Authors note: Hey guys! So this chapter was originally part of the 2nd one but it was so long and detailed I decided it stood better on it's own. Things are about to heat up! Ho ho ho do I have plans for our favorite heroes! :) Without further ado...Chapter 3! Questions/comments/reviews not necessary but greatly appreciated!
Present Day ~Past Events~ 'Thoughts' "Mental Links"
Chapter 3: Desecration PT2
Marik watched the last bit of sunlight disappear on the horizon. He hated to admit it but he had missed the cool nights of the desert. The night sky here revealed countless stars, glittering across the beautiful sea of black. Once the last bit of pink disappeared behind the lip of the rock wall he stretched out on his blanket laid out just behind the tent his sister was working in. He had his earphones in, just relaxing and enjoying the soothing breeze that occasionally drifted through the valley. It felt nice on his burnt skin. The slightly tender flesh on his neck and face twinged with movement and he chided himself for forgetting sunscreen. He'd been out of the scorching heat for a few years now, so his skin had become sensitive.
A light through the tent fabric caught his attention. He popped out an earbud and could hear low murmuring from inside.
Ishizu was speaking in low tones with someone, but he couldn't make out any words. Turning his music off he sat up and pressed an ear to the thick cloth. He could barely make out the conversation.
"...this isn't something….. we can't control…...safe for now, but we need to speak with Hawkins..."
"Odion I know the risks, but we cannot….just because we don't understand…..not just going to lock this away…"
Marik was surprised that the two seemed to be having an argument. He'd hardly ever heard his siblings fight. He stood and walked around to the entrance flap, pushing the fabric aside and walked in. They went silent as he took in the scene before him. They were standing on either side of a long table, between them sat the old book found in the tomb. His eyes jumped back and forth between them. They both looked like deer caught in the headlights at his questioning look.
"Sister, what is that?" He knew the moment he laid eyes on it it was important. It was freakish looking; covered in strange golden symbols and the bindings didn't look like any regular book covers he'd ever seen. It looked like leather but it wasn't...and it was a dark blue color that looked like bruised skin. The damn thing practically screamed DANGER: DON'T TOUCH. He kept his tone cool, but underneath he could feel his anxiety building. Ishizu walked over and guided him to the table keeping her voice low.
"Do you remember our talks with Yugi and his friends? About what they learned from the Pharaoh's memories? I've been doing some research on the origins of the dark magic his council priests held, and I believe it came from this book. The evil spirit that possessed Ryou Bakura kept referring to the Millenium Items-how they were created by sacrificing souls and using the bodies as foundations for the inlaid gold. But the question is how did they know how to create them? Such a power could not have existed on this plane, or been created by mere mortals. The markings on the bindings of this book are not Ancient Egyptian. They're something else entirely, though they do share resemblance to the glyphs from that time period. If I am correct, this is the source of power that created the seven Items-and it does not originate from our realm." Her face was pale but her voice held reverence, like she was in awe of the book that lay perfectly normal on the table top. She gently laid a hand on the top cover. Marik noticed for the first time that the book had a heavy golden latch with a Sennen eye etched into it. He wondered for a moment if they were even able to open it. Not that they should, but it would definitely put up a roadblock for his sister if a key was needed to open the book.
Odion shook his head, "If that is the case this book is incredibly dangerous. We should inform Professor Hawkins and move the book somewhere safe and out of sight. It cannot be given to the public as the Items have been."
Marik looked up wildly, "Given to the public? What do you mean? Those items were supposed to be given to Ishizu for safe-keeping! Not displayed for the whole world!" He rounded on his sister who had the presence of mind to look guilty.
"Professor Hawkins and I are in agreement that the Items no longer pose as a threat. It is safe to send them with the exhibit. They have not manifested any power since the du-"
"The fuck they're not still dangerous! You're telling me shadow magic still doesn't linger over them? You just got done telling me they were made with human bodies! And now-what, you want to display the book they came from?" He gestured wildly at the spellbook. Odion jumped in as well.
