There's more to life than Duel Monsters Chapter 7: Interesting Times, a yu-gi-oh fanfic

There's more to life than Duel Monsters.

Ch7: Interesting times.

The Dream of Shadi

The Priestess laid out the body as she had done many times for those who wished to be blessed before mummification. This one was a noblewoman who killed her first husband and was in turn slain by her second. The priestess could not prove this, she just knew, it was part of the burden of being a seer.

It took her some time to notice Shadi who was standing in the doorway.

When she did, the priestess turned, smiling. "The wanderer of desert winds is welcome here." She intoned the formal greeting. She was but one of the three destined guardians of the true power of Egypt.

This priestess and oracle was among the only people Shadi visited on a whim. Marik, the noble son of the tomb keeper of the Pharaohs was another, the last being the Pharaoh himself.

"Ari Ishtar, it is my good fortune that the winds drew me here today." He returned.

"What is on your mind?" Asked Ari gently, concluding her duty to the deceased. When she was finished, the slaves would take the body from her shrine to be embalmed.

"I hear a foreboding whisper on the wind and it comes from here."

Ari nodded, serene as always. "A great storm is coming, one that will change many things."

Shadi was concerned but not surprised. "For good or bad? What can be done?" these were the questions he had come to ask.

Ari smiled at him. "Change is change, there will always be some good and some bad."

The answer was as always not very helpful, but Shadi couldn't be upset with such a lovely smile granted him.

Ari contunied, shrugging. "As for the other, many things can be done, but not by those who know what they are. Such is the nature of things."

Shadi sighed, his worry mounting. "The balance is in jeopardy and we may only watch?"

Ari finished her work and came towards Shadi, the fan he had given her in hand. "Everything will be all right." She said soothingly.

Shadi raised an eyebrow sceptically, feeling much calmer despite himself.

Ari smiled, "Or it will all end and this realm will be swallowed by its shadow."

Shadi smirked.

"Worse things have happened and this world is still here." Ari continued, "I have faith this world is durable."

Shadi's smirk turned into a smile. "Will wonders never cease; next you will be saying you follow the recent theories on soul mates."

Ari Ishtar lowered her eyes guiltily. "I have heard the discussions and I…"

Shadi hastily put his hand on her shoulder reassuringly. "I was joking. Explain the theories, perhaps they have merit, for what I heard as I walked by the market did not sound promising."

Ari looked up at Shadi smiling, and he reluctantly removed his hand.

"The theory that fascinates me, is that on creation, the soul was too big to fit into one vessel, so each one was split in half, the two perfect compliments of each other born in separate beings. They are always born nearby or in a position where they will meet, and are drawn to each other upon meeting."

Shadi nodded thoughtfully. "It is nothing to start a cult over though."

Ari looked surprised. "Are they starting a cult?"

Shadi shrugged. "Don't they always?"

Ari glanced at the body behind her. "Do you believe we will be with our soul mates in the afterlife?"

Shadi smiled. "Do you know some say this is the afterlife, with a life before that and another after it, so into eternity."

"But I do not remember living before."

"That doesn't mean you did not; no doubt there are times in this life you cannot recall."

"What about soul mates?"

"It follows that they must be drawn to each other by a common force. Perhaps this woman and her husband are drawn by death, so we too are drawn by our work."

The priestess tried to cover her blush with the fan. "How can you be so sure we are soul mates?"

Shadi raised an eyebrow quizzically. "You are the seer, nothing is closed to you, are you saying I am wrong?"

She gave up on the fan. "No, you are not wrong," she said quietly, peering into Shadi's eyes, "but I repeat, how do you know?"

Shadi smiled reassuringly. "I am Guardian of the Balance, you are Guardian of Time. I have nothing I consider my own save my soul, as do you. I am where I am meant to be, and do what I am meant to do, as do you. I am complete, and, if you were to leave the daily grind for even a short time, you would see you are too."

His eyes lost focus as he remembered, "being complete, if you sit and listen you hear your ki, the ki that needs nothing, but is inexplicably drawn to you."

He smiled into her glowing face. "You would hear it too were you to listen."

The Dream of Shadi

Yugi Moto had cheered up significantly since Sunday. The weather had improved and he would be seeing his friends at school. In fact to his surprise, as soon as he reached the school gates, early as usual, he was greeted by a slightly sad Anzu.

