Chapter 10- The Faux Freedom
The ladder of cause…"
"Time to go and claim the card I have been seeking, so get down from there or else you hurt your little head consequently, Luanne. Did I mention that you nearly got bitten by a cobra doesn't prove your knowledge in survival-
"Catch this!" Luanne threw her phone to Marik but Odion caught it as he stood in front of his little brother who was shocked.
"Are you crazy! Do I look like I am going to save your phone?!" He crossed his arm and took the phone from Odion checking the photos she took. He saw himself and Odion standing together in a magnificent sunset. As he pursed his lips and saw the girl stepping down into the ladder, she slipped and Odion caught her.
"And pray tell why you have a photo of both Odion and I? It's not to expose me is it?" He growled as Odion set her on her feet. Marik walked straight to her
"Er, w-well it isn't… it's your birthday so I'd like to make this day somewhat memorable…" Luanne averted her eye nervously, she wasn't sure why she just took the photo and showed it to Marik like that.
"Odion, you must like Luanne's attention… try and interpret her obsession with us?" Marik said annoyed them. When Odion said nothing, Marik just pulled Luanne by her hand and stomped towards the plane.
On the plane again, Luanne just stared at Marik looking at the photo on her phone. It was like a boy worried about getting caught, but then again Marik chuckled, "I deleted it."
"Why…? Luanne asked
" Sent it to myself so thanks for the earnest thought on my Birthday but turning one year older is not very important to me right now." Marik smugly said
"How was your meeting with your sister?" Luanne asked, remembering how he was looking at an antique book he had earlier.
Marik's smug look dissipated into a deeper coldness. "Nothing that concerns you…" He walked over to Odion who was sitting with Ibrahim Feisal.
Afterwards Inas and the others came in to commence the journey.
The next morning during Christmas Eve, Luanne woke up on the plane. It has already landed and the only person on board was Bianca.
"Hey, our Master has gone to the Supply Bureau. He said he'd be back to take you out to lunch once he retrieves the card. He also said for breakfast there are Ful Madame in the fridge so help yourself."
"Um well Bianca, have you considered finding another kind of work other than this gaming cult industry?"
"I'm not sure myself but remember the time in the hotel, my friends were there and that's where I feel safe. Even if we're working in a mysterious gaming industry, that is the Rare Hunters, I just want to be with Inas and the others." Bianca took out her headphone.
"Do you find it at least inhumane to even kidnap a government official? I mean that, would it be hard to pursue another road?"
"I- I promised Master Marik that my team and I will help him at all cost to find cards, that was the sole contract. He in return gave us a lot we have asked for by serving him, we won't have to stay in the horrible prison we grew up in.
"Prison…?"
"Mmm, hey you better follow his rules though, I'm really worried about you knowing nothing about this organisation and entering it without knowing how capable he is of…" Bianca trailed off
He's Capable of what…? Luanne thought.
"Oh hey, look at the news! The Arab Spring won't ever be relived. I think this means you father has made the right decision."
"Something tells me this is just the calm before the storm Bianca. My father may be forced by the people to give up on his position in politics, if not collateral force by you know…"
Bianca smiled thinking of an idea for this new girl to cheer up and not overthink too much about politics. "I think we should head down to the Bazaar just across the road."
"Something tells me that this is a potent storm by our very own High and Mighty Ishtar… if he finds out we had our little fun we will be in trouble!"
"Says who… I'm a Rare Hunter and if anything, I only obey what he says and if he says nothing, we act in free will." Bianca flashed a smirk that supposed reminds her of their Leader.
Luanne rolled her eyes wondering why she never spends time writing her own journals. "Fine…" Her laptop rang with a notification and the Supreme Court of Antiquities gave the information of the whereabouts of the Egyptian God Cards.
"Hey Bianca, Inas is heading towards the North side of the Supply Bureau is where Slifer is housed. And as for the tomb adjacent is South East is where Ra is. How can I send this to Inas and Marik?"
"I think Master Marik is heading for The Winged Dragon of Ra with Ibrahim Feisal and Inas is retrieving the Slifer.
Sndbast Supply Bureau
Mind Slavery. Marik's power from his Millennium Rod on his victim Ibrahim Feisal was an easy task. He had the pleasure of scanning Mr Feisal's mind and thus he found it intriguing to enter into his secret thoughts. He knows about his family, his darkest secrets and his memories and tormented him by recalling them. The car had stopped and Marik looked at his tormented mind slave. As Odion opened the door for Marik, Marik chuckled.
