Legend of Glory

Legend of Glory

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Chapter Three: The Mysterious Waterfall

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Colors of yellows traced across greens as the sun began to set over the forests of Kimo. Many animals and creatures were tucking away for late afternoon, them knowing that evening was approaching.

The forests were beautiful, at that time. They were still, quiet. And this pleased Seto.

He sat there, underneath a single tree. He had his eyes closed, just enjoying the single sounds of few insects clicking and birds chirping. Beside him, Blue Eyes lie asleep. Her breathing was not very heavy, and it added in to the perfect atmosphere. The peace was awe-inspiring, and it helped Seto to relax after long, exhausting days with books, paperwork, and Gozaburo.

That spot, there beneath the tree. It was Seto’s favorite spot. Just a minute walk or so to his left, a waterfall could be heard pouring large amounts of water into a spring. Seto has never visited the waterfall. He has tried finding it, but never succeeded. He pondered if it really existed, or if it were underneath the ground. But its noise mixed in with the tranquility of the forest.

Seto loved it.

--

Katsuya kept riding, pushing Flame forward. They zoomed deeper and deeper into the forests. After minutes, Katsuya loosens Flame’s reins, allowing the wolf to come to a steady walk. As he and Flame come to a broken stump, Katsuya brings Flame to a complete stop.

Flame, slightly tired, still had much energy within him. He turns, looking up at his chosen, pondering Katsuya’s thoughts. Katsuya had his head turned towards the direction of his village.

Frowning, Katsuya softly whispers, “They’re not following.” He sticks up his nose, closing his eyes as he does so. “Good. I didn’t want them to follow.”

Katsuya hops off of Flame. He smiles at his companion. “You can go and hunt, Flame. I’m sure yer starving!” With a gratified nod, Flame runs off into the forests, leaving Katsuya alone.

He takes a seat on the stump. The air around him seemed subtle, and a slight breeze makes him close his eyes briefly. “It’s so quiet here. It’s -- kinda nice.” Eyes opening, Katsuya reaches into his pouch wrapped over his shoulder. From it he pulls out a small pendant. The pendant, made from special metal and string, was a gift to him from his sister and best friend. Together, they had sewn their names into it, and they gave it to Katsuya as a gift when he became of age sixteen. He shakes his head. Tucking his knees into his chest, he lowers his head, letting out a large sigh. “I’m such an idiot.”

As Katsuya sat there, mourning over what he had said to the Chief, he did not notice a tiny spec of light inching closer to him. A tiny flash of white shines over him, it eyeing the pendant. The creature was a young, female sprite -- with long, blue hair, snowy nude skin, and sparkling wings. It eyed the pendant with such lust, wanting to pull out and grab it.

So it does.

Katsuya, shocked, jumps and his eyes widen at the sight of the sprite examining his pendant. “Hey!”

Startled, the sprite looks towards Katsuya. It gives Katsuya an innocent grin before flying off. However, Katsuya immediately jumped to his feet, and he began following.

“Hey,” he shouts. “Hey, that’s mine! Give it back!”

The sprite lead Katsuya on a wild goose chase. She swiftly fluttered around streams, large trees, and branches. Katsuya, surprisingly, was managing to keep up with her. He was scowling, angered that a tiny little thing somehow slipped his pendant from his grip.

A sudden log makes Katsuya trip. He falls knee-first into a stream. The rocks scraped at his knees. “Aw--man!” Katsuya stands, wobbles, and continues after the sprite. “Damn it! When I get my hands on you, I’m gonna pluck your wings off!”

The little sprite could only giggle. She led Katsuya further and further into the forests. She was, in fact, amazed how Katsuya was keeping with her speed. Most humans had given up by that time, but Katsuya continued following. But the little sprite found it to be a game, and she continued giggling as she comes into a clearing. She turns, seeing Katsuya stuck in a bush. This causes abrupt laughter to exit her little lungs. She turns, and continues onward -- hardly making a feet.

Pausing, the little sprite stares on at a large waterfall. It blazed steaming water, it coming down into a calm spring. The sudden noise -- or rather, something, frightened the sprite. She squeaks, and releases the pendant. Quickly, she turns, fleeing into the forests as Katsuya makes his way over to the pendant. He pumps his fist as the sprite flies away.

“That’s right,” Katsuya mouths. “You better run! Fucking fairy!” He bends over, and takes back what belonged to him. The pendant was perfectly fine. Sighing, Katsuya reopens his pouch, and sets the pendant inside. “Gee.” Katsuya then looks around. He notices the waterfall, it flowing beautiful down an enormous ledge. The smell of water enters his nostrils -- it smelt heavenly. “W--where am I?”

