Valkyria : Welcome to Chapter Thirteen of Emperor's Prophecy.
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Beta'd by : Moondalian.
Current Song : The Other Promise by Yoko Shimomura
"So ambitious men, if they find the way open for their rising, and still get forward, they are rather busy than dangerous; but if they be checked in their desires, they become secretly discontent, and look upon men and matters with an evil eye, and are best pleased, when things go backward." - Francis Bacon
Chapter Thirteen: Time Passes On.
Sugoroku cursed under his breath when one of his newly created potions crashed to the ground, spilling its contents all over the floor.
"You should be more careful, Sugoroku," a deep, smooth voice stated calmly. "I know of some of the herbs that are needed to create potions, and they are not cheap, or easy to find at times."
A chuckle rumbled through the old man's throat at the voice that seemed to come from every direction. "Is there some reason why you have come to visit an old man in the middle of the night, Your Majesty?"
"Indeed there is." Atemu stepped out of the shadows, and pulled down his hood. "I have some questions that I need you to answer."
"Of course, Your Majesty." Sugoroku walked towards the staircase leading to the second floor, waving Atemu along. "How is my boy doing lately?"
"He is doing very well. He is adjusting to palace life quicker than I had anticipated."
Sugoroku lead him into the living room, turning the lights on one by one. "I assume those questions you want to ask me are about, Yuugi?"
Atemu sat in the chair near the couch. "Yes, I will get straight to the point. Why was there a seal on Yuugi's magical system?"
"Was?" Sugoroku gave the ruler an intense stare. "Meaning you removed it?"
"At his request."
"My grandson is the only remaining Seer alive in all of Eternia. I did not want to burden him further with another rare talent."
Atemu gave the elderly man a confused look. "A rare talent?"
"Time is a dangerous thing, Your Majesty." Sugoroku gave him an empty smirk. "It can pass you by in the blink of an eye or it can freeze you in the same exact spot until you're driven to the brink of insanity."
Atemu's eyes widened a fraction when Sugoroku's vague words clicked. Of all the abilities the Gods could have blessed his Young One with, it had to be the power to control time.
Time mages were only second in rarity to Seers because of the dangers that came with their powers. They were paid special attention to within the mage academy. But, all of the precautions the instructors took were sometimes for naught.
Atemu had heard many stories from Mahad of time mages losing control over their powers, and disappearing in a flash of white light. Where or when they went nobody knew exactly. It was after several repeat incidents such as these that parents expecting children would pray at the Temple of Ra and desperately plead for that their children not to be cursed with the power of time.
"When did his powers show up?" Atemu forced down the tremor in his voice, but judging from the sympathetic smile Sugoroku gave him, he knew that he had not done a good job at it.
"He was only two years old when it happened. He stopped a crate full of potions from falling on top of me. He didn't know what had happened, and continued playing as if nothing was wrong. I sealed his powers after I put him to bed that very night."
Atemu pinched the bridge of his nose and closed his eyes. "Should I re-seal them?"
"No." Atemu opened his eyes and blinked at the elderly man. "Those powers may prove useful in the coming days."
"That seal has been in place for over a decade, Sugoroku. It could take months to years for those powers to activate."
"Or it could take weeks," Sugoroku countered smoothly. "Magic is a fickle thing, Your Majesty."
Atemu couldn't agree more with that statement. "Who would teach him if his powers were to show unexpectedly?"
"I will teach him all that I can, but I'm afraid that I cannot give him the proper examples that he needs."
Atemu kept his surprise hidden at finding out that the elderly man was also wielding time. "What do you mean by that?"
Sugoroku carefully rolled up his sleeves to reveal several sunset-colored runes. Atemu felt a clammy hand wrap around his heart at the sight.
"When?"
"I was gathering some rare herbs for my potions around Tenebrae Forest two years ago. I had gone in further than I usually did and was caught off guard by the large amounts of negative energy. The runes didn't show up until months later."
