Strawberrylover - Chill girl! This is the one fic I plan on keeping up with the updates!
Jessejames - *watches Bardock crash like a stone* Good shot!
ScarletLetterPearl - Yo! Welcome to the club! Hope you enjoy it all!
Shibby - I got the pic and I love it so incredibly much!! THANK YOU!!!
Greenwood - Yeah! Go Naeem! I really hope you get who he is!
K Yami Yugi - And the romance web isn't over yet!
Ente - Hey, you are way not insignificant! I think your stories are more interesting than mine!! I just haven't had the time to review every chapter yet. Yes, it was sad, but needed. More on that in the sequal...
Kyoko-san - I have it mapped out already! T_T Sorry I can't add Bakura more, but he will be key in the sequal! I swear!
digigirl - *shoves Yugi aside who has ridilin* Hiya! Hope you enjoy this one, with the fight's conclusion!
Cat-Star - When was Akunamukanan a jerk? "Naeem kind of reminds me of Yugi"... uh ... yeah... you'll need to read chapter 7 of the sequal, then... Hopefully you'll get it before that...
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Bardock: Screw the commentary! I wanna see the end of the fight!!
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Chapter 8: Powers Unite!
Each priest controlled their monster through mental and physical force. Their own monsters were connected to them in such a way that, as their master's life dwindled, so did theirs and vice versa. Karim, though his muscles bulged from intense training, lost his concentration first as his demon plummeted from the sky. He clutched his chest just as the demon clutched its, trying to remove a spear. Isis took up the slack with Sepuirina, but soon collapsed from strain.
Atem's strength drained from him. Minkabh had moved on to direct attacks at his shield around the others. Even with Seto's divided help, the new pharaoh knew he could not keep going for long.
"Hold on Sire," Seto said to him. Atem notcied the sweat dripping from his face. Seto was losing power also. "You too, my friend!"
"How touching," mocked Minkabh. "Rivals join together in battle!" He laughed shrilly, and flew up higher into the sky. He spoke a spell in his own language. The green aura increased and formed a giant green reptilian creature. It had four short, stumpy legs, a body as big as a house, and a neck as tick and as long as two trees atop each other. Its head bent down to reveal six-foot eyes and long, pointed teeth, much like its master's. Once it turned solid, Mahado cursed loudly. "That's no dragon," he warned the others.
"What is it," panted Isis.
"I'm not sure! Just keep on your guard!"
The serpentine creature licked it's long, needle teeth, and hissed loudly. It's hungry eyes measured up each priest; a buffet line! Akunadean ordered his monster, Gadios, to attack.
The monster immediately went for the powerful neck.. After a quick struggle, it succeeded in decapitating the green creature. "Ha! You foreign monster is no match for those of the blessed Kemet sands," yelled Akunadean. "May you…"
The body of the creature twitched, and three heads sprouted from the stump of the neck. All three mouths attached themselves like leeches and destroyed Gadios. Akunadean dropped to his knees in pain.
Minkabh grinned demonically. "Allow me to introduce the boy pharaoh and his court to a particularly feared monster in my land. My beast: the Hydra!"
The Hydra's three heads moved around, chomping at each of the priests' monsters. At many times, one of the Egyptian monsters was forced to bite/claw off a head of the Hydra, which was replaced with three in its stead.
"May I make a suggestion," yelled Isis to the others.
"What?"
"Don't cut off any more heads!!"
Their Kaa failing them, the priests continued summoning monsters. "Protect the pharaoh," yelled Shadi.
Atem shifted his weight. 'The predator is selecting its prey, but how does it know I'm pharaoh if I'm the weakest one?' He stared back in defiance, working out the situation. 'The Hydra moves with precision, yet has too many heads to control. Either there is a master head, or Minkabh is controlling it. Wait a minute!' One of the heads had neon green eyes, instead of dark like the others. 'That must be the master head!'
He noticed most of the eyes staring at him. "Alright," he said out loud. "Akunadean! Isis! Karim! Shadi! The four of you stand down! Seto! Mahado! Prepare a shield around yourselves and the others!"
They all obeyed, but naturally Seto questioned. "What are you doing, Sire?"
"Taking my shot!" Atem put his hands together and muttered an incantation. A red aura glowed around him in waves. After gathering the rest of his own Kaa, he sent out a blast of magic from his hands directly at the main head.
Minkabh's face contorted in terror. 'That boy figured it out!!'
A green energy ball filled in the main head's mouth, and it fired back magic needles right into Atem's blast. Atem held it off as best he could, but without a Mil. Item, he simply was not powerful enough. The needles pierced through and bombarded the new pharaoh.
