Chapter 16: Broken Family
Seto's mind was hazy as he came to.
What happened…?
"Seto?"
Seto's eyes opened slowly, his vision blurry at first before it cleared. He was in his room now, his brothers beside him along with his parents.
Mokuba smiled, relief in his eyes.
"You're finally up."
Seto looked at him with confusion.
"How long was I out for?"
"Six hours.." Pegasus sighed. "Thank goodness…"
W-What!? Six hours!?
He moved to get up, grimacing as his head swam.
"Seto, Seto, easy…" Mokuba placed a hand on his shoulder. "Don't move so fast. Your teacher said you collapsed at school…"
Collapsed… That's…
He winced, his mind racing with images of him going toe to toe with Yugi in dueling… No… it wasn't Yugi. Not with the way he acted. It was like he was someone else.
And that monster that was in my head…
"I did…?"
"Yes. We came to get you as soon as your teacher called." Pegasus frowned. "You really had us worried, Seto Boy."
Seto frowned, lowering his head.
"I'm sorry… I didn't mean to inconvenience-"
"No."
"Huh?"
Pegasus tilted his chin up.
"You did not, in any way, inconvenience or burden us at all. You are my son, there's nothing you can do that would make me consider you anything less."
He frowned, guilt bubbling up… thinking back to that moment at the game store… Mokuba's reaction to his strange behavior.
"Even if I made a huge mistake?"
"Families help each other fix those mistakes. Whatever happened, I'm not upset. What I'm upset about is you or your brothers potentially getting sick or hurt."
That's… not the answer I expected…
"So much as an error and I will send you and your little rat you call a brother back to the orphanage. Understood?"
"... Understood."
Cyndia moved in, stroking Seto's hair. He flinched at first but soon relaxed, letting her continue.
"We love you, Seto. No ifs or buts about it… and no matter what happens, we're all here for you." She gave a gentle smile. "I know you're still getting used to that fact but it's true."
Seto looked at her, still too stunned to speak. His grip on his blankets tightened.
Why?
Why was she so patient with him? Why were they doing this?
"I'm sorry… I don't feel well. I can't focus-"
"Do you have any idea what your brother has gone through!? A little fever will slow you down? You remember our deal boy."
"I… Yessir…"
He lowered his head.
"Seto? Is there anything we can do for you right now?" Pegasus asked. "Do you need a moment?"
He swallowed hard, closing his eyes tightly. He had promised himself he wouldn't get attached. That no matter what, he would only go along until he could get the company at 18…
So why were his eyes stinging now?
"Just… stay here a little longer?"
Mokuba huddled up to him, bringing his arms around him.
Seto opened his eyes, stunned.
"Mokuba…"
"We got you… All of us."
He brought his arms around him, hugging him tightly.
"Sorry…"
"It's okay Seto."
"No, I really-"
"We know about the card. It's alright… but no dueling for a week. Is that fair?"
Seto nodded, keeping Mokuba close.
He looked up, his gaze locking on Noah.
Noah smiled, sitting on the edge of the bed.
"Can I stay too?"
"Yes… I'm sorry about before."
"It's okay… I promise." Noah chuckled. "Sorry if I bugged ya…"
"No, no… I… There's a lot on my mind… I just wanna be near my family right now."
"Then you will have just that, Seto Boy."
Seto closed his eyes as his family… His true and real family embraced him.
His worries fading for now.
I'll be back when I'm ready.
oooooo
"Well… that certainly didn't go the way I wanted."
Zorc growled to himself as he paced about his throne room, his one eye glaring at a man that was standing off to the side.
"And I thought for sure your own son would be perfect for disposing of the Pharaoh, Akhenaden."
Akhenaden rolled his one eye, shaking his head.
"Never said he was perfect. This is the same son who went against all my plans in the past if you haven't forgotten."
He immediately regretted saying that as pain pulsed through where his left eye used to be. He grabbed at it, gasping in pain.
Zorc had his hand outstretched, his fingers curling into a grasping position.
"Don't forget your place, Akhenaden. Or would you like to experience your death all over again? I can have that easily arranged."
Akhenaden looked up at Zorc, his eye trembling.
"I-I apologize, My Master. T-That was out of line. I won't do it again."
Zorc released his grip, Akhenaden falling to his knees, relief coming over him.
"Good… You may serve me well as a human form but you're still the same scum you were when you were alive. Do not forget that."
Akhenaden bowed his head, remaining silent.
"Ah… I see you two are still getting along rather well."
Both turned to the entrance of the throne room, seeing a new person had entered.
He was a young man with striking wild white hair and tan skin. He had a large scar across the entirety of the right side of his face, his violet blue eyes filled with amusement.
He chuckled, moving closer, his long flowing red cloak billowing behind him, the large ring hanging from his neck making small clinking noises as it swayed to his movement.
"I hope you haven't forgotten me, Zorc."
