This story doesn't make sense anymore and Idgaf. I'm still trying, dammit.

Chained to the Earth

Chapter 12

Two unconscious bodies, as heavy as lead, were dragged through the dark halls of the underground research facility. Candles lit the hall, leaving a gloomy and desolate atmosphere to the already murky and depressing scene. The humans in control think nothing of the creatures in their hold. They don't think of the force they have on their hair, the rough strength and pull that was enough to tear locks. They thought not of their legs that were being dragged across the hard concrete floors, being scraped and scratched underneath their thin clothing.

"Why are you hurting those poor children?" Any normal person would ask in concern.

But now it was simply, "I call first incision."

Pawns. Dolls. That was their role here; toys to be cut, to watch squirm and bleed. To scream. To beg.

Humans were truly monsters.

They lock you up in shackles so tight that your wrists bleed. They make you wear neck braces to keep your head from hitting the wall. A nice gesture, if not for the fact that they choke you, a false security. And they make you watch as your friend is tortured only feet away, forced to watch them scream, wail, cry, and beg for mercy.

Jaden awoke first, his arms numb and his head hung low. He cannot move. He was awake but not. He looks around from his uncomfortable position. He sees a large metal table, a monitor mounted to the wall perpendicular to himself, and a cabinet filled with things he'd rather not learn about. Other than that, the room was fairly empty. Jaden was unsure of where they were but remembers bits of pieces of their last few moments before things went black.

This thought reminds him of Jesse. He looks over to his left and sees his friend, still unconscious, his body falling forward, only held up by the chains around his wrists, ankles and his neck. He was pale and Jaden could see the black and blues beginning to form on Jesse's body.

"Jesse…" He says softly. He wants to speak up, to shout, scream, but his throat was dry and he could speak no louder. He was afraid that something was wrong with him, that Jesse was hurt far worse that he could tell. "Jesse…" He tries again to grab his attention but it was useless. The teal haired boy was in far worse shape than Jaden could help him out of with words alone. He was alone now, waiting for the humans to return, to begin whatever it is that they plan to do with him. He knew that it would not be easy, but he had to hang on. Both for Jesse and himself, as well as for his brother back home. He wants to see Haou again. He can't let him down.

The door at the end of the room slowly creaks open, light slowly floods in the room, a dim and glossy light that leaves Jaden's body shaking despite the numbness. He watches fearfully as a large silhouette appears, a large bag at his side. A bag of tools perhaps. Jaden could feel the chains around his body tightening simply with his gaze on this person. He did not want to be anywhere near him, and yet it would seem that he had no choice, as the man made his way inside. The heels of his shoes clicked with each step, click click click, and Jaden could see as he walked in, the fearful color in his eyes behind the horrifically dark black shades; the deep shade of red.

The door to his chamber opens and Yugi looks over to see who it was that was bothering him at this most tense of hours. He was in little mood to talk, and was trying to focus his mind on too many things at once. However, when his eyes caught glimpse of Crowler, he loosened his shoulders just a bit.

"Any news?" He asks.

Crowler shakes his head. "I'm afraid not. Our efforts are still minimal now with Seto's lackeys watching our every move. I'm sorry, My King. We're doing our best."

Yugi growls but does not much else. He could do nothing more without causing a commotion. "Very well. Continue to do your best to access it. We must reach it before long or I fear he will be in greater peril."

Crowler half bows to his king. who tries to regain his focus on other things, like his project to get back those of which who were transported to other dimensions before he was interrupted. He worries that something grave will happen to them if he did not act quickly.

Not wanting to waste time, Yugi removes himself from his bed and leaves the confines of his bedchamber and departs for the throne room. He knows that no one will be there to see him, but he would rather try and keep productive than wallow in self pity.

As he walked, he couldn't help but think of Ryou and the conditions he must be enduring. He thinks of the horrific things he was witnessing, the harassment and torture. Seto Kaiba was a ruthless tyrant to his people, despite what his history has told him. He knows better. Kaiba would do anything to keep power and expand. He doesn't care who he hurts.

"Wait a bit longer, Ryou." He mutters to himself. He looks down at the tattoo of their love on his ring finger and his heart surges.

He hides his hands in his sleeves and continues his trek. Just before he was to turn the corner to enter the throne room, a small orb of light appeared before him. He froze and stared in confusion. When the silhouette of something appeared, he held his hands out and watched as it dropped into his hands.

A small scroll, now clenched tightly in his hands, this was Yugi's new brimming hope, as he felt Ryou's aura. He knew now that his love was okay, and that was trying to communicate with him, even from this great a distance between them. A warmth swelled within him. He opened the message, his fingers shaking from both nervousness and excitement at the news that his fiance wished to share with him.

He read the words, a smile creeping onto his lips.

I believe in you. Do not give up.

That was all Yugi needed to hear. He will continue to fight, a thousand times harder, all for the sake of Ryou, this kingdom, and their children.

