(A.N: Sorry my fellow readers but I have to confess this to you. THIS IS NOT THE FINAL CHAPTER!!! I had intended to make the whole conclusion to one chapter but as I write this, it has taken up at least 24 PAGES!!! It's a whole lot just to fill one chapter. So unfortunately, this conclusion has been divided into two parts. Easier for all of you to read, and easy for me to finish the last parts of the conclusion. Happy reading and review to let me know what you think)
War of Sacrifice:
The month had quickly surpassed. As the night was still up, Marik sat up on his bed, gazing about the darkness. His new wife slept peacefully beside her, unmoving and quiet. It was easy to tell the time by the moon lighting up the night sky.
It won't be long now. He reminisced. He stretched out his legs on the bed, pulling Anzu onto his lap, his arm wrapping around her. The talks of war were weeks before the trial, before Yami and Yugi left, before proposing to Anzu. Before all this, he felt nothing for his wife and agreed to join within the battle.
A war of north and south. A war when the winner takes all. Whoever wins will control of all Egypt. And now he's sending these bastards to my place instead of the boarders. It will definitely be an all out war indeed. He then realized that he had no knowledge to when they will show. Gently draping Anzu over his shoulder, he picked up a blanket and pillow, making his way down the stairs and into the cold night. He made his way around the back of his palace and bent down, pulling on a handle which opened a secret doorway that led to an underground. Closing it behind him, it was nearly dark except for the very few torches that were lit. The lair bared a striking resemblance to Ishizu's home as a child along with her brother Malik.
As soon as he laid her on the floor, Anzu began to stir. Her eyes locked onto Marik's, her hand weakly reached out to him. She looked around, noticing the strange surroundings before them. "Where are we?"
"This is just a simple underground lair." he replied, placing a pillow under her head. "I want you to stay here while I'm gone, all right?"
"So it is true then?" her voice shook. "I thought it was just a dream."
"Anzu," he jerked his wife close to him. "I want you to listen to me, all right? Listen very carefully."
Anzu nodded in reply. Marik placed both hands on her face, looking down on her. "I'm only going to say this once. Something horrible, as you know, is going to take place very soon. I want you to stay here where you'll be safe. If you go out there, you will be killed. Are you getting this?"
Once again, she nodded, her head gazing at the floor, tears streaming down her face. "I know about the war Marik." she sputtered. "I know you're going to be in the battle with your soldiers."
Marik pulled her closer, pressing her body to his. "I don't want you to worry about that." he leaned forward, whispering softly in her ear. "I will come back for you." Pushing her slightly back, he then pressed his lips to hers, giving her a soft kiss.
Suddenly, what sounded like a horn could be heard. Upon hearing this, Marik released Anzu before standing up. His eyes gazed at her for a moment or two before turning on his heel and headed up the stairs that led to the door. With a bit of hesitation, he opened it and left.
(-)
"Well, well Marik. It's about time you decided to grace us with your presence." Dartz gazed down at Marik from his horse. Behind him were soldiers numbering about a hundred.
"Dartz," Marik climbed onto his horse, glaring at the new northern pharaoh. "What made you and your men come over here?"
"Well, it's silly to have a battle at the borders." he cracked his knuckles. "Why do we have to follow our four fathers' ways every time?"
"The only reason you became pharaoh was that you dethroned Kaiba in a duel. Just as he dethroned Yami." he smirked, taking out his sword. "You people in the north have serious problems. I wonder why no one dares to challenge me in a duel."
"Because we all know you'll kick our ass! Plus, your duel is not like any ancient duel."
"Are we gonna talk about how great I am?" Marik summoned his soldiers, appearing behind wearing nothing more than long cloaks. "Or are we going to settle what you came here for?"
"The sun has risen," Dartz withdrew his bow and arrow as well as his soldiers. "I guess playtime has just started." the soldiers began to charge with arrows and swords above.
Marik and his soldiers ran after Dartz's soldiers with their bows, shields and swords. In seconds, soldiers were slashing and stabbing one another. Marik and Dartz rode on their horses. With him having his sword and Dartz having his spear, they charged towards each other.
