Somebody wake me from this nightmare (locked to failednamesake)

[papatiger]

[For a brief time there was a break in the wave of demon attacks. Scout reported the strange movement in Orochi's army as they pulled back from front lines and retreated back to Koshi castle. Neither Daji nor Kiyomori could be seen, and while the Hydra didn't disappear it seemed less aggressive, striking only when it was being attacked.

Nobody was fooled; the army was kept vigilant and most of the remaining heroes, those who had yet to fallen prey to the giant snake or enchanted by Kiyomori's spells, were wise enough to take the time to recoup.

Save for a few minor skirmishes, they allied force didn't really lose any more good men and women.]

Comments

[failednamesake]

[And technically, it remains to be seen about whether Chen Gong counts under one of those 'good men and women'.

It was an unceremonious capture; he heard about his former lord Lu Bu still pursuing Nezha, even after the arrival of the Orochi. As someone Lu Bu (mildly) trusted in, his job was to go recruit the warrior to their cause.

Basically, an impossible task, seeing that avenging Diao Chan was his motivation.

He didn't think it would go this horribly, though. He didn't think Nezha would end up in a fix with the demons, which caused Lu Bu to get into a fix, which caused him to get abducted. Not killed, just... knocked out and abducted. He had no time to think about what happened to everyone else who volunteered to come with him (honestly, saving them is only a thought in his mind because it would enable him a better chance of surviving). But now...

When he comes to, it's dark. That's the first thing he notices. A few words surface in his head--

Oh, what a mess.]

[papatiger]

[God damn it Lu Bu.

The cell is dark and cramp, a few untidy straw heaps aligned at the furthest wall to serve as his resting place for the rest of his imprisonment. The only light that serves as illumination for the jail peers through a small door slit that remains open...for now. The heavy, pungent smell of incense snakes into the enclosed space, tweaking Chen Gong's nose with every breath; it does no harm to him, but the smoky scent will prove to be over-powering until Chen Gong is used to it.

But what might grab Chen Gong's attention first is the voice that comes from his right. The owner sounds concerned, but the darkness that cloaks the both of them keeps Chen Gong's jailmate a mystery unless the shrewd man can recognize him from his voice.]

Are you alright? You've been out for a few hours.

[failednamesake]

[It's definitely overwhelming, but more so is the notion that he's been caught. Well, there goes his life. And hope. Bye-bye. He's been resigned to this fate since Lu Bu proved to be a moron back in his own time, anyway, might as well--

Oh, there's someone else here. Chen Gong noticeably jerks up when Sun Jian's voice reaches him, mostly out of sheer surprise. Not mounting dread or fear, not at all.] ...Sun Jian?

You're here as well? ['Here' is still up for debate, though.]

[papatiger]

Unfortunately.

[The veteren general sounds grim, but at least his mind and soul is still his own, and his fighting spirit hasn't been broken by his captivity. It's been at least six months since his reported 'death' at the fangs of the Hydra; it is a safe bet to assume that that's how long he's been held in this cell.]

I don't believe I've had the pleasure of meeting you face to face yet. It's...Chen Gong, isn't it? You're Lu Bu's chief strategist.

[There's no animosity in his tone; Lu Bu has given him and Wu no small amount of trouble in the past, but while Sun Jian will regard China's strongest warrior with a healthy dose of caution he won't extend that to Lu Bu's men unless warranted.]

This isn't the best way to meet someone for the first time, but I'm glad to see that you're relatively unharmed.

[For now.]

[failednamesake]

[Chen Gong knows enough about 'who is dead already' to realize he's supposed to be surprised at Sun Jian still living. Instead, though, it's a bit... uplifting? That they might still have the chance to break out and live.

Maybe.]

That's right-- I heard you were dead. [What a nice way to break into a conversation.] You've been here for quite some time, I presume?

[And there's a hint of resignment in his tone. Because he knows he'll just be held for an equally long time... or shorter. Sun Jian still had a living daughter. A living daughter who may actually listen to negotiations if it entailed the life of her father. Chen Gong has absolutely no one.

Welp.]

[papatiger]

[If Sun Jian picked up the undercurrent of Chen Gong's words, he isn't mentioning it. There's a rustle as limbs are stretched, along with the clink of chains. It seems they've got this Tiger tied up good and proper.]

Ha! As if some over-sized worm can get rid of me that easily. They'll have to try harder than that.

[His words are at sort of at odds with his situation. While it is true that he's alive...if they can suppress a man of Sun Jian's resourcefulness and strength and keep him trapped down this hole for six months, then there's something to be said for the enemy's competence.]

You'll have to tell me that. I don't know how long they've held me here. There isn't enough light here to tell night from day.

[There's no window, and the only source of illumination scarce as they are comes from the torches outside. Sun Jian settles back against the wall; Chen Gong is technically his only source of information on what's been happening back with the humans. The strategist didn't have any open wounds from what Sun Jian could glimpse when the demons briefly opened the door to chuck him in; he could take a little intense Q&A session.]

How did you end up here? Is everyone else alright?

