Written: 24/03/2020
Author's Note: Well, this is strange, isn't it? After only five days, I have uploaded another chapter. This is what happens when my program is put on hold and I don't know what to do with my life. I've been practicing social distancing - as we all should - and this is the fruit of my labour. I am quite proud of myself for having written so much in such a short amount of time (as compared to the months that I usually take to write a chapter). My only wish is that I was able to describe and illustrate the emotions that I wanted you all to witness in this chapter.
I hope you enjoy this chapter.
~*Mai is back on her feet and ready to duel Marik without having his influence on her mind. But will it be enough to win the duel? Will her strategy prevail? Will Marik finally meet his demise after inflicting so much torment? Or will he add more flame to the fire?*~
Disclaimer!: Fanfiction, and I do NOT get any money out of it either. Thanks. ^^
Battle City - New Evil Emerges, Old Friends Reunite - Chapter 46
LP: Marik 1950/Mai: 3100
"I summon Amazon Chainmaster!"
A beautifully strong Amazoness with chains around her arms and in her hands materialized onto the field harbouring a fearless aura. Mai practically mirrored her card; her newfound courage, thanks to the support of her friends, helped push her forward and take a stand against Marik in this duel. Even though she may or may not be aware of some of the people missing in her memory who were important to her, she believed what the Pharaoh and Yugi said and started again.
Mai was a strong duelist.
Dark Marik was annoyed that his infiltration of Mai's mind was interrupted by the three of us, but he didn't show any indication of rebuttal. He knew he was influencing Mai more than the shadows were, and he knew it wasn't fair.
He had grown comfortable with brainwashing and controlling others. Too comfortable.
I suppose for someone who doesn't care about other humans, it becomes second nature.
"A pebble on a stone walkway," spat Marik in response to Mai's new monster.
"You're gonna trip if you're not careful," said Mai boldly. "I'll finish this turn by placing one card face down."
"I'm surprised that you were freed from my hold so easily," said Marik, although he looked more infuriated than surprised.
Mai quickly glanced our way. "Yeah, well, I've learned that sometimes a push is okay to accept," she said thoughtfully.
Marik glared at both the Pharaoh and me.
"Regardless of the boost that you've obtained," stated Marik. "Your turns are outnumbered. That includes your monster's thanks to Holding Arms!"
A golden bar bearing the Millennium symbol and chains suddenly materialized onto the field and hooked itself onto Mai's Amazoness, dragging her back from the front lines and away from the point of attack. It was just a weak monster, but it was able to interact with Mai's monster very specifically.
"What's the meaning of this, Marik!" cried Mai.
"I've summoned Holding Arms because of its useful ability," said Marik. "It stops your Amazon Chainmaster from attacking for three turns!"
To add insult to injury, Holding Arms released an electrical attack from its source of power, torturing the Amazoness as she cried out. The only reason why Marik would even use such a monster was to inflict pain to Mai indirectly through her monster, because he knew she valued all her cards.
"Bastard!" I lashed out, ready to leap over the railing. Duke was the one to instinctively grab hold of me before I could get the chance to.
"Marik, this duel has gone too far!" called the Pharaoh "This duel is meaningless if I'm the one you're after!"
"It is too late," laughed Marik. "Soon, Mai will fall into a deep sleep and never recover. Besides, how can torturing your friends be meaningless?"
That was a line that shouldn't have been crossed. The Pharaoh's crimson eyes burned with a fury I hadn't seen in a long time. "You…!"
"It is quite amusing to see you so riled up over mere mortals. Continue on the path to anger! Our duel will come soon, and I will show you just how frightening a thousand years of anger really is."
I was aware that my own anger could get out of control and I didn't have a good handle on it. However, the Pharaoh was able to have charge over his emotions. He was far more collected than I ever thought would be possible for someone like me. He thought logically and waited patiently. I was headstrong and usually ended up jumping into a situation with my erupting emotions.
The Pharaoh was having to deal with a madman who was torturing his friends. He must have so badly wished to stop this duel by his own hands.
"Yugi," Mai called. "It's alright. I appreciate your help, but I'm the one dueling right now and I can defend myself." She wasn't coarse with her words this time, which meant they weren't driven by agitation as before. Mai wished to fight this duel like any other: with honour and dignity, even though her opponent may not do the same. She wanted to fight on her own terms.
The Pharaoh wanted to respect that, so he nodded. "Mai, you have the chance to defeat him," he said. "Don't ever give up."
"Definitely won't make the same mistake twice," she said.
"Hold up!" Joey frantically grabbed hold of the Pharaoh's shoulders. "What did Marik mean that Mai will fall into a long sleep?"
The Pharaoh's crimson eyes flickered in Mai's direction for just a second before he answered the blond's question. "Joey, you must understand that this is a Shadow Duel," he said. "If Mai was to lose…"
That was all Joey needed to be reminded of. Instantly, his honey-coloured eyes grew distant.
"No way…"
"Joey, we can't give up on Mai!" said Serenity, mirroring Joey's energy from before.
"That's not even anywhere on my agenda!" the blond retorted.
"Go, facedown card!" Mai activated the card she had played during her last turn. "Grave Arm lets me destroy one monster on the field of my choice."
"I'm afraid that won't work on Holding Arms," Marik sneered.
"It's not my intention to use it on your monster," said Mai.
"What?"
"I'm using it on my Amazon Chainmaster! And since I'm the one sending her to the Graveyard, my memory stays intact!"
A giant monster hand reached up from a hole that suddenly appeared in the field and captured Amazon Chainmaster in its grasp, which released her from Holding Arms' chains. Everyone looked on, surprised by the sudden turn, as the large hand dragged the Amazoness into the depths.
Why would Mai do such a thing?
"So… you are that desperate to keep the memory of your friends?" asked Marik.
"That isn't the only reason. By destroying Amazon Chainmaster, I can activate her special ability. Her effect allows me to take one card from my opponent's deck!"
"Wait, wait, wait." My brain needed time to adjust to the incoming information. "Mai can take one of Marik's cards now?"
"Yes, she can." The Pharaoh and I exchanged glances.
"Is that so?" The expression on Marik's face was indifferent, and I wondered if he really understood what was happening. "And what card will you be taking from my deck?"
"It's quite obvious, Marik. I'm going to take your Egyptian God Card: The Winged Dragon of Ra!"
During her last few heroic moments on the field before she disappeared off to the Graveyard, Amazon Chainmaster swung her chain weapon towards the unmoving Dark Marik. Her chain reached into his deck of cards and swiped up a card, bringing it right back for Mai to take.
The most powerful God card to ever exist was now in Mai's hands. I couldn't believe how she turned the duel around so drastically. All that was ever on my mind was the fear of Mai having to fight against Ra herself. I never would have thought in a million years that she could take the card thanks to the effect of her monster.
This was an enormous advantage.
"Taking Marik's God card was an excellent move," said the Pharaoh. "Marik would not have anticipated this."
