Ack! You guys only have two chappies to go after this! (faints) I've go some announcements about the sequel at the end of the chappie. I've also got an important annoucement, but don't go down there till you've read the chappie. Continue.
Scarlet Moon: Love the name. New reviewer! Yay! (laughs) Don't like Honda, do you? My sister's mad at him too. o.O...um...no. Honda doesn't think about Jou that way...not in this fic anyway. (smiles happily) If you want yaoi you can go to my other story...it's not between Honda and Jou...(shrugs cheerfully) Or maybe you don't like yaoi, in which case just forget I mentioned it. Pleasepleaseplease review again! Love ya!
Capricious Purple Clarity: Yeah. You sent me two reviews. Not that it's a bad thing, mind you! (smiles)I'm glad you've decided I can continue living for the time being. I appreciate it. My family appreciates it. My pets appreciate it...and so on and so forth. (claps) I hold grudges too! My mom says cause we're part Serbian. o.O...I'm not dissing the Serbs. I love the serbs. I love just about everyone I don't hate. o.O...wow. That was...profound...Yup, it's all about where the magic started. Kuru Eruna. Poor Kura. We love him so! Review again! Love ya!
Satra: (laughs) The name's always been a mystery to me too! They change the spelling everywhere I look! I decided to just go with on this one. (shrugs) I know what you mean about waiting for updates. I've been waiting for almost a year on Redemption now. (shivers) Such an awesome story...sorry, I'm blabbering once again. Love ya!
Silver Mirror: Such enthusiasm in both your reviews. I love you, dear. (smirk) you people are so eager to read this chappie. It's sooo evil and kick-butt awesome! Not too much humor though...Anyhoo, I'll look forward to more enthusiastic reviews from you! Love ya!
Wishfull Thinker: (grumbles) yes yes, Shadi came. Me hates him. I made his appearance as short as possible. I think you misunderstood...or maybe I'm confused...you said I said Bakura's a baka. No, Yami was trying to say our thief's name...not baka...(smirk) Although that could work, given their situation. You...hate Kaiba? O.o...oooooh boy. You're gonna have fun in Cry of the Wicked...Marik doesn't like smoking. I don't like smoking. The alcohol was one drink. It's not like they were getting drunk anyway. Actually, they say a small amount of wine can actually benefit your health...of course, Kura and Marik were drinking beer...Heh. Kuru Eruna is Bakura's village that was decimated. You got it. (sad!) Review again! Love ya!
blackalbino: I love Kura and Marik too. They're so adorable in a bad-assed kind of way. (smiles) I hate it when Jou's portrayed as an idiot. Not my style. Like the meek and beaten up Ryou, it's so overdone...and not my vision of him at all. Review again! Love ya!
dragonlady222: Yeah, Jou and Kura's connection would be handy right about now. Figured it was a pick pocket? Yay! Thanks for the complimetns. Love ya!
DreamingChild: (smiles) I rock, eh? YAY! (prances about happily) Yes, Jou wouldn't have acted that way if he'd known it was a pick pocket. Poor kid. You want more Jou/Bakura? (sighs) Me too...review again! Love ya!
Bluegrass Elf: What's with all you peoples crying? Ye goodness! It's only been 5 days! I'm even updating before I said I would! (just cause I love you guys!) Two years for a fic? (sighs solemnly) Yes, dear, I think it's dead. Sorry to hear that. I thank you for complimenting me complimenting your complimenting skills. O.o...Review again! (kowtows)
Freak in the Shadows: REVIEW! REVIEW! Please? (smiles innocently) Love ya!
This chappie's gonna be dedicated to Scarlet Moon. (Ack! I forgot to dedicate the new Cry of the Wicked chapter to anyone! Argh!)
NOTE: Okay, Satra and I are wondering what the original name for Kuru Eruna is. If you look at their last review and my answer and then fill us in we would be most appreciative. Soooo confused!
Hero
All wonder who will answer the call:
Who will deliver the people?
A hero in shining armor
That will cause enemies to fall?
When will the bondage end?
When can the trumpets blow,
Triumph heard throughout the wind?
When will they be avenged?
When will they all be free,
Their shackles cut away?
Who will seek out their revenge
And make the tyrants pay?
Chapter 21: Blood of the Slain
"So...what's this place called again? I've never heard of it before," Mr. Mutou mused as they entered the remains.
"Nor have I, and that's saying something. I thought I knew all about the ancient world. Why have I never heard of this place?" Marik asked Bakura who was leading the way, not pausing. To Marik, it almost seemed that the thief was trying to avoid looking at anything.
