Disclaimer: Well, there you go – I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh! I don't even own the cards! I can't even duel! T___T
A/N
Uhm...before I thank everyone for reviewing and all, I'd like to answer some questions related to this story. Okay, Scarlet-Moonlight: Yes! Bakura is the one who summoned Anubis...I'm not spilling out the details yet, though... ~_^
Deena70: Of course you can use my fics on your web page. Just notify me when you're done with it, so I can check it out!
For winky_golden: No, Yamis are not in this fic (except Bakura – I decided to leave him as Yami Bakura...imagine Ryou as a sneaky little thief...^_^) And thanks for pointing out my spelling mistakes; sometimes I type too fast and although I check the chapters twice, I still can't quite catch all the mistakes I made...Thanks!
Everyone else – thank you for your reviews and support! You're the greatest! Okay, now I'll stop babbling and I'll let you read the chapter in peace *skips away merrily*
The legend of the three Souls
Chapter XIII – Destiny
-by Alena S. Anigor
***
A long shadow was stretched across the sand, swaying slightly as the figure moved occasionally. A tall man in a dark business suit was standing in the middle of the sand; dark bangs shielding his eyes from the view. He was holding a briefcase in his right hand, delicate and long fingers clutching the handle gently. When he raised his head to look at the night sky above, his bangs were blown away slightly by a light breeze and revealed a pair of sharp, emerald eyes. To anyone else, he would've looked like a perfect example of a successful businessman, but a herd of cloaked minions behind him, standing stiffly and waiting for his next command, ruined the perfect picture.
One of the cloaked servants stepped out and outstretched his hands towards him, bowing in respect. Turning his palms up to him, he practically served him a little bust which he instantly grabbed, his eyes narrowing in some bizarre pleasure as his lips curved into a vicious smirk.
"Excellent," he coaxed silently, observing the bust before he placed it into a briefcase, closing it behind, "and you say this is the way successful people dress today?" he added, eyeing his outfit for a moment. The minion nodded mutely and then rasped.
"Yes, Ancient One."
The tall man narrowed his eyes once again to look at the tie hanging down his perfectly buttoned shirt, and he silently grunted in displeasure when his feet couldn't feel the desired freedom he had when he was wearing his sandals. But, this was the part of a plan, and he didn't want anything to go wrong. This would be his night, and he was almost positive that his time has come again.
Making an eye contact with his minion, he looked deep into the darkness of the hood and the cloaked creature nodded again, turning around and snapped with his skeletal fingers.
The row behind him shifted a bit, before another figure stepped out, this one looking slightly different than the rest of them.
"You know my name," the emerald - eyed man whispered smoothly, motioning to the figure to come closer. The sandy haired boy nodded and approached him. His eyes were blank; the shade of violet mixed with a shade of gray as he stared numbly at his new master.
"Amukh," he stated simply and coldly, still not moving his gaze from the transfixing emerald eyes. Once a powerful priest nodded and smirked.
"Well then, Marik," he said out loud, turning his head around to look at the horizon and at the full moon that glistened in the night sky, "let's pay our friends a visit."
***
Bakura was used to having someone holding him like he was an animal let loose from the leash...it was a common thing when he was younger and was caught with his hands full of stolen apples or his mouth full with sweets he used to snatch from a store. And although an irritating man with a turban had an iron like grip on his hands, that didn't seem so disturbing, as the baffled looks everyone else gave him...well, except Tea, who had a puzzled expression.
He hated being in the center of attention; he liked the shadows, the dark places where he could run to and hide. Those places would offer him security and solitude he liked so much...now, he felt like he was equally exhibited like every thing in the museum he was currently being stuck in. Or trapped in, as he considered it.
Shadi had an almost victorious smile on his face, observing the shocked expressions of everyone who stared at the thief, perplexed. Tea was the only one who cocked her eyebrows and crooked her neck aside a bit to look at astonished faces of her friends. Then, she redirected her gaze towards Shadi, wondering who he was who glanced at her before lowering his head to look at Bakura, who was seething like an aggravated cobra.
