TW: Vampirism-like encounter

I am uncertain when exactly the next chapter will be updated. It could be a few days, or a few weeks. I just found out my maternal grandfather passed away last night and I am currently posting this chapter on 4 hours of sleep because I need a distraction (and I can't seem to find anything else I want to edit). He was one of the few people that I was extremely close with. He is now with his oldest daughter, my mom, who passed away when I was 16

To Yugi's surprise, the flames were warm and inviting. They beckoned him forward until he found himself standing in a small circular opening. There was another figure in there with him. It stepped forward, revealing itself to be….himself? There was no doubt about it. The replica was obviously not his twin or the Pharaoh. Having seen his own reflection many times, he had learned the differences.

"Surprised?" the other him questioned.

"A little. I thought I was supposed to face some sort of truth?"

"You are."

"I don't get it?" Yugi stated in confusion.

"What's there to get? Did you think something about your truth would be special or unique?"

"No. At least, I don't think so? I thought maybe it would tell me I'm going to have to face a future without Atem very soon, or something along those lines."

"But you already know that. It's not much of a truth to face if you have already faced it."

"I may have faced it, but that doesn't mean I've come to terms with it. I'm still trying to come to terms with the fact that all this time I've had a mom and dad."

"Do you? Katrina and Atem are simply DNA donors. That doesn't make them anything special. That doesn't mean that they care for you like real parents would. Who looked after you when you were ill? Who bandaged your knee when you fell? It wasn't your 'Mother' or 'Father'. The former simply stood by and watched, doing absolutely nothing."

"Y-you're wrong! She did what she thought was best! She trusted my grandfather to take care of me! It probably killed her inside to stand by and watch!" Yugi began to shed tears of frustration. "And Atem didn't know! Regardless, he's stood by me through thick and thin! And I know even after his resurrection he'll continue to do so! And knowing him….he'll try to make up for not knowing!" he shouted.

"What about Imhotep? All this time he's tried to live vicariously through you. Do you think he actually cares for you like a brother? Think about how much jealousy he probably harbors towards you. Who did your 'Mother' spend most of her time with? It obviously wasn't him."

Yugi was a bit taken aback by this statement. He hadn't even considered how the overly-excited teen felt towards him. Did he resent him for holding Kat's focus simply for being Atem's host?

The other him grinned and chuckled low. "You hadn't considered that, had you? Think about how much he's missed out on because of you. He was forced to live within the confines of these walls, never interacting directly with anyone except his mother and uncle. Forced to play pretend and live within your literal shadow."

Yugi shook his head. This wasn't right. Imhotep showed distaste towards Bakura and Marik, and obviously had his own issues with Kat, but his enthusiasm towards finally being able to interact with Atem and Yugi was genuine. "You're wrong about Imhotep too. I saw how excited and proud he was to be able to show me his collection. He was concerned when he thought I was going to fail the last trial. He's a bit socially awkward, but that's not his fault. And he could have disobeyed at any time and interacted with me sooner, but he didn't. I'm certain it was because he was trying to protect me as much as everyone else was," he stated earnestly.

"And what about you? How do you feel about them?"

"They are each special to me in their own way. Atem and I will always have a special bond, but I hope it's one that he and I can help share together with Imhotep."

"And what about Kat?"

"I'm not certain. It's obvious she's still trying to keep me at a distance. It's like she's afraid that one or both of us will get hurt somehow. I think we just need some time to get to know one another better. I'm certain we can develop some kind of bond, even if it isn't mother-son."

The other him smiled brightly, then bowed low. "And those, Yugi Muto, are your truths."

The black flames that surrounded him vanished, and he found himself standing next to Imhotep.

"I have to admit, after the last trial, I was a bit nervous for you!" Imhotep stated with a relieved chuckle.

"To be honest, I was nervous for myself too!" Yugi replied. He then looked at his twin with a smile. "What do you say we plan something this weekend? It will be you and me, and I'll invite along my friends. I'm certain they'll love meeting you."

