Hey folks, how ya been? Say, who's seen the second Lord of the Rings
movie? I have! *Dies in awe.* OMG, it was sooo good! Orlando Bloom is
soooo hot! (He plays Legolas, aka the Blonde Elf guy.) Wow.sigh. And
Elijah Wood! Hee! I just want to go give him a hug! He's so cyuute! (He
could walk around with a teddy bear-and he'd make that teddy bear look
really, really good.)
Anyway, how is everyone? (And hey Japanfan, I did intend to write more, I just needed a little break, and now that it's been a month or three I'm back! Ha! I'm just kiddin' ya by the way.) But yeah, whoever hasn't seen the movie, take my advice, GO SEE IT NOW!!!!!!! HURRY! RUN! DON'T BOTHER READING THIS PATHETIC STORY! GO WATCH A REALLY, REALLY GOOD MOVIE! The books are good too; you should read them as well. Okay, basically anything Lord of the Rings is high on my recommendation list, but so what?
I'm so mad!!!!!!!!! The stupid dub episodes on stupid WB are sooo..stupid! It's MALIK NOT, I REPEAT, NOT MAREK! HOW STUPID ARE YOU? *Screams.* Have you seen them yet TL? Did it piss you off too?
But anyway, this author's note sure is long enough. Read the story! That is, unless you're going to go see LOTR! Legolas is sooo hot. It's all about those pointy ears.you know it.
Disclaimer: I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh! and for good measure, I don't own LOTR, oh God, I wish I did. Thank you, Tolkien! Thank you! Bless you in Heaven! *Ahem.*
+~+~+~+~
Konton no Millennia
Chapter Fifteen: Wounded Spirit
By, Rena Campbelle
Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain. We'll be leaving shortly, and I'd like to ask you all to please put on your seatbelts. Thank you and enjoy your flight," the intercom clicked off, and everyone fastened their seatbelt.
"Hey, you guys?" Honda asked warily, "I'm not so sure about this."
"Sure about what?" Seto asked annoyed.
"About flying on a plane. Couldn't we take a car, or a train?" he asked.
Rena smiled, "Honda you wouldn't get very far in a car once you reached the ocean. The same goes for a train. This plane's the fastest way to get to Egypt. This'll make the trip a lot more bearable. If you want to pretend it's a car, that might help."
Honda smiled weakly, "Uh, yeah, thanks. I'm in a car, a really big car." The plane's engines revved and spun to life. Honda gripped the edges of his seat until his hands turned white and cried, "No car can go this fast! We're going to crash."
Seto threw a plastic cup at him, "Shut up you stupid baby, if we don't go this fast, the plane can't get off the ground and we will crash."
"Oh God, we will?" Honda choked.
"Will you stop your crying?" Seto asked in disbelief.
"Yeah, come on, take this like a man," Jounochi chided, but his face was a little pale as well. Mai and Anzu smiled at each other, teaming up to throw more little cups at Honda.
"Hey, look Honda," Rena said pleasantly, "We're already off the ground."
Honda turned and looked out the window at the ground that was about a hundred feet below them. He slammed the window shut and slouched into his seat, his face slightly green.
"Maybe you should just take a nap," Anzu said helpfully, "It'll make the trip go by faster."
"I've got some pain reliever in my bag you can take," Rena said, grabbing her carry-on, "It's kind of strong, so it should help you get to sleep."
"Thanks," Honda said weakly, taking the pills Rena handed him and popped them into his mouth. He took the pitcher of water, and filled himself a large glass and swallowed it down. He leaned his head back against the seat, and five minutes later, was asleep.
"Hey, Rena, you mind if I have a couple of those?" Seto asked, "I could use some rest."
"They weren't really strong pills," Rena said, "They're just children's cold medicine. Honda fell asleep on a placebo."
Seto laughed, "He would be dumb enough to fall for it."
+~+~+~+~
Five hours later, pretty much everyone was asleep. Mokuba was napping on Seto's lap, and Seto's head lay innocently on Rena's shoulder. Honda and Jou were both asleep, and Mai had just dozed off in Jounochi's lap. Yuugi and Rena were the only two awake, and they were engaging in quiet conversation.
"So Rena," Yuugi said, "What do you expect to find here?"
"I'm going to find Ryou and the Daughter of Set. And maybe something else, I don't know what. How about you?" she asked.
"Well, I've been having weird dreams, and I remember something about a special servant of Set's Daughter's. I didn't get it though," he admitted.
"What was it like?" Rena asked him urgently, "Maybe it can help me out."
"Help us out," Yuugi corrected, "But nonetheless, it wasn't really about anything. I just remember standing in a dark cavern where no light can be seen except for a small greenish flame. I only remember being terrified out of my wits, and then I saw her, or at least I thought I saw her. The Daughter of Set sitting upon a great throne, and all she does is whisper, 'Make ready, my servant, the pharaoh draws near.' And then, I always wake up."
"I guess it isn't that important," Rena sighed, "Just another nightmare supplied by our wonderful watcher. Still though, don't forget it."
They sat in silence for a little while, until Yuugi broke the stillness, "Rena, are you scared?"
She smiled at his innocent question, "You really want to know?" Yuugi nodded. She shrugged, "Okay then, I'll tell you. I'm horrified. But what's even worse is how scared some of you guys must be. You're all being so brave, even Mokuba, you're not going to find eleven year-olds as courageous as him."
"I am scared," Yuugi sighed, "But I'm willing to face danger so I can help you in whatever way I can. Even if I can't."
"You'll always help, Yuugi," Rena said, "You're probably helping the most."
"Uh, thanks," he mumbled.
"Check your window," Rena said, "The long blue line is the Nile River. We're here."
Suddenly, Honda sat up groggily, "Are we still alive?"
"Yep," said Rena sunnily, "And just arriving in Egypt!"
"Uh, okay.as long as we're still alive," Honda muttered. He elbowed Jou awake, "Hey, we're still alive." And with that final remark, he fell back asleep.
"What an idiot," Jou said, then looked at Rena and cracked a grin. "Kaiba's sleeping like a baby." He whipped out a camera and took several pictures, then smiling like an idiot, stuffed it into Mai's bag.
Rena smiled and rolled her eyes, "If that's the most you're going to get out of this trip, Jou, I'm going to kick you out of the plane myself."
