Zypher: Welcome all to another glorious chapter of Yami no Game: Dark Saga. Glad you all enjoyed the last chapter and I present to you this one.
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Yami no Game: Dark Saga
Chapter 8
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-12 Hours into the Dueling Tournament-
A crunch of leaves and branches under boots was heard as a figure in the shadows cracked its knuckles. 'Ra ha ha...sleep while you can, duelists...because I'm coming for you.' The person thought as it went to go look for its next victim, star chips won from past duelists gleaming in the slots of its duel gloves.
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"I'm hungry!" Jounouchi moaned before looking at Ryou. "What time is it?" Ryou checked his watch before turning back to Jounouchi. "It's just past eight." Diamond looked up to the full moon quietly. "It's so dark and quiet already. It's spooky in a way." she murmured and Myrrh agreed with her. "And I haven't seen any other duelists for a while." Honda added. "No one would wanna duel in the dark, Honda!" Jounouchi reprimanded. "It'll just make ya hungrier." he mumbled under his breath before jumping up from his place on the ground. "I want food! Not star chips! Wish they were potato chips though..."
"I wish I had a nice bath..." Myrrh piped up. 'I was expecting an island resort or something like that but this place is awful!' Aqua snorted. "A nice human meal would make my day right about now." he mumbled and Jounouchi gulped. "Keep those demon instincts down. I want food but I don't want ta be food." Jounouchi murmured before turning to look down at the trunk of a nearby tree and saw some mushrooms. "A mushroom! Finally some good food!" he cheered, picking it and was about to eat it if Honda, Yugi and Ryou didn't hold him back. "Jounouchi! Don't eat that!" They chorused, horrified. "They're right, what if it's poisonous?" Diamond inquired. None noticed who was watching until they heard...
"Are you really gonna eat that, Jounouchi? You all must be starving~!" Mai's voice chirped and they turned to see her there. "Great! Just who we need to see...again." Myrrh huffed plainly. Mai grinned and took a bite from a candy bar she had. "Hey...is that...?" Jounouchi started, already salivating at the smell of food. He wasn't the only one as the others looked up as well. Jounouchi shook his head from the thoughts of food plaguing his mind and jumped up, still holding the mushroom and glared at her. "Hey! Why'd ya come here fer anyway?" he growled. "Mmm...this walnut chocolate bar is delicious! What do you say, Jounouchi~? Want to trade one of your star chips for a piece of my chocolate bar?" Amber hues glared as a growl past his lips. "Never, you fiend! These star chips are my life!" Mai only laughed, winking at him. "Just kidding~ I'd never would've fought you in the first place if you were that low of a duelist." she spoke and Jounouchi growled even more. 'Why you...making a fool outta me...' he thought furiously. "You look so hungry...you better not bite me!" she taunted and Jounouchi's look darkened even more. 'Who would? Stupid girl...!'
"What do you all say to a ceasefire for tonight? We're duelists and we need a break sooner or later, don't we?"
"She's right, for once. I'm pretty tired from all the duels today." Yami sighed and Jounouchi sneered a little. '"A break"? Yea right! This is bad news somehow! She's plottin' somethin' and that gives me more reason to not trust her!' Was Jounouchi's pessimistic thought. 'Damn what was I thinking before…I blame the trap of a pretty face...'
"You guys didn't bring any food, huh? Have some of mine. If we can make a fire, we can cook!" she said, holding her bag up. "Wha! Really?" They all chorused in amazement. She took out everything she had and they were even more amazed at what she had.
"Wow! Cool!"
"Provisions...a tent...even a lantern! Everything you need!"
"You brought this all yourself?"
"A duelist must be prepared! You can't rely on the kindness of strangers." Mai replied. "Now men! I brought the food. The cooking is your job! Get to it!" Jounouchi grumbled to himself but Ryou and Yugi were smiling, happy that Mai was sharing her food with them. "I'll do the cooking! I'm rather good at it!" Ryou offered as Yugi came up beside him, holding some wood for a fire. Mai then turned to Jounouchi and Honda. "You guys go fetch some water! Chop chop!" she spoke, handing Jounouchi a bucket for them to collect the water. Jounouchi mumbled to himself still. "Grr...I hate her bossin' me around!"
"Shut it, Jounouchi! Be happy that we're getting something to eat after all she pulled earlier! Suck it up!" Honda admonished. Jounouchi still grumbled but he walked off with Honda. "This is fun! Just like camping!" Yugi chirped and Ryou nodded. "Yeah!" Mai stood beside Myrrh and started to speak quietly to her. "Wow...I've heard the rumors that it's true...Yugi really is a different person from how he was when it came to the duel Jounouchi and I were in. So happy and carefree with no worries or the burdens of the real world." Mai hummed and Myrrh took a glance at her. "Look who's talking! Why are you being so nice to us all of a sudden?" she inquired. Mai chuckled as she turned to look at her. "I'm a woman too. A duelist's make-up doesn't last for 24 hours..." she replied, surprising her a little. "Sorry...that was a lie...this kindness kinda crept up on me. Surprised me more than you. I don't know why I went over to talk to you all...it's a strange thing for me to do..." she explained. 'After all, I lived alone most of my life...' Mai squashed the thought before speaking up again. "And speaking of strange...you guys are kind of strange too, aren't you? Do you always stay in this little group?" Myrrh looked to her quizzically. "'Strange'? What do you mean by that? It's because we're friends that we stay in this little group." she said. "Hmph..." Mai looked down to the portable shower she had then back to Myrrh. "Your name's Myrrh, right? When the boys come back with water, you should warm some up and take a shower! I have a portable shower and a private tent." she said and Myrrh hopped up in glee.
"Are you serious?! Thank you so much!"
