New year equals new resolutions, right hearties? Sorry for going MIA since last summer. A lot of things came up and needless to say it wasn't the easiest six months of my life. But I fully intend to finish this story. As I've said, there's approximately 10 chapter left for it. Thank you for sticking by despite this atrocious schedule of mine.

Enough bowing, lets get back to storytelling!

I have only ever seen Kisara angry once, since meeting her. Back at the academy, being the only woman brought her a lot of unwanted attention which she always deflected with grace and wits. That is until one of their classmates decided to taunt her the day her beloved aunt Cecelia died. The classmate ended up with a broken wrist. I was present then. And I remember all too well this colder than winter glare throwing daggers at the prick. I never forgot that moment. In an instant, the graceful lady that could keep up with any man around her had turned into a fearsome dragon.

Having this glare pointed in my direction generates shivers, as if a polar wind has invaded the room. The intensity is definitely comparable to that one time, but there's no anger. Irritation, worry and determination. She wants answers.

"You owe me an explanation," says the commodore. "This affair has gone on long enough, don't you think?"

"If you're talking about the fact that my brother and I have been unjustly arrested and are about to be tortured for no valid reason, then I whole heartedly agree."

"We're not going to torture you," cuts in Alister. "This was the only way we could speak without looking suspicious."

How stupid do they think I am? This is the most obvious interrogation technique ever created. Coax the criminal into a false sense of security and having them spill their guts with promises of lighter sentences. Do they take me for some common thug?

"Do you truly think I'm that desperate?" I snap, my hands curling into fists. "I've nothing to say to either of you. I demand to know where my ward is."

The two exchange a look worth a thousand words. The unease twists their features in such an obvious way that my insides do the same. An impeding sense of dread swarms my whole body. Something is wrong.

"Alister, what is going on?" I ask, detaching every syllable. "You were supposed to watch out for her. Where is Yugi?"

The head of the Crowley house looks down in irritated shame. After a few eternal seconds, Kisara finally answers.

"Yesterday morning, my uncle departed for Shayee island, on an expedition. He took your ward with him. From my understanding, she went willingly."

Forget the shivers. The entirety of my body goes numb instantly.

"None of his recent actions make any sense," continues the commodore. "First, he leaves everything behind to go after a measly pirate ship. Unless the abductees are part of the royal family, that shouldn't be the concern of the Admiral. And now, after insisting on taking lead on this investigation, he drops it for an expedition to seek new resources. My uncle is many things. Unfocused is not one of them."

I stare at the ground, barely taking in her words. I should've known. From the beginning, his objective was Yugi all along. No, not Yugi… Curses! Was I a fool to think Pegasus was above greed? The only reason he would take her there is the orichalcum. What else could he possibly want from taking her to the mass grave?

"To hell with all of you!"

What now? There's nothing left to do until they return. Will they even return together? Is Pegasus above murder to cover up his tracks? Why would he want orichalcum in the first place? And why take Yugi? Her memory is a mess. She didn't even know what her bracelet was made of until she met Sennen.

"For you to react like that, this matter must be a lot more serious than we thought," comments Alister. "We know you're not the kind of person who partakes in crime or takes the easy way. That's why we're giving you one chance, right now."

"You can't expect us to believe you have no connection to all of this," adds Kisara, diplomatic as ever. "If you want us to help you, you have to meet us halfway."

The restraints bite into my skin as my wrist rubs against them. What now? We're trapped in a dungeon, the Blue Eyes is stranded, and Yugi is halfway to Shayee island with a madman exploiting her broken memory.

They're speaking but the useless sprouts of ideas shun them. At every realisation that there's nothing left to do, the weight on my shoulders becomes heavier. There has to be a way. I refuse to believe otherwise. This cannot be the end! Not after all of that. Every spark of idea appearing gets choked out immediately by the fog in my mind.

"It was Gozaburo Kaiba who killed the Shayee."

Mokuba's voice silences the useless cacophony of my mind, and the entire room. I pray that it's simply a hallucination. But Kisara and Alister's eyes are wide and unblinking, staring at my little brother's saddened but determined gaze.

"Twelve years ago, our father ordered the attack on Shayee island to get his hands on orichalcum," he repeats.

"Mokuba, be quiet!"

"It's over, Seto," he shouts back. "We can't do anything by ourselves. Even if we could, we don't have time and you know it. We need help and we need it now. Otherwise, we're going to lose Yugi."

He's never been comfortable speaking or acting against me. The few times he did, he couldn't maintain my gaze. Now, he doesn't so much as blink. I was losing my mind trying to trick a bigger shark. While he never lost the true objective.

