Zypher: And like I said, I have the next chapter for you. I thanked those that have left a good review for the last chapter and I hope that you will enjoy this one just as much. We'll finally have something exciting happening. Read on.
Price of Love
Chapter 8
Jou and Kaiser continued to walk through the hallways, barely escaping the searching eyes of the Nightstalker guards. "Jou, I think it's best we head back now. We won't be able to find Yugi at this rate and chances are if we did, we may be seen by the king and lord and we can't afford that. We already lost Ryou and Diamond to the captains and we haven't seen Malik or Topaz anywhere even as big as the palace is." Kaiser said.
Jou sighed and nodded. "You're right, let's get out of here before we are found. We need to think of a way to get across the Dark Lake since we don't have Ryou and Diamond to transport us back over." Jou said as they made their way out the palace quickly.
"We can try to find a spare boat somewhere. Just hope we won't be caught by anyone here." Kaiser said and he nodded as they soon escaped out the secret entrance that Bakura showed them a few days ago and made their way over the wall of the palace, heading back into the town to find anything they can use to get back over the lake.
As it was getting close to dinner, Aqua was making his way over to Yugi's room, humming a tune softly as he walked. He reached his room and opened the door quietly. He smiled softly as he saw Yugi was still asleep comfortably in his bed, Uial curled up beside him while the other were resting calmly in their places, watching over him.
Zairu stood up along with the others and left out the room to head to the dining hall. Monolith was the only one to stay behind and looked to Aqua. "Lord Aqua, will you and King Yami soon tell that you love him?" he asked.
"In due time Monolith. In due time. He may be getting used to living here but he still needs to confront his mother and we don't want to make his decision harder if he still has thoughts about staying home." Aqua said. He nodded. "Manka lle merna, we can help as much as we can if you need it." Monolith said.
"If we wish it, you can help but let's wait just a while longer. We can plan something out when he is slumbering for the night." Aqua said and he nodded once more as he left out. "Wake up, poikaer. It's time for dinner." Aqua said and he yawned, rubbing the sleep from his eyes.
"Hmm, oh, good evening Aqua, it's already time for dinner already?" he asked as he gently woke Uial from his sleep and he squeaked softly before opening his eyes and looking up to him, giving off another small squeak. "Yes, come now, everyone is waiting in the dining hall for us." Aqua said, leaving out the room and he slipped out from his bed and placed on another attire and left out his room, looking up to him. "I'm ready now." He said, Uial perched on his shoulder. "Then let's get going then." he said as they headed down to the dining hall.
"Come on little healer, we're going down to eat." Bakura said and Ryou nodded. "Will I see Yugi in the dining hall?" he asked. "Yes you will but don't mention anything about you being from the Light Kingdom. I am not responsible for what the king and lord may do to you and your friends cause with the current bout with your queen and them hasn't be settled yet so chances are we won't know what will happen to anyone she sent here to retrieve the prince." Bakura said and he nodded once more as they left out, meeting up with Crimson and Diamond on the way.
"I'm not going." Malik said as he lied down on the bed Marik brought in for him. "Do you at least want to see that your prince is alright and not harmed? I won't be able to bring anything up for you cause I need to feed the beasts tonight." Marik said. "I'm not eating anything from here. I want to head back to my own kingdom." he said, turning over to his side.
Marik sighed before walking over to him. "Alright, I know you think the kingdom is so bad but I promise you, it's not as bad as the people of the Light Kingdom said it is. Just come downstairs and eat and tomorrow, I'll show that the kingdom is not horrible in any way." Marik said.
Malik finally sat up and looked to him. "Fine if it will get you to leave me alone." Malik said as he stood up and walked over to the door but Marik stopped him. "You know you have to change out your armor. If the king or lord sees your seal, we won't be able to stop them from doing who knows what because you're trying to get the prince back." Marik said. He groaned but nodded and Marik handed him something to wear, leaving out the room afterwards. Once he was in his new clothing, he left out the room and followed Marik downstairs.
Toben was already taking Topaz downstairs, nipping at his ear lightly. He laughed softly before pushing him away softly. "Don't you think we're taking this a little too fast? I mean, we met only a few hours ago." Topaz said. "I know but having you around me makes it pretty hard to not do anything to you. I would never suspect Light Kingdom people to look as good as you do." Toben said as he licked his cheek lightly. "Well let's take it slow just a bit, ok Toben?" he asked. He snorted lightly before nodding.
