The Son of Day

by Like Stars in Twilight

Two lives, one born of the morning, the other, of the night. A deal is struck, a secret is given, and a king is brought to bear. And they must all deal with the consequences.

10. Ultimate Dragon

Hmm. This has been a long time coming; forgive me, I'm a rather slow writer. Hopefully, I'll finish this story within the year. Hopefully. As always, thank you all for your support, and please forgive any typos.

Also, if you haven't already, please check out Anzu Fan's story, Sudden Hope. I assure you, you won't regret it.

---

She wanted to curse, to cry out, to beg for help. But there was no one, not Dartz, certainly, and she had no friends, nor allies of any sort. She was alone. Still, the fear of dying forced her to keep trying - to keep looking for the tiny details that might save her. Darkness crept over the edges of her vision, and she felt cold. No vampire had the right to feel cold. It was wrong. It was disturbing.

She was going to die.

Mai caught flashes of different things. She saw the dhampir's hair as it writhed, tendrils of it wrapping over her arms. His wings opened, and they reminded her of a darkened sun, of an eclipse at noon. He was young, so very young. Not even into his first century yet, and so he was younger than even the smallest vampire child. Embarrassment traced her spine. It should have been impossible for him to entrap her. He was nothing, a half-blood abomination, a freak. And yet he had subdued her with the softest touch of his mind. Mai had been reckless, absolutely foolish, for this to happen. She had to find a way to free herself, now, before the dhampir took the last drop of her blood…

Another flash, but this time what she saw was in her mind's eye. Oh? What's this? She thought, intrigued. His thoughts were like bursts of lightning, vivid and brilliant and swift.

…His mother was there, tall and dangerously imposing, her anger frightening. Atem was injured, the wound taken some time during a mission. It was no minor thing, either - there was blood everywhere, and the healers whispered of a possibility of infection. And where had Yugi been? Close, but not close enough. Atem had grown irritated at him, had snapped angrily that Yugi had no business trailing him anywhere. So Yugi had followed behind, out of sight, far enough that Atem wasn't aware of his presence. It had been a mistake. The vampire had come out of nowhere, and Yugi hadn't reached his brother in time…

His mother's full arm slap staggered him. He met her eyes, saw the hatred so stark within them, and whispered, "It won't happen again. I swear."

Mai felt weak. Half of her blood was gone, at the very least. But the dhampir's memories were enthralling, and she realized that he was woefully inexperienced, to allow his thoughts to bleed into her mind like this. And it came to her that she could exploit his inexperience, if she played her cards right.

Another flash came, on the heels of the last.

For the first time he could remember, she held his hand. Atem was not here, so he wondered if his mother had mistaken Yugi for his twin. It had never happened before, but it was dark here, and maybe his mother couldn't see him properly… It felt good - no, better than good. He couldn't make himself let go of her fingers. They were warm, gentle, and for a minute, a strong sense of comfort rose within him, and he felt utterly safe. Shyly, he gazed up at her. Bits of sun light lingered over her hair, and for once, her face held a kind, soft expression. It was odd, seeing an emotion other than extreme coldness on his mother's face. But if she thought that he was Atem, then it would only be natural that her face held happiness.

"Mommy," he said, forgoing the use of her title, "I'm not Atem. I'm…"

"I know who you are." Yugi blinked confusedly, suddenly frightened. His mother knew he wasn't Atem, and yet she still held his hand? He didn't understand. For all of Yugi's life, he'd known fully what was expected of him: to be strong, never for a moment showing weakness, to train until he was utterly, absolutely perfect. And he had to do everything on his own, for there was no one, and there would be no one, to help him - especially not his mother. He was to fulfill her expectations. So long as he did that, his mother would have no issue with him. But he didn't have the same relationship with her that Atem had - one where Yugi could simply hold his mother's hand, or hug her, if he felt scared.

Yugi had always been encouraged to never touch his mother. She was the Head of the Council, and an important person. It wasn't the same for Atem - for Atem was important, too. So, why were things different today?

His mother led him to a dark place, down deep, away from sunlight. There were cells here - small, cramped spaces with bars of thick silver. It smelled bad. Yugi shivered.

"Mommy, why are we here?"

His mother said nothing. Her fingers released his hand, and instead rested on the back of his neck. She pushed him, firmly, toward a cell that was bigger than the others, which reeked of a disturbing, foul scent.

The bars of this cell were black, and beyond them, there was darkness. Yugi couldn't see anything - - and then a hand, overwhelmingly pale, reached out from the cell without warning.

He jumped back, suppressing a scream, but the hand, with its long talons, took a hold of his wrist. "My sons," hissed a desperate voice, "have you seen them? You've seen them. I miss them, I miss them…please tell me where they are."

For a split second, Yugi couldn't believe his eyes. How had Atem's friend, Ryou, gotten into this cell? But no, this wasn't Ryou - Ryou didn't have eyes with blackened whites, and irises that glowed golden in the dark. And Ryou certainly didn't have wings.

It was a vampire - a vampire that shared Ryou and Bakura's features, the angles of their faces and the white of their hair. Her wings, pale as her hair, the feathers stained with filth, began to tremble.

"Please tell me," the vampire whispered, her demonic eyes filling with tears of blood. "Tell me where they are."

Yugi's mother leaned down, murmuring softly in his ear, "Little Bakura and Ryou's mother is like you. A dhampir, a half-blooded monster." His mother sighed, her fingers tightening over his neck. "She once was a healer of power, and her talent was unmatched by any other. But now she has lost her humanity."

Yugi felt himself trembling. Ryou and Bakura's mother continued to stare at him, weeping and pleading, and a surge of absolute fear rose within him, until Yugi was sure that he would vomit. The vampire - the dhampir - held his wrist so gently within her talons, her fingers warmer than even his mother's, but Yugi wanted to run away, and never look back.

He felt his mother's hand slid down his cheek in a gentle caress. "The moment you lose yourself, the very second you allow your humanity to slip away, you shall share her fate. I will lock you down here, and you will remain in darkness for the rest of your existence." Her fingers cupped his chin. "Do you understand? Don't lose control, Yugi."

Her mind was steadily falling into a haze. The dhampir's memories continued to leak into her consciousness, until she was drowning, consumed, unable to differentiate between herself and him. His memories were her own; she felt the pain, the desperation, the shame of living half-human…and it was torturous. Mai couldn't bear it - this had to stop now, before she went insane.

She took a chance, her only chance, and fed him a memory of her own

.…There was a beauty, a certain grotesque loveliness, in the burning forms of the two vampires. They were a mated pair, and beneath the white-hot caress of the blue flames, they held each other's hands, even as they both screamed. Mai felt vaguely disgusted. The smell of burning vampire flesh, and the soft laughter of Pegasus, left a foul taste in her mouth. Still, she stood and watched, for it was good to understand the King's power; Pegasus, it seemed, was more a force to be reckoned with than she'd first thought.

In the dark heights of the court, thousands of glittering eyes gazed upon the burning traitors. It pleased Pegasus to make a public spectacle of their deaths – a warning to anyone who thought themselves strong enough to stand against him. Mai snorted slightly. Those two vampires, of the line of Mazaki, possessed Imperial blood more noble than Pegasus could even fathom– if things had been as they should be, Pegasus would have been kneeling to them. But somehow the King had conspired to have them destroyed, and the nobles of the Imperial court said nothing, did nothing, to stop him.

The feathers of the two vampires' wings were curling and withering in the flame. Mai had heard, a century or so ago, that these vampires, the last of the Mazaki blood, had had a child, a daughter. No doubt Pegasus had feared his position as King - his crown had been taken through ill begotten means, though that had been so long ago that few vampires even remembered it. But the Mazaki vampires, with the birth of their new daughter, posed an extreme threat to Pegasus, for they could trace their bloodline to the first Ancestors - rightfully, they should have taken the ruler-ship, not Pegasus. But the Mazaki pair had always been rather passive, even somewhat peace-seeking…and thus, in the Imperial court, they were all but pariahs, outsiders who had rarely ventured beyond their home over the ocean. Mai had never even seen their child, and she supposed that now she never would. It was a near certainty that Pegasus had disposed of the girl, though Mai was thoroughly surprised that Pegasus hadn't burned the daughter with the parents.

The flames continued consuming the vampires' immortal flesh, and Mai gradually grew more sickened at the sight. It was one thing to conquer, to take hold of power by any means necessary, but even Mai could not avoid the truth: this was a deed of utter monstrosity. If Pegasus had the sheer audacity to destroy the Mazaki vampires and their child - outcasts, yes, but still heirs of the purest royal blood in the Imperial court - then he would have no trouble snuffing out any one else he deemed a threat. Mai would have to be cautious - certainly more cautious than the Mazaki nobles, who had done nothing but return to the Imperial court, to ask that the King's favor be given to their child…

Dangerous. So very dangerous. And yet, Mai suspected that Pegasus wasn't the sole danger - his queen, Cynthia, was even older than he, and certainly more powerful. There was little doubt that Cynthia's vast power was integral in Pegasus' hold over the throne, but there was something else - someone else. Mai's gaze shifted from the burning Mazaki nobles, to the vampire who stood close to the torrent of blue flame, and yet was somehow hidden, form obscured in dancing shadow. The noble was only a few feet away from Mai, with eyes glowing in the light of the flame, a smile written over pale, perfect features.

