Disclaimer: Don't own Yugioh, Harry Potter, or Anne Rice novels.
"Do you love me, Angel?" the boy asked. He sounded angry as if he didn't want to hear the answer.
The spirit paused before answering. "This is a strange question coming from someone that does not believe in love. What is that you always say? 'Love is an illusion that the powerful use to control the powerless.' So my Machiavellian prince, do you think you control me?"
The boy snickered. "Isn't that what I asked you?"
"I think," the spirit said slowly, "you'll find that though the puppeteer moves the strings, the marionette can dance alone."
"What is that supposed to mean?" the boy said irritated.
"It means, my little brat prince, don't mistake me for your slave, and don't believe yourself to be a god. I grant only your wishes that please me.
The boy glared at the spirit but before he could come back with a retort, ghostly fingers sealed his lips.
"But," the spirit whispered, his fingers still on the boy's lips, "everything about you pleases me from your beautiful eyes to your little black heart. Call it love if you want. But don't think I'll bow down to you."
"Fair enough," the boy said aloud but inside he plotted. 'One day you'll worship me. One day the world will bow before me.'
The spirit heard the child's thoughts but dismissed them as the foolish dreams of youth.
Isis was not worried. She was not nervous. When her brother was branded with the prophecy, she had been nervous. When said brother was possessed by a homicidal alter ego, she had been worried. No, Isis Ishtar was not worried or nervous. She was merely having a psychotic meltdown, a full-blown panic attack. She frantically leafed through papers, went over note cards for about the hundred time, changed jewelry again and again, all while pacing and muttering to herself. She was breathing so fast, Malik was afraid she was hyperventilating.
"Really sis, you should calm down," Malik said ready to bolt behind Rishid, should she decide to throw something at him. But she barely acknowledged her brothers, as she continued talking to herself.
"Of course, they'll want to know if I'm qualified. A demonstration might be in order. Something powerful, distinctly wizard. But in a way they've never seen. Something to capture them. And they'll do an extensive background check. I guess having you as a brother will come in handy," she shot a glance at Malik. "Oh why, oh why did everything change?" she bemoaned glancing at letter in her hand from Bill. It read:
Dear Isis,
I'm afraid I have some ill news. Hogwarts is not going to be headed by Minerva McGonagall as was planned. The headmaster is going to be none other than Severus Snape, the man who killed Albus Dumbledore. We believe the Minisry has been infiltrated by You-Know-Who. We have to get as many as our people inside the school to protect the students. I'm sure You-Know-Who already has most of the positions filled. If you can convince them you're a pureblood, dark witch, loyal to You-Know-Who, you just might get in.
Also we are worried about Fleur's Grandmother, Lady Asceline. After she and Desiree dropped off Ryou at your house, she returned immediately to France without so much as a goodbye. Desiree said she had immediate business to attend to but somehow I feel that this is not the whole truth. If you know anything please ease our worries.
With love,
Bill
He had written this in a combination of ancient Egyptian and modern Arabic to thwart interceptors. Isis had immediately written her thanks and played innocent to the Ryou matter. Now she paced the room preparing for the dangerous interview.
"Malik's right," Bakura said taking a sip from a suspicious red cup. "You really don't have anything to worry about, you're an Ishtar. You can trace your magical heritage back six thousand years."
"Shadow magic, not wizard magic," Isis said worriedly.
"They won't know the difference. Besides, wizard magic came from shadow magic," Bakura said taking another sip of his amber liquid.
"What? I didn't know-"
"Surely, you've noticed even within your own family," Bakura said surprised.
Thinking back, she nodded slowly.
Seeing Malik looking dumbfounded, Bakura explained. "Everyone has a magic core, even the so called muggles. When I was alive, anyone could access the shadow realm. It was the place from which ka was born, the ka took on the form of a monster when it was summoned. Depending on the monster's abilities, a person could perform basic magic. When the priests created the items, they tapped directly into the raw magic of the shadow realm. But this did not just increase the power of the priests; it increased accessibility to the shadow realm. So people who only had a dim awareness of their ka could now call upon whenever they felt emotional. The shadow realm was sealed and people could not call upon their ka to perform magic. But they still carried magic, or heka within them. In time they learned to channel their power through magical objects, such as phoenix feathers. This evolved into wand magic." Bakura paused. He didn't know what made him so talkative. He was not one to drudge up the past. So why now? Bakura was getting irritated. He really shouldn't talk this much. He downed the rest of his cup and stalked off.
