It was midday when they arrived at the village ruins. Bast frowned as she urged the horse forward; she could still smell the death and fear. The shadows were heavy here, and they acknowledged her. Bakura was shaking as he held the girl, but she barely noticed as they neared the Millennium Tablet buried underground.

"Where is it you need to go?" asked Bakura. Bast did not answer as she dismounted, Bakura following her. She tied Zahur to a post and entered one of the buildings, standing at the top of a set of stairs leading underground. "Are you going to go down there?" Bast looked at him.

"Are you afraid?" she asked. He shook his head, his amber eyes hard. "Then yes, I am going down there. I have to." She started down the stairs, smiling when Bakura hurried to follow. She heard him gasp as she approached the Millennium Tablet, looking down upon it.

"What is that thing?" Bakura asked. Bast looked at him for a second. He was still standing by the stairs. She motioned him over and he complied, coming to a stop next to her. She pointed to the Tablet, a carving that looked like a Pharaoh's sarcophagus with seven shapes indented into it.

"Each shape is that of a Millennium Item," she said. Bakura glanced at her.

"Millennium Item?" he asked. Bast nodding, stepping up to the stone and touching the one that looked like the mark on her back.

"This is the Millennium Ring. The five pointers that are attached to it will locate and point to anything or one the holder is looking for. It's shadow magic is the second strongest of the seven." Moving her hand to a plain pyramid shape, she touched it as well. "The Millennium puzzle, the symbol of the Pharaoh himself. It is said to be able to call the gods to the holders' side." She moved her hand again, this time to what looked like a headdress on the sarcophagus. "The Millennium Necklace allows the wearer to view the past and future and protects the wearer from the shadow magic of the other six." She moved on to a round shape above the necklace.

"The Millennium eye allows the wearer to see what his opponent is thinking." With a glance to see if Bakura was still listening, she moved on to what looked like a bladed staff in the sarcophagus' right hand. "The Millennium Rod can control minds, as well as see into a persons' soul." The left hand seemed to hold a Key of sorts. "The Millennium Key can unlock the doors of a person's soul, and also make the user, and others, invisible." She moved to the foot of the stone, touching the scale imprint. "The Millennium Scales are a living world version of the scales that weigh your soul against the feather of Ma'at. If your soul is heavy, you are sent to the shadows."

She stood, looking up at the eye of Udjat. The shadows around her trembled as the eye began to glow and the spirits of the villagers appeared around them. A skeleton materialized in front of the Dark Door, and Bakura fell back in fear. The skeleton looked down on Bast as she bowed her head.

"Bast, how can you be so calm," asked Bakura. Bast shook her head and looked up to the skeleton.

"You know why I am here," she said. The skeleton nodded. "Then, I ask for your forgiveness." The skeleton disappeared and the shadows attacked her. Bast closed her eyes, feeling the mark on her back burn. A scream tore from her lips as she dropped to her knees. She could hear Bakura yell out her name as the shadows seeped into her.

The screams died down as the shadows joined her magic. Blinking the dots from her eyes as the pain died, she felt Bakura help her off the ground and up the stairs. He walked her to a building and sat her against the outside wall. She blinked in the light and looked up at him. He seemed angry as he looked around them.

"I have not been here in a long time," he told her as he looked down. "Are you okay?" Bast nodded, rubbing her shoulder as the sting faded.

"I was near here the other day. At my treasure cove," she said. He nodded as he continued to look at the ruined village. "Do you feel that?" He glanced at her as she stood, swaying a bit.

"Feel what?" he asked. Bast shrugged as she moved towards whatever she felt. Bakura followed, helping her when she stumbled. She led him to a building and as she went inside, the shadows around them reacted, showing them a stone tablet with a carving of a shadow creature. "What is that?"

"Diabound," she replied. "One of the darkest creatures in the shadows." Bakura stepped back as a spirit emerged from the shadows and approached him. "The spirits of Kul Elna are giving the power of this shadow creature to you, Bakura. You are their blood, the only true survivor of this village." Bakura, amazed, looked up at the carving and grinned.

"How do I call him?" he asked. Bast laughed as she turned to her friend.

"Call his name," she said. "If you are the true shadow caller of this creature, then he will answer you." Bakura glanced at her, his amber eyes flashing. His grin widened as he turned back to the carving.

"Fine then," he said, his grin turning into a smirk. "Diabound, answer my call." Bast smiled as the carving glowed and the creature materialized before them. Bakura laughed, his eyes wild as the shadows surrounded him.

"Amazing," Bast said to herself as she examined the shadow creature. "His hatred has allowed him to use the shadows even though he has never been taught. This boy is an interesting mortal." Bakura called the creature back into the shadows and turned to her, his amber eyes shining with his glee.

