Chapter Two: Two Masters, One Soul
The Kaiba brothers sat at the dinner table in the dining room, Mokuba greatly enjoying his meal while Seto barely touched his, his gaze wandering to a point outside the large bay windows. His jaw was set into a deep frown, his eyes unfocused.
"Are you okay, Seto?"
"Hm?" Kaiba shifted his attention to his brother. "I'm fine."
Mokuba looked unconvinced, but he didn't care. Kaiba ate a forkful of his roast duck, but his appetite was absent, and he found it difficult to stomach his food at all.
"I know you're lying…" said Mokuba, dropping his eyes to the table.
Kaiba didn't respond. It took everything he had to take another bite.
"You saw her again, didn't you?"
Seto snapped his surprised gaze to his brother, who looked uncomfortable while clearly wanting to say more.
"What?"
Mokuba pushed away his plate. "I…kind of have a confession to make. I overheard you talking to that Kisara girl a few weeks ago, but I didn't say anything."
Kaiba scowled. "'Overheard' or 'eavesdropped'?"
Ignoring his question, Mokuba continued. "You were acting weird that night when we came home, and…you're doing it again. It's like you're distracted."
"I said I'm fine," he said, standing from his chair. "That woman was no one, and she won't be bothering us again."
As he walked away, the butler entered the dining room. "Master Kaiba, should I save your dinner for you?"
"Do what you want," he replied, stepping out into the foyer and turning to head up the ornate grand staircase. Upon reaching the platform, he climbed the stairs to the right. Mokuba's rooms were on the opposite side of the house.
"Are you finished as well, Master Mokuba?"
"Yeah, I guess. Thanks, Gerard. The food was great."
"You're welcome. I'll save the rest of your brother's should he decide to want it later."
Mokuba nodded and Gerard left the room. He set his elbow on the table, resting his head in his palm. He desperately wanted to know what Seto and that girl had talked about this time, and what was going through his brother's mind right now.
Was he thinking about her? About the past? Did he believe her? Did he want to? It wasn't like Seto to be preoccupied by some girl, but he had been acting strange, not just tonight, but ever since that day she'd showed up to see him at his office. He'd tried to hide it, and he'd done a good job, but Mokuba knew him too well not to notice a change in his brother.
Mokuba had also been replaying what he'd heard that day over and over in his mind. The more he thought about it, the more curious he became to know if this Kisara woman really was important. He knew Seto wasn't going to confide in him, so if Mokuba wanted answers, he only had one option.
X-X-X
His footfalls were heavy on the pavement as he raced through the streets of Domino. He had to hurry if he wanted to speak to her. He'd checked the sign-in sheets at the front desk and used the Kaiba Corp mainframe to track her down only to find that she was set to leave the city on the 6 p.m. flight to Cairo. It was currently 11 a.m., and she was surely packing her things to check out of her hotel.
He supposed he could have taken one of the cars, but he didn't want the driver to tip Seto off as to his whereabouts. Seto sure wasn't going to be happy if he found out where Mokuba had gone.
Upon entering Domino Suites, he checked in as a visitor, locating her room without too much trouble: suite 300. Funny how it was one zero away from 3000…
Mokuba hesitated with his hand raised to knock. Steeling himself, he rapped on the door and hoped for the best.
When she appeared, an instant recognition passed over her face.
"Hey, I know you… You're…"
He grinned. "The name's Mokuba. I'm Seto's brother."
"Oh, that's right. I apologize, I didn't know your name."
"It's no problem, really. You're Kisara, right?"
"Yes, that's correct. Did…Seto send you?" she asked, looking hopeful.
Mokuba grimaced and rubbed the back of his neck. "Uh, actually…he doesn't know I'm here… I'd really appreciate it if you didn't tell him."
Kisara giggled. "You're secret's safe with me, I promise. Though I'm confused by why you're here in the first place."
"Oh, right. Sorry. I wanted to ask you some questions…about Seto's past?"
"Ah, I see." She opened the door wider. "Perhaps we can lend each other some answers."
Mokuba followed her inside, where she offered him some sweets she'd bought from a candy shop down the street. He gleefully accepted as they sat down at the table by the window.
"So, Mokuba is it? What is it that you want to know?"
He swallowed a malt chocolate ball and thought of how best to word his inquiry without it sounding silly.