"That's okay," Jounochi moved Mai's head, then stood up and stretched, "I always wanted to try skydiving without a parachute anyway."
"Loser," Rena chuckled.
+~+~+~+~
They touched down twenty minutes later, and private escorts paid for by Kaiba Corporation took them to their hotel.
"Well," sighed Rena, setting her bag down, "This does remind me of something."
"It's the same hotel," Seto said, coming in behind her.
"Is it?" she asked. "Well then, we must be on a different side of the building. The river breeze isn't blowing in."
"If you want a new room, I'll have it arranged," Seto offered.
"Oh, no. I'm fine. Thanks though," Rena smiled.
Suddenly, Mai walked in and grabbed Rena's arm, "Come on, we have to go shopping! There's a market-place down in the street where they're selling all that Egyptian stuff you like, but there's a really up class part of town that I want to go see too!"
Rena sighed, and allowed Mai to drag her out of the room and into a taxi where the others were waiting for them.
"How are seven people going to fit into one taxi?" Rena asked. "Wasn't that kind of dumb?"
"Here's a thought," replied Mai, "Why don't you flag down another?"
Blushing, Rena nodded, and stuck her hand out to signal another cab. They split into two groups of three and four, and started off.
+~+~+~+~
Sighing, Seto watched them drive off into town, and stuffing his hands in his pockets, went back inside. In his room, he pulled out his laptop and started typing up new reports, and after nearly an hour and a half of staring at a computer screen, lay back and let the sun caress his face. He was quite pleased with having the room to himself, without any of the bickering and senseless quibble he would no doubt be engaging in later.
He felt himself drifting in and out of consciousness as he thought about the days ahead. Rena wouldn't stay out of his head, and his thoughts became chiefly concerned with her. They should do something special later on that night. Yeah, he'd take her out for dinner somewhere, just the two of them. That way he could at least avoid Yuugi and all his friends.
The door opened with a soft click, and he mumbled, "Rena?" Then he realized that wasn't the click of a door opening. That was the click of a gun being set to fire.
+~+~+~+~
"Aww," Mai squealed, holding up another figurine, "It's so cute! I want this one too!"
Rena sighed and yanked Mai away from the counter. "Mai, it's worthless. Come on, we're never going to get to see the part of town you were so excited about."
Mai jerked suddenly, "You're right! What are we wasting time here for? I don't want to sit through another one of your lectures, let's go!"
"That's not exactly what I meant," Rena said, as the tables turned and Mai grabbed Rena, leading her back to the parked cabs.
"Have you noticed," Anzu said to Yuugi, "That Mai and Rena never walk together? One's always pulling the other in the opposite direction."
Yuugi laughed, "Yeah, now that you mention it, I do notice it!"
+~+~+~+~
He didn't remember hearing the door open, didn't remember the gun lock the second time after the first shot. He just remembered jumping off the bed and running. The gun fired a second time. Pain glanced, then seared through his left arm. Clapping his hand over his shoulder, he plowed into his attacker with his good shoulder. The guy was solid as a brick wall, but he crumpled after Seto tackled him. His assailant wore only a dark suit and his sunglasses flew off as he fell, landing beside him.
"Dammit, they both hurt now," Seto muttered. The man got up slowly and Seto kicked him back down, grabbing the gun.
Aiming it at his attacker, Seto said, "Who the hell are you?"
The man shrunk back against the wall in fear, "I was sent here."
"Get up," Seto snapped, making a jerking motion with the gun.
The man spread himself against the wall; rising shakily, "Don't kill me."
"I wouldn't waste my time," Seto spat.
"Why you smart son of a bitch," the man cried, and flung himself at Seto.
He pulled the trigger, and the man fell hard, having taken a bullet right to his collarbone. "Watch who you're talking to," Seto growled. Rolling him over, Seto searched quickly through his pockets. All he could find was some spare cash and a small slip of papyrus. A small character was on the front, but he didn't recognize it. He stuck the slip into his pocket, and kept looking. The man didn't have any form of identification, and carried no form of recognition. Seto looked briefly at the man's face, then stumbled back with a cry. His eyes were a hideous black and a dead light danced there, then flickered, and died out.
Gasping for breath in short gulps, Seto pulled himself back together. He moved his things from his own room, into Rena's, and then barred their possessions in the closet. He took the Rapier though, and again disguised it in its burlap wrappings, and took it down into the guest shop downstairs. There he chose for himself a new outfit, one in which he would not be easily placed. He was dressed in casual jeans, and his boxers peeked out just over their top, and his shirt was a simple beater. He glanced around apprehensively for more dark-suited men, then pulled the Rapier onto his back with a simple rope, and headed out into the busy streets of Cairo.
Rena of course, was in the most crowded street, and surrounded by people.
"And so of course, by the Third Dynasty it wouldn't have been probable that.umph!" she gasped as Seto duly clamped his hand over her mouth.
"All right, Professor," he said, "Come along now. Lecture's over!"
"What's the matter?" she asked, giving him an once-over, "You're dressed like an average guy again."
"It's my birthday," he muttered cynically.
"Oh, is it really?" Rena asked excitedly.
"Don't let all that blonde hair affect your head," he sighed. "Listen, we've got problems. Konton's on the move."
"What?" she asked, spinning around to face him. She gasped, seeing his bloody shoulder. "Seto, your shoulder! What happened?"
He clapped a hand over it quickly. "Just like I said. Come on, I'll tell you more as we go," he looked around nervously.
"Hey guys!" Rena called and waved to her friends frantically. "Yuugi, Mai! We're going!" The group followed after Yuugi and Mai, and everyone was soon following Seto's lead. To Seto she said, "I need to look at your shoulder. It could get serious!" She moved towards him, but he held her away, and kept walking.
"Just where are we going, brother?" asked Mokuba.
"I don't really know. But we can't go back to the hotel.oh shit," he muttered as he noticed another dark-suited person across the way.
Rena followed his glance and sensed his alarm, "Seto, what's going on?"
"No time," he said, regaining his composure, "Come on, we can talk in that alley." He turned off just out of sight of the suited man, and into a dark alley.
"Seto, have you gone nuts?" Mai moaned.
"Keep it down," Seto said. "Listen, there was a guy in our room earlier. He was armed, and tried to take me down. Instead, he got what he came to give."
Rena looked at him gravely, "You killed him?"
