Note To Readers: Hey guys! Sorry for the long wait. I was majorly behind on my own book and I had my work that needed to get done. It's a little late but HAPPY NEW YEAR! I wrote a nice long chapter to make up for going so long without updating. SO I hope you guys will enjoy my latest Chapter 89! ^^
Chapter 89: When Your Voice Won't Reach...
Bright slowly lifted up his head as he felt a warm presence nearby. The remnants of his tears turning into snowflakes as they fell only to find Flora sitting on the branch beside him. "...H...How did you find me?" the prince nearly choked out. The faerie only offered a soft smile. "The Christmas tree was worried about you...so she took me up to where she was hiding you...the flowers were kind enough to point me in your direction on my way here..." Flora murmured.
"...That figures...I must be pretty pathetic if even the trees and flowers are worried about me..." Bright frowned. "Not at all...actually I find it incredibly sweet how much you can care about one person Bright...not many people can give their heart to someone the way you do so willingly... especially if they don't know if the other person shares their feelings or not." Flora murmured. "But you and Xuri seem to have something really special." the faerie smiled as her eyes fell upon the crystalized Cherry Blossom. "Xuri has the same one, doesn't he?" Bright only responded with a softened nod.
"...Yeah...in Aura, there's a Cherry Blossom tree that's always in bloom...it was the first place Xuri and I met...since we were kids that is...it was Xuri actually who made these with his blood magic...so that we'd forget...and just when he was finally within my reach...he's gone again...heh...Xuri was never one to stay in a place too long..." Bright smiled sadly.
"...But, even if you can't physically reach him, that doesn't mean your heart can't." Flora told Bright as she gently placed her warmed hands on his cold ones. "A few years ago all of us faced this evil wizard called Baltor. He escaped from the depths of the Omega Dimension. Once thought impossible to escape from. But by doing just that he threw the whole magic dimension into chaos...we were told the only way to stop it was to close the Omega portal from the inside. But only one of them was able to accomplish such an enormous task...it was Techna..." Flora began.
"Techna forced her way inside...we were told that by making such a sacrifice that Techna was gone forever trapped within the Omega Dimension. At the time we really believed that our best friend was gone for good. But there was one person who couldn't bring themselves to accept that truth...so they searched and searched while the rest of us had already given up. It was that very strong belief in his heart that brought her back to us...so...if you think of Xuri...and Xuri thinks of you...then no matter how far apart you guys are...you're still connected..." Flora assured Bright sincerely.
"...Connected..." Bright murmured softly before he looked back at the crystallized cherry blossom. Slowly the tree removed both of them setting them down in the powdery white snow. "Thank you." Flora thanked the Christmas Tree before she took Bright's hand not giving him a chance to object. Bright wasn't sure what Flora was up to but he figured following her wouldn't hurt. After a bit, they came to a craft store. Bright stayed silent as he looked around while Flora took two different colored yarn to the cash register. Afterwards, the faerie led him back to the cabin. Bright didn't even have time to question her reasoning as Flora placed the small bag in her room and return to the living room.
"What is the bag for Flora?" Bright finally managed to ask. The faerie only smiled. "It's a surprise for later. Right now why don't we join the others in helping decorate the tree?" Flora offered as she picked up a single green ornament. "Yeah." Bright smiled in return as he grabbed an assortment of ornaments and began to decorate the empty spaces. Flora walked over to one of the boxes sitting by itself only to discover that it was filled with beautiful colored ornaments with all different shapes, colors, and sizes.
"Oh they're beautiful!" the faerie beamed happily drawing the attention of the dice master. "...So...you're like ok with us decorating the tree now?..." Duke raised his brow. "Of course! At first, I thought that because of being treated in such a manner that the tree would only feel pain...but now I understand that being chosen as a Christmas Tree gives the trees no greater joy than to be one. That's why it's so special." Flora smiled sweetly as she placed a few of the ornaments on the branches of the tree.
