A damp coldness touched upon Ishizu's face as she began to regain consciousness. Familiar tones spoke to her through the mists of confusion, encouraging her to revive. It seemed to her that she was in a dream as the voice spoke. It had been so long since she heard that voice unmuffled by the use of a veil. . . . So long since she had been enveloped in her friend's arms . . . and felt his presence. . . .
At last she opened her eyes, struggling to focus on the one standing before her. Yes, it was he! It wasn't only a dream—he was there! She instantly knew that piercing aqua gaze, the tanned skin, the loose, flowing black hair. . . .
"Shadi," Ishizu whispered in awe. "My friend . . ." She smiled peacefully, knowing that he had been the one caring for her just now.
The enigmatic man nodded, setting the cloth aside. "You were attacked," he reminded her grimly. He was attired in the robes that he had worn before the experience at the ranch had created the necessity for him to fake his death. Perhaps, Ishizu hoped, the threat had passed now and he would need to no longer.
"Attacked?" Ishizu repeated softly. Suddenly realizing that something seemed missing, she reached up to her neck. The Tauk was gone! Memories of the white-haired girl returned to her then. Had she taken it? She felt certain that the ancient woman had, indeed, done so.
Shadi looked at her silently before answering. "A storm approaches," he told her. "The enemy now has the Millennium Tauk, but they are actually seeking powers greater than it or the other items possess." He closed his eyes, drawing the veil over the bottom part of his face. Ishizu's heart sank when she saw this. He was still keeping his disguise as the mysterious Middle Eastern stranger.
"And what is it they are seeking?" Ishizu asked quietly, shoving her sad feelings aside.
Shadi fixed her with a gaze that seemed to penetrate through to her soul. "Even I am not certain yet," he said. "But they are using the deceased to help them achieve their goal."
Ishizu stared into Shadi's eyes. Though he could seem to see what she was thinking and feeling, she could see nothing about him. Shadi never opened up to anyone, not even Ishizu, whom he considered a friend. His past was completely unknown to her, except for brief scenes that the Tauk had shown to her occassionally. And even at that, what was shown just left her more confused than ever. Once she had seen a strange man whom she assumed was related to Shadi in some way. He had been standing outside during a thunderstorm, seeming to be soaking up the lightning's effects and enjoying every moment of it. Ishizu gasped as the image returned to her now. What significance could it have?
Shadi again regarded her, but said nothing. If he knew of what she had seen before, he gave no indication of it now.
****
Yugi carefully placed the Millennium Puzzle around his neck, listening to the soft jangle of the thick chain's links. It seemed to him that he had had his Puzzle forever. And yet, it really had only been a few short years. But he was so accustomed to having his Yami around that he couldn't imagine life without him.
He could see Yami Yugi's reflection in the mirror. The Pharaoh was still staring out the window, his eyes filled with a look that could only be described as haunted. Yugi had seen that look before. It came over his Yami whenever he was experiencing memories from his past. Though most of them were still locked away, more and more were being recovered. Yugi still wasn't certain if this was a good thing or a bad thing. His Yami had been so moody ever since it had started. Yugi had thought his friend would be happy to finally remember what had been elusive for so long, but the former Pharaoh just seemed so perplexed and baffled by it all. Yugi had the feeling that whatever was being recalled was not usually, if ever, good.
"Yami?" he said softly for the second time this morning.
Yami Yugi started. Then he tried to smile at his hikari in the glass of the window, but it was obviously forced. "Yugi," he acknowledged with a slow nod. His voice was pained.
"Is there . . . anything I can do?" But Yugi knew the answer before he'd even asked the question. They had had this conversation many a time before. His Yami preferred to be left alone during these times. And never would he tell Yugi any of what he was remembering. This made Yugi even more suspicious and sad. Yami Yugi had used to tell him any flashes of memory he might get. Now he was almost completely distanced. The conversation they had had a few short moments before was a welcome change from what things usually were lately. The topic may have been grim, but at least they had been talking. To Yugi it seemed that they hadn't spoke much of anything to each other since the last mystery had ended.
Sure enough, as Yugi had known he would, Yami Yugi shook his head firmly. "No," he replied. "You should get to school."
Yugi swallowed hard. He hated to just leave, but he knew that staying wouldn't do any good. But then he thought of something. "I don't know if there's going to be school today, Yami," he remarked, coming over to the window as well and staring at the large flakes. "They might cancel it because of the snow." It had snowed nonstop all through the night and the snowplows were only now getting to work clearing away the almost two feet of moist, heavily packing snow that had accumulated.
