THE DESCENT OF LOST SOULS
Chapter Sixteen: The Duel of Shadows (Part Three)
Day Seven of the Quest - Midnight
Location: The caves of Thera
Purpose: Duel against the Essence
General Point-of-View
In the meantime, the dark spirit's Third Seal of Orichalchos card began to spread its magic throughout the field.
By the time that the Third Seal was about to form into completion, Emrys raised her right hand.
The Seal stopped its formation - covering only the Essence's side of the field.
A mystical energy from within then coursed through Emrys' body - taking its form as a rectangular card named the Orichalchos Medallion.
Once it solidified, the newly-formed trap card activated - forming a pentagram below it and spreading its mystical energy until it touched the bottom of the Third Seal of Orichalchos.
As the Third Seal of Orichalchos card disintegrated from the specter's side of the field, it then re-solidified itself on Emrys side of the field. Although all three Orichalchos Rings were active on the field, the third one was distinct as it glowed green with tinges of red and gold.
Shortly thereafter, a fourth Orichalchos Ring formed outside the third ring.
The Third Seal of Orichalchos
Field Magic Card
This card can be activated only if the Seal of Orichalchos and the Second Seal of Orichalchos are activated on the field. All magic and trap cards that affect the controller of this card are negated and destroyed.
Orichalchos Medallion
Counter Trap Card
This card can only be activated if the Third Seal of Orichalchos is in play. Only another form of Orichalchos power can negate this card.
The controller of this card declares whether he or she chooses to negate any Seal of Orichalchos card and take it out from play, or transfer the power of any Seal of Orichalchos card to his or her side of the field during the course of the duel. The controller inherits dark power during the duel and increases all his or her monster's ATK and DEF by 1000 points, if he or she chooses to transfer any Seal of Orichalchos card to his or her side of the field..
If the controller of this card is also the one who activated any or all of the Seal of Orichalchos cards during the duel, he or she can elect to do the following: (1) increase Life Points by taking your opponent's Life Points and multiplying it by four; (2) increase a designated monster's ATK and DEF by taking your opponent's strongest monster and multiplying its ATK by four. This addition in ATK and DEF is separate from the 1000 point increase mentioned earlier; or (3) decreasing your opponent's overall Life Points to 400.
"You learn quick, young one. How clever of you to tap into the Medallion and release its power through the cards," dismissively muttered the Essence, as her misty form swirled around her opponent. "Only Orichalchos power can negate the Third Seal. What do you wish to do?"
"Whatever it takes to send you back to Hell, I'll do it," Emrys firmly said, as she slowly recovered for each second that passed by. As her hazel eyes narrowed, she declared, "I want the Third Seal, as well as its power!"
"There is a price to pay for everything, crest-wielder," the spirit mused, as she quickly returned to her side of the field.
Emrys then drew a card for her turn, placed it on the field and declared, "I activate Dian Keto, the Cure Master!"
Dian Keto, the Cure Master
Normal Magic Card
Increases your Life Points by 1000.
Once the restorative powers of Dian Keto was tapped and Emrys' overall Life Points rose from 1900 to 2900, more vigor coursed through her system.
After the mystic's work is done, he then disappeared into the void.
Hazel eyes intently looked at the opposite side of the field, as its owner said, "I tribute Maha Vailo and Luster Dragon to summon Tyrant Dragon!"
Tyrant Dragon
Eight Stars
Fire / Dragon / Effect
ATK 2900 / DEF 2500
When there is a monster on your opponent's side of the field after the first attack of your Battle Phase, this monster can attack once again during the same Battle Phase. In addition, negate the effect of a Trap Card that specifically designates this card as a target and destroy it. If this monster is Special Summoned from the Graveyard, you must offer one Dragon-Type monster on your side of the field as a Tribute.
As the void claimed Maha Vailo and Luster Dragon, their essence was replaced by the horrifying figure of the Tyrant Dragon. Once it solidified in its mistress' side of the field, it let out a mighty roar.
With a glint in her eye, Emrys then placed the one and only card in her hand to the field and said, "I activate Fairy's Meteor Crush and arm my Tyrant Dragon!"
Fairy's Meteor Crush
Equipment Magic Card
When the monster equipped with this card has an ATK higher than the DEF of your opponent's defense-positioned monster, inflict the difference in Battle Damage against your opponent's Life Points.
