The Priestess Legacy
Chapter 3
Training
Yugi opened his eyes and looked around. The area around him was dark purple, stretching as far as he could see. Glowing white spirits floated around the area, humming gently. Yugi gasped as he saw a limp form lying not far away.
"Téa!" He cried, running towards her. A few feet from her, however, Yugi slammed into an invisible barrier. "NO! Téa, wake up!" He pleaded.
"She can't hear you, Yugi." Yugi spun around and a shadow rose from the purple abyss behind him.
"Téa…" Yugi breathed. She looked so different…Dark Téa smirked.
"Her heart has been consumed in darkness, I'm afraid. I am in control now, and there's nothing you can do to save her. She lost, and she'll remain in the spirit world, trapped forever beyond your reach." Dark Téa dissolved into a black mist, laughing.
"No, I don't believe you!" Yugi protested, shaking his head. "Come on Téa, you're stronger than this…"
"Do you really want to go to your friend, Yugi?" Yugi gasped.
"What kind of question is that? Of course I do!"
"There is but one way you can go to her….but if you go, there is a very real possibility that neither of you will come back. Are you really willing to take such a chance?"
"Yes, of course." Yugi answered instantly. "Téa's my best friend, and I'll save herm, no matter what!" The voice chuckled.
"You haven't changed much, have you?" It asked. Yugi's eyes widened as a beam of white light shot out of the ground on the other side of Téa. Yugi shielded his eyes, as he heard footsteps coming towards him.
"Wait a minute…" Yugi breathed. "You…" The Eye of Anubis on the Millennium Puzzle glowed brightly, and a second beam of light erupted from the ground underneath Yugi. The short duelist screamed as the ground collapsed, and he began to fall.
- - - - - - - - - -
Téa stared in shock at the young woman that now stood in her doorway. She wore light-brown robes, and carried a thick book under her arm. She had long chestnut-brown hair and bright green eyes. An all-too familiar golden ring hung around her neck. Téa gasped.
"You're…you're…"
"Mana." The girl supplied. "You okay Teana? Seth said you kept tossing and turning last night. Nightmare?" Téa blinked and stared at Mana stupidly. Teana?
"What's going on?" A voice snapped. Mana jumped forward as a tall man pushed the door open further behind her. Téa stared again. This guy she definitely recognized.
"Sorry Pharaoh Seth, I was just asking why the High Priestess looked shaken." Mana explained. Seth nodded slightly and eyed Téa. Téa sucked in a breath as she noticed the item around Seth's neck. It couldn't be…the Millennium Puzzle.
"She's breathing, how bad can it be?" He asked dryly. "The trainees have arrived in the main courtyard. You both have ten minutes to be down there." Seth left, and Mana's shoulders slump as she let out a breath.
"Tight wad." She muttered.
"I heard that." Seth called. Mana slapped a hand over her mouth. Téa cleared her throat.
"Um…Mana? What's going on?" She asked.
"Huh? Oh, Seth has called up some more promising villagers for training with the diadianhks and the art of dueling." Mana explained, waving her hand. "Anyway Teana, he wants you and the other Priests down there to greet them. See ya around!" Mana closed the door, and Téa heard her start to hum as she walked away. Téa shook her head.
"Okay….let's see here…" She though aloud. Ancient palace, Man and Seth... "Either I'm losing my mind, or…." Téa looked around, and a golden gleam caught her eye. She gasped and ran to the dresser against the wall, picking up the golden item that lay on it. "Oh no…this can't be where I think it is…" She groaned, staring at the Millennium Rod in her hand. She heard a whistle, and dropped the Rod on the ground as she ran to her balcony. In the courtyard below, a dozen robed men and women filed into the yard as a small team of armed guards pulled the massive doors open.
"Not good…" Téa muttered. She noticed Seth and Mana step into view below. "I guess….I better play along. Maybe if I can get either of them alone, I can find out what's going on here." Téa turned from the balcony and looked herself over, before looking across the floor at the Millennium Rod. Téa remembered what Mana had called her…Teana…could it be possible?
