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Chapter 1
Oddities

Andrew Bakura wan not a man that would consider his life extraordinary, weird, or abnormal. Then again, he wasn't your average person either. A half-English half-Japanese Egyptologist with wife and daughter dead and his son living in Japan while he himself was in Egypt wasn't quite what one would expect from his first encounter with the blue-haired Doctor.

Then there was Andrew's son, Ryou. The boy's appearance was weird with his snow-white hair and alabaster skin, but he was part albino, so it wasn't all that surprising. He was also born with a nasty looking scar on the right side of his face, but Andrew quickly dismissed it as an odd-looking birthmark. There was also Ryou's fascination with the occult and supernatural that was somewhat disturbing, but considering that his mother Julianne was an occult lover herself, it wasn't odd that Ryou inherited her passion either. No, the odd stuff started after Ryou had received from his father the Millennium Ring. Ryou used to call over many of his friends at home, but one day things changed. Nobody ever understood what happened. One moment Ryou was playing Monster World with his friends, as usual. The next moment, all those friends were lying on the table with no signs of waking up, while Ryou had no recollection what had just happened. But that was only the beginning. Rumors started spreading at school about sudden shifts in Ryou's personality or even appearance, and it wasn't too long before the delinquents that used to bully the boy started falling into comas as well. And the cherry on top of the cake was added when Ryou one day came out of the blue and predicted the death of one of his elder neighbors. The date, the cause, the circumstances, everything. And he was proved right. That resulted in people avoiding Ryou like the plague, convinced that the boy was mentally sick, cursed, or even possessed. That was when Julianne and Amane died. And that was when Andrew gave up on his son.

So imagine Andrew's surprise when his famous co-worker and superior, Ishizu Istarh told him that her younger brother Malik and his son were best friends .And then she freaked him out by saying that Malik's and Ryou's friendship was blessed by destiny.

Actually, Andrew Bakura had started noticing many weird things about his job lately. For example. Ishizu Istarh. The woman had literally appeared out of nowhere. She had absolutely no records of her past, no official papers, no nothing. And yet within a couple of years she had climbed to the very top of the archaeological world and became rich and famous. The woman herself was odd. For starters, she talked about destiny a lot, how destiny chooses special people as its tools and how people can change destiny's decisions. Rumor had it that she actually believed in the Ancient Egyptian Gods and even that she was a Seer and could see the future.

Of course, nobody took those rumors seriously except from that young man from England that often worked with them at the dig sight, Bill Wesley. There was always something incredibly off about him, but nobody could put a finger to it. It was like he was a stranger. Not in the meaning of coming from a different country of being someone that nobody knows about, but in the meaning of being unaccustomed to everything around him. Bill – like Ishizu – had no background. Then again, he doesn't even have a cell phone. It fact, he was frequently caught staring at various electronic devices as if he couldn't make heads and tails of what that thing was supposed to do, like they were something alien. He seemed to have gotten used to them over time, but the young man couldn't help himself but stare when any of his co-worker brought a new gadget. There were also all those unexplainable little things that happened all the time around him. Nothing big, really. Fixing objects that nobody else could, carrying with him more luggage than considered possible (honestly, how could this guy put all that stuff in such a tiny suitcase and having no trouble carrying it?), having many weird looking books, bottles and other things and even… a pet owl!? Who in their right minds own an owl!?

Those oddities became painfully obvious two years ago when Bill's family came to Egypt for summer. The father, Arthur, was acting in front of electric devices like a little child in Christmas, the third eldest son, Percy, was boasting all the time about 'how greatly he could contribute in the collaboration between Egypt and England with his assistance to Mr. Crouts', and the twins, Fred and George, were constantly pulling some totally unexplainable and impossible pranks (and became the receiving end of the fury of Molly Wesley). Fortunately, the last two children, Ron and Jinny, were fairly normal, but still.

But the weirdest person in the world of archaeology in Andrew Bakura's opinion – and not only – was without a doubt Professor Hawking. He claimed that he had found Atlantis. Atlantis! And that was just the beginning of it. He was also claiming, in his earlier career, that the Ancient Egyptians used to battle with monster and that the curse of the Pharaoh was real.

About the latest part the feeling were mixed. Others shrugged the whole thing off as a myth. However others were remembering stories when the curse of the Pharaoh was mentioned. How many wears ago an archeologist with his two companions had entered an undiscovered tomb and only the archeologist himself ever came out. How a museum manager in Domino City had died from heart attack right after the premiere of an Ancient Egyptian exhibition, and under mysterious circumstances. Even stories about Tomb Keepers that tested people to see if they were worthy of entering the grounds they were guarding. And if they weren't they killed the trespassers.

It was especially the latter rumor that had Dr. Bakura suspicious of his co-workers. It was blatantly obvious to his that Ishizu Istarh had something to do with it, as if she was the one spreading them in the first place. Bill Wesley from the other hand acted as if he could break the curse of the Pharaoh and he knew it. That resulted in some sort of Cold War between the two.

