Dynasty Warriors Xiong Kingdom

Chapter 1 After the end, New Beginnings:

195 AD:

China was a land ruled by many emperors from different dynasties throughout its rich history. The famous Qin Shi Huan, Gaozu, Han Duwi and Guangwu. But now, in this age, the Han dynasty is falling apart. Its court ravaged and slain and the power struggle in the land is now left in ruin allowing those with grand ambitions to sow their seeds of discord to sprout a new age of peace and prosperity. Dong Zhuo, tyrant who ruled China using the emperor had impeded on the prosperity and peace of the people. Abusing his power and his relationship with the emperor to terrorise the entire land of China for his own pleasure. But after being slain by Lu Bu, the custody of the emperor was fought over in the city of Chang' An. The emperor, Han Jin, is now missing after his rescue orchestrated by Cao Cao.

Will the land ever see peace in the foreseeable future or will it succumb to the harrowing bloodbath of war. None can know, but perhaps to save China, the next era must be set by a generation of young warriors.

Light footsteps tread on the course dirt, the crunch of boots hit fills the darken space. trees and shrubs rustle in the starry night sky providing a tranquil ambience. With leather shoes, Shin guards with slotted metal plating, long grey pants with lining embroideries, and a low metal clatter, the person moves through this evening, practically blending in with the shining moonlight. A long-sleeved grey tunic with the same pattern as his pants and wolf-tail embroidery that begins at the wearer's right shoulders and extends to his stomach. Wavy, short hair Black hair combed backwards with fading sides and back, dark brown eyes, and an average face, yet those eyes communicate wisdom and unfathomable experience. On his hip is a massive blade known as a Noda chi, a long, curved blade with a sheath that almost touches the ground.

'Funny, people of this land would probably forget how quiet it is right now in times of disaster. It truly makes you wonder how much of a luxury this serenity is in times of conflict, huh.' Taking a leisurely stroll in the middle of the night did wonders of relaxing the body and feeling connected with the earth.

Closing my eyes allowing my thoughts to settle in as my body moves in auto pilot. I began thinking about how incongruous the land's situation is in. grudges, betrayal, and bloodshed. How nights like these could make you feel like at peace. To hear the bushes swaying in the night and see the stars and moons illuminating the empty black sky. It feels tranquil and importantly, peaceful. Opening my eyes and letting out a breath, my muscles loosened more and more. However, all good things must come to an end.

In the distance I could see someone in the dark, basked in the moonlight illuminating from behind, running towards me in a panic. He was breathing heavily, and I doubt he could even see me. The person kept on running towards me until he stopped almost 10 meters to catch his breath, hunched over with sweat pouring out of his body making him look ragged and messy. I walked up to what seems to be a young teenager. Seeing a shadow casted down upon him, the teenager looked up in panic and turned around, trying to run into the forest to his left but only to trip and fall. Luckily, I caught him with ease and stand him straight, looking at his face.

"Hey, easy there. I'm not going to hurt you. For now, catch your breath and calm down."

He turned to look at me still panting with ragged breaths and nodded. His breathing started to slow down and at the same time became calmer as seconds went by. When his breathing was relatively normal, I asked again.

"Now that you caught your breath, care to tell me what's the problem?" I put forward.

"Right, right. I-I'm Uh-being chased by people." He answered with bated breath. I raised an eyebrow and wondered who is chasing this teenager and why. Why is he being chased? Who is chasing him? As I was about to ask these questions, I can hear loud footsteps and clanking of metal armour down the road. People wearing armoured tunics with swords and spears in hand as if on a hunt.

"Dammit!" He cursed. He turned to look for a way out, but I grabbed him by the shoulders and dragged him into the woods and shrubs almost immediately.

"W-What are yo-!" I covered his mouth with my right hand and motioned for him to keep silent with my left.

