Slowly, but surely... we'll get there. We will not give up! We will get to the end of this freakin' fic!
Grab your sugar, tea and rum and forward, hearties!
I'm alone again. Pegasus didn't wait for my answer to his insane request and left me with my thoughts. My eyes are still glued to my dress in the wooden box, as they've been all night. Soon, the Tempest will reach Shayee island. The call is here again, pulling at my mind, telling me how close home is.
Then Atem and I will have to find the source of the orichalcum.
I sigh. We never truly spoke of the orichalcum. It was the reason for our people's demise and Pegasus's madness. But I never asked what it was really or where it came from. Why did the Shayee, who were so content with their simple lives, possess such treasure? And most of all, did Atem have a clue where it truly came from? If he did, will he stall for time or will he want to get it over with?
Anguish twists my insides again. I think of what Seto would do, but this train of thought leads me nowhere. What can I do? I look up at my reflection in the mirror on the wall. I barely recognise the girl looking at me. The dress is too heavy, the shoes too tight and even the lovely silk scarf covering my hair is too constricting. Wait… I didn't even realise I put it back on. Now that I see the reflection, I look like a little girl cowering under her covers.
Is this you? asks the girl in the mirror, frowning at me. Is the girl that Seto kept hidden from the world the one who can help you?
"No, she's not."
That girl was helpless on her own. She didn't know what she had left. But I found what I wanted to find. And I will not lose it without a fight, even if the price is my life. My eyes fall on the wooden box again. I'm going home again, and it will be as myself. The lost Shayee girl who has learned to duel, bargain and protect her own… And who is about to face another threat. But if I crumble here, I'll be of no use to anyone. Not Seto, not Mokuba… and especially not Atem.
Without hesitation, I get rid of my shoes, cotton dress and corset and slipping on my oh-so comfortable sandy attire. The fresh wounds of my last duel with Atem still ache at every move despite how much softer the fabric is. My heart beats furiously in the scars of my back. And my hands still tremble as I undo my braids to free my hair.
Fear, uncertainty, pain… It doesn't matter if I can be of any use. I have to try or nothing will happen but that which others have decided for me. Suddenly, the ship swerves under the hit of a large wave, no doubt. I lose balance just enough to accidentally shove the wooden box to the ground. That's when something heavy with a familiar glint escapes the protective velours.
On the shores of Shayee Island
As expected, when I'm finally let out of the captain's quarters and taken to the bridge, the eyes of the soldiers and crew turn to me. Some look at me like Valon did, with contempt and disgust. Others like the Millennium crew, with wide eyes and gaping mouths. But my focus is on the admiral, waiting for me with a handful of soldiers on the main deck.
As usual, there isn't a shred of surprise on his face. Just the same self-satisfied smile as ever. Only now I can't make abstraction of the madness in his eyes. Swallowing my spit take more effort than it should, as I get closer to the madman.
"I will admit, this suits you far more," he comments. "Being the last of your kind, you truly are a rare sight to behold, dear lady."
"Unfortunately for these shores, you are not," I retort, frowning.
I don't need to elaborate. My homeland has seen more than its fair share of greedy men in the last twelve years. The admiral only chuckles at my remark and doesn't bother defending his position like before. Why would he? He has me right where he wants and holds all the cards. Suddenly, his words catch up to me.
The last of your kind?
If he believes I am the last of my kind, then wouldn't that mean that he doesn't know Atem is Shayee? For what purpose would Bakura hold back this information? In fact, has he told him anything about the true reason behind the manhunt of the Millennium crew?
Before I can question it further, the sound of heavy footsteps and clicking chains takes the admiral's attention away from me. The treacherous quartermaster in his brand new disheveled uniform is dragging a chained up Atem.
The captain of the Millennium has that wrinkle on his forehead, which betrays his alertness. He no longer has his signature red coat. Our eyes meet for a few moments, exchanging our mutual tension. Bakura might have withheld the truth from Pegasus, but by no means does it mean he is on our side.
"Ah, Mr Sennen," says the latter. "I take it Mr Bakura has explained to you the reason for your presence here."
Out of habit or survival instinct, I take it, Atem summons that irritating smirk on his face. This mask is after all, the default persona he's put on for the last twelve years. I certainly didn't expect him to wear the face of the broken Shayee.
"I thought myself on the way to the gallows or at least a labor camp. Imagine my surprise when I heard the great admiral Pegasus wanted my help. I'm flattered."
