As I Fall

by Ferris Ulf

Jou,suffering from depression,strikes a friendship with Bakura that becomes a lot more.Will anyone accept this?What of Baku's past lover or Jou's old crush?Can Jou help Bakura out of his suicidal state or will he fall alongside the yami? J? B? JB BJ

56. Chapter 56: Mercy

Lyrics from "Measure of a Man" by Heather Dale.

This chapter is dedicated to a new friend. May friendships and new beginnings blossom for us all this coming year.

The measure of a man stands or falls with what he leaves behind.

Gather on the sand, let your voices carry to the sky.

Rise in light.

Let the gods look down on this and wonder.

Chapter 56: Mercy

(Rishid's POV)

I brace my shoulder against the door, sweat pouring down my face over the marks that connect me to Marik, and subsequently to this…thing. Whatever it is on the other side of the door, it has gone quiet yet again. It's either trying to lull me into a false sense of security so I let up my hold or it is gathering strength to try again.

When Marik left with the Dark Magician, it made it impossible for us to connect. I can feel him. Feel his life. That is all. We cannot communicate at all, despite my being here in the hall containing their two doors.

"Malik," I mutter, keeping my fingers locked securely over the door's handle. Have I ever used the bastard's name before? "I can't…You need to snap out of it. Otherwise I have to kill you." Dead quiet on the other side. "You and I both know how strong Marik is, but…"

He can't lose you, damn it. He's lost enough, been through more than his share of heartache. If anyone deserves a break in life, it's Marik. I'm not enough. Isis isn't either. We both know it. He follows you wherever you wander, aimless and unstable as you are. I think he likes being needed, despite the incredible burden it places on him. Plus he loves you. I can sense the way his emotions soar when you're near. I hate it. I hate you beyond my ability to articulate it. The only recompense is I know the feeling is mutual.

I lean my forehead against the door, my fingers locked on the knob, holding on for my life and Marik's. Even now the door is so faint, I'm surprised my head doesn't simply go right through it. That makes it still a threat. As long as I'm holding onto it, keeping it here, there's a chance that thing could come through and invade Marik's soul.

That trumps happiness and true love. Doesn't it? An eternity of having one's soul infected and torn apart by shadows is better than having to wait until the Afterlife…

Only Malik won't be there. A soul as contaminated as his could not be allowed in. All standing between that bastard and an eternity of damnation is my grip on this door. I let go and it's done. I will have ensured that Marik's soul is safe.

It's so damn tempting.

Marik will not thank me for it. He will hate me. And after all of the other traumas he has had forced upon him, he will not recover from this.

The akh said it could help, but refused to. Pharaoh could make it help. Pharaoh might even have another answer. While I don't have the faith that Isis does in him, if anyone can do something here, it's Pharaoh. I cannot hold this door forever and I can't have that creature invade Marik if my strength gives out before help comes; because help is coming. Marik will accept nothing less.

It just won't be in time.

"Damn you," I mutter under my breath, pressing my free hand to the surface. It shimmers like ripples on water, threatening to disappear. I actually have to hold tighter, focus harder to keep that from happening. It's becoming impossible to keep the door intact while also preventing anything from coming through.

"Damn it."

I know what I can try. Whether or not it will work is another matter entirely. Gritting my teeth, I move my consciousness outward while still attempting to maintain my hold on the door. Black spots dance in front of my eyes as my awareness returns to my physical body. A blur that might be my sister stirs off to my right.

"Isis."

"Rishid? What's happening?"

I can disconnect him from Marik at the very least. As long as I can keep ahold of the door, perhaps I can pull it to my soul room? Or, heaven and hells forbid, I carve an inscription on myself to connect me to Malik's spirit. Then again, I don't think I'm able to do that right now. It took a lot of pain and precision and intense focus to create the one connecting me to Marik.

"The spells…on my face."

"Yes?"

"Burn them."

She doesn't ask why. Doesn't bother with questions.

The door handle is giving off a cold chill that spreads numbness through my hand, weakening my grip. I don't know if it's that thing's will or just that Malik's existence is being snuffed out.

"I don't have anything…" Somewhere out of sight she scrabbles around. I grit my teeth, feeling the hold on the door slacken as my attention is divided. "If I cut them, will that work?"

"If it breaks up the inscription: Yes."

I underwent the pain in order to link myself to link myself to Marik and better protect him. Now the opposite is required in order to save him. If it just buys him more time to get to Pharaoh…

Pain slices across my face repeatedly, sharp and swift. I gasp as, at the same moment, I lose my grip on the door. No. That's not right. I was focused. It shouldn't have…

I return my full attention to it. Only I'm in my soul room, cut off completely from Marik. My fingers fold into my palm as if the handle just vanished. It has. The door is gone.

---

(Yugi's POV)

I collapse into the one of the two chairs, descending onto the stiff upholstery with a moan.

It went fairly smoothly. 'Fairly' coming into play when I had to take control of a nurse who was trying to remove the Millennium ring from Marik after I specifically said not to. It makes sense. They take jewelry off a person when they're hospitalized. But his wearing an Item could be the difference between life and death at this point. After accidentally running the poor nurse into a wall, I was able to articulate—through him—that jewelry of this kind was not to be removed from the patient, as it was a religious practice. There are policies for that sort of thing. I just hope they're so busy with keeping them alive they don't pay attention to the faint glow stemming from the Item. That's just another thing I'll have to deal with if it becomes a problem.

The hospital is full. I did have to tell the police that screaming was coming from multiple buildings so that there was door-to-door scoping of the entire neighborhood. They called hospitals in other cities, citing that the patients be quarantined until the cause of the unconsciousness and catatonia could be determined. Most of the people are awake and none the wiser, having been found, unharmed in their homes or wherever they were before Jou's spell took effect. Yami, Marik, Ryou, and Otogi are in intensive care; Ryou and the dice master both receiving blood transfusions as well as a round of rabies shots. The police have not been able to locate the dogs responsible for their wounds. Lucky for them.

Anzu is being monitored, having collapsed from exhaustion after arriving here. Bakura is stable and unconscious. Last I heard through my mind..er..helpers, was that Jou and Shizuka were both awake.

Passing the Millennium rod back and forth between my hands, I glance from one bed to the other, both occupants unresponsive so far. I've seen their charts, listened in on the doctors' discussions. Yami's shoulder is burned, right arm fractured. When he wakes up, his right eye will be swollen shut, flesh around it a mass of purple and green bruising. There are signs someone revived Yami, yet no defibrillator was found at the scene.

I turn my attention to the other patient. I had them placed here together so I could keep a watch on both of them. There are bruises on Marik's throat as if someone had tried to choke the life out of him. There's also a long, shallow cut. I don't remember him or Malik carrying any weapons except for—I warily examine the wing-like blades on the Item in my hand. The pads of his fingers are torn to shreds; each individual digit wrapped in bandages. Marik was covered from head to toe in ashes. After assessing him, they've since cleaned his body. They'll no doubt be studying the debris under a microscope; see if they can find out what it is. That's just one of many odd components that don't add up to the officials who are trying to gather stories and make sense of what happened. Then there's the very distinct, unexplainable burn on his chest.

Speaking of which…

"All right. You can come out now," I say, not bothering to keep my voice down. I've made sure that no one would check in here for a good ten minutes to buy me some time.

I sense the portal but don't bother turning to look. I know they're both here. The Dark Magician immediately makes an exclamation of shock at all of the machines, IVs, and wires. I hadn't considered this. It probably looks like a torture room to the ancient's eyes. Shaddi quickly interjects before the duel monster decides to try to 'free' Yami from such torment.

"They're both stable," I say once Shaddi has finished speaking. "We just have to wait for them to wake up now."

"We could…" he starts to volunteer.

"The doctors haven't tried to wake them," I put down that idea. "Said with the amount of stress they've been through it's best to let them rest. There's brain activity."

I don't know how much of that makes sense to him, but he confers again with the Dark Magician. I haven't reached out to my darker half again, trusting that he really does just need rest after what he's been through.

Having used the Millennium rod now, I recognize its power as the one that shot the magic through him and restarted his heart. The one I felt while in my soul room. That makes me all the more protective of my fellow hikari.

Assured Marik is safe with an Item to help along his recovery—to make sure he can recover—I can give my full attention to a matter I've wanted very badly to address. There hasn't been a chance. Not until now.

A knock on the door makes me jump. Damn it! I'm definitely not good at this mind control stuff yet. I told them to have no one disturb us.

"Yug?" Jou asks, voice cracking.

I stiffen, not ready for this encounter. Shaddi and the Dark Magician watch me, curious to see what I am going to do; if I am going to order them to act against the key's thief. The Dark Magician says something, brandishing his staff.

"Mahaado has offered to eliminate…"

"No!" I snap loudly before opening the door.

Jou's already backing away, having heard my outburst. Brown eyes widen in both fear and hope, the fear definitely winning out. Both hands are wrapped in bandages and his face is an array of blues and greens. He's dressed in a hospital gown, an IV attached to his arm leading up to several bags on a mobile metal pole. I can see a bulge in his chest under the fabric from bandages.

"That was at them," I mumble in explanation, jabbing my thumb back at the supernatural duo. "What is it?"

He opens and closes his mouth, both of us surprised at the abruptness in my tone.

"I-I just wanted to see how they were doin'," he says quietly, not trying to peer around me or enter the room.

I sigh, beckoning for him to come in. He does after hesitating, face falling even more at the sight of Yami and Marik. I don't know how to act; how to talk to him. He hasn't apologized yet. We haven't had a real conversation. I haven't had time to process his role in all of this and how I feel about it. It still isn't the time.

"They're alive. That's all we know."

"But they'll…they're gonna wake up?"

"Yes." Not liking how I sound, I ask: "Bakura? Your sister?"

"Both sleeping. Shizuka's good," he says, scratching at the bandages wrapped around his wrist. "Baku's not hurt badly. Just…exhausted."

Exhausted is an understatement with the amount of magic the thief was using keeping that shield up around all of those people by himself. I sigh, nodding. What else is there to say?

An uncomfortable silence draws out. The various monitors beep behind me. From down the hallway comes the murmur of hospital staff as they watch over their patients. If it weren't for my connection with the Dark Magician, I could almost forget he and Shaddi are here as well. Almost.

