Yami Yugi
The Emboldorian guard began to evacuate the citizens, while the army of Black Luster Soldiers, Gaia the Fierce Knight, and Buster Bladers marched into battle positions in the lower levels of the city. The familiar grunt and growl of orcs sent the people into even more of a frenzy, thus making the guard's job of evacuation much more challenging. But then, Yami came riding into the plaza near the gate, the white trim of his armor was glowing with a warm and radiant light that boosted the morale of the troops and filled the people with hope. Some even stood outside their houses and cheered, while others were so emboldened by the mere sight of him that they grabbed whatever they could as weapons and went to join the soldiers in the lower levels to defend the gate and the main plaza.
As Yami rode down the spiraling white-cobbled roads of Rassay, he blew on the Grand Horn of Heaven, rallying everyone to muster their courage and fight. Behind him, a small army of peasants armed with pitchforks, scythes, clubs, to handmade weapons rushed behind him to join the battle for their city. His presence alone was enough to calm the people down. Those who did not wish to fight followed the Emboldorian Guard to safety in a calm manner. Even the children had grown calm when they saw the legendary champion atop his black-armored warhorse. Some of the children even grabbed sticks and stones, wanting to join him but were stopped by their concerned mothers, of course.
Once Yami reached the plaza, he ordered the gates opened so he could be let out to join the army of warrior monsters in the front lines. He stopped. The horizon was dotted by a hundred thousand torches and the silhouettes of the Mist Wurms swayed from side to side against the ominous purple sky. He took a deep breath and began ordering the guard, telling them where to go and what to do as legions of Black Luster Soldiers and Buster Bladers poured to the gate. The cavalry of Fierce Knights galloped to the front lines, shaking the very foundation of the walls as they flooded to the fields.
"We will hold them off for as long as we can!" Yami shouted as the guard led the people to safety. "Go forth! And fear not the shadows!"
The orcs were already crossing the plains of Lunetar Fields. People from the farms and small villages outside the wall were running for the gates. Black Luster Soldiers went out to aid them and started yelling at villagers carrying carts to leave them behind. Yami, Joey, Tristan, and Duke rode outside the wall. The last villager went through, and a battalion of Black Luster Soldiers and Buster Bladers quickly stormed out of the gate to aid Yami and his friends. A phalanx of monsters called Shield Warrior formed a wall outside the opened gate with their tower shields of steel and gold. At the sound of a horn, they raised their spears. The orcs were now a mile away from the city walls and approaching at a rapid pace like a tidal wave of iron and green flesh.
Yami could see the thousands of orc bannermen up in front ranks. An entire horizon of foul creatures as far as the eye could see. He could see the outlines of their dire hogs, dire wolves, and rhinos of war. An orc clad in armor made of obsidian went forward, lifted up his jagged iron sword, and gave a roar shouting the charge. Yami felt the earth quaking under his soles as the massive army from the Black Continent began to sprint towards the wall.
"Here we go," said Joey, unsheathing his sword. He lowered the visor of his helmet.
Tristan lowered his visor as well and said: "A hundred Star Chips says I can take out more than you."
"If we live through this I hope you can pay up," said Duke.
"You're on!" said Joey.
The Black Luster Soldiers and Buster Bladers readied their weapons in unison; a wave of blades went down the line. Meanwhile, the Fierce and Magical Knights lowered their lances and readied for a charge Yami held out his sword. When the enemy was close, he quickly lowered his sword to give the signal and shouted: "ARCHERS!" A rain of arrows flew from the walls falling onto the army. Hundreds of orcs fell dead from the attack, but still, the army marched forward. "Four-hundred!" Yami shouted.
"Four-hundred!"
"Four Hundred!" the soldiers called out in a chain until the command reached the ears of the guardsmen manning the trebuchets.
The machines launched large flaming projectiles at the orcs. They smashed into their ranks with devastating effect, killing dozens, even hundreds. The arrows still rained down on them with no remorse, reducing their numbers drastically. But still, they kept on going, their banners were held up even higher to mock the soldiers, telling them that their doom was coming no matter what they did. The orcs stopped in front of the river and called upon their engineers to bring forward the bridges they constructed before the battle. The engineers worked even though they were highly exposed to the volley of arrows flying all around them. One unit was taken out by a burning pot full of oil that fell from the sky, igniting everything with a twenty-foot radius.
When the orcs got close enough, Yami closed his fist. At once, the trebuchets stopped firing. Yami then pointed his sword toward the orcs, and when the did, the cavalry of Gaias yelled out earth-shaking warcries and then galloped towards the orc army. The front phalanx of orcs knelt and extended their spears, ready to impale the charging knights. Behind them, the archers fired a volley of arrows into the air. Yami knew what to do to counter them. Three arcane circles hovered over his arms. The Black Luster Soldiers and the Buster Bladers looked at their leader curiously as he held up his arm and summoned a horseman who was a combination of two of the most beloved monsters from his deck. Gaia the Fierce Knight and Dark Magician.
Dark Cavalry. He appeared from out of a portal of smokey, purple light, and galloped next to Yami. The magical rider saw the arrows falling toward the charging Gaias. His purple stallion reared up and then raced toward the front of their ranks. He held up his two lances and released a wave of magical energy that reverberated with a loud hum. It flew into the air and dispersed the arrows. The Black Luster Soldiers and Buster Bladers cheered. Though the cavalry ahead had pushed deep into the ranks of the orc army, they found their advancement stopped by squadrons of monstrous ogres and trolls and bolgans. When their momentum was stopped, the orcs surrounded the cavalry and attempted to butcher them.
"Swords!" Yami called. "Swords!" The army of Warrior Monsters readied themselves. A few tense minutes passed and the orcs were over a hill several yards away.
"CHARGE!" Yami called out. His friends let out fierce battle cries as they rode forward to meet the army.
There was a loud SLAP of flesh and steel as the armies collided. With a mighty blow, Yami hewed an orc's head off its shoulders. His heavenly blade, once gleaming, was now covered in a tarry, sticky substance that was the blood of all the orcs he had slain in the battle. His armor was covered in it, and his cape was sticking to his breastplate as was the golden puzzle he had around his neck. It dripped down his face leaving oily streaks with the rain that fell down on the battlefield. Every orc knew Yami from the wars many years ago, and when they saw him, they raised their swords and gave a yell issuing their challenge. Joey was a few feet behind Yami slaying a squadron of goblins wielding spears, which held the banners of their armies and stubby shortswords made of obsidian.
