At that moment a pale hand emerged from the shadows, gripping Rishid's shoulder. The man froze, his eyes glaring angrily into the darkness surrounding them all. Was this a soldier? The man from the treasury? Colchis? Fafnir, even?

Ishizu and Marik froze as well, staring at the skinny arm protruding from an opening in the wall. Surely this was an enemy. They had no allies here . . . did they? Wasn't everyone a possible enemy, save for themselves?

"L-Lord Odion?"

Rishid recognized the quavering voice instantly. It was the courier! What was he doing here? How did he even know about these tunnels? Surely he wasn't the type to go exploring through the palace. He seemed much too mild and meek for such things. Slowly Rishid opened his mouth and spoke, still glaring ahead into the shadows and never turning. "Why have you come?" he asked dryly. "Has the Red Zealot struck again?"

The courier gulped, stepping into the light from Marik's Rod. "Um, no, sir," he said, wringing his hands. "I mean, he probably is causing trouble, but I don't know about it right now and I . . . I didn't come to report it." He rubbed the back of his neck, feeling just as nervous around Rishid as he ever had.

"Then why are you here?" Ishizu asked kindly. She could easily see how jittery he was. It was understandable, she thought with an amused smile. Rishid was so very gruff. But his bark was worse than his bite. The messenger boy had nothing to fear.

The boy went completely red at Ishizu's attention. "To . . . to help all of you," he somehow managed to say. "I know a secret way out. But you . . . you have to come right now or there won't be time! The soldiers are almost here." He cringed at the sound of the wall finally tearing free. The Ishtar siblings had a few seconds at best.

"Can he be trusted?" Marik cried suspiciously.

"If he can, he's about the only one in the kingdom," Rishid retorted. "But now we don't have time to debate." With that he pulled Ishizu and Marik into the opening and the messenger boy struggled to close it immediately. Had Rishid made the right decision? What if he had led his siblings out of the frying pan and into the fire? The courier seemed weak, but now anything seemed possible, including the thought that it was all just an act and that he was now leading them to perhaps an even larger army in wait deep in the passageways.

But from several yards away came the sounds of the raging army. Rishid knew that he had made the only decision he could. He could only pray that it wasn't the wrong one.

As they all remained crammed into what seemed a frightfully small space, the courier continued to wrestle with the panel. His hands shook as he couldn't manage to move it an inch. In frustration Rishid finally reached out and shut it with one swipe of his hand. The courier turned an extreme red, which Rishid ignored.

"Take us away from here," he growled. "Far away."

"Y-yes, Lord Odion," the messenger boy gulped. "I can get all of you out of the palace and maybe even out of the village!" He honestly did want to help them, but how could he say anything else anyway with this strong, fierce man towering over him? It would be foolhardy.

"Take us to the forest," Rishid ordered.

The teenager blanched. "What! No, Lord Odion!" Terror filled his eyes as he wrung his hands frantically. The forests of Juno were notorious for their dangers. Strange creatures, plants, and even spellcasters were said to walk down those paths. Surely some treacherous fate would befall all of them if they went! "I can't take you there! NO!"

Marik immediately clapped his hand over the other boy's mouth. "Be quiet!" he hissed. "Do you want the army to hear you!" He didn't know why the forests were taboo, but he had a good idea. Even so, after all he and his siblings had come through, Marik didn't fear the forest in the least. Not that he would've anyway. Marik didn't fear the common, ordinary things that many people found terrifying. The things Marik feared were much deeper and darker.

"We will go through the forest," Rishid rumbled.

The courier still looked unconvinced. "But . . . all of you will die!" he cried out. "Surely, Lord Odion, you know of what roams through those forests!"

Rishid looked at him sternly. "I know of your foolish legends about the woods. But I do not give heed to absurd tales that are told simply to frighten children! On the contrary, the forests are the safest places for us now. Perhaps within their confines we can learn answers that the palace would not grant us." He turned with a sudden motion, the hems of the royal robe he was wearing sweeping out magnificently. "Now I see that I have two duties as ruler of this land. I must find the Red Zealot—and also Fafnir."

