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 16 - Prophecy
Seto's eyes widened in horror as Yami turned towards him. Yami's eyes, no longer a soft violet, were glowing with power and the millennium eye shone on his forehead. Seto stumbled backwards and fell to the floor as Yami began to move towards him.
Yami stopped before the stricken priest and looked down with cold eyes. Beside him the form of a tall figure wearing deep purple robes and holding a long staff began to form. This new figure towered above them all.
"It is time priest for you to pay for your crimes," Yami said in a cold voice.
"Behold the Dark Magician, guardian of the shadow realm." He indicated the figure beside him.
"No...how?" Seto stuttered in shock as he looked up at the imposing figure.
"Only one who commands the powers of the shadow realm can call him forth..."
Seto stopped and his eyes widening in realisation.
"No...the boy." he whispered and his eyes darted towards Yugi's still form.
"Yes Seto, the chosen one sacrificed his life to save mine and in doing so fulfilled the prophecy."
"NO. It can't be true, I was so close," Seto cried in angrily realising that his goal was now out of his reach.
"It can and is," Yami said his voice still void of emotion.
He began to move towards Seto again. Sparks of energy cracked around his feet as they touched the ground and his glowing eyes narrowed in anger.
"You will pay for your treachery Seto. I will banish you, your followers and your monster to the shadow realm. You, who craved the power of the shadow realm enough to take the life of an innocent boy, will suffer in the eternal blackness. You will never again walk this earth and I condemn you to wander the terrible dark forever."
The figure of the Dark Magician raised his staff and a large black vortex opened behind Seto. Seto scrambled back to his feet and turned fearful towards the void. Black arms reached out towards him from the dark depths catching hold of his robes. He struggled to break free from the grasps but more hands appeared. He stretched out a hand towards Yami as he was slowly dragging back towards the terrible and eternal blackness.
"No, please have mercy," he screamed.
"I don't think so," Yami replied coldly as Seto was dragged into the darkness, his final scream echoed around the chamber.
As his scream died away the pull of the void increased. The Blue Eyes White Dragon fought against the pull in vain, unable to break free, as it was dragged towards the terrible depths to join its master. It gave a loud frustrated roar as it too was finally dragged back into the shadow realm along with those of Seto's followers that remained. Its appetite fully sated the dark void closed behind them.
The Dark Magician lowered his staff and with his task complete slowly faded away. The chamber was silent again and gradually the power surrounding Yami began to fade. His eyes slowly returning to their normal soft violet, he looked drained and tired.
Yami turned and slowly walked back to where he had left Yugi. He knelt down beside the boy and gently brushed the blonde bangs away from his pale face.
'He looks so peaceful, as though he were only sleeping,' he thought sadly.
His eyes travelled to the arrow imbedded in Yugi's chest. He took hold of the shaft and gritted his teeth as he pulled the arrow free. He flung the offending item across the chamber with such force and anger that it broke into splinters as it struck the wall. Ishizu knelt beside him and gently laid a hand on his shoulder. Yami was breathing heavily as he struggled to control his emotions. He looked over at Ishizu.
"It there any hope?" he asked sadly.
Tears welled in Ishizu eyes as she shook her head. Yami gave a sigh.
"It is not right that he be left on the floor," he said to her in a sad voice.
The millennium symbol glowed on his forehead and he waved his arm in a circle around the room. Dank and cold stone turned to pearly white marble and the once blood stained altar becoming a beautifully carved plinth.
Yami gently lifted Yugi's body from the floor and holding him close carried him up the steps. He laid Yugi on the plinth and arranged his hands across his chest to hide the terrible wound that had spilled out his life. The others gathered round sharing his grief. He lifted his head to address them.
"Because of his sacrifice we were able to vanquish the evil and put the world to peace again, he gave his life to save ours. This place shall be his tomb and memorial."
He lowered his head again to the still form before him, tears now rolling down his cheeks.
They stood there a while in silence to honour their fallen friend. After a while the group began move back down the steps. Seeing that Yami wasn't following Ishizu took a step towards him.