[failednamesake]

[There's a slight pause on Chen Gong's end, because... he can remember how long Sun Jian's been missing. The voices of reason in the army, the strategists, were mostly focused on that little boy Hanbei and the useless 'prodigy' Jiang Wei. At least, until they somehow lost contact with Jiang Wei's forces. As gifted as he was, it's such a tragedy that he has to be driven so wildly by mere emotions.

Not that Chen Gong is in any position to say anything, if you consider his goal for approaching Lu Bu in the first place. And as horrible as Jiang Wei might be in looking at the big picture, he's more... sensitive to people's emotions and a better judge of character than even Chen Gong.

Which is saying something.]

About... [The point is, Chen Gong doesn't know how to say this. He normally doesn't really care, but there's still the part of him that wasn't focused on his ambition. The small, small part that knows what being a father and what having hopes were. Not ambitions.] Six months, give or take.

[As bad as Chen Gong is at reading people, Sun Jian's question is obvious enough. How does he say it, then? That Sun Ce and Sun Quan are both dead, most likely along with their wives? He's heard about someone finding Xiao Qiao, but he doubts Sun Jian cares too much about her.

...How about he doesn't say it?]

I know Sun Shang Xiang is defending Odawara Castle with another girl called 'Kaihime'. It's one of the most well-fortified bases we have left, and there's also a master swordsman with them as well.

[papatiger]

[Chen Gong's omission might fool others, but Sun Jian has spent his time here straining his ears for even a whisper of what's happened to his children. Chen Gong's careful reply, the hesitation, it speaks volumes where the strategist had chosen to keep things short and to the point.]

...I see.

[There's silence.

It's the kind of silence that lays down thickly, almost suffocatingly on them both, but it especially chokes Sun Jian, wraps its unseen hands around his neck and starts pressing tight till he can't even speak. Chen Gong can't see him, but Sun Jian's eyes are closed and his expression one of extreme pain, almost as if someone had stabbed his gut with a knife and twisted. He's a tough old warrior but he needs a moment, just, just one, long, moment for him to struggle with his grief, keep it clamped down and under wraps so that his enemies won't get the satisfaction of knowing that they've successfully nicked at enough places to finally peel off a piece of his armor and piece him right in the heart.

The faint crackle of fire is heard, a tiny sound that managed to slip through the tiny door slit. In the silence it's almost a deafening thunder clap. But deep inside he's screaming so hard that he can't hear anything.

The pregnant pause finally ends. When he finally speaks, he sounds calm. Perhaps even slightly proud, because despite the sorrow of losing his sons he's so proud that his daughter is still out there fighting and not giving up. And his two boys...there's no doubt in his mind that they gave their all. The honor and pride of the Sun family stands tall and firm in the chaos that has ripped father, brothers and sister apart; it is what gives them strength, it is what binds them, and it is what gives them hope, knowing that so long as one lives their fire will burn on.]

The castle is in good hands then. Shang Xiang might be my youngest, but she's just as fierce and strong as her brothers. I don't know about the swordsman, but those demons don't stand a chance against her if she's working together with Kai.

[failednamesake]

[Of course, he'd understand. It doesn't take a genius to interpret what Chen Gong means. At least (if it's any mercy), Odawara Castle will only fall long after the both of them do.

But the fact that he isn't tumbling in grief means he can hear the fire. A bit, just a bit, but it's made itself known in the darkness.] Did you hear that? [Sorry to break your emotional monologue, Sun Jian. Actually, no, he isn't, because he's straining his eyes to look at where the fire might be coming from.

The grief of a parent isn't something Chen Gong knows (but he could know. and he doesn't want to). So he'd much sooner confirm his own safety rather than comfort a man he barely knows with absolutely nothing at all.]

[papatiger]

[He holds back the wave of heartache and listens carefully. No other clear, audible noise comes from the only opening in their cell, but he's spent six months in total darkness. He's learned to sharpen his hearing, just so that he can have those precious few seconds to better prepare himself for the horrors to come.

And then, he hears it; a footfall. Sun Jian hisses a soft curse.]

The demons are coming. Quickly, lie back on the ground and close your eyes. It's a fool's chance, but perhaps they'll think you still unconscious and spare you for today.

[failednamesake]

[Oh.

For better or for worse, Chen Gong obeys Sun Jian's words immediately. A strategist is known for quick thinking along with quick reactions-- he falls back on the ground as quietly as possible, closing his eyes and trying to not make his face look panicked.

Of course, there's the urge to ask what do you mean 'spare me', but that would be for later. ...After whatever lay in wait for Sun Jian.]

[papatiger]

[Sun Jian's warning turns out to be true; footsteps start to echo down the corridor; first light, and slowly growing more heavy with every consecutive step. The ground underneath them even begins to tremble, hinting at the size of the demon that's making its way down to them.

Eventually the steps stop and the door swings open. Some light from the torches that align the stone walls spill into the dark space, but most of it is blocked by the big, muscular demon known with sharp tusks protuding from its mouth.]

"Gweeheehee! The puny one hasn't got up yet!"

