Sorry this took so long to get out, I couldn't decide from whose PoV this chapter should be told. I was debating between Crystal, Seto, and Bakura. Finally I came up with the perfect way to tell this chapter. *Drum roll* Third Person. It will allow me to go through all the characters' emotions. I know it is different than usual, but it will work the best. The very last part is in Crystal's Point of view though. Thought I'd forewarn you.
Oh yeah, you guys really should read the author's notes and tell me what you think of my friend's drawing. I promised to rely your comments, but I have only gotten one so far. Just take out the spaces in the address to view the pic.
^Blah^ = Japanese
+Blah+ = Egyptian
Chapter Fifteen: The Final Challenge
Yami, Ryou, and Seto ran through the passageways of Marik and Malik's hideout following Ryou's Millennium Ring as its pointers indicated which way to the Millennium Rod. Rage and worry were mixed in Seto Kaiba's face, while he ran after the white-haired boy. After several more twists and turns, Ryou came to a stop in front of an ornate door. They had arrived at the main hall, where Malik and Marik operated their Rare Hunters. Yami and Ryou gave each other a knowing glance and placed their hands on either side of their own Millennium Item, chanting in ancient Egyptian.
A crimson aura spread around Yami's body, while an azure one spread around Ryou's. Then a golden glow started to form around their Items. The two of them stopped chanting, causing two powerful blasts of golden magic to shoot from their Items into the door. There was a deep rumbling as the stone doors slowly creaked open, revealing the main hall of the hideout. Before anyone else could move, Ryou said that he would wait outside. Yami and Seto each gave a curt nodded before entering the main hall.
Yami gave Seto a silent reminder to keep his emotions in check, as the two of them made their way to the other end of the hall, where Malik and Marik were seated in Egyptian throne-like chairs. To the left of Malik's seat were two large violet pillows trimmed with gold corded fabric, on which a very frail girl sat, resting her head against the arm of Malik's throne. Seto and Yami stared in shock once they realized that the girl was Crystal. She was pale and weak looking, and her hair hung limply down her back. Crystal looked up at the two of them, but not meeting their eyes.
^What did you do to her?^ Yami demanded when Crystal looked down to avoid making eye contact with him.
^I did not harm her, if that's what you are asking.^ Malik replied, running his hand through Crystal's hair.
^Then why does she not look at us in the eye?^ Seto asked coldly, glaring at the Egyptian Spirit.
"What don't you ask her?" Malik responded, "You may answer him, Tenshi."
"Crystal, why don't you look us in the eye?" Seto asked in a gentler tone.
Crystal bit her lip and shrank down in response to Seto's question. Her body began to tremble as crystalline tears flowed down her cheeks. Yami placed a hand on Seto's shoulder as the taller boy shook with rage, both of them glaring daggers at Malik and Marik. Malik returned the glares with a broad smirk, continuing to stroke Crystal's hair, as Marik gently held the Millennium Rod in his lap. The only sound in the room was Crystal's soft whimpering, which echoed slightly through the room.
"Hush now, Tenshi." Malik ordered gently, "No harm shall come to you."
^Your brother was right, Kaiba.^ Marik said smugly, ^She truly is an Angel of Light.^
^How did you know he called her that?^ Kaiba snapped, his ocean eyes flashing angrily.
^Those men that attacked them were Rare Hunters.^ Malik replied, ^I was going to ransom your brother for Obelisk, but I found something I wanted even more.^
^Enough of these games.^ Yami seethed, ^Crystal is slowly dying without her Light Magic. I can already see you've exposed her to even more Shadow Magic.^
^If you want her back, you must win her in a Shadow Game.^ Malik stated, +Rishid, come here.+
+Yes, Master Malik.+ Rishid answered, entering the room from a side door.
