Here we go with chapter three of Fate's Gaze! I'm glad that you guys are enjoying this story so much. This one is a fun one to write and I have a lot of plans for this entire series!
Thanks for the support that this whole series (which still doesn't have a name by the way) is getting from the community. Also thanks to those of you who have followed me over from the other two and followed and dropped a favorite for the whole trilogy. I'm going to work really hard so I won't disappoint you!
Also something to notice. The Shadow Games in this story are more like the Shadow Games in Season 0. Rule breakers get punished and bets are made, sometimes very high stakes bets. However I find that more interesting, though there may be some that are set up more like Duels. Depends on the situation.
Chapter Three: Keeping Secrets
Yugi couldn't help but be nervous the whole way to the park for their study session. For one, he had Anzu and Merlin watching him like a pair of hawks like he was going to just do something stupid right then and there. Also he had his silent and watchful Egyptian not making him feel any better. He felt like he had way too many eyes on him, and he wasn't really in the mood to explain things to anyone. What was worse was that he knew his friends would be able to tell he was hiding something. He was just far too easy to read. He didn't like keeping secrets, but he didn't know what else to do. No one would believe him, and as far as he knew his friends would think he was insane if he tried to tell them about his invisible dead friend.
They soon found Tristan and Joey waiting at their usual tables in a nice grassy area. Usually Yugi found it peaceful, but not he just found it kind of stressful. Slash, who was holding a very dejected Joey by the crook of his right elbow (probably to keep him from escaping) noticed instantly. Yugi just found it more distracting to have so many eyes now watching him closely. He chanced a single glance at Yami for a second, pleading for help. But Yami just shrugged with an equally as stressed face. He couldn't exactly help and he didn't particularly want to be found out.
With some awkward silence they all took their places. Yugi looked down pointedly at the table, knowing that Merlin was standing just to his right side and watching his every move carefully. Seeing his unease Joey and Tristan found themselves looking at Yugi, and they realized that their friend was troubled and appeared to be very worried about something. They watched him for a moment too, wondering what had gotten into their friend. Finally, Anzu leaned forward.
"Yugi?" she asked. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing," Yugi said a little too quickly and quietly.
"Yugi we can tell something's wrong," Anzu said.
"Did you get into some sort of trouble?" Joey asked worriedly. "Do we need to take care of it?"
"You can tell us what's going on man," Tristan added. "We're your friends. We'll understand."
"That I highly doubt," Yami said quietly. Of course none of them heard him and Yugi didn't look up or respond to this.
Yugi had to agree. He didn't even know what was going on, or why something so weird had just suddenly happened. How would they understand if he didn't have a clue? He found himself looking down suddenly at the Millennium Puzzle. Everyone's eyes but Yami's followed his, and his friends paused as they looked at it.
"Is that the Millennium Puzzle you've been working on?" Joey asked.
"You finished it?" Tristan asked. "Haven't you been trying to do that for, what was it, eight years?"
"Ever since you put that thing on you've been acting weird," Anzu said. "We sent you upstairs to do homework, and you probably just worked on that, didn't you? Yugi what about that thing has got you so worked up? Because you finished it?"
Yugi pursed his lips and continued to look at it. He'd promised Yami that he wouldn't say anything about it until he was sure that he could trust them. Well he was sure that he wasn't going to trust them just in the first five seconds of meeting them. For all he knew Yami was just as confused about what was going on as he was. He didn't have his memories after all. If there was any chance that he knew what was going on, he couldn't remember what.
"No," Anzu realized. "It's something else?"
"I realize that there's something about this," Merlin said carefully to Yugi. "There's something far more than just the magic of this item at work. It's something dangerous. Do you understand now why I said I didn't like it? I don't understand why but, I feel like I've heard of this before. The problem is, I can't remember what. Duel Monsters live as long as humans, and that means that whatever this is, its little more than legend to me as well. But I can sense the magic surrounding it. There is something far bigger at work here. I'm sure of it."
