Chapter Five: The Phantom's Deck Takes Flight
"I'm not so sure it was just stress." Mhera spun around in astonishment at how much her brother took after their father in terms of tone. Keimo was standing beside Kariu, an indescribable look on his face. That look slowly transformed into a smile, that smug sibling smile that he used on Mhera alone. "I hope it wasn't I who scared you." "You only wish!" Mhera said with a sarcastic smile that faded before almost muttering "It was something else." What do I tell him? This takes the cake on hardest things I have needed to say. Well, that, and informing my father of my formerly pending resignation. Mhera's resolve returned to her. If I made it through what I had to do to make that resignation occur, I can make it through what Keimo might say, given the information I will tell him. But for now I have something that is long overdue for returning to his deck. She was fingering his Shadow Swordsman card gently between her fingers. "Keimo, I have something for you."
Keimo had something for his sister as well, a card that he had forgotten until now. Well, my Angel, it looks like it is time for you to return to your mistress. His hand held the Duelist's Heiress's Angelic Sword Heir in an almost caressing manner. "Mhera, …"
" I have your card!" The two almost shouted simultaneously, grins making themselves known. The two cards could be no more opposite in appearance; although the one quality they shared is that they had some similarity to their original wielder. Whenever either one played the other's card, they were reminded that the other wasn't too far away. The Swordsman was garbed in black, lightweight armor, contrasting with his blonde almost white hair. The Angel of the Sword Heirs wore no armor. Instead her attire consisted of a silver robe with a pair of white wings near the base of the shoulders, where her auburn hair reached its longest length. But even more impressive were how the two creature's eyes shone when called on to do battle with their opponent. A sword was the favored weapon of both. Almost no other blade held a candle compared to either sibling's creature, save maybe Buster Blader, or Dark Paladin. The weapons contrasted greatly. The Swordsman's silverblade had streaks of black going down the blade in a random, yet organized, manner. The Angel's silver sword showed streaks of light passing down the blade that had obviously seen many battles.
They placed both the cards on the table. Kariu just smiled at her siblings. The cards were exchanged in an almost reverent manner. "Thank you for keeping it for me. I think with a title, effect, and appearance change, it would make a nice card for The Phantom to use. Maybe a Fusion of these creatures, minus the blades, would make a decent Angel of Music." Keimo gave Mhera one of his "That gives me an idea" looks. Before he explained what the look meant, he finally took the role of protective older brother to heart, eying Kariu suspiciously. "Are you certain she is related to us, Mhera?" Mhera noted that Keimo's emerald eyes never met Kariu's equally emerald ones. I have to start bringing a mirror for these events.
Kariu could be heard muttering something along the lines of "I am somewhat inclined to express the same amount of doubt at the fact that this is really the best idea. He obviously is distrusting of me."
Keimo looked Kariu over again, this time seeing the resemblance. He slowly began to accept what Mhera had told him. "What were you going to tell me next, Mhera?" "Keimo, do you know that other Phantom tryout?" Mhera asked, trying to avoid blurting out the direct question that was knocking on her mind. "Yes, though not personally. Why?" Mhera paused before answering her brother's question. "I left my key in my bag, which I left open during the duel, and I didn't go back and close it until after our second audition, and he took my key." "Then how did you get into the house?" Keimo asked intently.
"I had a spare." Mhera responded, twirling the keychain on her finger. "I have learned that when it comes to locks, having a spare key always is a better alternative to trying to pick the lock to your own house, or anything else, for that matter." "What are you informing me of this for?" Keimo arched a customary eyebrow at his inquiry. Before anything else was answered, Kariu asked Mhera for the sugar from the next table, the one where they were sitting was all shaken out. Mhera removed her blazer and put the object Keimo knew nothing of within its concealing folds and set it gently beside her, taking one of Ishizu's best advisory pieces given to her to heart, waiting for the right moment in the conversation to reveal it to her brother. The opportunity would reveal itself in time.
