(Hello again everyone!!! Okay! Okay! I know I said I would make the
chapters shorter so that I would get them out faster, but I had to get this
part of the story over so I could keep it moving. Hey at least you guys get
a longer exciting chapter. SO BE HAPPY!!!! ^_^ Well enough of my rambling
R&R PLEASE!!! ENJOY!!!!)
Quick Thank yous
Kistune-Yasha: Hey!!! Thanks for the wonderful review!!! I still can't believe so many people like my story it is kind of crazy!!! You will just have to see what happen to Serenity. ^_^ There is something about her in this chapter. And as for my spelling like I said before I suck and I feel like an idiot for it but hey no ones perfect. Hope you enjoy this chapter!!
Angel355: All I can say to your review is that I am very honored and that I hope you enjoy this chapter!!!
Avelyn Lauren: I am sorry if I took to long getting this chapter up (Sees Avelyn holding a brick) *_* But all I can say is I AM SOOOO SORRY!!! ^_^ They are in a lot of trouble and the duels you have been waiting for are here. Now this is the first time I have written out duels so they might suck a little but please do kill me for it. Enjoy!!!
Disclaimer: Like I have said before I DON'T OWN YU-GI-OH!!!!
Character's Egyptian Names
Serenity = Safiya
Joey = Tarik
Tristan = Hondo
Mai = Ma'at
Gozaburo = Gahiji
Pegasus = Runihura
Chapter Eleven: Broken Souls
Gozaburo made his way swiftly from the palaces training court to the palace sweat gleaming on his face from several hours of working out. Marik had informed him that he would be taking over the duties as general of the Royal Army, which was a great honor. However Gozaburo was not as thrilled, as he should have been for the army seemed to lack the skills necessary for war. When asked why they explained that ever sense Yami became Pharaoh there hadn't been a war. Therefore their skills with weapons were only used for entertainment.
As he made his way through the halls to his living quarters Gozaburo noticed that one of the doors to the girls was opened and it wasn't suppose to be. Those doors were supposed to be closed and guarded at all times. Looking at the door a second time Gozaburo realized that the guards were also missing and this called for a closer inspection.
Gozaburo walked quietly towards the door and cautiously peeked into the room. To his amazement the young woman was still in the room, in fact she was sitting peacefully in one of the chairs reading a book. The sheer beauty of the woman struck Gozaburo with such force that he lost all thought. She was indeed beautiful with her long silky raven black hair falling slightly in front of her face as she read and her deep blue eyes sparkled as she read. Quickly pulling himself together and mentally scolding himself for his moment of weakness he approached the girl.
"Where are your guards?"
"I sent them away." She didn't even bother to look up from her book
"And why did you see it fit for you to give the orders?"
"I saw no point of them staying there all day and night. I mean its not like I am going anywhere."
"That is not your dissension to make. You are not a guest here, you are a prisoner." Gozaburo drew himself up to his full height trying to intimidate this rather annoying young woman. It didn't work.
The raven-haired girl stood up put her book down and walked out to the balcony as if to say that the conversation was over. Gozaburo was in a state of shock because he had always been able to intimidate anybody he wanted. Now this girl had just walked right by him without another thought or even looking at him.
Only one other woman had ever acted that way and moved in such a manner, that woman was his wife who had died quite a few years ago. She had died from the heartbreak of losing their only child Noa. Although Gozaburo had placed his mind and image into a virtual reality program it could not sooth her pain or save her life.
Gozaburo stood rooted in one spot consumed by the pain and bitterness that had followed after she died. It had consumed his whole being to the point where he could no longer allow himself to feel anything not even towards his adopted sons Seto and Mokuba. He was so fixated on his thoughts that he completely failed to notice that Marik had entered the room.
"What are you doing in my sisters room?"
"Huh?" Gozaburo turned around, "Oh, my Pharaoh I am sorry I did not realize she was your sister. You see her door was opened and the guards were gone, yet she was still her."
"Yes that would be Ishizu." A smiled played across Marik's face, "I can see that you are quite taken by her, then again most men who come in contact with her are. Her mysterious personality intrigues them."
"Your sister is quite attractive I will admit that."
"Well the ceremonial dinner is in a half an hour so if you would like to be her escort it would be alright with me."
"Thank you Pharaoh." Gozaburo bowed and left the room, but was in no way pleased. 'Damn it! I can't stand acting like that! Yes my Pharaoh, oh sorry my Pharaoh. Sadly he is the only way I will ever be able to stay alive. Until the power of all the Items are used to restore me I will only live for a few more weeks at best.'
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Serenity lend on the banister of her balcony watching the crocodiles and hippos basking in the evening sun along the Nile. She couldn't believe that a place of such beauty could hold such horrors and yet she was not afraid. She was unafraid in a place of danger separated from Joey and Tristan who always protected her. Ever since she found out that she was the destined holder of the Scale there had been this odd sense of power increasing inside of her that kept her from being afraid.
She had been considered weak and unable to take care of herself since she was little. Serenity guessed it was because of her failing eyesight, but she believed it when everyone told her she couldn't do this or couldn't do that. She believed so much she had been afraid to step out into the world without her brother, she had been to afraid.
"It's my fault and I know it. I believed it when everyone told me that I was weak and all because of my eyesight. Nevertheless even after the surgery I still clung to Joey like I was still his little two-year-old sister. What's more I always let Tristan fight my battles for me I never did it myself. What have I let myself become?" a sigh escaped her lips as she watched the sun continue to set behind the distant mountains never noticing that she was being watch.
Duke lend against one of the alabaster columns that made supported the archway to the balcony. He stood there watching Serenity's long auburn hair dance gracefully in the breeze and listen to her think out loud. Duke was surprised that Serenity thought herself weak he surly never had. Her problem was an over protective brother and a possessive boyfriend who both held her back.
"Safiya you are not weak and you know it."
"Oh great, what do you want?" Serenity didn't even turn around
"Just to talk to you."
"Yeah I bet."
"Seren." Forgetting that he was suppose to call her Safiya
"You are not to call me that, only my friends can."
"I thought I was your friend."
"You were until you betrayed us and kidnapped me." Serenity was scolding him like you would scold a five-year-old child.
"I only did it so that you and I could be together. So that I could save you from cretin death that would slowly consume you. The fire that burns deep inside of you that I love so much would be extinguished little by little if you were to stay with Hondo."
"Oh what do you know." Serenity some how knew that Hondo was Tristan, but how she knew she couldn't be sure of. She also could not dismiss what Duke had just said.
"You know what I say is true. You are strong Safiya you are the destined hold of the Scale."
Serenity gasped 'How could he have found out?' "How-how do you know?" "Runihura." Duke moved forward a few steps. "You know I like that outfit on you. Its you."
Serenity wore a simple yet elegant white dress that showed her every curve. The dress fell to her ankles and had only one strap across the right shoulder. There were bands of gold around her forearms and her wrists and her maids had weaved golden thread into her hair.
"Leave." Her voice was simple but harsh and she still didn't turn around
"I can't." Duke moved slowly closer to her, but Serenity kept her back to him. "You know I love you Safiya. I've loved since the moment I met you."
The statement finally caused Serenity to turn around. "I know you do but I."
Duke place his hand gently over Serenity's mouth and moved closer. However Serenity was quick to catch on and in swift motion she pushed him back, then pulling her hand back slapped him smartly across the face.
"I thought I told you never to try that again."
"Safiya I."
"OUT!"
"Fine, but don't think your going back to Hondo."
Serenity followed him pushed him out the door and slammed it in his face. Serenity turned but the door opened; Serenity swung around and flung the door open.
"I THOUGHT I TOLD YOU TO GO AWAY!" but it wasn't Duke
"I am sorry Lady Safiya, but I was told to inform you that your escort for dinner will be returning shortly."
"Thank you and I am truly sorry that I yelled at you. I just thought that you were someone else."
"That is alright my lady."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Although Shadi had made it very clear that fighting would destroy their chances of getting out alive Kaiba and Joey continued to fight. The fights were so constant that the guards had to call Gozaburo down to help solve the problem; Gozaburo wasn't too trilled to say the least. To take care of the problem Gozaburo dragged both Kaiba and Mokuba into a cell across from the one that were being held in. For the few minutes that they were out of the cell Kaiba noticed a third cell being guarded, but could not see who was in it. Kaiba figured it was an everyday common thief who was being held for some petty crime.
