Hello, Moredohc here. I know i should've done these author notes earlier, but I was either seeing how to do this, as this is my first time doing a fanfic, or have forgotten in the process on writing this. I think disclaimers should be done first.
I Do not own anything here or am i doing a accurate historical representation. The game is owned by Koei and the story is inspired by the Romance of the three Kingdoms.
Now that's done and over, I just wanted to say that this won't be very good in how I word things such as locations and actions or descriptions. English wasn't never my strong suit, but hey why not give it a go. Anyways about the OC's, they're semi self-inserts in a way but more their own characters. About their names, well they have a reason behind them i have plan but that's considering if I'm planning on finishing this. Who knows but i'll try to keep updating. Maybe not consistently as I have other things to do such as... Life responsibilities but yeah.
Anyways thank you for reading and have a great time.
P.S. If you have any suggestion, i would like to hear it. My first time and all :D
Chapter 3 Heroes' beginning:
It has been three days since Han Jin's emotional outburst and mind-bending epiphany. During these previous days in Tongquetai, the town lord introduces them to the remaining residents of the town. Han Jin in his few days staying in Tongquetai had notice the disparities between the number of children in the family compared to adults. It seemed that the average family here had about 4 children each and most were being parented by women. Tong Li answered his curiosity explaining that many of the men joined the army against the yellow turbans and the anti-Dong Zhuo coalition forces as to bring back money and fame to the town however, none returned or some even turning their backs on them. Additionally, this place used to be famous because of a mystic that lived here. the mystic's had the ability to accurately predict the future of the person he had encounter. Tong Li explained that the mystic wanted no monetary gains from doing this and said that having to practice his fortune telling skills was good enough however, some people in the village said that the money he earned can go into the town instead therefore creating good karma for him in his life. Thus, Tongquetai flourished in the times of peace.
"What happened then? I mean what happened to the mystic and your town?" Han Jin clarified.
"Ahh yes, the fall of our town began when the mystic left with no word or notice a decade ago, just before the yellow turban's attacks started happening. I must have guessed that he foresaw the future of this event happening on a warrior." Tong Li explained.
"Some people in our town went hunting for him when he left but found nothing. So, in time Tongquetai started to fall apart and we were losing our funds for trying to pay our guards and maintaining our properties. it was too much, and this is the result." Tong Li lamented with a sorrowful tone.
Later in the day, while they were tilling the fields, Han Jin reflected on what had transpired in this town and its people and compared it to his own life. This town seemed to have suffered for far longer and harder than he ever had, and yet the residents of this town still had the ability to be nice and kind to each other and especially to them. This was in stark contrast to how they had been perceived since their arrival in town, when everyone was wary of them but never malicious. This was only confirmed by the children approaching Hayden and Han Jin when Tong Li guided them around town on their second day. T
"Was the mystic your only source of income back then? This town is large and the fields of crops here could feed this entire place with a surplus of goods that could be used to sell or trade for other materials." Han Jin inquired with a quizzical look as he continued hoeing the fields.
"I agree. If I remember correctly, the mountains to the south and west should have quarries already built, no? I can't see this town not being of value in times of war." I added with a grunt, standing up straight after tilling the fields for hours straight and using the hoe as a cane. Tong Li shook his head remorsefully.
"Yes, this town is filled with natural resources that could allow us to rebuild and trade with the other cities but the mystic leaving us and wars following proven to be detrimental to our town's reputation." Tong Li head was casted down from his seat near where we were working along with a few woman and the older children.
"What lord Tong Li says is correct." A woman huffed and wiped her brow of sweat away from her dirty face.
"Lady Haoji?" Han Jin turned his head to the mature woman.
Haoji was one of the more skecptical people in the town upon their arrival and introduction. She wore a loose open V tunic that reached to her lower thighs. Her breast was bandaged leaving some decency as she worked in the fields with the others and harvesting whatever was able to grow or edible for her single child. Although the other woman said that lady Haoji's attire wasn't proper, many of them began to adopt her way of style as it was easier to work in the sun while working in the fields. She was the prettier woman in the town if you disregard her dirty looks and hard demeanour.
"What do you mean by that lady Haoji?" I tilted my head at the woman, resting my forearms on the end of the hoe.
