Black Dawn (open)

[Jia Nushen]

A peaceful village nestled against the foot of a mountain.

The men tired from a long days work, are heading home from the fields.

The women are ready to call in their children.
 
A single poor hunchbacked traveler is begging for bread near the village well.

The sun begins to set on this scene, relatively normal and calm for the current times...

"Hopeless."

The angel of death stood on a ledge overlooking the simple place. Her long twin tails looking like raven wings as they blew wildly in the wind. Jia Nushen glared out and saw only the hopelessness and futility of their lives. She folded her arms and leaned on her right leg. Cocking her head slightly she saw the traveler begging.

"Teh... They aren't going to give you a thing for free bum. And even if they did, it would be a crumb."

She saw a child wave up at her. Guess she was spotted. Oh well, the nearest outpost was nearly a day away. No one cares for this place. Jia Nushen's expression for the slightest moment turned somber. Then quickly broke into a cold smirk. The Black Death truly loved this part. The feeling of liberating people from the burdens of life.

Jia Nushen snapped a black gloved finger. Night Lady, the jet black steed came to her side. The horse raising its legs high in excitement.

"That's right. You know it's that time again. To understand the feelings I have. Such a strange one you are."

Nushen laughed loudly and mounted her horse. See unlached the Dread Lance from her back. This would be another village saved from the chaos of the land. She spun the huge weapon with amazing ease in one hand. It was killing time...

[Sima Yi]

When he was not immersed in his studies, Sima Yi enjoyed debating current affairs with men of intelligence. Such individuals were not so easily found in the large cities, such as the bustling Eastern Han capital of Luoyang. Sima Yi had met few men deserving of his respect outside of his own clan. It was for this reason he embarked on the long journey to a village that very few knew about, for he felt most at ease here. But, of course, there was another reason Sima Yi came to the village, one born of far more personal motivations.

When he was a child, Sima Yi's father had often taken him to a village in the West where they had acquaintances. While his father attended to his business, the precocious Sima Yi would engage the local intelligentsia in conversation, already displaying the intellect for which he and his brothers would become so renowned.

Now a young man, Sima Yi had returned to the village. Time had changed man things in his life, but this village--like most rural villages--remained the same. He made his way towards the local tea house, where he knew he would find a warm drink and the good conversation he longed for. As he passed, he noticed the needy man begging for money near the entrance. Sima Yi, an adherent of Confucianism, knew that this man could only uplifting himself from his pitiful condition, and that by giving him coin he would only be further enabling him.

Soon thereafter he reached the tea house, but his senses alerted him to something amiss in air.

[Xu Huang]

     Xu Huang was training hard when he noticed Sima Yi was leaving the grounds. While Xu Huang was not the smartest man, he was nowhere near dumb and the conversations he had with Sima Yi while not long were quite enlightening. Xu Huang understood how intelligent Sima Yi was and how important strategy was to winning a battle. A good warrior could not only defeat others with the blade, they could also defeat them with the mind. That was something Xu Huang currently lacked, so he wished to learn more from Sima Yi so Xu Huang decided to follow the man. Not only to learn, but Xu Huang knew how dangerous it was outside and wished to keep him safe.

     Following Sima Yi, Xu Huang kept well behind and tried to be as quiet as possible. Sima Yi seemed to be making his way to a small village in the middle of nowhere. Xu Huang himself did not recognize the location, but he was glad to see such a nice place still intact. Bandits have been becoming more and more common place as of late and sadly these beautiful places were the first to be put to the torch. Xu Huang hoped this would not be the case today, and that this village could escape the chaos and live in peace.

     Xu Huang left his horse right outside the village, tied up to a tree as he went and followed Sima Yi into a tea house. Calling out to Sima Yi, "Greetings Master Sima Yi, what brings you out to such a beautiful place like this? I hoped to continue our conversation from yesterday about battle tactics as I found it most enlightening." As Xu Huang spoke, he noticed Sima Yi tense up for a second, as if he was alerted to something. "Is everything alright, Master Sima Yi?" Xu Huang began to look around him, trying to notice whatever caused Yi to act in such a way. 

Words: 328
Tagged: Jia Nushen/Sima Yi/Open

[Jia Nushen]

A farmer headed back to the village. Tired from a long day, he wiped a cloth across his forehead. As he passed a horse tied nearby. He smiled, for that was a sign of more visitors here. Maybe soon the village could prosper from more attention of city folk.