"You wouldn't have. No one would have, except maybe Yami here," Bakura growled as he approached a collapsed building. The walls had apparently caved in on each other, propped against one another so it created a sort of misshaped dome.
"I…would?" Yami asked uncertainly, unnerved by the thief's tone.
Bakura didn't answer, peeking inside the remains cautiously. After a moment he motioned them to follow. They filed inside carefully.
"Look!" Yugi exclaimed in amazement, pointing to the center of the room where a staircase in the floor descended deep into the ground.
"That looks safe," Honda said sarcastically, surveying the ancient stone steps that were cracking.
"We're going down there, aren't we?" Marik groaned a slight hint of apprehension in his voice.
Bakura looked over in concern at the blonde Egyptian. "You don't have to go down there, Marik."
The boy stubbornly shook his head. "Hell no. I'm coming with…if that's where you're going."
The thief smiled grimly. "You never know when to quit, do you?" And with that he began descending the steps, a faint, blue glow illuminating from the ring.
Marik followed as closely as was physically possible to the thief. He shuddered, hating being underground. It reminded him of the tombs he'd lived in as a child. Ryou was right behind him, grasping his shoulder tightly. Marik was grateful for all the hikari's support lately.
"Smells pretty musty," Anzu sniffed, wrinkling her nose.
"Well duh, no one's been down here in a few thousand years," Jou said, awe-struck at his own words. 'A few thousand years…'
"I think it's so cool!" Yugi beamed happily, nearly tripping on a loose stone.
"Careful, aibou," Yami smiled, steadying his lighter half.
"How far down does this go?" Marik asked.
"Not sure, really. It's about a ten minute descent," Bakura's voice echoed up.
"Ten minutes!" Honda exclaimed.
"That's when the stairs were in good condition too."
They continued on for twenty minutes, given the stairs' current state. There was nothing interesting to look at, just plain stones lining the walls. Mr. Mutou would every so often comment on the obvious ancient Egyptian style that was apparent to Yami's time period.
Yami felt his stomach quiver in silent anticipation. Was this really it? Did the key to his memories lie here in this cavern in the remains of an ancient town that no one had heard of?
"Here we are," Bakura said, snaking around a curve at the bottom of the steps to a large room.
"Holy Ra…" Marik murmured as they all entered.
The space was about twenty yards in diameter. There was another staircase off to the side that led up to a narrow balcony that circled around the top of the room, sort of a 'viewing' area. However, no one was taking note of any of this, too entranced by what lay in the very center of the room.
A large, golden sarcophagus-shaped figure lay in the middle of the floor atop a large stone. It looked like a pharaoh; a proud, noble air about him. He was on his back, staring up with soulless eyes at the ceiling. There were detailed indentations throughout his body…
"It's…the stone of the Millennium items!" Marik exclaimed in a hushed voice, eyes wide.
"What's that mean?" Anzu asked, eyes not leaving the stone.
"The stone from which the items were forged," Mr. Mutou whispered, stepping nearer. "See these grooves? The items were taken from those."
It was true. As they drew closer the group could make out a space for each individual item. The Millennium symbol was carved in each of the grooves.
"This is…incredible," Marik said softly. "The…the scriptures said the stone was lost…most likely destroyed…"
"How'd you find it?" Yami asked, turning to Bakura who was still standing at the entrance to the room.
"It was created here," Bakura said darkly, eyes sinisterly staring at the stone.
"Amazing," Mr. Mutou murmured, letting his fingers reverently run across the hand of the figure.
"It's creepy lookin' if you ask me," Jou muttered, standing a good distance back.
Yami stepped forward. "So…what now?"
"You return the items to their resting place," Marik said, unable to hide the anticipation in his voice. "According to the scriptures your memories should then return."
"Yeah, but the scriptures also stated the stone had been destroyed and they were wrong," Honda mumbled, eyeing the stone untrustingly.
Marik rolled his violet eyes in exasperation. "I didn't say that and you know it."
"Go on, Yami," Yugi urged breathlessly, giving his darker half and encouraging nudge toward the stone.
Yami nodded, unable to speak. He respectfully stepped up to the stone, taking the bag that held the items from Mr. Mutou. Taking out the eye, he gently laid it into its place. Nothing happened. Letting out a shaky breath, he next placed the necklace in.
"This is so exciting!" Anzu whispered from next to Honda.
The scales was delicately placed into the stone; followed by the key. Marik held his breath as Yami put the rod in its resting place. It was really over. Yami was finally going to retrieve his memories. Marik's task as tomb keeper, which he'd abandoned years ago, was about to be completed.
