Joy: Sorry about the delay, everyone. I've been trying to get used to the change of schedules at work, so bear with me. A few of the reviewers' questions may be answered in this chapter, like whether Akujin is still a threat or not, though we won't know Joy's wish for a few more chapters. Till then, here it is! Chapter 21!

Traveling

"Wow." Joy's voice echoed in the white swirling vortex that was the Path of Light. They appeared to be in a place where gravity was either forbidden or abandoned altogether. Right now both of them were sort of hovering above the ground. Well, actually, there seemed to be no solid ground.

"Yeah, Reila was right about this place looking like a tunnel. Makes me wonder if she hasn't been here herself or at least seem it. Maybe in the past or something like that," Seto commented.

"I guess we just follow it to the end. We'll just have to pretend like we're swimming or something." Joy moved forward slightly and then gasped as she felt a pull at her body. It was like she was slowly flying forward. She was able to control where she went. She laughed a bit and reached out to Seto with her hand. "This is fun! Come on, Kaiba!" Seto moved forward and took her hand. Soon the duo was sailing through the air toward the other side of the tunnel.

…Meanwhile…

Katilli and Sorcerer were pacing in front of the Path of Light's entrance. They almost ran into each other at one point. Reila laughed. "Relax, you two. They are fine."

Katilli opened her mouth to speak, but before she could, the group was surprised by over a dozen men dressed in black! The sudden attack left them trying to get their bearings and fight back. Yami, Reila, and Bakura were quick to take control of their lights in order to protect them. Seto had left the staff with Sorcerer, and he was glad for it right then. The other magic users also got their staves.

However, unbeknownst to the party, while they were fighting, a very familiar and sinister person slipped past the battlefield and through to the Path of Light's entrance.

…Meanwhile…

Joy and Seto were soaring towards the exit of the path when Joy suddenly felt a strange presence that she at first could not describe. It was like she and Seto were being followed but when she looked back, there was no one. Then she narrowed her eyes as she pinpointed the cause.

Akujin. That's the only person it could be. How did he get in here? Well, I hope we get to the end of this tunnel before he catches up with us. There was something else that fueled her worry. Katilli and the others better be okay.

The two teens reached the edge of the Path of Light a few moments later and were met with a blinding white light that made them avert their eyes. Joy's vision faded from white to black as they reached the end and the two flew through the opening and onto the ground, gravity finally returning to them all at once.

"Joy…Joy, wake up…Joy…Damn it, Houyoku! Open you eyes!" Joy's eyes snapped open to reveal Seto hovering over her.

"Geez, Kaiba. Relax. Don't pop a vein," Joy said sarcastically. "I'm awake."

"About fucking time. Let's go." He pulled her to her feet. "We have an hour to get to the place where we need to make the wish." Seto was never one to let any hindrance try and slow him down. He wanted to get a task completed and move on to the next one, and to him, getting to their next destination was a task that he desired to get done as quickly as possible.

"We need to hurry. Akujin followed us here somehow. I felt his presence in the Path of Light, which means he could be coming here any second."

"Just great. Let's get to the wishing place before he does, then." It was then that they took a look around.

The landscape was stunning. There was a plethora of vibrant colors cascading across the open field they were in. Perfect trees with real golden leaves encircled the area around them. The sky was a perfect shade of pale blue without even so much as a cloud tainting it. Joy was awestruck by it all as she and Seto made their way to the path through the woods.

"Wow. This is so beautiful. Look at those red birds, Kaiba! It looks like they're in love." Seto said nothing in response, though he did look at the birds.

The two continued along the path. Seto was basically following Joy, who seemed to know exactly in which direction they needed to go. I just want to get this done, he thought. If Akujin does show up here, I will take care of him myself. I will NOT allow him to lay another hand on Joy.

The wooded path gave way to a river. The water appeared to be docile and calm. "Okay. We need to cross this river and onto the other side. Then we follow the path all the way to another clearing. Something tells me that after we do that we will be close to our destination," Joy explained.

"Right." Seto nodded.

"I'll go first. Once I'm across, you join me, okay?" Joy volunteered. She made to move, but Seto stopped her.

"Are you sure it's safe?" he asked. Joy rolled her eyes a bit.

"Relax, Kaiba. Stop being such a worried wart." With that, she stepped into the water and began to cross the river. The water itself was completely clear, so clear that if she wanted to, Joy could easily have taken a drink with no worries.

Meanwhile, Akujin finished his journey through the Path of Light. The second he came through and hit the ground, the sky, which had been perfectly clear, darkened and storm clouds appeared overhead.

Joy was about halfway through the river when the sky suddenly grew dark. She stopped and both she and Kaiba looked up. Joy did not like the change in the air and something told her that Akujin had made it through the Path of Light and was probably on his way to catching up to them. While she and Seto were occupied with the change of weather, they did not notice that the river was changing, too. The once calm river suddenly produced a current, and it was a powerful one. Joy was caught completely by surprise and found herself swept off her feet into the strong current. She let out a scream.

"Joy!" Seto cried out in alarm. He wanted to immediately jump in to try and save her, but stopped himself from doing so, because he knew that if he did, both of them could be swept away by the current. I have to save her…but how?

Joy: I know this is a short chapter, but I will update really soon…I hope. :o) Four more chapters till the end! Who thinks I can finish this on Christmas?

The next chapter will be called: 'Race to the Finish'.