I don't need saving. I'm just a slave.
Chapter five - Body
Joey felt the tingling in his knees increase but forced himself to ignore it. He was knelt a few meters from the foot of the Pharaoh's throne listening to the rules of the challenge. The three slave boys sat to the side with worry filled faces. "as you enter the arena the doors will lock behind you. You will not be able to leave until you are either dead or have succeeded in passing the challenge. Once inside you will find yourself in a different arena each time. I myself and my three viziers will be the only viewers to your challenges. Anyone else is considered part of the challenge." at this Joey let his eyes flicker to the three boys. "you must be here in this hall at this time for the next four days. That is, if you succeed each time." Joey nodded to signal he understood. The Pharaoh looked to Seth "and what are the stakes?"
Seth stepped forward and unfurled a papyrus scroll "the stakes are as follows. The Noble Slave Jounouchi Wheeler Katsuya of the Katsuya merchant house, son of the honourable Runihura Katsuya is to barter his life and the life imprisonment of: the Dancer Slave Yugi Mouto, Guard's Slave Malik Ishtar and the Guild Slave Ryou Baku-ra against the 'Gods Challenge of Body, Mind, Soul and Heart'. If he is to succeed his reward is: the freedom of the afore mentioned slaves and claim to his own life."
In the shadowed corner of the Pharaoh's judgement hall Bakura and Marik'ie looked at each other in surprise. A Guard's Slave was often used as minor soldiers or helpers in protecting the Tombs of past Pharaohs and nobles. Guild Slaves were often used in the underground circles. Their owners varying from Thieves to first grade assassins. Dancer Slaves on the other hand were used in brothels in the worst of circumstances or privately by the Pharaoh at the best.
The two men returned their attention back to the High Priest "are the stakes accepted?". Seth's voice echoed around the room and Bakura and Marik'ie smiled ominously. They swiftly stepped out of the shadows and approached the throne.
The Pharaoh stood. "As Pharaoh of Egypt I so find these stakes as acceptable. Let it be so" he said and his blood red eyes flashed in the early morning light.
"As Master of the Guild and King of Thieves I so find these stakes as acceptable. Let it be so" Bakura intoned. A lock of his white hair falling in his eyes. Comically his eyes crossed and he blew fiercely to move it.
"As the first amongst the Tomb Keepers and keeper of the tombs of the Pharaohs I so find these stakes as acceptable. Let it be so" Marik'ie smiled at the three slave boys. Yugi and Ryou looked away. Malik blushed and looked down before hesitantly looking back up and returning the smile. Marik'ie smirked at the younger boy and let his eyes roam over him, the boy blushed harder and looked away.
Seth nodded and rolled up the scroll "As High Priest of Egypt and Vizier to the Pharaoh I so find these stakes as acceptable. Let it be so"
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Joey shifted nervously. He stood before the large ornate doors of the arena. The wood arched high above his head, the hieroglyphs for the names of each god and goddess carved in at regular intervals were inlayed with gold leaf. A statue stood to each side of the door way, the Winged God Of Re stood on the left and Siefler The Sky Dragon stood on the right. Built into the wall around the door, as if holding the door up and looking over the top to the ground where Joey now stood, was Obelisk The Tormentor. Joey swallowed hard and looked himself over.
He had been dressed in a jade green tunic that covered his shoulders and reached his knees. A sash of deep blue was tied around his waist. His lower legs, feet and arms were bare. He cringed at the sight of deep cuts, bruises and old scars covering his arms. Painted on the back of each hand, foot and on his forehead was the symbol of the physical world that was the body. It consisted of a teardrop outline, Joey's name written beneath it and the symbol for earth.
Joey jumped startled as the sound of a gong being struck rang out. He looked around. Yugi, Ryou and Malik had promised to wish him good luck but he couldn't see them. Shoulders drooping Joey approached the door. As he reached out to push it open it swung back. Joey looked at his hand that remained in mid air 'I didn't touch it yet' he thought before entering apprehensively.
Inside the arena Joey found himself standing in a sunken circle of stone. The pews ascended at equal intervals though the first one began five metres above the area that he now stood. The Pharaoh, Thief King, Tomb Keeper and High Priest sat in the third row. Joey looked directly forward as he approached the centre of the arena.
He knelt as the Pharaoh stood. "Jounouchi Katsuya. You stand here today, before myself, my most trusted advisors and the Gods of the afterlife, to partake in the challenge of the Body. Do you confirm this?"
Joey looked up at the imposing figures in the stands "I do."
The Pharaoh nodded "Your challenge is this." Joey watched as the High Priest handed him a sheet of papyrus. Behind himself he heard footsteps. "Defend that which you fight for." the Pharaoh looked down at him, his crimson eyes flashing in the half light "BEGIN!"