[The floor shakes, and Chen Gong is lifted up into the air by the front of his robes. The foul smell of blood, sweat and god knows what else sours the room and bits and pieces of spittle fly all over Chen Gong's frong; Sun Jian can only hope the strategist can continue to play dead.]

"Humans are so weak. Nothing but prey for us demons! I could bite this one's head off in one chomp!"

"That's right".

[A second demon has joined the huge one. His tone is oily but compared to his loud, clumsy comrade this one barely leaves any footsteps at all.]

"All will fall before Lord Orochi's power. It is just a matter of time."

[Chen Gong's chest is prodded by a thick, meaty finger. Sun Jian maintains his glare at their captors, but he feels his heart beating in his chest. They were going to do something to the strategist soon, unless he can think up something quick.]

"I think it's time to wake this one up with a nice surprise. Crush him, mash him, make him into paste! Gweeheehe-"

What, you've given up on me already?

[If he can't rip these two to pieces, the least he can do is grab their attention away from Chen Gong. Perhaps it's futile to do so; eventually Chen Gong too will be brought before Kiyomori and Daji and offered either respite...or damned to have his mind and will wiped by sorcery. But Sun Jian will not let anyone be carried off to be tortured for some twisted creature's amusement. Speaking up louder, he puts on a cocky grin and continues to taunt the demons.]

I knew you demons were all talk. You say that you're stronger than us humans, but you haven't broken me yet. So much for the might of Orochi's forces! I'm not even quaking in my boots yet.

[He holds his breath...and gets it knocked out when the demon's fist comes slamming into his gut. Chen Gong had been unceremoniously tossed aside onto one of the straw beds; it looks like Sun Jian's mocking worked, perhaps a little too well as the demon trashes him up seven ways to Sunday.]

[failednamesake]

[It's actually a lot harder than it looks, to feign unconsciousness and play dead. That means you need to shut off all your instinctual reactions-- when your captives are animatedly discussing how they're going to brutally murder you, maintaining self-control is rather difficult.

His own robes are tugging on his skin too tightly. His nose is wrinkling with the smell, and he can barely breathe without giving into the urge to cough. It's horrible, it's horrible, if he's supposed to die displaced from even his own time, can it at least happen with some shred of dignity? He doesn't want to die this way, with how he's close to trembling in fear, unable to find a way out of this situation, no matter how much he tries to pretend he has everything under control--

Chen Gong hears Sun Jian too well.

When he's tossed aside, his eyes creak open; just the tiniest bit. To search the room, to look for something that can help them escape. His hands aren't tied, but he doesn't have his weapon with him. Maybe if he managed to grab something from the demons...

Can't let this opportunity go to waste. Is the door still open? Because if it is, Chen Gong's getting up and running for it.

If he's going to die, at least he'll die trying.]

[papatiger]

[Tough luck; the demon known as "Sidewinder" is leaning on the door post, a slight sneer on his face as his friend "Gyuki" continues to treat Sun Jian like a punching bag.

Fortune is kind enough to at least keep both demons' attention pinned on Sun Jian. Now that there's enough light in the room to at least make out rough shapes and features, Chen Gong should be able to see that the once powerful leader of Wu is not at his best, to put it mildly. Bruises of all shapes and discolouration decorate every exposed piece of skin; no doubt more remain hidden underneath the ripped pieces of clothing that was once part of his armor. His face is smudged with grime and dirt and caked blood, and old cuts and gashes have been slashed over with new ones, some of which are still fresh. Heavy metal shackles are clamped tightly around his wrists and ankles and the chain that links the bindings together holds fast, limiting Sun Jian's movements tremendously.

But despite his bedraggled appearance, his eyes remain fierce and defiant. Even as the giant demon throws him to the ground and starts kicking him hard, Sun Jian merely takes the blows in silence and continues to glare; if looks could kill, he's probably stabbed Gyuki with a million swords by now.

His eyes though...perhaps it's a trick of the shadows, but there's something...not quite right about them. Chen Gong can risk a closer look if he wants, though what he sees might be cause for some alarm. After all, human eyes don't come with golden irises. Or cat-like slits.]

[failednamesake]

[Dammit.

Chen Gong expected Sun Jian's injuries; you don't exactly stay locked up here for six months without a scratch, do you? What he doesn't expect just as much is his fighting spirit- impressive. Would've been nice to have on the battlefield, not trapped in a demon's lair.

Don't mind if he just... worms a bit closer. Slowly. Because while Sun Jian's face is defiant, his eyes look a bit odd. As if they've been drawn the wrong color in a painting. This might be his only chance to get a good look, a glimpse into what's waiting for him--

...

...Sun Jian might notice Chen Gong staring in uncertainty at him before shutting his eyes the moment he thinks the demons might shift attention.]

[papatiger]

[The strikes hurt, but it's a kind of hurt he can deal with. But it was just at that one quick moment, when he happened to sneak a quick glance Chen Gong's way to make sure the strategist is alright, that their eyes meet for a brief moment. He sees reflected in Chen Gong's eyes his own worries, and his heart twists to know that in some way they had been confirmed.

