Ok Ok, Moredohc here but disclaimers 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.
Notes and thoughts at the end :D
Chapter 6 The Mighty Demon:
"Lu Bu is coming here!" Han Jin looked at Taylah in shock, watching her order soldiers to their defensive position around Tongquetai's high walls.
"Yes, and the report from the scouts says we don't have much time." Taylah quickly weaved around the crowd of soldiers preparing equipment such as bows, arrows, swords, and spears.
She makes her way atop of the newly rebuilt wall with her dark spear and Falling star on her back. Although the entire wall wasn't completely fixed, it was still sturdy enough to withstand a small siege. Han Jin followed her up the cemented stairs, almost in frantic state.
"Well what's the plan then?" Han Jin panicked.
"We wait for them to come." Taylah simply stated with almost no concern.
"We wait? What do you mean we wait? We should be evacuating the town." Han Jin walked past the soldiers on the wall, clutching bows and arrows, trying to catch up with Taylah.
"Sorry Han Jin but I'm not going to lose my home town to anyone. I won't let him pillage Tongquetai." With a determined look, Taylah paused just above the gate atop the wall.
"But we don't stand a chance." Han Jin almost pleaded.
Taylah merely sighed before turning to face him with an imposing look.
"Han Jin. Your highness. When we began this path, you said that you would continue forward without hesitation." She looked at him with an earnest and firm gaze, causing Han jin to recoil back.
"But… this is Lu Bu the demon and the greatest warrior." Han Jin said weakly. Keeping her steady gaze at him she relented with a sigh before a gentle smile formed.
"Everything will be fine Han Jin. We promised to be your sword and shields, remember?" Her voice was soft and calm. Han Jin felt a warm feeling flow through him as he nodded weakly.
"She's right Han Jin." Hayden and Brendan walked up behind them with their weapons on their backs.
"We'll be fine." Hayden chuckles, standing to the right of Taylah.
"You're already back?!" Han Jin was surprised by how fast they returned. It's only been a day before they had gotten the news of Lu Bu's appearance.
"Well just me and Brendan with a hundred of soldiers. The rest were needed back at our raid camp for a mission. But lets focus on here first." Hayden gaze focused on the plains to the north of Tonquetai as he saw the fields empty of people.
"Hey Han Jin, you meet Lu Bu before?" Brendan settling to Han Jin's right.
Han Jin shook his head.
"No. we haven't met in person, but I've seen him with Dong Zhuo from time to time." Han Jin shivered slightly at the memory of his time with the tyrant.
"Good. Now, we don't have to worry about him knowing your face." Han Jin nodded his head, feeling slightly relieved and thankful for that.
"Hey, where's Igris?" Han Jin swivels his head to not see the red warrior around.
"Igris is currently with the raid camp doing the mission we mentioned. Don't worry, we should be able to handle this situation ourselves." Brendan explained.
Han Jin glanced at the brothers with anxiety, but his focus was on the flat land where Lu Bu and his army would confront them. The morning quickly turned to turn evening, the sun now sinking over the mountain west that curtained around the city of Tongquetai. Waiting for the coming of the demon and his army, everyone on the wall waited anxiously.
"Ragh. I can't believe we lost to Cao Cao!" Lu Bu roared angrily.
Riding Red Hare, was the famous and most acknowledge warrior in China, Lu Bu. Leading his remaining forces forward to Chen Gong's suggestion. He wore a heavy black armour with gold rims and purple sashes on top of it. The face of his chest piece was that of a demon signifying his status as a demon. On his back was his large halberd that was almost as tall as him and his iconic and discernible pheasant tails adorned on his head.
Behing him were Zhang Liao, Chen Gong, Lu Lingqi and Hua Xiong with their own horses while the rest of the officers and soldiers had been walking.
"Even with our meticulous plan, the might of Master Lu Bu and the assistance from master Yuan Shao, we still lost." Chen Gong said sorrowful.
"And now we are without a home and wonderers. Master Chen Gong why did you have us go into Yuan Shu's territory?" Lu Lingqi asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Yes, I would like to know why as well. Are you planning to have us usurp Yuan Shu's province?" Hua Xiong grunted.
Chen Gong shook his head before swivelling it towards them with a smile.
"No No No. Fighting Yuan Shu with the current troops we have now is just suicide, Master Hua Xiong. The best plan right now is to recuperate and build up our forces before we engage against anyone else." Chen Gong explained, his hand on his face.
"I See. I also agree with you master Chen Gong." Zhang Liao stated simply.
"As long as I get to destroy Cao Cao then that's all I care about." Lu Bu heatedly.
As they continued their trek, Lu Lingqi noticed the plight of their soldiers. Their feet were bruised, cut or had blisters and they were suffering from hunger and thirst after their defeat a few days ago. Needless to say, she and the other officers weren't faring any better.
"Master Chen Gong, you didn't answer my previous question. Why are we in Yuan Shu's territory?" She asked but this time it was more demanding.
