FEARLESS
Disclaimer: I don't own anything of Dynasty Warriors or the characters involved. All properties belong to Koei.
Plot: A story of the forbidden love between two warriors, who through the trails of war and loyalty discover where their true valor lies. Gan Ning x SunShangXiang.
Author's Note: You may realize that things happening in this story didn't really happen within the details of the game, but I improvised on places I felt could be filled in. So forgive me for that, and I hope you enjoy the story.
CHAPTER ONE: WU PROVINCE
It had seemed that the misty atmosphere around was drawing in the aftermath of war. The cool dew on the cold grass sent twinkling light across the stretch of land. The angry cries of patriotic warriors had long since faded away. Only the breathing of one solitude warrior could be heard as he rashly inhaled the sufficient air around him. The water lapped up the sides of the bank as he stared down at the spot where his father had been slain. Ling Tong, brave as he was kind, drew a small dagger from its sheath where it had lay at his belt; the small weapon shimmered in the sunlight as the warrior's grimy hand brought it to his lips. Kissing it gently, he placed it sharply into the ground. Shifting on to one knee he studied the dagger for a while, a grim expression on his face. Slowly he pulled himself to his feet, a small gust of vapor leaving his mouth as he sighed.
"Father." He paused, his years of strong battle and devotion had caused a barrier between his emotions; he refused to cry even as the large knot tightened in his throat, giving him a need to break the anguish. But still he didn't, instead he placed his hands together in a firm clasp, lowering his head to his chest he bowed, his body leant forward for a while before it drew back. "I'm sorry." He said almost mutely, as he turned away.
The lone warrior walked as best he could, with the heavy pain within his heart. As his weapon knocking silently against his clothing, he mounted his horse with great agility. Glancing one more time at the peace offering for his father's grave, he pulled swiftly on the reins and galloped off towards home.
The wind lapped up as though carrying a thousand souls, the red ribbon around the handle of the dagger flapped violently, but did not come loose. As much as the dagger was beautiful it carried a name with it, a name of a Kingdom of Warriors, those fit to serve and protect their dynasty. The Wu Emblem showed proudly on the metal graving of the handle, the bronze mixed with deep red showed the details of designed weaponry. How proud were people to fight for what they believed in, and how well they took care of the signs of their loyalty. The sun's rays shone lightly off the silver blade as the wind diminished; again the last breath of war consumed all the noise around it, until all was silent, returning again to a tranquil land.
Sun Shang Xiang stretched her pale arms above her head as she yawned, the satin covers that laced her body shifted under her movements and eventually slipped downwards to reveal her pure white nightwear. The sun had risen but not much light got through the Chinese styled shutters, she squinted in an attempt to wake her eyes up, she rubbed at them absently as she gathered herself slowly out the bed. Suddenly there was a knock at the door; she'd spun in less then a second, her boyish yet silky hair whipping across her face. The noise was harmless but her usual habit of action at the first disturbance caused her to act in such a way. She edged towards the door, her hand placed firmly against the door as though she could detect the person on the other side.
"Shang?" a voice softly came.
She sighed knowing who it was, before she opened the door, the only person who called her by that short name. She opened the door to see her brother, Sun Quan, standing there, already dressed in his finest robes and his usual hat, that resembled the shape of a Greek pillar; she may mock the ridiculous looking hat but it was of her culture, her people. It showed he had superiority, he after all was Emperor.
She bowed even though they were siblings; she both feared and respected him.
"My Lord." Her hands lowered from their prayer position. She gazed up to the hurt in her brother's eyes. "What's happened?" She wasted no time getting to the point.
"We've just returned from Xia Kou." He paused, "Ling Tong…" he sighed, "…he's not good."
"What is he injured?" Sun Shang Xiang knew that there were many casualties in war; she hoped that her dear friend was not too badly hurt. "What is it Quan?"
