Chapter 51
'You're insane,' Chazz took several steps back away from her, 'you're actually insane. That's what he's done to you.'
'Eleven years... eleven years is a long time. I need him.'
'But he doesn't need you, right? That's why he's put that device on the back of your neck and left you here. He doesn't need you.'
'He does. He does. He just doesn't know it yet.'
'Or you don't know it,' he kept his voice low, before fixing his gaze on her. 'So do you know the name of the device he put on you?'
'No,' she shook her head, 'I think it's a…'
'Hybrid?'
'Yes.'
'So how did he transfer from you into Chumley?'
'The companion. This device has a companion.'
'I guess that makes sense,' he folded his arms. 'Do you know how to take it off?'
'If I knew I would have already; it's the only way to get him back.'
'And you still want that?'
'Yes, yes I need it, I need him.'
'Well right now I need a way of letting the others know what's going on so...'
'Why not just tell us,' Crovell's voice sounded from behind him.
Turning he saw him, Jo, the cousins and Simüte filling up the entrance of the cave.
'How long have you been there?' Chazz frowned.
'We just arrived,' he smirked.
'So then you need to know...'
'Nayta is no longer the Game Master.'
'How...?'
'Did you really think something like this would escape my notice?'
'Wait,' the female Arados frowned at him, 'you knew what exactly?'
'That Nayta wasn't the Game Master, just his host.'
'His?'
'Err… yeah.'
'Remind me to beat you for keeping me out of the loop, again.'
'You know that doesn't sound as threatening now you're a girl.'
'Just you wait.'
'Whatever,' he rolled his eyes. 'The important thing is that we're ready for the Game Master's return.'
'So then now would be a good time to fill us in on the full details of the plan then wise guy,' the female Arados folded her arms. 'We're not completely stupid, you know; you've so clearly been holding out on us.'
'Really,' he smirked, 'you mean this wasn't your first clue?'
Arados shot him a look, but said nothing.
'So what, I've been holding back on you,' Crovell shrugged, 'but since when do I give you a full explanation anyway?'
'Legend of the E-hero,' he smirked at his companion as he picked up the card, 'what is it with these guys and not putting up a fight?'
'Are you really going to complain about it?' Baraku knelt down beside the empty body in front of them. 'So... how are we going to decide this?'
'We're not. Not right now at least. There's another one, remember? Once we know how compatible he is then we'll decide.'
'So, what are we supposed to do with him right now?'
'He's not going anywhere.'
'We can't just leave him here,' Baraku rolled his eyes, 'we're not the only one's searching for empty vessels you know.'
'Fine, we'll hide him,' Hamen shot him a look, 'but that's your responsibility, not mine.'
'I can live with that,' he smirked.
'Since when have you ever lived Baraku?'
'It's an expression Hamen and even in death I've lived more than you ever could.'
Hamen smirked and folded his arms. It was clear he was just about to start walking back in the direction of the cave when he hesitated and half closed his eyes.
'That brat and his sister... I was hoping it would take a little longer before they arrived.'
'I guess that means there's no chance of us acquiring that forth body right now then,' Baraku rolled his eyes again.
'I guess not, still there are other things we could be doing,' he Glamoured his appearance changing it from a pudgy child into his glorious self.
'You mean...?'
'I think the brotherhood deserve a little visit, don't you?'
'Sounds good to me. Should I...?'
'You stay here and keep an eye on them,' Hamen cut him off, 'this is something I want to enjoy alone.'
The room had gone into a deathly silence. A silence which felt even more intense when all he could see was darkness.
'You…' he heard Tristan breathe, 'but how?'
Desperate to know what was going on he tried to tap into his partner's eyesight. But for some reason he found himself being blocked out.
'Tristan?'
'Trust me Kaiba,' a darkly familiar voice sounded, 'you're probably better off not seeing this.'
Instantly his blood ran cold. He'd never forgotten the sound of that voice. The voice which had tormented him. The voice of the person who nearly killed him. His captor. His nightmare. The true Game Master. He felt frozen by fear. He felt weak. He felt everything he'd felt eleven years ago. All the pain. All the terror. Almost out of nowhere he felt someone take hold of him and he almost jumped out of his skin.
'It's okay,' Tristan's voice was quiet and reassuring, 'he can't hurt you again. I won't let him.'
'And exactly how are you going to stop me?' The Game Master laughed. 'Or are you planning to go all Neanderthal on me again?'
'Don't tempt me.'
'What are you doing here?' Joey's voice was level but demanding.
'All this time and you still don't get who I am, do you?'
'No, I know who you are; you're Nayta in a really, really bad disguise.'
'Is that what you think?'
'That's what I know.'
'Then you're just as foolish as your Khine was.'
'And what do you know about my Khine?'
'A lot more then you think,' the Game Master's voice was filled with amused tones.
'What's that supposed to mean?'
'Hamen,' now it was Yugi's turn to speak, his voice filled with notes of realisation, 'you're Hamen, aren't you? The first sorcerer the brotherhood defeated.'
'Defeated,' he gave an unimpressed grunt, 'hardly. More like a temporary setback. But still, I should be thanking you. After all, if you hadn't of removed my physical body for me I would have died generations ago and my soul would have been judged, harshly. Instead I've been able to wonder, jumping from host to host, staying forever young as it were. Of course this paid its price on my memory at times, but that was a small price to pay.'
'So does that mean you're no longer Nayta?'
'Bright, aren't we?'
'So who are you now?'
'What is this,' he gave an amused laugh, 'twenty questions?'
'Not exactly.'
'Well then I hope you don't mind if I don't answer.'
There was suddenly a buzzing sound, followed immediately by a loud crash.
'Yugi!' Joey's voice was filled with concern.
'I'm okay,' Yugi groaned.
'You'll pay for that.'
There was another buzzing sound. Another crash.
'Let me see,' he projected his thoughts at Tristan, 'I need to see this.'
'Seto…'
'Please. I can't help if I can't see him.'
'But…'
'Tristan please. I promised myself I was going to help our son. How can I do that, is I can't even face my own fears?' He swallowed hard. 'I need to see this. You have to let me… you have to let me see.'