The vampire noticed Mai's regard, and those glowing eyes turned to meet Mai's gaze.

The noble smiled. A wave of cold feeling washed over Mai, and she suddenly realized that she was afraid - afraid, because the noble's smile was more chilling and sinister than anything she had ever seen. Even worse, the noble's shining eyes were utterly disturbing - a vampire's eyes only glowed in deep pleasure, or in the hunger of blood lust.

A voice, soft and almost lulling, murmured, "Ah, Lady Mai. A glorious morning, wouldn't you agree?"

Slow comprehension dawned on Mai. This noble was unfamiliar, and yet somehow not; Mai was sure that she'd never seen her before, but for some reason there was an odd sensation of déjà vu, as though Mai had met this noble, and had known her, sometime in the past. Still, the dark hair, with tendrils of deep red and paler blonde, was a feature that Mai had never seen in any other vampire of Pegasus' court. This noble certainly wasn't of any of the Imperial bloodlines that Mai knew of, but there was no denying the power, sheer and almost crushing, emanating from the noble in waves.

"Yes," Mai said haltingly, "a very beautiful morning," The noble laughed, her silvery-purple eyes glowing even more brilliantly. "A graceful death is an exceedingly appropriate fate for traitors to the throne. Pegasus always did possess a fondness for exquisite loveliness. And you, Lady Mai. I have heard that you, too, have an appreciation for beauty." Mai's eyes narrowed. The noble's frightening smile deepened. "The crown of the King, I think, would suit your taste. It is almost as lovely as these flames."

Mai's blood froze in her veins. This noble knew. How, Mai couldn't even begin to guess - only recently had Mai begun her bid for power, and she had taken the utmost care not to even allow a hint of her scheming to become known to the Imperial court. Not even Mai's staunchest allies were yet aware of her machinations for the throne.

It could be no accident, then, that Mai had never once seen this noble. The King had countless open supporters among those of the Imperial blood, so it made sense that he also possessed agents who moved covertly - right beneath the eyes of the court. Mai had suspected it for a long time, and she had been doubly careful to cover her tracks, just in case Pegasus decided to use one of those agents to watch her.

Apparently, she hadn't been careful enough. This noble, a creature of frightening power, was aware of Mai's conspiracy against Pegasus. Mai's thoughts immediately shifted back to the Mazaki pair, who, in truth, had done nothing deserving of death - their screams were just beginning to fade, as the flames of Pegasus' Executioner's fire consumed their bodies down to ash. If it got out that Mai had committed treason, the blue flame of the Executioner's fire - its caress hot enough to burn the flesh of any vampire, even the skin of a Dawn runner - would be a paltry child's punishment, compared to what Mai would experience. Mai had taken the consequences into account long ago, and she had considered them insignificant, every time she gazed upon the King's crown. But now her plans were discovered, and Mai couldn't understand how - she had been exceedingly careful, spinning out the web of her schemes so slowly, so precisely, that for centuries she'd had to fought off madness, the insanity that had grown as she'd waited for the right moment.

Mai stared back at the noble, unsure of what to make of this vampire, with her insidious glowing eyes. Just who was she?

"My dear Lady Mai, my identity is not so important," the noble said, and Mai fought back a scream of absolute fear. "But some would call me a friend of the King…yes, a very close friend…"

She was sliding down to the floor, her body unresponsive. The dhampir, his eyes burning, stood over her. Her blood coated his mouth and throat, darkly crimson against the blazing paleness of his skin. Mai struggled to breathe, a feeling of agonizing weakness overwhelming her.

But her heart was still beating. He hadn't taken all of her blood. With difficulty, Mai flicked her eyes up. The dhampir - Yugi - was so much like the woman who had once been the right hand of Pegasus, the nameless noble who had so easily driven Mai to her knees. She shivered, smothering the soft sob rising in her throat. The mother had destroyed her, had stripped Mai of everything she'd held dear, until Mai was nothing but the pet of the King; and now the son, a pathetic half-blood, had finished what his mother had started…

What awful irony, Mai thought absently, as her mind began to fade. She was losing consciousness. Pitiful. I should have killed him the moment I saw him.

It was Dartz's problem now. Mai would have laughed at the thought, but she needed what little strength she had left. With immense effort, she whispered, "Your mother is a monster."

The dhampir's eyes, glowing an unholy white, met her own. Mai forced herself to keep speaking. "She is a monster, but she has gotten her due. Sealed in a human body, never again to know her original vampire form…it's no wonder she despised you."

Mai's vision was going dark at the edges, but she couldn't help but look into the dhampir's gaze. She had known his mind, had seen his every memory; she felt closer to him - an abomination who had ruthlessly taken her blood - than she ever had to anyone else. She was well aware that he'd stopped just short of drinking the last dredges of her blood - something a full-blooded vampire, in the throes of bloodlust, would never do - but that didn't change the fact that he was a creature far monstrous than even his mother. There was a reason the union of vampires and humans was forbidden; dhampir were too unpredictable, too dangerous, to be brought into existence.

And this dhampir, Yugi, was more than dangerous. His mother, when she had still held her vampire form, had possessed mental capabilities that surpassed that of any of the nobles of the Imperial court - and perhaps even surpassed Cynthia's. The dhampir had inherited his mother's mental abilities, but he was young even in human terms, so he'd had little of the time it took for a vampire to properly mature into power.

Not to mention he was insane. Mai had seen what his mother had done to him, how she'd tortured him. He'd divided his mind - separated his human side from his vampire side - just to keep a small semblance of sanity, but he had succumbed to madness a long time ago, in his childhood. It would have been interesting to see him cross paths with Dartz. Exhaustion rolled over her, more darkness creeping over her vision, but Mai could almost see it - the mad dhampir, confronting that arrogant, blue-haired wretch…

It would be beautiful. The dhampir would die, of course - Dartz was a toe-licker, true, but he was still one of the more powerful nobles. A mere half-blood would have no chance against Dartz, and though it was painful to think of it, Mai knew that Dartz wouldn't be taken off guard, like she had been.

With the last bit of her energy, Mai breathed, "By the time the sun sets, Battle City will be completely annihilated. There is nothing you can do, dhampir."

Her eyes closed, her heart slowing. Distantly, she heard his voice.

"I won't give up like you did."

And somehow, Mai felt relieved. Good, she thought. Good.

---

He fingered the gold within his hand, remembering the feel of it, struggling against a sense of terrifying familiarity. There was a sound of foot steps, so light and nearly inaudible, behind him. The Queen, her wings brilliantly pale, drew close to him. He allowed her to touch him, felt deep, shameful pleasure at the caress of her fingers as they brushed against his cheek.

"My love," she whispered, and he couldn't ignore her. He wanted to - a part of him despised her, but that part was going silent, and he could feel nothing but longing, a desire to be at her side whenever possible. Her fingers traveled down his face, and he turned to look at her. "It has been a long time. I have missed you."

Atem had not seen her in several days, and the sight of her, the unnatural perfection of her features, and her hypnotic, glittering eyes, made him shiver. His hand clenched, and he fought to keep himself from reaching out, from returning her disturbing touch.

"What is this place?" he said, voice harsh.

Cynthia sighed. She drew even closer to him, her arms wrapping around his shoulders. "I think you already know, my love. I have never allowed anyone else entry here, and yet you have come all on your own, and the safeguards I placed here didn't even stop you. This is the Shadow Realm, my hunter prince. Do you feel it? The power. Even the Millennium Items react to it."

She was right. The Puzzle in his hand was hot, and the rest of the Items, which lay in a pool of silk cloth upon the ground, were all but glowing.

Atem breathed, drawing in the air, which was somehow damp and dry at the same time. The sky overhead was overwhelmingly dark, black and purple and deep red. The Queen's palace was always covered in darkness, but this was different; there was something about the sky that looked almost…alive.

"It is alive, Atem. More alive than even you can imagine." The Queen laughed, and Atem felt his blood grow hot. "Shall I tell you why you've come here?"

"No," he said, fighting the urge to say yes, because he knew it was what she wanted. In his heart he realized that he was terrified of her - terrified, because he was deeply, insanely in love with her.

"Hm," the Queen murmured softly. "I think you do want to know, my love. In the days of my youth, I had a vision of you, in this place, in the palace of my ancestors. I saw you long before the first hunter had been conceived, when my kind fed upon humans and each other, without an ounce of restraint. A savage, beautiful time it was, Atem. Seas of blood, dark cities built upon the bodies of humans and vampires alike, with death lingering in the very air. I saw you then, fighting in this Shadow Realm, battling another…a dhampir who shared your face."

Atem stiffened. He couldn't breathe. She can't mean…?

"Ah," she whispered, "are you interested now, my love?" Her fingers moved to his hair. "Your brother will come for you, to save you from me. But you, Atem…you are going to fight him here, and kill him."

Atem wanted to recoil away from her, to deny her words - he would never hurt Yugi, he would never even consider it. Never. But the Queen's fingers were trailing down to his neck, sliding smoothly, gently, over his spine. Atem closed his eyes, struggling to turn away from her, but the Queen took a hold of his chin.

