Chapter 6
She was reclining on what looked like piles upon lies of soft, plush cushions, which were all varying shades of red: from deep blood reds to rich burgundy colours. It complimented the terracotta colours that the rest of the room was done in (Bakura thought that there was something wrong with the woman if her secret hide-out was all colour coordinated, but then again it could be that way because she was a woman). Surrounding her were what looked like her bodyguards, although instead of guarding her life they were treating her like Cleopatra.
She wore black satin robe that just about reached mid thigh, revealing long milky white legs. She was barefoot with a small butterfly tattoo on her ankle. She had long raven black hair that was done up small plaits which were then pulled together in an intricate bun. Her wide green eyes were outlined in kohl and there was the faintest trace of blusher on her high cheek bones. Bakura could sense the effect she was having on her guards and it made him sick. Yes, he could see that she was beautiful, but she could have been a sack of potatoes for all the effect she had on him.
Not one bit worried at the fact that they just barged into her 'hideout', she was instead enjoying her treatment to the fullest. Either she was expecting them and just didn't care either way or they had managed to catch her unawares. That still didn't explain however, why she looked like she would look more comfortable standing on street corners ay night.
"So good of you to make it. My name's Safiya. It's a pleasure." she said and smiled, a slow seductive curl of her lips. Bakura knew that she was aware of the effect she had on the men in this room and that she used it to her full advantage.
"Hn. How did you know we were coming?" Atemu asked, as unfazed by her as Bakura was. She shifted on the cushions and her robe rode up a little higher, which sent the levels of sexual tension emanating from her guards soaring in the room. Frankly, it was starting to piss Bakura off.
"When you and gorgeous over there," she said, indicating to Bakura, "Took one of my boys' soul, I sensed your power and memorised the signature. So I knew it was you as soon as you entered this area."
"So you know why we're here. That saves us a shitload of work." Bakura crossed his arms over his chest and smirked at her. "So are we gonna go about this the easy way or am I going to have to send your soul to the shadows as well." His smirk widened, "Please say you'll choose option two; I never have any fun around here anymore."
"Speaking of the shadows," Atemu smoothly interjected, "Before we send your soul there, there's a question I've been meaning to ask you. What type of magick do you use? It's obvious it's not the same as ours."
"I really shouldn't tell you this…but since you're oh-so sexy, I think I can make an exception just for you." She bent one of her legs and put the foot flat on the floor, giving everyone and their uncle a clear view of what was underneath her robe. "Like most things in this world, my magick is from ancient Egypt. It was used a lot by the priests and three millennia ago, and Pharaohs started to use it as well. It's less known about but by no means less powerful."
I think I know what magick she's talking about Atemu. Since not every one could command the shadows, they turned to other forms of magick. And after you sealed your soul away to stop the Shadow Games, it makes sense that Pharaohs would begin to use that method of magick.
The proverbial light bulb went off in Atemu's mind. Yes I remember. There was an incident a few months after I first came to the throne. A lesser priest didn't feel I was fit to be Pharaoh, but lacked the shadow powers necessary to defeat me. So he turned to another form of magick. Atemu smirked. That still didn't help the bastard when he decided to challenge me. Out loud he said, "I know the magick of which you speak." He smirked humourlessly, "It still doesn't measure up to my powers, however."
"Hmm," Safiya purred as she rose gracefully to her feet. "If you are so powerful, then why do you waste your time protecting this worthless town? With the power you describe at your fingertips, no one could stop you." She sauntered over to them as she spoke, a light sway to her hips that seemed to hypnotise her guards (Bakura thought that the only reason they were there was to make her look better since they were useless for anything else). She laid her hands on Bakura's chest and stepped closer until she was flush against him. Bakura glanced at the hands that were making themselves quite comfortable where they were, then back up at her. He raised an eyebrow. "If you were to fight with me rather than against me, there would be nothing we couldn't do." She began to slowly inch her hands downwards. "What do you say, hmm?" Her hands reached the waistline of Bakura's cargo pants and she slipped her hands underneath his shirt, tracing his abdominal muscles with her fingertips. Atemu's left eye twitched as he watched what she was doing.
Oh how cliché. I can't believe she gave the whole 'join me' speech. And trying to seduce you as well!
I thought she was better than villains you see in the movies.
Just as her hands were about to disappear down Bakura's cargo pants Bakura grabbed both of her wrists in one hand and held them above her head. She shot him a coy look which transformed into a smirk as he leaned in closer, his mouth by her ear. It seemed as though that particular tactic had worked for her before.
The smirk fell from her face, however, as he whispered, "I'm sure your party tricks usually work on men, but unfortunately for you, I seem to be immune to your 'charms', so sorry to disappoint you. I'm gay and my lover's standing just to your left, trying to figure out the most painful way to kill you." He flung her arms back harshly, causing her to stumble a bit before she regained her footing. Her guards suddenly came alive then and as one they took a menacing (or at least would've been menacing to a lesser person) step forward as one, only for Safiya to signal for them to stop. She hmphed and straightened out her barely-there robe.
