"Arise from Darkness"
By Heikou and Janime
Chapter Fifteen
Dark Revelations
Yugi blinked as he looked at her surroundings. He was in Egypt but how? Why? Then it donned on him.
"I'm dreaming!" he laughed to himself, lightly hitting his forehead. "But I don't dream this."
"No but it seemed the best place to talk," came a woman's voice.
Yugi turned and he jumped a bit then calmed himself when he realized that the Reaper wasn't going to attack him. "I'll never tease Joey about being a scardy cat."
The woman softly laughed. "Such a bright soul you have, light of the pharaoh. I am glad that you were the one the puzzle sought out."
Yugi's brow furrowed in confusion then his eyes widened. "The Daughter of Isis!"
"Indeed, Pharaoh's Light," she said, and even though her face was covered, Yugi heard the smile in her voice. "Tell me, Yugi Mutou, how much do you love the Daughter of Osiris?"
He blinked in surprised, worrying as to why she would ask such a question. "I love Tea very much," answered Yugi, "I love her with all my heart and soul."
"Would you continue to love her even if she had a task before that she must complete despite the consequences?"
"What do mean?" Yugi demanded.
"The Daughter of Osiris has a hard task ahead of her," said the shadowy figure, "and even if she fulfills her duty, it may tear at her soul."
"What could do that much damage? Is there anyway to stop it?" he asked, panic slowly engulfing his heart.
"That I cannot say."
"Be as it may I love Tea and I will never stop loving her."
The Daughter of Isis was silent but she floated closer. "Maybe, that will be enough."
Yugi wasn't sure what to say but he took a deep breathe to calm his heart. "Why won't you tell us your name?"
"It is not yet the time. If I tell you now, all would be lost. Even as you dream the tears of the Shadow Realm are increasing." She gestured to the side where they saw a large tear open but nothing came out. "The monsters are both curious and fearful of what this unknown world holds for them but soon curiosity will overcome that fear and your world will cease to exist."
"But how can we keep that from happening? Isn't there some kind of lesson you can teach them?" he asked.
"The lesson they already know," said the Daughter of Isis. "When the time comes, the Sisters of the Moon will use it."
Yugi shook his head. "I don't understand."
"All you need to understand is this: Osiris is the father of Anubis."
Before Yugi could ask her the meaning, the Daughter of Isis disappeared. He looked around, his eyes falling on the temple and he started walking to it. He entered the massive structure.
Something screamed and thrashed about, trying to break the chains that bound it to the floor in the center of the room. Yugi froze, unable to take his eyes off the creature. Whatever it was, it looked human-like but most of the body had turned black and seemed to glisten in the torchlight, and its tail-
The tail was that of a scorpion.
Several priests stood around the creature, unafraid of the creature as it hissed and screeched at them. Yugi finally managed to look away and he found himself looking at two young women. One was standing, and the other kneeling before the first with a golden dagger in her hand, her head bowed.
The standing girl placed her hands on the other's head. "Give our Sister peace."
She sounds like Keriam! Yugi's eyes widened.
The other girl nodded and rose to her feet, turning she walked towards the circle of priests and walked past them to the bound creature. Kneeling beside its head, she reached out and stroked the dark hair. "I know that you are still there, Sister."
Yugi gasped. Tea!
"Please, come back. Mother Isis does not want you to lose your soul to the Black Scorpion."
"Iss... siss..." the creature hissed and screamed again. Her body thrashed about and slowly started to change partially back to that of a young human woman. Some of the hard shell remained, but enough of her spirit had returned. She looked beseechingly at her Sister. "Send me... to Isis... and my... Father..."
Cheri?! Yugi couldn't believe it.
Nodding, the Sister held the dagger tightly in her hands and raised it up.
"No! Tea! Don't!" Yugi screamed and ran towards her.
She brought the dagger down, embedding it into the heart of the Daughter of Anubis.
The bound woman jerked but as she opened her mouth a scream of a man in anguish echoed around the temple. Tea caught her as she began to stumble, gently lowering her to the floor and pulled the dagger out. Cheri was now completely human but she had a look of utter relief on her face, even as blood rapidly dyed her skin and temple floors a sickening red.
"I'm free..." she whispered softly.
Tea just nodded but didn't bother to stop the tears from falling and held on tighter. "I'm sorry..."
"No tears, Sister... soon I will be reunited… with our Mother and my Father..."
