CHAPTER 8: KARNAK
Yugi and the others still couldn't believe what had just happened. Shadi has just been taken prisoner by Pegasus and Tashat's grandfather. And speaking of Tashat, the girl didn't get up. She was still kneeling and crying with her face hidden by her hands.
-That Pegasus idiot- Seto Kaiba said- when I see him again I'll...-
-I told you- Rishid said, ignoring Kaiba- I told you, Isis, that we couldn't trust this... witch-
-Rishid, please- Isis said, as a warning. She kneeled next to Tashat- it's okay, don't cry...-
-No, it's not okay- Tashat said, still with her face hidden-they got him... they are going to kill him, and it's all because of me...-
-Tell me what happened- Isis said.
Tashat looked up. She still looked very frightened.
-What's the point?- Tashat asked, looking at Rishid- no one here will believe me-
-I'll believe you- Isis said- please tell me the truth-
Tashat took a deep breath.
-Okay- she said- my grandfather and Pegasus want to open the forbidden chamber in the temple of Karnak...-
The Egyptians gasped. Yugi and the others looked at each other.
-I don't understand- Yugi said- what's on the forbidden chamber? Why is it forbidden?-
-There is a reason for that- Marik explained- it's said that within the forbidden chamber lays an evil force that has being locked for hundreds of years. If it is unleashed...-
-... the sun's Eye, the greatest power on Earth, will come to Pegasus. Enough power to destroy the world- Rishid completed, and Tashat nodded timidly.
-What did Pegasus want to do with all that power?- Isis asked Tashat.
-He said something about his wife- Tashat said.
-Not again- Joey said.
-Really- Tristan said- this guy never gets bored or what?-
-There's more- Tashat said- I think my grandfather has a plan, another plan, to get all the power for him...-
-What are we waiting for?- Joey said- let's go and stop them-
-That's impossible- Tashat said.
-Why?-
-Because Pegasus has the place surrounded by guards... hundreds of them- Tashat answered- and even if you could get in, you'll never find it. Only a Temple keeper can find the way, and only Shadi's Millennium Key, along with the other Millennium items, is able to open the chamber...-
-That's a problem- Tristan said.
-Yes- Tashat said- and I bet my grandfather won't help...-
-But you can- Isis said.
-What do you mean?- Tashat asked.
-You were a Temple keeper- Isis said- you know the way, don't you?-
-Yes, I know the way- Tashat answered- but if my grandfather catches me, he'll kill me...-
-Then, Shadi is dead for sure- Isis said.
These words made the right effect on Tashat. She stood.
-Okay, I'll guide you- she said- but you'll have to trust me...-
-Trust you?- Rishid said, his face red- how can we trust you after what you did? You betrayed us...-
-I didn't mean to- Tashat said- at the beginning, they forced me. They made me take this job and accept the invitation to the party, but then...-
-But then?-
-I refused to continue helping them-
Still after this, Rishid continued to stare at her, suspiciously.
-I know what my grandfather did to you three- Tashat told Rishid, Isis and Marik- he took your sister... I can't give her back to you, but I can help you get back the Millennium items...-
Yugi got closer.
-I trust you-
-Me too- Tea said.
-And me- added Joey.
-You have my trust- Marik said, taking her hand.
-And mine too- Isis added.
Tashat took another deep breath.
-Thank you, guys- Tashat said, almost smiling- I won't fail you...-
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Shadi was chained to a column, on his knees, while Ramose and Pegasus stared at him.
-Well, where is it?- Ramose asked.
-You should know it by yourself- Shadi answered calmly- as you are a temple keeper... well, sort of...- he added. Ramose's face went red.
-You stupid boy- he shouted, taking Shadi by his neck- tell us where is the chamber or...-
-Or we'll find it asking someone else...- Pegasus added. Ramose laughed and took his hand away. Shadi raised his gaze.
-I won't let you touch her...- Shadi said- I won't let you hurt Tashat...-
-You won't be around to stop me- Pegasus said. Shadi's face expression changed drastically in that moment.
-You win- Shadi said- but you have to promise you won't hurt any of my friends... specially Tashat-
-Promised- Pegasus said. Shadi sighted.
-It's on the South wing of the temple- Shadi said- the secret entrance is next to the statue of Rameses II-
Pegasus smiled, and he made a sound with his fingers. Two men untied Shadi
-Bring him...-
-What about me?- Ramose asked.
-You wait here- Pegasus said- and make sure no one interferes...-
-Right- Ramose said, forcing his face into a horrible smile. Shadi did not like that. But he couldn't do anything about it because he was taken away by the two men, following Pegasus. When they disappeared, Ramose started laughing.
-The fool...- Ramose said- Pegasus is walking to his own doom...-
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-So, where is Karnak?- Joey asked. They have left the Mokuba, Tea and Serenity safely in Cairo.
-Every Egyptian knows where is that temple - Bakura said- it's the main temple from ancient Egypt-
-That's right- Marik said- but there is a secret passage that only Shadi knows...-
-Shadi and Tashat- added Isis. Tashat nodded.
