Previously on "Through The Shadows":
The man looked Seth straight in the eyes. "You are looking for Kaa. But it is not here. Your journey was a waste of time. There's no Kaa here."
Seth's heart skipped a beat as he stared shocked at the old man.
(How does he know about me?...There's no Kaa? Then…I left Kisara for no reason…)
"Don't be so worried Kisara, this is your great day. You should be full of smiles," said Mana. Kisara lowered her head (I wish Seth was the one who I marry today. I wish I was forever his…But…I can't believe this is really happening…Am I really going to marry Atemu? But I don't love him…)
Seth turned to his servant. "Which horse can still run fast?" he asked in one short breath. One of his servants handed him the harness of the horse. "I'm going back now, you can stay here and rest - then return back home when the horses are ready. I have to go back. I have to do something I needed to do long ago," said Seth as he jumped on the horse.
He turned to the man "Thank you for opening my eyes. I will never forget you." the man nodded, waving his hand "I wish you good luck."
Seth nodded once, and then navigated his horse into the darkening horizon.
Kisara paced slowly to the nothingness awaiting her.
Atemu quietly opened the door to the roof, and was frozen on spot when he saw Kisara there, standing on the edge, looking down. She stepped even closer to the abyss downwards. (What the Hell is she doing?) He thought in horror (No, Kisara, you don't get away from me like this!)
One of Kisara's feet was already in the open air. Atemu jumped in into the roof and started to run, crossing the roof in amok. Kisara looked up to the sky (I won't feel anything soon. I love you Seth, and I'm so sorry…Goodbye...) She thought, as she let herself fall down, her arms crossed on her chest, her eyes closed, waiting the cold death to reach her.
()O()O()O()
FAB: Hello my dear ANGST readers…Sorry to spoil the ANGST moment, but the order has to be kept here! So, some regular announcements:
Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN YGO! Yet I do own the crooked sketch of Yami/Atemu with thick red X all over his face I drew last week!
Malik: But we won't discuss your unsuccessful drawings here FAB!
FAB: Definitely! Let's continue!
Reviews: Yeah, our only weak spot…Look, I thought the last chapter will make some people express themselves, because the REAL ANGST begins right now but…Guess I was wrong…I don't know what to think, but that's OK. If thinking were a job, I would be fired this instant…
But I expect someone to be kind enough to review me this time…
Always remember: It takes one second to review, but it can change someone's entire day!
Chapters: OK, begin the countdown! Two more chapters (including this one) to the end of the story!
Malik: OK, now?
FAB: Yes my dear. Right now!
Malik: Me! Me! On with chapter 11!
Through The Shadows – Chapter 11 – Last Call
Priest Seth rode as fast as his poor horse could, but the animal was slowing and slowing. Finally the pace was too slow, and Seth's hope was turning into despair. (I shouldn't have left her there…For no real reason as it appears to me now. The Kaa isn't something I can take into my hands. It is pure energy of life. Only if I kill a person I can get his Kaa, and I'm not going to do this. I have to save Kisara…Ah, could this damn horse move quicker? I need to get there as fast as I can…) But as the sun was setting down Seth slowly realized his mission was impossible. He needed three or maybe four days to reach the Pharaoh's palace – if his horse could ride fast enough without stopping.
Seth got down finally, leaving the tired animal alone. He looked to the horizon in despair…(Atemu is going to force her to marry him…He is cruel enough to do something like this…What can I do? How can I prevent this? I need to be there, but I can't make it there on time…) And as the helplessness was getting him, Seth suddenly felt something strange…Why does his heart hurt so much?
(Kisara…) He thought (Something must has happened to her…I feel she isn't alright…But…) and again the pain throbbed through him.
(Kisara…) Again he felt her among the confusion and pain that battled inside his heart. "Kisara!" he yelled, his voice echoing through the shadows "Kisara! I won't let this happen to you!" he closed his eyes in concentration.
(Oh the great Ra…) he felt slight breeze on his face, and opened his eyes to see the sands around him raising and curling up in the air. Suddenly, he felt a great power arising…
"This is…" he whispered, recognizing the creature that appeared in front of him in the heart of the sandstorm "The Sand Dragon! But how…?" Seth felt the power beating inside his heart. (My Kaa?)
The Sand Dragon knelt beside Seth, reaching out its great left wing for Seth to climb on. Seth rushed ahead, and climbed up to the beast's back, where he could sit more comfortably and safe. "I need to get to the Pharaoh's palace. Please hurry up," he said, his voice steady, not letting out his confusion and slight doubtfulness.
