Chapter 2

Bakura's POV

There would be no doubt the strange men was there for him. The village was forgotten, never truly known by many people that it had even existed. He was the only survivor. Then how on earth did this man know about the village? Or that someone would still visit it seeing as the man was obviously waiting.

He rode the horse quickly and stopped it a few meters away from the man just in case. He listened to the man for a moment but quickly jumped of the horse before he was finished with his question as he had seen the man reaching into his pocket. Bakura being unsure of how the man even knew of its existence had grown even more suspicious when he was trying to reach something.

He skilfully took the man in a tight hold with a knife to his neck. ''How do you know that's me? Why are you here? Talk quickly before I cut your throat. Many people have offered me things before. Wanna guess how many are still alive?'' He threatened the suspicious man.

Though what was even more suspicious of him was that the spirits, who were horribly possessive these days of their survivor and town, had not even come to 'greet' the man.

Dartz's POV

With the knife to his throat, Dartz thought of the quickest way of convincing the man of his 'somewhat' honest intentions. After all he did intend on giving him power, it was just he had little interest in his revenge. He rolled his eyes slightly at the threats, and raised his hands in mock surrender.

'I merely want to help you, Thief King, surely you want more power. After that nasty game with the Pharaoh's pet? I can give you power beyond your little spirits over there.' He said gesturing to the spirits of Kul Elna hanging back from him. They knew better than to challenge him, maybe they even knew of his intentions and thought the power would be good for the thief. 'Even they can see I mean no harm, and only come to offer you the power you deserve.' He felt the knife slightly less pressured on his neck.

'This stone, can multiply your anger, and trap that undeserving king in your grasp, quite literally. Use this shard and he'll never be able to outmatch you again…'

Bakura's POV

He kept his face with a mask of no emotion while he thought over what the man had said. ''Tch, you didn't answer who you were though.'' He was tempted to sneer at the man.

Thought the man had interesting arguments, he was still a stranger and what persons gives away free power? But the words sounded like a true dream, power that fed his anger and multiplies it? Too good to be true...but still good

''What is the catch?'' Though he would not likely answer truthfully if there was one but he was a thief. (Self-proclaimed) King of thieves even if it turns out to be cursed or something. He was a thief and so he was also a professional at dealing with traps and curses. Even if he was permanently cursed, as long as he had enough time to deal with the items and the royal family. He didn't care about what would happen to him afterwards anyway, he never thought he would live beyond the point of his revenge.

Dartz's POV

'My name is Dartz, my friend.' He started, maybe he should make this look like a more even deal, no wonder the thief was suspicious of him. 'Maybe if you release me, I can discuss terms with you?' He waited patiently, but the thief did not move.

'Have it your way, I want something from you. A favour, if you will. Though it shouldn't be much trouble, I want the Pharaoh out of the way so I can move on with plans of my own. Nothing that would interest you I'm sure. Not that you care, once he's dead right?'

This wasn't too far from the truth, he wanted the two to fight, to increase both their power, though he cared little for the victor as he was the true victor in the end. He opened his hand and let the stone glow brightly, letting the thief be mesmerised by the power it gave off. The anger that this man had within him meant he was perfect for the power of the Orichalcos.

'So…do we have a deal?'

Bakura's POV

Considering that the man seemed to have the same plan as he did made it seem a little more 'trustable'. Not that he would ever truly trust anyone. The man held out the stone, it's greenish light reflecting in his eyes. The power it gave off seduced him almost. It was an easy and quick fix for power but he still couldn't feel too bad. He'd just abuse the mysterious power until he was done and hide from Dartz if he wanted it back again. If he...was still alive afterward at that point.

However the arguments sounded, he still felt like he had just signed a deal with the devil as he laid his hand on the stone. ''...Deal.'' The spirits of his family would indeed be pleased if he came back soon with the items.

