The Egyptian sun was setting by the time the four of them had uncovered most of the millennium stone. Rishid had found the ankh and the scale. Isis had uncovered her tauk, as well as Yugi's millennium puzzle. Malik found his rod and the millennium eye. And Ryou Bakura sat holding the cold, empty ring.
"That's the last one." He smiled, pressing the gold against his chest as though he wanted to keep it warm. "…When can we begin?"
"As soon as you are ready." Isis answered. She exchanged worried glances with Rishid and Malik. They both held their tongues. "But remember, Ryou. Once you cross into the afterworld, they will not see you or even sense you unless you call them by name. You will be safe. If you do, however, they will be free to punish you for your intrusion."
Ryou nodded softly, his hand instinctively patting his left pocket. His yami's dueling deck was inside, along with the necklace his father had also brought back from Egypt.
"I understand, Isis." He stood up slowly, and walked over to the millennium stone. "And thank you."
"You are welcome." She whispered back, following him.
Ryou carefully placed the millennium ring in the center of the stone tablet. Taking the millennium items from the other three Egyptians, he placed them one at a time in the stone.
"There…" he breathed a nervous sigh. "That should do it."
"Very well." Isis nodded. "Millennium stone. Open a gateway to the world beyond, so that this visitor might pass, undetected, into the realm of the gods."
She knelt by the stone, and offered her prayers. Malik and Rishid bowed their heads in mutual respect. Ryou took a step forward as well.
A white light emanated from the stone, engulfing Ryou Bakura. His body gave off a faint glow for a few moments, before it collapsed lifelessly to the ground. Malik and Rishid rushed closer. However, they failed to catch the pale frame before it smashed into the stones.
His spirit separated, floating translucent above the body. Ryou had scarcely enough time to realize he had actually become a disembodied spirit before the stone pulled him inside. In another instant, he was gone.
"What happened?" Malik asked, picking up Ryou's body, and holding it tightly in his arms.
"Is he alive?" Rishid asked.
Isis slowly rose, and placed her fingers on Ryou's neck.
"He is still alive. Though, barely." She answered. "His spirit has left his body."
"Then we must keep it safe until it returns." Malik quickly responded. It was tradition, after all. The spirit must have a perfect body to return to, just as a pharaoh's body must remain in the best condition possible to properly make the journey into the western kingdom.
"Yes. That is our duty." Isis nodded her assent. "Did you speak with the former host of the pharaoh?"
"Yes." He nodded back. "But he will not arrive for some time."
"Still, it will be important." She smiled. "Who better to help this young man grieve for such loss, than someone who has experienced the exact same thing?"
Rishid and Malik agreed, their attention focused on the unconscious body of Ryou Bakura. Silently, they all wished his spirit a safe passage.