For the Sins of the Father.
Chapter 20. Reaching Out.
The rescue team arrived by helicopter around forty minutes after Dominic and Mitch had notified them of the collapsed temple. It had been a tense wait for the two men, who, unable to help their three colleagues, took to pacing around nervously near the entrance to the temple, periodically shouting out too them in the faint hope that they might get a response.
As soon as the helicopter touched down; carrying a paramedic and three men who were specialists in disaster rescue, Dominic and Mitch rushed to meet it, while trying to shield their eyes from the sand and debris kicked up by the rotor blades.
After brief introductions and a quick explanation about what had happened, they made their way to the temple entrance and began work immediately. Their main objective at this stage was to assess the extent of the collapse and ease of rescue.
Digging through the blocked passageway was going to prove a problem; the roof was far too unstable, they would need to bring specialist equipment in to support the it, which meant that it would be getting dark by the time it arrived. And to make matters worse, one member of the rescue team was nervous about going into the underground temple due to his superstitions surrounding Kul Elna.
Both Dominic and Mitch were unhappy about this and tried to argue with the team leader that valuable time was being lost in saving them.
The team leader; a burly, bearded man in his early thirties, was adamant. "I cannot risk the lives of my team, trying to rescue three men who may already be dead," he explained rather bluntly. "We have to treat this in the same way we would a collapsed mine. As soon as the equipment arrives, we can set up floodlighting and begin work." He was an expert in tunnelling and knew this would be a difficult rescue.
Deflated, Dominic and Mitch resigned themselves to the situation.
Before Ishizu and Marik could leave for Kul Elna, they had needed to sort out a few details with Rishid first. Ishizu had received a call from Seto Kaiba to say that he was bringing Yugi's family to Egypt in his personal jet. The conversation had been slightly awkward. Ishizu could kick herself for always feeling vulnerable when she spoke to him; he just had that effect on her! Maybe it was because they had known each other intimately? Ishizu always liked to portray an image of composure and control. But during their brief, often passionate relationship, she had let her guard down and shown him her vulnerability. Now, whenever she saw or spoke with him, she felt as if he were mocking her for it, in some vain attempt to assert his superiority. Deep down she still held feelings for him, no other man could ignite in her what he had, and even though they just couldn't get on, because both held strong beliefs and liked to be in control, there had always been some spark that refused to go out completely.
Ishizu was brought out of her musings of Seto Kaiba, when they passed the two trucks carrying the roof supports and machinery necessary for excavating through the rubble.
"Are you alright Ishizu?" Marik wanted to know. "You have been awfully quiet."
"Just worried about Yugi and the other two men. You are not exactly talkative either." She did not want him to know she had been thinking about Seto Kaiba.
"I know, I am worried too." He said quietly.
They spent the rest of the drive in complete silence.
Upon arriving at Kul Elna, they were dismayed to hear that the rescue would be delayed until the two trucks arrived. Marik guessed from the time they had passed them, that it would probably be about another half an hour before they turned up. He had gunned it pretty hard to get here as quickly as possible.
They relayed the news to Rishid so that he could inform Anzu and the others, when they arrived in Egypt. There was no point in contacting her in Japan, when they still had nothing positive to tell her. It would only cause further distress.
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Much of the day went by in a daze for Anzu. Mai kept to her word and made sure she went to her costume fitting, which was a thirty minute train journey away. When they got there, Anzu was dismayed that some of the other dancers were also attending their fittings. She really did not feel like facing any of them right now.
"Anzu darling!" Haruki, the principal male dancer and her partner spotted her.
Anzu gave him a rather forced smile. Mai quickly noticed the 'Oh boy! I really can't do this' look on Anzu's face and stepped in quickly to help.
"You must be Anzu's dance partner.. Haruki.. right? Anzu told me all about you on the way here." Mai held out her hand. Haruki bowed accepting her proffered hand majestically.
"I am honoured to meet you...?" All the while his eyes were on Anzu, worried at her demeanour.
"Mai.."
