WARNING: This chapter contains . . . [Language / Suggestive Narration]
Edit Update: 1/1/2016
Did some majorly minor editing.
Luckily for them, Tzekel-Kan and Chief Tannabok didn't look their way as they climbed the steep steps to the temple that rested on the very top. Otherwise they might have asked why the hyperactive of the pair had become so somber all of a sudden. But Bakura's worries began to evaporate when he saw that Marik's mood improved as they continued upward. He was still far from his old self, but it was certainly better than before.
When they finally reached the top, the two natives and Marik hadn't even broken a sweat, while Bakura had to force himself to climb up that final step, trying his hardest not to show his fatigue. Back in Ancient Egypt, he had been in top form, with abs that could even possibly rival Marik's. But all those years in the Millennium Ring had made him lazy; and it didn't help that his host had such a fragile body. But he felt slightly better when he saw that the horse had to crawl up the last five or more steps. At least he had made it while standing tall, even if his legs now felt heavy and stiff. Maybe he would take up Marik's offer of exercising with him. Although the kind of exercise he had in mind was quite different from Marik's random workouts.
Their guides stood on either side of the entryway to the temple and pulled back the colorful curtains as they bowed deeply, allowing the two false gods to enter first, and Bakura wondered if the Pharaoh's servants also acted in this manner back in the day.
When they stepped inside, they were greeted by an exquisite room that was truly built for a god. They walked past tall pillars with gold carvings and green vines that wrapped around them, like Bakura's fingers when they clutched the hilt of his knife; the two stone sofas were covered with lush pillows and quilts with intricate patterns; a ceramic bowl held an abundance of delicious fruit - though Bakura would have preferred meat; and to top it all off, a large bath that resembled a fancy indoor swimming pool, with no walls or dividers to hide its occupants.
"To commemorate your arrival," Tzekel-Kan said, "I propose a reverent ceremony at dawn."
"Then perhaps," Tannabok stepped in front of Tzekel-Kan, causing the high priest to roll his eyes, "I could prepare a glorious feast for you tonight."
After Tzekel-Kan regained his composure, he asked, "Which would you prefer?"
"I want to pig-out." Marik announced.
Bakura glanced at the Egyptian's exposed midriff. "Do that and you'll lose that figure of yours."
"Being evil burns lots of calories. How else would I be able to stay this sexy while eating whatever the frig I want?"
Bakura had to admit that Marik did have quite an appetite; especially for sweets and greasy fast foods. It was probably to make up for lost time with all those yearly years spent eating practically nothing. Marik did say once before that his father always fed his pet snake first, leaving everyone else with the leftovers.
"We'll just do both." Bakura said, answering their question. He would have much preferred staying alone up here with Marik until it was time for them to leave this place, but it was important to keep up the illusion that they weren't mortals. Once they had their complete trust, the two of them would begin plucking their gold and Bakura would squeeze in a night of activities that he often dreamed about.
Both of the men bowed. "My lords." They stepped outside and closed the curtains, giving Bakura and Marik complete privacy.
"You see?" Marik walked over to the bath as Artax gleefully charged into it, splashing water everywhere. "My plan is totally working. They are all within my evil clutches."
"More like effeminate clutches." Bakura muttered before frowning. It was obvious that Marik was trying to act as he normally did, but it was impossible to fool the one person he had spent most of his time with for these past years. But at least now he was recovered enough to prevent Melvin from popping in. Bakura sat down on the pile of pillows, happy to finally be off his feet. "Now all we have to do is keep tricking them into thinking that we're gods."
"Silly, Fluffy. Tricks are for kids." Marik said, making Bakura roll his eyes.
"So your real name is Fluffy?"
Bakura turned his head in the direction of the voice and saw the girl from earlier, and he remembered the fact that she had been brought here.
"Consider yourself lucky." Bakura waved a dismissive hand. "I'm too tired to murder you today." This wasn't a lie. He wondered if he would even get up if Marik began stripping while calling him over for some fun. All those days spent in the rowboat and in the jungle with little to no rest was finally catching up to him, and all he wanted to do was sleep the day away. But he did have the energy to say, "But I won't be if you call me that again."
