Chapter LXXXVII: Foresight

Yusei landed easily beside Yugi even as Jaden lunged straight for what looked to be Timaeus. Atem sprang aside as they connected, and Yugi looked swiftly up and away from a ledge nearby. Yusei blinked, glancing at the Leviathan as he landed beside Atem, and then risked a glance where Yugi had. But there was no one there. He did not see a single dragon or even a flicker of light to announce a bug. He tilted his head and looked down. Atem was watching intently as Jaden and the other male went to blows. Blood splattered and sprayed the air. Yugi looked sick as he watched them and abruptly Atem sprang away atop a nearby ledge, moving closer to them.

"How did you know to come here?" the Sky Dragon spat, looking to Yugi as if to make sure he was okay. The Gandora dipped his head and Atem sprang up beside them, between Yusei and Yugi as if to make a barrier.

Yusei looked down. "Leviathan saw the Clan's destruction."

"And you were all together?"

"We've been training since we encountered your sibling—mostly, anyways. Leviathan went off on his own for a while to deal with Clan business since there isn't a true leader present, and when he came back he seemed…rattled, but that's neither here nor there. For all I know he fears death." Yusei flicked his tail, somewhat affronted Atem was posed so clearly to intercept as if he truly believed Yusei might strike at Yugi. "How did you know to come here?"

"I didn't," he hissed coldly. "I came to see Kisara."

Yusei blinked and tilted his head. "Kisara? What for?"

"I meant to offer condolences." He narrowed his gaze and Yusei found himself startled by the intensity in his stare. It was almost like staring into the sun his gaze was so angry. "We did not remain long enough to even speak to my brother or Kisara after helping heal some of the worst of the wounds."

Yusei bristled, uncertain. That seemed out of character for Atem. He usually lingered just long enough to express himself in some manner before he left. Perhaps he'd been guilt-ridden and scared away from the task. But Yusei couldn't imagine it in the slightest. Atem did not cower. He had not even cowered at the gathering when he'd invoked Jaden's temper. And what of when he'd stood and fought them just to save a son to die the next day?

"Atem, if you wish to lie to me, at least acknowledge I'm smart enough to know."

Atem leveled him with a cold, calculated stare. "Don't suggest you know me well enough to claim that," he said slowly, in a voice that dripped with ice. Yusei bristled and backed up a step, unable to swallow the snarl in his throat. "And should you wish to, do not ever say so in front of Jaden."

Yusei opened and closed his mouth, then shook his head sharply. "Obviously not in front of Jaden," he snapped, watching him intently. He shivered and Atem's eyes glittered as if tracking the movement.

"Atem."

He glanced at Yugi sideways. "Yes?"

"Enough. Just… Yusei isn't a threat."

The God Dragon blinked and looked to Yusei again, eyeing him critically. "I'm aware," he said curtly, tail twitching. He looked abruptly down toward Jaden and his sibling and bristled as he tilted his head. "You must have trained day and night."

Yusei flicked his tail. "Yes. We need every advantage we can get."

Atem looked over slowly. "Is that to kill him or me?"

Yusei stopped short, stunned. "What?" he breathed. His eyes shot briefly toward Yugi and the Gandora bristled angrily as he looked between them. "What are you talking about? No one wants you dead."

"Yusei," he said quietly, slowly, in a tone that spoke of no room for argument, "if you wish for me to speak to you without lying, offer me the same courtesy."

Yusei opened and closed his mouth twice, spine cold with ice as he peered back. He fought a grimace and then looked away. "It was…suggested once or twice, but we never would have gone through with it."

"Was that before or after he realized Yami existed?"

