Kneel in Pieces [Battle Thread]

Screaming filled Shan Yu’s pointed ears. 

The dark man could have used his warrior’s discipline to focus on any of the sounds in the chaos that broke upon Nottingham’s main square. He could have listened to the thundering of his steed’s hooves on rapidly reddening cobblestones, which was echoed by the two other horses bearing the only humans in his group. He could have listened to the ragged cackling of the hyena and scraggly lion flanking him, or the odd cadence of the pink demon on their side. He could’ve bent his ear to the hefty feline, as savage as a tiger, launching himself into battle with animals twice his size.

But it was the screaming that Shan Yu’s heightened senses caught hold of. 

The Hun army had trampled many enemies. Sometimes they were warriors who thought they could escape an ambush, or dignitaries that traveled as freely as if they owned China itself. But often, Shan Yu had led his men to snuff out families, refugees who escaped the villages he’d ravaged. Today, in hot pursuit of the small kingdom of Lady Tremaine’s former occupation, would be such a victory.

”There is no mercy for the enemies of the Cursed Thorns! None escape us!” Roared the Hun, cutting down a peasant with the characteristic dark hair native to their prey. Shan Yu had trained his animal and human troops alike before leaving: these were the traits of their quarry. Dressed raggedly from their long escape across the Merged Worlds, weary, and following a dethroned Prince. The citizens of Nottingham were running for shelter...but if they got in the way, or tried to protect the refugees, Shan Yu would only stop just short of burning this village as he had countless others.

This was a statement. This was the predator warning it’s enemies of what happened to prey that thought it could not be hunted down.

”Sorcerer! Block off the town’s borders. There will be no refugees, this time.” The husky voice shot like an arrow towards Mozenrath. Shan Yu didn’t care if that were within the pale desert-dweller’s abilities. If he must have a magicker in his ranks, he would get what he could out of it.

”Hyena, lion Prince, and you,” Shan Yu thrust his sword in the direction of a man just finishing hoisting his family onto a mule, planning escape. He shouted to be heard by Nuka, Ed, and 624 over the din of panic. ”Pull down their beasts.” This would be utter destruction. The more total their extermination, the clearer the message.

Finally, he swung to the cat. He’d allowed Dragon to ride his steed with him. There was something like Hyabusa’s savage eye in the small animal that had rewarded him with Shan Yu’s approval. He lowered his falcon to perch near the cat and nodded. ”You two, into the houses. Find where the rats are hiding and, if you can, flush them from their holes. You!” The Hun’s glove indicated Denahi. ”With me.”

It had been many years since Shan Yu had traveled and worked with warriors who actually needed his express commands. The Hun Army had known their leader so well, they’d moved as efficiently as a silent, bloodthirsty wolf pack. The Cursed Thorns had supplied him with these. He would make the best of them, but make no mistake—Shan Yu believed the reason they hadn’t cleaned up this refugee party for nearly a year to be the fault of his troops.

But the lust of murder swept these broodings from Shan Yu’s fierce brain. His imposing brows arched in terrifying display over molten gold eyes. He reared his horse, swung his blade up, and galloped further into town, bearing down upon a small family trying to force their way into the shelter of a tavern. He needn’t use his sword. Trampling would be faster.