To all of their surprise, the boy didn't balk at Rishid speaking of Fafnir derogatorily. "Yes, Lord Odion!" he said with a firm nod. "But that's why you can't go into the forests!" Suddenly aware of how boldly he was speaking, his eyes widened and he adopted a "deer caught in the headlights" expression. What would Rishid do to him for speaking this way? Why, he could be killed on the spot for standing up to the king like this! No one was supposed to contradict him, especially not in such tones!

But Rishid's frown only deepened. "What is why?" he demanded. "Speak!" His impatience was deepening as well. All they were doing was standing around. If the army passed by and heard their voices, they wouldn't rest until they had the panel opened. And then they would all die.

"M-my sister," the messenger boy stuttered. "She's secretly started a rebellion against Fafnir and the Red Zealot." Nervously he started tapping his index fingers together. "When she . . . she heard about you, Lord Odion, she said she knew you'd help us fight them. And she wanted me to somehow bring you to her. But I didn't know how. . . ." He looked at Rishid ashamedly. "I'm rather . . . uneasy around you, sir. You have such a commanding presence. . . ."

"Enough about my presence," Rishid grunted. His eyes narrowed further. Could the boy be trusted? This thought had run through his mind so often in the past five minutes. This could be further evidence that he was leading them into a trap. Or it could prove just the opposite. If they could find some allies, it would be most welcome. They needed the assistance of the local peoples, those who knew so much more about this land than three hapless "visitors" ever could!

Marik didn't look extremely happy either. But he found himself reluctant to actually speak ill of the courier. He couldn't forget how the soldiers had spoken so cruelly about him when they had taken him captive and had been dragging him into the palace. Perhaps the courier was just like him, in a way—thrown into a hopeless situation through no fault of his own and only wanting to help his loved ones. And really, where else could they turn at this point? They had to trust the boy.

Ishizu grasped Marik's hand gently but firmly. Then she squeezed lightly. She didn't know any better than her brothers whether the messenger boy spoke truth, but she agreed that they had nothing else to do but trust him for now.

Suddenly remembering something forgotten in all the commotion, she looked down at the pendant. Strangely, it seemed to have settled down now. It was glowing a deep, peaceful ocean blue. With a frown she caressed it with her other hand. Why did it change so abruptly? That was something she needed to have answered. If they couldn't determine how it worked, they could all be at a serious disadvantage when it came time to fight their enemies. And she knew that time would come, perhaps very soon.

"Well, sir?" the courier spoke up hesitantly. "W-will you come? You . . . and these two?" He gestured at Marik and Ishizu, not knowing how to address them. "My sister Adelpha really wants to see you. . . ."

Rishid growled. "Take us to her," he said coldly. "But if it is found that you are deceiving us, I can assure you that your punishment will be severe." He actually didn't think he would punish only a child, even if they were all being deceived, but the words, he hoped, would either frighten the boy out of any deceptions or else make it clear right now that he was not the scared rabbit he appeared to be.

The courier's eyes only brightened, however. "Let's go then, Lord Odion!" he exclaimed, hurrying up ahead into the darkness. "We shouldn't waste any more time. Adelpha says that the Red Zealot is probably going to attack again right away!" Without explaining that strange remark he dashed on, lighting the way with a torch he had decided to use. The flames danced in the otherwise dark tunnel, casting their brightness about for those it guided.

Rishid again brought his siblings close to him. "Yes," he agreed darkly, "let's go."

As they started their journey into the unknown, the man spoke again. "Courier, the two with me are my brother and sister," he declared. "You will address them as such."

"Of course, Lord Odion!" the boy chirped from ahead, excitement in his innocent eyes. Adelpha would be so happy that he had finally brought the king! Now he was at last doing something useful for her!

