"What a great time to pick for a rebellion!" Sun Ce muttered as he made his way to the stables.
Zhou Yu matched his stride. "Reports state that the soldiers were at unrest…Then in a matter of hours, some were deserting their posts, and even tried to convince their comrades to join them flee"
"What the—"
"Since the arrival of a certain priest" Quan supplied as they marched the halls of Shu "the order at Wu decreased at an alarming rate. Are you it's wise to just go…?"
Before Ce could answer, a voice tentatively called him. "…Ce…?"
He closed his eyes and muttered a silent curse. Now's not the time…
Turning, Ce kept his face emotionless as he faced the woman who has been haunting him for quite some time. He wanted to hate her; her in her pristine white robes, red choker and earrings, complete with red sash. But he couldn't. She was still his sworn sister. Damn it!
Lu Xun regarded her coolly, yet deep inside, he was in utter turmoil. Somehow, she had grown more radiant during the time that they were apart.
She took a tentative step towards them. "It's been a long time…"
"Yeah" Ce answered in a clipped tone. "Long time. You look fine."
Soi smiled. "Yeah, you too…You look goofy as ever."
Ce kept his gaze, refusing to be amused. Soi took a deep breath and plunged ahead "Ce, I—"
"Though I heard the sincerity of your song" he interrupted, "It's not enough to put things right."
Soi felt her heart being crushed as Ce continued. "But, I commend you for the effort and am willing to open this discussion with my officers again…and since you fled from Wu, we'll also confer if it's advisable to open the gates for you once again."
"Even if I have to start from the lowest ranks my lord" Soi answered sincerely, "I shall, for I have no other wish than to return." She turned to Zhou Yu.
"I hope you'd find it in you heart to forgive me, my lord, for the heart ache that I have caused you and the good lady Xiao Qiao."
Zhou Yu matched her courtesy with his. "You're apology is accepted; although I would have to confer with my lady if she has the heart to accept you once again."
Soi turned to Lu Xun and felt her smile die as he stared at her coldly. "How you've been…? You look well, Lu Xun."
"I am fine, Lady Xiu Soi"
Soi looked like he had slapped her; he tried hard to look aloof.
"Your past charges" Ce interjected in a clipped tone "are not completely cleared. So as this is a delicate matter, you'd understand that it will take us some time to reach a decision."
Soi nodded. This was the best she could hope for. "I am willing to wait…no matter how long it takes."
"Good. We need to get going."
A soldier ran up to him and whispered something in his ear. "Are you serious?" he looked at the soldier disbelievingly. "The soldiers are trying to rally the people to storm the castle?!"
"Y-Yes my lord…"
"This rebellion has gone far enough!"
"There's a rebellion?" Soi blurted out, forgetting to keep her outer calm. Ce's head snapped to her. "This is an internal conflict and it doesn't concern you. We'll finish this discussion next time. Right now, my people need me." He walked past her, followed by the rest of the officers. Shang Xiang looked back and felt a pang of pity and guilt. Lu Xun followed her gaze and saw the look on Soi's face.
Her eyes reflected the pain she felt inside; she was hurt, broken….and defeated.
He knew, with a breaking heart and without a doubt, that that image would haunt him for the rest of his life.
Soi sat on her bed, staring into space and lost in thought for the nth time in two days. She felt dying the moment Ce and the rest of Wu left her standing in the hall that night, pride battered, heart shredded to pieces and on the edge of sanity as they walked past her and turned their back on her. She wasn't able to tell Lu Xun how she felt for him…She had let Zhao Yun down.
No, she shook herself. At least she was able to say that she was sorry…And it didn't fall on deaf ears. Sun Ce did say that they were going to talk about it…Hope sprang in her chest yet instantly died as a thought entered her mind for the nth time: But what if they said no?
