Twill: My goodness, another shocking wave of reviews! And I apologize
profusely for keeping you waiting! My darn writer's block went on a huge
spree and prevented any ideas and then all my teachers decided to dump
homework on me. But I know you don't want to hear excuses so I'll shut up
and get to the story. This chapter's in Ryou's point of view, like so many
of you requested ^.^ No romance as of yet, but certainly angst. Enjoy!
Seth: Twill does not own Yu-Gi-Oh or any of its characters, plots etc. She likes to think she does but she really doesn't
/blah/ = hikari thoughts
//blah// = yami thoughts
~blah~ = Change of Heart thoughts/words etc.
-blah- = Dragon Ra thoughts/words etc.
{blah} = Dark Magician thoughts/words etc.
Yaoi between Bakura and Ryou...implied for now. Yeah, I know it hasn't expanded much on the subject but it will...I hope...
---
Porcelain World: Broken and Glued
---
The mirror swam before my eyes and along with it my horrific image. Before it had all been a dream and now...now it was a nightmare. With one hand braced against the doorframe, to keep myself from falling, I relived the images I had seen, and heard the story Bakura had spoken.
"I was dueling the Pharaoh in our final match... the Shadow Game would remain and he would surrender... My trump monster, the one I figured would win it all, was the Change of Heart." Even as the last word echoed through my numb mind, I mouthed it unison. Then the pictures became clearer and flashed quickly before my mind's eye.
The Millennium Puzzle.
The Millennium Ring.
Dark Magician.
Lady of Faith.
Pharaoh Yami.
Thief Bakura.
Change of Heart.
Six feathers, all but one black...
"Get out of my head.."
~But I though I was your favorite, my master~
My head shot up and back to the mirror's surface. It remarkably stopped spinning for that instant and I saw something which sent icy shivers down my spine. I was grinning demonically, as I watched, the feeling becoming apparent on my face. When had I ever smiled like that? I took a shaky step forward; one hand outstretched, and attempted to touch my image. It laughed; the harsh sound tearing its way from my throat.
~Too confusing for you little one? My apologies, I shall do better next time~ A tugging sensation began to make its presence known. It started at my wings and spread up and down my back. The feeling intensified until I was screaming in blinding pain upon my knees. Somehow, though, I managed to look up into my reflection and saw what was happening.
To this day I wish I hadn't.
Shoulders were separating from my own, carrying my wings along with them. Hair sprouted from the back of my skull, lengthening and changing color to golden amber. Soon this hair was followed by a separate head to which it was attached. I could feel my stomach, despite the pain, writhe with disgust. When I could take it no longer, I leaned further forward and wretched violently. But still my gaze returned to what was happening. The shoulders and half another now were joined by a neck, a torso extending beyond that. I glanced fearfully down at my hands and saw that I had twice as many fingers as before. This was the final circumstance which pushed me over the edge. The blackness creeping in at the corners of my mind and vision finally won over my consciousness and I passed out to a blank world of silence.
~I must apologize for the pain but I have not yet perfected the separation as I have the joining. Perhaps next time I shall try it in shadow, so as to lessen the agony some~
"Next...time?" The sound was virtually sucked from my mouth as I tried to peers through the darkness. Where was I?
~Of course. If I am to help my master, I must be able to protect him mustn't I?~
"Master? Protect? I don't understand..." Again my lungs felt as though something had snatched away the air those words contained. I found myself gasping for breath and coughing slightly.
~Do you know my identity?~ I nodded blindly, hoping I wasn't doing it toward an area of blank space. ~Then that should be all the comprehension you require! I am your monster, sworn to protect my master from all harm and that is what I come to do~
"Protect me...from what?"
~Madness~ Finally I could make out the card's form before me, albeit blurry. I squinted in hopes of seeing better but it didn't help. ~I notice you have trouble speaking here...perhaps if you try your mental speech, it will work better~
"Alright..but explain."
~There is an unbalance and I merely wish to correct it before chaos spreads to this world~ I shifted until I was sitting semi-comfortably, looking up at it.