"Mm, well I guess… I know my brother has some kind of connection to Ancient Egypt, but he won't talk about it. You seem to know, though."
"I honestly know very little of his past life, but I know the part that I—I mean…my past self was a part of."
"So then, what do you know? Who was he? I thought I heard you say something about a Priest?" he asked, his face scrunching up as he tried to imagine Seto in such a role.
"Yes, that's right. He was one of the High Priests that served the Pharaoh."
"You mean Yugi."
"Well yes, sort of. You're aware that the game of Duel Monsters originated in Egypt?"
"I thought it was a myth actually."
She shook her head. "Perhaps I should start from the very beginning."
Kisara explained the origin of the creatures that later became known as Duel Monsters, and the role they played in the battle for Ancient Egypt. Then she began to tell her own story, the story of the peasant girl who'd been shunned as an outcast for her appearance, and how Priest Seto had come to her aid, especially when Akhenaden wanted her killed to secure the power of the White Dragon.
"So you're saying…the Blue Eyes White Dragon came from that girl?"
"That's correct. She gave her life to protect Priest Seto, and she also made him the keeper of her spirit, which was the White Dragon."
"So that explains it! That's why Seto always wanted those cards!"
"Yes. He was meant to wield their light and their power since it was entrusted to him long ago."
"I guess I'm not quite following why though… Unless…" He paused, looking down at the table, and then back to Kisara. "Did they love each other…?" The words felt foreign to Mokuba, especially since they were talking about his brother's past life. Imagining Seto with a girlfriend in any era was difficult.
Kisara looked thoughtful. "There was something there, certainly. I don't know if it could rightly be called love since it had little time to develop. However there was an undeniable, albeit an unexplainable connection between them."
"And…is there a connection between you and Seto?" he asked, squirming uncomfortably.
She didn't reply right away. She studied Mokuba while contemplating her answer. She turned her attention to the city outside the window.
"We are connected by destiny, but I don't know what that destiny holds."
"What do you mean?"
"Priest Seto and Kisara never had the chance to see where their connection might lead. It was cut short, and the ties that bind them still…that bind us… Perhaps they only keep us tethered while our destiny is to remain apart."
Like a tragedy meant to repeat itself. Mokuba had the thought, but he kept it to himself. He also didn't want to entertain that idea.
"You're leaving today," he said, looking around at the room and noticing the suitcase on the bed.
She sighed and looked down at her hands where they were folded in her lap. "I think I blew it. I made the mistake of thinking that Seto had at least accepted his past and his destiny after helping the Pharaoh to regain his memories and take his place in the afterlife. And part of me had hoped…that he had regained those memories…like I have."
"So wait… You really are her?"
"That I am."
Mokuba stared back at her with wide eyes. She was beautiful; she had an innocent look about her; and her presence was calming, her personality gentle and genuine. There was definitely something off about her, but in a good way. Mokuba hadn't been able to figure out what until now.
She was an old soul, he could feel it. Maybe Seto rationalized everything, resisting anything that couldn't be explained by science and common sense, but Mokuba was far more open-minded, and somehow he knew she was telling the truth. He was sure of his intuition now, just as he had been when Yugi had talked about the ancient past. Mokuba's willingness to believe in what couldn't be scientifically explained had been validated when he had seen two Yugis with his own eyes and watched one of them walk through a shining door never to return again. Now he sat in front of a woman who was as much of the past as she was of the present, and he finally understood why being in her presence was so surreal.
As Mokuba's thoughts returned to his brother, he dropped his gaze again. "Please understand. Seto and I didn't have it very easy growing up. We went from life in an orphanage, to living with an abusive stepfather, to where we are now—all because of Seto's determination. If it wasn't for him…who knows where we'd be. I think he has a hard time accepting this destiny stuff because he's proud of all he's accomplished and doesn't want everything he's worked for to be taken from him."
"I see… He thinks his accomplishments will lose their value if his life is influenced by fate. He's a very proud man, isn't he?"
Mokuba nodded. "I guess that's what makes him so hard to get along with. He's fought for everything we have. He's fought to make sure we have a better life than we used to."
"I've often heard it said that it's lonely at the top," said Kisara knowingly.
"I don't know if he ever feels alone. It sure doesn't seem like it. He's always pushing people away. No matter how many times Yugi and his friends tried to reach out to us, Seto always rejected them. I never really understood why. I like them all, and they've been there for both of us."