"Behave, and I shall let you loose," Shadi said finally to him on which Bakura jerked one more time and gave him a stone crushing glare. Shadi raised one eyebrow suspiciously and decided not to take his chance. "But I think it is safer this way, though."
He turned his attention towards others who were still frozen stiff like statues, staring at them. The thief had a fervent effect on Kaiba whose eyes widened and almost instantly, his hand flew to his forehead, his fingers clutching the bridge of his nose. He could already sense a headache coming on.
Yuugi's eyes squinted slightly in concentration; it was as though he had seen the white haired boy before somewhere but he couldn't remember from where. All he knew was that the supposed reincarnation of the third Soul looked strangely familiar. After a moment of mental rambling, he came to a conclusion that it was no wonder, since they were all together back then when they fought the evil priest.
Serenity was still pulling at her brother's sleeve, whispering something to him to which he was completely oblivious. He was still staring in wonder, together with Tristan and Mai at the person who was, as Shadi stated, the reincarnation of the third Soul. He observed his appearance, noticing how the shoes he wore were almost on the verge of breaking apart and his shirt and pants were slightly dirty and dusty. His hair however, somehow managed to preserve a silky like structure and fitted his tanned skin perfectly, in Mai's opinion. Ishizu was the only one who was looking at him with a serious expression. Something about the thief looked familiar to her as well, but she couldn't put a finger on it.
"I demand from you to let me go!" Bakura snarled loudly, his raspy and deep voice echoing through the large hall. Shadi retuned his steady gaze to him and he seemed amused for a moment.
"What was he doing here anyway?" Joey asked after the initial shock subsided. Tristan scratched his head while Mai seemed to be in deep thoughts.
"He, uhm...well, he..." Tea was muttering, fidgeting with her fingers, a look of guilt and discomfort evident on her face.
"He came back, " Shadi continued instead of her, "to take what he thought belonged to him." Mai was twirling the cord of her camera absentmindedly, until the gathered information clicked in her mind. She snapped her fingers and her eyes brightened, now flying to and fro the two men.
"He was the one! He was the one who was here to steal the bust before! Am I right?"
Shadi was looking at her, now with a slightly serious expression and then nodded carefully. Mai smiled triumphantly. Ishizu and the two guides suddenly stiffened, their eyes becoming darker with apathy, their brows knitted in a frown.
"Then..." Ishizu started, staring at Bakura with a strange gleam in her eye.
"He was the one who-" Tristan added, his demeanor becoming threatening.
"Stabbed Rashid!" Joey yelled angrily, his fists clenched and in an instant, he hurled at Bakura, who was helpless since Shadi was keeping his hands in a tight grip behind his back.
Before anyone could even blink, Joey was in front of the thief in an instant, his fist in the air and ready to swing at the white haired boy. Even Shadi was taken aback a bit, but he managed to yank Bakura away before Joey had a chance to land a solid punch to his face. Instead, he only managed to graze his lips, knuckles brushing slightly against them. Bakura's wince was barely evident, as he landed on the cold floor of the main hall again, now cursing out loud all sorts of profanities at Shadi and everyone else in the hall. Joey's eyes widened in disbelief and he stared at Shadi, now completely confused. His fist was still stretched out in the air, shaking.
Everyone else merely gaped at them, observing carefully what would happen next. Tristan's demeanor was still rigid and stiff, ready to act if necessary; Ishizu clasped her hand across her mouth, her eyes wide with a mixture of revulsion and wonder. Yuugi, Mai and Serenity were staring blankly at Joey, Serenity being shocked with her brother's behavior. Kaiba was the only one who was still clutching the bridge of his nose, throbbing pain starting to pulsate trough his head again. He almost groaned in irritation, suddenly feeling lightheaded and weak. Tea was still perplexed about everything and ached to be informed about current situation...Joey's behavior shocking her as well.
"But...why did you...he...why?" Joey mumbled silently, still staring at Shadi in shock and disbelief. Bakura was still spitting insults at him; sending death glares in his direction. Shadi wore a blank expression, not revealing his surprise.