"Ah, forgive me Lady Lingqi. I was too caught up on my exceptional reasoning instead of our destination. We are heading to a quaint ruined town called Tongquetai. At the far east of Yu province and relatively forgotten by the public." Chen Gong almost sounded haughty.
"I had sent out a few scouts straight after we captured Puyang and Dingtao to collect information about the raids taking place on Yuan Shu's supplies. We can enlist these raiders to help develop our forces as we silently grow stronger until our next battle." Chen Gong smiled sinisterly.
"You wish us to have to work with bandits, Master Chen Gong?" Zhang Liao looked at him, furrowing his eyebrows.
"I don't like this plan of yours Chen Gong. Working with bottom feeders who steal scraps from the strong is just pathetic." Hua Xiong voicing his displeasure.
"I'm in agreement with master Hua Xiong. I believe working with bandits is not the right thing to do master Chen Gong." Zhang Liao said disgruntled at the idea of fighting with bandits.
"How do you know this place exist Master Chen Gong?" Lu Lingqi asked sceptically.
"Lady Lu Lingqi while I do wish you have more faith in my knowledge on the land but if I must explain further. The town was quite a hot spot for tourist before the fall of the han court. There was a rumour about how a mystic had settled there and was able to predict a person's personal future without fault. This allowed the town to rise up in popularity and wealth however, during the turban war and the anti-Dong Zhuo coalition, it's all but forgotten." Chen Gong explained meticulously.
"Usually this wouldn't be a problem but many believe with the absence of the mystic who could read a person's fortune, a ill must've awaited the town. They were correct. When the yellow turbans began to rise up, they set their sights on Tongquetai, pillaging it of all its resources." Lu Lingqi hummed at the history of the town.
"Now it should be a nesting spot for any cutthroat raiders where we could… utilise for our purposes." Chen Gong said ominously with a sinister grin.
Lu Lingqi sighs at the explanation and after seeing nothing else to question, she turned her head at her father who was silent. She rides next to him and sees her father uncharacteristically calm.
"Father?"
"Chen Gong. How long until we reach this town?" Lu Bu finally spoke.
"Only a hour or two if we keep this momentum, Lord Lu Bu." Chen Gong bowed his head while riding his horse.
"Tsk. Very well. Remember what I said back at Dingtao. I'll use your strategies so that you may provide me battles to express my might to the world." Lu Bu declared as he rode forward with Red Hare, who huffed almost as if agreeing with his rider.
"If that what Master Lu Bu wishes then very well." Zhang Liao nodded his head.
Hua Xiong grumbled and reluctantly accepted Lu Bu's choice while Lu Lingqi looked at her father with a small smile. Lu Bu notices his daughter's expression at him and just grunts dismissively before going ahead of all of them, keeping a distance from everyone in the back.
Han Jin, the three siblings, and the ex-bandits began to see a few horses in the distance and exiting the forest onto the plain fields of Tongquetai. Behind them was an army that appeared to be made up of three thousand troops, making them even in numbers. Han Jin tenses as they go closer, and their figures become clearer.
Lu Bu leading the way astride Red Hare turned his sharp features and imposing stature towards those stationed on the wall, intimidating the troops and Han Jin who saw him. Lu Lingqi, the demon's stunning daughter, came next, followed by valorous Zhang Liao. Chen Gong, the bright and deceitful strategist. Hua Xiong, former officer of Dong Zhuo and renowned as the bear among men; and finally, Gao Shun, Lu Bu's most faithful follower.
The men behind them were exhausted and dishevelled from their previous battle with Cao Cao and their journey to Tongquetai. A few minutes later, Lu Bu and his forces came to a halt on the open field, where he saw several soldiers placed on top of the wall, their bows, and arrows ready but not drawn. Four people were on top of the gate. Three of the four appeared to be young adults and youngsters, but with their weapons and icy, unyielding looks towards him and his troops. He doubts they're just children in mind.
"Looks like they were expecting us. How interesting. I didn't think that a ragtag group of bandits would be this organised." Chen Gong pondered this situation.
"Does it matter? If we plan to use these rabble for troops, we'll just force them to submit." Hua Xiong smirked. Wanting to feel a skull smashed in by his hammer.
"Father. What's the plan?" Lu Lingqi pulled up next to her father with a contemplative gaze.
Lu Bu did not respond and only stared at the three warriors on top of the gate. Hayden, Brendan, and Taylah examined the army, but eventually their attention turned to the demon. The three of them returned Lu Bu's look, almost as if daring each other to make the first move.
Han Jin regarded the troops in front of him with trepidation. While he was convinced that Hayden and the others might win this battle, what about Lu Bu himself? He shook his head and turned to gaze at the siblings, only to see them walk towards the edge of the wall. This halted everyone's thoughts as their attention were now gathered around the siblings who were continuing their trek to the edge.
