Final Hours
Chapter Two
"I know, little one. I know how hard a journey this has been. The right path is seldom the easiest. Stay strong just a little while longer, Yugi. The light of your goodness keeps the hope in all our hearts alive."
The tears of the soul he now held brought back a distant, yet still painful memory; looking out from the shadows the morning after that fateful battle with the thief, unable to comfort his young apprentice as she screamed and clawed at the tablet that held his soul. The guilt and anguish in the eyes of his pharaoh…
His pharaoh, who at that very moment was preparing himself for his final trial. Somehow Yugi must be calmed lest Pharaoh sense his partner's pain and be distracted from his task.
"Yugi? Yugi, come with me now. You have many friends always at your side. Look deep inside your heart and you will find them."
There was no sense of movement, yet when Yugi wiped his eyes and looked around, he realized he was no longer in the room of his soul. He had a quick impression of warm brown walls and soft golden light-
"Kuri! Kuri! Kuri!!"
A frantic bundle of bouncing brown fur jumped into his arms, knocking him over onto a pile of soft pillows. At the same moment, a huge tongue slobbered over his face, while a heavy tail beat a bruising rhythm against his leg.
"Kuriboh! Silver Fang!"
And not just these two. When he was able to disentangle himself from the engulfing fur, he saw the crowd encircling them. Feral Imp mewled softly, a green paw gently swiping his arm. Beaver Warrior watched with wide eyes, chittering anxiously. Behind him, Yugi heard the soft chanting of Mystical Elf, the mournful wheezing of Summoned Skull. His monsters, all around him- Stone Soldier, Gaia, Celtic Guardian, the Magnet Warriors, the Three Knights, Breaker, Chaos Mage, Chaos Soldier… They were all friends and allies, from Duelist Kingdom to the K.C. Grand Prix, here with him now. He looked at them, then at Dark Magician now seated beside him on the pillows.
"This place… I feel as if I know it…"
"This is our dwelling place, Yugi, our dwelling…within your heart."
"The cards?... In my heart? " Realization struck him. "The heart of the cards!" The wonder faded from his voice as tears welled up in his eyes once more.
"But you won't be here, HE won't be here! And my-my heart is breaking…"
"Yugi, we will ALWAYS be with you. We will be in your memories, memories that will never fade. Yugi, when my pharaoh had no past, no name, you willingly shared your name with him, offered him all your memories." Gently taking Yugi's face in his hands, the magician stared deep into his eyes. "Let me give you a gift from both of us. Let me give you OUR memories. Our memories of your world and all its wonders. The joys and sorrows we shared with you. Hold them close as a promise of the gladness we will know when we meet again in the fields of the blessed…"
There was a subtle spell woven in the words, and images flowing into his mind, memories finding their special place in his heart, a promise of peaceful oblivion, a gentle urging to close his eyes, put aside his cares and rest while dear friends watched over him…
They kept a quiet vigil while one master slept and the other made ready for what must be his final duel. Kuriboh snuggled in Yugi's arms while Silver Fang and Feral Imp stretched out on either side of him, leaving little room for Dark Magician on the pile of pillows. The others of the deck took turns coming forward in pairs and small groups to offer silent support to Yugi, and to bid farewell to their leader, who would soon follow his pharaoh into the spirit world. Hushed talk and occasional weeping filled the air.
Dark Magician gave smiles and words of encouragement to all of them. He shook Beaver Warrior's paw with grave dignity, received formal salutes from the Three Knights, and embraced Gaia and Celtic Guardian, who had served alongside him from the earliest days.
It was while talking with Big Shield Gardna that he became aware of a small commotion among several monsters at the back of the crowd. At his look of enquiry, the Chaos Mage came over and whispered in his ear. Surprised at what he was told, he stood and walked a few paces toward the others.
"Don't be afraid. Come forward, please." In a soft voice that was nonetheless heard by all, he said to them all; "Until the combat begins, we are all one deck."
After a moment, a monster he recognized as Witch of the Black Forest came toward him, leading two children by the hand. A boy and a girl, warrior and spellcaster. All three knelt before him. Smiling gently, he told them;
"Yugi has brought some fine allies to our deck. Be welcome here among us." Raising them up, he led them to see their new master.
While he stood with them, a sudden insight came upon him, and he saw how critical their role would be in the upcoming duel. Looking closely at them again – especially the girl- he knew then that he would be the first to enter the afterlife and stand with friends and family to welcome his pharaoh, his friend, his brother, when he passed through the door.
"Serve him well, young warrior," he said to the boy. To the girl, who wouldgrow to be the instrument of Yugi's resolve, he said simply;
"Be his strength."
"Master? It is almost time. Pharaoh has chosen his deck."
"Thank you, child. Tell the others to be ready. I'll join you shortly."
Her face wet with tears, Dark Magician Girl moved to join the others of Pharaoh's chosen, pausing to bestow a gentle kiss on the sleeping Yugi. Dark Magician would be with them, after he completed one final task…