At this, Yugi looked up at his Partner. Something far bigger at work? What could that be? He wasn't sure, but he did notice that Yami seemed to tense at these words. Even if Yami didn't have his memories like he said, was it possible that somehow he knew what Merlin was saying was correct? Yugi wasn't sure, but he quickly looked away from him. His friends seemed to grow confused when he turned his eyes to apparently thin air and then away again. He seemed to be staring off into space except for one thing: his eyes were focused on something, not distant like they expected.
This only served to confuse them more. The silence only seemed to deepen. Yami found himself both a little nervous and a little impressed. Yugi's friends certainly seemed to be trying to look after the boy's welfare, and as far as he could tell they were good friends. There was something dangerous about the puzzle? Well he was sure there was. He could after all hear the boy's Partner because he was in a sense part of Yugi. Yami was sure that there was definitely something dangerous about him and this puzzle. In fact he was almost sure of it, even though he didn't remember anything. Still, Yugi's friends were smarter than he had first taken them for. Yami hoped he would remember to not just judge people by what they look like.
The Egyptian turned his eyes instead to Yugi's Partner, Merlin. The creature seemed much more highly in tune with Magic than even the other Duel Spirit. Yami closed his eyes a moment, and he felt his mind reaching out to watch them again through the Millennium Puzzle. Slash paused and looked up in some confusion, but Merlin absolutely jumped and looked around. The dragon could sense the powerful magic, but it was nothing close to what the Magician could sense through his years of training. Yami was a little surprised and quickly pulled back before the creature could pinpoint his location. He could tell the creature was good. He looked up again. Merlin was looking around now, carefully. His eyes nearly hit the spot where Yami was standing, almost. They quickly turned another direction though. Yugi however didn't miss this.
"Merlin?" Anzu asked. "Is something wrong?"
"Slash reacted to something as well," Tristan noted, giving the dragon a glance as well. The children knew that the Spirits were far more perceptive to things than they were.
Merlin slowly turned his eyes to look at Yugi now, wondering what the boy was hiding. Yugi looked down nervously. If Merlin asked something...what was he supposed to say? He needed to think of something to tell him, but the boy was still hoping strongly that he wouldn't ask anything at all. Merlin began to open his mouth to speak, but then froze and whirled around. Slash sensed the disturbance as well and raised his head, letting a snarl (which sounded like that of his true form's) leave his lips. Merlin also bristled as he looked around.
The humans raised their heads, confused. Even Yami was looking around carefully now, wondering what had gotten their attention this way. It was at that point however that Yami felt the same thing, and by extension Yugi felt it as well. It was a tightening in their chests that warned that something was coming, and they felt a desire to destroy roll over them. Yugi had never felt such emotion like this before, and he suddenly jumped and started trembling. The others noticed and began to grow nervous as well.
"Y-Yugi?" Anzu asked. "Yugi are you alright?"
Both the dragon and the Magician turned around at the question and paused in surprise as they saw the boy's reaction to the very same thing that they had just sensed. Their kind was used to this feeling since the Shadow Realm bordered the Spirit Realm and the battle between both was a never ending cycle. They had basically been born into this war. However the humans had never come across anything like this and Yugi was scared stiff of it. He jumped a little however and paused as Yami laid a steadying hand on the boy's shoulder. Yami wasn't sure how, but he knew that he had faced something like this before, and he wasn't scared of it. The Egyptian's calm demeanor helped calm Yugi down a little bit as he looked around.
What was it? And where was it? He wasn't entirely sure what was going on, but he didn't like the fact that it was so silently hiding. He glanced over his shoulder once at Yami's severe eyes. Yami didn't like it one bit either, but he was also a little frustrated. He knew that he had sensed many similar presences before, but he couldn't remember from where. How was he supposed to help if he didn't now how? At least Yami knew one thing though. He was fairly certain that, whoever he really was, he was a kind person. The only thing he could think about was that this was dangerous and they needed to get away from here. Luckily, Joey seemed to have the same train of thought.
