Yu-Gi-Oh! characters and everything related is (c) Kazuki Takahashi
Legacy of Kain characters and everything related is (c) Crystal Dynamics and Silicon Knights.
"Step away from me at once if you value whatever form of life you hold," the woman hissed at Raziel. It wasn't her voice, the voice was obviously Bakura.
"You devil!" Raziel growled. "How dare you steal her from me! Why will you not let this just end?" the Reaver of Souls yelled as he summoned the wraith blade.
"This ends now, I'm through with you!" Bakura hissed. He snapped a borrowed arm up and Raziel froze in his tracks. The fiend's cry was cut short as he suddenly vanished. Bakura smirked as he looked at the card that materialized in his hand. "Now that wasn't so bad was it?" he cooed at the image. "You can't feel a thing, can't interact with anyone and will be out of mind before this day is done. While you have been retired, I have work to do. The Pharaoh is weak," Bakura chuckled. "And he'll never see it coming..."
"Well get over there!" Yami exclaimed once Seto relayed the news Sarah had been found. "Before they find her!"
"I wonder what she's been through, the poor girl," Ryou said softly as he looked out the window of the chopper.
"She's in good condition, I was told she's moving quite quickly on foot. I've got someone that's going to try and calm her into waiting for us, but no promises," Seto announced.
"How soon can we get there? I think we're all ready to end everything," Yami sighed.
"We're there, you forget air travel is quite fast," Seto said as the chopper waited for clearance before landing.
"Raziel will be the only loose end, but he should find us easy enough," Ryou sighed.
"Well we should hope so," Yami replied distantly.
"I'm so glad to see you guys!" the woman exclaimed as she pounced the nearest person. Seto worked his way free with a scowl and shooed her on to one of the others as they exited the building his chopper had landed atop.
"How did you get away?" Yami asked as he returned the hug she gave him.
"I don't really remember," she frowned. "I just remember running from everyone when something happened. Someone did something that caused a big scene back where I was. I don't even remember where I came from. I just ran. I thought I'd never see you guys again," she said before moving to Ryou. The teen noticed a slight hesitation before she latched onto him but didn't pay attention to it. She held onto him for the longest time. "Now I know how you must have felt back in Nosgoth," she said just loud enough for him to hear. "Where's Raziel?" she asked once she finally let Ryou go.
"He went looking for you last night, I assume he didn't find you?" Yami asked.
"Nuh-uh. Unless he had been what caused the distraction and allowed me to get away. He could still be back with Malik!" she said fearfully.
"We can go search for him, I want you safe and sound back with Grandpa," Yami said.
"Ok, as much as I want to go with you; I don't want to be anywhere near Malik," she gave a nervous laugh.
"We can drop you off while I have my men try and figure out where you came from," Seto said as he motioned back towards the building.
"Thank you," Sarah said. Her eyes lowered for a moment and her hair ruffled from an unseen breeze, she gave Ryou a dark smile that everyone missed before she returned to normal and opted to thread her arm through his.
"I worry about that, I really do." Yami raised a brow as he caught it. "You can't let anything happen, you can't stay here."
"A little late for that," she replied gruffly and under her breath. It almost didn't sound like her, but the cough that followed seemed to clear her throat and restore her voice.
"I'd like to stay with her, I don't think you really need me out there. Just a third wheel, heh," Ryou said as the four got into the elevator.
"Fine by me, I really don't give a rat's ass," Seto grunted.
"I suppose, she might want someone around she's a bit more comfortable with," Yami shrugged as the door closed.
"Oh dear, it's good to see you!" Mr. Mutou chuckled as the woman stooped to give him a hug.
"Great to be back," she smiled.
"We're going to stay here while Seto and Yugi try to find Raziel. Once he's found maybe everything can go back to normal," Ryou announced as he stepped inside the shop.
"Very well then, make yourselves comfortable upstairs. I can make you something for breakfast if you wish, I can finish sweeping later," the old man offered.
"Oh, no, that's ok. I want to take a nap if at all possible, I'm worn out already." Sarah shook her head as she declined the offer.
"Alright then, go on in and make yourselves at home," he chuckled.
"Now that I have the chance I'm going to ask again. What did Bakura mean when he said you traded part of your soul for Ryou?" Seto stopped Yami before he could board the chopper again. Yami glared hard at Seto for a moment then sighed as he ran a hand through his hair.
"Raziel is the glue that binds Nosgoth. In the whole mess Bakura had made sure to leave Ryou behind. We needed him to hunt down Bakura but in order to get him I had to cut a deal with Kain, the ruler of Nosgoth. He's holding Yugi - the real Yugi - until I return with Raziel."
"You made a deal without knowing if he will actually uphold it, are you insane?" Seto snapped as he grabbed the shorter teen by the collar of his shirt.
"I did what I had to when Yugi offered himself for the job! He wouldn't take no for an answer and I respect him. He put a lot of faith in me on this and I will not let him down. Now, can we get on with the search?"
"Very well then. I'll keep an eye on you to make sure you don't do anything stupid like that again."
Ryou tried to fight the flush he felt on his cheeks when the woman curled up next to him. Back in Nosgoth he thought nothing of it, just reassurance that she wasn't going to leave him there. But now it was different and having her so close made him nervous. She seemed happy with the motion and Ryou didn't bother to protest, he figured she was still scared from her run in with Malik. He frowned and shifted a bit when something under her shirt jabbed him in the side. She simply looked up at him as she pulled the Ring out.
"Miss me?" Bakura spoke through her. He made a kissing sound and placed his hands behind his head before laying down on Ryou's lap. The teen just stared wide eyed down at the possessed woman. "She likes you. Really, I've gone snooping and everything. She's just putty in your hands and you don't know it. It happened in Nosgoth, she's fighting herself over the issue. It's quite amusing really, the amount of pain," Bakura cooed. "And all because she knows she can't stay with you."
"Leave her alone," Ryou said hoarsely.
"As if you are in a position to demand it?" Bakura chuckled. He sat up and positioned himself in a rather compromising manner, Ryou was frozen as Bakura moved the woman to straddle the younger teen. "And you don't know what to make of anything, do you? This is new to you is it not?" Bakura whispered in his ear. "You're just frozen. Is it in fear or is there something inside you that's enjoying this. Hrm?" Ryou jumped slightly when Bakura wound a finger in his hair. "Your heart rate has increased, but it could be for either thing," he said slowly as he moved around to face Ryou. "Why you're trembling," Bakura chuckled. "You want to see something even funnier?" He waited for an answer but got none, Ryou simply stared right back. "Well not like you get a choice," Bakura shrugged. Ryou's heart about leapt to his throat when Bakura did something he least expected. "And now I leave you!" Bakura said cheerfully before relinquishing his hold on the woman.