Giving it her all, Emrys then pointed at the lone monster card at the Essence's side of the field. "Now, my dragon - attack her facedown card! Fire of Fury!"
Without any hesitation, Tyrant Dragon let out another mighty roar and emitted a merciless stream of reddish-orange fire against its target.
As the facedown monster disappeared into the void, the dark specter's Life Point countered dwindled down to zero - thus ending the duel.
Emrys breathed a heavy but relieved sigh, as her muscles once again convulsed from all aspects of fatigue. What was important was that she won this duel and spared her life.
Every card present on the field, in their hand, in their decks, and in their Graveyards disappeared....
All except for the four Orichalchos cards, with each Ring still glowing and locking in the two duelists within the circle.
The luminous specters outlining the cavern's ceiling then swirled around its dark mistress and their prey. The howling of a multitude of suffering souls filled and echoed throughout the cave, as each one brushed against the hazel-eyed victor.
A tightlipped Emrys glared at the other side of the field, happy that her shadowy opponent was forever gone....
Or so she thought....
No longer seen, the Essence's maniacal laughter reverberated throughout the cave. "Good work, crest-wielder. Your training is now over. I did not tell you what would happen if you should win."
Emrys' brain worked like clockwork, as she mused, "She's supposed to be gone, and so are these Orichalchos cards? Why is everything still here?"
With a foreboding tone, the dark specter taunted, "I have been proven wrong. You do have what it takes to claim what is rightfully yours."
Hazel eyes burned, as its owner spat, "What the hell are you talking about?"
"My dear crest-wielder, I was never in danger of losing my soul since I have none. So in this duel, you are the only one who had everything to lose and gain. The Medallion, the Seals, and I could never be defeated but only claimed. All it takes is claiming what is rightfully yours by using the Medallion."
Emrys trembled in fear, as her eyes widened. She now realized a grim fact: she fell for the dark spirit's trap, and she now had to pay the price for her folly.
The Essence reappeared in its misty state. Approaching her prey and stroking her exposed skin with misty fingers, she then whispered to a fear-ridden Emrys, "Do not worry, my dear. You have fairly won against me. You should be rejoicing, instead of quaking in your boots. I hereby bequeath my final gift to you....the spoils from your victory over me...."
After the spirit whispered into Emrys' ear, the cave walls shook once more and came alive - bringing out scenes from the latter's nightmares. As the eerie fog rolled in, and the pentagram appeared, the Essence de-solidified into a misty dark swirl and circled around its victim.
The pentagram merged with the four Orichalchos Rings - activating and unleashing each Ring's respective mystical powers. Thunder and lightning rumbled the caves, as each Ring closed in and trapped Emrys.
The thick fog, ominous lights, frightening sound, the sinister specter, and the dark shadows merged into a mystical energy and enveloped its prey. Its combined force then threw Emrys against the cave wall.
Emrys hit her head, and her bones cracked upon impact. The potent and sinister energy kept her mystically pinned against the cave wall - as if the wall itself was ready to swallow her.
Each Ring - starting from the First Seal and ending with the Fourth Seal - restrained her as it tightened its grip on her legs.
She felt a shortness of breath, as everything spun around her. Her flesh burnt, cracked, and stretched. Her bones were broken from the inside. Each Orichalchos Ring shrank and tightened around her legs - crushing her legs. The sheer torture made her let out bloodcurdling screams of pain and fear. As her muscles went into spasms, her eyelids fluttered and showed only the whites of her eyes.
In between death, pain, and dementia, she uttered words in a final effort to stay conscious or alive.
The floodgate of memories from thousands of years ago immediately opened and randomly zipped through her brain - memories of Ancient Egypt, her past life, her past deeds, her past love, and her death. Every snippet of memory from her shared past with the other Yugi flashed before her mind's eye. Unknown to her, she continued uttering words as every piece of memory panned within her mind.
When the last word parted from her dementia-guided lips, her mind shut down - forcing her to give in and slip into oblivion. As she fell unconscious, the mystical energies released her body.
She dropped hard on the ground like a log.
The fog, the pentagram, the Rings, and the shadows disappeared - leaving behind her battered and motionless body.
A tightlipped Shadi saw everything. Without a word, he then disappeared within the void.
Not knowing whether hours or days had already passed, she woke up inside the cave - completely delirious and disoriented. Pain and confusion dominated her body. She grimaced in pain, as she went on all fours and tried to stand against the cave wall.
