"Arise from Darkness"
By Heikou and Janime
Chapter Thirty-One
Rescued Salvation
The Scorpion King watched the fragile barrier that separated their world from the mortal realm quiver ever so lightly. So close he was tempted to be the first to step through but he was not stupid. The possessed monsters before him watched almost eagerly as he smirked and lowered his arm. The swarmed through with a tremendous roar.
Cliff looked at his sister but something did not feel right. The normal light he saw was not there. It was like someone forced it to die out. And no sign of the thief either. Can't say I'm not that worried about him.
"Zaloog." The leader stiffened and turned to their king. "Where is the thief?"
"I… do not know, sire," he said truthfully.
"You do not know the location of one of your warriors?" he mocked.
"… No I do not." And I do not care.
"Then Necrophedious must have destroyed him. When the time is right you four will join the army and take down those that have not submitted to our cause."
"And what about Meanae?"
He just smirked and rested a large hand on her shoulder. "She will stay with me. That is all you need to know."
"Sire." Zaloog bowed. He left the throne room, the other Scorpions following.
"Did you see Meanae?" Cliff asked quietly.
"He did something to her," said Gorg.
"You don't think," Chick looked at them, "that maybe they fought about her summoning the Army of Anubis, do you? And he put a spell on her?"
They stopped. "Why would he do something like that?" Zaloog demanded.
"You heard what he said earlier," said Cliff. "A Daughter of Anubis can summon his Army but some have died in doing so. What if Meanae dies?"
"Then her father dies as well."
The Scorpions jumped slightly.
"Bakura! Stop hiding like a coward!" Cliff yelled.
"Cowards are those who never finish what they started," the thief stepped out from behind a pillar. "My definition of hiding differs greatly from yours."
"When did you get back?" Zaloog demanded.
"And what the hell happened to you?" Chick couldn't help asking at the sight of the pale haired man's appearance.
"I got back just in time, and this," Bakura touched the bandage on his right arm over the scorpion tattoo, "was a gift from our crackpot sorcerer."
"Where's Necrophedious?" asked Cliff.
"He won't be joining us. Now if you'll excuse me." Bakura turned and walked to the throne room.
The king looked up and was mildly surprised to see the thief still alive but he did not come out of his mission unharmed. "Bakura..."
"Scorpion King," he replied back tensely.
"I had thought for a moment that your former mentor destroyed you."
"I knew I was being sent to my death but it's the other way around. He's gone and he won't be coming back anytime soon."
"You have proof of this?"
The thief snorted as his eyes narrowed. "I was there. What's this about Meanae summoning Anubis' Army?"
The king chuckled and pulled his daughter closer. "The pharaoh is so weak he will not dare harm my current army. But many centuries have passed so he may surprise me... how does that saying go? 'You can't kill what's already dead.'
"... I'll let that slide for now. Meanae, please tell me you do not want to call the army. You're human it could kill you!"
The young woman was silent she didn't bother looking up at him. She only lifted her head when her father the king forced her to look up but she didn't say a word.
"Say you will obey each and every command I give you no matter what," the warrior smirked.
"... I obey my king and only my king..." she said quietly.
--
"Malik?"
The boy looked up from the photo in his hands, looking at Keriam, her hair still damp from the shower she had taken a little while ago. Smiling lightly, he held the photo out to her. "Remember this?"
Keriam smiled at the picture of Malik and Marik, sitting on the merry-go-round at Domino Park. "Yeah, I still don't know how you managed to convince Marik to go on that." She sat on the couch next to him.
"Wasn't easy," Malik laughed softly, and took back the photo. "This is all I have left of him. I could get over the fact we were in separate bodies, and I was so happy to find out we're really brothers… but when I lost my connection with him…"
"Shh, Malik," Keriam hushed and pulled him into a hug.
"I want him back," Malik sobbed.
"So do I…" Keriam whispered. But how do you bring someone from where there's no return?
It hurt, to see someone you care about sacrifice himself to save you but she also wondered, if there was a way to bring him back how would one go about it?
Katsuya and Milus were lying on the floor before them, acting as silent guards but they too, felt sorrow. Another guardian was gone so what else could possible go wrong? The wolf's ears flickered and he raised his head. He sensed something in the air but was unsure of what. The wolf lifted his front paws onto the window still and peered out. What he saw made him growl.
Milus lifted her head as well. "What's wrong?"
"There's an army of Duel Monsters approaching the mansion... but they're deformed and I can make out the mark of the Scorpion on their bodies." He turned to look at the Daughter of Ra and the bearer of the Heart of the Shadow Realm. "The war is beginning."
--
Marik opened his eyes. Am I alive?
Pitch Dark surrounded him. All he could see was himself.
"You weak, pathetic fool!"
Something slammed into is back and he went flying. He flipped and stopped. There, not to far away, was Necrophedious.
Misery loves company, I guess, Marik thought. "I take it the Shadow Realm was a bit more scenic."
He snarled at him angrily. "Now because of you we're both trapped here! I can't even connect with that brat, Malik!"
Marik narrowed his eyes as he clenched his fists. "You better watch it, Necrophedious. We may be here for a long time but I sure as hell can kick your ass!"