Joey had a twisted look of anger on his face, and he let out loud "NYEH! NYEH! NYEH!" as his blade split their skulls. A big orc spotted Joey. He beat his chest with his spiked club and waddled towards him. Joey was too busy slaying goblins to see the orc.
"NYEH! NYEH! NYEH!" He shouted cutting one of their heads off. The beast raised his club but was then hit by a prismatic blast of white-hot magic. He shook violently. Joey turned around just in time to see the orc shatter into pieces. A Duel Monster was standing not far from where the orc fell. It was Yami's favorite, the Dark Magician. His purple armor was looking almost gray in the waning light. Joey spotted Yami holding up the card from where the magician was summoned. Joey smiled and gave a quick salute before going back into battle.
"Let's go, man," Joey said to his friend, and he charged down the field.
Up in the mountains, an orc in rusty red armor peered at the battle with his brass spyglass. He had long oily black hair that resembled thick seaweed. There were runes carved on his arms and legs, and his eyes were glowing orange. He had tusks protruding from the sides of his mouth, and there was an iron ring pierced in his snout.
"Yami is there." A goblin said sulking towards his commander. "Will the mighty Gerthmod challenge him?"
"Yami is not my concern," Gerthmod growled, setting down his spyglass. "We are here for the little prince."
"It's only a matter o' time before the city is ours m' lord," said the goblin. "What will you do when we have the child?"
"I will EAT him!" Gerthmod said through gritted teeth.
With a majority of their forces gone, the orcs retreated to the mountains.
Yami and the others cheered, and the warrior monsters raised their weapons and gave triumphant roars.
"Looks like they're retreating," the goblin said to Gerthmod, who only gave a wide grin.
"First wave ineffective!" Gerthmod roared into the hole in the mountain. "MOVE! MOVE!"
The goblin then heard a loud roar coming from the darkness of the caves. The legion of orcs who were pouring out of the mountain quickened their pace, pushing and shoving to get out of the way of the large shadow that was approaching.
"Let's see how you handle Doronon...Yami." Gerthmod sneered.
He turned around to face his group. The orcs were wearing red armor like Gerthmod, and they wore spiked helmets with visors down to give them a much more menacing appearance. "Let's go," said Gerthmod. "Yami and the Emboldorian Guard will be preoccupied with Doronon. This is our chance. Vipers of Anubis, tonight, we will have our revenge. FORWARD!"
With a prideful charge, Gerthmod and his Vipers ran down the mountain and disappeared into the night.
An Emboldorian soldier blew a horn from a guard tower on the ramparts of the Rassay wall. Yami felt the earth shake again. His body trembled in disbelief when he saw more orcs, twice as many as the first wave speeding down the fields towards him and his monsters.
"Another wave!" Tristan shouted.
"Aw, man, that's not good!" said Joey.
"Damn, so this is how it ends," said Duke.
"Reform the line!" Yami shouted to the warrior monsters. The exhausted soldiers did as they were told and got into position behind Yami and his friends. Yami's heart gave a drop when he saw how few remained in the ranks. Nevertheless, his courageous Duel Monsters followed him as he charged into the next wave of orcs. Though they were sore and tired, the army fought on.
When Yami slew a group of orcs, he sat down on a boulder to rest. But the ground began to shake. Yami feared the Mist Wurms were burrowing towards the city. He would have preferred that. Instead, towering over the buildings was a thirty-meter beast of a man, clad in armor as black as the stormy night. Yami's eyes widened when the silhouette of the giant began to grow more detailed as he approached the battlefield. He had a long beard and a bald head. His eyes were glowing bright red as was his mouth which was billowing steam. The giant was wielding a weapon Yami had hoped never to see again.
It was the fabled Nelorung, the Hammer of the Shadow Realm. The black iron handle was the size of a redwood tree. The hammer was like darkness forged into a solid object with decorative rings hanging from both ends. The orcs and goblins stopped fighting and cheered, then began to chant.
"DORO-NON! DORO-NON! DORO-NON!"
Doronon spotted Yami. Yami stared at the giant, wide-eyed, paralyzed with fear. Doronon raised up his hammer. When it came halfway down Yami came to his senses and dodged the strike. Everyone on the battlefield lost their balance and fell from the powerful impact. Some towers in the city even gave way and collapsed to the ground.
"BACK TO THE CITY!" Yami shouted when he recovered from the blow. He needed every monster to guard the people, and he could not afford to let anymore Black Luster Soldiers and Buster Bladers die.
"What are you doing!" shouted Joey.
"I will take care of the giant!" said Yami. "Go back to the castle. Save the girls. And the prince as well. You must ensure he lives; our future depends on it!"
"No, way man!" said Joey. "We're gonna stay and fight."
"We should do as Yami says," said Duke. "It's hopeless out here. We need to retreat."
"I'm not leaving!" Joey protested.
"Me neither!" said Tristan. "I was born for this. If we die, we're going to die fighting."
"You want some honorable death? Look at that thing. The city is doomed. We must leave."
"Go shove a dice up yer ass, Devlin!" said Joey. "All dat fancy gear and yer not even gonna make good with it. Yer all show, ya fuckin' coward! I'm stayin'."
"Me too!" Tristan said getting beside Yami. "I know these orcs, and they're not going just to let Yami and that Giant fight alone. They're gonna intervene. Not on my watch they're not. Antar's son is up there. If these orcs, make it through they'll have Serenity and the girls in their way. And they will defend the prince to the death. Well then, so will I. Even if I have to face a million of these foul creatures, and that giant to boot, I will keep fighting. I am not afraid. As a Termnnian soldier, I will guard High-King Antar's son with my life."
"I'm sure my sister would appreciate that, brother," said Joey.
Duke frowned and folded his arms.
"If Tristan's gonna stay and fight, then so will I!" said Joey. "YEAH! If this ugly bastard wants t'get his hands on da prince, well den he's gonna hafta get through me, Joey Wheeler: Duelist Extraordinaire and Captain of the Royal Guard!"
