Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters or anything dealing with Yu-Gi-Oh.
Guardians of the Gods
Chapter 9
The Blue-Eyed White-Haired Refugee
Ancient Egypt, Tomb Archives of the Pharaoh's Palace
Carved into each dense stone of The Tomb were events that occurred in Egypt's past. The Tomb Archives detailed every happening at the request of the Pharaoh and every pharaoh before him. They all believed that time was cyclical and that certain events repeated themselves throughout history. To educate future generations, the pharaohs would command that these events be carved into the walls and painted to bring them to life for whoever stood witness to behold them. Within the Pharaoh's lifetime several entries had already been cut into the walls and decorated a large portion of The Tomb.
The Tomb was called such due to the memories that were laid to rest from the minds of the pharaohs and to be experienced by the succeeding generations. It is here that the Pharaoh brought his High Priestess with the aim to enlighten her of the court magician's words.
This was the one room, the only enclosure on the premises that held such foreboding and regret for the Pharaoh. So much had happened during his reign, his father's reign, and his grandfather's reign and so on that a room such as this, rich with history, could only hold an aura like that. As form of punishment and constructive reprimanding, the Pharaoh was brought down here on numerous occasions by his well-meaning patriarch. The previous pharaoh had made his point but not without instilling trepidation in his son's heart. This was the room where you learned your lesson, and if the great Pharaoh of Egypt, as hard-headed and strong-willed as he was, could be made to learn, then certainly any of those in his charge could as well.
"On these walls are written the relevant histories of each era. The night before at dinner, I could only assume that Priest Set and Mahad's conversation was centered on you. No surprise came to me once Kisara's name was mentioned, you collapsed on the floor shortly thereafter. I have given you warning however, henceforth you must absolutely heed my words," the Pharaoh articulately formed his words as to not berate Isis, but still make her understand that he was not pleased. The Pharaoh imagined this must have been how his father felt when trying to correct his errant behavior as a child. Concerned, loving, but staid.
"I must convey to you the serious nature of what has transpired thusly. You, Mahad and Set have all made a spectacle of yourselves. I brought you here to understand why." There was a particular mural that the Priestess needed to see. This foolish pursuit of happiness of hers was most unbecoming and selfish. No one serving in the palace was allowed to have their own happy ending. Their sacrifice meant that an entire kingdom would be able to pursue greater things and live fuller lives.
The sacrifice of the few for the many.
The High Priestess had seemed to forget their oath for the sake of satiating her own desires. Deep, unconditional love, even if cultivated innocently, had a tendency to make one turn a blind eye to outstanding responsibilities.
Isis kept her head down, afraid to make eye contact with the Pharaoh and instead followed his footsteps. The faint glow of the torch he held up with his left arm was all that illuminated the dark space.
Down in the Tomb Archive there was a draft that would have prickled her skin had she not stayed within the warmth of the fire. Though, that meant being in close proximity to the Pharaoh, who exuded his own heat in response to her misdeeds. Isis knew she had disappointed him. She felt awful and ill to her stomach.
"Are you listening to me Isis?" He slowly stopped and turned on his heel. She would have bumped into him if she were paying any less attention. Much like a frightened child, the Priestess was folded into herself avoiding his gaze.
He took his free hand and lifted her chin so that she had to look at him in his eyes.
Isis wanted to cry. Whether it was from the torch or his discontent of her actions Isis did not know, but his normally soft violet eyes were redder and more irate than she had ever seen them. His face no longer held the smile she would always see whenever she greeted him, it was replaced a hardness that could have only come from nights of no sleep caused by transgressions committed on a grand scale.
"Yes, my Pharaoh," was all she could manage without allowing tears to creep from her eyes.
He turned again to continue their journey.
Sometime later the Pharaoh stopped and propped the torch in a crevice and packed sand around it. Isis dreaded that they had reached where they were going.
