Chapter Twenty-Five
Azar moved like a cat, crawling and leaping gracefully and silently from stone to stone. Her eyes glowed red in the dark; she was but another shadow on the face of the earth.
Stopping, she lifted her nose to sniff the scent on the wind. Smiling, she bared her teeth. Her prey was close, very close.
She skittered sideways like a crap down the smooth rock face, the smell of flesh filling her nose. Her head spun with excitement and hunger.
There was a cave below, starkly visible in her night-vision. A dying fire still gave off a faint glow that illuminated several people sleeping around it. One of them was the one she wanted.
Making no sound, she landed lightly on the ground in front of the cave, moving quickly on all fours toward her prize. She nipped forward and grabbed him by his collar, and flung him onto her back. Now was the time to flee.
But then there was a snarl and a flash of silver, and a challenger arose, holding a sword in front of her, illuminated by her own brilliance. Silver eyes narrowed, and the girl lunged forward.
Bringing her own sword out of nowhere, the two weapons met in a harsh clang of metal. The red-haired girl, her eyes glowing demonically in the night, battled with such ferocity that she seemed almost inhuman. Ramla was a formidable fighter, but she was no match for Azar.
Eyes narrowed, grinning wickedly, Azar beat Ramla back, relentless with her lightning-fast attacks. Ramla was panting slightly, her eyelids drooping. She was weakening.
Suddenly Azar leaped backwards, Yugi still on her back, up onto the mushroom-capped rock. She turned and bared her teeth at Ramla, as if daring her to follow.
Snarling, Ramla transformed into the large silver wolf and hurled herself up onto the rock, galloping towards Azar with a blind fury. Sword flashing, Azar leapt aside and came down quickly with a brutal cross chop. Ramla barely got out of the way in time, and the sword hit the rock with a harsh grating noise, sparks flying everywhere. Dancing backward nimbly, Azar set Yugi down behind her so she would be freer to wield her sword.
Now she fought with a degree of higher fury, parrying ever attack from the now-transformed Ramla's sword, and every new blow barely blocked in time by Ramla. Ramla was good with a sword, but she was no match for the ruthless, possessed Akanep girl who fought with ferocity unmatched by anything anyone had ever seen.
Ramla was forced to transform almost every time Azar lunged forward at her, to dodge the redhead's attacks. This was obviously weakening the wolf-girl, who was panting audibly, sweat shining on her bronze skin.
Everyone was awake now. Seto was watching with kind of a transfixed horror, unable to move. Joey's eyes were wide, and his mouth hung open. Téa was trembling, fists clenched.
Asim decided it was time to intervene. Bristling, he became the great golden lion, his majestic mane fiery in the light of the glowing coals. With a roar, he leapt onto the rock towards Azar, who was now gaining the upper hand over the visibly fatigued Ramla.
Out of the corner of his eye, Seto saw Samira stir under the blankets. "What's going on?" she whispered fearfully.
Seto gestured at the battle above them. Samira gasped as she turned her head.
Azar looked about, and grinned when she saw the lion galloping towards her. She pulled out a battle-ax that was strapped to her back, and charged on the lion.
At the last second, she stepped aside, the lion skidding past her. The wolf growled and lunged. Azar jabbed out with the sword in her left hand, forcing the wolf back. At the same time she brought down the battle-ax right on the lion's back. He roared in pain, his legs buckling, and then giving way. He fell to the ground, his chest heaving, whimpering in pain.
Leaving the lion, Azar's eyes swiveled back to the wolf, which was taking a breather on the edge of the rock, panting raggedly. The whole time, Azar had managed to keep herself between the wolf and Yugi, and she wasn't about to lose that position. Lunging forward, eyes flashing murderously, not tired at all, Azar raised her sword over her head in the final blow. The wolf, eyes dull, looked up at the swiftly moving sword, but did not move.
"No!" Samira screamed. "Stop!"
Azar whipped around, her eyes searching for the speaker. She fixed her red gaze on Samira, and began to laugh. It was not a pleasant noise, more like a hacking cough than a laugh. "You think you can stop me, you lazy, spindly little weakling?" she growled in broken Arabic, her voice harsh and discordant to the ears. Samira tensed in anger. None but Samira, Asim and Ramla could understand what Azar was saying.
In one swift motion, Azar brought a bow that was strapped to her back into her hand, and nocked an arrow into it. She aimed it at the wolf. "I can kill her right now, and none of you puny, pathetic little numbskulls with be able to do anything about it." She bared her teeth, stretching the bowstring back.
"Ky'a shuresh!" came a new voice from inside the cave. Holding up his hands, palms out and empty in the Akanep gesture of peace, Marik slowly backed out of the cave, into the ring of firelight. Azar's grip on the bow suddenly weakened. She stared at Marik.
