Silmeria: Emperor's Prophecy is considered my masterpiece and it is one of my highest reviews stories on the site, but I wanted to see it done better - bigger and here we are - Emperor's Prophecy - Reincarnation.

Disclaimer: I claim no ownership to Yu-gi-oh.

Chapter Three: The Emperor and Seer

The Seer of Elysian was small and pale and far from what Atem imagined the manifestation of the Prophecy of War to look like, but it mattered not - what was important was that the little one was safe and looked worse for wear. He watched from a reasonable distance as the healer examined him before turning to acknowledge Seto and Bakura who kept their eyes firmly locked in the Seer's direction.

"I see that it didn't take long for him to charm you to his side." Atem murmured, a smooth chuckle escaping his mouth as Seto and Bakura snapped to attention, bowing their heads in greeting, but Atem was quick to wave the formalities aside. "I am pleased that you have brought him but what has happened? He does not look like he is in the best of health."

"I am afraid that the Seer suffered a vision prior to our arrival," Bakura explained. "According to the Seer, he suffers from the influx of magic that the visions require and it does harm to his body often leaving him weak and exhausted."

Atem frowned at the information, turning back to the Seer to see that the healer was in the process of covering him with a thick blanket. While it wasn't odd that there were a select few that couldn't handle magic in Elysian, it was rare. But, would the Gods be so cruel as to saddle a child with the ability to see what's beyond and have him unable to cope with what's needed to do so?

Atem would not be surprised if such a thing were so in these trying times.

"You both have done well to bring the Seer to us." Atem praised. "I take it that his family was agreeable with the arrangement?"

"His Grandfather - Sogoroku Motou - understood the consequences of hiding the Seer from Elysian and allowed us to take him in the dead of the night." Bakura frowned in Yuugi's direction. "However, I am not sure that Yuugi will be agreeable once he awakens."

"He is not aware of his importance," Atem stated with a heavy heart. "Another task that I will be burdened with, I'm afraid."

"He is wise and has a good head on his shoulders," Seto remarked. "Considering the burden that the Gods have placed him with, I would expect nothing less than a calm conversation-"

"He is but nineteen summers." Bakura cut in swiftly. "You are delusional if you think a child of a mere nineteen summers would be fine with this current situation. We are not all like you, Seto."

"It is something that we will grow accustomed to given the right words and actions." Atem stated, turning his attention back to sleeping- "Yuugi was his name? Yuugi Motou?"

"Yes," Seto answered. "I find it amusing that he is named after the First Shield of Elysian." Seto tilted his head and regarded Bakura with an amused look. "Bets are still on the table about our theory?"

"It isn't a theory - it's a damn fact," Bakura grumbled. "We both know that the rumors were true - that the First Shield of Elysian was a Seer. How else could he have survived the Purge? Or the War with Atlantis?"

"If that were the case then Mahad, our current Shield, would have the same abilities?" Seto countered. "Seer abilities are under Divine Magic - it's passed down."

"That is not always the case." Bakura protested. "Divine Magic is considered Holy and it chooses its wielder such as the case with Mokuba's own abilities of Object Reading - an ability that still astounds the Council."

Seto's lips twisted in a vicious scowl at the Council of Val'ista - a group of mages that have sat beside of Emperor of Elysian since time immoral, but to Seto, were nothing but a group of scheming rats that have interfered with the Emperor bettering the lands and the lives of the people on more than one occasion.

"I have given the command that they are to leave in Mokuba to his studies and peace, Seto," Atem reassured his nose twitching as the smell of rain permeated the room indicating that Seto's Lightning Magic was growing beyond his holder's control.

"Be at Peace, Seto," Atem commanded in a low tone. "Or you will wake the little one."

Seto's jaw clenched, as he took a shuddering breath easing the smell of ozone in the room leaving the occupants weary of the magic that clung to their skin like sweat. "You have my utmost apologies, Your Majesty. It is just the thought of Mokuba being poked and prodded-"

"I will stick a blade through their heart should any harm befall, Mokuba," Bakura promised. "You know that Ryou and I treat the cub as our own."

"No harm shall befall him, cousin." Atem murmured, reaching out to place a ringed hand on Seto's still trembling shoulder. "You have fought hard and earned such a right."

"I wonder." Seto glanced over his shoulder to stare into the Emperor's calm gaze. "Am I denying Elysian the advancement it deserves? By denying the world access to Mokuba's abilities?"

"It is Mokuba's decision to use it to help the world or to live a simple life," Bakura stated. "We are not in the habit of forcing others-" Bakura stopped turning to a still unconscious Yuugi. "Well, not everyone."

"We have no choice in the matter, Bakura." Atem felt a rush of shame and he was quick to push it to the back of his mind. "If we do not acknowledge the Prophecy of War and unlocked it, then we will die." Atem swallowed the lump that formed around his throat. "It shames me that I have taken him away from his family and forced this upon him. If anyone were to die then it should be me and the cursed blood that runs through my veins. The House of Faenor is stained with blood and has done little to nothing to wash it off - to atone and thus my people - Yuugi - will have to pay the price."

