Bound by Destiny
Okay people, first things first. I need to apologize to all of you for uploading this chapter so late. I had a writer's slump where I just didn't feel like writing and school had been a bitch. But now, I'm back and hope to finish this story soon, before I get another writer's slump. So, without further adu, here is the chapter! But first, the disclaimer.
Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh 5Ds or any of the characters, but I do own this plot. So do not take take it! Because it is mine, mine, all mine! It is my precious... Sorry for the Golem moment...
Chapter 7: The Legend
Yusei cried out one word while running through the forest. "Father!" He really had no idea what he was doing, but continued running to the castle. He knew it was a foolish idea. The demons had been released, a huge battle was roaring in the castle, and Sayer had most likely killed his father. Running into the castle now would probably be suicide, but Yusei didn't care. He just needed to see for himself whether or not his father, or even his mother, was alive. In fact, he almost welcomed any psychic or demon to try and deter him, expecially Sayer. His bloodlust and thirst for retribution had risen to new, startling heights. He was in the mood to shed some blood and already had his dragon powers activated.
His friends were doing all they could to keep up with him, and they were still a few yards behind him. Crow, Jack, and Kalin continued calling out his name, trying to get him to stop and snap out of his bloodlust, while the twins stayed silent. They, along with Akiza, had seen his face after he had started running. They had seen the bloodlust on his face and Leo and Luna were scared. Akiza had seen and understood his activated dragon powers. She was worried about what he might do and what might happen to him in his rage, but she followed him anyways. If his rage did cause him to drop his defenses, she would be there to help him. She owed him after all...
They finally reached the castle gates and ran into the courtyard. Upon entering, they were immediately thrown into battle. There were psychics and demons alike, and Trudge's men were nowhere to be found. This must be the rear guard thought Akiza. The battle did not last long. Yusei was furious in combat with his rage added to his furious attacks. He seemed not to notice any of the small slashes that appeared on his arms and literally ripped through most of his enemies. Most of the demons looked like some mutated versions of animals in the world. Akiza shuddered to think that she was descended from them.
The others used their weapons to fight, too, but with Yusei rampaging, they did not have much to do. Finally, after literally only a couple of minutes, the last demon fell before Yusei's assault. Yusei bolted for the next corridor, but was stopped by Jack.
"Yusei, don't rush off so hastily" he said. When Yusei turned around, Akiza gasped. His face was filled with hatred. He literally looked at Jack with loathing. His next words chilled them all.
"Jack, if you try to stop me again, I will not hesitate to turn my blade on you" he hissed and ran down the corridor, leaving the others standing there with their mouths hanging open. None of them could really believe what they had just heard from Yusei.
Kalin just sighed. "Well, here we go again." Akiza and the twins looked at him in surprise. Jack and Crow nodded in solemn understanding.
"What do you mean?" asked Akiza.
"Well, you see, Yusei, as you already know, is normall nice, well-mannered, all around good guy" said Crow. "But then there are times when he falls into deep anguish. His hurt and despair is so powerful, that it is released in a sort of rage, like what you have just witnessed. This has only happened once before. It was the time when Yusei's younger sister died." This also surprised Akiza and the twins.
"What? Yusei had a sister?" the three asked at the same time.
Kalin continued the story. "Yeah, her name was Sherry. She had long blonde hair like her and Yusei's mother and was completely different from Yusei. She was very flirtacious, knew what she wanted, and went after it. Sherry had also inherited her mother's accent, unlike Yusei. Anyways, Yusei, Sherry, Crow, Jack, and I became good friends when we were young. We were playing in the woods like we had regularly done when a group of three people ambushed us and kidnapped her. This was before our Team Satisfaction days, but even then we all chased after the men to save Sherry. We found them but were quickly beaten. They then mocked us and said they were going to use the princess as ransom to get money. Crow stabbed him with a dagger he carried while the man was talking and the fight was back on. For a moment, it was starting to look good. We were getting the better of our foes thanks to the little trick we pulled, and Yusei had freed his sister. Then everything went downhill very fast from there. As Yusei and Sherry were running, one of the men had lunged out with his dagger and jabbed it into Sherry's throat. Her blood flew out. We all were stunned at the sight and were beaten... again.
Jack finished the story. "Yusei just sat there, his sister's lifeless body in his arms. The men laughed and said they would use Yusei and the rest of us as their bargaining chips. None of us reacted. We were all numb to any feeling after Sherry's death. Then it happened. All we heard was an inhuman battle cry. It terrified us to see that it came from Yusei. That was when Yusei's powers were first awakened. He was just like you saw a few moments ago, wild and uncontrolled. The three kidnappers stood no chance. Yusei just tore through them. It was only when he saw his sisters body again that he stopped his rampage and the bloodlust ended. He cried for who-knows-how-long. After that event, we swore never to speak of the event again and started Team Satisfaction. We wanted Yusei to be leader, since he was the best fighter and especially when we saw what his powers could do, but he was too afraid of his powers and declined the leadership position, so Kalin stepped in and took the spot. Eventually he learned how to control them, but the fear of losing control again was always with him. Seeing him like that again makes me wonder if he'll ever return to normal."
