This chapter was written in dedication to one of my favorite authors of Christian "horror/suspense" Frank Peretti. Needless to say, it goes a bit off into the fanatical - you have been warned.

Reviews and critiques are welcome as to my writing skill. Pot shots at Christianity or any religion are not welcome at all. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own any copyrights, trademarks or registry in Yu-Gi-Oh. Wish I did!

12

For the past several weeks, Yugi had not worn the Puzzle and had been giving Yami the silent treatment. Meanwhile, Yami had tried to get some type of reaction from Yugi. He had tried friendly chatter, questions, guilt and finally anger. Nothing had worked. Now Yami was silent, and it was starting to wear on Yugi. Was Yami still there? Had he retreated into the Puzzle for good? Yugi was really torn about that. He missed Yami, but couldn't shake the feeling that Kaiba was right.

This night Yugi had barely drifted into sleep, when he opened his eyes and realized he was in the Puzzle.

He heard a muffled sound. Yami? Silence. He walked to the closest door and opened it. Yami? Again a muffled sound. He stepped into the room and walked to the center.

He turned towards a flicker of movement. He could see Yami's outline in the shadows just inside the open door. Why are you here? Yami's voice was emotionless.

I don't know. I thought you had brought me here.

Yami snorted a mirthless laugh. You know I have no control over you without the Puzzle. He turned away and walked through the open doorway.

YAMI! Don't leave.

He stopped just outside the door and said, You know, perhaps your guilty conscience brought you here, so you can experience what you have put me through, and the door slammed behind him.

Yami! Please! Let me out! There was no light, no sound, no friends, no life. Nothing. He could not find the door again. NO! I'M SORRY! YAMI!

After what seemed like hours, Yugi woke up in his bed. There were tears on his face and he was trembling in fear. He got up and walked over to where the Puzzle was hanging. "I'm so sorry, Yami, I didn't realize …" He reached for the Puzzle –

/don't …/

His hands had barely touched it when Yami's spirit slammed into the forefront, shoving Yugi's consciousness into a small portion of his own mind.

/You think you had reason to fear me before, just you wait. You have no idea of what I am capable/ Yami's form seemed to tower over the cowering Yugi. /Kaiba was right/

/Too bad you didn't listen to him. Too bad for you both – my revenge will start with him for putting doubts in your mind/

--

Unaware of what had happened across the city from him the night before, Seto was working, like usual; but his thoughts kept getting interrupted.

/beware …/

/Hmmm, this section of the business had increase productivity by 20, what should I do for a reward/

/prepare …/

/The planning on this KaibaLand is moving too slow. Need to check out what is going on./

/listen …/

/ALRIGHT/ Seto picked up the phone and called down to Tony. "Something is up."

"I agree. I can't keep my mind on track. Kirii and I felt led to start fasting yesterday."

Seto chuckled, "Mokuba and I too. Call Kirii and let's meet here at 5pm."

Tony hung up and called Kirii. Kirii called their pastor. The pastor started the prayer chain buzzing.

--

"Sir, Yugi Moto is here to see you – says he doesn't have an appointment." The security guard announced.

Seto closed his eyes and took a breath. "He's a friend – send him on up," he said with excitement he did not feel. He looked at his two friends who moved to partially concealed positions in his office.

It was only a few short minutes before Yugi was at the door. Seto gave him a big smile and came around his desk to meet him. "So what brings you here?"

"I want to continue our discussion from a couple of weeks ago."

"I guess I could use a break! Let's sit over here." Kaiba indicated the seats across the room and turned his back to Yami.

"Seto! Watch out!" Kirii cried as she lunged across the room.

Seto spun around with a block and took the knife meant for the middle of his back in his left shoulder. Kirii crashed into Yami, and they both sprawled on the floor. Yami kicked Kirii in the face as he got up; but took Kaiba's foot in the chest, slammed up against the wall and felt the breath leave him. Tony was there in an instant. Yami ended up with his arms pinned behind him and kneeling before Kaiba.

"What are you going to do now, Kaiba? Harm this body and you harm Yugi."

"I am going to bind you and cast you out of this boy."

Yami spat at him. "You have no power over me."

Kaiba got in Yami's face and smiled at him, "Just watch."

Yami felt Tony's breath on his neck as Tony started praying and Kirii's soft voice started singing praises to Jesus through the blood coming out of her nose and mouth. Yami started struggling, he now understood he was in serious danger.

"Yami, … you will release this boy!"

"Never!"

"In the name of Jesus, I rebuke you …

Yugi's head jerked back as if someone had punched him – and cracked Tony in the forehead. Tony groaned, but never slackened his grip and continued praying.

"bind you …"

Yugi became aware of what was going on as Yami's grip on him started slipping.

"and cast you out!"

Yami looked into Kaiba's eyes and saw the Lord's Power shining through them and screamed. "NO!"

"You have no choice! In Jesus' name – BEGONE!"

Yugi's body arched back, almost breaking Tony's grip, then collapsed. Yugi curled into a ball and he shook with each sob that came from the depth of his soul. He could barely feel Kirii's hand rubbing his back in comfort. Eventually, Yugi sat up, jerked the Puzzle from around his neck and told Seto, "Destroy it."

Seto nodded, then dismantled the Puzzle. They would decide how best to destroy it later.

Seto, Tony and Kirii all looked at each other: Seto had blood going down the left side of his shirt from the deep knife wound; Tony had a gash across his forehead; and Kirii's eyes were starting to blacken which went well with her broken nose and split lip. "We look like we have gone through a war," stated Seto.

"Well, they don't call it spiritual WARfare for nothing," Tony quipped as he wiped his forehead so the blood wouldn't run into his eyes.

Seto used his communicator to get medical help for them and have the guard call Yugi's Grandpa. They were all sitting on the floor, too tired to move. "How did you do that, Seto?" Yugi finally asked.

Seto gave him a kind smile, "I didn't. It was Jesus through me."

Yugi looked at him confused.

"We'll explain it to you." And they did so.

--

"I'm surprised that Yugi didn't accept Jesus – " Seto stated, "a little disappointed too."

Tony shook his head, "I'm not surprised. He suffered quite a blow to his ability to trust. Yugi is a smart kid. Considering what he just went through, it is probably better that he has a chance to work though what we told him. Let the Holy Spirit work on him a while. In the end, it's between him and God."

"I tried to see him a few times …"

"Seto, don't push." Tony gave him an understanding smile. "He is probably feeling pretty guilty about stabbing you with that knife. Kirii and I have sent him notes, but have decided to wait to see him until our injuries have healed a bit."

Seto's left arm was in a sling. The damage wasn't bad, but it would take a while to heal. "I guess; I just don't want him thinking we have abandoned him."

"Don't worry. Mokuba's making sure of that. He has been to see Yugi several times. The first time, he snuck in when Téa went to visit."

"Really? Hmmm, someone's been keeping secrets from me." Seto was amused.

Tony laughed and got up. "Well, time to get back to work." He left Seto's office and went back down to the basement.

Seto reached over and called his brother. "So, how's Yugi?"

There was silence on the other end for a second or two. "He's doing better. He decided to go to school, so I guess that is a step in the right direction. Who told on me?"

"Doesn't matter. I wish you had told me though. You don't need to keep secrets from me."

"I know. Sorry, Seto."

"Don't worry about it. See you tonight."