"Alright!" cheered Joey with the rest of the gang. "Did you see the way Mai swiped Marik's card? That was insane!"
"She did the unexpected," agreed Eric, impressed. "Marik's probably shaking in his boots right now."
"You may have the card for now but it is only temporary," said Marik, surprisingly well kept together about the entire situation. He didn't seem so concerned with losing his most powerful beast. "But you have to win the duel to keep it."
"This is just the start, Marik," said Mai. "I'm going to take this God card of yours out for a test drive first!"
I narrowed my eyes at Dark Marik's cool composure. Why wasn't he worried? If Mai was ever given the chance to summon the Egyptian God card, even he was going to have a hard time defeating it. What was he thinking?
"You are foolish to believe that you have what is required to wield a beast of such caliber," said Dark Marik. "In your hand is the most powerful card in Duel Monsters - but can you use it?"
"You're not going to scare me anymore," declared Mai. "You will just have to deal with the consequences of thinking that you have everything in control. It's my turn!"
Mai drew her new card, but she also took some time to revel in the new addition to her hand. I wondered what she felt knowing that she was indeed holding the most powerful card in all of Duel Monsters. Was she inspired to keep going? Was she confident that she could win? Did she feel her chances of winning increased significantly? Did she feel lighter? Did she feel heavier from the burden of holding such power? I couldn't tell from her serious expression. She was trying her hardest to focus on the game and not get carried away with her feat.
She could also be trying to figure out how she could summon Ra. Having Ra on her side would solidify her victory. All I knew was that Mai had to think carefully about her next few moves.
"Alright Mai," encouraged Joey. "You got this. You're one step closer!"
"This is both exciting yet nerve wracking," I admitted to the Pharaoh who nodded in agreement.
"Stay focused, Mai."
"I'll play these two cards face-down and summon Amazon Fighter in Attack Mode!" Another tough-looking Amazoness took to the field with no weapon, just her fists. She was ready to rumble with whoever her opponent was. However, with only 1500 attack points, there was one monster currently on the field that could easily destroy her.
"That ends my turn."
"You should have been more careful in deciding which monsters to summon," derided Marik. "Makyura has enough power to wipe her out. Attack Amazon Fighter! Say goodbye to another one of your friends!"
"Not so fast!" Mai activated a quick-play spell card. "I play Amazon Magician! There was a reason why I summoned Amazon Fighter - this card switches the attack points of my monster with yours!"
Makyura was now the one with 1500 attack points while Amazon Fighter received an incredible boost of 2400. The attack fell through, but with a different outcome than Marik anticipated. Mai had managed to turn the circumstances around another time, this time, dealing damage to Marik's Life Points.
LP: Marik 1050/Mai: 3100
"Hmph, you are not the only one who can activate trap cards." Dark Marik flipped one of his face down cards. "I play Card of Last Will. This allows me to draw five new cards when my monster's attack points were decreased.
"Additionally, if you recall from just a couple of turns ago, when Makyura is destroyed, I can play a trap card directly from my hand. And I choose to play Nightmare Wheel!"
This trap card was indeed a nightmare, and I wasn't surprised that Dark Marik had something like it in his deck. A large metal wheel surfaced to the field in the mouth of an even greater monster, whose incredibly sharp teeth and bones jutted out over the contraption. Amazon Fighter was locked onto the wheel with spiked cuffs over her wrists, ankles, and waist. She was unable to move, and I assumed she wouldn't be able to do much of anything after being trapped in that horrific rig.
"You will not be able to use Amazon Fighter to attack or defend as long as this trap card remains on the field," added Marik. Not only is your monster trapped, but you will also lose 500 Life Points every turn!"
"Really, Marik?" smirked Mai. "I was expecting something more challenging from you."
I was pleasantly in awe at her sheer determination. Once she knew she wasn't alone as Marik was trying to trick her into believing, Mai had returned to her former poise. She was now challenging Marik against his own game.
"Pardon?" asked Dark Marik with dark, glaring, lavender eyes.
"I had a feeling that you would try something like this, so I played this card." Mai activated her second face down card. "Rescue Operation allows me to rescue my Amazon Fighter from whatever trap card is affecting her. It also lets me summon a new monster to the field."
"Will you use that effect to summon the Winged Dragon of Ra?" asked Dark Marik, challenging Mai in return for saving her Amazoness.
"I know better," replied Mai. "I remember what happened in the last duel: if I summon Ra now without sacrificing any monsters, it'll have zero attack points. Such a card wouldn't be very strong anymore. That's why I'm planning to summon a different monster this turn. But don't worry; you'll get to see your Winged Dragon of Ra in action by the end of my next turn.
"Amazon Fighter, return to my hand!" The Amazoness was freed from the wheel and sent straight back into Mai's card. She then proceeded to choose the monster she was going to summon using the effect of her trap card.
"I'm going to summon Cyber Harpie to the field!" The beautiful hybrid monster wearing battle armour and sharp talons materialized onto the field, ready to gouge her opponents' eyes out. It had been so long since I saw Mai's ultimate monster. She seemed different from before, but definitely cooler.
"Nice! It's Mai's favourite card!" cheered Téa. "That's a major boost in her arsenal!"
"I wonder how she's going to pull off summoning Ra…" asked Joey thoughtfully.
"Marik won't give Mai the chance to have three monsters on her field," said Tristan. "Especially since he knows that's what she's planning to do."
"So if she wants to summon Ra, it really has to be this coming turn?" asked Duke.
"It'll be difficult," agreed Eric. "But Mai's super confident that she'll summon Ra by the end of her next turn, so she probably has a plan."
"Your turn is done…" chided Mai as she drew her next card. "And mine begins again. I'll start by playing Graceful Charity; this card lets me draw three additional cards, but in exchange, I have to discard two."
Mai completed the move, carefully selecting the cards she wished to keep while discarding the ones that wouldn't benefit her. A fearless fire burned in her violet eyes as she saw one of the cards in her hand.
"I got just what I was looking for! You're going to get it now, Marik!"
Marik didn't reply with words, however, he did smirk at Mai's attempts to show him up. I wanted to punch the grin off his face. He was too arrogant, and I despised it.
"Wait," I said, stopping my mind from thinking about punching people.
"Mai only has one monster on the field," said the Pharaoh curiously, finishing my thought. So how was she going to summon Ra with one card?
"You won't be smiling for long!" Mai played a magic card, one that I had completely forgotten about. "Especially when I play this! Elegant Egotist!"
Cyber Harpie pulled up her wings with such speed that a flurry of feathers flew into the air with her. Within the twirling and shifting fringe, Cyber Harpie's form was accompanied by two others.
"This magic card turns my one Harpie into three. Say hello to the Harpie Lady Sisters!"
"That's incredible!" cried Duke in awe as the Harpie Ladies flew out of the storm of feathers wearing fancy new gold armour.
"She's got three monsters now!" cheered Joey.
"Mai's really going to do it…" I said breathlessly, anxious about what to expect. I could only imagine what Ra was going to be like.
