Here's a bit more. The big showdown is coming soon, till then enjoy this. Thanks for all the reviews, I appreciate them all.
Chapter 11: Shadow Games
The Shadow Games began promptly at nightfall. Yami the First—Pharaoh of Egypt, sat on a raised throne, in the shadows of the wide nearly empty open air stadium, away from the scrutiny of the masses. This version of the game was exclusive to the Royal family, High counselors, the priests, temple guards, and a small number of elite duelists. The magicians and mages were also out in full force this evening. The last day of the full moon lit the field as a faint mist in the air carried the sense of anticipation, the fight began. The onlookers were silent as the champion, Seto, took his place. The challenger, a wealthy Ethiopian arrayed in silver robes and bedecked with rubies, called his first creature. The king watched the events unfold before him with detachment; usually the games held his rapt attention, even when he wasn't dueling, but not tonight.
Yami disliked being confused, and he detested feeling weak even more, yet both emotions warred within him. All surrounded by the unsettling feeling that he had forgotten something of vital importance. He viewed the events through a haze; the power building again, his thought became even more unfocused. The calm rationality he was accustomed to disappeared entirely as pain encircled his chest like a band of molten steel; he gripped the arms of the throne, digging his nails into the stone until they peeled back to the quick. He made no sound, his breath gone. The High Priest smirked and signaled for the Temple guards. Yami didn't resist as the Priest's men shackled him.
The dual continued below uninterrupted, the audience's full attention on the action before them. Seto summoned a creature. Moss green fur covered the massive humanoid behemoth. His myopic gaze engaged the slower moving two-legged ox beast, it stood opposite.
"Now Hitotsu-Me Giant. Attack!"
The ox couldn't avoid the crushing backhanded blow dealt by the monster; the force lifted its hooves from the floor and sent its bulk flying backward. The battle won, the ox beast lay skull splintered, and bleeding on the floor until one of the mages used his power to dispatch it. The challenger retreated from his podium and bolted for the door. Seto's eyes cut to the Heisien, and the priest raised a hand. Temple Guards accosted Seto's opponent. The ebony skinned man struggled against his captors. "What is this?"
"The cost."
"I am willing to pay…I have herds of cattle and riches, gold, silver, gems." He looked decidedly agitated now, yanking his arms and pulling backwards.
"You knew the consequences for losing."
"My countrymen will…"
"Never realize what happened to you." With that Seto motioned for Heisien. The iridescent eye of Horus appeared on his forehead. The dark man's struggling ceased, his face lost all animation he was lead away little more than a zombie, a soulless shell. The crowd gasp, but no one moved to lend assistance, they knew better. Interference could mean a similar fate.
Heisien stood to the left of the throne. Arms crossed at his back, he rocked back onto his heels and shifted his weight forward to the ball of his foot almost dancing in time to the tune he hummed. "Five, more. Five more. All I need is five more to open the door." He giggled. The High Priest's men chained the monarch to the temple wall, spread eagle against the pattern of a pentagram. The movement, the violent hands, shook Yami to his senses. Memories swarmed through his mind like angry locust. Heisien in his chamber, hovering, some kind of spell. A hot rage knotted in his throat and the power sparked, as it had that night in the banquet hall, white fire engulfed his hand. The guards fell back in terror. His chained arm pointed at Heisien, with deadly aim and sent the fire flying in the Priest's direction. The engraved circle came to life at that, drawing the unleashed power to it. The High Priest escaped untouched. The Pharaoh's skin glimmered a pale white; the circle surrounded him, reflecting the same luminosity and throbbed holding both the king and his powers in check.
"What has become of me?" Yami said in a small voice, taking in his ghastly appearance. His voice trumpeted again, "Heisien! You will pay for what you have done."
The High Priest's face wore mock sympathy, "No Pharaoh, I won't. Today I will finally get everything I deserve, and no one can stop me."