I'm Frikin' 21!!! -hic- S'all good. :P
Soooo...I thought I'd be updating BTS next. Well, as you can see, I was Wrong. It's interesting too, this story got less reviews than the other three considering how many people have it on their favs/alerts. Was the last chapter not satisfactory? Please tell me. I'm interested to know.
Tsukuda: "I've been reading it for a while I just never really reviewed" Ah. -smiles knowingly- I'm doing that with a LOT of fics right now. Oh! -tackles- New reviewer! "I will start reviewing regularly if you update" Well in that case! XD
kari2500: O.O Holy shnikies, honey! That's one LONG review! -tackles- Glad you liked SOS and COTW so much. Ah the Baku/Jou scenes. Everyone loved those parts. There was that one chapter just a few ago with the two of them. It's not quite the same as Jou/ancient egyptian in which they don't have a clue what the other is saying. -snickers- (Jou: Yeah, thanks a heap for that.) Ah, the donuts! Let us never forget that life-long lesson. LOL "If nothing else you got me completely hooked on Jou and Kura which is why I'm reading As I Fall as soon as I'm done with this review." Well, I hope you enjoy it. It's a lot...different than any of my other stories. Yeah. Pretty explicit in violence and -cough- other scenes. Ja. -nod nod- Yes, Bakura generally gets the worst in my stories...but Malik dies the most often. (Malik: -glare- I want a Ferris plushie too!) Do NOT give it to him. Please. (Kura: Mwahahaha! -stuffing Ferris plushie with jellybeans-) Ummm...I think I'll just pretend I didn't see that....yeah. "Psychoshipping! I've never read it, but Marik is just so sweet and adorable I couldn't help but love the pairing because of your fic" I know! He's super cute! (Marik: And sexy!) Yes yes. And sexy. (Marik: -grinning madly-) -sigh- I haven't written any poetry in...over a year? The poems were my rantings and outlets. Let's just say the majority of them are very...dark in nature. -winks- And yes, the site did ban these beginning notes. Hush hush. -hands bag of orange tic tacs- Oh, my sister? She's here. She actually reviewed just before you did. -smirks-
Chella: Damn, that snake just isn't working, is it? Stupid site. "Very good chapter, oh so cuddly and dangerous!" (Marik: -waving hand in the air- I'm the cuddly one!) LOL (Bakura: Can I be the dangerous one?) (Zork/Yami Marik/Thief king/whoever the hell he is: Hell no! I'm the evil one!) O.o Uhhh... "why so serious?!? mwahahaha" You didn't happen to watch The Dark Knight right before you wrote this review, did you? "your favoritest sister" And my least favoritest sister. Note to all who read these replies: She's my only sister. -smirks-
HieiWannabe: Thought Kura was protecting Ryou in his irrational sort of cruel ways? Very good! -claps hands- Kura doesn't hate Ryou. No no. Ah, you liked the last scene? Good. Those two are adorable, aren't they? (Marik: Duh! -snuggling teh kura-) (Kura: -blushing madly-) LOL "Although my suspicion that part of what Zork was promising he would give Seth was actually Bakura made it somewhat darker than cute." Well, he wasn't giving Bakura to Seth. He was having Seth protect Bakura. You'll see Zork's gift to Seth (which we've encountered before) in this chapter."You may not believe it, but one reason why I look for updates on this story and your profile is to make sure you're (mostly) okay." You do? -tackles- I LOVE YOU!!!
Fallin-Alone-Scared-Lost: "Malik=Zork=*my brain melt*...Cool." ROFL! Well, if brain-melting is 'cool'...(Malik: Oh it IS! I've tried it on a number of people before. What you do is you set up this big cauldron and...) Aaaand we'll leave it on that note. -sweat drop- (Malik: -pouts- You're no fun)
anyone at all...nah, it's me: Hey Peepz! "Ew. I did not like creepy clown Seto either. It was disgusting. Plus, clowns freak me out." Yeah, that whole little plot was ridiculous and highly disturbing to me. -shudders- Once again, horror film children reign supreme in complete and utter creepiness. "Lol, you like picking on Otogi, don't you?" Oh you have NO IDEA. (hint hint for chapter) Yes, I killed him in Crimson."
dragonlady222: "Zork needs to be banished or destroyed for good." (Malik: -teary eyed- B-but, then you'd be getting rid of ME! You wouldn't want to get rid of ME, would you?) Oh here it comes... (Malik: WOULD YOU?!) -rolls eyes- "Otogi has gone over the edge now" Big plans for Otogi! Big plans! (Otogi: But not good plans...right?) Right! XD (Otogi: -sigh-)
cgflower: "it was really cool, though, how you ties in all the "bad guys" to be zork. it was like canon 2.0 ! cooler concept than the original, that's for sure." Glad to hear you like it! (Malik: Well I don't! -whines- I wanna be myself!) Tough luck. You're Zork in this one. (Malik: You do hate me, don't you?) The promise "will probably be broken in a way that will make all of us cry out in despair (I remember Cry of the Wicked!", eh? -grins- Well, we'll have to see about that. (Marik: -grabs teh Kura- No! he's MINE! MINEMINEMINE!!!) (Kura: Help..me..)
pride1289: -grins- A lot of people like how I made Kura in this story...even if he does get the worst of everything. (Bakura: Which seems to happen in ALL of your stories) Wellll...-cough- Anyway, you liked the end scene? (Marik: Who DIDN'T like the end scene? XD) LOL "*walks like a zombie to Bakura* grah! Give meh a hug!" -grabs teh Kura- Here! I got him! -cuddles- (Kura: Aaaaaaaaaahhhh!)
Dragon-Tooth: "Score! No gay clown!" Yes, thank Ra for that. "You are a GENIUS! ...Please tell me I spelt that right." LOL Yes, yes you did. "But Malik makes him look GOOD, don't you think?" I couldn't agree more. I'm trying to figure out a time when he can appear in Yami Marik form. (Malik: You'd better! If you're gonna kill me off again I at least want to be ME for a little while!) -snort- Glad you like Yami's character development and the scene between him and Bakura. "It's not often that Yami confuses the hell out of Bakura, normally it's the other way around!" (Yami: Whoot for me!) (Bakura: -mutters-) "Not to mention Marik sneaking in out of nowhere." (Marik: Whoot for me too!) (Bakura: -glower-) LOL
Memnoch's Heart: "I know the whole 'bakura being out cold' at the beginning of the chapter was supposed to be serious, but I swear I was giggling myself into a coma" -grins- Well, it was only supposed to be semi-serious really. I snickered a bit while writing it. (Bakura: I hate you) "I do enjoy how you made Yami no Malik/whatever the heck the billion Baku's are into Zork. It's creative and screams 'Ferris'. Actually, it screams "OMGWTFBBQ", but it also has your touch to it" LOL Really? BBQ, eh? (Malik: Oooh! I love BBQ!) O.o Ahem. "You know I have to go back and reread this ENTIRE series now, don't you?" -scoffs- You think YOU'VE got it bad? I've got a folder full of info and notes for the four stories. NEVER try to write four stories at once. -headache-
AnimeLoverAngel: "I almost ripped my sleeve to pieces when Marik was aboout to confess..." (Marik: -sobs- Why? Why didn't you let us at least snog?) (Bakura: -blush-)Yes the others see Baku in a different light now. Yami especially. It will create less of a rift between the two of them...which is good considering what they're about to go up against. "Oh god I can't wait for those two to kiss!" (Marik: Neither can I!!!) (Bakura: -sigh-)
Esoteric Memories: Yesssss. Very emotionally intense...as is this chapter. (Bakura: As are ALL of your chapters) -grins- Oh so true! XD
This chapter shall be dedicated to Tsukuda, kari2500, and HieiWannabe! Note that we get a better look into Zork's psyche and a better understanding of the Master in this chapter! It might not be clear of who the song at the beginning is supposed to represent but I have a feeling you will figure it out very quickly. -smirk-
Tomorrow (SR-71)
Is it any wonder why I'm scared?