Sarah closed her eyes and mumbled before shaking her head slightly. "Wha..? HOLY CRAP!" she exclaimed as she fell backwards. "Oh god, I am so sorry!" she tried to hide the red of her face after realizing where her hand had been and how close she had been to the teen. "I didn't mean to grab--I am so sorry!" she replied as she sat bewildered on the floor.
"Bakura," Ryou said softly.
"What?" she asked.
"Bakura's here."
"Where?" the woman looked around, grateful for the distraction.
"Inside you..." Ryou answered. "I'm sorry..."
About then she found the Ring around her neck, she took the thing off and tossed it across the room before dashing off to hide under the kitchen table. "I remember it now," she said from between the table legs.
"Remember what?" Ryou asked as he slowly moved up to her. She backed away and shook her head.
"On the boat, Malik found Bakura. He was bound and tied, the Ring and Eye," Sarah stopped and pulled the Eye out of her pocket. "Where in a box," she tossed the Eye aside and watched it roll. "Malik, Malik was taunting Bakura with them. Saying he had them now when Bakura just vanished. His clothing and the restraints fell to the floor. In the confusion I grabbed both the Eye and Ring and ran. As I fled I also grabbed my normal clothing. Malik had me dressed in something else. Anyway, what I was wearing had no pockets. I managed to cram the Eye into the bag that had my clothing, but to get the Ring in I had to open it. That would take too much time, so I put the Ring on. Got off the boat, changed and ran into Raziel..." the woman stopped and shuddered violently. "Bakura came out then, Ryou... Ryou, he trapped Raziel." She turned away and curled into ball.
"Sarah," Ryou said quietly as he inched forward. The woman waved him off the first time but allowed him to touch her the second. He pulled her up and against him as he pet her hair. "Sarah, Raziel isn't gone," he said softly.
"I got Yugi trapped in Nosgoth!" she wailed.
"No, listen to me," Ryou said gently. "He's probably got Raziel in a card. Check your pockets." The woman sniffled and sat up as she did just that. In her right knee pocket she found something. The woman slowly pulled it out. Her eyes widened and she dropped the card with a whimper. Ryou reached for it slowly, he flipped it and looked at the image. It was Raziel, he had been captured in what looked like a lunge. The Reaver seemed to actually sparkle and shine on the card. Ryou sighed as he put the card in his pocket, he didn't know what else to do. "Sarah, you should keep the Items with you. Bakura won't let you go anywhere without them. It's temporary. We'll get you freed, I promise."
"I'm scared, Ryou," she said as she locked her brown eyes with his.
"I know, and so am I." He pulled her into a hug and rocked her gently as she cried.
"I've no time to deal with you, Pharaoh," Malik snorted as he walked down the dock.
"I want Raziel!" Yami demanded.
"The blue fiend has escaped you as well?" the Egyptian scowled. "He must have been behind Bakura's escape," he said more to himself than anyone else.
"Bakura's back in the game?" Seto asked.
"Yes! Of course, he is. What, did you expect him to just go hang out at a bar and drink his problems away?" Malik snapped.
Yami narrowed his eyes, rather than replying he turned and broke into a run. Seto scowled and followed.
"You believe him, just like that?"
"Yes, Bakura's back in the game. We have to get back to Ryou and Sarah before he does."
"I'm going to sit outside for a little bit," Sarah said as she walked past Mr. Mutou.
"Where's Ryou?" he asked.
"Asleep," she replied simply.
"And I thought you were the one wanting a nap," he chuckled.
"Looks like Ryou needed it more." Bakura rolled his eyes once he had stepped outside. He had to get moving, when Ryou came to he'd warn everyone of what was going on. But Bakura had to find Yami first. He had to be there so when his form vanished like Bakura's had, he would hand the Puzzle willingly to Sarah. "Three will be in my possession," he chuckled.
"I know you'll be around here somewhere, little Pharaoh," Bakura muttered to himself as the Ring pulled him towards the Puzzle. He was in a dead run, cursing the fact the woman who was his host was in such poor shape. His chest heaved with the action, the painful bounce of her anatomy took some getting used to. In fact, Bakura had to learn how to balance all over again when he first took her over. She was much different than a male host, at least the initial awkwardness had worn off. After a while the Spirit decided to just tuck the Ring into her shirt, it's bouncing off the woman's chest only added to his discomfort. Bakura slowed as he reached where he thought the Pharaoh was. He gasped for breath and sat down for a moment, the tightness in his chest wouldn't go away. Quickly Bakura implanted an idea in the woman's head before he relinquished hold on her.
"What are you doing out here?" Seto asked as he knelt beside her.
"Bakura came after Ryou and I," she gasped. "He needed a host again."
"So it has happened," Seto grunted as he dropped what Yami had been wearing on the ground.
"What?" Sarah asked as she nudged it.
"He started fading, the last time he faded he didn't come back. I don't know where--"
"There's not much time!" Yami said quickly as he grabbed the Puzzle and an article of clothing from Seto. Yami held it in front of his nude form and blushed slightly. "I have to hand this to you for a while. I trust you with it, Sarah. Guard it with your life as you keep it for Yugi and I." He handed the Puzzle to the woman just as his figure faded out again.
"You can trust me," she replied as she slipped the cord around her neck. The woman started to laugh, slowly her voice faded into an obviously masculine one. Bakura shoved Seto to the side as he stood up.
"You fools! I have the Puzzle now! Three Items to my name, at this rate I'll have them all!" Bakura kicked Seto in the face as the teen made a move to get up. He took off in a run again, this time to hide. Yami was beginning to open a bond with the woman in an effort to oust him, Bakura couldn't be out in the open for the battle that was bound to ensue.
"Are you alright?" Yami asked as he helped the woman up. He had navigated to the core of her mind, where the rooms she drew herself into could be found. Newly forged the place was bare and sterile.
"Why is he doing this?" she asked as she leaned on the other Spirit.
"For power, together we can oust him."
"No, get back to the Game Shop to check on Ryou. He clubbed him and left him tied in the closet. He has Raziel's card," the woman replied.
"Raziel was stuck in a card?"
"Yes, and I'm so damn glad Ryou took it from me, else Bakura might have dropped it somewhere and we would have lost him. I'm so very sorry, I didn't mean to be the cause for Yugi's prolonged stay in Nosgoth."
"No one is blaming you. We knew the risks when this was agreed on."
"But no one planed for this!" Sarah blurted out.
"No, and that's why it worked," Bakura chuckled as he walked into the room.
"YOU!" Sarah screamed. "You've dug through my mind, pulled out things you had no business digging in! Leave me the hell alone and just go away!"
"I would if I could, but I'm stuck with you now," he growled. "But the upside is I have the Puzzle."
