Chapter 14: The War is Joined: Battle of Hanzhong

Wu barracks

The new silver-eyed warrior had already introduced herself to Lord Sun Quan. Her experience in having Awakened – and reverted – was, in Lu Xun's eyes, an imperative asset for Wu, especially now that one of their best warriors was at dire risk of the same fate. Without delay, she made her way to the quarters of the general who had, apparently, turned away from Awakening despite being a man. She was intrigued. How could he have achieved such an impossible feat? Was his discipline as formidable as hers? Or had someone else saved him… just as Clare had liberated her?

A crimson-cheeked Cynthia had been cuddling a half-naked Zhou Tai on his bed when Jean suddenly brushed aside the tent's folds and peered in. At the startling intrusion, Cynthia tumbled off and landed on the ground while Zhou Tai scrambled up and reached for his shirt. "So you are the famed General of Valour," remarked the blonde woman with the cropped hair, her eyes sparkling apologetically. It would take some time accustoming herself to formal military decorum. "My name is Jean, and the honour is mine. Not to mention…" She looked down. "Number Fourteen. Cynthia, was it?"

"Number Nine!" gasped Cynthia. "I'm sorry, I didn't recognize you! I've been stationed in this nation for so long that I…"

"There is no need to apologize. I'm sure I'll get used to this eventually," smiled Jean. "I have been told that our objective is to rebuild the forces after the disaster at He Fei. Master Lu Xun has told me that tensions with Shu are at an unprecedented high. I will need General Zhou's advice concerning such matters. Master Lu Meng is holding a conference now, and he asks for our attendance."

Zhou Tai looked mildly annoyed. "Give me five minutes," he grunted, as he pulled his shirt on and shot a rueful glance at a pouting Cynthia.

*

Chengdu

Flora kneeled before Yue Ying as the Grand General read aloud from a scroll that recorded Liu Bei's edict. "Wu and Wei's battle at He Fei Castle has reached our King," she said at last. "It is a good opportunity to catch Cao Cao off-guard and advance up through the Central Plains towards Luoyang. I will sweep up the remnants of the Yoma and expel them from Chengdu. Now, on behalf of the Shu Kingdom, I give you and Miria command over the advance to Hanzhong Castle, and to open the path to Wei through the northeast." She smiled down at her. "For that purpose, I hereby promote you to Lance Marshal, and Miria to Plains General. With Clare, Helen and Deneve, you'll bypass Mt. Ding Jun, and hit directly at the city."

Flora looked up in unreserved surprise. "I cannot possibly – "

Yue Ying bid her to rise. "I require your expertise to aid my troops in combating the Yoma. Some degree of authority is necessary." Her face turned sombre. "I see you have taken my concern about the Yoma's actual origins to heart. I have seen you asking many questions to Miria and Clare about the direct cause of the Awakened Beings' presence. Just between you and me, I do not know why Lord Liu Bei insists on sending my men against Hanzhong now. I feel as if it might even help the cause of our vile invaders, by spreading thin the Kingdom's forces."

"For now, we can only sit back and see," said Flora, lowering her voice obligingly. "But why this sudden unease about Lord Liu Bei's methods?"

"As the commander-in-chief of the army, the King should relegate all military authority to me. This is a time-honoured and time-tested tradition since the first Emperor of China. But our Lord…" Yue Ying winced. "Seems to be allowing his personal feelings to interfere with what should be my jurisdiction."

Understanding her, Flora found the nerve to speak louder. "Like you, I also question our Lord's wisdom in moving against Cao Cao, especially when our primary mission should be directed against the Yoma." She took Yue Ying's hand. "It was you who summoned me to Lord Liu Bei's side. And until you declare otherwise, I will remain directly under your command." Her eyes sparkled. "My promise to rid your lands of the Yoma remains as true as it was the first day we met."

