I hope you're all up for some angst. I tend to be good at this stuff
so beware is all I can say. :/ Serious heart break here that isn't going to
fade for the rest of the story. Kaiser is a deceptive son of a bitch. Isn't
he great? Mean...But great! But mean. O.o
----
"Come back to me. Odion, please!" Malik's lean body had begun to shake from the anxiety the shadow realm was pushing on his mind. And at the moment, he only had half a mind to work with since his Yami was nowhere near. Odion's body laid completely and utterly still save for some very faint breathing. However, this was no sleep. Odion's eyes did not wander beneath his eyelids. He stared blankly at nothing like a corpse. And that is what he would be if Malik could not retrieve him from the shadows in time. Bakura had hidden his guardian somewhere in the deepest depth of darkness and those mists were harder to see through than any. The tomb robber... He made a point of isolating those he sent to be damned.
Cadelle jabbed at Kaiser with her long blade, sure that she would strike him n the chest. He merely smiled warmly and moved aside with such speed that his image almost seemed to blur. Bakura aided in double-teaming the Vampire by physically assaulting him. Kaiser moved off to the side a bit and beckoned for Bakura to come at him. Bakura accepted and charged Kaiser, drawing back his right arm. He stopped abruptly in front of Kaiser and threw his fist toward the man. Kaiser threw up his left arm, allowing Bakura's fist to hit his forearm.
The two began exchanging physical moves and this continued for quite some time. Kaiser through a punch; Bakura caught it. Bakura tried to kick; Kaiser grabbed his leg and threw him back. It seemed to be a stalemate until Kaiser went in close and kneed Bakura in the gut. Bakura choked and staggered backward, "Cadelle!" he didn't want her help; he liked to think of it as using her instead. Cadelle couldn't be happier to go at Kaiser. She surprised the Vampire by darting out from behind Bakura and swiping her blade horizontally in front of him.
The Vampire leaned back swiftly, his silver hair falling back in place with delayed movements. When Cadelle drew back her blade again, a small trickle of blood ran down Kaiser's face from the paper cut wound Cadelle had inflicted. Bakura was attacking Kaiser again and he managed to get in a harsh kick to Kaiser's lower back with the heel of his shoe. Kaiser grunted and swept his wings in two semi-circles to gain enough lift to kick Bakura in the chest. Bakura hadn't expected this, but he had sense enough to duck. Cadelle stabbed at Kaiser once more. Kaiser landed with perfect precision, his feet pinning Cadelle's long blade to the ground.
Kaiser turned and entwined his right leg around the wooden half of Cadelle's blade. He then pulled his leg back while jumping as to remove himself from the metal. This motion tore Cadelle's weapon from her hands and send it skittering off into the dust. Kaiser advanced on Cadelle who took careful steps backward. Then Bakura struck. He tackled Kaiser from behind, trying to choke him or perhaps break his neck.
Kaiser lifted his right leg and kicked backwards, landing a jackpot strike below the belt to Bakura. Bakura howled and nearly fell over. Kaiser turned and clasped his hands together into a fist. He sent this into the side of Bakura's head. Bakura went down like a rock as he was hit. His millenium ring shone briefly as he collided with the ground. Bakura had been knocked out, but by a last moment safety procedure, Ryou had been woken up.
Ryou groaned but soon realized what was happening. In the excitement, his Yami had let him see what was happening. He quickly shot up to his feet as he saw Cadelle trying to fend Kaiser off by hand. He was playing with her to be sure since he struck her not once; only blocked her every move. Kaiser, who as indeed playing with Cadelle, dropped down suddenly and swept a leg against Cadelle's, sending her down. He got up quickly and kicked her sharply in the side.
Cadelle cried out. Ryou frowned, "Stop it!" He raised his voice to the point where he surprised himself. Kaiser glanced over his shoulder and gave Cadelle another spiteful kick before turning fully. Cadelle lay on the ground trying to recover while watching Ryou. Ryou tried to maintain some sense of calm, but it was hard, "Get away from her, Vampire!" Kaiser teasingly put his hands up and edged away from Cadelle, positioning himself near Marik who had calmed down considerably from the pain he was experiencing, "You are interesting, human. So fierce one moment and so gentle the next." Kaiser lowered his hands.