"I came with it, you aren't in total control of it," Yami hissed.
"No, but closer than I've ever been before. We're in one body now, Pharaoh. If you want to keep your claim on the Puzzle you'll have to stay here. You gave it to her willingly, and if I take control she can never give it back willingly."
"I'll find a way to be rid of you, I swear," Sarah spat as she glared at him. She blinked then glared at him again. "Who's in control if you're in here?" she demanded.
"No one, you're safely hidden away though. Do not worry. As displeased as I am with you, I need you. You should be happy," he chuckled. "I know your feelings for Ryou. We share the same looks, I'm all yours, love." He spread his arms wide and laughed.
Yami made a face as he clubbed the white-haired Spirit. "Help me move him to the other room, I'll work on keeping him in there while you get back to the Game Shop. I'll keep tabs on you. When you get the card and Ryou let me know. We're going back to Nosgoth."
"Yes, will do. And thank you," Sarah replied as she helped drag Bakura off.
Sarah didn't even bother to stop in and let Mr. Mutou know she was back, she raced back into the living quarters and to where Ryou was in the closet. He had just come to when she found him and untied him.
"You have the Puzzle and Ring!" Was the first thing out of his mouth.
"Yeah, I've got two yamis at the moment. Aren't I lucky?" she said sarcastically. "You still have Raziel?"
"Yes," Ryou said as he pulled the card from his pocket.
"Good, let me see if Yami Yugi can spare a moment from his watch over Bakura, long enough to get us into Nosgoth."
"Ryou," Yami spoke through the woman. "I want to make sure you're ok with the plan. We're going to have to put Bakura back..."
"I understand," Ryou said as he lowered his head.
"You were meant to host him as Yugi was meant to host me. Though it's not the same for you as it is for Yugi and I. I'm sorry, I wish there were another way."
"No, don't be sorry. It's not your fault. Let's get going, then. Can she lead you from there?" Ryou asked.
"I certainly hope so, she's also fighting to keep Bakura locked up. I hope she can lend enough attention to me to unlock barriers..."
Rather than waste more time worrying about what might happen, Yami gathered his magic to shift himself and Ryou to the Shadow Realm. From there they made the quick passage back to Sarah's room and then into the Shadow Realm there.
"Now I understand how she felt," Yami grit his teeth at the sudden wave of emotions, voices and thoughts from all of the portals. He made his way as best he could to the Nosgothic doorway before trying to open it. No luck. "I have to put Sarah in charge Ryou, watch her carefully until we're on the other side," Yami said through the mental maelstrom.
"I will, you have my word," Ryou nodded as Yami relinquished his hold. The woman blinked and went about opening the door while her two temporary yamis battled it out. "Go!" she commanded once she had an opening. Ryou hurried through and turned to help her. Sarah collapsed in the dust of Nosgoth and let out a short laugh. The action was cut short by a violent earthquake. She and Ryou had to make a mad dash out of the mountain pass they had arrived in. It wasn't the first quake, other rocks and boulders littered the area.
"We shouldn't be going this way!" Sarah yelled as soon as she realized where they were. "The Abyss will have us trapped if this pass closes!"
"I'd be more worried about the Abyss itself," Ryou gasped as he came to a sudden stop. The blue and green waters of before were no more. Great falls of red flowed in their place. "I can't tell if it's blood or lava..." Ryou said in an awe inspired terror. The ghastly sounds he heard before had stopped, an eerie calm claimed the location. Only the bubble and gurgle of the red flows was heard.
"Don't know, don't care. But the place is coming down. We have to use the gate and get out of here," Sarah commanded as she turned around to head for it. About that moment both Bakura and Yami manifest themselves. Bakura knocked Yami into Ryou as he grabbed Sarah, another rock slide gave Bakura the opening he was looking for. He took the woman and headed for the gate, the door had been jarred open so he needn't mess with it. "You shouldn't have said we were in Nosgoth else I wouldn't have abandoned her mind!" Bakura cackled.
"Not again!" Sarah growled as she tried to fight back.
"Yes, again. You've got the damned Puzzle and now that the bond we had just started is cut I can't get to it. But that means Yami can't either, you are the soul possessor of it," he growled as he activated the gate and took them to a random location.
"Bakura!" Sarah hissed. "We can't stay here! It's the Cathedral I warned you of!" she screamed madly.
"I always imagined my name to be screamed that way while in bed, I suppose I'll have to settle for this."
"Oh fuck off," Sarah snapped as she managed to break free.
"You use that line of profanity to follow up what I said?" he raised a brow and laughed. Before the woman could get too far from him, Bakura grabbed her and pulled the Ring off from her neck, he then started going through her pockets in search of the Eye. The woman slapped him as soon as he found what he had been looking for.
"You knew damn well which pocket it was in, you did that on purpose!" she hissed.
"Maybe, maybe not," he chuckled as he stepped back on the rune at the base of the gate. There was a hiss and growl as a white beast with red eyes and black legs dropped down from the ceiling. Sarah screamed like a frightened school girl as the vampire jumped at her. Bakura simply watched her try to avoid its attacks.
"You fucking asshole!" she cried at him as tears streamed down her cheeks. She dodged another swipe from the spider-like creature and tripped over the webbing material that covered the floor, walls and ceiling of the room. The spider creature pounced her and opened its mouth in anticipation of the meal it was about to get. Sarah screamed again as she placed a kick in it's mid section, the spider's light build allowed her to get the beast off her. Bakura had the gate activated at that point and stepped through, Sarah scrambled after him as well as the vampire. She rolled away as the gate shut off, the unlucky vampire roared as it was cut neatly in half; the top half thumped dully on the stone surface and Sarah broke down into choked sobs.
"Get up, you're still alive," Bakura said sourly.
"You wanted it to kill me so you could take the Puzzle!" she yelled. She blinked a few times then wiped her eyes. "I still have a bond with Yami, he's calling to me now." She stepped back on the gate's rune and activated it before randomly racing through to the first portal that popped up. From there she activated the gate once more and headed to yet another random location before taking a third trip back to the Abyss. She had been quick enough to effectively loose Bakura, she hopped he didn't remember the gates and would be left trying to figure out where she was. Sarah ran out of the gate room and right into Yami, she yelled as the two toppled each other.
"Take it! Quickly!" she said as she removed the Puzzle and gave it back to him. "I think he was going to take me back and leave the two of you here," she sniffled. Yami pulled himself off the woman then helped her stand.
Ryou stood atop fallen rocks. "We can get through here if we hurry!" he shouted.