"Fine but I won't be responsible for what I do to you." Toben said with a smirk as they continued their way downstairs. "Hey Toben, do you think you will be able to show me some of the kingdom?" he asked. "Of course. I was planning on doing so anyway so I can show you that our kingdom isn't as bad as the Light Kingdom and all other kingdoms say it is. We are just like them but since we stay hidden, they decided they want to talk ill about is just because of that and that we're shapeshifting demons." Toben said.
Topaz felt bad for him, knowing that when he and Malik we're young, their mother always told them that the Dark Kingdom is something to fear because of their location and their race. 'She was wrong. They're not as bad as we think and I know that Yugi may be able to change that for everyone. It makes me wonder if the other kingdoms were the reason the Dark Kingdom separated themselves from the mainland.' Topaz thought and was contemplating asking Toben about it later.
They all came in later Yugi looked up to greet them but gasped when he saw Ryou, Malik, Diamond and Topaz. 'So I wasn't seeing things that day, they were here. Oh I hope Yami and Aqua doesn't find out they're from the Light Kingdom.' Yugi thought. Yami looked to him. "Is something wrong, Yugi?" he asked.
Yugi shook his head and waited for them to sit at the table. He looked over to Ryou while Yami was speaking to the others. "Ryou, what are you doing here? Don't you know the risk you're taking by coming here? Yami and Aqua aren't really fond of anyone else from the Light Kingdom except me." Yugi whispered.
"I know, you mother told us to come and see if we can get you back but as you can see, some of us were taken in but Jou and Kaiser should still be around here somewhere if, hopefully, they didn't get caught in the halls." Ryou explained. "I wish my mom will just give up with this. I like living here and it's not as bad as everyone back home says it is. I just hope she won't start a war because I want to stay here instead of coming back home." Yugi said.
"But why is the question, Yugi. Why do you want to stay here? Yes I along with Diamond, Topaz and Malik can see that the king and lord is taking care of you well but what does the kingdom itself have to offer for you?" Ryou asked.
Yugi looked down to his food before looking back to him. "I love them. I never thought I would since they're the king and lord of their kingdom but I do. I don't want to leave them but with my mom so bent on trying to bring me back so I can take the throne and get married I might have to and I don't want to." Yugi murmured.
"Well it's your choice now, Yugi. You can stay or you can head back home. We won't do anything to stop you but you have to make the choice that's satisfying for you." Ryou said. He nodded and continued to eat once more, hoping to talk more with his friends soon.
As they were heading back to their rooms after dinner, Yugi looked up to Yami. "Yami, is it ok if I can talk with my friends tomorrow?" he asked softly. "Yes you may. You can all gather in the gardens tomorrow to talk." He said. Yugi smiled and hugged him. "Thanks, Yami." Yugi said as the stopped by his room. He bid Yami and Aqua goodnight before heading inside with his beasts.
He sat down on the bed and Uial cooed softly. He looked down to him and had a thought. "Uial, can you do something for me?" he asked and he nodded. "I want you to head to the Light Kingdom and see what my mother is doing. If she mentions something about war, come back quickly and tell me cause I want to stop her before any forces advance onto the Dark Kingdom." Yugi said and he crooned once more before licking his cheek and soon flew out the window.
He watched him go before lying down in bed and placed a hand over the crystal flower clip. 'Soon, I will tell you both and I'll never have to leave.' Yugi thought before curling up under the warm sheets and fell asleep, the beasts watching him with happiness glittering in their eyes.
'Hopefully everything will go well for you, young one.' Fenrir thought as he walked over to jump onto the bed as well and curled up onto the sheets at the end of the bed. Rosell joined him to lie at the head of the bed next to him. The others took their places to guard him and fell asleep as well.
In Yami's room, he and Aqua thought about what to do about Yugi's mother. "We will have to speak with her soon. I know that soon she will try and fight us for her son back and she knows herself that she won't be able to stand up to our beasts and I know that Yugi doesn't want anyone to get hurt." Aqua said. Yami nodded.
