All right, four years later, and here I am with another chapter. Yeah, I know, you all look so excited…considering I have maybe three avid readers who actually give a darn about this crazy story. But I promise it will be done before its one year anniversary!! Even if it kills me!!!
+~+~+~+~
Konton no Millennia
Chapter Seventeen: Discovery, Cruelty, and Crisis!
By, Rena Campbelle äÓ
Anzu leaned out the window to catch a glimpse of where they were going, but was greeted instead with rising sand and dirt. Coughing, she sat back down inside, picking sand and grit out of her hair.
"Yuck, this is so gross," she complained.
"Well, it's the only way we're going to get to the bottom of this, so stop you're whining," Seto said.
Anzu looked over at Yami, "What's his problem?"
"First off, it's Seto, but I think it's just nerves. Yuugi and I are feeling it, too," he responded. He was squashed in the back in between Honda and Anzu, and Honda was stuck between him and Jounochi.
Jounochi tried to yell something to them but he had stuck his head out the window, so everything he tried to say was lost on the wind. Finally, fed up of not being heard, he ducked his head in for a brief moment to say, "Damn it, this sucks." Then, he stuck his head back out.
"Poor Jou," Mai laughed. She was sitting comfortably in the front by Seto who was driving their terrain truck through the desert. Mokuba couldn't help but laugh as well, seeing as he was sitting just as comfortably between Mai and Seto.
Suddenly, Rena's voice broke out over their two-way system, harsh and crackly, "Hey guys, we're almost there. How's everyone holding up?" Her voice was edgy, and she sounded a little ticked.
Mai picked it up excitedly, "This thing's awesome! But yeah, we're okay. Over!"
"What's that I see out the window? Is that one of you guys?" Rena asked.
"Oh, it's just Jou. You know how he is. Over!" Mai cried.
"But why? He's going to choke himself on the sand being blown up," she responded.
"Oh, don't worry, he's eaten worse things before. And if he goes under, well, I can always steal Seto from you!" she clapped a hand on Seto's shoulder. "Over!"
"Don't touch me," Seto growled.
"Yipe! Rena, you better tell your boyfriend to be nice to me! Over!" Mai giggled.
"Mai, for the thousandth time, Seto's not my boyfriend and quit saying over!!" Rena shouted. "Jesus!"
"Oh, Rena darling, am I bugging you? Over!" Mai cackled.
"SHUT UP MAI!!!"
Seto reached over and took the two-way speaker from Mai. "Shut it up you crazy woman, and give that to me."
"Fine," she harrumphed, leaning against the window. "You sure know how to spoil a girl's fun. It's bad enough having to go out all this way. Do you realize what all this heat and sand's going to do to my hair? You're paying my salon bills for the next month!"
"Thanks to your shopping escapade with Rena and that other girl, I already have," Seto sighed.
"Hey, my name's Anzu! Not 'that other girl', thank you very much," Anzu cried.
Oblivious to Anzu's outburst, Seto picked up the two-way, "Rena?"
A pause, and then, "Yeah?"
"It's Seto, just how far are we away from the tomb site?" he asked.
Another brief pause, and then Rena answered, "I don't really know. I've never been there. Hold on." There was a rustling noise, as if Rena was no longer there, and then the Professor picked up.
"Are you still there, Mr. Kaiba?"
"Yeah," Seto said gruffly.
"Well, this is Professor Geb, just to let you know," his tone was that of a reprimanding father. "And we're about thirty minutes from the site."
"Thirty minutes?" Mai groaned, slumping down into her seat.
"Hey, quit complaining, you've at least got breathing space!" Honda retorted.
Anzu added in, "You at least got the front Kujaku Mai!"
Mai smiled, "I know how to look out for myself, that's all."
"Will you guys shut up? I'm trying to talk!" Seto cried.
"Hey, what's going on?" Jounochi said, sitting down inside. His face was brown from sand and blown-up grime, and his clothes were none the better.
"Oh, that's gross!" Mai squealed.
Laughing maliciously, Jou ran his hand down her sleeve, "What was that Mai?"
"Jounochi! You son of a—" she scrambled over the seat, slapping Jou over the head.
"Ow! Shit, Mai, you hit freaking hard!" Jou whined.
"Serves you right jerk!" she fumed.
"Mai, your knee's in my hand!" Mokuba said.
"Would you just sit down?" Seto shouted at Mai over the din.
"I had to take care of business!" said Mai, triumphantly flipping back down into her seat.
"Ouch, my hand," Mokuba whimpered.
"I swear, Kujaku, one more idiotic stunt like that, and I'm throwing you out myself!" Seto barked.
"Jeez, chill out," Mai sighed. "Loosen up, you old fogey!"
"What did you say?" Seto roared.
