Thank you for these characters and their stories, Kazuki Takahashi. Requiescat in pace.

Chapter Thirty-Eight

"What do you mean, hold your memories?"

Pharaoh had another Millennium Item created without my knowledge, one within which he said he would store his memories and then give to me for safekeeping.

"In order to prevent Zorc from ever escaping, I must erase my own mind."

"Pharaoh, that's complete madness! How would wiping your mind trap him forever? You know the great extent of his influence."

He sighed. He did know, but he was doing what he thought would be best to protect his kingdom, his world, and me.

"Please, love, you must trust me. I will seal Zorc away and save Egypt."

"But you'll be sealed as well. We've seen the effects of that spell! Our home needs you more than anyone else. I can't allow you to do that! If anyone casts the spell it should be me, not you."

He roughly grabbed my shoulders and pushed me against the wall, glaring deep into my eyes.

"I must cast it. If I don't, our kingdom won't be the only thing destroyed. There will be no one to stand in his way from destroying the light of this world. We must protect everyone, especially since it was our mistake that allowed Zorc's release. You must be here to continue to guard our people after I'm gone."

Tears gathered in my eyes and began to fall. After 5,000 years, I had found my true love, and now he was being torn away from me, possibly never to be seen again even in the afterlife. I had long since accepted that I wouldn't be able to follow him in death, but to have our lives ended so quickly was cruel even for destiny to have written.

He pulled me into a hug as he tried to stop my crying, "Oh Kadesh, I know you've waited for me for so long. I beg your forgiveness for not being able to be at your side in eternity, as you deserve. Please, leave me behind and find another who can be what you deserve."

I lightly slapped him across the chest before pulling him back into a passionate kiss. All my anger, sorrow, and love poured into this kiss. I gripped his ebony and crimson hair, pulling him as close as possible. His arms encircled my waist as he pulled me tightly against his body, making it nearly impossible to tell where I ended and he began. Only when I could no longer breathe did I pull away.

"No one will ever replace you. I will wait for you, as long as I must. You are the one I have waited for, and I will continue waiting because I love you."

A single tear fell from his eye as he smiled and slipped the necklace around my neck.

Yugi gently tapped my shoulder, "Another memory?"

I smiled a little. I had finally told him why I tend to ignore everything around me from time to time. While I still hadn't told him that I was the Pharaoh's wife, I had revealed him that my necklace caused me to see things from my past. Sometimes, they were warnings that history was about to repeat itself. Other times, it was activated when a particular emotion or thought triggered a memory. Then, there were the times when there seemed to be no reason at all.

The Battle City Finals were still raging on, the next duel being between Mai and Marik. I was extremely worried for Mai, not because she wasn't a good enough duelist to handle Marik alone, but because Marik would play whatever mind tricks necessary to defeat her. Would she be strong enough to see through his tricks and duel as well as she could?

Yugi placed his hand on my shoulder, smiling at me widely, "It'll be ok. We'll be there to support Mai no matter what."

I nodded, placing my hand over his. The duel had already started by the time we reached the upper deck.

"I knew we shouldn't have waited for Tristan to get out of the bathroom!"

While the others greeted Mai, I turned my gaze towards Marik. His evil smile grew when he saw my piercing glare, "So good of you to join us, My Lady. Now you will witness my power."

I scoffed at his boast, "Not interested," I said as I felt my temper begin to rise once more. He saw this duel and his opponent as a joke. Perhaps that meant he wouldn't do anything too stupid, but then again, perhaps not.

"Dria, why is Marik so interested in you?"

I chuckled a little at Joey's question, attempting to create a truthful, but short, answer. I looked towards the Pharaoh. Hopefully, this revelation would not cause me to lose him again.

"Yugi! What's that thing?"

Tea's sudden exclamation shifted everyone's attention once again. I was a little relieved that I didn't have to reveal my magic just yet, but I was also annoyed because even if I didn't want to say anything, I couldn't keep it hidden forever. I had kept this hidden for 5,000 years, and now the truth was desperate to fly from my mouth and be free once again. Now that I had the Pharaoh with me again, my heart cried out to me to restore things to the way they used to be. I had to ignore those cries, even if it was what I truly desired.