"Yami, are you coming?"
He looked up.
"Yes, I just need a moment alone."
She nodded and joined the others. Yami laid his hands on top of Yugi's and bend down to kiss him on the forehead.
"Sleep well my friend, I will miss you," he said sadly.
As he pulled away he noticed that the millennium puzzle had come free from around his neck and lay on Yugi's chest. He reached out his hand to retrieve the puzzle, but paused, the puzzle was glowing brightly. The glow faded as quickly as it had come and Yami picked it up and looked at it curiously.
'Why did it do that?' he wondered.
He re-tied the puzzle around his neck and looked back at Yugi one last time before joining the others. He was about to turn away when he paused and looked quickly back. Something was different. He moved back to Yugi's side and pulled back the hands on his chest. The wound was gone, healed, but how?
"Ishizu," he cried.
She came quickly back up the steps and on noticing the cause of Yami's alarm a new look crossed her face, one of hope.
"Quickly everyone, gather round and hold out your millennium items." She called down the steps.
"What is it Ishizu?" Yami asked urgently.
"There is one more legend told of the millennium puzzle. It is said that it can heal any wound, even after the body's death, providing the soul has not yet left this realm."
"You mean Yugi's soul might still be here. We can still save him."
"Yes but we must hurry. Give me your hand."
Yami did so.
"Now place the other on Yugi."
He quickly complied. The rest of the party had reached the top of the steps again and Ishizu gestured for them to move around them in a circle. She turned back to Yami.
"Yami you must find Yugi quickly, we have very little time," She said seriously. Yami nodded and continued to listen intently on her instructions.
"Yugi's soul may not realise what is happening or who you are but you must convince him to come back with you. Whatever you do don't let him go into the light. If he does he will be lost to us forever."
Yami nodded again and began to feel light headed as Ishizu started to chant. He wasn't quite sure what was happening but he felt himself rise up and away from his body. He looked down to see himself standing holding Ishizu's hand and surrounded by the others with their millennium items glowing with power. He held his hand before his face noting that it was semi transparent. Ishizu had separated his spirit from his body.
-I have to find Yugi quickly-, he thought.
He looked around the vast chamber and noticed a bright light on the far side. He glided his spirit form towards the light, standing before it was a familiar figure.
-Yugi-, he called out.
The figure turned to look at Yami.
-Isn't it beautiful-, he said pointing towards the light.
Yami drifted over to him.
-Yes, it is. Yugi why don't you come over here with me, away from the light.-
-Why?-.
-Because I want to take you home.-
-Home?- the boy cocked his head to one side.
-Yes.-
-Home?- the boy said again pointing towards the light.
-No Yugi, home with me-.
-Are you my friend?- he asked.
-Yes Yugi, I'm your friend.-
Yugi took a step towards him.
-Is your home as beautiful as this?- he said pointing towards the light again.
-Yes, Yugi, it is very beautiful.-
Yami closed his eyes and he tried to picture Yugi favourite scene.
-In the morning you can stand on the balcony and watch the sun rise over the city. The suns rays light up the city so that it looks like it is paved with gold.-
Yugi's eyes lit up.
-Can I watch it every day?-
-Yes Yugi.-
Ghostly tears were rolling down Yami's face as he recalled seeing Yugi standing on the balcony looking out over his favourite scene.
-Why are you crying?- Yugi asked, walking up to Yami and reaching out a small hand to touch his face.
-Because I miss you.-
-Why? Have I been away?-
-Yes Yugi but you can come home now, you are safe and nothing will ever hurt you again.-
Yugi seemed to think it over glancing back over his shoulder at the light. Yami closed his eyes. He was going to lose him. Yugi would go into the light and he would never see him again.
-That's good-, came Yugi's response as he slid his hand into Yami's.
Yami's eyes shot open at the feel of Yugi's hand in his own. He squeezed the hand tightly and looked down at the smaller boy. Yugi looked up and smiled at Yami.
-I'm ready to come home with you now.-