Chapter 13: Corrupted
The dragon roared, its wings opening wide as it flew by moonlight into focus. The enemies before it trembled in terror as its eyes gleamed.
"Go! Burst Stream of Destruction!"
The dragon roared, rearing its head back as a bright beam of light shot out.
His life points dwindled to 0 in a matter of seconds. Everything was a faulty defense against this creature… this deck.
"You are not playing like yourself tonight." The chat pinged, as he checked his notifications.
The icon to the right depicted a young girl with white hair and bright blue eyes, grinning at the camera.
"What's wrong?"
Online dueling, at least meant no such thing as a "limited" card, if you were willing to play the long con with the gacha technique… and for Seto, he thought he did pretty well.
"YOU'RE A HYPOCRITE!"
"Today was a bad day, Kisa."
At least one person was willing to talk to him tonight. He played the online ranks mostly for practice for his tournament builds, before buying any new cards or going through his collection.
He was grateful, he at least had one friend via this game.
MaidenwithAzureEyes is typing…
He pinched the bridge of his nose. He was not looking forward to explaining this one.
"What happened?"
"I don't wanna talk. Just wanna duel."
"You sure? I don't wanna force ya but… when you play like this, you make mistakes you'd never make. You could've swept my entire deck and locked it down but you didn't."
BlueEyedSage is typing…
Seto sighed, thinking back to earlier that night…
"How do I even explain that disaster?"
"Mokuba, pass the bread please?"
Mokuba looked over to the boy sitting beside him.
"You wanted the bread, Noah?"
This had been going on since they got home. If Seto asked Mokuba something, he would pretend he didn't hear him.
Or what he was doing now. Pretending Noah was the one who asked instead.
Noah grimaced, fiddling with a bracelet hidden under his sleeve.
"Mokuba, you know for a fact I didn't ask. Please, stop getting me involved in this."
"Come on, help me out a little here."
He looked to the side, seeing the glare Seto was giving him.
If Noah had it his way, he would've melted into the floor away from all of this.
"Excuse me." Cyndia cut in, setting down her glass. "What exactly is the problem here?"
"Oh, no problem, just grateful I have ONE BROTHER.'
"Mokuba." Pegasus cleared his throat, giving the boy a glare. "You know that this is unacceptable. Apologize."
Mokuba narrowed his eyes, looking away.
"I'm not. Asking." Pegasus said with a stern tone.
"I'm sorry… that I'm stuck with HIM!" He got up, storming out. "I'm going to bed!"
"Mokuba wait-!"
Seto looked down.
"Did I do something wrong?" Noah asked.
"I messed up. I need to fix this…"
"Once you have the treasure, all will be fixed."
He rubbed at his left eye, cringing. It hurt… it hurt so badly. He clamped his hand over it as he sat down on his bed.
His computer kept pinging with notifications but he ignored them.
"DragonBoy? Hey, you online? Are you okay?"
I have to make this right…
He took out his phone and began to text.
oooooo
Alright, let's see…
Everything was set. Two pillar candles, one to represent the sun and the other the moon… A cone of incense burning, leaving the smell of lavender and jasmine in the air.
The puzzle settled in the middle of all of this.
Let's see if we can master some better swapping… Or at least, make it so I don't have to mumble to myself all the time to talk to him.
"Are you ready?" Yami asked. "This won't be an easy endeavor… The puzzle is a labyrinth that even I do not know the entirety of."
"I'm positive." Yugi grinned. "We keep getting interrupted but I think tonight's the night."
He closed his eyes, as the spirit disappeared from view.
Breathe in… Just like Dad taught ya… Breathe out…
The puzzle is a labyrinth but I am its master…
He fell silent, focusing on that moment… the candles, the incense… the chill of the puzzle's gold as he rested both hands on it.
Breathe in… breathe out…
I call to thee…
Allow me to see the place where spirits dwell…
"BZZRT"
Yugi let out a groan of annoyance.
"Should've turned off my phone…" He hung his head a little. "Is this what it's like when Nat and I bug Dad when he's meditating?"
Yami sighed as he materialized. "I thought we'd get to play…"
"Me too…"
He checked the message, an annoyed gaze coming to his eyes.
"It's Seto."
"What is it Natsuki said…? … Exile him? Banish him? … Execute-"
"Block." Yugi interrupted. "And I'm not doing that… Maybe he doesn't realize what he was doing was wrong and he wants to say sorry?"
"Or he's a fool blinded by greed." Yami crossed his arms. "Or something more sinister. How did he act today compared to before?"
"Weird. It was like he was sick… or had something bothering him. He kept zoning out… like when I talk to you…" Yugi opened up the message.
"I'm sorry for my behavior earlier. That was uncalled for… I'd like to make it right. Would it be alright to see the card one more time? I'd like to get it a special case. A mere card shield doesn't do its beauty justice."
"It's okay, people make mistakes. Honda goofed up earlier. You… don't really react well to stress, do you?"
"It's… something I'm working on."
Yugi's heart sank. He wasn't sure why… but something was off here.