Malik mused on this for a while. "Rishid, I never really asked you. How do you use magic?"
Rishid looked at his younger brother surprised. But then again, he never received the common magic training among the Ishtar children. He had been destined for something greater.
"The light cannot exist without the darkness. The darkness cannot exist without the light. Life and death. Good and Evil. Where the two meet, shadow. Because few things in this world are black and white, shadow permeates everything. It connects everything living and dead. It is in the shadow realm that the ka of the dead live. It is a realm of magic. In ancient times when you summoned your ka it took on the form of a monster. However with the seal, this is now impossible. Now if I summon my ka, pure heka pours out. I connect my heka to the magic of the shadow realm and summon a spell or a curse instead of a monster. Sometimes I just meditate upon it like I did with the door in the hotel. But is easier if I have a first written a symbol or a hieroglyph. It is more specific and much easier. However, from what I know from Bill, it differs from wizard magic it that the word need not be pronounced or thought in a certain way. With their magic, even the intonation of a vowel can ruin the spell. But with us, we merely need to feel the power of the other realm and will it into action. The words are merely for those that get distracted. The name of the spirit or the spell just helps one focus. But you could summon a monster without knowing its name, simply by connecting yourself," Rishid finished. He too was amazed at the amount he had spoken. In fact he never remembered saying so much at one time in his entire life.
Malik was equally stunned and Isis actually stopped pacing to gape at Rishid. "So," Malik started awkwardly, "How exactly did you get to be a witch?" He hadn't really had a chance to actually ask about the details, he was so furious about the situation.
"Oh," she started. "Well, I suppose I should start with the history of the Ishtars. The Ishtars were all shadow mages, each and every one of them. But as families are wont to do, they grew. Eventually some married outside of the shadow mages to marry the new wizard kind. Even though the Ishtars valued tradition, many were wise enough to realize that without a foot in the modern world of magic, their existence could be threatened. So two branches formed, the main branch and the cadet branch. The main branch lived underground and kept all the secrets of the tomb keepers. The cadet branch lived above ground gaining power in the wizarding world while still holding to many of the old ideals. Sometimes a shadow mage is born in the cadet branch. And sometimes a wizard or witch is born in the main branch. When this happens," she said, her gaze far away, "the child is usually raised by an aunt and uncle in the opposite branch, seeing their parents perhaps once a year for the New Year's feast. When I was eleven, it was confirmed that I was indeed a witch. And I lived with Uncle Kamir. Perhaps because I was the clan leader's daughter, I was granted more privileges and allowed to return more frequently than once a year."
Now that Mallik thought about it he had seen Isis more sporadically than the constant presence that was Rishid. He thought that it was just because she was a girl and had girly things to do.
"I finished my training at seventeen. You were ten," she paused meaningfully. Malik understood. The passing of the prophecy. That ritual of blood and fire that birthed his hate. "There is another ritual too. Although most agreed that the pharaoh would be reincarnated outside of the clan, many suspected that the reincarnated priests would appear in the Ishtar family. So when a child came of age in the main branch they were presented the items. If the items somehow reacted to their touch, the elders believed this was a sign of the return of the king. I was shown merely as a courtesy to my father. Nobody expected anything to happen, so when the taunk glowed, well you can imagine their shock. The instant I touched it, visions flooded me and when I woke I was no longer a witch but a mage, an item holder," she stopped lost in her memories but then continued. "Some were angry. Some were joyful. All asked questions. Where was the pharaoh? Was he in Egypt? Another country? Was he a boy? A man? An unborn child? How would they recognize him? When would he come? I tried to provide answers but everything was vague. I understood their frustration. After six thousand years of waiting, they were now all depending on a former witch to guide them to the king of shadows. It was a disappointment to say the least," she then glanced at the clock. "Oh my goodness I really must go." She did one last check and with a pop she was gone.
