Chapter XIII: Walking On Your Soul

Cause you're drowning in the water
And I tried to grab your hand
And I left my heart open
But you didn't understand

The teenage boy stared down at the young girl, feeling something weird flow through him. The feeling of regret and guilt. It was his fault that this innocent girl was trapped in the Shadow Realm. If he hadn't been so much of a coward and idiot to talk through and express what went through his heart, this little girl wouldn't be scared, she wouldn't be lost. And…she would still have a chance to be alive. But now they both were stuck in the Shadow Realm, no way out, while the world outside the darkness was in more danger than anyone could ever imagine. Thanks to his other, Horus' power was under the curse of darkness, this girl's body filled with evil and darkness, making herself a perfect slave to the evil side of him. But was he to do now? He was chained, sealed away in the darkness forever. He couldn't move, and the child beneath him was far too frightened and upset to help him. This was their fate. To die in the darkness forever.

But at that moment, the girl began to whimper slightly, and then she looked up at him. He saw the fear in her large, silver eyes, but he also saw something else. A light, glowing brightly and beautifully in the darkness. He saw the light at once, a warm aura washed over him. She wasn't completely gone, her soul still held the beautiful light of Horus inside her. Not just that, but she was still the lovely phoenix he knew she was. But because of the forceful actions his other had inflicted on her, she has been forced to cower and retreat, becoming that young child. She had darkness inside her, like him, but she tried harder than him to try to fight it all away. He knew then that their fates were the same. Their destiny was to die in the darkness of this world, in the darkness of their hearts.

"Malik…I might know a way to get you down…" the girl whimpered. Malik looked at her, surprised by her words. She looked up above him, at the chain holding him, and her eyes began to glow, slightly. Gold light appeared them, and then it turned bright white. Next thing Malik knew, he heard the loud snap of the chain breaking, and he was falling to the shadows below, the chain unwrapping around his body. He shut his eyes, ready to feel the painful impact of the ground. But he didn't. He opened his eyes and saw himself floating in the air, a few feet above the young girl. Her eyes were glowing a gold color, and her whole body was glowing a faint light. She was doing this to him. She saved him.

Rika's head was hurting horribly, but she didn't pay notice to it. All she cared about was Malik being safe. She focused all her mind on his body, and lowered him to the ground. He landed with a soft thud on the shadows, and the light vanished. Malik stared at his hands, and then at the young girl in confusion. He didn't understand what was going on, but he was mostly thankful for her saving his life.

Suddenly, though, a voice yelled out into the darkness. A voice that was familiar to them both, but only Malik could recognize it completely. Rika cowered when she heard it.

"Rika!"

"That's the Pharaoh. Rika, he's calling to you," Malik spoke.

"I don't care! I don't know him! I want my mama!" Rika began sobbing, falling to her knees and covering her face with her fists. Malik then realized she didn't remember anything of what was going on, but she was feeling the pain her body was suffering in the world beyond this one. She was separated from her body, but whatever pain or suffering happened there she felt. He couldn't imagine her going through pain, but he could her feeling the pull and pressure around her as Yami no Malik controlled almost every bit of her body and mind. Why didn't he try to rid himself of that evil fiend once and for all? This was his entire fault, and now an innocent girl was being put through the most difficult trials anyone could ever imagine. This was his fault, and he needed to fix it before it all got out of hand. But there was something else he had to do. Something far more important right now.

Malik leaned down and wrapped his arms around the crying child's neck. He caressed her hair, trying to comfort her. He knew how she was feeling, feeling all alone in a cold dark abyss. Just like him when he was a child. In fact, that was what started all of this. His stupid anger and jealousy towards everyone else. He was so mad at everyone for having more freedom than him. He was jealous of his family and siblings for not being forced through a hell of darkness and despair. He should have faced these emotions instead of lashing out at everyone. He should have talked to someone and confronted his inner demon. But no. He was too much of a coward, of a weakling to even see the light inside himself. And now here he was, like once before, sealed away in the shadows. But now he wasn't alone anymore. This young girl, this innocent, sobbing child, was asking, begging, praying for someone to comfort her. And that was what he was going to do. Stop an innocent child from getting hurt.

"Come on, now, Rika. Let's try and find some light in this darkness," he said. Rika stopped crying and pulled away. She looked up into Malik's eyes, and he smiled sweetly at her. He lifted her up and looked her over once more. She was quite a cute little girl. It was a shame that she had now become a victim to evil. He took her hand and pulled her along the darkness, feeling a warm sensation flow through him by her touch.