Mai only smiled. "There are some things only girls prepare for!" Once Jounouchi and Honda came back with the water, Mai heated some up for Myrrh over the fire and prepared the shower for her. Myrrh went inside with Mai standing in front of the doorway and she got ready for her shower. 'So, this is the real Kujaku Mai...and to think, I thought she was the most infuriating woman I'd met in my life. But she's actually pretty nice...' Her thoughts then went to Yugi, Yami and Aqua. 'I wonder if all duelists have two sides to them. When I think about it with Yugi, he's carefree and always has a heart to help someone but when it comes to someone he knows in danger or something life-threatening to us, he wouldn't think twice about inflicting some harm to them just by calling to Yami or Aqua. Those two are naturally nice to those that Yugi can trust unless someone threatens us or him. Then their demon sides command their actions.' she thought before she started on her shower. "Stay back, Jounouchi! Take one peep at this shower and you're dead meat!" Mai snapped when he saw his head turning slightly. "Get back to work in the kitchen where you belong!" she continued and Jounouchi muttered to himself. "Suck it up...suck it up..." After a while, Ryou and Yugi were done with the food and everyone came around the fire to eat. "Man that smells good!" Honda praised. "Yeah! Good job everyone!" Ryou praised as they all took plates and started scooping some of the stew onto their plates.
"Whoa! This is delicious, Ryou!"
"Thank you!"
Mai looked at them. "You all get some nourishment! There's gonna be more duels in the morning!" she said and both Jounouchi and Honda nodded. "Yes ma'am!" They both chimed before Jounouchi took a glance at Honda. "Honda, you're not dueling in this tournament!" he grunted and Honda rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. "Yeah, I know. Just want to be with the duelist crowd." he murmured and they laughed. Yugi looked over to Mai and saw that her duel glove almost filled. "You already have eight star chips, Kujaku-san. Maybe you'll be the first one into the castle." Yugi pointed out. "Yeah...but even if I do get into the castle...I'll settle the score with Yami sooner or later. Bet on it." she replied and Yugi nodded. "Come on...let's forget about the game for now. Right?" Diamond spoke. "Wrong." Mai claimed, looking to all of them. "We may be friends right now...but we'll be enemies tomorrow. That's what it means to be a true duelist!" she continued before getting up, already finished with her dinner. "Thanks for making dinner tonight. I'm going back to my tent." She then took a glance back over to Myrrh, Diamond and Keara. "You three should stay in my tent as well. There have been rumors that a creepy guy is lurking through these forests. It might be dangerous." she added as she entered the tent and Jounouchi snarled. "Who are ya talkin' 'bout?" he demanded, thinking she was talking about him. "Man, what is her problem?" he mumbled, crossing his arms and pouting.
-10:00 PM-
Mai, Myrrh, Keara and Diamond were in Mai's tent while the others sat outside, ready to go to sleep in the sleeping bags that Aqua conjured up for them. Jounouchi yawned, stretching as he lied down. "All right then! A full stomach, a warm night...Time to get some shut-eye!" he yawned and the others agreed as they prepared for some sleep. Yugi pulled out the portable 8mm player from his bag and his grandfather's face came up on the screen. The elder chuckled softly as he looked to Yugi and he smiled. "Jii-chan, Yami collected six star chips today." Sugoroku nodded with a smile. "He did very well! Soon he'll be able to enter the castle." he replied and Yugi nodded. "Tomorrow is the last day for duels. Yami promised me that he will get to the castle and beat Pegasus! He promised to get you out of there and I know he will." Yugi spoke and his grandfather nodded. "I know he will too. Sleep well and tell him the same for me."
Yugi nodded again with a smile. "Ok. Good night, jii-chan!" he whispered before turning off the player and placed it back into his bag. He looked up when he saw Yami standing beside him. "Everyone's asleep now. Do you want to come for a walk with me?" he asked and Yugi nodded. Yami took his hand and lifted him up before both headed off into the forest. Not too far just in case the mysterious man rumored to be roaming the forest comes by. In the tent, Diamond and Keara were already asleep but Mai and Myrrh were still up. Myrrh looked over to Mai curiously. "Kujaku-san, were you always good at cards?" Mai was silent before she started to speak. "I was once a casino dealer on a cruise ship. I traveled around the world...playing cards with rich people every day. I've seen hundreds of boring men flashing their money just to get with me...but that was a big mistake on their part. I'd get them to put down a lot of money then beat them easily with my "Aroma-tactics". I started to hate people more and more afterward. I did make a lot of money but soon I got sick of it so I quit." she explained. "I didn't come to this island just for money...not out of pride either...the pride of a duelist or a woman. It's more like I want to find the things I used to cherish a long time ago." Myrrh nodded, stunned at hearing this compared to what she told Jounouchi when she dueled against him. "Well, I hope you can find what you're looking for, Kujaku-san." Myrrh whispered before she lied down to get some sleep. Mai stayed awake a little longer but wasn't aware of the figure lurking towards the tent. Once the figure came up to the flaps on the tent, he swung them open in a flourish, surprising Mai.
"Another victim! I found you! It's duel time...!" he rasped before dragging her out of the tent, covering her mouth so she couldn't scream and alert the others.
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Yami and Yugi continued to walk through the forest before they found a small clearing and sat down. Yugi looked up to the clear sky, thinking. "You know, I wonder how many people are on the island now." Yugi murmured softly and Yami looked at him. "Probably not many depending on how many lost all their star chips during the day. With the lessening numbers, Jounouchi and I will have to work quickly if we want to gain enough star chips to enter the castle." Yami replied before looking down to Yugi. "And like I promised you, I will save your grandfather's soul."
"I know, Yami. I believe that you will." Yugi spoke as he scooted closer to him and leaned up to place a soft kiss upon Yami's lips. Yami purred quietly and wrapped his arms around him, pulling him close as he deepened the kiss. Yugi soon parted his lips from Yami's and looked at him, eyes glowing in the light of the full moon. The demon smiled in kind as the two sat there in the light of the moon, sharing a tender kiss or two in between their quiet stargazing.
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Myrrh woke up a few minutes later, rubbing her eyes as she looked around. "Kujaku-san?" she questioned, finding herself more awake since the older woman wasn't in the tent. "EEE-YAHHH!" A voice screamed into the night as she got up quickly. She left out the tent, being quiet as to not wake Diamond or Keara who didn't hear the scream of terror and glanced about. 'That was Kujaku-san! What could've happened this late at night?!' she thought to herself as she went to look for Mai.
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"EEE-YAHHH!"