Yami Yugi's face took on a thoughtful look. "And they probably will," he said, watching several different people struggle to dig their cars out of the whiteness.
Sure enough, Solomon came into the room a moment later and announced the now-expected news that the students would be allowed to stay home today. Then he announced the also expected news that Yugi and his Yami would be helping him shovel the snow away.
Yami Yugi raised an eyebrow as he gazed at the high drifts piled outside, finally becoming completely aware of the present. It was amusing in a way—all the fierce zealots and dangerous criminals in Egypt couldn't frighten him, and here he was being intimidated by Yugi's grandfather.
"Well, come on!" Solomon was yelling. "Snow doesn't even wait for the Pharaoh of Egypt!" He pushed a snow shovel at Yami Yugi and the spirit found himself taking it. Yugi had to chuckle.
****
Shoveling the snow away was not an easy task. Every time Yami Yugi thought he had completed one section, snow was already filling up again. It was falling too fast for anyone to know what to do about it. And it was driving the Pharaoh mad. He muttered an Egyptian curse as he gazed at a fresh two inches of snow where he had just been five minutes ago.
"The great Pharaoh Yugioh Atemu, reduced to shoveling snow like a common servant."
The sneering, almost bitter voice made Yami Yugi look up with a start. Yugi and Solomon were on the other side of the building now and didn't come to see what was happening, but the Pharaoh immediately came to attention and gazed at the rugged man before him. Emotions flared up within his heart. Confusion . . . a bit of anger . . . irritation. . . . He recalled this person pretty much from only the recent encounters they had had, though vague, shadowy memories of Ancient Egypt occassionally brought more about him to light. "What do you want, Khu?" Yami Yugi growled. The other man looked as if he'd just been through Hades and back.
Khu's expression grew stern and dark. "I want nothing with you, Pharaoh," he snarled. "I want only to stop a reign of terror."
This news was an extreme shock. "You want to stop terror instead of starting it?" Yami Yugi let the shovel drop into the snow and then came to stand nose to nose with Khu. He found it impossible to believe that one of his worst enemies—one who had betrayed him in Egypt—had suddenly experienced a change of heart and personality.
"It's personal," Khu hissed. Again memories flashed through his mind. He saw Seth silhouetted in the Egyptian tomb, his eyes wild as he craved for power. He saw Nuru stepping up beside him, holding her mirror as she chanted in the ancient tongue. The zombies had risen from their tombs, poised to attack. But then Khu was back in the present, glaring at the hated Pharaoh.
"What's going on, Khu?" The voice was dangerous and cold.
"I'd be dead before I'd tell you," was the response as Khu turned and vanished into the snow. There was no reason for Pharaoh Yugioh Atemu to know that Khu and Seth were more estranged than ever. Had he learned that they were brothers? Khu couldn't remember, but if he didn't, there was also no reason to tell him.
****
Seto was back at the mall when it opened, determined to investigate the new store this time. No one knew he was there now. He wouldn't have to deal with anyone irritatingly following him.
For a day that had brought two feet of snow, the mall was quite populated. Students celebrating no school filled the halls, trading their cards and discussing the latest movies and video games. Seto passed by them all, interested only in this lead, however slim, that might culminate in Del Vinci's capture.
He was still feeling rather tired from last night, but at least he had gotten some sleep before his arrival at the mall. The last thing he wanted to do was collapse from exhaustion again.
Toys 4 U.
The sign leaped out at him and Seto had to smirk. Del Vinci using a toy shop as a front? It was hilarious, yet somehow made sense in a weird sort of way. It would be the last place anyone would think to look for a Mafia don and his cronies.
But he was in for quite a surprise when he stepped inside. He recognized the man in the business suit and sunglasses. It wasn't one of Del Vinci's men—it was Croquet!
Seto's eyes narrowed and he clenched his fists. What was Pegasus's goon doing here? It had been ages since Seto had seen or heard from them, and he was perfectly content to keep it that way. But now that Croquet had been spotted, Seto wanted an explanation.
Purposefully he walked up to the green-haired man. "Well, well. Isn't this a surprise," he said in his classic cold tones. "Isn't Pegasus paying you enough? Do you have to resort to selling children's toys to earn a living?"