As she pondered on these thoughts, a knock came to her door. As it opened, Xing Cai tentatively poked her head inside and gave a deep bow. "My lady Xiu Soi—"
"Good morning Xing Cai" Soi smiled warmly as the younger girl was taken aback. "What's up?"
Completely disoriented, the girl blinked a couple of times before answering. "I-I'm sorry for the intrusion my lady but Lord Liu Bei wants to have an audience."
A moment later, in the audience chamber, the sovereign turned to her and looked at her in sympathetic understanding while Zhuge Liang delivered his news to a grief-stricken Soi. "Our sources inform us that the rebellions in Wu have been violent. Fights break out between soldiers and the townspeople are at unrest."
The Falling Star clenched her hand into a fist yet said nothing. Ce didn't want her involved, she brutally reminded herself.
Zhuge Liang eyed her serenely as he spoke the next words that almost sent Soi to her knees: "It was also rumored that some of the troops are planning a coup d'état against the Sun Family and their officers. They're supposedly influenced, if not led, by a certain priest whose name still eludes us."
"W-What's the basis for the coup?" Soi heard her voice crack yet stood firm, her knuckles turning white.
"Among many reasons that the priest supposedly propagated," Zhuge continued in a deadly calm, "the townspeople and the soldiers see your banishment from Wu as an erroneous decision on the part of the sovereign and his family. As the priest eloquently pointed out, 'Sun Ce has banished one who has descended from the heavens and therefore is a fool…Such verdict is a true testament of his ability to rule, which is almost non-existent. The wrath of heavens shall descend upon us for his actions against the Falling Star and therefore it is up to us to correct the error of his ways.'"
"Sun Ce" Soi bit out "did not banish me! He will never do that to me."
"Lady Soi" Liu Bei interjected calmly, "we believe you. However, it is apparent that this priest is misleading the people to revolt against your sworn brother."
"It's my fault…" Soi whispered brokenly.
"Whatever your decision is," he assured her "we will be right behind you.
Soi looked at him, betraying the fragility of her emotions. "I-I can't…"
"Why not?" Zhuge Liang mildly inquired.
"I…I'll just mess everything up again" Soi choked as she remembered the words Kayriel spoke to her. Chaos will reign in everything you touch.
"Lady Soi, if I may" Zhao Yun stepped from his place beside the throne and turned to her. "There is no one else who could help them but you."
"Yun, you don't know what you're asking of me" she looked at him, eyes shimmering. "I've caused them enough trouble…I left and gave them a…a parting 'gift'! If I get back, I'll just hurt them again…I'll…just bring more chaos and heartbreak"
"No, you won't"
"You don't know what you're saying."
"I may not know the reasons why you believe that your return would hurt them" he looked at her firmly "but I do know that if you do run away, it will cause them much pain. Deserting them would equate to you betraying them."
"I would never desert them!" She furiously answered. "I'd die for them!"
"And that's the Lady Soi I admire" he smiled which took Soi aback.
"My lady" Guan Yu regarded her with utmost reverence and respect. "There is no one more fitting and most likely to succeed in repairing the damage in Wu than you. You, who have given me aid with my trials with your own hands…And for that you will have my eternal gratitude."
"Guan Yu…"
"Come on kid" Zhang Fei grinned. "You're stronger than that! Heck, I've fought with you and ol' Zhang Fei here is willing to bet his liquor that you'd bring those coup leaders down in no time."
Soi couldn't help but smile. Zhuge Liang regarded her silently and spoke quietly. "Lady Xiu Soi, I admit that I was impressed by your untapped potential for strategizing, which no easy feat for a woman. If there is anything that I envy in you, it's the gift to still possess a heart that's capable of compassion even when logic tells you that the best way is to be heartless." He walked towards a stunned Soi and gave her, for a first time, a warm smile. "I may have the gift of the mind, but you have the heart. And for that reason, I trust that whatever decision you make in Wu would be the right one."