But you didn't understand
Go fix yourself
I can't help you fix yourself
But at least I can say I tried

"Now, Rika, show us the true potential of your power!" Yami no Malik commanded to his new slave. The dark Rika looked up at him with her emotionless, dark silver eyes, and her malevolent smile widened. She struck a hand up to the air, and the black amulet around her neck flashed a pitch-black light. At once, blackness shot out from her hand and covered them all. Yami no Yugi gasped as he realized what she had just done. She had just brought a piece of the Shadow Realm to them, and she was going to destroy them once and for all in the shadows. But why was she doing this?

Then he remembered what he did to bring Jonouchi back from Malik's control. What if they did the same thing here and try to save Rika from Yami no Malik's control? It could work, but they didn't know anything close to Rika's life. He didn't know anything about her besides what she's told him. Suddenly, like a black whip in the shadows, something struck across his face and sent him back into the ground. He looked up to see speeding jolts of black light strike in several places of the darkness, trying to strike one of them. He was struck, and he hoped no one else would be. That hurt a lot.

"Rika! Please, stop!" yelled a voice from behind him. Yami no Yugi looked to see Mokuba struggling against his bonds to the tree. Of course. Mokuba and Kaiba must know something about Rika that could help. After all, they knew each other more than they led on to believe. Yami no Yugi quickly got up and jolted to the tree Mokuba was at. Without being noticed, he untied Mokuba from the tree. Mokuba landed on the ground hard, but let out a sigh of relief. He looked up at the Pharaoh with a smile.

"Thanks, Yugi. What's going on with Rika!" he asked, standing up, and just narrowly avoiding a jolt that seized a few strands of his black hair.

"She's under Yami no Malik's control. Right now, her soul, her mind, is trapped in the Shadow Realm, far from contact. You have to try to reach out to her. It'll help her," he explained to Mokuba. "The more she remembers, the more calm she'll become, and then Yami no Malik will lose control over her!"

Mokuba didn't understand what he was talking about, but then he remembered what his big brother did to break Noa's control over him. Was that what he was talking about? Mokuba didn't know, but then he saw his brother on the ground, just barely dodging a black light. Mokuba looked around, and stared wide eye at the lake. It was no longer sparkling navy, but a horrible pitch-black color in the darkness. No, Rika's polluted the water. But how? Then a memory flashed before his eyes of him and Rika here, him on the grass and talking to Rika while they watched the lake sparkle in the sun. That was a momentous day. What if he could make Rika remember it? Would she stop all of these psychotic actions?

"Rika! Remember the day you brought me here! You got hurt! And the water healed you! Remember that day, Rika!" Mokuba yelled at her. The darkness faded slightly, and everyone could see for a brief moment a light in Rika's eyes. It then vanished quickly, and the black amulet glowed a black light. Rika let out an evil laugh, and a black light shot at Mokuba. He shielded his face with his arms, but he was never hit. The light hit the tree beside him, missing him only barely. Kaiba, a few yards away, realized what his brother was trying to do. That could work, but what if…what if Rika kills them all before it does? He looked into Rika's black eyes, and fear grew heavy in his heart.

"Rika, please, remember who you are!" Kaiba yelled towards her. "Remember me! Remember Mokuba! You're being controlled by that psychotic bastard!"

Rika's eyes lowered slightly, but then Yami no Malik let out a horrible, fiendish laugh that pierced the darkness. "You fools! Nothing will set her free! Her power is mine! The power of light is now under my control! And now this bitch will kill you all!"

"No…Seto…."

That was Rika's voice, but she hadn't spoken. Kaiba looked around, wondering if he was hearing things. But no, that was Rika's voice. But, how could she say anything if her mouth isn't moving? Kaiba shook it away, and stood back up. "Rika, please, remember! Remember the night Mokuba and you met! Remember the day we met! Their precious memories to you!" he yelled. There was more of a response now in her eyes. He saw the light shine through, and saw a few flecks of tears, but they quickly vanished as Yami no Malik's control grew stronger over her.

"Ha ha ha! You pathetic fool! Do you honestly believe she'll break away? She's been wanting to die! She knows how horrible her life is, how alone she was, and now she wants to die like that! Alone, cold, and sad! Just like the pathetic wench she is!" Yami no Malik laughed. Kaiba couldn't handle him saying such horrible things about Rika. She wasn't alone anymore. He was there. He and Mokuba, and Rika's friends. They were all there. They wanted to help her. But she kept pushing them away. Why? Why did she push them all away when they wanted to help?

"I'm sorry, Seto, but we can't be together anymore….In fact, I would prefer it if I never saw your face again…."