"And now I'll sacrifice these three lovely ladies… and summon the Winged Dragon of Ra!"
The Harpie Lady Sisters came together and started to spin. They spun faster and faster until they became a blur of brilliant colours and feathers. Powerful wind picked up until a whirlwind stretched to the sky where dark clouds had begun to accumulate. The gale was so strong and threatening, I thought we would go flying off the blimp. I wasn't ready to be airborne again.
Once Mai played the Winged Dragon of Ra, a blinding flash of light exploded from above. The wind died down immediately, but we were now all bathed in the glow.
Anticipation grabbed hold of my heart. Mai really managed to summon the strongest monster in all of Duel Monsters. Just earlier, I was worrying about her ability and her safety, but she managed to turn things around to such an extent where she was now going to be in control of Ra instead of Marik.
What was Ra going to be like? Was he going to be anything like the fiery beast we witnessed during Joey's duel? I could barely remember what Slifer looked like thanks to my little kidnapping, but the Pharaoh tried to draw me a picture with his words about its magnificence. Could Ra be the same? Was he going to be magnificent?
Everyone was anxious to see the beast that Marik revered.
Speaking of Dark Marik… he was awfully calm about the entire situation. In fact, I could have sworn that I saw a smirk on his face.
Why was he so calm? He was about to be on the receiving end of Ra's wrath. All his attempts in trapping Mai in her mind and crushing her confidence were going to be for null. But he continued to stand there as though he had already won.
It wasn't until the light died down that I realized why he wasn't worried about Mai summoning Ra.
Staring at the state of the beast, my heart dropped into the pit of my stomach.
What was going on?
"What is that thing?" cried Mai, confused.
From the sky appeared a large, golden sphere. It emanated a royal glow, however, it was definitely not a monster. It was Ra, but at the same time, it wasn't. It wasn't what we were expecting at all.
"The Winged Dragon of Ra does not show itself to just anyone," started Marik, clearly amused by Mai's concerns.
"That's Ra?" Mai was incredulous.
"Ra is locked within the sphere," continued the man. "And you, my dear, will never unlock his powers!"
Mai was beginning to grow quite anxious. "There's just no way," she denied, taking a step back. Her certainty was beginning to waver. "How is that even possible? I summoned him by sacrificing three monsters!"
"Only those chosen by Ra can summon him," explained Marik, enjoying the torment of uncertainty that he was instilling. He had waited so patiently for this moment, just to see the fear creep back into Mai's eyes.
"That's nonsense," retorted Mai. "A card belongs to the duelist who wields it."
"You mentioned before about completing the criteria that was required to summon Ra, but you have yet to recite the Ancient Chant."
"Ancient Chant?"
"Can you even see the written text on the bottom of the card?"
Mai hastily took a look at the card she placed on her Duel Disk. Her eyes widened. "What… but those weird characters weren't on there before!" she cried in dismay.
"The Ancient Chant is used to call upon Ra's true power. Without the recitation, he will remain in a form where he cannot attack or defend."
"Is this another one of your mind tricks?"
"Cannot decipher the text, can you?"
Mai gritted her teeth together in annoyance. Whatever the symbols were, she couldn't read them. Upset by that fact, she didn't answer.
"If you cannot recite the Ancient Chant, I will," said Dark Marik menacingly. "And once I gain control of Ra, you will wish you had never challenged me in the first place!"
My eyes widened. Even if Mai was the one who summoned Ra, Marik could still gain control? And to top it all off, if Mai couldn't read whatever was on the card, then she couldn't summon Ra's true form?
What kind of secret was this? Where only some people would know the secrets behind a Duel Monsters card?
"If Marik recites the text, Ra will obey him," reiterated the Pharaoh. "And it sounds like he is able to do that at any time."
"This isn't good," I said, feeling my anxiety grow.
I dreaded the moment that Marik recited that text. Even Mai was having a hard time wrapping her mind around the thought, because she was struggling to come to terms with how to proceed. She must be so torn: while she had managed to summon Ra, he wasn't actually on the field until she finished the final step.
"You can stare at the card all you'd like," derided Dark Marik. "You'll never be able to read it. It's written in a special form of hieroglyphics that only high-ranking individuals in Egypt use. My family has guarded the Pharaoh's tomb for centuries, so I am part of an elite group of individuals who are able to read it."
"The chant's in hieratic text?" I was incredulous. I was lucky enough to get glimpses of high-level text in the palace, but to actually be able to read it was something else. I knew the Pharaoh would definitely be able to read it, and perhaps even Kaiba because of his connections to Priest Seto. I could only dream of having the ability. Even though I could read some hieroglyphs, it wouldn't be to the extent of something as divine as a chant.
"In fact, there are several individuals on this aircraft who can trace their history back to Ancient Egypt!" Dark Marik eyed us in the observation wing. "They will know well how prevalent the Shadows were back then…"
"Shadow Magic was used to judge souls in trials, Marik," I refuted. "Not pitted against innocent people!"
"Pegasus wasn't thinking about that at all when he was developing the Egyptian God cards," he criticized. "All he had in mind was bringing the God cards to life. However, he knew that Ra would not obey just anyone. So, he added the hieratic text with invisible ink that would only show once the card has been played. If the duelist that played it is able to recite what is written, then he is a chosen duelist, and Ra's power will be his."
He knew all along that Mai wouldn't be able to summon Ra. He was counting on her thinking that she had the upper hand, when in reality, she may have just given him the chance to release the beast.
The situation had taken a terrible turn.
"He had this planned from the beginning," sighed the Pharaoh, disturbed by the outcome. "He knew Mai wouldn't be able to read it."
"She's trapped," I glanced over at the Pharaoh, apprehensive about what was going to happen. "In terms of what to do with Ra, she's stuck. She has to fight without him."
"But if she doesn't, Marik will."
"I will ask you again," Dark Marik berated. "Will you recite the chant or shall I?"
"If Mai doesn't get Ra out of that shell, she won't have any monsters on her field," Joey pointed out. "And if Marik gets Ra on his side, Mai won't be able to counterattack! She'll be wide open!"
We all watched Mai with growing concern for what she was going to do next. Her lull into a false sense of security surely confused her, and she was forced to think of a new plan on the spot. It was a huge shock for a duelist to recover from, but it was important that Mai did. To think that she had the ultimate advantage over her opponent only to realize that Dark Marik was still many steps ahead of her. I would never have expected something like this, especially since we only found out about the existence of the Egyptian God cards during the tournament. I didn't know anything about them, and it was unfortunate the Marik did.
"I'm not giving Ra back to you just yet!" answered Mai, trying her hardest to stay strong. She wasn't going to give up just yet, but I could see in her eyes that she was fighting to keep going. "I play one card face-down and end my turn."
She was waiting it out, perhaps even changing her tactics altogether to not include Ra at all. It was probably for the best, but Dark Marik wasn't going to let Ra just sit there. He was waiting for the chance to summon the beast himself.
All he had to do was recite the text. My heart began to pound. This duel was spiraling: if Dark Marik gained control of Ra… was there anything that Mai could do against his power?