"And don't call me that," Rishid rumbled. "I am Rishid to you."

Marik smiled to himself. Little by little, he was getting his brother back.

Fortunately for our friends, their flight from the palace happened without incident. The passageway was long and seemingly endless at first, and over time Marik grew quite restless, but he had to hope that their guide knew what he was doing. Indeed, the courier seemed to. He walked ahead purposely, brushing aside cobwebs and dust, until they came to a panel that was slightly ajar. "This is where I got in," he informed them.

Rishid looked with disapproval. "You are lucky that no one else saw this and tried to follow you in," he grunted. Marik crossed his arms in silence, obviously thinking the same. It had been a foolish thing to do, no matter what the reason.

The messenger boy blushed, pushing against the panel until it was opened wide. Moonlight filtered through the opening, bathing him and the Ishtars in a dim glow. "I just wanted to make sure we could get out again," he said in a small voice.

"We might not have gotten out at all," Marik retorted. Images of the guards finding their way in and attacking danced through his mind. This was all too dangerous to take such chances!

"But we are getting out, for which we must be grateful," Ishizu spoke up quietly. She realized that the inexperienced courier was only trying to help them—and the kingdom—the best way he could. Gently the woman squeezed Marik's shoulder, telling him to just let the matter drop for now. Marik gave a sigh, but he agreed. Ishizu smiled.

Rishid brushed past the messenger boy and stood in the doorway. "Come," he said firmly to his siblings. "Night has fallen. It will be easier to hide within the shadows of darkness."

Marik and Ishizu concurred. Quickly they both exited the passage and then their guide followed, shutting the panel behind him. He fumbled a bit with the torch before finally managing to throw it into a nearby pond, extinguishing the flame. They couldn't possibly travel using it now. It would be too risky. They would have to rely on the moon and stars for their light.

As they stepped away into a cluster of assorted trees on the grounds, Rishid turned back to gaze at the palace one last time. It had been his only home for over a month. He had ate there, slept there, and ruled over the kingdom from there. And now he was leaving it behind. The man frowned thoughtfully. After whatever needed to be done to rid his subjects of the Red Zealot and Fafnir, he planned to find them a new king and then depart from the land of Juno forever. He would leave a crown that he had never wanted, hopefully on the brow of someone more capable of ruling this tragic land. And as for Rishid . . . well, he would go on to better things. Or rather, go back to better things.

"Rishid?"

Startled out of his reverie, the man turned to see Marik coming over to him. The teenager looked concerned, as if he wondered if Rishid was having regrets about the events of this day. Could his elder brother perhaps be wanting to stay at the palace? Marik didn't know Rishid's innermost thoughts, though once they had shared a mental bond so strong that sometimes they even inadvertently sent things to each other. But with Rishid's amnesia, the bond hadn't seemed to have worked.

"What is it, my brother?" Marik asked now, his voice soft but also with a hint of worry and possibly panic. "Do you wish that . . . that you were staying?"

Rishid looked into Marik's eyes, seeing the emotions running rampant within them. Then he walked away completely from the immense structure behind them both, never to look back again. "No," he said firmly, laying a strong hand on the boy's shoulder. "I could never wish that. Not anymore. I never desired the riches of the kingdom. And now I know why. You and Ishizu are my treasures."

Marik knew Rishid spoke the truth. He could see it in his eyes and feel it in the comforting touch. The boy relaxed, a burden lifted from him as their journey continued.

As the little group approached the back gate of the palace grounds, to their surprise they found it unguarded. Where there should have been at least two men patrolling to make certain no unwanted people slithered in, there were none. The sharp poles they used were laying lone on the ground, as if abandoned abruptly.

Rishid narrowed his eyes and stepped forward, reaching for one of the weapons. "This could be both bad and good," he uttered, picking the object up to use in defense if needs be. "Without the guards we can pass through freely. But why are there no guards? It's possible a greater danger lies in wait outside the walls." Now he was even more suspicious of things than before, but with good reason. He had his siblings to protect. And it didn't take a genius to see that something must have gone amiss. Unless the guards were absolute, careless fools—which Rishid knew they were not—they would never have simply dropped their poles and ran away.

