Farewell to Starry Skies
The Battle of Fan Castle
Lu Xun stepped out of the tent and into the rain, a poor set of twin sabers in his hands. They weren't much, but they were better than nothing. His arm was still not great, nowhere near fine, but useable. If he didn't use his arm then it wouldn't get better, or so he told himself over and over again. The black mare trotted over to him, soaking wet but happy and content. Lu Xun swung onto her back and they trotted around until they found Guan Ping.
"Good morning." Guan Ping said, twirling his great blade.
"Are your ready?" Lu Xun asked, looking over at Fan Castle in the distance. Guan Ping laughed.
"As ready as I'll ever be. Just don't try to get lost in the confusion."
The two laughed, knowing that the other was a fine warrior in their own right. Lu Xun dismounted and assumed a defensive stance. Guan Ping lined himself up as well in a similar stance. Invisible opponents appeared before their eyes, different shadowy images of unseen enemies engaging in a whirling dance of soul and swords. The black mare watched them. The rain poured down upon then, but their bodies seemed to glow with warmth and energy and passion. It soon happened, one step too close and their weapons touched, pulling themselves out of their fantasy battle and into the real one.
"Who were you fighting?" Lu Xun asked for the sake of conversation.
"Cao Cao. And you?"
Lu Xun looked away, almost ashamed. Guan Ping smiled and patted his friend's shoulder in understanding. The black mare nickered slightly as Guan Yu rode up, but not on Red Hare. The three looked at him, confused. He pulled Guan Ping aside for a moment, and Lu Xun took another defensive stance. The shadowy image of Sun Quan appeared before him, sneering, jeering. Everything else was tuned out as Lu Xun jumped at this unseen opponent, only to be "woken" by Guan Yu's blade. He froze for a moment, and then remembered that this was not an actual battle. He relaxed. Guan Yu left, and Guan Ping was only flashing the biggest smile ever known to man.
"Something good happen?" Lu Xun inquired. Guan Ping beamed.
"Father gave me Red Hare."
Lu Xun's mouth fell open in shock. The black mare nudged him once more and he snapped back to attention. He sighed and smiled, following his friend to the stables with the rain pouring over their heads.
Lu Meng sighed and crossed his arms looking at the rain from atop his mount. Ling Tong and Gan Ning appeared next to him, weapons at the ready. Lu Meng turned his attention to the battleground before him, at the now flooded Fan Castle with Cao Ren standing guard. He turned to his two friends, but the missing Lu Xun was like a new form of emptiness that he had not yet experienced. There were warnings shouted from soldiers and Lu Meng nodded. Gan Ning and Ling Tong split off in opposite directions with their orders.
"Lu Xun, some part of me knows that you're around...where in all the hell are you?" He asked.
No one answered him.
8
Red and black blurs rushed at the oncoming soldiers. Lu Xun seemed to have tossed away his former kingdom, now riding under the green banner of Shu. This was not entirely true. He had given up his lord, but not his kingdom. He and Guan Ping rode alongside one another, determined not to part. This was easier said than done, especially when the two dismounted to fight on the muddy ground. Their mounts stood nearby, rearing up and kicking opposing soldiers. Guan Ping and Lu Xun were now so strangely casual that they were laughing and joking with one another while they were fighting.
"Guan Ping!"
Guan Ping turned just in time to see Lu Xun get between him and Gan Ning, blocking the attack. Lu Xun winced, the pain in his arm exploding. Gan Ning instantly halted his attack, his horse nearly jumping. He dismounted, placing his hands on Lu Xun's shoulders as if he needed to know it was really him. Then he forcibly pulled Lu Xun into a hug, babbling about how happy he was to have found him. Lu Xun pushed away.
"I'm not going back. Go away and say you never found me." Lu Xun said, starting off towards Guan Ping.
Gan Ning would not take this. He grabbed Lu Xun around the chest and mounted his horse once again. Lu Xun struggled.
"Let me go damnit!" Lu Xun shouted.
"No! Too much has been sacrificed here to leave without you." Gan Ning said firmly, spurring his horse.
"Guan Ping!" Lu Xun shouted.
But no matter how he cried, Guan Ping had no chance of rescuing him.
3493497893498754
Chapter end! More to come!