Death's Head - Disclaimer time… I don't own Dynasty Warriors 4. Koei does. I do however own a copy of the game, and soon Dynasty Warriors 4 Extreme Legends, as well as copies of the 2nd and 3rd installments of this series. This is my first DW4 story, so please bear with me.
This story is based on Dynasty Warriors 4, specifically it's edit officer option. Yes, this is a story with Original characters in it, interacting with the officers of each main force. There's going to be two original characters in this story, which I own both of them. The first officer is a Wu warrior called Shao Kang, and the second is his younger sister, Seung Mai.
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Chapter Four :
On the banks of the Chi Bi :
Shao Kang sighed as he leaned against the tree, as he watched Zhou Tai and Gan Ning spar. He had only recently been assigned under the command of Wu strategist, Zhou Yu. From what he had managed to learn, the Shu lord, Liu Bei would soon arrive and then the preparations for the fight against Cao Cao at Chi Bi would be complete. Ever since Sun Ce had Shao Kang join him, the young Wu warrior had fought faithfully for the Wu force. Even when Sun Ce passed away, and Sun Quan stepped up as new Wu lord, Shao Kang was still fighting for Wu. Now, at the age of nineteen, Shao Kang was a respected warrior.
He glanced up from his daydreaming as Gan Ning fell to the ground, his sword at Shao Kang's feet. The former pirate glared at the quiet and stoic Zhou Tai.
"Dammit! That was an unfair move Tai!"
Zhou Tai grunted as he sheathed his weapon, Dusk.
"Practice harder."
With that said, Zhou Tai turned and walked off, leaving Gan Ning sitting on the ground. Shao Kang smiled as he helped the former pirate to his feet.
"Give it up Ning, you won't be able to beat Tai."
Gan Ning grunted as he accepted his weapon, Sea Master, from Shao Kang.
"What about you then Kang? You've beaten tall, dark and quiet."
Shao Kang chuckled.
"That was just blind luck Ning."
A voice spoke from behind them.
"The line between luck and skill, can often overlap. You, Shao Kang, have tremendous skill. I know now why you were accepted into the imperial army."
Shao Kang and Gan Ning turned and faced the speaker. The Wu strategist, Zhou Yu stepped forward. Gan Ning nodded in agreement with Zhou Yu.
"I agree with him. You are skilled."
Shao Kang sighed.
"That's what… Zhang Liao even said." He shrugged "still, that was in the past."
Zhou Yu looked at the young warrior.
"Never discount the past. That is how we learn the present and gain a glimpse of the future."
Gan Ning rolled his eyes.
"Whatever. I need a drink. Later."
As Gan Ning wandered off, Zhou Yu chuckled and shook his head.
"Gan Ning will never change. Probably one thing I find… 'refreshing' about him."
Shao Kang smiled.
"Personally, I think he's a good warrior, one you can count on to back you up in a fight."
Zhou Yu nodded.
"That is true. In any event, I have a mission for you Shao Kang. We've received reports of a Wei strike force heading towards us, along the old mountain trails. I would like you to take three archer units, as well as your own bodyguards, and to observe them. Do not attack them. Send a scout back here, and I'll organise some reinforcements for you."
Shao Kang sighed.
"As you command my lord."
Shao Kang bowed to Zhou Yu, then turned and headed off. Zhou Yu turned and bumped into Huang Gai.
"Are you ready?"
Huang Gai nodded.
"I am."
Zhou Yu nodded as two Wu warriors appeared and bound Huang Gai and led him away. Zhou Yu turned and watched Shao Kang, lead his troop off towards the mountain trail. He motioned for one of his soldiers.
"My lord?"
"Have six units of Elite Troops and three Rider units follow Shao Kang, with orders to assist him at all costs in his mission."
The soldier bowed.
"Understood my lord."
As the soldier ran off Zhou Yu turned his gaze onto the bay, looking over the ships all docked.
"This plan will succeed, even if we have to make a deal with the devil, Zhuge Liang."
Shao Kang knelt behind the boulder, as his two of his archer units settled into their places on the opposite side of the trail. The remaining unit was providing support for Shao Kang and his four bodyguards. One of the female bodyguards knelt next to Shao Kang.
"My lord, is this wise?"
Shao Kang snorted as he sat on the ground, his back leaning against the boulder.
"No, it isn't. Unfortunately, there's nothing we can do about it Sun Li. Just sit back and prepare yourself for what could be our last fight."
Sun Li smiled as she looked at Shao Kang.
"My lord, you say that every time we go into battle. Yet, we're still here. You as well as your four bodyguards."
