CHAPTER 6
The Battle of Chi Bi
The steady beat of the battle drums vibrated angrily through the mountains, echoing fiercely, as if the mighty lords of earth and stone had rumbled grouchily from slumber. Quickly the war cry of the drums pulsated deeper, faster; and with a last fleeting regret - of the possibility of not being able to return - the warriors of Wei surged forward, resolved and determined, as the army of Wu, too, rushed to meet the wave.
Zhang He felt the heat of the battle flowing through the ground to the balls of his feet, and unconsciously, he dug the soft white kid soles deeper into the dark dirty earth. He could feel the rage of the battle, touch the intensity that was the singular purpose of destroying the enemy, taste the sweetness of war. Closing his eyes, he gently flexed his fingers partially hidden under seemingly heavy, deadly gold claws and exhaled a serene sigh slowly. Then, in a battle stance that many famed as chilling yet beautifully, he executed an elegant sweep to the south, commanding in lethal calm tones, "Attack."
With surprising grace, possessed only by those under the command of the notorious General Zhang Junyi, in disciplined order they ran to meet the enemy. In fearlessness. And in pride.
______________________________________________
The Caos - siblings, cousins, and leader - gathered quietly atop the pedestal of the main battleship, gazing thoughtfully upon the chaos that had ensued, each in silent contemplation. Cao Cao took a step forward - a sign that brought each Cao kneeling before their leader. Cao Hong, nephew of Cao Cao, bowed respectfully and with a last salute of luck, rushed off to defend his station. Each, all five of them proceeded to do the same, and as it came to the last - Cao Zhang, third son of the supreme ruler of Wei - he gazed upon the hard lines that was his father's face, his gentle heart aching at the cruelty and coldness that ambition had all too knowingly carried in its tide. Then lowering his head, when the lord had said nothing, he added, sadly, "The Gods will recognize your dreams, father, and may they smile all the more with your ambition." Then he too strode off, all too aware of his role as pawn only, in the realization of the Wei goal.
What the young man did not see was the momentary flinch in his father's otherwise immovable, impassive expression. But Cao Cao knew. He realized the extent of his son's love. And concern.
However, ambition was too great.
Greater, even, than compassion and loyalty.
______________________________________________
He grunted a little, bending backwards just slightly at the weight which he carried. The two soldiers who were assigned to assist the general stopped in awestruck wonder, blushing embarrassingly at the meagre pile that 'they' bore. Irritated that their progress had been hampered, Huang Gai growled gruffly for the two to continue. Rushing almost comically to load more of their precious cargo into eight simple fishermen boats, they disappeared behind a moldy rock and soft bumps of bales of hay being loaded could be heard.
"Are the preparations ready?" A calm voice commanded suddenly.
"Lord Zhou Yu!"
Sharp hazel eyes taking in the scene from above a short precipice, Zhou Gongjin merely replied, "Hurry. We must not fail." Almost to himself, the famed general added, "We must hold out for the Southeastern Winds. Victory will be Wu's, never Shu. Never…"
Huang Gai turned back to his duty with respectful silence. He, of all who were closest to the Wu strategist, knew the immense hatred in which the general harbored against the Sleeping Dragon of Shu. He had never objected neither had he voiced any opinion. For he too, had secrets, and knew of the pain of keeping them.
But before his eyes could truly return to the task at hand, he caught a sight that made even the most hard-hearted of men gasp.
Atop a low cliff, with the huge full moon rising behind, Zhou Yu stared torpidly into the dark distance, his face unreadable. HE was like an angel. An avenging angel. Bathed in a furious, white lunar flame. Righteous and of the purest kind.
In response, the sea, as if paying homage too, to the beauty that was the young strategist crashed torridly against jagged rocks, spraying all with a salty cold mist. Zhou Yu…he quietly disappeared from view.
______________________________________________
Zhang Liao witnessed the clash of a comrade's unit with the unmistakable red wave of Wu. Behind, he could feel the ferocity of the battle the wind brought, a battle that inevitably involved the proud lady of Wei, Lady Zhen. But he did not offer assistance. His lord's instructions had been to defend and to guard. He would abide by his lord's commands. Nevertheless, silently, in his heart, he mentally extended them courage, and prayed for their safe being.
With the change of the wind, a lone soldier - bearing the emblem of Wu approached, fire blazing in his eyes. Soon, many others came into view, a tide of crimson abruptly crashed upon them, bent singularly on destruction. Destruction of Wei.
Assuming a battle stance, Zhang Liao's grip on his weapon tightened.
Rushing forward, he shouted, "Attack!!"
______________________________________________
Xiahou Dun was the head of the frontline armada. The front most general, and the one closest to the enemy, he held his position with amazing tranquility and command. Even as the enemy surged forward, he refused to retreat, trusting his allies instead, to defend their leader, and ultimately destroy Wu.
