Chapter 22

Haji stared at him for a moment, trying to calm his thumping heart. Bakura was standing there, looking rather impressed with himself. He continued to smirk at his old friend.

"I will admit myself that it was rather ambitious to try and gather all the items at once. But it was worth a go."

"Was that really Pharaoh Akhnamkanom's sarcophagus?" Haji asked.

Bakura nodded, "I thought our new King needed a lesson on what his father did and what he has to answer to. I'm not sure he appreciated it, but it matters not. I will get what is mine."

"So… so what do these items actually do." Haji asked, moving forward to stand beside his friend once again.

"In simple terms they allow one to access ancient magic to use in shadow games, but each have their own unique powers, gaining the bearer unique abilities. Our dearly departed Pharaoh created them in order to save this land, but I believe it was more than that."

Haji's head was spinning, "I don't understand, what's a shadow game?"

"Something in which the loser is dealt a harsh punishment, something I will subject our new King too."

Haji just stared at him not quite believing his ears, "So… if you gather all the items then you can get your revenge for your village."

Bakura nodded, "I will make the Pharaoh pay for everything. I shall bring forth the ultimate dark creature."

Haji nodded slowly, "Ok then I'm not sure I fully understand but you're right the Pharaoh should pay for the mistakes of his father. He must have known or at least knows now what happened to cause the items to exist, yet it seems he's unwilling to do anything about it. That makes him equally as guilty."

Bakura gazed at his friend, before a smirk crossed his face. Haji held his gaze, an anger burning within him. Those items should be gathered together and used to make the whole royal family pay.

"So what now?" Haji asked.

"I shall gather the items and lure his highness to Kul Elna there I will summon Zorc."

"Zorc?"

Bakura smirked once again, "The physical manifestation of darkness, I shall summon him and he shall exact revenge on this world."

"And the Pharaoh will pay?"

"Oh yes he'll pay."

Once again Haji nodded, he still wasn't sure he fully understood exactly what Bakura was saying but all that mattered was revenge for everyone in Kul Elna and Bakura, who'd had everything taken from him. The night sky was beginning to lighten, dawn was approaching.

"I must go," Bakura said, "I have much to plan and much to do."

Bakura turned and began to walk away but suddenly paused. Turning back to face his old friend.

"If you'll take my advice I'd get out of the village for a while."

Haji frowned, "Why?"

Bakura shrugged, "If you want to stay out of Zorc's way then it would be best to distance yourself from this place."

Without waiting for a response he turned once more and walked away. From behind him he heard Haji call to him one final time.

"Good Luck Bakura."

Haji watched as once again Bakura disappeared, once he had Haji immediately turned and ran back towards his village. He would go back to the village and make a hasty departure, but first there was one person he wanted to try and persuade to join him. Running as fast as he could he quickly found himself back in the village and once more at his house. However, this time he did not hesitate on the front step, he hurried straight inside calling out to his father as he ran around grabbing items and shoving them into a sack. Movement on the stairs told him is father was moving to join him.

"What are you doing?" He asked.

"We're leaving father." Haji said, "There is going to be a creature of darkness unleashed on this land and we must escape before he arrives."

His father eyes narrowed, "And just what does that mean?"

Haji pulled the sack onto his back and turned to look at his father, "I promise I will explain everything once we're safe but we can't stop what's about to happen. The Pharaoh must pay for all the dark deeds of his father and this creature is the only way."

There was a pause as father and son stared at each other. Silence fell between which seemed to last for some time but in reality was only mere moments. Haji watched as his father slowly shook his head.

"I don't know what has got into you son but I will not hear anything against our King."

"Father I can explain you just have to come –"

"No. I told you that I would not hear of this nonsense. Leave my house this instant."

Haji took a breath, his gaze narrowing, "Fine. But don't say I didn't warn you. But you shall see father, you shall soon see my words are true."

Turning he walked away heading for the door. But once in the doorway he turned to look at his father.