She narrowed her eyes at us before returning to work with a scoff. I and Han Jin turned to each other with a knowing look as her hoe resumed its task. We understood that there were some suspicions in this town regarding our intention, but we could only hope to gain their trust in time.
A bell rang from the gates of the town and everyone on the field immediately ran back into their homes and locking the doors and windows while many immediately ushered their children inside before following the same actions. I meanwhile instantly sprinted towards me and dropped the hoe in his hand, causing him to fumble with the farming tools.
"Take Tong Li and head inside a house." I coldly ordered and left before Han Jin could reply.
"Wait! What's happening?" He calls out to Hayden, but he is already far off into the town.
Han Jin turned to Tong Li, expecting the explanation.
"It's the warning bell, a signal that sounds for bandits or a large group of people coming without notice." Tong Li grunts.
Knowing that, Han Jin couldn't stop Hayden from doing something foolish such as facing against a group of blood thirsty bandits by himself, but he also couldn't leave Tong Li by himself either. But what if it wasn't a group of bandits but the warlords who tracked him.
'Cao Cao!?' Han Jin's veins went cold, and he seem torn retreating into a safe place to hide or stand with Hayden against the looming threat.
"Go, your majesty. If you wish to help Hayden in time." As if sensing Han Jin's dilemma, Tong Li permitted his leave to help Hayden.
How ironic that a town lord was permitting an emperor to do something reckless. Regardless of how reckless it was for Han Jin; he thanked the old man and grabbed a sickle he took from a shed nearby the fields and quickly made his way towards the front gate. Swerving through some of the abandoned or rundown buildings, remembering the rough layout of the town from his walks. It took him a while before catching up to Hayden who was still gripping onto the sheathe of his blade.
'I swear is he only wearing that as an accessory.' Han Jin thought in ragged breath.
Hayden took notice of Han Jin running towards him and was reasonable shocked and annoyed at the same time. Once Han Jin reached Hayden, it was only then that he reprimanded him.
"Why would the emperor fight on the front lines against bandits? Do you have no sense of survival?" Hayden exclaimed, exasperated, but on the inside, he was rather pleased that his emperor was finally demonstrating his bravery.
"Hah. Back at you, what warrior thinks he can handle a band of criminals or possibly trained soldiers on his own with no troops to back him up? Talk about arrogant." Han Jin shot back.
"That makes two of us."
Both of us smirked at each other's jab. Over the past week they spend together their relationship was changing to a more familiar stature due to Hayden's casual and welcoming nature. Both turned their attention away from each other and focused on the battle. Hayden was a seasoned warrior therefore was ready for a long and bloody fight however, despite all that bravado, Han Jin was shaking a bit. His heart kept bumping so loud in his eardrums that it sounded like it might burst out of his chest, and he would die right there.
"Here they come." Hayden started to slowly pull out his blade slowly but not fully before the approaching enemy.
The enemy couldn't be seen properly but there was a figure in the distance quickly riding towards them with horses and a wagon. Han Jin meanwhile holds the sickle in front of him readying himself mentally to fight against impossible odds to protect this town despite how little he stayed in it.
'The people here don't deserve to be punished by the chaos; I'll make sure of that.' He thought resolutely now ready to give his life for the people.
Hayden squinted his eyes together as if trying to look further to the distance which in hindsight was kind of stupid but regardless he breathed a sigh of relief and returned the semi-exposed blade into its sheathe. Han Jin, seeing his action, was confused by it.
"Why did you sheathe your blade?" whipping his head to Hayden, Han Jin questioned adamantly, expecting a clear answer.
"Because I know them." Hayden spoke in a nostalgic and enthusiastic tone.
Han Jin lowered his sickle gently but steadily on the approaching group. It took a few seconds for them to arrive at the entrance, where Han Jin could fully view the people on the horses and those following them, and he was astounded by what he saw. There were three people on horseback, with a fourth horse without a rider. Behind them was a massive carriage full of supplies and goods, including what Han Jin could recognise as weapon and building materials. Continuing onwards, behind the carriage itself were a bunch of soldiers too wearing plated armour with a variety of weapons, such as spears, halberds, swords, and knives.
"What took you so long to get here, and who are those guys standing behind you?" Han Jin returned to Hayden, still surprised by his disbelieving tone, but his face was brighter than ever before from his evidently grinning face. Two of the horseback riders jumped off mid-stop and ran towards to us.
