Legend of Glory

Legend of Glory

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Eleven: The Legend’s Truth

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“Wait!”

--

Seto fell, landing on his feet. He held his hands out, preventing his body from completely falling over. He turned, watching Katsuya land beside him. Katsuya did not react to the fall in the same way, however, and tragically stumbled forward, rolling onto his back.

Wincing, Katsuya squeezed his eyes shut, hiding the reflection of the sun from his view. He turned on his side, opening his eyes to see Seto watching him with concern.

“Are you all right?” Seto asked.

“Y--yeah,” hissed Katsuya, sitting up. “What just happened?”

Shaking his head, Seto allowed his eyes to drift over Katsuya’s marking. Getting to his feet, Seto stumbled over to Katsuya, and pushed the man down.

“Hey!” Katsuya shrieked, watching Seto grab his left arm. “What are…?” He bit his lip, keeping silenced as Seto examined the wolf marking.

“Where did you get this mark?” Seto asked. He sounded harsh, but the man was nothing more but desperate, almost afraid by the marking. As Katsuya kept quiet, Seto’s tone sharpened. “I asked you a question!”

“I was born with it,” Katsuya answered swiftly. He shoved Seto off of him, and backed away.

“Born with it,” Seto shook his head. “I was, as well.” Seto revealed his own marking, the dragon no longer glowed. “What does this all mean?”

Standing, Katsuya growled. “I don’t care! And I also don’t care about what that old hag said! How can we just stop seeing each other?”

“Of course,” Seto said, also standing. “How devastated would you be if you couldn’t see me?”

A moment of pause followed. Katsuya stared, gaping from shock. Slowly, his lips locked as his head lowered, suddenly finding the grass below fascinating. “U--uh… Well…” Katsuya shrugged.

“I understand,” Seto smirked. He whistled for Blue Eyes, listening for her cacophonous wings. She soon came, flapping to the ground with such ease. Getting upon Blue Eyes, Seto turned to Katsuya. “I have something I must do! It is very fascinating that we are more alike than we seem! These markings are no coincidence, mutt, and I shall prove it to you!” Kicking Blue Eyes into gear, the dragon rose into the air and began decent as Seto shouted, “See you tomorrow!”

“See ya…” Katsuya softly voiced, allowing his mind to wander.

What was the purpose of the markings?

What devilish plan was that witch plotting?

--

“Eighteen. Fifty. Seventy-two. One hundred.”

“Again!”

Licking his lips, Noa began to repeat what he had read. He read over words -- again and again. He followed rules of spells and ideas within the many pages of spell books sitting before him. His father was working him hard, and yet he wished to know why. He knew that he would not take his father’s place as ruler someday. That job was to be given to Seto. And why? Only because of, to Noa, some stupid mark that means shit to the young turquoise haired boy’s mind. But he obeyed his father’s wishes, continuing studying and training. “Eighteen. Fifty. Seventy-two. One hundred.”

“Good,” Gozaburo nodded, patting his son’s shoulder. “You are doing quite well, my son. Continue.”

“Yes, father,” Noa answered.

From the doorway, Seto entered. He listened, watching Noa working before him. The boy was not nearly as far in study as Seto was. Seto was far more advanced, not only due to him being older, but do to him being wiser, and more intelligent. Still, Noa was a fine boy doing a fine job. Though not related, Seto somehow was proud of Noa’s hardworking confidence.

“Ah! Seto,” Gozaburo looked up, moving away from his son to talk with Seto. “You are here at an interesting time. Did you need something?”

“I’ve left something in the library,” Seto lied. His lie was only somewhat truthful. He’d go to the library to search, but not for something he had misplaced. He was going for answers. Answers of his marking. Answers of his past. Answers that his father never dared reveal to him.

“I see,” Gozaburo said. “Well, it is not like you to lose things Seto. If you need any help, do not hesitate to ask me.”

“Thank you,” bowed Seto. He took his leave, moving past Noa and into the library down the stone-cold hallway.

Noa, watching Seto’s body disappear behind doors, turned his attention on his father.

“Keep reading,” ordered Gozaburo.

Sighing, Noa continued with his studies.

--

“No.”

“That doesn’t help.”

“Ugh….”

Seto had begun searching the library. He searched through documents of all kinds, scrolls, papers, and tablets. He was coming on empty with his search, but he was hardly close to giving up. He knew that somewhere, anywhere, there are hidden secrets no one has told him. He continued, taking one book off shelves and shelves of books. He continued on.

Finally, a certain book caught his eye. Unlike the others, it was old, almost dusty. Brown in color, its pages appeared to be falling out, some in pieces, and some already missing. Gently, Seto held the book out, and opened its fragile pages. Inside, he was almost startled by what he saw. Many images, some of his marking, some of the wolf marking. Images shined of the dragon and wolf facing each other, glaring at the other with people surrounding them. In those images, the people lie dying, bloody and wounded. As the dragon was attacking the wolf, the wolf was attacking the dragon.