+Remove the girl. We are about to play a Shadow Game.+ Malik ordered, ^I believe Ryou Bakura is waiting outside the main doors. The two of you shall watch over her. Marik or I will contact you when she may return.^
Rishid bowed and stepped up to Crystal's trembling form. She shakily rose from the pillows, not looking up at anyone. Then as Rishid brought Crystal past Yami and Seto, Seto touched her shoulder. Crystal froze at the contact and stared at Seto, cold fear set in her dull sapphire eyes. A gentle tug on her arm from Rishid set Crystal back into motion, slowly continuing to head for the main doors.
"What did they do to you Crystal?" Ryou gasped when he saw Crystal's pale and frail body.
^This is the result of the ceremony, boy.^ Rishid replied, ^Now I believe you were to restore her Light Magic so that the winner of the match claims both the girl and her power.^
A pulse of weakness caused Crystal's knees to give out beneath her body, lucky both Ryou and Rishid caught Crystal before she hit the ground. Her body seemed to become even weaker and frailer within the past few seconds, meaning that the Shadow Game had begun. Ryou had Rishid lay Crystal on the ground, while he dug into his pockets. Ryou pulled out a yellowed sheet of worn paper, and began to read from slowly.
+To you this Magic I freely give. Essence of Light to strengthen and protect. This Light Magic from within my soul is now given to you.+
Ryou hissed in pain as a ball of white light separated from his body. The ball sank into Crystal's body, making her glow in a soft light. Then she opened her eyes, which were now bright and flashing. The color came back into Crystal's cheeks as she slowly sat up. Then Crystal shakily rose to her feet, feeling the weakness fade slightly. Finally, Crystal slowly walked closer to the door to the main hall, wanting to know what was happening.
"You are not to re-enter that room, until Master Marik or Master Malik say you are allowed." Rishid said firmly.
"I didn't know." Crystal responded softly, backing away from the door.
Suddenly Crystal felt an icy chill run down her spine, before hearing a loud thud. Crystal's heart started to pound in her chest at what she saw. Bakura had taken over Ryou and had sealed Rishid in a Soul Card. Now his cold, hard eyes were focused on her trembling form as he slinked closer. Crystal backed away until her back met a hard surface. She was terrified beyond belief, and too weak to run away without Bakura catching her.
"If I can't have your power, I will not allow anyone else to have it." Bakura said, pulling out a pocketknife, "That includes you, girl."
Crystal knew that no amount of pleading would save her from Bakura's sadistic plan. So, Crystal forced herself to relax as Bakura slinked closer to her now trembling form. With a flick of his wrist, Bakura flipped out the blade of the knife. It glinted dangerously in the orange light of the now setting sun. Then, just before Bakura slashed her, Crystal felt her arm reach out in a lightning fast reaction and grabbed Bakura by the wrist. A freezing sensation coursed through Crystal's body as Marik's voice began to speak through her.
+Now, now, Tomb Robber, I don't think that my yami would appreciated you harming his favorite Mind Slave.+ Marik taunted, +I suggest that you release Rishid's soul from that card, and then both of you bring her into the main hall.+
+Fine, but you have to explain how you made her a Mind Slave.+ Bakura replied coolly, +There is no way you could have used the Rod when she didn't have her Light.+
Marik released his hold over Crystal, and she let go of Bakura's hand as she fell to her knees gasping rapidly. Bakura flipped his knife blade back in, and stuck the pocketknife in his back pocket. Then he pulled out the Soul Card, and muttered something in Ancient Egyptian, causing both his Ring and the Card to glow. There was a bright flash of light, and Rishid groaned softly as he rose to his feet. He glared at Bakura before moving to assist Crystal, as she slowly stopped gasping.
^Your Masters wish for you and I to bring her into the main hall now.^ Bakura said with a smirk firmly planted on his face, ^I guess they don't trust me anymore.^
^After that stunt I'm surprised that you aren't being punished.^ Rishid replied coldly, helping Crystal rise to her feet.
The two of them led Crystal into the main hall, where Marik and Yami stood waiting for them. Marik held the Millennium Rod in his hands, while Yami held a long black silk scarf. Crystal looked about the room nervously, wondering where Seto and Malik were. Sensing Crystal's nervousness, Yami explained that both of them were safe and that they preparing for the final Shadow Game. Crystal gulped softly, worrying about what her fate would be after the final Game had been played.