/And how do you plan to do that?/
~With your help~
/Me? What can I do? I'm worthless, just ask my yami. He doesn't think I'm anything special, just some sort of inanimate object.../ I paused and went over the words I had just thought. Bakura had changed hadn't he? Did I still believe he looked down upon me? I wasn't sure..I felt something nudging at my mind and realized my yami could hear my thoughts. Swiftly I blocked my half of the link, not wanting him to take me as insane since it would seem as though I was talking to myself. A wave of sorrow washed over me then, for I knew he had heard what I had thought about him. Was that really what I felt?
~You are far more important that you give yourself credit, little master. I fear your yami may have been corrupted by the disorder, for he is closer to darkness than you. He may be trying to lower your confidence and convince you that you hold no value. Do not believe him, child. You are far stronger that he realizes~
/But...what can I do? And I still don't understand what's happening/ I tried not to think about Bakura as he had been, but it heartened me to know that all he had said and done may have been because of an outside influence. There was still hope for-
~The monsters of the Shadow Realm are beginning to amass on the side of darkness. Even ones normally on the side of goodness, such as the Mystical Elf, are turning toward evil. If it continues this way, the balance will be broken and the monsters may be able to come to your world~
I stared in shock for a moment. Duel monsters wreaking havoc on human civilization was a lot to swallow and none of it good. /What about you? Aren't you affected by this change?/
~Fortunately I am not. Since I am the embodiment of eternal balance, I cannot be swayed to either side. As such, it is my duty to correct this trouble and I require you, Ryou~ We locked eyes and I shivered. Everything about this whole business scared me; I suppose because I'm a hikari. When faced with overwhelming darkness in the face of a small light, who wouldn't be frightened?
/Will I be able to save Bakura?/
~It is uncertain at this time, young one. I wish very much that he can be recovered but I cannot say now. He may be lost in the chaos too completely~
/I..I understand/
~You must be wary of the Shadow Realm. With this upset, it may be able to extend itself to your realm without the use of a magical talisman or item. There will be monsters within its depths that will seek to destroy you, lest their power be removed. One such being is the Dark Magician of the Pharaoh~
/Yami's favorite? But, he's always been on our side!/
~Chaos does not discriminate between friends and enemies, it merely consumes. We have one ally for certain, however. The mind enslaver's pet god, the Dragon Ra, has pledged his support and is clean of disorder. There are others out there that will also lend their strength to you, for us~
/Us.../ My head began to pound and I lost sight of my favorite. The world, or whatever, melted together forming and inkiness which was unparallel to any other darkness I'd yet witnessed. Pain flared through my body sending bolts of red and white through the black backdrop I could see. I suddenly felt the hard floor beneath me and wondered why I hadn't noticed its absence throughout the conversation. After a few more seconds of simply lying there, I cracked open my eyes only to scrunch them shut again an instant later. The world was bright! Gradually, though, I managed to become accustomed to the change and slowly say up. Every inch of my back ached with a dull throbbing flame, but it was a tickle compared to what I'd felt earlier. Feathers littered the ground all around where I sat; some were clumped together with some sort of substance. I gingerly reached out and brought a bunch closer for inspection. Pulling them apart, I quickly discovered what it was which glued them together.
Blood.
My blood.
It was then that I noticed the abundance which surrounded me. It was pooled in many places, some even smeared along the wall in a crimson splatter. I felt my stomach wrench upwards and I spilled its contents out; letting is mix with the blood. I couldn't stand it, sitting here like this amidst my own bodily fluids, but I couldn't move either. Something lukewarm dripped down my neck before the sensation was lost in my burning back. With apprehension, I felt back along my spine. The prodding resulted in numbing agony which sent my questing fingers back in shock. But before they retreated, I had felt all that I needed to be sick again. My sweater was shredded and a long, spine length tear ran from the base of my neck down to where my pants began and most likely beyond that. I wasn't sure of how deep it was, but its existence was not reassuring. There were also two gaping holes where the wings had been. That set my disgust aback for a moment. I was no longer the human image of the duel monster.
