Chapter 6

"The rebellion had only become more vicious as time passes, and we do not even know what sort of magic tricks do that old man had under his sleeves!" A voice bellowed across the room, where the participants of the gathering only remained still toward the forceful influence from the Lord of the northern territories, dressed handsomely in the signature color of their kingdom as cobalt streaks of pattern were only neatly woven onto the clothing. Worn proudly, was his red shoulder armor, glistening within the guttering candles that had lit the enormous room under the treacherous night.

The Lord of Wei only held an impatience gleam in his ambitious eyes as he stood upon assembly of the alliance, glaring at all of them, especially one man that stood strong against his glare. He stood there, impervious under the prideful onyx eyes.

"Liu Bei, what do you say? Had that Zhuge Liang found anything yet?" Almost as if his respects were to none, Cao Cao splattered rudely toward the Lord of Virtue, gaining his pride in his heart. A quick glance was immediately exchanged between the Lord of Shu and the apprentice of his Prime Minister, as news had not yet arrive toward the lord's ears.

Still standing, his cousin immediately made a fleeting look toward all the members of the coalition. Watching his lord within his singular eye, he knew better to stay within the shadows. The coalition would not last, if his cousin stood with such a prided attitude. Arousing from his seat, Xiahou Dun gently placed his armed palm on his cousin's shoulder; Cao Cao immediately became abrupt at the sudden strength that was forcing the Lord of Wei onto his seat.

"Do not become too excited, Mengde." The blinded general murmured toward the ambitious lord as he settled down on his position. Knowing that he had indeed acted rashly, Cao Cao gave a careful nod toward his single-eyed cousin; he silently assured that he would not become enraged with the discussion.

Liu Bei gave a small mental sigh, as his shoulders only slumped slightly at the hastiness that the grand lord had, who was once the Prime Minister of the Han Dynasty, which had now crumpled under the kingdoms' might.

"Lord Zhuge Liang still hasn't found anything relating to rebel, Zhang Jiao or Lord Zhao Yun's sudden disappearance." Beside his determined liege, Xiahou Yuan only grunted at the virtuous lord's reply, as a smug feature crossed the master of archery's eyes. Allowing himself for once to smirk at the lord, he senselessly mocked the Lord of Shu, almost as if he had became Cao Cao's enemy.

"Ha! I bet that trusty officer of yours is related to all that is happening now!" Xiahou Yuan grunted a small laugh that had escaped his throat, "And I bet that Zhuge Liang is too!"

"Yuan!" Xiahou Dun hissed toward his cousin, however it was unheard, covered by all the mockery. The eyes of the arrogant general only smirked wildly, as his mouth continued to blurt unwelcome comments about the generals of Shu. Causing the heated glares to be sent across the room, Xiahou Yuan only started hollering his laughter. The generals from the silent Wu became aroused by the archer's rude remarks, wanting to expel the general from the assembly meeting to cease the interruptions.

"Lies!" Jiang Wei bellowed at the master archer, as he ascended from his position, alarming his lord greatly at this course of action. His patience only became sapped by Xiahou Yuan's discourteous manners, and his eyes only arched with mild anger as he watched the Wei general only grunted arrogantly at the strategist.

"What? Failed to admit the truth of YOUR Prime Minister, traitor?" Every word that had slipped from the tip of Yuan's tongue was filled with venom on their tips, aiming for Boyue's soul. Undoubtedly, his words pierced into Jiang Wei's mind, only bringing the strategist's mind closer to the brink for rage.

Trying to regain his calm composure, his hands only held a death grip on themselves as the knuckles turned ghostly white. Seeing the shaking fist of the Warrior of Tian Shui, fear trembled down Sun Ce's spine. The enigmatic lord of Wu only sent a nervous gaze toward his strategist, Zhou Yu, almost as if he was silently pleading to have his brother think of a way to stop either of them. It was only replied with a small shook from Zhou Yu's features, breaking Sun Ce's hope on keeping the coalition stable.

"And you? What had you done during this rebellion? Our Prime Minister had worked his blood and soul on this! You only feasted like a pig!" At the very moment those vile words escaped the naive strategist, Xiahou Yuan's eyes only flared with anger at Boyue's remark. His form shook with irritation, perking his mind into an unreachable anger.

"Nothing?!" Yuan raged on with his words, almost as if his inner devil had possessed his thoughts, "Nothing?! Why you little weakling…"

Cao Cao's eyes only widen as the archer's rough fingers reached for his stiletto. Wishing to stop any possible injuries within Shu's ranks, his hand reached for the muscular arms of the master archer, "Yuan! This is enough!"