I don't know wether it's because I know his true self or the bind we are currently in, but this performance certainly feels fake. I eye Bakura from the corner of my eye, but he only crosses his arms on his chest with the usual nasty look on his face, seemingly not really caring what Pegasus and Atem have to share.
"That does, however, leave one question," continues Atem, chest puffed out, and tilting his head like his provoking self would. "What's in it for me?"
I hold my breath at the unexpected question. What is he trying to do? We have our hands tied, in his case, both figuratively and physically. Yet he still hopes to bargain with Pegasus? His face is unreadable. He can't hope to get anywhere with the admiral. The madman holds all the cards.
"Bold words coming from a man in chains," replies our captor, condescendingly. "As you were saying, Mr Sennen, you are not far from the gallows. One trial away, in fact. Providing assistance to the navy will extend however long you have left. Is that not enough for a criminal meant for the rope?"
A swarm of confusion overcomes me. I thought Pegasus would immediately threaten me or the Millennium crew. Does he not wish to do it in front of his men? Oh. It suddenly occurs to me that Atem's intention might've been to provoke Pegasus into doing just that. If I am threatened, then the Stream might manifest…
"What's a few more days of breathing? I'd be a fool to prolong a certain fate. So unless you give me something worth my time and expertise, then I'd rather return to my cell."
He's pushing it. But it is clear as day that the admiral is a lot more subtle than Bakura when it comes to threats. Manipulative and foreseeing as opposed to brutal and cutthroat. A perfect foil to the Stream's nature. As long as I am not in immediate danger, none of that will work. I'm sure Atem knows this. Being this insistent won't play out well for us. My eyes keep flicking to Bakura who has yet to interject.
"You are asking for your freedom and a full pardon, I take it?" Pegasus seems to be finding this little game very amusing. "Surely, you're not that naive, captain."
"Nor am I daft, admiral. You are looking for the rarest and most valuable resource in the world. I would know. With the blood that has been spilled in order to acquire it, I say it's worth more than its fair share of lives."
"What is it you wish for then?"
"No death sentence for my crew. Tis a cheap price for something like the orichalcum."
Pegasus's smile doesn't fade one bit, as if this situation amuses him to no end. For an eternity it seems, I look back and forth between the mask and the medusa eye. Even Bakura seems finally interested in the exchange, eying Pegasus with interest.
"Very well," finally concludes the admiral. "If and only if, your expertise was instrumental in finding the mine, I will consider your request."
To no one's surprise, I'm sure, neither man bothers to present a hand. An adequate reflection of what this deal truly is: a mind game with no certainty. For now, the best thing to do is stay on the admiral's good side. I try to catch Atem's eyes to get a glimpse of what he is thinking, but he won't spare me a glance. Finding it wise, I look away as well. If Bakura won't divulge the whole truth to Pegasus, then taking advantage of it is the best course of action. Not that there is much else we can do.
A dozen soldiers embark with us on the rowboats. Pegasus stays near me while Bakura keeps a murderous eye on Atem in the other. As we advance towards the white shores of my home, I notice the ravash sap barrier and I recall twelve-year-old memories. I still don't know what the orichalcum truly meant to my people. Am I about to commit blasphemy and step on whatever dignity the Shayee have left? But I'm sure of one thing: not even the entirety of the riches in this world equals a single life.
"How do you feel?" asks Pegasus, pulling me from my thoughts. "Seeing your home once again?"
I clench my teeth, biting back a well thought out curse. I can't tell if this man relishes in my struggle or if he asks out of genuine and blunt curiosity. Now that I know it is not greed that drives him, he seems a lot harder to read.
"Like a grave robber," I answer.
"I am not here to unearth your resting kin, dear lady."
"You would if you thought the source was with them," I retort, eyeing daggers at him.
A small chuckle leaves him. "I won't deny that. Rest assured, when my Cecelia awakens, she'll scold me a hundred fold for what I've done."
He looks to the wind, contemplating something I can't see. I can't help the swarm of pity bitterly pinching my heart. Picturing myself without Atem isn't fathomable. Would madness take me like this if I were to lose him? I scold myself for the misplaced empathy. This man is the new scourge to my family. If only he'd been another greedy thug, I wouldn't have to waste time on compassion. But I can't help it. I know grief and that makes me anything but neutral.
