Thank you for your reviews! Wake Me Up When It's All Over, angiembabe, Some-Helping-Hands-of-Fire, Guest, Bananarock509, and Mistoka. Thank you so much for your thoughts. I'm really happy to read what you liked or your predictions or any other thoughts you had.
angiembabe, There is a lot in Yugi's history that will never be explored in this story, but I like to think he found love at some point. Unfortunately, the only way that could have turned out was tragedy as you pointed out. He does not age, and she would. It's never been said what age Yugi was frozen at, and I don't think I'll ever put an official age on it. But he is obviously younger than Atem is now.
Some-Helping-Hands-of-Fire/Lapel: You're completely correct. No one from the bad guys side knows that Atem is his Yami. It does give them an advantage, hopefully one our heroes will be able to exploit. Oh man, I am so excited! Yes, your memory is correct. You are asking all the right questions!
Bananarock509: The realities are more about the different realms. Their current life, the afterlife, the god's realm, the spirit realm and the shadow realm. Those cracks are between all those. So while it would be fun to give a nod to the original source, it's probably not going to happen. :P And I'm super happy you're sticking with it as well! XD
Welcome back Mistoka!
Egypt was beautiful.
The air stirred with the hum of life and excitement. Blessed by the grace of their gods, the Banishing of Chaos had begun without incident. People milled about, buying, selling and entertaining those that passed by. Children giggled as they darted through the adult's feet, playing games and brandishing toys that represented the great defeat of Aphosis. For that was what this celebration was for. To honor the God Ra, and to once again seal away all evil by defacing the originator of chaos, Apophis himself.
Though Seto usually disliked the clamor made by the simple folk, their joy held a purpose. A determination to thrive despite the evils that pushed them. To conquer all obstacles that barred the way. It was why when a child raced past his horse's hoofs and caused the beast the buck slightly, his only response was to frown in annoyance.
"I believe we are almost at the scene," said Karim. "It should be just past this street."
The man was riding beside Seto, not having noticed the upset horse. Karim's usual sash had been replaced with a ceremonial blue one. An insignia decorated his breast, marking his as the commander of the city guard. He carried both with pride and excitement, his own eyes reflecting joy.
It was a sight Seto did not see often from the priest. It was only recently that Karim would show Seto anything other than annoyance toward the other.
"Let us hope that the spirit has not left the area," said Seto, pushing his horse through the masses. It was slow going, but still faster than walking in this mess. "I would not be surprised if it moved to another spot considering the clamor everyone is making."
"It is a festival, Priest," said Karim with a smile. "They are meant to be excited, I should think."
They pressed through the throng, making little progress. Even bearing the colors of the palace, it was hard for people to move out of the way as they passed.
Just when Seto was considering ditching the horse, a boy pushed out from the wall of bodies. He stumbled into the flank of Karim's horse, making the horse whinny. It stomped in annoyance, people backing away as the creature started acting out.
"Woah, girl," said Karim, pulling on the reigns. He quickly regained control of his horse, looking down at the now fallen boy. A plum lay beside him. His eyes were wide and fearful as he recognized who he had bumped into.
Karim didn't seem to notice this as he dismounted. He took the fallen fruit and dusted it off before handing it to the boy.
"Here, I believe this is yours," said Karim. "Are you unhurt?"
The boy nodded vigorously, timidly taking the fruit.
"I'm glad," said Karim. "Be more wary of your surroundings. It's easy to get hurt if you don't pay attention."
"Yes, sir!" called the boy, his unease melting away into a smile. He bowed low to Karim before pushing back into the wall of bodies.
Seto watched the exchange, completely silent.
Karim returned to his horse.
"Excuse me for the delay," he said. "I am ready now."
Seto kicked his horse to continue. Karim followed.
Seto was not one to care about the actions of others, save those he deemed worthy of such attention. The pharaoh was one such person. As was Mahad, and on occasion, Isis and Bakura. The last two mostly because of the many secrets they held. Karim however, was not someone Seto cared for in the least.
