Chapter Twelve
Malik had gone ahead of Bakura and was walking the corridors towards the front of the palace in a distracted manner. He hadn't gotten much sleep, since it had taken him some time to return to the palace with the amount of guards that were patrolling the streets. He could have waited until the night after they had returned, but he figured he'd be too exhausted to even do so and wanted to keep Anzu up to date just in case anything happened. He was having mixed feelings about whether he was actually happy that he had gone at all; part of him was extremely satisfied by the events that had happened while he had been there but part of him was also wishing he had simply sent Bakura so those events hadn't happened. His thoughts were a convoluted mess.
He paused when he spotted Atemu standing alone next to the entrance of the courtyard. He turned his head and smiled at Malik in invitation. Malik wasn't particularly in the mood to engage in conversation with Atemu and expected someone to be lurking around and if it were Mahado or Seto, he would simply smile and walk on. However, as he drew near, he saw that Siamun Muran was some ways away in the courtyard, a diligent shadow, yet barely noticeable. When he saw Malik, he merely inclined his head in greeting. "I rose a bit early today," Atemu said conversationally, "so I thought I might take advantage of the view before all of you left today."
"It must be a nice reprieve not being surrounded by all of your priests."
"I am thankful for any amount of time that I get alone," Atemu admitted, his smile held in place.
Silence fell over the two and Malik half expected Atemu to attempt another light conversation, but he seemed lost in his own thoughts. Malik glanced at him, his brows knitting together in confusion. For someone who had just stated that he was thankful for his time alone, he did not seem particularly interested in being alone at that moment. After a few moments had passed, Malik became restless and was about to bid him good morning when Atemu spoke again, "Can I ask you something, Malik?"
"If you'd like."
"Why did you take Anzu to Kul Elna with you?" He turned to look at Malik, who was watching Siamun Muran tend to a plant in the courtyard. Even without looking at him, Malik could feel the tension suddenly increase between the two. He ought to have been concerned, but he was more amused than anything. Atemu saw him as an obstacle to what he wanted, whether it be as a platonic protector or something more, he was unsure. "I doubt that Bakura would have taken her. I know my Thief Lord rather well and it's not in his nature. So, why did you bring her? You knew she was associated with me – you saw us together in the garden." Malik glanced at him and there was a strange little smile playing on Atemu's lips. "You knew that we were close and I would protect her, if need be."
"There was no promise that she would ever get to the palace. Seto was in a violent state of mind and would have killed her. He has no idea of your...stance...regarding Anzu, does he?"
"No, he doesn't. Mahado and Isis are the only ones who know anything in that area. Then why take her all the way to Kul Elna? She would have been safer elsewhere."
He is a persistent little cretin, isn't he? Malik thought with a slight twist to his mouth. "I suppose it must be my sense of honor from being a noble."
Atemu laughed. "Is that it?" He turned away from Malik, looking back out into the courtyard. "I'm not sure if it is that, but something akin to it, I suppose...whatever it is, I'm glad for it. Anzu has gotten involved in something that I wish she could have stayed out of...but she would tell me that all of my citizens are involved, whether I like it or not." Malik turned his head slightly, narrowing his eyes on Atemu. The pharaoh seemed unaware of his gaze and Malik caught the softening in his expression. "You have done well so far...but I would ask that you keep her safe, Malik. I know that you and Bakura are more than capable of it."
"It's a waste of your time to ask," Malik flippantly informed him, causing Atemu to look back at him as he moved away from the courtyard, turning his back on him. "I've already promised her that I would." Behind him, Malik could hear a quiet laugh from Atemu, but didn't pause in leaving him. As Malik continued on through the palace, caught in a brooding mood, he couldn't help but be relieved that his interest in Anzu had been hidden from Atemu. He was sure that the pharaoh could sense some type of deceit in his answers – and had as much as told him he did when Malik mentioned his honor – but Malik was positive that Atemu had no idea of the real reason for the deceit. Atemu was a good-hearted man, there was no doubt in that, and he would be a kind husband to Anzu; even so, Malik knew that Anzu had too much spirit for someone as relaxed as Atemu. And, as much as Malik respected Atemu as a pharaoh, the man could be ridiculous with his notions of loyalty and friendship. He was far too easy in his manners and speech and it annoyed him. Anzu needed someone with more energy and a readiness to debate with her. She was no docile woman. The thought of her being trained as a polite, meek queen lowered Malik into the dark pit of an extremely foul temper.