"You know you make it very hard to get anything done around hear." Gozaburo threw Kaiba into the cell
"I would think you would be proud considering you were then one who taught me to do so." Kaiba said sarcastically
Gozaburo laughed, "I guess I did. Then again I also told you to forget about that girl. Then again seeing her all grown up I can see how hard that would be for any man." He was taunting Seto daring him to attack
Kaiba grabbed him by the throat and pinned him up against the wall. "Don't you dare touch her!"
Gozaburo grabbed Kaiba's wrist and removed his hand from his throat and threw Kaiba forcefully against the wall. Kaiba's head met with the wall and began to bleed slightly, Mokuba watched in horror.
"Even if I could I wouldn't, I happen to value my life. Besides Marik is going to marry her and I will enjoy watching him try to break her." Gozaburo laughed "Enjoy your dinner, I'm off to a banquet." He continued to laugh as he left the cell.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The sun finally set and brought a deep still darkness upon the land of Egypt. Duke and Keith came and escorted Mai and Serenity down to the dinning hall for the banquet. Gozaburo, taking Marik's suggestion, escorted Ishizu to the banquet. Tea and Ariel were the only two upstairs waiting in their beautiful yet hated dresses.
Tea's attire was still the same the only difference was the golden threads that had been woven into her hair and a few additional items of jewelry. Ariel's outfit on the other hand had changed entirely. She now wore a long golden skirt with the sides completely opened except for three golden chains on each side. Her top was a golden bikini top halter style, around her arms and wrist were golden bands and around her head was a golden band with the head of a snake, the sign of Egyptian Royalty. (Alexia: Think of the outfit the Sorceress in The Scorpion King wore.)
The two of them sat in complete unsure of what to say; they had done everything they could think of to prevent this yet it was happening. Ariel was even trying to reach far into the depths of her Item trying to find even the slightest glimpse of the future, but it wouldn't come. Ever since they had arrived in the past the Necklace had stop showing her the future as if being in the past was confusing it or that it was just unsure what would take place. The creak from the door finally brought both girls out of their dream like state. Tea looked up to see Bakura and Pegasus standing in the doorway.
"Ladies we have come to escort you to this evening ceremonial dinner."
Bakura walked up to Tea and held out his arm for her to take and she did so rather reluctantly. The reluctance was of course her own, but the power of her Ring of Possession had forced her to take his arm. This scared her because Tea had a feeling deep inside of her that this was only a glimmer of the rings power. As Bakura lead Tea out of the room Pegasus walked over to Ariel offering her his arm; Ariel didn't even look at Pegasus she simply got up and walked passed him.
As they descended the stairs the sound of talking could faintly be heard behind to large golden doors, but it sounded morbid, troubled and above all confused. Once they reached the door two guards approached them Bakura handed Tea over to one and the other took Ariel by the arm.
"You both are to wait here until you are called in." Bakura informed Tea and Ariel before entering the dinning hall.
"I am very proud of you Isis." Pegasus kissed Ariel on the forehead before following Bakura into the hall.
Inside several candles, whose flames danced merrily, despite the atmosphere of the room, lighted the hall brightly. A long table was laden with several golden dishes filled with wonderful smelling foods. At the end of the table that faced the door sat members of the Royal Court, the Royal Council and represents of the different cities all across Egypt; every one of them had the same question that pressed heavily on their minds: What is going on?
At the head of the table the chair was empty as well as the chair to its right, but next to the chair on the right sat Pegasus. To the left of the head chair was Bakura but the chair next to him was empty then there was Keith and Mai, Gozaburo and Ishizu. Next to Pegasus were Duke and Serenity then Jackson. The hall door opened and Croquet walked in.
"I now present your new Pharaoh Marik."
Every one in the room stood up as Marik entered the room.
"Thank you. Now before we began the feast I have a few announcements to make. First starting tomorrow there will be a few changes in the positions around here. First Bakura will be taking over as High Priest, I am afraid the former High Priest Seto will be leaving us shortly." Marik didn't even try to hide his smile. " Next Runihura will be taking over once again as the High Councilor any who abject will be dealt with." Marik paused to let the threat settle into there slow minds. "Continuing on Gahiji will be taking over as General of the Royal Army and Duke and Keith, yes they are not native to Egypt, will be taken over the job of commanding the Royal Guards. Lastly (Jackson) will be taking over the task of keeping track of the countries economy." Marik allowed sometime for some rather unhappy mumbling before proceeding.
"And now to my last set of announcements before dinner. Two days from now there will be a set of weddings taking place. Our first happy couple is Duke and the lovely High Priestess Safiya. Our second couple is Keith and the feisty Ma'at." Murmurs continued, "One of our more important weddings that will be held in two days time is the marriage of the new High Priest Bakura and the former queen Nefertiti."
Gasps filled the room as the hall door opened and Nefertiti walked in. Her head was held high but her expression showed no signs of delight that you would normally see on the face of a soon to be bride.
"But she can't marry him she is married to the Pharaoh Yami!" One of the councilmen had bravely stood up and yelled this.
"Kemo take him away." Kemo lead the man out of the room. "Any other objections." Marik waited for a moment the continued "The final and most important wedding that will take place in two days time is my wedding to the Sorceress Isis."
The door opened once more the door to the hall opened as Ariel had walked into the room, but this time the room was filled dead silence. Everyone knew that the Sorceress was to marry the High Priest when the war was over, but no one ever believed this would happen. Like Tea, Ariel walked in with her head held high but no sign of delight on her face.
Another member of the council stood up and spoke his outrage unaware that it would be his last.
"I don't know who in Ra's name you think you are, but this is sick and wrong. Our Sorceress is to marry the High Priest Seto and not you. Further more the Queen is now and always will be married to Pharaoh Yami so you might as well just forget about all this; none of us will follow you. And as for your so called new changes in the positions they are ludicrous and will never hold so I suggest that you step down."
Marik said nothing to this man instead he simply nodded his head and two guards came and took him away. The man struggled but it was in vain and he was lead out of the room never to be seen again.
"I can replace all of you so if any of you agree with that man please feel free to say so. I do however warn you that the consequences will not be to your liking. Now lets eat."
Pegasus lead Ariel, who had not moved, to her chair and the banquet begin although it was not a joyful one. The girls said nothing to each other nor did Ariel and Tea speak by way of their Millennium Items. However Ariel was using her Necklace, which had finally decided to work.
The dinner ended an hour later and ever one was in the same mood if not worse. The council members had, had enough and began to get up to leave when Marik stopped them to make one more announcement.
"Oh by the way there will be two duels tomorrow, but you are not allowed to come. Just thought I would let you know."
Midnight had fallen upon the land of Egypt where most of the people slept peacefully except the Chosen Ten. All tossed and turned as their dreams reviled horrors that were yet to come, but the vision came and went so fast that they could never quite remember them or even understand them. All they knew was that whatever was happening in their dreams could not happen in real life.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The morning brought warm light once again to the land of Egypt washing away the strange shadow of darkness that had settled last night. But for those who were there against their wills it brought nothing but memories of the night and day before ones that they wanted nothing more then to forget.
Mai lay in her bed looking at the ring on her left hand, she had always wanted one of these but this was not how she wanted it to be. How could she be marrying Keith in just a day when she didn't even love him? There had to be away out only a year ago she had finally admitted that she liked, well, loved Joey and found out that he felt the same way. If she was going to marry anyone it would be him and not Keith.
Mai jumped out of bed quickly put on the clothes she had worn the day before and ran to the door. She was going to talk to Tea, Ariel and Serenity maybe just maybe they could come up with something. But when Mai opened the door the guards would not let her pass.
"Move out of my way."
"I am sorry but we can't do that."
"Well why not? You had no problem with it yesterday."
"Orders change and Marik does not want any of you to leave your rooms."
"I don't care what that bastard says I do what I want!"