Malik was silent for a long time, digesting all the new information. Since his tenth birthday it had always been about him, his pain, his hate. Not once did he think about what his sister might have gone through. It wracked him with guilt. How could he have been so selfish?
"So when she returned the taunk to the pharaoh her witch powers returned?" Malik asked.
Rishid nodded, back to his silent self again.
"So since I hadn't picked up the rod when I was eleven, I would have been taught typical shadow magic?"
Rishid nodded again.
"Without the rod, could I still do shadow magic?" Malik asked, eager to learn more.
"Perhaps, with the right training. And patience," Rishid said evenly. Secretly though he felt his younger brother had had enough shadow magic dealings to lat a lifetime.
So Isis Ishtar, we finally meet. I am Alecto Carrow and this is my brother Amycus," said a woman with a face in a permanent sneer. Isis was reminded of the evil witch that wanted to eat Hansel and Gretel.
"Good afternoon, it's a pleasure to meet you both." Isis said politely, taking an offered seat.
"I hope your trip was not too difficult," Amycus said. He may have been the prettier of the two but not by much.
"Oh yes, no trouble at all," Isis murmured quietly though inside she was fuming. After aparating to the designated spot, she had to use not one but three separate portkeys to get here, a mode of travel she knew to avoid in the future.
"Well let's begin," Alecto said. "We have looked extensively into your family background. The Ishtars are well renowned for being dark wizards and witches."
Isis nodded demurely, not commenting on their ignorance between the shadow heritage and the dark arts.
"And recently we have found that your younger brother was on a campaign to exterminate muggles, an admirable position."
Isis smiled sweetly. "Yes, it is a shame that had to end so quickly, but my family believes that such endeavors should be undertaken by those more equipped to such tasks. We have faith that the Dark Lord shall lead an army that shall make my brother's Ghouls look like saints."
"Have no fear, my firend, such a day is fast approaching. Everyday our dark forces multiply and the death eaters grow stronger," Alecto said cackling.
"Yes so our deepest dreams become reality," Isis said. Yes the nightmare becomes real, Isis thought to herself.
Alecto and Amycus nodded pleased. "Now," Amycus continued. "Originally my sister and I were to fill in the two open positions of Muggle Studies and Defense against the Dark Arts. However the worm Slughorn has vanished, leaving Potions available. To be quite honest, I excelled at potions in my student years. I can teach this subject easily enough. So I was hoping you might be interested in Defense Against the Dark Arts which by the way, we are renaming Insight into the Dark Arts."
"It would be an honor to serve in what way I can," Isis said with all humility.
"Now of course, we'll expect a full course syllabus for all classes. And we'll be dropping in from time to time to check on your progress when you begin teaching. If you need any assistance, I'm sure the headmaster will be glad to give you a few pointers. After all, he taught the class last year," Alecto said almost cheerfully.
"Before you go," Amycus said, " If we could just have a little demonstration of your skills. Nothing extreme after all, your resume speaks for itself."
Isis nodded, she expected as much. "Incenderos," she whispered and a cut appeared on her hand. Alecto gave her a look to say is that all? But Isis smiled and pressed her hand to the ground. She then twirled her wand in a complicated dance mimicking old runes. And pointed to the blood. "Voco everto," The blood rose from the ground in a swirling vortex and from the haze of red stepped an enormous leopard. Its red eyes were livid, its snarls ferocious.
"Nundu," Alecto whispered fearfully. Then quickly clamped her mouth to keep from breathing, remembering that the nundu's breath could produce a disease to wipe out an entire village.
"You can rest easy," Isis said calmly. "This nundu has been fitted with enough magical filters to render its breath harmless."
"How, how did you do this?" Amycus stared in awe.
"After subduing the creature. I made a pact with it. It now comes when I call." Isis said. "Of course I did have the help of ten other wizards to subdue it. But I made the pact. It answers to my will now."
"Ten? I have heard it usually takes a hundred to suppress such a creature." Alecto said with a mixture of wonder and suspicion.
"You will find a complete report in the papers I have supplied. Directly from our government. We were chosen to rid the village of this bane. The entire dealing was well documented.
