Chapter 18

Yami lowered himself down the shaft into the tomb. From there, it was just a matter of letting that mysterious "tug" pull him in what he hoped was the right direction. Since the tugging got stronger the deeper into the tomb he went, he could only pray it was leading him to Yugi. As he navigated the tomb, he left indications of the path -- a small stack of stones or an arrow scratched on the floor -- to show the way should Mahaad come after him or send help.

He struggled along cramped passages, scaled a stone wall using almost non-existent hand- and footholds, and skirted deadly pits waiting to trap the unwary. Until now, he'd never thought he would regard exploring an ancient tomb as a chore to be hurried through rather than as an adventure to be savored. But all that mattered was getting to Yugi and finding him safe. The decorated walls and ingenuous layout, designed to thwart tomb robbers, held no interest for him.

Panting in the hot, stale air, he clawed his way through another narrow tunnel. "Just hang on, love. I'm coming."

Repeating the words like an incantation, he made his way deeper into the tomb.

--

Yugi set the Puzzle beside his sleeping grandfather and snatched up the first likely thing that came to hand -- a stone shabti fallen from a box of similar small statues. It wasn't very big, about the size of a large action figure (if the action figure were made of rock and shaped like a mummy), but it was heavy. If he got close enough to whoever was on the other side of the door, he was certain he could knock them out with a blow to the head.

Steeling his courage, he crept to the wall and took up a position beside the now open passage. He could hear sounds of movement in the shadows of the tunnel, cloth scraping against stone and someone breathing hard. He wiped his sweating palms on his jeans and hefted the shabti over his head. The shape in the tunnel resolved itself into a man, who stuck his head through the opening into the chamber beyond.

Yugi swung the shabti -- then recognized the head of messy auburn hair, and altered his trajectory so quickly he spun himself around in a circle. He righted himself and gasped, "Yami!" before flinging his arms around the other man and hugging him fiercely.

"Aibou." Yami returned the hug, with interest. "Are you okay, love?"

Unable to help himself, Yugi snickered as he pressed his face against Yami's chest and held on tightly. "Don't call me that."

Yami grinned down at him. "Aibou or love?"

Since Yugi hadn't meant it, he ignored the question. "How did you find me? Never mind, you can tell me later. Right now, we have to get Grandpa out of here."

"Sugoroku's here? Is he all right?"

A groggy voice answered him. "Well, I'm not dead yet, so I'm not complaining."

They turned together to find Sugoroku rising unsteadily to his feet on the other side of the room. Yugi reluctantly let go of Yami to rush to his grandpa's side and keep him from falling. Over Yugi's shoulder, Sugoroku shot an appraising look at Yami, then nodded to himself. "It's good to see you, m'boy, though I wish the circumstances were better."

"Me, too, old man. How're you holding up?"

"Honestly? I've been better. But I'll hold together a little longer."

"Good to hear it, 'cause we're getting the hell outta Dodge and, no offense, but I don't think Yugi and I can carry you."

"Yami!"

" I can take care of myself. You worry about yourself -- " Sugoroku winked. " -- and Yugi."

"Grandpa!"

Yami chuckled. It faded as he finally noticed where they were. He turned in a slow circle to take in the astonishing room, and gave a low whistle. "Nice place you've got here, Sugoroku. Guess you were right all along, huh?"

"I'm very close to wishing I weren't. By the way-- You wouldn't happen to have any Egyptian ancestors lurking in your family tree, by any chance?"

"Not that I know of. Why?"

Yugi gestured at the statue in its niche. "Take a look over there."

"The ka statue? What about it?" Yami walked closer, then froze as he found himself staring at his ancient Egyptian double. "Whoa."

"Yeah. Weird, huh?"

"That... will bear closer investigation. Later." Yami strode briskly back toward the opening in the wall. "Right now, let's get out of here before Pegasus or one of his goons comes knocking."

Rustling came from within the tunnel. The three in the rock-cut chamber gaped at one another, then closed ranks. Yami placed himself between the opening and his companions. Yugi firmed his grip on his shabti. Sugoroku clenched his fists.

The rustling got louder... and Mahaad stuck his head out of the opening. "Everyone all right in here?"

Yugi sagged with relief, and let the statue fall from his fingers. By the time this was all over, he was going to need a vacation -- or therapy. He watched Mahaad extend a hand to help Mana through the opening. Her hand still clasped in his, they approached the others.

She beamed at Yugi. "I'm glad you aren't hurt, Yugi."

"It is not safe to remain here," Mahaad said, even as he shook Sugoroku's hand. "I am gratified to find you safe, Dr. Mutou -- and you as well, Yugi. But we must go at once. I immobilized two guards by handcuffing them to their car, but who knows how many more may still be lurking in the shadows."

"What about Pegasus?"

"He and the other guards were nowhere to be found." Mahaad shrugged. "Perhaps they fled into the desert."

A shoe sole scuffed on the stone floor at the chamber entrance. Pegasus stood there, lantern light reflecting coldly off the gun in his hand. "How foolishly optimistic. Do you really think I would abandon my treasure when I am so close to realizing my goals?"

A guard entered behind him and made a sharp gesture with his rifle to herd them all into the corner away from the tunnel. Pegasus focused on Yugi. "Where is the Millennium Puzzle?"

Yugi bit his lip, then pointed with his chin to where he'd left the Puzzle lying on the floor near the wall. Even at a distance, it was obvious the Puzzle was complete.

"Excellent! Now... Bring it to me."

Yami tried to hold him back, but Yugi gave him a look that said, as clearly as if he'd spoken aloud, I have to do this. He walked slowly over and picked up the Puzzle. Holding it in front of him, he turned to Pegasus. "You promise you'll let us go?"

"He won't," Yami said in a low voice. "He's insane, Yugi. He plans to sacrifice us in some kind of mad ritual to release the power he thinks is in the Items."

Clutching the Puzzle to his chest, Yugi turned imploring eyes on Pegasus. "Why are you doing this?"

"You think it's greed? Or perhaps simple lust for power?" Pegasus laughed. "I assure you, my motives are far more complicated -- and far less." He lifted the fall of white hair from his face to expose the Millennium Eye. "In a word, Yugi -- love. I'm doing this for love."

And then the Eye flared with blinding golden light -- and everything faded to black.