Mai kicked the first guard in the stomach and punched the other guard in the face then made a b-line for Tea's bedroom door. Mai flung Tea's bedroom door but no one was there. Confused Mai went down the hall to Ariel's room, but Ariel was not in her room as well. This greatly concerned Mai so she went to Serenity's room and thankfully Serenity was there. But she was in bed and Ishizu was sitting by her.
"Ishizu what are you doing here? What's going on?"
"I will get to that in a minute, but why are you so frantic?"
"Nefertiti and Safiya!" Mai looked surprised "Why can't I say their other names?"
"Because the past is finally taking over. We know who they really are but the past is forcing us to call them by the names they were once known by."
"Then why can I still call you Ishizu?"
"Because my name is the same now as it was then. Now what about Nefertiti and Isis?"
"Their-their gone!"
"It is as I feared."
"What is?" Ishizu didn't answer "Ishizu?"
"My brother has begin the second step of taking over to world."
"How?"
"Breaking of the Souls. He will break the souls of the two great loves of the past."
"And who would they be?" asked Mai
"The Pharaoh and the Queen, The High Priest and the Sorceress."
"And how does Marik plan to do this?"
"By forcing them to duel each other."
"I am guessing we can't do anything about that, but what happened to Safiya?"
"Du-Duke." Whispered Serenity
"What?"
"He gave her this." Ishizu held up Serenity's left hand and on her ring finger was a ring with a blood red ruby "It is one of the three Rings of Possession. Whoever the owner of the ring places it on becomes theirs."
Flashback to the night before
Back in Serenity's room
"I hope you enjoyed the banquet Safiya." Duke wanted so much for Serenity to just talk to him
"How could I? I was forced to go with some one who was once my friend, but betrayed me. I had to each with people who are my enemies and I found out that I have to marry a person that I don't love."
"That will change with time Safiya, you will come to love me don't worry. But it should be comforting know that the man you are going to marry loves you with all his heart."
"It should be but it isn't."
"Well in any case I have something for you. Ma'at was given hers at dinner but I wanted to do this in privet."
Duke walked up to Serenity and took her left hand. With his free hand he pulled a ring with a single blood red ruby on it out of a pouch that hung around his waist. Slowly Duke placed the ring on Serenity's hand then gently kissed it. Once Duke pulled his hand away Serenity's head snapped back, her eyes turned red and her body became so weak that her knees gave way and Duke had to hold her up by her arms. The color drained from the ring and Serenity could feel this hot liquid flowing through her. Abruptly the liquid ceased to be hot and became as cold as ice that gripped her body, mainly her heart. As quickly as it had started it ended the color returned to the ring and Serenity's eyes became hazel again but she still felt weak.
"Wha-what happened to me?"
"You belong to me know Safiya." Duke whispered into Serenity's ear
"No." Serenity let out a faint whisper before collapsing into Duke's arms.
Duke gently lifted up Serenity and placed her on the bed then left the room.
End Flashback
"But Nefertiti and Isis each had one and this didn't happen to them."
"That is because they have their Items and their other halves which makes them physically stronger. Safiya is not mentally weak as you can see if you look into her eyes, but the ring has temporally drained her of any physical strength. She should be fine in a few hours."
"Okay then is there anything we can do to help Isis and Nefertiti?"
"All we can do is wait to see what the damage is then go from there."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Tea was lead, blindfolded, into what seemed like a large room judging by the echoing of her footsteps. She had no idea what was going on just that she was abruptly woken this morning by Bakura and lead down to the hall and blindfolded. Tea felt herself walking up four stairs then stopping on a platform, so she thought. Tea also heard some else walking in from the other end of the room then stopping.
"Take off their blindfolds!"
Tea's blindfold was removed and Bakura was standing in front of her.
"Have fun love." Bakura kissed Tea on the cheek. "For luck."
Bakura placed a deck of cards in Tea's hand then walked down the stairs. Tea looked through the deck and was shocked to see that it was her own deck she was going to duel. Tea looked up from her deck to see whom her opponent would be and got the shock of her life.
"YAMI!?!"
"NEFERTITI!?!" Yami was surprise at the name that had left his lips. He knew that Nefertiti was the spirit of the Bracelet and part of Tea, but he had never called Tea that before.
Tea turned to face Bakura
"WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON HERE!"
Bakura ignored her and Marik stood up and stepped foreword
"The first duel of the Breaking of the Souls will now begin!"
"I am not dueling Nefertiti!" There it was again and all the time he was trying to call her Tea
/It's okay Yami. Lets just go along with their stupid game./
//Are you sure Nefertiti?//
/Yeah, we will just pretend like we are back in Domino and you are testing me to see how much I have learned/
//Okay, but I still don't like this. Something doesn't feel right//
/I know I can feel it too, but there is nothing we can do/
//I will go first okay//
/Just like when we practice/
"I suggest you guys start. I am getting board." Said Marik
"Maybe they can figure out how it works." Mocked Bakura
"Oh good point. All you have to do is draw a card and say its name and set it on the stand in front of you. Then it will show up on the field in front of you."
"We know that Marik." Yami was a little annoyed "I will start by playing Gaia the Fierce Knight in attack mode."
Yami placed the card on the table in front of him; the minute the card and the table met the monster appeared on the arena below. It was strange not have to do anything but draw cards from his deck and place them on the table, he was she there was more to the table then met the eye.
"I end my turn."
'He used this same opening move last week. Yami knows that I know that won, is he letting me win?'
"Alright, then I play the Dark Elf in attack mode." Tea placed the card on the table. "And I add Cyber Shield giving her a total of 2500 attack points." (Alexia: Hey it doesn't just work for the Harpie Ladies)
The Dark Elf destroyed Gaia and the duel continued. Tea could tell that Yami was not playing up to his normal standards he was letting her win, but for what reason? Sure she had not yet beat him in a duel, but she had come close there must be some other reason for this.
The duel continued on Tea destroying most of Yami's monsters and Yami every now and then destroying her weaker monsters such as Shinning Friendship, Petite Angel and Magician of Faith. In any case this did not thrill Bakura Tea need to lose for his plan to work. Suddenly he realized that neither himself nor Marik had told them the stacks of the duel.
"Marik!" Bakura said in a harsh whisper
"What? Can't you see I am watching the Pharaoh lose; he is just letting the girl win. It is rather amusing."
"Yes, but she can't win remember she needs to lose."
"Your right, for once." Marik stood up and walked to the ledge of the viewing box. "I call a temporary halt to the duel!"
Tea and Yami stopped what they were doing and looked at Marik.
"Thank you. Now I realized just a few minutes ago that we forgot to mention the conditions of this little duel."
"Conditions? What are you talking about Marik?"
"Simply that if you lose Nefertiti goes free and I get the pleasure of killing you. But if Nefertiti losses then she stays here with Bakura and you are free to go. Now please continue dueling. Oh Yami you actually might want to make it look like you are at least trying to duel. It has been almost fifteen minutes and you haven't even made one semi-impressive move."
Yami looked across the area at Tea she had the Dark Magician Girl on the field along with Dunames Dark Witch. He himself had the Dark Magician on the field and could easily beat her, but was going to accept defeat.
//Nefertiti its over I am going to take the fall. After my turn is over attack me and finish this. Go home and don't look back.//
/Yami I can't let you do that! You need to live so you can defeat Marik and save the world. You are the only one who can!/
//Nefertiti don't argue with me, I don't want to see you married to Bakura//
/Alright/
//I love you Nefertiti and I always will//
/I love you too/
"I switch the Dark Magician to defense mood and end my turn."
Tea looked across the arena at Yami sighed and drew a card.
///Tea what do you think you are doing?///
/What Yami asked me to do. Destroy him./
///He isn't thinking straight Tea. You need to lose///
/Are you sure Nefertiti?/
///Yes///
"I'm sorry Yami, but I can't just let you die."
"NEFERTITI NO!!"
It was like watching a movie in slow motion as Tea placed her hand on her deck indicating that she accepted defeat. Tea's hand lay on her deck her head was hung and tears were streaming down her cheeks.
