WHEN MEMORIES WOULD NEVER BE ENOUGH

Chapter Twenty-One – The Duel of Destiny

In the seemingly endless duel, Atemu followed up with the strategy that Set laid out against Akunadin and Bakura during Set's last turn. Shortly after the cousins stared at each other, they unleashed their might during Atemu's turn. The azure-eyed priest used his trap card and the Pharaoh activated his magic card - giving way for Atemu's Dark Magician and Retrained Elven Swordsman to give his opponents the death blow.

As the duel monsters attacked and drained Akunadin and Bakura's life force, the two men fall face down on the chamber floor. Their spirits then joined the rest of the ghosts of Kuru Eruna, as they hovered and brushed against the Pharaoh, Set, and the rest of the royal court.

In the Shadow Realm, an already injured Xandra was once again stabbed by an enemy Sparti. Nonetheless, she fought back with all her might - using every single ounce of her strength to make her mission succeed. As her ebbing strength caused some of her magic spells to weaken and unravel, the fabric of time that she temporarily changed through her magic reverted to its original state, and the memories that she manipulated also returned to normalcy.

Instantaneously, Atemu blinked his eyes as he shook his head. He was disoriented for a couple of seconds as the veil of forgetfulness that Xandra conjured up lifted from him. He also felt unexplainable pain lance through his abdomen at the same time she was injured. While his heart pounded fast and his body grimacing in pain, a worried Pharaoh glanced at Set and hollered, "Something happened to Xandra! Where is she?"

Shimon and the rest of the high priests' eyes went wide, as they wondered the answer to the same question.

Azure eyes reflected that the priest also shared the similar pain that Atemu felt. With a panicked look in his face, he replied, "I do not know...."

The cousins ran towards their fallen enemies - with the Pharaoh attending to the thief, and Set looking into Akunadin's condition. Upon inspection, they discovered that the two were already dead. The two wanted to wrap up matters immediately, so that they could start searching for Xandra.

Blinding light now illuminated from the abysmal opening left by the Stone of Memory, and the earth shook - making the chamber a dangerous place to be in as the stones began to loosen from its foundations. Inside the Veju Shrine - the sanctuary where the duel monster tablets rested - all the stone tablets emitted blinding light that pierced the night skies.

Dark heavy clouds, roaring thunder, and dazzling lightning dominated the skies. Shortly thereafter, the visible essence of the duel monsters that were once sealed within the stone tablets were set loose - going through the chamber walls with their ghost-like forms and becoming corporeal once they were outside. The spirits of Kuru Eruna also joined the duel monsters - merging with them and adding ferocity to their now-corporeal forms.

Isis, Karim, Shadah, Atemu, and Shimon ran outside in the middle of open space and confirmed their greatest fear.

In a matter of minutes, the duel monsters came to life in gigantic form and walked throughout the entire land - stamping on homes and establishments, making the citizens run for their lives, and using their terrible powers against each other to cause more devastation.

Shimon's voice trembled, as the duel monsters continued to invade the land and the skies of Egypt. The smell of sulfur and smoke now invaded their noses - making them cough. "The Veju Shrine's sealing spell has been broken! If this continues, Egypt will be left in ruins!"

"Who could have let them loose?" Atemu interjected, as his fists clenched.

"I did!"

The amethyst-eyed Pharaoh's heart pounded and he held his breath from shock - not believing the source of those words.

Everyone turned around and saw Set - without his Millennium Rod - standing about ten feet behind them.

Atemu's eyes were flooded with confusion and fear. "Set?"

With a voice that was his own - but now mixed with Akunadin's voice and something more malevolent - Set said as his azure eyes turned glowing red, "Our duel is not over yet!"

Atemu rushed to his cousin, but was restrained by Shimon and the rest of the high priests. The high priests knew exactly what was going on with Set.

Realizing that evil had taken over the high priest's body, Atemu said, "Release Set at once, Uncle! You have already lost!"

A twisted smirk curled from Set's lips, whose body was now possessed by Akunadin and Zork. "It is already too late! All seven Millennium Items are now in place, and Zork now walks among us. My son does not know how to fight for what is rightfully his. He is weak! The dark one and I will make sure that he gets what he deserves!"

Amethyst eyes narrowed, as the Pharaoh spat, "My cousin is anything but weak! Sooner or later, your hold on him will disappear!"

