THE DESCENT OF LOST SOULS
Chapter Four: Forged Partnership
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To the Reader
This Chapter has mild references on the following topics: death and drinking
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Day One of the Quest - Evening
Destination: Industrial Illusions - San Francisco, California Headquarters
Purpose: To meet with Pegasus J. Crawford
General Point-of-View
The meeting between Pegasus and Emrys transpired throughout the day. He gave her a tour of Industrial Illusions and a sneak peak of the company's many projects. Afterwards, the businessman showed the new arrival his museum of antiques and other artifacts that he acquired from his many travels.
Their tour ended at the company's art gallery where paintings of various duel monsters were on display. He told her that he designed the duel monster cards, and that he was the artist of the paintings inside her manor.
When dusk settled in, she bade him farewell so that she could check in at a hotel.
He then offered her to stay in one of the many guest rooms at his palatial home. He rationalized that since they were going together on the trip, it would save them time if they were leaving from the same place.
The limousine – containing Pegasus and Emrys – drove inside the palatial estate.
If she did not know any better, she would think that she just entered an amusement park where duel monster dreams – and nightmares – were made of. In such awe, she rolled down the window and peeked out to see the colorful facade that greeted them.
The mansion' front entrance was spectacular: it was Toon World that had come to life.
The front landscaping was immaculate - with the various trees neatly trimmed, the lush grass freshly mowed, and certain bushes and hedges imaginatively shaped into different duel monsters. The greenery was complimented with an array of towering statutes of Toon Monsters such as the Blue Eyes Toon Dragon, Toon Summoned Skull, Toon Mermaid, Manga Ryu-ran - just to name a few.
In its middle was the ornate fountain where the waters animatedly danced due to the multi-colored lights installed within the pool. The water spouted out in the middle of a gigantic replica of the Toon World magic card.
Pegasus was thrilled to see his houseguest's awe-struck reaction. He could see that deep within the serious mind of Alexandra Emrys lay a fascinated child full of wonder and curiosity. For him, it was refreshing to see someone who had not lost her inner child.
While they enjoyed a sumptuous dinner, he told her how he met her parents and ended up being good friends with them. To him, his houseguest and the upcoming trip were pleasant changes to the monotony of running Industrial Illusions. However, he was also aware that his past deeds might be an obstacle for the young woman to trust him.
When the evening ended, he was relieved that she did not bring up the topic.
Hours after the entire palatial household slept, she bolted out of bed sweating and with her heart racing. She ended up tossing and turning for what seemed to be an eternity. Giving up on a good night's sleep, she then went outside and explored the mansion grounds. After her walk, she sat by the fountain and hoped that the sound of its running waters would calm her troubled mind.
She thought about how much she missed the other Yugi, and how much she wanted to be reunited with him – this time, for good. Certain sadness then crept over her entire being, as thoughts about returning to Thera crossed through her head. Staring at the star-studded sky, she pondered, "It's something I should've done long ago…. It's time for me to accept that whatever happened there wasn't my fault. It never was, and it will never be."
Unknown to her, Pegasus stood by a window and observed her. He studied the solitary figure sitting by the fountain - fully empathizing with her, as he reminisced better days when he and Cynthia were together. Eventually, he went back to his bedroom – knowing fully well that they were traveling to gather fragments and answers from the past and make themselves whole again.
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Day Two of the Quest - Morning
Destination: Cairo, Egypt
Purpose: To meet with Isis Ishtar
Pegasus' private jet took off for Cairo, Egypt twenty minutes ago.
The eccentric businessman, wearing his favorite red suit and ribbon bowtie, was in high spirits from a good night's sleep and their plane trip. Emrys, on the other hand, was tired from tossing and turning all evening. Due to weeks' worth of little or no sleep, her body dully ached from her injuries.
A member of the flight crew approached her employer with a beaming smile. "Would you like something to drink, Mr. Crawford?"
He looked up and replied, "A glass of merlot, and some cheese to compliment it."
The flight attendant grinned, since she correctly guessed his request. She then glanced at his left and asked the other passenger, "What would you like to drink, Miss Emrys?"
Without hesitation, she said, "Brandy, please…."
The speechless flight attendant, surprised with Emrys' request, gazed at her employer.
To minimize the tension, he nonchalantly said, "Give the young lady what she wants, especially since she's legally an adult." As the flight attendant nodded and left, he then turned to her and remarked, "You're just like your father. He loved a good glass of fine brandy on certain occasions."
She gave him a half-smile, leaned back, and then closed her eyes.
After the flight attendant arrived with their refreshments, and both took sips from their respective drinks, he asked, "Did you use them yet? Did you use the cards that I've sent you?"
Realizing that he was referring to the cards that Professor Arthur Hopkins delivered to her on Pegasus' behalf, her eyes glinted. "Yes, I did. They're awesome!"
Pegasus beamed at her enthusiastic response. "Were you able to use the other two cards?"
She then nodded her head with a smirk. "Yes! I summoned Poseidon by sacrificing Rhea and Cronus from the field."
The mild-mannered businessman said, "I'm glad that you approve of them. Tell me, how come you've never competed in a tournament?"
With a slight frown and pursed lips, she dismissively commented, "Duel monsters tournament? No - it's enough that I know how to duel."
Still trying to drive his point, he turned sideways to face her. "You summoned Poseidon."
With an amused smile, she shook her head. "It was a tag-team duel. Yugi cleared everything out for me to play that card."
