DISCLAIMER: This is a work of fanfiction produced for entertainment purposes only. Yu-Gi-Oh! and all related characters are the creations of Kazuki Takahashi.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: I promised that there would eventually be familiar characters in this story and here they are!

A Life for a Life
Chapter 5
By Shadow's Mirror

"I understand the price you ask and I am prepared to pay it. Save his life and I will gladly give mine in return."

The words echoed faintly in the stillness of the void they were in. When the silence stretched on, Alexander had a moment of doubt. Would his pleas be enough? Had he done or said something wrong? Was there something specific he had needed to say, perhaps? His thoughts flew through his mind but were banished within moments.

"So be it." It was the third and last voice that had spoken, only now it sounded even older and perhaps a trifle weary. "A life for a..."

"The balance must be kept."

The voice that interrupted belonged to someone new. It was definitely not one of the three who had spoken so far. Unlike all of them, this voice sounded quite young. It was soft with a hint of persuasiveness to it, but there was also an edge of... was that worry? Perhaps. Whoever it belonged to though, the words struck Alexander as being rather strange. A life for a life... why would that not keep the balance of things? Judging by the surprised murmuring of the three ancient voices, it seemed that the three in the shadows were wondering the same thing.

"If you have something to say about this, then say it! None of your vague nonsense, either. Nice and clear. Well? Hurry up, boy! You seemed eager enough to speak a moment ago." The first speaker of the trio sounded even more impatient and testy than he had before.

"It is just that... in this particular case, I feel that a life for a life would be more one-sided than usual."

"Now why, by all the Gods, would you think something so ridiculous as that? You have had odd notions before but this truly beats all of them." The first voice again and the speaker was definitely becoming more than a little irritated.

"The boy never speaks without good cause. Let him explain himself." The low, rumbling voice of the third member of the trio sounded more curious than anything else.

"Well I wish he would hurry... Get back here! Someone stop that fool!"

There was a slight shifting of the shadows in front of Alexander and the man instinctively held his precious child closer. In a distant part of his mind, he registered the murmuring of the other two speakers. They seemed to be trying to calm the first one. Whatever was going on, it was apparently something that should not be happening. He kept his eyes fixed on the stirring shadows, even when the emerging figure became clear enough for Alexander to realise that he was not human.

The skin as blue as the summer sky made that distinction somewhat obvious.

He was clothed head to toe in a black garment that hugged his body like a second skin. Bands of deep blood red circled his limbs at his ankle, mid-calf and knee, with three more around each thigh. Even more bands circled his arms and the top part of his clothing was laced with a tie of the same shade. That tie struck Alexander as being rather unnecessary, considering that the intricate weaving of straps and buckles around that part of the figure's body seemed to be more directly responsible for keeping his shirt closed. Although, considering the large hat that fell to a point on either side of his head, with more bands of red around it and a red crest on top, as well as a green, star-shaped jewel in the front, it was likely that the figure was dressed more for show than any logical reason.

The stranger's long black hair streamed around him as if blown by a wind only he could feel and it gave him a rather menacing air, so Alexander was mildly surprised to find that he was not all that afraid. Perhaps his lack of fear was due to the way the stranger dropped to one knee in front of him, willingly bringing himself down to Alexander's level. Or perhaps it was the slightly sad look on the stranger's face as he glanced at the boy in Alexander's arms. Whatever the reason, something deep within the young man told him that he could trust the stranger.

"Time grows short, so I will make this as brief as I can." The stranger's voice was softer still now that he was right in front of Alexander. "Although normally, a life for a life is the price we ask, in this case, I believe that it would be quite unfair to ask that of you. A life is a precious thing and should not be given up so easily."

As the stranger paused, Alexander could not remain silent. "I know. But this boy is more precious to me than anything else in the world. If my life can spare his, then I consider that a fair price."

"Well, that is that then! Now we just need..." The voice of the first speaker of the trio broke in and then spluttered into silence, as if someone had just covered his mouth with their hand.

The stranger smiled, just a little and very sadly. "Ah, but that is the problem. Your life would indeed cause his to be spared. He would wake where you had cast the spell that brought you both here... and he would find your corpse at his side." He shook his head and held up a hand as Alexander went to speak. "But that is not all. I speak of what the boy would be returning to."

A flicker of unease ran down Alexander's spine. "What do you mean?"

"It is easiest for me to show you." The stranger turned slightly and held out a hand. Where he pointed, the shadows whirled and changed until an image gradually came into view.

Alexander gasped in horror.

He had known that things were bad, but he had not known just how bad.

In the image, the castle where he and Valen had lived was in the process of being ransacked. The angry mob that had besieged it had apparently won out over the late king's army or, more likely, the army had abandoned the fight when they had learned of the king's death. Not content with laying claim to the castle, however, the mob apparently intended to leave it in ruins.

As Alexander watched, smoke began to spiral into the sky from some of the windows. The castle was burning and the one hope that had sustained him since Valen's injury was dying with it. Who would dare to give Valen shelter and aid if this was how they treated a pile of stones and mortar?