Rika, why? Why did you want to be so far from everyone? Why did you push the ones you loved, the ones you held near and dear, apart from you? Don't you realize you're never truly alone? I'm still here. I've been here, waiting for you. Kaiba felt his heartbeats slow when he realized this. Rika didn't want to not be a part of their lives. She wanted them to not be a part of hers. Kaiba held back all emotions when he finally realized what memory would bring her back. But it would more hurt her than anything.

"Rika, remember your first kiss! Remember when Seto first kissed you!" Mokuba yelled over Seto's shoulder. He hadn't even thought about that. Good job, Mokuba. Kaiba watched as Rika's hand lowered slightly, staring with tear filled eyes at Kaiba, but then she let out a moan of pain and her eyes grew darker. More cold and murderous, she clenched her fist, and the shadows surrounding them flew into her hand. Kaiba watched as the shadows began to form what looked like a pitch-black sword. The blade shined in the moonlight of the woods, prepared to strike.

I'm sorry but I gotta move on with my own life
I can't help you fix yourself
But at least I can say I tried
I gotta move on with my own life

Malik held the small Rika's hand, warmth filling his entire body like bath water, and he felt safe with her. But what he was more concerned about was if she felt safe with him. They walked on for what felt like miles, and she hadn't said a word since she freed him from the chains. He wondered if she's alright. She seemed to just stare ahead, her silver eyes sparkling like diamonds in the darkness, and he felt like he was holding onto a little angel. He held her hand more firmly, not wanting to let go. But then a familiar voice rung out in the shadows. A voice they both recognized.

"Rika! Remember the day you brought me here! You got hurt! And the water healed you! Remember that day, Rika!"

Malik recognized that voice as the voice of the little Kaiba brother, Mokuba. How did he know Rika? Malik then stopped as Rika stopped and pulled her small hand away. She stared up at the darkness above her, her eyes fixed daydreaming to the abyss. "Who…was that?" Rika closed her eyes and Malik saw a faint gold surround her. That voice was helping Horus recover inside her body. Horus was going to aide her in returning to that world, returning to save her friends, her loved ones.

"Rika, come on, I see a light up ahead," Malik spoke, taking her hand. She opened her eyes and nodded. She walked with him, and she saw the light also. It wasn't really a light, but it was a large hole in the darkness, staring upon a darkness covered woods, where several teenagers stood. One of them was a beautiful woman with long, pitch-black, crimson streaked hair, her flesh pale and dark, her whole body glowing with a black light. Rika pulled from Malik, not recognizing her own body. She saw a boy on the ground, his long, wild, silky black hair falling against his shoulders, framing his lightface and dark eyes. Malik stepped forward feeling a slight cold breeze flutter around him for a brief moment, and then stared at the exhausted Seto Kaiba, staring at the evil Rika and his other, his evil side, Yami no Malik.

"Rika, please, remember who you are! Remember me! Remember Mokuba! You're being controlled by that psychotic bastard!"

Kaiba was yelling at the dark figure, trying to get her to remember who she was. Malik turned to the small child, who was cowering again. Her fists had risen to her face and she was shivering. She was scared. Poor girl. Tears filled her silver eyes, and Malik then realized she was seeing something he wasn't. Rika saw what was going to happen next, and she felt scared. Somehow, she knew that boy. She knew that person, Kaiba Seto. She knew the younger boy, Mokuba, his younger brother. She knew all of them. But nothing stopped her from crying from fear.

"No…Seto…."

Rika began to whimper and then Malik watched as she took a step forward, but then sharp jolts of light struck down and collided with her body, sending her back with a scream. "Rika!" Malik called out to her. Her body hit the floor hard, and she looked up in pain. What had just happened? She stared, confused, and in pain, and then she began crying. Her wails echoed like a siren, and Malik was caught off guard. He looked at the child, sobbing on her knees, and walked forward, towards her, but then he hit something solid. He looked at what he hit, and saw that there was an invisible force separating him from Rika. Why was this happening?

"Rika, remember your first kiss! Remember when Seto first kissed you!"

Malik turned back to the opening of darkness, surprised to see Mokuba yelling at the top of his lungs towards the evil-controlled Rika before them. Malik couldn't believe what was going on there. His other was really going to win this time. It was all over for them. Malik turned to the young Rika, apologizing wasn't enough to show how much sorrow flowed through him. But as he looked at her, he saw something else in her eyes. Recognition, familiarity, and…concern. She was remembering everything. As Rika watched that scene through the darkness, images flashed through her eyes. She knew all of them, and…an image that kept flashing to her eyes. An image of a beautiful young woman standing on a pier with one of those boys, Kaiba. She saw the girl and him staring at each other romantically, and then…they were kissing. A beautiful sunset behind them. It was a beautiful image. It was like a memory from a dream.