My eyes land on the boat behind ours, where Bakura has his eyes fixed on the island. I suddenly wonder just how much the traitor actually told Pegasus. Atem's true nature is one thing. But what about the Shayee? Has he been told I can breath underwater or about the Stream? Or has Pegasus discovered it in his research just like the second breath? I must assume that he has.
And it would explain how delicate he is about threatening Seto and Mokuba and hasn't said a thing about Atem specifically.
I bite my lip in frustration. There are far too many uncertain factors for me to come up with anything. The only option is biding our time and somehow try to negotiate with Pegasus and stop Bakura. If Atem could stall them somehow while I think of something… And just like that, another issue arrises. What is Atem planing to do? The water below looks so tempting, I find myself wishing to jump in and never resurface.
What do you feel when you look at it?
Soon enough, we reach the white sand. The familiar smell immediately fills my nose, and I see the memories of the beach again. With my parents, Yusei and Yuya… Seeing these armed men trample that sand leaves a bad taste in my mouth. Pegasus looks at the island, the wind playing with his long hair.
"Just as magnificent as it was then."
My heart nearly drops in my chest. "You've been here before?" I ask.
"Of course. As soon as I learned of the existence of the Shayee and the legends of the orichalcum, this was my first destination."
The arrival of the second boat prevents me from asking anymore. Bakura drags Atem over to us, wearing the same glare as before. I've no idea what they talked about but the unsettling tension in the air triples when they arrive. My kin spares me no glance, still wearing his mask.
"Before we begin captain, I feel obligated to remind you that wasting my time would be unwise," says Pegasus, to which Atem responds with a light snort and familiar irritating grin I know.
"I'd be a real fool to try to fight my way out of this surrounded by armed soldiers and chained up. Speaking of, admiral, would you terribly mind removing these?" The shackles click as he raises his hands.
"You're fortunate enough to have a deal," growls Bakura. "Don't push your luck."
Bakura finally speaking makes me wary but Atem doesn't hesitate to look him in the eyes. "Even I'm not quick enough to outrun bullets. The path is unmarked, narrow and uneven. And my guess is, both of you are quite impatient. Aren't you, admiral?"
Pegasus pinches his chin for a moment before turning to the first officer accompanying us.
"Lieutenant Heckler, remove our guide's cuffs, will you?"
"But Sir…"
"Should he try to make a run for it or turn on us, shoot him."
The soldiers execute their superior's orders, and remove the shackles from Atem's limbs. My kin rubs his sore wrists. While he does, a third boat arrives to the beach. This time, soldiers unload Cecelia's sarcophagus. Just the sight of it twists my insides. After fourteen years, there can't be much left.
"Ah, good," says Pegasus. "Now that everyone is here. After you, Mr Sennen."
Without a moment's hesitation and to my surprise, Atem instantly whips around and heads towards the forest of ashes. I watch him walk away, wondering why in the world he was looking so…sure. No doubt about it, he knows exactly where he's going. His decisiveness makes my insides shift uncomfortably. I don't want him to take these people to our kin's precious resource. Then again, what choice do we have? I hand suddenly pushes me forward, and I nearly tumble face first into the sand.
"Walk," growls Bakura.
All I can do is throw back a distrustful glare, and do as I'm told. Bakura, Pegasus and the soldiers follow quickly. Soon, too soon, the smell of ash and burnt flesh fills my nose. I cover my mouth and nose to somewhat escape the putrid scent, wondering how Atem seems unaffected. Just like last time… Have years of blood and pain numbed him to it? Then we reach the ruins of the village.
The same stomach turning sensation as before comes over me. Flashes of fire resurface, seemingly brighter than before. Atem deigns to stop and look back. The soldiers stop and stare in horror at the desolate sight. Even Pegasus's face becomes serious as his eyes take it in.
"What the bloody hell are you waiting for?" Clearly, Bakura is the only one unaffected.
As he says that, I feel them coming. As they have for the past twelve years. My heart beats like canon fire, echoing in my ears. I don't want to hear it. And I absolutely don't want them walking on this ground. In a desperate and most likely fruitless attempt, I turn to the admiral.
"Can we go around the village? Please."
My voice is already shaking, and the memories become brighter. Before I can even remark a change in Pegasus's expression, a pale hand grabs my jaw, forcing me to look at the rage-filled pitch black irises.
"I warned you before, devil girl. Shut your mouth and do what you're told."