"Hey what are-"
His heart plummeted instantly as he watched all three siblings step off the brink of the wall and fall to the ground at a rapid pace. His eyes widened as he quickly and carefully ran over to the edge and peered over. What he and the others witnessed astounded them. All three grabbed their grapple hooks from their thigh pouches and tossed them mid-air onto the wall's ledge. They clung to the edge with a clank, delaying their descent. As they approached the earth, they tugged on their hooks, allowing their speed to come to a halt just above the ground and unhooking themselves as they landed gently on the lush grass.
Silence weaved its way into the air with exasperation. Many were stunned to silence from their acrobatic skills. Lu Bu looked at them intrigued but not impressed and just huffed, meanwhile his officers and troops looked on with amazement.
"…that was…" Even Chen Gong was loss for words, but he quickly shook it off.
"it seems that they are more than meets the eye." Zhang Liao muttered, narrowing his eyes yet seemed interested by their skills.
"Hmph. Nothing more than parlour tricks." Hua Xiong grunted yet silently relented as he wouldn't be able to perform such a manoeuvre.
"They're very skilled it seems." Lu Lingqi eyed at them.
"Let's hope that they might not bore me." Lu Bu growled before getting off Red Hare and approached the three with his halberd in hand.
Everyone became tense and ready to fight. Even Lu Bu's tired men appeared ready, with their weapons drawn. Hayden, Brendan, and Taylah approached the land's most powerful warrior with their weapons ready.
Taylah pulled out her short dark spear, 'Nighthawk', on her left and her long white spear, 'Falling star' on her right. Brendan grabbed his silver longsword, 'Ashfell', in his left. Finally, Hayden, unsheathing his Nodachi, 'Eclipse', from its scabbard and holding it out onto his right.
Lu Bu continued to approach the siblings with each step crunching the grass and while his heavy armour rattled. All four stopped a few meters from each other and just before the striking range of Lu Bu's halberd, 'sky piercer'.
"Hmph. So, you three are the leaders of this town." Lu Bu looked down at them.
Taylah narrowed her eyes at him, feeling annoyed at being looked down upon. Brendan and Hayden were undeterred by the taunt however, stepping in front.
"Why does that matter?" Brendan asked civilly but underneath it was a sharp edge.
Lu Bu narrowed his eyes at them with his sharp features, discerning them intimidatingly. The three of them were smaller than him by inches. Forcing their heads to tilt upwards slightly and enraptured by the pure aura he emitted. However, this didn't work as all three resumed with their cold and stoic mask.
"Surrender your forces to me or I'll slaughter you." Lu Bu simply demanded, not wanting to continue this charade any longer.
The three siblings looked at each other with raised eyebrows. Han Jin on the wall looked on with bated breath, barely hearing the conversation happening between the four and began to shiver in fear at the inevitable battle. Considering to just sit back and surrender without a fight against Lu Bu, as his mind started replaying the awful memories as emperor and his decisions.
The harrowing days of following Dong Zhuo chaotic rules, harbouring and performing the most depraved things in the land. Remembering those he was close to him or spoke against Dong Zhuo being slaughtered in front of him. He couldn't handle that again, the pain in his heart, the darkness in his soul threatening to consume him.
The irreversible choices he made under the rule of the Dong Zhuo, Guo Si and Li Jue. The pain and misery he brought as a failure of being the emperor. He ran. Like Hayden said in their first night here in Tongquetai. He fled from his responsibility because of the choices he made.
His heart began to beat faster and faster under his panic attack, as memories overwhelmed him with grief and pain. But then he remembered the first choice he made here in Tongquetai.
His thoughts lead him to the memories of innocent woman and children whose lives had just gotten better when they brought the first shipment of supply carts, how they no longer starved or begged or suffered in despair and fear. Tongquetai and its people had just started flourishing after all these years because of their choice.
His choice…
His choice to fight. his choice to stand up. And his choice to redeem himself from his past mistakes. And now he must make a choice now.
'No more. No more running Han Jin.'
He picked himself up, looking at the backs of these three brave and brilliant officers' who believed in him. He wants to stand with them and have faith. Faith in his comrades, faith in his friends. Han Jin stood tall and straight, his eyes were fixed and held no inkling of fear or despair. Instead, they now held absolute and an unwavering resolve. His spirit began to burn brightly.
"Lu Bu!" Han Jin yelled out for all around to hear from the bottom of his soul.
Everyone turned their heads to see Han Jin, standing firmly above the wall of Tongquetai. Han Jin looked at Lu Bu in the eyes from afar with his fist clench and face resolved. His fear resurfaced but it was not enough to push him away and smother his burning spirit.
"If you believe that you can easily defeat us by coming here. Then you will discover that we are more than a match for your strength!" Han Jin shouted with all the passion he could muster his voice booming.
"Tongquetai is our home, and we won't let you have it without a fight. So, come at us. We'll shoot our arrows and sharpen our blades until we defeat every last one of you!" His speech rousing the morale and spirit of his soldiers and the smile of his officers on the field.
