~:::::-:-:::::~~:::::-:-:::::~
The caliginous game shrouded the possible outcomes extending from the cards, and even one not gifted enough to see the future could sense the uncertainty of the outcome. There was only one possible choice in Yugi's mind though. The ambition had been wrenched from the obscure part of the soul not even his childish innocence could subdue. Fueled by the vicious knowledge of superiority, Yugi's need to win surpassed the bounds of revenge and survival. The outcome of the victory became immaterial. The only motive Yugi possessed then was the need to win - even his parents grew forgotten as his mother's last words shriveled from his short-term memories.
As the memories faded, Yugi's facial features seemed move independently of their owner. Lips thinned into an uncharacteristic smirk that only hinted at the daunting expression their master would later wear. His eyes seemed to spark with anticipation for the game he now knew how to manipulate. The cards were the birthright the lilac-eyed human had stolen from a willing victim - one who had thought himself to be doomed since before time had been conceptualized. Now his victim was free and Yugi became slave to his own treasure.
None of the cards needed to differentiate themselves for him; the Dark Magician's warm seduction was now redundant. The child knew automatically each monster's statistic, it's location in the deck, and the restrictions which governed them. He cared little for such rules as he placed his hand next to the center card, the Blue Eyed White Dragon.
Yugi's shaded eyes never wandered to check if Fukitsu was mystified or entertained by the move. The reward was not to be found within his opponent and his victory could not be savored until the last play was made. He felt the future stored within the card Fukitsu had chosen for him move towards the center card. The dealer's hand moved slower than before, almost as if to lure Yugi into an impulsive action.
Taunting was now redundant.
Waiting until the last second was not Yugi's attempt at dramatics; it was instead insurance in case the agent was tempted to switch his plans. No matter how more fearsome the card in Fukitsu's hand compared to the Blue Eyes White Dragon, Yugi knew it would be tempting to leave the boy to his chosen card. The greatest irony would be if the product had destroyed himself - if the card that ruined him was one he choose of his own free will. Honesty was not highly regarded among the society; however, it would amuse the members to learn that no righteous "justice" could touch the society on accusations of fraud. Yugi was unsure which card to concentrate on, for he doubted he could execute his plan twice in such a short time. It was for this reason which the pawn waited until only the dealer's hand concealed the face of the card.
In a time frame shorter than a human can recall his own name, Yugi had reached beyond the dimension he was trapped in and into a forgotten realm of night and shadows. His ability to pass there was part of his inheritance from the former potentate of Egypt, though the dimension would not accept him as willingly as he had embraced it. The fallen innocent let his edict known in the aphotic corner of the universe, the aftereffect already obvious in Yugi's limpid thoughts.
Both Yugi and Fukitsu knew which card would be revealed but only the intended victim was correct.
The execrable being stared at the form of the Dark Magician. Although only drawn onto the card, the eyes seemed to have a derisive life to them. Fukitsu attempted to hide his incredulity from both of his onlookers, but he could not deny what was positioned before him. There had been no magic involved. He had not been lying when he said Yugi had been separated from his powers; therefore only one possibility remained. If it had not been magic, then only one with authority in the *other* domain could succeed in such a task. This did not bode well for the society, for it meant that the pharaoh would no longer be at their disposal. Though no fault of his own, the ancient spirit had escaped the clutches of destiny. Yugi was now permanently entangled in the prophecy which would remain for all eternity like a noose around his neck.
Distracted by his own thoughts, Fukitsu almost missed the insistent tug at the end of his consciousness. Tracking the sensation, the depraved individual found himself surprised again by the newest bane of his existence. The child appeared to be pained through some unknown force. Scowling as he realized he had not caused Yugi this distress, Fukitsu moved towards the quivering form without thought or reason until the implications of the pull became apparent.
The overwhelming anguish had forced the small body to curl itself. If his eyes had been open not a flicker of awareness would have shown there. The only thing that matter was becoming smaller. Sweat escaped his body to weight his once luminous hair to his brow. The effect remained unnoticed as all efforts were exhausted attempting to shrink inwards. Only one moan escaped his lips while his breath left him; inflating his lungs even slightly would make him too large and exposed. Drawing his limbs in tighter, Yugi unknowingly began to do the same for his power. The power brought with it the very dimension that had ensnared it.
Even Fukitsu could not resist the force of the young one's Kharybdis. Only one option remained to save him dimension: cut the boy free. But even snapping back to his home plane of existence did not solve Yugi's problems. The briefest of moments when nothing surrounded him cause a disturbance in his growing void. Greedily it lashed out to the nearest substance it could yank to its core. It found what should have remained hidden for it claimed the entire memory of the society.
All lay bared for Yugi. He knew of past deceitful dealings and the manipulative intents towards his predecessor. He knew of his mother's betrayal and her reasons behind them. He knew of the plans for his capture and the fate of his parents. He knew of the future of his home world and the role he would be forced to play. He knew what had caused him such pain.
He had been wrong; it was not just a game. With his actions he had heedlessly ripped the soul out of his card and replaced it with another. Like any leader, he felt the suffering of those he controlled, even when there is only one follower at that moment.
No comfort could be found for him, not even his return to his home. He cared not for his age or for the fish he should have seen or even for his Grandfather.
He never wanted to see darkness again.
He never wanted to hurt another.
He never wanted to face his destiny.
He never wanted anyone to realize the truth and his shame.
He only wanted to forget and to make the world forget.
Then his mind shutdown, but not before reaching across all space and, for a moment no one knew they lost, brought the world with him.