The day has come and gone, and Amane wanted nothing more than to grab a bite to eat and relax a bit. Her day was not as long as usual, but it was as hectic as always. And yet, her focus was more on the boys inhabiting her home rather than her patients. She wondered just how their efforts were going and if they had made any progress.

When she walked into her home and found all of the lights to be off, she began to wonder just where they were and if they had made their way home yet. She walked inside and switched on the light. When her surroundings became clearer, she noticed that there was nothing out of place, no single indication that anyone has been there. She wondered if it was because they were technically not apart of this world, and if there were certain things that they could not touch. That theory was still questionable as they could eat, sleep and wear human clothing. They could manipulate certain things, perhaps.

Amane checked the guest room, but they were not there. She checked the bathroom, but there was no sign of them there either. She began to grow worried, and began to fear that maybe she was crazy, that the boys were just a figment of her imagination and she just dreamed them up after getting no sleep for 3 days straight.

She had no clue where to look outside of her home. They could have gone anywhere, or maybe they had already figured out a way home. She had no way of knowing.

With no other options left, she sat down on the couch and rested her head on the arm rest. Her eyelids grew heavy and she fell into darkness and drifted into sleep.

Dusk began to roll in and Ryou was summoned to meet with Kaiba, and his nerves were on edge. He was had past relations with the Fallen's king, however, his stature alone was intimidating. His eyes were as blue as sapphires, and yet their radiate so much darkness that it made him cringe. The Fallen King lead him into his casams, and he was trapped, a pawn in this chessboard of war. As of this moment, he has lost, for Angels have sacrificed their king. It was between the Dark and Purgatory now, whichever side prevails will lead this world. He feared for his children's safety, the smiles that they bear. Both Seto and Bakura had the power to take that all away.

Ryou wanted to do everything in his power to prevent either of the two from advancing any further, however, there was little he could do on this land. He had no power here, and he was still weak from the serum that was injected into him. He could do nothing. That was how Seto wanted him, obedient and willing.

Sitting across from him, Ryou watched as Seto stared into his eyes, their little contest has no seized for several moments. Ryou was beginning to grow impatient at the games that Seto was playing with him, and would rather wish they were over.

"Why have you called me here? I am your prisoner, am I not?" Ryou asks.

Seto lets a sly grin take form on his lips. "I have you here captive, yes. But you are no prisoner. You're simply a player in this game."

"A sick and twisted game."

"Not all games are family friendly."

Ryou growls and Seto's grin only grows as his amusement does. "You are messing with the lives of my children. You have no right to do so. Your games are madness."

"And yet, it's a game I still plan to win. I may have taken a few thousand year break, but my people, myself included, are ready to enter once more, and this time we plan to succeed at the crown. Both you and your brother will fall to your knees before me."

"I would love to see you try, as both myself and my children have trained hard for this war. And despite our hatred for it, we are ready to defend ourselves by any means necessary. We're not ruled out just yet; not because you have retrieved the king's piece."

"But you can't protest once the game has been won. And when it has, I will see to it that your head will hang from my wall, a truly fitting prize."

"You're mad!"

"And you are soft. War isn't won through friendly persuasion and conversation, but through action and blood."

"No blood should have to be spilled. This war is forever gridlocked in a never-ending cycle. We will never escape it, but rather we should end it and call a truce. All of us."

"You're simply naive." Seto begins. He stands from his desk and places his hands firmly on its surface, gazing into Ryou's eyes intently. "The Fallen will never work alongside the Angels or the Demons. Both of you are severely different compared to us. We each may have been one of you at a time, but no longer is our fate tied to yours. We live as our own people. And we will never surrender to you or Bakura."

"I never said you had to surrender, but rather a truce. There is a difference. I thought even you would understand that." Ryou explains.

Seto's eyes sharpen but he backs off and retakes his seat. "Your place is here, locked in that tower, until your purpose is fulfilled. Once that happens, I will do with you what I wish. Until then, sit tight and wait for the world to fall."

Ryou closes his eyes and frowns. "I will never let this world fall into your hands. Not now. Not ever."

"We'll see."

Atticus entered the room and smiles at Ryou, who scowled at him in return. Seto waved Ryou away to Atticus.

"Return him to his tower. I have nothing further to discuss with him."

Atticus bows to his king. "As you wish." He holds out an arm to Ryou. "Right this way, M'lady."

Ryou swats his arm away and stalks out of the room. Atticus follows after him, closing the door to Seto's office.

As the two walk together towards the tower, they pass Jim, who was on his way to retrieve his next assignment. As they pass each other, Jim grabs Atticus by the arm and pulls him close so that only Atticus could hear him.

"You're treading on dangerous water there, mate. Keep it up and the gators are gonna swallow you whole."

Jim leaves Atticus with those words of advice. Atticus watches him leave and can't help but wonder what it all meant.