Yami raised his head when he heard the cry and looked around. Yugi gasped as he looked around, also concerned about the familiar cry. "Who was that?" Was the breathless whisper from the smaller teen. "It sounded like Kujaku-san. She must be in trouble." Yami replied as he stood and helped Yugi up before taking his hand and running towards the direction of her scream. In a hidden duel box, the man and Mai sat. In the darkness, the other hulking duelist grinned as his concealed monsters prepared to attack her Harpie Lady Sisters. "Ra ha ha! My monsters of the dark are invincible! Dark Silent Burn! Your harpies die!" he bellowed as the monster attacked. Her harpies were destroyed and her life points decreased to 0. 'I lost! Me...!' she thought in disdain. 'It's the darkness that gives my cards power!' The duelist thought, a grin still plastered on his pale face. Mai sneered angrily, still not believing she lost the duel. 'But there no way to beat an opponent that hides in the dark and can't be seen.'
"It's the rules! Give me all your star chips! And get off the island!" he announced and Mai closed her eyes, still not accepting the defeat. 'No...I can't!' Soon, Yugi and Yami arrived along with Myrrh. "Kujaku-san!" Yugi cried and she turned to look up to see them arriving. "Yugi! Yami! Myrrh!" she called, momentarily forgetting about the other duelist. They stopped and looked at the other duelist. 'Who is that guy?' Yugi wondered to himself. The duelist grinned as he stood. "Well well! This saves me the trouble...! Beating you was Pegasus-sama's top-priority order...you unlucky, little brat." he said as he started his way out the duel box. Mai knew what was about to happen and looked to Yami. "Watch out! He's a player killer that roams the island, defeating duelists and taking all their star chips!" she told them and Yugi gasped. 'A player killer!' He looked to Yami who was snarling in anger. The player killer continued to grin as he placed the star chips gained from Mai into the many slots on his dueling gloves, looking down at Yami. "I've just eliminated your little friend...now, you're next! Let's duel!" he ordered and Yami growled, fangs showing through upturned lips and claws digging into his palms. 'How dare you!' he hissed through his mind. Mai looked at them sadly. "You guys...this is as far as I go. I guess I won't get to fight you again after all..." she whispered. Yami snarled even more as the player killed laughed. "Now, Yami! Get in the battle box!" he commanded, towering over the demon like a monster and Yami was all the more tempted to shift into his demon form and take the other duelist down but refrained since Mai was there and she didn't know anything about their demon forms. "Fine then. I'll take you on!" he hissed before looking over to Mai. "Don't worry, Kujaku-san! I'll beat this towering buffoon and reclaim your star chips!" She looked to him before nodding and standing up, leaving the box to stand next to Yugi as Yami and the player killer entered the duel box.
"You should've listened to what your friend said. I2 sent me. But I'm not just any ordinary player killer, you can call me the player killer of darkness! You know how this tournament works, right? Whoever collects ten star chips can enter Pegasus' Castle and have the opportunity to duel against Pegasus. But there can only be four finalists!" The player killer spoke. 'Four...?' Yami thought before he realized something. 'Wait! There are 40 duelists that came to the island and each had two star chips to enter so there would be 80 star chips all together. If only four duelists can advance to the castle that would be 40 star chips...is the player killers' mission to steal the other 40 star chips?' he pondered before growling again. "I've taken the lives, I mean, the star chips of eight duelists tonight alone! But Pegasus-sama's most important command is to take care of you! I'm shocked there's a reward on the head of such a little kid! But I'm going to claim it either way!"
'And the moment I lose is when Pegasus will claim Kaiba Corporation. That was the only reason this tournament exists.'
"If I beat you, this tournament may just end right now. Just between me and you, Pegasus is a pretty stingy guy...he can easily afford to pay the tournament prize money, but if his plan works, he won't have to!" he said and laughed. "What? So you're saying we're nothing but his guinea pigs?!" Mai exclaimed, more in anger than in shock. The other didn't bother to answer to her proclamation. "Just so you know...after I beat you, the plan is for us to crush every last gamer and win this tournament! I2 will brook no competition! No other masters like you will arise!" The player killer, also known as Panik spoke. "You're dreaming if you think you can beat me. Sorry to burst your over-inflated head but I won't lose!" Yami snapped. 'I'll beat Pegasus with my bare hands...and my cards. If Yugi wishes it, I will kill him as well!' Panik smirked. 'Fool...you can't defeat me! No one defeats my darkness deck!' he thought. He laughed quietly to himself as they both sat down. "Night falls quickly on the island, doesn't it? But there's no sleep for duelists. While they lay in their beds, with their guards down, my darkness creeps in and destroys them! Just like your lady friend!" Panik claimed with another laugh. Yami snarled in anger. 'How dare he mock the darkness that I've lived in for so long? I will kill him.' Mai only watched on sadly. 'I lost to the player killer...now I'm disqualified...I have to leave the island...my dream of fighting you is over...no matter if you say you will reclaim my star chips...' she thought. Yami took a glance at her. "Mai! Stop worrying about the fate you were going to take for losing your star chips to this idiot! I will get them back and you'll succeed with your dream of fighting against me!" Yami called and Mai looked up to him and saw the determination in his eyes along with those words and nodded. He turned back to Panik with a snort. "Listen up. I know the darkness...the darkness is like my home and hearing you use the cover of the shadows makes me sick! You're no duelist as far as I'm concerned!" Yami hissed.
"Why you little brat!" Panik snapped. "You're nothing but a thief...I'll teach you that a thief can't take the life of a real duelist!" he said. "Instead, I will teach you what the darkness truly steals when they are treated the wrong way." he whispered in a deathly tone. "For this duel, I will bet all six of my star chips while you bet the eight you took from Kujaku-san! And to make up the difference...I'll stake my life as well!"
