Dripping Wings

The evening moon was high over the city. It was a cloudless night, and there were no evening birds singing. There wasn't even a breeze.

Yuugi couldn't sleep. The balcony door was open, but it felt as though no air was making its way in. Although it wasn't hot, it was stuffy, and he felt he couldn't lie in that bed a moment longer without going crazy.

Slowly, quietly, he pushed the blanket back and sat up. Atemu was asleep and didn't even stir as Yuugi got up and pushed his feet to the floor.

It was the evening after their Bonding Day. He should have been exhausted, and he should have been fast asleep, but there was such a feeling of dread in the pit of his stomach and he simply couldn't lay still.

I need air, he thought to himself. He grabbed an overcoat from the end of the bed, slipped on a pair of shoes, and walked over to the balcony. Mahaado was always at their chamber doors standing guard. Yuugi couldn't leave his room without someone else in the palace knowing he'd left. He was grateful for the guard's constant vigilance, but it was one of those nights when he was missing his independence. Instead, he walked over to the open balcony doors and released his wings. Perhaps a walk around the palace grounds was all he needed. Something to take his mind off of the terrible foreboding he kept feeling whenever he closed his eyes.

Why should he be feeling this way? He was already aware of all of the troubles to come, wasn't he? He knew that Questchal was about to attack, he knew he and Atemu would have to fight again, and he knew of the perils ahead. Velinah herself had told him as much.

Velinah. And Helios for that matter, too. Yuugi couldn't figure either of them out lately. The both of them had been rather quiet, and would often spare him calm, said looking glances in his direction. They did not speak to him much since he returned, but they were always affectionate. It was like they were a parent waiting for their child with cancer to finally feel the pain of it.

Perhaps he should speak with Astarte about it.

He hoisted himself up to the railing of the balcony. It was a long and dangerous drop. He was grateful he could fly tonight. He flapped his wings once, powerfully but silently, and felt himself lift, then start to drop. A heartbeat later he was on the ground and padding silently across the grass of the palace grounds.

The stables were quiet when he finally made his way to the entrance. Small lamps were lit and hung around the building, offering a plethora of night lights for the inhabitants. Yuugi pushed open one of the large doors, grateful when it did not creek or groan as he pushed, and slipped inside. Thankfully, the Sacreds sleeping inside recognized him instantly, and did not bother to stir or raise alarm as he made his way down the large, straw covered aisle.

Many of the stalls were dark, most likely by the choice of the horse inside. When Yuugi reached Astarte's stall, her doors were propped open, and a small oil lamp was hanging above her doorway. She was laying down to sleep tonight, and her small newborn was resting contentedly next to her. Yuugi marveled at how the young foal's coat shimmered a bright silver in the soft lamp light. She was going to be a marvelous creature.

Yuugi pulled his overcoat tight around himself as he sat down next to Astarte's sleeping head. She lifted it quickly when the noise he made reached her ears. He could hear her mental voice, riddled with sleep confusion, as she focused her vision.

:Oh, Yuugi.: She looked at him with one of her big green eyes. :You're awake. What on earth are you doing here at this time of night?:

Yuugi smiled at the concern in her voice. :I'm sorry to wake you. I couldn't sleep.:

She looked at him imploringly. :What troubles you? After the day you've had, you should be blissfully asleep next to your new bonded.:

:And new co-consort,: Yuugi replied. He still could not grasp at the fact he had been coronated that very evening. He hung his head as he attempted to gather his thoughts. :Something wrong is in the air, he said at last. I can feel it, with my very bones, but every ounce of logic in my brain says I'm overreacting.:

:Never doubt your instincts,: Astarte replied. :I promise they will never fail you.:

Yuugi let out a breath of frustration. "Nothing makes much sense right now," he whispered out loud. "Velinah and Helios have said very little to me since my return. Granted, I know that I have been very busy these past couple of days, but Helios wasn't even asleep in our room when Atemu and I went to sleep tonight. He hasn't slept away from us since his birth."

Astarte lowered her head minutely. :It...surprises me they would act as distant as they are, knowing what they know.:

Yuugi gave her a funny look. Knowing what they know? What would that be? Was there something he was being left out of?

...More secrets? Yuugi felt himself get frustrated.

Speaking of frustrations...:Astarte, I noticed that you are still angry at Senke. What did he do? Why will you not so much as speak to him recently? He's still the father or your child, after all.:

Astarte let out what sounded like a pained whinny. :Oh, Yuugi...I didn't want to have to be the one to tell you this. It should have been Atemu...:

Yuugi felt his heart squeeze in his chest. So, this was it. The secret he had been sure Atemu would not reveal to him all those months ago when they had been on their way to Elendiah.

Astarte pressed on with her reveal, interrupting Yuugi's thoughts. :No matter how hard I tried, I could not convince Senke into persuading the Prince to tell you himself. Senke actually agreed with Atemu's decision to not tell you. He said he understood the pain and risk involved, and could not bring himself to fight against the Prince's request of silence from us.: She paused and shook her head. :But you have a right to know. Whether it makes things harder on you or not, you have a right to know.: She pushed her head into Yuugi's chest, where he absentmindedly stroked the hair of her mane that was falling in her eyes. :Do you remember the Prophecy, Yuugi? Back when you learned about it at Northern Reach?:

"How could I forget?"