"Fate, my dear Atem. You cannot escape it." Cynthia cupped her hands to both sides of his face, her violet eyes glowing brilliantly. "So don't even try."

She drew his head down, and kissed him, softly, on his cheek. That tiny part of him, the part that still resisted her, felt ready to vomit. But the rest of him was racked with a shivering, aching weakness, an inexplicable urge to pull her closer to him.

Her lashes brushed the skin of his cheek as she whispered, "If only you had been my child. Everything would have been far, far different."

Atem shook uncontrollably. He wouldn't kill Yugi - he couldn't. But the Queen…he would deny her nothing. His brother…his brother…

"It won't be so difficult," Cynthia murmured. "After all, you won't remember him, will you?"

The memory of his twin faded from his mind. "No," he said hollowly, "I won't."

---

The doors slid open without warning. Ishizu jerked, her eyes snapping up. Beyond the doors, there was darkness, but something screamed at her - a primal fear, an instinctual, overwhelming terror. Pull yourself together. Ishizu couldn't afford to start jumping at every shadow. There were things to be done, people to be healed - this absolutely wasn't the time for her to be panicking. Vivian trusted Ishizu enough to evacuate as many people as Ishizu could manage into Battle city's safe-hold. With Mahaado suddenly gone missing, the responsibility of leading Battle city's hunters had fallen solely upon Vivian's shoulders - an insane prospect, with Battle city partially destroyed, and countless people dead… But Ishizu had faith that Vivian and her hunters would take care of the outside threat; Ishizu had never known that woman to fail at anything, especially when things became dire. Right now, Ishizu had to concentrate on getting her healers and her patients to safety.

The safe-hold was close, and most of the healers, the threads of their coats flashing in the dim light, were either guiding the injured or pushing the beds of patients. Ishizu lingered behind, to make certain that there were no problems - there was too much chaos, too much fear, and Ishizu wanted to be sure that absolutely no mistakes were made. Another shudder suddenly shook the hull of the city, and Ishizu pressed a hand to a wall, fighting to keep her balance. The sooner they were in the safe-hold, the better.

She looked away from the doors, smothering the forbidding feeling that rose within her at the sight of them. They had opened on their own, but there was no sense in becoming afraid - the tremors that were shaking Battle city could have easily forced the doors' mechanisms to open on their own. There was nothing to worry about - it was foolish of her to fear, and she had to stay focused, now more than ever.

Ishizu.

She jerked, a scream catching in her throat, but she held it, just barely. It was better not to scream, to stay quiet, because there really was no sense in panicking everyone else. The vampire emerged from beyond the doors, his eyes glowing much like hers did in the gloom. A wave of cold fear rose within her, but those eyes held her, and a soft, lulling calm suddenly rolled over her. The vampire held a woman in his arms - one of Ishizu's patients, the Council member of Domino whose legs had been crushed. Behind him, the girl Mana, with her single eye, followed sedately, apparently unfazed.

Ishizu. Will you help Mana and my mother?

His mother. Of course. It made sense now - this was the vampire who had infiltrated the healer's sector, the one who had nearly killed all of Battle city's captains. But Mahaado had destroyed him - or at least, the Co-commander had claimed so.

Mahaado had lied to her, it seemed. But that didn't matter now, for the vampire was here, and Ishizu was powerless to stop him.

"You've hypnotized me," Ishizu said slowly, fighting back the frustration that welled within her; she stood motionless, utterly paralyzed, unable to move. "So I really don't have a choice, do I?"

The vampire gazed at her for a long moment. My mother needs you. Mana needs you. Help them. Please.

The vampire's mother trembled violently in his arms, small, agonized sounds issuing from her lips. The woman was going to die, no matter what Ishizu did - Ishizu had known that before, and the woman's condition now only reinforced Ishizu's conclusion that she would not survive much longer than a few days.

No. Don't let my mother die, Ishizu. Don't let her die.

A powerful sense of pressure lapped against the edges her mind. Ishizu released a strained breath, and reluctantly nodded. "I will do what I can," she said. "Even so, I won't promise anything." His mother probably wouldn't live for too much longer, but the force of the vampire's will was too much for Ishizu to bear - she would try, with all of her strength, to save his mother, even though it was futile.

Thank you. With surprising gentleness, the vampire placed his mother into Ishizu's arms. His mother's eyes fluttered open, and her hands closed desperately over the vampire's wrist.

"What are you doing? Don't leave me, Yugi. You can't leave me!"

The woman was growing hysterical, and Ishizu struggled to keep a hold of her, without hurting her.

The vampire reached out and carefully touched his mother's face. The woman stilled, trembling only slightly.

"Everything will be fine. Ishizu will take care of you." The shock of hearing the vampire's voice - the soft gentleness of it, so different from his monstrous, terrifying appearance - unsettled Ishizu, and she frowned, thinking hard. It was strange to think that this vampire was the same creature who had violently humbled Otogi's fourteen captains. But the sound of his voice calmed his mother further, and Ishizu was able to hold her with little effort.

The vampire gingerly took a hold of Mana's hand, and placed it on Ishizu's elbow. The girl said nothing, her fingers clenching firmly where they were placed, a sleepy smile crossing her features.

"Mana is asleep," the vampire said. Hearing his voice again, Ishizu was struck by how human he sounded. "If you guide her, she will follow you. Her mind is awake enough for that, but not for anything else."

"I understand." The girl was under his compulsion, like Ishizu was. It made sense. "What are you going to do?" Ishizu was more than curious about that.

"There is a vampire outside of Battle city. He was sent by Pegasus to destroy every hunter here." The vampire's demonic eyes shifted briefly to his mother, and then he returned his gaze back to Ishizu. "I need a sword."

"The metal forge is beneath this level. That is, if it hasn't been destroyed already."

The vampire nodded and turned, vanishing back into the darkness. Once he was gone, the pressure over Ishizu's mind lessened a little, and she released a small sigh.

She was getting too old for this.

"You have an interesting son," Ishizu said idly, thinking that the vampire was actually a dhampir, like Otogi, since his mother was perfectly human.

The woman shivered, whispering, "He hates me. He has always hated me."

Ishizu thought of the dhampir's voice - so disturbingly human in its gentleness - and shook her head. "No, I think you're mistaken. I doubt he would risk his life for someone he hated."

"He should hate me," the woman said, her voice cracking in a sob. "He should. I deserve it. I am the reason he is a monster."

Ishizu sighed again as she started to move toward the safe-hold. The woman was becoming feverish. "But he doesn't. That's all that matters, isn't it?"

---

Mai was late. The woman was an incompetent, an arrogant little fool, but he had not thought she would take this long. Her task had been so exceedingly simple even a human child could have accomplished it. Dartz gazed hard at the blazing mass of Battle city, the black spheres of the eradicators spiraling upward in the dark haze of smoke. The destruction of the hunter city was almost complete. He flicked his eyes up to the sky. The sun was moving toward the west. Night would fall in only a matter of a few hours.

It was time to administer the final stroke.

Mai was perhaps dead or captured, he was certain. There could be no other reason that she wasn't here yet. Truly, Dartz had expected better from Mai, idiot though she was; if she had succeeded, she would have gained substantial freedom from the King. Dartz would have thought that that would have been motivation enough not to fail…

What a shame, he thought idly. Mai was so beautiful…and so stupid.

Well, there was nothing he could do. Pegasus had been perfectly clear about Dartz's orders, and Dartz certainly had no intentions of failing, as Mai had done. Twilight was nearing; the sky was utterly red with the setting of the sun. He had already waited long enough for Mai, and there was little sense in waiting even a moment longer.

He flew slowly up, through the dark clouds of smoke. When he was high enough, he closed his eyes and listened. Different sounds, of humans screaming and the high-pitched screeches of the eradicators assaulted him, but he listened beyond it, beyond even the soft crashing of ocean waves.

Then he heard it, the deep thrum of a monstrous heartbeat. Dartz opened his eyes, and beneath the darkly blue surface of the sea, he saw the oily glitter of scales, the immense undulating coils too gigantic for the ocean to fully contain.

He smiled. Pegasus had been careful with the phrasing of his commands to Dartz - he was to leave nothing, not even the smallest scrap, of Battle city behind. And Dartz was too happy to oblige.

"Come, Leviathan," Dartz whispered softly to the wind. "Come and visit your wrath upon these pitiful human weaklings."

It would take some time, as it always did. The Leviathan, when it was fully awakened, was a force strong enough to devastate the entire world; and it nearly had, in the days of the first Ancestors, before it had been tamed. So Dartz had to exercise caution, even now - the creature would come at his call, but he could not allow it to waken completely. The Leviathan, even partially awake, would be more than enough to destroy what was left of Battle city.

Releasing a breath, Dartz flared out his wings, forcefully slowing his heart. He focused his thoughts, concentrating only on reaching the Leviathan's mind. Making the connection was simple; the Leviathan was still in a sort of deep torpor, its thoughts full of darkness and memories of the ocean depths. Keeping it mostly asleep, however, was the difficult part. Dartz closed his eyes again, and pushed at the Leviathan's mind, gently, so very gently. It stirred, and Dartz sent it subtle commands in the form of images - Battle city, crushed beneath the might of its coils, steel hull cracking like glass from the strength of its body.