But there's no time to explain. He wrenches his gaze from Chen Gong and bristles instead at Gyuki; he can't afford to let the two demons notice that their other prisoner isn't as out of it as he seems. Though it seems that getting battered by Gyuki's assaults is a common, day-to-day occurance for him ever since he's been caught by Orochi's forces.

Eventually Sidewinder slithers forward and stops his thuggish comrade.]

"That's enough for now. After all, he is Lord Kiyomori's 'patient'."

[Those words were deliberately chosen to get under his skin; Sun Jian keeps his cool but on the inside he's burning with rage. To dub him a 'patient' in need of 'healing', when instead all he has been forced to endure is a slow poisoining of body, mind and spirit...he could feel his entire being sickening with every passing day, and despite his best at resisting Kiyomori's wicked enchantments he knew he was fighting a losing battle.]

"Come. We must bring him for his next 'treatment'."

[The words are laden with sadistic glee, echoed in Gyuki's howling laughter as the huge demon begins to drag Sun Jian out. Sun Jian doesn't want to accept his fate; he still believes, somehow, that someone could rescue him from this prison, and that's why he continues to fight back in any way he can no matter how pointless it may seem.

The door slams shut behind them, sealing Chen Gong in darkness again.]

[failednamesake]

[Patient.

Chen Gong only opens his eyes again when he senses the darkness. How long will this 'peace' last, then? Till the demons come back? Obviously, they'll return-- and they seem to have returned endlessly, tossing Sun Jian in and dragging him out whenever they please. For now, Chen Gong has the time to ponder what they mean by 'treatment'.

Obviously, nothing good. His genius mind can make deeper inferences than just that, though.

Sun Jian's eyes. Eyes like that... he's only seen them on other diamonds. The kinds which can see in the dark, with tusks for mouths and-- basically, things that distinguish them from a human. Why would Sun Jian have eyes like that? Is it part of the treatment? Or a product of some other horror that goes on in the lairs of demons?

Can he trust Sun Jian? Well, he doesn't really have a choice even if he can't. Is he still human? Well... he seems to be. Chen Gong really hopes he is.

What gives, then?

He keeps his head up, always hearing for sounds. For footsteps and breathing, to tell him to lie his head across the ground and feign unconsciousness once more. For how long will that save him? Not very long at all.

It's horrible, to want to faint but not be able to. To be close to fainting, with how everything smells and is dark and he's still tired and aching from everything.]

[papatiger]

[No one else comes by the cell; it seems to be within a secluded spot, far from the main dungeon keep.

Without the sun or the moon or the colour of the sky, it's hard to tell what time it is and how much has passed since Sun Jian's been hauled off. The minutes bleed into hours, and hours stretched on into infinity. But eventually, eventually Chen Gong will feel the tell-tale vibrations from Gyuki's massive feet. He will have enough time to lay dead before the door swings open and Sun Jian is unceremoniously chucked onto the stone floor. Gyuki does his usual spiel about the superiority of demons vs humans before he turns and shuts the door behind him, the lock turning with a very audible click.

Sun Jian gingerly sits up, his body still wracked with pain. But although there isn't a single source of light around them save for the measly stripes that peek though the small door slit in front of them, he can see as clearly as if it's day itself.

He's been able to do that for two days now.

Doing his best to shake off the lingering effects of Kiyomori's 'medicine', he looks at Chen Gong and does his best to shrug off the ache that's drilled itself into his very bones. He hadn't forgotten the look on the strategist's face when Chen Gong had realised that there something was wrong; he owes the man an explanation, at least, and to prepare him for what might come.]

You probably have a lot of questions. I can't guarantee that I'll be able to give you all the answers, but I swear on my name and honor that everything I tell you is the truth and that I won't hide anything from you.

[failednamesake]

[He's used to it. The feeling of seclusion, at least. It's... familiar, to the time he was waiting for his death sentence. It was a horrible wait, a heavy and reluctant one. But he still waited, because at least he knew one definite was waiting for him. The fact that Chen Gong could see, at least, one little thing waiting for him gave him some twisted sense of direction.

After death, he could just reincarnate as an insect for a few lifetimes, and then try again.

But now, he's not even sure if he'll get that mercy.

Chen Gong only shifts to get up when Sun Jian speaks; it's dark, once again, and the first thing the strategist does is strain his eyes to look into Sun Jian's. He might think it's a subtle action in the darkness, but the other man would be able to decipher his action very clearly.]

What did they do to you?

[That's the first question.]

[papatiger]

[A bitter sigh escapes him as he pulls himself up and settles his back against the wall.]

A new spell Daji found for him. Blasted fox...it's not the usual mind control enchantment. I managed to shake that one off.

[He says it as if it was no small feat. It's not impossible, but Sun Jian would rather not devulge the details to Chen Gong. It's an experience he would rather not recall or repeat. But what he has to share next isn't much better. To Sun Jian's credit he doesn't look away, nor does he hesitate to spell out what is happening to him.]

It is supposed to turn me into one of them. I've done my best to resist its power, but I think he's refined his spell work. The curse has been building in strength.

