Legend of Glory

Legend of Glory

--

Fifteen: The Prediction

--

Cold. All around. Surrounding and taking away Seto’s very soul. Oh, why was everything so cold?

His scared, blue eyes open. They try focusing, but are blocked by moisture. Tears? Why was he crying? He sat up, wiping at his eyes furiously. He attempted to destroy every bit of wetness. Soon, everything seemed clear, and Seto was able to recognize his bedroom. And to his left laid Mokuba, sound asleep. As the boy’s upper half rested comfortably on Seto’s bed, his lower half rested in the hardness of a chair.

Seto stared at his younger brother, confused and full of distraught.

What had happened? Seto tried hard to remember. This not taking him long, he gasped at remembering his complete humiliation. He recalled vomiting before the High Gozaburo, his attendant, son, Raiki, and Mokuba.

They had all seen.

Dizzily, Seto rubbed at his eyes, trying to regain more memory. His body, sore and exhausted, tempted him to find more sleep, but Seto demanded he’d stay awake. He’d discover an answer to his sudden weakness. All his past emotions were mixing together, it seemed, forming a substance that he so then swallowed without warning, therefore causing him to become ill. Yes, that’s all it was. The pain. The grief. Saying goodbye to Katsuya. Forgetting to have memories with Mokuba. Fighting against Gozaburo. It all piled into one, and it pushed down on Seto like a ton of bricks.

But why must he suffer?

Perhaps Katsuya was suffering? No. Seto knew that boy. Katsuya was healthy as a newborn pup. Obedient. Loyal. Perhaps Katsuya would show that afternoon. Perhaps Katsuya would pray that Seto would show. But Seto could not show that day.

He felt miserable.

At that moment, an answer came to him. His door opened wide as Gozaburo made his unwelcome entrance. “Seto. You have awoken.”

“Why are you here?” asked Seto, full of hatred for the man he disliked.

“I am here for your concern,” Gozaburo said. He looked down at Mokuba’s sleeping form, and smiled. “He’s been there all night. You have a good brother.”

“Yes,” Seto stretched his muscles. “I know.”

Taking a deep breath, Gozaburo sat on the opposite bedside. He took note of Seto’s silence, yet this only made him quench to know more of Seto’s knowledge. Gozaburo knew that Seto was hiding much, and he knew Seto must spill every last bean. “Now, I can be a diligent man. I can understand when someone wants to keep secret to themselves, but if it be a secret that could hurt this tribe, then I must demand to know.”

“So Seto, what, pray tell, are you hiding from me?” Gozaburo grinned. He watched as Seto turned his head away, attempting to show his weakness in order to keep something, or someone, safe. “You cannot run from me, Seto. I can see right through you. Who is it that you are keeping from me? Hmm? What do you know?”

“G -- get out…” Seto softly whispered, it sounding as if a frog stuck in Seto’s throat.

“You are tragically distorted, Seto,” growled Gozaburo. “You may be leader following my death, but I am still breathing, and I order for you to talk!”

“Get out,” Seto cringed. “Get out of my house!”

A wave of nausea hit Seto hard, and he tiredly laid down. He covered his eyes, keeping silent. He hoped this would inquire Gozaburo that it was time for him to make his departure -- and fast.

“Very well,” Seto heard Gozaburo say. Soon, he heard his door open, and he sharply heard Gozaburo snare, “Get well soon,” before the door closed shut.

--

“That son of a bitch!”

A table flew, and the many papers once resting across it scattered. A vase, expensive in design, shattered into thousands of pieces. The noise through Bata off, but it did not make him unbalance from his straight posture. He stood with arms behind his back, listening and watching as Gozaburo through a fit.

Beside Bata stood Noa. The son trembled with fear at his father’s actions. He held his head high, however, for it was the polite thing to do.

“He knows much,” Gozaburo yelled, throwing down a chair. The force took off the left back leg of four, making the chair crippled. “Damn him. He acts as a leader, and yet has no fucking clue!” Swiftly, Gozaburo’s attention targeted Bata, eyes gleaming with fire. “Are you positive about this man?”

“I am, High Gozaburo,” Bata bowed, low and stiff. “Seto was with another, two days ago. A blonde man. He wore interesting garments, and he was filthy. Yes, I remember him. His stench… Like that of a beast.”