The images were terrifying, and quite startling. Seto stared, unsure as if why the images would be as such. He turned to the next page, hoping to see anyway around the frightening sight. On this page, words were spread across. The language was of Seto’s tribe. He was thankful for that, and began to read what he could, even with some letterings faded and worn.

“Legend speaks that in years to come, a child will be born with the sign of the mark. The marking shall be burnt into the skin of the child, him or her unable to remove it from its position. It shall take the form of that which the people command, and it shall never fade, nor shall it ever disappear by cuts to the flesh. It shall be a sign, a sign that commands thee people to follow that child when it is grown, and accept that child as their new leader.”

“However…” Seto flipped the page. “Ye child shall be warned, for it shall not be the only born with the sign. Another child shall be born, that child with a similar mark of its peoples’ guardians. And as is said, both the child of the tribe of dragons must protect his people from the one with the mark of the wolf. If it is not done as such, then the tribe of dragons shall crumble.”

Not finishing reading, Seto shut the book tight. His eyes meet with the ceiling above, showing his disappointed frown. “Oh father. Why didn’t you tell me?”

“For safety reasons, and beyond such…”

Startled, Seto turned. His gaze met Gozaburo’s.

“I must admit that I had never believed the legend,” Gozaburo smirks, moving over to Seto. He slowly took the book from Seto’s hands, flipping it open to gaze at the images. “The story seemed maniacal, I might add, as such stories are. Though I was a nonbeliever, many believed. Your father was one of them.”

“How shocked we were when you came into this world,” continued Gozaburo. “I can still remember when I first saw the mark.” Closing his eyes, Gozaburo took a deep breath, allowing the past memories to leave him. “Such wonder. Such an honor, on your parents part. They were so proud when you came into this world. Even more were they when they saw the mark.”

Closing the book, Gozaburo passed Seto, setting the book where it belonged. “They were wonderful people, your parents. They wanted everything to be perfect for when you would take my place. I almost felt disrespected by them, as if they were eagerly awaiting my death.” Turning, Gozaburo faced Seto. His eyes, stern and empty, focused on Seto’s own trembling eyes of sorrow. “Pity they have not survived to see you now. You’ve grown wise, and I know that you have made me proud.”

Gozaburo circled around Seto, allowing his chapped lips to draw close to Seto’s left ear. Seto could feel the man’s breath upon his skin, and it made him shiver with fear. Gozaburo, though he hid his true intentions for Seto, was easily winning Seto’s despair by mentioning the boy’s parents. “But I must ask,” Gozaburo began, his words only a whisper in Seto’s ear. “Why is it that you haunt for details of the past? Why do you suddenly care about the story?” Grinning, Gozaburo saw Seto tighten, so he understood that his words were cutting Seto deeply. “Ah… You are that interested? Perhaps you are interested by the other side of the story?”

Seto spoke not. He allowed his lips to partially part, but that gained Gozaburo’s confidence. Of course, the man was correct.

“I see,” said Gozaburo, stepping back. “You are most curious. So, I shall commend to any questions you may have.”

“You are -- serious?” Seto asked, quite startled that Gozaburo would allow such for him.

“I am,” Gozaburo smiled. “However, there is a small catch…”

“Of course,” Seto smirked. “What do you want?”

“Questions,” Gozaburo went on. “I deserve questions from you.”

“Questions from me?” Seto shook his head, taking a seat before his leader. “I - I am sorry, High Gozaburo,” Seto stuttered. He blinked, trying to process what Gozaburo wanted to ask. “I do not understand. I have nothing to give.”

“Just promise me,” Gozaburo said. “That is all I ask.”

Should he be cautious? Shall Seto allow such an offer? He had no other choice. He needed to know. He had to know everything of the legend. If Gozaburo knew more of the tribe Katsuya was born into, Seto would be most delighted. He did not want to admit, but he was afraid of asking Katsuya. The other, surely still frightened after the meeting with the witch, Mina, made Seto not want to push anything onto Katsuya.

Though he hated his situation, Seto would allow Gozaburo to answer him any questions, and Seto would oblige by offering answers to Gozaburo’s own questions. Seto had to trust the man, even if he did despise him.

He nodded his head. “Agreed.”

“Agreed,” smirked Gozaburo, resting a palm on the stone table he and Seto sat in front of. “Ask away.”

And as the offer was made, Seto began his questioning. He asked Gozaburo so many, wanting to know everything. He asked of the tribe with wolves. He asked where they come from, what their business was with the Doragon Tribe. Sadly, Gozaburo knew so little, to Seto’s disappointment. They had not believed the tribe actually existed, for the legend was meant to be legend.