The other woman who had been standing moved towards them, kneeling at her other side. "We shall meet again, Sister," Keriam said softly, taking her hand into her own.
Cheri smiled, her eyes closing before she fell still. Tea cried and Keriam comforted as the priests remained in the magic circle.
Yugi couldn't believe his eyes. The Daughter of Osiris had just killed the Daughter of Anubis. He couldn't believe it, was this what the Daughter of Isis meant? He slowly fell to his knees as tears build then rolled down his cheeks. "No..."
Yugi bolted upright in bed, a slight scream escaping. After a few gasps of air, he took a deep breath and wiped the sweat from his face before flopping back down on his bed.
--Yugi, are you all right?-- Yami asked.
--... I'm okay, he answered. Just a bad dream.--
--Are you sure?--
Yugi remained quiet for a bit, then asked, --How much do you know about the Sisters of the Moon and the Black Scorpion?--
--Just the legends my father and advisors told me,-- Yami answered.
--Anything about them coinciding with each other?--
--... The Scorpion King had a queen but he killed her when he found out she had betrayed him.--
--Sounds like a match-made in Heaven.--
--His queen was the Priestess of Anubis and a Sister of the Moon.--
Now Yugi felt bad. --Wait, if he killed his queen then who took over the duties?--
--My father said she had a successor who later had a daughter but nothing more after that. People were forbidden to talk about him even in my time and to be honest, people were terrified of Anubis. You know, Tea asked me about the Scorpion King as well.--
--What?-- He blinked and thought back to the dream. Did she have a flashback?
--Perhaps you should ask her,-- Yami said.
--Yeah, I think I should,-- said Yugi. I just have to be sure, he thought and settled down again.
--
Ryou yawned as he walked downstairs. "Bakura?" he called. "You awake?"
"Ryou! Get in here!" the thief yelled from the living room.
Fear surging through his system, Ryou jumped the rest of the stairs and ran into the living room. Bakura was sitting on the couch, eating potato chips and his eyes were glued to the television.
"That's not a healthy breakfast," commented Ryou.
"Ah, shut up and watch," Bakura said and stuffed a few more chips into his mouth.
"The body of Lau Fauno was found earlier today in the alley next to a club known as the Volcanic Underground. At least, that's what the police suspect since the body has been mutilated beyond recognition," the reporter said and sure enough, clips of the police pulling a body bag out of the alley was shown along with two men with their hands handcuffed behind their backs were escorted into a police car.
Ryou didn't say anything but he sat on the edge of the couch, watching the news broadcast.
"Mr. Fauno was known through the underground as a shady character and had arrested for having beaten a store keeper to near death several years back. Although he had been put on parole for good behavior several members of his gang have come forth to tell all they know about his illegal actions, as long as they are given a fair trial. The police agreed but still could not explain what had caused the death of Mr. Fauno. According to some people, "it looked as if the hounds of hells had torn him limb from limb for his sinful ways." As for the trials of the former gang members who willingly gave themselves to the police, they will be announced within the week."
Bakura swallowed his mouthful and picked up another handful of chips. "Hounds of hell. With the way the Shadow Realm has been acting can't say that I'm too disappointed." he shoved the chips into his mouth.
--
Keriam felt her aunt and uncle's eyes on her as she watched the news.
"Malik, would you and Namu please excuse us for a little while?" Terry asked.
"Um... sure," Marik said, making himself sound a little confused and worried. He took Malik's hand, leading his "cousin" out of the dining room and downstairs.
"Keriam," Zack spoke.
She slowly turned her head to face him. "He sent me a note."
"Was that the envelope without the return address?" Terry asked.
Keriam nodded. "Lau told me to meet him last night." She paused. "I did."
"Oh God," Terry covered her face.
"What were you thinking?" Zack demanded.
"I knew what would happen if I didn't go. I didn't want him showing up on the doorstep like last time."
"Why didn't you say anything?" Terry looked at her niece.
"Because you'd call the cops and that would've pissed him off even more," said Keriam. "I know going there was stupid. A lot of people there saw me. I know the police are going to ask me questions."
"What happened last night?" asked Zack.
Keriam sighed. "We exchanged a few words, and I left."
"Before that?" he pointed to the broadcast.
"Yes before that."
"You have no idea what happened then?" Terry asked.
