As night turned into day the crisp morning air gave little notice of the events that were about to unfold. Cao Cao had spent the latter part of his life preparing to topple the so-called Three Kingdoms and lay claim to all of China under his unified rule. However it seemed that the meager alliance between Shu and Wu was not likely thrown aside. He could tell that there were Shu troops among the soldiers that Zhou Tai commanded. They were also wielding rather unique weapons: huge longbows that looked incredibly powerful. He observed 3 soldiers running in single line formation as one of the archers shot the one in the lead. Gawking in amazement he watched as the arrow pierced through the chest of the first, continued running out through his back and continued on until it finally imbedded sharply in the last mans throat. Wu was not only using new tactics; they were using new weapons!
"Send word to Dian Wei that these new archers could whittle down our numbers considerably," Cao Cao ordered, "have him begin rooting them out."
"Yes My Lord," said a nameless private. Turning away Cao Cao only noticed a change in the air then took note that the private he had given orders to was now lying on the floor dead, an arrow deeply imbedded in his armor which did little to stop the projectile. Three others looked down at their fallen comrade then to Cao Cao as he motioned another to relay the message. Reluctantly the young man ran off as the King of Wei removed the arrow, scanned it in disgust then broke it in half.
"It will take more than that to stop me oh Tiger of Jiang Dong," Cao Cao seethed, "I will rule this land…or see it burned to ashes around me."
"My Lord!" said a panicked voice behind him. Turning he met the beleaguered gaze his equal to Zhuge Liang, Sima Yi, whom for showed a degree of fear in his eyes. Having grown used to war, Cao Cao merely ignored the sounds of combat in the foreground.
"They didn't fall for the kegs of powder in the square," said Sima Yi, "instead they're pressing hard on Xiahou Duns forces at the main gate."
"It was a rouse," Cao Cao replied unsurprised. Sima Yi nodded.
"I've never seen Wu incorporate such tactics before," he replied, "both the southern and western gate defenses are making all possible speed here, but by then it will already be to late."
"I know," Cao Cao said with a hint of desperation, "if this is my destiny so be it. Alert the guard…have all gates closed…it ends now!"
Galthmeirs bastard sword ground hungrily into his hand as Huang Zhong, Wei Yan and Sun Shang Xiang followed behind him. The plan had worked well but nothing was perfect. Cao Cao was holding up on the northern side of the castle while Sun Jians troop had seen through Xu Zhu's feint and ambushed him outside of the main camp. The large of a man didn't have a chance and was captured immediately. Xiahou Dun and Xiahou Yuan were given no choice but to surrender and the remainder of Cao Cao's forces was held up inside the castle. Sima Yi unfortunately was killed by a stray arrow, which left the strategist to his demise. The King of Wei however would not be felled easily and he was formidable with a sword.
However something gnawed at Galthmeir. From what reports he had Dian Wei was being held in place by Zhou Tai's forces, however something was missing. One officer seemed absent from the rest. That matter would have to be pressed later as he took note of Cao Cao's elite guards coming to greet them.
Wei Yan, the battle hungry warrior, growled chaotically and rushed them. Huang Zhong stayed back while his subordinate played tank. Galthmeir thought the same as he motioned Sun Shang Xiang back for long distance attacking, retrieved his shield, and let his Celtic battle cry roar through them as he attacked. This time he would not hold back. Blocking an overhead attack he forced the lip of his shield into one of the elite soldiers unprotected face with a loud crack, then pushed out unbalancing him. As the soldier tried to recover the knight showed his strength by cleaving away slicing his chest open. The elite guard collapse to the ground lifeless. Another attacked from the right as Galthmeir nimbly dodged to the right and let the momentum of his dodge whirl about and lands the long of his blade from behind cleaving his head away.