"Yugi, I know this is a bad time…seems it's always a bad time, but…" Jounouchi trails off, looking at Shaddi and the Dark Magician out of the corner of his eye, silently asking me if it's safe to talk in front of them. "I felt something when I was…when I wasn't me. Or the me I want to be…damn it!"

He spins so his back is to me, nearly falling over in the process, clinging to his IV pole. He's trembling, shoulders rigid in tension. I can tell he doesn't want to be here, would rather be sitting with Bakura and Shizuka. Maybe not even that. Maybe hiding from all of us.

It makes me angry. And sad. Why didn't he come to me before? We're best friends. I thought…I don't know what to say to him. I don't think there is anything to say that can make this better. Not for now, anyway. Not until we know more.

"You felt?" I prompt, trying to keep my voice even.

"Malik," he surprises me by saying the yami's name and he turns back to me slowly. "Malik opened a portal…just for a moment. He didn't come through though. It was like…like he was scouting? Seeing who was inside?" Jou wipes a shaking hand across his chin. "I'm not making any sense. I just…he didn't come through. Then, later, Marik an' the Dark Magician came. And Marik was attacked and…Malik didn't... Wouldn't he have felt Marik was in trouble? The Dark Magician practically killed him. Shouldn't Malik have come?"

"Good question. One I was just about to ask them." I turn to Shaddi and Mahaado who are paying rapt attention to us. "Where is Malik?"

After too long of a pause, Shaddi speaks in ancient Egyptian. The only thing I catch in it is Malik's name. Unconcerned, the Dark Magician's reply is abrupt and to the point. Shaddi rejoins, cool and collected.

I grow impatient quickly. I don't know how I know, but I can just sense that something is wrong with Marik. Jounouchi's observations only back up that fear. I've never been able to feel the connection between him and Malik or between Bakura and Ryou, but…

"We know Mahaado knows, Shaddi," I say when I sense his unwillingness to talk. "Where. Is. Malik?"

Shaddi turns to me with a look of mild intrigue. He's half-daring me to do something. This is the attitude they expected from Jou, not me. I stare right back at him, chin up. My fingers curl around Marik's wrist, painfully aware of the fact that he is here and his yami is not.

"Overtaken by the shadows that infested him thousands of years ago."

When his soul was sealed by Yami. Yami admitted to doing it, not proud of it. There are a few things I need to work out given the tension in Mahaado at the mention of the tomb keeper.

"You knew Malik, too?"

"Yes," Shaddi admits, seeming reluctant to discuss him. "At least, I think so. Mahaado tells me he was a student of mine…for a time."

I don't ask for the story. I don't care. I don't know how different the Malik I know is from the one Shaddi and the Dark Magician did. That doesn't matter to me. Jou seems to agree.

"What you said would only happen if he got wound up first," Jounouchi states. "He would have been fighting someone or something threatened Marik."

Shaddi sidles a glance in the Dark Magician's direction. It figures.

"You still didn't answer my question, Shaddi," I point out, weary of having to chase the ancients around for an answer. "Where is he?"

"I told you…"

"You told me he's overridden by shadows. That doesn't tell me where he is."

"I do not know. Neither does Mahaado. When he and Marik left them…"

"Them?"

Shaddi pauses, realizing his mistake too late. I remember: Ryou called us at the high-rise. Isis had phoned him from Egypt. Malik somehow knew what was happening here. They were going to help us. I stare down at Marik's beaten form, horrified at what the price might have been for saving us. Is his sister alive? What about his yami? If Malik went ballistic, he will have killed her.

The easiest thing to do would be to try and call them. That won't work. Marik won't be able to tell us anything right now. We could get the number on Ryou's phone except I saw the bag of his belongings when he was admitted. His phone did not survive being dragged through a broken window and paraded around by giant wolves.

"Malik…Isis…Were they still alive when Marik and Mahaado left them?"

"I…yes. Barely. They most likely are gone by now."

"But they were alive when they left?" Jou repeats my question.

"Yes."

"The shadows…you said he's overtaken by them. Can Mahaado get him out?"

I almost ask why Mahaado didn't untangle Malik when he had the chance. Marik would have asked. Marik would have demanded. The answer is clear based on how Mahaado acts with all things concerning Malik and Marik: Why would he help Malik? Yami did this to him as some type of punishment. The Dark Magician belongs to Yami. It's not his place to decide to undo something Yami did. Plus, I really don't think he would have willingly helped Malik in any way.

"At full strength, he could have. Not presently, after using such a large spell to liberate me. After traversing through the Realm and having it drain him so much, he had to use the tomb keeper's magic and lifeforce to replenish his own energies enough to make the sacrifice work."

"Sacrifice?"

"Blue Eyes White Dragon."

That explains Otogi and me recognizing that roar.

"Where'd he get Blue Eyes from?" Jou asks. "A card?"

"No. The tomb keepers had several ka stored for safekeeping. A sacrifice of a spirit was required to free me."

"Like an exorcism?" I ask, head spinning. This has gotten a lot more complicated than I thought.

"I…suppose that could be a way to describe it."

There are other things to consider that I don't know yet. It may not be worth anything. First thing's first:

"Can he sense Malik?" I ask, looking directly at the Dark Magician to let him know I'm talking about him. "Could we get to him through his connection with Marik?"

Shaddi asks the question. Though the reply itself it gibberish, its meaning is clear and in the negative. I nod so that Shaddi and Mahaado see I understand. They both quiet, inquisitive as to why I am bothering to ask.

I glance at my own darker half—unconscious, but alive. I reach out through our link, akin to touching him gently. All I can think of is having my darker half's side of the connection disappear, both his soul and spirit absent. Was Marik awake when it happened to his yami? If Malik is gone, does Marik already know? Does that even matter? When he wakes up…

"Shaddi, I want you to keep the Millennium key for now," I say, still gazing at the other hikari. "You know it better than I do."

"What do you want me to do?"

I'm painfully aware of three pairs of eyes fixed on me.

"I need you to take me to Egypt. To Malik and Isis."

"What?" he shifts uneasily, obviously not wanting to leave the hospital. "But that's…it's too late…"

"Mahaado will stay here with Yami and Marik and make sure they're all right." I send the duel monster a warning look; I'm not even sure what I'm cautioning him not to do. "He'd rather do that than help us with Malik, wouldn't he?"

"That would depend on what you mean by 'help with'," the spirit says dryly; the closest thing to humor I've gotten out of him. "I assume you will want him to conceal himself from the hospital staff?"

"It would help that they don't find a ghostly duel monster in the room," I can't help but smile. "Plus my connection to him is…"

"Powerful?"

"Creepy."

Shaddi clears his throat, not sure how to react otherwise.

"I am not sure what there will be for you and me to do. From the sounds of it, Malik was nearly gone both spiritually and physically. The other two were injured severely. The problem may already be eliminated."

"Other two?" Jou asks hoarsely, visibly paling.

So Rishid was there as well. Everyone important to Marik could be dead.

"I want to be sure," is all I say.

Shaddi relays all of this to the Dark Magician. I note the way Shaddi motions toward the door, as if giving directions on how to navigate the ward. Neither of them is stupid. They wouldn't try to move Yami right now. What could they want, though? Something else has caught Shaddi's interest. I can't worry about that. I'm only one person, and I need to go to Egypt.

"Yug?" Wide brown eyes look into mine. "I know you don't trust me right now—an' I don't blame you for that. But I'd l-like to help. I can help."

He can.

"I have help."

He cringes but doesn't argue. I internally punch myself. This is not going well.

"Everyone else is down, Jou," I try to word it better. "I'd rather you stay here. Make sure everyone is all right. Are…Are you all right?"

"I don't know," he mumbles, while his eyes and tone gives me a loud, resounding 'no'. "Yug, these two don't care about the same stuff as you do. As we do."

"I know. I've got this. Trust me."

The t-word sends another cloud looming over us. We both shift awkwardly. Jou averts his gaze to his stockinged feet. It's like we're performing a play someone else wrote; someone who doesn't know us. The words that come don't feel like us. We're acting like other people. I don't know how to stop.

"Here." I fumble in my pocket, handing him Anzu's phone. He accepts it mutely. "I called…Grandpa is on his way. I don't know how quickly they'll let him in. I was going to use the Millennium rod to get him through, but since I'm going to be dealing with Malik…"

"We'll figure it out. Don't worry 'bout that."

I nod. Guilt eats away at me that when he said he'd figure it out that my first thought was whether he has access to any Millennium Items. He doesn't. Ryou gave me the Millennium eye for safekeeping while he's being treated. He'd probably be happy to relinquish it to me and Yami, but I don't know if that would require Bakura's cooperation as well, since it's technically the thief's.

It makes me nervous that it was argued before that Bakura needs an Item so his head injury doesn't act up. I'm afraid to leave an Item with the thief since Jou will most likely be spending all his time at Bakura's side. The fact that I'm weighing my distrust in Jou against Bakura's wellbeing is unsettling; though the thing that happened was blackouts. Those shouldn't be a problem if he's unconscious in bed. I've paid attention to the doctor's latest reports on Bakura and so far nothing to suggest he's declining.

Meanwhile, Marik is wearing the Millennium ring and there's no way Mahaado will let anyone touch it, Jou least of all.

I'm taking a potentially dangerous gamble going off alone with Shaddi. The way he has worded some things makes it sound like he's having memory problems. The duel monster would be the safer option because he's under my complete control, but I need him here. Plus he seems very low on power. That won't do me any good if worse comes to worst. And there's the language barrier as well.

"Tell me what else to do. Yug, I-I can't just sit around when I did this!"

The guilt is real. The devastation is eating away at him. I just…can't deal with this right now.

"I need you here. Keep the others calm when they wake up. I've been keeping an eye on Ryou and Otogi since they're getting some pretty strong drugs right now. They might say something unintentionally. On second thought, don't go in Otogi's room." He wilts a bit at the mention of the dice master but doesn't argue. "I'll call once I know something. In the meantime, get some rest. You look ready to pass out."

He nods again, somber and complacent. Jounouchi turns and wanders away slowly, pink phone gripped tightly in one hand. The tiny wheels on the IV pole squeak slightly in protest. Not even before he's out of sight does an orderly exclaim, wanting to know what he's doing out of bed.

