Silver Lily: *sighs* My review numbers are going down on this story. I
hope that it's not getting too long. . .
Jade: Help her, Zuka! She's loosing interest!
Zuka Chan: What am I supposed to do? I inspire inspiration for something she _wants_ to do! I can't just make her like it again! It's up to the reviewers.
Silver Lily: Hmm, I could just divulge what happens in the end. . .
Jade: Oh, no you don't! We've been working on this too hard! Get typing!!
Sunstone
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Be this the whetstone of your sword. Let grief /Convert to anger; blunt not the heart, enrage it.
Macbeth, -William Shakespeare
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The body fell limply to the floor like a sack of stale flour. Cold and empty, every ounce of blood gone from the fiend.
The pharaoh actually enjoyed the struggle they put up. It excited the blood, made it taste better.
"A-are you done yet, my lord?"
A wary advisor poked her silver head through the dungeon door.
"I think so." The pharaoh wiped away the last remnants of blood from his tanned lips. He was glad that Selene did charms so very well, masking his ivory skin.
Leaving the thief where he had dropped, the two made their way out into the dingy hall. "Any word from Seth, yet?"
"That is why I interrupted you so early. There is a riot outside of the palace walls. He's here now, demanding to fight you for the throne."
He grinned. "Let him come."
Selene cringed. The pharaoh sounded too excited about the whole affair. Since he was changed, his entire personality had morphed into some strange, crazed creature, sometimes beyond even her reasoning. "As you wish, Yami."
The vampire rolled that new name around in his head for the thousandth time. He felt he rather liked it. It fit well.
The morning star thought back to when it was declared his name.
* * * *
"From this day forth, let it be known to all of the confidants of the Pharaoh of Egypt. The king Yu Gi Oh is dead, and in his place is the ruler of us all, Yami. Wielder of the darkness. This name cannot be known to any, to preserve his safety from hexes or enchantments made against him." Selene's emotionless voice rang out over the silent crowd of nine heads, all downcast save for a pair of sparkling ruby eyes. They were almost laughing.
"All hail, pharaoh Yami, lord of Egypt," the toneless voices chanted together.
Only one question was on everyone's mind. What had they done?
* * * *
"Remember, dear heart. One of the lower servants will be fighting in your place first. We cannot let on that Seth no longer poses a threat to you, lest he do something rash. We are going to appear as if we were looking out for your safety first."
He nodded his head in reply.
"Remember, though. Try to keep the shadows on your eyes. I can't change their color like I can change your skin."
Another nod.
Her silver-dusted hand pushed open the door to the gaming room, where people were already beginning to gather and watch. Those still loyal to Egypt stood in respect, while a select few chose to keep their seats, scowls evident upon their features. They would pay for their mutiny.
Yami took his throne, whilst the advisors stood close by, watching, and waiting. No, wait. Jade wasn't here. Where in the world had he gone?
A tall figure in flowing purple robes strode forward into the center of the large, golden room.
Silence hung heavy on all heads.
"Pharaoh of Egypt, I challenge you to a duel. If I win, I will take your throne, and your soul will go to the shadow realm. If you win, my soul will be forever locked in darkness. Does the King of Games accept?"
Yam almost laughed. He was really enjoying this show that the traitor was putting on for him.
"I accept," his voice, now deeper since his transformation, rang our clearly through the crowd, causing his enemies to shiver.
And so it began. The summoning wizards took their places behind the duelers, and Seth began fighting, after many grunts and groans, one of the lesser nobility's of the palace.
Surprising to the king, the nobility was actually doing quite well. That is, until Seth plastered a ridiculous grin on his face.
"Prepare for the ultimate beast of destruction! The Blue Eyes White Dragon!!" he cackled when the ghostly apparation of the same beast that attacked the ka of the king appeared, jaws opened and screaming in defiance. Seth's familiar.
The poor duelist screamed when the beam of white lightning hit him, sending his soul to the realm of shadows.
The part of the vampire that was still human felt a pang of remorse for him. What a pity.
