Chapter 21: The Final Battle

Juliana walked out of the cave and saw Vash laying on the ground where she had left him. She sighed a bit and gently shook him. "Vash. Vash, come on get up."

"Mmmm...what?" He slowly got up and looked around. "Wow...must've tired myself out with spells trying to get through that shield. Find anything?"

"Heh...yeah but...wait a minute." She looked up at the sky and noticed it was completely black. The sun was under an eclipse. "Something's wrong..."

"Huh?" Vash stood up and looked around. "It's still the middle of the night isn't it?"

She shook her head. "It's the middle of the afternoon...we have to get back to the palace, quick. Summon your ka."

"Right." Vash put his hands together as a blackish aura surrounded him. The black dragon with red eyes appeared in front of them and roared loudly as Vash and Juliana jumped on its back. They flew over the desert in the darkened sky until they saw smoke and fire ahead of them. The majority of their city, their home, had been destroyed. "May the gods have mercy on our souls..."

Juliana scanned the sky and the city below when she saw a large dark figure approaching the palace. It was a large black fiend-type creature that was far taller than even the city gates. Large thick horns came out from its head on tops, sides and even bottom. It also had large black wings and what seemed to be another head coming from its stomach, this one like a black dragon with a long neck and piercing yellow eyes to match the head of the body it was attached to. "Oh no...it's Zork Necrophadius..."

"Who?"

"When the seven Millennium Items were created in Kuruelna, a cursed tablet was also created. This tablet contained specially fitted spots for each item to be inserted into. According to legend, when all of the items are placed on that stone, the one who places them there will be given the power of shadows by the evil god Zork Necrophadius of the afterworld."

"But in order for someone to do that, he would have to get all seven of them from the priests and the Pharaoh, right?"

"Oh no...we must find them, Vash! Hurry!"

They flew quickly and low toward the palace, hoping the fiend wouldn't detect them. Once they were over the palace grounds the searched around for anyone they recognized when they saw Mana carrying a weakened Pharaoh Atem toward the palace. The dragon landed and they ran toward him.

"Mana! Pharaoh!" Juliana yelled as they approached them.

Mana quickly looked up and managed a smile. "Juliana! Vash! About time you two showed up!"

"By the gods...what's happened here, Mana?" Vash took the Pharaoh off Mana and gently set him on the ground.

Juliana looked around at the rumble and saw Chira huddled against a building, crying with the Millennium Key hugged close to her. "Chira?"

"I would leave her alone...we've been through a lot."

"Tell us everything, Mana..."

And she did...Naru arrived not long after Mana had began. A few days ago Mahado had left with a few guards to trap the theif Bakura. He was lost in the middle of a dark duel...and Bakura gained control of his Millennium Ring. Not long after that Bakura came back to the palace to retrieve the other items, but the Pharaoh summoned the strength of the Egyptian God Slifer the Sky Dragon. But even he was no match for Bakura's Diabound. Slifer fell, and the Millennium Puzzle fell into Bakura's hands. Things only went downhill from there...eventually all the priests except for Seto fell into the shadows, and gave their strength to Atem. None of us were taking this news well...Vash had trouble taking anything in...

Vash dropped to his knees and stared at nothing. "Isis...no...she can't be gone...she can't..."

"Get ahold of yourself, Vash! We have to be strong right now!" Naru said as she went over to Chira to comfort her.

"Naru is right...the sacrifice of our friends should not be in vain...there is a way to defeat Zork I know there is..." Chira said between sobs.

"Mana, where is Priest Seto now?"

She motioned toward the front gates. "Fighting Zork..."

"By himself!" Juliana began running toward the gates when she suddenly stopped.

A large white dragon with blue eyes rose into the sky and roared loudly at Zork. Its mouth opened wide and it fired a bright blueish light blast at him, knocking him down. The eclipse slowly moved away, bringing the sunlight back over Egypt. The remaining guards around the palace grounds cheered on the great dragon when suddenly the long head of Zork shot up and grabbed the dragon by its neck. Zork stood up and grabbed the white dragon's head and tore it from its neck. Everyone gasped as the dragon disappeared and the darkness returned.

"Seto!" Juliana yelled. She quickly ran to the palace gates.

"Mana! Take the Pharaoh back to the palace and watch over him! We'll take care of this!" Vash said. He, Naru and Chira ran after Juliana, their Millennium Items glowing brightly as they prepared for battle.

Juliana ran out into the rubbled city and saw Priest Seto laying on the ground. She quickly fell to her knees and checked his pulse. "Still alive...hang in there, Seto..." She slowly stood up and faced the dark god as the others ran up behind her. They all looked up at Zork as he smirked down at them.

"If it isn't the little children. Go back to the sand pit where you all belong..."

"Not before we are rid of you!" Vash shouted pointing his sword up.

Their Millennium Items began to glow as their spirit ka appeared around them, also preparing to attack. Everyone drew their weapons and began running toward Zork.

Most people have a point in their lives where time seems to stand still...this was one of those moments. It seemed like we were all running in slow motion as Zork prepared a blast from both of his heads. The last thing I remember is a bright light...then darkness...