But The Sand Dragon immediately obeyed, stretching out his great wings, and it rose into the evening air, cold wind blowing into Seth's face as the beast took off into the starz. They flew into the eternity of the ancient world. The flight was fast and smooth, but Seth was still worried. The pain in his heart was still there, and he felt that something really bad happened to Kisara. (Kisara, my love, please hold on…I'm coming to save you…I won't ever leave you again...)
Kisara felt the death reaching her, stretching out its dark, cold arms to grab her into the nothingness. She felt the wind cutting her skin like razors, she closed her eyes and concentrated only on Seth. (I want him to be the last thing on my mind…)
Atemu ran as fast as he could (No, Kisara…You are not getting away from me like this…NEVER!) he saw her falling down, and rushed to the edge of the roof (Please Ra, don't let her do this…)
(Seth…I love you…Now and forever…) Kisara knew the end was so close. The death used gravity's hands to pull her ankles into the abyss.
Yet Kisara never hit the ground.
Two strong arms grasped her, and pulled her back up forcefully. Her eyes were still closed, but she felt those arms wrapping protectively around her waist and back.
"Kisara…Kisara…What the hell did you think? What were you doing?"
Kisara opened her eyes, to stare into Atemu purple ones. His eyes held so many mixed emotions: fear, anger, pain…And was there also relief?
She breathed hard, looking around her to see them both on the roof, far from the edge of it, on safe ground again. Her mind was just a black void of gloom, she couldn't think about anything right now, she could just feel herself being dragged to the middle of the roof by the still worried Pharaoh, there he sat down, pulling her to sit in his lap, his arms still around her.
"Kisara…How could you? I was so worried about you, when I didn't find you downstairs…" he felt her trembling in his arms, her eyes filling with tears again. He felt uneasy himself (If I hadn't saved her, she would have probably…) but he couldn't let himself think about Kisara, lying dead on the plain beneath the palace…(I'll never let you do this, Kisara…)
"Don't cry now, Kisara, everything is alright," he said, his hand caressing her cheeks trying to calm her down "Everything is fine now…But I want you to promise me you won't do this again…"
Kisara didn't say anything, she just gulped and stared into his eyes, speechless. (Does he care so much about me?) Atemu looked into her eyes demandingly "Say it, Kisara, say you'll never do this again, you'll never try to get away from me. Say you are willing to marry me today."
Kisara let out long, sharp breath, and looked away. "Say it." he commanded, his grip tightening around her.
"I-I…I never…" she whispered as he nodded slightly "I won't do this again." Atemu smiled lightly and said "That's great. Now, the our wedding ceremony begins soon, and I have something important to give you."
He reached out and pulled the package Mana gave him the other day. "There is something I want you to wear now, Kisara," he handed her the package, and watched as she slowly opened it, glaring at the wonderful necklace inside of it.
"Beautiful, isn't it?" asked Atemu as he drew it out of the package "Let me put this on you, please." Kisara turned her head and let Atemu place the necklace on her neck and knot the golden stripes. She turned around when he was done, looking down on the special jewel. It was the millennium necklace, with the eye figure on it, and it looked very beautiful on her.
(Perfect…) thought Atemu as he smiled warmly at Kisara "It looks great on you. You look pure and beautiful in it." he kissed her cheek lightly. Kisara lowered her head slightly as he slowly made his way back up to his feet, helping Kisara to get up with him. "Let's go, Kisara, the people are waiting for us, and Mahado is waiting too. We need to go now." He took her hand into his one, and started to move to the stairs to get down. Kisara went after him, touching her new necklace. She had to thank Atemu for giving it to her, so as they stood in the semi darkness of the stairs to the fourth floor she silently said to him "Thank you for the necklace, your majesty."
Atemu stared at her again, and smiled sadly as he remembered another incident like this in the past. "No, Kisara," he said patiently "You should call me by my name, Atemu." Kisara's eyes looked away down from his, so he touched her cheek to make her gaze return to his eyes "Say my name now." he told her quietly.
Kisara looked at him straight in the eye (What does it matter now? I feel nothing is left inside me, now that even death turned away from me. I guess I have no choice anymore.) "Atemu," she said quietly, and she felt his smile widening in the shadows "Yes, that's more like it," he said, as he walked downstairs again, pulling her behind him.