Croquet slowly turned to look at him. His eyes were hidden behind the dark sunglasses, as usual, but Seto was certain that behind them the orbs were frigid. "Mr. Pegasus pays just fine," he said. "I'm on an errand."
"Oh really." Seto admitted to himself that this didn't surprise him. "He wanted a new Funny Bunny plush, I suppose."
Croquet ignored that. "Mr. Pegasus was asking about you. He wanted to know what you've been doing lately."
Seto bristled. "If he thinks I'd willingly tell him anything, he's gotten even crazier than before." Never had he forgiven Pegasus for stealing Mokuba's soul during Duelist Kingdom. For Seto, doing such a thing was inexcusable.
"You don't need to say anything," Croquet returned. "Mr. Pegasus found out anyway."
"Did he now?" Seto stepped closer, his voice growing even icier. "And what does he plan to do with the information he gathered?"
"He didn't tell me, Mr. Kaiba," Croquet told him.
Seto glared. "Yeah? Well, you can give him this message. I haven't forgotten what I threatened to do to him back at his castle, and if one hair on Mokuba's head gets out of place because of Pegasus now, I'll follow through with it." With that he turned and walked away.
Croquet stared after him and then slowly raised his cell phone. "Seto Kaiba is still the same as ever, sir," he said quietly. His hawk eyes never left Seto's form as the boy advanced further into the store.
A familiar voice crackled over the speaker, laughing with a droll sound. "Good. I didn't expect anything else. Keep tabs on him, won't you, Croquet?"
The cold man nodded. "Of course, sir."
****
Marik wandered through the expansive backyard, his eyes narrowed in deep thought. What had prompted him to leave the warmth of the home to peruse the outside, freezing with heavily falling snow? Marik didn't know himself. Carefully he lifted the thick rope that strung across the innermost part of the yard like a barrier and walked under it, emerging on the other side. There was a open space that stretched for several yards and was surrounded by a barbed wire fence charged with electricity. When Marik stood right in front of the spot where he'd entered, he could see a hill ahead that sloped downward. Almost directly at the bottom was a very small pool of water that now was frozen over. Several tall, but bare trees stood around and nearby, their limbs laden heavy with snow. Marik gave a start when he heard a branch breaking and then watched as it plunged down into the snow, too weak to support its burdensome weight any longer. The boy often came to this area to think. It was still part of their property, despite being beyond the normal boundaries of the backyard.
Last night someone had attacked him. He was certain of this now. Falling down the stairs hadn't been an accident. And now Ishizu was having visions of teenagers—himself included—being killed by a strange light. Was it what would be, or only what might be? Marik stared into the snowflakes with narrowed eyes, his blonde hair getting tousled by the stormy winds. If odd things were happening to them, most likely they were happening to the others as well.
Marik hadn't admitted it out loud, but he was getting very angry with everything that had been happening to them. He pulled his leather jacket closer around him, the ice and snow trying to nip at his waist. But every time he turned around something was going on. Someone was always being hurt or threatened. There never seemed to be peace for any of them.
He came to attention at the sound of someone crunching through the snow. It didn't sound like Rishid; the footsteps were light and dainty, as a female's. "Ishizu?" Marik called hopefully as he turned.
But his hopes were in vain. Nuru stepped out from the shadows of the hedges on either side of the opening through which Marik had passed. "I'm not Ishizu," she said calmly, smiling in a way that perhaps was meant to be friendly but to Marik decidedly was not.
"Then who the devil are you?" Marik growled. "This is private property and you're trespassing!"
"Am I? I'm so sorry." Nuru stopped and looked at him from the other side of the rope, partially concealed in shadow again.
"If you truly are sorry, you'll leave," Marik grunted. "Unless you have an emergency and need some sort of help." He noticed the glimmer of something around her neck and was about to try finding out what it was when another voice joined in the conversation.
"Well, actually . . ." Seth stepped out from the opposite direction, coming toward Marik so that there would likely be no escape—unless he tried to jump the barbed wire fence to his side. "There is an emergency. We need your assistance." His smirk made a prickle run up Marik's spine.
"Oh really." Marik drew the Rod and clutched it tightly, backing up ever slowly toward the fence. Now that he saw Seth he knew that things were grave. "What, exactly? Do you want the Rod? Me? My soul?"
