I'm running out of excuses . . . not much this time. work, health, writer's block, a mix of all three. If you are still reading, thank you so much for staying with this story. special thanks to my beta batousaisgirl16 for getting to this so fast.
Enjoy!
Chapter 65
Yami didn't know what to do. Follow Esset? Stay in the courtyard? Nothing was clear.
Behind him, Yami could hear the millennium guardians discussing things behind him.
"Mahad was a fool." Seth said.
"Seth!" Isis chided.
"Because he went on his own the millennium ring is in the hands of Akefia."
"We don't know that." Karim said. "Isis, have you seen Akefia in your visions?"
"No I haven't."
The priests continued arguing but Yami tuned out the noise. Somehow the movements of Akefia seemed distant compared to the looming stone slab in front of him.
"Abba." Kana whispered. "Why did the stone upset Mama?"
"You're uncle Mahad is dead." Yami told her.
The child's eyes widened. "But how. He's right there? Dead people go away."
"Pharaoh," Seth approached. "It is a tradition for members of the millennium guardian's collection of spirits to be given to the next carrier of the millennium item and the spirit monsters is to be given to the pharaoh. However, in this case, burial is near impossible since the body could not be recovered. Shall we bury the tablet in his place?"
Yami looked around at the tablet.
"No, place it in the tablet sanctuary." Shada said "Mahad gave his life and place in the spirit world to serve the pharaoh to bury the tablet would make his sacrifice pointless."
Yami nodded. "Place it in my spirit sanctuary. But a memorial shall be erected for his memory. The sacrifice shall not be forgotten."
Yugi didn't know what he was supposed to do. He and his friends seemed to be wandering in circles. It had been simple to fight shadow games with cards and strategy. But they were just wondering around an ancient city. It was amazing to see the past alive before their lives. It was frustrating Airi couldn't see this. She would be amazed and probably take notes to study later. The worse part they couldn't ask anyone directions as none of the people they had seen in the market could see or hear them. This really seems to bother Tristan and Joey who debated if they should take some food if no one could see them.
His hand went to the puzzle only to feel the air. The puzzle had disappeared when they entered the shadow game. It didn't feel right to be without the weight around his neck.
Shouting came from up the street. It looked like a mob of people around someone in the middle of the bazaar. One of the men scooped up a rock and threw it into the circle.
A crowd had formed in the road. Shouts of 'stone her' and 'kill the witch' rose in volume.
Yugi led the way, pushing through the crowd. In the center of the growing circle. A young woman in shabby clothes lay curled up, possibly unconscious, in the road. Long hair spread around her head in a halo of white obscuring her face.
Another rock struck her back. Joey and Tristan turned to face the crowd.
"The Pharaoh's guardians!" a voice announced. It was soon followed by hoofbeats and a procession on horseback appeared. Two of the riders seemed higher status and were familiar. One looked like Shadi. The other . . .
"Kaiba?" Tea said.
It was, or at least, a clone. The man reigned in his horse staring down at them. Did he see them? Yugi was about to speak, but then realized he was looking past him to the woman on the ground.
"What is going on here?" the Shadi clone demanded.
"A soul monster is in this girl, my lords." someone said. "We were disposing of her."
"How dare you." Kaiba said. "It is the job of the guardians to deal with spirits."
"I guess some things never change." Joey muttered. "Bossy as ever."
"Bring her to me." Kaiba-Clone ordered.
One of the soldiers with them scooped the girl into his arms and carried her to the horse. The Kaiba Priest cradled her in his arms and turned the horse about-face and headed back the way he came. The rest had a slower start. The crowd dispersed leaving the group of friends alone.
"Come on." Joey headed off the direction the horses had disappeared.
Trying to catch up with horses was a lost cause. By the time they reached the procession the walls of the palace rose above them.
Before they could catch up the procession had entered giant gates. Yugi pushed himself to get faster. He had to reach the pharaoh.
The gates closed in front of them. Yugi hit the solid wood in frustration. Back where they started.
"So. . . " Tristan leaned against the wall. "Wonder how many other look-alikes we're going to see."
"Yugi, do you think that woman." Tea hesitated. "Do you think that woman was Airi?"
"Kaiba seemed to really care about her." Tristan said.
