Ok, so technically this is a day earlier than I said it would be, but I felt that since it's been a while, then I can make an exception this week. Should be going back to usual updating times once a week, every Thursday after this, and I'll let you know if there'll be any difficulties once again later on down the line.
Other than that, please enjoy this chapter and I hope it has been worth the wait! And thank you for bearing with me these last couple of weeks!
To avoid confusion:
Words Yami speaking mentally
Words Yugi speaking mentally
"Words" Characters speaking Japanese
"Words" Characters speaking Ancient Egyptian
"Words" Characters speaking Arabic
"Words" Characters speaking Akkadian
Marik had never thought that he would ever hate the colour green. Green was the colour of life, of fertility and food and the precious gifts given by rain. It was a colour that he had lived without for so many years, it had been startling to first view the lush green fields set alongside the Nile on his first trip to Cairo. It had been so long ago, but sometimes he remembered it as clearly as if it were yesterday. He had drunk in that glorious colour, so vibrant in the bright midday sun and had decided then and there that it was his favourite colour. In this house however, it most certainly was not.
The common room was a terrible sickly green colour, the upholstery on the chairs a deep emerald that was washed out in the terrible light. It should have been warm from the fire in the common room, but Marik could only feel cold, as if it gave off no heat at all. It was the kind of dungeon-like area that his darker half would have loved. And therefore, Marik found that he hated every facet of it.
The other Slytherins were eyeing them all up with suspicion. Despite the fact that three out of six of the transfer students had ended up in Slytherin, the only one they truly seemed to accept was Akhefia. The thief- and he was a thief considering that Marik had watched him steal several of their fellow housemates money purses- was currently sat next to the fire, his snake on full display. The only person who looked unhappy with this was the blonde boy from the train carriage.
"So, it was you who owns that… thing," the boy drawled, lip curled in distaste. His tone indicated that he really wanted to say something completely different, while he stood in such a way that stated he would agree with whatever the other boy said. Marik had the feeling that since the house's mascot was a snake, they simply assumed that because Akhefia's ka was such, that he would agree with their ideals.
Oh, how wrong they were.
"So, you were the one that Diabound wanted to eat," Akhefia stated, just as condescending as Yami Bakura could be. And that wasn't even at his worst. Marik shuddered slightly, swallowing and stepping ever so slightly closer to Kaiba, who was currently watching the show with a carefully blank face. Malfoy's face scrunched in something like hatred, obviously noticing not only the growing attention but also tension in the room.
"You let that filthy mudblood touch it." Something almost like anger flashed across Akhefia's face for a split second and Marik didn't know whether to feel sorry for the boy or be outraged himself. If the Clan leaders heard anyone speaking of royalty like that, he would be executed on the spot. And Akhefia had lived with the central Clan at Nekhen for years. Marik shuddered, remembering the day that the Memphis Clan leader, Kheftan, had visited a few days before he had left for Britain. Ishizu had still declined teaching and Marik wished she hadn't- how was he supposed to know that the 'important' member they were sending was the heir to the Clans?
"What did you just say?" Akhefia asked, voice deadly quiet and eyes as flinty as Diabound's. The snake let out a near silent hiss, slithering around his owner's arm and up across his shoulders, in much closer lunging distance than he had been before. Marik wondered what would happen when Diabound was no longer a snake if Akhefia got angry enough. He wouldn't be so unsubtle would he? After all, he had been informed that this was the house of cunning and ambition. Malfoy, apparently, missed the danger he was in.
"You can't tell me your friends with him? A Gryffindor?" Malfoy's tone was mildly disbelieving as if the thought that any knowledge of people from outside Hogwarts should mean nothing once sorted. Akhefia's eyes narrowed further and Kaiba seemed to decide that killing the idiot was below Akhefia, even if the other boy didn't. None of the other students had yet to notice the wicked gleam of the dagger under the boy's robes.
"Clearly, you've never encountered people who have met in the real world," Kaiba drawled, moving to sit in the armchair opposite Akhefia. Marik moved to stand between the two. Might as well show his own solidarity with them, even if he didn't want to get involved. He would, if the idiot decided to carry on causing trouble, but he hoped it wouldn't. He really wanted to put his own issues to bed and he really didn't need any of this right now.
"And what's that supposed to mean?" a boy with a weasel-like face asked, affronted. Kaiba cocked an eyebrow.
"Are you telling me that no one has ever come to this school knowing any other students before? Even transfers and such?" he asked. The boy frowned at him.
