Authors Note: I'm still here! Not going anywhere yet, haha! Thank you for reading it this far, I really appreciate it. As ever, if you're feeling spectacularly generous, I'd appreciate any feedback. I've been out the loop of writing fan fiction for a while, so its always nice to know if I'm doing at least something right. Hope you enjoy and i'll hopefully be updating again soon. Xx

Chapter 43

Hina wasn't sure how long she'd been walking for. It felt like hours, but also felt like no time at all. The darkness pressed against her eyes almost blindingly. If she lifted her hand up in front of her face, she couldn't see it. It was hard to know whether her eyes were even open. Hina forced herself onwards, lost within the dark. She was afraid and that fear only grew more tangible with every shaking step forwards she made. Her frantically beating heart and shallow breathing seemed to be the only sound as she continued on. Hina felt a sudden new texture beneath her foot as she stepped forwards. She frowned as she stepped fully upon this new texture. It was soft and grainy, her feet sinking into it as the coarse substance ran over the tops of her toes. Hina continued walking, more cautiously now, her pace slowing carefully. Hina blinked, surprised. It was as if she had just stepped out from a curtain. One second, she was shrouded in pitch black, the next second, she was bathed in hot sunlight. Hina turned on the spot, lifting a hand to shade her eyes from an impervious sun.

Hina saw white hot sand for miles around her. It was as if she had stepped right out into the desert, nothing around her for miles. She could already feel herself weakening under the scorching sun, the sand beneath her toes blistering. Hina gritted her teeth against the pain. Where was she? And why was this in her soul? Hina frowned, knowing instantly this was not her soul. This was his. The spirits. Was he doing this to her on purpose? Did he even know she was here or was this all some trick upon her? Hina made a decision quickly. She forced herself to walk forwards, wincing with every step against the scorching white sand. Her mouth was growing insanely dry as she walked, she could feel sweat upon her brow and trickling down her body. It took a lot of resolve to remember that none of this was real, not really. It was all within her mind. Hina blinked in the heat, her eyes narrowing. She could see something shimmering in the distance. Was it a mirage, or was it real? Was there really something within this expanse of nothingness? Hina decided she had no other option than to check it out. What else could she do when there was nothing else around her. She altered her direction slightly, heading towards the rippling vision.

It came as a pleasant surprise to Hina, the closer she got, the more she was convinced it was real. She could make out small square structures built into the sandstone hills. Hina tried to increase her pace, desperate to find shelter from the sweltering sun. Her feet seared with pain as she forced herself to continue. As she approached, the village became clearer and more apparent to Hina. She could easily tell this wasn't a lavish, wealthy community. The buildings weren't in the best of conditions and were simple in design. Hina didn't care, she desired nothing more than to sit in the shade of one of them and hopefully find water. How was something inside her mind so painful? It felt impossibly real and that frightened Hina above anything else. Was it possible for her soul to die here, and what would happen if it did? Hina reached the edge of the village and felt her strength waver. She buckled, her knees crashing into the blistering sand, her fingers curling into the heat. She closed her eyes and remained on all fours, desperately trying to regain any remaining strength.

"Hello, do you need a hand?" A female voice spoke from above Hina. Hina started, throwing herself back in alarm. She hadn't expected to hear anybody in this vast landscape, least of all a relatively friendly one. She looked up at the woman standing over her. She dressed in white draping fabric, covering the majority of her body, including her head. Grey eyes met Hina's and they were kind. The woman held a hand out to Hina, who took it after hesitating for a moment longer. The woman helped Hina to her feet with a smile.

"How long were you out in the desert for?" The woman asked kindly, holding out a strangely textured bottle. Hina took it from her and pulled the stopper out the top. She poured some of the liquid into her open mouth desperately. She lowered the bottle and handed it back to the woman apologetically. She wiped her mouth, wondering if she was even capable of speech after the sun exposure.

"I… I don't know," Hina managed to say, knowing full well she had no idea how long she'd been at the sun's mercy for. The woman smiled at her again.