"But…" she closed her eyes, tears welling in her eyes. "M-My father told me that like him, I'd bring nothing but darkness…"
"Do you honestly believe that?" Zhuge Liang eyed her with quiet sincerity. "You have brought nothing but light in this chaotic world that we live in, the silver lining in the storm clouds; you are the embodiment of the hope of the people. And you yourself have put song in their silent hearts. You have shown nothing but courage and strength of heart, unfailing virtue and unmatched charm. I have heard of your exploits in Wu….I was impressed by the way you have countered Sima Yi's tactics. Your feats in Xia Pi, the campaign against Yuan Shao, Guan Yu's escape…you have brought light to the people you have helped. Your father may bring nothing but darkness, but you are your own person, father or no father. You make your won decisions, you grow on your own and you do things your way. You are Xiu Soi first before you are anybody's daughter."
At a loss for words, Soi stared at the strategist with gratitude in her eyes, for the words she longed to hear came from the person she least expected it to. Zhuge had always treated her at an arm's length; but to hear him actually tell her that she could make a difference made her want to cry. His compliments were already too much.
"Besides" Soi turned and saw Zhao Yun smile at her with challenge in his eyes. "You once told me that you'd do anything in your power to help them no matter how much they loathe you. This is the perfect opportunity to prove your loyalty to them and bring justice to those who dare hurt your family."
"Go kid" Zhang Fei smiled at Guan Yu gave a solemn nod. Soi looked at them, her heart tender from their warmth. "You guys…." She turned to Liu Bei, who was waiting in smiling expectation
"L-Liu Bei…I can't stay here anymore. I have to go save my family"
"Lady Soi, you sure you have everything you need?" Liu Bei anxiously looked at her as she ran her hand on the mane of a on a snow-white stallion they have provided and provisions just enough until she reached her destination. Soi gave a little chuckle. "I'm fine, 'uncle'. I'll make it, don't worry."
The sovereign's eyes warmed at the mention of the word 'uncle'. "Shu's doors will always welcome you, Lady Soi."
Soi smiled, walked to him, and to everyone's surprise, gave him a warm embrace. "Thank you…for everything."
Liu Bei returned his niece's embrace. "Forgive me, we couldn't accompany you…"
"It's alright." She drew back and gave him an infectious grin. "Give Liu Biao hell and make Shu stronger alright? I'll be praying for the success of your campaign."
"Don't worry" Zhang Fei smirked. "What you should worry about is the next time we meet; we'd outnumber your lands 5 to 1!"
Soi grinned. "Care to bet on that?"
Zhuge Liang looked at her, amusement in his eyes. "Are you prepared to lose that bet, my lady?"
"Bring it on" she quipped.
Zhao Yun looked at her, at a loss for words. "Lady Soi…"
She smiled at her, her heart exposed for him to see. "Thank you for everything Yun…I mean it."
"You do know that I will always be here for you…Even if we are reborn in another lifetime, I will not hesitate to become your pillar."
The Falling Star looked at him and smiled. "And I would be willing to give you my hand as well…provided you don't sneak up on me on the next lifetime."
He chuckled yet his mirth was suddenly halted when Soi gave a friendly kiss on his cheek. "Thank you, Yun."
"It was…my pleasure."
Soi turned to the group and smiled. "Well, I have to get going…Wish me luck."
"You won't need it" Guan Yu assured her and this earned a burst of laughter from the lady. She mounted the horse, and looked at the group who renewed her strength and her spirit…She uttered a silent prayer for them and with one final glance, Xiu Soi flicked on the reigns and the horse flew into a gallop.
Zhao Yun stood, unable to take his eyes from the figure disappearing from the horizon.
"Are you alright Zhao Yun?" Liu Bei quietly stepped beside his general.
"Of course my lord."