"Marik is right. I don't believe the magic is gone completely. At best, it's just laying dormant until someone wills it back to full power." His eyes shifted to Marik for a second, something his brother definitely noticed, "However, in your defense Ishizu, I feel that if the public were given only the basic information on the Items then they might be safe to share with the world. If no one else who is familiar with their history shares their secret then no one will actively try to steal them. Or use them. But this book? We know nothing about it other than it might be the source of magic that almost destroyed the world twice." He glared down at it like it was a poisonous snake ready to attack. She shook her head at them.
"I am willing to admit that I have reservations about displaying the Items, but these artifacts are vital for the exhibition! The world has a right to know what happened-why it happened. History shows us time and time again that we are doomed to repeat the mistakes we fail to learn from in the past. This is no different! What's more is the threat that came from these events and these Items is gone and is never coming back. The Pharaoh himself has seen to that! It is safe for them to go on display-including the book."
Marik rubbed his temples, he could feel a headache forming just behind his eyes. From what Yugi had told him, there wasn't much information on the book-Hell, Yugi hadn't even seen it in the Pharaoh's memories. What they did know is that the Royal family had been in possession of it for generations, passing from one king to the next-but no one had ever used it. Kaiba had let slip that his doppelganger's father had been the one to actually translate the book's spell and set in motion the beginnings of the Shadow Games….Ra, this was stupid! If any of them had any sense they'd chuck that book back into the pit and leave it there!
"Ishizu, I get why the exhibition is so important to you, I really do. But this is not a Millenium Item. We have no experience with this. It might not even be from our realm-people have died over this! The spells from this book were apparently so dangerous they locked it away with the Nameless Pharaoh in hopes no one would ever find it again. Some secrets need to stay buried." His harrowed expression only set her on the offensive.
"Both of you are acting like I am completely blind to the dangers of the situation! I assure you I am not! If anyone understands how one action can affect the future it is me-"
Marik scoffed, "You WERE the most qualified to make those kind of decisions but you can't see the future anymore! Without the Millenium Necklace you can't influence fate anymore. Stop acting like you still have control over what will happen." Ishizu looked affronted. Odion held a hand up to Marik and spoke.
"Marik, that's enough. That's not what this is about. What we're saying is that the book is too dangerous to even consider trying to understand it, let alone display it. We can't even open it at the moment, and I think that is for the best. Perhaps this one thing we should keep secret. We can take it the tombs and hide it. No one will find it there."
Marik shuddered at the mention of his childhood home. It made sense though; it was a deserted labyrinth. Unless you knew your way around it was easy to become lost in the dark. Ishizu shook her head.
"Even if we did there are too many witnesses. More than half a dozen people saw the book emerge from the pyramid today. How long do you honestly believe that information will stay hidden? How would we explain such an artifact just 'disappearing'? Or better yet, how would we convince people it didn't even exist? It doesn't take much for rumors to be spread and people to come asking questions. Just look at it! This artifact will not remain hidden for long even if we did take it." She argued.
Marik moved until he was right up next to her and looked down at her. "Sister please, listen to us. No good is going to come from this book. Even now my gut is telling me to get rid of it or just get away from it." He touched her shoulder, "Let us take it to the tombs. We can hide it long enough to find out what we're dealing with. Wouldn't that be a better alternative than to put it in the hands of people who've never had to face the darkness?" She planted her hands on either side of the book, hovering over it protectively.
"And what of Professor Hawkins? If we're going to steal a valuable artifact from his dig then perhaps we should inform him of your suggestions. Or doesn't he get a say in the matter?" She eyed them both warily.
Marik was starting to get pissed off. There was no point in arguing with her. She had already made up her mind. Bringing in the Professor would only stall for time and gain someone who would most likely share her point of view. He looked over at Odion; his expression showed that he too could see this wasn't going anywhere. Marik rubbed his face and strode towards the tent flap.
"Brother wait! Where are you going?" Odion called after him.
