Disclaimer: insert previous 17 disclaimers here

Reincarnation Of Souls

Chapter 18

The sky's edge seemed to be bleeding. The horizon seemed to collect the droplets of scarlet blood the sky had shed. Heat from the desert's edge shimmered red and danced from the corner of the Earth.

Was it really Anzu's imagination, or was Ra waving to her from the boundaries of her home? Was it really time to leave and enter eternal paradise?

Anzu did not especially mind. The whole capital seemed shushed on this very near evening. Not a sound could have been heard from the streets below the high palace. The whole town seemed to retreat to their shelters. As far as Anzu was concerned, this silence was a sign that she was ready to finally leave.

A day ago, she would have felt differently. The girl slowly picked up her head, and stared out of the room, past the balcony, and to the balcony, observing as the sun slowly made its descent past the Earth.

She silently pleaded with her eyes as the dusky sky slowly turned darker and darker as the minutes slowly ticked by.

Not yet Horus...do not leave me yet...I need your bright light. I am not ready for your opposite eye yet... the girl thought sadly as the shimmering sun slowly melted into the Earth.

Please...why are you leaving your servant my God?

As the sky finally started to leave its dusky state, Anzu forlornly turned her head to the ground, and allowed a tear to escape, and slowly travel down her cheek to fall to the puddle of blood that pooled underneath her weak, exausted body.

Shadows began to pan the room, and stars started to dot the dark sky.......

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This void was dark...so dark. Yami could not remember when he was caught in such a dark realm.

The Pharaoh had been reduced to dragging his feet, trying to find a way to escape, somewhere, anywhere with a scrap of light. He himself seemed to be walking along a trail of darkness. Every now and then, Yami brought his hand to his pocket, fingering the small sheet stone that was his Magician card.

A hand slightly clutched his stomach, dreading to feel a stab of victory course through his body. Whatever this Being seemed to feel, it was magnified, and viciously sent through his body. The sight of Yugi he had seen through this monster's eyes had sent Yami to his knees, tears coursing down his face. The boy strung across the stone wall, the bright blood re-staining the wall, the flesh sliced open, his chest in tatters as the Being chuckled and flashed his whip. Yugi silently biting his lip, trying his hardest to look into Yami's eyes, and not shed tears from his own.

It was as if Yami had been punched in his gut and his own heart ripped from his body. The Pharaoh had been reduced to curling on the floor, arms over his head, crying silently with the stabbing pain that erupted from his abdomen.

He had even captured Anzu.

'Anzu had been in a relationship with him during their first lives' Yami thought, desperately trying to make sense of the situation. 'Now he wants to find the old Anzu deep in her subconcious and root it out...try to get her back'

'But...' Yami clenched his fists, his usually calm and friendly ruby eyes, burning angrily with hopelessness and tears. He saw the buildings of his own capital rising from the Being's vision. This creature was fast approaching the capital and Palace.

'Why does he have Yugi?!'

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Pegasus removed the hood from his long white hair. He calmly gazed at the receding sun. The hot wind whipped his cloak around him, and caused him to squint against the wind from his single eye. His golden one glinted menacingly with the dying sun.

This person had assured him of his old servant ready to return to him.

This man had left many holes in his promise. Pegasus was not ready to sit in some tavern and be cheated out of some opportunity. After all, if everything had gone well, before the next day, Pegasus would have at least one more slave in his position.

These Egyptitans underestimated Pegasus. He may be a free Greek, but he knew a suspicious royal Egyptian when he saw one.

Even if you did not state your origin, it was very easy to send a messanger bird to follow you, and with the return of his pet, Pegasus had learned a couple of tidbits of very interesting news.

The man had removed his cloak's hood and revealed the symbol of his trademark appearance of the Pharaoh of Egypt.

And, according to his messanger friend, the hair had been identical to that blasted runaway slave.

But this mysterious man had been heading directly to the capital, taking very unknown short cuts to get there in a matter of a half hour or so.

This was a very important person.

With excitement Pegasus did not feel in ages, he drained his mug and quickly left the tavern.

But now, with the man standing outside the very opposing stone walls, the buildings inside stoic, dark and quiet, where would Pegasus head to now?