"I say, is something the matter?" the Professor asked over the two-way. Rena's laughter could be noticeably heard in the background. Another shuffle, and then Rena came back on.
"I can't leave you all alone for three seconds, let alone thirty minutes!" she was still laughing when she hung up the connection.
"That's right," Anzu gasped. "We still have to ride like this for half an hour!" She dropped her head against the window in defeat.
Honda gripped his head with his hands. "I can't take this anymore!" he wailed.
"Ouch," Jounochi shouted. "Get your elbow out of my head!"
Honda glared at him, "Why don't you just stick your head back out the window?"
Jounochi spat out the window, "Why, I ought to—"
"Come on you guys, calm down," Anzu sighed, trying to relax the two, who by now had their hands around each other's neck.
Yami among all of them had remained quiet, caught in all the jostling that was going on in the back as Anzu tried to climb over him to keep Honda and Jounochi from killing each other. Finally, when Anzu's elbow slammed into the top of his head, and Honda's flew into the side of his face, he spoke up. "You should all sit down and speak quietly." His voice was low and silky, almost dark, and the way he spoke, it was almost as though he was angry. His hands were folded tightly in his lap, his knuckles gone almost white from the pressure. "This is very important. Don't fight. Not yet." He continued to stare down into his lap at his hands.
"Yami," Anzu breathed.
He looked at her and patted her hand. "Don't worry," he said. "I'm fine, just nervous." She looked at him concernedly, but still smiled.
Suddenly, the two-way crackled to life, and Andre spoke out, breaking the newly formed silence. "Good news, we've got a bit over fifteen minutes and we're there."
"Thank God," Seto sighed.
"Thank Seshat," Yami thought.
They drove the rest of the way in silence.
+~+~+~+~
Rena pressed her forehead against the window watching as the sandy landscape rolled by. Andre was driving their truck while the Professor rode shotgun, and she and Nazo sat chatting softly in the back. She was a little pissed at Andre for needling her about her and Seto's relationship. "Leave me the fuck alone Andre!" had been her last comment, before she looked pleadingly at Nazo. Nazo taking the point reached over Andre's seat and smacked him in the back of the head. The Professor looked up, confused, but then decided he had best stay out of the conversation, returning to the notes in his briefcase and fuddling with his cell phone.
Rena sighed as the signs of civilization became more apparent. Garbage by the road, cars parked in makeshift lots. Eventually tents became visible in the distance. "Feels like camp," she grumbled.
Nazo smiled at her. "Are you ready to thicken the plot?"
"I'm already in past my head," Rena sighed. "Why the hell not?"
Nazo laughed. "It could be worse."
Rena glared at her. "Don't ever say that again," she hissed. Nazo looked at her surprised, but turned away and stared out the window.
"Looks like we'll be there any minute now," the Professor said. "Whether or not you're looking forward to it."
+~+~+~+~
He shivered as he arched his back against the black stone wall, huddling up to it for some hope of warmth. His whole body was thin and frail; he could count his ribs beneath his threadbare and torn shirt. Ryou ran his hands down his arms, his pale cold flesh scarred and still cached with his blood. He knew his face must gaunt and ghostly, even in this shadow, and his hair was matted and unkempt. He brushed off one of his arms, and knocked the hide off one of his fresh wounds, making it bleed anew.
Moaning, he tried to lay back and rest despite all his pain and desperation, but the manacles around his wrists and neck prevented him from such movement. Letting out, he began to cry. He was nothing but a miserable wretch, engulfed in his own pain and shock. He wasn't fed and he couldn't sleep, not with all the evil and darkness that surrounded him, taunting his agony.
And worse, much worse, she had his Ring. Without it, he was powerless to escape. He wasn't strong and fearful like the spirit inside him. And even the spirit was as desolate as he without the Ring's power. A catalyst and the spirit inside it, sat alone in the dark.
"Quit your sniveling," a harsh voice commanded. "Or I am likely to beat you again."
"No," Ryou whispered, as she came down, soft on black, bat-like wings. Her hair was dark black and her eyes bright with a silver iris like two pale moons, laced with malice, and her smile dripped venom. Her costume was black, as was most of her adornment, save her bewitching eyes and pale complexion.
"You have had enough pain?" she asked, moving silkily towards him. Her movements were decisively feminine, her whole attitude was incredibly womanish, if you overlooked her sadistic obsessions. He found no strength to nod or speak as she stroked his face gently, almost lovingly, with her hand. He only stood there, letting tears fall. "Why are you crying?" she asked excitedly. "Are you in great pain?" There was no sympathy in her voice only vicious curiosity. He looked at her helplessly as she continued to stroke his battered and sunken face. "Does it excite you? The pain, does it entice you? It makes you hungry for more. Hungry for such a beautiful thing, the most beautiful. Did you know that? Pain is the most beautiful thing, and I have never seen anything more beautiful than you." She brushed her lips down his cheek. "And for the most beautiful pain I will give the most beautiful death." She smiled at him, licking her lips.