Imhotep's eyes widened in surprise. "Really? But what if…..I mean….I know I got a little over-excited back at Shae's….what if I scare away your friends? Or maybe they'll find me annoying?" he asked nervously.

Yugi laughed. "I don't think anyone can scare away Joey or Tristan!"

Atem made his way through the flames. They felt familiar. He surmised this was probably due to his association with the flame elemental that had created them. He encountered a circular area within the dark fire, stepping within its circumference to face whatever harsh truth was to be revealed.

Silence. It was just him. No voices. No illusions. Nothing. Just silence as he stood alone in the fire.

Where was the truth he was meant to face?

"Katrina?" he called out. They were her flames after all. If anything, he felt maybe she would show up and maybe tell him something he never wished to hear. What would he never wish to hear from her?

He clutched at his chest. The emotions he felt when he thought of her were painful. The memory of his harsh words towards her made it worse. Why did it matter to him? It was obvious she had moved on, and for good reason. And he had gotten what he wanted. He had forgotten. And he was going to finally be free from his eternal prison. But he was also going to remember. He wasn't certain he wanted to anymore. He recalled how irritating it was to sort through his memories during the trial. What about all the unpleasant memories, like what happened to Kat's mother? He was certain there were many more hidden within the relic around Imhotep's neck.

Imhotep had seen all of them. Each and every one. Even the ones that the teen admitted he wished he hadn't seen. Was he really afraid of regaining what a child had already observed? Imhotep had seen it all, yet still obviously thought the world of him. The boy witnessed the harsh words, yet still felt he could get a second chance. But did he want one?

He grasped at his head, trying to sort all the thoughts that now filled his mind. What was going on with this trial? Why hadn't anything happened? Was he supposed to admit something aloud? Maybe it wasn't working because he was a spirit. No. That couldn't be it. The Sphinx had questioned him. He had needed to keep walking forward during the illusion that had actually been a forgotten memory. There must be something he was missing. What was the harsh truth he had to accept?

What. Did. He. Need. To. Accept?

He fell to the ground, frustrated that he was going to be trapped within the wall of flame because of something so trivial.

"I don't understand. What am I supposed to accept?" he said aloud to himself. "Am I supposed to accept the fact that I am going to remember everything again? That I'll have to face all the things I've said and done over the millennia? That the woman I once loved has moved on and found another? That I have a family only because of something I said in anger?" He felt his tears flowing freely down his face, but he didn't care. Which truth was he supposed to accept?

"All of them."

Atem looked up to see himself from five-thousand years ago looking down at him.

"Would remembering be so terrible?" his other self asked.

"I said things in anger and hurt someone I cared about."

"Everyone does. All you can do is apologize and ask for forgiveness."

"But what if she won't forgive me?"

"You won't know unless you try."

"It won't change the fact that she's moved on," Atem stated, hanging his head.

"No, it won't. Is that truly such a terrible thing? Would you prefer she returned to you, even at the cost of her own happiness?"

"I-...no. It was obvious from what I saw in the last trial, that we were no longer happy. We both appeared...tired."

The other him nodded. "I imagine going through the same routines over and over again can be quite tiring, especially after five-millennia."

"That doesn't excuse my behavior."

"No. It doesn't. But were the results of your actions really so bad?"

Atem looked at his other self, perplexed. "What do you mean?"

"Think about it: If you hadn't said those words, Yugi would not exist."

Atem's mind, which was still reeling with questions, finally came to a halt. There could have been a world without Yugi? His beloved host might have never existed? Yugi, who was a bright ray of light and hope in a world of darkness….existed only because of the words he had said that day. How could someone so caring, have been created from something so hateful?

"I….I think I understand now."

"Do you?"

Atem stood and faced himself. "I'm afraid to remember the things that were painful, but I'm certain it wasn't all bad. I can't change what I've said or done, and even if I am given forgiveness, I wouldn't wish for anything to change that might affect the happiness of those I care about. Most of all, I regret my words from that day, but I do not regret the results."