Thankfully, Marik's Jam Breeding Machine didn't cause Mai any trouble. If she could gain the upper hand before he really started to duel, she could win. Mai did get the early lead on Marik, sweeping away his trap and magic cards with her Feather Duster, but Marik didn't look the least bit discouraged. In fact, he seemed to enjoy the cheers that came from the mortals next to me.

He took control of the Dark Witch fairly easily, but that was not the reason I began to worry. He gave me an evil smile before reaching behind his cape to grab his Millennium Rod.

"I'd like to take this match to the true home of Duel Monsters, the Shadow Realm!"

The very familiar dark fog engulfed the upper deck of Seto's blimp. Even the calm and collected Seto looked bothered and confused. While some of my friends had not yet experienced this realm, they knew something was off. The darkness floated all around us, waiting for the time to strike.

"The Shadow what? It just looks like we flew into a fog."

"This is no ordinary fog Duke. This is much worse."

I kept my gaze on Marik, furious at him for bringing the shadows here. It wasn't a huge surprise he would do this, but it was irritating nonetheless.

"Forfeit the match!" The Pharaoh understood the danger Marik had just created and tried to reason with Mai for her own safety.

"It'll take a lot more than some creepy fog to scare me off. My mind's made up and nothing can change that."

I sighed, rubbing my temples with my fingers. Mai could be infuriately stubborn, not so different from the men in my modern life. I could only hope that she didn't allow herself to be frightened by the new rules of this duel. Everything she knew was about to change.

"The memory of a person from your life is destroyed with it."

So, his game was to cause Mai to forget all her friends so she felt alone and abandoned in this dark realm. It must have mirrored his feelings during his childhood, even though he had a sister and adopted brother who loved him dearly.

"That psycho's gotta be out of his gourd."

I turned towards Joey and shook my head sadly, "I'm afraid he's not Joey. This place can do so many different things. I've been fighting against it nearly my whole life and I still don't know everything it is capable of. The shadows are ever changing."

He looked at my strangely, but if something about my comment crossed his mind, he didn't say. Marik continued to torment Mai on the platform, partially explaining to her why he had begun this Shadow Game. With one flash from the Millennium Rod, one of us was gone from Mai's memory. The question was, who went first?

"Dria, what's going to happen to her?"

Joey grabbed my shoulders, forcing me to look at him. I sighed, lowering my eyes to the ground. It was my fault Mai was suffering like this. If I had only done something differently, but I didn't know what that would have been. Maybe if I had hidden the god cards better or not created them at all. But the more I thought on it, I realized that it wouldn't have changed anything. Something like this would have happened anyway, and if my decisions had caused my presence here, that was preferable to the alternative of leaving my friends to face this alone.

"She'll forget us one by one until there's no one left."

"How do you know? There's gotta be some way we can stop it!" I shook my head.

"Joey, I've seen this type of duel before, that's how I know. The only thing we can do is reassure Mai that no matter how dark and hopeless it seems, her friends are always beside her. Only she can save herself."

The Pharaoh cocked his head at me, "You've seen this type of a duel before? When?"

I let out a few chuckles, "It's been years Yugi, centuries probably. It's been so long I don't even remember when it happened."

His eyes widened at the word 'centuries.' Perhaps he was finally beginning to understand the miniscule hints I had dropped him over the course of this tournament. The group soon understood the stakes of this duel when Mai blankly stared at Tea, not registering who she was when Tea tried to encourage her. Tea had been the first memory to vanish. To Mai, she was now nothing more than a phantom voice. Marik continued the duel, delighted by his own dark game. I believed that he intended to keep Mai from regaining strength by wiping out her Unfriendly Amazon quickly, thus destroying another memory. But I didn't want to think that I understood the strategies within the mind of a madman.

Thankfully, Mai had not yet given up hope, although Marik's unexpected gratitude for destroying memories of his servants was disturbing.