"It's done." Bakura yelled in a triumphant voice
With that Tea's body seized up and she fell to her knees. Tea raised her hand looking at the ring on her finger it was beginning to glow. Suddenly Tea fell forward screaming with pain as razor sharp pain shot through her body as it began to emit light. A rush of wind blew the doors open and Tea was engulfed in thick black fog. Yami ran down the steps then headed straight for the platform were Tea was. As soon as he reached the platform he tried to enter the fog but was met with an extremely painful shock of electricity that flung him back down the stairs.
"Sorry Yami, but you can't save her this time. You see that ring I gave her not only makes her mine but also breaks her very soul when she willingly loses a duel to save the one she loves."
"How could you do that to her? I thought you said you loved her as well."
Bakura ignored Yami, "Once the process is complete Nefertiti will be part of the darkness and completely mine."
There was another rush of wind that caused them to turn and look at the fog, but the fog was no longer there. Tea was standing there face emotionless, eyes now dark and cold and the ring was no longer blood red instead it was black, black as darkness.
"Nefertiti!" Yami started up the stairs but stopped. Tea began to walk down the stairs walking straight past Yami and right for Bakura. Bakura took Tea in his arms and kissed her; Tea didn't fight back instead she deepened the kiss. Yami stared in disbelief at the sight that lay before him it was enough to make him sick.
Tea and Bakura pulled apart and Tea wore a smile that was just as evil as Bakura's. She turned to face Yami and raised her hand as a black orb formed in it.
"Good bye Yami."
With that Tea sent the orb straight at Yami's heart and it was a dead hit. Yami screamed as pain coursed through his body then he fainted.
"The Pharaoh's soul has been broken my love."
"Thank you very much Bakura, Nefertiti. It is now time for the last duel. Bring the last two duelist in!"
"I think we will leave you now." Bakura and Tea walked out of the room as two guards dragged Yami out of the arena.
In the meantime Pegasus was guiding a blindfolded Ariel onto the same platform that Tea had been on and Gozaburo was guiding a blindfolded Kaiba onto the other platform. Behind Gozaburo and Kaiba followed Jackson and Mokuba who went to the seating area by Marik. Pegasus removed Ariel's blindfold and Gozaburo removed Kaiba's.
"Have fun Isis, I can't wait to see how well my little girl can duel." Pegasus kissed Ariel on the forehead, "Make daddy proud."
Pegasus handed Ariel her deck of card then walked down the stairs to join Marik. Gozaburo handed Kaiba his deck and left. Kaiba was the first to notice who was across the arena from him.
"ISIS?!?!?" He was just as surprised as Yami by the fact that he could call her Ariel
"SETO?!?!?"
"Are you going to duel or are you going to stand there and stare at each other? Oh that is right I haven't told you how this works. Well first you set your deck on the stand in front of you then you draw six cards. To summon a monster you simply place to card on the stand and say its name. I think that should be simple enough now please get on with the duel." Pegasus sat down and Marik stood up
"Let the duel began!"
"Well Seto shall I go first or would you like to?"
Kaiba saw the smirk on Ariel's face and understood that she was going to play along with their little game but was going to do it her way.
"Ladies first."
"Very well. Then I summon the Dark Magician Girl!" Ariel placed the card on the stand and it appeared on the field. (Alexia: Yes Ariel has a DMG as well because Pegasus gave her most of the rare card that had been invented.)
"Is that the best you've got a little girl magician? I summon the Blue Eyes White Dragon. Now beat that."
"Fine I will. First I summon the Mystical Elf in defense mode." The Elf formed on the field and began to chant. "Next I will also play a Blue Eyes White Dragon."
Kaiba gasped as a Blue Eyes formed on Ariel's side of the field. He was supposed to be the only one in the whole world who had that card.
"How is it possible that you have a Blue Eyes I own the only three in existence."
"I can answer that." Pegasus stood up "I gave Isis several rare cards over the years and the three Blue Eyes that she has were the first ones among others."
"Are you done?" Pegasus sat back down and Ariel continued, "Now I can continue, Blue Eyes attack his Blue Eyes with white lighting!"
"How did you do that?"
"The Mystical Elf's little chant is a spell that powers up my Blue Eyes."
"Fine. No more Mr. Nice Guy."
"Were you ever?"
The duel continued until it turned into a duel of the Blue Eyes White Dragons. Seto had managed to summon and combine all three of his Blue Eyes using Reborn the Monster and Polymerization.
"You only have one Blue Eyes and your Dark Magician Girl is gone and that elf will be next. And I have the Blue Eyes Ultimate on the field. So what are you going to do Isis?"
"Simply this. I summon Lord of D and I equip him with the Flute of Summoning Dragon." Two more Blue Eyes appeared on the field "I now use Polymerization to form the Blues Eyes Ultimate as well. Oh and I use the trap card Mask of Weakness to lower your Blue Eyes Ultimate by 700 attack points."
"Nice try Isis but I use Remove Trap your Mask of Weakness is gone."
"Well I end my turn, but I'm not done with you just yet."
"Fine I use Raigeki! Your Ultimate Dragon is gone. I won't attack just yet I want to see what you are going to do."
Ariel just laughed and Seto couldn't figure out why.
"What on earth is so funny."
"I have just done something I have never done before and only one other person has ever done."
"And what would that be?"
"I have just drawn all five parts of Exodia."
"You're kidding!"
"No."
"Pegasus stop her she needs to lose."
"Fine." Pegasus stood up "Isis before you summon Exodia I think you better her the conditions of this duel."
"Conditions, what conditions?"
"These, if you win you go free and no one bothers you again, but Kaiba will be killed. If you lose and Kaiba wins you stay here with Marik and become his bride well Kaiba and Mokuba go free. The choice is yours."
"Damn you!"
"Isis! Isis listen to me! Summon Exodia, take Mokuba and get the hell out of here."
"No."
"What?"
"No and don't you dare argue with me. Mokuba needs his brother you are the only family he has left and I am not about to let him lose that. I will be fine, but if you die Gozaburo can easily take over Kaiba Corp and I won't allow it. You guys have survived for five years without me you will be fine. You need to stop them from taking over Kaiba Corp. Do you understand me? ATTACK ME!!! I end my turn."
"Isis I can't do this."
"Damn it Seto attack me!!!"
Mokuba watched in horror as Seto ordered his Blues Eyes Ultimate Dragon to attack Ariel. The attack was one of the worst experiences Mokuba had ever had to endure, but the aftermath, he soon realized, was far worse then the attack. As Mokuba continued to watch Ariel abruptly fell onto her knees, her arms and head coming to rest on the table. Ariel turned her head so she could see the ring on her finger, which had begun to glow. Mokuba seeing that she was awake tried to run down to her but Gozaburo held back. Mokuba was just about to yell at Seto to get Ariel when she let out a piercing scream, as pain such as she had never endured before gripped every fibber of her being.
Seto, almost falling down the stairs, ran like his life depended towards Ariel all the while watching as a thick black fog engulfed her. As the fog finished covering Ariel a gust of wind ran through the room. Seto ran up the stairs of the platform making a b-line for the fog. The minute Seto came into contact with the fog a massive jolt of electricity threw him back to the floor where a sinister laugh met his ears.
"Nice try Seto, but I am afraid you can't save her. You see she is mine now."
"I told you once before that you would never own her."
"Oh but you see I do thanks to that little ring I gave her."
"You son of bitch!"
Marik was unable to answer back because there was another gust of wind and the fog was gone. Ariel was now standing at the top of platform. As she began to descend Seto walked up to meet her, but just as Tea had done with Yami, Ariel walk right past Seto and into the arms of Marik. Marik smirked at Seto before drawing Ariel into a passionate kiss which Ariel more then happily deepened. Seto thought he was going to be sick, Mokuba was to taken aback to say anything. Thankfully for the both of them Marik and Ariel pulled apart but the smile on Ariel's face was enough to send chills up both Gozaburo and Seto's spins.
"Isis what is going on? What is wrong with you?"
Ariel didn't answer instead she raised her hand in which a black orb had formed.
"Good bye Seto."
Ariel threw the orb straight for Seto's heart and her aim was true. The orb hit Seto dead on in the chest, he screamed in pain then fell to the floor.
"It is done my Pharaoh, Seto Kaiba's soul has been broken."