"Sometimes, but what has that got to do-"
"Everything. Just because one has been sorted into different houses has no relevance on their bond before entering this school, no matter their age. What difference does it make if a Gryffindor and Slytherin are friends if they have known each other before entering your bigoted world." There were several hisses from some horrified students which Marik couldn't understand.
"You're not going to be in school forever what do houses have to do with anything?" he asked before he could stop himself. Was this really all coming out because the prince was sorted into a different school house? A House he wasn't even staying in, and neither was himself or Akhefia for that matter. They had all been given the choice at the end of the feast and before he could decide the thief had spoken up for him. Kaiba had decided to join them in the remote dorm, while Yugi and Ryou opted to stay in their respective house dorms. They too, had been baffled by the apparent dirty looks being sent in the direction of Slytherin house.
"What do…" Malfoy echoed, mouth hanging open. He didn't seem to notice that Diabound was still eyeing him as a tasty snack for his earlier comments. "Gryffindors are our sworn enemy! They are our rivals in everything! They're all about being friends with filthy mudbloods-"
"Like His Highness?" Akhefia asked almost sweetly, striking as swiftly as a cobra. A couple of sharp inhales behind Marik showed that a few of the smarter Slytherins had caught on. Malfoy, unsurprisingly, didn't.
"Well, if that's what you would like to call him," he sneered and Kaiba made a derisive sound. Clearly, he was unamused by Malfoy's bigotry as Akhefia- probably more-so if what Yugi had said was true.
"It would be heresy if he didn't. It isn't usually customary to refer to the Pharaoh's son as a, what was it? Filthy mudblood?" Kaiba's tone was almost as sweet as Akhefia's. It was a tone that Malfoy finally caught on to, that meant that he was in trouble. His mouth fell open and he glanced around the common room, looking for some form of support. But, if he had ever had any to begin with, the others were wisely keeping quiet. In fact, Marik was certain he could see a couple of impressed-looking second and third years in the corner, eagerly watching this show-down. Malfoy's mouth moved up and down a couple of times, obviously at a loss as to how to dig his way out of this hole.
"Well, if that's you done with," Akhefia stated, talking as if he were merely commenting on the weather, "to business. There will be some new rules while I am here. By the sounds of it, you've all been taught idiocy and bigotry towards your own kind and have forgotten what the true values of cunning and ambition are. What's the point of wiping out half of your own puny little existence on the earth when there are far more interesting endeavours to be involved in." The smile Akhefia gave the common room was half deranged, the dagger no longer in hiding. The weasel faced boy from earlier scoffed.
"And what are you going to do with that? You'd be hit with spells before you got to anyone," he laughed. Akhefia merely smiled wider.
"You would need a wand and hand to do that. And unlike you," he said, as he stood calmly before the Shadows suddenly coalesced and he was standing right behind the boy. "I don't need a wand to cause damage," he finished, dagger now pressed up against the boy's throat. He used Shadow magic just like that?! That should be impossible! You can't use it like that anymore! Marik's brain screamed at him. Although, he supposed, if they were involved in the Nameless Pharaoh's prophecy, then it was entirely possible that he could do something like that. Weasel boy's face went white in terror and several students took a step or two away from him. Even Malfoy had the sense to look terrified. "Oh, don't worry. I won't kill any of you. His Highness would be most displeased with me if I did- and you don't want to see him angry." This was punctuated with another manic grin, before the dagger disappeared from whence it came. Diabound let out a soft hiss as he straightened up. "And now, I shall leave you for the night. I'll see you all in the morning." It didn't take either him or Kaiba to decide that staying in this dorm was out of the question.
In fact, Marik vowed to not return until Akhefia had done a little damage. If it involved Malfoy, then he might even help…
The dorm that they were given by Dumbledore wasn't bad, all things considered. He was fairly certain that it had been put together during dinner though- the crafty old man had thought that they would be all be staying in the dorms they were given. Atem could have told him that was a terrible idea, leaving Akhefia to play with unsuspecting chauvinistic teenagers, let alone his own issues. Luckily, it looked as if Bill had arrived earlier than expected and was sat in the small common room allocated to them along with the man who had been introduced as Severus Snape.
"Your room's that one." Bill pointed to the door with his name on it, third to the left, protection spell already in place. By the looks of things Haphiri had already gotten to it before him, since there was another layer of spells over the ones for protection. Atem opened the door, giving it a quick glance around. Decorated in red and gold, the colours for Gryffindor. He shook his head and shut it again.
"Will I be able to decorate I wish?" he asked.
