"Afraid not boy," Bakura shrugged. "Waboku will keep him safe." He pointed to the floating card that had flipped. His were normal size and not holographic, it was the real card floating before him just like the rest of his line up. How any of this was done remained a mystery to the unnamed opponent.
"Damn you," the dark haired figure snorted. "Fine, I place one card face down and end my turn." As Bakura drew, the dark haired boy looked once again to the figure behind his opponent. He didn't know what it was, it hadn't moved at all since the duel began. He couldn't make out a thing at all, despite the fact it's yellow eyes seemed to glow.
"Perfect," Bakura smirked. "First I play Mystical Space Typhoon to remove the card you just set." The card at the other's feet shattered and fell away into nothing, it wasn't anything he could of chained. "Now," he grinned widely before glancing over his shoulder. "I'll play Change of Heart, take your Wingweaver." The familiar robed figure with one angel and one demon wing shimmered into view before ghosting up to the angel and pouring itself down her throat. The angel put up a slight fight but couldn't do a thing, her shoulders slumped and she wobbled over to Bakura. "Now, I'll tribute both her and my Knight for Seraph Reaver."
The boy swore his opponent had purred when the card he named was held up. The black figure behind him suddenly came to life and floated forward, a shadowy arm was outstretched. Just before it reached the card, Bakura let go. The black figure snatched it and it melted into it's hand, as it did a more solid form began to pull itself from the blackness. Color washed over the arm first, the purple hue traveled to the creature's shoulder and flowed under the black robes worn. Wings snapped out to either side, the purple frames stretched a brilliant pink membrane to it's fullest. The monster was female, he could clearly see now as she stepped forward and moved a lock of icy blue hair behind a wing-like ear. Her right hand swung out from her side as a bladed staff materialized for her to grab with her strange, three taloned hands. She moved next to Necrophia and stood just as still and emotionless as her.
"Know what I find most ironic of all?" Bakura laughed. His opponent simply stared at him and his two female monsters. Bakura shrugged. "Can you not see it? Your little seraph angel, sacrificed to bring out my angel slayer; Seraph Reaver." Bakura snorted, still no answer. "Necrophia," he said in a strong voice. "Take care of the last thing standing between his last life points and my victory!" The mechanical looking figure stirred and moved forward carefully, the broken and worn doll in her arms ended it's silence and began to shriek and cry. The demoness shifted her bundle to one arm while the other plunged into the card and spread tendrils of black energy, the weak defense monster was destroyed and Necrophia moved elegantly back into her original place next to Seraph as the doll continued to cry.
"Seraph," Bakura purred, this time the other was sure of it. "Make sure he stays as quiet as he is now, Nephilim Carnage."
"Of course," she replied. This was a new experience for the other duelist, conversation and this level of interaction hadn't been seen in previous duels. Seraph drew herself up to her fullest height, back rigid and wings unfurled. Her tail whipped about violently behind her and kicked up the hem of her robe. Her right arm moved out before her and the left hand curled around the staff, together both hands raised it. Using more force than that the dark haired boy would have thought she had, Seraph rammed her staff against the ground and caused everything to shake for a moment. Silence set in and the opposing duelist began to look around in confusion.
"This is where it gets good," Bakura promised with a grin.
Just beyond the edge of awareness, something began to build. A steadily strengthening moaning sound swirled all around the monsters and duelists, it would fade out only to come back in stronger. More voices were added, soft sobs and pleas for help were added to the moan. A woman screamed and a few smaller shrieks made the dark haired duelist jump. Wisps of pale grey smoke began to flow from where Seraph's staff had impacted the ground, there was no indentation or hole but her staff seemed to be blocking it.
"Time to scream," the demoness hissed as she jerked the staff back. When she did a great mass of mist poured out and flowed towards the target. It splashed his shoe and the icy feeling raced through his body.
He took a reflexive step backwards and looked back to Bakura. "What's the meaning of this?"
"Drama, mainly," he laughed. "And since you have no monsters left, Seraph's attack is aimed at you. She'll effectively destroy you." He grinned again, his eyes had a dangerous glint. "Run," he said in a hoarse whisper.
The duelist did so, he turned quickly on his heel and bolted. His action kicked up the mist and caused it to swirl, another scream sounded over the moans and sobs as a shape pulled itself from the mist. When it was half formed more like it began to pull themselves from the mass. All were in various stages of decay, emaciated and ruined the creatures lurched towards their target with unnatural speed. The one thing they all had in common were the mangled and useless wings on their backs. The wraiths blocked the retreating duelist's path and he added his own voice to the screams as he scrambled to stop and turn. His feet were knocked out from under him by a wraith that looked exactly like the Wingweaver he had played moments ago. Her hand grabbed his face and he screamed again, it was so cold it burned. With the target immobilized the wall of wraiths began to circle, picking up speed with each rotation as they closed in. Their wails mixed with the one voice of their target, mingling and making it hard to pull them apart.
