Chapter 23: The Secret Revealed
Techna sat at her desk in front of her computer as she analyzed the images Bloom sent from her phone to hers. The faerie multitasked as she ate her sandwich whilst she immersed herself in the multiple images using everything at her disposal to try and decipher the text written on the scroll. "Someone sure is busy over here." Musa's voice came as she entered Techna's room. "Oh hi, Musa. I didn't hear you come in." Techna answered with a smile. "Working through your lunch break how expected of you." the faerie of music teased lightly. "Yep, that's me alright! Say where are the other girls?" Techna asked. "Oh, you know them. Stella's trying to get a hold of Brandon, Flora's watering the plants and Layla's getting in her afternoon protein shake. "And you? You're not busy?" "Nope! Just waiting for my burrito in the microwave to heat it. They're not much fun to eat cold." Musa giggled. "I wouldn't imagine they would be." Techna cracked a smile.
"Actually Bloom sent me these really interesting pictures. Here see for yourself." Techna told Musa and showed her best friend as Musa looked over the images. "Wow, those ARE interesting. Now I know why you're staring so hard at your computer screen. They look almost like scrolls of some kind but why would Bloom be worried about some dusty old scrolls when she's on Earth?" Musa asked Techna. "Well, actually Musa Bloom told me that the Wizards Of The Black Circle have returned there and this time they're in Domino City." a gasp escaped Musa's lips. "You're kidding me! They're supposed to be in the Omega dimension!" the faerie of music cried.
"I know but somehow they are..." "Well, we can't just stay here! We have to go help her right away!" Musa exclaimed. "Wait! Musa!" Techna exclaimed. "I know how you feel believe me I do...but Bloom said she doesn't want us coming there. She didn't say exactly why but I believe we should let her handle it. That's why I want to try and figure out what this scroll says...maybe if I do it'll help Bloom deal with the problem at hand..." Techna told Musa. "...Fine Techna...but we should AT LEAST tell Miss Faragonda. If the Wizards Of The Black Circle have returned then she needs to know about it." Musa told Techna. "Alright...I'll contact her once I get the chance..." Techna finally gave in. "I just hope Bloom doesn't hurt herself..." Musa murmured softly before she left the room.
"Hmm, maybe Musa has the right idea...Miss Faragonda did mention before that the Wizards are ancient...so maybe it's possible there's more information to be found and this scroll might be the key to finding it...just what has Bloom gotten herself into? I wish I knew there's gotta be a hint or a clue somewhere...if only I had the actual scroll then perhaps I could analyze the document in more detail...even something is better than nothing right now." Techna confessed before she picked up her phone and began to dial Alfea's number.
Domino City
Marik sat at Yugi's desk in his room as he took another look at the scroll himself. No matter how many times he tried he just couldn't make sense of any of it. "UGH THIS IS USELESS!" Marik spat as he held his head in frustration. "How can I possibly use the scroll to uncover the secrets my ancestors hid if I can't even read the DAMN THING!? the Tomb Keeper cursed. "I DARE YOU TO KEEP DEFYING ME!" "...Uh, Marik...I don't think yelling at it is going to help..." Yugi murmured as he sat up in bed before Marik sighed heavily. "Yes I'm WELL aware of that...this is no better than being in Egypt and reading in the darkness of the tomb..." "Hmm..." Yugi murmured as he tried to think gently holding his millennium puzzle. After collapsing he hadn't heard Atem's voice and frankly, he was worried what that meant. The pain had stopped on his back and it seemed his fever had broken. But what caused all this to happen in the first place? Did it have to do with The Wizards Of The Black Circle? Or something more?
Both Marik and Yugi froze as they felt a powerful wave. It was different than the last one that was filled with malice and instead this one didn't appear to be good or bad. But one thing was certain that it was very intense. As if it pulsed in sync with your very soul. "Marik did you feel that!?" Yugi questioned. "Indeed I did...but I am unaware as to where it is originating from..." Marik muttered before he stood. "But first...what is it you are NOT telling me...I know you're hiding something...so I suggest you spill your guts now before I force the truth out of you..." the Tomb Keeper warned. Yugi bit his lip as he looked at Marik hesitantly. Yugi finally shook his head."I can't..." he uttered as he trembled. "The Wizards Of The Black Circle are far too dangerous...Atem said as much...that's why...-" Marik's eyes widened as Yugi spoke those very words.
