Hey there everybody! Well, I'm glad that I'm finally able to post once again. I was beginning to wonder if ever I'd get back on. For some reason, I couldn't log into the help area, and I couldn't load up my chapters. Talk about a nightmare, lol. I finally emailed fanfic's support guys, and luckily, it got through. They thankfully got me access back to the help area, plus I'm able to load my chapters again. Otherwise, not much else going on. Mostly cleaning up the apartment, more like putting stuff away, lol. I've got most of the place done except one room. The dreaded spare bedroom. (//Shutters\\) It has boxes and other junk piled in there that me and Marie don't use at the moment. It should be SO much fun…

Last time, Illidan overcame the urge to use the Seal thanks to a visit by Marie, whom has proven to be impossible to contain within the storage area for souls. Furious, Kiba took back the Seal and used it himself, and forced Illidan back into a corner. It all comes down to Illidan's last draw, so can he find the card he needs to win this duel? Or will Marie's help be in vain? Soon the questions shall be answered.

As for now though, it is time to answer the reviews! Man, I missed doing this Monday and Friday, lol.

Tomb Robber Vicky: Yeah, good for Illidan, lol. Yes, a certain someone else couldn't resist, now could they… Kiba! Lol, kidding of course, hehe. Illidan has only one plan that seems to always work that I revealed in ToP. "Fight really hard and hope you win." Illidan speaking to Yami in the past. Ah, Bakura is happy. Then again, if he had lost, you'd have been the new hero. Just think of the possibilities that one could have had, lol.

Isis the Sphinx: He was close to using it, but managed to hang on. It's alright about the emails. I never think that you've quit reading really. I always hope everyone gets the updates, but sometimes, I know, the system breaks down too… Oh well, it can't be helped.

Metal Overlord 2.0: That's right, Illidan didn't play the Seal. Thanks. I wanted everyone to think he would play it if he got desperate enough. Even Illidan was nearly tempted to play the Seal, but unlike Yami, he managed to hang on and not play it. Yeah, Marie's soul is much stronger than the three Egyptian Gods power, so she's quite capable of punching a hole into the fabric that binds her. Very true, her power is difficult to contain, as Dartz quickly has realized. Yeah, I mostly wanted to refocus Kiba's deck onto the Beasts, but Toboe was more of an Earth deck. As for the Sphinxes, who knows about them. Possibly they'll show up in his deck, or possibly someone else has them. Or more than likely, no one has them, lol. Thanks for the comments.

x-knight20: Yeah, he didn't give in. He was teetering on the edge of giving in, but Marie helped bring him back from it. Thanks for the comments.

Alright, that's it for today. I'm glad everyone is enjoying this duel. It's going to rap up soon, so enjoy it while you can. Thanks to everyone for being patient with me posting my new chapters. Sometimes, things happen (fanfic in general, lol), and I can't post at times, but I'll always be doing all I can to get my chapters online. Thank you all for your reviews, and I encourage everyone to post reviews so I can respond to your comments, questions, or just plain feedback. Thanks again.

Later everyone.

Chapter 46

Looking at his deck, Illidan realized the entire duel was coming down to one draw. "If I get what I need right now, I can end this all. But if it's not what I need, I could be in trouble. Please, Heart of the Cards, guide me!"

With a quick motion, Illidan drew and smiled at the card he held. Looking up at Kiba, he said "It's over."

Kiba laughed, saying "So, you concede?"

Shaking his head, Illidan replied "No, you're finished. The cards I hold will destroy you this turn. Last chance to call this duel off."

With an evil laugh, Kiba replied "You're kidding me, right? I have you beat, so it's you who should be surrendering."

Sighing, Illidan said "I tried to be reasonable, but you leave me no choice. I now play the spell card Polymerization, fusing my three Cyber Dragons in my hand to create the Cyber End Dragon (4000/2800) in attack mode!" Three metallic snake like dragons appeared on the field, each letting out a roar. The three then swirled together, and what came in the wake of the swirling was a large three headed snake like dragon that had powerful metallic wings and a snake like tail. Each head roared, showing they had no fear.

Kiba only chuckled, saying "That thing doesn't have nearly enough power to take out Oz. You've failed to notice that Illidan."

With a smile on his face still, Illidan said "You fail to realize I'm not done though. I now play the most feared monster in Duel Monsters, my Egyptian God Card!" That said, lightning flashed in the sky and it darkened greatly. Ryou stepped backwards, in awe of the sight.