"I know Set very well. Soon he will be joining us here, out of concern for your safety and to explain to you the very thing I will now. His love for you is so strong it is palpable. But this is not the first time he has loved so fiercely, nor would his love have been forbidden, had you not both been chosen for your godly duties. It is for this reason I have warned you," the Pharaoh ran his hand across the mural painstakingly depicted on the stones reaching far above their heads. On it Isis saw a village near the bottom, pictures of people walking and conversing in the town, children playing in the streets and vendors selling their wares. Above it was a massive creature of blue and white with sharp teeth and scales that sparkled.
"This Isis," the Pharaoh pointed at the heart of the creature. "Is why you cannot be allowed to be with Set nor he with you."
Despite the flames licking at the sand near them Isis felt a shiver go up her spine. She did not know how all of this was connected to her, but the carving was ominous. She was almost too afraid to listen to what the Pharaoh said next.
"Set accompanied some of my men who made an excursion to the villages on the outskirts of the palace. They planned to count the number of villagers to assess how much food and stores we should keep once famine set in that year. There was a commotion before their parade of horses and the village threw before them a very pale girl, calling her a demon and a plague. The girl cowered in fear before my men. She was taken in shackles after claims of her destroying crop and bringing bad fortune and despair on the villagers had reached their ears. They drug her behind Set's horse and ordered that he take her outside the village to be executed."
The Pharaoh paused and looked up behind Isis.
"I could not do such a thing. I could not understand how an innocent girl could have caused such things to pass. I brought her back to the palace instead and cared for her until she regained her strength," Set solemnly joined them just as Pharaoh predicted. He too carried a look of distraught on his face.
"There is no need for your concern Priest Set. This is for Priestess Isis to learn of your past so that the future will not repeat your blunders. I brought her here so that you both may understand my words. The ones you have so brazenly ignored and cast aside."
"My Pharaoh," Set started.
"Be still," his hand went up in a motion of silent dominance. "Pharaoh yet speaks. You are not to open your mouths nor let loose your tongues." Both subjects bowed their heads and averted their eyes to the ground. Set did this out of habit, much like one would bow before a king. Isis did so out of fear of disappointing the Pharaoh further.
"Priest Set nursed this girl until she regained her strength and in time came to love her. He learned that because of her azure eyes, white hair and pale skin she was often the target of citizens wanting to lay their misfortunes upon someone else's shoulders. Blame fell to her for a myriad of things, including the deaths of the soldiers posted guard to the outer reaches of the palace.
"Priest Set soon came to realize that this girl, though not intentionally, housed a creature with so much power that it could manifest itself once it felt threatened. Through his investigation it was understood that those missing were the soldiers that had forced themselves upon her and were the cohort who attempted to kill her.
"One day in that same village, the one here carved into the wall, Priest Set had gone to inquire one last time about the blue-eyed, white-haired refugee. He crossed paths with thieves who had set upon him with the purpose of taking his life. The bond he had forged with this girl alerted her to the danger surrounding him and the creature within her took vengeance and decimated the entire village. Priest Set was the only one left alive, unscathed.
"The creature, already set on a path of destruction, would have destroyed neighboring villages had not Priest Set used his own power to lock it away in a stone tablet. But when he returned to the palace for Kisara, he found she had expired from the shock and absence of the creature that dwelled within her for so long.
"Continue down this path and you will both be responsible for the destruction of Egypt. That is why Priestess Isis is to be married to Mahad with a few fortnights, to break her from the unsanctioned bond you all have made. For if the Dragon God of Osiris were released from her, not even you will be spared Priest Set and we will all perish from this land.
"What will you do in the moment Osiris appears before us? Even if you use the power of the God of Obelisk to contain him, you will sentence Priestess Isis to death. And what of the God you channel then? Neither of you can possibly fathom what your contraventions have wrought upon us.
"I can no longer trust you alone with each other, so I must instill within you fear of the consequences of your actions. Behold," Pharaoh's sennen sui flashed brightly and ensconced all three in blinding light.
When Isis next opened her eyes she was standing in the middle of the street. It looked to be no later than dusk and was uncharacteristically abandoned even though it was close to nighttime. There would have at least been a maid emptying waste or a stray dog sniffing for scraps. No one was around, there were no signs of movement.