The hollow that was once his right eye twitched uncomfortably, and involuntarily his mind's eye drifted back to Xia Pi, when he had sacrificed part of his vision for the ambitions of his cousin. The wound that never really healed, gaping mockingly back at him whence he was alone, throbbed alarmingly then…
'The wind feels ominous…'
He could sense the coming of something important. Something he would have missed should he leave his post and joined the others in their fight. Something…
'Luck will only hold out for so long,' he reminded himself.
Xiahou Dun believed in luck and intuition.
He waited.
______________________________________________
"Men, we shall protect Huang Gai! The mission must not fail! We will not disappoint General Zhou Yu."
Disengaging from meaningless battle, Cheng Pu and the elite of his guards hastened to enemy grounds.
______________________________________________
Zhang He was a spectacular figure that struck a chord on whoever who had the opportunity to watch him in battle. A tiger in his element, he dashed and twirled with such grace, one would have thought the warrior a dancer, and the battle a folly - for all the elegance and ease he portrayed. Weaving seamlessly amidst the hot press of bodies, the enemy too did not know what hit them until too late, they realized the unfamiliar hot pain of the kill and the gradual darkness of death. Indeed, for Zhang Junyi, his beloved phoenix claws were his tools for craftsmanship and the battlegrounds his stage. And he…he was the maker, the performer, the artist, the hunter.
However, at that very moment, Zhang Junyi was merely…annoyed. The hordes of soldiers that attacked was quickly countered and slaughtered though they put forth valiant resistance; but honestly, it was getting monotonous; and a little worrying. The strategist of Wu was not one known for sitting idly while his people died for their trust and fidelity.
Defending against an ill-timed attack, Zhang He quickly disposed of three soldiers with a quick swipe of his claws. Inevitably, an image of a purple clad man came into his mind, and panicking slightly, he swept the memory aside and mentally chastised the willingness of diversion. Snarling distractedly, he hissed, "Not beautiful enough…" Another four fell easily to his blades. And many soon followed.
______________________________________________
Sima Yi had not gone into war, ordered by Lord Cao Pi to stay in camp instead. From far off, he heard the cries of fevered frenzy and fallen men.
'So…the battle has begun…'
~~~~~
I just couldn't help putting that last bit of Sima Yi at the end. Cause, actually, the chapter was supposed to end with that final part with Zhang He in it. ^^;
And though I might seem the ungrateful brat, all reviews - good or bad - are taken to heart. I really love what anyone has to say, and what HAS been said seriously contributes into what goes into the next chapter. Yay! You guys rule!! *ahem*So, thank you very much… ^^
But right now, feeling…tired…need sleep…Zzz
The Battle of Chi Bi
The steady beat of the battle drums vibrated angrily through the mountains, echoing fiercely, as if the mighty lords of earth and stone had rumbled grouchily from slumber. Quickly the war cry of the drums pulsated deeper, faster; and with a last fleeting regret - of the possibility of not being able to return - the warriors of Wei surged forward, resolved and determined, as the army of Wu, too, rushed to meet the wave.
Zhang He felt the heat of the battle flowing through the ground to the balls of his feet, and unconsciously, he dug the soft white kid soles deeper into the dark dirty earth. He could feel the rage of the battle, touch the intensity that was the singular purpose of destroying the enemy, taste the sweetness of war. Closing his eyes, he gently flexed his fingers partially hidden under seemingly heavy, deadly gold claws and exhaled a serene sigh slowly. Then, in a battle stance that many famed as chilling yet beautifully, he executed an elegant sweep to the south, commanding in lethal calm tones, "Attack."
With surprising grace, possessed only by those under the command of the notorious General Zhang Junyi, in disciplined order they ran to meet the enemy. In fearlessness. And in pride.
______________________________________________
The Caos - siblings, cousins, and leader - gathered quietly atop the pedestal of the main battleship, gazing thoughtfully upon the chaos that had ensued, each in silent contemplation. Cao Cao took a step forward - a sign that brought each Cao kneeling before their leader. Cao Hong, nephew of Cao Cao, bowed respectfully and with a last salute of luck, rushed off to defend his station. Each, all five of them proceeded to do the same, and as it came to the last - Cao Zhang, third son of the supreme ruler of Wei - he gazed upon the hard lines that was his father's face, his gentle heart aching at the cruelty and coldness that ambition had all too knowingly carried in its tide. Then lowering his head, when the lord had said nothing, he added, sadly, "The Gods will recognize your dreams, father, and may they smile all the more with your ambition." Then he too strode off, all too aware of his role as pawn only, in the realization of the Wei goal.
What the young man did not see was the momentary flinch in his father's otherwise immovable, impassive expression. But Cao Cao knew. He realized the extent of his son's love. And concern.
However, ambition was too great.
Greater, even, than compassion and loyalty.
______________________________________________
He grunted a little, bending backwards just slightly at the weight which he carried. The two soldiers who were assigned to assist the general stopped in awestruck wonder, blushing embarrassingly at the meagre pile that 'they' bore. Irritated that their progress had been hampered, Huang Gai growled gruffly for the two to continue. Rushing almost comically to load more of their precious cargo into eight simple fishermen boats, they disappeared behind a moldy rock and soft bumps of bales of hay being loaded could be heard.
