THE ENCOUNTER OF LOST SOULS
Chapter Four: The Invitation
The sold-out concert was a success. The event gave the promotional agents great relief that Alexa delivered the promised lucrative success for Kaiba Corporation. After confirming at the beginning of the concert that the singer looked as good as she sang, the crowd then concentrated on her performance.
Singing and dancing with all her heart, Alexa did a wide variety of songs. With numbers ranging from fast-paced to poignant, her energetic charm and sultry voice stirred the crowd. The performance and the concert proved endearing for fans, with the singer speaking to fans and singing parts of certain hit songs in fluent Japanese.
Now that the concert was over, the gang – and about fifty others – was now inside Domino Arena's largest ballroom. Multiple conversations took place as the guests enjoyed hors d'oeuvres and a variety of beverages.
However, the other Yugi's thoughts crossed over to his young spirit vessel. Because of this, there were moments wherein Yugi's thoughts kept drifting back to this evening's biggest surprise.
"Hey, guys! Over here!" cried a young voice.
The gang turned around and saw the boy run towards them.
Anzu's azure eyes lit up as she smiled. "It's so nice to see you, Mokuba! When did you get back?"
The younger Kaiba replied, "We've been home for a couple of weeks now. We've been so busy wrapping things up for America. The opening of this new arena kept our hands full, too. We're leaving again for America tomorrow evening."
After hearing the word "we," tension built up in the air for the gang.
Kaiba Seto entered the ballroom along with a well-dressed bodyguard holding a bouquet of long-stemmed red roses.
Most of the gang braced themselves as they anticipated another generous dose of insults or mockery from the new arrival. However, Yugi approached the CEO and greeted, "Hello, Kaiba-kun. Congratulations on your success."
A non-emotional Kaiba gave his rival and Sugoroku his customary curt nod. He then nodded to greet everyone else in the same manner.
"Did you both enjoy the concert?" Anzu asked the Kaiba brothers.
Mokuba grinned and nodded for his reply while Kaiba remained silent, the CEO's eyes scanning their surroundings.
The ballroom became quiet. Shortly thereafter, everyone stared at the door and started clapping to herald the arrival of tonight's star at her own party.
After the handshakes and congratulations from fans and the press, Emrys found her way to Yugi and his crowd.
Emrys' hair was now in an upsweep. The spaghetti-strapped red evening gown fluidly draped on her shapely body as she made her way past the crowd. She firmly held onto her red organza shawl complimented with long, red satin-gloves. She wore dangling ruby earrings and around her neck was a gold chain with an opulently designed circular pendant with a ruby in the middle. Her pendant had lapis lazuli and emeralds around the red gem which glittered as it caught the ballroom's multi-colored lights.
"Thanks for coming," Emrys told Yugi and the gang as she approached them. She then respectfully acknowledged Sugoroku's presence by bowing and introducing herself.
Everyone reacted differently: the elder Mutou blushed, the rest of the gang were still stunned that Alexa and Emrys were one and the same person, the other Yugi was speechless, a tight-lipped Kaiba observed and kept his emotions in check, and Koji – Kaiba's bodyguard – was too preoccupied with scanning the perimeter.
Mokuba – who already bounced back from the shock factor – broke the ice by handing Emrys a scrapbook. "May I have your autograph?"
"Sure!" After giving her autograph, Emrys handed back to Mokuba his scrapbook. She turned around and faced the CEO. "Kaiba Seto, it's a pleasure to see you again."
The younger Kaiba took the bouquet of roses from Koji and gave it to her, saying, "These are for you."
"From all of us," Yugi interjected while giving Emrys a colorful bouquet of white carnations, baby's breath, and yellow roses.
"Thank you, everyone," Emrys said with a gentle smile.
After accepting the flowers which her manager Yoshiko readily assisted her with, Emrys gazed at the rest of the awestruck gang. "I owe everyone an explanation."
"Well, we understand you like being anonymous," Honda replied with an amiable and forgiving smile.
"My real name is Alexandra Emrys. If it's any consolation to you, I told the truth when I first met everyone. Mostly everyone calls me by my last name...Emrys."
A startled Sugoroku pointed at Yugi, the gang, and the Kaiba brothers. "Wait a minute. You've met everyone else before?"
"Why, yes, Jii-san. I bought The Maiden of Aqua from your store the other day," Emrys confirmed with a smile. "I met Mokuba and Mister Kaiba at Kaiba-Land."
There was a couple of seconds' worth of silence between all of them.
Breaking the ice, Kaiba said, "Mokuba and I are returning to America tomorrow night. We're inviting everyone to the mansion for lunch tomorrow."
Jonouchi's eyebrow rose while the rest of the gang was stupefied.