"Means 'dance' are you a dancer?" He replied in a sing song voice.
"Not since I was little hon." Not unless you count pole dancing lessons, she thought. Trying not to smirk.
Moving his attention away from Mai, his eyes fixed on Anzu. "Anzu are you unwell today my dear?" He was genuinely concerned, after noticing her puffy eyes and pinched features.
Anzu took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "No...not really." Her voice was tense and shaky. She was going to have to tell him that she was going to Egypt. It would be unfair to just go, leaving everyone in the lurch, but explaining the situation would be painful. She would also need to explain things to her choreographer, Makishi as well. Anzu knew he would be understanding, but she doubted the producer would be. If she was lucky they wouldn't fire her and maybe just demote her. It was too much to ask that they give her some time off, even if she had mastered most of her routine already.
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The car arrived to take them to the airport at bang on three o'clock. It had been a rush for Anzu, because the costume fitting had taken up quite a lot of time.
After a nice chat to to Haruki and Makishi; where they both agreed to cover for her while she went to Egypt, she felt a little better. She could take up to a week. She would still needed to do her daily exercise routine, so that she didn't lose fitness. With any luck the director wouldn't find out she was away either.
It was a huge load off Anzu's mind, making her feel a little more hopeful that she would not be fired, or demoted to some supporting role. She could now go to Egypt, Yugi would be rescued; uninjured, then they could travel home together and be a happy family again.
Jonouchi carried the bags out for them and placed them in the boot. As they went to get into the vehicle, they were amazed to find their good friend Hiroto Honda acting as chauffeur.
"Honda! Man.. you don't usually do driving duties?" Jonouchi leant in through the window and gave his friend a high five. Honda had been working for Kaiba corp as a member of the security team, since leaving the army eighteen months previously.
"I guess you heard the news.. huh?" Jonouchi said sadly.
"Yeah dude. I am sorry Anzu, I hope Yugi is okay," he reached through to the back and offered his hand, Anzu took it, and he gave her hand a comforting squeeze. "Hey little guy." He winked at Atem, who was clinging too his mother, with a bewildered look on his face. "Kaiba told me, he thought I might want to come with you guys, so he asked me to be his security for this trip."
"That's charitable of him," Jonouchi said sarcastically. He could never get used to his friend working for the man he despised. "What do you have to do? Jump in front of a bullet to save his ass from assassination?"
"Knock it off Jou. He's a decent guy deep down. Kaiba corp is a pretty good company to work for." Honda defended.
Jonouchi opened his mouth to make another of his usual comments about Honda being a suit and why wasn't he wearing the Raybans. Anzu knew exactly what was coming and interjected before he could say anything.
"Yes Jonouchi, please don't get into any fights with Kaiba. It is really good of him to help us like this you know. So if he says anything sarcastic to you, just bite your tongue okay? Because I don't think I can deal with any animosity right now." She glared at him.
"I..I will try. Pinkie promise?" He gave her one of his lopsided grins, which melted Anzu's stern look.
She made a funny little sound like a forced half laugh and wrapped her little finger round his.
"I will be keeping an eye on you though." She finished.
Sugoroku Mutou sat in the front seat, while Jonouchi and Anzu sat in the back. Once Anzu had strapped little Atem into his car seat, Honda pulled away from the kerb and headed to the airport.
The Kaiba brothers were waiting for them when they arrived. All the necessary paperwork had been dealt with and they were quickly through departures and onto Kaiba's private jet KJ1.
Seto Kaiba explained that the flight would take just over seventeen hours. They would be flying to Luxor as this was the most convenient airport for getting to Kul Elna. He decided not to tell them that he had spoken to Ishizu and Rishid. Because during his more recent conversation with Rishid he had discovered that the news was not good; there was a real concern for the three men trapped underground.
Kaiba had been surprised when he felt his own chest clench at the thought that Yugi might be dead. He never wanted to admit that he saw Yugi as a friend, but deep down he held a deep respect for his long time duelling rival. The thought of Yugi no longer being around would leave a huge hole in every ones lives. Kaiba also knew how close Yugi was to his family and friends, the last thing he wanted was a bunch of tearful, hysterical passengers. So he swallowed down the lump he could feel in his throat and put on his usual mask of composure.
