D.H. A.N:I hope I can satiate your want for an update. I have Part Two written, but not typed. I hope you can forgive me.Bold Italics is Seth communicating with Mhera. Anyway, here's Part one of The Callbacks. Please Review. Enjoy!!

Disclaimer: I don't own the song, The Prayer by Josh Groban, or Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again from Phantom of the Opera. Andrew Lloyd Webber owns the latter of the two. In The Prayer, I changed the English parts to singular tense and I didn't touch any of the Itallian.

Chapter Seven: The Callbacks Part One

Mhera didn't sleep well that night, but this night's disturbances were no different than any of the other nights since those events that wouldn't cease tormenting her since their occurrences. Something is troubling you? A voice asked in her head. "Yes, but it is nothing that you can help me with, Seth." Don't be so sure, Mhera. These recurrences might be trying to tell you something. "You're probably right. But I just don't see it now." People never do until it smacks them in the face. "I doubt I'll sleep anymore tonight, so I'd better get those cards done."

She set herself to her task feeling awake and ready for morning to come. At least she would get to go to Bookenstock's, her place of employment. That would take her mind off the play, and its mysteries. The owner had given her a week of leave for dealing with the obvious mental trauma she had been through from certain events. She finished the two cards, placing them in her robe, and descended the stairs, where Kariu was waiting with the paper. "How did you sleep?" Mhera took a seat beside the blonde. "Not any better than I have been. I'm just glad I get to work today; maybe that's what I've been missing. What are you looking at?" Kariu bit her lip, trying to figure out how to put it. "Mhera, the callbacks are early. They are being held today." Mhera was about to stand up when Kariu stopped her. "Keimo already knows." "That's a relief, I guess. Here, take these. I drew them up this morning. Pun intended." Mhera handed Kariu the two cards she had produced as a result of her insomnia. Kariu looked them over with a smile. "These look great. I can't wait to see them in a duel."

Mhera laughed, "If you want to see those cards in a duel, you'll have to hurry and put them in. How far is it to the bookstore from here?" "Oh, it's a long way from here, about twenty minutes. It's only 6:30 in the morning, Mhera, sit and talk a while." Kariu's tan face bore a small smile as she poured coffee into her mug. She asked Mhera if she desired some, but Mhera kindly refused, as she preferred tea. She wouldn't drink that first thing in the morning, either. She spoke without prior thought "I can't understand why it would choose now to begin to go awry. It just seems so absurd, what would the Spirit of the Ring want to do with a play? It should be so simple, so why isn't it?"

A voice in Mhera's head sighed irately, "Have you read the letter yet?" No, should I have? "Yes, that will answer your questions. That's an old text that you should be able to read now. It's an account quite similar to the present situation. Read it!!" Seth said almost rather sharply. I'll read it when I have time. "You better, otherwise you may regret it. It has information that may be able to save someone, unlike in the past." Seth sighed ruefully. He paced his mental chamber, upset that he could not have saved his Christine from the Phantom in his time. He knew this time, that destiny had chosen to repeat itself, and, that circumstances would be different.

Mhera quickly found a mirror in the bathroom. It seemed to outline the weariness in her face, the fear within her eyes, the tremor ever present on her upper lip, waiting to reveal itself. She found herself having a song on her mind and began singing softly in a singular tense, as it was originally a duet.

"I pray you'll be my eyes
And watch me where I go
And help me to be wise
In times when I don't know
Let this be my prayer
As I go my way

Lead me to a place
Guide me with your grace
to a place where I'll be safe."

The Italian part flowed steadily, as Mhera had learned only the necessary words to sing the song eloquently

"La luce che tu dai
I pray I'll find my light
Nel cuore resterà
And hold it in my heart
A ricordarci che
When stars go out each night
L'eterna stella sei

Nella mia preghiera
Let this be my prayer
Quanta fede c'è
When shadows fill my day

Lead us to a place
Guide us with your grace
Give me faith so I'll be safe

Sognamo un mondo senza più violenza
Un mondo di giustizia e di speranza
Ognuno dia la mano al suo vicino
Simbolo di pace, di fraternità

La forza che ci dai
I ask that life be kind
E' il desiderio che
And watch me from above
Ognuno trovi amore
I hope each soul will find
Intorno e dentro sè
Another soul to love

Let this be my prayer
Let this be my prayer
Just like every child
Just like every child

Needs to find a place,
Guide me with your grace
Give me faith so I'll be safe

E la fede che
Hai acceso in noi
Sento che ci salverà"

She braced herself, tears caressing her cheeks. The Prayer. She fell in love with it the first time she heard the song sang But why it crossed her lips now was a mystery to her, but she felt it fit to begin her trials unknown with this beautiful sentiment. She then loudly sang the most self-affecting part of her audition choice.

