Legend of Glory

Legend of Glory

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Thirteen: Pain is Among Them

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Gozaburo sat upon his mighty dragon. Massive, it covered in rough, black scales. It’s beady red eyes shined like jewels in the dark, musky night. It’s jaw held long, razor teeth, millions sharp and strong. It hissed with hate at Bata, the man knowing punishment was coming for him. They stood where he knew he had interacted with Seto and Seto’s friend. But there was nothing. No waterfall. No Seto. Nothing.

“I am very disappointed,” Gozaburo roughly spoke. “Bata, you claim this is the spot, but I see nothing.”

“They were here,” Bata spoke, mainly to himself. “I swear. They must’ve pulled some black magic on me.” He turned his attention on his lordship, bowing his head for forgiveness. “Please, my sire, they could not have gotten far.”

The high ruler’s angered expression lasted only briefly. It slowly transformed into that of a small, evil grin. Closing his eyes, Gozaburo shakes his head. “No worries. Seto will surely return. I can feel it…” Gozaburo held the purple reins of his chosen’s tightly. “He has no other choice. His everything is in our village. His brother, his work… He would not allow some other to take either of those away. We will wait, and when he comes back, we will form our plan.” Turning, Gozaburo leads his dragon across the open clearing, and with a small magic word, Gozaburo’s dragon was taking him high into the air.

“We shall not allow our tribe to be destroyed,” he sneered.

--

Nighttime had come and gone, breaking into daylight. Animals of the night began to nestle back into their burrows, nests, and caves throughout the Forests of Kimo, as daytime animals began to immerge and feed on the grass, or other.

Two certain creatures, not recognizable by many of the animals, made their way through.

Seto and Katsuya had slept all night in the cave, surely positive that Gozaburo had not stayed out all night. They quietly made their way through the forest, dodging vines and branches along the way. Seto’s hand was numb, and after checking it that morning, he saw it was a darker purple, yet it seemed more soothed. It hurt less, and with this, he and Katsuya pressed onward towards Katsuya’s village.

Katsuya spoke strongly, when he wanted. He had manipulated Seto into returning with him to the village. And Seto agreed, even if Katsuya had been asleep at the time.

As the two comrades inched closer and closer, Seto found himself falling behind Katsuya. Usually, he would be ahead or right beside the blonde, but as he slowed, a wave of dizziness came over him, and he found himself collapsing into the rocks and grass below him. “Ugh…”

Alarmed, Katsuya swiftly turned, seeing Seto far behind him. He gasped, “Seto!” and rushed over to aid him. “Seto, are you alright?” Katsuya kneeled, placing a gentle touch to Seto’s shoulder.

“Yeah,” lied Seto. He shook his head, trying to wash away the dizziness. “I--I’m fine…”

“It’s probably safe now to call Flame,” Katsuya said, standing ready to whistle his chosen to take them the rest of the way. “With Flame, we’ll get their triple as fast.”

It sounded like a good plan, and Seto felt no need to argue. He was positive Gozaburo hadn’t followed them, and they had safely made it through the night in that cave. He nodded his head. “Alright.”

--

“Where is that boy?”

Nana angrily walked back and forth, worrying for her son’s safety. “He promised he would not be gone overnight! What could have happened?”

Shizuka sat with Hiroto and Chief Mandook, them outside of Chief Mandook’s hut. The Chief sat comfortably on an orange mat. He seemed in full concentration, his eyes closed, and a smile plastered his face. Shizuka held Hiroto’s hand, them frowning up at Shizuka’s mother, perfectly understanding the woman‘s pain.

“I am sure he is unharmed,” Shizuka whispered.

“It’s been nearly half the day,” Nana mumbled, mostly to herself. “He’s been gone for a whole two days since yesterday afternoon. Where could that boy be?”

Chief Mandook chuckled, then. His eyes remained closed, but all other eyes turned on him. “Do not fear, Nana. If Katsuya were injured, I would know. He shall return. He is struggling, at this time.”

“Yes, I understand that,” Nana sighed. “Still, my Chief, it gives my son no right to disappear!”

At that moment, a familiar howl echoed throughout the village. Nana gave a sigh of relief, watching as Flame walked through the trees of Kimo. Katsuya was upon him.

“See, no worries,” Chief Mandook smiled, getting help with Hiroto to stand to his feet.

