A/N: Don't own YGO.
His feet pounded down on the solid dirt surface, one lone battle cry erupting from his lungs, freezing the opposing soldiers in their standing positions. To anyone else that knew Joseph, he wasn't exactly a man to be admired in appearance. Sometimes he was feared whenever he wore his full armor or was extremely famished, but other than that, he was an ordinary young man, just like everyone one else. However, it was these times that brought out a low-lying, regularly dormant fire. It emerged when it was time to spar, time to eat, and time to battle.
The Knight they saw was magnificent. It was as if actual fire had arisen within him and spread out through his skin, giving him a fiery orange-yellow glow. It was not real of course but that was what they believed they were seeing. Joey's sword was in flames, his eyes burning with hatred and yet with excitement. His mouth was wide open, releasing that chilling cry and his body moved quickly towards them.
'This is what I live for…this is what I trained for…to save the Princess and protect the kingdom of Relor. This is who I am.' Joey's words echoed within his mind but something just wasn't quite right. Was this really who he was? Did he only live to…kill? Had he only been trained to kill? Was it still a murder, a sin, if he killed another to save another? He had to defend himself and in doing so, he would have to kill. Was it right? Would the deed be vindicated afterward?
Joey suddenly stopped short, thinking. The Knight had never before killed someone in cold blood. In fact, he hadn't killed anyone before. This would be his first time. Though they were only teenagers, young men, they had been the only ones possessing the great strength and endurance to become a Knight of Relor. All other men were merely soldiers.
Those of Delyan…they were only doing what they were ordered to, right? They were only doing what they thought was right and just…right? But nobody had the right to take another's life. No one. Everyone was equal, were they not? However, everyone had their own ideas of what was right and wrong but still everyday, there were wars, be they physical or mental, emotional or verbal, out beyond the kingdom of Relor. Truth had been changed to fit their own wants and desires, to justify their own actions. It had become a struggle, a fight to survive; every man for himself.
Joey knew this. Relor was one of the last standing peaceful kingdoms, each citizen looking out for the other but who knew how long that would last? Already they had driven out one of their own…
Could things, circumstances between Relor and Delyan, the world, ever be changed? Resolved? Peaceful?
'Why do these thoughts plague me now!' Joey thought and was soon forced to kill and defend himself for the Delyan soldiers no longer saw a raging fire, a brave Joey of Relor. Instead a confused young man had taken its place and they saw it as an opportunity to move in for the kill.
Duke had found his way to Yami, on horseback, a trail of soldiers behind him. "Yami! Get ready!"
The tri-colored haired Knight gave a short nod. Karo whined and trotted to her master. Yami patted the horse reassuringly before hoisting himself up. He had a better chance on the horse than he did on the ground with many enemy soldiers heading his way.
The two Knights and their horses stood together, waiting, grim looks upon their faces. The Princess was still missing and the Relorian army still had not returned. Their odds were not good, no, not good at all. "Here they come." Duke whispered. Some were on foot, others on horseback, all waving around swords and torches, as well as shields and bow and arrow.
"Take out as many as you can and lead them away from the city." Yami said urgently to his comrade. "I bid you farewell, my friend."
Duke turned to his fellow Knight, a small smile on his face. They both knew they were horribly outnumbered and might not survive to see each other again. A Knight was strong, powerful…but not invincible, especially if a great deal of soldiers stood in their way. "Aye, the same to you, friend."
The men of Delyan on horseback were the ones with bow and arrow while those on foot had swords. Yami opted to take out the riders first since arrows traveled more swiftly that a blade. With that thought in mind, the Knight charged forth with his shield held out in front, directing the arrows' path to elsewhere. He went for the nearest horse rider and, with a smooth movement, decapitated the arm holding the bow. The man let out a horrific cry as he fell from his horse onto the ground, blood pouring out of the gruesome wound. Not phased in the least because he expected such things, Yami continued on towards the next rider.
It was Duke who took care of those on the ground. He held a bow and arrow and made quick work of each soldier, dodging the thrown knives and even using his fists and wits to out-smarten those who tried to follow him into the dark forest. Duke knew the place by heart mostly, and used that to his advantage.
Crouching low behind a bush, Duke readied and aimed his bow at an unsuspecting soldier. Yami was doing quite well and soon there were only two left, standing among the fallen bodies. Yami would take care of the one closest to himself, and Duke was planning on finishing the one in front of him.
A twig snapped.
Duke spun around, crying out in disbelief as a stray, wounded enemy soldier, with a dagger in hand, leapt forward and brought Duke to the ground. Duke's arrow had hit the trunk of a tree and Duke struggled to free himself when he felt a sharp pain in his shoulder. Grunting, the Knight pushed the man off of him and reached for his own sword when he caught sight of the soldier he had originally tried to kill. The man fired an arrow and Duke flung himself over to the right while the wounded solider leaned on his knees, hit by the arrow instead.
A gargled cry left the man's throat as he collapsed to the ground. No longer a threat, Duke was about to attack the other soldier when Yami reached him first, striking him in the back. "Duke!" Yami jumped off of his horse and dashed over towards his fellow Knight. "You've been stabbed!" He observed in shock, seeing a dagger of Delyan design, stuck in Duke's shoulder.