There was a reason for his apathy. His ability to tune out the others around him. It came from his heritage. Their mocking and scathing remarks of his unknown father. Their cries of bastard. He generally despised them. Anyone that stood against him. Any that questioned him just because of his heritage.
So he tuned them out. Regarded their opinions as nothing but bluster.
Even then, it burned within him a desire to change. To silence their mocking words with his own achievements. Let them see that Seto did not need good 'breeding' to stand above the rest. He cared not what they thought. They were all the same.
All except Karim. The one man who despised Seto, not because of his heritage, but because of who he was as a person. At least, that was how it had been.
Karim, a man who was universally kind and considerate to everyone had been harsh with Seto from day one in the temple. Seto had ignored it at first, thinking he was similar to everyone else who doubted him. With time, he'd noticed Karim's comments were directed at him. His recklessness, attitude or aptitude toward his duties. They continued to butt heads all up to his acquisition of the millennium rod. Yet recently, it had changed. Karim's attitude toward him had shifted to that of a friend. Why had it been so hostile in the first place?
Seto pulled his horse to a stop at the mouth of the alley. He dismounted, hearing Karim do the same beside him.
"This is the place, is it not?" said Karim, looking around. "I feel nothing of significance from it."
Seto looked up and down the alley. It was just another cobblestoned road. A couple stands dotted the sides as the tide of people flowed through its channel. Seto and Karim joined this slow flow, looking around as they searched for any clues.
"Are you sure it was this alley?" said Karim. "Many of them look the same,"
"I'm not sure," said Seto. He couldn't quite put his finger on it, but something felt different. This didn't look like the area they had passed yesterday, but it sure felt like it. That presence was here somewhere.
Something rushed ahead of them.
Trained as he was to notice the unusual, he saw the hooded head pressing against the flow of human traffic. Whoever it was, it was obvious they were trying to get away from Seto and Karim.
"Move!" said Seto, pushing through the crowds. He kept one hand on the reigns of his horse, the people moving quickly to avoid being run over. Unfortunately, all the clamor alerted the person that Seto had seen them.
He saw a brief glimpse of their profile before they pushed even faster through the throng.
It had been enough. Seto saw who it was.
With a curse, Seto let go of the reigns, abandoning his horse. He sped through the crowd, Karim close behind. The figure ahead continued to bob through the crowd, shoving people aside in their haste. Then they vanished in a crack between two buildings.
Seto pushed forward. He scrambled down the thin crack, popping through the other side. The person was ahead of him, still running.
"Stop!"
The figured spun around.
Serenity's face was revealed under the hood, breathing hard and eyes wide in anger. Now that she was turned to face them, the purple eye of the Rare Hunters was visible beneath her gray traveling cloak.
"What do you want, Priest?" she spat, taking a tentative step back.
Karim came out of the alcove a second later, attention immediately focusing on Serenity.
"You," said Karim. "Stop right there. In the name of the pharaoh, I command you to give yourself up,"
Serenity's expression worsened, chin lowering as she glared.
"I will not!" she said. "Stay away from me and the Rare Hunters if you wish to live."
"Look out!"
The voice came clearly. With a force and urgency as if someone had yelled it beside Seto. He reacted to the voice by instinct, jerking his eyes skyward.
What the-
Something was falling.
Seto grabbed Karim, yanking him backward.
Wood and clay smashed into the ground, splinters flying. Seto coughed as sand blew into his mouth. A large pot had fallen from above them, landing right where Seto and Karim had been a second before.
Seto pushed himself to his feet, dusting off his robes.
"Are you alright?" said Seto.
Karim got to his feet as well. "Yes, I'm fine," he said. "Thank you, that was close."
"The girl!"
Seto whipped his head toward the street. She was gone. Of course she was. She'd obviously set that trap. Seto's carelessness had nearly gotten them killed if it hadn't been for that voice.
"Over here!"
Seto's eyes widened. There it was again, though not as clear or as urgent as before, but he could feel it. Pushing him to move forward.
