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Consciousness returned slowly for the boy, though the world only seemed to grow blacker for it. His surroundings were new to him, yet there was something perplexingly familiar about that place, as if he was caught in an extension of himself. His powers moved freely through the surrounding mist. However his physical body ensnared him. No hands or chains pinned him to what could only be understood as the floor, but his own body disregarded his commands to get up. His usual infinite energy had been ripped from him. The slightest movement of his fingers seemed too arduous of a task. Now the ground beneath him had been dulled, the black surrounding him was dingy, and the air didn't taste quite as sweet. Even the consuming agony that had driven him from his reality was now only a chilling tickle throughout his body. For Yugi, this reality was being experienced as if there was a thick wool glove capping his senses. Although he did not know it, there was a way to explain his condition.
In that dimension, he was just another human.
Yugi was not meant to be normal. Normal could not even approach the level of energy that Yugi's body required to function. Normal could not survive the purpose. It was yet to be seen if Yugi was even meant to survive the purpose. True, the Pawn had been allowed the advantages of a Queen, but even the most powerful piece on the board is only as useful as the strategy behind it. Fate was not so cruel as to let Will carelessly destroy all its players, but the game had lost its greater meaning long ago. Not every piece needed to be saved to win the game, especially not that piece. If that Pawn was accidentally forgotten, Fate would say another play had occupied the board. Ignoring a piece cut down on available resources. However, what was losing one piece in the scheme of things? Especially when there was a reset button.
This time, Fate seemed to have ignored the ambush Will set up. The newly enhanced Pawn had been placed carelessly in the trap, and Fate was quite content to see the play through. After all, that Pawn was not meant to be blessed with such power. With him destroyed so easily, the game could begin anew and the agreement would be fulfilled; the prophesized one would see to it. Fate would be satisfied: if trouble occurred without that specific Pawn, Will would take the blame; if all went well, Fate would be praised for rectifying the error with such a sacrifice.
If it had occurred that way, the story would have ended with a scared child's death. Surrounded by power but without the energy to cry, the boy would have faded from existence. And perhaps that would have been a sign of compassion from Fate, for instead, Yugi had to face a fortune not his own. But he was not as resigned to such a destiny as had been predicted. The Society should have dissolved their plans the moment Yugi slid over the line.
He let go.
This means nothing to some. Letting go is something to do to get off the monkey bars or to get over a breakup. They have never simply let go. Then again, few have seen the opportunities presented to them. Most would not try it.
That explains nothing.
It is the gray area of any game. There have never been any written rules about such occasions; everything was left up to common courtesy. While the situation is quite a common one, never before had a piece consciously made the move. A minor shift, a gentle nudge or an unstable table leg was all that was needed to send everything plummeting out of control. The game pieces were replaced and a convenient oversight was made. While Fate paid little attention to its own pieces, Will had ensnared the boy with great precision. No one has dared to question why the error of his escape was allowed.
Most might wonder at the condemnation of Yugi for his trickery. Their survival instinct would see no real harm in saving their own lives. A typical person would feel no intended malice from the move and forget it. But there were some souls who could not move on. Perhaps it was their torturous surroundings and their torturous hearts that had got them there or perhaps it was what any tormented soul would do with such opportunity, but they marked Yugi. In a way, he was to be their savior, and they would later attempt to repay him with his death.
But that was the future and that present was unwilling to give such a privilege away without attempting its own deception. Every move could be countered with the proper resources and the mind to use them. Yugi's last move would cost him dearly.
Strategically placed, the former Pawn could have taken an advantage in the game. However, Fate wasn't aware of the opportunity that it had been presented, and randomly placed the former Pawn in the vicinity of where it had been knocked from – though it had hardly been random. Yugi had been called by name to that square.