"Makyura the Destructor's special ability allows me to play any trap card from my hand: Rope of Light!"

Mai's victory didn't last long at all. Perhaps Marik had stopped toying with her and was truly dueling. Another of us was quickly wiped from Mai's memory. From the look on her face, she wouldn't last much longer without some real help. But who would she trust enough to listen to? I turned towards Yugi and the light bulb went off.

"Joey's gone forever!"

I looked back towards the duel in horror. Joey was the one she truly cared about, yet he was the second one to go. Mai looked towards Joey, but it was the same blank look she'd given Tea. I'd had enough of this madness. It was time to intervene and, if possible, throw a wrench into Marik's plans.

"Pharaoh, we need to do something," I touched his shoulder, whispering low in his ear.

He nodded, "Yes, but what? We need to reach her without too much interference."

I smiled, "You're going to enter her mind and help her. If Marik can use these Items to hurt her, we'll use them to help her. She has to know that she's not alone."

He shook his head, his eyes wide with confusion, "But how? I don't know what power I have, or if I do, how to access that power."

I stood behind him, wrapping my arms around his waist and resting my head on his strong back, "I do. Just focus on the task and I'll guide you if necessary. I'm sure you can figure the rest out."

We both closed our eyes as I activated the Millennium Puzzle and Pendant's powers to pierce the darkness and gain access into Mai's mind. The Eye of Horus appeared on both our foreheads and both Items began to glow. Although he was hesitant about his abilities, he remembered more than he gave himself credit. Though I served as his guide to reach our destination, Pharaoh entered Mai's mind with relative ease. The space we entered was dark and empty. I heard the clicking sounds made by Mai's heels as she wandered through the shadows of her mind. Marik was not pleased to see us there, me in particular. Even though he offered to make me his Queen, here I was with his archenemy, working against him and his insane plans.

"Yugi? Dria? What are you doing here?"

I nudged Yugi to explain. While I had known Mai as long as Yugi had, she would listen to him before she'd listen to me. The Pharaoh had a way of commanding attention and delivering his point, something he was always better at than I was.

"It's the voice of your friends. No matter how dark it may seem in these shadows, those voices are always there."

Once Mai regained her focus and confidence, I pulled the two of us out. We returned to our place below the platform and the magic faded. Pharaoh touched my hand in gratitude as Mai thanked him. I released his waist and moved slightly away from him, trying to avoid any form of a death glare from Tea. Now, Marik's threats didn't frighten Mai. She returned to simply dueling like she knew how and focused on what she could do.

"Once Makyura wipes out your Amazon Chain Master, another piece of your memory will disappear. Perhaps this time it will be Yugi or his meddling companion, the beautiful Lady," He looked towards me, smiling evilly, "it would be a shame for you to forget the face of your future Queen."

I glared at him darkly, "Hell will freeze over before that happens."

Joey looked back at me, "Alright, now you have to answer. Why is Marik so interested in you, Dria?"

I sighed, feeling a little afraid to say, but the Pharaoh touched my arm, nodding and smiling gently. I never could resist that smile.

"I'm a magician, and my magic can give him the power and prestige he wants."

The group was silent after my terribly short confession. Then Joey asked another question, "How do card tricks and mind games achieve that?"

I couldn't help but laugh. Of all the things to say, he immediately went to modern illusions and tricks.

"Sometimes I hate this century, and yet other times, your naïve natures are hilarious and adorable."

Joey started to ask another question, but Tristan stopped him, "Mai needs our attention now. Dria will explain what she means later."

I nodded, crossing my heart to seal the promise. When I turned my gaze back to the duel, Marik was tormenting the Pharaoh.

"You see Yugi, Duel Monsters and the Shadow Realm are intertwined. I'm simply playing it as your little girlfriend over there intended. And last I checked, you duel with this ancient magic as well."