"I don't know," Seto said, "I might have, but he wasn't human anyway. I don't think.no." He shuddered as he remembered the black eyes of the dead man.
"Seto," Rena sighed, "You really need to stop killing people before you can find out what they're after."
Seto found himself laughing at Rena's quip, "You're a gem, you know that?"
"Why, thank you," Rena grinned. "But now really, what's going on with the suits? And when are you going to let me take a look at your shoulder?"
"I think they're Konton's own private brute squad," he said. "Aside from that, you got me. They might be demons, but I didn't think they were. And if you feel the need, you can wrap it now."
"Of course not," said Rena, moving to Seto's arm, pulling out a roll of gauze from her purse; she immediately started dressing his shoulder. To the strange look he gave her, she said, "With all the accidents we've been having, I figured we'd need bandage gauze. But you said he had a gun?"
"Yeah," Seto said, unsure.
"Well then, it wouldn't have been a demon. It wouldn't have needed a gun, but then, I guess I can't really say that honestly. I'm not exactly experienced in that area," Rena said, stepping back to admire her handiwork.
Yuugi interjected, "Well, none of us are, but I agree with what you said."
"Right," said Seto, "And I found this on the guy too. He wasn't carrying anything else, no ID, nothing. Just some cash."
"You would notice whether or not he had money on him," Rena sighed as she took the paper Seto handed her.
Seto glanced over Rena's head. The suited guy was coming down the street; he was headed for their alley. "Look at that later, Ren," he said, "We've got company."
Rena looked up to see the suited man, "Another Suit?"
Mai sneered, "That's got to be a rental. No real suit is that tacky."
"Only you," Anzu sighed, pulling Mai along behind her, as Seto led Rena away. The group followed them silently down another path. Rena thought she heard hollow footsteps behind them, but couldn't decide if she was really hearing them or her mind was playing at her.
When they were at least a mile away from the alley, Seto let them stop for a brief rest. "What have you got on the paper?" Seto asked Rena.
"Well, it just says 'Chaos,' but isn't that Konton's name?" she asked.
"Of course," said Seto.
"How dumb," said Mai, "Why write Chaos in Egyptian? It would have been smarter just to sign her name. There's no shock factor with a dumb mark in ancient Egyptian."
"There's plenty of shock factor," said Rena silently, "She knows how much just seeing her name frightens me. She's playing a game."
"Well, she needs to rethink the rules," said Mai, "Or we're going to beat her at it."
Rena laughed, if not for humor but for simple relief, "Mai how do you do that?"
"Do what?"
"Make everything seem so much more bearable?" Rena gave a clueless Mai a big hug.
"Are you done?" Seto asked. "I want to keep moving."
"Well, where are we going?" asked Jounochi.
Seto's blank stare more than answered his question.
"Follow me," Rena said, exasperated. "Seto, you idiot. I'm never taking directions from you as long as I live." She took off and led them back out into the street.
Seto was apprehensive though, "I don't want to be seen, is this such a good- ?"
"Idea?" Rena finished, "Yes, the Suit's less likely to find us in the street than in a dark alleyway where all he's got to follow is our voices. If we have to, we can lose him here. And besides, we need to get back to the hotel room. I have things there I'm going to need before we leave."
Suddenly, a voice broke her thoughts, "Rena? Is that you? No way!"
She turned around alarmed, and then alarm melted into sheer joy and she squealed, "Andre!" She ran up to him and launched herself into his arms.
"Is it really Isis?" he crowed, "Or just Cleopatra?"
She threw her arms around his neck, and wrapped her legs around his waist like a vise. She laid kisses on his cheeks, and for the hell of it, smacked him one straight on the mouth. Mai gladly informed her later that Seto had been giving her the worst death glare that she, personally, had ever seen.
He looked stunned, as he spun her around, and laughed insanely. "You can't believe how much I missed you!"
Another voice laughed, "Rena-chan!"
"Nazo-oniisan!" Rena reached to give Nazo a hug. It came out awkwardly, as she still was wrapped around Andre's waist, so she just dragged her into a big group hug.
"I'm so happy!" Nazo laughed. "We have missed you so much these past months!"
"I missed you all too," Rena cried, "You have no clue!"
"Oh, you bet we do," said Andre, setting her back down on the ground. "In fact, I bet we missed you more."
"Care to put your money where your mouth is?" Rena dared.
"This time I have a chance of winning," grinned Andre as he pulled out his wallet. "I've got Nazo to back me on this one."
"You'll still lose," smiled Rena, "I've got you all beat with my story."
"There's a story involved?" asked Andre, raising a curious eyebrow.
"Of course," said Rena. "We'll talk over lunch, okay?"
Seto walked up behind her and grabbed her arm; "We don't have time for lunch. Remember our friends? Look over your boyfriend's head."
"Andre isn't my boyfriend," she growled, and then her tone grew disheartened, "I just wanted to talk to them. They deserve to know too."
"Know what?" asked Nazo, who had overheard Rena.
"Nothing. Come back to the hotel with us," said Rena cheerily. "Then we'll have plenty of time to talk. I sure could go for a lemonade or something."
"Uh, yeah," said Seto, "Come on."
Rena grabbed his ear, "You're not leading, O ye of little street smarts. Follow me." She took off, weaving through the crowded streets, along several paths; some busy others not so, until they reached a block away from their hotel.
"My feet are killing me," Mai complained, "I really can't wait to test my new swimsuit in the pool. That'll take a load off my legs."
"Yeah, so guys can take a load-in of your legs," Anzu sighed.
"Nah," Mai said. "I mean have you seen guys here? If they're going to wear their bed sheets, they should at least wear them with some flair."
Jounochi sighed, "Mai."
"Something wrong, Jou?" she smiled sweetly and batted her eyelashes.
Jounochi blushed and looked away, stammering, "Uh, it was nothing really. Never mind."
"Come on," Rena waved for them. "We're here!"
"Rena," Seto whispered.
"Seto, come on, look around you. Do you see any suited thugs?" she asked, exasperated.
"No, you lost him, I'll give you credit," Seto said. "But that's not what I'm getting at. They know where we're staying, and they know everything down to at least my room number. And all of your stuff's in the room. They could easily find all of your notes, and just about everything else that is to our advantage."
"They don't have what's on your back," Rena smirked.
Seto gaped, "How did you know?"
