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This Isn't the way it was supposed to end.
After several years of bloodshed and war, the might of the Imperial army finally won the day against the insurgents that plagued their empire. Their leader, Shang Talon stood upon a cliff overlooking his new world, his black robes and scaled armor a stark contrast to the bright sky above him. He looked like a demon. He saw the plumes of smoke that rose from the several villages his army had campaigned through and in his cold heart he felt satisfaction. This war was a warning the people, his people, would not soon forget. A man in purple robes hurriedly approached the warlord bowing profusely. He spoke in a hurried voice, his words a mix of excitement and the inevitable anxiousness that would grip any man this close to a monster like Shang.
"My lord, the insurgencies leader Jin has been captured. He is in captivity now at the bottom of the mountain, though even in chains he doesn't seem to be willing to cooperate and surrender."
Shang smiles revealing teeth he'd filed into fine points in an effort to appear more like a dragon then a man. He speaks, his voice hard and authoritative. It was the voice of a man who thought of himself as a God, venom and anger dripping from every word.
"That is good, I'd be disappointed if he gave up so willingly. Bring him to me, and have the interigators hung if they've tortured him. This man is my life to take, and mine alone. He deserves to be at his best for whats to come today."
The man in purple robes bowed again repeatedly and then bolts down the mountain path eager to serve and please his master. Nobody was keen on keeping the dragon waiting. Slowly the warlord drew his blade, a katana of the finest quality, and began practicing slow controlled cuts and forms in the air. Shang's breath was steady, his footing sure, but there was a wild madness in his eyes.
Later that day Shang's servant returned with a group of soldiers, all holding chains that were attached to the stocks of one man. The prisoner wore white robes stained with blood from both battle and interigation. His right pinky had been removed and it appeared he was beaten thoroughly, his left eye swollen shut and cut open. Still, despite the pain he had to have been experiencing Jin seemed to be at peace. His face was calm and he followed the soldiers to stand before Shang. The soldiers kicked at the man's legs dropping him to his knees, forcing him to bow before their master.
One of the soldiers raised a hand as if to club the prisoner and make him bow his head but Shang raised a hand stopping him while speaking in a mocking, condescending tone.
"No, let him look up at me. I want him to see me well as I am now from where he sits. I want him to realize his mistake in resisting my rule. I want him to realize that his destiny betrayed him the day he betrayed me."
The soldiers back away as Shang circles the insurgent as if they themselves didn't want to be within arms reach of the warlord. He takes in the many wounds and bruises Jin bore, but also saw how unphased the man was. Shang smiled and spoke once infront of the prisoner again.
"Oh brother, you always were so...stoic. Do not worry, today your pain ends. Today I will set you free."
In a swift movement Shang's blade leaves its scabbard and cleaves the stocks that restrained his brother breaking the latch. It falls free from around Jin Talon's neck and he rubs the raw sore skin. Shang calls for a sword, and one is given to him. He tosses it into the mud infront of his prisoner and draws his own blade, speaking a simple command.
"Rise brother. Fight me. Let me cement myself as your better."
Jin looks at the sword laying in the mud and then up at his brother silently. His face bares no emotion besides sadness and fatigue. Closing his eyes and bringing his hands together, Jin starts to pray to their late father silently. Several long moments passed but Jin refused to reach for the sword his little brother had offered him. He tried to think on happier times at their old home, but his thoughts were interrupted by a hard kick to the chest that sent him rolling backwards. Shang shouted at Jin, his face red with rage.
"Did you not hear me brother!? Stand up! Accept my challenge!"
Shang kicks the blade to his brother again, but still Jin refuses it closing his eyes and praying once more. He quietly prayed for forgiveness and understanding. How had he let this happened? How had he so willingly ignored the monster that was growing right under his nose? The monster he used to steal treats with from the pantry? The monster who used to catch dinner with him at their father's pond. Tears fell freely from Jin's face as he remembered the bright boy Shang used to be.
Meanwhile the dragon was losing his patience. He paced infront of Jin taking in his every twitch, his every breath like a predator. His heart was pounding. Sweat formed at his brow. He was focused on his older brother. Shang shouted, his booming voice seeming to echo down the mountain.
"Pick up the sword Jin! Stand and fight! You were never a coward! Stand! Stand now if you want to die on your feet!"