He didn't notice the next figure until it was right on top of him…or more like her. Sun Shang Xiang didn't even notice the sword wielding warrior coming up behind her until Galthmeir, by sheer reflex alone, tore off his shield and heaved it into the unknown warriors surprised face. The heavy tower shield crashed in upon the man as Xiang whirled about and began backing away from him. Galthmeir had never met Cao Cao so he knew nothing of what he looked like. It surprised him when she breathed his name.
"Nice shot," Cao Cao seethed, "you're good for a foreigner."
"Lord Cao Cao," Galthmeir returned, "I expected you to be taller."
"Taller or not I will not let my dream die in the hands of a west land toad like you," Cao Cao cursed. Galthmeir seemed unimpressed as he brought his sword about and waved it dangerously at the King of Wei.
"Dreams have no base unless God demands it," Galthmeir replied, "now…let us dance."
"You're a fool," Cao Cao returned, waving his sword before him, "I'm the greatest swordsman in all of Wei."
"My hearts all a flutter," Galthmeir replied as he tossed his bastard sword about in mid air and caught the hilt with surprising skill (think of Mad Mardiggan from Willow, that's how good he is). The Wei ruler flinched at first then attacked with a sideways swipe. Galthmeir blocked and threw out his fist landing squarely in Cao Cao's chest causing him be thrown backwards. Galthmeir used this time to turn to Sun Shang Xiang.
"Go!" he ordered, "get word to Sun Jian and tell him to make for the southern gate at all possible speed. I've a feeling Xu Zhu wasn't the last of his surprises."
As Cao Cao regained his footing, Xiang nodded and sprinted for the center gate leaving the two behind to duel it out. Galthmeir knew Cao Cao was good with a sword and his death may be evident this day. Death or no, he fought for God and for her. He never thought this day would come to pass: that he would be fighting for the heart of a maid. Love was indeed blind and chaotic.
"What is it you want?" Cao Cao demanded. Galthmeir merely circled him and prepared himself.
"I am Galthmeir," he answered, "Knight of the Round Table of Arthur and seeker of the Holy Grail. Those that stand in my way are an agent of evil…and you Lord Cao Cao are in my way." With that last word he attacked. Cao Cao brought his sword above his head to block as the two weapons clashed against each other in sparks.
"Went better than I expected," Sun Jian replied, "we've lost only about 50 troops with Galthmeirs idea. He has keen knowledge of strategy."
"Why do I get this nagging feeling that the attack led by Xu Zhu wasn't Sima Yi's only ploy?" Lu Xun commented. No sooner had he spoken the word a call rang out inside the main camp. Both looked at each other with mixed emotion in their eyes and bolted outside. To their surprise an ambush party had been waiting near the gates, they had been hiding up on top the battlements. It didn't surprise Sun Jian to find the Zhang He was leading the attack. Lu Xun drew his dual sabers and roared toward a group of enemies while the Tiger of Jiang Dong focused his attention on the clawed fiend. Drawing closer Zhang He took note of the King of Wu and readied himself.
"Ah you've made it easier for me," he declared, "now I don't have to hunt you down."
"Many have already fallen prey to the Tiger," Sun Jian replied pointing his weapon at him, "you'll just be one of many."
"How lovely," Zhang He seethed, "well then you were not always the most arrogant of them so I will grace you with a death fitting of your beauty." Both squared off on each other then attacked. Sun Jians blade lead him as he roared after the clawed man with an unbridled furry. His eyes flew open wide when he noticed Zhang He wasn't there. Instead a great pain wrenched through his back as he had lept bodily into the air slash out, creating a gash down Sun Jians back. The pain was half-nearly unbearable as he collapsed to his knees.
"That was all to easy," Zhang He replied. He was about to deal one final when a pair of chakrams sideswiped him in the face and sent his askew. Recovering he took note of Sun Shang Xiang and bowed respectfully.
"Ah another beauty seeking her demise," he sneered, "very well. Come and embrace your death."
"The only death I see is yours," Xiang seethed, "prepare yourself."