If I was a little younger would I care?
Feeling like the walls are growing stronger,
I don't know if this cage can hold me any longer
You never dreamed you'd have to live your life so guarded,
Cause they'll find a way to make you feel discarded!
I'm not afraid of tomorrow!
I'm only scared of myself,
Feels like my insides are on fire,
And I'm looking through the eyes of someone else!
I never thought they'd want me to go even faster,
Never thought I took my foot off the gas,
Everybody loves to be in on the pressure,
But I know they're all waiting for the crash
You never dreamed you'd have to live your life so guarded,
Cause they'll find a way to make you feel discarded,
Things have changed, you've become a complication,
Can't make it through another day's humiliation!
I'm not afraid of tomorrow!
I only scared of myself,
Feels like my insides are on fire,
And I'm looking through the eyes of someone else
Someone else...
Is it any wonder why the answer keeps me petrified?
Is it any wonder why I'm scared?!
Chapter 21: Shadow Aura
More dark clouds soon botched the dawn out, concealing the sun, leaving a dreary ambiance where neither night nor day dwelt. There was only grey. The clouds were thick and the dank fog heavy. The streetlamps stayed on well-past their regular time. It put a great weight on the chest, making it difficult to breathe, to not want to even move. Almost like a spell, it only gave the desire to sleep.
They took watches throughout the rest of the night after Ryou's departure. After all, Zork knew where they were. There was no choice now. They had to leave. It would be unwise to do so without some preparations first. To everyone, besides sleep and food, hygiene was a top priority.
"There isn't going to be any hot water left by the time that mutt is out of the shower," Kaiba grumbled from where he was peering through the window at an angle so anyone outside would not see him.
"Well we could have had a few people shower at a time," Yami smiled as he cleared away the empty plates and forks that had been licked clean.
"Like I'd want to see any of you people…" The CEO shuddered in repulsion, not finishing that sentence as he tried to block out the unpleasant images his mind had conjured.
Mostly everyone else was asleep, save Otogi who was sitting on the floor curled up in a ball. Jade green eyes were glazed as he rocked back and forth slightly, every so often muttering comfortingly to himself. Anzu, Yugi, Mokuba were upstairs. As for Marik and Bakura—when the two Egyptians did not return after a while Yami went back downstairs to find them snuggled together on the couch in the living room sound asleep.
"When are that damn doctor and your grandfather coming back?" Seto continued irritably. "They've been gone for nearly three hours."
"Well they had quite a lot to buy, you must admit," the Yami chuckled lightly. "Food, clothes, essentials like toothbrushes, medical equipment…"
"That is assuming that man hasn't turned traitor on us or been captured."
"How many times do I have to tell you to stop saying such things?" the former pharaoh chided. "The doctor is not our enemy. And they will be back soon." This being said, Yami marched off to the kitchen with a tray full of dishes.
Kaiba scowled after him. He hated the fact that he had to stay with these people—had to trust them. There were no other options at this point though. Seto himself was too interwoven into this madness, regardless of whether he understood it or not. The Master and his followers attacked his home. They wouldn't miss another opportunity to strike at him and Mokuba if given the chance. And now he had to worry about the devil controlling Ryou.
Zork would definitely not leave Kaiba alone.
Glancing after Yami in disgust, the brunette slowly made his way over to the dice master who was supposed to be watched constantly.
'How foolish of Yami to leave him like this. That dolt is supposed to be guarding the ka items too,' he thought scornfully.
Getting down on one knee, blue eyes narrowed as they stared straight into blank emerald orbs. The CEO shivered, noting there was something odd about Otogi. Besides the disheveled look that they all shared, there was an uncanny feeling about him.
'Is Zork controlling him as well?'
This was something Kaiba took into consideration with quite a bit of trepidation. Zork could only control one person at a time, but while with Bakura in the past he still had influence on Priest Seth. What if he left Otogi behind to be his eyes and ears?
No. That wasn't it. While Kaiba could sense something, Zork was not it. Glancing at the dice master's neck, he noted there wasn't a cord. That meant Otogi wasn't wearing a ka item.
"I must be getting paranoid," he muttered, disappointed with himself for letting such things get to his head.
Placing his hands on the floor to brace himself to get up, the CEO froze when fingers shot forward, curling around both of his wrists. Ready to shout at the other teen for touching him, Kaiba noted how much Otogi had indeed changed. The eyes were still a brilliant polished emerald hue, but the black pupils were slits turned vertical like a snake or cat's.
'Or a dragon's,' Kaiba reminded himself, heart racing. 'My god, it's like he's fusing more and more with his ka!'
"So…dark…"
Startled by how much Otogi's voice sounded as he used to, Kaiba decided it was best not to bully or demand the teen let go of him. He was looking directly at the CEO but wasn't focusing on him. This peaked Seto's interested. He glanced towards the door but figured Yami wouldn't be returning any time soon.
"Do you know where you are?" he questioned quietly so as not to startle Otogi.
"I'm barely…me anymore."
"You are changing physically," Kaiba acknowledged, wincing as fingernails dug into his skin.
"Not that." The dice master hesitated before continuing hoarsely. "Something's happening. It's getting...The shadows are increasing."
"You're blind then?" Seto asked
Otogi licked his parched lips, body quaking. "No. I can see you clearly. Even better than before. It's not physical blindness…"
"Your soul is warping," Kaiba stated; vocalizing what they'd both concluded.
The dice master shuddered, closing his eyes tightly. His hold on Kaiba was practically cutting off the circulation in the CEO's hands. Earlier, when Otogi had been in a state of hysterics, Kaiba had mocked him. Now, seeing up close what all of this shit about ancient Egypt, Shadow Magic, and Zork had reduced the ebony-haired teen to, Kaiba was furious. He'd only shared a word or two with the dice master before. Seto knew Otogi had his own company. While it paled in comparison to KaibaCorp. , the fact that someone else his age could get even as high as Otogi had in the business world was something to be accredited. And, as far as Kaiba knew, the dice master had done it on his own. Now he was being distorted and twisted by something he hadn't even been involved in. Still, that didn't mean the CEO didn't yearn for the now painful physical contact to end.
"Let go of me."
Otogi whimpered, shaking his head. Kaiba growled while trying to pry the dice master's fingers from his wrists but found it only turned it into a death grip. This wasn't productive at all. How was he supposed to converse with someone who was losing touch with reality? If Kaiba couldn't address him as a peer then what? Gazing at the trembling lip, the tightly closed eyes, the cringing frame, one word came to mind: pathetic. That didn't help.
'Talk to him!' he urged himself. 'But how? He's on the brink. There's no way I…' Blue eyes widened, snapping back to the cowering teen. 'That's it!'
"Are you cold?" he asked kindly in a voice he reserved for only his younger brother. Otogi nodded. "Well then if you let go of me I can go get some of the blankets over there. Or we could both go over there," he added, knowing giving options was always a plus as he motioned with his head to the pile of blankets where Marik, Bakura, and Ryou had been sleeping earlier.
Otogi's eyes opened slowly, glancing in a frightened manner at the blankets as if a monster from childhood nightmares was going to jump out of it at any given moment. Frustration getting the better of him, Kaiba hoisted the dice master to his feet. Immediately, Otogi's legs gave, body feeble. Keeping himself from bellowing insults, the CEO dragged the other over the blankets seeing as how Otogi had yet to release his hold on him. It was a challenge to wrap the coverlets around the dice master, given that they were 'locked' at the wrists like shackles. When he'd finished, the job so sloppy it made him want to grimace, Kaiba repeated his earlier request.
"Will you let go of me now? I'm not going to leave, I promise."
After a long unblinking look that made Kaiba wonder if the dice master's eyelids were still operable, Otogi's fingers unclenched quite suddenly in a mechanical sort of way. His arms were stiff at the joints, moving robotically away from Kaiba before falling limp on his own lap.