To Yami's shock the Buster Bladers and Black Luster Soldiers refused to go back into the city. Like Joey and Tristan, they were going to fight till the last Duel Monster.
"Thank you, all of you," said Yami. "I knew I could count on you."
"The way is clear, Devlin," said Joey. "Get your scrawny ass outta here!"
"Hah! I'm not going anywhere," said Duke, taking a stand by Yami's side as well. "You forget, I have Orgoth the Relentless with me. And he's the strongest monster on the field. He packs far more punch than those Black Luster Soldiers. Besides, won't Serenity be impressed when she hears I took down one of the Giants of Belroth."
Doronon gave a mighty roar and swung his hammer down on the friends. They jumped out of the way. The earth shook violently when the hammer struck the ground. More buildings from the town crumbled and the mountains wailed in agony as they began to collapse.
Mai
"There has been an order to evacuate the city," Mai said grimly. "The Orcs have broken through the gate."
When Serenity heard those words, she felt dread like nothing she had ever felt in her whole life. Rassay had never been taken. Not by men and certainly not by orcs. She knew it was too much to hope for Yami to slay the giant which she could see towering over the walls and smashing the ground with his fell hammer. The castle shook violently each time the hammer's head struck the earth. The supports and the walls wailed, not supporting the powerful impact. It was as if the whole castle was moaning that it could take that force no longer. The window was open so she could hear all the chaos ensuing outside. The sound of sword clashing against sword. The grunt of the orcs, and the cries of death from fallen soldiers. Quickly, the three of them grabbed their belongings, each of them taking turns holding the child. The situation was so dire they felt it unsafe to lose sight of him for just a second.
Mai began to rock the child in her arm. Her other hand, grasping the handle of her sword. The baby boy was giggling cheerfully as Mai playfully kissed him on the top of his forehead. She wished she was him for a moment. Too young to know about the cruel world she lived in. She longed for a time when she was just a girl; to a time when the world was nothing but a giant playground.
A world all her own to explore. Those thoughts brought back memories of her dancing through the colorful fields of Fair Market in Rimgarden in the days of her House before it fell to the Raptors and the Underwoods. She sang songs of the Goddesses as she picked flowers by the river Noloron, flowing like molten silver behind the bastion of Castle Valentine, standing proudly atop the hill overlooking the town of Fairfax with its banners of violet and bearing the golden sun sigil. Mai began to grow a little calmer and warmer as she stood there with the child in hand and those thoughts in her mind.
"I'm going to protect you, little one," Mai said looking down at the child. He reached for her flower-shaped friendship necklace and held it in his tiny hands. He had a smile on his face despite the bells where tolling ominously around the city and horns of war were blowing to announce charges and retreats. "This will not be the world you inherit, my little prince. I promise you we'll make it out of here and we will show those orcs what happens when they decide to mess with our beautiful home. Perhaps one day, you will be the one who drives them from our world forever. You already rid Termnnia of one asshole."
"Mai!" snapped Serenity. "Don't use foul language in front of the baby."
Mai rolled her eyes and looked down at the child. His green eye glowing mysteriously like a beacon in the night.
"You don't mind what I say do you?" She asked to which the child grinned and put the necklace in his mouth. "Didn't think so," Mai laughed nuzzling his hair with her nose.
An explosion below in the market took all the bliss away from her. There was an Orc trebuchet unit in the hills launching explosive projectiles in Rassay. Soon the night rang with the cries of frightened people and the urgent orders of all the soldiers and knights.
Doronon was standing over the wall, looking down at the streets below for soldiers looking to stop the Orcs. He could go no further because there was a divine force that was holding him back.
What it was, no one knew, but whatever it was it kept the giant at bay. He seemed frightful of going any farther into Rassay. Something was startling him. Serenity fumbled through her belongings taking everything that was dear to her.
"Is everything packed away?" Serenity asked urgently; she was in such a hurry to escape the city and get as far away as she could from the Orc that wanted to kill the young hero. Mai looked around and nodded.
"Yeah," said Mai. "All of our things are packed. There are Black Luster Soldiers on their way up to guide us out of Rassay."
"Do you think we'll be safe on the road to Wargren's Keep?" asked Téa.
Mai paused and bit her lip again. "Yeah we will be," she said with a fake smile.
Outside the nursery, Gerthmod and his squadron of Vipers sneaked through the darkness of the castle. They were agile climbers and some of the fastest warriors in Anubis's army.
They sliced the throats of unlucky guards and dashed through the halls on all fours like red blurs. They approached the nursery with such speed. Gerthmod raised his obsidian dagger, signaling the others to get ready.
Four Orcs then gathered at the door to the nursery. One was about to smash it down with his mace when suddenly a Harpie Queen burst through and tore him to pieces.
Téa and Serenity came out of the nursery room with swords in hand. Mai with twin blades from her time in the Emboldorian Special Forces; Serenity with a blade of blue steel; and Téa with a flowery golden, gem-covered blade called Rose Thorn; a legendary sword passed down to her by her mother.
The Orcs smiled and grunted with glee as they surrounded the girls. Two of them charged, both hacked to pieces by Mai's Harpie Queen. Gerthmod charged next. The Harpie Queen screeched and dove down to attack him, but Gerthmod sliced off her wing.
The Harpie Queen squealed and crashed into the wall with tremendous force. A group of Orcs ran for the fallen monster and stabbed her to death. The Orc, seeing that the girls lost their monster, roared and charged in to attack. The halls ran black with the oily blood of Orc.
More Orcs seemed to pour in from the very darkness. Mai and the others began to feel fatigued and were slowing down. An orc with a spear joined the battle and fought hard with Mai. She was too weak to fight and missed an attack.
The Orc saw an opening and jabbed his spear into her rib cage. Mai roared as fiery pain surged through her body. More Orcs gleefully jabbed their weapons into her flesh. The long sleeves of her blue velvet took the form of an indigo halo as she twirled elegantly to the ground.
Her twin blades both landing on the floor with a loud Clang! Gerthmod and the others laughed, staring at Mai writhe in pain all over the floor, moaning in pain as if having an orgasm.
Serenity saw Mai getting wounded and missed the attack of an Orc who rammed his iron sword into her belly. Serenity wailed as lightning flashed, illuminating the halls. Her red velvet dress turned dark like wine as the fabric eagerly drank her blood. Another orc jumped in and rammed his knife down her back.