:Indeed. Atemu, along with most everyone else, believe that you did not grasp the full extent of the sacrifices that will be required of you to fulfill the prophecy. Atemu even knows when these events will transpire, and a good idea of how it will happen. You see, the night you returned from Northern Reach, Atemu stormed the Hall of Remembrance and demanded the Goddesses explain themselves, and why they would have the Prophecy be fulfilled at this current time in history. Yuugi...you will have to die in order to kill the Wicked One. Your death will mark the end of the war. Even Atemu knows this...you only have a couple more months left to live.:

Oh...Yuugi felt his face contort on its own, an attempt to hold back the tears that suddenly sprang to the surface. "So soon?" he asked weakly. His left hand found his face, and he started to weep. "Why so soon?" he whispered again. "I-I knew I'd have to give up everything eventually. It only made sense the way things have been going, and with what the Prophecy said. But so soon?" He held onto her head tightly as he poured his heart out. :Why me? Why was I chosen to live this life?:

Astarte said nothing as Yuugi continued to wet her mane. She rubbed her nose against his chest softly. :You will not go through this alone. You have so many that will be with you till the very end.:

It still wasn't fair. To have to die so soon for everyone else. He was going to save a world he would no longer have any part of...

But...

His brain did not stop there.

It would be safe for his child. It would be safe for Artemis. It would be safe for Atemu.

His future was grim. But if it made things better for his family, and the ones he loved...

By the goddesses, he would make it right for his family. His family. The one thing he'd never had and always wanted. Now that he had it, he was going to lose it, but he would leave them with a better world than what they currently lived in now. He believed he could live out his remaining time with that knowledge wedged safely in his heart. He relayed his thoughts to Astarte, who agreed.

:It will be safer. Your descendants will never have to worry about the tyranny of the Wicked One and Questchal ever again.:

A painful smile split Yuugi's face. "I believe I understand why Atemu didn't want to tell me. Have you seen what he does when I cry? It's like someone just ripped his heart and lungs out of his chest. I'm sure he would rather I live in ignorant bliss for my remaining time than watch me go through this."

Astarte gave a horse chuckle. :Your King has such a soft heart when it concerns you.:

Yuugi sat back against the stall wall, this new revelation of his future swirling around in his head. "I sure played right into destiny's hands, didn't I?" He chuckled ruefully. "I've been given everything, so I can give up everything. From Atemu to my companions." He looked into Astarte's olive green eyes wistfully. "What do you suppose would have happened to me, should things have been different? If I hadn't been an Assai after coming here. No golden dragon to follow me. I never would have met Velinah, and you-"

:-I'm different,: Astarte cut him off. Her green eyes looked at him without waver. :Whether you would have been Assai or not, I'm different. I still would have been with you. I still would have found you and followed you until the end. My destiny is to follow you until your darkest hour. I will die with you, Yuugi.:

The conviction in her voice rang loudly inside of his mind. Yuugi felt a warmth spread within him with these words. "Oh, Astarte.." he felt like crying again. Instead, he launched his arms around her neck and held tight. "I don't deserve you."

:Of course you do. Don't be silly,: she chided.

He looked down at the silver foal that was still sound asleep next to her mother. :What will become of Artemis? If you're killed while we're at war...:

:She will be all right,: Astarte assured him. She touched her nose to Artemis's side affectionately. :Senke will still be here. The other Sacreds also know of what will come, and will help to raise her.: She paused a moment. :She may not be able to talk yet, but she knows. She chose to be born to this life, with this destiny laid out before her. That's the way things are with the Sacreds. I myself knew of my fate before I was even born. I knew I'd be here with you, fighting till my last breath on the battle field. She's destined for your unborn daughter, did you know? The two of them...they will do great things.:

Yuugi processed this new bit of information. It was always interesting to hear the insight the Sacreds so rarely revealed. "I wish I could be here to see it."

Astarte sighed in weariness. :You'll know. Trust me. I know what it's like on the other side. You'll see her smiling face every day, whether your hear to touch it or not.:

Yuugi did not reply. He simply sat there, a small part of him so grateful that he was not going into this darkness of the future alone. "No wonder I've got such a bad feeling about tomorrow. My intuition was correct."

:It always has been, Yuugi. Now, as much as I love your company, you really should get back to sleep. My instincts are telling me that you're going to have a long day tomorrow.:

Yuugi nodded his consent. :You're right. I can feel it too. Get some rest yourself. I'll try to see you tomorrow.:

Astarte moved her head back down to once again rest against Artemis's sleeping form. Yuugi stood, albeit a little shakily, and dusted off his overcoat. He reached up and dimmed the light from the oil lamp before he silently made his way back out of the stables.

Yuugi's heart felt heavy as he made his way back across the palace grounds. Not a single soul could be seen as he walked the way back to his side of the palace. The night was still deathly silent, but at least now he felt he knew why.

Extending his wings for the final time that night, he flapped them and lifted himself to the railing of his balcony.

Atemu was still sound asleep as Yuugi made his way back to the bed. He hadn't even rolled over in his sleep. As Yuugi looked at him, all he could think about was how much he was going to miss him.

"Atemu," he whispered urgently as he pressed himself up against the King's back.

His lover rolled over sluggishly. "Hmm...?"

Yuugi ran his hands up and down Atemu's toned arms. "Atemu," he pressed again.

Dark red eyes opened up and looked at Yuugi questioningly. "Yuugi?"

He cupped Atemu's face with his hand, and moved their faces closer. "Make love to me."

The King complied with Yuugi's request, even if he was still too tired to dwell on question of why Yuugi would wake in the middle of the night with such an urgent need.

***