Legend of Glory

Legend of Glory

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Sixteen: A Leader’s Final Prayer

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The wolves were watered. Vegetables were picked. Meat was cooked. More blankets were made. All work was made swift and skillful. The Beast Tribe worked diligently for their dying Chief, ready to provide him much greater than ever before. And he, even as he laid ill and alone, was proud of every single one of them. He’d greet them when food was brought to him. He’d grin that silly grin. He’d listen to tales and news.

Everyone was busy. However, not all were extremely busy. A single was busiest of all.

Katsuya.

Though he did not sweat from chores, he was training his mind and soul. He’d sit in the home of his Chief, taking in practices not yet taught to him. He’d teach himself things he had missed since meeting Seto. And many times, he’d sit there distraught, worrying over his Chief. He’d allow all thoughts of becoming Chief, making him scared.

Two days had passed since Katsuya last saw Seto. However, Katsuya’s mind was not on the far away Doragon. Katsuya set everything on his Chief. For over six hours he’d sit with Chief Mandook. Even when the Chief sleeps off most of those hours, Katsuya would allow himself to practice symbols in the soft dirt beside his Chief’s bed. Katsuya was most afraid. Without needing words, his fellow tribesmen saw his hesitant exposure.

He did not want to become Chief.

‘I am not ready…’ Katsuya spoke to his mother, just the day before.

‘You are,’ Nana had replied. ‘You will know, and you will be a loyal leader.’

Loyal? How would he be as such? He’s hardly shown any sincerity towards his tribe, and he was positive most of them were unsure of his capabilities.

He hardly blamed them.

But though he was scared. Though uncertain and detached, there was one Katsuya could think of to keep his spirit high.

Seto.

The man’s very name brightened Katsuya, even during his hardship. If he were stuck during his teachings, he’d imagine what Seto would say. He’d allow Seto’s imaginary slain and harsh words help him to visualize answers for anything from remedies to ruling guides. Thinking of Seto made everything perfect.

--

The fire crackled with life. Popping sparks kept Katsuya in concentration. With closed eyes, he sat cross-legged before the fire, setting his mind focused as Chief Mandook had taught him. He wore nothing but a lower dress. His chest was bare, in exception to the painted red and blue markings smeared across in lines. Red and blue smeared Katsuya’s cheeks, as well, making him appear as a Beast leader should. He implied strong, not like he had before.

He seemed changed.

Determined.

Knowledgeable.

But was he on the inside?

A sudden sound of screams awoke Katsuya from his trance. His brown orbs opened with alert, and he came to a stand at the sound of howls and screeches. “Seto?” He made his way outside.

--

Villagers of the Beast Tribe were doing their afternoon chores. They all knew Katsuya was alone, training in Chief Mandook’s hut. They busily worked to prepare meals for their families, working additional hours for Chief Mandook and Katsuya. The sun shined brighter than usual, blaring down rays of heat down onto them, but they did not allow the heat to slow them down.

However, their work was soon interrupted. A sudden wave of screeches filled the air, and the villagers gasped at a sudden strong wind. Women dropped baskets full of crops. Tied wolves began howling in place, barking up at the sky. All eyes looked up, fascinated to find two massive dragons landing within their village. The people began panicking, scrambling to find safety. When they took notice of the foreigners upon the dragon’s backs, they became more afraid, yet more aware.

Gozaburo pulled on his dragon’s reins, calming it to a pause. With its wings resting behind it, the dragon stood still as Gozaburo leaped off. Bata sat upon his own, staying positioned where he was as the many villagers eyed him and Gozaburo suspiciously.

“My friends,” Gozaburo shouted, putting his hands into the air. “I come seeking your leader!” He had a wide grin on his face.

The Beasts, however, stayed silent. None spoke to the strangers. From their far-left home, Shizuka and Hiroto immerged, staring with curiosity at the unwelcome visitors. Nana and Jonouchi rushed out from their hut, staring with widened eyes.

Surprised by the quiet atmosphere, Gozaburo turned his head to glare at Bata. Bata only shrugged at his master, watching with his own curiosity as Gozaburo turned to try again.

