The Empire Long United
Chapter 1
The lost emperor: Song's conquest
Zima Qi paced in his room. 'Something's going to happen.' He said. Suddenly, he heard yells. 'I hate it when I'm right.' He mumbled. He burst from his room and collided with Zima Hui. 'The city's in flames! What's happening?' Zima Hui yelled. 'What I feared would happen.' Zima Qi said. 'We have to get to the emperor's chambers!' He yelled, getting up. He ran back into his room and grabbed Geomancer. 'Zima Hui pulled his sword from its sheath and followed his cousins. When they reached the emperor's chambers, they found the guards on the ground, their throats slit. 'Damn. Who could've done this?' Zima Hui said. 'A question that will be answered now.' A voice said from the room. From out of the chamber walked Ji Qian. In one hand, a sword, and in the other, the emperor's head. 'How could you do that you treacherous bastard?!' Zima Hui said, pointing his sword and Ji Qian. 'I did this because I have the power to!' Ji Qian said, holding up his sword. 'You will pay for your treachery dog!' Zima Hui said. 'Cousin. Let me handle him.' Zima Qi said. 'So you wish to be the next victim? So be it!' Ji Qian said. He made a thrust with his sword, but Zima Qi parried and knocked Ji Qian back. 'This one has some skill master!' Ji Qian said. Ji Qian struck again, and Zima Qi blocked. Their weapon's locked, and Zima Qi knew the now was the time to make his move. 'Now you die Zima Qi!' Ji Qian said. 'I think not!' Zima Qi yelled. He moved one hand to the end of Geomancer's handle and pulled a sword out. 'What?' Ji Qian stared at the sword. 'Die traitor!' Zima Qi stabbed the sword into Ji Qian, and immediately Ji Qian dropped his sword and fell down, dead. Zima Qi cut Ji Qian's head off. 'At least our emperor was avenged.' Zima Hui said. Zima Qi still held Geomancer in one hand and his sword in the other. 'It's not over yet.' Zima Qi said. 'Indeed it isn't.' A voice said. From out of the shadows, a lone figure walked. He had long white hair and steel blue eyes. He wore black armor and had a black cape flowing around him. 'You managed to kill my father, but I am still alive.' He said. 'Who are you?' Zima Hui yelled. 'I am Ji Jia. The son of Ji Qian.' He said. 'And now I am the leader of our army.' Ji Jia said. 'Like hell you are!' Zima Hui said. He charged Ji Jia, his sword drawn. 'Cousin! Don't be so foolish!' Zima Qi said, but it was too late. Zima Hui swung his sword in an attempt to kill Ji Jia. Ji Jia however just dodged. 'So slow. And you're supposed to be a descendant of the great Zima Shi?' This further enraged Zima Hui, and his attacks became sloppier. Ji Jia then pulled a sword from his sheath. 'That weapon looks familiar.' Zima Qi thought. Ji Jia made a single swing with his sword. It hit Zima Hui's sword, and Ji Jia watched in satisfaction as the sword shattered into a thousand shards. 'Ancestor Shi's sword!' Zima Hui said, shock and disbelief all over his face. 'Now you die!' Ji Jia said. Ji Jia pulled his sword back and swung downwards. Zima Hui made no effort to dodge. He simply closed his eyes and awaited the blow. He heard the attack impact, but not him. He opened his eyes to see that Zima Qi had taken the blow for him! Zima Qi fell to the ground, blood seeping out from his armor. 'Cousin! Why?' Zima Hui said, tears forming in his eyes. 'Because you have to live. I read the stars this evening and mine was doomed to fall while yours had to thrive. You must lead our people to victory over these traitors.' Zima Qi said, pain apparent in his voice. 'Cousin! Don't die! Please!' Zima Hui yelled, his tears flowing down his face. 'It's my time to die cousin. Remember to aid the new emperor and watch out for everyone.' Zima Qi said. He looked up and saw a spirit approaching. 'It's time my descendant.' The spirit said. Zima Qi grinned. 'Take me to nirvana ancestor Shao.' Zima Qi said, stretching his hand into the air. Before the spirit could reach him, Zima Qi saw a wolf's head appear. It opened its jaws and took his spirit. His arm then went limp and fell to the ground. 