Suddenly the circling figures exploded, bits of ethereal dust drifted down and into the ground as they vanished. In their wake nothing was left of the duelist besides his disk and clothing. The tormented sounds slowly faded into the stillness of before.
Bakura flicked his hand and Necrophia vanished. He plucked his floating cards from the air one by one and put them back into it deck as Seraph retrieved the disk on the ground.
"He didn't scream as much as I had hoped," Bakura said in disappointment.
"He will next time, his soul was that of an angel. He is one of the Nephilim now," Seraph replied. "Do you suppose Seijuu has earned his entry into the finals yet?"
"We'll find out, it's near the time we are to meet."
"You now hold," she paused as she flipped through the cards. "Five of the required six entry cards."
"Not bad," Bakura chuckled. "Not bad at all." He looked around him for a moment and let the barriers between the realms weaken. "Too many around. Come, we'll simply let this gate close itself once my presence in the area has faded." The two slipped out past the bubble he had made for the duel and into deeper parts of the other realm. Once far enough away they willed themselves back into the waking world.
Naki's eyes narrowed as Seijuu's mind swam to the surface for an instant. He thought the thief's actions were sloppy, allowing so many to see the magic wall. Almost as if it had heard his displeasure, it faded and dissolved into nothing. The crowd around him murmured and gasped softly, whether it was from the magic show or the clothing just lying where the wall had once been, Seijuu didn't know. Nor did he care, it was time to meet with his temporary business partner.
"Had you of been late I would have been very displeased. I saw the little show earlier," Seijuu said once he was within earshot of the two. "There was quite the crowd waiting on you, I was beginning to think I had made a mistake by giving the proposal to you."
"It requires the both of us to have a slot in the finals, does it not? I was simply procuring my place."
"But still, do you enjoy making things so public?"
"Only sometimes. Who doesn't love to flaunt power a bit. Or instill doubt and fear in the hearts of others?"
Seijuu didn't answer, instead he moved closer to Bakura and sniffed. "You smell strongly of one another."
The Spirit of the Ring blinked absently at him then narrowed his eyes. "And what of it?"
"Very unprofessional relationship."
"I'll have you know it is very professional. She gets the job done and efficiently."
"Professional rolling around in the sack, now this I have to see," he laughed.
"If you are going to constantly insult the one being I actually trust, I will leave you to your own machinations and you can leave me to mine," Bakura warned.
"I insult because I can. And because I simply cannot imagine myself in your position." Seijuu cast a glance to Seraph and smiled softly. "I see she's better trained. Haven't heard a word from her yet. Or maybe you simply tuckered the poor demon out."
"What have you accomplished since our last meeting?" Bakura insisted.
"Nothing at all," Seijuu shrugged.
"And you were worried about my progress when you've done nothing. You had better not have gotten the idea I would do all the work to get you in."
"Since you were so kind as to offer," the red head chuckled. "Perhaps you could at least get me a disk and one loca--" he was cut off when Seraph threw three plastic cards at him.
"Duplicates of some Bakura already holds. Now you need only find a disk and the three remaining locators," she said in monotone.
Seijuu scowled as he looked at his arm, she had thrown them in such a way that they had actually grazed him and left a mark. "Fine," he growled. "I will get a disk and the remaining three cards on my own."
"Good, our plan needs us only to cooperate in the end. But I will not pull your weight for you," the snowy haired figure warned. "I assume the point of this meeting is to see where the other stood, if so then Seraph and I will take our leave. We have no reason to linger."
"Go," Seijuu grunted. "Leave me to gain my own entry. We'll meet next at the finals. I expect to see you acting as Ryou and I will be Naki."
"You will," Bakura nodded. He turned to leave then.
"And your little demoness had best not be by your side then. The others would know."
"She protects Ryou as well, this they know. But I will consider other means of keeping her close." He picked up his pace and tilted his head slightly for Seraph to follow.
