CHAPTER 9: TASHAT'S SACRIFICE
-Now, poppet- Ramose said, holding a knife in his hand- I'll do what I should have done sixteen years ago...-
-No!- Isis said, struggling to get free- 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, you murderer!- it was Tashat's turn to shout.
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!- Isis shouted. Neither Yugi nor Pegasus nor Marik pared to move. Before Ramose could hit Tashat, Rishid stopped his hand.
-I think I told you- Rishid said- I'll not allow you to touch any of them...-
-Rishid...- whispered Tashat- I thought...-
-I promised your mother to protect you three- Rishid said- and I'll honor that promise...-
-You stupid boy!- shouted Ramose- I'll get rid of you... Guards! Hold him!-
The guards went to hold Rishid, and only one of them held Tashat and the other held Isis. Ramose laughed evilly.
-Leave them alone!- Marik said angrily.
-You shout up, you stupid boy, or I'll kill you too...-
Marik frowned. His sight passed from Ramose to the torch hanging on the wall beside him. Without thinking about it twice, the boy took it and threw it to the priest, who let go a scream. While everybody were distracted, Kaiba hit the man who held Isis and Bakura did the same with the one who held Tashat.
-Lets go- Kaiba said- we've got little time to stop Pegasus...-
-But...- Tashat said, watching Rishid.
-What are you waiting for? Go!- Rishid said- stop Pegasus...-
-This way- Tashat said, showing them a secret passage behind a statue of an eagle-headed man.
-Don't you dare, Tashat- Ramose shouted- I'll kill you...-
The girl felt a shudder through her body, but she didn't stop. Isis, Marik, Yugi, Kaiba and Bakura followed her. The priest Ramose was furious.
-What are you waiting for?- he told his guards- get them!-
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Pegasus, Shadi and the two guards stopped in front of the statue of Rameses II. Pegaus examined it. The face of the powerful ancient pharaoh was very much like Yami's, and made Shadi's heart to jump. Worried about Tashat's fate, Shadi had completely forgotten the pharaoh.
-Is this it?- Pegasus asked, and Shadi nodded weakly- how can we open it?-
Shadi pointed a square shaped rock next to the statue. There was a hand painted on it, and it was surrounded by hieroglyphs. Pegasus smiled and took Shadi's hand, making him touch the statue. It moved, revealing a secret passage.
-This way- Pegasus said, rising the lantern to illuminate the passage.
-Don't do it, Pegasus- Shadi said- the only thing that will happen is that you will release that power that can destroy the world and yourself.
-Shut up, Shadi- Pegasus said- or your little friend Tashat will regret it...-
Shadi frowned.
-I won't help you anymore- Shadi said- with that, I'm also betraying the pharaoh... anyway, if you wake up the Sun's Eye, you'll destroy her too-
Pegasus made a sign to one of his men. He hit Shadi first in the stomach and next on his face, making his turban to fall from his head to the floor, revealing his messy read hair.
-I'm not asking you for help, my dear Shadi- Pegasus said- and I know that without the Millennium Key you can not fight back, so it'll be better that you cooperate...-
Shadi frowned. Pegasus was right. Without the Millennium Key, he was a boy just like any other, not one of the main priests of Amon Ra, and all his power was lost. Shadi couldn't think about it anymore, because the two men making him take the passage, following Pegasus.
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Yugi and the others ran behind Tashat, while the Egyptian girl took them through strange passages and secret entrances.
-Are you sure it's this way?- Marik said, a little worried.
-I'm sure- Tashat said- it is the fastest way-
-I'm worried about Rishid- Isis said.
-Me too- Marik said- I hope that lunatic doesn't hurt him, or else I'll...- and he closed his fist.
-Rishid is a strong man- Yugi said- I doubt something bad happen to him. I just can't get how Shadi...-
-Shadi's power come majorly from the Millennium Key- Tashat explained- you know he can get to the room of the soul of any person. Without that power, he's just a common boy like anyone else...-
-And knowing that, he still gave Pegasus the Millennium Key to prevent them to harm you- Yugi asked, and Tashat nodded sadly.
-That's right- Tashat said- but enogh of this, the statue is there-
That was it. Everyone stared at the statue. It looked just like Yami... and Yugi. Yugi hit himself.
-Yami!- Yugi said- I forgot him...-
-What did you just said?- Bakura asked.
-No, nothing- Yugi said. When Tashat said that about the room of the soul, and after seen the statue, he remembered that without the Millennium Puzzle, he would never see Yami again.
