Mahad the Reliable
Early in the next morning, Mahad and Joseph went into the city to investigate the damages caused by Max and Bakura's attacks last night. "The damage looks quite extensive," Joseph said as he took notice of the people who continued to clean and repair their houses as best as they could. With so many other buildings burnt to the ground, many families had to be relocated or move into the palace until they could find new homes. Shops had also been burned; leaving food and goods to be damaged, spoiled, or even stolen.
"You and Max will not get away with this, Bakura," Mahad silently vowed.
A small boy stopped in front of the men. "Excuse me."
"Yes?" Mahad asked, looking down at him.
"Are you here to protect us from that scary man and lady?"
To make him feel rest assured, Mahad smiled and told the child, "Yes, we are. I promise they will not scare anyone again."
The boy felt relieved. "Oh, good," he said and went back to help his family clean their house. But it was a promise that would be difficult to keep. But how else could the royals help their people to keep their hopes up? Praying to their Great Goddess wasn't enough anymore either considering that Bakura would come back and attack again. But they had to do everything in their power to protect every Millennial in the kingdom. For now, until they could find and stop Bakura and Max, all they could do was stay on their guard.
Gallade stopped in front of his master to alert him. Unlike some of the other Magical Creatures, Gallade couldn't speak the same language as humans. Knowing that, Mahad used the same tactics of mental communication; making it easier for them to understand each other. Master Mahad, I have just heard from the members of Council Rock. Max and Bakura have returned to the desert. But they are keeping to the shadows; making themselves undetectable.
Do you have any leads on their next plans of attack?
None yet, Master, Gallade answered. We keep trying to find him, but we keep coming across an ominous force; attacking us or forcing us to turn back. It is clear that this man doesn't want to be found.
Mahad wasn't disappointed to hear that. In fact, this was what he expected Bakura to be doing; keeping to the shadows and waiting to attack until the time is right. Then his Millennium Ring began reacting to a force of evil nearby. It was unusual to sense something like that at this time of day considering that the night is Bakura's time. Mahad lifted his head and gazed in the west region. Looking closely, he saw a dark figure on a horse. It was too far to identify, but Mahad figured that it had to be Bakura or Max.
Gallade follows his master's gaze. He decides to pursue the fiend until Mahad tells him to let him go. "Know this, Bakura, as a follower of the Great Goddess Millennia, I will do everything in my power to keep you from carrying out the Dark Lord's deed."
"As well as keep Cobalt's darkness far from this kingdom," Joseph adds.
Back inside the palace, Kisara and Freya spent the morning with Mystery. They even helped to give the princess a bath. Mystery felt happy to spend some quality time with her friends, but although it made her feel a little relaxed, she was also quite concerned. She had not seen the two cousins since yesterday's celebration and wondered why they had not returned until last night after the fight.
The truth was Kisara and Freya knew about the terrible events that happened last night. They even witnessed the fight. After seeing how things ended, Kisara and Freya felt more determined to want to protect their friends, but at the same time, worried. They were scared to tap into their powers and call their Dragons into battle. If Diabound and the Angel of Death could withstand an attack from an Egyptian God Monster and a legendary Dragon, then it was likely that their own Dragons wouldn't stand a chance even after all the training they had accomplished.
"Where have you two been last night?" Mystery asked, not by means of interrogation, but out of curiosity.
The girls decide to be honest and answer, "We went to the desert in pursuit of Bakura and Max. We also went looking for Luna in hopes of getting answers from her."
Mystery knew that her friends were only trying to help, but she was still concerned about their safety. "Do not go looking for either of them again," she firmly ordered. "The desert is not safe at this time. Surely you two know that." She softens her tone and her nerve as she adds, "Besides, if you end up in a Shadow Game against them and if your White and Black Dragons are defeated, you will be trapped in the Shadow Realm. I would never forgive myself if you two made that sacrifice just because you wanted to protect your friends."
"You and the others are more than our friends, Queen Mystery," said Freya. "You're our family; the only real family we've ever had."
