*in memory of S9 Meng*
~ Royal Palace of Meng ~
The cold winds shattered the silence on a balcony high on the Royal Palace of Meng. She stood there on in her white evening wear with a gold necklace encasing a pure jade of brilliance green. The Royal Princess of Meng look upon into the night with the moon held high in midnight. The banners of gold & green brave the winds of a cold night. She opened a note, & read:
far and wide the sun set its shines,
under the tree’s shade a princess lies,
come closer she calls to trees of pines,
knowing they bend shame to her cries,
yet the winds of change comes flowingly,
on the meadow animals venture dreamingly,
under the sky she still wait patiently,
soon the sun will rise with hope glowingly.

A single tear flow from her eyes, for the sender of this note knows he returns not. Royal Princess Rachel said, “a storm is brewing, heaven will shed tears & the earth will soak in blood…”
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~ Somewhere inside Kingdom of Shao ~

It was a misty morning, and the sun has not yet reach the horizon. the tinge of light illuminates little but the eagle soaring high above in the sky can see the huge army that stands not far away facing the gates & walls of the city. Another smaller one, but yet not small by comparison stood with their backs facing the walls. The numbers were massive and unnacountable.
As the eagle flew towards the bigger army, it saw towers made of wooden design tottered at the back with men in it and among many, one at center stands bigger than any other. It also seem to has a different shape with multiple platforms in the front. It decided to dive to the biggest siege tower for a clearer look. At every platform there were men & women, but the highest platform of the tower stood four person with four flags waving in the winds of dawn.
The flags, enormous in size, three of them waving against the wind, fluttering with the notion of an impending event. Two of the flags on the side, their colors strike contrastingly against the morning mist with its green background & golden words. The center flag, A white background with a black dragon & phoenix encircling each other creating an outer circle. Inside that circle holds three orbs of a colour, green with a golden hue.
As Ezio look behind him, three of them stand a ten feet behind on the command tower which is bigger than the other siege tower. Tiberius, Knives, and Malach stood with their spears in white cloak & golden armor underneath. The official uniform of the legion Imperial Guards, while his was almost the sme albeit a little more ornamental with dragons here & there especially the twin dragons on the shoulders. The Three High Lords of the Imperial Guards. But Ezio thought it was because of them, he is here, and not down there going to lead his army to the field. He like being the first to fight.
He looks down onto his army, infantry lines at the front & cavalry in the second while archers stood the third. The numbers were massive, not to mention the amount of catapults & siege towers he has to drag across the lands to get here. How many farmers farm has he mow down to bring in the monstrous contraption, yet they were needed to bring down the walls. An officer rush up the stairs, his uniform says that he’s part of the cavalry, as he walk near to Ezio, he kneel on one leg & says, “Mikmani Mi’Lord, Deputy Commander of the Cavalry Eastern Division. i have messages for you Mi’Lord.”
Ezio looks at him, “what urgency that they have to despach you from the front? speak good man.” Mikmani speak in a lower tone, “Lord Zigga and Lord H3RO will be leading the cavalry charge.” Ezio face darken a bit as Mikmani rise & smartly step away slowly. He knows he was choosen to give the news to the Lord Commander unwillingly, at least he might willingly move away while he has not become a target for his disgruntlement.

Ezio looks back onto the battle field and saw Zigga & H3RO leading the eastern & western cavalry line respectively. Ezio said to himself, “HAH! Now i know why they were so adamant in making sure i am here! so they can lead themselves!”. He heard chuckles behind him. He looks down another level of platform and stands his three sub-commanders, also commonly known as “Jewels of Meng”, Lady Vanquish, Lady TioTio, and Lady Jayle. All three who commanded elites troops into battle and would be first to go onto the walls, if the plans works…