Sugoroku rolled his sleeves back down. "Time magic does come in handy in situations such as these."
"You should be bedridden," Atemu stated. "The color of the runes indicate that you are at the final stage. Your magic should be almost non-existent at that point."
"That's true," Sugoroku agreed without any of the malice that any self-respecting mage should have held. "But, I have managed to slow down the progress of the disease in the earlier stages."
"Does Yuugi know?"
"No, it is one of the many things I have kept from him."
"When do you plan on telling him?"
"I have no intention of telling him about this-"
"I know you love your grandson more than anything in this world," Atemu interrupted quietly, "but, do you not think he deserves to know that his only remaining relative is dying?"
"He deserves that and more," Sugoroku agreed. "But, to let him know that I am dying will only bring him despair. I only desire for my grandson to have peace before the war Leon prophesied comes to pass, and for you to have peace as well, Your Majesty. You are aware that you are a part of the prophecy as well?"
"He will be protected and loved by the Valiant Emperor, who will sacrifice soul and body to protect the Seer from all harm." Atemu recited automatically. "The previous council thought it was my father who was in the prophecy. That is why they did away with him."
"Those manipulative crows couldn't have cared less about the prophecy," Sugoroku spat. "They only cared about the throne."
The former Council of Val'ista had already been in power when his father had ascended the throne with his mother. Atemu had always felt like something had been off about the council members, but had never spoken up about the matter.
It hadn't been until he had turned thirteen years old that he had begun to notice his father's slowly declining health. One by one certain things began to catch Atemu's attention.
The magnificent robes, tailored to perfection, had started to hang loosely off his father's frame. The once strong voice had softened and turned weak as a child's.
A mage in his own right, his father had grown so weak that he could barely gather the seemingly endless amount of magic around to perform an incantation.
It had been exactly three days after his fourteenth birthday that his father had finally passed away in his sleep. Now without either ruler, and with an only barely prepared prince. Elysian and Atemu had fallen into mourning and unease.
The Council of Val'ista - without Sugoroku - had swept in and taken control of the situation. Atemu, too deep in his despair over the loss of his only remaining parent, had let the Council of Val'ista do as they pleased with the future of Elysian.
Elysian, who's borders had once open to all, had closed to traders, travelers, and wandering mages looking for a temporary home. Taxes had been raised, and the council had reaped the benefits of it.
The Council's decisions brought Elysian almost to the brink of civil war within the city. It all came to a halt when a young Seto and Mahad had discovered that it had been the council that had killed the previous Emperor off.
They had gradually poisoned the benevolent ruler until he had breathed his last breath. The healer mages had later told him that it had been an undetectable poison, and that it had been created by the lone female of the Council of Val'ista.
Being unable to fully take control of Elysian, the Council kept Atemu alive merely for the sake of using him as their puppet when the time came for him to take the throne.
Learning of this from his cousin and friend had sent Atemu into a rage. Together with Seto and Mahad, and with numerous soldiers and mages backing them, they had managed to drive the council out of the land.
With no acting council available, Atemu had been crowned at the age of sixteen years old instead of the age of twenty-one as tradition dictated, and had been deemed Elysian's youngest Emperor.
Atemu had re-opened Elysian's borders, and in time had brought the land back to its former glory. Remembering the good times with his father, Atemu had tried with all his heart to be the ruler that his father had been.
Just and kind.
"It is amazing what people won't do for power." Atemu murmured. "They kill, deceive, and rip people apart."
"Greed is a terrible thing to witness." Sugoroku gave Atemu a questioning look. "You are no longer talking about your father are you, Your Majesty?"
Atemu rose from the chair. "No, I am not. King Dartz and King Crawford are approaching our boarders as we speak. A diplomatic visit so to speak."
"You will have your hands full with King Dartz. He is not king of such a magnificent land as Atlantis for nothing. King Crawford is not to be underestimated just because his lands are not as ripe as yours and Dartz' either."