"...Uhuh...well as long as you're happy." Duke shrugged. "A faerie who can actually talk to trees is still weired in my books..." "That's the spirit!" Layla laughed as she watched Flora and picked up one of the hot chocolates on the table. "I can hardly believe you still have energy to spare..." Marik huffed as he flopped on the couch. "Aw don't tell me you're tired already." the darkly skinned faerie teased the Tombkeeper. "You try keeping up with an overly active faerie." Marik retorted. "You seem to forget that i'm not used to this cold atmosphere." "I'm not either. My realm Tides is actually pretty warm and surrounded by water. What I can't imagine is living in a hot desert like Egypt." Layla admitted.
"My family and I stayed underground for the most part. So we kept out of the sun." the Tomb keeper mused. "I prefer Aura over Dawnshire. The wind always carries the scent of the freshly bloomed flowers and it's nice and warm. But there's just something magical about watching the snow fall in Covenant. It's almost relaxing." Amourette giggled. Duke only snickered. "Domino City gets it's share of snow too. Like this one time back in high school it snowed so much on the roof that the roof of the gym collapsed! It was great. We didn't have school for the whole month until they fixed the roof! {Author: True Story O-O}
"Goodness that must've been a sight. All of this storytelling is making me hungry. Does anyone else smell that aroma coming from the kitchen? It's driving me crazy!" Musa cried as Cupid's stomach let out a growl of protest. "E...eheh..." the redhead laughed nervously before he let out a yelp as a cold wind came through an opened door bringing Joey in with it. He wasted no time in getting as close as possible to the fireplace in attempts to thaw himself out.
"Haha! Look who the snow dragged in. Nanook of the north." Duke teased. "S-Sh-Shut It...D-Dice B-Boy..." Joey shivered through chattering teeth. But that didn't stop the dice master's laughter as the blonde had an icicle hanging from his nose. "...Are you really going to make us ask?" Techna finally spoke up. Joey only groaned. "Quit starrin! I sneezed and da snot froze! It ain't meh fault!" the blonde cried flustered. "Go-ahead and yuck it up Duke! And i'll arrange yer face ta match black and blue!" Joey threatened before the smell of cinnamon sugar filled the room.
"Who wants Christmas cookies!?" Roxy called out before Yuki plucked one off the tray before the others started to make a run towards the pan filled with sugar cookies. "OH! ME! ME! I do I do!" Stella cried and grabbed as many as she could hold. Without reservation, both Stella and Joey started to stuff their face full getting crumbs all up and down their mouth. "Oooo do I smell cookies?!" Bloom's voice broke through the chaos as she came through the door with Kaiba. It didn't take long to see the cookies were almost gone.
"Hey! I hope you at LEAST save me one!" Bloom cried before Kaiba reached out and grabbed one presenting it to the redhead. "Here, I thought i'd better grab one before Wheeler and the other piglets scarf down the entire tray..." Kaiba muttered. Joey's mouth was too packed to tell him off only coming out in gibberish. "Aw thank you!" the faerie smiled and rewarded the CEO with a kiss on his cheek. "...Yeah sure whatever..." the blue-eyed male muttered embarrassed as he averted his gaze as a slight blush tinted his face.
"Wow, these are great Roxy!" Layla complimented. "You can bake for me anytime," Stella added in. "Way to go Roxy! See I knew you could do it. If you practiced!" Bloom exclaimed before all the faerie's attention fell on the redhead. "BLOOM!" they all cried happily and hugged her. "Gah! Guy! Haha...you're squeezing me..." Bloom laughed in between the hugs. "Well, we missed you! You have no idea how much!" Stella cried. "Yeah, it's just not the same with you!" Techna added. "Hey! I want to get in the group hug too!" Roxy cried and placed the tray down before she forced her way into the crowd and hugged Bloom too.
"ALRIGHT! ALRIGHT! Break it up! I think Bloom get's the point." Kaiba snapped and retrieved Bloom from nearly getting smothered by her friends who only burst into laughter. "THREE CHEERS FOR ROXY! THESE COOKIES ARE AWESOME!" Musa shouted out before everyone started to cheer. "Oh, guys..." Roxy felt her face get hot. "Well, I can't take ALL of the credit really..." Roxy murmured as she looked towards Raeger who only smiled. "Nonsense she's just being modest." Granny Emiko giggled as Loore was picked up by the faerie gently stroking her as the familiar lapped up the hot cocoa in front of her.