'Cousin! Cousin!' Zima Hui yelled. He pulled Zima Qi's body close. 'Don't leave.' He said. Ji Jia's laughing made him look up. 'Almost breaks my heart. If I had one anyway.' He said. Zima Hui picked up Geomancer. 'I shall kill you so my cousin's spirit may rest peacefully!' He yelled angrily. 'You're cousin's spirit will never rest peacefully! My sword Dark Wolf has devoured it!' Ji Jia said. Recognition flew through Zima Hui's eyes. 'Dark Wolf? The sword of evil once possessed by Xiahou Shang?' Zima Hui said. 'The one and the same!' Ji Jia said. Fear now took over Zima Hui. He ran from the room. 'You will not escape me forever!' Ji Jia said. Zima Hui ignored him and ran to the prince's chambers. He burst through the door to see the prince awake. 'Director General, what is happening? Why is the city in flames?' He asked. 'I don't have time to explain Prince Fan. Come with me!' Zima Hui lifted the boy onto his back and ran out of the palace. He saw Shu's soldiers fighting against an army dressed in black armor. 'All soldiers retreat! Escape the city!' Zima Hui said. The soldiers and generals all complied and pulled back. Zima Hui mounted a horse and, with some difficulty, escaped as well. As he rode out of the city, he stopped the horse and looked back at the burning capital. 'Damn you Ji Jia!' He said, and began to ride away.
'So what are we going to do?' Zhen Gong asked. 'We lost the capital, the emperor's dead, and the prince, Zima Qi, and Zima Hui are missing. What can we do?' she said. Son Kai rose. 'I'm going to look for them.' He pulled his spear off his back and mounted a horse. 'I may hassle Zima Hui a lot, but I'm no as cruel as to ask for his death.' Before anyone could protest, Son Kai rode out of Shu's camp. 'Zima Qi! Zima Hui! Where are you?' He yelled out. He rode for hours, not finding anything. 'Dammit. Where are they?' He said. Riding along a river, he saw a riderless horse charge by. 'A bad sign.' Son Kai kicked the horse, urging it to go faster. Down the river, he saw a man being ganged up on. 'Bandits!' Son Kai said. He set his spear and charged into the group. 'I am Son Kai of Shu!' Son Kai watched the man fall to the ground. 'I've got to kill these bandits quickly!' Son Kai dismounted and was quickly surrounded. 'Leave. We found this guy first.' The bandit leader said. 'I am a servant of Shu and will not tolerate your attacking the vulnerable.' Son Kai said. 'Alright then! Kill him!' The bandit leader lunged at Son Kai, but was swatted aside. Son Kai looked behind the bandit leader and saw a familiar face. 'Zima Hui!' Zima Hui wore an exhausted grin on his face. He thrust Geomancer past Son Kai and hit another bandit. 'You shouldn't turn your back on the enemy.' He said, falling back down. 'Thanks for the advice.' Son Kai said, turning back to the bandits. 'Prepare to die at the hands of Son Kai! The Demon of He Bei!' The bandits lost their will to fight. 'The Demon of He Bei! Run! He'll slaughter us!' The bandits took off running. Son Kai put his spear down. 'There are some advantages to being an ex-pirate hunter.' He said turning back to Zima Hui. 'Where's Zima Qi?' Son Kai asked. 'He's dead.' Zima Hui said. 'Stop lying! Not even I, the Demon of He Bei, could defeat Zima Qi! You're saying that there's a warrior greater then Zima Qi?' Zima Hui shook his head. 'Zima Qi died because of my weakness.' Son Kai looked at Zima Hui. 'What do you mean?' Zima Hui looked up, tears forming in his eyes. 'I gave up! Ji Jia shattered my sword with one stroke and I gave up! Zima Qi took the blow for me and died!' Son Kai lowered his head. 'Damn.' Zima Hui stood up. 'I managed to escape with the prince only because of his sacrifice.' Zima Hui continued. 'The prince is alive? Where is he?' Son Kai said. Zima Hui walked over towards a bush. 'Come out prince.' Zima Hui called. From the bush, the prince walked out. Son Kai bowed. 