"In
Moonlight and Crimson"
Written by: Rap's ( [email protected] )
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I n t r o d u c t I o n
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Hi There! Well, this is a beginning; the introduction, rather, to a
ficlet I've started regarding DW4. (Otherwise a chapter this short would
send me into SEIZURES, so surely expect longer when things begin.) ^_^
I'm quite a fan of the game, and honestly don't know all so much about
the book... but please don't hate me for that. @_@ This story is based
gingerly (Note: GINGERLY) on events in the game, and takes place in
both 3rd and 1st person at appropriate intervals. I hope, anyways. ^_^
Please do tell me what you think, should you find the time. I'm always
open to constructive comments. ^_^ Hehehe?
My inspiration came from Sun Ce. ^_^ He's a gung ho sort, and countless
times I was always running myself on over to wherever his troop was
located because they'd rushed ahead and needed help. X_x -- An act also
illustrated in one of the cut scenes as well. Great fighter, just a
little to overconfident for his own damned good. ^_^ Thus, I started
to wonder on an event that would 'turn his head' so to speak. And then...
bam?
Sun Ce and Zhou Yu OWN. ^_^ I wish Wu got more attention- they always
seem left out. *pout*
Enjoy! Pwease? ^_^ Yes, other characters are involved. I love the Wu
Kingdom. ^_^ *Pets Lu Xun*. ^_^ On a random note; Zhou Yu is hot. Yes
he is. Worship him in all his semi-conceited glory! ^_^ Hee!
On to the ficcy!!!
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Spinning, and spinning, and spinning.
Sometimes, that's all battle seemed to feel like. Arms and body knew
the well practiced motions of countless encounters beforehand. When
ready and willing, up came the instinct that drove the skill and drove
the fight. I never really 'thought' about what I was doing, the most
of the time. My heart swelled, my spirit soared, and I laughed at the
heavens as the lethal dance began. It was a blur of motion all my own,
with blood washing the ground and the snap of bones being shattered
from staves to flesh. For all we were as men, to hear that sound often
brought me back from my bloodsong, and reminded me of the fragility
of those who fought so bravely.
There is only so much armor can do, afterall. And skill... skill can
sometimes fail.
But it still wasn't as firm as it might have been; that understanding
of mortality. Was I reckless? Dangerous? Both? I gave everything I was
to the battle field, but my everything would stay, as expected, for
me alone. When I plowed ahead into the ranks of my enemy, strategy and
cunning could often be forgotten. Win- Sun Ce! Win, and bring glory
to your family, kingdom and friends!
Yet even so, as the battle raged on, I never quite expected to realize
that, this time, my chance with brash independence had worn thin. I
was in to deep. My men fell- my horse buckled at the end of a lethal
spear. Caution wanted to tell me to pull back when I leapt to the ground.
My blood; that roaring, laughing mercenary, only wanted to press on.
And thus- I did.
But you, Zhou Yu. You saved me from myself. When had you arrived to
help? When had you brought both you and your men into such danger? I
did not notice when you shouted to me. I did not note much of anything
other then my own desire to conquer and prevail. Oh gods-- the shock
I felt when I heard the sword drawn behind me, and realized I was not
fast enough to stop it.
In to deep. Sun Ce- come back to yourself. Look around you-!!!
Zhou Yu, I noticed you then. Sword high- my attacker slain. Helplessly
I smiled, and your concerned earthen eyes reprimanded me with all the
sharp concern of a father from atop that great white steed. My smile
turned into a smirk as I moved to apologize in a manner that was thrilled.
Exhilarated...
But your eyes flew wide, then. Mouth agape.
I had finally realized you'd come to aid me, and had failed to notice
the archers that had set you in their sights far beforehand. For whatever
my own world had become... For whatever brash chances it had taken...?
Now it suddenly hurt. Now- it fell apart.
It shattered. Like the bones. Like my enemies. Everything shattered
when your eyes closed and your head tilted back; as your body slumped
and hung beneath the sky a single breath, looking all the world as the
beautiful sacrifice you had become.
And then you fell into my arms. You, my sworn brother, my childhood
friend.
My Everything.
The blood song had died. All that was left was the alien pounding of
brutal fear, and my broken
voice.
*******
The scream was sharp. Sharp enough to cut steel, and Sun Quan felt his
every nerve race with shock when he realized the man that had cried
out was his brother. Cao Cao's men swarmed between the ranks of his
own; the echo of sword and sword thrusting along every thought and word.