Yue Ying nodded sadly. She drew closer and clasped Flora's shoulder. "Forgive me for sending you to Hanzhong, my new Lance Marshal. I pray for your safety, and I also pray that Lord Liu Bei will find the strength to put aside our differences with Wu and Wei in time, to save our nation from its true threat.

"Good luck, my soldier."

*

Xuchang

Zhang Liao and Xu Huang bowed before Cao Cao in silence, listening attentively to the Prime Minister's commands. "Your bravery at He Fei was highly commendable – and your suggestion to focus the war against the Awakened Beings is informed and prudent. Zhang Liao. You are hereby to assume supreme command over the war against Wu. Xu Huang, you shall continue our suppression against Shu alongside Sima Yi. I will direct my own focus against the Awakened Beings and Yoma that ravage our land. Tie down our enemies and ensure that their alliance is sabotaged. We will sweep them aside for good once we understand the leadership structure behind the Yoma invasion."

"My Lord!" affirmed the two warriors, and they bowed out.

Cao Cao allowed himself a brief sigh before rising from his throne and making his way out of the chamber. He walked towards Galatea, who stood by a side door, her arms folded. "Are you angry with me?" he asked quietly, their eyes meeting. "This is the best I can do. This era of our history has decreed that even more blood must be spilled before the people's wounds can be healed."

She shook her head. "No, Master. I appreciate your resolve to fight the Yoma on a personal front. Still, I would like some explanations as to why my Organization has responded in such a bizarre manner to the crisis in this nation."

"I also believe there are deeper machinations at play here. There is much that my advisors and I are unaware of. But let us discuss this question later. For now, let us depart for Hanzhong. I need you with me to repulse a new attack by those Shu mongrels."

She nodded, moving to stand beside him. "Shu movements? To the west?"

"Yes. And not just any enemy," he added, raising an eyebrow. "My scouts have reported five fair-haired, foreign women leading a division of soldiers to my castle." His voice was brusque. "Someone you know?"

Galatea did her best not to show her concern. She tried her best to match his indifference, his hardness. Her eyes remained resolute as she replied, "I will do my job. I will defeat them."

*

A week later. Sunset

Her commander's words still lingering in her heart, Flora strode alongside her Claymore comrades as the Shu Army's Western Division marched towards Hanzhong, the ancient city of the Han Dynasty's first Emperor. They remained silent for much of their journey, walking for several days until reaching a plateau – the upland that nestled the citadel of the Han heritage. But despite an imminent battle, Flora's mind was occupied with different troubles. "Isley… and the one-horned girl called Priscilla," she murmured. "You say they may be responsible for the Yoma's assault on this nation, Miss Clare?"

"I'm not sure if they're calling the shots," said Clare, staring straight ahead, avoiding the glare of the crimson star above the valley. "But I know that they're the strongest faction on the Continent. How they might be directing things here, I'm not sure."

"Is… it wise? To be challenging the other Kingdoms at this time?" pressed Flora, unable to see anything in her mind's eye except for Yue Ying's troubled face. "I am concerned that we may lose sight of our true mission."

Clare looked up, her eyes narrowing. "This isn't the time… yet. We'll reason later and fight now. Do you see that?" She pointed upwards. Pebbles were falling in an unnatural manner off the plateau. Rocky debris tumbled lightly down the hill, as if an avalanche was imminent. If anything fell down now… their men could be buried alive.

The horses neighed uneasily. Something was wrong.

"This is no natural landslide. It's an ambush," growled Miria in realization, as large boulders emerged from the edges of the cliffs and hurtled down towards them. "Scatter!" The shocked Shu soldiers braced themselves and raised their shields in dread, but it was no use. The rocks rumbled down and smashed into them, pulverizing men and horses into nothing except crushed bone, mangled flesh and shattered armour. Flora could not believe it. Had the Wei troops expected this attack all along? But the terrain did indeed give them an advantage… the anti-Yoma platoon drew their swords, leaping upwards and hacking at as many falling stones as they could physically manage. But –

Flora whipped around. "No," she whispered. The boulders were falling on both sides of the canyon, sandwiching the Shu forces in between the carefully planned attack. The Shu soldiers screamed in panic and bedlam as their formations were buried underneath a sea of stones. The survivors staggered out of the rocks that had crushed their comrades, dazed and injured. Faced with no choice except to charge up the steep hill between the gorges, they advanced –

Phalanx upon phalanx of Wei Men-At-Arms emerged from beyond the crest of the plateau and aimed their swords at them. They roared, and charged.

