A/N: I don't own YGO. Sorry about the wait! I've been busy with oneshots for other categories…and I can't concentrate very well with Christmas here! Merry Christmas!


The people whispered among themselves, doubt still present in their thoughts. Could they really trust Marik and Ishizhu? After all, they did betray their King. What if they betrayed the King of Relor as well?

Mokuba's ears perked up when he heard the Knight's soft plea. "Seto? What's wrong?" He asked, concern etched on his boyish features. If something was bothering a Knight, it was best to hear him out and not ignore him. There were reasons for a person making it to Knighthood.

"That scent!" Seto remembered it so well. It was slightly familiar to scent of the dead animals he and his kin had preyed upon on the opposite side of the Mountains from where they stood.

"What about it?" Ryou wanted to know. He was more than ready to face whatever obstacle they came across in their path to freedom.

Seto paled visibly and then swallowed hard. "The only thing we should be concerning ourselves with is getting to where the battle is taking place." He answered firmly after a few moments. The others nodded in agreement.

Tristan was about to ask for suggestions on what their next course of action should be when Ishizhu let out a gasp. The brunette turned his gaze on her in mild surprise. "…What is it?" He questioned, raising an eyebrow.

Ishizhu did not answer. Instead she stared at him, or so it seemed, gazing into a future yet to come or perhaps it was only a possibility of what could come to pass—she did not know. Her lips were parted slightly and for a second, all was quiet and still in her world, as if time itself had frozen.

"Sister?" Marik nudged her with his elbow and waved his hand in front of her face. "Are you all right, Ishizhu?" He asked worriedly, knowing that sometimes the visions she received could be frightening and nightmarish.

Mokuba peered up at the woman curiously and then allowed his gaze to drift to the Dragon Paladin, expecting an explanation on the enchantress' strange behavior. "What's happening? Do you know?" He whispered, stealing at glance out of the corner of his eye.

Seto shook his head. "Nay. I haven't a clue." He whispered back, his muscles taut with anxiety. A part of him wished to remain and discover the reasons for Ishizhu's mysterious doings but the other part wanted him to go…now…and fight. There was no doubt in his heart or mind that the Delyan army had already begun the war.

Tristan growled. "Well, I am not going to just stand here and twiddle thumbs!" He snapped at the two foreigners. "I have a duty to the King and to these people. I am sworn to protect them at all costs." He turned to Ryou and Seto. "I do not know about your plans but I have to lead these people to safety." He stepped forward to the taller of the two. "Seto—do you know where the Delyan army is right now?" He had to find out so that he could better chart an escape route in the appropriate direction.

Seto nodded glumly, remembering the horrific scent. "They're on the eastern side of Relor. Already they have killed—I can smell it." He stated icily.

Tristan's jaw was clenched. "I can't believe this—they tricked us!" He kicked at the dirt, oblivious to the people gathering behind him, or at least those who had stopped running.

"Tristan, there's nothing we can do about it." Ryou said firmly. "But there is something we can do now." He straightened his shoulders and swallowed hard, fearing they would deny his request. "Let me take the people into the west. Joseph, Duke, and Yami need you and they need you too, Seto, along with the Dragons." He held his breath. "Please."

Seto nodded without hesitation. "Take Mokuba with you—"

"But Seto!" Mokuba wailed. "I wanna go with you! Let me help fight!" He insisted stepping in between Seto and Tristan.

"Ryou…" Ryou took a deep breath and awaited what Tristan had to say. The once angered Knight appeared to be troubled within, wondering what the best decision for him would be. At long last, he shook his head. "I trust you. Never before have you proved otherwise." He finished softly, cracking a half-smile.

Ryou gave a short nod. "Thank you, Tristan." He responded solemnly.

"No Mokuba. You need to stay with Ryou and the others—that's the best thing for you and maybe you'll be able to help lead the people of Relor into safety." Seto added quickly, hoping that would change the young boy's mind.

Mokuba considered this for a moment. "All right." He said half-heartedly.

"Then it's settled." Seto inhaled deeply. "I don't know what the outcome of this war will be…whether we will be united at the end." Mokuba's eyes shot up with alarm and the other two noblemen wistfully agreed. "So…the best of luck in your ventures. I hope to see you all again…alive." He concluded lamely and bent down until he was eye to eye with the raven-haired boy. "I'm sorry to have to say good-bye again…" He began.

Mokuba said nothing and leaned forward to hug him tightly. "Don't." He murmured. Inside he was crying but his heart willed him to be strong. Nevertheless, a stray tear trickled down his face. "We'll see each other again, Seto—I know it!"

Seto saw the tear and smiled faintly. "Knights don't cry." He whispered.

"We have to get a move on!" Tristan interrupted.

Ryou moved forward to gather the people while Seto hugged Mokuba once more. "I'll be back—I promise." He said and then saw his fellow Knight running into the forest. "Tristan!" He called and the Knight ceased his movement. "It'll go a lot faster if you just climb onto my back and hang on…"

"What?" Tristan stalked back towards the Blue Eyes. "Are you mad? How is it supposed to go any faster, oh…" It suddenly dawned on him. "I forgot."