"It's his father…he's dead. Slain when the pirates docked,"
Sun Shang Xiang shook her head in dismay, her feet leaving the ground lightly as she sat back on her bed, "Who?" She placed her hand on the bed post to steady herself and the thoughts running through her mind. "Who did this?"
"He won't tell us who." Sun Quan replied, his face of pity, "I guess he dealt with whoever killed Ling Cao."
Sun Shang Xiang exhaled deeply from her nose, she continued to shake her head. "We haven't lost someone in ages." She shrugged her shoulders, "Well forgive me, no one of high rank."
Sun Quan nodded, his hands placed at his waist clasped around each other, "Not someone who's been with the Wu family for so long; I mean from the time of Father's reign."
Sun Shang Xiang thought of her father Sun Jian for a moment, and smiled. How many good memories she had of her father, the countless times he had taught her how to use a sword, and whenever she missed her targets that she must try and try again. And the wise words that always gave the will to carry on, "A real warrior aims with his heart not with his eyes."
Meaning to act out of emotion is probably the most effective way to win in a fight, but then again can be the fault in the person's anger. So divided a decision can be, that Sun Shang Xiang used to be afraid of going into battle for fear of acting wrongly and making a mistake, but now her instincts had grown with her ability and she was one of the most feared fighters of Wu.
"He wishes to see you; he wants to know why you weren't at battle."
Sun Shang Xiang had forgotten that her brother was there, she hadn't realized how long she'd not said anything for. She swallowed back the sharp pain of sorrow in her throat, she felt for Ling Tong, not anymore then a friend. But his grief was her grief. She stood up and nodded before bowing in the typical soldier stance. "Thank you, My Lord."
He smiled and gave her a small nod as he left the room.
Sun Shang Xiang rubbed her hands nervously, as she thought of what state Ling Tong may be in when she would meet him later, figuring that it wouldn't be that hard to deal with since Ling Tong was well known for his taciturn attitude. His shell would take a lot to break. She stopped thinking and started doing, the sound of the maids tending to their cleaning began to make its way down her hallway, as she rushed to get dressed.
Gan Ning grunted as he jabbed his heels into the side of his horse, his deep black stallion snorted roughly and increased its speed, its hooves hitting the ground like feathers as it whispered across the large stretch of terrain. Gan Ning frowned slightly as the wind surged against his face, with the smell of war still upon him he raced towards what he called home, having served under Huang Zu for a matter of months, he felt it right to claim this place his home. Unfortunately they'd lost the battle of Xia Kou; Ling Tong himself was the one to grind Huang Zu into the ground. But at a plea for surrender, Huang Zu was spared and the battle was ended. Having been abandoned with his ship at the riverside, Gan Ning was at some frustration and raced to question his 'master'.
He neared Huang Zu's camp quicker then he anticipated, he sailed off the horse before it could even stop, the horse neighed in protest grinding its hooves into the ground and shaking its mane as it composed itself. Gan Ning whipped out his sword, swinging it skillfully around his hand he caught it at the handle, ready to kill whoever got in his way.
He stormed in pursuit of Huang Zu's tent; obviously they had set up camp during the battle since their own castle was too far from the Wu territory and posed difficult attempts for defense, Gan Ning cared little however why they had been here and ignored the many glances he got from soldiers sitting outside their tents.
With Gan Ning's bells jingling at his sides he entered into the tent without request, Huang Zu who was suddenly startled jumped up from his seated position to face an infuriated Gan Ning, and like a predator after its prey Gan Ning could smell the fear radiating from his rival.
"Ah, Gan Ning…" He paused, curling his hands into a clasped position as he bent forward to give a small bow; Gan Ning didn't return the regard and instead clenched the handle of his sword. "What do I owe the pleasure of your presence?"
"You deserve no pleasure." He seethed, "You left me for dead!"
"Gan Ning." He said firmly, "I assure you, our departure was for safety only…we couldn't risk the lives of the rest of our men for just you."