They had arrived from both the front and rear, blocking Miria and Flora's route to Hanzhong Castle. Caught by surprise again, the Shu warriors struggled to push back the ambush parties, but Cao Cao's officers had prepared well, and with a shriek of bloodlust, the Men-At-Arms aimed their blades at the Shu soldiers, pushing them back, impaling them as they advanced down the inclined hill, turning the ambush into a victorious rout. Blocking the poison-tipped volleys of arrows that rained down around them, the Claymores calmly and coolly defended their allies against the relentless defence. But it was a losing battle. Horses whinnied as they struggled amongst the boulders and corpses of their masters. The dead were confining even the route of retreat. Miria swore to herself. If this kept up, there would be no one left save her own team!

"Cover the men! Get them space to give ground," she ordered. "We'll punch through ourselves!"

"Well, we're not bound by the Organization's lame orders, hey?" sniggered Helen. Her extending arm shot up the canyon, carelessly smashing aside the Wei archers and engineers who had surrounded them. They fell several hundred feet into the gorge, screaming to their deaths as Clare and Flora advanced, bashing aside the Wei soldiers with the flats of their blades. They somersaulted over the spears, hurling their Wei attackers against the rock faces with their blades. With a heavy heart, Flora riposted and struck an advancing infantryman in the cranium, knocking him out cold instantly. Another attacking soldier pinned her against the fissure, leaving her with no choice but to end his military career with a swift slash to his arms. He folded, screaming. Her personal vow to abstain from taking human life was something she treasured, but she would have no choice but to betray it if her own men were dying around her.

Yue Ying had entrusted her with these men. She could not fail them.

The initial ambush had not lasted for more than an hour, but a blanket of Wei and Shu bodies already covered the gorge. Most of the green-decked army lay dead, but the Claymore battalion finally broke through the lines of Wei defenders. They had almost cleared their advance up the hill when Flora stopped, her expression of grim concentration transmuting to one of unreserved bewilderment. More enemy forces? We cannot hold out for long if they do not relent.

An entire formation of mounted horsemen was facing them, impeding their passage past the ravine to the castle. They were decked in dull silver armour, their faces covered by tall helms that gave the impression that they were not even human. They wielded thick, sixteen-foot long spears and guan dao, weapons forged in the fires of China's best blacksmiths. Even the horses were armoured, decked in the dark purple, royal finery of Wei.

"Imperial Lancers! Stand down," shouted a familiar, sarcastic voice.

The armoured horsemen slowly backed away, before directing their horses to trot back into the fortress beyond. A lone figure took their place, awaiting the weary Shu-allied Claymores on the hilltop. The reddening sun shone upon her face, illuminating the countenance that was revered and respected amongst all warriors of the Organization. Her presence was one that the five warriors had never expected to encounter in the Middle Kingdom.

It was Galatea.

"Welcome to Hanzhong," she said, giving an ironic salute to her juniors.

"Number… Number Three?!" cried Clare.

"Yo, Number Forty-Seven. How do you find China? It's been a while since we met – I haven't heard from you since our little adventure at Riful's cosy cave."

Flora shook her head in disbelief. "Senior… you were assigned to the Middle Kingdom, too? Could it be that you have allied yourself with Wei?"

"I can hardly be blamed for that," sniffed Galatea. "I was sent, after all, to the Imperial Court to serve as His Majesty's guardian. Ermita didn't give me the free reign you ladies seem to be enjoying." She smiled. "Not that I regret it."

