Chapter 2
Escape
After arriving in a glade, where there were many spirits, Yugi ran over to the spirits with Honda watching him from the trees, who all smiled as the prince rushed over to them. The first spirit Yugi went to hug was Mystical Elf, who was talking to Celtic Guardian. She was very tall, so she had to kneel down on her knees and hug the young prince. Mystical Elf was like a mother to Yugi ever since he was a child and had always been like a motherly figure to the young prince long before Dartz became his stepfather.
Making eye contact, Mystical Elf said with a warm smile, "How are you, my prince?"
"I've been good. I really missed you, Mystical Elf."
"And I missed you too."
"I wish that stepfather would allow you and the other spirits to be able to come to the castle." mumbled Yugi, really hating the fact the Dartz won't allow the spirits anywhere near the castle.
Then the prince felt the other tall elf ruffle his spiky haired head. Celtic Guardian was like an older brother to Yugi. "Don't worry about it, young prince. Places like this glade are perfect for us and it always make things so much better when you come to visit."
Then a question struck Mystical Elf. "Which reminds me, why is the king letting you come here? He usually does everything in his power to keep you from leaving the castle, so you could only sneak out on some days."
His cheeks turning pink and getting a little warmer with blush, Yugi reply, "I wouldn't say that I sneak out. When I just want to see some spirit friends I would just leave the castle in secrecy."
Both looking at each other at the corner of their eyes, Celtic Guardian and Mystical Elf rolled their eyes. "Well, my prince, we need to get back home. The girls and I have collected the herbs we need and Celtic Guardian and the other elf warriors have done their training for the day."
Nodding, Yugi said as he and Mystical Elf hugged one last time, "Okay, it was great to see you two."
Holding him tenderly like a mother, Mystical Elf reply with her best smile, "It was wonderful to see you again."
After Mystical Elf released him, Celtic Guardian ruffled Yugi's hair again and said, "See you around prince." With that, the elves left the glade to return to their village. Being alone in the glade, the first thing that came across the prince's mind was the bronze teen he met this morning. Repeating the song that he sang to him, Yugi pranced around the glade, stopping at a patch of flowers as he hummed and sang the song.
As he picked a flower and sniffed its fragrance, Yugi heard small crying. Looking up, he saw a winged Kuriboh, its eyes hidden behind its big clawed hands. With the flower in his fingers, Yugi walked over to the winged Kuriboh and said with a gentle voice, "Hello there."
After the winged Kuriboh reply with a quiet Kuri, Yugi gently lift the spirit into his arms and said, "What's wrong?" Looking in the trees, a little realization hit him as he looked back at the sad winged Kuriboh. "Are you separated from your family?" As the spirit let out a low Kuri, Yugi gently stroked him.
After watching Yugi being so kind to the spirit, Honda looked around to be sure no one was around. Turning back toward Yugi to see him trying to get the winged Kuriboh to smile, Honda quickly and quietly drew his hunting knife and started to approach the prince slowly.
When the two saw a pink and blue winged Kuriboh among the tree tops, Yugi place a kiss on the winged Kuriboh's head and lifting his arms up to boost him up, the winged Kuriboh flew from Yugi's comforting arms to his family.
As Yugi was saying good-by to his winged friend, he saw a shadow approach him. Slowly turning, Yugi sat against the boulder as he watch Honda raise a blade. Looking up at his friend with frightened eyes, Yugi noticed that Honda was struggling to bring the blade down on him. Overwhelmed, Honda dropped the blade and said as he collapsed to his knees, not looking at Yugi in the eye, "I can't do it! Forgive me, young prince!"
Confused, Yugi said as he place comforting hands on the servant's shoulders, "I don't understand."
Looking up into the innocent prince's eyes, Honda said as they stood on their feet, "He's mad with jealousy. He'll stop at nothing to kill you, even threatening me and my family."
Still confused, Yugi asked, "Who are you talking about, Honda?"
"The king, Dartz!"
"My stepfather?" To hear that Dartz wants him dead, Yugi became more afraid.
"You must run away. Never come back to the castle."
Before turning to run into the woods, Yugi asked as he gripped his friend's arms, "But what about you?"
"I'll kill a pig and when I return to the castle with the pig's heart, I'll say it's your heart. Then I'll beg him to let me and my family go so we may never be threatened again. I would much rather be beheaded than betray my friend and Anzu would do the same." Starting to push the prince toward the woods, Honda said one last time as he released his grip on his friend, "Now go! Remember to never come back, Yugi, or you will surely be killed."
Still scared, Yugi immediately ran into the woods, to get as far away from Dartz' kingdom as possible. Even though he knew that he may never see Jonouchi, Ryou, Honda, Anzu and his other friends ever again, Yugi knew that he could never have a life with a stepfather that wants him dead.
