Dynasties of Shiryu:

Chapter I: Dragon and Lion

There weren't always dragons in the Valley there, a Golden lion that shines like the sun lived for thousands of years before the dragon arrived in the valley, and they are believed to be Gods. Bonded with their blood to create a Dragon Lion called Shiryu. In a world split by a large island volcano in the middle of the planet called Volcano of Ryu lies a world called Munji. Many civilizations rose up in this world, these humans called themselves Hunnans in the first language of the first civilization of Munji. This civilization settled on this world prospered and settled across different continents. Munji before of the arrival of Hunnans was inhabited and dominated by Shiryu a dragon-like creature with mane a body of a lion and eyes that glow like crystals, for thousands of years these creatures dominated the world of Munji. A herd of Shiryu called Gons migrated throughout the islands across Munji before the arrival of Hunnans that came from the rise of the first hunt from the first civilization from the unknown lands in the south of Munji. Shiryu is not able to fly, but some species of Shiryu can breathe underwater for hours. They only eat fish and Landash and meat from Niushi cow like creatures but are almost the size of a small house. One diet of Shiryu is Landash where it can only be seen every fire spring where ash rains for months like snow across Munji. Shiryu feast on these ashes that feels like snow, but it is not cold legend has it that Landash give Shiryu special powers. The Hunnans in the era of the first civilization started the first hunt and hunted the Shiryu to the brink of extinction.

Ultimately, a former Shiryu hunter by the name of Munjin tamed an incredibly rare breed of Shiryu and domesticated these creatures before they became extinct. With this symbiosis between Hunnans and Shiryu. The Hunnans flourished and progressed with Shiryu by their side. Nourishment and medicine and developing technology even used Shiryu as instruments of war. The Hunnans for thousands of years from the first taming of Munjin to the present era of the Shiryu the Hunnans lived and survived the world side by side with the Shiryu. The Hunnans eventually created kingdoms and formed countries even empires that for thousands of years lived, strived and traded with each other in relative peace, but not for long. Ryu-yong, a former kingdom that went into a bloody 5 year of civil war in the era of the first tame, Ryu-yong became the first Republic now a cultural and economic trade hub for many kingdoms and countries across Munji. They created a state in which many people strive to live in yet, with their success and progress as a civilization, comes with many troubles from their neighbours. After the civil war in Ryu-yong they created alliances and economic treaties with other countries, with it, they also reformed and created a new and developed army.

The neighbouring country the Yang kingdom, a once peaceful and prosperous country ruled by the Jing dynasty, is engulfed by internal strife and civil war. The Prince of Yang Jun Jing the unmerciful who rebelled against his father, King of Yang his Highness Juniji Jing by reason still unknown, but many believed it's because the prince is hungry for power. In the treaties and alliance with the republic of Ryu-yong it agreed between the two countries that the government of Ryu-yong will be obligated to ai them in times of war. Ever, the kingdom of Yang is in need of help or its king Ryu-yong must send its best general to aid them in military campaigns. The Yang kingdom was the largest trade partner and brethren of the Ryu people. The Republic of Ryu-yong suffered economic blows and trade disruption the economic that created problems for Ryu-yong, not a single trader or merchant, even Yang citizens is barred from leaving the kingdom by decree of their king. The king feared Yang refugee will affect his kingdom's prestige and economy if many people from his land which mostly are peasants migrated.

Refugees flooded the border, but many were still trapped inside the war torn lands of the Yang. Those who will disobey their entire family will be arrested, as the Ryu-yong council believed regardless of the agreement between the Yang, their king made his entire country hostages. At time not a single Yang citizen was able to travel or trade-in Ryu-yong resources and businesses dwindled inside Ryu-yong. Because of this, the Republic of Ryu-yong sent an army of 50,000 strong to be sent and fight against the rebel Prince of yang and his separatist army. The Ryu-yong army is led by General Danji Gurgawa, the leader of the Golden Shiryu spear who is a decorated Commander who led 500 Ryu soldiers against 2000 Baktrum Bandits and won the battle. They managed to save the border of Ryu-yong citizens living at the border of Draygunz badlands. Danji with 50,000 Ryu soldiers marched through the border of the Yang kingdom. The march took them 5 days before arriving at the border. The atmosphere of the campaign was eerily different, the General pushed on full of confidence but, it is visible in eyes of men of General Danji they do not favour this campaign. General Danji’s army called themselves the Golden spears, a very well-trained and the army have one of the best Ryu-yongs Shiryu cavalry across Munji. The Ryu army arrived at the border, then made camp near the Yang delta river, a river that separates the two countries. They fortified their positions and a night of feasting commenced after days of hard marching, the Ryu soldiers were quiet and nervous despite morale being high amongst the soldiers everyone was on edge. The uncertainty of what they will face against the Yang separatist is unknown. The Ryu army has not yet faced the Yang in any pitched battle in the entire history of Ryu-yong they have close and almost similar cultural traits for them, it felt like fighting their relatives. The next morning, the Ryu army was preparing to continue their march, the army was in the process of moving out when thunderous roars of Shiryu were heard from the forest. Every Ryu foot soldiers rushed and positioned themselves Spearman in front engineers prepared the catapults and archers at the rear and heavy Shiryu cavalry on the flanks. Now it seems like an early greeting of battle shall commence.