(-)
In the meantime, Bakura made sure most of the doors and windows were latched shut. Serenity was in the halls, silently sweeping the floor in each room.
As she passed the guest room, she noticed many crumpled pieces of paper scattered on the floor. Lighting up a candle to see through the darkness, she squatted on the ground, noticing the hieroglyphic writing. Out of curiosity, she picked up the pieces of paper, her eyes scanning the symbols.
"Oh Ra…" she quickly got up and ran out of the room. "Bakura-sama! Bakura-sama!"
Bakura was standing at the end of the hall. He looked up at his escort as he spoke. "Serenity, the only thing you have to do for the day is clean the rooms. After that…"
"Bakura-sama," Serenity fell to one knee, handing Bakura the scraps of paper. "I believe you should read this. I found these in the guestrooms."
Taking the pieces of paper, Bakura's eyes scanned the hieroglyphics before he went in to a state of shock. "It can't be! How could he…" he dropped the pieces of paper on the floor before making his way outside.
(-)
Meanwhile in the underground lair, Anzu leaned against the stone walls. The flames on the torch continued to burn as if it had been lit for the first time.
All of a sudden, she heard a creak in the entry of the lair. Her eyes lighted up thinking it was Marik. Happily, she stood up and made her way towards the entrance only to come face to face with someone rather familiar.
"Hello Anzu." The stranger smirked.
"Oh wow!" Anzu smiled. "It's been quite a while. What are you doing here? How have you been?"
"I have been fine." that smirk didn't leave his lips. "But there's something I should show you."
"ANZU!!" Bakura stood at the foot of the entry, gazing down at the two. "Stay away from that bastard! That traitor!"
"Huh?" Anzu looked up at Bakura, "Bakura, what are you talking about?"
"That guy was leaking information about the underground lair! You're in great danger!"
The mysterious friend chuckled softly. "So you've read into it have you?" Snapping his fingers, Dartz's soldiers appeared behind Bakura, grabbing him before tackling him to the ground.
"Bakura!" Anzu tried to make her way towards him but he stopped her by grabbing her arm, pulling her close.
"Little girl," the smirk remained plastered. "I'm sure Bakura would be fine."
Anzu's eyes widened as she watched the soldiers constantly kicking and punching a fallen Bakura. "Stop! I have to help him!"
The stranger clamped his hand over her mouth tightly, looking down at her. "We shouldn't be playing these kind of games."
Anzu struggled within his grasp, trying desperately to escape but it had proven to be worthless. As the stranger had held her with one arm, the other took out a cloth, which appeared to be soaked before pressing it on her nose and mouth.
At the second Anzu inhaled unknowingly, the smell of red wine and magnolia flowers filled her head. For the moment, it was unusually pleasant yet calming. However, that feeling had come to pass as she felt her body go numb. Having no feeling in her body, she felt the sudden urge to collapse. As she made a slight step with her foot, he caught her in his arms. Draping her over his shoulder, he made his way out of the underground lair, his eyes looked down at a battered yet struggling Bakura.
"I'm sure you never expected this to come about Bakura…" he smirked.
"I thought you were acting really strange recently." Bakura replied. "But I never expected you to side with Dartz, of all people."
"Oh you wouldn't want to know the stories of how Dartz was the northern pharaoh in the first place." he chuckled.
"I think I got the idea." he snarled.
"Well…" he turned on his heel before making his way towards the carriage, throwing Anzu inside. "You have a nice day Bakura." he laughed before hopping onto the horse and riding off leaving Bakura in the hands of Dartz's soldiers.
(-)
Hours passed on as the sun began to reach its peak of setting. Soldiers of both sides laid dead on the sand. Surprisingly, besides having a handful soldiers to spare, Marik and Dartz managed to remain on their horses, although having a few slashes here and there.
"Sun's setting." Dartz's eyes looked up at the night sky.
"So?" Marik kept his gaze on Dartz, his sword in hand.
"I believe there is no use to go on fighting when there is no light about." Dartz smiled wickedly. "Of course, there is tomorrow in early sunrise."
"Fine," Marik snapped. "But if any of your soldiers dare cross this territory till then," he whipped out his millennium rod, pointing at Dartz and his soldiers. "I will be happy to personally send them straight to hell." Giving a hand signal to his soldiers, they all turned and left.