Seth laughed heartily. "Actually," he sneered, "we want your back. You have . . . much engraven there that would be . . . useful to us." He stepped closer. "So . . . I suppose you could say we want you."
Marik glared. "You won't get me," he vowed.
Nuru now went under the rope and walked over near Seth. "What Lord Seth wants, Lord Seth gets," she said. The Millennium Tauk was now visible around her neck.
Marik froze where he was inches away from the fence. All color drained from his face. They had gotten to Ishizu already! She would never give up the Tauk willingly to such people as these. "What have you done to my sister?!" he screamed, feeling fury rise within him again.
"Not to worry," Seth smiled. "She's having a nice nap on the museum floor."
Marik could only see red. "If she doesn't wake up . . ." Hatred burned in his eyes as he took a step closer.
Seth met him in the snow and stood directly over him. "She will," he said smoothly. "But you won't. You see, you don't have to be alive for me to get what I want from you."
Marik lunged, dragging Seth into the snow. For several endless minutes the two struggled in the white drifts while Nuru watched, confident that Seth would win. Seth grabbed for the Rod with his icy fingers. Marik jerked it back, slamming the sphere on top against the man's throat. Seth gasped, struggling for breath, and then moved his knee into Marik's waist, exposed as the jacket came open. The boy winced in pain and gave a muffled cry as he fell back. Seeing his chance, Seth got up and moved forward in an attempt to push Marik into the fence. But Marik anticipated that maneuver. He dove down to the ground again, leading Seth away from the fence, and then grabbed the priest's ankle to again pull him down. Seth kicked him away and then leaped on Marik's back while he was still recovering. The fence was now just a couple of feet ahead of them. Again they began wrestling violently, one wanting to go toward the fence and the other wanting to move away.
****
Rishid was in the house, but from the large picture window in the den and dining area he could see a good deal of the backyard. A tree in view shook ferociously when none of the others did. Then it moved again. Rishid made up his mind to go out and see what was happening. Marik wouldn't be doing that. Not unless . . .
Thoughts of his brother fighting with a fearsome opponent entered the man's mind and Rishid wasted no time in flinging the door open and going out on the deck. From there he immediately began crossing the yard to the hedges. Now the sounds of a struggle were all too obvious. Someone had attacked Marik. Rishid quickened his pace, calling his brother's name.
Just before he reached the opening, a tremendous sizzling sound met his ears, followed by a loud, pained, indescernable scream. Someone had hit the fence!
At last she opened her eyes, struggling to focus on the one standing before her. Yes, it was he! It wasn't only a dream—he was there! She instantly knew that piercing aqua gaze, the tanned skin, the loose, flowing black hair. . . .
"Shadi," Ishizu whispered in awe. "My friend . . ." She smiled peacefully, knowing that he had been the one caring for her just now.
The enigmatic man nodded, setting the cloth aside. "You were attacked," he reminded her grimly. He was attired in the robes that he had worn before the experience at the ranch had created the necessity for him to fake his death. Perhaps, Ishizu hoped, the threat had passed now and he would need to no longer.
"Attacked?" Ishizu repeated softly. Suddenly realizing that something seemed missing, she reached up to her neck. The Tauk was gone! Memories of the white-haired girl returned to her then. Had she taken it? She felt certain that the ancient woman had, indeed, done so.
Shadi looked at her silently before answering. "A storm approaches," he told her. "The enemy now has the Millennium Tauk, but they are actually seeking powers greater than it or the other items possess." He closed his eyes, drawing the veil over the bottom part of his face. Ishizu's heart sank when she saw this. He was still keeping his disguise as the mysterious Middle Eastern stranger.
"And what is it they are seeking?" Ishizu asked quietly, shoving her sad feelings aside.
Shadi fixed her with a gaze that seemed to penetrate through to her soul. "Even I am not certain yet," he said. "But they are using the deceased to help them achieve their goal."
Ishizu stared into Shadi's eyes. Though he could seem to see what she was thinking and feeling, she could see nothing about him. Shadi never opened up to anyone, not even Ishizu, whom he considered a friend. His past was completely unknown to her, except for brief scenes that the Tauk had shown to her occassionally. And even at that, what was shown just left her more confused than ever. Once she had seen a strange man whom she assumed was related to Shadi in some way. He had been standing outside during a thunderstorm, seeming to be soaking up the lightning's effects and enjoying every moment of it. Ishizu gasped as the image returned to her now. What significance could it have?