Yugi didn't answer. It had crossed his mind but he hadn't seen her face. The idea of someone looking like his sister having mobs attacking them made his stomach tighten in anger. For the moment he had to stay focused on what was going on. The walls were high and he had no idea where to go. Why were they even in the game if they couldn't do anything.
From the game table, the Nameless Pharaoh watched the group of friends wander around. Letting them in seemed pointless. What were they supposed to do? They didn't know any of the past beyond what the priests knew in the present.
A realization hit. His Yami didn't know his name. That was the link to keeping everything safe until he faced the enemy. He glanced at Bakura. His enemy seemed calm and enjoying himself. This whole game had to be stacked in his favor. Nameless pharaoh looked back down at the table. The events were playing out close to how they had happened in real life. He didn't remember many people who used his real name. Even if they did, there was no way in this game Bakura would let Yami hear the name.
Nameless Pharaoh studied the board. There had to be a way to have them find out the name without tipping off his opponent. But how?
He looked around the playing field to the palace. Mahad's tablet was being moved to the tablet sanctuary. Mana and Geb watched the priest move the stone. Shinon stood close by holding Kana's hand. Watching his daughter made the pharaoh clench his hand to keep his pain in check.
He suddenly remembered something. There was a story his daughter liked. Geb started telling the stories, sharing legends from his homeland. Something about some character called Babasa.
Could he create a character without his opponent realizing what he was doing? It was worth a try.
"I make my next move."
Yugi walked around the palace walls trying to find a way in. the defense was impressive with no weak spots. Frustrated he came back to the front. The others were exploring the village, or Tea was looking around. Tristan and Joey were having a fight with some big guy in a turban at a food stand.
Wait, Yugi could see them?
It was late in the afternoon when Yami approached Esset's chamber. He'd put it off all day, and there were plenty of things to procupy himself with like overseeing the placing of the tablet in the sanctuary. But he couldn't avoid it any longer.
The guards by the doors bowed but no one moved to open the doors.
"Forgive us pharaoh." one said. "Her majesty does not wish to see anyone."
Yami didn't budge. "Please inform the queen I am here."
One of the guards disappeared into the room and soon returned. "She wishes you to enter."
Yami entered the room no one else was inside. Not a person in sight. Yami looked around the darkened room.
He heard a sound and turned to see Esset appear from a dark corner looking like a ghost in her white dress. He face was streaked by tears. It was like she was waiting for answers.
They stared at each other. It was too close to the orichalcos all over again. Guilt racked Yami again as he remembered Airi's disgust and pain in the doorway of the Hawkins' trailer. But that was different Yugi could and had been brought back. Mahad was gone. He was part of the monsters. From what Shada had said he wasn't going to be on the other side when Esset got there. She wasn't going to see her brother ever again.
"I'm so sorry." he said. "I-"
Her arms circled around him. She latched on to him in vice grip of a drowning woman on the shore. He could feel her shaking and he held her close rubbing her back. After a while, her shaking stopped but they continued to stand there in silence.
"I heard you placed Mahad" she gave a shuddering breath. "In your tablet sanctuaries."
"Should I move his tablet?"
"No he would have wanted to continued doing his duty." she said. "Kana?"
"She doesn't understand where her uncle is."
"Experiencing death so young. It seems to run in my family."
He could feel the tears on his chest. "How are you?"
She gave another dry sob.
"What can I do?"
Esset looked up and there was a fire in her eyes. "Destroy Akiefa."
"I will defeat him."
"No, I want him destroyed."
Yami hesitated, then nodded. "I promise."
Her eyes glared into his. "No matter what?"
Yami took her hands. "No matter what."
Darkness fell across the land. Yami left Esset to sleep while he walked around the courtyard. He promised to destroy Akefia or Bakura or whatever for he was. The sinking feeling chilled his body in the warm night air. He knew how this ended. Somehow he would make it but death would follow in his wake. He didn't remember how. What was to stop the deaths piling up around him. Mahad was dead. At least this was a shadow game and the Muto's were not here.
The gates opened to swap out partoles of guards. Shouts erupted from the other side of the courtyard. Everyone froze. A black shadow erupted into the sky obscuring the stars. It was the Diabound. Horses panics and reared. In the distraction, a figure in red appeared and pulled a man off a horse. Akefia.
