Chapter Text
A place far removed from reality, a place where only the most skilled of wizards could convene was the place of monsters. It was a dark space that was only warped to the presence of the wizards that commanded them and for this space, it started as a dark void of nothing. Then, a spark of light came, bringing the sun to a once dark world. With the sun, the void changed. Mountains grew and flowers bloomed, buildings slowly formed, separating each monster class into their own house. Then finally, the monsters came. It was slow but bound to the deck which housed them brought them from the depths of the dark realm where they strived to find home in this space. First the dragons came, Koumori, Baby Dragon and Winged Dragon taking their shelter in the mountains.
Then the warriors like Celtic Guardian found a place in the warriors’ dorm, alone until Gaia the Fierce Knight appeared with his grand steed. The two became fast friends despite their differences in power. Then the beasts came from land and sea, Silver Fang, Sangan and Great White finding home in the forest and ocean.
Then the spellcasters appeared though it was only a solitary figure, one so wise and has seen much of history that he rather not divulge to the other monsters when he introduced himself. Mahad was the name he remembered and went by and the day they met was the day Celtic found himself attracted by such a regal caster of spells. There was nothing against monsters finding companionship like so but the warrior believed there was no chance.
The magician had no one to be his companion, all alone in the spellcasters’ dorm before Mystical Elf arrived, often found reading from his book of spells and managing disputes among others should they come to arise. As he and Gaia trained with sword and lance after the latest duel, his gaze drifts when he hears the happy howls of Silver Fang greeting the magician and loses focus. When he took a wound to the shoulder, how unlucky for the one time he didn’t wear his chestplate and pauldrons, and brought Mahad over to check on him, he felt no greater embarrassment than to be wounded for his wandering eyes.
So he left, promising that he can patch himself and wisely locked himself away in his room. Gaia was the first to come to him, concerned in voice when he checked on the elven warrior and with time, was allowed into the space and learned of the quick retreat of the other monster. “Is that all? Come now, Celtic. Mahad is harmless. He leads us rather well as the apex monster here since Exodia has to be contained in the pantheon. You really worried him when you ran off. He was concerned about you most from the recent duel.” This had Celtic look up in shock.
Mahad was worried...about him?
Celtic couldn’t believe his ears but Gaia wouldn’t lie to him. Though he tried to find an excuse that Mahad couldn’t really care so much for him, Gaia gave him a look that challenged him. He’s been through a lot since the first duel, Gaia began, taking a seat beside the smaller warrior.
“He’s known to be one of the strongest since the deck’s acquisition from our first master into the next. It’s clear that with our new master, there is a greater connection to him than our old one. He has made suitable changes to fit to a dueling style that accommodates us all, even you. And you choose to avoid Mahad when your heart wishes to find companionship with him?” Celtic looked down, gripping the fabric of his pants. Gaia was, to an extent, correct in his words. But...would Mahad really see him as a companion worthy? He was a simple monster, a level four by the mortal realm standards.
What would Mahad see in him?
A large hand patted his shoulder, bringing his head to look to the other warrior. “Are...you really sure?” Gaia gave a nod, smiling and patted the shoulder once more. Go talk to him, he murmured, Celtic giving a nod and decided that yes, he’d talk to Mahad. It’s only fair after running off on him before. And he was sure the other wanted to give apologies for what happened in that very duel and the forced betrayal against him. All the monsters held respect for each other and to go against each other was a taboo they hated to think about, even with forced control such as the late Blue-Eyes or Koumori Dragon. When the door clicked shut, Gaia hummed, looking up to the ceiling. Even if the card was gone, the monster still lived here in this space.
“I wonder...if she recovered...”
0
Celtic was running through the paved streets, practically empty as others were settled within their own spaces, hoping to find Mahad somewhere. Yet the purple robed magician was nowhere to be found. “Mahad, where did you go...” Celtic whispered, golden hues looking around. Booted feet slid to a stop when he finally spotted the magician ahead of him, another creature before him. A smile graced his lips before moving forward, calling to the magician who turned to him.