As he thought this. He felt a chill. He felt the need to look towards the mountain. A single black rider was coming down the mountain side at a rapid pace. It almost seemed to have wings flapping behind it. Mesmerised as the sight became more clear, he realized what was coming. He heard the rumors of it, but yes... The Black Death was real, and coming for him! He ran screaming into the village.

Like a bat out of hell. Jia Nushen descended the mountain side and charged the village. Approaching the outskirts, she saw a single man running toward her target.  She smirked and tightened her grip on the Dread Lance. Suddenly she caught sight of a horse...

Nushen slowed Night Lady to a trot. This horse was not a villagers. It was to well kept and looked like it might used by the military. A noble or soldier visiting family perhaps?. If so, they may not be alone. Perhaps others had been here and simply were not outdoors when she was scouting from above.

Casually entering the village. She looked and listened for anyone who stood out. Most of the village ran into their homes, but six men had stayed. They circled around her with rakes and hoes in hand.

"Hey! Y-you. Woman! What do you seek here!" "We don't take kindly to your ilk." "Baring a weapon and causing a ruckus." "A-are you Black D-D-Death?"

Nushen dismounted her horse which huffed loudly. Night Lady was ready for bloodshed and had become impatient. The Black Death silently surveyed the shacks around her. 

'Hey! Answer us, or begone. Both is preferred!" 

Nushen swung the arm holding her lance nonchalantly in a wide arc as her eyes settled on what looked to be a local tea house. Four men fell dead to ground. Their chests gashed horribly. One of the survivors dropped his tool and ran screaming. The other however, stood his ground and only backed away slightly, his eyes wide.

'A single place for the high falutin to mingle."

She slowly walked towards it. Her face cold and her hand gripping her lance tightly as it dragged a line in the dirt road. The remaining villager foolishly followed from a distance. Not realizing his fortune that death was ignoring him. Nushen spoke as if those within could hear her. Although it was far from a yell.

"Anyone who thinks they matter in this chaotic world, come on out. I will show you how much."

She waited a moment for any movement from within.

'Or not. I will liberate you all from this place sooner or later."  She said with a matter of fact tone.

[Sima Yi]

"Greetings Master Sima Yi, what brings you out to such a beautiful place like this? I hoped to continue our conversation from yesterday about battle tactics as I found it most enlightening."

Sima Yi turned in the direction of the voice, and immediately recognized the hulking frame of Xu Huang calling out to him. Already on edge, his immediate feelings of anger dissipated when he realized that the person who stood before him was a friend, and despite this village holding an important place in his memories, Xu Huang was in no way trespassing by being here. But the feeling of uneasiness remained; if it was not Xu Huang, then who...? 

"Xu Huang..." Zhongda began slowly, studying the man carefully. "This is a village I used to visit with my father when I was young. I often used to have debates with the scholars who would frequent this place, and so I thought I would come here for the sake of immersing myself in old memories." Sima Yi thought it too early in their comradeship for him to confide that the other reason for his visit was to seek a possible cure for his ailing elder brother, Sima Lang. In Winter 183, Sima Lang seemed to recover from his long bout of illness which had hounded him all season, leaving him bedridden. Sima Yi did his duty towards his brother, and took care of his wife and sons as if they were his own. Sima Lang finally left his bed and ventured outside for the first time, only to relapse once again.

A sweaty, villager burst into the tea house. His face was pale and his eyes looked as though they had seen something of unspeakable horror. He clutched onto the hem of Sima Yi's outer robe, clinging to it for his life.

"M-Master Sima! There is a creature here....one that seems to have been wrought in the bowels of the Netherrealm itself! I saw it cut down Gao the Elder and his three sons!" The man sputtered before passing out from sheer fright. It was then he heard a voice from outside,

"Anyone who thinks they matter in this chaotic world, come on out. I will show you how much."

With a furrowed brow, Sima Yi strode out to face this new enemy. Ghosts, demons, and Netherrealm boogeymen were merely created to entertain children and curb the misbehavior of youths.

