CHAPTER 3: VISIT THE VALLEY

-So, what do you think about this girl?- Seto asked- should I hire her?-

Isis was still surprised by Seto's sudden arrival. Her heart was still beating very quickly. She took a deep breath.

-You scared me- she said- don't do that again...-

-Do what?-

-Scare me like that- Isis said.

-Well, answer my question- Seto said.

-I don't understand- Isis said- why do you ask me? Do whatever you want...-

-I want you to tell me- Seto said- if she's the real thing, or if she's just the typical discovery channel girl?-

-She's not that- Isis said- she's pretty good... but I don't know what do you want, or why you want to hire her...-

-Let's see- Seto said- is she better than you?-

Isis stayed quiet a few seconds. So, Seto wanted to replace her. She sighted.

-I think she is...- Isis said with her face down.

-I see...- Seto said- I'll call her. Excuse me...-

Seto took the phone and dialed eight numbers. Isis let him sit on her chair, while she walked around the office. He talked with someone about 15 minutes. Isis thought it was his secretary. When he hung the phone, he smiled at Isis.

-Okay- Seto said- she'll come tomorrow. I expect you to welcome her...-

-What?- Isis said- you...you...-

-What?-

-Nothing- Isis said smiling relieved- never mind...-

Seto sighted. He stood up and headed toward Isis. Confused, she took a few steps back, getting away from him, but she felt her back against the wall. Seto cut the distance between them.

-I don't know why you fear me- Seto said, his lips a few inches away from hers- I would never hurt you...-

-I... I know- Isis said.

-Then stop trembling...-

-I... I'm not...-

-Yes, you are...- Seto said, making contact with her lips.

She felt a sudden shudder as Seto's hands traveled through her back. She was really enjoying the kiss, but she felt something wasn't right. Without knowing, she pushed him away from her.

-What...?- Seto said- why did you...?-

-I don't know...- she said, raising her shoulders- I'm sorry...-

-Well- Seto said, blushing lightly- see you tomorrow...-

-Okay- Isis said, preparing to go back to her work.

-No, wait- Seto said- take the rest of the day off. Just for this once...-

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Outside the museum, Tashat Ramose ran into a man. She tried to avoid him, but he followed her.

-Well done, girl- the man said- you're such a good actress...-

-I wasn't acting; and I don't want to carry on with this anymore, so leave me alone- Tashat said. She didn't stop walking. The man's expression wasn't too confident now.

-Why not?-

-Because I don't want to... hurt them...- she said- I'm going home...-

The man smiled again.

-Wait- the man said, grabbing her hand and making her stop- I have a new offer for you...-

-Let go of me- she answered- I don't care...-

-I'm sure you do- the man said- unless you want your dear friend to get hurt...he's one of my targets, you know...-

-Stay away from him...-Tashat said, going pale.

-Here's the deal, poppet- the man said- if you help me, I won't hurt him...-

Tashat thought about it before nodding.

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-This...is the Valley of the Kings?- asked Joey, making a disappointment face.

-Yep- Marik said, smiling.

-And... what's the big deal about this?- Joey asked again. Mai slapped his face- what?-

-Don't be so rude- she said.

-I'm sorry- Joey said, apologizing- but I thought it was a little bit... different...-

-I know it doesn't seem so wonderful- Marik said- but you must see the tombs...-

-I've heard they're great- Tea said. Marik nodded.

-Come on- Marik said- I'll show you the most famous one: Tutankhamen's tomb...-

They walked until they found a stairway down. In the wall, it read: Tomb #62.

-Tomb #62?- Bakura asked while they went downstairs- is it a famous one?-

-Yep- Marik said- it's Tutankhamen's tomb... it was discovered in 1922 by Howard Carter. The first intact tomb...-

-I heard Tutankhamen's mummy is the only one which stills rests in its own tomb-

-He's not the only one- Marik said, pointing the mountain- there are some other tombs, with their mummies inside-

-Wow- Yugi said, amazed by the paintings in the wall. The painting of the pharaoh was standing there. A man dressed in leopard skin pointed a piece of wood to the pharaoh.

-Who was that guy?- Joey asked.

-His name was Aye- Marik explained- he was Tutankhamen's prime minister. But when he died, Aye married his queen and became pharaoh. Many people think that he murdered Tutankhamen-

-Did he?- Mai asked.

-I guess we'll never know...- Marik said.

-This is so cool- Yugi said, staring around- now I understand why my grandpa liked to be here...-

-The pharaoh's mummy is in that case?- Bakura asked, and Marik nodded.

-Marik- Tea said- how did ancient Egyptians make mummies?-

Marik sighted.

-It was a very long process- Marik said- first off, they removed all the organs from the corpse, except the heart. After that, they take out the brain through the nose. Then, they washed it and let it dry in a pile of salt for 70 days. After that, they put the bandages. Finally, they put the mummy in its sarcophagi-

-Yuck- Mai said, disgusted- imagine the 'brain through the nose' thing... disgusting...-

-And what is the purpose of all that?- Yugi asked.

-To preserve the body for the afterlife- Marik answered- my sister can explain this to you even better...-

-Well, come on- Bakura said- let's go see the next tomb-

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Tashat went home. She lived in a small apartment, close to Isis and Marik's house. She opened the door and got in. She headed to her bedroom and threw herself to the bed. She sighted.

-I don't like this...- she said to herself- I really don't like this...-

-What happened?- a male voice said. Tashat got up in a jump. It was Shadi.