[Emotional blackmail also works. An illusion of his sons, dying before his eyes, had caused him to let his guard slip just for a second. He curses that one second up till now, for that was when the spell snaked its poison into his body and started to infect him.]

[failednamesake]

[Oh.

Chen Gong visibly tenses up on that realization-- he hasn't yet put together that Sun Jian's cat-like eyes have enhanced night vision. He would make his emotions far less obvious if he was aware. Instead, Chen Gong just... shifts his weight from one end to another nervously.]

Since you can't be controlled through using your mind, they've been changing your body, instead. Is that right?

[That's what he understand. And... it's frightening. He'd much rather get brainwashed, because at least then, he'd think everything is alright. Most strategists like him would find living without a mind-- continuing on like a slumbering zombie-- as the worst fate possible.

But let a man wish for some bliss, once in his rotten life.]

[papatiger]

[...he's never really cared when the other lords ridiculed him for his merchant background, or that he came from a relatively backwater town when compared to some of the fancier northern cities. But this...this is something completely different entirely. His mind is still his own, as is his heart, his beliefs, but the thought of being forcibly changed, perhaps permanently, into a demon...

...maybe he still didn't care what others would think of him. But he cared a lot about what his children would say. And if Shang Xiang is the only one left, then she is all the more precious to him.

Demon or not, he will not survive if she rejects him.

So Chen Gong's reaction, as understandable as it is, does stir unrest inside Sun Jian. As his first human contact since his transformation began, Chen Gong already displayed tension, concern, perhaps even fear, at what's happening to him. It's a taste of things to come, of the bonds that could be broken, the ties that could be snapped forever, if Sun Jian does not escape before worse happens to him.

These thoughts run through his mind, but again he keeps them to himself. Rather, he decides to focus on Chen Gong's question; it's one that needs to be discussed, and it serves as a sufficient distraction from the unusual pessimistic thoughts that plague his mind. Granted this is an unusual situation...but still. He should be stronger than this.]

I think so. Though why they would want to turn humans into demons is slightly beyond me. It's taken Kiyomori six months to change my eyes. It would take far less to chop off my head. I fear that there is a bigger picture that I can't see.

[failednamesake]

[A bigger picture indeed.

Chen Gong can actually guess what is it. He's spoken to Shang Xiang a grand total of one (1) times before deciding no, never again, but he had to admit that Odawara Castle was remarkably fortified. It'd have to take a real breach in security and loss in manpower for the demons to take over. And what better way to get into one of the last remaining strongholds than to use matters of the heart to persuade one of the officers guarding it?

(Sun Jian doesn't need to worry about being rejected. As long as he can prove he's the Tiger of Jiang Dong, Shang Xiang will never turn her back to him. Now, what he does need to worry about is how she'll always scramble to save him, even if his skin was turned into a putrid grey and his eyes became reminiscent to those of beasts.)]

...I am a strategist. [He starts off with that first.] If I were in the place of the demons, I wouldn't want you dead, either.

[Should he tell Sun Jian? ...Well, they're going to be locked together for a plenty bit of time, unless the demons decide to make Chen Gong a snack.] If successful, you could become one of their strongest officers.

Or, at worst, a bargaining chip.

[papatiger]

[His heart sinks; again, he's being used as blackmail material against his children. A small mercy would be at least they weren't being pitted against each other like the last time Orochi got his scaly claws on him, but it would cause his daughter no less pain to know that her father's life and humanity were at the mercy of the enemy once more. And while Shang Xiang would stop short of turning traitor, all of his children having learned the first time that servitude for his sake led to no happy end for any of them, he knows she would be willing to risk her life to save his. She could be reckless, just like his eldest, and without the caution of his second son she might land herself in danger.]

My appearance might change but not my sense of right and wrong. I would never work for Orochi! The enemy must know this. No...there must be something else we're missing, otherwise they're just wasting their time with this game. If they want to use me to secure Odawara Castle then there would be no need to hold me here for half a year.

[failednamesake]

[Well, honestly speaking-- and he's saying this from a completely frank viewpoint-- if they change his body enough, it'll eventually snake its way to his brain. And if they can't make Sun Jian work for Orochi as Sun Jian, they'll probably just fuck with that. But he has a point-- there has to be a bigger picture. Unless Kiyomori gets some twisted pleasure from doing it, there's probably something else motivating him.

(Well, Kiyomori most definitely gets some twisted pleasure from it, but that can't be all.)]

It would be terribly detrimental to our morale it word got out that humans were being turned into demons. If they revealed that even you were turned into a demon, perhaps the soldiers would become reluctant to fight. God forbid they unintentionally kill their fallen friend once again.

But if you've been so resilient, it really does seem unnecessarily troublesome.

[papatiger]

[So far he hasn't thought any differently about things. But these external changes could be a precursor to internal ones; the thought of him being a loyal supporter of Orochi, attacking towns and former allies and even his very daughter, that makes him very sick indeed.]

...unless Kiyomori is testing his spell on me. It's a new spell; Kiyomori has said that he can't use it to its full effectiveness just yet.