"And dressed like that, you're lucky the gods didn't claim you," She sighed. She gestured for Hina to follow her. Hina hesitated again. She glanced around. There were a few people mingling around the small village that she could see, but none grew close enough for her to really examine. They seemed to be keeping themselves back, away from her. She was a stranger here. Hina licked her lips, feeling her mouth was already dry again. She nodded at the woman and fell into line beside her.

They wandered through the streets for a short while. Hina couldn't help but examine the place as she walked around it. The buildings were as she'd first suspected. They were basic and simple, but they were less derelict than she'd first thought. She could see, through the small square windows built into them, fabrics fluttering in them as the sounds of typical family life spilled out through them. Hina couldn't help but feel all the more puzzled as she followed after the woman. How was this all created within a soul? It all felt so incredibly real, the people wandering the streets, stopping to talk to each other in hushed voices, felt so real. A small group of children ran across their path, forcing them to halt. Hina saw their smiling faces and heard the laughter from them as they chased about, dressed in simple light cloth. How was this a mere creation of a mind?

"Come, rest for a while," The woman spoke for the first time since they'd begun their journey. She was standing by one of the square buildings' open doorways. Hina nodded and followed the woman into the abode. Inside was small and it seemed to consist of just one room. In the centre was a small square of stone, the insides of which had a small pile of wood stacked up. There was a small table to the right of this, with two clumsily shaped benches. Hina saw, to the back of the room, two mats laid out upon the dusty floor, two misshapen and rough looking blankets upon them. Hina turned to the woman, who had busied herself by a counter next to the door.

"Where am I?" Hina asked curiously. Even in all her time out in the ruined city, beyond the King's City, she had never seen a place quite like this. The woman turned to her, a hunk of bread in her hand. She held the food out to Hina, who took it gratefully. The woman pulled the fabric from her head and placed it on the counter top, shaking out her dark hair.

"My name is Takhat, and this village is Kul Elna." She smiled, holding out a small cup to Hina. Hina took it from her and followed the woman over to the table, where she sat upon one of the benches. Hina took a bite of the bread. The name didn't mean anything to her. Hina couldn't help but examine the woman as she chewed on the tough bread. She looked kindly enough, her grey eyes bearing the signs of compassion. Hina had seen enough cruelty in her life to recognise a person's intentions within their eyes. This woman, Takhat, had a distinct motherly caring about her. Hina cast her eyes back over to the two mats upon the floor and wondered if this woman did have a child. Maybe one of the ones they'd seen playing outside.

"I'm surprised you've never heard of this village before," Takhat smiled wearily. Hina swallowed her bread and met her eyes.

"How come?" Hina asked

"Any strangers to our village react in fear upon hearing the name. Our people have a reputation." The woman smiled again, sighing. Hina gulped her water down before replying.

"Oh, how so?" She asked, unsure she wanted to know. What if she was in danger here?

"It's a village of thieves and criminals." Takhat said briefly, her eyes scanning the room rather than meeting Hina's. Hina thought for a second, frowning. Hadn't she herself been considered a thief or criminal by the King when she'd lived outside the King's City? She and Osamu had made it their lives' mission to steal from the King as supplies entered his city. She shrugged. It wasn't farfetched to think she'd fit in well in this place.

"Well, I'm not afraid," Hina said, straightening up. She met the woman's puzzled gaze.

"My name is Hina. Thank you, for your kindness. The truth is, I have no idea how I got here, or even where here really is…" Her voice trailed off. Hina was finding it harder and harder to remember none of this was real. This was some illusion, perhaps created by the spirit to distract her from her true goal. She had to regain control of her body. She had to fight him off and save her friends. Hina stood up from the table, making the woman jump.

"Thank you, very much, for your help. I truly appreciate it," Hina began, bowing her head, "But, I really must be going," Hina tried to walk away from the table, full of grim determination. She'd face the heat again. She'd face it and she'd win.

"Wait," The woman called after her. Hina turned as the woman approached her.