"What does this mean, Bast?" he asked, calming down. Bast opened her mouth to answer, but closed it when the shadows shivered in fear. A powerful magic washed over the two, causing Bast to fall upon her right knee. Bakura turned, backing up beside the fallen shadow mage.

"What this means is that you are more powerful than you believe, Child," said a voice. Bakura fell back in his shock, his eyes wide as a woman appeared before them.

"Mother Skhemet," Bast said, not looking up at the lioness. Bakura shot a look at her.

"Young Bast," said the Goddess, looking down upon the girl. "You have grown in these years." Bast nodded, finally looking up at the lioness Goddess. Much like the Cat Goddess, Skhemet had high cheek bones had long black hair. The difference was her skin, which was more of a golden color, and her golden eyes. "You know what you must do now."

"Mother Bast sent you," said Bast. Skhemet nodded in reply. "Heh, I do know now. I must avenge these people, Mother Skhemet. I cannot let their suffering go unpunished. My family was sent here to protect all mortals, and the mistake of one should not mean the death of many."

"But this was done to protect all of Egypt," said Skhemet. "These people, although it was unwittingly, will be considered Martyrs in Our presence."

"I still will not let it go unpunished, Mother Skhemet. Our job is to protect Our people. We shall not stand aside and let this happen. What does Father Ra want, Mother? To watch his people be killed? I feel his anger," said Bast, looking down at the ground. She could feel Skhemet's amusement. "Someone will pay for this, and it should be the Pharaoh for ordering the items to be created." She looked up at the Goddess with determination. Skhemet was smiling down at her, the golden eyes showing the amusement she felt.

"Then, my Child, I give you this shadow army. Your soul shadow awaits you, Child. When you need him, call for him. Call for the Chaos Magician."

The Shadows shivered as she disappeared, Bast standing once she had. She turned to Bakura, who was staring wide eyed at the spot where the Lioness had been standing. Bast smiled and helped him to his feet.

"That was," he trailed off. Bast laughed, causing him to glare at her.

"Yes, Bakura," she said, still laughing. "That was the Lioness Goddess, Skhemet. It is usually Mother Bast who comes to speak to me, but then I might not have been indulged this time if it had." Bakura blinked, looking back to where the goddess had been standing.

"That was strange," he said. "I never thought I would come face to face with a god before I died." Bast laughed again, patting him on the back and pulling him back to Zahur. "Where are we going now?" he asked.

"To Alexandria," she replied, mounting the horse. She pulled him up behind her and turned Zahur to the city. "I need to get you a new horse, and Kena has a pair of twins that are a little over a year." As she stirred Zahur into a trot, she reached up and clutched her necklace. "And I wish to see Runihura as well." She smiled, tucking her necklace away and snapping the reins, causing Zahur to break into a run and Bakura to grab her around the waist.

They reached the city well after nightfall. Before they went up to the gate, Bast pulled Zahur to a stop and reached into the saddle bag to retrieve her money sack. She slid it into her shirt as Bakura dismounted. Making sure the bag would not slide or be easily seen, she nodded to Bakura, who took Zahur reins and led the group to the gate. The night guard looked thorough the saddle bags for any weapons and, once satisfied, let them through the gates. Bast leaned down to Bakura and whispered to him.

"There is an inn up the main road here. We shall catch a room there and head to Kena's in the morning." Bakura nodded and Bast pointed the way. The inn was one of the cheaper ones, and as such was just a shabby wooden two story building. As Bakura tied Zahur to the post outside, Bast dismounted, avoiding the eyes of the drunks sitting outside the bar next door. Bakura sneered as one called out to her, but she shook her head and led him inside the inn.

Bakura spoke to the innkeeper, finding that it would cost one gold coin and fourteen silver to share a room. After paying for the room he asked the price for a stable pen. They two paid two gold for it, and went to stable Zahur. Bakura undid the saddle while Bast transferred their valuables and several more of her items into a travel sack she kept before they headed up to their room. Once Bakura had shut the door and locked it, Bast sat up on the bed. Bakura sat on the other end, facing her, as she dumped the rest of her money out on the bed.

"I will have to trade something tomorrow," she said, counting out the money. "Three gold, ten silver and seven copper."

"Not even enough to stay here tomorrow," said Bakura. Bast nodded, collecting the coins and dropping them back into the cloth sack. "Do you have anything to trade?"

"I have a copper statue of Bast," she replied. "But I would rather not trade it. It was my father's, and the only thing I have left of his." Bakura thought for a moment, looking out the barred window.