Screw status, wealth and reputation.

Yugi. Everything else is secondary by far.

Aboard the Tempest, Atem's POV

I haven't the faintest idea why I was brought on this vessel. Going to the gallows usually entailed spending weeks rotting in the hold of a transport ship with hundreds of other convicts. Besides myself, the brig is empty.

The lack of trial or explanation has me suspecting the navy of trying to discreetly silence me. Though I can't think of a good reason why. If this ship is on its way to the gallows, the silver lining is that the rest of my crew will most likely join me. After all, pirate captains receive the most severe sentence.

I didn't bother questioning the guards who bring my meals, if the rotten smudge could even be called that. Tis been two days since our departure. My rational mind can't help but try to piece together the odd situation, but the conclusion remains foggy. Out of boredom, surely.

Frankly, I couldn't care less.

My mission is over and an irredeemable failure. I failed my crew and mission, by being weak to her. I failed my kind, by choosing vengeance. And perhaps worst of all, I failed her. I've drawn blood from her flesh and tears from her eyes.

I sigh, lying back down on the wooden floor, the chains clicking when I raise my arm to cover my eyes. The strange desire to be blind comes over me. And deaf. And numb. So none of this could ever reach me.

The door separating the brig from the rest of the ship creaks. I've no clue what time it is, but my last meal doesn't seem far enough away for this to be dinner time. Then again, why would anyone bother keeping a regular schedule for a scumbag sea rat?

"By Dante's nine hells, you look like something the sharks chewed up and shit out."

My entire body flinches at the familiar raspy voice and provoking tone. Suddenly alert and awake, I sit up. Against all odds, a ghost stands before me. Only the last thing I expected was to see him wearing a navy uniform, however disheveled.

"Bakura?" I ask, uncertain.

"In the flesh." That sarcasm is proof enough. "Sorry to disappoint."

I stand, slowly approaching the gate, wondering if my eyes are trustworthy so soon after I've wished them gone. "How in God's name did you survive?"

"Turns out my former crew-mates had a soft spot for me after all. I managed to grab on to the rope they tossed overboard. Though clinging to the bloody thing was all I could do, considering the blasted storm and trying not to drown."

"Your persistence is of the devil," I comment, shaking my head.

The relief of finding a comrade alive lasts but a few moments, before unease grabs a hold of my insides. He's not wearing that insolent grin I'm used to. And I haven't missed his new attire or the words "former crew-mates".

"Care to explain why you're wearing that?" I ask, stepping closed.

"Well, since you decided to lose your head over that wench of yours, and back away from the mission you dragged all of us on, I had to improvise," he spits back. "Unlike you, I haven't lost my nerve. I told you she would ruin everything, and how about that? I was right. So I'll take matters into my own hand to get what I want."

My hands twitch nervously at his words. Whatever he has done, it involves Yugi. This time, I grab the metal bars separating us. The melody of clicking chains fill the silence of the room as I stare daggers into my former quartermaster's eyes.

"What have you done?"

"There's the look. If I didn't know better, I'd say you want to rip my throat out. But as you've proven on the Millennium, you don't have to guts to through with it. I made a deal with the admiral. I help him gets what he wants, I get the baron in exchange."

My mind debates whether to believe he's sold us out or not. The sight of him dyed in red and laughing maniacally at his bloody work, I'm no stranger to. But devoted to the cause as he is, how likely is he to have sold all of us out? He doesn't let me wonder long.

"Pegasus wants the orichalcum. I told him you and the wench could give him a hand with that. As a matter of fact, we're on our way to Shayee Island right this moment. And before you ask, yes, she's onboard as well."

"Are you out of your mind? She barely has any memories of the island! How the bloody hell would she remember that?"

"Which is why I told the old man that you were a far better guide. Isn't that right, your majesty?"

The sarcasm isn't lost on me. Majesty certainly wasn't a title used among the Shayee to address the king. It leaves a bad taste in my mouth. Still, just hearing it makes my teeth clench.

"You know nothing," I snap. "No Shayee is given access to the orichalcum until they are of age. Even I've never actually seen the source."

"Then I suggest you put that wit of yours to good use, if you don't want history repeating itself. Seeing the look in the admiral's eyes, he's not going to appreciate any kind of delay. Trust me. No one knows madness like I do. But play nice and he'll play nice. If anything to keep up appearances. Just stay out of my way when it comes to that dog of a baron."

Orichalcum. Greed. Of course it's what would motivate another selfish conquerer to keep a Shayee alive. Ironically, that same greed has stopped us from getting served our just desserts by the law of the empire. But this repeat of history might just erase all that is left of the Shayee.