Yami looked down at the puzzle around his neck, letting his hands delicately run over its uneven surface. Taking a shuddering breath, he pulled the chain over his head, placing the puzzle down into the stone. That left one item.
They all turned to Bakura, who unmoving, stood in the doorway. The ring was still glowing, the only source of light in the room. Everyone held their breaths, watching the former tomb robber nervously.
"Bakura?" Yami asked softly, sweating.
The thief stared back into his eyes. Nodding, he strode forward silently like a cat, eyes fixed on Yami's. Marik felt a swell of pride for his friend. Finally, they could be left alone. Finally, they could embrace the present, leaving the past where it should be. Behind them.
Yami held out his quivering hand to receive the ring, the thief only a yard from him. The next thing the monarch knew was pain. He could taste blood in his mouth, his entire body burning.
"YAMI!" He heard Yugi's voice scream in terror.
Yami struggled to sit up, something white flashing in front of his vision.
"Back away from him now!" Bakura's voice bellowed commandingly in ancient Egyptian.
Yugi was at Yami's side in an instant, trembling in fear. Yami looked up into his hikari's eyes. He could feel blood trickling down his face and torso.
"What happen…"
"Them." Yugi whimpered, pointing a trembling finger at the ghostly figures that were surrounding them, eyeing them like a piece of meat. Blood, his own blood, was dripping from their claw-like fingers; eyes black and cold. Empty.
"What the hell are these things?" Jou yelled angrily, as he and the rest of the group rushed over to Yugi and Yami.
Yami managed to sit up, staring unbelievingly at the sight before him. Bakura stood on the stone, the Millennium ring still in his hands. His brown eyes were obsessed, insane. All about the room were spirit-like figures. Demons.
"They are the very essence of the items," Bakura hissed, eyes dancing with fire. "I'm going to undo their torment once and for all."
"You son of a bitch! You lured us here just to steal the items! You never were gonna help Yami get his memories back!" Honda screamed, enraged.
"We can't always get what we desire," Bakura murmured, stroking the item in his hand. "You have no idea how long I've waited for this day. How long I've fought to obtain all seven. Lifetime after lifetime they managed to elude me…but no more!" His slanted eyes narrowed.
"Kura, stop this! This isn't like you!" Marik yelled imploringly, desperate.
"I thought you'd changed," Yami whispered fiercely, leaning against Yugi and Anzu for support. "I thought you'd gone beyond this."
Bakura let out a chilling laugh, causing them all to shudder. "This is all I've ever been. For a time I myself had forgotten that. Luckily, I was recently reminded of what my mission is…my only purpose," Bakura finished this sentence by staring straight at Jou.
'No!' the blonde thought frantically, their previous conversations sinking in.
"You're talking crazy!" Marik screamed, clambering forward only to have a spirit lung at him, claws raking across his recently healed arm.
"I said back!" Bakura ordered in ancient Egyptian. The spirit unwillingly backed down, still fiercely staring at the blonde Egyptian.
"Bakura, listen to me…" Yami began, attempting to stand.
"No. It's too late for that, I'm afraid," Bakura whispered, glancing over at the spirits who where still intently watching the huddled group. "This has been long overdue. Far too long."
With that he began furiously muttering a chant in Egyptian, eyes closed as the stone and items began to glow intensely:
"Awaken now, almighty gods,
I call thee to this sacred shrine
To undo enchantments transpired here,
The power for which Egypt pined."
"Bakura stop!" Marik yelled frantically, being one of the three that could understand what the thief was saying.
"And now into your world
Return it from whence it came"
"STOP!" Yami screamed desperately, the spirits blocking him from entering the circle they'd formed around Bakura and the stone.
"Close off the Realm to mortal deities…" An unsheathed dagger appeared in the thief's hands. Marik's eyes widened in fear as realization dawned on him what was about to happen.
"Bakura!" The boy shrieked, rushing forward once again in an attempt to get to his friend.
He flew back with one swipe from a ghost who paid him little heed. The blonde landed on his back, struggling into a sitting pose just in time to see the thief position the blade above his own gut. Their eyes met for a single moment. 'I'm sorry, Marik.' The blonde shook his head in disbelief as the tomb robber finished the chant.
"By blood given of the Slain." The knife plunged into Bakura's torso, blood pouring from his mouth, spilling onto the ring still grasped in his trembling hand.
"BAKURA!" Marik screamed.
