Chapter 24:
When my eyes finally opened, I was no longer in the arms of the man I cared about. Instead, I was in cushioned chair. I noted that Seto's white trench coat covered me. I tightened it around me and inhaled his scent. I felt safe just knowing I was near him. I opened my eyes further and discovered this wasn't his office or home as I expected. I noted the surroundings and concluded I was in a plane…probably Seto's private jet. I slowly stretched my legs and arms before attempting to stand.
"I wonder how long I was out?" I asked aloud.
"Three days Rika." I turned to see Seto leaning against a doorframe. He slowly pushed off and walked towards me. He stopped just short but his hand found the side of my face. I leaned into his touch before placing my own hand on top of his.
"Care to explain what exactly happened. All I got was a text saying you ran into some trouble and to come help you. Then I find you on the verge of passing out. Then you sleep for three days without so much as a single movement."
"I know you don't want to hear it Seto, but I had a duel with one of those Orichalcos creeps. I won but I felt it all. The energy, the magic, and the seal's power...it's all real." I said down casting my eyes. I know he wouldn't believe me. He experienced it first hand as well but never admitted to believing it.
"Rika, please not you too. You have been the only one with any reason in this chaos." He said closing his eyes in frustration.
"It's real. Trust me, I'm just like you. I don't want to believe it. It's simply not logical or physically possible for a duel monsters' card to steal souls or cause this much destruction. However, what I felt during that duel, it was something I can't explain. I felt the darkness pulsing from him and the seal held me in my stance in fear." I let myself wrap my arms around him.
"Seto, I have never been so scared in my life. The worst part wasn't me dying or losing, it was the fear that I wouldn't see you ever again." His eyes opened to give me a look few ever saw, even myself, a sincere look of love and caring. Soon, I felt his lips on mine in chaste but meaningful kiss. It was short but what I needed.
"I will never let anything happen to you Rika. You mean more to me than anyone else in the world. I will do all in my power to protect you. Together, we will figure out what exactly is going on."
"Thank you." I said simply laying my head against his shoulder with a small smile hidden on my lips. He left his arms around me for a short time before he pulled back.
"I have to tell you a few things that have happened while you were asleep." He said leading me into a room where Mokie sat staring out the window.
"Ri you're awake! I was so worried about you! Big brother was too but I doubt he'd admit it." He said running over and tangling his arms around my legs. I looked at Seto and he simply rolled his eyes at his younger sibling's antic. However, the small glint in his eyes told me Mokuba was correct, that he was just as worried about me, if not more so.
After Seto's very brief recollection of the events of the past few days, we settled down into seats in the cabin .
"Do you think it's true Seto? I mean could Yugi really have lost to one of Alister's partners in a duel? Does that mean he's trapped somewhere now?" I had never realized that Yugi's soul could have been taken by the seal just as mine could have been had I lost.
"Seto did you talk to Yugi or just Joey?"
"Just the mutt, but Yugi was standing in the background, very much alive." He stated looking at me then turning to Mokie next.
"It just means Yugi isn't as perfect as everyone thinks he is and he's not worth my time. We've got more important things to do." He said crossing his legs and arms before looking at me.
"Seto he's still my brother and I will worry about him." He just hummed in response.
"Hey come here Seto, Rika. You have to check this out!" Mokie said as he walked up to the window in awe.
"What is it now?" Seto snapped. He was obviously upset now that Mokie and I brought up Yugi's loss. I'm sure he's just mad that some nobody defeated his number one rival and current king of games. Something, he's been trying to do since duelist kingdom nearly two years ago now. Granted if I was in his shoes I'd be just as pissed. But come on Seto, there's bigger things going on here, even I know that!
"I dunno but it looks cool!" Seto stood and walked up to his brother to look outside. I followed suit taking to Mokuba' other side. We both looked outside to see lights in the sky of all colors in a wave like pattern trailing for some distance. Seto narrowed his eyes and hummed in thought.
"Whattya think is going on out there?" Mokie asked.
"I have no idea but I don't trust it." Seto looked at me out of the corner of his eye before looking back outside. To me it looked a lot like the northern lights you would see at times, but it never visible this far south or this time of year.
"Attention, we may be experiencing some mild turbulence. Please fasten your seat belts, just to be safe." It was the captain's voice just as a warning but I didn't like the sound of it. At the end, I felt a shiver fall down my back. I looked at Seto before setting a hand on Mokuba's shoulder.
"Seto something's not right." I whispered just loud enough for him to hear and he nodded in agreement.