***

Upon seeing the small, pale figure before him, Sima Yi's lip curled into a sneer of derision as he examined her closely. His eyes moved from the dead bodies behind her, to the menacing weapon she wielded. Sima Yi knew she was not to be underestimated. And yet, he found her intriguing all the same...

"I suppose you are to be congratulated for cutting down these defenseless villagers," Zhongda began in a mocking, icy tone. His intense black eyes set upon her own; he figured that lesser men would shirk from such gaze, but Sima Yi was not a lesser man.

[Xu Huang]

     "Well Master Yi, this is a beautiful and peaceful place. It is good to see this place is removed from the chaos the land is facing..." As Xu Huang said this, a villager ran into the tea house crying and holding onto Sima Yi as he pleaded for help. Xu Huang began to move over to the villager to help him onto his feet when he saw that Sima Yi began to walk outside. "Master Sima Yi that is not wise please stay back and allow me to look." Xu Huang began to chase after Yi and stopped for a second after he saw the dead bodies and what he assumed to be the woman who created them.

     Xu Huang quickly took a few steps past Sima Yi, standing a feet ahead of him diagonally as he unsheathed his large axe. He stood in a defensive pose that would allow him to easily meet the girl half way if she tried to run past him and get to Sima Yi. One of the strengths of his weapon was its length, being able to create a sphere of safety that enemies needed to get through before they could touch him. He pointed his axe towards the woman and spoke in a calm manner. "I, Xu Huang, shall not stand idly by while people like you victimize the innocent. Speak your name, I wish to know the names of the people I cut down for this land."

     Xu Huang did not advance upon the woman, keeping a defensive stance. He needed to see her in action first, to study her movements so he could begin to figure out a way to beat her. He did not want to charge in blindly, so he stood there, a deep and serious look on his face while he stared at the evil woman. This village's serenity and peace was a thing worthy to protect, and Xu Huang would not see it destroyed.

Words: 327
Tagged Jia Nushen/Sima Yi

[Jia Nushen]

First came the intellectual, then a warrior Nushen heard of named Xu Huang.  Jia Nushen was right in assuming others were here. Jin people at that. Whether there were more remained possible but it didn't bother her. 

Nushen kept her eyes locked on the robed man for a just a short time. His eyes were dark, intense, ambitious. This was what drove kingdoms. Ambition, desire to push ones ideals on those who don't want them. Those ambitions strive so hard for something temporary. She will give this man his peace.

"Yet, they were defenseless and suffering. I granted them permanent respite."

Death ignored the ax wielder. She gestured carelessly at the man who was following her.

"They have no hope. They eke out meager lives and die wanting. While men like you live off their work and only want more and more."

She thrust her lance into the earth. Her eyes squinted as she continued. Her voice becoming slightly more loathing under the cold tone.

"Kingdoms are fruitless. Everything dies. Every empire falls to its own desire or those of another. The Han is seeing it's turn at the chopping block soon enough. As will it's replacement."

Still staring at the robed man. She pulled her chain from her belt and snapped it hard towards the villager. It hooked around his neck as he yelped.

"This is what you should be seeking. What you really need"

She recoiled the chain whip. The villagers head rolled.

"See? Wasn't that nice? Peace and escape from this mortal coil. This chaos."

She put the whip away and looked very relaxed all of a sudden. Leaning both hands on her lances hilt. She looked at Jin minister with a analytical look.

"You dress like a man who craves knowledge. Also ambition... a lot of desire for more than you have. Power? Something. You will be one of those scheming untrustworthy sorts. If you aren't already. But you will die. All that will be for naught. All that struggling and studying. You will never have peace."

Nushen cocked her head that caused her tails to swing. Looking creepily cute and speaking in a inviting voice she asked "Why not die? Let me save you from yourself. From the chaos of this land. It will only get worse."

[Sima Yi]

Sima Yi observed the death of the villager with indifference. He recognized the man, but he knew he was powerless to help him from the moment he saw him following the girl. At the same time, the man could have easily helped himself by leaving his curiosity alone and fleeing indoors like the others. Nonetheless, he pitied the fact that a man of his years--his hair was already peppered with grey--couldn't see his life end in his own bed. The presence of Xu Huang wielding his fierce battleaxe gave Sima Yi some comfort, for he could utilize Huang should the villagers become unwitting targets  and Sima Yi deemed it necessary to devise a cover their safe exit. The girl then began to condescend Sima Yi to his face, studying him like an unknown substance one finds floating in a bowl of soup. He felt a fire swell from within him, one which he could not control. But just as quickly as he felt this emotion, it was quickly smothered by another, at which moment he laughed aloud.