However, it was only a mere second the ambitious lord was late from stopping his cousin as he heaved the edged dagger toward the defenseless strategist. With precise accuracy, Jiang Wei only gazed calmly at the dagger; however the surroundings that was beyond the sights of the apprentice.

The sharpened edge of the stiletto whipped through within the next second. Almost as if its blade had caressed Jiang Wei's face, forcing the strategist to weep blood, a single droplet of blood pelted the marble floor, scattering the mere shred of crimson into a thousand of smaller rubies.

*****

Zhuge Liang merely winced as his left hand only burned and trembled with pain, the beads of his life continued to bled their way away from the opened wound, dripping upon the growing pool of blood underneath the obscuring shadows. An ironic smile crept into Kongming's features, examining the blade that had driven its way through his palm, ignoring the burning sensation that were gathering at the very center of his hand as he remained still in his position.

The reflection of the moonlight was captured upon the sharpened tip of the weaponry, gleaming with an avoided intention. As streaks of crimson coated the blade, jagged through the Prime Minister's palm, relief flowed through the Sleeping Dragon's tensed muscles as he realized the edge had failed to strike its target. Gleaming with a murderous attempt, the hematic tip laid only an inch away from the Tiger General's still beating heart.

As the droplets of rubies continued to land upon Zhao Yun's ragged garment, his primeval eyes held a shocked gleam at the dagger that had came dangerously close to his heart. It was not the sudden vision of death that had astonished him, but rather the strategist's protection that stopped death from claiming its victim. The dagger had torn the delicate flesh of his love interest, and drilled a gap upon the core of the Prime Minister's palm.

The Sleeping Dragon only directed gaze at the fallen stalker, slightly amused to see an unknown arrow had pierced through the frail flesh of the assassin. Though it immediately brought remedy to the distressed strategist's soul, danger was still near.

Precisely in the middle, bleeding profoundly at the opening, varnishing the blade with a devilish maroon gleam upon the metal edge. A small frustration arched in Zhao Yun's mind as a howling voice spoke to his clouded mind, clearly angering him at the sight in front of him.

He had become injured with scars…

Were you not the tiger that was meant to protect him…?

It was only a reassuring grip on his shoulder had snapped Zhao Yun from his thoughts of guilt. Turning his sight toward the strategist behind him, he met a calm smile that had come across the weary features of the Prime Minister. His eyes spoke with encouragement, as if the pain did not bore deeper into his fragile senses. Those composed eyes had taken any possible doubts of victory from Zhao Yun, as he now know they will be alive and safe, back in Cheng Du.

"Do not act reckless; you are needed to be alive." The whisper was soft and calm to Zhao Yun's ears as the Tiger General gave a solemn nod to confirm the strategist the last time. Feeling a slight reassurance from the general himself, Zhuge Liang directed his warning glare toward the ambiguous attackers. The roaming tenebrosity did not hinder the strategist from thinking their next step toward survival, as he slowly pulled the dagger away from his wound, wishing to not widen it any further.

The death of their fellow comrade caused a flashing hatred across the shadows, as another stalker had split away from the conjuring shade, wanting the blood of their target for the retribution of their fallen companion. Zilong's eyes narrowed dangerously at the engaging killer, bracing for the insensible attack, as tension was brought upon the warriors of Shu again. A silent grin spread across the marauder's hidden features, as if the soul of his victims were soon to be in his hands.

Suddenly, unknowing the melody of bells, a mysterious sound rang through the forest. It was ignored by the blinded ambitious of the assassin however. The Lord Strategist of Shu only smiled at the melody though. Never had he thought he would be immensely pleased to hear them.

However, the brink of triumph only became scattered much like the leaves that had suddenly rustled upon them, halting the predator in his pace, unknowing of his hesitated mistake. Unseen by the marauder's eyes, a shadow flashed upon the leafy grounds, before the two officers of Shu. Confused, a sudden gleam of the Sea Master flickered within the moonlight, decapitating the arm from its host, scattering a plenteous of crimson liquid across the forest ground. Soon a haunted scream escaped from the bounty hunter, before falling dead, spreading the fear upon the rest of the living ones.

