"Arise from Darkness"

By Heikou and Janime

Chapter Twenty-Two

Devine and Demonic Intervention

"I'm surprised that you came."

"Yeah? So am I." Keriam looked around Pegasus' suite before settling her gaze on the millionaire. "Nice to see that you still had some threads stashed here."

Pegasus glanced briefly at his deep purple suit. "A gift from my wife," he said. "Your recent choice of words matches those of that ruffian that you are currently courting."

"I'm going to pretend that was a compliment. I can always leave you to mope around," she said coolly, resting her hands on her hips.

The older man held his hand up. "I apologize. Before you came I made a call; Industrial Illusions is still standing but I'm afraid that Kaiba Corporations has beaten me, how do you say, to the punch. My company will never catch up to the level Kaiba-boy has now."

"So change what your company does. Go into a new business. You still have your building and stocks so change it around," the red-head said. "You've been given a kind of second chance at life. So here's a second chance for your company."

Pegasus turned his head to his right slightly, contemplating her words. "I will see what is out there, eventually. Now," he looked back at her and gestured to the chair near him.

Keriam sat down but remained on guard. "Why did you ask me to come here?"

"Right to the point. I like that in a woman."

"…Don't get any ideas."

Pegasus chuckled then became serious. "All my research I did in Egypt on the Millennium Items, the Nameless Pharaoh--everything… I will have it shipped here as soon as possible. It would only take two days--five at the longest."

The Daughter or Ra raised an eyebrow then smiled. "What's the catch?"

"Catch?"

"Don't play innocent, Pegasus, after all the Big Five offered you Kaiba Corp in exchange that you took down Seto in a duel."

"And that I did," Pegasus picked up a glass of wine and sipped it. "However Kaiba-boy still has his company, and Big Five is gone. They didn't really care for working for his stepfather," he swirled the wine in the glass, "but they were aggravated that the student surpassed the teacher."

"I can imagine," said Keriam. "Now what do you want in exchange for lending all of your research? And if it's anything I don't like, I'll rip out your other eye." Great Ra, I'm starting to sound like Bakura! Keriam tried to remain passive. I knew I shouldn't have let him go with me inside Cheri's Soul Room!

"I do believe you've been hanging around that boy for a bit of time," he said calmly, looking at the liquid in his glass. "Never imagined I would hear such a threat from a young lady, though."

"Maybe you're right. So what do you want in return? Time is not on our side."

The former bearer of the Millennium Eye looked at his drink for a long time before looking up at the Sister. "Tell me, can you summon spirits that have passed on?"

Keriam blinked. "Summon a spirit? I... never tried anything like that." She remembered about Russell and clenched her hand tightly. He was gone and hopefully being tortured to the brink of insanity within Ammit's stomach. "Why do you want to know?"

"... I want to see my beloved Cecilia, one last time. But I also want to speak with her."

--

"Come in, Tristen," Terry smiled as she stepped aside to let the young man inside.

"Thank you," he smiled. "I'm very sorry about your car…"

"It's in the past," Terry smiled. "I'm not going to fret over it anymore."

"Okay. Are Joey and Keriam home?"

"Joey is out in the garage with Malik and Namu fixing Malik's bike, and Keriam went into town for something."

"Thanks." Tristen walked through the short ventilated hallway that connected the house and the garage.

"Oh, Joey!" Tristen called.

All three blondes looked up. "Hey, man, what brings you here?" Joey asked.

"Just one little question I have for you, bud," the brunette smiled.

Joey took the rag Malik offered and wiped his hands as he walked over to Tristen. "Shoot."

Tristen grabbed the blonde's shirt and pulled his close. "What did you get in Egypt that you were supposed to give to me?"

The honey blonde blinked as he tried to remember. "Egypt... oh yeah! Wait how did you know about them?"

Marik slowly stood, looking at the brunette. "Tristen, what happened?" he asked.

"... the Daughter of Isis came to me in a dream. She said, that the Books of the Dead and of Amun-Ra could be found but only when the third Guardians of Anubis and Ra were revealed. She also said that the consort of Ra held the Key but as the Keeper I held the power to unlock them."

"She actually came to you? Huh, I'm surprised," Malik said with some amusement in his voice.

"Remind me to laugh later. So where are these Keys, buddy?"

"I'd be happy to show ya, if ya let go of my shirt, pal." Tristen looked at him but let go. Joey straighten his shirt but reaching into his front pocket he pulled out two glowing orbs that Halima had given him.

"I got these from Marik, Malik, and Ishizu's aunt. Turns out every female in the Ishtar clan knew about the Daughter of Isis and the Sisters of the Moon. When we came back I meant to tell everyone but I forgot," he explained, looking at the items before handing them out to the chosen Keeper. "Sorry man."

