Chapter Text
At the far northern reaches of the kingdom, their small village was a frantic buzz of activity and anticipation.
A messenger had arrived by horse the day before, announcing that their village was to undergo a reaping by noon the following day. His message was received with a mixture of excitement and dread depending on who one asked. But in the end, their personal opinions would not be taken into account and what happened could not be changed.
The word of the Dragon Guard was always final. As sure as if fate itself was delivered on their wings rather than by the Gods.
Reapings happened every year, but they didn't always visit every village. Especially ones this far north, because they were told the dragons didn't like the cold. From what his grandfather had told him, the last time they'd come to Yugi's village it had been when he was still toddling around the shop. Yugi had no memories of that day, but had heard many of the older kids tell stories about the dragons they'd seen that day. The awe in their voices as they spoke of them always made Yugi's stomach flip as he tried to imagine something so incredible.
The dragons of the Guard were the stuff of legends. Traveling merchants from the southern cities always had toys or painted cards of the most famous dragons and their riders, even all the legendary ones dating back over three thousand years. Everyone knew the stories by heart, even Yugi who had listened to every tale his grandpa knew at least a hundred times over. The stories were always the same, in that the dragons were their protectors and their riders the brave heroes. But even with predictable endings, all the kids wanted to hear them again and again.
Growing up, every child of the village played dragon rider versus the wraiths. Kids would assign the roles of rider and dragon, the bravest kids being the riders, the biggest kids got to be the dragons, and whoever was left over would play the wraiths.
Yugi usually was told he could be the scared villager they would protect.
Yugi had been buying bread in the market when the messenger had arrived. He saw how everyone reacted when they knew the dragon riders and their beasts would arrive soon. The ones young enough to be reaped all raced home with excitement to pack their bags and prepare for possibly being chosen. The little children screamed in delight at the idea of being able to see the dragons in person. Those who had been looked over in past reapings seemed unaffected unless they were the parent of a young prospect. Then Yugi saw dread in their eyes.
And Yugi? He finished buying the bread and walked calmly home.
Maybe as a kid he had dreamed about leaving the village, exploring the kingdom, and maybe fantasized about being more than what he could dare hope to be. But with his parents dead and his grandfather aging, Yugi had come to believe his place was here and always would be. He'd take over the trade of toy maker from his grandfather, and he'd be happy with the familiar faces of the villagers for the rest of his life. No one would write songs about him, but that was okay.
After all, no dragon would pick someone like him anyway.
Yugi was laying on his bed and staring at the ceiling, hands folded behind his head. Grandpa had told him to take the morning to prepare for the reaping, but so far Yugi had only gotten as far as stuffing some of his tunics in a bag before giving up.
It seemed like a waste of time to pack all his meager belongings only to have to unpack them in a few hours. But Grandpa had insisted he be ready just in case.
Yugi fought not to roll his eyes.
His little room was above their shop, and he heard the door opening and closing below, making him wonder if Grandpa had a customer. A little strange given how the entire village was focused on the riders arrival in an hour.
But his confusion faded quickly when he heard hurried footsteps up the stairs and knew right away who it was.
Yugi grinned and rolled over just as Jounouchi rushed into his room. His best friend's cheeks were flushed and he was breathing heavily as he walked into the room as easily as he belonged there. And honestly, given how often Jounouchi had slept here over the years, it may as well be half his.
"Yugi, have you seen my boots?" He asked in a breathless panic.
Yugi blinked and looked at him, "You mean the ones you're wearing?"
Jounouchi blinked and looked down to where the tattered laces barely held together the worn leather, "Oh."
Yugi giggled and lay back on the bed with a smirk, "There you go, mystery solved. Oh, but if you've also been looking for your red tunic, it was in our laundry. Grandpa had it washed for you and it's in my drawer."
Jounouchi's body slumped with relief, "I forgot I even had that shirt, thanks! It would really suck to be chosen and have only one shirt to wear," he said, already digging into Yugi’s dresser.
