Jounouchi was first to arrive in Mai's room. Right after him was Akia who was still dragging Marik by his hand behind her. Yugi, Anzu, Honda, and Otogi went in as well. Finally, Ishizu and Rishid stayed behind the group, feeling that they shouldn't take up the space.
"Mai!" He called out to her.
"Big brother..." Shizuka whispered sadly. "Mai-san is still..."
"No...! Mai! You have to wake up!" Jounouchi panicked and kneeled next to Mai's bed, taking her hand in his. "Akia fought so hard to get you back! It can't have been too late!"
Akia, feeling the panic rise as well, looked to Marik worriedly. "B-But you released her right?"
"Yes, I'm sure of it," Marik nodded, even though he was starting to doubt himself a bit. Akia let go of his hand and kneeled next to Jounouchi. Everyone else's expression was grave. They didn't understand why Mai was not waking up.
"Mai-san... Please wake up," Akia felt tears fall down her cheeks.
"Mai, I can't live without you..." Jounouchi whispered his true feelings.
"Well now you're making me feel like the bad guy," Mai said while giggling. Shizuka then started giggling too.
"Mai-san...! What...?!" Anzu exclaimed.
"We've been pranked..." Otogi muttered.
"Huh?!" Jounouchi blinked in confusion a few times.
"Really, now?!" Akia yelled out while wiping away her tears.
Mai sat up and hugged Jounouchi's arm. "So you can't live without me, huh?" She whispered in his ear.
His face turned beet red. "N-No...! Whatever! You're both cruel!" He addressed Mai and Shizuka who couldn't stop laughing.
Akia sighed and laughed as well, feeling a wave of relief wash over her. Mai then suddenly stopped laughing when she saw Marik. She frowned. "What is he doing here?" Her voice was hostile.
"Actually, I think I have some things that I need to talk to you about, Mai-san," Akia replied. "Is it okay if we talk alone? I want to be a proper friend this time."
Hearing that, everyone cleared the room, Marik and Akia sharing an affectionate glance before he left.
Now that everyone was out, Akia sat on the bed next to her friend. "Mai-san, I want to apologize properly for keeping things from you. I just never felt the need throughout my life to confide in anyone but my brother."
"Yeah, you two are very close," Mai replied. She then put an arm around Akia's shoulder, giving her a half-hug. "It's okay, though. I know I overreacted."
"No, not at all! You didn't overreact!" Akia vehemently denied. "I want you to know how important you are to me, Mai-san. I failed as a friend by not telling you what was going on."
"Akia-chan... Thank you. This really means a lot."
"So, I decided to tell you everything. All of it. Prepare yourself!" Akia chuckled.
"Alright, hit me!"
Akia started telling Mai everything, about her past life and the Red Eyes Black Dragon. Then she told her about how she met Marik when they were young, she told her about the whole trip with her grandfather, Shadi, the Millennium Scale. She recounted what Ishizu had told them about the Ishtar tragedy, explained Marik's dark personality, and his dominant personality ultimately taking back control and releasing everyone. All Mai could do was nod slowly at all of that information.
When Akia was finally done, the blonde woman blinked a few times. "Well, you really did hit me with a lot of information... So, you and Marik are a thing now?"
"That's what you gathered from all this?"
"I mean, it's your whole story, isn't it? How you are both destined to be together and whatnot. Kind of romantic, I got to admit." Mai winked.
"Y-Yeah, I think we're a thing? I mean... We haven't exactly talked about it, since I just won the duel before running to check up on you," Akia replied.
"Aww, Akia-chan! You were worried about me!" Mai hugged her friend tightly.
"Of course I was, Mai-san! You're my best friend," Akia answered. That made Mai smile gently, really happy hearing that Akia felt the same way she felt.
"Alright, you're going to make me tear up," the blonde woman turned her head away to wipe a stray tear. "Go out there and get your man. I'm sure you have stuff to catch up on."
"I'll go fetch you Jounouchi on my way out," Akia winked to her friend.
The black-haired girl got out of the room and saw Marik standing not too far away, leaning on the wall, looking at the floor, seemingly lost in thought. When he heard the door open, he looked up and his face lit up instantly as he saw Akia walking to him. He wrapped his arms around her, hugging her tightly. The girl closed her eyes and buried her face in his chest, taking in his comforting scent.
Suddenly, she pulled her head away quickly and looked up at Marik. "Ryou! Is Ryou alright?!"
The young Egyptian man nodded. "Yeah, he's with Yugi and the others right now. He was about to bust into Mai's room to see you, though. Your friends took care of that by offering him food."