"I don't like this," Joey said. "I think we should call off the study session. And it's not because I don't want to study. Something's going on."
"For once," Anzu mumbled quietly. "I agree with you. Let's go."
"No complaints here," Tristan said, giving the two Duel Spirits cautious glances.
The three glanced at Yugi, who was still kind of frozen on the spot. What was he supposed to do? What was going on? He got a bad feeling about this whole thing. Why was it that this was happening now that he'd solved the Millennium Puzzle. He looked down at it suddenly. Was it because of this? If it was surrounded by powerful magic like Merlin said then was it possible that something else had sensed it and was coming to take a look? He could feel it's desire and he didn't like it one bit. His face fell into a frown.
"I think it's coming after us," Yami said, as if reading the boy's train of thought. "Whatever it is, it can sense this. That means we're a danger to your friends if they're near us. We should go." Yugi nodded to him without looking.
"You're right," he said, more to Yami though it sounded like he could be talking to his friends. "We should go."
He then paused. But how could he get away from his friends so they wouldn't be hurt? Yami was silent and didn't seem to have any ideas how either. Again though, it seemed that his friends came to his rescue. It was Tristan who spoke up this time as he nervously looked at all of his friends. They all looked up at him as he nervously put his hands in his pockets and looked down.
"Look," Tristan said. "I know this kind of sounds like a bad idea, but I think we should go home different ways. I think there's something nearby, so maybe if we split up it won't bother us."
"That doesn't sound like a good idea at all," Anzu protested loudly. "What if there is something here? What if it attacks someone? I know Joey and Yugi have Merlin and Slash to watch out for them, but that's still dangerous."
"Then you and I can walk home together so we won't be alone," Tristan replied. "Either way, I want to be away from here. Something feels off." Anzu was quiet for a long while.
"Fine," she said. "Everyone be safe alright, and call once you get home. Got it?"
They all nodded, and then silently picked up their bags and left without having gotten anything done that day. Yugi quickly picked up his bag and hurried off in a direction that no one else was taking, and Merlin quickly hurried after him, looking rather confused. The park was soon behind them, and Yugi was taking a purposefully long route so that he wouldn't run into anyone else on accident. Merlin watched the boy with a lot of confusion as he went along, wondering what had gotten into him. However the silence didn't last long.
"As I thought," Yami said with a slightly dark edge to his voice. "Whatever this is, it's following us. I don't like this."
Merlin grabbed Yugi's arm suddenly to stop him, making the boy jump. He had obviously sensed the same thing that Yami had just voiced the concern of. The Dark Magician was no bristling even more than he had been before, and he was glaring in the direction they had just come from. Yugi didn't try and pull his arm out of his Partner's grasp. He was sure that there was something going on, and he'd rather keep his allies close.
"I know you're there," Merlin growled. "Come out."
There was silence, but Merlin kept glaring and wouldn't move. Yugi started looking around carefully for the source of his Partner's anxiety. Yami too was almost staring without blinking (though did he really need to blink?) towards the direction the Duel Spirit was facing, watching carefully for any signs of the creature that had been following them. Nothing stirred, and there was silence for almost a full minute. Soon though, something stepped out of the shadows.
Yugi wasn't sure what he had expected, but he could tell that Merlin didn't like it one bit. The creature wasn't like any that he had ever seen, and a dark thought suddenly came to him, one that he couldn't really ignore. It was from the Shadow Realm. It was a tall creature with dark black skin and white hair that hung down to the ground. It had dark green eyes that appeared to be almost staring at the two of them with no emotion, though it was giving them a fanged smile. From the waist down it appeared to be part tiger, though it was a black color with white stripes, almost like an inverted creature. It was wearing very little clothing and had the chest of a woman. She (he thought) also had armor like plates running down its back. And carried a staff. It looked at Merlin.
"Oh?" it said in a voice that was definitely female. Yugi could clearly hear it and it made him shudder a little. "A Duel Spirit? Well what are you then? Go on. Change for me. I'll be nice and let you. I'm not in THAT much of a hurry."
