Chapter 12- From Darkness, Hope Emerges
The Darkness is his home. It's all he knows, all he feels, all he sees. He doesn't know what he is - he just knows that he isand that he has to stay in the Darkness. He knows not why. It's just how things are.
As far as he is aware, there is only this cold void and him.
Until suddenly, like it had always been there… there is morein the Darkness than just him.
It's small and round, frail, fading in and out of existence.
It pulses weakly, and when he draws nearer to it, he feels warmth. Suddenly he feelsthe dark and cold that he had never noticed before, never felt until he felt the pure warmthcoming from It.
All at once he knows more. He knows thatitis Light and that itis the opposite of Darkness. He knows that hehas been waiting for it, and that hemust protect itat all cost.
It is his most sacred duty to do so. His mission, his purpose.
Without warning, the Light suddenly dims, and the cold rushes in, draining the warmth away. Panic seizes him.
Darkness swarms the Light, jagged and menacing. It threatens to devour the Light, consume it and take it away from him.
Despair. Rage. Hurt. Sadness.
He will not let the Darkness take the Light away from him!
A haunting, wordless sorrowful cry rings through the air and he reacts on instincts, rushing forwards. He reaches out and curls around the Light, creating a dome with his self. He is as shapeless as the Darkness, as fluid and consuming, but he realizes now that he is not the same as it. Similar in nature, but different.
The Darkness snarls, the Light keeps shining. It flashes - a bright burst that lets him seefor the briefest of moments - before it goes still and calm again.
It awakens him. He comes to the realization that everything before had been like a daze, a lucid dream and nothing more. Now he is awareand, more importantly, he is aliveand in control.
The Darkness snarls and quivers, retreating in cautious, angered fear from him as his own darkness surges and lashes out.
No harm will befall his Light.
"...-and both Yugi and Ryou took their first steps today! We were able to get pictures and video of it! And with how stubborn Serenity is, it won't be long before she does too, she definitely doesn't like being left out."
Since awakening, he has become aware of time. If only because it affects his Light in different ways and it speaks of it.
"School has been okay. Pretty boring if I'm honest but, that's to be expected. Luckily it's not all boring. Just the things I know already are. Japanese kanji is so hard though. But it's cool to learn the history and other things of the world from this culture's view compared to America's."
It had been a shock to him, the first time soundreached him. Up until that point, he had only been blessed with the Light's presence and little surges of warmth rushing through him at times. He had been content with it. Just having the Light was enough… or so he thought, until it started speaking.
"Tea was so awesome! She just flies about the room when she dances. She's so graceful even for her young age."
"Tristan has come a long way, he's still shy of course but he's getting more confident. I've noticed that he's definitely a tinkerer, loves to figure out how things work."
"Hinata is getting antsy, she's more than ready for ice skating classes to start back up again. She's been baking whenever she can to try and stay calm. No one minds though since she makes awesome treats."
"Jou really loves his karate and kendo classes. He's been really getting into them. I'm glad he's found things to channel all of his energy into. It's a good outlet. He makes a great teacher too, he's been showing us all some of the moves he's learned. With adult supervision of course."
It always starts low. Whispers, like the hissing of the Darkness. But it eventually grows into something more, somethinglouder. He cherishes it dearly. Because with the discovery of sound came the feeling of lonelinesswhen the sound is gone. Of the desireto answerthe Light and ask questions.
"Gymnastics and dance have been awesome. We're all learning so much and having fun. There will be a competition for both in a few months, I'm not sure if I'll participate though."
"Swimming lessons starts soon, and we're all picking up more activities to do. There's just so much to learn and so little time. The boys have kept up showing us what they learn in their own classes just like we do for them. Jou is still bummed that his parents won't let him take the same classes as the rest of us, but we're all happy to show him what we learn."
He has so many questions to ask. What is… swimming? Gymnastics? How does one dance? What makes heand sheso different? He knows that he is of the former… does that mean that the Light is a she? He doesn't know, doesn't understand why it even matters. The Light is the Light. Nothing else.
"Grandpa has been looking a bit worn and...older lately. I'm getting worried. Hopefully I can talk to Aunt Anzu or one of the other parents. See if we can get him to rest and take a break."
"It's been a while…..but I still miss her….."
"Ugh! Mahad is awesome but so boring at times! His lessons need more pizazz or something! Thank god for Mana, or else it would be worse. At least they both say Hinata and I are progressing nicely with our magic and language learning."
Sometimes, when the Light speaks, he will hear other voices with it. Deeper voices, lighter voices, broken voices.
"I've got a little helper with me today! Go on, Yugi. Say hi to the spirit".
"Puz! Puzz-spearit! Hiiiiiii!"
"You're so adorable aren't you Yugi? Whose adorable~? You are!"
"Isn't he just amazing? My little brother is so smart and clever. Grandpa is over the moon that his first word was puzzle".
"How the hell do you keep winning!? This is some magic bs! No one can keep winning like you do! You're not even paying attention to the game! You've got that stupid anime protagonist magic bs going on. It's so not fair."