Next, Seto asked of the images in the book. He pondered why his tribe and the Doragons had to fight with this other tribe.

“War is mysterious,” Gozaburo answered. “War -- happens because of hatred towards people different in appearance from another. It is sad, yet sometimes necessary.”

“Necessary?” said Seto, him confused by Gozaburo’s response.

“Indeed,” Gozaburo continued, rubbing at his chin in thought. “Sometimes it is necessary to fight when others are being hurt, or even when they are the first to attack. And sometimes war is necessary due to -- social reasons.”

“You see, Seto, not everyone in this world deserves death. However, not all deserve to live. The weakest die as the strongest survive, and if there ever comes a time that any outsiders threaten this village, I will surely show them that we are the superiors.”

Seto stayed still, silent. Gozaburo’s words were piercing, deadly. Them filled Seto with uncertainty. He bit at his thumb, allowing his mind to wonder. He hardly noticed Gozaburo’s intrigued smirk, the man clearly wanting to pierce Seto’s mind -- discover everything Seto wished to, or may already know.

“Seto,” said Gozaburo. “I believe that it is my turn to ask you a simple question.”

The agreement had been made, so Seto slowly nodded his head. He kept silent until the question would be spoken.

“I am quite interested,” Gozaburo began. He stood, walking around to stand beside Seto. He kneeled, making sure Seto’s eyes met with his. “Here is my first question. Why so interested in this legend all of a sudden? You are -- not hiding something from me, I assume?”

Silent only for a moment, Seto closed his eyes, and looked away from Gozaburo. “No. I have nothing to hide. I am just -- concerned for myself.”

“You are that selfish?” Gozaburo asked.

“No,” Seto nearly shouted, his hands becoming fists. “I am merely interested, and nervous. I -- I do not know how well I shall be at being a ruler to these people. You -- do such an honorable job, High Gozaburo, knowing fact after fact. Why is it that I must carry on your wishes all because of a silly mark?”

Interesting. Seto was willingly spoiling how much of a weakling he could be. But it was an act, Gozaburo knew for sure. Smirking, he straightens up. “Seto, the marking is a sign of the guardians that protect us.” He took hold of Seto’s hand, firmly. He forced up the long sleeve, revealing the mark of the dragon. “The dragon -- is a fierce, yet loyal creature.”

“I -- I understand…” Seto said, wishing for Gozaburo to be finished with his thoughts on the matter. He did not want to reveal Katsuya to anyone -- yet. He stood to his feet, hoping to show Gozaburo that he needed to get home, and have dinner with Mokuba.

“One final question,” Gozaburo smirked, however, ruining Seto’s chance at escape. He set his hands on Seto’s shoulders, squeezing forcefully, but not too hard against the material of Seto’s robe, it sliding across his skin underneath. “How is it that you’ve discovered the second part of the legend? Is there something you’d like to tell me, Seto?”

Seto allowed himself still, calm. He would not allow Gozaburo to cause him fear. He would not allow himself to fall victim to Gozaburo’s devilish grin. “I heard whispers through town. That is all. And I am very upset…”

“Mm,” Gozaburo sighed. He straightened again, folding his hands behind his back. “Well then, I understand your wishes.”

“Thank you,” Seto whispered, showing himself out of the library. He didn’t dare look back. He didn’t dare think of Gozaburo’s thoughts or facial expression. Seto only wanted to escape, to return home, and reflect upon the information he had discovered.

It was time to get to work.

--

That next day, Seto finished his work with such ease. He sat across from Noa, finishing answering some spell questions in a book of his. Already he was on page twenty of the book, as Noa continued reading through page eight.

Eyeing the outdoor sky through the window, Seto closed his book for the day. As he did such, Gozaburo entered the room. “Seto? Leaving so soon?”

“I have finished with my daily exercises,” Seto said. This was the truth, and he had so much he wished to discuss with Katsuya. “A day of relaxation is ahead of me.”

“Very well,” Gozaburo sneered, eyeing his son.

Beside Gozaburo stood another, this man dark and quiet. The man’s face hid behind the hood of his black robe, but Seto guessed that the man was an accountant to Gozaburo. “Well then, Seto, I shall see you tomorrow?”

“Yes,” Seto said. Standing, he bowed to Gozaburo before taking his exit.

As Seto vanished, Gozaburo turned his attention on the hooded man. He no longer smiled. No longer did he act pleasant. He showed his true side, one not of fakeness. He sternly glared at the man beside him, and he nodded coldly.

“Follow him!”

-End Chapter Eleven-

I apologize for the delay. Here’s chapter eleven. Please be patient with me. Thank you.