Friend or Foe (quest/mission)

[kaihime]

Kaihime was beginning to wonder why she had accompanied these people as her stomach began to churn. they had been on the road for days and no baths, no rain and sweaty peasants = a bad smell. Not even the cool winds blowing through the forest or the scent of fresh rain could compete with it. She was accompany around 50 peasants and 55 volunteer soldiers through the roads into the next town.

The sounds of birds and footsteps were soon replaced by a frantic voice "Bandits!!, Lot's of bandits are heading this way!" The soldiers that had been sent ahead to scout were rapidly approaching the rest of the group. Well if they didnt know we were here they do now Kaihime thought as she cursed the man's loud voice. As the peasants began to panic Kaihime knew she would be the only one here that could keep them calm. "stop it! calm down and most importantly be quiet." they stopped and turned to her almost like troops their leader. "right, we can head back and take the eastern road, we are lighter and faster we can escape them"

Kaihime lead them back towards the eastern road they had passed just minutes before...
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50 peasants
55 Volunteer soldiers

[Liao Wei]

The day was fresh, and the sun was burning brightly in the sky above, scorching its rays across the cloudy blue horizon. Workers scurried along the ground like busy little ants, and little was different amongst this travelling troupe of peasants. The forest was always one of mother nature’s more ambiguous features, for it offered both protection and entrapment for those who walked through its maze. Today, those who walked its dirt covered paths were facing entrapment - bandits were swarming the area, greed and lust their impetus for a thunderous raid upon the innocent; the peasants were in trouble, and only a few keen minds and sturdy blades could ensure a safe result.

Not too far away from this commotion, Shuohan and his loyal guard, Ma Wen-Wei, were on a personal hunting trip within the woods. The hulkish Wen-Wei slung the carcass of a dead boar over his broad, meaty shoulders, but the cries of “Bandits!” had him dropping his prize and sniffing the air in excitement. The elder Liao Wei swiftly picked up his spear, and hopped to the nearest vantage point, and witnessed the rumbling in the distance - the villainous rogues were approaching, and Shuohan could easily be swept up in the carnage. It was time for him to take the initiative.

Rushing out to the nearest path, the two men nearly crashed into the travelling peasants, lead by the unsuspecting Kaihime. Startled to witness a woman at the helm of this group, Ma Wen-Wei let out a belching laugh, before Shuohan stepped in with a more civil and pertinent icebreaker.

"Miss, I heard your people screaming the name of bandits - do not follow the set paths, for they would have undoubtedly prepared a trap. Tell the man in charge around here to speak to me at once!" Whilst Liao Wei spoke with far more grace than his battling partner, he gave this womanly the same amount of respect, inherently doubting her ability to lead on a battlefield. Not once did his sharp eyes make contact with this youthful beauties; it seemed he was yet to be impressed.

[kaihime]

Kaihime's brows furrowed at the two men that had almost crashed into her and the peasants. Wanting to deck the man that laughed at her Kaihime clenched her fists. Her eyes full of mistrust and suspicion she eyed the men. "you seek the man in charge? well that makes two of us" She wasn't just going to believe these man straight away, for all she knew they were part of the bandit force trying to stall them. Pondering as to what her next course of action would be Kaihime stood between the men and her followers protectively.
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50 peasants
55 volunteer soldiers

[Liao Wei]

This woman’s sass intrigued Liao Wei, causing a wry smile to curl upon his lips. The way she stood, the way she spoke, and the way she shot a glance spoke volumes about her personality - if a picture spoke a thousand words, then a pose would write books. Giving her his first moment of eye contact, he took a step forward, and snaked his fingers around his spear a lot firmer; Ma Wen-Wei simply snarled, as the peasants began to look and gasp in awe at the bearish creature that stood in front of them.