He set his hands down. “Please, do not fear us!” Gozaburo’s grin lengthened. “I ask again. I have come seeking a guidance with your leader! I would like to speak with him!”

“Our leader will not see you!” came the shout of a familiar voice.

All eyes turned, watching Katsuya as he stood outside Chief Mandook’s hut. His face was full of ice, staring cold daggers straight at Gozaburo.

Gozaburo raised a brow, taking in the speaker’s appearance. Blonde hair. Brown eyes. A very dirty impression. Gozaburo looked back at Bata, nodding his head. “Is he…?” Gozaburo replied a nod from Bata. This made the Doragon leader very happy. “Ah!” Gozaburo set his attention back on Katsuya. “Young man, if I may? Why is your leader apathetic to meeting me?”

“He is ill,” Katsuya stated matter-of-factly. “And he is old. I shall talk on his behalf!”

All villagers stared with interest in Katsuya’s bravery. Briefly, Shizuka, Hiroto -- all were sure they saw a sign of the Chief’s soul resting in Katsuya’s face.

Gozaburo, on the other hand, stood confused. “Then, I shall speak with you.”

“There’s nothing to speak of,” Katsuya said, stepping over to Gozaburo. “You are not welcome here…”

“You know who I am?” asked Gozaburo, gaining an affirmative nod from Katsuya.

“I know who you are,” Katsuya sternly answered.

“I see…” Gozaburo breathed out. “I would much like to know about you, young man. You have met with my apprentice. On many occasions, no doubt. Why is this?”

“That is not your concern,” stated Katsuya. “Not now. Not never! Now, I suggest you please leave, highness, and never come back here! Ever!”

At this, Gozaburo began chuckling, it transforming into an outrageous laugh. He shook his head at Katsuya, beginning to feel himself getting enraged by the teenager’s words. Slowly, Gozaburo leaned to Katsuya’s level, whispering, “You should watch your tongue, boy…” Gozaburo straightened up, resting his hands behind his back. “You may find yourself getting into trouble.”

Taking a deep breath, Gozaburo forcefully yanked at Katsuya’s left wrist. Katsuya was unmoved by this as his villagers watched with surprise.

“Forgive me,” Gozaburo said, resting his eyes over the mark of the wolf. He let his fingers glide over it, making Katsuya flinch. Soon after, Gozaburo’s smirk darkened. “So, it is true. It’s so -- remarkable, I can hardly believe my eyes. But here it is, right before me…”

Katsuya kept silent. His eyes were angry from Gozaburo’s touch. However, he showed an inner sign of fear, awaiting for the large, older man to remove his fingertips from Katsuya’s skin.

“So intriguing,” Gozaburo went on, feeling Katsuya shiver at his touch. He soon released Katsuya’s arm, taking a sudden step back. He had seen more in Katsuya. It was almost as if a heaviness had pushed onto his heart, making him petrified by Katsuya’s burning stare. The marking had felt hot as fire, burning against Gozaburo’s fingertips.

“You are not welcome here,” Katsuya spoke with a shivering tone. “Please -- leave!”

It was then that all eyes turned away from Gozaburo and Katsuya. The villagers watched with shocked expressions as Chief Mandook stepped out from his hut. Katsuya, confused as to what was occurring, slowly turned his head. He was just as surprised as everyone else, watching with teary eyes as Chief Mandook struggled to push one foot in front of the other. The man leaned against his staff, making his way over to Katsuya and Gozaburo.

Forgetting about Gozaburo’s presence, Katsuya rushed to aid his Chief. He helped balance his Chief. “Chief Mandook! W--what are you…?”

“Y--young Katsuya,” coughed Chief Mandook. “Take m--me to him…” Chief Mandook gestured his head towards Gozaburo. This pleased the Doragon leader, and he stood waiting as Katsuya led Chief Mandook over.

When the time came, Gozaburo bowed. “It is a great pleasure meeting you.” Gozaburo saw, as Katsuya helped the old man over, that the Chief of these people was dying.