“Yeah,” Hiroto smiles, making his way towards Katsuya, waving. “Hey Kat…” He froze his speech, staring in shock at what he saw.

Hiroto, and the others, all watched in disbelief as Katsuya hopped off Flame. With this occurring, they were able to see that Katsuya was not alone.

A man.

A stranger.

Who?

The man looked ill, having been riding behind Katsuya on Flame. Katsuya helped him off of the large wolf, and balanced him as they walked towards Chief Mandook’s hut. All villagers had seemed frozen in time, only moving their heads as Katsuya and the stranger passed them. Hiroto had backed away, moving to the side. He had no words for the bizarre sight.

In seconds that seemed as hours, Katsuya and Seto reached Chief Mandook. The Chief, furious within, remained calm. His eyes never drifted away from the newcomer. The man was weak, he could tell, and injured. But he sensed that something was not right with the man. His appearance. Dress, skin, hair -- everything was alien.

“Katsuya,” Nana spoke, not wishing to believe her eyes. “What…?”

“He’s hurt,” Katsuya calmly spoke. “Please, Chief Mandook. He -- he needs medicine. He injured his wrist pretty badly.”

Chief Mandook remained silent. He would not speak to Katsuya, for doing such a dastardly thing. However, he could not refuse to help one in pain. He motioned for Katsuya and Seto to follow, and they entered the hut together. Chief Mandook stared deeply at his tribe, warning them to stay outside.

--

Katsuya welcomed Seto to lie upon the warmth of a skin. Seto did not hesitate, and took the offer. He was mesmerized by this village. Everything was so different, compared to his own tribe. As he saw, this tribe had no books, no paper. They used skins from animals to write on. They had weapons crafted from teeth. But he could not ask questions concerning Katsuya’s tribe. He was gravely dizzy, and breathed heavily as Katsuya’s Chief came and sat beside him.

The man was old, and scary to look at. However, Seto knew Gozaburo was far worse. He did not fear Chief Mandook’s wrinkled face. He did not fear Chief Mandook’s woodened staff. The man was helping him, chanting a prayer on the wrist. Seto was new to such magic. It was -- interesting. So soothing. Shortly, Seto could feel his wrist enwrapped around strong, invisible warmth. He took a deep breath, letting it flow out of him noisily.

He allowed his gaze to focus on Katsuya while the process was taking place. The mutt seemed so afraid for him. It was, almost shocking for Seto to take in. Sure, he knew Katsuya was beginning to care for him, but this much? It made Seto, though he’d dare not admit out loud, happy. The only others to care so deeply for him were his mother, father, and Mokuba.

Hearing Chief Mandook grumble, Seto reset his attention on his wrist. Unwrapped, it was no longer purple, and he tried moving it. It was much better. Seto looked up at the Chief. Those fiery eyes were watching him, hoping to gain some sort of appreciation.

“T--thank you,” Seto softly whispered.

Nodding, but saying nothing to Seto, Chief Mandook turned to face Katsuya. He gave a chilling glare, and motioned for Katsuya to follow. Katsuya knew he’d have a lecture for this, but so soon? Sighing, Katsuya smiled down at Seto. “I’ll be right back.” Getting up, he followed Chief Mandook into another room, this one small and closed in. It was the Chief’s personal sleeping sanctuary. As they sat, as the Chief remained quiet, Katsuya knew he had done wrong in bringing Seto. “C--Chief Mandook, I know that I shouldn’t of brought him here, but he was hurt!”

“Where did you find that man?” Chief Mandook asked, taking Katsuya off guard.

“I…” Katsuya paused, hesitating to answer. “I -- met him in the forest.”

“Katsuya,” Chief Mandook began, setting his staff on his crossed lap, “That man is not like our own. He is extraneous.”

“And I understand that,” frowned Katsuya. “But he -- he really needed help. I couldn’t just leave him to die! He‘s ill.”

The lie was so strong, and Katsuya even made himself sound truthful. He was close to tears, and bowed before his Chief with terror and sorrow. “I thank you for healing his wrist, my Chief. I am ever grateful.”

“Young Katsuya,” sighed the Chief. “Do you not understand the danger of bringing an outlander here? Our village is small. Though we are strong fighters, if something were to go weary…”

“I understand those risks,” Katsuya smiled. “But that won’t happen. Seto is brilliant. He wouldn’t hurt me, nor any…” Katsuya froze. He had said too much.