Though he had no logical reason to, Seto felt an urge to listen. To follow that voice. He could even feel the Blue-eyes within, urging him to listen. That final push was what made him choose.
"Come," said Seto to Karim. "She's can't have gotten too far."
He ran forward, leading Karim down seemingly random streets. The voice continued to guide him, directing which paths to take.
"How do you know where she's going?" said Karim.
"Call it a feeling," said Seto. Which was what it was. Just a feeling. He wasn't even sure why he was listening to it. After several turns without seeing Serenity, Seto was starting to wonder about his split-second decision. Why was he listening to a disembodied voice?
Seto began slowing. The voice had slowed as well, a hesitance in their push.
That's when Seto heard it. Loud voices in the alley ahead.
He motioned for Karim to stay silent, creeping forward. He peeked around the corner.
Three men surrounded Serenity. They weren't allies based on their advancement and harsh words being exchanged.
"We should stop them," said Karim, whose eyes were on the girl. "Before it gets bad." Rare Hunter or no, it seemed Karim dislike the idea of watching a woman being jumped.
Something flickered.
A collection of lights condensed in front of Serenity, like a swarm of flies. They flickered back and forth, their movements… pleading. How could Seto tell?
"Hold a moment," said Seto, putting a hand on Karim's shoulder. "Let us observe first."
The woman was shouting back, waving her arm in irritation.
"-depart. Or join us in our glorious endeavor," she said. "Or are you too stupid to realize how insignificant your little regime is?"
One of the men chuckled. "How daft! Our gang has held these streets for decades. The Laughing Jackal are strong, and you are weak. As a courtesy, how about we show you just how weak you are."
The men advanced, their grins sinister.
Serenity threw her hood back, eyes brimming with fire.
"I am not weak!" she cried, visibly shaken. "I'll show you just how strong I've become."
"Stop her!"
The light was pulsing, quickly like a racing heartbeat. Seto knew it was calling to him. Pleading for Seto to help.
Seto moved forward, hand sweeping in front of him at the same time Serenity's did.
Magic clashed. The force pushed against Seto, forcing him to stop and raise an arm as wind and magic battered around him. He grunted, lowering his arm.
Spears of magic were frozen, caught my Seto's shadows. Each pointed to one of the fallen thugs, inches away from impaling them. It appeared Seto had been just in time. The three tried to get up, but Seto's magic didn't let them, pinning them while simultaneously stopping their death from coming.
Serenity's head jerked to Seto, anger evident.
"You!" she hissed. "How— What do you think you're doing here?"
"Stopping you from becoming a murderer," said Seto, stepping forward. He felt that glow of light hum in agreement, satisfied with Seto's answer. It looked like Serenity couldn't see the ball of light. Nor anyone else. Karim had come out as well, but he didn't acknowledge the spiritual presence. Why was it like that?
Serenity gestured to the thugs on the ground.
"Why save them?" she said. "They're murderers and thieves. Rapists and drug dealers. They deserve death. They deserve pain!"
"And under what authority do you so quickly determine their sentence?" said Seto sharply. "You feel that because you have been hurt, you have the right to inflict pain upon others?
Serenity flinched back, gripping the chest of her cloak.
"I serve my master," she said. "It is he who calls for their death. For their destruction."
"Then where is he?" said Seto. "Has he commanded you to kill these men? Serenity—" she flinched at his use of her name. "Why do you destroy? I do not think you truly wish for this."
"I do!" she yelled. "I do, because-" she cut herself off, eyes lowering as she bit her lip. "Because chaos is the only true consistent in this world. The only thing that never fails."
The lights pulsed a soft blue, bobbing beside her.
"I'm so sorry," the voice spoke. "Serenity. Please, stop this. I'm so sorry for leaving you."
She didn't acknowledge the voice. No one did. It was official. Only Seto could sense it.
"Serenity." Seto stepped forward.
Her attention snapped back to Seto. Anger erupted from her soft features as she backed away. She yanked from her robes a glittering dark tool. A fake Millennium scale.
"It is foolish to try and stop me!" she called.