"And what do you think is going to happen if we don't find it?" I ask, palms numb from clenching the iron bars. "Do you think he'll be gracious enough to go home empty handed and still give you the Kaibas?

"For your sake, you better hope you do. Your life may not mean anything to you, but I'm ready to bet anything that's not the case for hers. Keep your devil eyes on a leash, help him find his shiny rocks, then you and the wench might just live to breed and restore your devil race. Albeit for a single generation. Play your cards right and he might just offer you a deal too. But one slip up, and I'll kill you and her myself."

With that, he turns around and walks away, wearing an all too familiar predatory glare. The door shuts ominously behind him and my fist slams into the metal bars.

Yugi's POV

If it were possible for me to feel seasick, I would've already returned my guts despite having barely eaten anything since setting foot on the Tempest. The admiral decided to keep me locked up in the captain's quarters. I'd easily trade that comfort for the brig, knowing Atem is down there. Has he a clue of our situation? Does he have enough heart left to care? It's unlikely anyone has explained why he's here.

The Tempest has been at sea for two days now, and I've yet to see the admiral sleep. Not that I have either. Though he's brought clothes for me, I haven't had the mind to change or sleep either. I've barely moved from the window sil, contemplating wether or not I should shatter the glass and throw myself into the sea.

But to what avail? Who knows what might happen to Atem if I leave? And there is no guarantee that I'd make it back to Liverand before the Tempest. Even if I did, how could I help Seto and Mokuba escape all by myself?

I bite my lip in frustration, and turn my attention back to the elephant in the room. The admiral's quarters are much like Atem's, filled with books and decorative artefacts. Unlike the Millennium captain's thought, it's a lot more orderly. But the giant silver chest sitting at the foot of the bed sticks out like a fire in the night.

From outside, it resembles a large treasure chest. I'm almost certain the wood is mahogany. It's old but well maintained. Incredibly detailed flowers are carved into it and silver and gemstone have been incrusted within them. And dozens of silver roses have been added to it.

Now that I think about it, Pegasus was watching it like a hawk when it was brought here, I recall. Could this have something to do with this expedition? Or perhaps it is the admiral's personal chest where he intends to put the orichalcum?

This reflexion makes me look down at my wrist. The man clearly stated he has no use for my bracelet. Strange for someone who is this inclined to getting his hands on the resource of my people. I push myself of the sil and approach the silver chest.

Before I can extend my hand, the lock of the door winces. The admiral steps in, wearing that insufferable self-satisfied grin.

"I was wondering when curiosity would get the best of you, dear lady," he says, unsurprised to find me in front of the chest. "Perhaps you thought what was inside might give you some insight as to my true intentions. Would you like to take a peek?"

The sudden question instantly inverts any curiosity to see what is in the mystery chest and I take my hand back. This gets an amused snort out of the admiral. He puts his hand on it and his eyes soften.

"Mr Bakura said you have barely any memory left from your life before the massacre of your people. So tell me, what do you remember of the Shayee's precious resource?"

I've played this game of interrogation far too many times in the past few weeks for my taste. I won't be pulled into another pointless discussion about my memories. And at the moment, that's about all I can control facing this greedy man.

"Will filling this chest to the brink with orichalcum satisfy you?" I ask in return, not bothering to be pleasant.

Another chuckle leaves the admiral. "My dear, I am one of the richest men in the Caribbean. I've no interest in the monetary value of the orichalcum."

My mind replays these words until they make sense to me, leaving me dumbfounded. But the ominous premonition does not leave me. That explains why he is not interested in my bracelet. But what other than greed can possibly motivate someone who is not Shayee to pursue the orichalcum?

"Tell me Lady Yugi, have you noticed the books in my library?"

Seems I won't escape the cryptic questions and roundabout way to get to this man's point. Instead of replying, I turn my gaze to the book shelves and read the titles one by one. Lots of military essays, philosophy books, manuscripts in latin… That's when one title is particular catches my eye and my heart nearly stops.

Dialogues of Plato : Timaeus and Critias.

The titles that follow belong to worn down and seemingly unique books. Many of them bear the name Atlantis in the title. So that's why this cabin holds so much familiarity. It's similar to Atem's in more ways than one. And those similarities don't serve to reassure me.

What does this mean?

I catch Pegasus smirking from the corner of my eyes. "So Lady Yugi, what do you remember of the orichalcum?" he asks again.