The other three bodyguards, Luo Li, Mei Mei and Li Li all nodded in agreement with Sun Li. Shao Kang chuckled.
"True. So what say we make sure that the five of us survive this, and all other battles to come, until we're all old."
Li Li chuckled.
"I'm guessing the four of us will still be your bodyguards by then?"
Mei Mei smiled.
"And would that be a bad thing, Li Li?"
Li Li paled, then blushed bright red. She then started to fidget with her bow, causing Mei Mei to laugh softly, as she put her arm around Li Li's shoulders.
"Don't worry Li Li, we're just teasing. Besides, we all know that we're all probably going to die in battle one of these days. Why not have as much fun, and enjoy life, while we're still young and still alive."
Before Li Li could comment, the sounds of horses and troops could be heard. Shao Kang and his bodyguards looked onto the trail from their vantage point, and saw the Wei strike force. Six Wei officers on horses, were leading the troop along the trail, one of them Shao Kang recognised instantly.
"So that's the path he chose for himself…"
Sun Li looked at him.
"My lord?"
Shao Kang knocked an arrow into his bow.
"One of those officers… Zhang Liao, my former mentor and lord."
Sun Li looked at the other three women, and raised her own bow. The three archer units did likewise, waiting for the signal from Shao Kang.
On the trail, Zhang Liao was glancing along the trail's edge, and even onto the bushy embankment. This was, to him, an ideal location for an ambush. Xiahou Dun, Xiahou Yuan, Zhen Ji, Zhang He and Sima Yi were all at the front of the troop, along with himself, and he felt… exposed.
Zhen Ji looked at him.
"Liao? Is everything alright?"
Zhang Liao shook his head.
"No. This is wrong Ji. I have a feeling… one I've not felt since…"
Just then an arrow struck the ground in front of his horse, causing it to rear onto it's hind legs, almost threatening to throw Zhang Liao from the saddle. However, he had maintained his grip on the reins and saddle, and glared towards the bush. The other officers drew their weapons, except for Sima Yi and Zhang He, who exchanged devious glances. Sima Yi smiled slyly as he spoke.
"Zhang Liao, you and Zhen Ji must continue ahead. The rest of us will return to Cao Cao."
With that said, Sima Yi turned and spurred his horse back along the trail. Zhang He glanced at the two Xiahou's.
"Come along gentlemen. Remember, what Lord Sima Yi says, is an order from Lord Cao Cao."
As Zhang He rode after Sima Yi, Xiahou Yuan and Xiahou Dun looked at each other, then faced Zhang Liao and Zhen Ji.
"Damn! This is the beginning of his plan Dun! What do we do?"
Xiahou Dun frowned.
"I could care less about Sima Yi, and his orders! We're going…"
Zhang Liao stopped Dun, his gaze surveying the rocky valley.
"Dun, you and Yuan must return to Lord Cao Cao, and warn him. Wu appears to be ready for the attack at Chi Bi. Zhen Ji and myself shall endeavour to find out what sort opposition we'll be facing."
Yuan frowned.
"But…"
Zhen Ji hissed as an arrow narrowly missed hitting her.
"No time to argue! Go!"
Yuan and Dun looked at each other and nodded. Dun pulled back on the reins of his horse as he looked at his two friends.
"Alright, we'll go. But the two of you had better return."
Zhang Liao grunted as he deflected another arrow, Gold Wyvern held ready.
"Have no fear, you'll see us again."
The brothers Xiahou both rode off, their troops with them. Zhen Ji and Zhang Liao had their troop get off the road and take cover behind some boulders and trees, as arrows continued to rain onto them. The two Wei officers looked between arrow volleys, at the direction their attackers were. Zhang Liao hissed.
"Damn, we're pinned down. If we move, we're sitting ducks."
Zhen Ji hefted her Dark Moon Flute and stood. Zhang Liao looked at her.
"What are you doing!? Get down!"
Zhen Ji shook her head and walked out onto the mountain path, her gaze on the boulder on the right side. She had already decided that the leader for their attackers, was behind that particular boulder. She intended to play a requiem for their attackers.
"Do you have the courage to face me? Or are you a coward who attacks from afar?"
Behind the boulder, Sun Li aimed an arrow directly at Zhen Ji.
"Just a little closer and…"
Shao Kang shook his head.
"No, I'll deal with this myself."
The four Wu bodyguards all looked at their lord, looks of shock on their faces. Sun Li spoke to her lord.
"My lord, you mustn't put yourself in danger!"
Shao Kang stood and drew his sword, the Phoenix Tail. He faced the Wei officer.
