I need to clarify something that I didn't before. I didn't know which of the 'Mariks' to choose for the story and it gets complicating when you have two Mariks and two Bakuras to keep track of. Marik in this story can be whichever Marik you want him to be.

Let's see how far I get in this chapter…

You will love me.

Chapter 8

The Son of Osiris

I gave up the ankh

Still she gave me a scarab

She bore me a child

Yet I did not return

Forgive me my love,

Forgive me my son,

To the depths of the afterlife

That's where I belong

Touzoku yawned as he sat in his throne waiting for Atem. To his right was Marik and behind his throne was Ryou. Ryou had explained to him the plan, and he had agreed. He had confidence in himself but it was true, no matter how sure you are there's always that small infinitesimal chance that you could be wrong.

Touzoku had been surprised that morning. When he opened his eyes he found his hikari was gone. Later Ryou entered looking frighteningly similar to him. He had cut his hair and carved the scar into his face. It would take time for it to heal and look more like his so he did his light a favor and sped up the process. Ryou wanted his skin to darken in its own time but after Ryou's explanation of what he was doing Touzoku couldn't allow it.

Now his light was standing behind him but hidden. Just like always, secretly behind his back without anyone knowing. It was enough to make the thief's heart swell with joy. He couldn't fail, he wouldn't fail. He had promised.

Beside his throne was Tristan, hanging from a chain and still bleeding. Patiently he waited as he watched two familiar dots in the distance move closer. The Pharaoh and his hikari were coming.

----------------

Joey was watching from a safe distance. He had decided to dress like the natives and moved through them as though he were one of their own. Fortunately they didn't notice.

When he was close enough to the palace to see Touzoku on his throne he nearly retched at the sight of his friend hanging from a chain. Tears welled up in his eyes and he tried his hardest to restrain himself. If something happened to Atem or Yugi, he was their only hope. He hid himself as he moved closer to Touzoku.

----------------

Marik fidgeted with the rod that was tucked neatly in his belt. The Pharaoh and Yugi were now marching up the steps with deliberateness. Atem tried hard to mask his emotions as his eyes fell on Tristan. The two stopped in front of Touzoku with hardened expressions.

It was a shock to Marik to see that Yami had managed a body of his own but it delighted Marik to see the change in Yugi's countenance. There was just something delicious in the way Yugi glared at him, and even more so when his eyes flicked briefly to the sight of his mutilated friend. Now Marik could have a chance at Yugi, if Touzoku allowed, and Marik was far too anxious for the fight to begin to care if the Pharaoh had used his powers to create a body.

"So," Atem said, "you've finally gotten everything you've ever wanted."

Touzoku leaned back in his throne and laughed. "You are mistaken Pharaoh, I don't even have the one thing I desire most."

Yami's glare sharpened. "And what would that be thief?"

Touzoku rose slowly from his seat and pointed a finger directly at his adversary with finality. "Just you."

Atem's teeth ground against each other. "Well, you have me here now. Let's do this."

Touzoku sat back down and smirked. "I'm not sure you're quite ready, Pharaoh." Before Atem could react Touzoku's hand shot out and bound Yami with an invisible force. Yugi dashed to his Yami's side and tried to help him. "Apparently not. You don't even attempt to fight me back with your power. I suppose I'll have to pull it out of you."

Atem looked up from his kneeling position and watched Touzoku's hand raise. His fingers snapped and Marik walked over to Tristan to bring him down slightly. Once Tristan was on his knees Marik unsheathed the dagger in the Millennium Rod and plunged it into Tristan's heart, finally ending his life.

Yugi's rage broke and he lunged toward Marik. He had been too late to save his friend. With his power Touzoku threw back the boy and bound him as well.

"Let him go Touzoku, if the boy wishes to fight then he can fight me. But I believe the courtyard would be a more fitting place." Marik leaned against the throne and smirked.

Touzoku stood once again and kept his piercing gaze on the two below him. "That is an excellent idea. Let's go behind the palace, shall we?" With a flick of his hand the two stood and followed him whether they wanted to or not.

In the courtyard Touzoku sat in a chair with Marik still beside him and the two captives before him. Ryou was hiding close by and Joey was watching from around a corner. "Now that we're all here, let's see how this is going to work. Yami, if you can break free from my power then you may fight me, if not then you will face a...concequence."

Yugi's eyes were fixed on Marik and the blonde haired Egyptian stuck his tongue out childishly at the boy. Yami was watching and he huffed. "I won't fall to this Touzoku."

The thief smiled and sighed. "All right then, Marik get ready because you are about to fight Yugi."

Yami struggled. "No!"

"Too late Atem, if you try to use your power now I will kill the boy while you're breaking the bonds." Atem was stuck and it pleased the former thief to no end. It was all too beautiful.

Yugi was freed and he rushed toward Marik, who already had a hand on a sword that was in a rack behind him. He swung at Yugi who ducked and rolled past. Yugi grabbed a sword of his own then rolled into the courtyard. Marik chuckled and slowly advanced toward his prey. Atem watched desperately as his light's fury boiled forth.

"Such anger, little Yugi," Marik teased as their steel clashed.

"You've taken everything. You and that bastard who's sitting on the throne!" Yugi screamed as he fought back with all his might. Despite his size he was very strong. It must have been the adrenaline.

"Come now Yugi," Marik said mockingly, "Touzoku isn't that bad. He's just killed your friends and took over the world. That's all." He effortlessly threw Yugi back several feet but the boy still stood his ground. Marik was disappointed that he didn't knock Yugi over.