Merlin's eyes narrowed dangerously. He didn't seem to like her much at all, not that Yugi could blame him. Every human, even though without Partners, knew that Duel Spirits from the Spirit Realm fought those from the Shadow Realm, and did so with a vengeance. They didn't like each other at all. The reason for this never ending war seemed to be because Spirit Realm Spirits were much kinder towards humans and most were even helpful towards them. They seemed to enjoy the company of humans as well, and were often very protective of the ones they came to care about. Shadow Realm Spirits however seemed to enjoy inflicting agony on any human they came across. Yugi was suddenly glad for Merlin's presence now more than ever. If he had been alone, well it probably wouldn't have been very pretty.
Merlin glanced back at Yugi, who looked pretty terrified, then seemed to decide he needed to take that chance. He stepped forward and took his true form, allowing the strange seal to reveal what he really was. The strange Shadow Spirit seemed to glare at him for a minute, her eyes narrowing dangerously. She eyed his staff a little apprehensively. Then she gave him another fanged smile. Merlin didn't seem to like that one bit and again stepped back in front of Yugi, raising his staff aggressively and clearly warning her even though he was silent to stay away.
"Ah," she said. "The 'King's Magician'. That's what the humans call your kind, yes? Oh come now darling do you really want to start a fight out here? You know how much damage it could do, don't you? Try to be civil for a while."
As if to prove what she was saying, she crossed her arms and held her staff off to the side, even going so far as to point it away from Yugi. Merlin didn't move, but his eyes narrowed more as he looked at her. It was obvious that he didn't trust her at all, and especially not around his Partner. Yugi chanced to peer around Merlin at the creature again, who winked and waved at him. Yugi felt that there was probably something more to this than she was letting on. Merlin didn't relax.
"What are you trying to do?" he growled in a dark voice. "Your kind hate humans, and yet you don't want to fight? What are you here for then?"
"Something the boy has," she replied. Merlin snarled at her. "Oh calm down won't you? I just want the object and then I'll leave. I have a mission, and time can't be wasted on killing some dumb human."
"She wants the Millennium Puzzle," Yami said in realization. "She can't have it. I don't quite remember why but...it's just very important. Keep it away from her!"
The creature seemed to size up Merlin for a moment, as if trying to decide whether making him angry was also worth her time or not. She then looked past the Dark Magician at the boy behind him. Her eyes however then fell upon the Millennium Puzzle hanging around his neck. Her jaw fell open, but her surprise was soon replaced with rage. Merlin was confused by her reaction, but quickly composed himself, ready to leap forward if she should prove dangerous.
"Impossible," she cried. "That puzzle has never been solved! How are you wearing it!" She took a step towards the boy and let out a hiss when Merlin stepped once forward to intercept her. "I didn't think it would happen so soon! This Millennium Item also has a protector!"
"Protector?" Yugi asked nervously.
"Yes," Yami replied. "While you solved and became the Master of the Millennium Puzzle, you're also it's protector."
Yugi was confused about this whole situation and what was going on. He glanced back at Yami, but he was frowning thoughtfully again. He wasn't too sure how he knew that Yugi was now the Millennium Puzzle's protector, or even really what that meant. But the Shadow Spirit was growing more and more aggressive. Merlin carefully watched her as she began to snarl a little, raising her staff and growing more and more ready to strike.
"What do you mean protector?" Merlin asked her carefully. "What is this about Millennium Items and the boy?"
"It means he protects it," she snarled. "The Millennium Puzzle answers only to him and gives him its powers, but he also keeps it safe."
"Safe?" Merlin asked. "Safe from what?"
"You speak too much Magician," she hissed. "Just know that I need it. My master needs it. Now hand it over boy, or I'll kill you. There's no negotiation this time."
