Chapter 8- Thorns with Blood
Meit Al Mokhles - Zifta
The limousine brought both of them to government meeting, less likely to be meeting but a conference of some sort. The hosts greeted Marik, and Luanne followed him in their disguise.
"We're still looking for the man Ibrahim Feisal. He is the counter- power movement against my father's party." Luanne whispered
"Do you know what he looks like?" Luanne heard Marik behind her.
Luanne shook her head later on a man with a Jellabiya in his forties who appeared kind greeted the two "Salam" and with his name Feisal name tag to indicate so.
"Salam" Luanne bowed and waited for Marik to do the same.
"Ibrahim, pleasure meeting you too sir." Smirking inwardly, Marik approached the man with a bow. Then the woman that Luanne saw from the pictures Dixon showed her stood alerting some bodyguards the boy that had just greeted Mr. Feisal.
"We do seek new young interns so it is a pleasure to have both of you join, now please take a seat." Ibrahim cued for them to go in.
"Thank You Sir…" Luanne bowed
Both of them entered the building and found two seats where Odion had reserved. Marik then quickly whispered to Luanne. "I will be using my powers so bear with me. For now I want to speak with someone, so stay with Inas and the other Ghouls. I'll be back… just meet me at the yard if anything happens."
"Yup, got it!" Luanne understood and Marik patted her back and smiled.
Odion followed Marik as they both exited a door and the Egyptian girl followed them.
Meanwhile in the vicinity of Meit Al Mokhles, Marik and Odion entered an office where the girl followed.
"Well, if it isn't my big sister Ishizu. See you have found a place in the surface to dwell after all. I told you it was not a bad idea. Isn't it Odion, being couped up in the tomb and slaving for a King that murdered the ones that served him..." Marik took of his Jellabiya and handed it to Odion.
"The Pharaoh did not kill our father…who led you here…?" Ishizu said sternly
"Oh my dearest naïve sister, have you forgotten that it is your brother's special day? Precisely six years ago my Tomb Keepers initiation marred the murderer's memories on my back! Can't you see I'm fighting for our freedom Ishizu?" Ishizu walked over towards Marik who is riled up at the thought of his sixteenth birthday.
"Marik…" Ishizu hugged him and took Marik by surprised and hugged her back.
"You can't greet a 'Happy Birthday' to be now can you… You know far too well all three of us have suffered…" Marik whispered and Ishizu sat on one of the tables.
Ishizu felt lost and glanced at Odion who have been silent throughout all this. She remembered Odion shielded the truth about that faithful night about their father's death and probably for the best. Blaming the murder on Shadi and the Pharaoh.
"Ishizu, I believed you have visited Pegasus recently to hide three Egyptian God Cards, where are they?" Marik went straight to business. He knows Ishizu' weak spots and he will now test her.
"Brother, I will not tell you where those cards are being housed, but I do not have them. Your Ghouls are very swift to locate me here and they are causing havoc. Mr Mahmoud have been interrogated and spared yesterday. Your goons who were disguised as one of my employees have harassed Miss Fatima the Curator. I believe such news have reached your ears too."
Chuckling at her stubborn predictability, he smiled or rather smirked at the news he has already gathered. "My Ghouls caused so much demise? I love to punish them for you but they are doing it in my favour. You quickly forget that I wield the power to control even important people and not just my Rare Hunters. And without her aid, I wouldn't even be here."
"You have the Middle Child of Badru Khait…? The girl is on your side and what agreement have you made for her as a Rare Hunter? What do plan to do to her?" Ishizu was shocked at the news.
Marik ignore the last two inquiries about the contract. "You see, not only did I come here to discuss business with you but to spend time with you my precious sister. How you have conspired against me in stopping our freedom. Don't you see, when I do rule the world, our clan will be free. When the Pharaoh's existence is obsolete, our clan will be free… Oh you have Odion to thank for finding the girl, she is my fruitful asset. I believe her name is Luanne Quibilah Issa Khait who is essentially a servant to me. You're a heartless woman Ishizu; you put her through a little misery by using my goons in return to accomplish your end of your bargain. She fell in a pool and almost drowned and I saved her." Marik scoffed as he casually paced around, holding the millennium item in his hand lazily and waving it playfully.
Ishizu flinched at her attempt to save Luanne through Dixon who was pretty noble when she met him. "I don't wish to discuss this with you brother and what you are doing will only enslave the Ishtar clan further… if you do find the card, you will have to use your powers to get though me first for I will not jeopardise the world but I know you will. I do believe you are after Mr Ibrahim Feisal but he is under my protection." As for the girl, I… cannot save her from Marik now. Ishizu thought to herself. "Those cards do not belong to the Ishtar clan and last but not least you. You said this time is only special and some of our current differences are ignored. So I have something for you…."
"What's wrong, cat caught your tongue dear sister…? Is it an Egyptian God Card sister…? If not, then I cannot accept the gift." Marik mocked.
