Legend of Glory

Legend of Glory

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Twenty-One: A Brother’s Secret

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“Mokuba… Mokuba… Wake up, Mokuba…”

To this distant sound, Mokuba slowly began to stir. He had been sleeping well, dreaming of the greatest times he has had with his older brother. But to his surprise, he awoke to the view of nothing but that of a fiery blue flame. His dark eyes lifted, watching Seto’s figure looking down at him. “Seto?”

“Mokuba, dress quickly,” Seto said with a hint of panic. “Come on. Get out of bed. Dress.”

“But why?” Mokuba sleepily asked. He rubbed at his tired eyes, trying to wake his body fully.

“There is not time, Mokuba,” Seto sighed. He removed the blankets from around Mokuba, forcing the boy to stand. “We must hurry away. We must be as quiet as we can. I have Blue Eyes all ready…”

“Where are we going?” Mokuba questioned as Seto helped him out of his night clothes. However, Mokuba’s wonder was ignored as Seto handed him a small black robe with yellow trimming.

“Here, put this on,” ordered Seto. “Quickly now!”

Mokuba did as he was told. He dressed. He took Seto’s hand. He followed his brother out of their home, down the darkened streets of their village. They were not heading in the direction of the stables, however, and this confused Mokuba even more. “Seto, Blue Eyes is the other way…”

“Shh…” Seto hushed. He squeezed Mokuba’s hand to show his seriousness.

The younger boy had never seen his brother act in such a strange manner. They walked empty streets, heading in a direction Mokuba had been told to never go in the past. Mokuba saw the forest’s edge nearing. This made his heartbeat quicken. He let his worried eyes glance up at Seto, only witnessing his brother’s blue orbs cautiously glancing from left, right, up, front, and behind.

Were they being followed?

It was thinking this that frightened Mokuba. He clung closer to Seto’s body, letting his owns eyes dart here and there for any given sign of movement. He was almost grateful as he saw a large, familiar blue beast waiting for them behind tall pine trees.

Blue Eyes was curled like a ball, only to stretch out of it at the sight of her chosen. She gave a soft hiss, greeting Mokuba as the boy patted her rough head.

“Hi Blue Eyes,” smiled Mokuba. “Have you missed me?”

The blue dragon responded by nudging Mokuba. A satisfied screech left her throat as Seto picked up Mokuba, sitting him high up on Blue Eyes’s’ back.

“Seto, where are we going?” Mokuba asked again, sitting comfortably as Seto climbed on behind him.

“Let’s go, Blue Eyes,” Seto said, kicking gently at the sides of the mighty dragon.

With a soft hiss, Blue Eyes turned and began to crawl across the forest floor. When Seto was positive he and Mokuba were far enough from their village, Seto pulled back on the reins, making Blue Eyes lift into the air.

--

How much time had passed? One hour? Two hours? It seemed as if time were moving slow as a snail, taking that time by dragging on and on. Katsuya grew impatient. He sat there, his knees tucked under his chin. He rocked back and forth, shivering by a sudden breeze of cool air. His eyes were focused on nothing but that of the dark, cloudy sky. His mind was focused on the single thought of Seto’s promise to return to him.

But Katsuya was losing hope.

‘He’s not coming,’ Katsuya repeated over and over in his mind. ‘He lied. He’s not coming…” However, as his untrustworthy words echoed in his mind, he was nearly unaware of the strong amount of wind gusting around him.

A sudden roar stopped Katsuya’s gloominess. He lifted his eyes, letting a smile take over his frown as he watched Blue Eyes land before him. He stood to his feet, watching as Seto hopped down from the dragon. It was then that Katsuya noticed the young child with Seto. Seto helped the boy off of Blue Eyes’s mighty back, setting him gently on the ground.

The minute he saw Katsuya, Mokuba hid behind Seto’s robe, holding it for protection. His mind raced, pondering exactly what his brother had been doing when far from home. Seeing the strange blonde made Mokuba feel that something was not right… He couldn’t be more right.

“Mokuba,” Seto sighed. “Do not be afraid. This is Katsuya. He’s a close friend.”

“Hi Mokuba,” Katsuya smiled. He was delighted to finally meet Seto’s little brother. The boy was adorable. His features were quite the opposite of Seto’s own. Mokuba, however, did not return Katsuya’s greeting.

Seto looked up at Katsuya. “Let’s get to your village. Mokuba and I will follow behind you and Flame.”

“Is Blue Eyes fast on her feet?” Katsuya asked, tilting his head. He listened as Blue Eyes screeched at him, as if angered by the question.