"N'lebwat, ohep lemahu," continued Marik, speaking in a soft, pacifying voice.
Azar's mouth dropped open, shocked. The glow in her eyes flickered for a second.
"She's fighting the possession," Samira whispered to Seto. "Marik is talking to her in Akanep."
"What's he saying?"
But Samira shook her head ever so slightly and put a finger to her lips.
Azar spoke to him in the same language, but the guttural tone they had heard her speak in was fading away, like an onion being peeled layer by layer.
Seto watched Yugi, who was awake now. He hadn't said a single word, which was smart of him. The wolf was talking to him in a barely audible voice, yet her tone was urgent.
Yugi nodded, his eyebrows knit together in a worried frown. But he knew what he had to do. Marik alone could not break the possession that was controlling Azar. Yugi would have to help.
"Hashuret nakakeshthis!" he spoke loudly, finding the courage to steady his trembling voice from somewhere deep within. "Te'mai'lohep, buraihek amura thiten."
A strange change suddenly came over Azar. She trembled, and dropped her sword and battle-ax to the ground, her hands limp. She crumpled, and sank to the smooth rock floor. The devilish light in her eyes suddenly was extinguished, like someone snuffing out a candle. Her eyes closed, and she saw no more.
Samira hurried up the stone steps to Azar's limp form, and tore the necklace the unconscious girl was wearing from around her neck.
"Someone was possessing her using this," she said, holding it up for all to see. The sun was beginning to peek over the horizon. Samira's hair shone reddish-black in the rosy light.
"Smash it," Marik said. "The Pharaoh broke the possessor's present control over her, but to free her for good, you have to destroy the amulet."
Blue fire shimmering in the palm of her hand, Samira set the amulet on the ground. She hurried over to the lion, who was bleeding profusely, the blood matting his fur.
"Seto!" she said, turning to him with worry in her eyes. "Take my blankets to the stream and wet them with water. We have to stop the bleeding."
Seto gathered up the blankets and left.
Joey and Téa hurried over to Yugi. He assured him that he was fine, just shaken.
Ramla had some cuts, but they were shallow and not serious. She bound them with strips of blankets that she cut herself with her sharp teeth.
Seto returned from the stream with the sopping blankets. He wrung them out and gave them to Samira, who wrapped them around the trembling lion. "He's lost too much blood," she said, biting her lip. "He's going to go into shock." She kneeled down beside her brother, burying her head in her hands, her shoulders shaking.
"Your broken wing healed in one night," Seto offered haltingly. "Won't Asim's wounds heal just as fast?"
Samira blinked away unshed tears in her eyes. "I suppose you're right," she said. She looked up at Seto apologetically. "I'm sorry for being so silly. I was just afraid that he might…" She sighed and stood up.
Ramla had smashed the amulet with her powers, and was now resting by the rekindled fire. With the help of Joey, Seto, Bakura and Marik, the sleeping lion was moved down also next to the fire, where he could recuperate in greater warmth.
Samira became the falcon and went off hunting in search of something to eat for breakfast. She soon returned clutching something dead in her bloody talons. It was another weasel, and looked almost too large for her to carry.
She made a haphazard landing, and turned into her human form again. Taking a knife from her belt, Samira expertly gutted the weasel, removing the bones and organs. Seto's stomach turned, and he looked away.
Marik had carried the unconscious Akanep girl down into the shade of the cave, and had ripped a piece of blanket and wetted it in the stream to put on her forehead. He made a pillow out of a folded blanket, and covered her with another blanket. She was resting, the blanket slowly rising and falling as she breathed. She looked completely innocent, which was extremely misleading, Seto thought, from what she had done just last night.
But she had been possessed, so it wasn't her fault, really. Was that why Marik was taking care of her like that? Because he had been possessed, too? Because he knew what it felt like, to be captured by a greater evil and used as nothing more than a tool?
And who had possessed her? Was she sent to kidnap the Pharaoh, or to kill everyone? Perhaps she would tell them more when she awoke. Seto had never been possessed before, but he thought it must be rather strenuous and tiring.
Bakura, Ranya and Akilah wanted to go on ahead to Suresh. "The sooner all the priests are together, the better," said Ranya. They took the three fastest camels, and galloped off, disappearing into the sloping rocky landscape.
The group remaining sat by the fire in the dawning sun, for the morning was still cold. The hills shielded them from most of the sunlight, so they depended on the fire for heat. Asim, Ramla and the Akanep girl dozed for most of the day, stirring occasionally, and Samira would spoon hot broth into their mouths. The Akanep did not accept any of their food, however, until Marik had a short talk with her, to convince her that the food was not poisoned.
