Chapter Five- Closer Friendship

Mahad paced back and forth in front of the tomb, awaiting Bakura's arrival and learn if this was a trick or not. He had his doubts and had resolved that if it was a trick, he would attack without hesitation. A criminal of Bakura's level seemed unlikely to repent and try to start anew so, while he would open up to Bakura, he would be on the lookout for any deceit on Bakura's part.

Deceit. Isis' prediction! This could be the vision she saw! Bakura could be trying to steal my Item by pretending to be my friend! Of course. That's why he's been robbing tombs with my traps: To trick me. He has no intention of returning anything. Mahad ceased his pacing and stood in front of the entrance, looking around to make sure he didn't get ambushed.

His Ring came to life and all pointers aimed straight ahead. He sensed he was in the presence of strong evil and deduced that it was Bakura. Ah, now he shows his true colors. He faced the desert, his magic at the ready.

Slowly, something gray appeared over the distant dunes and Mahad inhaled sharply at the emergence of a shadow monster. He quickly called on his faithful servant, Illusion Magician and prepared to give some of his magic to it. The monster continued to grow as it came closer and Mahad spied several sacks in its arms and, sitting on its shoulder with a couple of sacks, was Bakura.

"Greetings, Mahad," he called as the monster deposited its cargo and then helped Bakura down before returning to his master's body. Bakura raised an eyebrow at the monster that hovered between him and Mahad. "Did Diabound scare you?"

"It worried me," Mahad corrected. "I was concerned you were going to attack me."

Bakura laughed. "If I had planned to attack you…" He broke off and his eyes went wide as his mind seemed to see things from Mahad's point of view. "Oh," he said softly and with realization. "Yes. I can see why you would think that and would take this defensive position. I'm sorry."

Mahad recalled his monster. "I too apologize for being suspicious."

Bakura waved a hand dismissively. "No apology needed. I fully understand your line of thinking. I would be suspicious too if you came to me, claiming friendship."

"True and I see you are deserving of my trust and friendship." He swept a hand at the bags. "Though, it appears to be more than my inventory lists indicated."

"Yes, well I just combine everything I take in one big pile so I decided to bring almost all of it with me and hope all of what I took from the four tombs is there."

"I will teleport it to my chambers where I can sort it out." Mahad sat down and Bakura followed suite.

"Mahad, you said you spent your whole life in the palace. I would like to know more about that. For example, the people you know."

"I will if you will tell me about your village and particularly your family. I trust it is not painful to talk about them.

"You are correct and it's a deal."

"Good. Let's see. My master is no longer with us but he was a kind, patient teacher and it is a disposition that I emulate to this day. I interact with the pharaoh and the other members of the Sacred Court on a daily basis.

"The oldest is Master Aknadin. He served the previous pharaoh as did I. Then there are Masters Kalim, Shada, and Seto. Finally, there's Priestess Isis." Mahad frowned as he dwelled on her, which caught Bakura's attention.

"Is there something wrong with her?"

"No. It's just that lately she's seemed a little too friendly with me. It would seem to me that she has strong feelings for me. However, she has not come out and said it, but when she does, I will need to gently tell her that I do not feel the same way toward her."

"Sounds like you have a close friendship with her."

"I do and that is how it will stay."

"Of course. Now, my turn. My family was just my parents and me. They were loving and taught me the ways of the thief well. It was clear that I could have been the best thief of Kul Elna."

Mahad felt like the blood had drained from his face upon hearing the village's name. "K-Kul El-Elna?"

"Yes. Mahad? What's the matter?" Bakura saw Mahad's pale face and tilted his head in concern.

Mahad swallowed hard and felt the weight of his Item around his neck. His magical senses had sensed a great evil within the Ring and researched on why that way. He had uncovered the ritual spell that fashioned the Items and was horrified by it. He had brought his findings ot Atem's father which had led him to fall ill and die from guilt. He levelled his gaze at Bakura, his eyes full of sympathy and sorrow. "Bakura, I am so sorry about your village's fate, that being sacrificed to make the Items. Understand, I was not involved or aware of it when it happened."

"Of course I understand. You were likely a teenager when it happened."

"Correct. When I received the Ring, my magic sensed a great evil within it. I endeavored to learn why and came across the spell to create the Items and the name of the village that was sacrificed. I confronted the previous pharaoh with what I discovered. His shock upon hearing the facts convinced me that he did not authorize the attack and the guilt of what he allowed to happen caused him to fall ill and die."

"How could he be shocked of what happened when he allowed it?"

"I believe he was told that the Items would bring about peace but not told what it involved."

"Ah. He desired peace and the one responsible didn't tell him a village had to be sacrificed in order to create the Items that would bring about peace. That being the case, I forgive him."

"That is generous of you."

"And your research didn't tell you who authorized the attack or carried it out?"

"It did not. If there was a record, it was likely destroyed."

"I see. Pity. I would like to make the one responsible pay for what he did."

"I understand your anger and if I knew who ordered it, I would ask him why."

"Well, that's something we both agree on. I will confess that Diabound was created from that fateful night, part of it from the villager's desire for revenge and the rest of my rage and hate of what happened."

"A monster like that would have almost limitless power."

"I'll take your word for it. It recently gained the ability to make me invisible."

"How recent?"

"When I robbed the fourth tomb."

"That explains why I did not see you when I heard you inhale sharply, yet quietly."

"You have sharp ears."

"Thank you."

"Mahad, I would like to further prove I'm trustworthy. I would like to assist you in designing tomb traps."

"That could be beneficial as a thief would know what would deter or stop them from stealing."

"Indeed."

"I will return here in two days with some tomb layouts and I will listen to any ideas you have."

"All right. Until then, my friend." Bakura rode off on his monster while Mahad teleported home with the recovered treasures.