Keriam slowly shook her head. "No but he deserved what he got. I'm tired of having my past haunt me like this, I want to live a normal life." As normal as it can get, she thought to herself.
Zack didn't know what to say but going up to his niece he hugged her tightly. "I don't want to lose you like your mom."
She returned the hug, resisting the urge to cry. "You won't lose me, uncle Zack."
Terry made her way over and hugged them tightly as well. "Promise me you'll never do something this crazy ever again?"
"I promise."
--
"Here's the last box, mom," said Tristen.
"Just put it over there," his mother pointed to the couch.
"Irene!" Tristen's father called.
"Be right there, David!" Irene set down the glass fairy on a shelf and left the living room.
Tristen set the box down on the couch and opened it. There were several books inside--most of them pertaining to Egypt, which actually surprised Tristen. He noticed one slim brown book that didn't have any particular markings on the spine. Removing it from the box, he turned it over and looked at the front cover.
Alexander Tristen Cooper was imprinted on the leather.
Grandpa, Tristen thought with a smile. He had to envy Yugi a little. Both of Tristen's grandfathers had passed away when he was young. Grandpa Taylor had died when he was two, and Grandpa Cooper had passed shortly after his eighth birthday.
Intrigued, Tristen sat down next to the box and opened the journal.
October 15, 1928
"Whoa, Grandpa was only twelve," Tristen whispered and read on.
Father and I arrived in Egypt today. It's rather hot and causes my breeches to irritate my thighs to the point where I am seconds away from discarding them and carry on in my undergarments. Father will no doubt skin me if I did such a thing, but I must do something to relieve myself of this inconvenience.
Tristen couldn't help laughing.
"What's got you chuckling?" Irene smiled at her son as she re-entered the living room.
Smiling, he handed her the journal. "I didn't know Grandpa went to Egypt."
"Yeah, his father dragged him there," Irene said and read the passage, snickering when she finished. "He went back a few times after I started college. He told me a few stories he heard when he was there." She sighed, smiling sadly at the old book in her hands. "The last time he was in Egypt--he went just after I met your father--he met a woman who had been exiled by her tribe."
"How come?"
"I don't remember. But the story she told was very interesting. About five thousand years ago, roughly near the beginning of the Egyptian Empire, there was a priestess of Isis who had three daughters. And the priestess claimed that each of her daughters had a different god as her father."
"Three different gods?" Tristen asked. Despite his disbelieving tone and quirked eyebrow, he was gripping the seat cushion very tightly.
Irene nodded. "That's what she said. I think it was that Ra was the oldest daughter's father, Osiris was the father of the second daughter, and the father of the third daughter was Anubis."
"Well, the Egyptian royal family was descended from Horus."
"So the texts say," Irene put the book in the box.
"Mom, is it okay if I keep these?" Tristen asked as he stood.
"I don't see why not? After all, you've been dabbling into Egyptian myths and everything else concerning it. Maybe you can find something your grandfather wrote."
"You never know." Tristen picked up the box and headed to his room. That's what I'm counting on, he thought.
Closing the door to his room he sat on his bed, setting the box next to him and pulled out the journal once more. Taking a deep breathe he opened it once more.
August 5, 1955
With my daughter in college I thought it would be nice to take my wife on another trip to Egypt. It's just as I remembered it and Helen loves it as well. I hope to take my grandchildren here before I die. I know they will enjoy this land as I have grown to. Sometimes I can almost see the gods the people worshipped long ago.
Tristen couldn't help but smile some. Maybe one day I will go visit Egypt, he thought to himself and flipped forward a few pages.
March 3, 1957
My daughter has met a young man in college, a David Taylor. She's going to invite him home the next vacation period. I don't know what to think of him but I trust my daughter; as long as she is happy then I am happy for her. But something interesting happened today, I ran into a woman while in the market square and the next thing I know we're talking about our pasts. She was an exile from her tribe. She never told me why but when I told her I was fascinated with Egypt and its history she told me the most interesting story I have never heard of.
When the pyramids were barely being built, the great Mother Goddess Isis bore a daughter who lived with the humans. She served the great goddess all her life, never bowing to anyone, not man, pharaoh, or god but only to her Mother. As years passed she soon became the mother of three daughters herself but legend said that the daughters each had different fathers. The oldest was the daughter of the Lord of the Sun, Ra. The second oldest was the daughter of the Lord of the Underworld, Osiris. And the youngest was the daughter of the Lord of the Dead, Anubis. But like their mother, these girls were mortals and grew up to become priestesses of their fathers and mother.