"Summoning," Amycus said with respect as his sister poured over the offered papers. "A pact with such a monster. You are certainly worthy to assist the Dark Lord."
The nundu disappeared in a haze of blood. Isis smiled. "I will teach the students all that I know."
"Yes and the dark lord may find other uses for you as well if he deems you worthy," Alecto beamed.
Isis paused. Perhaps she had gone too far. She had seen the nundu as no more than an impressive pet. The group that had bound the monster had been a combination of shadow mages and wizards. With their combined force, it had been no trouble once the nundu's breath had been purified with red medicine. She had thought the capture relatively easy. But perhaps they would see her more promising as a solider than a teacher. She had to phrase her words carefully.
"Ah you overestimate me. The creature was already weak when we came upon it, whether injured by other wizards or stricken ill. We may never know. It took very little to bring it down. And the pact itself is not a display of my strength, only my knowledge. A pact, even with an animal, is based upon words. I am only a scholar. If anything you are more worthy than I to fight alongside the dark lord."
Alecto and Amycus nodded understandingly. "Yes we wish we could do more to serve him. How I envy the others. But we all have our roles to play," Amycus said.
"Well, without a doubt, you have proved yourself. We will see you at the start of the term."
"Thank you," Isis said with a small bow. She then made a graceful exit as quickly as possible.
Once she was safe within the walls of their new hotel room, Isis collapsed onto the large bed, sighing with happiness. She did it. She was a Hogwarts teacher.
"Congratulations, sis," Malik said. He hadn't seen such a contented smile on his sister in a long time. It was good to see.
"Thanks Malik," Isis said that happy smile still spread across her face. "But now I must really get some rest. Summoning always takes it out of me."
Malik nodded. His sister's own way of dueling. It made him smile. Even though she was no longer connected to the shadow realm, she still had the heart of a duelist.
Malik quietly slipped out of his sister's room and found Bakura carefully looking a ring of tarot cards.
"It's all too uncertain," he heard the spirit mummer before sweeping them away.
"Ah Malik, just the one I wanted to see. I'm going to Godric's Hollow tonight. Want to come?"
"What exactly is in Godric's Hollow?" Malik answered.
"A keepsake really. Something I left there when Ryou was a child."
"That doesn't explain why you need me," Malik said genuinely curious.
"Because, I designed the security so its going to be a pain in the neck. A sidekick will come in handy," he said with a laugh.
"No way," Malik said, crossing his arms in angry indignation. "I don't do grunt work."
"I…I just don't want to be alone this time," Bakura said quietly. And there was a sadness that Malik had never seen on the tomb robber's face. But it was gone as quickly as it had appeared and Malik wondered if he had seen it at all. "I'll make it worth your while. I'll show you the joys of tomb robbing. And I know you're dying to do something fun."
"Alright," Malik said. "Let's go, but I'm probably going to regret this. Bakura smiled a wicked grin and lead the way out the door.
"And where do you think you're going?" a stern voice said when they were but two feet into the hallway.
Bakura glared at the offending voice. "How did you get here?"
"Coincidently, Isis chose the same hotel that Sugoroku had chosen," Yami said pleasantly.
Bakura muttered dark retributions on the witch. Still fuming over this latest inconvenience, Bakura said, "To answer you're question, we're going on a business trip,"
"To do what?" Yami said suspiciously.
"My aren't we nosy. Don't you have some killers to kill, some cheaters to cheat?" Bakura said with a dismissive wave.
Yami scoffed. "You never understood justice."
"Oh take your inquisition somewhere else. I'm busy," Bakura growled.
"Take me with you," Yami said suddenly.
Bakura slowly grinned. "Ah the pharaoh steps down from his self righteous throne. He wants to play with us lowly commoners."
"Isis told me to watch you two," he said pointedly, looking at Malik who just scowled.
"Reeeally?" Bakura said still smiling. "Well like I said its just business. But you can tag along if you wish."