"You will be blindfolded for the Shadow Game." Yami explained, "Then knocked unconscious for five minutes."
"Upon your awakening, Malik and Kaiba will each spend a designated amount of time with you. Neither of them is allowed to communicate his identity to you, and you are not to ask their identity." Marik continued, "After you spend your designated time with them, you will chose which of one you will stay with. Is that understood?"
"Yes, Master Marik." Crystal replied softly, causing Yami to glare at the Egyptian young man.
Marik shrugged, stating that Crystal was only following Malik's previous order. Yami shook his head in disgust, before wrapping the scarf around Crystal's head several times, blocking out all the light and her sight. Then she felt a sharp pain at the base of her neck, causing Crystal to yelp in pain before she collapsed to the floor. Then Rishid picked up Crystal's body and carried it to the designated room that Marik pointed to. Marik smirked as Rishid left the room; this was one challenge that he believed his yami would win with ease.
Crystal's PoV
I woke up in a silent room, nothing and no one around me. I rose and faltered, nearly falling to my feet, but a pair of gloved hands caught me. I felt them gently lead me somewhere, and soon found myself sitting on what felt like a couch. I gripped my hands together in my lap, shaking in fear. I didn't know who was beside me, and I was worried what would happen while I was blindfolded. The person placed his right hand over my trembling ones and patted them gently, offering silent comfort.
I scooted away, testing the person to see what their reaction would be. He released my hands from his gentle hold, allowing me to move away freely. Then I heard them rise and walk a short distance away, before returning and placing a few grapes in my hands. I ate the grapes silently and gratefully, allowing the sweet juices to run down my throat. Then the guy kissed my forehead, before leaving the room and closing the door. A few minutes later, I heard the door open and close, signaling that the other one had entered the room.
I felt another gloved pair of hands take my hands and gently tug them. I stood and took three steps away from the couch. I heard the person walk around me slowly, examining me. There was something different about this person. He seemed more cautious than the other one. I wanted to rip off the blindfold to see who this was, but I knew that doing that was not a possibility. I had to carry the burden of choosing whom I would go with by his touch.
I heard the person take the few steps back to the couch and sit down. This person didn't want to touch me more than they had to for some reason. I carefully took the few steps back and sat down on the couch. Then I felt the guy beside me tremble, as if he were crying. I touched his cheek and felt a tear roll on to my fingertips. Then the person stiffened beside me, frightened or shocked by my touch. He was afraid that I would recognize him by the touch on cheek.
"I still don't know who you are." I said softly, feeling him relax.
The guy placed his hands upon my own and gave them a gentle squeeze. Then he rose to leave the room and allow me the time I needed to decide which one I was going to leave with. After I heard the door close, I heard another set of footsteps come towards me. The scarf loosened and I could see that I was in a small room with a couch and a small table, on which a bowl of fruit was set. Yami stood before me, Rishid behind him. Both of them making sure that the other would not tell who I had felt first or second.
Yami and Rishid led me back to the main hall, where the four others stood waiting for my answer. Seto and Malik stood opposite of the side door I had been led into the room through. Rishid walked over to the two thrones, where Marik sat, while Yami walked over to Ryou, who stood by the door. All eyes were focused on my trembling form. Now I had to choose which person I wanted to stay with. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, before stating my decision. My mind told me to choose the first person, but my heart was begging me to choose the second.
"I choose to stay with the second." I said.
Cliffhanger!!!!!! I have to make this dramatic; cause the next chapter is the last one. So you'll have to wait until the final chapter to see who was who. I know the answer, but I want you guys to guess whom you thought was who. It'll be a fun way to pass the time while you wait for the final chapter. Oh yeah, I have another idea for another story that I'm going to start after I finish this one. It's going to be good. I hope that you will like it as much as you guys have enjoyed this one.
Read, Review, and Cya on the final Chappie ^_~