I asked the woman how she knew of this story when I had never heard of it before; she explained that her family had passed the story down from generations, from female to female. I asked why she was telling me this. She said the most interesting thing; that in the future this knowledge would prove most useful. I don't know what she meant by that. Before I could get her name or even ask for the daughters' or their mother's name she left. I tried to catch her but she disappeared in a crowd.
I'm heading home tonight by plane. The mystery woman still puzzles me but I at least have a new story to tell my daughter. One thing makes me wonder, if the gods had mortal daughters, why hide it from the world? Perhaps time will tell.
Tristen closed the book and stared at his grandfather's name. "She was right, grandpa," he said. "And you have no idea how useful your stuff is gonna be."
Setting the book down, Tristen picked up the phone and dialed Yugi's number.
"Kame Game Shop!" Solomon answered in a cheerful tone.
"Hi, it's Tristen. Is Yugi there?"
"Sorry, he and Yami left for Tea's house not too long ago."
"Okay, thank you."
"You're welcome, Tristen."
Tristen hung up the phone and grabbed his grandfather's journal. He left his room, heading down the stairs as he placed the book in his backpack. He yelled to his parents that he'd be back later and walked out of the house before he received an answer.
--
"So, do you and Seto have anything planned for the evening?" Ishizu asked.
Cheri shook her head. "Nothing special, just some quiet time together."
The Egyptian woman nodded. "If you'd like, both of you are more than welcome to join Rashid and I."
"That'd be nice."
"So how are things back in Domino City?"
"Well, the press is disappointed about our disappearing act," Cheri grinned. "Mokuba sent us the clippings."
"I'm sure they will settle down in a few days or so," Ishizu sighed.
"If this keeps up we'll have to move here."
"Would it be so bad?"
Cheri thought about it before she shook her head. "No but I really miss everyone back home. Call it homesickness."
"Understandable."
"But there's something about here, and I don't mean just because I lived here five thousand years ago."
Ishizu laughed gently. "Egypt always had its magic, though most of it has faded from the land. Not many people believe in the gods anymore. There were times I even questioned their existence. But now I know that they are. They're just letting us live our lives our way."
"We just have to remember them," said Cheri. Her hand started to itch and she scratched it.
"Something wrong?" Ishizu asked.
"I think I got stung by something," Cheri held her hand out to the other woman.
The older woman reached out and took her hand in her own, peering at the bite mark. It didn't seem too much out of the ordinary except that it was red from the scratching but the bite looked odd. "Do you know what bit you?" Ishizu asked.
"No but it happened at the museum when I asked about the Dark Scorpion," she explained. "Should I worry?"
"I don't know... but if you like I can introduce you to my doctor and he can have a look."
"Hmm I guess it couldn't hurt to have a look... Maybe it was nothing. I mean it's kinda like when you get bitten by an ant or something." Cheri smiled. "No worries."
"If you say so," Ishizu released her hand. "Anywhere else I can take you to look?"
"How about that shop where the dancer outfits were."
--
Joey looked up from the duel he and Serenity were playing when the front doorbell rang. "I'll get it." Rising from his chair, he walked to the front door and opened it.
"Hi, Joey."
He blinked. "Mai?"
"Surprise."
"What are you doing here?"
"I knew that you were going to visit your sister," Mai explained. "Actually, Serenity is in on this a little bit. I wanted to talk to you but I didn't want to upset your girlfriend."
Joey stepped outside and closed the door. "So what do you want to talk about?"
Mai held up her left hand. "I got married."
The blonde just stared at the golden band that now graced her finger. Mai? Married? He opened his mouth to say something but no sound came out.
The young woman smiled as his reaction she reached out and gently closed his mouth. "Don't want you to catch a fly."
"Um thanks. But you? Married?"
She slowly crossed her arms over her chest. "You expected me to be single for the rest of my life?"
"Honestly? Well maybe not forever but--never mind." Now it was his turn to smile some. "So who's the lucky guy?"
"Don't worry, it's not the ninja nerd from Battle City," Mai grinned. "His name is Brian Sheihi."
"Wait a minute. Brian Sheihi the mystery novelist?"
"You've heard of him? I'm surprised. I thought you only read comic books," Mai smiled teasingly.