"But it all depends on Yugi's choice. If he wants to leave then he can. If he wants to stay then she will have to work that out for herself. Chances are that Yugi may convince her to merge our kingdoms together. Light can't survive without the darkness and the darkness can't survive without its light. If she takes Yugi by force then she will ruin both kingdoms." Yami said.
He nodded before sighing lightly. "But should we tell Yugi our feelings for him? He should know just in case something happens." Aqua said, looking to him. "Yes, you do have a point. We'll tell him tomorrow after he talks with his friends." Yami said and he nodded once more before getting up. We'll I'm heading to my room. Quel esta, Yami." Aqua said as he headed to the door. "Quel esta, Aqua." Yami said. Aqua left out the room and headed to his own.
Jou and Kaiser finally reached the palace before midnight and quickly made their way to the King and Queen's room. Jou knocked on the door and it was a while before Kitargi opened the door. "Ah, Jou. Kaiser. What brings you here?" he asked. "We have some grave news about Yugi's location." Jou said.
Shiori quickly sat up from the bed and walked over to them. "What is it?" she asked, fearing the worse. "We had found him and he's currently living in the palace with King Yami and Lord Aqua. We tried our best to get him but he was always seen with one of them and knowing if they were to see us, they might punish us for trying to bring him back." Kaiser explained.
She sighed and went back into the room, sitting on the bed and placing her head into her hands. Kitargi walked over to her and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Maybe it was meant to be. They predicted it and it came true. Maybe we should let him go." Kitargi said. "No! I can't allow this! He must come back or our kingdom will fall!" Shiori said. "But how? We can't possibly go to war. We will be defeated before we can reach the gates." Jou said. "We must. We have no choice now. They have the prince and we must get him back." Shiori said.
Kitargi looked to her before turning back to Kaiser and Jou. "Where are Ryou, Malik, Topaz and Diamond? They did not come in with you." he asked. Jou looked down solemnly. "In order to get inside without getting caught, their commanders Bakura and Crimson led us to a hidden entrance but we have to give something up for it and they wanted Ryou and Diamond. I didn't want to but they agreed to do so and we couldn't find them during the time we were looking for the prince. We split up after that and when we left, we never encountered Malik or Topaz." Jou said.
That roused Shiori's temper even more. "That vile Dark Kingdom. Taking our best healers and our backup commanders." she growled before looking to Jou. "Get your troops ready and send a messenger to the other kingdoms tonight, we'll leave at noon tomorrow." Shiori said. Jou wanted to protest but since she was queen, he had to follow.
"As you wish." he said before they left out the room. Kitargi looked to her. "Are you sure this is wise?" he asked. "We have to dear. We can't let them keep Yugi there. We must get him back along with the others." Shiori said.
They didn't see Uial there and he quickly flew back to the Dark Kingdom to tell Yugi of the impending war.
Jou and Kaiser walked through the halls, heading back to their rooms with solemn thoughts. "We can't do this. I don't want to risk people's lives to help the queen saves Yugi's. He actually seems to be enjoying his stay there." Jou said. "And that's where he will stay." another voice spoke as Seto and Ruby came down from their hiding spots. "Who are you and why are you here?" Kaiser demanded. "There is no need to tell you our names nor do we need to tell you our work that we are to do here which shall end soon." Ruby said.
"What do you mean? Tell us why you're here!" Jou said, looking to Seto. "You will find out soon enough. For now, you shall only know that everything we'll be settled soon." Seto said, gazing over him which sent a shiver up his spine before they left once more. "They seem to be from the Dark Kingdom but why would they be here of all places?" Kaiser said as he went to stand next to him. "I don't know but I feel that their intentions are good." Jou said and he only nodded as they went to tell their troops of the upcoming war.
'I have a feeling that their visit is more than that or at least is going to mean more than whatever they are doing here. As long as they're not trying to harm the king or queen I won't have to resort to killing them.' Jou thought.
Uial flew back with a frantic titter, waking up Granaldo. He yawned and looked to him. /What's wrong Uial?/ he asked. He fluttered before him, squeaking his message frantically and he woke up quickly, standing up. /No! She doesn't really plan on doing this, does she?/ he asked once more and Uial only squeaked again, confirming his fears. /No, this can't happen./ he said softly before running over to Yugi's bedside, waking him up along with the others. "What's wrong, Granaldo?" he asked softly.