Yugi heard him shuffling some stuff around, probably messing it all up, but then Jounouchi paused and frowned at him over his shoulder.
"Hey, Yugi, all your stuff is still in here. Shit, even your pendant. Your cards…don't you want to take this with you?" Jounouchi asked him.
Yugi bit his lip and looked away before Jounouchi could see his face fall.
"Oh, it's fine. I'm not going to be chosen anyway. You have a better chance than me," he said, trying to make it sound playful, but the words sounded hollow even to his own ears, "And that's probably for the best. Given how few of the chosen end up surviving, it would be a mercy to look me over. Getting chosen would be a death sentence for someone like me."
Jounouchi grimaced and rubbed at his neck, "Yeah, I've heard most don't even survive long enough to get their dragon. Makes you wonder what kind of shit they have the chosen doing."
With a tired sigh, Jounouchi went over and flopped heavily on the bed beside Yugi, their splayed arms overlapping.
"To tell you the truth, I'm terrified I'll be chosen," he confessed.
Yugi twisted his head to look up at his profile, "Because you might die?"
He shrugged, "Yeah, but it's not the death part that scares me. That's just part of life, you know? And to go down in battle or flames like a hero would be the way I'd want to go…but I'm more worried about what I'd be leaving behind."
"Shizuka? You know I'd look out for her for you," Yugi said, and saw Jounouchi turn to him and smile.
"I know you would, and Grandpa would too. But it's not just her. What about Grandpa? He's been more of a father to me than anyone, and I'd miss the heck out of him. And…don't take this the wrong way, but I'd worry about you too. You know I've always said I'd look out for you. And we promised we'd always stick together, and I don't think I could live or die knowing I broke that promise," he said, bumping their brows together.
Of course, he hadn't forgotten that promise. Even if it was made when they were still just kids, Jounouchi would never be the type to forget making a promise like that.
Yugi sighed and pressed into the touch, wondering if it would be the last time he and Jounouchi would be able to do this.
"I would hate to see you leave, but at the same time I know I'd choose you. You're built to be a hero in so many ways. If you could protect the kingdom with even half the energy you put towards protecting me and Shizuka, then the Guard and realm would be lucky to have you," he said, his throat tightening in emotion.
"Yugi…Did you want to be chosen?"
Yugi shrugged, picking at the loose threads of his old blanket, "No, not really. I don't think I could leave Grandpa behind. In fact I would hate to leave Grandpa behind. But…I guess I mostly just wish…I wish I was someone worth being chosen, you know?"
"Yeah, I get it. I do, but…well, I'd pick you. You've got a heart as big as a dragon's, and a brain to match. And on top of that, no one in the whole village knows as much about dragons as you do. You memorize everything about them down to their wingspan and type. They're idiots if they pass you over," Jounouchi said, and Yugi flushed at the praise, even if he didn't feel like he deserved it, and felt his eyes well with tears.
And when he looked back up at his friend, he saw his eyes looking suspiciously moist too.
"Look at us getting emotional over nothing," Jounouchi laughed as he wiped away tears, "Isn't getting chosen rare? Like what are the odds of us actually getting picked by the dragons?"
Yugi laughed wetly, "Crazy low, actually. Most villages have no one picked, especially small ones like ours."
Saying that loosened something within him. Maybe he was getting worked up over nothing and nothing will have changed by the time the dragons and their riders left. Life would just go on.
Slower and heavier footsteps were heard and both boys sat up to see Yugi's grandfather step into the room.
He placed his hands on his hips and tutted at the both of them, "What are you two doing lazing about? Have you even finished packing your bags? Honestly, boys, The Guard will be here in less than an hour," he grumped shooing them both off the bed, "Jounouchi, your sister is looking for you. She says you forgot to pack your undergarments."