(I hope everyone enjoyed this chapter. Okay I figured some people might have some questions about the story or some of my ideas so I am going to hold a question and answer session, I guess you could call it, for the next chapter. You just send me your question and I will answer them at the end of the chapter. Don't forget to review!!)
Quick Thank yous
Kistune-Yasha: Hey!!! Thanks for the wonderful review!!! I still can't believe so many people like my story it is kind of crazy!!! You will just have to see what happen to Serenity. ^_^ There is something about her in this chapter. And as for my spelling like I said before I suck and I feel like an idiot for it but hey no ones perfect. Hope you enjoy this chapter!!
Angel355: All I can say to your review is that I am very honored and that I hope you enjoy this chapter!!!
Avelyn Lauren: I am sorry if I took to long getting this chapter up (Sees Avelyn holding a brick) *_* But all I can say is I AM SOOOO SORRY!!! ^_^ They are in a lot of trouble and the duels you have been waiting for are here. Now this is the first time I have written out duels so they might suck a little but please do kill me for it. Enjoy!!!
Disclaimer: Like I have said before I DON'T OWN YU-GI-OH!!!!
Character's Egyptian Names
Serenity = Safiya
Joey = Tarik
Tristan = Hondo
Mai = Ma'at
Gozaburo = Gahiji
Pegasus = Runihura
Chapter Eleven: Broken Souls
Gozaburo made his way swiftly from the palaces training court to the palace sweat gleaming on his face from several hours of working out. Marik had informed him that he would be taking over the duties as general of the Royal Army, which was a great honor. However Gozaburo was not as thrilled, as he should have been for the army seemed to lack the skills necessary for war. When asked why they explained that ever sense Yami became Pharaoh there hadn't been a war. Therefore their skills with weapons were only used for entertainment.
As he made his way through the halls to his living quarters Gozaburo noticed that one of the doors to the girls was opened and it wasn't suppose to be. Those doors were supposed to be closed and guarded at all times. Looking at the door a second time Gozaburo realized that the guards were also missing and this called for a closer inspection.
Gozaburo walked quietly towards the door and cautiously peeked into the room. To his amazement the young woman was still in the room, in fact she was sitting peacefully in one of the chairs reading a book. The sheer beauty of the woman struck Gozaburo with such force that he lost all thought. She was indeed beautiful with her long silky raven black hair falling slightly in front of her face as she read and her deep blue eyes sparkled as she read. Quickly pulling himself together and mentally scolding himself for his moment of weakness he approached the girl.
"Where are your guards?"
"I sent them away." She didn't even bother to look up from her book
"And why did you see it fit for you to give the orders?"
"I saw no point of them staying there all day and night. I mean its not like I am going anywhere."
"That is not your dissension to make. You are not a guest here, you are a prisoner." Gozaburo drew himself up to his full height trying to intimidate this rather annoying young woman. It didn't work.
The raven-haired girl stood up put her book down and walked out to the balcony as if to say that the conversation was over. Gozaburo was in a state of shock because he had always been able to intimidate anybody he wanted. Now this girl had just walked right by him without another thought or even looking at him.
Only one other woman had ever acted that way and moved in such a manner, that woman was his wife who had died quite a few years ago. She had died from the heartbreak of losing their only child Noa. Although Gozaburo had placed his mind and image into a virtual reality program it could not sooth her pain or save her life.
Gozaburo stood rooted in one spot consumed by the pain and bitterness that had followed after she died. It had consumed his whole being to the point where he could no longer allow himself to feel anything not even towards his adopted sons Seto and Mokuba. He was so fixated on his thoughts that he completely failed to notice that Marik had entered the room.
"What are you doing in my sisters room?"
"Huh?" Gozaburo turned around, "Oh, my Pharaoh I am sorry I did not realize she was your sister. You see her door was opened and the guards were gone, yet she was still her."
"Yes that would be Ishizu." A smiled played across Marik's face, "I can see that you are quite taken by her, then again most men who come in contact with her are. Her mysterious personality intrigues them."
"Your sister is quite attractive I will admit that."
"Well the ceremonial dinner is in a half an hour so if you would like to be her escort it would be alright with me."
"Thank you Pharaoh." Gozaburo bowed and left the room, but was in no way pleased. 'Damn it! I can't stand acting like that! Yes my Pharaoh, oh sorry my Pharaoh. Sadly he is the only way I will ever be able to stay alive. Until the power of all the Items are used to restore me I will only live for a few more weeks at best.'
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Serenity lend on the banister of her balcony watching the crocodiles and hippos basking in the evening sun along the Nile. She couldn't believe that a place of such beauty could hold such horrors and yet she was not afraid. She was unafraid in a place of danger separated from Joey and Tristan who always protected her. Ever since she found out that she was the destined holder of the Scale there had been this odd sense of power increasing inside of her that kept her from being afraid.
She had been considered weak and unable to take care of herself since she was little. Serenity guessed it was because of her failing eyesight, but she believed it when everyone told her she couldn't do this or couldn't do that. She believed so much she had been afraid to step out into the world without her brother, she had been to afraid.
"It's my fault and I know it. I believed it when everyone told me that I was weak and all because of my eyesight. Nevertheless even after the surgery I still clung to Joey like I was still his little two-year-old sister. What's more I always let Tristan fight my battles for me I never did it myself. What have I let myself become?" a sigh escaped her lips as she watched the sun continue to set behind the distant mountains never noticing that she was being watch.
Duke lend against one of the alabaster columns that made supported the archway to the balcony. He stood there watching Serenity's long auburn hair dance gracefully in the breeze and listen to her think out loud. Duke was surprised that Serenity thought herself weak he surly never had. Her problem was an over protective brother and a possessive boyfriend who both held her back.
"Safiya you are not weak and you know it."
"Oh great, what do you want?" Serenity didn't even turn around
"Just to talk to you."
"Yeah I bet."
"Seren." Forgetting that he was suppose to call her Safiya
"You are not to call me that, only my friends can."
"I thought I was your friend."
"You were until you betrayed us and kidnapped me." Serenity was scolding him like you would scold a five-year-old child.
"I only did it so that you and I could be together. So that I could save you from cretin death that would slowly consume you. The fire that burns deep inside of you that I love so much would be extinguished little by little if you were to stay with Hondo."
"Oh what do you know." Serenity some how knew that Hondo was Tristan, but how she knew she couldn't be sure of. She also could not dismiss what Duke had just said.
"You know what I say is true. You are strong Safiya you are the destined hold of the Scale."
Serenity gasped 'How could he have found out?' "How-how do you know?" "Runihura." Duke moved forward a few steps. "You know I like that outfit on you. Its you."
Serenity wore a simple yet elegant white dress that showed her every curve. The dress fell to her ankles and had only one strap across the right shoulder. There were bands of gold around her forearms and her wrists and her maids had weaved golden thread into her hair.
"Leave." Her voice was simple but harsh and she still didn't turn around
"I can't." Duke moved slowly closer to her, but Serenity kept her back to him. "You know I love you Safiya. I've loved since the moment I met you."
The statement finally caused Serenity to turn around. "I know you do but I."
Duke place his hand gently over Serenity's mouth and moved closer. However Serenity was quick to catch on and in swift motion she pushed him back, then pulling her hand back slapped him smartly across the face.
"I thought I told you never to try that again."
"Safiya I."
"OUT!"
"Fine, but don't think your going back to Hondo."
Serenity followed him pushed him out the door and slammed it in his face. Serenity turned but the door opened; Serenity swung around and flung the door open.
"I THOUGHT I TOLD YOU TO GO AWAY!" but it wasn't Duke
"I am sorry Lady Safiya, but I was told to inform you that your escort for dinner will be returning shortly."
"Thank you and I am truly sorry that I yelled at you. I just thought that you were someone else."
"That is alright my lady."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Although Shadi had made it very clear that fighting would destroy their chances of getting out alive Kaiba and Joey continued to fight. The fights were so constant that the guards had to call Gozaburo down to help solve the problem; Gozaburo wasn't too trilled to say the least. To take care of the problem Gozaburo dragged both Kaiba and Mokuba into a cell across from the one that were being held in. For the few minutes that they were out of the cell Kaiba noticed a third cell being guarded, but could not see who was in it. Kaiba figured it was an everyday common thief who was being held for some petty crime.
