Dynasty Warriors: The Rise of Sun
Beginning of a new Dynasty Warriors story, start of a trilogy this time focused on Wu, given I've already done ones for Shu and Wei, anyway, enjoy.
Side note: All characters weapons and appearances are based on their DW9 versions.
Disclaimer: I don't own Dynasty Warriors or its characters.
Prologue
Empires wax and wane, states cleave asunder and coalesce. When the Zhou Dynasty had reached its end, seven contending principalities rose up until they had all been conquered and unified under Qin. When it too had run its course, Chu and Han rose in contention with Han being the victor. Now the Han Dynasty had ruled for close to four hundred years by this point and was well past its zenith. Under Emperor Huan, the Palace Eunuchs gained greater power than ever before and through them, corruption had grown and spread throughout the land, this only got worse under Huan's successor, Emperor Ling and before long the corruption and heavy taxation caused great suffering to the people of the land and it wasn't long before things would boil over.
This came in the shape of a man from Ji Province, in the city of Gunagzhong. His name was Zhang Jiao, with his brothers Bao and Liang, he used his magical powers to help the suffering people and very soon he was drawing more and more people too him and began challenging corrupt officials until soon almost the entire north-eastern and eastern areas of China were full of supporters of Zhang Jiao and soon they rose up in rebellion against the Han court, this would soon become known as the Yellow Turban Rebellion.
The call to arms had gone out throughout the land, the Imperial Court was requesting the regional lord raise armies to help the main Imperial Army fight against the Yellow Turbans. One of those armies was set up in a military encampment near the castle town they were heading to which would serve as their main staging point for the upcoming battle against the Yellow Turbans. The leader of this army was the well-known Tiger of Jiangdong, Sun Jian. He was seated outside the tent at the centre of the camp, smiling lightly as he anticipated the battle ahead. One of his chief retainers however did not share that smile.
"The odds are not in our favor, my Lord." The man's smoky voice sounded from Sun Jian's right. "The Yellow Turbans number at least more than double our forces. Some of them are just peasants but that doesn't change the fact they can easily overwhelm us."
Smirking as he turned his gaze to the silver haired retainer that he always valued highly, Sun Jian laughed.
"Cheng Pu, you know that we took on this battle because it would be challenge, right?" He quipped.
Cheng Pu sighed and shook his head, he knew his Lord to be a confident and bold man, but sometimes he feared that he might a little too much.
"We cannot afford to be lax, or underestimate our opponents." He insisted. "We need to be aware of the danger these Yellow Turbans pose and I'm not just talking about their military capabilities either."
Sun Jian went quiet at that, sombre.
At that moment there was a hearty laugh from behind them as two other men approached, Sun Jian's other two major retainers, Huang Gai and Han Dang.
Huang Gai was the one laughing. "You always take things so seriously Cheng Pu. You need to relax, don't forget that, numerous though the Yellow Turbans may be, the men of Wu are being led by us, especially our Lord."
"Exactly." Han Dang agreed. "We just need to give it our all and we'll show them that they cannot match us. I especially need to put in the effort if I'm going to get noticed."
Cheng Pu shook his head. "You two never change, typical. Well maybe you're right, but we still need to take care and not underestimate the enemy. The Yellow Turbans might have some skilled warriors amongst their ranks too."
"We're about to find out, I think." Sun Jian suddenly interrupted, standing up.
The others all turned to see a small squad of Yellow Turbans charging towards them, weapons drawn. Grabbing his Ringed Blade Sun Jian called out.
"Now, everyone, to battle!"
The soldiers all quickly grabber their weapons, Huang Gai his large Club, Han Dang a Short Pike and Cheng Pu a Double Pike.
"Now, take them down."
They charged in and soon both sides clashed. As expected, the Yellow Turbans were driven by fervour but were still peasants and unskilled fighters and were soon falling rapidly by the weapons of the men of Wu.
"You think you'll get away with this, you'll have to defeat me and I don't think you even remotely have a chance of keeping up." A voice cried out.
A man had arrived, bearing a Great Sickle and a dark glare.
"Who on earth-?" Cheng Pu blurted out.
The man raised his weapon. "The name's Zhou Cang. Now, face me if you dare!"
Han Dang was about to step up, no doubt intending to make a name for himself, but before he could, Zhou Cang tried to attack Sun Jian.
Sun Jian laughed as he dodged and noted Zhou Cang's speed was no joke as he easily dodged Sun Jian's counter.
"So, you're a Yellow Turban, huh?" He remarked. "What a shame, a man with your skills, wasted on being a mere bandit."
Zhou Cang attacked again, being blocked. "You fool, you're so blinded by your favour in the Imperial Court you can't see how corrupt and rotten it is. We Yellow Turbans are no mere bandits, we are the ones who will cleanse the court of that corruption."
Sun Jian wasted no time attacking again, again and again, he then dropped down to dodge the attack Zhou Cang sent his way.
"A fanciful notion, too bad it sounds a little too...fantastical." Sun Jian fired back. "Now, enough, this ends!"
With that he suddenly channelled his power and launched a quick upwards then downward strike, attacking with burning fury and Zhou Cang yelled in pain from the hit. He quickly flipped onto his feet, clutching his weapon.
"Argh, I've gotta get outta here, fast!"
He turned and ran off at amazing speed.
"Wow, look at him go!" Huang Gai remarked. "He's a strange one alright."
Han Dang sighed and rubbed the back of his head. "I should have been the one to fight him."
"I just hope we don't face more like him." Cheng Pu remarked. "My Lord, there is Dingtao ahead, we should move on quickly."
Sun Jian agreed and they quickly packed up the camp and gathered everything they had and began making their way to the castle.
End of chapter, hope you enjoyed it, read and review please.