"Has Zork spoken to you?" Kaiba pressed.
Otogi looked at him tiredly. "Who?"
The CEO was getting increasingly impatient. "Has anyone—or anything come to you? It's a shape-shifter. It could look like someone you know; Yami, Yugi, Ishtar…anyone."
The black-haired teen gave Kaiba a wary look. "Anyone?"
"In your mind, not here, you moron!" Kaiba accidently let his temper slip. He sighed at the way the dice master cringed. "What I mean is: it tries to take control of people. It already has with Marik, Bakura and…even me. Those were all in the past…"
"It has Ryou now."
Otogi had seen it. He'd awoken to find his friend leering over him, eyes glowing bright red. Immediately he'd tried to get away only to find himself backed into a corner. Literally. Then the others returned and the thing controlling Ryou pretended to be the generally soft-spoken teen.
Kaiba nodded. "Yes. And we could not stop him from leaving because we do not know what Ryou's ka is. Even Bakura, the baka, does not know." Sapphire studied emerald intensely.
"What?" Otogi asked, twitching somewhat.
"Your ka is powerful," Kaiba murmured, mind working. "Not to the extent of Blue Eyes, but its unique abilities make it quite useful."
Much to Kaiba's surprise, Otogi glared. "I should have figured such from you. Use others as a shield or weapon for your own disposal."
"I'm more wrapped up in this fiasco than you, Ryuuji," Kaiba snarled menacingly. "And I'm merely comparing our advantages, which are few, to our disadvantages, which are many. As far as I can tell, besides Yami and Bakura's kas, yours is our trump card. Without the emeralds those bastards can't fight."
"What about the ka items?"
"There are only four."
"And do we still have them all?" The doubt in the dice master's voice was plain.
Kaiba frowned. "No. Zork took one."
"Zork," Otogi sneered, making him appear otherworldly with those dragon eyes. "I never thought I'd live to see the day when Seto Kaiba would not only believe in all of this but be preaching about it as well."
"I have assets that you need if you want any chance of defeating this creature," the brunette retorted angrily. "And while I possess such, I do not have the means to crush these adversaries on my own. You have made it easier for us in some respects."
"What do you mean?"
"The emeralds. Your ka is Luster Dragon. It consumes emeralds."
"I know that," Otogi snapped defensively. "I just don't see what good that does if there's an ancient demon on the loose. I'm pretty sure my dragon won't eat him."
"True…and yet, the Master and his petty minions will only cause us more problems. What we need is to get them out of the picture permanently before we deal with Zork. That way we could focus all of our strengths on him without having to worry about that egotist getting in the way."
Green eyes narrowed. "What are you proposing?"
"We locate these goons. I might be able to use Kaiba Corp's information center to speed that process along. Then, if they still have any of those emeralds, you let your ka suck them up like candy."
"I haven't felt right since Luster Dragon inhaled those pendants," Otogi replied irritably. "You yourself said I'm changing. And my ka is changing too. Give me one good reason I should…"
"Didn't he kill some of your friends?" Kaiba cut in smoothly, knowing he was entering dangerous waters.
There was a feral glint in emerald eyes. "So you're playing the 'revenge' card? How low are you willing to sink…?"
"If he still has even one of those pendants, you know what he'll do." Seto didn't let him finish, drawing in the dice master's foggy mind. "He'll come back. That bastard will strike us down one by one just like your other friends unless he's stripped of his powers." Kaiba leaned closer. "We both know how that can be done, don't we, Otogi?"
The dice master looked away, pulling the blankets tighter around himself. Satisfied for the time being, Kaiba smirked. Standing up, he placed his hand momentarily on Otogi's shoulder.
"I trust you'll come to the right decision."
"Honda and Shizuka are…dead?" Anzu whispered after having calmed from her initial reaction to the news.
The girl's eyes were red and puffy from crying. She lay on her back on the bed, body in pain from being tortured with Shadow Magic used on her and the Kastuya family. It had taken a while to fill her in on everything from Yami and Bakura's return after six months, the trip to Egypt, the ka items, and Zork. Multiple times she broke down. Yami, Yugi, and Mr. Mutou took it upon themselves to get her up to date. It felt cruel to throw all of it at her at once, but she needed to know.
"Yes," was all Yugi managed to say; he and Mokuba having remained with her.
"But how is it that I survived and she didn't?" Anzu asked faintly.
"Otogi rescued you first. The Master started torturing her again before they could get to her."
"Her parents' souls were sacrificed, but Otogi destroyed those emeralds before she was dead…"
"Even so, her body sustained too much trauma."
The girl covered her face with her hands. "They didn't deserve this! None of us deserve this! Why is it always us? When will all this evil just leave us alone?!"
Yami hurried from the kitchen at the sound of a car pulling into the driveway. He ran to the study to find Kaiba and Otogi. For an instant his brain was set on fight or flight mode. Kaiba pushed him aside, standing a few feet from the partially open door, gun in hand. The tall brunette peered into the hallway, listening intently.
"It's just the old men," he announced, the doctor and Mr. Mutou entering the room several moments later, each holding several large paper bags.
"Holy mackerel!" a wet-haired Jounouchi exclaimed as he came in behind them. "That was some shopping spree you two went on!"
The doctor 'harrumphed' as he set the bags down. "There are many more in the trunk that someone could tow up here. I'm plum-worn out."
"Don't'cha worry. We'll take it from here. You guys just sit down and relax!" Jou grinned before turning to Seto. "Come on, Kaiba! We've got a car to unload!"
"What do I look like? Hired help?" the CEO sneered while putting his gun back in his robe pocket.
"I see a guy who's been running around in his pajamas, that's what I see," the blonde chortled. "And the doc and gramps were generous enough to buy you some actual clothing."
"Fine fine!" the brunette huffed, storming out of the room. Jou followed, winking at the group as he left.
Yami chuckled. "Those two have the uncanny ability of pushing the other's buttons."
"Well I am grateful to Jounouchi at any rate," the doctor stifled a yawn with his hand while sitting down on the couch next to the trunk containing the ka items. "How have things been here?"
"Fairly uneventful besides informing Anzu of everything," Yami replied with regret. "I left Yugi and Mokuba with her."
The elderly man sighed, taking off his spectacles and rubbing his eyes. "There's nothing for it. She had to be informed. We'll just have to pray the outcome of processing so much ill news will not overwhelm her to the extreme." He glanced at Yami. "Are we about ready to leave?"
"Everyone has eaten. Kaiba and Otogi still need to shower…"
His voice trailed off as they turned their heads to where they'd left the troubled dice master. He was sitting up, limbs pulling tightly against his torso. Several blankets were draped around his shoulders. He was staring at nothing.
"We heard Kaiba and Jou arguing," Marik stated heartily, he and Bakura entering the room. "I never thought I'd hear Kaiba say: 'You dropped the bra, you pick it up, Katsuya!'"
"Oh for the love of…!" the doctor groaned. "Please tell me they haven't spilled those new clothes all over the garage floor!" He and Mr. Mutou hurried around the Egyptian duo in the doorway.
Marik grinned. "Those two are about to get their asses whipped by some geezers!"
"What is it, Yami?" the thief asked as he and Marik approached.
The former pharaoh nodded towards the silent dice master causing them to become solemn.
"He say anything?" the blonde questioned quietly.
"No," Yami answered never looking away.
"There's a barrier or something around him," Bakura muttered under his breath.
"Then I'm not just imagining things," Yami said grimly.
"He doesn't have a ka item, does he?" Marik asked edgily.
"Unfortunately: no," Yami replied, proving this by opening the box to reveal the three items of the ka still in their possession.
"Wouldn't that count as a good thing?" a voice questioned.
None of them even spared Jou a glance as he, Kaiba, the doctor, and Mr. Mutou re-entered the room with the rest of the clothes and other essentials.
"What's going on?" the doctor asked while placing the bags on the table, the others doing likewise.