He look Zigga, one of the Thirteen Warlords, and most importantly, a childhood friend of his. He knew Zigga would come whether he ask of him or not, but he not only did but bring along his famous Lionheart Cavaliars, a fearsome force on the any fields or plains of cavalry warfare. But Zigga also was known notoriously for massacring his troops by throwing into the hottest part of the battle. Ezio decided to concentrate on the battles lines & hopefully that his strategy works…
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~ On top of the City Gate Tower ~
The Emperor of Shao, Rock stands high on his city gate tower, cloth in black & gold befitting his station & he saw the army before him. Rock said, “so it comes down to this…” and he move towards one of the balista and give it a kick that shifted it position. He then took out his sword & tilted the ballista aiming high with his leg, he chop the strings & the big bolt of silver fly high. As the bolt leaving the ballista, “Lets have a good fight… Brother!” says Rock Auditore.
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~ Back at the Siege Command Tower ~
As everyone can see the gleaming silver surging past air towards where Ezio is standing, the very air seem to tense up around Ezio and the sounds of metal through air giving it a strong & loud whizz. A sudden movement of blurry white and shadow saw Malach & Spencer dashes fowards passes Ezio on his sides and KnivesChou appear in front of him. All of them were holding on to their spears in guard position. Malach & Tiberius run ahead, jumps up with their spears cross to form a “X” and the whizzing sound of the big bolt could be heard ever louder.
In a moment that define split second, untrained eyes would have not seen it, but Ezio is just not any ordinary person. He saw it clearly, as in a second Malach & Spencer force the crossed spears onto the incoming large silver bolt that is going to maim ezio if not interrupted. The screeching of clashing metal on metal was heard loud & clear, and the force that comes along with it was powerful as both of them shouted to gain more strength to divert its trajectory by pushing it downwards.
The force of the big bolt was strong as both of them could not throw it off much as it crash onto the wall platform slightly lower than where ezio is standing, the crash was so enormous that is created a crater a few feet in diameter on the siege tower. Malach & Tiberius was breathing heavily resting, sitting on one platform lower where the “Jewels of Meng” are standing.
Tiberius & Malach stared at each other & sigh, then look up at Ezio. Malach said,”It would be a great favor if mi’lord were to move a few feet from where he was standing…” Ezio reply with a smile, “Now why would i do that? I have you guys around and besides… it would make you too lazy.” Tiberius answers with a grunt, “Forget it Malach, our job will never get easier.”
Vanquish, “Don’t let him get to you boys. Hey Jayle, doesn’t he gets more arrogant by the day?” Jayle,”It would seems so, maybe we should have a talk with Ginsuu about this.” The girls laugh at that remark but clearly Ezio was not amused. As Malach & Tiberius began to climb up the platform, Knives ease back onto her position behind Ezio. Just as they manage to climb up, Youxuyun, Minister of Engineering came up with a fiery woman in red & bronze armor behind. She seem to carry a sword that seem too big for her but yet she move it around with ease, and her armor seems to compliment her hair & her fierce temperament. Ezio knows this woman & her enemies avoided her on the fields of battle, those who didn’t know who engaged her in combat would find her speed & agility of her sword with shocking results. Like a fire that cleanses the fields and here she is, she storm towards him like an impending fireball.

