Joy: Seeing as how my day was hectic, I wasn't able to update as planned yesterday, so I want to put two chapters up today. I know some people might not be thrilled with the idea, but I have to do it just this once. Especially since everyone, including myself, wants this all completed by Christmas. Anyway, here comes chapter 22!

Race to the Finish

Joy struggled against the strong current of the river, being completely separated from Seto as well as being unable to gain control of where the river took her. She found herself getting a bit scared and it was getting harder and harder to stay above water. What am I going to do? she asked herself desperately.

Seto meanwhile had taken to running downstream, trying to keep sight of the teenage girl. The current was strong, and kept dragging the helpless girl under the water. What am I going to do? he asked himself desperately.

Joy gasped for air as she came up again. She managed to spot Seto running after her along the bank of the river. If only there was some way for him to reach me. She vaguely recalled watching a movie where someone was rescued from a river's current when a savior climbed a large tree trunk and pulled them onto it and out of the water.

Seto kept running, hoping to think of some way to save Joy when he spotted it – a large tree trunk lying across the river just up ahead. He ran faster, managing to get there before the girl. He quickly climbed up onto the overturned trunk and lay flat on his belly. He reached out his hands just as Joy came up to the tree and grabbed her by the hands, pulling her up and out of danger before she could get under the trunk of the tree.

The girl was very pale. The water had apparently turned quite cold, and the prolonged time spent trapped in the current at that temperature had caused Joy's lips to start to turn blue. Her breathing came out in gasps and she was clinging to consciousness. Seto immediately got her on the other side of the river and away from the raging water. He held her in a sitting position and took off his trench coat, putting it on her so as to try to warm her up. He put her face to his chest to warm her cheeks. They stayed like that for quite a bit; almost ten minutes before Joy finally responded, moving away from Seto slightly.

"Are you okay?" Seto asked.

"I think so. I feel warmer now, thanks to you. And are you okay?" Joy asked, looking Seto over briefly.

"I'm fine. Can you stand? We have to get moving. I can carry you if you can't walk."

"I'm quite all right enough to walk, but thanks for the offer. Just help me up, okay?" Seto nodded and helped Joy to her feet. She tried to return his coat, but Seto refused.

"You keep it on for a while," he insisted. Joy finally agreed and the two continued on their journey. They had not gone very far before Joy stopped in her tracks. "What is it?" Seto asked.

"Kaolin…he is already across the river. He's close, Kaiba."

"Looks like we are gonna half to make a run for it. How much farther is it to our destination?" Seto asked.

Joy pointed ahead. "It's a small house. It is about ten minutes walking, less if we run."

"Okay, you up for a good run, Houyoku?" Joy nodded determinedly. "Good. Ready…go!" They took off like rockets, running as fast as they could toward the house. Once they cleared the woods, they saw it quite clearly right on the other side of the clearing.

Joy took a glance behind them and gasped. "Akujin is running after us, Kaiba!"

"Stop him! We have to make it to the house before him!" Joy stopped running and turned to face the following Akujin. She lifted her hand, creating her ball of energy quite easily. She silently thanked Katilli for teaching her this maneuver and she put herself into a quick stance and fired. The energy blast didn't hit Akujin dead on, it only grazed his leg, but it did cause him to stop and fall to the ground.

Joy smirked and then ran after Seto, who was nearing the house. "Come on, Houyoku. Speed up!"

Joy was just nearing Seto's position by the door when Akujin suddenly stood up and fired a blast of his own. Seto cried out a warning to Joy, who turned in time to see the blast. But Seto didn't need to worry, because Joy had the Shield of Chii with her, and it was more than enough defense against such an attack. The attack, like Slifer's, was not only repelled, but reflected right back at Akujin, who screamed out in pain as the blast hit him full on.

That taken care of, Joy joined Seto in front of the door. The two were about to open it and enter the house when a voice rang in their minds.

"Who dares to enter my lair?!" The voice sounded female,with acommanding and superior tone.

"Um…it is I…Joy Houyoku. A keeper of light."

"A keeper of light, you say? Well I will be the one to judge your worthiness. Only the true keepers of light may enter this place. What is your Item of Legend?"

"The Shield of Chii." Joy held it up and it glowed dimly, almost as if it was confirming the ownership.

"Hmm…I see. Who is your companion?"

"Seto Kaiba. He is my trusted companion."

"Ah…such favoritism. Do you not trust your other friends?"

"Of course. I chose him because he is closer to me than just a friend."

"I see. And do you trust him to live?"

"What do you mean?" Joy asked, raising an eyebrow in confusion.

"Only keepers of light may enter past the door. You must leave your companion behind. Will you do that, even with your hated enemy only yards away?"

Joy looked over at Seto. She knew he couldn't summon any magic to defend himself against any attacks should Akujin awaken enough to come at him. A wish is certainly not worth the risk that something terrible might happen in her absence. She took a sharp intake of air, looking firm at the door in front of her.

"I will not leave him behind. He is more important to me than a wish."

There was a pause that seemed to stretch on for eternity, but it was only a moment. Then the door swung open. "Come in, keeper of light and her trusted companion, and make your wish."

Seto and Joy blinked, looked at each other for a brief second, and then entered the house.

Joy: I know it is short, but I got another one coming, so…yeah. Okay, I got an announcement before you go on to the next chapter.

This story is going to be 25 chapters as I have said, but the last one is gonna be ultra short because I want to give you guys a really good sneak peak at the story ideas I have for the next story. So three more chapters, and on the last one you get a glimpse into my head to see what possibilities are stirring for the next story. Everyone seems to want the series to continue, so I am planning it.

So, review!