Zorc chuckled.
"How could I forget? My most loyal subject… Tell me, oh King of Thieves, what brings you here?"
He lowered himself into a bow, before Zorc.
"To begin, I've had my host enroll in Domino High School, to keep an eye on the Pharaoh's vessel. The child has no idea we're even in the same class - luckily his blunder-I mean, his sincere mistake." He tossed a sneer over at Akhenaden. "Covered my tracks quite well. No one notices a second transfer when a celebrity transfers in."
"Very well… and the other items?"
"Unfortunately, that will be a bit harder… but I have my ways. I will continue my hunt, though I do have a lead I intend to keep my eyes on." He touched the ring hanging around his neck. "After all, it was worth the look on that boy's face when I stole this the first time."
"You would do well to not make the same mistake. Sever the ties with the Pharaoh and his precious pets."
He looked up with a smile.
"Oh, I intend to. Just tell me what you wish to see happen and it will."
Zorc held out a hand, touching it to the man's forehead. In an instant, images rushed through his mind, as one came into focus…
A man in his late 20's, teaching a class of middle schoolers, scolding one student in particular.
"Mutou-san, there will be no occult books in the class. Your work book, please."
"K-Kujaku-sensei…! I didn't mean to!"
"Ah… You intend to possess the child's teacher? That comes with a risk, given the Ishtars are still a threat."
"If they wish to not see an innocent soul die, they'll do as they did thousands of years ago - die for their Pharaoh once again."
Zorc chuckled, sitting on his throne.
"I've always loved the way you think, Yamir." He leaned back. "I need time to figure out my next plan. I leave the Pharaoh to you for now. Do as you please."
Yamir smiled, bowing his head in respect.
"Yes, my King." He looked over to Akhenaden with a wry grin. "I won't make the same mistakes, he has."
In a moment, the throne room disappeared around Yamir, as it all faded… Once more, he was kneeling in front of the boy's closet. Large pillar candles burning, their black wax dripping slowly, creating an inky pool around them. A large mirror painted black in front of him, an idol of Zorc in front of it. Hieroglyphics were drawn on the paint with a gold marker - the modern day would never cease to amaze him. It was an elaborate altar, only hidden via this spot of the apartment… but it was his.
"You're disgusting…" A voice echoed in his head as the spirit of a young man appeared beside him… one with long, white hair and brown eyes, filled with hatred and disgust for Yamir. "Give me back my BODY."
Yamir chuckled, getting to his feet after extinguishing the candles.
"I'm disgusting? Tell me, who's been working your shifts?" He walked around the apparition.
The young man lowered his head a little, growling.
"Who has been attending school faithfully. as boring as it is?"
"Shut up… Shut up…"
He smiled, leaning in.
"You don't even take care of your own sister anymore. I've been doing all of that and more."
"THAT'S A LIE! YOU KNOW YOU DON'T TAKE CARE OF HER!"
"Really? She knows enough to know the difference between us." Yamir chuckled. "Isn't that right, Ryo?"
Ryo's eyes narrowed into a glare, looking away.
She wasn't supposed to find out…
"Ryo…? W-What have you done!?"
"Shh… It's alright, Amane… Don't be afraid. Big brother's right here."
"No… No, you're not Ryo… YOU'RE NOT!"
Ryo lowered his head.
"You're a bad person."
"And you're weak. Get over it already-"
There was a knock on the door, making them both pause. Yamir straightened up, crossing his arms.
"Enter."
The door opened, revealing a young girl on the other side. Her long white hair hiding her eyes partially.
"Yamir, Ryo, breakfast is done… Who's eating today?" She asked quietly, a frown on her face.
Yamir raised an eyebrow.
"What's wrong this time?"
She winced a little, looking away.
He sighed.
"Ryo will."
"Okay…" She moved away from the door but paused, turning to look at him. "... I'm not cooking tonight, I'm picking up food at the convenience store."
"Fine." He rolled his eyes before closing them as he allowed himself to slip away. Ryo came to, stumbling forward.
Amane rushed over, steadying him as he sank to the floor. Her eyes were shiny as she hugged him tightly.
"Ryo…"
"I know… I know…" He hugged her tightly. "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry…"
She shook her head.
"It's not your fault… It's…" Her voice cracked before shaking her head. "I made your favorite…" She forced a smile on her face, pulling away a little.
Ryo frowned.
Amane's entire body was trembling.
"Maybe, we should revisit that idea of sending you to a different school-"
"No. I'm not going to a junior high with dorms. I'm staying here." She shook her head. "So, let's get ready to go alright?"
Ryo frowned, kissing her head.
"Alright, alright…"
Amane nodded, turning to head out… when he rested a hand on her head. She tilted her head up at him with a puzzled look.
Ryo smiled softly, ruffling her hair up.
"Let me do your hair today."
Her eyes lit up, nodding.
"Please?"
"Of course."