Now he stood, taking his place as he had wanted to in the first place. Rushing in front of the dragon, summoning his own familiar; the Dark Magician.
"I summon the spell-binding circle, and use the book of secrets arts, to obliterate your Blue Eyes!"
Seth was outraged. He hadn't set up any traps, satisfied that he would easily destroy his first opponent then move on to the next.
Yami waited to unleash his attack. He had time.
Sand and dust sat for the first time unnoticed as all eyes were fixated on what was before them.
Amidst this sudden silence, a harsh laughter rang out.
"Is something funny, traitor?" the morning star inquired, already knowing what was coming.
"Yu Gi Oh," Seth breathed, pronouncing each syllable meticulously and precisely.
Keeping his response silent save for the brunette in front of him, the pharaoh lifted his eyes for the first time since entering this room. Seth gasped at the cold crimson that sliced away at his soul. "Yu Gi Oh, is _dead _."
No, this wasn't supposed to happen. How did he find out? How?
"Have fun in the Shadow Realm, traitor! Dark Magician, attack!"
Seth's eyes blanked over when the streams of purple and black washed over him and his decapitated beast. Maybe he would get out of it. Maybe he would be reborn anyway. He'd never know, though. Not for a while, at least.
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
Yami laughed, and laughed, and laughed. Such a success! Shadow Realm closed for good, now that his greatest rival was gone and dead. About bloody time, too. Speaking of blood, he wanted another victim before sunrise.
His loyal followers had cheered and cheered for him. Those that had followed the traitor had been delt with accordingly. Death seemed so fitting for them.
Yami sometimes stopped to think to himself on these matters. He had never viewed death as something very appealing before. In fact, he hadn't liked it much at all. But now, the subject intrigued him. And the thought of blood just about made him giddy.
Selene was leaning against a wall opposite him, head downcast. Jade still hadn't been seen yet.
But that wasn't what was bothering her, the pharaoh knew that. He could See it in her thoughts. Selene kept berating herself for what had been done to their king. And she worried. Would he want to turn back to a human once all of the items were done? Would he go in a rage and attack everybody? Question after question swirled around in her pretty little head.
In part, she was right.
The thrill of _knowing_ that he was immortal, the ecstasies of the fresh blood that he consumed nightly, even the deep sleeps that he took every day. He was never tired anymore.
Then without warning an idea popped into his head and refused to leave. Yuugi.
"I'm going to go see my little one, and let him know that everything went all right."
"No, Yami stop! You can't!" Selene's exhausted head shot up quickly.
"And why not?" Yami spat. Gods, her worry was making him sick lately.
"Your blood lust! With your infatuation with him, it is almost certain that you'll loose your control and end up drinking from him. He's so small, he might be killed! You _can't_!"
Yami growled loudly. "I want to go see him!"
"Yami, please, don't. As soon as the puzzle is done, we can change you back and then you can go see him."
"When the puzzle is done, when the puzzle is done, that's all I ever hear from you anymore! How damn long does it take!? I'm tired of this waiting!"
"Yami, you know that we wouldn't have done this unless there was no other way. It was for the best." Her voice was so low, barely above a whisper. Had his ears been any more human, he might not have heard her.
Anger boiled up inside of him. All of these damn excuses. Where did she get off? Who did she think she was?
Before he could stop to think, he was at her neck in a blind fury, lapping up the burning substance as fast as he could. Her blood was different. It wasn't like the other mortal blood that he had consumed. Fire pouring down his throat, hot and intangible. It didn't have a faint coppery taste. No, not at all. If he had known metals better, he might have said that it tasted something like silver, and bright moonlight washing over him.
It was delicious.
He let her drop before her last heart beat thumped against his chest.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
A sliver off from the left, a small indent on the right. Easy now, a steady hand was needed for this. Polish it smooth, and fit it into place. Yes, perfect. Jade had the world's largest grin on his face.
He was done. He was finally and completely done with the puzzle.
He almost cried out with joy, then reminded himself he was an adult.
Screw it, he cried out for joy anyway.