"It seems that Ishizu have been tracking us." Marik chuckled as he spotted a few guards armed around the obvious safe from afar. One of the guards he had chosen to control aimed his machete at another guard and made a shot narrowly missed the shoulder. Then he forced him to run after an illusion figure. "And Slifer the Sky Dragon is also nearby as well. According to Luanne, Inas is retrieving that card soon."
The guards also followed him thinking the same. He didn't want to risk using his millennium rod's control on Mr Feisal completely so he resorted to mischief. He strutted to the safe with the mind control Ibrahim. Marik observed his mind slave accessing the security combination.
"Now open the lid my servant", He watched his mind puppet remove the stone masonry. "Excellent! Unlock the safe", He was amused as Mr Feisal obeyed. As Ibrahim opened the save, there laid a seeled glassed holding his prize. His laughed echoed though the tomb. The divine ancient mighty god that the once proud pharaoh had fought in the shadow realm: "There it is, The Winged Dragon of Ra!'"
"It makes two, One more Egyptian God Card and then I'll be unstoppable."
"Don't take another step!" his sister said
"Ishizu!"
"My Millennium Necklace warned me that you will betray me and indeed you have. Five thousand years ago, our family swore to protect the Pharaoh's tomb until his return. Who knew the greatest threat will come from our own?"
"Why should I protect him, I'm claiming what should've been mine from the very beginning, sister!" He growled, the last thing he wants is getting a lecture from Ishizu. Soon instead of guarding the Pharaoh, I'll inherit his strength! My destiny lies in the cards, the three Egyptian God cards"
"IF you're going to continue this madness, you'll have to fine the last card!" Her statement made Marik raise his Millennium Rod.
"I'm warning you!" His enmity was getting the best of him.
"You would use your own Millennium Rod against your flesh and blood?" Ishizu challenged him.
"If you continue to stand in my way, then yes, I'll have to!" He used the Mellinnium to divert her into temporary blindness from the light and fled.
He laughed rather sinisterly at his success. Moments later he felt a vision of the blood of thorns flashing. He placed the card in the pocket and noticed Inas. It was his servant but he was far from him. Oblivious to the scene he motioned Odion to lead them back to their mode of transport.
As he arrived back at the jet, he expected Luanne to be there. However she wasn't, neither were his other Rare Hunters. "Is everything okay Master Marik?" Odion asked.
"Well… you tell me… what happens when a Rare Hunter and a contracted Servant of mine leaves with no permission?" Marik almost growled as he is finally unamused at the second part of the day. The plane was empty and he knew Bianca was good at defying her position at times.
"It is not my decision but I would punish the Rare Hunter instead of Miss Khait. It is also not my position of opinion as…"
"I will wait for both and decide the consequences. After all I have what I wanted." Marik entered the plane once again at ease. "Then again, I would enjoy seeing my dear Bianca learn her final lesson… seeing the terror upon the features when she returns."
Zifta Bazaar
Luanne kept buying accessories for herself and Bianca. She felt as though she has found a sister from another mother. Bianca on the other hand bought clothes that largely represent wealth and tradition.
"Do you think Marik is back from the quest Bi?" Luanne asked She drew her phone out and to check her message. She then wrote: "Hey boss, are you back from the Supply Bureau?"
"Yes Luanne, where are you?" Marik wrote back. He could see them with the millennium rod but the instant Luanne pain, which severed the connection.
"Shit, he is back… uh what do I do?" Luanne panicked.
"Give it to me…." Bianca snatched the phone. "We are just coming back for a walk, not far Master Marik." She realised she just gave it away that it wasn't Luanne now because of the 'Master'.
"Bianca, you foolish girl…" Marik wrote. "I want you and Luanne back in the plane right now."
Bianca then gave the phone to Luanne who regained her composure and started writing or rather started sending emoji of an unwell face. Then a series of trolled emojis of sadness, downcast, dismal, retched, heartrending and devastation. Luanne only remembered doing this to her mum as she was depressed once and didn't want to write anything. To Marik however, it was vexatious and her wrote, "You must stop being this childish Luanne my dear… come on we are heading to Cairo now." Luanne blushed from this last message for sure and decided to head back.
As they have arrived the other Rare Hunters assembled on the plane. Marik on his only chair thinking about the card he just received rather than Bianca and Luanne's actions. Bianca did not wan to make a noise and Luanne was silently typing, while Odion beside her from the previous conversation about the side effects. Marik turned his attention to both Odion and Luanne as he had the disposition of having Luanne in his watch.
"I was certain I told you to wait for me and then I realised you're too eager to chase other thrills."
"Thrills or not, I'm obviously still a burden with the Side Effect so you might want to remove it as soon as possible." Luanne finally stated. "Well Bianca wanted to make this trip worth it, but it isn't her fault, I swear…"
"I may no longer need females in my ranks…" Marik rolled his eyes. "I really fathom an easier way of just introducing you to a dear companion of mine."
