Chapter 8: Leaving Innocence Behind
A.N. It took me forever to do, but here it is! This was a hard thing to write... I don't know too much about the structure of pyramids and such, but whatever... I think I got most of it right. ^_^
Also, sorry for all of the spacing errors (they usually occur after italics, I've noticed); it's not my fault, it's the way fanfiction.net interprets my program's html, I guess. Sorry if it's annoying, but there's not much I can do! *looks apologetic*
Disclaimer: Yu-Gi-Oh!'s mine! I stole it! Mwahahaha!!! Not. I don't own squat, as always... nor do I make any money... *sigh* But you'll see! I'll show you all someday soon! Mwahahahaha!!!!! ...Um, er, yeah. I'm done now. ^_^
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I left the Ishtar household at around midnight; I figured that it would take me perhaps two or three hours to reach the pyramids. Carrying the light- but durable - sack from our last purchase of corn over one shoulder, I headed out into the cool night. The gentle wind rippling my tunic and tousling my hair, I took a deep breath. This was it.
I walked down the dusty streets, leaving what little innocence I had left behind me...
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Judging from the sky, it was a little after two in the morning. The night air was surprisingly cold against my skin; I felt a shiver run up my spine. The tomb of my dead father rose before me.
I hesitated, hidden in the shadows of the Cairo's outskirts. Why him...? part of me asked.
The earlier pyramids have most likely already been cleaned out. You aren't the only tomb robber. I argued internally. It would be a pity to sneak in and find nothing, would it not? It's a newer site, so your father's pyramid most likely still stashed with treasure. Besides, much of his gold should be in your inheritance anyway.
My mind made up, I walked away from the safety of the city, towards the pyramids...
Most of the guards - I counted four of them at the entrance - seemed rather bored and tired. Sticking to the shadows at the edges of the dim campfire light, I easily made it to the pyramid's entrance without being noticed.
Again, I paused. It must be done. I told myself. Isis and Mariku protected me when I was a child; now it's my turn to repay them. For all they've done... I must return the favour. I swallowed a lump in my throat, but forced myself onward.
Summoning up my Shadow Powers, I searched the hallways with Magic Jammers and Remove Traps; they promptly destroyed a Spellbinding Circle, two Acid Trap Holes, and a Dark Hole. I shuddered inwardly, thinking of what would happen if I hadn't been so
careful...
I knew the inner structure of the pyramid; not only had I seen the layout plan for it while I lived in the palace, but I had watched most of its construction. It wasn't much to go on, but I knew to take the upper hallway inside the pyramid; the lower lead to a false tomb, devoid of treasure but full of traps.
It was getting pretty dark, so I lit a torch halfway down the upper hallway. I was pretty deep inside the pyramid now, so I didn't fear being seen. After a brief journey, I reached a stone wall that sealed the hallway short. They must have sealed it off, so robbers like me couldn't get through to the treasure. I bit my lip, debating what to do.
Finally, I came to the conclusion that the only way to my father's tomb was through the wall. I closed my eyes, then pictured one of my favourite monsters, the Man-Eater Bug. He will do nicely... but Summoning monsters from the Shadow Realm is much harder than using magic or traps...
Can't think of that now. You only have so much time... better get this over with. Concentrating with my Shadow Powers, a flash of light lit the hallway, and the Man-Eater Bug stood before me. Destroy the wall, and do it quietly, please, I ordered my monster as I leaned against the wall, resting my head against my arm. Although I didn't want to admit it, summoning my monster forward had taken a lot out of me... I was suddenly grateful that I had had the sense not to call a stronger monster.
The wall cracked as one of the Man-Eater Bug's front legs pierced the stone like it was nothing more than papyrus. When my monster withdrew his leg, part of the wall gave way, leaving about a three-foot opening. I winced slightly at the sound of the falling stone.
My monster was about to strike again. I hissed softly. The hole's more than large enough for me to go through. I want you to stay behind, here, to cover for me, okay? I can't risk making any more noise... but you did well. Good job! Thanks. If it could have smiled, I'm sure my Man-Eater Bug would have been grinning happily at my praise. Most people didn't really talk to their Duel Monsters...
I crawled through the hole, sending out a Heavy Storm spell first, to despell anything unpleasant waiting for me on the other side of the hallway. Sure enough, I watched as the remnants of a Raigeki and a Mirror Force disappear. Slowly, and still somewhat cautiously, I crept forward.