(-)
After instructing his soldiers to disperse into their chambers, Marik made his way to the back of the palace onto the path of the underground lair he told Anzu to hide in. Instead, he had only come across on what might have looked like the path of destruction. The door to the underground lair had been busted open. Sprawled on the stairs was Bakura who was bruised and battered. Besides the cuts, gashes, and bruises, he also received a black eye and a huge cut on his lap.
"What in Anubis' name happened here?!?!?"
Bakura's eyes slowly opened, groaning, looking up at Marik weakly. He managed to whisper to him, "You…we…we all have been deceived."
"Say what?!?" Marik was taken back. "What does that supposed to mean? Who betrayed us?"
The name failed to slip from Bakura's lips as he passed out.
"Hopefully the potions would prove to be slightly effective." Shadi emerged, a bowl filled with water in his hands. "His injuries were quite severe."
Marik looked up at Shadi, his grip on his millennium rod clenched. "What happened here Shadi?"
"I'm not so certain how but a few of Dartz's soldiers dropped by and abducted Anzu. Bakura, seeing this, tried to stop them but it was too much for him."
"They took Anzu?!!!?" Marik shrieked.
Shadi nodded in reply. "I'm afraid so."
"Where did those bastards take her?" Marik started swinging his rod violently, ready to strike anything and anyone. "How the hell did Dartz know about the underground lair." he then stopped himself, placing his arm on the side but still livid. "So where did they take her?"
Before Shadi could respond, a raven landed on his shoulder with a letter in its beak. Taking the letter in its beak. Taking the letter, he unrolled the parchment, his eyes looking over the hieroglyphics.
"Well," Marik tried to look over the letter. "What does it say?"
"She's been taken up north to Dartz's place. Says here that if you ever want to see her again, surrender."
"That bitch is a coward!" he crumpled up the parchment. "If I leave now, I would be able to arrive in the morning." he shifted his gaze towards Bakura. "Where's Serenity?"
"That's what I would like to know." Shadi knelt onto the ground, pressing a wet cloth on Bakura's forehead. "Look Marik, I suggest you go. I will take care of Bakura from here and I will seek for his escort.
All was silent before Marik finally spoke. "You do that." he left the back parts of his palace and to his horse and rode off into the night.
Anzu…I will find you.
(-)
Late that night, Serenity was sitting on the floor in a rather unusual position. She was propped up almost like a life-size doll. Her hands were bound tightly together above her head with rope while the other end stretched all the way to a hook in the ceiling. Her attire, which was a simple white, short skirt and a matching tubetop, was slightly tarnished. A gag that consisted of a cloth to silence her was her only gag.
There was no light of any form and on a small crack of a window. The room was rather small indeed, the size of any prison cell. She had been trapped for hours at most.
All of a sudden, the door creaked open and in stepped the same being that had been responsible for Anzu's abduction. In the hand was a knife that its blade gleamed within the moonlight. Making his way towards her, he knelt but a few inches in front of her.
"Truly, I am sorry for this." the blade of the knife resting on her neck that a light movement would cut her open. "Ever since you found what you have seen, I couldn't let you possibly tell Marik. And Bakura, well, Bakura got exactly what he deserved. Just lucky enough to have survived his punishment."
Serenity struggled against the bondage, glaring up at him. She forced herself to be careful to not move too much. She tried to speak but her voice was muffled.
"Poor little girl." the stranger chuckled. "I can't understand a word you're saying." He then caressed his hand on her face. "But I'm very sure you can hear what I'm saying. After Bakura goes down, I'm taking you with me and I promise," he inched his lips towards hers. "I can make your life a living hell."
Suddenly, a huge flash surrounded her before Serenity's eyes widened in shock. The flash lasted for seconds before she collapsed to the floor.
"Sweet dreams my doll." the stranger chuckled before exiting the room but was abrupt into a halt by a familiar person blocking the door. "You…"
Bakura's eyes bored into his. "You won't break her. She has lost herself and only obeys me. Think of it as placing a seal in her heart."