His other self smiled. "One more question if I may?"

Atem nodded.

"Are you ready for what lays beyond the flames?"

"Both yes and no, but it means a lot to Imhotep for us to be here. That means I have to be ready, whether I like it or not."

His other self raised a brow in curiosity. "You have to?"

"Yes. Like Yugi, he is my heir. Yugi and I have stood beside each other through many things we were not ready for. Why would we not do the same for Imhotep?"

His other self bowed before him. "Atem, son of Akhenamkhanen, you have faced your truths. Now it is time to face your future."

The black flames vanished, and he stepped forward to stand beside the two teens that were excitedly making plans for the weekend.

Marik and Kat sat eating their dinner while watching a 'Funny Cat Compilation' video, laughing at the humorous antics of the felines on screen between bites. The current segment showed a tabby staring intently at a glass on a counter then nudging it slowly towards the edge while the owner begged it to reconsider its action. The feline simply stared at the camera while shoving the glass over the edge. Kat eyed Marik's glass, causing him to cautiously grab it and place it out of the elemental's reach off to his left.

Kat leaned into his shoulder with a mischievous look on her face. "Come now gamiil, I was just thinking if I nudged it into your lap, then you would have to take off what little you are wearing." she said flirtatiously.

He gave her a playful smile. "How about you let me finish eating then you can have me any way you like?"

Since their earlier fornication, everything between them had become very 'playful' as they eagerly worked their way through the evening towards their next moment of intimacy.

"Aw, but you are supposed to wait an hour after eating before performing any rigorous activity. I don't want to wait that long," Kat stated in a mocked pout.

Marik placed his fork down and wrapped one arm around his lover while grabbing her chin and directing her face up to his. "I guess we'll just have to use that time to get warmed up then." He placed a light kiss on her lips.

Kat shoved his cushion, with him on it, far enough away from the table that she could climb up and straddle his lap. Marik placed his hands on her hips, drawing her in closer. He then seductively drug his mouth across an exposed clavicle and up the side of her neck, nibbling gently at her golden flesh. She raised her head, exposing more of her neck to him while eliciting a small sound of arousal.

Marik took in a mouthful of skin and began sucking gently on it, but quickly released when he felt Kat's relaxed body suddenly become rigid and tense. He brought back his head to see if perhaps he had done something to hurt her, but noticed she appeared to be looking off elsewhere, panic strewn across her features. Her eyes were darting about, as though she were seeing something he could not.

Kat quickly stood and changed in a flash of flames, wearing her usual black ruffled skirt and halter top. She grabbed Marik and drug him to his feet, placing a palm on his chest and changing him back into the school uniform pants and white button down shirt that he had been wearing earlier.

"Everything okay?" Marik questioned.

Before he could get a reply, Kat had grabbed tightly to his arm, flames erupting in a vortex around them. He closed his eyes to protect them from the bright intensity of the fire near his face. When he opened them, he noticed they were standing in what he could have sworn were the Halls of Osiris. Almost instantly Kat began to run quickly down the hall, dragging him along behind. In the dim light ahead, he could make out three familiar spiky-haired figures.

Atem stopped before an iridescent barrier. Golden glyphs and runes occasionally revealed themselves as they moved along a marked path around the entrance to the final room. He knew what lay beyond this barrier, but something told him it wasn't wise to cross over the spell's threshold...at least not yet.

Imhotep walked right through, as though oblivious to the ward. "Come on! It's right this way!" he said excitedly, running up ahead.

Yugi followed for a few steps before stopping and noting Atem's hesitation. "What's wrong?"

"Something tells me I shouldn't go into this room, but I'm not certain why."

"Then maybe we shouldn't. The entire time we've been down here, something in my gut has been screaming that we should go back," Yugi admitted to the millennial spirit.

Imhotep had stopped and returned to the barrier border. "Why'd you stop?" he asked, appearing concerned.

"I don't think we should be here," Yugi stated.