Kisara nods in agreement. "Like you, we would never stand by to let the heir of Cobalt torture and attack the people we love. We'll do as you ask and be cautious. But please, if anything should happen, if there should ever come a time when we may need to fight, don't try to stop us. It's not a selfish request. It's just… destiny."
After hearing what her friends had just said, Mystery had no choice but to give her word. She and her friends had to accept now that whatever would come their way would be in the hands of destiny. Whether in or out of their favor, no matter how much they wished such terrible things would never have to come their way, fate was now in control. But would anything good come from everyone having to face the fates they would bring upon themselves? If they were doing what they thought best not for themselves, but for others, and if in the end, it was all based upon that final decision, then sadly, it would have to be accepted.
Mana and Jirachi followed Atem around in the courtyard. "So tell us," Mana said, skipping near the water, "is everything really going to change now that your daughter is finally born? I know she's the new heiress of Millennia and the new princess of Egypt, but she was just born and already people look up to her like she's some kind of guardian angel and is going to make everything all right again."
"Yes, that does sound unusual, doesn't it," asked Atem. "But they know just as much. With so much going on now, a lot of people forget that she's only a daughter of Millennia and not the Great Goddess herself."
"Yeah," Mana sighed, finally stopping in her tracks. Jirachi thanked her for stopping. Sitting on the top of her head while she was skipping was a bumpy ride. "It's not fair that they should expect so much from her when she can only give so little. The joy she brought with her coming into the world was enough for me and for the rest of us. Isn't the light and hope she filled in the lives of her people enough for them?"
"I think so," said Jirachi. "A lot of people are just scared now that Bakura and Max are on the move. They may be threatened by Cobalt's darkness, but Millennia's light will always shine through. But we have to help our Great Goddess with the same task and for the same reason. Millennia is protecting us, and we have to help her by looking out for each other. In time, the townspeople will come to realize that and there'll be nothing to fear."
Mana sat down and smiled and she began tapping her knees together. "You're right," she told Jirachi. "Millennia will forever be with us and she'll always have her children and followers." Then she places her hand over Jirachi to hug him. Jirachi moves closer to Mana and hugs her face. Atem smiled seeing his two friends getting along so well and looking so optimistic.
Before the morning was through, Mahad returned to the palace and walked through the great hall. Isis was on her way to the throne room when she noticed Mahad coming towards her. "Mahad, you startled me." It was actually funny of her to say that considering that Millennia gave Isis the power to recall the past and predict the future. How could she not know the simplest thing that was yet to come?
Mahad stopped in front of her. "Greetings, Isis. Has Millennia been able to discover what the future holds for our kingdom?"
Isis shakes her head. "No, she has not. She has had a hard time guiding me through the darkness."
"I see," Mahad sighs. "It has been the same for me as well. Millennia has been unable to locate the whereabouts of Cobalt's dark forces."
"It's Bakura."
Mahad shakes his head, but not in a matter of disagreement. "You need not worry. I still have faith that our Great Goddess will lead us through the darkness Bakura is causing for Cobalt."
Isis agrees and says, "Yes, but we have to help Millennia as well; help her by protecting her family from Bakura and the Cobalt Star. But the one whom we must worry about the most is our princess. Such a beautiful and innocent soul was just brought into this world and is now wanted to be taken away and destroyed so soon."
Mahad understood what she was saying. That was all the more reason to keep the faith and to fight for Millennia. Then it came to him. He knew Bakura would understand how Millennia's followers intended to fight him, but the reason why was something Bakura would never understand and therefore wouldn't suspect. The purpose was where the true strength lied. When he said out loud that he knew what had to be done, he resumed passing though the great hall and started planning everything carefully in his mind.
Isis was curious, but at the same time, worried about her friend. She returned to her chambers and tried once again to tap into the powers of her Millennium Necklace. In her previous efforts, Isis hoped to see the future of the kingdom, but this time, she tried a different approach; to foretell the fate of a friend.
She held her hands close to her Necklace and began concentrating. Please, Great Goddess Millennia, I beseech thee. Pierce through the shadows and show me the light of the future. At first, she saw nothing but black and purple darkness, but then a small white spark appeared and began growing. Wait, what is this? I see something. As requested, Isis got a glimpse of Mahad's future from the Great Goddess Millennia. She saw images of a Shadow Game in which the opponents fought with magic as well as Shadow Creatures. The last image she saw was how the outcome would decide Mahad's fate.