"How the snooty rich live eh." Jonouchi couldn't help commenting on the jets interior. Anzu elbowed him in the side for the remark.
"Whaaat.. Just sayin!" He rubbed his bruised ribs.
Rather than the usual cramped seats in tight rows, there were fewer, large leather seats all facing forward towards a large TV screen, which could either be used to watch movies, or for making business presentations. There was even a bathroom where they could wash and freshen up. Kaiba went to great lengths to ensure that he always arrived at his destination, alert and presentable.
"Yes, it's way out of your league mutt, think yourself lucky I let you on board." Kaiba said to him.
Jonouchi bit his tongue as ordered and flopped down in a seat and made himself comfortable.
The flight went without any incidents. Kaiba ignored Jonouchi for the rest of the flight; both men doing were their best to behave after Anzu had given them both death glares.
They finally arrived in Luxor at a little after ten in the morning, the luxuries on board the comfortable jet ensured that they were all able to sleep and freshen up before arrival.
Rishid met them as they exited the airport terminal. He would be acting as their guide.
They were dismayed to hear that rescue efforts so far, had been unsuccessful; there had still been no contact of any sort with the three men. Because of the depth of rubble, it was not known if they were unharmed, injured or worse.
A new wave of desperation gripped Anzu and her legs almost gave out from under her causing her to lean against Jonouchi for support.
Even Sugoroku had become quiet and withdrawn, and he had stopped making attempts to reassure everyone. Yugi had now been trapped underground for around forty two hours, that was almost two days! That was slightly longer than he and Arthur Hawkins had been trapped. Apparently they had some water with them in their back packs, but it probably wouldn't last them long.
They were desperate to get to Kul Elna as soon as possible.
"The desert is no place for a young child not used to such conditions." Rishid tried to reason with Anzu. He had arranged for them to stay at a nice luxury beach house on the shores of the Nile. It would be best if they made themselves comfortable there and awaited further news.
"I am not leaving him with anyone and I am going to Kul Elna. I want to be there when Yugi is rescued." Anzu was adamant, she had made up her mind and would not be swayed.
Little Atem was confused by everything that was happening. No one had really explained anything to him, because he was too young and they were all trying to protect him. He was oblivious as to the real reason why had he had been taken on a big aeroplane. All his mother had told him was that they were going to find daddy, because he was trapped underground. But she kept crying, she never cried when they played hide and seek! Whenever his mummy and daddy played hide and seek with him they always laughed! Maybe daddy's hiding place was so good that they couldn't find him? Perhaps that was why mummy was crying?
He blinked his large amethyst eyes in confusion when his mother stumbled into Jonouchi, who caught her in his arms. Little Atem tightened his grip, clinging to his mother for comfort, there was absolutely no way he wanted to be separated from her right now. He decided that no one else would carry him either. So when Anzu tried to put him in his pushchair, he started to cry, refusing to let go of her.
"Come on Atem, please be a good boy, mummy's back is aching; you are getting heavy."
"No.." He shook his head.
Jonouchi tried. "Hey come on little guy, how about I carry you? Give mummy a rest."
"No.." He clung tighter to Anzu.
"It's okay Jonouchi, I think I can manage to carry him to the car."
Sugoroku ruffled his hair. "He knows something is going on, I know he won't understand it, but you should tell him." Sugoroku felt tears prick at his eyes. He loved his great grandson to bits and looking at him right now reminded him of Yugi at that age, with his tufty hair and little golden strands sticking out at the front, those round, deep lavender eyes and that cherub like face of pure innocence. It was making his poor old heart break, he couldn't face the thought that something terrible might have happened to his beloved grandson. "If you wish to go into the desert with Jonouchi, I will go to the villa and look after Atem for you."
"Don't you wanna come too Gramps?" Jonouchi asked.
"Of course I do, but this old man is too old to go rough riding across the desert."