Yugi was confused. What was he supposed to do? Her certainly didn't want to start an open battle with a Shadow Spirit out in the streets. People would get hurt, and Merlin wasn't just going to let her kill him so there was going to be a battle. He began to grow more and more nervous. If there was a battle his friends would probably come running back to try and help. He paused though, because Yami stepped forward and laid a hand on his shoulder.
"Yugi listen," he said. "We have to protect his puzzle, and I know you don't want this thing to hurt anyone. I have an idea. You're just going to have to trust me."
Yugi wasn't sure what Yami meant, but he didn't have any ideas. He gave him the slightest dip of his head to tell him that he understood. Then Yugi gasped as he felt almost a sharp tug in his mind. It didn't hurt, but when he looked up he found himself looking instead at Yami. Wait that was his body! Yugi looked down at himself and noticed that he seemed rather, well insubstantial. He left no imprint in the grass and cast no shadow. He looked up again.
Yami was taller than Yugi and even when he was in Yugi's body his height changed. His skin was paler than it had been when he was in his ghost form, though his hair had seemed to change with him. His eyes were much more severe looking, and he was full of confidence. He crossed his arms and looked up at the strange creature, and she paused to see the change in the boy. Yami had switched places with Yugi, and now he was in his body!
Merlin could sense the change as well, and he paused and turned around in surprise. He blinked and backed away a little in confusion at the change in his Partner as well. Yami on the other hand didn't even glance over in the direction of the Dark Magician, who could not see his Partner since he had switched places with Yami.
"You didn't think I'd let you get away with trying to steal this, did you?" Yami asked through Yugi's lips.
"What is this?" Merlin asked in confusion. "Who are you?"
"Don't worry," Yami promised him. "I didn't hurt Yugi. We just switched places. I know what I'm doing, well I think."
"You think?" Merlin asked.
"I don't have my memories," Yami replied. "Either way, I understand a way we can do this without causing massive damage to the city."
"You are," the Shadow Spirit said and paused. "The Spirit within the Millennium Puzzle, correct? An Ancient Spirit. Well why have you come out now then?"
Yami's eyes narrowed as he looked at her, and she seemed to pause and shift a little nervously. This other boy wasn't afraid of anything. She watched him carefully, then seemed to take a step forward. Merlin didn't seem to know what to do, and just looked very confused. Yami turned to look at him.
"I can see you're confused," he said. "Well know this then. I am the Spirit within the puzzle. Yugi and I met after he finished it, and he agreed to keep my existence a secret. I don't know who I am or even my own name. But I'm going to help you if I can."
"And just how do you plan to do that?" the Shadow Spirit asked. Yami gave her a long and hard look.
"With a Shadow Game," he replied.
There was suddenly a silence between all three of them. Yami folded his arms and looked directly at the Shadow Spirit, a clear challenge to her. Merlin felt a shudder pass through his body. He wasn't sure what Shadow Games were, but he wasn't sure he exactly wanted to find out. Yugi was just as confused as Merlin but remembered the box mentioning basically the same thing. The strange creature took a step forward and gave Yami a careful look, smiling her fanged smile and lowering her staff again as she did so.
"Interesting," she said with almost a purr. "And just what do you know of Shadow Games?"
"They're punishment games," Yami replied instantly, as if he knew it all by heart. "Shadow Games are played in a different space and time, and magic is heavily involved. If you break the rules during the game then horrible consequences await. If you don't uphold your part of the bargain in this game then they are much worse. The rules are set by the person who issues the challenge and cannot be changed at any point. We both bet something incredibly important, though conditions can be set by the challenger and accepted by the one who was challenged. Death was often a part of Shadow Games in the past."
"So you do know of Shadow Games," she said. "Fine then. What's your challenge?"
Yami closed his eyes, trying to think of something that he could use. What was he supposed to do? It was a huge risk he was taking, but if he didn't do this then a lot of people were going to get hurt. She was way too strong for a timid boy and a single Dark Magician to take care of. He was quiet for a while, then finally looked up again. There was nothing else he could do. He had to try something. Shadow Games were sometimes dictated solely by luck.