Cultures have often devised legends about names. Names brought certain traits to the child as they grew and were an affirmation of being alive. When a name was given, rituals were needed to inform the gods of the child so they would not be forgotten. The presence of a person was forever invoked by speaking their name, after it had been accepted. In some societies, at birth, the child received two names; one was used in life and the other was the "true name". The "true name" was never whispered in the living realm, for those who knew the name had control over the bearer. Maybe the simplicity behind capturing the boy was what allowed such success. They had summoned him simply by uttering his name.
When Fate abandoned him, Yugi's world became a wall created by an argument between two people. He was granted sight, but the ambiance of words prevented him from observing the speakers.
The one who spoke with no true form bricked in Yugi. It was a montage of voices, seamlessly switching between accents, ages and sexes. One voice could be of a young Jamaican boy and the next could be of an elderly Australian woman. Never did the pace of speech change or a voice repeat. No cliché regional phrases ever entered the speech. Every word was pronounced as cleanly as the accent allowed. With each new voice came a new pitch, but it never varied with the speaker's emotions. The only way to decipher the owner's emotions was to pay attention to how thick the accent was, and the speed at which it altered. This rarely happened, as the voice remained haughty and assured of itself. If the words were not so barren, the voice would have been beautiful.
While the first person could only box Yugi in, the second one cemented him in place. The voice did not suffer from the folly of the first. It's strength lay in the passions it carried. Emotionally the voice held depth while the sound was deep and ugly. It rasped like nails in a blender and was barely decipherable as female. But it was not the cruel sound of the voice that sent shivers down Yugi's spine; it was that he knew a more melodious sound belonged with that presence.
"It has arrived, my pet."
"He is not an 'it', Fukitsu."
"Fukitsu, hmm? I had forgotten what droll, trivial name I had been given here."
"It matters little what language your name is spoken in, for it will always mean the same thing."
"How adept, though I would expect no less from you my dear."
"Enough! I have a name and so does Yugi. You would be wise to use them."
"As you wish, Traitor. Though such threats were not necessary. All you needed to do was ask."
"Is that all I am now known as?"
"Traitor: no more, no less."
"Did you forget who I am? What I've done? What I've taken from you?"
"Are you perchance referring to the 'Mother' title you recently acquired? I hardly think that such a title should be honored."
"How dare you take what I rightfully earned. I have succeeded where the society failed. I discovered the secret behind the bloodlines and brought life to what you would have only preached about for another millennia."
"You think so little of the society you once belonged to that you would believe we did not know of that possibility? It was not time yet."
"The ancient prophecies are what make the society weak. We must make our own plans and defy the poor destiny planned for us all. The change makes us strong against those whom the society have feared far too long."
"Foolish child, you have no concept of what awaits the boy when he is given the key. You have no idea the power behind those who would have been destroyed. Even now they have probably been alerted to his presence."
"It matters not who stands in his way. He will not be used for such a doom as was written."
"And you expect him to bring about your vision of the world. How do you suppose that he will be able to carry out these plans of yours? You have given him a destiny meant for another. And you have told him nothing of his duty and taught him nothing of his powers."
"He will learn when the time is right."
"It is already too late for that. Already his ignorance has been used against him."
"No more talk, Fukitsu. Show me what you've done to Yugi."
"I have barely done anything. It is your presence that holds him to this place; you have grown far too attached to the boy for his own good. But do not attempt to send him home. It is his power that forms this world and if he were to be severed improperly he would not survive."
"You can't! Killing him would not suit the society's purpose."
"You forget how much has changed since you deceived us. We can always restart the bloodlines or clone the child when the time is right. But that is a discussion for another time. Here is what you seek."
The dark veil melted from Yugi's view as if it had never been there. Left behind were two figures dimly illuminated by light without source. Yugi's gaze was drawn towards the familiar presence, though little comfort was offered from his mother. She could no more move towards him than he could her. Though her face remained neutral, her weary eyes reflected the strength Yugi would need to survive.
