Chapter Eighteen
It took three full days to make it to the hidden isle of Aaru. Sethos stepped off the smaller boat on a small beach. Franco pulled Seto along in chains. Following close behind was a band of old and new servants awaiting whatever instructions given. A few miles off the coast Yugi looked out the small window in the cell and see the men walking along the beach. One was in chains and looked almost like . . .
"It's Kaiba! He's alive!" He shouted with joy.
Joey looks out the window. He could barely see the men clearly but he could see the chains hanging off of one. It had to be Kaiba.
"See Yug! I was right! Kaiba is alive."
In the distance Sethos could see the castle, he had to admit that he felt a tingle of excitement. He hadn't seen Kisara in centuries and he wondered if the Underworld allowed her to keep her soft and gentle demeanor. She was the one light that touched his darkness, she was the first time he felt warmth and he knew he must have that once again.
On board the ship, the few remaining guards heard a scream down below. They ran off to check on the commotion.
"What is going on down here!" One of the guards shouted at the caged crew.
In the far corner was Yugi on the ground clutching his stomach and Joey landing false kicks.
"I hate you, little shrimp!"
As the second guard moved to open the cell to stop the confrontation the first guard moved next to him . . . suddenly.
BAM
The guard slumps down hitting his head on the bars. Tristan posed, proud that he was strong enough to knock a guy clean out. Tea was actually blushing at the move then realized she was blushing over Tristan and turned to try and pull herself together. Before the second guard can react Marik reaches thru the bars yanking the man into the hard metal knocking him out cold. He opens the bars and everyone runs out and locks the guards inside. Once outside, the remaining men of Isis crew fight and successfully take over the Black Beard. Marik finds a small life boat and lowers it into the sea.
The gang piles in and Joey and Tristan row them to shore.
"We have to save Kaiba!" Yugi said, eager to get Kaiba to safety.
"Yes and stop this Sethos from whatever evil he intends to-" Isis continued solemnly.
"We get it. UNLEASH! They always want to unleash something evil. Man why do I get involved in this stuff!" Tristan ranted.
Once they reached the shore the gang made their way up the beach until they saw the castle in the distance.
Sethos reached the entrance to the castle he sees an inscription carved in stone above a Dragon emblem. The one who holds the power of the sun in thine hands shall unlock the Dragon door.
Sethos look over the door and notice that one of the dragon claws is stretched outward and a hole above it. 'Hm, it looks as if the creature should be holding something' he opens the case and pull out the Shining Nova Stone (Yellow Stone) and place it inside. It glows and the Dragon eyes light up as yellow as the sun. The door opens and they walk inside.
Not too far behind, Isis and the gang approach the door. Isis reads the inscriptions.
Isis: I understand! He is using these stones as a key.
"Whatever this freak is up to it HAS to be bad!" Joey said shivering with fear.
"Yes we must hurry." Isis warns them.
They run inside. As they walked thru the darkened passageways, the gang notices little markings on the wall here and there. The castle is huge and once beautiful. It could still be again with the proper renovations. The once flowing velvet curtains were worn and tattered and the purple colored with gold designed walls and tall pillars were now covered in dust. Tea looks up and sees some sort of demon in stone outlining the walls.
"Guys, I'm getting creped out here!"
Tristan slows down to walk beside her.
"I agree. It's like something out of a horror movie."
Tea whacks him in the head. Tristan jumps from the hard contact.
"What was that for!"
"Just a thanks for scaring me even more!" Tea said upset.
"This place is actually the gateway to the Underworld." Isis said.
"WHAT!" Joey shouted, scared out of his mind.
"Yes. I remember reading it in my studies. And if the stones are the keys then he must be trying to unlock its gates, but I have no idea why or how Kaiba fits into all of this."
Tristan and Joey are freaking out.
"I knew it was to unleash something evil!" Tristan said.
"Man, I don't know if I can handle too many more freaks like this!"
"Well we can't walk around talking about it. We have to stop him and rescue Kaiba." Yugi said stilling keeping his mind focused on saving Kaiba.
"Yugi, don't get so worked up because Kaiba's life is in Danger. You must stay calm. As a matter of fact why don't I take over."
"No, I have to do this. I have to save Kaiba."
"You have nothing to prove to anyone Yugi!"
"Yes I do, myself."
"Yugi."
"I'm sorry Pharaoh. I have to stand on my own for just a little while, please understand."
After breaking his mental contact with his other self Yugi became more determined than ever to face this problem on his own. It isn't like he didn't appreciate all that the Pharaoh has done for him it's just that with all the talk of finding his past made Yugi think about what it would possibly mean for him. The thought of not having his darker self around was a pain he couldn't bear but it was also a realistic possibility to think of once he has uncovered his past. And the thought that it could be sooner rather than later if they find the Blue Stone was maddening. But even with these uncertain thoughts he was also determined to help Yami uncover his ancient past . . . no matter where it leads them.