“I have no time for games woman, find a man who leads these men, or grab a weapon and follow me.” In a flash, Shuohan stormed off to the west, where the rumbling was at its most most dense. The howling of the hellish bandits was clearly audible, their hunger was closing in, and the prey were near helpless. The Wei officers eyes shot around to the various trees that littered the area, and noticed various choking points that could be used to their advantage in this battle. Powering over towards one of the soldiers, he grabbed the man by the cuff of his breastplate, and threw him towards Wen-Wei, who had a grin of delight plastered over his wretched visage.

“Wen-Wei, start chopping those trees down with this soldier, clutter up the ground so they can’t surround us!” Chuckling, the hulkish bodyguard simply nodded, picked up his thick blade, and smacked the unwitting soldier on his back, encouraging him forward. His hand nearly stretched this width of this cowering soldiers shoulders, and the slap caused him to leap at least 3 paces forward. The two men quickly got to work chopping up the foliage around them, the thunderous feet in the distance competing with these chopping thuds. There was little time to spare, and Shuohan was undoubtedly anticipating help from the woman he spoke to before - he alone could not order all these peasants and soldiers to his command.

[kaihime]

Men, the only thing bigger than their ego is their head kaihime was beginning to lose her patience with these men. "Lay a hand on these men again and you wont get it back" Kaihime gave these peasants and their accompanying soldiers her word she would accompany them to their destination, and she wasn't about to let these men push them around. "are we clear?"
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50 Peasants
55 volunteer soldiers

[Liao Wei]

The brow of Shuohan arched, and the raucous laughter of Wen-Wei could be heard echoing in the distance - this woman’s confidence surprised them both. While a crossing of words always enthralled the Wei officer, he knew now was not the time to spar with the woman. Instead, he walked back towards the girl, towered over her smaller physique, and gave a smirk.

“My hand would be far better wrapped around this spear than in your possession miss; once we deal with this threat we can barter for it eh?” Despite previous inhibitions, he couldn’t resist giving his own sassy remark. Pointing at his weapon, and holding it in front of the woman, he nodded sternly, and looked east. "Get one of these, prepare these men in a feasible formation, and block off that pathway. Join me at the west when you’re done."

Once again he took off to his post before the woman could reply, knowing that the bandits were just moments away from descending upon their position. Various mauled trees littered the westward path, carcasses to the carnage of Wen-Wei and the now sweat covered volunteer. The splintered wood would certainly prevent one swift charge sweeping up this group in a torrent of carnage - now battle could commence in a more capable manner for the outnumbered group.

[kaihime]

Kaihime reluctantly did as she was told, she didn't enjoy being told what to do by complete strangers. Gathering the volunteers she had and forming them into the best of formation she could. They were not highly skilled warriors, not high above the skill of the peasants. "Stay strong, and calm. These bandits are no more than savage animals. So let's teach them who's at the top of the food chain" Kaihime winked to the nervous soldiers who replied with a "yeah!" Kaihime had the peasants stay behind the volunteers for safety, they were not the type that should fight unless absolutely necessary.

Reluctantly turning back in the direction of the men, Kaihime headed to the West to discuss the plans for the fight ahead.

[Liao Wei]

In a brief moment of calm, Liao Wei entered his trance of battle. His emotions and senses became heightened to elements that would fluttered around him. He could feel the suns piercing rays glance off of his pristine armour; as he opened his lips, he could taste the shimmering air on the tip of his tongue, sending a barely visible shiver along his spine. He could smell the anxiety that murmured amongst the huddled peasants, who clutched at one anothers dirt covered clothing, their fingers wound up in the fabric for desperate protection. He could hear the pounding drums of war that were beat out by the footsteps of the rebel juggernaut that was thundering their way. Lastly was what Shuohan could see.. And his mind, he could see everything.

Opening his eyes, Liao Wei crossed his lips into a grin, and was met by the howling face of an enemy scout, tripping over the gauntlet of trees that littered the western pathway. Bending his left knee down, his fingers squeezed at the shaft of his spear, and in a flash he bolted away from his position, towards the trap he had set down in front. His cape whistled through the air, Shuohan’s swift, rapid footsteps letting him fly through the carnage, with the tip of his spear as his guiding force. Roaring out, he ran the bandit through the stomach with one definitive thrust, and deftly pulled sharp tool out, a splatter of blood emptying on the leaves below. The man collapsed limply, almost without fight, and set himself down in the history books - he was the first to die in this injudicious raid.