By the time it was time for them to depart and Bakura had met up with him, Malik was too far into his bad mood to be roused out of it by anyone, even his good friend. "The hell happened to you this morning?" Bakura finally grumbled after unsuccessful attempts to tease Malik into a good mood.
"None of your damn business," was the dark reply he received. One of Bakura's eyebrows shot up in question, but sensing Malik's mood, he wisely let the conversation drop. The two of them waited amidst the bustle of preparations as horses were brought forward and saddled. Malik leaned against one of sphinx statues that were positioned in a daunting line, his arms folded over his chest. Both he and Bakura had their robes and turbans on, concealing their appearances rather well. The servant cast them curious glances even as they worked, but both men pointedly ignored them.
"Good morning," Atemu greeted some time later as he came to meet the two men. Mahado and Isis were following close behind him and Siamun Muran was the last to come into view. "I'm glad that we're all on time."
"Is that supposed to be meant for me?" Bakura drawled mildly.
"Of course not," Atemu smoothly replied, "you always have impeccable timing." Bakura smirked behind his turban. "Anyway," he continued on to the others, "I want to remind you all that this is an incredibly dangerous venture that you'll be doing today. I want you to be as careful as possible. Mahado has prepared and brought some potions that might be of use, but if things have gotten worse than last time, we have very little protection against what is in that old village. If you see or hear anything unusual, please don't investigate and come straight back to the city. I don't want to lose any more of my people in this."
"No worries, you have professionals with you now." Atemu slanted a look towards Bakura, but chose not to say whichever thought had crossed his mind.
"Best of luck to you all," he said with a nod and turned away with Siamun Muran as the group mounted their horses.
"I'll lead the way with Bakura," Mahado said to Malik and Isis. "I think we'll be the best line of defense in anything happens. Purely because he has more experience in the desert," he added to Malik, inclining his head respectfully.
"Of course," Malik said, inclining his head in return. This will work perfectly for me so that I can get a word in with Isis.
After they left the city, there was ample opportunity for Malik to talk to Isis, but he found himself remaining silent. Ahead of them, Mahado and Bakura were equally silent and Isis seemed to be lost in her own troubled thoughts by the slight crease in her brow as they galloped through the hot desert, kicking up sand into the wind. Additionally, however, Malik felt as though he should wait. Something told him that speaking about it with Mahado so close by was a poor decision. The man was, after all, a sorcerer.
While Malik was caught up in these thoughts, the longer they rode, the more he noticed that the horses seemed to be lagging. Frowning, he urged his horse forward a bit brutally and the beast whipped its head in agitation. We must be getting close, he thought and then glanced around before tipping his head back to glance at the sky. But this doesn't seem quite right...we should have been riding for longer than this. Bakura must have had the same thought because he said something to Mahado and then raised his hand, tugging at the reins of his horse. Malik obligingly slowed and his horse's flanks heaved as it pawed the sand. "It doesn't feel right, does it?" Malik asked his companion while Mahado looked on in polite puzzlement.
"No..." Bakura frowned and patted his horse soothingly. "Something's wrong here."
"Excuse me," Mahado spoke up politely, with a touch of impatience in his tone, "but we still have quite a ways to ride before we hit the village."
"Not necessarily. Can't you feel it?" Mahado gave Bakura a blank look. Bakura cast him a disgusted look that seemed to fire up Mahado's ego a bit as his eyes hardened in annoyance. "The horses are starting to act like they did when we were at the village last. They're not willing to go much further, but will if we push them hard. The village should still be two hours off, but you can already feel it from here." Bakura looked down at the horse, continuing to stroke its neck comfortingly. Beneath his palm, he could feel the slightest tremble of fear course through the beast. "Animals are more perceptive than humans are...either the village has moved or the darkness is spreading farther out from the center."
"I don't feel anything," Mahado said very deliberately and then looked to his female companion. "Do you?"
"No," she answered slowly, "but you must remember that we have relied on our Sennen Items for so long to catch these undercurrents of darkness...our sensitivity to this may have dulled somewhat over time." His mouth turned down in disapproval at her neutral handling, but he seemed to be deliberating over it, turning it around in his mind. "And I do agree with Bakura...the horses have begun to slow down and are acting terrified. Which do you think is more likely, Thief Lord? That the village has moved or its spread out?"