"Good morning Yugi."

"Good morning Anzu, how was your shopping weekend?"

Anzu sighed. "It was exhausting Yugi, but I learned a lot, and Mai insisted on buying me anything I even remotely liked." Here, a small smile. "I don't know how it all fit in my wardrobe, or where I'm going to wear most of it, but it was fun."

Yugi cocked his head to the side, guessing what the problem could be. It's Mai that's upset her, but how should I phrase the question? I need something neutral.

He chose. "Is Mai still determined to beat Rex Raptor?"

Anzu smiled sadly. "I suppose, she flew off last night."

So that's it. Yugi thought while Anzu quickly made excuses for her friend.

"Well, she has the regionals to train for and there are several tournaments coming up that could boost her rating."

Anzu shrugged it away, reminding Yugi of her normal reaction to upcoming tests when she had done all the studying she could. "How was your weekend Yugi?"

Yugi told her about the duel and getting into the regionals.

"That's great Yugi!" Anzu exclaimed, all sadness forgotten.

Yugi hung his head guiltily, and told her about Jounochi's visit and what he found out subsequently.

Anzu frowned. "I'm sure he'll understand Yugi, and it isn't like you could have helped him anyway."

"Thanks Anzu." Yugi replied, feeling better despite his guilt and concern for Jounochi.

He was not yet comfortable talking about losing the Senn Puzzle, even though his grandfather's reaction had been exactly what he had expected it to be.

Well, after he'd stopped shouting.

They walked silently into class, unpacked and sat down, each lost in their own thoughts.

"Why the long faces?" said a grinning Jounochi as he entered the class unusually early and took his seat next to Yugi.

Yugi took a deep breath. "Jounochi, about Saturday…"

"Don't sweat it."

"But…"

"I said don't worry Yugi. You help me with this one thing and we're square." Jounochi grinned at Yugi, who suddenly had a sinking feeling.

Yugi sweatdropped. "Uh, sure Jounochi, what is it?"

Jounochi's eyes glimmered conspiratorially. "Well, seeing as how you're teacher's pet and all, I was just wonderin' if we couldn't gang up and get him…"

Yugi interjected, surprised. "Her."

Jounochi looked genuinely surprised. "Really? Miss or Mrs? Is she good looking? No, well she couldn't be, I'd remember. Damn, have I been callin' her 'sir'? "

Yugi shook his head, amused.

Jounochi took this as an answer and returned to his point. "Anyways, we need'ta gang up on 'im and get 'im to let me have tomorrow off, coz Serenity's havin' her operation and I gotta be there."

Yugi was stunned speechless for a moment. "But, Jounochi, it's three million dollars, isn't it? How did you get it so quickly?"

Jounochi looked a little put off by the question, but was saved from answering by the entrance of a tall boy with long black hair, a crowd of admiring girls in tow.

Yugi smiled at Jounochi's frown – some of these girls were from other years, not to mention classes.

However, the teacher arrived and Yugi was pulled to the front by a determined Jounochi. There was no time for curiosity about this stranger or the entrance of an icy cold Seto Kaiba – colder than usual that is.

Seto Kaiba entered behind the giggling crowd and went to his desk. He could see the teacher was engaged in conversation with Yugi and his puppy, and so was unable to do anything about Otogi.

I don't suppose there are many people that can do anything about Otogi.

Seto gladly dismissed the problem of having to show the boy around on his first day – the girls were currently fighting for that 'honour'.

He pulled out the backlog of homework that was so kindly sent to his home during the week – he had called in sick, and started doing it automatically. It was slower than if he concentrated but it left his mind free, besides, he had a full day of classes which would be more than enough even at this pace.

Seto's thoughts turned to his visit to Duellist Kingdom on Sunday. The helicopter ride had been uneventful, but when he got there, he was told Pegasus had disappeared. It had taken his initiative to arrange a search party because Croquet was away and everyone else there was incompetent.

They'd found the head of Industrial Illusions unconscious. The doctors said they could see no reason for it and would keep him in the castle under observation. There were signs of a break-in but no signs of the intruder. After revamping the security, Seto was forced to leave that puzzle and go home.

How did he pull it of and leave no trace?

Ryou Bakura, or rather, Bakura in Bandit Keith's body stood in the tower room, examining his new gleaming, Senn Eye. Pegasus lay on the floor unconscious.