Thinking quickly, Han Jin tried to finish his speech with a dramatic end, looking at the three siblings and their embroideries on their silver and grey clothing.
"For we are the mighty warriors of Tongquetai and if you fight one of us, you fight all of us!" He shouted with a fiery spirit, raising his fist in the air. The tension exploded, the soldiers among the walls of Tongquetai began to roar loudly.
"Lord Han Jin's right. You mess one of us, you get all of us!"
"What are you waiting for? Come at us if you dare!"
Following Han Jin's motivational speech, many soldiers began cheering on the three siblings. Although they were previous bandits over two months ago, they were uninterested in aiding anyone other than themselves. But, training with the brothers, raiding Yuan Shu's supply carts together, and the kindness and generosity of the villagers. They began to form a bond with the town and its people.
As a result, the speech solidified their inner conviction that Tongquetai was now their home. Following Han Jin's speech, inside the town, many the townspeople heard their new lords rousing speech expressed their gratitude and relief. The whole city was filled with the sounds of cheering creating a loud uproar behind the siblings.
Tong Li was looking over the town from his window and the speech the young emperor gave from the on top of the wall. He smiled and was pleased that Han Jin was now able to inspire the hearts of his people.
Lu Bu looked at the brat on top of the wall who had just given their force rising morale. He growled and turned his attention to the three siblings. Brendan smiled and so did Taylah with a big grin. Both feeling confident and beaming with pride at their emperor. Hayden, however, was shaking.
"pfft…"
"HAHAHAHA!" Hayden began laughing loudly along with the sounds of cheers from Tongquetai.
Lu Bu's soldiers who heard the speech and the roars of cheering were now demoralised and disheartened. Their fatigue finally catching up to them as they lay down their arms one by one. Many hoped that they wouldn't have to fight and only put on a brave face to scare these bandits but hearing their sudden and loud conviction they no longer had the strength to fight.
"There's no way we can win."
"we're too weak to fight. We'll be slaughtered."
The officers of Lu Bu heard the despair voices of their troops. Gao Shun, one of Lu Bu's loyal officers looked at them with a harden gaze.
"What are you soldiers doing? Raise your weapons at once!" Gao Shun ordered but the soldiers were too tired and demoralised.
Gao Shun gritted his teeth and had to admit that this wasn't the best situation now. Zhang Liao and Hua Xiong looked at their soldiers before looking at each other.
"This isn't good." Zhang Liao shook his head feeling a little down himself under these conditions.
"Doesn't matter. All we must do is slay the enemy commander and they'll be back in it." Hua Xiong said confidently, pulling out his large hammer from his back with a malicious grin.
"Master Chen Gong. What do you propose we do now?" Lu Lingqi asked their strategist.
She already had her cross pikes out, ready to be used to fight with her father alone if need be. Chen Gong seemed to be slightly sweating. Not thinking things would go this way.
'Aahh. This is bad. Very, very bad.' Outside he seemed somewhat calm but, in his head, he was panicking himself.
He didn't expect this and right now things were not looking favourable in for them. Sure, he expected a small skirmish, but he figured that with master Lu Bu leading the charge and a massive amount of bluffing, they would scare these bandits into submission. Lu Lingqi sighed when she didn't receive an answer from Chen Gong and turned her head to look at the three siblings in front of her father.
The stunning pony-tailed hair girl, dressed in a metal breastplate, leather armguards, and leggings, carried two spears of opposing colours and sizes. The white one is larger than its darker twin. The man with a scar on his left eye and a silver longsword in his left hand appeared to be strong physically. His torso was covered in metal plating behind a layer of wool and leather sewn in front of his armour. This would be useful against many types of attacks, including blunt and sharp things, albeit it would have been extremely heavy.
Finally, the one who is laughing. He had average-looking features and no visible scars on his body. He was dressed in a leather breastplate with metal sheets and, like his brother, appeared to be wearing steel arm and shin guards. He wielded an unusually large, curved one-edged weapon nearly as long as her father's halberd. She recalls it being named a Nodachi.
Hayden calmed down from his laughter and wiped a tear from his eyes much to the pouting and embarrassed emperor who turned red once he heard the cheers from the soldiers and people. Hayden smirked at the growling Lu Bu.
"Fine. I'll just kill you all and take this town for myself." Lu Bu furiously, readying his halberd at us.
Everyone tensed and prepared themselves to fight. However, Hayden continues smirking and look at him.
"How about we make a deal instead Lu Bu." Hayden looked at Lu Bu.
Lu Bu scowled at him wanting to just fight but was stopped by Lingqi.
"Father wait. Let us hear what he has to say." Lu Lingqi soothing her father's anger and passion for battle.
Lu Bu looked at Lingqi with seething eyes. After a few moments later he sighs heavily, looking at Hayden who still gave him his irritable smile. His officers came to his side narrowing their eyes at him and his siblings. Chen Gong stepping in as the liaison for this opportunity.
"What are you proposing master…?"