The sorcerer snorted. "You couldn't stop me when we all shared the same body, what makes you think you can defeat me now?" He closed his eyes but regretted when he felt a gut wrenching punch to his stomach then a sharp uppercut to the underside of his jaw. He nearly bit his tongue but he felt blood slowly fill his mouth.
Marik looked very pleased with himself. "You were saying? I still owe you for what you did to Keriam."
Necrophedious wiped the blood away, smirking. "Jealous? I told those two that you weren't missing much. She was a rather frigid bitch."
Marik growled and lunged at him. They fought until Necrophedious wrapped his hands around Marik's neck.
"Do you think she could ever look at you the same again?" the sorcerer demanded. "I am you, you are me. That part of your soul will forever link us!"
Marik punched him in his throat, causing him to let go and backed away. "She knows who I am," Marik gasped out, "and she knows what you are."
--
Tea, Yugi, Yami, and Tristen stood on top of Kaiba Mansion.
"You sure this is gonna work?" Tristen asked.
"It will," Tea answered. "I did it before."
Yeah, but that was five thousand years ago, the tallest boy thought. And remember what happened after that?
"I see them," said Yami. In the distance, hundreds of Duel Monster headed towards the mansion.
Tea took a deep breath and closed her eyes. "Here goes."
"Be careful," said Yugi.
She smiled and closed her eyes, taking a deep breathe. She held her hands out before her and within a few moments, they began glowing a bright red color. The boys watched as her lips moved but could hear no sound. They heard a rumble and looking back at the ground watched as a barrier made of red energy appeared around the mansion just behind the fence and grew upward until it formed a dome over the entire property. From inside the group could see everything as if it were made of colored glass.
Tea sighed and would have fallen but Tristen and Yugi caught her before she fell completely. "It... should hold... until we can, figure what to do..." she told them in a soft voice.
"As long as they can't get in we should be fine," Yami commented. "Let's go back inside."
From inside the mansion the group heaved a sigh of relief. There was no telling how long it would hold but it gave them room to breathe and think. Upstairs Rashid was watching over his wife and newborn daughter. "There's now a barrier around the mansion. The Daughter of Osiris is protecting us."
"Then we must come up with a way to defeat the army without hurting them," she said softly.
Rashid walked over to the bed and sat beside Ishizu. She smiled and carefully placed Layla in his arms. For a moment, the new father froze but when Ishizu settled their daughter in his embrace, he relaxed. Layla yawned, her mouth making a perfect little oval before falling asleep again. Rashid smiled, staring at his daughter in amazed wonder.
"She's beautiful," he said, "no doubt she'll look like you when she grows up."
"And she'll have your stubborn streak," Ishizu grinned. "Good thing I know how to handle it."
Rashid chuckled lightly. "I do hope," he turned to his wife, "that she'll have Marik's eyes."
"So do I…" Ishizu said quietly then yawned.
"Get some sleep, you need it."
She nodded, settling down on the bed and watched her husband place Layla in the large basket that was now temporarily a makeshift bed for their daughter.
Looking at his precious child he slowly moved to the bed and covered Ishizu with a light blanket. "I'm going to see how the others are faring and return back to you," he told her softly.
She nodded and her eyes slowly drifted close. Before she fell completely under the spell of sleep she heard him whisper how much he loved her and a gentle kiss.
Rashid closed the door behind and sighed softly. He had a daughter of his very own... he had a family now... Marik, I wish you could have seen your niece, he thought to himself a bit sadly. He slowly headed downstairs where the others were gathered.
"I don't think that's a good idea," Ryou was saying. "Scratch that. It's a very bad idea."
"But it could work!" said Malik.
"No offense, Malik," Yami spoke up, "but how do we know that it won't cause-" he stopped when Rashid entered. "How's Ishizu?"
"Sleeping," the Tomb Keeper answered. "She very tired."
"No pain killers," said Mina, "I'm not surprised. I am surprised that you're still breathing, though."
Rashid smiled lightly then turned to Malik. "What was it that you were talking about just now? That it could work."
Malik looked up at Keriam briefly; she nodded to him. "The Tomb Keeper's Oath that father carved on Marik's back. When we split, it didn't appear on mine." He took a deep breath. "That's the one thing in Marik's mind that he always blocked from me, everything else I've seen without any problems."
Rashid looked at his younger brother, fearing what Malik was about to say next.
"I… I want to have the Tomb Keeper's Oath put on my back," said Malik. "Through the pain, maybe I can reach Marik and we can bring him home."
Rashid stared at him in shock for a long time. "…No."
"We won't use the Millennium Rod," said Keriam. "That's how Necrophedious got inside Marik. You were there, Rashid; you know how the ceremony is performed."
"I said no!" the Egyptian man hollered. "And how dare you convince him of this delusional scheme!"
"It was my idea!" Malik yelled.
"If anything she's been trying to get him to rethink it," Duke said, "like the rest of us."
"I do want Marik back," Keriam admitted, "but I would never put Malik's safety in jeopardy, Rashid."
"Regardless I vowed to never let anyone have that oath forever scarred into their skin."
"How many times do I have to say it?! I want it done!!" Malik yelled in frustration.