Marik grabbed a rag and wiped his hands. "What else did the Daughter of Isis say?"

Tristen looked up from the two orbs in his hand. "The Keeper of the Book of the Dead already walks with us, and the Daughter of Ra's third Guardian will be revealed when the Books are revealed. He walks a different path but he'll join us."

Marik turned his head away, not wanting to reveal the emotions on his face.

"Did she say which one of us wasn't?" Joey asked.

Tristen pointed at his best friend. "Don't worry, you definitely are her Guardian…" he looked at the Ishtar brothers. "But she said that one of you has been chosen for something else. She didn't say what."

"Doesn't make me feel any better," Marik said mostly to himself.

"I'm starting to agree with you about all these riddles. I feel like we're never gonna figure this out until it's too late," the younger Ishtar sighed, crossing his arms over his chest and pouted a bit.

The brunette gave a weak smile and looked at the orbs. He could feel the power within but he also wondered. Who were the third Guardians?

"So what do you have to do with those?" Joey asked.

"How the hell should I know?" Tristen snapped.

"Well, you're the Keeper!"

"I never asked for the job and I sure didn't get the details!"

"Do you two always have to yell at each other?" Malik asked.

"Makes you wonder how they stayed friends all this time," grunted Marik, their conversation went unheeded.

"You've gotta do something with them," said Joey.

"Like what?" Tristen demanded. "Tell them to find the Book of Amun-Ra and the Book of the Dead?"

The two orbs glowed fiercely and floated up from the Keeper's hand.

Tristen blinked. "Okay, that works…"

"Listen," Malik said.

Ba-bum. Ba-bum. Ba-bum. Ba-bum.

Joey's eye twitched. "Is it me or does that sound like a heartbeat?"

"More like heartbeats," said Marik.

The two orbs pulsated as they floated in the air. They spun around Tristen and flew out of the garage, going in separate directions.

--

Bakura smirked at the bloodshot-eyed Ryou. "Sleep well?"

The hikari glowered at him. "How did I let you talk me into watching the Alien Trilogy?"

"I'm that good," the thief smiled, resting his hands behind his head as he leaned back in his chair. "But you have to admit, Sigourney Weaver kicked ass in the second movie."

Ryou couldn't help nodding at that fact, picking up his cup of tea and sipped it.

Ba-bum. Ba-bum. Ba-bum. Ba-bum.

"Do you hear that?" Ryou asked, setting the cup down.

Bakura was about to make a retort but his ears caught the sound. "What the…?"

A small glowing black orb suddenly flew through the kitchen window and hovered between the two boys. Both quickly scrambled to their feet and backed away.

"What the hell is that?!" Bakura shouted.

The orb continued to float above the table, its light pulsing in time with the strange beat echoing in the room.

Bakura focused on the tempo. "It sounds like a… heartbeat?"

"… Kura…?"

The thief looked at his hikari, who had his fingers pressed against the side of his neck. He couldn't help noticing how pale his other had become.

"… My heartbeat…" Ryou whispered.

Suddenly the orb shot straight into Ryou's chest. He cried out and collapsed on the floor, curling into a fetal position.

"Ryou!" Bakura dropped to his side and rolled the boy onto his back. He pulled Ryou's shirt up looking over the pale skin but there was no mark of entry.

"Oh gods!" Ryou sobbed. "It burns!"

"Hold on, Ryou," Bakura tried calming him, but in truth, the master thief had never been so scared in his life except-

The palace guards swept through Kuru Emma with the ferocity of a sandstorm. People all around him--elders, adults, and children--the soldiers' blades cut them down.

"Run, Doboro!"

Bakura shock his head form the horrific scene and focused on Ryou.

His eyes were shut tightly and pained whimpers escaped his throat he couldn't stop the burning sensation. It almost felt like his heart was on fire! He clenched at his chest tightly and couldn't help but cry out in pain. "Gods please make it stop!!" he practically screamed out.

"Ryou!!" The thief didn't hesitant as he pulled the young man against his chest, holding him tightly. By all accounts he should have been able to feel the same pain his hikari was going through but he felt nothing. Holding Ryou's clenched hands as the other arm wrapped around his shoulders tightly. The poor boy stuttered for breath that the thief tightened his arms around him. --Ryou, try to breathe.--

--Kura! It hurts so much! Please please make it stop!--

--Believe me if I could I would but I'm not letting you go.-- Long time ago he wouldn't have cared what happened to his light but times changed and so do people.