--

The shouting had been faint, but Seto had heard it. His eyes open, and he glances towards his left. Was that voice human? He could not tell, but it seemed close. He turns his eyes to Blue Eyes. The dragon was fast asleep. Chuckling, Seto shakes his head and rises to his feet. Blue Eyes could sleep through a war, if she wished to. Of course, Seto knew that leaving her alone would not cause harm. A dragon’s scales is tough as iron, in most classes. A bear, wolf, or otherwise would not be able to cause harm. Besides, Seto wanted to discover the source of that strange voice.

He begins to head to his left. He could still hear that waterfall, though unsure if it even existed.

--

Picking up a pebble, Katsuya tosses it into the spring. He saw no signs of life. No fish swam in that spring. No birds were chirping in the trees above. He was curious as to why the sprite dropped his pendant. He was curious as to what had scared it off.

The area seemed harmless. It was breathtaking, and a wonder.

Smiling, Katsuya sits on a rock, staring in enjoyment at the waterfall. It sparkles before him, putting him in an almost trancelike state.

--

Seto could not believe his eyes. There, gushing water, he knew was a waterfall.

No dream.

He knew he had not imagined it. He smiles, drawing nearer. He stood above it, and was curious as to what lie on the other side. Slowly, he climbs over rocks, making sure not to trip over and into the small river. The rocks were slippery, but he managed. Slowly, he makes his way down the side of the waterfall. He noticed a large spring, and he noticed a single something sitting, watching the waterfall.

A young man.

Seto grew more and more curious. He travels down the rocks, coming to stand on a single large one as he looked over the young man. He took notice that the man wore skins against his body. The skins, long and brown, covered most of the man. He wore padded wristbands that traveled to his elbows, and he was barefoot. Two leather shoes sat next to the man.

Watching as the man dunks his feet into the spring, Seto draws a bit closer. He takes in the man’s physical appearance. Seto is amazed by the man’s figure. That wild, blonde hair. Dirt covered the man. His lips seemed chapped.

A complete mess!

He was amazed, nearly hypnotized by the other. Never has Seto seen a human that was not of his own tribe. No matter how dirty, nor wild the man seemed in appearance, Seto was growing attached. He suddenly finds himself laughing, and this grew the other man’s attention.

--

The laughter happened so fast. Katsuya lifts his head. What he saw startled him.

There, a man leered over him, laughing at him.

Quickly, Katsuya jumps to his feet, but he allowed himself to look the man over. He allowed his eyes to roam over the other’s beautiful attire. Pampered to the brim, the man stood wearing fabulous blue fabric, it completely covering his body. Katsuya could make out tiny padded shoes on the man’s feet.

Allowing his eyes to wonder up, Katsuya took in the man’s neat, brown hair and cool, blue eyes. The man was very scary, and Katsuya found himself turning, ready to run for it.

“Wait,” he hears. “Please don’t run.”

With back facing the man, Katsuya slowly turns his head, cocking it to the side. “What?”

“I promise I won’t hurt you,” the man said. He makes his way down the rocks, jumping from a final one into the grass below. He turns, and faces Katsuya.

--

Both men could only stare, both stunned and excited.

After a moment pause, Seto easily asks, “What’s your name?”

Confused, Katsuya points at his self. He knew the man was referring to him. “E--excuse me?”

“Your name,” Seto asks again. “I wish to know.”

“Look buddy,” Katsuya crosses his arms. “I don’t even know...”

“Well then, I shall tell you. My name is Seto,” he interrupts. “Now you.”

Katsuya hated those whom were persistent. The man, Seto, was not holding back. And his eyes, they were so intriguing. Katsuya found himself answering.

“Katsuya,” he mumbles.

“Katsuya,” Seto whispers, allowing the name to roll off the tip of his tongue. It was a rather interesting name. “So, Katsuya, why is it that you are here? Where are you from?”

“Puh,” Katsuya glares. “I should be asking ya the same question.”

The other’s speech was inadequate. Seto distinctively heard ‘ya’ instead of ‘you.’ He grins at Katsuya. His eyes are unable to trail away from Katsuya’s interesting attire and form. Seto could still recall his father warning him of going beyond the borders of the forests of Kimo. However, Seto hardly took his father’s warnings into matter after his tragic death. But Seto has never wondered outside of the forests. Yet, now, here he stood in the shaded middle, staring at the figure of one that Seto had thought, up to that point, may not even have existed.

Seto’s continuing staring was freaking Katsuya out, literally. Shivering, Katsuya asks, “W--what are you lookin’ at?” as he crosses his arms.

“I am sorry,” Seto grins. “I do not mean to frighten you.”

“You ain’t frightening me,” said Katsuya. Though, Seto could see that the other was lying. He showed so by keeping his eyes away from Seto’s own.