When the troops came sprinting by us, urgently hunting for something or someone, he nodded, and I let go of his mouth. Soon the group of soldiers were standing on the road where we were just seconds ago, causing us both to lower our breathing. As I was observing this event, I couldn't help but wonder who this person was with me that was being chased. A minute went by before they finally left and It wasn't until they left a few seconds later that my questioned would be answered as we stepped out of the tree we've been hiding behind. Taking a good look at the young teenager, my eyes widen to see golden silk clothing with dragon embroideries. Only the emperor would wear such exquisite clothing. When I realised who I was talking to, my eyebrows lifted in surprise, and I admonished myself and showed deference to the emperor. One knee on the ground, fist front, and head down. When I bowed before him, the emperor heard a pounding noise and turned around in surprise to see me bowing before him.

"Forgive me, Emperor, for my actions; I had no idea I was in your grace the entire time. I sincerely hope you will pardon my offences." I apologized. If I had known this was the emperor, then I wouldn't be so casual with him and handled him roughly.

Unexpectedly the emperor was quite shocked as well when I instantly, out of nowhere, kneeled towards him. I waited for him to reply and slowly raised my head signifying I was waiting for him.

"Oh! Right! You are forgiven so stand." He replied, robotically.

'Huh, strange, it sounded so…autonomous.' I thought.

Nothing happened after that; the quiet night returned, with the emperor this time keeping me company. We didn't say anything to one other because of our circumstances, or, in my case, because I didn't know what was going on.

"Your Highness, if I may ask as to why there are soldiers chasing after you and why do you not have any guards?" I formally questioned.

As I finished saying this, I mentally hit myself in the head for asking the dumbest questions to the most obvious answers. Naturally people are trying to find him as to solidify their power and position in the land by ensuring that their rule is supported by the emperor. Judging by his situation it seems to me he's trying to avoid doing such a thing, being a tool for others to use to further their ambitions and goals. The emperor was weighing his options, sighing in frustrations and weariness before answering.

"It's because warlords like Cao Cao, Guo Si and Li Jue are trying to use me as their personal tool, only to ensure their position in China. I thought I could trust Cao Cao but he's just like the rest of them, using me as they see fit. As for your second question, It's because I don't trust anyone to watch my back completely on either side, so I left by myself." He scowled in frustration, turning his head to look at the ground which was understandable.

In this age of chaos, the emperor was nothing more than a tool needed to unify this land for the warlord's personal ambition and as such despite being the emperor, the person who is considered the mandate of heaven, he is regarded as a powerful symbol to have.

"Then as a citizen and warrior of this land, I am duty bound to help you in your endeavour, my emperor." I stated firmly.

After hearing what I had to say, the emperor looked up at me and regarded me suspiciously. People wanted him for their own individual goals and ambitions, so it was only logical. If someone said this out of the blue, it would raise suspicions in my mind, but he had no other options. Although I am aware that this is terrible, it is best for both he and I. The emperor, sighs and looks down at the ground defeated and reluctant.

"Dammit, it's one thing after another. Fine, but only because you're the only person who genuinely helped me despite not knowing me beforehand. Understand?" He demanded.

Although it wasn't malicious or filled with animosity, the emperor didn't seem to view me with a negative light after what I pulled. Which I was thankful for. I nodded to his order and vowed to protect him against the armies after him.

"My name is Xiong Hayden and upon my honour I will protect you from whoever you deem necessary." I declared soundly and unluckily, or luckily depending on whose side you're on, the patrol from before came back and heard of my declaration to the emperor.

"Hey over there. I heard something from the trees and bushes!" The man exclaimed to the other soldiers. They started rushing towards where we were currently standing and as such the emperor looked at me with disdain at my loud announcement.

"You complete idiot. Now they know we're here!" The emperor shouted in a whisper.

"Ahhh, forgive me emperor. I will correct this mistake in a moment then." I replied embarrassingly, looking sideways and grasping my throat.

The soldiers continued making their way into the forest where we were hiding, spreading out to find us. One holding a spear came close to us and was about to check behind a tree before he was punched in the chin and launched back onto the road. This noise had brought the attention of others to their knocked-down partner. I walked out onto the road with the emperor, using him as bait to draw them out of their hiding spots in the forest. This plan worked as they all started rushing towards me with weapons drawn to take me down and bring the emperor to whomever they served. Did I care who they served? No, not as of now. Although as they came out of the forest, they didn't attack one by one at least like most untrained soldiers usually do.