"Finally," he breathed, admiring his handy work. The Eye of Horus sparkled brightly on the golden surface. Now all they had to do was bring it to where the other items were, and have him and his lover perform the spell over the pharaoh. Then he would be human again.
This was almost too good to be true.
His thoughts were abruptly stopped, however, when a sharp pang dug into the left side of his neck, and drowsiness took hold. He cried out, and one thought ran through his head.
'Selene, my beloved, you are hurt. You are hurt and you need my help. Where are you, lover, why are you in such pain?'
He grabbed onto his neck, a slight trickled of blood seeping through his fingers, and stumbled out of the work-room. Where was she? The hall, that's where he could feel her. The hall outside of the gaming room.
Blindly he followed the tug on his soul that was her, which was slowly becoming dimmer.
Yes, there she was. His groggy eyes could see her slumped on the floor. "Selene," he cried out. Collapsing the rest of the way, he crawled to her empty body, wrapping his arms around her. By the light of Apollo, she was so cold. So very cold.
Yami watched as the pitiful form of his advisor was laying on top of his lover, sobbing like no one was watching. He looked so weak for some reason. Had something happened to him before he came here? Is that why he was gone from the duel?
A heart-wrenching scream filled his ears, and that young apprentice came running up to the two fallen on the floor. She examined Selene's lifeless body, eyes quickly snapping up to her pharaoh.
"What have you done," she demanded. "Don't you see? She was his ka! He's going to die without her! Now you will never become human again! They were the only one's that could do it!"
It didn't register at first. The only ones? His ka?
Aeyeta picked up the large hunk of gold resting still resting in Jade's dying grip. The puzzle, the item meant for the king, was finished at last. And Yami saw all of this.
What had he done? He had murdered two halves of the same soul, that's what he had done. And he sealed his doom forever.
He ran as fast as his preternatural legs could carry him.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Silver Lily: Hmm, I think I'll leave it here for now. Last chapter coming up. I think I can finish it then. Keep your eyes open for the sequel for Illusion of the Ellipse, 'Of Blood and Sacrifice.' Coming out next week, hopefully. Don't forget to check out my new posted fic, The Good Child, too. Ja!
Jade: Help her, Zuka! She's loosing interest!
Zuka Chan: What am I supposed to do? I inspire inspiration for something she _wants_ to do! I can't just make her like it again! It's up to the reviewers.
Silver Lily: Hmm, I could just divulge what happens in the end. . .
Jade: Oh, no you don't! We've been working on this too hard! Get typing!!
Sunstone
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Be this the whetstone of your sword. Let grief /Convert to anger; blunt not the heart, enrage it.
Macbeth, -William Shakespeare
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The body fell limply to the floor like a sack of stale flour. Cold and empty, every ounce of blood gone from the fiend.
The pharaoh actually enjoyed the struggle they put up. It excited the blood, made it taste better.
"A-are you done yet, my lord?"
A wary advisor poked her silver head through the dungeon door.
"I think so." The pharaoh wiped away the last remnants of blood from his tanned lips. He was glad that Selene did charms so very well, masking his ivory skin.
Leaving the thief where he had dropped, the two made their way out into the dingy hall. "Any word from Seth, yet?"
"That is why I interrupted you so early. There is a riot outside of the palace walls. He's here now, demanding to fight you for the throne."
He grinned. "Let him come."
Selene cringed. The pharaoh sounded too excited about the whole affair. Since he was changed, his entire personality had morphed into some strange, crazed creature, sometimes beyond even her reasoning. "As you wish, Yami."
The vampire rolled that new name around in his head for the thousandth time. He felt he rather liked it. It fit well.
The morning star thought back to when it was declared his name.
* * * *
"From this day forth, let it be known to all of the confidants of the Pharaoh of Egypt. The king Yu Gi Oh is dead, and in his place is the ruler of us all, Yami. Wielder of the darkness. This name cannot be known to any, to preserve his safety from hexes or enchantments made against him." Selene's emotionless voice rang out over the silent crowd of nine heads, all downcast save for a pair of sparkling ruby eyes. They were almost laughing.
"All hail, pharaoh Yami, lord of Egypt," the toneless voices chanted together.