"Ask for Dobby. Dumbledore has given him this area to clean when he has finished the Gryffindor dorms. He will be able to help you… redecorate," Snape said. Atem raised an eyebrow.
"Will he help me burn everything designed to bring me to Dumbledore's point of view?"
"Are you planning to do so to half the school?" Atem grinned at the man, noticing the slight twitch of the man's lips.
"If only." He went to join them on the seats. The common room had no fireplace- only a couple of small tables and some armchairs scattered about the room. Bill and Snape had dragged most of them into a sort of circle, but it was clear that it was made to look less welcoming than it could- probably to encourage him to spend time in the Gryffindor common room. Perhaps another day… his exhausted and optimistic side murmured. Considering Yugi and the ghost would be there… most likely not.
"Mr Weasley has been telling me about your… difficulties sleeping," Snape said delicately. Atem huffed, eyeing the potion vials set out before the Potion's Master. Difficulties indeed. "Since his potion brewing skills are passable at best he asked for my help in a little experiment." Atem gave both men a small grateful smile.
"Dreamless Sleep?" he asked as he picked one up.
"My own brew. It is incredibly strong, you will only need a few drops in your drink before bed- any more and you risk addiction. Just like Muggle sleeping tablets, do not take them any longer than three nights in a row without a break." Atem nodded, replacing the vial as he felt a soft breeze on the back of his neck.
"Baba!" He wasn't surprised by the chilly feeling of a ghost falling through him again. Clearly, Nofret hadn't gotten any better at corporeality.
"Troubles, sister?" he asked teasingly as she detangled herself from himself, the table in front of them and the chair. She pouted as she flopped into the one next to him, only to fall through it.
"Gods damn it!" she shouted, pulling herself up once again.
"It does tend to help if one is solid," Snape stated blandly. Atem withheld a snigger although Bill was less successful. Nofret blinked at him, before brightening.
"Oh, yes! Thank you!" she said, attempting to sit once again. This time she managed to stay on the chair rather than in it. "Hello, Severus!"
"Good evening, princess," the Potion's Master said, not missing a beat. "What can I do for you?"
"Oh, um…" Nofret went quiet, playing with her fingers a little and becoming a little translucent. "Haphiri was wondering if you would help her with something? She was wondering if… if modern magic had any way of counteracting Orichalcum?"
"Orichalcum?" Bill asked, surprised and Atem swallowed. "I thought that stuff didn't exist anymore?"
"Oh, it exists. The Minoan has just hoarded most of the world's supply of it," Atem said darkly. He was surprised that he hadn't thought to ask before- damn that hat for bringing up those memories!
"Minoan?" Snape asked and Atem winced. It wasn't really what Haphiri called him- the word she used didn't exactly translate into any modern language anymore and it was the closest known civilisation that they knew he had been attached to. However, Atem had found mention of a stranger from across the sea with an odd green rock in several Mionoan documents that stated he wasn't a part of them. That he was something… older. And that made his history with Nofret all the more disturbing. No wonder she had been freaking out about those bikers the other day.
"It's… not important," he said. Snape didn't look happy but accepted that that was all he was going to get. He turned his gaze to the ceiling as he seemed to think.
"Orichalcum is a rare substance. As Mr Weasley succinctly put it, many a wizard thinks it no longer exists. However, the Dark Lord himself owned a piece, many years ago. Where that shard went, I do not know and I have yet to devise a suitable defence against it except Occlumency. Which you do not need with your mental capabilities," Snape said slowly.
"The Minoans mental capabilities are far beyond my own, let alone yours or Voldemort's, even helped with Orichalcum." Snape nodded and sighed.
"I will look into it. If the Dark Lord manages to get in contact with this… Minoan, then I will have to report this to Dumbledore," he said, eyes questioning.
"If it comes to that point, it won't matter if Dumbledore knows we warned you or not. This school would be overrun within a month," Atem said gravely. "I'm surprised he hasn't already." It was a disturbing thought. If Voldemort already knew about Orichalcum then it was only a matter of time before he went looking for more. And if he did… if he found the Serpent King, then they would be in greater trouble than if Necrophades decided to unleash its full capacity within the school. Atem didn't really like thinking about the odds of that- there was so much magic here, old and ancient and mostly untapped, that the students didn't realise that far from it being the safest place to be against Voldemort, but rather the most dangerous. Especially with the enemies they had let in within the school ground that would make use of the wayward magic floating about.
Before either Snape, nor Bill could answer that thought though, Akhefia crashed through the door, followed swiftly by both Kaiba and Marik. Bill jumped while Snape eyed the swinging door with distaste.