"Emperor, I do not know who this man is, but I suggest leaving him. With lord Cao Cao you can be safe and secure." A soldier, most likely the captain of this group, explained to the emperor however, it sounded more like a order.

"No! I refuse to return to Cao Cao!" He profusely retorted.

This causes the soldiers to look at each other than to me. I don't know why but the emperor really knows how to speak what's on his mind doesn't he in stressful situations. I guess that's good, means that he at least has the determination to choose his own path. The soldiers nodded to each other as if acknowledging what they were going to do next which wasn't surprising to say the least.

"Very well then, lord Cao Cao said that if you had refused to return peacefully then we would have to drag you back to him." As the captain explained his orders, the emperor flinched but held his ground firmly. I interjected into the conversation.

"Sorry but I'm the emperor's bodyguard so if he doesn't want to go to lord Cao Cao then he won't go and if you plan to bring him there by force then I'm forced to take you all down." I explained calmly. All seven soldiers regarded me as nothing but a bystander but now I put forward my position and explanation it seems they are preparing to fight.

"Look boy, don't know who you are but get out of the way." The captain and the rest of squad squeezed their weapons waiting to strike.

"Very well then."

In a blink of an eye, I was in front of the captain's face before uppercutting him high of the ground, he landed on the ground unconscious and dropping his spear in front of me. The others meanwhile were shocked at what happened and but shook it off when I picked up the captain's spear. Together they charged at me with renewed vigour. Swords and spears at hand ready to skewer me. Using the blunt end of the spear, I stabbed a soldier running at me making him double over, dropping his blade and cradling his stomach.

Another two came to my left and right with spears preparing to stab me in my sides but at the last moment I stepped backwards, stopping just in front of the spot I was going to be skewered and used the blunt end of the spear to knock their weapons downward by hitting the shafts of their spears. This left them wide open; I knocked out the left soldier by hitting his chin when lifting the spear upwards and over my left shoulders and slammed it back down onto the right soldier's head effectively knocking him out as well.

'Three more.' scanning the area.

The emperor was still a bit behind me, and I could see the remaining soldiers slowly and cautiously walking up to me with their swords. They all looked at each other to signal to attack together but in that moment of them looking away at me, I threw the blunt end of the spear at the soldier in the middle and ran at the remaining two. The soldiers were shocked, however it left them as quickly as it came. They swung their swords at me diagonally downwards. Ducking under them, the swords missed my head. Using the momentum of me bending my knees, I jumped in between the two soldiers and performing a split kick to their heads knocking them unconscious. I landed on the ground and breathed a sigh of relief. Both soldiers, dropping their weapons and falling to the ground and kissing the dirt.

'Alright that's all of them.' As I thought this, I recounted how many soldiers were here unconscious and realised only seven of them were accounted for.

'It seems the person I knocked out at the start managed to recover and quietly slip away. most likely to report to Cao Cao about our whereabouts.'

"Whoa, that was amazing." The emperor stared at awed the entire time I was fighting.

His eyes started to beam at me, almost as if there were stars shining in his eyes. I laughed slightly at his enthusiasm.

"Thank you, emperor. But we must leave now, one of them manage to escape and will bring reinforcements towards this area." I soundly explained and this time everyone, but the emperor was unconscious to hear it. The emperor upon hearing my words, tensed, and returned to his anxious and cautious self.

"R-Right, but where can we go?" he lamented head down once again in the ground.

"Do not fret young emperor, I have a place for us to rest." I encouraged. Hoping to at least help this young teenager. The emperor looked up from the ground and at me again, hope and relief washing into his being.

"Really then let us be off then." He exclaimed excitedly. He started heading down the road and into a random direction without me leading him. The emperor soon realised this and returned to me meekly before asking.

"Uh where are we going exactly?" In my mind I laughed at his excitement which in of itself is quite sad for an emperor.

"We're going to my home." I said cryptically with a smile.