'It's good to see you alive my emperor.' He said. 'I thank for your concern Son Kai. Had you not come, I don't think Zima Hui could've held them off by himself. Being in the physical state he's in, he wouldn't have lasted for long.' Zima Hui let out a small laugh. 'For once, I'll have to agree about me not being able to do something.' Son Kai whistled and his horse came. 'We must get back to camp as quickly as we can, or those warriors will come.' Liu Fan nodded and climbed onto the horse. Suddenly, battle cries were heard. 'They're here.' Son Kai said. Zima Hui turned and saw fifty black clad warriors approaching on horses. Picking his spear up, Son Kai readied himself for battle. 'Liu Fan, head Northwest. You'll find our camp. Go and tell them.' Zima Hui said. The prince nodded and left. Zima Hui readied Geomancer. 'Now it's time to avenge my cousin!' Zima Hui said. When the first soldier came closer enough, Zima Hui slammed Geomancer into him. The soldier was sent flying into a tree. Another soldier came at Son Kai. Son Kai leapt into the air and stabbed downwards, catching the soldier in his head with his spear. One soldier leapt from his horse and tried to hit Son Kai out of the air. A short sword suddenly flew into the Soldier, and Son Kai saw that Zima Hui had thrown the sword that was hidden in Geomancer's hilt. The soldier hit the ground, and Zima Hui pulled the sword out. The two were eventually surrounded. 'What a way to go.' Zima Hui said. 'It isn't over yet, so don't start acting like it is.' Son Kai said. The soldiers all grinned. 'Time to die!' In the distance, hoof beats were heard. 'Ah. Reinforcements! You're doomed you weaklings from Shu!' One of the soldiers said. As the reinforcements got closer, Son Kai saw it was green the soldiers were wearing. 'For the glory of Liu Fan!' The warriors yelled. The soldiers in black lost their will to fight. They tried to run, but the horsemen from Shu caught up. When the melee was over, Zima Hui and Son Kai mounted two empty mounts. 'We barely survived that. We should feel lucky.' Son Kai said. Zima Hui said nothing.
Ji Jia sat in the throne room, awaiting his soldier's report. 'Sir! The group that was pursuing Zima Hui and the prince has returned in defeat.' A guard reported. Ji Jia frowned. 'Send the unit leader in.' He said. The leader walked in, trembling in fear. 'I told you to take all matter of precautions when killing him. What went wrong?' Ji Jia asked. The man shook violently. 'He had an ally with him! And enemy reinforcements arrived! We couldn't win!' Ji Jia rose. 'Pathetic excuses!' He drew Dark Wolf and slew the leader. 'It's true what they say. You can never find reliable assistance.' He muttered. He walked back towards the throne and sat down once again. 'How will I be able to expand my power without any generals?' He thought. A voice entered his head, and he silently laughed. 'I beseech you, then. Use your unholy powers and bring back what is no more!' He said. Dark Wolf glowed a sinister red, and several beams shot out. They slowly formed into bodies. Ji Jia looked at the five figures hidden in the shadows, their eyes glowing crimson. 'Now my victory is assured! This is the end for Shu! From now on, I am ruler of the Song Dynasty!'
This chapter started off on a sad note. But anyway, I feel that this was supposed to happen. Just so there's no confusion as to who is who, I'll do a character Bio or two with each chapter. Here's the first:
Name: Liu Fan Gender: Male Age: 13 Eye color: Brown Clothes: A set of crimson and green robes Face: nothing Hair: black Weapon: Non-combatant Position: Shu Emperor Decent from: Liu Chan
BIO: The son of Liu Xi, he becomes the legitimate emperor upon his father's death at the hands of Ji Qian. Ji Jia's usurpation, however, has encouraged uprisings by the provincial leaders, none of them willing to support Liu Fan. With only a handful of General's and troops, Liu Fan must now help to regain the throne that is rightfully his.
