A/N: Hey, everyone! Sorry you had to wait, but I've had to do a lot of work around the house and I had an eye appointment the other day. For some reason, I've also been really tired and just didn't feel like staying up to write (night time is my writing time). So I'll stop talking and let you enjoy your fic. Opening Theme: Cataclysm by Iced Earth.

"Talk"

'Thought'

"Duel Monster Language"

"The Dragon"

Disclaimer: Everything has an owner. These owners are lucky people. I am not one of these lucky people.

Karim turned twenty-two. By this time, the war was over and many had forgotten his outburst. This night, Karim was heading back down the stairs, to the room where he had once been mercilessly abused. It was late, everyone was supposed to be sleeping.

He stayed in the shadows as he crept along. Karim stopped outside the doorway. Lights were on inside. He listened to the men inside.

"Sir, everything is going as planned. The Pharaoh will be dead by sundown tomorrow and no one suspects poisoning as the cause of his illness." The man speaking sounded like one of the lower officials.

Karim expected the next voice he heard, "Excellent. And what about the Anuwaret boy and the other blessed one?" Akhnaden asked.

"Neither one has shown more strength than we expect. They're behavior has been normal, so it is safe to assume they are not investigating."

"Good. Perhaps we won't have to dispose of them after all."

"This is the part where I prove you absolutely wrong," Karim stated. "Your security is rather poor. Maybe if you weren't trying to kill your brother you could train them better."

The old man's eye widened, "How do you know...?"

"I've done some digging. I mean, I've lost most of my family. There is no way that is coincidence. For once, I'm glad we keep all that paperwork. I questioned those men. The one you hired to nearly kill me." His eyes had a golden glow in them. His voice remained even, "Turns out they were really easy to convince. Did I ever tell you how much murderers piss me off?" The ground rumbled. A pair of crocodile jaws erupted from the ground and devoured a few of the officials in the room.

"My wife left me a clue. Another friend of mine then cemented the link and told me that you also killed many others. N others to be exact. If this kingdom burns, you are the sole person responsible," Karim snorted, "But you want that, don't you. To make way for your son."

Akhnaden growled, "You foul child! Damn half-breed, I should have killed you when I had the chance. Not that I don't today." A soldier ran and grabbed the Scales from his hand.

Karim's expression remained. A few more men were devoured by Ammit. "You honestly thought I would use that after I knew how it was made. It's a slap in the face to my goddess."

He started advancing toward Akhnaden. A group of soldiers charged at him. "Is this how you made them destroy that village? Hypnotism?" He sounded honestly curious. Then shrugged. A panther appeared in the middle of the formation and started attacking them. "Don't kill them, Bastet. The Pharaoh may still have some use for them."

"Is this a game to you?" Akhnaden demanded.

Anger entered Karim's voice and expression for the first time, "No. This is me punishing one of the foulest criminals in this kingdom. You've ruined so much, not just my life. Fratricide doesn't need to be added if you give me the antidote. Your punishment won't be as long."

He laughed, "Antidote? That old bastard is going to die. Then I'll get my hands on his son!"

"Have it your way then." Karim growled, about to start his judgement of Akhnaden.

"I wouldn't do that if you want your girlfriend to live."

Karim froze, "What do you mean?"

"You saw those soldiers. I mastered mind control long ago. I have one of my puppets close to her now. Stop using those blessed powers of yours and I'll let her live."

Karim reluctantly obeyed. 'I can't risk it right now. If he's right, Isis could die before I'm through with him."

Ma'at nodded, "Alright, be careful."

'I will.' "There. Satisfied?"

Suddenly, a pair of soldiers about his strength came up and took his down. They punched his gut to make him gasp for air. A liquid was poured down his throat. He coughed and caught his breath. "What did you shove down my throat?" His throat was burning as he spoke.

"The same poison my brother will die by. You have a week at most. You should feel your power diminish already. It would be easy for someone to kill you in that state."

Karim found he was right when he tried to access his stronger magic and could not. Ma'at gently commanded, "Save your strength, Karim. His time will come soon."

'I know. I just hate being so foolish some days.'

"You weren't foolish. Every threat he ushered was real. You acted the right way."

"You know, I could just fry him. It'd be so easy."

'Except for the fact that this room is too small. And Isis is still at risk.'