Instantly, Shimon (from the crowd) used his own magic to partially shield the pharaoh, but it was too late. Atem fell to his hands and knees, blood spilling form his mouth.
"Pharaoh!" Seto stopped his shield and rush to Atem. "Are you alive?"
Atem groaned and wiped his mouth. "Barely…"
All sixteen heads of the Hydra fired up blasts and sent them out to the priests and the crowd. The Shabtis got hit and crumbled, while citizens dropped down screaming in pain. Shimon helped as many as he could, and the priests hardly had enough power to protect themselves.
Seto stayed by Atem's side, shielding himself and the wounded pharaoh. A few needles broke through and hit them, but Seto never flinched. "Thank you, Seto," Atem muttered.
"I took a vow to protect you, and I will," he said clenching his teeth. "Just hang on!"
Minkabh rolled his head back and forth in utter ecstasy. The screams and fear drove him to full elation. "Yes! Yes! What carnage! What a glorious massacre! -"
[Bardock: Hold it! Hold it! Are you telling us he "gets off" from the bloodshed and butchery of battle?
Una: You bet!
All characters and writers: ULGH!! *shudder* EEWW!!! Gross!! Sick bitch!! How could you!? Yulck!!
Yugi: You're just plain twisted, Una-san!
Una: ^_^ I know! Now, back to the story!]
"…Such a pity it shall end now!"
"Not yet, Minkabh!"
Minkabh sneered when he saw three figures standing in front of the court ready to fight. But of all the people to still be untouched and ready to challenge him, they were the least likely! A filthy street rat, a woman dressed in men's battle armor, and the weakling prince in the center.
Atem and Seto's jaws dropped.
Minkabh growled. "What is this? Some sort of game?"
Naeem smirked. "Hell yeah, it's a game! Our game!"
"Care to place your bets on the winner," asked Shukura, the gambling spark in her red-violet eyes.
Shukura and Kei flanked their prince confidently, all of their hands behind their backs. Not a hint of doubt cast over their faces.
"They've lost their minds," Seto stated as fact.
"Bet on the winner," asked Minkabh incredulously. "Have you looked around you, little fool?"
"Fine," said Naeem. "If you're too scared-"
"I do not bet with children!" He screamed at the Hydra. "Kill the small annoying one!"
The Hydra fired up a blast. But once it got within three feet of Naeem, Kei whipped out her hands, said a spell, and set of a powerful barrier defending Naeem completely. "What the-? A Flash Shield? That is not a spell from Thebes! Only shaman know that! How did this girl?"
Kei pulled down her lower eyelid and stuck out her tongue. "Nyah nyah, prune-face! You can't even kill off women and children!"
Naeem sweat-dropped. "Hey! I'm not a child! I'm almost thirteen!"
Minkabh's face reddened in fury. "Hydra! Destroy them all!!"
As the Hydra gathered energy, Naeem took out one of the missing pieces of the Puzzle, [1] shaped like a snake eating its own tail. This normally went around the whole Item, but stood alone. "I summon Maha Vailo and Battle Ox! Defend your master!"
The red and blue wizard appeared along with an ax-wielding minatour, ready to fight. That said, Naeem turned around and rushed to Seto and Atem. "Wow, Honored Brother! You look like shit!"
Both men gaped at him. "Little Brother," said Atem, trying to control his short temper, "what in the name of all the divine are you doing?!"
"Saving you," he replied. "Now be still, and you'll feel-" Naeem was cut off by a stabbing pain from the destruction of both monsters he summoned, and he slumped over.
"Young Prince," exclaimed Seto as Atem screamed, "Little Brother!"
As quickly as it happened, Naeem sat back up, looking perfectly fine. A circle glowed on his forehead slightly. "Ug! That hurt!"
A muscle under Seto's left eye twitched. "Wha-?"
Naeem held up the snake. "The Shen has regenerating powers. Watch the sky!" [2]
The two did so and saw the wizard and minatour reappear. "Well, that's handy," Atem joked.
Then he felt as if he'd just entered a nice, warm, soothing bath. His muscles relaxed, and energy filled his body. He took a deep breath, enjoying the wonderful feeling of revival. He opened his eyes again, and saw the gold circle glow brightly on Naeem's forehead, and he and Seto faintly glowing. Their wounds closed up, and all of the blood disappeared.
When he finished, Naeem's eyes drooped. "Woah! That took a lot!"
"You think you can heal the other priests," asked Atem.
