Valkyria : Good morning/afternoon/evening whichever time zone you're in. Welcome to Chapter Three of Emperor's Prophecy.

Griever : We are immensely happy that you guys are enjoying the story thus far. And we hope that you'll like this latest chapter!

Disclaimer : We claim no rights to the anime/manga Yu-gi-oh.

Beta'd by : Moondalian.

Current Song : Sacred Hymn by Yasunori Mitsuda


"When a great truth once gets abroad in the world, no power on earth can imprison it, or prescribe its limits, or suppress it. It is bound to go on till it becomes the thought of the world." - Fredrick Douglas.

Chapter Three: Wildfire.

"I want you to take this." Atemu placed the worn journal into Yuugi's smaller hands. "Leon von Schroeder saved all of Elysian with his visions. I am ashamed to say that in return for his bravery, we mistreated the Seers for all of their hard work. I want you to read this and learn of the prophecy that Leon has left us. This is not only for your sake, but for the kingdom as well."

Yuugi caressed the worn cover cautiously. "You cannot tell me the prophecy yourself, Your Majesty? I do not wish to take something this precious out of the safety of the palace."

Atemu gently nudged Yuugi forward leading him away from the throne room and towards the stairs . "It would be best if you would read it yourself, Yuugi. This will give you some insight on the responsibilities of being a Seer and the experiences that Leon had during the war. As for the journal leaving the protection of the palace, you needn't worry about that. The journal has several layers of magic protecting it, placed on it by the previous rulers of Elysian -including myself- It can never be burned nor stolen."

"Oh." Yuugi stared down at the journal in awe. "But it looks so normal…"

"Looks can be deceiving. I am surprised that you cannot feel the magic that is emanating from it. It is designed to be faint, but it is still there."

Yuugi felt heat rushing to his face at the curiosity in the Emperor's voice. It had always been embarrassing for him to admit his flaws to other people.

"I-I cannot feel magic, Your Majesty." Yuugi said, keeping his eyes glued to the onyx floor. "Though I am a Seer, I cannot feel magical energy."

"Your grandfather never taught you? Does he have any abilities of his own?"

"I-" Yuugi shook his head, he had never bothered to ask his grandfather what kind of abilities he had. "I do not know."

Atemu watched intently as Yuugi gripped the journal until his knuckles became white. He decided that it would be best to avoid any more questions about Sugoroku for the time being. It seemed that Yuugi was becoming agitated the more he pried. It was strange, though, that Yuugi knew nothing about his grandfather or why he was not able to feel magic.

Such a simple ability not being taught to someone who has been blessed as you, young one, is suspicious indeed.

As they descended to the second floor, a guard rushed towards them and bowed deeply. "Your Majesty? Colonel Firimar has told me to inform you that he awaits you in the drawing room on the first floor together with Seer Yuugi Motou's grandfather."

Yuugi closed his eyes in resignation at the title the guard had addressed him with. He remembered grandfather telling him that word of Atemu's assassination attempt had spread throughout the city, so it was no surprise that the same had happened in the palace.

"Thank you for informing me," Atemu said. "You are dismissed."

The guard rose, bowing towards them once more before departing.

Atemu gave him an apologetic smile. "As you can see, word has already spread about you."

"I expected everyone to hear about the attempt on your life, Your Majesty, but how do they know about me?"

Atemu gave him a grim frown. "Unfortunately, the guards and servants' mouths are a little too loose. Even I cannot control their whispers. If you are in the right place at the right time it would be simple to find out whatever information you desired. This is exactly why I want you inside the palace walls so that you can be protected."

"Even so, I do not wish to be protected, Your Majesty." Yuugi said. "I-I wish-"

"That you had never told your grandfather about your vision." Atemu finished his thought smoothly.

Yuugi's head shot up and he met the Emperor's blank crimson eyes. He turned away and shook his head in denial. "Y-Your Majesty, that is not what I wanted to say. If given the opportunity I would do the same thing all over again. You are a kind man and you have treated me as an equal, though we are not. I never thought we would meet like this I-"

Yuugi's words came to an abrupt halt when he felt Atemu's warm hand on his arm. He looked up to see that the Emperor's eyes had softened in understanding.