"We can all go. You too old man." Kaiba approached the small group, having just emerged from the airport terminal after handing in the flight papers. "I have arranged for a helicopter to take us. Rishid? You and Mokuba can take the luggage to the villa. The rest of you, come with me?" He smirked at Jonouchi. "Even you mutt."
Jonouchi clenched his fist and was about to say something when Sugoroku stepped on his foot.
"Ow! Gramps..what'd ya do that for?"
"Oops! Sorry lad, did I just step on your foot?" It didn't take much to distract Jonouchi and avert another argument.
Kaiba led them back into the terminal, to where the helicopter pilot was waiting to take them to Kul Elna.
Everyone was silent during the trip to Kul Elna. Anzu sat strapped into her seat staring out at the vast desert. Little Atem sat huddled up against her, his eyes wide as he peered out of the window in wonderment at the views surrounding him.
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When they were pretty sure Zorc/Pierre hadn't followed them they all stopped running. They were all panting from their effort except Mana, who hardly ever stayed still for very long and was super fit from running and leaping around all the time. It wore most people out just watching her.
"I think we are safe for the moment," She said. "You men are so unfit, you really should do more exercise."
"Thank you for your observations Mana, we don't all have your exuberance." Mahad spoke out between gasps for breath.
"We need to get our bearings." Yugi spoke. Having got his breath back, he was looking around at the endless swirl of darkness surrounding them. "We don't want to get completely lost. We have to find Atem."
"How do we find our way out, this fog is getting thicker by the moment?" Alain was disorientated, visibility was suddenly getting really bad.
"Shh.. Did you hear that." Mana cupped her hand to her ear, listening. "Yugi! Duck?" She shouted suddenly, aiming her staff.
Yugi's eyes went wide as he spun round, face to face with the creature that had appeared out of the fog. With lightening reactions he did as Mana instructed; just in time, as she fired a blast at the creature, destroying it.
"Phew! Thanks Mana. That was too close for comfort." He laughed nervously.
"That creature was not sent by Zorc." Mahad concluded. "We should go towards where it just came from. I have a feeling it should lead us to where we need to go."
"Wow, are you using some sort of telepathy?" Alain was amazed he couldn't even tell what direction they had just come from.
Mahad gave him a strange look. "No. Just a wild guess," he shrugged. "Besides we need to keep moving."
The strange fog seemed to be growing even thicker. So thick that they could no longer see each other.
"I think the shadows are trying to separate us. We should all hold hands." Mana suggested, reaching out to grip Yugi and Alain's hands as they were closest too her. The fog was now so dense that they could only inch nervously forward, they kept losing their balance and stumbling into each other thanks to its disorienting effect. It was also getting into their throats, making them all cough as well.
"Mahad, can you do anything to get rid of this fog?" Yugi asked. "Like a spell or something, because I think we are just walking round in circles."
"I might be able to transport us to a different part of the shadow realm."
"Can you detect Atem?" Yugi suggested hopefully.
"I don't know. If he is close by then possibly. Of all of us, you would be most likely to detect him Yugi?"
"Me?" Yugi was slightly surprised.
"You shared your body with him, did you not? You are both of the same soul, you will forever be connected to one another." He explained.
"H.. how do I? I mean, its been ten years. What do I need to do?"
Mana gripped his hand. "Please Yugi? Try to reach him with your mind. I will help by giving you my strength through my love for him. Mahad? Your loyalty to him will also give us strength."
Alain was completely confused, this was way beyond his comprehension. He had no idea what they were talking about. But he stayed close to them not wanting to be lost in the shadow fog.
Mana, sensing Alain's fear, took his hand and squeezed it reassuringly. "You can also help us too Alain."
The four of them stood in a little circle holding hands. Yugi closed his eyes and focussed on his 'Other Self.' Reaching out with his heart and mind, he called out. Would their connection still work after all this time? Atem, please hear me? Other me?
Will Yugi soon be re-united with Atem?
Find out next chapter :-)
Thank you for reading.