Zima Qi paced in his room. 'Something's going to happen.' He said. Suddenly, he heard yells. 'I hate it when I'm right.' He mumbled. He burst from his room and collided with Zima Hui. 'The city's in flames! What's happening?' Zima Hui yelled. 'What I feared would happen.' Zima Qi said. 'We have to get to the emperor's chambers!' He yelled, getting up. He ran back into his room and grabbed Geomancer. 'Zima Hui pulled his sword from its sheath and followed his cousins. When they reached the emperor's chambers, they found the guards on the ground, their throats slit. 'Damn. Who could've done this?' Zima Hui said. 'A question that will be answered now.' A voice said from the room. From out of the chamber walked Ji Qian. In one hand, a sword, and in the other, the emperor's head. 'How could you do that you treacherous bastard?!' Zima Hui said, pointing his sword and Ji Qian. 'I did this because I have the power to!' Ji Qian said, holding up his sword. 'You will pay for your treachery dog!' Zima Hui said. 'Cousin. Let me handle him.' Zima Qi said. 'So you wish to be the next victim? So be it!' Ji Qian said. He made a thrust with his sword, but Zima Qi parried and knocked Ji Qian back. 'This one has some skill master!' Ji Qian said. Ji Qian struck again, and Zima Qi blocked. Their weapon's locked, and Zima Qi knew the now was the time to make his move. 'Now you die Zima Qi!' Ji Qian said. 'I think not!' Zima Qi yelled. He moved one hand to the end of Geomancer's handle and pulled a sword out. 'What?' Ji Qian stared at the sword. 'Die traitor!' Zima Qi stabbed the sword into Ji Qian, and immediately Ji Qian dropped his sword and fell down, dead. Zima Qi cut Ji Qian's head off. 'At least our emperor was avenged.' Zima Hui said. Zima Qi still held Geomancer in one hand and his sword in the other. 'It's not over yet.' Zima Qi said. 'Indeed it isn't.' A voice said. From out of the shadows, a lone figure walked. He had long white hair and steel blue eyes. He wore black armor and had a black cape flowing around him. 'You managed to kill my father, but I am still alive.' He said. 'Who are you?' Zima Hui yelled. 'I am Ji Jia. The son of Ji Qian.' He said. 'And now I am the leader of our army.' Ji Jia said. 'Like hell you are!' Zima Hui said. He charged Ji Jia, his sword drawn. 'Cousin! Don't be so foolish!' Zima Qi said, but it was too late. Zima Hui swung his sword in an attempt to kill Ji Jia. Ji Jia however just dodged. 'So slow. And you're supposed to be a descendant of the great Zima Shi?' This further enraged Zima Hui, and his attacks became sloppier. Ji Jia then pulled a sword from his sheath. 'That weapon looks familiar.' Zima Qi thought. Ji Jia made a single swing with his sword. It hit Zima Hui's sword, and Ji Jia watched in satisfaction as the sword shattered into a thousand shards. 'Ancestor Shi's sword!' Zima Hui said, shock and disbelief all over his face. 'Now you die!' Ji Jia said. Ji Jia pulled his sword back and swung downwards. Zima Hui made no effort to dodge. He simply closed his eyes and awaited the blow. He heard the attack impact, but not him. He opened his eyes to see that Zima Qi had taken the blow for him! Zima Qi fell to the ground, blood seeping out from his armor. 'Cousin! Why?' Zima Hui said, tears forming in his eyes. 'Because you have to live. I read the stars this evening and mine was doomed to fall while yours had to thrive. You must lead our people to victory over these traitors.' Zima Qi said, pain apparent in his voice. 'Cousin! Don't die! Please!' Zima Hui yelled, his tears flowing down his face. 'It's my time to die cousin. Remember to aid the new emperor and watch out for everyone.' Zima Qi said. He looked up and saw a spirit approaching. 'It's time my descendant.' The spirit said. Zima Qi grinned. 'Take me to nirvana ancestor Shao.' Zima Qi said, stretching his hand into the air. Before the spirit could reach him, Zima Qi saw a wolf's head appear. It opened its jaws and took his spirit. His arm then went limp and fell to the ground. 