"That seal can also be scarred my friend. I'm surprised that as much as you wanted to break her entirely, you found some time to actually care about her. Whatever happened to that?"
Although Bakura struggled to stay up after the beating, he slapped the face of his enemy as hard as he could right on the face, leaving a red mark. "That's none of your business! What goes between me and her is none of your business and only my concern!"
"I suggest you step down." the stranger smirked. "You will not enjoy what I would do if you mess with me."
"I knew you wouldn't last." Bakura crossed his arms over his chest. "There is no way you could simply say everything is fine after all you've been through." He brushed past him and made his way towards Serenity, kneeling before her.
"So you actually care about her?" the stranger chuckled. Before when you took her, you vowed to destroy her mentally until she realizes she is nothing more than a slave doll. Looking at you now, I laugh hysterically at the fact that you two are becoming an item."
"You keep pushing it and we're going to have a little showdown!" Bakura sneered.
"Well, that I wouldn't mind at all." he took out his sword. "If you so desire, we can allow this little showdown to take place tonight, right now. But in your condition…"
"You were the one responsible for my condition in the first place!" Bakura didn't look up, lifting Serenity on his back after releasing her from her bondage. "I don't care on what condition I'm in nor my beatings. Dealing with kicking your ass is fine with me."
"How about we make things more interesting. Put something very dear to us on the line."
"Besides out lives?"
Holding out his hand, the stranger woke Serenity as she slid off of Bakura's back and made her way out the door. The stranger, watched Serenity as she strolled down the halls, shaking his head sadly. "That poor girl. She would be a perfect life doll. However, it's just too bad that she has been manipulated, her mind pulled in two having the capability to obey both."
"You scrambled her mind you bastard!" he stood up. "If that were to be, she would be destroyed mentally."
"But wasn't that you wished for?" he grinned cunningly. "She was a bad girl indeed and needed to be punished severely."
"You're sick! You're twisted!" Bakura couldn't believe what he was hearing. "You fucking hate her for crying out loud and now you want to take her?"
"You obviously had not done a good job in breaking her. You spoil her too much, treat her as an equal, it disgusts me." he turned around and left the prison cell.
Moments later, Bakura got up and made his way to his room. Lighting up a candle, he settled it on the rack on the wall. Some of what had been said struck him like lightning.
I had been with her for so long. Bakura pondered, running his hand on the back of his head. She did create me out of her own hatred, her seven deadly sins. Were she to have this the whole time, she would not have masked any innocence. Jealousy would have consumed her and Anzu would not have survived her first night. Reaching under his bed, he withdrew a large sword, his fingers gripping onto the handle. He then stood on his feet and made his way down the halls to a door that led to the rooftop.
There stood his enemy with a sword in his hand. "So the prize of this little battle is this young creature here." In his hand was his own sword, pointing it at Serenity.
"You dare cower yourself with the weak link?" Bakura sneered. "You're even lower than I thought. I never expected you to stoop to this level of insanity."
"Let's settle this right now." he placed Serenity in a trance. "Dartz expects me back at high midnight."
"Well you aren't going back." Bakura wielded his sword. "You can make sure of that!" he began to charge towards him, swinging the blade towards him.
To this, he managed to block Bakura's attack with his own sword, attempting to slash back at his enemy but Bakura managed to ward it off.
The battle continued for hours. Both of the men had their clothes shredded, blood seeping from their wounds. At their present state, they could barely stand up, yet their grip on their swords remained in tact. Hateful glares shot from one to another.
Meanwhile, Bakura managed to get his feet, standing at least ten feet away from him. Mustering up at every strength he had left, he leapt into the air, preparing his sword for the final blow.
Upon seeing this, his opponent grabbed his sword that laid beside him, hurling it towards Bakura. The sword pierced through Bakura's chest, causing him to drop his sword. Blood seeped from his mouth as he laid on the roof, his eyes widened as his hands weakly reached for the sword handle, attempting to pull the weapon out. All of a sudden, his hands had lost feeling as well as the rest of his body. Dropping his hands to his side, he released a soft moan, lying in his own pool of blood.