She gave a thunderous roar and fell to the ground leaving Téa to fend for herself, but even she was overrun by the Orcs who jabbed their weapons into her body. She grunted with pain and dropped her sword and fell to her knees. Both her friends were alive.
They squirmed on the ground, moaning and groaning as their bodies trembled in burning agony while wallowing in pools of their blood which turned muddy brown from mixing with the Orcs they slaughtered.
The Orcs picked them up by their hair, ready to slice off their heads when the Gerthmod held out his hand and told them to cease. "The child first," he growled. "We would not want them to miss that."
The Orcs approved and gave a laugh as their leader unsheathed his dagger.
"Anubis will be avenged this night!" Gerthmod snarled.
The Orcs in the halls pounded their red armor and howled while chanting Anubis's name repeatedly. Serenity babbled helplessly, watching Gerthmod walk into the room. Serenity saw his massive silhouette from the lightning.
He was so large and fierce. The lightning flashed again, but this time, the confident mass of the orc leader turned into fear as in the brief light she saw him hold out his arms begging for mercy. An ear-piercing scream surged through the halls followed by a clap of thunder.
Serenity could feel the back of her head trembling. It was the orc holding her hair. His body was quaking in fear. The other Orc called out to their missing leader.
A flash of lightning again and a round object flew out of the room at the foot of one of the Orc. Gerthmod's head. His mouth opened in horror and his eyes shut. His obsidian dagger lodged in his skull.
A roar of thunder shook the halls causing many of the Orc to whimper and yelp.
"Who's bloody in there!" called out one of the Orc.
Another flash of lightning. Everyone could see a shadowy mass standing inside the room.
Thunder clapped again.
The Orcs readied their weapons.
The figure in the room was moving towards them. The blue light of the waterfall behind them revealed a man clad in platinum armor and a white cloth-of-gold cape that glimmered as he walked. His pauldrons were immense, about the size of a bull's skull. His gauntlets had curved arches, as did his greaves and boots. His chest plate had an elegant design and was decorated with egg-sized diamonds.
His sword was twice the size of a man and was made of the finest steel the Orc had ever seen. Gold wrapped around the bottom of the blade and around the guard like vines. The hilt was wrapped in engraved black leather, and the pommel was a magnificent glowing gem that gave off hues in all the colors of the rainbow.
A blue arcane circle hovered over the sword lighting up the radius around the knight in dark blue. His helmet was horned like a dragon and concealed his face. His armor was the most beautiful thing Mai and the girls had ever seen.
The very sight of it filled them with hope and joy, and they could feel warmth surging through their bodies, easing them of their pain. When the man was fully revealed, he began to glow with a warm light. He raised his massive sword, resting it on his shoulders.
Two cocky Orcs gave a war cry and ran for him, but the knight held out his hand, and an enormous arcane circle of elegant design appeared before him. The Orcs drove into the circle and burst into white flames, and they vanished after giving high-pitched screams.
The knight put down his hand, and the barrier disappeared. The other Orcs charged at him, but he fought them with a combination of divine magic and master swordplay.
His spells were beautiful to watch, and his speed with such a massive blade was inhuman. He didn't just kill the Orcs; he vaporized them into nothing. To finish his foes, he summoned four pillars of light that created a sphere of burning hot light.
There was a powerful gravitational pull that sucked the Orc into the sphere. The Orc dug their claws into the ground, hoping not to get sucked in. But the spell was too powerful. They roared as they were pulled into the sphere and were incinerated.
There was a bright flash like the sun and then it was quiet.
Serenity opened her eyes and saw embers flying around the halls of the castle. The sound of the battle below echoed throughout the halls. The knight fell to his knees, his arms resting on his sword which stood jabbed into the floor. He lowered his head; then his helmet cracked from when he was hit in the head by a lucky orc wielding an enchanted hammer.
The horned helm fell to pieces revealing the man's head. The girls could hear him breathing, and they could see his short cropped hair. He covered his face and dashed into the nursery.
"Wait!" Serenity said softly.
She and her friends forced themselves up. It was lucky for them that Orc knew not to hit vital organs of their victims, for they wanted them to suffer greatly before death. The warmth the Knight gave seemed to fade, and pain returned to their bodies. But the thought of the baby gave them the strength to get up on their feet.
They wobbled to the nursery where they saw the knight holding the baby boy in his arms. He placed the baby back into his crib and looked at the three Eldori girls. Through the dim light of dawn coming from the window, they could see a smile on his face. Then he pressed a finger to his lips. 'Shhhhh' he said before vanishing into thin air.
"Okay, that was weird," groaned Téa. She burst into the room and collapsed onto the couch staining the white fabric with her blood.
"Who was he?" Serenity said wincing in agony. She rested her head on the door frame. Mai placed her hand on Serenity's back.
"I don't know," Mai said shaking her head. "Whoever he was, thank Horakhty he arrived."
"Sl-Slifer," said the baby.
Serenity, Mai, and Téa turned their heads and looked at the baby in his crib.
"Slifer..." said the baby.
"What did you say?" Serenity gasped.
"Say?" gasped Téa. "He was just born; he shouldn't be saying anything."
"Slifer…Oh-Oh-Obelisk,"
"He's saying the names of the Divine Beasts," said Mai.
"Slifer…Obelisk…R-R-Ra."
Far away in his deathbed, three cards in Antar Wollcroft's deck began glowing. They shot off the deck, scattering his cards all over the room where his lifeless body lay, and they shot out the window; traveling across the land at the speed of light towards Rassay.
A thunderous choir began to sing a song of power, which shook the earth. The singers were harbingers to the beasts who were being called to the realm of mortals. The Orc and the soldiers of Rassay looked up at the sky in confusion. The clouds dispersed and revealed three arcane circles. From the circles, three colossal monsters flew down shattering the circles like glass.
All anyone could see of the beasts were their massive silhouettes in the metallic blue light of dawn, and they could hear their roars which boomed louder than thunder and the chorus singing their arrival.
"Can it...can it be?" said Mai.
