Chapter 34: The Will To Grow Stronger
Kaiba tossed and turned as sweat dripped down his face. Muttering under his breath over and over. Within the CEO's mind, he found himself laying in pure white. Gently falling snow drifting down upon his face. He could feel the cold breeze against his face and the frigid air in his lungs. Breathing he could see the chilled oxygen take form into frost as he slowly rose to his feet. No one else was there the only company he had was warm lights in the distance however he knew not how far they truly were in reality. The sound of a creature echoed in concealed in the skies breaking the eerie silence. Kaiba raised his gaze only to see a snow white owl with beautiful yet powerful wings.
The creature circled around as if it were waiting for him. Did it want him to follow it? Beyond all reason, Kaiba moved with feet forward as he trailed behind the owl guiding him through the snowy abyss. Though his body felt heavy he continued to follow the creature's lead. The owl continued to soar farther and farther away until Kaiba had no choice but to run as fast as he possibly could go, trudging through the snow. The blue eyed male ceased as he took a moment to catch his breath. Before him stood an ancient ruin. The owl landed upon one of the pillars.
"...What is this...?" Kaiba questioned out loud before he slowly stepped upon the ruins surface. The owl began to chirp loudly before the ground gave up causing the CEO to plummet into darkness pulsing with red veins. A voice echoed in Kaiba's head though he couldn't understand in which the voice was speaking. Yet at the same time, he was stricken, with terror. A glow nearly blinded the blue eyed male as he quickly shielded his eyes as Daphne manifested before his eyes. It was the golden woman from his dreams. "Kaiba..." the woman whispered as she gave off a familiar warmth.
"W-Who are you!? Tell me!" Kaiba demanded. "I am Daphne...Bloom's older sister...do not be frightened..." "...What do you want?" "You wish to become stronger to protect my little sister...do you not?" Kaiba bit his lip. "Yeah, but I have no idea how I'm going to do just that...here I am a world class Duelist and yet the power of my deck can't do a damn thing to help Bloom! Now here she is suffering because of these bastards...trying desperately to get a new power while I'm completely useless! It is I that should be the one to protect her...it makes me sick..." Kaiba cursed.
"You fear the power that lies within you...yet you wish to search still...if you wish I can tell you of a way where you can obtain just what you seek." Daphne murmured softly. Kaiba paused as he stared at the Nymph before he narrowed his eyes. "Tell me exactly what I have to do and I WILL carry it out! NO MATTER WHAT I SETO KAIBA WILL NOT REST UNTIL I FIND A WAY TO PROTECT BLOOM!" Kaiba declared as his deep blue eyes glistened with determination. "...The Ice Spirit holds the answer...speak to him and you will see..." the Nymph whispered before Kaiba gasped shooting up in the guest room within Roxy's house.
"Ugh! I need some damn air..." Kaiba muttered before he opened. The cool breeze blew against him before he noticed Froste below motioning him outside. Kaiba closed the window and quietly made his way outside. Froste waited outside of the door. "Good, you're up...I was afraid you might not wake up for quite a few days. Lucky I was there to throw up that Ice Wall huh?" "Yeah...did you call me out here to brag? Or do you actually have something to say?" "Uh, a thank you would be nice..." Froste muttered. "Thanks...there you happy now?" Kaiba muttered blandly. "If that's the best I'm gonna get then I guess so..." the ice spirit let out a sigh. "So what is it you want?" the CEO questioned.
"Do you feel that dark aura lingering in the air all around us? It seems almost like the Earth Seal that was released by the Wizards is being affected..." Froste pointed out. "Yeah...I'm growing tired of those bastards causing Bloom such grief...I swear that they'll regret the day they met me..." Kaiba snarled angrily. "Even so...you must be careful not to lose yourself in your own personal darkness. The heart can be tainted if it is not guarded properly..." Froste murmured.