"What do you think you're doing with him?" Ryou snapped as he pointed down at Marik. "He belongs to me. It is no concern of yours what I'm doing with him." Kaiser said smoothly. "Bull! I hunt the likes of you, so it is my damn business!" Ryou was near the point of senselessly attacking Kaiser, but he wasn't that stupid. Kaiser knelt beside Marik and gently removed the knife from his chest. Ryou gathered that he was being ignored and so he walked right over to Kaiser and quickly delivered a kick to his shoulder that sent him sprawling on the ground, "Get away!"
The soft golden energy about Marik's wrists and ankles was beginning to dissipate and Ryou knew why. His spirit was unconscious and he had been the one who cast the magic. He backed away with uncertainty as Marik drew himself up from the ground. Marik growled deeply at Ryou. Ryou shied away, "Marik, wait. Open your eyes, will you? Look what you're doing! This isn't what you want!" Ryou came to the painful realization that Marik couldn't tell the difference between him and Bakura anymore. "This -is- what I want. You took Odion from me. I want him back. NOW!"
Ryou winced at the command and Kaiser smiled. He simply stood by as Marik did his job. "I...I can't! I don't know how!" Ryou spat back. "You sent him away. You will bring him back. Otherwise I'll MAKE you bring him back." Marik roared as he advanced on Ryou. Cadelle tried to get up quietly, but Kaiser noticed her. He walked over to her and pulled her up by her arm. She struggled, "Ugh! Let go of me you dirty fucker!" Kaiser held her tightly against himself, "There there, no need to protest..." Ryou gasped slightly, "Let her go!" Kaiser huffed, "Not just yet, hunter. She still owes me something for my troubles. After all, I can't let her go, she may try to end my life again." He gently stroked the side of Cadelle's face and she tried to evade his hand.
"You're disgusting!" Ryou grimaced. "Well now. I was going to let her live. But then you had to go and insult my bad habits. Oh well. More fish in the sea, right hunter?" Ryou advanced on Kaiser. Cadelle's eyes went wide, "Ryou! Stay back! If you'll ever do anything right then please just run!" Marik, who seemed to have been forgotten for the moment, moved quickly and grabbed Ryou by his jacket, holding him back. Ryou twirled around and tried to free himself, "No! Marik! Wake up! Look what he's doing! This is wrong! What the hell is wrong with you?! Can't you see that? "
Kaiser lowered his head and Cadelle choked down a scream. She struggled with all her humanly power. Kaiser held her in place and grabbed her by the hair. He pulled her head back and leaned around her left shoulder. At first, he licked her neck and she shuddered. Enjoying this reaction, he nipped a little bit. Ryou still desperately tried to escape Marik's clutches, "Cadelle!!! Leave her alone!" "No, Ryou, it's too late..." tears glistened in Cadelle's eyes, something she had never let anyone see. "Kill the motherfucker for me some other time. Ok Ryou?" Kaiser chuckled slightly, "Good bye, huntress."
"CADELLE!" Ryou shrieked her name and finally ceased his struggling when he found he could no longer do so. Marik held him tightly against his body and refused to let go. Kaiser opened his mouth and leaned into Cadelle's neck, not just biting, but fitting his top and bottom teeth over the front of her neck. He bit very hard and Cadelle screamed in pain. Kaiser released Cadelle's body and allowed her to stand on her own as he turned his head and pulled back harshly with the grip on her hair and her neck. Cadelle's screams suddenly became wet gurgling noises as Kaiser quite literally tore her throat out.
Ryou's wide brown eyes reflected every fountain of crimson blood that spurted from Cadelle's punctured jugular. He watched in horror as her defiled corpse fell downward. To him, everything slowed down and blinding white surrounded everything that Cadelle was. His horror was interrupted by the heavy thus of the girl's body hitting the ground. Ryou was petrified, and he trembled within Marik's hold. He was all alone with two lethal Vampires who hated him. Not even his Yami could save him now. Marik grinned and shoved Ryou toward Cadelle.
