The Millennium Ritual
Disclaimer: Not owning YGO. Never had, never will.
Chapter 32: All Over
As Yami glowered at Aura, she grinned, patting the black phoenix's head lightly. Ryou, Kaiba, Ishizu, and Shadi stood behind, their Millennium Items out. As the necromancer stared at them, she cackled horribly.
"Oh, I get it now. You will never forgive me for what I done to your sister. Now you are going to AVENGE her death. Her second death. How amusing, Pharaoh," Aura said, "to see you suffer, just like the people of Egypt did all those years ago."
"SHUT UP!" Yami cried, as he reached his hand in the air and called out, "MIND CRUSH!"
But the incantation was just a worthless effort, as the spell wavered away just like before. She grinned, as the two god cards wreathed in anger. "You should take care of your monsters, Pharaoh, Priest. They are being quite fussy, don't you think?" Aura replied amusingly.
'How is this going to work?' Kaiba thought to himself, 'Anything we throw at her will just disappear, and anything she throws something puts us against the walls! We can't stop her!'
"All this effort, this TIME," Aura said, floating above the five, "wasted. You know you can't stop it. It's merely a matter of time before YOU waver to nothingness, just like your spells. So why don't you just give up?"
"Not until you free Aura from your control!" Ryou yelled out.
"Hmm, let me think about it," she said, a finger on her chin, "NO." Aura suddenly flew up in the air, hands outstretched. In one palm of her hand, appeared an orb of white light. In the other, was an orb of black light. Throwing them down toward the Priests of the Millennium Items, the orbs swirled around each other, headed for the Pharaoh. Everyone cried out for Yami to get out of the way, but he would not listen. Aura grinned, happy with his decision.
Suddenly the two Egyptian God cards went in the way of the blast as they shattered in the impact. Yami shielded his eyes as the pieces of the gods burst into sparkles of light. Kaiba gaped at what happened to his god card, as Obelisk the Tormenter flew into his hands as a monster card. When it ended, Yami looked into his hands, to see his Slifer the Sky Dragon back into a monster card.
"They are not as powerful as I thought they were," said Aura thoughtfully, her feet stepping lightly on the floor, "I thought they would last through that attack. Guess not."
"Why are you doing this? Why is it always Aura who gets controlled by the darkness?" Ishizu asked angrily. The black phoenix glared at the white phoenix beside Shadi, while Aura looked at Ishizu unbelievingly.
"Isn't it obvious? Aura has been so exposed to the darkness, almost everyday, that sooner or later that darkness would control her." Aura said lightly.
That was when Shadi realized something. "So you mean, all that she done, all that she could have told us, was because of darkness?" he asked. Everyone looked at him.
Aura clapped her hands. "Finally you got it. Do you see this scar?" Aura asked, pointing to the scar of darkness on her left wrist, "This was the cause of it. You see, this little wound, has been poisoning Aura ever since she was born." Everyone gaped as the information was told.
Grinning, Aura continued, "She knew it. She knew that it was slowly consuming her, making her do things that she did not want to do. Therefore, Aura knew that as certain information was told to you, it would soon be known to those of darkness, which was why she did not tell you all the information of the Millennium Ritual. But, the other scar," Aura then pointed toward her right wrist, the scar of light, "prevented her from going to the darkness. Each day she was torn apart, fighting a new battle everyday, just as Ra the sun god fights the evil monsters at night to give light to the day. So you see, Aura is what we necromancers call 'The Destroyer'."
"The destroyer?" Kaiba repeated. Aura nodded happily.
"A destroyer is very rare, someone that comes after many millennia. The last time a destroyer was born, there were two. The Pharaoh Atemu, and the Priest Set. You two." Aura pointed out, "What side each chose, know one knows. But your battle in the past made the entire course of history, of DESTINY, change. Now, it is Aura's turn. Right now, to this moment, Aura is making her choice; to choose the light, or dark."
"What's so hard? You have to choose the light!" Ryou exclaimed aloud. Aura shook her head.
"For her, it is. You see, if she chooses the light, the world will be able to see the light of day once more, but her family, and all she ever cared for will suffer the consequences of it, meaning that their SOULS will shatter, their akh, spirit, never reaching the bright realm ruled by Osiris, HEAVEN. And Aura lives, standing above the event." She stated, as everyone puzzled at it.
"And of dark?" Yami asked suspiciously.
Aura grinned, saying, "If she chooses the darkness, the world and its animals would be engulfed in darkness, mankind destroyed." Shadi and Ishizu fumed at it.
"So either way. . ." Ishizu said slowly.
"You lose," Aura said happily, "And it gets worse. It WILL happen; one of these destinies will come, you cannot stop it, no matter how much you fight. So why fight me, when what you should really be doing is convincing Aura to make the right decision?" Everyone gaped at her.
"Please tell me your decision," Aura asked, walking toward Yami, "I'd like to know. As for now, I have chaos to ensue." She waved her hand. "Good bye, and best of luck!" Suddenly she flew in the air, tossing a stone toward Kaiba. Kaiba caught it, seeing that it was a lapis lazuli stone.
"You might need that, if you'd like to remember the precious memories of this moment as you grow old," Aura said, grinning. Suddenly Yami remembered something.
'Memories, Maeve, she said something about that!' Yami thought, eyes widening, '. . . The day Aura's mother and brother died. . .?'
That was when Yami finally looked at the mist closely and carefully around Aura. As he squinted his eyes at it, he realized something.
Aura was being controlled by magick threads!
Yami ran up to Ryou, taking him by the shoulders, saying, "Ryou, use the Millennium Ring to shoot a ray above Aura's head!" Aura was quickly floating away to the top of the chamber.
"What? But Yugi, our spells won't work, it'll just waver!" Ryou protested.
"Do it!" Yami ordered. Ryou obeyed, as a ray of green light shot out of the ring, and headed straight for the air above Aura. Her eyes widened as it came faster and faster.