"Hayden. This here is Taylah and Brendan. My sister and brother." Hayden introduced, gesturing his hand in order of his siblings.
Chen Gong nods his head and smiles innocently at them.
"What… unique names. I am Chen Gong, brilliant strategist, and advisor of master Lu Bu." Chen Gong bowed and said theatrically.
"What is this deal you propose?" Hayden smiles at him almost deviously.
"I can see that your army needs a place to rest and recuperate." Hayden said inquisitively, but Chen Gong and the rest know what he was implying.
"Yes and am I to assume you are willing to accommodate us for a price?" Chen Gong furrowed his eyebrows.
"Naturally." Hayden smiled at the pondering Chen Gong.
"Wait Hayden, what are you doing?" Brendan asked quickly.
Hayden meanwhile chuckled and winked at him and Taylah before turning his attention back at Chen Gong.
"Simple. A Duel."
"A Duel?" Hua Xiong and everyone else looked at him sceptically.
"yes, a duel. One from you and one from me. Not to death but by surrender." Hayden sheathed his Nodachi to his back.
Hayden's siblings looked at him in surprise before trusting whatever scheme he had. They sheathed their weaponry as well. Lu Bu and his officers were uneasy because of the offer and the fact that they had sheathed their weapons. Han Jin, along with the men on the wall, were suddenly astonished and tense due to their commanders' conduct. After a few seconds, Zhang Liao sheathed his dual axes onto his back.
"Master Zhang Liao?" Lu Lingqi looked at him surprised.
"They have shown their honour and integrity. It is only right as warriors that we show the proper respect." Zhang Liao explained.
A few seconds went by as Zhang Liao's words sunk in everyone's mind. Lu Bu looked at us the entire time and huffed in annoyance, hating this but relenting regardless.
"Fine we'll do this duel. What are the terms?"
Once Lu Bu had accepted, everyone sighed and put away their arms. Although Hua Xiong refused to.
"Why do we need to accept this? We can just crush them and take this town ourselves!" He looked at everyone with a growl to his voice.
"Master Hua Xiong that's enough. Our lord has made the decision therefore its final." Lu Lingqi stared down Hua Xiong without fear.
Hua Xiong looked at the little girl in anger for the audacity of telling him what to do.
"Enough Hua Xiong. I've made my decision." Lu Bu ordered, causing him to growl but stow away his weapon.
"Great. Now that everyone has agreed to this. I'll get down to it." Hayden claps his hand to gain everyone's full attention.
"First off, regardless of the outcome, your welcome here to stay." Hayden explained.
"And yes, if we win this there will be a catch to your stay so don't worry about that." He chuckled.
"How generous." Gao Shun said sarcastically, rolling his eyes at him.
"Enough! Just finish this and be done with it." Lu Bu growled impatiently.
"Alright. If you win, then you can have Tongquetai." Hayden said in all seriousness.
This caused everyone to stare at him in shock.
"What?" Brendan was in disbelief.
"What the hell are you thinking Hayden?" Taylah practically yelled in his ears and grabbed his neck.
A few seconds went by, and Lu Bu and his officers thought about this almost one-sided deal.
"I don't know if your arrogant or stupid. Do you not know who I am?" Lu Bu scoffing at him.
Hayden broke out of his sister's death grip and cleared his nearly broken throat.
"I do. Now who is your fighter?" Hayden massaged his throat.
"Obviously me. I'll be done with this quickly." Lu Bu held out his halberd, ready to begin.
Many expected that Lu Bu would be the one to volunteer. It makes the most sense as his prowess is unrivalled in battle especially in a duel. However, Hua Xiong merely grumbled at the fact that he didn't have the opportunity to curve stop these small fries under his boot.
"Figured. Then I'll-"
"I'll fight." Brendan stepping in front of Hayden.
"…Are you sure?" Hayden look at his brother in surprised.
He wanted to let him know the serious nature of this duel.
"I am. And besides can't have you taking on everything by yourself. It'll make me look like a bad older brother." He smirked.
"Also, the fact you're still injured from the raid yesterday." Brendan deadpans at his brother a second later.
Taylah shakes her head and sighs, seeing the both of them smirking.
"Both of you are complete idiots."
"Love you too Sis." They both said at the same time, earning weird looks from everyone nearby who could hear it.
Hayden chuckles and they all shook their heads however they hear Lu Bu growling impatiently.
"Very well. Brendan shall fight for us, and Lu Bu will fight for his. The winner is whoever surrender or disarms the other first." Hayden explained.
Everyone nodded and stepped back to give both warriors space. Hayden stepped into the middle, right between Brendan and Lu Bu as he held out a coin in his palm.
"Once this coin hits the ground. The fight begins. Ready?" He looked at both warriors.