Right now Andrew Bakura was sitting under his tent at the digging sight, working over some paperwork. There was a very odd discovery recently that he and his team believed that it was worth researching on. The very first scriptures from the era of the Big Gap, the one era that there were practically no information about, not even the names of the Pharaohs that ruled at the time. Those scriptures were talking about a massacred village and its demon guardian. The village's name was Kul' Elna. Dr. Bakura was more than excited to check it out; it might provided some great historical information, as the massacre mentioned was never heard of before. Everyone strongly believed that there was a huge conflict in Egypt that for whatever reasons everyone of that era made sure that it stays off the records, and that Kul' Elna was the first piece of the Puzzle. This would be an incredible discovery.

"The mail is here!", exclaimed a voice outside in Arabic. The local postman. Andrew sighted. At times he felt jealous that the others received mail and he did not… "Here is yours, Dr. Bakura!".

Said Doctor jumped out of his skin. "What!?".

The postman laughed at the expression of utter shock on the man's face. "You have a letter from your son!".

"From Ryou!?".

"About time, isn't it? That kid never writes to you!". It was true. Ryou never sent anything to his father.

As soon as the postman left, Andrew sat down, took a sip from his coffee, opened his letter and started reading.

"Father,

I know what you are planning on doing next and I'm telling you. DO NOT GO TO KUL' ELNA."

Andrew spat his coffee in shock. How in the world did Ryou know of Kul' Elna!? Not even Ishizu Istarh knew about it! Or at least that's what he thought. Andrew continued reading, in hopes to find out more.

"I cannot guarantee that you'll leave that place alive. As far as the inhabitants of Kul' Elna are concerned, intruders are unwanted and archeologists are DEFINITELY included. Last time someone messed with them, the museum manager here in Domino City died. Ishizu-san knows that too, and you know how much authority she has over the Antiquity Board. Do not go to Kul' Elna.
Oh, and something else. You have a co-worker named Bill Wesley, right? A warning; he is more than meets the eye. He himself doesn't mean any trouble, but he has a habit of snooping around into things that are not his business. Better keep an eye on him.

Take care,
Ryou.".

For long five minutes Andrew Bakura stared at the sheet of paper he was holding. "Wha- What in the world is this!?", he finally blurted out. Thousands question went through his head. How did Ryou know about Kul' Elna? How did Ishizu Istarh know about Kul' Elna? Why did he mentioned the death of the museum manager? What inhabitants was he talking about? And what was that warning with Bill Wesley all about. Suddenly Andrew realized something. His very own son had just blackmailed him!

What is going on?

Ryou Bakura dropped himself on his bead exhausted. Not that he had done anything strenuous. His problem was mental.

A few days ago he had that sudden urge to do a reading with his tarot deck, only to see a vision of his father going to Kul' Elna, the spirits becoming angry, and Bill Wesley somehow dragging him to England. That was where the comprehensible images ended. The rest was merely flashes as if in fast forward, and Ryou could only make out bits of it. However it was enough to make him nervous.

First thing Ryou did was contact Ishizu and tell her everything. Right after that, he sent that letter to his father and prayed to Ra that his father would take his word by heart and won't go.

Now, one week later, and Ryou was still worried sick.

"No need to worry about that mortal this much, Ryou. I bet that you freaked him out so much that he won't even dare to come out of his tent.". Ryou raised his head to face the man that had just talked. Tall, muscular, with the typical Egyptian tan, blue eyes with a tint of purple, white hair and a nasty three-lined scar that started right under his right eye and almost reached his chin; a scar identical to the one that Ryou was born with. His clothing was also ancient Egyptian, selected precisely to attract attention. A long blood-red sleeved cloak with white trims, a pale yellow extra long hoodie under it, a navy blue kilt that reached just above his knees, a simple pair but well made pair of shoes, and loads of gods bracelets. Around his neck was sported the Millennium Ring, glittering on the sunlight coming from the window.

After Zork's defeat, the portion of Zork that was infused with Yami Bakura left along with him, leaving an exhausted Thief King Akefia behind. Ryou was terrified to find out – first Zork, now the guy that had unleashed him in the first place!? – but he soon found out that Akefia, despite being as sadistic as the previous spirit of the Ring, and in general sharing many common traits with him, he wasn't evil. He was human. And Ryou was glad for that.

"Still, I can't help myself from worrying.", replied Ryou softly. "Father was always very wary of me.".

"Well, that's his problem. All the more reason why he should listen to you.".

"I guess you're right…".

Suddenly the phone rang. Ryou got off the bed and picked it up. "Hello?", he greeted.

"Hey Ry, what's up!?", greeted an excited voice.

"Malik!", replied Ryou in equal excitement. "How are you?".