"I now summon Anubis, The God of Life and Death (2000/2000) in attack mode! Rise up now Anubis!" Lightning struck the field, causing a sarcophagus to rise up out of the ground. On it was the image of a dog headed man, the so called God of Life and Death. The lid then slid open, revealing the creature. A white aura surrounded the monster as it slowly pad out onto the field. It's very presence made all the monsters on the field shutter with fear.

Kiba was shocked and surprised, but then laughed, saying "Your monster is far too weak to take mine on! Nice try Illidan."

Illidan only slightly chuckled, saying "You're foolish Kiba. You see, I've yet to activate Anubis's ability. I now sacrifice my Cyber End Dragon to him, increasing his strength by the attack and defense points of my dragon (2000 + 4000 6000/2000 + 2800 4800)!" The large metallic dragon glowed softly as it began to vanish while the powerful Egyptian God's white aura glowed brighter. It's power began to increase as Anubis's eyes flashed a brilliant white till his power was finally fully added.

Kiba gasped in shock at this, but then said "I'm not finished though…"

Illidan shook his head, calmly saying "No, not just by that move, but I'm about to finish it. I now activate another of Anubis's special abilities. I now transfer 1300 of my life points to him, thus increasing his stats by 1300 (6000 + 1300 7300/4800 + 1300 6100)." Anubis's aura then glowed brilliantly white again as yet more power was added to his life force.

A shocked Kiba dropped to his knees in defeat. He silently said "Then… it's really over, isn't it?"

Nodding, Illidan replied "Yes, it is Kiba. This is why I wished to settle this without the seal."

Calmly, Illidan then asked "Where are Marie and your masters? You told me you'd tell me if I beat you."

Sighing, Kiba nodded and slowly stood up, saying "I did tell you that, and I am a man of honor. The one I know is in Santa Barbara at this address." He held up a piece of paper that was folded. He then flung it over to Illidan, who easily caught it.

Curious, Illidan unfolded the paper and looked to see that there was a real address in it. It seemed to be on the outskirts of the city, actually near the ocean. He then asked "There are two masters that I know of. Where is the other at?"

Sighing again, Kiba said "If you find the one, the other won't be far behind. See Darcia first, which is the one I just handed you the address to. The other, if you make it, will bring you to him."

Nodding, Illidan then asked with all seriousness in his voice "Where is Marie's body?"

Looking at him kindly, Kiba said "You truly love her, don't you?"

Illidan's expression softened and he replied "Yes, I do with all my heart and soul. She is my one and only soul-mate, and I won't let anything happen to her. So please, tell me where she is."

Knowing how it felt to be that way with a person, Kiba kindly said "I understand. You should know me and Cheza were the same way. We were so happy together. Then she was taken away from me by that curse. Ever since I've been fighting so hard to get her back."

With tears rolling down his cheeks, Kiba sadly said "It looks like I won't be getting her back either. I promised her I would, but since this is the end of the line, I guess I can't. It'll be the first promise I've ever broken to her."

Nodding with understanding, Illidan kindly replied "I know how it feels. I promise you this though Kiba. Once I defeat your masters, I'll help find a way to save her for you. I give you my word."

Kiba wiped his tears away with the sleeve of his shirt and nodded, then said "Marie is at that address I gave you. My master Darcia is holding her body prisoner there. Now, let's finish this."

Sadly nodding, Illidan said "Very well Kiba, I shall do it. It's been an honor to duel you, and I hope to one day see you again. I promise, we will see one another again. Till then, stay safe."

Finally ready, Illidan confidently called out "Anubis, The God of Life and Death, attack his Master of Oz with Judgment of Death!"

The powerful Egyptian God brought both of his hands forward in front of his body. A sphere of white light then formed in between his two hands. The mighty monster then sent the sphere flying forward towards the large green monster on the field. It struck it hard, instantly making it roar in pain.

Kiba only closed his eyes as the sphere crushed his monster, saying "I love you Cheza." The blast then destroyed the large green creature and sent a backwash of energy at Kiba, causing him to go sliding backwards. He still stood with his eyes closed, but then fell to the ground flat on his stomach. The seal then began retracting from where it had been and encircled Kiba. It then glowed brighter and finally vanished.

After the seal had begun to retract, Illidan fell to one knee. He was physically and emotionally exhausted. One from summoning Anubis twice in one day, and two from having been tempted to play the Seal of Orichalcos. Shaking it off, Illidan then tried to stand, but found he wasn't ready yet and immediately fell back down to one knee.

Ryou slowly slinked over, saying "Nice job Illidan."