"Mwahahahaha!" His laugh was cold and sharp, echoing throughout the small village. "You presume to speak with the wisdom of one beyond your years, but you are a fool just like any other. I see that I was too generous in my initial appraisal of you," Sima Yi said, chuckling softly. "You misunderstand me. My purpose is to rid the land of fools. That is all."

Zhongda reached out into the air and grasped at it, as one would pluck a piece of firm fruit from a tree. "I aspire to a higher calling, one that someone of your limited understanding would never be able to comprehend," Sima Yi looked forward once more, locking states with the girl. "You seek to liberate the people from this chaos? Then allow me to educate you in a certain aspect of strategy. Understand that to live in these times every day is a war of survival, especially for these people," Sima Yi motioned with a sweeping flourish of his hand, referring to the village and its inhabitants. "And that there are five possible operations in war: if you can fight, then fight; if you cannot fight, then defend; if you cannot defend, then flee; if you cannot flee, you must surrender; if you cannot surrender, then you must die."

Being young, this girl sought to rob the people of the opportunity to survive in this new age of uncertainty, and upset the course of nature which would, in its own way, eliminate those who could survive into the period of peace and reconstruction which would inevitably follow. That by itself was truly not such a great crime, as numerous past conflicts had proven to upset this balance quite frequently. No, Her crime was that she thought she had the talent to make such judgements in the first place.

[Xu Huang]

     Xu Huang grimaced while he watched the villager get murdered. Xu Huang allowed another villager to meet their end. He did nothing to stop her, he just stood there and watched. His grimace turned into a face full of rage and anger. He would no longer sit there and let her have her way with the people of this village. "Why you..." He spun his axe and started to move forward when he saw Sima Yi move in the corner of his eye. He stopped in his tracks once he saw the look on Sima Yi's face. Anger.

     Not many things scared Xu Huang, as he grew up always fighting and looking for another challenge. He at a young age tested his limits and wished to become a stronger person. Not only physically but mentally and emotionally. He wished to become a better man than his father, who he does not remember much of as he died when Xu Huang was young but the memories were not pleasant. Huang always loved facing new challenges and would never back down. Yet the look Sima Yi had on his face was a look that Xu Huang was not ready for. For a split second, Xu Huang was afraid.

     Quickly remembering that Sima Yi was on his side, he did a small quiet sigh of relief and held back from charging, wanting to listen to what Yi had to say. Xu Huang was riled up so he didn't catch everything that was said but he got the gist of it. He would need some time to mull it over, and he also believed that task was something one person alone could accomplish. Nodding his head slowly, Xu Huang called out to Sima Yi. "Master Sima Yi, please guide me. I wish to help rid the land of this fool standing before us." 

Words: 310
Tagged: Jia Nushen/Sima Yi

[Jia Nushen]

The Jin minister spewed what he thought was the laws of the land. This man was exactly the kind of man that thrived this twisted world. It was just as disgusting as Nushen thought. This was just further justification that this man had to die. To hear a man in a position of power speak in such a way. It was hilarious to her. Her face twitched a bit before she began to laugh creepily nodding her head in approval. She clapped her gloved hands and a single tear dripped from her eye.

"Heh...Heheheh...Hahahahah..."

Nushen instantly went from this to a look of pure hate. Frowning and wrinkling her doll like pale face into a twisted look of hate. She pulled her lance out of the ground. Pointing it at him as the large warrior stepped forward asking for his orders from the minister, who's name was revealed as Sima Yi. The Black Death spoke with no emotion.

"You openly admit your views of those who also suffer in this world. Lord High and Mighty? Your kind especially will never be satisfied..."

Nushen looked to Xu Huang. Her tone unchanging.

"You... are like a puppet. Dancing at will of your masters. You will never be fulfilled. Life only gives sadness and torment."

Looking back at Sima Yi, she smirked. Her features less tense.

