"To Love the Dark"
By JessieHeart
~ Disclaimer: I STILL make no claim to Yu-Gi-Oh! or related items, and I would like to point out from the previous chapter, that I NOW all I own is this key board. HEY! No, not the keyboard! Give it back! ~

Chapter Two-
'Council'
*
The Dark Magician appeared with a small 'pop.' He was in Pharaoh Yami's council room.

Despite the casual tunic he'd been wearing earlier, Matjutsushi now donned his full purple enchanter's robes. High boots, a tall hat, and a staff completed the outfit.

Pharaoh Yami nodded at his life-long companion.

"The others will arrive shortly," announced the Pharaoh. His voice was deep and powerful. He sat upon a golden thrown, the eye of Rha engraved above him.

Katsuya Jounouchi was not permitted to attend the council meetings. He was just a servant, after all. He was, however, allowed to stand outside the door and listen; a privilege reserved only for the Pharaoh's personal attendant.

One by one the guests entered the council room. Hiroto Honda was captain of the warriors, her stood by the Pharaoh with his sword.

The high priest Seto Kaiba, settled across the room from Yami.

Third to enter was the maiden Anzu Mazaki. She was dressed in a long, thin skirt slit up to her thigh on both sides. A short-cut top covered her chest. Anzu was the Pharaoh's mistress. Miho Nasaka, Anzu's trusted handmaiden, followed. Honda winked at her.

Other members filed in until only a few seats were left. Jounouchi stood against in the wall, just outside the door. He gazed into the room with a sidelong glance.

"My, my. A servant who watches a private meeting? These are strange times indeed," a soft but arrogant voice said. Jounouchi turned.

The Pharaoh's head adviser, Mai Kujaku, had spoken to him. She was clad in an elegant red dress, cut low to the neck. Jewelry seemed to cover her entire person. Compared to her, Jounouchi felt very low-class in his white servant's uniform.

Confidently, Mai strode up to Katsuya. He glared stubbornly back.

"Witch," Katsuya warned, "Your so called sight into the future may fool the Pharaoh. I, however, do not believe in your tricks. There's no such thing as magic!"

Mai did not respond. Instead, she stepped close enough to him that their bodies touched. Too late, Jounouchi realized she was taking in his breath. Mai's eyes became glazed over and distant.

The witch prophesized, "I see great things will come to pass. The adventure and glory you long for will be yours, if you have to courage to grasp it. Some of your worst fears… are not completely baseless…"

Jounouchi recoiled inwardly. What did this prophet know of his fears and dreams? No one beside himself knew about… Shizuka…

Mai's lips seemed to be searching for his.

Suddenly, her eye's cleared and she strode arrogantly into the council room. Jounouchi was left with a tingling throughout his body.
*

Pharaoh Yami called the group to order. "We all know the ancient power of our land. For centuries the Egyptians have kept these powers dormant, in fear of-"

"World corruption," interrupted Seto Kaiba. He rolled his eyes. "I've heard this speech before. We all have. Our stone tablets keep the magic safe. And only by the blood of the Pharaoh can it be released or sealed. This is so the Pharaoh and him alone can use the magic in times of danger." The rest of the group nodded, familiar with the story.

Yami gave Kaiba a cold stare. "That may be the background story, but not the point I was getting to. If it is true that only the I can release or use the ancient magic, then why has it escaped?" asked Yami. The room was silent. "Somehow, the magic has reached the farthest ends of our world. Even peasants use these… these 'Wizards and Monsters' to settle disputes and win land. They have created a game out of it."

Mai spoke. "If this is true, then why not use the power ourselves?"

Seto laughed. "I believe the Pharaoh has already handled that. He's aligned himself with a wizard who's magic came from the forbidden pyramids…" He stopped and looked directly at Matjustsushi. "I believe that these 'Wizards and Monsters' to be quite… _tame. _"

The magician jumped to his feet, staff raised. Kaiba rose to meet him.

"Kaiba!" Yami shouted in a threatening voice. The priest looked smug.

"Yes, my Pharaoh…" he said mockingly, taking his seat. Anzu noticed a small, white, dragon-shaped necklace around Kaiba's neck. Seeing her gaze, the priest clasped a hand around the pendant. Anzu decided to forget about it.

Yami turned to Matjutsushi. "It is true that your powers come from the pyramids ancient magic. The power has possessed many bodies of creatures and has given them unusual strength. But that is not what concerns what I am worried bout is how the magic escaped in the first place. Something tells me that a great evil allowed it's release… and that it's not over yet."
*

Jounouchi pondered all of this in the hallway. Of course, he did not believe in magic, but if there was some ancient power just running amuck out there that even peasants could control… Jounouchi grinned. It sounded very promising.
*

End of Chapter Two
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