"I've read more than that lately. We had to read his third book for literature class before graduation. It was good."
"You're not mad then?"
"Why would I be? Things just go a certain way. We've got our own lives. You live yours and I'll live mine."
"Thanks, Joey," Mai smiled and hugged him. "I wanted to tell you before you read about in the paper's wedding announcements. You deserved to be told directly."
"When did you get married?" Joey asked. "When did you two meet?"
"We've know each other for a long time. After Battle City was over, I decided to take a break. I saw Brian again and we just went from there."
"Long as he makes you happy and sometimes, it's better to marry your best friend then a complete stranger."
"Hmm why do you think I turned down that action fake? He didn't want a wife he wanted a trophy to show off to his public. Brian understands me and cares about me. I care about him a lot as well."
Joey couldn't help but smile brightly. She had changed a lot from the first time he had met her and now that he thought about it, he changed as well. "You know, you and Brian should visit us sometime. Yugi and the others would be happy to hear from you and maybe we can get his autograph."
Mai couldn't help but laugh softly. "I'll ask him. It really was good to see you again, Joey."
"Yeah same here. You wanna come inside for a bit and say hi to Serenity?"
"As much as I love to I can't, I have some errands to run. But tell her that next time I come to town we should all get together."
"Yeah no problem." Hugging once more Joey waved and watched as Mai Sheihi walked down the sidewalk to her convertible. Getting inside she buckled her seatbelt, stared the engine and waved to him before driving off. He smiled as he headed back inside.
Serenity looked up and smiled as big brother came back, sitting into his chair. "Who was at the door?" she asked.
"It was Mai. How come you didn't tell me she got married?" he asked, picking up his cards.
"She told me not to tell you. I'm glad she married someone she knew, he seems like a good man," she said.
"He's a great writer as well. I asked Mai that next time she came to visit to bring her husband along."
"Just make sure you tell Keriam that Mai's married now."
"Don't worry, I will," Joey smiled. And I'll make sure Marik knows, too.
--
"Yugi," Tea said softly, "what's wrong?"
He looked at his girlfriend. "Have you been having any dreams lately? Anything pertaining to Egypt, the Sisters of the Moon... Osiris and Anubis?"
Yami watched the couple, taking in their reactions.
"I... I saw my mother," Tea began slowly, "when I was Peisimemne. She underwent... a passage rite with the asp. Then... Isis called her."
"Tea..." He reached over, covering her hand with his own. She squeezed it tightly as she shut her eyes.
"But that wasn't what scared me, what scared me was that... I have to..." She couldn't bring herself to say it as a tear crept out from her closed eyes, sliding down her cheek.
Yami slowly moved until he was kneeling before her and reached out, gently brushing the tear away. "I know this is hard but we need to know," he said softly. "It may help us."
"It may also doom us," she cried out, rubbing at her eyes. "I-I have to kill someone." She opened blurry eyes to look at them sadly. "I have to kill one of my Sisters."
"What?!" Yami exclaimed.
"It's Cheri," Yugi said quietly. "You are the Daughter of Osiris, and Cheri is the Daughter of Anubis." He looked at Tea. "Anubis is the son of Osiris. That's why..."
Tea closed her eyes and nodded.
The Pharaoh shook his head. "I don't understand. Why would you have to do such a terrible thing?" Yami thought for a moment and his eyes widened. "Unless..."
Yugi and Tea looked at him. "What?"
The doorbell rang. Yami stood up and answered it. "Tristen."
"Hey," the taller boy greeted and walked inside. "Did I come at a bad time?" he asked when he saw Tea.
"No," she wiped her face, "I'm okay."
"Hey Tristen," Yugi waved to his friend but it wasn't such a happy moment right now.
The brunette nodded as he slipped his backpack off his shoulders and pulled out the leather bound journal. "I found something you guys may find interesting."
Yami frowned a bit as he took the book from him. "Alexander Tristen Cooper. A relative?" he asked.
"My grandfather. Turns out when he was 12 years old his father took him to Egypt and he's been there repeatedly. The last entry I read talks about the legend of the Sisters of the Moon."
Now Tea's eyes widen at this bit of news. "Where did he hear that from?"
"He met a woman who had been exiled out of her tribe. I thought you might want to read it."
Yugi took the journal from Yami and opened it to the final entry. He read the entire passage out loud for everyone. When he finished, Yugi closed the book and gave it back to Tristen.