He raised his weapon- slashed downwards and whirled.
"Sun Ce-!!!"
Zhou Tai's brutal scar flashed in his direction as his lord shouted
the name. Sun Quan parried another blow, stumbling beside him under
the heat of battle.
"- Is he wounded-?!"
"I don't know. Damn his idiocy, he's led half this legion
into the heart of our foe's encampment! We must pull back or we will
fall!"
His menacing friend nodded in sharp understanding, muscular arms lifting
to scatter the nearest assortment of foes with little difficulty. Sun
Jian's youngest son, despite the reprimand of his sibling, felt worry
draw taunt into his stomach.
You're a fool, but you are my blood. Please- be all right-!
Certain units were beginning to pull back at Zhou Tai's command. Regardless
of Sun Ce's forthcoming approach, they were outnumbered. This day was
not to be theirs, no matter what the clause. It was best to get out
and regroup a stronger assault for the battle of Xu Chang and defeat
of Cao Cao. For now, pressing on would surely be folly. He wasn't about
to loose more of his troop at the cost of simple pride.
"Make haste! Give leeway to the units still under assault, protect
their retreat and get OUT-!"
Zhou Tai's deep voice rumbled an affirmative of Sun Quan's directive.
"At once, my lord-!"
Robes catching the sharp winds, Sun Quan gathered a grouping of men
to his side and raced deeper into the furious battle. Shouts and cries
were muffled, as from ahead, his brother released yet another frightened
call. This time it sounded of a name- but whom? Was Sun Ce alright?
Thrusting his right hand outwards, half of the warriors at his side
formed a ring of protection around him. His bodyguards were trustworthy
and able men, and would easily provide him the time he needed to crest
the sharp rocky incline ahead. He caught sight of his brother's horse
laying dead not far off- a spear implanted in the poor beast's neck.
And then there was another stallion. Zhou Yu's steed, who kneeled on
the ground in front of two men amidst a sea of turmoil.
For all his years, he had never seen his brother's face quite like
that.
"Zhou Yu-! My friend, please-!!!!"
The man in his arms was indeed the strategic flutist. The warrior Zhou
Yu, of whom lay without movement in the grasp of his sworn brother.
Three arrows lay imbedded into the back of his white and red attire;
staining the cream color with an unmistakable red.
He stared if only a moment. Gods- no...
"Brother-!!!!"
Sun Ce lifted his eyes with a kind of wild- near feral intent. He swallowed
sharply as he heard Sun Quan calling for him, barely able to think or
move. Weapons danced around him, but the will of battle he'd held before
was now lost. Slender lips parted to call for his sibling. Sun Quan-
please help! He was so sorry-!
I didn't... I wasn't... he shouldn't...
Zhou Yu gasped in a gentle breath, eyes fluttering open a moment. A
hint of blood trickled from one corner of his mouth; bewildered gaze
trying to focus. Sun Ce slipped a rough hand down one smooth cheek,
teeth grit. This wasn't right. This was some terrible dream. Did it
really happen?
"Forgive me-!!!" He choked out as Sun Quan struggled to his
side. "Zhou Yu, you cannot die...-! Forgive me-!"
His friend closed his eyes once more, grasping him close a moment with
a catch of pain. When Zhou Yu spoke, it was with the barest whisper.
A hand twined into Sun Ce's own and there trembled.
"Hush, my lord." Came strained words. "It is I who should
ask forgiveness."
No. No. NO.
"Shut up." Sun Ce scowled through tears, clutching him closer.
"Just shut up-! That's not true! Stop it-! Stay awake-!"
Somewhere in the back of his mind, he heard Sun Quan shouting for Lu
Xun, and giving sporadic commands to his team of bodyguards. A horse.
He was calling for a horse, and bringing Zhou Yu's stallion to its feet.
The wounded of the pair smiled fleetingly, barely conscious.
"My sun, do not fret..."
Tears clouded his vision as Sun Ce shook his head in helpless denial
of the reality around him. Zhou Yu' turned his head against his chest,
little by little being taken by the pull of death.
"I... I h-hate to s-see you cry..."
Unfortunately, it was all Sun Jian's son could manage. The little conqueror
had lost himself to grief, and held tightly to the frame in his arms.
Strength was gone. Skill was overtaken by emotion.
And it was his fault.
My fault...
"Forgive me..." He wept again; a broken man beneath the watchful
sky. " Zhou Yu... please. PLEASE..."
Forgive me-!!!