Only one question was on everyone's mind. What had they done?
* * * *
"Remember, dear heart. One of the lower servants will be fighting in your place first. We cannot let on that Seth no longer poses a threat to you, lest he do something rash. We are going to appear as if we were looking out for your safety first."
He nodded his head in reply.
"Remember, though. Try to keep the shadows on your eyes. I can't change their color like I can change your skin."
Another nod.
Her silver-dusted hand pushed open the door to the gaming room, where people were already beginning to gather and watch. Those still loyal to Egypt stood in respect, while a select few chose to keep their seats, scowls evident upon their features. They would pay for their mutiny.
Yami took his throne, whilst the advisors stood close by, watching, and waiting. No, wait. Jade wasn't here. Where in the world had he gone?
A tall figure in flowing purple robes strode forward into the center of the large, golden room.
Silence hung heavy on all heads.
"Pharaoh of Egypt, I challenge you to a duel. If I win, I will take your throne, and your soul will go to the shadow realm. If you win, my soul will be forever locked in darkness. Does the King of Games accept?"
Yam almost laughed. He was really enjoying this show that the traitor was putting on for him.
"I accept," his voice, now deeper since his transformation, rang our clearly through the crowd, causing his enemies to shiver.
And so it began. The summoning wizards took their places behind the duelers, and Seth began fighting, after many grunts and groans, one of the lesser nobility's of the palace.
Surprising to the king, the nobility was actually doing quite well. That is, until Seth plastered a ridiculous grin on his face.
"Prepare for the ultimate beast of destruction! The Blue Eyes White Dragon!!" he cackled when the ghostly apparation of the same beast that attacked the ka of the king appeared, jaws opened and screaming in defiance. Seth's familiar.
The poor duelist screamed when the beam of white lightning hit him, sending his soul to the realm of shadows.
The part of the vampire that was still human felt a pang of remorse for him. What a pity.
Now he stood, taking his place as he had wanted to in the first place. Rushing in front of the dragon, summoning his own familiar; the Dark Magician.
"I summon the spell-binding circle, and use the book of secrets arts, to obliterate your Blue Eyes!"
Seth was outraged. He hadn't set up any traps, satisfied that he would easily destroy his first opponent then move on to the next.
Yami waited to unleash his attack. He had time.
Sand and dust sat for the first time unnoticed as all eyes were fixated on what was before them.
Amidst this sudden silence, a harsh laughter rang out.
"Is something funny, traitor?" the morning star inquired, already knowing what was coming.
"Yu Gi Oh," Seth breathed, pronouncing each syllable meticulously and precisely.
Keeping his response silent save for the brunette in front of him, the pharaoh lifted his eyes for the first time since entering this room. Seth gasped at the cold crimson that sliced away at his soul. "Yu Gi Oh, is _dead _."
No, this wasn't supposed to happen. How did he find out? How?
"Have fun in the Shadow Realm, traitor! Dark Magician, attack!"
Seth's eyes blanked over when the streams of purple and black washed over him and his decapitated beast. Maybe he would get out of it. Maybe he would be reborn anyway. He'd never know, though. Not for a while, at least.
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
Yami laughed, and laughed, and laughed. Such a success! Shadow Realm closed for good, now that his greatest rival was gone and dead. About bloody time, too. Speaking of blood, he wanted another victim before sunrise.
His loyal followers had cheered and cheered for him. Those that had followed the traitor had been delt with accordingly. Death seemed so fitting for them.
Yami sometimes stopped to think to himself on these matters. He had never viewed death as something very appealing before. In fact, he hadn't liked it much at all. But now, the subject intrigued him. And the thought of blood just about made him giddy.
Selene was leaning against a wall opposite him, head downcast. Jade still hadn't been seen yet.
But that wasn't what was bothering her, the pharaoh knew that. He could See it in her thoughts. Selene kept berating herself for what had been done to their king. And she worried. Would he want to turn back to a human once all of the items were done? Would he go in a rage and attack everybody? Question after question swirled around in her pretty little head.