"I have met the both of them. I will not underestimate either, and it would be best for them if they would extend the same courtesy to me."
Sugoroku let out a joyous chuckle at the arrogance and pride he heard in the Emperor's voice. "I am sure that Yuugi will help you with them however he can."
"Pardon?"
"Do not take me for an old fool, Your Majesty. I know there is one other reason why you have come here."
Atemu paused before speaking again, his voice losing its previous confidence, "I need your blessing to take Yuugi's hand in marriage."
A noise of surprise erupted from Sugoroku's throat at his abrupt confession. "You do not think that you can protect Yuugi any other way?"
"No, they will find some way to take Yuugi from Elysian, and if he is my consort then they might have second thoughts about doing so."
"…You have my blessings, but do you honestly think that they will not try anyway?"
"They will still try to take Yuugi away, of that I am sure. But if the people recognize Yuugi, then Dartz and Pegasus will not leave Elysian unnoticed if they attempt to kidnap him."
"I did everything in my power to keep him away from a situation like this, but I knew that I was merely postponing the inevitable." Sugoroku shook his head. "Please, do all that you can to protect him."
"You have my word that I will do all that I can."
Sugoroku watched as the shadows swirled around the Emperor until he faded away as quietly as he had come.
"You're up earlier than usual."
Marik Aegnor directed his gaze away from the letters on his desk to his assistant standing in the doorway.
"It seems that Asrai is no longer quiet." He waved his assistant in. "Orders from High Lord Kaiba; I am to return to the capital within the week."
"Colonel Firimar is no longer able to defend the city?"
"Quite the opposite," Marik tapped his fingers on the oak desk. "He defends Asrai and the Emperor with all that he has, but it seems that King Dartz and King Crawford are making their way to the capital."
"So they want you back as a display of power and intimidation?"
"It sounds so horrible when you say it with that tone, Malik."
Malik Ishtar turned away from the general. "If High Lord Kaiba has called on you, then I doubt His Majesty knows of your impending arrival."
"I'm sure High Lord Kaiba will inform him in time." Marik gracefully rose from his chair and made his way to the open windows that gave him a magnificent view of Haven City, the second largest city in Elysian.
Marik would not be ashamed to say that he had gradually fallen in love with it. Known as the center of trade between Elysian, Sylvantia, and Atlantis. Haven City was blessed with a mix of cultures from all three lands.
Sylvantia made weapons and armors that were always sought after by soldiers and mercenaries. Atlantis made boats that were owned by the best fisherman and wealthy nobles. And Elysian produced some of the best magical items, ranging from potions to cloaks.
Malik stepped closer to the desk. "When do you plan on leaving? Who is going to take your place while you are away?"
"You are coming with me for one," Marik stated firmly. "As for who will be taking my place, Captain Ishtar will do."
Malik raised a fine eyebrow. "You are leaving my brother in charge? Doesn't that show favoritism just a little bit?"
"No," Marik gave his assistant a dark smirk, which made Malik feel weary. "Showing favoritism is me taking you back to the capital because I'm attracted to you."
"The way you stare at my ass on a daily basis, I'm not surprised that you are attracted to me, sir." Malik deadpanned.
"I like it when you call me, sir." Marik purred darkly. "It's such a turn on."
Lavender eyes narrowed into an icy glare. "It will be such a turn on for me when I file for sexual harassment to the Council of Val'ista when we arrival in the capital."
That statement caused Marik to scowl at his assistant. "I see being away from Ishizu hasn't had any affect on your personality."
"I see that being away from the Emperor has caused your personality to become untamed," Malik countered. "I am positive that His Majesty would not approve of the behavior that you are displaying, General Aegnor."
"Believe it not, I am not a cold-blooded soldier twenty-four seven, Malik," Marik murmured. "You must understand that my soldiers and I are human underneath our armors." he narrowed his eyes at the smaller young man. "The Emperor trusts me inexplicably, and I do everything in my power not to lose that precious trust."