"You thought that I would not pursue you in this manner. That I would never question who this mysterious Seer was that had saved my life."

Yes!Yuugi wanted to say, but kept his mouth shut as the Emperor continued speaking.

"I am sorry, young one, but I could not do that. Though I am eternally grateful to you for your swift decision, I cannot let this matter go. You are the Seer of the kingdom of Elysian. You will receive unprecedented praise for your deeds once the people stare upon you, and you will learn that people are jealous and will try to hurt you. This, this is why I want to have you here where I can keep an eye on you. Do you understand what I am trying to tell you Yuugi?"

"Yes, Your Majesty," Yuugi whispered, desperately trying to keep the tremble out of his voice. "I understand."

Atemu stared at him for a moment more before continuing down the hall. Yuugi waited a second more before trailing behind the older man.

Protected. Praise. Responsibility. He didn't want to be praised, nor did he want to be protected or have the so called responsibilities of becoming the Seer of the kingdom. He just wanted his life back, the days of when he had helped his grandfather in their potions shop or when he had helped Jou study the different types of blades as he readied himself to inherit his father's weapons shop.

Those days are gone now. his conscious whispered. You're Seer Yuugi Motou. That is your new title. Your new life.

Yuugi pushed those thoughts away and increased his pace until he was side by side with the Emperor.

"Yuugi?" Atemu questioned, coming to a stop. They had made it to the drawing room where Bakura and Sugoroku were waiting. "Are you well? You have become pale."

"I-I." Yuugi swallowed the lump in his throat. "I am fine, Your Majesty."

Atemu gave him a flat look. "I do not believe you are well, young one, but I will not press the matter. Come, I wish to introduce myself to your grandfather."

Atemu twisted the golden knob to the drawing room before pushing it open. He stood aside to allow Yuugi in first.

Yuugi stepped in and felt a rush of relief flow through him when he spotted his grandfather on the purple velvet couch speaking quietly with Bakura. He had not expected his grandfather to be hurt but he felt better seeing a familiar face.

He quickly forced his lips into a smile when Sugoroku turned and spotted him. The elderly man rose from his spot on the couch and came towards him.

"Yuugi, my dear boy," Sugoroku took Yuugi's face into his weathered hands. "You're so pale. You look as if you're about to fall over."

Placing the journal on the table next to them, Yuugi put his hands on top of his grandfather's before pulling them away. "I'm fine grandpa. You really worry too much…"

"I'm your grandfather. I have every right to worry about- Oh, Your Majesty!"

Yuugi glanced over his shoulder to see that Atemu had taken a seat in the chair that was next to the window and was staring directly at Sugoroku with barely disguised curiosity.

"I apologize." Sugoroku stepped away from him and bowed. "I did not-"

"No apologies are necessary." Atemu interrupted, gracefully rising from his seat. "You were worried for your grandson so it is understandable that you did not notice me."

Sugoroku gave the Emperor a curious and weary look over. "I assume that you have come to discuss something with me, Your Majesty?"

Atemu nodded in agreement. "That, and to formally introduce myself to you. When Yuugi told me your name earlier it sounded familiar to me. Have you been to this palace before? Or have you perhaps worked here?"

Sugoroku gave Atemu a smile that almost seemed indulgent and amused. "I doubt you would remember such an insignificant man such as myself, Your Majesty."

"Then such an insignificant man such as yourself would not mind sating my curiosity?"

Sugoroku raised an eyebrow at the commanding tone in Atemu's voice. "Very well. I served on the Council of Val'ista over than two decades past."

Yuugi stared at his grandfather in surprise. "Grandpa? You worked in the palace? You never told me that."

"It was before you were born, kid." Bakura put in from his seat on the couch. "Councilman Sugoroku Motou was a good friend of the previous Emperor."

Hearing this and remembering Atemu's earlier questions made Yuugi realize that he barely knew anything about his grandfather's past and to hear it from it a man he had met only hours ago was embarrassing to him. He wondered what other secrets his grandpa was hiding from him.