Duke winced when he reached over with his hand, confirming the fact that was indeed a stab wound. "It has…to come out!" He gasped.
Yami shook his head. "No!" The blade was a tourniquet and removing it could make it worse.
Catching his meaning, Duke insisted, glaring. "Take it out!" He ordered, knowing it could become infected. "It's—not in…too deep!"
Hesitating, Yami sank back, staring at his comrade. If Duke was right, he would be able to remove it and bandage the wound with a cloth or something. But if it was in too deep…it could prove to be fatal. "I…"
"Hurry!" Duke snapped.
Moving quickly, Yami took the knife out and threw it to the ground, immediately ripping off some of his tunic while Duke covered the injury with his hand. "I do not know how many are out there and if they are near but you must return to the city and take care of this cut. You cannot fight well enough if you are injured!"
"A Knight never runs from battle." Duke replied fervently, obviously toughing it out. "You know this. Besides, the Princess must be rescued! The King will return soon and with him, the army of Relor. That cursed King of Delyan will not emerge victorious!" He croaked as Yami placed the torn cloth piece onto the gash. "Not if I have anything to say about it…" Duke then muttered.
Looking grim, Yami helped his friend to his feet. "You are right about that." He began, biting down on his lower lip. "But—"
THUMP!
Both Knights froze at the sound. Yami saw Duke's mouth drop wide open and slowly the tri-colored haired Knight turned around, stunned by the sight before him.
It's weight crushing the fallen bodies, a horrifying yet hauntingly beautiful Dragon stared back at the two Knights with it's golden eyes, twinkling with some sort of amusement. Its scales were a reddish-orange color and sharp, snow-white fangs and claws added to its splendor. The moon cast an eerie glow upon the creature and a low growl emitted from its throat.
"I...I can hardly believe…what my eyes are seeing!" Duke whispered.
Yami was too astonished to say anything. He was both amazed and frightened of the Dragon. The question was…was it on their side?
"Lo! Up there!" Duke suddenly cried out, pointing.
Yami followed his gaze and saw yet another wonderful, but strange sight. "Is that…Tristan?"
Joey ran for all he was worth, knowing he couldn't full-well take on all the soldiers that were hot on his trail. "This—is—insane!" He gasped out loud, jumping over a log. "I'm all alone with no torch, no light! Serenity is missing! Mai is missing! The Princess is missing! The army is missing! And I'm being chased by a whole lot of enemy soldiers!" He had been heading West but decided to take a sharp turn north, hoping to run into his King and the army. They had to be on their way back by now! "I should have become a blacksmith!"
The Knight's code of honor stated that one must never run from battle but clearly Joey was taking no heed of such an order. At long last, he found himself at the edge of a cliff, overlooking the northern part of the Swift River. The nearest crossing was further east but as he glanced over his shoulder, he knew he had no time. "I have two choices: jump into the river or smile in the face of death!" Joey said to himself. In the darkness he could make out the dim forms of running soldiers and their lit torches. "Well, I wonder how deep this part of the river is…" He murmured, apparently having chosen the former of his two options.
A loud, deafening roar filled his ears and Joey automatically covered them, dropping to his knees. "Argh! What is that?" He searched high and low for the source but it could not be found. However, the Delyan soldiers stopped short, terror-filled screams adding to the roar. All of a sudden, a large beast seemingly dropped from the sky and landed in front of Joey who was laid out on the ground. The impact had caused him to lose his balance. "Is that what I think it is?" He murmured, wondering if old children's stories had come to life.
Another Dragon had reappeared in the Land of Relor.
Black eyes with a silver pupil, purple scales, and ivory claws were what made its great beauty. The Dragon brought its long and broad neck and head around to face Joey.
"…" Joey could not find the words to describe the magnificent beast so he settled with a, "Uh…do you mind…helping me out here? Of course it's understandable if you don't want to help me because I insulted you and…eep, don't hurt me! Please don't hurt me!" His voice became a squeak as the Dragon's head moved closer to him and stared at him straight in the eyes.
Silly human.
"What the—was that you?" Joey exclaimed, the feminine voice ringing no bell in his mind.
Meanwhile, the Delyan soldiers, upon order by their captain, took out their bow and arrows and were shooting at the Dragon. Their attempts were in vain for the measly little arrows were not enough to penetrate the tough and hard skin of the Dragon. Roaring her disapproval, the Dragon stomped forward, breathing fire but did not actually go into the forest for fear of destroying her lovely home.
"Hey!" Joey stood up unsteadily and drew his sword. "Come back here, you lily-livered twits!" At that point in time, Joey couldn't think of a better, harsher insult… Confident that the Dragon was not against him, Joey ran into the forest, hoping he could do something to draw out the soldiers.
But the Dragon had other plans.
Opening her mouth, the Dragon scooped up Joey from the ground, much to his obvious fear, and plopped him down on her back. "What are you doing? They're going to get away!" He yelled, not caring in the least that he was arguing with a Dragon.
Taking to the air, the purple Dragon flew in the direction of the city knowing her kin would be there as well. Amidst the peeved cries of the Knight, the Dragon thought only one thing:
Silly human.
A/N: Yami and Bakura finally meet in the next chapter…