Ryou threw his head back and let out an anguished howl. At the same moment a strip of light appeared on Ryou's chest and something started to emerge from it. Bakura watched in horrified fascination as the black object freed itself from Ryou's chest cavity.

The light disappeared on his chest and Ryou was left gasping as the pain faded. The hikari slowly opened his eyes and looked at the thing that had left his body.

It was a book. A book that was cast out of metal, and looked very similar to the one Tristen was Keeper to.

Ryou swallowed hard. "Is… is that what… I think it is?" he asked weakly.

Bakura knew exactly what it was. After all, he had tried to steal it five thousand years ago. "It's the Book of the Dead."

--

Duke sighed as he looked over the sales of his store on his computer. All this work was so boring and time consuming. Sure he could give it to someone else to do but he was picky when it came to his store. Pushing the chair back he stood and stretched.

Ba-bum. Ba-bum. Ba-bum. Ba-bum.

"Huh? That sound… was that a heart beat?" he asked himself, looking around the room.

He didn't see anything but he could feel… a strange power coming for him. Moving slowly to his window he looked out the glass. Everything seemed fine in the clear day but, why did something feel like it was just about to happen? Something big?

Duke closed his eyes for a moment but when he opened them he gasped. Something was heading straight for him at an alarming speed. He quickly took a few steps back, holding his arms up but the object didn't break through the window. It just phased through and stopped before him. He thought it was a hummingbird or something but it wasn't even alive. It was… an orb. A golden sphere that pulsed in time to his heartbeat. He swallowed the lump forming in his throat and hesitantly, reached out to touch the item but before he could blink the item rammed itself deep into his chest.

"Erk!!" A raging fire seemed to erupt and surround his heart the young Dungeon Dice Master couldn't help but drop to his knees heavily, clutching at his chest tightly. He didn't feel a wound of any kind but his heartbeat seemed to be echoing in his ears like a drum. "What's--going--on??" he gasped and looked around blindly.

His dazed green eyes settled on his phone.

"Need--help!" Still on his knees he crawled forward but with each step he took the pain increased. When he was finally able to reach his desk he reached for the phone but then hunched over on the floor, crying out louder in pain. He shut his eyes tightly but it was no use.

Just when he thought he couldn't take it anymore his eyes snapped open. His back arched as he a pain-filled howl escaped his throat. A golden light appeared over his chest, like a knife cutting open his heart but instead of blood falling an object began to form. It didn't last long but when it was over Duke fall back, panting deeply. In a daze he reached out to touch his chest before slowly sitting up…

And stared at a large and heavy book with hieroglyphics adoring the covers resting on his lap. He touched it and could feel an immense power coming from it. He wanted to open it but, he couldn't. Or rather, he wouldn't. Not just yet.

Dragging himself closer to his desk he leaned against it and pulled the phone down by its cord. Watching it crash to the floor he picked up the receiver and dialed the first number that came to his mind. As it rang he held the book so tightly to his chest the ancient text bit into his skin and his arm was beginning to ache but he didn't care.

A click. "Hello?"

"Is Joey home? This is Duke Devlin."

"Sure let me get him." The phone was set down and he vaguely heard voices in the background. It was picked up again.

"Duke? What's up?"

"Joey… I think, you better get over here…"

"Are you okay? Did something happen?"

Duke looked at the book he held onto with a death grip and closed his eyes, leaning his head back. "Just, get over here… Please hurry."

"Okay, I'll be there in a few minutes."

"Thanks." Duke hung up the phone then turned his attention to the golden book.

He was the third, the final one to protect the Daughter of Ra, and he had to admit that was slightly jealous that Kasuyan was the consort to the powerful Sister. Not that he had any romantic interest in Theliane, beautiful as she was, he was more interested in the status that Kasuyan, the onetime outsider, now had.

Unlike their fellow Guardian, who did have feelings for the Daughter of Ra, emotions that were just as strong as Kasuyan's.

Theliane finished her prayer and rose from her knees, turning around with a golden metallic book in her hands.

Peisimemne and Agalameia stood on both side of the altar. The Daughter of Osiris held the Book of Shadows, and the Daughter of Anubis held the Book of the Dead. Their Guardians were standing close by.

"Deunoro," Theliane spoke.

He walked towards the Daughter of Ra and knelt, bowing deeply before her.

"It was commanded by my Mother, Isis," she continued, "for this Book to be written. This is from my Father, and he has chosen you to be its Keeper."

He raised his head and held up his hands. Theliane gave him the golden object.

"The Book of Amun-Ra."

Duke fell backwards after the memory faded. "Why me?" he asked the ceiling.

--

"Are you ready?" Keriam asked.

Pegasus slowly nodded. His face serious yet anxious.

