Parenthood has always been a major theme in my fiction, and I'm not sure why.

I'm not a parent. I'm an elder brother, yes, but that's not quite the same thing.

Except in this franchise, especially considering my favorite character … it is, isn't it?

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Seto's respect for Kisara's father rose several notches when, in response to the sudden incursion by a beast with claws longer than his arms and a maw three times bigger than his own head, he immediately placed himself between it and his family; Henry didn't question, he didn't gawp, and he didn't freeze. He acted, immediately, instinctively.

Elko twisted around to grab hold of Riley, then reared up and sent his back hooves slamming into the creature's chest. The thing went sailing backward and crumpled to the ground in a heap, its ribs caved in. In the next moment, Seto was in front of Henry, muscles coiled and prepared to spring. Kisara was on the other side of her father, between him and the rest of her family, eyes flashing this way and that, seeking out any other threats.

Another figure, wrapped in black, masked and hooded, shimmered into existence; it made for Seto's right flank. Henry lowered one shoulder and barreled into the ethereal figure, sending it quite thoroughly off course. Seto grabbed the magician's arm, pushed against one shoulder with his free hand, and shoved his opponent to the ground.

In the next handful of seconds, Seto's full guard was there, forming a literal ring of bodies around the St. Vincent family, along with Seto and Mokuba; they fended off an onslaught with clinical precision, blades and claws ringing in the open air. Vorse Raider dropped in front of Seto, slammed a fist to the ground as he kneeled, then looked his king in the eye.

"We must move, sire! Quickly!"

Seto nodded; he shot a glance at Kisara, who offered a nod of her own. This entire brood was comprised of people who had no confusion about what ought to be done in a dangerous situation. Even Riley was stone silent, and calm, as he clambered into his mother's arms and watched Vorse Raider lead them away from the main thoroughfare.

Guests were watching, staring; some were whistling and egging on the melee.

Seto couldn't help but smile with no small amount of satisfaction; some of his own soldiers were playing to the crowd, ensuring that the ruse of a live show was kept fully intact, even as blood began to flow.

Soon, the St. Vincents and the Kaibas were secured in a staff room, with Vorse Raider acting as Seto's personal retainer. He made quick work of securing the exits, windows, and every other point of entry. "The others are well equipped to finish this, sire," he growled, "now that the enemy have shown themselves."

"Mister Kaiba," Henry St. Vincent said, slowly, carefully, "I must ask: did you know this was going to happen?"

"Not in so many words," Seto said. "I have dealt with this type of trouble before, and I've strategies and protocols in place. My team is prepared. But no. I did not know that the people aiming to make sport of us would make use of magic."

Henry's face twisted into something that wasn't quite anger. "Magic," he repeated, not incredulously.

"There will be time enough to discuss that part," Seto said. "I spent my teens having the same crisis you are quite possibly dealing with right now. For the moment, we need to focus on safety." He glanced at the little ones, pointedly.

Riley and Reiji were quiet, but their eyes were wide and shining.

Ray was holding herself a bit better, but she was hunkered close to Rhett, with a death-grip on his left hand.

Henry drew in a breath, let it out, then nodded.

"You're right. Let's see this done."