"Mhera are you sure you want to do this?" Keimo asked, almost glaring at Kariu. "Keimo! For goodness sake, just trust me on this one. I have been around a lot of scrupulous people, and Kariu isn't one of them, even though she works for one of the world's biggest jerks, she is a wonderful person who I risked life and limb for. Please Keimo, don't treat her like our father treated you when you returned. He was mistrusting of you, I was the only reason he finally was able to trust you." Mhera pleaded with her obstinate brother.
Mhera then broke her façade of an appearance. "Keimo… do you remember what I showed you in the theater? Do you remember how broken I was? For goodness sake, do you know why I chose 'Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again', as my solo?" She sighed, disgusted at her outburst. "I have had to go through this twice, alone, I might add. If I have to go through it again, I'll need all the support I can get."
"Why do you need support, and what have you gone through twice?" Keimo was perplexed at his sister's words.
"Every time someone that I care about is taken from me, it's always something I could have prevented, by not being ignorant, or as hard headed, as I have a habit of doing."
The phrase made Keimo think about something that he wouldn't bring up in front of Kariu. He spoke through his thoughts. "Is the reason you got that scar a result of your stubbornness?"
Mhera responded with an indignant, "Yeah, what did you think it was? My emotions got the best of me. If you haven't noticed, it happens a lot. I let my emotions get the best of me, my pride as well." She brought up another subject that had been on her mind ever since her sister had given her the offer of room and board; only this time, she spoke. "Keimo, would you please allow me to stay with Kariu for a couple of days, until this mess is over?"
Keimo was very apprehensive about this whole situation, not because of the other person that he had been introduced to, who was quite agreeable; but because he knew his sister hadn't explained everything. He had to know. Why was she being so apprehensive? He was sure it was not without reason, but without explanation, Mhera's actions seemed quite ridiculous. "You're hiding something from me, and I want to know what it is."
Now was the time to reveal the object in her possession. She took the concealed Millennium Rod from its place beside her and set it on the mahogany table. "Keimo, I have something to show you." "Go on," Keimo uttered. Mhera swiftly removed the concealment on the golden object. "I hope I can answer the questions you're bound to possess." Mhera sighed, as she was not prepared to answer the questions that would have run through her head had the roles been switched. The only one who would be able to answer them with certainty was her father or her aunt, Ishizu. Unfortunately, Mhera had no way of contacting either. Ishizu would be unreachable until tomorrow. Keimo's questions about specific things would have to be answered then, but Mhera had a question as well. Why had the Ring and the Rod left Yugi's possession?
"Is that like the ring that went towards the stage earlier today? What was it called, again?" Keimo asked.
"The Millennium Ring." Mhera whispered fearfully, "And yes, you are correct in your assumption that this item is like it. This one is different, as are each of the Millennium Items." Keimo showed a look of intrigue at this information. "How is this one different?" "I know a little about it, but to get the full lecture, you would have to ask our father, or even better, Ishizu, his sister. Here's what I know. This," She gestured to the object, "is the Millennium Rod. It allows the user to control a person's actions through the mind. I can tell you one thing, having that happen to you is not fun. Not only that, but the controller still has access to your mind, even when you're in control."
"So you could control my mind and make me say 'yes' to staying with Kariu?" Keimo asked, knowing that the thought hadn't even crossed Mhera's mind. He was trying to get that straight look off her face that made one look as if they were under the effects of mind control. It worked as Mhera broke into a mischievous smile. "Yes I could do that, but like I said, having somebody else in your mind without an invite is no fun." "I thought you were only implying that!" Keimo exclaimed. "You actually had that thing used on you?" "Uh huh, did I stutter?" Mhera asked sarcastically.
"Now, I can see that you have questions that do not pertain to the object I have shown you. They pertain to the play, perhaps?" Mhera dropped the sarcasm. She was getting every assumption right to her brother's surprise. There was something that pertained to the play that had hit him as soon as Mhera had offered to use her abilities to create decks for The Phantom and Raoul. "You are correct sister. I have a card idea. Just evaluate it and respond to me honestly. Chandelier Crash, here is what it does: "Discard all Spell and Trap Cards to the Graveyard. For each card discarded, deal 300 Points of direct damage to your opponent's Life Points." Now tell me what you think, Mhera."