"It doesn't even matter anyway. You don't even deserve saving from this hell hole of a world. But I will still take you out of it"

The Black Death gripped the Dread Lance tightly in her left hand and spread her legs apart in a battle stance, her right hand in a clenched fist and her head tilted ever so slightly downward. It was time to resume where she left off...




(OOC: Next post is a battle post unless something extreme happens. Since we can't kill each other.  One will have to retreat at the end. Let's have some fun Xu Huang! Lol.)

[Sima Yi]

Sima Yi scoffed audibly at the girl, for it appeared as though none of what he had said enlightened her in the least. She continued with her empty oration, which Sima Yi brushed off as the ramblings of one clearly out of their league. His words did seem to have an effect on Xu Huang, however, which pleased Zhongda. Perhaps Xu Huang was a man he could trust--as one often does with friends.

"Master Sima Yi, please guide me. I wish to help rid the land of this fool standing before us."

"Very good, Master Xu Huang," Sima Yi responded, nodding with agreement. "I see at least you were able to grasp the finer points which I was trying to explain to this...this creature." Sima Yi glanced the girl with contemptuous disregard. He turned on his heel and began to make his way back inside the tea house, but not before turning his head to address Xu Huang once again.

"I have quite a headache from this meaningless waste of time. I will have something prepared for us and sent to the room. I expect that you will be quite finished with her before my tea turns cold?"

And with that Sima Yi departed the scene. The air stood still.

[Xu Huang]

     Xu Huang did not show it, but he was very confused as to why Sima Yi was leaving. Huang knew Sima Yi was not formidable in actual combat, but he figured he would have given some advice on how to tackle this foe. Yet he just went inside. Maybe Sima Yi has an idea and Xu Huang just can't understand it? Though having Sima Yi believe in him fully that he could deal with the threat by himself and so soon boosted his confidence quite a lot. Xu Huang mentally shook his head to get him back into the game and focus on what was important, the foe standing in front of him. 

     Xu Huang knew that she was dangerous, that much was clear with the weapons she had at her disposal and the way she dispatched the villagers. A normal, sane person couldn't kill people that easily while being able to look into their eyes. Most people would not be able to live with themselves, though it was very apparent this woman was not normal. Maybe she wasn't even a person, instead being some type of evil demon. Either way Xu Huang understood that he needed to bring her down if there were to ever be peace in the land. If only someone with her skills and strengths would use those talents for the good of the land instead of driving it further into chaos.

     He began to move three to four steps to the left and then moved three to four steps to the right in an attempt to gauge her defenses as well as to see how well she followed him. He looked for any possible opening  that she might posses yet her defense seemed flawless. He made sure to stay in position so that she could not freely get past him and get into the tea house. Sima Yi put his faith into Xu Huang and he would not let Yi down. "Come forth foul beast, enough talk. Let our weapons speak for us from this point on." Xu Huang waited for her to make the first move, ready to react at any moment.

Words: 360
Tagged: Jia Nushen/Sima Yi 

[Jia Nushen]

Like the rat he was, Sima Yi retreated into the Tea House. Nushen kept herself ready for any additional reinforcements from within. For now though...

This opponent, Xu Huang. He seemed uncertain how to fight her as he paced. She would give him peaceful respite before long. Nushen lifted her left arm to her left, bringing her lance perfectly horizontal from her shoulders. Her right arm reached out and moved slowly palm open from left to right as if she was parting a fog, she looked into the Xu Huang's eyes.

"Watch the birdie idiot pawn. It will be over soon."

The moment her hand had completely moved to the right it closed tightly and she picked up speed. Nushen's black arm continued to move bringing the rest of her body along as she spun herself around. Lunging herself at her prey during the spin. Her hair whipping around her as she pulled Dread Lance along left to right and around with her spin, aiming at his torso. Once she had turned enough to have her back facing the warrior she lowered her weapon's tip closer to the ground as she began to come full circle. Aiming to slice through his ankles. This would leave her standing firmly on the ground at perfect range to continue swinging at her victim, if need be.

[Sima Yi]

The villagers continue to look upon the two warriors with fear and trepidation. They attempt to ignore the duel and return to some semblance of normalcy, but the tension and nervousness is palatable. There is a slight din of laughter and indiscriminate noise, as some patrons--unaware of what has transpired outside--continue with their drink and leisure. The smoke from busy ovens of the kitchens goes out at regular intervals; first black, then white.