"Well now, it actually is true that the Sun God Ra would cry bees. Now don't give me that look, it's true!"
"Ko! You won't believe what Rin's first word was!"
"Mama said I can join ballet this year!"
"Sorry guys, I got grounded for taking the toaster apart to see how it works."
"I'm sorry but, my baby brother is so much more adorable than yours. I mean, look at this precious face and big brown eyes!"
"Young Mistress, I really don't think that you should be doing that."
"Don't worry, Mahad won't bother us girls, so we can have fun little sun and moon!"
It's a little confusing at times with all of the voices. But the Light's voice is always constant, even if it remains quiet now and then. Like it's listening, too. Maybe it is.
After some time, he gets used to the voices. To the Light communicating with him, like it knows he's listening. He doubts it.
"I'm so excited! We start competing again soon for glee! I just know we're gonna win first place this year again!"
Still, it feels… comforting, to be acknowledged. To be spoken to as if awaiting a response, but with no expectation of him answering. Sometimes the Light asks questions he doesn't know the answer to, because he doesn't know what it is talking about (most of the time, this is the case), but he still tries to answer - if not for the Light, then for himself.
"Is it considered stealing or plagiarizing if I sing or write the songs first? Should I feel bad for possibly taking away songs and revenue from future artists? They just….need to be shared! I can't wait for them to come out!"
The Light has so much to share. He can tell by how bright it shines when its voice is enthusiastic. So much spirit and joy and happiness. It's exhilarating.
"So I've started writing songs and stories down. Hinata is helping too. We don't want to forget them, especially if they never come out here. It would be a shame for people not to get to experience them."
Sometimes she shares the stories, shares her songs. Those times are the ones he thinks back to the most fondly, whenever it is just him and the silent Darkness again.
"Running in a crowd, In a faceless town, I need to feel the touch of a friend. In the countryside, I wander far and wide. The isolation gets me again."*
Happy songs…
"You are the dawn of a new day that's waking. A masterpiece still in the making. The blue in an ocean of grey. You are right where you need to be. Poised to inspire and to succeed. You'll look back and you'll realize one day".*
Lullabies…
"Tough times, hard climbs~!, We'll take 'em on together~. Right now, let's go!"*
Inspiring song…
"I tried so hard, And got so far. But in the end, It doesn't even matter. I had to fall, To lose it all. But in the end, It doesn't even matter~"*
Even songs of despair and sadness. Those are sung when the Light is the most dim and frail.
"Cause I'm gonna stand by you. Even if we're breaking down, we can find a way to break through. Even if we can't find heaven, I'll walk through hell with you. Love~, you're not alone, 'cause I'm gonna stand by you!"*
The Light's voice is hoarse at all time. High and strong, but with an underlying deepness. He wonders how it came to be like that, if it might change.
Then there comes a day where the Light speaks with a voice that is cool and collected. Almost deceptively calm, like it's trying not to break.
"So… we're getting a new brother and sister later this week. Joey and Serenity's mom, well… she's finally filing for divorce and suing their dad for abuse".
He pauses. Abuse… he's not sure what it is. Something inside him tells him it's bad… something about hurting others… but what…
"It's about time really. I mean, I don't mean that to be rude but it's been a long time coming. I can honestly understand where Sally is coming from but….she's leaving Jou and Rin! They're her kids! She's….ugh! She's no better than Osamu or Yakumo. I know she's trying to do what's best for them, but she's being selfish too… I don't know. It's too hard to not be pissed at her."
His Light dislikes abandonment. Dislikes people leaving behind their loved ones to do… other things. It has never said so directly, but he wonders… did someone abandon his Light, too? Is that why it is here in the Darkness with him?
"Anyways. Hopefully Jared will be arrested and even deported back to the states. The drunk bastard deserves it. And Sally… Sally says she wants to study and learn more about herself, so that's at least better? And she says she'll send letters, but… I'm allowing myself a healthy amount of scepticism. Hina's much more optimistic than me on that front".
Bitterness… so much bitterness in his Light. He's not sure what to think. It is angry… but it is like there is nothing it wants to direct it at, like there usually is.
His Light is conflicted.
"It's….it's good that she admitted that she's not the best and that she wants to improve and be better for them. That takes courage. It's still hard…."
More than ever he wishes that he could dosomething. Could interact with the Voice of the Light. To let it know that he is there, that he hears it and cares.
On a whim he reaches towards it, folding himself around it much closer than he normally does. Tightly, warmly. He tries with all of his might to speak to it, to let it know things will be okay.
"It is okay. I am here, I hear you. I'll protect you".
And then… to his great surprise… the Light jumps. Flares to life for a moment, more brightly than ever, and the Light gasps and goes quiet, before finally, it whispers a breathy "oh"... and then starts yelling.
"Mahad! Mana! You guys, Oh my god! Grandpa! Hinata! You won't believe it!"
He leaps back from the Light, circling it curiously. Did that… did he dosomething to his Light? He panics when thoughts of accidentally hurting his precious Light swarm him. What if he ruined it, what if he's damaged it?
It's okay. I'm okay. You didn't do anything wrong.
