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!
13
As the season changed into the coolness of fall, Kirii and Tony planned their last get together before winter hit. The back yard was full of kids: "punk" kids from Tony's street outreach program, sick and dying kids from the ward David had come from and which Kirii visited often, kids from the local orphanage which Mokuba invited, Yugi's gang (Téa was wearing one of the 5 beaded bracelets) and others all showed up. Tables and chairs were scattered here and there across the large lawn. It was a time of fun, games, discovery, learning and appreciating what really mattered.
It was also the first time Seto and Yugi had had a chance to talk since "The Incident" as it had come to be called. They had chosen some chairs apart from the main group, so they had a little privacy.
"So, how did you destroy them?" Yugi asked. Seto understood Yugi was talking about the Millennium Items, which he had sent to Seto through Mokuba.
"It was quite easy actually. Melted them into blobs of gold and then let them cool. The pieces were then divided amongst Krii, Tony and myself. No one knows that the others did to get rid of them. Funny thing though …"
"What?"
"I got a visit from a strange man in a turban. He was in my office when I returned from meeting with Tony and Kirii. How he got in there was a mystery."
"Hmmm. Sounds like Shadi paid you a visit. I was wondering if he was going to show up."
"I must say he was not happy." Seto related their encounter.
Do you have any idea what you have done?
- Yugi has been set free from his bondage as the "Chosen One".
Now the Pharaoh will not be able to return to rule and save this world from evil.
- It's not his job to save and rule the world. That position already belongs to Jesus.
"Did he try to enter your soul with the Millennium Key or judge you with his Millennium Scales?"
"Both. He tried the scales first."
You have done a great evil and I will use the scales to judge your actions.
- The cost for my evil has been paid by the blood of Jesus. I am no longer guilty.
Shadi ignored his comment. I will ask you questions and your answers will determine your judgment.
- I will not answer. These scales have no power over me. I answer only to my Lord.
"He asked question after question which I did not answer. The scales never moved. He became frustrated, then curious and tried to use the key."
I will enter your soul to determine your intentions.
- I wouldn't do that if I were you. My soul belongs to Jesus and I doubt he would appreciate an intrusion on His turf.
"He tried anyway." Seto shook his head. "Can't say I didn't warn him. As soon as the Key touched me, he stumbled several steps back and looked very shocked. I offered very nicely to destroy the Key and Scales for him." Remembering the look Shadi had given him, Seto laughed, "I guess he wasn't interested because it seemed like I only blinked and he was gone. Too bad. I bet we could have had some very interesting conversations. I am interested about what he saw."
Like in their last private conversation, their attention was caught by music. Kirii, Tony and several others had started playing instruments and two of the "punk" kids (a boy and a girl) sang In A Circle of Friends by Point of Grace (24, Word Entertainment, 2003)
Yugi sat in silence for a few minutes. "Are we friends now …" Yugi hesitated, "Seto?"
Seto looked at Yugi's expression: hope, guilt, confusion all mixed together. He smiled kindly at the younger boy, "I considered you my friend as soon as you accepted my challenge at the Regionals. Nothing since then has changed that."
"Even when I …" Seto's expression stopped him.
"It is forgiven, Yugi. It was forgiven as soon as it happened."
Yugi shook his head in wonder, then looked down at his feet, his mind a whirl of conflicting thoughts.
Seto watched his friend struggling. /What do I say? How can I help him/
/leave him to me …/
Seto gazed around at the throng of kids and noticed Joey and Tristan were in a group of the "punk" kids. Tristan was deep in conversation with a few of them. Joey on the other hand was leaning up against a tree, arms crossed defensively and had his game face on.
/go to him …/
He closed his eyes and chuckled silently. /Tony warned me about this - you learn something about what the Lord expects of you, then almost immediately have to put it into practice./ He broke into Yugi's contemplation by saying, "If you'll excuse me, there's something I have to do," and then headed over to Joey.
Yugi watched with curiosity as Seto started speaking with Joey. It was fun to watch the different expressions cross Joey's face: wariness, confusion, amazement, amusement and wonder. Tony had come up beside Yugi. "Interesting sight, isn't it?"
"What's going on?"
"If I guess right, Seto is making amends with Joey."
"No way!"
"Way!" Tony laughed. "Seto and I have been doing a Bible study on Matthew 5 and were focusing this week on verses 23-24 'Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.' We had a long discussion about it and Joey's name came up. I guess Seto really tore him down anytime he had a chance."
"No kidding!" Yugi agreed, "You had to have been there to believe it."
They watched, Yugi in amazement and Tony in satisfaction, as Seto and Joey parted ways with a handshake.
--
After clean up was finished and they had seen the guests off, Seto, Mokuba, Kirii and Tony sat on the porch enjoying the silence and the sunset.
Seto's mind was full of what changes had happened in the last few months: new friends, new relationship with his brother, new ideas, new attitudes, new emotions and new viewpoints. There were still problems, pains and obstacles to face, but he was looking forward to facing them with his friends, his brother and, especially, his Lord.
END