"I hope someday I will walk with you and mother in the Field of Reeds. Be safe father."

Without waiting for a response he left. Outside the house he placed the sack on the back of one of the horses still tied up outside before mounting it and spurred it out of the village. The sky continued to brighten as the sun broke on the horizon. His horse continued to gallop, the distance between him and his homeland stretching. He rode for hours until the sun was high in the sky where they took shelter in a small oasis. Haji dipped his hands in the cool water before looking up, in the distance he could just see the tall walls of the capital. He'd wanted to make sure he could see the capital, that way he would know when it was all over. But the longer he sat there, watching as his horse drank from the cool water, the more he wondered just what exactly was about to happen. His thoughts turned to Bakura, he'd said he had to prepare. Prepare for what? For Zorc, whoever that was, to arrive. A frown crossed his expression but just how did one prepare for… what had Bakura said? A physical manifestation of the shadows. Whatever that meant. He sighed, running a hand through his dark hair. He should have asked Bakura more, should have offered to help.

But perhaps there was still time. If he tracked down Bakura then he could offer his assistance and ensure he completed his task. Slowly he nodded to himself and got to his feet moving towards the horse. Mounting it he spurred the horse back towards civilisation. It was a testament to how far out in the desert he'd ridden as by the time he drew anywhere near the capital night was falling. Bakura had mentioned luring the Pharaoh to Kul Elna. He couldn't be sure exactly how to get there, given the fight between him and his father it wasn't exactly as though he could go home and ask for directions. But someone in the city must know of the location of the village. However, as he neared the gates there was an almighty bang, it seemed to be coming from deep within the city. Screams could be heard and a crowd of people emerged from the city gates, clearly trying to escape something. Still atop his horse Haji caught sight of a large form soaring in the sky. His mouth opened in disbelief at just what he was seeing. If he wasn't seeing it he wouldn't of believed. The form seemed to be half man, half snake but just how such a large being came to exist never mind fly, was beyond him. The creature smashed its way through the gates, sending rocks flying in every direction. His horse reared up and without his command fled. People around them had the same idea, everyone seemed to be trying to get out of the way of flying rocks. As his horse galloped away Haji heard the all too familiar laugh of his old friend. Looking over his shoulder he saw Bakura, also on horseback, racing from the city and following in the creature's wake. Pulling hard on the reins he forced the horse to come to a halt, not before it reared up once again. Turning to face back towards the capital he was about to follow Bakura when another creature soared above them. This time a huge serpent creature, but it wasn't like any serpent he'd seen. Besides the enormous size of the creature, it was also red and soared through the air with its bat like wings. Another horse emerged from the destroyed gates and this rider Haji recognised as well. The Pharaoh. The new Pharoah.

Haji watched as the Pharaoh raced away, obviously chasing Bakura. Barely a second after he lost sight of the Pharaoh, several other horses emerged from the gates and chased after the Pharaoh, or at least they moved in the direction of where they'd last seen him.

"Go on Pharaoh!" Someone nearby yelled, "Take that criminal down!"

Haji turned to look at the few people that were standing in the general vicinity. From the looks on their faces they supported the King, the chanting proved it as well. Turning back he could just see the large red serpent in the distance, getting ever further away. Nudging his horse he took off after it. He had to help Bakura, although if he was honest just how he could help Bakura fight off a flying serpent he did not know. Despite the speed of his horse it felt as though he was getting nowhere fast. But he did not lose sight of the red serpent which was now not alone in the sky. Other creatures had joined it and seemed to be engaged in battle with Bakura's creature. His horse made its displeasure at racing into a battle known but Haji ignored it, urging it to go faster. He drew ever closer and as he did the red serpent let out a cry before exploding. The shockwaves almost threw him off the horse but somehow he managed to stay atop his horse. Bakura's creature disappeared making Haji looked wildly around, without the creature he did not have a way of locating Bakura. But a moving horse soon caught his attention, carrying someone with ashen hair. Nudging his horse once again he took off, galloping after Bakura. Around him he heard shouts;

"Pharaoh!"

