Her breath caught as a whisper tickled her ear, it was the same voice she had heard earlier, but the language it was using was much different than any she had heard before. Yet somehow the words still flooded her mind then slipped out from between her lips. "Ideta di masa imastia…" The harpoon of energy hurling towards her flickered for a moment, a breeze so strong that it nearly blew her over suddenly coming out of nowhere and altering its trajectory, causing it to collide instead with the dunes behind her.

The goddess' eyes widened. "It's not possible that you would know of that spell! Cease now, human child, I demand you to!"

"This may be the first time someone is ever going to tell you 'no' because I don't plan on stopping for anything!" Cerulean shone brightly with challenge and determination. Whatever this spell was might just be what she needed. Her gaze shifted over her shoulder to check on the unconscious pair, silently praying that they would wake up soon to help her out, then refocused upon Bakura as he launched another attack. "Imentai asorai adetai agesa idela…"

The wind returned, bringing with it clouds darker than even those the sorcerer himself had conjured earlier. Forks of lightning stretched between each of the cloud clusters, their brief lights casting the now angered expression upon the goddess' face as she set her sights upon the human. How dare this child of man taint such a sacred spell that should only be known to her children! Her own hands rose, as if cupping an invisible sphere between her palms. "Otogibanashi saigo no peeji wa, Kakikaerarete higeki ni kawari, Tatta hitotsu shinjiteta…." Her lips rose in the corners as the ice that surrounded her vanished, releasing the water from its icy prison, and concentrated her magical power as the frothy waves crashed against her being, arching into the air as if to meet the sky. "Hito no kokoro sae mo miushinau, Ai mo yume mo marude, Suna no oshiro mitai na no Hakanaku kowarete yuku no yo Sore o nozomanakutatte…"

Brief panic filled her chest but then it was replaced by desperation. It didn't matter that she was fighting a siren looking as though he was having an aneurysm and a mythical goddess who could honestly squish her like a bug, there was nothing on this planet that was going to make her move away from the twins! She was going to stand her ground no matter what! "Ideta ikasa mastia ivria i asi iya…ivia fiya…" Exhaustion crashed over like a tidal wave, forcing her to kneel in the sand a solidified mass of water in the form of a net fell over her, threatening to pin her to the ground if she didn't do something quick. The glow around her intensified to form tongues of flame as a shout of frustration came from her parted lips and rose back to her feet.

"Stand down, human child," the goddess growled, increasing her magical output farther when the girl continued to fight back. Where was this strength of hers coming from? "Or suffer the consequences of your stubborn nature!"

"You're going to have to do better than that if you want to scare me into submission!"

A tick mark appeared upon the slender brow of the Sea Goddess who turned her attention to the sorcerer, the beam through his chest disappearing with a flex of her index finger. "My son, I now understand how someone of your caliber could fail against someone such as this girl but that does not lessen my disappointment in you."

The magical onslaught ceased as he glared up at mighty being. "Come now, mother, even I have my own limits."

"Even so, you are the other half of my first child, I expect more from you."

Anzu's head tilted to the side as they continued to bicker back and forth. So they were actually mother and son? How old was the crazy octopus hybrid magic wielding siren?! Her body was screaming with pain and agony as the flames dancing across her skin flickered than died, leaving her throbbing with exhaustion as her legs prepared to cave. Arms wrapped around her from behind, a pair that she was more than familiar with. His warmth enveloped her as she was pulled backward behind one of the craggy rock structures, slowly falling to the sand as the youngest of the twins placed one hand upon her shoulder and the other on her thigh as he cast a healing spell.

Atem placed a finger against his lips, signaling that it was best that they were quiet for the moment, tightening his hold for a heartbeat as she nodded. It wasn't until the argument between the two had become heated that he allowed his finger to fall. His amethyst eyes darted over her being, spotting every cut and laceration as they healed under Yugi's expert spellcasting, and fought back the raging anger that threatened to rise within his chest as a tear slipped down her cheek.

"About time you two woke from your naps," she sniffled softly, one of her hands rising to brush against his cheek for a moment then lightly flicked his forehead then Yugi's. "I was getting worried."

"Sorry for making you wait." Yugi looked up, healing done, amethyst and lavender flashing brightly with concern in unison as she suddenly tensed with a sharp inhale.

Her hand rose to her chest as what felt like an elephant plopped itself upon it. The heart within her chest felt as though it was being crushed as her vision swam, cold sweat breaking out across her body as she fought to level her breathing. "W-what's happening?" She gasped, eyes clenching shut as agony rippled across her being. "It feels like I'm being ground up like hamburger!"

They had regained consciousness in time to hear the last verse of the spell Anzu had been trying to cast, both impressed that she had known as much as she had, and it was incredibly dangerous for one inexperienced as her to leave the spell unfinished. "You were attempting to cast a spell that wound conjure up a storm of wind and fire, one of the most ancient and powerful spells known to our kind. Even the most skilled practitioners fear it and you somehow knew of it, Anzu." Atem arms tightened around her as she trembled.

Yugi took over, noting the distress written across his elder sibling's features. "You're a human, the magical energy required for such an advanced spell would be beyond what a single- no, not even a group of sorcerers combining their power together -could hope to cast it successfully and the repercussions would be-"

"Well, guess that's the last time I listen to a stranger's voice," she chuckled, flinching as a hot bolt of pain seared through her chest, but forced her lips to lift into a smile while gently removing herself from Atem. Cerulean purposefully avoided amethyst as the argument over yonder grew louder. "I didn't even get through the first part, right? I should be fine then. So what are we supposed to do about those two? I guess it would be too much to ask for them to just leave?"