The door to my father's tomb stood before me. My hands grew clammy with sweat as I read his name, inscribed on the sealed stone door. A chill swept up my spine, and I realized that I would need a spell to open the doorway; the very hieroglyphics said so.
I bit my lip, trying to remember the old spells that had learned in my youth; Isis didn't know any of the royal family's secret prayers, so I hadn't studied them for a long time. I wondered if I should just call my Man-Eater Bug over to break the door, but I quickly realized that that would take time, and it would make an insane amount of noise.
I sighed, and fingered my ten-sided dice. They never left my pocket these days; they were, in all likelihood, my most valuable possessions. Pulling them out of their hiding place amongst my robes, I smiled sadly; my dice carried a lot of memories. Oddly enough, rubbing them made me feel less anxious. I had to complete a mission, and I would do it... somehow, some way...
A sudden noise made me spin around. Do the guards know I'm here?! I panicked. I held my breath, trembling slightly, but I heard no further noise, to my immense relief.
Turning back around to face the door, I realized that I had dropped my dice on the floor. What was more, I noticed that they were glowing. I knelt down before them, uncertain on whether to pick them up or leave them.
0,0, read the numbers. I bit my lip, then stretched my hand outward, about to take them back. Suddenly, the room filled with another light... coming from the door, which was no longer sealed.
My breath caught in my lungs as the door swung open. I didn't know how I opened the door, but whatever it was couldn't have been more miraculous than what I saw before me. I breathed.
I couldn't have been more correct. I had been a normal citizen for so long, I had forgotten how... rich my family was. Gold statues, coins, jewelry, dolls, jars... not to mention all of the jewels. It took my breath away.
Snapping out of my trance, I reminded myself that I had a job to do. I passed by most of the dolls and such at the entrance; they all looked new. I was only searching for things that I recognized as my own from my childhood.
I paused at a collection of bracelets with onyx stones, and took the two smallest ones. I vaguely recalled a short golden staff, a headdress, a handful of necklaces, and a few ruby rings, as well. There were more than that - much more - but I didn't want to take anything that I didn't need. I took my small collection and gingerly put it in my sack. There, that should do... I decided.
I was about to turn and go, when my eyes fell on the coffin of my dead father. I bit my lip. I was afraid... very afraid... but this would be the last chance I'd get to see him...
I put my sack down, and walked forward to meet my father. It was time I paid my respects... one last time.
Slowly, gently, I pulled the jeweled and decorated lid off of my father's coffin. I kept my eyes closed, too awed and afraid to look upon my father's body once more, as I lay the covering on the floor, careful not to chip or break anything. I straightened myself, though I trembled, afraid to complete this final act and view the corpse with my own eyes.
Drawing upon all of the strength and courage I possessed, I opened them.
There he lay, ceremoniously wrapped and mummified, right in front of my very eyes. I ran my hand along the side of his face, feeling the familiar soft bulge on the left side of his head, where he'd had his eye amputated and replaced with a gold one...
The memories of my father - most of them full of pain and cruelty - rushed back to me, but I felt nothing but pity for this man. He, too, had suffered at the hands of his own son... Pharaoh Yami.
By the dim light of my torch, I could make out something else. Something else, something gold, around his neck...
I reached forward, drawn... I ran my fingers over the smooth, cool metal pendant that hung about my father's neck. The light played on its surface, which was mostly still hidden in shadow; yet, I knew with undeniable certainty what it was.
My heirloom, the Ring.
It had existed for forever, as long as anyone could tell, and it had always been the birthright of the firstborn - whether they be male or female, future ruler of Egypt or no - in the Royal Family. Not even Yami could take that right away from me. No one could hide my past from me now...
I reached forward, pulling the plain leather string over my father's head, and replacing the Ring over my own, being careful not to snag it on my somewhat tangled hair. Its comfortable weight around my neck felt wonderful. Like it had always been meant to be... And, in reality, I realized that it had been fate. After all, the Ring was my birthright. I was still the firstborn son; no matter what my little brother did, he couldn't change that. No one could change their past, and their destiny...
A loud crash in the hallway interrupted my thoughts. I gulped audibly - I was in trouble.
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Eep! I know what's coming up (though I only have the general plot outlined), and it's not pretty. Starting in the next few chapters, Yami Bakura will gradually be changing, and becoming more like his present-day personality. Tell me what you think of this chapter, and of course if I messed anything up, especially culturally! Thanks! Now, go forth and review!