THE DESCENT OF LOST SOULS
Chapter Seven: Silent Shadows Speak
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To the Reader
Chapter Seven is one of the darkest chapters within this story.
Why?
This Chapter has references on or contains the following: the supernatural, cursing (cussing),
the occult, violence, death, killing, suicide, and guns.
This Chapter also delves into a philosophical discourse on concepts such as sin, evil, and damnation.
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Day Four of the Quest - Four in the morning
Location: Jewel of the Nile Bed-and-Breakfast – Cairo, Egypt
Activity: Resting
Pegasus' Point-of-View
We just called it a night – or morning – after Alexa and I helped straighten each other's ransacked rooms.
As I lay in bed and stared at the ceiling, I wondered about a lot of matters: Cynthia, the ritual from the golden books, the outcome of this trip with Alexa, and the mysterious characters who broke into our rooms.
Who could be watching us? We have only been here in Egypt for a couple of days. Although Alexa was shocked when she saw our rooms, it seemed that part of her expected such unfortunate incident. Was there something that Alexa was not telling me about?
"Take great heed, my friend," said a rich and familiar voice from long ago.
I bolted out of bed, confirming if it was indeed he.
Yes, it was! It was Shadi!
Wearing his usual turban, flowing robes, and large loop earrings, he stepped out from the shadows. The moonlight illuminated his face, and gave it a more mysterious touch. With his customary deep voice and cryptic remarks, he said, "You came back, and this time with the Queen."
Knowing that my ghostly friend was referring to Alexa, I murmured, "Yes, I did."
With a tone similar to a soothsayer foreboding imminent doom, he said, "Her road is dark and unmarked. Be careful not to fall in the same path again."
When Shadi was about to disappear back into the shadows, I exclaimed, "Wait!"
Turning around to face me, he remarked, "You must warn her of where you once were. Come with me."
With his magic, Shadi enabled us to pass through the wall into Alexa's room.
She was still awake? She looked dead tired, but why was she not giving her body the much-needed break? Leaning against the headboard and with the telephone propped between her right shoulder and the side of her face, she smiled as she talked over the telephone.
She must be talking with Yugi boy's other self on the other line.
I could not help but smile, as I reminisce similar tender moments when Cynthia was still alive. It was quite poignant, if you asked me. However, there was something wrong with this picture. While talking on the telephone, I could not believe what else she was doing.
She was loading the first of her two guns, with the second one resting beside her on the bed. Does this preparation have something to do with the unidentified intruders?
Making an involuntary movement brought about by her fatigue, she grimaced in pain and then reassured the person on the other line, "I'm fine. I just pulled a muscle. Just tell everyone that I said hello."
There is a brief moment of silence, which is followed by her warm response, "I love you, too. I will be careful. I promise.... Bye...."
She hung up the telephone, and then focused on her two firearms. She loaded the second gun with second-nature speed. What scared me most was that somewhat evil glint in her eye, indicating that she is ready to use these weapons whenever necessary.
Shortly thereafter, she stashed the guns under her bed, turned off the lights, and went to sleep.
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Day Four of the Quest - Ten in the morning
Location: Jewel of the Nile Bed-and-Breakfast - Cairo, Egypt
Emrys' Point-of-View
The hustle and bustle of Cairo slowly but surely brings me back from the few hours of restless sleep.
Now I really know the literal meaning of the old saying "the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak." God, my body hurts so badly. I feel ache from muscles that I never knew existed until now. My sides and my arm dully throbbed. Taking my sweet time, I crawled out from bed and into the bathroom.
After the slightly invigorating shower, I quickly got dressed. I put up my wet hair in a bun, slipped into a white linen sundress, and knocked on Pegasus' door.
His door creaked open.
While my heart skipped beats, I quietly pushed the door and cautiously entered the room.
My heart sank into the pit of my stomach. His room was in total disarray again.
"Shit! They took him…."
A deep voice from behind me said, "You are right, my Queen...."
I turned around and faced the source of that voice.