Upon seeing Jin remain still and refusing to fight Shang raised his blade high over his head and rushed foreward roaring. Nobody in attendance thought Jin had any fight in him. Nobody could have expected his swiftness. Faster then one could blink Jin snatched the blade out of the mud before him and drew it from its sheath. There was a loud clang as he parried his brothers overhead strike and pivoted to the left, extending his foot at the same time and tripping Shang onto his face in the mud. Slowly the warlord climbed to his feet laughing, his face bright with amusement.
"There he is... that's my brother. That's my father's chosen ward."
Jin took up a squared stance holding his blade before him defensively as his brother charged at him again. Sparks flew and their steel sang a twisted song of pain and sadness with each clash of their blades. Shang was swift and powerful. Everytime his strikes connected with Jins guard, the older brother winced and stumbled. His body ached and he couldn't see straight through the blood that flowed from his cut eye. Shang suddenly connects a hard cut to Jins guard and he's launched backwards. The dragons sheer strength was enough to knock his eldest brother down onto his back.
Shang and his army laughed as Jin scrambled back to his feet and took up an adjusted stance with footing that was much narrower then before. Jin wasn't given much time to recover as the dragon charged him down again with wide, fierce cuts. Each strike was punctuated with a mighty roar as the warlord poured every ounce of hate he had for his older brother into his techniques and cuts. This time though Jin did not meet his brothers hardest strikes with parries, but instead side stepped them allowing the danger to whiff past him.
The soldiers were in awe. Their leader was the epitome of strength, power, speed and aggression but Jin was starting to turn the duel around with ease. Jin's defenses were now flawless, his footwork crafty and unpredictable. He never retreated in a straight line, instead playing angles to off set his younger brothers onslaught. Both men were by far the most skilled warriors anyone had ever seen share a duel. Nobody could rip their eyes from this deadly dance.
Soon though it became clear to Shang that Jin was holding back. Several times Jin set up lethal counters to Shang's assault but never once did he step in for the kill. The dragon's eyes were filled with hate and rage but those feelings seemed to dissolve when they locked blades and he saw clearly how sad his older brother looked. The two pushed off of each other and created space, but neither man attacked again. They stood locking eyes, panting and sweating as exhaustion started slowly seeping in. Jin spoke in a gentle voice allowing his sword to fall to his side in a display of peace.
"Brother...Shang...please. Stop this madness. Stop this bloodshed. You've won the war, I won't debate that, and now it's time to rebuild. Please Shang, it isn't to late to stop this..."
Shang closed his eyes for a moment and gritted his teeth. Tears were streaming down his face now. He'd dreamed of the day he'd cut his brother down for years, but never in those dreams was it like this. Never did it hurt this bad. Jin was Shang's best friend their entire childhood. He was the best older brother he could have had...but he was still diluted and weak in Shang's eyes. It always seemed to Shang that Jin had hoarded their fathers love and pride even though he felt he himself was the better leader and warrior of the two. He needed to end this, and so the dragon told a lie.
"When I twisted my blade in mother's gut...she called for you Jin!"
Both men winced, Jin tensed up and shook. Suddenly the brave stoic looked rattled. A clap of thunder rang out as the two men charged again. This time it ended quickly, it was all over before the first raindrops fell around them. Jin sidestepped his brothers blade and thrusted his own steel into his little brother's gut right under his chest peice. Jin's sword passed through Shang until his hilt met flesh. Blood poured from the wound and cascaded over Jin's hands, staining his robes red at his wrist.
The gathered army held their breath as they watched their leader crumble into Jin's arms. He coughed blood and sputterd speaking as quickly as he could.
"Jin...mother...not dead. She's not dead...I kept her safe at home...she hates me but I kept her safe...I'm sorry Jin, I lied. I...I needed you to fight."
Jin's mask of hatred cracked and fell as the revelation hit his ears. He gently layed his brother onto his side holding his hand tightly. The young dragon was shaking in fear as he felt the cold embrace of death creeping in. Jin whispered caressing his brothers face.
"Shang...Shang I need to tell you..."
Jin looked towards the sky and gulped several deep breathes trying to collect himself. He was shaking and crying, but he forced his words out.
"Shang...I forgive you."
Shang spoke one last time before his life fled him entirely. He said.