"You-you're going to kill me?" he whispered brokenly.
"Does it excite you?" she asked, shuddering with excitement.
"No!" Ryou cried.
Regaining her composure, the demon woman stood, and kicked Ryou in the stomach. "Shut up you little worm," she spat, and stormed off.
Trying to keep his breath, Ryou curled himself into a ball, wrapping his thin, mangled hands around his bloodstained knees, and burying his face in pain and shame.
Returning to the throne room of the Daughter of Set, Ayaroi landed, her black wings closing behind her.
The Daughter looked up, acknowledging her presence with a slight nod, giving her permission to speak.
"I hate him!" Ayaroi practically screamed, flailing her arms wildly. "Let me kill him now!"
"You will not kill the tomb robber," the Daughter said softly. "Nor will you bring death upon his catalyst."
"But the Redeeming Light is coming," Ayaroi pleaded. "We have no use for him!"
"As long as the catalyst remains, the power of his Ring is enough to give sustenance to my servant. Every bit of ba that he can spare is going to the resurrection of my old slave. I will hear no more," she said, raising her voice as she finished. Ayaroi glared down at the ground.
"As you wish, my Lordess," she sighed.
"Now, speaking of my servant, go and see if he is prepared for the Opening of the Mouth. The body we have found for him is most suitable," the Daughter said approvingly. "Go!"
"Yes, Mistress," Ayaroi said, bowing low. Then, she took off at once, aloft on her wings, and headed toward a dark corridor, where in a chamber Anubis-masked demons crowded around a lifeless body.
"Move," she demanded. "Or I'll feed you to Anpu himself. He'd gladly feast upon any of your hides, for making such a mockery of his kind name." The last half of her threat was mocking, she herself was insulting the good friend of the dead. She pushed one of the demons out of her way so roughly, it was flung against the wall and its mask cracked, a shard sinking deep into its skull. "Get that out of here," she said, annoyed. "Feed it to something." She sighed in disgust at the creature, still convulsing in throes of death, then turned back to her own work. She grinned her wicked smile, licking her lips in anticipation over the body. Above her an eerie silver light glowed against the ceiling as it had been for a while, gathering ba from its victims until it had become strong enough to enter the body below it. It seemed to possess a life of its own, flickering and dancing, casting a foul glow around the room.
"Now," she said at last, after taking in the sight of the soulless corpse and the light above it. "Bring it to me!" A demon walked up to her and kneeled down, presenting her with a linen bundle stained with blood. Unwrapping it, she held it above her head and whispered a spell in Egyptian. Then, lowering it, she brought it down to the lips of the body, touching them with the bloody thigh, and then leveling it with the chest, touched it with the same end. She repeated this several times over, chanting her spell, until the silver light, affected by her words, began to jump and flicker. A sound resonated in its depths, ethereal and pure evil, a sound wrought by demons in the fires of this hell, brought to life by the shedding of innocent blood. The sound ebbed and flowed like a horrible current, as the light changed from silver to a dark crimson, and shot down into the corpse through its mouth. The lifeless body had again been reunited with its soul. With the sudden arrival of life, the body, a man, let loose a horrendous scream, powerful and terrible, shaking loose the barriers of heaven and earth, and mixing them into a vile array of parallel vistas, each revealing nightmares unimaginable by humankind. When finally the torrent ended, the man struggled to sit up upon the slab of stone he laid upon.
Ayaroi, taken aback by the impending fear of his shrieking, faltered for a moment, before rushing to his side, aiding him into a sitting position.
Looking at her with chocolate brown eyes of empty malevolence, he said, "I want her."
Ayaroi cackled in sheer pleasure. "Of course, of course, my newborn lord," she said. "But first, you must see our Mistress, the dark Daughter of Set."
The spirit stood erect, as jackal-headed demons scurried about him, bringing him clothing made of linen, as he repeated himself in a hissing whisper, that drove even Ayaroi to some fear. "I want her."
Upon her throne, the Daughter of Set laughed as the echoes of her servant reached her ears. "Noriyuki!" she called.
Her demon servant arose from the floor, silver hair falling about her shoulders, her misty green eyes apprehensive and even a touch frightened. Bowing to one knee, she said, "Yes, my Mistress?"
"Go and find the Redeeming Light, then tell me of her whereabouts and just how our dear goddess is feeling," the Daughter said.
"Yes, my Lordess," she said, and raised her crystal staff, bringing it down upon the floor with a resonating click as her black robes swirled up about her, encasing her, and then withdrawing into her form as she disguised herself.
