Chapter 2 Determination

Marik was swooned back to consciousness. His eyes still closed, his body unresponsive, but his brain beginning to revamp. He felt himself gently swaying, with no control over the movements of his body. Mind racing with confusion, he slowly and weakly opened his eyes. A dull red encompassed all around him, the dying throes of the last of the sun's light for this day.

His chin resting on a shoulder, his head leaning against the side of a neck. The back of his knees in each of their hands. Instantly he knew he was safe.

"Odion," he weakly whispered.

Marik did not need to look or feel or say anything to know it was him, his eternal protector. He felt Odion's lungs hitch on a sharp intake of air, obviously suprised at his sudden waking.

"Yes Master Marik," he spoke with clear elation of relief and happiness in his voice.

Odion trugged forward though the sand, his back screaming with pain. For his back was angled sharply forwards to keep his master's limp body from sliding backwards. After so many hours in this fashion his spine felt as though it was about to snap. By now Odion knew he had to stop, the tomb was too far ahead to make it in the rapidly cooling desert. His only thoughts were to Marik's safety and getting him immediate medical attention. But the utter blackness of the night would see no avail, he would not find the entrance in this penetrating dark, besides he was prepared.

"Master Marik, we have to stop for the night, I must start a fire while there is still light."

Marik nodded and grunted in response, his eyes tightly closed, his mouth too dry for him to feel like talking. He only wanted to go back to sleep, and to stay asleep for a very very long time. Kneeling down, Odion soflty laid Marik down off his back.

When Marik reopened his eyes, after what felt like a long sleep, Odion sat across from him. There was a small gentle fire burning in front of them and Marik had two blankets adorning his body. Seeing Marik open his eyes prompted Odion up onto his feet. He strode around the flames and kneeled to one knee to wordlessly pour the rest of the water in his canteen down Marik's throat.

The stark moonlight provided more illumation than the small fire as Odion spoke,

"We will be home soon Master Marik."

Odion's voice was very soothing to him as he lay there. His whole body pulsating a raw release of high heat. Despite all of this, his brothers' conforting comment brought him instant rage and crys of protest. Unless he was dead, Marik thought, he was going to press forward and finish the journey he started.

"Im not going home yet," Marik said.

His voice was strong but low in pitch. Odion might have expected to hear something like this, but was shocked that at the shape he was in, that he would dream of continuing on.

"But Master Marik," Odion began pleading, "You couldnt possiably-"

"Im going Odion," Marik sharply retorted, "With or without you."

Now almost out of frustration, Odion raised his voice.

"You could die, you already nearly died, you cannot think that your invinciable." Odion wailed.

Seconds past, then a minute, then two and three before anyone spoke. Marik broke the silence by saying softly,

"If I dont make it now, I know I never will, and that tomb with become my grave."

"But Master, you can always venture out when-" Odion began.

"Know your place Odion!" Marik snapped.

Odion knew it was fruitless to continue, but it did not stop him from trying. He went on pleading until Marik fell asleep. It was only a few hours till daybreak, and so he laid down on a blanket to rest and regain the energy that he knew he would need.

End Chapter 2