-Shadi!- she said- what...?-

-You're hiding something- Shadi said calmly- and I want to know what it is about...-

-Nothing- she said, nervously- I'm not doing anything...-

Shadi looked at her.

-I know it, my goddess...- Shadi told her gently- I know something is troubling your heart-

-I told you- she said- it's nothing...-

-Don't you trust me?-

-Of course I trust you, Shadi- she said- you're my best and only friend, but...-

-But what?-

-I can't tell, Shadi- Tashat said- trust me, as I trust you...-

-I trust you- Shadi said, smiling at her- see you tomorrow...-

Once alone, a few tears escaped from Tashat's eyes.

-I'm sorry I lied to you- she whispered- but at least I know you'll be okay...-

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Isis went back home early that afternoon. She knew her brother was with Yugi and the others. He had taken them to the Valley of the Kings. Isis knew Marik wouldn't be back until eight o'clock, at least. She turned on the TV. She was still very tired, and fell asleep almost immediately.

Isis was about to scream when she felt a hand on her shoulder.

-Shhh- the hand's owner said- I'm trying to help you-

-Rishid- Marik said- what are you doing here?-

-I heard you escaped- Rishid said- why?-

-Father wanted to sell Isis to a man...- Marik answered.

-He sold me- Isis said.

-But Marik is not supposed to leave the tomb...- Rishid said.

-I know- Isis said- but I didn't want to leave him there, for our father to hurt him...-

-He won't, Isis- Rishid said- I will protect him... he has nothing to do outside...-

-But I had to steal Isis- Marik said- I stole her so she wouldn't be sold...-

-That was very clever of you, boy- a man said, behind Rishid. It was their father, surrounded by at least ten men- you found them, well done, Rishid...-

-You... you were helping him?- Marik asked. Rishid didn't answer.

-Of course he was helping me- their father said- he's my servant...- he turned to the men- help me take them back to the tomb...-

The men obeyed and took the boy and the girl back to the tomb. Once at the tomb, they tied Isis's hands to her back. Her father took a whip.

-I must punish you, you know...- he told her, holding her chin- but I can't hurt your body, or else nobody will want you. So...- he added- Marik will take your punishment...-

-No!!- she shouted- don't do that!!-

He ignored her and ordered Rishid to bring the boy.

-Don't bring him, Rishid- Isis said, trying to get free- please don't bring him-

-Shut up, stupid girl- the man said- Rishid, bring him here...-

-Don't...-

-I won't- Rishid said- I won't help you hurt them...-

-Very well- the man said- then I shall punish you too...-

Isis's father started whipping Rishid.

-Leave him alone- Isis said- it was my fault...I'm the one who should me punished...-

-Shut up- her father shouted- he must be punished for his disobedience!!-

Attracted by the shouting, Marik arrived.

-Leave him alone- shouted Marik. He untied his sister.

-You arrive just in time- their father said, as Rishid fell unconscious- you're next...- and drove the whip to Marik. But he didn't get hit. Suddenly, Marik's eyes changed. So did his hair and his voice. He took the millennium rod and used its power against his father. He opened its dagger.

-Marik, don't...-

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Isis woke up, shivering. She was sick of having these dreams, remembering her the worst days of her life. She got up and took a warm shower to relax. When she got out, she saw someone.

-Hello- Shadi said.

-Shadi, you scared me... again- Isis said, relieved.

-I'm sorry-

-Forget it- she said, smiling at him- why are you following me?-

-To make sure you're okay- Shadi said.

-I'm okay, thanks-

Shadi smiled lightly.

-Why are you so scared?- he asked.

-Scared?- Isis said- I'm not...-

-Yes, you are- Shadi interrupted- what's wrong?-

-Nothing- she said- it's just... these bad dreams I'm having...-

-Dreams can be useful, even the worst ones- Shadi said- they help us remember things we unconsciously hide and don't allow to show up...-

-But... these are very sad...- Isis said- I'm dreaming about my father's death, Marik's change and...-

-And when your father tried to sell you - Shadi said. Isis nodded- don't be afraid. Maybe the gods are trying to make you remember something...-

-Remember something?- Isis asked, puzzled.

-You'll understand later- Shadi said- Yugi and the others are about to get here, and I'd like to speak with Yugi...-

-You can stay here, then, while they arrive- Isis said- please, sit...-

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-It was disgusting- Mai said- imagine someone sucking your brain out through your nose...-

-You're supposed to be dead when they do that, Mai- Joey said.

-I think that was amazing, Marik- Serenity said. Yugi and Joey nodded.

-Yeah, it was so cool- Joey said.

-But I wanted to see the pyramids- Tea protested.

-We can go to Giza tomorrow, Tea- Marik said- so you will be able to see them-

-Yay!!!- Tea and Yugi said. Marik smiled.

-You're going home, Marik?- Bakura asked.

-Yeah. I don't think Isis is there...- he answered- that Kaiba guy made sure she wouldn't leave the museum until 7...-

But he was wrong. When Marik and the others went to the apartment, they found Isis making Omahri for dinner, and Shadi waiting for them.

-Greetings- Shadi said- Yugi, I was waiting for you...-

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TO BE CONTINUED...

Hello everybody!!! I hope you like this so far...

sakuuya: I'm sorry if I annoyed you, but this is the way I'm used to type dialogues in stories. U And I didn't understand the anti-mary sue jelly thing. --U

By the way, I rechecked all the story, and changed Ishizu's name to Isis. After all, that's the way it should be. I hope I can put more about Egyptian mythology in the next chapters...

Abby L.