Destroy, Dartz whispered to it. And then sleep, once more.

He felt the creature's wordless assent as it stirred itself further, primitive hunger blossoming in its mind.

Feed? It asked slowly, curious. Souls?

Yes. Many souls, humans…hunters…you shall have them all.

Good. Very good, it said, before going silent.

Dartz opened his eyes. The red sky was becoming dark - not the natural darkening of twilight, but a darkness cast by the clouds of a storm. Perfect.

He glanced back down at Battle city. A good portion of it was in flames, with its force-field reduced to a thin, flickering barrier. Dartz noticed something, a speck flying out of the city so fast his eyes could hardly follow it. Whatever it was, it was inconsequential. The hunters would be mounting the last line of their defenses, so he kept his attention focused solely on the city, to be certain that there weren't any unfortunate surprises.

It was a mistake. He felt the wind suddenly shift, and he moved - so the sword, blade glittering, didn't take his head. The sword's edge nicked the skin of his throat instead; Dartz immediately closed his wings, and plunged.

He wasn't fast enough. The wielder of the sword was diving with him. Dartz saw a glimpse of the sword's silver blade, and dark wings - another vampire. It made little sense.

The surface of the ocean drew uncomfortably close. Dartz had no desire to dash himself against the waves - certainly not at this speed. He leveled off, his wings snapping open. His pursuer was right behind him, shadowing his every move.

Enough of this. Dartz called for the eradicators. One came speeding out of the plumes of dark smoke, shrieking. He swerved as the eradicator flashed by him.

There was another sound of shrieking, this one so high pitched it was painful to Dartz's ears. He turned on a wing-tip, to face his attacker - and saw the strange vampire slice through the black sphere of the eradicator with one swing of that sword.

The two halves of the eradicator fell smoking into the sea. How…unexpected, Dartz thought, regarding his opponent. Several more eradicators followed in the wake of the first, but instead of attacking the dark winged vampire head-on, they circled him cautiously.

These eradicators are smarter than average. Still…

The sky had blackened completely. Dartz could feel the distant warmth of electricity, the hot taste of lightning seething in the back of his mouth.

The vampire's sword took two of the eradicators within the space of a second. The third released a beam of concentrated energy, but the vampire avoided it - so easily, as though it were child's play.

Well. Let's see if you can dodge this.

An immense bolt of lightning arced down, and struck the dark winged vampire in a flash of searing white light.

Wind tore at Dartz's hair and wings. Weather manipulation had never been his forte, but with the Leviathan stirring beneath the waves, his own power had grown three-fold.

That was an interesting diversion, he thought idly. The nicked skin of his neck tingled. A vampire fighting for hunters, with a hunter weapon…perhaps he was one of those filthy rebels.

It was time to get back to the business at hand. Whoever that vampire was - or rather, had been - he was no longer a threat. The lingering light from the bolt of electricity dissipated, and Dartz's vision cleared.

There was a sound of wings. Dartz felt the cool edge of a blade travel down the side of his face. Desperately, Dartz struck with the force of the wind, and the blade was pushed back, before it could slice its way into his throat.

It seemed that the sword and the strange vampire were intact, not disintegrated in to ash, as they should have been.

"You're persistent," Dartz said to the vampire, smothering a vague feeling of shock. This vampire was fast, to have avoided that bolt of lightning. Looking at him, Dartz could see that the lightning had inflicted some damage - the vampire's left arm hung limp, the skin darkened somewhat by a severe burn.

The damage would heal, of course. But there was still the matter of Dartz allowing his opponent that healing time - and Dartz had ever been one to capitalize on an advantage.

He slammed the vampire with another wall of wind, readying a second lightning bolt.

He might as well have some fun.

---

There wasn't a word for it. Chaos was too general, too weak - if Vivian had been in a more descriptive mood, she would have said it felt like a hurricane, a firestorm, and an earthquake all rolled into a single, shattering moment.

And the worse part of it was, she'd never felt more focused. More alive. Otogi was gone, Mahaado was missing, and the smell of hot metal and burnt flesh permeated the very air. The remainder of Battle city's hunter force now looked to her, and every person who had survived was now here, in the confining space of the safe-hold. Vivian would have preferred the control core to this place - except that all the paths leading to the control core were either destroyed, or in flames. So she would have to make do.

"Co-Commander," said one of her captains. Honda. "The remaining sensors have transferred some information. The attack has stopped."

Vivian wondered if a normal person would have felt more relief than she did. There was a vague sense of it, but Vivian felt more excited than anything. Outwardly, however, she held herself to calm. "What is the condition of the main thrusters?"

Honda grimaced. "Their energy levels are at forty percent. And dropping."

Forty percent. Vivian tapped a finger to her lips. It would be enough, but just barely, for what she had in mind.

"Mainframe," she said, addressing the automated computer system of Battle city's mind, "power the thrusters to full-throttle. Use the previously set coordinates."

The floor suddenly rippled with veins of green light. "The coordinates set by Mahaado?" the disembodied voice of the Mainframe asked.

"Yes."

Honda looked at her in alarm. "Co-commander. You can't mean…"

"We don't have any other options left to us. If we stay here, we die."

"But if we go to that place, we'll still die."

Vivian sighed. "It's a matter of perspective. Mahaado believed we would have a chance. And that's the chance we have to take."

Honda's eyes hardened. "Mahaado could be dead, for all we know."

For a second, the tense excitement in Vivian's chest transformed into a raging panic. Quickly, she suppressed it. If Mahaado was dead, there was nothing she could do about it. "Perhaps. But that changes nothing. It's either Kisara's Keep, or a permanent grave here."

The man lowered his eyes, and turned, walking away from her. She knew how he felt.

If Mahaado was wrong, they were all going to die.

"Mainframe," she said. "Time."

"Three minutes until full power up."

I trust you, Mahaado. I hope you knew what you were doing.

---

She watched from the shadows. Distantly, she heard Rebecca climbing arduously up, muttering small curses every so often. Anzu fought down a sigh. So Otogi hadn't been able to keep the girl from coming. She had thought, after so long obsessing over him, that Rebecca wouldn't have left the man's side for anything. And Otogi, in that first meeting between them, had gazed at Rebecca so intensely…

Anzu reached out with a hand and took hold of the girl's wrist. Rebecca gave a little frightened yelp, and nearly fell back. "Anzu! I didn't know you were here…"

She heard the unspoken And if I did know, I would have gone up the other side, to avoid you.

Anzu knew that she shouldn't bother wasting her breath with a rebuke. This was the last place Rebecca should be; really, if she was perfectly honest with herself, Anzu shouldn't have been here either. But Rebecca even less so - the girl's injuries probably would have healed by now, if she would ever just stay in bed.

"So. Did I miss anything?" Rebecca asked.

"No," Anzu said, glancing down. Kisara had yet to make an appearance, but twelve vampires had already taken their places upon separate platforms.

Rebecca plopped on her belly beside Anzu. "Excellent. I wouldn't want to miss a good show."

"This isn't entertainment, Rebecca," Anzu murmured. The girl glanced at her, and had the grace to look ashamed.

"Indeed it isn't," said a voice above them, "but it is interesting."

Rebecca jumped, but Anzu looked calmly over, into the green eyes of Otogi. She had heard him several minutes ago, so his presence here was no surprise. The man closed his wings behind him, until there was only the merest glint of grey feathers in the darkness.

Rebecca pouted at him sullenly. "You followed me."

"Brat," he hissed. "You told me you were going to bed."

The girl blinked guilelessly at him. "I lied."

Obviously, Anzu thought, turning her gaze downward – thoroughly ignoring the sudden argument which exploded behind her.

For a while, nothing happened. The twelve vampires stood stock-still upon their platforms, and there was no movement whatsoever. And then…motion. Two figures, one tall and cold-eyed and armored, the other slighter, demure, in a coat that was ivory white, moving slowly to the center of the main platform. Anzu stilled. She recognized them.

Kaiba and Shizuka, a pair of humans she was sure she'd never seen before. But their names seemed so fresh within her mind, and their features were familiar. Still. How had she come to know a hunter and a human healer?

Perhaps the same way I know Yugi. The face of that hunter, his intensely purple eyes, lingered in her memory, sharp and vivid and completely inexplicable. More memories were returning to her, but slowly, and they were nothing but fractured facets of images; at times she felt as lost as she had when she'd first arrived here. Even Rebecca, who had, after Anzu had located Otogi, gleefully spilled her guts as to what had happened in the cavern – even she hadn't been much help. But now, looking down at the two humans, Anzu felt a something, a small sliver of hope. She would remember everything. Eventually.

Rebecca and Otogi finally finished squabbling, and Rebecca asked in a low voice, "Are those the two?"

"Yes," Anzu replied. Kaiba and Shizuka, it seemed, were the representatives of the massive force of hunters who had come to Kisara's Keep some days ago, to ask for a place of respite. Anzu only knew a little of what was going on, but it didn't take a great leap of logic to understand that whatever was happening, it was dire. The faces of the twelve vampires were each expressionless, but to Anzu, they all looked ready to pass some sort of judgment.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Rebecca push her glasses further up over her nose, in a nervous gesture. "This is bad, isn't?"