"Mr Kheti, I don't believe you hit the door hard enough." Akhefia merely growled, throwing himself into a chair, not even bothering to look at his room.
"If that room is as green as your common room, I swear I'll kill the old man myself," he snapped, fiddling with one of many daggers he had upon his person. Atem blinked, wondering what exactly had happened. Thankfully, Kaiba decided to be helpful for once.
"The Slytherin common room is a disgusting shade of green right down to the lights and Malfoy decided that he wanted to attempt to be in charge by insulting others," he said in a bored tone. It was clear that Malfoy's attempt had been pitiful at best considering Akhefia's usual method of dealing with idiots involved much pain. "Out of academic interest, what exactly is the point of referring to those of non-magical origin as a 'mudblood'?" Bill's face immediately darkened and Snape scowled.
"It is a despicable way for pure-blooded wizards to sully the name of those from non-magical families. Unfortunately, it is prevalent within Slytherin House due to the fact that near all of them come from elitist pure-blooded families." Atem raised an eyebrow at that- from the way Bill's younger brother Ron had been ranting, one would have thought all Slytherin's to be like that.
"Would I be right in thinking that those who don't agree with that policy are ostracised?" he asked. Snape merely nodded, eyes dark. It was all Atem needed to know and he simply let the matter rest. Akhefia was seething in his seat- it wasn't exactly hard to guess who Malfoy had been referring to. So, he decided to tackle the only person in their little dorm that was looking particularly uncomfortable. "Marik, you are welcome to sit," he said, gesturing to the chair next to him- coincidentally the only one left, since Nofret had made herself comfortable in the chair closest to the window. "It is true that the old fool has decorated our rooms much as I assume they would be decorated if we had stayed in our respective dorms, but I am assured we may decorate them as we see fit. Perhaps in the morning to give the poor House Elf a chance to tidy up Gryffindor House first though?" He sent a pointed look at Akhefia who's scowl had deepened at the mention of the colour scheme.
"Fine. I'm not cruel," Akhefia growled, letting Diabound down to explore. Kaiba looked as if he didn't believe that statement and Atem could see why. Most assumed that Akhefia was that way from how he acted, but he had never looked down on anyone without reason. They were usually validated, since he had spent most of his life living in the slums and then ostracised the moment he came into contact with the royal court. Atem had no illusions to Akhefia's character, but had liked and appreciated the other boy's honesty the first time they had met. Here was another lost soul, held under the assumption that they would act the same as their ancient counterpart and the idea that they could ever be friends was laughable to his father.
It had been wonderful to prove the man wrong.
"If that is all, I will leave you for tonight," Snape said, rising from his chair. "Mr Weasley has his own room here, to keep an eye on you. I will see you in the morning, with timetables for most of you." Atem nodded, watching the man leave. It was clear that they had at least one ally within these walls. He then yawned, gathering the vials in front of him.
"I'll see you all in the morning," he murmured, already on the way to his room. This whole day had been draining, and he got the feeling that it was only going to get worse the longer they stayed here. Akhefai grunted and Bill blinked. Nofret was curled up in her chair, asleep and semi-transparent. Atem smiled at the sight as he shut his door quietly.
At least one of them was going to get a good night's sleep.
Pain. He was in such great pain, carrying the corpse of his sister through the burning halls of the palace. The thief had gotten into the court, had already corrupted them from the inside. Gods, he was too young for this!
He stumbled, his strength failing. It was all he could do to stop the small body in his arms from tumbling to the floor with the rest of him. Why did it have to be her? Why did she have to die, so quick on the heels of their father? On the others? Truly, the gods had cursed him for his father's misdeeds. He tried to push himself up, on arms that were too weak to hold himself up. He couldn't carry her any longer, but he couldn't just leave her here, where any of the Dark Paladin's minions could come and find her and use her.
Warm arms wrapped around him, gentle to the touch and withholding a sob.
"Why are you always so foolish?" was the short, whispered words from painted lips, before they saw the true damage. Tears streaked down her face as she tried to pry the dagger from his side, but he took hold of her hand.
"It… It's too late now," he whispered, too weak for anything more. "We have to do it now."
"But you'll die!"
"I'm going to die anyway. If we don't do this now… everyone dies." Tears were dripping down her face, falling on his own even as his vision blurred. "There's a spell… father showed me. But I…" he coughed, feeling blood bubbling up and over his lips. "I can't cast it alone. I don't…" Another cough, more blood. He could almost feel his lungs filling with his life's blood, drowning him from the inside out. The Priestess nodded, taking his hand in her own, grim understanding on her face.