Jounouchi blanched, "Damn, I knew I was forgetting something. I'll see you at the reaping, Yugi," he said and ran back down the stairs.
Yugi chuckled watching him go as his grandpa steered him back to his dresser and immediately started fussing over the state Jounouchi had left it in.
"Alright, make sure you have everything you'd want in your bag. Let's see, your pendant, your cards…hmm, maybe not the stockings with holes in them…oh, you'll need your warmest cloak if you are traveling. Can't have you catching a chill. You used to get sick so easily, so let's not tempt fate."
Yugi rolled his eyes and grabbed his half filled bag off the bed, "I wouldn't worry too much about it. Any rider would take one look at me and move on. I'm not going anywhere, Grandpa."
He immediately huffed and put his hands back on his hips, "It's the dragons who choose the riders, son. They see more with their eyes than any human could dare to. You don't know what they'll see when you stand before them."
Yugi wasn't so sure, but knew better than to try and convince his stubborn grandfather of anything when he had his hands on his hips like that.
"Alright, alright. Not everything is going to fit in one bag though. I'll just take two of everything and call it done," he said, pulling open another drawer.
"Yugi, I would have thought you'd be more excited to see dragons for the first time. You love dragons," Grandpa said, ruffling Yugi's hair.
Yugi shrugged as he stuffed his tunics into the bag, but carefully slipped in his pendant and cards, "I love the idea of dragons, maybe. But I'm not a little kid anymore with dreams too big for a too small body. I belong here, helping you and being there for my friends. I'm okay with that, really."
Grandpa looked at him for a moment before sighing, "I'm no dragon, but when I look at you…I see someone who has greatness brewing just under the skin. I just wish you could see it too," he said and tugged Yugi away from his bag to embrace him.
Yugi smiled and leaned into the hug, breathing in the scent of carved wood that always clung to his grandpa, "You have to say that, because I'm your grandson."
Grandpa laughed, hugging him closer, "Perhaps, but nothing will ever change my mind about believing you are special. No matter what the dragons say. I love you, Yugi."
Yugi fisted his hands into his grandfather's tunic and tried to hold back his tears, "I love you too, Grandpa."
The air was so cold that it felt sharp in his lungs as he breathed. A fine mist escaped his lips with each exhale, making him appear like the fire breathers as he trudged across the camp.
He knew that many villages had chosen to build their settlements far up in the northern regions simply to escape the looming threat of wraith attacks, but Atem wondered if that was truly reason enough to live in a frigid place like this.
Wrapping his cloak tightly around him, Atem hurried over to the clearing. Absently he took note of the wagon of chosen at the edge of the camp, and then glanced away just as quick.
His superiors had warned them before this mission to not get too friendly with the chosen, as not all of them would make it back to the Den. Atem had rolled his eyes at the time, wondering if the officers had forgotten they all had been chosen once too, and knew all too well that not everyone survived.
If he didn't look them in their faces, maybe he wouldn't feel as bad.
He came to a stop at the edge of the clearing to wait, taking his time to make sure all his leather armor was in place. While it had been designed by their armorers to keep the wind from freezing them in flight, Atem still felt the chill of this place seeping into his bones the longer he stood still. Last night had been miserable, the tents they'd been given doing nothing to hold in warmth. He'd given up halfway into the night and slept on the ground next to the fire Osiris made for him, and shielded from the wind by his coiled tail. It had been slightly warmer, but Atem found more sleep just knowing there was no safer place in the world than beside his dragon.
He heard footsteps behind him and turned to see Seto stalking forward.
”This is the first and last time I will take a mission up into this ice cube they call a region,” he growled.
Atem huffed out a breath that might have been a laugh if there was humor to be found in this desolate place, “You say that like we have a choice in which missions we are assigned.”
Seto scowled and shoved his gloved hands under his armpits, “This feels as if we are being punished somehow. Why else would we be given a mission that a hatchling could manage, as well as being assigned the northern territories on top of that!”