This had surprised Bakura initially, but he got over that quickly. He is a lot older than I or Marik, so I suppose it is more likely to happen to him. He knew he wouldn't have been surprised had he known the late Maxemillion Pegasus better, but if he had his way, it would be too late now.

As he turned to leave, he felt a presence behind him.

He turned slowly, a card ready in his hand. He was faced with the man from the portraits. Shadi.

"Return what does not belong to you thief." The man said with determination.

Bakura smirked. "I won it in a contest, who are you to say it does not belong to me?" Shadi looked put off.

He looked over at Pegasus, for what Bakura surmised to be moral support. "I am the Guardian of the Senn Items, the Balance is mine to upkeep. You are not destined for the Senn Eye, and he needs it to live."

Bakura nodded, remembering he was still in Keith's body as blonde hair momentarily obscured his vision. "That may be, but I would still be owed an item for winning the contest."

He produced the Senn Ring. "Unless I am mistaken, you don't have to be destined for an item to own it."

Bakura's smirk widened to a grin as Shadi produced the Senn Tauk and Senn Scales. "And if I have to take both away so you don't disturb the Balance?"

Bakura shrugged lazily and walked over to sit on the windowsill. "I have had enough duels for today, Guardian, and might I point out that it's rather hypocritical of YOU to have more than one item. You can hardly be destined for both."

Shadi's answer was stiff. "I am not."

I love honest people.

Bakura nodded, and made himself comfortable on the windowsill. "So people can fairly own items they're not destined for."

Shadi wavered, but held on to the probable reason for his coming. "Yes, but your case is different. The life of this man would be on your hands."

Ah, guardians, so selfless.

Bakura raised an eyebrow. "So? What's it to me?"

Shadi frowned, seemingly lost for words. "But…"

Bakura pressed his point. "Let me tell you something about people, Guardian. We're selfish and base and use anything we can to get our ends.

"I, for instance know you're a Guardian, which means you can't do anything outside the rules which you keep. That's how I knew I can own items I am not destined for – if YOU may do it, anyone else may too..

"So, I know the balance can't be upset by having more than one item, or YOU wouldn't be able to have two."

Shadi shook his turbaned head. "I would never use the items to upset the Balance."

"So you say. I might say the same, and mean it. I may collect all the items…"

He put up a hand to forestall Shadi's outburst. "…honestly, and as long as I never use them to upset the Balance there really isn't anything you can do.

"So, let's recap, shall we?" Shadi nodded, sadly. "I won this item fairly. I can own I items I am not destined for, so that's not a problem. I can own more than one item as long as I don't abuse the power, so that is no barrier either. In fact, I am fully within my rights here and you have no business calling me a thief."

Bakura smiled as he felt the warm tingly sensation of being a sneaky bastard. The best thing is, he knows I'm right.

Shadi looked defeated and seemed to forget Bakura or rather Bandit Keith. "But he'll die, slowly. As it is, he'll be bedridden for at least three weeks. First Malik running away, then this. Ishizu will never speak to me again…."

Bakura was not surprised, but this information was unexpected.

A bit lax of Marik not to mention Shadi, but it's not something that'd come up in conversation. Huh, I can just imagine it.

"I'll take the seven Millennium Items and gain ULTIMATE POWER! Mwahahaha!"

"Good luck with that, by the way, Bakura, you know there's a turbaned guy called Shadi out there guarding the Millennium Items?"

"Really? You tell me this now?"

"Yeah, well it kinda slipped my mind for five thousand years. Better late than never!"

Bakura shook his head smirking, but another thought arose, twisted and sneaky and opportunistic, just the way he liked them.

Marik never told me whether he wanted to be found…

Malik Ishtar got into class a bit late and had to elbow his way through a stream of exiting girls to get into his classroom. He managed to get to his seat, say hi to everyone and get briefed on the latest news before class started.

A new boy stood in front of the board, and Malik tuned out the voice of the teacher once he heard the boy's name was Otogi.

Malik looked around and the eyes of almost every girl were fixed on Otogi. All except Anzu's.

Mai. Malik guessed.

Jounochi looked happier than ever probably about his sister's upcoming operation.

Yugi was his innocent and happy self. But something about him is different.

Honda looked tired, probably from hanging out at the motorbike show till closing time.

