Chapter 21

The slow fluttering breeze floating towards him alerted him to her arrival, as well as to the fact his evolution was once again going to be interrupted. He didn't turn to look at her, he didn't need to; he already knew he wasn't going to see her true face. According to the rumours he'd heard about her, few people ever did. Then again there were a lot of rumours about her so what it was hard to know what to believe. After a few moments the fluttering breeze dropped to a still and for a while there was silence. He refused to speak, after all she was the one who'd come to see him and if the rumours about her were true she wouldn't stay silent for long.

'So you're the infamous SK,' it was Jay's voice she was used and he couldn't help but wonder if she'd changed her appearance to match.

'So what if I am,' SK remained calm.

'The multiverse has been waiting a long time for you.'

'Has it now?'

'I think you know it has,' she appeared in the side of his vision, her image indeed mimicking Jay's.

'And why would that be? What's so interesting about me?'

'A Nether Herin evolving doesn't happen, the fact it is now is the will of the multiverse and something my mentor believed was needed. From the moment you entered the awareness of my mentor you became an interest to him and from there an interest to me.'

'Is my evolution really so fascinating?'

'It's not just your evolution, it is also your power and influence.'

'Oh?'

'SK I need your help.'

'Don't you have that already,' he couldn't help but smirk; he liked playing this game with her, it reminded him of Jay.

'That's what I'm here to determine.'

'Well you have it.'

'No matter what it is I'm wanting?'

'Why wouldn't I help you?'

'Because what I am asking may bring harm to those you are charged to protect.'

'Funny, when Dayena was here before she pretty much told me I was no longer charged to protect anyone. Why do you see it so differently?'

'Everyone else, especially people like my mentor, are only seeing you for the powerful new being you're becoming. I, on the other hand, see you for the man you are. The man you've always been. You are already a hybrid, what is to follow will only strengthen that for you. But every single part of what you are becoming knows those you're charged to protect are more than just charges for you. They're your family and even if you're no longer the official Mistresses Helper there's no way you'd just leave them.'

For a few moments there was silence as he contemplated her words. He knew she was right. He'd known it even before she started explaining and he was just relieved someone finally agreed with him about his place in the new order of things. But at the same time it felt really strange for the one person to be her.

'Are you suspicious of my motives,' she broke the silence.

'No,' he shook his head, 'and I also know any harm you bring my charges will not be deliberate. Just like you're hoping my involvement will limit any damage you might cause, right?'

'You managed to work all that out so quickly?'

'I know a little something about you.'

'You can't believe all the rumours you hear about me,' her head lowered a little, 'some of them are nothing more than myths and stories.'

'You're too young to have myths told about you,' he couldn't help but smirk.

'You know what I mean. People like to exaggerate about things and I'm one of those things they're most definitely exaggerating about. Still, I need to know, do I have your help?'

'You do, under one condition.'

'And that is?'

'You let me finish evolving first.'

'What time is it,' Lus rubbed the sleep from his eyes, as he emerged from his room.

'Does that matter,' his father glanced up at him from the living room couch, 'you need to get more sleep.'

'I'm fine,' he shrugged, 'I don't need anymore sleep.'

For a few moments they were both silent, then Yugi indicated to Lus he should take a seat on the couch next to him. Apprehensively Lus did as he was told.

'Lus this isn't going to be an easy conversation,' Yugi started carefully, 'you may not like what I have to say.'

'Just tell me,' Lus sighed, as he curled himself up slightly, 'I'm not in the mood to be pussyfooted.'

'Your latest set of blood tests have just come in; the doctor phoned us this morning.'

'Oh…' his face instantly became tense and drained looking, 'is it… I mean…'

'Please,' Yugi held up a hand to silence him, 'just listen. Your mother and I have been discussing this for a while now and we've come to the conclusion that it's the only way forward. Your power is putting too much of a drain on your physical body and…'

'No,' Lus cut him off, 'you can't.'

'Lus,' his voice was low and careful, 'you have to…'

'You can't take my powers away from me, you…'

'It won't be forever Lus, just until you get a little stronger.'

'Basically you want to fatten me up and you don't think that'll happen if…'

'Its not we don't think, its we know you won't with your powers draining you like they are.'

'This is just an excuse to…'

'No,' he cut him off again, 'I'm sorry Lus but even the doctor thought this would be a good idea. See there's more to…'

'You're not taking my powers away from me…'

'Lus there's more, please listen.'

'Why should I listen to you? All you want to do is weaken me.'

'That's no true, it's…'

'Don't take my power away!'

'Lus…'

'No, no I won't let you. This isn't fair, this…'

'Lus calm down,' Téa's voice sounded from behind them. 'Please, we know you don't want to lose your powers, but it's the only way. We wouldn't be suggesting it else.'

'Really?'

'Yes, really,' Téa's expression was tight. 'Lus you're dying, taking your powers away is the only way to give you a fighting chance of survival.'

'What,' his jaw dropped open.

'It's true,' Yugi lowered both his gaze and his voice, 'it's what I've been trying to tell you. You're results, it's…'