“The first has gone done, but more will come. Wen-Wei, head to the east, ensure these soldiers are spurred on!” Liao Wei’s voice bellowed out, and was met by a load grunt, and further thunderous footsteps - this time echoed out by the gleeful sprinting of Ma Wen-Wei, who went east to set up his battle position. Stepping away from the trees and walking towards Kaihime, Shuohan flashed his familiar grin.

“You can fight with your tongue woman, let me see you fight with a sword or a spear! Get ten of those men on the west with us; you and I will be the bandits resistance.” For only the second time, he gave the woman the respect of eye-contact, hoping to analyse any flinch or conflict towards his command of battle. Shuohan wanted her bite to be as powerful as her bark.

[kaihime]

"careful what you wish for" Kaihime whistled loudly and motioned for 10 men to join her and her companion. Standing next to the one she had heard called ShuoHan Kaihime stood tall, calm and focused. She reached back and unsheathed her two blades. Then began to stretch her muscles in preparation for the upcoming action. Her calm blue eyes focused on the path ahead that her enemies would no doubt be visible upon any moment. Her heart beating with adrenaline and her body pumped for a good fight. A bird flew overhead and squaked almost as if ringing the bell for the round to begin.
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Kaihime and Shuohan = 10 Volunteer soldiers
Liao Wei and Wen-Wei = 30 Volunteer soldiers
50 Peasants with 15 volunteer soldiers waiting to back up

[Liao Wei]

Liao Wei’s eyes never left the physique of Kaihime’s as she unsheathed her twin blades, the metal giving a very distinct ring in the buzzing air. She certainly had the stance of a fighter, and carried herself with the confidence to overpower men; Shuohan was to bare witness to any proof of skill this woman may have. Jeers and angry screams came from the mouths of men that were in clear eyesight now, and these 12 brave fighters were to take the weight of their crashing assault.

“Let’s see what you’ve got! The name’s Liao Shuohan, I hope you live long enough to tell me yours!” With this closing statement, the warrior rushed to the base of the broken field of trees, and began slicing and thrusting his spear through the air. First came a wave of 2 soldiers, trampling over the blood splattered debris below; the first man was disarmed by one powerful swing, and fell to the ground by a following slice across his left hip. The latter had a blow deflected from his spears shaft, and then his nose broken by a powerful jab with the butt of the weapon. More soldiers were pouring in, and dealt with by the supporting volunteers that guarded this troop.

To the east, Ma Wen-Wei’s booming voice could be heard greeting the ambushers, who visibly stumbled in the wake of this man’s mighty roar. The bulk of the makeshift army, and the brutish bear himself crashed into the bandits, beginning this hellish battle for survival.

[kaihime]

50 Peasants + 15 backup volunteer soldiers
Kaihime and shuohan: 10 volunteer soldiers
Liao Wei and Wen-wei: 30 volunteer soldiers
VS
98 Bandits (2 dead in your last post XD)
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ShuoHan charged into the bandits forces, typical man, charge first, think later. Kaihime followed ShuoHan into the forces but stayed between him and the volunteer forces. That way any that passed him would have to get passed her and any that passed her would be taken by the volunteer soldiers. The fewer that the soldiers had to face the more likely that they would survive.

The first 2 that passed Shuohan slowed their charge to a jog as their eyes set upon their next opponent. Their eyes opened wide in disbelief and doubt as they focused on Kaihime "what's wrong boy's never seen boobs before?" She taunted as her lips curled into a sinister smirk. Lunging forward with fast and rapid attacks Kaihime broke through the first man's guard and plunged her second blade into his stomach. Not breaking between attacks, Kaihime pulled the blade from the man and kicked him out of the way as she spun to the left and her second opponent. Blocking the vertical slice that was coming down upon her.