With pristine grace Galthmeir blocked an overhead attack from Cao Cao, responding with mid-swipe half nearly cutting the Wei Warlord in half. The knight had retrieved his tower shield and was using it with incredible effectiveness. Cao Cao let his own prowess with the blade lead him as he roared after the knight in a whirlwind of blades. Galthmeir responded by bringing up his shield and forced it through caused the Wei King to stagger a moment. Utilizing this the knight slammed the lip of his shield against Cao Cao's breadbasket sending the Wei Warlord sprawling to the sod. Cao Cao thus stopped then threw a handful of dirt in the knights surprised face. Gasping for air Galthmeir backed away then regained his eyes no more than a split second after seeing Cao Caos sword crash against his shield with a loud crack. The tower shield shattered as the knight responded by throwing the broken equipment aside and backhanding the Wei king away. Cao Cao couldn't help but be impressed.
"Most men would have fallen to their knees to such an attack," he replied, "your kind of strength and bravery is wasted on a snob like Sun Jian."
"A snob he may be but he does have one thing that you do not Cao Cao," Galthmeir shot back.
"What would that be?" Cao Cao sneered. Galthmeir raised his sword two-handed before his face.
"Selflessness," he breathed, "and a will to do what is right. You only think of conquest…is that truly the extent of your vision?"
"Such words coming from a foreign swine," Cao Cao replied, "you don't have the place to judge me."
"You are right of course," Galthmeir said as they began circling each other, "it is not I who judge but the Lord himself, however you see yourself as equal to God and that is blasphemous."
"Preach your sermon to the cowardly iron clad man," Cao Cao returned, "my destiny is to rule this land."
"You always were the dreamer Cao Cao," said a voice behind him. Turning about the King of Wei noted the presence of Huang Zhong, brandishing his sword with sinister gusto.
"I don't answer to you old man," Cao Cao seethed. Huang Zhong only smiled.
"You'll answer to this," the old man replied waving his sword menacingly. Wei Yan of course was not far behind as the old man turned his attention to Cao Cao and the oddly dressed man rushed up to Galthmeir in alarm.
"Main camp……….need help," he breathed. Galthmeir didn't understand at first then his heart fell into the pit of his stomach: he had sent Sun Shang Xiang back to the main camp to warn Sun Jian of a possible attack. He might have as well sent her to her death. Huang Zhong blocked an overhead attack from Cao Cao and pushed him aside.
"Go Galthmeir," Huang Zhong yelled, "I'll take care of him you go help Sun Jian." Wasting no time Galthmeir nodded and left the battlefield, raging for the first gate. There to greet him was a group of soldiers one riding a mount. Letting his prowess with the bow guide him, Galthmeir sent a volley of arrows slamming into their targets with vicious power, sending the mounted unknown officer hitting the dirt with his face. Galthmeir thus jumped on the horse and galloped off to the south.
Sun Jian knew he was no match for the claw-wielding potentate of Zhange He. The warrior was literally everywhere at once, which meant he was no where near as fast. Sun Shang Xiang was but only by a margin. It was times like these he wished Huang Gai was still alive. The bulk of the man had reflects and speed to shoot a fly out from between its wings. He watched the fight with growing worry, the outcome more than likely deciding his fate.
Xiangs own guile and quickness led her feet as her weapons whirled about in a wide arc hoping to catch Zhang He off guard. It wasn't successful. The clawed man simply lept clear and sprung forward, sharp talons whisking toward her exposed throat. Xiang barely saved herself as she fell to the ground and kicked out landing the ball of her foot against his jaw. As she tried to regain her footing she didn't notice that Zhang He was on his feet before her and slashed out with flat blade of his talons. Her world became a blur as she felt herself falling, the stunning effect quickly hitting the ground hard on her back. Tendrils of pain flashing in her eyes she only caught a glimpse of Zhang He as he stood over her with a menacing smile.
"To bad," he replied, "there is room for only one beauty here not two." With that he drew back for a final blow as she closed her eyes for the coming darkness.