"Majesty-" Bakura began, his heart aching for his friend. "You must not falter now. The world will turn their eyes to Elysian and we must remain steadfast and vigilant. We cannot allow Yuugi to leave our borders."

"No, but he cannot step foot out of the palace either." Atem released a sad huff, turning his gaze back to Yuugi. "Not without a well-balanced group of guards that I would trust with my own life."

"His own Shield, perhaps?" Seto tried, the idea of Yuugi never leaving not sitting well with him. "I am sure that word of his appearance will spread around Asrai soon enough and there will be a demand to see him - to gaze upon him - as if he were a God."

"Considering his lineage and connection that's not too much of a stretch." Bakura murmured. "I'm sure the kid will love the attention." Bakura waved a hand in Yuugi's direction. "His last good deed earned him the Emperor's attention."

"You speak as if that's an insult." Atem drawled an amused quirk to his lips. "According to the rumors circulating around the Court, I am quite the catch."

"For power-hungry mothers." Bakura countered, earning a snort of amusement from Seto. "A daughter marrying the Emperor? The House shall be set for generations."

"Indeed." Atem murmured, turning back to Yuugi whose color had returned to a healthy peach was still oblivious to his surroundings. "The House of Motou shall sit beside Faenor for untold generations."

"I would agree but I feel such a move is unwise," Bakura stated swiftly. "Allow him time, Majesty to adjust and adapt to his surroundings before you grant him a title. Seer of Elysian is more than enough for the time being, correct?"

"Right." Atem approached Yuugi's still form and sunk into the seat that had been offered for him. "I am anxious to do right by him." Atem reached out to grasp Yuugi's hand in his own. "This meeting has been in the wings for hundreds of years - The Seer and Emperor. I mean to protect him and our lands from this wretched Prophecy of War."

"Yuugi Motou is the Seer of Elysian, but that's not all he is, Majesty," Seto stated softly earning a curious look from his cousin. "Yuugi is a person whose Fate was decided before he even drew his first breath. He was destined to watch the world in a manner that is considered cruel and unjust. It is not something that he cannot close his eyes or ignore. He can see beyond today and tomorrow and yet it worries me that if and when his ability grows will he see what has passed?"

"You're not talking about the Prophecy." Bakura's eyes narrowed and his features turned thoughtful. "You speak of Leon von Schroeder - The Divine Seer."

"Lord Leon von Schroeder was impressive in his own right." Seto continued. "He was a duel-wielder of light and water and he was also considered a master of the sword, but hand-to-hand combat was his true calling. With these combined abilities, he was able to defeat Emperor Adrian and his Shield."

"Without committing regicide." Atem finished, regretful. "He was successful at topping my ancestor and stopping his genocide but it was far too late." Atem shook his head. "I am grateful that Leon didn't commit the finishing blow and I am ashamed to admit that Elysian would have been better off."

"You place too much blame on yourself, Atem." Bakura chided. "You can't blame yourself for your ancestors' actions. You may direct that energy to choose Yuugi's Shield." Bakura shook his head when Atem opened his mouth. "It would be a blessing but I have thousands of troops to look after and no one to spare." Bakura looked conflicted. "...the tension on the borders have been rising. I have lost twenty to the scrimmages and that is far too many."

"Do you need aid?" Atem stared into his eyes, his own dark at the news. "I can pull Ryuuji's troops to the border."

"No." Bakura shook his head, his mind whirling at the replacements he would have to send to the outer villagers. "I can handle it. The Shield, Majesty, have you chosen or have someone in mind?"

Atem returned his gaze back to Yuugi as his mind filtered through the names of the warriors under his command but none seemed good enough except-"

"Jounouchi Katsuya." Atem murmured drawing Bakura's attention. "I think he will be the perfect fit for Yuugi don't you think?"

"The cub?" Bakura uttered with a confused frown. "He's an excellent ice mage but as a Shield to the Seer of Elysian? It will be a burden to them both."

"Yet, he is a good, kind soul and he will not look at Yuugi as a Seer, but as a person and that is what he needs most, correct?" Seto's lips twisted, his heart aching for Jounouchi and Yuugi. He turned to Bakura with a questioning stare. "Where is he?"

"The assassination attempt has made him frightened for his sister and mother so he returned home for a brief time. He is set to return in an hour shall I retrieve him now?"

"Yes." Atem nodded, returning his attention to Yuugi. "The Seer and Shield should get acquaint themselves with one another, correct?"

"Majesty." Bakura turned on his heel, leaving Seto and Atem alone in the room. Seto opened his mouth to speak, but Atem interrupted, his tone soft and worried.

"I pray that Jounouchi is never called to defend Yuugi as Mahad has been called to defend me." Atem squeezed Yuugi's hand, swallowing at the implications. "Not all will see Yuugi as a savior but as a harbinger - a reminder that their time here is coming to an end."

Seto joined him at Yuugi's bedside, placing a hand on his cousin's shoulder. "Worry not, cousin, we will protect Yuugi." Seto's eyes darkened. "And strike down those who see him harm. You will see, dear cousin, that all will be well."

Atem's lips curled into a weak smile that failed to reach his eyes. "I sincerely hope that you are right, Seto, for all of our sakes."