Gazing into her hazel eyes, he intently clarified, "You sell yourself short. What if I tell you that those four cards I gave you respectively have magical properties?"
Her forehead further crinkled. "What do you mean?"
"Months before I painted the God Cards, the Millennium Eye gave me a glimpse of those monsters depicted on your cards."
Still not getting the answer to her question, she probed, "The Eye inspired you to create them?"
"Yes. I had the vision immediately after I met your parents. I thought that the vision was the key to get Cynthia back. I then realized that the Eye used me to create the cards I've given you, the God cards, and others for a reason. My purpose is to bring them to life, and let them end up with the people who are destined to wield them. I originally intended to give them to your parents...."
Without reservations, she inquired, "Rhea and Cronus closely resemble them, but what makes you think that I truly deserve those cards?"
After taking another sip of wine, he responded, "I painted those cards shortly before I met your parents. The only person those cards will obey to is their master – or mistress. I also had the feeling that the cards would respond to you, and you alone."
Her eyes widened. "Have you tried using the cards, too?"
"I did. Outside the duel ring, anyone could see them – just like any other card. However, once the player enters the dueling arena, these four cards become completely blank. I may have created those cards, but even I could not unleash their powers. You, however, summoned Poseidon to his fullest potential. So help or no help from Yugi boy, you are those cards' rightful owner."
She thoughtfully remarked, "It's good to know these things.... Once again, thanks for giving me those cards."
"Speaking of Yugi boy, I heard you two are dating. Is it true?"
Slightly blushing, she quietly replied, "Yes, it is...."
After a few moments, he then asked, "Is it little Yugi, or the other one?"
Her eyes narrowed. "You know about that, too?" After seeing him affirmatively nod, she then replied, "The other one...."
The man's face radiated a light, reminiscent smile. "Cynthia and I were engaged when we were around your ages. We were so much in love...."
With quiet empathy, she inquired, "Did she die before or after you got married?"
"She fell ill. She passed away days before we got married…."
Taking a sip of brandy, she thought about the scroll's reference to her past life as an Atlantean princess and about her parents' deaths. She also thought about Yugi's other self and how much she missed him. "I could hardly imagine how it feels like to lose your soul mate."
He sighed. "Most people think that losing someone is almost the same – whether it be your parents, a sibling, or a significant other. The longing, the loneliness...." After seconds' worth of silence and another sip of wine, he continued. "A soul mate is different. That person brings about your completion. That person is your better half. So when it comes to a soul mate's death, it feels as if a large part of your heart goes to the grave, too. Because of that, you will never become whole ever again...."
Looking at her glass and swirling its contents, she asked, "You still haven't given up on getting her back, have you?"
A tightlipped and somber Pegasus responded, "I never will."
After temporarily looking sideways, she then probingly glanced at him. "Let us hope that we get the answers that we respectively seek, especially since we're risking everything at stake to do so…."
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Day Three of the Quest - Morning
Destination: Egyptian National Museum - Cairo, Egypt
Purpose: To meet with Isis Ishtar, Museum Curator and Director
It had been almost an hour since Pegasus and Emrys arrived at the Egyptian National Museum. While they waited for Isis Ishtar, they inspected sculptures, jewelries, canopic jars, paintings, pottery, and other noteworthy items. The museum's collection captured Egyptian history – spanning from the advent of the Old Kingdom up to modern times.
After fifteen more minutes, a feminine voice echoed throughout the vast halls of the museum. "Mister Crawford, this is a pleasant surprise...."
Pegasus turned around, as he recognized the voice. He shook hands with a young woman with thick and straight lustrous black hair. "Yes, this visit is a surprise for me, too. It has been a while since we saw each other."
Isis lightly smiled – her slate blue eyes reflecting such hospitality and graciousness. "The last time we made contact was when you entrusted the Egyptian God Cards to me."
The eccentric but handsome businessman looked behind him, and prompted his companion to come forward. "I traveled with someone. We need to ask questions."
As a grinning Emrys approached and shook hands with the young curator, she then said, "It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Ishtar."
Isis' expressive eyes widened, as a wave of recognition ran through her mind upon seeing Emrys. Without hesitation, she said to the other in deep reverence, "My Queen...."
This time, it was Pegasus and Emrys' turn to be shocked.
Emrys, sheepishly smiling and slightly embarrassed, repeatedly stated, "Please... You're mistaken…."
Isis did not blink or bat an eyelash. "In this life, you may think you're a common person. In your previous life, let me assure you that you were Queen."
As an awe-stricken Pegasus remained stupefied in the spot where he stood, Emrys interjected, "Queen? Of Atlantis?"
With slate blue eyes deeply looking into hazel, Isis murmured, "Of Egypt, my dear Queen...."
End of Chapter Four
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Author's Side Notes
Okey dokey, folks. How do you like that? Well, there are a few questions: What did Isis mean with what she just said? Does Isis hold some - if not most - of the answers that Pegasus and Emrys seek? What adventures lie ahead for both of them?
To find out the answer to these questions, watch for the next chapter.
I thank everyone in advance for patiently reading and constructively reviewing this chapter, as well as my other works. I am forever humbled :-D
Warmest Regards, Zatken
Normal Disclaimer
Yu-Gi-Oh is the copyrighted property of Kazuki Takahashi. Alexandra Emrys, Yoshiko, other original characters, Rhea, Cronus, The Birth of Poseidon, Poseidon Lord of the Seas, and this fan fiction are properties of the author. This fan fiction is written for entertainment purposes only - thereby releasing the author from any and all liabilities.