Dynasty Warriors : Rise of the Wang Empire

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Death's Head -      I do not own Dynasty Warriors 3. Koei and THQ have that honour. All I own is a copy of Dynasty Warriors 2 and 3. This is my first Dynasty Warriors fanfic. Read and enjoy, or else Meng Huo and his elephant horde will trample on you.

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Within the boundaries of Wu territory :

The small unit of soldiers made their way pass an old and crumbling fortress, heading towards the capital of one of their foremost enemies, and in other times, ally. Zhen Ji sighed as she leaned back in her saddle and looked over her troops. Cao Cao had given her a hundred men and women, standard amount of troops, one would lead when on a diplomatic mission. Her second officer, Commander Wong Zhu, rode her horse up to her leader.

"Lady Zhen Ji, our scouts have returned and have some… news…"

Zhen Ji raised an eyebrow.

"News? What sort of news?"

Wong Zhu looked back at the two scouts, then her superior.

"A village ahead of us, has been… to use the words they did, razed and burned to the ground. The villagers were… were…"

Zhen Ji looked at Wong Zhu, her eyes unwavering.

"Were what?"

Wong Zhu swallowed.

"Hung out on stakes. Limbs torn from their bodies and laid among them, in a parody of human form. Blood all over the main street, as well as on the buildings." She paused "I'd hazard a guess, that whoever attacked our provinces, has attacked here. Quite recent, judging from the reports."

Zhen Ji nodded.

"Have the troops make haste to this village. Perhaps we can find something, to identify these attackers."

Wong Zhu bowed.

"By your leave, my lady." She turned and faced her commanders "Ready the troops! We leave now!"

The hundred strong troop, made ready, and were soon on their way to the village.

Meanwhile, in Shu territory :

Xiahou Dun knelt next to the bloodied and broken form of a young child, it's head looked as if it had been forcibly removed, and violently, from the child, while he was still alive. He stood on his feet and turned his gaze over the small convoy. His cousin, Xiahou Yuan, looked back over his shoulder at him, and shook his head. Xiahou Dun knew how his cousin felt, as he was experiencing the same feelings.

The night before, with camp set, Xiahou Dun and his cousin, were sitting in Dun's tent, when his guards entered, with a young girl. The girl was covered with wounds and dirt, but it was her eyes which attracted Xiahou Dun. Eyes, which had seen unspeakable horror, something so terrifying, it had almost driven the girl insane. After having half of his troop stay behind to pack the camp up, Xiahou Dun and Xiahou Yuan, led the rest of the force towards the convoy, hoping against hope, they were alive.

They had ridden hard all night, and on dawn's light, came across the convoy's remains. Fifty people, brutally murdered and arranged in piles shaped like ziggurats. Xiahou Yuan had vomited upon seeing the sight before him, as Xiahou Dun rode his horse closer.

The one eyed general noticed one of the villagers had a broken sword in his hand, and after looking at what remained of the sword, saw nothing to indicate a fight had taken place. No blood of whoever the villager had been fighting. Not surprising really, considering their attackers were probably the same force, which had raided Wei territories recently.

**But still,** he thought **even against all odds, a number of villagers this size, should've at least killed some of their attackers, but there's no bodies here.**

His cousin walked over to him.

"Cousin, in all of my years of fighting, I've never come across anything like this."

Xiahou Dun nodded.

"I agree. Even in the months before the Yellow Turbans were defeated, their were no reports of such savage attacks like these. Villagers died a lot then, yes, but not like this." He looked over at what appeared to be the remains of two girls "Not like this."

Xiahou Yuan spoke.

"What should we do?"

Xiahou Dun  sighed.

"We bury the dead. It is the least we can do for them.

Xiahou Yuan nodded.

"It is cousin."

Five hours later, the Wei warriors had completed the grisly task, but not before their remaining force caught up with them, and the young girl with them, saw her family and friends. Xiahou Dun took her, and afterwards, set about on their way towards the Shu capital, the girl riding with Xiahou Dun.

On their way, one of the scouts rode back. He got off of his horse and knelt in front of his lords.

"My lords. We have sighted a battle weary warrior, making his way towards the capital. What are your orders?"

Xiahou Dun wasted no time in handing the girl to his cousin.

"Take me to him. Yuan, take the rest of the force and continue towards the capital. My bodyguards and myself shall investigate."

Xiahou Yuan dipped his head in acknowledgement.

"As you wish cousin. Good luck."

Xiahou Dun nodded, as the scout mounted his horse, and led Xiahou Dun and his contingent of ten bodyguards, towards the other scout.

As they rode, Xiahou Dun frowned. From what he has seen in regards to the recent attacks, whoever had led the attacks, was one with no human emotion or feeling. A monster in human form. He just hoped, that the solider, his scouts had sighted, had information in regards to these attacks. Also, that Liu Bei would accept his lord, Cao Cao, as an ally in what was shaping up to look like a full fledge war.

He paused. He also hoped Zhen Ji and her troop were successful in their own mission.

Another thought entered his mind. He just hoped Zhen Ji was alright.

**Zhen Ji, who had better survive and be fine. Or else…**

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Death's Head -      I felt the need to write some more of this story, so I did. I apologise if it's not up to par with the earlier chapters, but I hope you understand why it isn't. I know I said, that Zhen Ji and Xiahou Dun were NOT getting together in this story, but in hindsight, I am thinking about MAYBE putting them together. I still don't know, but for all you Zhen Ji/Xiahou Dun fans, who knows. Maybe constantly praying for it, or perhaps a nice big bag of money sent to me may make it a reality. LOL Just kidding. Looks like I still have my humour, yes? R&R please.