"I'll get him someday. You wait," the dragon announced triumphantly

'We'll see.' Karim smiled inwardly.

He got up to leave, "Mark my words Akhnaden: Your actions will come back to haunt you."

The old man snorted, "You know nothing." Then he smiled insanely, "Perhaps, I should make it easier on your son and kill him now. You'll all be one big happy family."

Karim turned, "Akhnaden, I may be weakened, but if a single hair is harmed on my son, I will kill you with my own hands." Akhnaden looked at Karim's eyes and saw the seriousness.

"I could say the same to you."

"Why would I hurt Seto? I like him. I respect him. Don't even try to compare us, I know where you're going. I would never murder for my son to have a better career. Besides, you've alienated him on your own." Karim went up the stairs and tried to sleep.

Morning came too soon. Karim sat up. He could feel how much strength he'd already lost. He began to regret not killing Akhnaden. Ma'at told him sternly, "Don't even start. You were the better man. You were above murdering. You are guiltless. His heart is like a stone, there is no turning back for him. He will fail my judgement."

'Thanks, Ma'at.'

He got up and went across the hall to Isis' room. She was still asleep. He crawled in bed beside her. She soon woke up and saw him. She shot up in bed and nearly jumped out. He smiled, "Morning, Sunshine."

"Karim, what are you doing in my bed?" She asked in shock.

"Apparently waking you up."

She sighed, "Don't scare me like that." She saw the bags under his eyes. "Are you okay? You look so tired."

"I'm fine. Just a rough night that's all." He smiled reassuringly. "You know how much I love you, right?"

"Yes, but it's nice to let you remind me." Isis wrapped his arms around his neck. He leaned down to kiss her. Their mouths opened and they explored each others mouths.

They soon parted and she got around. Karim silently sighed before asking, "Isis, if something were to happen to me, would you help take care of Ani?"

She was surprised at the question, but had an answer ready, "Yes, of course."

He relaxed a bit, "Thank you, Isis. I'd do the same thing for you." He got up, "I'll let you finish getting ready." He gave her a quick kiss, "My beautiful priestess."

She nuzzled in the crook of his neck. She heard him sigh contently.

The Pharaoh died around midday. Atem was crowned. A celebration occurred the next day, which the Thief King interrupted. After he escaped, Karim volunteered to scout the area and see if he was still nearby.

Karim got on a horse and went to the cliffs first. He found the thief hiding in an alcove. He called to him gently, noticing a change in demeanor, "Angelus, come out here."

The thief looked up, but stayed in the spot, "You know my name. Who told you my name?" The man's voice came out quietly and quite a bit less insane and angry than before. Karim knew he made the right conclusion.

"An old friend of yours. Amarosa." Karim saw the man smile

"So you're the priest she had a crush on. She still talks about you. I'm sorry to say she left Egypt. I heard she offered you passage as well."

"You still talk to her? When she talked to me, it sounded like she hadn't seen you in a while."

"She sent Malik and me letters. We were raised together for a bit." He sighed, "She was right about you. You are different from the other priests. Any one else would've killed me on sight."

"She told me about you and your situation. I have to let you go. If I take you back that thing will just take you over again."

"It's called Zorc." His voice sounded hoarse, as if saying it's name would awaken it.

" Any advice about it?"

"Yeah, don't get possessed. Being tortured for years is probably more enjoyable. It's not at full power yet. It has to go through some sort of revival process." He sighed shakily, "I made Ama leave. It hates her. I thought it would kill her. And it can leave it's influence without leaving a mark." A lonely sadness appeared in his indigo eyes.

"Who?" Karim asked softly.

"Malik. His hair's all spiked up now and he kills for fun. The damn thing took me over before I could even attempt to stop it. I've done by best to keep Malik from the palace and his sister. He's already killed his father."

Karim told him strongly, "You have an ally in me. I'll find a way to stop this."

Angelus smiled a bit, "Thanks. You should be going. They're probably looking for you."

"Yeah. One more thing. What about Diabound?"

"It's an extension of Zorc. Kill Diabound, do little damage to Zorc, but kill Zorc, kill Diabound."

"It's never easy is it?"

"Not for outcasts like us."

He turned to leave, "My name's Karim, by the way." When he returned to the palace, he reported finding nothing.