The shadow of a massive serpent-like dragon zoomed over the battlefield and fired from its mouth a white-hot energy blast at the evil army. The Orc below attempted to flee, but it was in vain. They were bathed in the dragon's white-hot light. The second dragon then flew towards the mountains and fired a breath of golden flames and turned the Mist Wurms and the rest of the orc army into cinders.
The blue behemoth landed before Doronon. He raised his fist up. It was then encased in a bright, white aura. Doronon held up the hammer, Nelorung, hoping its dark magic could save him, but he could not be spared from the Divine Beast's massive punch to the gut.
He felt his flesh being seared to the bone from the inside and then felt nothing at all. In seconds Doronon, the Orc, and the goblins, down to the Mist Wurms at the mountains vanished in the blink of an eye. There was nothing left, save for the countless flaming embers dancing in the air. It was all that remained of the massive army of evil that stood in the streets mere moments ago.
The warriors of the capital looked around in confusion, trying to find the foes they were just fighting.
They were gone.
Emboldor went quiet. There was nothing. The world stood silent, save for the wind which howled all across the city. The three monsters gave a thunderous roar and then flew back into the sky.
Serenity, Mai, and Téa stared at the baby in shock. He giggled and nuzzled his blanket, then fell asleep. Mai stood still with her mouth open and fainted seconds later.
Yami
"How can we be so sure this boy is truly the one chosen to be the High-King?" asked King Helmsley from the Kingdom of Elleria. He followed Yami and King Alphonse Gerard Gaston de Ruvon, ruler of the Blue Isles, all throughout the halls of Castle Rassay which was still going through some repairs from the battle many nights ago. Helmsley's question was answered with a loud scoff from King Alphonse
"The boy was adopted by High King Antar and was declared his son," said King Alphonse continuing to follow Yami down the gleaming white halls of the castle.
"That may be so, but the boy is still a bastard!"
"Not anymore he's not," said Yami, turning his head to look at Helmsley, who was still following them. "By royal decree, the baby is now Daveed Wollcroft. Whether or not he chooses to keep the name, Delgado, is up to him in the future."
"And how could you ask such a question?" asked King Alphonse. "The baby has brought to ruin the greatest evil in our lands. I think he is worthy of the Dragon's Heart Crown."
"But he is not of royal blood," Helmsley protested.
"I agree," Captain Antilles said approaching the men. "It is not right. Are you quite certain you want to name the child High-King of Termnnia? What right does he have to bear such a title?"
"That's enough, Antilles," said Yami. "You were always hard on the boy the moment it was declared he was the prince. What reason do you have to hold so much spite against him?"
"He is not worthy enough to be High-King," Antilles snarled.
"At last," said Helmsley. "Someone who sees reason."
"Are you blind? The boy summoned the Divine Beasts," said King Alphonse, tipping his wide-brimmed hat at a beautiful lady paladin guarding the halls of the castle. "It is clearly obvious the child is the one whom they have chosen. When a king is chosen, they have the right to summon the beasts. That is called Divine Right. Only the High Kings of Termnnia can summon them."
"I know what the Divine Right is. But there is nothing to prove he did summon them," said Helmsley.
"The three girls taking care of him stated that they heard the names of all three monsters come out of his lips." King Alphonse said, tipping his hat to a lovely palace maid.
"But the child is of no age to be speaking," said Antilles. "He was practically just born. How do we know these girls are not fabricating this tale?"
"My friends are not liars if that is what you are insinuating, captain," said Yami. "They are very honorable women. They speak the truth."
"This is not the way!" Helmsley demanded. His voice ran across the halls. "Perhaps if we could have a Gathering. Summon all the kings and hold an election, a proper election."
"An election, you say?" King Alphonse said, stopping, and then spinning around to face the Ellerian King. "No, no, Your Highness. I said it once, I'll say it again. The child has vanquished Anubis. Orcs no longer wish to trouble us, for they fear the baby. He has driven evil out from our lands, and he's barely old enough to walk. AND, he summoned all three Divine Beasts at once, obliterating an army of thousands, including a Giant of Belroth. There is a far greater power at work here, Helmsley, and it's something that no mere Gathering can resolve. It is as it stands. The baby is going to be the High King, and that is final."
"I would not continue to protest this any longer, Helmsley," said Yami. "Say you did have your way, and you send your child to summon one of the monsters."
"That's right, they'd be put at risk of the Denial," said King Alphonse.
"You would not want to put your child in danger of a Denial from the beasts, would you?" Yami asked.
"Child?" Helmsley paused to gather his thoughts as Yami and the chubby king walked away. "And what if I were to take him?" He asked, to which Yami and Alphonse stopped and turned around to face him once more. "My wife and I have always wanted a little friend for young Evelyn to play with. I could raise him."
"Get in line," said King Alphonse.
"What do you mean?" asked Helmsley.
"He has a point, my lord," grumbled Antilles. "All of Termnnia wants to have the child."
"I do as well," said King Alphonse. "That I will not deny. I could raise him well and teach him to be a good Duelist and ruler. My family is a good choice as any to take new prince. Eh, Yugi?"
"You?" said Helmsley.
"Playmate for Evelyn my fat ass!" said the plump king. His powdered wig was almost tipping off his head. "You're still mad at Evelyn for turning out a girl and not a son like you wanted. This is not to be a good Samaritan; you're looking to take the child to bring glory to your House, as is everyone else who wants him. And I can't blame them. Think of what there is to gain. The most powerful being in the world in the most powerful position in the world wielding the most powerful monsters in the world. A fine prize for any family. And that family will be mine. To say nothing of the rather, pleasurable maidens who maintain the castle," he added, looking at the palace maids in their ruffled black uniforms.
"We will not bicker here," Yami said holding up his hand to pacify both men, and to tear Alphonse from his creepy lustful gaze which Yami found, disturbing. "There will be a decision over who will take the child; of that, we will have our Gathering. But I warn you if there are any violent disputes and any of the Houses clash; I will take matters into my own hands and the child will go to no one."
"What, you will take him, Yugi?" asked Antilles. "Somehow I have a feeling this is all your doing."
"No," Yami said quickly. "I did not have anything to do with the singing in the sky, the summoning of the Divine Beasts, or the destruction of the Dark Lord Anubis. The powers behind these events are far too great to have been pulled off by a mere politician, or by myself for that matter. As I said, I will take matters into my own hands if I hear war in there. Now let us go. Everyone is here."