"I'm insulted, Seto," she said. "Do you really think I'm that stupid? Come on, we all know it's the Holy."
"Shh," he said, clamping a hand over her mouth. "I don't even want you to say it out of the safety of our room."
"Don't get so wigged out," she said. "Hey, Yuugi!"
"Yeah?" Yuugi said.
"Yami in there somewhere?" Rena asked.
"Well, I guess so. Can't I help?" he asked.
Rena smiled, "I'm sorry, Yuugi. 'Course you can!"
Yuugi brightened, "What is it you needed?"
Rena laughed, "Not much. Just, have you noticed anyone following us? There's trouble going on. I think Konton has tagged us. We've got Suits out and about, watching us."
"But wait, Konton's after us?" Yuugi asked. "I thought she just chased after us with demons."
"Maybe it's because we're in a busy street," Anzu mentioned.
"You heard?" Rena asked.
"It was hard not to," Anzu said, and then blushed. "Okay, I was eavesdropping. Sorry."
"That's okay," Rena said, running a hand through her hair. "But I don't think Konton's afraid of dropping her demons wherever they land. She certainly didn't seem to mind when she threw Noriyuki and Jaaku after us."
"Then, maybe it isn't Konton," said Yuugi. "You said these men were wearing suits?"
"Yeah."
"Not to mention when Konton attacked us, her people weren't flagging us down, or carrying weapons, or carried any form of currency on them. This guy had or had done all three. Konton's demons looked like normal people. A boy, a woman, all things you wouldn't expect harm to come from. But these Suits, they're intent is naturally bad," Yuugi said.
"What are you getting at?" Anzu asked.
"I get it," said Seto. "I just didn't want to."
"What do you mean?" asked Rena. "What's going on?"
"I think someone else is after us," said Yuugi, "Someone else knows about the Rapier."
"Shh, keep it down," Seto said.
"Don't be so nervous," Rena chided him. "Your apprehension could screw us all over."
"With your adeptness, love, I don't see why we haven't been caught yet."
"You watch it," she threatened.
Anzu sighed, "This isn't going to end well."
"Rena, let's just go to the hotel," Seto said.
"Could you get us there without getting lost?"
"We're a block from it!"
"And that's supposed to mean you won't get lost? We were a block away from the street last time and we still ended up wandering for hours. Or maybe that was just because you were scared of a brainless thug?"
"A brainless thug built like a brick wall!"
"Okay! Cut it out!" Yuugi cried. Rena was about ready to launch herself at Seto, who looked just as ready to clock her if need be. Mai grabbed Rena just as she pounced and dragged her away towards the hotel, while Honda and Jounochi each latched onto one of Seto's arms and held him back.
Mokuba laughed, "Don't worry guys! They do this sort of thing all the time. First they fight, but they always make up later." Everyone laughed, even Rena. Seto was the only one who didn't find it amusing.
"Oh really?" Jounochi said. "Just how do they make up?" He made obnoxious kissing noises in Kaiba's ear.
"Watch it, Katsuya," Seto warned, malice laced in his voice. Jounochi immediately stopped and grew quiet. His hand left Seto's shoulder and he walked off. Seto brushed Honda off with ease, and started after Rena.
"Hey Rena, I want to get in and get out of the hotel. I don't want anyone in trouble. Especially Mokuba.and you," he looked at the ground.
Rena wrenched her arm from Mai's grasp, "All right. Sounds fine with me. But just where are we going to go?"
"I can rent out a house for us, there's got to be something for all of us to live in for a while," he said.
"Live? In Egypt?" she asked. "But the others, what will they say?"
"They can go home when they want to," Seto said.
"Oh, please," Mai interjected. "Even if we wanted to go home we wouldn't leave you guys! Even I'm not that shallow. God."
Rena laughed and hugged Mai, "Thanks so much Mai! That means something!"
"It does?" said Mai, apparently shocked at the show of affection. "What does it mean?"
"That you all are.loyal friends," Rena said, still laughing. "Come on you blonde!" She ran into the hotel.
"I resent that remark!" she cried, chasing Rena into the building.
+~+~+~+~
The man was still lying in the floor when they arrived.
"You mean no one's found him yet?" Anzu said, turning green. "What does that say about this place?"
"Don't look under the mattress," Seto answered dryly. He went straight to the closet, and pulled out Rena's, Mokuba's and his own bags, and set them on the floor. The guard he started to drag away, but his body crumpled slowly, and melted away into dust, leaving nothing but a rumpled suit and a pair of dark sunglasses.
"Well, that was one of Set's Daughter's calling cards if I ever saw one," Yuugi said.
Rena nodded, her fave gravening, "It's what I feared." Everyone turned to look at her. Her face was dark and her hands were twitching slightly. She was mumbling to herself in a strange language, and her eyes were glimmering. Her head shot up suddenly and her eyes were no longer her own, but those of another person. And then, they glazed, her hands stopped moving, her entire body went deathly still. She slumped onto a bed, but still the look did not clear from her eyes.
Seto moved to her, held her against him. She did not resist, nor go to him, but merely followed his grasp, pallid and motionless. Seto had seen this look in her eyes before. It was the look of a body in which no soul had control. He was losing her.
She faded out slowly as Megami screamed in their mind, ranting again. Her pain intensified as Seto drew Rena against him, and still no sound could be issued from their lungs. Megami vied at Rena for control, but all of her power was venting in her anger, sudden anger that had flared up as the man turned to dust.
I know him! she screamed, Her servant has awakened! I know him! We have to run!!
Rena could not answer. Her soul was numb as though some unknown force was suppressing it. It was as if some poison had entered her body, and was slowly creeping through her veins, bringing its plague of fatigue and blackness. It was cold and threatening, mocking her as it invaded her body. She could not communicate, mentally or verbally, nor could she move. It was a struggle to breathe alone. A dark laughter rang in their minds, dim through Megami's angst, but still audible. Rena feared that laugh now more than anything she had before witnessed. It was a laugh of triumph. She wasn't going to win this battle. Her lungs stopped, and she succeeded into rest, Megami and the Voice echoing in her slowly dimming mind.
The last thing she heard was Seto's cry, "RENA!" She heard and felt no more.
~Kega Seishin
_________________________________
Oh, wow! Cliffhanger ending! I guess you guys'll have to read the next chapter! *Laughs evilly.* Well, I hope you liked this.
