye over the field, which had been previously filled with fighting officers.
His head suddenly snapped up and he turned around, bringing Dragon Breaker to his face. There was a click as the sword connected with another weapon, and the opponent leapt gracefully over his head. An Jian swung around to meet him.
A man wearing a blue battle garb met his eyes. A short, matching blue cape flew from his shoulders, and a sash was attached to his waist. Light blue hair ended at his neck, and he smirked, blue eyes meeting white.
"Seems like Lady Diao Xin has eyes for you." He brought his weapon up in swiping position. The anchor shaped blade at the tip of his polearm shined dangerously. "It saddens me that you don't return her feelings."
"You know it's not like that, Zhen Yu," An Jian shot back, lifting his heavy rune sword.
Zhen Yu's smile widened. "Well then, go show your appreciation!" He shifted Tide Master onto his shoulder. "Not too tired, are you?"
An Jian laughed. "This will prove simple." The two charged at each other. Iron clashed on iron and they both skidded around for another attack.
Running straightforward again, Zhen Yu suddenly made a sharp turn. Jumping behind An Jian quickly, he made a swing at his head.
Blue eyes widened as An Jian was suddenly no where in sight. His Tide Master caught the air harmlessly, a few white strands of hair dangling off the end.
Hearing a slight tap behind him, Zhen Yu turned around just to see An Jian finding his footing again after his jump. The blunette charged forward again, and An Jian, whose eyes were on his feet, looked up in surprise. He jerked away, but didn't avoid the blow entirely. The Tide Master had managed to nick An Jian's arm slightly through a gap in his black, foreign armor. In an automatic defense action, he swung Dragon Breaker. The sword connected with the pole of the Tide Master, and An Jian was satisfied when he heard a faint crack.
Zhen Yu jumped backwards, examining his weapon. He sighed. "I forfeit. The duel is yours."
An Jian pointed Dragon Breaker at Zhen Yu. "You're not backing out, are you?"
The blunette smiled grimly. The crack widened a bit more. "I should go fix it. We don't know when the next battle will call. Nice hit, by the way. It connected perfectly. Not many can break the Tide Master."
"I see you still underestimate all of your opponents."
"No. Just you." And with that, he walked away. "Oh, and Riou wants to speak with you. Something about our next meeting with the kingdoms..."
**********
Black figures slid down the grassy hill. A black haired girl rested her gray blue gaze on the city of Jian Ye, which had become gradually closer in the past days. Running slightly ahead of her people, she silently marked out her prey.
Passing a Wu scout, she threw out a chain. A six-point Shuriken was attached to the end of it. The Ninja Star connected right between the eyes of the scout, and she pulled out the star with the remaining chain in her hand, never decreasing her speed. Behind her, the scout collapsed onto the forest ground, not even realizing what had just happened and unmistakably dead.
Moving with god-like speed, they soon reached the gates of Jian Ye.
**********
Sun Ce and Zhou Yu sat in the shade of a peach blossom tree. Both of the sworn brothers were resting, eyes looking up at the blue sky.
Sun Ce ran his hands over his tonfas. His eyes widened as he spotted dark figures on the walls of Jian Ye. Nudging his strategist friend, they both stood up, just as the figures jumped down from the wall.
A girl walked in the lead, the only one whose body and face weren't robed in black. As she started towards them, Sun Ce held up his tonfas, a grin flirting across his face. The group following her made slight noises of outrage, pulling their weapons out as well. She cast one glance behind her and they dropped their weapons.
"Who are you?" Zhou Yu asked, his voice sounding strange in the quiet air.
"Nothing but the darkest shadows. We come in peace, and ask to see your Lord." She stared at the two men, her feminine voice washing over the tense atmosphere. As Sun Ce and Zhou Yu looked at each other, a sly emotion flashed in her eyes.
Sending a meaningful glance at his friend, Sun Ce cleared his throat. "Sure. Whatever."
"We need your weapons, however," Zhou Yu added.
She stared at them for a long time, biting her lip. "Very well..." Nodding at the others, she deposited her Chain Shuriken and her two Butterfly Knives at her feet. The others followed suit.
"Well?" Sun Ce beckoned them forward. "Come on. I'm waiting. We haven't got all day."
Zhou Yu looked apologetic to the girl, who smiled vaguely and shrugged.
Walking through the halls, she looked up in awe at the grand, golden ceiling. Red carpet stretched before her feet, and in the distance, she could see peach trees growing for miles. Two of her officers tore her mind away from her observations of Jian Ye.
"Are you sure about this?" A worried voice echoed out of the robed figure. Black cloth obscured his body and most of his face. However, his strange, golden flecked, reddish brown eyes could be seen.