"Have your gathering," the captain said, furiously. "This is a spit on the kings of old. I will not stand idly by and watch as thousands of years of tradition ruined by pure speculation."
"Then, by all means, do something to stop the crowning," Yami said folding his arms. "I'm sure you can explain your feelings to three angry beasts."
"Mark my words, Yugi. That bastard will not be High King." Antilles said. He turned quickly and dashed away, knocking down a flower pot on the gleaming floor that a palace maid worked so hard to clean.
She gasped delicately at the mess.
"You missed a spot," Antilles grumbled, continuing to march down the halls.
The Gathering was a meeting in which all the rulers of Termnnia would meet in the White Rotunda in Castle Rasaay for matters of great importance. If this were a normal situation, they would meet after the death of the High King and hold an election to decide who would be the one to take the throne.
The Divine Beasts were usually quite confident with the results and harmed no one who was chosen by the Gathering to be the High King. They only brought harm to those elected through corruption. But it appears now, they have taken matters into their own hands and have chosen a new ruler without the need for a Gathering.
This meeting was to decide who could keep the child. And the moment Yami saw all the races of the world in the rotunda, he knew it would get hot. Elves and dwarves in the same room always meant shouting and vulgar language. Throughout the meeting, each ruler gave good points as to why their family should have the child, but there was always someone countering their statement.
It was the same thing for hours.
But then the Elven king, Erthond of the Great White Mountains, spoke.
"It is clear that neither person here is worthy to take the child," said he. "None of you have given reasons from the heart. You mainly want the boy for political gains; to grant the glory and power to your houses. Even after all these years, you have shown no sign of maturity. There is a baby just a few towers away from here without a family. Without a home. He will never know the warm embrace of his mother or father. But you all could care less about this. You seek to have him for your own selfish reasons. He must stay with the Elves. We are his only hope."
"YOU!" shouted the Dwarven King, Wolthar Redhammer. "And just what makes you so special that you can have the boy and not us? How do we know this isn't some ruse for you to bolster your kind into taking over? The Diamond Throne is what you pointy-eared rats want. It is what you Elves always lusted for since the mighty Tiberius passed away."
"HERE! HERE!" called the king from Riftgaard. "This could be revenge for losing the Crimson Rebellion."
"That is not true!" shouted Erthond's daughter Taarie. "The Crimson Rebellion has nothing to do with the child. My father speaks the truth. If anyone is to have the baby, it is our people!"
"HAH!" bellowed Wolthar. "The little She-Elf thinks she has the gall to speak with the men!"
"What would a dwarf know of honor or courage?" spat Taarie. "Who was it who fought day in and day out when Anubis sat on his black throne ruling over our lands? I first entered battle on my sixteenth name day, taking back homes from the Orcs, while you dwarves chose to cower in your mountain halls, and you Men did nothing! My people bled, fighting to free us from Anubis. The child should go to us."
"I would rather see Anubis rule Termnnia for another thousand years than to see the little prince get adopted by an ELF!" shouted Wolthar.
And that was the fuel that fed the fire.
Yami rubbed his face as everyone in the rotunda got up from their seats and started yelling at each other. He should have known it would come to this.
"I knew it," he grumbled.
In a matter of weeks, war did break out. It was a violent and bloody conflict that would be referred to as The War of the Infant.
While there were those who wanted to adopt the child, there were some who did not want the baby boy to have the throne. One bloody night, Anubis fanatics attacked every village in Termnnia, slaughtering all the newborn boys of every house they came across in the hopes that at least one of them was the little prince. Yami and Kaiba led a short campaign to stop them. But despite their efforts, day after day assassins were killed in Rassay; all of them hired to terminate the boy.
Yami could take it no longer. Termnnia needed to recover from Anubis's rule. It needed to rebuild, but the people were fools who chose to drag themselves into another conflict. This would surely bring doom to Termnnia. Yami decided enough was enough.
Too many people have died defending the baby and just as many died fighting to have him. Clearly, the Gathering was not the way to dispute this matter so, as he threatened, he indeed took it upon himself to deal with this issue.
"And just what do you intend to do?" asked Maximillion Pegasus, High Chancellor of Termnnia and creator of the modernized version of Duel Monsters. He swung his hand in circles, clutching the bottom of his silver goblet to keep the wine crisp and flavorful.
He, Yami, and Seto Kaiba were sitting in a dark room hidden deep within the castle in Rassay. Their only light source was from the azure stained glass windows on the wall surrounding a long stone table big enough to seat twenty people.
Just weeks after the baby saved the city of Rassay, the kingdoms of Termnnia began to violently fight against one another in a bloody civil war that would be called The War of the Infant. The baby was the key to bringing a family immense power, for he would be in the most powerful position in the world and summon the most powerful monsters in the world. But he had no family. That was the reason for the war. To see who could have him.
Yami found the conflict to be pathetic. So he took matters into his own hands and organized this meeting. After all, it felt like he, Pegasus, and Kaiba were the only ones in the world who used common sense.
"Is he to stay with you?" Pegasus took a sip of his drink. He grinned. "You would make an excellent father, Yugi-boy."
"I would say that I could," Yami answered, rubbing his puzzle "I have talked about it with Tea. We wanted to raise him in my castle in the Blue Mountains. But, I fear having the boy brings great risk to myself and my friends."
"And he sure as hell can't stay with me," Kaiba said, sternly. "I have a kid brother to look after."
"Well, then it's clear you've brought me here to ask if the child can stay with me," Pegasus said with a chuckle. "I'm sorry gentlemen, but I'm afraid I have to decline. I am not fond of the thought of having that bundle of joy running in my halls."
"You have something against the boy, Pegasus?" Yami asked.
"Ooooo," hooted Pegasus, feigning hurt feelings. "Perish the thought, Yugi-Boy. Don't get me wrong I do love the spotlight, and I find little Daveed rather adorable."
He giggled in a creepy manner that caused Kaiba to shudder. "But I'm afraid the attention I'll get with the lad in my house is not the attention I desire. Power hungry families, assassins and Orcs are not my forte, Yugi."
"There must be something we can do," said Yami.