I was so excited about this chapter! I haven't been this eager to continue a chapter for months! MONTHS! Why? Well, I'll tell you in the next chapter! It's a pretty funny story!
Anyway, how is everyone? (And hey Japanfan, I did intend to write more, I just needed a little break, and now that it's been a month or three I'm back! Ha! I'm just kiddin' ya by the way.) But yeah, whoever hasn't seen the movie, take my advice, GO SEE IT NOW!!!!!!! HURRY! RUN! DON'T BOTHER READING THIS PATHETIC STORY! GO WATCH A REALLY, REALLY GOOD MOVIE! The books are good too; you should read them as well. Okay, basically anything Lord of the Rings is high on my recommendation list, but so what?
I'm so mad!!!!!!!!! The stupid dub episodes on stupid WB are sooo..stupid! It's MALIK NOT, I REPEAT, NOT MAREK! HOW STUPID ARE YOU? *Screams.* Have you seen them yet TL? Did it piss you off too?
But anyway, this author's note sure is long enough. Read the story! That is, unless you're going to go see LOTR! Legolas is sooo hot. It's all about those pointy ears.you know it.
Disclaimer: I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh! and for good measure, I don't own LOTR, oh God, I wish I did. Thank you, Tolkien! Thank you! Bless you in Heaven! *Ahem.*
+~+~+~+~
Konton no Millennia
Chapter Fifteen: Wounded Spirit
By, Rena Campbelle
Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain. We'll be leaving shortly, and I'd like to ask you all to please put on your seatbelts. Thank you and enjoy your flight," the intercom clicked off, and everyone fastened their seatbelt.
"Hey, you guys?" Honda asked warily, "I'm not so sure about this."
"Sure about what?" Seto asked annoyed.
"About flying on a plane. Couldn't we take a car, or a train?" he asked.
Rena smiled, "Honda you wouldn't get very far in a car once you reached the ocean. The same goes for a train. This plane's the fastest way to get to Egypt. This'll make the trip a lot more bearable. If you want to pretend it's a car, that might help."
Honda smiled weakly, "Uh, yeah, thanks. I'm in a car, a really big car." The plane's engines revved and spun to life. Honda gripped the edges of his seat until his hands turned white and cried, "No car can go this fast! We're going to crash."
Seto threw a plastic cup at him, "Shut up you stupid baby, if we don't go this fast, the plane can't get off the ground and we will crash."
"Oh God, we will?" Honda choked.
"Will you stop your crying?" Seto asked in disbelief.
"Yeah, come on, take this like a man," Jounochi chided, but his face was a little pale as well. Mai and Anzu smiled at each other, teaming up to throw more little cups at Honda.
"Hey, look Honda," Rena said pleasantly, "We're already off the ground."
Honda turned and looked out the window at the ground that was about a hundred feet below them. He slammed the window shut and slouched into his seat, his face slightly green.
"Maybe you should just take a nap," Anzu said helpfully, "It'll make the trip go by faster."
"I've got some pain reliever in my bag you can take," Rena said, grabbing her carry-on, "It's kind of strong, so it should help you get to sleep."
"Thanks," Honda said weakly, taking the pills Rena handed him and popped them into his mouth. He took the pitcher of water, and filled himself a large glass and swallowed it down. He leaned his head back against the seat, and five minutes later, was asleep.
"Hey, Rena, you mind if I have a couple of those?" Seto asked, "I could use some rest."
"They weren't really strong pills," Rena said, "They're just children's cold medicine. Honda fell asleep on a placebo."
Seto laughed, "He would be dumb enough to fall for it."
+~+~+~+~
Five hours later, pretty much everyone was asleep. Mokuba was napping on Seto's lap, and Seto's head lay innocently on Rena's shoulder. Honda and Jou were both asleep, and Mai had just dozed off in Jounochi's lap. Yuugi and Rena were the only two awake, and they were engaging in quiet conversation.
"So Rena," Yuugi said, "What do you expect to find here?"
"I'm going to find Ryou and the Daughter of Set. And maybe something else, I don't know what. How about you?" she asked.
"Well, I've been having weird dreams, and I remember something about a special servant of Set's Daughter's. I didn't get it though," he admitted.
"What was it like?" Rena asked him urgently, "Maybe it can help me out."
"Help us out," Yuugi corrected, "But nonetheless, it wasn't really about anything. I just remember standing in a dark cavern where no light can be seen except for a small greenish flame. I only remember being terrified out of my wits, and then I saw her, or at least I thought I saw her. The Daughter of Set sitting upon a great throne, and all she does is whisper, 'Make ready, my servant, the pharaoh draws near.' And then, I always wake up."
"I guess it isn't that important," Rena sighed, "Just another nightmare supplied by our wonderful watcher. Still though, don't forget it."
They sat in silence for a little while, until Yuugi broke the stillness, "Rena, are you scared?"
She smiled at his innocent question, "You really want to know?" Yuugi nodded. She shrugged, "Okay then, I'll tell you. I'm horrified. But what's even worse is how scared some of you guys must be. You're all being so brave, even Mokuba, you're not going to find eleven year-olds as courageous as him."
"I am scared," Yuugi sighed, "But I'm willing to face danger so I can help you in whatever way I can. Even if I can't."
"You'll always help, Yuugi," Rena said, "You're probably helping the most."
"Uh, thanks," he mumbled.
"Check your window," Rena said, "The long blue line is the Nile River. We're here."
Suddenly, Honda sat up groggily, "Are we still alive?"
"Yep," said Rena sunnily, "And just arriving in Egypt!"
"Uh, okay.as long as we're still alive," Honda muttered. He elbowed Jou awake, "Hey, we're still alive." And with that final remark, he fell back asleep.
"What an idiot," Jou said, then looked at Rena and cracked a grin. "Kaiba's sleeping like a baby." He whipped out a camera and took several pictures, then smiling like an idiot, stuffed it into Mai's bag.
Rena smiled and rolled her eyes, "If that's the most you're going to get out of this trip, Jou, I'm going to kick you out of the plane myself."
"That's okay," Jounochi moved Mai's head, then stood up and stretched, "I always wanted to try skydiving without a parachute anyway."
"Loser," Rena chuckled.
+~+~+~+~
They touched down twenty minutes later, and private escorts paid for by Kaiba Corporation took them to their hotel.