Mana looked at Kisara pacing along with Atemu from her place near Mahado in the gates of Ra Temple. Kisara was, without a single doubt, the most beautiful woman in Egypt, and she looked amazing in her wedding attire and her jewels – including the millennium necklace Mana gave the Pharaoh for her.
Many people came to see their new queen, and they stood beside the road Atemu and Kisara were walking on, bowing and calling Atemu's name, admiring Kisara beauty, whispering prayers and blessing for the royal couple, getting closer to place flowers on the road they walked on.
Finally, they reached the gates of Ra's Temple, and stood there, turning to face the people, who were still bowing before the Pharaoh and his queen.
The sky was dark, and stars shone so brightly up above. Kisara looked up, praying silently to herself. (The great Ra up above…Please save Seth…Let him live quietly, let him live in peace. I won't see him anymore, but I wish him the best.) As she was thinking about Seth, something roared up in the sky. She felt warm winds blowing, and sand was landing on the road she and Atemu walked on.
Screams and shouts were heard from the people around the temple, Kisara saw great sands falling down from the sky, curling up and building in the air again. Suddenly, a tall creature appeared in front of them. It was the Sand Dragon, a mythical beast. People started running everywhere as the Dragon fell apart, covering the area with sand and dust. (What is it? I've never seen anything like this before…)
A shadowed figure was standing in the middle of the sandstorm. Something glowed in the dark…(A Millennium item?) thought Atemu. The figure started to pace forwards, and got out of the sand screen.
Kisara's heart skipped a beat as small whimper of recognition escaped her mouth. Suddenly, silence ruled the yard of the temple.
Kisara stepped forward slowly, her eyes full of disbelief, and only her voice rang through the shadows of the night "Seth?"
Atemu place a rough hand on Kisara's shoulder. She looked only at Seth, her heart beating faster than ever. Meanwhile, the guard of the Pharaoh's palace appeared in the yard, holding their weapons ready for any order that would come. Atemu eyed Seth with hatred.
"So you came back," he said dangerously, walking towards Seth, bypassing the shocked Kisara "After what you did you have no right to appear here."
"I'm not going away," said Seth quietly "Unless Kisara is coming with me."
"Kisara is mine," answered Atemu rapidly "You have no rights over her. I'm the Pharaoh, and that means everything in my Kingdom is mine." He turned around to look at Kisara "Kisara loves me. You abandoned her when you left, and now you are going to leave again. I forbid you to appear here ever again. Now go away!"
Seth waved his millennium rod. "I came here to take the final challenge against you. Prove me you have the right to claim Kisara." Atemu's evil smirk only widened "You want to play the Shadows Game? You don't stand a chance against me!" and Pharaoh Atemu let out a short evil laugh.
Seth looked at him, the anger burning in his eyes again "You will play against me. The winner takes everything. I'm ready to play against you."
The expression on Atemu face was pure wicked amusement. "That's interesting. I'll play – and when I win I'm going to expel your soul to the Shadow Realm. You won't ever bother us again!"
"NO!" shouted Kisara "No, Seth! Don't do this! Please, you…" she started running towards them, but Atemu's voice stopped her "Stay there, Kisara! Don't get close to him!"
She stopped of a second, but then she ran again "Seth!" she called in desperation.
Atemu's patience passed its limit, and he ordered his guards "GET HER! NOW!"
Shortly after, guards grabbed Kisara's arms painfully, stopping her. She tried to get away, but they forced her to go back with them "Seth!" she screamed "Don't do this, I love you…I can't let this happen! Seth!" but again Atemu's voice was heard "Take her away from here right now. Calm her down!" Kisara was so concentrated in yelling and getting away, she didn't get what Atemu was saying. And when she finally understood the meaning of his words, she felt something on her face, and the heavy smell took over her again…
/"It is just a strange reaction to the calming medicine. She will be alright. There are some people who react strangely to the medicine. Despite this happens very rarely. It seems Kisara is one of them. You mustn't let her smell the medicine anymore, your majesty."/
Kisara's sight was filled with shadows and dim silhouettes as the pain crawled into her head, and she fainted.
"I'll make you pay for this, Atemu." said Seth "You are going to pay for causing Kisara so much pain. You know she is allergic to the damn medicine of yours. Your cruelty has no limits."
"I'd advise you to concentrate on the Game, because these are your last minutes Seth." mocked him Atemu "I assure you that you are the one that is going to pay for trying to take Kisara from me."