Mokuba and Suzuko were friends by now. They went off exploring the surrounding hills. "Don't go too far," Samira called. Mokuba nodded in agreement. Suzuko cackled and zoomed off. "Wait up!" shouted Mokuba, dashing after her.
They climbed over the ridge and out of sight.
"So high up, is almost like flying!" giggled Suzuko. Mokuba grinned at her. They stood on the peak of the hill, looking down upon the desert below. Far off, smoke was rising from a small smudge on the sand. "What that?" Suzuko whispered, pointing fearfully.
Mokuba squinted. "It looks like something's on fire," he said. He took her hand and tugged her backward. "Come one, we need to tell the others." They ran back down the hill, pelted down the ridge, and almost landed on top of Samira.
"Sorry," said Mokuba. Suzuko made a little amused noise. Samira glared at her.
"We went up the hill over that ridge," said Mokuba, pointing, "and we saw this thing that had smoke rising from it, a pile of… I don't know, rubble, or something…"
"Maybe Azar knows what it is," said Marik. "She lives around here."
The Akanep girl was awake, staring at them all with reddish-orange eyes; that was apparently her natural eye color. She had been silent all morning, apart from speaking to Marik in a low voice in her native language when he asked her a question. It seemed that Marik could speak fluent Akaneben.
Her ears pricked up at the sound of her name. She asked Marik something. He chattered to her in Akaneben, presumably telling her about what Mokuba and Suzuko had seen. Her eyes hardened, and she spoke a sharp reply before standing up and holding out her unsheathed sword, apparently warning them all. She turned and left them, going in the direction of the stream.
"What did she say?" asked Yugi.
"She says," said Marik, "the smoke is from her village. It was burned down when two renegade mages revolted and gained control over the chief. She and her brother were possessed."
The lion lifted his head. "I heard about that! The twins, possessed. Yes, I remember now. The village of Hemeget." His brow was furrowed in concentration as he tried to recall it. "So that was Azar? Where's her brother?"
"I asked her about him. She wouldn't answer. He's probably still possessed," said Marik. "It's lucky we managed to free her, or we could have all been killed."
Yugi nodded. "Yes, but what did she say when she was holding her sword up?"
Marik laughed. "She said she was going to bathe, and that if anyone came near the stream, she would kill them. And I don't think she's joking either, so it's most likely not a good idea to go over there."
Azar came back twenty minutes later, wearing a clean set of clothes, wringing her long scarlet hair out and tying it into her all-purpose hairdo: two bunches tied in front of her ears, and the rest hanging down over her back, tied near the end.
She sat down cross-legged, back straight, hands on her knees. She said something to Marik, and he answered.
Marik sighed. "She wants to take back her village. She says if we strike at daybreak tomorrow, she will fight the mages, with Samira, Ramla and Asim's help. Most of the possessed people are tied up in the tents. The rest of us can free them. Then we can all ride off to Suresh."
"Sounds a lot easier than it actually might be," snorted Ramla.
"Will we have to kill anybody?" asked Seto darkly.
Joey and Téa stared at him. "Bet you'd like that, rich boy," gibed Joey.
Seto would have gotten angry. But he was different now. For some reason, Joey's angry taunts didn't bother him that much. He looked Joey square in the eye and told him solidly, "No, I wouldn't."
Joey sputtered for a moment and then fell silent, like a car engine that had just died. Téa shook her head in disgust. "Drop it, Joey."
Marik cleared his throat. "The only two people who we will actually have to do away with are the renegade mages. Then once they are dead, all who they have possessed will return to their normal states." Azar stiffened. She muttered something to him.
"Azar's brother, Zahir, is a powerful mage," he translated. "He has been possessed. Someone will have to hold him off until the other mages are incapacitated."
"I will," said Samira. "I'm the strongest."
Marik looked at her doubtfully. She glared at him. "I can fight with magic," she said stubbornly. Marik shrugged. "If you want to," he said.
Ramla blinked. "And you're just going to leave us behind? I don't think so."
"You're not strong enough," said Samira dismissively. "You and Asim should wait here."
"If that mage gets his hands on you, he can snap your bones like twigs," snapped Ramla heatedly. Samira made a small growling noise. She gave Ramla a withering look and slunk off sullenly, over the hill and out of sight, leaving a sour atmosphere behind her.
"Sore loser," muttered Ramla.
As the sun progressed across the sky, the group scattered. Suzuko and Mokuba led Yugi, Téa and Joey to the place where they had seen the ruins of Hemeget. Ramla and the lion rested by the fireside. Meryl went off to the stream to wash the dishes, and Marik packed up the camels. Azar skulked about the cave, staring out with her eerie red eyes and not making a sound.
Restless, Seto decided to explore the hills a little. He hoped he wouldn't run into Yugi.