Mhera was going over the idea in her head, letting her dueling mind take over. "It seems very playable. I am assuming this is the Phantom's card. Am I correct?" "Yes, what is wrong with the card, Mhera?" Keimo asked after reading his sister's face. "The card seems playable, although, discarding all of one's Spell and Trap cards to deal at most, 1500 Points of damage to your opponent's Life Points, doesn't seem sound. Not only that, but once that card is played, The Phantom is relying on defense monsters. He needs a monster card that cannot only protect his Life Points, but one with a decent effect as well. Something like Wall of Illusion, but with the Phantom theme."
"How about a mirror?" Kariu asked, explaining herself after an unknowing look from her new siblings, "I've seen the play on stage, and the mirror is an illusion that the Phantom uses to be convincing to Christine"
"A Mirror of Illusion, not a bad idea. I like it." Keimo tested the name with a calm voice. "Any ideas on effects, Mhera?"
"I'm thinking something similar to the Wall's effect, but instead of returning the attacking card back to your opponent's hand, the attacker returns to the deck. And with 2100 Def. Points, it'll be a tough mirror to break. As for attribute and type, we'll just wait and see. Thank you for the idea, Kariu."
"Don't mention it. I'm just trying to help." Kariu smiled. She heard Keimo's voice in her head. "I think it would be wise to trust my sister with you. So I wouldn't mind if she could stay with you for a couple of days, at least until the call backs, and I give Bakura a piece of my mind. I have an odd feeling that they won't be able to choose between us so easily."
Kariu shook her head vigorously. I must have drunk my latte so quickly that I'm hearing things. Somehow, she knew that wasn't the case. She glanced at her watch. It was late in the night. Kariu groaned, as she remembered that she would have to work in the morning. Mhera would as well. Kariu was a bit envious of Mhera; she had gotten a job at the local bookstore, a favored place in which Kariu spent her spare time. She would have to set up the seldom-used guest bedroom that served as her study. A mental glance at the room's current appearance would make that clear. Books lain precariously everywhere, papers strewn about the room, an unkempt bed, and maybe a few cobwebs, all to be cleaned before she would be comfortable having Mhera in her apartment. Fortunately, Mhera would have to go and get a few personal effects before she arrived. "Keimo?" Kariu tried to contact him the same way he had contacted her. The response came quicker than she had hoped.
"Yes? What is it?" The baritone voice flowed through Kariu's mind like hot fudge on an ice cream sundae. It was a shame that they were related, she would have fallen for him in a heartbeat. But, then again, she was related to him.
"I assume you will take Mhera home to get her belongings first. Would you take the long way to this address? I have cleaning up to do." Kariu scribbled the address onto a napkin, and handed it discreetly to Keimo.
"Spare bedroom as a study?" Keimo asked curiously.
"Yeah, how did you know?" Kariu was a bit shocked as to how he would know that.
"It took my sister a whole week for her to clean out my bedroom, the room served as her former study. You and she are alike in so many ways that I now see the resemblance." He shot her a good-natured smile. Keimo really wasn't that bad.
All three siblings had finished their beverages. Kariu was about to part from them, and she hugged the two siblings loosely. "I'll see you two later." She winked at the green-eyed sibling, who returned the gesture sincerely. Kariu then departed from the coffee house.
Keimo was swirling his cup, watching the last, unreachable drop of coffee move at the bottom. Mhera broke his concentration on the cup as she stood up from the maroon upholstered bench, wrapping her jacket around her tightly. "I'm going home, I am not one to stay out late." Keimo stood in front of her, blocking her path. "I will escort you home. I want to be sure you are safe." Mhera grudgingly accepted the insistence of her brother.
They walked out of the coffee house, around the park, and to their apartment. Keimo unlocked the door without hesitation and proceeded in. Mhera, however, noticed a shiny object below the welcome mat, and picked up her key. With it was a note tucked under the mat. It read:
"The bridge is burned, but firm where you now stand…"
That was all that was on there, however, Mhera knew there would be more written later. As always, how she knew was a mystery. Keimo's voice brought her into the house. "Get a change of clothes, and any other items you may need, and meet me near my motorcycle." Mhera wondered why her brother was being so mysterious, but did as she was bidden.