After the usual life's history, Otogi looked across the classroom at Seto Kaiba. Getting an icy stare, he walked over and sat next to Ryou, who greeted him politely, absentmindedly tugging on the sleeves of his school jacket.

The lesson began in earnest, and Malik's pang of jealousy was lost as he submerged himself in the teacher's ramblings. Once he had done his work and finished the homework written on the board, it returned full force.

There must have been something unsettling Ryou more than normal because he wasn't as quiet and controlled as he would have otherwise been. Malik acknowledged that his jealousy arose from the fact that it might be Otogi.

Ryou was working unusually slowly, occasionally replying to Otogi's questions and tugging on the sleeves of his jacket. Soon Malik saw why, and all thoughts of jealousy were massacred by an army of worry.

Ryou had what looked like fresh, clean cuts on his wrists, something that could only have been done with a knife and by his own hand. Malik studied Otogi as closely as he could from his seat, but the boy seemed too engrossed in catching up with the syllabus while at the same time slacking off to have noticed them.

Malik made up his mind to corner Ryou at lunchtime and get an explanation out of him, one way or another.

Yugi turned to Jounochi as soon as the group sat down to lunch.

"You didn't answer me before, Jounochi." He said worriedly.

Anzu nodded in agreement, showing that she had been listening before. "Yes, Jounochi, how did you get so much money in such a short amount of time?"

Malik looked at Jounochi expectantly and even Honda looked alert and curious.

Jounochi sighed, and put down the sandwich that was already halfway to his mouth. "I got a job with this rich guy who wanted me to test his security. He offered to pay for Serenity's operation in return."

Everyone ate thoughtfully.

Malik was the first to point out a flaw. "Some rich guy just happens to ask you? Aren't there companies that can do that sort of thing?"

Jounochi shrugged. "Dunno. But he did."

Malik pressed the point. "Where?"

Jounochi smiled. "At the motorbike show."

Honda looked surprised. "You were at the show?"

Malik answered him. "Yes, Jounochi bumped into me there and we hung around for a bit."

"You couldn't say hi to me?" Honda looked offended.

Jounochi grinned. "You wouldn'a heard us. AND I still remember you draggin'me round last time. That's scarred me for life, that has."

Anzu smiled at a glowering Honda. "Yugi got into the regionals."

A surprised series of congratulations followed and Yugi gave the details of the duel.

Jounochi beamed. "Ain't life grand? Serenity's operation's tomorrow, we got the teacher to give me a day off to stay with'er, Yugi's gonna be the greatest duellist ever, not countin' me of course…"

"Oh yeah?" Replied Honda, ganging up with Malik and wrestling Jounochi to the ground.

"Who're the greatest duellists in the world Jounochi?" Malik asked sweetly, tickling Jounochi as Honda held him down.

"Stop it guys," said Anzu laughing, as the boys released Jounochi.

Yugi nodded. "It's a little too early to celebrate Jounochi. I cannot be sure I will win, or even earn a high place without my Senn Puzzle."

A moment later, he was sorry it slipped out as he was forced to tell them he had lost it, 'accidentally' dropping it in the river.

Malik smiled but Yugi wasn't offended as Malik seemed to do that whenever he heard something unpleasant. "They really should do something about that bridge; it's a danger to public safety."

Anzu looked concerned at Yugi. "How did your grandfather take it?"

Yugi sweatdropped. "Not very well," he added, "but it was all right after he had calmed down."

Malik smiled and said seriously, "you are fortunate in your family Yugi."…

…Yugi frowned. "All I have is my mum and my grandfather."

Marik shrugged. "All I have is my sister in Egypt, but if she ever found out I was here…" He stood up, "Listen guys, I've got some stuff to do, I'll see you in class."

Yugi watched the boy's retreating figure.

"I'm pretty sure that's not legal." said Honda looking at Yugi.

Jounochi shrugged. "Eh, leave the kid alone. If I had a chance to get away from my parents…"

Anzu shook her head. "Jounochi, you don't know how to look after yourself."

Honda nodded. "Yeah, just look at the state you're in normally. On your own, you'd die."

Jounochi pretended to take offence. "I resent that, I recon I'd do very well."

Yugi kept looking in the direction Malik walked off, as his friends debated what Jounochi's apartment would look like if he lived alone.

I'm fortunate in my friends too.

Seto was sitting in class during lunch. Unfortunately, Otogi had also decided to stay inside.