However, there seemed to be more pressing matters at hand. I struggled weakly (and painfully) to my feet, clinging desperately to the bathroom sink for support. Before I could think about it, I looked in the mirror and saw what a pathetic mess I was. Blood matted my hair into odd shaped clumps, my sweater was practically a rag and I look as though I hadn't slept in a few days. Not a pretty sight in the least. I decided my first order of business was to clean up, both myself and the wounds I had somehow gained. Hot water soon sent steam coursing through the small room and I climbed into the wonderfully hot spray. Of course once I turned it wasn't so wonderful anymore. More white hot pain lanced through my already aching body and I had to turn the pressure down. I let the water wash away the blood, the water staining red around my feet. After a few minutes I decided I was probably clean enough. Now I had to bandage the cuts and probably put some disinfectant on them as well. That would be so much fun.
I pulled out my personal first aid kit from beneath my bed. I'd always kept one there in case of...well that was all in the past. Wasn't it? I couldn't be sure. I found some cream and began smearing it over all the places I could reach. I knew that I should probably go to a hospital but how would I explain this? Yes, excuse me sir, a duel monster just ripped its way out of me and I was wondering if you could sew up what's left of my back, thanks. Unrolling some long gauze bandages, I set to work wrapping my torso as tightly as I could while still being able to move and breathe properly. It took most of the three rolls I had. I guess I'd have to make a shopping trip for more before I needed to change them. I sighed.
The events of the day began to catch up with me, not to mention I'd lost quite a bit of blood. No matter, I'd clean that up soon enough but first I needed to sit down. Upon doing so I quite simply passed out, unable to hold myself awake in this weakened state. I found myself within my soul room, like I usual did when falling asleep. I crawled over to the bed in the middle and quietly laid down to rest. But something kept me from truly drifting off. I tossed and turned and dozed for awhile but something was missing or wrong. I couldn't place my finger on what though.
Deciding I'd had enough, I tried to wake up but found that I couldn't. I mused that I probably was still too weak to be conscious just yet. So where did that leave me? I could try and fall asleep again but something told me that wouldn't happen. So what else could I do here in my soul room? Wait..soul room? I'd go and visit Bakura, that's what I could do. With this new plan in mind, I hurried out and looked around at the corridor between out rooms. His door was closed, no surprise, and I reached out hesitantly and knocked. No answer.
"Bakura?" I winced expecting him to shout at me for disturbing his sanctuary. No response came from within. "Yami?" I hesitantly tried the doorknob, hoping it was unlocked. By some miracle it was and the door slid open smoothly. I cautiously peeked inside against the darkness that swelled within. It was impossible to make out the shape of anything let alone see if my darker half was inside. Placing one foot in front of the other, I quietly stepped in and shut the door behind me, waiting for my eyes o adjust. There was something familiar about this room somehow, as though I'd been there before which wasn't possible. Bakura would never let me into his soul room. A cold breeze blew by and I shivered slightly. Why was it so cold and dark? The answer nagged at my mind but I couldn't figure out what it was so I just ignored it. "Are you here?"
-Who asks?-
I jumped in surprise. That voice or whatever it was didn't belong to my yami. "Who are you and why are you in Bakura's soul room?"
-I'm not. I, thankfully, have my own body now and no longer have any need for your yami's. Although I am still after another-
"Who are you?"
-Wait...you are the hikari of the ring are you not?-
"I...am, yes."
-Ah! I should have known!- A shape swirled in the blackness before me. It resembled a human, who looked a lot like both my yami and Malik mixed into one, and seemed to be more...draconic? -I am the golden dragon, little one. Your companion's favorite card and sworn protector of the peace you offer.- The image grinned.
"Malik's god card?" I couldn't understand why he was hear instead of Bakura and why he looked completely different from the card.
-Yes, the Dragon Ra. I assume your favorite has told you of our mission?- I nodded mutely. -Then you know I mean no harm-
"Where's Bakura?"
-I...have not seen him, little one.-
"Why are you in here anyway?"