"Go! Just move! We have to get out of here before another quake hits!" Yami commanded as he and Sarah took to climbing over the rocks themselves. Once out of the pass they were greeted by the sight of the crumbling Sanctuary of the Clans. Another quake rocked the ground, knocking the trio off their feet. Yami made a move to protect Sarah from debris as Ryou rolled in close himself.
"Give her Raziel's card!" Yami demanded. Ryou fumbled once again for the object and handed it to her, she was only inches from his face at the time, the proximity of her and Yami made it hard for Ryou to move. "Tear it in half!" he added once she had it.
"Bakura made me tear a card earlier and the person trapped inside was lost forever, I can't do that!" she cried.
"Just do it, it has to be you since you put him in there. Bakura did it through you, but it was you that did it. If you tear it he can be set free. And he's able to switch realms on his own, he won't be lost!" Yami yelled over the sound of falling rock and stone. Reluctantly, Sarah bit the card and ripped with her free hand. The two halves dissolved into nothing and the quake stopped suddenly. Slowly the three separated and looked about. The building that stood before them was decimated. The Pillars in the center were broken even more than they had been before. Not a single one stood more than two feet high. The ground under them had been cracked, it looked as if something dark was bubbling up from under. Huge fissures snaked along the ground, their ends just before where the trio was huddled.
Sarah made a choked sob as she turned to look around. The cliffs too had tumbled, new passes opened where moments before there had been nothing but solid rock. "I destroyed Nosgoth," she whimpered.
"No you didn't!" Yami said as he wrapped his arms around the trembling woman.
"This is all my fault, because of me Bakura was able to steal Raziel away. I did this," she sniffled. "What about Yugi?" she asked quietly.
"We'll find him, don't worry," Ryou said as he moved in to join the hug. "He'll be just fine, you'll see."
"He will not remain safe if he stays here," Kain hissed as he appeared before the group. "Eight days! It took you eight days to return Raziel, look at the chaos caused by his absence, look at the further damn nation you brought forth! All water has run red with blood, the very blood of the land. It's touch is deadly to even a vampire! The whole of the Rahabim were wiped out, the humans are all either dead or dying and demons have begun to rip through from other dimensions. You failed to keep your end of the bargain. Why should I hold fast to mine?"
"Raziel did return! And how could it have been eight days, it was at most one for us!" Yami yelled as he stood to look at the vampire lord.
"Your child is in the dungeons, behind the Pillars. Go to him and claim him if he still lives. I have no time to deal with you, this is not over yet and my attention is needed elsewhere. You further the decay and I will see that none of you leave this place," Kain warned before he vanished.
"Hurry, I want to get out of here. I want to avoid Kain and Raziel before they turn their anger on us," Sarah said as she stood. "I am so sorry," she said quietly to the land.
"We should be thanking you," a gravely voice chuckled. The trio whirled around to face a large monster. It had a permanent snarl on it's face, large horns extended from the sides of it's head and curled in like a ram's. It flexed large three fingered hands and rolled it's shoulders back, huge spikes stretched up from along the entire length of it. "If not for your meddling Nosgoth would not have become ripe for a second invasion. Though you returned the blue bane, there is not much he can do. I cannot allow any further tampering however, Nosgoth will be your final resting place!" The demon reared back before lowering his head, a thick stream of fire rushed forward.
"Get out of the way!" Ryou yelled as he rolled to the side.
"Get up! You can't stay down!" Sarah screamed as she tugged him out of the way just before a massive hoof stomped the ground near him.
"His foot's bigger than I am!" Ryou cried as he scrambled to his feet. The beast stalked toward them, moving slowly but steadily.
"Yami! You can't take it out, don't try!" Sarah yelled as she saw him run behind it. The demon spun around quickly and charged the Spirit, Yami made a jump at the last moment and ended up on the demon's head. He grabbed a spike for support as he tried desperately to gather enough magic for a monster summoning. The demon took to bucking and shaking while he threw fireballs at the other two humans.
"This is just going so well, wouldn't you agree?" Ryou huffed as he took cover behind a rock.
"Fuck, it's not getting any easier," Sarah hissed as she rolled out of the way from a neon purple stream. The liquid splashed against the rock and instantly corroded half of it. The green demon that spit the acid swung it's bladed forearms at Ryou, the teen ducked and yelped as he dodged the attack.
"You cannot escape, travelers," the demon slurred as it vomited another stream of acid. Sarah took a chance and rolled under the beast while it was stretched out in the attack. She took a rock shard and rammed it through the beast's exposed neck. She cried out in pain as bits of acid and demon blood speckled her hand. The beast roared as it thrashed and batted the woman away. She hit a rock and groaned as she tried to right herself, her hand burned badly by the acid. Ryou began pelting the wounded demon with rocks, the beast roared again and charged him. He screamed and ran off, narrowly avoiding another shot of acid and blood. He led the demon to where Yami was still sitting atop the larger brute, Yami's demon hissed and threw a fireball at Ryou, exactly what he had hopped for. Ryou dropped to the dust as the projectile flew over his head and right down the throat of the acid demon as it prepared for another attack. Smoke billowed from it's gaping maw as it choked on it's own acid and blood. The beast fell over with it's hide smoking. The fire demon bucked and roared as it tossed Yami off it, the Spirit yelled out as his summon finally went through. The Black Magician pulled himself into the world and used the butt of his staff to gouge one of the demon's eyes out.
"Take cover!" the Magician commanded as he spun his staff around for another attack. The demon was clawing at his face where the ruined eye ran down it. The Magician cast a spell to petrify the brute, with another hit from his staff the beast crumbled and fell apart.
"Is everyone alright?" the Magician asked as he leaned lightly on his weapon.
"A sore back, but I'm fine," Yami grunted as he pulled himself from a pile of rocks.
"Never better," Ryou gave a thumbs up from where he still lay on the ground.
"I've had better days," Sarah hissed as she tenderly held her wounded right hand. "I do everything with this hand, this just bites the big one."
"I'm afraid I'm not a healer," the Magician said as he kneeled beside her.
"Didn't think so, but I'm the least of our worries at the moment." She took the cloth the Magician had summoned for her and tried to tie it around her hand, he ended up having to do it for her. "Thanks," she said through gritted teeth.
"It's the least I can do," the Magician bowed his head.
"Behind the Pillars?" Yami asked as he made his way through rubble.
"Yeah, Kain said that was the direction in which the cells Yugi's in are at," Sarah replied as the Magician helped her stand. "What a mess," she sighed.
"No, you will not blame yourself again," Ryou grumbled as he put an arm around her. "Just worry about getting Yugi out, we still need you for navigation so you can't go to pieces on us."
"I'm afraid I don't really know the area we're heading for. And even if I did I'm sure the earthquakes have changed it a good deal."
"It doesn't matter if you know it or not, you're still a useful member of this team. Shall we proceed?" Yami ushered her on towards the ruined building.
