Where the End Stops and the Start Begins
CHAPTER SEVEN
Draw the First Blood
"Who could that be at this time of the night?" Yugi asked himself as he made his way to the front of his home, at least the more residential part of it. He snuck a quick glance at the wall clock that hung itself on the nearest wall. "It's so late." He yawned lightly as he motioned for the doorknob.
The King of Games trusted it would be safe to open the door despite the ungodly hour, and without so much as a quick peek through the peephole. While the years taught Yugi more things that he would ever thought to learn, trust was something that never changed. It was, perhaps, one of his many charms.
"Kaiba?" His eyes widened at the presence of the CEO right at his doorstep. He noted that Seto looked a bit distressed, compared to how this visitor would look on other days,
"Have you found anything?" Seto, not one to beat around the bush, asked without pleasantries or minced words.
Yugi, however, knew precisely what the CEO asked. He then motioned for the other to enter his home, welcoming him regardless of his need for sleep. He led his visitor to the kitchen, where he served Seto and himself water.
"I thought you weren't interested in these things?" The King of Games began as he took a seat in front of the man who was once his rival. "What changed?"
There was silence in between them. Yugi could tell that the other was still collecting his thoughts. He knew that the CEO's concern had hefty weight; especially when Seto had to formulate ideas at the very moment they were in discussion. It was rare, for someone who always had something to say even in his silence. For a short moment, Yugi was reminded of his best friend, Katsuya – whom shared some semblances with Seto, in his own manner. As he waited for the CEO to answer, Yugi wondered if his thought would be insulting to them.
"I've been having dreams, which I now believe are memories of some sorts," Yugi snapped out of his mind and tuned into what the CEO had to say, "of Jounouchi's death in the previous life."
"W—what do you mean?" Were the only words that came out from the King of Games, obviously taken a back by how Seto decided to phrase his thoughts.
"Your other self is in it as well. He tells me I killed your friend." Seto continued without tearing away from the view before him, a confused Mutou Yugi. "Perhaps Jounouchi is the consort – no, he is the consort in the prophecy." The CEO's words, however, did not stop at the point. Before Yugi could even follow-up with his own questions, Seto decided it was best to recount the events that unfolded. At least the ones he knew of.
There was not much he could share from Katsuya's side. There were no words that were in exchange when he drove his ex home. Mokuba, as well, decided to keep to himself at the back seat. Even with awkward offering of drive-thru, none of his passengers showed signs of interest. After he made sure that Katsuya was fine (and Katsuya was pretty adamant that he was despite obviously shaken), he dropped off his little brother. The entire drive, including the one going to his former rival, had been quite deafening.
On the receiving end, Yugi was intent on listening. Every detail shared, to him, was information that could most likely avert the impending catastrophe. The stakes were even higher when it was his friends that played pivotal roles – and without an Egyptian spirit to guide him, Yugi knew he had to double his efforts. So if it meant having to get out of bed in the middle of the night, and away from the warmth and comfort of his fiancé's arms, then those were small ounces of sacrifice that he was willing to make.
"Ka—Jounouchi now has markings around his wrist." Seto continued, briefly forgetting which name to use when addressing his former partner. "The Ishtars promised me a report on their findings tomorrow morning. But with the matter seemingly growing worse, I feel the need to gather all possible resources to stop this."
Yugi nodded as he found no need to prod further as to why Seto was about to address his best friend with his given name. "I agree and I think Bakura will too, since we're also actually working with Ishizu and Marik as well, at least with the available books we have from our end." The latter replied, "let's regroup tomorrow. But… what about Jou?"
"Jounouchi is alright for now. He will, however, demand to be in the loop. We're both concerned, after all."
"How about you, how are you?"
Seto looked at Yugi with a questioning gaze. Not once had he fathomed where he stood amongst the growing fiasco that was the damned prophecy, regardless of the information that had been sprawled right in front of him.
There was no answer, but Yugi knew he had to offer Seto tea – at the very least.
Ishizu, in bed with her laptop, scrolled down the photos of the near-complete scrolls that her younger brother sent in earlier. She intently studied each and every detail to make sure the notes that were attached to the file matched the tidbits of information they were describing. The curator, by all means, could have sent in the report to her benefactor as soon as she finished cleaning the file into a simpler compilation – easy for the non-academic to understand; however, she could not. Especially when the story presented itself without advice or solution.