Approaching slowly with a sway that commanded respect was who Yugi needed to survive. Shadows played with his features, allowing only two eyes and a crimson diamond on his forehead to shine through the darkness. The ruby gleam from each eye engulfed the entire eye socket, creating the illusion there was no iris or pupil. The scraps of body armor he wore refused to be shrouded by the darkness. Metal curved around his sizable waist as if it were a belt and was secured by a scarlet diamond, but neither inhibited its barer. Cuffs drew up his forearm and narrowed to a tip near the elbow. Both were accented with a black inverted 'V' that progressed with the peak. Another point reached down from the shoulder, though it always failed to meet its counterpart. The single pieces of shoulder armor rested at a forty-five degree angle from the neck, each reaching almost to the wearer's ears and created a void between the shoulder and metal. Securing them in the front were two red triangles, which formed a pattern over the broad chest. The boots were much like his arm covers, though the black 'V' pointed down towards his feet. Protruding from his back were six sleek purple spikes. Jetting forty-five degrees from his back, they passed above the shoulder armor before abruptly turning and curving past his waist. Every movement caused his muscles to ripple, outlining them in a deep purple hue.
Yugi stood awestruck, but was not intimidated. Even when Fukitsu peered down at him and grinned with perfectly white teeth he did not flinch. He merely gazed up in bewilderment at the face that was completely without pigment. The child grew curious of the shortly cropped hair, which color matched his form-fitting suit and was cemented in place in a flattop.
The man appeased his own curiosity as he circled his prey, inspecting the boy from his lofty perspective. When he had completed his inspection, he resumed his position in front of Yugi and addressed him for the first time. This time, however, it was not with the style that had been overheard before. This voice fitted the form. It was calm and crept just below the baritone pitch that was expected. The lack of accent allowed each word to come out crisply, as a child would learn to sound out each syllable.
"You are the one they call 'Yugi.' Tell me, how old are you?"
While Yugi would have proudly told his age to every other stranger that day, he hesitated before quietly bringing up four fingers
"Four already? My, my, how time has flown for you. Four is a fine age for a young man like yourself, though you will be five before you know it. But do not worry. If things do not work out today you will not have to worry about such things."
Yugi's mother seemed to struggle at this, though if the man noticed, he paid no attention. Instead, he continued, "You were quite courageous when you saw my appearance, though something in my voice alarmed you and you hardly know why." He seemed to size up the child again before continuing, "You are supposed to be quite clever. I wonder: shall we test the prophecies? It shall not be hard at all. In fact, let us play a game."
The daunting figure sidestepped a wooden table that now rested between himself and the boy. Settling down something black on the table, he beckoned Yugi towards the edge. The order was followed more from curiosity than fear and soon the child was peering over the tabletop. The man slid his hand over the top of the object, evenly spreading out the deck of cards along the table. The cards seem to fan out endlessly, until they covered the entire surface.
"The first step is very simple. All you need to do is pick a card to represent you."
The customary voice of his mother finally broke through the silence as Yugi began to reach for a card. "Yugi, you must stop. Don't play his games. There is no way to win!"
"Quiet, woman." Fukitsu took first notice of his other captive since Yugi appeared. "I can assure you that if the boy is clever enough he can survive. He is cut off from his powers, though it no longer causes him pain. I shall use no magic of my own."
The outburst drew the attention of her son, who watched her now expressive face. It spoke of fear and love, but did not deter his hand from seeking out a card. One card seemed warmer than the others. Quietly calling to Yugi's senses, it seemed to separate itself from the others. The child did not peek at the card until he had brought it before his face. While the back of the card had been only a shadow, the other side was bright. A gold trim ran along the border and filled the corners with ancient symbols. The words "Dark Magician" scrolled plainly across the top and were emphasized with a green tint. Below the lettering was a humanoid dressed in purple robes that swallowed his figure except for his face. He bore a serious expression and held his crescent-topped battle staff ready. Yugi blinked down at the unfamiliar card before silently turning it towards his opponent.
His adversary took great interest in the card. "So you are the Dark Magician. I am quite surprised. It will be rare, true, but its uses are rather average. The power is possesses is matched by others, and those shall surpass its usefulness. Of course, when combined correctly – but that is another matter. Place the card face down on the table."