Having gotten off that emotional rollercoaster, I sink back onto the chair and bury my face in my hands.

Shaddi clears his throat to get my attention.

"We will do as you say. Mahaado has agreed to watch over Pharaoh and the tomb keeper," Shaddi informs me even though we are all aware the Dark Magician doesn't have a choice.

Both ancients seem uncertain as to my motives. They don't want to listen to me. They want Yami to wake up and…and then what? That question will have to wait. In the end, it's going to be Yami who deals with these two. But for now, I'm going to take advantage of whatever supernatural help I can get. Time may have already run out. We can't wait for Yami.

"Can he keep Marik asleep for now?"

If Mahaado can suck out a person's life slowly like a vampire then a sleep spell should be no problem; though I doubt either Yami or Marik will be waking soon. And after what I told Shaddi about what the doctors said, it does not seem likely Mahaado would try to wake Yami, as impatient he is.

"…yes."

"Tell him," I say, not offering any explanation.

I don't want Marik to wake up without Malik. I don't want him to feel what I felt. If it is too late and his yami is gone…we'll cross that bridge when we come to it. Maybe Isis and Rishid are still there. No matter what we find, I want to know before Marik does.

"He's agreed."

"Good. Let's get going."

"Now? You're sure? Even though I am wielding the Item, travelling this way takes its toll. You haven't rested since…"

"I'm just going to have to trust you'll get me there in one piece, then," I interrupt, a partial challenge.

Shaddi doesn't argue, offering me his hand. I take it, expecting it to be cold or feel dead or something else unsettling. It doesn't. He's warm and feels like a living, normal person. He pulls me to my feet.

"Can you take me to my home first?" I ask. "There are things there I will need if... You might be able to help me figure out what exactly to bring."

"Very well," Shaddi concedes; I try not to smile, sensing him working to hide his curiosity. "I would bring the Millennium rod, for starters, since Malik has a connection of sorts to it. What about the rest of your companions?"

"They're safe here."

"Yes, but…" He reconsiders, checking himself. His glance strays to the corridor again. "You haven't told them."

Spying much?

"I just told Jounouchi." He looks like he wants to object so badly. "Listen, Shaddi, Jounouchi isn't being controlled by shadows anymore. Like you. He cares about the others. He's not going to do anything to them. Even if you don't believe me, Mahaado will be here to look after Yami. All right?"

The man's tattooed brow creases. He really isn't happy with this. This is somehow bigger than Yami, I just don't know how. I highly doubt Shaddi would tell me if I asked.

"Very well."

To be fair, he isn't acting judgy. Just stating the facts: I haven't told them. If the others were awake, they would want me to wait or to come with me. I imagine for a moment having Anzu and Shizuka, and maybe Jounouchi, jumping into the abyss with Shaddi and me. I don't want that. We could get there and find three dead bodies. Or we could get there and Malik might attack. There's no way I could protect everyone.

All at once, I think I understand Yami a little better; why he keeps secrets from us. How he puts himself on the line so often, not letting us know how bad it really is. Because even though we can be there to support him, there isn't really anything we can do to help. That's how it is now. It's my turn.

---

"How are you faring?"

The question isn't sarcastic nor is it filled with concern. It's hard to figure out what my companion is feeling or thinking.

"Still a bit dizzy," I go for honesty, not wanting to miss some symptoms that could keep me from getting stuck here. Wherever "here" is.

It's not the Shadow Realm. It isn't anything I've ever seen before. It's a never-ending tunnel. There are no exits or side paths. Just a route straight in front of us. Everything is blurred beyond it, stretching and warping until I can't tell what exactly is out there. I don't see any people. Not sure if I were to find a window if I'd be looking at the sky over the ocean. Shaddi explained that it isn't exactly time travel; yet the key can get us to Egypt in a fraction of the time it would in the physical world. I don't ask for too much about the how's.

I nearly swallow my tongue as tall, indistinct figures fly by us on all sides, including below us. They could be trees. Or sharks. Hell, they could be giants from another realm or time. It's like shooting through an underwater tunnel. Shaddi and I stand still, seemingly rooted in the same place since he activated the key's powers.

I look down at the Millennium rod in one hand; the scales in my other hand are heavy and awkward, knocking against the puzzle on my chest whenever I begin to waver. The Millennium necklace and eye are each tucked into pockets. Six Millennium Items seems like overkill. But we were in disagreement with which Items to bring and what to do with the ones left behind. It isn't as if the chest in Yami's room is secure and Jou is my only friend who is awake.

Shaddi is apparently satisfied with my answer. I'm not even sure he cares one way or another. If I were to pass out, would he turn around and go back to Mahaado and Yami? Would he leave me here? Would I go back to the real world or be trapped in this place? I tighten my hold on the two Items, deciding it's not good to dwell on those particular whatifs.

"You said before…back when you saved me and Otogi, that your task had been done. That you'd been pulled back to help again until I was safe. What was your task? What were you supposed to do?"

"It's difficult to explain when so much of it has been wiped from my mind."

"You don't remember?"

"I don't remember many things. Most things, I dare say," the man answers quietly, staring unblinking at the tunnel in front of us as golden and blue light flashes by. "At least, not on a personal level. I remember spells. The prayers. Rituals. It's all there. Everything I needed to complete my mission. Everything essential."

Not knowing Yami when Shaddi was trying to help his "Pharaoh" and, therefore, tried to kill him seems like a rather essential thing to me.

"You knew who I was and where and when to find me, but you didn't recognize me the first time we met."

"I…was not given much to go on," he says carefully, as if afraid of speaking out of turn. "Just eyes."

"Eyes?"

"Extraordinary eyes."

Well, it's a nicer way of saying it than some people have made comments at how large my eyes are. Though they're not exactly unique in color, being an identical hue to Yami's. You'd think with that connection Shaddi would have caught on sooner.

"So…Mahaado and Malik…Yami and Bakura…?"

"Pharaoh, Mahaado and the tomb keeper were all my students at one time. Or so Mahaado tells me. I do not have many recollections of the tomb robber, aside from his defeat. I aided the High Priestess to get to Pharaoh in time during the final confrontation with him. She was insistent that I not remain with her and fight. I had important work to do in this time. Though through much of it, I think I caused more harm than good."

I consider that, recalling the spirit's place in Pegasus's story of recreating the god cards and implanting the Millennium eye; warning young traumatized Marik to follow Yami, and thereby convincing him to do the exact opposite; breaking into Yami's soul room when he was looking for the thief of the eye. It's not a great track record. There's probably plenty more I don't know about.

To be fair, he's done some undeniably good things. Like keeping us from getting devoured by Shadow wolves. And that time on the blimp when he appeared out of nowhere and saved Honda and Otogi from falling…

My throat muscles constrict. Standing still, moving faster than I could dream, I feel my world turn upside down. Bits and pieces start coming together, making sense and, therefore, making less sense: Why he came when he did in the Shadow Realm. Why Shaddi was so opposed to leaving the hospital with me, telling Mahaado about something down the hall where the other intensive care rooms are located. I look up at the man standing beside me like an ancient statue, facing the oncoming unknown without fear. I want to ask him even though I already know the answer. Somehow, deep in my gut, I know.

"It's not me, is it?"

"Does it matter?"

The blunt question catches me off guard. Mostly because I don't know how I feel. Also because he realizes what I am asking about.

"Why him?"

"Because it was foretold."

"Like fortune telling?"

"No."

"Well, what was it like then?"

His brow furrows, the tattoo wrinkling.

"She told me I needed to protect him. That he was important…dear to Pharaoh…or something like that."

"Something like that?" I repeat in exasperation. I want the details!

"I told you my memory is frayed at best."

He did. And it's not fair to badger him over what he can't remember. I just want to know what exactly the purpose was. Why it's not me.

"Why would you want to be part of a prophecy?" Shaddi asks, genuinely curious. "You are carrying enough weight on your shoulders as it is."

"He's my yami."

"And has this revelation changed that?"

"Well, no…"

"Then I fail to see the significance of your upset. Is it because it you wanted to be even more important to Pharaoh? Or is it because it's the other boy?"

"I don't know!" I snap.

He doesn't so much as glance at me this entire time. Nevertheless, it feels like he's staring right at me, digging for an answer in my soul.

"The spell is ending."

"What does that mean?" I ask nervously.

Shaddi looks at me for the first time, blinking heavily.

"It means we have reached Egypt."

"Oh."

The air around us vibrates like soundwaves become visible. Then we're in a dark space, the walls charred and battered as if someone had driven a bus repeatedly into them. The smell of burned electrical wires is overpowering. I barely remember in time that I'm holding a Millennium Item with multiple sharp edges as I instinctively begin to raise my hand to cover my nose and mouth. The room grows as Shaddi illuminates the key on his chest, revealing a high-ceiling, windowless space with a…giant hole in the wall that leads into a crudely carved out tunnel.

"This is Egypt?"

"According to Mahaado, this is an underground facility where he and Malik conducted a Shadow Battle," Shaddi states matter-of-factly as he leaves my side, wandering along a wall littered with small craters as if studying a magnificent work of art.

"Oh," I say again stupidly, staring at the various puddles of dried blood on the cement floor. "Where are they? Malik and the others?"

"I do not know."

"Can't you track them?"

"With what?" Shaddi turns to me. "They do not possess any Items."

"You could find us without Items!"

He gives me what I assume is supposed to be a patient grimace.

"I was destined to do so. This is not one of those occasions."

"You're not saying that just because you hate Malik?"

"I don't remember him well enough to hate him."

"Well that's…convenient!"

"How on earth is having almost no memory convenient?"

"I don't know!" I retort, angry at how nonsensical this has become; Shaddi just seems bemused by it.

"Ahem."

We both turn in unison. An Arab man in a well-tailored suit is standing before us, pointing a flashlight on us. He lowers it after the beam sweeps over the both of us, remaining longer on the Items on our persons.

"Mr. Rishid asked me to remain here in case anyone turned up. I am Alim Zaman."

It makes me wonder if he's gotten to witness Shadow Magic before. He doesn't even seem the least bit curious about how two people got down here, loaded with ancient golden artifacts, one of them lighting up the whole space with ease. Not to mention it looks like someone set off several bombs in here.