"Dice boy is having problems," Seto announced condescendingly.
"You can sense it?" Marik asked in surprise.
"Sense what? Have you looked at him?" Kaiba replied haughtily. "I don't need any magic-sensing techniques to see something's wrong."
Bakura and Yami shared a look of skepticism, suspecting the CEO knew more than he was saying. Any effort to question him would without a doubt prove fruitless. Come to think of it, Yami could not recall whether Otogi had been sleeping or not when he himself had been in the room earlier. He'd left to clean the dishes, leaving the dice master alone with Kaiba. That, he now regretted.
"He seems a lot calmer than before," Jou observed, confused by the tension. "Why did you say it was unfortunate that he doesn't have a ka item, Yami man? I thought we had decided it was dangerous to let him near those things."
"We did outright forbid him being within close proximity of them," Yami agreed. "But that wasn't what I meant really. It could have been an explanation for what's happening now. There is a cloud of magical energies surrounding him."
"Cloud? More like an atmosphere," Bakura scoffed, slanted grey eyes scanning Otogi's still form. "It wouldn't have mattered if he possessed a ka item or not though."
"What do you mean, Kura?"
"People who have wielded Shadow Magic generally have an easier time summoning and controlling their ka. There is, however, a huge difference. Ka is a portion of a person's spirit. It has nothing to do with the Shadow Realm. It is present, regardless of whether or not one has the means of calling upon it. Even if the Realm were closed off the ka items would still work," Bakura explained, shutting the rusted trunk with his tan fingers. "The aura surrounding Otogi are not that of his soul. It's Shadow Magic."
All eyes returned to the dice master, a hush falling over the room. While the others pondered over what this could mean, Kaiba didn't really care about the 'how's' and 'whys'. All that mattered to him was keeping Mokuba safe and coming out of this with as few casualties as possible. Otogi, while the CEO had to give him some admiration, was the perfect weapon. There were going to be more sacrifices in this fight, and it seemed Otogi might not be only a sacrifice but a willing one. The dice master wanted revenge for the deaths of his friends. Kaiba just needed to fuel that lust for retribution.
'Then again,' Kaiba considered, narrowing his eyes at Yami and Bakura. 'Their group is not likely to let him do anything more, especially involving those emeralds.'
A frown etched on his face, he didn't say anything as the others left his side, approaching the dice master.
"Otogi?" Yami asked softly, sinking down next to the teen; wondering how coherent his friend was. "Can you hear me?"
"…yeah."
Relief flooded Yami just from this simple answer. "How are you feeling?"
"How do you think?"
For the first time green met amethyst. Yami nearly fell over backward at the sight. The dice master's eyes had morphed, either feline or reptilian. Anything but human. Otogi caught the horrified expressions on his companions' faces.
"I look that bad, huh?" he asked sardonically.
"What the hell happened to you?!" Jou exclaimed before he could stop himself.
"You mean you don't know?" Transformed eyes became panicked. "Yami?"
The former pharaoh shook his head, worry creasing his brow. The dice master turned to Bakura and Marik imploringly. Marik bit his lip, wishing he could ease Otogi's fears. Bakura came forward slowly, studying the area surrounding Otogi cautiously. To those would could not sense Shadow Magic, it appeared he was looking at invisible or imaginary things, examining them meticulously.
"It's the emeralds."
Otogi and Yami looked up at him, the former with a small glimmer of hope. Yami, meanwhile, understood though. No good could come of this.
"We discussed it earlier. The emeralds the Master uses are a link to the Shadow Realm," Bakura said bleakly, not offering even sliver of optimism. "Kaiba educated us about Luster Dragon. Otogi's ka consumes emeralds, but the effect of this ability on the dragon is unclear. While I believe it would normally give your ka a power boost, these were no mere gems. As a result, it appears your ka is unable to absorb them as it is supposed to and use them. Instead the Shadow Magic is remaining within it, altering it."
"What does this mean for Otogi though?" Mr. Mutou spoke quietly.
"I don't know," the thief confessed. "We can only wait and see if the Shadows will eventually pass from his ka."
The dice master squeezed his eyes shut, unable to suppress a whimper. Yami reached out to his friend, placing a hand on his shoulder and grasping gently.
"Don't give up, Otogi," he said softly even as fear clutched at his own heart. "We're going to figure this out. No one here is giving up on you."
The raven-haired teen bowed his head, not believing a word even though he wanted to. Yami had seen the defeat written clear in the dice master's features.
"We should finish preparing to depart. The sooner we leave, the better," the doctor stated stoically, comprehending that nothing more would mount from this conversation but discouragement.
Yami nodded, fingers digging into Otogi's shoulder. He had not lied. He wasn't giving up on the dice master. It was just so chilling how Otogi was changing physically as well as psychologically. The power emanating off him was overwhelming.
"I'll check to see all the vehicles have plenty of gas," Bakura stated, walking for the door. He stopped when he reached it, turning around and clearing his throat. Yami managed to tear his gaze from Otogi's fraught form, noting the meaningful look the former tomb robber was sending.
"Oh…um…let me help you with that," he murmured standing to his feet reluctantly, not wanting to leave Otogi in such a desolate state of mind. Nevertheless, he dutifully followed the thief out of the room, down the stairs, and into the garage. As Yami closed the door behind him, Bakura leaned back against the front of the station wagon, arms crossed over his chest.
"What the hell were you thinking? 'We're going to figure this out'?!" he hissed. "Have you lost your mind?"
"I know, it was a stupid thing to say…"
"That is one hell of an understatement," Bakura snorted. "We don't even know what we're dealing with here."
"Listen to me, Bakura," Yami pointed a finger at the thief as he stepped closer. "Otogi is my friend. He's the only reason Jou and I are here and alive. Even if I don't have a clue what our next course of action should be, I am going to do everything I can to protect him."
"Shielding him from the truth will not protect him. Even he is aware of that," the black-haired yami argued. He placed his hands flat on the hood of the car. "Yami, he has more Shadow Magic in and around him than I've ever sensed radiating off a single object or individual. Shit, I didn't feel that much Shadow Magic when all seven Millennium Items were in one place!"
Yami began pacing. "I know. I didn't want to say anything in front of the others. And I definitely don't want Otogi to know. He'd be petrified."
"And he has every right to be," Bakura concurred. "There's more Shadow Magic gathered around him than I ever could have imagined possible. He's dangerous, especially since he knows virtually nothing about controlling such powers, much less the magnitude he possesses."
"We could teach him…"
"Neither you nor I could even begin to understand how to command such a force. It's those damn emeralds. If they are the only remaining link to the Shadow Realm we had better pray to the gods that he didn't destroy all of them."
Detecting the trepidation in Bakura's voice, Yami ventured: "And…why is that?"
"Don't you get it?" the thief snapped, disgusted at the former pharaoh's slow pace at understanding. "If the emeralds truly are the last link to the Shadow Realm then they are extremely potent. No other magic we know of will be able to challenge it. If Otogi destroys all of the emeralds then the Shadow Realm could be thrust completely upon him."
"What would happen to him if such was to occur?" Yami asked weakly, dread eating away at his insides.
Bakura shook his head helplessly. "That I do not know."
"Well then we have to make certain that if we run into the Master again, Otogi will not be involved."
"Now you're getting it. And that shouldn't be too hard to achieve, provided we don't let him so much as lay a finger on any of the ka items," Bakura rejoined. "And since we've previously established that with the group, it is already a combined effort."
Yami nodded but wasn't completely eased. "Bakura, did you notice anything peculiar about Kaiba?" The stony look the thief gave him said it all. "I thought so. He's up to something. I can feel it."
"Why did you leave him alone with Otogi?"
"I didn't think he'd do anything!" Yami was frustrated and more than a little agitated.
The other yami scowled. "I suppose what's done is done. Keep your eyes on both of them though." He hesitated, running a hand through his ebony hair.
"Bakura?"