Marik snatched up the other stick and examined the point, finding it quite sharp. Perhaps it would come in handy later. And then of course he carried the Millennium Rod in his belt. He was destined to possess it, even though he loathed the item extremely. He did, however, feel more at peace with it in his possession than anyone else's. After all these years, he knew how it worked. He could will it to do his bidding in an instant, though of course now it was only used for good. Now Marik entertained the possibility of having to mind-control any on the other side of this wall that might stand in their way. Even though he knew it would be for a righteous purpose, he hated the thought of it. And he said a silent prayer that things would not come to that. He didn't want to ever have to use that power again. The only things he'd done with the Rod lately was use it to either intimidate or blast enemies away from them (sometimes both). But he'd never used the full power of the Rod since repenting. He was afraid to. He was afraid of what would happen to him and to others if he did.

Ishizu came up between her brothers then, again feeling the stone react to something. It glowed a deep pink and then orange, as if trying to imitate a sunset. But when she saw it didn't seem to be about to bring harm upon anyone, she concentrated on encouraging Marik. She could feel his unease, though she didn't know entirely the reason for it beyond anxiety over what might lay in wait for them. She could guess, however, by the way he kept subconsciously touching the golden rod he owned. Ishizu didn't know the entire history behind the rod, but she did know from the scene that had happened because of the rod those few days before that it held many painful memories for both her brothers—and for her as well, if she had remembered. It, like her Tauk, seemed to hold some sort of magical power. She could completely understand Marik's reluctance to have anything to do with it.

The messenger boy, meanwhile, seemed to be the only one completely at ease in spite of the situation. "Adelpha!" he exclaimed, running forward to the wall and startling all three Ishtars back into the present. What on earth did he mean? Rishid wondered. Was this possibly the boy's sister's doing?

Almost as an afterthought, Ishizu quickly replaced the pendant within her dress. If she could help it, she didn't want anyone to see the burden she bore. The messenger boy hadn't noticed so far and she was content to keep it that way.

Slowly a figure emerged from the shadows in response to the courier's cry. At first it was impossible to tell the gender. The tunic and pants were very loose-fitting and the hair was cropped close to the person's head. As the figure stepped into the light, a slow smirk came over the attractive features. "It looks like we both kept our parts of the bargain, Paul," the figure remarked in a throaty voice. "I took care of the guards and you've brought Lord Odion."

The messenger boy—who the Ishtars quickly realized was Paul—smiled brightly. "That's right, Adelpha! And he's brought his brother and sister with him."

Adelpha replaced the sword she was carrying in the sheath and stood in front of the Ishtars, arms akimbo. "Well, if they're both on our side, they're welcome," she said, speaking to Marik and Ishizu without actually addressing them. She looked to be about Ishizu's age, though there seemed something about her eyes that made her appear much older. Obviously she had seen much in this war-torn land.

"If you are against Fafnir and the Red Zealot, as we have been told, then we're on your side," Marik responded, eyeing her suspiciously. She seemed out of place in Juno and yet at the same time completely fitting in. It was odd, he realized. Most everything in Juno was that way.

Adelpha smirked. "Yeah, that's right. I've got an entire group of rebels who also are against them." Her green eyes glimmered in the night shadows. "But this isn't the greatest place for a briefing. That army will sooner or later discover you guys aren't anywhere in the palace and some of them may come to storm around the grounds. Let's go somewhere else." She turned slightly, wanting them to follow her. Here was what she had been waiting for ever since Rishid was elected king! And now it seemed that part of Adelpha's job was already done, as Rishid seemed to know that both Fafnir and the Red Zealot were his enemies—judging by what his brother had said. She wouldn't have to convince him of that. Rishid was not one of the fools who believed that Fafnir was helping Juno to prosper.

