Of Mages and Elves: Mistakes and Reactions
Author's notes: Here's chapter 8… wow I'm behind on typing stories -.-; I finally got around to typing this up…
Warnings: Yaoi, AU, possible OOCness
Disclaimer: Have I ever mentioned that I hate these things?
Malik: *rolls eyes* only about 50 times…
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The depths of the Tower were defiantly starting to wear on Joey as he searched, fire-light in hand. Now where would Pegasus keep the only thing binding a powerful mage to him? Joey huffed. *This is nuts!* he thought. *I don't have a clue where I'm going. Now if I was an evil psycho mage, where would I leave Kaiba's little brother?*
The blond poked hi head around the corner of the hall, hiding the flame in his hand. *Pegasus wouldn't have the kid where Kaiba could find him, but he'd probably want to keep track of him too, so where would he be!?* Joey kicked the wall in frustration. Suddenly the brick he had struck slid further into the wall. Joey stopped dead, listening as various other stones shifted and moved.
"What the hell?" he muttered. The shifting finally stopped, revealing a dark tunnel. Relighting the flame in his hand, Joey crept into the tunnel, gagging slightly on the rush of stale air. It seemed as if no one had been down that hall in ages.
The tunnel finally led him into a small stone room where the only light came from a small ball of white witch-light hovering over a raised stone slab. A top the slab laid the sleeping form of a young, dark haired boy. Joey heard a noise and spun, coming face to face with a shadowed figure. Around the being's neck, a flickering sapphire pendant hung from a golden chain.
"Who dares disturb this place?" a voice hissed. Joey took a step back, the flame in his hand flickering in response to his surprise.
"Who are you?" he demanded. The shrouded figure didn't answer, only swept forward and placed a hand over Joey's heart.
"You wish to save this boy?" the figure asked him. Joey nodded dumbly. The figure took a step back.
"Who are you?" Joey asked again.
"I am the Soul Keeper." With that the figure removed its hood to reveal a woman with dark hair and smoky blue-green eyes. A small smile graced her lips at Joey's shocked expression. "I was taken by Pegasus along with this boy near ten years ago now, though I do not remember the time before. I was charged with the keeping of this child's soul. The fiend ripped it from his body and placed it in this pendant," she explained, holding up the sapphire around her neck.
"So you've been down here all this time?" Joey asked. The woman nodded. "What's your name?"
"I don't remember. Pegasus stole my memories when he sealed me here," she replied. Joey nodded.
"Well, it's kinda pure luck that I found this place, but… I have to get this kid somewhere safe. His brother is being manipulated by Pegasus because of him," he said. The woman nodded.
"I will help you. I have been trapped here for far too long." Joey nodded and walked up to the stone slab. He lifted the small boy off it. *This has got to be him. Why else would Pegasus hide him so carefully?* he thought. He turned to the woman, tilting his head.
"Um… what do you want me to call you if you don't remember your name?" he asked.
"Call me Keeper," she answered. Joey nodded.
"Alright. Let's go before Pegasus finds us."
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Bakura leapt in front of Ryou, taking the brunt of the energy attack the mages threw towards the healer. His power had been drained long ago, and it was the only thing left for him to do.
"Bakura!" the healer shrieked as the thief stumbled and slumped to his knees. Ryou held Yugi tightly in his arms, trying to heal the boy as best he could. Yugi was unconscious, completely drained of his magic. Beside them, Malik caught Bakura as he fell. The young apprentice's eyes gleamed with anger and frustration. He didn't have the strength to protect the rest of them, and too his knowledge, Ryou couldn't fight. The healer's feeble shields seemed to be his only defense.
"Ishtal where are you?" he hissed. One of the mages chuckled, walking forward and slapping the boy to the ground.
"Malik!" Ryou cried, clinging tighter to Yugi as if attempting to protect him as the second mage stalked his way.
"That mage can't help you now. He'll never return in time." Malik glared at the man, then glanced at Ryou and the mage slowly walking towards him. The healer's eyes widened at the glint in Malik's eye.