Seto snorted. 'Oh sure! He asks his brother, but orders the rest of us around like dogs!' He ran off to help Kei, who now struggled to keep up the various individual shields.
"I think so, but in a minute," he said, and he took out the Mil. Puzzle from inside his tunic. Atem's eyes widened as the Eye of Horus on the Puzzle shone brightly. A beam transcended from it and onto Atem's forehead, directly onto his crown. The Puzzle had accepted him as its master.
Naeem bowed his head and held up the Puzzle. "Its still more powerful than the other Items, and can summon monsters. Including the gods."
Atem stared at the Puzzle. A note sounded from it only he heard. So beautiful, yet extremely powerful. His father rarely if ever used it at all. He took the cord and put it over his head. Fire sparked in his eyes, and Atem stood up ready to fight.
Meanwhile, Shukura had been busy herself. On one of her thin wrists was the other Puzzle piece, a gold band with the impression of the Eye. [3] She held it up to her forehead. Having no experience with magic, she merely used her own instincts to make it work. A gold triangle glowed on her forehead, and all color drained from her eyes. She clearly saw all of Minkabh's memories in her mind. Sorting through them, she found Naeem's and Atem's guesses to be correct, and that the Puzzle would be enough to stop him. She also saw all of his spells, incantations, instruction, and extensive knowledge of magic in general.
Her head pounded with the overload of information. She needed to get out before her head exploded. Subconsciously using the Bracelet's powers, she transmitted one of the spells to Kei before passing out.
Kei received the spell. Her blue-green eyes shone brightly and her advanced abilities prepared her body for the task at hand. Her logical mind, however, panicked with self doubt. Such a complex spell, in a foreign language yet, will be tricky.
Seto put his strong hands on her shoulders. He leaned close to her, and his lips brushed her ear. "You can do anything," he whispered. "I am here."
That alone filled her with courage. Seto summoned another monster to protect them, and Kei put her hands together in a special lock position. Her mouth and tongue formed the words to the spell.
Borrowing energy from Shukura (purple), Seto (blue), and herself (blue-green), she formed a giant ball of peacock blue Kaa. Just like Minkabh's had, it took shape into a creature and solidified. Once it did, Kei glanced up at her creation.
A gorgeous, massive vulture, the symbol of protection, [4] flew into the air. It spread its colossal wings around the palace hall. All shields became unnecessary. The magical bird prevented all direct attacks from the Hydra.
Kei's fellow concubines looked at each other stunned. Somehow, they were glad Kei had these powers after all. Shukura woke up and gaped. "Wow! Momma never said there'd be days like this!"
Minkabh roared with fury. "Destroy the monsters! Destroy the bird! Destroy them all!! I want BLOOD!!!"
Atem held up the Puzzle. "I summon the god of Justice! Obelisk, heed your new master's call!"
A great rumble shook the palace, and Obelisk appeared, towering over the Hydra. In a matter of moments, the main head of the Hydra was squashed like a grape. The entire body collapsed. Seto gaped. "What… What kind of monster is this?!"
A gold aura surrounded Atem, and he floated level with Minkabh. "No more blood shall be spilt today, Minkabh!" He held up the Puzzle. Darkness poured from it, and the royal court entered the Shadow Realm.
Most of the court were expelled, and remained in the normal world, where a large purple-black dome appeared. Inside it were the six priests, Kei, Shukura, Naeem, Atem, Minkabh, and their respective monsters.
Shukura gasped. "K-Kei? Where are we?"
Seto steadied Kei on her feet. "We've entered the Shadow Realm," he said. "It's a separate dimension built completely on dark energy and magic. Think of it as Hell for the dead and undead. Magic is intensified here to a great extent, making it ideal for any kind of Shadow Game or punishment the Pharaoh has in mind."
"Uh…" Shukura's head tilted to one side. "Thanks."
Seto snorted, and looked up at Obelisk. 'Where did the Pharaoh get such a monster? Why was I not informed of it?'
Naeem held his chest. He'd never been in the Shadow Realm before, and for some reason, he felt like his body was about to cave in. Without any other options, he held up the Shen so its light surrounded him. His pain was relieved. "What happened to me?"
Mahado helped the prince to his feet. "You soul is so pure, it cannot take the dark energy. Good thing your piece seems to protect you."
All eyes fell on Atem and Minkabh. The former moved in front of the main head of the Hydra. "What is the reason behind the change of location, boy Pharaoh?"
Atem smirked. "You haven't guessed?" The eye on the crown glowed. "We are almost at a stalemate in powers."