"It reminds me of home. Around this time every year, me and my always loved to bake Christmas cookies. In fact, we'd make enough for the whole neighboorhood." Bloom giggled as she reminisced. Kaiba silent looked in Bloom's direction as a softened smile crossed his lips. One Joey himself couldn't help but notice. The blonde felt himself smile as well. "It's good ta see ya feelin betta. You'd had us worried sick." Joey told Bloom. "Actually I was pretty worried myself." the redhead admitted. "But, I found out the reason for why I got so sick all of a sudden..." the faerie began. She told them all about the fact that her dragon fire and the Celestix power were incompatible and as a result, it drained her powers according to what Cellos told her. And that the only way for her to regain her power was absorbing what was called The Phoenix's ashes to relight her flame. Kaiba also added that Yugi and Atem were searching for a way to make that happen.
"So you see. I found as long as I don't overuse my powers. I won't cause harm to my body." Bloom explained. "But even so. I know that I can't keep this up forever. Because before long as much as I hate to admit it. Sooner or later The Wizards Of The Black Circle will return along with the A.O.J possibly..." the faerie muttered. "...And if they come before you get your powers back?" Bright questioned. "Easy! Then we'll fight them!" Layla exclaimed. "In other words, you have no plan..." Marik deadpanned. "It's quite obvious you STILL haven't any clue whom you're up against..." the Tomb Keeper muttered. Roxy only narrowed her eyes and stormed over towards Marik.
"AND WHAT WHAT IS THAT SUPPOSED TO MEAN!?" Roxy spat pissed. "For YOUR information we fought against The Wizards Of The Black Circle hundreds of times! Ok so maybe that's exaggerating just a little but it was ALOT! They chased me EVERYWHERE I went! Kidnapped me and my father! Hurt innocent people, ripped off ALL of the Earth faerie's wings and stole their magic locking them up in their own realm! And opened the Abyss to try and destroy all of us! So, you think you know The Wizards better than us who haven't fought them up until now!?" Roxy argued.
"MERE CHILDSPLAY! Blood mages are too be feared and respected. You can NEVER be TOO careful around one!" Marik snapped in response. "The Pharoah knows well of what I speak! Seto Kaiba would have this knowledge as well if the memories of his former life were not lost to him...whatever it is you think you know I suggest you get rid of any preconceived notions..." the Tomb Keeper muttered as venom dripped from each word.
"Oh is that so? Then if they knew all that then why didn't Ogron and the wizards use it against us!? Answer me that!" Roxy snapped back. "...Well...Blood magic is considered Taboo...a forbidden arte..." Raeger began. "Most who can conjure it refrain from doing so in plain sight...which is why they most likely created The Black Circle. To use its power rather than expose their dark secret..." the Guild Master concluded. "...A clever move actually..." Musa had to agree. "But it sure seems to me that everyone's far more worked up about this A.O.J leader that everyone keeps going on about. It's all just so...confusing..." "Heh...in some ways he just might be the more dangerous than The Wizards Of The Black Circle..." Cupid mused as Duke tossed one of his dice continuously up in the air.
"Man. if only there was a way I could use my dice to fight. I'd give all those bastards one hell of an ass-kicking!" Duke exclaimed. "Well it's not like that's impossible," Amourette spoke up before the dice master turned his head towards the blunette. "You got my attention." "It's like this. If you engrave a rune onto an object you can infuse power in that certain object. But, it does take someone with a lot of skill to actually engrave a rune onto an object successfully." Amourette explained as a smirk manifested onto Kaiba's face.
"Interesting...tell me more..." Kaiba demanded. "U-uh well you...um see...that is... " Amourette squeaked as she felt herself only getting nervous the more she was being stared at. Desperate the blunette turned towards Raeger for help. The Guild Master took a moment to clear his throat. "There's a famous legend that speaks of an individual known as The Crafter. He was said to be able to forge weapons of great and terrible power. None could even hope to come close to his ability. Arthur actually apprenticed under him until one day The Crafter vanished without a trace." Raeger told him.