The sovereign stared at the same direction. "Are you sure this is alright? Letting her go? I could send you to accompany her—"
"No my lord" Zhao Yun humbly declined. "I am much more needed in the upcoming campaign against Liu Biao. This is something she has to do on her own…without help from anybody… or me. And…her heart belongs to another. I have accepted my defeat; yet if there was one thing I regret, it's that I did not speak to her at Wu's banquet the night I first saw her."
Soi sent the horse to a gallop, racing over the fields, forests and terrain. She only stopped to occasionally relieve herself and give her horse a drink, yet after that she was a possessed demon at the reigns. Her mp3 player blared in the wind, the upbeat song giving her strength:
natsukashii yume wo mita
ano koro ano ori sou you ni
afureru kodouku wo minna de wakachi atte
(I saw a nostalgic dream
At that time we became close
Everyone understood the overflowing loneliness)
The stallion jumped over a broken tree limb as Soi's thoughts drifted to the time when Lu Xun smiled and embraced her underneath that starry night. Of Sun Ce his outstretched arm offering her a bottle of liquor as a sign of brotherhood.
taisetsuna mono ga nani ka to
kitzuita toki ni wa osusugite
sugi satta omoi de wa itsumo mabushii sugite
(By the time we realized
That something was precious, it was too late
The feelings that pass us by are always too dazzling)
She felt a lump in her throat every time she thought of the kind of reception the Wu officers would give her. Will they ever forgive me? Welcome me with open arms?
Lu Xun…
moshi mo kimi ga nakitai kurai kitzuitara
sonna toki ni wa namida kaeru made uttate ageru
(If I ever hurt you until you want to cry
At that time, I'll sing for you until your tears dry up)
Wind whipped her cloak, stinging her cheeks yet she barely felt the pain. Cotton Candy boy…please wait for me. I'll make everything alright…
kimi ga oikaketa yume nara
kitzuku koto ni osorenai de
fueru yoru ni wa kimi wo dakishimete ageyou
dakara
(If it's the dream that you chased
Don't be afraid of getting hurt
On nights then you tremble, I'll hold you close
And so)
Soi ducked as a tree branch nearly dismounted her yet she pushed onwards, ignoring the hunger pains in her stomach. She pushed her body to the limit, for every moment she spent resting was a moment wasted.
kanashii souna kao wa yamete
kimi no egao wo misete okure
dare yori suteki na boku no taisetsuna sono egao wo
(Stop with that sad looking face
Let me see your smile
It's more wonderful and more precious to me than anything else, that smile)
A bittersweet memory of Lu Xun's warm smile blurred her eyes, accompanied by the cool hauteur that he showed her after the trial. The disdain and pain she saw in Sun Ce's eyes on the other hand, crushed her heart slowly for the nth time.
ima made oboeteru yo
eien wa koko ni wa nai to
kiete yuki mono wo kanashii me wo mitsumete tsuzuketeta
(I can still remember it now
There's no forever right here
I kept gazing at the people who vanished with sad eyes)
Soi looked at the road, her eyes determined. That day she made her choice…She never regretted it. And she was going to stick by it no matter what.
Bureki mo nai kuruma ni noreru yatsu ha inai
sou mabushii
utsumui de tsuyogaru kimi wo tada hiki kise tsuyoku dakishimeteta
(There's no one who'd ride a car without brakes
That's what was whispered
You looked down and tried to be strong; I just drew you close and embraced you tightly)
"Xunnie…please hold me again…Please…I need your strength…This time…"
kimi ga kanaetai yume nara
utsumueite naitarashi nadie
nemure nu yoru ni wa yume ga mieru made soba ni ite ageru
sonna ni hazukashigara naide
kimi no egao wo misete okure
dare yori suteki na boku no taisetsuna sono egao wo
(If it's a dream that you want to grant
Don't hang your head and cry
On sleepless nights, I'll be there for you
Until you can see dreams
Don't be so embarrassed
Let me see your smile
It's more wonderful and more precious to me than anything else, that smile)
I'll be looking at you this time…I'm tired of crying. This time…I'll make sure I reach you. You'll never be alone again. I'll make sure of that.