"NO!" She cried, as the ray pierced through the threads holding Aura. Her body stood cold as the necromancer lost control of Aura. Suddenly, out of thin air, appeared a cage of thread around her, as everyone gasped at the sight. It shattered as Aura's body fell to the ground, the white and black phoenix flying toward her. Her eyes were blank and Yami and Kaiba ran toward her. Shadi then noticed a caped man with small threads attached to his fingers, disappearing into the darkness, hissing.
The necromancer was gone.
"That guy may have lost control," Kaiba said, "but we still have a problem. Aura's decision, how are we suppose to know which is the right one? And why is she still unconscious?" Ishizu and Ryou put Aura's arms around their shoulders to make her stand, as she shivered a little.
"Because her ka is not in her body, they are still wandering." Yami said, staring at the two phoenixes beside them.
"Well, her ka is here, but what about her mind?" Ryou asked, holding Aura's arm.
"It is still in her," Shadi said, finally with them, "the necromancer may have not only taken over her body, but her mind as well, since she never really responded before."
"Ryou, the cloud that hung over her head in the Shadow Realm may have been a spell from the necromancer." Kaiba said thoughtfully. Ryou nodded.
"I bet that necromancer was in this the whole time," Ryou said, "controlling everybody, just to lead up to this moment. He's very clever."
"But he is still abroad, we must catch him. . ." Ishizu started.
Yami interrupted, saying, "We must deal with this matter first. We must make Aura remember, for right now, her mind is in isolation, refusing to come out. She has to, for if what he said is true, she'll need our guidance in her decision."
Kaiba looked down, seeing that the Millennium Orb was in Yami's hand. He remembered six years ago, when he made fun of the necklace she wore. All the things he done. . .
"I'll help her remember," Kaiba announced, as everyone stared at him in surprise, "I've known her longer than you guys ever had. It will only make sense if I did it. Besides, I don't think you guys would have enough guts to do it anyway." He turned to Yami. "What did that woman said again?"
"The memory of when her mother and brother died," Yami said quietly. The phoenixes circled around Aura's limp body as Kaiba walked up to her. He took her face and held it up, so their eyes were at the same level. Everyone watched quietly.
"Aura, wake up," Kaiba said, shaking her head a little. She did not respond, as her eyes looked at him blankly. Suddenly a voice in his head a chanting something, making Kaiba feel dizzy. He closed his eyes, and opened them once more, to see that he was somewhere else, somewhere different.
His mind was in Aura's mind, Kaiba realized, as he looked around in the darkness. There was only one light, and it shown upon a girl around the same age as he was. Aura. . .
"Aura, you've got to wake up," Kaiba ordered, walking in front of her. Head on knees, she was silent.
"Why should I?" Aura murmured, eyes heavy.
"You have to make your decision. As a destroyer, you have to choose the light or dark." Kaiba said.
"Why, it doesn't matter anyway. Either way, people are gonna suffer. Either way, someone else is happy, so why don't you just leave me alone?"
Kaiba was silent.
"Is it because time is fast forwarding and every living thing, other than yourself, has stopped? You mean you don't care about what happens to me?" Aura whispered.
"What do you mean?" Kaiba asked.
"Oh, you don't know. Never mind," Aura said, lying down on her side, "Go home, leave me alone."
"I can't," Kaiba said, sitting down in front of her.
"Kaiba, I don't want to fight anymore. I'm tired of being a person's puppet. I don't want to become your puppet. For 17 years I fought; I give up. I'm giving in." Aura said, the light dimming.
"You can't, the world's fate depends on it," Kaiba said.
"I know, but what's the point? I'll never see my family again, and either way it's bad. In fact, I don't even remember why I kept fighting in the first place." For a moment they were silent, sad.
'Even though she's right,' Kaiba thought, 'she'll have to choose either way. It can't always be like this, there has to be SOME good in it. Maybe when Maeve said that Aura needed to remember, she didn't mean about her actual mind. Maybe, she meant for her to remember WHY she kept on living, kept on fighting. That might be it. It's all I've got, I have nothing to lose.'
Kaiba grasped Aura's shoulder, as Aura stared at his hand. "Aura, do you remember the day your mother and brother died?" Kaiba whispered.
"I try not to."
"Remember now."
"Why?"
"Maybe it will help you realize, why you kept fighting."
"I don't want to."
"Aura, please, do it. Just for the sake of it."
"It's not that simple, Kaiba. I've been trying to forget it for 10 years. I'm not going to stop now."
Kaiba closed his eyes, regretting what he was about to do. "I'm sorry. . ."
Suddenly Kaiba took Aura by the neck and strangled her, as she coughed and spat out ugly words to him. Aura, who stood up, then fell to her knees, tears pouring out of her eyes. Kaiba tried hard not to do the same.
"Remember, remember the day Seth died. Someone killed him, KILLED Seth, and your mother, right in front of your eyes. Remember the PAIN you felt, the emotions you felt. REMEMBER Aura, I'm sorry that I did this."
Aura's eyes wept with tears as she slowly remembered what happened.
10 Years Ago, Egypt
Aura was walking down the street, holding the Millennium Orb she pieced together just a day before. As one hand held that, the other held Seth's hand, who was three years old. Their mother stared ahead of her with a frown, as the street lights were turning on one by one. Aura looked at her mother puzzlingly, as Seth hummed a little tune.
"Mama, are you okay?" Aura whispered, putting the necklace around her neck and holding her mother's hand. She sighed, staring down at her daughter's smiling face.
"It's. . . It's nothing, angel. Everything is just fine," her mother replied, smiling back. Seth tinkered with the Orb.
"Was it because of what the Healer said Mama?" Aura asked. Her mother looked at her, alarmed. Seeing that her face showed no sign of fear, Ms. Riordan smiled once more.