"Once before. Twice after." Yusei glanced at Yugi, ignoring the urge to snarl in response to the noise the Gandora loosed. He turned back to Atem soon after. "It was… Look, Jaden is usually a lot better than he has been for a while. He used to be a thousand times better. But he's… He's struggling right now. I don't know how to help. No one really does. He mentioned it because he was worried you couldn't be controlled after the gathering when you proved impervious to every attempt he made to influence you. After he mentioned it because of Yami, and the last time it was because of your sibling. He's afraid your sibling might use you to go after us eventually and he doesn't know that we can deal with you."

"I make him quiver," Atem muttered, though he sounded proud of himself. Yusei saw Yugi raise his head slightly, eyes sparkling with satisfaction. Atem looked down again. "He can't influence me, either. He could when he was younger, but Yami had the same abilities. I learned to block him almost immediately, and Dimitri never had to work past a barrier. He's wet behind the wings where it comes to that. He's forced his way into someone's thoughts and memories and tunneled through dreams, I'm sure, but he's never had to combat with natural defenses like that. Yami couldn't force his way past without permission. I don't expect Dimitri to be stronger than Yami was."

Yusei shivered. Atem sounded almost wistful. "I'm sorry about—"

"As you should be," he cut in roughly, thumping his tail. "So, Leviathan saw the Clan dead rather than Dimitri?"

"Yes. We…took to watching the Clans after the attack." He paused. "Jaden told me you put Timaeus under Aki's supervision for a little while."

"It was only while I came here last."

Yusei tilted his head. "Then Jaden was watching the past?"

"I suppose. It was a split second decision."

"How is that possible? We've all been watching the present and the future…"

Atem blinked. "I don't know. Foresight wasn't my gift."

Yusei looked at Yugi. "Is it yours?" he muttered. "Do you see the future and just never told us?"

Yugi looked as if he had grown an extra head. "Huh? No! I don't have any kind of special powers. I'm just…Yugi." He blinked and glanced at Atem and then turned back. Yusei swore he saw something aching and raw in his expression for a split second, and he had the impulse to say he was more important than that and not to sell himself short. But he realized then whatever it was Yugi felt so hurt by stemmed from Atem. It had nothing to do with the conversation. "I wish I had foresight sometime, but it wouldn't be worth anything. The only dragon I'd watch is a blind spot."

Atem snorted and Yusei smothered a grin. "It would also be unnecessary, seeing as you're my mate," he snickered.

Yugi grinned so wide it almost made Yusei ache to see it. "True!"

"Is that truly all you'd use a gift like that for?"

Yugi looked over in bewilderment. "What else would I want it for?" he asked, seeming genuinely shocked. "I wouldn't have any other reason for it."

"Your parents? Yourself?" Yusei prompted, tilting his head. "You truly wouldn't use it for anything else?'

Yugi shook his head and looked down. Atem followed his gaze after a moment and Yusei glanced as well. Jaden had managed to pin Atem's sibling for a heartbeat, but he went flying immediately after. He hit the wall of ledges beneath them, snarled in annoyance, and sprang at the other male once more. Timaeus's form wavered and changed abruptly, turning then to a familiar white and blue-scaled dragon with brilliant dark eyes.

Atem's head snapped back and forth between him and the doppelganger in the camp clearing. His scales rose into a furious bristle and he lashed his tail as he considered them both. "He's…an absolute copy."

Yusei bristled. "I've noticed," he hissed dryly. Jaden had halted in surprise, though he launched himself a moment later. The clearing crackled with energy, flames bursting through the air and singeing the earth. The limestone was blinding as the clearing exploded in flame. "By Paradise…"

"Jaden seems to know how to handle you well enough," Atem commented, lashing his tail. "He was startled, but the recovery was fast."

"We've fought all out a couple of times," Yusei admitted reluctantly. He didn't like to think of the bloodshed they'd caused each other, the numerous injuries and moons spent healing from the worst of the damage. He flexed his claws and lashed his tail again. "They were few and far between, but we both know how to handle each other at our worst."

Yugi shivered. "That comes with being mates for so long, too, right?"