"I said no!!" Rashid yelled at the young boy. Everyone was taken back but Keriam wasted no time. Getting up she held the Millennium Key tightly behind her back and was making to leave the living room but as soon as she passed the older man she turned and placed the key at the back of his head. With a single click she found herself within his Soul Room.
"Forgive me, Rashid; but if this is the only way then so be it," she said softly. "I know you're hiding it, you want Marik back as well but I am not going to let Malik suffer like this."
He glared at her. "And you don't think I am suffering? Ishizu also suffers. How many years of verbal abuse did we have to listen to her father give to Marik? After he turned from the darkness in his heart… and we lost him again."
"I've been on Marik's end! I know what that's like!" she yelled, tears running down. "And he allowed himself to be imprisoned with Necrophedious just so that we could be safe! I am not going to abandon him!" Keriam ran from the soul room and slammed the door, locking it. "Sorry, Rashid, I'll let you out after Marik's back home."
"No!! Let me out! Keriam you cannot do this!!" But all his yelling was useless as the Daughter of Ra ran down the hall in search of a certain memory.
Many doors lined the hall but none of them were what she was looking for. She tried one room but it was when Mrs. Ishtar first found him. Her lips twitched in a small smile as she slowly closed the door. She headed further down the hall and opened another door. It was Marik's birth but all she could see from Rashid's eyes was when the older woman told him to watch over the family. She noticed Mr. Ishtar had their back to them she was sp tempted to go over and kill him but it was a memory. She could do nothing so she slammed the door as hard as she could.
"Wherever you are I hope you're suffering!" she hissed through her teeth. Looking down she saw many more doors but she didn't have time to check each and everyone one. Sighing in frustration she ran her hands through her hair. "Okay it's a memory he would rather not remember so the means he tried to lock it away." She snapped her fingers as realization hit her. "That's it!"
The Daughter of Ra ran down the halls, searching for anything that looked like it had been bared and locked she skidded to a fault. There was a door like the others but this one had heavy chains with the largest padlock she had ever seen keeping it shut. It looked like it would only open with a key but she was in luck.
"Open this door and allow me to see the memory within!" she commanded, holding the Millennium Key before her. The item glowed and the padlock began glowing as well but it just unlocked, falling to the floor, the chains falling. Smiling slightly she pushed the door open and like the time she entered Marik's mind to free him from his nightmare except this time, she could nothing to interfere.
Several men wearing the same hooded robes, one of them she recognized as Luzige, Marik and Malik's uncle on their father side. Rashid was trying vainly to stop the ceremony but it was no use. She could only watch as they strapped young Marik was forced to lie on the stone altar, watched as the leader of the Ishtar clan unsheathed the dagger from the Millennium Rod. Swallowing hard she moved forward and watched as the inscription was carved.
Keriam didn't know the first thing about the ancient language but a part of her mind quickly translated what it meant. She studied everything, reading the inscriptions under her breathe but how she wanted to strangle this psycho with her bare hands. Marik was begging him, pleading with him but he refused to listen. They didn't even give him anything to stop the pain or bleeding! As the ritual came to a close, Mr. Ishtar just turned his back and Rashid was let loose.
"Marik!" He undid the ropes and as carefully as he could, gathered the child in his arms and took him out of the room. Keriam followed and was relieved to see Hamila take Marik, concern and fear written on her face. She hurried off to tend to the wounds but Rashid didn't follow. He went down the other end of the hall and Keriam followed.
They were now in his room but he went straight to his bed. Reaching under the sheets he produced a sharp dagger. They watched the weapon for a while before he slowly moved to where a mirror sat and holding the mirror in his left hand. He brought the blade up and began to carve the same inscription into the side of his face. She winced as the blood fell; rapidly staining his clothes but he didn't stop until it was done. He set the slightly bloodied dagger down next to the mirror and moved to stand before a shallow bowl of water. From her spot Keriam watched as he washed the blood away, the water turning to a dark pink color then he took out some bandages and began to tend to his wounds.
"Through thick and thin you stood by him…" she whispered, feeling a tear roll down her face. "Even though you're not related to them by blood, you willingly shed your own blood for their safety." She watched as he turned and walked through her like she was a ghost, right out the door. She closed her eyes tightly and found herself out of the room, the locks back in place.
--
Bakura changed the bandage on his arm where the scorpion tattoo was. He frowned; the wound didn't look like it was healing despite the Red Medicine he drank. Not to mention the image of the scorpion looked fuzzy, and his stomach did little flip-flops.
He knew that he had been poisoned somehow, but there wasn't any poison on his dagger. It never left his side (except when he was with Meanae) so the other Scorpions couldn't have put poison on the blade, and he would be able to tell if there was.
I don't understand, Bakura thought as he touched the skin just below the wound, feeling the slight stinging pain. He stared at the tattoo and then his eyes widened slightly. "So that's how you keep them in check," the thief muttered.
The Scorpion tattoo was poison.
Necrophedious must have known, Bakura thought, that's why he cut it and left me there. I'll give you credit there, you bastard.