She still remembered the feelings she had experienced during the coronation ceremony that she had witnessed from deep within the crowds. She had known Rishid would be an ideal ally. Once he found out the sort of person Fafnir truly was, she had known he would want to fight against him. And as soon as he'd become king the Red Zealot had been his greatest adversary, as was he Adelpha's. She was determined to stop him—and Fafnir—no matter what the cost. Juno had been lovely before either of them had come along.

Adelpha still remembered vaguely how it all had once been. And she still remembered her mother's dying wish that she and Paul defeat Fafnir. I won't let you down, Mother, she vowed silently as she now looked out over her entire group of rebels and friends. They would win.

"Where is it you wish to go?" Rishid demanded, taking a few steps forward with Marik and Ishizu in tow.

"My place," Adelpha smiled secretively. She seemed to have a certain mischievous air about her at all times, even though inside she didn't feel in the least mischievous. "Come on." She took off running, her boyish, sandy hair being tousled in the wind. As she fled over the grass she put her fingers to her lips and made an odd whistle that sounded like one of the nocturnal birds that roamed through Juno.

Almost instantly figures began rising from everywhere imaginable in response to the signal—and sometimes dropping as well. Marik barely got out of the way before one of them somersaulted down out of a tree. The others emerged from within bushes, behind rocks, and around corners. They were a motley crew, but all seemed honest and good. None of them attempted to purposely harm the Ishtars and instead just wanted the trio to follow them.

Paul went and stood near the end of the line consisting of Adelpha's "gang," smiling hopefully at the Ishtars and especially at Rishid. "You're coming, aren't you, Lord Odion?" he asked, forgetting that Rishid didn't want to be called that.

Rishid growled, looking about as fearsome as he can get. But he stepped forward with Marik and Ishizu, never uttering a word. Yes, he would go. With circumstances being what they were, they could hardly afford to not. And if they were genuine, these people might be just what he had hoped to find.

They trooped along in silence for some time with their companions, allowing themselves to be led to their destination. But still a certain question crept into their hearts and remained. It seemed something that very much needed an answer. Marik exchanged glances with Ishizu, his eyes puzzled. She met his gaze, looking confused herself.

At last Rishid spoke for all of them. "What did you do with the guards?" he asked coldly, his voice cutting through the night air like a knife. In such troubled times he didn't doubt that it was possible, but he did have to admit that he would rather that the sentries would not have to perish in order for them to make their escape.

One of the nearby men gave a dark laugh. "They'll have headaches when they wake up tomorrow," he remarked, flexing his hand and making a fist as if to indicate that he was the one who had delivered the apparent knock-out punches.

"Adelpha wouldn't have killed them," Paul hastened to assure the uneasy Ishtars. "That isn't her way, nor the way of her rebels." Now that he was back with familiar people whom he had obviously spent time with many times before, he seemed much more relaxed and not as ridiculous as he had appeared back at the palace. "Of course we all realize that . . . that Fafnir and the Red Zealot will most likely have to die. . . ." He smiled sadly. "There's probably no other way to stop their kind."

A low growl came up from deep in the shadows. "It was foolhardy to leave the guards alive!" a hateful voice informed them. As the moon came from behind a cloud the owner of the voice was revealed. He was a stern, strong man with raven hair and a rugged beard—the sort of person who looked as if he belonged in a forest with an axe in hand, felling trees. "They'll be no good to us that way!"

Adelpha turned, frowning. "We only kill if necessary," she said, "and in self-defense or the defense of others. We would have had no reason to kill the guards. If you want to remain a part of this rebel alliance, Denva, you will abide by the rules I have set."

Denva snarled but said nothing more. Marik watched him suspiciously, his lavender lilac eyes filled with distrust. He wondered just how far this man would go to prove his points. If Denva caused some sort of trouble or uprising, it could mean disaster for them all. When he glanced at Rishid, he saw that his brother felt the same way, if not more so.

