Chapter Text
In a time before advanced technology, wars were still fought using weapons that required hand to hand combat. During times of war, even a prince could be reduced to a mere soldier on the battle ground.
Rain drops spattered onto the ground and the wind howled, yet, nobody could hear it over the cries of war and death. Blood flowed like rivers through the fire ravaged desert. Neither side had an advantage, it was all a blur and people killed people. There’s a certain type of mindset you need for war. A type of detachment. The one who can master it, well, it’s safe to say that they’ll be the last one standing.
Even amongst all the brave soldiers on either side, there’s always one that stands out. The wind picked up blonde and black strands of hair, throwing them to the side. Green eyes flashed with malice as a katana drew a sea of blood from a man dressed in blue. He fell to the ground, heaped with other bodies. Blood soaked the white outer robe and stained his flawless face.
The area still stung with the clatter of swords and the scent of burnt flesh. Atop a pile of bodies, Prince Yeong-Xiu stood, coldly looking out across the battlefield. With a flick of his wrist, the blood on his katana dirtied the face of a dead Shi Lang soldier.
“What impudence. To stage a volt against Qiu Dai.” He said, not removing his gaze. Just from the ratio of blue to white was enough to tell him that this battle would be soon won. The prince himself sported no wounds, yet was covered in scarlet blood.
A loud crack boomed on the side of Shi Lang, then lightning flashed. Yeong-Xiu nearly lost his footing as the ground suddenly began to rumble, he looked up to the sky with only one thought. ‘This can’t be good…’ He gracefully leapt over the piled dead bodies, then swerved between Shi Lang and Qiu Dai soldiers. He picked up pace the closer he got, something in his gut told him if he let whatever this was happen, they would all be screwed.
Shi Lang soldiers blocked the entrance to their military camp, safe from the fighting. They all stanced themselves upon seeing Yeong Xiu, brandishing their weapons against him. The prince didn’t miss a single step as he drew closer, the sword might as well have been plunged into his chest before he jumped, twisting his body to separate heads from bodies, landing and taking off again. No words were spared as he slammed the doors to the strategic planning room open. A noble dressed in purple and blue formal robes sat hunched over a red book, laughing maniacally.
“You’re too late Yeong-Didi” He said, slowly turning to the bloody prince. “He’s here.” The prince silently raised his katana to the old man.
“For crimes against the nation Qiu Dai,” He spoke firmly, “You shall face death. Good-bye Gong Shui.” His katana plunged into the stomach of the old man. “May you face true justice in hell.” He spat, pulling the blade out. Gong Shui crashed to the floor, laughing and spitting up bubbles of blood. The ground shook again, and the old man truly looked insane. “You’ll die! You’ll all die! I curse you! I curse your blood line! I curse your entire damn nation!” He was rolling on the floor, covering himself in blood. Yeong Xiu looked at him without an ounce of pity. “Like a cockroach.” He said flatly, re-aiming his sword for the man’s head. “Just die already.” The katana’s blade stabbed right through his skull and into the ground below. Gong Shui’s laughing died out without warning, his body twitching oddly, a sign he was dead.
The prince turned around, fully prepared to leave when a brunette stepped in the way. “How ruthless…” he said casually, looking at the deformed body. “He was going to die any day, why not let him live out the rest of his life?”
“Cai Xing.” Yeong Xiu spoke coolly. “Move out of my way. I will not hesitate to kill you too.” The brunette smiled compliantly and stepped to the side.
“Feel free to leave if you can,” He said, smirking as another flash of lightning blinded the two. A small fire started where it had hit, just outside the small camp. “After all, our trump card has arrived.” Yeong-Xiu whirled to face him, to question him, but was immediately enveloped in smoke. A low voice chuckled behind him. “A Prince and a Strategic General. How lucky I am.” Yeong Xiu struck out with his sword, his attack meeting grey skin. A clang reverberated in the Prince’s ears as his katana broke.
“What a pity…” His voice rumbled even with his face still shrouded in smoke, “I was told the Prince of Qiu Dai was a prodigy when it came to warfare. I should have known better.”
A cold erupted from Yeong Xiu’s chest, spreading to his numb fingers. The feeling was quickly replaced by a burning sensation. He looked down to see a black blade embedded into his body. His legs gave out on him and he fell forward, further into the blade. He placed a hand on the burning blade, smirking up at the creature in front of him.
“Go fuck yourself.” He spat coldly. He heard a scoff, then a chuckle.
“I think I like you… In fact… I’d rather you live.” He said, pulling the blade out, one upside to it was that the wound was already cauterized. The Prince collapsed onto the floor, his chest heaving.
“Like hell…” he muttered, struggling to get the words out. “I’m already half dead. We both know that there’s no way I’ll survive.”
The grey skinned creature crouched down, Yeong Xiu attempted to see his face. All he caught was a pair of glowing blue eyes. “You don’t seem to realize… I’m a creature of pain and suffering. A creature of death if you will. Life and death are one in the same. Of course I can save your life.”
“Hah… I refuse.” He weakly attempted to lift himself off the ground. “If you let me live… I’ll hunt you down and take your eyes as my prize before beheading you and skinning you for dinner.” He threatened, grinning.
“Ah, I trust you will.” The demon chuckled, then placed a hand on Yeong Xiu’s back. A wry laugh escaped the prince’s mouth as his vision drained to black. “Go die in hell..” He muttered.