Yugi struck back with the wild force of a demon released from hell. Marik blocked each attack effortlessly. Still, Yugi didn't tire. The pressure, and the darkness within him, wouldn't let him. Steel clashed with so much force that sparks flew. The fury of a thousand demons reflected in his eyes, but the smiling face of fate that was on Marik's face was driving the demons away slowly. Minute by minute Yugi fought on passionately, and ounce by ounce his body began to give up.

His breathing was hard and his hair a mess. Sweat trickled down his face and mixed in with silent tears. Dust clung to his wet skin and a black flame danced in his eyes. The sun was hot, but he didn't feel it. The heat of his hatred was far worse. The sweat that ran into his eyes stung but it didn't compare to the pain he already felt.

Marik stood his ground as cool and composed as a predator standing over its wounded prey. His dark skin was dry and clean. His eyes calm but menacing. The heat added to his pent up energy and the mild breeze echoed his patience. He was the eagle and Yugi was the defiant mouse.

Yugi's strikes became slower and more labored. Atem was terrified. He could see the weakness in his Hikari and he knew it would kill him. Marik was just too strong, but maybe a miracle would happen. Maybe something would occur. He prayed to Isis that Yugi be protected. She would help him, he knew it…

Yugi raised his sword and then Marik attacked. Yugi's fire was dwindling, but he had enough strength to defend. Marik wouldn't end it so quickly, he wanted to see the boy suffer. He wanted to bring the boy to his knees. Marik's attack had the passion of triumph. He attacked with the speed of the gods and the strength of nature's wrath. Yugi defended himself helplessly. Fear was beginning to etch itself into the boys features. Marik laughed the whole time.

Yugi then reached behind him quickly and pulled out a long dagger he had hidden. He swiped at the blonde Egyptian. Marik was caught by surprise and turned but the knife still caught his side. It wasn't deadly, but he had to end the fight. Yugi tried to attack with the knife again so Marik pulled out his blade. He blocked with the rod then kicked Yugi hard enough to bring him down for good. He picked him up then threw him across the yard.

Out of the corner of his eye Yugi saw Joey hiding. He only saw a glint of his blonde hair but he knew. He looked up at Marik who was slowly advancing and then a revelation of his own came. He stood slowly and backed up against the wall close to the corner then waited.

Marik smirked. He sheathed the rod and positioned his sword as he advanced. Atem's heart was racing. To the Pharaoh, everything was happening in slow motion. Yugi looked up and smiled at his yami.

"Horus NO!" Atem cried out without thinking. The secret was out now. Yugi was the incarnation of Horus. Atem was Osiris, which made Yugi his soul child. Now he had to kneel and watch as his beloved child was killed. It was the final blow.

Marik thrust the sword into Yugi just below the sternum then pulled up. Touzoku allowed Atem to run to the boy. He couldn't run fast enough. Marik didn't bother to pull the sword out so he left Yugi pinned to the wall. Atem pulled the sword out and held Yugi close to him.

"Horus!" Atem cried, "Horus!" He shook the boy and he stirred. His eyes opened slowly and he stared up at his soul father.

"Somehow I knew all along," Yugi whispered, "That you were my father." He grabbed Atem's collar and opened his mouth to try to say something else but the words never came. His eyes rolled back and his arm went limp. Atem felt the boy's muscles relax and his blood go cold. He held his son close for a moment but remembered that he was in the shadow of his enemy.

He had to take a moment though. For years he had avoided it. For years he had been able to avoid its influence but now it crept over him like night. That feeling, like the delicate, caring fingers of a false mother comforting his mind with twisted thoughts. Yugi's death was the final blow. He gave into it and allowed it to take him over. The touch of darkness was unfamiliar but welcome.

Anger flowed through him and he loved it. Hatred swelled within his heart, and he embraced it. Fear was out of the question. He feared nothing, he had lost everything. Still, there was one thing left for him. Revenge. Atem's eyes reflected the darkness within him so perfectly that they burned with a brighter intensity. Carefully he lay his boy on the ground, then he stood.

Slowly he made his way to Touzoku who sat patiently in his chair. Atem raised his hand wordlessly and pointed at the thief. "You."

"How does it feel Atem? To have everything you care about destroyed. To not have anything to live for but revenge? I can see it in your eyes, Yami. You've accepted it. The touch of darkness. You know, I can bring him back. I can undo what has just been done, but you know…I don't think I will." Touzoku's gaze burned into Yami's.

Yami didn't care anymore. He wanted Yugi back and he knew how but he had to touch the magic. He had to use it, but if he was going to bring back his son he had to be sure that Touzoku was dead first. Atem didn't want Yugi to live in the same world as Touzoku. For the sake of his light, he had to kill Touzoku. Finally his resolve gave way and the magic flooded into him. He embraced his identity as Osiris.

Touzoku laughed. He knew what was happening as a dark blue aura surrounded Atem. He could sense the presence of the magic and the true presence of the power of Osiris. This was it, the beginning of the end. He would not fail.

----------------

Am I cruel? Yes, I am cruel. Another chapter coming up! Hate me, or love me. Big question….what was Yugi's revelation? Also, for those of you who might not know….

Isis is Osiris's husband and the mother of Horus. She is the mother of the gods and the goddess of the afterlife as well as the protector of children. That is why Atem prays to the goddess.

Just thought you should know.

Review!!!! Review and maybe I'll give you a gift! What is this gift? The possibility of a sequel. However, I don't know what to do about this possible sequel. You, my beloved audience, must tell me what you wish. What do you desire? It doesn't matter what it is, I will give it to you. I have had more hits on this story than any other fan fiction I've ever written and it's all thanks to you all. As for the sequel, your wish is my command.