"There is one alternative," Kaiba said, getting up from the table and walking towards one of the windows displaying a Blue-Eyes White Dragon. He clicked his tongue and smiled. "Alternative," he muttered looking at the mosaic image of the Blue-Eyes White Dragon.
"Do you have something to say?" Yami asked.
Kaiba closed his eyes and nodded then placed his hands behind his back. "We could send him through the Gate.
There was a stunned silence.
"Kaiba!" Yami said, almost in a shout. "You don't mean…"
"Oh yes," said Kaiba. "As you know, the Gates are portals made by the Different Dimension mages long ago to find a paradise to escape from Zorc Necrophades when Termnnia was at war with him. The mages discovered a world not too different from ours. They call it Earth."
"Seto Kaiba, sometimes you frighten me," said Pegasus. "Are you suggesting we send the child into this other world? This…Earth?"
"Yes,"
"And where do you intend to send him?" Pegasus asked.
"A few decades ago, a stranger went through a Gate that was accidentally left open by a foolish mage asleep on the job. I found him stumbling through the forest when I was racing High King Antar through the mountains. I would have been the victor, but, our little friend got in the way and forced our race to end. Antar had a liking for the man; he was a soldier who got lost after losing a bloody battle in his world. As much as he liked it here, the soldier wanted to go home. We sent him on his way, but not before Antar, and I taught him a thing or two about Duel Monsters. The High King gave the soldier a box of cards for him to use, promising him that the game would give him eternal fame and fortune beyond his wildest dreams, so long as he kept our world a secret. Not like he had much of choice, as he was under pain of death."
"And who was this soldier?" asked Yami.
"Sgt. Jacob Montgomery," Kaiba answered. "United States Marine Corps was where he said he was serving. Antar wasn't kidding when he said the game would bring him fame and fortune. It has grown rather addictive in the other world."
"Be serious, Seto," said Pegasus. "The man is not going to just accept him."
"No," said Kaiba. "I don't think he will. And He is well-known around here, so sending the prince to live with him would be no better than sending him with Yugi. However, my love for Duel Monsters got the best of me. I can't stand to see the game played in such a mediocre way. So, I've sent a few 'assistants' into the world. A large island city was built, in record time may I add," he boasted. "That city has become the central hub in that world for all things Duel Monsters."
"You helped people from another dimension build a city?" said Yami. "Kaiba, that's meddling. That's illegal!"
Kaiba sneered and crossed his arms. "No, I didn't help per-say. I just gave them some loans and the know-how. We could send the prince to live in this city until he's old enough to rule and fend for himself. He'll get his practice in Duel Monsters while he's down there."
"And you are sure the boy will be safe with these people?" Pegasus asked.
"I am positive," said Kaiba. "This city is safe, secluded, well guarded by a private army, and lives and breathes Duel Monsters. It will be the perfect place for him to go until he's ready to take the crown."
"And what are we to do while Prince Daveed is on Earth?" Pegasus asked. "How do we get all these kingdoms and Houses to stop fighting one another?"
"Leave that to me," said Yami. "Right now, Pegasus, you are the High Chancellor of the Royal Council; therefore, we will name you the de-facto ruler of Termnnia until Daveed is old enough to rule. We will also claim the baby is staying with you in your castle in Duelist Kingdom."
"My island getaway isn't exactly hidden from the world," said Pegasus. "But, I know a place we can use as a diversion. Castle Dawnheart, my hidden fortress in the Blue Mountains."
"No one will be looking for him there, correct?" asked Kaiba.
"I can't guarantee that," Pegasus said with another creepy chuckle. "But just getting to the place would make the perfect death trap for any fool looking to do harm to our little hero. The castle is perched high up in the mountains. It is surrounded by an immense valley filled with monsters who have vowed to protect the castle. The fort was built by my forefathers thousands of years ago and held back armies more than a hundred times. Why it even survived a raid by High King Matthias and his onslaught of Blue-Eyes White Dragons during the gruesome White Dragon Wars."
"Then why not keep him there?" asked Yami.
"Don't be a fool, Yugi," said Kaiba. "As strong as this fortress is there are no guarantees he'll be a hundred percent safe. A fort can hold its own against an army, but its walls are still no match for a skilled assassin. The siege of Rassay proved that."
"You are right," Yami said, looking down at the table in defeat.
"Have no fear, Yugi-Boy, just the thought that the boy is nestled deep within the walls of Castle Dawnheart is enough to discourage even the coldest and keenest of killers."
"So be it," said Yami, getting up from the table. "I will tell everyone at once."
"Break it to them gently Yugi," Kaiba said with a smirk. "Those dweebs you call friends have grown rather attached to the prince. I expect quite the show when you tell them the news."
"You're all heart, Kaiba," Yami said, walking out of the room.
When the midnight hour struck, Yami rallied up his friends and proceeded by horse into the empty fields outside of Rassay's giant walls. Pegasus was at the entrance of the city, holding a bundle in his arms, that was merely nothing more than a mess of blankets served to fool the people he had the prince in his arms. He rode away as the citizens sadly bid farewell. The city was rank with sadness. Sobbing could be heard throughout the streets that night.
Meanwhile, a Machine-Type monster called Gatekeeper was waiting for Yami and the others, standing in front of two massive pillars. Ever since the incident with the Mage asleep on the job, it was the duty of these machines to guard the Gates.
When Yami and his friends arrived, Gatekeeper took a key-shaped weapon from its back and pointed it at the pillars. A vortex of multi-colored light swirled in between the pillars. Powerful gusts of winds shook the grass around it, and rocks shivered trying to stay their ground.
Joey gulped and made a strange, abnormal face only an Eldori could make.
The Gatekeeper bowed to signal the all clear, and the companions rode into the Gate.
Mai and Tristan vomited into the ground.
Joey heaved and Yami coughed trying to hold down his dinner.
Serenity threw up in her mouth and swallowed it to keep her bile from spilling on the baby who just let out a burp.
Their horses swayed left and right as if drunk.
When the companions were healed of their brief sickness, they found themselves under a starry sky and in a forest of palm trees. It did not take long for Yami to spot the orphanage Tristan and Duke found when they scouted the city earlier. The sand muffled their horse's hooves as they rode through the palm trees. They could hear the soft sound of waves crashing on the shore in the distance.
