This story contains TRIGGER WARNINGS for rape, violence, blood, physical and emotional abuse, suicide (mentioned). READ AT YOUR OWN DISCRETION.
This warning applies to the story in general. NO SPECIFIC WARNINGS FOR INDIVIDUAL CHAPTERS WILL BE GIVEN!
Chapter 35
Yugi sat still but his mind was racing. As of now, there was no way to break free from Otogi. All he could do was scan the hall over and over.
It had three exits. The large main entrance right before them and two archways to the right and left. Above each one at least one crate had been attached by ropes, which were connected to one another. Apart from that, there were also crates along the stairs that curled their way along the walls of the tower and led to the top. Those too were connected by ropes.
Now and then, his eyes darted to the caged hostages on the right side of the hall. Their eyes were filled with terror, as if they knew something Yugi didn't. If they weren't gagged and tied up, they'd probably have told Yugi about that something.
Sweat ran over Yugi's forehead. It was so hot it had to be noon by now. Yugi had no idea why the fire plates to the sides of the throne had been set up.
For just a moment Yugi wanted to be on top of the tower. Not only for the cool sea wind and the sound of water splashing against the cliff the mansion was built on. Yugi wanted to send some sign for Atem to stay away. Atem would know all this was a trap but he'd come for Yugi anyway. Idiot…
Yugi's pulse quickened when he heard steps from the corridor before the main entrance. Otogi hugged him tighter. A large group of soldiers marched into the hall, including Kisara, Jou, and Bakura. Atem was leading them all and entered the hall first. A crease had formed between his eyebrows, both in anger and worry. Yugi wanted to both shake and kiss him.
"Welcome, Pharaoh," Otogi said and nodded at an Atlantean. The man made Yugi stand up, pressed Yugi's back against his chest, and held a knife to his throat in Otogi's stead. Otogi rose, the sword in his belt clanking against a pair of handcuffs. "How nice of you to pick up your whore. I guess I trained him so well in his craft that his talent is worth risking your life, huh?"
Atem glared at him, seething with contempt.
"If you want to fight me, go ahead but stop hiding behind others like a coward!"
Otogi's eyes narrowed, returning the disdain. He pointed at Atem.
"That's easy for you to say! All your life you've been spoilt and protected by hundreds of people! You've never had to fear the consequences of your actions! There weren't even any for you when you caused that war with Nubia!" Otogi shouted and Atem gritted his teeth. If looks were as dangerous as poison, Otogi would already be dead.
"You'd do well to shut your mouth concerning things you know nothing about."
"Oh no, I will finally tell you the truth, Pharaoh! You have no idea what real pain is! None of you do! But I … I've had to deal with a violent lunatic of a father ever since I was born! I was beaten, humiliated, and tortured, just because the royal family had to force Tamiat to become part of Egypt all these years ago! And you don't even care how much everyone here suffered because of you, do you, Pharaoh?! I did all I could to free Tamiat from its shackles but at every step I was betrayed! By my allies, my subjects … and even him," Otogi said and shot Yugi a disgusted glance. He picked up a loaded crossbow that had been leaning against the throne. A knot of fabric was attached to the arrow's tip. "But I will not let you win! I now know that you all have been my enemies all along! You were out to crush me but no one will take Tamiat away from me! I'm the only one who ever truly cared about Tamiat and I will-"
"Give me a break!" Yugi blurted out and all heads turned to him. The soldier pressed the blade closer to Yugi's throat but Yugi didn't care. His blood was boiling. "If you really cared about Tamiat, you would understand that no one harmed it more than you! You tried to assassinate Atem, you sided with Atlantis, you sold your own people into slavery! At least admit that you're a selfish piece of shit and spare us your pathetic monologue!"
The hostages banged their fists against the bars of the cage, as if they wanted to agree. Jou did a step forward.
"I saw what you did to your own people after the rebellion! Whoever treats their subjects like this, doesn't deserve to sit on a throne!" he said. While Jou sounded angry, Kisara's voice was full of pity as she added:
"You may have cared about Tamiat once but that person is long gone. You caused more pain and damage than anyone else."
"SHUT UP!" Otogi yelled and pointed the arrow of his crossbow at Yugi's chest. Everyone fell silent. But Yugi's skin was still prickling with rage. "You will…"
Yugi kicked the crossbow and it flew through the air. For a moment, everyone was too shocked to breathe. One moment was enough.
Yugi grabbed the wrist of the soldier holding him and twisted it. He screamed and Yugi broke free from his grip.
"Attack!" Atem yelled and his soldiers obeyed. The hall filled with the sounds of clashing metal, screams, and curses. Kisara's knives pierced the chest of one of the men who was holding Lord Seto. Lord Seto punched the other one, then grabbed his sword to fight as well.