"Almost?"
"Oh, I assure you, I am more powerful than I have displayed thus far." He folded his arms. "I simply have not chosen the proper way to destroy you, I've decided to allow you the choice."
"Your whole family has gone mad," Minkabh snarled. "How can you possibly be stronger than me? I created those Items to control those monsters forty years ago! You think I do not understand the limitations of the Puzzle itself? I constructed it piece by piece!"
"Perhaps you know of the each piece, but the true strength comes from all of the Items, the pieces, when bound together." Atem flew closer so he floated only a foot away from Minkabh. Their red and green auras contrasted greatly, and the monsters whined from the opposing intensity so close. "Each piece of the true power resides around us, through the monsters, the Items, and the hearts controlling them!
"Anyway, back to business. I'm going to play a little Shadow Game with you. Nothing fancy; you deserve no more glory."
He flew backwards, and five large wooden boxes appeared in front of him. "I think you know the rules. One of these boxes contains your only hope of safe passage from this Game. The other two hold different choices of punishment."
"How do I tell the difference?"
"Just listen for a noise. And don't worry," Atem added with a mischievous grin, "I don't cheat."
Minkabh studied the boxes. Each stood almost as tall as the Hydra. "And how do you expect to move such large pawns?"
"How else?" Atem held up the Puzzle. "Obelisk, switch the boxes around until I stop you!"
The giant behemoth took two of the boxes in his massive hands and switched their places. He took another and switched it with the first. Over and over, the giant moved the boxes with such speed, the Kaa Vulture closed its wings tighter around the High Court as if they were her eggs.
"Cease your turns, my monster. Pharaoh is pleased." The giant obeyed and stepped back. Minkabh froze. Which box should he choose? For the first time he could remember, he was afraid of the result. He studied the boxes carefully. He'd barely been able to keep up. Finally, he pointed to the second from the left. "I choose that one. I'm sure I heard something in it!"
Atem's grinned widened. "Now, who said hearing a sound was a good thing?" Obelisk lifted the lid of the box, and, to everyone's shock, Kuribo popped out and landed on Atem's shoulder.
The pharaoh frowned. "Damn. My servant Kuribo represents mercy." Atem considered a moment. "I shall re-instill my father's prospect of banishment. You are to no longer set foot on the sands of Kemet." He patted Kuribo. "Consider yourself lucky, Minkabh."
Far from pleased, Minkabh's aura grew with increased hatred. "You filthy, infantile wretch! May this teach you to toughen up your soft, merciful soul! My vengeance shall not end here!"
The Shadow Realm dissipated, and when it did, Minkabh, the Kaa Vulture, the body of the Hydra, and Obelisk disappeared with it. "What happened," asked Shimon.
Seto glared at Atem. "Our all-powerful Pharaoh let that bastard go!"
"What?!"
Atem landed in front of his High Court. "I played him for his life, and he received the least severe punishment. It seems the gods have another fate for him."
"Why would you give him a chance of survival," demanded Seto. He did not care if he was incredibly out of line. He was too furious to care. "What kind of judgment is that!?"
"The god's judgment," said Shadi, pulling Seto back. "The Pharaoh did as the law states, and gave even the most horrible of criminals a chance for redemption. If the gods saw fit to pity Minkabh, none of us can argue. They are the final word, and must have another fate held in mind for him."
Naeem ignored their banter and focused on the river nearby. "I don't think they chose wisely. I have a bad feeling we have NOT heard the last of him!"
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[1] - missing Puzzle pieces - As noted in YLP, the Mil. Puzzle as we know it was not whole. Two pieces were missing, and had powers of their own.
[2] - Shen - Egyptian symbol meaning eternity or immortality
[3] - Reversed Eye - because it is an impression, the Eye of Horus [moon/divine power/pharaoh] would be reversed, meaning it would then be the Eye of Ra [sun/protection]
[4] - Vulture - not only symbol for protection, but also Shukura/Nazo's unofficial symbol. Also, remember Nazo's fav card "Queen Loyalty"? ^_~
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Hey! Its Kei! Now that Atem is pharaoh, he is supposed to abide by the ancient traditions to the letter. But he has ideas of his own he wants to put out, including whom he's going to marry!
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Bardock: That was it!?!
Yami: I think it turned out rather well, all things considered. Many more people could have died.
FW: Kei saved the day! Kei saved the day!
Yugi: They all did! I like the team effort concept!
Bardock: But the bad guy got away, bakas!!
Una: Has to. He's in later chapters, and YLP. Besides, we still have a few chapters go go with this one, too. R&R, please!