"Well...isn't THAT just GREAT!" the CEO grumbled irritably. "You can say that again!" Duke muttered in disappointment. "Ewww! Boy stuff! Give me my wings and magic any day!" Stella exclaimed earning a giggle from Bloom before Yuki by the fireplace spoke up. "Runes are rather difficult to master...if the ability isn't in one's blood...*munch* "However...that doesn't mean...*munch* *munch* excuse me..." Yuki paused to take a sip of the hot chocolate in front of him to wash down the cookie he was eating. "That...you can't learn other things..." Yuki licked his fingers in-between words.
"...Uh...other things...?" Duke raised his brow skeptically. "But Yuki. Kaiba and Duke are both human right? So how is that even a valid possible outcome? With their current chemical compound, it's just not logical." Techna objected. "...Well under normal circumstances...that would undoubtedly be an undeniable truth...still it's not impossible." Yuki argued. "...Sorry if I don't see THIS ending well..." Loore added her two cents. "...So there's a way or Non-Magical-Beings to learn magic?" Bloom questioned. "...If you're willing to learn...then yes..." Yuki told the redhead.
"Hmph...there's nothing I Seto Kaiba of Kaiba Corp can't do. I've never put less than 200% in everything that I set out to do and THIS will be no different...My real concern is that you can actually do what you claim you can do...no offense but I have a hard time believing in something that I can't see with my own two eyes." Kaiba muttered. "...I see...then if i'm understanding correctly...you want proof of my ability...yes?" Yuki questioned. "You heard that right..." Kaiba muttered. "Very well..." Yuki murmured as he slowly worked his way off the couch and onto the floor placing his hand in his jeans. "Please follow me..." the black haired male motioned as he opened the door and made his way outside. Curiosity emanated throughout the entire house as both young men were soon met outside with an audience.
Yuki walked a few feet back before he noticed the extra bodies nearby. "For your safety I suggest you all to stand far back as possible...this could get messy..." Yuki cautioned. Kaiba only scoffed. "Are you honestly suggesting you could possibly hurt me? What a joke..." the CEO mocked. "...Does that mean you're ready to begin them?" the black haired male questioned as he scratched his head. "Let's just get this over with...just don't blame me when your blood stains the snow..." Kaiba muttered revealing his hidden blades. The blue-eyed male charged into a full sprint his arm blade soon inches from Yuki's face who had yet to move from his spot.
Meanwhile In Elixer's Forest...
Yugi paused to catch his breath as he looked at the map with Atem not far behind the scarlet-eyed male. "It looks like the gateway is just over that hill..." Yugi observed. "Then we should get moving. We'll want to get there before Weldon does." Atem pointed out. "Yeah, you're right." Yugi nodded although his body itself showed hesitation in walking not another step. The Pharoah ceased movement before he extended his hand out towards the scarlet-eyed male. Yugi silently looked towards Atem's hand. "Here take my hand Yugi..." the Pharoah offered. "T-Thanks..." the scarlet-eyed male managed to uttered before he grasped it. Hand in hand they both proceeded down the steepened hill carefully. Yugi gasped as he felt his foot give way but the Pharoah did not let him fall too far.
"Phew...that was a close one..." the scarlet-eyed male sighed relief although he shook like a leaf. "...Are you alright Yugi...?" Atem questioned his other half softly. "...I'm not really sure...all I know if that i'm pretty nervous right now..." Yugi admitted. "Honestly i'm not sure I would have had the nerve to come out here all by myself." the scarlet-eyed male frowned. "Perhaps. But you're far more courageous than I believe you give yourself credit for." Atem pointed out before Yugi felt his face redden slightly.
"Oh...I don't know about that...I scare just as easily as some people..." Yugi murmured. "But being able to face your fears is what truly makes one with a brave heart." the Pharoah smiled at the blonde. "Uh-Yeah?" Yugi studdered before his attention was averted towards the gateway's light emanating from nearby. The scarlet eyed male swallowed hard as he squeezed Atem's hand as he tried to gather up every ounce of willpower he had not to run as far away from the gateway as possible. The moment finally arrived as Weldon passed through the gateway. "You can do it..." the Pharoah whispered softly in Yugi's ear before the scarlet-eyed male slowly approached the BriarBlood.