"Of course it's bad," Otogi said, idly folding his arms to his chest. "Those twelve vampires hold the fate of hundreds of hunters in their hands. Vampires have never held humans in high esteem." He glanced at Anzu. "No offense."

"None taken," Anzu replied. She thought it strange, though, that he said that – considering that he was half vampire himself.

The dark abyss beneath the platforms suddenly glowed with brilliant orange light, and the twelve vampires, one by one, slowly closed their wings.

It was starting.

Rebecca jumped up. "What's going on? Kisara's not even here yet!"

"That's the point, I think," Otogi said through clenched teeth.

This is a problem, Anzu thought. This is a major problem.

---

His blood splattered into air. The pain was sharp and dizzying, but he ignored it. Angling his sword, he plunged it into Dartz's stomach, the steel of the blade hissing as it slid into vampire flesh.

And Dartz laughed, throwing back his head in amusement. "This is priceless! You pitiful, half-dead little wretch, what do you think this will accomplish? You've lost. Admit it." The vampire took hold of the sword, forcing it deeper, until dark rivets of blood dripped thickly down the hilt. "And now, since you've so generously given me your weapon, I'll put it to good use."

Dartz back handed him, hard enough that Yugi was momentarily stunned. His fingers loosened from the hilt of the sword, and Dartz's talons closed over his shoulder. He could feel it - what the vampire intended to do, and what would happen if he didn't move fast enough to avoid it - but he couldn't react.

Move.

Yugi managed it, somehow. His wings swept open and entered the down-beat, but it wasn't enough. Dartz removed the sword from his stomach faster than thought, and stabbed the blade into Yugi's chest.

It missed his heart. Still, the pain, after everything Dartz had dealt to him, was overwhelming. His skin smoked, and the steel of the hunter-wrought blade began eating away at muscle.

With his uninjured hand, he took hold of the naked edge of the sword - the part that wasn't buried so close to his heart.

Too late.

Dartz laughed and kicked him. The sword tore free in a spray of crimson blood, and he was falling, through clouds and sky, toward the rolling dark waves of the sea.

Open your wings. Open your wings, now.

Things had gone badly from the beginning. With Mai's blood in his veins, he had never felt so strong, so powerful. Even the sword had hummed in his fingers - and with every swing there was a feeling, an exhilarating sense of power. He should have been terrified of it, but he had been so focused on stopping Dartz, that he had allowed that feeling to consume him. It had been a mistake - he had engaged with Dartz head-on, without thinking for a moment to exercise caution.

But Dartz was old. Mai's memories spoke to that - Dartz was as old as Pegasus. Shadi had taught him that the oldest vampires had power so vast it was unspeakable. The first bolt of lightning Dartz had thrown he'd barely avoided; but the storm had grown, the seething black clouds releasing one bolt of electricity after another, and Yugi had begun to slow, the near misses wearing upon his strength, until…

…Dartz, still wielding the bolts of lightning, had closed in, and it had become a battle of attrition. Between Dartz's talons, the driving winds of the storm, and the lightning striking nearly every other second, Yugi had been out-matched, and out-fought.

Open your wings, or die.

It couldn't end here. His mother and Mana were still aboard Battle city. He couldn't allow Dartz to destroy it…

Open.

His wings flared out, the caress of wind forcing them open to the fullest extent. But he was still falling. There were skewed images - the smooth black surface of the sea, roiling black clouds, a jagged flash of lightning.

The ground rose up to meet him.

It was a long time before he came back to full awareness. There was pain - deep, stark agony. And cold. Everything was cold. Instead of the waves, he had somehow collided onto a sliver of rock, a miniscule island, in the middle of the ocean.

You are a fool.

A bolt of lightning struck, and for a split second, a brilliant flash illuminated white skin and dark wings. Glowing silver eyes gazed down at him hatefully.

Because of you, we've lost. Mother will die. Mana will die. And everyone else will die, because you're so weak.

This wasn't happening. It couldn't be happening. His vampire half was asleep, locked in slumber, and there was no way…just no possible way…

I was never asleep, his vampire side said. Even when the seal separated us, I didn't sleep. But when I remained silent, you were always content to ignore me.

Hot, violent pain seared his wound, but he forced himself to stand. His lips pulled back from his fangs in a snarl. "You don't exist. You've never existed - you're nothing but a monster."

The image of his vampire half sneered. Whose form are you wearing, human? Who was the one who drank Mai's blood? Not me. You. Haven't you realized it yet? You're the monster. And you need me.

"I've never needed you - "

Like I said, you're a fool. You've tried to bury me all of your life, as though it would make any difference. And what did that get you? Nothing. Nothing but weakness. For a moment, a look of absolute rage crossed the vampire's face. I'm tired of living in darkness. I desire freedom - and I don't want to fight you anymore for it. So, let's make a deal.

Yugi whispered, "No. Never." He would not - ever - agree to anything his vampire side would offer. He would be better off dead…

Mother and Mana will die, including countless others on Battle city, if Dartz isn't stopped. So it looks like you don't have much of a choice. The wall of the seal is no longer between us. We were always meant to be one person - before Mother sealed us, we were whole. It is time we became whole again.

It was what he'd always feared. Yugi couldn't do it. If he allowed his vampire side to take over completely, then he would be nothing but a monstrosity, blood-thirsty, unfeeling…

I won't take over, his vampire half insisted. Whole. We will be whole, and stronger than before. Strong enough to take on Dartz.

A trade-off. He would have strength, but he would never be the same again. If Yugi became one with his vampire side, he would be a completely different person. And there would be no going back.

The image of his vampire side stood, and held out a hand. Time is running out. Do we have a deal?

Yugi hesitated. Could he even trust his vampire side - the part of him that thought of nothing but blood and death? The part of him that would relish ripping out even the hearts of the people closest to him?

He really was weak. But…if he didn't do this, Dartz would kill every single person in Battle city. Before Yugi could change his mind, he took his vampire half's hand.

As soon as their hands clasped, image of his vampire side smirked, then faded like smoke - and Yugi woke, his eyes flying open, every nerve on fire, the world dissolving into exquisite agony.

---

He flew over the pale expanse of the sea, with Rebecca held tight in his arms. To his left, the Anzu kept pace with him, her blue wings matching each stroke of his own wings. The sky was fading into deep night, and among the bright swirl of stars, there was a sliver of a white moon. The faint light from both stars and moon was comforting; he didn't need either to see, of course, but he felt strangely at ease, flying in starlight and moonshine.

Rebecca's heart pounded rapidly, and despite everything, Otogi couldn't help but share in her excitement - the thrill of flying never got old, and he could almost taste Rebecca's exhilaration each time his wings entered the downbeat. He wished he could have taken her flying sooner, when the circumstances would have better than they were now. Later - he would take her flying again later, when all of this was finished.

Anzu was pulling ahead of him. Otogi, catching a glimpse of her expression, allowed himself to fall behind her. He didn't know exactly what was at stake for her, but the intense glow of her eyes - that pale, inhuman ice-blue - was a dangerous sign.

I hope she keeps it together, he thought. The moment she had laid eyes upon that old, one-eyed vampire, Akunadin, Anzu had almost seemed a different person - a person that exuded an air of barely restrained violence.

But Anzu remained in control of herself, and within a matter of moments, they reached the opposite end of the Keep. The blue feathers of Anzu's wings ruffled in the wind as she closed them, diving down, toward a dark, cave-like opening. Otogi followed suit, clutching Rebecca tighter to him as he gathered speed.

They passed into a tunnel, nearly pitch-black, illuminated only by the faint glow of a few light circuits. Rebecca's heartbeat went wild. He imagined it was somewhat terrifying for her, flying at such a speed in the dark - unlike him, she did not possess copious amounts of vampire blood in her veins, and this tunnel was just a mass of blackness to her eyes. But other than her suddenly erratic heartbeat, she remained calmly still in his arms.

He flared out his wings as they emerged from the tunnel. Out in the open, the air was different - intensely charged, and it felt as though his blood was beginning to spark beneath his skin, growing electrified.

Anzu was already landing, her wings furling so elegantly that, if Otogi hadn't known better, he would have thought she was perfectly relaxed, and not a thin thread from being fully, and totally enraged.

Otogi released a breath. "Rebecca. Are you sure this is the place?"

Kisara was nowhere to be seen. This part of the Keep - with jagged pillars of metal thrusting up from the violent, wave-blasted sea - was empty of activity, save for the pale, seething sea itself, tossing a roiling like a thing alive.

Rebecca made a snorting sound. "When have I ever been wrong? The Keep's mainframe said she would be here. Or at least, when I accessed it, it told me that this was her most recently recorded coordinates."

That didn't change the facts, though. Kisara wasn't here; there was a good chance that she had been here, and they'd just missed her, but Otogi wasn't so sure. Rebecca was a good little hacker - a phenomenal one, really, so much so that it was a bit scary - but a mainframe, any mainframe, no matter if it was of vampire origins, could easily be fooled. He highly doubted that Kisara had wanted interference of any kind, and so the likely-hood that she had purposefully skipped off the mainframe's radar was pretty large. Still, the mainframe's information was all they had to go on.

So. Kisara's not here. Then where is she? They had to find her as quickly as possible, for the sake of the Domino hunters.