Jessejames - *watches Bardock crash like a stone* Good shot!
ScarletLetterPearl - Yo! Welcome to the club! Hope you enjoy it all!
Shibby - I got the pic and I love it so incredibly much!! THANK YOU!!!
Greenwood - Yeah! Go Naeem! I really hope you get who he is!
K Yami Yugi - And the romance web isn't over yet!
Ente - Hey, you are way not insignificant! I think your stories are more interesting than mine!! I just haven't had the time to review every chapter yet. Yes, it was sad, but needed. More on that in the sequal...
Kyoko-san - I have it mapped out already! T_T Sorry I can't add Bakura more, but he will be key in the sequal! I swear!
digigirl - *shoves Yugi aside who has ridilin* Hiya! Hope you enjoy this one, with the fight's conclusion!
Cat-Star - When was Akunamukanan a jerk? "Naeem kind of reminds me of Yugi"... uh ... yeah... you'll need to read chapter 7 of the sequal, then... Hopefully you'll get it before that...
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Bardock: Screw the commentary! I wanna see the end of the fight!!
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Chapter 8: Powers Unite!
Each priest controlled their monster through mental and physical force. Their own monsters were connected to them in such a way that, as their master's life dwindled, so did theirs and vice versa. Karim, though his muscles bulged from intense training, lost his concentration first as his demon plummeted from the sky. He clutched his chest just as the demon clutched its, trying to remove a spear. Isis took up the slack with Sepuirina, but soon collapsed from strain.
Atem's strength drained from him. Minkabh had moved on to direct attacks at his shield around the others. Even with Seto's divided help, the new pharaoh knew he could not keep going for long.
"Hold on Sire," Seto said to him. Atem notcied the sweat dripping from his face. Seto was losing power also. "You too, my friend!"
"How touching," mocked Minkabh. "Rivals join together in battle!" He laughed shrilly, and flew up higher into the sky. He spoke a spell in his own language. The green aura increased and formed a giant green reptilian creature. It had four short, stumpy legs, a body as big as a house, and a neck as tick and as long as two trees atop each other. Its head bent down to reveal six-foot eyes and long, pointed teeth, much like its master's. Once it turned solid, Mahado cursed loudly. "That's no dragon," he warned the others.
"What is it," panted Isis.
"I'm not sure! Just keep on your guard!"
The serpentine creature licked it's long, needle teeth, and hissed loudly. It's hungry eyes measured up each priest; a buffet line! Akunadean ordered his monster, Gadios, to attack.
The monster immediately went for the powerful neck.. After a quick struggle, it succeeded in decapitating the green creature. "Ha! You foreign monster is no match for those of the blessed Kemet sands," yelled Akunadean. "May you…"
The body of the creature twitched, and three heads sprouted from the stump of the neck. All three mouths attached themselves like leeches and destroyed Gadios. Akunadean dropped to his knees in pain.
Minkabh grinned demonically. "Allow me to introduce the boy pharaoh and his court to a particularly feared monster in my land. My beast: the Hydra!"
The Hydra's three heads moved around, chomping at each of the priests' monsters. At many times, one of the Egyptian monsters was forced to bite/claw off a head of the Hydra, which was replaced with three in its stead.
"May I make a suggestion," yelled Isis to the others.
"What?"
"Don't cut off any more heads!!"
Their Kaa failing them, the priests continued summoning monsters. "Protect the pharaoh," yelled Shadi.
Atem shifted his weight. 'The predator is selecting its prey, but how does it know I'm pharaoh if I'm the weakest one?' He stared back in defiance, working out the situation. 'The Hydra moves with precision, yet has too many heads to control. Either there is a master head, or Minkabh is controlling it. Wait a minute!' One of the heads had neon green eyes, instead of dark like the others. 'That must be the master head!'
He noticed most of the eyes staring at him. "Alright," he said out loud. "Akunadean! Isis! Karim! Shadi! The four of you stand down! Seto! Mahado! Prepare a shield around yourselves and the others!"
They all obeyed, but naturally Seto questioned. "What are you doing, Sire?"
"Taking my shot!" Atem put his hands together and muttered an incantation. A red aura glowed around him in waves. After gathering the rest of his own Kaa, he sent out a blast of magic from his hands directly at the main head.
Minkabh's face contorted in terror. 'That boy figured it out!!'
A green energy ball filled in the main head's mouth, and it fired back magic needles right into Atem's blast. Atem held it off as best he could, but without a Mil. Item, he simply was not powerful enough. The needles pierced through and bombarded the new pharaoh.