"What is this form you have taken?" the Daughter asked.
"The form of a girl known to the Pharaoh," said Noriyuki proudly. "I will bring you back both report of the goddess and of the Pharaoh, whom you also hate."
"Very well," she said. "But do not attack them. Make sure that they only find the trap my servant will have waiting for them."
"Of course," the disguised demon said, bowing down low. Then with a final knowing glance, Noriyuki turned on her heel and left, brushing past Ayaroi and a man in a linen robe. Stopping she turned and stared at them, and the man looked at her, hatred burning in his eyes.
"You," he hissed, and held his hand out to her threateningly, ready to launch an energy attack. Quickly, Noriyuki reverted back to her normal form, and his hand relaxed.
"It is only a disguise, Lord Priest," said Noriyuki with a smile. "I will lure them into the trap that you have devised."
"I see," he murmured, and carried on past her without another word.
Returning to her disguise, she walked swiftly away.
The man continued on to the throne room, where the Daughter of Set awaited his arrival.
"My noble servant," she acknowledged him. "You are awakened at last."
"Yes," he smiled, curling his fist into a ball at his side, flexing the muscles in his arm. "I am flesh and blood once more, I have existence!" He laughed.
"I see you are enjoying your new sense of being?" the Daughter asked.
"Oh yes, very," the servant replied.
"Good, then you will lure the pharaoh and the goddess into my midst?" she further inquired.
"Of course, my Lady. It would be my pleasure to see the Pharaoh die by our hands. As long as the Daughter would please remember the rest of our bargain. I will receive the catalyst," he persisted. This issue was very important to him; it was what had kept him from wasting away in the Realm of Shadows. His anger and vengeance was what had kept him alive.
"You may have what remains once I am through," the Daughter returned. "Though it may not be much."
"As much as I can have is enough," he assured her.
"Good," said the Daughter. "Then you shall go and prepare the delightful ruse we have organized for our guests?" She snickered as she imagined their horrorstruck faces. The goddess would be in the most panic of all, trying to protect her precious loved ones.
The servant bowed low, brushing a strand of hair out of his face as he stood. "I'll return," he said flip, and dissolved into the shadows.
+~+~+~+~
"Finally, we're here!" Mokuba cried, jumping out of the truck and running up to Rena's. He launched himself up to her, and asked, "Did you enjoy your trip? Ours was really long, and I got my hand kind of stepped on. It sucked."
"Watch your mouth," Rena said, putting him down. Turning away she jogged up to her team, not heeding the strange look following her as Mokuba went back to his brother.
"So, show me the mummies," Rena joked as she caught up with the Professor and the others.
"They've been moved back to the original place of burial after some travel around the world. Hopefully soon, we can bring a few of them out for MRI's and CAT scans. We've already x-rayed them, and we need to take DNA samples. Right now, we're trying to give them an approximate age," the Professor said.
"I thought we already had them figured," Rena commented. "I thought they were three thousand years old. It was supposed be some big revolution. This guy was worshipped until the reign of Alexander like some kind of god!"
"He was," the Professor said. "But in secret. I believe this hero's tale is more tragic than laudable. Their age is the first step in solving the mystery. That way we can figure out if our revolution really happened."
'But the revolution is what makes the scroll of Nashti'ora possible,' Rena thought to herself. "Then what credit would this pharaoh have earned?" she asked instead.
"That's what we're going to figure out," the Professor said simply. "Now, let's go visit our old king."
"Yeah, let's go down into the Pit," said Andre halfheartedly.
Nazo laughed at him. "You never liked going into tombs, did you Andre?"
He scowled at her. "Of course not. Who would?"
"I would," Rena said.
"You always did," Andre sighed. "First in, last out. You're obsessed with this sort of thing."
"Do you blame me?" she asked, tapping her forehead.
"Let's just get down in there before you two start another one of your ridiculous arguments," Nazo sighed.
"They're debates," said Andre.
"And they sure as hell aren't ridiculous," Rena added.
"You two would debate over the color of the sky just to hear yourselves talk, and you know it," Nazo said, showing her credentials to a security guard as the Professor ducked down into the mouth of the unearthed opening that was the tomb entrance.
Just before she went down in, she looked at them and glared. "And it's blue, before you even start," she said flatly before dropping into the dark opening.
Rena grinned, "Well, she knows us just a little too well." She gestured toward the door. "Ladies first."
Andre smiled sardonically, then sprung at her and grabbed her in a headlock. "Very funny, goddess girl," he said smugly. "But no, you get your ass down there and discover some secrets. I'll bring your friends down there in a while, as long as I can get them by security.
"You know where you're going?" she asked.