Looking at Ryou with a look that said "Leave me be," Illidan slowly stood back up again, this time succeeding. He then walked over to Kiba's body, and picked it up slowly. He then carried it to his jeep, and gently set it down in the backseat.

Illidan then looked up at the sky and sighed, silently saying "Thank you Marie."

Hearing this barely, Ryou simply pondered what Illidan meant by it. He then said aloud "What do you mean by 'Thank you Marie?'"

Looking over at Ryou, Illidan kindly said "She appeared to me."

Shocked, Ryou asked "You mean during the duel? Like appeared in a vision, or in your mind?"

Smiling, Illidan said "In my mind. Her soul somehow appeared to me in my mind. It was her, I'm sure of it. She told me not to play the seal, and to not give into hate and anger. That I could win without that card. She was right, for I didn't play it and I won miraculously."

With a light chuckle, Ryou then patted Illidan's shoulder, saying "Well, at least you saw her once more."

Nodding sadly, Illidan replied "Yes… Now I have to keep my promise to her, for she is waiting for me to."

The two's conversation was then broken up by the sound of a horn honking. Looking back, Illidan and Ryou saw the jeep of Blue and Vash coming straight at them. It soon rolled up with Blue jumping out of the driver's seat and running around to the two.

She hugged both, saying "I'm so happy the two of you are alright."

Smiling, Illidan replied "We're fine, although I can't say the same for Kiba."

She released the two and looked at the back of the jeep. There she saw her friend, and let out a sad sigh, saying "So, he dueled you still."

Nodding, Illidan replied "Yes, he did, but at least I learned what I needed to know. We now know where to go. He gave us directions and all."

Blue nodded back as Vash joined them. "So, where to do we go now Illidan?" he asked.

"On towards Santa Barbara. We'll drop these two off at a local hospital, and then drive on towards the outer area. There, the one Kiba called Darcia is waiting for us." Illidan simply said.

Blue slightly gasped, saying "You mean, we're going to confront Darcia?"

Nodding, Illidan replied "We have to so we can save Marie and Bakura's souls, as well as all the others who have lost their souls. I won't stop now till I've released all the souls that Darcia and the others took."

The group nodded at this and Illidan then said "Then let's continue. We should get there before too late in the day. It'll be five or better now when we arrive."

The other three nodded and piled back into the two jeeps. They then drove away, hoping to soon save their friends.

Unknowingly to the group racing to find their friends, Darcia was preparing for their arrival. Dartz and Darcia were sitting atop of the skyscraper that the two owned, each looking out towards the sea where the island lied.

"They're coming." Dartz simply stated.

Nodding, Darcia replied "Yes, they are, and soon they shall all lose their souls to me."

Turning back towards the young woman that was lying on the table, Darcia asked "What shall we do with her?"

Smirking, Dartz replied "I am taking her back with me to fix our little problem. Soon, we shall have another powerful ally, and should the others fail, she will be ready for them."

Nodding, Darcia said "Yes, soon we shall open the gates of Paradise once more, and the world shall finally be set free of this evil. With the Leviathan, we shall usher in the age you tried once millennia ago."

Dartz let out a small evil laugh, saying "And then, we will have finally completed our ten millennia old job. Once the Leviathan has destroyed all, we shall then begin a new world. Just think Darcia, all the work me and you began ten millennia ago is about to pay off."

Smiling, Darcia replied "It has been an honor to serve you my master. I can think of no one better to usher in a new age than you."

Nodding, Dartz said "Yes, soon the age of the Leviathan shall start! All mortals shall tremble, and we will right all the wrongs of this world."

Turning back to the young woman, he then said "I shall now take her and prepare. The Pharaoh will be fighting Raphael soon, and I need to be prepared in case he fails."

As he lifted the young woman into his arms, he then turned back to Darcia, saying "And Darcia, remember, you must take the fourth Egyptian God Card from Illidan Stormrage. I trust you will succeed where your Wolf Pack failed."

Darcia humbly bowed and replied "I shall my master. Before the end of the night, the fourth Egyptian God Card shall be yours, as well as Illidan's soul."

Smirking, Dartz replied "Good, for failure is not an option. Farewell my faithful servant. Don't disappoint me."

That said, Dartz walked into the neighboring room with the young girl in his arms. He then stepped into a multicolored sphere and vanished. He was instantly transported back to the island where he would add a powerful ally to his force.

Smiling evilly, he softly said "You shall be his downfall my dear. Soon, the darkness will flow through your veins, and then he shall fall before your might. Yes, my dear, you shall be the one to defeat him. How ironic it shall be when the one he loves will destroy him."