"Well since you can't be…swayed, I guess I'll just have to dispose of you."
She isn't serious, is she? Atemu's incredulous thought drifted through Bakura's mind.
Apparently,
Fool! They both felt the energy gathering around her and her own power spike then start to rise rapidly. However, when seemed that she had gathered all her energy, it was only about enough to cause one of them problems, never mind take on the both of them. Bakura smirked; it would be too easy.
Atemu closed his eyes and the eye of Horus flashed into being as he called on the shadows. And they came eagerly, consuming the room and all its inhabitants until all that was left was inky darkness. Safiya glanced anxiously around her, having never experienced anything like the Shadow Realm, before she remembered her audience and adopted a haughty expression.
"Is that all you've got?" she taunted, not letting any of her nervousness through. Bakura grinned, a baring of his teeth that looked vaguely demonic as he automatically went on the offensive, the shadows surrounding him like a shroud. He and Atemu had worked together enough to know what each other worked best at. He felt Atemu gather his magick at his fingertips even as he himself called on the power of the Sennen Ring.
"You haven't seen anything yet."
She launched her attacked, designed to weaken them enough for her to take their souls, but Atemu raised his hands and a wall of pure darkness rose in their wake, stopping the attack dead without even some much as wavering under the strain.
"Is that all you've got?" Bakura mocked, a throwback to her earlier taunt. "My turn." The shadows leapt from Bakura at Safiya, wrapping themselves around her and engulfing her completely as tendrils of the darkness dug into her skin like needles, leaving a burning behind even as her body grew cold. Atemu and Bakura smirked as her screams reverberated around the room. Her guards looked on helplessly as the screaming abruptly stopped and the form of Safiya collapsed to the ground.
"Well that was easy. I thought she would've created more of a challenge." Bakura sneered down at her before he and Atemu turned to leave. They'd just reached the door when they heard muffled words and then a thud. They turned back to see one of her guards laying lifeless on the ground and Safiya making her way unsteadily to her feet. She mumbled the same words again and another guard fell to ground. Atemu felt her power grow as she started to repeat the same words over and over again and each time a guard dropped like a stone to the ground. It was then that Atemu finally understood why she wanted souls.
The souls she takes, it gives her power.
Thank you, Detective Obvious. Atemu scowled at the sarcastic response but did nothing because at that point, Safiya was back on her feet looking none the worse for wear, with all her guards soulless at her feet.
"Right, time for round two." She fired the same attack, this time with exponentially more power. Atemu raised the same shield just as the assault hit it. It held for a second, then a huge crack appeared in it before it suddenly shattered, leaving the attack headed straight for Atemu.
Atemu!
Contact.
An explosion, one that rocked the very foundations of the building and forced Bakura and Safiya to their knees.
Silence, then: I'm…fine, I'm alright, I think…owww.
"Well," she smirked and got to her feet. She dusted herself off and said, "One down, one to go." She turned her attention to Bakura just as the smoke started to clear, revealing Atemu standing there proudly, his form protected by Big Shield Guardna. A few scratches were present, and there were bruises that would make their presence known the next day but other than that, Atemu was fine. He thanked the duel monster and dismissed him, then turned to the angry Safiya.
"Better luck next time." Atemu waved his hand and Safiya felt her limbs lock and her body go rigid. It was different to the one he used on Yugi; this one was a total immobility spell and much more powerful, as Safiya found out as she tried to utter a spell to counteract the binding spell and found that she couldn't even wiggle her tongue, never mind move her mouth. Bakura took over from there and drew on the considerable energies of the Ring to take her soul. The Ring glowed brightly as Bakura raised his arm and pulled on Safiya's soul. Even though she was bound her soul was loath to leave her body. It left her body inch by inch, as if it was clinging on by its fingertips. Her body crumpled to the ground, her eyes wide and unseeing as Bakura gave one final yank and her soul came free of her body. Bakura then reached into nether-space and pulled his Man-Eater Bug card out. He called the monster forth and instructed it to devour her soul. They both turned to leave for the second time, not caring about the empty shell left on the floor. Bakura decided to contact Ryou as they made their way down the stairs and let him know what happened.
Ryou, it's over and we won with no casualties. Me and Atemu are on our way home. He sensed Ryou's relief and joy before he cut the connection. Once that was taken care of, Atemu opened a portal in the Shadow Realm to take them home. They felt arms warp around their waists before they were fully out of the Shadow Realm.
"Are you sure you're both alright?" asked Ryou after he'd finally released them. Atemu smiled as Bakura said,
"Don't worry, everything's fine."
xXx
I dunno. I'm still not pleased about this chapter but I can't be assed to write it again so I hope you all enjoy it XD