"I didn't know you have friends?" Luanne smirked and Marik glared at her
"By the time we accomplish this, we will be in Cairo and hence, a little fun for Christmas. And most certainly, you will be the first to be acquainted with it whereas many have cowered before the banishment." Marik stood up leading Luanne to the couch. Moments later he used his Millennium Rod to enter her mind and once agin the Labyrinth surreally materialised.
"I could do that but then again, I found a better way of using my millennium Rod without triggering it." Marik stood and lifted his Millennium Item in front of her.
"Hold my Millennium Rod and lit the remaining posts." Marik raised his brow in his suggestion.
"Why?"
"Just do it... you'll see" Marik felt his own powers surging past as Luanne pointed to them all and thus all her childhood was playing before them. This left Luanne with a disheartened and uneasy weight of her past. Marik smirked as he stepped forward. "Now, Luanne Quibilah Issa Khait… do you swear your allegiance by the magnificence of my ancient powers of the Shadow Realm?"
Her conscience convinced her against it all. No, I must not succumb to this Shadow Realm.
"Oh, but you must in order that I may free you from the Side Effects", your family have sealed you with. Marik knew the Side Effects were her shield and hence his powers cannot penetrate her unless she wilfully accepts the Shadow Realm he controls. She nodded as Marik reclaimed his Millennium Item; the Labyrinth was no longer a Labyrinth as Shadows consumed their presence with sticky air. Now she could control her. He smirked as he felt like a prey towards the girl, wondering if he will truly break her someday, this contract will be completed.
Luanne gave in to the Shadows, all her will power in the grasp of Marik's Millennium Rod and she could feel the force invading her. Marik stood there with a smirk. He was now able to control.
She opened her eyes as she saw Marik 's eyes laughing at her. His demeanour has changed from a concerned boy to want to rid her side effects to someone who could manipulate her. She instantly withdrew her hand from Marik's own and gasped. She fell back as the plane abruptly landed. Marik offered his hand and grinned.
"No more Side Effects and for now, gather more information about more cards for me, my dear."
Knock Knock Knock
"Master Marik, we've arrived". Odion announced, Marik hadn't told anyone to disturb him.
Luanne sat on the ground, it felt as though the powers stolen a piece of her soul, no it couldn't be.
"It is about time, I do not need a foolish transport arranged like an airplane again. Now shall we go to the to-
Marik growled as he was cut abruptly by his brother and then realised he was about to reveal a useful information. "Miss Khait, we shall meet again. There is an escort to you home address and you may your family matter there until Marik and I appoints you." Odion led Luanne.
Before Luanne leaves, Marik quickly went to a bag with something long. "Well, I think you have forgotten that it is going to be Christmas. All the more I will be coming along." He smiled as he saw his brother's mouth agape and Luanne both looked at each other. Luanne remembered the telescope that Marik gave her.
"Very well then, I'm sure my parents won't mind an additional guest. I also would like you to escort me to the orphanage my parents said I'm helping out if you want to be near me. Oh, and you won't get any presents since you already had a birthday before hand, so you're an add hoc?" Luanne was really annoyed and stormed out to the escort vehicle. Marik kept laughing, she did amuse him with the temper. He walked passed her, brushing his shoulder to hers and opened the car door, gesturing for her to enter but he climbed in first still chuckling. He patted the seat as the rare hunters are placing their baggage in the booth.
"Master Marik, This was the card I have also retrieved from the Supply Bureau." Inas bowed and handed the other Egyptian God Card: Slifer the Sky Dragon. Marik laughed as he lifted both the Egyptian God Cards. Luanne could see Marik is just having a good day. She glanced at the two cards,
"So you fancy dragons in your deck?" Luanne leaned forward towards Marik.
Marik smiled, "Not really, they are divine cards and very powerful. I would say unstoppable. Very few are worthy of these cards because they are Gods." He hid it from her, as she brought her phone out.
"I don't mind loosing actually. I mean if you were against me with these two cards, I would loose before the 5th turn." Luanne shrugged nonchalantly.
"Don't be too harsh on yourself my dear, I only plan to use these for a particular purpose. That is to fulfil a destiny that will bestow upon me when the time is right. Although you are right about the 5th turn duel." This made Luanne frown and poked her tongue out. Marik wore a smug smirk, which Luanne was starting to hate.
"Anyway, hope this was an easy journey. Finding the two wasn't easy. I had to pester the random security on the Internet just to get the exact location. By the way, I'd put them is a case and not with the regular cards." Luanne rubbed her eyes.
"I think we have the same minds, will do." Marik smiled.