"Sure I do. The Professor brought all the commanders and underlings here for a big project on archaeological method. It wasn't very successful though."
"Why do you say that?" she asked, despite her jealousy that they got to go, and she hadn't. But then, she was at the time staying with Seto, and not many of them had been the guests of a millionaire. Billionaire. She had to keep reminding herself.
"Half of the students wouldn't go down in the tomb where the bodies were. Most were too nervous and some just complained of having 'a bad feeling.'" Andre shrugged.
"That's not new," Rena said, ducking under the pillar that supported the earth around the entry frame. "These experiences make or break us, you were the same way on that practice dig in Bubastis. You wouldn't go down there for the life of you, and that's why you're a researcher." With that, she headed down into the tomb.
"I'm not so afraid anymore," he said, and walked back to the gate where Rena's friends were waiting. He had finished school a while back, with a master's in history and a major in archaeology, and he was still debating on whether or not to go back and get his doctorate.
At the front, the tallest of Rena's new companions, Seto Kaiba, was arguing with the security unit. "Don't you know who I am?" he growled.
"Yeah, but they don't care," Andre said with a laugh. Seto glared at him, but he ignored it. To the guards, he said, "I need access passes for all these kids, they're clear."
"Cleared by who?" one of the guards asked.
"They have EAB permission under Edward Geb," he replied.
"Geb doesn't have a validated position at this site. We need clearance from officers at this site," they said.
"Listen, Professor Geb has clearance with the EAB. If I have to bring him up here, I will," he threatened.
"All right, if Geb's really your supervisor, show me your own clearance credentials. If his number's on there, signifying he's your superior, we can print some up for your friends, and let them onto the site. But they're under your supervision," the guard said.
"Great," Andre said, pulling out his credential sheet. The guard took it and inspected it, and handed it back. "All right then, Andre Reinar," he said. "Follow me."
"I can't believe this," Seto mumbled as they followed Andre and the guard. Going into an air-conditioned tent, the guard started handing them paperwork.
"Fill these out," the guard instructed. "Then turn them in, and we'll get your photos for your ID cards. After that, we need to give each of you respiratory tests to check your immunities."
"And why do we need to do that?" Mai asked. She didn't like the sound of all those medical terms.
"To make sure that you have strong enough immunities against bacterial infection in your lungs. If not, we'll give you the immunity shot and test you again. And if that still doesn't work, you won't go down in the tomb. Sorry." The guard left.
"But, what does he mean, bacterial infection?" Anzu asked.
"Over time," Andre explained, "Bacteria hanging in the air for thousands of years will concentrate and become poisonous to people who can't breathe properly. They attack your lungs if you inhale them, and if you have a weak respiratory tract, you can get brachial sclerosis, and basically, you'll go the way of Lord Carnarvon."
"What's the 'way of Lord Carnarvon'?" Yuugi asked.
"You'll cough up blood until you die from it," Andre said grimly.
"Oh," Yuugi said.
Anzu looked at him and mouthed, "Is it you?"
Yuugi nodded and mouthed back, "We switched earlier." Anzu nodded, and shrunk back down as Andre gave her a curious look.
Seto began to read off his paperwork, "Surname, Kaiba, given name, Seto…occupation, heh, billionaire corporate, phone number, address, zip code, country, medical history…why do we need all this crap?"
"Welcome to the other end of the chain," Jounochi laughed. "Where all that awaits you is paperwork."
"I'm used to paperwork," said Seto. "But this looks like something I'd give one of my employees."
"Aw, poor Kaiba," Jounochi pouted mockingly.
Seto's eyes became narrow blue slits, "Shut up."
Jounochi stared back at him, refusing to break under Seto's death glare. "No," said Jounochi. "It was just a joke. Be a man and take it."
"I don't have to take anything from you," he replied threateningly.
Jounochi held his ground. "Well, you're gonna," he spat. "Listen, we're all out here, fighting for the same damn thing. We all had better start cooperating, including you. You're not above or below any of us. We're all here in this little corner of hell, and you're going to take yours. We're all going to take some, but we're all gonna share it. We gotta be friends, as much as you don't like it. Trust me, I don't want to do this, but as long as we're here and our friends need help, I got your back. Now, are you gonna have mine?" He stuck out his hand in front of Seto.
Seto looked from Jounochi to the hand in his face to the group that stood behind, watching them. Fighting down every urge to tell Jounochi he didn't need help from anyone and then beating him into a bloody pulp, he smirked instead. Grabbing his extended hand, he murmured, "I've got your back." They stood there, squeezing each other's hand as hard as they possibly could when Jou broke the grip and laughed. But there was a smirk in his eyes, near identical to the one in Seto's.