"Not so loud, Xin Tai..." she hissed under her breath. "The plan will work. Trust me. Kenchu Rei and Niko Cajh are already waiting for further orders. They also have most of our troops."
Xin Tai opened his mouth to protest but the second officer cut him off. "It'll be alright."
The feminine leader put on a thin-lipped smile. "You put too much trust in me, Niu Kuoang."
"How could I not?" the man replied, his gray eyes faking shock.
"In here," Zhou Yu said loudly, flipping his smooth, long hair over his shoulder. Sun Ce scoffed, smiling slightly. The two Wu officers had obviously not heard even the smallest shred of the previous conversation.
Stepping foot into Sun Jian's throne room, Sun Ce ran in front of her. "Hey Pop," he drawled, bobbing his head slightly. "These people vaulted over our walls and want to meet you." His face showed no shame as he rambled. "I told you we should have built them higher."
Sun Quan looked up from his scroll. "Oh... It's you..."
"You could sound a bit happier." Sun Ce glared accusingly at his younger brother.
His sister smiled from her corner of the room.
Sun Jian cleared his throat. He looked at the young female before him, who bowed lightly and looked up again, staring him down. Sun Jian couldn't help but smiled. He liked this personality.
"What business do you have here?"
The girl grinned once again. "We ask for peace, and wish to serve you."
The Tiger of Jiang Dong narrowed his eyes and his mind immediately settled on the strange disappearances.
As if reading his mind, the young leader spoke up again. "You're sharp, I'll give you that. That's why I've been admiring your kingdom so much. However, we have nothing to do with the previous disappearances."
Sun Jian didn't speak.
"We ask only for one chance to serve the greatest leader of our time." Inside her head, she smiled. It seemed like flattery would work on this leader.
The leader sighed. "Very well. However, I ask some things in return."
"Yes?"
"Take off the cloaks. Let me see your faces."
Her people looked at her, and she nodded to them.
Looking back towards Sun Jian, she prompted, "And what else, my Lord?"
The corners of Sun Jian's mouth twitched. "Your people may go make themselves comfortable. Their weapons are already placed in the weaponry." He looked at his two sons. Sun Ce jumped up, his high ponytail bouncing, as he started the tour of Jian Ye.
"Sun Shang Xiang, you can make this girl at home."
The brunette smiled, and walked up to the other, who put on a gracious face. Before they were out of the room, Sun Jian called them back.
"Oh yes... before I forget, I want to know your name. Your true name." He placed his head on his hands, listening intently.
At this, the girl looked thoughtful. After several minutes, she started slowly, "I'm afraid that's asking a bit much. Even I don't know it myself. But... if you must call me something, you can call me An Yu."
**********
Dong Zhuo gasped as he pulled himself out painfully from the tattered remains of the city. His body was littered with many cuts and burns... but he was alive.
Alive.
It was all that mattered.
He heaved himself up onto his feet, wincing as they protested and screamed underneath him. Limping past the still, burning trees, he heard hoof beats.
Squinting in the fog, Dong Zhuo suddenly spotted a figure in the white mist. As it neared, he realized it was a horse...
It was a blood red stallion now... and he could see the rider on top.
Lu Bu.
The fierce fighter neared his adopted father, eyes cold and hard. He held a limp Diao Chan in his arms, and her silky, brown hair had fallen out of its prison.
"Lu Bu! Help me out! I swear, one day we will punish them... you can bet my words on it..." He started towards him.
Red Hare stood motionless, snorting slightly. Lu Bu dismounted, placing Diao Chan carefully in the saddle.
"Well? Help me out here!" Dong Zhuo raged.
The other still remained silent, and for the first time ever, Dong Zhuo was scared of him.
Slowly, threateningly, Lu Bu untied his halberd from Red Hare's saddle.
They stared at each other for a long time.
And then Lu Bu struck.
It was all too sudden, and Dong Zhuo didn't have any time to react. Horror lay useless in his hands as he collapsed, all life draining from his body.
Lu Bu held out Sky Scorcher before him, fresh scarlet blood oozing on the tip.
"Good bye father," he said roughly, feeling no regret or emotions for the death.
He mounted Red Hare again, holding Diao Chan to his chest.
Lu Bu took one final glance behind him before riding away. "I'll see you in Hell."
**********
A/N: Finally! Chapter 6 up! Sorry for the really really long delay... We were busy making a timeline for our story and playing through the game just to check. Sorry once again! We would also like to thank each and everyone for their support and patience. And just think... new chapters are coming up! Yay!
--Kimi-chan & NatNat
Chapter Five: Lu Bu's Revolt
An Jian stood on the practice field, sharpening his Dragon Breaker. The great sword lay quietly in his hands, the slightly jagged blade glinting in the sun and the rune words glowing.