"I'm Yugi Mutou and this is Shaddi. Where is Rishid?" I'm careful, unsure of what this man does and doesn't know about the situation. "Was there anyone else with him?"

"Pleased to meet your acquaintances. Yes and I am to take you directly to them." His expression wavers with uncertainty. "I was hoping Mr. Marik would be among you."

"Marik is injured. He sent us in his stead," Shaddi states, which isn't a complete untruth.

Mr. Zaman nods and motions for us to follow him. We head off slowly into the 'tunnel' with its scorched walls.

"I am afraid there isn't much for you to do. At least, so Mr. Rishid told me. He had posted us here, nonetheless."

"Us?"

We enter the next room that has been completely decimated, a metal door torn from its hinges and ripped to shreds lying off to the side. Our guide lifts his hand in a gesture. Suddenly people emerge out of the shadows and debris, all of them armed. They lower their weapons, staring at Shaddi and me.

"Were you expecting someone else?" I ask, resisting the urge to tap into one of the many Items in my possession.

"We did not know who or what to expect. Mr. Rishid told us to proceed with caution." The man looks at me with dark eyes. "Is there any chance more will be coming?"

I cast a slightly questioning, slightly accusing look at Shaddi. If anyone's coming, it will be the Dark Magician. He'd better not come.

"It is highly unlikely," the ancient Egyptian answers.

"Very well. Watch your step on the stairs. While we've cleared the debris, the structural integrity of the place remains questionable."

"Where are we going?" I ask, anticipation bubbling as I imagine some top secret tomb keeper labyrinth or meeting hall.

---

Rishid rises slowly from his chair by the window as if it is taking all of his strength to do it. He's beaten up badly, bandages and stitches and several colors of bruises are mottling the flesh that is visible. A gauze patch is taped across his left cheek from his nose to his ear. The man is covered in grey ashes, just like Marik was.

"Marik's alive," are the first words out of my mouth when I see the fear manifest in his eyes. "He's just…he's in the hospital. In Japan," I clarify stupidly.

"Conscious?"

"No. He'd have had us drag him along. He's resting."

"Good."

Rishid averts his gaze to the person lying in the hospital bed. Isis is pallid. She's hooked up to an IV as well as a packet of donor blood that is nearly empty. An oxygen mask is obscuring her face. What catches the attention is the thick padding covering the back of her head; the hair around it matted and stiff.

"Pharaoh…?"

"He got hurt really badly. I came to…see if I could help," I finish, feeling like a silly kid playing dress up. "I think you've met Shaddi?"

Rishid nods distractedly. My stomach muscles clench. He isn't rushing us to save anything. The man is far too subdued considering what happened in that underground chamber.

Shaddi must sense my hesitation or he's just in a hurry to get back to Japan.

"Where's Malik, Rishid? I brought Yugi all this way for him."

"For Malik?" Rishid asks with a humorless smile, brow knit with pain. He raises his hand to the bandage on his face. "It's funny. I did this…for Malik. It was my connection to Marik. The darkness had consumed his yami and was threatening to come through and infest Marik as well. I was trying to buy time; thought maybe I could hold out longer by dragging the door to my own soul…" he trails off, staring at his sister.

"But?" Shaddi prods.

Rishid's wide shoulders slump in defeat.

"The moment the spell on my face was marred, Malik's door vanished. Just—gone. I couldn't hold on because there was nothing to hold on to." He turns on Shaddi with a fearsome stare that would have made me jump back if directed my way. "It makes me second-guess, makes me wonder if I let it happen. I hated that bastard. But Marik…I wouldn't do that to Marik."

"When was this?"

"A while after he left. I lost track of time."

"I think all of us did," I mumble, having no clue what time it is. From our car ride here, I know it's nighttime in Egypt. "Where is Malik now? Is he…?"

"He's on life support. There's no brain activity. And after what happened with the door, I'm assuming there's no spirit either." Rishid goes back to staring at Isis. "I'm sorry you came all this way for nothing."

I remember when Pegasus took Grandpa's soul. It was the same. They wanted to cease treatment and let him pass. I fought that. Luckily it kept going long enough for me and Yami to free him. Somehow, with someone—at least perceptibly—much younger, they may hold off on anything so drastic. Or maybe they're eager for organ donors. My mind buzzes as memories and possibilities collide. It's making my anxiety skyrocket.

"We do not know it's nothing yet," Shaddi takes charge since I'm mid-panic attack. "Take us to him."

Rishid reaches out, gingerly touching his sister's cheek. Without a word he beckons with a tilt of his head for us to follow. It's no great journey, the man taking four steps to the right as he exits the room and opening the next door.

My stomach clenches at all of the machines. The smells. It smells sterile and plastic. Far too clean. There's a device on the yami's finger monitoring his heartbeat. Little patches are stuck to his temples, searching for and not finding brainwaves. A clear tube travels out from under the bedsheets, collecting urine samples to check kidney functions. Various IV bags are dripping one drop at a time. He's been intubated, not breathing on his own. My attention goes from one thing to the next, remembering it all. I've lived this already with Grandpa. For some reason, I thought it would frighten me to see.

"They want to place a feeding tube if we choose to keep him…like this," Rishid says gruffly, folding his arms over his chest. He stays by the door that we closed after entering. "I promised Marik I'd keep him alive until he got back. He knew this was a possibility. He wants to say goodbye."

"No he doesn't," I whisper.

"What?"

Shaddi moves closer to the prone figure, ignoring us both. He takes off the Millennium key, holding it tightly in one hand while resting the palm of his hand on Malik's chest. The ancient spirit closes his eyes. The key glows as he turns its tip against the yami's forehead.

"He doesn't want to say goodbye," I say.

Rishid grimaces. Neither of us talks anymore, waiting for Shaddi's assessment. We don't have to worry about any interference from the doctors and staff. The Millennium Items' powers can help us with any problems we may run in to. I slowly pad to the opposite side of the bed as Shaddi, carefully taking Malik's scuffed up hand. No response.

"Yugi."

I jump, thinking it's an admonishment for touching Malik; that I'm somehow interfering with Shaddi's work. I don't let go of Malik. Shaddi hasn't turned to me or opened his eyes.

"May I hold the Millennium rod?" Sensing my hesitation, he adds, "I have a theory."

"Share."

He doesn't turn to glare at me like the Dark Magician would have.

"It is his Item. And for thousands of years his spirit was entrapped within it. I wish to see if by using it I can narrow my search and be guided."

Rishid looks ready to protest but refrains from any comments as I pass Shaddi the rod. I'm not concerned, and it's not because I've developed a trust for Shaddi. The rod's powers cannot touch me: I have multiple Millennium Items. Anyway, Shaddi could have easily defeated me with just the key, knowledgeable in Shadow Magic as he is.

The key and the rod both illuminate the room. The Millennium Symbol appears on the yami's forehead, casting shadows over his wan features.

"Tell me, did the Dark Magician turn on Marik?" the man by the door asks.

I bite my lip, not sure how to answer. If Rishid isn't even-tempered, he could decide Shaddi is as much a threat as the Dark Magician. I actually think he poses more of a threat because he's not under anyone's control. For now I think it's best to keep that information secret.

"I don't think so. At least, not exactly. I didn't get the full story. But I think Marik had been cooperating with whatever they had planned. Why?"

Grey eyes glare at Shaddi's back.

"Just a feeling."

"Marik's alive, Rishid," I say, trying to reduce his animosity. "He's going to live."

"He'll just wish he hadn't."

There is no comforting response to that.

Realizing there's a chair against the wall behind me, I perch on the edge so I can keep ahold of Malik's hand. My fingers can't wrap around all of his. I can feel the magical energies humming through his skin like a second pulse. I release a long breath, exhaustion threatening to take over.

"Have you rested since this began?" the big man asks, hinting that I should.

"Have you?" I counter.

Neither of us is willing to close our eyes and drift off. I'm not leaving Shaddi in charge of making decisions here. I also want to keep ahold of Malik, hoping that I will sense it if Shaddi tries to do anything to harm him on the Dark Magician's behalf. Could Shaddi re-seal Malik into the rod, for example? I have no clue what type of powers he has and he's currently in possession of two Millennium Items.

((Yami?)) I ask on impulse.

It's too far away. I know that. Somehow it's comforting all the same to know there is someone at the other side of our link.

"What would he do if he was here in your stead? Pharaoh," Rishid clarifies, as if somehow sensing me reach out. "Would he even have come? He's been aware of himself and the past long enough now that if he had wanted an alternative for Malik, he would have tried it if he thought him worthy."

I shake that thought away. I don't know the circumstances. I can't do anything about how they've interacted up until now. Heck, it doesn't even matter to me how much they loathe each other.

"Regardless of what these guys want…Whether it means we can get Malik back or not…" I squeeze Malik's fingers, magic churning inside of him like a beehive. "They need this. All of the curses need to end."

"And you believe that will fix everything?"

"No. But it will allow them a chance to try healing—something none of them have been able to do. That includes Marik, Rishid. You know it. He has to be paying attention to Malik's moods all the time, hyper-vigilant."

His brother lowers his chin, and I lose his face to the shadows.

"That's part of the reason you hate Malik. Marik finally got freed and no longer wanted to kill Yami…and then he had to become responsible for Malik."

The silence that hangs over the room somehow is an answer. It's as if he'd screamed "YES" at the top of his lungs, letting out all of the anguish and anger he's harbored on Marik's behalf.

"I don't know what I'm more afraid of: That Malik will die or that he won't." Rishid raises a fist of battered knuckles. "Marik can't keep living like that. He doesn't show it but it drains him. I can feel it whenever I'm around them. This bastard is like a giant leech…"

"Malik hasn't had another option. He can't stand alone infected with shadows. Marik is the only one who offered to help him."

"Well he shouldn't have to do it alone either!"

I bite down hard on my tongue. It's no use getting mad at him. This man has tried to protect Marik for Marik's entire life. Too many times the supernatural has gotten in-between them. I have had enough scares with Shadow Magic and my friends to understand at least a little. I just don't know what the answer is. I'm afraid that Rishid will try to stop us if he thinks there's any real chance of getting the ancient Egyptian back.

"When you tried to pull the door from Marik's soul room, did it work?" I soften my tone, hoping he does likewise. I'm wondering if the door disappeared and Marik felt it the way I did when Yami died.