"Well," sighed Rena, setting her bag down, "This does remind me of something."
"It's the same hotel," Seto said, coming in behind her.
"Is it?" she asked. "Well then, we must be on a different side of the building. The river breeze isn't blowing in."
"If you want a new room, I'll have it arranged," Seto offered.
"Oh, no. I'm fine. Thanks though," Rena smiled.
Suddenly, Mai walked in and grabbed Rena's arm, "Come on, we have to go shopping! There's a market-place down in the street where they're selling all that Egyptian stuff you like, but there's a really up class part of town that I want to go see too!"
Rena sighed, and allowed Mai to drag her out of the room and into a taxi where the others were waiting for them.
"How are seven people going to fit into one taxi?" Rena asked. "Wasn't that kind of dumb?"
"Here's a thought," replied Mai, "Why don't you flag down another?"
Blushing, Rena nodded, and stuck her hand out to signal another cab. They split into two groups of three and four, and started off.
+~+~+~+~
Sighing, Seto watched them drive off into town, and stuffing his hands in his pockets, went back inside. In his room, he pulled out his laptop and started typing up new reports, and after nearly an hour and a half of staring at a computer screen, lay back and let the sun caress his face. He was quite pleased with having the room to himself, without any of the bickering and senseless quibble he would no doubt be engaging in later.
He felt himself drifting in and out of consciousness as he thought about the days ahead. Rena wouldn't stay out of his head, and his thoughts became chiefly concerned with her. They should do something special later on that night. Yeah, he'd take her out for dinner somewhere, just the two of them. That way he could at least avoid Yuugi and all his friends.
The door opened with a soft click, and he mumbled, "Rena?" Then he realized that wasn't the click of a door opening. That was the click of a gun being set to fire.
+~+~+~+~
"Aww," Mai squealed, holding up another figurine, "It's so cute! I want this one too!"
Rena sighed and yanked Mai away from the counter. "Mai, it's worthless. Come on, we're never going to get to see the part of town you were so excited about."
Mai jerked suddenly, "You're right! What are we wasting time here for? I don't want to sit through another one of your lectures, let's go!"
"That's not exactly what I meant," Rena said, as the tables turned and Mai grabbed Rena, leading her back to the parked cabs.
"Have you noticed," Anzu said to Yuugi, "That Mai and Rena never walk together? One's always pulling the other in the opposite direction."
Yuugi laughed, "Yeah, now that you mention it, I do notice it!"
+~+~+~+~
He didn't remember hearing the door open, didn't remember the gun lock the second time after the first shot. He just remembered jumping off the bed and running. The gun fired a second time. Pain glanced, then seared through his left arm. Clapping his hand over his shoulder, he plowed into his attacker with his good shoulder. The guy was solid as a brick wall, but he crumpled after Seto tackled him. His assailant wore only a dark suit and his sunglasses flew off as he fell, landing beside him.
"Dammit, they both hurt now," Seto muttered. The man got up slowly and Seto kicked him back down, grabbing the gun.
Aiming it at his attacker, Seto said, "Who the hell are you?"
The man shrunk back against the wall in fear, "I was sent here."
"Get up," Seto snapped, making a jerking motion with the gun.
The man spread himself against the wall; rising shakily, "Don't kill me."
"I wouldn't waste my time," Seto spat.
"Why you smart son of a bitch," the man cried, and flung himself at Seto.
He pulled the trigger, and the man fell hard, having taken a bullet right to his collarbone. "Watch who you're talking to," Seto growled. Rolling him over, Seto searched quickly through his pockets. All he could find was some spare cash and a small slip of papyrus. A small character was on the front, but he didn't recognize it. He stuck the slip into his pocket, and kept looking. The man didn't have any form of identification, and carried no form of recognition. Seto looked briefly at the man's face, then stumbled back with a cry. His eyes were a hideous black and a dead light danced there, then flickered, and died out.
Gasping for breath in short gulps, Seto pulled himself back together. He moved his things from his own room, into Rena's, and then barred their possessions in the closet. He took the Rapier though, and again disguised it in its burlap wrappings, and took it down into the guest shop downstairs. There he chose for himself a new outfit, one in which he would not be easily placed. He was dressed in casual jeans, and his boxers peeked out just over their top, and his shirt was a simple beater. He glanced around apprehensively for more dark-suited men, then pulled the Rapier onto his back with a simple rope, and headed out into the busy streets of Cairo.
Rena of course, was in the most crowded street, and surrounded by people.
"And so of course, by the Third Dynasty it wouldn't have been probable that.umph!" she gasped as Seto duly clamped his hand over her mouth.
"All right, Professor," he said, "Come along now. Lecture's over!"
"What's the matter?" she asked, giving him an once-over, "You're dressed like an average guy again."
"It's my birthday," he muttered cynically.
"Oh, is it really?" Rena asked excitedly.
"Don't let all that blonde hair affect your head," he sighed. "Listen, we've got problems. Konton's on the move."
"What?" she asked, spinning around to face him. She gasped, seeing his bloody shoulder. "Seto, your shoulder! What happened?"
He clapped a hand over it quickly. "Just like I said. Come on, I'll tell you more as we go," he looked around nervously.
"Hey guys!" Rena called and waved to her friends frantically. "Yuugi, Mai! We're going!" The group followed after Yuugi and Mai, and everyone was soon following Seto's lead. To Seto she said, "I need to look at your shoulder. It could get serious!" She moved towards him, but he held her away, and kept walking.
"Just where are we going, brother?" asked Mokuba.
"I don't really know. But we can't go back to the hotel.oh shit," he muttered as he noticed another dark-suited person across the way.
Rena followed his glance and sensed his alarm, "Seto, what's going on?"
"No time," he said, regaining his composure, "Come on, we can talk in that alley." He turned off just out of sight of the suited man, and into a dark alley.
"Seto, have you gone nuts?" Mai moaned.
"Keep it down," Seto said. "Listen, there was a guy in our room earlier. He was armed, and tried to take me down. Instead, he got what he came to give."
Rena looked at him gravely, "You killed him?"
"I don't know," Seto said, "I might have, but he wasn't human anyway. I don't think.no." He shuddered as he remembered the black eyes of the dead man.
"Seto," Rena sighed, "You really need to stop killing people before you can find out what they're after."