~:::::-:-:::::~~:::::-:-:::::~
The caliginous game shrouded the possible outcomes extending from the cards, and even one not gifted enough to see the future could sense the uncertainty of the outcome. There was only one possible choice in Yugi's mind though. The ambition had been wrenched from the obscure part of the soul not even his childish innocence could subdue. Fueled by the vicious knowledge of superiority, Yugi's need to win surpassed the bounds of revenge and survival. The outcome of the victory became immaterial. The only motive Yugi possessed then was the need to win - even his parents grew forgotten as his mother's last words shriveled from his short-term memories.
As the memories faded, Yugi's facial features seemed move independently of their owner. Lips thinned into an uncharacteristic smirk that only hinted at the daunting expression their master would later wear. His eyes seemed to spark with anticipation for the game he now knew how to manipulate. The cards were the birthright the lilac-eyed human had stolen from a willing victim - one who had thought himself to be doomed since before time had been conceptualized. Now his victim was free and Yugi became slave to his own treasure.
None of the cards needed to differentiate themselves for him; the Dark Magician's warm seduction was now redundant. The child knew automatically each monster's statistic, it's location in the deck, and the restrictions which governed them. He cared little for such rules as he placed his hand next to the center card, the Blue Eyed White Dragon.
Yugi's shaded eyes never wandered to check if Fukitsu was mystified or entertained by the move. The reward was not to be found within his opponent and his victory could not be savored until the last play was made. He felt the future stored within the card Fukitsu had chosen for him move towards the center card. The dealer's hand moved slower than before, almost as if to lure Yugi into an impulsive action.
Taunting was now redundant.
Waiting until the last second was not Yugi's attempt at dramatics; it was instead insurance in case the agent was tempted to switch his plans. No matter how more fearsome the card in Fukitsu's hand compared to the Blue Eyes White Dragon, Yugi knew it would be tempting to leave the boy to his chosen card. The greatest irony would be if the product had destroyed himself - if the card that ruined him was one he choose of his own free will. Honesty was not highly regarded among the society; however, it would amuse the members to learn that no righteous "justice" could touch the society on accusations of fraud. Yugi was unsure which card to concentrate on, for he doubted he could execute his plan twice in such a short time. It was for this reason which the pawn waited until only the dealer's hand concealed the face of the card.
In a time frame shorter than a human can recall his own name, Yugi had reached beyond the dimension he was trapped in and into a forgotten realm of night and shadows. His ability to pass there was part of his inheritance from the former potentate of Egypt, though the dimension would not accept him as willingly as he had embraced it. The fallen innocent let his edict known in the aphotic corner of the universe, the aftereffect already obvious in Yugi's limpid thoughts.
Both Yugi and Fukitsu knew which card would be revealed but only the intended victim was correct.
The execrable being stared at the form of the Dark Magician. Although only drawn onto the card, the eyes seemed to have a derisive life to them. Fukitsu attempted to hide his incredulity from both of his onlookers, but he could not deny what was positioned before him. There had been no magic involved. He had not been lying when he said Yugi had been separated from his powers; therefore only one possibility remained. If it had not been magic, then only one with authority in the *other* domain could succeed in such a task. This did not bode well for the society, for it meant that the pharaoh would no longer be at their disposal. Though no fault of his own, the ancient spirit had escaped the clutches of destiny. Yugi was now permanently entangled in the prophecy which would remain for all eternity like a noose around his neck.
Distracted by his own thoughts, Fukitsu almost missed the insistent tug at the end of his consciousness. Tracking the sensation, the depraved individual found himself surprised again by the newest bane of his existence. The child appeared to be pained through some unknown force. Scowling as he realized he had not caused Yugi this distress, Fukitsu moved towards the quivering form without thought or reason until the implications of the pull became apparent.
The overwhelming anguish had forced the small body to curl itself. If his eyes had been open not a flicker of awareness would have shown there. The only thing that matter was becoming smaller. Sweat escaped his body to weight his once luminous hair to his brow. The effect remained unnoticed as all efforts were exhausted attempting to shrink inwards. Only one moan escaped his lips while his breath left him; inflating his lungs even slightly would make him too large and exposed. Drawing his limbs in tighter, Yugi unknowingly began to do the same for his power. The power brought with it the very dimension that had ensnared it.
Even Fukitsu could not resist the force of the young one's Kharybdis. Only one option remained to save him dimension: cut the boy free. But even snapping back to his home plane of existence did not solve Yugi's problems. The briefest of moments when nothing surrounded him cause a disturbance in his growing void. Greedily it lashed out to the nearest substance it could yank to its core. It found what should have remained hidden for it claimed the entire memory of the society.
All lay bared for Yugi. He knew of past deceitful dealings and the manipulative intents towards his predecessor. He knew of his mother's betrayal and her reasons behind them. He knew of the plans for his capture and the fate of his parents. He knew of the future of his home world and the role he would be forced to play. He knew what had caused him such pain.
He had been wrong; it was not just a game. With his actions he had heedlessly ripped the soul out of his card and replaced it with another. Like any leader, he felt the suffering of those he controlled, even when there is only one follower at that moment.
No comfort could be found for him, not even his return to his home. He cared not for his age or for the fish he should have seen or even for his Grandfather.
He never wanted to see darkness again.
He never wanted to hurt another.
He never wanted to face his destiny.
He never wanted anyone to realize the truth and his shame.
He only wanted to forget and to make the world forget.
Then his mind shutdown, but not before reaching across all space and, for a moment no one knew they lost, brought the world with him.
~:::::-:-:::::~~:::::-:-:::::~