The thief looked straight at Yami. "While we'll withhold the information regarding the emeralds, we have to tell him. With Kaiba sticking his nose into this Otogi needs to be aware of at least some of what's happening to him. Keeping him in the dark could lead to worse consequences."
"Agreed."
"Is it to your liking, priest?"
It took all of Seth's willpower to rip his gaze from the golden book in his hands. Before him stood a figure that hunched over slightly at the shoulders. A blood red cape was drawn around the person, white hood concealing his features. In the other's hand was the Millennium rod.
They were alone in the temple of Seth—the god of chaos, infertility, desert, and storms. On the walls were hieroglyphs portraying the stories of the god. While considered wicked, the Egyptians believed that chaos must be acknowledged before they could seek to have order. The physical depiction of Seth was that of a four-legged beast with a canine body, tall flat ears that stood upright, a long snout curved downward, and a tail forked at the tip.
The being laughed when the young priest could not reply. "Tongue stuck to your palate?" He tilted his head back, revealing the traitor mark as his eyes scoured the temple. "So this is the god you were named after. How fitting."
"What is that supposed to mean?" Seth snarled, coming out of his daze even as his hands holding the heavy book trembled.
"The god of chaos. A god that is honored and worshipped not out of adoration but due rather to fear at the power he possesses," the other grinned, nodding to the book. "Such as what I have given to you."
"And what am I supposed to do with it exactly?" Seth demanded. "Just go up to Akunadin and start casting spells at him? He could overpower me. Then I'd have a lot to answer for, such as possessing a book full of torture procedures."
"But that's the beauty of it, priest." Seth had to struggle to catch the Millennium Item thrown at him, his arms already full. "The book can be opened by the rod and the rod only. If any other Millennium Item is used in an attempt to open it…" The other smiled deviously. "Well, let's just say they won't be around long enough to mention it to anyone else." A bloodthirsty gleam flashed in grey eyes.
Seth's mouth was dry as he stared down at his two weapons that were keys to one another. This power far surpassed anything he'd believed possible. It was Shadow magic, yet of a darker nature. Should he really be surprised considering a demon had created it and its contents?
He came out of his stupor when he realized Bakura and his devil were gone. Looking about frantically, he realized this had been a parting gift. At least he hoped it was. Bakura's body was healed enough that he could move around. It had taken several months to achieve. That had been more than enough time to spend with the intolerable peasant and his malicious 'guardian'.
"Good riddance," Seth muttered under his breath, wanting nothing more to do with either of those lunatics.
"Kaiba! Yo, Kaiba! Are you nearly done in there? We could use an extra pair of hands!"
Seto gasped, clutching the railing on glass the shower door as the temple faded. The water falling all around him was ice cold. How long had he been in there?
'The golden book the others mentioned earlier—the book of the high priest Seth,' he pondered, still trying to steady himself. 'It's all…torture procedures?'
That could come in handy. He could definitely use it against their enemies. While Seto wasn't cold-hearted, he did feel the need to inflict some justice upon the Master and his followers for not only killing his staff but also trying to slay Mokuba and himself as well. Bakura refused to disclose the book's location, but if Kaiba could find it then maybe…
'No,' the CEO reminded himself with disappointment. 'It will only work for the Millennium rod. Judging by what Zork said, there's some type of curse on the thing. Only the rod will work. And all of those Items were destroyed. The book is useless now.'
"Kaiba! Hey! Don't tell me you've fallen asleep in there!"
"Oh shut up, mutt!" he yelled back in annoyance, turning the dial so the water ceased.
'That book is no good,' he reasoned while drying his body off with a towel. 'Yet it's very possible Otogi will be killed if he's able to destroy any remaining emeralds. That will leave us a lot more vulnerable. We need more weapons!'
The CEO decided then and there that he would begin listening to every intricate detail from Yami, Bakura, and Marik. If anyone could give him clues, it would be them.
"How are things coming along?" Yami asked from where he was sitting next to Otogi on the couch in the living room on the first floor.
"The car trunk is filled with all the food and other essentials and tools," Jounouchi answered as he wiped sweat from his forehead. "We're working on getting all the suitcases tied down in the back of Otogi's truck. The doc found a tarp to wrap around the baggage so if it rains they won't get wet. You figure out a good set up for seating yet?"
"Still working on that. Bakura has been coming in here on occasion to give his opinion."
"He's causing problems?" Jou smiled wryly.
"Despite the attitude, I value his insights," Yami chuckled as he stared down at the piece of paper in his lap.
"Lemme see." Jou snatched and scanned it. "Hey, I get to drive the truck!"
"So we'll be losing yet another vehicle then?" a voice sneered contemptuously.
Yami's eyes bugged out of his head. After seeing a barefooted Kaiba in a robe and pajamas, he thought he could handle anything.
He was wrong.
There was the CEO in the doorway with an irritated look on his face. It didn't give the same intensity due to his outfit though. Kaiba was wearing a plain white tee-shirt and black jeans. It was the sport sneakers that did it for Yami. He and Jou burst out laughing.
"Oh gods…it never…gets old!" Jounouchi gasped between fits.
"Those don't seem quite your style," Yami said with a wide grin. "I thought your tastes consisted of capes, fancy trench coats, and belts on your arms and legs."
Cerulean eyes rolled. "This coming from Mr. All Leather, Chains, and Choker Necklaces. And here I was expecting you do be more mature than the mutt."
Yami smirked but got back to the matters at hand. "Did you come in here for a reason, Kaiba?"
"Yes actually." Seto sent a glare at Jou who was still snickering. "I want to know the vehicle set up. I refuse to let you and that annoying thief create a plan while the rest of us do all the manual labor."
"Hey, Yami's doing more than just making seating arrangements. He has to watch…" Jou halted but not soon enough.
"You might as well just say he's babysitting me," Otogi muttered dejectedly, not looking at any of them.
Yami gave the dice master a sympathetic glance. "Otogi is in no condition to be lifting equipment and running around the house. Neither is Anzu. That is why we left her in the study with your brother."
"Why not all four of you stay in the same room then?" Kaiba pressed, closing in. "That would be more productive. Unless there's a reason you want to keep Ryuuji away from everyone else."
Otogi stared down ashamedly at his hands, jaw clenched. Yami and Bakura had told him that he had powers that he could not control—that might even take over his spirit. For his safety, as well as that of everyone else, the three of them agreed that either Yami or Bakura should be with Otogi at all times. The dice master hated this but could see both ancient Egyptians were deadly serious. They probably weren't even telling everything to him. In a way, he was grateful that they hadn't left him in the dark about his condition. But it also deepened his fear at the epiphany he was at the mercy of whatever this magic consuming him was.
"He is under a lot of stress," the former pharaoh answered calmly. "Is a little seclusion to relax so much to ask before a journey?"
"Hmph," Kaiba grunted, not buying this explanation. "So what's the plan for the cars?"
"Bakura and Marik will take Marik's motorcycle," Jounouchi read the layout. "Anzu, Yug, an' me are taking Otogi's truck. The rest of you are in the doc's car."
"That would be one too many people in the station wagon," Kaiba calculated.
"There will be one too many people no matter what. We only have those three vehicles. I'm just using what we have to work with," Yami pointed out.
"Don't you think there are too many 'at risk' people in our transport?" Kaiba continued as if the former pharaoh hadn't spoken. "It'll be you—who don't have a ka, the two old men, Mokuba, Ryuuji, and myself. You and I are both Zork's targets yet the others with us will have a hard time defending themselves."
"Both Bakura and Marik were Zork's hosts in the past," Jou put in, aggravated by the CEO's persistence with finding flaws in their plans. "And they won't even be in a car. If anything, they're going to be the easiest target not only to spot but to attack."
"Whatever," Seto grumbled, not liking to be lectured by the blonde. "If it's so hazardous then why do it?"