When she reaches Ezio & stand besides him, he puts on his best smile for her & said, “A pleasure Lady Ginsuu, i was sure wasn’t expecting you, if i knew, i be sure to prepare a reception of some kind. Please accept my appologies.” That didn’t gain a smile on Ginsuu but instead, Ginsuu slam her broadsword infront of her & look at ezio with cold eyes and a smile but said with a cold voice,”Your Highness, if next time your entourage of ladies decided to force me to their tea party, i will have them beheaded… and if… your Imperial Guards dared to even stop me…”. She looks at Tiberius who just manage to climb up & throw a dagger that landed a few inches from his feet. Tiberius look at the look that she gave him was definitely a chilling one, one that Tiberius wished that he is far from here. Malach said to Tiberius while busy looking elsewhere, “better not answer anything, its going to be tough”. Tiberius decided that his sword belt needed tightening & decided to be busy with it. Ezio swallowed & shot a glance at YouXuYun, questeningly with his eyes on why Ginsuu is here, where she is supposed to be safe back in the Royal Palace. YouXuYun shot back at Ezio, trying to show him with the look, “why not you try stopping her.” Ginsuu continued,”now that is settled…”. Ginsuu turn into her soft look & lay her eyes on Ezio with warm & tender question, she went and hold his hand, and said,” are you hurt anywhere…?”. Ezio nodded no to her & looks back with the same kind of eyes. The meeting of eyes that seem to bring those two together becoming one was heart-warming & heart-felt. Even everyone around them smile as well in the midst of a looming battle.
Lady Vanquish who was observing the whole ordeal saw the warm looks & worries of love that one has for another. and she remembers… she remembers what she almost had last time… which was taken from her…
~ Many Many Years Ago ~
As Vanquish remembers a many years ago, the memory of such do not go away easily.While she was fightning near Wind Canyon during the chaotic age of Kingdom of Meng, the battle was feverish, many has died & the black winds brings scent of death & blood to everywhere. The field was littered with bodies of men & horses alike. Death has no preference here.
As Vanquish moves with her twin blades, those feared her named her the “The Serpent With Twin Head”, moving gracefully dealing death along her path but men still throw themselves in front of her. Like a dance she was doing, a few dozens lay on the ground before she stop to see where she would go, and at that fated moment she saw a man, he caught her eye but was move away as the fighthing intensified around him, she tried to move closer to him, wondering why he would plundge himself deep into enemy lines. The red armband puts him on her side. As she & her bodyguards move towards the man, vanquishing all that stood in the way, the crowd almost naturally parted for her to avoid her onslaught. And what she saw surprised her, he was standing there, mighty in his armor of yellow & red, with his spear drench in blood and bodies circle around him, giving wary to those who wishes to step into his circle ring of death, the insignia on his armor holds him as part of the Royal Family. He saw her looking, and together they seem to intent on each other, through the eyes, it speaks in volumes, a certain awe that each finds each other in the midst of chaos. They keeping looking on while the time seem to move again, ignoring all that is around while their bodyguards, skillful as they are, fighting against great odds. But it would seem that any introductions will have to wait as they too join battle, back to back, and the dances of swords & spears begins. But what surprised her most later, was, it was unmistakable as the emblem on his chest armor & cloak that says he is the Royal Battle King of Meng, Razfaren.
Together they seem unstopabble, lines after lines fell to both their swordsmanship, Razfaren spear shatter & breaks armor where they met & Vanquish blades find armor gaps rips death in slashes & thrusts. They breakthrough the enemy lines & force them onto retreat, but they were seperated in the end due to the anarchy that reign upon any battlefield. Once the smokes lifted from the fields, he tried to look for her but no avail. Razfaren, already engage in a political marriage, has seen a woman that was more beautiful than any pearl and as precious as any jewel that any man could have, haunted & desired with thoughts of the woman who join him in battle & save him a lot of troubles.
A week later, they met again in another battle near Nan-chang in a small village and Vanquish was injured, most of her bodyguards were slain, the might of the Imperial Guards was oppressingly strong. Malach, one of the High Lords of the Imperial Guards was spinning his spear against Vanquish, both of them lock in a heated battle but Vanquish took many wounds as her blue silk dress & armor were soak in blood, but she defiantly battle on. The clash of blades & spear ringsacross the roads where everyone give them wide berth to the duel. Malach was struggling as well, his armor was torn in many places & bleeding flesh can be seen in some places, it was also hard to keep his spear speed to par with Vanquish twin blades that move with almost blurring speed. They went from upper slash to low cut to slashing spin, almost anything to get an edge over the other but its was almost equal. Razfaren saw what happen, the woman where he hope to meet again was losing a lot of blood, he lost her once in the midst of battle, he was not going to lose her again to death this time. so he leads his forces & rides into battle to save her, clearing the way with his shout & cavalry charge, the enemy parted quickly or face death in a raging storm of horses & whirling spears. As he reached her, he scoop her up onto his horse & rallied the remaining forces out of there. Vanquish struggle to go back into battle, rage & fury has taken her but fatigue taken hold soon with the help of blood loss & she closes her eyes and drop into unconscious.
Sometime later, back at Wind Canyon, at an abandon manor, he then realises she is bleeding too much and there was no healer nearby, so he tries to stop the bleeding, taking off her armor first then to her silk blue dress. Suddenly, she wakes up and she pulls her knife on him, the sharp part of the blade was on his neck. She inch slowly to stand up & tried to walk away, but her strenght give way with her legs crumble. He move forward to grab her & she fell into his arms. Razfaren picks her up slowly with the gentleness of a wind & willow and takes her to an old bed, he says,”i am trying to help you. you are a warrior by the look through your eyes, will you lose your life now & here or give yourself another chance to fight another day?”. She look into his eyes & saw nothing of malice or evil there, and she agreed.
He returns with an old bowl and water as he unwraps her battle-dress. She looks away in shame as no man has ever seen her beautiful garden of eden as he tear his shirt to dip in water to clean wounds. As her lids got heavier, she soon fell into sleep. The last she heard was “you loss a lot of bloo…”. (special section taken out, can request for it, section XXI)