She gasped and opened her eyes. Jumbled pieces of events yet to come! I sense great danger. Instead of deciding to alert the royal family, she decided it would be wise to alert the one whose future she saw. "I must tell Mahad."
The sacred guardians gathered together and stood before the royal family. Mahad got down to his knees and said, "My pharaoh and queen, rest assured, the sacred tomb of our former leader, King Aknamkanon will never be disturbed again. My team of sorcerers is casting a spell to secure its walls as we speak."
"Excellent," Atem and Mystery said gratefully.
Seto grins at Mahad and tells him, "Yes, but I will believe that tomb is safe from intruders once I have tested it for myself. After all, we've seen what your 'magicians-in-training' are capable of. I would say a bit more training couldn't hurt."
Mahad said nothing. He just looked at Seto for one moment, then silently sighed as he looked away. Joseph, on the other hand, felt differently about those remarks. Now was not the time to tease a friend who was just trying to help. Joseph lets Seto know that by telling him, "Nobody thinks you're funny, Seto. Besides, trying to penetrate those walls would mean trying to disturb that tomb." Seto rolls his eyes and throws his Millennium Rod; hitting Joseph right in the face. The two were about to start fighting and dealing blows on each other, but Mahad got between them and pushed them away from each other.
"Enough," he groaned, stopping Joseph from jumping on Seto. "Can't you two cooperate for once?"
Seto grinned once again and asked, "But, Mahad, what fun would come from that? Besides, Joseph is the one who usually starts these petty fights."
"You started this one," Joseph argued.
Mahad had been putting himself between Seto and Joseph several times to stop them from fighting. It was all right for them to sometimes fight like this when they were children because they would learn to grow on each other. But they weren't children anymore and they needed to control themselves. That was one of the reasons Mahad told his friends that he wouldn't always be around to keep stopping their fights.
As Isis watched the three friends go about with their unpleasantly usual ways, she had a feeling that Mahad was serious this time when he said his friends needed to stop fighting with each other on their own. Before thinking about telling him, she walks outside and waits for him as he starts to be on his way.
Watching from the balcony, Mana saw Mahad leading a team of royal soldiers through the palace gates. Worried about her master and that the journey would be dangerous, she wanted to be there for him, so she climbed on the ledge and called out to him. "Mahad, wait! Please take me with you, Master!"
Afraid that she might fall from the balcony, Joseph pulls Mana's arm to get her to come down. "Come back here, Mana!"
"I've been practicing my spells and I can - help!" she yelps as she falls and lands on Joseph.
He groans as he tries to reason with her. "I'm afraid it's much too dangerous and you're merely a student."
"I'm Mahad's top student," she reminds him. Mana gets up off of him and brags, "I have twice the skills of any magician he's leading to that tomb. My master needs me."
Joseph got back on his feet and groaned. It was true that Mana was the top student of her class, but many of her efforts ended up in disaster. That wasn't the reason Joseph refused to let her go. He was actually just as worried, but he trusted his friend and he had to let Mana know that she needed to do the same. "It seems to me you underestimate the skills of your teacher. Master Mahad is a brilliant sorcerer. You would never find another magician whose power equaled or rivaled his own. He'll be fine."
Mana finally gave in and trusted Joseph's words. She knew her master very well and believed that he would come through. What Mana doesn't realize, however, is that her master's power has limits. In fact, Mahad's true power was so great; he had to lock a portion of it away for his own safety. To release his full ability and lose control of it would not only endanger himself, but many of the people around him.
Before Mahad passed through the palace gates, he took notice of Isis and told his team to go on ahead. "Isis, what's wrong," he asks as he approaches her.
Isis wasn't sure how to answer. All she could tell him was, "Mahad. I'm not sure you should go through with this."
He sensed her concern for him, but instead of asking her why, he instead asked her, "So Millennia was able to read you my future, wasn't she?" Isis nods with a worried look, but before she can explain her reasons, Mahad smiles and tells her, "Actually, I would prefer not to know."