He blinked and risked a sideways glance. "No. That came about because of Sartorius. All-out war between us was because of him. We'd ceased being mates prior to that. Everything…just got worse progressively."

"Is that so?" Atem muttered. He watched the two of them with glittering eyes, as if he wanted to spring forward and join. Whatever held him there must have been powerful, because even his legs were shaking with desire the longer he watched. "I would have assumed the edicts had merely caused tension."

Yusei flinched. "No… We almost killed each other more than once because of them." He faltered. "After all the senseless killing and arguments that never ceased, we nearly killed each other more than ten times. It was a really bad time, Atem."

"No one speaks of your arguments as if they were so serious."

"We hid it well enough around others. We might have squabbled, but only in private did we turn on each other like that. Leviathan usually sat and watched and waited for us to exhaust ourselves. Then he'd tell us off for being stupid and leave without a second glance." Yusei felt shame course through him. "It was…bad, to say the least."

Atem nodded distractedly, watching Jaden and Yusei's doppelganger with glittering eyes. The gem on his forehead flashed briefly with color, darkening almost immediately after. He bristled and tilted his head, studying the fight below once more. "He won't win this."

Yusei blinked and looked down. "Who?"

"Jaden." Atem steeled his muscles as if to leap. "Dimitri is rapidly growing in strength and each change of form comes with new stamina and healing. Jaden doesn't have that."

Yusei bristled faintly and looked down again. "We were going to alternate with him and see how easily he can adapt. We don't know enough about him yet. So we're trying to find the weakness…" He paused. "My turn—"

Atem sprang abruptly. Yusei barely had time to process it. The air ionized so sharply it was as if every nerve in his body had caught fire, tingling. Dimitri halted, startled, and Jaden went flying when Atem struck him hard enough to throw him. The Fire Dragon sprang to his paws immediately but did not move closer.

Dimitri hissed and paced. Atem watched him motionlessly. The shape-shifter changed abruptly to Timaeus again, springing for him. Atem dodged aside, slamming him in the side with his wing and throwing him back. The God Dragon did not move past straightening again. His sibling scurried to his paws, startled, and snarled softly.

"Why do you continue to play games with him?" Leviathan spat. "Kill him."

Atem didn't answer. He dodged another strike and slammed Timaeus's form backwards again. Dimitri scrambled for his paws, breathless, and then changed rapidly once more. Jaden stood before him then, bristling and scowling. Atem paced forward, lashing his tail.

"Atem—"

"Dimitri," he said slowly, raising his head, "cease while you have the chance. If you miss in that kill blow you're planning, I'll rip your head off myself."

His sibling halted, slamming his tail. "You're too weak to kill me. You've spared me twice already."

Atem glanced toward Yami where he peered down at them, tense and restless. He turned back. "I was told things have to transpire a certain way." He exhaled slowly, stalking forward and ignoring the urge to lunge. He could have killed him then and there. But Yami's voice rang in his head—Spare him, Atem—and he could not argue. He had not answered when he'd demanded to know why. "You survive until then."

Dimitri stared for a moment, then slowly raised his head. "Your son," he said slowly, voice startled but rapidly growing furious, "is protecting me."

Atem stalked forward. "Perhaps a phantom of him, yes. I was told you survive until things have come to a head." He ignored the looks he was granted by several glowing gazes amidst the shadows of the dens. "And if that's what must happen, then I will see to it."

"Has he warned you of what's in the water?" he snarled softly. "Has he told you, that you shall die by my claws when I'm stronger? That I eat your hearts at the end of it all?"

"So be it," Atem returned coldly. Jaden bristled a few feet away and he heard Yugi snarl with distress. Yusei cursed quietly and Leviathan thumped his tail. "Death may have me when it comes. But whether it'll be your form or another's, I do not know. I fear nothing, Dimitri."