Taking a deep breathe the young woman closed her eyes and lifted he hands up. "By my father's name Ra I summon a spirit long since gone. Appear before me and show thy self in the Mortal Realm. Come to us... Cecilia Pegasus."

The Daughter of Ra began to glow, her power glowing brightly as a tear appeared. Little by little it widen until it resembled a kind of doorway. As the door opened a beautiful woman silently and slowly stepped out. Her golden blonde hair fell loose down her back, her eyes shone like topaz gems and her smile was warm and loving.

Pegasus felt like his heart would erupt from beating so painfully hard but utter joy filled his every being. "Cecilia..."

She smiled warmly at him and stepped before him. Reaching up to touch his face she smiled more brightly. "Maximilian..."

He slowly raised his arms and pulled her against his body. He could feel her, touch her silky hair, smell the scent of roses, and feel her body's warmth. "I've missed you so much..." he sad softly, resisting the urge to cry.

"I have missed you too, my love," Cecilia moved back slightly but remained in her husband's arms. "I've seen what you did to bring me back… but my time is done."

"Cecilia," Pegasus looked at her, "how can you say that? We had so little time together."

"You made me so happy, Maximilian, it was more than a lifetime. My darling, I want you to be happy. You have to let me go."

"But... I don't want to lose you... I don't want to be alone again..." he admitted softly.

"You'll never be alone. Although I may not be here with you, I will never stop loving you. Maximilian... I will always be in your heart."

He held her hand tightly in his own. He didn't want to ever let go but deep down inside... he knew she was right. "I promise, that when my time comes I will find you."

"I will always wait for you."

"I love you, my beloved Cecilia."

"I love you, my dear Maximilian."

Still holding her tightly they shared a final yet loving kiss. Reluctantly, the gentleman released his wife and watched as she slowly walked to the doorway but before she went through she turned to the Daughter of Ra and smiled. "Thank you," she said softly and stepped through. The doorway closed behind her and the room returned back to normal.

Pegasus wiped the tears away from his face. He turned to Keriam. "Thank you."

Keriam nodded. "You're welcome," she said, her own voice telling that she was holding back emotion. "I always wanted to contact my mother… and my father--he died before I could have any real good memories of him…"

"Why haven't you?" Pegasus found himself asking.

"I don't know," she shook her head.

"… Maybe you should give it a try," he said softly.

The young lady rubbed at her eyes, removing the tears before they could fall. "First things first; we have to repair the tear before it's too late."

"I'll help in anyway I can; it's the least I can do."

--

Tea hummed under her breath as she mixed the batter in a large bowl. "Did you find the icing Yugi?" she asked her boyfriend."

"Uh yeah here it is!" Stepping back he held up two cake of icing: one red and one yellow. "It was stuffed all the way in the back of the cabinet."

"See I told you we had some. Somewhere."

Kenji and Arcaida, who were sitting on top of the refrigerator, looked at each other and shook hands. Just because they were protecting the Daughter of Osiris didn't mean that they couldn't pull an occasional prank. And who better to pull a prank on than a Sister of the Moon and the Millennium Puzzle bearer.

Yugi checked the expiration date on the yellow frosting. It was still good. A smile came to his face as he removed the lid and pealed off the foil seal. He wiped a little bit off the top with his finger. "I wonder if they're still good," he said, the grin spreading wider.

"Why don't you-" Tea began to say as she turned to him, and was stopped as Yugi smeared the yellow frosting across her lips. Then he gently caught her chin and licked the frosting off.

"Not too tart, not too sweet," Yugi smiled, "just the way I like it."

"You are getting very kinky lately," said Tea with a seductive look.

"Can you blame me? Beside," he pulled her closer, "you didn't complain last time."

They kissed again, momentarily forgetting about the cake that they had originally planned to bake together in favor of the baking they were currently at.

A noise that started as a small cough and ending in a muffled yelp, caused them to break apart. Yugi and Tea looked around the kitchen, finally catching sight of the two chibi Dark Magicians sitting on top of the fridge.

"Sorry!" Arcaida smiled at them with large eyes, while holding his hands over a struggling Kenji's mouth. "Don't stop on our account!"

The two of them blushed lightly but didn't resume. Arcaida, needles to say, was disappointed but released Kenji's mouth. "So much for that," he sighed.

Kenji frowned at him before smacking upside the head. "Next time don't do that!" he hissed at him.

"Oh like you didn't like looking either!" the crimson mage snapped back.

Yugi was trying hard not to laugh as he heard the two chibi spellcasters argue back and forth. They are too much like Yami, he thought to himself as he got the cake pans out.