Atem rolled his eyes at Seto’s dramatics, “Hatchlings can’t take missions, you know this,” but for the rest of Seto’s complaints, Atem couldn’t fault him because he had fair points. Atem knew it wasn’t a punishment, even if it felt like one. The northern territories were the lowest risk of wraith attacks, and therefore would be the safest of missions to assign. The biggest risk would be having their balls freeze off if they lingered too long bringing back the chosen. And he had a suspicion of just why he had been given this assignment, and the fire of that anger had been burning within him this entire journey. His inner rage was likely the hottest thing in this region besides dragon fire.
“How many more villages until we can turn back?” Seto asked gruffly, shuffling his feet in an effort to stay warm.
Atem sighed, peering up at the sky, “Just this last one today and we can make for the nursery. Karim thinks it’ll be a quick reaping. He remembers this village as being quite small.”
”Thank the Gods,” Seto breathed, “Although we’re probably wasting our time. What are the chances that the last village even have one chosen? The last ten villages we went to Ma’at didn’t even lift her head!” He said, glaring over at Karim’s elder dragon where she slept soundly on the edge of the camp.
“We still must check them all. We’ve too few chosen as it is, we can’t risk missing even one,” Atem reminded him, although he was inclined to agree with Seto that the chances were quite low.
"Do you think this reaping is so poor because of this region? Or are there fewer chosen now?" Seto asked him idly, as if they were talking about poor crops and not future protectors of the realm.
Atem glanced over to the nearly empty wagon of chosen and grimaced at the five lonely bodies sitting huddled inside.
"I'd blame the sparse population, but my father has spoken to me of dwindling numbers from all regions for years now," he said darkly as he tightened the leather straps of his vambraces.
“I’d say that Ma’at is just getting picky in her old age, but looking at the crop she’s chosen I’d say maybe she’d just losing her touch,” he said, eying the less than inspiring group of chosen in the wagon.
“We must trust in the dragons to choose their riders,” Atem intoned.
Seto tsked and scowled once more. They both knew the implications of the lower numbers though. They’d seen how empty the Den’s corridors were, and how many spare chambers were available. They were losing riders faster than they were training them.
All while the frequency of wraith attacks kept increasing.
Before Atem could dwell on their bleak looking future, both riders looked up at the sky when they felt a shift in the air. And not one of natural breezes, but a telling beat of wind that thrummed in time with their hearts.
And moments later, two large bodies soared above the clearing, circling downwards towards the camp. One long, lean and scarlet red. The other a gleaming white so starkly it appeared blue under the sky above.
Atem walked up to meet his dragon as he landed in a billowing of dead leaves on the ground.
"Welcome back. Did you both have a good hunt, boy?" Atem asked as he stroked his hand over the gleaming red scales of his dragon.
Osiris purred under his touch and puffed out his long chest proudly, which Atem took to mean that he’d indeed gotten himself something satisfying for breakfast.
Seto was off to the side, greeting his own dragon with hushed words as he checked over her saddle and straps. Kisara elegantly shifted at his commands and looked just as eager as her rider to get moving.
“Well, are we ready to rip more young ones away from their homes and families that they may never see again?” Seto asked with forced cheer.
Atem flinched at the wording, but nodded all the same, “Let’s just get this over with so we can return to the Den. Osiris hates this cold as much as I do.”
Osiris shrieked in agreement beside him, fluttering his wings to shake off the icicles that had formed while on his hunt.
His shriek was enough to finally rouse Ma’at from her slumber, and just in time for Karim to pack away the last of the tents. He waved Seto and Atem off as air escort, with Ma’at trailing in the sky behind them, and then got in the wagon to drive it to the last village at last.
Atem patted Osiris once more, the leather of his gloves passing smoothly over his scarlet scales, “Alright, my friend. One last village and then we can go somewhere nice and toasty. Does that sound good?”
