Author's Note: It's a little shorter than Chapter One, but man what an ending!
Chapter Two: The Vorpal Claws
Zhuge Liang looks over the battlefield as his warriors hurried to put out yet another fire Cao Cao's forces started. He turned to his right as the sound of a battle cry rose up. A surprise assault group broke through the defenses and started to make a dash for Zhuge Liang. The man held up his war fan and readied himself for his final battle.
Suddenly a shining figure rushed through the Wei troops. They paused, confused as to what just happened. Lightening ripped through their ranks and sent warriors flying.
Zhuge Liang ducked as dirt flew into the air. He looked up and saw a shiny green light surrounding a woman. The light faded slightly and revealed his love.
"Yue Ying! You return in the darkest hour as the brightest light!" Zhuge Liang called out to the Lady of Shu.
Yue Ying smiled softly to her superior and love, "My dear, even in the midst of terrible danger you still manage to say overly poetic words?"
"I am only inspired by your shiny visage."
"Right," Yue Ying then griped the Horizon and turned back to battle, "I have acquired the Orb of Lightning. The East flank is already clear of warriors. We can begin to retreat through there while I help to hold them back."
Zhuge Liang suddenly stopped in surprise, "You've defeated all of them?"
"They are all dead or unconscious," with that Yue Ying rushed off.
"Well..."
Yue Ying smiled and the air crackled around her. The Lightning Orb charged her whole body. She could feel the power of the sky calling to her to strike down her foes. And she wanted to.
Her blade rose and fell and the Wei troops collapsed. She looked about and saw no troops in the area near her. She saw Zhuge Liang and his remaining bodyguards rescue the last group of soldiers and begin the final retreat out. A dark shape floated along quietly behind them. Yue Ying narrowed her eyes to see what the shape was. Recognition dawned in her eyes and she charged.
Getting closer she was sure of the silent attacker, Zhang He.
"It is time, elder," Zhang He said mockingly as he leaped into the middle of the group, "To feel the wrath of a power beyond this realm!"
The Wei officer suddenly crackled with dark purple energy. For some reason his usually long hair now was barely shoulder length and clumped together in sweat. He sneered wickedly and slashed a guard down in one blow. Some of the soldiers suddenly bolted in pure terror.
"Zhuge Liang!" Yue Ying yelled in fear. What was this power Zhang He had that filled even her with dread? Could he have one of the orbs as well?
"I do not fear you," Zhuge Liang told his foe.
"You should."
Yue Ying pushed her legs and sped up the last few metres, but it was too late. Zhang He's claws slashed through the war fan and sealed Zhuge Liang's fate. The strategist fell to the ground. He was pinned to the earth by the deadly Wei officer's golden claws.
Yue Ying's world seemed to slow down. She let lose a scream of rage and loss. The sudden outburst surprised the Zhang He and he leaped away. He held up his weapons and struck a dramatic pose. The air hissed with sinister power. Yue Ying replied with a crackle of her own power.
"So!" Zhang He said in almost a friendly tone, "You pose an Orb as well? How nice for you."
"If you wish, I can show you more or it," Yue Ying's tone dripped with venom and threat. She screamed and lunged at him. Their weapons locked together. One stared with hate and battle fury and received sneering amusement.
"ue.... Ying," a small weak voice called out to Yue Ying and she suddenly broke the test of wills. Zhang He smirked and bowed.
"Perhaps another day, my dear," with words ironically echoing the man he had just destroyed Zhang He rushed off.
Yue Ying glared at the retreating figure and then remembered the voice. She knelt down by her love and looked into his fading eyes, "Zhuge Liang!"
"Protect.... the kingdom..." the strategist coughed out, "and..."
Yue Ying held her husband's hand for what she knew would be the last time. Whatever power Zhang He used to strike her love down, there was nothing to stop it. Her eyes filled with tears and they slowly dropped onto his red stained robes.
"I.... love....you."
Yue Ying stood dressed all in white as the funeral procession marched along the road. She looked at the group of men carrying the casket draped in white. She suddenly stopped and bowed her head, overcome with emotion. The other mourners passed by her silently. She felt Jiang Wei's presence for a few minutes, but eventually he too walked away.
"I am alone now, Zhuge Liang, but I have the power to change the world," She held out her arms and the sky rumbled with her fury.
By the way, this was written for anyone who ever hated that fan-welding fiend. Who knows what the next chapters hold! Yue Ying seeks revenge and another Orb is uncovered.