After obtaining the requested items and placing them in her knapsack, Mhera left the apartment and went to the left of the door to the shaded area where two motorcycles were parked side-by-side On a shelf were three helmets, one dark purple, Mhera's, another black, and the last one, a tan helmet, their father's. One cycle was red, one black. The red one belonged to her father, but the one she would be hitching a ride on would be the black one her brother owned. Both were cared for quite rigorously by their owners. It amused her that the motorcycle-thing was present in both her father and brother, but not in her, she had assumed that it was a guy-thing. Keimo was waiting in front of her, his black helmet already on his head. She retrieved her helmet, fastening it without a word. Making sure her bag wouldn't slip during the ride, she expertly hoisted herself onto her brother's bike behind him. Keimo was impressed, as Mhera had only ridden his bike once, after he had rescued her from her predicament with her old "friends." Keimo then sped off into the night to the destination that only he knew.
Kariu had cleaned quicker than she had expected. She changed into a dark blue robe with golden swirls embroidered into the soft fabric. The doorbell rang, causing Kariu to have to forgo her nightly cup of tea. She always was so spun up during the day that she had to physically calm down with a cup of warm tea. Who could that be at this time of night? Keimo has just left and he is taking the long route as I requested. He'll be here in about thirty minutes, unless he drives five times the speed limit.
Kariu proceeded to the door, and peeked her head outside. She noticed a small package resting on the doorstep. It was addressed to her. She picked it up and set it on the mahogany entry table. Now, back to my tea. Her face bore a small smile as she put the cup to her lips. The package would wait.
"Gee, Keimo can you take these turns any sharper?" Mhera could be heard yelling as her brother took yet another curve almost too sharply. "Sure I can, but then we would be on one wheel." Keimo responded with an unseen smile, knowing full well his sister was exhibiting her mastery of sarcasm. The cycle slowed to a smooth halt. Keimo lowered the stand as Mhera leapt off, landing almost flawlessly in front of him with her arms crossed, followed by a remark of, "I want answers, now! Why did you bring me here?" Her violet eyes flickered with annoyance and fear. Her tone flicked to a fearful one, as if by cue "I don't like being out at night." Her tone switched to annoyance as her eyes showed the same emotion. "Well, are you going to tell me, or are we going to just stand here?" Her tone switched again. "I never have coped with surprises very well. But, you would never understand." Keimo gripped Mhera taking her into his arms; he had taken his role of protective older brother earlier, now it was time to take the support role. "I know you're worried, but I won't let anyone near you who I don't trust." His eyes showed that what he had said was a promise, but he added a whispered "I promise" to assure her. He laughed, trying to lighten up the situation, saying, "You know, if you want the role of Christine so badly, you're going to have to get over your fear of the dark." The comment worked in Keimo's favor as his sister half-exploded "I am NOT afraid of the dark!" "Well, whether you're afraid of the dark, or not, come on inside both of you." Kariu was standing outside the door. Keimo was stifling laughter at the fact that Mhera had not guessed that she was being taken here. A look from Kariu motioned him to explain his answer.
"I have decided to let you stay with Kariu. Do my actions need any more explaining?" Mhera nodded 'no'. Kariu beckoned them both inside. Mhera asked for some tea before she entered. As she entered, the Millennium Rod began quivering in her belt something she knew wasn't normal. She then noticed the package on the mahogany entry table. "Kariu you have something here on the table." Kariu yelled back, "I forgot about that, would you mind bringing that in here for me?"
Mhera brought the box in, with the Rod quivering incessantly all the while. She gave it to Kariu in exchange for her tea. Kariu opened it using a pair of scissors, revealing a box from underneath the brown packing paper. The box was black, like one that you would have jewelry in. Mhera knew what was inside instantly. Kariu opened it, and removed the golden object from its case. The object was the Millennium Necklace.
D.H.: I like where this is going. I hope you are ready for another interesting Chapter. Next Chapter: Mhera contacts Ishizu, and runs into an old freind, who is just as wary as she is about the Play. Find out who in: Chapter Six: Mellinnum Masquerade. C-ya.