"Do you always socialize this much?" Otogi's amused voice cut through the quiet.

"Yes." Seto replied, taking a break from his homework and pulling out his laptop to check where the money of Kaiba Crop. was going and where it was coming from.

It was his policy to check the management of every part of his company, occasionally organising a surprise inspection for the worst trouble spots. That was the problem with people, they were never perfect, most weren't even close.

"What are you doing?" Otogi broke the silence again.

"Working." Seto replied, concentrating on the figures and doing some complex math.

They had hired new staff and promoted old to replace the people moving to the company they had recently taken over. Some of those promoted should not have been and many of those hired, especially at the bottom had not had thorough background checks. This led to fund mismanagement.

"Pegasus and Mokuba say you work too much. I mean, look outside, do you even talk to those people?"

"No." Said Seto. He couldn't have fund mismanagement, that would encourage the extremely corrupt Big Five.

"Pegasus says you do everything yourself, and check everything, you hardly spend any time with Mokuba. Other companies run just fine without all that overtime." Otogi said idly.

"They're inefficient."

"Industrial Illusions isn't. Pegasus says it does very well and he hardly has to do anything."

Obviously your kind of work ethic.

"It runs itself." Seto had to agree.

It was the fact that Pegasus's company was based on the assumption that people in it were corrupt and Seto's was based, as all others, on the assumption that they weren't. It took a lot of work to make that true.

"It can't, no company can you know, Pegasus is just a genius." Otogi said in defence of his idol.

Gods, this guy sounds like his cheerleaders.

Seto shrugged inwardly, concentrating on an irregularity in the research and development departments. "You'll see."

"What do you mean?" Otogi sounded concerned.

Seto clarified, while sorting through the books. "Pegasus is ill. He won't be working for a while. You'll see his company does just as well without him."

It'll run but it won't make astronomical profits anymore. Funny but aside from Duel Monsters, Pegasus never says what his company actually does.

Seto made a mental note to get Pegasus to tell him, in detail. It was bad policy doing business with a company you didn't know fully. If Pegasus ever wakes up.

Otogi seemed to be forming another question when the latest theme from Pokemon announced a call.

Seto answered it halfway through the lyrics, as it was one of the newest model mobile phones. He had got it upon his arrival from Duellist Kingdom.

"Kaiba here." Seto answered as Otogi left, probably to get the details on Pegasus from Croquet.

"Sir, it's Mr Johnson." The worried voice was that of his secretary, who only ever called if it was something to do with the Big Five.

"Line's secure?" It was best to be careful.

"Yes sir."

"Go on."

"He has given all of his liquid assets to a new cult called Rare Hunters sir."

"It's his money, but keep me posted."

"There's something else sir. He's paid for the eye operation for the sister of a Jounochi, the same that is in your class sir."

"Any reason?"

"Apparently repaying a favour sir."

"That's all?"

"Yes sir, I'll keep you posted."

Seto replaced the mobile. He was not often surprised but the bit about Jounochi was very left-field.

Let them join cults all they want, but an altruistic act warrants investigation.

With that he returned to his laptop and sent a couple of urgent memos before returning to his private audit. There were a few people in line for a surprise investigation.

Ryou cried out in pain from the bruises on his back as he was slammed into the wall behind the school. He collapsed into a crumpled heap at the base of the wall, when the tanned hands that had been holding him, let go.

He was tired and drained, but through the fog of loneliness that covered his thoughts, fear prickled him sharply.

This isn't Malik.

Ryou looked up cautiously. The tanned blonde was standing in front of him, rage clearly imprinted on his face. He was giggling quietly. Ryou shuddered at the sound. He was not afraid for his life - he was sort of hoping that this insane boy standing in front of him might end it for him. He was afraid, like many sane people that whatever the boy had, was catching.

As always polite, Ryou settled for nodding to the strange boy - he would have stood, but he felt that that would merely invite another slam into the wall.

"Good afternoon, er..."

The boy smirked wickedly while glaring daggers at Ryou. "My name is none of your concern, but for convenience's sake, call me Namu."

"What do you want with me Namu?"

Ryou was watching the boy's deep blue eyes intently, so he noticed the brief flash of pain in them. "It was your stupidity that locked Bakura in the Senn Ring! And now you seem to want to destroy his chances of finding his way back." Here, Namu pointed to the fresh cuts on Ryou's wrists that Malik had chanced to see.

