Chapter LXXXVIII: Chance

Yugi ignored the despair coiling in his gut as he followed Atem into the den. His eyes shot briefly to the ceiling where the blue-green light from the stones overhead seemed darker and blue more than green. He looked down again only as Atem landed on the river stones, still silent as the grave as he had been on the way back. Yugi suppressed a tremor and turned away. He knew Atem had a lot more going on in his head than just his resentment toward him.

"You didn't have to kill him."

Yugi blinked, head snapping up from where he'd been staring at the ground. He bristled, teeth bared in a snarl, but the words never made it.

"But thank you."

Atem studied him a moment, then exhaled slowly and turned away.

Timaeus hadn't moved from his initial glance at them as they entered the den, but Yugi saw his eyes glitter with confusion as they darted between them. Yugi shifted his weight, losing his bristle, and murmured, "I couldn't stand to hear him say that about you."

Atem nodded as if he knew Yugi would say that, and he supposed it made sense he did. He'd always stuck up for Atem, no matter how small or stupid the slight. Atem glanced over after a moment, golden eyes darkening briefly.

Timaeus looked between them with a tilted head. "I'm sorry? Yugi killed someone?" he asked slowly, as if to make sure he'd heard them properly. He looked as if he didn't believe it but at the same time did. "Because they said negative things about you?"

Atem didn't look over, instead studying Yugi for a long time. When he finally looked away it was to glance at the glowing stones overhead.

"Rafael," Yugi finally explained when he realized Atem wouldn't. "He was…upset about Dimitri and called Atem a false god. I killed him for it."

The Wind Dragon blinked huge eyes, then let out a startled laugh. He stared for a long moment, then snickered and smirked. "So, um, are we at war with Leviathan now, too, or just Jaden?"

"At war with?" Atem said softly, looking over. "I'm not at war with anyone. None of us are at war."

"Well, we probably are now," Timaeus scoffed, blinking. He looked between them and huffed, then nodded. "You did it front of him, didn't you?"

"All three of them were there," Yugi admitted, shuffling his paws and looking to Atem again. The Sky Dragon had turned away, laying down and stretching his paws out to put his chin on his legs. "And they all…said that they didn't think Atem was a false deity."

Atem shook his head. "They also claimed they could have stopped Yugi if they had, but with the speed he killed Rafael with, I can't imagine they could even breathe."

Timaeus looked between them, then smirked. "And we're proud of this, yes?"

"Yes," Atem said immediately, and Yugi could have melted at the fondness in his voice despite his usual quiet anger. "We're very proud that he's growing into his Gandora genes like this."

"Then good job," Timaeus snickered, "although I would have congratulated you in secret if we were supposed to be upset over it."

Yugi burst out laughing and Atem snickered, glancing over his shoulder. "See? He's a terrible influence," the God Dragon muttered, though he looked back up at the ceiling after a moment. Yugi wondered what was so captivating and craned his head to see but found nothing. Maybe Atem was just trying to use it as a focal point to avoid growing annoyed. "If Yami had turned spoiled and terrible, I'd have blamed him for it."

Timaeus scoffed but Yugi snickered. "Yami was too sweet to be spoiled," he hissed, and the bitterness in his tone made both of them look over. His eyes locked on Atem abruptly and Yugi swore the world threatened to shatter beneath him when he whispered, "He's alive, isn't he?"

The den grew icy cold.

Atem stared back silently for so long Yugi almost swore he would say yes. But the God Dragon abruptly muttered, "I know it feels like it, but I don't know."

Yugi blinked and tilted his head, studying Atem closely. Was he saying he didn't believe it? Or was he just saying that to step around the question? His hearts twisted for a long moment.

"What does that mean?" Timaeus huffed, then faltered and bristled. He stood a little straighter, eyes widening. "You feel it too then?"

"Yes." Atem tilted his head and looked over his shoulder at Yugi. His expression was slightly colder but he seemed more lost in thought than to be projecting the feeling toward him. After a long moment he blinked and seemed to refocus, turning back to Timaeus. "I feel it. I just don't know what's…going on. All I know is that my dreams are bordering prophetic and I've never had them in this much clarity."

Timaeus flicked his tail and peered at him with narrowed eyes. "He's sending you images?" he demanded curiously, voice underlined with suspicion as well. "He's sending you dreams?"

