Hi all, I am now officially on a roll! Sincere THANKS to everyone who has taken the time to read this. Especially light-keeper, mom-mi-oh and loanshark my faithful readers. Keep the R & R s coming, we writers feed on it! . And to remind those who don't know, I don't own YGO or Yami, wish I did.( Thinks to self, to own an Egyptian Pharaoh, oh the possibilities)
Chapter 7: Showtime
The dust cleared to expose the giant beast. I lost the ability to scream, as my eyes locked on the lumbering creature. Its serpentine neck soared several feet above its bulky body, and its black armored plates seemed to absorb all the light in the room. A diamond shaped head housed two ruby red eyes and a double row of arrow-like teeth loomed over my small frame. It lunged toward me at deadly speed.
I don't remember willing my body to move; yet I dodged to my right, narrowly escaping the clamp down of the monster's jaw. No time to pray, no time to think, my heart jumped firmly into my throat.
It grumbled a muted roar at a missed target and twisted its head back in my direction. I scrambled over the now abandoned dining tables, trying to get some footing, looking for some thing to slow the beast down, some weapon. I grabbed wine goblets and hurled them at the dragon's head, hoping to buy time. The beast merely blinked and continued its assault.
Chaos had overtaken the crowd, screams echoed from both man and woman alike, as people were trampled in their desperation to escape. Chunks of ceiling fell, crushing the slow and hapless, and filling the air again with white clouds, which obscured my vision. Royal guards scurried about trying to establish some order. Two brave or stupid guards, I couldn't decide which, attempted to confront the beast. He used his tail to sling them across the room, as nonchalant as swatting flies; the guards lay in a motionless heap against the wall. It returned his attentions to me.
Trying to make a run for it, I tripped on some wreckage, and I began to crawl. The beast paused, as if savoring my fear, as it snapped at me again. I kicked wildly, connecting with a rock hard nostril. The impact caused him to retract for a moment. I attempted to get to my feet, but in the process of failing, my legs had become trapped in the gauzy material of my dance outfit. I struggled, trying to disentangle myself, but it was no use! I dragged myself forward with my arms alone. I'm dead, I'm dead. A wave of nausea washed over me as I felt the creature's hot breath on my bare back. This is it! I closed my eyes tightly and covered my head with my arms.
Seconds past, and I finally looked up. An intense white light blinded me.
My eyes adjusted to find Yami standing before the monster. Out of his hand a stream of pure white energy formed a barrier that the beast could not penetrate. It howled its frustration, plunging forward then cringing back in pain. Glowering, it exited the building. He crouched close to the ground, snarled and melted into the black night as suddenly as it had appeared.
Yami's hand fell, the light faded and he turned, scanning the area quickly. He was at my side in an instant, scooping me up from the ground. He held me close to his chest. I beat against him with my fists, my mind still caught up in fighting the beast.
"It's alright. I am here." His strong voice filled my heart and pierced my panic.
Tears of release came in waves so strong; I couldn't seem to catch my breath. I gulped air in. He pulled me closer and I wrapped my arms around his neck, finding solace in the hallow of his neck. His flesh felt warm against my face. He carried me to my chamber barking orders at guards and servants in transit. I clung to him as if he were my lifeboat on an icy ocean. Sitting down finally, he gently placed me next to him. I slowly released my grip.
The flow of tears was flagging; I avoided looking at him, embarrassed by my clinging. Finally, I looked up to find his enormous, violet eyes, full of concern, and sighed.
"I don't have to dance now, do I?"
He chuckled, his expression softened, "No, you don't have to dance." I threw my arms around his neck again.
He wrapped his arms around me too, entangling his fingers in my hair, pulled me close and spoke into my ear softly, "I have to go. I am needed. You will be safe here." I assented and he pulled away slowly, cupping my face in both of his hands for an instant, then left. I following him with my eyes, staring after him, my skin still smelling of his musk and spice and for the first time since I had arrived, I felt at peace.