This made Gozaburo gratified.

His fake smile was all the proof. It was a smile, to Chief Mandook, as courtesy. Though, the smile was truth to its evil pleasantry.

“Y--you…” Chief Mandook began to speak. An eruption of coughs left him.

“My Chief,” frowned Katsuya, holding his master steady.

“I -- I am fine,” smiled Chief Mandook. “You -- sir, you do not belong here. Y -- you must leave immediately…”

“Forgive my sudden intrusion,” Gozaburo said, bowing. “But I have heard much of you from my attendant, Seto.”

“Seto?” Katsuya gasped. “Seto told you of us?”

“Indeed, he did,” lied Gozaburo, smirking. “And I am quite fascinated! I would much appreciate to understand more about you and your -- people…” Gozaburo looked around. They were all filthy, to him. Filthy. Disgusting. Poor. He wanted to rub his robe from feeling their dirtiness floating its way onto him, but he kept his hands at his sides.

“No,” Chief Mandook shouted. “No!” His yelling resulted in a hazardous cough.

“I don’t believe you,” Katsuya cried, holding his Chief close. “Please, I beg of you. Leave!”

Imposturous! Gozaburo glared at them, but he continued acting courteous as he bowed. “Very well. It was much enjoyable making your acquaintance.” Turning on his heel, Gozaburo boarded his dragon. “Let us take our leave, my friend.” Gozaburo smiled at Bata. “It was quite an honor.” Gozaburo grinned down at Katsuya and the Chief. “Quite an honor…”

They turned their dragons, walking through the trees as they vanished. The Beast Tribe stood still, only to gasp as the two dragons took off into the sky from the thicket of the forest.

When all went quiet, Katsuya came to reality when he heard a loud thump. He gasped, staring down at Chief Mandook lying still on the ground. “Chief!” As Katsuya kneeled, Hiroto and Jonouchi quickly rushed over to help him. With much frustration, the three men were able to get Chief Mandook back into his bed.

--

Katsuya wringed out the leathery cloth. He turned his focus on Chief Mandook, the man resting with short, unbearable breaths. Watching Chief Mandook lie there, his eyelids half open, saliva running down his cheek. It made Katsuya’s heart feel broken.

Gently, Katsuya set the cloth on his leader’s forehead. The touch of the cloth to his skin made Chief Mandook shiver. His wrinkled hand lifted ever slowly, almost as if it were floating to take Katsuya’s wrist with such care. “K -- Katsuya…”

“You shouldn’t try to speak,” frowned Katsuya.

Coughing, Chief Mandook shook his head rapidly. “K -- Katsuya, you -- you must listen t -- to me.”

He saw determination in his leader. Katsuya knew he must follow all orders. Chief Mandook was still Chief. He was still Katsuya’s leader. Nodding his head, Katsuya whispered, “Yes.” His eyes shifted to the Chief’s hands, both of them resting over Katsuya’s own.

“K -- Katsuya…” Chief Mandook began. “Y -- you must listen well t -- to my words, my young Chief…”

His leader’s words made Katsuya tense. Had he heard right? Did his own leader call him Chief? “I…”

“I -- I have a final request…” Chief Mandook smiled. He slowly took his left hand, lifting it to touch at Katsuya’s moist cheek. He wiped at the tears Katsuya began to cry. “You -- must not allow that man to harm t -- these people. You -- must never let the one w -- with the blue d - dragon to see you -- again…”

“But my Chief…” Katsuya tried butting in; however, Chief Mandook would have none of it.

“I -- have always watched over you…” Chief Mandook continued. His voice grew softer with each word leaving him. “Y - you are a sh -- sharp, kind, and loyal young chieftain. I k -- know that you have had difficulty in my t -- training, but I know that you w -- will lead these people d -- down a path of glory…” The Chief rubbed a single tear. “Promise me -- that you will n -- never show weakness. P -- promise me that you --- that you will…” He coughed briefly, growing Katsuya’s worry. When the coughing ended, he finished. “That you -- will not a -- allow any to -- to wreck havoc on our people…”

“My Chief…” Katsuya tried again.