"A coward eh?" he leaped from the ledge he was standing on and landed on the path, 10 feet from Zhen Ji "I've been called worse by my enemies, but not from one such as you."
Zhen Ji studied her opponent, her weapon lightly tapping her thigh.
" 'A true warrior fights their foe with their own weapons, face to face…' "
Shao Kang finished her sentence.
" 'While weaklings and cowards attack from afar or with others.' I know the person who taught me that warriors adage as well." He kept his sword low, the tip tracing the ground "Now, what would you like to do?"
Zhen Ji smiled, then threw herself into battle. Shao Kang side stepped Zhen Ji's initial attack and slapped her on the backside with the flat of his sword. Zhen Ji gasped and faced Shao Kang, anger on her face. The Wu warrior smiled as he kept his distance.
"Nice lunge."
Zhan Ji hissed and attacked with three quick swings of her weapon, followed with a thrust kick, which caught Shao Kang and sent him backwards a few feet. He smiled and saluted her with his sword.
"Hmm, you're good."
Meanwhile, Zhang Liao was trying to lead his troop to the top of the ravine, when he noticed the fight between Zhen Ji and the Wu officer. He was impressed with the way Zhen Ji handled herself, but it was the Wu officer which drew his attention.
"That fighting style… I've seen that before, but where?"
One of his soldiers called out to him, pointing in the direction of the Wu main camp. Zhang Liao frowned as he saw the cloud of dust fast approaching. He cursed and looked at his troops.
"We leave now! Wu reinforcements are coming!"
As the Wei soldiers retreated, Zhang Liao called out to Zhen Ji to break off the duel. Zhen Ji and her opponent were too preoccupied with their duel, their weapons locked together. Zhen Ji stared into her opponent's face.
"You're… not a bad… warrior… yourself…"
Shao Kang grunted his reply.
"You're not so… bad yourself…"
It was then the Wu reinforcements arrived, Shao Kang's bodyguard detail and the troops under his command left their locations and made their way down to the path. The Wu force was still some distance away as Zhen Ji looked around her, caution in her eyes. Shao Kang spoke in a soft tone to her, so only she would hear him.
"Run."
Zhen Ji looked at him, suspicion on her face.
"What?"
Shao Kang chuckled.
"I can't take you back to camp as a prisoner. If I did, well, let's no go near that possibility." He relaxed his stance "I'm giving you the opportunity to return to your lord, unscathed Zhen Ji. I'm not sure Lord Sun Quan would allow you to leave from the camp."
Zhen Ji frowned.
"Why are you doing this?"
He smiled.
"Because you deserve better than a life of war." He hissed "Now GO!"
Zhen Ji swallowed, then twisted the angle of her weapon, breaking the weaponlock. She then executed her thrust kick, her foot hitting Shao Kang in his abdomen, hurling him backwards. She turned and ran back down the path, to where she could see Zhang Liao, his bow drawn, firing arrows to dissuade any pursuit. She climbed into the saddle of her horse, and both Wei officers rode off at a fast gallop.
Zhang Liao looked at Zhen Ji.
"What happened back there?"
Zhen Ji glanced back over her shoulder, were she could see her opponent getting to his feet, watching her leave.
"He let me go."
Zhang Liao raised an eyebrow.
"He let you go?"
Zhen Ji nodded.
"Yes, he let me go."
As the two Wei officers rode off, Shao Kang sheathed his sword and folded his arms across his chest, as his bodyguards ran up to him. Sun Li looked at him.
"Lord, what happened?"
Shao Kang's face was unreadable.
"Nothing happened."
Mei Mei frowned.
"Lord Kang, you know you can trust the four of us. We won't tell anyone anything, even Lord Sun Quan himself!"
Li Li nodded.
"We follow your orders, and your orders alone."
Shao Kang faced them.
"I'll explain later. For now, we had better return to camp. Zhou Yu will want to know what transpired here."
Shao Kang turned on his heel and hailed down the troops Zhou Yu had sent to aid him. Sun Li looked down the path, her brow knitted in thought.
That woman… what did she do to my lord? One way or the other, I will find out.
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Death's Head - Hey all. Sorry about the late update. Been busy with other projects. This story is coming along alright, as I've got a lot of ideas planned for it, concerning Shao Kang, his sister Seung Mai as well as others. Also, the names of the female bodyguards of Shao Kang's, were ones I 'borrowed' from the 'edit bodyguard' function in DW4. He only has four of them, while his sister has four as well. She'll be appearing in the next chapter as the battle of Chi Bi gets underway, and I have some more surprises in store as well. R&R please.