Smiling to himself, he made his way towards Bakura, looking down at his corpse. "Bakura, Bakura, when will you ever learn?" In one swift motion, he yanked the sword out of Bakura's chest, crimson blood dripping down the blade. Licking the blood, he placed the blade back in his sheath before grabbing Serenity. "A common, low life thief had no chance against me." Bending over, he yanked Bakura's millennium ring off of him. Shifting his gaze towards Serenity, he grinned as he watched her shaking with fear. "Well Serenity, Bakura kept his end of the bargain so you should keep yours."
"You…you…" Was all Serenity could stammer.
"No need to worry though." he cupped his hand under her chin, stroking it. "You won't be treated like how Bakura had done to you. No…you'll be treated so much better."
Dizzy with grief, Serenity took a few steps back from him, her body trembled. "How…how could you?"
He smirked to her, pulling her close to him. "Does it matter dear? Does it matter anymore?" he then released his hold on her. "I really admire you Serenity, especially when you attempted to deceive everyone. Anzu's drowning for example."
"Where are you getting at?" Serenity's voice became smaller. "What have you turned yourself into? No…why have you become what you are?"
"Dear, it's really simple." he smirked. "Marik took the one thing I could never have."
Serenity continued to back away from him, nearly shaken up. Unfortunately, she wasn't aware of where she was backing up for all of a sudden, she slipped on the edge of the roof, her fingers gripping on to the last of the roof with one hand while the rest of her dangled at least 90 feet in the air.
Meanwhile, he edged towards the roof staring down at her, a cruel smirk plastered on his face, chuckling. "I'm sorry dear that you have to hang about like this. But I'm afraid it's time."
"Please…" Serenity's eyes widened, trying to grab the ledge with her other hand. "I'm begging you…don't do this…"
But he just stood there, his eyes unmoving. Losing grip, Sernity's fingers released its hold, falling…
……..falling
As she fell, she felt more as if she were floating.
All of a sudden, the world around her turned cold…dark. She landed with a hard thud on one of the stone statues that stood at the entrance of the residence before collapsing onto the ground. Blood gushed tremendously from her head.
Meanwhile, he looked down at the fallen body, grinning a cunning smile. "Poor girl. Just when I have grown close to you too. Pity." Turning on his heel, he disappeared into the night.
(-)
Anzu's eyes slowly opened, finding herself sitting down on a rickety wooden chair. Attempting to strech her arms, she only found her wrists bound with rope. The room was dark, made out of stone with a small opening that served as a window, tucked away in the far corner of the chambers. A single torch propped up in its proper place on the wall, burning away to cast its light.
"Marik's girl?" a voice muttered.
"Pretty much." Another replied. "Sad though, they were married just for a month."
"Bah! That's pretty shitty of Marik. Who would be stupid enough to marry someone prior to a war?"
"Actually, I remember Dartz pulling off that same stunt a few years back when he was general during the Sand Spike Showdown. It was to some little girl. You remember…what's her name…Rebecca, there you go!"
"I never knew Dartz was the kind of guy to practice incest."
"You crack! Dartz was known as a pedophile back then. It was a laugh. Professor Hawking was pissed when he found out their holy matrimony."
"Where's Rebecca now?"
Before one of the cloaked could answer, he noticed Anzu stirring. "Well, it looks like the child has awaken." he grinned at her.
"Huh? Wha…What's going on? Where am I?" Anzu's eyes darted around.
"He said to bring her when?" he turned to his partner.
"At least sunrise which is to come soon." He then took his leave.
The other cloaked figure looked down upon her, rummaging his fingers through her hair. "Rumor has it you were his escort before joining in wedlock. Is this true?"
Anzu remained silent, sneering at the one that spoke to her, trying to avoid answering any of his questions. The stranger, in the meantime, continuously brushed her hair back, stroking her cheek.
"Not talking, eh?" he smiled. "Well that's too bad child. I'm sure you'll be talking very soon."
All of a sudden, a knock echoed throughout the room. Another cloaked figure stood in the doorway. "Dartz wants to bring the girl out."
(-)
The sky turned dark pink by the time Marik had arrived at Dartz's palace. It was, in structure, quite similar to his. Getting off his horse, he made his way to the lair.