Isis couldn't change her expression after hearing his response. She couldn't even bring herself to ignore him and tell him otherwise. That was when she figured it probably wouldn't change anything if he learned what she had discovered about him. The future wouldn't be changed and the hands of fate would still be played.
"Do not feel so discouraged. After what we had discussed earlier, I have decided to be the one to carry out my part of the vow first. Besides, as we already mentioned, our princess needs our protection now more than ever."
After working with Mahad in the royal court for so long, Isis understood his obligation to the royals. She also knew of his sense of responsibility and one look at his amulet was enough to make her see his reasons. It actually wasn't just about the vow they made to the royal family; but so much more. "I understand," Isis finally told him. "Just be careful."
"Isis, keep an eye on the baby," Mahad says and starts walking again.
Isis sighs and tilts her head down. "Please wait," she says and faces her front again. Mahad stops to listen to her. "Just know that in my vision, you do return."
"Thank you," Mahad whispered and started walking again. Isis didn't know what else to say to him. She didn't want to doubt what the Great Goddess revealed to her either. No, Isis was loyal to Millennia and trusted her. Her visions had never shown her any false predictions and Millennia was true to her promises. If there was any light in what Isis saw, then she believed in the Great Goddess. Still, she prayed for her to watch over her friend.
Isis wasn't the only one having concerns about her friend. Before Mahad passed through the gates and caught up with his team, Mystery stopped him. If she knew Mahad, then she knew that there was so much more on the line than just carrying out one good deed. Remembering his sense of responsibility and how it would always get the better of him, Mystery feared that he was going to go the extra mile for the people he cared about. At first, Mahad was surprised to see the queen standing before him, but after seeing the worried expression she carried, he knew her reasons for coming before him. The two had been friends for a long time and knew each other all too well. Neither one could change the other one's mind. They knew just as much, but they decided to have one last talk.
"Mahad," Mystery started softly. "If there is more to your quest than just looking over the tomb, I will let you go and carry out that other task. But I know you better and I am afraid that the other task may be to seek out our enemies. As I have begged the rest of our friends, I must beg of you not to take it upon yourself to seek out Bakura and Max."
"I am afraid I cannot carry out that will," Mahad told her. "It is my duty as a sacred guardian and a follower of the Great Goddess to protect you and your family from Cobalt's evil forces."
"I told you, Mahad, I know you better than that. It is not about your duty or your devotion, but so much more."
Mahad sighs and nods. "Of course, my queen. It is because you are my family and I must do everything in my power to carry out my tasks. The love I have for you and for all of our friends is the reason I made this vow to always protect you." He looks down at the infant in Mystery's arms and continues on. "It was on the night your daughter was born. We all knew that one day the heir of Cobalt would make himself known and find you. Now that your daughter is the one Bakura is after, he will stop at nothing to destroy her."
Mystery understood his explanations and reasons and knew it would be impossible to try to persuade him to stop. Tears filled her eyes. She loved Mahad and couldn't bear to think what would happen if he tried to face Bakura and Max alone. But then she remembered that she would risk her own life to protect him from danger as well. So she decided to let him have his way. To Mystery and Mahad, the bond between them was never the bond between master and servant, but always between friends and children of the same goddess.
Mystery moved aside so Mahad could pass through the gates, but instead of walking, he faced her and asked, "My queen, may I-?"
"Yes, Mahad?"
He sighs and tells her, "I have a request. May I say 'goodbye' to your daughter? I want to see her once more before I go."
Mystery releases the tears in her eyes and decides to grant his request. If this would be the last time Mahad got to see her child, then she knew that she would regret never letting him. She also knew that Mahad would probably regret never having that chance to see her again, so the queen placed the child in his arms.
Mahad looked down at the princess as he held her. Tears started to fill his eyes as he saw her look up and smile at him. He trusted Isis' words about returning, but he couldn't help but fear he would never get to see that sweet little smile or hear her little voice again. "I only wish there was something more I could do to help, but worry not. I will always be with you." Mahad lowered himself and gently kissed the child's forehead. "Farewell, Princess Emily," he whispered and gently hugged her. She really wasn't just a princess to him; but also a part of his family and that was all the more reason for him to carry out his part of the vow. Mahad gave the queen her child back and said 'goodbye' to her as well.