"Perhaps he's afraid."
Mokuba looked indignant. "My brother's not a coward."
She shook her head. "No, of course not. What I meant was…if your past is as troubled as you say, perhaps he's afraid of being hurt again."
Mokuba mulled over her words before he finally said, "I never thought of it that way… He was treated the worst by our stepfather…and he was old enough to really feel the betrayal of our family when they took everything when our parents died."
"I know there's a light within your brother, and it sounds as though the world has tried its hardest to snuff it out."
"That's for sure." A fierce defiance took over his features as he met her gaze again. "Everyone thinks my brother is mean and heartless, but I know different. Even though we were at our lowest at the orphanage, Seto still donates a lot of money to it every year because he knows there are still kids that need help; kids that have nothing. Plus, he sponsors trips for orphans to visit Kaibaland amusement parks all year round so they can know what it's like to be normal kids. He was always there for me, and he's still there for all of them, too. I've visited some of those orphanages, and to them…Seto is their hero."
"That's beautiful, Mokuba. For what it's worth, I know he's a better man than he presents himself to be."
"You do?" said Mokuba, a little surprised and his fierceness waning.
"Mhm. I may not know what he's been through in this life, but as strange as it may sound…I can sense the good in him; like a string connecting the two halves of one soul. Like the Blue Eyes White Dragon, that soul is full of power and light. I think your brother is lost in the power, but has nearly forgotten the purity of that soul."
"And that's you," Mokuba said without thinking.
A rosy blush colored her cheeks, and she glanced away.
"Ah, that's it! You're what he needs."
Astounded at the boy's conviction, she blinked back at him. "What makes you say that?"
"It's just like you said; Seto's so preoccupied with power that I don't think he can see the good in himself anymore. I can tell you're special, and I wouldn't have blurted out everything if…if…"
He stopped, wondering how to finish that sentence. The phrase, 'if you didn't remind me of Seto' would have sounded peculiar even after their unorthodox conversation.
Kisara looked saddened. "It doesn't matter. I don't think I can convince him. Not now anyway. I've pushed him far enough as it is, and he doesn't wish to see me again."
"Wait, hold on!"
"Huh?"
"Look, I know my brother better than anyone. He's not really one for talking, and he can be hard to convince."
She gave an amused smile. "So I've gathered."
"But if you really want to get his attention, there's only one thing that can do that," he said with a mischievous grin.
X-X-X
Kaiba was typing away on his laptop in his office, immersing himself in his work when the phone rang. Absently, he picked up the receiver, speaking in a half distracted tone.
"Kaiba Corp, this is Seto Kaiba."
"Good afternoon, Seto."
His concentration was broken, and his finger stalled over the keyboard, his eyes unable to focus on the computer screen.
"Kisara. What do you want now?"
"I wanted to apologize for our last meeting the other day."
"If I accept your apology, will you leave me alone?"
"I wasn't finished."
He remained silent and waited.
"I also wanted to duel you."
He chuckled darkly. "You can't be serious."
"But I am. It would be a great challenge, and I wouldn't mind seeing your Blue Eyes' in person."
"If you think dueling me will convince me to listen to this ancient soulmate hocus pocus, you're in for a big disappointment. And if you think you can beat me…well then, you're delusional," he said with a smirk.
"Am I to take it that you're backing down from a challenge?"
He leaned back in his chair, crossing one leg over the other. "I never back down from a challenge."
"So you'll duel?"
"If you're really willing to lose…sure, why not? On one condition."
"Which is?"
"If I win—which I most certainly will—then you have to go back home and never bother me again. Deal?"
There was a momentary pause before she replied, "Deal."
"Perfect. Be at the Kaiba Dome tomorrow at noon. If you're late, I'll assume you forfeit."
"I'll be there, Seto. Good day."
"Yeah."
He hung up the phone, scowling at his laptop. He'd been trying for days to get her out of his head, burying himself in data sheets and working on a design for his new duel disks. He'd succeeded—until now. Now she was back at the forefront of his mind and he mentally cursed her back, front, and sideways, especially since hearing her voice pulled a sensitive string somewhere deep inside him.
He didn't like it. He had to get rid of her once and for all. She was a menace, wreaking havoc on his mind and body and making him question whether he was really content with his life. He'd worked so hard to make his company as successful as it had become. He'd thought he'd reached the pinnacle of perfect contentment; until she walked through his door, and suddenly he began to feel as though something was missing—as though his life was incomplete.