Legacy of Kain characters and everything related is (c) Crystal Dynamics and Silicon Knights.
"Step away from me at once if you value whatever form of life you hold," the woman hissed at Raziel. It wasn't her voice, the voice was obviously Bakura.
"You devil!" Raziel growled. "How dare you steal her from me! Why will you not let this just end?" the Reaver of Souls yelled as he summoned the wraith blade.
"This ends now, I'm through with you!" Bakura hissed. He snapped a borrowed arm up and Raziel froze in his tracks. The fiend's cry was cut short as he suddenly vanished. Bakura smirked as he looked at the card that materialized in his hand. "Now that wasn't so bad was it?" he cooed at the image. "You can't feel a thing, can't interact with anyone and will be out of mind before this day is done. While you have been retired, I have work to do. The Pharaoh is weak," Bakura chuckled. "And he'll never see it coming..."
"Well get over there!" Yami exclaimed once Seto relayed the news Sarah had been found. "Before they find her!"
"I wonder what she's been through, the poor girl," Ryou said softly as he looked out the window of the chopper.
"She's in good condition, I was told she's moving quite quickly on foot. I've got someone that's going to try and calm her into waiting for us, but no promises," Seto announced.
"How soon can we get there? I think we're all ready to end everything," Yami sighed.
"We're there, you forget air travel is quite fast," Seto said as the chopper waited for clearance before landing.
"Raziel will be the only loose end, but he should find us easy enough," Ryou sighed.
"Well we should hope so," Yami replied distantly.
"I'm so glad to see you guys!" the woman exclaimed as she pounced the nearest person. Seto worked his way free with a scowl and shooed her on to one of the others as they exited the building his chopper had landed atop.
"How did you get away?" Yami asked as he returned the hug she gave him.
"I don't really remember," she frowned. "I just remember running from everyone when something happened. Someone did something that caused a big scene back where I was. I don't even remember where I came from. I just ran. I thought I'd never see you guys again," she said before moving to Ryou. The teen noticed a slight hesitation before she latched onto him but didn't pay attention to it. She held onto him for the longest time. "Now I know how you must have felt back in Nosgoth," she said just loud enough for him to hear. "Where's Raziel?" she asked once she finally let Ryou go.
"He went looking for you last night, I assume he didn't find you?" Yami asked.
"Nuh-uh. Unless he had been what caused the distraction and allowed me to get away. He could still be back with Malik!" she said fearfully.
"We can go search for him, I want you safe and sound back with Grandpa," Yami said.
"Ok, as much as I want to go with you; I don't want to be anywhere near Malik," she gave a nervous laugh.
"We can drop you off while I have my men try and figure out where you came from," Seto said as he motioned back towards the building.
"Thank you," Sarah said. Her eyes lowered for a moment and her hair ruffled from an unseen breeze, she gave Ryou a dark smile that everyone missed before she returned to normal and opted to thread her arm through his.
"I worry about that, I really do." Yami raised a brow as he caught it. "You can't let anything happen, you can't stay here."
"A little late for that," she replied gruffly and under her breath. It almost didn't sound like her, but the cough that followed seemed to clear her throat and restore her voice.
"I'd like to stay with her, I don't think you really need me out there. Just a third wheel, heh," Ryou said as the four got into the elevator.
"Fine by me, I really don't give a rat's ass," Seto grunted.
"I suppose, she might want someone around she's a bit more comfortable with," Yami shrugged as the door closed.
"Oh dear, it's good to see you!" Mr. Mutou chuckled as the woman stooped to give him a hug.
"Great to be back," she smiled.
"We're going to stay here while Seto and Yugi try to find Raziel. Once he's found maybe everything can go back to normal," Ryou announced as he stepped inside the shop.
"Very well then, make yourselves comfortable upstairs. I can make you something for breakfast if you wish, I can finish sweeping later," the old man offered.
"Oh, no, that's ok. I want to take a nap if at all possible, I'm worn out already." Sarah shook her head as she declined the offer.
"Alright then, go on in and make yourselves at home," he chuckled.
"Now that I have the chance I'm going to ask again. What did Bakura mean when he said you traded part of your soul for Ryou?" Seto stopped Yami before he could board the chopper again. Yami glared hard at Seto for a moment then sighed as he ran a hand through his hair.
"Raziel is the glue that binds Nosgoth. In the whole mess Bakura had made sure to leave Ryou behind. We needed him to hunt down Bakura but in order to get him I had to cut a deal with Kain, the ruler of Nosgoth. He's holding Yugi - the real Yugi - until I return with Raziel."
"You made a deal without knowing if he will actually uphold it, are you insane?" Seto snapped as he grabbed the shorter teen by the collar of his shirt.
"I did what I had to when Yugi offered himself for the job! He wouldn't take no for an answer and I respect him. He put a lot of faith in me on this and I will not let him down. Now, can we get on with the search?"
"Very well then. I'll keep an eye on you to make sure you don't do anything stupid like that again."
Ryou tried to fight the flush he felt on his cheeks when the woman curled up next to him. Back in Nosgoth he thought nothing of it, just reassurance that she wasn't going to leave him there. But now it was different and having her so close made him nervous. She seemed happy with the motion and Ryou didn't bother to protest, he figured she was still scared from her run in with Malik. He frowned and shifted a bit when something under her shirt jabbed him in the side. She simply looked up at him as she pulled the Ring out.
"Miss me?" Bakura spoke through her. He made a kissing sound and placed his hands behind his head before laying down on Ryou's lap. The teen just stared wide eyed down at the possessed woman. "She likes you. Really, I've gone snooping and everything. She's just putty in your hands and you don't know it. It happened in Nosgoth, she's fighting herself over the issue. It's quite amusing really, the amount of pain," Bakura cooed. "And all because she knows she can't stay with you."
"Leave her alone," Ryou said hoarsely.
"As if you are in a position to demand it?" Bakura chuckled. He sat up and positioned himself in a rather compromising manner, Ryou was frozen as Bakura moved the woman to straddle the younger teen. "And you don't know what to make of anything, do you? This is new to you is it not?" Bakura whispered in his ear. "You're just frozen. Is it in fear or is there something inside you that's enjoying this. Hrm?" Ryou jumped slightly when Bakura wound a finger in his hair. "Your heart rate has increased, but it could be for either thing," he said slowly as he moved around to face Ryou. "Why you're trembling," Bakura chuckled. "You want to see something even funnier?" He waited for an answer but got none, Ryou simply stared right back. "Well not like you get a choice," Bakura shrugged. Ryou's heart about leapt to his throat when Bakura did something he least expected. "And now I leave you!" Bakura said cheerfully before relinquishing his hold on the woman.