"Of course you should! This room is important to all three of us!" Imhotep exclaimed.

Atem shook his head. "It is, but I don't think we are meant to be here at this time."

Yugi looked at Atem in surprise. "Wait, do you know what's in this room?"

Atem nodded. "I have a good hunch."

"Then you know why I wanted to bring you here!" Imhotep appeared to be very upset. "What's in this room….I've visited it so often….and now….I thought….maybe…." The teen hung his head dejectedly, tears forming at the corners of his eyes.

Yugi felt bad. It was obvious that whatever was in the final room was important to Imhotep. "I guess it can't hurt to just look," he sighed.

Imhotep perked up, then took his twin by the hand and excitedly began dragging him along. The tears that threatened to spill over in a flood only trickled down a few drops as the teens' saddened state was quickly replaced with his usual state of excitement.

Kat and Marik were still too far back. Kat tried to shout for the three to stop, but her voice simply echoed in the large space around them, the shout obviously dying long before it could touch the ears of the three figures ahead. Two of the figures rushed off, while the third began to take a hesitant step forward. Kat released Marik's hand and launched herself onto a nearby wall, using it to project towards the opposite wall at an angle, picking up speed as she did. She made one final projection then launched down the hall, arm outstretched. The third figure crossed over a shimmering barrier, Kat's hand barely missing the collar on his jacket.

Atem turned around, surprised to see Kat standing there with her arm outstretched towards him. Her eyes were wide with panic and fear.

The walls of the room lit up and began to glow. It was massive. Atem looked around, taking note that the entirety of the walls were covered in golden Duel Monster Tablets. He recognized many, having used their card variants. The ground was covered in dark liquid, with a single path of marble that led to a dais with a raised slab in the center of the room. On top of the slab, was a figure lying as though it were in a deep state of slumber. Behind the figure floated three massive golden Duel Monster Tablets. It was obvious they were the three Egyptian God Tablets, their placement identical to how they were on the Tomb Keeper's back.

"No….it's too soon…..I'm not ready…." Kat said quietly to herself as she fell to the floor.

Marik caught up to her, then looked at Atem. "What the hell is going on? What did you do?"

Atem looked towards the two teens, and saw the shocked fear on Imhotep's face. The teen obviously had no idea that he had unintentionally triggered the resurrection ritual.

Kat quickly composed herself and stood up from the ground, barking orders. "Atem, back into the Puzzle! Imhotep, give me the Memory Core! Yugi, follow me!"

Each did as they were told. Kat approached the dais with Yugi, then held out a palm. "I need the Puzzle for a moment."

Yugi removed the chain from around his neck, then placed the Puzzle into Kat's outstretched hand. She then took the relic Imhotep had carried into her other palm, placing both out in front of her. She recited some sort of incantation and both relics began to glow. The glow continued to get brighter and brighter until Yugi found himself being forced to cover his eyes. When the light faded, the Puzzle hung suspended in the air between Kat's palms. She took the chain and placed it around the neck of the figure laying on the raised slab, placing the Puzzle so it appeared as though the figure were holding it ceremoniously before him. She then withdrew what appeared to be some sort of ceremonial kris blade that was hidden just under the edge of the figure.

Kat took Yugi's hand in her own, holding it above the body before them. "This is going to hurt, and I'm sorry," she apologized in advance.

Yugi looked down at the body before him. This was it. Atem was coming back right now. He looked back to Kat, and nodded. She took the blade and pierced the center of his palm, trailing towards the outer edge to create a trail for the crimson liquid to follow. Yugi flinched at the sharp pain, but remained still. She held his palm at an angle so that crimson liquid would drip directly onto the center of the eye of the Puzzle. After what she felt was a satisfactory amount, she released his hand and placed the blade back onto the slab.

Kat began her incantation, palms placed upwards towards the ceiling and head held high. It was in the old tongue, but Yugi found he could understand the words as they echoed through the hall.