"A game of questions," he replied. "The rules are simple. We both ask questions, and the other tries to answer it. We get points based on questions we get right and questions our opponent gets wrong. For right answers you make you get two points. For wrong answers your opponent makes you get one. The first person to seven points is the winner. This however is my conditions. If you lose you're never to set foot into the Human Realm or the Spirit Realm ever again. However if you win I'll hand over the Millennium Puzzle."
"Interesting game," she replied, licking her lips carefully and savagely. "But I'm not leaving here without that puzzle. Just to be clear, there is no outside interference?" she gave Merlin a purposeful look.
"Of course,"
"Then boy I accept," she laughed. "I'm ready when you are."
At that, Yami raised his hands and cupped them around the sides of the Millennium Puzzle so the eye was still clearly visible. He gave Merlin a single glance, he nervously nodded. He didn't really have any other ideas and he was a little relieved that she wasn't going to attack anyone. Then he closed his eyes. The eye in the center of the puzzle seemed to glow a bright golden light, and then suddenly a bubble of darkness surrounded them. Yugi jumped and looked around. Right, another space and time. That's what this was. He felt himself nervous too. What was Yami planning?
"Well then boy," she said. "Since you're the challenger I'll go first. It's only polite that you let a lady go first after all." Yami simply nodded his consent. "Very well. My first question is this: How many levels exist in the Shadow Realm for humans who've strayed inside?"
"Seven," Yami instantly answered, again as if he knew it. "Each progresses in how terrible the human's punishment is according to what kind of person they were. The first level is little more than a place where evil people remain and become like the Spirits. The last level is a place of endless torture and death." the Shadow Spirit snarled a little.
"Correct," she said. "Well then boy? It's your turn now."
"That's two points for me," Yami said, ignoring her furious face. "Well then this is my first question. In history there are many Egyptian gods mentioned, however there were only a few that were real. What is the number of the true Egyptain gods?"
At this, the creature frowned as she thought. She seemed to have an idea of the answer, but she seemed unable to think of it. Yugi felt his hopes rising just a little bit. However the creature then looked directly at Yami.
"Three," she replied. "Though there were many ancient and immortal creatures that were revered as gods, only three were called 'true' gods. These were the gods that were often called forth by the pharaohs. Other such creatures exist as gods, but not exactly to the Egyptians."
"Correct," Yami said without batting an eye. "Two points for you. It's your turn again."
"Indeed it is," she said. "and I think it's safe to assume that we've both tested the waters with our questions. Now I'll ask something harder. My second question is this: What happens when all the Millennium Items are gathered together?"
At this question Yami frowned. What happened? He felt like he knew but he couldn't remember. In fact he was almost sure there was something blocking that memory. It frustrated him that he couldn't think of it. Was he going to have to guess? He closed his eyes as the creature smirked and tried to think. He finally opened his eyes.
"Legend says," he said with some difficulty. "That if all are gathered together then a great and terrible power will be once again unleashed. Something will be unlocked, and something will be released. Darkness will return to the world." He paused a moment. "And war will begin again." The strange female blinked then snarled again.
"Correct," she hissed. Yami forced himself to not sigh in relief. "Well then. It's your turn boy!"
"So it is," he replied, "and I have four points. Now for my second question: What word was written on the tomb of the unnamed pharaoh the most?"
The creature snarled as she looked at him, forcing herself to resist the urge to attack him. It would only harm her as well. She concentrated on a pebble lying on the sidewalk, forcing herself to try and come up with an answer that would work well. She looked up again and met the boy's determined eyes and only snarled more.
"The word is darkness," she replied. "It was written to warn the people that would come after and read the words against what was to come, but never reveal what that was. It's also the tomb that is hidden the best in the Valley of the Kings and has the fewest traps, as if to encourage someone to take the correct path." Yami was silent for a few moments.
"Correct," he replied. How did he know all of this? He shook his head. It wasn't important. The questions just kept coming to him. Unfortunately she knew them as well. "You now have four points, and we're tied again. Now it's your turn again."