Lu Bu and Brendan nodded, readying their weapons. Lu Bu held his Sky piercer, behind him with the tip of his weapon just hovering above the ground, whereas Brendan levelled Ashfell with his shoulder and pointed it towards Lu Bu. Hayden flipped the coin in the air. The coin spun multiple times, and everyone watched with bated breath. Until finally…
-Ding-
Lu Bu immediately went on the offensive, dashing towards him at almost inhuman speed for his size and build. He brings his halberd down onto Brendan head, wanting to finish this fight in one blow. Brendan jumped back slightly to avoid the swing, causing the halberd missing to miss him by hairs breath and cratering the ground, resulting in a loud boom to be heard.
Undeterred and surprised, he thrust his sword forward towards Lu Bu's face in retaliation. Lu Bu lifts his halberd to deflect the attack, redirecting Ashfell upwards and follows up with a thrust.
Brendan grabs onto the blade of Ashfell and delivers a crushing counter downwards on Lu Bu's halberd and causing him to miss. However, Lu Bu kicks his stomach, causing Brendan to be pushed back.
"Nghh" Brendan grunted and looked at Lu Bu.
"Hmph, is that all?" Lu Bu taunted, whipping his halberd to his usual stance, creating a small gust of wind.
Brendan narrowed his eyes at him, changing his stance with his longsword. Using both hands to grip the handles of Ashfell, Brendan brought it down to his hip, bending his knees and standing parallel to Lu Bu with his sword still pointing towards him but a lower level. Lu Bu charges at Brendan and continues his assault.
"Father has him on the run." Lu Lingqi proudly stated.
"Haha yes, yes. This was the best outcome. Now all we must do is wait for master Lu Bu to defeat him and this town is as good as ours." Chen Gong announced.
"What makes you think you already won?" Taylah growled at them.
"Can't you see little girl. Master Lu Bu has your older brother scurrying like a rat." Hua Xiong smirked at her, relishing the momentum they're gaining from Lu Bu winning.
Lu Bu's soldiers resting were now watching the fight happen and seeing their lord winning a fight to guarantee their new home helped motivate them to cheer on. The opposite is happening to Han Jin and those watching from on top of the wall.
"… Brendan you can't lose." Han Jin mutters: his eyes glued to every second to the fight along with everyone else.
"That's enough Taylah." Hayden ruffled her hair, making Taylah grumble slightly.
Lu Bu's group smirked at their easy victory except for two. The less arrogant and more experienced fighters notice that the duel is now turning towards Brendan's favour.
Lu Bu grunts, swinging Sky Piercer at a wide arc at Brendan. However, he ducks, shoulder bashing Lu Bu, following it up with slashes at his armour. Lu Bu growls in annoyance as all his attacks are either being deflected, parried or dodged.
He roars and brings Sky Piercer upwards, finally grazing Brendan's chest plate for the first time this duel. Once his halberd reached the end of its arc, he brings Sky Piercer back down with all his might.
"HRAH!"
-CLANG! –
Brendan was forced to bend his knees as the ground underneath him cratered. For the first time, he blocked Lu Bu's blow by holding his blade flat and level above his head. His right hand held up the sword by the handle, while his left hand gripped the flat side of the blade. Blood began to stream through his leather gloves and across his arm, changing his tunic from grey and white to a deep maroon.
Brendan's frigid stare grew colder as he looked up at the seething Lu Bu. Grabbing his halberd with his cross guard and drawing him in, Lu Bu was slapped in the face by the longsword's pommel.
Brendan then pulled his longsword in between his legs, causing Lu Bu to front flip onto his back. Lu Bu saw the blade coming down at him and swiftly rolled to the side to avoid the strike. standing up and holstered his halberd towards Brendan now that there was a visible distance between them.
"Is this an easy win now?" Taylah turned away from the fight and gave Lu Bu's officers the most shit-eating grin.
"Father?" Lu Lingqi looked on in disbelief.
"How is Lu Bu is struggling against a nobody." Hua Xiong stared, growing more despondent.
"Oh dear…" Chen Gong looked nervously at the tide of the fight.
Zhang Liao just stared stoically with his arms crossed. Examining the entirety of the fight from start to finish along with Gao Shun who just sighed at the change of momentum. Lu Bu and Hayden's army watched as the duel unfolded both having complete opposite reactions to the changing situation.
"Haha. Yes! Kick his butt, Brendan!" Han Jin cheered raising his fist in excitement, smiling all the way.
Hayden maintained an infectious smile throughout the bout. Brendan's comebacks or counterattacks would sometimes leave Taylah and Hayden grinning like crazy. Seeing their oldest brother in action fills them with exhilaration and joy unlike anything else, making them happyat how far he has come.
"Let's go brother!" Hayden couldn't but cheer on from the sideline, grinning from ear to ear.
Lu Bu and Brendan are taking a small breather from their prolonged fight. Leaving their weapons pointing at each other.
'What is wrong with me… I feel weaker and slower than usual. And why can't I defeat this bug in front of me?' His face was scowling throughout the fight, but a ghost of a smile was slowly creeping onto his face.