He landed, and Rebecca squirmed out of his arms like some restless child, immediately going to Anzu's side. The blue-winged vampire woman stood at the edge of the massive pillar, looking beyond, out into the God-forsaken, storm tossed sea.

For a moment, Otogi worried. We really don't have time for this. If we don't find Kisara now, then those twelve pieces of vampire filth are going to wreak all sorts of havoc.

He hoped that the leader of the Domino hunters, the foul-tempered Kaiba, possessed enough sense to keep his mouth shut, and the fortitude to obey the vampires for a while - galling though it might be for him. Otogi had little doubt, with the way things were going right now, that a fine bit of chaos was about to descend; and if Kaiba put a foot out of line, then there was an overwhelmingly huge chance that his people would be killed, down to the last person, without mercy. And, if Otogi's fears were correct, there was just as much chance that he, Rebecca, and Anzu would be killed with them - if they didn't get Kisara back into her Keep.

Our own bad luck to be here, with a hostile take-over in process. Kisara picked a poor time to run off and play hero.

Rebecca's voice interrupted his thoughts. "Hey, Otogi. Are you seeing this?"

He drew to her side, and looked out with them, over the surface of the white ocean. In the sky, there was a…disturbance.

"Well, that's new." he murmured.

There was a gaping, vertical rip above the sea. And beyond it, he saw deeply blue waves and a sky dark with the clouds of a storm.

Not to mention Battle city. The gigantic, smoking mass of the city was clearly visible beyond the rip - and it stirred something inside of him, an ache, and he shook, tasting an unnamed desire over his tongue.

Home. He longed for the taste of it, wanted it so badly he almost took off then and there.

"Kisara was here," Anzu said, her voice soft. "Looks like we just missed her."

The vertical rip in the air was closing - slowly, but pretty soon it would disappear all together.

"So, are we just going to stand around looking at it?" Rebecca asked.

"No," he said. "Let's go."

"Wait, Otogi." Anzu glanced at him, gaze hard, and suddenly she spoke mind to mind with him. We can't just take Rebecca into that. Kisara didn't leave the Keep for nothing. Battle city is under siege, and if Rebecca is there with us, she'll be in danger with us, too.

"Stop that," Rebecca said angrily. Anzu's eyes snapped to her in shock. "I can hear what you're saying, and I'm not staying behind."

"Anzu has a point. If you come with us, you'll be in danger." Otogi sighed in resignation. "But if you stay here, and one of those vampires comes along…you'll be in worse danger."

Rebecca nodded. "Right. So the only logical decision is to take me into the path of the least danger. Makes sense, right Anzu?"

"Yes," Anzu said, and there was something in her tone that Otogi didn't like. Her pale blue eyes met his. "It makes perfect sense."

---

The other side of the rip was like some small, contained piece of hell. Bolts of white and black lightning tore through the air, and there was the scream of metal, and the sound of burning. But that was far from the worst of it. Anzu forced her wings into a steady, harsh rhythm, gaining altitude, until Battle city and that…thing, were far enough below her that she could think.

Otogi shadowed her, and they circled, high above the clouds.

So, what are we going to do now? Otogi sounded furious, and Anzu knew that he would rather be down there, charging mindlessly forward at that monster. But Anzu had played her cards right - Otogi was still holding Rebecca, and as hot-headed as the man could be, he wouldn't do anything to endanger her.

I'm going to help Kisara, Anzu answered. You're going to stay up here and keep Rebecca safe.

She heard the man mentally sputter, but she was already folding her wings, diving back into the storm clouds.

In the shadow of the clouds, Battle city loomed over the ocean, its size immense and nearly mind-boggling. If this had been another place and time, Anzu would have been amazed at the sheer, gigantic mass of the hunter city, and even more amazed that human hands had forged a flying steel ship huge enough to block out the sun. But for all of Battle city's nearly impossible size, it was dwarfed in the coils of a frighteningly gigantic monster, like a small bird trapped in the choke-hold of a snake.

Leviathan, her mind supplied.

So, the old vampire Akunadin had been telling something of the truth. Kisara did have her hands full, outside of the Keep - she was too busy fighting an ancient creature of absolute destruction, and Anzu supposed that this was an incredibly good excuse to be absent when the hunters of Domino needed her. With the way things were going now, though, even if Kisara managed to save Battle city, she would not be able to return to her Keep - not with Akunadin, and those other eleven vampires, scheming to wrest it out of her control. The chances that they would be successful in their take-over was high, and there was little doubt in Anzu's mind that Akunadin himself would make good on his threat to slaughter each of the Domino hunters, should it become evident that Kisara was no longer an obstacle…

Anzu knew Akunadin's nature well enough; he had, after all, been an instigator in her parent's deaths.

Pushing back the sudden onslaught of new - old? - memories, Anzu sped in the direction of the Leviathan, carefully avoiding the bolts of black lightning plunging from the clouds.

The Leviathan was rearing back like an agitated serpent, its coils loosening from the Battle city's steel frame, its mountain-sized head intently focused on the small, pale speck that hovered close to its jaws.

Kisara turned her head slightly at Anzu's approach, those metallic eyes emotionless. Anzu, she said, not bothering to speak aloud. You shouldn't be here.

And for the first time Anzu could remember, she sensed that Kisara was…angry. The woman's anger was like a cold fury, and it terrified Anzu even more than the Leviathan's massive head, looming above them.

Trouble, Anzu replied. Akunadin -

Yes, I know. Kisara's eyes turned back to the Leviathan. Unfazed. Didn't she care?

Kisara, Kaiba and his hunters are in danger. Akunadin plans to lock you out of your Keep…

Of course, said Kisara. I'm very much aware of Akunadin's schemes. But my question, which I pose to you again, is why are you here?

Anzu was taken aback. I came to warn you -

And put not only yourself in danger, but also Otogi and Rebecca as well, Kisara said, her mental voice icy. You would have been safer if you'd simply stayed where you were. Akunadin is treacherous, but he does not possess the power to challenge me - nor do the rest. He can do nothing.

Anzu wasn't so certain. She didn't understand how Kisara could be so callous about this - Akunadin was more than a mere schemer. He had orchestrated countless deaths, of vampires and of humans; perhaps even more than Pegasus had himself. Kisara couldn't possibly think that he wasn't a threat - not when Akunadin was responsible for destroying the lives of thousands of vampire nobles, including her mother and father -

So. Your memory has returned to you, Kisara murmured thoughtfully. I had hoped that I could give you a longer respite, but it seems I've failed in that as well.

Something stilled within Anzu. What do you mean?

Not now. The pale-haired vampire stretched out her arm, her fingers pointing toward the east - in the direction of the Keep. Take Otogi and Rebecca and go.

Anzu briefly considered arguing. Kisara…she seemed so sure that Akunadin wasn't a problem, but Anzu had seen they way he'd regarded Kaiba and Shizuka. Like they were ants - tiny little human vermin to be crushed. The other eleven vampires were clearly in his thrall, and there was no doubt in Anzu's mind that they would follow Akunadin's lead. As powerful as Kisara was, if those vampires took over her Keep…

I can fight, Anzu said, leveling her gaze upon the Leviathan. I can help you, Kisara.

For a long time, the woman said nothing. Anzu wondered if Kisara had decided to ignore her, but after a moment, she said, You are still young. If you stay here, the chances are that you will die.

Somehow, though she didn't doubt Kisara's words, Anzu felt a flash of irritated stubbornness. Or was it arrogance? I won't get in your way. Let me fight with you.

The Leviathan, its mountain-sized jaws parting, began to sway, eyes brilliant as twin suns growing suddenly brighter. It released a roar - weak, but the sound of it was still strong enough to leave Anzu's ears ringing in agony.

Kisara sighed. It seems…that I have no choice. The Leviathan refuses to submit to my will for a second longer, and since you, Anzu, are so adamant in your desire to fight, I will let you.

The muscles of the Leviathan's gigantic neck rippled, its jagged fangs gleaming - the monster suddenly roared in earnest, its head rearing back, like a snake preparing to strike.

And then it was surging forward, and Anzu had time enough only to fold her wings and plummet, the monster's jaws passing uncomfortably close.

In free fall, Anzu concentrated only on the flat, dark surface of the sea, ignoring the terrifying feeling of pursuit; the Leviathan's head was chasing her, and Anzu could smell the monster's cold, ancient breath, leaking between fangs that were much too close for comfort…

How was she supposed to fight this thing? Anzu knew that she should have thought of that sooner, before she'd asked to fight by Kisara's side, but Anzu had never been much of a…fighter. She had always preferred to wait until the right moment presented itself, before striking.

Just as I did with Yugi.

The very thought of him gave her an idea. She opened her wings slightly, swerving to the left to avoid crashing into the waves. The Leviathan's head swerved with her, the glitter of its scales reflecting mirror-like over the surface of the sea.

She couldn't use her fangs, of course, but hopefully, her eyes would be enough. Anzu had nowhere near the power of Kisara, who had held the Leviathan easily with her mind - perhaps for hours - but it was worth a try.

Anzu swerved again, in a tight arc, angling herself toward the Leviathan's head - specifically, one of its great, burning yellow eyes.

I hope this works.