-I was summoned through the ring, so that I may protect you. His soul was the one I felt most comfortable in but I will leave if you wish.-
I shook my head absently, not wanting to cause any problems. But I wondered where my yami was. Perhaps...I smacked my forehead in realization. He was in control of my body, which meant he wouldn't be in is soul room. That explained why I was even allowed in here in the first place. This meant I'd better leave before I was caught. "Um, thanks. I'd better go now...the real world calls." I waved and scooted backwards and out the door I'd come in.
-Farewell for now little light. I will see you again very soon and perhaps with my vessel in tow as well.- The Dragon Ra smirked darkly and faded away into the blackness, his cold eyes disappearing last.
I opened my eyes slowly to the mid-afternoon sun that was splayed across my face in a puddle. I stretched dazedly before remembering that I shouldn't because of my injuries. But, the thing was, it didn't hurt. I sat up and carefully prodded along my spine only to find skin. Whole, pale, normal skin. And my shoulders, too, were completely unscathed. The day was getting more and more confusing by the second and I just wanted things to return to normal. Sighing heavily, I stood to clean the mess in the bathroom but something dropped from my lap that I had failed to notice.
Six feathers; the three from the night of the dream and the three from school, all floated down to the carpet.
I swallowed. Two of them were completely black, one was grey and the other three remained pure, glaring white. I had thought there were only three, and that maybe I had imagined them, but as I looked at them I was forced to believe everything was real. I was forced to accept my yami's past, his duels with Yami, his cruelty after receiving the ring. I was forced to admit that I had a god duel monster watching over me, my favorite card trying to save my world and that I was taking regular trips to the shadow realm. I was forced to face reality.
It wasn't that I had thought everything was a dream or something in my imagination. But when you're faced with something so impossible or crazy that you know it couldn't actually happen, despite knowing that it is, you tend to make it fantasy. Now I'd lost that shield and the actuality came crashing down upon my mind and spirit. I sank back into the couch trying to make sense of everything as delusional as it was. I glanced down at my lap, at the six feathers, and gasped. One of the remaining white ones had become shaded to a light grey. I wanted to know what this all meant; what these all meant.
I picked up one of the white feathers and twirled it between my fingers. It felt like a regular feather and nothing special happened. Next, I toyed with one of the grey ones. Again, nothing spectacular happened. Lastly I twisted one of the ebony ones. Images came rushing to my mind- soldiers and mages, kings and queens all marching into battle, with a blazing banner behind them of lavender and gold. The enemy was grotesque and malformed, looking as though they came from nightmares. Their flag whipped about in the wind; it was scarlet and black, a twisting vortex that looked ready to swallow anything. The two forces converged and...
//Ryou...// I snapped out of my vision as I dropped the feather in surprise. Had I just imagined Bakura's voice or was it real? //R-you...// My head shot up and I automatically scanned the room for him even though I knew he couldn't be there. Sure enough, I was still alone.
/Yami? What is it? Where are you?/
//So...cold...//
/Yami? Bakura?!/
//Can't...much...Ryou../
I desperately tried to probe deeper into our connection. Where was his spirit and what was it facing? I was met only with static, like the kind you see when your television isn't receiving a signal. It took no less than a moment before I had to break off or I'd end up being sick. Apparently I wasn't fully recovered.
//Change...of..heart...//
/...what?/ I knew that he couldn't be saying what I'd heard but the coincidence was astonishing. And it freaked me out. His voice whispered something else faintly before completely cutting out and leaving my in silence, both inside and out. I was beginning to hate silence. /Yami?/ No response. /Bakura!/ Nothing. I was completely cut off from him mentally. Hastily, I returned to my soul room, sprinted across to his door and wrenched it open. "Bakura!" There was no sign of his presence and no sign of the blackness that had been within earlier. In fact, it appeared that the chamber had been ransacked. Various items were strewn about, some broken, others scratched. I couldn't face the destruction and jerked myself back to reality.
It seemed I was now completely alone.
---
Twill: Aww, poor Ryou-chan! *sobs and sniffles* Well, there's the chapter. I hope you all enjoyed it. Let me know your votes for the next POV and hopefully I won't take so long updating.