"She wants the Professor's opinion? Fine. I'll go get him. Maybe he'll see reason and throw that damn thing down a-"
POW! The second he pulled aside the curtain Marik was blinded by white light. He stumbled back, Odion catching him around the middle and pulling him back to the table. They could hear frantic screams and more explosions start up outside. Marik was stunned. He was still blinking dots from his vision as Odion told them to stay put and went outside. Fear gripped him suddenly when it clicked that his brother had left the tent. 'What the hell was that?'
POW! The mechanical light box blew up in a shower of sparks so bright and hot it sent people nearby scrambling for cover. She lowered her forcefield down and blinked dots out of her vision. The next one she blew up she'd find a spot further away to hide. Her spot behind a dirt pile had left her half buried-half singed before she threw up her shield to protect herself. It got the desired effect though. The tall light tower collapsed on a nearby tent. Small flames began to eat at the material, licking their way to the wooden poles and supplies within. The few workers who had remained to take the night shift cried out and frantically looked for anything to put out the fire.
She darted between piles of dirt and dived for the next closest mechanical box. Her hand shot out a dark cloud of smoke hitting the box dead center. She threw up her shield and rolled to the ground as it blew up in another fiery shower of sparks. More screams. People were milling about in a panic trying to get out of the way of the flames. Working her way closer to the pyramid, she could see a tall imposing man coming out of one of the tents. His eyes scanned over the scene before halting directly on her. She could sense strength and courage radiating off him-truth, loyalty, responsibility-his aura showed he was a good man. Confusion spread across his face at the black-clad stranger..then accusation. 'Uh oh.' He took a step towards her, his mouth opening to call to her. Not waiting for him, she bolted around behind a tent and made a sprint for the hole in the pyramid. He followed and she was surprised that a man his size could move so quickly. Hearing a deep voice and heavy footsteps steadily gaining on her she sped up, zig-zagging through people, huge rocks and tents. Rounding a corner she could see the entrance to the pyramid.
"STOP! WHO ARE YOU?!" The man skidded to a stop a few feet in front of her. He stood between her and the opening. 'Damn. Please don't make me hurt you.' His stance was loose and his hands out to his sides, ready to block her path. 'Argh! He's going to make me hurt him.' They stared each other down….then he lunged at her. Calling on her magic she threw a small ball of energy at the ground by his feet. He reeled backwards as the ground underneath him blew up. Shock registered on his face before he landed flat on his back. She sprinted past him and made a running leap onto the pyramid. Crawling to the gaping hole in the apex, she grabbed hold of one of the pulley ropes and didn't hesitate before dropping into the darkness below.
It was a further drop than she anticipated; her rope fell short and she was left dangling by the end of it with nothing but black below her. She struggled to keep her grip on the rope as she twisted to see below her. Once she got a good grip, she let go and summoned a ball of light with her free hand. Shining it around as her eyes adjusted to the sudden brightness. She breathed out a sigh of relief to find the ground was only about five feet down. She let go and landed on her feet. Dust flew up around her in flurries. Whispering to the small ball of light it flew from her hand and over to a shaft at the end of the long hall, slowly floating down and out of sight. Noise from the opening caused her to look up. The red glow from the entrance was getting brighter and she could hear more voices getting closer to the pyramid. She hurried over to the shaft. It was just small enough that she could shimmy her way down without a rope. Climbing in she followed the ball of light till she reached the bottom. Another drop to the ground and she was in a huge room with pillars covered in what she learned were hieroglyphics. She waved her hand and the ball grew bigger until it illuminated the whole room.
A podium stood in the center of the room. Walking over to it she saw a dust free square where something had been removed. Stooping down she inspected the drawing etched into the stone-memorizing the pattern for later. She could gather more information and translate these markings at home. Her fingers traced the patterns until she saw a symbol she recognized. It resembled a sideways hourglass within an infinity loop. 'It's one of the Tomes! I suppose they ended up here on Earth after all..' It wouldn't be wise to leave a Tome in this realm. Humans couldn't be trusted with infinite power. Looks like she'd be leaving with more than just a King. Her eyes were drawn to an enormous ornate door behind the podium. The same Eye from the card staring down at her. She made her way over and held a palm to it. It was made of stone, but painted to look like gold. It was beautifully done and she inwardly cringed at the thought of just blasting it open. Centering her magic about her palm she gently pushed- and her magic made solid transparent. Smiling, she moved through the large slab of stone and into the chamber.