"I cannot be certain, but I believe I did. Before I lost it, that is."

I nod, looking at the man fully now. At the bandage on his face that covers a once-powerful spell. I wonder how closely connected he and Marik were. Could they speak through each other's minds like the yamis and hikaris? It must have been so strong if he could suppress an enraged Malik for years.

I jolt where I sit, a chill slithering up my arm from the yami. He didn't move nor did I sense anything spiritual. But…

"Shaddi?"

Rishid's grey eyes snap up. He centers himself on his feet, almost in a fighting stance.

"…I found it. The door."

Rishid hurries forward as I stand. Shaddi's eyes snap open, taking a startled step back from the bed. The Items in his hand stop glowing, the Symbol seemingly absorbed into Malik's skin.

"What's happening? Is he…?"

"He is no longer in his soul room," the spirit says, voice shaking. "The door still exists, however. That shouldn't be the case."

"What would cause that?" I ask, trying not to look at Rishid; wondering if this is a result of something he did when severing his own connection with Marik.

"I do not know. It could be due to his connection to the Item, having been sealed in it previously. It could be something from now. It could be something from the past. I do not recall. It wasn't important for me to remember. I can't understand why he hasn't entered Duat."

"Duat?"

"The Netherworld. A hell of sorts before making it to the Hall of Judgement," Rishid explains.

"So he's not in the underworld or being judged…Because his body is still alive?" I venture.

"No. Even with his body alive, his soul departed. It passed through the door to the next stage," Shaddi's voice is hoarse, his hand holding the Millennium rod visibly shaking. "The door should be gone."

"Best to let the gods handle that," Rishid mutters.

"That's just the thing. They cannot pass judgement on him where he is now. I'm not even sure where he is. "

"Maybe that's the bastard's plan to get out of an eternity of damnation."

I tune them out, looking at the yami. I don't know if this is something he would try to do. Mostly I've gotten to see the dark-infested part of him. Whenever I have been near him, Marik has been there like a loud, flashy shield. The hikari soaks up all of the attention, drawing it away from Malik.

"Can you take me to him?"

That shuts them both up.

…for two seconds.

"Mortals cannot venture into the Afterlife and return."

"You just said he's not in the Afterlife yet."

Rishid leans over the bed, features fierce.

"That's not an option. It's good of you to want to help him, but not at such a risk."

"Marik would want…"

"Marik isn't here!" he snaps. "And you aren't responsible for Malik. You can't go in there and have a chat with him. He's fully overtaken by shadows. If anything, he'll try to devour you. Marik is the only one who can even try to reach him when he's in that state. Without that link…"

"So make a new one," I blurt without thinking.

Shaddi's gaze pierces me. Rishid's face loses its color as he comprehends what I'm saying. He moves backwards toward the door, retreating from me, from the very implication.

"I won't. He's not worth it. Creating a link to Malik could make it easier for him to attack you."

"And I won't leave him stuck between life and death being tortured by shadows. Shaddi?"

"I want no part in this decision."

"There is no decision to be made." Rishid fixes his gaze with mine. "It's not happening."

"Fine. Then you get to explain that to Marik later. And Isis who obviously went through a lot to get here. And Yami and Bakura." I push down a lump that begins to form in my throat. "And Jounouchi. None of them want it to end like this for Malik. At least help me make sure he's freed from the shadows. If I can't bring him back, I'll let him go. Give him the chance."

Our staredown continues. Rishid does not relent. He's an older brother, used to tantrums and challenging of authority. Two can play at that game.

"Shaddi," I say. "Give me the Millennium rod."

"You wouldn't…" Rishid breathes.

"I don't want to."

I won't have to think for him. I'll just order him to do something he already knows how to do. The man knows this, has seen what the Millennium rod is capable of better than I have.

Rishid turns violently and rams his fists into the door, shouting something in either Arabic or Ancient Egyptian. Shaddi, who is holding out the Item to me, sends me a questioning look. I shake my head, waiting for Rishid to compose himself. I'm not being fair. I know that. Nothing about this situation is fair. Mind controlling the hospital staff in Japan was bad enough, and that wasn't anything of this magnitude.

"Please Rishid," I implore, sincere. I don't want to do this to him; watch him at war with his conscience. What is right here? Am I in the wrong? No matter which way I choose, an aspect of it feels wrong.

"…all right."

It's almost a growl, almost a whisper. It's all I need.

"You'll need a sacrifice."

Rishid and I turn to Shaddi.

"What?"

"A sacrificial offering," Shaddi says mildly, like my biology professor explaining how to properly cut open a dead frog for dissection. "To either placate the shadows or, perhaps, to the gods in order to free Malik. Before I would have said the gods would not reply, but they answered Mahaado, so it is difficult to tell whether they will answer for humans once more. Since there are practitioners of heka, I would hazard to say it's a possibility. At least some must be awake."

"Malik destroyed all the ka tablets we had left," Rishid states, seeming almost relieved.

"Then it must be…"

"Don't you dare suggest we offer up a person," I snap at the spirit who merely shrugs in response. I look to Rishid. "There's nothing left we can use?"

He opens his mouth, eyes widening as something occurs to him. It's too late for him to hide it. Immediately he grimaces.

"There are no more tablets, this stands true. But there is a statue. A god."

"Statue?" It had to be a damn god.

"Not so much a statue as the god monster encapsulated in time," Shaddi supplies. "Turned to stone in a battle long ago. It is a creature created from Shadow Magic, not like normal ka. It is not a true god. The gods did not participate in its creation."

"So they probably would love to see it destroyed," I venture, feeling weird about talking about ancient Egyptian deities as if they were alive.

"That monster was saved for…"

"Pharaoh. I know. A lot of things were left up to Yami to sort out, but he hasn't. I can wield the puzzle. The Dark Magician has to obey me. Seems like I can do a lot of things only Yami is supposed to do. Can't you let me try?"

"Try," Shaddi echoes, sounding almost amused at the idea. "Even if you were able to control it, that still leaves the problem of how to free it."

"I think I can handle that," I reply distractedly. "Do I have to be near the statue in order for it to…er…hear me?"

"No."

"Okay then," I say, trying to sound energized and enthusiastic. My attempt falls short. "The link. What do we need?"

Wordlessly, Rishid pulls out a wicked looking knife. He sees the blatant fear that manifests on my face.

"You're sure you want to go on?" he asks grimly.

(Shaddi's POV)

I watch on with interest as the large man carves symbols into the boy's shoulder with a blade I heated red hot with magic. Yugi bites down hard upon a rolled up washcloth, tears brimming in his eyes. He doesn't make a sound. His tiny hands clench into fists. I note that he keeps his gaze focused on Malik's still form.

I shift so I can view the hieroglyphs. It's nothing spectacular. Not ornate or overly complicated. And it certainly isn't something Rishid was taught. This is a spell he created on his own as a child wanting to protect his brother.

"Done," the man announces, sounding repentant for the act already.

He applies balm to the wound before covering it in a strange bandage with adhesive edges. This done, he pulls the shirtsleeve over it. Yugi lifts trembling hands, struggling a moment to unclench his jaw to spit out the cloth. The smell of burned flesh is distinct. Like a memory. Yugi, meanwhile, is a pale greenish hue. The older man takes notice of how the small body is quaking.

"Perhaps you should…"

"We're going," Yugi interrupts Rishid. "Shaddi."

"Very well."

Yugi stands without assistance. He looks to the Egyptian.

"Isis should heal much quicker with the necklace. Hopefully she'll wake soon. I'm sorry I can't lend you something more useful. It should help with your wounds, at the very least," Yugi says, referring to the Millennium eye in Rishid's hand. "Don't put that near your face."

"I won't." Rishid sends a sidelong glance at the prostrate body on the bed.

He wants to come. Well, he doesn't want to come, but he wants to protect this boy. I suppose that is noble of him. I wonder if it's the stirring of tomb keeper duty or if he's just used to the role of defender of the weak. Or, in the case of this teen, at least appearing weak. Not wanting complications, Yugi suggested he remain here should things go wrong. He objected to this, saying this was "the same shit" his sister ordered before when they were going to summon the Dark Magician. I added that this would most likely be much worse than that instance, which didn't seem to help. Their final agreement was not something I anticipated. I don't know whether that should please me or not. It leaves the opportunity for more casualties.

"Take hold of my robe," I instruct, waiting until both have complied, gripping tightly to my sleeves. "Brace yourselves."

Millennium rod in one hand to help guide me back to the source, I turn the key between Malik's eyes. We are blinded by a burst of white light. Then we are in the strange hall, somehow connected to both Malik and the rod. The walls are mirrors, creating a dizzying effect.

Yugi wobbles, not faring well. His spiritual energy has depleted greatly since I met him in the Realm. He puts on a brave face, carrying the two heaviest Items. The puzzle smacks against his chest as he tries to stand straight. The Millennium scales look like they belong to a giant when in his small clutch. The only way he can hold it up is with both hands. Large fingers reach down and gently take hold of the scales. Yugi offers a wobbly smile and nod of thanks, relinquishing it to the big man.

Rishid's concerned gaze moves away from Yugi only after the teen regains his balance. I receive a dark, warning look from the man. He does not trust me. It's just as well.

"That's it?" Yugi asks. He and I follow as Rishid walks for the simple wooden door.

"Yes," the man answers tightly. "It's solid. So maybe it won't go anywhere.

"We don't know why the door is here or how long it will stay…"

"Or for whom it will open," I supply.

Yugi casts me a wilted glare.

"Or that. Please Rishid...can't you just…?"

"I made that promise hours ago and regret it, letting my sister and brother alone with supernatural beings. Then I let Marik go off with one of them, nearly costing his life. And you promised me."

He did. As payment for the carvings, Rishid gets the pleasure of diving into whatever hell we might be about to enter. Mortals are such strange creatures.

"They don't know we're here," is all the boy can say. "Yami and Marik and…They don't know where we are."

This is the part where one of his upbeat friends would cheer: 'We'll just have to tell them all about it when we get back!' Rishid doesn't say that, and I'm not about to. I almost mention that we are not yet at the point of no return. That seems purposeless. Besides, this is the most interesting turn of events I've been a part of in quite some time…other than being possessed and trying to murder Pharaoh.