The small bird that perched on his shoulder seemed to sense his indecision. It chirped lightly and took off from his shoulder, flapping up until it was the same height as the distant palace.

Pegasus slowly looked up from the bird and then toward the Palace.

'Of course' the man thought to himself. 'This was a Royal Egyptian I was dealing with'

The tall man lifted a finger and the bird obediantly fluttered down to rest on it.

'Now to jump this wall. The gate is closed. It must be hard for the capital to be walled in like this. Don't the people realize this is like a prison?'

Shaking his head, Pegasus made his way toward the wall. He would be able to jump it, no problem. It was tall, but some stones had jutted out, as a result of the wind erosion that this land was always exposed to.

'Now to get me a couple of Slaves'

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The land had begun to grow dark when Shadii saw tiny buildings rise in the distance. Tiny droplets of sweat had begun to roll down Shadii's face. He took a trembling hand off a reign and wiped his face. The Egyptian's dark blue eyes were rivited to the tiny structures that stood quietly at the edge of sand. He felt himself grasp the key that dangled from his neck.

Ryou had awakened. He quietly rested his chin on Shadii's shoulder to sadly look at him.

Ryou had seen him a couple of times like this before, quiet, detached, almost as if he was looking into the past.

No-He was certainly looking into his past. Ryou could see it, almost every day Shadii would begin to grow quiet, looking down at his key, or even his scales.

And when Shadii gazed at his scales, Ryou knew that it was a particularly bad day. Usually, including the following night, Shadii would twist and turn, occassionally muttering about some wall with chains, some loud thunder, and a series of executions.

When Ryou had first begun to be Shadii's servant, Ryou had retreated to a dark corner of Shadii's chambers on such nights. He would hug his knees, too frightened to approach this man.

But now...Ryou shook his head as he thought about it. He was ashamed to ever fear this man. To ease his own concious of those guilty memories, Ryou lifted his arms and held Shadii tightly, burying his head into Shadii's shoulder.

Shadii felt those small frail arms suddenly hold him tightly, slightly shaking. The man released his hand from the Key and held one of Ryou's hands.

"Do not feel guilty Ryou..." Shadii whispered quietly, clutching the boy's hand. "I do not hold that against you"

Ryou froze, his brown eyes widening. His arms that were held around Shadii grew limp.

Shadii's reaction was to clutch the boy's hand tighter. "Stop that Ryou" the man scolded quietly, finally tearing his eyes away from the approaching buildings, to look at the boy.

Ryou looked down to stare at Shadii's shoulder, not bearing to meet the man's eyes. His stomach clenched uncomfortably as he felt Shadii stare at him. This was something he never wanted Shadii to discover, but Shadii was able to pick up distress, and the events that happened before them.

"You are the only one who has stood by my side Ryou." Shadii told him, voice remaining quiet, slightly twinged with sadness. "I do not deserve that after what I had done years ago..." Shadii allowed himself a shuddering sigh, and released Ryou's hand to bring his hand up to shield his eyes.

Ryou slowly picked up his head to look at his master. The usually stoic, quiet Shadii, buried his face in a hand, breathing deeply, as if still attempting to maintain a state of composure.

The boy directed his gaze to the dark buildings ahead of him. 'Whoever caused him this pain...I will find them'

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Yugi's mind had grown blank. As the sun descended underneath the sand, Yugi found himself growing numb at the tips of his fingers. When the boy closed his eyes, he felt ruby eyes seared into his mind.

The boy heard the door oppposite him creak open, slowly. A gust of cool wind hit the boy. 'Yami is back...?' Yugi thought, too exausted to open his eyes to see. The cool wind swept down the length of Yugi's body, forcing feeling back into his limbs.

Across the room, Yugi heard Anzu wimper slightly after hours of silence. A light pierced his eyes.

Suddenly, the boy fell, as the manacles vanished from his limbs. Laying in a pool of his own blood, Yugi emitted a small cry as his body screamed of pain from contact with the stones.

"Child...can you open your eyes?" a deep voice asked kindly, worriedly.

Child...Yugi thought, a small smile playing at his lips. I was Child to Master Yami. Is Master Yami feeling better?

Slowly, Yugi opened his eyes, expecting to see deep red eyes, flashing with worry looking into his own.