They stood in depressed silence for a little while. Then Akiza broke the silence. "So Yusei has had to live with that fear for most of his life?" Jack nodded his head. That made Akiza even sadder. She had finally found someonewho could understand the pain of having deadly powers. Even at the Arcadia Movement, her powers always made her stand out. Compared with the other mercenaries, her powers were terrifying. Her powers surpassed all of their own powers. She had hated it. Other than Sayer, who she knew now had only used her for his own purposes, no one else had even approached her or talked to her. She had thought she was doomed to be an outcast, unloved by anyone. But Yusei would be able to understand her. She knew she had to save him from his powers before it was too late.
Normally, she would never have tried to command a group, but she knew someone had to take control in order to help Yusei. "Okay," she started, "let's get going then."
"What are you talking about?" asked Crow.
"We have to go after Yusei" she stated.
"Do you have a death wish or do you just have a hard time hearing things?" asked an angry Jack. "You heard what Yusei said. I don't care if you are his bride-to-be, he will tear you apart for trying to stop him."
Instead of backing down she answered almost immediately. "Listen, I know Yusei isn't acting like his normal self, but we need to make an attempt to help him. We are his friends after all. Believe me, I know what its like to be feared because of the power you wield. Right now, Yusei needs us more than ever. I don't know about the rest of you, but I don't care what the risks are. Yusei has already done so much for me and I truly love him. If it costs me my life, then so be it, but I will not just watch Yusei become something he's not." With that said, she ran off in the direction Yusei went.
Leo and Luna looked at the others. "I don't know about you guys, but we already owe Yusei so much. It's the least we can do to repay him for taking us in" said Luna.
"Yeah," added Leo. "Besides, there is no way I would leave my big brother hanging like that." They smiled and followed Akiza.
The final three looked at each other until Crow spoke. "Awww, what the hell. We always have to bail Yusei out of whatever mess he gets himself into. Why stop now?" laughed Crow as he went after the twins.
Jack and Kalin just sighed. "Well, Crow has a point. Besides, Yusei would help us out if the situation were reversed" said Kalin
"Doesn't mean we have to to him" huffed Jack.
"Well if you want to stay here, then have fun, but I for one am not going to be left out of the action and let Crow take all the credit" smirked Kalin. Jack muttered something about stupid, reckless commoners before he and Kalin ran to follow the others.
"You know, Kalin, I can see why Yusei and Akiza like each other. They are both too bull-headed and loyal to know when to save their own skins." Jack wondered.
Kalin smirked again. "Then again, aren't we all. But there is one other trait that they share."
"What's that?" asked Jack.
"They both know how to make epic, tragic hero speeches when the time is right." The two friends chuckled as they ran to catch up with the others.
The six of them ran towards the throne room trying to find Yusei. They figured he would head for the throne room first to see his father. All of them tried hard to ignore the dead human bodies and rotting corpses of the demons that littered the hallways.
"Well at least it won't be hard to find out which way Yusei went" joked Crow. No one laughed, but silently continued running.
Finally they reached the throne and found their friend. The scene was horrible. Red blood dominated the entire room. Corpses were piled together, mutilated. It was almost impossible to differentiate between demon and human now. Yusei was sitting on the floor by the throne. Before lay the dead body of a woman with voluminous golden hair matted with excessive amounts of crimson blood, his mother. In his arms lay the body of his father, whom, despite his many deep cuts and blood pouring out of his body, was not dead yet, but his breathing was shallow. Death was inevitable.
"What are you all doing here" growled Yusei. "I told you to stay out of my way."
"If it handed been for your little girlfriend here, we would've been fine staying right where we were" muttered Jack. Everyone ignored him except Kalin, who elbowed him none-too-kindly in the ribs. Jack would have replied in anger had Kalin not put his finger on his lips. Jack saw that his humor was not needed right now and shut his mouth.
Akiza hesitantly approached Yusei. Most of her earlier confidence had drained away at the sight of Yusei. "We just wanted to help" she said, pleading with Yusei to understand.
"Then do all of yourselves a favor and go away before I turn on you."
Akiza started to get angry. How could even think of turning on his friends and me now, after all that has happened? He doesn't have the right to think that way! She managed to keep her powers in check but still let her anger and hurt fuel her next words. "Dammit Yusei, who do you think you are? Do you think you are the only one suffering here? Well here's a newsflash pal, you aren't! You, yourself, know how much your family has meant to Leo and Luna. Also, think about how much good they have done for this kingdom. Crow, Kalin, and Jack can all attest to that. And yet you sit there, saying you're willing to throw away all of that? And for what? Just so you can be alone to wallow in your self-pity? If so, then you are pathetic. To think that I ever loved a man so selfish." By now, tears had started to fall from Akiza's eyes. Yusei had already turned around to face her with a murderous look in his eyes. "I know what happened to your sister and now your parents, Yusei, and I understand your hurt. But you cannot carry that burden alone. That's why you have us, your friends. Don't fall prey to your despair, but accept it, let us help you, and then move on. Please, Yusei. I couldn't bear the thought of losing you. I love you with everything I have. Don't leave me now..." She couldn't continue.