He couldn't help but feel some form of respect for the pathetic dog he'd taunted as long as he'd known him. It took guts to stand up to him, Seto Kaiba, who had made much fiercer opponents beg for mercy. Smiling, he turned back to his credential license. "Damn it all to hell," he muttered.
The guard came back in the room a few minutes later and took their sheets from them. "I'll file these and be back with your licenses in no time. Then, you'll all be led to the medical tent for further instructions." He left again.
"Yuugi," Anzu whispered.
"What is it?" he asked, gazing intently at his puzzle.
"I'm worried."
He focused his eyes on her. "Why, what's wrong?" he asked.
"It's about the immunity test."
"What?" he asked.
"I have asthma. It's nothing too serious, but it'll probably be enough to keep me out of the tomb," she said, wringing her hands nervously.
Yuugi looked at her in surprise. "You have asthma?" He looked away for a moment, frowning. He looked like he was talking inside to himself, which really wasn't a big amazement. But then, he smiled at her warmly. "Hope you pass it," he said. "It's all we can do."
She sighed and looked at the clock, it was ten thirty in the morning. They had left the hotel much later than intended, mainly because they had wasted so much time looking for Mai, who had gotten herself lost in the hotel's shopping complex. And come to think of it, she hadn't been to the bathroom once since they had got there.
Looking at Yuugi, she whispered, "I have to use the bathroom."
He looked at her. "I can't really do anything about it."
"I know," she replied, agitated. She looked at Andre. "Hey, um, what was your name? Andre?"
"Yeah," Andre replied, leaning against the wall.
"Um," she blushed. She couldn't help but notice his well-built frame and honey-brown eyes, not to mention his sandy hair. "I need to use the restroom."
"There isn't an actual 'restroom' around here for miles," he grinned. "All we have is ye olde portable toilet." He pointed out one of the makeshift windows, which was really just clear plastic hung over the plywood tent structure. "Right there."
"Oh," she murmured.
Andre laughed. "Have fun."
She forced a smile and walked out of the room, heading out of the tent in the direction of the facilities. As soon as she stepped out the door though, something hit her from behind. She went down heavily, rolling over. She couldn't see straight, and white spots had appeared in front of her eyes. "What the—?" she asked, trying to sit up. Someone was standing over, she couldn't see right, but she could make out distinct features. Short, dark hair, long limbs. Something heavy was in her arms, she could tell the way her back was bent. She had an outfit on like hers, and her face, what? She struggled to sit up now, to sort out what she was seeing. She was looking into a mirror version of herself, every aspect was the same. Her double grinned wickedly.
"Something wrong, sweetie?" she asked. Anzu reeled, she even sounded like her.
Lifting a hand to her head she tried to speak, but instead gasped. Something wet and sticky was on her fingers. Blood, her blood, on her fingertips. She had a gash on the back of her head, and it was bleeding badly. Her double was also her attacker? "Wha—who?" she tried to mumble, but she couldn't quite form words. Her tongue had become thick and heavy in her mouth. What was going on? Her head seared with pain, and she couldn't place herself anymore.
Smiling sickly, the other her lifted up her weapon once more as Anzu almost sat up straight, and swung it across the side of her face, knocking her into unconsciousness.
+~+~+~+~
Rena coughed a little as the dust and grime swelled up to meet her in the darkness. "Blech," she sputtered. "Light!"
"Got it," Nazo said, clicking on a flashlight. The Professor let her by with the light, and followed up behind.
"Great," Rena muttered, ducking down to avoid an overpass. "I'm bringing up the rear." She never did like it; you didn't see anything back there. It was all dark, and a little creepy. She had a vague idea of what to expect after her report, but it was still her first time here.
"Here we are," the Professor said, "The offering room. Our first mystery has been revealed. So far, no one's been allowed to remove much out of here. The only items that are gone are the one's that have been removed by permission of the EAB for testing."
"Sou ka," Nazo murmured.
In the dim electric lighting, the glimmer of gold could be seen plainly as necklaces, pectorals, and other pieces of jewelry. Mummified animals graced the pit of the tomb's shrine, a nightmarish menagerie of crocodiles and cats, serpents and beetles. Everywhere there seemed to be a glimpse of homage to a revered ruler.
"May I see that?" the Professor asked, indicating the flashlight. Nazo handed it to him, and he swept across the walls quickly. "Now let's see," he mused. "Ah, here it is!"
Rena perked up, hoping he had found some inscription or something, but it was only a light switch. Flicking it on, Rena saw that it really did look like a crime scene. Tape had been set up around certain items, there were sawhorse blockades around the shrine, DO NOT ENTER painted on them in both English and Arabic, and as a joke, in hieroglyphics.