Dimitri stared back at him, hateful but startled and rapidly growing unsure of himself. He lashed his tail, blinking, and growled softly. "Fear does not suit you," he admitted quietly, coldly, eyes like chips of ice. Atem thought of Seto when he'd carved his side open and almost laughed. It was amazing how much of Seto stared back at him, even in Jaden's face. Maybe hatred truly was inherited. "Misery marks you much better."

Atem barked a laugh. "Yes. It's a constant companion." He tilted his head. "As is the blood etched in my claws. Take flight, Dimitri. I won't say it again."

His sibling peered back at him for a long handful of minutes, then snarled. "I suppose I should listen to you," he sneered, "considering you are the one who Blessed our nest and prevented Jaden eating us alive."

Atem suppressed the bristle that threatened to overcome him.

"I mean, isn't that true? You cursed the entire Clan when you lied and said we were born before the eclipse."

Jaden snarled softly, Yusei hissed, and the Leviathan thumped his tail again. Atem ignored the urge to look away as Dimitri peered back at him so defiantly. Abruptly he turned to look up at Yusei.

"You as well," he purred. "I owe you for lying alongside my wonderful sibling."

Atem risked a glance at him in his peripheral. Yusei looked as if he wanted to vomit, but also so enraged he might leap down and strike him himself. Atem turned his focus back to the hatchling and considered him intently.

"And Yugi," Dimitri called, and Atem's head snapped toward the Gandora, stomach lurching as instinct said he ensured Yugi's safety, "I owe you for convincing Atem to give us that Blessing. I would have killed them all in the nest otherwise, but you convinced him to do it."

Yugi bristled and bore his teeth, thumping his tail. He looked at Atem briefly from the corner of his eye but didn't turn to face him. Atem looked back to Dimitri, lashing his tail.

"And I suppose I owe your son for holding your paw right now," he spat, whipping around to face Atem again. "Amazing that the dead hold such power over you."

He ignored him, watching but refusing outward response.

"I'll remember that, when I kill Yugi and wear his skin for you."

Atem barely smothered the snarl in his throat, staring into his eyes until his own hurt. Dimitri snarled softly, lashed his tail, and then sprang into the air and took off. Atem watched him go, then turned to Yugi. The Gandora was still watching where Dimitri had vanished as if he expected him to come back immediately. A heartbeat passed before he turned as well, facing him and shivering.

"You okay?"

Atem grunted, noncommittal but unsure of how to speak. He wanted to say he'd protect him, but he couldn't stomach it. Somehow the words died in his lungs before he could even consider fully. He had to trust Yugi would know he wouldn't let Dimitri lay a claw on him. He looked to Jaden and searched his face. The Fire Dragon peered back coldly, straightening and baring his teeth as he lashed his tail.

"Yami isn't dead, is he?" he said slowly. Atem ignored the urge to lunge and instead eyed him critically. "You run interference because he tells you to, not because you see or know anything on your own."

Atem opened his mouth to refute him, to twist the words enough to convince Jaden otherwise, but his voice never left his lungs.

"See or know anything?" a voice jeered, and he looked over to see Rafael stalking forward. His teeth were bared, eyes glittering like ice, entire body tensed as if he might launch himself any moment. Atem eyed him, though the battle had since left him and impulse was almost nonexistent now. The hybrid stopped a mere inch away, eyes locked with his. "You ask a false God Dragon if he sees or knows anything?"

"False?" Yusei scoffed in turn.

Jaden huffed. "Come off it, Rafael."

"Brave of you to assume such things," Leviathan hissed.

Atem didn't answer, staring at the hybrid silently. He could have aimed and severed his head if he'd only so desired, but he didn't care enough. It was odd, how devoid of emotion and purpose he suddenly felt. The truth, a weight before, was all but nonexistent now. Jaden would hunt Yami like a deer and what was expected of him? To wait and watch and let it happen?

He almost laughed.