As the instrumental played, Soi's horse waded into the stream. She guided it to the other side, soaked and fatigued yet she paid it no heed.
kazorenai yume wo katari awatta ano koro ni wa
mou, modoru koto wa nai keredo
(We told each other about countless dreams at that time
We can't go back, anymore, but still)
I may not be able to change the past, but I'll win their hearts once more! Rain started to pour yet Soi did not slow her merciless pace and continued to ride, barely feeling the cold water slide down her skin
kimi ga oikaketa yume nara
kizu tsuku koto ni osorenaide
furueru yoru ni wa kimi wo dakishimete ageru you
dakara
(If it's the dream that you chased
Don't be afraid of getting hurt
On nights then you tremble, I'll hold you close
And so)
Even if they hurt me, I won't give up. I'll keep chasing them until they forgive me. I won't run away anymore. Never again
kanashi souna kao wa yamete
kimi no egao wo misete okure
dare yori suteki na boku no taisetsuna sono egao wo
(Stop with that sad looking face
Let me see your smile
It's more wonderful and more precious to me than anything else, that smile)
The stallion, seeming to share his rider's spirit, jumped over a ledge and slid down, landing on the dirt road below, splashing mud yet continued to run nonetheless.
Soi saw the Wu's walls in the distance, the storm passing yet the clouds remained ominously dark and forbidding. She shook the initial feeling of fear from her bones and urged the horse to move forward. Ce needs me. I know it
kimi ga kanaetai yume nara
utsumuite naitarishinaide
nemurenu yoru ni wa yume ga mireru made
soba ni ite ageru
(If it's a dream that you want to grant
Don't hang your head and cry
On sleepless nights, I'll be there for you
Until you can see dreams)
She saw Sun Ce in the distance, in the base right in the middle of the town and the castle…and he was being attacked by his own soldiers.
"Geez guys, have you forgotten who I am??"
"Ce!" Soi shouted as she jumped off from her horse, her weapon drawn.
"Soi?! An illusion!"
"Definitely not, you idiot"
"What, you gonna finish me off so you can appease your new family?"
sonna ni hazukashi garanaide
kimi no egao wo misete okure
dare yori suteki na boku no taisetsuna sono egao wo
(Don't be so embarrassed
Let me see your smile
It's more wonderful and more precious to me than anything else, that smile)
"No," Soi turned her weapon into a three-piece whip and twirled around, knocking the soldiers to the ground and making her way to him. "I'm here to help my dysfunctional brother.
Sun Ce turned to her and gave a reluctant, stunned smile.
sono egao wo
(That smile...)
Soi looked at him, her face determined and eyes blazing. "Let's go Ce!"
Never again…
Without a word, Ce turned to the soldiers who were surrounding him and swung his tonfas, giving him breathing space once more. Soi on the other hand, covered his back and twirled her weapon around her body in nunchak form. Enemies were approaching her from every direction, even from behind, and aside from the multidirectional attack, Soi made sure no one attacked Sun Ce from behind.
"Ce, where are the others?" Soi breathed as she threw the soldiers off her.
"Why are you talking to me?" he asked irritated. As he knocked a few soldiers down, he gruffly answered. "I don't know."
"What do you mean you don't know?" she screeched as more soldiers appeared. She took a few steps behind and suddenly bumped into Ce's back. Startled, the two of them gave a glance and their eyes met. In mutual understanding, they turned their heads back to the soldiers and started to slowly circle, back against back. As the soldiers surrounded them, Ce gritting his teeth spoke "I woke up this morning and found the palace totally empty. And outside was dark too. I knew it was some sort of illusion and I went out to find the source. Even the town was empty. I found this outpost still full of soldiers but when I went to them, they suddenly attacked me. It's as if they're possessed!"