Ryou staggered and dropped to his knees without protest. Kaiser smiled a wicked and heartless smile. Cadelle's fresh blood littered his face and he enjoyed it. In his sick mind he was something great. A god perhaps. And these mortals knew nothing of his power. They only needed to learn the hard way. His excitement got the best of him and he began to laugh. The noise made Ryou cringe and try to shield his shattered emotions as tears came to his eyes. He started intently at Cadelle, lying to himself and telling himself that he would see her again. This false hope was just as titled; false. He looked slowly up at Kaiser, his head moving in jerking motions due to the stiffness of his tensed nerves.
Kaiser looked down in time to catch a particularly pathetic expression on the boy's face. He smirked, "Well, how do you like me now?" Ryou shook his head slowly as if trying to figure Kaiser out. Why did he have to be so cruel? What could have possibly made him this way? "You should be ashamed of what you are... And. And what you've done." Ryou choked as he slowly stood. He backed away from Kaiser. Marik moved beside Kaiser and smiled. "And you. You're no better! You aren't even helping your Hikari when he needs you!"
Marik's expression changed faster than a hummingbird's wing beat. He stared at Ryou and then his infamous glare returned, "What are you talking about? I'm helping him right now. I sustain myself with the blood of the innocent and keep him alive. That is what I have to do." Ryou gawked, "How did killing her do anything to help anyone?!" Marik frowned, "Kaiser knows what's best. You have no room to question what he does. And she tried to kill me; her own fault."
Ryou narrowed his eyes and clenched his fists, "You're brainwashing him! You. You Devil! I cannot find the words to describe what you've done. I...I hate you! I don't just say it to express emotion! I say hate as in I would kill you with ten times the ruthlessness you've shown right here tonight without batting an eyelash! And this rage does not die! You filthy thing who calls himself Kaiser. The only things you lead are the underlings of intelligent life. And I hate to use the word intelligent whilst talking to YOU."
"Enough! Kaiser doesn't have to take this from you and neither do I! You only live because he does not wish you dead just yet! I will take your life at his word." Marik defended. "He's not the only one who cares about you, you arrogant asshole!" Ryou looked as if he could spit fire, "He's filling your head with lies. This is WRONG! Be ashamed, god damn you! And just in case you didn't know, he's the one who bit you! Yes! Him!" This small bit of information finally seemed to get through to Marik and he registered it before turning to give Kaiser a confused look.
Kaiser scoffed, "And? I chose him to be like myself since he is superior. It is what he wanted and so I gave it to him. I can sense the dark where others see only the light. He is dark at heart and this is what he deserves to be. He doesn't need the light to survive. Do you see how he thrives on darkness?" Marik suddenly didn't look so certain that he was in the clear. Ryou noted this and took advantage, trying to stay strong even while Cadelle's lifeless body lay in plain view, tearing up his heart. But even if he succeeded, could he ever bring himself to forgive Marik? He began to wonder if this was what had happened at Battle City. Perhaps this is what drove Yami to banish Marik in the first place. Perhaps he truly was evil beyond all repair.
"He doesn't need the light? Do you hear him, Marik? You don't need the light? You don't need Malik? Or me? Or Isis? Or...Or Odion? You want to be all alone? Is that how you feel? I may as well assume since Kaiser seems to know everything about you. Do you want us all to leave forever?" Ryou began to pressure Marik with the questions he knew would hit hard. Kaiser saw the effects of the interrogation and put a stop to it, "Stop it with your taunting, human. Why would he listen to you after all those horrible things you're trying to do to him? Come on, Marik, let's leave him to drown in his own grief over this girl." Kaiser spread his wings and backed away a little bit.
