A/N: I DO NOT OWN ANY OF THE YU GI OH 5DS OR DRAGONRIDERS OF PERN SERIES! ALL RIGHTS BELONG TO KONAMI AND ANNE MCCAFFREY! THE ONLY THING I OWN ARE MY OCS!
Hey, people! Well, this is the last chapter before the epilogue! I have to admit, this is probably one of the most laid back stories I have ever written. Nothing too huge going on, nothing too big like one based off a movie or game or book entirely. So… yeah. Have fun with the chapter and let me know what you think!
Chapter 25: Execution and Aftertime
The next morning, Deia and Yusei woke up to a knock on their door. Yusei got dressed and opened it to see B'rok standing there.
"Hey, B'rok, you're up early," Yusei greeted letting him in. "Is something wrong?"
"F'iel decided to have Mysteria's execution in the next thirty minutes," B'rok answered. "Did you tell him to do it this quickly? I know he said early this morning, but…"
"No," Yusei answered. Deia walked up seeming also confused. "I didn't tell him to execute her this early. I had told him early this morning was fine, most likely after the watchdragon woke everyone up. Where is he now?"
"Getting Mysteria," B'rok answered.
Yusei looked at Deia. "Come on, Deia," he told her and she nodded before they ran out.
"This isn't like F'iel," Deia commented as they ran.
"I know," Yusei agreed. "Do you think he has something more going on in his mind that just giving Mysteria a punishment for her mistakes?"
"Probably," Deia answered. "But what?"
They arrived by Mysteria's room to hear her whimpering inside. Yusei and Deia immediately opened the door to see F'iel looking down at her, a sword in hand, and with Mysteria curled into a corner, shaking fearfully. Lorith was standing in front of her protectively.
"F'iel, what're you doing?" Yusei asked catching his attention.
"Bringing this to an end, Weyrleader," the elder bronze answered.
"F'iel, listen to me, we need to wait until the timed execution can be played out," Yusei told him. "Now isn't the time yet."
"She was plotting something else!" F'iel retorted. "I heard her!"
"I wasn't! What else can I plot? How will I say my goodbyes is just about it," Mysteria fought.
"F'iel, calm down," Deia told him. She slowly stepped forward and touched his shoulder. "Listen, F'iel, her trial was decided. She was probably just muttering her anger and sadness to herself. She wasn't plotting anything. Just calm down."
F'iel took a deep breath. "Yes, ma'am," he agreed and lowered the sword.
Yusei looked at Mysteria. "Mysteria, you sentence will be carried out this morning," she told her. "But I'll postpone it an hour so F'iel can calm down and you can take your time getting ready for your final moments with Lorith."
"Thank you, Yusei," she responded seeming a bit shocked. F'iel also seemed a bit shocked but also nodded and left. Deia and Yusei turned to leave when Mysteria called, "Yusei, I… I am sorry."
He looked at her before nodding and saying kindly, "I know you are." The two Weyrleaders then walked out.
. . .
Later that morning, it was time for Mysteria's execution. Her father and Lyra decided not to watch, but Yusei and Deia were required to be there as being the main victims of the crime. A few other close riders to Mysteria came up and watched as well. F'iel had calmed down fully and was back to a clear mind.
"Deia, is there anything you want to say to Yusei or Deia about this?" F'iel asked.
"I already have," she answered honestly.
F'iel nodded. "Have you said your goodbyes to all of your liking?" he asked. She looked at Lorith sadly and nodded. "Very well." He rose the sword. "By the rights of Pernese law, I shall sentence you to your death for the crimes of which you have committed. I hope your soul finds its way to the afterlife well." He sank his sword through his heart. Deia instinctively closed her eyes and tucked herself against Yusei for comfort which he tried to give to the best of his ability. Lorith cried out slightly before flying out and going between to leave this life with his lifetime partner. F'iel yanked out the sword and said as her body collapsed on the ground, "Rest well, Mysteria."
A tear fell down Deia's face and Yusei immediately wiped it off and brought her closer. There was a long moment of tense silence. Slowly, though, the riders and people began to file out while some Lower Cavern Staff came and took Mysteria's corpse away to the rider burial grounds and wiped up the blood on the floor.
Yusei slowly brought Deia out and went to their room to talk. Once they were in and the door was closed, the Weyrwoman tucked herself into Yusei's body and cried.
"It's alright, Deia," Yusei tried to comfort.
"I… I know," she cried. "I… It's just…" Yusei held the back of her head to keep her at his chest with one hand while the other held her back caringly. "She was the last person who I actually knew from Ruatha. The last one I had been friends with while I was there. First it was Noket and now Mysteria. How many more people am I going to lose?"
"None," Yusei answered bluntly. He gently made her look at him. He wiped the tears off her face as he said, "I'm not going to let you lose anyone else."
"Especially you," she stated slowly. "I can't lose you. As much as I can't lose Irath."
"And I'm the same," he responded. "I can't lose you as much as I can't lose Truth." He slowly leaned down and kissed her to show her he meant it. She held to him tighter and when he pulled back, she set her head on his chest.
"Thank you, Yusei," she whispered.
"For what?" he asked.
"For staying here with me," she answered, closing her eyes in peace.
"As long as you stay here with me, I'll stay here with you," Yusei responded with a soft grin. She nodded against his chest slowly. Suddenly, they heard a Threadfall call sound out. He sighed. "Looks like we're going to fight."
Deia sighed as well. "Yeah," she agreed.
"Truth, tell Veraeth to remind Akiza that she isn't allowed to fight since her dragon just mated for me," Yusei told her.
"Of course," Truth agreed and sent the message. "Veraeth will make sure Akiza remembers."
"Thanks," Yusei stated. He looked at Deia. "Let's go burn Thread." His girlfriend nodded and they flew off.