"We had a bit of a detour along the way, but It was worth it as you can see."
A man around Hayden's height, who was 172 tall, replied to him in a jovial tone. This person had a scar on his face on his left eye and to the surprise of Han Jin it seemed like he could still see from it. This person had black hair with a similar hairstyle to Hayden, but his hair seemed to be coned forward while also being straighter and smoother compared to Hayden's wavy combed back hair. He also saw that this person was more outfitted than Hayden when it came to armour, this person had metal plated breastplate, shoulder guards on both arms and plated metal greaves for his forearms as well. He also had metal plated shins as well and underneath the breastplate was a grey tunic with line embroidery as well. he was also bulkier compared to Hayden from his muscles being more accentuated.
"And carrying all this stuff wasn't easy either and don't get me started with these dunces behind us."
The second person to dismount was a young lady who was shorter than Hayden with beautiful features. She had black hair and blue eyes, and her hair was done in a short ponytail and seemed to be of similar age as him. Compare to Hayden and the first person who talked she only wore a metal breastplate, and the other pieces of armour were leather based. What was particularly odder was the dual spears. They were black and white spears on her back with different sizes.
The third person dismounted their horse and approached Hayden, nodding his head in front of both of us, but I believe it was intended for Hayden. Han Jin was taken aback by this tall man. This person's entire body was encased in red metal plated armour from head to toe, with only his helmet visor exhibiting a T shape, allowing him to breathe and see.
"Bandits?" Hayden looked at them sceptically before looking at the others behind the cargo with narrowed eyes.
"They're fine. Just a few fights and they're obedient." The man with the scar gave a hearty laugh and patted Hayden's back.
"I see. Well, I'll try to see if they can be fitted in but the locals might have a scare. I think I gotta come with you to organise this new surprise." Hayden explained while rubbing his throat.
It took a while for Hayden to invite them into Tongquetai and to transport the soldiers behind the carriage to a residence where they may rest. The troops behind the carriage sighed with relief and desired to rest after their long journey. Meanwhile Han Jin assisted by appeasing the people of the town, saying that the people here are friends of Hayden and that they shouldn't worry too much but, in all honesty, Han Jin wasn't sure what type of relationship Hayden had with these people.
After everything was said and done and while the sun was beginning to set, Hayden and Han Jin returned to the town lord's house Tong Li waited. Hayden swung the front door open and entered, following him were Han Jin, the man with the scar on his face, the beautiful lady, and the armoured individual.
"Where's old man Li?" The person with a scar asked. He looked around the hallway of the house only to see nobody here.
"Probably hiding at another house, we were at the fields when we heard the bell." Han Jin gave a curt and short reply to the man.
Said person only hummed in acknowledgement. Except for the armoured man, we were all seated at the table, and the lady was boiling tea and cooking rice this time, allowing Han Jin and Hayden to describe their situation.
"I'm here young ones." A old chuckle could be heard upstairs as the tapping of wood filled the space. Tong Li had walked down the stairs and approached the group.
"Hmm… is that you Brendan?" Tong Li questioned with a whimsical tone. Said person simply laughed joyfully before approaching the blind man.
"Its been too long old man Li. Hmm, you look decent for being senile." Brendan grinned, taking a poke at the man's age.
"And you haven't grown up a bit last we met. Still drinking milk like a child?" Tong Li teased with a smug smile. Brendan eye twitched slightly and it seems somehow, Tong Li could see it.
"Hi Grandpa Li." The young lady pushed Brendan out of the way and greeted the town lord with a bright smile.
"Ahh, my dear Taylah. I haven't seen you since you were a baby. I'm surprised you still remember someone old like me." He chuckled, grasping her shoulders gently before his eyes landed on the red armoured giant.
"Ah, Igris. Still the ever stalwart and silent guardian?" Igris nodded his head.
The atmosphere here was nostalgic and full of love for them that it made Han Jin feel forgotten and out of place. Shuffling his feet quietly in spot as he waited for their moment before introducing himself to these people. Hayden, seeing his plight merely chuckled before patting his shoulder.
"Alright, enough of that. You guys will have plenty of catching up to do later. But for now, its time for introductions." Hayden smiled as he gathered them all into the dining room.