Yugi glanced towards Sugoroku for permission. Because his grandfather gave his silent blessing, he said, "Count me in."
One by one, the rest of the gang accepted Kaiba's invitation.
Mokuba glanced at Emrys with a hopeful glint in his eyes. "Would you come over, too?"
The singer nodded. "I have two to three hours to spare…so why not?"
After arrangements were made, the elder Kaiba said, "Then it's settled. Our chauffeur will pick up everyone else at the game shop by eleven-thirty. We'll see everyone tomorrow at noon."
Kaiba then looked at Emrys and said, "You and I have business to discuss. Come around ten-thirty in the morning."
It was ten-fifteen in the morning – the day wherein guests would be arriving at the mansion.
Since dawn, Kaiba buried himself with work in his home office. He analyzed proposals, bids, and blueprints from real estate developers and contractors regarding the construction of three to five Kaiba-Lands in North America.
After glancing at the mahogany wall clock and noticing the time, Kaiba took a break from work. As he got up from his chair to separate the papers between proposals that he liked and the ones that he rejected, someone knocked at his office door.
With eyes glued to the door, the CEO responded, "Come in!"
The butler entered the room as he widely opened one of the oak doors. "Kaiba-sama...your guest, Emrys-sama, has arrived."
Dismissing the butler as he continued to sort his papers, the sable-haired young man said, "That will be all."
The servant bowed to both of them and then closed the door to give them privacy.
"I hope that I'm not too early," Emrys semi-awkwardly remarked. She wore a tucked-in powder-blue denim shirt, a brown sleeveless turtleneck, stonewashed jeans, a simple brown leather belt, and dark brown penny loafers. Her hair was tied back in a ponytail.
"No, you're not. I purposefully scheduled things so that you would arrive an hour earlier than the rest," Kaiba told Emrys without looking up. After he finished signing the mountain of papers that was before him shortly before she arrived, he stopped his work, looked at the new arrival, and noticed how she appeared so different from last night.
Scanning the room, Emrys inquired, "Where's Mokuba?"
Kaiba replied, "He left a couple of minutes ago with Koji and our chauffeur. They're picking up everyone at the Kame Game Shop." Looking at the proposals on his desk and then fixing his gaze at her, he then said, "After I sort these papers, I'll give you a tour of the mansion."
Emrys slightly nodded for her response and then walked around Kaiba's office. She browsed through the vast library of books as well as looking though the prototypes of Kaiba Corporation's duel disk system encased in glass.
Once he finished segregating his papers, Kaiba then said to Emrys, "Let's go." He grabbed his long white trench coat, wore it on top of his all-black outfit, and opened the door for both of them.
With a faint smile, Emrys walked towards the door and joined her host. Clearing her throat, she then told him, "Listen, I'm sorry for our argument the other day."
The CEO glanced sideways and curtly told Emrys, "You've made Kaiba Corporation plenty of money last night. You also established a good reputation for Domino Arena's opening night. You'll perform tonight's concert as planned. You don't need to apologize to me."
As hazel-brown eyes met sapphire ones with slight irritation, their owner calmly replied, "Mister Kaiba, your behavior the other day was crude. My apology is authentic. It has nothing to do with who you are or any business transaction between us. I also find pleasantries a waste of time and distasteful."
Turning to face Emrys, an expressionless Kaiba said, "Then why are you apologizing to me?"
Emrys shook her head and sighed. "For your brother's sake, I should've just walked away instead of arguing with you. We should set an example for him, not make him upset."
Kaiba stared at Emrys and then murmured, "Forget about it." He motioned her to follow him as he led them through the long hallway in silence.
The Kaiba mansion was similar to a museum without the stereotypical coldness that a person would encounter when visiting one. One could also have mistaken the mansion for a five-star hotel. The home's stone-beige walls were adorned with antique paintings from different periods in world history. The wide array of swords, vases, figurines, ceramics, and other artifacts were mostly encased in protective glass. The deep red carpet added an additional touch of class to the home.
While Kaiba's first arrival took her time in examining the displays, he nonchalantly remarked, "You hid your identity well. You also spoke and sang in fluent Japanese. I thought that you were British."
Emrys glanced at Kaiba and shrugged her shoulders. "I wanted to enjoy the anonymity while it lasted. I speak, read, and write fluently in Japanese. I've been to many places, although my home is in England."
"Where did you learn how to duel?"
"My parents were avid gamers. They taught me what they know. I picked up a few tricks along the way."
Kaiba buried one hand inside his coat pocket. "I still don't know if it was luck or skill that made you win that duel the other day. Have you ever tested your skills in the competition circuit?"
Shaking her head as she smiled, Emrys replied, "My other endeavors keep me busy. I still indulge in a duel or two when there's time."
Kaiba gave Emrys a long, probing look. "You've deprived yourself by not competing in tournaments."