Jou turned away, unable to watch any more of it. Bakura's wavering body fell onto the stone, his quivering hands placing the blood-spattered ring into its resting place. Blinding light engulfed the room.
"No! NO!" Marik screamed, being shaken about violently.
"Marik! Marik wake up!" The blonde opened his eyes to find a distraught Ryou shaking him by the shoulders.
"Bak—Bakura!" Marik whimpered, as Ryou pulled him into a sitting position.
"He's gone, Marik," Ryou whispered, eyes holding an unbearable look of agony.
"No. No!" Marik screamed, jumping up and racing towards the stone only to skid to a halt.
The golden sarcophagus was gone; its remains lay melted on the stone and across the ground, still cooling. Molten gold. The ghosts were gone….as were the Millennium items.
"It's not possible," Mr. Mutou whispered hoarsely, holding up a lantern he'd brought along with them.
They turned to the old man who was staring at Yugi and the figure lying in the boy's arms. It looked like Yami; but the young man's skin was tanned. He was adorned in various golden ornaments, a golden belt encircling his waist. He was wearing some type of silk; a white, robe-like garment that came down to his knees.
"Yami?" Yugi whispered in awe.
"Uhh…." the person opened his dark purple eyes. He stared up at the hikari in confusion.
"Yami man?" Jou whispered as they all gathered around.
"Yugi?" the young man whispered.
"Yami!" Yugi squealed, hugging his darker half. Everyone else sighed in relief.
"Thank goodness," Mr. Mutou said tiredly.
Marik and Ryou stood off to the side a bit, staring mournfully at the cooling pool of gold. The others looked over at the two, hearts heavy.
"I…I remember…" Yami whispered, staring at the large stone on which the sarcophagus had been erected. "I remember…everything." They all stared in shock.
"Whaddaya mean 'everything'?" Jou breathed. "You don't mean…'everything'!"
Yami nodded, too dazed to speak.
"Remarkable," Mr. Mutou murmured. "How?"
"Kura destroyed the items," Marik gulped, turning away from the stone and puddle of gold. "Therefore, their magic was undone as well. You're most likely mortal now, Yami. It appears you came back to how you were the moment before you sealed yourself in the puzzle."
Jou's eyes widened. "Wait…so does that mean...?" He raced over to the stone, glancing over it. "Holy shit!"
Everyone else raced over only to stop in complete shock. On the floor on the other side of the stone a body was sprawled. Unmistakable white hair, though much shorter than Ryou's; a long, blood-red robe; dark golden skin; and a deep, double-crossed scar on his right cheek.
"BAKURA!" Ryou and Marik screamed racing forward.
Marik gently lifted the still form into his arms. "He's breathing! He's alive!" the boy exclaimed in disbelief and excitement. Ryou was gently shaking his yami in an attempt to wake him.
"Oh my heavens," Mr. Mutou murmured, rushing over and checking the tomb robber's vital signs.
"But…he stabbed himself. We all saw him do it!" Honda stated in incredulity.
Jou shook his head slowly, eyes never leaving the unconscious form cradled against Marik's chest. "That was his immortal body, remember? That was the body the item created for him; but once the items were destroyed, so were the immortal bodies, bringing the yami's back into their mortal forms of ancient Egypt." Everyone stared at Jou in shock.
"You actually sounded intelligent, mutt," Marik grinned.
"Shut up, you!" Jou growled, shaking a fist at the boy.
"Well," Mr. Mutou sighed, sitting back. "He seems all right. He has a rather large gash across his forehead here. He must've been in some type of fight just before he was sealed in the ring." The old man pointed to a jagged cut near the tomb robber's bangs. Numerous other wounds lined the yami's torso, bleeding like fresh cuts. "Plus I'm sure that spell took a lot out of him. It looks like he'll be all right though." They all nodded, minds buzzing.
"Let's get outta here," Jou suggested, ready to leave the cavern.
"For once, I must agree with you, mutt," Marik smiled, clutching the unconscious thief tightly against himself as they all headed for the stairs.
Oh the drama! (cackles insanely)
Important: Don't you all go: "Oh come on! You said no disney endings!" Believe me, there's not a disney ending. I actually hate it when authors bring characters back to life. Technically I didn't ever kill Kura though. (cackles) Oh I'm so evil! Don't expect this to be the case in the sequel. Peoples is gonna die an' they ain't comin' back! (sobs) Please don't make me kill them!
Anyhoo, I'm on the third page for chappie two of the sequel. I've got the day off of school tomorrow. Yay! My exams are completed! Double YAY!
Review again!