Brendan closed his eyes and took a deep breath, before opening them and giving Lu Bu a knowing look. Lu Bu tilts his head, furrowing his brows before he huffs in between breaths. The more experienced warriors saw the signs and understood that the next attack will be the last.
Silence permeated the air as both resumed their stances. Nothing happened for the next couple of seconds as they both relaxed their heartrate and body before their final strike.
"….."
The ground cracked as Lu Bu burst forward instantly towards Brendan causing wind to be swept around the area. People nearby had to wince or close their eyes but it only lasted a second. Brendan remained stationary, watching Lu Bu charge at him with alarming speed but he doesn't back down. Lu Bu roars.
"HRAGH!"
-BOOM!-
Everyone watched as how Lu Bu's halberd came down on Brendan, creating a loud booming sound and causing a dust cloud to be formed. Everyone nearby coughed and winced, waiting for the dust to settle and the clouds to disperse. They searched around for any figures through the cloud.
Taylah was instinctively holding onto Hayden's hand with a worried expression while Hayden himself was looking through the smoke with a stoic and calm face. What came next was a surprise to everyone watching.
The dust cloud disperses and the two finally became visible. Brendan was holding his Ashfell at Lu Bu's neck and Sky piercer had dug its axe head into the dirt, surrounded by a crater from the impact. Lu Bu was breathing heavily, tilting his head upwards to avoid being slit by the throat.
Breathing heavily and eyeing at Lu Bu with an intense stare, Brendan firmly keeping his blade on his neck and pressing it. Blood trickled down his forehead onto his left eye, forcing him to close it after Lu Bu's final attack. Everyone watching was shocked at the development. The mighty demon Lu Bu, the strongest in the land was now at death's door by a slit away.
"Father!" Lingqi exclaimed in shock.
She couldn't believe what was happening before her eyes. Her father, the demon of the battlefield was now forced into submission by a singular unknown warrior who defeated him in one-on-one combat.
"This is unbelievable. Lord Lu Bu lost?" Chen Dong looked astonished at the outcome.
"Even the mightiest of us can fall it seems." Zhang Liao sighed, uncrossing his arms.
"Lord Lu Bu…" Gao Shun looked sorrowful at his lord's defeat.
"No…no. I refuse to believe that some trash from nowhere was able to beat Lu Bu." Hua Xiong growled.
"Yeah, Lets go Brendan!" Taylah cheered and starts shaking Hayden enthusiastically.
Hayden just chuckled as his sister continues to rock him around like a pillow.
"Woohoo! Take that Lu Bu!" Han Jin cheers loudly along the soldiers on the wall.
Their cries of celebration being heard across the field. Lu Bu's army's reaction was like his officers. Disbelief that their Lord was defeated.
"Good going brother." Hayden gives Brendan a soft and proud smile.
Brendan was breathing rapidly and heavily; his body was exhausted and sore, yet he kept Ashfell pressed firmly over Lu Bu's throat. Lu Bu growls at him, dismissing the concept of yielding to him. It irritated him, but no matter what he tried, the blade placed against his neck would kill him unless he dropped his weapon.
A pregnant pause ensued between them, neither giving up until the other did, as witnessed by the bystanders. Zhang Liao sighed and attempted to entice his lord to down his weapon and surrender. But Brendan beat him to the punch as he elbowed Lu Bu's wrist, dropping his halberd with a grunt of pain. Lu Bu stared at him angrily before Brendan pressed his longsword back onto his throat. Hayden approached to announce the winner.
"Brendan is the winner by disarming the opponent." Hayden said with a booming voice, determining the match's winner much to the displeasure of the other party involved.
Hua Xiong was the first to voice his heated opinion.
"No. You must have done something to him. There's no way he could lose to someone like him." He snarled at Hayden.
Hayden in response just tilted his head before speaking.
"The evidence is staring you right in the face." He said coldly followed by an icy stare and a cold mask of indifference.
Hua Xiong growled this time and pulled out his hammer.
"Then I'll-"
"Master Hua Xiong. That's enough." Zhang Liao voiced sternly, as he stepped in between Hayden and him.
"Move Zhang Liao, I'll make that bastard pay for disrespecting us." Hua Xiong said venomously.
Zhang Liao narrows his eyes at Hua Xiong, and he stands his ground.
"No. We must honour the deal made between Lord Lu Bu and master Hayden." Zhang Liao stated firmly.
Hua Xiong was taken aback, but many others felt the same way Zhang Liao did—after all, they still had a place to unwind, win or lose. And right now, many members of Lu Bu's army needed to rest and relax.
Grunting at him, Hua Xiong took a moment to compose himself before setting down his weapon and yielding. When Brendan realised Lu Bu posed no threat, he moved away from him. Lu Bu growled at Brendan while massaging his throat.
"First Cao Cao and now a nobody." Lu Bu muttered.
"This 'nobody' is hoping you'll honour your deal Lu Bu." Brendan holds up his halberd with his left hand.