The next day was hell. Karim was weakened even more. Mahad left that night to find the thief and return the former king's mummy. Karim was waiting in his room when Ma'at spoke to him, "Karim, Mahad has failed." He sighed.

The guards returned Mahad's stone to the palace. Everyone was leaving when Kairm saw a figure beckon over to him. When he got closer he saw a familiar face. "Kage, you were told."

"What was he doing?"

"He was trying to stop the thief who is possessed by an evil entity. Kage, I know it's tough, but at least he's not dead."

"He might as well be." The man started crying, "He should have known better than to use a stone. He shouldn't have used a hunter's trap."

Karim let his confusion show, "The stone is how the others seal away evil ka. This is how hunter's capture Duel Monsters."

Kage looked grave, "Yes. One of your priests must be a hunter and veiled the trap under a benign name. This doesn't help us at all."

"Us? You're a Duel Monster? But Mahad never showed his..."

Kage cut him off, "Mahad forgot when he was kidnapped. His powers were separated from him somehow. His so-called ka was his powers. When he merged with it, he regained his true form. I sent him a letter."

"We haven't gotten mail in a while."

"The hunter is blocking communication."

"And I have a good idea who."

Kage talked quieter, "Heka told me the thief also had suppressed powers. That thing that's possessing him must be keeping them repressed."

Karim nodded, "Thanks, Kage. I have to go. Be careful."

Karim was killed the next day. He had given his last bit of strength to Shadah and made Isis reaffirm her promise. He tried to cross over, but found he could not.

"OK, I'm pretty sure my body just died." He looked back and saw Isis crying over him. "Yep, confirmed. Pretty sure I'd pass judgement. Pretty sure dead people are supposed to head toward the light. What's going on?"

Ma'at answered him, "I'm sorry, Karim. You are not done yet."

"Oh, am I about to come back alive and scare everyone?"

She told him sadly, "No."

"I'm a ghost?"

"Yes."

"Crap. For how long?"

"I'm not sure, Karim. Please, don't be angry."

"I'm not angry. Just a little disappointed." He looked back toward the group. He saw Seto look at him, not his body, him.

"Hey, guess who sees dead people," Karim smiled to himself. He watched Seto's face pale. "He hears them too." Seto looked away and muttered to himself about hallucinations.

Eventually, the Dark Priest separated Seto from the group. Seto overcame the priest with the help of the Blue Eyes White Dragon. Isis came up to him afterward. "Where's the Pharaoh?" he asked her.

Isis looked sadly at Seto, "I'm looking at him."

Seto sighed and saw the box with the broken Puzzle inside. "What a price to pay. Put the Puzzle in his tomb. Scatter these damn Items, may they never gather again."

Seto became Pharaoh shortly after. He sat alone in his room. They had just buried Atem, Simon, and Shadah. They were digging Karim's body out of the rubble.

A cool breezed passed him. He did not acknowledge it. Karim sighed, 'Alright, I'll be a little more direct.' The spirit kneeled in front of him, inches separating them.

Seto felt the presence and assumed it was one of his priests, most likely Mana. He looked up.

Karim smiled, "Boo."

Seto jumped back and said, "Why won't these visions go away?"

Karim shrugged, "Well, there's a good possibility that they're not visions and I'm stuck here. And let me tell you, being ignored is very frustrating, especially when people walk through you. A warning would be nice."

Seto calmed down, "Why are you stuck? And why not go see your girlfriend?"

"According to Ma'at, I'm not done. Since my body and soul together are blessed, I need both to help fight this evil. And Isis scares too easily. I prefer he last memory of me to be living."

"So, I'm guessing you need my help."

"Yeah, it's nothing too big. Just don't let them start the mummification process on my body. Use magic to keep it as is and keep thieves out. Goddess' orders." He added with a smile.

Seto smiled as well, "I will. I guess you can't reincarnate properly like everyone else."

"Thanks, Seto."

A/N: DC = 111. I'm not counting Mahad, Karim, or the Thief for reasons to come. There this made up for all the lack of update. So next time we finally get into the modern world where the majority of the story takes place. New characters! New happenings! Closing Theme: What Do You Do With A B.A. In English/ It Sucks To Be Me from Avenue Q.