"You are the reason this all has happened." Rafael stepped closer again. Atem debated for a moment whether he should show him why he was spoken of only in whispers, but the thought died. "You're the only one who isn't a true God Dragon. You broke the laws of nature. You laid that bastard son of yours and now your sibling thanks you for his survival and rampage. What did he have planned to do here, Atem? Was it an absolute slaughter? Or do you not know?"

He snorted. "Why come here again if it was not to kill and maim?"

"Any God Dragon worth their title knows better than to allow a clutch to come to full-term if they are believed to be ill-fated. You've doomed us because you were too cowardly to stand up to your brother."

Atem tilted his head. "I wasn't going to kill an egg."

"You'd rather we all die for your mistake."

"Dimitri is my mistake and my responsibility."

He saw a few horrified and curious faces from the Clan that had come to surround them. Atem noticed Kisara looking away, as if she'd been personally struck by the words. Beside her Seto watched Atem with a cold, furious look as if he wanted nothing more than to lash out and strike him down. Atem ignored them both, watching Rafael as the hybrid came somehow closer.

"Some power you have to deal with your mistakes. Your son ran off and hid away on his own, and you likely have no idea how to find him." Rafael was an inch away, beak so close Atem was almost sharing the same air as him. "You let all of this happen because you were too weak to stand on your own four paws and kill an egg because your brother holds so much power over you. And now you stand here, pretending as if you could ever justify yourself? You can barely keep yourself alive, let alone save someone else. Where do you get off pretending to know how to kill Dimitri when you can't even keep yourself together long enough to find your worthless coward of a son?"

Atem was stunned by how much pain lanced through him at the mention. Yami was hidden from him, he had withdrawn prior to stow away again. He didn't think he would have come back so quickly had it not been for the imminent threat to the Clan.

And he didn't have the right to try to justify his decision. He'd almost swallowed Dimitri's egg whole when he first visited the nest. Had it not been for the shame, he would have. But it had been an egg. And he'd hoped so stupidly that if they hatched, perhaps it would change. Perhaps it would fix itself and right its own problems. Perhaps it would lose its more sinister nature and—

I was stupid.

"You cannot even fathom doing what you must when it's asked of you, can you?"

Atem opened his mouth to answer, muscles tightening with guilt, but Rafael was slung suddenly away. Atem sprang aside, startled, as blood sprayed the air. The snarling was deafening as Rafael grappled with his attacker. Atem stepped back and blinked, eyes stretching wide though he shouldn't have been so surprised.

Yugi had his entire mouth clamped over Rafael's head, bone crunching beneath the pressure. The Lightning hybrid kicked and scrabbled at his stomach, trying fruitlessly to gut him. He twisted and pulled Yugi off balance, but the Gandora wasn't dislodged. He clamped harder. Blood spewed and Atem hissed as it puddled about the dirt. The heavy metallic stench made his stomach lurch.

Rafael flailed and kicked harder, claws scrabbling for purchase. He could not gut him, Atem realized with shock, but he was trying to wind him. Yugi was unrelenting even as each blow landed. They fell sideways when Rafael jerked. Yugi wasn't using his back legs, eyes glowing like stars as he clenched his front claws in his shoulders and dug them in further. Rafael kicked hard enough with both that he managed to push Yugi back slightly.

The Gandora jerked and scrambled, twisting his upper body. In an instant he stood over Rafael, balanced as if he meant to loom. The Lightning hybrid spat and snarled, using his wings to push off the ground. Yugi didn't steel himself in time. Rafael kicked off the ground hard enough that it sent the Gandora onto his side again. They rolled, blood flying again. The Gandora was silent and cold, but Rafael all but roared with his rage.

Yugi shifted his weight as Rafael managed to push off the ground. He stood shakily, head forced almost to the ground. Yugi moved only to shift his forelimbs. Blood sprayed the air and Atem suppressed a flinch. The sound of ripping tendons made the air crackle. The Gandora tore seamlessly from the shoulder to the back of Rafael's throat. He twisted and sent the Lightning hybrid to the ground. Rafael lay on his back, trying desperately again to kick him away.

