Title: Change of Heart
Author: Britani Gael
The Paradox had existed for as long as it could remember, and since its memory went back to the beginning of the Universe it inhabited, as far as it was concerned, it had lived forever.
There had been three, but then there had been four. An angry spirit named Keleos entered their world, and she had been seeking power. In her attempts to bend the three to her will, she had actually given the place dimension, she had given the place stuff, like space and time and life. Perhaps they should have been grateful.
The spirits had been grateful, a little, as they methodically destroyed Keleos. They warped her body and her soul, until there was nothing left. They had not warped her mind, the Watcher had noted. It was warped enough already.
Keleos had adapted well enough to being a disembodied spirit, part of the group mind that they all became. Her goals had not changed, all of them knew that they wouldn't, but until recently, she hadn't the means to accomplish them.
The Judge had warned that she would find a way. The Watcher had countered, what could they do to stop her? Nothing, the Paradox had agreed. So they waited.
Her ties to her home world ran deep, and she watched it from afar. Now she had found something to her liking, an object that could do terrible things. She had wanted it, and she drained their world of its power to bring it here.
I didn't know she could do that, the Watcher had noted.
You are a fool, the Judge had answered. We are all fools.
What Keleos had not counted on were two people being bound to the object, by forces she did not understand. She probed their minds, though, and quickly found a way to turn it to her advantage. She emptied one of his mind, the other of their souls. She knew what they would do, she said.
The Judge agreed with her. We are doomed, it said. But the Watcher did not. There was more to them than they seemed, he said. Iol claimed that they could, in fact, be the ruin of Keleos. What she thought would save her, would then destroy her.
Irony was one of many words the Paradox had lifted from the newcomer's minds. He thought it suited the situation.
At first, their minds seemed to fit what the Judge had said. The first, the younger of the two, was weak, in body and mind. He was an ideal target for Keleos, because of his weakness and because of the fact that he was still living. He was an intelligent person, who thought out his actions before he did them, though the strains Keleos was putting on him made these characteristics almost useless.
The second was quite different. He lacked the strict moral code so evident in the first, and had a sharp mind, was practiced in acts of cunning and treachery.
* * *
Idiot bird.
The voice wasn't like anything Yami had heard before, but he recognized it all the same. Keleos. She slithered into his mind, worming right into his consciousness. He didn't have a choice but to listen.
He bought you nothing. This will simply take more time.
Yami didn't answer her. He glanced over at Bakura, who looked completely lost in thought. His teeth were clenched, his brows were furrowed.
"What do we do now?" Bakura demanded.
"How should I –" Yami stopped. Bakura wasn't talking to him, not with that look on his face. Damn.
What do you want? he snapped at Keleos.
I simply need to gather my power again.
Yami looked again at Bakura. A drop of sweat dripped down the side of his face. You're going to kill him, aren't you?
Does it matter? You don't care.
Are you planning on returning me?
She paused. If you follow my instructions, I suppose it wouldn't be out of the question …
Then I do care. If his friends find out – and they will find out – that I left him in another dimension to die to save my own skin, I won't –
Mortals such as them no longer matter.
What if one of his friends isn't mortal?
That might be more of a problem, then … for you.
Yes. Indeed it would. It might be better than staying here for the rest of eternity. Still, returning with Bakura would be better.
His thoughts were interrupted again. Well, if he does decide to kill me, there isn't that much I can do about it, is there?
What are you … talking about … Then he realized.
I said nothing, Keleos answered, annoyed.
I know.
Bakura cringed, and then he dropped to a knee, rubbing his temples. "What's she … doing?" he asked. Why would Bakura be asking him?
What are you doing?
I don't have the patience to be, hmmm, gentle with him.
Bakura shut his eyes, and then he jerked backwards. He fell on the floor, and drew his knees to his chest, shuddering in pain.
"Yami … stop … please …" he whimpered.
Stop it! Yami said.
Why?
"Because I said so!"
Yami felt her waver, in puzzlement and confusion. She drew back a little.
Perhaps you better not get the idea that you have say in what happens. You are a victim of Fate, child. Deal with it.
Shut up.
You desire power, I can feel it. You can have all that you wish. Perhaps you should see this turn of events as a blessing.
Bakura relaxed.
I have everything I need. You should have used the time Iol gave you. Too bad.
The world started to fade around them.
Yami almost smiled. Keleos was wrong. It wasn't game over, not quite yet.
* * *
Wake up!
I'm gonna die I'm gonna die. Game over. End of the world as we know it …
You haven't the time.
Who was talking to him? Who was it, inside his brain? Oh yes, his conversation partner, the Paradox. Who didn't talk to rocks in their spare time?
If you wish to avoid trauma, I would advise against opening your eyes. If you wish to live, I would have to counsel the opposite.
Bakura groggily tried to sort through his thoughts. Huh?
Get up.
Why did he have to do that? He had to be dead now, you couldn't feel so tired and not be dead. Other dead people didn't have to get up. Why should he?
I don't want to have to leave you with her, but I may not have a choice. You are not the only one being sucked dry.
He could feel nothing, he was numb to the world. Even the pain was gone. He didn't want to do this, he wanted to go home. Was that so much to ask?
As of now, yes, it is.
Bakura managed to pull himself to the place most people call awake. He was aware that he was lying on the ground, and he could remember that he was way over his head and that pretty soon now someone was going to decide to kill him.
He didn't open his eyes, though.
We discussed your dilemma. In great detail. Do you remember?
I remember …
Go along with whatever happens. Understand? Now get up!
Bakura took a deep breath, and pried one eye open.
His vision was blurry, still black and white with a few splotches of gray floating in front of his face, and he was staring at the ceiling. The light hurt, but he didn't close it, he would probably drift off for good. After a few seconds to adjust, he opened the other eye. And then he moved his head.
He saw Keleos first. She was still terrifying, though she seemed more solid than when he had seen her last. And, not surprisingly, standing next to her was his Yami, who was glaring at Bakura. One his fists was clenched.
They have been discussing things.
Like … like what?
What to do with you, for one.
Oh. Do they know I'm … talking to you?
Probably.
"Well, everyone is here now, aren't they?" Keleos said, smiling.
No one answered.
"I can feel your presence, Iol," she continued. "You can come out if you want, but it doesn't matter. It's time for the fun to begin." She laughed.
Yami shook his head and muttered something. He clenched his fists tighter.
Bakura gulped.
* * *