"You mean you couldn't risk losing your men!" Gan Ning stepped forward menacingly, "And what about my men? The 10 dozen that I brought across the seas with me? Who are of alliance to both me and you? What of their lives and safety? Or did they not matter…do we not matter anymore?"
"Calm down, Gan Ning," He raised his hands in the air and waved them about as an indication to lower the fury. "Of course you matter, but remember I am your Lord and Leader and you will not speak to me with such disrespect."
Gan Ning shook his head disbelievingly, "How dare you!" He yelled suddenly, causing Huang Zu to flinch in response causing him to edge backwards to fumble for his sword.
He knew Gan Ning cared little for station and respect. He had lived most of his life as a rogue, a pirate for ever on the seas. Now that he had decided to act out of some sort of patriotism, he still remembered how he had been so independent before and therefore rarely followed orders. But his quick wits and temper, were the aspects, that made him such a good warrior, most men would be scared to have him on their side and most would be scared not to.
"As soon as you saw that we were losing, you gathered the men nearest to you and sped in the opposite direction! It's only my luck that Ling Tong caught up with you and then I could see you for the coward that you are! By the time my wounded were salvaged and ready, you'd already been released, under the fact of your bare desperation to live. You betrayed your people and your soldiers! Especially me! And no-one betrays me!" He growled his sword suddenly present at Huang Zu's neck. The metal reflected light off his skin as he struggled to keep the blade from digging into his flesh. Huang Zu grunted fearfully whilst trying to move back as Gan Ning came forward.
"I could have you hanged." He said through gritted teeth, as Gan Ning wrapped his arm around his neck.
Gan Ning sniggered, speaking hastily as jabbed his sword further up his neck till it was skimming the flesh under his chin, Gan Ning saw and heard Huang Zu gulp. "Try me." He breathed into his ear.
"What's the matter with you!" Huang Zu suppressed, "Have you no honor? No respect for your Master?"
"If you can give me one good reason why I should let you live, then perhaps I have mercy." He grinned,
Suddenly there was a ruffling from the other side of the tent, a shadow cast by what could only be a child, made its way through the material, its hand innocently resting at his mouth as it tried to hide the fear in its eyes. The shouting had caused it to come and see what was going on, hearing that the noise was coming from the tent, he had investigated quickly.
Gan Ning saw the small boy, with its look of bewilderment plain in his eyes, and then as though his heart had been pricked he withdrew the sword from Huang Zu's neck leaving his hands to fall heavy at his sides.
"You have a son…" Gan Ning said his head low,
Huang Zu spun around his eyes ablaze with fury, "No!" He yelled his fist slammed hard against the side of Gan Ning's temple, causing him to fall to the ground with a grunt. "Just a mere servant boy!"
The boy rushed out without a sound.
Gan Ning nursed the side of his head with a warm palm, squinting up from the ground he slowly felt the rage building up inside him once more, Huang Zu however grabbed his sword from the table. Gan Ning was at his feet in seconds, their swords clanked against one another as they fought aggressively.
Gan Ning spun around to dodge the charge from Huang Zu, a cowards' charge. He took this chance to cleave a deep cut into his opponent's back, hearing the guttural cry as he stumbled forward. Gan Ning watched as he gathered himself by the tent pole before turning around to attack. A hearty war cry leaving his throat as he grew agitated, that not a single one of his blows, couldn't be dodged or blocked by Gan Ning. Huang Zu jumped over the now scattered furniture, in their lusty feud they'd thrown aside the table and chairs, the tent's contents now were completely ransacked.
"Just tell me why." Gan Ning ordered, "Why I was not fit to return with the camp?"
Huang Zu gave out another cry as he lunged forward, again to be blocked by Gan Ning's powerful defense.
"How could you not know!" He exasperated, the clanking of their swords almost inaudible over the shouting.
"Tell me why!" he bellowed, drawing his leg under Huang Zu's heal and kicking back, Huang Zu fell to the floor with a cry and it wasn't long before the sword was at his neck again. "Why?" Gan Ning asked through gritted teeth.