"Partly, Aura. I don't know, it's just that. . . Ever since you FOUND that in Priestess Maeve's tomb, I didn't know what to think. I got. . . scared, that's all. Our family awaited her arrival for nearly 5000 years, and now that you found her Millennium Orb, it makes me wonder. . ." Ms. Riordan trailed off, Aura knowing what she meant.
Aura stared at the Millennium Orb, saying, "Well, whatever it means, I'm sure it will be great! Maybe, maybe we'll finally meet Father!" Ms. Riordan widened her eyes in surprise.
"Yes, maybe we'll see Mr. Shields again. . ." she said quietly.
Suddenly Seth collapsed on the ground, saying loudly, "Me tired! Want nappy!" He turned to Aura. "Awa!" he cried, putting his hands toward her. Aura laughed aloud, and took him on her back. Seth cried out in joy.
Running forward, Aura said, "Come on, Mama! Seth and I will race you toward home!" She ran forward, before her mother can say not to run so fast at night. Worried, Ms. Riordan ran after them, following the sounds of happy giggles.
Turning in an alleyway, Ms. Riordan heard a grunt and a muffled, "Seth!" followed by a laugh. Smiling a little, she ran forward, following the path of laughter once more. But just as she turned, Ms. Riordan heard no laughter, no sounds of her children. Scared, she ran faster, calling out their names. Suddenly she saw a flash of white, the same color Aura's dress was. Relieved, Ms. Riordan went forward, saying, "Aura, you scared me, I thought something bad happened to you. . .!"
Aura and Seth were surrounded by caped men, all grinning and smirking at the Riordans. One of them stepped forward, taking off his hood. Ms. Riordan gasped at who it was.
Shanek was standing amidst of the Millennium Hunters, holding a curved sword. Ms. Riordan cried, "Y-You! You're supposed to be dead! How can you live 5000 years and still be perfectly healthy?" The one who killed Maeve. . .
Shanek grinned, saying, "We are only here for the girl. If you and your son leave the girl to us, we'll spare your lives." Shanek grabbed the little boy, not wanting to get off his sister's back. Tossing Seth toward his mother, Shanek continued, "Now go, worthless peasant."
"That is my daughter, you fool! Leave her alone, she has done no harm to you! It's me you want! I am the one protecting Priestess Maeve's tomb, not her!" she cried, as Aura whimpered at the man holding her wrist. Aura. . .
"We do not care for an empty husk," Shanek said, "The ahk, SPIRIT, of Maeve really matters. And now, she lives in the body of this girl." Ms. Riordan gasped, realizing that what she feared was true.
"W-wait!" Aura cried, everyone turning to her. Seth still cried. "S-s- she doesn't live inside of me! How can she? I mean, she's dead, and I'm not! I'm me, not some ancient Priestess, right Mama?" Ms. Riordan didn't answer. ". . . Mama?"
Shanek sighed, holding out his sword. "I told you to leave. . ."
Suddenly Shanek plunged the sword through Ms. Riordan's chest, as Seth screamed and Aura just stared at the sight in horror. Her mother plummeted to the ground, as Seth cried and ran toward his mother. As Aura stared, her whole life memories flashed before her eyes, remembering when her mother cleaned her wounds, made her smile when sad, and others.
Mama. . .
When a Millennium Hunter raised his blade toward her little brother, Aura screamed, "NOO!!"
That was when the scar of light glowed on her wrist, as the Millennium Orb glowed also. Aura's eyes burned with the color white as she screamed, the large white phoenix appearing out of her. The Hunters back away in horror, as Shanek stared at it with awe and fear. Seth crawled in a corner, afraid.
The white phoenix spat out white flames, burning all but Shanek, who disappeared, and Aura knew. As the battle was over, the white phoenix disappeared back in Aura's body, whose eyes slowly came back to the color green. She stared down at her hands, to see that her dress was all in shreds. That was when she looked at her mother, dead. Suddenly she looked at Seth, to see no harm done to his body, yet he was still unconscious.
That was when Aura collapsed, sobbing and eyes filled with tears. Her mother is dead, her brother is unconscious, and it was all because of her. . . What will she do now?
"Aura. . ."
Aura looked up, and saw her mother, drenched in blood, calling her name. Quickly taking Seth's body and running toward her mother, Aura said, "M-Mama?"
"Oh Aura. . ."
"D-d-d-don't worry! W-w-w-we'll get you to a hospital! I promise! Just hang on!" Aura cried, holding her mother's hand. Ms. Riordan looked over at Seth, to see and feel that his heart was no longer beating. She cried softly, as Aura looked over her. "Mama? The bad guys are gone. Something happened! My body felt so hot, and, and then, a BIRD came out. . ."
"Aura, I'm so sorry. . ." her mother whispered, holding her hand tight, "I-I-I-It looks like me and Seth will be leaving earlier than we thought. . ."
That was when Aura realized Seth was dead too, not unconscious. She sobbed once more, too sad and angry to say any words.
"Angel, b. . .before I leave. . ." she whispered, hugging her daughter. Aura didn't care that she was drenched in blood, as long as she never left her mother, never. "D-don't ever forget who you ARE. N-n-n-no matter what they say you are, no matter what you do, remember that you are, HUMAN. You may be. . . different from. . . others, but you are still human."
"B-b-but w-w-what if, I MESS up?" Aura cried, sobbing. Suddenly Seth was by his mother's side, as Aura held each of their hands tightly.
"This. . . This was OUR destiny, Aura. . . Your brother and I. . . We. . . We didn't fight it. . . But you still have a CHOICE. Always remember that there is always a WAY. . . Destiny is NOT written in stone. . . Make your own destiny. . . choose your OWN fate. . . Fight it, my daughter. . ." Ms. Riordan whispered, staring into Aura's eyes.
"But. . . But I don't want you to leave!" Aura whispered, tears rolling off her cheeks. Her mother wiped them away with a shaky hand.