Yusei stared transfixed at Akiza. A myriad of emotions went across his face: hatred, anger, confusion, and then, finally, sorrow. His eyes turned back to normal as he realized what he could have done and how much he had hurt his friends and the one he loved. He did the first thing that came to his mind, he gently laid his father down and ran to Akiza and embraced her.
"Yusei" whispered a shocked Akiza.
"Thank you, Akiza" said Yusei. "You were right, I was being a self-righteous prick. I thought that I had to carry my burden, to use that revenge and hurt to drive my actions. But I was wrong. You showed me that I need you and the rest of my friends. Thank you so much. I love you Akiza. I love you with every fiber of my being. Even with all my faults, will you stay with me, for the rest of our lives." Akiza's eyes widened in shock and she pulled away from the hug to look Yusei in the face.
"Yusei, are saying...?" Akiza started to ask.
"Yes, Akiza, I am. I am asking you, not as the prince of this kingdom, but as just Yusei Fudo, to marry me. Do you accept?"
Akiza was speechless, but managed to stutter out "Of course" to Yusei. He smiled and their lips slowly met, forming a passionate kiss. Before any of the others could celebrate or congratulate them, a strangled voice called out to Yusei. It was the king. Yusei broke the kiss and immediately ran to his father.
"Father!" he cried out as he picked him up again.
"Yusei... I am... so proud of... you" he said with a slight smile. "You have... grown into an... amazing... young man... Your mother... would be... proud..." then his face turned serious as he coughed out more blood. "I just have... one last... thing you need... to hear... Remember the... legend... and I am...so proud of... you." The last part was whispered as he gave in to death's cold grasp.
"Father!" cried Yusei as held the dead body in his arms. He continued to weep bitter, silent tears for a while. The others bowed their heads in respect as they mourned the loss of their king. Leo and Luna had both started tearing up as well, but did their best to hide it for Yusei's sake.
After Yusei stopped crying and gathered himself together, he covered the bodies of his parents and moved them to a hidden area so any enemies who came in here would not defile them any further. Then he said his final goodbyes to them and rejoined his friends. They offered their condolences, but quickly got back the situation at hand. Kalin was the first to address it.
"What exactly did your father mean when he said ' Remember the legend'?" he asked. Yusei, instead of just telling Kalin what he was talking about, recited it from memory.
Where the Lunar Rose grows
A Way will be found
When the Draco Heir
And the Princess of Beasts
Unite in Love
Hope will form, The Barrier broken
"Okay, well what the hell does all that mumbo jumbo mean?" asked Crow, who was scratching his head. The others were just as confused as him.
"It is our last hope" whispered Yusei. The others all turned to look at him now as he explained. "It was a legend passed down in my family through the generations. We were supposed to figure it out and follow the instructions if the demons were ever released from their seal, but I had forgotten about it until now. And before you ask, no, I don't know what it means."
"Then let's take it one line at a time" suggested Luna.
"Well, one part is obvious" said Jack. "The line about the 'Draco Heir' must refer to a descendent of the dragons, a.k.a. Yusei."
"But what about the rest of it?" asked Leo. They all thought about it.
"What if the 'beasts' represent demons?" asked Kalin. "If that were the case, then the 'princess of beasts' could be referring to a descendent, a.k.a. Akiza."
"It would make sense since it seems the two would need to 'unite in love'" smirked Crow as he directed his words towards the couple. Yusei and Akiza both blushed a light red.
"But they already love each other and admitted it, too, and yet nothing happened" observed Luna.
"Maybe they need to take things a little further, if you know what I mean." Crow's smile grew quite large as he said this. Yusei hit him hard, while Akiza's face turned as red as her hair.
"I think I know what the problem is" said Yusei. The others looked at him with interest. "I am guessing something needs to happen in the area where the Lunar Rose is grown, as it says in the first line of the legend.
"Okay, well where is that? I have never heard of such a plant" said Leo. All the others, even Akiza, shook her head.
"Don't worry," said Yusei. "It is one of the most beautiful roses that only opens up at midnight, under a full moon and I know exactly where it grows. The area is guarded by my aunt and uncle." Everyone looked relieved and happy to have hopefully figured out the legend. That is, until Akiza remembered something that made her turn white with fear.
Well, that's it for this chapter peoples. Cookie to anyone who thinks they know what Akiza remembered at the end there. Oh and sorry if the characters were a little OOC in this chapter. I try and keep them as close to the anime as possible. Also, I am going to be making another story which is another YuseixAkiza fic. It will be the 5Ds characters in the Final Fantasy IV (english version) storyline. I would like some input on a choice I am debating. No matter what it will be a Yusei and Akiza romance fic, but I don't know which character to put Akiza as, either Rosa or Rydia. Yusei is Cecil, I know in the game Cecil marries Rosa, but I think Akiza would be much better as Rydia. If she were in Rydia's place instead, then I would change the story a bit to make them get together in the end, which is what I am leaning towards. "Please review and give me some much-needed input. Thanks and, until next time, see ya!