"Yami! Please don't stake your life again!" Yugi cried. The boy knew Yami staked his life on various occasions only to win in the end but he just worried as each game is played that Yami may just lose. Yami turned to him and smiled softly. "Don't worry, little one. I will win. I can feel your worry about placing my life on the line but I haven't lost yet and I'm surely won't lose to him!" he spoke. Yugi clasped his hands together and nodded. While he was distracted, Panik grinned. "You offer sounds like a good one but excuse me if I don't believe you...talk is cheap in most cases so in lieu of a guarantee..." he started with a snicker before holding out his left arm and a wire noose shot out from his gauntlet, landing over Yami's head before tightening. "I'll do this. Some duelists flee from us out of fear...we use this so they won't get away. Each of you lot are just prey let loose on the island for us to hunt down. If I win, I'll choke you to death...maybe twice to get my two star chips' worth!" Yami hissed before letting out a roar in anger. "Did he just roar...like some sort of animal?" Mai whispered, just a tad shaken by the sudden sound. "Uh...it's nothing. Must be a trick this guy placed up just to scare the duelists he goes against but this wire thing is a low trick! Yami would never run away from a battle he stakes his life in!" Yugi assured, glad to dodge one bullet and save himself from explaining who Yami truly was. That time wasn't now and hopefully won't be any time soon if Mai returns back to the campsite. The player killer won't live long after so best to save her from that sight. "Alright then," Yami hissed, holding onto the wire. "If I lose, you can have my head but if I win, I'll take yours along with Kujaku-san's star chips!" He licked his lips, hunger gleaming faintly in cerise eyes. "I'm looking forward to it actually..."
They placed their star chips down before starting to duel. They drew their five cards and Panik took the first turn. Mai watched quietly, not worried about herself but for Yami and his pride as a duelist. "Well well, you're pretty popular, aren't you? You got your little crowd cheering for you? But I've got a friend too...the darkness itself! My first card is Castle of Dark Illusions!" Panik spoke, placing the card onto the field. A castle of shadows started to rise over Panik's half of the field, looking bleak and ominous. "And it's called the Castle of Dark Illusions for a reason." he said as the darkness started to cover his side of the field until he was barely visible. 'Darkness...the primal darkness that existed before the world! And my castle has the power to bring it back!' Panik thought. Yami growled. 'I can barely see him. Even with my demon eyes, I can't penetrate this darkness.'
"Watch yourself, Yami! This is the same darkness that defeated my harpies!" Mai called. "Nee hee hee...too bad for you your monsters don't get a field power bonus at night! But my dark cards can get infinite strength! Now play a card! Any card! The darkness will bury you in your grave!" Yami snorted. "The darkness will choose its own master." Yami whispered as he drew his card. 'Even though I am a being of the dark, I still can't see him or his monsters. Best be cautious and see exactly how bad this situation is.' he thought as he placed Celtic Guardian down in defense mode. "And I'll play this card..." Panik said, placing a monster down and Yami's eyes narrowed when he couldn't decipher what monster it was. "Now attack! Dark Absolute!" The mysterious monster hissed as it charged forward, grabbing hold of Celtic Guardian and dragged him back into the darkness. Celtic Guardian gave a cry of pain before he was destroyed and Yami snarled in anger. "No fair! His mode of attack is a dirty trick!" Yugi seethed. 'From the looks of it, Yami can't even see through the darkness the castle made to see that player killer's cards.' Panik laughed with mirth. "Now do you see? There's nothing you can do! Your head and life is as good as mine!" Yami growled lowly. 'With that castle on the field, it will be harder to spot his monsters. With that kind of defense, none of my cards can defeat it.' he thought. "Come on, Yami! Play a card!" Panik spoke impatiently. "I play Winged Dragon in defense mode!" he announced, placing the monster onto the field. Panik chuckled as he watched him, drawing his card. "On my turn, I won't attack you...instead, I'll add another monster to my growing army of darkness!" Panik played another unfamiliar monster onto the field. 'Another one and I still can't see a thing. Only glowing eyes...' Panik smirked from within the darkness. 'Blind and helpless! That's all you are and my monsters are waiting like predators of the night, ready to sink their fangs into your monsters!'
'Time to shed some light onto this situation!' Yami thought as he flipped Winged Dragon into attack mode. "Alright, Winged Dragon, attack with Fireball Barrage!" Yami called and his monster let out a roar before flying up into the air and rained a barrage of fireballs down at the field. The fire illuminated the darkness and gave Yami just a brief glimpse of the two monsters Panik had. Alas, they were soon shrouded with their shield of darkness once more while Panik gave a mocking laugh. "Too bad for you! You can light up my field but you can't attack at the same time!" he said, still laughing. 'He's right about that. I can't aim for what I can't see. I can shine some light for a moment but the darkness will come back to shield his monsters once the lights are out.'
"Now, time for your monster to die! Dark Absolute!" His monster charged forward again, grabbing hold of Winged Dragon before crushing it in the shadows, causing Yami's life points to decrease to 1600. "You're as good as dead, Yami! The dark is my home! As long as it's dark, I'm invincible!" Panik spoke but then heard him laugh. 'What's he laughing about?' he wondered. "'The dark is my home!' What a load of bull! I know true darkness and it isn't what you hide yourself behind. You may be happy now since you think you have defeated me with your shrewd tricks but you can't hide in the dark forever, or at least you don't want to stay there for long." he explained and Panik sneered. "How dare you make such an accusation?!"
"Because I'm right. Even though it covers your evil face...I'll have to see it again when I shut down your little game. I've found a way to beat your darkness!" Yami spoke, raising a card. "And this card is my key to victory! Your life ends in five turns!" Panik gaped at the proclamation and Yami smirked. "Don't look so stupid and get ready. I'll show you the true primal darkness you'll wish you never met! As soon as your last life point trickles away like the last drop of life giving fluid drained from a demon's captured prey before devouring its meal..."
'What is he talking about...? The true darkness?' Panik squashed the thought and cackled. "Don't make me laugh! Consider your situation before opening your big mouth! As long as my Castle of Dark Illusions is on the field, my monsters can hide in the dark! You can't attack them! As long as it's dark, I can't lose this match!"
"Heh...no true duelist gives up a fight when someone else tells them they'll lose...you have a shred of pride; I'll give you that much so how about this? I'll show you the card that will defeat you!" He turned the card, revealing to Panik his Swords of Revealing Light card. 'No, not Swords of Revealing Light!' he thought with terror. "Yes, Swords of Revealing Light. These holy swords have the power to block the enemy's attack for three turns! Even if they try to hide away, these swords will find them. Trapped in the light...your monsters will be destroyed by this one little card."
"Huh..." Panik shook his head defiantly. 'There's no way! The darkness can't be conquered!'
