Upon The Shores (Rui)

[Lu Xiang]

They would wait, until the clouds completely blocked the moon. Like Zhuge Liang had predicted in his letter. He was never doubted. The cloud cover would provide the correct stealth required. The people were inside, drinking and mourning the death of Takiri; whilst the men of wealth inside the palace drank and fed their greed - thanking the gods for the death of Rui Takiri. He wasn't dead; not even close. Zhuge Liang flustered the cold wind, sending it flustering around the man.

"If everything goes to plan; you will prepare our horses. If I don't return in an hour, leave with our me Master Sima Hui."

He said bowing to the man, before Sima Hui bowed back; clasping his hands in honour and riding off with the horses. The time in which the clouds floated over the moon seemed to drag on, but Kongming was persistant that they did not move before the clouds completely covered the moon - it would be an ill omen if they did so.

Eventually Zhuge Liang gave the signal for everyone to approach, the clouds covered the moon and victory was in site. He himself advanced as well; several of his loyalist guards well armoured surrounding him. He knew times like this could be tense and people could use the chaos to attack him.

"Seize all exits, Rui Takri please come with me to the throne room."

He said, welcoming the man with him to his own rule. It was time to tear down these ruins of a decaying empire. Wang Lang's final hour would be a poor one.

[Tsuki (Ancient One)]

Kenshi and Kouji split to go in opposite directions to cover all exits and make sure no one escaped to tell anyone else what was going on. The pirates used the darkness to their advantage as they crept about like wolves on the hunt.

Rui emerged from the shadows next to Zhuge Liang. "Lead us on my Master." Rui spoke, blood splattered across his face from when he had drained the goat. He wore different clothes but it was still clear upon who he was. The pirate captain stuck close as he followed Zhuge Liang inside.

[Lu Xiang]

Zhuge Liang entered the throne room, the governor and several of his advisors stood up and demanded what was going on. The pirates flocked in; blocking all exits.

"A time of change is coming to this country. Today we mark the end of the reign of Wang Lang and his prehistoric schemes. I have here an Imperial Edict to remove the tyrant from power once and for all."

Zhuge Liang exclaimed as his own crossbow unit presented itself, holding the men down so they didn't try anything funny. Wang Lang already drunk was outraged.

"This is mutany! BASTARD! Show me this edict!"

He scolled in anger before walking over to Zhuge Liang who presented it. Wang Lang collapsed to the floor, breaking out into tears whilst reading it.

"How.. can... this...be?"

He cursed in a wretched tone, his eyes turning red.

"I hearby remove Wang Lang from the position of Governor and replace him by the peoples choice - Rui Takiri."

Wang Lang's eyes turned fiery, a rage inside of him coiled. He twisted around before arising from the floor. He was done with tears, now all he saw was burning rage.

"The Emperor would remove me from power to replace me with some mere pirate rat? This is an outrage!"

He shouted, his advisors agreeing with him clinging to power. All as corrupt as eachother. Zhuge Liang dragged his fan back and forth; fanning himself in such a situation.

"The Emperor also said to me; if you refused to comply that I had permission to execute you."

He said, raising his finger as his crossbow men took aim. Wang Lang halted his fierce comments before pretending to accept defeat, bowing on his knees for forgiveness. But it was all in vain. Not long after arising from the floor he had presented a knife which he had hidden in his shoe clearly. The knife was lunged towards Zhuge Liang in a last desperate hope to kill him. The blade swung past the prepared Kongming, he stumbled forward as Zhuge Liang denied violence. Sidestepping to the side, allowing his guards to deal with the man.

"Arrest all these men, newly elected Lord Rui Takiri will deal with them in the morning. Servants, if you will. Please clear this feast and prepare another worthy for a king."

Zhuge Liang announced, before bowing gently towards the newly elected governor of Huiji. Offering him the seat of honour and welcoming all the pirates forward. No human blood had been spilled and Rui Takiri had secured victory.

"I shall stay tonight to enjoy your victory - but tommorow I depart from my home and my lord."

Zhuge Liang said, clasping his hands. Reminding the governor that his task was complete and he wouldn't stay any longer then he had promised. He missed his home and his lord already. Their bonds were unbreakable.

[Tsuki (Ancient One)]

Rui smiled to himself as Wang Lang tried so desperately to cling to his throne. "The people come first, something you have clearly forgotten. Tomorrow I will allow the people to decide your fate. The final decision will be theirs." Rui spoke in a strong voice before he turned to Zhuge Liang. "Thank you for helping me free this city. I understand you wish to go now. I will not stop you from returning to your Lord. Maybe one day I can pass by and visit once I improve upon the lives of everyone here."

Rui smiled and turned to Kenshi and Kouji. It had been a long time since he had seen them so happy that he felt warm inside and rather relaxed. "I guess I'll start securing the palace and making sure no one is left to harm you on your last night here. Though I'm sure we can celebrate our victory." Rui chuckled as he approached his new throne. "No longer shall the pirates be seen as the beasts of the waves who care only for themselves, I will prove we have hearts and honour to the point that we will not stand as suffering occurs to the people around us. I shall remain loyal to the Han and protect this region and I offer my friendship to your Lord, call upon us in your time of need and we will respond."

[Lu Xiang]

Zhuge Liang laughed, seeing the ambition burn in the young pirate. He would truly be a contender; stroking his fan through the air - the Sleeping Dragon's job was not finished yet. Victory had been seized for the pirates but not for himself. Clearly he wasn't a man of charity, unlike his lord he had his own victories to consider. The fan waved back and forth.

"Please, it was nothing more then a gift from Master Liu Bei. I ask simply not to betray his generosity."

Zhuge Liang said taking a seat; welcoming a new government to Huiji. One ruled by pirates who were more then met the eye. His plan had succeeded and thus bringing glory to both Takiri and himself. Though Takiri had power; Zhuge Liang concealed his victory through knowledge. His name would be heralded.

"My lord would no doubt appreciate such a visit, you are most welcome. Please do not feel intruding; I too shall return to assist or to inspect upon your progress no doubt."

Zhuge Liang acclaimd smiling before offering everyone the finest wine to drink; bath in their glorys. He smiled bowing his head to them all.

"I appreciate your humble welcomings and your easiness to work with. You have been a delight and thus let us relish in our achievements. To a grand future Lord Takiri!"

[Tsuki (Ancient One)]

Rui looked around himself and smiled tenderly as everyone cheered and laughed, happiness had filled the air and the air was slowly removing the corrupt scent that had been spread by Wang Lang. "Soon the trade routes shall be reborn and the people will be happy again. I'll clean this city starting tomorrow, but tonight we shall rest." Rui chuckled knowing he would sleep well and he could see a brighter future coming forth to greet the new world that was lurking just around the bend.

[Lu Xiang]

The evening ended with heavy drinking and plentiful feasting. Farewell to the harsh rule of Wang Lang who now laid in his black rotten cell weeping; knowing of his fate. Zhuge Liang smiled, he wasn't a drinker and basked in the jolly spirits of the pirates. It was early hours in the morning now and his victory had been seized.

"I take my leave now, please do not forget the kindness of Lord Liu Bei."

Kongming said bowing to them all before exiting the throne room and heading to Sima Hui who awaited him with a white steed and several guards to ride back to Xinye. They laughed together before riding hard back home.