Wei Yan vs. Xu Huang

[Norion]

I don't care who it is, but I want to duel someone. To the death, friendly, whutevvs. I just want some action.

[Xu Huang]

I'd happily do a friendly duel. Would you care to set the scene? If you do, I'll post tomorrow after class.

[Norion]

((I'll set the scene, yeah.))

The sun hung over the meadow lazily at mid-day, and a light breeze blew across the open field. The grass was a dark emerald green and thick as a head of hair. Sitting in the middle of the meadow was a hukling beast of a man. His heavy hair flew ever-so-slightly with the wing, which hit his back. His legs were crossed, and laid on top of them was his weapon of choice. His double bladed glaive was a wonderful weapon, having a shaft of 6.5 feet and two 2 ft. blades. It was massive, but Wei Yan was strong enough to wield it with ease.

His ears perked up as steps approached, and his nose picked up the aroma of something new to his meadow. As he rolled onto his stomach, he set his weapon to his left. Propping himself up on his elbows, he looked the new-comer up and down, analyzing his weapon, his physique, his clothing...

Huh. He smells confident. This should be fun...[/color]

[Xu Huang]

The Battle of Red Cliffs... it had been a bloody battle that had seen the Prime Minister of the Emperor, Lord Cao Cao, stumble upon his bloody path. For his dream to momentarily falter. The campaign of Chi Bi had been a disaster for the kingdom of Wei, and yet by no means was the men of the north dead. Like the phoenix of old the Kingdom of Wei would be born again. To become more youthful, to born all the stronger and wiser within the face of its death. Yet while the battle of Red Cliffs had merely been a pebble within Lord Cao Cao's path, it was a disaster for the peoples of Wei.

Beast, both man and animal alike, had descended upon the land. Ravaging territories left undefended in the wake of those crimson waters. Was it not enough that thousands of men would never return home? The fact they would never return to the arms of their loved ones and to the joyous laughter of their children? Had not enough tears been spilled to pacify the land, even if just for a year? No... the land was ever hungry. Ever devouring and all consuming. Just as the ambitions of men consumed those who followed them, the world would consume those who led with time leaving nothing yet destruction. A destruction brought on upon those of weak moral and wicked sin. Men and beast who dared test their role within city and dream for more. Crows gorged themselves upon the flesh of man. Wolves feasted upon the intestines of unguarded flocks. Insects and birds stole the sweat and blood of the fields. While man take what animal care not for. Trinkets of the earth that would return to it with dear time. Wealth; Gold, silver, bronze, gems. All was desired by those who dared take up the sword for themselves.

Following the Campaign of Chi Bi there was a sudden influx in the lands of Wei. A resurgence of both bandit and rebel which had not been seen for years underneath the vigilance of Prime Minister, Cao Cao. While the ambitions of the people are ever clouded by supposed ideals those of the common man are not. They care not for the titles of man or woman. They cared not for whose banner fluttered upon the wind or whose fell to lay within the dust. They cared simply for themselves, struggling to survive within a harsh era of chaos. Yet the regime of Lord Cao Cao had lifted the burden, even if only a portion, from their breaking backs. Having offered protection to those lands he had taken. Yet in a moment those men who had once patrolled the lands had been left to lay within those bloodied waters, leaving all but the major cities of Wei unguarded in the wake of Wei's retreat.