"I…remember that…." Rika whimpered slightly, standing back on her feet. Malik then was filled with courage and confidence. She was separated from her body in the other world, her body controlled by darkness, but her soul was filled with light. Only light can find light, but it can't set it free. Only the one with light can be set free. Rika was a hoste to Horus, and right now, he can't be reborn if she is blinded by darkness and despair. But by remembering all the precious memories that she held close to her heart, her light will show and wash away all the darkness. It was only a matter of time.

I tear my heart open
I sew myself shut
And my weakness is
That I care too much

"Yes! Now kill them, my slave!" Yami no Malik yelled, his eyes gleaming at the dark blade mercilessly. Everyone else gasped as a dark wind whipped around them, piercing their flesh slightly, but they were more frightened now of what she was going to do to them with that black sword, and were frightened of what Yami no Malik will do to her afterwards. But they still had one last shot at reaching out to her. There was just one last memory that would tear her heart apart, but it would bring her back. One memory that Kaiba knew would never be forgotten by the real Rika.

"Rika, remember your parents!" Kaiba yelled.

A gasp escaped the dark Rika's lips and she stared ahead at him, her cold silver eyes wide and filled with tears. Yes, this was what he wanted. He just needed her to remember more. He needed her to see what they saw in her. Not this dark, evil demon that was controlled by Yami no Malik, but…the real Rika. The innocent, pure Rika. The lost, and scared little child she truly was.

"Rika, please, remember them! Remember your parents! May Shunai-Yukari, and Sojo Yukari! Your mother and father! They were the closest people to you! And they died, Rika! You have to remember them!"

Then Kaiba and everyone saw it. A beautiful, sparkling tear rolling down dark Rika's face, trailing along her pale cheek, and dropping onto the dark grass beneath her. The sword in her hand was trembling, and Yami no Malik saw this. He's had enough. He snatched the sword out of her hand and ran towards Kaiba.

"I'll destroy you first!" he yelled murderously.

"No! Seto!" Mokuba yelled.

As Kaiba sat in the grass, clenching his bleeding arm, paralyzed in fear, he heard a voice in the distance, soft, elegant, and beautiful, call his name.

"No! Seto! I'll protect you!"

And the scars remind us
That the past is real
Tear my heart open
Just to feel

"Rika, remember your parents! Rika, please, remember them! Remember your parents! May Shunai-Yukari, and Sojo Yukari! Your mother and father! They were the closest people to you! And they died, Rika! You have to remember them!"

Rika whimpered, and Malik saw the tears in her eyes flow like diamonds in a river. That was it. Kaiba had done it. He had brought forth a memory that would awaken her. Rika approached Malik, closer, and then he felt it. The warm, burning aura surrounded him, and he was filled with this wonderful, warm sensation flowing through his body. It was like a mixture of happiness and grace, elegance and enjoyment. Horus was at last awakening from within Rika's soul, and now he'll show what light can do when once set free.

"No! Seto! I'll protect you!"

This voice came from Rika, but it wasn't her voice. It was a more mature, more elegant, more beautiful voice. Rika walked forward and her body met the force separating them, but it was different this time. The layer of power between them glowed a beautiful, extravagant gold and Rika's body disappeared within the gold. Malik was sent back by the gold, and he watched as the light burned brighter. And then he saw a different figure step out of the light. A beautiful, brilliantly gold glowing woman.

This woman's pitch-black hair reached to her shoulders, streaked in random places upon her head, and her cold, silver eyes mesmerizing into the darkness like diamonds. Her body had grown completely, the clothes around now fitting snugly, a bit loose, everywhere on her. Her chest had grown ample breasts and filled her shirt, her legs became slender and long, her body slim and curved in the right fitting. This was no longer a young and scared child Malik was staring at. Now he was facing the real Rika, the real warrior of the sun, the heir of Horus, the one whose light flows through her veins. A beautiful, brave, and loving woman who was ready to banish her worst nightmares away and accept her destiny.

I tear my heart open
I sew myself shut
And my weakness is that I care too much
And the scars remind us
That the past is real
Tear my heart open
Just to feel

FD: Well, I know this chapter isn't as long as the others, but it's just as important, and it was needed to show you where Rika truly was and what would happen. The next chapter there's a bit of romance, but I'm not going to spoil it. I hope you guys liked this chapter, because it might be a while before I update again. Peace!