"Is there any way you could stand aside?" asked Miria, her eyes sharp and focused. "We don't have any quarrel against you. It is the Yoma that we must fight. And on the orders of Liu Bei… the Kingdom of Wei as well."

"Ridiculous," said Galatea plainly. "The Prime Minister's military agenda is now focused against the Yoma and Awakened Beings in China. Why your clients choose to continue your attacks on Wei is beyond him… and me, for that matter," she shrugged. "Shouldn't your Lord be focusing on expelling the Yoma from his own realm rather than marching against old friends?"

"I wonder about this dilemma too," admitted Flora. "But – "

"Too bad Moony gave us a job to do! It's not like we can just turn away because of you," snickered Helen. She pointed her sword at her senior. "We'll try not to kill ya of course, but we can't really go easy, can we?"

"Oh my. Aren't we all business and no play today?" derided Galatea, shaking her head as Helen and Deneve began to circle her. "Don't even bother. You stand absolutely no chance against me." She drew her own Claymore. "I won't say a word. Leave now, and I'll tell the Imperial Chancellor I never saw you."

Miria lifted her sword, her eyes defiant.

"You're going to regret this. But I'm probably going to regret it more," sighed God-Eye, as her nudge of Yoki sent Deneve staggering away. Helen attempted an attack, and but Galatea willed her arms to shift to the left, and she crashed into the ground. Miria leaped upwards, smashing her sword down on Galatea's raised blade. The older woman blocked with little effort, looking up and smirking. Miria somersaulted past her, attempting an attack from behind as Clare's right arm began to hack at Galatea's defence.

The Tigress Guard whistled as she leaped back. "You ladies really don't hold back, even for me. I don't know whether to praise your daring or laugh at your cheek." Ever the calm one, she kicked Clare away, sending her flying into Deneve, and parried a reluctant strike from Flora. The two beauties pushed against each other, their eyes meeting. Flora's Windcutter was fast, but even Galatea's normal speed could match its tempo. The older woman simply parried all of Flora's swings – a simple matter, considering Flora was clearly reluctant to fight her. Good, thought Galatea. She hoped she could stall for time, to talk some common sense into them before Cao Cao decided to finish the battle himself. One thing was for sure – he would not be so patient with these five.

They were being quite uncooperative, however – Deneve and Helen's relentless attacks had forced her on the defensive, and Miria's Phantom Mirage had improved quite admirably. As Galatea felt herself reeling back from their last exchange, Clare's quickening sword slashed across her arm, drawing a generous flow of blood. Remaining calm, she counterattacked and bashed her junior aside with the flat of her sword. She sensed a sudden surge of Yoki – their eyes had turned yellow. So, they were getting serious. Their attacks became more precise, more dangerous. She could not simply block their blows anymore – she had to evade them. She was rather flattered, in a way. The five warriors knew that she was amongst the strongest Claymores. It was quite pleasing to know that they looked up to her with such martial respect.

Still, she felt her teeth clench in frustration as they began to overwhelm her. Civil war was such a nuisance, and the most painful reality was that they would need to reach a peace somehow. For the moment, that prospect seemed very, very distant, especially when she did not wish to hurt them.

She glanced behind her as footsteps approached. "Damn it," she groused. "I knew it would come down to this." She was too late – Watching from a distance, Cao Cao had already decided to act. He separated from the Imperial Lancers that protected him and revealed his Sword of Heaven. He walked slowly towards them, his demonic eyes unforgiving. "Don't worry yourself over these ladies," called out Galatea, "I'll usher them out of here soon enough."

In other words, ladies, get the hell out of here.

"You are the leader of this pathetic attack?" demanded Cao Cao, ignoring his bodyguard and looking directly at Miria and Flora. He smirked, his dark cape billowing in the wind. "No, Galatea. I'll spare you the pain of fighting your own comrades any longer. Though they are fools to have chosen the futureless Liu Bei."