"Shadi! Do you know what happened to Pegasus?" I inquired with deep-rooted concern.
Tight-lipped, he responded, "The hooded ones took him as bait."
I knew exactly what he meant: the freaks wanted to draw me out into the open. For what they did, I would give them what they wanted – and much more than what they have bargained for....
With a frown and pursed lips, I asked, "How could they kidnap Pegasus without the hotel staff noticing?"
Without blinking, the mysterious Shadi responds, "Magic. The current alignment of the stars and the planets increased their latitude to defy the laws of this physical plane."
Sitting down at the foot of Pegasus' bed, I bury my face with my hands. "Who am I really dealing with here, Shadi? They've been running after the Pharaoh – as well as his vessel, and me. They've been using everyone to force us to give up what they wanted from us."
"The Order of Orichalchos," he said without blinking.
"A cult?" I queried, as I removed my hands and glanced at him.
"The Order is much more than that."
"I don't understand," I said as I shook my head, and tried to make sense of everything.
"The key to unlock these secrets lies in the rest of the Scrolls of Passage."
"These people have Pegasus, as well as the Scrolls?"
"That is correct."
As I sat down on the bed, I rested my elbows on my thighs and sighed. After minutes of staring at the wall, I murmured, "I have to get him back from them."
With his voice sounding fainter, Shadi said, "The tomb keepers might be able to help."
"The Istars?"
Not receiving a response, I turned around to face Shadi. He was no longer in the room – leaving me behind to muse, "Then I'll start from the beginning...."
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Day Four of the Quest - One in the afternoon
Location: Egyptian National Museum - Cairo, Egypt
Purpose: To speak with Isis, Malik, and Rishid about the Order of Orichalchos
Emrys' Point-of-View
After the God-forsaken traffic, I slammed on the brakes and parked the jeep. I ran inside the museum – fully intent in finding out more about my foe before it would be too late to save Pegasus.
Moments later, Isis emerged from one of the many long hallways and greeted me. She then motioned me to follow her inside her office. Malik and Rishid were also inside the office. The three were in the middle of checking the newly shipped crates of artifacts.
I asked them pointblank, "What's the Order of Orichalchos?"
The three of them were stupefied – with Malik reacting the strongest. Looking at each other, their eyes widened as if I just said a blasphemous word.
"Please help me," I murmured, after moments of silence passed. "They kidnapped Pegasus. They also have the rest of the Scrolls of Passage. I need to know where to find them, before it's too late."
Malik placed his clipboard down, and sat on the sofa. After a few seconds of silence, he explained, "Legend says that the Order of Orichalchos was a group of mystical mercenaries. Each original member was of royal blood from the nine minor houses of Atlantis. Since Atlantis was destroyed, the first members of the Order lived in Egypt, Crete, and other neighboring areas."
"Is the legend true?" I inquired while holding my breath.
Rishid replied, "There are a handful of similar groups patterned after the Order of Orichalchos. There are also rumored offshoots from the Order. As to whether the Order existed or exists, it still has to be proven. Malik-sama formed the Ghouls after the Order, but they disbanded after Battle City."
I gave the two men a light smile, ensuring that I did not lay any blame or suspicion on them.
Malik then interjected, "If you are really dealing against the Order, then I warn you. They are ruthless – much more than I, or the Ghouls, have ever been."
"It's already too late for that caution. If I don't help my friend, only God knows what would happen next." Then after a brief pause, I stared at Malik and asked, "To find them, do I have to go underground?"
Malik's eyes widened. As his eyes gazed into mine, he sighed and then nodded. "The Order worships the dark. To find them is one thing, and to infiltrate them is another."
"Alexa, my brothers could go with you."
Looking at Isis, I shook my head and said, "It's too dangerous! I have to do this alone."
A tightlipped Isis quietly retorted, "I you do this on your own, your chances of saving Pegasus are significantly lessened."
I then said, "I really appreciate the offer. However, I couldn't afford to jeopardize another life. I promise that if I do need help, then the three of you would be the first to know. What I would appreciate is any information you could give me now."