He twisted and flailed, using his wings to throw Yugi off his paws for a single second. The Gandora was too heavy for the maneuver to work, however. Rafael shoved off the ground and twisted. Yugi hit the ground on his back, entire body loose and easy. He was not tensed in the slightest but for his jaws, which seemed somehow locked on the other male's skull.

And then Yugi pushed off with his wings. Rafael jerked and stumbled as Yugi twisted. A sickening snap came through the air. Yugi landed gracefully on all four paws a few inches away. Rafael fell limply behind him, eyes glazed, neck limp and skull almost severed. Yugi looked immediately to Jaden.

"Let me hear one ill word spoken."

Atem blinked and looked between the three of them. Leviathan was oddly still, eyes narrowed and focused on his half-brother. Jaden stared at Yugi as if he were a beast he couldn't quite comprehend. Yusei had sprung down at some point, standing near the Fire Dragon with wide eyes.

Yugi took a seat neatly, watching them with cold eyes.

No one moved for a long moment.

The Clan was silent around them.

Atem shivered. It had only been a heartbeat from attack to death.

Yugi didn't look at him. He watched the other three with that same cold, predatory stare, and the other deities took a full moment to recover. Abruptly Yusei looked to him, voice low and soft.

"We may have butted heads before, but I would never have let him make contact with you." The Ice Dragon didn't look even as Yugi whipped his head around to stare at him with burning eyes. "No one believes you're not a God Dragon. I… Personally, I've always been glad to have you on our side. If anyone had thought otherwise, it would have been said. The Leviathan wouldn't have sat back and allowed Yugi to kill Rafael if he'd thought he was right."

Atem glanced at the Leviathan. Could he have stopped Yugi? Could he have kept him from killing Rafael if he'd tried? Or had he been just as shocked out of his wits as the others?

He was the war god; Atem wondered if that meant he'd known this would happen or if Yugi being a blind spot had prevented him even understanding what he'd witnessed.

The Leviathan looked over, eyes locking with his. Atem swore he saw a million and one things flash through his gaze, but he could not read any of them. Leviathan smirked faintly and turned away.

Jaden stared at Yugi a moment longer, then glanced over at Atem. "Had Yugi not moved so quickly, I would have intervened. Rafael had no right." He blinked and turned back to Yugi. "You've certainly grown into your claws, haven't you?"

Yugi peered back for a long moment, then rose to his paws. "Remember that when you cause future trouble, Jaden."

The Fire Dragon chuckled. "You won't stop me getting to Yami. You and Atem will be dealt with when that time comes, should you oppose me so fully. But I will put an end to both Divines. One cannot survive and the other pass. I refuse to let it happen."

Atem turned to Yusei. "I suppose our sides are opposing now."

Yusei blinked and shook his head. "I have no blood to spill from Yami. My claws will be turned on Dimitri, not your son."

"And you?" Jaden snapped, turning on Leviathan.

"I have no part in any of it. This war shall be your own."

Jaden turned to him after a moment, eyeing Atem intently. After a heartbeat he murmured, "I would hope you would see reason when the time comes and I have to kill Yami. But, in the meantime, I won't declare a war until I find your son."

Atem smirked. "And I would hope you realize I mean every moment of bloodshed when I kill you for him."

Jaden mirrored his expression and dipped his head, then took off. Atem watched him go and glanced at Yusei and Leviathan. The war god was staring at a point on a ledge overhead just as Yusei did a moment later. Atem turned to find Yami leaping down and crossing the clearing toward them.

"How did you stay concealed?"

Yami hummed and stopped beside Rafael's corpse, expression unchanging from its quiet scrutiny. "It is a trick I learned from the humans. You make onlookers see what you wish. Leviathan and Yusei did not see me until I let them and Jaden…must stay blind a while longer." He turned to Yugi. "I have to say I didn't see him dying here, by your claws, but I suppose it's a fitting end with all things considered."