"You'll see what I mean in five turns." Yami grinned, revealing his fangs but Panik didn't take note of it. "Now, it was my turn, wasn't it? I'll play Curse of Dragon in defense mode. Then I'll play this card down on the board. That will be the end of my turn." he said and sat back. "I'm done for now and that leaves you four turns to live." Panik's eyes narrowed as he stared at his face down. 'It has to be that spell card! It can't be anything else!' he thought, sweat dripping down his face. "You can do it, Yami! It already looks like you have him on the run now!" Yugi called. "Showing your opponent your cards...it's not against the rules but why did he do it? Does he plan to use another weapon other than his cards?" Mai muttered to herself. Yugi looked up to her when he heard her starting to speak. "Another weapon other than his cards? What are you talking about, Kujaku-san?" he asked. "I'm trying to think of what Yami is planning. As long as that player killer hides in the darkness, Yami can't see his cards. But there's one thing that can get through the darkness and that's his words!" she explained. 'Oh! I get it! Since Yami, even with his good sight in the darkness, can't see his monsters, he uses his voice to throw the player killer off his game! And it's working in his favor. His voice, no matter what the situation is, can sway anyone.' Yugi confirmed as he continued to watch the duel. "It's my turn!" Panik snapped as he drew his card. He smirked as he saw the card he drew. "You fool! I've never seen a duelist dumb enough to tell me his strategy and show his cards! I'm gonna make you regret ever doing that! Your so-called victory is going to the grave! Come forth, Reaper of the Cards! I'm going to take your spell card and destroy it!" The monster appeared with a decrepit groan before zooming towards Yami's face down card. "Yes! Go, my Reaper! Destroy the Swords of Revealing Light! Card Eraser!" he commanded.
"Oh no!" Both Myrrh and Yugi cried. Yami only laughed again. 'That laugh...! He has something up his sleeve!' Panik thought. "I said the swords were my key to winning...who ever said I was putting it onto the field on the same turn?" he murmured as the reaper halted in its attack. "What?! W-Why isn't my reaper doing anything?!" Panik demanded. "Because, my face down card was...Spellbinding Circle!" Yami called as the hexagram curse appeared around Panik's monster, trapping it in place. "You think I didn't know. When you play a spell or trap card, the Reaper of the Cards is a monster you should watch out for. And to think, you would have it in your deck. But now that it's trapped and can't move, I can play the cards I want." Yami explained. Panik growled. "Y-You! You tricked me!" he hissed. "I'm sorry. Your turn ended up being a waste for you! Now it's my turn!" he said as he drew his card. "Now, let's play the actual card onto the board this time!" he said with a smirk, putting the spell card onto the field. Panik growled, just ready to choke the other but held back the urge. "And before I'm done with my turn, I'll play another card face down." he spoke before looking up to him, eyes darkened to an eerie red. "Can you see it yet...can you see the rope around your neck yet?" he whispered. "You fool...! It's you that's about to be hanged! There's no rope around my neck!"
"Are you sure about that?" Yami chuckled. "Don't you realize you're climbing up the steps to the gallows? One step at a time...in the darkness. One step for each turn that goes by. You have three turns left before your execution..." After he was done speaking, a vision came to Panik's mind as he looked Yami dead in the eye. He watched as a man climbed up another stair, a noose around his neck, his doom not far off at the very top.
'That vision, it's so lifelike! Like I'm really there!'
"Darkness is a mirror that throws your own fears back at you. Fear that swallows those with weak hearts like the predator swallowing its prey in one easy gulp. Prey like you. I'm the predator now and your death will be a sweet meal to me..." Panik snarled in anger as he jerked the wire slightly. "Listen here! One more word from your mouth and I'll tear your head off!" he shouted towards the demon duelist. Yami smirked, sitting back again. "Fine. Take your turn." he offered smugly and Panik sneered. 'I will kill him!' Yugi smiled softly. 'I can see now. His words are as true as the night itself. This player killer was the predator, hunting duelists down like prey but now he ended up capturing a true hunter that turned him into the prey. I can feel Yami's hunger. The player killer is going to die. His words alone are sending fear down his spine and the worst of it, for him, is that he doesn't know that Yami is a true demon and has never failed a hunt yet.' Were the words to float through Yugi's mind as he continued to watch the duel unfold. Mai smiled to herself. 'So, even in his own territory, the player killer of darkness is getting scared! Yami's words are putting him on the defensive.' She looked at Yami. 'But really, I can't blame him. With half the things Yami spoke of it...his tone when he spoke those words...it sounded like he is truly planning to kill this guy.'
"Come on, blockhead! Draw your card unless you want to end the duel now." Yami spoke. Panik snorted before drawing a card and cackled again. "Yes! The ultimate card! Come! Great Dark Ruler!" he called, placing the card onto the field. 'The King of Yamimakai—Lord of the Dark World. I can't see him but I know of his attack and with the field power bonus, it will be pretty high.' Yami thought. Panik laughed with glee. "That's the card that's going to kill you! Too bad for you! It'll all be over before you can play your key card!" Yami didn't make any expression to show how he was feeling. "King of Yamimakai! Obliterate Yami's dragon! Evil Shockwave!" he commanded and his monster lifted up its claws before a wave of darkness went to attack Curse of Dragon. Of course, what Panik didn't realize is that the dragon's position hid it behind his Reaper of the Cards and the attack was aiming for it instead.
"Die!" Yami tsked. "It's all fine and dandy that you attacked, but...you should have paid a little attention to the position of my monster on the board." he spoke as Panik looked down to the board to see just what he meant. 'No! He thought ahead and lured me into attacking my own monster!' As the attack connected, his life points decreased down to 1200. "And that leaves my monster unharmed as you took the damage." Yami spoke as he drew his card. "Now it's my turn and since you want to see my card so much...I'll let you." he continued as he flipped over his spell card. "I activate Swords of Revealing Light!" Swords of pure light started to appear on Panik's side of the field and as his unknown name suggests, he started to panic. "No! The light is blinding me!" he hissed as the swords fell into place, clearing his side of the field of the darkness and revealing his monsters. Yami chuckled darkly. "Now the darkness is gone and you have no place to hide...you have two turns left to live."