Two pools of light erupted from the ground beside her. From each source, a Ka appeared, rising from the ground. The first was the female Ka from before, white wings protruding from her head and a third eye closed. The second was corrupted. A swordsman with a sword made of flames. His eyes were dark, black veins spider-webbing up his arms and face.
"Merge now my Ka, and destroy all that you see."
Serenity held her arm between the two, dark light shining. The two Ka swirled, magic and power pushing outward as they began to merge.
"You dare insult us by using that abomination?" said Karim. He sent a glare toward Seto. "Let us show her the true might of a polymerized monster."
"Let's," agreed Seto, holding out his rod. "And let us show her the error of her philosophy. There is no strength in your path Serenity. It is an imitation of your desires, much like the item. We will prove that to you."
Magic surged through Seto. He released the magic holding the thugs, who scrambled away. Now it was just the three of them, power swirling around them. Seto pulled from deep within him, summoning his Ka as Karim did the same.
"Come forth, Duos!"
"Reveal yourself, Curse of Dragon!"
Twin pools of light expanded in front of their feet. In a flash of magic, the two monsters appeared, Duos a soldier of black, and Curse of Dragon, a majestic beast of gold. The two cried in unison, ready to fight beside their masters.
Seto gave Karim a nod. In that gesture, he gave the man permission to merge their Ka. To combine their strengths. Something Seto never thought he'd do.
The other priest gave a slight smile, raising his millennium rod.
"Combine your strengths, and merge together as one to become Duos Dragon!"
From a whirl of color, Duos Dragon emerged. The monster was a dark blue, a long white spike protruding from its hammer-shaped head. It rose slightly, allowing Seto to see past it and observe the monster that had emerged from Serenity's magic.
A male humanoid stood beside her, dark red with corruption coating's it's armor like condensation. Wings protruded from its helmet, a green cloak draped over one shoulder. And the third eye was there. Open and red.
The monster extended its sword, the flames now a sickly green.
"Attack, Third-eye Flame Swordsman!" called Serenity.
The Ka rushed forward, sword pointed at Duos Dragon. Their monsters crashed together in a snarl of claws and metal. The two grappled for a moment, then the swordsman got the advantage. It pushed Duos Dragon into a building with a crunch. Seto winced as he too felt the pain, extended to him through the monster.
Duos Dragon roared in pain, jabbing its horn into the swordsman's side. The two separated in a rain of bricks and blood. Power condensed around Duos Dragon's jaws. It unleashed the powerful attack, which the swordsman just managed to dodge.
Except, that was what they had expected.
The magic crashed into the other building, right above Serenity. The woman screamed, scrambling away as rock fell around her.
"No!" called the light. "Stop, don't hurt her. Please."
What the hell? thought Seto. That thing is still here?
He didn't have time to think on it. Their monsters had collided again in a cacophony of noise.
This was getting to be too much for the small alley. If they weren't careful, they'd destroy the nearby houses and people could get hurt. Seto understood that sometimes casualties couldn't be helped, but even he preferred to avoid such inconveniences.
"I'll leave our Ka to you," said Seto to Karim. "Make me an opening. I'll get the girl."
Karim nodded in confirmation, eyes fixed on the fight.
Seto dodged past the monsters, heading for Serenity. The woman was sweating, a trickle of blood visible on her cheek. She hadn't seen him yet.
Just as she raised her head, Seto brandished his rod.
Dark magic swirled, shooting toward her.
"No! Stop!"
Light flash.
Seto's eyes widened as the swordsman suddenly separated, peeling apart into two separate Ka. Then they condensed, one portion reappearing before Seto. Right before serenity. It was the Flame Swordsman.
The Ka took Seto's attack right to the chest. Both Serenity and that ball of light cried out. The Flame Swordsman fell to his knees, sword pointed on the ground to stay upright.
"Run Serenity!" called the orb. "Run sister. Please for the love of Ra, get out of here."
The woman scrambled backward, eyes wide as she turned and ran. Seto raised his rod again. The corrupted swordsman rose, arms out as he blocked the girl's escape. The Ka's whole body trembled, dark blood oozing from several puncture wounds, yet its eyes held a flame of determination.