“Like a beast, you say?” Gozaburo began chuckling, his arms spread wide. “This is quite disturbing, and yet -- I do not wish to believe any of it.” Rubbing at his chin, Gozaburo faced Bata and Noa with eagerness in his eyes. “There is one I know of whom could help us.”

“Who is this?” asked Bata.

“I do not intentionally visit this -- one, but it just so happens that she can predict such things we could never possibly understand…”

“You -- don’t mean…” gasped Bata, unbelieving his master’s plan. “We -- we cannot visit her!”

“Oh, but we shall,” Gozaburo sneered. “And she will help us…”

--

With torches in hand, Gozaburo led Bata down tedious steps. Noa was attached to his father’s leg, taking each dark step with care. They walked below ground. A sanctuary, it was, hidden beyond reach by any other Doragon. Only Gozaburo, his son, and Bata knew of this place. And they meant to keep it that way.

‘I hate it down here,’ Bata cringed to himself. He nearly stepped on a lost rodent, and kicked it aside as it gave out a bewildered squeak before hitting the dark wall. ’Why must we visit with her? She doesn’t have all the answers! She’s nothing but an old hag!’

“Ah, here we are,” Gozaburo announced, interrupting Bata’s thoughts as they came to a woodened door. Gozaburo pushed it open, listening to it’s vile creak as them three entered a darkened room.

Purple fire danced around, almost magically. Eerie skulls of unknown hung from the webbed ceiling, and critters of strange identities scavenged the darkened floor. The sights made Noa afraid, and he clung tighter to his father’s robe, him watching the lone shape of a figure sitting, playing with some bony tools.

“I -- knew you’d come…” cooed the voice of Mina, the witch of all witches. “Mm… You -- seek many -- a -- answers.”

“Hello to you too, Mina,” chuckled Gozaburo. He held his torch close to the witch, shining some light on her hood-covered, rotten face. Her lips were still visible, them gray and bony as ever. “You always seem to read my mind. Yes, I’ve come for answers. And I demand you tell…”

“Heh-heh…” squeaked Mina. “You -- always demand. Always. Always. Always. I tell. Always. Always. Always.” She softly hummed as her black pet rested on her shoulder. The pet squawked in place, making Noa clench tighter to his father’s robe.

“I am concerned about Seto,” Gozaburo begun. “You see, he is hiding something from me…”

“You -- are certain?” Mina grinned, rolling her trinket bones in her hands.

“Very,” Gozaburo sternly answered. “He is low on his studies. He disappears in late afternoons. He avoids eye contact. I am -- concerned for him.” Gozaburo’s left hand is raised, and he softly placed it against his rough lips, keeping his profile disconsolate.

But no matter Gozaburo’s skills of action, Mina could see right through the man. She hissed in laughter. Her pet rubbed tenderly against her neck as she rolled her trinkets over the ground. Peering upon them, Mina shook her head with distraught. “Mm… You -- say Seto is seeing someone?”

“That is what we believe,” Gozaburo said, eyeing Mina’s readings. “What do you see?”

Mina shook a single bony finger at Gozaburo, allowing him to see her decayed smile. “Uh, uh, uh… Now, Gozaburo, you know that this lady n--needs time. Heh - heh…”

Gozaburo bowed his head, smiling at the witch. “Of course. Forgive me.”

“Mm…” Mina became deathlike, allowing her body to become relaxed. Shortly, she began to rock back and forth in a repeating motion, all while mumbling to herself. As she did this, her black pet decided to wished to examined the intruders, and it made its way into the air, flapping around Gozaburo’s and Bata’s head.

Bata waved his hand at the creature, shooing it in discomfort. It disgusted him.

Noa kept his face sheltered in the comfort of Gozaburo’s robe. His ears could hear the creature’s wings scraping the dark walls, but Noa dare not watch the ugly thing. Besides, Mina scared the boy to death.

“Ah!” came a sudden gasp from Mina, causing both Bata and Noa to jump.

Gozaburo had managed to keep still. Of course, the man was full of confidence, and Mina’s shriek made him excited. “What? What is it?”

“Hum… Travel -- across the wide-spread forest to the other side. There, you shall find what you seek…” Mina began to cackle, it soft and certain. “T--through the trees. On hollow ground. There -- many you will find, along with the one you are sure of…”

“Hah! I knew it,” declared Gozaburo. He turned his eyes on Bata, grinning wickedly. “This is perfect. Send for my dragon! We shall depart immediately!”