Holding the deadlock with her crossed blade she sought a way to break the deadlock. Bringing her knee forward and into the man's stomach Kaihime felt the deadlock ease as the man bent over in pain. Bringing her blade forward it once again found the soft flesh of an enemies abdomen. 5 enemies had made it past Kaihime and fell to the volunteer soldiers posted behind them. turning to check on said soldiers Kaihime's heart sunk as she saw that 1 of them had fallen and was being replaced by a backup soldier.
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50 Peasants + 14 backup volunteer soldiers
Kaihime and shuohan: 10 volunteer soldiers
Liao Wei and Wen-wei: 30 volunteer soldiers
VS
91 Bandits

[Liao Wei]

The battle had begun, and the carnage within this forest was to reach its greatest limits. A howl of wind swept through the small valley, carrying with it the battle cries of over one hundred souls, clashing their steel together in a fight of desperation. Indeed, both sides had desperation as their impetus - the bandits pillaged and ravaged communities as part of their own desperate style of survival - our heroes fought an exasperating battle in desperate hope to protect their lives. What would last as a scar in the memory of these cowering peasants would happen in but a blink of an eye.

With the enemies now trampling down over his maze of broken trees, and slowly making it useless, Liao Shuohan found himself fighting a hydra of a foe - with every one he culled, two more would take their place. In the chaos, he found his eyeline drifting to the elegant and succinctly brilliant battle skills of his new battle partner, Kaihime. The two blades seemed almost as light as feathers in her grasp, and briefly, a wry grin flashed across the hardened warriors visage.

“You can fight, keep it up!” The taciturn old warrior was far more loquacious than usual; perhaps the scent of battle brought up a rise of spirit in him, or even the thought of seeing youth excel in the chaos gave him a sense of nostalgia. Regardless, he had little time to dwell, as the tips of two spears shot across his eyesight, nearly slicing through his tough, weathered cheek. Swiftly he threw his head back, along with one foot, planting it firmly in the ground for support, and then twisted his body in the direction of the two foes, swinging his spear like a mighty broadaxe; the pristine blade butchered the abdomen of these 2 poor souls, whose guts splattered on the ground, through the freshly torn hole on their leather jerkins. Trampling atop these limps corpses, Shuohan thrust his spear downward, the tears of blood along its edge bulleting off and onto the ground. Now it was ready for the next round.

Meanwhile, Ma Wen-Wei had continued to engage in combat with the ambushing bandits. A roar of pain erupted from his lips, as a stray sword sliced through his hulkish arms, but the rage spurned on by this attack resulted in far greater casualties. The volunteers bravely gave their lives in this battle, but even our heroes would be willing to take their far share of bloodshed.

[kaihime]

50 Peasants + 12 backup volunteer soldiers
Kaihime and shuohan: 10 volunteer soldiers
Liao Wei and Wen-wei: 21 volunteer soldiers
VS
70 Bandits
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Kaihime was going to say something back to Shuohan but decided not to as she watched him just manage to dodge an attack. maybe i shouldn't distract him The yells that came from Wen-Wei reminded her of the others fighting this same battle.

As yet another fell foe to her hand something caught her eyes on his falling corpse. A bow Looking around quickly to ensure it was safe to move Kaihime sheathed one of her blades, crouched down and grabbed the bow and the quiver of arrows from the man's back. She didn't have time to figure out how remove the quiver properly and instead simply cut the ties. As she stood she heard the sound of the air being sliced behind her. Instinctively rolling forward to avoid being hit Kaihime rolled on a stone which did it's own damage to her back.