/Uial came back with grave news. Your mother is coming to the Dark Kingdom at noon to claim war upon us to get you and your friends back./ Granaldo said and he shot up in bed, getting up. "No! Not now!" he said with worry. /Yes. Her forces along with the other kingdoms if they agree will be coming at noon tomorrow./ he continued. /Should I warn Yami and Aqua?/ he asked. "Yes, please do. I need to sit down." Yugi said as he went to sit back down on the bed. Uial crooned softly as he flew over and curled up in his lap.
He stroked his head lightly and Monolith walked over to him. /Don't worry. I know your words will end this fight your mother has with Yami and Aqua./ he said as he patted his shoulder lightly. "I know. It's time I tell her where my life is going to be from now own." Yugi said.
Yami paced in the room after hearing the news from Granaldo and told him to fetch the others. "Curse that woman. Hopefully Yugi will make the decision that will satisfy everyone." Yami said. The others came in and looked to him. "So, what's the plan, Yami?" Aqua asked. "We'll counter her forces with the beasts at the lake. Crimson, I'm counting on you to make as many low casualties as you can. We don't need anyone dying.
"Yugi, Aqua and I will encounter her and speak with her and also fetch Ruby and Seto, letting Kitargi rest in peace. If all goes well and depending if Yugi wants to stay with us, we'll invite her over to the Dark Kingdom and prove to her that it's not as horrible as she thinks. If Yugi decides to go home, then he may and he will have to take his friends with him." Yami explained.
"But why, they haven't been here for more than a day at the most." Toben argued, not at all ready to leave Topaz's side. "They will have to go back with him or dear Shiori will complain. I can already tell you're all in the same situation as us and want to keep them here, am I right?" Aqua questioned, looking to them. They nodded. "Ok then, remember what you are to do." Yami said. "Not that I want to ask but are you sure this may work? Yugi's mother may be stubborn and won't give up so easily." Keara said.
"I'm sure he will be able to convince her." Yami said once more.
The next day, all the kingdom's forces were starting to gather near the lakes, flags raised. At the front stood Shiori with Kitargi. On the other side, Yami, Aqua and Yugi stood at the front with their beasts, including the behemoths, behind them. A harsh wind blew by, swirling around the snow gathered onto the ground into small drifts that went by them.
Shiori glared at them. "I have claimed war upon your kingdom, King Yami! Give us back our son and we will leave you alone unharmed." she told them. "We cannot do that! It's his decision now and I promise you that his choice will be effective on both of us." Yami said back to her.
"I don't care! My son need to return back where he is loved and it's certaintly not in the Dark Kingdom." she said once more. "You don't know what you are talking about and this is getting pointless, if you wish to fight then so be it." Yami said once more as he whispered a spell and soon, the lake stood still, a glassy film running over it to create a path. "Go now! We'll talk with Shiori ourselves." Aqua said and Crimson nodded as he looked back to the beasts. "Charge in now and remember, do not kill anyone!" he said and the beasts nodded as they started to cross.
Without another word, the others charged in as well, weapons drawn and battle cries heard. Yami whistled and with a deafening roar, Rathalos showed up. He landed and they climbed onto his back. "Go now, we must reach my mom." Yugi said and he nodded as he took to the air.
Shiori saw them coming and would've told the archers to shoot at them but she didn't want to harm Yugi. Rathalos landed no sooner and Yugi jumped down from his back, walking over to his parents. Yami and Aqua followed behind silently. "Oh son, why did you head over to the Dark Kingdom? You know it's dangerous over there." Shiori said. "It's not how you think mom. The Dark Kingdom is like any other kingdom, only more secluded. They have treated me well and haven't done anything to harm me. I am fine there and I want to stay there." Yugi said.
"But Yugi, you can't do that. You must come back. I don't know what forces are keeping your father alive but it will leave and he will die. Do you want our kingdom to fall?" she asked. "No but there is another way but you must trust me." Yugi said. "But of course I will trust you. What is it you want to do?" she asked.
"I want you to come with me to the Dark Kingdom and see its wonders. I promise you that it's no different from ours. You will enjoy it there and I know that you will want to merge our kingdom with there so I can still rule over it with them by my side." Yugi said. "I can't and I won't! I'm sorry Yugi but I just can't go to the Dark Kingdom. Come on back home and all of this will be over. You'll be the new king and you'll have a beautiful wife by your side." Shiori said.
