The deserts' shadow – Part 2
The Confrontation
Recap (Atems' POV): 'Suddenly, a voice laughs menacingly into the night.
My blood runs cold and drains from my face. Now is NOT the time to be caught unarmed because I know exactly who THAT voice belongs to...
Bakura...'
'The man gets up and stares into the distance at the outcrop once more. I am suddenly shocked out of my reverie by Ishtar who has woken up and groans in pain as he slowly sits up in dazed confusion. He looks just as bad as I feel. At first, he does not notice the strange hooded man standing just a few feet away from him...neither does he seem to remember what had happened and how he had gotten here...or even where 'here' is for that matter.
Slowly but surely, remembrance creeps into his lilac orbs. He then turns his head and is startled by the stranger in front of him. He bolts upright reaching for his sword and sinks into a fighting position.
The man, on the other hand, pays him no mind, apparently not finding him a threat. Ishtar's eyes shift, uncomprehending the man's calm demeanour at such close range to a drawn sword, from the stranger...to me...back to the stranger...and once again to me.'
Suddenly Bakura's voice booms into the otherwise silent darkness.
"You have done very well Marik. You got him here in record time. And I trust you brought the amulet with you?"
'A smirk plays over Ishtar's face and his body visibly relaxes upon hearing his brother in arms' voice. He looks over his shoulder but keeps his hand firmly on his sword's hilt just in case the cloaked man decides to suddenly view him as a mark. He answers Bakura with a voice full of glee.'
"But of course. Did you expect anything less of me? And of course I have the - ..."
'Ishtar's eyes widen as he realises he has dropped my mother's amulet somewhere in the desert sand...no...Then it is lost to me as well! NO!'
Bakura puts two and two together and scolds his companion for being so careless.
"You fool! We need the amulet to awaken -...No matter. At least you managed to lead him to us."
'This was a trap? How could I be so oblivious?! I continue to stare at Marik who is slowly walking towards Bakura and an army of a few hundred men, still keeping an eye on the hooded man. Both men, and legion, come to a stop a few yards away from us and Bakura continues in an icy voice, now looking at the stranger.'
"Well, well, well. What have we here? *Tilts head with curious look* You sir, are no ordinary warrior. No man I have ever come across could pull off a move like that. You killed off twelve of my men in the pitch black night...with seeming ease I might add, if I look at your calm air. And from such a distance? I do think a bit of sorcery was involved here. No ordinary man can do what you have just done.
*Chuckles evilly* You know, I am the Thief King Bakura. The most feared man in all of Egypt. You have drawn of my blood, so to speak, and I simply cannot ignore that. However. All I seek is the man behind you. Hand him over, and I shall turn a blind eye to our little...misshape. Give him to me, and I will allow you to be on your way...unharmed."
'I stare at the man who has just saved my life. Bakura is in NO way a man to be taken lightly. The stranger has skill, yes, buy surely not enough to face the Thief Kings' whole cohort by himself. And then there is Marik AND Bakura to take into consideration. Both are revered swordsmen and fighters...even if it sickens me to admit it...Even I would have great difficulty beating one of them in a fight...let alone both...
And since I am unarmed...
I cannot expect this man to sacrifice his life...he doesn't even know who I am damn-it! Nevertheless, even if he did...this battle is a futile one...at least now one of us can walk away unharmed...'
The man continues to stand motionless a few feet diagonally opposite to Atem – staring at Bakura and Marik from underneath his ebony hood and carefully eyeing the wrestles pack of murderous thugs. Bakura takes this as a sign of defeat and with a psychotic smile on his face; advances towards the pharaoh...
He barely gave more than a step when the man abruptly steps in front of Atem and sinks down into a defensive position.
'Bakura immediately stops and his body tenses ever so slightly. If I had not been watching him intently, I might not even have noticed it at all. Apparently he has been wrong about the man yielding to his request...either that or my new 'friend' doesn't trust that Bakura will let him go...
I suddenly realise what it would mean if the figure decides to stand his ground and my heart starts to race once more. I snap my head in his direction and scrutinise his back. Would he put his life on the line for someone he does not even know?
Bakura glares at the man waiting for him to make the next move. The wind has wiped up, apparently indulging its curiosity and teasingly nips at us, making our clothes sway in silent reaction.
The stranger slowly straightens up but remains in front of me. He does not look at me but instead starts to walk towards my enemies. Could he be thinking of joining them instead?!
It seems Bakura and Marik are not too sure about what his intensions are either and place their hands on theirs swords' hilts...ready for anything... About halfway between me and the murderous throng, he stops...as if considering the odds of staying with me to die; or handing me over to live...
The man then puts out his right leg and crosses it over his left. He beguilingly places his foot in the sand and sways it to the right drawing a line. He then slowly starts to tread backwards and stops a few feet in front of me once more, suspending his arms down his sides with confidence...now what?'
Marik is the first to speak as he looks sideways towards his acquaintance with both curiosity and uncertainty.
"What is THAT supposed to mean?"
Bakura stares at the man absorbedly for a moment and his psychotic smile returns once more. He answers Ishtar with a trace of exhilaration in his voice...and bloodlust in his eyes...
"It means my dear friend; that our 'hold-up' here, is either very brave or very stupid. He also seems to be somewhat disinclined to kill. That line is both a challenge and a threat *chuckles evilly*
It means that anyone who crosses it; will die."
