Wolf: May the worthier duelist win, indeed. Somehow I doubt Theoris would be much help at this point. Maybe later, though.
Lumen: For clarification, it didn't "officially" happen that Theoris replaced Khensthoth in the shield. I meant for that to be the subliminal message you come away from that story with.
Penny: Aww! Arigatou, imoutouchan! (Being a beta can be fun... but you're hard-pressed when it comes time to offer an official review!)
Skraku: Think this might get you to loosen the noose just a tiny bit? Other people like this story too, y'know... it might not do you well to kill me before I can produce it all!
Wolfwings: You went through a full half of the story in order to give me an informed review? I feel special! That's admirable, considering the length of the story thus far... and I've yet to get to any of what I think to be the real action! I hope you'll keep reading meantime.
--
Yes. I am Theoris. And you are Kyle. Kyle McCraine.
Kyle stared, though at what, he wasn't sure. "How do you know that?"
I know much of you, Kyle McCraine. I have been with you since the day you took the Millennium Shield from its place in that cave. By your current notion of time, it has been "months" – I believe that is the correct term?
His jaw hung slack, and he wordlessly nodded.
Since you apparently consider this our first "true" meeting, I must begin by apologizing. I am aware that being dragged to the dream world was not a pleasant experience for you. However, it was the only way I could show you what I wished to show you.
"I... I'm not quite sure what part you wanted me to focus on." Kyle clutched his head. "There's so much!"
Bang-bang-bang. "Hey, McCraine, you all right in there? I thought I heard a scream."
Kyle looked at the door. "No, it's okay, Mr. Fitz," he said instinctively. "I just had a nightmare, that's all. I'm okay."
"You don't got anyone else in there with you, do you? Like that girl from a while back?"
"No, Mr. Fitz, nobody else."
"Then who're you talking to in there?"
Kyle's inhaled sharply. Damn it, he heard me talking... what do I say to that?
Many people talk to themselves, or so I am led to believe. Even in my own time, we spoke to ourselves for the purpose of reassurance.
Kyle frowned. You're listening to my thoughts?
Of course. I have been since you took the shield. You do not need to speak aloud to speak with me.
He blew out his breath, then said, "Was I talking? Must've been sleeptalking. Sorry."
"...Okay. But try not to have too many of those screamers, huh? Other people are trying to sleep." Mr. Fitz tromped away.
Kyle put his hands over his eyes and slumped back onto the couch. Are you sure you're not just some figment of my imagination? Some kind of insanity trip from everything that happened in Egypt?
I am reasonably certain of this. Theoris' mental voice sounded almost amused. I know this is difficult for you to believe, but what is happening to you now is quite real. I am not a figment of your imagination. I am not a hallucination brought on by insanity, or withdrawal from narcotics. Yet you knew the latter already.
Fine. Then what's this "danger" you've been spouting about for so long?
I am afraid that you are much like the members of the Egyptian court after our pharaoh was lost. Even if I told you, you are not liable to believe me, and you would again attempt to attribute me to insanity and return to counseling. Or worse, throw away the shield.
Kyle shook his head. "No way," he declared aloud. Whatever else it is, the shield's a good luck charm.
I find it strange how you regard such an item as the Millennium Shield as a mere "good luck charm". It is an item of great and terrible power. That you have come across it is more than "luck", as you would define it. For myself, it is providence that you found it and not the man who charged you to find valuables in the cave.
Rieger. Thanks for reminding me of him. Kyle frowned. Why are you here? Assuming everything you showed me is true... why are you here?
I am here because I must be. There is no other explanation I can give you. Obviously I still have a part to play in this day and age.
What kind of part?
I cannot say.
You seem to think, even after showing me everything you know, that I wouldn't believe you if you told me any more. And while it may be true that I think I'm still dreaming... I want to know what you're talking about. You've been harping on and on about "danger" for months, and now that you can finally articulate to me, you won't tell me? What more is there that I need to know that you haven't shown me?