"I'd have to assume so. It wouldn't make sense he wasn't. But as for being alive, he doesn't linger and walk them, so I don't know whether he's interfering through dreams and thoughts from his resting place or something else." Yugi bristled faintly at Atem's words, but Atem did not falter as he continued. "If he's alive, he doesn't linger."

"But you think there's a chance he is?"

Yugi almost flinched at the desperate tone. Atem was silent for a long minute before he mumbled, "I wouldn't get my hopes so far up, Timaeus. I don't have an answer where that's concerned and I won't tell you yes if I don't know."

Timaeus blinked, losing some of his excitement. "Then… Who shared their heart? Because I know for a fact I dreamed of him when it happened. He said…I had to wait for you to come and protect me when I woke."

Atem barked a laugh. "I don't know. I just know I dreamed of it, and I went to investigate. I'd assume it had to be him, regardless of whether he came through dreams or not." He glanced at Yugi. "I can't imagine anyone else would want to help him, can you?"

Yugi snickered as Timaeus sprang forward with a huff. Atem spun around again and both of them tumbled about, growling and biting at one another. Yugi watched them, slightly amazed but mostly relieved, until they finally broke apart a few minutes later. Atem had knocked Timaeus backwards, then turned and trotted toward the back of the den. The only hint he was not playing tag was the fact he kept his eyes trained on Timaeus the entire time, as if he suspected he might lunge and give chase any moment.

Yugi shifted his weight awkwardly, wishing for a moment he could join them but feeling that same distance as before and recoiling from the thought. He didn't want to upset Atem by getting too close, or ruining his play with Timaeus.

It was only when Atem looked over at him that he realized the game had ended. The God Dragon tilted his head, watching him, but Yugi could see that glint of suspicion and frustration brewing beneath the bewilderment. He smiled tightly and found Timaeus studying them both with an intent expression.

"Are you okay?" the Knight Dragon asked abruptly, head snapping to Atem. The God Dragon blinked and Yugi looked over as well, startled. "You both either have the worst scenario going on, or you're just…distant. I can't tell, honestly, but it's making my scales crawl."

"That's the bugs," Atem scoffed, "because you're a dirty monster."

Normally Timaeus would have grinned. Now he leveled Atem with a look that brokered no room for laughter. The God Dragon stared back at him for a long time, then turned to Yugi slowly.

"I'll say this one time," he said quietly, looking to Timaeus once more, "so heed me when I do. It is not a discussion I'll have with you."

The Knight Dragon blinked, startled, and huffed after a moment. He shook his head and turned to Yugi with a scoff. "He says that like I don't have a habit of putting things together on my own," he mumbled. But he turned back to Atem slowly. "Fine. Don't discuss it with me. But maybe you should discuss it with Yugi, since he keeps looking at you like he either expects you to strike him down or to chase him off any second. I didn't think a Gandora could possibly look so damn pitiful."

Atem bristled and bore his teeth. "That's his face," he snapped, though he shot Yugi an apologetic look immediately after. He huffed and turned back. "Look, Timaeus, it's my problem. I'll deal with it when I…can. Until then, Yugi can deal with it."

Yugi looked over at him, startled by the ferocity in his tone, but didn't object. He turned back to find Timaeus studying them both intently before he sighed and shook his head. "It's okay," Yugi muttered. "It's just something Atem and I have to weather."

If we can.

Yugi wondered just how fragile their mating bond was now.

It had seemed so strong before, but now it was brittle and it felt as if one small movement could shatter it entirely. He almost felt as if the slightest wind could break it in half.

It's as thin as a spider web.

But it didn't have the strength of one.

"If you say so, but maybe you shouldn't look like a chastised hatchling when one of the other deities comes to call," Timaeus hissed, voice full of frustrated disapproval. "I'm sure they'd love to take advantage of it."

Yugi flinched. "Yeah," he muttered, "I'll make sure not to."

Atem glanced at him sideways before leveling Timaeus an annoyed look. "I should hope the other three don't come calling anytime soon," he growled. "I'd rather they didn't darken my territory at all."

"That's going to happen no matter what," the Knight Dragon scoffed. "It wouldn't make sense for them not to. They're not going to just leave you alone, especially now that Yugi killed Rafael. There's no way Jaden won't somehow see that as a reason to visit, even if he claims otherwise."