"You know you make it very hard to get anything done around hear." Gozaburo threw Kaiba into the cell
"I would think you would be proud considering you were then one who taught me to do so." Kaiba said sarcastically
Gozaburo laughed, "I guess I did. Then again I also told you to forget about that girl. Then again seeing her all grown up I can see how hard that would be for any man." He was taunting Seto daring him to attack
Kaiba grabbed him by the throat and pinned him up against the wall. "Don't you dare touch her!"
Gozaburo grabbed Kaiba's wrist and removed his hand from his throat and threw Kaiba forcefully against the wall. Kaiba's head met with the wall and began to bleed slightly, Mokuba watched in horror.
"Even if I could I wouldn't, I happen to value my life. Besides Marik is going to marry her and I will enjoy watching him try to break her." Gozaburo laughed "Enjoy your dinner, I'm off to a banquet." He continued to laugh as he left the cell.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The sun finally set and brought a deep still darkness upon the land of Egypt. Duke and Keith came and escorted Mai and Serenity down to the dinning hall for the banquet. Gozaburo, taking Marik's suggestion, escorted Ishizu to the banquet. Tea and Ariel were the only two upstairs waiting in their beautiful yet hated dresses.
Tea's attire was still the same the only difference was the golden threads that had been woven into her hair and a few additional items of jewelry. Ariel's outfit on the other hand had changed entirely. She now wore a long golden skirt with the sides completely opened except for three golden chains on each side. Her top was a golden bikini top halter style, around her arms and wrist were golden bands and around her head was a golden band with the head of a snake, the sign of Egyptian Royalty. (Alexia: Think of the outfit the Sorceress in The Scorpion King wore.)
The two of them sat in complete unsure of what to say; they had done everything they could think of to prevent this yet it was happening. Ariel was even trying to reach far into the depths of her Item trying to find even the slightest glimpse of the future, but it wouldn't come. Ever since they had arrived in the past the Necklace had stop showing her the future as if being in the past was confusing it or that it was just unsure what would take place. The creak from the door finally brought both girls out of their dream like state. Tea looked up to see Bakura and Pegasus standing in the doorway.
"Ladies we have come to escort you to this evening ceremonial dinner."
Bakura walked up to Tea and held out his arm for her to take and she did so rather reluctantly. The reluctance was of course her own, but the power of her Ring of Possession had forced her to take his arm. This scared her because Tea had a feeling deep inside of her that this was only a glimmer of the rings power. As Bakura lead Tea out of the room Pegasus walked over to Ariel offering her his arm; Ariel didn't even look at Pegasus she simply got up and walked passed him.
As they descended the stairs the sound of talking could faintly be heard behind to large golden doors, but it sounded morbid, troubled and above all confused. Once they reached the door two guards approached them Bakura handed Tea over to one and the other took Ariel by the arm.
"You both are to wait here until you are called in." Bakura informed Tea and Ariel before entering the dinning hall.
"I am very proud of you Isis." Pegasus kissed Ariel on the forehead before following Bakura into the hall.
Inside several candles, whose flames danced merrily, despite the atmosphere of the room, lighted the hall brightly. A long table was laden with several golden dishes filled with wonderful smelling foods. At the end of the table that faced the door sat members of the Royal Court, the Royal Council and represents of the different cities all across Egypt; every one of them had the same question that pressed heavily on their minds: What is going on?
At the head of the table the chair was empty as well as the chair to its right, but next to the chair on the right sat Pegasus. To the left of the head chair was Bakura but the chair next to him was empty then there was Keith and Mai, Gozaburo and Ishizu. Next to Pegasus were Duke and Serenity then Jackson. The hall door opened and Croquet walked in.
"I now present your new Pharaoh Marik."
Every one in the room stood up as Marik entered the room.
"Thank you. Now before we began the feast I have a few announcements to make. First starting tomorrow there will be a few changes in the positions around here. First Bakura will be taking over as High Priest, I am afraid the former High Priest Seto will be leaving us shortly." Marik didn't even try to hide his smile. " Next Runihura will be taking over once again as the High Councilor any who abject will be dealt with." Marik paused to let the threat settle into there slow minds. "Continuing on Gahiji will be taking over as General of the Royal Army and Duke and Keith, yes they are not native to Egypt, will be taken over the job of commanding the Royal Guards. Lastly (Jackson) will be taking over the task of keeping track of the countries economy." Marik allowed sometime for some rather unhappy mumbling before proceeding.
"And now to my last set of announcements before dinner. Two days from now there will be a set of weddings taking place. Our first happy couple is Duke and the lovely High Priestess Safiya. Our second couple is Keith and the feisty Ma'at." Murmurs continued, "One of our more important weddings that will be held in two days time is the marriage of the new High Priest Bakura and the former queen Nefertiti."
Gasps filled the room as the hall door opened and Nefertiti walked in. Her head was held high but her expression showed no signs of delight that you would normally see on the face of a soon to be bride.
"But she can't marry him she is married to the Pharaoh Yami!" One of the councilmen had bravely stood up and yelled this.
"Kemo take him away." Kemo lead the man out of the room. "Any other objections." Marik waited for a moment the continued "The final and most important wedding that will take place in two days time is my wedding to the Sorceress Isis."
The door opened once more the door to the hall opened as Ariel had walked into the room, but this time the room was filled dead silence. Everyone knew that the Sorceress was to marry the High Priest when the war was over, but no one ever believed this would happen. Like Tea, Ariel walked in with her head held high but no sign of delight on her face.
Another member of the council stood up and spoke his outrage unaware that it would be his last.
"I don't know who in Ra's name you think you are, but this is sick and wrong. Our Sorceress is to marry the High Priest Seto and not you. Further more the Queen is now and always will be married to Pharaoh Yami so you might as well just forget about all this; none of us will follow you. And as for your so called new changes in the positions they are ludicrous and will never hold so I suggest that you step down."
Marik said nothing to this man instead he simply nodded his head and two guards came and took him away. The man struggled but it was in vain and he was lead out of the room never to be seen again.
"I can replace all of you so if any of you agree with that man please feel free to say so. I do however warn you that the consequences will not be to your liking. Now lets eat."
Pegasus lead Ariel, who had not moved, to her chair and the banquet begin although it was not a joyful one. The girls said nothing to each other nor did Ariel and Tea speak by way of their Millennium Items. However Ariel was using her Necklace, which had finally decided to work.
The dinner ended an hour later and ever one was in the same mood if not worse. The council members had, had enough and began to get up to leave when Marik stopped them to make one more announcement.
"Oh by the way there will be two duels tomorrow, but you are not allowed to come. Just thought I would let you know."
Midnight had fallen upon the land of Egypt where most of the people slept peacefully except the Chosen Ten. All tossed and turned as their dreams reviled horrors that were yet to come, but the vision came and went so fast that they could never quite remember them or even understand them. All they knew was that whatever was happening in their dreams could not happen in real life.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The morning brought warm light once again to the land of Egypt washing away the strange shadow of darkness that had settled last night. But for those who were there against their wills it brought nothing but memories of the night and day before ones that they wanted nothing more then to forget.
Mai lay in her bed looking at the ring on her left hand, she had always wanted one of these but this was not how she wanted it to be. How could she be marrying Keith in just a day when she didn't even love him? There had to be away out only a year ago she had finally admitted that she liked, well, loved Joey and found out that he felt the same way. If she was going to marry anyone it would be him and not Keith.
Mai jumped out of bed quickly put on the clothes she had worn the day before and ran to the door. She was going to talk to Tea, Ariel and Serenity maybe just maybe they could come up with something. But when Mai opened the door the guards would not let her pass.
"Move out of my way."
"I am sorry but we can't do that."
"Well why not? You had no problem with it yesterday."
"Orders change and Marik does not want any of you to leave your rooms."
"I don't care what that bastard says I do what I want!"
Mai kicked the first guard in the stomach and punched the other guard in the face then made a b-line for Tea's bedroom door. Mai flung Tea's bedroom door but no one was there. Confused Mai went down the hall to Ariel's room, but Ariel was not in her room as well. This greatly concerned Mai so she went to Serenity's room and thankfully Serenity was there. But she was in bed and Ishizu was sitting by her.