Yami snorted but followed the other two without complaint. The three stepped into shadow. No matter how many times Yami did it, passing through the shadow realm always sent a wave of euphoria through him, a sense of piece and belonging. The realm itself, though was a complete mystery. Yami guessed that its size was infinite yet somehow they were able to use it to travel great distances in the real without any real effort in the shadow realm. But Yami didn't bother with the mechanics of it. Before he knew it Bakura had lead them out of the shadow realm into a cemetery.
He led them along a twisted path until he stopped in front of a mausoleum. It was a grand structure reminiscent of the Italian renaissance. On either side of the doorway stood two stone angels wearing the solemn expressions of eternal guardians. Clad in armor and bearing identical jewel encrusted swords, the two angels looked more intimidating than any living warrior.
"This is where you come in," Bakura said turning to Malik.
"What?" Malik asked tearing his eyes away from the statues. "I don't see how."
"You are the key to conquer the first step," Bakura said laying a hand on one of the statues. "These two," he said gazing up at them, " are the gatekeepers. I placed a soul in each of them to guard this place. But now, not only have they forgotten they were human, they have forgotten their 'role'. Unless we can awaken them, the door will never open."
"Awaken them? How?" Malik asked.
"The millennium rod can do more than control minds. It can manifest a person's ka. As it is a technique you have not used, your probing would be enough to simply awaken them… hopefully."
"Hmm… I don't really get what you're saying but I guess I'll give it a shot," Malik said pulling out his rod.
"Try envisioning a dark tunnel. Reach past it, to the very depths of a soul," Bakura supplied.
Yami watched this in fascination. Bakura seemed to remember so much more from their ancient past. It had been a point of irritation for Yami who could not even remember his own name. But he couldn't help his pique in interest. Whenever Bakura mentioned something from those far off days, Yami felt like he could almost remember… almost.
Malik concentrated. It was easier than he thought; these two didn't even have a mind so all he had to do was reach past the darkness of sleep. There! A faint glimmer. And now to pull it to the surface. Malik stumbled back. Did he do it? Were they awake?
At first it seemed like nothing happened. Then a slight shudder ran through the stone angels and they seemed to breath. Bakura smirked at Malik's side. "Well done, young one."
Malik looked at Bakura surprised. The old spirit had actually paid him a compliment. That was more unnerving than his usual caustic remarks.
Yami gazed up at the two stone statues now moving into a defensive stance. He remembered the first time he faced Bakura in Monster World, a tabletop RPG. Karita the gym teacher had faintly called for help before the binding chains of fear had forced him into submission. But the other figurines had already submerged themselves into the role. Forgetting all trace of their previous lives, the game became their world. The souls were forever trapped in Monster World. It was a fate worse than death as far as Yami was concerned, who knew the pain of a lost identity. The two standing before him now, probably had a similar experience, forgetting their humanity and falling into the deepest darkness. And though Malik had reanimated them, their souls were long gone. Yami doubted he had the heart to fight such a pathetic pair. But apparently Bakura did.
With a flick of his wrist a monster appeared. "Against stone angels, a water demon would be best. Go Mist Demon. Demolish these frozen guardians." A dark creature with black wings and giant clawed hands emerged from the swirling mists. It gave a piercing shriek and attacked both angels at once, it's claws shattering the swords. With a wave of its great wings, the mist eroded stone into dust.
"Since when did you acquire such a powerful behemoth?" Yami asked.
"Since I decided to find a power greater than the gods," Bakura said watching his monster fade.
"Search for eternity, thief, there is no power equal to the gods," Yami said smugly.
"We'll see about that," Bakura murmured, grunting under the sudden pain of depleted life points. When Mist Demon disappeared at the end phase, he sacrificed a thousand life points. Foolish perhaps to waste such energy on wilted souls, but he did because it seemed like something that needed to be done. Even though Ryou slept deep within the ring, the thief could almost feel the young boy's approval. It annoyed him, made him feel like he had a conscious. It was a disturbing thought and he vowed that it wouldn't get the better of him again.
"Shall we then?" Bakura said waving a hand toward the open crypt.
Okay that was long and boring. Next chapter will be a lot better, promise.
Well you've hopefully guessed that the spirit is Bakura and I hope that I've left enough hints to tell you who the boy is