“Promise…” Chief Mandook gasped, growing blurry.

“I -- I promise,” Katsuya whispered.

“Good…” Chief Mandook grinned. His arm ran down Katsuya, taking the boy’s left arm in hand. “You must n -- never forget your duty. The mark w -- will always protect you, young Katsuya. N -- never doubt its power for a s -- single second…” Again, Chief Mandook allows his hand to touch at Katsuya’s cheek. “I -- will always be by y -- your… By your -- side… ”

With a final breath, the Chief spoke his final words. “You -- are ready…”

Katsuya sat, all motions in his thoughts ran wild. The tears never stopped running as he watched Chief Mandook’s eyes drift close. He silently watched as the Chief’s breath ran down -- falling further and further away.

“Chief?” Katsuya managed to squeak, but upon receiving no answer, he grew worried. “Chief? Chief?” Afraid, Katsuya began to softly shake the still body of Mandook. “Chief? Please wake up! I -- I’m not ready! Please wake up!”

Those tears never dried, and Katsuya let everything flow as he hugged Mandook’s corpse. His tears fell as a fountain, him never wanting to release what he once had. “No! No-no! No!” Slowly, Katsuya released the body, falling to the ground. “I -- I can’t be ready… I…” Gently, Katsuya rubbed away his tears. He stood to his feet, and turned to stare at the staff of his deceased master.

Katsuya took that staff in hand, and as he did so, the mark on his hand burst into a glow. It shined bright before fading. Katsuya stared shock.

Was it really his time to lead?

--

Outside, villagers listened in terror at the despaired howl of their Chief’s chosen wolf. They all watched with widened eyes as the beast fell over, dead.

They knew. They kept still as they watched Katsuya exit the hut. He held the staff in his hand. He held it firmly. Tears still struck his cheeks, but as he rose his head, meeting his family’s and friend’s gazes, the tears on his cheeks glittered like hopes of light.

“C--Chief Mandook is dead,” Katsuya began. “He -- he has entrusted your safety to me. I…” Katsuya took a deep breath before holding the staff high. “I am now your leader!”

Quietly, all the villagers bowed. Nana bowed. Jonouchi bowed. Together, Hiroto and Shizuka bowed.

All eyes were on Katsuya.

All eyes were on their new leader.

--

“This is brilliant,” Gozaburo smirked. He and Bata have arrived back at their own village, and together they stood in Gozaburo’s office. “What a perfect time to begin a war!”

“My sire,” bowed Bata. “I am lost. The village seems harmless.”

“They may seem that way,” Gozaburo said, jaunting down information he had discovered on a piece of parchment. “They are weak through appearance, but they are easily fooled. With their master ill, and that -- boy as leader, it is a fine time to form a plan. We shall build a marvelous army. The best Doragon warriors! And we will make sure no life threatens this tribe!”

Gozaburo dipped his feathered pen in black ink. As he does so, his evil grin never broke. “Everything shall go according to plan. I have worked too hard to let my people fall. Nothing, absolutely nothing will stand in my way!”

But unbeknownst to Gozaburo, a single set of ears had heard his conversation.

With a hand to his mouth, Seto stayed silent as he ran back for his home. He had dressed to continue with work, having felt a bit better. But what he had just discovered made things difficult. Made things worse. He had no idea how Gozaburo discovered Katsuya’s village’s whereabouts, but he knew he had to do everything in his power to stop that war from happening!

As he fled the scene, only one thing plastered his mind.

‘I must warn Katsuya!’

-End Chapter Sixteen-

*cries*

Katsuya: *hands Sasa a tissue*

Thanks *accepts tissue and blows* Phew. Oh man. I actually made myself teary!

Katsuya: What a good chapter, Sasa! You even had my eyes glued to the story! *hears sniffing and turns, staring in shock* SETO! Are you crying?

Seto: No! *sniffs* I just have -- something in my eye!

*hands Seto a tissue* Alright, everyone. The story is nearing it’s tragic end. What shall happen next? Stay tuned! Bye!