Dismissing the pain in her back as being far better than that of a blade in her head Kaihime stood and turned to face the opponent that had tried to take her life so eagerly. However the man was being engaged by a volunteer soldier. Being jolted back into her plan by the feel of the bow and quiver in her hand Kaihime yelled to a soldier and threw him the weapon. "You get back there at the line and use this, you can right?" The soldier nodded and replied with a tone like that of a scared young boy.
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50 Peasants + 7 backup volunteer soldiers
Kaihime and shuohan: 10 volunteer soldiers
Liao Wei and Wen-wei: 25 volunteer soldiers
VS
67 Bandits

[Liao Wei]

The hydra continued to grow for the battling pair, until this great monster reached its full capacity - the light was in sight, the last of the bandits could be seen crashing into their comrades, trampling over the carnage of flesh and wood beneath. On horseback at the nether of this formation sat a man who was adorned dozens of mismatched jewellery, a variance of leather and bamboo armour littered his frame, all of a varying degree of quality. Perched upon his back were two blades, the first a serrated dagger, as sharp and pristine as if it were straight from the forge; the other a giant broadsword, rusted at the edges, almost brittle against a breeze, but undoubtedly the ender of countless lives. This man was undoubtedly the leader of this pack of ravenous, greedy wolves, and one who would not get his hands dirty unless his pawns did so first.

Deeply engaged in battle, Liao Shuohan threw down a dozen more slices against the incoming waves of opponents, and each one fell as swiftly as they ran, their veins split open, and with rend flesh. His once immaculate armour became stained with blood, pools of it forming within the crevices of the plates. With every stomp of his feet, shifting of position, and planting of his foundations, droplets of the crimson liquid splashed out from him like a fountain, spraying from his fluid motions. As the sun glanced off of the bandit leaders jewellery, the glimmer of light caught the warriors eye, and his familiar grin grew wider with excitement.

“Come leader! You attack peasants to add to your fancy trinkets? Face yourself a true warrior in Liao Shuohan!” With this cool, Liao Wei planted his spear into the ground, and threw a right hook at an incoming enemy, unsheathing his longsword within the same motion. It had been a while since he and his blade had danced together, perhaps now was their time in the spotlight.

Kaihime’s achievements had not gone unnoticed with the Wei officer, who frequently gave his attention over the woman’s fluid battle strikes, and even her cries of inspiration to the withering volunteers. Such potential from beauty and youth, such passion. This one should not be allowed to leave so easily.. Ma Wen-Wei and the other volunteers, having fought without respite, were also closing in on their victory, with skulls being crushed beneath the feet of this towering giant, and whole bodies cleaved in half by the weight of his mighty sword.

[kaihime]

50 Peasants + 7 backup volunteer soldiers
Kaihime and shuohan: 10 volunteer soldiers
Liao Wei and Wen-wei: 25 volunteer soldiers
VS
67 Bandits
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The battle had been waging for some time now, so many lives being lost within it. kaihime began to tire, her speed declining slightly. The numerous days on the road mixed with the harsh elements and constant enemies were beginning to take their toll. Fighting through the pain in her back Kaihime had slaughtered several more enemies. As the end of the bandits came into sight Kaihime felt a renewed energy take over her. Swinging her blades with force Kaihime sliced through the throat of an enemy, the corpse being flung to the side with the force. An arrow flew past her and sank into an oncoming enemy. Amazed with the volunteer soldiers accuracy she turned to face him wiping the blood that dripped from her cheek away. With a smile of appreciation and a thumbs up Kaihime spurred on the blossoming archer. "Lets go, let's show these animals who's on top of the food chain!!!" Shouts off rallies could be heard coming from her allies.

Kaihime sheathed her blades and reached for her sword that was strapped to the back of her waist. Time to kick it up a notch A group of bandits charged at her their weapons drawn and blood thirst raging in their eyes. Kaihime spun with the grace of a dancer bringing her blade around her body, as she did so it extended into a whip like form slicing the bandits in it's path. At the end of the spin she brought the blade up into the air and brought it down upon the ground slamming it into the now fallen enemies.

The sound of a horse drew Kaihime's gaze to the bandit leader sitting upon his steed. Her eyes steeled as she looked into his daring him to make his move.
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50 Peasants + 0 backup volunteer soldiers
Kaihime and shuohan: 15 volunteer soldiers
Liao Wei and Wen-wei: 20 volunteer soldiers
VS
45 Bandits