Malik felt a slight smile tug at his lips. For once, he was quite thankful for Isis's steady mind. Outside of the city, Mahado seemed willing to show his bias more openly. If Seto had been paired with them instead of Isis, Malik wondered how this conversation would have played out. "If this thing is able to move villages," Bakura spoke up, "then we have a bigger problem on our hand than crop and livestock failures...No, I think that the darkness must have spread out."
"But over such a large area?" Malik murmured dubiously. "Either this thing has gotten stronger than we expected during that short amount of time or it's moved away from the village."
"Only one way to find out, eh?" Bakura's smile was brief and grim. "I think I'd feel more comfortable with the Sennen Items in front of me, though. Malik and I don't have that type of protection."
"Very true." Mahado finally roused himself from his thoughts. "I also have a few potions that might help us. If we are struck by anything, they will fight off the darkness from invading our bodies. Isis and I will form a protecting barrier over all of us and as long as we stay close, you'll be under the protection of the Sennen Ring and Tauk." After he and Isis had raised the shield, he handed out the potions and the four drank deeply from them.
"I don't suppose you have anything to calm the animals?" Malik queried, patting his horse that was still huffing in spite of being stationary.
"No, I honestly never thought about them," Mahado confessed, "and the Sennen Ring is considered one of the more...violent...Items. I doubt that it will do to try and use it's power on it. Would you like to try the Tauk for this, Isis?"
"It might help some," she said and then closed her eyes, touching her Sennen Tauk. There was a soft glow that came from it and a high ching sounded in the air. The wind carried the sound off and after a few moments the horses seemed to calm somewhat. Malik's horse stopped huffing and stood serenely. "I'm not sure how long it will hold them, but it will at least give us a bit more time in the desert."
"Then we'd better get going. The closer we get, the more anxious they will get and I don't particularly relish the idea of being thrown off my horse."
As Mahado and Isis led the way forward, Malik asked Bakura, "What the hell do you think is going on here? This is way too far away for us to be feeling this already...and it's a little strange that neither Mahado nor Isis could sense it. It feels like the air is thick with it."
"Not the air," Bakura shook his head, "but the sand." Malik eyes turned to him in alarm. "I've lived my entire life in the desert and when I was trying to wreck revenge on Atemu, the sands changed. They're reflective. Dark magic like this seems to get absorbed in the sand more and those who live in the desert can feel it more easily. Animals, being as perceptive as they are, can feel it, too. I'm not entirely sure what's going on...but that dark magic has spread over this way somehow."
"We're not prepared for something like this," Malik hissed at him. "We don't have the type of protection that we need."
"You might not, but I've come a little prepared for something like this."
A chill ran through Malik. "You can't fight dark magic with shadow magic."
"If the shadows are loyal to you, you can do a great deal." Bakura shrugged. "I don't expect to use it unless necessary. Mahado and the others are not as prepared to use all the resources they have – due primarily because of Atemu's reluctance to bring out that type of force. I'm not like that. If I'm being threatened by something like that, I have no problem with taking all the resources in my hands."
Malik shook his head. "I told you I wanted nothing to do with that, Bakura."
"Would you rather die?" Malik glanced at him. The question by itself sounded harsh, but Bakura's tone was calm and his expression was impassive, without any indication of emotion.
"Fine, but keep it under control, damn it."
The group rode in silence after the exchange. By the time they had gotten close to the village, the dark magic felt overpowering. After a survey of the two priests, Malik determined that they were at last able to feel the malevolent power that was pulsing beneath them in the sand. Mahado had become more alert and seemed on edge, braced for a surprise attack. Even though Malik had suspected these two to be their companions on this journey, he was secretive thankful for it. He did not trust Kalim to keep his calm, nor did he expect Akhenaden to do so, knowing him to have a quick temper when ignited. Seto, also, was easily provoked and he seemed to in conflict with some of the other priests. It was apparent that Atemu saw the same temperaments that Malik had observed in them.
"The village will be over this ridge," Bakura stated. Mahado's mouth set in a hard line when he looked to the thief. Bakura held a veneer of calm that betrayed how unnerved he was sure to be. Malik had been feeling uneasy the entire ride there and now that they were so close, he felt slightly ill. He had never been one for panicking, but the swooping sensations in his stomach could only be described thusly. He was beginning to question whether they were going to be able to escape from this situation alive. "Are we prepared?"