Tea sighed as she set the bowl down to relax her arm, now stiff from all the stirring. She tasted a bit off the spoon and smiled. "I'm glad we're baking a cake instead of cookies."

The phone rang. "I'll get it," Yugi walked over to the phone near the archway leading into the family room, and picked up. "Hello?"

"Yugi," Marik's voice greeted his ear, "you, Tea, and Yami better get over to Kaiba Mansion ASAP."

"What happened?" the master Duelist asked, his tone causing Tea to look at him.

"Historians were right," said the Egyptian. "It's made out of gold. No wonder Bakura tried stealing it."

Yugi was about to ask what he was talking about when the realization hit him. "We're on our way." Hanging up the phone, Yugi quickly removed the apron and put it on the counter by the sink.

"What's going on?" Tea asked.

"The Book of Amun-Ra," her boyfriend looked at her with frightened eyes.

She blinked. "It's here? How did Tristen find it?"

"Marik didn't say. He said to get Kaiba Mansion and fast."

Tea pulled a drawer open, removing the plastic wrap, and cut a sheet, placing it over the batter filled bowl. Yugi tidied up the counter as best he could as Tea put the metal bowl in the fridge. Grabbing their shoes and keys, and Kenji and Arcaida hoping into Tea's purse, the two teens left the house.

Shaking the car key from the tangle of the house keys and key chain Tea opened the driver's door and quickly put on her seatbelt. Yugi nearly jumped into the passenger seat as he closed the door with one hand and pulled the seatbelt on with the other hand. Once the key was turned the engine roared to life and the deep blue Hyundai Elantra peeled out of the driveway. Normally the young dancer wasn't so aggressive behind the wheel but in times of emergencies she drove like the hounds of hell were nipping at her heels.

Luck seemed to be by their side as they managed to get every green light and there were no sign of the police but had either of the youths noticed Kenji and Arcaida were holding their magical staffs tightly, chanting softly under their breath.

Within minutes they screeched to a stop at the Kaiba gate. Punching in the code the gates opened and Tea drove up to the front door. Opening the door she pulled the seatbelt off and grabbed her purse, startling the two magicians at her rough treatment. Yugi was in a similar predicament as they ran up to the front door. not knocking they entered the living room. They saw Bakura, Ryou, Duke, Joey, Tristen, the Ishtars and the Kaibas sitting/standing around the coffee table.

Resting on the table were three books: one made of metal, one made of gold, and another made of black onyx.

The Book of Shadows, the Book of the Dead, and the Book of Amun-Ra were in sight for all to see.

"Holy…" Yugi whispered.

Tea slowly walked towards the table. "Where did those two come from?"

"Inside Ryou and Duke," said Tristen.

"Duke?" Yugi and Tea gaped at the Dungeon Dice creator.

"Surprise," said Devlin. "Believe me when I say that I never want to go through that again."

"That makes two of us," Ryou agreed.

Yugi opened his mouth several times before finally finding his voice to speak. "How...? Who...?"

"I got these orbs from Egypt but Tristen was the one who, well activated them," Joey spoke up.

"I had no idea they would do that! I was kidding when I told them to locate the Books!" the brunette said.

"Whatever the Books are out and now we have the three Guardians revealed," Bakura snapped, rubbing his temple.

Cheri didn't say anything but tried to stay away from the books. She was scared and anxious at the same time. "So... what do we do?" she asked.

"Wait a minute," said Tea. "Where's Keriam?"

"She left early this morning," said Marik. "Didn't say where she was going."

"Pegasus called her and asked for her to go to his place," Malik said.

"What?!" Joey and Marik yelped.

"Ears, you idiots!" Bakura snapped, rubbing his own.

"What did she go over there for?" Marik demanded.

"That's all I got when I listened in on the phone," the shorter Egyptian said. "He needed something to be taken care of and she's the only one who can do it."

Joey growled. "If he even thinks of doing anything to her, I'll-"

"You'll do what?" a humored male voice asked.

Everyone looked towards the doorway where Pegasus stood with Keriam. Katsuya ran over to the Daughter of Ra and licked her hand, then guided her away from Pegasus.

"As you can see," Pegasus gestured to Keriam, "she has been returned, no harm done."

Seto narrowed his eyes. "Not that you haven't done enough already."

"Hmm," Pegasus looked at the three Books on the coffee table. "So it begins." He turned to Keriam. "I'll have my half of our agreement shipped here as soon as it arrives."

Keriam nodded her head. "Thank you."

"Miss Taite," Pegasus nodded to her then looked at the rest of the ensemble. "Everyone, good day." He turned and left the room.