Instead, dark blue met his. The man smiled slightly with relief, and waved a hand across the length of Yugi's body. Yugi felt the same cool wind flow into his body, soothing his aching limbs.

Effortlessly, the man lifted Yugi and placed him delicately on Yami's bed.

A boy with white hair was knelt over Anzu. The man knelt beside him and began to administer the same care to Anzu as to Yugi.

'He looks...so familiar...' Yugi thought foggily.

Anzu was soon placed next to Yugi, the girl passed out, face softened slightly with the release of pain.

The man was back, fingering the large golden key that hung to his throat. "Forgive me..." he muttured.

Yugi tried to prop himself up on his elbows, his face breaking out in beads of sweat in the effort. "...huh?" he managed to choke out when Shadii brought a hand in front of him and slashed sharply in front of him, blue eyes brimming with tears.

Yugi slumped back onto the bed, unconcious,

Eyes streaming, Shadii turned from the pair and, without a word to Ryou, strode to the bare space of stone wall where the triangular golden piece hung. With an emotionless face, and bright eyes, Shadii lashed out and tore the piece from the wall. With tears running down the man's dark face, he held it high above his head, and released it. The triangular pendant hit the stone floor, smashing. The pieces flew from the point of contact and hit the walls.

Ryou turned to look at the sky. The dusky sky, speckled with stars flashed, and quickly receded.

He turned to see Shadii, eyes directed at the doorway. "Shadii, what the--?"

Shadii held up a hand, and brushed past Ryou to poke his head out of the doorway. He returned, eyes harder.

"They are coming" the egyptian said shortly. He turned to the wounded children, and closed his eyes, mutturing. With a wave of a hand, the two vanished.

Ryou's eyes widened. The children were gone, revealing the blood stains left on the wood of the bed.

Shadii turned back to Ryou. "Prepare yourself Ryou" he whispered. "I had to curtain them. I do not want them to be seen by those men"

Ryou's eyes widened. "Wha? They are coming?"

"Yes. Now"

Ryou whirled around, hands balling into fists. 'Finally. These are the people who have caused Shadii so much pain. I will tear them"

Hurried footsteps were heard on the stones on the distant hallway. Ryou did not turn back to look at Shadii. The boy's nerves quivered with anticipation.

"Shadii" Ryou whispered, shaking with fury as the footsteps approached. "I will fight for you"

A man flung himself into the doorway, long white hair obscuring one of his eyes. As he quickly scanned the room, his face cracked into a grin. Panting slightly, he pointed a finger to Shadii, standing behind Ryou.

"You must be the man Shadii an-"

Pegasus was cut off as a fist connected with his gut, knocking the remaining wind from his body.

Ryou stood there, fist raised, quivering. Without giving him the chance to regain breath Ryou kicked out viciously below and Pegasus fell with a hiss.

Pegasus flailed out as he fell, catching Ryou in the knee. Ryou dropped slightly, wincing.

He heard Shadii move from behind him with an indignant cry. Ryou threw up a hand as a silent command to remain still.

Pegasus began to stand, fists raising to strike Ryou again.

Ryou was too quick for the slave catcher. His hand snaked foward to grab Pegasus by the throat and thrust him against the wall. Ryou pressed down with the length of his body, not giving Pegasus the room to flail his legs.

The man's silver hair was thrown back, revealing a golden eye.

Ryou smiled slightly. This man had the items that Shadii was searching for.

"Well then..." Ryou said, eyes narrowing dangerously. His voice had completely changed from the naive innocent speech. It was deeper, darker, dripping with revenge.

"I don't need to know who you are or what you do. You just hurt Shadii. That's all I need"

With a smirk, the boy reached foward with a free hand and wrenched golden eye from the man's socket, ignoring Pegasus' painful cry. The boy ignored the blood that ran freely down the man's face and on the boy's clothing. He released the man and let him fall to the floor.

Pegasus gasped with pain, clutching his bleeding eye socket with an eye. He flung his head up, his silver hair stained with his blood. "I will have that back you thief" he gasped. "You worthless slave. You would probably steal graves to get your worthless shit you--"

The man was cut off as Ryou lifted a foot and slammed it into the man's throat. He twisted his head to watch Pegasus' face contort in agony. "Don't speak to me like that, you don't have the air to do it"

Ryou pressed down harder, ignoring Pegasus' hands that groped effortlessly to his ankle to move his foot, and his feet which could not reach Ryou.