She couldn't let him have the chance!
"Foolish girl." Marik played a monster card. "Even your trap cards are useless against me now! I summon Holding Legs', and its special ability sends all magic and trap cards on the field back to the owner's hand!"
The card that was going to give Mai a second chance against Marik was back in her hand as soon as another monster similar to Holding Arms appeared, and I could see the panic begin to take over in her expression. She had essentially nothing left on her field. Everything she did during her last turn was for the chance to summon Ra. All of her resources and strategies were used to summon him. But now, he was just an orb floating above the field, mocking her with everything that she couldn't have.
My chest tightened at the sight of Mai struggling. This couldn't be happening. After all the strength Mai managed to pull together to keep fighting, this couldn't be her last turn!
"The stage is set for your demise! When I have Holding Arms and Holding Legs both on the field, they call forth the Sacred Stone of Wdjat! This, my dear, will be your sacrificial tomb!"
From behind Mai appeared a tall stone tablet with a large Eye of Wdjat carved into its centre. It bathed in a golden glow that was obscured by shadows. A feeling of heavy darkness suddenly drowned the field, and I could feel its pressure begin to affect the atmosphere.
"W-What's going on?!"
"Well, you have no monsters," said Dark Marik. "Using the two monsters that I have on my side of the field, I can attack you directly! Holding Arms and Holding Legs - seize her!"
The two monsters, both composed of rods and cuffs of their own, swooped in towards Mai. Holding Arms grabbed hold of Mai's wrists, knocking her trap card out of her hand, while Holding Legs clamped down on her ankles. Mai struggled against their tight hold, but they didn't budge.
"What kind of holograms are these?!" Mai cried out. Fear gripped my soul. What was happening to Mai? If Marik just wanted to win, why not summon Ra already? What was he going to do?
"In this game, there are no holograms," said Dark Marik hatefully. "We are playing a Shadow Game, where everything you see is real. Attack her directly, my creatures!"
Marik's monsters began pulling Mai backwards, dragging her towards the stone tablet looming over her from behind, until her back hit the carving. They merged into the tablet while at the same time trapping Mai up against it as well. She continued to pull on her arms and legs, trying to free herself, but to no avail. To make matters worse, an electrical attack shot through her body, robbing her of Life Points.
LP: Marik 1050/Mai: 0800
"Mai!" Joey's voice pierced the air with intense concern for his friend. "Are you alright?!"
The blonde struggled to look towards where Joey's voice was coming from. She still couldn't see him, but she could hear him. However, she gave no indication of trying to fight back. Not only did the electrical attack zap her of energy, but it was clear that she wasn't going to be able to free herself anytime soon.
"That voice… it's so familiar…" Mai was breaking. She didn't have the strength to fight back anymore, and against a maniac like Dark Marik, she didn't have anything else left to battle with.
She must have been feeling alone again. There were no cards on her side of the field that could potentially protect her, and the only monster she had managed to summon was never going to be in her control. With all odds against her, and us on the sidelines doing what we could to support her, she must have been feeling weak.
Mai was feeling vulnerable.
"You're alone," said Marik, trying to brainwash her again into submitting on her own. "And no one can help you now!"
"You're wrong, Marik!" The Pharaoh stepped forth with his Millennium Puzzle and the Eye of Horus on his forehead glowing once more. He was ready to fight against Marik just as he did last time, and I was ready to back him up.
Mai wasn't going to deal with this on her own.
"Then it is time to summon Ra!" Marik shouted to the heavens. "Your interference will cease right this instant!"
Marik crossed his arms over his chest and began to recite the chant.
"Great beast of the sky, please hear my cry."
He didn't need the card. He knew the hieratic text by heart.
"Transform thyself from orb of light and bring me victory in this fight."
Tight winds began to pick up as the royal glow bathing Ra's spherical cell strengthened in intensity in response to Marik's chanting.
"Envelop the desert with your glow and cast your rage upon my foe."
The light had become so blinding that we had to shield our eyes. Rays cast down onto the blimp.
"Unlock your powers from deep within so that together we may win."
The presence of an immense power bubbled into existence. Its energy was so strong that I could feel its heavy pressure on my chest. In the distance, I could have sworn that I heard a loud roar.
"Appear in this Shadow Game as I call out your name, Winged Dragon of Ra!"
In a brilliant display of light, where the intensity transformed into warmth, the sphere melted away and gave form to a massive and golden bird-like creature with scorching ruby eyes. Ra's colossal wings could have stretched as far as twice his body size. It was nothing like the fiery beast we saw during Joey's duel against Odion. Ra was mighty and powerful, as was his very present roar. He flew into existence with a massive flap of his wings, picking up strong winds before finally settling on his hind legs behind Marik, as a servant would serve a master.
I couldn't believe my eyes. It was an Egyptian God, right before my eyes. Although it wasn't their true form, but a graphical representation, their elegance and tenacity could still be felt through them. As I stared up at Ra, I felt something strange: it was a combination of awe at the sheer power I could sense from the beast and fear for Mai. She was now face-to-face with the weapon of her demise. Not only was she already crestfallen from being unable to summon Ra, but now she had to face his wrath against her: an innocent soul caught up in the mess of the Shadows.
"Behold! My great beast!" revealed Marik, laughing triumphantly. "The most powerful of all the Egyptian God cards!"
Our jaws had practically fallen to the floor in wake of the sheer grandeur of the beast. To add another point onto Marik's board, we also noticed just how many attack points Ra had: 5400. The combination of all of Mai's Harpie Ladies.
The most heartbreaking thing about all of this was the fact that it was essentially all of Mai's hard work, determination, and power that was now going to be unleashed back onto her.
How was that fair?
I clutched at my chest, finding myself torn between allowing a duel to continue as per conditions of the tournament and the Shadow Game or racing up there to stop the duel entirely myself.
Even though Mai might have known the dangers of dueling Marik, she didn't deserve to be in such pain.
I was gripping onto the railing with so much frustration that my knuckles were turning white.
"If Marik attacks Mai with Ra right now…" The Pharaoh was also clenching his fists, whether from frustration as well or objection, I wasn't too sure, but he was surely upset. "She'll lose the duel and be trapped in the Shadow Realm forever!"
Something clicked in my mind. We weren't going to lose Mai to just pain and suffering, but she was going to swim in it for the rest of her life if we didn't do something.
Surely, I couldn't just stand by…!
"This is the end, my dear," berated Dark Marik with a victorious smirk on his face. "Your mind is a mere shadow of its former self. And it's growing even dimmer…"
Upon careful inspection, Mai looked completely defeated. After that electrical attack drained her of any remaining fight in her, and the Holding monsters never once loosening their hold, she had nearly given up. There was no strength in her left to fight back.
But she couldn't have surrendered even if she wanted to, because her arms were locked out of reach from one another. She could only watch helplessly as Marik finished her off.
"No…!" Her voice was weak, and her plea was desperate, but Dark Marik was relentless.