She felt Megami rise up in the back of her mind, studying the walls with curiosity. Here is where the Pharaoh's offerings were made in secret. Rena felt her eyes flitting into the corners of the room of their own volition.
Stop it, she snapped inwardly. I can't focus.
I want to see too! Megami said.
Give me a sec, Rena said. She felt Megami sneaking up in the back of her mind, as slowly her limbs became number. Her left hand jerked up, and she knew who had done it.
MEGAMI!! Rena roared in their head. DOWN!
I'm not a dog, she responded hotly. Besides, I have as much a right as you, if not more, to see this.
"Hold on," Rena murmured. "I'm not done looking yet." Her voice echoed off the walls in the empty space.
The Professor and Nazo both turned around and looked at her strangely. "We weren't going anywhere," the Professor said.
Rena looked at him, confused, then realized she had thought out loud. 'I keep doing that,' she thought, starting to laugh. "Don't worry," she said. "It's just the voice in my head talking to me."
"Oh," said Nazo.
"Yes, when do we get to meet the 'voice in your head'?" Professor Geb asked. "Your so-called goddess?"
"You can meet her right now," said Rena. "In fact, she's trying to take over as we speak."
My turn, said Megami, pushing forward. Rena felt a pressure behind her eyes and for a while she entertained herself with the vision of a tiny her, trying to push it's way out of her head.
Very funny, Megami simpered.
All right, that's your cue, said Rena.
Cue? Megami asked. What is this, cue?
Never mind. Just get out and bug someone other than me.
I am not an insect! Megami cried as she took over their body.
For a second, Rena's senses numbed, and she could feel nothing. A deep wave of fatigue washed over her and she felt very heavy, but she fought off the urge to take a nap, not knowing how long it would last. It was always strange, letting Megami take over. She was a bystander in her own body, a spectator as someone decided what was right and wrong for her, even if she didn't agree. She was somewhat weightless, but yet still experienced being by still residing in her body. It was like wearing clothes that were too big, and no matter how you moved, you just kind of seemed to drift in them. Sighing, she looked out their eyes…and began to laugh.
Their eyes were wide open and Nazo was struggling to breathe, while the Professor checked his glasses.
"Rena is that really you?" Nazo gasped.
"She's in here," she heard Megami say, and she was vaguely aware of her hand being laid upon her chest. "She's watching; she's finding this amusing."
Hell yes, I am, Rena said, still snickering, as Nazo started to bumble over her words, the Professor gone pale and silent in shock.
Suddenly, Rena stopped laughing as she remembered the costumes Megami was used to wearing. Oh God, what are we wearing?
Megami smirked. The pearl blue wings, black hair with gold streaks, same black coat with the cut-off sleeves. White top, black pants, flat heel boots…is it sexy? she asked.
The pants are leather, aren't they? Rena said.
I have heard you call them by that before. How did you know? Megami asked.
I can feel the creeper all the way in here, she responded thickly.
"Y-you have wings," Nazo whispered.
"I always have," Megami said curtly.
Recovering from his stupor, the Professor murmured, "So you are an entirely different person."
"Yes."
"And you have lived inside of Rena?"
"Yes."
"How has she not noticed you?"
"I have laid dormant since she was born, but she has always been vaguely aware of my presence."
"So you would know the past of ancient Egypt?"
"Yes, save for the memory of one ruler."
"The Pharaoh buried here."
"Yes."
"Why?" he asked.
Megami wrapped her arms around herself. "The gods chose to dispel my memories of the rule of the forgotten pharaoh," she murmured. "My patronage to him is all I remember. That and Akhten."
"Rena," the Professor said.
Nazo sucked in a sharp breath, and she looked at him. Her eyes asked how he knew, but she could not form the question.
"How I knew," he said, reading her mind. "I don't know how, most honestly. But for the past few months I have had strange dreams. Dreams with Rena and that strange lad, that Seto Kaiba and another one of those boys in them that would keep me up at night. I don't know what they mean, but along with them I have had strange spells, where I would drift into a semi-hypnotic state. In these states, I would say or do strange things, and it felt like I was only in partial control of doing them. When I met Rena at the café, I experienced something similar, or even before, when I gave her the three gifts. I told her they would be useful, and I knew the difference the between Mana Ka'reph and Kara Ma'reph. There are still many questions I want the answers to, how I can remember such details is one of them."
"But hopefully," said Nazo. "Having all of you here will help solve the mystery."
Megami looked at her curiously, her intense eyes scrutinizing Nazo as she backed away nervously. She wasn't very tall, at least a head or more shorter than Rena, but her dark black eyes were alluringly full and expressive, though not much else about her was as striking. She had an athletic build with a chiseled face softened by the lighting and her hair was chopped very short. Her clothes were simple. White button up shirt and khaki slacks. She smiled apprehensively.
