Arise (Yuan Shao)

[Lu Xiang]

Back from the dead some said, back for the dead others said. Who cared why he was back? God sent him to piss the world off. A cruel shadow that had been lifted for several years from China returned. The satin curtain of golden-death, severed reality and impending doom. He was back. The lingering shadow of the past frayed only by the strings of the pathetic mortals who had discarded him.

The white frost bitten fingers rolled across the floor, his neck creaking in slight agony. He didn't remember a single thing, other than the foul beast-like hatred for anything that opposed him. Wounds, beatings and pain burned over him; but he couldn't help to smile. His head spiralled, but the same demonic smile of cruel intention remained on his face.

"Hey, we've got a mover!"

Came a voice from the corner, a bone tight man; wrapped by only enough skin to shade his true form from the world. Starved by life and by physical diet, with a long beard that could only tell the tale of his sentence. Clearly Lu Xiang had wound up in a dungeon of some sort. The old man moved towards Lu Xiang, shaking in malnourishment. His untended body and face shimmered in the light of cracks of hope which quickly faded.

A loud clank in the dark, shifting the moving man back into his binded corner. He seemed to shake more violently now, stretching his finger towards Lu Xiang whilst holding his other hand at his throat; desperately crying for help. How pathetic. Even a disorientated Lu Xiang found this man as worthless as the rabble that had probably imprisoned him; if only he could remember who..

His vision and perception quickly began to recover as his hands found their way from the floor to the wall and he sat up - from there he found the spacial awareness of the small cell he was sharing with the maniac who sat directly opposite him. Was this some sort of mockery? He looked at his hands, they were blistered and cut up; whatever happened he went down with a fight. He laughed.

[Cao Pi]

(( nice to see your period off hasn't affected your skill ))

The dungeons of Ye were where the rabble of Hu Lao were kept. Members of the coalition and members of Dong Zhou's army, Yuan's brake away from the emperor was the reason behind imprisoning all these men. Yuan Shao was priorities now was conquering HeBei and then moving into Zhongyuan. However, with an army of 4,000 strong it would be hard to take both territories, men were needed. Where would the men come from? That would be the dungeon, these men would provide the bulk of the army, the captured men were mainly frontline soldiers and some sergeants, hopefully a lieutenant or two.
"You, go down to the dungeon and pick someone who looks strong and well versed in war to lead the prisoner army." Yuan said whilst pointing to a Royal Guard.
"Yes Sir." He nodded and left for the dungeon.

The guard arrived at the dungeon, he looked through 8 cells and only marked 2 men. This was looking bad, all the men looked weak and malnutrition. These people couldn't stand up to 100 yellow turban peasants let alone the white riders of the north. The guard moved through the cells until he reached cell 12, the last cell, he looked in a noticed an old man dismissing him straight away. But the man looked scared and was staring into the corner. The guard moved in closer, in the corner sat a man who had the aura, this physical presence that this man possessed was great. None of the other candidates possessed this, he was the ideal candidate.
"You, follow me, Yuan Shao wants to see you."
The guard walked out of the cell and closed it behind the prisoner and led him towards Yuan Shao.
"Sir, this is the only candidate worthy of leading.
Yuan also noticed this presence this man held, he also looked familiar. He took a moment and stared at the man, he pulled his long back. Yuan stepped back, freight set upon him, it was Lu Xiang!
"Lu.. Lu... Lu Xiang! I urmm, i thought you died fighting Lu Bu!? Get this man food and water! Sorry Lu, forgive me, i thought you had died."
Yuan Shao bowed his head, the man whom he had admired, the man whom he had thought sacrificed his life at Hu Lao to ensure a coalition victory was locked away in his dungeon.

[Lu Xiang]

Lu Xiang hissed at the screech of the ancient doors opening, the scratching of the fierce armour created for one purpose.. to break a man or kill him. From the doorway appeared a guard who seemed to inspect the men, one by one before eventually he approached Lu Xiang. As much as he would've loved to have leapt up and ripped at the mans throat for blood, revenge and honour.. he knew when he was in the clutches of debt.

The man told him to follow him, an easy enough task. But he wasn't forceful about it. This didn't signal death, or maybe they were subtle about it. Death didn't seem so honourable when it was put like this. Lu Xiang hoisted himself up the walk, gripping his charred fingers into the gaps and scratching them until he fufilled a stance of a boxer in his final round. He spat a little blood to the floor, in the corner before waltzing in fatigue behind the guard.

Yuan Shao? so he had fallen into the hands of the warlord of the north. How very strange, to think Lu Xiang thought Dong Zhuo was the enemy. The facts were gradually fitting together but still why was he here? and in prison? How.. unfitting.