Xú Huǎng, before the Battle of Red Cliffs and even to this day, had done little within his career for the Prime Minister's cause. He had been a man tasked with the defense of a well protected land, the new capital of Wei. A man who had seen little blood over the years except for that of hanged men or those few who had suffered before his arrival. Yet in the wake of Red Cliffs, the role of the Deputy General of Xu Chang shifted. A man who had grown accustomed to the traditions of old having been shifted upon the battlefield once more. Untested armies placed underneath his charge with the task of defending those fair lands of the north. It was a duty the aging Xú Huǎng had taken to his breast. A duty he had allowed to settle within his heart and warm his soul as the cold chill of armor consumed his body's warmth for the first time in years. Age has a habit of sapping a man's vigor. Many a man had thought the lion who had once fought Xu Chu gone with the winds, a man whose fire had gone out. Yet those men who dared to believe that the quiet and reserved Xú Huǎng, who had spent half his days tucked away within a room studying or managing accounts, had lost that spirit was quickly surprised. With a iron eye he had set upon those lands closest to Xu Chang, securing them from those brigands who dared drop their colors and turn upon their flock. Already those placed underneath his command had begun to secure the capital and nearby lands. While ministers, far to entrenched within their own political intrigues and pleasures, had been shaken free from their roles. Left to cling desperately to positions by meeting the demands of the Deputy General of Xu Chang. In a matter of days they had begun to enforce a civil duty and began a recruitment of volunteers. Yet it was while those ministers formed the basis for a army and those underneath his command sought out bandits, Xú Huǎng with a spartan supply train and few men within his company, the Deputy General of Xu Chang had set out to secure those farther away.

Already a number of men, who had dared test the limits of their allotted roles underneath the Heavens, had fallen underneath that reserved man's blade. While by the day that company had grown. Expanding as both volunteer and bandit, having been threatened with death or the life of a soldier, found their way into that traveling General's ranks. What had once been a scarce guard of five men on horse back with a supply train of two mules and their packs had expanded to a small regiment. Seventy volunteers having found a home underneath Xú Huǎng's command while twenty hardened bandits had picked up the banner of Prime Minister Cao Cao rather than face the hangman's noose or executioner's blade. A supply train of two mules having swelled to a generous train fed by bounty reclaimed from the grasp of sinners and the meager offerings the people of the north could offer.

Yet the gaze of Xú Huǎng now rested upon a single man. A man who called himself The Beast of China, a man by the name of Wei Yan. Never before had the Deputy General of Xu Chang laid his eyes upon that man, yet the tales had reached him. Of the man's blatant insanity. Of that wicked blade he carried upon him at all times. Of the man's bestial nature and deeds... and how he had came to rest upon the limit of Wei's territory. The Beast of China had become the prey of Xú Huǎng.

The sun rested lazily within the sky. A gigantic ball of light whose rays gently kissed and nuzzled the flesh of those men while the gentle caress of the air cooled the land. Rustling the thick, knee length, grass of the meadow they moved through. The men of Xú Huǎng's company had set camp a good half mile away from where they was now. Xú Huǎng simply sat astride his horse as four men silently accompanied them. Their armor twinkling within the light of the sun while that white turban fluttered around Xú Huǎng's head as they rode into that rough breeze. His dark, intelligent, eyes squinted he rode astride that black stallion. His hands curled faintly about that halberd as if it was a extension of his own body. Its blade faintly bloodied, the dark bloody stains along its edge a startling contrast against the shimmering metal. While eight men now lay dead where his company made camp, eight bandits having been found and slain before they knew what had came upon them. The two hostages, women of young age and fair looks if the bruises and dirt was ignored, set free and allowed to rest amongst the company while Xú Huǎng hunted that fabled beast. Yet all to soon their paths crossed, and those dark steely eyes gazed upon that man so far away. Slowly those four men who accompanied Xú Huǎng began to fan out. Two riding upon his left wing while the other pair his right. Spreading out by the moment as they moved to position themselves to cut off that man's retreat or escape.

Yet his pace never wavering, Xú Huǎng continued up the middle. Allowing his outriders to outdistance them as they began to form a distant perimeter from the man. Almost a hundred foot distance from each of them to their target. Yet it was pausing a good fifty foot away from the man, Xú Huǎng slowly dismounted. That weapon shifted to his shoulder, the dip of that gigantic halberd finding a rest upon that shoulder's blade. "Are you Wei Yan? The Beast of China and the General of Liu Bei?" Xú Huǎng shouted as he gazed upon the other. Those mounted soldiers remaining stationery, simply gazing statically upon that fabled monster. "I am Xú Huǎng! Deputy General of Xu Chang and officer to the Prime Minister, Cao Cao. I seek The Beast of China, Wei Yan, for combat. Are you thee?" he shouted.