"THE WIZARDS OF THE BLACK CIRCLE ARE HERE IN DOMINO CITY!?" Marik cried in shock. "WHY DIDN'T YOU MENTION THAT SOONER!? YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THEY'RE CAPABLE OF!" the tomb keeper exclaimed as Joey came into the room. Without a word, Marik flew right by him. "Yeesh! What da hell was dat all about!?" the blonde grumbled. "Joey we have to stop him! Marik's going after the Wizards!" Yugi exclaimed as he got out of bed. "B-But Y-Yug are ya ok!?" "I'm fine Joey! Let's go!" Yugi urged and ran after Marik. "H-HEY! WAIT FOR ME!" Joey called out afterward and hurried to follow after his best friend. Both Yugi and Joey stopped across the street from the Domino Musem. "Yugi look!" Joey pointed out as Yugi raised his gaze and gasped seeing the Wizards and Bloom fighting above the museum. "Dats not da only thing! Check it out..." the blonde directed his best friend to the mysterious force field.
"...Is that a barrier?"...But what is it doing here?" Yugi questioned before he looked around for Marik. But he didn't see any sign of him. "Yugi!" Atem's voice finally reached him. "Atem?!" Yugi cried relieved before the puzzle glowed and he found himself within the puzzle in front of the Pharoah. Tears filled Yugi's eyes before he abruptly hugged Atem. "Thank goodness...you're still here...I was afraid you'd left me again..." he choked through his tears. The Pharoah gently hugged Yugi back. "I haven't gone anywhere...but our link WAS severed after that wave of energy rippled through the air...no matter how I wanted to speak to you my voice could not reach..." Atem murmured softly as he took his index finger and wiped the tears from Yugi's eyes.
"Listen to me Yugi...I know this has been especially hard on you...but I need you to try and remain strong...if not for me...do it for Kaiba..." the Pharoah told Yugi. "Kaiba? Atem what IS going on? Did something happen to him as well like it did me? Is he alright!?" "Please calm down Yugi...and listen to what I have to say...in the past...I did sacrifice myself in order to protect Egypt and its people...but the story goes deeper than what even I wish to admit..." "...What...do you mean?" Yugi questioned confused. "The mark on your back...is a scar from the past...one that has yet to be erased...perhaps it's because time itself was wounded on that fateful day..." Atem continued.
"To answer your question...yes I believe Kaiba too was affected by that dark aura that you felt as well as I..." Yugi just looked at the Pharoah in disbelief. "Ok...what is it you're not telling me...?" Atem's eyes met his other half's with an unusual seriousness. "...Yugi...Kaiba IS a Wizard Of The Black Circle's cult..." A gasp escaped Yugi's lip before he just stared at the Pharoah. "...Bu...But how is that even possible!?" Yugi shuddered as he fell to his knees. "Because...their blood flows through his veins...but so does HIS..." "His? Who's his Atem?..." "He is known as simply as The Blood Sage..." The pharaoh murmured as he closed his eyes.
Domino Musem
"So they ARE here...things are far worse than I feared...if they're here then they're after only one thing..." Marik muttered as he emerged from the shadows and bent down looking at Kaiba. "Much stress has been placed upon him...probably due to his powers being sealed...just being around the Wizards is causing his body to respond...just as little Yugi's did..." the Tomb Keeper muttered. Marik reached out and gently touched Kaiba's forehead before a mark appeared."...So he does carry it...that will only make things more complexed than they already are...which is all the MORE reason I need to uncover the secrets my ancestors left behind...either way...I need to do something to negate the effect the Wizard's aura has on Kaiba..." Marik muttered as he took a moment to think.
"...I think I'm beginning to understand the Elders concern...it may only be temporary but considering the situation I don't have much of a choice..." Marik narrowed his eyes before he began to become consumed by a purple flame as runes began to form on his tanned arms. Concentrating hard he made hand seals as he began to incantation.
"Vous... Foux... Sou...Noako... Uthro ...Sok.. Ragna...Penro...Xaxoa...RA...! Ancient Spirits Evoke In Thy Name Of The Tomb Keeper's Oath! RUNES GATE!" Marik cried out before Runes formed in the sky and suddenly a barrier formed around the Domino Musem. He kept chanting over and over again as he entered a trance though it was far from easy. He had to retain complete focus for it to be effective. Not only would the barrier keep the Wizard's out physically but it would also protect Kaiba from their influence. Soon Kaiba found himself wandering around in darkness if only in his could hear a voice calling out to him as he blindly followed until he came to an ocean of blood at his feet. Suddenly the roar of his blue eyes white dragon brought him back as Kaiba abruptly sat up in the museum. Just above him, he could see Bloom fending off The Wizards Of The Black Circle and hurried and ran up the staircase to get to the roof. "Hold on Bloom!" Kaiba muttered as he narrowed his eyes. There was no time to waste. If any of those bastards so much as touched Bloom he swore he'd kill them!
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