Malichi: That's what you think *snickers*
Twill: *pushes him out of the fic with a sigh* Read and review! -.-;
Seth: Twill does not own Yu-Gi-Oh or any of its characters, plots etc. She likes to think she does but she really doesn't
/blah/ = hikari thoughts
//blah// = yami thoughts
~blah~ = Change of Heart thoughts/words etc.
-blah- = Dragon Ra thoughts/words etc.
{blah} = Dark Magician thoughts/words etc.
Yaoi between Bakura and Ryou...implied for now. Yeah, I know it hasn't expanded much on the subject but it will...I hope...
---
Porcelain World: Broken and Glued
---
The mirror swam before my eyes and along with it my horrific image. Before it had all been a dream and now...now it was a nightmare. With one hand braced against the doorframe, to keep myself from falling, I relived the images I had seen, and heard the story Bakura had spoken.
"I was dueling the Pharaoh in our final match... the Shadow Game would remain and he would surrender... My trump monster, the one I figured would win it all, was the Change of Heart." Even as the last word echoed through my numb mind, I mouthed it unison. Then the pictures became clearer and flashed quickly before my mind's eye.
The Millennium Puzzle.
The Millennium Ring.
Dark Magician.
Lady of Faith.
Pharaoh Yami.
Thief Bakura.
Change of Heart.
Six feathers, all but one black...
"Get out of my head.."
~But I though I was your favorite, my master~
My head shot up and back to the mirror's surface. It remarkably stopped spinning for that instant and I saw something which sent icy shivers down my spine. I was grinning demonically, as I watched, the feeling becoming apparent on my face. When had I ever smiled like that? I took a shaky step forward; one hand outstretched, and attempted to touch my image. It laughed; the harsh sound tearing its way from my throat.
~Too confusing for you little one? My apologies, I shall do better next time~ A tugging sensation began to make its presence known. It started at my wings and spread up and down my back. The feeling intensified until I was screaming in blinding pain upon my knees. Somehow, though, I managed to look up into my reflection and saw what was happening.
To this day I wish I hadn't.
Shoulders were separating from my own, carrying my wings along with them. Hair sprouted from the back of my skull, lengthening and changing color to golden amber. Soon this hair was followed by a separate head to which it was attached. I could feel my stomach, despite the pain, writhe with disgust. When I could take it no longer, I leaned further forward and wretched violently. But still my gaze returned to what was happening. The shoulders and half another now were joined by a neck, a torso extending beyond that. I glanced fearfully down at my hands and saw that I had twice as many fingers as before. This was the final circumstance which pushed me over the edge. The blackness creeping in at the corners of my mind and vision finally won over my consciousness and I passed out to a blank world of silence.
~I must apologize for the pain but I have not yet perfected the separation as I have the joining. Perhaps next time I shall try it in shadow, so as to lessen the agony some~
"Next...time?" The sound was virtually sucked from my mouth as I tried to peers through the darkness. Where was I?
~Of course. If I am to help my master, I must be able to protect him mustn't I?~
"Master? Protect? I don't understand..." Again my lungs felt as though something had snatched away the air those words contained. I found myself gasping for breath and coughing slightly.
~Do you know my identity?~ I nodded blindly, hoping I wasn't doing it toward an area of blank space. ~Then that should be all the comprehension you require! I am your monster, sworn to protect my master from all harm and that is what I come to do~
"Protect me...from what?"
~Madness~ Finally I could make out the card's form before me, albeit blurry. I squinted in hopes of seeing better but it didn't help. ~I notice you have trouble speaking here...perhaps if you try your mental speech, it will work better~
"Alright..but explain."
~There is an unbalance and I merely wish to correct it before chaos spreads to this world~ I shifted until I was sitting semi-comfortably, looking up at it.