"...Believe me...I'm well aware of that...I'd have to be a fool not to be..." the blue-eyed told him as he narrowed his eyes. "Whether I chose to accept it or not, in the end, the result is the same...so then just what was that blue aura Yugi spoke of? If only I knew...I know one thing for sure I will NOT be considered a liability!" Kaiba spat angrily. "If you want to get stronger I have a way...but make no mistake that it's by no means easy." "Hmph! As if that would scare ME!" the CEO scoffed. "Very well. If you're sure then I will repeat what Miss Faragonda said to me before she left.
"There is someone whom exists in a city of ever falling snow..." Froste began as Kaiba's eyes widened. "You must seek the one known as the Guild Master. He will guide you to the truth behind the secrets buried deep within you...still you must be aware Kaiba that everything you learn may not be what you wish to hear...you and Bloom must ready yourselves for a journey beyond what you've already endured...Bloom has already taken the first steps toward the Gems Of Destiny...but you Kaiba must seek after a relic of different sorts...only the Legacy Of The Gods will reveal to you the past...this is what Miss Faragonda told me to relay to you..." the ice spirit muttered.
{Maybe someone's trying to guide you like Daphne does for me Kaiba...who knows maybe you have someone out there watching over you too...} Bloom's voice echoed in Kaiba's head as he closed his eyes and pictured the figure in the snow. "Who knows...I sure as hell don't..." he muttered before he muttered before he walked past Froste and went back inside. Slowly Miss Faragonda came out from behind the trees. "So? How'd I do granny?" Froste questioned with a slightly amused grin. "Oh fine, I'd say. However, I fear that this may prove too great for Kaiba to handle...he does not seem to want to open his heart to what he must...he must accept himself in order to move forward and realize his destiny is connected with Bloom's and the Winx..." Miss Faragonda sighed softly before she and Froste took a walk in the moonlight.
Morning in Gardenia
Bloom stirred from her sleep and wiped her eyes as the sun shined through the window. Slowly the redhead eased herself up and took in her surroundings. "Oh that's right...we collapsed on the beach...we must've been taken to Roxy's house...oh! Kaiba!" Bloom cried before she got off the bed and hurried to look around the house. In one of the room's Kaiba was sitting on the windowsill looking outside as the breeze blew against him. "Good morning!" Bloom exclaimed as the CEO turned his head towards her and got up. He didn't say a word as he checked her over for any sign of bruising or wounds. "Good...you seem like you're unharmed..." Kaiba sighed relief.
"You too, I was so worried when I got your message about the Wizards Of The Black Circle. But thanks to you Roxy and I realized we were under a spell and were able to break it. Unfortunately, Ogron and Bakura attacked the Earth Faeries and forced Nebula to break the seal to the other worlds...there's no telling where he went..." Bloom frowned worriedly. "But...I do have some good news. I learned that there is a ruin in the first world beyond the seal and that in order to achieve Celestix I have to take on the trial of The Gems Of Destiny." Bloom told Kaiba.
"Well, you don't say...Froste gave me a message from your headmistress..." the CEO muttered as he crossed his arms. He told Bloom all that Froste had explained on behalf of Miss Faragonda. "...The Legacy Of The Gods...The Gems Of Destiny...sounds like we've got our work cut out for us." Bloom admitted. "No kidding...I would never have believed any of this with my own damn eyes..." "Well that goes for two of us then again I've seen a lot. Still, there's no telling what is waiting there for us other than the Wizards...Nebula warned me and Roxy of that much. I want to see if there's something I can find more information about The Gems Of Destiny. We should ask about the scrolls as well." "And just who do you know that would have information on either one of them? Kaiba questioned with a scoffed.