[Norion]

As Xu Huang adressed Wei Yan, the Beast of China stood. His dark, tan skin seemed on the bring of tearing as his muscles bulged, lifting his body to his feet. Once he reached his feet, he stood perfectly erect. Wei Yan was just slightly shorter than Xu Huang, but the difference was their build; Xu Huang, a hulk of a man, was easily 60 lbs. more than Wei Yan and the Beast of China knew it was solid muscle under his clothing.

Wei Yan slid his left foot under the shaft of his weapon, and thrusted his foot into the air. His weapon shot into his left hand, and his fingers wrapped around it, feeling the worn wood under their tips. He tipped his head slightly to the side, cracking his neck. It wasn't very often someone of Xu Huang's apparent calibre decided to test their might against Wei Yan. Maybe he felt the need to proove himself to his men... either way, Wei Yan was fully aware that this man meant business.

"Yeah, I'm Wei Yan. So, big guy... you wanna play? I don't care why you're here, and I don't care who you are. I just have one question..."

Wei Yan crouched down, his developed and chisled shoulders bare against the sunlight. His looked Xu Huang in the face, and although the top of his head was hidden by hair and the ornate mask, his eyes were visible. The orbs were the only visible sign that Wei Yan contained a beast inside him. A beast ready to rip through its cage, and rip into Xu Huang. Wei Yan noticed the others, but they were not important to him, not to the Beast of China. Wei Yan was a grizzly bear, and it was his duty to mark his territory against the hunter, not the hunter's minions.

"... do you fear death?"

[Xu Huang]

Xú Huǎng simply stood there, his eyes locked upon that distant figure as the wind continued to blow within his direction. Kicking up fine sand which blew upon the wind, marring his vision as he forced to blink. Yet still he watched his prey, allowing him to ready himself as his hands remained tightly around that weapon. Before him stood a man who had become famous for his savagery. A man who simply lived to kill without true purpose, and whose loyalty to Liu Bei baffled Xú Huǎng. Just what drew this man to one of supposedly royal blood? Was there some magnetic aura about this man which had drew this animal to him? What caused these men to fall to his sides. To stand for his cause and to spill both blood and sweat within his name? Why had they stayed with him even in his most dire of times? Why did they continue to lift up that fool who continued to stumble along his path? It baffled Xú Huǎng, yet he knew he was allowing himself to be distracted.

"I fear death as any man should, Wei Yan." Xú Huǎng called out as he lowered that massive weapon. Allowing the near forty pound halberd's axe to dip into the grassy depths of that field while tucking its handle underneath his arm. His large calloused hands slowly raising to his head, adjusting that skull cap and turban into place as he connected its straps underneath his chin and pulled that turban over his shoulders. Tightening it by its cords so it would help conceal his mouth and shield his eyes from both the glare of the sun and bite of the wind. "Do you claim to not fear death, Wei Yan? Do you claim to be fearless to die?" Xú Huǎng shouted from through that turban's cloth as those dark eyes remained settled upon that lithe yet solidly built man. Then those hands returned to that halberd as his gaze remained upon that man, awaiting his move as rolled his shoulders. Testing the weight of that Ji within his arms as he lifted it up to his shoulder, allowing him the advantage of a quick swing should it come down to it. "I must ask you a question Wei Yan. Why do you fight for the man Liu Bei? What is it for you fight for? he shouted as he took a step backwards. Judging the man's reaction, awaiting for him to spring forth.

Yet should he not? Xú Huǎng would take three more cautious strides backwards before shifting himself. Keeping his gaze trained upon Wei Yan as he lifted his foot into the saddle, shifting his weight and that of the halberd's, before hauling himself up into his saddle. So it seemed Xú Huǎng planned on using the advantage of his horse's swiftness... what would become of Wei Yan if both the weight of that halberd and momentum of that horse came into play? Would he not be cleaved in half if he attempted to shield the blow? "I shall give you but one chance! General Wei Yan, you are to toss aside your weapon now and prostrate yourself. My men shall take your weapon into custody and another bind your hands. You will be given a mount to ride and taken to my camp where you shall be held until a trial may be held with a magistrate. You will be given all the treatment of a true prisoner of war. Yet should you deny this chance? I shall strike you down where you stand in the name of my Lordship, Prime Minister Cao Cao! Declare your intent or be cut down!" Xú Huǎng screamed as those dark eyes remained upon his prey. Left hand falling to his right hip, shifting his dao within its sheathe so it could more easily be drawn, before falling back to the reins of his horse. Knees left to squeeze in upon its sides, sending the horse off at a slow trot towards Wei Yan. At a pace that would consume the fifty foot between them in only a minute's time if not less. "Declare your intent to fight or to submit." the Deputy General of Xu Chang barked out as he continued his slow approach.