The only sound Isis could hear was a noise coming from the East. Instinct told her to follow it, but instead of her feet carrying her, she simply drifted forward only able to control her movements with her mind. The closer she came to the sound, the more disjointed and frightening the scene became. At first she saw people running in the opposite direction, one citizen even ran straight towards her, dissipating her apparition as he ran through. They were the first signs of life she had seen since she arrived.
The sound persisted and she continued to follow it. Fires built up and eventually as the sound became louder, buildings were blazing, streets were chaotic and the people who had not escaped were either seriously injured or dead in the street. Dread grew in the pit of her stomach and she feared whatever it was that she would come across.
A roar rang in her ears, alerting her to the source of the disturbance. When Isis arrived, she recognized Set's apparition a few hundred lengths ahead of her. She opened her mouth to call out to him but her voice was silent; she felt her vocal cords vibrate but no sound left them. He seemed as entranced as she initially was, taking in this past Egypt.
It was familiar yet distant.
The cry reverberated against her eardrums once more and her attention was brought to a glowing object not even three-hundred lengths away. Isis felt drawn to it and soon was floating in its direction.
Set began to approach the object as well.
Isis was hesitant to reach her hand out. But before she could summon the fortitude to overcome her unfounded fears, the object morphed in shape and engulfed her arm. The second it touched her skin her consciousness was transferred from her body and suddenly Isis had an aerial perspective of the village. From that height she could see the destruction and chaos that she traveled through. The skies were tumultuous and dark, lightning twisted in all directions and fire belched from ashy clouds.
Each movement Isis made, more fire rained down and it was only at that point that she realized she was looking through the eyes of her Guardian God. Fear surged in her heart because she could not control her actions. She watched as people were incinerated and crushed under falling stone and burning debris.
Isis wanted it to stop. She did not want to watch this happen to the people that she agreed to protect, let alone be the reason why they perish. But there was a deep inner drive motivated by intense anger and retribution to perpetuate the carnage.
People were running away to seek shelter but somehow death came to them all. Men and women were burned alive or trampled or simply succumbed to the onslaught. There was no end. Isis could not motivate herself to stop and every moment that passed another part of her gave in to the overwhelming emotion – indiscriminate rage.
A young boy appeared before her massive form and for a moment she was able to hesitate. Though she towered above him some thousands of feet, his presence reminded her of something familiar. His eyes were as clear as day to her and pierced through the anger that was not her own. He stood there and watched with his big, sad eyes and clutched something in his arms.
Suddenly Isis had the sensation that she was falling, descending quickly to meet the ground. The sound in her ears went away and she no longer could see the city on fire. It seemed almost peaceful when she approached the boy and outstretched her arms to hug him. Once she embraced him she fell to the ground unconscious and knew that somehow her vision dissipated.
Set ran to Isis' side as she collapsed when the Pharaoh withdrew his sennen sui. Her skin felt feverish and she was shivering from the recoil of the vision. Set held her close and wiped her brow.
"I will escort her to estate. She is weak and vulnerable due to her affinity for visions from the Gods. They resonate within her and her experiences are always amplified. I know this from her lessons with her shadow creatures. It is how she is well equipped to command them," Set pleaded while lightly shaking the Priestess.
"I am well aware of what has transpired. Isis was my priestess before you became her new God, she will recover wholly. You will refrain from tending to her Priest Set," Pharaoh said approach the pair.
"Then who should escort her? Mahad? A guard? Surely you will not leave her on her own to return?"
The Pharaoh stood for a while and locked eyes with the High Priest. Set knew it was disrespectful not to cast his eyes down, but for Isis he would risk the fires of hell as punishment if it meant she would be safe. Love or not, he could not turn that off, some force had made he and Isis inseparable.
"Take her to the temple of the Dragon God of Osiris. She can recuperate there, I have no worry that her acolytes and aids will look after her and that you will be able to find your own way back home."
Set tried to rouse Isis to stand but her legs would not support her own weight. He pulled one of her arms around his neck and allowed her to lean into him as she ambulated with him, one step at a time.