"Marik? I said we're leaving." Kaiser waited impatiently and Ryou watched Marik for any sign of response. Perhaps now Marik would open his eyes and come back to his senses. Then Ryou could take him to Malik and they could restore Odion. And furthermore they could kill Kaiser. Kaiser stood there quietly, waiting. In the end, he thought, Marik would just give in and follow him. That's how things would turn out, he was sure of it.
What Marik did surprised them both and countered dramatically what they were thinking. He turned tail and flew off. Kaiser tried to follow him. He swept his wings and pulled up beside the blonde. Marik gave him a cold glare and quickly changed directions. Kaiser, now thoroughly confused, turned in mid-air and watched his faithful recruit fly away from him. How could this happen? He had him! But then if he did, what had just happened? He looked down at Ryou who gave a soft smile, "You can't control him, Kaiser..." Kaiser snorted, "We shall see." He then went off on his own, catching the midnight air with his wings.
Ryou stood there in silence for several minutes, registering what had just transpired here. He remembered a soul shattering event and saw its residue. Making his way back over to Cadelle, he sat down beside her rapidly cooling body and lifted her torso up into his lap. He stroked her hair and talked quietly to her even though she couldn't possibly hear, "I'm sorry, Cadelle. If I had just dealt with this when I had the chance. If only I didn't let my emotions get in the way." He recalled Cadelle's voice in the past scolding him for his constant apologies. He sighed and just sat there in silence for what seemed like eternity to him.
In time, Ryou had gathered Cadelle's body into his arms and headed back to where he had last seen Malik. As soon as Malik came into view, he could tell that something was wrong. Very wrong. Odion lay straight on the ground with his arms neatly at his sides as if someone had arranged them that way. His ponytail was smoothed respectfully and it lay to the right of his head. Malik sat next to Odion with his back turned to Ryou and his head hung low. His knees where propped up and his arms were folded, resting on his kneecaps. He stared at the ground, not moving at all save for his breathing.
Ryou was confused. Malik could retrieve his own brother with ease...couldn't he? He walked closer still to Malik who heard his footfalls but still didn't acknowledge them. Ryou looked down at the body in his arms. He concentrated on Cadelle's still form and the millenium ring shimmered slightly. Cadelle disappeared from Ryou's hold. He had teleported it to the Clan's headquarters where she would be given a proper burial.
Ryou walked around Malik and sat down in front of him. Malik, who still had his head down, emitted a deep sigh. "Malik... What happened? What's wrong?" Ryou looked worried now. "I failed..." Malik lifted his head. He looked ashamed, but aside from that, his nose bled slightly and his eyes were reddened from crying. The current reminder of his failure caused a new layer of tears to seep from his swirling violet eyes. "What do you mean? That you couldn't find him? Don't worry, I can help with that." Ryou tried to comfort him. But his hopes fells when Malik's expression remained the same.
"You don't mean to say..." he glanced over at Odion and noticed one thing; he wasn't breathing anymore. "I couldn't get to him in time. H...He died. Because I failed. I... I'm so sorry, Odion!" Malik buried his face in his arms again and sobbed heavily. Ryou scooted next to him and put an arm around him, "Oh Malik..." He knew how much the Egyptian had been through already. And he had hoped he never had to cry again. But this; this was too much, even for Ryou.
~Do you want to be all alone? Is that how you feel?~ "NO!" Marik let himself slump against the wall of a cave, denying everything he hated. Denying himself and what he was. This cave had a certain sense of familiarity. It was the one where his Hikari's life had been threatened. And from that day, protecting his Hikari's life was a number one priority. But why was it wrong to protect him now? ~We'll all just leave you alone forever~ "No. Please... I don't want to be alone again..." Marik's desperate whines echoed off the cave walls as he talked to himself and drove himself more and more insane.
~What the hell is wrong with you? What are you doing? Is it even helping? Do you know what help is? Do you deserve the care they're giving you?~ "I don't know! I don't know. I'm so confused..." Marik ran a hand through his hair and curled up on the ground, tucking his wings around his body. Homicidal urges coursed through his brain and body, trying to make him into the monster he was on the outside, "I don't want this." Marik put his hands to his head, pressing tightly as if trying to ward off an oncoming headache, "Make it stop..." He whimpered.