The Egyptian takes a deep breath and opens the door. After a few tense seconds where nothing comes barreling out at us, he reluctantly steps aside. Yugi nods to him, passing through, Millennium puzzle casting light before his feet.

A hand catches me by the neck, squeezing tightly. Rishid's breath is at my ear.

"Betray him and I will burn you," he hisses in ancient Egyptian before shoving me through.

The floor is littered with dried leaves browned with age. They crackle in protest underfoot as our weight crushes them. The door remains ajar, as Rishid left it.

The two humans' breaths intake sharply. I feel some possible emotion—elation? anticipation? Fifty feet away from us are steep stone stairs. They trail both left and right as far as the eye can see. They rise high above like a great wall. We cannot see what is atop them.

Yugi is stepping toward the form on the ground.

Bleeding fingers tear into blonde hair. A strange, muffled croak comes from the form that I now see is curled into a fetal position. It rocks back and forth, the leaves around it crushed into small granules by movements that appear to have been going on for some time. A living pestle and mortar. I look down at my feet, noting that what I thought were leaves are in fact papyrus; remnants of scrolls.

"Malik?"

The thing does not respond, continuing to choke and tremor. Yugi gasps sharply, collapsing to his knees. Rishid rushes forward and grabs him by his uninjured shoulder. I approach slower. There's something else here.

"It…It's so…heavy," the boy pants, looking at Malik in horror.

"We talked about this. How it is going to be unbearable having that connection," Rishid says grimly, keeping a firm hold on the boy. "Just take a moment. Collect yourself. Sort out what's him and what's you."

The boy gulps, squeezing his eyes shut. I sigh and cast a net of light farther out, hoping to spot what it is I'm sensing.

"Shaddi," Rishid breathes, gazing upward.

Figures are crouched along the top edge, staring down at us. They could easily be mistaken for statues, so still are they. They are not sculptures. I feel them. I can tell from the way Rishid tenses he can as well.

"What are they?" he whispers in ancient Egyptian.

"Minor deities," I reply in the like, watching Yugi stand and slowly circle the shadow being. There's no need to divide his attention by making him aware of their presence. "Boatmen, perhaps."

Understanding alights in Rishid's voice.

"The dock is up there. The River."

The beginning of the journey into Duat. There are souls fresh for the harvest here. Why don't they come down?

"Yes, so let's do our best to remain down here. It will have been at least seventeen hundred years since any souls passed through. We have caught their interest."

"What are they waiting for?"

"I don't know."

(Yugi's POV)

"Just take a moment. Collect yourself. Sort out what's him and what's you."

My features pinch as I shut my eyes tightly. All I can hear is my heartbeat thundering in my ear. Rishid's fingers clamp down on my right shoulder; the left one throbbing from the activated spell.

It's something like my link with Yami, but so different. I can feel Malik's energy and emotions…or more accurately, the shadows. It's a suffocating amount of hate, rage, and terror. I try to reach out but have to pull back as something spiritually lashes out at me; like having a dog snap at you between bars of a cage.

((Malik)) I try before remembering what Rishid said: no mind link.

How the heck does Marik do this? A wave of nausea hits me and I stagger, clutching my abdomen and clenching my jaw. The closer I get to him, the more it hurts. Dang it.

An eye is suddenly peering up at me from beneath bangs matted with blood. I go still. There's no pupil. Hells, there's no anything. It's yellow and empty, just the like the shadow wolves' eyes.

He's on top of me. Frantic fingers tear at my neck. He's trying to get the puzzle. A tidal wave of energies comes at me. I can't yell for help, totally focused on keeping him out.

Rishid tackles him. Malik snarls, throwing the man like a toy across the ground. Leaves fly everywhere, limiting my vision. They rattle and crunch in a frenzy. I can't see them! Chest heaving, I wrap my fingers around the rim of the puzzle. I would be afraid the light would give me away, except Malik can sense me thanks to our link.

"Malik!" I yell.

A Millennium Item ignites. Light blasts through, shredding the billowing leaves to dust. Little bits of fire remain, drifting down like dying stars. Shaddi is beside me, at ease. Ten feet away Rishid is rising from the ground. Several feet further, Malik is scrambling onto his hands and knees. There's a dark burn running along his back and shoulderblade. Since these are our spirits and not our bodies, I wonder how grievous an injury like that is. He doesn't seem to notice it.

"Neither of you seemed to be making much progress, so I thought I might intervene," Shaddi says evenly.

"Can you make a shield?" I ask, chilled at the way Malik slinks toward us on all fours. His focus is entirely on me. The nearer he gets, the sicker I feel. It's like someone's hit me over the head and I'm struggling not to pass out.

"Yes."

"Put it around him."

A shriek of rage erupts from Malik as he slams into the barrier. A string of saliva dangles from his chin as he bares his teeth. Instead of becoming subdued to study his surroundings and look for a weak point, he throws himself bodily against the translucent wall. Again and again. It doesn't matter he's hurting himself. Whatever is possessing him doesn't care.

"Tighter so he can't move."

"He's contained."

"Tighter."

Rishid silently joins us. We watch as the walls around Malik fold in. The sound coming from him is beyond any living thing. It's like the wind when it's angry. I have to sit down. Have to. The waves of emotions he's throwing at me are devastating. Rishid grabs my shoulder and I yelp, it being the one with the carvings connecting me to the yami. He loosens his grip but doesn't let go.

"It's best to get it over with now," Shaddi says, impatient to be done with this endeavor. "The longer we stay here, the worse it's going to be. The weaker we will become."

I nod, accepting Rishid's hand sliding under my elbow and lifting me to my feet. I ignore the pieces of leaves that have become embedded in my hair and clothes. Fumbling into my pocket, my thumb finds the deck of cards I picked up when we stopped at home for the Items. I slip the top card out that I had located before we came here. Outwardly, Malik is frozen in place. He goes berserk through our link, throwing everything he has at me. I gasp, nearly toppling over at the onslaught of pain.

"Monster Reborn. I summon you back to life," I croak, take a breath, and then say louder: "Winged Dragon of Ra!"

I'm panting, vision swimming as Malik continues his assault. Rishid's hold on me tightens but I barely perceive the pain. It's nothing more than a prickling sensation. I cringe as a shrill scream fills my head. Tears pour from my eyes. I feel all of it. I want to turn around and lunge at Rishid. Make them all hurt so they have a taste of this. Bloodlust rises in my chest, a feeling so unfamiliar I nearly vomit. Oh god, make it stop!

(Rishid's POV)

"We need to get him out of here!" I yell, as Yugi sags in my hold.

"He has not completed the task he set out to do."

"He can't. He's not one of your ancient gods. Yugi hasn't lived a life with magical training. He's a mortal teenager and this is killing him!"

Shaddi stares up at the Boatmen. The figures still have not budged. I don't care. Don't want to wait for them to make their move. This was obviously a bad idea. I knew that. But now that we know it was complete folly-

I throw Yugi to the floor and jump over him. An intense heat rains down on us. It takes my breath away. A missed heartbeat.

From somewhere to my left, Shaddi speaks; more than a trace of awe in his voice.

"He did it."

An earsplitting roar fills the space. I clutch Yugi against my chest. He moans in agony. I curse. I knew it would be too much to be harnessed to that bastard and I let him do it anyway. Hells, I did this to him.

"He did it," the spirit repeats, staring up at the Winged Dragon of Ra.

The beat of the dragon's mighty wings sends all of the pieces of paper scattering away in great gusts of wind. I note with unease that the top of the stairs is now vacant.

"A lot of good it does," I hiss, afraid to catch the thing's attention. "Malik's mental attack is too much. Yugi can't sacrifice it."

The monster's attention shifts as no orders come from its summoner. It climbs higher before diving over the stairway. It makes contact with some invisible barrier, a spark of blue igniting as it reels back. Something beyond screeches. I nearly drop Yugi, recoiling as the shrill sound pierces my ears. I turn him to look at me.

His violet eyes are unfocused as he sways in my grasp. Yugi's pupils are shrinking. I'm afraid to let go. Afraid he'll fall and shatter. The teen opens his mouth but gasps. He doubles over in pain, my arm around him the only reason he's not on the ground.

"Can't you make Malik stop?" I snap at Shaddi in terrified frustration.

"I think it would require killing him." He cocks his head. "Is that acceptable?"

"No," Yugi croaks. "Please."

"Is he speaking to us or Malik?" the spirit asks, obviously ready to go through with this new plan if given the chance.

Yugi spasms in my arms. The shadows infesting Malik are obviously aware of what Yugi's trying to do. My eyes lock with Shaddi's as the teen convulses in my arms.

"If it comes down to it," I say between gritted teeth, "kill Malik."

"Even if Yugi does not agree?"

"Since when do you care about any plan?"

"I was curious. He is capable of things he should not be."

"Well have you seen enough? Yami—Pharaoh would choose him. He would choose his hikari over Malik. End this!"

A green streak of light comes hurtling down from the platform. The Winged Dragon ignores it, firing a blast of golden light at whoever is atop those stairs. A hideous bug-like creature with red eyes covering its body and three long talons curling from each of its appendages appears. It's different than the Winged Dragon. It's transparent. I brace myself, readying for its attack. Shaddi places himself between it and us.

Then something strange happens: It turns from us, approaching the glowing encasement containing Malik. The creature stops and seems to study the scene before it. A bug-like leg reaches out and delicately touches the barrier. It circles the fraught form several times, movements similar to a primate, as if searching for a way in. Little appendages where the mouth should be click in displeasure. The creature turns its head though it doesn't need to do that to see us, covered with eyes as it is. It's as if the movement was meant for our benefit.

"What the hells is…?"

"His…His s-soul," Yugi murmurs.

Another spasm. His head falls backwards. Foam seeps from the corners of his lips. His pupils dilate unnaturally.

"Do it!" I shout at Shaddi.

(Shaddi's POV)

"His soul?" I repeat the boy's words, puzzled, looking back and forth between Yugi and the green spirit that is still watching us intently. "His…"

Good gods.

It's a ka. The remnants of a ka. Damaged to be sure. But it's a ka.