"I believe the girl is no ordinary girl to take control with Shadow's power. Even I cannot read her future if there are thorns filled with blood blocks in my visions. However, I will not let darkness shroud in your heart when you seek power… I will stop you."
She walked over to a shelf and took an ancient book, she handed the familiar book to Marik. "The Book of Y-Meta was your inspiration and you inspired me when you were four years of age… twelve years ago during one summer solstice new moon…" Ishizu calmly stood in front of her brother.
Marik turned to his favourite page and saw that it was still intact fortunately and then he shut it. Unsatisfied with how Ishizu got the upper hand of their meeting, Marik raised his millennium rod. "Ishizu, don't you dare bring our sentiments into this issue." Marik growled but a glaring glow emitted and Ishizu had disappeared by the power of her millennium necklace before he could do anything.
"Master Marik, we need to capture Mr. Feisal as soon as possible." Odion said
"I know. Firstly, call for back up as I need to capture him myself." Marik held the book.
Marik alone returned to see where Ibrahim Feisal is located within the building and started to tap into the man's head to control him. "Now Ibrahim, you are mine now. Exit the building and enter the vehicle right with some of my Rare Hunters will escort you to."
He scanned Ibrahim's mind for the location of the first Egyptian God Card and it was Winged Dragon of Ra. It was here and Ishizu lied about not keeping the card here. She ran away with the card obviously and only Ibrahim knows of the location.
As he observed three of his Rare Hunters encountered Ibrahim and seized him, he waited for ten minutes. He walked over to the exit and the vehicle was gone. Unusually the security that was alerted earlier was not taking action.
Odion informed him again, "Master, we have captured Ibrahim Feisal and now he is in one of our local headquarter and will be at our Cairo Headquarters."
"Then we shall leave immediately."
Marik and Odion went to find Luanne and she was nowhere to be found. Lastly he found her hijab lain on the ground with some blood. He looked around and followed a trail of blood to the same exit Ibrahim had left. As they look around the block, there at the courtyard was Luanne coughing tiny amounts of blood. Odion quickly ran to her, as Marik was not sure what to do. The Side Effect in controlling was more severe than just a thought impartation.
"Master Marik, you said that it was under control…" Odion looked up as Luanne groaned.
"It will be. Odion…I will set Luanne free from the Side Effect as soon as we get out of here." Marik looked away and panicking within but staying calm while still holding his book and his Millennium Rod. Realizing the Side Effect triggered again by Ishizu's attempt to access her future with her Millennium Necklace and his by controlling Ibrahim Feisal in kidnap with his Millennium Rod has cause her to cough blood. Then it dawned on him the 'thorns filled with blood' Ishizu mentioned was sealing her vision, this cannot be good…
As another car pulled up, Odion placed her in and they both got in the car. It was Inas and the bodyguards spotted them. Marik quickly rendered ten of them unconscious with his power as that was the only way they could solve their narrow escape. This caused a surge of energy ponding on Luanne's head and she screamed.
As soon as they were in the car, Luanne opened her bag to take a water bottle out. Odion aided her by opening the cap. "Odion, I'm not sure if-if I can stay-" She started coughing again.
"Don't answer that Odion, after I accomplish this prospective plan you may join your family in Christmas Luanne." Marik said nonchalantly as he flipped the book and saw a 'Happy Birthday' Greeting card from Ishizu.
"Dearest Little Brother Marik,
I wanted to say this for such a long time but had not been our pasts… remember equilibrium…? Anyway I miss your kindness, I miss our childhood, I miss you pure heart and gentleness. Look forward to spending more time with you in the surface and being sixteen. I wish we can settle our differences but I trust destiny will solve it. Please find happiness but for now, have an insightful birthday. Love –Ishizu "
Marik smiled but when he caught Odion staring at him he smirked and followed by a sly snicker. He wedged the card inside the book and tossed it on the ground of the car leaning back and stepped on the book. "Odion, take the book to the private jet later… How pitiful, sister… " There was something wrong with the picture again as Odion was letting her be close him. He knows Odion; he's not the type to fall for this girl. The only why she leaned on him was she was suffering from the Side Effect.
There were still blood stained on her lips but Odion had taken care of most of the mess. For now he ignored the issue, as it was his birthday after all. The sun was setting and the highway was increasingly congested but they were now out of the traffic and now at a residential area of Zifta.
For this very moment, Marik just wanted to be alone. He needed to register what had happened to day. His birthday was not joyful, although he expected that. In one of there headquarter with an abandoned block of shops; he knew both of Odion and Luanne are nearby following him. In an underground catacomb they enter, he could hear Odion whispering to Luanne.
"Are you feeling better now Luanne?" Odion whispered
"I think so, I didn't expect to cough blood. Anyway where are we?"
"In one of our headquarters of Egypt of Zifta. We have many in Egypt and internationally as well." Odion informed Luanne.