A broad grin manifested upon Weldon's face as he caught sight of a familiar face. "AH! If it ISN'T the YOUNG and HANDSOME lad! Guest of Lord Loric WASN'T it?" the BriarBlood greeted. "FORGIVE me but the name DOES escape me. TELL me...just WHAT was your name AGAIN!?" Weldon questioned. "Y-Yugi Moto..." the blonde was barely able to utter. The BriarBlood clapped his hands together. "AH! Yes! I REMEMBER now! You were that NAUGHTY boy who had a TASTE of REAL wine last night! Of COURSE, I prefer a good ALE! But my DEAR sister can't SIMPLY get enough of the RED elixer hmm?" Weldon chuckled heartily.
"I MUST treat you to SOME the NEXT going around! But I SIMPLY must ask as to WHY you would BE the one greeting ME at the gateway RATHER than the ROYAL guard and WHATNOT! You SEE i'm RATHER curious about THAT little DETAIL! You SEE Lord Loric and I are NOT on the BEST of TERMS..." the BriarBlood inquired. Yugi swallowed hard. If he didn't go for it he might not get another chance to ask. "...Well um...actually...I was hoping we might have a chance to talk..." the scarlet-eyed male spoke up which caused intrigue in Weldon's eyes.
"TALK?! You SAY!? And about WHAT exactly hmm?" the BriarBlood questioned. "...Ok...how should I put this...I have a friend who is in trouble and this guy told me that to help her we need to find something in The Temple Of The Phoenix...which only someone in Requiem knows...and since it's in BriarBlood...I was hoping you might be able to aid me in finding a way to talk to the priestess held within it..." Yugi told Weldon. A twisted smile only crossed the BriarBlood's lips.
"AH! A FAVOR then is IT!? Now THAT is INTERESTING! Interesting indeed! After ALL...if YOU ask ME for a little FAVOR...then I THINK it's ONLY fair I be ALLOWED to ask...for SOMETHING...in return...Yes?" Weldon mused. "...Uh...well I...guess that's true...but i'm not really sure I have anything to give you...at least not that I can think of..." Yugi murmured sheepishly. "OH! Come NOW! That's HARDLY true...INFACT! You have SOMETHING!...That I VERY much want!" the BriarBlood exclaimed. "A-Actually...I think I should be getting back so-" Yugi began as he started to back up however after but a moment his body wouldn't listen to him no matter how he attempted to move.
"W-What's happening to me...I-I can't move...!?" Yugi panicked before Weldon walked up to the scarlet-eyed male. "Oh! BUT the FUN is JUST beginning! It'd be a SHAME to just LET you LEAVE! Now wouldn't it?" the BriarBlood chuckled with a mischievous glimmer in his eye. "L-LET ME GO!" Yugi cried before he noticed that Atem was no longer there. The scarlet male felt his panic take hold of him as he thrashed around in attempts to free himself from whatever spell he was under. "ATEM!? ATEM!" Yugi cried. "WELDON! WHAT HAVE YOU DONE WITH HIM!? WHERE IS HE!?" the scarlet-eyed male screamed as he narrowed his eyes in anger.
"My, My such a CURIOUS mouth you HAVE! But you NEED not WORRY! After ALL, it will ALL be over VERY soon..." the BriarBlood's voice purred before Yugi felt something sharp press again his neck. A gasp escaped the blonde's lips before everything went black in an instant. Weldon caught the scarlet-eyed male on his arm before he turned towards the blunette Crimson. "AH, youth...so TRUSTING these days...Wouldn't YOU agree?" the BriarBlood smirked. "Heh..." the blunette scoffed amused at the naivety of the scarlet-eyed male. "AND did you HAPPEN to OCCUPY the Pharoah? Wouldn't WANT him being a SPOIL sport and ALL that." Weldon chuckled before Crimson tossed the BriarBlood the millennium puzzle. The BriarBlood only smirked in response before he, in turn, gave Yugi to Crimson. "With THAT I LEAVE the task to YOU!...Do be SURE...not to HURT him TOO badly...after ALL...we DO...need him..." Weldon reminded the blunette before he watched as his trusted partner in crime disappeared once more through the gateway.