Malik remarked, "The fact that they took Pegasus as bait doesn't bode well. That means that they're expecting you."
With grim determination, I stated, "If that's what it takes, then tell me where to start my search."
"Crete," said Malik without hesitation.
I froze from hearing the word Crete. The Grecian island of Crete is almost seventy-five kilometers north from Thera – the place where my parents died. Although Thera was in my list of places to visit in this trip, to go there now was premature.
Aside from that, I have been in Crete before during the nights I went underground with the scoundrels and occultists. What I was not sure, though, was whether I dealt with the Order in the past.
Was this my past coming back to haunt me?
I did not know whether I was ready to go to Thera. What I know was that I did not have a choice. The life of a new friend and the link to my past were at stake. I had to do what needed to be done – ready or not.
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Day Four of the Quest - Five in the afternoon
Location: Jewel of the Nile Bed-and-Breakfast - Cairo, Egypt
Purpose: Talking with the other Yugi
The other Yugi's Point-of-View
"What? You're walking into a trap!" I exploded.
"There's no other way….".
Emrys and I were talking on the phone for the past fifteen minutes. She told me about Pegasus' disappearance, the Order of Orichalchos, as well as her plans to leave for Crete within the next hour.
If I were with her, I would not be too concerned. We could watch each other's back – just like we did when we saved Grandpa and the rest from the same hooded men. However, with her going to Crete without any of her friends to accompany her, how would one expect me to react?
For that last remaining thread of calmness, I explained, "It's bad enough that Pegasus went with you in this trip. You're going against the same people who have been trying to kill you since we've met. They almost killed you just a month ago. You also haven't fully healed, as we speak...."
"You'd be doing exactly the same thing I'm about to do, if you were in my shoes," she countered. This time, there was a strain in her voice. "I have a feeling you'd react this way, but I still called because you have a right to know what's going on...."
"And I thank you for that," I said, as I did my best for my temper to partially subside. "Just think twice about this. You're stepping into a trap –"
"I'm not stupid, Yugi. I already know that."
I did not know what just came over me, but I abruptly told her, "You're not going, Emrys."
She coldly retorted, "I called to inform you on what I'm about to do. I did not call to ask for your permission."
"You're being stubborn," I irately pointed out.
She then said in sheer frustration, "And you're being unreasonable! I thought you, out of all people, would understand this!" After an audible sigh, she then told me, "I couldn't just stand here in the middle of nowhere and do nothing. Someone's in danger and I'm so close in getting what I need."
"At what cost, Emrys?" I demanded from her.
There was another pause for much-needed silence between us. We took that time to calm down and come to an agreement.
Making an effort to pacify herself, she intently said, " I'd rather pay the price of doing what needed to be done, rather than face the consequences of doing nothing. You should know this better than anyone else...."
As much as I could relate to her, I was still fuming inside. I never expected her to be this stubborn. I just hoped for a moment, even for just a fleeting second, that she was not so headset in going to Crete alone.
Eventually, I came to realize one fact. We – whether it be Emrys, Kaiba, Jonouchi, Aibou, and I – were the same: we did whatever it took to get something done. Determination was our fuel as duelists. Once that realization came upon me, I told her, "If anything bad happens, let me know right away...."
After pausing, she sighed. Her voice was somewhat back to its calm pitch, as she said, "Sooner or later, I have to go to Thera. I can't keep running away from my past. It just happened that I have to go now."
"That's what I'm afraid of," I remarked with a much calmer tone. Somehow, I could not help but think about her past – as shown to me by the Millennium Items. Those thoughts in mind eventually prompted me to ask, "Are you ready for this?"
"I have to," she murmured.
"Then I wish you good luck. Take care, and I love you."
"I love you, too," she affectionately replied. "If all goes well, then it means that I'll be done quicker than I expected. We could be together again. This time, for good."
"That sounds like a plan," I said with a tightlipped and sad smile on my face. After giving each other our respective farewells, I hung up the telephone.
I still have mixed feelings about this mission of hers. For her sake, I hope that everything goes well.