/And how do you plan to do that?/
~With your help~
/Me? What can I do? I'm worthless, just ask my yami. He doesn't think I'm anything special, just some sort of inanimate object.../ I paused and went over the words I had just thought. Bakura had changed hadn't he? Did I still believe he looked down upon me? I wasn't sure..I felt something nudging at my mind and realized my yami could hear my thoughts. Swiftly I blocked my half of the link, not wanting him to take me as insane since it would seem as though I was talking to myself. A wave of sorrow washed over me then, for I knew he had heard what I had thought about him. Was that really what I felt?
~You are far more important that you give yourself credit, little master. I fear your yami may have been corrupted by the disorder, for he is closer to darkness than you. He may be trying to lower your confidence and convince you that you hold no value. Do not believe him, child. You are far stronger that he realizes~
/But...what can I do? And I still don't understand what's happening/ I tried not to think about Bakura as he had been, but it heartened me to know that all he had said and done may have been because of an outside influence. There was still hope for-
~The monsters of the Shadow Realm are beginning to amass on the side of darkness. Even ones normally on the side of goodness, such as the Mystical Elf, are turning toward evil. If it continues this way, the balance will be broken and the monsters may be able to come to your world~
I stared in shock for a moment. Duel monsters wreaking havoc on human civilization was a lot to swallow and none of it good. /What about you? Aren't you affected by this change?/
~Fortunately I am not. Since I am the embodiment of eternal balance, I cannot be swayed to either side. As such, it is my duty to correct this trouble and I require you, Ryou~ We locked eyes and I shivered. Everything about this whole business scared me; I suppose because I'm a hikari. When faced with overwhelming darkness in the face of a small light, who wouldn't be frightened?
/Will I be able to save Bakura?/
~It is uncertain at this time, young one. I wish very much that he can be recovered but I cannot say now. He may be lost in the chaos too completely~
/I..I understand/
~You must be wary of the Shadow Realm. With this upset, it may be able to extend itself to your realm without the use of a magical talisman or item. There will be monsters within its depths that will seek to destroy you, lest their power be removed. One such being is the Dark Magician of the Pharaoh~
/Yami's favorite? But, he's always been on our side!/
~Chaos does not discriminate between friends and enemies, it merely consumes. We have one ally for certain, however. The mind enslaver's pet god, the Dragon Ra, has pledged his support and is clean of disorder. There are others out there that will also lend their strength to you, for us~
/Us.../ My head began to pound and I lost sight of my favorite. The world, or whatever, melted together forming and inkiness which was unparallel to any other darkness I'd yet witnessed. Pain flared through my body sending bolts of red and white through the black backdrop I could see. I suddenly felt the hard floor beneath me and wondered why I hadn't noticed its absence throughout the conversation. After a few more seconds of simply lying there, I cracked open my eyes only to scrunch them shut again an instant later. The world was bright! Gradually, though, I managed to become accustomed to the change and slowly say up. Every inch of my back ached with a dull throbbing flame, but it was a tickle compared to what I'd felt earlier. Feathers littered the ground all around where I sat; some were clumped together with some sort of substance. I gingerly reached out and brought a bunch closer for inspection. Pulling them apart, I quickly discovered what it was which glued them together.
Blood.
My blood.
It was then that I noticed the abundance which surrounded me. It was pooled in many places, some even smeared along the wall in a crimson splatter. I felt my stomach wrench upwards and I spilled its contents out; letting is mix with the blood. I couldn't stand it, sitting here like this amidst my own bodily fluids, but I couldn't move either. Something lukewarm dripped down my neck before the sensation was lost in my burning back. With apprehension, I felt back along my spine. The prodding resulted in numbing agony which sent my questing fingers back in shock. But before they retreated, I had felt all that I needed to be sick again. My sweater was shredded and a long, spine length tear ran from the base of my neck down to where my pants began and most likely beyond that. I wasn't sure of how deep it was, but its existence was not reassuring. There were also two gaping holes where the wings had been. That set my disgust aback for a moment. I was no longer the human image of the duel monster.