Chief Mandook was disappointed. “How long have you known him?”

“Umm…” Katsuya thought for a moment. “Many weeks now. One full moon passing.”

“I am not pleased, young Katsuya,” Chief Mandook sternly said.

“I’m sorry,” Katsuya frowned. “But -- if he could just stay until he’s well. He’ll be gone, and I swear he won’t tell anyone about us.”

“It is difficult to decide that now,” Chief Mandook answered. Grabbing a pottery bowl with orange substance in it, Chief Mandook took some into his palm, sprinkling it on the ground below him. He drew zigzags through the orange, mixing it with the brown of the dirt. “Hmm… He can stay, for now. But unless I am certain he won’t lay a secret on us, I am afraid he won’t be going anywhere.”

“Thank you,” Katsuya bowed. “I swear he’ll not harm a soul.”

Katsuya stood, but immediately Chief Mandook strongly spoke, “Did I say you could leave yet?”

Surprised, Katsuya slowly sat back down, crossing his legs. He bowed his head, feeling his heart beating swiftly. “I -- I’m sorry.” Never. Never! Chief Mandook has never made Katsuya feel afraid. He’s always been gentle, humorous, and kind.

“Young Katsuya, what also concerns me is our missed meetings,” Chief Mandook said. “You have been disappearing. Why? Was it to see that man?” Chief Mandook took in Katsuya’s silence to be a yes. This made him sigh in his throat, but it was low and gruff. “You cannot hide that fact from me. So -- while he rests in the room next door, you and I will continue with your practices. Understood?”

“Ya,” Katsuya answered.

It was going to be a long few hours.

--

Seto had fallen asleep only seconds after Katsuya‘s departure with the Chief, allowing himself rest while his wrist finished healing. It hurt less, as the time went by. Chief Mandook’s magic was brilliant, superior -- and used much differently than that of the High Gozaburo. Seto was learning dark, arcane powers. He was taught to create fires. Some medicines, of course, but nothing was wonderful as what had been performed on his wrist.

Soon, Seto began to awake from his slumber. His eyes open in a blur, and he blinked one or two times to understand where he was. Above him, Katsuya sat smiling down at him.

“Seto,” Katsuya said. “I’m glad you’re up. How do you feel?”

“I…”

How did he feel? Sitting up, Seto looked at his wrist. The purple bruise was nearly gone, now. It hardly hurt, and he could move it. “I’m fine.”

“That’s great,” Katsuya smirked, stretching. “My Chief said that you may stay! Isn’t that great?”

At the taller man’s silence, Katsuya’s grin disappeared. He titled his head, watching Seto look away from him. “Seto?”

“Katsuya,” sighed Seto. “I -- I can’t stay here.”

“W--what?” Katsuya shook his head, not comprehending. “What do you mean?”

“If I stay here, Gozaburo will search and find your village,” Seto went on. “I have to go back, and I have to face him. He won’t hurt me. Plus, Mokuba -- I can’t desert Mokuba.”

“But…” Katsuya tried to argue. He tried to think of a plan, any plan, an idea! As long as it made Seto stay.

He wanted Seto to stay.

Katsuya. How was he so desperate? How was he having such feelings for the taller man that calls him names? Why is Katsuya feeling more for that man than his tribe altogether? He did not understand, and his leaning back and glazy eyes showed so. Katsuya rubbed at his eyes, pushing away any unwanted feelings, feelings he was sure would only cause further pain. “I -- I understand…”

But did he?

He knew Seto had his younger brother to watch over. Though Katsuya has never seen Mokuba, he could see Seto’s utmost love for his sibling. And Katsuya had the same for his younger sister. Shamefully, he felt less protective over her. He knew, now, that she had Hiroto to watch for her, protect her, and love her. Love her -- he still did so, but not in the same aspect as Hiroto.

Katsuya still wanted Seto to stay. “Seto? Please stay? Just until your wrist heals?”

“I can’t,” Seto said, pushing off the leathery blanket he had been offered. “I must return. This way, they cannot track me down. This way, I will show Gozaburo no sign of weakness, and I will not allow him to communicate with you, nor your tribe. Katsuya, I do not want to put you or anyone you know in danger. I must make my leave…”

It was then that Seto noticed he and Katsuya were not alone in the room. He stared on, frozen like ice as Chief Mandook walked silently into the room. Behind the Chief stood Katsuya’s family, including his father and Hiroto.