"No…" he whimpered. Malik nodded, turning back to the mage before him. He staggered to his feet, ignoring the pain in his right leg.
"If I'm going to die here… then I'm taking you with me!" he yelled, leaping at the mage. He never made contact. A surge of dark golden energy wrapped around Malik's attacker, incasing both him and the second mage with in a pair of glowing shields and cutting off their air. Ishtal swept into the room, eyes burning with sadistic glee. He glared at the two mages, who were already cringing.
"Close your eyes Ryou," Malik hissed. The healer nodded and obeyed. Yami watched from the doorway as the mage stalked his prey. Malik shivered. Ishtal had never displayed his ruthless nature when he was around, but Malik had always felt it lurking beneath the surface, just waiting to strike. Ishtal's face was lit with sadistic pleaser as the men behind his shields squirmed.
"You made a mistake when you crossed me," he told the men simply. "You never should have touched what's mine." The two men choked violently, clawing at their throats and silently begging for air. Suddenly their bodies exploded outward, blood and gore hitting the shields and sliding down them.
Ishtal's smirk never left his face as the shields began to collapse in on themselves, slowly folding until all that was left was a pair of glowing golden-crimson orbs no bigger than a thumbnail. These he shattered with a flick of his finger, before turning to face Malik. The boy stared at him in shock. Ishtal knelt before him, wincing when Malik flinched at his light tough. His black-violet eyes stared into the boy's, reading the reeling emotions there carefully.
"They would have died anyway Malik. I so not allow others to harm what's mine," he murmured. Malik nodded, adjusting slightly to relieve the pressure on his wounded leg. Beside him, Ryou peaked his eyes open. Seeing it was safe, he settled Yugi on the floor next to Honda and turned to Bakura. Malik looked up at Ishtal, vaguely noticing Yami move from the doorway behind him. Malik raised a hand, brushing some of Ishtal's wild hair out of his face and gazing into his abyss-like eyes.
"Thank you," he whispered. Ishtal smirked as the boy wrapped his arms around him. Yami eyed the two closely. Then he saw Ryou. His eyes widened and he rushed to the boy's side.
"Ryou! Ryou are you alright?" he exclaimed. The elf looked up at him calmly and nodded.
"I'm fine, Yami-sama," he replied, glancing at Bakura and placing a hand over one of the thief's wounds. Bakura was still unconscious, cuts and bruises littering his body. Yami glared at the vulnerable thief.
"Ryou, step away from him," he said, voice edged with fury. Ryou's eyes flew wide.
"Yami-sama I-" Yami pulled the young elf to his feet and behind him. Malik and Ishtal watched apprehensively as Yami raised his hand, gathering his power.
"I won't let him hurt you again."
"No!" Ryou leapt in front of Bakura, his delicate shield breaking in an instant at Yami's attack. Yami's eyes widened as Ryou fell to his knees shaking. His crimson eyes narrowed.
"Ryou, get out of the way," he demanded. Ryou shook his head.
"No."
"I don't want to hurt you!" Yami exclaimed. "Stand aside!"
"I won't Yami-sama," Ryou replied. Yami gave him a confused glare.
"Why?"
"I can't let you kill the one I love," the healer replied. Yami froze. Malik and Ishtal stood, moving towards the pale boys. Ishtal checked Bakura's pulse, satisfied that it was strong and steady, while Malik knelt beside Ryou and placed a hand on his shoulder for support.
"You love this fiend?" Yami asked, voice dangerously low. "After what he did?" Ryou gazed at him solemnly.
"He saved my life and protected me and he loves me," he replied firmly.
"He kidnapped you and put you in danger! You could have died!" Yami was furious. How could that thief have brain washed his most trusted healer so thoroughly. Ryou's gaze remained calm and firm. Beside him Malik glared at the prince.
"Bakura did the one thing you didn't! Ryou would have died anyway if not for him," the apprentice snapped.