Her legs did not have strength.
She fell on her back and lay motionless, as her eyes remained absent-mindedly open. Hours later, she lay on her stomach and crawled out of the cave.
In what seemed to be an eternity, she eventually emerged from the cavern and crawled inside the rented speedboat. After expending the last ounce of strength, she then passed out inside the boat.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"She's coming to...."
Emrys then stirred awake, as the smell of bitter herbs invaded her nose.
Once her vision adjusted, she saw the ceiling of her room at the inn. Bolting out of bed, or so she thought, she whimpered as jolts of pain traveled through her body. Tears flowed from her eyes.
A familiar voice said from the far corner of the room, "You're safe now…."
She then heard footsteps approaching her bedside. She also heard the sound of water beside her, as it was being wrung out from a cloth and back into a metal basin.
"I thought that you flew out from Crete," she moaned, as she sat and rested against her headboard with Isis and Rishid's help.
"I did," responded Pegasus, as he assisted by keeping her legs immobilized as Isis and Rishid moved her up towards the headboard. After the task, he then sat on the foot of the bed and said, "I didn't fly to the United States, but to Thera. The Ishtars were already inside the plane when it took off from the airport. We thought that you'd need our help...."
Glancing and seeing her four saviors inside the room with her, she then mumbled with glazed eyes, "I'm glad that you all came for me. I lost track of everything...."
"It took time before we found you," Malik interjected.
"My brothers spotted you out cold inside your speedboat. You've been delirious for almost a week now," a tightlipped Isis told her. "Your legs are broken. Rishid reset them for you, as best as he possibly could. Your body took a beating, so refrain from moving and let the herbs set in."
Silence dominated the room, as everyone fell silent while staring at Emrys.
The patient closed her eyes and confirmed a harsh reality: even though her legs were broken, she could not feel any pain or sensation. Her legs felt like heavy logs that bogged down her body, if there were any feelings left in them at all.
As her gaze landed on Pegasus, Emrys then asked, "Did you tell Uncle Arthur or anyone else about what happened to me?"
After letting out a heavy sigh, the platinum-haired executive replied, "No, I didn't."
She then shifted her stare at the three Ishtar siblings - with each one silently shaking their head as response to the same question.
Relieved, she then grimly smiled and softly said, "Good. Let us keep it that way...."
"So what happened out there?" Rishid inquired, as he handed her a small cup of broth on a saucer.
For a couple of minutes, she remained seated in bed contemplating. She could not remember much.
After she took a careful sip from the cup of broth - with Isis assisting her tremor-ridden hands and relieving her of the cup and saucer once she was finished - she then closed her eyes in comfort and gratefully smiled at Rishid and Isis for their kindness. "I - I don't remember anything, except for facing this dark specter. I remembered accepting her challenge to duel, but I don't remember anything after that. One thing that I do know is that everything is all over now."
"Is that good, or bad?" Malik quietly asked, as he comfortably leaned against the wall with arms casually crossed in front of his taut chest.
"Good, I guess," she muttered.
Malik's eyes narrowed, as he shot back, "Are you sure, Alexa?"
His elder siblings and Pegasus gaped at the platinum-haired and tanned young man.
Malik glanced at everyone before his lavender eyes rested on their patient. "No one walks out of that cave, or goes against the Order of Orichalchos without paying a price. You and I both know that."
Emrys deeply stared into his lavender eyes, as she remarked, "For the first time in my life, Malik, it mattered to me that I am alive. As to the rest, I'll take everything one day at a time...."
End of Chapter Sixteen
________________________________________________________________________________________
Normal Disclaimer
Yu-Gi-Oh is the copyrighted property of Kazuki Takahashi.
Alexandra Emrys, Yoshiko, The Scrolls of Passage, The Portal of Osiris, The Dead Incantations, the Orichalchos Medallion, other original characters and venues, and this fan fiction are the properties of the author. This fan fiction is also written for entertainment purposes only, thereby releasing the author from any liabilities.
Author's Note
The next installment for the Lost Souls Story Arc - When Memories Would Never Be Enough - is now posted. Immediately after the last chapter of When Memories Would Never Be Enough is posted, the first chapter of what is tentatively called The Battle for Lost Souls will be posted.
Thanks again for reading and constructively reviewing.