Beyond Allegiance

Author: Atthla

Disclaimer: Characters in this story belong to themselves as they did exist long time ago. The book Three Kingdoms, from where I take many references for this story, is written by Luo Guanzhong and translated by Moss Roberts. The game Dynasty Warriors 5, which makes this story possible and from where the characters' appearance I base upon, belongs to KOEI and Omega Force. I only own the plot, so don't bother to sue me.

Warning:

1. Male/male pairing, which is Cao Pi/Zhao Yun for now as I have yet to decide a final pairing.
2. Major inaccuracy to what happen in both the book and the game, except for the opening movie (which is the point why I am writing this fanfiction).
3. Possibility of grammatical mistakes.
4. A romance story despite the action scenes I may put in between, so if you're looking for a pure romance or a pure action, I suggest you to leave or read at your own risk.
5. A slow update is guaranteed, although I will do my best to contradict this belief.

Dedication: To everyone who thinks that the opening movie of Dynasty Warriors 5 implies more than what the eyes perceive.

Notes: Is it just me or I do pick up the weirdest pairings? No one else seems to be writing either Cao Pi/Zhao Yun or Gan Ning/Ling Tong (in my previous fic). I hope it's just me not searching wide enough.

Chapter 01

The field was quiet.

Perhaps it was strange that a battleground, which stretched vast as far as eyes could see and filled with never-ending lines of soldiers, could be classified as quiet. But it was how the condition was to Zhao Yun's eyes – or rather, ears – as he stood steadfastly before the inestimable rows and columns of Wei soldiers. The only noises spoiling the eerie quietude came from the stronghold far in front of him, relating hasty battle preparation and – perhaps – also curious murmurs questioning this foolish man who dared to challenge that myriad of an army alone.

It was indeed foolish, the Shu general admitted wryly, to think that the idea of one man defeating an army that enormous as feasible in any sense. To make the situation looked even more uninviting, said opposing army had actually been waiting for the arrival of their enemy, no less than ready in each position they were prepared to defend with their lives. With that innumerable number, he wondered how he could keep himself alive until his own army arrived.

Then again, even if by any chance he could survive this extreme slaughter and yet could not help but to suffer some minor injuries, Kongming would still eat him alive for hazarding his wonderfully and meticulously planned stratagem.

Zhao Yun winced.

Of course, he understood the gist of the matter and his significant responsibility. To put simply, he was to smash the towering spirits of the Wei Army since Shu obviously could not even try to contest them in number, as the Sleeping Dragon had kindly pointed out during their pre-battle meeting. This put them in a very disadvantageous position concerning the morale of their troops while their enemy must be quite encouraged by this overwhelming difference.

And that grave of a responsibility, was trusted to him. Oh yes, Kongming trusted him. Very much so. No doubt of that.

Back to the problem at hand, he reminded himself as his gaze swept across the ominous crowd in front of him. They looked ready to trample him to death and yet still held back warily, probably as a result of his bravery – or stupidity, he was not sure. The Shu army's vanguard, led by Ma Chao was quite far behind him and so did General Huang Zhong's army from the west. It made him wonder if he should retreat to a safer ground, otherwise his life might pay for it.

However, running from a battle had never been the Little Dragon's trait, especially when he was entrusted with such weight.

Once again Zhao Yun studied the army before him and sighed. He might be able to overcome this. Just probably. He would worry about his cool, cunning, but occasionally temperamental strategist later.

Spinning his spear to take an offensive stance, the Shu general readied himself as the deep, throbbing sound of drum echoed in the battlefield, smoothly twisting the stillness.

And the earth shook.

Zhao Yun took a deep breath before he also sprang forward in full speed, tossing his cape in process as Wei soldiers closing in about him. The first few slashes he could dodge effortlessly, but their number definitely was not that easy to handle as more spears and swords joined the fight. His Fierce Dragon was dancing wildly under his command, lashing and cutting every flesh within its extensive reach, all the way also preventing the slightest injury to be inflicted to its holder. Collapsing bodies marked his journey as he slowly but steadily made his way into the heart of the army.

After a few minutes he began to loosen up although not lowering his defenses in the slightest. The Wei soldiers were fierce but nothing he could not handle and he merely had to carry this stunt for a few more minutes before the arrival of his main army. Might as well give them a little surprise. Gathering all power he had into his arms, the Little Dragon slammed his spear onto the earth and, much to everyone's horror, let the impact to take care of the rest, throwing himself and every soldier around him into the air.

The Tiger General took a deep breath while he was in the air, allowing a moment of peace to relieve his strained nerves as terrified cries erupted from everywhere about him. Now, if only Zhuge Liang chose to appear right at this instant, their nearly impossible strategy would turn out to be an utter triumph.

Suddenly, as if his silent prayer had been answered, there was a cloud of dust rising from the south. Such luck, Zhao Yun grinned to himself. Or maybe not. His lord's strategist did have the most impeccable timing after all.

It was then when he turned his gaze to the right and took notice of a man engulfed with an air of importance, from the stronghold observing the battle – no, him. The keen eyes were trained on him and even from that far, Zilong could distinguish a smirk playing on his thin lips, as if he was amused by the massacre done to his own army by a single man.

Must be the commander, Zhao Yun thought to himself. Then, struck by a sudden idea, he plunged forward to the citadel, spear ready in hand. The man seemed unsurprised by his assault and in return pulled out a two-edged sword, no less than willing for a duel. A pair of weapons clashed as the Tiger General descended onto the earth and for a moment, both of them were engaged in a battle of strength. The other man was evidently taller than he was, but Zilong was also fully aware that there were not many who could outmatch him in the force department.