The open gaite gaped open as the guards ran in fear. Akefia spurred his horse through and the Diabound followed sending men and horses scattering. More shouts came from the tablet sanctuaries. Dread swept through Yami. Who did he attack this time?
Anger replaced dread. Intercepting a horse Yami pulled himself onto the horse. He was going to end this now.
Esset hadn't been asleep. She had been wandering the passages of the palace hidden from most of the residence. She had found them them when she was a young girl and used them when she didn't want to be disturbed. Hearing the commotion she ran to the nearest balcony. The cries of horses and men. From what she could see the outline of a large shadow monster. She recognized it right away.
It faded away as it headed into the city. Screams and smoke from fires rose from the city.
"My queen!"
Esset turned to see Geb running towards her.
"My queen." he gasped for air. "Thank the gods you're alright."
"What has happened?"
"Akefia attacked Aknadin."
"He's hear?"
"No longer."
"Where is Kana?"
"She's safe."
"The Pharaoh?"
Geb hesitated. "He's gone."
"Gone. where?"
"He's gone after Akefia."
"No." she looked back towards the city. He was going after both of those monsters.
"My queen?"
"Geb, listen to me." Esset placed her hands on his shoulders. "Take Kana to the hidden chambers."
His confusion changed to grage understanding. "The forgotten chapels?"
"Yes. keep my daughter safe. Do not leave until I or the pharaoh comes for you."
He nodded.
She pulled him into a hug. He tensed in shock and then returned it.
"It will work out, Esset."
She smiled at his reassurance.
Breaking away she ran to the courtyard. She shouldn't have made him promise. She was going to lose him the say way she lost Mahad. She couldn't let him die because of her stupid promises. A guard on horseback came up to her.
"My que-"
"Give me your horse."
He stared at her.
"Give me your horse, I command you."
He finally dismounted. She heard Seth's voice shouting her name but didn't turn. Esset swung up on the horse and turned it toward the gait and spurred it forward.
People ran around and she had a difficult time navigating. A strange man in a cape walked uncharacteristically calmly walking through the street. She almost ran over him except the horse reared up nearly unseating her. She turned back as the horse rode away, wanting to yell, but seeing his face made her stop. His acid green eyes were the darkest she'd ever seen. Shaking off the feeling of dread she focused on the streets.
She could hear the roars of shadow monsters. Slifer's snake like body slithered across the sky. She knew that silhouettes from the fights with Anubis.
Please, she prayed to any gods listening, let him be alright.
Yugi and the group, including the new Babasa man wandered through the city. If this guy was supposed to help Yugi couldn't to see the point of him. He didn't seem to know anything. The only thing he was capable of was beating Joey and Tristan in an eating contest.
Fire and screams ripped the sky. The gates of the palace opened and a crazed man with long white hair and long red coat on a horse galloped passed. Above him, a monsters Yugi had never seen followed sending the surrounding people saturing in panic.
"That was Bakura!" Joey said
Another horse galloped past and Yugi recognized the familiar spiky hair.
"The pharaoh." he started to run, but the horse was already in the distance.
"We're never going to catch up on foot." Tristan said.
"You want to follow." Babasa said.
"Yes captain obvious." Joey snapped. "We got to follow him."
"I can help." the large man suddenly began to levitate and flatten until he was more a mix of inflatable boat and flying carpet.
The group of friends stared at him.
"Well, let's get going." Yugi climbed onto the living raft. The squishy feeling of clothes and flesh under his feet was unsettling.
The others clambered behind him,
"This is just wrong." Tea muttered.
The babasa carpet rose in the air and shot forward. In the distance, colossal shadows and beams of attacks lit up the sky. They drew closer and recognized slifer slithering through the air fighting another creature Yugi had never seen before. The other monster sent an attack onto the ground charging the soil.
"Land there." Yugi pointed at a lone white horse with a familiar rider on a sandstone ledge below.
"Really?" Tristan said. "That's in a battle zone."
"That's the point," Joey said. "Take it down Babasa."