Shadi again regarded her, but said nothing. If he knew of what she had seen before, he gave no indication of it now.
****
Yugi carefully placed the Millennium Puzzle around his neck, listening to the soft jangle of the thick chain's links. It seemed to him that he had had his Puzzle forever. And yet, it really had only been a few short years. But he was so accustomed to having his Yami around that he couldn't imagine life without him.
He could see Yami Yugi's reflection in the mirror. The Pharaoh was still staring out the window, his eyes filled with a look that could only be described as haunted. Yugi had seen that look before. It came over his Yami whenever he was experiencing memories from his past. Though most of them were still locked away, more and more were being recovered. Yugi still wasn't certain if this was a good thing or a bad thing. His Yami had been so moody ever since it had started. Yugi had thought his friend would be happy to finally remember what had been elusive for so long, but the former Pharaoh just seemed so perplexed and baffled by it all. Yugi had the feeling that whatever was being recalled was not usually, if ever, good.
"Yami?" he said softly for the second time this morning.
Yami Yugi started. Then he tried to smile at his hikari in the glass of the window, but it was obviously forced. "Yugi," he acknowledged with a slow nod. His voice was pained.
"Is there . . . anything I can do?" But Yugi knew the answer before he'd even asked the question. They had had this conversation many a time before. His Yami preferred to be left alone during these times. And never would he tell Yugi any of what he was remembering. This made Yugi even more suspicious and sad. Yami Yugi had used to tell him any flashes of memory he might get. Now he was almost completely distanced. The conversation they had had a few short moments before was a welcome change from what things usually were lately. The topic may have been grim, but at least they had been talking. To Yugi it seemed that they hadn't spoke much of anything to each other since the last mystery had ended.
Sure enough, as Yugi had known he would, Yami Yugi shook his head firmly. "No," he replied. "You should get to school."
Yugi swallowed hard. He hated to just leave, but he knew that staying wouldn't do any good. But then he thought of something. "I don't know if there's going to be school today, Yami," he remarked, coming over to the window as well and staring at the large flakes. "They might cancel it because of the snow." It had snowed nonstop all through the night and the snowplows were only now getting to work clearing away the almost two feet of moist, heavily packing snow that had accumulated.
Yami Yugi's face took on a thoughtful look. "And they probably will," he said, watching several different people struggle to dig their cars out of the whiteness.
Sure enough, Solomon came into the room a moment later and announced the now-expected news that the students would be allowed to stay home today. Then he announced the also expected news that Yugi and his Yami would be helping him shovel the snow away.
Yami Yugi raised an eyebrow as he gazed at the high drifts piled outside, finally becoming completely aware of the present. It was amusing in a way—all the fierce zealots and dangerous criminals in Egypt couldn't frighten him, and here he was being intimidated by Yugi's grandfather.
"Well, come on!" Solomon was yelling. "Snow doesn't even wait for the Pharaoh of Egypt!" He pushed a snow shovel at Yami Yugi and the spirit found himself taking it. Yugi had to chuckle.
****
Shoveling the snow away was not an easy task. Every time Yami Yugi thought he had completed one section, snow was already filling up again. It was falling too fast for anyone to know what to do about it. And it was driving the Pharaoh mad. He muttered an Egyptian curse as he gazed at a fresh two inches of snow where he had just been five minutes ago.
"The great Pharaoh Yugioh Atemu, reduced to shoveling snow like a common servant."
The sneering, almost bitter voice made Yami Yugi look up with a start. Yugi and Solomon were on the other side of the building now and didn't come to see what was happening, but the Pharaoh immediately came to attention and gazed at the rugged man before him. Emotions flared up within his heart. Confusion . . . a bit of anger . . . irritation. . . . He recalled this person pretty much from only the recent encounters they had had, though vague, shadowy memories of Ancient Egypt occassionally brought more about him to light. "What do you want, Khu?" Yami Yugi growled. The other man looked as if he'd just been through Hades and back.
Khu's expression grew stern and dark. "I want nothing with you, Pharaoh," he snarled. "I want only to stop a reign of terror."
This news was an extreme shock. "You want to stop terror instead of starting it?" Yami Yugi let the shovel drop into the snow and then came to stand nose to nose with Khu. He found it impossible to believe that one of his worst enemies—one who had betrayed him in Egypt—had suddenly experienced a change of heart and personality.