He struggles to carry the weight due to fatigue however Lu Bu growled and grabbed his Sky piercer from Brendan's hand.
"Next time, I'll crush you." Lu Bu huffed before he stabbed his halberd down onto the ground.
"So, what happens now that you won." He turned to look at Hayden with a scowl.
Everyone turned their attention to Hayden, who simply grinned at Lu Bu and his officers. In the distance, to the west of Tongquetai. A lone scout is hidden atop a large hill, overlooking the entire front field of Tongquetai. Zhong Ku watched the entire fight from beginning to end, staring at a variety of things.
First, determining that Tongquetai was definitely the location of the raiders who stole his lord's supply carts. And from what he can see, he recognised several of the soldiers standing atop the stone wall with the boy who taunted Lu Bu and verdantly boosted the morale of his comrades. Second, Lu Bu's army arrival in Yu province; he was astonished that this was not reported by the scouts this morning. Finally, Lu Bu lost to a random raider in what was likely the fiercest duel in recent history. All of this information needed to be reported back to Lord Yuan Shu right now.
"Although it may be better to give this information to master Zhou Yu as we-"He couldn't finished as a red gauntlet grabbed his face tightly and firm.
Zhong Ku panicked and flailed to find his weapon on his body.
"Hmmmm! Hm-glrgk!?" His muffled cries were finally silenced from a sword protruding through his chest.
He watched as his blood was staining the steel blade and feeling his life draining away until finally, his vision went dark, and his body went limp. Igris hummed before pulling out his longsword, 'the blade of heretics', and dropping the lifeless scout onto the ground. He looked around and saw that this was one of the last of Yuan Shu's or Cao Cao's scouts to eliminate. Trailing behind him were Yuan Shu's former soldiers that are under Igris's command.
"Master Igris, we're ready for the next messenger." One of Yuan Shu's former soldiers stood before him with a scroll of false and misinformation.
Igris nods at him, signalling the soldier to go. The messenger bows and leaves for Shouchun with false information. Igris turns his head towards the duel between Lu Bu and Lord Brendan. On the outside, the soldiers who just finished burying the bodies of their former comrades, saw their commander facing towards Tongquetai.
His red armour rattled in the wind, and the flowing plume on his helmet conveyed dignity and undying loyalty. Beneath the armour, Igris was delighted with Brendan's and the family's development. The place settled into a pleasant silence.
Igris turned to march down the slope, past the warriors under his command. Some were bewildered by the quiet armoured warrior's nonverbal directives, but a few who had spent more time with him understood that they were expected to accompany him home. The rest of Igris' soldiers understood the commands and followed him back to Tongquetai.
Whoo. Wow. This one was a doozy to write and think about.
First things first. The introduction of Lu Bu and his army. To be honest no matter how i thought about how to go about the emperor succeeding in his predicament even with the help of the siblings, it was still next to impossible for him to win by deception for long. So, i had to think about what faction would be the most inclined to work with them and what the stakes would be if it had to be a certain person. Naturally, Lu Bu was the best and most obvious pick. He's the wild card for almost any Dynasty warrior fanfic that allows them to propel the story forward.
Secondly, the interaction between characters. I tried my best to simulate their behaviours or write them, but writing someone smart like Chen Gong and trying to get his mannerism correct was a hassle. Lu Lingqi was quite easy, along with the others like Gao Shun (He's my favourite officer in Lu Bu's army), Zhang Liao and Hua Xiong. Lu Bu was a iffy bit to write for his dialogue and attitude because i am using the hypothetical version of him but if he lost against Cao Cao still. I like it this way so that Lu Bu is more... complex and fleshed while allowing his character to be more interesting and wild now that he uses Chen Gong to plot.
Thirdly, Han Jin mighty fine speech. Too be honest, as i was thinking about Han Jin's moment of triumph against his trauma, writing the speech somehow gave me goosebumps. I don't know about you but that was probably my favourite part of the chapter. I tried him to be... clumsy but inspiring in his speech but also trying not to tread the line of too cheesy or cringey which was hard. But i think i did good with what i have right now so I'm proud of it.
Fourth, the fight between Brendan and Lu Bu. Many of you might think that this is nothing more than a power fantasy for me to write as if it would actually be written Lu Bu would've won the duel. I agree, but i tried to find a way of how to turn the situation more favourable to the Xiong's so i used Lu Bu's army situation as a detriment to the outcome of their duel. About the fighting itself, Brendan's fighting style is reminiscent to that of a certain fighting game between three factions (For honor's Warden) while i tried to stay true to Lu Bu's moves in game. tell me your opinions about the fight too such as the wording of the action writing and how i can improve it because i know for a fact i can improve but don't know how much.
Finally, Igris's secret mission. Killing off messengers from the opposing warlords might be... too much for the characters but knowing who the siblings are you will understand in the future if i can even bother myself to get there but hey we'll see.
Overall, I'm happy with this chapter. Probably my best one yet and I'm hoping you guys liked it too. Thanks for reading :D