Serenity held the baby close to her breast and rocked him gently. She found it surreal that she was in another world. It felt so much like theirs. She gave a sigh.
"At least the stars look the same," she said sadly. Remembering when she took the baby to the very top of Castle Rassay where they would stare at the constellations for hours.
A cool tropical breeze graced their faces. There was a road of asphalt before them, so Yami decided it was best to dismount.
"Think anybody will see us?" asked Serenity.
"If ya keep yapping, they will," said Joey.
"Be nice to your sister, Joey," said Mai.
"Here it is," said Yami. He stopped in front of the orphanage.
The others could not believe how large and comfortable it was. The lights were on, and they could hear the sound of children laughing and singing from within. Yami and his friends got off their horses and walked across the street one by one. Tristan was about to cross, but Duke grabbed him by the hood of his cloak and pulled him back when a bright light illuminated the darkness.
It was a car.
Thankfully the driver didn't see them and continued on its way. When the coast was clear, they crossed the road and into the grounds of the orphanage. The children could be seen huddling around the fire was the owner was singing Old McDonalds Farm while playing his guitar. He was dressed in overalls and a straw hat.
"Looks like a cozy place," said Mai, gently removing her hood.
Serenity's face creased into a scowl. "An orphanage is no place for a prince."
"Exactly," said Duke. "That's why it's the perfect place to put him. No one will ever think to find him here."
Yami nodded in agreement, then he walked to Serenity.
"It's time," Yami whispered.
Serenity nuzzled the baby's forehead and gave him a peck on the cheek. Then she put him in a basket. Yami saw a tear roll down her cheek and land on the baby's head. The baby began to coo and stir in the basket. Serenity rocked gently until he settled down.
"Must he really go?"
"Serenity, don't start!" snapped Yami.
"But I love him so much."
"Serenity please, someone will see us," said Joey.
"Just five more minutes." she wept.
Yami smiled.
"Ten."
"Thank you."
And so they gathered around the baby one last time. They kissed him, hugged him and took turns holding him. They offered well wishes until it was time to finally say goodbye.
Serenity gave the baby one final kiss, nuzzled his head and sniffed his hair. She put him in the basket and handed him to Yami. "Goodbye," she said, giving the baby to Yami.
Yami took the basket and walked to a rose bush where he set the baby under it so no other person could see him.
A rose bush, Serenity's lips trembled. That's where I met your mother. She sobbed then began to weep, burying her face in her hands.
"Serenity, Serenity, it's okay," said Téa putting her arm around Serenity. "We'll see him again." Téa patted Serenity's back. "Rose and Gabriel would greatly thank you for taking care of their baby."
"Yugi lets go before it becomes harder for us to leave," said Tristan who was fighting back tears.
"I agree." Duke. "Damn, I'm going to miss that kid."
They were all leaving, but Yami stayed, watching the baby.
"Yugi are you coming?" Téa asked.
"You go on ahead I'll catch up."
"Okay, I'll tell the Gatekeeper to hold on."
Téa rode away into the woods.
When the coast was clear, Yami took three cards out of his pocket, and he stared at them. They were the three powerful monsters the baby summoned the night of the attack. Slifer the Sky Dragon, Obelisk the Tormentor, and The Winged Dragon of Ra.
They were children of Horakhty, and they could only be summoned by the Lord of Termnnia.
Their summoning the night the Orcs raided Rassay sealed the baby's fate as High King. Just before dying Antar adopted the baby boy and declared him the new heir to the throne. Many weren't sure the Divine Beasts would come to the aid of the boy since he wasn't really of the High King's bloodline, but the baby called their names despite being too young to speak, and they flew down from the sky and destroyed an army of Orcs with one strike. They came at their master's call. That was proof enough to the people that he was indeed the new Lord of Termnnia.
"When the time comes..." Yami said holding the cards above the baby. "...they will be yours again." The cards lifted out of Yami's hand, and they flew into the sky disappearing into small slots of golden light. Yami knelt down and kissed the baby's forehead then he put a letter on the baby's chest as well as a package from Serenity.
Yet...little did he know he was being watched.
"How clever of you," sneered Bakura hiding in the shadows of the trees near a lamp post. "So, Yugi. You seek to hide the child here in the other world. Did you honestly believe whisking him to another dimension would keep him safe? You are such a naïve fool, Yugi. There is nowhere you can put the child that can keep him from me. But, I must say. An orphanage? Is that the best you can do? No, no, no. This will not do at all."
Bakura sniggered quietly and slowly descended into the woods gone from sight.
Meanwhile, Yami looked around, and gently kicked the baby's basket. The baby cried louder than he anticipated so he quickly ran for cover and turned his horse invisible with a snap of his fingers. He peered from behind a tree. The lights began to turn on inside, and figures could be seen running downstairs. The owners of the home came storming out.
"What is that?" asked the in the farmer's outfit, no doubt the owner of the orphanage.
His wife came out and spotted the baby crying in her rose bush. She gasped. Her silky robe flapped behind her like wings as she dashed for the infant.
"Oh, you poor little thing!" she said, sympathetically. She took the baby out of the rose bush.
"Hey! Hello! Hello! Is anyone out there?" shouted the man.
His wife quickly made the baby stop crying. "Don't worry sweetheart we'll care for you." The woman tapped the baby's nose.
"What's with his eye?" asked the man. "Why is it glowing like that?"
Damn! Yami gasped. He forgot about the eye. This was a dimension where magic or monsters existed. A plain world, so to speak. But even though the child had an unusual eye, it did not affect the pair's feelings for him.
"Well," the woman said inspecting the eye. "Isn't that odd? It's bizarre, no doubt, but I see no trouble bringing him in. What do you say, dear?"
"Well, honey, this is your birthday after all. All right, bring him in before he catches a cold or something. It looks like you're stuck with us little guy."
"Yes!" Yami whispered.
The mission was a success.
"Good-night, and good luck to you, little one. I will see you again soon." He said as a big tear rolled down his cheek.
Yami could feel his heart tie into a knot when he saw the boy in the woman's arms enter the house. His eyes were glued to him as if he did everything in his power to see the baby one last time. When the door closed and the baby was safe inside, Yami got back onto his horse and disappeared back to Termnnia.