"As soon as Ra attacks, your world will crumble!"
"Yugi, we've gotta do something!" begged Joey.
"That's enough, Marik!" said the Pharaoh, trying to reason with the madman once more, even though he was attempting to redirect his hatred towards him instead of Mai. "Your grudge is against the both of us, so leave Mai out of this!"
"Your demands to stop this duel are futile, Pharaoh!" laughed Marik. "Don't worry, we will have our chance to duel soon. But first, I will use Mai as a Dark Offering… to increase your hatred!"
"What?" Dark Offering? I had never heard of anything like that before, but Dark Marik had. Did he sacrifice someone before? Did he want the Pharaoh to succumb to his hatred of Marik? What would that do to him?
"Marik!" The Pharaoh was furious, but he had no other way to stop Dark Marik without jeopardizing his goal. It was important that he didn't interfere with an official tournament in any way, because this was the tournament where important answers could be found.
I couldn't let the Pharaoh risk it. On the other hand… it was impossible situations like this where my role was pertinent. Wherever the Pharaoh could not act, my job was to take the fall. If it meant losing my spot in the tournament - where I could have helped the Pharaoh by climbing the ranks - to help an innocent person from losing her mind, then why shouldn't I?
I readied myself to jump onto the platform and put an end to this. But how would I even start? The duel was still technically in progress, and it wasn't like I could force one duelist or the other to surrender. My body wanted to go in and help Mai with all the emotion that was driving my heart, but my brain continued to pull me back.
What could I do? It was a Shadow Game. The rules needed to be followed. I couldn't just change them no matter how hard I tried. But I also couldn't stand by and do nothing, it didn't feel right.
"It's something I've been waiting for - our duel…" Dark Marik began, only prolonging the inevitable for his own enjoyment. Perhaps he wished to torment us further as well. I wasn't going to let his words affect me. There must have been something that I could do to help Mai.
"Ever since my family insisted that I bear the Ancient Scriptures on my back, leaving me cursed to carry the secret of the Pharaoh's power until his return."
My feet stopped all on their own before my brain even had time to process what I just heard. Flashbacks from the time I spent talking to the Pharaoh and Yugi the night after Arkana's duel reeled through my mind. We had discussed a lot about how Marik mentioned a possible connection between the Ancient Scriptures, the Egyptian God cards, and the Millennium Puzzle. What we didn't know was how the three were connected in regards to unlocking the Pharaoh's power.
At the time, we were also aware that Marik's family were Tomb Keepers and they were keeping guard over the secret. However, what I didn't know was the form in which they were guarding this secret.
Dark Marik had the secret of the Pharaoh's power on his back?
The Pharaoh and I looked at each other, shocked at his words.
That's how the secret was passed down between generations… It was carved into the backs of Tomb Keepers!
"But… isn't that supposed to be an honour?" I asked him, trying to understand. Why would he resent being part of an important mission to help the Pharaoh during his resurrection?
"This burden has brought me nothing but suffering and despair!" he cried, outraged that I would even think to suggest this task as an 'honour'. "For millennia, my family has waited hopelessly for the Pharaoh's return. We waited in the dark crevices of the earth, never allowed to see the light of day, all for a Pharaoh who never showed his face.
"All… except for me."
Dark Marik rotated his Millennium Rod slowly between his fingers. "Why should I serve the ancient Pharaoh?" he dissented. "Why should I suffer for someone else… when I hold the key to the Pharaoh's power all along? I can become the Pharaoh myself!"
"Are these Marik's words?" asked the Pharaoh carefully.
"Marik… my host created me." There was something sinister in the way that he smiled. "The boy was ten and about to receive the Tomb Keeper's Initiation… when his mind, troubled and torn between what he needed to do and what he wished to do, gave birth to my existence to protect him."
"You protected Marik?" I asked incredulously. Funny, how he used those specific words to describe himself.
"My existence spared him from the insanity he was teetering towards, thanks to his father disregarding all of his wishes against becoming a Tomb Keeper."
I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Marik didn't want to bear the Pharaoh's secret, so the hatred in his heart for his father created… this? This was what Odion was trying to seal away?
Hatred was such an ugly thing…
"I would have had everything right at that moment… had Odion not interfered with my plans."
Odion must have realized what happened and tried to protect Marik from his darker half… but now that's he fallen…
"But now I am finally free." Dark Marik grasped the Millennium Rod tight in his hand and raised it up high for everyone to see. "I am finally in control again, and I will gain everything I desire!"
"Alright, Marik," said the Pharaoh suddenly, having heard enough. "What is it that you desire? The Egyptian God cards? The Millennium Puzzle? Two of these items are in my hands, but you cannot claim them without dueling me. So, why do you not leave your duel with Mai and battle me instead?"
"I do not simply crave power, Pharaoh… not anymore. Now, my greatest wish is to destroy everything… Everyone who stands in my way will perish before I duel for your Puzzle and God card!"
In one swift moment, the Millennium Rod was being pointed towards Mai. "I will start by sending this girl's mind to the Shadow Realm and tearing her soul to pieces!"
"Hey! You gotta stop this duel!" Joey shouted to Roland, who appeared quite pale himself from the developments.
"I cannot do that," he said swiftly. Though he may not fully understand what was happening, he must have known that Mai was in danger. However, I remembered what Kaiba said to him during my duel: that no matter what kind of match was in play, it was going to continue until the end. And that included Shadow Duels.
The referee couldn't stop the duels, even if he wanted to. Kaiba didn't look like he was going to pull back his decision anytime soon either.
It was up to me. I had to do what I thought was best. But, the Pharaoh didn't tell me to act. If I responded without his consent, would that mean I went against his wishes?
Before I could even begin telling my legs to move thanks to the war going on in my own mind, a blond blur darted by me, beating me onto the platform. Frustrated from the lack of response, Joey had climbed onto the platform and raced to Mai's aid.
"You'll be disqualified!" cried Roland.
"Big deal!" countered Joey, unafraid of the consequences. I admired his brash decision to do anything he could to help.
I was growing more anxious at the thought of Ra attacking any second now.
"Winged Dragon of Ra! Begin your assault on these mortals!"
The massive dragon opened its enormous beak and began gathering energy for its attack. I could feel my nervousness growing. Joey was now in the line of fire. If he couldn't get Mai off the platform in time, they were both going to get hurt!
"Sarah." I looked over at the Pharaoh who had suddenly called me. His steely crimson eyes were familiar to me. Instantly, I realized what he was about to do: he was about to give me an order.
And I could tell already from the expression on his face what it was that he wanted me to do.
"On it," I said.. That was all I needed. The Pharaoh ordered me to do something and I would go do it. That was why I was struggling so much to act before. It wasn't that I didn't want to help Mai, but it was because I wasn't sure if it was my place to when the Pharaoh should have been my top priority.
Now that he authorized the action, my legs moved all on their own without any hesitation as they helped me jump up to reach the dueling platform and climb over.
"Sarah! You will be disqualified as well!" shouted Roland after me.
