PART 6 [Talking Things Through]

(YAMI-YUGI'S POV)

"M-my Pharaoh..." Ishizu stammered as she and Tea came up to where Nikki and I were.

"I think I have more questions than answers now..." I spoke up as I stood and faced the two women.

Ishizu seemed to be thinking, "That seems to be the case. I could not tell if she were your enemy or your... friend... Pharaoh"

"I'm pretty sure she was an enemy considering she just tried to kill us!" Tea snapped!

"Not exactly Tea. At first, she was fine. Calm. She said that whatever wrong I had done to her was not my fault. She seemed to mean that. Then it was as if I was talking to a totally different person. That other person is the one who tried to hurt us."

"Wait... Are you suggesting there are maybe like... two Mazas or something?" Tea asked confused.

"Something like that. Maza gave me her name, the other soul... She said she had no name as she wasn't a who but a what? But I am unsure as to what that could mean..."

"The second soul... she is dangerous Pharaoh. That much I can tell." Ishizu pointed out sternly.

"I'll agree on that. She was looking for a Guardian Seto and said the man on the tablet was him... She was also looking for a Lady Kira. Have you heard the other name?"

"I have not, but there is still much about your time that is lost to us. I can do some digging and see if the name is mentioned in texts somewhere. But, she said the sorcerer on the tablet was this Guardian Seto? You're sure?"

I nodded, "Yes. She said he and the Kira woman took away her freedom? That is why she wants to hurt them. From what I can tell, this guardian Seto was on my side? But how? The tablet portrays a battle between us. Why would allies fight?"

"I-I don't know Pharaoh..." Ishizu sighed trying to think again.

"The first soul.. Maza. She seemed like she was also on our side. What was she saying in Arabic Ishizu? She used several phrases."

Ishizu closed her eyes as if trying to think over the past several minutes. "First, she was telling something to heel to her..."

"Like the monster in the tablet?" Tea questioned.

"Yes! That may have been it. The tablets were supposedly the conduits for the early shadow game monsters." Ishizu agreed.

"What about the phrase Eabdi? She said it looking at that one monster tablet" I pointed out.

"Eabdi means servant. She was asking where her servant was."

"It would be a huge coincidence, but could that monster tablet have been hers? Could Maza's servant have been the shadow monster that went to that tablet?" Tea asked looking back at the broken tablet.

"It is possible," I thought back to Maza's words to me, "She said I ordered her servant destroyed which left her defenseless when they came for her. Not that we know who they are. But that combined with her behavior, I would say that coincidence could be correct. With the tablet broken, she might not have been able to call the creature to help her when she ran into trouble."

"She mentioned a she too, but never told you who." Tea spoke

"She also said I could not stop the Alzalam? Is that a name you recognize Ishziu?"

"N-no... Alzalam is simply 'darkness'. She could have meant so many things by that."

"What about the other phrase she used just before we saw the one that tried to hurt us? It was when I was asking who the she was. What did she call it?" I pressed.

Ishziu's eyes were closed tightly as she tried to remember. "She said... something about an old evil. She said she was an old evil! You said the other being wasn't a who but a what... What if this other being was the old evil?"

"That too would make sense. Maza was telling me to run so she could not harm me. If she knew about the other soul, she may have been trying to prevent her getting free?"

"About that... what do we do about Nikki and Kaiba? You guys think he is that Guardian Seto right?" Tea asked concerned.

That is true. What will happen if Nikki sees Kaiba? Will the one soul fight and try to hurt him?

"I don't know. I only sensed that Nikki had some bigger role to play, but I never felt she was dangerous until now. Maybe Nikki keeps the souls in the dark without knowing it. I mean, we did not meet them until she touched that tablet. If we keep her and the tablet separated, maybe we won't see them again?"

"There are no guarantees that that is the case Pharaoh.." Ishziu warned, "This may have just been the catalyst that broke the seal binding them to the darkness. You will need to be on your guard."

"How would we stop her if that's the case?" Tea asked scared.

"The same way we did today. We get through to Nikki. If she can take control then we have nothing to fear. Though I would like to talk to the Maza woman again sometime. She remembers the past. Maybe she can tell us more about the other soul and how to stop her."

"Do you think it is possible to get her alone?" Ishziu questioned.

I had to think for a moment. All of this was so new. "No idea. But-"

It was the sound of Nikki behind us that caught my attention. Her eyes were cringed shut as she rubbed her temples with her fingers. I kneeled down and helped her sit up.

"Why do I feel like I just took a 2X4 to the temple?" She groaned once she was sitting up.

"Nikki, what do you remember?" I questioned wondering what would be the best course of action.

"Umm.. Seeing the tablets and then it was like my head was going to explode. What in the world happened? Why am I on the floor?"

"You fainted my dear... I think you hit your head when you hit the floor." Ishziu spoke up.

"Wait... seriously?!" Nikki cringed.

Everyone only silently nodded.

"I-I'm sorry... I'm not sure what is going on. I ate and everything."

"It's ok Nikki. These things happen sometimes. How about we take you home?" Tea asked holding out her hand.

"That sounds like a wonderful plan actually. Thanks."

Tea helped Nikki to her feet.

"You two go ahead, I am going to talk a bit to Ishziu. Will catch up with you at the entrance?" I stated trying not to alert Nikki to anything.

"K. We'll wait for you up front Yugi." Nikki nodded as she went with Tea. Once they were out of earshot, I looked back at Ishziu.

"You do some digging for the Kira woman mentioned. I will do my best to see if there is a way to get more out of Maza without letting Nikki know."

"Can do, but please be careful Pharaoh. There are powerful forces at work here. I can feel it."

"You and me both." I couldn't quite tell which was worse. The fact that this other sprit Nikki seemed to possess was indeed powerful with what seemed to be ancient magics or the fact that said spirit called someone else master. Who did I need to fear more?