Osiris shrieked again and shifted his feet impatiently as Atem laughed and climbed up into his saddle.
“Okay, take it easy. We can’t have you bucking off your rider mid flight. Seto and Kisara would tease us endlessly for it,” he said as he strapped his legs in place. Osiris obediently stayed still.
Right up until he heard the last latch hooking in place. He was shooting them up into the air not even a second later. Atem chuckled and held on tight.
The smell of burnt embers preceded riders wherever they went.
That’s what Grandpa had told him for years. And as Yugi stood in the village square, he swore he could catch the scent on the wind. He felt something shift in the air, like how some could sense a storm coming in the distance, but no one else seemed to react around him. So Yugi tried to ignore the sudden thumping of his heart. It must have just been the nerves.
The entire town was gathered, not just those of the right age to be chosen. Everyone wanted to see the dragons. But there were also many who would be worried that after this, they may never see one of their fellow villagers again. Parents clung to their children, lovers grasping hands, friends standing together.
As always, Jounouchi stood at Yugi’s side, already gathered where the potential chosen would stand to be assessed. Their bags dropped by their feet. Off in the crowd, Yugi could see Shizuka and Grandpa standing together too, holding each other’s hands for comfort.
“I’m going to feel really silly for freaking out as much as I am right now if nothing happens,” Jounouchi laughed nervously, scratching at his neck and peering up at the sky.
Yugi mentally agreed with him, but couldn’t bring himself to speak when it felt like the air was shaking around him.
It was around the time that the riders were expected, and the energy of anticipation was electric around them.
And then they heard it. A piercing shriek ringing out over the forest that surrounded their village. And then suddenly the sky was overtaken by three massive forms above.
Dragons. Each more incredible than the last.
All the breath was stolen from Yugi’s lungs as he watched them circling above. They were so high up he could barely make out the tiny forms strapped in place on the dragons. The riders.
Yugi’s library of knowledge when it came to the most famous dragons picked up that the massive deep purple one with the red wings was Ma’at, one of the only elder dragons left. Lord Karim was her rider, and one of the top ranked officers in The Guard. The other two in the sky were smaller, and likely much younger too. Possibly newer riders then. But Yugi bit his lip before saying such things out loud. He just wanted to drink in the moment as the first…and possibly last time he’d ever see dragons again.
Several people cried out in fear or shock as the three dragons came down to land in a heavy thud in the square. Their wings kicked up dirt, leaves, and sent cloaks billowing out in all directions.
Yugi’s mouth fell open as he took them in as they lowered over the crowd. They were even bigger up close, and he felt like a mouse compared to them.
Ma’at did not have her rider in the saddle, but the other two dragon’s riders slipped down their flanks and onto the ground in graceful landings. The taller of the two lowered the leather face shield and revealed a young man, probably not too far off in age from Yugi and Jounouchi.
His piercing blue eyes roamed over the gathered crowd, “We need all eligible prospects to gather away from everyone else,” he commanded.
Immediately Yugi was crowded in by all the prospective chosen as they gathered in the center. He counted them over and saw that from their village they only had twenty of the right age group. He grimaced when Ushio pushed his way to the front of the group.
"Move, runt," he said, shoving Yugi behind him hard enough he would have fallen if Jounouchi hadn't caught him.
He could feel Jounouchi readying to throw fists over it, but Yugi was quick to hold him back. This wasn't the time or place to fight.
Not everyone was so afraid of failure or death when they had arrogance and stupidity to bolster their attitudes towards the reaping. Ushio was among the type who believed they had always been worthy of being a rider, and that they deserved a dragon and the respect that came with having one. Several of Ushio’s friends were right at his back, only slightly less confident as Ma’at’s massive form lurked closer.
Part of Yugi's line of sight was blocked by Ushio’s bulk, but the dragons were big enough he could still see plenty of them. They were all he cared about seeing anyway.