Joey watched as he left before turning to his girlfriend. "Why didn't you tell us you left to see him?" he asked, trying not to sound jealous.

"For one thing you and Marik wouldn't let me go," she explained. "Nothing happened he just needed my help on something."

"Keriam," Tea caught her attention before the honey-eyed blonde could ask anything else, "Duke is the third Guardian and the one who had the Book of Amun-Ra."

"What??"

"Believe me I was just as surprised as everyone," the green-eyed youth sighed. "And… I had a weird flashback… I was told that Amun-Ra chose me to be the Keeper of that book…"

"You mean you saw the Sisters of the Moon?" Ishizu asked, more surprised at that remark.

"Exactly. Though I don't want to know what it was doing in my chest or even how it got there."

Seto turned to the bearer of the Puzzle. "Where's Yami? He can shed some light on this subject."

Yugi's eyes lost their focus as he talked with his other half. "He and grandpa are on their way here right now. Traffic is suddenly becoming packed."

"Um that would be our fault," Kenji spoke up as he and Arcaida popped their heads out of Tea's purse.

"We controlled the traffic and lights on the way over here so there would be no delay," Arcaida said a bit sheepishly.

"That's why we kept getting green lights or why the cops didn't try to pull us over!" Yugi exclaimed.

Ryou looked at the chibis. "Where were you guys when I took my driver's test?" he asked.

"Tristen," said Marik. "I know I'm probably a little late in asking this but what else did the Daughter of Isis say when she talked to you?"

"Something…" the brunette paused, remembering. " 'When windows are mirrored, the third Guardian will be revealed, and the Books will appear'."

" 'When windows are mirrored'?" Mokuba asked.

Seto looked at Keriam and Duke. "Eyes," said Seto.

"What does that have to do with anything?" asked Joey.

"Eyes are windows to the soul, are they not?" the CEO pointed out. "They both have green eyes. When windows are mirrored--that is what she meant."

"I'm beginning to hate riddles," Bakura snorted.

"For once I agree with you," Keriam sighed.

Yami entered the living followed by Solomon. He took one look at the Books then up at the Sisters. "Let me guess, not only were you three entrusted with the Egyptian gods, you also held three of the most powerful books in existence," he pointed out rather calmly.

"Close. Our Guardians were in charge of keeping the books safe," Tea added.

The old man's eyes widen as he moved forward. He reached out and lightly touched the gold, gray and black books. "I don't believe it... I heard stories but... I thought they were just rumors..."

"I believe it was for the best," Ishizu spoke up. "When the Sisters of the Moon passed on the Guardians may have hidden the Books so when they passed on the books wouldn't fall into the wrong hands."

Kenji and Arcaida got out of Tea's purse when she set it down and levitated so they were now standing on the table. "Then the answer must lay within these pages on how to seal the tears of our world," Kenji said.

"One crazy question I have to ask," Tristen spoke, "why were the Books sealed inside Ryou and Duke but not me?"

"Yeah, that's fair," said Duke, mocking resentment.

"Since it was in our family," Ishizu began, "and our grandmother gave it to your grandfather to give to you, it's quite possible that maybe one of Daughter of Osiris' Guardians was our ancestor…"

"That... actually makes sense," Marik said as he rubbed his chin thoughtfully.

"Do you think that maybe this person knew what was going to happen, like a vision?" Malik asked.

"I wouldn't put that down," Yami commented.

"Well I just hope when this is over that the Books don't go in the same way they went out," Ryou added. Duke nodded in agreement.

Cheri silently left the room, heading to the kitchen to get something to drink. As she stood before the sink she heard footsteps and looked over her shoulder. She had gotten used to the living armor after she kept reminding herself it was only guarding her. Looking back as her glass she closed her eyes and took a deep drink.

"Headless Knight... whatever happens; I want you to protect Seto and Mokuba from any and all attacks. Especially from me…" she said softly but knew that he heard her. Setting her glass down she reached out and lightly touched the red bands encircling her upper arm.

--

"The Books have been released."

The cocoon pulsed. "You are certain?" the Black Scorpion asked.

"Yes," the man replied as his dark grin spread wider.

"How is it that you know?" Don Zaloog demanded.

The man turned around, for a moment his empty eyes seemed to gleam. "I have my ways. You would also benefit from a few facts I have learned from their little gathering."

"We do not care what they were babbling about," Cliff snapped, "I just want to know how to get my sister back where she belongs."

"That would be one of the facts I am talking about. The red bands placed around her arm where the tattoo is are blocking her memories as Meanae. You can thank the Daughter of Osiris for placing them." The man grinned. "The bands can't be removed by anyone except by the one who placed them there, or if someone recites the spell from the Book of Shadows."