"It's personal," Khu hissed. Again memories flashed through his mind. He saw Seth silhouetted in the Egyptian tomb, his eyes wild as he craved for power. He saw Nuru stepping up beside him, holding her mirror as she chanted in the ancient tongue. The zombies had risen from their tombs, poised to attack. But then Khu was back in the present, glaring at the hated Pharaoh.
"What's going on, Khu?" The voice was dangerous and cold.
"I'd be dead before I'd tell you," was the response as Khu turned and vanished into the snow. There was no reason for Pharaoh Yugioh Atemu to know that Khu and Seth were more estranged than ever. Had he learned that they were brothers? Khu couldn't remember, but if he didn't, there was also no reason to tell him.
****
Seto was back at the mall when it opened, determined to investigate the new store this time. No one knew he was there now. He wouldn't have to deal with anyone irritatingly following him.
For a day that had brought two feet of snow, the mall was quite populated. Students celebrating no school filled the halls, trading their cards and discussing the latest movies and video games. Seto passed by them all, interested only in this lead, however slim, that might culminate in Del Vinci's capture.
He was still feeling rather tired from last night, but at least he had gotten some sleep before his arrival at the mall. The last thing he wanted to do was collapse from exhaustion again.
Toys 4 U.
The sign leaped out at him and Seto had to smirk. Del Vinci using a toy shop as a front? It was hilarious, yet somehow made sense in a weird sort of way. It would be the last place anyone would think to look for a Mafia don and his cronies.
But he was in for quite a surprise when he stepped inside. He recognized the man in the business suit and sunglasses. It wasn't one of Del Vinci's men—it was Croquet!
Seto's eyes narrowed and he clenched his fists. What was Pegasus's goon doing here? It had been ages since Seto had seen or heard from them, and he was perfectly content to keep it that way. But now that Croquet had been spotted, Seto wanted an explanation.
Purposefully he walked up to the green-haired man. "Well, well. Isn't this a surprise," he said in his classic cold tones. "Isn't Pegasus paying you enough? Do you have to resort to selling children's toys to earn a living?"
Croquet slowly turned to look at him. His eyes were hidden behind the dark sunglasses, as usual, but Seto was certain that behind them the orbs were frigid. "Mr. Pegasus pays just fine," he said. "I'm on an errand."
"Oh really." Seto admitted to himself that this didn't surprise him. "He wanted a new Funny Bunny plush, I suppose."
Croquet ignored that. "Mr. Pegasus was asking about you. He wanted to know what you've been doing lately."
Seto bristled. "If he thinks I'd willingly tell him anything, he's gotten even crazier than before." Never had he forgiven Pegasus for stealing Mokuba's soul during Duelist Kingdom. For Seto, doing such a thing was inexcusable.
"You don't need to say anything," Croquet returned. "Mr. Pegasus found out anyway."
"Did he now?" Seto stepped closer, his voice growing even icier. "And what does he plan to do with the information he gathered?"
"He didn't tell me, Mr. Kaiba," Croquet told him.
Seto glared. "Yeah? Well, you can give him this message. I haven't forgotten what I threatened to do to him back at his castle, and if one hair on Mokuba's head gets out of place because of Pegasus now, I'll follow through with it." With that he turned and walked away.
Croquet stared after him and then slowly raised his cell phone. "Seto Kaiba is still the same as ever, sir," he said quietly. His hawk eyes never left Seto's form as the boy advanced further into the store.
A familiar voice crackled over the speaker, laughing with a droll sound. "Good. I didn't expect anything else. Keep tabs on him, won't you, Croquet?"
The cold man nodded. "Of course, sir."
****
Marik wandered through the expansive backyard, his eyes narrowed in deep thought. What had prompted him to leave the warmth of the home to peruse the outside, freezing with heavily falling snow? Marik didn't know himself. Carefully he lifted the thick rope that strung across the innermost part of the yard like a barrier and walked under it, emerging on the other side. There was a open space that stretched for several yards and was surrounded by a barbed wire fence charged with electricity. When Marik stood right in front of the spot where he'd entered, he could see a hill ahead that sloped downward. Almost directly at the bottom was a very small pool of water that now was frozen over. Several tall, but bare trees stood around and nearby, their limbs laden heavy with snow. Marik gave a start when he heard a branch breaking and then watched as it plunged down into the snow, too weak to support its burdensome weight any longer. The boy often came to this area to think. It was still part of their property, despite being beyond the normal boundaries of the backyard.