”No one is to speak as Ma’at assesses the prospects. And no one is to approach any of the dragons under any circumstances, for we will not be held responsible for any loss of life or limb for anyone who disobeys,” came another deep and strong voice that vibrated through the air like the beats of the dragon's wings.
Yugi craned his neck to see the second rider lower his mask, and he flushed seeing the handsome rider’s face revealed. Yugi ducked his head when crimson eyes as red as his dragon’s scales flicked over towards him, as if sensing Yugi’s thoughts. Just as quick though, the rider looked away again.
The sound of a wagon squeaking closer was heard over the hissing breaths of the dragons, and the villagers watched as a horse led wagon was rolled in by another man dressed as a rider, one that Yugi would bet coin on was Lord Commander Karim. Ma'at's rider. He was driving the wagon with a handful of other young ones. They must be this year's chosen.
Karim hopped off the wagon and came up beside Ma’at, patting her flank. For such a large man, he was dwarfed by her size. And yet she still sweetly ducked her head down so he could scratch at her chin.
"Alright, sweetheart. You're up," Karim whispered to his dragon.
Ma'at rose up to her haunches and stretched out her wings, beating them hard twice and sending gusts of air billowing out in all directions. Several more people cried out in fear.
Yugi braced his feet on the ground and felt Jounouchi do the same beside him.
Ma'at moved her massive clawed feet closer to the group. Yugi swore he heard teeth chattering in fear as she loomed above them all. Her jaws were so big that she could have easily scooped a full grown adult up and swallowed them whole, and there she was peering down at them like she was picking out her next snack.
She started at one end of the group, and slowly craned her long neck along the pack of them. Yugi saw her nose wrinkle and she let out a loud huff of air from her flared nostrils as she passed over the first dozen. Yugi had no idea about dragon expressions, but he swore she was showing a bit of distaste, perhaps even disgust as she passed over a few of Ushio's friends and the village bullies.
Then her head, that was as big as the wagon carrying the chosen, stopped just as she started to pass in front of Ushio. She lifted one clawed foot and stamped it down hard, making the ground crunch under it.
Karim pointed over at them, "Ma'at has spoken! Step forward, chosen!"
Ushio puffed out his chest proudly and cast a sneer over his shoulder at Yugi, "Later, runt," he taunted and then took a step forward.
Only to rear back flat on his ass when Ma'at suddenly roared in fury and flames danced between her bared teeth.
"Holy shit, what the fuck was that?" Ushio demanded angrily.
The rider with the crimson eyes glared at him, "Stay back, you fool, before she eats you. You were not chosen," he said and then his eyes flicked up to where Yugi stood just behind Ushio, "He was."
All eyes turned to Yugi.
"W-what? Me? No, there must be a mistake," Yugi said, his eyes almost pleading as he looked between Ma'at and the rider. The dragon looked impatient…and the rider just looked sympathetic.
"What? The dragon chose him? He won't last a damn day out there, just look at him!" Ushio said, gesturing wildly at him. Yugi flinched and took a step back, which only made Ma'at angry again, and she roared.
"You have been chosen, boy! Obey her," the taller rider spat out and then stomped across the square to grab Yugi by the arm and start dragging him towards the wagon.
Yugi dug his feet in, clutching at the bag the rider shoved into his chest, "Wait…wait, I can't leave, I have a grandfather!"
The rider didn't look at him as he replied, "We all have to leave someone behind…you aren't special. Now get on the wagon."
"Don't I at least get to say goodbye?" Yugi begged, unable to resist the stronger pull of the rider. Yugi turned and looked over his shoulder to where Shizuka was holding on to his grandfather who looked just as alarmed as Yugi felt, "Grandpa!" he called out.
"Yugi!" he cried back, the villagers holding him back too.
But no one was quick enough to stop Jounouchi.
"Hey, let him say goodbye to his grandfather! Are you all heartless?" Jounouchi growled and grabbed for Yugi's arm.