'He destroyed my darkness...I can't believe he destroyed it!'
"For three turns, your monsters can't make a single move, and that includes attacking. So my dear prey, what are you going to do?" he questioned mockingly. Panik growled. 'This isn't good...he will attack my monsters while they're helpless on his next turn! Then again, all he has is that puny dragon while I have three monsters that are undefeatable even when trapped in these swords! If he attacks, he would be destroying himself.' Panik grinned, snickering to himself under his breath. 'Telling me I have two turns left! What a load of shit! I'll defeat him soon enough!'
"Come on! It's your turn! Draw a card and finish up your turn." Yami hissed. Panik sneered as he drew his card and grinned. "The cards smile upon me tonight! You won't be able to touch me or my monsters for two turns! I activate the Yellow Luster Shield!" he called. "While I'm at it, I'll play it on my Castle of Dark Illusions and everything beneath it, boosting my monsters' defenses!" he finished as the yellow barrier of energy appeared around his castle before descending to the ground, surrounding his other monsters. 'Great, he casts that spell on the entire group instead of choosing a single monster, casting the effect on all his cards and creating a powerful shield to save himself.' Yami grinned darkly, not having it been seen by Panik. 'He should know he just sealed his death wish with that move.' Panik laughed with glee as he stared down Yami. "As long as I have this shield on the field, your monster can barely scratch mine! Now do you still think you can defeat me in two turns?" he questioned. Yami didn't say a word but Yugi and Mai were thinking of the question. "He's right. What can he do...?" Mai spoke. "He'll figure out something. I know that he has something planned." Yugi murmured.
'Hopefully you're right, kid. From where I'm watching, with the darkness gone, the player killer played something else to protect himself...he's basically a defensive player while Yami is an offensive player. But with defenses like these, how will you break them?' she wondered as she continued to watch the duel. "It's your move!" Panik yelled and Yami smirked. "Don't you know you just exposed your weakness?" he questioned and Panik gaped. "No, that isn't possible!" he shouted. "Oh, but it is. I've been analyzing your strategy since the duel started. You're nothing but a coward who can't do a thing by himself and relies on the darkness and shields to protect him. You are nothing but a low down, good for nothing defensive duelist who makes sure he's safe before attacking in the dark!" Panik snarled in anger. "I dare you to say that again! You dare call me a coward?!" Yami smirked. "Yes I did! You cower in the safety of darkness and when that option is gone, you resort to shields. You may be big, but you don't have the balls to fight without anything shielding you. Frankly, I'm not surprised you beat all those duelists who you ambushed in their beds and forced them to battle you! So let me tell you this...I calculated you would use a shield..." he spoke and Panik gaped. "You will die in two turns! You can't escape the fate placed onto you by the darkness itself."
"It won't happen!" Panik countered, his mind trying to agree with his words but even his mind doesn't seem to be complying with him. "My turn!" Yami drew his card and placed it into his hand before taking another. "I summon Gaia the Fierce Knight!" The monster appeared on the field and Gaia's horse whinnied, ready to charge in for an attack. "Then I'll activate this face down card. Namely...Polymerization! Gaia and Curse of Dragon combine to create Gaia the Dragon Champion!"
'Not Gaia the Dragon Champion!' Panik thought, eyes widening. "My turn is over...on my next turn, Gaia will defeat you." Yami announced and Panik growled. 'He's lying! He has to be! There's no way how he can beat me next turn! He's just blowing smoke!' he thought as he drew his card, looking back to Yami once more. He saw the lazy smirk on his face, showing he felt nothing but amusement as the duel commenced and started to feel threatened. 'Why is he smirking?! There's no way his monster could defeat any of mine with their high defense! But just to be safe, I best strengthen my defenses more!' He took a card from his hand and placed it on the field. "I play Metal Guardian in defense mode outside my shield!"
"Pathetic." he whispered. "You fool! After I live through your next turn, all my monsters will attack you with everything and destroy you! Then Pegasus-sama will have your head mounted on his wall!" Yami tsked lightly to himself. "It's too late for you. You already fell far in my trap." Panik gaped, eyes flaring with anger, anticipation and fear. "I should tell you; security can be a trap. You haven't realized that, did you? The more you keep trying to protect yourself, the more you keep digging yourself deeper and away from the freedom of danger. Now, it's my turn...the final turn of this duel!" he snarled as he drew his card. "And I'll play Catapult Turtle!" he called, placing the giant mechanized turtle onto the field. "Now, for the second part of my plan, Gaia readies himself on the catapult and fire him at my target like a bullet!" he said. "The increase in speed will also raise Gaia's attack. This will be a mighty blow on you and your life points!" Panik growled. "It's no use! You can't break through my Yellow Luster Shield!" Panik spoke. "Whoever said I was aiming for your monsters...I'm aiming for the castle itself." Panik's eyes widened in shock, not believing him. 'That's impossible! The shield around my castle raises its defense to 3100! Nothing can break through that!' he thought. "Ready? Go Catapult Turtle! Launch Gaia towards the castle!" The monster replied to its master's call, angling Gaia towards the castle before launching the monster towards the castle. The attack connected and the ring around the castle crumbled and broke off. "Direct hit! Gaia gave his life to finish off my plan!" Yami said, his life points decreasing to 300 from subtracting half of the monster's attack from his life points and Panik laughed. "You idiot! All you did was crumble the castle's "flotation ring"! My castle is unharmed! You couldn't beat me on this turn and I will kill you on mine!"
"There won't be a next time for you."
"What? What are you saying?! On my turn, the Swords of Revealing Light will disappear, leaving me free to attack!" Yami only smirked, sitting back in his seat. "You still don't get it, do you?" Panik's eyes narrowed. "What are you trying to get at...?" Yami closed his eyes, crossing his arms. "Did you realize it yet...? How can your castle still be floating if I just destroyed its flotation ring, hmm? Tell me that." Yami inquired and Panik looked up to his castle, seeing that it was indeed still floating. 'But that means...the swords are holding the castle in place as well! And with its flotation ring gone...!' he thought in realization. Yami chuckled. "There was a reason why I played Swords of Revealing Light. And it wasn't to see your ugly face!" he hissed. 'No! Nonononono! The moment the swords vanish...my monsters are dead!'