[Norion]

Why, this man asked. why did Wei Yan fight for Liu Bei... what was the Beast's purpose? What an interesting question. Wei Yan had never felt compelled to explain himself, and he had never fought anyone who had asked him. He simply assumed they fought for the same reason as he did. Wei Yan stood from his crouched stance again, his weight evenly distributed between his feet. Wei Yan had incredible balance, amazing ability for someone of a savage's descent. His style was quick and merciless. The Beast was the perfect blend of brute strength, unexpected quickness, and fury.

"Huh... nobody's ever asked me that before. I fight for Liu Bei because he stand for something greater than himself. Sun Quan fights for his family's pride. Cao Cao fights for power. But Liu Bei... he fights for me. He fights for my brothers. He fights for his people, which is a trait I admire. I went to him because I knew that my tribe would be better under him than under anyone else. They follow me, I follow Liu Bei."

Wei Yan spoke with a nonchalance that could be considered confidence, or cockiness. The words left his mouth as his double-blades glaive spun in his left hand like a baton. He held it behind his back as he stretched his arms, and continued to speak.

"But me... I fight for alot of things. I fight for my people much like Liu Bei, which is what drew me to him in the first place. I fight for dominance over others. I fight for the fun of it. I fight because I need to. My existence has been one big fight, and I don't plan on stopping now. Did you honestly expect me to surrender? No, rather, I give you one chance. Either dismount your steed and fight me like the man I know your capable of being, or surrender to me. You're choice, I know it's probably not a difficult one."[/b] Wei Yan roared. His booming baritone of a voice was rich, yet rugged and harsh at the same time.

Wei Yan approached Xu Huang at a comfortable speed, matching that of his opponent's horse. They would be face to face within 30 seconds time.

[Xu Huang]

Xú Huǎng didn't respond to the man's taunts. Xú Huǎng didn't even seem to acknowledge his existence as he continued to match the others pace. The ground between them being eaten up by the moment. "I apologize to you, General Wei Yan. I had hoped to avoid spilling blood upon this day. While you may be considered a beast, you still fight for a purpose. Even a dream is better to fight for than one's own greed." he mentioned before unshouldering that halberd. Lowering its point so it was level with the man's legs and the axe hovered a foot above the ground. "However, General Wei Yan, I can not meet your request." the Deputy General of Xu Chang called out.

"Perhaps upon another day, when the honor of my Lord was not at stake, I would give you a true battle. Yet today? You are a wanted man. Today I fight for my Lord and shall give you no mercy except for this. Prepare yourself General Wei Yan!" Xú Huǎng roared before gripping his horses' ribs with his knees as he flicked at the reigns. That large black warhorse left to erupt into sudden movement. Its sight blinded by the guiders upon its eyes, the horse lurched into movement! Bringing itself into a full gallop as Xú Huǎng pressed his knees into his horses side. Adjusting his horses path so that it would run to Wei Yan's left side. Forcing him to fight upon the defensive or risk losing the speed of his blow by taking away the edge of his guiding arm unless he dared repositioned himself while Xú Huǎng leveled his Ji. Hooking it into his axilla as he grasped the bottom of his Ji in a upturned forearm, allowing himself a shortened reach for a quicker stab in this quick pass.