For the second time today, I'm thrown forward entering the village. Pegasus says something about manners to which Bakura retorts that the admiral something about shoving them someplace else. But all become background noise while the canon fire that is my heartbeat increases and the dreaded cacophony of screams joins the memories.
No, not now!
Covering my ears is useless, while present and past intertwine in my head. The scars ache and the nausea becomes increasingly worse… That is until a familiar warm hand wraps around my hand. I barely open my eyes when Atem hoists me on his shoulders, practically wearing me like a scarf.
"Close your eyes. Breathe only when you need to," he orders, before addressing the others. "This way."
With that, he steps into the village without hesitation. Consider me distracted. The putrid smell and the ache of my scars don't fade, but I'm so confused that the screams are at bay.
"What are you doing?" I whisper, as quietly as I can, afraid Pegasus might catch on.
"Do they know I am Shayee?" he whispers in return, keeping his eyes focused and forward.
Quick questions, quick answers. I don't have time to elaborate.
"I don't think so. But if we get on Bakura's nerves, he'll rat us out without a second thought."
"What's in the silver chest?"
"A corpse. Pegasus's wife. He wants the second breath."
His grip on me tightens and I know he knows he has pieced together the meaning of the words and what they imply.
"Atem, our only chance is to trigger the Stream—"
"Absolutely not. Besides, they want us alive, the Stream only responds to clear intent to kill."
"Could we make a run for it then? If we make it to the sea, we could swim back to Liverand."
"It's a three day journey by ship with no land to rest in between. We'd pass out from exhaustion long before getting there. Not to mention the weather and currents may not be in our favor."
I wait for his suggestions, but nothing comes. His eyes are still looking ahead, executing the order he's received. This coldness frightens me. I finally sense the tension in his shoulders. Muscles like steal and the smell of cold sweat among that of salt and dried fruit. Part of me feels relieved. He's not indifferent to our situation. The other part is even more nervous than before. We're still stuck here.
"Just play along with them," he whispers. "I'll protect you, I swear it."
Quick footsteps behind us tell me that Bakura is catching up, not willing to give us any more privacy. Pegasus and his men are not far behind. Once we've crossed the desolate village, and reached a part of the forest that escaped the fire, Atem sets me down.
"Are you alright?" he asks.
One glance at the ashes behind him and all the nausea hits me at once. "No," I reply before turning away and leaning against to return the content of my stomach. Atem has the fortunate reflex of holding my hair back while I my ancestral land with my latest meal. Then Bakura joins us with the others not far behind. He snorts as I cough to soothe my irritated throat.
"God you're pathetic," lets out the quartermaster.
"Have some tact, Mr Bakura," says the admiral. "The lady is walking in the ashes of her homeland."
"Don't waste your breath, Admiral," says Atem, facing them. "This animal would step on his own brother's grave without a second thought."
Silence follows. A shiver of horror shakes me up, and a frozen atmosphere surrounds the area. The tone and the words are purely meant to provoke Bakura. Indeed, I can see fury darkening the eyes of the former quartermaster. A moment late, his fist collides with Atem's face, and the latter tumbles back a few steps. When he straightens up, a filet of blood drips from his nose to his chin.
The two men exchange glares. If they had their weapons in hand, I'd think they were about to duel. After a few eternal seconds, Bakura takes a step and I take one to the side to stand in between them. The murderous glare shifts to me.
"That's quite enough, children," says Pegasus clapping his hands together. "We have a mine to find."
With that, Atem wipes his nose on his sleeve. He throws me one last unreadable look before leading the way through the thick forest of palm trees. Bakura and a few soldiers follow quickly.
"Shall we?" says Pegasus.
I follow walking by the admiral's side. I can't wrap my head around Atem's senseless provocation. It's not like him. He has a frightening amount of self-control while under stress. And it seems to petty on his part.
"I see," says Pegasus, pulling me out of my thoughts. "That would explain quite a few things."
"I beg your pardon?" I ask, uncertain I want to know what the madman is thinking.
"Your blatant desire to defend your captors has confused me quite a bit. But if I make the assertion that you've fallen under the charm of the Millennium captain, then it becomes clearer."
He throws me that inquisitive yet already knows the answer smirk. All of my muscles contract at once, making my wounds ache. I summon my inner Seto to negate any facial reaction, praying that blood doesn't rush to my face.
"The men of the Millennium saved our lives. Don't be absurd."