Dartz's POV

'I'm glad to hear it.' Dartz smiled, letting the thief take hold of the stone, and watching the power seep into his soul. His plan was working out exactly as he'd hoped. He was quite surprised that they had both taken the stone, though honestly he had not expected them to clash so early. That, and he was becoming quite good at hiding the true nature of the Orichalcos recently. He smirked; they'd never know how much the stone would affect them, twisting their anger, and fears until they would do anything to use the power it gave them. Whether they wanted to or not…

He looked up at the thief and smiled, to which the other frowned, it was quite obvious that he was only after power as he shoved the stone into his pocket and turned on his heel. Dartz let out a little laugh and brushed himself down as he watched the man walk away in the sinister village. The aura around that village suddenly turned cold, and the spirits gazed over at him, it was his time to leave. He watched as they circled around their son and Dartz decided to depart, trusting the thief's anger and deep hatred for the Pharaoh to do the rest.

Bakura's POV

He carefully put the stone in his pocket and felt the power filling his body and soul. At least the man wasn't lying about this. The man was weird and idiotic granting him power even if there was most likely a catch. He frowned at his smile and left to go deeper into the village. He wouldn't usually show his back to someone but now he was sure Dartz would not do anything, yet. It would also show his annoyance at his presence here.

At least this Dartz was smart enough to not follow him as the spirits were already growing anxious again, it was already a wonder that they had not attacked him in the first place. They greeted him, seemingly pleased with his newly added power. He smiled at their acceptance of it, for this it was worth whatever curse it held.

After a day of rest under stolen blankets and random clothes and ate his share of some fruit and stale bread, he went out into the city. He wasn't sure if word had gone out about him yet in the villages so he took extra precautions to hide his appearance but not in a suspicious way. He hid his hair and face with a long scarf like thing he had snatched and left his beloved coat behind. The coat, even with its stains, was to rich looking anyways. The red dye and careful finishing would stand out on its own.

He planned to stay away from the palace from a few days because after his attack they had probably strengthen their guards and enforcements. It was best to visit when they had calmed down a bit. He also wanted to test out his newly acquired power before he battled against the priests of pharaoh again.

However just fighting in the street did not seem like a good idea, also going tomb robbing wasn't a very good idea either. The traps in them could be very quick and powerful, storming in there with a strange power was idiotic. He had to be delicate there sometimes.

So he went to a mostly unknown 'underground' fighting club. It was just outside this village in a place hidden behind a bar. There people could play bets against who would be the winner. Not anyone could get in through but he knew the code.

Here he could test out his power freely without being disturbed. So he went in the back and casually looked on the other participants there. He could probably take them out without the new power so he searched for the seemingly strongest one there. There was a big muscled man standing near the 'arena' who seemed to be aggravated. He took his attention and nodded over to battle. The man laughed at him, underestimating him already. Well he had a surprise for him…

They stood ready to fight, the man seemed almost bored and made a slow attempt to get to him. He dodged it easily and put his hand in his pocket to grab a hold of the stone. Not sure of how to use it he channelled his attention to it and tried to call upon its power. Suddenly Diabound roared and the field seemed to glow with a strange symbol. The man cried out in surprise, as did their audience. People did not often use 'magic' in these fights as only few people existed who could use it, not common folks for instance.

He grinned as he felt the power flooding through him, making his chest tight with sudden controlled anger that filled him. The hatred that normally came with the Royalty grew and Diabound went completely mad as he attacked the man. The man was too shocked to even try to do anything against it and was quickly taken down. As the man stayed down the symbol disappeared again and Diabound, who had grown a little bigger and darker disappeared in his soul again. Bakura sneered at the easiness of the fight and looked around his audience for more ''volunteers''. Many people seemed too scared of fighting against him but a few seemed interested at it, knowing of the reward they could get if they won.

Bakura yelled around and taunted others to try against him. He kind of wanted to stop and keep his energy for the ride back and the trip he would soon take to the palace but he couldn't let this madness in his head go. The anger in him twisted and so he stayed there and fought everyone who would try him, levelling up Diabound with it and he got home with a bag full with coins.

He sat down, back with his family at the village, with the bloodied bag in his hands. He fell down on the ground on his back and laughed hysterically at the sky. At first he was a little worried at the influence of the stone and the rampage he had done but soon afterwards he grinned at success as Diabound had grown stronger and now the palace wouldn't know what would hit them! He stored his worry away for later as he now thought about nothing but taking his revenge. Tomorrow he would go out at night and sneak in the chambers of the pharaoh…

A/N – What do you guys think of the POV format we currently use? Is it OK, or would you prefer it another way?