However, there seemed to be more pressing matters at hand. I struggled weakly (and painfully) to my feet, clinging desperately to the bathroom sink for support. Before I could think about it, I looked in the mirror and saw what a pathetic mess I was. Blood matted my hair into odd shaped clumps, my sweater was practically a rag and I look as though I hadn't slept in a few days. Not a pretty sight in the least. I decided my first order of business was to clean up, both myself and the wounds I had somehow gained. Hot water soon sent steam coursing through the small room and I climbed into the wonderfully hot spray. Of course once I turned it wasn't so wonderful anymore. More white hot pain lanced through my already aching body and I had to turn the pressure down. I let the water wash away the blood, the water staining red around my feet. After a few minutes I decided I was probably clean enough. Now I had to bandage the cuts and probably put some disinfectant on them as well. That would be so much fun.
I pulled out my personal first aid kit from beneath my bed. I'd always kept one there in case of...well that was all in the past. Wasn't it? I couldn't be sure. I found some cream and began smearing it over all the places I could reach. I knew that I should probably go to a hospital but how would I explain this? Yes, excuse me sir, a duel monster just ripped its way out of me and I was wondering if you could sew up what's left of my back, thanks. Unrolling some long gauze bandages, I set to work wrapping my torso as tightly as I could while still being able to move and breathe properly. It took most of the three rolls I had. I guess I'd have to make a shopping trip for more before I needed to change them. I sighed.
The events of the day began to catch up with me, not to mention I'd lost quite a bit of blood. No matter, I'd clean that up soon enough but first I needed to sit down. Upon doing so I quite simply passed out, unable to hold myself awake in this weakened state. I found myself within my soul room, like I usual did when falling asleep. I crawled over to the bed in the middle and quietly laid down to rest. But something kept me from truly drifting off. I tossed and turned and dozed for awhile but something was missing or wrong. I couldn't place my finger on what though.
Deciding I'd had enough, I tried to wake up but found that I couldn't. I mused that I probably was still too weak to be conscious just yet. So where did that leave me? I could try and fall asleep again but something told me that wouldn't happen. So what else could I do here in my soul room? Wait..soul room? I'd go and visit Bakura, that's what I could do. With this new plan in mind, I hurried out and looked around at the corridor between out rooms. His door was closed, no surprise, and I reached out hesitantly and knocked. No answer.
"Bakura?" I winced expecting him to shout at me for disturbing his sanctuary. No response came from within. "Yami?" I hesitantly tried the doorknob, hoping it was unlocked. By some miracle it was and the door slid open smoothly. I cautiously peeked inside against the darkness that swelled within. It was impossible to make out the shape of anything let alone see if my darker half was inside. Placing one foot in front of the other, I quietly stepped in and shut the door behind me, waiting for my eyes o adjust. There was something familiar about this room somehow, as though I'd been there before which wasn't possible. Bakura would never let me into his soul room. A cold breeze blew by and I shivered slightly. Why was it so cold and dark? The answer nagged at my mind but I couldn't figure out what it was so I just ignored it. "Are you here?"
-Who asks?-
I jumped in surprise. That voice or whatever it was didn't belong to my yami. "Who are you and why are you in Bakura's soul room?"
-I'm not. I, thankfully, have my own body now and no longer have any need for your yami's. Although I am still after another-
"Who are you?"
-Wait...you are the hikari of the ring are you not?-
"I...am, yes."
-Ah! I should have known!- A shape swirled in the blackness before me. It resembled a human, who looked a lot like both my yami and Malik mixed into one, and seemed to be more...draconic? -I am the golden dragon, little one. Your companion's favorite card and sworn protector of the peace you offer.- The image grinned.
"Malik's god card?" I couldn't understand why he was hear instead of Bakura and why he looked completely different from the card.
-Yes, the Dragon Ra. I assume your favorite has told you of our mission?- I nodded mutely. -Then you know I mean no harm-
"Where's Bakura?"
-I...have not seen him, little one.-
"Why are you in here anyway?"