- - - - - - - - - -
"It's about time." Seth muttered as Téa slipped out the doors to the courtyard. "I was growing impatient."
"Sorry." Téa mumbled. Seth grunted and turned his gaze over the robed people kneeling before them.
"You all know why you are here." Seth called, crossing his arms. "You 12 have demonstrated exceptional power and skill, and thus you are now joining myself and the High Priestess in the palace, as members of our sect of priests. And today you all begin your training in the art that only the most privileged members of our palace are allowed to partake in." Seth raised his hand into the air, and golden diadianhk on his wrist sliding out. "The ancient and divine art of summoning." Seth nodded to a young, blonde woman standing behind him. "Kujaku." He said. The woman nodded and carried a small sack in front of Seth, lowering it to the ground.
"Within this sack are 12 diadianhks, each blessed with control over a single beginning monster." Seth explained. "When you become stronger, we will allow you more powerful beasts, but for now you shall start small. Step forward and claim your diadianhk, and see what creature the Gods have decided to give you." Téa watched as the first person stepped forward, lowering their hood to reveal a shock of platinum blonde hair.
"What is you name?" Seth asked. The man kneeled and bowed his head.
"My Pharaoh, I am Mariku." The man said. Seth nodded.
"Now Mariku, claim your item and call forth your monster." Mariku slipped one of the diadianhks onto his wrist. "The monsters can sense when they are in the hands on an inexperienced person, so you must be prepared to maintain control of your beast Mariku. Now, raise your diadianhk into the air, and perform the summon." Seth raised his arm. "I summon you, almighty Duos!" A beam of light shot out of Seth's diadianhk, and an entirely black monster holding a sword appeared in the courtyard. Mariku nodded and raised his diadianhk.
"I summon you!" He cried. A beam of light came forth, and a one-eyed creature with bladed arms appeared beside him.
"The Gods have chosen Makyura the Executioner as your creature." Seth said. Mariku bowed his head and stepped to the side. The next person stepped up, pulling back their hood to reveal a shock of cinnamon-brown hair.
"I am Shizuka, my Pharaoh." The girl said.
"Then stand Shizuka, and claim your monster." Seth ordered. Shizuka nodded and rifled through the sack, finally putting on one of the diadianhks.
"I summon you!" She cried, throwing up her arms. There was a flash of light, and a black cat in armor appeared.
"You have received the monster known as the Female Panther Warrior." Seth said. Shizuka nodded and stepped away. The third robed person stepped up and pulled back their hood. Téa gasped. No…
"And your name is?" Seth asked. The black-haired woman raised her blue eyes to meet Seth's.
"My name is Roslyn, my Pharaoh." The woman said. Seth nodded.
"Now then Roslyn, choose your diadianhk." Roslyn reached into the sack, and Téa grew tense. This couldn't possibly be the same Roslyn, could it?
"I summon you!" Roslyn cried, raising her arm. Her diadianhk glowed, and a shimmering form appeared beside her. A soldier in green and red armor appeared.
"The gods have chosen the Zera Warrior as your monster." Seth said. Roslyn looked up at the monster beside her, her eyes wide. Téa narrowed her eyes as Roslyn stepped to the side, Zera Warrior following her.
"Seth." Téa said suddenly. Seth turned from the fourth robed person.
"What is it?" He asked. Téa stepped closer to him.
"I don't think it's a good idea for all of these people to receive a monster." Téa said, trying to play the part.
"Nonsense." Seth scoffed. "I have observed each of them before giving my allowance for them to be trained. I assure you Teana, they will all prove to be worthy members of the palace." Seth turned his attention back to the ceremony, an obvious dismissal. Téa tried to concentrate on it as well, but her mind kept shifting back to what she had just seen. Finally, she turned her head to stared at Roslyn.
And was surprised to see the girl already staring back.