Practice had gone well. The tired warriors had all but left, looking forward to a calm afternoon. The white-haired man had sensed Diao Xin's eyes on his back during the whole six-hour practice and had refused to meet her gaze. It wasn't as if he didn't like her at all, it was just the fact that he didn't need a distraction right now.
Finally he felt the eyes tear away from his back and he sighed with relief. Stretching his arms, he cast his strange, tattooed eye over the field, which had been previously filled with fighting officers.
His head suddenly snapped up and he turned around, bringing Dragon Breaker to his face. There was a click as the sword connected with another weapon, and the opponent leapt gracefully over his head. An Jian swung around to meet him.
A man wearing a blue battle garb met his eyes. A short, matching blue cape flew from his shoulders, and a sash was attached to his waist. Light blue hair ended at his neck, and he smirked, blue eyes meeting white.
"Seems like Lady Diao Xin has eyes for you." He brought his weapon up in swiping position. The anchor shaped blade at the tip of his polearm shined dangerously. "It saddens me that you don't return her feelings."
"You know it's not like that, Zhen Yu," An Jian shot back, lifting his heavy rune sword.
Zhen Yu's smile widened. "Well then, go show your appreciation!" He shifted Tide Master onto his shoulder. "Not too tired, are you?"
An Jian laughed. "This will prove simple." The two charged at each other. Iron clashed on iron and they both skidded around for another attack.
Running straightforward again, Zhen Yu suddenly made a sharp turn. Jumping behind An Jian quickly, he made a swing at his head.
Blue eyes widened as An Jian was suddenly no where in sight. His Tide Master caught the air harmlessly, a few white strands of hair dangling off the end.
Hearing a slight tap behind him, Zhen Yu turned around just to see An Jian finding his footing again after his jump. The blunette charged forward again, and An Jian, whose eyes were on his feet, looked up in surprise. He jerked away, but didn't avoid the blow entirely. The Tide Master had managed to nick An Jian's arm slightly through a gap in his black, foreign armor. In an automatic defense action, he swung Dragon Breaker. The sword connected with the pole of the Tide Master, and An Jian was satisfied when he heard a faint crack.
Zhen Yu jumped backwards, examining his weapon. He sighed. "I forfeit. The duel is yours."
An Jian pointed Dragon Breaker at Zhen Yu. "You're not backing out, are you?"
The blunette smiled grimly. The crack widened a bit more. "I should go fix it. We don't know when the next battle will call. Nice hit, by the way. It connected perfectly. Not many can break the Tide Master."
"I see you still underestimate all of your opponents."
"No. Just you." And with that, he walked away. "Oh, and Riou wants to speak with you. Something about our next meeting with the kingdoms..."
**********
Black figures slid down the grassy hill. A black haired girl rested her gray blue gaze on the city of Jian Ye, which had become gradually closer in the past days. Running slightly ahead of her people, she silently marked out her prey.
Passing a Wu scout, she threw out a chain. A six-point Shuriken was attached to the end of it. The Ninja Star connected right between the eyes of the scout, and she pulled out the star with the remaining chain in her hand, never decreasing her speed. Behind her, the scout collapsed onto the forest ground, not even realizing what had just happened and unmistakably dead.
Moving with god-like speed, they soon reached the gates of Jian Ye.
**********
Sun Ce and Zhou Yu sat in the shade of a peach blossom tree. Both of the sworn brothers were resting, eyes looking up at the blue sky.
Sun Ce ran his hands over his tonfas. His eyes widened as he spotted dark figures on the walls of Jian Ye. Nudging his strategist friend, they both stood up, just as the figures jumped down from the wall.
A girl walked in the lead, the only one whose body and face weren't robed in black. As she started towards them, Sun Ce held up his tonfas, a grin flirting across his face. The group following her made slight noises of outrage, pulling their weapons out as well. She cast one glance behind her and they dropped their weapons.
"Who are you?" Zhou Yu asked, his voice sounding strange in the quiet air.
"Nothing but the darkest shadows. We come in peace, and ask to see your Lord." She stared at the two men, her feminine voice washing over the tense atmosphere. As Sun Ce and Zhou Yu looked at each other, a sly emotion flashed in her eyes.
Sending a meaningful glance at his friend, Sun Ce cleared his throat. "Sure. Whatever."
"We need your weapons, however," Zhou Yu added.
She stared at them for a long time, biting her lip. "Very well..." Nodding at the others, she deposited her Chain Shuriken and her two Butterfly Knives at her feet. The others followed suit.
"Well?" Sun Ce beckoned them forward. "Come on. I'm waiting. We haven't got all day."
Zhou Yu looked apologetic to the girl, who smiled vaguely and shrugged.
Walking through the halls, she looked up in awe at the grand, golden ceiling. Red carpet stretched before her feet, and in the distance, she could see peach trees growing for miles. Two of her officers tore her mind away from her observations of Jian Ye.
