Hey, sorry for the long silence. My computer deleted a lot of my files so I had to patch this back together from what I had. if the pickup point is confusing check the last chapter since this is happening right after the last one.
The title came from the song by Sabaton. I had this song in my head while writing this chapter and it seemed to fit.
Legal stuff: OC's are mine, Yugioh is not. Proofread by battousaisgirl16.
Enjoy :)
Chapter 81
Timaeus could have flown over the shadows in dragon form but feared he wouldn't be able to transform back in his weakened condition. He and Rika crossed the shadows in silence, Rika's protective barrier kept the angry shadows at bay. The dread in Timaeus' mind threatened to consume him at any moment but still, he pushed forward, Rika's reassuring hand in his. He could feel her shaking but to her credit, she put up a convincing expression of calm.
Finally, they arrived at the only structure breaking the sea of shadows. Stepping onto the brown rock foundation they followed the pathway to reach the lone building. From the outside, the building looked unimpressive in the simple round dome on top of a cylindrically shaped wall with a box-shaped portico jutting out to reveal the entrance but the sight of it made the knight's skin crawl. The doors were carved with the same rectangle and oval symbol prominent on Saku's robes and swung open at the slightest push.
Timaeus stepped forward but Rika pulled him back. Turning to face her, he found her shaking her head, eyes pleading. There was still time to turn back. Mahad might have returned with a solution on how to clear up all this mess. But Tiemaus only shook his head. If he could save his friend from that prison then he would. Rika's shoulders slumped but didn't resist when he continued forward and they walked up to the doors together. At their approach, the doors swung open soundlessly allowing them entrance.
"Remember," Timaeus said. "Do not interfere. No matter what happens to me, get yourself out."
She swallowed but nodded. Squeezing her hand they entered.
Despite the short appearance of the outside, the passage stretched out before them for meters out of sight. The farther they went down the hallway the stone walls became decorated in circles covered in symbols. Unbidden Timaeus started reading some of the names. Glimpses of faces flashed as he read them but disappeared before he could fully remember.
At long last, they reached the end of the hallways which emptied into a circular chamber with a portal permanently placed in the middle of the room. Different colored panels on the walls inscribed with strange symbols flickered with different intensities. Saku stood in front of the portal, pinprick eyes watching a duel arena Tiemaus didn't recognize. The spirit didn't look up as they entered.
"Company?" Saku's voice dripped with disdain. "You are not a social person, Timaeus Ilimtar."
The duel on the portal surface showed one duelist call an attack. Timaeus recognized one of the duelists; it was hard to mistake the multi-colored spiky hair after all.
Saku finally turned to face the two, his eyes shifted to Rika who'd lagged behind her companion.
Timaeus sidestepped to stand in front of her. "I'm here to bargain."
"I don't duel.'' the smugness in the spirit's voice nearly made the knight bear his fangs.
"I'm here to trade," Timaeus said. "Me for Yami."
"There is no Yami here." Saku motioned at one of the seals on the wall. The writing was the old language but Timaeus could read 'Spirit of the Pharaoh' across the surface. "I have a rogue spirit who crossed the line. I have no reason to release him."
"It's a trade. One for another."
"You believe your soul is worth a millennium spirit? Such arrogance." Saku's eyes seemed to narrow as he looked the knight over. "However, this arrogance is amusing. It doesn't matter to me how you spend your time. You're the one who wants to return to the ice." he motioned to the portal. "Besides, the boy is tough. Maybe your Yami is not needed after all."
"Free him now." Timaeus's eye flashes yellow.
"Careful. I am bound to the wish of my masters, but you are not protected."
Timaeus's lip curled, but his eye returned to its normal color.
"Let me clarify." Saku's voice gave away his glee. "Do you swear to take the Spirit of the Pharaoh's punishment?"
Rika suddenly stood before Timaeus. She kept shaking her head over and over, pleading again in her gaze. She even placed a hand on her chest to offer herself.
He took her hands. "You promised," he reminded softly.
Her pleading gaze turned to defeat and it broke his heart. Kissing her fingers he let go and stepped around her, again facing the hooded figure.