---

She was beautiful, really. He had not seen her since he was a child, some several millennia ago, when she had still dwelt within the Imperial court. She had been beautiful then, too - before she'd tainted herself with that human, and born him those four disgusting dhampir children.

"Blue-Eyed Kisara," he said, gazing upon her pale, silvery wings appreciatively. He had always been a fool for gorgeous vampire women. "It is an honor."

"I wish I could say the same." She leveled impassive, cold eyes upon him. "What is your mission here, Dartz? Besides destroying another hunter city."

"Ah. Cutting right to the chase. You seem impatient, Lady Kisara. Perhaps you're worried about that little girl, the one pitting herself against the Leviathan? Is she your daughter? Not much of a resemblance, but she possesses great beauty. Young, but her wings are lovely. It would be shame if the Leviathan were to devour her."

"She is none of your concern."

"Of course. I should answer your question, shouldn't I?" He smiled. "Our dear King has deemed it necessary to recall back wayward nobles. There is one noble of particular interest of Pegasus, and I have been assigned to retrieve her from Battle city."

Kisara's blue eyes narrowed. "For what purpose?"

"How odd. You ask questions whose answers you already know - are you playing with me, sweet Kisara?" Idly, Dartz tapped a finger to his lips in amusement. "There are better questions to ask. If I were in your position, I would be wondering about the doings of my allies. Or supposed allies, I should say. Pegasus has extended his hand to Akunadin, and I hear that Akunadin has happy accepted the King's offer of amnesty."

Kisara graced him with a cool smile. "So Pegasus has decided to play the game." Her eyes began to glow. "Thank you for being so candid, Dartz. You were always more honest than most, even when you were a child."

It seemed that their conversation was at an end. A force, heavy and terrifying, suddenly filled the very air. Dartz had felt the killing-lust of countless nobles, but he'd never experienced it from a vampire so old as Kisara; it was…so deliciously frightening, and he shivered in response.

"Won't you reconsider, Kisara?" he asked, though he knew he was wasting his breath at this point. "The King's amnesty is extended to you as well. If you return back to the Imperial court, Pegasus will forgive you of all of your crimes - even the treason you committed against him. All you would have to do is bow to him."

Kisara's white skin blazed. "I bow to no one."

Dartz almost laughed. "Yes, I know. You would rather die for those pathetic humans than kneel to Pegasus. But even you, with all of your power, could never defeat the Leviathan."

"Once you are dead, the Leviathan will be no threat at all."

How amusing. "So, you think to kill me, Kisara?"

"No. I will not be the one to kill you."

A bolt of electricity, fiery white, struck Kisara - and then a second, and third, until a continuous stream of blinding electricity that enveloped Kisara in a curtain of light. Dartz back winged, his eyes narrowing.

"Lovely Kisara," he murmured. "You must be desperate, to go so far…"

He had heard the rumors, of course, but seeing it, tasting the air rife with electricity and bloodlust and power, was a completely different feeling. The wings, curved and massive and translucent, sliced out from that wall of lightning, and then long, glittering necks, all sinuous beauty, followed in their wake. The sweep of scales - of that intense, bluish-white - burned with light, though it was nothing compared to the three pairs of eyes, all blue and brilliant and hot, searing like the brightest of stars.

She was not so gigantic as the Leviathan - not even close, perhaps no more than a fraction of the size. But for some reason, Dartz was absolutely certain that in this form, she was more terrifying than the Leviathan could ever be, and more monstrous by far.

She makes a beautiful dragon, he thought. But if she thinks she can fight me in that form, she's an utter fool.

Dartz flexed his fingers, talons lengthening, a surge of anticipation rising within him. He would not need the Leviathan to fight her - she was magnificent, that he couldn't deny, but she had lost this fight the moment she'd transformed. Her age didn't faze him in the least; Kisara was one of the oldest vampires still in existence, but age wasn't a deciding factor in strength. She was strong - incredibly so - but Dartz had no doubt he was stronger.

Still, dodging the three beams of white lightning she suddenly leveled at him was no mean feat. Quickly, he called the remaining eradicators to him. They wouldn't last long against her, but he needed an opening, and they would serve well as a distraction…

One of Kisara's dragon heads released another beam of electricity, and four of the eradicators were literally blasted into oblivion, leaving not even a speck of ash behind. Dartz grimaced. He certainly couldn't afford to get caught in one of those attacks - he would have to end this fight fast, or risk taking serious damage.

Getting close to her wasn't an option. There was no choice but to attack her from afar, which would prove somewhat difficult - unless he used the storm.

Oh Kisara, he thought, taking hold of the storm's power, and feeding it, until it bloomed into a full fledged hurricane. If only you'd taken the King's offer…

The last two eradicators, after cautiously circling Kisara, flew in for the attack. They fired twin jets of concentrated red energy beams - beams powerful enough to slice through the steel hull of Battle city like butter. But against Kisara, the eradicators' beams were entirely ineffectual; they glanced off of Kisara's white-blue scales, and rebounded, destroying the eradicators in the process.

The remains of the two eradicators fell into the sea, and Kisara gathered herself, the regard of her three dragon heads returning to Dartz. Spheres of pale electricity flickered in each of Kisara's jaws, and Dartz - thankful that the eradicators had bought him the time he'd needed - released the storm.

Lightning arced down from the clouds - a huge bolt of energy that was as dark as the storm clouds, plunging into the sea. It tore into the waves, and the explosive backlash of it released a wall of water, which rose into the air with the swiftness of a heartbeat. Distantly, Dartz heard Kisara roar, but the sound of it was lost beneath the roar of the water as it reached its apex. The form of the white, three-headed dragon was engulfed, and the wall of water, nearly touching the clouds, suddenly collapsed, crashing back into the sea.

When the surface of the sea settled, there was no sign of Kisara; and there would be none. Dartz had triumphed, as he'd known he would.

A pity, he thought. Such beauty and power, and all of it wasted.

Now, to business. He hoped the Leviathan had finished its play with that vampire girl; there was still the matter of destroying Battle city to attend to, and Dartz had wasted enough time.

And with Kisara gone, there was no one to stand in his way.

Dartz turned, his gaze flickering back to Battle city. The Leviathan had relinquished its hold over the city, too preoccupied with the tiny speck of that vampire girl; she moved with impressive speed, and even from this distance, Dartz could see that the Leviathan, for whatever reason, was having difficulty.

Interesting. Did the girl possess some sort of ability, that she could confound the Leviathan? It was possible, but, Dartz supposed, it didn't really matter one way or another. He would destroy her, just as he'd obliterated Kisara.

But that doesn't mean I have to be hasty. I can take my time with this one. After all, the Leviathan couldn't have all the fun, could it?

He could already visualize it; her death would be slow, delectably torturous. He would draw it out, as he had not done with Kisara - this one was young, no possible threat to him, and he would enjoy toying with her…

Dartz glided in the direction of Battle city, intent on the flashes of the vampire girl's blue wings.

When he felt the surge of energy, the jolt of an unimaginable force, Dartz instinctively tensed, flaring out his wings - a good thing, because the very sight of the white mass of scales and wings that exploded from the waves was shocking in its own right, never mind the fact that there were torrents of concentrated electricity ripping through the air with violent fury.

Kisara was alive, and she was angry. Dartz fought down the inexplicable urge to laugh. This certainly made things more tedious for him - Kisara was a stubborn creature, too obstinate to accept her death with grace. But, though she looked like some pale demon hell-bent on destruction, Dartz could not help but think of the futility of it all.

Kisara was going to die by his hand, one way or another. But if Kisara was willing to play a bit longer, he would certainly oblige her.

Besides, there things that he hadn't tried yet - after centuries of carefully honing his abilities, Dartz had never truly been able to exercise his full strength. Perhaps Kisara, with her incredible power, would be the opponent he'd desired for so long…

The dragon rose, ascending at a frightening speed. Dartz threw caution to the wind and half-closed his wings, dropping to meet her.

It was, he admitted inwardly, a rather stupid thing to do. Kisara had shown herself to be perfectly capable of administering heavy damage at close range, but Dartz had power of his own - and since this fight was dragging out for longer than he'd expected, Dartz was ready to use some of his…darker abilities.

Each of Kisara's monstrous jaws opened, electricity sparking briefly between her fangs, before she released three streams of lightning. Dartz rolled sharply, and though the lightning passed close - close enough that he felt his skin burn - it didn't quite touch him. He broke out of the roll, and opened his hand. Kisara's main head jerked, and she tried, with a futile snap of her teeth, to snatch him out of the air. He flew right past her mouth, and caressed the length of her glittering, scaled throat with his palm.

Beneath the layers of scale and muscle, he felt her veins and arteries ignite. Kisara was turning, her wings producing thunderous gusts of air, but she was too slow - far too slow. Dartz snapped opened his own wings, forcing himself into an arc, and narrowing avoiding the endless coils of Kisara's tail.

A second later, he heard blood splattering into the air, and saw great gouts of it explode from Kisara's throat.

She roared, the sound echoing harshly upon the wind, and for a moment, Dartz was sure her wings would fold, and she would fall right out of the sky. But Kisara, it seemed, was made of sterner stuff; her necks arched and she reoriented herself, until she faced Dartz once more.