"Are the preparations ready?" A calm voice commanded suddenly.
"Lord Zhou Yu!"
Sharp hazel eyes taking in the scene from above a short precipice, Zhou Gongjin merely replied, "Hurry. We must not fail." Almost to himself, the famed general added, "We must hold out for the Southeastern Winds. Victory will be Wu's, never Shu. Never…"
Huang Gai turned back to his duty with respectful silence. He, of all who were closest to the Wu strategist, knew the immense hatred in which the general harbored against the Sleeping Dragon of Shu. He had never objected neither had he voiced any opinion. For he too, had secrets, and knew of the pain of keeping them.
But before his eyes could truly return to the task at hand, he caught a sight that made even the most hard-hearted of men gasp.
Atop a low cliff, with the huge full moon rising behind, Zhou Yu stared torpidly into the dark distance, his face unreadable. HE was like an angel. An avenging angel. Bathed in a furious, white lunar flame. Righteous and of the purest kind.
In response, the sea, as if paying homage too, to the beauty that was the young strategist crashed torridly against jagged rocks, spraying all with a salty cold mist. Zhou Yu…he quietly disappeared from view.
______________________________________________
Zhang Liao witnessed the clash of a comrade's unit with the unmistakable red wave of Wu. Behind, he could feel the ferocity of the battle the wind brought, a battle that inevitably involved the proud lady of Wei, Lady Zhen. But he did not offer assistance. His lord's instructions had been to defend and to guard. He would abide by his lord's commands. Nevertheless, silently, in his heart, he mentally extended them courage, and prayed for their safe being.
With the change of the wind, a lone soldier - bearing the emblem of Wu approached, fire blazing in his eyes. Soon, many others came into view, a tide of crimson abruptly crashed upon them, bent singularly on destruction. Destruction of Wei.
Assuming a battle stance, Zhang Liao's grip on his weapon tightened.
Rushing forward, he shouted, "Attack!!"
______________________________________________
Xiahou Dun was the head of the frontline armada. The front most general, and the one closest to the enemy, he held his position with amazing tranquility and command. Even as the enemy surged forward, he refused to retreat, trusting his allies instead, to defend their leader, and ultimately destroy Wu.
The hollow that was once his right eye twitched uncomfortably, and involuntarily his mind's eye drifted back to Xia Pi, when he had sacrificed part of his vision for the ambitions of his cousin. The wound that never really healed, gaping mockingly back at him whence he was alone, throbbed alarmingly then…
'The wind feels ominous…'
He could sense the coming of something important. Something he would have missed should he leave his post and joined the others in their fight. Something…
'Luck will only hold out for so long,' he reminded himself.
Xiahou Dun believed in luck and intuition.
He waited.
______________________________________________
"Men, we shall protect Huang Gai! The mission must not fail! We will not disappoint General Zhou Yu."
Disengaging from meaningless battle, Cheng Pu and the elite of his guards hastened to enemy grounds.
______________________________________________
Zhang He was a spectacular figure that struck a chord on whoever who had the opportunity to watch him in battle. A tiger in his element, he dashed and twirled with such grace, one would have thought the warrior a dancer, and the battle a folly - for all the elegance and ease he portrayed. Weaving seamlessly amidst the hot press of bodies, the enemy too did not know what hit them until too late, they realized the unfamiliar hot pain of the kill and the gradual darkness of death. Indeed, for Zhang Junyi, his beloved phoenix claws were his tools for craftsmanship and the battlegrounds his stage. And he…he was the maker, the performer, the artist, the hunter.
However, at that very moment, Zhang Junyi was merely…annoyed. The hordes of soldiers that attacked was quickly countered and slaughtered though they put forth valiant resistance; but honestly, it was getting monotonous; and a little worrying. The strategist of Wu was not one known for sitting idly while his people died for their trust and fidelity.
Defending against an ill-timed attack, Zhang He quickly disposed of three soldiers with a quick swipe of his claws. Inevitably, an image of a purple clad man came into his mind, and panicking slightly, he swept the memory aside and mentally chastised the willingness of diversion. Snarling distractedly, he hissed, "Not beautiful enough…" Another four fell easily to his blades. And many soon followed.
______________________________________________
Sima Yi had not gone into war, ordered by Lord Cao Pi to stay in camp instead. From far off, he heard the cries of fevered frenzy and fallen men.
'So…the battle has begun…'
~~~~~
I just couldn't help putting that last bit of Sima Yi at the end. Cause, actually, the chapter was supposed to end with that final part with Zhang He in it. ^^;
And though I might seem the ungrateful brat, all reviews - good or bad - are taken to heart. I really love what anyone has to say, and what HAS been said seriously contributes into what goes into the next chapter. Yay! You guys rule!! *ahem*So, thank you very much… ^^
But right now, feeling…tired…need sleep…Zzz