Two guardsmen immediately noticed Marik making his presence clear. Taking out their swords, they stepped to barricade the entry.
"The pharaoh of the south." The first guardsmen spoke.
"Northern pharaoh Dartz has been expecting you." The other stated.
Arching an eyebrow, Marik smirked. "Is that so?" reaching behind his back, he took out his millennium rod that glowed fiercely. "I'll let him know I was aware of that."
All of a sudden, the millennium symbol appeared on their foreheads before collapsing to the ground. Brushing some of the sand off his cloak, he made his way to the throne room, assuming that's where they gathered. Soft footsteps clattered on the floor as he entered the room, surprised that it wasn't guarded as he suspected.
Something didn't seem right.
"Well, well." Dartz stepped out from the shadows, placing a lighted torch on the wall. "The infamous pharaoh of the south. Glad to see you have arrived. Really appreciate it."
"Where's the girl?" Marik's voice added intense fear in the air.
"Oh, the child?" Dartz gave a coy smile.
"I thought it was strange for you to ask for a night off in the midst of a battle. Who would be that stupid to propose such a request?"
"Who would be stupid enough to willingly agree to such a request?" snapping his fingers twice, two guardsmen entered, each dragging Anzu by each arm.
The shuffling of feet was enough to snap Marik to attention. Noticing Anzu right away, he attempted to make his way towards her when all of a sudden, two strong arms wrapped tightly around each of his arms, halting him to move another inch. Wearing matching black cloaks, they restrained Marik with a bit of trouble at first but somewhat managed to do so with ease. Marik struggled under their grasp, trying to break free. The guardsmen brought Anzu to the front, shoving her at the foot of Dartz. He placed his foot on Anzu's head, using her as a footstool.
"Release her Dartz or so help me Ra!!" Marik raised a tight clenched fist at Dartz.
This sent Dartz laughing. "We all have our shares of deceit, don't you think? I believe I have to thank the one person who made this little war interesting."
With that said, soft footsteps strode along the stone floor from behind. The guards released Marik but stayed close by in case things seemingly got out of hand. The familiar stranger stepped in the entrance from the shadows.
Marik was struck with horror and shock. However, that feeling quickly deteriorated as it turned to a rage full of hatred. "You fucking son of a bitch!" he shrieked, attempting to tackle him down. Quick to notice this, the guardsmen restrained him from doing so.
Shadi's eyes glazed onto his, his lips curling into a sadistic smile. "We're you expecting someone who tried to steal your girlfriend?"
"Maybe from the former northern pharaoh or Yami to play dirty. You, however, played then times worse." he then turned to Dartz, staring at him angrily. "How you two formed an alliance is obviously none of my business."
"Give your former advisor a hand." Dartz clapped mockingly. "All because of him that we had…"
Before Dartz could finish his speech, Marik released his rage, glaring at Shadi. "Why you sick, twisted, son of a…" he leaped towards his former advisor, tackling him down, wrapping his fingers tightly around his neck, choking him. Two of the guardsmen tried to pull him off of Shadi.
Calmly, Shadi stood up, watching Marik fighting against his restraints. "I thank you for everything Marik. A place to stay, a pardon from being sent straight to hell. Although the only thing I'm ungrateful for is having the one thing you took away from me."
"Shadi…" Marik's eyes widened. "If you dare tell anyone of that…"
"You, me, and your Ra-forsaken daughter should know! You may have given me some but you took a lot. Your parents took away my sister." he pointed his finger towards him. "Just when I thought that was far enough, you stripped me off my childhood! You, I'll never forgive!"
Gritting his teeth, Marik nearly felt a lump in his throat. Thoughts circled in his mind, realizing Shadi had made a point. As far as he was concerned, Shadi never really had a childhood. Throughout his life, he cared for Mai, he did most of the chores before Serenity came along, he had, at times, especially during childhood days, assault him. Soon enough, he became Marik's source of advise and wisdom.
"So, northern pharaoh." Dartz's voice appeared laced with an icy feeling. He pulled Anzu towards him by her hair, causing her to startle. "What's it going to be? You have read my letter, no?"
"Whether to surrender to set her free." said Marik in a low voice. For the longest time, he stood there, pondering on his decision.