It was just Atem and his scribe telling an unfortunate tale.
What Ishizu had in her hands was definitely something she could not show her benefactor or Yugi. Yet she knew there was nothing else she could do but merely supply what was possible. It was at times like these (which were rare occurrences) that she wished to still harbor the power of the Millennium Necklace. At least with that piece of artifact, she could give sound pieces of advice for those who looked for it.
Ishizu released a sigh – just as soon as a notification from her younger brother appeared on the screen. Normally, she would have reprimanded her brother for disturbing her quiet night; however something pulled her into answering the video call that Marik requested all too suddenly. She could only hope that it was an answer to the problem.
"We found something just now." Marik, with disheveled hair tied back, began without a greeting. Not that the older Ishtar minded, she could understand that he and the team back in Egypt were near-sleepless in fast-tracking the research.
"What is it?" Ishizu asked promptly.
The older Ishtar watched as Marik motioned quietly, as though he was about to send another file to his sister. "The papyrus is too fragile to move," he said, "so it's just a photo of the first page for now."
Ishizu wore her glasses, which she rested on her nightstand. She then moved closer to the screen as soon as the file loaded in. The photo was clear enough for her to see scriptures yet she could not form a single thought. There were drawings on the sides, symbols – the curator assumed – of what the ancient papers told.
Marik, who observed his sister from the other side of screen, spoke. "It might be another part of the prophecy. But the strokes are different from the scripts in Atem's records – we'll look into it as soon as we can."
"Get some rest first." The older of them calmly ordered. "You won't be able to function without proper sleep."
"Alright."
Ishizu wore a caring smile; however, it disappeared at the sudden memory of her conversation with the future incarnation of the pharaoh. "About Yugi's question?"
The younger Ishtar shook his head. "We've spoken to Pegasus, he claims to have no knowledge of the situation. The other half of the team here is reviewing whatever we have on the Millennium Items though." He answered with a glum tone.
"Why the Millennium Items?" The older asked with a concerned look gracing her face. She knew full well that while they had all moved on from the fiasco of the yesteryears, it was still a sensitive topic to deal with. Especially for her brother – he had suffered much more, of course. With her own regrets of what happened back then, Ishizu was allowed to feel protective of her family even when it was too late.
"It feels like we should; especially when the pharaoh and the high priest are involved."
"Alright then, I will send this over to Yugi and Kaiba in the morning." Ishizu nodded tentatively, "Thank you, Marik. However, please promise me to take special care of yourself first and foremost."
"Of course. Get some rest, good night."
The video call ended with another sigh from the curator. She closed the program and returned to reviewing the information that was handed to her; especially with new data to add to the report Kaiba Seto and Mutou Yugi both had asked from her. All the more, she was not comfortable with what she had to send to the two. There were officially more questions than answers.
"Yugi, where are you—Kaiba?" Anzu's yawn was cut short as she ventured down the stairs, only to be met by Seto, whom looked to have been inside their home for a while. Her eyes met the CEO's almost too instantly.
"Mazaki, sorry for disturbing your evening." Seto nodded. Of course, he acknowledged an unwanted interruption when he saw one. After all, it was a weekend.
"Not at all," Anzu, who was fixing her robe, shook her head as she reached the foot of the stairs. "But we have to stop meeting with an apology." She wore a good-natured smile that was enough to wave off any worry that Seto felt for his sudden visitation. "What are you doing here this late though?"
"He just had some questions that needed answers. My phone was dead, so I didn't get to answer." Yugi, who appeared from the kitchen to join the group, reasoned. "I'll see you tomorrow." He said to the CEO, who was prepared to take his leave.
The CEO motioned to agree. After which he said, "I apologize for the interruption again, Mazaki and Mutou."
Yugi stepped forward to lead Seto out of their home. Once their former classmate exited, Yugi closed the door and was met with a fiancé, whom was holding his phone in her hands – fully charged and had zero notifications on its bar. He blinked twice and, immediately, panic shot up his spine at the realization that she just caught him lying to her.