"Are you sure about this?" A worried voice echoed out of the robed figure. Black cloth obscured his body and most of his face. However, his strange, golden flecked, reddish brown eyes could be seen.
"Not so loud, Xin Tai..." she hissed under her breath. "The plan will work. Trust me. Kenchu Rei and Niko Cajh are already waiting for further orders. They also have most of our troops."
Xin Tai opened his mouth to protest but the second officer cut him off. "It'll be alright."
The feminine leader put on a thin-lipped smile. "You put too much trust in me, Niu Kuoang."
"How could I not?" the man replied, his gray eyes faking shock.
"In here," Zhou Yu said loudly, flipping his smooth, long hair over his shoulder. Sun Ce scoffed, smiling slightly. The two Wu officers had obviously not heard even the smallest shred of the previous conversation.
Stepping foot into Sun Jian's throne room, Sun Ce ran in front of her. "Hey Pop," he drawled, bobbing his head slightly. "These people vaulted over our walls and want to meet you." His face showed no shame as he rambled. "I told you we should have built them higher."
Sun Quan looked up from his scroll. "Oh... It's you..."
"You could sound a bit happier." Sun Ce glared accusingly at his younger brother.
His sister smiled from her corner of the room.
Sun Jian cleared his throat. He looked at the young female before him, who bowed lightly and looked up again, staring him down. Sun Jian couldn't help but smiled. He liked this personality.
"What business do you have here?"
The girl grinned once again. "We ask for peace, and wish to serve you."
The Tiger of Jiang Dong narrowed his eyes and his mind immediately settled on the strange disappearances.
As if reading his mind, the young leader spoke up again. "You're sharp, I'll give you that. That's why I've been admiring your kingdom so much. However, we have nothing to do with the previous disappearances."
Sun Jian didn't speak.
"We ask only for one chance to serve the greatest leader of our time." Inside her head, she smiled. It seemed like flattery would work on this leader.
The leader sighed. "Very well. However, I ask some things in return."
"Yes?"
"Take off the cloaks. Let me see your faces."
Her people looked at her, and she nodded to them.
Looking back towards Sun Jian, she prompted, "And what else, my Lord?"
The corners of Sun Jian's mouth twitched. "Your people may go make themselves comfortable. Their weapons are already placed in the weaponry." He looked at his two sons. Sun Ce jumped up, his high ponytail bouncing, as he started the tour of Jian Ye.
"Sun Shang Xiang, you can make this girl at home."
The brunette smiled, and walked up to the other, who put on a gracious face. Before they were out of the room, Sun Jian called them back.
"Oh yes... before I forget, I want to know your name. Your true name." He placed his head on his hands, listening intently.
At this, the girl looked thoughtful. After several minutes, she started slowly, "I'm afraid that's asking a bit much. Even I don't know it myself. But... if you must call me something, you can call me An Yu."
**********
Dong Zhuo gasped as he pulled himself out painfully from the tattered remains of the city. His body was littered with many cuts and burns... but he was alive.
Alive.
It was all that mattered.
He heaved himself up onto his feet, wincing as they protested and screamed underneath him. Limping past the still, burning trees, he heard hoof beats.
Squinting in the fog, Dong Zhuo suddenly spotted a figure in the white mist. As it neared, he realized it was a horse...
It was a blood red stallion now... and he could see the rider on top.
Lu Bu.
The fierce fighter neared his adopted father, eyes cold and hard. He held a limp Diao Chan in his arms, and her silky, brown hair had fallen out of its prison.
"Lu Bu! Help me out! I swear, one day we will punish them... you can bet my words on it..." He started towards him.
Red Hare stood motionless, snorting slightly. Lu Bu dismounted, placing Diao Chan carefully in the saddle.
"Well? Help me out here!" Dong Zhuo raged.
The other still remained silent, and for the first time ever, Dong Zhuo was scared of him.
Slowly, threateningly, Lu Bu untied his halberd from Red Hare's saddle.
They stared at each other for a long time.
And then Lu Bu struck.
It was all too sudden, and Dong Zhuo didn't have any time to react. Horror lay useless in his hands as he collapsed, all life draining from his body.
Lu Bu held out Sky Scorcher before him, fresh scarlet blood oozing on the tip.
"Good bye father," he said roughly, feeling no regret or emotions for the death.
He mounted Red Hare again, holding Diao Chan to his chest.
Lu Bu took one final glance behind him before riding away. "I'll see you in Hell."
**********
A/N: Finally! Chapter 6 up! Sorry for the really really long delay... We were busy making a timeline for our story and playing through the game just to check. Sorry once again! We would also like to thank each and everyone for their support and patience. And just think... new chapters are coming up! Yay!
--Kimi-chan & NatNat