Sun Shangxiang stands on the deck of a Wu naval ship, her keen eyes scanning the horizon as the combined forces of Wu and Liu Bei prepare for the impending battle at Chibi. Their prospects aren’t great, truthfully-- Cao Cao has a larger navy. But, her brother has the better navy, and a bunch of talented strategists on hand. The wind whips through her short bobbed hair, causing stray strands to tickle her face. She brushes them away absentmindedly, tucks them beneath her headband, her focus solely on the task at hand. This makes me so excited... We'll make a name for ourselves, starting now.
"Princess, your brother requests your presence in his command tent," one of her personal guards informs her, snapping her out of her thoughts.
She nods curtly, making her way towards the tent, then enters. Sun Quan, Zhou Yu, Lu Su, and Liu Bei’s strategist Zhuge Liang are gathered around a map, discussing strategies. Her brother looks up as she approaches, a mix of affection and concern in his eyes as he takes in his younger sister, armored and ready.
"Shangxiang, I want you to lead a unit of archers during the battle," he says, his tone leaving no room for argument. "But I need you to promise me that you'll be careful. We can't afford to lose you."
She feels a surge of pride at being entrusted with such an important task, but also a twinge of annoyance at his overprotectiveness. I'm not a child anymore, Quan. I can handle myself in battle. I’m a warrior. She thinks, but she knows better than to voice her thoughts aloud right now-- she’ll get on his ass about it later.
Instead, she nods, determination flashing in her emerald eyes and a confident smile on her face. "I promise, brother. I won't let you down."
As the meeting concludes and the generals begin to disperse, Shangxiang catches sight of Liu Bei across the tent. Their eyes meet briefly, and she feels a flutter in her chest. Focus, Shangxiang. You have a job to do. With a determined nod, she turns and strides out of the tent, ready to face whatever challenges lie ahead at Chibi. Never has the battlefield seen anyone wield a bow like me.