No actual victor had been defined when both competitors withdrew simultaneously. There was a long silence, the army undoubtedly coming into a halt with no opponent to face as the two generals eyed each other, studying, appraising each adversary.

The Wei officer was the first to speak up. A low timbre of a strong, authoritative voice, clearly accustomed to commanding and superiority, reverberated in the stillness; calm, completely unperturbed by the steady, ominous sound of the approaching enemy's army.

"So, do I finally have the honor to come face to face with the Dragon of Chang San?"

Zhao Yun stood steadfastly on his place, unsure for a moment how to respond. Not lowering his spear, he then replied with politeness that might put any amusement his opponent had displayed to shame. "I am just Zhao Yun."

The other man laughed, a short, derisive, but oddly not exactly unpleasant laugh. "You are not a just," he declared, tone resplendent with so many contradictions that Zilong could not quite place whether it was a scorn or something less vicious. The Wei general studied him closely, as close as he could get without stirring the Fierce Dragon into motion, and then added with an ambiguous smile, "A warrior who has the courage to ride through eight-hundred-thousands army alone to Chang Ban Bridge is impossible a mere just."

Never a man who had a particular fondness for sarcasm, Zhao Yun took his stance without more ado. "No matter who I am, I shall never let anyone to stand before my lord's way."

Another smile, equally amused but less friendly, appeared on the opponent's lips as he too prepared to attack. "If such if the case, then I, Cao Pi, shall be your first challenger."

"My pleasure," the Tiger General smiled stiffly and, after a deep intake of breath, charged forward.

Once more a spear and a sword clashed, the sound visibly alarming every Wei soldier in the vicinity even more as they took several hasty steps back. Zhao Yun barely took any notice of this as his attention was centered on the man before him who was launching a torrent of continuous assaults. The opponent was doubtless skilled, as expected from the heir of the Wei Kingdom, but the Little Dragon was certain that when it came to fighting skill, he still held the upper hand.

His confidence proved to be right when a frown began to take shape on the other man's face, smirk vanishing entirely. Panic began to swell, which quickly resulted in slower reactions and poorer judgments. Not missing a chance, the Little Dragon pressed him even harder, letting not a gap of escape, not a space to breath between his full attacks.

Victory was close.

A finishing struck was about to be dealt when suddenly arrows flurried from every side, forcing the Shu officer to pull back his spear and defend himself from the assault. Each one of them had been repelled when he then noticed from the corner of his eyes, that Cao Pi had disappeared into the citadel. It took only the fraction of a second for him to determine what to do and he immediately pursued the fleeing general, leaving behind the heavy sound of drums signaling the arrival of his ally. Ma Chao should be able to handle the discouraged army just fine.

Inside, the air was still as if the towering wall of stones had kept the wind from breaching into the fort. Only encountering a number of guards, Zhao Yun easily fended them off and kept chasing the sound of footsteps, going deeper fearlessly into the heart of the citadel. The sound of the battle outside was waning but he could simply care less, bent on his hunt to catch the enemy general. With Cao Pi captured, an instant victory for Shu in this battle was assured and as further corollaries, Wei would lose one of its central pillars while Cao Cao his valuable heir. Only few among other news would be able to make his lord feel happier, he knew it, especially after their continuous defeats of late.

The chase had brought him into the castle's inner courtyard, where he came to a halt to evaluate his surrounding. Not a sign of a soldier, and obviously not of his prey. It was truly a wonder how weak the resistance he had met, also how quiet the fort was for one gambled in the crucial battle. He was contemplating this point when all of a sudden a chilling thought entered his mind.

An ambush.

Just after he had recognized the exact vulnerability of his situation, archers emerged from behind the shadows and caught him surrounded in a thick, full circle. The Tiger General almost cringed, his heart thundering inside his chest as he glanced around and, to his utmost distress, found not a single escape route. There were almost a hundred of them, each holding a crossbow with the tips of their arrow aimed at the clear, easy target in front of them. Even the most amateur of archers would have a serious difficulty to miss said target.

Zhao Zilong was not a man who valued his life so highly, yet he did realize that the loss of him would be a real blow for his army. That a general could allow such carelessness to occur was a grave mistake in itself, not to mention if it brought to him his very end. Death did not daunt him, but the disappointment on his lord's face doubtlessly would.

Above the stairs leading to the main chamber, their commander appeared wearing a smile Zhao Yun was certain never to forget all his life. The two-edged sword was flaunted menacingly in one hand while the other was set haughtily, mockingly on his waist and words came pouring out of his mouth in colorful notes of amusement. "To fall for such a trick. I have never expected the mighty Little Dragon to have this short of a sight. Is this really the first time that your bravery has led you astray?"

Not allowing his emotion to get the best of him, the Little Dragon replied as calm as possible, "I may be lacking in tactical approach, but I always have my skill to assist me."

For a moment, the smile on the other man's lips seemed to take a turn to restrained wonder, no longer bearing whispers of ridicule. But it only lasted for a blink and on the next second Zhao Yun had found himself again face to face with the proud heir of Wei. "Courageous and confident, it is what you are," he pointed out with a degree of pure sarcasm, the smirk returning thoroughly to his face. "We shall see if it indeed has a base."

With a nonchalant air, the young lord raised his free hand as Zhao Yun readied his Fierce Dragon.

The next thing his ears heard was the sound of arrows raining down upon him.

To be continued

Notes: I know I don't give the opening enough justice with my average writing, but since it is where my story begins, I don't have many choices, do I? Hopefully this prologue can pass as tolerable. Please leave me a review if you have a comment. Thank you for reading!