----
"Come back to me. Odion, please!" Malik's lean body had begun to shake from the anxiety the shadow realm was pushing on his mind. And at the moment, he only had half a mind to work with since his Yami was nowhere near. Odion's body laid completely and utterly still save for some very faint breathing. However, this was no sleep. Odion's eyes did not wander beneath his eyelids. He stared blankly at nothing like a corpse. And that is what he would be if Malik could not retrieve him from the shadows in time. Bakura had hidden his guardian somewhere in the deepest depth of darkness and those mists were harder to see through than any. The tomb robber... He made a point of isolating those he sent to be damned.
Cadelle jabbed at Kaiser with her long blade, sure that she would strike him n the chest. He merely smiled warmly and moved aside with such speed that his image almost seemed to blur. Bakura aided in double-teaming the Vampire by physically assaulting him. Kaiser moved off to the side a bit and beckoned for Bakura to come at him. Bakura accepted and charged Kaiser, drawing back his right arm. He stopped abruptly in front of Kaiser and threw his fist toward the man. Kaiser threw up his left arm, allowing Bakura's fist to hit his forearm.
The two began exchanging physical moves and this continued for quite some time. Kaiser through a punch; Bakura caught it. Bakura tried to kick; Kaiser grabbed his leg and threw him back. It seemed to be a stalemate until Kaiser went in close and kneed Bakura in the gut. Bakura choked and staggered backward, "Cadelle!" he didn't want her help; he liked to think of it as using her instead. Cadelle couldn't be happier to go at Kaiser. She surprised the Vampire by darting out from behind Bakura and swiping her blade horizontally in front of him.
The Vampire leaned back swiftly, his silver hair falling back in place with delayed movements. When Cadelle drew back her blade again, a small trickle of blood ran down Kaiser's face from the paper cut wound Cadelle had inflicted. Bakura was attacking Kaiser again and he managed to get in a harsh kick to Kaiser's lower back with the heel of his shoe. Kaiser grunted and swept his wings in two semi-circles to gain enough lift to kick Bakura in the chest. Bakura hadn't expected this, but he had sense enough to duck. Cadelle stabbed at Kaiser once more. Kaiser landed with perfect precision, his feet pinning Cadelle's long blade to the ground.
Kaiser turned and entwined his right leg around the wooden half of Cadelle's blade. He then pulled his leg back while jumping as to remove himself from the metal. This motion tore Cadelle's weapon from her hands and send it skittering off into the dust. Kaiser advanced on Cadelle who took careful steps backward. Then Bakura struck. He tackled Kaiser from behind, trying to choke him or perhaps break his neck.
Kaiser lifted his right leg and kicked backwards, landing a jackpot strike below the belt to Bakura. Bakura howled and nearly fell over. Kaiser turned and clasped his hands together into a fist. He sent this into the side of Bakura's head. Bakura went down like a rock as he was hit. His millenium ring shone briefly as he collided with the ground. Bakura had been knocked out, but by a last moment safety procedure, Ryou had been woken up.
Ryou groaned but soon realized what was happening. In the excitement, his Yami had let him see what was happening. He quickly shot up to his feet as he saw Cadelle trying to fend Kaiser off by hand. He was playing with her to be sure since he struck her not once; only blocked her every move. Kaiser, who as indeed playing with Cadelle, dropped down suddenly and swept a leg against Cadelle's, sending her down. He got up quickly and kicked her sharply in the side.
Cadelle cried out. Ryou frowned, "Stop it!" He raised his voice to the point where he surprised himself. Kaiser glanced over his shoulder and gave Cadelle another spiteful kick before turning fully. Cadelle lay on the ground trying to recover while watching Ryou. Ryou tried to maintain some sense of calm, but it was hard, "Get away from her, Vampire!" Kaiser teasingly put his hands up and edged away from Cadelle, positioning himself near Marik who had calmed down considerably from the pain he was experiencing, "You are interesting, human. So fierce one moment and so gentle the next." Kaiser lowered his hands.