The Pharaoh watched the members of his Guardian Court slowly make their way down the corridor, away from earshot and out of the Tomb.
"Mahad," Pharaoh called out the name and the Court's magician appeared from behind the closest wall.
"Yes my Pharaoh?"
"He will not give her up. I have searched his soul and weighed his heart. Set cannot handle losing her. Nothing I have said has deterred him. Nor her. I have sensed a disturbing verve coming from the Priest and the Priestess. In showing the Priestess the past, I have uncovered something that was not of my own knowledge. What are you prepared to do to protect Egypt so that she may not fall prey?"
"Whatever my Pharaoh will ask of me."
The Pharaoh paused before answering shaking his head. "The irony of this is not lost on me Mahad. Surely not you as well. Isis, the great goddess, mother of us all. Set, the betrayer, the one who slain her husband and lover Osiris. The legends of our great gods even echo now. Though, I know that this is wrong and cannot happen. I have seen the way destiny can make fools out of man and make impossible things come to pass, just as the sun is bright. What I saw Mahad was hope. A glimmer of something in their possible future that I overlooked. And though it feels wrong as sin, something nags at my head, something that I cannot grasp. Law commands that I banish them. My father, our last great Pharaoh would not have any tolerance for their behavior, but I guess I take more after my sweet mother who had more mercy than the Gods." It was at that pause that he turned to Mahad and his expression soothed from harsh contemplation to soft revere.
"Have you ever loved so fiercely that you would forsake all and condemn a world? A love like that cannot be ignored. At first I thought it could not be allowed but," he could not bring himself to finish that thought.
"Mahad, do you love Priestess Isis? I know that you could love her, anyone could love such a remarkable spirit, but do you LOVE her? For me, my mother would have been the one person I would make great sacrifices for. I barely remember her, having lost her when I was so young. But if this world could once again experience her kindness, I would do anything regardless of the consequences. If this world experienced her kindness, this world would no longer be so cruel and cynical. For her I would defy the Gods. But my mother is gone and I can rationalize that even though my feelings are strong, that it is not meant to be. For Isis and Set we must decide where to proceed from here."
"The Gods' will be done my Pharaoh," bowed slightly and placed him arm over his chest.
"Indeed. I task you to keep constant watch. Do not interfere, only report to me what transpires between them. Isis saw something in her apparition. She only succumbs when she has learned a new truth that floods her mind and profoundly affects the world as she knows it."
"Yes, my Pharaoh," Mahad bowed respectfully once more and his Illusion Magician appeared and kneeled before him.
"The Gods housed within them are keen on the energy created between them both. The synergy they create, it is something the Gods are feasting on," Pharaoh said more to himself.
"I live to serve you my King. I will do all that it takes to save us."
Sometime later Set had managed to bring Isis to the Temple of the Dragon God and helped her lay down on the altar before the stone Idol of its likeness. His thinking was meditation with the god within her would help Isis recuperate faster. Allowing the god to mend her body and her mind was her best chance at a fast recovery.
Slowly she regained consciousness and smiled weakly, seeing Set kneeled right beside her. His hand was clasped around hers and was not letting go until she became better. She struggled to hold herself up a little.
"I do not know how I did not see this in your past. When I searched your mind during your first lesson, I sought to find out everything that made you who you are. While I was fixated on your bloodline, somehow I, perhaps out of my own feelings for you, did not pick up on this Kisara creature and the feelings you had for her. Pharaoh's will be done Set. That I cannot change. My entire life has been devoted to the worship of my Pharaoh and the Gods," her voice started to crack and the tears that gathered at the corners of her eyes flowed freely now. "If I go against that, as I have been, I will be erasing who I am. I was raised to be a servant. I can no longer rebel," she could no longer support herself on her elbows and gently laid back down on the altar.