"As prepared as we are able to be," Mahado answered in a flat voice. Isis deferred conversation, her face turned resolutely from them. Very slowly, they urged their anxious beasts over the ridge. There was no way to take a sneaking approach, as they each feared that their horses would take off if they got off of them. At the top of the ridge, they stared down at the village, apparently bereft of words.
"This...what is this?" Isis eventually managed.
Malik shook his head slowly. Below them, whatever had been the village had vanished. Now, there was a dark mass covering the expanse where the village had been. Jagged light flashed in the darkness occasionally, but there was no distinguishing building, nothing that could explain at what they were looking. Malik struggled with his horse a moment as the beast tried to back away, but with a few sharp jabs into the beast's side, it subsided into miserable stillness. Something is in there..., Malik thought grimly. He turned his eyes to Bakura, but his gaze had sharpened and he was looking off to the side, away from the cloud of darkness.
"Get down!" Bakura snarled suddenly. Just as Mahado turned, startled by the command, something hard hit their shield, sending them flying. The horses went tumbling partially down the ridge, shrieking in terror. Mahado's own horse had been knocked dead by the blast and he was struggling to disentangle himself from the saddle. Once he did, he hastened back up to them, throwing a hand out. After they had regained their feet, they stood tensely with each other. Whatever had hit them was still nearby. Mahado had raised another shield over them, but it was clear that it wouldn't be strong enough for a second assault. Slowly, something materialized in front of them. It loomed high above them and Malik felt a shudder travel through him as his courage failed him.
"I...feed," was the guttural words it spoke through the long mouth. Malik flinched, seeing the bloodied and rust-coloured teeth that gleamed in the wide, gaping mouth when it spoke. Its eyes were white and it had no real form. It looked like no beast that Malik had never seen before.
When it knocked against their shield again, Isis threw up a hand and there was a bright shine as the Sennen Tauk unleashed an attack upon the creature. It growled at her and made a swipe with its massive, clawed hand, but it was stopped by the power of the Sennen Item. It shook its hand out as if annoyed and then laughed, burying the hand beneath the sand. There was a tremble beneath the sand before the sand burst up, exploding around them. Malik darted from the funnels of sand that tried to capture him and when he heard his sister cry out, he turned around wildly, catching sight of her being lifted up the sand's grip around her neck. It's after the Tauk! "Shit!" he hissed, moving towards her.
"Don't bother!" Bakura snapped from behind him. He had torn his turban and robes off at some point during the chaos and had a grip over a ring of circular stone tablets. Mahado went running to Isis and there was a gleam from his chest as he attempted to use his Sennen Ring to rid her of the sand plume, but to no avail. "There's nothing you can do." He held up one of the stone tablets, the others clacking against each other. "Dark Necrofear, I need you!" There was a cold wind that passed through the air after the words. "Necro Mannequin, come forth!" There was a shudder and everything seemed to go still until the creatures materialized beside Bakura. Without even asking, the bluish creature glided forward and her thin hand gripped the sand and yanked it away from Isis effortlessly. Isis fell to the ground choking, coughing and clutching at her throat. Dark Necrofear opened her hand and the Sennen Tauk fell beside Isis. Bakura shoved Malik forward to stand beside his sister and Mahado as the misshapen creature behind him scrabbled along behind him. The sands dropped abruptly, but a gloom had settled over them.
"We're in the shadow realm," Mahado whispered, looking around him as the sun and desert disappeared. He leapt to his feet. "What the hell have you done?!"
"Saved your lives," Bakura replied, unmoved. "You idiots weren't prepared for this fight. We can return to the palace through this route, it will just take longer." His smile was brief and humorless. "Dark magic cannot penetrate here...only shadow magic." Malik felt his skin crawl as Dark Necrofear floated back to Bakura, winding her arms around his neck, hanging onto him. "Lead the way, my dear," he told her. Malik glanced at the other creature and cringed. There was a leg hanging out of the Necro Mannequin's mouth.