Sarah closed her eyes and mumbled before shaking her head slightly. "Wha..? HOLY CRAP!" she exclaimed as she fell backwards. "Oh god, I am so sorry!" she tried to hide the red of her face after realizing where her hand had been and how close she had been to the teen. "I didn't mean to grab--I am so sorry!" she replied as she sat bewildered on the floor.
"Bakura," Ryou said softly.
"What?" she asked.
"Bakura's here."
"Where?" the woman looked around, grateful for the distraction.
"Inside you..." Ryou answered. "I'm sorry..."
About then she found the Ring around her neck, she took the thing off and tossed it across the room before dashing off to hide under the kitchen table. "I remember it now," she said from between the table legs.
"Remember what?" Ryou asked as he slowly moved up to her. She backed away and shook her head.
"On the boat, Malik found Bakura. He was bound and tied, the Ring and Eye," Sarah stopped and pulled the Eye out of her pocket. "Where in a box," she tossed the Eye aside and watched it roll. "Malik, Malik was taunting Bakura with them. Saying he had them now when Bakura just vanished. His clothing and the restraints fell to the floor. In the confusion I grabbed both the Eye and Ring and ran. As I fled I also grabbed my normal clothing. Malik had me dressed in something else. Anyway, what I was wearing had no pockets. I managed to cram the Eye into the bag that had my clothing, but to get the Ring in I had to open it. That would take too much time, so I put the Ring on. Got off the boat, changed and ran into Raziel..." the woman stopped and shuddered violently. "Bakura came out then, Ryou... Ryou, he trapped Raziel." She turned away and curled into ball.
"Sarah," Ryou said quietly as he inched forward. The woman waved him off the first time but allowed him to touch her the second. He pulled her up and against him as he pet her hair. "Sarah, Raziel isn't gone," he said softly.
"I got Yugi trapped in Nosgoth!" she wailed.
"No, listen to me," Ryou said gently. "He's probably got Raziel in a card. Check your pockets." The woman sniffled and sat up as she did just that. In her right knee pocket she found something. The woman slowly pulled it out. Her eyes widened and she dropped the card with a whimper. Ryou reached for it slowly, he flipped it and looked at the image. It was Raziel, he had been captured in what looked like a lunge. The Reaver seemed to actually sparkle and shine on the card. Ryou sighed as he put the card in his pocket, he didn't know what else to do. "Sarah, you should keep the Items with you. Bakura won't let you go anywhere without them. It's temporary. We'll get you freed, I promise."
"I'm scared, Ryou," she said as she locked her brown eyes with his.
"I know, and so am I." He pulled her into a hug and rocked her gently as she cried.
"I've no time to deal with you, Pharaoh," Malik snorted as he walked down the dock.
"I want Raziel!" Yami demanded.
"The blue fiend has escaped you as well?" the Egyptian scowled. "He must have been behind Bakura's escape," he said more to himself than anyone else.
"Bakura's back in the game?" Seto asked.
"Yes! Of course, he is. What, did you expect him to just go hang out at a bar and drink his problems away?" Malik snapped.
Yami narrowed his eyes, rather than replying he turned and broke into a run. Seto scowled and followed.
"You believe him, just like that?"
"Yes, Bakura's back in the game. We have to get back to Ryou and Sarah before he does."
"I'm going to sit outside for a little bit," Sarah said as she walked past Mr. Mutou.
"Where's Ryou?" he asked.
"Asleep," she replied simply.
"And I thought you were the one wanting a nap," he chuckled.
"Looks like Ryou needed it more." Bakura rolled his eyes once he had stepped outside. He had to get moving, when Ryou came to he'd warn everyone of what was going on. But Bakura had to find Yami first. He had to be there so when his form vanished like Bakura's had, he would hand the Puzzle willingly to Sarah. "Three will be in my possession," he chuckled.
"I know you'll be around here somewhere, little Pharaoh," Bakura muttered to himself as the Ring pulled him towards the Puzzle. He was in a dead run, cursing the fact the woman who was his host was in such poor shape. His chest heaved with the action, the painful bounce of her anatomy took some getting used to. In fact, Bakura had to learn how to balance all over again when he first took her over. She was much different than a male host, at least the initial awkwardness had worn off. After a while the Spirit decided to just tuck the Ring into her shirt, it's bouncing off the woman's chest only added to his discomfort. Bakura slowed as he reached where he thought the Pharaoh was. He gasped for breath and sat down for a moment, the tightness in his chest wouldn't go away. Quickly Bakura implanted an idea in the woman's head before he relinquished hold on her.
"What are you doing out here?" Seto asked as he knelt beside her.
"Bakura came after Ryou and I," she gasped. "He needed a host again."
"So it has happened," Seto grunted as he dropped what Yami had been wearing on the ground.
"What?" Sarah asked as she nudged it.
"He started fading, the last time he faded he didn't come back. I don't know where--"
"There's not much time!" Yami said quickly as he grabbed the Puzzle and an article of clothing from Seto. Yami held it in front of his nude form and blushed slightly. "I have to hand this to you for a while. I trust you with it, Sarah. Guard it with your life as you keep it for Yugi and I." He handed the Puzzle to the woman just as his figure faded out again.
"You can trust me," she replied as she slipped the cord around her neck. The woman started to laugh, slowly her voice faded into an obviously masculine one. Bakura shoved Seto to the side as he stood up.
"You fools! I have the Puzzle now! Three Items to my name, at this rate I'll have them all!" Bakura kicked Seto in the face as the teen made a move to get up. He took off in a run again, this time to hide. Yami was beginning to open a bond with the woman in an effort to oust him, Bakura couldn't be out in the open for the battle that was bound to ensue.
"Are you alright?" Yami asked as he helped the woman up. He had navigated to the core of her mind, where the rooms she drew herself into could be found. Newly forged the place was bare and sterile.
"Why is he doing this?" she asked as she leaned on the other Spirit.
"For power, together we can oust him."
"No, get back to the Game Shop to check on Ryou. He clubbed him and left him tied in the closet. He has Raziel's card," the woman replied.
"Raziel was stuck in a card?"
"Yes, and I'm so damn glad Ryou took it from me, else Bakura might have dropped it somewhere and we would have lost him. I'm so very sorry, I didn't mean to be the cause for Yugi's prolonged stay in Nosgoth."
"No one is blaming you. We knew the risks when this was agreed on."
"But no one planed for this!" Sarah blurted out.
"No, and that's why it worked," Bakura chuckled as he walked into the room.
"YOU!" Sarah screamed. "You've dug through my mind, pulled out things you had no business digging in! Leave me the hell alone and just go away!"
"I would if I could, but I'm stuck with you now," he growled. "But the upside is I have the Puzzle."