"Well?" Saku's tone was impatient. "Do you agree?"
Timaeus placed a hand on his heart, feeling it pounding under his touch. "I swear to take the Spirit of the Pharaoh's place, for the complete terms of his imprisonment."
"Then it is done."
Saku approached. Timaeus' instincts were to run, but he refused to look away from the duel reaper. A skeletal finger rose and he felt it press between his eyes.
The darkness pressed around Yami's mind attempting to swallow him completely. There was nowhere to go. He could move, but it felt like he was walking in place with no direction in sight. The only thing he could grab was himself to convince his mind he wasn't fading. His puzzle, even when he could only go into two rooms, was better than this; there he could see. He blinked again. Nothing.
He chanted his name over and over in an attempt to keep the darkness at bay. Yami. He was the Spirit of the Puzzle. Yami. That wasn't enough as the ever-present darkness pushed against every part of him. Again panic threatened to consume him. He slipped his hand under his tunic and gripped the cartouche pendant. The smooth surface helped him focus. Yami. He was the Spirit of the Puzzle. Ya-
He felt a tugging sensation. Adrenalin rose inside him. The tugs turned to a full-on yank as he was pulled out of the darkness and thrown into the light. Blinded, he was only aware of shadow-like figures standing in front of him. Rage filled Yami and he lunged forward, his strength returned, to attack whatever had summoned him out.
Pain hit him in the temples, causing him to crumple on the floor, clutching his head.
"Really." a familiar oily voice said above him chided. "You gain your freedom and all you want to do is attack? Young spirits these days."
The pain ended leaving Yami panting on the ground. Gentle hands carefully helped him up, smoothing his bangs from his face in an attempt to calm him. The feeling of a nonmalicious touch strengthened him more than he could imagine. Forcing his eyes open he finally focused on the blue-skinned elf helping him to his feet.
The hooded figure who'd imprisoned Yami walked away to inspect a place on the wall. Finally able to see his prison, Yami's eyes were drawn to the hundreds of circles on the walls, finally coming to rest on the one the hooded figure currently inspected. The symbols appeared fresher than the others. Yami's heart sank as he realized. Looking at Mystical Elf's pained expression only confirmed the reality of what happened.
"Do not look sad." Saku's voice shook Yami's attention from the seal. "Timaeus Ilmitar will return when the Plana is destroyed."
"How?" Yami demanded.
"These were the conditions of your release."
Mystical Elf stepped forward eyes wide.
"Your knight did not make any conditions. He only requested trade places." The glee in his voice was evident in every word. "You would have been freed once the Plana was destroyed. Your friend is a fool."
Yami's rage burned back up. Timaeus had switched places but for no reason; his powers bubbled up in his chest, but instead of the gold eyes appearing on his forehead, pain again split through his head. Clutching his head he nearly pitched forward.
"I was about to warn you." Saku continued. "I wouldn't try your powers again if you know what's good for you. I returned you to a duel spirit, and made some adjustments."
Yami's grip on his head loosened as the pain lessened. His left hand slid under his black hair but hit a bump behind his ear that wasn't there before. The rise of scar lines felt like a design too intricate to be a simple injury.
Yami realized the cloaked figure stood across from him. He got a good look at the empty void that was the figure's face. "You are the Spirit of the Pharaoh, a duel spirit." Saku's voice barely hid the malice in it. "Embrace this form, and you'll live."
A hand on his shoulder reminded him they weren't alone. From her touch he could tell Mystical Elf was shaken from what happened; He caught her staring at the seal on the wall.
"I'd invite you to watch the duel with me, but I hate others blocking my view."
Yami's eyes snapped to the portal, the first time noticing it was there, his eyes widened as he became aware of the duel on the screen. He knew those purple clouds surrounded the duel before recognizing Yugi on the field. Grabbing Mystical Elf's hand he led her down the hall towards the door.
Marik paced back and forth in front of the millennium stone, or what was left of it. The rest of the Millenium items were laid out on the platform excluding the ring, puzzle, and necklace. The workers were gone and those who remained were outside the building refusing to come back in after the duel between Diva and Kaiba. Odeon had taken up watch outside, leaving the other Ishtar siblings inside the stone shrine.