I wouldn't discount them torturing me just for the sake of it either. They're terrible creatures.

[failednamesake]

[Maybe it's a good thing Chen Gong doesn't have too many people he cares about. Taking after yourself and your own grand ambitions is troublesome enough. Before he can say anything else, though, there's a very familiar thud down the hallway.

And with that thud, Chen Gong's heart and body simultaneously drop lifelessly to the floor.

And he's praying that it somehow works a third time. Despite the fact that he's never been the idealistic type.]

[papatiger]

[It doesn't work this time, no.

There's not much Sun Jian can do when the door opens and this time it's Diamondback who has finally come for Chen Gong. The chains severely limits his movement but that doesn't stop Sun Jian from trying to lunge forward and knock the demon away. It's all for naught though as Sidewinder flits in within the blink of an eye and lashes at Sun Jian, causing the general to be knocked back and have his head cracked against the wall. It's through spinning eyes and a splitting headache that Sun Jian watches helplessly as the demons gloat over their soon-to-be newest victim. Before he can get to his feet again the demons are out, and his fists slam hard against the hard wooden door in frustration and anger.

He doesn't know what they are going to do to Chen Gong, whether they'll submit the strategist to the exact same torture he's been going through, or if they have something else planned for him. Either way, that man is not going to come back unchanged.]

[failednamesake]

[Uh oh.

Chen Gong's eyes open wide right as the demons pick him up-- maybe he should try biting his tongue off to bleed to death. Or if he makes the demon holding him mad enough, maybe it'll just break his neck. Honestly, after what Sun Jian told him, maybe being blended into mush by the previous duo would be a mercy.

...But instead, he just shifts in the demon's arms, as soon as he's out of Sun Jian's sight.]

Now, let's not be hasty-- you already have someone else to toy with, right?

[Is he going to try bargaining away Sun Jian's life? Or something else?]

[papatiger]

[The demons look at each other and burst into laughter.]

"Don't worry! There's more than enough of Lord Kiyomori's 'medicine' for all you stinking humans."

[Boomslang jabs a thumb behind him.]

"That other human is the perfect experiment! He's so stubbornly resisting, but he doesn't know that Lord Kiyomori's been figuring out how to overcome him. Lord Kiyomori's gotten real good at the spell now, and he's dying to try it on someone else. So guess what, weakling?"

[Have a faceful of leering tusks and slit-like snake eyes Chen Gong.]

"You're that lucky guy! You're lucky Lady Daji found out about you or Gyuki would've grinded you into a paste! I probably would've stretched and split you into pieces myself, but...Lady Daji thinks you'd make a good demon. So you better prove your worth soon, or else I'll kill you!"

"You sure are chatty today Boomslang." [Interjects Sidewinder, though he certainly doesn't sound angry that Boomslang's spilt Lord Kiyomori's plan.] "Don't give out all our lord's surprises just yet! Let's let this one 'enjoy' the gifts our lord will bestow upon him. If he resists...then we'll just kill him."

[The two demons laugh evilly and continue to drag Chen Gong down the long corridor. Eventually they enter a room with chains and shackles hanging from the ceiling. It's not hard for the demons to snap them on Chen Gong and leave him stretched out and ready for Kiyomori's arrival, like a frog that's about to be dissected by an eager student. Sidewinder and Boomslang exit the room once their job is done, though Boomslang can't resist throwing one last jeer back at the trapped strategist.]

"Hey. Make sure you scream real loud. The other one's too quiet; doesn't scream, doesn't even let out a squeak. Though who knows...bad things could happen to those who don't do as they're ordered to. Hahahahaha!!"

[Chen Gong must be tired of doors shutting in his face, but apparently it's a sight he's going to have to get used to.]

[failednamesake]

[Oh, god.

There's still the urge to just get the demon to slaughter him himself, but that would... probably end just as badly as what Kiyomori has in store for him. For a rare moment, the strategist finds himself clamming up more than speaking, and gets shut into somewhere else once again without anything he can do about it.

Is there a way for him to take his life in here? It's going to be a million times for merciful than whatever the demons have for him. Instead, he's... left in the dark, absolutely helpless to another master.

Again.

Way to rub it in, assholes.]

[papatiger]

[Back in the cell Sun Jian is equally as frustrated by his inability to help Chen Gong. Even if he were able to somehow smash the solid wooden door in front of him with his bare hands, there is no way that he can fight his way through scores of Orochi's men without a weapon. He doesn't even know the way towards Chen Gong, much less the way out. A temporary escape means nothing if they're caught almost instantly and sentenced back to their prison, possibly in stocks and tighter surveillance. All he would succeed in doing is lower their already minuscule chance at making out of here with their lives and humanity in tact.

Eventually and reluctantly he drags himself away from the door. There's nothing he can do to help. All he can do is wait and hope that Chen Gong will at least come back with his mind intact.

Barely a few minutes have passed though before once again, he hears a sugary, saccharine voice that sets his teeth on edge.]

"Oh my, you're a very tough man, aren't you? It's been quite a while and the spell's barely taken ahold of you."