With a chuckle, Emrys said, "I'm not as good as you, Yugi, or Jonouchi, Mister –"
"Kaiba... Call me Kaiba," the CEO interjected.
Thirty minutes of multi-topic conversation flew by and their tour ended at the mansion's recreation room.
As they entered the large room, Kaiba motioned Emrys to sit down on the posh leather couch. He then called the butler via the handheld intercom. "Let Mokuba know that Emrys and I are in the recreation room once he arrives."
Upon receiving an affirmative reply from the butler, Kaiba hung up the intercom and sat down beside his guest who commented, "You and your brother have great taste. Judging by the artifacts, it shows that you both put a lot of thought and effort into it."
"Mokuba and I agreed to have the hallways decorated the way it is now. Mokuba's a museum fan. He'll be happy to hear what you just said."
"I'll be sure to let him know that." Emrys then raised an eyebrow and asked, "How about you? Are you a museum fan, too?"
Gazing into Emrys' eyes, the azure-eyed duelist responded, "I used to be one when Mokuba and I were younger. Now, I'm too busy with company matters. I focus on the business and duel monsters. I have to stay ahead of the game."
"No pun intended," Emrys noted in jest as she referred to the fact that Kaiba's company was the leading innovator in virtual gaming technology.
Turning the tables over to Emrys, Kaiba asked, "How about you? You look like you're a museum fan."
"I am. My parents were archaeologists. I was mostly around or in caves and other unimaginable places with them. We then visited the museums once artifacts were retrieved and on display."
"Your parents were archaeologists? They're dead?"
"Yes. They both passed away seven years ago."
Kaiba inquired, "Who raised you when your parents died? Do you have any siblings?"
Slowly shaking her head, Emrys ruefully smiled. "I'm an only child. Our closest family friend was my legal guardian. The governess employed by my parents since I was a baby took care of me. I didn't have that much adult supervision."
"Mokuba and I were orphaned, too. The founder of Kaiba Corporation – Kaiba Gozaburo – adopted us. He passed away years ago."
After letting out a deep sigh, Emrys then said, "I guess those were the cards that fate has dealt us with."
Referring to the duel that she won against the first thug, Kaiba gave Emrys a sly gaze while saying, "No pun intended."
They exchanged glances and smirks.
Emrys then looked at Kaiba, saying, "The reward from the earlier pains in life is a successful life later on."
"I'm not as optimistic as you," Kaiba commented with a wry smirk.
"I'm not Miss Sunshine all the time. I still get my full share of very bad days."
"I could relate," said Kaiba as his face briefly mirrored the gloom and confusion he harbored inside. Seconds later, he quickly reverted to his usual non-reactive demeanor.
The limousine reached the vast driveway leading to the Kaiba mansion.
As Mokuba and the gang entered the main door, they saw a midnight blue motorcycle parked nearby. They saw a leather jacket hung by one of the motorcycle's handles.
Recognizing Emrys' leather jacket, Mokuba was elated. "Oh, good…she's already here!"
"She rides a motorcycle?" Bakura asked in disbelief.
Jonouchi was speechless. Seeing Emrys' motorcycle and recalling her appearance last night caught him and the rest of the young men off-guard.
"Surprised?" Anzu asked with an amused smile.
"We just expected a fancy sports car or a limousine," Honda remarked as he shrugged his shoulders.
"Good afternoon," greeted the butler after one of the ornately carved heavy oak doors opened for them. "Kaiba-sama and Emrys-sama are waiting for you at the recreation room."
Mokuba ran inside the house. "It's upstairs."
"Remarkable!" said a breath-taken Anzu as her eyes wandered around the palatial home for the second time since they met the Kaiba brothers.
"Yeah...same here," agreed Jonouchi.
The younger Kaiba called out as he entered the recreation room, "Ni-sama, we're here!"
The gang was at awe upon seeing the recreation room for the first time. The huge and spacious room was filled with gadgets, games, and modern conveniences. There were two pinball machines, four arcade-size video game machines, a dueling table, an already-set-up chessboard with crystal pieces, a complete state-of-the-art entertainment and stereo system, a billiard table, and a ping-pong table.
Everyone then spotted Kaiba and Emrys talking on the couch.
Once the new arrivals were a couple of feet away from the couch, the young CEO stood up. "Emrys and I just finished our tour. Let us all have lunch."
Per instructions from the Kaiba brothers, the chef prepared a sumptuous feast. With the exception of Kaiba – whose mind had been wandering all this time – everyone enjoyed the meal, each other's good company, and the good laughs.
When Kaiba felt that lunch was wrapping up, he glanced over to Yugi. "I want to speak with you. It's important."
Yugi nodded and got up from the dining table.