Seto didn't hesitate. More magic flew like arrows into the monster's flesh. The creature yelled in pain, sinking to one knee. Yet it still didn't fall. Flames from its sword spread in either direction, blocking Seto from running around it. Shoot, this was taking too long without a Ka to assist him.
Seto lowered his hand, glancing back at Karim. His friend had already taken out the Goddess with the Third Eye, the remains shimmering. Karim ran up beside Seto, their combined Ka flying ahead.
"Dragon Duos, destroy the creature," commanded Karim.
In a burst of magic, the Swordsman disintegrated into a smoldering pile of ash, his cry long and haunting. Seto and Karim pushed past it, coming to a halt when the alley split.
"Which way did she go?" said Karim. "Can you find her again, Priest Seto?"
Seto had no idea. She could have gone either way. The only thing that could help them was that presence, which was still with them. He marched up to the hovering lights, annoyance pumping through him. This light had led them to Serenity and after listening to its voice, he had a good idea why. It enraged him.
"Where is your sister?" growled Seto. "Tell me spirit. Which way did she go?"
Karim's eyes widened in surprise.
"I won't," said the spirit. "You're just going to kill her an—"
"I was trying to subdue her," growled Seto. "A powerful sorcerer like your sister would not have died from those attacks."
"You don't know dat!" said the spirit. "You could have hurt her. She could have died. If that had happened then—"
"I'm trying to help. I don't think this is what your sister truly wants. She doesn't belong with the Rare Hunters."
The spirit quieted, bobbing silently in front of Seto. Then it shimmered.
Sections split off from the light. They extended slowly into depth and detail. With a final sheen, they snapped into focus, revealing a young scraggly man. His eyes sought Seto's, full of hope and uncertainty.
"Ya mean dat?" said the spirit. "You ain't lying to me? You really want to help her?"
"I do," said Seto. "Now, tell us where she went."
The spirit hesitated.
"I… can't."
"What did I just—"
"I mean, I can't!" yelled the spirit. "She's gone into one of those freaky domes again and I can't follow her. I have no idea where she goes after dat."
Freaky domes? What was he talking about?
"Priest Seto," said Karim. "What is going on? Is there a spirit you are conversing with?"
"Yes," said Seto. "And I believe he is what distracted the pharaoh earlier. I felt his presence pass me during the procession."
At least this was all coming together, though not in the way Seto had expected. At this point, he doubted they could find Serenity again. Unless this spirit was willing to take them where she was hiding, they might be out of luck.
"That's where I've seen you from!" said the spirit, hitting his fist into his hand. "You were hangin' with the Yami. Huh, I wonder if that's why you can see me."
"What was that?" said Seto sharply.
"It's just a guess," said the spirit. "I don't really know why you can see and talk to me but I ain't complainin—"
"Not that," said Seto, ignoring the questioning looks from Karim. "Before, what you said about the pharaoh."
"Oh, him?" the spirit scowled. "Look pal, I know he's the pharaoh and all dat but I'm dead. You can't really punish me for talking to him."
"No, what you said about…"
Seto trailed off. Because he couldn't believe what he had heard. Had this spirit really called the Pharaoh the Yami? It wasn't possible.
The man scratched his ears for a moment before his eyes lit up. "Oh! About him being the Yami? What, you didn't know dat?"
Seto's heart sunk.
That's what it was. Everything fell into place perfectly. Atem's sudden disinterest in Yugi, his additional power. His tendency to daze. He had bonded with the Hikari brat and become his partner.
"How do you know what he is?" said Seto, being vague on purpose so Karim wouldn't know what he was referring to.
"I can feel it," said the spirit, putting a hand to his transparent chest. "All spirits can tell instinctively. We'd drift to him naturally too if it wasn't for all this bleedin' interference. Seriously, I didn't realize how disgusting this city is. It needs some sort of spiritual awakening is what it needs."