X
Anzu folded her arms across her chest and glanced behind her. The sun had fallen some time ago and Malik and the others had yet to return. She had been waiting in the palace gardens for some time so that she would be there to greet them, but there was no indication that they had even arrived in the city. I have such a bad feeling about this..., she thought to herself and began to pace again, catching her thumb between her teeth and worrying it while she stomped through the garden. She paused at a large pot, leaning against it. What could be keeping them? She pushed off from it and heard a gasp inside the pot, causing her to pause. She glanced behind her, realizing that she had shifted it somewhat. Frowning, she stepped towards it and looked down to find a pair of eyes staring back up at her. "...um, hello...?" she tentatively said, clearly unsure as to what to say to a pair of eyes. A head rose up from the pot and she recognized the brunette as being Mahado's apprentice, Mana. "Oh, it's you."
"You nearly knocked me over while I was napping," Mana said accusingly, her eyes narrowing on Anzu in suspicion. "What are you doing on the palace grounds right now, anyway?"
"I was waiting for Malik and Bakura to get back," Anzu answered without missing a beat. "And besides, there's no reason to treat me that way. The pharaoh has given me permission to be here."
Mana snorted, pulling her slim body out of the pot and gracefully rolling out of it, landing on her feet. She turned her head and sent Anzu a haughty look. "The pharaoh is a lot kinder than some people deserve." Anzu bristled in outrage, momentarily distracted from her worries. "Especially when it comes to criminals."
"You certainly are being outspoken when your master isn't around," Anzu coldly remarked. Mana stiffened and turned around completely to face her. "If you have something to say, you may as well say it while you have the opportunity. I doubt you'll get a chance like this again."
"Everything I have to say is what you already know – that you're a traitor to Atemu and nothing but a sneak!"
"Except that I've already been cleared of that."
"The only reason Atemu even forgave you is because he wants you as his wife." Smirking at Anzu's blush, Mana continued doggedly, "Oh, yes, don't think nobody noticed. It's fairly obvious, not to mention Mahado is able to pick it up and was against you from the start. Atemu could get much better than just some girl off the streets of Egypt, but I suppose you're more interested in your thieves than a pharaoh." She shook her head, glaring at Anzu. "You should be ashamed."
"Well, I'm not!" Anzu raised her chin to stare down at Mana's slighter figure. "And frankly, I don't have anything to be ashamed about! Even thieves need friendship, they're not devoid of emotion!"
There a tense silence that hovered over them as the two females stared at each other. After awhile, Mana looked away, pursing her lips and turning away from Anzu. Anzu allowed herself to relax somewhat and thinking that Mana was going to walk away, her mind returned to the fear that had been lingering in her mind. "They haven't come back yet, have they?" Mana's voice broke through her thoughts and she turned, startled by the question, thinking that the apprentice had left. Mana was standing a few feet from her, a hand on her hip. Seeing the expression on Anzu's face, her own features crumpled and she clasped her hands to her lips. "Gods...I knew they shouldn't have gone. I told him it was much too dangerous."
Anzu eyed Mana, initially confused as to whom she was referring. With a thought, however, she felt her irritation at the girl fade as she realized she must have been talking of her master. Anzu knew that Mana would receive no comfort from her, but she crossed her arms over her chest, murmuring, "I know you don't like me...but would you be willing to listen to me talk? I'm so worried about them...I've had a bad feeling in my chest all day." She saw Mana look to her in surprise and then bite her lip and nod.
"Come, let's walk a bit." As Anzu fell in step beside the girl, Mana said, "I didn't want him to go. After the last time, I knew they would be in danger...especially if things had escalated. Atemu was insistent, though. He thought this was the only thing that could help to discover what was happening...he trusted the thieves' judgment. Even if it was a good idea, they didn't give themselves enough time to prepare...and the Sennen Items aren't effective against that evil right now." Mana put her hands to her heart and Anzu felt her own heart constrict at seeing the tears fall from Mana's eyes. "I'm so afraid he's dead...I can't imagine what I would do without Mahado. Nobody understands. Everyone I've spoken to has said that I'm overreacting, that it's simply taking them a longer time to get here, even Seto. I can't shake this feeling that something went wrong, though. Women who have a piece of their heart elsewhere...we can feel those things, can't we?" She looked to Anzu for confirmation.
"I...I'm not sure what you mean by that. Women's intuition?" Anzu asked hopefully, thinking that Mana had misinterpreted her relationship with one of the thieves at some point. Mana shook her head slightly.
