Atem pov

The thief's name burned into his mind; he'd never forget that name. As Bakura shot away, he knew that there was little point in pursuing him. Even if he did manage to keep up with the man, Bakura no doubt knew every short cut and hideaway and neither of them were a state to clash again. Though Atem knew it would be naïve of him to think that that would be the last time they would fight, Bakura's parting words hung in his ears. Hearing the people storm in from behind him, Atem slowly breathed in and attempted to calm himself.

'Pharaoh! What happened here, are you alright?' He heard Mahad call out. Turning around, Atem noted Seto and Karim following him closely, accompanied by a few guards. The guards quickly spread across the room searching for any further threats.

'It's alright, he's gone.' He replied, 'Though, we do seem to have made quite a mess.' It was then he noticed quite how much of a state the room was in, grimacing at the ripped sheets, blood stains and even parts of the walls falling in.

'You should probably focus more on yourself, your majesty.' Mahad said, quickly grabbing one of the discarded sheets and ripping a bit off. 'Here…' But before he could tend to Atem's chest wound, Osiris growled at him, freezing him mid-step.

'Osiris, no. He's not going to hurt me. Calm down.' Stroking the dragon's neck, he took a deep breath, closing his eyes, calling the monster back into his soul. He felt the dragon disappear beneath his hand, pleased that he managed to control the beast successfully. 'Sorry…'

His chest felt tight once again, and he cringed slightly. But this time, he managed to remain standing, feeling Mahad grab and support him anyway. Smiling gratefully up at his old friend, he could finally relax, surrounded by his friends, but the thief would still not leave his mind.

The next couple of days, he'd been instructed to take it slowly, the wound across his chest still requiring time to heal. In this time Mahad and Mana had barely left his side. Atem knew they were just worried, and frankly it kept his mind temporarily away from Bakura but he still remained quiet. He knew that Bakura would be back, any day now he would launch another attack and the next time, he might not be as lucky. Or worse, Bakura might go after his friends…

'Prince, stop daydreaming and pay attention to me!' Looking up at Mana, who was currently upside down, in an impressive handstand, he smiled.

'You're very impressive Mana. But can you hold it?' Before she could respond, her balance abandoned her and she crashed down onto Atem.

'Uh, no. Clearly not. But, it was your fault!' Smirking, Atem sighed, wrapping his arms around Mana.

'You should be more careful you know…'

'We all should.'

Mahad's voice appeared behind them, carrying a new set of bandages and eying the two of them with an unamused expression.

'Actually.' Mahad continued, 'I was wondering if you would mind terribly if I went to visit the outer guard posts tonight, my Pharaoh? I wonder if they need to be tightened up.'

Atem pursed his lips, Mahad had barely left his side and now he wanted to go to the outer edges of the city? Why would he want to do that?

Reading his mind, Mahad sat down beside him and explained how they had received word that the guards were worried about the recent attacks. Therefore he wished to check up on them. He gestured slightly for Atem to remove his tunic so he could change the bandages, and continued. Apparently there was a rumour going around that Seto had been threatening to punish any guards that let them down again because of Bakura's assassination attempt. He had spoken to the priest but Seto had denied all knowledge of course. Atem had immediately sent out a message saying that he was alive and well, and that the guards should continue to work admirably. He hoped that morale wasn't too low. The fact of the matter was, he didn't want Mahad to leave, he knew that the danger to the item holders was high and Atem couldn't bear the idea of Bakura hurting Mahad, or any of the priests. But he knew that he couldn't keep them all cooped up in the palace, he had to trust that Mahad would be alright…

Bakura pov

Bakura didn't even notice some of his minor injuries from his assassination attempt until much later when he would brush through his hair with his fingers and touched a painful spot for instance. Though he had been a little fatigued he was used to pushing his body to the absolute limit these days. Each failed attempt embarrassed him further so he has been harsher for himself as well. The days were already lonely, his family not giving him much support these days anymore and the nights had been cold even with his stolen fabrics he could not find any rest anymore. The stone that had given him power earlier seems to not stop calling him. It felt addictive and made him feel so great..but now that he wasn't using it for the time being it would leave an almost annoying headache in his mind. Urging him on to go out there and use it again, plunder, set towns on fire, punish people for what has been done to him and his town..

This night after not finding much sleep again, he was tempted of just going out and use it on the first person he would see but he tried to resist some of the calling for now. He needed to focus on the Royalty not on random townsfolk.

As he was staring at the dark sky, his eyes which had become used to seeing in the dark, with a thicker fabric around him, his ears caught up soft footsteps in the distance. He frowned and wondered in real surprise on who would dare to come here. Most people didn't even really know about Kul Elna, the others who knew also knew that many people had suddenly mysteriously died or left the place. Most people who know about the town said it was haunted. In other words no one would really come to this town..

Bakura pushed the dark fabric higher and folded it around his head like a little hood to hide his light hair in the dark. He walked in a big circle with practiced footsteps, not a sound would be made by him, so he could stalk behind the fool who dared to come here.

As he had walked and hid behind a few broken and fallen down walls, he was close enough to make out who it exactly was. His eyes had caught the glimpse of gold hanging around the neck and the familiar clothes he had seen a little while ago...It was one of those stupid little priests, this one was the one that had seemed a little too caring for the Pharaoh. He seemed to be very close to him and..also very stupid.

The spirits would rip him to shreds so to say if Bakura wasn't holding the back as well as he could. It was growing harder these days, they didn't want to listen to him or any reason anymore. But he wanted his dramatic entrance to Mahad also just picking up the item after the spirits were done with him was too easy for him. He wanted a little challenge at least.