"This...wasn't how it was supposed to end."
After several years of bloodshed and war, the might of the Imperial army finally won the day against the insurgents that plagued their empire. Their leader, Shang Talon stood upon a cliff overlooking his new world, his black robes and scaled armor a stark contrast to the bright sky above him. He looked like a demon. He saw the plumes of smoke that rose from the several villages his army had campaigned through and in his cold heart he felt satisfaction. This war was a warning the people, his people, would not soon forget. A man in purple robes hurriedly approached the warlord bowing profusely. He spoke in a hurried voice, his words a mix of excitement and the inevitable anxiousness that would grip any man this close to a monster like Shang.
"My lord, the insurgencies leader Jin has been captured. He is in captivity now at the bottom of the mountain, though even in chains he doesn't seem to be willing to cooperate and surrender."
Shang smiles revealing teeth he'd filed into fine points in an effort to appear more like a dragon then a man. He speaks, his voice hard and authoritative. It was the voice of a man who thought of himself as a God, venom and anger dripping from every word.
"That is good, I'd be disappointed if he gave up so willingly. Bring him to me, and have the interigators hung if they've tortured him. This man is my life to take, and mine alone. He deserves to be at his best for whats to come today."
The man in purple robes bowed again repeatedly and then bolts down the mountain path eager to serve and please his master. Nobody was keen on keeping the dragon waiting. Slowly the warlord drew his blade, a katana of the finest quality, and began practicing slow controlled cuts and forms in the air. Shang's breath was steady, his footing sure, but there was a wild madness in his eyes.
Later that day Shang's servant returned with a group of soldiers, all holding chains that were attached to the stocks of one man. The prisoner wore white robes stained with blood from both battle and interigation. His right pinky had been removed and it appeared he was beaten thoroughly, his left eye swollen shut and cut open. Still, despite the pain he had to have been experiencing Jin seemed to be at peace. His face was calm and he followed the soldiers to stand before Shang. The soldiers kicked at the man's legs dropping him to his knees, forcing him to bow before their master.
One of the soldiers raised a hand as if to club the prisoner and make him bow his head but Shang raised a hand stopping him while speaking in a mocking, condescending tone.
"No, let him look up at me. I want him to see me well as I am now from where he sits. I want him to realize his mistake in resisting my rule. I want him to realize that his destiny betrayed him the day he betrayed me."
The soldiers back away as Shang circles the insurgent as if they themselves didn't want to be within arms reach of the warlord. He takes in the many wounds and bruises Jin bore, but also saw how unphased the man was. Shang smiled and spoke once infront of the prisoner again.
"Oh brother, you always were so...stoic. Do not worry, today your pain ends. Today I will set you free."
In a swift movement Shang's blade leaves its scabbard and cleaves the stocks that restrained his brother breaking the latch. It falls free from around Jin Talon's neck and he rubs the raw sore skin. Shang calls for a sword, and one is given to him. He tosses it into the mud infront of his prisoner and draws his own blade, speaking a simple command.
"Rise brother. Fight me. Let me cement myself as your better."
Jin looks at the sword laying in the mud and then up at his brother silently. His face bares no emotion besides sadness and fatigue. Closing his eyes and bringing his hands together, Jin starts to pray to their late father silently. Several long moments passed but Jin refused to reach for the sword his little brother had offered him. He tried to think on happier times at their old home, but his thoughts were interrupted by a hard kick to the chest that sent him rolling backwards. Shang shouted at Jin, his face red with rage.
"Did you not hear me brother!? Stand up! Accept my challenge!"
Shang kicks the blade to his brother again, but still Jin refuses it closing his eyes and praying once more. He quietly prayed for forgiveness and understanding. How had he let this happened? How had he so willingly ignored the monster that was growing right under his nose? The monster he used to steal treats with from the pantry? The monster who used to catch dinner with him at their father's pond. Tears fell freely from Jin's face as he remembered the bright boy Shang used to be.
Meanwhile the dragon was losing his patience. He paced infront of Jin taking in his every twitch, his every breath like a predator. His heart was pounding. Sweat formed at his brow. He was focused on his older brother. Shang shouted, his booming voice seeming to echo down the mountain.
"Pick up the sword Jin! Stand and fight! You were never a coward! Stand! Stand now if you want to die on your feet!"