"You have experienced such events as well?" she said.
"Yes," Nazo murmured, looking down. "When I sat with Rena by her bedside, and I asked her forgiveness, I would have sworn it wasn't my voice talking. And several times, back when I was in medical school, I had felt as though my hands were not holding the scalpel or I was watching someone else perform a surgery, write a prescription. About the same time I studied ancient medicine, and ancient medicine led me to study ancient Egypt."
She was a med student and a history student at the same time, Rena commented. Her parents wanted her to be a doctor, and she couldn't go against their wishes, so she studied both at the same time.
"I see," Megami said, in response to both Nazo's statement and Rena's. "Perhaps we should wait until the others arrive. Maybe they have had similar revelations?" The other two nodded.
Hey! Rena cried. Hey! I want to look around. Megami started to sit down. Stand up, damn it! Rena cried. No! I want to see those offerings!
Be patient, Megami murmured, leaning against a wall and closing her eyes.
At least open your eyes, for God's sake, Rena wailed. I want to at least see!
We will wait, Megami said. I have a bad feeling. Rena let out a cry of frustration but backed off as another wave of fatigue hit her.
Then I'm going to do what you always do in a crisis. I'm going to sleep, she said, drifting off. But you had better wake me up when the others arrive, or I will kill you.
"Very well," she muttered, turning to stare at one of the chiseled walls. 'What happened to you?' she thought. 'Why are you gone, and why can't I remember? Why was I punished by the god I thought of as my father?' Tears sprung to her eyes, streaming down her cheeks as she cried silently in a place she knew all too well, but knew nothing more about.
I heard that, Rena muttered as she drifted back deeper into their mind.
+~+~+~+~
With a cough, Anzu woke up, still hazy, and then promptly screamed despite her lack of clarity. She was lying facedown on a cold stone floor. There was no light anywhere; she was surrounded by complete darkness. The air was dank and old; its taste was foreign and ancient. "Where am I?" she asked dazedly. Her voice echoed, so she assumed she was in a room somewhere, and a room somewhere most likely inside the tomb. She shivered and forced herself to sit up, hugging her knees close to her. She couldn't stand up and look around, it was pitch black and there could very well be pits or traps or who knows what else in there. "I'm trapped," she murmured. Her mind began to race. "What if I can't find my way out?" she asked. Her heart skipped several beats, and her blood began pumping so loud she could hear the badum-babum of her pulse in her ears. Claustrophobia set in next and she began to shriek. "I could die in here," she said thickly. "I'll never see my friends again! Oh God, oh no. I'm going to die." She alternated between screaming and crying, afraid for herself and her friends. Then, she heard it, a soft scurrying sound. Something was moving inside the room she was in. She wasn't alone.
Whimpering, she scooted back until she was against a stone wall, and sucked in a sharp breath. "Yuugi?" she asked to the emptiness.
Her voice echoed softly, followed by more of that same rustling sound.
Whatever it was, it was getting closer.
~Hakken, Reikoku, and Kiki
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How pathetic is that? I forgot the word for and in Japanese! Agh! Oh well, hope you liked this installment, yeah, I know it took forever to put up. Oh and to that one reviewer, stinky old man or something like that, I say this, "If you have desecrate yourself to pulling comebacks up out of Dilbert comic strips, you shouldn't even waste your time putting a review together. Oh and just to let you know, Tim did get promoted to division manager for his report. Thought you'd find that funny."
Anyway, sorry, I had to be rude and slightly immature there for a sec. Sorry about how long it takes me to post these chapters, I didn't know how much some of you liked them! I'm afraid I don't really have an adequate excuse.
Just to answer some questions, yes, there's definitely going to be a sequel, yes, I'm continuing with the story, and yes, I love leaving you at cliffhangers.
See all of you at the next chapter! (And here's a sneak peak!)
"Where the hell are we?" Seto demanded. His fists were clenched at his sides, and he was gritting his teeth. Whoever thought they could do this him and his friends was going to pay.
"You're at the dawn of a new millennium," a voice said.
Suddenly, Rena started to cry. "No!" she grasped her head in her hands, sinking to her knees. "NO!!"
Yami closed his eyes, trying to find the voice, but the echoes the room produced made it impossible to locate.
Jounochi found Mai's hand in the dark and squeezed it. "I'm scared," she whispered, as laughter began to ring in their ears and Rena's cries became louder.
"Show yourself," Seto demanded.
"By the time I am through, I won't have to," it cried maniacally. "Anrekh ankh em ammem."
Rena stopped and lifted her head. "Remember life in lamentation," she whispered.
And then, from the ceiling a bright light flashed, and their lives were changed forever.
Well, that's just a glimpse of what's going to happen! Can't wait, can ya?