The presence of Yuan Shao was a gracious one, no matter how stubborn Lu Xiang was, he wasn't his cousin. The fresh air was like the rain from a drought. He bowed as much as he could in his state, showing both honour and gratefulness.

"I thank you my lord, yet I am unsure how I wound up in your prison. I submit we are on equal terms now, your release of me forfeits my capture...

He said, laughing a little. It wasn't so kind to have Lu Xiang locked up, but at least he has the common decency to release him. Lu Xiang couldn't hold a grudge for someone who could have him annihilated almost immediately.. plus he'd never been in the north.

"My cousin is a cruel and cold fiend, but he is no match for me, my lord."

Lu Xiang exclaimed, rather unbelievable in the form he remained in now. Lu Xiang would be lucky if he could lift a millstone without passing away, let alone slay the Demon Lu Bu.

[Cao Pi]

It looks as if Lu Xiang has forgiven Yuan for locking him up, which was good for Shao as he plans to recruit the general but he did not know how to go about it. Lu Xiang had a great ego but he also had the skills to match. He watched the way Lu Xiang spoke, he was sluggish and looked weak, however he did not let that knock his confidence as he exclaimed he could defeat Lu Bu, which was a feesable remark at full fitness, Xiang was far from that at this moment in time.
"Haha, I see you have not lost your confidence or humour, however im sure you could defeat him. How about joining my force and putting you back on the map so to say. Im sure your itching for a battle."
Yuan extended him hand to seal the deal, he was wary that Lu Xiang would decline, however persistencey pays off.

[Lu Xiang]

Lu Xiang looked at the man, a keen politician, governor and warrior. The man offered a proposal, a strange one at best. Lu Xiang evaluated his options, he wasn't bound by any service.. to anyone.

"Hmmph, you wish for me to serve you?"

Lu Xiang said, raising an eyebrow. He didn't know much of the north; nor was it his chosen place to be. However serving Yuan Shao could have its perks. The man was rich, filthy rich and no doubt would share the wealth. With this in mind, he would also back Lu Xiang's bloodlust completely both finacially and military wise.

"What's in it for me?"

Lu Xiang questioned, looking around. He was a highly notorious general and known not only for his bloodline but his fearless presence on the battlefield. Charging directly in and slaying the enemy generals. An asset to any army, no doubt. Yuan Shao would earn a behemoth of the civillized world, a man worth to share the same air a Lu Bu himself. Lu Xiang had a few proposals himself, but he decided to see how far he could milk the glorious cattle of Shao first.

[Cao Pi]

Yuan watched Lu Xiangs body language, he looked interested but he didnt let it show through the way he spoke. Yuan smiled at him "Yes i want you to serve me, you're a great general. Whats in it for you, you ask, well, the north is a land of rich opportunity, once we control the north we can advance south without worry of being attacked from behind. You would become rich beyond your wildest imagination, the wealth the north generates is great plus think of the rank you would attain, a warrior greater than Lu Bu himself? Only the best! I also know of your hunger for power and respect being in my army would give it for I shall be the one to rule China and defeat these other so called warlords. I'm sure you have your own demands aswell so come tell me."
Yuan held his arm out, pointing towards a chair, he then took a seat himself. Tea and buns were already on the table from when Shao told the guards to bring food and drink for the man.

[Lu Xiang]

Lu Xiang rose his eyebrows a little, interesting. He laughed, a little in excitement and a litle to maintain his character. He took a seat as the man politely offered. It wasn't so simple, offering your talents to a man. It would depend on if their beliefs followed yours, if he was a worthy man to serve and if they were within the correct skill level.

"Your terms sound almost too true, my lord.. but there is one thing I ask of you if you wish me to agree to this."

Lu Xiang announced, the money in all fairness would cover most things. The rank once more boosted authority. It was a complete win situation for Lu Xiang. War..war hungered like the feral beast he was. The longest he was away from the battlefield, he became more of a psychopath.

"You ensure I have a new blade and a new steed, only the finest prepared tomorrow."

He finished, coldly. Lu Bu had Red Hare which he had received from Dong Zhuo.. who was to say Lu Xiang was any different. Greed and Jealousy. The negotiation was set, provide a golaith with a beast of both power and strength and guide him into the battlefield to smite down your own foes.

[Cao Pi]

Yuan sat back and listened to the mans reasonable demands. Yuan could tell this man was related Lu Bu, he wanted to be him this could be the mans downfall, however he was willing to grant his demands.
"A great stead you ask? Out in the courtyard, a great stead awaits, it is a white stallion. It was meant for Yuan Tan however you could make better use of it, this horse has great power and is as fast if not faster than red hare. As for you weapon, go to the town and tell the blacksmith to give you the weapon i had designed for Tan also, it is a great halberd based on Lu Bu's but heavier, im sure you could handle the weapon."
Yuan extended his hand to seal the deal.
"What say you?"