Yugi didn't answer, watching Atem instead. "I guess," he said finally.

Yusei stepped closer, blue eyes wide. "Are you real?"

Yami turned to him with a small smile. "As real as I can be," he murmured, searching his face for a moment. He turned back to Atem. "Thank you for heeding me. I know you didn't want to at the time."

He nodded slightly.

"How long until Dimitri can be killed?" Yugi blurted. He looked anxious and exhausted when Atem glanced over. Yami turned to him, blinking. "I can't just…let Atem play these games like this with him."

Yami shook his head. "He's not going to come back for a little while longer. Or so I should hope. I don't think after this the Clan will be his priority anymore." He paused and turned to Atem. "He's going to come for me now that he knows I'm still alive."

Atem bristled faintly. "Sorry."

Yami tilted his head. "For what? Doing what I told you?" he asked quietly. "Dimitri wasn't going to stay in the dark forever. It amazed me it even took him a couple of days to figure it out."

Atem lashed his tail. Yugi huffed and flexed his bloodied claws. "Is that so?" he commented softly. "Why do you say that when he didn't even realize prior?"

"He wasn't looking for me before. He came for Timaeus because he knew it would lure me or you out of hiding. He didn't plan to come for me directly before now."

"Can you save yourself?"

Yami was quiet for a long time. Then he smiled, tilting his head. "I think I can, yes," he laughed. But there seemed something sad and tired in his voice. "I should be able to."

Atem considered him for a long moment, lashing his tail. "Are you sure?"

"I'll figure it out," he answered softly. He turned to Yusei, laughing. "You seem so amazed. Are you okay?"

The Ice Dragon blinked, startled, and then laughed. "It's kind of amazing," he admitted, then circled the Divine Dragon with wide eyes. "I thought you were dead, and yet here you are."

Yami smiled, but Atem swore he saw a tightness in it he hadn't prior. He narrowed his gaze and his son looked over to face him again. Their eyes locked and Yami smiled a little more, this time without even a hint of more than affection. The expression was almost overwhelming and Atem had the smallest impulse to look away or back off and step aside.

Yusei blinked a few times, eyeing Yami for a moment. "What of Dimitri?"

"From what I could tell, he plans to try to find me by vision. He determined to do that before and failed, but who knows how much longer I'll be able to block him?" he said, shaking his head. "It could be a day, a moon, several or only one. I don't know. It comes down to a number of things. And all of that I just have to wait and see and measure against."

Yugi shook his head, flustered. "What use is foresight if you can't determine what's necessary?" he huffed. "I'm glad Atem didn't get that gift. It would be all but useless to him."

Atem glanced at him, tilting his head. What was his gift? He still had yet to find out, though it was not as if he had gone searching for it. He had not gone hunting for it in the time he spent alone. He didn't search for it rather than prey. He didn't spend his time studying constellations to find answers. He did not pray for guidance in discovery.

If they were so powerful as Ironheart had said, and Yami pretended now, he supposed it didn't matter.

Yami was watching him when he turned back. His son opened and closed his mouth once, then smiled faintly and shook his head. He stepped forward to rub beaks with him, then sighed. "Promise me again."

Atem blinked, confused, then snorted. "I will not kill Jaden."

The words made Yusei and Leviathan freeze in place. The Clan around them seemed to study and stare, alarmed but not quite moved to intervene or act. Atem searched his face again, puzzled when Yami lingered a few moments longer before finally leaning forward and licking his face.

"Good. Remember that for when the time comes." Yami smiled, licking his face again, and then rubbed beaks with him once more. "I have to go, but I'll see you both again as soon as possible."

Atem watched him nuzzle Yugi, the Gandora melting into the affectionate touch, until finally Yami drew away entirely. He nodded to Leviathan and Yusei, then leaped into the air and flew off.