Hey y'all! Welcome back for the next chappie of Amber Shadows. Well, well, I have quite a number of plans for this along with my other works fanfiction and original alike. Hopefully y'all will enjoy what my mind cooks up with of course. Hehes

Anyway, let's get on with it then. I hope you all enjoy what happens this time. Please remember to favorite, follow, etc. along with leaving some nice comments.

Chapter 2: Eclipse

Zorc

Ever since the time that Bakura signed my contract I've been keeping my eye on him. Partially it's to just keep up on him while the other part is because I view him as if he's my own child. What? A demon can hold sentiments to someone else, you know. Besides, he's become something quite different to any human on the mortal plain. Most likely he's more on the level of a half-demon, but he'll reach the requirements to fill out the other half in no time with the progress he's making it seems. He'll be needing to report to me soon. Tonight I have caught notice that the Pharaoh has gone onto the next life, leaving two be given his sentencing at the Halls of Judgment. That leaves his only son to take up the position. It makes me wonder how well this so called Yami will do with carrying the torch. It contains the mistakes and all that his dear old father committed. Can he ever hope to atone for such horrendous acts for maintaining peace and keeping his people safe? Then again, the Pharaoh has always been selfish even though he might think that he's on some righteous path that always leads to a happy ending. Let me tell you one thing is that on a road to peace contains a great pain full of trials and tribulations that test even the strongest of resiliences.

Tapping my fingers on the table, I wait for when Bakura will arrive. He does have his mission to carry out tomorrow during the coronation. I've given hints about how I have a special task for him to complete tomorrow that may or may not sway me on assisting him to turning completely demonic. It's been enough to further his interest at least to agree to come meet with me. Hopefully he won't be late though. Then again, speak of the embers themselves as here he comes out of the veil of the shadows that cling within my domain. Smirking in a pleasant manner, I motion him to take a seat. It doesn't surprise me in the slightest to notice Diabound in his company.

"I see you don't disappoint me, darling. It's pleasing to me to see how far you've come along over the years," I murmur, receiving a nod in return though I know he wants me to get on with it.

"What's this about some sort of mission you want me to go on?" He asks, getting right to the point.

"The Pharaoh has died. In his place will be his son to take up the reins. His coronation is tomorrow," I give out all of the details, skimping on nothing because I know how he is. "I want you to crash the party."

"Oh?" Quirking a brow, he has a mischievous glimmer in those ruby pools of his. "that sounds delicious…. When do I head out?"

"At dawn," I tell him simply, knowing this is right up his alley. "The coronation starts at midday. It'll allow you enough time to arrive there before it starts."

"Good," smirking impishly, he seems to already have plans forming in his mind as to how he wants to go about accomplishing this. "Anything else?"

"No, not that I can think of," I admit, dismissing him for now as he gives a slight bow before vanishing from my sight.

Well, well, all is going according to how the hourglass has let me in on. It'll be interesting how they manage to interact with one another. Both have been fed lies, but who can see the truth even when that in itself is quite meaningless sometimes in the pursuit for power and vengeance?

()()()()()()

Bakura

Returning to the place I have been using as a home over the years ever since the destruction of Kul Elna is where I've been honing my skills. Being in tip top physique does help with running errands and such to steal goods, materials, and the like to keep going onwards. Tomorrow will be the coronation ceremony, knowing the perfect way to rain on the parade. It seems that Diabound is on the same wavelength with me at noticing she has the same thought in mind. It'll be interesting what those fools think when we make our grand entrance. Making my preparations aren't that complex, gathering what tools I'll need along with using my new outfit to its advantage. It's nothing that fancy considering I prefer having the use of stealth on my side instead of alerting others of my presence. What it consists of is a scarlet cloak while underneath it has a pair of gray tights and a dark blue tunic. All are in dark hues to blend in with the shadows themselves. What I have also done is been furthering my powers with the aura itself or what others may call magic if that's the word others want to use. The gifts given to me by my master, Zorc, are ones I treasure to encourage them to flourish further. See, I'm no ordinary mortal as you can tell. From the time I made that contract is when everything changed including myself. Odd markings have begun appearing on my skin. One of them is on my face that goes down along one side to the neck and/or collarbone depending on the time of day, night, and what solstice has gone past. The others remain a mystery, but when I have brought it up with the one person I have been viewing as my father figure I can tell that all of this is normal. He says I'm a half-demon now it seems with what he's been Abel to do thus far. It's interesting nonetheless like someone like him can do for someone of the likes of myself. Noe one might of thought someone might survive the decimation of my home, but here I am in the flesh. People have been making attempts at my life when it's been brought to the light of day that there's been a new thief King. None have been able to kill me yet. Hopefully I can keep this streak of good luck going. At some point I know it'll run out. I'll still use it to my disposal until that time comes.