Taylah, Brendan, Hayden, Han Jin and Tong Li sat down on the table together, but Igris insisted on standing by, crossing his arms as he kept an eye on everyone while being by the window. The setting sun was gleaming into the room creating this soft glow onto everyone's body. After everyone was settled in Hayden smiled at everyone as they turned their attention to him.
"Ok, now that we are all fine and relaxed. I want to introduce you guys to my new friend." He gestured to Han Jin who was sitting next to Taylah and in front of Brendan.
Han Jin turned face to face to everyone new in the room with a beating heart. To be sitting here with all these new people who he had no idea about made him feel uncomfortable.
"So… you going to introduce us, or should we go first?" Taylah asked, resting her head on her hand while looking at Hayden before turning her attention to Han Jin.
Hayden looked at Han Jin with a raised eyebrow accompanied with his usual smile before turning his attention back to the others.
"Alright, I guess I'll introduce you to my family first." Han Jin eyes widened at the mention of kinship with these people.
"I'll start with this guy, the oldest of our family. He's Xiong Brendan, also just call us by our names and not our family name. ok?" Hayden said rhetorically before moving on to the lady besides Han Jin.
"Here we have the youngest of the family and the most talented too, Xiong Taylah. I suggest you be careful around her Han Jin; she may be sweet on the outside but when she gets mad, she's like scolding mother." Everyone in the room chuckled at the description causing Taylah eye to twitch slightly at her.
"Don't listen to these idiots. Anyways its nice to meet you." Taylah growled at her siblings before smiling at Han Jin. her smile was radiant and beautiful to Han Jin who couldn't help but blush and nod his head bashfully.
"And finally, the red armoured giant here is Igris. While he's not family by blood, he's been our guardian and caretaker ever since we were babes. If we're in trouble, he's always nearby to save us." Hayden chuckled, gesturing to Igris standing by the window almost eerily. Igris turned his head to Han Jin before greeting the emperor with a nod.
"Uhh… Hi." Han Jin nervously greeted.
"Sorry, he's taken an oath of silence. We don't know when, but our parents said he did it before we were born." Brendan shrugged his shoulders.
"I see. Well, its nice to meet you. Hayden never mentioned he had family coming or even any relatives at all."
"Sounds about right. I feel like I should be surprised at your lack of communication Hayden." Taylah gave her brother a narrowed side eye.
"Come on Hayden, you should've at least informed Tong Li of our arrival. We must've looked like a bunch of criminals planning on capturing the town." Brendan crossed his arms.
"Sorry Sorry. Things just gotten more complicated recently and I needed to prioritise the problem here." Hayden chuckled before returning his attention and subsequentially everyones attention to him.
Han Jin now being the focus was more conscientious of his actions and looks, squirming slightly on his seat. A hold on his shoulder caused him to jump slightly before looking to his right. Hayden's hand was grasping his shoulder firmly, looking at him, Han Jin saw that reassuring smile he always wore. It somehow always manages to calm him down and feel more confident in any situation. Letting out a breath, he gathered his thoughts.
After Hayden introduce his family and guardian, he turned his head and looked at Han Jin. Han Jin didn't understand what Hayden wanted, did he wanted him to introduce himself?
"So now that our introductions are finished, mind introducing your new friend Hayden?" Taylah asked curiously.
Hayden looked at Taylah then back to Han Jin, waiting for him. Everyone, in the room knew that there was something brewing here from the looks Hayden was giving to Han Jin but regardless they still waited patiently. It wasn't after a few seconds that Han Jin sighed in acceptance and started rubbing his head.
"Guess I can trust them if I can trust you, Hayden." Han Jin relented. Hayden gave him a small smile and nodded at the emperor, meanwhile both Taylah and Brendan looked at each other with an eye raised.
"Before I begin, I must ask you that what I say in this room remains a secret from everybody outside." Han Jin stated seriously. Everyone in the room besides Hayden were surprised by Han Jin's tone but that surprise came as soon as it left and the tone in the room shifted to something more serious.
"I will assume that your silence is a yes then." Han Jin continued with a breath of fresh air, preparing to explain his situation to these people.
Han Jin introduced himself as the emperor of the now-declining Han empire, recounting his life up to the point he met Hayden. Hayden had to fill in some gaps in his recollections, such as deeds perpetrated by other warlords during his reign as Emperor under Guo Si and Dong Zhuo. Han Jin got a little choked up while remembering his darkest recollections, but he powered through them. He described his frustrations and failures to them, and during Han Jin's times of self-deprecation and vulnerability, the individuals in the room said nothing and waited for him to finish.