"What do you think you're doing with him?" Ryou snapped as he pointed down at Marik. "He belongs to me. It is no concern of yours what I'm doing with him." Kaiser said smoothly. "Bull! I hunt the likes of you, so it is my damn business!" Ryou was near the point of senselessly attacking Kaiser, but he wasn't that stupid. Kaiser knelt beside Marik and gently removed the knife from his chest. Ryou gathered that he was being ignored and so he walked right over to Kaiser and quickly delivered a kick to his shoulder that sent him sprawling on the ground, "Get away!"
The soft golden energy about Marik's wrists and ankles was beginning to dissipate and Ryou knew why. His spirit was unconscious and he had been the one who cast the magic. He backed away with uncertainty as Marik drew himself up from the ground. Marik growled deeply at Ryou. Ryou shied away, "Marik, wait. Open your eyes, will you? Look what you're doing! This isn't what you want!" Ryou came to the painful realization that Marik couldn't tell the difference between him and Bakura anymore. "This -is- what I want. You took Odion from me. I want him back. NOW!"
Ryou winced at the command and Kaiser smiled. He simply stood by as Marik did his job. "I...I can't! I don't know how!" Ryou spat back. "You sent him away. You will bring him back. Otherwise I'll MAKE you bring him back." Marik roared as he advanced on Ryou. Cadelle tried to get up quietly, but Kaiser noticed her. He walked over to her and pulled her up by her arm. She struggled, "Ugh! Let go of me you dirty fucker!" Kaiser held her tightly against himself, "There there, no need to protest..." Ryou gasped slightly, "Let her go!" Kaiser huffed, "Not just yet, hunter. She still owes me something for my troubles. After all, I can't let her go, she may try to end my life again." He gently stroked the side of Cadelle's face and she tried to evade his hand.
"You're disgusting!" Ryou grimaced. "Well now. I was going to let her live. But then you had to go and insult my bad habits. Oh well. More fish in the sea, right hunter?" Ryou advanced on Kaiser. Cadelle's eyes went wide, "Ryou! Stay back! If you'll ever do anything right then please just run!" Marik, who seemed to have been forgotten for the moment, moved quickly and grabbed Ryou by his jacket, holding him back. Ryou twirled around and tried to free himself, "No! Marik! Wake up! Look what he's doing! This is wrong! What the hell is wrong with you?! Can't you see that? "
Kaiser lowered his head and Cadelle choked down a scream. She struggled with all her humanly power. Kaiser held her in place and grabbed her by the hair. He pulled her head back and leaned around her left shoulder. At first, he licked her neck and she shuddered. Enjoying this reaction, he nipped a little bit. Ryou still desperately tried to escape Marik's clutches, "Cadelle!!! Leave her alone!" "No, Ryou, it's too late..." tears glistened in Cadelle's eyes, something she had never let anyone see. "Kill the motherfucker for me some other time. Ok Ryou?" Kaiser chuckled slightly, "Good bye, huntress."
"CADELLE!" Ryou shrieked her name and finally ceased his struggling when he found he could no longer do so. Marik held him tightly against his body and refused to let go. Kaiser opened his mouth and leaned into Cadelle's neck, not just biting, but fitting his top and bottom teeth over the front of her neck. He bit very hard and Cadelle screamed in pain. Kaiser released Cadelle's body and allowed her to stand on her own as he turned his head and pulled back harshly with the grip on her hair and her neck. Cadelle's screams suddenly became wet gurgling noises as Kaiser quite literally tore her throat out.
Ryou's wide brown eyes reflected every fountain of crimson blood that spurted from Cadelle's punctured jugular. He watched in horror as her defiled corpse fell downward. To him, everything slowed down and blinding white surrounded everything that Cadelle was. His horror was interrupted by the heavy thus of the girl's body hitting the ground. Ryou was petrified, and he trembled within Marik's hold. He was all alone with two lethal Vampires who hated him. Not even his Yami could save him now. Marik grinned and shoved Ryou toward Cadelle.