She'd planted a seed, and it was rapidly growing like a pestilent weed, creating a shadow of doubt that was becoming harder to ignore by the day.
That girl was nothing. She wasn't even a worthy dueling opponent, he was sure. Perhaps if he beat her and what were sure to be her unimpressive dueling skills, he'd snap out of the fog he'd fallen into when she'd waltzed into his life a few short weeks ago. Seto Kaiba was a powerful man after all, and he didn't keep company with losers. She wouldn't be a challenge—not in the slightest—and when she lost, it would only prove that she was unworthy of occupying a space in his life or in his mind.
X-X-X
The dome had been opened, the dueling platform raised beneath the sunny skies above, and on the platform stood the dome's revered owner as he waited for his challenger to arrive. His arms were crossed, his white coat tails dancing in the wind around him.
Below the platform, Mokuba stood watching his brother with curiosity and admiration. He hadn't told Seto that he'd spoken with Kisara, or that this duel had been his idea. Still, he was intrigued to watch the duel unfold and to see whether it would have any impact on Seto at all.
Mokuba turned his head, and Seto's eyes narrowed as he saw the flowing white hair of his opponent as she walked through the large doors into the wide open dueling arena. He didn't say a word to her as she ascended the stairs to the platform and stood opposite him.
Kaiba hated the way his body reacted to her; as though the distance between them was unacceptable and he needed to be closer. His scowl deepened as he appraised her before speaking at last "So you decided to show up."
"It would be rude of me not to."
"Either way, you've taken it upon yourself to waste my time." He extended his arm, activating his Duel Disk. "So let's get this over with so you get out of my life for good."
"As you wish, Seto," said Kisara, doing the same and inserting her deck.
"Ladies first," said Kaiba with a smug grin, figuring he'd at least humor her.
"My pleasure, Seto."
Mokuba remained silent as he watched the duel begin, hoping that something good came of all this, and that he hadn't made a mistake by interfering in what was ultimately not even his business to begin with.
Kisara looked down at her hand, her expression giving nothing away. "I play Dwarf Star Dragon Planeter in attack mode [ATK 1700]. I also play two face-down cards and end my turn. But not before my dragon's special ability allows me to add a Level 7 Light attribute monster from my deck to my hand. I think I'll choose my Arkbrave Dragon, and then I'll turn it over to you."
"Heh, not bad," he replied, drawing his card. "But I'm afraid it won't be good enough. Try this! Assault Wyvern! [ATK 1800] I'll lay down a face-down of my own, just to keep you guessing."
"So be it."
Kisara had a hunch that Kaiba's face-down was a trap card. She was also aware of Assault Wyvern's special ability. Thinking carefully about her options, she decided she'd wait to spring his trap and play one of her own.
"I'll place The White Stone of Ancients in defense mode [DEF 500]. That's all for now."
"Is that all you've got? I was hoping you'd be more of a challenge. On the other hand…I knew you wouldn't be."
"Don't count me out just yet," she replied with a good-natured smile.
"Yeah, whatever." He drew his card and smirked. "Prepare yourself, because I'm taking you down! By revealing the Blue Eyes White Dragon in my hand, I can special summon Blue Eyes Alternative Dragon! [ATK 3000] Now I'll have my Assault Wyvern attack your White Stone of Ancients!"
Assault Wyvern's talons latched on to Kisara's stone and cracked it. It vanished from the field instantly.
"And since he succeeded in destroying your monster, I can sacrifice him to summon…The Blue Eyes White Dragon! [ATK 3000]" He laughed. "You wanted to see my Blue Eyes'? Tell me, how do they look up close and personal?"
Mokuba wondered how Kisara would get out of her predicament since she was now staring down two Blue Eyes, but she only smiled.
"Once again, your reputation precedes you. You handle those dragons quite well. But I should thank you for more than just your show-and-tell, because when you destroyed my Stone of Ancients, you activated its special ability. When it's sent to the graveyard, I'm able to special summon one 'Blue Eyes' monster from my deck."
"What? That card is useless to you! You don't have a Blue Eyes in your deck!"