"Your volume's also up," Anzu crossed her arms. "Explain?"
The King of Games scratched the back of his head and smiled. There was no way he would be able to escape the situation. Not that he would be able to keep her out of it for too long. They were a team, and with their wedding coming soon, they would be working together even more. Yugi might as well share what he knew, at least those that he deemed worthy to share with his future wife.
Ruling out other parts of the story, where Yugi was sure Seto would be uncomfortable of sharing, he told Anzu some of the significant parts of the account. He began from when the CEO had arrived up until the part when he was having dreams that concerned the prophecy. Yet made no mentions of Katsuya's name. Until he reached the end, when he carefully introduced who was the consort in question.
"Jou's what now?"
"Jou's the consort." Yugi calmly stated, repeating their best friend's name.
"A—and where is he now? How's he taking it? How's Kaiba taking any of it?" She continued her questions without a pause in between. Yugi took a hesitant step back each time the other took one forward. "Well?"
"Kaiba did say he drove Jou home, so he's probably at his apartment. He also said Jou was a bit shaken about the whole thing – I mean, who wouldn't be?" Yugi looked at his fiancée with a sad huff. He crossed his own arms and stood properly.
"Right." Anzu, too, stood up properly. "And Kaiba?"
"Kaiba, well, he's trying to be okay for now. They both are." Yugi's brows furrowed.
The other reached out to hand the mobile phone back to Yugi, who had taken it without questions. She landed her hand softly on her fiancé's cheek before she pulled him close to her for a warm embrace. Yugi was worried, Anzu knew that much. And she wanted to share the burden with him. As much as she wanted to support her friends, it was her duty to give even more support to her future husband.
"Tell me what you need me to do," she said, "I'm with you."
"Thank you." Yugi returned the hug with his.
It had been hours since Seto had dropped him off, and Katsuya still could not find it in himself to move from the couch. He continued to lie there, still in the quiet. He was not quite sure what to feel yet. Part of him had been thoroughly baffled by the idea that he was involved in the story. The rest had been torn between being happy to have been a part of Seto's previous as well as his current life and angered as to why he had to participate in it.
However, emotional rollercoaster aside, what resonated to Katsuya most were the words his ex-boyfriend had casted to him. If I had known you wanted me to, then I would have back then – it was a thought that rang to him crystal clear, despite having been engulfed by a memory from his previous life. The idea that CEO may have been serious in what he said made Katsuya's heart pound. He felt heat spread across his cheeks. Seto, Katsuya admitted to himself, still had the power to both unsettle and settle him, even amidst the mess caused by a prophecy he was sure none of them prayed for. He did not know whether it was a blessing or a curse.
He held his wrist up at the remembrance of the heat of Seto's hand around it, the one that had been surrounded by characters he could not decipher. He realized that they were not glowing anymore – that the symbols had tattooed themselves on around his wrist in white ink. They were barely visible yet, if one would look close enough, they were noticeable. Katsuya could not help but admire them despite his growing discomfort.
He turned to his side and decided he would sleep on his couch.
Katsuya's eyes closed and he saw nothing but darkness.
Precious child. Until another figure – Montu-Ra appeared in his blank state of mind. The god reached out a hand to stroke his cheek before he moved closer. I promise to protect you in this lifetime and the next. I promise to steal you away from harm. He said as Katsuya found himself leaning into the touch. Strangely, and he hated himself for it, he felt comfort in the Egyptian god's hold.
Yet it was not the same as the home he had felt when Seto had him in his hands.
Katsuya pulled away from Montu-Ra's gentle hold just when he realized he had to step back. It was wrong to have let himself almost be whisked away by an entity that threatened to harm the one person he held dearly.
Falcon eyes, in turn, sharpened just as the hand that caressed Katsuya's face tightened into a fist. The other could tell his act had caused the god displeasure. Fear then crawled its way up his body as he found himself paralyzed at the fierce look Montu-Ra had given him.
I will destroy him, the very one that destroyed you! He bellowed – which had caused Katsuya to open his eyes and seat up from the couch.
Katsuya's breath came heavily upon his wake from what he deemed to be a nightmare. He looked around to grasp reality and was happy to find that he was safe in his home, despite alone. "Shit." He cursed as he decided to rest his heads in his hands just as he pulled his knees closer to his body.