Hearing his chosen’s displeasure, Seto chuckled. “Believe me, she’ll be able to keep up with your wolf.”

Nodding at that, Katsuya whistled, summoning for Flame. In only a short three minutes did Flame come jumping through the thicket. He landed hard, causing the three humans to keep balanced. The wolf made Mokuba’s eyes widen with fear. His little body hid further behind Seto, hoping his older brother would protect him from the wild, furry beast.

Holding snug to Seto’s robe, Mokuba watched as Katsuya boarded the mighty wolf. Leathery reins were handled to steady the deadly-appearing wolf, which made Mokuba sigh silently. When Seto turned to grab him, he did not argue as he was placed back on top of Blue Eyes’s heavy back. He stood still as Seto got on behind him, prepared to follow Katsuya through the forest’s thick trees.

Katsuya did not know how Blue Eyes would manage, for she was much larger than Flame. However, he watched, completely surprised as the dragon’s wings folded back, disappearing against the scales of her body. As Katsuya ordered Flame forward, Blue Eyes crawled behind them, her feet hunching down to almost disappearing. She resembled a long, lean snake. And she had no trouble keeping in pace with Flame’s swift speed.

--

The Beast Tribe’s village came into view. Mokuba awed at its structure as Blue Eyes came to a halt behind Flame. Inches from the village, Mokuba stayed on Blue Eyes as Seto dropped to the ground. He turned, letting Seto’s strong arms help him off of Blue Eyes. He forced his hand into Seto’s own, fearing Katsuya’s capabilities. Mokuba still contained zero clues as to why his brother knew this blonde, dirty man. All he could do was stay silent, focusing his attention on the two elders as they cautiously walked with him into the village.

“We mostly sleep at nighttime,” Katsuya whispered. “You two can stay in my hut for the rest of the night.”

“Thank you,” Seto said, squeezing Mokuba’s hand gently.

“In the morning we’ll deal with my people,” Katsuya sighed. “Boy, won’t they be surprised.”

Seto sneered as Katsuya gestured him and Mokuba into the hut. Once they were inside, the whispering ceased. “They do not scare me. I am here as a friend and a companion. They shall see.”

“Let us hope,” Katsuya smiled. His eyes lowered, ready to be fully introduced to Mokuba. “So this is your brother?”

“Yes,” grinned Seto. He nodded at Mokuba, showing the boy that there was no need to fear Katsuya. “Mokuba, Katsuya will not harm us. He is going to help us.”

“Help us?” Mokuba asked, tilting his head. “Are we in trouble, Seto?”

“Well, I guess you could put it that way,” Seto sighed. He kneeled before Mokuba, never letting his smile die. “Mokuba, in short time, Katsuya and I -- will be going to war…”

“War?” Mokuba shrieked, his eyes widening. “But -- but why, Seto?”

“It’s rather complicated,” Seto began, but he paused, troubled on how to answer such a question for his younger brother. He looked over at Katsuya, letting his mind concentrate on breaking the news on how they first met to Mokuba. “Mokuba, Katsuya and I are almost one in the same… We each were gifted with a curse.” Seto let his gaze retrace over Mokuba. “You know of the dragon marking on my right arm?”

“Of course,” nodded Mokuba. “You’re going to be our peoples next boss.”

“Yes,” chuckled Seto as he rubbed Mokuba’s shoulders brotherly. “That is true. Well, Katsuya here has a similar mark of his own. He is this tribe’s leader, as I shall become.” Turning his head in Katsuya’s direction, Seto ordered, “Show him.”

Katsuya removed his dress piece, letting Mokuba stare wide-eyed at the green wolf marking tattooed over Katsuya’s left arm. “Seto… is -- is he…?”

“Yes, Mokuba,” Seto continued. “Katsuya is the second spoken of in the legend father had told us about. Of course, father never mentioned that the second marking would be on the skin of another. He feared for my life and he did not want the two of us meeting.”

“How come?” Mokuba interrupted, his voice full of bedazzlement. “He doesn’t seem like a bad person.”

“And he is not,” Seto said, smiling over at Katsuya. “He is not. However, it would seem that Gozaburo thinks so.”

“Gozaburo?” Mokuba showed his confusion quite well.

“Gozaburo is a terrible man, Mokuba,” Seto went on, toning down his voice. “He thinks that Katsuya’s people are out to destroy our village, but this is false. Gozaburo can’t see that and he is doing all that he can to start a war.”

“I -- I don’t understand,” whispered Mokuba, preparing to free tears fighting to escape the edges of his eyes. “Why would Gozaburo want such a thing?”