“Celtic, I’m so happy to see you’re alright.”
The large head behind him rose, cobalt eyes looking down to the warrior. /Evening./ Celtic clapped his hands in blessed greeting.
“Evening, Kisara. I see you have recovered.” She nodded, giving a solemn little sigh.
/I have but it is a shame that my spirit is to be trapped in this place now instead of being helpful to the master. My power would’ve been most beneficial to him in his hour of need./
Mahad smiled thinly, knowing she wasn’t wrong but the very same, he had told her of the creator’s most dangerous card. Even if she could be of help to demolish all that was in her way, she could never stand up to the bewitching power of the Dragon Capture Jar. This made her frown, looking up to the bright skies that filled this space.
Since the incident, she had been in a state of stasis. The pain had been unbearable and would never wish such pain upon anyone else. The realm was still a dark void when this was occurring but she could sense the faint connection of the world outside, remembering the brief instance of being out there yet only felt truly alive when she was first summoned. The elder that was her master before had treated her well, her presence a bond of friendship between him and his friend.
She appreciated the loving care of the elder though her heart felt empty, as if something was missing. Then...it had been found. The hands that awakened her were so familiar, a touch of the past that had always stuck with her, the rest lost to the passage of time. But the touch had been so cold, so filled with malice. This wasn’t the presence she remembered. This one had been tainted with the need for power. She didn’t like it but her voice was never heard. Then those same cold hands had torn away her portal to the human world. She was left trapped in the darkness with only one familiar presence to guide her home and Mahad came to her aid.
The scar left a jagged reminder around her middle. Kisara didn’t want to believe that the presence she knew was left to be this way. She felt a touch to her side, looking down again to see Celtic there and smiled a warm smile across her beak as thanks before looking between the two. The look given to the elven warrior from the mage had her think before bowing her head. /Seems you two desire a chat alone. I will return to the mountains to see to Koumori./ They nodded and when Kisara was gone, Mahad looked to Celtic.
“Celtic...”
“Mahad...”
Both blinked for a second when they spoke before the magician chuckled, leaving room for the warrior to speak first. Celtic rubbed his arm as he looked down for a moment then back to Mahad, apologizing for his behavior before. The magician only wanted to help and he left his embarrassment get in the way of that. “No need. I felt that there was a reason behind it but didn’t want to intrude on you. You did a fine patch up job so I had nothing to worry about.” Celtic smiled a little, nodding before making the same gesture to Mahad that he had to floor.
Mahad gave a warm smile, holding a hand out to the other. Celtic blinked, looking to the slender hand then up to the bright blue hues of the magician. Reaching out, his broad hand landed in Mahad’s and when the thin fingers curled around it, the magician knelt down, bowing the crowned head that still bore the pointed headdress.
“Celtic, even though I have no need to express my forgiveness for what happened as it was not of my control for the spell cast on me, I still wish to apologize. I never meant to hurt you and it was fate’s twisted ways that have led me to do such to a fellow companion.” He spoke morosely, the warrior swallowing a bit before he whispered that he was forgiven. Mahad smiled, bringing the warrior’s hand close to kiss the back of it with care and stood.
“I can also see that there is more to your behavior if you permit me to inquire about it. Will you accompany me for a stroll, Celtic?” This brought a small flush to the warrior’s cheeks. This is more than he could ever hope for but couldn’t be too hasty. Mahad surely only asked as friends and nothing more though the warrior won’t be nonplussed if the magician knew there was something else on his mind.
Mahad was respectful. He wouldn’t force the answer from Celtic. When the warrior was ready to speak his thoughts, he’d be there to listen to them. That knowledge alone was enough for Celtic to ease the anxious feeling he had and took the offer Mahad left on the table for him. Joined at the hand, the two walked off, Celtic relishing the presence of the magician and Mahad, ever patient, awaiting the day where Celtic will reveal to him what is on his mind.
The magician can only hope that his affections would be returned someday.