Alexander wasn't aware that he was shaking until the stranger put a hand gently on his shoulder to calm him. "If you give up your life here, the child will live, but we can only return him to the place and time that you both left. That is the rule and we must abide by it. However, if he returns there alone... he will not survive long and your sacrifice will be for nothing."

The man bowed his head, his arms tightening around the small, precious bundle he held close. He could feel Valen's life flowing away with every strained beat of the boy's heart. He knew he had only a little time to decide on what course to take. But really... his decision had already been made.

"Valen is a quick and resourceful boy. Even alone... he knows what to do if the castle is attacked. I have every confidence that he will survive." He lifted his head, his eyes searching the eyes of the stranger who watched him so sadly. "I have to place my trust in the townsfolk. They know Valen is not like his father. Hopefully at least one person will be willing to help him, once he returns."

"There is... another way."

As Alexander blinked in shock at the stranger, the voice of the first of the trio came again. "Will you kindly unhand me! Now then... Chaos! What do you mean by this? There is no other way! It has to be like this. A life for..."

"Half a life is enough to spare the child." The one referred to as 'Chaos' smiled as the voice spluttered indignantly at the interruption. It was only slight, the barest curve of his lips, but it was still a smile. "There is precedent."

"That was then and you know quite well that there were exceptional... circumstances..." The voice trailed off and there was a moment of complete silence, broken finally by a heavy sigh. "I cannot believe I am even considering such a thing. You know They will never agree to it."

Chaos smiled a little more. "You could persuade them." Although soft, his voice had a soothing quality to it.

"Well of course I could, if I wished to." The voice sounded smug now and the previous irritation seemed to have been forgotten.

The third voice spoke up, the rumbling softer than it had previously been; as if the speaker did not really wish to say what he knew had to be said. "He needs to know the details. In full."

"I know." Chaos looked into Alexander's eyes, no longer smiling. "This bargain is not as simple as the other." He paused, as if to make sure that Alexander was still listening. When the young man nodded, Chaos continued.

"If you give up half of your soul, then half of his will not be taken by Death. His life will be spared and you will also live, but there is a price to pay and it is a heavy one. With only half souls, neither of you will be able to return to the mortal world again. Instead, you will join us here." Chaos gestured to the shadowy void around them.

The shadowy void that was gradually becoming lighter, as if a veil was being lifted from his eyes, Alexander realised in surprise. Already, he could make out the vague forms of the three who had first spoken to him in this strange place. He had no time to study them, however. Chaos was still speaking and Alexander gave him all of his attention.

"We are the servants of the Shadows. We exist to work their will, and that of the Pharaoh. You and the child would become immortal, as we are, and would gain powers such as we possess. However, that too has a price. To be like us in strength, you must also be like us in appearance. Your human forms would become nothing more than a memory and you would take on the forms of two of us. What those forms would be... I cannot say. There is also no promise that the two of you would remain together here. That would be entirely in your hands."

Alexander nodded and looked down at the child in his arms, then over at the three shadowy figures.

The shadows had lightened enough that he could see them quite clearly now. One was a wizened gnome-like man, short of stature and with a stern face that suggested he was also short of temper. The second was a tall and slender man with long, pointed ears, dressed in a purple hat and matching armour with blue shoulder plates and red jewels in strategic places. The third... and most likely the owner of the low rumbling voice... was a large, brownish-gold dragon who regarded him with what looked to Alexander like thoughtful curiosity.

Returning his attention to the one known as Chaos, Alexander nodded. "I understand the terms and I agree to them." He continued more softly. "Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for your kindness."

Chaos's cheeks went a faint shade of purple and he shook his head. "Maintaining the balance is part of my duty, although... I have never been quite so glad of it, before." His hand, still resting on Alexander's shoulder, tightened slightly in a gentle squeeze before he stood up. "There is little time remaining to us. If you are ready?"

Alexander nodded. "I am." His hold tightened protectively on Valen as he waited.

When Chaos turned towards the three others and arched an eyebrow in silent question, the stern-faced man scowled at him. "Well, you have gone this far, you might as well finish it, also."

As Alexander had suspected, his was the first voice he had heard upon entering the shadowy void.

With a slight smile, Chaos nodded and turned back to Alexander. He held out his hand over the young man's head. "This may sting a little."

There was a wrenching sensation in the pit of Alexander's stomach, followed by a tingling all over his body. Then came a sharp pain so intense that all he could do was grit his teeth and try to ride it out. But he knew it was no use. The pain was too great and he suddenly felt too tired to try to fight it any longer. His vision blurred and began to go dark.

As Alexander sank into the welcoming arms of unconsciousness, two thoughts flittered across his mind.

Whatever happened, he would remain at Valen's side for as long as the boy welcomed him there.

Although he had lived in the castle of Cantoria for many years, it was the Royal Library that felt more like home to him and he would dearly miss it.

- - -

The Magician of Black Chaos and the three main elders of the Shadow Realm, Stern Mystic, Ancient Elf and Thousand Dragon, all blinked and stared in surprise at the two figures lying unconscious on the ground in front of Chaos. Stern Mystic finally found his voice.

"Well... that was certainly unexpected."

To be continued...