Instantly, Shimon (from the crowd) used his own magic to partially shield the pharaoh, but it was too late. Atem fell to his hands and knees, blood spilling form his mouth.
"Pharaoh!" Seto stopped his shield and rush to Atem. "Are you alive?"
Atem groaned and wiped his mouth. "Barely…"
All sixteen heads of the Hydra fired up blasts and sent them out to the priests and the crowd. The Shabtis got hit and crumbled, while citizens dropped down screaming in pain. Shimon helped as many as he could, and the priests hardly had enough power to protect themselves.
Seto stayed by Atem's side, shielding himself and the wounded pharaoh. A few needles broke through and hit them, but Seto never flinched. "Thank you, Seto," Atem muttered.
"I took a vow to protect you, and I will," he said clenching his teeth. "Just hang on!"
Minkabh rolled his head back and forth in utter ecstasy. The screams and fear drove him to full elation. "Yes! Yes! What carnage! What a glorious massacre! -"
[Bardock: Hold it! Hold it! Are you telling us he "gets off" from the bloodshed and butchery of battle?
Una: You bet!
All characters and writers: ULGH!! *shudder* EEWW!!! Gross!! Sick bitch!! How could you!? Yulck!!
Yugi: You're just plain twisted, Una-san!
Una: ^_^ I know! Now, back to the story!]
"…Such a pity it shall end now!"
"Not yet, Minkabh!"
Minkabh sneered when he saw three figures standing in front of the court ready to fight. But of all the people to still be untouched and ready to challenge him, they were the least likely! A filthy street rat, a woman dressed in men's battle armor, and the weakling prince in the center.
Atem and Seto's jaws dropped.
Minkabh growled. "What is this? Some sort of game?"
Naeem smirked. "Hell yeah, it's a game! Our game!"
"Care to place your bets on the winner," asked Shukura, the gambling spark in her red-violet eyes.
Shukura and Kei flanked their prince confidently, all of their hands behind their backs. Not a hint of doubt cast over their faces.
"They've lost their minds," Seto stated as fact.
"Bet on the winner," asked Minkabh incredulously. "Have you looked around you, little fool?"
"Fine," said Naeem. "If you're too scared-"
"I do not bet with children!" He screamed at the Hydra. "Kill the small annoying one!"
The Hydra fired up a blast. But once it got within three feet of Naeem, Kei whipped out her hands, said a spell, and set of a powerful barrier defending Naeem completely. "What the-? A Flash Shield? That is not a spell from Thebes! Only shaman know that! How did this girl?"
Kei pulled down her lower eyelid and stuck out her tongue. "Nyah nyah, prune-face! You can't even kill off women and children!"
Naeem sweat-dropped. "Hey! I'm not a child! I'm almost thirteen!"
Minkabh's face reddened in fury. "Hydra! Destroy them all!!"
As the Hydra gathered energy, Naeem took out one of the missing pieces of the Puzzle, [1] shaped like a snake eating its own tail. This normally went around the whole Item, but stood alone. "I summon Maha Vailo and Battle Ox! Defend your master!"
The red and blue wizard appeared along with an ax-wielding minatour, ready to fight. That said, Naeem turned around and rushed to Seto and Atem. "Wow, Honored Brother! You look like shit!"
Both men gaped at him. "Little Brother," said Atem, trying to control his short temper, "what in the name of all the divine are you doing?!"
"Saving you," he replied. "Now be still, and you'll feel-" Naeem was cut off by a stabbing pain from the destruction of both monsters he summoned, and he slumped over.
"Young Prince," exclaimed Seto as Atem screamed, "Little Brother!"
As quickly as it happened, Naeem sat back up, looking perfectly fine. A circle glowed on his forehead slightly. "Ug! That hurt!"
A muscle under Seto's left eye twitched. "Wha-?"
Naeem held up the snake. "The Shen has regenerating powers. Watch the sky!" [2]
The two did so and saw the wizard and minatour reappear. "Well, that's handy," Atem joked.
Then he felt as if he'd just entered a nice, warm, soothing bath. His muscles relaxed, and energy filled his body. He took a deep breath, enjoying the wonderful feeling of revival. He opened his eyes again, and saw the gold circle glow brightly on Naeem's forehead, and he and Seto faintly glowing. Their wounds closed up, and all of the blood disappeared.
When he finished, Naeem's eyes drooped. "Woah! That took a lot!"
"You think you can heal the other priests," asked Atem.