The Shu allies quickly surrounded him. "We have no quarrel with Lady Galatea, and we have no quarrel with you, either," said Flora, her eyes hesitant. "Our orders are to take Hanzhong. Little did we know our comrade would also be here – "

"In other words, you have erred. Badly," said Cao Cao quietly. His aura suddenly expanded, casting a shadow over the entire castle. It tripled in weight, choking the atmosphere around them. "You came to take Hanzhong, but now you will find only death."

"Give up," insisted Miria. "You don't stand a chance against the five of us."

"And you are an eyesore," he scowled. Before they could react, he suddenly aimed the Sword of Heaven downwards and slammed the tip of its blade into the ground. "Kneel!" he cried, as a shockwave shot forth from the epicentre of his sword's impact, radiating in an all-consuming sphere around him. A prodigious boom shook the Earth, and the very empyrean trembled. Although the women had already steadied themselves, the earthquake he had created still sent them hurtling through the air, flinging them back an immense distance across the grasslands. The impact was devastating. Helen and Deneve crash-landed painfully on top of one another, Miria sprawled along the dusty ground, gasping for breath, and Clare slammed face-first into the hard dirt. Sweat poured down her face, and her eyes reverted to their usual silver. Flora hadn't fared better; she landed on her back, with no opportunity to breakfall. "This… is impossible," she wheezed, clutching at her crushed ribs.

Before they could recover, the Imperial Chancellor roared and spun, conjuring forth two massive, crescent-shaped missiles of ice from his longsword. They hurtled towards the women, faster than light itself. Helen could not help swearing even as she struggled up. "No bloody way." It was too fast – far too fast. Flora desperately raised her sword in a defensive stance, and Clare and Deneve did likewise. Miria dived forward and attempted an evasive roll. It was all utterly useless. The celestial blizzard swallowed them up, immobilizing them and imprisoning them in a prison of vast, cosmic ice. In a heartbeat, Yue Ying's entire anti-Yoma squadron was encased in wintry rime. They could not move – they could not even blink. They had been frozen on the spot, utterly solidified.

They were, in a word, helpless.

"Now, what shall I do with you?" sneered the King of Wei, strolling forward and peering harshly at their immobile visages, their mouths still open in disbelief. "My. Little. Blonde. Trespassers." Their bodies would now be trapped in time, until Nature felt kind enough to melt the icy prison. "Shall I cut you down here and now? Or shall I wait for you to thaw, and bind you in chains? And parade you – "

"You will do no such thing," came Galatea's voice. Cao Cao turned, his eyebrow rising. "Let them remain here," she continued. "When the ice melts, they will see the extent of their losses, and retreat. They are not fools. Isn't that enough? Did Zhang Liao and Xu Huang not advise you on your priorities? It is the Awakened Beings we must destroy. Not…" she grimaced. "Not my fellow warriors."

He suddenly turned and clasped her by the waist, kissing her roughly. She struggled half-heartedly at first, but almost instantly relaxed into his grip, her eyes slowly closing in submission as she allowed him to take her. "You have a soft heart," he said quietly. "But it's true. The sooner we end this chaos, the sooner you may reunite with them." He released her and walked past, sheathing his sword. "I can afford to fight a war against the demons of the Continent. But that will depend on how troublesome Shu and Wu remain. Their antics are beginning to irritate me."

Swallowing her Lord's saliva and silencing the mutters of the Imperial Lancers with a sharp glare, Galatea turned to follow him, but could not resist glancing back at the frozen Claymores. Hopefully by tomorrow, the ice would thin, allowing them to break away and free themselves – if they didn't die of cold or exhaustion. Hopefully, Shu reinforcements would come for them, and that they would realize the folly of challenging Hanzhong Castle again.

"I'm sorry, ladies," she muttered sadly.

My loyalties… have changed in the past year. I serve a new master now. I know you'll be wondering why. But really, you should be asking questions about the Organization itself.

I'm sure you already know things are not as simple as they seem.