"Yeah, he must be pretty hungry after being gone for so long," Akia replied. "I want to go see how he's doing."
"Sure, let me bring you," Marik said with a cheeky smile. Then, without warning, he carried her princess style, causing her to let out a surprised scream.
"Marik!" She giggled.
"What? I never said how I'd bring you to the destination, princess," the young Egyptian man chuckled.
Akia wrapped her arms around his neck. "Fine, do as you please," she said with a smile. The young woman did not mind the closeness at all. On the contrary, she craved more of it.
Marik carried her to the assembly room where everyone was seated around a table, talking and eating. When they came in, the first to notice was Bakura, and he was not enjoying the view.
"There they are!" Anzu exclaimed.
"The two little lovebirds," Jounouchi chuckled.
Marik put Akia down. "I'm going to go catch up with Ishizu and Rishid. I'll see you after?" He said to Akia and she nodded.
Bakura had gotten up and walked to the pair before Marik left. "Akia-chan," the white-haired young man called out to her.
"Ryou! I'm so glad you're okay!" Akia exclaimed with a smile. She then noticed how Bakura and Marik were basically glaring at each other. "Um, guys?"
"If you make Akia-chan cry, I'll be there to whisk her away from you. Remember that," Bakura told Marik before turning around and walking back to his friends.
Akia gave Marik a small smile then reached up on the tip of her toes, giving him a peck on the cheek. He blushed at the sudden contact which made him smile. He then took Akia's hand and kissed it. Now it was her turn to blush.
"I'll be seeing you later, my princess," Marik said in seductive manner, making the young woman feel as though she was melting from how hot her face felt. Satisfied with his effect on her, the Egyptian man turned around and left the room after giving her one last smile.
Akia couldn't stop herself from grinning so she tried hiding her face while going to her friends. When she saw Jounouchi, she remembered to tell him that Mai wanted to see him.
"Mai? Sure," he tried to act nonchalant, but everyone could notice how fast he was walking out of there. Akia took a seat next to Anzu and Shizuka who immediately started teasing her about Marik.
"Akia-chan, it's so rare to see you so speechless," Anzu nudged her.
"You two are so cute together!" Shizuka added.
"Ryou! How are you feeling?!" Akia said louder than she intended, trying to redirect the attention away from her.
"I'm a bit tired, but it's not too bad," he answered her with a smile, acting like his usual self. "Akia-chan, are you sure you want to be associating with a criminal like Marik, though?"
His comment made everyone else stop talking out of surprise. Akia was also taken aback by what he said. "I believe everyone deserves a second chance..." She said with a smile.
"I mean... he killed his own father from what I understand," Bakura added, "not to mention he ran a criminal organization too."
Akia started getting annoyed at how uncharacteristically judgmental Bakura was of Marik. Yugi, noticing the slight frown on Akia's face, tried to diffuse the situation. "I'm sure if the circumstances were different, he wouldn't have gone down that path. It doesn't excuse it, but he is willing to atone for what he did."
"And you believe him? Anyone can say that," the white-haired boy wouldn't let up. "And you're just so easily falling for it, Akia-chan."
"Can we talk privately, Ryou?" Akia kept her smile, but she was getting very annoyed. She got up, not waiting for his reply and got out of the assembly room. Bakura got up and quickly followed her.
When they were out of there, Akia turned to him. "What was that all about?" She asked in an accusatory tone.
"I'm just telling you the truth. I don't think he's a good person," Bakura replied innocently.
"Ryou, I get that you're worried about me, but I can take care of myself," the young woman said.
"Akia-chan, what changed? I thought you were into me. All of a sudden this random guy comes in and you're all over him? Don't you think it's a bit cruel?" The white-haired boy expressed his true feelings.
"Ryou..." Akia sighed, all anger that she was feeling subsiding as she saw the sadness in his eyes. "I... I can't choose who I fall in love with. And yes, I did have feelings for you, but..."
"But you ultimately love him," Bakura said bitterly.
"I'm so sorry, Ryou," the black-haired girl looked to the ground, feeling horrible about hurting her friend.
His gaze softened and he felt a knot in his heart. "It's hard to get over you when you act all sweet like this... Don't worry, I won't get in your way. I'll probably feel jealous when you're with him, but, despite everything, I just want you to be happy."
"Ryou..." Akia couldn't control her tears anymore. "Thank you for everything..."
"Come here," Bakura sighed and pulled her into a hug. "My little crybaby..."
