Yuugi's eyes widened when he heard Yami murmur "mother". Amethyst eyes glanced at distracted crimson orbs for a long while. Yami's lips were sealed tightly together and his throat was left dry. Not even a bouncing fluff ball dance that Kuriboh was performing could snap him out of his trance-like state. Yuugi held onto Yami's arm, but the taller man didn't react very much.
The young woman gazed at the three with large red eyes and beautiful tan skin accented her glowing orbs. Long straight black hair flowed down her back neatly and ended right above her tailbone. She was clad in elaborate and ornate tunic that reached down to her ankles and covered her petite body perfectly. She wore no sandals to protect her feet and she wore a thin layer of eye makeup. She walked closer to Yami and stared at him gently.
"My son, it has been far too long." She spoke softly and beautifully, as if she was singing. Yami could only nod; his throat too dry to speak. The young women wrapped her arms around Yami's shoulders and held him close. Yuugi let his love's arm go and stood back, watching carefully. Yami hooked his arms around his mother's waist and buried his head into her chest. A gentle hand patted wild flaming hair as the young man started to speak.
"Why? Why did you have to die, mother? I didn't mean for you to die because of me!" Yami cried out desperately. Yami's mother shook her head and tilted her son's chin up. Crimson orbs gazed into a soft red and held their gaze. "You have no reason to apologize to me. I gladly gave my life up for you. Your father…" She paused. "…He was not in his right mind." Yami stared speechlessly as she continued. "Shadow powers hold great strength, but when depended on too deeply a man can become overwhelmed by them."
"That's what happened to father?" Yami asked softly. "Yes…he couldn't control the shadows anymore and they controlled him…he loved you so deeply, but the shadows blocked his true emotions." She sighed. "Mother, why did he want my name to be taken? Why?" Yami asked. No answer escaped the young women's lips for a long time. She stared at her son sadly as she moved one of his golden bangs away from his face. "It is because…your name holds the power to lock up the evil shadows…but, you're not strong enough yet to do so…" She said as tears started to well in her eyes. "Mother, please don't weep." Yami said softly.
Yuugi took a step foreword and the young woman turned her head to look at him. "Your lover, my son?" She asked. Yami nodded, "Yes. His name's Yuugi." Yuugi bowed respectfully. "My, he's charming." Yami's mother chuckled. "It is an honor to meet you." Yuugi said, a light blush on his cheeks. "Likewise." She smiled. Her smile quickly faded when a scream echoed through the darkness. "What was that?" Yami asked in shock. "…Your test…" She whispered in grief.
"I don't understand…" Yami shook his head. "You will see soon, I am afraid." She said as she closed her eyes and led the two boys off. Kuriboh squeaked and chased after the departing figures, not wanting to be left behind. "My son, I wish you luck." Red eyes glanced back to catch a glimpse of her son's face. "Thank you." Yami said softly, not entirely sure what he was about to face.
A large doorway that stood about a hundred feet tall towered over the group. Yuugi's eyes grew wide as he looked up, staring at the painted door that had millions of names written on it. The arching doorway started to open and a single name started to glow near the top. The light was so blended together, no one could make out the name to see whose name was glowing.
Yami felt his mother hug him again as she started to sob. Yami held her tight and looked up when he felt hot tears splash against his forehead. "Please, please be careful." She cried softly and gently kissed her son's forehead. "I will, mother. Please do not weep for me. I need it not." Yami said calmly, although he was perplexed by seeing his mother shedding so many tears. Gentle arms began to fall as the young woman walked away, the sound of her sobs still echoing in Yami's ears. Yuugi looked at his startled lover and squeezed his hand tightly. Yami looked down and smiled gently, ready to do whatever it took.
The energetic fluff ball hopped into the doorway first and let out a cry of distress and hid behind Yami quickly, shivering. "Kuriboh? What's wrong?" Yami asked in shock. "Are you afraid to step in?" A familiar voice called out to Yami. Yami gasped as he slowly looked to gaze into his father's eyes. "F-father…" Yami swallowed deeply, always hating that look his father gave him whenever their eyes met.
"Stop your trembling and face me. You have little time to save your friends and your country." Yami's father said lowly. His shoulder length white hair and glaring brown eyes were all familiar sites for Yami to see. The man's white tunic reached his ankles and the sound of his sandals clicking against the ground reverberated against the walls in the empty hall. "You still fear me, my son?" The man asked. "I do not fear you, but I am saddened to see you still hate me." Yami said as he walked foreword.
"Hate you? Why would I, your own father, hate you?" The man asked, tilting his head back. "You do not recall? Or are you simply playing with me?" Yami asked, gripping Yuugi's hand even tighter. "I won't say. I want you to prove to me that fur ball of yours is any good." Yami's father said. "You want me to fight with Kuriboh?" Yami blinked. "Yes, a one-on-one shadow duel. Should you win, you're free to go and save everything you hold dear. Should I win…" A finger pointed to Yuugi. "…I take his life." "NO!" Yami cried out as he held Yuugi close. "So little faith in yourself…you won't even fight because I put your lover's life in jeopardy and you are afraid you'll lose to me!" A laugh echoed throughout the room.
"Yami, you must fight. You have to." Yuugi said as he held Yami close. "I know I have to…but I just can't lose you…" Yami whispered. "You won't. Have faith in Kuriboh and in yourself. The two of you will win. I know it deep within my heart." Yuugi smiled as he gave Yami a gentle kiss. "Are you going to fight?" Yami's father growled. Yami's lips pulled away slowly as he walked towards his father. Crimson eyes were burning with determination as he nodded. "Very good…" The man snapped his fingers and Yuugi let out a surprised cry as a clear bubble engulfed him. "What!" Yami asked in disbelief as he looked to see Yuugi captured. Yuugi was crying out Yami's name, but Yami couldn't hear a word he said.
"Fight, my son. Prove to me that you're no longer the weak boy I once raised!" The man said as he summoned a monster. Yami's eyes grew wide as he gazed upon the large beast before him. Two golden wings spread out as a large cry escaped the beast's mouth. Large claws scratched at the ground as it's dark eyes glared down at Yami and his Kuriboh. "I-It's Ra…The Winged Dragon of Ra…" Yami said in absolute shock. "That's right. Now, my beast shall tear your small Kuriboh apart!" The man laughed as Yami growled, refusing to lose.