Only to notice that his other wrist glowed the same way the first did earlier that night.
Katsuya could only panic as he looked for his phone, which he found conveniently on the coffee table that matched the sofa that he wished to have slept in. He was desperate and he needed a lifeline.
He swiftly tapped in a number he had memorized by heart and managed to calm himself after a few rings – "hello, mom?" Katsuya greeted just when his mother picked up from the other side of the world.
"'Tsuya?" His mother responded with a tone that he knew meant she was concerned. After all, while her son had called from time-to-time, it never occurred during on a Friday morning while she was at work. Moreover, not when it was during one in the morning, Japan time. "What's wrong, honey? How are you?"
Katsuya wore a smile as he once again found the security he had lost during his nap. It was moments as such that he found himself grateful to be a part of a loving and supportive family – never mind that it was years too late. At least some part of the universe had been merciful and kind to him. "I'm good," he sniffed even when the fear began to subside, "I just miss you guys."
Seto saw Katsuya in his dream once more – or whoever he was before. It was evening, he guessed, with only the flames of the torches that lined the corridor keeping things visible to the eye. That Katsuya stood before him while dressed in Egyptian armory. It was adorned in gold that matched his untamed mane. The uniform was an appropriate partner to the ornate headdress, which the latter held in his hands, at the level of his abdomen. It was unlike what he had seen on normal soldiers in the books and archives he studied. Katsuya, of that era, was indeed a special character.
The CEO then realized that there were familiar symbols that wrapped around the Egyptian Katsuya's wrist. The very characters that wrapped around his former partner in the present time – at that realization, Seto could only wear a deep frown.
I do not belong to you, priest. He heard Katsuya's past self spoke in a tone that complemented the defiance in his eyes. I do not wish to belong to you nor to anyone. I am a warrior of my own choosing, only I can dictate who I pledge my loyalties to.
You speak such language and yet your hands are bound to a god, Seto caught himself speaking; however not on his own accord. It was then that it dawned to him that he was merely an audience of the exchange. You do not walk the words you talk – it is pathetic. He felt himself move forward, claiming a space that was too close for the latter.
They stood in front of each other with a tension that was strong enough to suffocate bystanders. However none of them seemed to mind. They enjoyed it, the very same connection that he once celebrated with his version of Katsuya.
If you are here to insult me, then I take my leave. The latter scowled. However he remained where he stood. Not even an inch, Seto noticed, that he moved to take leave.
I am not, at least, not on purpose. The CEO's past self hesitated as he paused for a moment. I come before you, beseeching that you dictate your loyalties towards me. He heard his voice speak as he leaned closer to the past Katsuya. Look at only me, Jono.
You… killed… him – it was then that Atem's voice rang from behind Seto. At the same time, he gained control of the body he resided in. Consequently, the CEO whipped his head back to find that the pharaoh stood upright yet far from him with a hand raised to point at the direction where Katsuya's past stood. Seto curiously turned to it, only to find that the latter had disappeared just as the hallway they had been in quickly faded into black.
Atem had gone as well.
A figure, however, slowly took shape before him – a familiar one that he had seen before. It was the falcon-headed Egyptian god of war, whom the present Katsuya conjured. Upon the completion of its manifestation, Seto realized he began to return to his original form. In the present version of his body.
The CEO looked closer as another form began to appear in the god's hold. Katsuya, the present one, was asleep in the bridal carry of the card that came to life. Seto was not one bit happy about the scene.
Montu-Ra moved closer, enough for Seto grasp how lithe his form was compared to the deity before him. In fact, Katsuya had looked almost as though he was in his preteens with the way the god had him in his arms. I shall take him away from you and your insolence.
Seto did not expect what happened next, all he saw was the gust of wind that raced towards him – slicing the dark ground beneath their feet. He attempted to shield himself, regardless of the knowledge that it was all a dream. Upon reaching the first arm that held the CEO's defense, the sharp air vanished as if it had never been there at all – like it was a figment of Seto's imagination.
And yet there was a sting.
Let this encounter be a warning to you.
Seto left his dream and woke in the morning.
Blood from his arm had stained his sheets.
TO BE CONTINUED