Ishizu sat in the intact section of the chamber, the millennium necklace returned to its familiar place around her neck. She sat there in near statue stillness with her eyes closed to receive visions. Marik didn't know what else she could learn from the item. He eyed the millennium rod with suspicion. At least she could wear her item without fear.
The eye on the necklace flashed. His sister's eyes snapped open.
"Ishizu?" Marik asked. "What's wrong?"
"My vision," she said. "It has changed."
"In what way?"
She frowned. "I can not say."
"You said that about the last one." Marik pointed out. "Can't you tell me anything?"
She considered. "A new weight has been added to the scales. What it means for Yug's duel depends on a choice."
"And?"
"The factors have become too intertwined to tell."
Marik made a frustrated sound before checking his phone again. "Still no signal. You sure we can't return to the boat?"
She closed her eyes again. "No more items will be removed from this chamber. Be patient. It will not be much longer."
It was Yugi's turn again and he eyed Diva's Dimension Monsters. These dimension monsters were no laughing matter. He could picture a card that could help turn the tide. Now he only had to draw it. He inwardly wished he'd asked Yami how he'd always been able to summon the cards he needed to his hand. All Yugi could do was pray the heart of the cards was on his side.
"You're only delaying your demise Yugi." Diva sounded annoyed that Yugi's Silent Swordsman had kept the Cubic Emperor from squashing Yugi into the field.
"I draw." Yugi looked at the card, smiling in relief at the monster in his hand. "I summon Lord Gaia the Fierce Knight in an attack position."
The dual-wielding monster appeared on the field, double lances shining in the arena lights.
"Gaia, attack Indiora Doom Volt!"
Gaia threw both lances into Diva's monster, piercing the monster through the chest.
"Your emperor has been dethroned," Yugi stated.
Instead of being upset about this development, Diva chuckled. "It's impossible to truly destroy my monsters."
Despite the double piercing, the life points only dropped to 7900. The monster split into three separate Vijam which hovered above the field, awaiting orders.
Diva smirked. "I activated Cubic Karma, cutting your life points in half."
The three Vijam blasted beams in Yugi's direction, knocking him off his feet. He slammed to the ground knocking the air out of him. He lay fighting to force air back into his lungs. The life point counter dropped to 950.
"Fight Yugi!" Joey's shout sounded somewhere in the crowd.
"Yugi, get up." Airi's voice came across the field. "Please,"
"Don't listen to your friends," Diva said.
Coughing, Yugi pushed himself up to his knees. He didn't remember shadow games hurting this much. Yami always seemed able to shake attacks like this off. Then again, Joey and Mai looked terrible during Battle City. Even Yami looked half-dead in the shadow game of ancient Egypt and hadn't been able to stand on his own. The bruises in his stomach seemed to deepen as he realized how much damage Yami had truly taken on Yugi's behalf. Glancing over at Airi, he met her eyes. She tried to smile. The memories of her collapsing during Yami's duel against Evil Marik and her death in Egypt flashed across his mind. Gritting his teeth he straightened his shoulders. If Yami and Airi could survive what demons threw at them then so could he. His muscles screamed at him as he stood.
"The sensible thing is to give up," Diva said. The pendent of the Millenium puzzle on the front of his shirt seemed to shine in the purple clouded light.
"I don't have a lot of sense," Yugi said. "I will never give up. I have a friend on the line." Yugi placed three facedown cards. "I end my turn."
"Bakura isn't worth your pity." Diva spat. "Because of him, I lost my master."
"I fight for all of my friends," Yugi said. "Because you attacked my friends more people are in danger, including my closest friend."
"Friendship." Diva spat the word. "Your kind knows nothing of friendship. You fight for one person, while I fight for the creation of a better world. That's why you all must be banished. That is the only way to guarantee the promise of the plana. A world without hate." his tone became wistful. "Can you even comprehend such a place?"
Yugi paused, surprised at the other teens' tone.