"What I feel for you in my heart is stronger than any force a God can conjure," he took her in a tight embrace and wiped her wet cheeks. "Yes, I have loved another in the past and through that love many have perished. But it is because of what I felt that I was able to save that village from the blue-eyed white beast, even if I was the catalyst of its destruction. Isis, every word I have spoken to you since the day we met has been nothing but absolute truth. I never mentioned Kisara once because it was something I was ashamed of, yet nothing that needed any more attention than what was carved on The Tomb walls. I did not hide her from you, I hid you from her. For that blue-eyed white beast is still sealed away in a stone tablet awaiting my command."
"Pharaoh vehemently ordered that we cease, but I cannot deny what is in my heart, which has not led me astray thus far. As a High Priestess I was taught to lead, feel, and think with my heart than to decide with my mind. Weighing what my heart holds against what I know, I can never be without you. But I also cannot sacrifice this great nation simply to be with you."
"Then we resign ourselves of these burdens and live freely," he said emotionless, staring straight into her eyes. It was all he needed to do to show her how serious he was. "We rid ourselves of these burdensome responsibilities and leave someone else to stress over the Gods. This is not worth it Isis, this sacrifice we are forced to make. The Gods dwell deep within us and if the vessel is unhappy and unwilling, then what of the power inside it? You cannot thrive if your house is rotting from neglect. We have a duty to ourselves first and foremost to make sure our bodies are immaculate, for the Gods use them as a temple."
"Wha-," was her breathless reply. Never once in the entirety of her life had she thought to simply not be a servant of Egypt. It was everything she knew. It was what she lived, breathed, and ate. It woke her up in the morning, directed her daily tasks, and laid her to rest at night. It consoled her when her mother and then her father passed away. She was never alone because Isis had always considered the citizens of Egypt and the Pharaoh himself to be the family she had to protect. This was a gift from the Gods and she had to wield it responsibly.
"Isis, you are using your mind. Let your heart speak. Would you not transfer this life and your duties to someone else in exchange for us living together in freedom?"
"But Set, this is all I know. This is all I have!"
"You have me! And I will make Ra-damned sure that is all you will ever want and need!"
Set embraced her once more and she kissed him on the cheek. They affectionately rubbed their noses together and started to shower small kisses on each other. Set pulled away and gave Isis the most heartwarming smile. She could have sworn that there was mischief in the rise of the corners of his mouth.
She was right.
Set brought the hand holding her lowering back around to her torso and splayed his hands across her stomach playing with her bellybutton. He then traveled up to her breast and slowly pulled up her shift with it. Her nipple just peaked out from the fabric before Set placed his mouth around it flooding her consciousness with the feeling of warm, wet heat sucking and pulling the hardening nub.
Isis cuddled in closer to him glad to be in his arms. Just then Set bit down ever so slightly on her nipple and immediately she knew that he was looking for more than an embrace. The sensation washed down to the bottom of her stomach, rooted itself and nourished her own need.
Rather than say so with her words, Isis brought her knees up and used her legs to pull Set forward and grind on her center to show him that she wanted him deep inside her. With her eyes she pleaded with him and wished he would take her far away. Away from the present time where it seemed she could do no right. Away from a world that would not allow her to love as she pleased. Away from people who demanded such a small simple thing, the right to live, but sucked so much out of her that she could not thrive herself.
Set attempted to place kisses down from her neck to her thighs but Isis pulled on him harder such that he could do nothing but give her exactly what she wanted. When he looked into her eyes she made him understand that she did not want any sensual fondling or teasing of mouths. Isis wanted them both to get lost in the feeling of being joined at the hip.
A smirk twitched at the corner of his lips, he was not sure if she knew what she was asking for. He grabbed under her knee and hiked her leg atop his shoulder. He pressed down to kiss her lips practically bending her in half while at the same time rubbing his length up, down, and across her desperate core. He trapped her in that position and refused to take anymore prompting from Isis.
If she wanted him to make love to her, not as the gentle companion he often tried to be, then he would revel in the high-pitched pleas he would elicit doing so mercilessly and in rabid urgency.
"Here on the altar of your God I will show the world how much I need you," he whispered in her ear.