"Actually back at Alfea, we have this magical archive that has tons of information about the magical universe. It's possible that both of these ancient items didn't originate from the Sealed Words but the Magical Dimension itself. So I figure if that's the case then the magical archive might just be what we need to understand what we're searching for in better detail. Who knows. Maybe the two are even related...that we're destined to fight this whole battle together...and that's why I came here...So that I...could find you..." Bloom murmured softly as she gently took his hands in hers. Kaiba pulled the redhead towards her and wrapped her in a warm embrace. "No matter what happens Bloom I promise that I WILL always protect you..." Kaiba swore as the faerie gently squeezed him in return. Yugi silent watched from the doorway and smiled as he looked towards Atem.
"I'm glad Kaiba and Bloom are both alright...I was so worried..." Yugi sighed relief. {Yes...both Bloom and Kaiba are very strong individuals...despite challenges they face whatever is thrown at them head on...and once their minds are made they are not so easily changed...} Atem muttered. "But Atem...just how exactly are we supposed to fight if we can't duel? Kaiba has a point...our cards are useless again actual magic..." Yugi questioned worriedly. {Who says the cards cannot be used against our enemies? It is true that normally duel monsters does not take a physical form outside of a Shadow Game...however...you can harness its power using yourself as the medium...or this case a Duel Disk...} Yugi's eyes widened in surprise. Just how was that even possible?
"If that's true then how would it work?" Yugi questioned as he looked at the Pharoah. {You use Runes...} Atem answered simply. "Runes? And what are those Atem?" {They are ancient stones often used to decipher texts that were written in a specific form of writing...in Ancient Egypt, the form of our symbolized writing was called Hieroglyphics...they are similar to Runes but are not the same...the Runes I speak of are tattoos of great power that are carved into the body with magic...depending on the symbols engraved into your skin...your Runes could be simply calling upon an element...or evoking the gods and goddesses power...in the wrong hands this power can be dangerous...that is why only a few possess such an ability...the greatest of all was known as The Crafter...} "...Wow, that's some pretty incredible skill..." Yugi confessed as a bead of sweat fell down the side of his face trying to take it all in. "Do you have one Atem? I mean you WERE the Pharoah and all...uh..." Atem nodded simply.
{I do have a few on my body but they are concealed unless I activate them...because you and I are bonded Yugi I can pass this onto you as well...but it may place strain on your body...the millennium puzzle is not enough to form this pact...the choice is yours of course...our souls will become one...} Yugi bit his lip as he thought it over. "If I do decide to go through with this...will I be able to help Kaiba and Bloom?" Yugi questioned. {Yes. It may prove difficult to endure in the beginning...but your abilities will grow in time...my power comes from the goddess...The Phoenix and the Great Mage...Artemis Moon...it is their combined strength that allowed me so long ago to place an end to Egypt's destruction...} Atem muttered as he narrowed his eyes.
"...I've never heard of those Egyptian Gods..." Yugi frowned as he tried to think. {You would not have...because they are not Egyptian Yugi...they are but two of the deities whom have been here since the beginning...as for The Egyptian God cards...they were born from one's desire to protect a tiny little infant...a baby girl from The Dark Ancestresses...a priest...and in the end with Daphne's help...they did...and sealed away Zorc...} Yugi just looked at the Pharoah speechless as he recalled Kaiba's battle with Diva and how despite everything Kaiba was still able to summon Obelisk. A small smile crossed his face as he recalled the Pharoah's Tablet Of Memories and Ishizu. "My mind's made up Atem..." Yugi told the Pharoah as he looked at Atem straight in the eyes. "...Very well...if you are certain..." Yugi nodded before Atem removed his shirt. Yugi squeaked as his face nearly went red. "...Something wrong Yugi?" "N-No I'm fine...PLEASE EXCUSE ME!" Yugi cried as he fled. "...Ok then..." the Pharoah murmured as Yugi flew past him.