Despite his words, his heart was aching. He knew he had lost Akia for good. He could see it in her eyes. The way she looked at Marik and the way Marik looked at her, it was like they were the only ones in the world for each other. There was no place for Bakura in Akia's heart. Thinking like this made him shed a single tear that he quickly wiped away.
Akia eventually broke away from the hug, wiping her face while looking away.
"I'll go back inside," Bakura simply said and left Akia there. When he was fully gone, she crouched down, her back to the wall and buried her face in her knees, silently sobbing. She hated herself for hurting Bakura, but she knew that she couldn't be with him. She was in love with Marik and that is a fact that she could not and would not change.
The young Egyptian man was in Rishid's room with Ishizu. He was feeling happiness that he had not felt in so long.
"I treated you so horribly..." Marik tried to apologize for the hundredth time.
"And we said we forgive you," Ishizu interrupted him. "Enough apologizing."
"You fulfilled your mission as the pharaoh's Tomb Guardian and have overcome your darkness," Rishid added. "I couldn't feel more proud of how far you've gotten."
While Akia was with Mai, Marik had given Yugi his Millennium Rod and shown him the secret to unlocking the pharaoh's memories that was carved on his back.
"Now all that's left is to guide the pharaoh when the time comes," Ishizu said.
"When we get back to Egypt, we'll arrange for the pharaoh's arrival," Rishid added.
"Ah, yeah, we have to return..." Marik sighed, looking a bit downcast.
"Is the change in tone due to a certain pretty lady with red eyes?" His sister teased.
"I know it may sound selfish of me after everything..." The purple eyed young man replied, "but I feel like I'm finally able to just be with her. And now I have to leave her again? I'm always the one leaving her..."
"Marik-sama, if you wish to stay here a few days, you can come join us back home afterwards," Rishid suggested.
"No, I have a responsibility to uphold as the head of the Tomb Guardians," Marik retorted. "I've been running from it for too long."
"Marik..." Ishizu smiled at her brother. "I'm sure Akia will understand."
"Well, for now, I'll spend as much time with her as I possibly can, so..." Marik stood up.
His siblings smiled at his eagerness and wished him luck.
Akia had stopped crying, but she was sitting on the floor, staring into nothing, a million thoughts going through her head, but none made sense. She didn't even think of wiping her tears away and her eyelids were starting to get sticky from it. Hearing footsteps approach made her snap out of her stupor. She quickly tried to wipe her face with her sleeves, but leather wasn't a very absorbent option.
"Akia, what's wrong?!" Marik, spotting her sitting on the floor and wiping away her tears, ran to her and kneeled next to her.
"O-oh! It's nothing... I'm just being silly..." Akia sniffled.
"Come, let's bring you to your room," the young man helped her up by her hand and, without letting go, he led her to her room.
He stopped when they were in front and looked to her, not wanting to overstep any boundaries. Seeing his hesitation, Akia grinned at how considerate he was being. She then opened the door and pulled him inside with her, closing the door behind them.
"I'll go wash my face, the stickiness is a little annoying," Akia giggled. "Make yourself comfortable, though, I'll be right back."
Marik nodded with a smile. When she was gone, he started glancing around and wondered what Akia's real room looked like. This temporary accommodation was already smelling like her perfume, sweet and floral. It was intoxicating, in a good way. Looking around some more, Marik realized that he knew barely anything about Akia. And it was the same the other way around. Yet, they were both so insanely infatuated with each other. Marik did hope to learn more and more about her as time went on. He wanted to know everything.
Akia had finished freshening up and got out of the bathroom. She found Marik standing around, not doing anything in particular. Seeing him there was so surreal. After all this time, all this conflict, he was finally there, with her. Noticing her coming out, the young Egyptian man walked to her and wrapped his arms around her thighs, lifting her up high and looking up to her. Akia yelped and giggled as she was lifted up so quickly and easily into the air. She held herself up by resting her hands on Marik's shoulders.
"You'll start getting tired from picking me up so much!" Akia said.
"Nonsense, you're as light as a feather, I can barely feel it," Marik joked.
"All right there, Mr. Muscle Man, you can let me down now."
"Never!" He exclaimed as he twirled her around, causing her to scream and laugh while bending forward to keep her balance. Marik then playfully threw her on the bed. He then climbed on top of her and paused. Seeing her lay there, underneath him, her expression turning from happiness to desire, made his heart beat faster.
Akia, seeing Marik's body hovering over hers, only had one thought running through her mind. She wanted to be closer to him. So close than nothing and nobody could ever tear them apart.
"Akia..." Marik whispered. "I know I don't deserve someone as wonderful as you. But when it comes to you, I just want to be selfish and have you all for myself..."