"I'm sorry mom but if you can't accept my decision then I won't come back. I'm staying in the Dark Kingdom with Yami and Aqua and you can't change that." he said. "But why Yugi? Why won't you come back home? To your real home?" she asked, trying to wrap her arms around him but he backed away.
"Because I love them and I won't leave them just to rule over a kingdom with a false love." Yugi said, placing a hand on the clip that still rests behind his ear. "And with this clip, I will stay with them not only as their lover but as their fiance if they will accept it." he said, turning to them.
"If you wish it Yugi then we shall be engaged. We have loved you ever since we have first seen you as a infant and I knew that some good will come to us as long as we have waited and you have came into our lives. We couldn't wish for anything more than that." Yami said and Yugi smiled as he ran into his arms. "I'm glad to make you both happy. I couldn't wish for anything more than to be with you two." Yugi said. Aqua looked to Shiori. "Now, are you going to accept this relationship or shun it like you did with our kingdom?" he asked, looking dead into her eyes.
"I guess I'll have no choice but I will still try to convince him to come back. He should be home where he belongs but for now, I will accept his choice." she said before looking to him. "Yugi, if something ever happens over there, you still have you home in the Light Kingdom." she told him. He nodded, knowing there is little chance that something would actually happen that would make him leave, and turned to Rathalos.
"We're done here. Go and give the others the signal." Yugi said and he nodded as he turned to where the fight was still occuring and roared out loud, catching their attention. Crimson and the beasts backed away before marching back over the lake.
"The war is done now! We have come to an agreement!" Yugi said and the other kingdom soldiers looked to him before marching back. He turned back to his mother. "And please mom, I tell you now that I will be fine over there. If I need to, I'll visit but don't come after me and try to force me to come home. Yami and Aqua will take care of me like they have been." Yugi said and she nodded. He walked off and climbed onto Rathalos' back. Aqua followed him but Yami stayed behind and looked to Shiori.
"Your husband will finally die tomorrow night. Our sorcerers have done their job." Yami said. "So that why he has been alive this long when his heart was suppose to fail! Why did you do that?" she asked. "So Yugi wouldn't have to go back home just because his father was gone. We wanted to give him the choice of whether to come home or stay and we both knew that if he hears of his father dying, he would think he would have to come back for fear that his home would be in ruin without a king.
"He still cares for the Light Kingdom but with you forcing him into things he doesn't want just yet, he finds comfort within us." Yami said as he soon walked off with a swipe of his dark cape and climbed up behind Aqua and Rathalos was off once more, the lake returning to normal.
She watched them go before commanding the troops the head back to their own kingdoms and mounted onto her horse. "Come on everyone, we must go now." she said and they nodded as they headed back to the Light Kingdom.
Keara, learning of Gaer's predicament, asked Yami when they got back if he would like Thundercrest Isle to be the center of the Dark Lake. "I think that's a great idea. This will also help protect Veeshan's children. Have you already told her of this idea?" Yami asked. "Yes and she will gladly give Vishimtar the power to transform into a sea dragon so Gaer will have someone there for her since no other sea dragons come through the Cirth Duin. She may get her children after all cause I wouldn't want to see her alone and childless anymore when she wishes for it so much." Keara said.
"That's nice of you. Well, whenever you're ready, you can go ahead and bring Thundercrest Isle here. Me and Yugi will go and visit her in a few weeks to see how everything's going." Yami said and she nodded. "Ok then and congratulations on your engagement. I hope that you and Aqua will keep him happy." Keara said. "Don't worry, he will always be happy by our side. There's no doubt about that." Yami said. She nodded once more before bidding him a good day and left to work on bringing Thundercrest Isle to the Dark Lake.
"And I guess I can ask Yugi if he would like a ride around the forest where the T-Rexaurs aren't living in." Yami said to himself as he headed for Yugi's room.
Zypher: And that's all for now. My god this was a long chapter but it was worth it. I hoped you all enjoyed this chapter and will leave a nice review. Now I shall get to work on another story that I have in mind so look out for it cause it will be filled with limey goodness and lots of humour. See you in the next chapter.
Translation:
Manka lle merna - If you wish
Uial - Twilight