"It's no place for a young girl, out there alone," She spoke softly. Hina opened her mouth, ready to tell the woman there was nothing to worry about, that she'd lived through much worse, but she cut across her.

"You can't go dressed like that. Ra would claim you before you make it an hour."

Hina glanced down at herself. The dress was looking weathered and left too much skin on display. Takhat was right, the sun would burn her before she had a chance to challenge the spirit. Not to mention her feet were blistered and sore from the sand. Hina met the woman's eyes.

"Okay, you're right," She conceded.

"I'll happily provide you with outerwear and shoes, but it is best to travel by night," she said. Hina nodded, realising she would be no use to anyone should she perish in the soul desert.

Takhat quickly busied herself, collecting together new attire for Hina, providing her with more water to rehydrate her. She even insisted on treating Hina's sore feet, dousing them in a strange smelling ointment and wrapping them in coarse linen fabric. When she finished bandaging up Hina's second foot, a cry of excitement erupted outside and a child came hurtling into the room.

"Mother!" He cried out with a laugh. Hina started seeing a stream of white hair as the boy collided with the woman crouched on the floor next to her. Takhat laughed as the boy wrapped his arms around the woman. The boy released his hold as his mother regained herself. The boy's eyes turned to Hina and blinked. Hina stared at the boy curiously.

"Who's she?" He demanded suspiciously. Hina frowned. The dark skin, and white hair was familiar to her. She saw his grey eyes narrow and with a sickening jolt, Hina realised just who she was staring at. She froze up as the woman smiled at her son.

"This is Hina," She smiled, introducing her. "She was lost in the desert."

Hina gaped at the boy, who looked over her with a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

"How'd you get lost in the desert?" He asked playfully, teasingly. Hina felt her palms had become very sweaty and her mouth dry. She gulped painfully.

"Erm… I don't know," Hina replied lamely. He laughed at her, grinning toothily, but it wasn't menacing, like she was used to. This boy seemed normal, not full of hatred or cruelty. Hina was sure there was no way the spirit could know she was here. There was no way Bakura would allow her to see this. Hina wanted to put as much space between herself and this village. The village…

"We… we have to go!" Hina exclaimed suddenly. In the moment it didn't matter to her that this wasn't real, that this was fake and a memory or illusion. She could only recall Bakura's tale of what had happened to his village and the people there. They were killed, murdered. They couldn't stay here.

"What, why?" Takhat asked curiously, standing up from the floor. Hina stood up too, gazing around.

"I… I can't explain, but you're in danger," Hina exclaimed, running her fingers through her hair distractedly. Maybe they could raise the alarm and save the entire village. Takhat laughed. Hina wasn't expecting such a reaction.

"Please, don't worry Hina. We are hidden within the desert. No one shall bother a village of criminals." She laughed, patting her boy on the head. Hina bit her lip. How could she make this woman see?

"Please, if you must leave Kul Elna tonight, take this time to rest and recover, before the sun sets," Takhat smiled over her shoulder at Hina as she walked to the doorway, wrapping the scarf around her once more.

"I shall collect our evening meal, which I insist you enjoy before departing."

Hina was left alone with the boy, who was casting a suspicious eye over her, his arms folded over his chest in a very similar stance to the one she'd seen his adult self do. Hina felt uncomfortable, being in the presence of the boy. It was hard to look at him and not see the evil that had infected her life and that of countless others. She sighed and sat back down upon the bench at the table, lifting a cup to her lips and taking a sip of water.

"Why are you here?" The boy asked her sternly. Hina lowered her cup and turned to the boy, unsure of how exactly to reply.

"I… I was lost, in the sand," Hina answered lamely, looking anywhere but at him.

"My mother helped you?" He said, but it wasn't really a question. He was stating the truth. Hina nodded with a weak smile. The boy approached her, a ferocious expression across his slightly rounded boyish face.

"Don't hurt her," He said warningly. Hina stared at him. He was protective over his mother and despite herself, Hina felt a pang of emotion within her chest.