The living raft lowered onto the group. A flash of light and a gust a wind rocked them and sent them farther down the ledge. Yugi looked up at Yami's silhouette in the distance. Above him, Slifer was headless and was deteriorating away back into the void. Even from this distance, Yugi could see Yami was in trouble. He was slouching over his horse.
Yugi jumped off the moving raft. His friends yelled at him but he was already rolling in the sand and rocks. Coughing and trying to cry out in pain, Yugi pulled himself up and staggered up the hill. He looked and watched in horror as Yami slid from his horse and cruple on the ground.
Running to him seemed to take an eternity. The wind was filled with shouts from behind and taunting laughter from a rize of the ledge where the figure in the red coat stood with his monster.
Yugi fell to his kneels beside Yami. Rolling him over he was relieved to see his friend was still breathing. The game wasn't over, thank heaven.
"Yugi!"
The others appeared, including a normal Babasa.
"Is he alright?" Tea asked.
"It's a shadow game. His energy is nearly gone." Yugi gently lifted the unconscious man on his lap.
Slowly Yami's eyes opened. They narrowed as if trying to focus.
"Yami, it's us." Yugi said.
"You're here?" Yami's voice was weak. "How?"
"We're here to help you."
"You're late." Yami's eyes closed.
"No." Yugi gripped Yami's hand. "We're a team. You're not losing. You've beaten this once. You can do it again. You can't give up." yugi squeezed his hand.
Yami smiled sadly. "You can't transfer your energy to me Yugi. you're not Airi."
"I'm not. But she'd tell you to never give up. You can't give up. Think of her."
Yami's eyes remained closed, but yugi could feel his grip tightened. Yugi watched with bated breath.
Airi sat up. She felt something pulling on her. She knew this feeling all to well. Something was wrong with Yami and Yugi.
She glanced over at the others. Nasira and Ryu seemed asleep. Moving quietly she moved to the stone tablet. Placing her hand on the stone tablet image of the pharaoh she pictured Yami in her mind and focused on sending her energy.
She felt a tingling sensation move through her fingers. Suddenly out a breath, she leaned against he stone to stay standing. It wasn't much, but maybe it was enough.
Yugi could feel something a surge. Gripping tightinger Yami's hand tighter he willed his own energy to join with this new surge.
Yami's eyes snapped open.
"Impossible!" the shout came from the opponent.
"He's going to attack us." Tristan said. "Does someone have a duel-disk?"
Yami stood. He raised his arm where a gold looking fan shone on his wrist.
"I summon Winged Dragon of Ra."
It was nothing like a hologram. Yugi gaped in awe as the golden monster erupted from the sky shining like the sun.
"Ra, Attack!"
The blast shook the earth and obliterated the other monster.
The group cheered. They'd won!
"I play my first move." Bakira said.
"He defeated the monsters. It's all over" the nameless pharaoh said.
"I instituted making it so we have to finish until the end."
"What!"
"That is my move."
The board began to shift like someone reversed time. The Ra attack never happened. The Slifer death from the Diabound sent shock waves through the desert. The Pharaoh could only watch and observe as the events of his life replayed before his eyes.
Esset had barely made it to the ledge when the blast happened.
The winds surged around them. Esset watched in horror as Slifer's head was blasted off and the ground beneath her husband collapsed. He disappeared from view. She spurred her horse forward. Descending down the side of the sandstone canyons down.
The sounds of battle faded the farther she descended. He couldn't have been thrown too far. Where was he? Was he still alive? He had to be. She wouldn't let herself concerned that option.
The night continued on. She found rubble from the ground. Afraid of crushing him more she dismounted and secured the horse to some rocks. Going slowly she walked around the debris. Rocks and sand slid together making her footing unstable. Her still healing wounds throb wanting her to stop but she kept going.
There was movement. She froze watching fearing it was a trick of the shadows. Another movement and a groan. Kneeling in the sand she pulled him out of the rubble. Barely breathing he slumped against her. She looked around at the night. She couldn't make it back to the palace but they needed shelter.
A cooling breeze came through the canyon. The Nile. It had to be close. Helping him to his feet she helped him walk to her horse.
Wow, that was a hard one. I'm starting the next one now so I hope it won't take as long to post.
Thank you so much for reading. please review. take care and God bless.