'Cousin! Cousin!' Zima Hui yelled. He pulled Zima Qi's body close. 'Don't leave.' He said. Ji Jia's laughing made him look up. 'Almost breaks my heart. If I had one anyway.' He said. Zima Hui picked up Geomancer. 'I shall kill you so my cousin's spirit may rest peacefully!' He yelled angrily. 'You're cousin's spirit will never rest peacefully! My sword Dark Wolf has devoured it!' Ji Jia said. Recognition flew through Zima Hui's eyes. 'Dark Wolf? The sword of evil once possessed by Xiahou Shang?' Zima Hui said. 'The one and the same!' Ji Jia said. Fear now took over Zima Hui. He ran from the room. 'You will not escape me forever!' Ji Jia said. Zima Hui ignored him and ran to the prince's chambers. He burst through the door to see the prince awake. 'Director General, what is happening? Why is the city in flames?' He asked. 'I don't have time to explain Prince Fan. Come with me!' Zima Hui lifted the boy onto his back and ran out of the palace. He saw Shu's soldiers fighting against an army dressed in black armor. 'All soldiers retreat! Escape the city!' Zima Hui said. The soldiers and generals all complied and pulled back. Zima Hui mounted a horse and, with some difficulty, escaped as well. As he rode out of the city, he stopped the horse and looked back at the burning capital. 'Damn you Ji Jia!' He said, and began to ride away.
'So what are we going to do?' Zhen Gong asked. 'We lost the capital, the emperor's dead, and the prince, Zima Qi, and Zima Hui are missing. What can we do?' she said. Son Kai rose. 'I'm going to look for them.' He pulled his spear off his back and mounted a horse. 'I may hassle Zima Hui a lot, but I'm no as cruel as to ask for his death.' Before anyone could protest, Son Kai rode out of Shu's camp. 'Zima Qi! Zima Hui! Where are you?' He yelled out. He rode for hours, not finding anything. 'Dammit. Where are they?' He said. Riding along a river, he saw a riderless horse charge by. 'A bad sign.' Son Kai kicked the horse, urging it to go faster. Down the river, he saw a man being ganged up on. 'Bandits!' Son Kai said. He set his spear and charged into the group. 'I am Son Kai of Shu!' Son Kai watched the man fall to the ground. 'I've got to kill these bandits quickly!' Son Kai dismounted and was quickly surrounded. 'Leave. We found this guy first.' The bandit leader said. 'I am a servant of Shu and will not tolerate your attacking the vulnerable.' Son Kai said. 'Alright then! Kill him!' The bandit leader lunged at Son Kai, but was swatted aside. Son Kai looked behind the bandit leader and saw a familiar face. 'Zima Hui!' Zima Hui wore an exhausted grin on his face. He thrust Geomancer past Son Kai and hit another bandit. 'You shouldn't turn your back on the enemy.' He said, falling back down. 'Thanks for the advice.' Son Kai said, turning back to the bandits. 'Prepare to die at the hands of Son Kai! The Demon of He Bei!' The bandits lost their will to fight. 'The Demon of He Bei! Run! He'll slaughter us!' The bandits took off running. Son Kai put his spear down. 'There are some advantages to being an ex-pirate hunter.' He said turning back to Zima Hui. 'Where's Zima Qi?' Son Kai asked. 'He's dead.' Zima Hui said. 'Stop lying! Not even I, the Demon of He Bei, could defeat Zima Qi! You're saying that there's a warrior greater then Zima Qi?' Zima Hui shook his head. 'Zima Qi died because of my weakness.' Son Kai looked at Zima Hui. 'What do you mean?' Zima Hui looked up, tears forming in his eyes. 'I gave up! Ji Jia shattered my sword with one stroke and I gave up! Zima Qi took the blow for me and died!' Son Kai lowered his head. 'Damn.' Zima Hui stood up. 'I managed to escape with the prince only because of his sacrifice.' Zima Hui continued. 'The prince is alive? Where is he?' Son Kai said. Zima Hui walked over towards a bush. 'Come out prince.' Zima Hui called. From the bush, the prince walked out. Son Kai bowed. 