He slowly wrapped the clean bandage around his arm, making sure it was tight enough so it didn't fall off. Now that he thought about it, it actually made sense. Before getting the tattoo, he was rebellious and once he set his mind on a goal he didn't let anything get in his way. Now, he blindly obeyed that king without a second thought.
If only I could get close to Meanae I could try to remove hers but... he shook his head. No... despite what Necro said I cannot hurt her. She may not be the same woman I first fell in love with but no matter what I would follow her to the end. Then I need to speak to the one who holds all the cards. Black Scorpion King.
He slowly stood, easing the dagger he had been examining back into his belt. Now that his tattoo was ruined the king couldn't force him into anything he didn't want to do. That gave him a sense of relief and satisfaction. He walked down the halls; his sight focused straight ahead as he approached the doors. Part of him wanted to knock but why should he? He was the King of Thieves and kings stood on equal ground. He pushed the doors open and his heart seemed to drop into the pit of his stomach when he saw that Meanae was right where he had left her.
The king looked at him uninterested but his eyes settled on his bandaged arm, as the thief walked closer. He frowned just a tiny bit but didn't say anything, not even when the thief refused to bow to him like the others. "Something on your mind?" he asked.
Bakura smirked. "I kept wondering why the Scorpions followed you without question, and I doubt it was because you saved them. Millennia have passed and people change, even those that are spirits, and I know you didn't want to lose your best warriors. It took me a while but I know your secret." He reached up and gently rested his hand over the bandage. "Your hold over me is gone."
"... That may be true, Bakura, but as I have learned in the past there are many other ways to get others to do my biding." He slowly rose from his throne and walked down the steps until he was standing before the thief. "You know my secret but I know yours. I know the moment someone not of my clan steps foot on my territory. I know why you came and I know why Meanae never called her brothers."
"What are you getting at?" Bakura couldn't help it but his attention shifted to where the only female assassin stood, as if awaiting an order.
The Black Scorpion turned and went back to Meanae. He removed the scarf from her neck, revealing the necklace Bakura had given Cheri.
"Bastet," the king smirked, "was in league with my wife, the Daughter of Anubis." He grabbed the necklace and yanked it from Meanae, then threw the golden gift to the floor which skidded to Bakura's feet. "You gave that to her. You are here because you want to be with her. The reason she didn't call for anyone was because you managed to occupy her."
"So what if I was? You could have easily stopped me if you knew I was here so why didn't you?" he retorted. His heart beat painfully the moment the necklace was ripped off but he was not going to show his back to this madman.
"Because, you were the King of Thieves. When you set your sight on something nothing stands in your way. Besides, I needed someone who knew this world and era."
"You were expecting me..."
"Actually no; when you arrived I was hoping my daughter would have slit your throat but now I am glad you are within my ranks."
"Are you deaf as well as blind? I just told you your hold over me is gone!" he growled. "I am not your puppet!"
"Have you forgotten what I said? If you want my daughter so badly then you will obey my command," the king countered calmly.
"And if I refuse?" His eyes widen as the king produced a curved dagger and held it to Meanae's throat. She didn't flinch as the cold metal meet her flesh but the dagger slowly moved down until it was level with her naval. "You wouldn't..."
"Oh but I would. What better way to ensure the extinction of Anubis' legacy then by making this womb unfit for any life?"
"..."
"Come now it's not a hard decision. Follow me and you ensure the safety of this girl. Don't follow me and you will be forced to watch as I destroy any chance of her conceiving a child. Not even Bastet will be able to help her." When the thief didn't say anything he began to slowly press the tip of the dagger deeper.
Bakura grabbed the bandage on his arm, tearing it away.
"A wise decision," said the Black Scorpion. He put away the dagger and walked over to Bakura, grabbing the thief's upper arm.
Bakura didn't make any sound as the pain seared from his elbow to his shoulder. When the king released him, he looked down at the tattoo. No mark or any other trace of the injury was present on his skin. He hardly noticed that his stomach also felt better.
The king smirked and roughly patted him on the shoulder. "I leave you two to be but when I return, I want the both of you out of my throne room," he warned and left them.
"Asshole," Bakura whispered and picked up the necklace. He slowly approached the woman and slipped it around her neck. Taking the scarf he wrapped that around her neck as well but she never moved. "Meanae..." He pulled her close and wrapped his arms around her tightly. "Cheri... I know you are still in there so please, don't give up."
The young woman never said anything but she slowly buried her face where his neck met his shoulder. Her arms also moved up to wrap around him but her eyes remained their blank and emotionless state. Even as a tear slowly rolled down her cheek.
--
Two figures stormed down the hallway of Kaiba Mansion to the CEO's home office.
"Seto."
"Go away, Keriam. I am not doing it and that's final."
The Daughter of Ra grabbed his arm and jerked him around to face her. "That line may work with your employees and your brother, but it is not going to work on me!"
Seto glared at her. "Do you realize what you're asking me to do?"
"You're the high priest-"
"Was the high priest, Keriam, and I refuse to cut Malik and see him go crazy like Marik!"
"Marik was ten when he received the text. 'A decade and a fifth' is what the scrolls say. His father read it wrong. The ritual is for when the heir is twelve. Marik was too young, he wasn't ready."