"He has a few books on Egypt," the brunette boy said. "I'll let you borrow them, Yugi, if it'll help us any."
"Thanks Tristen, we could use all the help we can get," he nodded to him.
"What puzzles me is this mysterious woman your grandfather met. The legend was passed down through family members; like Ishizu said, her grandmother told it to her. The same thing happened to Deliem and his brothers since their ancestor was a priest of the Sisters," Yami thought out loud.
Tea wasn't sure what to say but, could she really kill Cheri? And what did Yami mean earlier? She squeezed Yugi's hand tightly as she felt an icy grip grasp her heart. The young man looked at her but said nothing, slowly linking their fingers together.
We'll figure a way through this Tea, hopefully, by taking no one's life.
--
"I'll get it!" Keriam yelled when the phone rang. "Hello? Hey!"
"It's Joey," said Malik. He was sitting on the couch with Marik, playing Dead or Alive 3.
"Don't care," Marik grumbled and smirked as his character pummeled Malik's.
"Oh really?" Keriam said. "How is Mai?"
Marik's smirk turned into a grin at the sound of the female duelist's name.
"You're kidding. I never would have thought that she would. Yes, I know. Anyone can get married if they want to."
Marik fell off the couch. Mai?! Married?! NOOOOOO!
Malik hit the pause button and placed his right hand over his heart. --Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today for the death of this man's hope.--
"Knock it off!" Marik growled at his hikari and got up from the floor.
The ten year old just smiled at him as he hit the pause button once more. As their game continued but he couldn't help but risk a look at his other half.
--What are you thinking of now?-- he asked.
--Nothing for you to worry about,-- he answered tensely.
--Better not think of trying to break up a certain marriage.--
--That's Bakura's job.--
--I swear you two should be related since you're both obsessed with getting a girl already whose already chosen.--
Marik just gave him a shove, nearly sending him off the couch before turning to the controller.
"Hey!!" Malik frowned as he straightened. "I'm younger than you so you're suppose to protect me not push me." He quickly hit him in the arm.
"Older family members can smack around the younger ones if they get on one's bad side."
"And the younger ones always get even."
The Ishtar boys glared at each other.
"Okay," Keriam's voice caught their attention. "I'll see you Sunday afternoon. I love you, too. Bye." She hung up the phone. "Well, Joey and Serenity are having a good time together. Elizabeth is actually trying to act more like a parent now that the way she had."
"That's good," said Marik.
"So Mai got married?" Malik asked.
Keriam nodded. "Surprise, surprise. Goodbye, Mai Valentine. Hello, Mai Sheihi."
"Sheihi?" Marik looked at her. "As in Brian Sheihi?"
"The famous mystery writer himself. Turns out they knew each other for a long time. After Battle City was over and Mai went off, they met up again."
"When did they get married?"
"A couple weeks ago," Keriam answered. "That's the surprise she wanted to tell Joey. Mai wasn't sure how'd I react if she showed up here."
"I can think of one possibility," Marik said in a low tone. There went his fool proof plan. Now what he going to do?
"I wish I was there so I could've seen his reaction," Malik spoke up as he made room for Keriam to join them.
The young woman sat down with a soft sigh, looking at the game still in progress. "Well according to Joey, it felt like he had been hit with a truckload of bricks. He said she seemed happy though and, I'm happy for her," she answered.
"'Cruz she's married and won't be after your guy?" Malik smiled teasingly.
"… That and least she knows him. Hey I play winner."
--
"Seto?" Cheri called. "Where did he go now?" She was about to check the bathroom when she noticed a large white box sitting on the bed. Before she could touch it, there was a knock on the door. She walked over and looked through the peephole. Seeing Ishizu standing on the other side, Cheri opened the door.
"Hello," Ishizu smiled brightly.
"Come on in," Cheri moved aside to let the other woman enter. "I'm afraid we'll have to postpone the supper gathering." She closed the door. "Seto disappeared again."
"Yes," Ishizu smiled as she turned to face her friend, "but not in the way you think."
"Okay, I know that Millennium Necklace gives you the ability to see into the future-"
"That, it does. Only this time I'm in on what Seto is doing."
"Oh? And I suppose it has to do with the box on the bed." she gestured to it.
"I can't say anything but I'm here to help you get ready."
Cheri sighed but smiled. "You're not going to spoil the secret."