The Ryu army positioned themselves overlooking the river and General Danji shouted “Prepare the catapult!.” While the Ryu engineers loaded the catapult, white smoke came out from the forest. General Danji and the rest of the Ryu soldiers were baffled. As white smog covers the field and the forest, another thunderous roars from Shiryu and battle cries blanketed across the forest and fields. The ground shakes, while loud noise of screaming men and roars of Shiryu can be heard. Now the Ryu soldiers grasp and grip their weapons tight. General Danji shouts at his men ``Sons of Ryu-yong hold the line! Hold your ground! We are Golden spears!”. As General Danji unsheathed his Dragon sword, made out gold and scales from a Shiryu. Waves of Shiryu riders came out from the fog with thunderous roars, riders in full-scale Red armour of Yang rode down towards the Ryu-yong lines. The Red Yang banners of the prince can be seen in the lines of the cavalry. The Ryu-yong Spearmen raised their pikes at the ready, the Red Yang drew close, the eyes of the Ryu soldiers widens their golden spears shines the battle has begun. The Red Yang separatist plunged to the spears of the Ryu; some Ryu spearmen were torn to pieces by the jaws of the Shiryu many Ryu soldiers were killed by the waves of the Red Yang riders but many of them were killed along with their Shiryu’s. The Golden spears of the Ryu-yong held their ground and stopped the momentum of the Red Yang their lines almost broke, but they reformed and stood their ground; it was total pandemonium after that screams of men across the field. General Danji shouted, “ Let loose the firepots!”. The engineers of the Ryu-yong anxiously put a pots ignited by fire in the catalpults. The ground was filled with fire and smoke; many Red Yang separatist riders pulled back, many were burned and injured by the barrage from the catalpults. As the Engineers load another volley in the catapult. General Danji raised his dragon sword again and yelled “Ballista!”. A banner man raised his flag with the symbol of an arrow. Lines of archers and ballista men formed a line, the archers stretched their arrows upwards and the ballistas loaded their bolts. General Danji shouted again, “Rain down on them!”. The archers and ballista rained arrows and bolts at the lines of Red Yang riders. Scores of Red Yang warriors and their Shiryu were killed many fell to the ground drenched in arrows and bolts. Several volleys from the catapults and archers and ballista rained down on the Red Yang riders and their foot soldiers who came behind thee waves of Shiryu cavalry. General Danji then rode and led the Golden Shiryu cavalry to the right flank. He positioned the cavalry perfectly to the flank of the Yang lines, and one of his captains led hundreds of Golden Shiryu riders to the left as a pincer manoeuvre. The tactic was simple, to overwhelm the lines of the Red Yang separatists. The Ryu-yong riders roared and shouted their war cries that , it almost can be heard in the heavens. Their war cries were fierce and Ryu–yong Shiryu roared the Red Yang is now in great peril. They charged both sides of the flanks of the Red Yang separatists tremendously overwhelming the Red Yang. The Red Yang separatists sounded the horns of retreat, many of their soldiers and what was left of their riders pulled back. The Red Yang separatists were defeated, the battle was over. Bodies of Yang separatists and Ryu-yong soldiers littered the field fires and smoke was everywhere. General Danji was riding across the field analyzing the aftermath of the battle. Everywhere Ryu soldiers try to find and pick up their fallen comrades to be given a proper funeral, General then got off his Shiryu and picked up a broken banner beside from a dead Red Yang. He stared at the symbol of the separatists, The Red flag of Yang. He turned and looked at his captains who were following behind him and said “Now we can see what this war will be about in coming weeks”. The Ryu-yong council who gave the campaign to General Danji underestimated the severity of the Yang kingdom civil war. They thought it was just a tantrum of a spoiled prince who wanted his own kingdom, reports and intelligence was not clear it watered down. What General Danji and his men did not know is that the campaign will be one of the bloodiest wars Ryu-yong will ever face. News of the victory was spread across the entire city of Ryu-yong. Many people buried their faces in the Written papers, the title of the papers ``The white smoke in the forest was vanquished by General Danji and the Golden Shiryu spears”. The name of General Danji was everywhere, public speakers across were telling the story of the valiant bravery of General Danji and The Golden Shiryu Spears in Taverns and bath houses. All you can hear were talks and stories about the battle. A woman in a white cloak and white headscarf saw a paper and the news of the victory of General Danji. She grabbed one of the papers that was on the ground. The woman rushed to the Shiryu carriage and shouted “Bring me back home”. The coachman swiftly drove off after the orders of the lady. The carriage arrived at a large house with a golden roof. The doors of the house are circular and made from the finest Ryu wood. The marbles on the walls shine with sunlight, and the garden is filled with Serpent lotus flowers and the greenest grass. The lady came out of the carriage. The house is filled with servants and maidens, all of them lined up in two lines, bowed to greet this lady. Armana Gurgawa is her name, and she is the sister of General Danji. She is renowned for her skills in Shiryu riding and Yumi eye archery and she became an owner of the biggest export and import industries in Ryu-yong. Armana is highly respected and admired in the council and amongst the upper echelon of the Ryu-yong society. The Gurgawa family is also part of the great dynasties of Ryu. Armana is also known for her beauty and grace. Hundreds of noble families and theirs sons desperately courted her but, failed. Armana has no time for marriage, she only thinks about how to protect her family and the legacy of their dynasty. Armana looks like she has a skin of the clouds, eyes that shines like moonlight and lips that tears to the heart, a beauty of all beauty. Armana sat down in the middle of the garden reading about the details and reports in the Ryu newspapers about her brother General Danji while she takes a sip of a cup of lotus tea a rider came bearing a letter. As the rider approached the gate, he was stopped by the guards, he took out a scroll with a seal and symbol of the Gurgawa clan. The guards then pulled back their weapons, took the letter and asked the rider to come with him. The guard brought the rider to Armana the rider took a knee and bowed his head. The rider is wearing the colours of the Golden spears “Greetings lady of the Gurgawa clan, My lady, I have an urgent letter for you from the General.” the rider while kneeling in one knee head bowed took out the scroll and presented it to Armana with two hands. Armana received the letter. She took a knife hidden and strapped in her leg. She opened the letter with his secret seal to determine the authenticity of the letter's writer. Armana and Danji have their own secret codes to determine authenticity of letters they give each other that only two of them knows since their childhood.

After reading the letter, Armana asked the rider how did he manged to ride out of Yang territory if they were surrounded by the Red Yang, according to the letter General Danji request for help the entire Golden spear after a few days after the battle was surrounded by the armies of the Prince, and now they fortified, but cornered somewhere in the mountains. The Rider revealed to Armana that the General Bribed a high ranking politician that supported the Rebellion, in exchange he gave the politician the general's prized necklaced that was given to him by their mother. The rider was given access to the border riding for almost a week, day and night, almost killing his Shiryu from exhaustion. That night Armana went to her nest stables, there she saddled up her Shiryu named Asuri. Armana’s Shiryu is unique for it is one of the rarest breeds from the Purple bloodline that came from a pure breed of Shiryu that is believed to be the direct line of the first tamed Shiryu of Munjin the Tamer, he named Hogun. Legend has it that pure souls are the only ones who are able to ride a Pure breed Purple blood Shiryu that if one is not pure in soul the Shiryu will devour the being that tries to rides it. The purple bloodline visible pureness of Shiryu distinctive for their purple mane and blue crysltal eyes very long horns and violet scales. It is said that one Shiryu breed such as Asuri will cost a boatload of Golden stones from all the countries in Munji. Asuri was given to her by her father Dangu a Shiryu specialist and former general of The Golden Spear Shiryu, after the passing of their mother to help her heal from the pain and grief of losing her. General Dangu studied these rare Shiryu in the wild steppe on the volcanic island of Ryu. Very few Hunnans ever step foot on the island and survived for the Shiryu that inhabited the island are extremely dangerous and powerful, It is said Shiryu soul possessed the power of the immortal blessing given by the Dragon and Lion God that if the owner and the tamer were connected deeply to the Shiryu that person will possess magical power. It is known that a pure Shiryu such as Asuri can only be tamed by a direct bloodline of Munjin according to the legends or the one who is inflicted with the Oni eyes. A physiological condition that renders the infected in a prolonged catatonic state that said to be inflicted through great trauma or great evil in them that gave them a pureness of soul, the afflictions is said incredibly rare. The story of how her father came to tame the pure breed Shiryu is a mystery because their father disappeared before he revealed to them how the rare Shiryu was found and tamed by their father. The real truth