She looked the worse for wear. Blood glistened crimson along the pale expanse of her neck, and more of it leaked liberally from between her teeth. Of course, the wound where her blood had ripped from her neck was already closing, but Dartz had known that it would take a bit more than his Touch of Blood to kill her.

But there was some damage done. Dartz did not possess the strength of Pegasus, who could call blood from the veins without a single touch, but barring the King, there were no other vampires who had anything close to Dartz' ability. It would be useful for killing Kisara - if he could get a clear shot at her heart, this fight would be over.

Now that she was weakened, he had more options. Dartz pointed a finger toward the sea, focusing upon the dark waves. At his beck, thick tendrils of seawater rose, surging up, and reaching for Kisara.

To her credit, Kisara was still agile, even with the extreme blood loss she'd sustained. With a crack of her tail, she disrupted one of the tendrils, and with a sweep of a wing, she obliterated another. But it was only a matter of time. Dartz closed his fingers, and the mass of water tendrils converged on her - her three necks were immobilized first, and then her wings, until nearly every part of her - every dangerous part - was wrapped in water.

Dartz approached, the hot warmth of utter triumph heating his veins. With a flick of his wings, he hovered close, idly folding his arms to his chest. "So it has come to this. You were entertaining, to say the least. But I'm afraid our time has come to an end, Kisara. It was a pleasure, have no doubt of that."

He reached out with an open palm. His reflection, sharp and clear over the smooth scales of her chest, showed his face to be caught in sneer, his gaze hard and hungry.

"You seem resigned," he said, his fingers mere inches from her heart. He could hear it - the deep, regular thrum, like the echo of thunder. "I would have thought that you would die fighting. You promised to kill me, remember?"

Kisara's main head lowered, drifting closer to him - or, at least, as close as the tethers of seawater would allow. I am not the one who will kill you.

Dartz saw a shadow reflected over Kisara's scales - and that was all the warning he had.

Talons sank into the back of his neck, driving deep. He felt the agonizing pain of his vertebrae rupturing under sheer pressure, and Dartz could hardly think past the horrifying sensation of his spinal cord being torn from his back.

Blindly, he redirected a water tendril from Kisara, and struck at the force that held him in a death grip. The talons freed themselves from his neck, but Dartz was offered no reprieve - there was a flash, a blurring of motion, and his attacker was on him again.

He defended himself - badly. Those talons sliced through the muscles of his arm, before raking violently across his face. There was only enough thought in his mind to use his Touch of Blood, but even at such close range, his attempts were rendered useless; his opponent knocked away his arms, parrying them aside with ridiculous ease.

Dazed, Dartz blocked an on-coming blow with his wing. His attacker's talons ripped neatly through feather and muscle, nearly severing the tendon. It was only sheer luck that his wing wasn't crippled - but Dartz didn't have time to dwell on luck. He took the opening, slight though it was, and struck with an open palm.

His hand was caught before it could make contact with skin. Dartz's teeth clenched. The weight of bloodlust rolled off his attacker in waves, and eyes pale and devoid of pupils burned at him with the light of the killing-hunger.

"You," hissed Dartz in shock. "You should be dead!"

Dartz had seen him die - the dark-winged vampire who had had the audacity to attack him with that hunter-sword. Impossible - it was impossible!

His attacker said nothing; the fingers over Dartz's wrist suddenly closed, and there was the sickening sound of his bones snapping in half.

White fury crossed Dartz's vision. He wrenched his wrist back, breaking his attacker's hold - and with his opposite hand, he brushed his attacker's arm with his fingers.

There was a spray of blood as his opponent's veins ruptured, but there was far less damage than Dartz had anticipated. His attacker's arm was still intact, and only a minimal amount of blood stained the dark-winged vampire's flesh.

So he tried again, surging forward with his uninjured hand, but it was to little avail. His opponent moved so quickly that he blurred before Dartz's vision. Only once did Dartz manage to touch the vampire with his hand - the very tip of a finger catching the vampire's side - but there was no resulting splatter of blood. It was almost as if his Touch of Blood was weakening…

And then the vampire caught him by the throat. Dartz retaliated, his hand clenching over the vampire's wrist.

Nothing happened. There wasn't even a trickle of blood - the vampire's arteries and veins refused to respond to his Touch of Blood.

The grip over Dartz's neck tightened, talons sliding into his skin. The vampire's face was expressionless, but his eyes, savagely pale, spoke of bloodthirsty, murderous desire.

"You think you're going to kill me, filth? Don't kid yourself," Dartz choked out. He couldn't use his Touch of Blood, but there were other ways to destroy this vampire…

He called to the waves, and as before, tendrils of water rose from the ocean, like hungry, liquid snakes. With a twist of his unbroken wrist, he directed the tendrils, and they surged up, ready to tear, to rend, to rip apart the vampire limb from limb -

Each tendril suddenly dissipated, evaporating mid-air. Dartz's power drained from him, and his wings fell, a cold wave of weakness washing over him.

The vampire's eyes glowed ever brighter, and Dartz finally understood. It was compulsion - the vampire had stripped him of his strength, had rendered his Touch of Blood ineffective, all through compulsion.

But Dartz was no pathetic human, to be controlled like a slave; nor was he one of those common, pitiful vampires who could be so easily manipulated. It made little sense. He had always carefully guarded his mind, and there was no one, besides Pegasus and a few other vampire nobles, who possessed the mental strength to bypass the safeguards of Dartz's consciousness…

"You are nothing but trash," Dartz whispered. "The Leviathan will destroy Battle city, down to the last child. And then it will destroy you."

Without a word, the vampire raised his free hand - and plunged it into Dartz's chest.

There was a scream. Dartz was certain it was his own, but the shock, and the indescribable agony, wiped away everything else from his mind.

The vampire's hand withdrew itself from Dartz's ribcage. Blood-drenched fingers held Dartz's still beating heart.

Those fingers closed, talons slicing deep; Dartz's heart went still.

He only had strength enough for one last thing - for one last word. Dartz drew a breath, tasting the air, so sweet with the tang of blood.

"Monster."

The dark-winged vampire smiled, the first expression Dartz had seen cross his face. It was a smile full of insanity, and hatred, and…guilt.

The fingers wrapped around Dartz's neck loosened, and Dartz fell, through clouds and sky, into the sea.

---

The stake was still stained, the wood vaguely red, but no amount of cleaning would remove the blood from it now. Kaiba didn't bother; the steel tip of the stake was just as sharp as it had ever been, and that was good enough. Shizuka hovered beside him, worry etched upon her features.

"Kaiba," she began, and he cut her off, as he had done before.

"My answer has not changed. I won't negotiate with you, healer. If you continue to follow me, I'll make you wish you hadn't."

She placed a hand over his arm. "I know you're good at what you do, but even you can't fight twelve vampires on your own, Kaiba. We need you."

Kaiba removed her hand. "I won't be fighting alone," he said, not fully sure why it was so important to reassure her. "Go back. Our people need you more than they need me."

He saw her hesitate, but after a moment, she nodded. "Make sure you come back, Kaiba."

Kaiba said nothing, striding out into sunlight. He felt Shizuka's eyes on his back, and for a brief second, he felt something - an instant of his own worry. Shizuka would be safe; of that, he would make certain.

The expanse of Kisara's Keep, black and floating above a sea white as moonlight, gleamed crimson in the glow of the setting sun. All three of his Blue Eyes, as if they had known his intent, languished in the fading rays of the sun, waiting for him.

As he approached, they rose, snapping their jaws eagerly. His largest Blue Eyes lowered her body to the ground, exposing the long length of her neck for him to mount.

"No," he said, stroking the cool scales of her cheek. "I want you to stay here. Guard Shizuka and the others until I return."

She snarled lowly in displeasure, her wings arching in anger.

"Do it," he said, voice hard.

This time she snarled in earnest, the ridged plates along her neck bristling. He held her with his eyes, motionless, and after a time, she dipped her head in acquiescence. Turning her massive body, she launched herself into the sky.

Kaiba watched her - the play of sunlight over her form edged her scales with gold, and a part of him, a very small part, felt at ease. If any of those twelve vampires decided to try something, they would meet with a force that couldn't be reckoned with…

Kaiba could always smell treachery, and was certain that those vampires would attempt to destroy his hunters, and that attempt would be made soon. His mind shifted back, to the meeting hours before. That paradox, Akunadin - so obviously a vampire, yet Kaiba had never seen a vampire who showed such human signs of aging - was waiting for something. Otherwise, Kaiba was sure that the old vampire would have already ordered all of Kaiba's hunters to be killed. As it was, his people were to be confined in the Keep, imprisoned until further notice.

It was very clear to Kaiba that Akunadin was planning to dispose of Kisara, and forcibly wrest the Keep into his own hands. After Kisara was out of the picture, there would be nothing between Akunadin and Kaiba's force of hunters…

A wholesale slaughter, Kaiba mused. Most of the hunters were still heavily injured, and the larger majority were in no shape to fight. Easy targets. But Kaiba had no intention to wait until Akunadin made his move; there would be blood spilled today in Kisara's Keep, but it wouldn't be human blood…

The wind shifted, the alien smell of the Keep heavy upon the air. His dragons roared, flaring open their wings, their eyes shining in the encroaching darkness.

"Let's go," he said.