"I wouldn't ever cause her pain," Hina spoke honestly, meeting his narrowed grey eyes. His expression seemed to relax ever so slightly and he grinned.

"Good. I wouldn't want to beat a girl," He laughed slightly. Hina snorted with laughter.

"What? You don't think I could?" He demanded angrily. Hina, momentarily forgetting herself and her predicament, grinned back at him.

"I'm quite sure you could," She replied with a smile.

"This is a village of thieves and criminals, I'm learning from the best," He grinned toothily at her, puffing out his chest impressively. Hina laughed again, ignoring the ache growing within her, the longer she spent in the innocent child's presence.

"No!"

Hina had drifted off to sleep upon a reed mat upon the floor, beneath a thin rough blanket. She'd eaten a meal of bread and fish with Takhat and her son, before her exhaustion had caught up to her. Takhat had offered up a place upon the floor and Hina had fallen asleep with ease. Now, Hina had shot up right in bed, fear clutching her. The fire in the centre of the room had died down to glowing embers, leaving the home in a low glow. Hina could hear sounds from outside the house and she didn't need to see to know what those sounds were. She was oddly familiar with the clanking of metal and splattering of blood. Hina scrambled to her feet, her eyes searching for the occupants of the home. Neither Takhat or her son were here. Hina gulped down her fear and sped out of the house, ready to face whatever awaited her.

In the streets, it was carnage. Hina stared wide eyed around. Men, official looking, wearing headdresses and wielding swords, were purging their way through the village, pulling inhabitants violently from their homes as they slept. The blood curdling screams reached Hina and chilled her very blood. Hina saw a guard pull a screaming woman from the house a short distance down the road from her. The Guard kicked her in the stomach harshly before chaining the helpless woman. He tossed her towards a crowd of fellow men. Hina gulped as the man's eyes lifted and met hers. He started towards her and Hina instinctively broke into a sprint. How could this be happening? Hina wove between the buildings, seeing further violence as she ran. People were being beaten, held against the walls of their homes as the men took their anger out upon them. Hina reached the edge of the village and the cries of the residents reached out to her. Hina wanted to find Takhat. She wanted to know the kind woman was alright. She rested her head back against the wall, closing her eyes and pressing herself into the shadows as much as possible. She tried to block out the sounds all around her, awfully aware that she wasn't capable of doing so. She felt sick and scared. She didn't want to be here anymore. She wished she'd never left the confines of her apartment.

Hina felt tears spring into her eyes and sank down the wall, until she could curl up, resting her head upon her knees. It was only when the blood curdling screams had died down, Hina dared to move from her spot, wiping her eyes as she did. She forced herself to her feet shakily. Hina crept up the side of the building and dared to peer out. The street was a mess, baskets of bread and other assortments of food spilling out across the street, the pale floors covered with crimson splatters. Hina listened intently. She could hear the echoes of voices, but they were too far away for her to make any sense of. Hina looked around again, making sure there were no guards around. When she was satisfied she was quite alone, Hina stepped out onto the street and started around at the devastation. She could see the flickering in the distance and knew the buildings had been set alight. Bakura had been right in what he'd once told her. It wasn't a fight. This was an execution. It was more than that. These men, these guards, wanted to wipe the village and its people from the face of the earth.

"You see it, don't you?" A voice asked from behind her. Hina jolted and turned. She'd been under the impression she was very much alone. Bakura stood before her, his face grim and angry. Hina licked her lips nervously. Had he intended her to see this, all along? He stepped forwards, his red jacket billowing behind him in the slight breeze that ran through the desolate village. He reached Hina and glared down into her face.

"This is the night my people were destroyed by the Pharaoh." He growled ferociously. Hina didn't react, for how could she possibly try to comprehend his torment.

"It's… it's horrendous," Hina whispered, although more to herself than him. She wanted to get out of here, to be free from the heaviness of this place. Her heart ached for the people, and for the woman Takhat, his mother.