"All good! How about you?".

"I'm fine.", he lied.

Malik however managed to pick up his friend's worried tone. "Let me guess; still worried about your old man?".

"Well, yeah…", the albino admitted reluctantly.

"No need to worry Ry!", chirped Malik on the phone. "I got that taken care of!".

"What do you mean?", asked Ryou suspiciously.

"Ishizu was thinking about ways to keep your old man here in Cairo, and she came up with an awesome idea…".

"What idea?".

"You and the gang will get to spend your summer here in Egypt!".

Ryou stood frozen over the phone for one or two moments trying to take in what Malik had just said. And then… "In Egypt!? For real!?".

"Yep, for real! We have also invited Yugi, Gramps, and the whole gang! And Rebeca with Pr. Hawking too!".

"Yeah, but…". A thought occurred to Ryou. "I don't have the money.", he said saddened. "And I can't go unarmed either…". He grimaced. Even thought he didn't like walking around with a knife on his person, Ryou knew that going to Egypt unprotected and with his reputation was suicide. Plus, Akefia would force it on him anyway.

"No worries, Ry! We'll send you guys over with Kaiba's jet!".

The two white-haired males gawked at that. "Eeeeh!? Kaiba's!?".

"Yep!", replied Malik, with a very cocky tone in his voice. "Ishizu managed to rill him into it. Not that he really liked it… Helps that Mokuba insisted his big bro needed a few days off though!", he added laughing. Ryou sweatdropped. He could imagine exactly what kind of conversation the three had. "Anyway", continued Malik "money and weapons won't be a problem.", he said confident, reminding the two that the person on the phone used to run a world-wide criminal organization. "You will meet with Yugi and the others for the flight at the headquarters of KaibaCorp at six o'clock in the morning in four days from now. The flight will be quite ling and you'll need some time to check in the hotel too. Oh, I forgot; the hotel is paid too. But you'll have to use your own money for souvenirs.", he added.

Ryou couldn't help but grin. Looks like Malik had everything planned out for Ryou before him. "Will I need to pack anything special?", he asked his friend.

"Yeah, actually.", answered the latter. "Your dueling outfit.".

"Ooh, the Tomb Keeper thinks he can challenge us~!", spoke up Akefia for the first time, with a huge Cheshire grin that showed off his fang-like canines.

"Well then. I guess I have some packing to do, don't I?". Ryou was very happy…

…But Andrew wasn't. "THE NERVE OF THAT WOMAN!".

Bill Wesley along with some other muggle archeologists were watching awkwardly Dr. Bakura as he was ranting over Ishizu Istarh. To be honest, neither did he himself like the woman but this was just… wow. "She arranged for him to come precisely next week on purpose! Just so we can't go to Kul' Elna!". Then again, Dr. Bakura was right about something. The timing was indeed very sneaky.

Everybody had noticed the previous day how stressed Dr. Bakura was. He had just received a letter from his son, and the two hadn't spoken in years, so it was only reasonable that the blue-haired Doctor was nervous, but after reading the letter he seemed to be utterly terrified. Whatever it was that his son had written to him, it was nothing good.

Now that Bill thought about it, Dr. Bakura always seemed to be afraid of his son. The only reason the others knew he had a family in the first place was when he had mentioned the boy once in passing. Until that day everybody thought that the blue-haired man was single. After that, Dr. Bakura became even more determined not to talk about his son than ever. He would talk about his dead daughter a little, he would talk about his late wife a little less, but he would never, EVER talk about his son. As if the boy was some sort of taboo to him.

And now, just as the entire team was ready to move on to the project at Kul' Elna, Ishizu Istarh showed up and told Dr. Andrew that his son and his friends would pay him a visit. Just great.

Bill Wesley had every reason to be suspicious of Ishizu Istarh. It wasn't her public image, no. It was her image in the magical community.

It was a great shock to Bill as he had slowly realized that the Egyptian wizards were afraid of the Istarhs. They were whispering the name in fear as tales were told about the most Ancient and Noble clan of the Pharaoh's Tomb Keepers. Tales of blood-tainted traditions and magic so dark and powerful that it could not be comprehended by mortal man. Then other tales come into surface. Tales of a Pharaoh whose name was lost, a massacred village hidden under the ancient sands, with its restless and malevolent spirits killing the unlucky passengers mercilessly, thirsty for blood and revenge over a crime so horrid that no human dared to speak of it.

So when Dr. Bakura had announced that the team would go to dig up Kul' Elna, Bill had felt more than excited for the incoming challenge. And of course Ishizu Istarh had to ruin it. Bloody brilliant.

Ishizu Istarh was very proud of accomplishment(s). Stopping the project at Kul' Elna, getting Bill Wesley off her back, bringing Ryou and his father for a meeting (Ra knows how much they need it) AND making Seto Kaiba do as she says! What a great day…!

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