Ryou staggered and dropped to his knees without protest. Kaiser smiled a wicked and heartless smile. Cadelle's fresh blood littered his face and he enjoyed it. In his sick mind he was something great. A god perhaps. And these mortals knew nothing of his power. They only needed to learn the hard way. His excitement got the best of him and he began to laugh. The noise made Ryou cringe and try to shield his shattered emotions as tears came to his eyes. He started intently at Cadelle, lying to himself and telling himself that he would see her again. This false hope was just as titled; false. He looked slowly up at Kaiser, his head moving in jerking motions due to the stiffness of his tensed nerves.
Kaiser looked down in time to catch a particularly pathetic expression on the boy's face. He smirked, "Well, how do you like me now?" Ryou shook his head slowly as if trying to figure Kaiser out. Why did he have to be so cruel? What could have possibly made him this way? "You should be ashamed of what you are... And. And what you've done." Ryou choked as he slowly stood. He backed away from Kaiser. Marik moved beside Kaiser and smiled. "And you. You're no better! You aren't even helping your Hikari when he needs you!"
Marik's expression changed faster than a hummingbird's wing beat. He stared at Ryou and then his infamous glare returned, "What are you talking about? I'm helping him right now. I sustain myself with the blood of the innocent and keep him alive. That is what I have to do." Ryou gawked, "How did killing her do anything to help anyone?!" Marik frowned, "Kaiser knows what's best. You have no room to question what he does. And she tried to kill me; her own fault."
Ryou narrowed his eyes and clenched his fists, "You're brainwashing him! You. You Devil! I cannot find the words to describe what you've done. I...I hate you! I don't just say it to express emotion! I say hate as in I would kill you with ten times the ruthlessness you've shown right here tonight without batting an eyelash! And this rage does not die! You filthy thing who calls himself Kaiser. The only things you lead are the underlings of intelligent life. And I hate to use the word intelligent whilst talking to YOU."
"Enough! Kaiser doesn't have to take this from you and neither do I! You only live because he does not wish you dead just yet! I will take your life at his word." Marik defended. "He's not the only one who cares about you, you arrogant asshole!" Ryou looked as if he could spit fire, "He's filling your head with lies. This is WRONG! Be ashamed, god damn you! And just in case you didn't know, he's the one who bit you! Yes! Him!" This small bit of information finally seemed to get through to Marik and he registered it before turning to give Kaiser a confused look.
Kaiser scoffed, "And? I chose him to be like myself since he is superior. It is what he wanted and so I gave it to him. I can sense the dark where others see only the light. He is dark at heart and this is what he deserves to be. He doesn't need the light to survive. Do you see how he thrives on darkness?" Marik suddenly didn't look so certain that he was in the clear. Ryou noted this and took advantage, trying to stay strong even while Cadelle's lifeless body lay in plain view, tearing up his heart. But even if he succeeded, could he ever bring himself to forgive Marik? He began to wonder if this was what had happened at Battle City. Perhaps this is what drove Yami to banish Marik in the first place. Perhaps he truly was evil beyond all repair.
"He doesn't need the light? Do you hear him, Marik? You don't need the light? You don't need Malik? Or me? Or Isis? Or...Or Odion? You want to be all alone? Is that how you feel? I may as well assume since Kaiser seems to know everything about you. Do you want us all to leave forever?" Ryou began to pressure Marik with the questions he knew would hit hard. Kaiser saw the effects of the interrogation and put a stop to it, "Stop it with your taunting, human. Why would he listen to you after all those horrible things you're trying to do to him? Come on, Marik, let's leave him to drown in his own grief over this girl." Kaiser spread his wings and backed away a little bit.
"Marik? I said we're leaving." Kaiser waited impatiently and Ryou watched Marik for any sign of response. Perhaps now Marik would open his eyes and come back to his senses. Then Ryou could take him to Malik and they could restore Odion. And furthermore they could kill Kaiser. Kaiser stood there quietly, waiting. In the end, he thought, Marik would just give in and follow him. That's how things would turn out, he was sure of it.