"He is the third Soul and-"
"I don't care! He hurt Rashid!" Joey interrupted the Prophet, now beyond furious. "He should pay for that!"
Shadi closed his eyes, holding Bakura by the hands and sensing his discomfort. The thief was starting to get edgy and Shadi knew that it would be easy to let the thief go and let him start the fight with the blond guide, but he knew that, that would also have bad consequences. Besides, something else was keeping him alerted and he started to realize what that was right in the moment when Bakura managed to somehow jerk his hand away from his grasp, and scurrying to his feet quickly, got away from the Prophet. Joey and Tristan took fighting stances immediately, their emotions and nerves working with full ferocity. Bakura was about to throw an insult at Joey, already clenching the end of his knife in his robes, when Tea stopped in front of him, surprising him and everyone else. She stretched her hands towards Joey, begging him to restrain himself from attacking Bakura. Joey and Tristan were looking at her blankly, blinking in confusion. Yuugi and Mai exchanged nervous glances with Ishizu, Serenity hiding slightly behind her. Kaiba was watching the scene intently, silently cursing the whole deal with the busts, the museum and his arrival in Egypt. The pulsating pain in his head was still making him nauseous and he narrowed his eyes at the white haired thief, glaring at him for causing him the headache again.
"Please, just...stop it!" She pleaded anxiously and caused everyone around her to give her a funny look. Yuugi was the first who managed to push his surprise aside, watching her incredulously.
"But, but...Tea, he was the one who kidnapped you! And we were worried sick about you, and you...and now you're defending him?" He spluttered, violet orbs wide with shock and disbelief. Mai nodded slowly, still not comprehending what happened in those couple of days that made her best friend stand up for the man who abducted her. Tea lowered her head, almost in shame. She knew that it looked like she had gone mad for defending Bakura like that, but she couldn't let him and her friends fight because of her...besides that, he did nothing to her, he didn't harm her...well, he did threaten her, but what normal kidnapper wouldn't?
All those thoughts aside, she raised her head, cerulean eyes pleading again. She shook her head, her tears filling with tears slightly.
"Please, just...stop it, please! He didn't hurt me, and...please, don't fight, we have enough problems already as it is..." she half – whispered, shutting her eyes tightly for a moment to clear her vision that has become blurry. Joey and Tristan relaxed a bit seeing her on the verge of tears, even Bakura stood put, not moving a muscle. It was so odd from her to stand up for him that it made him stare in wonder at her. The only person who has tried to protect him and help him like that was Marik, but Marik was...He lowered his head, diverting his eyes to look at Shadi who was observing the curtain with an almost alarmed expression.
"And what is this...Soul thing you're talking about?" Tea added, glancing at them expectedly, waiting for an answer. Everyone exchanged tired looks, not knowing how to explain to her the fact that Kaiba, Yuugi and her kidnapper were the reincarnations of the ancient souls of the people who saved the world once and that the same threat has come back again to try and do the same again.
"Well, you see...it's like this-" Mai started, putting a finger on her chin when Shadi interrupted her, tension audible in his voice.
"There is no time for explanations now," he said in a hurry, still looking at the curtain with concern, "I'm sorry to interrupt you Mai Valentine."
Mai sighed, irritated and crossed her arms as a sign of her annoyance.
"We should go," Shadi added in a voice that started to worry Ishizu and Yuugi. The spiky haired boy leaned forward slightly, looking towards the curtain as if expecting someone to come through. As if hearing his thoughts, Shadi turned to look at him swiftly, his eyes now wide with fear for the first time since they've met him. That somehow made everyone apprehensive and Ishizu raised an eyebrow quizzically.
"Is something wrong?" she asked him, her demeanor becoming stiff. Shadi nodded, his face now serious and almost fearful.
"What is it now?" Mai asked, still glowering a bit. Shadi turned once again to the curtain and clenched his fists tightly. Then he quickly turned his head and scrutinized them all with keen blue eyes.
"You must leave," he announced hastily, sending them all a warning look. Yuugi looked at Kaiba whose headache seemed to subside and now he was watching the Prophet skeptically.