A mental sigh rang through Kyle's mind. It is because of your inability to believe that this conversation is real that I do not speak of it. Rest now, Kyle. I shall remain silent and keep watch. When you awaken, we will speak again.
"No, dammit. I want to talk about this now," Kyle muttered.
What good would speaking of it now do you? You have other things that occupy your attention. The danger is present, though not immediate. I shall speak of it with you tomorrow.
"Hey. Don't go away on me, now. I've still got stuff I want to talk to you about."
Such as?
This may sound awkward, but... it was you on the fire escape, wasn't it? You took control of me, somehow, and you got up and went out on the fire escape.
Past the crystal barrier, yes.
Kyle could help but chuckle. That's called a window. It lets us see through it while protecting us from the cold. Jeez, you really ARE from older times, aren't you?
Does this help you believe?
Maybe. What did you do? I've been trying to figure it out ever since that night. Monica won't tell me and I'm clueless.
The boy you know as "Xander" was chasing her and threatening her. I heard her screaming outside and went outside to investigate. I saw them running between the buildings and called out a challenge to him because he dared threaten a woman. She looked up and saw me standing there, and came up the metal bars.
Ladder, Kyle corrected. That's a ladder. But continue.
It became apparent that he was not content to let her get away from him, for he chased her up the bars – ladder, I beg your pardon – as well. However, I did not wish for him to continue chasing her, and certainly not into your home. So I chose to stop him.
What did you do? Did you beat him up?
In your terms, yes, I did. I was a soldier, Kyle. It was my duty to protect the people. He threatened one of the people, one of YOUR people. This, I could not allow. I apologize for taking control of your body without your permission, and I assure you I will no longer do so. I know it is not mine to use.
It's... it's okay, I guess. I just wanted to know what happened; it's been a mystery to me for weeks.
Very well. Now your mystery is solved. I beseech you, sleep. You are in great need of it for the coming battle.
Kyle frowned. You mean the duel?
Yes. I will speak no more. Rest now.
He blinked several times as the last traces of Theoris' voice vanished from his mind.
Well... what else CAN I do at this point?
He laid down and tried to sleep.
It was far from easy.
--
His eyes rolled to one side and then the other before finally opening, to see that dawn had come.
Was it a dream?
No.
Kyle nearly jumped at the "sound" of Theoris' voice. "Jeez." I'm gonna have to get used to that, aren't I?
Most likely you shall. Am I troubling you?
I don't know how it was in your day, but in mine, hearing voices isn't a good sign.
This also was a sign of madness in my time. Should you prefer, then, not to tell others of me?
It's tempting to say at least SOMEthing to somebody. But yeah, I think I'd rather keep you a secret, for now. He sat upright and hunched over his knees. So. You're a soldier from ancient Egypt. Your general was Khensthoth, and he was the original owner of the Millennium Shield. Right?
Close enough, I think. I do not know what word would most accurately describe Khensthoth's... possession... of the shield. Perhaps "bearer" is more precise. The Pharaoh bestowed the shield upon Khensthoth. When Khensthoth died, it passed to me.
Do you have any idea how much time has elapsed since your death?
None. I have slept most of these "years", as you call them. I was awakened only by the presence of people in the cave. That is when you came. You took up the shield, and brought it with you.
How is it able to change its size? That's a nifty little trick, right there.
I am afraid this is one of the secrets of the shield I have yet to comprehend. A shield, by nature, must be large to be of use. Why it is able to become so inconspicuous is beyond me.
Then you also have no idea how to make it big again.
Indeed. You have my apologies.
He nearly laughed. No need to apologize. I was just wondering.
Do you wish to enlarge it?
What use would that be?
I know not, in this day and age, besides displaying a large golden shield instead of a small one. The time might come, however, that it should need to be enlarged.
You make all this sound too fantastic to be true.
Nothing is impossible, Kyle. Not even in this day and age. Some things may have been forgotten, but they still exist.
Like the magicians. Kyle smirked grimly. Right?