"Oh contraire, Seto. I have this: Blue Eyes Spirit Dragon! [ATK 2500]"
A white light burst from Kisara's deck, one so radiant that it blinded Kaiba momentarily. Upon regaining his sight, his jaw slackened and his eyes grew wide as he stared up at the bright scales of the dragon she'd just summoned. Mokuba also stared up at her new monster in disbelief, and he wondered again if all she'd said had been true.
"What is that!?" demanded Kaiba.
"Surprised that I have an official 'Blue Eyes' card of my own?"
He growled in anger. "How dare you! Only I am worthy of wielding the Blue Eyes!"
"The fact that I have one staring you down is a powerful counterargument."
"Is that so? Then in that case, I'll destroy it! Go, Blue Eyes Alternative Dragon! White Lightning!"
Her dragon was destroyed, and she took 500 points of damage.
"You activated my trap: Wish of Final Effort! Now I gain Life Points equal to the attack points of my destroyed Monster!" [LP 6000].
"Good, because you're going to need them. Now, Blue Eyes White Dragon, destroy her Dwarf Star Dragon!"
Kisara took the hit, taking another 1300 points of damage. [LP 4700]
"Your second-rate dragon is gone, and now you have no defense!"
"That's just what I was hoping you'd do. I activate my second trap: Cross Heart! Since I took battle damage, I get to take control of your attacking monster."
"What?!"
"Ah, no way!" said Mokuba.
"Come to me, Blue Eyes White Dragon." The monster in question took wing, moving to guard its new master.
Visions from the past took hold of Kaiba: the Blue Eyes White Dragon that destroyed the village that had captured the young Egyptian boy; the glowing eyes of the Kisara of the past as she released the power within her soul; the dragon within her being pulled from her body via the Millennium Rod and sealed into its stone tablet. He shook his head to erase those images. Real or not, that was all in the past, and it had no bearing on his future.
"You'll pay for that," he said as he set a card face-down and ended his turn.
"I suppose we shall see." She decided it was time to spring his trap. "I play Maiden with Eyes of Blue. [ATK 0]"
Kaiba looked from her new monster back to Kisara, struck by the resemblance between the two. More flashbacks returned to him, the face of the peasant girl he'd met in the alleyway in Egypt. He mentally shook himself, growling in agitation at the intrusive thoughts.
"Then I'll attack with my Blue Eyes White Dragon!"
No. He wouldn't let her brainwash him. "Activate: Tyrant Wing! This gives my dragon an extra 400 attack points, which is more than enough to destroy your Blue Eyes."
Her monster was sent to the graveyard and her Life Points dropped to 4300. She set a face-down and called it a turn.
"Get ready, because it's my turn now, and the only monster you have out has 0 attack points while my dragon can attack twice in one turn thanks to Tyrant Wing. But first, I summon Sword of Soul [ATK 0], then I play White Dragon Ritual to summon Paladin of White Dragon! [ATK 1900] And because Sword of Soul was removed from the field, its special ability allows me to increase another of my monster's attack points by 1000. Now my Blue Eyes Alternative Dragon's attack power rises to 4400!
"But wait, there's more. I use Paladin's ability, sacrificing him to summon another Blue Eyes White Dragon from my deck! Come on out, Blue Eyes! [ATK 3000]"
The dragon's call echoed through the arena as it came out to join its master.
"Lucky for you, my new monster can't attack this turn. But my other one…gets two attacks! Go, Alternative Dragon! Crush her Maiden now!"
"Not so fast, Seto! My Maiden has a special ability of her own. Once per turn, I can negate your attack. She also switches battle position [DEF 0], and I can now special summon a Blue Eyes White Dragon from my Graveyard!"
"No!"
Mokuba stared up at the field in astonishment.
"Yes! Say hello to our old friend." Kaiba's first Blue Eyes returned to her field in attack position. [ATK 3000]
He wouldn't let her continue to hold onto his dragon, and if he couldn't get it back, then he would destroy it so that it couldn't be used against him.
"You look shaken, Seto. It appears as though you resent having your favorite monster fighting against you."
"Are you taunting me?!"
"Not at all. It was an honest inquiry. Think about it; why would it bother you so much of they were merely cards?"
He had no response, and his little brother looked nervously between the pair.
"It's because they're more than that, and you know it. And like it or not, I am also the rightful wielder of the Blue Eyes White Dragon."
"Your mind games won't work on me, so can it! Don't forget I have a second attack that can wipe your Maiden out so she can't use her ability again once I destroy your dragon."