"Ishizu what are you doing here? What's going on?"
"I will get to that in a minute, but why are you so frantic?"
"Nefertiti and Safiya!" Mai looked surprised "Why can't I say their other names?"
"Because the past is finally taking over. We know who they really are but the past is forcing us to call them by the names they were once known by."
"Then why can I still call you Ishizu?"
"Because my name is the same now as it was then. Now what about Nefertiti and Isis?"
"Their-their gone!"
"It is as I feared."
"What is?" Ishizu didn't answer "Ishizu?"
"My brother has begin the second step of taking over to world."
"How?"
"Breaking of the Souls. He will break the souls of the two great loves of the past."
"And who would they be?" asked Mai
"The Pharaoh and the Queen, The High Priest and the Sorceress."
"And how does Marik plan to do this?"
"By forcing them to duel each other."
"I am guessing we can't do anything about that, but what happened to Safiya?"
"Du-Duke." Whispered Serenity
"What?"
"He gave her this." Ishizu held up Serenity's left hand and on her ring finger was a ring with a blood red ruby "It is one of the three Rings of Possession. Whoever the owner of the ring places it on becomes theirs."
Flashback to the night before
Back in Serenity's room
"I hope you enjoyed the banquet Safiya." Duke wanted so much for Serenity to just talk to him
"How could I? I was forced to go with some one who was once my friend, but betrayed me. I had to each with people who are my enemies and I found out that I have to marry a person that I don't love."
"That will change with time Safiya, you will come to love me don't worry. But it should be comforting know that the man you are going to marry loves you with all his heart."
"It should be but it isn't."
"Well in any case I have something for you. Ma'at was given hers at dinner but I wanted to do this in privet."
Duke walked up to Serenity and took her left hand. With his free hand he pulled a ring with a single blood red ruby on it out of a pouch that hung around his waist. Slowly Duke placed the ring on Serenity's hand then gently kissed it. Once Duke pulled his hand away Serenity's head snapped back, her eyes turned red and her body became so weak that her knees gave way and Duke had to hold her up by her arms. The color drained from the ring and Serenity could feel this hot liquid flowing through her. Abruptly the liquid ceased to be hot and became as cold as ice that gripped her body, mainly her heart. As quickly as it had started it ended the color returned to the ring and Serenity's eyes became hazel again but she still felt weak.
"Wha-what happened to me?"
"You belong to me know Safiya." Duke whispered into Serenity's ear
"No." Serenity let out a faint whisper before collapsing into Duke's arms.
Duke gently lifted up Serenity and placed her on the bed then left the room.
End Flashback
"But Nefertiti and Isis each had one and this didn't happen to them."
"That is because they have their Items and their other halves which makes them physically stronger. Safiya is not mentally weak as you can see if you look into her eyes, but the ring has temporally drained her of any physical strength. She should be fine in a few hours."
"Okay then is there anything we can do to help Isis and Nefertiti?"
"All we can do is wait to see what the damage is then go from there."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Tea was lead, blindfolded, into what seemed like a large room judging by the echoing of her footsteps. She had no idea what was going on just that she was abruptly woken this morning by Bakura and lead down to the hall and blindfolded. Tea felt herself walking up four stairs then stopping on a platform, so she thought. Tea also heard some else walking in from the other end of the room then stopping.
"Take off their blindfolds!"
Tea's blindfold was removed and Bakura was standing in front of her.
"Have fun love." Bakura kissed Tea on the cheek. "For luck."
Bakura placed a deck of cards in Tea's hand then walked down the stairs. Tea looked through the deck and was shocked to see that it was her own deck she was going to duel. Tea looked up from her deck to see whom her opponent would be and got the shock of her life.
"YAMI!?!"
"NEFERTITI!?!" Yami was surprise at the name that had left his lips. He knew that Nefertiti was the spirit of the Bracelet and part of Tea, but he had never called Tea that before.
Tea turned to face Bakura
"WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON HERE!"
Bakura ignored her and Marik stood up and stepped foreword
"The first duel of the Breaking of the Souls will now begin!"
"I am not dueling Nefertiti!" There it was again and all the time he was trying to call her Tea
/It's okay Yami. Lets just go along with their stupid game./
//Are you sure Nefertiti?//
/Yeah, we will just pretend like we are back in Domino and you are testing me to see how much I have learned/
//Okay, but I still don't like this. Something doesn't feel right//
/I know I can feel it too, but there is nothing we can do/
//I will go first okay//
/Just like when we practice/
"I suggest you guys start. I am getting board." Said Marik
"Maybe they can figure out how it works." Mocked Bakura
"Oh good point. All you have to do is draw a card and say its name and set it on the stand in front of you. Then it will show up on the field in front of you."
"We know that Marik." Yami was a little annoyed "I will start by playing Gaia the Fierce Knight in attack mode."
Yami placed the card on the table in front of him; the minute the card and the table met the monster appeared on the arena below. It was strange not have to do anything but draw cards from his deck and place them on the table, he was she there was more to the table then met the eye.
"I end my turn."
'He used this same opening move last week. Yami knows that I know that won, is he letting me win?'
"Alright, then I play the Dark Elf in attack mode." Tea placed the card on the table. "And I add Cyber Shield giving her a total of 2500 attack points." (Alexia: Hey it doesn't just work for the Harpie Ladies)
The Dark Elf destroyed Gaia and the duel continued. Tea could tell that Yami was not playing up to his normal standards he was letting her win, but for what reason? Sure she had not yet beat him in a duel, but she had come close there must be some other reason for this.
The duel continued on Tea destroying most of Yami's monsters and Yami every now and then destroying her weaker monsters such as Shinning Friendship, Petite Angel and Magician of Faith. In any case this did not thrill Bakura Tea need to lose for his plan to work. Suddenly he realized that neither himself nor Marik had told them the stacks of the duel.
"Marik!" Bakura said in a harsh whisper
"What? Can't you see I am watching the Pharaoh lose; he is just letting the girl win. It is rather amusing."
"Yes, but she can't win remember she needs to lose."
"Your right, for once." Marik stood up and walked to the ledge of the viewing box. "I call a temporary halt to the duel!"
Tea and Yami stopped what they were doing and looked at Marik.
"Thank you. Now I realized just a few minutes ago that we forgot to mention the conditions of this little duel."
"Conditions? What are you talking about Marik?"
"Simply that if you lose Nefertiti goes free and I get the pleasure of killing you. But if Nefertiti losses then she stays here with Bakura and you are free to go. Now please continue dueling. Oh Yami you actually might want to make it look like you are at least trying to duel. It has been almost fifteen minutes and you haven't even made one semi-impressive move."
Yami looked across the area at Tea she had the Dark Magician Girl on the field along with Dunames Dark Witch. He himself had the Dark Magician on the field and could easily beat her, but was going to accept defeat.
//Nefertiti its over I am going to take the fall. After my turn is over attack me and finish this. Go home and don't look back.//
/Yami I can't let you do that! You need to live so you can defeat Marik and save the world. You are the only one who can!/
//Nefertiti don't argue with me, I don't want to see you married to Bakura//
/Alright/
//I love you Nefertiti and I always will//
/I love you too/
"I switch the Dark Magician to defense mood and end my turn."
Tea looked across the arena at Yami sighed and drew a card.
///Tea what do you think you are doing?///
/What Yami asked me to do. Destroy him./
///He isn't thinking straight Tea. You need to lose///
/Are you sure Nefertiti?/
///Yes///
"I'm sorry Yami, but I can't just let you die."
"NEFERTITI NO!!"
It was like watching a movie in slow motion as Tea placed her hand on her deck indicating that she accepted defeat. Tea's hand lay on her deck her head was hung and tears were streaming down her cheeks.
"It's done." Bakura yelled in a triumphant voice
With that Tea's body seized up and she fell to her knees. Tea raised her hand looking at the ring on her finger it was beginning to glow. Suddenly Tea fell forward screaming with pain as razor sharp pain shot through her body as it began to emit light. A rush of wind blew the doors open and Tea was engulfed in thick black fog. Yami ran down the steps then headed straight for the platform were Tea was. As soon as he reached the platform he tried to enter the fog but was met with an extremely painful shock of electricity that flung him back down the stairs.