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Day Four of the Quest - Ten in the evening
Location: Isle of Crete
Purpose: Rescue Pegasus and retrieve the remainder of the Scrolls of Passage
Emrys' Point-of-View
I checked in at a small bed-and-breakfast to prepare for what I came for. The inn was four hours away from the caves that Malik told me about.
Unlike the Sentoni, the Dikteon, the Kamares, the Ideon, and other well-known caves in the Isle of Crete, the cave that I was going to did not have an official name. However, I knew those caves well. I have been around and in those caves once before about three years ago during my wilder days.
During my darker gallivants years ago; I encountered a group of occultists. This group constantly switched their meeting places – depending upon the alignment of the planets and stars. If the Order of Orichalchos was actually the same as the group of people I came across years ago, then Malik was not kidding when he said they were dangerous.
As ashamed as I was to admit it, I witnessed them invoke the dark forces far too many times in just one night. These men and women remained under the cloak of secrecy, with their white masks and hooded robes. These participants asked and were granted their deepest desires: power, fame, wealth, success, and anything they would ask for. They would do anything to fulfill their self-interest – even if it meant that they needed to kill for it.
With that in mind, I would not be taking any chances. I will come out of those caves alive, with Pegasus safe, and with the rest of the Scrolls of Passage.
Immediately after locking the door to my room, I dressed as comfortably as possible: khaki pants, steel-toed boots, a gun holster, tank top, and a long-sleeved khaki shirt. I then reassembled and reloaded my guns, since I had to dismantle them in order to pass through airport security and customs without any problems. I also packed a couple of airtight and waterproof resin tubes inside my backpack, as well as a couple of tools and supplies I might need for eventualities.
Locking the door behind me, I started my one-hour hike towards the caves.
An hour later, I saw light coming of a swarm of people chanting and carrying torches. Hiding behind bushes and trees, I noticed a throng of masked and robed individuals scattered around the mouth of the cave.
Yes - this was the cave that I have been to in the past. The cave was large – which would make it more difficult for me to find Pegasus. The large crowd of people now gathered in this spot would mean only one thing: a ceremony would take place tonight.
As soon as one of the cloaked individuals came within my reach, I pulled that person behind the bushes. Repeatedly punching until that person was unconscious, I bound and gagged him with rope and packing tape from my backpack. After I wore his robe and mask, I covered him with foliage.
Now the decisive moment came.
As I inconspicuously stepped out from the bushes, I now returned to the life I left behind two years ago. It had been a long time since I have been to such places. I just hope that the good intentions in my heart would be enough, so that I would be forgiven later on.
General Point-of-View
Emrys mixed in with the hooded throng. As soon as she stepped out from the bushes, she revived the old persona she harbored within her – cold, nonchalant, and ruthless if the occasion necessitated it.
After all, she would have not survived in these despicable places if she did not know how to play their game.
When she saw that trickles of people went inside the cave, she then followed suit.
As she walked inside the cave, a hand firmly rested on her shoulder and its owner said, "We've been expecting you. Come with me...."
She did not respond, but then turned around to face the man.
The masked and cloaked man explained, "My Master has the answers you seek, crest-wielder."
Although her cover was blown, she approached the cloaked man without removing her mask and hood. She calculatedly said, "You, and your Master, better not disappoint me."
After walking through a series of caverns lit with torches, they then entered inside the heart of the cave. In the middle of the cave, an elevated throne and its occupant waited. Behind the throne was a large hematite statue of a royally garbed and faceless woman with long hair.
There were seventeen steps, and ten feet worth of surface before the foot of the throne.
"Funny," Emrys mused. "That statue reminds me of the Dark Elf card, but with no face...."
Eventually, the throne's occupant stood up and descended the stone steps. "We meet again! You've finally decided to come back. We haven't felt your presence for a long time. So, what brings you here?"
She definitely recognized this booming, deep voice: it was the voice of the mastermind behind the kidnapping and brainwashing of Yugi's Grandpa and the gang at Domino City. After moments of silence, she firmly replied, "I'm looking for clues."