"Will we be truly ready for when dawn arrives?" I ask the serpentine creature when she appears nearby.

"It's going to be fine," hisses out the naga-like woman, knowing she'll be in full demonic form to allow me to use her as my stead, but when it comes to battle she'll revert back to her humanoid form like she's in now. "You have me and Necrofear to guard you. Master gave us to you as your retainers for a reason after all."

"Hmm, true," I nod in agreement, feeling at ease with the reassurance given. "Do we have any intel of what the new Pharaoh is? No one is entirely human even though they might like to think they are. It's a sad thing to realize that they still remain in the dark of their absolute natures."

"It's still uncertain," a melodic voice chimes in, recognizing the individual immediately. "But I can tell he's some sort of immortal. His father was killed by poison in his wine it seems."

"What kind?" I ask them, knowing Necrofear will be able to identify it well enough considering they're the brains while Diabound is the brawn to balance the two out evenly in their strengths and weaknesses although both have a high intellect even though there are differences to how they go about things.

"A tincture with silver, garlic, and somehow containable light magic," they answer thoughtfully, recalling all they manage to have been able to gather before coming back to report to me. "Can you tell what he is then?"

"A vampire?" I hazard at a guess, having been able to read up on such creatures in the scriptures although I never thought they truly might exist until this precise moment. "Well, well, it seems that we'll be dealing with someone else like us who are incredibly difficult to kill. But that's not our intentions for this mission though unfortunately. It seems that I must capture him, but I know the risks in even trying this."

"We'll do our best to assist you," promises Necrofear, appreciating the doll-like individual, knowing their words are a promise.

"Now you must rest, little drake. The night won't last forever. Soon, we'll have work to be done," enters Diabound before the two disperse to their posts nearby to keep guard while I sleep.

Getting comfortable on my bedroll, I smirk to myself, You'll be mine soon enough, Sennen. We have a score to settle that's way overdue. You'll learn that just like me that payback's a bitch.

()()()()()()

Yami

Tossing and turning in my sleep, I feel restless with what weighs so heavily on my mind. Isis's words still ring in there too. Well, more than a little actually. It's what's bothering me, knowing that my father's mistakes are ones that are transferable to me. It seems that's the case with how our foes will put all their attention on me now. It's troublesome to know so much rests on my shoulders to deal with, still having doubts about whether or not I'm really the right person to take up my father's place on the throne. It's a day I thought I longed to come, but with it so shortly in reach by a matter of hours more or less causes trepidation to rise as if this somehow all feels wrong. The Thief King himself might even ambush the occasion. How can I hold a candle of a chance to go up against the likes of him? Reaching over when I pull myself upright, I grab the glass nearby to drain its contents. Being what I am isn't something I've found easy to get the grips of either. Yeah, I might sound like I'm whining a bit, but can anyone blame me? So many people are counting on me to lead them. Will I make the right decisions to bring prosper to these sands? Or will I drag them down into the depths of desolation itself? It also sometimes feels as if the gods are watching me themselves, silently judging my every move with the position I'm soon to claim even though it's my birthright to do so. Dawn will come soon anyway, feeling at ease after I drained the contents of my glass, setting it down once I empty it. Rubbing my temples a bit, I consider what options there are. Getting up, I go to the basin to splash some water against my face. The only thing that protects me that had done well for my father is a strange stone. What I can tell is that the construction of the object hanging from the rope chain around my neck has been able to transfer the abilities of it to the golden pyramid itself.

"What is this power I wield?" I mutter to myself, still unsure of what use I can put it to when it feels like everything is weighing on me to make some grand decisions that will change the ever shifting sands themselves.