Xú Huǎng would attempt to make the pass without a strike. To simply gallop past his opponent and over one hundred foot away before slowing to a counter and coming back. Positioning himself for a true charge and allowing Wei Yan a chance to truly defend himself, the last of the mercy Xú Huǎng would allow his opponent upon this day. Yet should Wei Yan attempt to hamper his passing? That Ji would quickly come into play. Should Wei Yan attempt to make a sweep at his horses legs, in a attempt to hamstring his mount, as he made the pass Xú Huǎng would thrust upwards that Ji. Using its spear like tip as a deterring but possibly lethal blow aimed at the man's inner thigh in a attempt to puncture the tender flesh in the area and stab into arteries, or at the least slow the man and bleed him for the time being. Xú Huǎng knew his advantage would lay with his mounts stamina, something that even the best of warriors could not match as long as he was not reckless and pushed his mount to harshly.

Yet should Wei Yan attempt the wiser of two evils and attempt to strike out at Xú Huǎng himself as he passed? Xú Huǎng had prepared himself for such a act. By shortening his reach upon that Ji he had given himself a good foot or two of length with which to defend himself behind while four foot which which to parry from a front. A arching strike at his back or neck would be met would the adjustment of that steel rod, attempting to catch the edge of that blade before it would be rolled upwards. Forcing Wei Yan to take a step back or likely lose his balance of gravity due to Xú Huǎng's maneuver. While the moment either may of occurred? The pike of that Ji would be thrust into play. Swung backwards in a blow designed to hamstring his opponents leg, to catch him square within the back of the calf and to cut through unguarded flesh and into vital tendons.

However should that attack surprisingly come from the front and towards his chest or legs? That halberd's staff would become his key weapon. Shoulder rolled back to allow greater angling of his ji while feet would hook themselves within the stir up. The staff of his weapon used to catch the other's voulge before he would thrust downwards with his ji. Carrying the hook of the blade downward to catch upon the voulge's own shaft in a attempt to power it downwards and to pin both the others and his own weapon. Neutralizing either man's advantage upon that bout before spurring off on his gallop to prepare for his next bout.

[Norion]

((I'm assuming that if you are charging on my left, the head of your ji is on your left as well.))

Wei Yan stopped as soon as Xu Huang began to speak again. He didn't figure this man would be so cowardly as to not fight Wei Yan on even ground. The Beast of China crouched again, his legs like springs ready to shoot him in any direction he chose. His weapon was held in his left hand, parallel to the ground beneath him. Wei Yan growled under his breath; he wanted a fight, and this was not one.

"You speak of your lord's honor, but you obviously have no care for your own. You fight like a woman. But I understand. I would afraid to fight me on even ground if I were you. Go ahead, and charge at me with your horse. We can play this chess match until the sun sets."[/b] Wei Yan roared as Xu huang sped towards him. When Xu Huang was within 3 yards of Wei Yan, the Beast of China took a few steps to his right, bringing himself 7 feet away from Xu Huang's horse, and out of Xu Huang's attacking range. Should Xu Huang attempt to swing at Wei Yan, he would simply take another step back, and Xu Huang's horse would be moving to fast for a change of direction to have any effect.

As Wei Yan's feet planted on the ground, Xu Huang was making his pass, and Wei Yan allowed Xu Huang his pass... or so it seemed. Wei Yan gripped his weapon at the base of one blade on his double-bladed glaive, which gave him an effective 8 foot radius of attack. He rotated his body towards Xu Huang, who, at this point, would more than likely have been moving so fast that he would not have time to reposition the head of his ji. Wei Yan, once his body was rotated, ripped his arm forward as well, swinging his weapon towards the horse's hind left leg. Wei Yan was not going for the horse's kill, just enough of a wound to render the animal ineffective and lame. He was clipping this horse's wing, so to speak. If Xu Huang was somehow able to maneuver away, then both men would go unscathed. Wei Yan could roll and leap away from Xu Huang all day at this rate; he had the stamina of a marathon runner, and his movements were anything but taxing.

"Didn't your father raise you better than this, boy?"[/b] Wei Yan roared at Xu Huang. "Or maybe he was just as big of a pussy as you are."[/b]

((So here's what happened: You charged me, I lat you pass for the most part. As you passed, I swung my blade at your horse's hind left leg, hoping to clip it enough to render it lame.))