In that, Seto could agree. Though it was lively and full of cheer from the festival, there was no denying the darkness that lurked beneath. The alleys that none ventured for fear of never surfacing. The threat of the hunters loomed like a dangling knife.
"It's alright though!" said the spirit, waving his hands in front of Seto's face. "I know da Yami and Hikari got a bad rep but none of it's true. They're supposed to guide us to the afterlife and fight against Zor-"
"I'm aware spirit," ground out Seto. He took a deep breath, turning his attention to Karim. The man was being surprisingly patient, watching Seto with obvious concern.
Should he tell Karim what the spirit said?
It's not my secret to tell, thought Seto. He trusted Atem, and if the man had a reason for keeping it quiet, Seto would oblige. He'd also expect some sort of compensation for his hard work because this was just obnoxious. The council existed to help and serve the pharaoh. How could they do that when Atem kept secrets?
Because of people like Aknadin, thought Seto. Because of people like Bakura. Men were easily corrupted, and just the right amount of pressure could make anyone fall. Serenity was an example of that.
"You mentioned domes," said Seto to the spirit. "To what are you referring?"
"Oh, there are these strange barriers all over the city," said the spirit. "Sometimes people go in one and come out at another. An' if I try to go into any, it hurts like hell."
"And those that enter, do they wear cloaks wearing the brand of a purple eye?"
"Yeah! How did you know?"
Seto considered a moment, hand to his chin.
"Spirit," said Seto. "What is your name?"
"Joey," said the spirit.
"Then, Joey," said Seto. "You've been following your sister for a while have you not? You've seen the activities of the other members of the Rare Hunters."
"Yeah, some of it," said Joey. "I wasn't really paying too close attention. Mostly I was trying to get my sister to listen to me. She… still can't hear my voice."
It would be enough. Seto had found that even the most unobservant idiots often knew more than they realized.
"Karim," said Seto. "It seems this spirit is the dead brother of Serenity. He's been following her and may know more about the Rare Hunter's movements."
"I deduced that from your side of the conversation," said Karim. "Is he willing to help us?"
"Only if yah help me too," said Joey. "Or the deals off."
"He's agreed," said Seto.
"That is good news," sighed Karim. "Though we should be cautious. We don't know this spirit's true motivation. It could be a trap."
The spirit stuttered in anger. "I ain't some lying-"
"He can't hear you," interrupted Seto. "And I agree. We will need to be careful with the information we share and take from him. Though, I do not believe he would have the capacity to betray us. He doesn't appear to be the intelligent type."
"Well screw you, yah stuffy priest!" said Joey, blowing a raspberry. He folded his arms with a pout, falling silent. Which was what Seto had wanted. He was honestly surprised the spirit hadn't left.
Seto had already started walking back down the alley, hoping they could find their horses again.
"In this case, it's a good thing, Spirit," said Seto. "Otherwise I wouldn't be willing to help you."
Joey bristled in anger, spewing a few choice words. Seto smirked, noticing that Karim was watching him.
"He's cursing you out, isn't he?" said Karim. He gave an exhausted sigh. "One of these days Priest Seto, you'll manage to have a conversation without offending someone."
"I take offense to that," said Seto.
"Are my ears failing, or did you just make a joke?"
Seto didn't smile, but his lips did twitch. They slid into a frown a moment later when sounds reached his ears. Hushed and hurried voices coming from around the corner.
He made a shushing motion to Joey and Karim, the two thankfully falling silent. He could now make out what the voices were saying.
"It was over here, I felt it."
"Shush, you're making too much noise."
"I'm not the one that stomps like an elephant."
"Elephants don't stomp, silly."
"I was calling you fat you—"
Two people stumbled around the corner. Despite the cloaks covering their faces, Seto recognized them. Had known who they were the second he heard their voices. They froze, like frightened animals that had stumbled upon their predator. Seto folded his arms.
"Mana? Marik?" said Karim in disbelief. "What are you two doing here?"
The two flinched, exchanging guilty looks. Mana gave a shaky laugh.
"Um, can you pretend you didn't see us?" she said.