He doesn't press the issue but the look he throws me leaves no room for doubt. He knows I'm lying or at least suspect something more. I accelerate to put some distance between us. Thankfully the path gets narrower as we go, barely allowing the grown men to sneak their way through the trees. The unmistakable sound of streaming water reaches my ears. When we finally emerge, we find ourselves at the foot of a steep hill or small mountain going up. Multiple waterfalls cascade into a small lake.
The heart of the island.
The familiar nostalgia hits me again. No flashes of memory this time. Just the feeling of familiarity. A bit further to the right, a clearing with large rocks. A perfect hiding spot for two children to share dreams and wonders. For two young kindred souls to meet, without yet knowing their fate.
"What now?" Bakura is looking up at the little mountain. "Do we climb the damn thing?"
Atem doesn't bother replying and instead heads towards the small lake, leading us along the edge towards the first waterfall. Passing through a curtain of streaming water, we find ourselves in a dark cave hidden behind the fall.
"You do know all the search parties that came to the island knew about these caves, captain," says Pegasus unimpressed.
"And how many of them found themselves lost in a labyrinth for hours before finding their way right back out where they started?" retorts Atem, whipping around. "And how many have mapped out said maze and found nothing?"
"Point taken. I suppose this is where your expertise comes in?"
"Don't light any torches and keep up if you don't want to get lost."
With that, he goes deeper into the darkness of the cave, followed by Bakura. But as the light from the entrance gets dimmer, I notice lucien moss illuminating the cave.
"Atem, we're not supposed to be here," suddenly says little me of my memories, as she follows a ten year old Atem through the exact same dark tunnels. "We're not old enough yet!"
"Don't worry, it'll be fine," replies the boy, his eyes glowing with excitement and without even looking back. "Don't you want to see how they forge the orichalcum?"
"We'll get in trouble!"
"Only if we get caught. Which we will, if you keep talking. And if we do, just tell them I forced you. I'll take the blame."
"But I don't want that either."
The fragment of memory ends there. This is the correct road to the orichalcum. And Atem is leading them there without a doubt. Why? As confused and anxious as I am, all I can do is follow. Atem makes unpredictable turns in entrances camouflaged in the shadows and invisible to the naked eye. Only someone who knew where they are going could guide someone in here. And at every step, the nostalgia makes my heart pound louder.
We're not supposed to be here…
After the fiftieth or perhaps hundredth hidden passageway, we emerge into a a much larger cave, illuminated by even more moss. And in the middle of it, a large body of water. It's so evidently out of place that a long moment of silence goes by. To my surprise, it doesn't seem deep at all. Three feet at most. And unlike my dream, there are symbols carves all along the edge.
"It's impeccably shaped," says Pegasus, crouching next to the edge and putting his hand in the water. "And smooth like polished marble."
Something manmade, like a fountain. Far too sophisticated for the Shayee and yet there, in the middle of our home. I look to Atem for a semblance of explanation but his eyes are lost in the perfectly clear water in which no fish or impurities exist. My eyes fall to the symbols repeated along the edge of the pool. They are by no means the latin alphabet and yet, somehow, they make sense to me.
Zangenis regem clavit ista. The blood of kings is the key.
The nostalgia from before comes with a clear surge of fright.
We're not supposed to be here.
It is by no means cold here. And yet my hands can't stop shaking and even my teeth chatter. There is something dangerously ominous about this place. Little me's fear from back then grips my insides like a vice. Everyone here seems under the same spell as Atem, gazing at the strange pool. Pegasus is the first to snap out of it.
"What now, captain?"
We're not supposed to be here, says the memory.
"We're not supposed to be here," I say without meaning to.
Not without the king.
"Not without the king."
The memory won't come to mind, but we saw something that day. Something we were not supposed to see. Something only the king has access to.
"What are you talking about, devil girl?" says Bakura's faded voice. "Your king is dead, just like the rest of your devil kin."
"Do you mean there is no way to get in without the king of the Shayee?" asks Pegasus, his grey eye darkening somehow.
"I… I don't know."
"Yugi."
As always, is the clearest to my ears among the noise. I look at him, finding the same infinite sadness in the eyes of an unfeeling face.
"The king is here."
Nothing good can come from something sounding so fatal.
Never thought one sentence could be so ominous to write. Next up, the secret of Shayee island, the source of the orichalcum and... a terrifying encounter!
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