Something in my memory clicks, threading the pieces together. Fragmented recollections flash behind my eyes. I see a blonde boy summon this very creature. I don't question it, don't delve further to learn more. No wonder he's so overtaken. I didn't even realize, didn't think to look with all of the convolution in his spirit. In Shadow possession, the ka is the first part of the spirit to be corrupted. But Malik doesn't have one. Has nothing to keep it at bay, keep it from completely smothering him.

"Rishid, listen to me." He does, partially because he can hear the quiver in my voice. I am trembling. "You have the Millennium scales in your possession. That creature is Malik's ka. You need to fuse them back together."

"What? Why?" He shakes off that line of questions. "You do it. You know these things better than-."

"Yugi gave you the scales, not me. It's the only Item that can do this kind of spell."

"I…I think he just gave it to me to hold …"

"Quit stalling. This could bring Yugi some relief!"

The excitement in my voice troubles me. Anxiety. Where is this coming from? There are emotions surfacing I haven't felt since…I can't recall. It gets Rishid's attention. He gives me a strange look but is now compliant.

"How…what do I say…?"

"Hold the Item up. Say 'fusion'."

"…That's it?" he asks doubtfully, clearly implying I do no remember. "No calling on gods or…?"

"It's a spell for the Items," I snap, growing piqued. "If you would like to get into the lore and spells as well as sacrifices needed for-."

"Fair enough."

Rishid raises his arm so it is perpendicular to the ground, the symbol on the scales glowing. He centers his attention on Malik and the fraught ka. The green creature does not try to escape or hinder us in any way. It makes sense, having been in limbo for thousands of years, unable to enter the Afterlife without the rest of his spirit. Above us, the dragon is still attacking, trying to get at whatever deities are up there.

I let down the barrier around Malik. The golden light evaporates in a bright mist. His shoulderblades flex as he prepares to launch himself at us.

"Fusion."

Red light blinds us. To the naked eye it appears the green ka is gone. Malik twists onto his side, obviously still in battle with the shadows; only now he has a better chance of putting up a fight. He'll still lose. But at least he isn't lunging at us. The shadows' focus is diverted from us momentarily. It's enough.

"Did it…did it work?" Rishid stutters, lowering his arm.

"Didn't you feel the resolution?"

"I…yes." The man can't seem to tear his gaze from Malik. "It's just…I've never used Shadow Magic."

Or sewed together a fragmented spirit, I'll reckon.

"Thankfully your experience with heka seems to have sufficed in shaping your abilities, however unconventional the development of your techniques."

"I'm not sure how to feel about that statement."

"Luckily, we don't have time for profound reflections." I look down at the small form once again rousing uneasily against the man's chest as beams of light shoot out at the dragon above. The deities are rallying. "Yugi, it is time."

"Give him a moment!"

"That ka was weak. A fragment of what it once was. Surely you could sense that when you merged them. It can only help Malik hold off the shadows for a short time. Also we're going to be in the middle of a battle between the Old gods and the New soon if that dragon isn't disposed of."

"R-Rishid? Help me?"

Rishid reaches out and take hold of one of Yugi's hands. Prying open his fist, he place the base of the Millennium scales in it, wrapping his fingers around Yugi's. The man focuses on the power he didn't have a name for until today. He wraps layers of it around Yugi. Even without a connection to Yugi or Malik, he can undoubtedly feel the darkness pouring through him, drowning him from the inside out. He can't shield him from it.

"I s-sacrifice…I…"

"Call upon the gods," I instruct Yugi as he wavers. "They will take the brunt of the spell."

"No. They'll take him."

"No one is getting out of here alive if that dragon gets through to them. This spell is too powerful for you to do all on your…"

"So come over here and help him, goddamn it," Rishid growls.

"Only if you ask the gods for assistance. It is unlikely we will survive an onslaught if we try to take on the Realm alone."

It would require the Realm taking parts of our spirits; perhaps all of someone's soul. I have no interest in once more being a sacrificial lamb that will end up devoured.

"Fine. They can have the dragon. But that's it," Yugi caves wearily.

I kneel beside them, placing a hand on Yugi's shoulder. A rush of energies transfers into the teen, and they both jolt. It's a combination of both heka and Shadow Magic. Being well-versed in both magics and beyond human, my aura is staggering to them. Like Rishid, I cannot shield Yugi. It is to revive him and replenish what Malik has drained from him. Color begins to return to his flesh. His pupils grow to their appropriate size. He gulps a few deep breaths hungrily as he steadies himself. All of the Items in our possession alight: eye, scales, key, rod, puzzle.

"I…I call upon…the ancient Egyptian gods…um…All of them," Yugi says awkwardly and it dawns on me he doesn't know their names. And he's still speaking in Japanese. "Take the Winged Dragon of Ra. You can have it if you free Malik. Get rid of the shadows. I sacrifice the Winged Dragon of Ra to you for that…okay?"

Oh good gods, he can't be serious. I open my mouth to give him a lesson on sacrilege as well as proper spell techniques. Rishid elbows me in the ribs.

"Take it!" Yugi screams, getting upset when nothing happens. "Just take it already!"

Perhaps it was the sheer desperation in his tone. Such extreme emotions need no translation. Perhaps his will is strong enough. Whatever it was, flames burst from the Winged Dragon's eyes and mouth. It throws its head back and there is a horrid snap as its neck breaks. The head continues to turn as if someone trying to twist it off. Yugi looks away in horror. An equally gruesome sight meets his eyes as a climbing tower of black smoke shoots out of Malik's mouth, stretching his jaw to its limits. As the dragon's head decapitates, the fire bursts, sending burning embers raining down. Rishid shouts something and I see Yugi scampering forward on his hands and knees toward Malik. I throw out a shield to catch the falling fire, following the tomb keeper as he hurries after the boy.

By the time we reach them, the smoke has ceased. Yugi is cradling Malik's head in his lap. The ancient tomb keeper's face is covered in deep gouges from his own nails. His breath is barely discernable. What I sense is the utter stillness after the chaos raging inside of him. Yugi must feel it too. He looks up at me with bright eyes.

That look changes to alarm when Malik's body jerks out of his arms. The tomb keeper is dragged on his back across the floor towards the stairs. Yugi lunges but Rishid makes it first, grabbing ahold of Malik's arms and planting his feet to brace against the new foe. I skid to halt when I see the large snakes wrapped around Malik's legs, flexing their bodies of pure muscle.

"No you don't!" Rishid huffs at Malik, Yugi joining him in his struggle. "You don't get an easy exit after all of this, you bastard!"

"That belongs to us."

I fall to my knees, pressing my forehead to the ground.

The voice was barely a whisper, yet it shakes me to my core. 'Voice' is wrong though. There are multiple voices echoing all around. They are not tied down to a manifestation of any kind. I cannot tell a gender or if both male and female are speaking. They aren't coming from anywhere. They're coming from everywhere.

"What do you want?"

I raise my eyes at Yugi's snark. He dares to look upon them—and they haven't smote him! A figure stands on the bottom step, barely out of reach. The most I venture is to gaze upon the sandaled feet.

"Back when you knew who Malik was, you despised him, High Priest Shaddi," the voices state. "He betrayed you. You bore witness to his banishment. You approved. Kept him from us—deprived us of his spirit. Yet you do not recall. The hatred is missing. You are in tatters from your altercation in the past."

"I am following Pharaoh. As for souls, there is a plan…" I start, overwhelmed in their presence, sensing Rishid's cold stare.

"Don't you turn on us now!" he growls at me under his breath.

"Not good enough. Redeem yourself. Assist us with the task at hand. Convince Pharaoh to release this soul to us. In our gratitude, we will reverse the damage to you and we will not simply cast you into the abyss for your insolence in the past."

I avert my eyes when I feel movement on my fingers. A small snake the size of a piece of string slithers onto the back of my hand.

"Remember."

Small fangs pierce my skin.

(Yugi's POV)

"Yugi…" Rishid whispers urgently, he and Shaddi both keeping their gazes fixed on the floor. Shaddi makes a strangled sound in his throat, almost as if he were choking on something.

The figure of a tall man stills on the bottom step. He's dressed with some type of white wrap from his waist to his knees, tan chest bare. On the top of his head is a white headdress. Where the face would be on a human, a snake's head and neck protrudes. Yellow eyes with vertical pupils look into mine unblinking.

"Ask him," I say, giving the snake-thing a cold look while adjusting my grip on Malik's arm. The yami's head lolls to the side, resting on my shoulder. He groans, shifting as he wakens.

A black forked tongue flickers out of Snake-Man's mouth with interest.

"We will use your foreign speech, if it so pleases you…Pharaoh."

Shaddi and Rishid start at the sound of an ancient Egyptian creature speaking modern Japanese, but neither dares look up. Though the noise isn't coming from its mouth. It's like a parlor trick with a ventriloquist.

"Why are you trying to take Malik?" I demand.

"His Judgement is long overdue."

"Because he was cursed and imprisoned and possessed with shadows! It wasn't his choice to live this long." I tighten my hold again. "And apparently a part of his spirit was missing too!"

"We sent the ka down here to aid you, so you could maintain some control. He was trapped here between worlds without it. It had been…ingested by another's spirit long ago. Released only after that one was purified. He was also barred due to the shadows. We do not allow those into our realm."

I can't make much sense of any of that. What I get is: they couldn't get him before. Now they can. They were fully capable of freeing him from the shadows and restoring his ka. It just wasn't worth their while to do it.

Or…or they aren't powerful enough to do it on their own. They needed me, the sacrifice, the Millennium Items' spell. It makes sense. There's not a practicing religion for these creatures anymore; no offerings in great temples. No mummified dead. Does that affect how much sway they hold over things? The amount of influence they have?

"You sent his ka as much to save yourselves from a giant dragon god trying to bust inside your place," I retort angrily. "If fixing him had really mattered to you, you would have sent it to him a long time ago!"

Shaddi begins to speak hurriedly in ancient Egyptian, a contrite quality to his voice in hopes of placating Snake-Man. I jolt when a cold hand covers my two clinging to Marik's bicep. I take the opportunity of Shaddi's distracting the creature to examine the yami. I meet bleary and bewildered eyes. He turns his head slightly to stare at Rishid who is currently clasping half of the yami's body tightly, and then to the giant snakes that are probably cutting off the circulation in Malik's legs. They've stopped trying to move him further, at least for the moment. His gaze rises to the figure on the stairs before he tenses and quickly looks away.