"And you think Malik is?"
"His body is ten, Seto," Keriam reminded, "but he's the same age as us. He knows what's going to happen and he's willing to go through with this."
"I don't know the first thing about this ritual and I don't even know what it said on Marik's back! All I know is it had the images of the Egyptian gods on it and that's it. What happens if I hit a main artery or the spine?"
"You won't! Rose and Mystic Elf are going to help heal it as soon as the ritual is done so the scars will appear."
"What about Ishizu and Rashid? I know for certain they don't want him to suffer like Marik did."
"They don't… but this is Malik's choice. You should what it feels like to lose someone very close to you and wanting to do anything to bring them back," she said in a low tone even as she fought back tears. "Malik lost a brother he didn't know he had until several days ago. And I lost not only a guardian but one of my best friends."
Kaiba looked at her but her words rang true. If anything happened to Mokuba… he would do anything to bring him back. He still didn't like or really trust Marik but if Malik was actually willing… "Let's get this over with," he said in a low tone.
Keriam just nodded and hurried back to tell the others. Seto took the moment to sigh deeply and rub his hands over his face. Why me? he asked himself.
--
Marik inhaled deeply to steady his breathing. He looked at Necrophedious, rubbing his throat where Marik had punched him.
They glared at each other and Necrophedious spoke, "She knows what I am? I highly doubt that, Marik, you don't even know. Only Doboro has seen my true form."
Doboro? Marik thought. What the hell is he talking… Bakura!
"Yes, the very thief you allied with on Battleship," the sorcerer smirked, "my son."
"Son?!"
Necrophedious laughed at his reaction. "My son, my nephew, cousin, friend; as I had told the Daughter of Ra, I am his entire family."
Marik shook his head. "That can't be… how is that possible?"
Memories went past Marik's eyes of a village being destroyed by the palace soldiers, led by a priest. People of all ages were slaughtered, others pulled from their homes and thrown into large cages on carts, some falling victim to the carnal lust of the soldiers.
One woman inside a small hut that hadn't been attacked pulled a dagger across her two youngest children's throats. She laid their bodies on their sleeping mats and turned to her eldest son, the screams of the people outside echoing within their home.
"Doboro…" she said quietly.
"Send me to Anubis, mother," he said, "I want to see-"
The door burst open. "More here!" a soldier yelled and laughed. "Well, well," he said as he walked towards Doboro, "don't you look delicious."
The woman, dagger held tightly, charged at the soldier and stabbed him in his arm. "Run, Doboro!" she yelled as the soldier struggled with her.
Her son raced out of the house, avoiding the villagers and soldiers, and he ran out into the night desert.
Two soldiers saw the boy and started after him.
"Leave him," a commanding voice spoke.
They turned and saw an ornately dressed man sitting atop of a myrrh-colored horse. "High Priest Akunadin," they bowed.
"He'll be dead by midday," said Akunadin. He turned his head as the wounded soldier dragged the woman out of the hut. His dismounted and walked over to her. "A delicate flower blooms in this despicable wasteland."
She spit at him, which resulted in the high priest slapping her face. "You dare spit at the High Priest Akunadin."
"You are not a priest!" she screeched. "You're a demon!"
"I am still your better and I will be treated with the same respect."
"You earn respect not demand it!"
"How many villagers do we have now?" the priest asked, glancing at a soldier.
"99, high priest."
"That is enough. I could use a new slave to warm my bed," he smirked as the woman paled.
"I would sooner kill myself!" And to prove it she pulled a dagger from the soldier's belt, ready to take her own life but High Priest Akunadin struck her in the face. She fell, dropping the dagger.
"Make sure she does not escape and prepares the others to be made ready for the ceremony," he ordered.
Marik felt ready to be sick but didn't seem unchanged. "So the High Priest was a bigger asshole than I expected him to be," he said.
"Akunadin was not just the high priest at that time," said Necrophedious. "He was the younger brother of Pharaoh Akunumkanon and father to the High Priest Seth. But ever since that day, Doboro hated and cursed the House of Pharaoh and all of the priests."
Well, there's another reason for Bakura and Seto to hate each other, Marik thought.
--
"All set?" Seto asked.
Malik, eyes closed and lying on his stomach on top of the table in the kitchen, nodded. Rose, Arcaida, Kenji, Mystical Elf, Keriam, and Yami were also there. Everyone else decided to be as far away as possible from the kitchen. Keriam had left Rashid in his catatonic state, deciding that even though the older Egyptian did want Marik back, he would stop the ceremony. Tristen, Ryou and Duke carried Rashid upstairs and put him in bed next to Ishizu; surprisingly she didn't stir when they set him on the bed.
Keriam and Yami were holding Malik's hands. Keriam leaned down and whispered in the boy's ear, "Close your eyes and don't be scared, no harm will come to you. Close your eyes and don't be scared, the dark is where I'll find you."
Seto picked up the scalpel Rose had in her emergency med kit and dipped it into the alcohol. Keriam had already placed the process of the ceremony into his mind, so that he could perform the ritual properly.
He began to recite the words and carved the winged circle underneath the base of Malik's neck.