"Wishing you were somehow here again
Wishing you were somehow near
Sometimes it seem if I just dream
Somehow you would be here.

Wishing I could hear your voice again
Knowing that I never would
Dreaming of you helped me to do
All that you dreamed I could."

She paused, becoming slower in rhythm,

"Please give me the strength to try
No more memories no more silent tears
No more gazing across the wasted years"

She sang, her own lyrics forming the last two lines of the piece, with a soft tone.

"Not without a fight

Will I say goodbye"

Kariu's voice roused Mhera. "It's 8:00. I know you don't work at 9:00, but I do, and if I'm late again it will cost me my job. I'll drop you off at Bookenstock's on the way there." Mhera quickly ran a brush through her tangled hair, ran to her room, pulled the green polo shirt with the bookstore's logo on it out of her bag, slipped it over her head, leapt into a pair of black slacks, grasped a white shirt to change into after work, and slid into her shoes. She grabbed her bag, put the Millennium Rod within, and ran down the stairs. "How much time do you have?" Mhera panted as she hit the bottom step with a resounding thud. "Just enough. Come on, Mhera, would you please smile? I know you're troubled about a lot of things, but this is a new day with new experiences" "It's the same day with the same experiences for me. There's nothing to smile about." Mhera said with the closest tone of a pessimist as she had ever come. Kariu was still persistent, green eyes shining ever brighter. "You're working again, and it's something you clearly enjoy. That's something different and wonderful." "True, very true." Mhera's expression didn't change, defeating Kariu's efforts.

The two then went to where Kariu's black convertible was parked with its roof down. Kariu dug the key out of her pocket and unlocked the door, although why she bothered locking it when the top was down eluded her. Mhera slipped in the passenger's seat without a word. The engine rumbled to life. They were soon on the road with the wind blowing refreshing good wishes on them both. The sun shone on the hair of both, making auburn autumn and blonde gold, and bringing the tan to their faces even more. They then reached the down town area of the city She stopped the car as they reached Bookenstock's. Mhera got out of the car, silent as ever. Just as Kariu was about to pull away when Mhera slowly smiled, "Thanks for the ride." Kariu just smiled, and drove off.

Mhera went into the bookstore with a sigh, glad to be back in a pleasant environment and having real purpose to be there. Mr. Bookenstock came out from his office behind the shelves in the back of the store, with a smile. "Mhera, I'm glad to see you back. Do you know how hard it has been without an assistant for the past week?" "I have a pretty good idea, sir. I'm glad to be back working again." That small smile grew on her face. She went behind the counter, checking over the records to see the last time she had closed shop. It had indeed been a week since she had done so. It was very good to be back. Mr. Bookenstock motioned her over. "I hear you tried out for a part in the play they are putting on at the theatre." "Where did you hear that, sir?" The bookkeeper smiled warmly. "My niece is one of the judges for the tryouts. She said you and your brother did well. Remember what I told you the night you were hired?" Only now, did Mhera recall the conversation when she had been given her employment gift, a copy of the novel, The Phantom of the Opera. She remembered her employer saying, "It's on the house," as he pressed the book into her hands. Mhera had wanted to get her hands on the book and read it. "I hear it is quite the theatrical experience." She said with a smile. Her employer replied, "Indeed it is. Who knows, maybe you'll take part in a performance."

"You knew?" Mr. Bookenstock silently nodded. Just then, a customer came into the bookstore. The blue –eyed brunette was obviously thankful for the warmth of the store, as she was rubbing warmth back into her fingers. That was the thing Mhera liked best about working there. Everything had a warm air to it, from the store to the employees, to the owner. Mhera was thankful that she knew the customer this time. Tea Gardner came in every so often to buy a certain book. Today was probably no exception. Mhera quickly scurried behind the counter. "Can I help you?" The brunette looked up. "Mhera? I didn't know you worked this early." Mhera smiled "I do when my ride has to work by 9:00. Plus, the owner doesn't mind. So, what can I get for you today?" She set her elbow on the counter. Tea was a little unsure of how to go about this. "Do you have a copy of the book of the musical they're doing at the theatre?" Mhera was already looking on the shelves where she knew said book would be. She found it, and handed it to Tea. "Why do you want this?" "It's for a friend. Plus, I'll probably finish it before I see them." Mhera rang up the total and felt really excited to be working for the umpteenth time that day. Tea then left the bookstore with a smile on her face.