"That's just fine!" Now that the Pharaoh has commanded me to perform a task, I had no reason to second guess myself. He has also thought about the consequences of my actions, and decided that helping Joey and Mai was more important.
I agreed wholeheartedly, and was willing to do whatever the Pharaoh asked of me without question.
"Mai! Don't worry, I'm gonna get you out of here!" Joey grabbed hold of one of the cuffs around her wrists and pulled as hard as he could to free her but it wouldn't budge. The arms and legs were welded tightly to the tablet, and the cuffs themselves were locked around Mai's limbs, giving no indication of letting up.
"Joey! You reassure Mai! I'll try and pull these cuffs off her!"
As I reached for the cuff on Mai's other wrist, the defeated blonde slowly lifted her head at the sound of voices. "Who's there…" she asked, still unable to see who she lost from her memory. Tired from battling, she barely even had the strength to look up.
"Mai, it's me…" pleaded Joey.
"You sound so familiar…" she said, a thoughtful smile on her face. "Like an old friend…"
"Please you gotta remember who I am!"
Mai's violet eyes began to grow dark as she tried to think. "I'm not sure…" she said finally.
"Think harder!" Joey then held Mai's face gently in his hands and forced her eyes to look forward towards him. "Look in my eyes, it's me!"
Mai must have thought really carefully as her violet gaze examined the space ahead of her, because what she said next proved that it was possible for her to break through Marik's spell.
"Joey…"
"That's right! It's Joey! I'm not gonna let anything happen to you, Mai! 'Cause we're friends!"
"We're friends…?" she asked, dazed.
"You know it! And I'm always here for you, no matter what!"
Mai looked on, but this time, her eyes were searching for what was ahead of her. In her weakened state, she was doing her best to process everything Joey was saying, and looking for him at the same time.
His words were reaching her? Joey's stubbornness to connect with Mai and reassure her were proving stronger than the Shadow Magic.
"I-I've also got something important to tell you, Mai. Something I should have told you before."
What's this…?
"Do you remember when I got knocked unconscious during that lightning storm? Then I had that freaky dream that we were all back at school, only for some reason I couldn't get up? Then all my friends helped me get back on my feet. Including you, Mai!
"I know I told you that you weren't in that dream, Mai." Joey's honey-coloured eyes were beginning to look troubled. "I'm sorry, I lied. But you were there! You're my friend!"
Ah… I see… this was why Mai was upset before...
Mai's violet eyes gained some light when she heard Joey's words. "Wait…" she murmured. I could have sworn I could see Joey's reflection in her lively gaze. "Joey…!"
She could see him. Mai could see Joey.
And she remembered him.
Joey smiled, ecstatic that his friend had come back. That dream, which affected Mai's heart so much, was enough to jumpstart her memory.
"Curse this boy…" Dark Marik glowered. "He has broken through my mind control twice now! But no matter… I will just destroy all of you. The Guardian will finally disappear from my sight as well!"
"Joey, you've done it!" I cheered. Dark Marik's Shadow Spell was broken! He didn't have his hold on Mai anymore!
"Nh… that felt awful," said Mai as she shook her head of any remaining Shadow Magic influence. She was back to being herself. I was so glad, and I was well aware how excited Joey must have been. "Now come on! Get me out of these chains!"
"Alright! That's the Mai I remember!"
"Wait, guys." I pulled my hands back to see broken skin under my knuckles from where I was trying to pull the cuffs. They stung but I tried to ignore that. "This Shadow Duel is too strong. We won't be able to get Mai out of these like this."
"What are you saying, we can't give up now!" Joey tried his best to pull at the chains himself, but he soon realized that it really was harder than he first realized.
"They're on here tighter than I thought…" he grunted as he continued to yank with all that he had. "I gotta get it off quick, though, but how?"
The intensity of light that was gathering in Ra's wide-open mouth was growing. Electricity crackled all around him. The light soon became too blinding to look at, and it was a luminous reminder of how little time we had left before the attack fell through.
We were running out of time.
Mai must have realized this as she watched Joey struggling with the cuffs around her wrists and me struggling with the cuffs around her ankles. We did all that we could, until our fingers were blistered right through, but the metal bands weren't budging.
She made a call.
"Forget about me, you two," she said. "Just go!"
"No way, Mai!" cried Joey. "Not without you!"
"I'm not going anywhere, either!" I said. There was no way we could leave Mai on her own, not during the scariest of times when Ra's attack was looming over our heads.
"Winged Dragon of Ra!" called Marik. "Destroy them!"
Ra did as he was commanded: he released his attack. It was a stream of burning flame that the rich, golden light had manifested into. It was a divine flame, and at the sight of it, I knew right away that none of us were going to survive once it hit.
We weren't going to survive...
No. I couldn't let that happen. Mai just remembered Joey. There was no way I was going to let them lose each other in the darkness again.
I let go of the cuffs around Mai's ankles and stood up to face the flame.
I knew what I had to do to protect Yugi's and the Pharaoh's friends.
I knew what I had to do to protect my friends.
"Listen to me, both of you!" When Joey gave up on the chains and shielded Mai from the light, she grew even more concerned. "Don't be a hero, Joey!"
"Look!" Joey was determined to stay where he was. "I'm staying right here! You're gonna be fine, Mai. I promise!"
"You're both going to be fine," I said. Then I turned around to face them so my back was towards Ra. "I won't let Ra's flame touch you."
Both sets of eyes widened. "Sarah… what are you…" Joey couldn't finish his sentence.
"Burn in the Shadows, Guardian!" shouted Marik, realizing what I was about to do.
"Sarah, no! You can't do this!"
I was fully aware of the type of flame that I was going to shield Joey and Mai from. Ra's flame was pure, divine power. Though I mastered the Spell of Flame, it did not include divine flame at all. I could never hope to redirect it, no matter how much strength I had. It was a flame no mortal would ever have control over.
All I could do was raise my arms and absorb the attack to save Joey and Mai from it.
As long as I could protect them, it didn't matter what happened to me.
I hoped that the Pharaoh would forgive me for stepping out of line, but I couldn't see our friends perish.
At least… if I crumbled away, I had completed my job as Guardian…
I closed my eyes and braced for impact. I tried not to think about the powerful heat that was closing in on my spine. If I was going to take Ra's entire attack, I had to stand my ground. I couldn't sink.
I needed to stand strong.
"That's enough!"
It was a voice. His voice. My brain didn't process. I just quickly turned around and begged the Gods that what I heard wasn't what I thought it was.
My breath caught in my throat.
It was the Pharaoh. He was shielding the three of us from Ra's attack.
"What…" I watched him struggle to fight against the raw power of Ra's flame as it collided with his back. His pained expression tore my heart. The flame must have been so hot, and yet, he was still…
Why was he shielding us?
"Well, isn't this a surprise!" jeered Dark Marik. "The mighty Pharaoh himself is absorbing Ra's attack!"
"No, no, no…" Panic rose in my voice. "What are you doing?!"