He threw the fabric beside him and laughed loudly as he was just behind the priest. Diabound was invisible behind him already standing ready to attack or protect. ''Why hello. Welcome to my humble little abode~''

Mahad pov

Walking through the abandoned village, Mahad could feel a chill in the air. Shivering slightly, he pulled his cloak more closely around himself. Maybe this had not been the best idea, he knew that Atem would be furious if he knew where he had actually gone. He had actually checked up on the guard towers, but his real plan had always been to sneak out to the village. Atem's father had confessed to him the crime that had been committed here a couple of years previously, but he had been sworn to secrecy. Honestly, he wanted to tell Atem from the minute Bakura had originally attacked but he couldn't bring himself to do it. Now the Pharaoh knew, and he was doubting everything.

Mahad hated seeing him like this, he had watched him grow up under pressure to protect everyone, then when his father fell ill, and he was never the same. He had watched the prince's eyes become dull as his father slipped away and he was forced to take over the court. But he'd known Atem since he could remember and he'd always been protected by the young prince. He wanted to repay him, to protect him from the thief, Bakura. Every time he saw the wound across Atem's chest he knew he's let him down. If he could take out Bakura before he had a chance to attack the king again, then he'd be able to forgive himself.

But as he heard the loud voice of Bakura announcing himself, his plans fell apart. He should have realized that the thief would know he was here it was his home after all. Spinning around to face him, he noticed the distinct lack of Diabound. Was he underestimating him? It didn't matter, he had to finish this quickly, to protect the prince. Calling to his ka, the magician appeared beside him, pointing its staff directly at Bakura. Mahad knew he had to be brave and face this man, however intimidating he was, or Atem would be in danger again and he wouldn't have that.

'I know what you want thief, but leave the Pharaoh out of it. He knew nothing of what happened here. Take me as your enemy…'

Bakura pov

''Getting down to business already are we? No manners really..'' He chuckled and played his part as Diabound slithered around him. Diabound had been ready to attack as soon as the magician ka appeared but Bakura held it back for now. He didn't want the surprise or little talk ruined yet.

Bakura crossed his arms, ignoring the staff pointed at him on purpose to show he wasn't afraid of the other man at all. ''Doesn't matter if he knew or not..Someone will have to pay. If you give me your golden item I may reconsider upon killing him.'' He grinned at the priest. Of course he wouldn't but he could at least give the man an easy option out. ''I don't think you have much of a choice though...I mean look around. You can think I am the only one still living here?'' He showed of his teeth as his grin grew wider with sadistic intent.

The stone was calling a little louder again though, the chanting would not leave his mind alone. He loved the power even if it become from a traitor like Dartz, who would maybe some day get punished for that as well if he himself was still around after he completed his mission, but he never ever enjoyed another being trying to manipulate him or make him do things. So he was trying to ignore the chanting until he would really need it more. For now the small little priest was nothing.

The spirits were not silent either though, since Bakura had mentioned them kind off they tried to fight against him so they could appear before the priest and really show him who was exactly still living here as well. But Bakura obviously didn't want them to ruin it yet.

Though he did answer to the priest his proposition, he kind of ignored it as well. He did not believe that the priest would give himself over like that without a fight just yet.

Mahad pov

Mahad didn't like how Bakura was teasing him, surely they couldn't be alone? He knew there had to be something hiding here, where was his ka? Maybe he had a gang of thieves that would ambush him at any second. He really hadn't thought this through, he had let his desperation to protect Atem wash away any planning he could have considered. The Prince had always protected him and now he had to return that devotion and defeat this thief. But as he took a step backwards, he felt a presence, no, more than one. But there was nothing here, he looked across the village, his eyes narrowing. He unconsciously wrapped an arm around himself and shivered a little.

Looking up, Bakura seemed to be distracted, his fingers twitching around his pocket. For a split second he thought he saw a green symbol flash upon his forehead, but he dismissed it. The feeling of uneasiness was becoming suffocating, he had to act.

'Bakura! Stop this facade, come down here and fight me one on one.' Maybe he could encourage the thief into a rage, Atem had mentioned that he seemed to slip up more when he was angry. Probably through the strange power that he had mentioned, a green magic which seemed to induce some sort of control over him. Mahad wasn't arrogant, he knew that Bakura was more powerful than him, he had to win this with wits and speed.

'You want this item? Come and take it back, make your family proud, or are you too weak?'

He just prayed to the Gods that his thrown together plan would work…

Bakura pov

Bakura his eyes widened immediately. ''Don't you dare talk about my family!'' He roared in anger as Diabound did at the same time. Diabound showed himself and hit the magician ka with his Helical Shockwave as he appeared. It didn't like anyone mocking or hurting its master, even if the man wasn't as evil as the others, this was uncalled for.

He slipped up on his control of the spirits because of his sudden anger. So they hurled themselves around the priest and him. They screamed of agony and hatred, their screaming could probably drive someone mad after listening to it for too long.

A few spirits circling around the priest moved aside as Bakura stormed through them and he hit the priest with his fist while Diabound and some of the spirits kept the other Ka busy. Bakura kept hitting him more. The spirits encouraging him, telling him to hit him, kill him, take the the item made of their flesh!

In turn the stone in his pocket started to glow, trying to manipulate him to use it as well. All the voices were driving him crazy along with his fury. The priest his lips weren't moving in tune however with the disgusting things he was hearing. 'Your family they all deserved it.'' ''They were disgusting.'' ''They should have gotten a fate worse than this.'' ''You're still that sad little boy crying for his family.''

AN. So what do you think? Will Mahad survive after all, now that the story is starting to change slowly? -Bakura.