"We never will. . . Aura, remember us. . . and how we love you so. . . no matter WHAT you choose as your destiny. . . We love you, angel. . ." That was when Aura's family died, as Ms. Riordan's hand fell to the ground.
Aura stared at her mother and brother, silent tears on her face. Aura picked up Seth's and her mother's hands, saying, "I swear, Mama, Seth, that I WILL keep fighting. . . No matter what. . ." Aura stood up, still crying, and wedged herself between Seth and Ms. Riordan. Aura turned toward Seth, crying. She took out the golden locket Seth carried with him everywhere out of his pocket, seeing the photograph that they taken together with their mother earlier that day. "Do you still want to sleep Seth?" She looked at her brother. "Me too. . ."
She closed her eyes and held the locket tight, murmuring the lullaby she sang to Seth every night.
End of Flashback
Aura gasped as she was returned back to her mind, seeing Kaiba's face right in front of her. He stopped strangling her, as he stared intensely at Aura. Tears were making their way out of her green eyes, as she said slowly, "I kept fighting, LIVING, because I wanted to prove that I am human, no matter what I do. That was what Mama wished."
Kaiba nodded, saying, "Do you still want to fight?"
Aura nodded back, replying, "Yes."
"Then do you choose the light or the dark?" Kaiba asked quietly. 'This is it,' Kaiba thought, staring at Aura, 'One of the two destinies will be fulfilled. It all comes down to one word. . .'
Aura closed her eyes, thinking of her mother. She was smiling at her, as Aura smiled back. Make your own destiny. . . Destiny is not written in stone.
"Neither," Aura announced. Kaiba looked at her in surprise.
"What?" Kaiba asked. But she doesn't answer, for then Kaiba's mind returned to his body, as did Aura's. Kaiba opened her eyes, seeing that Aura did the same. Yami, Ryou, Ishizu, and Shadi stared at the two.
Suddenly the two phoenixes glowed brightly, as the five moved away from Aura. Slowly the phoenixes turned into their human spirit forms, Lucian the black phoenix, and the true human form of the white phoenix, a little Amunet. Yami noticed that Lucian was somewhat different, not the same. He seemed more, light. The two ka nodded as they formed together to make a full ka, slowly disappearing inside of Aura. When all was done, Aura blinked, and then floated to the ground. Everyone ran to her, relieved.
"You're back!" Ryou yelled out, hugging her. Aura hugged back. Shadi and Ishizu smiled, patting her back, as Kaiba and Yami slowly walked foreword.
"Aura," Yami said, smiling. Aura looked at him.
"Hi Yami," she murmured. That was when she turned to them all, saying, "I. . . I think I made my decision." Everyone looked up, alarmed.
"Oh?" Shadi remarked.
"W-What is it?" Ishizu asked.
Aura looked away, sadness spreading across her face. "Look, either way it's going to bad for you guys, but not me. Everyone is going to suffer except me, and I will not accept that. It happened before, and I will not let it happen again." Everyone was silent, confused.
She continued, saying, "I am going to be alive in each of the destinies. Why is that? I don't know, but I don't like it. They must want me alive for something else, something bad. Right now, monsters are destroying everything, people dying, animals dying."
"So I will follow my mother's wish. I WILL make my own destiny. I WILL make sure that you all will get out of this safely, and I WILL be okay. The destiny I choose for the world, is to destroy the destroyer, ME."
Everyone gasped as world cracked under Aura, swallowing her under. As Ishizu screamed in horror, Yami and Kaiba yelled out, "AURA!!"
Kaiba quickly reacted, taking her hand as she was about to fall into the fiery pit. Aura glared at Kaiba angrily, as the flames licked her feet.
"What the heck are you doing?!" he cried, holding her hand tightly.
"Let go Kaiba," Aura yelled, angry.
"There must be another way, Aura! Just choose either dark or light, but not this, you stupid girl!" Kaiba ordered.
"So you want to see your brother dead, is that what you're telling me?!" Aura yelled out. Kaiba looked away, realizing what she meant. "Kaiba, I know what I'm doing! It will be okay, I promise!" Kaiba still didn't let go. She sighed, saying quietly, "Kaiba, this is not the only way, I know. But this is my CHOICE, MY DESTINY. It's what I choose, and I want it. Seto. . ."
Kaiba looked at Aura in surprise. 'She said my first name. . .'
". . . I'm gonna to see Seth and Mama again! Don't worry, I'll be okay! And you and the others will be okay too." Aura said.
"But. . ." Kaiba started.
"But nothing," Aura said, "I'm doing this. You know what it's like to lose your family. THEY don't. That's why you should know why I want to do this. To see Seth and Mama again. You would do the same if you were in my situation."
Kaiba was silent.
"Seto, if you really are my friend, if you were a true brother, you WILL let go of my hand, to let me DIE, and Mokuba LIVE. What do you choose Kaiba? What will my fate be?" Aura asked. As Kaiba stared at Aura's face, he saw something he haven't seen on her face before.
Happiness and fulfillment.
Kaiba looked back, seeing Yami, Ryou, Ishizu, and Shadi waiting for him to pull her up. Anxiety was spread across their faces. Kaiba looked back at Aura, to see those emotions on her face. Kaiba shut his eyes hard, and then opened them once more, to look at Aura one last time.
"Good-bye Aura," Kaiba said, as he let go of Aura's hand. Aura fell in the pit, smiling a thank you. The lapis lazuli stone given by the necromancer fell in with her.
Yami pushed Kaiba away, screaming, "AURA!!"
The flames engulfed her body as the earth shivered.
To Be Continued. . .
One more chapter, one more chapter! Yay! Then after that a sequel! Cough. Oh, I will be updating in two weeks, not one, 'cause I'm going to CALIFORNIA!! WHOO HOO! Till then, see ya later! Hope you liked this chapter!