The Master mockingly asked: "Clues about you?"
"Partially, yes."
With feigned and sardonic disappointment, he then said, "I thought you're ready to give in to your temptations and join us."
She quipped, "Observing is one thing, and participating is another."
The hooded Master then repeatedly wagged his index finger from left to right. "You are so naive. There's no difference between the two. When you observe; your senses, your thoughts, and your emotions are involved. The only detail missing is the body's full participation. Have you cursed yourself on being a mere observer in fear of sinning, once you participate?"
Behind the mask she was wearing, Emrys' eyes widened.
Slowly pacing around her, the Master said, "There's no such thing as great or small when it comes to sin. You're a fool to suppress your desires and think that it'll save you from being damned."
"I need to be aware of the evil that's out there, so that I would know the difference. I've already known that difference more than two years ago."
Amusingly and sarcastically chuckling, the Master's booming voice echoed throughout the cave. "There you are again with your pretenses! You've already known part of that darkness a long time ago. However, you keep coming back for it. You'll never achieve your fullest potential, crest-wielder, if you keep playing these mind games within your head."
Her eyes focused on the hooded speaker. "I won't change my mind, or my opinions. I never wanted power – not like Yoshiko."
This time, the Master stood in front of Emrys. "Ah, Yoshiko. At least she was true to herself. She already had a dark heart. She joined us because she knew that she belonged here. I'm surprised how you could easily mention her name, especially since you killed her."
For the first time since she came inside the cave, Emrys vehemently reacted. "I did not kill her!"
Snickering and taunting, he then said, "That's what you think. You did kill her. I know that the darkness fascinated you. I never realized, though, that you have such a merciless streak within you."
She then reiterated with more force and passion in her voice, "I did not kill Yoshiko. You and your lot played many mind games with everyone. After all the lies, what makes you think that I would believe you this time?"
"You've unknowingly, but effectively, used the Orichalchos Medallion. The medallion is the actual origin of the Seal of Orichalchos magic card."
A slight pause transpired between them.
Just like the Blue Eyes White Dragon monster card, there were only four Seal of Orichalchos magic cards in existence. The magic card not only nullified every magic and trap card in the field, but also had another deadly effect: the loser of the duel gets transported into the Shadow Realm – with his or her soul forever trapped. The ones who could control the dark powers of the card ran the risk of corrupting their very souls.
As dangerous as the Seal of Orichalchos was, the magic card only held a fraction of the Medallion's powers.
Resuming his slow back-and-forth pacing, the Master then explained, "As disciplined and powerful as Yoshiko was, she only managed to use a fraction of the Medallion's power. However, you managed to use its full power while tapping only a portion of your mystical strength. You killed her using the Medallion."
With uncustomary heartlessness laced in her voice, she said, "If what you're saying is true, then I have no regrets. Yoshiko tried to kill me."
The Master mockingly remarked, "Killing your friend wasn't wrong. The strong survive and prevail in this world. You adhered to the cardinal rule of the universe. You're stronger than your friend – so you won, and she lost. However, you had an added incentive. You relished killing her, didn't you?"
Although feeling guilty inside, Emrys kept her unemotional tone. "If I did kill her, I didn't enjoy doing it. It's either her, or me. If what you say really happened, she didn't give me a choice in the matter."
"You chose to end Yoshiko's life with your very own hands. What you don't have a choice on was damnation and your parents' fate. You've damned yourself the very day you stepped inside the caves of Thera. To give you a preview of the power that you now have, your parents had to pay for that with their own blood."
Even though Emrys was masked, the Master felt her startled confusion. This prompted him to mockingly ask, "Did I just strike a nerve?"
This time, she exploded in anger. "How the hell did you know about the caves?"
Nonchalantly, the Master responded, "We know almost everything there is to know about you."
She countered, "Bullshit! How the hell would you know about me, when I don't even know enough about myself?"