behind the taming of Asuri was never proven, nor their father ever mentioned how he got the Shiryu all they know is that Dangu came home with a Shiryu cub with purple fur. Armana prepare and covered the purple mane of Asuri with a black blanket to hide her existence for it will give unnecessary attention from the public or worse. Armana gave instructions to her maidens that if anyone comes looking for her, tell them she is resting in their temple in countryside. She rode Asuri as fast as she could, riding all day to go and search for another general and commander of an army. The other general is known to be stationed in the south of the territories of the Ryu-yong. The general she is looking for is near the borders of the Ryu-yong capital of Mokyo, but still takes many days' ride. In the Ryu river is the encampment of General Ejio, leader and commander of the Silver Shield Shiryu army. General Ejio and his army were stationed in the south to build the finest defences for the wide and massive River of Ryu. This place is plagued by river pirates who raid many towns and villages even their neighbour in the south, the Moon long republic, is facing problems because of these pirates. Many Ryu-yong settlers have been terrorized and murdered by these marauding pirates in the river. Armana arrived at night after days of travelling, when she arrived she saw the wide and tall walls built by General Ejio and his engineers made from silver and pure mud ore. Armana got off Asuri and stared at the massive gate and walls in front of her. A night guard shouted, “Who goes there!”. Armana answered, “I am Armana daughter of General Dangu, I need to talk to your general!”. As she is well known around Ryu-yong the guards at the gates could not believe it at first, then the General of the army shouted at them from behind to open the gates. The wide silver gates opened, General Ejio was standing in front of her in full-scale Silver Shiryu armour. Armana approaches General Ejio and said“Long time no see sister.”

He brought Armana into his wooden temple home as his lodging. Armana and Ejio sat down at his table littered with maps and ink pens and paper documents. Ejio poured a cup of flamed tea for her, she then requested for a lotus tea Ejio smiled a said “We don’t have that luxury here we are at the front flamed tea is the only thing we can serve you” which Armana just accepted with no complaints. Armana then asked her brother how life has been on the frontiers of the edges of Ryu-yong. Ejio gave her a little smirk “life has been nothing but a constant suppression of the belligerent pirates that swarm the river”. Ejio raised his head and asked Armana what was the purpose of her sudden visit. The road is long and can be dangerous, especially at this time, yet Armana risked riding alone with her Shiryu to talk to him personally. General Ejio questioned they have not talked in years. Armana told Ejio everything about the situation of their brother General Danji. Armana explained to him about the dire situation that befalls Danji and his army. “Brother Danji is surrounded by the Red Yang separatist. The campaign against the Prince was a possible set-up to separate and distract the armies of Ryu they possibly know you are tied down here in the south. The Yang separatist knew that our armies were scattered in different fronts. They know that each army is occupied besides Danji. The campaign is supposed to be to help the king and end the Yang civil war but, it turns out, the Red Yang separatist already controlled every single territory of the Yang kingdom”. Ejio asked Armana how did she know this, Armana gave the scroll to Ejio for him to read their brother's letter. General Ejio read the letter, after reading it he walked towards the window hands on his back looking at the river. “There is no knowledge of the king, all Danji knows is that the Prince is already in control”. Ejio went back to the table, took a sip of his flamed tea and grabbed a piped and lights it up as he blew a smoke. Ejio looked at Armana deep into her eyes ``Sister I want to help Danji but, entrapment and request for aid is a possible trap set by the prince. “We must be wary even if the letter sent to you has the seal of Danji we will never know until we truly spoke to him personally, and we need to talk to the council first before we march out for them”. Armana stand up in frustration, she then told Ejio about their secret codes that only her and him knows to make sure their letters are truly coming from them. Ejio grabbed her hand and said ”Danji is a smart and tactical leader he will hold strong if ever he truly is trapped by the Yang separatist. We must infiltrate the borders of Yong in a manner of which not even the council will know, speed and silence are needed we will never know who is paid or working with the prince inside the council of Ryu-yong. but, to do that I will have to cut my army in half, so we can march faster. At the same time, many soldiers are needed to defend the river and the Ryu-yong townsfolk