"Pharaoh where are you?"

"Quickly men, we must locate our king."

But this did not stop him riding. He couldn't be sure what had happened but perhaps Bakura had indeed made the Pharaoh pay. Well, there was only one way to find out.

On and on he galloped, far out in the desert, it was only when a distant village came into view that he realised that they must be heading towards Kul Elna. His poor horse was getting tired, its ears were back slightly and despite his encouragements their speed was slowing. That being said another village was coming into a view, a village which was in ruins. Even from this distance Haji could spot crumbled houses, the lone walls still standing. As he reached the outskirts of the village, he slowed his horse and dismounted. Hitching the horse to a half-collapsed pillar he gave the animal a pat on the neck to thank it before slowly moving into the village. Behind him the sun was once again making its way into the sky and slowly revealing the ruined village of Kul Elna. Not a single house had escaped the massacre. Bricks which had once supported various houses littered the ground. From the sight it appeared that the village had only just been attacked, but it had been in this state for years. Haji stared around, his blood beginning to boil. All this death and destruction, and for what? A sudden chill swept round him and he got the sense he wasn't alone. He felt eyes upon him yet he could see no one. Casting his eyes around he hurried his steps. He wasn't exactly sure what he was looking for however soon enough he came across some stone steps leading underground. Another chill swept around him, Haji looked around once more but still saw no one. Cautiously, he descended the steps until a huge underground chamber opened up in front of him. Various pillars were holding the ceiling up, ancient carvings on each. At the opposite end of the chamber on a raised platform was Bakura. He appeared to be looked down on large stone.

"Bakura?" He called, anxiety creeping into his voice.

Bakura straightened up, turning to face him. His expression was so collected it was difficult to work out what he might be thinking. As Bakura turned to face him he felt another chill sweep somewhere to his left.

"It's alright my friends." Bakura said, "This one is a friend."

At his words Haji felt the chill retreat. He moved forwards, closing the distance between himself Bakura.

"I must admit I am surprised to see you here Haji." Bakura said.

"I… I wanted to see if I could help. I left my village like you advised but I couldn't just sit in the desert and wait."

Bakura scoffed, "Not for nothing my old friend but I think you're a little out of your depth here."

Another chill swept somewhere nearby.

"Perhaps." Haji replied, "But still there must be some way I can help. I saw that… that battle? Did you win, has the Pharaoh paid the price?"

"Not yet, but I did obtain this from him."

Bakura held up a golden pendent which was hanging from a rope. It was then that Haji noticed the golden ring hanging from Bakura's neck. Moving forwards again he found he couldn't take his eyes off the pendent.

"Is that… the item you were talking about?"

Bakura nodded, "His majesty somewhat reluctantly gave it to me. I have no doubt that once he's found he'll come and attempt to reclaim it, bringing along all the other items."

Haji, without realising it, reached out a hand wanting to touch the pendent. It was odd but he could feel a power radiating from it. He did not know what the power could do but part of him wanted to find out. Seeing this Bakura replaced the pendent around his neck, no one was to touch the items but him. He moved away leaving Haji to collect himself and settled on top of the stone. He could sense it, the time was approaching. His majesty was on his way. His eyes found Haji.

"You must leave. The time is almost upon us, Zorc's arrival is imminent."

"There must be something I can do." Haji almost pleaded, "I want to help you get your revenge."

Bakura gave him a look, "Unless you can figure out how to access magic and use one of these then you will only get in the way."

He tapped the object strapped to his forearm. Haji stared at it having absolutely no idea what it was. His ignorance must have shown on his face as Bakura just continued his look.

"As I thought, now be gone from here."

Haji made to speak but once again Bakura cut him off as a smirk worked its way onto his face.

"Leave Haji. His highness is here and one would not want to keep him waiting."