What is it with these guys and not looking at Snake-Man? I'll admit he's freaky looking and probably at least seven feet tall, but I've seen way weirder things. Pretty sure all of them have too.

I send reassurance through our link and Malik gawks up at me again. I can feel the shock and complete disorientation as he tries to sort out what's going on while also being free of shadows for the first time in over three thousand years.

Snake-Man's eyes dart to us when I do this. If only he was part of some other kind of animal that's facial expressions are easier to read. Or that has facial expressions, for that matter.

"He's connected to me," I state what is already apparent. "If you think I'm going to let you take him now…"

"Stop threatening them!" Shaddi hisses at me. Them?

"This isn't my belief system," I say defiantly. "I'm not here for them. I'm here for Malik."

"You renounce the faith?" the voices have gotten softer. Not weaker; more foreboding. "You would use that dark magic against us?"

"I will if you try to stop us from taking him with us."

A rustling comes from our left. Then all around us. Rishid curses as snakes of all sizes appear from under the piles of leaves off a ways, darting forward with unmatchable speed. A waterfall of shining snakes come slithering down the steps in a black rapids.

(Shaddi's POV)

"There is no need for this," I entreat weakly in ancient Egyptian, faint from the effects of the spell.

"But don't you wish this? To be finished?" the deity asks in Japanese, tongue flickering faster as his head sways in a hypnotic movement. It turns on Malik. "We can sense the turmoil in your spirit. Your ka barely exists. You will not mend from your ordeals. It has been too much, too long. Tell us we are wrong."

I watch from the side of my eye as Malik looks up beyond the tall figure to the landing where the stairs end. I can see it: the tug deep inside of him, a desire in his spirit to quench this thirst. To satiate the desperate need for rest. I also witness the fear in Yugi as Malik's gaze lingers on that shore a bit too long. Malik's body jolts slightly and I guess correctly that Yugi has pulled him from his daze.

"Pharaoh's wish…" I try again.

"This is not the true pharaoh," the serpent cuts me off. "He does not know us or pay homage to us. He only knows the magic of Darkness."

"I never called myself pharaoh," Yugi says, eyes darting as the mass of snakes stop within striking range. "You did."

"Let him go," I challenge. "He is no use to you. He has done no harm to you nor does he owe you anything."

"Why do you stand in the way? We restored you. You remember Malik and his treachery. You remember all. Ammit hungers. We want what is ours."

I do. I remember. An instant of complete clarity. Names. Faces. Emotions. Life and death. So much death. There's a surge of energy as certain memories are thrust to the forefront: An outspoken child whose fire would not be dimmed or tamed. A boy who, despite his young age, spoke out against Shadow Magic; against the direction in which we were moving. The gods should have been pleased by his devotion…but after murdering his father he went to tomb robbing, sullying himself in their eyes. All the while I stood aside and called him irredeemable. I did nothing until it was time to deal justice…and then I did that wrong as well.

Yugi, who has all the while been staring straight at the serpent, asks slowly:

"What if Malik's judgment doesn't go in his favor?"

"It won't go in his favor. His heart will be consumed by The Devourer," I tell him, anger making my voice tremble. "And he'll cease to exist."

"No."

"Yug—." the yami's voice cracks.

"No," the boy repeats, glaring up at the figure before us. "He deserves a chance now that he's free. I'm not asking you for immortality for him or some great price. I'm asking you let him be a normal mortal."

"Not something a tomb keeper can stoop to," Lord Nehebu-Kau declares, possibly amused or cynical.

He turns his yellow stare on Malik. The yami inhales sharply. Tension spikes throughout him. The boy feel's the great presence invade Malik. More snakes lunge, wrapping themselves around Malik and Yugi's limbs. Rishid pulls back as they come at him, trying to keep ahold of Malik and focus on the Millennium scales in his hand and the eye in his pocket. The Millennium puzzle glows as Yugi readies an attack.

Ice blue flames burst to life. My irises illuminate with heka, adding the power of the Millennium key. The flames shoot out, encircling our little group. I burn the snakes off of Malik's legs and force the deity's aura from him. There is no heat, no injury to him nor the others. The serpents, however, experience the fire quite differently. Those that are not instantly incinerated pull back.

"You shall not harm them,"I state. It is neither hateful nor aggressive. I am simply stating what will and won't be. I dare look up for just a moment, meeting the immortal gaze. "I won't let you."

"He is guilty."

"As am I. I dare say my offenses were worse than his. And his punishment was already carried out for three thousand years. He suffered for his crimes." I look down at the stunned faces of the trio of humans as they recognize I am myself once more. "And that was more than enough."

"You are not the one to deal out verdicts, High Priest."

I remember the way Isis fought the decree. How Mahaado and Seth pushed for it, so bloodthirsty. I agreed with them. Death wasn't enough. Allowing the gods their divine right to punish him was somehow not enough. He should have been executed and allowed to pass from this life. It was as Seini proclaimed to me even as I turned away: We went too far. In our power, we forgot. We became reckless and godless in our ambition.

"No," I smile ruefully. "We did that when we sealed him in the Millennium rod. Pharaoh is right: Malik needs time before he comes before you. I beg you this mercy on his behalf."

I pull the cord of the key over my head. The figure on the first step does not move, intrigued. I hold out the Millennium Item to Malik who mutely shakes his head, still struggling to process what is happening. In that, I am lucky to no longer be human. Otherwise the spell to recover myself would have reduced me to a crumbled heap.

I look down, for the first time in over three thousand years, with compassion upon my former student. Slowly, I sink down on my knees before him. He stares at me with a mixture of bafflement and tense anticipation. It's as if he expects me to ignite all three of them in flames that surround us. I was his teacher. I was the role model he didn't follow. I was supposed to be someone he could come to if he was in need. When he revolted, I sought the child only to punish him, not out of concern for him. I hunted him. I lead the procession that dragged him from the dungeons to his ultimate punishment. I damned him. There is no reason for him to expect better of me.

"I failed you before," I confess in our native tongue, almost as if Isis was here with a hand on my shoulder, helping me admit to my faults. "This time…" I note the way Yugi and Rishid hold tight to Malik, ready to fight tooth and nail for him if I or Lord Nehebu-Kau try to take him. "You have people who won't let you slip. This boy has connected himself to you to ensure your wellbeing. I believe his capabilities will surpass all expectations. Teach him. There are so many things he can benefit from what you know. Redeem yourself for your past. With his aid, you just might. So, if I make it to the other side, there is, perhaps, a chance I may meet you there as well one day."

"Shaddi?" Malik rasps, but that is all, at a complete loss.

I take his hand, folding his fingers around the key with my own. I hold no hatred for him now. That has passed. Malik is no innocent, this is true. Yet he has suffered more than his share. Having myself been consumed by the shadows for such a short degree of time in comparison makes me all the more remorseful for the part I played in his banishment. It also makes me determined to give him a sporting chance.

"You were born into this. I know, despite your choices, that you always believed. So you shall return and be judged. A human life is not so long, Malik. Do not throw it away again. Take him from this place," I say to Yugi and Rishid, standing and withdrawing from them. "As you both said, he is still needed in the world of the living. I am not."

Yugi opens his mouth to protest. Rishid, meanwhile, takes my cue and gathers Malik in his arms as he stands. I nod to him and he does likewise in response. I step out of my aura, sending it shooting in the other direction, an illuminated pathway back to the door. Snakes writhe on either side of it, but do not try to breach it.

"Shadow Magic is stronger than heka. Keep your Items at the ready while you depart."

"If we're stronger than them, then there's no reason for you to stay behind!" Yugi exclaims and I smile at his pluck and that he's ready to fight for me despite it all. He is so much like Pharaoh Atem.

"On the contrary. I am finished. All of my missions are complete. I have no further purpose to go back, as I have no life, no beating heart as all of you do. And besides, there is no reason to leave the gods on bad terms."

"…gods?" Yugi squeaks, gaping around at the towering figure still watching us silently.

"Whom did you think you were arguing with?" I ask, amused at the way he shrinks closer to Malik and Rishid. "Go Pharaoh."

He wilts a bit.

"I'm not Pharaoh."

"We'll see. You will watch over him? Pharaoh Atem?"

"And Malik. And…" He swallows, wincing as if there were a stone lodged in his throat. "Otogi."

I smile, bowing to him. His face reddens with embarrassment and he turns away. Rishid leads them toward the door, carrying my former student. Yugi's fingers grab Malik's free hand that is hanging down.

"He doesn't deserve this mercy," the god states as they reach the door.

"Perhaps. Yet you aren't stopping them."

"Does that please you, High Priest?"

"I think so."

I watch for the last time as the three of them pass through the door and it creaks shut behind them. It promptly vanishes. I smile as I consider what a tantrum Mahaado will throw when I don't come back to help him finish his task. I am not worried. Yugi can handle him.

"It is time, High Priest Shaddi. Are you prepared?"

I turn away from the empty space where there is no door. The snakes are all at ease, observing me curiously with thousands of yellow eyes. Lord Nehebu-Kau outstretches a massive hand, beckoning me to join him in his ascent. The weight of burdens I didn't know I was carrying have been cast off. My heart has lightened. I now stand a fair chance in my Judgement. I am willing to go with the god and risk it. This is long past due. And there are many faces-to which I can now put names-that I am eager to see again.

"Yes," I breathe, the snakes parting for me as I step forward. "Yes, I am."

---

I've been in a writing-mode, so this has been flying. I was hoping to publish the last before the end of the year, but health and holidays prevented that. We're nearly there. I'm so excited!

It has taken longer to wrap up, as there were more components than I originally thought or planned. Next chapter is actually my biggest challenge, because there are certain tropes I used in this story that I wouldn't use if I were starting it now. But I mustn't hold it against myself after so many years. We grow as we age and (hopefully) improve our writing or whatever it is we may throw our spirits into. Our maturity levels change. Our outlook on so many things change. That has become my major challenge in completing this fic and doing it justice and integrity with its earliest chapters. So I am trying to find a way to write the chapter so a certain character still seems in-character to earlier in the story, but since I want the storyline itself to go in a completely different direction than when those chapters were posted so long ago. Wish me luck upon this endeavor!

Please leave reviews, if you will. Feedback and encouragement is most helpful at this final stage.