“It’s just,” Seto began. “It’s just I’ve never seen any human outside of my own village.”

That grew Katsuya’s interest. He slowly lifts his head, peeking over at Seto. The man had stepped a bit closer, and shortly the two were only inches apart. “Huh?”

“It is fascinating,” Seto chuckles. “How long have I not known? My father had warned me of others outside my kind, but I hardly believed him. I visit these forests every day, and I only see you now. I hardly care, though. You are -- dressed weirdly, and you are completely dirty and disgusting and improper…”

“Hey!” Katsuya shouts.

“And what a temper,” Seto snares.

“I outta,” Katsuya began. He pauses, however, as a simple touch to his cheek makes him tense. He shivers, eyeing those fingertips. They belonged to Seto, and slowly they examined his cheek, brushing away at some dirt that had stuck there. “W--what are you doing?”

“I’m making sure I am not dreaming,” answers Seto. “And it would seem that I am not.” Seto moves his hand down, rubbing against the skin on Katsuya’s neck. Though covered in dirt, the boy had baby-smooth skin. Fascinating. Seeing Katsuya’s uncomfortable state, Seto immediately retreats his hand from the soft skin. “Forgive me.”

“G--get away from me,” Katsuya whines. When Seto does not move, Katsuya pushes him, making Seto stumble, but not fall. “Get away!” Katsuya steps back, himself, showing his pumped fists. “Y--you freak! Who do ya think you are?”

Seto keeps his temper controlled, watching Katsuya’s rage rise. “Me? I am only one man curious of another. Aren’t you even the slightest, or have you seen others like me?” Seto sees Katsuya struggling, and this makes him grin. “Ah, but your style tells me everything. I can see that you are afraid of me. However, I do not blame you. I am just as shocked as you.”

“Sadly, I must leave,” Seto continued. “However, I always return, every day, around this time. If you are as interested in me as I am in you, then return tomorrow afternoon. We‘ll meet in this exact spot.”

Satisfied, Seto turns his back to Katsuya. He walks ahead, only shortly stopping. “Goodbye for now, Katsuya.”

Katsuya watched intently as Seto descended up, and over the waterfall. When the man was out of sight, Katsuya allowed his feelings to shine. “What a jackass!” Sighing, Katsuya looks to the sky. Dawn was drawing near. Turning around, Katsuya makes for his village.

--

Katsuya had found Flame and returned home successfully. The waterfall he had discovered stood, where it seemed, exactly in the middle of the forests. And the man with the deep eyes -- Seto -- never left Katsuya’s mind.

As he rides Flame into the village, many villages turn eyes. Some of them seem glad to see he was safe. Others stare at him with disappointment. He cringes, knowing very well that half the village had seen him flee from Chief Mandook’s hut.

Shizuka, standing there tending to a small vegetable patch, stands to her feet. She frowns at her brother. “He’s back…” She enters the hut, finding her mother cooking meat over a fire. “Mama, he’s back.”

Nana looks up just in time to see Katsuya enter. She sees his frown, and she can see that he felt bad for the way he had treated them and their Chief.

“H--hey,” he whispers.

“Katsuya,” Nana frowns. “Katsuya, I think you should speak with Chief Mandook.”

Figuring his mother would comment on the Chief, Katsuya lowers his shoulders. He did not wish to see the Chief -- not at that time. He wished to eat his meal, and then go to bed. “I--I will in the morning,” Katsuya answered, receiving a surprised look from Nana.

“Katsuya!”

“Please,” Katsuya begs. “I--I am really tired. I swear, I’ll talk to him tomorrow. Please?”

Sighing in defeat, Nana can only nod. She watches as her son grabs a piece of cooked meat and an apple. He thanks her, and vanishes into his room.

From behind her mother, Shizuka stood feeling sorrow for her brother. He had to go through so much pressure, and she knew it’d be difficult for him to become a leader. She frowns, raising her hand to her heart. “Oh, Katsuya…”

Within his room, Katsuya lie, thinking of Seto. He pondered if he should return to the waterfall. He knew he was curious. Seto had not lied, when he asked if Katsuya was as curious as he. “Damn…” Katsuya turns to his side, feeling his eyes getting droopy. He closes his eyes, and before sleep finds him, he softly smiles. ’I’ll go back…’

--

Mokuba turns, watching as Seto enters their home. Smiling, Mokuba jumps from the chair he sat at, ignoring his homework to run into his brother’s arms. “Seto, you’re back!”

“Good evening, Mokuba,” Seto smiles.

“How was you day?” Mokuba asked. He looks up, noticing his brother’s tideous smirk. It shortly disappears, and Mokuba stares on, confused by his brother’s sudden change in attitude.

“Fine, Mokuba,” Seto answers. “It was perfectly fine.”

-End Chapter Three-