"Would Kena buy it, and then sell it back to you later when you have something to trade for it?" he asked. Bast shrugged her response, sighing as she ran a hand through her hair. "Well then, what about your treasure cove?" Bast glanced at him in shock that he remembered it.

"I have several gold items there, but it is a day's ride away if you push your horse," she said, frowning. There's no way to get there and back before I head to Kena's in the morning."

"I can go through the shadows, or I can call Diabound." Bast blinked, looking at him. "The Nile is a couple hour walk away. If I can get there, I can call Diabound and get to Kul Elna in a short time, and try to get back before sunrise."

"It would take getting passed the guards without them seeing," said Bast. Bakura was silent for a second before he replied.

"I can sneak," he said. "I have the ability to be quiet and almost invisible. I've done it before trying to get into a guarded tomb a while back." Bast sighed again as she thought it over.

"Can you get out of the inn without being seen?" she asked. He nodded and she noticed the gleam in his eyes. She looked out the window. "Alright," she sighed out. "You go to Kul Elna. Go to my treasure cove and call the shadows about you, call out my name so the shadows protecting it will know you are safe. They will open the walls for you. But be quick, and try not to be seen. The Pharaoh will send for you to be captured if they realize you have a shadow creature." Bakura nodded and slipped out the door. Had she not seen him leave, she wouldn't have known. She smiled and shook her head, calling the shadows to lock the door behind him.

She awoke later to someone shaking her slightly. Opening her eyes, she gasped at the amber eyes looking down at her. The white haired boy smiled as she sat up, clutching her chest. He held up a cloth sack, his smile widening. She frowned as she scooted up the bed so he could sit at the other end. He dumped the sack out on the bed and Bast saw several golden items from her cove.

"You did it, Bakura," she said, awed. "And you did not get caught. But, how did you get in here? I locked the door." Bakura glared at her as he picked up a gold choker she had stolen from the tomb of some noble.

"I used the shadows. How else?" he asked. "And why did you lock the door?"

"In case the innkeeper decided to get brave and sneak in," she replied nonchalantly, shrugging. "And I did not want to risk it, even with the shadows at my disposal." Bakura nodded, understanding her case. She looked out the window at the lightening sky. "We should be going soon. Come on, let us get Zahur ready. I want to ride out after I go see Runihura." Bakura nodded and followed her out to the stables.

"So, who is this Runihura?" he asked after waving to the innkeeper. Bast glanced at him as he opened the door for her and followed her through.

"He is the goldsmith who made my necklace. I have been meaning to ask him something," she said. Bakura was quiet as he patted Zahur before moving to saddle him.

"I remember now," he said, putting the saddle on Zahur as Bast loaded the saddle bags. "Kena told me that your mother saved him from a disease, and he could not pay her, so he made the necklace." Bast nodded, watching as he tied the saddle into place and then moved to tie the saddle bags on. "Zahur's saddle needs longer straps. He is getting too big for these short ones." Bast nodded again as she helped tie the sack of treasures to the saddle.

"Yes, he is more muscular than Kura ever was," she said. Bakura said nothing as he fit the bridle on Zahur, leaving the reins off. Finding an abandoned piece of rope, he tied it to the bridle. Bast frowned at him and when he caught it he held up the rope.

"It'll make it easier to lead you," he said. Bast smiled, nodding. She watched him put the reins in the saddle bags and followed him out of the stable. She waved to a stable hand she recognized before mounting Zahur, letting Bakura lead her to Kena's. The man was standing outside with his wife when they arrived, talking about something. Umayma was the one who saw them first and let her husband know. He turned, smiling when he saw them. As Bakura tied Zahur up, Bast jumped down from the saddle. She nodded to the two adults while she waited for Bakura to untie the sack.

She approached them and, with a look at Kena, let them lead the two children inside. While his wife locked the door behind them, Kena sat on the floor in the main room, motioning for the teenagers to do the same. Once they had, he spoke.

"What brings you back so soon, Bast?" Looking at Bakura, who seemed to be protecting the items, she sighed, returning her gaze to Kena.

"I need to trade," she said. "I have another to worry about now. Also, I need a horse or two, and Zahur's saddle straps are tight." She glanced at Bakura again, who was looking around. The Stone mason sighed as he looked at his wife. She nodded and left the room. "Bakura, go and retrieve Zahur's saddle for me. Bring the saddle bags to me as well." Bakura nodded and went out the front door, locking it behind him. Kena frowned as he watched the boy leave.

"Who is that, and why can he use shadow magic?" he asked. Bast sighed, running a hand through her hair.