"Don't tell me," he said after spending his time in silence for a while, "we're going to be attacked again?" he added, his eyes full of mockery and his voice dripping with ice. Shadi looked at him steadily before glancing at Bakura who raised an eyebrow at them all, still not comprehending a thing.
"Exactly," he replied, making Serenity and Ishizu gasp.
"Not again!" Joey and Tristan yelled in unison; despair crossing their features. Mai mumbled something about killing herself, while Yuugi looked blankly at Tea whose eyes were wide with fear.
"They're coming back?" Yuugi asked, suddenly seeming out of breath, while Kaiba's face paled slightly. The scratch at his neck stung for a second and he winced slightly.
"What, here?" Tristan yelped and took a step back. Joey stared at Shadi for a moment before he paced to Serenity and took her by the hand.
"Well, what are we still doing here then?" He barked, a sudden feeling of fear and trepidation surging through him. Serenity's face was pale and she grabbed her brother's upper arm, holding him tightly. Panic seemed to overwhelm every one of them when Shadi yelled at them to get out before it was too late. Chaos ensued a moment after in which no one knew where to go and with whom. Yuugi grabbed Mai by the hand and wanted to take Tea's as well, but was surprised to see Bakura stepping in front of her, almost protectively. Tea stared at him for a moment before she snapped out of her stupor and almost yelped when he pulled her by the hand and towards the exit on the other side of the hall. Shadi ordered them all to go there, notifying them that the creatures were very close now and the fastest and the safest way to get out was through the back door of the museum. Yuugi stopped him for a moment to tell him to take care of her well on which he gave him a glare and stormed past him and Mai who raised a hand to say something to Tea but had no chance anymore. Yuugi was already on the way, tagging her along. Kaiba seemed as if he wasn't in a hurry, strolling down the hall indifferently, muttering something under his breath.
Tristan heard him mumbling 'this is ridiculous' before he vanished out of the hall.
"Ishizu, come on!" he yelled and she managed to snatch the wooden box with the bust from the table before joining him. Joey and Serenity were already ahead of them, rushing out of the hall. When Ishizu wanted to step out through the doors, she turned around and saw Shadi standing peacefully in the hall with his back turned to her. He didn't move a muscle and showed no signs of wanting to leave the hall as well and Ishizu frowned in confusion.
"Shadi!" She shouted, making Tristan stop and look at him, too. Shadi turned around and gave her one of his rare and small smiles. Then he turned back again and unclenched his fists.
"Go, Ishizu Ishtar!" he shouted back sternly, "you must leave, now!"
Ishizu stared at him, perplexed. "But, but what about you?"
He shook his head, not looking at her. Tristan grabbed Ishizu's hand and pulled her slightly towards the exit.
"I must stay here," he said calmly, looking at the curtain, "it is my destiny."
Ishizu gasped, wide blue eyes looking at him with sudden realization. "But you can't just...Shadi, please!"
Tristan lowered his head and tugged on her arm, urging her to move on. But, she stood put, begging him to come with them but Shadi was silent, not moving and not turning around. He didn't want to look at them; afraid that one look could make him turn around and flee with them, and he would leave his destiny behind...something he wouldn't dare to do even in his dreams. So, he stood firmly in the hall, waiting for his destiny to come and to fulfill. Ishizu wanted to run up to him to yank him from his position and take him with her, but Tristan pulled her away, telling her that there was nothing else she could do.
"It's his destiny!" he yelled, dragging her behind him and trying not to let her run off.
"Shadi!" he could hear her scream before her shouts and her protests died off, leaving the hall once again in complete silence. He closed his eyes, trying to concentrate and summon his strength, to gather his thoughts and emotions to work as one. When the curtain started billowing slightly, he opened his eyes instantly, already prepared for the upcoming monsters in cloaks. He sensed an aura of a living creature and presumed it was a friend of Bakura's. He didn't want to mention that to him, knowing very well that it would be hard to get him out of the hall if he did.
The last thought that crossed his mind before one skeletal hand reached to open the curtain, was the thought he was dreading and regretting the most now.
It is my destiny.