"We need to be able to communicate with one another," Yami replied, taking the paper back from Jou. "Bakura and Jounouchi share a mind link. That will be a connection between the motorcycle and the truck. Jou can relate information to Yugi who will also be in the truck. Yugi and I can talk through our own link, providing a contact between the truck and the car. After trying to locate Bakura earlier, it was proved that we can speak to our partners from fairly good distances."
"You act as though we're going on vacation and need to make sure we'll get cell phone reception," the brunette criticized. "Have you forgotten the Master and his band are also out there? If they have any of those emeralds left they're bound to use them." Blue eyes shifted meaningfully to Otogi at this. Yami bristled.
"I've taken it into consideration. Will that be all for now, Kaiba?" he asked, bluntly informing the CEO he'd overstayed his welcome.
Seto scowled but turned on his heel, striding to the door. "We can't all make it out alive, Yami," he stated scathingly, back to them. "You'll find that out soon if you haven't already."
"Get out!" Yami shouted rising to his feet, ready to attack the CEO if he so much as uttered another syllable.
To his surprise, Kaiba did depart without arguing any further. Jou looked on in shock, frozen at the sudden burst of rage from his friend. Yami exhaled heavily, shoulders slumping. This was going to be more difficult than he had foreseen.
'We really do have to keep Kaiba under constant surveillance,' he reasoned wearily. 'And lucky me, I get to be in a car with him and Otogi…'
"Uh, Yami man?"
'…but I need to focus on either one or the other. I can't do both, can I?...'
"Y-Yami?"
'I should talk with Bakura. Our suspicions are correct. Kaiba is definitely planning on Otogi destroying those emeralds…'
"Yami!"
He whipped around to find Jou beside Otogi. The dice master was shaking horribly, green eyes wide in terror. He was panting erratically as if the air was thinning.
"Otogi?!" Yami rushed to his side, muscles straining as the space around them became heavy, constricting tightly as if to halt his blood flow. "Jou, help me get him on his back!"
As the two of them struggled, Bakura was all at once in the doorway, fear mounting when he spotted the scene before him. He and Marik had both sensed the Shadow Magic, knowing there were only three possible sources: Ryou, the Master, or Otogi. The blonde Egyptian gave a gasp of horror from beside him.
"Marik, grab the mutt and get out of here!" the thief ordered as they both rushed into the room.
"No, I'm not…!"
Otogi's eyes went black. He opened his mouth and they waited for an ungodly scream. It didn't come. Instead it was like the howling of wind, shrill and wild. The pitch rose and dove with great intensity as Otogi's back arched off the couch, body bending severely. Yami grabbed the dice master so he wouldn't fall to the floor. Bakura hovered over Otogi, clutching the teen's face in his hands. He gazed down into jet-black orbs that had storms raging within them.
"He's gone!" the thief yelled but none of them heard him. "Marik, Jou, get out of here!"
Then a powerful roar erupted from the dice master's throat and they found themselves being flung violently against the wall, held fast several feet above the floor. Any attempts to struggle proved fruitless. It was like having gravity itself pressing against them, crushing them into the wall. The entire building shook, creaking under this power. All around the room darkened, hisses and hideous bellowing cries pounding against the foundation of the house as if all the beasts of the hell were trying to break loose.
'The Shadow Realm!' Yami felt the incredible force of its might unleashed.
This was far more potent than anything he'd ever experienced before. His eyes were blurring, mouth gaping as he tried to breathe. It was like inhaling smoke, choking him. The Realm was engulfing their bodies, feasting upon their minds and spirits and there was nothing they could do to stop it.
"You morons! You insufferable maggots! Why wasn't I informed that they had their own magical objects?" the Master bellowed shoving all of the papers off the table of his library. "And now what? How exactly do you propose we approach them now?"
The seven men standing before him quivered, eyes downcast in submission. They were too afraid to speak lest they face their leader's wrath.
"All these years of planning for nothing!" the cloaked figure continued angrily, curling his gnarled fingers around an object that fit in his palm, a small chain hanging down.
"You know, I never liked the ones that gave up so easily," a voice sneered.
Everyone in the room gazed in surprised at the lone figure in the doorway. The flames in the fireplace behind the Master were the only light, as the floor length curtains were drawn. It was this fact that made the stranger's glowing red eyes stand out all the more.
"What would the Pharaoh and his comrades say if they found out the self-proclaimed 'Master' is nothing but a decrepit old man?" the white-haired teen smirked, moving into the room.
"Who are you?" the Master demanded. "How did you get in here?"
"You can take off that stupid cloak," the boy continued. "I can see you quite clearly despite your ill attempts to shield your defects."
"I do not know what you speak of."
"Oh but you do. You are advancing in years. In the not too distant future you will die as do all mortals," the red-eyed person replied slickly. "The clock is ticking, isn't it?" The seven men backed away to either side as the young man approached their leader. "Death is what you fear. So much, in fact, that you sought desperately for a way to turn back time, perhaps even become immortal."
"Who are you?" the Master repeated his earlier command. Blue eyes narrowed suddenly in recognition. "You're the other half of that traitor from ancient times."
"False. I am merely in control of the boy's body and mind. But that's not really important now, is it?" Ryou's lips curled. "Tell me, philosopher, how exactly were you planning to make it happen? Resurrecting the Items would not bring you immortality." He then laughed a wicked mocking sound that sent chills down the men's spines. "You were going to seal yourself in an Item, weren't you? To make yourself a spirit. Fool! You would have been a prisoner trapped for all eternity. While the thief and the Pharaoh could control their vessels, that did not mean they felt free. You were setting yourself up for eternal damnation."
"You keep speaking in the past tense as if I've given up which I have not!" the Master shouted, fist curling around the small item in his hand. Red eyes darted to said hand.
"You must have retrieved that from Ryuugi's home after they unwisely left it there," he murmured, attention fixated upon the pendant. "That's the last one isn't it? The last of your powers—your control of the Shadows," the fiend whispered, sinisterly walking around the table towards the Master. "The last emerald."
"You shall not have it! Now be gone!" the old man bellowed, holding up the pendant, a bright flash of green light shooting out at Ryou's body.
The Master gaped in horror and astonishment when the beam merely evaporated right as it was about to touch the other's skin. Halting his attack, he took a step backwards. Ryou grinned, glowing eyes wide with delight.
"You take me far too lightly, mortal. That was not your downfall though. You were terribly careless and underestimated the Pharaoh and his friends…especially one in particular that all but stripped you of your powers. A job that I shall now complete."
The man shouted as he was shoved to the floor, though the teen had not touched him. Looking up in frightened wonder, he clutched the pendant against his chest.
"Get him! Stop him!" he yelled frantically to his followers. Three stirred but one look from Ryou made them shrink back.
"That's the thing about having cowards as pets," the teen sneered, hovering over the Master. "They turn tail and run the moment their master is in need. Now, are you going to hand it over willingly or shall I wait and pry it from your cold dead fingers once I'm finished with you?"
The old man hesitated, trying to find a way out of this but finding none, before reaching up to the red-eyed demon, unclenching his fingers to reveal the pendant. With a victorious smirk, the teen snatched the magical object.
"See? Was that so hard? Did you honestly think you could have defeated them with just this…?"
Without warning, the emerald began to burn brightly, Shadow Magic blistering the air around them. They watched on as crimson eyes narrowed wrathfully. Ryou's mouth twisted in irritation.
"Oh no you don't," the Master heard him mutter. "Not yet, boy."
Darkness encompassed the room, the flames wiped out like a wave of water had crashed down upon them. All eyes were on the being in the center of the room that was focusing on the shining pendant in his hands. Beads of sweat formed along the edge of his bangs, teeth gritting as he fought against the prevailing power far away.
Zork listened intently, delving deeper into the abyss, searching. Then he heard them. They were panicked, the Shadow Magic emanating off this corner of the Realm with such intensity that several of the men fell to the floor, out cold. A smirk made its way onto Zork's lips at the voices of two of his former hosts.