Diva looked at Yugi, his expression showing a hint of hope. "Maybe you can understand, Yugi. maybe you're the exception. Can you imagine a world where you aren't used by people but you are of use to people." he held out his hand, "maybe you should join us. Together we can make a world without hate or fear."
Yugi looked from the outstretched hand to the young man's eyes. Slowly he shook his head.
"I'll never join you. How can you make a world without fear or hate when that's all I see in your eyes." Yugi said. "I've faced many, many opponents who wanted to change the world but they only accomplished more pain and suffering. Especially to those close to them" Yugi took a step forward. "Your sister is worried about you. Please, stop this now before you hurt your friends even more."
Diva's hand turned into a fist. "You don't' know what you're talking about." the triangle on his forehead began to glow. The field faded away and it was only the two duelists in a purple void. "You don't know what I've been through, what I've seen. Maybe if I showed you, you'll finally understand."
The images spun around Yugi like they had when Sera had shown him the Plana the night before. This time, the images showed a younger Diva and Sera along with several other children being abused by a large man before Shadi appeared to save them. Parts of Nasira's story from the previous night made sense as the images played out before him. The scene then shifted to show the night Shadi died. Yugi watched the events of Bakura and his father appearing in the ceremonial chamber and the spirit of the ring causing havoc, leading to the deaths of Bakura's father and Shadi. Yugi swallowed, realizing how fortunate he was given the puzzle instead of one of the other items.
The images cleared and the two boys were back on the dueling platform. Yugi caught Airi's eye.
"Are you ok?" she mouthed.
He nodded, turning back to face Diva.
"My master saved us all and I'm not letting that faith go in vain. I need to save this world because that is what the world needs. If you will not join us, I will destroy you."
Yugi shook his head. "No Diva. I understand what it's like to have someone put their faith in you. My greatest fear is letting my sister and friends down." he looked the Egyptian boy right in the eyes. "I'm not fighting for just one person. I won't surrender. Even if it destroyed me, I will not quit."
"Yugi." he heard Airi's voice crack.
"So be it." Diva drew. "Welcome the return of Indiora Doom Volt."
Again the three Vijam's combined to create the giant monolith. The special summoning triggered an attack on Yugi, inflicting 800 damage to his life points. The attacks landed close to Yugi so he could feel the heat. Something had changed. If another strike had similar power it could burn Yugi or worse. The life point counter again sank. He forced himself to stay calm. All the pieces were in place.
"Your attack only increased Lord Gaia's attack points."
"You know nothing of power." Diva gave a crazed grin. "I activate cubic waves. While my monster attack doubles, yours is cut in half.
The shock wave from the card sent ripples across the field. The power indeed beat against Yugi in unforgiving waves, leaving trepidation about what was to come.
A yelp came from the side of the field and Yugi turned in time to see Airi grip her head. The diadem flickered light but what little power that was still in there didn't seem to be helping his sister.
"Hang on Airi." he mentally pleaded. "It will be over soon." Calm seemed to come over him as he looked at the three cards on his side of the field. Everything was going according to plan.
"I will never lose the power of the plana." Diva's voice sounded half-crazed. "Cubic Emperor, attack and erase the vessel."
"I don't think so," Yugi said.
Diva stared at him in shock. "What?"
"We are not through, not at all." Yugi's eyes narrowed. "Go," he flipped one of the facedown cards. "Dimension Sphinx." a golden version of the famous statue appeared behind him. Because your monster has double the attack points than mine, the difference is dealt to you directly."
The blast didn't seem to bother Diva. "So what, you're still defeated once I attack."
"Not when I play my second trap, Dimension Guardian. It keeps Gaia from being destroyed."
The stone statue appeared in front of the knight and took the attack.
"Are you through?" Diva snapped.
Yugi held back a cheeky smirk. "Not yet. Because I now play my third trap card, Dimension Mirage. Since you failed to destroy my monster, your Cubic Emperor attacks again."
Diva's eyes went from the three continuous traps to his monster. "You trapped me!"
Yugi nodded. "Indora's trapped in a perpetual loop."
The cycle played out again. The attack was intercepted, causing Gaia to attack again, blasting Diva's life point down to 1300. Diva was blasted off his feet this time. Yugi waited until the other teen had risen again.