Cold dread suddenly went through Soi's body. If I remember the novel I read… she thought as she tried to concentrate on the endless strain of enemies, Sun Ce will die from a curse inflicted by Yu Ji, a sorcerer who was…A PRIEST! Zhuge Liang's report suddenly came back to her. She knew without a doubt that Ce was supposed to begin to die tonight.
She looked at her sworn brother, who was sweating from exertion, fighting for his life. Soi turned back to the enemies, her will set. I won't let that happen, while I'm alive! I can make a difference…No, I'll make a difference! I'm willing to change history for the sake of my brother.
She turned her staff into a six piece whip and positioned to attack. "Ce"
"…Yeah?"
"I, the Falling Star" she started, "Swear my undying allegiance to Sun Ce, sovereign of Wu and to the Sun Family. I will use my powers and do what I can for you to be able to chase your dreams and give you hope."
Ce closed his eyes painfully. "How can I trust you to keep your oath when you've betrayed not only me but Wu as well?"
"I never betrayed anyone" she sincerely answered. "You know that I know that you know that I'm too stupid for that."
Sun Ce tried to suppress a smile as he recalled the very words he had uttered the night they've sworn brotherhood. "So you finally admit that you're an idiot?"
Soi's answer took him aback: "Yes"
"Why? Why did you run away? Why did you even bother coming back? How can you betray Yu and Qiao?" he bitterly accused, his voice slowly rising.
"I ran away," she answered, "not only because that me being here was causing all of you to fall apart, but also because…I couldn't bear your coldness."
One of the soldiers suddenly attacked Ce's side and Soi swiftly stepped in to protect him and knocked the soldier to the ground. "You were the only family I've ever known. I felt my heart slowly dying as you-you treated me like a stranger." She heard her voice crack, yet she was past all shame. She had to let it out. "I couldn't bear that you've already judged me before you even heard my side. And…That's why I ran away. I was too weak to face you, too weak to fight and too much of a coward to…to face the hurt everyday I woke up. That's why…"
Two more attacked and with blurry eyes, she drove them away from Ce. "I-in the end I'm just a kid…A kid who's too much of a coward and ran away. It was a stupid move. I-I'm sorry Ce…"
She cracked her whip and attacked behind Ce, knocking the soldier back who was sneaking behind him. "I came back…home. I love you guys too much to stay away and—and I knew you needed me."
Ce suddenly kicked at Soi, sending the soldier behind her flying. "Eevn if we treated you like an unwanted guest? You want to help us even if we ignored you?"
"Yes"
"Why?"
"You're my family."
Ce remained quiet and Soi, defeated, whispered. "Ce, I didn't betray you. I'll never betray you…You know it."
The remaining soldiers attacked, Soi turned and failed to see the expression on Ce's face. As Ce knocked the last of the soldiers, Ce turned to the sky and called out. "Is that the best you've got?"
Out of the shadows, two new figures emerged leading a new wave of soldiers. It was Zhou Yu and Sun Quan.
"Yu, Qua—"
Zhou Yu took out his weapon and attacked Sun Ce at full speed. Wu's sovereign stopped, his mind screaming in denial. NO!
The sound of metal clashing against metal brought him back to his senses and was surprised at the scene that greeted him. Soi's weapon was back into staff form, which was holding the sword inches away from his body. Her whole body was straining against the full weight of Zhou Yu's sword.
Ce jumped back and Soi tilted the staff to the side, letting the sword slide down and Zhou Yu along with it.
"Ce! They're illusions! It's not real!"
"Shut it!" Ce gasped as he defended against Quan's assault.
Out of desperation, Soi asked the most inappropriate question in the middle of a one on one battle, a question never asked during a one on one in the history of the world:
"Why do we close our eyes when we dream?"
"What the hell—" Ce jumped to the side as Sun Quan thrust his sword, the blade barely missing him. "This isn't a time for one of your inane questions!"