What Marik did surprised them both and countered dramatically what they were thinking. He turned tail and flew off. Kaiser tried to follow him. He swept his wings and pulled up beside the blonde. Marik gave him a cold glare and quickly changed directions. Kaiser, now thoroughly confused, turned in mid-air and watched his faithful recruit fly away from him. How could this happen? He had him! But then if he did, what had just happened? He looked down at Ryou who gave a soft smile, "You can't control him, Kaiser..." Kaiser snorted, "We shall see." He then went off on his own, catching the midnight air with his wings.
Ryou stood there in silence for several minutes, registering what had just transpired here. He remembered a soul shattering event and saw its residue. Making his way back over to Cadelle, he sat down beside her rapidly cooling body and lifted her torso up into his lap. He stroked her hair and talked quietly to her even though she couldn't possibly hear, "I'm sorry, Cadelle. If I had just dealt with this when I had the chance. If only I didn't let my emotions get in the way." He recalled Cadelle's voice in the past scolding him for his constant apologies. He sighed and just sat there in silence for what seemed like eternity to him.
In time, Ryou had gathered Cadelle's body into his arms and headed back to where he had last seen Malik. As soon as Malik came into view, he could tell that something was wrong. Very wrong. Odion lay straight on the ground with his arms neatly at his sides as if someone had arranged them that way. His ponytail was smoothed respectfully and it lay to the right of his head. Malik sat next to Odion with his back turned to Ryou and his head hung low. His knees where propped up and his arms were folded, resting on his kneecaps. He stared at the ground, not moving at all save for his breathing.
Ryou was confused. Malik could retrieve his own brother with ease...couldn't he? He walked closer still to Malik who heard his footfalls but still didn't acknowledge them. Ryou looked down at the body in his arms. He concentrated on Cadelle's still form and the millenium ring shimmered slightly. Cadelle disappeared from Ryou's hold. He had teleported it to the Clan's headquarters where she would be given a proper burial.
Ryou walked around Malik and sat down in front of him. Malik, who still had his head down, emitted a deep sigh. "Malik... What happened? What's wrong?" Ryou looked worried now. "I failed..." Malik lifted his head. He looked ashamed, but aside from that, his nose bled slightly and his eyes were reddened from crying. The current reminder of his failure caused a new layer of tears to seep from his swirling violet eyes. "What do you mean? That you couldn't find him? Don't worry, I can help with that." Ryou tried to comfort him. But his hopes fells when Malik's expression remained the same.
"You don't mean to say..." he glanced over at Odion and noticed one thing; he wasn't breathing anymore. "I couldn't get to him in time. H...He died. Because I failed. I... I'm so sorry, Odion!" Malik buried his face in his arms again and sobbed heavily. Ryou scooted next to him and put an arm around him, "Oh Malik..." He knew how much the Egyptian had been through already. And he had hoped he never had to cry again. But this; this was too much, even for Ryou.
~Do you want to be all alone? Is that how you feel?~ "NO!" Marik let himself slump against the wall of a cave, denying everything he hated. Denying himself and what he was. This cave had a certain sense of familiarity. It was the one where his Hikari's life had been threatened. And from that day, protecting his Hikari's life was a number one priority. But why was it wrong to protect him now? ~We'll all just leave you alone forever~ "No. Please... I don't want to be alone again..." Marik's desperate whines echoed off the cave walls as he talked to himself and drove himself more and more insane.
~What the hell is wrong with you? What are you doing? Is it even helping? Do you know what help is? Do you deserve the care they're giving you?~ "I don't know! I don't know. I'm so confused..." Marik ran a hand through his hair and curled up on the ground, tucking his wings around his body. Homicidal urges coursed through his brain and body, trying to make him into the monster he was on the outside, "I don't want this." Marik put his hands to his head, pressing tightly as if trying to ward off an oncoming headache, "Make it stop..." He whimpered.