'It's good to see you alive my emperor.' He said. 'I thank for your concern Son Kai. Had you not come, I don't think Zima Hui could've held them off by himself. Being in the physical state he's in, he wouldn't have lasted for long.' Zima Hui let out a small laugh. 'For once, I'll have to agree about me not being able to do something.' Son Kai whistled and his horse came. 'We must get back to camp as quickly as we can, or those warriors will come.' Liu Fan nodded and climbed onto the horse. Suddenly, battle cries were heard. 'They're here.' Son Kai said. Zima Hui turned and saw fifty black clad warriors approaching on horses. Picking his spear up, Son Kai readied himself for battle. 'Liu Fan, head Northwest. You'll find our camp. Go and tell them.' Zima Hui said. The prince nodded and left. Zima Hui readied Geomancer. 'Now it's time to avenge my cousin!' Zima Hui said. When the first soldier came closer enough, Zima Hui slammed Geomancer into him. The soldier was sent flying into a tree. Another soldier came at Son Kai. Son Kai leapt into the air and stabbed downwards, catching the soldier in his head with his spear. One soldier leapt from his horse and tried to hit Son Kai out of the air. A short sword suddenly flew into the Soldier, and Son Kai saw that Zima Hui had thrown the sword that was hidden in Geomancer's hilt. The soldier hit the ground, and Zima Hui pulled the sword out. The two were eventually surrounded. 'What a way to go.' Zima Hui said. 'It isn't over yet, so don't start acting like it is.' Son Kai said. The soldiers all grinned. 'Time to die!' In the distance, hoof beats were heard. 'Ah. Reinforcements! You're doomed you weaklings from Shu!' One of the soldiers said. As the reinforcements got closer, Son Kai saw it was green the soldiers were wearing. 'For the glory of Liu Fan!' The warriors yelled. The soldiers in black lost their will to fight. They tried to run, but the horsemen from Shu caught up. When the melee was over, Zima Hui and Son Kai mounted two empty mounts. 'We barely survived that. We should feel lucky.' Son Kai said. Zima Hui said nothing.
Ji Jia sat in the throne room, awaiting his soldier's report. 'Sir! The group that was pursuing Zima Hui and the prince has returned in defeat.' A guard reported. Ji Jia frowned. 'Send the unit leader in.' He said. The leader walked in, trembling in fear. 'I told you to take all matter of precautions when killing him. What went wrong?' Ji Jia asked. The man shook violently. 'He had an ally with him! And enemy reinforcements arrived! We couldn't win!' Ji Jia rose. 'Pathetic excuses!' He drew Dark Wolf and slew the leader. 'It's true what they say. You can never find reliable assistance.' He muttered. He walked back towards the throne and sat down once again. 'How will I be able to expand my power without any generals?' He thought. A voice entered his head, and he silently laughed. 'I beseech you, then. Use your unholy powers and bring back what is no more!' He said. Dark Wolf glowed a sinister red, and several beams shot out. They slowly formed into bodies. Ji Jia looked at the five figures hidden in the shadows, their eyes glowing crimson. 'Now my victory is assured! This is the end for Shu! From now on, I am ruler of the Song Dynasty!'
This chapter started off on a sad note. But anyway, I feel that this was supposed to happen. Just so there's no confusion as to who is who, I'll do a character Bio or two with each chapter. Here's the first:
Name: Liu Fan Gender: Male Age: 13 Eye color: Brown Clothes: A set of crimson and green robes Face: nothing Hair: black Weapon: Non-combatant Position: Shu Emperor Decent from: Liu Chan
BIO: The son of Liu Xi, he becomes the legitimate emperor upon his father's death at the hands of Ji Qian. Ji Jia's usurpation, however, has encouraged uprisings by the provincial leaders, none of them willing to support Liu Fan. With only a handful of General's and troops, Liu Fan must now help to regain the throne that is rightfully his.