Disclaimer: Not owning YGO. Never had, never will.
Chapter 32: All Over
As Yami glowered at Aura, she grinned, patting the black phoenix's head lightly. Ryou, Kaiba, Ishizu, and Shadi stood behind, their Millennium Items out. As the necromancer stared at them, she cackled horribly.
"Oh, I get it now. You will never forgive me for what I done to your sister. Now you are going to AVENGE her death. Her second death. How amusing, Pharaoh," Aura said, "to see you suffer, just like the people of Egypt did all those years ago."
"SHUT UP!" Yami cried, as he reached his hand in the air and called out, "MIND CRUSH!"
But the incantation was just a worthless effort, as the spell wavered away just like before. She grinned, as the two god cards wreathed in anger. "You should take care of your monsters, Pharaoh, Priest. They are being quite fussy, don't you think?" Aura replied amusingly.
'How is this going to work?' Kaiba thought to himself, 'Anything we throw at her will just disappear, and anything she throws something puts us against the walls! We can't stop her!'
"All this effort, this TIME," Aura said, floating above the five, "wasted. You know you can't stop it. It's merely a matter of time before YOU waver to nothingness, just like your spells. So why don't you just give up?"
"Not until you free Aura from your control!" Ryou yelled out.
"Hmm, let me think about it," she said, a finger on her chin, "NO." Aura suddenly flew up in the air, hands outstretched. In one palm of her hand, appeared an orb of white light. In the other, was an orb of black light. Throwing them down toward the Priests of the Millennium Items, the orbs swirled around each other, headed for the Pharaoh. Everyone cried out for Yami to get out of the way, but he would not listen. Aura grinned, happy with his decision.
Suddenly the two Egyptian God cards went in the way of the blast as they shattered in the impact. Yami shielded his eyes as the pieces of the gods burst into sparkles of light. Kaiba gaped at what happened to his god card, as Obelisk the Tormenter flew into his hands as a monster card. When it ended, Yami looked into his hands, to see his Slifer the Sky Dragon back into a monster card.
"They are not as powerful as I thought they were," said Aura thoughtfully, her feet stepping lightly on the floor, "I thought they would last through that attack. Guess not."
"Why are you doing this? Why is it always Aura who gets controlled by the darkness?" Ishizu asked angrily. The black phoenix glared at the white phoenix beside Shadi, while Aura looked at Ishizu unbelievingly.
"Isn't it obvious? Aura has been so exposed to the darkness, almost everyday, that sooner or later that darkness would control her." Aura said lightly.
That was when Shadi realized something. "So you mean, all that she done, all that she could have told us, was because of darkness?" he asked. Everyone looked at him.
Aura clapped her hands. "Finally you got it. Do you see this scar?" Aura asked, pointing to the scar of darkness on her left wrist, "This was the cause of it. You see, this little wound, has been poisoning Aura ever since she was born." Everyone gaped as the information was told.
Grinning, Aura continued, "She knew it. She knew that it was slowly consuming her, making her do things that she did not want to do. Therefore, Aura knew that as certain information was told to you, it would soon be known to those of darkness, which was why she did not tell you all the information of the Millennium Ritual. But, the other scar," Aura then pointed toward her right wrist, the scar of light, "prevented her from going to the darkness. Each day she was torn apart, fighting a new battle everyday, just as Ra the sun god fights the evil monsters at night to give light to the day. So you see, Aura is what we necromancers call 'The Destroyer'."
"The destroyer?" Kaiba repeated. Aura nodded happily.
"A destroyer is very rare, someone that comes after many millennia. The last time a destroyer was born, there were two. The Pharaoh Atemu, and the Priest Set. You two." Aura pointed out, "What side each chose, know one knows. But your battle in the past made the entire course of history, of DESTINY, change. Now, it is Aura's turn. Right now, to this moment, Aura is making her choice; to choose the light, or dark."
"What's so hard? You have to choose the light!" Ryou exclaimed aloud. Aura shook her head.
"For her, it is. You see, if she chooses the light, the world will be able to see the light of day once more, but her family, and all she ever cared for will suffer the consequences of it, meaning that their SOULS will shatter, their akh, spirit, never reaching the bright realm ruled by Osiris, HEAVEN. And Aura lives, standing above the event." She stated, as everyone puzzled at it.
"And of dark?" Yami asked suspiciously.
Aura grinned, saying, "If she chooses the darkness, the world and its animals would be engulfed in darkness, mankind destroyed." Shadi and Ishizu fumed at it.
"So either way. . ." Ishizu said slowly.
"You lose," Aura said happily, "And it gets worse. It WILL happen; one of these destinies will come, you cannot stop it, no matter how much you fight. So why fight me, when what you should really be doing is convincing Aura to make the right decision?" Everyone gaped at her.
"Please tell me your decision," Aura asked, walking toward Yami, "I'd like to know. As for now, I have chaos to ensue." She waved her hand. "Good bye, and best of luck!" Suddenly she flew in the air, tossing a stone toward Kaiba. Kaiba caught it, seeing that it was a lapis lazuli stone.
"You might need that, if you'd like to remember the precious memories of this moment as you grow old," Aura said, grinning. Suddenly Yami remembered something.
'Memories, Maeve, she said something about that!' Yami thought, eyes widening, '. . . The day Aura's mother and brother died. . .?'
That was when Yami finally looked at the mist closely and carefully around Aura. As he squinted his eyes at it, he realized something.
Aura was being controlled by magick threads!
Yami ran up to Ryou, taking him by the shoulders, saying, "Ryou, use the Millennium Ring to shoot a ray above Aura's head!" Aura was quickly floating away to the top of the chamber.
"What? But Yugi, our spells won't work, it'll just waver!" Ryou protested.
"Do it!" Yami ordered. Ryou obeyed, as a ray of green light shot out of the ring, and headed straight for the air above Aura. Her eyes widened as it came faster and faster.