"Say the words. I'll give you the strength." He nodded, feeling more energised as he gave him what magic she had left. He could hear the roaring of the Gods battling the creature outside, even as he closed his eyes to the world. The words were strange on his lips, a mix of Akkadian and Egyptian that he hadn't spoken in such since he was very young. Far away, he could almost hear his mother, singing softly over the haze of battle, could hear his sister crying despite her death.
I will see you again he vowed even as he chanted the spell to seal away his own soul. Even if I will no longer remember you, I will see you again, and we will stand in Ra's light together once more. And with that the spell was finished.
He hadn't thought he could be in more pain than he was. Pain ripped through his core as his soul was torn asunder, ripped from his dying body and thrown to the shadows, gripping to that foul creature that attacked his people. He could see almost everything, despite the agony of his soul. Could see a thief restored from the sands he had been banished to, see a Priest ordering soldiers while running through the halls in search of his leader. A Priestess leant over the body of a young man, weeping in a puddle of golden shards, even as the Priest found her, horror written over his face.
And then… nothing. Nothing but shadows and darkness and pain for eternity.
In a dormitory with five other boys, the body of Yugi Motou sat up, wreching itself out of the red covers that it had pulled over itself, earlier that night. But it was not Yugi Motou who inhabited the body at that moment, gasping for breath that it only needed in this corporeal form.
Yami? Yugi murmured sleepily, mildly alarmed. It took the Spirit some time to order his thoughts, confused and obscured as they were. He couldn't remember the dream, but he could still feel the phantom pain of being ripped apart by the Shadows over five thousand years aching in his slowly healing soul.
I… I'm fine he whispered back. It was only a dream. The small Japanese boy nodded, going straight back to sleep and Yami, too laid back down, trying to remember what it was that had caused so much distress to both him and Yugi's body.
Both were unaware of the screams which woke a completely different, but much smaller dorm, some ways away in the castle.
Ok, so we finally have a chapter from Marik's point of view and some insight into Slytherin House. I find it interesting that the entirety of Hogwarts that isn't in Slytherin are convinced that every single one of them are pure-bloods, when even in the Harry Potter books it's proven that they aren't. Considering the only backstory we get from Snape is limited about his time at Hogwarts (even in the Seventh book, it mainly focuses on his relationship with Lily), it seems curious to me that he seems ostracised by even his own House. And I wondered if that meant that if you happened to be in Slytherin House and were not only not a pure-blood but also friends with anyone of any other house, would that get you ostracised by everyone else? We don't get to see that kind of reaction since Harry is in Gryffindor, and therefore we only really see Gryffindor reactions to things.
As for Malfoy being the head of Slytherin, even if only by context, well, he threatens everyone with his father's power. Which is laughable when put against anyone in Yugioh, let alone Akhefia of this story who, as you can tell, has very little respect towards idiots. As does Kaiba. This was why this chapter was so fun to write- just waiting for the penny to drop for Malfoy that no, these people are not going to listen to you and neither are they going to be intimidated by a boy who's only real power comes from his father. It's a lesson I want them and Slytherin House to learn because it seems that most of the House's occupants aren't cunning/ambitious as they are following in the footsteps of their families.
Also, hi Snape. I hope his characterization doesn't feel too off in this chapter. Out of all of the teachers/members of the Order of the Phoenix, Snape is the only one that I think the characters of Yugioh would be able to deal with. A man who isn't blindly following a clearly manipulative old man, questions what information he is given and is suitably disgusted to find out that Dumbledore has been grooming Harry to be the perfect weapon to use against Voldemort. He might be the most morally ambiguous character, but he is also the most interesting in that regard because, unlike the others, his only real goal is to protect Lily's memory- Snape gets used a lot by everyone and no one likes to acknowledge that. So I decided, I wanted to give him some volition of his own, as seen in this story where he is actually allies with someone, rather than allowing himself to be used by various different factions.
Right, rant about Snape over.
Other than that, I hope you enjoyed this chapter and I'll be back next week with a new one!
Fireking492: Thank you and I hope you continue to be intrigued by this story! It might start to get a bit complicated in the near future, although that might just be me trying to keep straight where everyone and everything is ;)
Bananarock509: Haha, thank you for putting up with mini essay! I'm not sure how helpful Atem POV will have been in this chapter, although I can say that yes, Atem and Yugi/Yami can touch. It's more of an 'or something' kind of situation. We'll get to that I promise ;)