Seto chuckled softly. "Wait a minute." Mokuba and Ryou, who were off in another series of explanations for the people, paused and turned in Seto's direction, eager to see the magnificent transformation. Even Ishizhu, who had long since dropped out of her reverie, looked on in wonder, as well as Marik.

Seto closed his eyes and breathed in, preparing himself both physically and mentally. Then he concentrated on the newly acquired senses and feelings and searched for right feeling until he found it at his fingertips. He felt something at the edges and pushed at them with his mind, brow knitted in single-mindedness. His grandfather had told him that this was the way to transform into a Dragon: evoke the appearance of a human or a Dragon and picture the transformation, then search himself for the strange limbs that shouldn't be there, normally.

It was easy enough for him but he would have to remain in the Dragon state or human state for 48 hours. If he didn't, problems could occur. But if he planned to stay in a certain state for days on end, then transforming would be a little more difficult than the situation he was in now, that is, changing back into Dragon after becoming human for less than an hour.

Slowly but surely, a scaled tail and gigantic wings sprouted from him and his neck grew, all the while his face forming into one of a Dragon. Upon instinct, the great and majestic Blue Eyes White Dragon roared, gazing towards the night sky, reveling in all his power and strength.

A few of the Relorians screamed and cried out in fear, but majority of them did not run away. They were filled with a sense of comfort, staring in amazement at the beast before them. It was as if…the Dragon was reassuring them that all would be well. Whatever it was, it brought them hope.

Tristan, who had backed all the way into a tree, regained his composure and cleared his throat. "Uh…" Just how did one talk to a Dragon?

Tristan, climb onto my back and hang on to my neck…hurry!

Well that answered his question. Seto's only other supernatural power, besides his ability to transform with his mind, was telepathy. But that was all. Seto had to rely alone on his physical strength and the use of telepathy when in his Dragon form, and in Knight form, he had to depend on his sword and training.

"Good grief!" Tristan had almost been scared right out of his mind. He certainly hadn't expected that. "All right then." Forgetting all apprehensive feelings, Tristan ran over to the Blue Eyes who lowered his neck, and he climbed onto the brute and settled himself on the spot where back and neck connected.

Satisfied, Seto slowly rose into the air, long wings flapping about with such force it created a strong wind. Tristan instantly threw his arms around the scaly cervical and held on tightly, afraid of the heights they were ascending to. "Um, heh heh…" Tristan sweatdropped and shouted, "I'm sorry for ever doubting you!"

For a moment, nothing was heard inside his head and a worried Tristan thought Seto either hadn't heard him or had not forgiven him…quite yet. But then…

You are not the only one.

Tristan grimaced and did not say another word. No doubt Seto was clearly still angry and stung by everyone who had dealt him their mockery and disdain. It took time for wounds to heal and the Knight on the Dragon's back knew in his heart that it would indeed be awhile before they were on more friendlier terms.

Back on the land, Ryou and Mokuba led the people in the direction of the Western Mountains and forest, while Marik and Ishizhu followed closely behind in silence, hoping they were unseen to their former enemies.

"Ishizhu." Marik called to her quietly. "What did you see?"

Ishizhu blinked once at her brother, and then it all came back to her in a mad rush. "Marik…" She breathed and stared at him with sad eyes. "I'm afraid that when this war reaches its end, the people of Relor and of Delyan will plunge into Darkness once again."


The war continued.

The Delyan army edged closer and closer to the heart of Relor. Still the Relorian army had not returned and still people died. There were small villages that the Princess and her maids had not reached and the boys and men stood their ground with axes, rakes, and torches in their hands, determined to fight to their end for their home and King. A valiant effort, but alas, they too were struck down within a matter of minutes.

Slowly but surely, the show of military spread out going to the north and to the south and straight west from their starting point in the east. Homes were burnt to the ground and corpses thrown into the fire. Leading the massacre was King Bakura and he eagerly awaited the appearance of the Knights or the Relorian army.

Meanwhile, Joey and Duke were holding their own at different points, finally realizing that smoke coming from the east could mean only one thing. A race against time, the Knights urged their horses onward at full speed. The two, though separated, met with Delyan forces much to their anger and dismay.

Joey slid off of his horse and landed on the ground lightly. The Delyan soldiers had no horses with them, these ones that is. Drawing his sword, Joey smirked as a few of the soldiers strode forth, intent on ending his life. The blonde stepped forward as well, swinging his sword menacingly. 'I won't let them have the satisfaction of killing me!' He thought and another grin crossed his face. It had been a long time since he felt this kind of excitement.

Suddenly, it seemed as if time had frozen once more. All became quiet around him; the only sound heard was the beating of his heart echoing wildly in his ears. Everything moved in a slow motion. It was only he and the enemy in one world, preparing to fight to the death.

With a battle cry, he rushed forward…