"Marik, grab the mutt and get out of here!"
"No, I'm not…!"
Another surge of magic, much greater than before. And howling like that of a thousand wolves all around. The Master cringed, ears ringing as he fought to stay conscious against this force.
"He's gone!" Bakura's faint voice echoed through the chaos. "Marik, Jou, get out of here!"
"Gone, is he?" Ryou whispered with a sinister smile, something under his shirt lighting up, glowing a bright gold as the emerald continued to shine. "I think not."
"Wake up, you buffoon!"
Something smacked Yami hard across the face, making his head throb in pain. He gasped, chest heaving as pure air entered his system.
"Kaiba, that was uncalled for!" Mr. Mutou's voice chided.
"Well it seems to have done the trick." This was followed by a lighter slap on the cheek. "See? He's coming to."
"Wha…?" Yami winced, opening his eyes to find Kaiba, Yugi, and Mr. Mutou leaning over him.
"Welcome back," the CEO said disdainfully.
"Yami, are you all right?" Yugi asked as the elderly man pushed Seto aside.
"I…I don't know," the former pharaoh murmured, dazed. "What happened?"
"The whole house was shaking. We couldn't get in here. It was almost like an invisible wall or something," Yugi answered, obviously distressed. "There was all this noise…"
"I've never heard anything like it in my life," Mr. Mutou rejoined. "The closer we got to this room the more we began to suffocate. We couldn't get to you."
"How many times am I going to be knocked unconscious, get thrown into a wall, or have all of the oxygen squeezed out of me?" a gruff voice wheezed crossly. "If it's going to happen again then let's just go and have it over with right now!"
"Yes, that's the sort of positive talk we need," the doctor admonished the thief.
"Hey, I haven't seen you get beaten to a pulp or even get bruised, so you're one to talk," Bakura shot back. "And what's with all of the damn bees flying around the ceiling?"
Everyone looked up at the blank ceiling in confusion.
"Uh…there's nothing there, Bakura," Yami said after a long moment.
The thief blinked. "Oh. I suppose they'll leave soon then."
Kaiba snorted, rolling his eyes. These were the people they were depending on? Either unconscious or hallucinating?
'Well this is just brilliant.'
"So this…is what it feels like to be hit by an 18-wheeler," Marik mused where he was lying on his back beside the thief. Yami and Jou lay next to the black-haired tomb robber. "Ye gads, everything hurts."
"Stop talking and give your body a chance to recover more," the doctor stated as he moved along the line of teens lying on the ground before him, examining each one individually. At that moment he was checking Jounouchi's pulse while looking at a small wristwatch.
Yami lifted his head weakly. "Is everyone all right?"
"Jou's still unconscious," Yugi replied worriedly.
"He's not as used to Shadow Magic as we are," Bakura mumbled, closing his eyes in an attempt to lessen the headache he had. Besides, the bees swarming about were making him dizzy. "It will take him longer to wake."
Yami stiffened as Yugi took his hand. "Wait! What about Otogi?!"
Everyone became still at this. Kaiba coughed. Yugi fidgeted. The doctor focused on checking Jounouchi's vitals. It was Mr. Mutou that finally spoke.
"After the madness ceased he wasn't breathing. His heart had stopped…"
"No!" Yami sat up swiftly, not caring about the nausea or pain this movement brought. The raven-haired teen couldn't be dead! The former pharaoh had promised Otogi he'd look after him! How could he have let the dice master die without even being able to defend Otogi?
"Yami!" Yugi grabbed his darker half by the shoulders to keep him from collapsing.
Otogi was lying on his back on the floor next to the couch. His skin was gleaming with sweat. The dice master's eyes were closed. Yami let out a sigh of relief when he noted the way the teen's chest rose and fell.
He was alive.
"Thank Ra," he whispered, sagging against Yugi.
"Actually, more like 'thank Kaiba'," Mr. Mutou said with a gleam of amusement in his eyes.
The CEO glared. "Not. Another. Word."
"There was an abrupt blast of energies and suddenly everything was quiet," Mr. Mutou explained, smiling as they listened. "All of us were in a sort of daze by that point but Kaiba for some reason recovered quicker than the rest of us and got in here."
"What are you saying? That Kaiba revived him?" Marik asked, eyes widening. "You mean CPR?" He turned his head so he could see the glowering CEO. "You did mouth-to-mouth?!"
"Be thankful it wasn't you because I wouldn't have done a thing!" the miffed brunette retorted, humiliated and irate.
Truth be told, Kaiba had been more than panicked by the limp bodies strewn about when he came in. The one he was drawn to was Otogi, whose glazed green eyes were large, mouth open as wide as was physically possible. He'd quickly moved the dice master to the floor upon finding no heartbeat, as a person being given CPR needs to be on something solid. The couch cushions could have kept the compressions from having any effect. He needed Otogi. The dice master was the only advantage Kaiba figured they had. They couldn't afford to lose him in such a manner.
"Not one more taunt out of any of you," the doctor ordered standing to his feet and moving to check Bakura. "If it weren't for Kaiba then Otogi would no longer be with us. Keep that in mind before you try to entertain yourselves further."
This indeed halted the teasing. It had been a close call. Too close.
"So what happened?" Yami asked his earlier question. "What triggered the Shadow Realm?"
"It was overtaking him," Bakura said, scowling as the doctor checked his ribs again. "Damn it! At this rate I'll have cracked ribs forever!" He swatted his hand in front of his face. "And will someone please do something about these fucking bees?"
Yugi covered his mouth to hide his smile. Marik merely grinned, reaching over and taking the hand that was swiping at thin air; bringing both their hands back to the carpet.
"Kura, there aren't any bees. Remember?"
"I know! They're just so damn infuriating!" his friend growled irritably.
"No head traumas," the doctor announced, sitting back. "You're most likely just recovering from shock."
"I am not in shock," the thief spat defiantly. "I've experienced the Shadow Realm more than anyone else here. While it did overwhelm me somewhat I am not in…Damn it!" he shouted, his right hand now flying up.
The doctor caught him around the wrist. "Seeing as how you're trying to attack invisible insects, if it isn't shock I'd like to hear your own opinion of what it is."
"De-ni-al," Kaiba said in a mocking tone.
Bakura snarled, ripping his hand from the elderly man and closing his eyes without an argument. Marik sent Kaiba a glare while rubbing his thumb over the back of the thief's hand. The blonde Egyptian really had thought they were all going to die. But they hadn't.
"While we haven't figured out how or why it started in the first place," he murmured thoughtfully. "We also have to ask 'Why did it stop?'"
They shared glances of uncertainty. No one had even a guess as to why the Shadow Realm had suddenly 'backed off'. It needn't be said that Otogi was not strong enough to overpower it. No one had magic of any sort. They didn't even have ka items, which wouldn't have aided them against such an immense energy.
"Well we can't leave this house until we figure those things out," the doctor finally said regretfully.
"Why not?" Yugi asked.
"You want that to happen while he's in the car?" Kaiba grumbled, all the more aggravated by how much time they'd spent packing and making plans. "It will all be for not if he has another fit like this anywhere else. Can you imagine what would happen if we were on the highway or stopped at a traffic light?"
"We're stuck here then? But Zork knows where we are!" Yugi looked entreatingly at his darker half.
"And Zork will no doubt be able to track us wherever we go. Even before that 'fit' happened we could clearly sense the Shadow Magic on Otogi. Zork is, after all, a demon of the Realm. His own magic is Shadow Magic…" He stopped, staring at the immobile dice master. "It couldn't be…"
"What Yami?" Marik asked, Bakura reluctantly opening his eyes.
Yami swallowed, gaze still locked on the black-haired teen. "What if Zork had something to do with this?"
Bakura paled. "He wouldn't want us to die off. He wants to fight us. Perhaps he was showing how much dominion he has over the Realm?"
"Quite plausible," Mr. Mutou said. "But at the risk of Otogi's life?"