"I came with it, you aren't in total control of it," Yami hissed.
"No, but closer than I've ever been before. We're in one body now, Pharaoh. If you want to keep your claim on the Puzzle you'll have to stay here. You gave it to her willingly, and if I take control she can never give it back willingly."
"I'll find a way to be rid of you, I swear," Sarah spat as she glared at him. She blinked then glared at him again. "Who's in control if you're in here?" she demanded.
"No one, you're safely hidden away though. Do not worry. As displeased as I am with you, I need you. You should be happy," he chuckled. "I know your feelings for Ryou. We share the same looks, I'm all yours, love." He spread his arms wide and laughed.
Yami made a face as he clubbed the white-haired Spirit. "Help me move him to the other room, I'll work on keeping him in there while you get back to the Game Shop. I'll keep tabs on you. When you get the card and Ryou let me know. We're going back to Nosgoth."
"Yes, will do. And thank you," Sarah replied as she helped drag Bakura off.
Sarah didn't even bother to stop in and let Mr. Mutou know she was back, she raced back into the living quarters and to where Ryou was in the closet. He had just come to when she found him and untied him.
"You have the Puzzle and Ring!" Was the first thing out of his mouth.
"Yeah, I've got two yamis at the moment. Aren't I lucky?" she said sarcastically. "You still have Raziel?"
"Yes," Ryou said as he pulled the card from his pocket.
"Good, let me see if Yami Yugi can spare a moment from his watch over Bakura, long enough to get us into Nosgoth."
"Ryou," Yami spoke through the woman. "I want to make sure you're ok with the plan. We're going to have to put Bakura back..."
"I understand," Ryou said as he lowered his head.
"You were meant to host him as Yugi was meant to host me. Though it's not the same for you as it is for Yugi and I. I'm sorry, I wish there were another way."
"No, don't be sorry. It's not your fault. Let's get going, then. Can she lead you from there?" Ryou asked.
"I certainly hope so, she's also fighting to keep Bakura locked up. I hope she can lend enough attention to me to unlock barriers..."
Rather than waste more time worrying about what might happen, Yami gathered his magic to shift himself and Ryou to the Shadow Realm. From there they made the quick passage back to Sarah's room and then into the Shadow Realm there.
"Now I understand how she felt," Yami grit his teeth at the sudden wave of emotions, voices and thoughts from all of the portals. He made his way as best he could to the Nosgothic doorway before trying to open it. No luck. "I have to put Sarah in charge Ryou, watch her carefully until we're on the other side," Yami said through the mental maelstrom.
"I will, you have my word," Ryou nodded as Yami relinquished his hold. The woman blinked and went about opening the door while her two temporary yamis battled it out. "Go!" she commanded once she had an opening. Ryou hurried through and turned to help her. Sarah collapsed in the dust of Nosgoth and let out a short laugh. The action was cut short by a violent earthquake. She and Ryou had to make a mad dash out of the mountain pass they had arrived in. It wasn't the first quake, other rocks and boulders littered the area.
"We shouldn't be going this way!" Sarah yelled as soon as she realized where they were. "The Abyss will have us trapped if this pass closes!"
"I'd be more worried about the Abyss itself," Ryou gasped as he came to a sudden stop. The blue and green waters of before were no more. Great falls of red flowed in their place. "I can't tell if it's blood or lava..." Ryou said in an awe inspired terror. The ghastly sounds he heard before had stopped, an eerie calm claimed the location. Only the bubble and gurgle of the red flows was heard.
"Don't know, don't care. But the place is coming down. We have to use the gate and get out of here," Sarah commanded as she turned around to head for it. About that moment both Bakura and Yami manifest themselves. Bakura knocked Yami into Ryou as he grabbed Sarah, another rock slide gave Bakura the opening he was looking for. He took the woman and headed for the gate, the door had been jarred open so he needn't mess with it. "You shouldn't have said we were in Nosgoth else I wouldn't have abandoned her mind!" Bakura cackled.
"Not again!" Sarah growled as she tried to fight back.
"Yes, again. You've got the damned Puzzle and now that the bond we had just started is cut I can't get to it. But that means Yami can't either, you are the soul possessor of it," he growled as he activated the gate and took them to a random location.
"Bakura!" Sarah hissed. "We can't stay here! It's the Cathedral I warned you of!" she screamed madly.
"I always imagined my name to be screamed that way while in bed, I suppose I'll have to settle for this."
"Oh fuck off," Sarah snapped as she managed to break free.
"You use that line of profanity to follow up what I said?" he raised a brow and laughed. Before the woman could get too far from him, Bakura grabbed her and pulled the Ring off from her neck, he then started going through her pockets in search of the Eye. The woman slapped him as soon as he found what he had been looking for.
"You knew damn well which pocket it was in, you did that on purpose!" she hissed.
"Maybe, maybe not," he chuckled as he stepped back on the rune at the base of the gate. There was a hiss and growl as a white beast with red eyes and black legs dropped down from the ceiling. Sarah screamed like a frightened school girl as the vampire jumped at her. Bakura simply watched her try to avoid its attacks.
"You fucking asshole!" she cried at him as tears streamed down her cheeks. She dodged another swipe from the spider-like creature and tripped over the webbing material that covered the floor, walls and ceiling of the room. The spider creature pounced her and opened its mouth in anticipation of the meal it was about to get. Sarah screamed again as she placed a kick in it's mid section, the spider's light build allowed her to get the beast off her. Bakura had the gate activated at that point and stepped through, Sarah scrambled after him as well as the vampire. She rolled away as the gate shut off, the unlucky vampire roared as it was cut neatly in half; the top half thumped dully on the stone surface and Sarah broke down into choked sobs.
"Get up, you're still alive," Bakura said sourly.
"You wanted it to kill me so you could take the Puzzle!" she yelled. She blinked a few times then wiped her eyes. "I still have a bond with Yami, he's calling to me now." She stepped back on the gate's rune and activated it before randomly racing through to the first portal that popped up. From there she activated the gate once more and headed to yet another random location before taking a third trip back to the Abyss. She had been quick enough to effectively loose Bakura, she hopped he didn't remember the gates and would be left trying to figure out where she was. Sarah ran out of the gate room and right into Yami, she yelled as the two toppled each other.
"Take it! Quickly!" she said as she removed the Puzzle and gave it back to him. "I think he was going to take me back and leave the two of you here," she sniffled. Yami pulled himself off the woman then helped her stand.
Ryou stood atop fallen rocks. "We can get through here if we hurry!" he shouted.
"Go! Just move! We have to get out of here before another quake hits!" Yami commanded as he and Sarah took to climbing over the rocks themselves. Once out of the pass they were greeted by the sight of the crumbling Sanctuary of the Clans. Another quake rocked the ground, knocking the trio off their feet. Yami made a move to protect Sarah from debris as Ryou rolled in close himself.