"…Is that your way of telling me that you are only teasing me?"
"Somewhat of a long-winded explanation, but, yes, it is my way of telling you that I am merely teasing you. I will take you to Asrai with me. I am sure that Lady Ishtar would be delighted to see you."
Malik gave the general a grateful smile before directing his attention to the letters on the desk. "What else did High Lord Kaiba have to say?"
"You will be surprised by the contents of these letters, but I will wait until we are well on our way before I reveal anything to you."
"Is the information so important that you cannot tell me here?"
Marik released a small flame from his hands, quickly turning the letters into ash. "Very important."
Critias located Princess Christina sitting on one of the many wooden benches in the palace garden. The sixteen-year old heir was staring into a small pond with a blank expression.
He bowed down next to her and murmured, "Your Highness?"
Christina blinked rapidly and turned to him. "General Critias? What is it?"
"I have come to report my progress, Your Highness."
"Oh, yes, tell me what you have learned."
Critias lips thinned with displeasure and concern at the Princess' lack of attention. He wondered what was on the younger woman's mind.
"I regret to inform you that His Majesty's elite guards have remained tight-lipped about His Majesty's behavior as of late. However, something that General Hermos said has pointed me in the right direction."
"They know something," Christina stated firmly. "They will wag their tongues soon enough. Please, continue with your report, General."
"His Majesty's sudden departure to Elysian for diplomatic reasons is most likely a ruse to confirm or kidnap the Seer that was discovered merely days ago."
Christina anxiously picked at her silk, red and gold dress. "The Seer… is not attached to anyone, is he?"
Critias shook his head. "I would not know, Your Highness. If the Seer is attached to some of high status then King Dartz actions could lead us to war. This is all the information I could gather for now, Your Highness."
Christina took a deep, shuddering breath and rose from the bench. She quickly motioned for Critias to rise from his bowed position. "I must thank you for your hard work, General."
"Thank you, Your Highness, but I feel as if I have done nothing."
"Do not be foolish," Christina chided gently, giving the general a blinding smile. "You have done an impeccable job, Critias. You have never failed me."
"I have no intention of doing so in the near future, Your Highness."
"I know you will not. I must consult the council and Leviathan about this matter. I am sure that all of them will listen to me."
"Allow me to accompany you, Your Highness."
The Council of the Heavens was a group of seven men and women, all stemming from different backgrounds. Some of them were mages, and some were nobles whose family had enough political backing for the position.
Critias knew that the council sometimes favored Christina over Dartz, not only because they thought she was easier to manipulate, but also because she was a Sage; a mage who could perform a mix of light and dark magic. This was a talent that had not been seen since the Ethereal War.
He would not be allowed in Leviathan's Holy Chambers, but the least he could do was stop the council from trying to take away the temporary power that Christina held.
"…Atemu? Are you okay? You haven't said a word since the lesson ended."
Atemu turned his gaze away from the view of the city to see Yuugi sitting on the edge of his bed, staring at him with concern in his eyes.
The Emperor had barely made it thorough the magic lesson without blurting out what he had learned from Sugoroku the previous night. Deep down, he knew that it was his own selfishness that stopped him. He didn't want to see despair in those amethyst eyes when he did confess.
What would the Seer think when he found out that Atemu had kept the truth of his grandfather's impending death away from him?
The fact that he also knew Yuugi's element only made the situation worse.
"Atemu?" Yuugi called again, rising from the bed. "Is everything-"
"Everything is fine, Young One," Atemu stared at the smaller young man for another moment before coming to a decision.
Please, do all that you can to protect him.
With Sugoroku words and blessing still in his mind, Atemu walked towards the Seer. Once had he reached him, he grasped the smaller, slender hands in his own.
"Yuugi, there is something very important that I must ask of you."
A/N : I think we know what Atemu is going to ask, right? It's too bad that I stopped like right there *shakes head and chuckles evilly* Well! Until next time everyone!
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