"I am just feeding off from the deepest evil within his heart - contorting it to a way that is most beneficial to us. He withheld his success in his loyalty and friendship with you and that Atlantean whore you call wife. He, however, still has potential. The longer that I last inside him, the more that my corruption will seep through his being."

Shortly thereafter, La Jinn materialized beside Set and waited for his instructions.

A tense and tightlipped Atemu looked back at Shimon, Isis, Shadah, and Karim. "You must do whatever it takes to control these monsters and save as many people as possible! If you can, also search for Xandra as you comb through the cities! Leave me here, as I take care of Set!"

All of them nodded, ran to their horses, and galloped away to the neighboring towns - leaving the two cousins behind.

Set's red-tainted azure eyes stared into amethysts as he said, "Our duel is to the death, Pharaoh. If you wish to save Egypt, either you give up your throne to me or we finish this duel until a victor emerges. As our duel continues, the monsters will continue destroying the city and I will continue corrupting Set's heart."

"I will never give up the throne to you, dark one! I have faith in my cousin, and we will fight you to the end!" Shortly thereafter, the Retrained Elven Swordsman appeared beside him - ready for instructions.

With such malevolence glowing from his eyes, Set bellowed, "Get ready to die! La Jinn - attack his Swordsman!"

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As the last opposing Sparti died, a physically weak Xandra undid her Sparti spell and magically gathered the dragon's teeth back in her velvet pouch. Before the Shadow Realm could claim her soul, she summoned a magical portal and stepped into it.

While she walked through the portal, she pondered on how grateful she was to the gods that the threat against the citizens was now over. Thoughts of Egypt, the royal court, Mana, Set, and especially Atemu filled her head. Tears of relief began to flow down her cheeks as she aspired for better and more peaceful days to come with Atemu. She even smiled while she pondered on the notion of finally having a child with him - not only as the heir to the Egyptian throne, but also as a product of their union and love.

Happiness and hope, however, proved short-lived for her. Once she stepped out of the portal, her hazel eyes went wide as she stood stupefied from the sight before her. Shuddering from her wound and feeling horrified from what she saw, she weakly fell on her knees and bitterly wept. She, along with Atemu, made such heavy sacrifices to keep Egypt safe. Her heavy heart sank into the pit of her stomach and searched for a reason why, in spite of all the sacrifices that they made, did it all come to this....

The smell of sulfur, smoke, and blood permeated the air. The morbid scents of destruction were coupled with the ear-piercing screams from the panicked, incessant sobs from the bereaved and afraid, and savage roars from the duel monsters. One of the busiest towns now lay in ruin under a blood-red Egyptian sky. Old, new, and ongoing pyramids were blackened from the fire and devastation. The duel monsters terrorized the citizens - destroying homes, property, and establishments through their respective powers. Panicked villagers, some with crying children in tow, fled for their lives. Others were not so fortunate, as they were either trampled to death from the stampede, injured by the duel monsters, or trapped to die from falling debris.

Wincing, she got up and applied pressure on her mortally wounded side to ease the bleeding. Focusing all her leftover energies within her, she summoned whatever power could seal the monsters from the citizens. Her incantation produced the Orichalchos seal and began its work by sealing one duel monster at a time.

Although successful, each subsequent seal was weaker than the previous one as more blood and energy flowed from her. Eventually, her magic was no longer effective and the ones that she successfully trapped were freed. Heavily sweating from the agony and the heat, she mused, "Only Atemu alone could send them back at the Veju Shrine...."

"My Queen - you are safe!"

A startled Xandra turned around and saw Isis on horseback. The rest followed suit as they dismounted and joined her.

The dark-haired high priestess saw Xandra's side and discolored clothing. "By the gods, you are hurt! What happened?"

Waning hazel eyes looked into concerned charcoal gray as Xandra responded, "There is no time to explain. What should we do about this?"

As they all stood before the already-decimated village, the elderly counselor stared at the hazel-eyed Atlantean. "I was about to ask you the same question."

Xandra's blood froze as she gazed into Shimon's eyes.

To begin with, even if she became part of the Mages' Council, she did not have enough magic to send the monsters back to the Veju Shrine. Secondly, Shimon and the rest did not know her mystical secret. Last, but not the least, she did not want to use the Pentagram Medallion.

Even though her brother mages helped her forge the Medallion, she was afraid of its great power and its possible corruptive sway. Neither good nor evil, it possessed the combined powers of the Mages' Council since its existence. Her uncertainty lay on the fact that her race was doomed due to its power-hunger and greed, and she feared that she might fall prey to that weakness.