Roxy yawned as she finally came out of her room and made her way downstairs. "DAD!? ARE YOU HOME!?" Roxy cried out but no answer. "He must be at work and mom won't be back from her new job overseas for another two months at least...only thing is I wish I knew how to cook..." Roxy cringed as her stomach growled. "Oh well maybe I can find something that I can just microwave...shouldn't be too hard right?" the pink haired faerie murmured before she started to smell something. "Uh...hello...Bloom?" Roxy questioned before she saw Layla flipping omelets one for each burner. "O-Oh! It's you!" Roxy exclaimed before Layla turned around and smiled. "GOOOD morning! How are you feeling? Yugi and I found you, Bloom and Kaiba on the beach near
"GOOOD morning! How are you feeling? Yugi and I found you, Bloom and Kaiba on the beach near The Frutti Music Bar well you and Bloom at least. Kaiba was in the warehouse. I saw what happened and I just couldn't believe it!" Layla exclaimed. "First off it's GREAT to see you! Second, I'm perfectly fine. I and Bloom were just tired from everything that happened. Trust I couldn't believe it either or I didn't want to believe it." Roxy told the faerie of water. "Oh good, I'm so relieved. The girls and I actually came to Domino City to visit Bloom so the others are STILL probably there. I hope you didn't mind that I crashed here. Your dad put us up for the night." Layla pointed out.
"Nope, not at all! How can I refuse a guest who's fixing breakfast? My dad always complains when I give it a try." "Well, I made plenty for everyone it'll just be a FEW more minutes!" Layla told him. "Great! I'll go see how Bloom is doing!" Roxy smiled before she headed to go upstairs. "WAHHHH!" Yugi cried as he tumbled down the stairs. "Uh oh! Yugi are you ok!?" the faerie of animals questioned as she made a face. Suddenly Roxy's phone went off. "Huh? Oh! Hey, dad? Me? Yeah, I'm ok we all actually it seems...Layla even made breakfast! Oh, the girls? Yeah sure they can come over...uhuh...uhuh...ok! Bye, dad!" Roxy exclaimed before she looked over at Bloom as she came downstairs. Yugi groaned as he got to his feet. "You ok Yugi? Your face is kinda red. Did you hit something?" Roxy questioned.
"I-I'm fine...just a little embarrassed is all..." Yugi brushed himself off before the door bell rang. "Are you expecting company?" Kaiba questioned as he followed behind Bloom. "Uh sorta..." Roxy admitted. "Here they come." Froste mused as he stood to the side. Roxy walked over the door and opened it before all of the girls poured out into the house. "Oh boy..." Yugi sweatdropped as he saw Joey being walked over. "Heh, so you've been demoted from a dog to a doormat." Kaiba snickered before the blonde growled at him. "KAAAIBAAAA!" Joey yelled before he was interrupted by Mokuba as he ran over and hugged his brother. "BIG BRO!" he beamed happily nearly knocking the CEO over. "You're so mean Seto! You had me worried sick and here you are with Bloom ALL ALONE! And here I thought something had happened to you!
"You're so mean Seto! You had me worried sick and here you are with Bloom ALL ALONE! And here I thought something had happened to you! Just what were you doing with all that time by yourselves!?" Mokuba exclaimed as the girls looked over at Bloom. "Yes! Do Tell!" Stella teased. "Don't listen to her she's just kidding," Techna spoke up. "Layla let us know what happened, Bloom and we're just glad that you're safe and sound sweetie." Flora smiled sweetly. "Yeah, you really had us worried!" Joey exclaimed. "I'm sorry but a lot happened we didn't have a lot of time to discuss anything," Roxy explained. "It's ok as long as you're fine now," Musa added before Bloom and Roxy shared a smile. "But believe me you guys I'm overjoyed that you guys came all this way just to visit me!" the redhead exclaimed happily. "Anytime!" Layla exclaimed. "And speaking of which...FIRST ONE TO THE TABLE CLEANS UP!" Layla laughed before everyone raced into the kitchen. "By the way where are the guys?" Yugi questioned once he noticed the extra plates. "Gramps made um stay behind ta help with da chores..." Joey snickered.
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