My hands curled into fists. Marik was asking me to tear out his tongue and force him to eat it. If he said anything more, I would lose my only chance to share the truth myself and keep the trust of my friends. I was slightly grateful when Mai demanded his attention again, but I really wanted to follow through on my plan. Marik's dark nature was causing mine to surface again.

Mai used the trap Grave Arm on her own Amazon. I cheered for her strategy in getting the Winged Dragon, but deep inside I feared that she wouldn't be able to use it. While I didn't know how my father might have changed the card, I knew only certain people could use these god cards. It was an unfortunate detail that Pegasus and I had to follow through on. It was the only request the gods made to him through me once they approved the creation of the cards.

After a few more turns, Mai finally managed to get three monsters on her side of the field, thanks to Elegant Egotist. Sadly, the Winged Dragon had locked himself within a sphere, clearly stating that Mai was not one of the duelists destined to use him. I felt terrible that the gods' request would cause Mai more suffering, but there was nothing anyone could do. She was under the Winged Dragon's control, whether she knew it or not.

"I, and my lovely Lady over there, know how to tap the power of the Winged Dragon of Ra. Only individuals with knowledge of the ancient scriptures can wield the power of Ra."

I buried my head into my hands. I couldn't bear to watch a friend lose everything after working so hard for it, especially not when it had to do with Father's special idea for this card, which was an ink that could only be seen when the monster was summoned.

"Why don't I recite the chant? You'll never decipher the ancient words written upon it. Several people on this vessel could because they can trace their history back to Ancient Egypt." He looked towards me as his grin grew, "Some better than others."

Marik had planned this from the beginning of the entire duel. He had wanted Mai to take the card, making her do all the work to summon it to the field. With Holding Arms and Holding Legs, Mai could do nothing to stop the inevitable attack from the Winged Dragon.

"Great beast of the sky, please hear my cry."

Those ancient words echoed in my mind, and all the times the Pharaoh or I had used those words in times of need. Now, it was being used to further a madman's desires. The dragon began to unlock himself from the golden sphere as Marik continued.

"Envelop the desert with your glow and cast your rage upon my foe."

The dragon appeared in all his glory. Part of me was thrilled to see him again because it had been so long, but the other part was sad that one of my ancient defenders was going to harm my modern friend.

"Appear in this Shadow Game as I call your name: Winged Dragon of Ra!"

The Pharaoh tried to stop him, but Marik was too determined to get what he thought he deserved: the Pharaoh's power and his throne.

"It's something I've been waiting for since my family insisted I bear the secret of Pharaoh's power on my back. For generations my family waited hopelessly for his return, but not me! Giving up my life just to play servant to a 5,000-year-old King when I hold the key to his power? I just need to collect all the right pieces so I can put together my destiny. As you know, you My Lady," he mockingly bowed towards me, "are one of those pieces."

The Pharaoh pulled me slightly behind him, silently marking his territory. I didn't really understand why Marik wanted me. My necklace would only be useful to the Pharaoh because it held his memories and nothing more. Beyond that, I served no further role. Perhaps it was simply because I had been Queen once, Marik believed there was more I could offer to him.

Joey climbed up to the platform to try and help Mai. But no matter how hard he pulled on the chains, she was stuck. Joey did manage to do something far more important though. He broke through Marik's shadow magic, allowing Mai to regain her memory of him. At least Mai didn't feel alone right before the end of this duel. She had her friend right beside her. Then, my worst nightmare happened. The Pharaoh jumped onto the platform as well and took the dragon's hit on his back, defending his friends. I felt a scream rise in my throat, but it never made it out of my mouth.

"I will shield everyone from your evil!"

He clearly didn't realize how important he was to me and to the world. Without him, I couldn't stop Marik. I would be forced to be his consort, but mostly, I'd lose the only man I'd ever loved once again, likely forever this time.

"Marik, either you stop this madness right now or I will! And I will not hold back if you ignore me!"

Sparks of red crackled between my fingers as I extended my hand towards him, ready to strike. I couldn't bear seeing my Pharaoh in such agony any longer. It tore at my heart to see such pain on his face.

"You will stay out of this, my dear Lady."