"You killed Ling Cao." Huang Zu said.
Gan Ning glowered "How is that a reason?" He demanded
"Just as we were losing morale, you decide to kill the one man that will make the enemy's fury tenfold. Ling Tong I assume fought you."
Gan Ning brooded briefly over what had been said; slowly he withdrew his sword and re-sheathed it back at his waist. "He did." He said gruffly, "But he fought out of anger not skill, as did his father." Gan Ning turned to go, "I felt it was merciful to let him live." Gan Ning recalled how Ling Tong sooner or later gave up and was just a fuming wreck on the floor, after getting himself up from the ground he ran off, with his thick pony tail of hair flapping behind him.
Su Fei burst in through the curtains of the tent, having been a general of Huang Zu for many years now; it was his solemn duty to see to his safety even if he disagreed with his policies sometimes. "I could hear you two from across the camp." He surveyed the scattered room momentarily before his wary eyes fell upon Gan Ning, his back to the fallen Huang Zu.
"Gan Ning? What's going on here?"
Gan Ning didn't even turn, "I've come for permission to leave this camp." Only then did he turn around to face the only man he respected in all the time he'd fought for Jing, Su Fei had been a good friend of his from the beginning. Gan Ning found it hard to bond with people since there were so many he didn't trust.
"Why, Gan Ning?" Su Fei stepped forward with a sense of disappointment in his stance, "You are signed for another year at least."
"I cannot fight for you anymore." Gan Ning growled. "I respect your word, so I will leave with it."
Su Fei looked from the stricken Huang Zu on the floor, to Gan Ning whose chest was rising and falling in deep breathing, "Will you bring any further harm to my Lord?" he asked apprehensively
Gan Ning glared at the so called 'Lord' lying on the floor. "You have my word." He stared firmly into Su Fei's eyes, and with that Su Fei knew he wasn't lying.
"Fine." He gulped back the regret, "I strip you of your indenture…You may go." Su Fei indicated to the exit. Gan Ning placed his fist in his palm and quickly bowed to Su Fei before leaving.
"Where are you going to go?" Huang Zu asked forcefully as he propped himself up on his shoulders.
Gan Ning didn't even turn around as he exited the tent, light momentarily entering the dark tent as he left. Su Fei looked down in shame, knowing he'd lost one of the greatest warriors he'd ever had the pleasure to govern. Helping his master to his feet; he knew it wouldn't be over here.
Gan Ning stormed forward, placing his hand in his horse's stirrup as he pulled himself up onto its' back, he glanced over the camp, his eyes catching the little boy who had disturbed them earlier. The boy stared at him, his little hands firmly by his side, Gan Ning felt sorry for the boy having to grow up in this place. He almost had the inclination to take him with him, but Gan Ning was no fatherly model and instead ordered his horse to depart with a quick flick of his arms. Su Fei made it outside just in time to see Gan Ning speed away. He placed his arms across his chest and rested against the tent pole. The sun had only begun to set and yet it already seemed as dark as night.
Sun Shang Xiang rubbed her hands nervously, as she always did before entering a situation she knew would be difficult. It was funny how she never gets this kind of apprehension before war though; it was the simple things like relationships that made Sun Shang Xiang tense. She'd be just as happy doing some combat training then having a touching conversation. I guess her distance from her mother gave her this problem; she was so used to be being around her brothers Sun Ce and Sun Quan she was used to hiding her feelings. Taking a deep breath she opened the door out on to the oval garden. She loved coming here at night time when the stars stretched as far as the eye could see, she could feel so much peace and it was a relief from the usual frustration of war. She could see Ling Tong sitting on the edge of the fountain wall, dangling his hand loosely into the water inspecting the bubbles frothing at his hands, and how pure and cool the water washed away any dirt or clamminess; how easy he wished it could be to wash away feelings, the large pain in his chest now was more then he could stand, he longed to reach into his chest and remove his pain and run it under the water and watch it froth and flow away. Sun Shang Xiang placed her hands timidly in front of her, her hands gently over one another as she slowly walked down the path leaving to the fountain at the centre of the garden.