Atem shot an arrow at Otogi but he dodged it. Yugi pounced on the crossbow but Otogi was quicker. He kicked Yugi in the stomach and lit the knot of cloth on arrow's tip in one of the fire plates. Yugi was sure he'd attempt to kill Atem. Instead, he pointed the crossbow at the crates tied to the archway above the main door. He shot.
BOOM!
The explosion sent debris flying through the air, made the ground shake, and caused almost everyone to fall over. Otogi was still standing. The crossbow slid from his hands. He pressed a palm against his mouth, his chuckle bursting into laughter.
"It's done! This is it! For all of you!" Otogi sounded giddy, as if he couldn't wait to explain what he had done. "I've had bombs hidden all over the mansion and the city and they're all connected through ropes! Now they will go off one after another, setting it all on fire! First the west, then the south, then the east, and the last ones will destroy the rest of the mansion, with the tower as the grand finale!" Otogi pointed at the stairs that lead to the top of the tower. "I told you that no one will take Tamiat away from me!"
Yugi's body turned to ice. The main entrance was blocked by rubble. He could hear more explosions go off in the distance. Yugi was already lying on the floor but he felt dizzy, nauseous.
The Atlanteans were the first ones to shoot up and dash through the two other exits. It made Yugi break out of his state of shock. He rose and so did Atem and the others. Kisara was kneeling besides Lord Seto whose temples were bleeding.
"You've got to get out of the city! Head for the gates in the east!" Atem said to his soldiers.
"My Pharaoh, we can't-"
"Jou, Kisara, you know your way through the city! Lead them!" Yugi said.
"What about you?" Jou asked, holding his injured arm.
"We'll free them…" Yugi pointed at the cage with the hostages. "…and then we'll come after you!"
"This is a command! GO!" Atem shouted with so much authority no one dared to disobey. They fled through one of the archways, supporting those who couldn't walk. Only Bakura refused to go with them.
"I'll stay too," he said, glancing at Ryou, then shooting Kek a hateful glare. Just a little later, Yugi, Atem, Bakura, Kek, Otogi, and the hostages were the only ones left. Otogi pulled out his sword, as did Atem.
"One way or another I'll kill you today, Pharaoh! And I can't wait!" Otogi said and charged at Atem.
Kek was shifting his weight from one leg to another, his hatchet in one hand. He had a wide grin on his face. He was no doubt excited at the prospect of so much bloodshed.
"I'll pay you back for what you did to my brother!" Bakura said and ran towards Bakura, swinging his mace.
Yugi hurried to the cage. His friends' eyes were wide in horror. Most of them were shaking. Their hands still tied together, both Anzu and Honda pointed at the lock of the cage, then at Kek. A key was dangling from Kek's belt, bronze like the lock.
"Got it," Yugi said. He approached Kek but he knew there was no way to interfere in the fight without getting injured himself.
Kek and Bakura were hitting each other with full force and battle cries that came from deep within. They blocked and evaded each other's attacks over and over. They used all their skills and strength, proving that they were both excellent fighters.
Kek slashed at Bakura's shoulder. Bakura dropped his mace, hitting the wall. Kek turned to Yugi, panting. His expression made Yugi shiver. It was that of a predator who couldn't wait to tear his next victim to shreds.
Yugi's eyes searched the room for any weapon. A spear lay at the feet of a Horus statue. Yugi wanted to dash towards it but Kek blocked his way. He wielded his hatchet and Yugi jumped back. Kek sliced at Yugi's thigh scar and the wound burst open. He hit the ground.
"How about I die fucking you? Wouldn't that be fun?!" Kek said and dropped his hatchet. He pounced on Yugi, pinning his wrists to the ground. When Yugi wriggled, Kek punched him in the face. Yugi saw double. He couldn't fight back as Kek made him spread his legs and positioned himself between them. "We never finished what we started at that oasis in-"
Something hit Kek in the head and he collapsed on Yugi, bleeding. Bakura kicked him so he rolled off Yugi. He had his mace in his hand. He was huffing, his eyes sparkling with pure hatred.
"YOU'RE NOT DOING THIS TO ANYONE EVER AGAIN!" Bakura yelled and swung his mace at Kek more times than Yugi cared to count. Blood splattered, bones cracked, Kek screamed.
Bakura didn't stop until Kek was lying motionless on the ground. His head and face were reduced to a bloody pulp, framed by his spiky blond hair. The sight made Yugi feel sick.
While Bakura was still catching his breath, Yugi ripped the key from Kek's belt. He dashed towards the cage. With shaky hands he inserted the key into the lock. The cage was open and everyone shot out of it. Honda, Anzu, and Mai stopped before Yugi.
"We'll catch up! Find a way to the beaches right below the cliffs! Go!" Yugi said and pushed his friends towards the archway to their left.
Atem and Otogi were still fighting. Atem had the superior skill but desperation gave Otogi enough strength and unpredictability to keep up with Atem. Either way, Otogi wouldn't be able to handle three opponents. Together with Bakura Yugi raced towards Otogi until…
BOOM!