"I end my turn." Yami whispered and the swords started to fade away, now leaving the castle to plummet towards the ground, and the awaiting monsters. "Run monsters! Run!" Panik called. "It's no use. You trapped them inside the shield. They can't get away because of your over-protection. You lose, player killer!" Yami called as the castle fell upon his monsters, causing him to lose the last of his life points. Yami stood, ripping the wire from his neck without leaving a mark and glared down at him, cerise eyes ablaze a deadly blood red color. The demon looked into the fear laden eyes of the player killer, a hiss passing his lips. "I hope you're ready..." he whispered before raising a hand towards him. "Penalty Game! Show him the true darkness!" he spoke and soon, Panik saw the vision again only this time, it was him standing at the top of the stairs to the gallows. He walked forward upon the trap door, sharp maroon glaring at him from the darkness that surrounded him, sealing his fate. Not a second later, the trap door fell from beneath him, causing him to plummet into the never-ending darkness. The rope was the only thing he could feel before it pulled taut, ending his life. Yami stood, gathering his cards and star chips, grabbing Mai's as well. "They said pride goes before the fall. Now learn that no one will dare mock the true darkness when a demon that thrives in the very heart of it is around to hear." he hissed to the prone form before leaving out the duel box.
He walked over to where Yugi, Myrrh and Mai stood and the woman smiled. "That was amazing, Yami. I started to really think you wouldn't be able to beat him." Yami didn't say a word and held out his hand, her star chips resting in his palm. "Kujaku-san, these belong to you." She was silent for a while and Yugi looked at her. "Go ahead, Kujaku-san. Yami worked hard to get them back for you." Yugi said. She sighed lightly. "I can't accept them. You fought for them, Yami. They're yours now. You see..." she murmured before closing her eyes to will away the tears that threaten to gather in her eyes. "I lost a battle as a duelist. I'm out of the game. Now that I'm out of star chips, it's time for me to move on." Yugi looked towards her in worry. "But Kujaku-san!" he called and she shook her head as she turned from them, walking off. She took a quick glance back to them and smiled. "I'm glad I was able to come here to meet you guys, though. That made my day." She turned back around and continued to walk off. "See ya another time." Mai stopped when she heard someone calling her name. She turned back to see Jounouchi, Honda, and Ryou walking up to Yugi, Myrrh and Yami. "Man, I want to go back to bed." Honda groaned. Yugi turned to them and smiled. "Oh guys! You're awake!" he greeted. "Why?"
"Who could sleep with Mai's loudmouth runnin'?" Jounouchi mumbled, rubbing some of the sleep from his eyes. She looked to him before laughing softly to herself. "What's wrong with you guys? You do just about everything together, whether with the whole group or with a select few of you. Even to say goodbye..." Honda looked over to Ryou quietly. "Ryou, what time is it now?" Ryou took a glance at his watch. "A little before 11..." he replied. "Then we've got one more hour." Honda nodded then looked to Mai. "You're our friend. Right, Kujaku-san?"
"What...?"
"When we were eating dinner, didn't you say, "We'll be enemies tomorrow"? But it's not tomorrow just yet so we're still friends. Right?" She was surprised at hearing him still consider her a friend to them. "Kujaku-san," Yami spoke up. "You, I and Jounouchi came to this island to fight fair and square. But there are people out there like this guy who were hired for their skills to take out real duelists." Mai stayed silent and Yami held her star chips out to her again. "Here. Take them, Kujaku-san, and let's decide which true duelist is the strongest!" he spoke. "Yami's right. You said it yourself...it was your dream to fight him..." Myrrh spoke. "Yes, but..." she started and Jounouchi groaned. "Man! C'mon now! Nothin's gettin' solved if ya keep mopin' 'round, Mai! So if I may...I'd like ta propose my solution!" he claimed. "And what solution would that be?" Honda questioned. Jounouchi grinned as he walked over to Yami and took the star chips from his hand. "If ya don't want 'em, I'll take 'em! That solves everythin'! If she wants ta get booted off the island then I'll safe-keep 'em!" He laughed. "Now I have my ten chips ta get into the castle!"
Mai fumed and glared at him. "Wait just a minute, you little fool! Don't you dare think about taking my star chips! I'll never forgive you for this!" she shouted. "Give 'em back you sonuva–!" she started and Jounouchi placed them into her hands. "Take 'em." he murmured and she looked down to her hand then back to him. He smiled lightly. "If yer pride won't let ya battle with those star chips then throw 'em in the ocean and leave the island. It's all up ta you! But if I were you, I wouldn't throw 'em away...not the stars...and not your dream." he explained before walking off, yawning. "Now I'm beat so I'm headin' back ta bed!" Mai watched him go before looking back to the star chips in her hand. 'Jounouchi-kun...' she thought before looking at Yami. "Yami...I'll borrow these star chips. While I'm indebted to you, I don't have the right to battle you...not just yet. But when I earn that time, we'll fight fair and square!" she claimed and he nodded. "I'll be waiting for that time then, Kujaku-san." She smiled before she left along with the rest of the group, leaving him and Yugi behind. Yugi looked up to Yami who reverted to his demon side. "Ready to eat?" he asked and he nodded as he slunk back towards the duel box and dragged out Panik's dead form.
He tore away clothing before starting on his feast, tearing away flesh in big chunks and chewed, savoring the flavor. The ground became red with the seeping blood of Yami's prey. Yugi watched quietly before walking over and knelt down beside him, removing his jacket in the process. Yami stopped with his meal and looked at him. "Is there something you need, Yugi?" he asked. "Can I...can I help you? Well, more like feed you?" Yami looked to him quizzically. "Are you sure you want to hand dripping flesh coated in blood and viscera...to dirty your hands and bring yourself into my world even for the briefest of moments..." He raised a hand and a wisp of shadows surrounded his hand before he held an intricate black dagger with hieroglyphics along the side of the black blade. "If you do then take this." Yugi looked down to the dagger then to the half-eaten body of Panik. "I can handle it." he replied as he took the dagger and Yami smiled. "I'm glad to hear that. To tell you the truth, I always wanted to be hand fed by you when I eat meals such as this." he murmured with a chuckle. Yugi huffed as he moved over to the body and started to slowly slice off a piece of flesh. "Then why didn't you say so? I would've been willing to do anything for you." Yugi murmured as he took the piece of bloody muscle and tossed it over to Yami who caught it in his mouth before swallowing. "Well, it's quite hard to tell when you don't offer. Mind you, you may be comfortable with us feeding but we never knew you would be willing to get your hands dirty with the blood of another to hand-feed us." Yami mused, licking the blood off his lips. "Again, I'll do anything for you two. You've done so for me so only fair I return the favor any way I can." Yugi replied as he sliced off another piece and tossed it to Yami. "You should know that. I'll always pay back favors." he finished, digging the dagger into the chest cavity and pulled away flesh, muscle and bone to reach the heart and pulled it out.