"Give her Raziel's card!" Yami demanded. Ryou fumbled once again for the object and handed it to her, she was only inches from his face at the time, the proximity of her and Yami made it hard for Ryou to move. "Tear it in half!" he added once she had it.
"Bakura made me tear a card earlier and the person trapped inside was lost forever, I can't do that!" she cried.
"Just do it, it has to be you since you put him in there. Bakura did it through you, but it was you that did it. If you tear it he can be set free. And he's able to switch realms on his own, he won't be lost!" Yami yelled over the sound of falling rock and stone. Reluctantly, Sarah bit the card and ripped with her free hand. The two halves dissolved into nothing and the quake stopped suddenly. Slowly the three separated and looked about. The building that stood before them was decimated. The Pillars in the center were broken even more than they had been before. Not a single one stood more than two feet high. The ground under them had been cracked, it looked as if something dark was bubbling up from under. Huge fissures snaked along the ground, their ends just before where the trio was huddled.
Sarah made a choked sob as she turned to look around. The cliffs too had tumbled, new passes opened where moments before there had been nothing but solid rock. "I destroyed Nosgoth," she whimpered.
"No you didn't!" Yami said as he wrapped his arms around the trembling woman.
"This is all my fault, because of me Bakura was able to steal Raziel away. I did this," she sniffled. "What about Yugi?" she asked quietly.
"We'll find him, don't worry," Ryou said as he moved in to join the hug. "He'll be just fine, you'll see."
"He will not remain safe if he stays here," Kain hissed as he appeared before the group. "Eight days! It took you eight days to return Raziel, look at the chaos caused by his absence, look at the further damn nation you brought forth! All water has run red with blood, the very blood of the land. It's touch is deadly to even a vampire! The whole of the Rahabim were wiped out, the humans are all either dead or dying and demons have begun to rip through from other dimensions. You failed to keep your end of the bargain. Why should I hold fast to mine?"
"Raziel did return! And how could it have been eight days, it was at most one for us!" Yami yelled as he stood to look at the vampire lord.
"Your child is in the dungeons, behind the Pillars. Go to him and claim him if he still lives. I have no time to deal with you, this is not over yet and my attention is needed elsewhere. You further the decay and I will see that none of you leave this place," Kain warned before he vanished.
"Hurry, I want to get out of here. I want to avoid Kain and Raziel before they turn their anger on us," Sarah said as she stood. "I am so sorry," she said quietly to the land.
"We should be thanking you," a gravely voice chuckled. The trio whirled around to face a large monster. It had a permanent snarl on it's face, large horns extended from the sides of it's head and curled in like a ram's. It flexed large three fingered hands and rolled it's shoulders back, huge spikes stretched up from along the entire length of it. "If not for your meddling Nosgoth would not have become ripe for a second invasion. Though you returned the blue bane, there is not much he can do. I cannot allow any further tampering however, Nosgoth will be your final resting place!" The demon reared back before lowering his head, a thick stream of fire rushed forward.
"Get out of the way!" Ryou yelled as he rolled to the side.
"Get up! You can't stay down!" Sarah screamed as she tugged him out of the way just before a massive hoof stomped the ground near him.
"His foot's bigger than I am!" Ryou cried as he scrambled to his feet. The beast stalked toward them, moving slowly but steadily.
"Yami! You can't take it out, don't try!" Sarah yelled as she saw him run behind it. The demon spun around quickly and charged the Spirit, Yami made a jump at the last moment and ended up on the demon's head. He grabbed a spike for support as he tried desperately to gather enough magic for a monster summoning. The demon took to bucking and shaking while he threw fireballs at the other two humans.
"This is just going so well, wouldn't you agree?" Ryou huffed as he took cover behind a rock.
"Fuck, it's not getting any easier," Sarah hissed as she rolled out of the way from a neon purple stream. The liquid splashed against the rock and instantly corroded half of it. The green demon that spit the acid swung it's bladed forearms at Ryou, the teen ducked and yelped as he dodged the attack.
"You cannot escape, travelers," the demon slurred as it vomited another stream of acid. Sarah took a chance and rolled under the beast while it was stretched out in the attack. She took a rock shard and rammed it through the beast's exposed neck. She cried out in pain as bits of acid and demon blood speckled her hand. The beast roared as it thrashed and batted the woman away. She hit a rock and groaned as she tried to right herself, her hand burned badly by the acid. Ryou began pelting the wounded demon with rocks, the beast roared again and charged him. He screamed and ran off, narrowly avoiding another shot of acid and blood. He led the demon to where Yami was still sitting atop the larger brute, Yami's demon hissed and threw a fireball at Ryou, exactly what he had hopped for. Ryou dropped to the dust as the projectile flew over his head and right down the throat of the acid demon as it prepared for another attack. Smoke billowed from it's gaping maw as it choked on it's own acid and blood. The beast fell over with it's hide smoking. The fire demon bucked and roared as it tossed Yami off it, the Spirit yelled out as his summon finally went through. The Black Magician pulled himself into the world and used the butt of his staff to gouge one of the demon's eyes out.
"Take cover!" the Magician commanded as he spun his staff around for another attack. The demon was clawing at his face where the ruined eye ran down it. The Magician cast a spell to petrify the brute, with another hit from his staff the beast crumbled and fell apart.
"Is everyone alright?" the Magician asked as he leaned lightly on his weapon.
"A sore back, but I'm fine," Yami grunted as he pulled himself from a pile of rocks.
"Never better," Ryou gave a thumbs up from where he still lay on the ground.
"I've had better days," Sarah hissed as she tenderly held her wounded right hand. "I do everything with this hand, this just bites the big one."
"I'm afraid I'm not a healer," the Magician said as he kneeled beside her.
"Didn't think so, but I'm the least of our worries at the moment." She took the cloth the Magician had summoned for her and tried to tie it around her hand, he ended up having to do it for her. "Thanks," she said through gritted teeth.
"It's the least I can do," the Magician bowed his head.
"Behind the Pillars?" Yami asked as he made his way through rubble.
"Yeah, Kain said that was the direction in which the cells Yugi's in are at," Sarah replied as the Magician helped her stand. "What a mess," she sighed.
"No, you will not blame yourself again," Ryou grumbled as he put an arm around her. "Just worry about getting Yugi out, we still need you for navigation so you can't go to pieces on us."
"I'm afraid I don't really know the area we're heading for. And even if I did I'm sure the earthquakes have changed it a good deal."
"It doesn't matter if you know it or not, you're still a useful member of this team. Shall we proceed?" Yami ushered her on towards the ruined building.