“Everyone…” whispered Katsuya, as he noticed them standing, watching. “W--we were just…” He had nothing.

Chief Mandook walked closer, pointing his finger at Seto. He threatened Seto, shaking as if Seto were a demon born straight from hell. “You. Who exactly are you, young man?”

“Please,” Seto bowed his head. “I am a friend. I would never hurt you, nor any of your people. I am merely a passerby who met Katsuya in the forest.”

“You lie,” Chief Mandook barked. He moved closer, just inches from Seto. He stood beside Katsuya, his fiery eyes piercing through Seto’s mind. “I know you lie, and I demand you speak truthful to me, boy.”

“Chief, please…” Katsuya began, but he got a stern look from his leader.

“You hold your tongue,” Chief Mandook ordered Katsuya.

It was a first. Katsuya was taken back by his leader’s words. He bowed his head, staying silent.

“I -- come from a village across the forest,” Seto answered. “However, I really did meet Katsuya in the forest.”

“You come from far away,” Chief Mandook interrupted. His speech was calmer, but he still kept an icy tone with Seto, not trusting the foreigner for one second. “Why leave your village?”

“To get away…” Seto said. He showed his saddest expression, it almost motionless. He showed no fear. He wouldn’t. “As such with Katsuya.”

Katsuya stayed still as Chief Mandook’s eyes rested on him. Frowning, Katsuya looked away. The Chief already knew Katsuya fled to be at peace. Many times, nowadays, it was to see Seto. However, in the past -- Katsuya need not mention Seto’s correctness of speech. Not when Seto’s words were sincere as they were. He only nodded along with the speech, not making eye contact with his leader.

Not denying that fact, however, still made Chief Mandook skeptical of Seto’s unnecessary arrival. With a face that could frighten a grizzly, Chief Mandook met Seto’s gaze. “You do not belong here. Now that you are healed, I suggest you leave now. Quickly and quietly!”

“Yes,” Seto bowed.

After bowing, Seto kneeled to place on his shoes. However, he was unaware that his sleeves were pushed up, and that his arms both were bare -- his marking in clear sight, Chief Mandook hinted blue. Harshly, he asked, “What is that on your arm?”

“Huh?” Seto looked up. He turned, wanting to avoid the question. There was no escaping his fate, not at Chief Mandook forcefully grabbed his arm, twisting it to shine the blue dragon before the Chief’s widening brown orbs.

“T--the mark,” Chief Mandook fell back, landing hard on the floor. Jonouchi and Nana rushed over, placing hands on his shoulders. He continued staring upward at Seto, staring with fear -- quivering. “N--no! We are ruin! We are ruin!”

“Chief, please understand…” Katsuya begged, stepping before Seto as a protective shield.

“Katsuya!” bellowed the Chief. “Katsuya has doomed us all! We are ruin now! T--the story was never false. Never false!”

Katsuya looked about. He watched his mother, his father -- his sister, and his friend. All stared with disappointment. All stared with dismay. All watched Seto as if he were a life-threatening disease.

And Katsuya has had enough.

Growling, Katsuya took Seto’s hand, and together they fled. Katsuya never stopped as he dragged Seto. He never stopped at hearing his mother screaming at him to come back. He allowed his leader’s shrieks and cries get blocked by his greedy ears. He ignored the sound of Hiroto chasing after him.

Together, they quickly climbed onto Flame’s back, and together they made their escape into the Forests of Kimo.

“Katsuya! You idiot,” Hiroto yelled after him. “You stupid idiot!”

Frowning, Katsuya held Flame’s fur tightly. He felt Seto leaning against him, sighing his thanks.

“I am sorry,” Seto mumbled.

And softly, Katsuya gave his reply. “No -- I am…”

-End of Chapter Thirteen-

Here we are!

Seto: Goody. More story.

Yes, more story! I promised I’d finish this, and I’ll finish it! Just about -- ten or less chapters to go! Maybe more, actually.

Katsuya: It seems to be getting good.

Really? I’m disappointed in this chapter. Ugh… Yes, you heard me correctly. I am just hoping the next chapter makes up for this crap! *throws computer*

Seto & Katsuya: 0.0

Katsuya: Holy…

Seto: *picking up pieces* My precious… NO!

Anyway, I hoe the readers enjoy this -- and I’ll be back with the next chapter, hopefully, soon! Bye!