Ishizu reached for Marik's hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. She was concerned about this new character as well, but she wouldn't show it. "What we are about to do over the next few hours is very dangerous. But if we hold strong we will make it out." She smiled kindly. She believed this with all her heart, and they would discover how true her words were, though they would be fulfilled in a very unexpected and somber way.

Their trek lasted for the next several hours as they journeyed deep into one of the most humble villages of Juno. Marik blinked, gazing at the peasant homes. They looked like something out of a medieval tale—with thatched roofs and cheap building materials—despite the fact that the palace was equipped with every modern convenience. These homes didn't appear as though they even had electricity. Marik wondered if Fafnir was behind this inequality.

Adelpha smirked. "You'd think Fafnir wouldn't realize that a bunch of the 'poor, lowly class' were banding against him. Unfortunately, he's not so dense as to not realize he has enemies." She twirled her sword. "But he hasn't found us yet. Come on." With that she led them all around a corner and to a cellar door mostly concealed by moss. Using her sword to wedge down, she managed to lift the door up, revealing the ladder below.

Rishid, still saying nothing, entered first of his siblings. All became quite dark in front of his eyes and the man glared ahead, wondering again if this was a trap. But on the other hand he knew this mysteriousness was necessary if Adelpha's group was legitimate.

Then a light clicked on. This home did have electricity, at least in the cellar. The soft glow bathed over a nearly bare room and its occupants, casting odd shapes in the shadows. Marik and Ishizu came up behind their elder brother, both looking curious and on guard. Ishizu remembered seeing a water wheel outside the home. That, she assumed correctly, was what was responsible for the electricity here.

Adelpha came forward, gently pushing the flat part of her sword against Rishid's chest to move him aside. "The Red Zealot is about to strike again," she informed them, for the first time her voice growing dark and forbidding.

"And how do you know that?" Rishid retorted, studying her in the gentle illumination. Was she psychic, as Ishizu was? Or did she have ways of obtaining inside information?

"Two of the rebels died to give this information," Adelpha told him soberly. "They caught the fiend on his last massacre, but he left them fatally wounded and escaped. Denva found them as they breathed their last." She snapped back to the original subject then, as if she had never mentioned this. "The Red Zealot's next target is right here." She paused, sadness flickering in her eyes. The two who had died had been brave warriors and close friends, both of each other and Adelpha. But she couldn't grieve now. She had to make certain they hadn't died in vain. "He wants us to feel helpless when we see our friends dying in front of us and not be able to do anything about it. But we won't let that happen. When he comes to attack, we'll be there to greet him." She raised her sword in determination.

Instantly her rebels took up a cry of agreement and affirmation. Marik watched as they glared into the distance, one by one each raising their fists and screaming death and defeat to the Red Zealot. And at that moment the boy froze, getting the cold sensation that he knew this wicked murderer. But that was preposterous. He had never met the creature. The only ones he knew in this Heaven-forsaken land were Ishizu and Rishid, his treasured siblings. There was only one person Marik knew of who could be responsible. But no! He couldn't be here. He was destroyed; he was gone!

Marik didn't realize that he was starting to tremble with anxiety and rage, but Rishid noticed instantly. Narrowing his eyes, the fierce man laid a strong hand on Marik's shoulder. "What is it?" he wanted to know. He had had enough experience with Marik by now that he knew the boy was not shaking in fear of the proposed attack. Marik was not a coward.

Marik started, realizing Rishid had noticed his feelings. "A feeling," he said darkly. "A bad, treacherous feeling. I'm afraid we may be about to meet an old enemy." His thoughts raced. If the need arose, how would he explain about the entity he had accidentally created years before? The evil being he had often tried to overthrow? No matter what he did, it seemed that he could never permanently be rid of the creature that now operated within his own body and no longer needed Marik's. Forever it would haunt him, hound him, until Marik was afraid he would be driven entirely mad.