"And you know this how, Colonel?" Sugoroku questioned, giving Yuugi an apologetic look. "I do not remember having seen your face within these walls."

Bakura shrugged. "My adoptive father told me all about the previous Council."

"And this man's name?" Sugoroku pressed further.

"General Amadeus Rajiv." Bakura replied. "He took me in and away from the dark streets of the City of Asrai. We've never met because you had already departed."

"Amadeus…" Sugoroku breathed. "I heard he had passed away from a lung disease. I do not doubt he would adopt a child though, even if he was always awkward with children."

"That he was." Bakura chuckled. "He showed his love for me through training and taught me everything he knew and then some."

"You were a part of my father's council?" Atemu questioned. "I have met all of the men and women of the previous Council, corrupt as they were, though there was no mention of you."

Sugoroku grinned at the Emperor. "Those old crows never did like me, because your father favored me and asked me for advice countless times. I am surprised that your father never spoke of me, though."

"He spoke of you many a time. That is why your name sounded so familiar."

"I see. Your father was a good man, Your Majesty. If only the people around him at the time had been the same. I should hope that you gave them a harsh punishment."

Yuugi felt a cold shiver run down his spine when Atemu's crimson eyes darkened. He didn't know the Emperor personally but he hoped that he would never have such a gaze directed towards him.

"They have been banished from this land, though even that punishment will never be enough for what they did to my father."

"Death would be too easy of a punishment for them, Your Majesty." Sugoroku put in gently. "Let them wander the world and know that they can never step into their birthplace again. Though they will find another home, they will never again know of the luxuries that their positions once gave them. Now, you said that you had something to discuss with me?"

"It is about Yuugi. Now that word has spread throughout the city and palace about him, I would like him to remain here."

"Here? In the very place where there was an attempt on your life, Your Majesty?" Sugoroku said, shaking his head. "I think it would be best if Yuugi came home."

"Not all people would be overjoyed to see a Seer amongst us again." Atemu argued. "That is why I think it would be best if Yuugi came to reside in the palace. He will be kept safe."

"I have kept the boy safe since the day he was born. I will have no trouble now."

"Because no one knew of Yuugi's ability." Atemu countered. "That is another point I wish to bring up with you. Why did you not register Yuugi with the Magi Order? As a former council member, you knew what the discovery of a Seer meant to the kingdom."

"That is exactly why I did not register him. If you will remember, Your Majesty, Seer Leon kept the name of the Seer to himself as well to maintain peace."

"Did you do it to maintain peace or to hide Yuugi away? He has been blessed and has yet to achieve his full potential. He cannot even sense the faintest magical signature! By keeping him hidden you are depriving him of a life and his destiny."

"His destiny?" Sugoroku repeated mockingly. "His destiny will be full of pain. Or do you not remember the humiliation that some of the Seers went through?"

Silence descended upon them when Sugoroku finished. Yuugi glanced at the Emperor to see that the older man's face had gone blank again.

All of this fighting…over me. Over my ability. I never minded being a Seer because I didn't know what it truly meant to be one. Grandpa didn't tell me anything and I never bothered to ask.

"What would happen if I were to stay here?" Yuugi asked curiously, causing all eyes in the room to turn to him. "What kind of responsibilities would I have?"

"Staying here in the palace is for your own protection, as I have told you before. It is too much of a risk to let you remain within the city. I have no doubt that by the end of the week word of your appearance will have left the borders of this land and will have crossed into Atlantis and Sylvantia."

"In the end it is your choice, my boy," Sugoroku put in. "I cannot force you to come home with me, nor stay here within the palace walls."

Yuugi walked over to the small table, picked up the journal, and turned back to the Emperor.

"You told me to read this and learn of the prophecy that Leon left behind; to understand what one of my brethren went through during the war. Will you give me time to do that, Your Majesty?"

Atemu stared at him for what seemed like an eternity before finally nodding his head.

"I will grant you this, but if something happens I will not hesitate to retrieve you. Am I understood, young one?"

"Yes, I understand, Your Majesty."