"Back off or be eaten," the taller rider snapped at him.
"No! I'm not going anywhere. Where Yugi goes, I go!" Jounouchi yelled back.
Ma'at suddenly roared again and stomped her feet, making all of them freeze in place.
Lord Karim seemed to be the only one still unmoved by the chaos and he pointed at Jounouchi where he was still latched onto Yugi's arm.
"You have drawn her attention and have been chosen. You get your wish, join your friend on the wagon," he announced.
All the air rushed out from Yugi's lungs as he saw Jounouchi blanch.
"But, my sister–" he started, but stopped when he saw the tall rider's glare.
"Don't worry about us, we'll take care of each other," Shizuka cried out, his eyes already streaming full of tears down her cheeks. She looked heartbroken, but stood on her feet as she held onto Grandpa firmly.
Yugi didn't know what to think or say, it was just too much at once. But there was no time because Ma'at seemed impatient to see her chosen gathered in place, and the other rider had come over to help usher them along.
Gloved hands closed over Yugi's arm and he was guided along numbly. Each step he took Yugi tried to crane his neck to see his grandfather.
"It is easier to just let go. Don't make it worse by lingering," the shorter rider said, his voice low enough just for Yugi to hear as he all but dragged him away.
Yugi's cheeks stung, and he realized it was because he was crying and the tears were freezing to his skin, "I can't leave him, I…I'm not the right person. This must be a mistake," Yugi breathed desperately. The handsome rider just looked back at him as steady as stone, his eyes inexplicably cold and warm at the same time.
"The dragons never make mistakes," he said with hard finality, but his touch was more gentle than Yugi would have expected as he was hoisted into the wagon like a sack of harvested hay.
Jounouchi landed with a thud beside him a second later. Both of them looked back at one another with only the deepest of sorrow in their eyes, and immediately threw themselves into the others' arms. Yugi didn't even glance at the other chosen already huddled inside, his eyes were on his village, and his Grandpa.
"I can't believe this is happening. I'm so sorry, Jounouchi," Yugi sobbed.
Jounouchi was shaking where he held Yugi, "I'm sorry too, but at least I get to keep my promise. I'm with you wherever this takes us, Yugi."
Yugi couldn't even say how glad he was that his friend was there, he just gripped him back tighter in hopes he understood without the words.
Ma'at seemed to be done assessing the crowd because she had turned away from them to stalk back over to the wagon.
"Good girl, Ma'at. You found yourself two new chosen. Let's keep your little hatchlings nice and safe until we get to the Nursery," Karim cooed at his dragon as she looked down at the wagon like a pleased mother looking over her babies in a crib. She let out a shriek and took to the sky.
The younger riders were quick to mount their dragons, yelling to the villagers to back up before their beasts sprang up towards the clouds.
Yugi and Jounouchi almost fell over as the wagon suddenly lurched forward as Karim hurried the horses into a trot. The wagon rolled quickly away from the village.
Both of them threw themselves into the back, reaching out over the edge like they had any hope of all of being able to touch their loved ones one more time.
"I love you, big brother! Please be safe and come home some day!" Shizuka cried out, waving at them with tears still streaming down her face.
Yugi stared at his grandpa's face as it got smaller and smaller as the wagon rolled away.
He felt another sob wrench free from him when he saw Grandpa trying to run forward to keep sight of him, "Yugi! Be safe, my boy. Ride back on your dragon someday so I can see you again! I love you!"
Yugi heard the sorrow in his voice and it hurt. Oh, it hurt so much he swore he'd die from this.
"I love you too, Grandpa! Be well, please. Wait for me!" Yugi cried back, his entire body wracked with sobs even as Jounouchi held him.
The wagon soon rolled them back into the forest and the village disappeared from sight.
Yugi turned to bury himself against Jounouchi who wrapped him up close as they left their old life behind.
Up above, three dragons circled protectively over them.