Wow, writer's block is seriously scary. Finally an update! As always I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh, oh and if you're a Kaiba fan, please don't hate me for this chapter

Kaiba stared out at the storm. Calculating, the gears turning in his mind. His thoughts centred on the girl sleeping in the room beside them. There was no reasonable explanation for why she was here, then again reason wasn't something that existed anymore.

Magic, fairytales and myths. That was the reality of this world. All because of a psychopath with a magic wand and some ridiculous grudge against a ghost. Kaiba's eye's narrowed. He hated this world. He hated how pathetic he was in it; how helpless and weak he was. But most of all he hated why he was in this position. Why he was living such a miserable existence.

He looked over his shoulder to the huddled form snoozing on the couch. Mokuba had been far more tired than he appeared, collapsing on to the worn leather-covered furniture moments after Anzu left the room. His light snores and quiet sleep talking made Kaiba's lips quirk up in a small smile. He slowly glided towards the sleeping teen; the younger boy looked so peaceful curled up in his older brother's coat, clutching it like a security blanket.

Mokuba hadn't aged much in appearance or personality, something Kaiba was grateful for. Yes, he wasn't exactly the same, he was a little more mature and he often mirrored Kaiba's own facial expressions when they spoke but overall he was still a big kid. Kaiba loved that about his brother. Even in the hell they'd been living in, Mokuba could still make him smile and so long as he could keep his little brother safe in this chaotic world than his life wasn't totally meaningless.

He chuckled softly as Mokuba mumbled something in his sleep and rolled over to face him, a small trail of drool pouring from his open mouth. He leaned down and gently ruffled the boy's hair. Mokuba mumbled something incoherent and turned once more.

The smile stayed on Kaiba's face until he looked down at his right hand. He flexed the fingers, curling and un-curling them into a fist. Slowly his eyes travelled to his left side where his other arm should be. He clenched his fist. He shouldn't have let what took place that day happen. He shouldn't have been so arrogant, so blind and foolish.

He shouldn't have lost.

He had left as soon as the duel finished, Mokuba in tow. His tournament ended with a maniac as the victor, he was less than pleased.

With the end of the duel he began the countdown to the destruction of his stepfather's tower. Erasing all evidence of his disgrace. Just as he and Mokuba headed to the Blue Eyes White Dragon Jet he had created for their escape, they were confronted by Marik.

"Going somewhere Mr. Kaiba?" Marik's face was riddled with throbbing veins, his eyes warped and glowing with insanity, his pupils pinpricks centred in murky pools of dark lavender , a Cheshire cat smile slashed across his lips, broken only by his long red tongue darting out to lick his lips. The millennium Puzzle and Ring bounced lightly against his chest. Power radiated from him, the shadows surrounding the hallway almost reaching for him, warping and dancing around him. The air around them dropped in temperature and the light's above them flickered and dimmed in a frenzied panic.

Mokuba trembled, clutching the back of his brother's coat to ease his fears. Kaiba glared at the mad man, not intimidated by him but not foolish enough to underestimate him.

"What I do is none of your business Ishtar. Now stand aside" Marik's grin grew wider if possible as he lazily eyed the CEO like a cat did a cornered mouse.

"It would seem this tower is set to blow itself to smithereens. Plan to cut your losses I suppose?" Marik chuckled "Fitting. Considering the world awaits a similar faith" Kaiba's glare intensified but he said nothing, watching as Marik lifted his arm, revealing the Millennium Rod intertwined in his fingers. Slowly Marik twirled the Rod around his fingers like a baton, his grin settling down to a malicious smirk. "Of course while I highly enjoy the thought of this tower crumbling to pieces, it wouldn't be too pleasant being on it as it did." He eyed Kaiba amusingly "If you catch my drift"

Kaiba crossed his arms across his chest "Stand aside" he repeated coolly. Mokuba gulped as Marik sighed dramatically, raising his hands in a shrug.

"Oh come now Mr. Kaiba. We're both reasonable men here" Kaiba snorted at the idea of Marik being 'reasonable'. Marik snickered but continued "So how about we work out a deal?" Kaiba's cool demeanour slipped as he growled at the Egyptian

"I don't make deals with scum like you Ishtar. Now for the last time. Stand. Aside."

Marik's insane laughter echoed throughout the halls. Kaiba's defiance seemed to amuse him to no end. As his laughter died down, he slowed his twirling of the rod to a complete stop, gripping it lightly, the head pointing towards the brothers. He eyed Kaiba with a playful half lidded gaze, his voice cool but still good-humoured "Hmm if you do not want to settle this as businessmen than perhaps you would prefer we settle it as duellists".

He should have seen it.

Seen that he stood no chance against someone of Marik's strength.

Maybe he did, maybe he knew deep down he would lose. But his pride would never let him admit it. Could he go back, he would never had accepted such an obvious trap.

But he couldn't.

And he didn't.

He watched in horror as his dragons slowly disintegrated. His life points dropping to zero. Marik laughing insanely at his victory. Mokuba calling his name as he ran towards him. He lost. Why did he think he could defeat the God Cards? Why did he have to be blinded by his arrogance?

"Seto!" Mokuba grabbed his arm tightly, fearfully watching as Marik slowly advanced on them. Creeping, teasing them with the chance of escape. Kaiba growled as he pushed Mokuba behind him, glaring hatefully at the mad man now inches away from him.