--
Marik felt the stinging sensation just below his neck, and it began to spread ever so slowly on his back but only in certain places… his eyes widened in horror. No! They wouldn't!
Necrophedious watched the expression on his face and made to move closer. "Something on your mind, Marik?"
"None of your business!" he snapped and made sure to keep facing him at all times.
The psychotic being arched an eye brow. "Then something must be going on if you reacted so defensively!"
"Stay awake or I swear I'll break your neck," he growled and felt the pain now in three certain spots. The Egyptian gods... Malik why? Why are they doing this to you?
Necrophedious watched Marik, his face changing into a sinister grin. "So they are trying to bring you back, are they? Well then, maybe I should change."
Marik soon forgot about the pain in his back as Necrophedious' body became distorted, the skin changed to a dark blue color, demonic wings sprouted from his back, the clothes tore, his hair vanished, his eyes glowed with a dark power, and his body increased in size, becoming as large as the Kufu's pyramid.
"So, do you like my new, wardrobe, as they say?"
Marik was paralyzed by fear for a moment then said, "Should've gone with Ralph Lauren."
--
"It's done," Seto backed away.
Malik had passed out. Blood covered his back mixing with the sweat that covered his body. Rose and Mystical Elf quickly went to Malik.
"Wait," Keriam held up her hand. She closed her eyes and began to sing lightly. Despite the blood, a few of the hieroglyphs began to glow.
--
Necrophedious grabbed Marik in one clawed hand, the Egyptian struggling to break free. "I may not be able to take control of your body this time, Marik, but I can assure you, I will regain entry in the mortal world by using you just as I did then."
"Like hell you will!" Marik shouted. He had to get out of this demon's grip and fast.
A faint gold light appeared behind him, Marik turned his head to see.
"Ah, the welcoming committee," Necrophedious chuckled.
"Shit!" Marik cursed and continued to wriggle, finally managing to free his left arm.
Something inside the demons chest pulsed, giving off a faint gold light. His heart? Marik almost laughed at that thought. No, it was something familiar… pain…
My pain! Marik's eyes widened. The part of his soul that housed his pain, but how was he going to get it?
With the demon focusing his attention on the rift, Marik quickly removed his right earring. Twisting it slightly, the small sharp blade popped out. He stabbed it into Necrophedious' hand, causing the demon to holler and relax his grip. Taking the advantage, Marik quickly pulled himself free. He jumped at the demon's chest, stabbing the blade into the blue skin, creating a wound large enough for him to put his hand through.
He did, reaching inside to get his soul piece. He felt the other emotions inside, memories of what happened within the final hours at Kuru Emma flashed into his mind but he pushed them away.
Then his memory appeared, and Marik grabbed his soul. "Yes!" He shoved himself away from Necrophedious, cradling his soul to his chest. Marik looked up as Necrophedious howled; his body started to melt, turning into vapor.
"No!" the demon yelled. "This cannot happen!"
"It has," said Marik. He held his soul in both hands. "This belongs to me. Even though it's pain, it is my pain. And I will learn to accept it." He pressed the soul against his chest and it seeped into him, becoming whole again.
Necrophedious started to laugh. "And now what, Marik? Go back to the world that rejected you? Not even the Daughter of Ra will accept you again! Even if she wasn't already with that mongrel."
"That's where you're wrong, Necrophedious," said Marik. "She is mine!"
The monster howled as the vapor vanished and with it, any last spec of the evil spirit that had made everyone's lives a living hell. Satisfied he floated towards the bright rift, feeling the pain increase but like he said he was willing to accept it all. He wasn't going to run away from anything anymore.
Everyone watched as the golden light began to solidify, taking the form of a young man and before they knew it, Marik was standing before them in flesh and blood. He blinked and would have fallen but Yami and Arcaida caught him before he fell. Seto helped Keriam to sit down as Rose and Mystic Elf worked into cleaning the wounds and making sure they healed into scars. It took a while and it took more energy but they did it. Mystic Elf stepped back and Yami helped her to the living room where she could sit comfortable. Rose made it but she nearly fell when she missed the chair.
"Malik… will be alright… he's, he's gonna be outta of it for a while though…" she said and tried pulling herself to her feet.
"You're overworking yourself again," the crimson mage stated but helped her up none the less.
"Don't start. Keriam, I suggest you rest up some. I'm going to tell the others the news." Still leaning against the mage they made their way upstairs.
"I'll put Malik in a real bed," Seto stated and carefully lifted the young boy in his arms. He looked at Marik and nodded. "I'm glad you're back." He left the two be.
Marik turned to Keriam and stopped. Certain areas of her skin were discolored, looking almost like bruises. On her left cheek was what looked like a handprint, as if someone had slapped her; more was on her neck and he couldn't help noticing the same darkened patches on her wrists leading onto her forearms hidden by the shirtsleeves.
That wasn't on her before! "Are you alright?" Marik asked.
Keriam nodded. "Tired… I'm glad your home." Marik was about to ask what was on her skin when she gasped. "Rashid! I left him in that trance!" grabbing Marik's hand, Keriam raced up the stairs.
They entered the guestroom, and Keriam touched the Millennium Key against Rashid's hand. The Egyptian man blinked several times and sat up. His eyes landed on Marik then turned accusingly to Keriam.