Atemu stared at him for a second longer before moving his gaze towards Bakura. "Escort them home and report back to me when you return. We have much to discuss, Colonel."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Atemu gave Yuugi a small smile. "Keep your eyes and ears open, young one. I will see you again soon." giving Sugoroku a simple nod, Atemu turned and walked out of the drawing room without glancing back.

Yuugi waited until he could no longer hear the Emperor's footsteps before letting out a heavy sigh of relief.

"You did well, my boy," Sugoroku said, placing his hands on his shoulders. "Let's get you home and into bed. It has been a long day for the both of us."


"With the assassination of Queen Helena of Atlantis. War has been declared upon Elysian, my homeland. The people grow scared and some have fled to Sylvantia, who has decided to remain neutral in this conflict. Our King has neither denied nor taken responsibility for the death of Queen Helena and it is his silence that frightens me. I was summoned to appear before the King and ordered to remain within his gaze for however long this war would last. He fears that I will join Atlantis but I have no such intentions. Elysian is my home and it will remain so until my last breath leaves my body-

"Are you still reading that thing?"

Yuugi glanced over his shoulder to see Jou standing in his bedroom doorway with a frown on his lips. He gave the blond a cheeky grin before gently closing the journal and placing it safely in his desk drawer.

"Of course I still am, Jou," Yuugi said. "I told the Emperor that I would."

"I know you did." Jou walked further into the bedroom and towards the window. "But you need a break. You've been at it for more than a day now and you still haven't properly rested since your last vision."

Yuugi covered his eyes when Jou pulled open the curtains and opened the window. "I have been resting, Jou. I slept for nine hours, remember?"

It had been two days since he had returned from the palace after Bakura had bid the both of them farewell. His grandfather had immediately told him to bathe and to rest. He had done so without much protest. He'd grudgingly admitted that he was indeed tired from the long trip to the palace and back. He'd been woken up the next morning by Jou, who wanted to know all of the details about the Emperor and what the palace was like. When he'd finished he'd noticed that the blond had gone quiet. He knew that his friend was slightly upset about his decision to move into the palace but much to his surprise, Jou had told him that he thought it would be best if Yuugi did move there because word was already spreading throughout the city about him.

"Nine hours isn't enough and you know it." Jou countered. "I know you're stubborn so I'm going to suggest something else for you to relax."

"That's a surprise," Yuugi grinned. "You usually don't give up so easily."

Jou rolled his eyes before waving him over. "I'm not giving up. I want to show you something. You've been locked away in this room so I doubt you would have noticed."

"What is it?" Yuugi stood up from his chair, walked over to the window, and stuck his head out. "What's with the decorations everywhere?"

The usual market stands of the eastern sector where he lived had been replaced by balloons and arches with colors ranging from silver to hot pink. Large festival flags marked with the royal symbol, a griffin grasping a blade in its claws, were blowing in the wind. Yuugi leaned further out and saw merchants setting up stands that included food, weapons and even silks.

"A festival." Jou explained, grabbing his waist and pulling him back in. "In celebration of the Emperor's safety and the faceless Seer."

"I understand why there would be a festival for the Emperor, but for me? They don't even know what I look like."

Jou ruffled his hair before giving him a full-toothed grin. "Doesn't matter; you saved the Emperor's life. The people want to thank you. So, why don't we go out and explore? And I'm not taking no for an answer."

"I suppose a break wouldn't hurt." Yuugi murmured, glancing outside again and smiling when he saw a couple of excited children running by dressed in brightly colored robes.

"That's right; it wouldn't hurt to go out for a while." Jou pressed, "Anzu and Shizuka have been worried about you and they want to see you."

"Anzu is back? I thought she had travelled to Sylvantia to visit her relatives?"

"She made it back yesterday. She came by but you were sleeping. Now, no more questions! Get dressed and meet me downstairs."

Yuugi watched as Jou walked out of the room, closing the door firmly behind himself as he went. He reached up and closed the window and curtains. The festival didn't sound like too bad of an idea and he did want to see Anzu and Shizuka again.

I just hope nothing bad will happen while I'm out there. With the luck I've been having lately, though, I wouldn't be surprised if something did.


A/N : Chapter Three comes to a close! I hope you enjoyed reading!