The creature snarled and her cat like body bristled. Her long claws clacked against the cement. She needed a question that would stump him or she would lose. She should have insisted on going second! They were evenly matched and so he would always get more points than she would unless she could turn this around somehow! She needed to think of something he wouldn't know. She glanced down at her staff and then smiled slyly, looking up confidently. Yami paused and wavered just a moment, wondering what she was planning. However it soon passed and his determination returned.
"You're a good opponent boy," she said. "However are you good enough? My third question is this: What are my kind called?"
Yami's eyes narrowed as he watched her smirk. That's why she looked so confident. Who knew what kind of creatures lived in the Shadow Realm? Only those that had been there. It made sense that there were Duel Spirits in the Shadow Realm like in the Spirit Realm, only no one knew the names of these creatures because no one returned from the Shadow Realm to tell what they were. Also unlike Spirit Realm Spirits they didn't reveal their names or species to humans. They only knew the levels because the dark creatures loved to brag about it. He'd just have to go off of what he knew and take a guess. He supposed he should have made the rules more strict. He was silent for a long moment and looked at her carefully.
"You are a cat like creature," he said. "Probably from a jungle, and knowing the Shadow Realm it's probably something foul. You're also a Spell Caster." He closed his eyes and thought a moment. Now here came his guess. He felt like he knew Spirits well, and he supposed there was nothing else to do but rely on that instinct. "Your species is known as Sorceress of the Dark Jungle, Ailurotaur."
Her reaction was instant, and her jaw dropped. She seemed to grow even angrier than ever and bristled more. Merlin, who was still standing just to Yami's left and was silent, also bristled instinctively at the level of rage in her eyes. She carefully held herself in check though.
"Impossible," she cried. "How could you possibly know that?"
"It seems luck is in my favor," Yami replied. "And as such, I now have six points to your four. Now since you asked such a rather unfair question I think I'll return it with one of my own."
Yami closed his eyes and paused. Yes, but what kind of question could he ask? He needed to keep her from getting the Millennium Puzzle, but he couldn't cheat at this game or there would be some horrible things to come, and this wasn't even his body! He didn't particularly want to force Yugi to suffer because of him. At the thought of the boy that he had just switched places with he paused. Yes, he would have to ignore his instinct and think outside the box, and he had a good question that might be bale to win him this game. He looked up.
"I have no memories of my past," he said. "And I can't remember my name. As such, Yugi gave me a nickname of sorts so he could call me something. That name was Yami. So tell me, what does that name mean to me?"
The Sorceress snarled a little, and her cat like tail flicked as she eyed him. That was a rather unfair question, but she understood why he'd done it. If their situations had been reversed she would have done the exact same thing. She growled a little but thought carefully. It couldn't be that complicated. At last she gave him a snarl and raised her head.
"Yami means darkness," she said. "but that's far too easy. Your name means to you just that though, darkness. That puzzle gives you the power to play Shadow Games and safely control them. It is a harnessed weapon. And since you can play them, it means to you: shadow."
"Wrong," Yami said with a small smile. "You're right when you say it means shadow to me, but not that kind of shadow. To me it means that I am the shadow of what I once was. I am no one, so I am nothing but a shadow. And since you answered that incorrectly I get a point. That's seven points. The game is over, and I have won. Now you're going to have to leave."
"You lie," she roared.
"I can't lie," he replied. "If I had I would have been breaking the rules, and I would have received my punishment. You've lost the game, and if you don't leave and keep your part of the bargain you will be punished and severely. Remember, you can never set foot into this Realm or the Spirit Realm ever again."
"And who is there to enforce these rules?" she growled.
"The Shadow Games were first played in Ancient Egypt over five thousand years ago," Yami said in a dark and warning tone. "It is said that when a Shadow Game is played the gods of the Egyptians are watching, and they will punish those who break the rules. And they remain watchful for those who do not uphold the bargains they made."