"It was his choice, Rashid," she said, "I would never have forced him to do that."
Rashid's expression softened and he stood up. He looked at Marik then hugged him. "Welcome home, brother."
"Rashid?" Ishizu asked groggily and turned over. Her eyes focused and she gasped. "Marik!"
He immediately went to his sister, hugging her. Jerking away suddenly, he looked down at Ishizu's now flat stomach and back to her face, horrified.
Ishizu smiled at her brother then looked at the basket near the bed. Marik followed her gaze and his eyes widened at the baby sleeping among the blankets. Giving his sister a glance, Marik then knelt beside the basket and gazed in wonder at the infant.
Rashid was soon beside him. "Layla," he said and carefully lifted his daughter from the makeshift bed and placed her in Marik's arms, "this is your Uncle Marik."
Marik was speechless and unsure as he held the newborn baby close. She stirred, tilting her head ever so lightly towards the warmth and very slowly, opened her eyes to a crack. If there could be words to describe what the young man felt deep inside the only thing to come to mind was he felt like he was looking into mirrored eyes but the eyes before him were pure of any and all evil intentions. He smiled and held his little niece closer, making sure he was holding her firmly yet gently.
"Layla..." he whispered and she continued looking at him. "You are one of the most beautiful beings I have ever seen in my life..." he whispered, taking a look at Keriam. She weakly smiled and he smiled back, gently cradling Layla to his chest. "Thank you... I wish there was another way-"
"We tried," the Daughter of Ra interrupted softly. "Nothing in any of the Books said how to bring someone back. The Book of the Dead came close but since you didn't die it was useless."
"But when father carved the image Marik nearly lost all sanity," Ishizu spoke up. She looked at her brother but he just nodded to her. He knew she meant no harm behind it.
"Your father read the scrolls wrong," said Keriam. " 'A decade and a fifth'. The heir must be twelve years old, not ten. He was too young to understand, and he didn't want to be a Tomb Keeper in the first place. Everything fell apart that night."
"Regardless Marik didn't want to go through it in the first place yet his father forced him through it," Rashid said a bit angrily.
"Let's put it this way, if I didn't go through this then none of this would have happened," Marik replied. "Malik and I would have never known we were twin brothers, the Sisters of the Moon may have never arrived, Layla may have never been born…" he looked at his niece and felt a surge of protectiveness.
As everyone let the words settle in their mind everyone in the living room received the news that Marik was back. They were happy (even Joey thought not that happy) when they heard a noise. Quieting down Yami slowly knelt on the floor and rested his hand flat but he frowned.
"The floor… I can feel it vibrating…" he explained.
"Like an earthquake?" Duke asked.
He didn't have time to answer as the floor split open, the floorboards snapping in half. Yami fell back but quickly jumped to his feet. The machine whirled its drill wildly as it made a large gaping hole in the middle of the living room.
"Labyrinth Tank?!" Seto yelled but that wasn't all. They could only watch as monsters began to use the tunnel as a way around the barrier and into the mansion but only monsters smaller than the machine monster could enter.
"Guess the barrier didn't go all the way down," said Tristen as he grabbed Serenity's hand; everyone ran from the living room and up the stairs.
"What's going on?" Keriam demanded when they came flying into Ishizu's room.
"The Scorpion King's slaves came through the floor," said Tea. "My barrier only went as far as the ground-it didn't go underneath the mansion."
"Care to put your hieroglyph reading into overdrive?" Duke held up the Book of Amun-Ra.
Marik quickly, but gently, handed Layla to his sister and looked over his fellow Guardian's shoulder at the gold Book. "Here," Marik pointed to a small passage. " 'Three Daughters of the Gods to unit their strength and make a safe haven'."
"There are only two Daughters here," Seto hissed as he stood by the door, listening to the infected Duel Monsters come up the stairs.
"Cheri's not the only Daughter of Anubis," said Rose.
Everyone looked at her. "Rose," Arcaida gently gripped her shoulders; his eyes were turbulent with several emotions.
She looked up at him but she didn't back down. "It's the only choice we have left," she said simply.
The crimson mage looked at the young healer and not caring that everyone was watching then, titled her face up and kissed her deeply. Rose kissed him back as well; it broke off naturally and they looked at the staring group.
"Um we can ask when you two got together later," Yugi said quickly as the footsteps were getting louder.
Keriam, Tea, and Rose stood in a small circle, holding one another's hand they pooled their powers together. Their bodies began to glow their significant colors of gold, red, and blue. They came together and slowly began to spread outward, filling the room with the soft melding lights then it began to spread out of the windows and door.
Outside the monsters that were about to pound on the door watched as the light seeped out. They watched but cried out in pain as the light began to envelope them. Those that were far enough away ran back, some going down the tunnel Labyrinth Tank made while many broke the front doors down but it was no use. Tea's barrier kept the monsters out but it also kept them trapped within.
The Duel Monsters enveloped by the light slowly began to return to normal-the mark of the Black Scorpion disappearing from their bodies. They looked around, slightly confused as to where they were and how they arrived.