Seto snorted. 'Oh sure! He asks his brother, but orders the rest of us around like dogs!' He ran off to help Kei, who now struggled to keep up the various individual shields.
"I think so, but in a minute," he said, and he took out the Mil. Puzzle from inside his tunic. Atem's eyes widened as the Eye of Horus on the Puzzle shone brightly. A beam transcended from it and onto Atem's forehead, directly onto his crown. The Puzzle had accepted him as its master.
Naeem bowed his head and held up the Puzzle. "Its still more powerful than the other Items, and can summon monsters. Including the gods."
Atem stared at the Puzzle. A note sounded from it only he heard. So beautiful, yet extremely powerful. His father rarely if ever used it at all. He took the cord and put it over his head. Fire sparked in his eyes, and Atem stood up ready to fight.
Meanwhile, Shukura had been busy herself. On one of her thin wrists was the other Puzzle piece, a gold band with the impression of the Eye. [3] She held it up to her forehead. Having no experience with magic, she merely used her own instincts to make it work. A gold triangle glowed on her forehead, and all color drained from her eyes. She clearly saw all of Minkabh's memories in her mind. Sorting through them, she found Naeem's and Atem's guesses to be correct, and that the Puzzle would be enough to stop him. She also saw all of his spells, incantations, instruction, and extensive knowledge of magic in general.
Her head pounded with the overload of information. She needed to get out before her head exploded. Subconsciously using the Bracelet's powers, she transmitted one of the spells to Kei before passing out.
Kei received the spell. Her blue-green eyes shone brightly and her advanced abilities prepared her body for the task at hand. Her logical mind, however, panicked with self doubt. Such a complex spell, in a foreign language yet, will be tricky.
Seto put his strong hands on her shoulders. He leaned close to her, and his lips brushed her ear. "You can do anything," he whispered. "I am here."
That alone filled her with courage. Seto summoned another monster to protect them, and Kei put her hands together in a special lock position. Her mouth and tongue formed the words to the spell.
Borrowing energy from Shukura (purple), Seto (blue), and herself (blue-green), she formed a giant ball of peacock blue Kaa. Just like Minkabh's had, it took shape into a creature and solidified. Once it did, Kei glanced up at her creation.
A gorgeous, massive vulture, the symbol of protection, [4] flew into the air. It spread its colossal wings around the palace hall. All shields became unnecessary. The magical bird prevented all direct attacks from the Hydra.
Kei's fellow concubines looked at each other stunned. Somehow, they were glad Kei had these powers after all. Shukura woke up and gaped. "Wow! Momma never said there'd be days like this!"
Minkabh roared with fury. "Destroy the monsters! Destroy the bird! Destroy them all!! I want BLOOD!!!"
Atem held up the Puzzle. "I summon the god of Justice! Obelisk, heed your new master's call!"
A great rumble shook the palace, and Obelisk appeared, towering over the Hydra. In a matter of moments, the main head of the Hydra was squashed like a grape. The entire body collapsed. Seto gaped. "What… What kind of monster is this?!"
A gold aura surrounded Atem, and he floated level with Minkabh. "No more blood shall be spilt today, Minkabh!" He held up the Puzzle. Darkness poured from it, and the royal court entered the Shadow Realm.
Most of the court were expelled, and remained in the normal world, where a large purple-black dome appeared. Inside it were the six priests, Kei, Shukura, Naeem, Atem, Minkabh, and their respective monsters.
Shukura gasped. "K-Kei? Where are we?"
Seto steadied Kei on her feet. "We've entered the Shadow Realm," he said. "It's a separate dimension built completely on dark energy and magic. Think of it as Hell for the dead and undead. Magic is intensified here to a great extent, making it ideal for any kind of Shadow Game or punishment the Pharaoh has in mind."
"Uh…" Shukura's head tilted to one side. "Thanks."
Seto snorted, and looked up at Obelisk. 'Where did the Pharaoh get such a monster? Why was I not informed of it?'
Naeem held his chest. He'd never been in the Shadow Realm before, and for some reason, he felt like his body was about to cave in. Without any other options, he held up the Shen so its light surrounded him. His pain was relieved. "What happened to me?"
Mahado helped the prince to his feet. "You soul is so pure, it cannot take the dark energy. Good thing your piece seems to protect you."
All eyes fell on Atem and Minkabh. The former moved in front of the main head of the Hydra. "What is the reason behind the change of location, boy Pharaoh?"
Atem smirked. "You haven't guessed?" The eye on the crown glowed. "We are almost at a stalemate in powers."
"Almost?"