The field before the yard was already filled with stones that held the monsters' spirits and some of the priests.
"Now Seth," said Atemu raising his pyramid "Let the shadow game begin…"
"Mahado, what we are going to do now?" asked Mana with tears in her eyes. "There's nothing we can do Mana, we just have to let them duel. There's no other way they can solve this problem without killing. I think the game can solve this and teach Seth a lesson he will never forget."
"But – what if the Pharaoh…" said Mana, but Mahado cut her short "No, Mana. Do you really think the Pharaoh can lose? He is way stronger than Seth. He is going to win, and Kisara will marry him…By the way, I think you should go there and check if she is alright." suggested Mahado.
"I heard she can't take this medicine because it has bad effects on her. I'd make sure she is treated." Mana said and ran into the temple, where the guards took poor unconscious Kisara.
She ran through the halls, until she found the room Kisara was in. She was lying on the bed, hardly breathing. Her necklace was gleaming and shining in the semi dark. The guards weren't happy to let Mana enter the room "I have to see her! Don't you understand she's not well? Do you want her to suffer? I am priestess Mana, and I was sent here to help her! Now let me in!"
When she finally got into the room, she saw Ikana in the corner trying to prepare some of her tea with shaking hands. "Let me help you," Mana said as she approached the servant girl. Ikana's eyes were filled with tears "Thank you, mistress Mana." Ikana poured some cold water into a bowl, and soaked a cloth in it. She placed the cloth over Kisara's forehead. "Her fever is rising. She will be sick again from the medicine."
Mana prepared the tea "We don't have warm water here?" Ikana shook her head "No, I don't think so."
Kisara moved slightly, her face full of pain "Seth…" she whispered.
"It is worse than the previous time," said Ikana in fear as Kisara's hands grabbed the blanket she was lying on "I don't know what to do…She's in so much pain now…"
Mana stared helplessly at Ikana and didn't find words that could console the poor girl. It was the first time she hadn't been sure things were going to end up fine.
"Losing points already? You are even weaker than I thought you are! What are you going to do to win over, Seth?" said Atemu as his Light Soldier whipped Seth's Saint Shield from the yard. The stone was glowing in front of him.
"My Kaa is strong enough. I have what I need, and I'm going to smash you down Atemu. I play my Ox Warrior in attack mode! Destroy his Light Soldier now!" called Seth, as Atemu's monster disappeared with some of his lifepoints.
"Nice try, Seth. Nice try. I call my Celtic Warrior to the field!" the stone was moved under Atemu "Now watch and learn! I use the trap known as The Black Hole! It diminishes the attack points of your monsters! And now I'm going to get you down! Celtic Warrior, attack!"
Kisara's necklace glowed, allowing her wander through the shadows of times and spaces, to Seth's and Atemu's battle.
(Can I really see it? I see them playing the game of Shadows…But is it a mere dream? Is it real?) Kisara thought as she watched Seth losing his monster. (Oh no…)
"I use my trap card Change of Heart! Now I can sacrifice your monsters!" called Seth "I call my Sand Dragon to the field!" exclaimed Seth, as the mythical dragon appeared in front of him.
Atemu laughed, his voice cold and evil. "That's it? That's your last move? This helpless dragon can't help you now! I play my Dark Magician in attack mode…" Atemu looked at the stone placed beneath him "That's it Seth. You lose! In a minute you will be nothing more than a memory."
The desperation grew inside Seth's eyes. Kisara looked at him (He can't lose this time! His soul will be sealed in the Shadow Realm forever! I have to do something! I have to save him!)
"Dark Magician, attack!" called Atemu, the Sand Dragon disappeared and Seth was waiting the blow to take the rest of his lifepoints, his hand covering his eyes from the lights in the field. Atemu laughed again.
(I can't let that happen! Seth!) Kisara moved, pain immediately shot through her body, her eyes opened to see Ikana leaning over her.
"Mistress Kisara…" she heard a whisper, but her head was filled with the pain again. She suffocated, fighting for air, her hands grabbing her head and her eyes shot close again. And then, she couldn't struggle anymore. She fell down, into the total blackness.
FAB: OK, dear ANGST readers…What do you think?
Malik: Did you like this chapter? Should FAB continue?
FAB: (sweatdrop) Well Malik…I think I just have to…
Malik: So read and – most important REVIEW! FAB says it helps!
FAB: Thank you very much! Enjoy reading FICs and have a great time!
Malik: See ya!