In part, she was right.
The thrill of _knowing_ that he was immortal, the ecstasies of the fresh blood that he consumed nightly, even the deep sleeps that he took every day. He was never tired anymore.
Then without warning an idea popped into his head and refused to leave. Yuugi.
"I'm going to go see my little one, and let him know that everything went all right."
"No, Yami stop! You can't!" Selene's exhausted head shot up quickly.
"And why not?" Yami spat. Gods, her worry was making him sick lately.
"Your blood lust! With your infatuation with him, it is almost certain that you'll loose your control and end up drinking from him. He's so small, he might be killed! You _can't_!"
Yami growled loudly. "I want to go see him!"
"Yami, please, don't. As soon as the puzzle is done, we can change you back and then you can go see him."
"When the puzzle is done, when the puzzle is done, that's all I ever hear from you anymore! How damn long does it take!? I'm tired of this waiting!"
"Yami, you know that we wouldn't have done this unless there was no other way. It was for the best." Her voice was so low, barely above a whisper. Had his ears been any more human, he might not have heard her.
Anger boiled up inside of him. All of these damn excuses. Where did she get off? Who did she think she was?
Before he could stop to think, he was at her neck in a blind fury, lapping up the burning substance as fast as he could. Her blood was different. It wasn't like the other mortal blood that he had consumed. Fire pouring down his throat, hot and intangible. It didn't have a faint coppery taste. No, not at all. If he had known metals better, he might have said that it tasted something like silver, and bright moonlight washing over him.
It was delicious.
He let her drop before her last heart beat thumped against his chest.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
A sliver off from the left, a small indent on the right. Easy now, a steady hand was needed for this. Polish it smooth, and fit it into place. Yes, perfect. Jade had the world's largest grin on his face.
He was done. He was finally and completely done with the puzzle.
He almost cried out with joy, then reminded himself he was an adult.
Screw it, he cried out for joy anyway.
"Finally," he breathed, admiring his handy work. The Eye of Horus sparkled brightly on the golden surface. Now all they had to do was bring it to where the other items were, and have him and his lover perform the spell over the pharaoh. Then he would be human again.
This was almost too good to be true.
His thoughts were abruptly stopped, however, when a sharp pang dug into the left side of his neck, and drowsiness took hold. He cried out, and one thought ran through his head.
'Selene, my beloved, you are hurt. You are hurt and you need my help. Where are you, lover, why are you in such pain?'
He grabbed onto his neck, a slight trickled of blood seeping through his fingers, and stumbled out of the work-room. Where was she? The hall, that's where he could feel her. The hall outside of the gaming room.
Blindly he followed the tug on his soul that was her, which was slowly becoming dimmer.
Yes, there she was. His groggy eyes could see her slumped on the floor. "Selene," he cried out. Collapsing the rest of the way, he crawled to her empty body, wrapping his arms around her. By the light of Apollo, she was so cold. So very cold.
Yami watched as the pitiful form of his advisor was laying on top of his lover, sobbing like no one was watching. He looked so weak for some reason. Had something happened to him before he came here? Is that why he was gone from the duel?
A heart-wrenching scream filled his ears, and that young apprentice came running up to the two fallen on the floor. She examined Selene's lifeless body, eyes quickly snapping up to her pharaoh.
"What have you done," she demanded. "Don't you see? She was his ka! He's going to die without her! Now you will never become human again! They were the only one's that could do it!"
It didn't register at first. The only ones? His ka?
Aeyeta picked up the large hunk of gold resting still resting in Jade's dying grip. The puzzle, the item meant for the king, was finished at last. And Yami saw all of this.
What had he done? He had murdered two halves of the same soul, that's what he had done. And he sealed his doom forever.
He ran as fast as his preternatural legs could carry him.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Silver Lily: Hmm, I think I'll leave it here for now. Last chapter coming up. I think I can finish it then. Keep your eyes open for the sequel for Illusion of the Ellipse, 'Of Blood and Sacrifice.' Coming out next week, hopefully. Don't forget to check out my new posted fic, The Good Child, too. Ja!