Cloey scowled as she rubbed her ankle. She had stepped off the curb funny earlier and now it was bothering her. She sighed as she set her boot firmly on the ground again to test her leg. It felt well enough, just tender. So she continued walking along the pier. This was the only place she knew of that Mai wouldn't think to check for her and she wanted to be alone for the time being. The blonde squinted as she looked up, the clouds had been steadily rolling in and on the horizon she saw them forming an ominous black line. It was going to rain and judging by how fast they were moving she wouldn't be able to make it home in time. She could always just go bum around a store somewhere, but Mai knew the places she liked and if it did rain then there would be no doubt her sister would be looking for her. Cloey's eyes scanned the area behind the pier, somewhere in the wharves she could find shelter if it did indeed rain. She told herself she'd go in a moment, right now she was enjoying the sea breeze. Violet eyes closed and she smiled as the wind ruffled her hair and skirt. It was just right, not too warm or too cold for her. She inhaled deeply of the air, it smelled of salt and sea foam. Just a hint of fish was in it, but it was enough to not be obnoxious. Somewhere to her right a gull cried, she was thankful it wasn't closer or with friends else she wouldn't be this much at ease. Her eyes opened after a moment and stared at the waves. They were calm enough, so the storm that was approaching didn't have much along the lines of wind. She sighed and turned around to walk back down the wooden platform. She had enough of just standing there, the back of her mind was urging her to find shelter and she intended to. Hopefully the rain would last just long enough for her to feel ready and return home. If it lasted any longer she may be forced to call her sister and her last place to retreat to would be found out.
Yuugi shifted a bit from where he was leaning on the windowsill. The rain had started moments earlier and he was watching it patter on the window and drench everything outside, including a few persons that had been out in it. The sound of someone shifting on the couch behind him reminded him that he did have company. Reluctantly the short teen turned from where he had been. Anzu sat alone in a chair while Jounouchi and his counterpart where on the couch. The former was rather bored and had his head on the back of the couch to stare at the ceiling while the latter was just sitting there looking quite lost and confused. Between the four of them, not a word was said.
"I guess you'll be staying a while. Since it started to rain," Yuugi said at last. He had clasped his hands behind his back as he remained standing.
"Um, I suppose so," Yugo answered. The teen ran a hand through his deep pink hair before letting it settle in his lap again.
"Sorry," Yuugi sighed before lowering his head.
"Sorry, about what?" Yugo questioned.
"For being such a downer. I know we've just met and all. I promise I'm not always like this..."
"It's ok," Yugo smiled slightly. "Jou told me everything. It was a little hard to swallow at first. And then I met Tyldak..."
"Scared the crap out of him," Jou teased as he sat up finally. "He screamed like a little girl."
"He was hanging from the ceiling!"
"Door frame, actually," Jou corrected. "So uh, Yuug. As you said earlier, you're really going back into the tournament?"
"Yes, I have all six cards now. So I'm all set... it's just that. Well, I think we're all after the same prize. You know for sure Bakura will be there, that other guy Malik too. Isis may show up too. I'm sure she's displeased with Seto. As for the other three finalists... they may be innocents in this whole mess. I'd hate for that to be the case," the tri-color haired teen sighed.
"Mai's qualified too, so just the remaining two are unknowns," Anzu interjected.
"I really wish Mai had of backed out. I don't want her in any danger," Yuugi murmured.
"Maybe I should try again... just to help," Jou replied. "I mean I know I dropped out an' all. But I still have the locators I earned. Not like I was disqualified."
"No," Yuugi said as he shook his head. "I appreciate it, Jounouchi. But I don't want others in harms way."
"You can't do this alone!" Anzu protested. "If you don't at least let us tag along, we'll sneak in just like we did for the boat to Duelist Kingdom!"
"I have one little question..." Yugo said. Once all eyes were on him he continued. "Do you honestly think this will be settled with duels? I mean, it seems like such a silly way to end this when so much is at stake..."
"He has a point. This is beyond the game now..." Anzu blinked.
"I'm prepared for whatever may happen. I just know from what my other half told me that the Puzzle can only pass ownership by one of two means. The current owner has to die, or the person who wants it has to win it in a game. So for that much at least I'll have to duel to get it back."
"That's it, I'm going too. In case you need someone to help bash heads. You know Honda would be up for it too," Jou said while cracking his knuckles.
"I really don't think we should even get involved," Yugo said as he chewed on his lip.
Yuugi rubbed his eyes and sighed. "I really don't want anyone getting hurt, but I would like the support. Promise to be careful?"
Anzu nodded as did Jou, Yugo kinda shrugged. He wasn't sure he wanted to go but would probably end up going anyway.
The Seraph bit was fun to write, woo XD
I've got quite a bit planned now, some of the original OC's owners have given me some nice little tidbits of information I can't wait to put to use.