"Be selfish, then," Akia answered, reaching her hand up to caress his cheek. "Because I will be."
Akia then used her other arm to hoist herself up and crashed her lips against Marik's. This was their first proper kiss and it went above and beyond whatever they had ever expected. They kissed each other gently and softly at first, but then Marik pushed her back down on the bed and intertwined his hands in hers, kissing her more passionately and hungrily. They deepened the kiss by licking each others' lips and exploring each others' mouths. Their hearts were beating as one, and their breathing mingled as they kept kissing each other almost like their lives depended on it. When they pulled away from the kiss, they were both panting from the intense kiss and overwhelming emotions.
"Oh my god..." Marik breathed out with a smile. "This felt way too good. I think I'm already addicted to you..."
"I'm hard to resist," Akia smirked, her chest heaving as well. "You're in luck, though, because I'm addicted to you too."
"I'm the luckiest man alive, then," He replied. He then got off of her and helped her sit up. Marik sat next to her and hugged her tightly. "I have something I need to tell you about, though, and it might not be as pleasant as our kiss."
"You have to go back to Egypt don't you..." Akia whispered.
"Yeah..."
"I figured. Don't worry, I understand that, though. It's not the same as before, right? We'll still keep in touch?"
"Everyday. I will keep in touch so much that you'll end up getting sick of me."
"I'd never get sick of you... You make me whole..."
Hearing her sweet words made Marik blush. He lifted her face up and kissed her more. Her lips tasted so sweet and they were so soft.
Even though Akia had been kissed by Marik when his evil personality was in control, this felt so different from then. It was filled with so much more love. He wasn't being rough with her and kissed her so slowly that she felt every motion of his lips, his tongue, his teeth... He pulled away and rested his forehead on hers, looking her longingly in the eyes.
"The finals are tomorrow," Marik whispered to her.
"Yeah, me against Yugi," she replied softly.
"Do you want me to leave so that you can rest?" He suggested.
"No... Can you stay?" She asked in a small voice, giving him puppy dog eyes.
Marik smiled at how cute she was acting. He then pulled her down with him so that they were both lying on the bed, with her still in his arms.
"I revealed the secret to unlocking the pharaoh's memories to him and your brother," Marik informed her.
"You did? What is it?" Akia asked, genuinely curious.
"It's carved on my back..." he whispered.
Hearing that, Akia sat up and looked at him with a pained gaze, knowing that it was the pain from that ritual that made him suffer so much. He also sat up and took off his tank top. The sight of his built physique made Akia blush. Seeing her flustered expression made Marik grin. He then turned around, letting her take a look at his back. As her eyes fell on the scars that formed the message meant for the pharaoh, she gasped inaudibly and brought her hand to her mouth, tears flowing down her cheeks. This was beyond cruel. The markings were deep and were many. It must have been pure agony for Marik's young body to go through this torture. Akia lightly brushed her fingers on his scars, making him shiver. She then rested her forehead on his back and wrapped her arms around his chest, placing her hands on his heart. He put his hand on hers, squeezing them tightly, holding back his own tears. No words were needed for them to convey their feelings. Akia conveyed her care and empathy while Marik conveyed his acceptance and appreciation of her love. He turned around to face her and wiped her tears.
"Those tears that you are shedding for my sake are more precious than you can imagine," Marik softly said to her.
"Marik..." Akia whispered to him. He then placed a gentle kiss on her lips.
"Oh and before I forget..." He reached into one of his pockets and took out a card. He then handed it to her. "This is yours now."
Akia took the card and realized that it was the Winged Dragon of Ra. She frowned at it. "That card really did cause me a lot of pain. It's like it's got a personal vendetta against me or something."
"Maybe it does. You do have a mysterious past self, after all. Who knows what naughty things you've done in your past life to piss off a god," Marik joked.
"Yeah, I was a menace, don't you know," Akia laughed along. Marik hugged her while they both laughed and laid back together on the bed.
"Akia..."
"Hmm?"
"Thank you for being there."
"Always..."
"I still have to ask, though... Will you be my girlfriend?"
"One hundred percent, yes! I'm actually happy you asked," Akia giggled and Marik chuckled in response, then placed a gentle kiss on her forehead.
Soon, they fell asleep in each other's arms, their breathing and warmth making them feel safer than they'd ever felt.
And with that, I will have to take a few days to be able to update, since I will have to write the final duel with Yugi and Akia. I can tell it will take me a while... I hope this chapter makes up for the upcoming wait. I'm really grateful for everyone's support and I love reading your reviews, it really motivates me! Thank you for reading :)