"Remember the kid I sent to you nine years ago because I was injured?" Kena nodded in reply, frowning. "That is him, just older and with a different name. And I taught him the shadows." She looked up as Bakura dropped the saddle bags beside her and carried the saddle in where Kena's wife was waiting for it. When he returned, Kena moved on to business.

"What do you have to trade?" he asked. Nodding to Bakura, Bast answered, her voice taking a business like tone.

"I have a few things for trade," she answered. Bakura placed an arm band on the floor in front of them. Kena picked it up, looking it over. He looked up as Kasiya entered the room, the man grabbing a small vase from by the back wall and sitting with them.

"I'll give four gold for this," said Kena. Kasiya watched to see Bast nod in agreement and handed the coins over. With another nod from Bast, Bakura set out another item, the choker. Kena looked it over, interested in the symbols carved into it. "This is a noble's choker. From a tomb, I suppose?" Bast nodded again and Kena smiled. "Interesting, Child. Six gold, three silver."

"I accept," said Bast. Kena laughed as Kasiya counted out the coins and handed them to the girl. Bakura chuckled and set out a goblet from a former queens' parents. Kena picked it up, looking it over as well.

"Five gold," he said. Bast agreed, collecting the coins. Bakura handed him a silver ring, which Kena smiled at. "One gold, fifteen silver." A nod from Bast as she collected the coins. Finally, Bakura handed over a golden statue of Isis, causing Kena to gasp as he took it. "Amazing, Child. I will not ask how you came about this." Bast laughed.

"I will tell you anyhow. It was something father stole," she said. Kena nodded, turning it over in his hands.

"I will give you extra for this," he said. "In the black market, these run at nineteen gold. I will give you twenty gold, four silver and six copper, and one of my horses." Bast laughed, nodding.

"I will accept, friend, but only because you will bother me till I do," she said. Kasiya counted out the coins and handed them over, stood, and returned the vase of coins to its resting place. "Now, if the horse you give me for the statue is one of the twins, I will buy the other." Kena blinked.

"You want the twins, but you already have Zahur," he said. Bast nodded in reply.

"An extra horse is always good," she said. Kena nodded and thought about her request.

"Fine, I will ask for three gold for the female yearling. I will give you the male for free. A saddle costs four gold, three silver." Bast counted this up in her head and nodded.

"So, you ask seven gold and three silver," she said while counting out the money. "How much is the bridle and reins, plus a couple of saddle bags and the price for fixing Zahur's saddle?" Kena was silent while he added it all up in his head.

"All together, I will ask four gold, eight silver and three copper," he said finally. Bast added this to the price of the horse and handed the money back to Kena. The man turned to Kasiya, who was watching the exchange from the back door. "Kasiya, take them around back and show them the horses. Get their supplies from the tack room and let them saddle up." He then stood and nodded to Bast. "And I'll check on Zahur's saddle."

"Thank you," said Bast as she stood, Bakura following. "I need to move soon. I have to visit the gold smith and then I need to leave town. We have things to do that I do not want to be in town for." Kena frowned in question at her and she tilted her head in Bakura's direction. "I have to teach him the rest of his shadow magic so they do not try to kill him." Kena nodded, smiling, and left the room. Bast followed Kasiya out to the stable.

"I didn't get to see you the other day," said the healer. Bast smiled sadly.

"I was in a hurry to leave. The city was swarmed with soldiers and I try my best to stay away from them," she said. "I have not seen you much these last nine years anyway." Kasiya nodded, stopping at the twins' stall. The horses neighed at them as he opened the stall door.

"I've been busy, and you don't stick around long, like always. You're like your mother; you follow the sands of Egypt. Never staying in one place for too long." Bast smiled at the compliment. "You are as pretty as your mother was, too. " This time she blushed as he walked away to retrieve her supplies. Bakura was petting the male twin, watching her.

"He's right, you know," he said. Bast frowned at her friend, handing a treat to the male. "You are pretty, like a flower with an attitude." Bast smiled, causing him to flush and look away. She patted his shoulder and handed a treat to the female.

"Thank you, though," she said, looking up as Kasiya returned. Bakura, still flushed, moved to saddle the female. Bast raised an eyebrow and turned to Kasiya. "Think you can give me about a pound of feed?" she asked him. He looked down at her, and then thought about it. He nodded, turning to the feed container.

"A pound is one gold, six copper," he said while he measured it out. Bast counted out the coins and handed them to him in return for the cloth sack. She then handed the sack to Bakura, who put it in the saddle bag he was tying on the female. "By the way, the price father gave you for the supplies paid for an extra bridle, so I put it in with your supplies."

"I noticed," Bakura said. He smiled at the shocked Healer. "Thanks, though,"