Summoning another light she stood in a small room and found herself surrounded by glittering gold. Weapons, jewelry, statues, scrolls, and so many riches she gasped as she took it all in. This king was highly respected and very wealthy it seemed. On the walls of the chamber were intricately carved depictions of a great battle. Egyptians and monsters alike waged war over the kingdom-and the Pharaoh sheathed in gold rays of sunlight defeating a dark enemy. 'This is him!' Her eyes scanned the room until they fell upon a big sarcophagus. The smooth stone was covered with sparkly jewels of every color set in gold; it sat on a small dais at the center of the chamber. As nice as it would be to inspect the whole room and everything in it she was running out of time. People already knew she was down here and they'd come after the perpetrator who liked to blow lights up. Sitting next to it she called her magic to her again to lift the heavy top and set it down on the side. She frowned at finding another, less grandiose sarcophagus inside. Again, she lifted and pushed aside the lid. Her eyes went wide.
'He was so young..' Wrapped and embalmed was the small figure of the ancient king. She was surprised-really taken aback. Looking back up at the art on the wall she had assumed this king was an older man. This figure was barely taller than her. If she had to guess he had been in his teens or early twenties. A twinge of sadness filled her at the thought of someone so young sacrificing so much….but it made his future seem so much greater. She gently placed her hands under the stiff mummified body and lifted him out to place him in her lap. He was light as a feather. Cradling him to her she bowed her head and whispered lowly under her breath. Dark mist seeped from around her and engulfed the king's body. The corpse floated up in the air before her and she waved her hands over it. The mist shrouded the whole mummy. Through the mist she couldn't see much other than the body suspended inside. The mist brightened suddenly-the wrappings deteriorated and he became dust-which then floated down into a small whirlwind in front of her. She cupped her hands and formed a protective ball of energy around him. Bowing her head again in respect the ball grew very bright and she magicked him inside her chest. Safe and sound-next to her heart.
Vibrations coming through the air vent tunnels alerted her to uninvited guests. She stood and hustled to the door again-stopping when a magnificent blue cape caught her eye. She felt a funny jolt in her gut. Not knowing why, she grabbed the cloak and folded it into her clothes. The motion causing a golden artifact to fall and clatter loudly on the ground. She gasped as a grand crown lay there in the dust. She picked it up and gasped-upon touching it she had a fleeting vision of a young child crying and clinging to purple robes. It disappeared as quickly as it came. Tucking away the crown with the cape, she stood again in front of the door. The dilemma once again was before her to salvage the beautiful tomb or destroy it to get out and get home. 'By the gods, I'm going to pay dearly for this later...' Steeling her resolve she gathered a massive burst of energy sent it flying towards the chamber doors. Guilt forced her to shut her eyes so she didn't have to see the inevitable destruction of the Pharaoh's earthly resting place.
There were more explosions outside the tent. Marik looked at Ishizu. Her pale face reflected the same fear as his. She snatched up the book and they both tore out of the tent. They both looked around in horror at the chaos of the dig site. Tents were on fire-people were running around screaming and trying to salvage anything they could-tires screeched as people loaded into vehicles-sirens could be heard in the distance. Odion was nowhere in sight.
"Odion! Where are you?! ODIOOON!" Marik started running through the meleé looking for him. Ishizu hot on his heels. They both looked around at hearing his voice.
Ishizu cried out, "He's by the pyramid!" Marik took off in that direction. "Marik! Wait!" His sister was falling behind. He turned and grabbed her hand so they could stay together. His head swiveled side to side but he still couldn't see his brother.
"STOP! WHO ARE YOU!?" Odion yelled. His voice spurred Marik to move faster in that direction, dragging Ishizu with him.