The sable-haired duelist then told everyone, "Yugi and I won't be long."
After Mokuba nodded, Kaiba and Yugi left the formal dining room. They went upstairs and headed towards the young CEO's home office. Their strides were calculated since the two duelists were respectively gauging what was on the other's mind.
"A lot happened since you've last been here," Kaiba said after a couple of minutes' worth of walking and silence had transpired. He was referring to an earlier time wherein the gang accepted his first invitation to visit the palatial home when they first met.
"Too many, if you ask me," Yugi sighed.
Finally reaching their destination, Kaiba opened two heavy oak doors leading to his office. He then motioned his hand towards the seat facing his desk. "Sit down, Yugi."
Yugi propped himself on one of the leather-upholstered chairs, still trying to shake off his uneasiness.
Kaiba opened the blinds. After looking outside the window, he then sat down behind the desk and stared at Yugi. "When you thought that Jonouchi was dead, what were you feeling then? What made you continue our duel?"
"That's two questions, Kaiba-kun," Yugi gently kidded the sable-haired CEO. When he saw the other's grave expression, his mood became equally somber. He closed his eyes for a second in a sincere effort to give Kaiba the answer he sought.
An edgy and clenched-teeth Kaiba mused as he continued staring at the younger Mutou, "This is wrong! What help or answer could he possibly give me?"
The Millennium Puzzle glowed, allowing the other Yugi to emerge and respond, "What happened to Jonouchi was one of the hardest blows I could take. I didn't want to duel anymore. I hated Malik and I wanted to destroy him. However, I promised Jonouchi that he and I would duel again someday. I couldn't stop dueling because of my sadness or continue dueling because of my hatred. If I did either one, then I would dishonor my friend, my promise, and me. I made the decision to do my best as I dueled against you."
The other Yugi then transfixed his gaze at Kaiba and continued, "Yes, I did whatever it took to win at Battle City. I had hope, friendship, and faith as allies – not hatred. Hate is one of the worst enemies a person can have. Hate always destroys you and the ones you love. As a duelist, it will always cost you the duel even before the duel begins."
The sapphire-eyed duelist did not say a word as he stared at his rival.
The silence between them sent chills traveling down the amethyst-eyed duelist's spine. The combination of feelings was the same one that he felt during their duel at Duelist Kingdom. Deep down, he felt sorry for Kaiba. He hoped that this talk would successfully reach out to his embittered rival.
Kaiba then broke his painful silence, saying, "It was never a secret that I hated you and your friends." He then got up again from his chair and looked outside the window.
The other Yugi leaned back from his chair and gazed at the CEO. "Rivalry is different from being enemies. The best of friends can become the fiercest rivals, too, once both of them are on the dueling arena. I consider us as rivals, but not enemies. We'll always extend the hand of friendship to you, whether or not you wish to accept it."
A tight-lipped Kaiba interjected, "All I'm ready for are Kaiba-Land, Kaiba Corporation, and Mokuba..."
Noticing that Kaiba's demeanor became more somber and seemingly hopeless, the other Yugi knew that he hit the heart of his rival's malady. He then intently said, "If you can't do it for yourself, do your best for Mokuba's sake. He needs you now more than ever."
After the minutes of deafening silence, Kaiba sighed and requested, "Give me a few minutes before we head back and join them." He then continued looking outside the window, still deep in thought.
While his rival pondered, the other Yugi closed his eyes once more. Inside his mind, he reached out to his young spirit vessel, asking whether he wanted to switch back.
Yugi proposed, "We'll just switch back after we get home. Stay and enjoy everyone's company, especially Emrys. She's great!"
"Are you sure?" the other Yugi inquired.
"I'm sure. Go on," assured Yugi.
"Ready?" Kaiba asked, interrupting the mental conversation between the other Yugi and his young spirit vessel.
The two duelists walked out of Kaiba's office and returned through the series of hallways. Although the atmosphere between them was much lighter than before, the other Yugi still sensed Kaiba's melancholy.
The other Yugi asked his companion, "Have I answered your question?"
Kaiba glanced sideways towards his rival. "I still need time to think..."
A tight-lipped other Yugi then sighed. "While you look for your answer, be thankful and count your many blessings – the three most important being your life, the opportunities that life brings for your family and company, and most especially Mokuba."
End of Chapter Four
Author's Note
If you want to find out more about Emrys' parents, how they die, and how she takes it, read my short story There Will Come Soft Rain – a prequel set two years before the events narrated in The Encounter of Lost Souls.
Normal Disclaimer
Yu-Gi-Oh is the copyrighted property of Kazuki Takahashi. Alexa, Yoshiko, Koji, as well as this fan fiction, is the property of the author. This fan fiction is written for entertainment purposes only – thereby releasing the author from all liabilities.