"Life from life and mind from mind

Your spirits now shall disentwine

Part your souls and hurry home

to each your thoughts be of your own

Every separate piece of you

Each essential to your core

By your blood, you are free

Atem, return to me"

Yugi saw a pair of ethereal threads that appeared to be intertwined form between him and the Puzzle. The threads began to disentangle themselves until they were two separate lines. They remained as two separate lines, floating ghostly in the air between himself and the relic for a few moments, then the end of one severed from Yugi's body, followed by the other severing from the Puzzle. Each thread retracted to its respective connection. The blood that had pooled into the hollow of the Puzzle's eye began to seep into the cracks, fusing the relic together. Yugi watched as the now whole Millennium Pendant glowed brightly, the light emanating and encompassing Atem's body.

Kat's body wavered as the exhaustion of the spell began to overcome her, but she held her stance, refusing to give into the fatigue. Her eyes slowly went from sapphire to crimson as she watched for signs of movement from the body encased in golden glow. She waited...and waited….and waited. Her heart skipped a beat as she saw the Pendant raise and lower slightly. Then it did it again, only more noticeably. She dared a glance towards his face, noting small movement behind the eyelids that had remained still for five-thousand years. A single tear managed to escape and trickle down along the side of her face. She had finally done it. Millennia of waiting...and he had come back. Her beloved Atem was back.

Atem stirred, slowly raising a hand to his forehead as he struggled to sit up. He felt stiff and sore, and his head was throbbing. He slowly opened his eyes, allowing them to focus. Something off to his left caught his attention, and he turned his gaze to look at it. A boy with hair like his own was kneeling on the floor with the head of a woman in his lap. It took Atem a moment to realize what he was looking at. He attempted to quickly get down from the slab, but his body was having a hard time readjusting to being alive after millennia of lying dead. Marik rushed to Yugi's side, offering his shirt to wrap around the smaller teen's hand to stop the blood loss. He took Kat's unconscious body from Yugi, holding onto her protectively.

A loud 'crack' caught everyone that was present's attention. They all turned their gaze towards the floating tablets. Obelisk had a large fracture running through it. Smaller fractures veined out from the main break, until the whole tablet shattered. The golden fragments dulled and fell into the dark liquid below. In the tablet's place was a strange aura the same shade of gray-blue that represented the Ka monster. It hovered for a moment after the tablet shattered, then projected itself upwards through the ceiling of the room. Seconds later the tablet that represented Slifer began to crack and do the same, its red aura projecting itself into Atem. Ra did the same, who's golden aura projected to Marik (much to the Tomb Keeper's surprise). The rest of the tablets in the room began to crack and shatter, the room itself beginning to fall apart and cave-in.

"Uh, I think it's time to go!" Imhotep shouted. He rushed up to Atem and the others, helping his father down off the raised slab. He placed one of Atem's arms around his neck, then looked to the Tomb Keeper and his twin. "I can't teleport through the barrier so you'll need to get to the other side!"

Marik nodded and ran with Kat in his arms. Yugi stayed behind and began helping Imhotep, since Atem was still having difficulty walking.

"It'll go faster with the both of us!" Yugi stated, while wrapping Atem's other arm around his neck for added support.

Imhotep didn't argue. The three hurried across the barrier, where Imhotep quickly grouped everyone together and enveloped them in Shadow, teleporting everyone to the gardens.

Once they were safe, Atem glared up at the teen that was a near copy of himself. "That room had a ward meant to keep powerful spirits contained," he said hoarsely. He realized it wasn't just his body that needed to re-acclimate from its millennia of deathly slumber.

Imhotep shrank, realizing he was being scolded. "I didn't think-"

"Exactly." Atem interrupted, still glaring.

Bakura and Malik both appeared from their respective elements, quickly earning a scolded look from Atem as well. Malik began to take a small step back, but stopped and bowed respectfully as he had done many times during Atem's reign.

"You were charged with protecting her!" Atem shouted at the Ishtari as loudly as his vocal cords would currently allow, his anger and disappointment made obvious.

Malik simply stood with a lowered head, then looked away.