Joey sprung to his feet and turned to face what was behind him. There, sitting and shivering in fear, were Yugi, Malik and Ryou. Their hands and feet were manacled together rendering them immobile, and each wore a gag. Joey blinked a few times before he approached them. The blond watched his surroundings as he knelt. Seeing nothing he reached to untie Malik's hands "How did you guys get chained up hay?" he asked in a quiet voice. The boys eyes widened in fear. Joey looked quickly over his shoulder to see a large wolf sitting behind him "O' oh". It's fur was mat black though a shock of tan coloured its underbelly and its eyes were molten gold. "Hay there magnificent" Joey cooed as he stood slowly and watched as the wolf did as well. Joey stepped to the left, the wolf stepped to its left. Joey stepped to the right, the wolf copied. Joey smiled "looks like were dancing". Joey bowed hesitantly and the wolf bowed to him. Then it stood. Joey blinked as the wolf walked around the circle. He followed it with his eyes as he moved with it, trying to keep himself between it and the boys. "Now now, don't try anything that might get someone hurt ok. Were all friends here, at least I hope we are" he murmured glancing up at the four onlookers.
They wolf and the boy walked around the circle again and again, Joey always remaining between it and the boys. After seven revolutions the wolf stopped and lay down. The blond stood for a few moments before approaching the beast. Just over little more than a metre remained between them when Joey halted. The beast watched his every move. A glint of light from the ground caught the boys eye "What the?". A dagger. Joey slowly reached down and picked the small weapon up. "How'd you get on the floor?"
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Seth watched as the boy picked up the weapon. The wolf watching the boys every move. 'Make the right choices' he thought griping the millennium key a little tighter.
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Joey breathed deeply as he waited for the wolfs response to him picking up a weapon. The wolf growled lightly at the boy, but he remained still. The wolf growled louder, but Joey gripped the dagger tighter still not moving. Minutes passed and neither beast nor boy moved. Joey trembled, his hands shook with fear and his body with adrenaline. He watched the beast sit up and slowly the creature tilted its head back, bearing its neck. Joey let out a breath. He looked from the wolf, to the boys, to the dagger. Slowly he knelt down. Placing the blade on the ground Joey slid it across the floor away from him and the beast "No, I don't do killing". The wolf lowered its head and watched him as he bowed his body. "I mean you no harm if you mean me none".
Joey lent his head on the ground and closed his eyes. Behind him Seth smiled. The wolf stood and approached the blond boy, large feet padding across the stone floor. Walking past the boys the wolf exited the arena through a door below the four judges. Joey looked up as the boys breathed out a sigh. He stood and smiled at them. He sighed in relief and relaxed his body.
From behind him a shadow loomed up and struck! It had a shape similar to a bird but its wings seemed to reflect the shape of hands. Joey cried out in pain before falling to his knees. The creature drew back its hand like limb to strike him again but seeing its shadow Joey dodged to the side. All around him and the three boys the shadows began to rise up off of the floor. Another of the shadow creatures struck out at him. He gritted his teeth against the pain and dived towards the boys. He watched as the shadows lashed out at anything that moved, Joey, the boys, even at other shadows. Joey looked about "What are these things?" the gasped out trying to block the pain. A shadow creature that looked like a jellyfish with a cat head raised up a tentacle like limb and whipped it towards Ryou.
Ryou flinched as Joey screamed "No!" and threw himself in front of the helpless boy. The tentacle sliced into his back shredding the skin, tearing open old scars and reopening wounds that had barely healed. The blond screamed in agony. His body shook in suppressed pain as blood dribbled down his back. Ryou looked at the older boy in shocked surprise "No one hurts anyone on my watch" the blond hissed out under his breath. Standing Joey looked around for the dagger or something else he could use as a weapon. Yugi yelled out around his gag gesturing to the far wall with his head. Joey nodded and ran towards the dagger the shadows following him, attacking him with flailing limbs. Joey stumbled as a shadow lunged its body at him. Dropping to his knees Joey lifted the dagger noticing it seemed longer than the last time. Before it had been approximately the size of his hand when held open, now it was almost the size of his forearm. Spinning on his heal he slashed at the shadows.
The monsters drew back seemingly in pain. Joey ignored them and ran back to his friends. Half way across he stopped. A green glow surrounded the boys growing brighter and brighter until the shadows were backed against the walls. Joey closed his eyes, squeezing them shut until the light began to fade. Opening them slowly he stared at the three boys. They weren't Yugi, Malik and Ryou but three strangers. One had black spiky hair and steal grey eyes, one had his hair pulled forward into a horn like shape, and the last had. . . Joey looked them over before opening his mouth to say. . .
. . .
. . .
"Who the hell are you guys?"
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Hay Everyone. I'm soooooooo sorry for delays in this story I was attacked by the evil fluffy, pink plotless bunny's. That and Exams! Pharaoh Atem should have them outlawed! Anyway, I've already started Ch 6. hopefully it'll be finished soon.