[As a gentleman, Sun Jian generally does not tackle women in the hopes of smashing and pinning them to a wall. That would be rather rude and discourteous. Still, he has to admit that the thought of smashing Daji's face into the roughly hewn stone walls of his prison is a tempting one indeed. Especially with that smirk on her face.

Daji steps forward as the pink and purple light from her teleportation circle fades away, completely unattended. Sun Jian keeps his anger in check; again, he gains nothing by attacking Daji. She's in much better shape than he is, and those huge spheres that twirl around her deal a lot more damage than what one would expect. He's already been beaten down; no need to have his bones broken next. He is, however, going to throw her a very angry look. There are limits to his politeness, after all.

She merely giggles.]

And so fierce! [Sun Jian doesn't flinch, but he keeps his stormy expression even as Daji runs a smooth hand on his cheek, one finger tracing the skin around his right eye. It's all Sun Jian can do to not spit at her, disgusted as he is by her mock flirting.]

"That's a good look for you. You know, for an old man you're quite handsome. If only you were younger..."[She sighs and drops her hand down, twirling on the spot to playfully strut a few steps away before she glances back with an extremely sly and smug smirk.]

"Your sons just can't exactly match up to you."

[Bitch.

His self-control is frayed by six months of captivity, by physical and mental torture, and the grief that he'd held back earlier from knowing what had happened to his sons...that's channeled into rage as he lunges with more strength than he thought he had left and pins Daji to the wall. His pupils flash in the darkness, two spots of eerie golden light as he uses the chains that keep his arms from full mobility to press down on her neck. Daji can scarcely gasp for air as the cold metal clamps on her windpipe.]

If you dare insult my children one more time, I swear to you it will be the last breath you ever take.

[Passionate displays of rage were more Liu Bei's territory than his. Even Tsao Tsao's wrath, cold and sharp as steel, was unsheathed to its full glory when the Hero of Chaos deems that a huge, public display of his anger would serve to silence those who oppose him. Sun Jian's rage lacks volume and despite the chain digging into Daji's skin it's not exactly cutting off her air supply; Sun Jian was raised better, and he knows that brute force doesn't accomplish anything, and that killing Daji over mere words is the mark of a lesser man. But perhaps it is the fact that he so rarely reveals his anger, and even rarely accompanies it with force, that makes its occurrence even more terrible in this occasion.

But even as the chain digs into her soft skin, Daji's shocked eyes eventually relaxes and their cunning gleam reemerges. She knows she's not in any danger.]

"Now now, I'd suggest you take your hands off me. You wouldn't want your precious little girl to meet any...unpleasant ends."

[He rarely hates. But he has come to hate Daji for what she has done to him and his family, and for holding them against him and vice versa.

Sun Jian throws one last glare her way before he pulls back from the sorceress. Daji's smirk turns into an outright evil smile and she pats him on the cheek.]

"Good kitty."

[That's what she's taken to calling him. It started out annoying, a harmless insult that he chose to ignore. But now that she's used it, calling him almost like he was her pet? That's crossing a line.

It takes effort, so much effort, to reign in his temper. He keeps Shang Xiang in his mind, keeps his daughter as his sole pillar of strength, and it's with the thought of protecting his sole remaining child that he manages to stamp down the flames that had lit up inside him.]

What do you want Daji. [He asks her flatly. He's finally aware of the two yellow dots on her face and he's figured out where they're coming from, but he won't give her the satisfaction of seeing him lose his cool again. She likes that, the damn vixen. He can tell from the curl of her lips and how she fakes her demure gaze downwards.]

"You could stand to be a little bit nicer. After all, I'm here to tell you a little good news."

[That catches him by surprise, and that surprise is all Daji needs as the Fox sets the trap up for the Tiger.]

"Sun Quan is alive."

[failednamesake]

[While Sun Jian's on the way of becoming Da Ji's newest little toy, Chen Gong's predicament is... much more direct. In the sense that he's not being screwed with mentally. Of course, they're both equally unpleasant in vastly different ways. While Da Ji specializes in hitting someone's sore points and preying on a human's remaining emotional weaknesses, Kiyomori's methods are much more to the point.

When the door is slammed in his face, it takes a while to realize that he... can't move. Chen Gong's eyes flit to the floor, before finding a glowing circles of arcane words even a scholar like him can't understand. A circle he swears wasn't there mere seconds ago, but there's no use saying that, no use howling and screaming when you're so locked in place (by fear and magic) you can't even turn your head around.]

"You're still alive? Ha ha ha!"

[He doesn't say a thing till Kiyomori levitates him right into the air, circle following him as he does. Chen Gong breaks his silence with something of a screech as he's hoisted off his feet, and that only prompts the half-demon to roar in even louder laughter.]

"To think a strategist of the warrior Lu Bu himself would be such a pathetic mortal." [And out of nowhere, his amusement turns to boredom. Chen Gong can see Kiyomori now, while he's up in the air-- he can see Kiyomori flick a wrist and toss him against the wall at the same time, into the chains and cuffs that lies in wait.