She watched him a moment as he remained undisturbed, seeing the scrutiny on his face as he was lost in his actions, she figured how easy it would be to just turn around and walk away, maybe talking to him would be a bad idea. He would only get angry, since he won't cry. Sun Shang Xiang bit her lip absently, whilst shaking the stray bits of hair out of eyes she spoke.
"Ling Tong."
He turned around swiftly, a tiny bit of water flicking to the ground in little droplets. "Shang Xiang." He gulped back the croak in his voice, "How are you?"
She sat next to him gradually and put her hand to his shoulder, "No, how are you?"
"I'm alright." He said, Ling Tong looked directly to the ground, fidgeting with his fingers as he gazed at them. "I didn't save him, Shang Xiang."
She rubbed his shoulder affectionately, "It wasn't your fault, you had no idea he'd…he'd been…" Sun Shang Xiang fought for the correct words to use without causing pain to her friend.
"Killed." Ling Tong said solemnly
"…until it was too late." She finished.
Sun Shang Xiang looked away briefly out of discomfort and then was surprised to see him gazing at her when she turned back. He slowly removed her hand from his shoulder and cupped them warmly in his own. "So fair…" He said dazedly, "So fair."
Sun Shang Xiang pulled her hands away gently. "Ling Tong…" She warned softly.
"I miss him." He quickly changed the subject. "I miss him Shang Xiang."
"Yes, you do." Sun Shang Xiang assured him, happy that the topic had moved on from Ling Tong's caress, "And you should, honor his memory Ling Tong, Honor him as you did when he lived. He'd be proud of you."
Ling Tong said nothing, instead he stood up, his hands falling loosely to his side before his hands clenched tightly into his fists, the knuckles quivering from the pressure. "I don't think he'll be proud till his death his avenged." He said dismally.
Taking his hand to his Nunchuks at his side, he pulled them out in a swift flick of his arm and maneuvered them artistically before ending in a fighting pose. He gathered himself quickly and stood straight again. "I must leave for the Jing Province."
Sun Shang Xiang got to her feet swiftly, "Jing?" She put her hand to Ling Tong's forearm, twisting him around softly as she did so. "Don't jump to conclusions. Besides you cannot go alone."
"Come with me then." He requested, squeezing her hand gently as it fell from his arm.
"But why to Jing? Haven't you already killed this man?"
Ling Tong's memories flashed back to when he raged forward on the battle field with the intent of killing on his mind, he lashed out unwisely, each time his perfect blows missed his target, and each time he got angrier. As skilled as he was, his opponent was just as skilled, he had wicked defense tactics and even better attack methods. Ling Tong frowned slightly whilst remembering, if only he knew the man's name, he knew he wasn't dressed like other soldiers and he recalled the sound of bells jingling as he moved; but his identity was a mystery even now. He'd never come across this general in battle before and feared he never would again.
"Ling Tong?" Sun Shang Xiang prompted.
He turned as though just remembering she was there. "I haven't killed him." He said quietly, "And actually I cannot have you come with me." He let go of her hand, and started to walk away.
Sun Shang Xiang looked down at the ground, feeling she hadn't done enough, hadn't said enough. Suddenly she remembered the reason Sun Quan had said why Ling Tong wanted to see her. "Ling Tong!" She called as he neared the entrance back into the palace; he turned a dark strand of his hair falling thickly across his face.
"Don't you want to know why I didn't go to battle?"
"I already know." He smiled knowingly, but not a smile of complete joy.
"You do?" Sun Shang Xiang asked softly.
He nodded, staring firmly at her as he spoke. "Too much war Shang Xiang, too much pain." He looked down searchingly then looked quickly back up; with his head bowing forward quickly he disappeared inside the building.
A/N Here is my first chapter of my Dynasty Warriors FF, so go easy on me please :)xxx