Ryou was slightly unnerved that the boy was watching him closely enough to have noticed. It did leave a warm light in the fog of his thoughts though. You can't be lonely if someone is paying you so much attention, no matter how unnerving. He was also curious about Namu, how and what he knew of the Senn Ring. One thing in the boy's speech captured his attention, however.

"Excuse me, Namu, but I AM Bakura."

Namu chucked at that. "You wish. Now, listen to me closely, vessel. For that is all you are, polite little Ryou. Bakura is the spirit of the Senn Ring, and you are its destined owner. That means you two are connected." Here his eyes flashed dangerously. "I am here to make sure that in your stupidity, you don't kill Bakura."

Ryou's mind was racing, now at least he knew who the presence in his life was, and had a link to him. Malik, it seemed, had a similar problem as he himself. "I don't understand Namu, what have you to do with Bakura?"

Namu ignored his question and leaned in to face Ryou. It was then he noticed that Namu was holding what seemed to be a rod made of pure gold. It had the same eye design on it as the Senn Ring. The Senn Rod, for that was what it must have been, started glowing.

After a short time, Ryou felt the fog of his thoughts lift away. He was no longer lost and lonely, instead he had the uneasy feeling he was being watched - from the inside.

Namu leaned away from Ryou, a smile of satisfaction playing on his lips. "You now belong to me, vessel until Bakura's return. You are free to do as you wish, but no more of this." He pointed at Ryou's wrists...

...Malik looked at Ryou, who was sitting at the base of the wall, looking at him curiously. He blushed. He did not remember why he was behind the school or why Ryou was on the ground, but from the crumpled state of Ryou's collar, it was easy to guess the truth.

"Are you allright, Ryou?" He asked tentatively, offering the boy a hand up.

Ryou smiled politely, but where there had been indifference in his eyes before, there was now uneasiness. "I am fine, thankyou Malik."

They quietly walked over to the front of the school and sat on a bench aside from most of the students having lunch. Surprisingly, it was Ryou who broke the silence.

"Excuse me, Malik?" Malik turned to face polite green eyes and nodded for him to go on. "This may sound strange, but do you have a rod made out of pure gold?"

Malik's eyes widened and he answered cautiously. "The Senn Rod is in my possession, yes. I am destined to wield it."

He smirked. "It has yet to show me what it can do besides decorate my flat."

Then, Malik looked intently at Ryou. "What in Ra's name brought it to your mind?"

Ryou seemed unnerved and looked away. "Until last Friday I had an item known as the Senn Ring." He said simply.

Malik was surprised but he felt that explained the cuts he saw on Ryou's wrists. When a person loses the key to his destiny, he has the right to be upset.

Tentatively, he lifted his hand and rubbed Ryou's back.

He smiled when the boy didn't flinch or move away. "Don't worry. Only Anubis can separate the item from the one it is destined for. It will find its way back to you."

Ryou looked up and faced him, anger flashing in his green eyes. "Excuse me Malik, may I inquire why you pretend to care?"

Malik was stunned and the two sat in silence until Ryou went on venomously. "I suggest you talk it over with Namu, he will save you the bother."

Ryou then seemed to run out of steam, and Malik felt the boy sag against his hand.

"Listen, Malik," said Ryou quietly, "I know my place in this world, I am a useful tool to people. My father needs me when he starts thinking of death and getting old. I am his claim to immortality and make him a family man. Others see me as a vessel or the possessor of the Senn Ring, and put up with me for their ends.

"I'll save you a lot of time if you permit me, Malik. The answers you seek lie inside you and bear the name Namu. I thank you for your company and am sorry for the trouble you went to."

With that, Ryou stood and left, leaving Malik's mind reeling.

After a while the bell rang, Malik stood up and smiling broadly, went to class. His madness had a name at last, Namu, and it was in some way connected to the Senn Rod. He had to unlock its secrets and his madness would reveal itself.

Thankyou for the key Ryou, thought Malik cheerfully.

The boy's sadness added to the urgency of finding out about this Namu. Obviously, there was something, well a lot, about Ryou that he didn't know.

I will find out everything about you, ghost, and bring you here from the world of shadows.

Malik walked, and did not stop to wonder why he wanted to do this or what it meant. If you thought too much about things, you were liable to go mad, Malik knew from personal experience.