Finally, Pegasus fell limp. Ryou slowly removed his foot, and turned back to Shadii, hand outstretched with the Eye.

Shadii took it, careful to look down. This side of Ryou...it was something to be feared.

There was no time to speak of Pegasus. Footsteps were approaching again...

The Being had to smile. He had reached the city first, but it was always easier to let a guinea pig go first. He hid inside the city gates, then closly followed as Pegasus entered the city, and into the palace.

The Being felt a life flee from the room, Pegasus emitting a strangling cry. Hopefully that Shadii was tired out. It was time to do the final battle, it was far too long.

With confident strides, the Being approached Yami's chambers.

How powerful could Shadii be?

As he reached the doorway, a white hot beam of light streamed from the room, searing part of the Being's face. With a cry, he jumped back.

He was powerful.

But probably not powerful enough. From what the Being could remember, this Shadii was an eccentric who was too confident in his own powers and knowledge.

The Being jumped into the doorway, with a triumphant grin.

Shadii stood in front of him. His scales levitated in front of him, a feather perched delicately on one end of the scale.

The man grinned, blue eyes flashing. "Do you wish to weigh your heart? This is the way to prove of the Balance."

The Being grinned. "I can kill you easily. Just show me the children and you will not die. You and your companion"

Ryou's eyes glittered dangerously, still vengeful from his kill. He remained silent. His blood stained hands quivered slightly with this new advisary.

With a slash of his hand, Shadii's scales glowed a bright red, causing the Being to gasp slightly, limbs quivering.

The being gritted his teeth, trying to raise an arm to retaliate.

Shadii's eyes glowed dangerously. With another slash, the Being's mouth was wrenched open, a ball of silver light extending from his mouth.

His ruby eye's growed wide with fear as the ball settled itself on one end of the scale.

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Yami looked up from his palms. This feeling seemed to familar, as if his soul had been removed from his body, torn apart, being evaluated.

The man started to quiver uncontrollably, as if his doom had been placed in front of him.

"What the...? Why am I shaking so?" Yami whispered tearfully, as he forced his hands in front of them to examine. The shaking had increased to seizure like. With a cry, Yami fell down again, body shaking violantly.

The man's eyes clouded over. As his mind steadily began to lose conciousness, the man allowed tears to course down his cheeks.

'I love you Yugi...Anzu....'

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The Being began to convulse, dropping to the floor.

The scales slowly began to tip, the feather being uplifted.

Shadii grinned evily. "You failed" he said coldly. "You cannot uphold the Balance" Shadii bent down next to the convulsing man, and put his lips close to the man's ears.

Whispering just loud enough for the Being to hear he said, voice dripping with venom, "You will not see your Evvy again"

The Being lifted his cold red eyes. They held no emotion. "I laugh at the sake of your Companion. When I come back, he will not have eyes for you"

Shadii waved a hand over the Being's face, mutturing. The Being grew rigid. Shadii stood, waving his hands over the scales. They descended and rested on the floor delicately.

"Maybe when you decide to descend upon Earth again, you will fight honorably for those you care for" Shadii said icily. With that, the Being erupted into flames, not being able to cry out.

Shadii turned to Ryou. "It is over for now...For Yugi and Anzu, for the last time, I will wipe their memories and place the memories in the pendant I smashed"

Ryou sat on the bed, holding his palms out to observe his hands stained with blood. "What of the soul that Yugi had cared for" he asked quietly.

Shadii smiled. "It will be placed in the pendant to, waiting for Yugi to piece it back together. Later on"

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The boy groaned, sitting up. He awoke just outside the giant walls of this Egyptian city. Looking next to him, he saw a girl dozing next to him.

Carefully, he shook her awake, violet eyes kind and friendly.

"Hello" he asked. "What is your name?"

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I hope you liked the story :) Feedback is greatly appreciated, and flames are accepted :)

See you later...

WannabeWerewolf, aka YamiLinkMaster