A tightlipped Shimon snapped upon seeing fear in her eyes, "Let go of your qualms! We could help the Pharaoh stop this!"

Her voice quivered and she became teary-eyed. "I do not know how I could, Elder Shimon! We do not have even a single Millennium Item to do so!"

Karim stepped forward as he interjected, "You have us, and we have you! The wielders and the Items' powers are still linked as one. The thief did not possess the Items from defeating us!"

The counselor - with clenched fists and gritted teeth - shuddered from the continued destruction. "Whatever you have within you, Xandra, you must draw it out now! More people will die if we stall! Your race and ours shared the secrets to the Items' power. You, as the heir to the Atlantean throne, could unlock those powers if you will it!"

Isis approached a troubled Xandra as she took her tremor-plagued hands to give reassurance. "Do what you must, my Queen! Use us as the conduit for whatever you need!"

"Listen to them, Sister. Orichalchos power supercedes most of magic used to release these creatures. The Medallion is the key and the Puzzle is the well to Chaos' power. You must use the Medallion to summon the Seal of Orichalchos and reverse the gate's pull. Let Brother Atemu and his Puzzle unite the broken seal and return everything into order!"

Xandra closed her eyes upon mentally hearing Narmer's voice and intensely feeling the pulsation from the Medallion she wore underneath her armor. When she felt the presence of her brother mages, she opened her eyes. She looked up and saw that her four companions gazed at her with trust reflected in their eyes.

Behind Shimon, Isis, Karim, and Shadah stood the spirits of her deceased brother mages Djer, Narmer, Kamose, and Nabil. Eight pairs of anticipating eyes now stared into hers, as each one waited for her decision.

With her eyes going narrow, she then told the high priests, "We need to form a pentagram. Close your eyes and picture seeing the person to your right. Do not open your eyes until I tell you so...."

The counselor and the three high priests' eyes lit up with hope, as they took their respective positions as a point within an invisible pentacle.

Once she closed her eyes, she mentally uttered....

Glorious Isis, Anubis, Osiris, Horus

Brethren Nabil, Narmer, Djer, and Kamose

Fellow guardians of the Seal of Orichalchos

Sworn protectors of the secrets of Chaos

I, entrusted with this heavenly and earthly star

Now humbly come forward as vessel and avatar

With this pentacle, we beseech sun-god Ra

Give us back the reigns to pacify the savage ka

Shortly thereafter, a blinding pentagram-shaped light appeared where each respectively stood. A ray of light shone from the sky and into the ground where Xandra stood. Feeling a surge of power flow through her from above and below, she continued....

Each stands as part of five prime

We five prime now join as one

Portals controlling space and time

Deem be null until all is done.

From the spot where she stood, a line of light began to connect one point to another. Gradually, the lines formed a pentagram of bright light - with each one of them being part of the mystical pentagram's five points. As the magical symbol was complete, it then formed a star-shaped shield of light that connected heaven and earth.

Let the powers of darkness and light

Merge once again as Chaos to unite

We summon thy pentacle, we now call

Seal these loose shadows, once and for all!

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The Dark Magician stood before Atemu - ready and waiting for his master's orders. Set's monsters - Battle Ox and Saggi the Dark Clown - just withstood a counterattack when their master activated his Negate Attack trap.

It was now Set's turn.

Set malevolently smirked as he spat, "You are truly pathetic! I could never imagine my sacrifices and respect wasted from serving under the rule of a weak Pharaoh!"

Atemu, on the losing end of their duel, looked into azure eyes and pleaded, "Snap out of this, Set! Fight this evil within you!"

Loud laughter reverberated, as the possessed high priest remarked, "You make it sound as if I was sleeping! On the contrary, it is the first time in many years that I have truly awakened. All this time, I thought that I served the throne with good intentions within my heart. All this time, I did not know that being evil allows me to tap into my fullest potential. So now that I am enlightened, I am here to take what is mine!"

Amethyst eyes went narrow, as their owner scowled. "No, Set - you are mistaken! Evil reigns in every person's heart. The mark of a true person is how he or she chooses the way, and conquers that evil inside the heart. You are that person, Set! Fight it!"

"Face it, Pharaoh - I have been doubtful about your reign since the very beginning! You should have seized the power when it was sitting on your fingertips. You did not even have the foresight to tap into Xandra's powers, so that she could add glory to your pathetic reign!"

"You are not yourself!"