Bakura glared at the revived Pharaoh. "Leave Mal alone. He's already being punished by entities far more powerful than yourself. He doesn't need the likes of you adding to it," he chastised.

"Shut up Bakura. Neither of you stopped us when we entered the trials. You both knew what would happen when I crossed the threshold of the barrier," Atem continued to bitterly scold.

Bakura opened his mouth to retort, but stopped as heard what sounded like…..laughter?

Marik looked down at the tiny elemental in his arms as she cradled her head in the palm of her hand and began to quietly laugh, the sound of her laughter increasing steadily until she sounded near hysterical.

"Um….Kat? Are you...okay?" he asked.

The flame elemental stood up unsteadily, still appearing weakened from the magic she had cast. "I've worried for all these years…..for absolutely…...nothing." she laughed darkly, throwing back her head to reveal a sadistic fanged smile and widened crimson eyes.

"Kat….you don't look well…." Bakura stated, extremely concerned.

"I'm great! Perfectly wonderful!" she replied while performing a wobbly pirouetted spin with her arms outstretched. She then skipped and spun in a very uncoordinated fashion a small distance away, weaving a spell and summoning forth a transport obelisk. "Anubis! I invite you into my sanctuary so that you may claim your prize!" she shouted into the gateway with arms outstretched, the tone in her voice making her sound maniacal. She then turned to the group that stared in concern. "Please forgive the new appearance I am about to take. There are certain...protocols….that must be observed between Godaeshans."

Large feathered wings the color of midnight erupted from between her golden shoulders, and her body began to double in size while darkening to match her wings. The body itself began to take on the appearance of a large anthropomorphic feline. The hair on the top of her head slicked back so that her waves fell from the space between her feline ears. Her eyes remained crimson, though they had become more feline in appearance with vertical slits for pupils, the whites vanishing. The clothing she had been wearing tore once she began to change in size, but this form appeared to come with its own apparel. This form wore what appeared to be some sort of loincloth that had been created from a strip of black linen in both the front and back, and held together on the sides by a pair of gold chains. Her top was reminiscent of the halter top she usually wore, but shorter in that it fell just below her breasts. Like the halter top, this one appeared to be attached at the neck by a short wesekh-like collar. She had gold bracers on each wrist, and a pair of small golden hoops in each ear.

The jackal god appeared through the bright gateway, the smile on his canine face showed that he was in a pleasant mood. "Sanura! What a wonderful surprise! After our last encounter, I thought for certain I would have to forcefully claim what is owed to me," Anubis stated, pleased.

Kat walked over gracefully towards the group. Malik and Bakura tensed, as did Imhotep, but no one moved. She placed a clawed hand (paw?) on Yugi's shoulder, then indicated for him to follow. She led him back over to stand before Anubis, then stepped back with arms wide open, head thrown back, and a sadistic smile on her feline face. "Let all present bear witness that, I, Sanura, daughter of Anubis, freely give the heir whose blood awakened the Pharaoh Atem, son of Akhenamkhanen, to my sire, Anubis, one of the great Lords of the Afterlife!" she stated loudly. She then lowered her head to face the jackal god with her crimson eyes. "I have fulfilled my part of the bargain. I am no longer indebted to you," she stated, still flashing a mischievous, fanged grin.

Anubis, pleased to have finally received the soul he had laid claim to, bowed respectfully with a smile. "I must say, you both surprise and please me greatly this day! Not only have you invited me into your home, you have shown respect by appearing in your true form. Add to it that you willingly held your end of the bargain, I am beginning to wonder if you are truly my Sanura," he stated, studying the feline that had suddenly begun to circle him.

"Oh, I am…" she said darkly. She circled in a predatory stance, her ears and eyes alert, her tail snaking slowly back and forth, her wings slightly flexed in preparation to lift off. "The thing is, I know exactly why you wanted one of my heirs, but….you won't find it in that one." she chuckled darkly.