"You know nothing of the situation. Stay out of it boy," Yami hissed. Ishtal's eyes narrowed.
"Threaten *my* Malik again and you'll join those two incompetents in oblivion," he warned, he voice a deep growl. "I think it is you who doesn't understand Prince."
"What don't I understand?" Yami hissed. Ryou stood and stepped forward, laying a hand on Yami's crossed arm.
"Bakura is my bond-mage. By my choice. Hate him or not, hate me or not, but nothing can nor will be changed. I won't let you harm him," he explained; gaze firm and filled with determination. There was a confidence there that Yami had never seen in the boy.
"You bonded yourself to *him*?" Yami asked, voice calmer than his mind. Ryou nodded to him. Beside Ishtal Bakura stirred, his eyes blinking open.
Ryou? he asked. Ryou turned sharply.
Bakura! he cried, a smile on his face. He knelt beside the thief, helping him to sit up. It was then that Bakura noticed his lover's physical state. Ryou was shaking, still weakened by Yami's attack.
What happened to you? he demanded. Ryou winced and looked down, suddenly finding the floor very interesting. Yami watched the exchange closely, eyeing Bakura's every move.
It's alright, Ryou answered. It was a mistake. Bakura growled, sharp eyes casting their glare around the room. They eventually came to rest on Yami.
Did he do something to you? he hissed, wrapping his arms possessively around the healer. Ryou leaned into him, his eyes apprehensive. "What did you do to him?" Bakura growled at the prince. Malik placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Let it go Bakura," he told the thief. Bakura growled, glaring at Malik, and then at Yami.
"If you hurt him…"
Listen to Malik Bakura. It's alright, I'm fine, Ryou reassured him, closing his eyes contentedly and snuggling further into Bakura's protective embrace. The thief wrapped his arms tighter around the elf, still glaring at Yami.
I won't let anyone harm you, he growled possessively. Ryou smiled and began tracing circles on Bakura's chest. His eyes were barely cracked open as he traced the randomized patterns.
Thank you, he whispered. Bakura smirked at Yami, doing his best to resist the emotions Ryou was drawing from him by his simple actions.
"You're lucky Ryou trusts you so much. If he didn't you'd be dead," he hissed. Yami glared at him.
"Like you could." Ryou flinched at the cold voices.
"Would you two just stop?!" Malik exclaimed. To the side of the room, Yugi blinked his eyes open.
"Yami!" he cried, jumping up and running to the prince. "Are you alright?" Yami looked down at the small boy and smiled softly.
"I'm fine Yugi. I should be asking you that," he replied.
"What happened?" the young noble asked. Yami's eyes narrowed. He eyed Ishtal, who shrugged nonchalantly.
"The mages are gone," he replied carefully. Yugi nodded, not questioning further. He glanced around.
"Where's Joey?" he asked. Yami froze. In the confusion he hadn't noticed the boy leave. *He could have been caught or lost! Kaiba is gone too!* he thought desperately. Ishtal's eyes narrowed.
"Kaiba got away," he hissed. Bakura shrugged, loosening his grip on Ryou slightly. The healer set about tending to the half-blood's wounds as best he could.
"There's nothing we can do about that right now. Kaiba's probably gone back to his master already," he hissed.
"What about Yugi's friend?" Ryou asked him. Bakura didn't answer.
"There is no need to search for your friend," a feminine voice whispered from the door. Yami and Ishtal both spun, settling into defensive stances. The rest stared wide-eyed at the figure. Malik's jaw dropped. He jumped to his feet.
"Isis?" he asked, astonished. The woman in the doorway tilted her head in confusion. Behind her, Joey shifted impatiently.
"She doesn't remember who she is," he explained, stepping into the room. Yugi's eyes widened at the body in his arms.
"Who…"
"Kaiba's little brother, I think. Pegasus is using the kid to control him," he replied. Yami's eyes narrowed.
"You could have been captured Joey, or killed. What were you thinking?" he hissed. Joey shrugged, blushing in embarrassment.