A few days went by as we both travelled by foot towards my home. Unfortunately, we didn't have any horses available for us, so the journey was long and hard on the emperor, specifically his feet and legs. In the meantime, we both got to introduce ourselves. The emperor's name was Han Jin, the second son of the previous emperor. Currently we were both sitting by a campfire I had made with the help of the emperor's skill of gathering firewood.

"How's the physical labour?" I smirked at the young emperor who just shrugged.

"It wasn't too bad compared to all this walking we're doing." He grumbled before his stomach rumbled. Hayden chuckled much to the emperor's embarrassment before he was given a glare from the young ruler although with a hint of pink cheeks accompanying it.

"Time for dinner then." Hayden stood up from the log he was sitting on, taking his Nodachi lying by his bag before venturing into the dense woods.

"What do you plan to catch with a sword?" Han Jin asked skeptically. Lately they've been surviving off Hayden's provisions however it was quickly apparent that he had enough for a one-man journey to his hometown.

"Don't worry. My family are hunters as well as warriors. I'll manage." I rolled my shoulders before turning my head over my shoulder with a reassuring smile.

"I won't be gone for long. See you soon emperor." I nodded at him before my figure disappeared into the thick trees.

Han Jin, now alone and warmed by the warming campfire, began to think about Hayden and who he is. From his first encounter with the warrior and his time travelling with him. Hayden was kind to him, giving him majority of his provisions and stopping anytime to relax his feet. Wincing at the slight pain, he looked down and notice his royal boots were all tattered and wearied. Underneath the boots were no doubt a grotesque number of bruises and peeling skin. Sighing, he shook his head before reevaluating Hayden's character. Yes, he's kind but not overly pleasing all his whims, not like he could afford any right now.

Han Jin continued to stew in his thoughts, deeply thinking about his situation and partner. A snap of a branch broke his deep trance, causing him to jump on his seat on the log. Slightly panicking he turned his head to the noise to see Hayden holding a dead fox by the tail.

"Sorry for scaring you. Anyhow, I got our dinner, but it'll take some time for me skin and cook it." Han Jin wanted to voice his discontent, but he held back. Letting out a breath he understood his circumstances and nodded.

"I see. Thank you, Xiong Hayden." Han Jin is sincere about his comment despite his previous feelings. I tilted my head before smiling.

"Anytime your imperial highness." A few hours later, it was already midnight, and the emperor was dipping his head. Struggling to stay awake but the aroma of the cooking meat was enough to keep him up.

"Alright, they're just about done." I grabbed the skewered fox meat and passed one to the emperor.

"Forgive me if they're not up to your standards, your highness." I apologized beforehand but Han Jin shook his head before offering his own grateful smile.

"You don't have to address me so formally, Xiong Hayden." Han Jin grunted as he took a bite of the meat, slightly moaning at the taste of real meat after these past few days from eating nothing but rice and berries.

"Are… you sure?" I was taken aback slightly but I regained my posture. Han Jin merely nodded silently at me as his face was stuffed with fox meat which I couldn't help but chuckle at the sight.

"Very well then. But do you mind doing me a favour in exchange?" Han Jin blinked owlishly before swallowing his food and cleaning his look, trying to look regal.

"You may." Smiling, I couldn't but find his demeanour slightly disingenuous.

"Can you simply call me Hayden? Xiong Hayden is a weird mouth full to say no?" I tilted my head with my ever-present smile. Han Jin finds his request rather… minor before reminding himself that he was no longer with Dong Zhuo or… his granddaughter.

Letting out a shuttering breath at the memories of his time with the tyrants he looked at me with a resolute shine in his eyes. I merely raised my eyes slightly at his sudden change of attitude and reaction before shelfing it for later.

"Ok then Hayden, as long as you also address me as Han Jin too." He spoke.

"I'm sure being casual with you would sign my death due to improper treatment of the emperor but calling by name as well? Might as well never existed." I joked with a laugh, before finally taking a bite of my meat stick. (Don't read into that too much (o_o))

Han Jin couldn't but chuckle at the joke too.

"Fair enough. But I don't care. Right now, the title I hold as emperor, means little to nothing to me now." Han Jin lamented before grabbing a new stick of fox meat and immediately devouring it. I had said nothing before joining him on our late-night dinner.