"Not just that." She paused at a bench and sat down, closing her eyes against the tears that were continuing to fall down and wiping her face. "I just...I just hope that Mahado is safe. I love him so much. I don't care who knows anymore, I just want him to be safe." Mana covered her face and her shoulders shook as she cried softly to herself. Anzu hesitated and then sat beside her, gently taking her hands from her face. Mana sniffed and turned her face away, but Anzu could tell by her shallow breathing that she was still crying. Anzu clasped her hands in her own and tipped her head back, staring up at the starry expanse of Nut above her, willing herself not to cry in despair.
Please come back safe...
X
Malik sat at the edge of the oasis with his legs drawn up to his chest, staring broodingly out at the desert. Time passed strangely in the shadow realm. What had been a few hours there had been a few days out here, something he had only realized by the near starvation he felt when they left the shadow realm. They had all drank thirstily from the pond there. It would be at least another half-day's travel to get to the city and that was only to the outer limits. They would be able to get horses or send a message once they were at the stables, but given the time that had already passed Malik was sure the pharaoh and other priests suspected them dead. He only hoped the man wasn't foolish enough to send his remaining High Priests out to search for them. Somehow he doubted he would do that quite yet.
He heard the sound of footsteps behind him and glanced to the side just as Isis settled beside him. She looked exhausted and there were dark smudges beneath her eyes from lack of sleep. He was certain he looked just as haggard. "I know," she told him in a whisper, "that you hate me and that you loathe my lifestyle...but I am so very glad to have you here with me, Malik. If I had to face this darkness without my family near me...I do not think I would fight so hard."
"Don't be dramatic," he gruffly said, looking away.
"It's the truth."
"Truth or not, try and say it a way that doesn't sound like some message of fate that Atemu likes to spit out." Through the corner of his eye, he saw her smile slightly. They remained sitting beside each other silently for a long while before he asked, "Where is Mahado?"
"Sleeping. I used my Tauk to help ease his anxiety. He's suffered from very high stress levels ever since we were in the shadow realm."
"And you haven't?"
"I trust you and Bakura. He saved my life and I trust his judgment, no matter the means. Mahado is not so accepting."
Malik nodded and then shaded his eyes against the sunlight. They had decided to rest during the day when it was hottest so that they might travel during night. It was the safer option, as they had no supplies with them. Mahado was clearly sedated and after the event that had occurred, it was becoming more pressing to find the traitor High Priest. This was the best opportunity he would have to talk to Isis. "Isis, I need your help."
"Anything, brother," she readily answered. "You know that I will do what I can within my power for you."
"This isn't for just me – it's for Egypt." He could tell that his words had given her pause.
"...You don't trust anyone else with this?" she finally asked.
"No, of course not," he said in disgust, waving a hand dismissively. "How could I? Nobody else would believe me." He rubbed his face briskly, attempting to wake himself. He needed his brain to be able to explain his suspicions in a lucid manner. "Bakura and I think there is someone operating this dark magic from within the palace." She twitched, but gave no other indication of alarm. "Not only that...we strongly feel that it is a holder of the Sennen Items. Bakura's own experience indicates that only a holder would be able to alter the power of the Sennen Items so much. We're fairly certain that it's not you, Mahado, or Seto."
"But you think it's one of the others?"
"I'm positive it is. There's no other explanation."
Isis sighed softly beside him and leaned forward, clasping her hands closely. Her fine, slender fingers crossed over each other and she seemed deep in thought. Malik respectfully stayed silent, allowing her to absorb what he had said. After a time, she nodded, saying, "Then there's no doubt who it would be." Malik turned to her, amazed at her calm acceptance of his words.
"Who?"
Isis met his gaze mildly. "Could you not guess, brother? It must be Akhenaden."
TBC
X
DIS: I want to give a big thanks to everyone who reviewed! I love the feedback, it really encourages me and helps me alter the character relationships and, in the case of Anzu and Malik, gives me a good feel of how I should move them along through the rest of the story. I'd also really like to thank everyone for being patient while I briefly went MIA during the summer working on a personal fiction project of mine. But now you should see regular updates again. My question for this chapter is – how did you feel about the introduction of the Duel Monsters? I'm trying to stay more in the canon universe than not, so I'm interested to know how you guys think I handled the inclusion of the Duel Monsters. Please let me know in a review! Cheers!