What seemed to be only within a few seconds, two marauders had already fallen, though the numbers of the figures were uncounted, it did not bother the pirate's cheerful features. The two feathers that had struck out of the tied bandanna remained untouched, almost as if the leaves had failed to harness it, giving a broad grin that had spread across Gan Ning's features as he observed his work. Crouching lowly, almost as if wishing to hide within the shadows himself, the former pirate held his bandit sword underhandedly, as his free hand only remained still on his left knee cap. Marks of the traveling were hinted upon his flesh though, however it merely distracted him.

"You are late, Lord Gan Ning." Zhuge Liang criticized as he studied the pirate's timing closely, the pirate's grin only widen at those calm words. As the stiletto slipped away from his opened flesh, a small grunt escaped the lips of the pained strategist, before meeting the pirate's splintery hair style again; the missing presence of the younger strategist bothered him slightly.

The pirate only grinned wildly, self boasting about his abilities, "And you sure are reckless, watch it though! If that arrow missed, you would have been doomed!" If Zhao Yun were in any of the moods to laugh, he would have. He only allowed a small smile came across his features. However sensing Kongming's uncertainty, he decided to question the most obvious matter of the duos, "Where is Lu Xun?"

Turning his eyes toward the Little Dragon, Gan Ning's only eyes grinned at the Tiger General though his smile was masked by the darkness. "Reinforcements," Gan Ning simply answered, facing the shadows again, as the former pirate did so, he added one phrase that would have brought almost all the liberation to the officers of Shu, "The plan is going as planned, don't'cha worry, Lord Strategist!"

Giving a confirmed nod, Zhuge Liang contracted his eyes at the concealed predators, ignoring the aching pain at his palm.

I hope we can hold this by our own… before reinforcements arrives…

There was an unconfirmed stillness, which had poised within the starless semblance, unmoving, almost as if the hidden stalker had became suspicious of the strategist's trickery. However, as much as the marauders had become apprehensive about the man that was named the Sleeping Dragon, there wasn't anymore tricks did he contain under his sleeves. They have all been prosecuted for their goals, and the very last one was still yet from accomplishment.

The enveloping darkness only held the minor group in the enemies' hands, serving within their own advantages. Zhuge Liang grimaced at the barbarous surroundings. Knowing that almost nothing was positioned under their fingers, Zhuge Liang's thoughts almost became more aroused as he realized that nothing was meant to be used for their advantages. Even if their eyes had become adjusted to the concealing shades, they still could not see through the thick shadows.

Zhao Yun shifted his position slightly, clattering his sapphire armors against their golden edges. His concern was once laid upon the strategist as he radiated a rapid distress about the circumstances that they had come into. His mind already ran through the numerous possibilities that could perhaps save the strategist from anymore possible injuries than what he already contained.

His onyx eyes almost shined with a gleam of emerald at that moment, when he finally came into a choice. "Kongming, escape with your life, me and Gan Ning will delay these bandits as lengthy as possible." Zhuge Liang's eyes already rejected the proposal at the Tiger General's hissed words. However, this did not stop the general from his rash decision, whom was already ready to leap within the maze of leaves.

"Absurd," Zhuge Liang spoke in his soft voice, as the concern of the Tiger General brushed his mind; the Prime Minister's composed form almost shattered. However, Zhao Yun went on unheeding to the strategist, leaping into the shadows as Gan Ning immediately narrowed his eyes at the warrior's foolish choice. Feeling that his mind forced peace into his heart, he whispered under his breath, almost concentrating on how to bring the Tiger General from harm's way, "That loyal fool…"

Gan Ning's ruby eyes glared through the shadows as his neck turned to face the strategist, waiting for his instruction. Unnoticed by this, Zhuge Liang held a death grip on the hilt of silver sword. Seeing the strategist's reaction, Gan Ning only made a mere comment on the Tiger General's inconsiderate actions, as he murmured his thoughts, unheard from the strategist, "How the heck is that delaying the enemies…"

Knowing that the ruby eyes was well focused on his features, Zhuge Liang knew they had to follow, "We will pursue. Lord Zhao Yun cannot be harmed by them; otherwise I am certain Lord Liu Bei would be less pleased with this." Gan Ning can only bear a grin at those instructions as the loose thoughts about his lover flowed through his mind. Remembering Lu Xun's words, the former pirate was willing to follow the Sleeping Dragon's orders.

Still grinning, he now knows his objectives, "Understood, Lord Strategist!"

However, the leaves rejected the orders. As they protested upon the trees, rustled loudly and ascended the rains of viridian blades upon the proceeding officers. Zhuge Liang mentally cursed at his luck, as the shadows dropped upon the ground much like mountains of avalanches.

