DECLARAION: - This story has been written and produced by Cathrath (FanFiction. net ID: 609465). Distribution of any kind is prohibited without the written consent of Cathrath. If you should see this story posted anywhere other than FanFiction .net or under any other name it has been stolen so please notify the author. I do not own Yu-gi-oh.

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Chapter 14 – Running Out of Time

Yugi paced his small cell. His legs had been untied and his hands although still bound were now in front of him rather than behind his back.

'I suppose now we are out of the city Seto has less fears of me escaping,' Yugi thought.

He stopped and looked out of the thin low window at the tents outside. They had ridden all day to get there and the sun had long since set. Yugi didn't know for definite where they were but he guessed it was Hamet. It was now the third day and Yugi knew that if help were to come it would have to be soon. In only a few hours he would be taken to the temple deep under the ruins and sacrificed so that Seto could take control of the shadow realm. Yugi wasn't sure what to make of Seto's story but a part of him knew that it was true.

'If Seto achieves his goal then Yami, Egypt and perhaps the whole world will be in danger, all because of me. I have to find someway out of this. I must.'

Too much rested on him staying alive. He looked out again at the torch lit camp to where Seto had emerged from the large black tent in the centre. Suddenly Everyone's attention was drawn to a rider approaching at speed. The rider's horse, sweating and panting heavily, slid to a halt in front of the High Priest. The rider had ridden his horse hard to get there. He dismounted and dropped to one knee in front of Seto.

"My Lord I bring urgent news from the palace."

"Tell me."

"The Pharaoh has discovered that the boy still lives and is heading this way."

"Ishizu," Seto hissed.

He lashed out with his hand knocking the messenger flying.

"You fool. You should have covered our tracks better. Now everything is in jeopardy thanks to your incompetence. How long ago did he leave?"

The messenger struggled back to his feet.

"The Pharaoh and his party were still making preparations when I left. They must be at least three hours behind me."

"That is something at least."

He turned to the man behind him.

"Take riders and try and slow them down. Nothing, do you understand, nothing, must stop me from completing the ritual and becoming master of the shadow realm."

The man nodded and left. Seto turned back to the messenger.

"Come with me. It is time to prepare the boy for his final journey."

Yugi slowly backed away from the window.

'Yami is coming,' he thought.

'But will he be in time.'

He turned to look fearfully towards the door.

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They were pushing their horses hard.

'Too hard' Yami thought, but nothing was going to stop him from reaching Hamet before time ran out.

The cold desert air whipped at his face as the small group galloped across the desert. They had two hours till midnight. Two hours to save Yugi from his fate.

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Yugi struggled against his bonds as he was led down the dark tunnel. He had to try and escape. Seto saw his distress and smiled.

"There's nothing you can do boy, with your death shall come a new era, one of pain, suffering and torment, one ruled by me."

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The attack happened as they crossed an open part of the desert. The group were taken by surprise as the team of ten or so riders galloped towards them at full speed. Some firing arrows others wielding swords. Yami drew his sword and prepared to fight.

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Yugi could see a light at the end of the corridor. It seemed like they had been walking for hours but it looked like they had finally reached their destination, which could only mean one thing for Yugi. The chamber was huge. Large statues of the gods and strange carvings decorated the chamber and at the far end of the long chamber stood a raised platform, on top of the platform stood a stone altar. It was towards this that Yugi was now dragged. As they got closer Yugi could see bloodstains running down its sides and he tried to back away fear evident on his face.

'Please Yami if you're coming, please let it be now,' he thought.

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Many of the attackers had died in the first wave, being quickly overwhelmed by the skill of their intended prey. Those few that remained were now being hard pressed. Yami swung his sword in fast and clean movements as he fought with his opponent. The man was good but Yami had been trained by the best. He soon saw an opening in his opponent's defences and quickly altered his swing to crunch his sword into the man's chest. As Yami bent forward to pull his sword free he heard a loud clang. He spun round to find Jou, shield in hand.

"That was a close one Your Highness," Jou said as he indicated the arrow imbedded in his shield.

Yami looked over to where Marik was finishing off the archer.

"Thank you Jou... you're hurt". He said indicating a deep gash on Jou's arm.

"It's nothing just a scratch. He got lucky."

Jou pointed with his sword to a man on the floor. Yami was impressed despite having no training Jou had been able to hold his own during the fight.

"These were Seto's men," explained Yami as he whipped his sword on the cloak of a fallen attacker.

Ishizu nodded.

"Yes, we must be getting close, otherwise why would he risk such a clumsy attack."

"Good," exclaimed Yami has he swung back into the saddle.

"Because this is nothing compared to what I'm going to do to Seto when I get my hands on him."

And with that they spun their horses round and set off at a gallop towards the ruins at Hamet.