"Oh, this. This is nothing," Bakura snarled. He grabbed Hina's wrist, his fingers clasping tightly around her. Hina struggled, but he pulled her forwards. Hina tried to protest, but found words failed her. She allowed him to pull her ferociously through the empty and destroyed streets. As they did so, the noises in the distance grew louder and louder. Hina knew with awful certainty what it was she was about to witness, and with the same certainty she knew she didn't want to see. When they came to a set of stairs leading downwards, Hina shook her head, pulling against him. She didn't want to go down there. There was the flickering of orange lights from deep within the tomb-like entrance and Hina couldn't face seeing what the man wanted her to. Bakura had already descended the first step. He looked around at her, struggling against him, with a furious expression. He yanked her arm and Hina stumbled forwards from the force. She collided against him painfully. He smirked, wrapping his arm around her and hoisting her up, throwing her over his shoulder. Hina gasped and felt a spike of annoyance at his manhandling her.

"You will see this, girl," He snarled at her, before descending the stone steps.

Hina considered struggling, but deep down she knew it would be no use to her. He would win against her. She resigned herself to her fate, her heart hammering away in her chest painfully. She felt clammy and panicked as the darkness swept over them, the only light the strange flickering glow. When they reached the bottom, Hina felt him stride along the darkened corridor further, approaching the glowing light. Hina saw the orange glow open up around them as they walked and knew they must be close to what he wanted her to see. She felt his muscles shift beneath her and cried out as he dropped her to the floor. Hina winced and glared angrily up at him, but was surprised to see he had vanished. Hina frowned, irritated. She picked herself up from the floor, trying to ignore the rising panic within her chest. She turned around, towards the flickering glow. There was a wall, obscuring her view from the room beyond. Huddled next to that wall was a small figure. Hina gulped. She recognised the unkempt white hair.

"Bakura?" She spoke tentatively, approaching nervously. That was when the noise from beyond the room registered in her mind. Anguish. That was the only word she could conjure for the gut wrenching wails. Hina swallowed hard as she approached the opening in the wall. She could see as she approached, the boy was shaking. Hina really didn't want to look around the corner. She really didn't want to see. Hina took a deep breath, her brow furrowed. She peered around the wall.

Beyond the wall was a vast, cavernous room, the ceiling high above them. The flickering was emanating from a large fire, licking up around the sides of a ginormous blackened pot, a crucible. High above the pot was a platform. A man stood upon it. He was dressed in finery, a headdress upon his head, obscuring a lot of his expression as he ushered someone towards him. Hina could tell from this distance, the difference in clothing between him and the man he'd beckoned forwards. Her eyes ran along the rest of the platform and she could see the rest of the villagers chained up in some grotesque like queue. Hina watched with bated breath as the man released his prisoner from his shackles. The man spoke something, but Hina couldn't hear what. Then, to her horror, the man slit the prisoners throat in one swift languid movement. He kicked the man's body before it could crumple, off the edge of the podium. Hina put her hand over her mouth as the body plummeted, splashing into the large deep basin below. Before the body had even hit the surface, the man above had dragged the next person along, to meet the same fate. Hina felt her legs give way as the next body dropped into the crucible.

Hina needed to pull her sights away. She couldn't look at this monstrous act any longer. Despite herself, Hina couldn't drag her horrified gaze away as more and more people were led to their grim and abominable deaths. Some went without a fuss, resigned to their fate. Others fought back, thrashing about, fighting against their bonds. Their fate was the same as those before them, despite their best efforts. The next person in line for slaughter moved forwards and with an awful jolt, Hina knew who it was. She recognised the woman's face from down here, her dark hair hanging over her shoulders. Hina shook her head as the boy whimpered beside her.

"No," Hina whispered, forcing herself to look away. She couldn't watch. She waited with baited breath, tears leaking out from closed eyes. She couldn't block out the obvious sound of metal splitting flesh, or the plummeting of a body and the resounding splash as it entered the basin. Hina felt sick. She pulled herself away from the scene, hiding behind the wall. She couldn't watch any more. Hina fought for breath through her tears. How could she ever blame the spirit for becoming as twisted and morphed as he had. How could anyone not succumb to the burning rage and desperate need for revenge. Hina pressed her hands into her eyes, whimpering slightly.