He raised the Millennium Rod at me, firing a deflection spell straight at my chest. It threw me backwards into the railing, causing me to smack my head and shoulder against the iron. A red ball of energy shot from my fingertips and hit his Egyptian god's attack, effectively ending it. I heard the Pharaoh groan in pain before blackness covered my eyes.

Joey

"Dria! Yugi!"

Both of my friends fell unconscious before my eyes. As much as I wanted to run to help them, I couldn't abandon Mai to Marik's crazy plans. I had to stay and protect her. Duke ran to Dria, trying to wake her, but when she didn't respond, he picked her up and held her in his arms, ready to take her downstairs to the hospital with the rest of us. Marik was announced as the winner, and that psycho dared to come closer to my friends and me.

"I should send him to the Shadow Realm right now. He and that little princess of his."

I rose to my feet, ready to fight this maniac to defend my friends. But when I was up, suddenly a bright light shown from Marik's forehead and I couldn't move. I couldn't do anything. I could only watch at Marik did something freaky with his Millennium Rod and hurt Mai even more. She collapsed to the ground and stopped moving. Marik soon left, strutting his way out of the arena. He tried to touch Dria, but Duke stepped back and Tristan stepped in front. He scoffed at their defense and said she would be his no matter what they did.

As the group tried to wake Dria and Yugi, I lifted Mai into my arms. I had failed her. I had promised her I wouldn't let anything happen to her, and here she was, lying motionless in my arms. I tried to apologize and forgive myself, but I knew I never would until I defeated Marik and saved her. That would be my reason for fighting harder than I ever had to before. I had to save Mai.

"Yugi's waking up!"

I heard him groan a little as he sat up. He said he was fine, but after he saw Dria unconscious, a blind and deaf man could tell fine wasn't even an option. He stood as quickly as he could, swaying a little as he did. He took Dria from Duke's arms and gently shook her, calling her name. After a few moments, Dria finally opened her eyes again. I couldn't help but smile a little at how gentle and loving he was with her as he touched his forehead to hers as she wrapped her arms around his neck. After he set her back on her feet, they both looked towards me; I looked down at Mai.

"Marik pulled something freaky with that Millennium Rod. He said he trapped her brain in the shadows."

Kaiba quickly kicked us off the platform, despite even Dria being injured. She waved it off and said he was merely in the zone, but she was holding her shoulder carefully. We all went down to the hospital room to see if anyone could do anything for Mai. As the doctor examined her, I remembered what Dria had said.

"Dria, if you're really a magician, can't you do anything to help Mai? You have a magical wand-thingy or something right?"

She raised her eyebrow at me. Maybe magicians didn't actually use wands like they did in the movies.

"I have my staff, if that's what you mean?"

"Yeah, that! Can't you use that and do the opposite of whatever Marik did?"

She shrugged, but walked over towards Mai anyway. Lifting her hand over Mai's forehead, she started to…well, I have no clue what she was doing. I didn't know if I fully believed her claim of being a magician. But if she was telling the truth, she might have been the only person who could free Mai's mind from whatever it was Marik did to her.

At first, nothing seemed out of the ordinary. Dria was standing over Mai, gently touching her forehead, and closed her eyes. Suddenly, Dria started to glow like she did during my duel against Odion and her hair began to rise on its own. Normally, I would have found a way to joke about the scene before me, but I was too awed and a little scared to even consider joking. Maybe she really did use magic after all. We hardly breathed as Dria stood there, waiting for some kind of miracle. After a few moments, she lowered her hand, the glow faded, and her long hair settled back down. When she turned back to us, there was a creepy golden eye on her forehead, but it quickly faded. Her eyes held sadness when she met my gaze.

"I'm sorry, but there's nothing I can do. He's locked her mind away, and if I try to break it free, it could destroy her completely."

I sighed, "This tournament's gotten way out of hand."

"Because there's a mind warping psycho on board?"

I looked towards Dria, who was standing in front of a mirror, "Or maybe because there's a so-called magician on board who knows more than she's letting on."