The rest of the day went uneventfully. That was until half of Mhera's shift was over. Mr. Bookenstock came out from behind his office holding a newspaper, that day's paper, if Mhera wasn't mistaken. "Those callbacks are early, and you need to be there, correct?" Mhera swiftly declined, "No, I really need to be here, working, not worrying about the play." "No, you're going to the callbacks. Something tells me you're using work as an excuse to not face whatever is bothering you. Remember that I've been working solo for quite a few years, Ms. Ishtar. I think I can handle one more night of closing without you. You are a good worker, but sometimes other things take precedence, especially your family matters. Come back tomorrow for your work, Mhera. Your brother needs you." Mr. Bookenstock urged. Mhera trembled with rage, and fear. "I can't face it. It's not as easy as I want it to be, and trust me, I really wanted it to be easy." She went half-rigid "But you are right… about everything. It's like you read me like, well, a book." The emerald-eyed owner ushered his employee out of the store without another word. Mr. Bookenstock shook his head as he watched Mhera go. I'll never fully understand her no matter how hard I try. She seems to have her life in order, but something always gets in the way to toss it back into disorder again. Perhaps that's just the way life is for some people. He then re-entered the warm store.

Mhera walked past the shops, through the small crowds, silently trying to discern why she was worried so much about the callbacks. It should be easy to figure out, so why isn't it? "You aren't looking in the right places. Have you looked at yourself lately?" Seth asked, obviously trying to point out something important"Yes, just this morning, why?" "You look like the subject of an ad for an anti depressant. Your face is drawn and you haven't given a self-induced smile since we met." "I'm under a lot of stress." Mhera answered monotonously. If she could see herself in an out of body experience, she would've sworn she was answering like her father usually did when put in the same situation. She was so busy ignoring the passing crowd that she didn't see a brunette boy in her path. She smacked right into him. "Watch it!" The boy yelled. He looked fourteen or fifteen; Mhera was never good at guessing ages. "You watch it!" Mhera retorted. He was wearing a duel disk on his arm, which was holding a deck in place. The boy looked at it, asking, "Do you duel?" "Yes." Mhera simply stated. "Well, then I challenge you to one, here and now." Mhera really didn't want to duel, and made it known. The boy only trapped her in the only way he knew would keep the challenge alive. " You cannot decline a challenge, it's in the rules." I despise that rule with a passion! There was only one thing she could do. Mhera removed her own duel disk, inserted her deck, and prepared for a match to give a foretaste of others she would face. "Let's Duel!" The two shouted in unison.

Mhera: 4000 Brunette: 4000

Mhera drew six, meaning she would go first. All right, let's see what I've got here. Ice Sword Heir, Dagger Wielder, Mheralo Mage, Sword and Staff Bond, Protector's Sword, and lastly, my draw, Psychic's Spell-seeking Dagger. This should do nicely. "I play my Sword and Staff Bond, which is like a Polymerization, only it's type specific. It only allows me to fuse a Spellcaster and a Warrior Monster together. I just so happen to have the ones I need in my hand to bring out my Dagger Magician (2300, 2100). So now I discard my Mheralo Mage and my Dagger Wielder to bring her out. The creature materialized as the Dagger Wielder's and Mheralo Mage's weapons appeared to fuse, the magician leapt out grabbing the fused weapon. With a twirl of the elegant staff, the creature was ready for combat. The newly formed Magician had a dagger shaped staff and was covered with light silver and black armor, with the exception of her face. With auburn hair and violet eyes, the creature resembled its owner. "Fortunately for you, I can't attack the first turn, so count yourself lucky. I end my turn."

" It's my turn". The brunette said, and with no comment from his opponent, proceeded with his strategy." I draw!" Perfect, I have a direct attack opportunity, and I'm not going to waste it "I summon my Marauding Captain, which then allows me to summon Mataza the Zapper. I would also like to mention that while my Captain's on the field, you can only attack him." The boy smirked, "But that's not all. I activate the field card Sogen, which increases the Attack and Defense of all warriors by 200 points. Now I activate the card Lightning Blade, which increases my Zapper's attack by 800 points. Combine the 1300 points he has to start with, to the 200 bonus he gets from Sogen, and finally add the 800 points from Lightning Blade, and you should get a total of 2300." No, that's enough to tie with my Dagger Magician. Mhera's mind was racing. She was proficient in using Warriors, but this guy made her look like a novice; something that didn't sit well with her. The brunette interrupted her reverie. "Now I attack your Dagger Magician with my Mataza the Zapper!" I wish I had my Spellcaster's Parry right now. That card could have saved my Magician,while destroying his Mataza. Staff met blades and in a few short seconds, the two creatures shattered, showering the duelists with confetti-like patterns.