Another explosion shook the hall. The second entrance had caved in and Yugi and the others had fallen to the ground. Yugi looked up. Far above them, the rope that lead to the crates over the last entrance was burning. They had to hurry.
Atem moaned in pain. Yugi turned his head and his blood ran cold.
Atem was writhing on the floor. Almost his entire leg and parts of his stomach were burnt, the flesh raw and bloody. His nemes headdress had fallen off.
Otogi was standing up, his sword in one hand. He was standing right next to Atem. Grinning, almost laughing, he drew back his sword.
Yugi dashed towards Otogi and stopped him with a hug. Otogi froze.
"Don't do it. Let them go so they'll die in the explosions. Let them go and I'll stay with you. Just you, me, and Tamiat," Yugi said and kissed Otogi. After a moment, Otogi returned the kiss and leaned into it, just like he had done in the past. He dropped his sword and forced Yugi into a tight embrace.
"Yes, away with them. It should be only us," Otogi said and before Yugi could resist, Otogi had bound their wrists together with the pair of iron handcuffs from his belt.
"No…!" Atem said, still on the floor. "I'm not leaving you here to die!"
Seeing him like that, tore Yugi's heart apart. But he couldn't allow anything to deter him.
"Bakura, get him out of here! Please!" Yugi said. Bakura gave Yugi a respectful nod. Despite his injured shoulder, he wrapped his arms around Atem's torso and pulled him out of the hall.
"Bakura, no! I command you to-" Atem said but Bakura punched the side of his bleeding stomach. Atem groaned, the pain rendering him unable to fight Bakura's grip. As Bakura dragged him away, his expression showed desperation and anger. But Yugi didn't regret his decision.
Just moments after they had passed the last archway, the bombs right above it went off. Yugi and Otogi landed on the ground.
Everything that was flammable – carpets, plants, shelves – was on fire. Smoke filled the room. Panic gripped Yugi's throat.
The rope that was attached to the wall was still burning, now making its way towards the first set of crates on the stairs that curled their way along the walls of the tower.
"Let's go over here," Otogi said and pulled Yugi towards the throne. "We'll watch it crumble together… Just me, my Yugi, and Tamiat…"
Yugi could hardly breathe. If it was out of horror or because of the smoke he didn't know. Now every last exit was closed. The windows of the tower were too narrow to climb through.
The tower.
Hope ignited in Yugi's chest. He yanked on the chain that bound him and Otogi together. But they only ended up tumbling over the marble tiles, no matter how much Yugi fought him.
"Not again! For once in your life you will obey me!" Otogi said as they wrestled. Yugi had to find a way to get rid of that handcuff. His eyes frantically searched for the key. Instead, they found Kek's hatchet.
It was the only way. Yugi had to do it.
"Get off me!" Yugi said and shifted his weight forward. He managed to crawl towards Kek's corpse, even though Otogi was holding him back. His hand reached for the hatchet. He was so close.
"See?! This is what happens to Tamiat without me… All of Tamiat … and especially you, Yugi… You needed me all along!" Otogi said, hugging Yugi from behind, his hand covering Yugi's mouth.
Yugi bit his fingers and Otogi shrieked. Yugi punched him, pushed him off himself, grabbed the hatchet. They changed positions. Yugi was on top of Otogi, pinning his cuffed wrist to the ground.
"Once and for all: "I – DON'T – NEED – YOU!"
Yugi let the hatchet strike down on Otogi's wrist. Otogi screamed so loud his vocal cords had to be about to rip. Yugi had to ignore it.
He chopped at Otogi's wrist over and over, blood spilling everywhere. The resistance of Otogi's flesh, veins, and bones made Yugi want to vomit. He begged the gods to let it be over. Otogi trashed beneath him, scratching and punching him with the other hand.
Finally, Otogi's hand came off. Then the handcuff. Yugi was free.
He shot up, ignoring Otogi's wailing. The rope had almost burnt down all the way to the first crates on the stairs. Yugi headed for them and ran past the explosives, taking two steps at a time.
The first crates burst into fire, destroying the foot of the stairs. The rope was still burning, the fire making its way towards the next set of bombs.
Yugi ran, stumbled, got back up.
More explosions went off right behind him.
His lungs were burning.
He ran, stumbled, got back up.
The closer he came to the top the more light fell on the stone steps.
Everything rumbled, losing its stability, about to collapse.
Yugi ran, stumbled, got back up.
He reached the top. The sun half blinded him but he saw that here too crates were everywhere.
He turned to the north side. Far below him was the ocean. He had no idea if it was possible to survive a fall from here. He'd have to find out.
Yugi climbed the half-wall that enclosed the tower. He wanted to take one last breath before he jumped.
But the explosions went off first. Fire engulfed Yugi, unbearably hot. The pressure pushed him over the edge.
He fell.