The former pirate only sensed danger as his chaotic strength called upon his mind, hacking through three obscured figures before being surrounded by a couple of mystical silhouettes. Noticing the pirate's situation, the strategist almost unsheathed his sword to join the fray, knowing that the Prime Minister of Wu would be rather unpleased to see a dead pirate. Though having no knowledge of the weaponry, the Prime Minister of Shu was determined to free the pirate. However, that was before these words came across Gan Ning's lips, "Leave me, Zhuge Liang! Your objective is Zhao Yun, remember? Go chase him!" Following those words were splattered of crimson blood as the former pirate's voice echoed across the forest of death.

Merely observing the pirate's dance of the death, as he exchanged sharpening blows with his Sea Master, the strategist knew this was for the best. Giving a feeble nod toward Gan Ning, wishing him good luck, the strategist escaped into the shadows. Yearning that the pirate and the Tiger General will not come into harm, especially Zhao Yun…

Grinning as the Prime Minister had came out of harm's sight, the former pirate only smirked wildly like a slavish beast as he came into the stop, watching the silent figures under his crimson eyes, "You had chose the wrong person to mess with, by coming into death's hands like mindless little puppies!" Though his words were filled with courage, Gan Ning was not too certain about the capability of the shadow warriors that were in front of him… Carefully, he kneeled low to the leafy groundings, positioning the edge of his pirate sword horizontally.

I hope this will take them down…

Within a flash of shadows, Gan Ning charged toward his targets instinctively, scattering the leaves and dust within the air, dropping the cry of panic across the stalkers.

*****

Wincing slightly at the mere cut upon his cheekbone, Jiang Wei gradually wiped the scarlet blood away with his tender thumb. Yuan only grinned at his accomplishment, enjoying the crimson that was leaking, "Next time, kid, I won't miss you!" The brother of the master archer only hissed intensely at his brother's actions, as his nerves were raking with the fear of the crumbling coalition.

Sun Ce sighed at the unpredictable sight, shading his eyes away from the scene as his forehead rested on his fingers. Zhou Yu, however, only calmly watched Yuan's immature behavior, expecting that the proud Lord of Wei will stop this soon.

And it came as anticipated.

A certain rage was being carried within the liege's brunet eyes, as the arrogant general did not see that he had provoked the lords greatly, he continued to holler his hilarity. Unable to resist his general's sophomoric behavior anymore, the former Prime Minister of the Han Dynasty immediately pulled a halt upon Xiahou Yuan. His voice shook with petulance of his general's manners, "That is enough!"

The general beside his ambitious liege unhesitatingly stopped his hollering laughter, as he became overwhelmed by Lord Cao Cao's command. Feeling the glares of the other generals, shame crawled on his soul. To be scowled by his lord, it was a shameful thing to be done, though feeling his senses were slowly consumed by rage as his cousin's senseless decision sank into his mind, unwilling to apologies. Burning with bitterness, a scowl escaped the general's lips as he only soon stormed out of the room.

Feeling as if a burden had perished apart from his shoulders, a sigh escaped from Cao Cao's parted lips as he turned to the rest of the lords, knowing an apologize was needed. However, before the words parted from his mind, a small yap of surprised escaped from a fairly familiar tone, "I am sorry!"

An angered scowl soon followed the familiar voice, "Watch where you are going kid!"

This almost brought Zhou Yu and Jiang Wei into their attention as they both had their attention to face the closed entrance.

Soon, stomps faded into a distance as Xiahou Yuan parted from the room, blinded by anger. Jiang Wei swabbed the blood away from his features with the back of his hand again, wondering who could possibly be in such a hurry as the rapid footsteps came closer to the door.

Expecting more than an interruption, a breathless Lu Xun busted into the room, surprising Jiang Wei as his slate eyes met the golden eyes of the Prime Minister of Wu. Liu Bei sensing the urgency from the pyromaniac, he immediately rose from his exorbitant seat, "What is it, Lord Lu Xun?"

A small curiosity crept into Zhou Yu's mind as he observed Lu Xun intensively, as the conundrum of his location confused his thoughts.

Meeting all the eyes within the room, Lu Xun gave a hasty, yet polite bow toward the lords of the Three Kingdoms. Still lacking of breath, he stuttered his words quickly, astonishing the lords by its contents, "Reinforcement, Lord Zhuge Liang… He needs reinforcements…"

***End of Chapter***