The brunette's smirk grew wider. "Don't forget My Captain still attacks you, directly." The Captain leapt and slashed at Mhera. A 1400 deficit in Life Points was something she was used to, but never had anyone accomplished it so quickly. The boy's smirk faded, "I end my turn with a face down."

Mhera: 2600 Brunette: 4000

Mhera drew. Good! This guy's not the only one who can put Equip Spells to good use. Plus that Field card benefits me as well, so I better make this move count. "I summon my Ice Sword Heir!(1800, 1600) You can't activate that face down card this turn.." The brunette smirked, "Oh? And how is that?" the smirk faded and he grew pale. It has an ability, does it not?" "See for yourself." Mhera responded. The Raven –Haired Elf looked at the face down card coldly, then shot an Icy spike right through it. Mhera grinned, the pleasure of the duel working its way through her. "And that's not all. Next I play the Equip spell, Elemental Blade. It increases my Sword Heir's Attack Points by 500, plus the 200 that I gain from your field card, that gives my Sword Heir 2500 Attack Points." That is enough to deal him 1100 points in damage, while destroying his Captain. I think I'll end my turn with that. "Now, Ice Sword Heir, attack his Marauding Captain! Ice Slash!" The Elf focused a cold energy on his blade, then dodged the Marauding Captain's precariously misaimed attack Deftly, the Elf spun the blade, slicing the captain from behind. He then blasted the brunette with the left over energy in his palm. The Elf then leapt back to the red head's field.

The brunette shivered through his leather jacket. "I end my turn" The redhead calmly said. The brunette drew his card. Exchange, perfect! I think I'll save it for later. "I set one monster face down, and end my turn."

Mhera: 2600 Brunette2900

Mhera still had her Protector's Sword, waiting for the opportunity to use it. She would rather use the summoning effect of it, rather than powering up her warrior by 800 Attack points. She drew her Wind Sword Heir. "I summon my Wind Sword Heir, and choose not to use its summoning ability." A blonde haired Elf wielding a sword with a green pommel appeared. "Now I attack you directly with my Wind Sword Heir." "No you don't! I play Negate Attack! Sorry, but your turn is over." Mhera unfortunately had to admit the brunette was right. She ended her turn without another word.

The Brunette examined his options carefully. I have a Reinforcement of the Army that I haven't used yet. He drew a Different Dimension Capsule. "I play my Different Dimension Capsule, which allows me to take any Monster from my deck, remove it from play for two turns. After the second turn, I add it to my hand. I think this one will do nicely." He selected the card and a coffin like capsule appeared on the field. "Then, I activate my Reinforcement of the Army, and I select my Obnoxious Celtic Guard. Now, I activate Exchange. Since we each only have one card in our hands, how about we switch?" The brunette teen laughed because it was the only thing they could do. They exchanged the cards, the brunette's face lighting up as Mhera's heart sank. He ended his turn there.

Life Points: No Change

Mhera was seething with self-fury. How could she have let her opponent put a powerful warrior into that Capsule, and then give him the means to summon it two turns later? Now, all she could do was draw her card. It was her favorite and most adaptable creature, Mheralo the Sword Heir. The card she had just unwillingly given her opponent would have helped her so much here. I loathe irony, though not nearly as much as I want to find Seto Kaiba and have him rip the rule that states, "A duelist cannot decline a challenge." right out of the rulebook. Without any Monsters on his side, He is wide open for an attack, an attack that I intend to give him. "I hate to end this duel so abruptly, but I attack with my Ice and Wind Sword Heirs to win. (2500+17004200 Damage)

Mhera: 2600 Brunette: 0

She helped the brunette onto his feet. "You're a really good duelist. I would have loved to see that complete strategy." Just then a familiar redhead ran through where their dueling field was. Following her were two teens in leather jackets similar to the one her opponent was wearing. Mhera ran after the teens, her former opponent running after her

DH: Why are those two teens after the red head? And better yet, who is the brunette Mhera defeated in a duel? Find out in Chapter Eight: The Callbacks Part Two. Please Read and Review. And tell me what you thought about the flow of that duel. I'll have to write another in a few chapters and I'd like some feedback to go on Thanks bunches!