-I was summoned through the ring, so that I may protect you. His soul was the one I felt most comfortable in but I will leave if you wish.-
I shook my head absently, not wanting to cause any problems. But I wondered where my yami was. Perhaps...I smacked my forehead in realization. He was in control of my body, which meant he wouldn't be in is soul room. That explained why I was even allowed in here in the first place. This meant I'd better leave before I was caught. "Um, thanks. I'd better go now...the real world calls." I waved and scooted backwards and out the door I'd come in.
-Farewell for now little light. I will see you again very soon and perhaps with my vessel in tow as well.- The Dragon Ra smirked darkly and faded away into the blackness, his cold eyes disappearing last.
I opened my eyes slowly to the mid-afternoon sun that was splayed across my face in a puddle. I stretched dazedly before remembering that I shouldn't because of my injuries. But, the thing was, it didn't hurt. I sat up and carefully prodded along my spine only to find skin. Whole, pale, normal skin. And my shoulders, too, were completely unscathed. The day was getting more and more confusing by the second and I just wanted things to return to normal. Sighing heavily, I stood to clean the mess in the bathroom but something dropped from my lap that I had failed to notice.
Six feathers; the three from the night of the dream and the three from school, all floated down to the carpet.
I swallowed. Two of them were completely black, one was grey and the other three remained pure, glaring white. I had thought there were only three, and that maybe I had imagined them, but as I looked at them I was forced to believe everything was real. I was forced to accept my yami's past, his duels with Yami, his cruelty after receiving the ring. I was forced to admit that I had a god duel monster watching over me, my favorite card trying to save my world and that I was taking regular trips to the shadow realm. I was forced to face reality.
It wasn't that I had thought everything was a dream or something in my imagination. But when you're faced with something so impossible or crazy that you know it couldn't actually happen, despite knowing that it is, you tend to make it fantasy. Now I'd lost that shield and the actuality came crashing down upon my mind and spirit. I sank back into the couch trying to make sense of everything as delusional as it was. I glanced down at my lap, at the six feathers, and gasped. One of the remaining white ones had become shaded to a light grey. I wanted to know what this all meant; what these all meant.
I picked up one of the white feathers and twirled it between my fingers. It felt like a regular feather and nothing special happened. Next, I toyed with one of the grey ones. Again, nothing spectacular happened. Lastly I twisted one of the ebony ones. Images came rushing to my mind- soldiers and mages, kings and queens all marching into battle, with a blazing banner behind them of lavender and gold. The enemy was grotesque and malformed, looking as though they came from nightmares. Their flag whipped about in the wind; it was scarlet and black, a twisting vortex that looked ready to swallow anything. The two forces converged and...
//Ryou...// I snapped out of my vision as I dropped the feather in surprise. Had I just imagined Bakura's voice or was it real? //R-you...// My head shot up and I automatically scanned the room for him even though I knew he couldn't be there. Sure enough, I was still alone.
/Yami? What is it? Where are you?/
//So...cold...//
/Yami? Bakura?!/
//Can't...much...Ryou../
I desperately tried to probe deeper into our connection. Where was his spirit and what was it facing? I was met only with static, like the kind you see when your television isn't receiving a signal. It took no less than a moment before I had to break off or I'd end up being sick. Apparently I wasn't fully recovered.
//Change...of..heart...//
/...what?/ I knew that he couldn't be saying what I'd heard but the coincidence was astonishing. And it freaked me out. His voice whispered something else faintly before completely cutting out and leaving my in silence, both inside and out. I was beginning to hate silence. /Yami?/ No response. /Bakura!/ Nothing. I was completely cut off from him mentally. Hastily, I returned to my soul room, sprinted across to his door and wrenched it open. "Bakura!" There was no sign of his presence and no sign of the blackness that had been within earlier. In fact, it appeared that the chamber had been ransacked. Various items were strewn about, some broken, others scratched. I couldn't face the destruction and jerked myself back to reality.
It seemed I was now completely alone.
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Twill: Aww, poor Ryou-chan! *sobs and sniffles* Well, there's the chapter. I hope you all enjoyed it. Let me know your votes for the next POV and hopefully I won't take so long updating.
Malichi: That's what you think *snickers*
Twill: *pushes him out of the fic with a sigh* Read and review! -.-;