He climbed up the stairs and then sat on his throne. "Your darkest half, which comes out whenever you choose to explore it, is always waiting to be unleashed. For some stupid reason, you choose to deny what is rightfully yours in the first place. You choose to hide in the shadows – veiled like a coward with that hooded robe and mask."
Referring to the hooded followers, she hotly replied, "I don't hear you complaining about the others."
"Because they've already given themselves in to our truth. They may be wearing hooded robes and masks, too, but they're not like you. Their masks are just on the surface, while you're wearing a mask inside and outside. Having a mask is not just physical veneer. It is also a mental, emotional, and spiritual facade."
She turned around and descended the stairs. As she exited the throne room, she hollered, "You've wasted my time. All you have are lies – not the answers I seek. I'm walking out of this hell-hole."
The Master said, as he sat on his throne, "Rest assured that no one would stop, or hurt you. It is no longer necessary for us to coerce you. You'll be joining us out of your own volition."
She stormed inside the throne room. In such disgust, she glared at her mocker. "In your fucking dreams!"
With a malevolent smirk, the Master remarked, "Aside from saving your friend, you're seeking answers for the Pharaoh. How ironic for both of you, thinking that you really love each other."
Her eyes narrowed in anger. "How dare you even question that we love each other! You don't even know the meaning of the word!"
The Master rose from the throne. He went down the stairs and walked until he stood face-to-face with Emrys. "Oh, I have no doubt of the Pharaoh's great love for you. However, I have doubts about how much you love him. How could you expect to love someone if you keep hurting yourself in so many ways?"
With vulnerable honesty laced within the angry tone, she said, "I've already stopped doing those things."
"You still think about ending your life. The temptation within you is far too great. No matter how much you want to, your heart will never be clean."
She immediately countered, "At least my heart's much cleaner than yours. I've seen the darkness already, and I've chosen to go the other way. That's what being human is all about – making mistakes and learning from them."
The Master's booming voice echoed bounced against the cave walls. "That's what being weak is all about! As far as choices are concerned, you're badly mistaken. If you have already chosen the light, then you wouldn't be here."
With clenched teeth, she responded, "I came here to save my friend, as well as find answers that I couldn't get at the surface. I love the Pharaoh, and I'll do everything and anything for him...."
Snickering, the Master interjected, "Even condemn your own soul to eternal damnation?"
"I'd be careful if I were you. If you or your lot do anything to hurt him, his vessel, his family, and his friends; I'll make sure that you'll all pay!"
The amused Master's arms casually crossed in front of his chest. "With that threat of yours, it sounds like you're beginning to make your choice."
Incensed, she then said, "If I've made any choices, it's to leave this God-forsaken place after I find my friend, as well as to kick your bloody ass if you mess with the Pharaoh and his loved ones. You mark my words!"
Emrys then stormed out of the cave – intent on finding Pegasus.
The Master mused as she walked out, "You just don't realize it, crest-wielder. The inevitable is about to happen. What's in store for both you and your lover will be the greatest irony ever...."
End of Chapter Seven
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Author's Side Notes
Okey dokey, my dear folks.... That was pretty scary - was it not? Philosophical discourses always give me the chills – especially if the topic truly hits home.
And for Emrys, it does....
So will Emrys be able to find and save Pegasus?
To find out the answer to this question, as well as other questions looming inside your mind, tune in for the next chapter - or e-mail me. But if you do e-mail me, just remember that I will not give out my plot :-D
Zatken
Normal Disclaimer
Yu-Gi-Oh, Dark Elf, Blue Eyes White Dragon, and the Seal of Orichalchos magic card are the copyrighted properties of Kazuki Takahashi.
Alexandra Emrys, Yoshiko, the Order of Orichalchos, the Scrolls of Passage, The Portal of Osiris, The Dead Incantations, duel monster card Rhea, duel monster card Cronus, ritual magic card The Birth of Poseidon, ritual monster card Poseidon Lord of the Seas, other original characters, as well as this fanfic, are the properties of the author.
This fanfic is written for entertainment purposes only - thereby releasing the author from any and all liabilities.