Those words, spoken so deep and authoritatively fueled the fire between her legs. She and Set would run away. The prospect of freedom with him brought single tears to the corner or her eyes. She kissed Set once more, closed her eyes and surrendered herself to their collective passions.
The altar blazed with their love and willingness to self-sacrifice, resonating with synergy.
That night they would sacrifice their bonds with their Gods and surrender all power bestowed to them. They would run away with nothing to lead them but with their most basics instinct: the yearning for happiness. Neither were sure where to go or how far, but they would go. If Egypt would not have them then they would continue to travel until a sovereign nation would accept who they were. If no such place existed, they would simply roam the earth until their legs could carry them no more.
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Kaiba Corp Stadium, Battle City Finals, 8:00pm
"Welcome duelists to the Battle City Finals. Please show your six locator cards and duel disk ID bands before boarding the aircraft. On behalf of the Kaiba Corporation, let me remind you of the rules that will govern this tournament and the consequences for non-adherence. The Kaiba Corporation has absolutely no tolerance for unfair play tactics and cheating. If you find yourself here today because of unscrupulous activity, you had better find a way to improve your skills if you wish to become champion. You will be ejected if any evidence surfaces of foul play," Roland announced to the crowd in front of him.
"The Kaiba Corporation is not responsible for any injuries, damages, or inconveniences caused by matters outside of its control. This includes but is not limited to extreme weather, theft, and non-compliance with the rules and regulations of this tournament. Inform a tournament official if you find any behavior that jeopardizes this tournament. This includes but is not limited to cheating, spying, hustling, using false pretenses to gain an unfair advantage, theft, trespassing, loitering, solicitation, damage of Kaiba Corporation property and its affiliates' property, and procuring and using technology not allowed aboard this aircraft. The itinerary for the duration and your stay upon this aircraft can be found in your assigned rooms-"
"Oh yeah! Joey's here to wipe da competition, I'mma be da best. Just you wait and see guys, this'll be my comeback from Duelist Kingdom!"
"Pipe down Joey, I can't hear the official over your obsessive optimism. Besides, we both know that I'll trump you in a head to head. Just be lucky that we haven't run into each other before now. Two of these locator cards would have belonged to you," Mai Valentine arrived walking up to Joey and flashed her six locator cards for everyone to see.
"Mai?!" Joel squealed half-excited, half-impressed.
"Don't act so surprised to see me. I am a top-rate duelist, I would have been here sooner had I not gotten lost. The map on these cards aren't very articulate. Besides, pointy hair here is reading the entire license and agreement disclosure form from top to bottom for you. I bet it's at Kaiba's request to basically tell you one fuck will land on the ground you faster than you can say 'rich boy'," she crossed her arms and rolled her eyes.
"That's cuz Kaiba's scared of my duelin' skills," Joey flexed his muscles and showed his signature grin.
"You mean your derpin' skills," Mai muttered under her breath.
"Attention duelists! Please board the aircraft and surrender your locator cards. You have been assigned a number and you have your own suite corresponding to said designation."
Yugi, Mai, Joey, Tea, Duke, Serenity and Tristan all approached the ramp to board the blimp. The majority of the group could not contain their excitement for being able to witness the next phase of the tournament in person.
"You all have come a long way," Duke said a little somber. "Everyone is pressing forward to their destinies."
"Oh Duke, it will be okay. We're here to cheer for them to remind them where they came from and that they won't face anything alone."
"I know," he sighed. "I just feel that," somewhere from deep inside himself he summoned tears and delicately placed the back of his hand on his head in mock fashion. "I chose the wrong game to be king of. Had I been duel master, maybe then you'd notice me Serenity."
Joey and Tristan both stopped in their tracks and turned on their heels. "She noticed you already lover boy, just board the damn balloon," Tristan said with gritted teeth. "Besides, Serenity would only fall for a champion, not a chumpion."
"What? We can settle this now Tristan, it won't take me long to roll circles around you with my dice," Duke threatened.
"Too bad I don't play second-rate games they sell at the dollar store Devlin," Tristan pushed passed him to take Serenity's hand and lead her up the ramp.