[Xu Huang]

     Xu Huang grinned when the woman finally charged towards him. She moved quick, very quick, which did not leave much room for error. Seeing how she moved, Xu Huang quickly came up with a way to defend against her attacks. Xu Huang brought his axe up diagonally from the right to the left aiming towards the lance she used. He hoped knocking the weapon to the side would knock her off balance. As the axe hit the lance and went past it, Xu Huang quickly reversed the grip on his axe and began to pull the axe back horizontally in an attempt to slice the woman in half. Or at least deter her from any possible attack while Xu Huang began to move back a few steps. 

     In this battle Huang knew it was important to keep her out of the bubble that the size of his weapon gave him. Keep a good distance and to look for any opening while she tried to get inside his defenses. Patience and quick thinking would be the keys to victory in this battle. A battle that Xu Huang knew would not end any time soon. 

[Jia Nushen]

Xu Huang deflected her attack canceling the spinning original assault, and thought to counter. Ugh, he would not die simple like she preferred.

A loud clash resounded as her lance met his ax. As he made a counter swing, she became annoyed with him. He would fight back? The Black Death was not faced resistance with such gusto as this in some time. She would have to put actual effort into this kill.

Pulling herself back from him as the ax swiped the air. She now knew he was faster than he looked. The warrior would likely use a counter tactic against her again. Well.. he may find this more difficult to manage. 

Nushen played along with his attempt to stay at range. Shifting her lance into thrusting position. She jabbed at various heights as she began walking sideways around to his flank. Up, up, down, down, left, right, straight. Dread Lance was perfect for this sort of thing. The moment he slowed down to her relentless assault. Nushen would follow up with slashing him to pieces. She was not one to drag things out. She needed him dead to save the rest of the village from their mundane existence.

[Sima Yi]

The villagers who had been watching Xu Huang and Jia Nusheng face off against one another appear to pull back from the windows and the outside terrace.

At once the doors swung open and several large, burly men emerged from the tea house. In some, their swagger and ruddy complexions betrayed their intoxication, but the likelihood of them being local brawlers was not to be underestimated. A bald-headed man with a cocky grin who appeared to be the leader, stepped forward, raising his arms to ask that the two warriors cease their duel and listen to what he had to say. Turning to the girl, he said, "You best be on your way, girl. You have caused enough trouble in this village for today. Furthermore, you have made us look bad in front of our esteemed guests," The man went and clapped a sun-tanned hand on Xu Huang's shoulder. "Leave now, let us care for our dead and we shall speak no more of it."

It was clear from his tone that he was not suggesting that she leave, but telling her.

[Xu Huang]

     Xu Huang began to worry. This was the first time he ever met such fierce resistance from an opponent before. She was able to read him perfectly, realizing the best way to take Huang down was to wear him out while he tried to keep her away. He knew he would tire eventually as he quickly dodged each stab of the lance. Xu Huang had to try something before he would eventually succumb to her relentless assault. Xu Huang began to slowly step forward as he dodged each stab. Once he got a little closer he started to go for a heavy slash, but before he could even try he kept facing more and more stabs. He swung at the lance and jumped back. He was out of options.

     Until the villagers came out, Xu Huang thought he was done for. He looked at them, and let out a sigh of relief. He did not wish to leave them there to fight her, but he knew that she was stronger than he was and he was already starting to tire. He cursed his own weakness, and wished that he could have only been a little bit stronger. He would have fought with them, and probably would have been struck down but he couldn't afford to let that happen, not anymore. Huang was part of something bigger now, and he needed to stay alive not only for his sake but for the kingdom of Jin as well. Not only his own, but Sima Yi's life was in his hands as well, and he would not let any harm come to him. For the sake of the future, Xu Huang was able to swallow his pride as he began to retreat. "We shall meet again, and whenever that day comes, one of us won't be walking away with our lives."

     Xu Huang ran inside the building, looking for Sima Yi. He needed to make sure he got him out as fast as possible, it was no longer safe here. "Master Sima Yi, where are you? We must leave at once, your life is in danger! We don't have much time!" Xu Huang began to look around the building for him.

(For the sake of fun you can control these villagers however you want. We all know how this little skirmish will end )

Words: 390
Tagged: Jia Nushen/Sima Yi