"Ngh… Sarah…" The Pharaoh grunted against the power as he pushed back with all his might.
"I couldn't stand by…"
I had no words, but I could feel the back of my eyes begin to sting.
He couldn't stand by…
"This is perfect!" cried Dark Marik. "Perhaps I will destroy the former Pharaoh sooner than I thought!"
"Not quite!" The Pharaoh glared daggers over his shoulder at the shadow of a man that stood behind him. He grit his teeth together from crying out against the pain. "This is as far as your attack will go, Marik!
"Your anger… your hatred… I'll take it all on my back! Because I swear to you… you will not hurt those I care about any longer!"
As Marik laughed maniacally at the Pharaoh's words, I couldn't help but feel something different from what I was used to. While I admired the Pharaoh's courage, I was upset. The Pharaoh never took my role before. He never used himself as a shield.
That was my job.
He was the Pharaoh.
I was supposed to shield him.
Although I admired his courage, he was far more important than I could ever be. The pain he was bearing - in absorbing Ra's attack - that should have been my pain. It was the sole reason why I was his Guardian to begin with.
The Oath's Seal above my collarbone burned. It burned because the Pharaoh was taking a hit that I was supposed to take.
What could have possibly possessed him to do such a thing…?
The Pharaoh took one step forward, nearly losing his balance from the attack, and instinctively I reached out and placed my hands on his chest.
We locked eyes for a moment. A mere moment, and I could see emotions in his pained crimson eyes that I did not understand. His body was hot and trembling. The pressure from Ra's attack, the weight of pure energy crashing into his back, was incredible - and he was absorbing it all with the entirety of his strength.
Ra's attack finally let up, and with a cry of pain, the Pharaoh fell forward from exhaustion. Instantly, I caught his dead weight in my arms.
"Pharaoh!"
"Yugi, no!"
He was heavier than I thought and my knees hit the floor before I had the chance to make sure of anything else. All I could think about was making sure he didn't hit his head on the floor. I held him up as best as I could until I could safely lay him down.
"Pharaoh! What have you done?! Wake up!"
His crimson eyes were hidden away behind closed eyelids, but a pained expression marked his face after holding his own against Ra's intense flame attack. I had no idea what his back was going to look like after facing an attack like that, but what I did know was that he was only unconscious right now. Although his breathing was heavy, he was still breathing. That was the important part.
I was frustrated beyond belief. I should have moved in his way. I should have taken extra care to know where he was. I should have told him not to worry - I had his back.
But this time, he had mine.
And I was so upset.
He put himself in the line of fire.
I was so frightened…
Disappointed tears threatened to pour from my eyes.
Pharaoh… Yugi… please wake up…
"Perhaps I should finish him off here."
I looked up to see Dark Marik hovering over us. The Winged Dragon of Ra was nowhere to be seen, so I assumed the duel had finished with Mai losing all of her Life Points from Ra's attack. Roland must have called him the winner and I didn't even realize.
I didn't notice anything except the unconscious Pharaoh.
A glint of light caught my eye, and I noticed Marik had unsheathed the Millennium Rod to reveal a dagger hidden in the handle.
He wanted to kill the Pharaoh right here. After all his talk about dueling him for the power of the Pharaoh, he was tempted to kill him right this instant?
With the last bit of honour as Guardian that I had left, I held the Pharaoh's body close to my chest, never once allowing my grip to fall off his shoulders.
"Don't you dare touch him…"
Marik chuckled at my words. "Such anger I have not seen in you before. Be calm, little Guardian. I still require his Millennium Puzzle and Egyptian God card." The man stood up, laughing at my reaction.
Words could not describe how much I despised him. I wanted to rip him apart, but my hold on the Pharaoh was unmoving.
"This one, however, needs to be taught a lesson about meddling in matters that don't concern him."
"Joey!"
"Get away from Mai!" shouted the blond, standing up for Mai who was on her knees trying to gain her bearings.
In an instant, both Joey and I were frozen in time. My mind, already in a state of panic over the Pharaoh's state, was unable to understand how I couldn't move. The Eye on Marik's forehead was glowing, however. Was this part of his power? But how?
He was stronger than I thought.
"That should hold the both of you."
I tried to force my body to move, but nothing was working. My legs, my arms - nothing was able to move. What kind of spell was this? How did Marik get this power? Just what was he capable of?!
"This duel made some interesting turns along the way," started Marik as he knelt down beside Mai. "Your friends did their best to stop me, but in the end their effort was futile."
He held her chin to force her to look up at him. She wavered in her fatigue. Since she lost the duel after Ra's attack, she had no choice but to admit defeat. My blood boiled. He was going to take her mind, and neither Joey nor I could do anything about it since we were both trapped in space.
"You have still lost the duel, my dear, and you will pay the consequences. The Shadows demand it!"
Dark Marik stood back up onto his feet. He lifted the Millennium Rod so the Eye would match her gaze. We could only watch as he took her soul.
Mai… I'm so sorry… we couldn't stop him after all…
"Farewell, my dear!"
A bright light enveloped the blonde, the magic took what it had won, and left Mai as an empty vessel. Her body collapsed onto the platform and Dark Marik took great joy in his accomplishment. He had won another duel, which was going to advance him further into this tournament.
He was one step closer to challenging the Pharaoh.
The man cackled wickedly. "You have all witnessed Ra in all his glory!" At the mention of Ra, Marik reached for the God card on Mai's Duel Disk. "And you will witness more in my duels to come!"
"You monster…" I seethed once I felt his magic wearing off from my shoulders and arms. Once free, Joey hurried over to Mai.
"What did you do to her, Marik?!"
"Her mind is trapped in the Shadow Realm," said Marik. "As was established in the conditions of this duel, her mind will deteriorate every second. She will lose memories of everyone - her loved ones, her friends - everything she kept in her mind will soon disappear!"
"That's it!" Having heard enough, Joey jumped to his feet. "Marik! I'm going to beat the crap out of you!"
"Try it," threatened the man. "Or I will send you to the Shadows just like your friend here!"
"Joey… back off."
The blond slowly turned around to face me, his glaring honey-coloured eyes harbouring such rage and agony that I could understand fully, because I was feeling the same way.
Helpless that we couldn't save Mai no matter how hard we tried… Furious that Marik won the duel… These emotions tormented our hearts, but we couldn't let them dominate our minds.
I hoped that the frustrated tears in my eyes were enough to show Joey just how much I could understand his pain, and I hoped that he would understand that despite how much we may have wanted to fight Marik with all we had right here and now, we just couldn't.
We couldn't lash out, otherwise, we would be putting everyone else in danger. We would be no different from the man we were fighting.
We couldn't lose anyone else right now.
Joey stepped back, although not willingly, but he understood what I was trying to say. His fists were clenched, and his teeth gnawed together. He fell back to Mai's side.
"Be prepared from now on, Guardian," warned Marik. "You cannot allow the Pharaoh to fall, can you? I believe it was your job to protect him?"