They came to an opening between two piles of rock-gasping as they saw Odion facing off against what appeared to be a child-like figure in black clothes. 'That's the person I saw up on the cliff earlier!' He made a move to tackle her and they both stared in shock as the stranger made the ground blow up in front of Odion. He flew back and landed in the dirt with an audible THUMP! Marik didn't even think as he raced over to him; relief flooding through him as Odion didn't seem to be seriously injured. Ishizu had tears in her eyes as she checked over him.
"Brother, c'mon we have to go! We can't stay here-everything is on fire!-" He tried to lift his older brother to his feet but Odion grabbed him by the shoulders.
"We're under attack! Where did she go?!" He yelled, looking around for the arsonist. They looked at him confused before they realized the figure wasn't there.
"Under attack? Who would attack us? What do they want?" Ishizu stopped. Recognition dawned on her face. "Oh no!"
Marik knew. The Millenium Items. The explosions weren't an attack. It was a distraction! The ones salvaged today were probably already taken-then the attackers would search the pyramid for the rest. He grew angry. Mentally cussing himself out he put Odion's arm over his shoulder and heaved him upright. 'There's always something that has to go wrong! Why can't shit just be normal?! I'm so done with this shit! Time to get the hell out of here.' Sirens blared on the edge of the Valley and law enforcement came down in droves, guiding stragglers out and pulling the injured from collapsed tents. A group of soldiers were surrounding the pyramid-sending a few down to check for people inside. Marik turned to Ishizu.
"Let's go! We need to find the Professor!"
"Marik wait! We have to stop them! They're going after the Items!"
"FUCK the Items! Worry about them later! Grab the book and LET'S GO! NOW!" His glare left no room for argument. She scrambled for the book and helped Marik support Odion as they hustled away from the pyramid.
Not a moment too soon. There was a low rumbling-a deafening CRACK and the ground shook. They lost their balance; the force of the explosion knocking them to the ground. A huge plume of sand erupted behind them. Sand sifted-people yelled as they fought to keep from being swallowed up. Everyone gazed in horror as the center of the Valley of the Kings literally blew up. Huge chucks of sandstone and debris flying through the air. People were shouting out to take cover-it was almost impossible to see where the debris would land in the dark. Marik threw his arms up to block sand from his eyes. 'Holy shit! This is not HAPPENING!' The few huge lights that had survived the havoc shone down on the destruction. He and his siblings stared at the huge pile of rubble sitting where the Pharaoh's pyramid used to lay buried. Silence and disbelief overtook all who witnessed it. After a moment, the ground started to shift again, and Ishizu shrieked "NO!" as the remnants of the pyramid shifted and began to sink deeper into the ground. Once more the ground rumbled and everyone scrambled to get out of the pit. 'It's an earthquake!' Adrenaline drove Marik to his feet and he started pushing his siblings towards a trail leading out of the dig site. Looking back he saw the girl in black practically fly out of the middle of the sinkhole in what appeared to be a dark bubble-'What the fuck?' She landed-bubble dissipating- and started running in their direction.
"SHIT! GO! SHE'S COMING THIS WAY!" He instantly regretted shouting; her head whipped up at his cry and she spotted them.
His eyes widened as hers locked in on the book. He sucked in a breath as she bolted right at his sister. Blood pumped in his ears and things seemed to go in slow motion. He turned to face her head on. She was on them in seconds. Flight wasn't an option anymore-it was time to fight. He threw himself between her and Ishizu swinging his fist at her face as hard as he could. He didn't give a damn about fighting a girl at the moment, especially one that had already hurt his grown ass brother. She skidded to a halt and dodged so fast she blurred. He swung again trying to catch her in the gut. She caught his arm in both hands, spun and heaved him up off his feet. He saw sky-ground-sky again as she flipped him over her body and onto the ground. He scrambled to grab her but she moved like lightning. Odion fared better than he did. His size and strength forcing her to duck and go on the defensive. They swung and dodged each other's punches until she whirled around behind him and slammed both hands on either side of his head. His eyes rolled back and he fell to his knees.