"It would seem I am the winner Mr. Kaiba" Marik snickered in mockery. Kaiba stood his ground fully prepared to take whatever fate the maniac had planned for him. Marik began twirling the rod once more "Now normally I would send you and your brother to the shadow realm as my prize. But I do believe my dear Mr. Kaiba you have inspired me" Marik chuckled at Kaiba's confused look

"Your Battle City tournament has amused me quite a bit so I have decided, to have my own tournament" Kaiba's eyebrows shot up in surprise.

Was Marik serious? What could he possibly gain from starting a tournament?

Marik smirked, as though reading his mind he chuckled "Ah yes. What would a man who now has everything gain from such a thing?" Marik smiled coolly "You see Mr. Kaiba; I am now Pharaoh of this world. I claimed the title along with the Millennium Puzzle, as such I have also earned the right to appoint those I choose as my high priests, a position I'm sure you're familiar with"

Kaiba vaguely recalled the Egyptian woman Ishizu speaking of such nonsense before, but he had dismissed it as fairy tales. Marik tilted the rod up, resting it against his chin.

"And what better way to decide than to choose those who advance to the finales" his eyes narrowed, his voice purring as he locked eyes with the older Kaiba. "Of course since you have already proved yourself a most skilful duellist, your place has already been secured at my side" Marik tipped the rod under Kaiba's chin.

Kaiba swatted the rod away, eyes narrowed and cool, mouth sneering "You can take your position with you to hell you freak"

Marik's smile fell. Mokuba's body shook with each passing second, watching the older men glare at one another. Time was running out and the tower would soon implode, taking them with it. Marik lowered the rod, stroking it gently.

"That is...very disappointing to hear, my dear Mr. Kaiba" his malevolent lavender eyes flicked to the younger Kaiba "Very, very disappointing".

Suddenly the smirk returned, cruel and twisted as ever "But if that is your choice than so be it. However since you have refused my most generous offer, I do believe I will take my prize from you now" Kaiba stepped back in surprise, cursing silently as he did.

He had no way of stopping Marik from escaping and while he could try to stall him until the tower fell, he couldn't put Mokuba's life at risk. He had no choice but to let Marik go. Stepping aside, Mokuba still protected behind him Kaiba scowled at Marik, nodding his head to indicate for him to pass.

However Kaiba was caught off guard by a low sinister chuckle from the insane tanned man "Oh no Mr. Kaiba" Marik shook his head, his platinum blonde locks swishing "My escape from this tower was never up for negotiation. I was merely expressing how inconvenient it would be to be caught in the destruction. With the power of my rod I can easily control any of your staff to aid me in my leave"

Kaiba frowned, dumbfound at Marik's cryptic words

"If you could leave at anytime then why duel me?"

Marik smiled smoothly

"Tell me Mr. Kaiba; if you had to choose between your brother and your pride as a duellist, which would you pick?" Mokuba flinched at the question. Kaiba glared murderously, his voice icy as he hissed "If you dare try to lay a hand on my brother I will-" Marik threw his head back in laughter, infuriating the CEO further. If he never heard Marik's insane giggles again it would be too soon.

"I shall take it you choose your brother then?" Kaiba glared at him silently but it was all the answer Marik needed "Excellent" he purred taking a step towards the brothers.

Suddenly there was a noise behind them. Four of Kaiba's élite security stood like lifeless dolls behind them. Marik flicked the rod, a light glinting from the eye. Two of the men grabbed Kaiba while one pulled Mokuba away from him. "What the hell do you think you're doing?!" Kaiba called out to his guards but they gave no reply. Mokuba called out his name as he struggled in the guard's grip but couldn't break free. The two restraining Kaiba forced him to his knees, Marik smiling in a perverse joy at the sight. The fourth guard came into view holding an axe that would be used in case of a fire. Marik's eyes twinkled insanely as he took the axe. He nodded to the guard securing Kaiba's left arm which still had his duel disk attached. The guard pulled Kaiba's arm out, the other securing his shoulder. Kaiba struggled but strong as he was, he had chosen these men as his guards because of their strength; he had no chance of over powering them. Marik raised the axe above his head, once more laughing like the maniac he was. He brought the weapon down onto the captive's shoulder.

Pain.

Un-believable pain shooting through his entire being.

His own cries of agony

Mokuba's panicked screams

Marik's sadistic laughter

Silence

He had woken in a hospitable bed. His body weak and numb with pain killers. Mokuba sat at his bed side, clutching his right hand in a vice like grip. The pain of losing his limb had forced his brain to shut down in shock. Marik had yet to administrate his plans, the world still blissfully ignorant of its impending doom. Marik had taken his Blue Eyes cards along with his arm as some kind of twisted trophy. Mokuba had dragged his limp body to their jet, Marik controlling the staff to leave on the blimp. The tower finally self destructed. Crumbled to pieces, a preview of the world to come.

Kaiba flexed his fingers once more. The memory of his failure would never fade. He had considered ending it all, taking his own life but he knew he never would. He couldn't leave Mokuba alone, not in this world.

But now they weren't alone.

Mazaki.

Her presence was nothing sort of a miracle and with miracles came hope. A hope this world desperately needed.

I don't really have an excuse for the lack of writing other than finding it hard to write anything. I wanted to get the reason for Kaiba's arm out of the way before I revealed the owner of the voice. Review if you want Marik to pay for what he did to Kaiba!