Seto found himself laughing at Rena's quip, "You're a gem, you know that?"
"Why, thank you," Rena grinned. "But now really, what's going on with the suits? And when are you going to let me take a look at your shoulder?"
"I think they're Konton's own private brute squad," he said. "Aside from that, you got me. They might be demons, but I didn't think they were. And if you feel the need, you can wrap it now."
"Of course not," said Rena, moving to Seto's arm, pulling out a roll of gauze from her purse; she immediately started dressing his shoulder. To the strange look he gave her, she said, "With all the accidents we've been having, I figured we'd need bandage gauze. But you said he had a gun?"
"Yeah," Seto said, unsure.
"Well then, it wouldn't have been a demon. It wouldn't have needed a gun, but then, I guess I can't really say that honestly. I'm not exactly experienced in that area," Rena said, stepping back to admire her handiwork.
Yuugi interjected, "Well, none of us are, but I agree with what you said."
"Right," said Seto, "And I found this on the guy too. He wasn't carrying anything else, no ID, nothing. Just some cash."
"You would notice whether or not he had money on him," Rena sighed as she took the paper Seto handed her.
Seto glanced over Rena's head. The suited guy was coming down the street; he was headed for their alley. "Look at that later, Ren," he said, "We've got company."
Rena looked up to see the suited man, "Another Suit?"
Mai sneered, "That's got to be a rental. No real suit is that tacky."
"Only you," Anzu sighed, pulling Mai along behind her, as Seto led Rena away. The group followed them silently down another path. Rena thought she heard hollow footsteps behind them, but couldn't decide if she was really hearing them or her mind was playing at her.
When they were at least a mile away from the alley, Seto let them stop for a brief rest. "What have you got on the paper?" Seto asked Rena.
"Well, it just says 'Chaos,' but isn't that Konton's name?" she asked.
"Of course," said Seto.
"How dumb," said Mai, "Why write Chaos in Egyptian? It would have been smarter just to sign her name. There's no shock factor with a dumb mark in ancient Egyptian."
"There's plenty of shock factor," said Rena silently, "She knows how much just seeing her name frightens me. She's playing a game."
"Well, she needs to rethink the rules," said Mai, "Or we're going to beat her at it."
Rena laughed, if not for humor but for simple relief, "Mai how do you do that?"
"Do what?"
"Make everything seem so much more bearable?" Rena gave a clueless Mai a big hug.
"Are you done?" Seto asked. "I want to keep moving."
"Well, where are we going?" asked Jounochi.
Seto's blank stare more than answered his question.
"Follow me," Rena said, exasperated. "Seto, you idiot. I'm never taking directions from you as long as I live." She took off and led them back out into the street.
Seto was apprehensive though, "I don't want to be seen, is this such a good- ?"
"Idea?" Rena finished, "Yes, the Suit's less likely to find us in the street than in a dark alleyway where all he's got to follow is our voices. If we have to, we can lose him here. And besides, we need to get back to the hotel room. I have things there I'm going to need before we leave."
Suddenly, a voice broke her thoughts, "Rena? Is that you? No way!"
She turned around alarmed, and then alarm melted into sheer joy and she squealed, "Andre!" She ran up to him and launched herself into his arms.
"Is it really Isis?" he crowed, "Or just Cleopatra?"
She threw her arms around his neck, and wrapped her legs around his waist like a vise. She laid kisses on his cheeks, and for the hell of it, smacked him one straight on the mouth. Mai gladly informed her later that Seto had been giving her the worst death glare that she, personally, had ever seen.
He looked stunned, as he spun her around, and laughed insanely. "You can't believe how much I missed you!"
Another voice laughed, "Rena-chan!"
"Nazo-oniisan!" Rena reached to give Nazo a hug. It came out awkwardly, as she still was wrapped around Andre's waist, so she just dragged her into a big group hug.
"I'm so happy!" Nazo laughed. "We have missed you so much these past months!"
"I missed you all too," Rena cried, "You have no clue!"
"Oh, you bet we do," said Andre, setting her back down on the ground. "In fact, I bet we missed you more."
"Care to put your money where your mouth is?" Rena dared.
"This time I have a chance of winning," grinned Andre as he pulled out his wallet. "I've got Nazo to back me on this one."
"You'll still lose," smiled Rena, "I've got you all beat with my story."
"There's a story involved?" asked Andre, raising a curious eyebrow.
"Of course," said Rena. "We'll talk over lunch, okay?"
Seto walked up behind her and grabbed her arm; "We don't have time for lunch. Remember our friends? Look over your boyfriend's head."
"Andre isn't my boyfriend," she growled, and then her tone grew disheartened, "I just wanted to talk to them. They deserve to know too."
"Know what?" asked Nazo, who had overheard Rena.
"Nothing. Come back to the hotel with us," said Rena cheerily. "Then we'll have plenty of time to talk. I sure could go for a lemonade or something."
"Uh, yeah," said Seto, "Come on."
Rena grabbed his ear, "You're not leading, O ye of little street smarts. Follow me." She took off, weaving through the crowded streets, along several paths; some busy others not so, until they reached a block away from their hotel.
"My feet are killing me," Mai complained, "I really can't wait to test my new swimsuit in the pool. That'll take a load off my legs."
"Yeah, so guys can take a load-in of your legs," Anzu sighed.
"Nah," Mai said. "I mean have you seen guys here? If they're going to wear their bed sheets, they should at least wear them with some flair."
Jounochi sighed, "Mai."
"Something wrong, Jou?" she smiled sweetly and batted her eyelashes.
Jounochi blushed and looked away, stammering, "Uh, it was nothing really. Never mind."
"Come on," Rena waved for them. "We're here!"
"Rena," Seto whispered.
"Seto, come on, look around you. Do you see any suited thugs?" she asked, exasperated.
"No, you lost him, I'll give you credit," Seto said. "But that's not what I'm getting at. They know where we're staying, and they know everything down to at least my room number. And all of your stuff's in the room. They could easily find all of your notes, and just about everything else that is to our advantage."
"They don't have what's on your back," Rena smirked.
Seto gaped, "How did you know?"
"I'm insulted, Seto," she said. "Do you really think I'm that stupid? Come on, we all know it's the Holy."
"Shh," he said, clamping a hand over her mouth. "I don't even want you to say it out of the safety of our room."