"NO!" She cried, as the ray pierced through the threads holding Aura. Her body stood cold as the necromancer lost control of Aura. Suddenly, out of thin air, appeared a cage of thread around her, as everyone gasped at the sight. It shattered as Aura's body fell to the ground, the white and black phoenix flying toward her. Her eyes were blank and Yami and Kaiba ran toward her. Shadi then noticed a caped man with small threads attached to his fingers, disappearing into the darkness, hissing.
The necromancer was gone.
"That guy may have lost control," Kaiba said, "but we still have a problem. Aura's decision, how are we suppose to know which is the right one? And why is she still unconscious?" Ishizu and Ryou put Aura's arms around their shoulders to make her stand, as she shivered a little.
"Because her ka is not in her body, they are still wandering." Yami said, staring at the two phoenixes beside them.
"Well, her ka is here, but what about her mind?" Ryou asked, holding Aura's arm.
"It is still in her," Shadi said, finally with them, "the necromancer may have not only taken over her body, but her mind as well, since she never really responded before."
"Ryou, the cloud that hung over her head in the Shadow Realm may have been a spell from the necromancer." Kaiba said thoughtfully. Ryou nodded.
"I bet that necromancer was in this the whole time," Ryou said, "controlling everybody, just to lead up to this moment. He's very clever."
"But he is still abroad, we must catch him. . ." Ishizu started.
Yami interrupted, saying, "We must deal with this matter first. We must make Aura remember, for right now, her mind is in isolation, refusing to come out. She has to, for if what he said is true, she'll need our guidance in her decision."
Kaiba looked down, seeing that the Millennium Orb was in Yami's hand. He remembered six years ago, when he made fun of the necklace she wore. All the things he done. . .
"I'll help her remember," Kaiba announced, as everyone stared at him in surprise, "I've known her longer than you guys ever had. It will only make sense if I did it. Besides, I don't think you guys would have enough guts to do it anyway." He turned to Yami. "What did that woman said again?"
"The memory of when her mother and brother died," Yami said quietly. The phoenixes circled around Aura's limp body as Kaiba walked up to her. He took her face and held it up, so their eyes were at the same level. Everyone watched quietly.
"Aura, wake up," Kaiba said, shaking her head a little. She did not respond, as her eyes looked at him blankly. Suddenly a voice in his head a chanting something, making Kaiba feel dizzy. He closed his eyes, and opened them once more, to see that he was somewhere else, somewhere different.
His mind was in Aura's mind, Kaiba realized, as he looked around in the darkness. There was only one light, and it shown upon a girl around the same age as he was. Aura. . .
"Aura, you've got to wake up," Kaiba ordered, walking in front of her. Head on knees, she was silent.
"Why should I?" Aura murmured, eyes heavy.
"You have to make your decision. As a destroyer, you have to choose the light or dark." Kaiba said.
"Why, it doesn't matter anyway. Either way, people are gonna suffer. Either way, someone else is happy, so why don't you just leave me alone?"
Kaiba was silent.
"Is it because time is fast forwarding and every living thing, other than yourself, has stopped? You mean you don't care about what happens to me?" Aura whispered.
"What do you mean?" Kaiba asked.
"Oh, you don't know. Never mind," Aura said, lying down on her side, "Go home, leave me alone."
"I can't," Kaiba said, sitting down in front of her.
"Kaiba, I don't want to fight anymore. I'm tired of being a person's puppet. I don't want to become your puppet. For 17 years I fought; I give up. I'm giving in." Aura said, the light dimming.
"You can't, the world's fate depends on it," Kaiba said.
"I know, but what's the point? I'll never see my family again, and either way it's bad. In fact, I don't even remember why I kept fighting in the first place." For a moment they were silent, sad.
'Even though she's right,' Kaiba thought, 'she'll have to choose either way. It can't always be like this, there has to be SOME good in it. Maybe when Maeve said that Aura needed to remember, she didn't mean about her actual mind. Maybe, she meant for her to remember WHY she kept on living, kept on fighting. That might be it. It's all I've got, I have nothing to lose.'
Kaiba grasped Aura's shoulder, as Aura stared at his hand. "Aura, do you remember the day your mother and brother died?" Kaiba whispered.
"I try not to."
"Remember now."
"Why?"
"Maybe it will help you realize, why you kept fighting."
"I don't want to."
"Aura, please, do it. Just for the sake of it."
"It's not that simple, Kaiba. I've been trying to forget it for 10 years. I'm not going to stop now."
Kaiba closed his eyes, regretting what he was about to do. "I'm sorry. . ."
Suddenly Kaiba took Aura by the neck and strangled her, as she coughed and spat out ugly words to him. Aura, who stood up, then fell to her knees, tears pouring out of her eyes. Kaiba tried hard not to do the same.
"Remember, remember the day Seth died. Someone killed him, KILLED Seth, and your mother, right in front of your eyes. Remember the PAIN you felt, the emotions you felt. REMEMBER Aura, I'm sorry that I did this."
Aura's eyes wept with tears as she slowly remembered what happened.
10 Years Ago, Egypt
Aura was walking down the street, holding the Millennium Orb she pieced together just a day before. As one hand held that, the other held Seth's hand, who was three years old. Their mother stared ahead of her with a frown, as the street lights were turning on one by one. Aura looked at her mother puzzlingly, as Seth hummed a little tune.
"Mama, are you okay?" Aura whispered, putting the necklace around her neck and holding her mother's hand. She sighed, staring down at her daughter's smiling face.
"It's. . . It's nothing, angel. Everything is just fine," her mother replied, smiling back. Seth tinkered with the Orb.
"Was it because of what the Healer said Mama?" Aura asked. Her mother looked at her, alarmed. Seeing that her face showed no sign of fear, Ms. Riordan smiled once more.