-Yes, Shadi showed me, years ago- Tashat said- he couldn't keep a secret like that on his own, so he shared it with me. When my grandfather found out, he tried to take me there by force, but Shadi saved me-
-Okay, which way should we go?- Kaiba asked.
-There it is- Marik said- the great temple of Karnak-
Tashat took a deep breath.
-I hope we survive this...-
-Come on, we will- Joey said- we have defeated Pegasus once. As for your grandfather, we will do the same...-
Tashat was about to smile. She remembered Shadi and remained with her sad face.
-Let's hurry- she said- we're running out of time...-
-Right- everyone said. Tashat got near Isis.
-Listen to me, Isis- Tashat said- if anything happens to me...-
-Nothing is going to happen to you...- Isis interrupted.
-If anything happens to me, you'll know the way- Tashat said-in the South wing of the temple you'll find a statue of Rameses II. That's the entrance to a secret tunnel which leads directly to the Forbidden Chamber...-
-Okay- Isis said.
Rishid stared at Tashat. He could not forgive her, although he knew that she wasn't the responsible for Nephtys' dead. He hated her just because she shared blood with Ramose, even though she had a very innocent look.
They all approached to the Temple. At least a hundred guards surrounded it completely.
-We're dead meat- Tristan said- we will not be able to pass all these guards...-
-Yes, we will...- Yugi said, smiling.
-So, what's your plan, genius?- Duke asked.
-A diversion...- Yugi answered.
-Great idea- Joey said.
-Shut up- Tristan said- don't you see? We will be the diversion?-
Yugi, Kaiba, Isis and Marik nodded each one with a big smile.
-Okay, okay...- Joey said.
-Here, these will help- Marik said, handing them some fireworks- you make them explode, then you run, okay?-
-Got it- Joey said. Tristan and Duke shocked their heads; they didn't like the plan at all.
-If you don't do it, Pegasus will destroy the world- Bakura said- including you...-
This last thing appeared to convince them.
-Okay, we'll do it- Tristan said- but only for Serenity-
-Why am I not surprised?- Marik said.
The plan went on. Joey, Tristan and Duke set the fireworks, and got the guard's attention.
-Hey, you, bunch of freaks!- Joey shouted- why don't try and get us?-
-Yeah- Duke added- I'd bet they just a bunch of idiots who can't even get close to us...-
-For your last meal, you're going to eat those words...- a guard said. The plan worked, and at least ten of the guards in the entrance went following Joey, Tristan and Duke.
-The path's clear- Isis said- let's go...-
Isis, Tashat, Rishid, Yugi, Marik and Bakura entered the temple.
-Which passage should we go?- Marik asked.
-That one- Tashat said, pointing to the right. They all followed that passage.
-Look, a light- Yugi said- it's downstairs...-
-Those are the dungeons- Tashat said- let's...-
But she couldn't finish her phrase, because she saw a man behind Isis. She was about to tell her, but someone took her from behind and placed a hand on her mouth, not letting her speak. The other man took Isis as well. The lights went on. Ramose appeared, with at least a dozen guards surrounding them.
-Well, well, well- Ramose said- what have we here? Trespassers-
-The only trespasser is you- Marik said- you can't be in here...-
-I'm a temple keeper, I can...- Ramose said.
-Let my sister go!- shouted Marik.
-Maybe- Ramose said, smiling at Isis- it would be a shame to hurt such beautiful flower, wouldn't it, Kaiba?-
Seto Kaiba frowned.
-But here we have another pretty girl- Ramose continued; now taking Tashat's chin- my son's daughter...- he smiled- it was a shame your parents died, wasn't it?-
Now it was Tashat's turn to frown.
-Yes, poppet, I killed them- Ramose said- I punish them for their stupidity...-
-What are you talking about?- Tashat said.
-Yes, my dear- Ramose said- sixteen years ago, a man sold me one of his daughters. I was about to sacrifice the little girl, but my stupid son saved her, and took her away from me, giving her a new name and a new family...-
-What are you saying?-
-Yes- Ramose said- that girl was you, Tashat. Or shall I say... Nepthtys?-
Everyone, including Rishid, was so surprised they couldn't even move or reply. On Ramose's face was drawn a horrible smile.
-Now, my dear granddaughter...- Ramose continued, taking out a knife- I'll do what I should have done sixteen years ago...-
-No!- Isis said- let her go!-
-Would you like to take your sister's place?- Ramose said.
-Don't you dare touching any of them...- Rishid said in a very frightening tone.
-You're right- Ramose said- I'll get rid of you first...-
-Leave him alone!- it was Tashat's turn to shout- murderer!-
Ramose turned his gaze to the young girl.
-You know... I hate... being called... A MURDERER!!!- shouted Ramose. Tashat tried to step back, but the man holding her didn't let her.
-Let go of me- she said.
-Prepare to die, poppet- Ramose said, raising his knife- I'm no murderer, I'm a servant to the gods...-
Tashat frowned.
-You're nothing but a lying murderer...- Tashat said.
-DIE!!!!- Ramose shouted.
-No!!!!!-
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TO BE CONTINUED...
Sorry for the delay... I'm back
Abby L. / Nona