By the time Han Jin finished the sun had already set, the tea and food were all finished. Han Jin wasn't the same mess when he told his story and trauma to Hayden but was still emotionally tired from explaining his life again. When he looked up to see the others' reaction, they all had blank faces and were thinking. Brendan was the first one to speak to the emperor.
"it seems you've suffered much Han Jin and Hayden's right, you still have a purpose to achieve and fulfill. It's no doubt why you continue to refuse to bow the knee to any fierce warlord, because you yourself have a grand ambition equal to their's." Brendan explained in an uplifting tone.
Han Jin looked at Brendan in surprised awe. Unlike Hayden's blunt words that slapped his face and stabbed his heart, Brendan instead started to motivate Han Jin.
"If that is the case then my service will be yours then, your majesty. I shall be your sword and shield on the field of battle and guide you to realising your ambition, no matter how vague you may think it might be." Brendan profusely proclaimed with a rising inflection that inspired confidence and assurance in Han Jin.
"I will also do the same as well." Taylah declared as well but in a firm softer tone compared to her older brother. Han Jin turned his head to her and see Taylah looking at him with a beautifully soft smile.
"It is true that you have not accomplished much for an emperor, but that is not your fault. You had no one to turn to, no one to back your beliefs and ambitions, and no one to guide you through this ageof chaos. So, we will be the ones who show you the road, to pave the way for you to journey and achieve the ideal you so desperately desire." Taylah's statement moved him just as much as Brendan's.
Han Jin was overjoyed that he finally had companions on whom he could rely on and trust. He trusted them because he trusted Hayden, the only person who had never seen him as a tool, but rather as a human being with aspirations. Meanwhile, Igris just nodded to the young emperor.
"Of course, the town will also support your endeavour as best as we can, your imperial majesty." Tong Li added.
"Thank You everyone. I really am grateful for both your service and friendship." Han Jin could almost feel himself tearing up but he refused to do so in front of his new companions.
Shaking his head before standing up from the table, he wiped his eyes from the forming tears and turned to everyone once again.
"Now that introductions are done. I think it's time we hit the sack." Han Jin grinned. The others could see how much this new chapter of Han Jin's life is affecting him and as a result they couldn't help being uplifted by his new spirit.
"Ok Ok. It is getting late so its best we talk about serious business at a later date." Hayden chuckled before standing up, stretching his limbs and joining the emperor by the door.
"Then I guess its time for us to return to our old residence. Hayden, have you checked up on It while you were here?" everyone stood up as Brendan began asking.
"Yeah, its run down but the rooms are good enough to sleep until you guys can begin renovating it back to its former glory." Hayden answered with a smile.
"You mean us right?" Taylah warned with a edge to her voice which caused Hayden to straighten up.
"Y-Yeah… us." He coughed non-discretely. Igris shook his head with a sigh.
"Alright, the night is getting late. I do not wish to see you all staying late." Tong Li grunted, before tapping his cane on the wood hard.
"Yes, Old Man Li." All three siblings answered in synch causing everyone in the room to laugh. Eventually, everyone left the dining room and headed to their rooms or homes to turn in for the night.
Hayden and Han Jin both had pillows and blankets after discovering that Tong Li had an extra in his closet. After a bit of cleaning and hanging they were able to sleep comfortably in the room. By now it was past midnight and Han Jin couldn't stay asleep as his mind was mildly excited and nervous of his new addition of friends. From what he understood they were all warriors of extreme skill. He isn't a fighter himself, only holding a sword a few times when his father was alive, but he could still see the way they move with purpose or how lightly they treaded despite wearing armour and holding their weapons. While it was good to know they were strong warriors by looks, he didn't realise they could look so young. If he were taking a guess, they looked around his age.
Han Jin released a sigh, realising his thoughts were keeping him awake, he sat up and looked out the window where the moon was now leaving its full moon phase. Turning his attention back down to his lap and putting out his hands, he formed a fist. Closing his eyes, he tried to think about his ambitions or what his ideals were. After some minutes he couldn't grasp anything solid. Deciding that this was enough, he began to feel sluggish in his thoughts and moves. Returning to sleep, Han Jin figured he could discover his ambition in the future. For his friends, the people and importantly, himself.