"Guys, we're here with a more important purpose than winning. I don't need to remind you, but we have to focus!" Yūgi turned around and pleaded with his eyes that his friends keep their goal in mind. And to not embarrass him.
"Yūgi's right guys! Let's do this!" Tea piped up.
The gang headed up the ramp to the guard standing at the entrance. Yūgi and Joey presented their locator cards and proceeded past the threshold. The remainder of the gang began to follow.
"Where do you all think you are going? No locator cards no entry, get lost," Roland held his hand up.
"Come on Roland, they're my friends and if you think about it I kinda owe them. They saved my life! I say that's worth a ride on the Kaibacraft."
"But Mr. Kaiba sir," Roland began to protest.
"It's okay Roland, I'm sure my brother won't mind."
"Ah yeah! Thank you Mokuba, at least both Kaibas aren't assholes," Joey smirked.
"Hey Joey just because I let you and your friends in against my brother's will doesn't mean I'll tolerate you insulting him. I still believe he'll beat you no matter what. So if I were you I'd spend more time preparing for the tournament than finding less-than-clever insults to hurl at my brother."
The group continued onto the aircraft and proceeded to their rooms.
"Oh man these digs are sweet! You may think Kaiba is a jerk Joey but he sure knows how to entertain!" Tristan got a head start and then jumped full-speed onto the bed. He bounced a couple of times before coming to a halt and spreading out on the bed like a snow angel.
On the loading platform Kaiba turned his coat and boarded.
"But Mr. Kaiba, what about the eighth duelist?" Roland inquired respectfully.
Kaiba respectfully waited for him to show up, it was not his fault if the remaining duelist wasn't punctual. If he didn't think showing up on time was important enough, he did not deserve to come aboard. Besides, "All three Egyptian God cards are onboard. I could not care less if the last duelist shows up or not. Besides, he's late. I can't imagine a good excuse for that." He continued to the flight deck and security hub.
Roland was convinced the final duelist was coming. He knew Mr. Kaiba's wristwatch ran fast anyway. He would wait until five minutes to liftoff.
A few moments later he saw a figure approaching. By the time it cleared the shadows of the stadium entrance and came into the glaring lights, Roland recognized the gait.
"Miss Ishtar!"
"You sound surprised to see me Roland," she offered him a sweet smile and bowed slightly.
"Not at all Miss," Roland grinned. "Please step aboard the Kaibacraft."
Once he escorted Ishizu to her room, he spoke up once more. "I'm assuming that Mr. Kaiba does not know you are here let alone a contestant in his tournament." He admitted that the look on his employer's face would be one worth preserving for the ages. For Mr. Kaiba was never one to be caught off guard, let alone rendered completely speechless. Which by Roland's account was a power only this foreign woman seemed to hold.
"He was too busy tracking the Egyptian God Cards, he did not even take care to see who his finalists were. Though I doubt my presence here would elicit any other response from him than confusion."
"I am glad that you are here Miss Ishtar."
"Thank you Roland. I feel that I may need your strength in these hours to come. Kaiba does not know what he agreed to. These next few days may be my hardest trial yet."
Roland turned on his heel and exited the room.
Ishizu looked solemnly out the circular window. She could not help the anxiety that welled within her like a geyser.
It threatened to surface.
To force her feet to carry her off this aircraft and return to the safety of her home. Her real home, Egypt. She longed for the sand beneath her feet and the familiarity that the wind brought.
Anything to mask what she felt now. Utter helplessness mixed with apprehension and fear. What little grip she did have on it was what kept her stomach settled.
The coming hours would decide her fate. Her brothers' fates. The Pharaoh's.
And that of world.
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I know, I know. It seems as though I have risen from the dead o.o
Please review if you're out there and still with me. Still holding out hope that I haven't abandoned this story (because I haven't!).
Thank you for those holding on to the thin rope atop this cliff.
The end is not near, for we still have a ways to go.
But know that this story is moving ever forward, despite my infrequent updates ._.
~archlyte'faerie :3
