An uneasy silence settled over everyone. As Jo looked at Yami, he saw Yami's jaw tighten. Shit. That was never a good sign. Looking over at Akeifa, his eyes were hard, focused on the dias...waiting for an answer.

Atem eyed Yami, weighing something in his mind. Finally, he nodded. "Understood. And agreed." For the next forty minutes, plans were went over with the guards to ensure that everyone knew their positions and were secure with their plans. Akeifa interjected with what he knew of his ex-lover and battle strategies. Bakura was sharpening his knives, as was Malik, listening intently. Ryou and Marik were with the other healers, organizing tents and beds for the wounded, making sure they were well stocked and spell transport was easily accessible.

Finally, Atem nodded at Yami in satisfaction of the battle plans. Seto looked around. "Who is going to be the bait to get Zorc out of his cave?" The men all looked around, discussing the pros and cons of each. It was finally determined that Akeifa and Yami would be the bait, much to the loud opposition of Yugi and...surprisingly...Jo. Akeifa raised an eyebrow but said nothing. The armies went out separate doors, forming in various locations. As Yami and Akeifa were ready to head out, Akeifa looked at Yami. "Gimme a second, okay?" Yami nodded, as Yugi was staring furiously at Yami.

Akeifa walked over to Jo. "What's wrong? It's most appropriate for me to be the bait. Why were you upset?"

Jo looked away, rubbing the back of his neck. "Cause, ya going to be the biggest target. It's like you want to die, so you are rushing into it. I barely got you away from Zorc last time, now you are going to rush right back in?" Angry honey eyes clashed with the calm grey.

Akeifa looked at Jo confused. "Why do you care? You don't really know me."

Jo looked at Akeifa. "You are such a fucking idiot." Grabbing Akeifa, he pulled Akeifa into a passionate kiss. Pulling back, lips swollen, eyes dark, Jo shook his head. "I'm interested in you...I'd like to get to know you better, but I can't do that if you rush into death."

Akeifa just blinked. A fire consumed his belly when their lips touched, something he had never felt before. Just looking at Jo, his voice choked, he finally managed to choke out, "I will come back."

Pulling Akeifa into one more kiss, Jo simply said, "You better."

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Walking out, Akeifa looked to Yami. Walking up to stand beside Yami, the pair of eyes gazed to the horizon, looking to see which path would be best. Suddenly, the heat waves shimmering up from the sands couldn't conceal their secret any longer. Suddenly, Akeifa and Yami could see the hundreds of demons marching onto the palace. Akeifa looked at Yami, eyes confused. Yami did a complex hand gesture and the armies formed up for battle as was previously decided, although they expected to do this on Zorc's territory. The onslaught had Yami and Akeifa a bit off kilter. They both expected Zorc to attack at night. They both expected to make a surprise attack at Zorc's home.

As the demons came close, they looked on with slight confusion at seeing Akeifa on the opposite side. They didn't understand why their Master's mate was facing off against them with the enemy. Their Master had told them that Yami had turned on him, but nothing about Akeifa. The general of the demons looked at Akeifa. "Akeifa..." the voice hissed on the air. "We have come to rescue you from your bondage for our Master..."

Akeifa looked at Yami. Spitting on the ground in front of the demon, Akeifa snarled. "Za'gron, I will never go back to your filthy master. You want to take me back, you will have to do so with my corpse." With a howl, the demons started rushing on Akeifa and Yami. As the demons rushed, so did the army of the Pharaoh.

Spears clashed with claws as the two sides fought. Spell casters in the back of each cast spells on the battlefield. As bright flashes of lights went off, demons screeched as humans screamed. Blood of both green and red ran on the ground as bodies fell to both sides. The Pharaoh's mages teleported the injured back to the healing tents.

Akeifa screamed, scimitar in each hand, as he was slicing at the demons. Feeling a biting sharp fire in his arm, he turned, seeing a demon sinking it's teeth into his upper arm. Suddenly, the demon was ripped in half by Jo's blade. Nodding his thanks, Akeifa turned to other demons, as did Jo. Going back to back, as if it was a natural reaction, Akeifa and Jo started fighting off the demons together, as they were being surrounded. As demon hands, heads and arms flew, sweat streamed down Akeifa's brow. Suddenly, there was a lull. Turning around, he looked at Jo. "We make a pretty good team." Jo nodded, grinning, wiping his forehead with his arm.

Suddenly, Akeifa and Jo heard the second wave coming, and saw the sky darkening. Looking up, the sun was starting to turn black. Fear crept into Akeifa's eyes. "No, not the dark!" Frantically, Akeifa started fighting, trying to get to Yami who was fighting in a similar back to back formation with Yugi. Fighting off the demons, Akeifa got close, yelling, "Yami!" Yami turned, saw Akeifa point at the sky, and Yami looked, his face paling.

"Akeifa!" The yell originated behind Akeifa. Akeifa turned behind with the scream, just in time to see Jo get impaled by a sword that would have hit Akeifa in the heart. As Jo took the hit intended for Akeifa, Jo thrust his sword through the demon's heart. As both fell to the ground, Akeifa ran over to Jo.

"No!" Akeifa said forcefully, grabbing Jo up and running him to the tents. They had some magic to teleport their wounded from the battlefield to the tents, but Akeifa couldn't think of that...he couldn't imagine letting Jo go until Jo was with a healer being healed. Rushing into the tent, he grabbed Marik. "Fix him!" Marik kept a calm face, nodding, and started getting Jo's clothing off to dress and heal the wound. Ryou pushed Akeifa out, stating the need for space, as there wasn't much. Akeifa paced outside the tent.

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Bakura was slicing and dicing on the field, every once in a while grunting out a "fuck yea" or "Boo fucking rah" as he took down demons with ease. Upon seeing Zorc appear, his bravado shook just a bit, but he kept fighting. Looking over at Atem, Seto, Yami, and Akeifa, he could see none of them. Frowning, he fought more, trying to get to where he expected the men to be based upon the plans laid in the palace.

()()()()()()()()()()()()()

Yami sensed and saw Zorc approaching. Getting Seto and Atem's attention, he nodded. Recognition shone in both of the others' eyes as they kept fighting alongside the armies. As Yami crept towards Zorc, the army, Seto and Atem were trying to distract Zorc. Yami kept creeping, arrows and knives doing nothing but annoying Zorc. As Yami slipped behind Zorc, pulling out a syringe, a familiar voice called out, "Zorc! Behind you!"

Trying to dissipate, Yami was unable to before Zorc grabbed him around the throat. Squeezing Yami's neck painfully, face bleeding blood red, Yami scratched at Zorc's hand with his one hand, the other still holding the syringe. Seto stepped out of the battle. Smirking at Seto, Zorc reached out a hand to Seto. Atem started fighting as both sides started noticing the scene playing out and started to watch the action instead of fighting.

Stepping out of the battle, Seto stepped up, taking Zorc's hand. "My newest pet...I accept your offer and thank you for your warning." Zorc sneered, looking at Yami, then at Atem. Zorc's snake reached up, grabbing the serum from Yami's quickly going limp hand and dropping it, smashing it on the ground. Yami was clawing at his neck with both hands now, trying to get the hands free, face going white, eyes starting to bulge a bit.

Atem stopped, blinking, eyes watering as he looked on in confusion at what was happening. What was going on? What was Seto doing? Seto loved him and he loved Seto... Suddenly, Atem could do nothing but stare in horror, bile rising in his throat. Grabbing Zorc's hand, Seto planted a deep, passionate kiss on the demon's mouth, mewling in desire.