Her Maiden with Eyes of Blue was destroyed, but she activated her face-down. "Oasis of Dragon Souls! This card allows me to return my Maiden to the field in defense position. [DEF 0]"
"Big deal. I'll crush it next turn. But since I used Tyrant Wing to destroy a monster this turn, it's unequipped from my Alternative Dragon and sent to the Graveyard." [ATK 4000]
"We'll see. I play Pot of Greed. Then I'll set one card face-down and play this: Change of Heart!"
He clenched his fists in anger. "You've got to be kidding me!"
"Afraid not. I get to take control of one of your monsters until the end of my turn, and I choose…you Blue Eyes Alternative Dragon."
Kaiba watched in horror (his brother looking on in amazement and wonder) as another of his precious dragons abandoned him, their presence on her side of the field mocking him.
"While I have him, I think I'll go ahead and use him to attack your Blue Eyes White Dragon."
Kaiba grunted as he was hit with the backlash from his own monster's attack, his Life Points dropping to 3000.
"And now that you're wide open, I think I'll have my other Blue Eyes attack!"
"You won't win that easily! Reveal, Shadow Spell! This trap card stops your dragon in its tracks, weakening it by 700 points! [ATK 2300] It also can't change its battle position!"
Unfazed, Kisara simply stated, "I'll switch my Maiden to attack mode [ATK 0]. My turn ends here."
"And now that it does, my Blue Eyes Alternative Dragon returns to me! Nice try…" he said, his dragon rising, circling the platform, then landing before its rightful owner once more.
From the sidelines, Mokuba silently commended her ability to take control of and properly use the Blue Eyes cards. Though, looking at his brother, he could see that Seto was growing more irritated with every round that didn't pan out the way he wanted it to. Mokuba couldn't blame him: outside of Yugi and Pegasus, Seto had never lost a duel. He was flawless in the exacution of how he played his cards, but for some reason, this Kisara was not only able to stand toe-to-toe with him: she was winning.
"I draw," said Kaiba. "Now it's my turn to play Pot of Greed." He looked at the cards he'd drawn and smirked. "From my hand, I play Silent Doom, which lets me bring back Blue Eyes White Dragon in defense mode. Unfortunately, he can't attack, but I have a way around that. By playing Cost Down, I can decrease the level of a monster in my hand by two, and the monster I choose is my third Blue Eyes White Dragon. By sacrificing my useless one, I can summon one that can attack you! Let's try this again, shall we? Go, attack her Maiden!"
Kisara used its ability to negate his first attack, but she was unable to negate the second, and her Maiden was destroyed.
"Now when I destroy your Blue Eyes next turn, you won't be able to bring him back."
Ignoring him, she drew her card. "I activate Graceful Charity. I can draw three cards as long as I discard two." She drew Pot of Duality, Exchange of the Spirit, and Priestess with Eyes of Blue. She discarded her Priestess and her Arkbrave Dragon. "I place a face-down, and that's all for now."
"Not much else you can do. My draw." Instead of playing the card he'd just pulled, he decided to go straight to his Battle Phase. "Now I'll attack you with my Blue Eyes Alternative Dragon!"
"Hold on! I have a trap. It's called Unbreakable Spirit, and when you declare and attack while I only have one monster on the field, that monster gains the attack points of the attacking monster. Which means, even though he's in chains, his attack points rise to 5300 until the end of this turn!"
Her dragon opened its mouth to attack with a mighty cry. Kaiba's life points plummeted to 500, his Blue Eyes Alternative Dragon destroyed.
"Maybe I can't attack you with my other Blue Eyes, but I can still play this: White Lightning! It's a spell card that deals direct damage to you equal to the original attack power of my Blue Eyes White Dragon."
Kisara's Life Points were now 1300.
He laughed cynically. "It was a valiant effort, I'll give you that. Bur your little charade is almost over, and I promise that this turn will be your last."
Kisara drew her card. "I play Pot of Duality. Now I can look at the top 3 cards of my deck. I choose one of them to add to my hand, and the other two are sent to the Graveyard."
"Yeah, so hurry up already," said Seto. Mokuba was nervous, not sure whether he should root for his brother or the woman opposite him who could possibly be the key to opening Seto up to the person Mokuba knew he could be—if only he had a reason.