Upon seeing Jin remain still and refusing to fight Shang raised his blade high over his head and rushed foreward roaring. Nobody in attendance thought Jin had any fight in him. Nobody could have expected his swiftness. Faster then one could blink Jin snatched the blade out of the mud before him and drew it from its sheath. There was a loud clang as he parried his brothers overhead strike and pivoted to the left, extending his foot at the same time and tripping Shang onto his face in the mud. Slowly the warlord climbed to his feet laughing, his face bright with amusement.
"There he is... that's my brother. That's my father's chosen ward."
Jin took up a squared stance holding his blade before him defensively as his brother charged at him again. Sparks flew and their steel sang a twisted song of pain and sadness with each clash of their blades. Shang was swift and powerful. Everytime his strikes connected with Jins guard, the older brother winced and stumbled. His body ached and he couldn't see straight through the blood that flowed from his cut eye. Shang suddenly connects a hard cut to Jins guard and he's launched backwards. The dragons sheer strength was enough to knock his eldest brother down onto his back.
Shang and his army laughed as Jin scrambled back to his feet and took up an adjusted stance with footing that was much narrower then before. Jin wasn't given much time to recover as the dragon charged him down again with wide, fierce cuts. Each strike was punctuated with a mighty roar as the warlord poured every ounce of hate he had for his older brother into his techniques and cuts. This time though Jin did not meet his brothers hardest strikes with parries, but instead side stepped them allowing the danger to whiff past him.
The soldiers were in awe. Their leader was the epitome of strength, power, speed and aggression but Jin was starting to turn the duel around with ease. Jin's defenses were now flawless, his footwork crafty and unpredictable. He never retreated in a straight line, instead playing angles to off set his younger brothers onslaught. Both men were by far the most skilled warriors anyone had ever seen share a duel. Nobody could rip their eyes from this deadly dance.
Soon though it became clear to Shang that Jin was holding back. Several times Jin set up lethal counters to Shang's assault but never once did he step in for the kill. The dragon's eyes were filled with hate and rage but those feelings seemed to dissolve when they locked blades and he saw clearly how sad his older brother looked. The two pushed off of each other and created space, but neither man attacked again. They stood locking eyes, panting and sweating as exhaustion started slowly seeping in. Jin spoke in a gentle voice allowing his sword to fall to his side in a display of peace.
"Brother...Shang...please. Stop this madness. Stop this bloodshed. You've won the war, I won't debate that, and now it's time to rebuild. Please Shang, it isn't to late to stop this..."
Shang closed his eyes for a moment and gritted his teeth. Tears were streaming down his face now. He'd dreamed of the day he'd cut his brother down for years, but never in those dreams was it like this. Never did it hurt this bad. Jin was Shang's best friend their entire childhood. He was the best older brother he could have had...but he was still diluted and weak in Shang's eyes. It always seemed to Shang that Jin had hoarded their fathers love and pride even though he felt he himself was the better leader and warrior of the two. He needed to end this, and so the dragon told a lie.
"When I twisted my blade in mother's gut...she called for you Jin!"
Both men winced, Jin tensed up and shook. Suddenly the brave stoic looked rattled. A clap of thunder rang out as the two men charged again. This time it ended quickly, it was all over before the first raindrops fell around them. Jin sidestepped his brothers blade and thrusted his own steel into his little brother's gut right under his chest peice. Jin's sword passed through Shang until his hilt met flesh. Blood poured from the wound and cascaded over Jin's hands, staining his robes red at his wrist.
The gathered army held their breath as they watched their leader crumble into Jin's arms. He coughed blood and sputterd speaking as quickly as he could.
"Jin...mother...not dead. She's not dead...I kept her safe at home...she hates me but I kept her safe...I'm sorry Jin, I lied. I...I needed you to fight."
Jin's mask of hatred cracked and fell as the revelation hit his ears. He gently layed his brother onto his side holding his hand tightly. The young dragon was shaking in fear as he felt the cold embrace of death creeping in. Jin whispered caressing his brothers face.
"Shang...Shang I need to tell you..."
Jin looked towards the sky and gulped several deep breathes trying to collect himself. He was shaking and crying, but he forced his words out.
"Shang...I forgive you."
Shang spoke one last time before his life fled him entirely. He said.
"This...wasn't how it was supposed to end."