Waiting until the other cards had been gathered, Yugi did as he was bid. The man than drew two cards from the pile and placed one face down on each side of Yugi's card. "Each of these cards holds a fate. The objective is simple: pick out your Dark Magician."
Yugi stared at his center card and thought for a moment before speaking for the first time. "If I don't?"
Fukitsu's smile returned. "Then the fate might prove to be painful. Do not worry; I have no intention of starting with you, boy. Or the Traitor, as I want her to see the fate of her comrade. He is merely a nuisance. He is a master of strategy and nothing more. I would have destroyed him if he had not been protected from physical attacks when I first called the product. But this will be more interesting. Now, boy, pay close attention to your card."
The hands moved quickly in a random pattern as the cards were palmed and dropped in different positions. Long before the dance had stopped, Yugi had lost track of his card.
"Tell me which card is yours."
He did not hesitate to point in front of the left card.
"Are you sure?"
Yugi felt the reassuring and now recognizable sensation coming from the left card. He nodded quickly without doubt. The dealer slid his hand over the card, revealing the card face with the smooth gesture. Though the card's layout was the same as the Dark Magician, this card read "Magic Jammer." Three tendrils of smoke snaked up the card from a mystic red and gold circle.
"Oh, too bad, little Yugi. It appears your card was hidden elsewhere." In the same manner the center card was flipped over. The sensation had moved towards the next card and now the Dark Magician peered out. "So close, yet not close enough. The Magic Jammer is quite the suitable fate for the Other. Do you not agree, Traitor? He is forever stripped of all magic that makes him useful. Seeing him trapped in that world until he dies should provide some entertainment, especially given the age you started him with. But there is one drawback, boy. Do you know what that is?"
The child honestly shook his head.
"It requires you to discard something. Do you have something to sacrifice?"
The answer was the same.
"Oh dear. Then I will have to chose for you."
A confused and petrified young man materialized in the room.
"Father!"
"The poor fool has no idea what has happened throughout his entire life. You never did tell him of your true intentions, Traitor. Now he will see the life you once had before you betrayed us."
He was gone as quickly as he had come. Yugi choked back a scream as he watched his father vanish into an unknown realm. His opponent allowed no time for grief.
"Remember this lesson, boy. There is nothing permanent in this world. This may mean you will see him again someday. But he is gone for now. And if you do not play the next game correctly you will lose your mother as well."
The Magic Jammer was placed to the side and another card was added face down next to the Dark Magician. "Remember to watch carefully."
The cards danced again. They twisted and dropped with the help of their dealer until they finally rested.
"Tell me which card is yours."
The cards were all inspected before the feeling drew Yugi to the one on the right. Tapping the surface of the card, he waited for Fukitsu to flip it over. The same theatrical move was used as slowly the top of the card fell into view. Instead of paying attention to the newly overturned card, Yugi followed the calling of the Dark Magician as it moved to the center card again.
"Once again, little Yugi, you were just slightly off. Though once again you have chosen an excellent fate, the Change of Heart."
The man did not lie. Below the title stood another humanoid, literally half angel and half devil.
"Though I must wonder what a card with such a title would do to a traitor." The eyes flashed with glee as he faced the woman. "You have caused enough trouble and now justice will be satisfied. I would let you watch the destruction of your son, but instead, you will never know the dastardly fate that will befall him. This is your punishment. And know now that if you ever return to his world, you will be mortal and be cursed to remember all without being able to act on it."
The child was forced to watch the annihilation of his mother. She accepted her fate gracefully as she was sent back to the society. Sending a wave of kindness towards her son, she whispered a short sentence on the winds to comfort the crushed boy. His young mind pondered her words as the final game was prepared.
"So, boy, how does it feel to know that you have condemned three people this morning? Their lives were torn from them and you chose their fates? Do not despair though. This last hand is for your soul."
The cards danced their last dance, never slowing or faltering. They moved with blinding speed, but Yugi was too distracted to notice.
"Tell me which card is yours."
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