Anubis had been keeping a close eye on the predator that prowled around him, but quickly turned his gaze down to the boy that stood nervously before him. He stared hard, another set of glossy black eyes opening just above his brow. The god was displeased with whatever he saw (or didn't in this case), growling loudly to make it known. "You've tricked me!" he exclaimed towards the circling feline.

"I did no such thing. I, myself, was unaware until only recently," Kat stated in a pleasant, but dark manner. "I take it you do not want your gift?" she mocked.

Anubis stared at the quivering boy that was oblivious to what the two entities were talking about. "I have no use for weak flesh such as this. You may keep it." he growled.

"Oh? Is that an official proclamation that you are refusing your gift?" she questioned in a sadistic tone.

The jackal god bared his fangs, growling even louder. "Yes! Let it be known to all present that I, Anubis, one of the great Lords of the Afterlife, refuse to claim this heir!"

Kat chuckled manically. "Good." She then flattened her ears and bared her fangs at him. "Now go." she ordered.

Anubis glared coldly. "I wish to make a new bargain. I want that one. Name your price," he stated while pointing a claw towards Imhotep.

Kat threw her head back and cackled. "You…...think you can control him!? Think again! Now I will repeat myself one last time: Leave."

"Not until I've obtained what I seek," the jackal stated defiantly.

"What's this? You are refusing to leave my sanctuary? I believe that now marks you as a trespasser." she grinned darkly.

Anubis quickly armed himself with his spear, lashing out in the direction of the feline entity.

Kat leapt upwards, her wings holding her aloft as she circled the jackal from above. "And now you attack me in my own home? Where are your manners?" she taunted.

Anubis growled, then began to reach for the stunted teen that cowered before him. Yugi ran, barely escaping the grasp of the jackal's claws. Anubis started after him, but Imhotep intervened by grabbing his twin and teleporting him to where the others now stood safely out of the way of the battle, sans Bakura and Malik.

A massive lion that stood taller than the roof of the palace crouched before the group in a guarded stance, creating a wall between the battle and the people it was now protecting. Its body was made of obsidian, while its mane appeared to be made of threads of gold with beads of emerald and citrine woven throughout, and its eyes were made up of large stones of amber.

The attempt to use her heir as a hostage enraged Kat, and she dove at Anubis from behind, pinning him face down to the ground. She sat on his back as she took a clawed hand and held his head down, pinning one of his shoulders with her other. She then sank her fangs deeply into the space between the god's shoulder and neck, keeping him trapped while he attempted to break free of her grasp. She drank deep of her sire's blood, her crimson eyes quickly returning to their normal sapphire. Kat released once her thirst had been satiated, the god beneath her weakened and no longer squirming to be free. She stood forcefully and began to walk away.

"You dare turn your back to ME!" Anubis roared, summoning his last bit of strength in a final attack.

He halted quickly as the metal of a blade appeared and brandished itself at his neck. An anthropomorphic white wolf-dog with ash-violet eyes held a god-sized dagger to the jackal's throat. The Millennium Ring that flashed from beneath a red flowing robe indicated the identity of the entity. He circled slowly to face the god, the blade still at its throat, the dark schenti at his waist showing from beneath the robe as he walked. "I believe you are no longer welcome here." The smirk that the Bakura had been able to pull off with his canine features pretty much begged Anubis to continue with his defiance, so that the elemental might have a reason to run the blade deeply against the god's trachea.

Anubis growled low, then retreated back to the gateway, refusing to expose his back even as he walked through the glowing exit. The obelisk shattered and fell, having been closed from the other side.

If any of the words to the resurrection spell sound familiar, it is because they are fragmented and edited sections of spells from the original Charmed TV series that I used to watch with my mom and younger sister.

There is a section of the next chapter that was already giving me emotional issues (I literally have to walk away and recompose myself each time I read through it). In light of recent events, I am thinking it is best to rewrite that portion of the chapter. Also because of recent events, that chapter might end up as an emotional cluster-fuck in the end. I apologize profusely in advance for this.