Chel shrugged and leaned against the wall, trying to figure out what her strategy should be. She had just overheard them discussing their plans to fool the people of El Dorado. If she wanted her revenge on Bakura for ruining her escape attempt, the best option would be to expose them, which would probably end with their heads being chopped off. But that seemed a bit too extreme. And besides, who would believe her anyway? Putting revenge aside, she realized that their plan did sound kind of fun. If they were able to keep up this charade, there was a lot of gold to be had. And if she joined in on it, she may still be able to leave this place. And she wouldn't have to worry about being hunted down. Maybe it was actually better that she had been caught. Though she would never admit it to Bakura.
Marik finally saw Chel and pointed a finger at her. "It's the girl we're supposed to fall in love with!"
"What?" Both Bakura and Chel asked in unison.
"The movie, Bakura!" Marik rushed over to his companion and grabbed his wrist, pulling him off of the sofa.
"What are you-?" Bakura tried to ask as Marik dragged him to where Chel was standing.
When he reached her, Marik wrapped his arms around Bakura and Chel's shoulders. "Now we have to fight for her as we steal the gold."
"What is he talking about?" Chel asked as Marik rambled on about the movie they were in.
"Why should I have to explain anything?" Bakura said. "After all, I still plan on killing you."
"You can't kill her, Bakura." Marik told him.
"Stop telling me who I can and can't murder!"
"But we need her, Bakura."
"How could she possibly be of any use to us?"
"Did you even read the script?"
"I may have skimmed. Just a tad."
"Look," Chel gently pushed Marik's arm off of her shoulders and stepped back before facing them. "If you guys want the gold and don't want to get caught, you're going to need my help."
"She's right, Bakura." Marik nodded in agreement. "She's going to be very useful to us."
Bakura crossed his arms. "She seems like she would be about as useful as Mokuba Kaiba."
"All right. Fine." Chel said with a slight shrug. "After all, I'm sure you know the proper rituals for blessing a tribute, the holiest day on the calendar, oh, and of course you know all about Xibalba. I mean, this is basic knowledge for gods such as yourselves, right?" She placed a hand on her hip, knowing that she had won the argument.
Bakura knew it too and did a mixture of a sigh and a groan. "Fine." Right after saying this, two pieces of cloth and a headdress were thrown at his face.
"Now, put these on. Your public's waiting." Chel explained as she handed more to Marik before stepping away. "And call me Chel, your new partner."
Bakura examined the green and teal fabric and discovered that it was clothing that reminded him of Ancient Egypt, expect these were much more colorful. But before he even thought of putting them on, he saw that Chel was sitting on top of a pillow on the floor, watching them. "If you don't want me to gouge your eyes out, I suggest that you leave."
Chel shrugged again and made her way outside. "Bye."
Once she was gone, Bakura looked at the clothes he had been given and smiled. "It looks like we're going to be seeing a lot of each other. Literally."
"How do I look?"
Bakura turned around and failed to stop himself from laughing. Marik had put them on in the right places, but he still had his shirt and pants on underneath them. "You look ridiculous."
"It's not my fault that these people have no fashion sense!"
"Marik, you're supposed to take your clothes off first before putting them on."
"Well how was I supposed to effing know? There's no instruction manual on this thing."
Bakura wasted no time in stripping and soon got to the black trunks that Officer Trudge had given them. "Now I'll finally be able to take this infernal thing off." He said as he placed his fingers on the waistband.
"Holts! In the name of the laws!"
As Trudge stepped out of his hiding place - which was behind a potted plant - Bakura grabbed the clothes from Chel and put them on while still wearing the trunks. The sooner they did what Trudge wanted, the sooner he would leave. Besides, he and Marik wouldn't have had time to do anything before the party anyway. Or at least, that's what he told himself to keep from grabbing his knife to cut the officer's stomach open.
"It looks like you're catchings ons."
Bakura shrugged, too angry to reply with words.
"I'll be watching the two of yas. So keep doin' what you're tolds." Officer Trudge said before walking away.
"Let's go to that party, Bakura!" Marik, who had finished changing, said excitedly before rushing off.
"Whoopee." Bakura muttered as he followed.