"It's not real, it's not real," She whispered to herself, trying to drown out the noises around her. She didn't want to be here anymore. Hands clutched at her and Hina refused to open her eyes, unwilling to bear witness to any more torment. She couldn't see anymore. The spirit had made his point. Hina understood. She felt herself be scooped off the floor and pressed against someone as they lifted her into their arms. Hina didn't dare open her eyes until she felt the comfort of a breeze whispering across her face. She squinted through her eyelids, ensuring she really was safe and out of that damned tomb. She gazed up into Bakura's face. He glanced down at her, something close to pity within his gaze. He allowed her to wiggle out of his arms and Hina stood before him. She took a deep shuddering breath.

"Aknadin slaughtered 99 souls to forge the millennium items, on Pharaoh Aknamkanon's orders," Bakura spoke and his tone was stoic, resigned. It was as if he feared showing any emotion.

"Aknadin?" Hina asked quietly. Somehow, she knew it was the man slitting throats before throwing the bodies from the platform. He'd done that, he'd devastated an entire village, upon the King's orders. Hina thought to Yugi, a lump in her throat. There was no way that could be the same Pharaoh, could it? Why would any of them want to help such a man, who'd happily send almost a hundred people to their deaths. It was unjust and wrong. Yugi didn't seem like the type to allow such an atrocity. Hina closed her eyes, refocusing her breathing. She had to believe in her gut instincts and her instincts were telling her all of her new friends, the people she'd met that opposed Bakura, they would never wish to help someone who'd commit such atrocities. Hina looked up into his face and sadness washed over her. How long had he lived with this sense of loss? He'd told her he was five thousand years old at one point. Hina lifted a shaking hand and touched his cheek ever so gently. Her fingers grazed briefly over the scar running down his cheek. He looked momentarily taken aback, his eyes growing slightly wide. Before Hina could examine this new emotion too closely, his dark façade slipped back in place. He stepped back from her, away from her touch. Her hand dropped back by her side as she broke eye contact with him. She cast her eyes around the deserted village, a lump in her throat.

A sudden rumbling caused Hina to start. She let out a cry as the floor trembled violently beneath her feet, causing her to stumble. She caught her balance and looked up to the man fearfully. He hadn't reacted to the earth's sudden shift other than to glare bemused, up at the sickeningly dark sky.

"What's happening?" Hina cried, a little more shrill than she'd intended. The rumbling was growing louder and the quivering floor more violent.

"He doesn't like you being here," He spoke quietly, his voice barely audible over the quaking. Hina stared at him dumbfounded.

"Who?" She asked out, trying to make her way to him. She reached his side and resisted the urge to clutch at him. He turned his eyes upon her, searching.

"Zorc." He answered shortly. Hina blinked at him. Zorc? She'd heard him speak of the creature before. Earlier, although it felt like a lifetime ago now. That was the monster he'd used to take over the earth, that he'd tried to summon again, until Hina had ruined those plans. He was here? How was he here? This was Bakura's soul, wasn't it? The floor was still moving, shaking beneath her and Hina was finding it increasingly difficult to remain upright. She stumbled into him and he caught her instinctively. Hina hadn't expected his arm to wrap around her and prevent her from falling. She met his gaze and a mischievous grin split across his face, filling her with anticipation and fear.

"Time to go." He mused. Hina was about to open her mouth to question him, but he quickly cut her off by lifting her up and throwing her over his shoulder, with a cool laugh. Hina let out a huff of air as her stomach collided roughly against his broad shoulder. His arm ensnared her legs, keeping her in place as he set off into a run. Hina felt her body rattling around as he ran and closed her eyes as her vision shook sickeningly. She couldn't muster the strength to protest as he carried her away, out of Kul Elna.