"Oh, I assure you, I am more powerful than I have displayed thus far." He folded his arms. "I simply have not chosen the proper way to destroy you, I've decided to allow you the choice."
"Your whole family has gone mad," Minkabh snarled. "How can you possibly be stronger than me? I created those Items to control those monsters forty years ago! You think I do not understand the limitations of the Puzzle itself? I constructed it piece by piece!"
"Perhaps you know of the each piece, but the true strength comes from all of the Items, the pieces, when bound together." Atem flew closer so he floated only a foot away from Minkabh. Their red and green auras contrasted greatly, and the monsters whined from the opposing intensity so close. "Each piece of the true power resides around us, through the monsters, the Items, and the hearts controlling them!
"Anyway, back to business. I'm going to play a little Shadow Game with you. Nothing fancy; you deserve no more glory."
He flew backwards, and five large wooden boxes appeared in front of him. "I think you know the rules. One of these boxes contains your only hope of safe passage from this Game. The other two hold different choices of punishment."
"How do I tell the difference?"
"Just listen for a noise. And don't worry," Atem added with a mischievous grin, "I don't cheat."
Minkabh studied the boxes. Each stood almost as tall as the Hydra. "And how do you expect to move such large pawns?"
"How else?" Atem held up the Puzzle. "Obelisk, switch the boxes around until I stop you!"
The giant behemoth took two of the boxes in his massive hands and switched their places. He took another and switched it with the first. Over and over, the giant moved the boxes with such speed, the Kaa Vulture closed its wings tighter around the High Court as if they were her eggs.
"Cease your turns, my monster. Pharaoh is pleased." The giant obeyed and stepped back. Minkabh froze. Which box should he choose? For the first time he could remember, he was afraid of the result. He studied the boxes carefully. He'd barely been able to keep up. Finally, he pointed to the second from the left. "I choose that one. I'm sure I heard something in it!"
Atem's grinned widened. "Now, who said hearing a sound was a good thing?" Obelisk lifted the lid of the box, and, to everyone's shock, Kuribo popped out and landed on Atem's shoulder.
The pharaoh frowned. "Damn. My servant Kuribo represents mercy." Atem considered a moment. "I shall re-instill my father's prospect of banishment. You are to no longer set foot on the sands of Kemet." He patted Kuribo. "Consider yourself lucky, Minkabh."
Far from pleased, Minkabh's aura grew with increased hatred. "You filthy, infantile wretch! May this teach you to toughen up your soft, merciful soul! My vengeance shall not end here!"
The Shadow Realm dissipated, and when it did, Minkabh, the Kaa Vulture, the body of the Hydra, and Obelisk disappeared with it. "What happened," asked Shimon.
Seto glared at Atem. "Our all-powerful Pharaoh let that bastard go!"
"What?!"
Atem landed in front of his High Court. "I played him for his life, and he received the least severe punishment. It seems the gods have another fate for him."
"Why would you give him a chance of survival," demanded Seto. He did not care if he was incredibly out of line. He was too furious to care. "What kind of judgment is that!?"
"The god's judgment," said Shadi, pulling Seto back. "The Pharaoh did as the law states, and gave even the most horrible of criminals a chance for redemption. If the gods saw fit to pity Minkabh, none of us can argue. They are the final word, and must have another fate held in mind for him."
Naeem ignored their banter and focused on the river nearby. "I don't think they chose wisely. I have a bad feeling we have NOT heard the last of him!"
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[1] - missing Puzzle pieces - As noted in YLP, the Mil. Puzzle as we know it was not whole. Two pieces were missing, and had powers of their own.
[2] - Shen - Egyptian symbol meaning eternity or immortality
[3] - Reversed Eye - because it is an impression, the Eye of Horus [moon/divine power/pharaoh] would be reversed, meaning it would then be the Eye of Ra [sun/protection]
[4] - Vulture - not only symbol for protection, but also Shukura/Nazo's unofficial symbol. Also, remember Nazo's fav card "Queen Loyalty"? ^_~
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Hey! Its Kei! Now that Atem is pharaoh, he is supposed to abide by the ancient traditions to the letter. But he has ideas of his own he wants to put out, including whom he's going to marry!
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Bardock: That was it!?!
Yami: I think it turned out rather well, all things considered. Many more people could have died.
FW: Kei saved the day! Kei saved the day!
Yugi: They all did! I like the team effort concept!
Bardock: But the bad guy got away, bakas!!
Una: Has to. He's in later chapters, and YLP. Besides, we still have a few chapters go go with this one, too. R&R, please!