Ishizu just continued smiling. "You'll find out in due time."
Trusting her Cheri moved towards the box and opened it. She gasped and pulled out a lovely white gown. Holding up she recognized the design as that of a wedding gown. "Oh gods... I-I don't know what to say..." she whispered softly.
The older woman went to her side, reaching out to touch the silky soft material. "It's beautiful. Shall we get you ready?"
Cheri was nervous, excited, giddy, and other emotions she didn't know what to call as Ishizu helped her get dressed and put on her makeup. Once the light veil was placed on her head, Cheri then dared to look at her reflection, and smiled.
"I wish everyone was here, right now," Cheri said quietly, "especially my mom."
"Don't doubt the modern world," said Ishizu. "Are you ready?"
Cheri nodded and followed Ishizu out of the room and to the elevator. They reached the lobby and walked into a small dining room, which now had been mostly cleared of the tables and replaced with exotic flowers and a long white carpet, leading to the other side of the room.
Standing at the other end was a minister, Rashid, and Seto. Cheri looked at him--he looked so handsome in the white tux and a blue carnation in the lapel. She smiled as she did her best to hold back her happy tears. Mouthing, 'Thank you' to him, Cheri started down the carpet. When she close, Seto held out his left hand and she placed her right hand in his, stopping when they stood side by side.
"You look so beautiful, Cheri."
"Mom?" Cheri turned to her left and found herself looking at Seto's laptop with her mother and Mokuba watching via live Internet video.
"No way were we going to miss this!" said Mokuba with a large grin.
Rose smiled as she nodded to them. "Don't worry we're saving this so the others can see it later."
Cheri smiled and looked up at Seto. "You had this all set up," she said instead of asked.
He gently squeezed her hand. "As I said before, I would do anything for you," he answered.
The priest nodded to them as they faced him, showing they were ready. "We have come together here under the Goddess of the Sky, Nut, where you may pledge your love in a setting that will never be duplicated in all the world and be remembered for all time. Take each other by the right hand; here under the ever knowing eye of the Father of Creation, Ra, do you share a vow?" he asked to the couple.
Seto nodded and looked directly into Cheri's eyes. "I, Seto, do vow, washed by the rays of the sun, to always love you as I do this moment. As I stand upon a sea of sand and smell the incense in the air, I shall hold this vision forever in my heart. As Anubis is my witness, I pledge my trust, my honor, and my loyalty to you and to none else. I shall rejoice in this day, as the world stretches out above to call you my wife. You will be part of me as the sands are to Egypt and I will cherish you in all your images through this life we will share together."
Cheri felt a tear flow down her right cheek at his words. Taking a deep breath to gather herself, she started her vow. "I, Cheri, vow to be to you as honest as Mother Isis has been to me. As your words serenade my heart, I commit to love and to cherish you as we stand beneath this bough, embellished with nature's fabric. For you, my life shall be a bouquet, ever fresh, ever fragrant, rejuvenated with the nourishing love I feel for you. My soul shall forever rejoice in my pledge to take you as my loving husband, as we stand encircled by the arms of the Ancient Gods. I accept your pledge and do also promise always to stand beside you and no one else, and to be to you as constant as the stars that shine above, as warming as the sun itself. This is my vow on this day we become one."
Once the vows passed their lips Seto reached out, gently lifting the veil and gently brushed the tear away. Cheri smiled, leaning into his hand as she leaned up so their lips touched. Ishizu and Rashid couldn't be happier for them as the priest smiled on. Rose was crying silently yet happily and Mokuba was smiling brightly. His big brother was happy as before their parents died and not only that, he gained a big sister.
As the kiss broke apart they just stared into one another's eyes deeply. This surely was the most joyous day in their lives. They were officially Mr. and Mrs. Seto Kaiba and nothing was going to tear them apart.
Authors' Notes:
Heikou: Aw, Seto and Cheri got married. Isn't it kawaii?
Janime: Boy, is Bakura gonna be pissed when he finds out!
Heikou: Indeed. Good thing Katsuya is with Ryou.
Janime: You have to love the wolf.
Heikou: Isn't everyday you can have a big wolf to play guard dog
Janime: Haha. Hmm so Mai's married. I'm happy.
Heikou: Yeah she can't steal Joey away. Wonder what Marik's gonna do now.
Janime: Almost afraid to ask.