"We have a plan for what's next but we aren't doing anything until we're sure you're okay."

The sand beneath crunched subtly as her hand formed a clenched fist. "This is much bigger than any of us. If something isn't done right now, those two could possibly destroy the whole freakin world if they wanted. You don't have time to worry about me when the fate of millions of people are at stake." Her smile never wavered as she shuffled backward until there was a few feet between herself and the confused twins. "You're princes, you have a kingdom with subjects who are depending on you, you can't just single me out just because you like me then ignore the needs of everyone else. Doing something right now to save them should be your first priority."

"But you are one of them now." They chorused, a sheepish smile raising Yugi's lips while a shy one raised Atem's as his gaze fell to the sand then slowly rose to meet her own. "Is it wrong for us to think or care about you too?"

Her own lips parted then closed when no words came as she blinked in shock. A heated blush flooded her cheeks as their words echoed within her ears. "I-I'm not saying that it's- I'm just- " Their small smiles grew as her head hung, her hands rising to hide her burning cheeks. Their eyebrows rose when she suddenly straightened, eyes glittering. "Wait a minute, that verse that she used…" Her hands grasped theirs. "I know it!"

"Then perhaps you should share with the group." The trio jumped, all eyes turning towards the right, the princes hurrying to assure her that those approaching were friendly. Mana's eyes narrowed at first as they combed over the human girl's appearance but her hesitation only lasted for a moment as her lips lifted into a smile. "Didn't mean to scare you like that, so sorry, didn't know humans were so jumpy."

Mahad, who came up behind her, was about to chide her when Anzu surprised all by shuffling across the sand until she was before them. He was momentarily struck speechless by the wide cerulean eyes that did not look upon them in fear but in excitement and awe, finding his voice when Mana cleared her throat. "Apologies, but are you not afraid?"

She shook her head. "Are you kidding? I have read every legend and story that related to beings like you, this is like a dream come true minus the giant goddess and human-eating siren over there." Her breath caught as she spotted their tails. "Oh…my…gosh…You have seahorse tails, that must mean you are Mana and Mahad, right? You're supposed to be some of the most practiced magic users." The older merfolk turned their gazes upon the eldest prince but returned back to the human girl with surprised expressions as she bowed lowly. "You provided the medicine and taught Atem everything he knew…if it hadn't been for your guidance, my legs would never had healed. I can't thank you enough."

"So that's what happened to the missing herbs and materials." Mana's eyes narrowed, throwing a sideways glare at Mahad. She would be sure to give him an earful later but there were other pressing matters at hand. At first the human girl had seemed ordinary, mediocre, but the longer they were within her presence it was revealed just how this female could catch the eye of their crown prince. "We saw the spell you were trying to cast earlier. You are full of surprises."

"At least I'm not boring, right?" Anzu grinned.

Mahad's gaze shifted to Atem, finding it gentle and fond as the young merprince looked upon the human girl as she conversed with Yugi and Mana. So this was the girl that he had formed the Ainma Vinculum with. "Perhaps we could converse more when matters aren't as dire."

Anzu blinked as Yugi asked about what she had meant earlier and rested a hand against her chest. "My mother learned a song that she had written down within her journal. It took me a while but I recognized what the goddess had said as the first verse." Her brows furrowed in concentration as she struggled with the pronunciations of the foreign language.

Atem's gaze met Yugi's. Despite the rough recount they too had instantly recognized it as one of the oldest spells, even more ancient than the one that could conjure up the storm of wind and fire. This spell was so buried within their archives that hardly anyone knew of its existence…except for those currently present. The pair looked to Mahad when he questioned the last verse Anzu had mentioned, stating that the song spell was one that was filled give off negative energy and that the possible affects it would bring might cause more harm than good, but she shook her head.

"I don't remember much of her if I'm to be honest but dad was never without his camera. There are so many videos that he took during her pregnancy with me of her singing that song. It always made her cry, at least until she got to the last verse, that was when she would smile and..." It felt as though a phantom hand combed through her hair as a warm smile filled her mind's eye. Atem enclosed her hand within his own, offering silent support as she shook herself to regain focus. "It's been forever, several years, but I know I can remember it if I had time." Her cerulean eyes met lavender first then amethyst. "Trust me, I feel like this will work."

His hand rose, meeting the back of her head and moving it forward so that her forehead met his. "I trust you, Anzu, if this is what you need to do know that I am behind you no matter what."

The blush returned to her cheeks as she shyly pulled away, fanning her face with a hand as Yugi playfully teased her. Her expression became serious as she focused solely upon Mahad. "There's something I wanted to do first before we do anything else. I wanted to ask about that Ainma Vinculum thing."

Can't stress this enough I DON'T OWN ANYTHING!

For those not anime savvy, I chose bits and pieces from the masterpiece "A Song of Storm and Fire", featured in Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicles by the ever talented Yuki Kajiura.

Can anyone tell me what the verse the Goddess of the Sea was reciting from? Here's a hint: seven pearls, seven seas, and a goddess by the name of Regina-sama.