"Sorry Yami, but you can't save her this time. You see that ring I gave her not only makes her mine but also breaks her very soul when she willingly loses a duel to save the one she loves."
"How could you do that to her? I thought you said you loved her as well."
Bakura ignored Yami, "Once the process is complete Nefertiti will be part of the darkness and completely mine."
There was another rush of wind that caused them to turn and look at the fog, but the fog was no longer there. Tea was standing there face emotionless, eyes now dark and cold and the ring was no longer blood red instead it was black, black as darkness.
"Nefertiti!" Yami started up the stairs but stopped. Tea began to walk down the stairs walking straight past Yami and right for Bakura. Bakura took Tea in his arms and kissed her; Tea didn't fight back instead she deepened the kiss. Yami stared in disbelief at the sight that lay before him it was enough to make him sick.
Tea and Bakura pulled apart and Tea wore a smile that was just as evil as Bakura's. She turned to face Yami and raised her hand as a black orb formed in it.
"Good bye Yami."
With that Tea sent the orb straight at Yami's heart and it was a dead hit. Yami screamed as pain coursed through his body then he fainted.
"The Pharaoh's soul has been broken my love."
"Thank you very much Bakura, Nefertiti. It is now time for the last duel. Bring the last two duelist in!"
"I think we will leave you now." Bakura and Tea walked out of the room as two guards dragged Yami out of the arena.
In the meantime Pegasus was guiding a blindfolded Ariel onto the same platform that Tea had been on and Gozaburo was guiding a blindfolded Kaiba onto the other platform. Behind Gozaburo and Kaiba followed Jackson and Mokuba who went to the seating area by Marik. Pegasus removed Ariel's blindfold and Gozaburo removed Kaiba's.
"Have fun Isis, I can't wait to see how well my little girl can duel." Pegasus kissed Ariel on the forehead, "Make daddy proud."
Pegasus handed Ariel her deck of card then walked down the stairs to join Marik. Gozaburo handed Kaiba his deck and left. Kaiba was the first to notice who was across the arena from him.
"ISIS?!?!?" He was just as surprised as Yami by the fact that he could call her Ariel
"SETO?!?!?"
"Are you going to duel or are you going to stand there and stare at each other? Oh that is right I haven't told you how this works. Well first you set your deck on the stand in front of you then you draw six cards. To summon a monster you simply place to card on the stand and say its name. I think that should be simple enough now please get on with the duel." Pegasus sat down and Marik stood up
"Let the duel began!"
"Well Seto shall I go first or would you like to?"
Kaiba saw the smirk on Ariel's face and understood that she was going to play along with their little game but was going to do it her way.
"Ladies first."
"Very well. Then I summon the Dark Magician Girl!" Ariel placed the card on the stand and it appeared on the field. (Alexia: Yes Ariel has a DMG as well because Pegasus gave her most of the rare card that had been invented.)
"Is that the best you've got a little girl magician? I summon the Blue Eyes White Dragon. Now beat that."
"Fine I will. First I summon the Mystical Elf in defense mode." The Elf formed on the field and began to chant. "Next I will also play a Blue Eyes White Dragon."
Kaiba gasped as a Blue Eyes formed on Ariel's side of the field. He was supposed to be the only one in the whole world who had that card.
"How is it possible that you have a Blue Eyes I own the only three in existence."
"I can answer that." Pegasus stood up "I gave Isis several rare cards over the years and the three Blue Eyes that she has were the first ones among others."
"Are you done?" Pegasus sat back down and Ariel continued, "Now I can continue, Blue Eyes attack his Blue Eyes with white lighting!"
"How did you do that?"
"The Mystical Elf's little chant is a spell that powers up my Blue Eyes."
"Fine. No more Mr. Nice Guy."
"Were you ever?"
The duel continued until it turned into a duel of the Blue Eyes White Dragons. Seto had managed to summon and combine all three of his Blue Eyes using Reborn the Monster and Polymerization.
"You only have one Blue Eyes and your Dark Magician Girl is gone and that elf will be next. And I have the Blue Eyes Ultimate on the field. So what are you going to do Isis?"
"Simply this. I summon Lord of D and I equip him with the Flute of Summoning Dragon." Two more Blue Eyes appeared on the field "I now use Polymerization to form the Blues Eyes Ultimate as well. Oh and I use the trap card Mask of Weakness to lower your Blue Eyes Ultimate by 700 attack points."
"Nice try Isis but I use Remove Trap your Mask of Weakness is gone."
"Well I end my turn, but I'm not done with you just yet."
"Fine I use Raigeki! Your Ultimate Dragon is gone. I won't attack just yet I want to see what you are going to do."
Ariel just laughed and Seto couldn't figure out why.
"What on earth is so funny."
"I have just done something I have never done before and only one other person has ever done."
"And what would that be?"
"I have just drawn all five parts of Exodia."
"You're kidding!"
"No."
"Pegasus stop her she needs to lose."
"Fine." Pegasus stood up "Isis before you summon Exodia I think you better her the conditions of this duel."
"Conditions, what conditions?"
"These, if you win you go free and no one bothers you again, but Kaiba will be killed. If you lose and Kaiba wins you stay here with Marik and become his bride well Kaiba and Mokuba go free. The choice is yours."
"Damn you!"
"Isis! Isis listen to me! Summon Exodia, take Mokuba and get the hell out of here."
"No."
"What?"
"No and don't you dare argue with me. Mokuba needs his brother you are the only family he has left and I am not about to let him lose that. I will be fine, but if you die Gozaburo can easily take over Kaiba Corp and I won't allow it. You guys have survived for five years without me you will be fine. You need to stop them from taking over Kaiba Corp. Do you understand me? ATTACK ME!!! I end my turn."
"Isis I can't do this."
"Damn it Seto attack me!!!"
Mokuba watched in horror as Seto ordered his Blues Eyes Ultimate Dragon to attack Ariel. The attack was one of the worst experiences Mokuba had ever had to endure, but the aftermath, he soon realized, was far worse then the attack. As Mokuba continued to watch Ariel abruptly fell onto her knees, her arms and head coming to rest on the table. Ariel turned her head so she could see the ring on her finger, which had begun to glow. Mokuba seeing that she was awake tried to run down to her but Gozaburo held back. Mokuba was just about to yell at Seto to get Ariel when she let out a piercing scream, as pain such as she had never endured before gripped every fibber of her being.
Seto, almost falling down the stairs, ran like his life depended towards Ariel all the while watching as a thick black fog engulfed her. As the fog finished covering Ariel a gust of wind ran through the room. Seto ran up the stairs of the platform making a b-line for the fog. The minute Seto came into contact with the fog a massive jolt of electricity threw him back to the floor where a sinister laugh met his ears.
"Nice try Seto, but I am afraid you can't save her. You see she is mine now."
"I told you once before that you would never own her."
"Oh but you see I do thanks to that little ring I gave her."
"You son of bitch!"
Marik was unable to answer back because there was another gust of wind and the fog was gone. Ariel was now standing at the top of platform. As she began to descend Seto walked up to meet her, but just as Tea had done with Yami, Ariel walk right past Seto and into the arms of Marik. Marik smirked at Seto before drawing Ariel into a passionate kiss which Ariel more then happily deepened. Seto thought he was going to be sick, Mokuba was to taken aback to say anything. Thankfully for the both of them Marik and Ariel pulled apart but the smile on Ariel's face was enough to send chills up both Gozaburo and Seto's spins.
"Isis what is going on? What is wrong with you?"
Ariel didn't answer instead she raised her hand in which a black orb had formed.
"Good bye Seto."
Ariel threw the orb straight for Seto's heart and her aim was true. The orb hit Seto dead on in the chest, he screamed in pain then fell to the floor.
"It is done my Pharaoh, Seto Kaiba's soul has been broken."
(I hope everyone enjoyed this chapter. Okay I figured some people might have some questions about the story or some of my ideas so I am going to hold a question and answer session, I guess you could call it, for the next chapter. You just send me your question and I will answer them at the end of the chapter. Don't forget to review!!)