Atem was quiet for a long time, then glanced over to Yugi. "Well, you've certainly caused some trouble, huh?" he said with a smirk. "Although, as far as I'm concerned, Rafael got what he had coming to him. If it wasn't you, it would have been someone else he'd been irritating until they snapped."

Yugi tilted his head. "You think someone would have gotten so upset with him?"

Atem watched him intently. "Seto would have. If Rafael had been dumb enough to turn on him for Dimitri, or tried to make an embarrassment of him, he would have done it." He paused. "I'm sure if he was enraged enough he would have the ability to rip him to pieces. He runs on anger and running on anger like that has always helped him at the worst of times. I think he could have gotten to that point eventually with Rafael."

He grimaced. "I didn't want to be compared to him," he muttered. Atem smirked at him a little wider, slightly spiteful but mostly amused. He turned back to Timaeus, and Yugi suppressed a whimper. He wished for a moment Atem would just look at him again. Even if he wasn't happy with him, just that small bit of attention was beautiful.

"I wouldn't want to be compared to him, either."

Atem snickered. "Timaeus, when would I ever have the chance to compare you to him? Yugi is more impulsive and younger than both of us. He's more likely to act out foolishly. And Seto is nothing but."

Yugi shivered and shuffled his paws. He knew Atem wasn't insulting him. He knew he wasn't. Atem would have been more direct and cunning, and his voice was not angered. He was simply stating a fact, as if they were discussing the color of the sky.

"As far as I know, he's the only other in that Clan who would have wanted Rafael dead, but I'm sure he didn't have many friends." Atem paused and looked back again. "Although now I wish I'd gotten to ask him more about what happened with Shadi. Your mother and father hurled some wild accusations. I'm aware he likely wouldn't have answered, but I almost miss having the option."

Yugi wanted to argue, but found himself nodding instead. He could understand why Atem would have wanted to ask, but they both knew Rafael would have turned it back on him somehow. He wouldn't have answered that question and given them the details Atem sought. He'd have likely done anything to save face as well, turning on them both just to make a point.

Who in their right mind would have admitted to the actions Yugi's parents had accused him of? Why would Rafael ever admit he led Sartorius to the camp to kill Leviathan or Shadi?

But then, they'd also argued as to what they'd heard of the situation.

It did not mean the rumors were just that, either.

Rafael hadn't been well liked. Even Ironheart had been disappointed and disapproving of him. Atem wouldn't have been surprised if the rumors had begun after everything and just further alienated Rafael. He didn't even know if it was likely any of the accusations had any grounds.

It could have been nothing more than frustrated whispers and using Rafael as a scapegoat to explain something none of them had understood.

Atem looked up in bewilderment, head tilted and eyes narrowed, and scented the air. Timaeus glanced over, blinking, and Yugi bristled as he came forward a few steps. They considered each other for a long moment and Atem flicked his tail, confused.

"Do you…smell blood?"

"Yes." Yugi looked around uncertainly and sniffed the air, then padded forward. He bristled, then hurried, and Atem rushed after him. Timaeus hesitated a moment, considering whether it might be a trap, and then sprinted after them. He'd said he'd follow Atem into a fight if the problem arose; Atem may have been following Yugi to it, but it was all the same.

Abruptly Atem shot forward and slammed into Yugi. The Gandora yelped and stumbled, rolling a few steps, and then jumped to his paws and shook himself out. Timaeus skidded and hit Atem's side, nearly knocking him over, but the God Dragon tensed just enough to keep his balance. Atem didn't look over, baring his teeth at Yugi, and spat, "Stay here" before trotting ahead. Timaeus couldn't even hear him move as the God Dragon rushed forward and disappeared a few yards ahead.

It took a moment before they heard Atem hiss, "Jonouchi?" in a baffled tone.

Yugi took off after Atem and Timaeus grumbled before following. They both spotted Atem standing a few feet away, tail twitching and eyes glittering with caution. His narrowed gaze was cold and sharp and he stared at Jonouchi as if he didn't quite recognize him. Then his head whipped around and he stepped back to give Yugi more room to approach.

"What happened?" Yugi spat, stopping between Atem and the Red-Eyes. He bristled, eyes wide and body tensed.