“He is power obsessed,” Seto softly answered. A single finger rubbed at Mokuba’s cheek, slowly soothing the younger boy’s trembling body. “He has threatened me one too many times. I was not going to allow him to hurt you…”

Tears finally fought their way through an invisible wall. They poured down Mokuba’s cheeks, quick and soundless. “W -- why would…?”

Seto embraced Mokuba, never wanting to undue the protective barrier he held for Mokuba. “Shh… Everything is going to be just fine. You’ll see. The people here are going to take good care of you. Katsuya has a mother and she is very generous.”

As if on cue, Nana entered the hut. Her eyes had not been mistaken. She surely saw Katsuya enter here with two strangers. She recognized Seto immediately, yet Mokuba was new to her eyes. Seeing them, she loudly gasped, letting a single hand fly over to cover her mouth in shock. The woman had frightened Mokuba further. His head innocently buried itself deep into Seto’s chest, dampening the dark blue robe with slowing tears.

“Mom,” chocked Katsuya, surprised by her sudden appearance. “I -- I can explain…”

“What is this?” Nana asked, her voice squeakier than any mouse. “Katsuya? What were you thinking?”

“Mom, they aren’t here to hurt us,” Katsuya argued. He moved to stand in front of the two Doragon brothers, prepared to defend them. “Seto wants to help us. He has news to share…”

“News?” Nana lowered her hand. “What news?”

“Just hear him out tomorrow,” Katsuya demanded. “We need the entire village present.”

“Please,” begged Seto as he stood to his feet. “I ask for your kindness. My brother and I -- we were being threatened by Gozaburo -- the man that had come to your village uninvited. He is the leader of my people, but he is unworthy. I want him off the throne that should be mine.” Seto showed Nana the truth by allowing his face to dimly glow… His very features were full of sorrow and truth. “Please…”

He seemed decent. He seemed fair. Nana saw her son truly believed in the brunette. Seeing his pleading look; seeking Mokuba’s adorable distress made Nana give in. She let a sigh escape her, it unsure. “Very well. Katsuya, they may sleep here for tonight. Let us not worry about anything until morning.”

“Thank you,” Katsuya said, giving his mother a grateful, warming hug.

“I hope you know what you’re doing,” Nana whispered, low enough for only Katsuya to hear. She pulled from the hug, giving him her greatest serious expression.

Smiling, Katsuya nodded. “:I do.”

With a final hug, Nana gave Seto a soft smile before turning and exiting. As she did so, Katsuya let his attention retract on Seto and Mokuba. “I’ll set up a bed for you two on the floor in my room. The room should fit us all. It is quite large.”

“Alright,” Seto nodded along. He allowed his gratitude to show with a hint of a soft smile. “Thank you.”

Katsuya, having seen the soft smile, blushed wildly. He turned his head, hoping to hide the blush from Mokuba’s view. “It’s no problem.”

And Mokuba, having witnessing such bizarre happenings that night, seemed as surprised by the reddening on Katsuya’s cheeks. He let his dark orbs go from left to right, examining Seto and Katsuya curiously. As they conversed, Mokuba noticed the tension between them. Being led alongside Seto into the bedroom area, Mokuba’s need for sleep came back as Katsuya placed out long fur blankets for him and Seto. He had help removing his robe from Seto before lying underneath the cozy furs in his undergarments. In a matter of seconds, Mokuba was fast asleep.

As many minutes pass, Mokuba’s blurred eyes momentarily opened. He gazed up, his vision clearing as he witnessed his brother’s lips pressed against the blondes. His face hid beneath the furs, but he clearly saw the two pairs of lips entertaining one another, for his eyes peeked out like spies. His widened orbs watched, at a loss by the sickening sight.

Soon, the two broke apart. They smiled at one another.

“We should sleep,” Seto whispered. “I -- I don’t want to wake Mokuba.”

“You’re right,” replied Katsuya. “I -- I’m sorry…”

“It’s not your fault,” Seto chuckled. “I wanted it as much as you.”

Mokuba quickly shut his eyes as he noticed Seto standing to undress. He turned, pretending to be asleep. He let his back face them as he heard clothes rustling. He soon felt Seto lie in the furs beside him, and he let out a soft sigh. He listened as Katsuya got into his own straw-made bed. But though they were now sleeping, Mokuba was fully awake. The image he had seen never left his mind. It began to haunt him, though he was uncertain as to why. What the two had done confused him, yet he knew that the connection Seto had with Katsuya was much deeper than what Mokuba had originally thought.

-End Chapter 21-

This chapter took some time due to me getting very ill last week. I just lied around and did squat. I worked on this chapter this week. Still, only three chapters to go. Please review.