"Then let me retrieve the Book! I lost my sister once and I will not lose her again!"

"Silence Cliff!" the cocoon bellowed, making the room seem to shake.

"But sire-"

"I said silence!!"

The young man immediately fell silent but one could tell he wasn't happy.

The stranger gave the trap remover a smug smirk before continuing. "Not only are the Books revealed, the Guardians have awoken as well. And I know who holds the golden and black book."

"Even if you told us it wouldn't do much good," Don Zaloog said as he crossed his arms over his chest. "With the tears to the Shadow Realm growing everyday they can easily summon a monster to guard them from our attacks."

"Be that as it may," the man said, running a hand through his spiky hair, "the Keep of the Book of the Dead happens to be no other than the other half of the thief who was given an invitation not too long ago. Am I right, Chick?"

The other Scorpions looked at their youngest member. "What did you say to him?" Gorg narrowed his eyes.

"Just that if he'd be better off to cast his lot in with us," Chick answered with a nervous laugh.

"Inviting one to our cause is not something to give out freely," said the Black Scorpion. "Begin with the next phase of the plan."

"Sire," the Scorpions bowed and left.

"Tell me something," the figure inside the cocoon shifted. "You still believe that you can disrupt their circle?"

Chuckling, the man faced the dais. "One of the other Guardians still has a weak point to which I will be content to exploit."

"Can you reach him?"

"The link was never completely severed. Once I begin to play with his mind, he will begin to doubt himself. This will cause more than just concern among the others."

The figure thought this over before chuckling deeply. "United they stand, divided they fall."

"Exactly." The shadow man grinned to himself darkly. I shall relish in his pain and take what is most dear to his heart.

--

Marik stiffened and let his eyes look around the room. Nothing. But why did he just hear a dark and evil laughter?

"Marik? You okay?" Malik asked, looking up at him worriedly.

He smiled and rubbed his brother's head. "I'm fine. Just thought I heard something but it was nothing."

"Maybe it was Wheeler's stomach," said Bakura.

"Hey!" Joey protested and then his stomach did growl. "Okay, I will admit that time was me."

"It's lunchtime anyway," Duke said as he rose from the couch. He turned to Seto. "So what do you keep in your fridge?"

At the rate I'm going, Seto thought, I should open a restaurant. "Help yourselves but do try to keep the kitchen clean."

"Chow time!" the honey blonde grinned and fairly leapt from the couch, running towards the kitchen.

"Hey wait up! You'll eat everything there!" Tristen yelled and ran after his friend.

Duke sighed and followed at a slower rate, muttering about how he was glad this wasn't his home.

Cheri dodged the guys as she made her way out of the kitchen and leaned against the doorframe of the living room. "If anyone needs me I'll be in my studio. I have several paintings I need to finish."

"Would you like anything to eat?" Ryou asked, slowly standing.

"No thanks I'll be fine." Taking a sip from her glass she headed to her studio/room.

Seto headed to his office. Mokuba and Malik took off with Katsuya. Bakura decided to brave the kitchen in hopes of finding a steak. All who remained in the living room were Keriam and the rest of the Ishtar family.

Marik felt their eyes looking at him. "What?" he asked.

"It's still there, isn't it?" Ishizu looked at her brother. "Your tie to the Shadow Realm."

The platinum blonde closed his eye, nodding in confirmation.

"Tie? What tie?" Keriam asked.

"Since I was created from darkness and first held the Millennium Rod, I've had a kind of connection with the Shadow Realm", Marik explained. "I never tapped into it much but when that, psycho took control he locked my soul in the Shadow Realm and for a while I was utterly helpless." Taking a deep breath, he slowly opened his eyes but didn't look up at anyone. "I don't know why... but since the appearance of the Dark Scorpion clan, I've felt like something wasn't right. It's like I can hear thoughts in the back of my mind but before I can focus on them they're gone. I thought it was just stress or something."

I hate to find out what the something is, Keriam thought; she turned to Ishizu. "What did happen to the Dark Scorpion Clan? Were they sent to the Shadow Realm?"

"Quite possibly," said Ishizu. "I read a few scrolls that Halima had given me before we left Egypt. When the Daughter of Anubis--Agalameia's mother, that is--fled from the Black Scorpion, he pursued her and the rest of the Scorpion Clan was with him."

Well she was pregnant with Meanae's incarnation, Keriam frowned.

"Anubis, after watching his Daughter fall to their blades, sent the Scorpion King into a kind of exile but not to the Shadow Realm. Nothing was mentioned what became of the rest of the Scorpions."

"Do you think that they may have followed the Scorpion King somehow?" Rashid asked.