Last night someone had attacked him. He was certain of this now. Falling down the stairs hadn't been an accident. And now Ishizu was having visions of teenagers—himself included—being killed by a strange light. Was it what would be, or only what might be? Marik stared into the snowflakes with narrowed eyes, his blonde hair getting tousled by the stormy winds. If odd things were happening to them, most likely they were happening to the others as well.
Marik hadn't admitted it out loud, but he was getting very angry with everything that had been happening to them. He pulled his leather jacket closer around him, the ice and snow trying to nip at his waist. But every time he turned around something was going on. Someone was always being hurt or threatened. There never seemed to be peace for any of them.
He came to attention at the sound of someone crunching through the snow. It didn't sound like Rishid; the footsteps were light and dainty, as a female's. "Ishizu?" Marik called hopefully as he turned.
But his hopes were in vain. Nuru stepped out from the shadows of the hedges on either side of the opening through which Marik had passed. "I'm not Ishizu," she said calmly, smiling in a way that perhaps was meant to be friendly but to Marik decidedly was not.
"Then who the devil are you?" Marik growled. "This is private property and you're trespassing!"
"Am I? I'm so sorry." Nuru stopped and looked at him from the other side of the rope, partially concealed in shadow again.
"If you truly are sorry, you'll leave," Marik grunted. "Unless you have an emergency and need some sort of help." He noticed the glimmer of something around her neck and was about to try finding out what it was when another voice joined in the conversation.
"Well, actually . . ." Seth stepped out from the opposite direction, coming toward Marik so that there would likely be no escape—unless he tried to jump the barbed wire fence to his side. "There is an emergency. We need your assistance." His smirk made a prickle run up Marik's spine.
"Oh really." Marik drew the Rod and clutched it tightly, backing up ever slowly toward the fence. Now that he saw Seth he knew that things were grave. "What, exactly? Do you want the Rod? Me? My soul?"
Seth laughed heartily. "Actually," he sneered, "we want your back. You have . . . much engraven there that would be . . . useful to us." He stepped closer. "So . . . I suppose you could say we want you."
Marik glared. "You won't get me," he vowed.
Nuru now went under the rope and walked over near Seth. "What Lord Seth wants, Lord Seth gets," she said. The Millennium Tauk was now visible around her neck.
Marik froze where he was inches away from the fence. All color drained from his face. They had gotten to Ishizu already! She would never give up the Tauk willingly to such people as these. "What have you done to my sister?!" he screamed, feeling fury rise within him again.
"Not to worry," Seth smiled. "She's having a nice nap on the museum floor."
Marik could only see red. "If she doesn't wake up . . ." Hatred burned in his eyes as he took a step closer.
Seth met him in the snow and stood directly over him. "She will," he said smoothly. "But you won't. You see, you don't have to be alive for me to get what I want from you."
Marik lunged, dragging Seth into the snow. For several endless minutes the two struggled in the white drifts while Nuru watched, confident that Seth would win. Seth grabbed for the Rod with his icy fingers. Marik jerked it back, slamming the sphere on top against the man's throat. Seth gasped, struggling for breath, and then moved his knee into Marik's waist, exposed as the jacket came open. The boy winced in pain and gave a muffled cry as he fell back. Seeing his chance, Seth got up and moved forward in an attempt to push Marik into the fence. But Marik anticipated that maneuver. He dove down to the ground again, leading Seth away from the fence, and then grabbed the priest's ankle to again pull him down. Seth kicked him away and then leaped on Marik's back while he was still recovering. The fence was now just a couple of feet ahead of them. Again they began wrestling violently, one wanting to go toward the fence and the other wanting to move away.
****
Rishid was in the house, but from the large picture window in the den and dining area he could see a good deal of the backyard. A tree in view shook ferociously when none of the others did. Then it moved again. Rishid made up his mind to go out and see what was happening. Marik wouldn't be doing that. Not unless . . .
Thoughts of his brother fighting with a fearsome opponent entered the man's mind and Rishid wasted no time in flinging the door open and going out on the deck. From there he immediately began crossing the yard to the hedges. Now the sounds of a struggle were all too obvious. Someone had attacked Marik. Rishid quickened his pace, calling his brother's name.
Just before he reached the opening, a tremendous sizzling sound met his ears, followed by a loud, pained, indescernable scream. Someone had hit the fence!