Kisara's face was impassive. "It looks as though you're right. This turn will be my last," she said, setting two face-down cards and closing her eyes.
Taking her words as an admission of inferiority and defeat, he moved to make his draw. "It's about time you admitted that I'm the superior dualist!"
"Not so fast. I activate a face-down: Exchange of the Spirit. Now we must each swap the cards in our decks with the ones in our Graveyards."
Seto froze momentarily, taken aback by her move. Rattled, he obliged the directions on the card, remembering the last time he'd had that very card played against him. It was his Blue Eyes that had allowed him a victory over Ishizu. That was also when those visions of the past had started to haunt him… Visions of Kisara and the Blue Eyes' stone tablet.
No! That was all ancient history, and he was going to prove it once and for all!
He drew his card and smirked. "It makes no difference. The duel ends here! I summon Battle Ox! [ATK 1700] Now, Blue Eyes, take down her chained dragon!"
"I activate my second face-down: Spiritual Swords of Revealing Light! By paying 1000 Life Points, I can negate your attack." [LP 300].
Kaiba growled at being foiled again. "You're only holding off the inevitable!"
"Wrong. Because now that I have fewer than 1000 Life Points, I can activate this: my final face-down, Last Turn."
"Argh, no! Not that!"
"Yes. Now I choose one monster on my side of the field, and all other cards on both sides get sent to the Graveyard."
Kaiba's fists shook in outrage as his dragon was destroyed, and hers was free of his Shadow Spell, its attack points rising to its original 3000.
"You dare defile my Blue Eyes again?!"
"I'm sorry, Seto…" she said, her eyes and her expression conveying her deepest sincerity. "But now you get to choose any monster from your deck and summon it to the field."
She knew exactly which one he would choose, too, and that was what she was counting on.
"Fine! If that's the way you want to play, you won't get rid of my Blue Eyes' so easily! Come back to the field, Blue Eyes White Dragon! [ATK 3000]" he called, summoning the second one that had been placed back into his deck with Exchange of the Spirit.
Now there were two identical dragons standing face-to-face with equal attack power, their brilliant scales shining in the sunlight that graced them from above. Mokuba watched, transfixed on the match and the final showdown.
"I'm sure I don't have to tell you what happens next," she said with an oddly serene smile.
"Our monsters do battle, and the last one standing wins the duel!"
"That's right… This is it…Seto."
"Yes, it is!"
Together, they called, "Blue Eyes White Dragon: White Lightning Attack!"
The white light blinded the pair, and while Kaiba was desperate for a miracle that would somehow leave his Blue Eyes standing, Kisara refused to entertain such irrational thoughts, knowing exactly how the battle would end.
When the dust settled and the light dimmed, they opened their eyes to find that both dragons had indeed been destroyed, white sparkles raining down on the field like radiant, sparkling snowflakes.
Kisara could see Kaiba standing on the other side of the dueling platform, stunned speechless with slack jaw and wide eyes that couldn't seem to comprehend the scene that had just unfolded before him. On the sidelines, Mokuba's face mirrored his brother's.
"No…" Kaiba murmured to himself. "My Blue Eyes…"
He was so lost to incomprehension and disbelief that he barely registered when his opponent approached him. When his eyes at last focused on her, he could only ask, "Why would you do that?"
She pinned him with a gentle gaze as she stopped right before him.
"Seto… I didn't want to beat you. I wanted to show you the truth. We're one in the same, you and I, and the Blue Eyes White Dragon is what binds us." She held something out to him, and he took it. "Thank you, Seto. I hope this isn't the last we see of each other."
Kaiba watched her walk away, staring after her as she walked back out of the dueling arena. His brother had run up onto the platform to stand beside him, he too focused on the mysterious woman as she faded from view.
Kaiba looked down at the card in his hand. It was his Blue Eyes—but there was something beneath it. Moving the second card out so that he could see it, he was stunned. It was her Maiden with Eyes of Blue.
Kisara.
A/N: Yes, I'm aware that this duel was probably crap, but you know what, it took me hours to look up the cards and to try to script it, and man was it hard! I'm so glad I don't write duels for the show. So please don't bash it, just take it for what it is, because I legit tried my hardest! D: I don't play the card game because I could never read the cards, but I do play Duel Links when it wants to work. Long story short, I'm not up on all the cards in the game. I gave it my best go!