-Oh, damn- Tashat said- they were already here...-
-How do you know?- Isis asked. Tashat picked up Shadi's turban.
-But the statue covers the entrance of the passage, doesn't it?- Kaiba said- how can we open it?-
Before Tashat could answer, a huge explosion occurred. Some guards arrived, leaded by Ramose. They were all armed.
-South side of the temple... the statue of Rameses II...- Ramose said with a twisted smile on his face- you know I know this place by heart, my dear Tashat...-
-You have no heart- Tashat said, icily.
-Where's Rishid?- Marik asked, and Ramose laughed.
-Dead for sure- Ramose said- but don't worry, you'll join him soon... beginning with this cute twins and the stupid little boy...-
Kaiba stepped between the girls and Ramose.
-Over by dead body- he said.
-And mine- Yugi and Bakura said.
-And mine- Marik added.
-Very brave of you- Ramose said- but you'll die anyway...-
-I wouldn't be so sure- a voice said on the other side of the corridor. It was Rishid, followed by Joey, Tristan and Duke. Isis and Marik smiled when they saw them.
-Guys, you came!- Yugi said.
-Of course- Joey said- we weren't going to let you have all the fun-
-Get them!- Ramose shouted.
The guards ran to them. Joey, Tristan and Duke, who had recent practice hitting stupid guards had no problem.
-Tashat- Isis said- you can open the passage behind the statue, can't you?-
-Yes- she answered.
-Do it- Isis said- we've got little time, and we can't loose it here...-
Tashat nodded and ran to the statue. She placed her hand on the square-shaped rock, and the statue began to move again, showing them the secret passage. But there was a shot from Ramose's gun, and one of the girls fell.
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Shadi heard the shot, and he traed once again to get free from the men, but it was useless. Pegasus laughed.
-Well, well- Pegasus said- seems to me that all you did to save your friend was useless... she managed come here following you... don't you worry- he added- I asked her grandfather to stop her from coming here, and I think Ramose did well...-
-You bastard...- Shadi said.
-Now, stay put- Pegasus said when they finally reached a wall at the end of the passage. It had several spaces, and each one had the shape of a Millennium item- it's clear, isn't it? I have to put here the Millennium items to open this wall-
-For the last time- Shadi said- don't do it. You'll only destroy yourself...-
-And for the last time, shut up- Pegasus said. He told his guards to leave Shadi and get out. Pegasus started putting the Millennium items on the spaces, while Shadi uselessly tried to free himself and stop Pegasus.
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-What have you done?- Marik said.
Ramose had shot his weapon, trying to get Isis, but Tashat had pushed her and receive the bullet in her stomach. Seconds later, the statue covered the passage again.
-Tashat- Isis said- you didn't have to...-
-Yes, I did- Tashat said weakly, pressing her wound with her hand- Isis, I was so happy all my life, I didn't suffer what you, and Marik... and Rishid did...-
-Don't talk like that- Isis said- Shadi's waiting for you...-
-Why did you do this?- Kaiba said, now furious.
-It was her own fault- Ramose said- the silly little girl got on the way... anyway, it makes no difference, she was a traitor and deserved to die...-
-The only traitor here it's you- Marik said.
-You'll pay for this- Rishid said- I won't let you take her again...-
-Too late- Ramose said. Rishid and Kaiba were so furious they ran toward him. Kaiba took his weapon and Rishid gave him a hit so hard it left him unconscious. Then he ran toward Tashat.
-Is she okay?- Marik asked, but there was no need to answer, by the looks of Isis and Rishid.
-Is there anything we can do?- Yugi said.
-I don't know- Isis said.
-Go...- Tashat said- you can still stop Pegasus-
-But we can't leave you- Marik said.
-I'm already lost- Tashat said- stop him, please...-
-Shadi will be fine, Tashat, I promise- Isis said.
Tashat closed her eyes, falling in a deep sleep. Rishid sat beside her.
-She's right- Rishid said- you go and stop him, I'll look after her-
They all nodded.
-How can we open the passage?- Joey asked.
-Easy- Isis said- Tashat put her hand here...-
-But I thought only she could open it- Marik said.
Isis nodded and put her hand on the rock. The statue moved.
-How could you...?- Bakura said.
-Of course- Yugi said- Isis and Tashat are twins, her hands are the same...-
-Exactly- Isis said- let's go...-
They all got into the passage. Isis was praying that Tashat survived and Shadi was okay, and Kaiba was thanking for Tashat's sacrifice.
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TO BE CONTINUED...