Within The Millenium Puzzle...
The Pharoah slowly came too before he eased himself up onto his feet. However, something felt very wrong. Up until now, he had felt this unbreakable connection to Yugi. But now. It was very faint. "YUGI!?" Atem called out but was only answered with silence. The Pharoah began to ran looking in every corner and room before he came to realize that he wasn't inside Yugi any longer but instead he was back inside of the Millenium Puzzle. "How!? How could this have happened!?" Atem questioned as fear threatened to suffocate him. The Pharoah paused as he heard footsteps echoing in the distance and turned around only to see a figure in a blue and white cloak with grey hair their eyes concealed by a blindfold.
"WHO GOES THERE!?" Atem demanded to know. "ARE YOU THE ONE WHO SEPARATED YUGI AND ME!?" The figure, however, remained silent as they walked towards the Pharoah. Although no sound came from the stranger words formed on their lips one at a time. Carefully Atem concentrated on reading the figure's lips in attempts to understand their speech. "The Boy has been ambushed by the BriarBlood...In order to prevent you from interfering...you've been temporarily confined to the Millenium Puzzle..." the stranger mouthed. "DAMN IT! I knew that going to see Weldon wasn't a wise decision...I should've tried harder to stop him...then do you have any idea where he's been taken!?" the Pharoah questioned as he cursed under his breath.
"Most likely to BriarBlood...away from Lord Loric's influence..." the stranger mouthed in an answer. "BUT WHY!? Yugi's done nothing in which would cause anyone to take such hostile actions against him!" Atem cried. Just the thought of anyone hurting Yugi was more than the Pharoah himself could bare. "Even so...it is not ill will which brought their eyes to him...but a bond of blood...one he himself...may still be yet unaware of..." the figure answered. Atem clenched his teeth tightening his fist at his side. "...Even after all of this...I had hoped for once i'd have been wrong..." the Pharoah tightly closed his eyes before he looked back up at the stranger.
"Then tell me! How might I break free from this seal I've been placed under! Yugi NEEDS me! I refuse to just stand here while he's in danger!" Atem cried as his voice shook. "...I know the feeling..." the figure mouthed in silence. "...Besides...the BriarBloods cannot be allowed...to achieve what they desire...the revenge they seek...will bring no vegence...but tragedy...for that reason...Yugi cannot be allowed to be kept in their possession...much longer..." the stranger mouthed.
"Then we are in agreement..." the Pharoah muttered before he paused. Although he was certain he had never seen this particular individual. Atem just couldn't shake the feeling that, they had somehow met once before. "...Tell me stranger...just what is the name by which you are called?" the Pharoah questioned. A pause passed between before the figure's lips began to move once more. "Oblivion..." the stranger told Atem. "...Atem...my name is Atem. Now that we've properly introduced ourselves...am I correct in assuming that you're here to aid me in finding my companion?" the Pharoah asked.
"...That's right..." Oblivion mouthed as he removed something from his cloak and held it out to Atem. "Hold out your hand..." the figure instructed. Without hesitation, the Pharoah did as the stranger asked of him. Oblivion carefully placed in his hand a vile of green illuminant liquid. Atem looked towards the stranger giving him a questioning gaze. "Drink the elixer in the vile...only then can we move forward..." Oblivion instructed the Pharoah. "And just why would I need to consume this unknown liquid? I expect to at least have an answer to that." Atem questioned the stranger. "...To Cross the gateway..." "...Gateway?...To where exactly?" Atem asked curiously as to what the figure would say next. "...To the boarder between this world...and the NeitherWorld..." were the last words Oblivion mouthed.
The Pharoah's eyes widened as he recalled crossing into the afterlife. He did exist as a spirit after all. However, just the thought of it made him uneasy. Still, for some reason, he felt as if he could trust this what was truly bothering him is that he never thought that once again he would find himself in a place where his voice couldn't reach the one person he couldn't live without. And that was Yugi.
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