"You give us everything we could ever wish for, little one. Freedom, a true body, a very adorable host to cater to and memories that we can cherish as we have lost ours. I know there's more to our story but we can't figure out why they were forgotten." Yami sighed, lowering his head. "I hope in some way; we can find a way to learn about them and what exactly caused us to become demons and trapped in the puzzle." he whispered. Yugi crawled over to him, placing the dagger beside him before placing a hand under Yami's chin to raise his head. "Yami, you made a promise to me and you said you would save jii-chan for me. Now I will make a promise to you, I will help you find those memories. No matter the risks to do so." Yami smiled and lifted his head away from Yugi's hand and leaned down to nuzzle him. "Thank you, Yugi. I'll keep you to that promise. But for now, we will both cherish what we have now. The ones we share with you." he whispered and Yugi smiled, holding up the heart and Yami ate it from his hand, bit by bit and licked his hand clean. Yugi continued to hand-feed Yami until the body was polished off the best Yugi could get it, some pieces of flesh still hanging off the body. Yami disposed of the body before heading to the lake area to wash off the blood and headed back to where everyone was asleep. They curled up with one another before falling asleep, both unaware of the new arrival to Duelist Kingdom.
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Zypher: And that's the end of this chapter! Hope you all liked it and the added fluff and I'll get to the next as soon as possible. But for now, here's another page of the big book of Duel Monsters stories. Enter overly concerned Mahaado. -grins-
-Shadow Realm: Yami and Yugi's Deck-
After the duel, Mahaado was rushing past monster after monster, trying to find Celtic. 'Please don't let him be too injured. Please don't let him be too injured.' He yelped as he was pulled back and he looked up into the blank eyes of the Archfiend of Gilfer. "What's the rush for there, Mahaado?" he questioned. "I need to find Celtic! I made a looking glass to watch the battle and once he was snatched by that monster, I started to worry. When he cried out, I practically spent the rest of the duel pacing until Master Yami defeated and dealt with that player killer!" he explained frantically. Gilfer laughed lightly before grabbing the magician and took to the air. "I'll take you to him. Zerio found him once he and Gaia went to the graveyard and took him over to the nearest house dorm which was the fiends' dorm." Gilfer spoke and Mahaado sighed in relief. They flew for quite a while before reaching the fiends' dorm and landed. Gilfer placed Mahaado down on the ground before they headed inside. Some of the fiends and zombies that knew little for healing magic gathered in a room, others crowded around the door. "He's still calling for Mahaado, isn't he?" Sereg, the Vampire Lord questioned. /"Yeah. Hopefully Gilfer found him."/ Silver spoke, tail beating the floor lightly as yellow eyes looked to the closed door. "Don't worry, I found him. Was amused at seeing him running around in a practical circle trying to find Celtic but I got him." Gilfer replied as the crowd parted and Gilfer opened the door, letting Mahaado walk, or in this case run, in to see Celtic. The elven warrior groaned in pain, arms wrapped around his chest and his body quaking from shock. "That darkness...it was too cold...colder than the Shadow Realm...help me, Mahaado...help me..." he moaned and Mahaado was immediately at his side. Vampire Lady bowed to him before moving out of the way, letting him take her place and he sat down. Rauko, the Summoned Skull, looked down to Mahaado and he looked up to him.
"How has he been?"
"He's been in shock...a lot of shock ever since Zerio brought him in. Since we couldn't find you in the spellcasters' dorm, we did as much as we could. Or so I've heard. His heart stopped a few times caused by the terror he felt being pulled in by that unfamiliar monster. They called on me in to provide electric pulses before it could get worse." Rauko explained and he nodded. He turned his blue gaze back to Celtic and rubbed his hand lightly. "I'm here now, Celtic. Please, don't leave me." he whispered. Celtic's eyes were glazed over but he turned to the sound of his voice. "Mahaado...are you there...?"
"Yes, I'm here now. The duel's over. Master Yami won and you're safe now." Celtic breathed a sigh of relief, gripping Mahaado's hand as he laid his head back down onto the sweat soaked pillow. Mahaado had his staff materialize in his unoccupied hand and waved it over the elf, healing the wounds he had gotten along with the memory of him being caught by Panik's unknown monster. Celtic sighed with more relief as he felt the memory be pulled away. "Arigatou, Mahaado." he whispered before he fell into a peaceful doze. Mahaado smiled before looking up to the others in the room. "If it's alright with you all, I'll stay here with Celtic and make sure he's alright before taking him back to the warriors' dorm." Rauko nodded. "It's perfectly alright. We know that he needs you more right now and he's healed. Once he is rested and regains full strength, you both can leave." Mahaado nodded and thanked the skull demon before he, Vampire Lady and Infernalqueen Archfiend left the room. When they were gone, Mahaado turned back to Celtic and sighed, pressing the elf's hand to his forehead. 'I'm glad you're alright now. I thought I lost you. I don't want to lose you so early in our new relationship.' he thought as he brought it down and resumed stroking the back of his hand. 'I will always be here for you, Celtic. Remember that.' he thought before the magician started to fall asleep in the chair, his hand still holding the other.
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Zypher: There, another little moment between Mahaado and Celtic along with a little ooc moment. Can you just imagine Mahaado running around in blind panic looking for someone? I can and it's funny to think about it. Anyways, I hope you enjoyed the chapter and another story from the big book of Duel Monsters stories and I'll see you all later.