Finally, he came to a decision. Glancing up at Dartz, he said in a soft voice. "I surrender." he proceeded to bow on one knee."
Anzu's eyes widened. "Say what?!?"
But Dartz clamped his hand over her mouth. "Is that so Marik? You really surrender to me for the sake of your wife?"
"You have my word Dartz." Marik replied calmly.
Meanwhile, Shadi stared on at Marik, watching the scene take its place. Something is not right…
Snapping his fingers twice, one of the guardsmen grabbed Marik by the arm, attaching a metal cuff to his left wrist.
As he did so, his right hand balled up into a tight fist. Before even under the blink of an eye, he bashed his fist right onto the guardsman's chest with all his might.
Groaning in pain, the guardsman fell to his knees, holding his chest. Two other guardsmen went after him at that point. Holding the chain that linked to the other cuff, he swung it a couple of times before nailing them right on the head, knocking them out cold.
Piercing his gaze towards Anzu, he shouted out. "Get out of here, quickly!"
"Marik…" Anzu's mind pounded, watching. More of Dartz's soldiers entered the throne room, some with spears, others with swords, and most with nothing but bare hands for a fist-fight.
Marik, in the meantime, struggled to fight them off. "Hurry! Otherwise you will be trapped here! Go!"
Nodding once in agreement, Anzu took a quick glance at Dartz. Shutting her eyes, she swung her arm with all her might, feeling it come in contact with his head. Surprisingly, she heard Dartz groaning in pain.
How could I have hit him that hard? Anzu wondered, opening her eyes. She saw Dartz holding his head, trying to fight an urge to laugh at that scene. Placing her hands down, she noticed the bracelet Marik had given her the first day she arrived. Quickly getting to her feet, she brushed her way past the guards as fast as she could.
Noticing this, Dartz decided to give no chase. Watching his soldiers keep Marik busy, he exited through the back door.
Anzu dashed towards the doorway to the throne room. But all of a sudden, a hand clamped over her neck, pulling her back, another arm wrapping around her waist, pulling her close to him.
"Marik!!" Anzu struggled against the stranger's grasp.
Marik looked up, seeing Shadi grasping Anzu. In return, Shadi gave Marik an evil smirk before turning around, vanishing in the darkness, leaving Marik with half of Dartz's soldiers.
At least twenty soldiers stood their ground while other bodies laid on the ground. Some of the soldiers proceeded to go after Marik but he easily retaliated, knocking a few of them down. However, in return, he had been struck. Not only by fists but by the spears some of the soldiers held.
Feeling himself trapped in the wall, he felt the odds were against him. Looking up, he saw the torch on the wall. Grabbing it, he placed the flame upon the skin of one of the guardsmen. A huge scream pierced through the air as the flame had spread throughout his body. Marik, in the meantime, hurled the torch in the middle of the room.
The guards and soldiers instantly dropped their weapons. Some found themselves trapped within the fire. Grabbing a small jug of oil from the shelf, he splashed it all over the floor before taking another torch off of the wall, tossing it to the ground, causing a huge wild-fire to spread. With that, he quickly left the throne room, shutting their only escape, placing the latch in its place. Fists began pounding on the door, screams filling the air but gave Marik no reason to give in.
Instead, though, he reached inside his cloak, taking out his millennium rod. Raising it into the air, it began to glow a fierce bright light. Inside the throne room, a blackish-purple fog densed the entire room. Those that were caught in the fire experienced a combustible situation as body parts exploded. Some soldiers had their flesh ripped open. Others collapsed to the floor unconscious.
Marik's little victory did not last as long for Dartz approached him from behind, a bruise the size of a fist scarred his face. "Your wife…she doesn't hit too bad if you ask me."
Glaring at him, giving him a murderous look, Marik turned to face him. He pointed his rod towards Dartz. "I'll make this easy for you Dartz. Nice, quick…"
The millennium symbol appeared on Dartz's forehead just as Marik activated his rod. All of a sudden, the symbol shattered like glass, disappearing.
Taken back, Marik took a step back. "No! How can this be?!?"
Dartz, however, just laughed at him.
(-)
To Be Concluded!! I'm serious this time