Without any kindness towards Mina, Gozaburo, Noa, and Bata turned to exit. However, as their hands reached for the door, Mina’s cackling voice cut them short of steps. “Gozaburo! Do understand -- understand that there, you shall meet the -- one Seto had discovered…but there will be -- uh -- consequences…” Mina paused. Her hooded eyes enjoyed the change of expression in Gozaburo’s face, and it made her grin grow double in size.

“What are you saying?” asked Gozaburo, his voice sharp as a thousand needles.

There always seemed to be a catch, and Mina was not answering. She was only hacking in laughter.

“Answer me!” Gozaburo shouted. His face grew red with anger.

“Be warned…” Mina began, her tone becoming serious. “When upon meeting the one with the beast-like eyes, a curse of misfortune will be placed upon your heart. And you -- will fall…”

--

“That damned hag,” cursed Gozaburo as he boarded his dragon. He took the reins, grasping them tightly to dissipate his rage. “I go to her for advice, and she gives me that shit? How dare she!”

“Sir, why must we still go?” Bata asked, boarding his own tanned dragon. “What if Mina’s prediction is truth?”

“We shall be sure that doesn’t happen,” smirked Gozaburo. “If this tribe is at all dangerous, I will confirm their death sentence by declaring war!”

As he watched Gozaburo take off into the air, Bata stared with shaken eyes. He followed silently behind, but his mind was on Gozaburo’s order.

“War?”

--

A set of silky hands dipped a leathery washcloth into a bowl of cool water. The hands belonged to Nana. She fully wetted the cloth, and ringing it out, she placed it over her Chief’s feverish forehead. Chief Mandook laid asleep. His breathing was calm, yet extremely slow. She patted the cloth against his sweaty skin. A frown was all she showed, with little signs of peacefulness.

From behind entered Katsuya. He stayed silent briefly, watching his mother with sorrow filled eyes. “How is he?”

Startled, Nana turned. Her upset frown focused on Katsuya’s own. “Not too well, I’m afraid. He has a high fever, and he’s developed a cough.”

“It’s all my fault…” Katsuya moaned, setting his face in his palms. “I should’ve been here more. I -- I feel so…”

Sighing, Nana rose. She turned, stepping over to her saddened son. She took his hands into her own, pushing them down so that she could see his face. “Katsuya, this is not your doing. Chief Mandook. He -- he is old, and he is dying…”

“No,” Katsuya shook his head. “No. He’s not dying! He’s just sick. He’ll get better.”

Nana had no remark. She knew Katsuya understood Chief Mandook’s position. He was old. He was dying.

Katsuya’s time as Chief grew nearer.

-End of Chapter Fifteen-

Short chapter, I know. The story is actually drawing close to the end, so this chapter is short purposely.

Seto: Not sick?

Nope! I’m healthy as a happy newborn kitten! I say kitten because I prefer cats over dogs.

Seto: Same here. Especially over a certain blonde mutt I know.

Katsuya: I’m standing right here!

Seto: Hmm… I hear barking in the distance…

Katsuya: Asshole!

Anyways… Please review, and as always, keep reading! Thank you to my wonderful reviewers. My replies to your wonderful past comments are coming soon to those who have reviewed. Check your email!

Katsuya: Do Kaiba and I get replies?

Seto: …

Uh -- why should you?

Katsuya: Well, I figure we deserve ‘em, since, ya know, we’ve been forced into reading this whole thing!

But you two have never even commented me nicely! All you throw at me are hurtful words. *cries in corner* They hurt -- so bad!

Seto: Good job, mutt! You made the authoress cry!

Katsuya: Okay! Okay! Um… lessee. Sasa, this chapter was really good. I really like it that -- uh -- um…

*sniff* *sniff*

Katsuya: Wait a sec, something’s coming! Yes! I really like my change of attitude in the story. You make me sound so smart!

Seto: She does?

Katsuya: Now do I get a nice reply?

Yes. *sniffs and hugs Katsuya* Thank you!

Katsuya: Yay! Hey Seto, that felt pretty nice. Ya should try it!

Seto: ……. The story sucks!

Katsuya: *hits Seto with the frying pan. Watches as Seto passes out*

Shall we bury him?

Katsuya: I’ll get the shovel. You get the trash bag.

Okay!

Please review!