"Otogi is not important to Zork, therefore he was a perfect pawn to use to intimidate us," Bakura stated, anger vibrating in his voice.
"Do you think he'll do it again?" Marik questioned, clutching his friend's hand tightly.
The thief considered this. "It's not like Zork to strike twice in such a way. But he does enjoy toying with minds, so there is a possibility he could just to catch us off guard again."
"So what shall we do?" Mr. Mutou asked softly.
Yami and Bakura shared an uncertain glance. Even though they did not possess a mind link, after knowing each other for over three-thousand years they could see into one another's psyches very well. Together, wordlessly, they weighed their options. Bakura leaned back to the ground, closing his eyes wearily, telling everyone a decision had been reached.
"Well?" Kaiba pressed impatiently.
"We leave," Yami stated.
Zork smirked as the emerald ceased glowing. The room was dark, not even embers remaining in the fireplace. The only sound was that of the mortals breathing heavily. He knew they would have a hard time experiencing the Shadow Realm, especially when they had no magic to help shield themselves. In fact, he could sense one man was far too silent.
"Ah, the weak of mind fall victim to the Shadows so easily," Ryou's body laughed.
"You…what did you do?" the Master croaked from his spot on the floor.
"I stopped the boy from destroying himself and everyone around him," the other answered simply. "I also put up some seals, but at the moment he has more Shadow Powers than I. We'll have to see if they hold or not. But, unlike me, that boy knows nothing about controlling the Shadows. Which gives us the advantage."
"Us?"
The Master gasped as the pendant was tossed to him from the being standing above. Wary and confused, he could not wait for an explanation.
"I thought you wanted this for yourself…"
"Change of plans. I think I'll let you keep it for the time-being," Zork replied smugly.
Blue eyes narrowed mistrustfully. "What are you planning?"
The white-haired teen placed one hand on the table. "You want to resurrect the Millennium Items, am I not correct in saying so? Well you are going to need some form of magic if you are to go up against the Pharaoh and his friends."
"But…"
"They won't want Ryuuji involved any more. They'll attempt to keep the items of the ka away from him." A pale hand reached around his neck, pulling a golden pendant from under his shirt. "And they have only three."
The Master listened, heart racing. This creature was powerful. It was not a human controlling another human either.
'It must be the devil himself!'
"If you aren't interested then give the pendant back and I'll be on my way."
"It's no use," the Master shook his head despondently, staring down at the emerald. "That teen's ka will devour this emerald for sure if we go near them again…"
"But that's where you're wrong," Zork responded in a silky voice. "I have just strengthened this pendant's powers immensely. If the boy's ka were to try and destroy it, the emerald would consume his very life force, collecting the magic of all the previous emeralds into this one."
The old man gawked. "Why would you offer me this? I want to know your motives!"
"Motives?" Ryou snorted, red eyes rolling. "Tell me: If I am already able to control the Shadows what use is a petty pendant to me?"
"You wanted it earlier," the Master pointed out.
"Like I said: Plans change. Strategies alter," Zork waved this off. "Now, do you want to keep that emerald or not?"
While there were so many warning signs posted all over, the old man could not resist. It was his last chance. And apparently this devil had created an advantage against the pharaoh. Of course, the creature was keeping its own scheme hidden. He would deal with that when the time came, once he'd taken the life and soul of the keeper of Luster Dragon.
"I accept," he announced, bracing himself and rising to his feet.
If not for the darkness, he would have seen the villainous smirk slither across the other's lips. "Excellent. Let me give you one more piece of information. I have a strong suspicion they will not stay at their current residence."
The Master frowned. "I do not see any benefit in you telling me this. We lost track of them after…"
Zork chuckled. "Did I mention I know where they are at this very moment?"
"I…I'm really s-sorry," Otogi stammered as he lay on the couch, a blanket covering his torso and a wet cloth on his forehead.
"It was not your fault," Yami repeated for the hundredth time since the dice master had awoken.
Everyone, Anzu and Mokuba included, were situated about the living room. It was their final meeting before they left the house. They were all still dazed from the unanticipated appearance of the Shadow Realm. Bakura, Marik, Yami, and Jou were feeling the worse of it—besides Otogi, that is.
The dice master was paler than a corpse. His body would tremble for several seconds every so often. While his breathing had evened, there was a rasping sound to it. He could barely move his limbs, body aching horribly.
"Do you remember anything happening that would discontinue the event?" Bakura asked, head still spinning.
"…no," Otogi replied, crestfallen. "Is it…going to h-happen again?"
Yami opened his mouth to deny it but thought better. "We aren't sure."
Tears brimmed emerald eyes. "I can't do th-that again! Please! Don't let it…!"
"It's all right, man." Jou took hold of the dice master's cold hand firmly.
He felt extremely guilty. Otogi was only in this state because he had saved Yami and Jou. If he could take the dice master's place, he would. The Shadow Realm did not spare mercy upon anyone. Just because Yami, Bakura, and Marik had once used Shadow Magic did not mean the Realm favored them. This latest incident proved such.
"Here's the plan," Marik said, wanting to depart as soon as possible. "Kura and I will take my motorbike. I'll be wearing a ka pendant. I think I'll also drive in case those bees come back…"
"Oh shut up," Bakura muttered.
The younger Egyptian grinned, continuing. "Jou will be driving the truck. Anzu and Yugi will be with him. Yugi will be wearing a ka pendant." The smaller boy nodded. "The doctor will be driving his own car. Kaiba, Mr. Mutou, Mokuba, Otogi, and Yami will be accompanying him." Violet eyes glanced at the CEO hesitantly. "Kaiba will be wearing the third ka item. Bakura and I will lead the procession and scout for any possible threats. The station wagon will be in the middle, the truck taking up the rear. Does everyone understand?"
Slowly, heads were nodded, apprehension filling the air. Yami took a shaky breath, looking around the room at the white faces and frightened eyes.
"All right." He stood. "Let's go."
Zork smiled to himself as he strolled down the street amidst the crowds of people. He'd let Ryou's eyes return to their soft brown hue. It was lunchtime so there were floods of mortals moving every which way like hundreds of currents flowing through the streets. It was cloudy, just the way he liked it. He hated the sunlight.
'Now I just have to wait,' he thought while waiting for the crosswalk light to change, mingled in a crowd of humans. 'That old man will use the pendant, but it is highly unlikely he will use it outright on Ryuuji. He doesn't trust me, which proves he isn't completely incompetent. I do have to marvel at how gullible humans can be. They seem to have gotten dumber over the course of time. The fool actually believed me too. He thinks he can win in a face-off with the boy.' He snickered like Ryou would have, barely earning a glance from anyone. 'And I will be there to make certain things go my way.'
The light changed to green and everyone moved forward. He allowed himself to be pushed along. Perhaps he should get the body something to eat. It wouldn't do well to have it waste away to nothing. That would diminish his powers along with the physical strength. He would have to be quick about it. There was still that visit to the museum that had to be done.
As he wandered looking for a satisfactory restaurant, a pale hand reach up and touched his chest. The metal of the ka item was warm against his skin. It was the key to his plan, what would turn the tables in his favor and further crush the hopes of the pharaoh and his companions. With the Master unknowingly acting as his pawn, Zork would regain access to the powers that were rightfully his.
"I'm coming for you, boy," he whispered with a bloodthirsty smirk, vanishing into the crowds.
So I looked at how long these stories will be if I don't make long chapters and was like "Aw, fuck that!" If I don't cut back this is gonna take even longer for updates. -.-; Yeesh. Can't win.
Ferris has dropped out of college...for the second time. -hangs head in shame- Still in therapy. Not really allowed to do much, so I've been working on the fics. Which is nice in a way, I guess.
BTS fans: I haven't exactly been in the most chipper of moods, so that one is moving along pretty slowly. I'm like 8 pages into it right now. Crimson, I'm on page 7. Haven't really worked on the next for AIF yet.
Please review!