"I wanted to do something to help him. He's just being manipulated like everyone else," he replied. Ryou smiled and walked up to him.
"Lay the boy down. I'll take care of him," he said. Malik was still staring at the woman.
"This is impossible!" he hissed under his breath. "She's dead! Isis died years ago!" Ishtal watched the boy silently. He had heard of Isis during his training before he joined with Pegasus. She had been hailed as one of the most promising mages the Tower had ever produced, but she had been lost in an expedition almost ten years ago. The bodies of her and her companions were never found. Was it possible that she had in fact survived? The woman's smoky blue eyes watched Malik intently.
"Do I know you?" she asked the young apprentice. Malik's eyes widened.
"You are Isis, aren't you," he murmured. The woman frowned, pressing a hand to her forehead.
"I don't…. what is your name?" she asked him.
"Malik," the blond answered. The woman's eyes widened in recognition.
"That name… I…" she clutched her head, collapsing to the floor. Ryou stood abruptly and hurried over to her.
"What happened?" he asked hurriedly. Malik shook his head, quivering slightly.
"I… I don't know! She just…" the blond buried his face in Ishtal's shoulder shuddering. "It's her. It has to be. She can't be alive!" he wailed. Ishtal wrapped his arms around the boy in an attempt to comfort him. The mage wasn't an emotional person, but he did what he could. Ryou knelt beside Isis, checking her with his powers.
"How is she?" Bakura asked, kneeling beside him.
"Physically she's just stressed. I can't get into her mind to fix the damage there, it's not within my power," Ryou replied. He was distressed. So far he hadn't come across an illness he couldn't heal, but amnesia seemed to be something he was powerless against.
How is the boy? He doesn't seem hurt, Bakura asked him. Ryou bit his lip, his air of distress growing substantially.
It's as if his soul was separated from his body completely. He's not hurt, but he's not there either. Bakura sighed and wrapped his arms around the healer. Ryou leaned against his shoulder, face expressionless. I hate not being able to help, he told the thief. Bakura held him quietly, not saying a word. Like Ishtal, he didn't express his feelings easily. This was all he could really do to comfort the boy in his arms.
Yami watched the two pale boys carefully, burning jealously in his eyes. Ryou had been his to protect for so long. How was he supposed to trust the healer to the pale thief that had stolen him, heart and all? The prince felt a soft hand on his arm and turned to see Yugi with a calm smile on his face.
"I know you're worried about Ryou Yami, but look at them," he murmured. Yami did look. He gazed at the pale arms encircling the healer's waist, the snowy hair buried in Bakura's rising and falling chest, and the soft contented smile gracing Ryou's lips. "Do you see how happy he is?" Yugi asked as Yami turned away.
The prince didn't answer. His face was set in a grim line.
"Even in this portrait Ryou doesn't smile like we see now," Yugi told him, holding up the small, leather cased painting Yami had given him. Yami gazed into the canvas and oil figure's eyes. Such sad eyes, even in still. "You see his eyes now?" Yugi asked him, curling his small fingers around Yami's arm and leaning into his shoulder. "Now they're smiling."
Yami stared at the young human, taking in every detail of his calm expression. *This boy,* he thought. *In his innocence he can see more then even I.* Yami smiled softly. *If only I could have know that someone so special existed.*
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Author's notes: And Mokuba has been found, as has Isis ^_^ I wasn't originally going to bring her back, but someone needed to be guarding Mokuba's soul and she volunteered so… Sorry about Yami being kind of a jerk in this chapter, but it's kind of needed to turn his focus from Ryou to Yugi ^_~ You can thank our little duelist later.
Yugi: *big smile*
Ryou: I'm glad that has been worked out too. *sighs* everyone is just so protective of me. I'm not going to break you know.
Yami: *no comment*
Bakura: *smirks* We know, we just like to bug you.
Ryou: -.-; lucky me…
Anyway, please review. And a huge thank you for all you who have supported me thus far! I love your reviews ^_^