"Diva," Yugi said. "I know you fight for a cause. I know you believe it's just. But with the hate in your heart, you will never obtain peace." Yugi squared his shoulders. "Now, for Bakura, and the sake of us all. I'm ending this."
The final attack lit up the field. Everything seemed to go in slow motion. From what Yugi could see, the blast enveloped Diva, destroying his duel-disk and knocking the other teen off his feet.
A buzzer sounded to signal the end of the duel which seemed to wake everyone from shocked silence. Then familiar shouts of victory from Joey and Tristan shook the air leading everyone else until it grew to a crescendo of cheers. The purple barrier surrounding the field dissolved and light began shining through in blue beams. Airi ran forward ignoring the shouts of the Kaiba's to get back there. Yugi barely had time to braise himself before she pulled him into a hug. Yugi failed to hide a wince and she broke away only to then proceed to check him over.
"Airi, I'm alright," Yugi said.
She ignored him, brushing the scuff marks off his face and clothes. "Don't lie to me." her voice trembled more than she wanted it to. "Why did you take the bracelet off? Do you like freaking people out?"
Yugi shook his head. "Of course not."
"Then why?"
"I wasn't sure what those markings were for, but if they were part of any 'sharing pain' spells I don't want you feeling any of my pain from this duel."
Airi stared at him a single tear sliding down her cheek.
"Sis," Yugi paused, looking over her shoulder. Diva's body faded away leaving the other piece of the Millenium Puzzle in his stead.
"I guess dimension dueling takes all of you, not just the soul." he started forward, but Airi shook her head.
"I've got it," she said.
Yugi sighed, wincing again. Thankfully none of his ribs felt broken.
A ray of golden light erupted in the audience. Startled, Yugi turned to see his friends running towards the light.
"Yuge!" Joey's voice called from somewhere below. "We got Bakura! You did it."
Yugi grinned in relief.
Airi gently pulled him into a one-armed hug, probably to reassure herself that Yugi was still there.
"Yugi."
Both Muto's looked up in time to see Kaiba descending from one of his platforms to the spot Diva had been standing. He scowled at both of them like they were annoying flies out of reach of a flyswatter.
"You have both puzzle pieces now, yes?"
Yugi went to the gold box, which somehow remained where he'd put it, and pulled out his piece, holding it out for Kaiba to see.
"And the other?"
Airi held it up.
"Kindly leave now." Kaiba didn't look at her. "We have a tournament to finish."
"Give him a moment to recover," Airi said.
"This is my tournament," Kaiba said.
"And you can't duel without him." Airi gripped Yugi's arm and walked him off to the side of the field. "You can entertain the crowd for 10 minutes, Kaiba. Blow up another jet or something."
Yami and Mystical Elf crossed the shadows in silence. Mystical Elf's grip on Yami's hand was vice-like as she seemed to be clinging to anything stable. Yami's head spun; He didn't understand why the knight did what he did. He wanted Yami free but for what? He was told not to intervene, and that someone else was going to fix all of this. The idea that Timeaus had sealed himself in that abyss for nothing made Yami's anger burn in his heart.
The town was eerily silent when they arrived. All the sounds were emanating from the arena, growing as they approached. The duel must have just ended because the crowd mulled around talking excitedly. Yami tried to hear from the snippets of chatter if Yugi had won.
Mystical Elf grabbed Yami's arm, pointing at a group of people standing a short distance away. It was hard to mistake Mahad in his purple cone hat but Yami's gaze went to the woman standing next to him. Long black hair swayed as Esset turned to face them. The brown eyes widened as she saw him, her face so close to Airi's that he had to steady himself. Mystical Elf hurried to the two, sweeping her former mistress up in a hug. Mahad's gaze turned to Yami, but the magician seemed displeased to see him. Then the gaze looked past Yami at something behind him.
Turning, Yami met a very familiar face. If it wasn't for the dark eyes, multi-colored hair, and golden tunic and jewels Yami faced his reflection.
A/N: Thank you for reading. Please review. The next chapter will hopefully be up soon unless something else happens. Take care and God bless!