Leaving the hollow and the campsite, he found a small path that curved through the hills, winding and bending. It began to get steeper, and soon Seto was out of breath. After awhile he left the hills behind and found himself on what seemed to be the tallest hill of all. It jutted above and beyond into the open sky. Below him the hills resembled a crumpled quilt, striped different shades of brown and black.
Breathing the crisp, clear air, he rounded the crest of the hill and stopped short. Sitting on the edge of the cliff was Samira, looking out onto the panorama.
Tentatively, he took several steps forward. She stirred and turned her head. "Oh," she said. "It's you."
Apparently she didn't object to his being there, so he came and sat down beside her-- still putting considerable distance between them, of course.
Samira looked downward, eyebrows drawn together in a frown. Her fists were clenched, and slightly shaking, Seto noticed. "I didn't ask to be a falcon," she mumbled.
Seto was surprised. "You mean, you weren't born like this?"
Samira shook her head. She was now in the process of furiously wringing a corner of her cape.
"So, someone gave you the ability to… become a falcon, and have powers, and so your bones became hollow?"
She nodded miserably and hugged her knees to her chest, hiding her face.
"But if your bones are hollow, you can't fight," Seto pointed out, then realized a moment too late this was probably the worst thing he could have said.
Samira lifted her head and looked at him, her eyes brimming with tears. "Exactly," she said, gritting her teeth. "Everyone thinks I'm weaker. I'm good for nothing, once my magic runs out. Useless. Worthless." She spat the words out at him crossly. Seething, she got up to leave.
"Wait," said Seto, plainly shocked. "I…"
She stopped and looked back at him, raising one eyebrow, still hurt.
"I… didn't mean to make you cry. I'm sorry, all right?" he said angrily.
Slowly, Samira sat down again, keeping her eyes fixed on his face. She seemed to be waiting for him to say something else.
Seto blinked. Samira looked at him expectantly.
He stared at her blankly, and then hurriedly cast about for something to say. Finally he came up with, "Um, I uh… hope you feel better."
Fresh tears filled Samira's eyes as she smiled at him. "Thank you, Seto," she hiccupped.
Seto edged away. "Don't get all weepy on me," he warned her sharply.
Samira bit her lip and giggled, wiping the tears off of her face. "I won't," she assured him. She glanced at the sun and gave a little start. "We have to be getting back now so I can make dinner," she exclaimed, jumping to her feet. "Come on!"
Even Seto had to take longer strides to keep up with her. She seemed to suddenly be filled with boundless energy again. He sighed inwardly.
Everyone was getting tired of rueshthis, so Samira made a stew out of the broth, with bits of dried meat from their provisions, and vegetables that Suzuko and Mokuba had gathered. Azar still wasn't eating.
Marik ladled up another bowl and entered the cave. The fire outside cast wavering shadows on the walls, which were brightly painted with the colors of the setting sun's rays. Azar stirred and shrunk back as he came closer to her. She made a snarling noise, daring him to come closer.
"I'm not trying to bother you," he told her in Akaneben, ever patient. "I'm just bringing you some food."
"I'm not hungry," Azar growled, though her eyes flickered between the bowl and Marik's face. Marik sat cross-legged beside her on the smooth cave floor, putting the bowl out in front of her. She turned her face away.
"Azar," Marik persisted, "You have to eat. You can't fight on an empty stomach."
"Watch me," Azar said nastily. "I've gone without food for weeks at a time."
"Yes, you have," said Marik patiently, "But you need to eat this stew now. You're still weak from being possessed."
Azar's gaze turned murderous, and she tensed like a coil ready to spring out of its spiral and strike Marik. "What do you know about being possessed?" she snarled, her lip curling.
"A lot," Marik told her. "I was possessed for more than half of my life. I know what it's like."
Azar stopped in mid-snarl, gaping at him.
"I did a lot of bad things while I was possessed," Marik continued. "I sent people to the Shadow Realm. I killed people. I tore friends apart, turned them against each other. The Pharaoh saved me. He defeated me in a duel, and I was delivered from my own evil." Marik's piercing gaze bored into Azar. She lowered her head. "I know what it's like. And I also know that you need to eat this. You're starving yourself." He nudged the bowl towards her, so that its steamy aroma wafted up to her nose. "I care about you, Azar," he whispered. "Please eat."
Azar's mask of hostility dropped for that instant, that fleeting second, and Marik saw what was underneath. She was shocked, still wary, and apologetic. But beneath that, there was a person, a frightened girl who needed a friend.
As quickly as the revelation had come, it left again, as Azar regained her usual prickly composure. Grudgingly she picked up the bowl and brought it to her mouth. Marik handed her the spoon. Azar snatched it from him, glaring. "I can take care of myself," she grumbled, but Marik smiled knowingly. He got up and left the cave.