"Let us see who is not in touch with reality! I tribute my two monsters to summon the gods' gift to the next Pharaoh!" As Battle Ox and Saggi disappeared into the void, he declared, "Come forth, Blue Eyes White Dragon!"

Atemu took a few steps back, as the majestic and ferocious silver dragon stood before them. His blood froze, as his eyes went wide in disbelief. "The White Dragon God's ka? How?"

The Blue Eyes White Dragon and the Dark Magician proudly stood before their respective masters and fiercely looked into each other's eyes.

"Believe it, dear Cousin!" sarcastically spat Set. "You have lost the gods' favor, and had given it to me. Their combined force will destroy you! Now, my Blue Eyes - Burst Stream!"

What happened next sent chills to both duelists' spine....

"Attack!" said a panicked Set to his new monster the second time around. The only response that he received from the dragon was her sad look - as if she was doing her best to reach out to her master.

A tightlipped Atemu remarked, "You have forgotten one cardinal rule. The ka monster and the dueler are one with each other. It senses the unbridled evil brewing in your heart, so it would not carry out your instructions."

The possessed high priest stood stupefied and confused. A flood of emotions banged inside his heart and head. Deep within him, fond memories he had with Atemu, Xandra, and Kisara filled him - as if he was being pulled back from a bad dream.

Further softening his voice, Atemu took a few steps forward and reached out with his open hand. "Set, you are not my enemy. You have never been my enemy. Let us stop this...."

"No!" yelled Set before he fell hard on his knees. This time, he heard the Blue Eyes White Dragon's heart beating as loudly as a drum inside his head – filling his head and heart with all her emotions. That sound, along with the flood of memories reminding him who he truly was, came back and jogged his senses and conscience. He let out a bloodcurdling scream, as he covered his ears with his hands.

Eventually, a demonic roar echoed throughout the open field and disappeared. Once that unearthly sound diminished, the azure-eyed high priest lost consciousness and fell on the ground. Instantaneously, the Blue Eyes White Dragon and the Dark Magician disappeared into the void.

A panicked Atemu ran to Set's aid and pulled him up on his lap.

Minutes later, azure eyes fluttered as an embarrassed Set weakly said, "I am sorry...."

With a relieved smirk, the teary-eyed Pharaoh responded, "There is no need to be sorry, Cousin. I dueled against a demon, and not you."

"Those words came from my own heart, Atemu. I did many shameful things as Elder Akunadin had done. Evil men are not fit to serve the throne."

"You are wrong, Set. People should not be judged by what is in their heart and mind. Every human being has a propensity towards evil. Being a good man does not mean that you would never make a mistake. It means that most of your decisions would be based on principles you hold dear, and would serve the greater good."

There was silence between them, as their eyes met.

Atemu sighed and remarked, as he amicably and firmly held Set's arm. "Tomorrow is another day, cousin. All of us will start anew...." He stood up, and then offered the high priest his hand to help him on his feet.

Shortly thereafter, the ground once again shook and the tomb before them began to emit blinding light. It provided a striking and eerie contrast against the blood-red sky.

To the Pharaoh and high priest, this phenomenon only meant one thing - the nightmare was not over yet, and Zork the demon was still loose upon the world.

As the two young men stared at the tomb before them, Atemu's amethyst eyes reflected a determined glimmer. He knew that the seven Millennium Items were within that cave, and he knew exactly what he needed to do. He then turned to Set. As amethyst gazed into azure, he then told his cousin, "You have been a good friend and brother, Set. I am now at peace knowing that if something happens to me, the throne would then go to you."

Set's eyes narrowed as he frowned, for he knew that if something did happen to Atemu then Xandra - as his Queen - would be next in line to the Egyptian throne. Chills traveled down his spine, as he tried to absorb Atemu's foreboding words. He did not like what he was hearing.

"Set, promise me that you would love and take care of Xandra and Egypt as much as I do. Tell her for me that no matter what happens, I will always love her and that I am sorry that I have to do this...."

Before Set could stop him, Atemu rushed inside the chamber. Once the Pharaoh was in, the entrance was sealed with a magical barrier - sealing Atemu inside with Zork, and keeping everyone else out.

End of Chapter Twenty-One

Author's Notes

Yu-Gi-Oh is the copyrighted property of Kazuki Takahashi. Emrys / Xandra, Hyperion, the Orichalchos Medallion, the Mages' Council, and this fanfic are the author's property.

This fanfiction was written for entertainment purposes only, thereby releasing the author from all liabilities.