...You dreamt of them last night.
Sure did. You heard me, huh?
I hear and see all that you hear and see. Even your dreams. Fine. So it's true, then. The magicians still exist.
I believe they do. I sense their energy still permeating this world. It is a most unique energy. And energy of this sort cannot be imitated. It is greater than it was so long ago. I fear their numbers have grown greatly.
Tell me about them. They want the Millennium Shield?
Not just the shield. All of the Millennium items. That is their goal: acquisition of the Millennium items for complete world domination.
And including the shield, there are eight Millennium items.
Yes. The shield is key in locating the remaining seven. Each of the other seven Millennium items has been granted protection by the Millennium Shield. Should the shield fall into the wrong hands and the protection be canceled... it might very well spell disaster for this world.
You know, technology has progressed just a tad bit since your time. Our weapons are a little more lethal than your average scimitar.
Weapons of even this day and age are useless against the magics that course through the Millennium items, including the shield. You do not yet fully appreciate the power you carry about your neck, Kyle. Apparently magic is a forgotten thing, which makes it all the more dangerous.
People haven't forgotten about magic. They just stopped believing in it.
In which case, it may be even more dangerous.
Where are the items now?
It took Theoris several moments to respond to this. It is hard for me to tell. We are now so far removed from my ancestral home that I do not believe I would be able to locate them from here. Then again, I do not know if I would be able to locate a Millennium item if its bearer was standing right next to you. There remain many mysteries.
Kyle scoffed. Undoubtedly. So how worried should I be?
I know not. For all that I know, the magicians may have forgotten about the Millennium Shield altogether. Though somehow I doubt this. It was this one item that was exposed to the people... this one item that was etched into their memories. If anything, the magicians are more likely to be focused on acquiring it.
And how will they know it's gone from the cave?
The awakening of its power. A shield, by nature, cannot hide itself. It is, quite simply, a target. Something to divert an assault. A shield is meant to protect. Thus is the nature of the Millennium Shield... to protect the people. The Millennium items. Its bearer. Whosoever needs protection.
If they want it so badly, then why didn't they try to dig it out? Surely they've had the chance over the last few millennia.
Perhaps they were frightened by its power.
Not frightened enough to try to steal it from you as you ran from your own people, Kyle pointed out.
Not that, Kyle. The golem.
Kyle blinked. The shield created the golem?
Should this surprise you so? You saw the golem with your own eyes. You saw my memory of that fateful day. Between the two, can you deny that the shield had a hand in the creation of that monstrosity, whose likeness now resides on an inscription on paper?
...I'm going to have to make sure you get with the times, my friend. Kyle got to his feet and trundled over to his dresser. As it stands, unless I have a magician show up on my doorstep, I'm going to at least try not to think about them. I have other things to worry about.
Can you toss aside the implications of ignorance so easily in this day and age?
Kyle sighed as he pulled a shirt on. What would you have me do? Worry about what I can't change? If the magicians come, they'll come. Dunno what the hell I'm gonna do when that happens, but we'll figure something out, I'm sure. Kyle snorted. Hell, we could always run. I'm pretty good at that.
I have noticed that.
Thanks. Another sigh escaped the teen. Ugh. Studies, more studies, and then a duel. And a voice in my head all the while. Plus a bunch of people who want to steal power and rule the world with something in my possession. What's a guy to do?
I am intrigued that you are so nonchalant about such matters, Kyle. I would not have thought such lethargy possible.
It's not lethargy. It's an attempt to put the surrealism of all this out of my mind. My world comes crashing down around my ears, what's my first impulse going to be? To try to ignore it, of course, just as your people tried to ignore the looming threat of rebellion among the ranks of your court mages. They tried to ignore a civil war. Now, though, you only have me to deal with. Soon enough, I'll start seeing the "grim reality" for what it is, but in the meantime, stop trying to break me into it like I'm yet another soldier in this millennial war you've been fighting. Let me deal with it in my own way. And when I'm ready to get with the program, we'll mull it over some more. Sound fair?