"Partly, Aura. I don't know, it's just that. . . Ever since you FOUND that in Priestess Maeve's tomb, I didn't know what to think. I got. . . scared, that's all. Our family awaited her arrival for nearly 5000 years, and now that you found her Millennium Orb, it makes me wonder. . ." Ms. Riordan trailed off, Aura knowing what she meant.
Aura stared at the Millennium Orb, saying, "Well, whatever it means, I'm sure it will be great! Maybe, maybe we'll finally meet Father!" Ms. Riordan widened her eyes in surprise.
"Yes, maybe we'll see Mr. Shields again. . ." she said quietly.
Suddenly Seth collapsed on the ground, saying loudly, "Me tired! Want nappy!" He turned to Aura. "Awa!" he cried, putting his hands toward her. Aura laughed aloud, and took him on her back. Seth cried out in joy.
Running forward, Aura said, "Come on, Mama! Seth and I will race you toward home!" She ran forward, before her mother can say not to run so fast at night. Worried, Ms. Riordan ran after them, following the sounds of happy giggles.
Turning in an alleyway, Ms. Riordan heard a grunt and a muffled, "Seth!" followed by a laugh. Smiling a little, she ran forward, following the path of laughter once more. But just as she turned, Ms. Riordan heard no laughter, no sounds of her children. Scared, she ran faster, calling out their names. Suddenly she saw a flash of white, the same color Aura's dress was. Relieved, Ms. Riordan went forward, saying, "Aura, you scared me, I thought something bad happened to you. . .!"
Aura and Seth were surrounded by caped men, all grinning and smirking at the Riordans. One of them stepped forward, taking off his hood. Ms. Riordan gasped at who it was.
Shanek was standing amidst of the Millennium Hunters, holding a curved sword. Ms. Riordan cried, "Y-You! You're supposed to be dead! How can you live 5000 years and still be perfectly healthy?" The one who killed Maeve. . .
Shanek grinned, saying, "We are only here for the girl. If you and your son leave the girl to us, we'll spare your lives." Shanek grabbed the little boy, not wanting to get off his sister's back. Tossing Seth toward his mother, Shanek continued, "Now go, worthless peasant."
"That is my daughter, you fool! Leave her alone, she has done no harm to you! It's me you want! I am the one protecting Priestess Maeve's tomb, not her!" she cried, as Aura whimpered at the man holding her wrist. Aura. . .
"We do not care for an empty husk," Shanek said, "The ahk, SPIRIT, of Maeve really matters. And now, she lives in the body of this girl." Ms. Riordan gasped, realizing that what she feared was true.
"W-wait!" Aura cried, everyone turning to her. Seth still cried. "S-s- she doesn't live inside of me! How can she? I mean, she's dead, and I'm not! I'm me, not some ancient Priestess, right Mama?" Ms. Riordan didn't answer. ". . . Mama?"
Shanek sighed, holding out his sword. "I told you to leave. . ."
Suddenly Shanek plunged the sword through Ms. Riordan's chest, as Seth screamed and Aura just stared at the sight in horror. Her mother plummeted to the ground, as Seth cried and ran toward his mother. As Aura stared, her whole life memories flashed before her eyes, remembering when her mother cleaned her wounds, made her smile when sad, and others.
Mama. . .
When a Millennium Hunter raised his blade toward her little brother, Aura screamed, "NOO!!"
That was when the scar of light glowed on her wrist, as the Millennium Orb glowed also. Aura's eyes burned with the color white as she screamed, the large white phoenix appearing out of her. The Hunters back away in horror, as Shanek stared at it with awe and fear. Seth crawled in a corner, afraid.
The white phoenix spat out white flames, burning all but Shanek, who disappeared, and Aura knew. As the battle was over, the white phoenix disappeared back in Aura's body, whose eyes slowly came back to the color green. She stared down at her hands, to see that her dress was all in shreds. That was when she looked at her mother, dead. Suddenly she looked at Seth, to see no harm done to his body, yet he was still unconscious.
That was when Aura collapsed, sobbing and eyes filled with tears. Her mother is dead, her brother is unconscious, and it was all because of her. . . What will she do now?
"Aura. . ."
Aura looked up, and saw her mother, drenched in blood, calling her name. Quickly taking Seth's body and running toward her mother, Aura said, "M-Mama?"
"Oh Aura. . ."
"D-d-d-don't worry! W-w-w-we'll get you to a hospital! I promise! Just hang on!" Aura cried, holding her mother's hand. Ms. Riordan looked over at Seth, to see and feel that his heart was no longer beating. She cried softly, as Aura looked over her. "Mama? The bad guys are gone. Something happened! My body felt so hot, and, and then, a BIRD came out. . ."
"Aura, I'm so sorry. . ." her mother whispered, holding her hand tight, "I-I-I-It looks like me and Seth will be leaving earlier than we thought. . ."
That was when Aura realized Seth was dead too, not unconscious. She sobbed once more, too sad and angry to say any words.
"Angel, b. . .before I leave. . ." she whispered, hugging her daughter. Aura didn't care that she was drenched in blood, as long as she never left her mother, never. "D-don't ever forget who you ARE. N-n-n-no matter what they say you are, no matter what you do, remember that you are, HUMAN. You may be. . . different from. . . others, but you are still human."
"B-b-but w-w-what if, I MESS up?" Aura cried, sobbing. Suddenly Seth was by his mother's side, as Aura held each of their hands tightly.
"This. . . This was OUR destiny, Aura. . . Your brother and I. . . We. . . We didn't fight it. . . But you still have a CHOICE. Always remember that there is always a WAY. . . Destiny is NOT written in stone. . . Make your own destiny. . . choose your OWN fate. . . Fight it, my daughter. . ." Ms. Riordan whispered, staring into Aura's eyes.
"But. . . But I don't want you to leave!" Aura whispered, tears rolling off her cheeks. Her mother wiped them away with a shaky hand.