that live across the river and the border. I just can’t march my whole army north and leave the south defenseless.” Ejio took a deep breath and looked at Armana “Sister, we may need the help of the horde”. Armana in frustration yelled “Danji! The horde is very dangerous. The Republic only unleashed them when everything is a lost cause. They may carry our flag or the name of the republic of Ryu-yong but, they are nothing but, an army of bloodthirsty butchers who are deprived of any Hunnan emotions and behaviours they are nothing but, a bunch of Stoic killers. If we seek their help, we may unleash untold damages and destruction to the Yang kingdom, and they probably are in dire situations cause by the civil war. They are only devoted to war and destruction, that is why they went and settled in the Mountain sands so that they can consistently battle Armies of Sand Lizards in their own game of war.” Ejio knows they don’t have a choice, the armies of Ryu-yong are powerful, but it is also limited to its own professional volunteers of warrior men and women who want to serve and go through the rigorous training of Jutzu. Conscription is not allowed by the decree of the republic after the civil war of Ryu-yong and Jutzu priest required the blessing and training to become part of Silver Shield and the Dark Horde armies. The manpower of Ryu-yong armies is one of its weakest links. Aside from the possible betrayal inside the council, conscription and recruitment of men without the blessing and training called the Shiryu Jutzu Way making it impossible for Ejio to conscript men along the way to Yang kigndom. Only Danji’s army is allowed to conscript under the law of Free armies. The Silver shield can only accept soldiers with the blessing of the Jutzu. And with The Dark Shiryu horde, one can only be part of the horde if they go through the Rebirth of the Shadow. If Ejio recruits along the way to the north, without the blessings, he will be excommunicated by the Jutzu priest for betraying the Jutzu way. He knows acquiring the aid of the horde is needed if they are to defeat the Usurper Prince. The bitterness Armana has for the dark hoarde started when Armana was younger when she joined her father and two brothers in one of his campaigns against the Hoguns and the territorial dispute of islands. Hoguns and Ryu-yong republic wants to control at the time of the great Hogun war several unclaimed territories of several prominent families in Ryu-yong that claimed the land. Armana’s father the Golden Spears defensive line is being overrun by thousands of Hogun Tribal warriors in a simultaneous attack from all fronts. Her father knows the Dark Horde are encamped there as preparations to reinforce the United Golden spear and Silver shields if they cannot defeat the Hoguns who also have one of the best warriors across Munji. It was one of the most unforgettable experiences for Armana as she and her two brothers, Danji and Ejio who are just still captains at this time, set sail to find and seek the help of the Dark Shiryu Horde. They managed to arrive in time for the horde to assist them in this war and help their father’s army win the war against the Hogun but, the bloodshed and brutality of the aftermath of the Dark Shiryu horde left millions of Hogun’s from warriors to civilians massacred. Not a single living Hunnan soul was spared in their attacks. Only when the Hogun Tribe kings asked for a peace treaty and negotiation began the Dark Horde seize their brutal campaigns. Armana felt responsible for the brutality and bloodshed in the wake of the Dark horde. For years, it deeply affected Armana’s views of war and scarred her, which is why she became a businesswoman instead of a career in Ryu-yong Military. Because of this experience, she held deep disgust and disdain for the Dark horde even though she respects their bravery skills and tenacity for war she cannot accept their brutal interpretation of the Jutzu way of war of total annihilation, or they call Kamirochi. Ejio told Armana to get some sleep and rest. He will tell her his decision and plans first thing in the morning. Ejio sat in his officer's chair smoking his pipe, contemplating what to do in order to help his brother and to make sure this information was not some ruse made by the Prince to trap them. If the Prince did have complete supremacy in the Yong kingdom. Ejio knows this war is not just about who wins the field. Ejio knows he truly needs the Dark Horde. A memory of his encounters with the river pirates comes back to him. The river runs with blood and bodies scattered floating in the river, smoke and fire can be smelled from the air, flashes of these memories running in the mind of General Ejio as he walks her sister to rest for the night. Thousands of river pirates once plagued the areas across the Ryu river. For almost two years, the Silver Shield Shiryu battled, rescued, and sheltered people against the incursion of the pirates. In one encounter, General Ejio cannot escape his memories from time to time haunted him.