Yami peered over his shoulder, trying to read the messages, furrowing his brow in confusion.
"I don't understand any of this."
"We'll go over the written stuff later. It's important…. but Seto did say he was sorry."
"And?"
Yugi sighed, sitting on his bed, bringing the puzzle with him.
"I'm worried. I have this weird feeling something's wrong. I mean… no one acts like that without a reason…"
"And after hearing the story." Yami sat down beside him, giving him a concerned gaze. "Do you believe he holds ill will towards you?"
"I don't wanna believe it… but it feels like something else is wrong."
"Perhaps, take a risk then. If this might be the work of Zorc…" Yami trailed off, narrowing his eyes.
Yugi frowned, giving a nod.
"Right… but I don't wanna think that… though from how his brother reacted, that was not normal."
"Then proceed with caution… besides, Solomon's a wise man. If you ask him for advice, he'll give you an answer better than even I can." He ruffled up Yugi's hair. "That, I promise."
"Thanks Yami… and sorry about earlier."
"I should be apologizing. That was… not a good moment for me."
"Trust me, that just comes with the territory of knowing Nat." Yugi laughed.
Yami chuckled before looking at the puzzle around his own neck.
Someone here is pulling strings…
oooooo
The next day, things were… still quite awkward as Yugi's group made an effort to avoid Seto right after class.
"So, we gonna play again during lunch?"
Miho tapped her fingertips together before grabbing Honda's arm.
"Actually, we wanted some private time on the roof…"
"Y-Yeah… We'll see you later, Yugi."
Yugi sighed, looking at Anzu hopefully.
Anzu smiled sheepishly, giving him a pleading look.
"I have to practice…"
"Go."
He turned to Jonouchi with a raised eyebrow. Seto hadn't even been in the classroom yet, having left to go retrieve his own lunch.
Jonouchi crossed his arms.
"Like heck I'm leaving you with that guy."
I don't blame the others but man… way to be subtle guys… Yugi sighed to himself.
Seto had a cool smile on his face, though it didn't… quite reach his eyes. His gaze was distant, as he ate, his movements… almost robotic in nature. It was a lot different from the young man who was content to play Duel Monsters while eating his lunch.
And he's not checking his phone a whole lot either… Guess Mokuba's that mad at him…
"So, um… How've you been, Seto-kun?" He asked. "Feeling better today?"
"Ah, yes… apologies, again. I suppose my migraine was making me act strange." Seto chuckled. "It was all an honest mistake."
"I see… I'm glad, cause yeah, that was um… pretty bad."
He once again bowed his head.
"I'm truly sorry for my actions. That was not becoming of a proper leader."
What the…? I guess he's talking about taking over Kaiba Corporation…
"Uh… yeah… It's… It's fine." Yugi rifled through his bag. "I did bring it though."
He retrieved the card in question, holding it up to the light. The card sleeve reflected the light, making it bounce off of it.
Seto's eyes lit up, reaching for it… just as Yugi brought it back towards him.
"I'm dead serious, Seto." Yugi narrowed his eyes. "This card goes back to me no matter what. My grandpa's been through enough. Losing Grandma nearly destroyed him."
Yugi honestly admired the strength Solomon had. He just kept picking up the pieces when life seemed to throw the Mutou family for a massive loop.
Our family's been shredded over and over but we don't give up…
Seto winced, rubbing his left eye.
"R-Right. Of course. I wanted to show you something actually... Can we go somewhere more…" He eyed where Jonouchi was sitting.
The young man had his headphones on, looking at his phone while he ate… though he could tell the blond was staring him down.
"Private?" Yugi finished.
Why does he keep doing that?
Yugi stood up, shouldering his bag.
"Let's go then."
Yugi started to head for the door… turning his head, as he noted Seto staring right at him…
His left eye glinted, gold for the briefest of moments.
The boy swallowed hard.
Yami.
Yami materialized beside him, his arms crossed.
The spirit could see… something, right behind Seto. A man with dark hair and wearing garb of red and black. The man, sneered, whispering in Seto's ear, as a pained look came to the boy's face. The man's nails dug into his head, forcing him to stand.
"He has an attachment."
Yugi furrowed his brow.
"Like, another ghost?"
"Precisely… I can sense him though… Zorc's power courses through that spirit's core… Unfortunately…" Yami frowned. "I don't think Seto can fight him off much longer. The sooner we knock that away from him the sooner he can heal."
"Right." Yugi nodded, taking a shaky breath.
As they walked through the halls of Domino High, Yugi snuck out his phone, texting Natsuki.
"Don't come here. Zorc's here."
"Then I AM coming over."
"Natsuki. No."
"Too bad."
He looked up at the room they had stopped at.
Library
He took a shaky breath.
"So, what did you wanna show me-"
A hand clamped down on his shoulder, tightly.
Yugi turned his head…
Seto was leaning over him, the boy's left eye completely gold now. He sneered, his pupils shrinking as he stared Yugi down.
"I got you now." His voice was distorted. "Nameless Pharaoh's Vessel."