Yes… it was… so why did the Pharaoh…
I shook my head, troubled and frustrated, but also heartbroken that we lost someone despite using all of our strength to try and save them.
"You'll pay for this, Marik! I swear to the Gods!"
"Ahahaha!" Brandishing his Millennium Item and God card, Dark Marik descended the stairs of the dueling platform once it lowered onto the blimp. Remnants of the Shadow Duel seemed to follow his feet, until they dissipated upon contact.
His power was growing stronger.
"Such a bold promise! I wonder if that was how you promised to protect the Pharaoh!"
Something pulled at my heart. I did swear to the Gods that I would protect the Pharaoh.
"It's a shame, isn't it?" I couldn't tell what expression was on Marik's face since his back was towards me. Knowing him, he must have been trying to play more games with my emotions.
"Both the Ishtar family - my family - and yourself have given up everything for a Pharaoh who cannot even begin to understand the sacrifices that we made. Yet, you cry over his wounded state as though he meant the entire world to you."
Words died in my throat.
What was he saying… he was an Ishtar?
There weren't two families after all?
Was he… related to Ishizu?
"Generations of my family have spent centuries underground, hidden from the world to protect the Pharaoh's most safely guarded secret. And you… you have willingly poured your heart and soul into battles to protect the Pharaoh himself, but he does not remember any of it.
"It's a shame," he repeated, but this time, he turned around to meet my gaze. I was surprised to see his face so serious. I was expecting him to mock me again, but this was different. Something in my heart stirred.
"To expect nothing from giving everything."
Marik's words were dark, but they defended an unspoken truth. I never once thought of such things, always believing that what I was doing was for the greater good. To protect my King with everything I had so that he would live safely… that was all I ever wanted.
Even now, as I was gripping his shoulder tightly, I hoped that he would wake up and I could apologize for letting him down.
"So, I offer you this: join me willingly and we can fight him together. Never again will he have the chance to bring torment to any more lives. We can wipe his existence off the face of the earth!"
My resentment towards Dark Marik turned into a stormy rage. I could feel my magic stirring at the uneven emotions swirling around inside me.
How dare he offer me such frivolous words.
"Never…" I started. "I'll never join you!" I was unsure about his schemes, and the reason why he would even suggest something so meaningless, but I wasn't going to let his words cloud my judgement. I knew what I had to do.
Dark Marik smirked at my emotional outrage. "Think about it carefully," he said before disappearing into the doorway of the elevator.
I felt like I could finally breathe when he eventually disappeared from view. My mind was in absolute turmoil about what to feel first, but my senses reminded me of the warmth from the Pharaoh's still unconscious form in my arms.
My body finally eased a bit, and the tears that threatened to fall before cascaded. Droplets splattered onto Yugi's blazer and shirt. They beaded down his neck and cheek, and I couldn't stop them.
Mai was taken from us, and the Pharaoh was hurt.
I had failed in my mission to protect them both.
Eventually, the Pharaoh opened his crimson eyes. Was it due to the sound of me crying? Or did he regain enough energy to wake up? Regardless of the reason, reassurance filled my entire being when I saw his striking gaze again. I wanted nothing more than to thank the Gods that he was alright.
"Forgive me…" I said, unable to think of anything else to say. "But what in Ra's name were you doing..."
"Sarah…" The Pharaoh struggled to sit up so I helped him. He was still sore from bearing the entire weight of Ra's attack on his back. I could still feel the heat radiating off of his clothes.
"Are you alright?"
How could he think about me at a time like this? I wanted to ask him about what he was thinking when he jumped in front of us, but no words would come out. Instead, I just looked down, ashamed, and nodded.
This wasn't the right time to discuss anything.
Téa and the others scrambled onto the dueling platform. I couldn't let them see me crying, especially the Pharaoh. Though, he may have already seen my tears…. but he didn't say anything. Even as he curiously touched his cheek with his hand.
Crimson eyes grasped my scarlet ones.
I looked away, unable to face him.
How could I… when I felt so useless…
"Joey, are you alright?" asked Tristan hastily, coming to a stop next to his friend. Then he noticed Mai unconscious next to him and his eyes widened. "Mai… is she?"
"He took her mind…" said Joey solemnly. "He really sent her mind to the Shadow Realm."
"No…"
"I couldn't do anything to stop him…"
"Joey, you did everything you could," said Serenity sweetly as she gently grasped her brother's shoulder. The boy didn't raise his eyes.
"But I couldn't keep my promise..."
Téa and Duke came up behind the Pharaoh and me. "Are you two alright?" cried Téa worriedly.
"We did what we thought was best…" I said, though I struggled to say it. Did the Pharaoh believe that what he was doing was for the best?
"The medical team is on its way," said Kaiba suddenly. I couldn't even imagine what the CEO could be thinking about all this, but at least Mokuba wasn't here to witness the aftermath.
"Let's clear the field."
"Kaiba, you must wait," said the Pharaoh as he slowly stood back up. I offered a shoulder for him to lean on, which he took gratefully. "Let us not rush this."
"This is a tournament, Yugi," said Kaiba callously. "I let you do whatever you wanted to try and save Mai, but you were unsuccessful. The best way to rectify the situation is to move forward. We've still got a long way to go."
Kaiba was right, even though the way he said it was harsher than what was comfortable. However, we may have needed a voice of reason.
The rest of us were in emotional turmoil. Mai, who was fierce and determined, just lost to Marik, and now she was lost to us wandering the Shadow Realm on her own. We tried so hard to show her just how much we cared about her, but now she was in a place where not even our voices could reach her.
And the Pharaoh…
He had managed to wake up in time before I lost my mind, but what if he hadn't? He must have known about what could have happened, but he still did what I should have. After ordering me to help Mai and Joey, why did he jump onto the platform after us?
What drove him to abandon his post as Pharaoh and act as a shield against evil?
That was the task his father had entrusted to me.
I realized that I was battling two wars: one was against Marik while the other was against the Pharaoh's unknown drive. My brain was practically burning from working overtime, and I still wasn't getting anywhere.
Would it be easier… if I just let this all go?
Marik's words about switching sides entered my mind for a second and I wished I could have slapped myself for thinking of such things, but the thought of bringing attention to myself stopped me.
How could I even think to...
In the midst of my uncertainty, I managed to find one voice of reason:
Be there for Mai. Discuss with the Pharaoh later.
That was all I could do.
LP: Marik 1050/Mai: 0000
Author's Note: I have been waiting to write this chapter for years. Constantly, I was in battle with my own ideas about how I wanted Sarah and the Pharaoh to interact with Ra's attack, but eventually, this felt right to me. Sarah's thoughts are also in a twist with the different things that happened and were said, and I thought that this was the perfect point in the story to introduce them. The next chapter will also be quite interesting to see as she confronts the Pharaoh about what he did and thinks more about what Marik said about him being an Ishtar. She will also see Ishizu again and will have more questions then.
The chapters to come are going to be quite interesting, indeed.
I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Thanks for reading.
Stay safe.
~xyugiohluvrx