Timseus could see the blood pooling beneath the Red-Eyes. The wound didn't look that deep, but the fact they'd gotten through the tough armor said something. There was a gaping cut above his eye, likely blinding him, and his left wing looked as if it'd been torn with sharpened claws.

"You ran into Dimitri, didn't you?" he muttered, tilting his head and studying the Fire Dragon. Jonouchi peeled his lips back to show the ridges of his teeth and looked at him, likely too exhausted to answer. Timaeus could hear the whistle of every breath. Atem and Yugi both looked over and Timaeus bristled faintly. "That gash on his eye was the same one he inflicted on me. It helped keep me from being able to see him and take proper aim."

Atem stared at him for a long moment as if he wanted to say something, then looked to Jonouchi. "Dimitri is in the southern region?" he asked slowly, dipping his head slightly to make eye contact with him. Even wounded, Jonouchi bristled and tried to move back a step. "If he is, I have to follow him."

"Jonouchi," Yugi said quietly, making the Red-Eyes glance over at him slowly. His eyes flickered briefly to Atem and back, then narrowed as they locked on Yugi again. "Atem has nothing against you. Don't worry. Just… Can you speak?"

Timaeus heard the gurgling and shivered, flinching when Jonouchi's voice came out choked and hoarse, as if he were drowning.

"Fire…" Jonouchi panted and spat blood, blinking and shivering. "Clan."

Yugi blinked and looked at Atem. "Go now. I'll join you when I get Jonouchi situated enough that he can be left on his own." He glanced at Timaeus sideways. "I won't leave him to just you. He'll freak out."

Timaeus smirked. "Scared of a God Dragon, scared of a Knight Dragon."

Atem snickered but nodded. "Get him to the river den. I'll meet you there if I finish with Dimitri before you have to join me."

Timaeus gave him a small nod when he looked over. Atem hesitated as if he meant to speak, then shook it off and launched himself into the air. He didn't look back at Yugi or Timaeus when he left. Yugi watched him go, then turned and muttered, "Can you gather the herbs? He's going to panic and try to fight you off if I leave the two of you alone."

He smirked and nodded. "I wouldn't blame him."

Yugi watched him go and turned back, shivering. He glanced in the direction Atem had disappeared and almost sighed with frustration. He didn't like the idea of the God Dragon rushing off to face Dimitri alone, but what could he do? It wasn't as if he were so powerful he held a flame to the shape-shifter. If anyone could handle Dimitri, it was Atem. He knew that, but…

He turned back to Jonouchi. "Here, lay on your side. It'll slow the bleeding some."

Jonouchi gave him a disbelieving look, hissing with pain, and slowly did as Yugi said. The Gandora took a seat, wrapping his tail around his paws. There was too much dirt caked into the wound to safely clean it without the poultice ready. Jonouchi had dragged himself for a while before they'd noticed him. He could even see grass blades and straw needles where he'd likely moved from the valley and toward the river to wait for Atem or Yugi to find him. He wondered what would have happened if they hadn't found him.

Would he have rotted to death?

"You're lucky Atem noticed the smell," he muttered. "He's usually the one who catches it before I do. I can track it, but he's better at finding it first. I think it has to do with being able to influence the weather. He can catch a scent in the air and track it. I've seen him do it with birds, just for the fun of following them."

Jonouchi shuddered and rasped, blinking at him in exhaustion.

"I know you don't really care, but I'm going to tell you stories until Timaeus gets back. After that, you'll probably be in pain enough you'll pass out," he muttered, shaking his head slightly. He couldn't imagine Jonouchi would stay awake after they cleaned the wounds and used the poultice on the worst of them. Jonouchi had a strong threshold for pain, but he didn't think even the Red-Eyes was going to do well with this experience. "Atem doesn't usually eat birds, but he does like to chase them sometimes back and forth. It's fun for him. He used to do it when he was younger, although usually he stayed on the ground and jumped at beetles and squirrels and splashed around in the river."

His friend looked at him with glazed eyes that visibly shivered. Yugi could see they threatened to roll up in the back of his head at any moment. He shivered and rasped with every breath and Yugi could hear the blood gurgling in his throat. When he opened his jaws as if to answer, blood dribbled from between his teeth and his tongue flopped against the ground.

Yugi wondered if he'd make it long enough for Timaeus to return.