A small growl pipes up, feeling at ease when one of the Kuriboh appear. They've always been my protecters even when I undergo stress. The fur ball trots over, fluttering their wings to land on my shoulder before affectionately nuzzling my neck. What they can provide brings a smile to my lips. Ever since father was gone has been a difficult time even though it's only been a night that's come to pass since then. It doesn't change the fact of the matter that the sorrow his passing has wrought feels too immense for me to shake off. Kuriboh continues to nuzzle at me, appreciating the odd warmth the fluffy creature gives off. Giving a nod, I can tell they want me to go back to sleep. While it might be close to dawn means there are still about maybe three Horus until Mahaad, Isis, or Mana will come for me to proceed with whatever preparations need to be done for the imminent ceremony. Going back to my bed, I lie down. Kuriboh doesn't move away as they nestle down close to provide their comforting warmth to help me have a pleasant rest for what time still remains. Giving them a light pat, I give a warm smile as they coo in appreciation of the attention and praise. Curling up, I allow my eyes to flutter close once more. In the morning will come changes that all of Egypt will have to withstand. One of the questions that leave everyone hanging is how I'll fair with taking the reins.

I hope that I can do you proud and justice by how I lead our people. From the afterlife I know you'll continue to watch over me. But I still fear that I might fail in leading them to the right path to prosper….. Then again, I'm not alone in this. All I can do is do my best and hope everything falls through with little to no complications.

()()()()()()

Seth

Tomorrow my cousin will be Pharaoh. Is he well enough to be up for the task? Hmph, well, that's still uncertain until he shows me that he can be a true man to lead our people even though he might be given unkind recognition from those who disagree with his actions. It doesn't help at all when his father's mistakes are now ones he must carry too. It makes me feel how I will whenever Aknadin will ever pass over. It's doubtful that'll ever come to pass anyway. He's my uncle obviously, but the only family that I have. I don't know who my real parents are, but he used to tell me stories when I was young until adolescent years. At the current age of twenty-five has me looking back at those days with disdain. What has he been hoping to provide when telling me of those I can never be with until the time comes for my life to pass onto the next to see them again? It's pointless to talk about the dead when they won't come back to life. The past is the past for a reason. It needs to stay that way in order to move on to brighter and broader horizons.

"Uncle will want me to be Yami's advisor now it seems," I mutter to myself, recalling the talk we've had before a while ago before I had to come to speak with my cousin. "But I fear that he still won't be ready to take up this burden. It does help he's not alone, but some people will see that as a weakness to prey upon."

By myself with my musings, I retire to my own room. There has been some time I've been able to gain some rest. Although there are multiple thoughts plaguing my mind. Most likely my husband won't be that at ease knowing I'm not in bed any longer. Why does Jonouchi always want me there anyway? I have duties to see to after all. Besides, I always come back before he wakes up. I don't see why he has to keep complaining about it to me. Returning to the bed, I slip under the covers on the left side while the blonde haired male takes up the right. Wrapping an arm around him, I carefully pull him close to me so as not to jostle him enough to rouse him. If I somehow wake him up before it's time then I probably will receive an earful from him. If that happens then we'll be bickering like an old married couple for quite some time. The thing is that we've been married for only two years now. It seems like time has been able to slip through our fingertips without even noticing it. Jonouchi is two years younger than me, but no one has had a problem with our slight difference in age. Now, I need to get a little more rest. Tomorrow is going to be a really busy day where I need to be near to Yami to advise him for various matters including giving him council on any decisions he has to make as the new ruler of our lands.

The hourglass is indeed changing after each solstice. I wonder how this will shape the next chain of events to unfold. Perhaps tomorrow won't have too many surprises, but we have to be on guard for if and when the Thief King will strike.

Oks, that's the end of chappie two. Well, this is going along quite well. That pleases me greatly because it's been what feels like ten thousand years from last I've been able to write a lot of YGO stuff consistently. It feels amazing to get back into the groove.

Most likely I'll work on Risen Nights and/or maybe some other Naruto stuff shortly. It just depends on mood, motivation, and the like. I'm sure y'all understand what I mean of course because they do get work on, but I still haven't been able to finish a chappie to update any of them yet. I will in due course because I don't abandon my stories. I always get back to them eventually.

Anyway, enough of me blathering on for now. The next chappie will be out shortly whenever I have it finished being written up. Hopefully that won't be too long of a wait for it though. Until then, please remember to review, darlings!