Rishid's grip tightened. "What old enemy?" he pressed. For Marik to be this upset he knew it couldn't just be a run-of-the-mill villain. Perhaps. . . . Rishid blinked, a new thought coming to him. Perhaps those memories he had had in the past were connected with that being. He didn't know where that thought had come from. A week ago he wouldn't have entertained the possibility at all. But now he was sensing something as well. He felt a dark presence, one that seemed very nearby.

Marik swallowed hard, about to attempt an explanation, when he was interrupted by Paul. He had to admit, he found it a welcome interruption. Until he heard why Paul had come.

"We have to go now!" the boy cried, running into the room from where he had been standing guard in the house. "The Red Zealot is here! I saw the schoolhouse catch fire!" Panic shone in his wide eyes. He hadn't ever actually encountered that madman before. And now he was about to. He knew it was possible that he might die—or worse, that Adelpha might. Always he had feared for his sister during this battles. And with the Red Zealot as their opponent, there was no telling what might happen.

Adelpha immediately headed for the door at this news. The time had come. "Alright," she said loudly, "there's no time for any more explanations. I would've preferred to talk with Lord Odion more before this battle, but I can see that won't be happening." She turned to him. "But let me just say one thing: try to stay alive. Fafnir won't be here. He leaves these things up to the Red Zealot. We need you to help bring Fafnir down as well, when we corner him." The woman clutched her sword tightly. Rishid and his siblings were their last hope. She couldn't allow them to die now!

Rishid narrowed his eyes at her. He had no intention of dying. After the evil here was defeated, he still had to get his siblings home. And he had to remember them completely. That was his ultimate goal. He had to again remember all the years they had spent together. He had to remember exactly what had happened to them and what they had come through. But there was one thing he did remember, one thing that was probably the most important of anything he could ever recall. He remembered his love for them.

Gently Marik reached out, laying a hand on Rishid's shoulder. He could sense his brother's sorrow, but also his determination. And the boy smiled in spite of all their problems. "Let's go," he said quietly. Rishid inspired him. They would survive this. Marik would make sure of it.

Rishid looked at him, nodding once in agreement. They couldn't dawdle here, pondering on their thoughts. Not when the Red Zealot was only a few yards away.

As Ishizu headed for the door as well, Adelpha stopped her, pointing the sword just below the Egyptian's neck. "I know what you're carrying with you," she announced softly, getting hold of the chain with the weapon's tip and bringing it out.

Ishizu allowed this, watching the pendant emerge in all its blue glory. Instead of turning red at being disturbed, it remained perfectly still. This, Ishizu decided, was extremely significant. It must like Adelpha. "Is it Geates' Talisman?" she asked calmly, also deciding to trust Adelpha's knowledge.

Adelpha drew her sword back. "If we had the time, I'd tell you," she said, "but we have none." From aboveground came the terrified screams of the villagers, followed by the felling of buildings and maniacal laughter. Adelpha was right—there was no time. But as she ran forward, Ishizu was certain she heard her whisper, "I wish there was time."

Marik ran for the ladder, his heart thumping wildly. He had to reach the top. He had to find out if his fears were founded. And in any case, he had to stop this rampaging madman.

First step, second step.

He could hear the frightened screams. There were women and children up there being tormented! He could hear them calling for each other, crying and sobbing. His rage boiled over.

Third step, fourth step.

He heard the demented laughter of the Red Zealot. It filled every part of his soul with darkness and terror until he again felt he would go mad. He knew that voice . . . that insane, evil voice. . . . Marik lost count of all other steps as he ran up and out the cellar door and stood in the center of the devastated village. The fires raged, the children wailed, and the Red Zealot stood, silhouetted in the flames and licking blood off a sword. For one moment he locked eyes with Marik before disappearing into the smoke.

The boy's heart nearly stopped. It was true, then. He had witnessed it. His fears were real.

Yami Marik was the Red Zealot.