No. But then again, it is your mind I am intruding upon. And your decision, despite my wish for it to be different.
I'm so glad we're on the same page.
--
Time seemed to fly. This wasn't a good thing, in Kyle's estimation. His stomach churned with each passing hour, as his duel with Zack drew nearer and nearer. At a near-frantic pace, he visited all of the game shops in town except the one Zack worked at, looking to acquire any and all good cards he could possibly find. The best one he could find was Amphibian Beast, an aquatic monster with 2400 attack points, which he quickly added to his deck.
It looks good, but it's still not good enough! Maybe I should give up on the monsters and just look for power-ups, instead. So his search became one for adequate equipment cards – his search was rewarded with a rare Horn of Light, with the ability to boost any monster's defensive power by an additional 800 points. He also acquired an equally rare Malevolent Nuzzler, capable of empowering any monster with an additional 700 attack points.
It's enough to overcome Sanga if I use Amphibian Beast or Launcher Spider... but Sanga just doesn't work on attack power alone. Chubs may be right – I may not have much of a shot at this at all. With that effect it's got...
Nevertheless, Kyle continued to push for cards that might strengthen his deck. He didn't reap many more rewards from his search, but he did manage to increase his deck's cohesive power and strategy using the cards he'd already been in possession of.
Several of these creatures look disturbingly akin to those I saw that night...
Let's not think about it now. For the moment, this is just a card game.
If it is "just a card game"... why are you so frantic?
...Pipe down.
Almost before Kyle even realized what was happening, the day had come, and he and Zack were both standing in the lobby of the dueling center they'd reserved.
Zack grinned at Kyle. "Ready to show me what you've got?"
"I haven't got much," Kyle admitted. "I don't know if I can do this."
"C'mon. What're the chances I'll even draw Sanga during the duel? I've got a sixty-card deck. That's a lot to go through for one card." Zack chuckled. "Don't worry about it, Kyle. Just show me your best. Beat me, and Sanga's all yours. Don't think about what'll happen if you lose. Focus on winning. Strategy. How to beat your opponent. Not how hopeless it looks."
Kyle scoffed. "Oh, that's encouraging."
"Thanks, I try my best."
They strolled silently down the hallway to the dueling platform that had been reserved for them. When they went through the door, it was all Kyle could do not to gasp at how large the setup was.
The holographic field itself was so massive, it stood almost taller than either him or Zack. Most of the huge rectangular field was a bright, polished silver hue; the edges of the narrow sides, however, were a different matter. One side had been painted a vibrant blue, while the other side was an equally vibrant red. Sitting in the center of each narrow side was a pedestal – where duelists played their cards.
"Go on, take a station," Zack encouraged. "Neither one's going to bite you."
"So says you," Kyle responded uncertainly. Nevertheless, he made his way to the red station and stepped onto the platform.
From the blue station, Zack called out, "There should be a button on the left side. Press it and the platform will ascend."
Kyle did as instructed, and in response, motors whirred as the platform he stood on rose eight feet into the air. He grabbed the railing behind him tightly as the platform moved; he wasn't exactly afraid of heights, but he didn't favor being thrust up into them, either.
Zack was already on the level and giving his deck a last minute shuffle. "All right. We're playing by traditional rules, starting at two thousand Life Points."
"I wouldn't have it any other way," Kyle responded.
"I know. It's what you're familiar with. Now, hold on to your hat, because this is a lot different from the way you're used to playing this game." Zack smirked. "As it is, since you were the official challenger, that means I get to choose which of us goes first. I vote you."
"Fine by me," Kyle answered, drawing five cards as he spoke. As he drew, a pair of Life Point counters lit up on either of Zack's sides; at the same time, a pair of LP counters readied themselves at either side of Kyle's own station. The numbers were huge. Neither duelist would have any doubt as to his own Life Points or those of his opponent.
He drew his sixth card, and the duel began.