Pathetic. Why is he remembered as pathetic? It's a disgrace, to continue being insulted when his time's almost up. A disgrace, everything was such a disgrace--]

And yet, you went through the effort of trying to capture us all. [Their pursuit of Lu Bu (hah) ended in relative failure, but it wasn't too bad, itself-- they identified some people under Kiyomori's sorcery. They saved a few of them, even though that eventually ended in Lu Bu (and Nezha's?) demise at the hands of the demons. They knew they could save people from the mind-control. It's the literal transformation into demons that's going to trip them up in the end.] Why? Why would you end up losing so many soldiers if the opposing strategist was 'pathetic'?

[...Should he have said that?

Well, Kiyomori doesn't seem to care. Instead, the cuff around one of his wrists just become tighter. And tighter. And--]

"Know your place. If it were not for Da Ji, you would be dead long before this. Now, you'll have the honor of joining our army. Treat your gifts with respect, as they all come from me!"

[The cuff on his left isn't just uncomfortable, it's beginning to press again his bones. There's runes running all over the metal now, and the tiny, intricate parts of his wrist that can't ever be fixed begin to fall into themselves and when one of them cracks he finally loses his composure.

Only in expression, though. He bites back against screaming, though it hurts and once one has cracked the rest of them just continue, stabbing into the veings and falling out his skin, but for some reason even though he feel it he can't see any blood, only see his wrist disappearing against the wall as the cuff shrinks--

The runes dance off the cuff and into his left hand, before the cuff suddenly retreats into the wall completely, letting his hand drop.

And making another sprout instantly in its place, its re-arranged bones feeling as though his normal ones have been... wrapped tightly together. Which they just have been, with more breakage and pain. The grey skin of his new, more pointed fingers make Chen Gong almost believe they aren't his, but it doesn't take much effort to move them.

It isn't like shooting commands into the nerves of a new limb, like a newborn child trying to walk. It's already there. Always... has been?

Oh.

That's when he really starts screaming.]

[papatiger]

[Perhaps that's why Daji had taken over Kiyomori's place as Sun Jian's chief tormentor. He could withstand a punch to the gut or a crack at his head, but his children are his everything, more precious than any treasure in the world. Knowing that he's lost one son and dangling the other's safety to shake his resistance...that requires a finer touch than Kiyomori's, but no less cruel. Daji is perfect for the job.

He hears Chen Gong scream and for a split second he wants to demand them to stop, because he's been in the strategist's shoes and he knows how much it hurts to have your humanity being ripped out from your body. But Daji holds up a slim finger and shakes her head.]

"I don't think you should be worried about him right now. We're in the middle of a discussion after all. "

[Sun Jian's eyes narrow, but all he can muster for his suffering comrade is a silent apology. Daji curls her hand near her cheek and grins. ]

"I'm so glad you're finally seeing things my way. So! Back to our deal... [She giggles and clasps her hands gleefully like a young, giddy girl, but her eyes can't conceal the sadistic pleasure she's experiencing right now at Sun Jian's internal anguish over the dilemma she's presented to him.] Do you agree to my terms then? I think I'm already being quite generous! I make sure that not a single hair on your little boy's head is touched, and in return...I want to test my own twist on Kiyomori's spell on you."

[It sounds too good to be true, that all she's asking for is his cooperation with her little experiment. She's not even asking for his allegiance. There has to be something more to this deal. He can't see it, not directly, but there has to be a trick here. Some fine line in the extremely fine print that's dodging his attention.]

"Of course, it might hurt just a teensy little bit more...but I'm sure a big, strong man like yourself can handle a tiny pinch or two. Or three."

[She sees him hesitating though, and her tone shifts to mock disappointment. She's still playing with him though even as she feigns exasperation.]

"Aren't I generous enough? You drive a hard bargain, Sun Jian."

[And then that sly, arrogant smile plays on her lips again as she finally pushes him to an ultimatum.]

"Ah well. I suppose I'll just have to look for another willing assistant then. Maybe one of the new..."volunteers" to Kiyomori's army. They don't object to much. In fact...they don't object at all. Let's see, there's the God of War, Tsao Tsao's supposedly unbreakable shield Tsao Ren, and Nobunaga's pretty boy toy...oh, who else am I missing-"

Enough.

[He knows who is going to be at the end of that list. And he will not let his children be Daji's playthings. If he can no longer protect them...then he will at least spare them the pain of losing their grip on humanity.

Abandoning caution and good sense to the wind, he steels himself and says out loud:]

I'll do it. But if I find out that you went back on your word...I promise you that will be your end.

[His ominous words don't scare her at all. As she beckons him forward to follow her into her portal, he feels himself grow increasingly numb despite knowing some relief that his son will be spared. He will always resist Orochi and the dark forces that threaten to snuff out humanity's flame, but he knows that from now on he has set himself on a path from which there is no return. No matter where he goes from this point on...he has a feeling that Daji's finally secured a victory for herself that will haunt him for the rest of his life.

The Demon may have failed, but the Fox has finally tamed the Tiger.]