The Ailurotaur paused as she looked up at the boy again. Merlin and Yugi both jumped a little and looked at Yami in surprise as well because at that point a very clear mark of a golden eye, much like the one on the Millennium Puzzle, appeared on his forehead, opening up suddenly and staring at the Duel Spirit from the Shadow Realm. It glowed brightly and had an unnervingly unblinking gaze. It was watching judging. She quickly backed up and forced herself to relax.
"I will go," she said grudgingly. "However it's also said that when the user of a Millennium Item enters a Shadow Game, those with similar items who are near can sense this game and will come looking. You should also know that I am not the only one who wants this item. Others will come, and my master has agents in many forms. But the game is over, and I accept my defeat. As agreed, I will leave and never return to this Realm or the Spirit Realm."
The creature turned then to walk away, and the unblinking eye faded from Yami's forehead. Then he sighed and closed his eyes, placing his hands in a cupped position around the Millennium Puzzle again. As the barrier keeping them in the realm of the game disappeared, Yugi felt the sharp tug again in his mind and was suddenly back in his own body. He jumped and looked behind him at the silent Yami, who looked as he had before.
Yugi turned to look for the Ailurotaur, but she was gone. Feeling relieved but also very nervous, he turned to look at Merlin. The Dark Magiciant hadn't moved or changed position and just blinked at the boy, who was now as short as always and had much gentler eyes. He wasn't sure what he was going to do.
"Merlin please," Yugi whispered nervously. "You can't tell anyone. Yami just helped save a lot of people. You know he did! I don't think he's evil, I know he's not! So please don't tell the others, or anyone. Something weird is going on. That thing wanted this!"
"It's dangerous," Merlin replied. "You heard what she said! Others will come! Well you're going to get hurt if they do. Can Yami play Shadow Games and defeat them all?"
"I don't know," Yugi replied quietly. "But we can't let them get their hands on it." he held the Millennium Puzzle carefully in his hands. "You heard him too. If all of them are gathered together something really bad is going to happen! Right now we're the only ones who can protect the world, because apparently if we don't war will come again. You understand don't you? We have to protect this for as long as we can!" Merlin paused as he watched Yugi, but he knew that the boy was right. This was dangerous, but letting it go could prove more so. He looked down.
"Fine," he said. "But I still don't trust him, these Shadow Games, or that puzzle. I'll keep your secret though, and I'll help you protect it." Yugi smiled, looking very relieved.
"Thanks Merlin," he said. "I know you can trust him. Just give him some time. You'll find he's not a bad person."
"I'll be the judge of that," he said. "Now let's go."
Merlin returned to his human form and turned to walk away. Yugi quickly followed, with a silent and thoughtful Yami close behind. However as they were walking, they didn't notice another pair of eyes watching, astonished from the shadows.
These eyes were blue, but long dead and held very little emotion. They had no life in them, and there was no spark at all. They belonged to a man that was already dead. The man wore a long tan cloak and a white cloth over his head. He appeared to be around eighteen or so, but he was still a young man. Golden and large hoop earrings hung from his ears, and on his chest another golden object glittered. His eyes followed Yugi in obvious surprise, and they remained locked on his Millennium Puzzle until the boy turned a corner and disappeared from view.
The blue eyes narrowed thoughtfully. But the figure didn't follow the boy or even make his presence known to him. He turned instead and walked away, tapping the golden object on his chest once. The air shimmered around him as if in a desert mirage, and then he disappeared.
Take a wild guess who that was. ;)
Also, I'm just making the Spirits from the Shadow Realm up. The name Ailurotaur comes from the word Ailuro (like in Aliurophobia which is a fear of cats) and taur is taken from the word centaur (which you know is a half human half horse person). I basically just made up a word for a made up Yugioh card xD
Anyway, I hope you enjoyed the chapter. This character at the end (not saying who in case you don't know for spoilers) will appear a lot and have quite a lot of significance in this story, and not like he did in the Anime.