"We never will. . . Aura, remember us. . . and how we love you so. . . no matter WHAT you choose as your destiny. . . We love you, angel. . ." That was when Aura's family died, as Ms. Riordan's hand fell to the ground.
Aura stared at her mother and brother, silent tears on her face. Aura picked up Seth's and her mother's hands, saying, "I swear, Mama, Seth, that I WILL keep fighting. . . No matter what. . ." Aura stood up, still crying, and wedged herself between Seth and Ms. Riordan. Aura turned toward Seth, crying. She took out the golden locket Seth carried with him everywhere out of his pocket, seeing the photograph that they taken together with their mother earlier that day. "Do you still want to sleep Seth?" She looked at her brother. "Me too. . ."
She closed her eyes and held the locket tight, murmuring the lullaby she sang to Seth every night.
End of Flashback
Aura gasped as she was returned back to her mind, seeing Kaiba's face right in front of her. He stopped strangling her, as he stared intensely at Aura. Tears were making their way out of her green eyes, as she said slowly, "I kept fighting, LIVING, because I wanted to prove that I am human, no matter what I do. That was what Mama wished."
Kaiba nodded, saying, "Do you still want to fight?"
Aura nodded back, replying, "Yes."
"Then do you choose the light or the dark?" Kaiba asked quietly. 'This is it,' Kaiba thought, staring at Aura, 'One of the two destinies will be fulfilled. It all comes down to one word. . .'
Aura closed her eyes, thinking of her mother. She was smiling at her, as Aura smiled back. Make your own destiny. . . Destiny is not written in stone.
"Neither," Aura announced. Kaiba looked at her in surprise.
"What?" Kaiba asked. But she doesn't answer, for then Kaiba's mind returned to his body, as did Aura's. Kaiba opened her eyes, seeing that Aura did the same. Yami, Ryou, Ishizu, and Shadi stared at the two.
Suddenly the two phoenixes glowed brightly, as the five moved away from Aura. Slowly the phoenixes turned into their human spirit forms, Lucian the black phoenix, and the true human form of the white phoenix, a little Amunet. Yami noticed that Lucian was somewhat different, not the same. He seemed more, light. The two ka nodded as they formed together to make a full ka, slowly disappearing inside of Aura. When all was done, Aura blinked, and then floated to the ground. Everyone ran to her, relieved.
"You're back!" Ryou yelled out, hugging her. Aura hugged back. Shadi and Ishizu smiled, patting her back, as Kaiba and Yami slowly walked foreword.
"Aura," Yami said, smiling. Aura looked at him.
"Hi Yami," she murmured. That was when she turned to them all, saying, "I. . . I think I made my decision." Everyone looked up, alarmed.
"Oh?" Shadi remarked.
"W-What is it?" Ishizu asked.
Aura looked away, sadness spreading across her face. "Look, either way it's going to bad for you guys, but not me. Everyone is going to suffer except me, and I will not accept that. It happened before, and I will not let it happen again." Everyone was silent, confused.
She continued, saying, "I am going to be alive in each of the destinies. Why is that? I don't know, but I don't like it. They must want me alive for something else, something bad. Right now, monsters are destroying everything, people dying, animals dying."
"So I will follow my mother's wish. I WILL make my own destiny. I WILL make sure that you all will get out of this safely, and I WILL be okay. The destiny I choose for the world, is to destroy the destroyer, ME."
Everyone gasped as world cracked under Aura, swallowing her under. As Ishizu screamed in horror, Yami and Kaiba yelled out, "AURA!!"
Kaiba quickly reacted, taking her hand as she was about to fall into the fiery pit. Aura glared at Kaiba angrily, as the flames licked her feet.
"What the heck are you doing?!" he cried, holding her hand tightly.
"Let go Kaiba," Aura yelled, angry.
"There must be another way, Aura! Just choose either dark or light, but not this, you stupid girl!" Kaiba ordered.
"So you want to see your brother dead, is that what you're telling me?!" Aura yelled out. Kaiba looked away, realizing what she meant. "Kaiba, I know what I'm doing! It will be okay, I promise!" Kaiba still didn't let go. She sighed, saying quietly, "Kaiba, this is not the only way, I know. But this is my CHOICE, MY DESTINY. It's what I choose, and I want it. Seto. . ."
Kaiba looked at Aura in surprise. 'She said my first name. . .'
". . . I'm gonna to see Seth and Mama again! Don't worry, I'll be okay! And you and the others will be okay too." Aura said.
"But. . ." Kaiba started.
"But nothing," Aura said, "I'm doing this. You know what it's like to lose your family. THEY don't. That's why you should know why I want to do this. To see Seth and Mama again. You would do the same if you were in my situation."
Kaiba was silent.
"Seto, if you really are my friend, if you were a true brother, you WILL let go of my hand, to let me DIE, and Mokuba LIVE. What do you choose Kaiba? What will my fate be?" Aura asked. As Kaiba stared at Aura's face, he saw something he haven't seen on her face before.
Happiness and fulfillment.
Kaiba looked back, seeing Yami, Ryou, Ishizu, and Shadi waiting for him to pull her up. Anxiety was spread across their faces. Kaiba looked back at Aura, to see those emotions on her face. Kaiba shut his eyes hard, and then opened them once more, to look at Aura one last time.
"Good-bye Aura," Kaiba said, as he let go of Aura's hand. Aura fell in the pit, smiling a thank you. The lapis lazuli stone given by the necromancer fell in with her.
Yami pushed Kaiba away, screaming, "AURA!!"
The flames engulfed her body as the earth shivered.
To Be Continued. . .
One more chapter, one more chapter! Yay! Then after that a sequel! Cough. Oh, I will be updating in two weeks, not one, 'cause I'm going to CALIFORNIA!! WHOO HOO! Till then, see ya later! Hope you liked this chapter!