"It is!" she shouted as she ran around, dodging Zhou Yu's graceful attacks, "We close our eyes when we dream because they deceive us! But our hearts never will! Sometimes we need to close our eyes because they sometimes fool us. We have to block all other senses and use the one that matters most, in order to see what's true!"
We close our eyes when we dream because our eyes deceive us…In order to see what's true…
Sun Quan was able to throw Sun Ce on a wood railing and brought his sword down on the sovereign. Sun Ce crossed his tonfas and was able to block him in time. Ce looked up at Quan and saw the face of his brother, barely hearing Soi scream his name.
But…Quan would never do this…
At that moment, Ce knew. Damn the circumstantial evidences, Soi was here with him right now, fighting to protect him. Even if Wei and Shu accepted her and gave her warmth and understanding, she still came home to THEM. Even if they hurt her countless times, she was still here, guarding his back. Being the Falling Star, she could've easily rallied the people to join her and form a kingdom of her own…Easily convinced Wei, Shu and other sovereigns to crush them. But she didn't. to She would never have betrayed him or anyone she loved. Never.
He threw his 'so-called' brother off him and delivered a double kick which sent him sprawling to the ground. Sun Ce brought his weapon on 'Quan's' chest, the latter disappearing in a wisp of smoke. He turned his head and saw Soi attack Zhou Yu's legs, the strategist jumping out of the whip's reach.
As Zhou Yu was about to land his sword on the momentarily unguarded Soi, Sun Ce bolted and launched himself onto Yu, sending the both of them to the ground. "Don't you dare touch her!". As he defeated the illusion, another figure emerged which froze Ce's blood in his veins.
"Da Qiao?"
Seeing their chance, the other soldiers attack Ce who was momentarily stunned. Soi brought her whip around, hitting them all at once.
Sun Ce stood up and eyed 'Da Qiao'. "Now I know this is an illusion. Da Qiao's too timid to beat me up!" he attacked her and within moments, they were in a deadlock. Ce's will began to falter as he looked into the face of his wife, who he loved dearly. "Da…"
Seeing her brother on the verge of defeat, Soi ran to him and sent Da flying to the ground. She turned to Ce and gave him a hard slap. "Wake up! She's not real! Knowing Da, she'd never even throw her hair ornament at you."
The fake Da stood up and brandished her fan. Ce, snapping out of his trance, rushed at his 'wife' and within seconds, the latter disappeared. Pissed, Sun Ce shouted at the top of his lungs. "That does it! Whoever you are, come out and face me!"
"I never thought" a voice sounded from nowhere, "that you'd last this long."
"Show yourself!" Sun Ce demanded as Soi breathed hard.
Here it comes…
A thin man wearing yellow priest's garb emerged, smiling peacefully, yet his eyes were blazing. "To defeat my creations…impressive. You are a heartless sovereign Sun Ce…to kill you friends and family without blinking."
"Save it" Ce gritted his teeth. "They're not real and you know it. They'll never betray me like that."
Soi walked beside Ce and cracked his whip. "Besides," she threatened. "He has back up. So why don't you just stop your poor excuse for a coup and never come back?"
The priest's eyes widened in surprise. "The Falling Star…how were you able to pass through my wall of illusion? Only Sun Ce was supposed to be affected…No matter. I can handle you both."
"You don't have a chance Yu Ji" Ce glared at him. "What can a priest do to a seasoned fighter like me?"
"This" Yu Ji lifted his arm. At that moment, instinct took over and Soi ran against Sun Ce, both of them rolling to the ground as an explosion sounded and crackled.
Sun Ce's head snapped to the direction of the explosion and found a black mark where he was standing just a moment ago. Soi sat up and got to her feet. "The bastard can cast spells. The only way to defeat him is attack him when he's in the middle of casting one. Whatever you do, don't get hit!"