The light expanded all the way to the barrier, causing it to go underground and sealed off the tunnel Labyrinth Tank had made.
The tree woman auras slowly faded. Keriam teetered a bit, causing Tea and Rose to take hold of her arms. "I'm okay," said Keriam, "just took a bit out of me."
Marik looked at her. The discolored areas of her visible skin had darkened slightly.
"Are you sure?" Rose asked concerned. Keriam nodded.
"We better check the rest of the mansion and the grounds," said Katsuya. "First sign of trouble, don't hesitate to holler." He looked at Milus. "Or howl."
--
The mansion was clear and the grounds were all right. Duel Monsters found in the mansion and the yard were checked over by Rose and Mystical Elf to be on the safe side.
It was late into the night and everyone was asleep, except in the guestroom the entire Ishtar Clan was in. Marik was wide-awake due to the fact that he couldn't stop thinking about the dark patches on Keriam. Across the room from the recliner that had become his temporary bed, Marik looked at Rashid and Ishizu sleeping on the large bed, Layla in the basket near her mother, while Malik was fast asleep on the other recliner.
Sighing quietly, Marik got up and left the room. He needed to think, and his mind worked best when he was moving. Quietly closing the door behind him, Marik walked aimlessly down the hall, his thoughts churning.
After some time, he found himself downstairs in the east wing of the mansion. There were more guestrooms down here-the ones Kaiba had used for when certain overseas business associates arrived, rather than staying at a hotel.
Gaining points just for hospitality, Marik thought with a light smirk.
A door opened not too far ahead and Keriam stepped out, wearing a bathrobe, her hair wet from another shower. How many has she taken? Marik thought. "Keriam?"
She jumped slightly then breathed a sigh of relief when she saw who it was. "Don't do that to me…"
"Sorry," he apologized and walked a little closer. "Can't sleep?"
Keriam shook her head. "Seems you can't either."
"I got a lot on my mind."
"I believe it."
The silence that fell around them became unbearable too quickly. "Well," Keriam shrugged. "I'm going to see if I can at least try to dose off. Goodnight, Marik."
"Goodnight," he said quietly and she walked passed him. Marik turned and watched her go down the hall a little bit. "I can see it on you."
Keriam stopped, and slowly turned around.
"Like bruises," he continued. "I didn't see it before I went into the void. I did sense something wrong but… and now that I have my soul piece back…" Marik stopped as Keriam reached up and pulled part of her robe away just above her cleavage, revealing the discolored skin.
"Where he touched me…" she whispered.
It made sense. Necrophedious was pure evil and everything he touched he tainted. No matter how many times she took a shower, nothing could ever remove the taint. He walked towards her and opened his arms, slowly pulled her into his chest. "I wish I had stopped him..." he whispered but just held her tightly.
Keriam closed her eyes and clung to him tightly. Part of her was afraid of Marik, being forced to remember what Necro did to her but that bastard and her friend were two completely different people. Just because they looked alike didn't mean they were alike. "No matter what I do I can't get rid of his touch... Joey doesn't know what to do either," she mumbled into his chest. "He doesn't say it... but he feels like he failed."
"We both do but at least Necrophedious got what he deserved. I just wish he suffered more." He kept his arms around her, even when she pulled back. The mark on her face was more than likely a vicious slap she got he couldn't help but slowly move his hand up and caress her cheek. But as he did so, he watched in amazement as the tainted mark faded away. Pulling his hand back he found no sign of the darkness.
"It's gone..." he whispered. "The mark on your face... it's gone."
Keriam touched her cheek. She no longer felt the disgusting feeling on her skin. She held out her arm to Marik; he gently wrapped his hands around her wrist then removed them. Again her skin was free of the discoloration.
"Marik…" she whimpered causing him to look into her tear flowing eyes. "Help me…"
His heart nearly broke from the way she looked. Nodding quietly, Marik gently cupped her face and lightly kissed her. "Ask what you will of me," he said.
Keriam took his hands into her own, leading him to one of the guestrooms. She opened the door and they went inside, closing the door behind them. The faint click of a lock echoed in the hallway.
Authors' Notes:
Heikou: Yay! Marik's back! Marik's back! (dances)
Janime: Will you calm down, please?
Heikou: This from the one who was crying at the end of the last chapter.
Janime: You write one of your favorite characters getting sucked into a void and we shall talk!
Heikou: No thanks. I'm a mess when I cry.
Janime: Okay well the war is finally beginning, Lord Necrophedious is gone, and the true colors of the Scorpion King are revealed.
Heikou: One would think we would go easy on our favorite dueling hotties, right? Hell no! Things are still gonna be going hard and we still have several surprises up our sleeves.
Janime: All we can say is that someone will die but not for long.
Heikou: We can't say much or we'll give it away. And Janime, you rule in this chapter. (bows)
Janime: Why, thank you! You don't think it's too much at what I hinted at the end?
Heikou: Not at all. The poor boy's repressed-he needs release.
Janime: I meant about Keriam.
Heikou: Oh… No, I think it's okay. (whispers to readers) Frustration will be released next chapter, folks.
Janime: What did you say?
Heikou: I said, "Wait till you see the next chapter, folks."
Janime: Until then!