As they entered a warehouse, Marik then said, "Odion, I need to be alone for now. There are many chambers so show our guest one that is appropriate. Soon I will find the location of one of the Egyptian God Cards. Now leave!"
Marik's solitude managed to reach the evening in his cold throne. He realized Luanne is his advantage to claim the Egyptian God Cards if all he Ishizu's foresight is about Luanne's Side Effect. On the other hand, Odion would be against that, as time passed, Ibrahim Feisal was not rendered as Marik's subject with a few Rare Hunters assisting their master in interrogation. Marik leaned over, not using his power again so that Luanne would not suffer, he asked, "Where is Slifer?"
The already controlled subject in trance obediently answered, "Meit Al Mokhles".
Marik sighed knowing full well that that was a lie, even in a state of trance, he'll need to dig deeper.
"And where did Miss Ishizu Ishtar send Slifer to after Meit Al Mokhles my mind slave?" Marik asked vehemently
"To the Supply Bureau sir…" Ibrahim said robotically, Odion then entered the chamber.
"Is the Supply Bureau in Zifta? Marik asked again. He was tired of this charade so he let Odion take over. He sat back at his throne.
"We do not know sir…" Odion answered him.
"Take him back to confinement, I need to speak to the girl…" Marik left for one of the many rooms where Luanne resides and then he heard a scream.
Marik entered and saw Luanne freaking out about a tiny snake. He raised one of his eyebrows as she climbed up one a chair. "Oh my God… EW!" She shrieked. As he glanced he took noticed that it wasn't just a cobra but another cockroach.
"It's fitting for the daughter of the Vice President to be brave but I see you're afraid of a snake." He squatted down looking at the snake slithering. He chuckled and stepped on its tail as he saw it struggle to be freed. Luanne then climbed off and hid behind Marik who was pinning the creature courageously as well as sadistically.
"Hey don't hurt use gore!" Luanne peered from his back.
"Oh? Essentially it is a pest, which lethal to humans with toxin. It is not a creature to keep Luanne, after I dispose of it, I think I'll probably have you start a campaign on animal rights…" Marik laughed and revealed his dagger from his sceptre and plunged the snake. Luanne screamed again as blood oozed out of the screeching creature. Then he went to the bathroom while Luanne followed him to wash the blood off.
"That's really cruel!" Luanne exclaimed
"And would you prefer a slower death? No… as I said it is a pest. That carries countless diseases and a cobra has bitten me when I was younger and that nearly cost my life. If you do not want to stay here overnight, then I suggest you cooperate with the questions I'm about to ask of you."
"Did I do something wrong?"
"Do you know of any Supply Bureau here in Egypt?"
"Sndbast is the best guess… It is nearest to Zifta. So let me get this straight, the woman named Ishizu is hiding the important card I talked to is someone you know well?"
"I need to rush to Sndbast… Oh I hope you are feeling better after the Side Effect because I will be using my mind control on Ibrahim Feisal to obtain the card I seek." Marik sighed turned the tap off.
"Unless-"
"Unless I activate two more areas of your mind with my power in the labyrinth of your mind." He sighed.
As most Rare Hunters stayed put, Marik, Luanne, Odion, controlled Mr Feisal and the other appointed four stood waiting for the private jet once again. Luanne swore this was the most boring activity, being stuck in Zifta with the boy that stood up at a public hearing and now his subject to finding cards and helping the organisation Odion suggested would be of interest. The sun was setting and the warmth was departing, Luanne stood shivering and eventually squatting down watching the streetlights illuminating. Marik took off his mauve robe off and puts it on her like a cape. "You better wear this as it will take a while for the plane to arrive."
"Thanks Marik…"
"No need to thank me, as I need to thank you for being patient." Marik grinned then walked away, wearing violet midriff and beige pants.
Odion and Marik were still liaising with one another and the highway could be seen.
"Master, what is your real plan for her?" Odion still concern with Luanne's welfare
Smirking at the thought of manipulation, his long lost demeanour appeared before his brother. "Various things that will aid me in my pursuit of Yami's power. Even if she fails to fulfil he contract, I will see to that
She looked up and saw and empty balcony with a ladder of and old shop house that was abundant, so she stood up. She loved heights ever since she was four years old. She remembered her father lifting her up and letting her sit upon his shoulders. She then climbed the ladder unbeknownst to the others and appreciated the sunset. She took pictures of the wondrous sky and remembered how Luanne saw that there was a plank that led to another balcony, it looked safe she climbed over and held onto a washing line and made it to the other balcony and decided to take some of Marik and Odion too. She misses her family so much; tomorrow she may join them and hopefully forget the petty contract and move on with her life on the contrary she wants to better her skills for Duel Monster.
Then she heard Odion calling for the Rare Hunters to gather. Marik on the other hand was nonchalant and looked quite annoyed. Marik noticed her from below and frowned with his arms crossed and called out, "You're going to fall if no one watches over you. How did you climb up this fast and from where?
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