I slowly face him, throwing him a suspicious glare. I try to remember what Atem told me when we first spoke of the subject. My right hand finds my left wrist and nervously twists the little stones.

"When a Shayee is born, the parents carve a piece of orichalcum for the newborn. Often a piece of jewellery. That's all I know."

"That is far from all, dear Lady," says the admiral, that frightening sheen glowing in his one eye. "The Shayee used the orichalcum to weave clothes that couldn't get soaked. The tools they forged from it didn't stain or rusted. In liquid form, it became an elixir to cure wounds and afflictions."

A chill crawls up my spine, as the grey eye and the smirk widen with madness. I swallow my spit and force myself to breathe. I mustn't show distress.

"That's only a legend," I say. "Stone can't turn to threads or liquid. Something like that…is impossible."

Yet again, the smirk widens. "Is it?"

He walks over to the suitcase he had brought for me before departure, supposedly containing clothes for me. But he opens it and pulls a wooden flat box which he hands over to me. I take it but frown at my "host".

"I asked Lieutenant Crowley to send this back for you."

Hearing Lord Crowley's name, I instantly know what it is and open the box. Sure enough, my sand-coloured dress is inside. I contemplate it, my hands shaking and speechless. How does he know all of this?

"There is no use in lying, my dear Lady. You see, you and this dress are proof enough that legends exist. I have been searching for over a decade for something like the orichalcum. I've spilled blood and spent gold endlessly to obtain one of a kind manuscripts that depicted the kingdom of Atlantis in all its glory. And after all this time, my search is paying off."

My lips tremble when I dare look up and ask. "W-Which legend is the one you want?"

"Have you heard of the second breath?"

I shake my head. Atem never mentioned that to me, not that I recall. With that never changing smug look, the admiral grabs a leather pouch from the desk in the room.

"A few years ago, I went to Greece to gather more information. I gave away a small fortune to obtain these witness statements dating back long before the birth of Christ. Every few century or so, an outsider would witness Atlanteans bringing the dead back to life."

If the situation was not so dire, I would've surely laughed at how ridiculous that statement is. Raising the dead? Pegasus is nothing like Bakura, but he might very well have lost his mind already.

"Surely, you jest," I say.

"Read them yourself if you need," the madman says putting them aside. "Having been raised by the Kaiba, I'm sure you'll have no trouble deciphering the latin translations. Despite being lives apart, these stories all describe the same miraculous events."

My heart seems to have taken residence in my head, each beat like canon fire in between my ears. The shivers have resumed their dance on my skin and my insides twist while the burns on my back ache. I can't tell if it is the admiral that frightens me or the words about to spill from his mouth. Indeed, his one eye is looking at something only he can see.

"The Atlantean, would say a prayer, holding a piece of orichalcum to his lips. Then he would press them against the deceased's. The orichalcum as well as his eyes would spill blue light. And the dead would rise and breath again before all."

A memory emerges from the confides of my mind. Breathing life back into someone? Lips to lips? Blue eyes? Exactly like when I saved Mokuba… This realization hits me like a bucket of freezing water. The Millennium crew also briefly thought of me as a witch for 'bringing him back'. Only Mokuba was never dead.

"That sounds absurd…" I insist, though my voice turns into a whisper. I can't sound less convincing. "W-Why would you want to—"

I stop talking when a glimmer of the silver chest catches my attention. For the second time, realisation hits me. The size, the shape, the silver…

"This is a sarcophagus," I let out.

"Kaiba said you were clever, I expected nothing else." The madness in his eyes eclipses and leaves place to that pain from before as the admiral rests his hand on top of the casket. "My dear Cecelia has been resting here for over fourteen years. And soon, she'll wake. Thanks to you, my dear Shayee Lady."

Just like that, the madness has returned. Pegasus closes the distance between us and his gloved hand comes up to hold my chin. His one grey eye hides none of his intent. And it is not of greed. He wishes for neither gold nor glory. Only the power of God that does not exist in the hands of mortals, human or not. I hold my breath as his words slither into my ears.

"Unlock your people's secrets and bring my wife back to me. Then you can do the same for the Shayee and I will return your brothers to you. Wouldn't that be wonderful?"

The screams of my people ring in my ears again and part of me wants to shout. The thought of disturbing the sleep of my family who has burned and agonized because of the greed of men is blasphemy to my ears!

But another part is petrified. I know full well what Pegasus is searching for does not exist. And when he realizes it, the admiral will be the death of Atem, my brothers and the entire Millennium crew.

Welp, Pegasus is as crazy as Bakura. This fiasco can't possibly get worse... can it?

PLEASE REVIEW