"May Millennia be with you, my dear friend," Mystery softly whispered as she watched him leave.
Mahad caught up with his team and started leading them through the city. As they walked, so many memories began flashing before Mahad's eyes. He always put himself in harm's way when doing a favor or completing a request from a superior. He also did it when looking out for his friends. In return, all of his friends would return the favor and come to his rescue. Even though he didn't always understand Joseph or appreciate Seto's ill humor, they were still his friends and he would always be there for them. And though there were times when Seto would get upset and threaten to kill Mahad, he would kill for his friend all the time. Those three were brothers to each other as well as a team and their friendship was just so.
Then there was Kisara and Freya. Mahad cared deeply about the cousins and would do anything to keep their secrets safe. Just as he had been welcomed into a new family, he had to do the same for his new friends. Whatever differences they all shared, they still got along. In some ways, he was a misfit just like Kisara and Freya because of his gift. True, the cousins had their Dragons and Mahad had his magical talents, but they still had much in common.
What could he say about Atem and Mystery? Mahad had always been serving the royals as a child and would do everything necessary - but not whether right or wrong - to ensure their safety. What fueled his responsibilities was the bond he shared with them as friends. Atem and Mystery both protected Mahad more than he could protect either of them. True, he would help them with their studies and training, but how could he repay them for all that they had done? The Children of Millennia would not be so without his two leaders. They brought and kept everyone together and Mahad would not let them come apart.
Finally, Mahad thought about Mana. She was more than his top student; but also his closest friend; practically a little sister to him. Mahad always loved how she always had ways of making him smile and even laugh. He was also easy on her because he knew she was doing her best to please as well as impress him. He even knew that she had such strong feelings for her master. But it would never be so for them to have a courtship and get married. Mahad was about five years older than Mana and it was forbidden for a master magician to have a relationship with his student. But he loved her dearly and hoped that they could be together once Mana would become a full-fledged magician. But how could he ever tell his apprentice his feelings for her in words or by actions?
This was Mahad's family and he would do anything to keep it safe and happy just as he always had in the past. But there was more. Just as it had always been Mahad's duty to protect the royals, he knew that when Mystery became queen of Egypt, not only would he have to carry out that duty for her, but he would also have to repay her for all that she had done in the past as hero of the desert and as Millennia's heiress. He finally had the chance to repay the debt to his family; by fighting for the Great Goddess Millennia and her children.
As if Mahad's amulet could read his thoughts, it gave off a glow much brighter than it had ever done before. He truly was a loyal and reliable companion and Millennia believed in him. Since his amulet reacted to his sense of responsibility, he knew his strength and gift from the Great Goddess would give him the power he needed to fight the darkness. But if this would be his last fight, he would no longer have any need to hold his amulet. So he removed it from around his neck and gave it to Gallade. Mahad learned long ago that the magic was not in the amulet itself, but within the person holding it. Now that Mahad had learned the weight of his strength after seeing the bright glow of the amulet, he could give back his gift. But Millennia would still be with him; by the power of the Millennium Ring.
After walking for what seemed like hours, Mahad led his team of soldiers and their beasts not to the Valley of the Kings, but to the sacred sanctuary where royal magicians practiced spells and trained for combat. Mahad hoped he would have a chance of defeating Bakura in his own domain, but there was another reason he came here; to make himself stronger not in body, but in spirit. While the soldiers and their monsters positioned themselves at the top of the hill, Mahad walked through the entrance in the tunnel and stopped in the middle of the arena.
I swore I would never do this, Mahad thought to himself, but I do not see it any other way. In order to defeat Bakura, I must take back the power I sealed away here so long ago. "Great Goddess Millennia, I call upon thee," and his Millennium Ring started shining and a purple light covered him. "Unlock the great force I buried here." Mahad felt his strength growing as his magic filled up inside of him. All he had to do now was wait.