"Don't get so wigged out," she said. "Hey, Yuugi!"
"Yeah?" Yuugi said.
"Yami in there somewhere?" Rena asked.
"Well, I guess so. Can't I help?" he asked.
Rena smiled, "I'm sorry, Yuugi. 'Course you can!"
Yuugi brightened, "What is it you needed?"
Rena laughed, "Not much. Just, have you noticed anyone following us? There's trouble going on. I think Konton has tagged us. We've got Suits out and about, watching us."
"But wait, Konton's after us?" Yuugi asked. "I thought she just chased after us with demons."
"Maybe it's because we're in a busy street," Anzu mentioned.
"You heard?" Rena asked.
"It was hard not to," Anzu said, and then blushed. "Okay, I was eavesdropping. Sorry."
"That's okay," Rena said, running a hand through her hair. "But I don't think Konton's afraid of dropping her demons wherever they land. She certainly didn't seem to mind when she threw Noriyuki and Jaaku after us."
"Then, maybe it isn't Konton," said Yuugi. "You said these men were wearing suits?"
"Yeah."
"Not to mention when Konton attacked us, her people weren't flagging us down, or carrying weapons, or carried any form of currency on them. This guy had or had done all three. Konton's demons looked like normal people. A boy, a woman, all things you wouldn't expect harm to come from. But these Suits, they're intent is naturally bad," Yuugi said.
"What are you getting at?" Anzu asked.
"I get it," said Seto. "I just didn't want to."
"What do you mean?" asked Rena. "What's going on?"
"I think someone else is after us," said Yuugi, "Someone else knows about the Rapier."
"Shh, keep it down," Seto said.
"Don't be so nervous," Rena chided him. "Your apprehension could screw us all over."
"With your adeptness, love, I don't see why we haven't been caught yet."
"You watch it," she threatened.
Anzu sighed, "This isn't going to end well."
"Rena, let's just go to the hotel," Seto said.
"Could you get us there without getting lost?"
"We're a block from it!"
"And that's supposed to mean you won't get lost? We were a block away from the street last time and we still ended up wandering for hours. Or maybe that was just because you were scared of a brainless thug?"
"A brainless thug built like a brick wall!"
"Okay! Cut it out!" Yuugi cried. Rena was about ready to launch herself at Seto, who looked just as ready to clock her if need be. Mai grabbed Rena just as she pounced and dragged her away towards the hotel, while Honda and Jounochi each latched onto one of Seto's arms and held him back.
Mokuba laughed, "Don't worry guys! They do this sort of thing all the time. First they fight, but they always make up later." Everyone laughed, even Rena. Seto was the only one who didn't find it amusing.
"Oh really?" Jounochi said. "Just how do they make up?" He made obnoxious kissing noises in Kaiba's ear.
"Watch it, Katsuya," Seto warned, malice laced in his voice. Jounochi immediately stopped and grew quiet. His hand left Seto's shoulder and he walked off. Seto brushed Honda off with ease, and started after Rena.
"Hey Rena, I want to get in and get out of the hotel. I don't want anyone in trouble. Especially Mokuba.and you," he looked at the ground.
Rena wrenched her arm from Mai's grasp, "All right. Sounds fine with me. But just where are we going to go?"
"I can rent out a house for us, there's got to be something for all of us to live in for a while," he said.
"Live? In Egypt?" she asked. "But the others, what will they say?"
"They can go home when they want to," Seto said.
"Oh, please," Mai interjected. "Even if we wanted to go home we wouldn't leave you guys! Even I'm not that shallow. God."
Rena laughed and hugged Mai, "Thanks so much Mai! That means something!"
"It does?" said Mai, apparently shocked at the show of affection. "What does it mean?"
"That you all are.loyal friends," Rena said, still laughing. "Come on you blonde!" She ran into the hotel.
"I resent that remark!" she cried, chasing Rena into the building.
+~+~+~+~
The man was still lying in the floor when they arrived.
"You mean no one's found him yet?" Anzu said, turning green. "What does that say about this place?"
"Don't look under the mattress," Seto answered dryly. He went straight to the closet, and pulled out Rena's, Mokuba's and his own bags, and set them on the floor. The guard he started to drag away, but his body crumpled slowly, and melted away into dust, leaving nothing but a rumpled suit and a pair of dark sunglasses.
"Well, that was one of Set's Daughter's calling cards if I ever saw one," Yuugi said.
Rena nodded, her fave gravening, "It's what I feared." Everyone turned to look at her. Her face was dark and her hands were twitching slightly. She was mumbling to herself in a strange language, and her eyes were glimmering. Her head shot up suddenly and her eyes were no longer her own, but those of another person. And then, they glazed, her hands stopped moving, her entire body went deathly still. She slumped onto a bed, but still the look did not clear from her eyes.
Seto moved to her, held her against him. She did not resist, nor go to him, but merely followed his grasp, pallid and motionless. Seto had seen this look in her eyes before. It was the look of a body in which no soul had control. He was losing her.
She faded out slowly as Megami screamed in their mind, ranting again. Her pain intensified as Seto drew Rena against him, and still no sound could be issued from their lungs. Megami vied at Rena for control, but all of her power was venting in her anger, sudden anger that had flared up as the man turned to dust.
I know him! she screamed, Her servant has awakened! I know him! We have to run!!
Rena could not answer. Her soul was numb as though some unknown force was suppressing it. It was as if some poison had entered her body, and was slowly creeping through her veins, bringing its plague of fatigue and blackness. It was cold and threatening, mocking her as it invaded her body. She could not communicate, mentally or verbally, nor could she move. It was a struggle to breathe alone. A dark laughter rang in their minds, dim through Megami's angst, but still audible. Rena feared that laugh now more than anything she had before witnessed. It was a laugh of triumph. She wasn't going to win this battle. Her lungs stopped, and she succeeded into rest, Megami and the Voice echoing in her slowly dimming mind.
The last thing she heard was Seto's cry, "RENA!" She heard and felt no more.
~Kega Seishin
_________________________________
Oh, wow! Cliffhanger ending! I guess you guys'll have to read the next chapter! *Laughs evilly.* Well, I hope you liked this.
I was so excited about this chapter! I haven't been this eager to continue a chapter for months! MONTHS! Why? Well, I'll tell you in the next chapter! It's a pretty funny story!