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 15 - Sacrifice
Yugi struggled in the arms of his captors as three women approached him. Each carried a small pot giving off thick white smoke. They held the smoking pots out to Yugi, who held his breath. He knew if he breathed in the smoke it would be bad for him. However, they remained standing there. Soon the need to breath took over and he gave a sharp gasp. He began to cough as he breathed in the smoke. He felt dizzy and weak as the effects of the smoke took effect. Unable to fight anymore he went limp in the arms of the men holding him as his strength finally left him. Seeing he was ready the two men began to drag him up the steps towards the altar. Yugi tried to resist but he hadn't any strength left. He looked up weakly at the High Priest who was now wearing a long black robe.
"Bind him to the stone," he ordered.
Yugi was lifted bodily off the ground and laid on the altar. He tried to fight back but it was no use. Soon he was bound hand and foot to the stone. He struggled against the ropes but he knew it was hopeless. Seto moved to stand beside him and reached out to lay an almost kind hand on Yugi's forehead.
"Ah, poor Yugi, how does it feel knowing you will be the cause of the end of the world?"
Yugi moved his head to the side with as much strength as he could to shake off Seto's hand.
"Yami will defeat you," he answered in a weak voice.
"Ah, of course, you're precious Pharaoh."
Seto moved his hand down to Yugi's chest and held out the other to a group of people to the side. A woman with a carved wooden box approached. She knelt before Seto, opened the box and held it above her head to him. He reached inside and drew out a cruel looking knife with jagged teeth.
"I wonder how he will feel?" Seto said as he placed the sharp tip of the knife over Yugi's heart.
"When he fails to save you for a second time."
"He will defeat you." Yugi repeated bravely as he turned his head defiantly away from Seto.
"Defiant to the end I see."
Seto raised the knife above his head laughing.
"Where is you precious Pharaoh now?" he snarled as he brought the knife down.
Yugi screwed his eyes shut.
"RIGHT HERE," came a voice from the back of the chamber.
A ball of energy struck Seto in the chest and he was thrown back by the blast with such force that he crashed into one of the statues and lay still. Yugi opened his eyes weakly to see Yami standing in the middle of the chamber smoke curling from his clawed outstretched palm. He lowered his hand and ran up the steps to Yugi's side. Seto's followers backed fearfully against the wall and retreated down the steps as the Pharaoh approached.
"Yugi are you alright?" he asked urgently as he reached the altar and untied the ropes binding Yugi to the stone.
Yugi tried to answer as Yami lifted him off the altar but he was too weak. His legs buckled as his feet touched the floor. Realising Yugi had been drugged Yami lifted Yugi's small figure off the floor and carried him down the steps to where the rest of the group were holding Seto's followers at bay. He laid him against one of the columns.
"Jou, look after him for me."
Jou nodded and approached, looking at his frail friend with concern.
"Now," Yami said as he stood up, a dangerous and determined look on his face.
"It is time to deal with my treacherous High Priest."
He turned and began to make his way back to the altar where Seto was struggling to recover.
"PREIST," Yami roared. Seto turned to face him.
"YAMI," he snarled.
"What a pleasant surprise."
"You will pay Seto for all the hurt and suffering you have caused."
"Will I."
The two began to circle each other.
"Let us play a game Pharaoh. Let us pit our strengths against each other. Good versus evil so to speak. The winner will be the one to control the power of the millennium items and the shadow realm. I propose a shadow duel."
Yami narrowed his eyes at Seto trying to detect some form of trickery.
"Very well, an honourable duel one on one."
Seto nodded and stepped back.
"Good, then let us begin."
He placed his hands together and began to chant. The lights dimmed and beside him a black void slowly opened. When the void was fully open he stopped chanting and lowered his hands.
"Now Pharaoh let me introduce you to the monster known a Ryu-kishin."
Out of the void stepped an evil looking monster with a bird like beak and sharp claws.
Yami's eyes darkened and the symbol of the millennium eye began to glow on his forehead. Another void began to open, this time beside him.
"Very nice Seto. Now let's see what I can call forth."
He raised his arms in the air and the puzzle around his neck began to glow.
"I call on the monster known as Curse of Dragon."
Out of void flew a giant yellow dragon.
"My curse of dragon is stronger than your Ryu-kishin Priest. CURSE OF DRAGON ATTACK AND DESTROY."
The yellow dragon swept down and Seto was thrown back as his monster was destroyed.
"Well done Yami," he sneered.
"You have mastered you powers well in such a short time."
He stood up and began to chant again.
"Now I call on the mighty dragon Hyozanryu. Come forth and destroy Curse of Dragon."
A white horned dragon emerged from the void and with one beat of its wings descended on Curse of Dragon. As the two collided there was a blinding light and a loud crash. This time it was Yami's turn to be thrown back as his monster was destroyed.
"It would seem we are evenly matched Seto."
"Maybe, but the test will be to see who will weaken first, and as soon as you do Yami I will destroy you."
"We shall see."
The battle continued to rage with each of them calling forth bigger and more powerful monsters, neither willing to submit or accept defeat. Yugi watch the titanic struggle in awe as the effects of the smoke slowly wore off. A bright flash caught the corner of his eye and he turned his head in its direction. Yugi could just make out the form of a figure crouching on a ledge around the top of one of the giant statues. Yugi looked closer. The flash had come from the tip of an arrow. An arrow that was pointing straight at Yami's unprotected back. Yugi saw the figure draw back the bow and he was moving before he knew it.
"YAMI."
Yami turned at Yugi's cry and saw the flash of the arrow as it streaked towards him. Suddenly Yugi was between him and the fatal arrow. Yugi stumbled as the arrow struck, falling into Yami's arms. Yami fell to his knees at the sudden weight. He looked in horror at the arrow protruding from deep in Yugi's chest.
"YUGI," he cried.
"Yami," Yugi whispered.
"Yugi...?" Yami said in a choked voice.
"Thank you...for saving me."
Yugi let out a last ragged breath and then went limp in Yami's arms.
"NO," Yami cried in anguish hugging Yugi close to him.
Seto approached the kneeling and sobbing Yami.
"Well, well it looks like the little runt finally got what was coming to him." Seto laughed behind Yami.
Yami continued to hold Yugi close, paying Seto no notice.
"What's the matter Pharaoh? Too tired to carry on. I would have thought the death of a worthless slave would have been beneath your caring."
Yami hugged Yugi close once more before gently laying him on the floor and standing, his back still to Seto. Sensing that his opponent had lost the will to continue the fight Seto stepped back, a look of triumph on his face.
"Very well then if you will not fight I shall finish the duel for you. I shall call on the mightiest dragon of all and then I shall destroy you and the rest of those you care about."
He began a new chant. The torches flicked and an air of foreboding filled the chamber.
"I CALL ON THE MIGHT OF THE BLUE EYES WHITE DRAGON," Seto screamed.
The dragon that emerged from the void was larger than any of the first, its huge wingspan filling the chamber as it towered above them. Seto lowered his hands and he gave a manic laugh as he revelled in the thought of his greatest rival's destruction.
"And now Yami turn and face your doom."
Yami straightened and slowly turned around, his head bowed and his eyes closed.
"You are wrong," he said in a quiet but firm voice.
"It is you who are doomed for your blindness has led you to make the final and most fatal mistake."
Yami raised his head and opened his eyes to look straight at Seto.