…..his Light can…. Can feel him? Can sense him?
I'm here. I feel you. You're not alone.
Suddenly his Light reaches back and grasps for him, a tiny tendril gently wrapping around him in a mirror of what he's done so often to it.
He feels as if there is a lump in his chest. Something heavy and unpleasant he can't quite describe. So instead he wraps himself around the Light again, tighter than he has ever dared before.
His Light laughs, it's a watery but happy laugh. He feels his Light grasp him tighter and whispers softly.
"Oh god. Finally. I'm here. I swear. I can feel you. I won't leave you. I promise."
He wants to laugh, he wants to weep. More than ever before, he longs for a voice of his own. But for now, this will have to do.
And as he is there, basking in the warmth of his most precious Light, his greatest mission and joy, only one thought swirls through his mind.
We are not alone.
*Songs mentioned:
Smile Bomb- YuYu Hakusho opening theme- English ver. Cover by Leeandlie
Wanderer's Lullaby - Adriana Figuerosa/Adrisaurus
Get Your Game On!- YuGiOh GX opening theme- English ver.
In the End- Linkin Park
Stand By You- Rachel Platten
A/N: I AM BACK. REJOICE, BASK IN MY MAJESTIC INSANITY!
Honored readers, it is goodto be back in business. After Hell on Earth™, I have returned to the world of the living. Word of advice: NEVER, EVER procrastinate on something as big as a Bachelor's Project or similar until the last month. I was very lucky that I managed to finish on time, but just barely. So seriously: don't. Finish that shit early. Don't pull a Nordic.
So this chapter was originally meant to be longer. We were just going to have a certain spirit's POV be the first part of the chapter. But well… then we decided to just do a little interlude and give him some much needed screen time of his own. Next chapter marks the beginning of a new Arc, so get ready for that.
Certain things mentioned in this chapter might be explained next time.
In other news, we're going to start making more content. A collection of side-stories for CitG titled "Beyond the Game" will soon be released and, if there's time for it… a new SI-fic. And this time the lovely Moirei will be joining us, partially, as more than just our Beta-reader! Look forward to it!
December 7 marks the day I begin my Christmas Holidays, so there'll be much more time to write for me. No university stuff until January for me~
Thank you all so much for reading, reviewing and following CitG. I hope you'll all have a happy holiday, no matter what you celebrate or if you celebrate at all.
-NordicTwin
A/N:
Hello my Ducklings! Look at this! A fast update!
We had plans for this chapter to be different but then thought, why not show some of Yami/Atem's pov? We were gonna do it in small bits but decided we liked this better.
So this chapter starts when Youko gets the puzzle and it awakens Yami/Atem back in Chapter 9. It takes place over the next few chapters as time goes by. It ends some time after the end of last chapter and the beginning (possibly) of next chapter.
If you can't guess who is speaking at the different times that's okay, neither does Yami/Atem. So it fits.
A welcome back to Nordic from her hell of uni work. She deserves this much needed break. And the lovely Moirei also starts her own much deserved break soon as well. :)
As Nordic said, we have a side story that will be set up called "Beyond the Game" (or BtG) that will have any "missing" scenes. Things that we weren't able to get into the chapters, things that you may want to see, or whatever.
As she also mentioned (and I did as well last chapter), we got sucked into a new fandom. Or rather, I read and got sucked in, then dragged both Nordic and Moirei down into the fandom hell with me. All three of us have been brainstorming and planning a fic for the fandom for a month or so now. So keep an eye out for that. (We will keep you posted on that too.) it'll be another SI-fic, but it should be good. Especially since lovely Moirei is joining us in actual planning and writing instead of just being the beta-reader. So that's another thing to look forward to.
(So go out and read/watch the Nanatsu no Taizai/Seven Deadly Sins series!)
I've still been busy with work (2 part time jobs can be draining) and unfortunately lots of family issues have popped up lately, so it's been even more stressful and tough. I do have some wonderful news though! I am training to be the new general manager of my store! So that means only 1 job and I'll get weekends and evening back again! And better pay! So happy! TwT it will be longer weekday hours but it'll be worth it.
Shoutout to all of the people who viewed and all of our current followers and faves and our new followers and favorites (zapper990, JReptile101, Selena Moonlighty, RedEyesInferno, M.J. , animemania659, Lusalma, and The BW) And thanks to everyone who left Kudos!
And EXTRA thank yous and love to Flaremage, Waves, Lightsbane1905, and Guest for the reviews/comments!
Please, PLEASE leave us comments and reviews, especially if you have any questions or are confused! We love them so very much! We get so motivated to write when we get reviews!
Thanks again to the amazingly talented and lovely Moirei for Beta-ing for us, as always :)
Also, don't forget about our Caught in the Game Tumblr blog! We post links to the chapters there and will post other content as well as time goes on. So please follow us on tumblr! (caughtinthegame . tumblr . com)
That's it for now, thanks again for reading duckies, and we'll see you all next time on Caught in the Game!
-C. C. Stars
Edited/Beta by Moirei
Finished & Published December 5, 2017