A few days that went by, Razfaren has both of them transfer back to the capital, while she heals, he stood by her, helping her. Both were enjoying each other company before the need to return to the front lines, till a day at autumm starts, in the Royal Palace of Meng. As one evening while they were finishing dinner, cathcing up on formalities & light chatter, as he walks up to her on the balcony, he tries to touch her and Vanquish flinches, Razfaren raised his hand to carress her rose colored cheecks & fair skin and she pulled a dagger on him, pointing to his chest, he slowly pushed towards her as the dagger pierces a bit of his shirt & red blood filled the spot seen through his shirt. He said, “Mil’ady, the first day i saw you & i already knew my heart belongs to this fair maiden…”. He slowly pushes her dagger away, and he steps up to her as his hands slowly glide around her small figure she takes a deep breath as she rubs her cheek against his. He slowly kisses her ,her knee’s start to tremble as a sensation of feelings rose, the twinkling of butterflies in her stomach.
Vanquish tries to push him away as he pulls her back, and in the warm embrace, their lips meet with hot passion in the cool night as the sun sets below the horizon. As he kisses her, he bites her bottom lip as their tongues meet, she wraps her hands around his neck, slips his hand under her shirt ,as he lifts her up and carry her to the table, she rips his shirt off and pulls Razfaren closer, slowly kissing his chest as he kisses her & then teasingly bites her ear, then kisses her neck as she grabs his hair and whispers in his ears. “take me…”. The night was a long for the both of them… (special section taken out, can request for it, section XXII)
As two months goes by while Vanquish found herself to be happiest amidst all the blood & death for almost half a year before she met Razfaren. Vanquish was resting among the gardens while her love is still sleeping on the bed in the morning, soothing sounds of birds & sweet smell of the garden flowers was a truly beautiful thing in the morning where the sun glows across the horizon, bringing dawn to a new day. A deafening silence suddenly occur, no sound of anything at all, as if all life is gone from where she stands but she feel another presence behind her, she turns around quickly to find a woman, holding a wine cup & a staff, sat on a stone a few steps away looking at her. She spoke, “The name is Mythical”.

Vanquish looks are her suspiciously,from what she wear she is no local. Her garments seems to tell that she is from the far western regions, but decided to answer her with another question, “You do look like you’re a long way from home, for what reasons do you come for?”. Mythical looks at Vanquish and gave her a smile while she stands up and patted her clothes. Then she made a move towards Vanquish which made Vanquish took a step back. Mythical stop in her track & said, “Do not fear for i do not bite. As for the reason i am here, are my own.” Mythical then takes her time to look around then back at Vanquish, “I do have something to tell you…”
and she began to hymm…
reign of chaos is how the future sold,
but my eyes can see how it be foretold,
great dangers lies upon the path you hold,
and come soon the tragedy that will unfold.
Vanquish began to try to ask her what does she mean by that but a sudden gust of wind swept across the garden, Vanquish has to shield her eyes but when she look again, Mythical was gone. The last she heard through the winds was, “remember to choose life for it still holds hope for him…”
~ to be continue ~
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Author : Spencer
Co Author : L. Willams a.k.a. Vanquish
DISCLAIMER:
*these pictures are from another sites & creators, and we do not take credit for them.*