"Don't worry, I won't" Sun Ce stood up and started to run for the group of soldiers surrounding the sorcerer. Soi ran right behind him, providing support and shouting warnings at Ce when she saw the sorcerer finish casting. As Yu Ji conjured fire, Ce and Soi used some of the soldiers as shield.
They ran away searching for cover. "Knocking down soldiers who pop out of nowhere while checking when the bastard's finished casting and dodging, we can't keep this up" Ce panted in frustration as Soi felt fatigue catch up to her.
"I know…one of us has to act bait for the soldiers while the other go for him."
"I'll—"
"I'll be bait." Soi decided.
"No." he shook his head, seeing Soi's pale face. "You look like you can collapse anytime. You can't handle it. I'll be bait and when the soldiers come for me, give pain to that bastard. He looks like a wimp so it'll be easy enough."
Soi didn't have the strength to argue and besides, what other choice did they have?
Ce suddenly bolted in the other direction while Soi hid from view. As predicted the soldiers went after him, leaving Yu Ji open for attack. As she started for him, other soldiers suddenly sprang up and protected him.
Cursing, Soi turned to Ce and froze. She realized that Ce was directly in Yu Ji's line of sight and the former was too busy to notice when the next spell would hit him.
Soi suddenly felt a tingling in the pocket of her denim shorts and she suddenly remembered the amulet that she kept there. The amulet with the three rabbits in triangular position. And Zuo Ci's words came back to her, You'll know what to do with it when the time comes.
And suddenly she knew. The sacrifice it required.
As Yu Ji finished with the spell, Soi held the amulet in her hands and prayed to the Blind One.
"Be safe, Sun Ce", she whispered as the soldiers Yu Ji released the spell and hit Sun Ce. The amulet in her hands reacted and Sun Ce miraculously got up with renewed vigor. The soldiers disappeared and Yu Ji panted, the strength required of the spell he cast was too great. His eyes widened as he saw Sun Ce tower over him.
"H-How?"
"Say good night!" he gave a flying kick and made quick work of Yu Ji. He turned to Soi afterwards, grinning smugly. "What do you---" he stopped short as he saw Soi on the ground, the amulet clutched to her chest.
"Soi!" he ran towards her and cradled her in his arms. She was pale, all color drained from her face and was barely breathing.
Ce felt his throat constrict and his eyes sting. "Don't go...Don't you dare leave me again…damn it, sis!"
He staggered to his feet and carried her, mounting his horse and sending it on a furious gallop towards the castle while protectively holding the fragile, beloved load in his arms.
TBC
Author's notes: The song I used in today's chapter was 'Oikakete Yume' (Chasing the Dream) by Gackt from the album 'Crescent'. Wait! Before you guys strangle me, I would like to thank a few people (whips out a paper and starts reading from it)
Lady Aeries: Yes, I miss being back! Thank you my lady for waiting for my return patiently
Twilight Falcon: Thanks for pushing me to continue. I bet you're dying to know what happens to Soi now:D
Yuffie Kisaragi123: Oh, I know it's not that bad. (Dodges Soi's detachable staff )Then again, she's the divine daughter with that deadly weapon, not me.
Malicious-Alchemist: Thankies Thankies! She is not a Mary Sue after all, yes!! happily pounding on the keyboard
iana silmir: It's alright dearie :D I'm happy whenever people are happy with my work…it pushes me to work harder and be a better writer. As for Zhao Yun, we'll see. (winks)
HAM905: (starts crying) you don't know how much that meant to me. I love writing long chapters! It's okay! I'm sorry I wasn't able to come back sooner! (sobs)
KirinFang: Thanks dear! Don't worry, I'll make sure it'll be worth your while (smiles)
Anyway, what would happen to Soi now? Even if Sun Ce believes her, what about the rest? Lu Xun? Will Wu ever know the truth? Stick around as Destiny's Saga nears to a close. Don't worry! I'm starting on the next chapter right now! (Starts typing furiously)