"NO!" Marik screamed. He jumped to his feet and launched himself at her. Again she had him on his ass. "OOMPH!" Her fist connected with his stomach so hard he saw stars and lost his breath. He flopped over on his side, watching as she strode over to Ishizu and backed her up against the rock wall. Ishizu held the book tightly in her arms. Her face terrified as this strange woman approached her.
"Why are you doing this?! Who sent you?! Do you have any idea what you just done?!" Fear gave way to anger as she screamed questions at her. The woman stopped just inches in front of her. Marik shot a glance at Odion, who was coming to and blinking the daze out of his eyes. He forced air into his lungs and tried to get up. He was starting to feel sick-from fear or pain he didn't know.
"NO! You're not taking this! You don't even-AAH!" The woman yanked the book from Ishizu's grip and slammed a hand down on her forehead. Marik about lost it. His sister's cries spurred more adrenaline through him and he shot to his feet. The world tilted and he fought to stay upright. Odion too was moving-trying to crawl over to her as fast as he could. When his vision cleared he saw Ishizu sink to her knees, eyes rolled back into her head and she started to convulse.
"GET THE HELL AWAY FROM HER!" Marik dove and caught the girl's shoulder. She removed her hand from Ishizu's head and turned to push him away but he was already shoving her back against the rocks. The book flew from her hand. He used his weight and pulled them both to the ground. They wrestled in the dirt-she was stronger than she looked. He ended up straddling her waist and grabbed at her wrists to subdue her only to be choked as her legs swung up and around his neck, forcing him backwards and off of her. She released her legs and aimed a kick at his back catching him on his tailbone. He howled in pain. Rolling away she stood and picked up the book. Guards were running up on them. She began chanting in a strange language and the hair stood up on his body as a light shone from her chest and then seemed to appear out of thin air in front of her. Her chanting grew louder and the light widened to form what looked like a door. The guards stopped dead in their tracks at what they were seeing. What felt like electricity coursed through the air. The door of light shone so bright he was squinting to see the figure.
"Marik…" He barely heard his sister call his name. He looked over at her limp form being supported by Odion. "Stop her...she has..the book!"
His mind was screaming at him to run….in the other fucking direction. His body however, had other plans as he again shot to his feet and made a run for the damn book. He was going to kill Ishizu for this later. The ninja girl was already walking into the doorway. He extended his arm and managed to latch onto the back half of the book. She felt him tug hard and her eyes widened. They both pulled on it with both hands-he was stronger though. With a mighty heave he yanked her towards him and her chanting ceased. The light from her chest disappearing and the door began to lose shape and grow smaller-and pull them closer to the light. He tried to wrestle it from her grip by lifting it up over his head but it just caught on her clothes and she used her weight to pull it back down. A strong wind from the doorway kicked up and sucked even harder at them. Her eyes locked on his and he could see she was starting to panic. She tightened her grip on the book and kicked his square in the groin. Marik almost gave out to the pain, doubling over as black spots filled his vision. She gave one last pull backwards into the closing doorway. Gravity took over, lifting him off his unsteady feet and he tumbled in after her. He was vaguely aware of his sibling's horrified screams. He was engulfed in light and heat. Freefalling into the unknown. His last thoughts before he blacked out were his sister's promise over the phone that nothing bad was going to happen and his plane ticket home sitting on his bedside table.
Ishizu and Odion could do nothing but watch as Marik fell into the light and disappeared from sight as it closed behind him. He was gone. He was just gone. Where? Where did they go? Ishizu felt tears fall freely down her face as she stumbled to where he had just been standing. She fell to her knees and looked back at Odion. He too had tears running down his face. He held either side of his head in his hands and tried to keep the panic at bay. Their brother had been taken. Spirited away by some unknown magic. Guilt welled up inside her. Marik hadn't even wanted to be here and now….he was gone! A small glow caught her eye. In the sand sat a small pearlescent jewel on a small broken chain. It faintly glowed and felt hot to the touch as she picked it up. She watched it through blurry eyes as the light slowly faded to nothing, leaving a plain jewel in her hands. She lost it. Her body wracked with sobs as she held the stone to her chest, letting out an agonized scream to the night sky.
"MAARRIIIK!"