"It's possible. Even combined they would be no match against a god," she nodded.

"So, what can we do?" Marik asked, looking a bit worried.

"For now... nothing. As long as the Black Scorpion is in exile we should have no problems. The assassins, however, are another matter."

"We'll deal with them when they show up," said Keriam.

Nan walked into the room. "Has anyone seen Mokuba?" she asked.

"He took off with Malik and Katsuya," said Marik. "Something wrong?"

"I just wanted to tell him that I was going out shopping and that I'd pick up the dog shampoo."

"Okay, we'll tell him."

Nodding, the elder woman left.

Keriam's eyes widened. "Katsuya!"

--

Seto walked from his office to the hallway bathroom; the one attached to his office was awaiting a new toilet so he had no choice to make the trek down the hall.

Upon arriving at the bathroom, the CEO heard two voices of laughter and water splashing. Raising an eyebrow, Seto opened the door.

"MOKUBA!"

Said little brother was in the bathtub with Malik; both boys were wearing bathing suits and currently giving Katsuya a bath.

"Get out of the tub!"

"But we're not done yet," said Mokuba.

"Yeah," Malik chimed in, "Katsuya loves getting a bath. Don't you, Katsuya?"

Indeed, the large wolf was enjoying the pampering.

"Why didn't you wash him outside with the hose?" the CEO asked, trying to stay calm.

"We didn't make a mess and Katsuya is behaving!" the younger Kaiba said in the wolf's defense.

"I thought you had like a dozen bathrooms here anyway," Malik asked innocently.

"It's not that! I just want to explain to the plumber how I got wolf hair clogging the drain."

Katsuya growled but thanks to his slick fur he eased from between the two boys and stood in the middle of the bathroom. Then before anyone could stop him, he began to shake as hard as he could.

"Hey! Stop that right now!!" Seto yelled but it was too late. The front of his clothes were completely soaked and now so was every inch of the bathroom. Growling Seto wanted to lunge at the wolf but he held onto the door tightly. The floor was slick with water. "You mangy mutt."

Silver Fang just gave the CEO a lopsided grin but his eyes seemed to say 'showed you who's boss'.

Marik and Keriam appeared in the bathroom doorway, their eyes widening at the sight.

"Katsuya?" the Daughter of Ra gaped at her wolf.

Marik couldn't hold back his laughter anymore and burst out into a large fit.

"Not funny, Ishtar!" Seto hissed. "Look at this mess!"

"The bathroom or you?" Marik snickered.

Cheri walked next to Keriam. "What's with all the--oh my!"

Mokuba and Malik got out of the tub carefully, grabbing two terry cloth towels and proceeded to dry off the large canine. Katsuya didn't protest or move away as he was pampered some more. Marik was still laughing because the wolf's fur was puffed out.

"Oh gods he looks like a poodle!" he laughed, nearly falling back.

Katsuya growled but didn't move as he gave off another shake, ruffling his fur even more.

"That's it! Mokuba, next time you want to bath him do it outside," Seto said coolly.

"Oh Seto relax. If Katsuya had been a normal dog we'd have to worry a lot more than one wet bathroom," Cheri said and took his hand in her own, heading for their bedroom. "Mokuba, you better put on some clean and dry clothes, okay?"

"Okay Cheri! C'mon Malik, you can borrow some of my stuff." Grabbing towels themselves they ran off for the young boy's room.

"No running in the halls!" Marik called out and sighed. "You know, I can't picture life without him." He turned to Keriam. "Or you."

"Marik…"

"I still remember what I said last year after… you remember."

Keriam nodded. She knew that it was difficult for him to uphold that promise after the kiss. Their connection to each other after his spirit was in her body still remained. Once in a while, she could sense his emotions but she never found out if he sensed hers.

Marik looked away, feeling slightly foolish for having mentioned it. He felt soft lips press gently against his cheek and he felt himself blush.

"That's for being a wonderful friend," she said quietly.

Katsuya walked in between them and looked at Keriam.

"Okay, I'll take you outside," she said, "before Seto decides to have a heart attack."

Marik laughed and watched Keriam lead her Silver Fang down the stairs.

A beautiful woman with a strong spirit...

What? Marik blinked and reached up to cover his ear. Did I just hear someone?

The Daughter of Ra... soon she will be mine!

The young man whirled but found himself alone in the hallway. I know I heard something that time-

All will fall before my power...

Now I know I heard that! "Who's there?" he called out.

Silence greeted him but he waited for a moment longer. Nothing. Still hesitant he slowly made his way back to the living room but he couldn't help but think and wonder. That voice... where have I heard that voice before?