Here it is! Chapter 8!
The calm before the storm... Here we go!
Hope you like it! Let me know what you think! :)
Hayate yawned and rubbed the back of his head. He had slept for over seven hours after the all-nighter. He reached for the note Atsuko left for him by his bedside, as was her habit, letting him know she was going into the office. He frowned at the thought of her researching alone, having seen her abilities firsthand. If there was a microscopic spiritual event that had occurred around Yugi, Atsuko will find out about it - with the date and time neatly organized in a filing folder.
Whether or not that was a good thing depends on what she finds.
He got up and headed into the kitchen, filling and flicking on the kettle with his eyes half closed as he started to make breakfast when he reached for his coffee beans. He paused, shaking it. The bag was lighter, though after a few seconds a smile started to form as he guessed the culprit. Remembering his son was drinking a warm cup when he came home that morning.
The kettle stopped boiling and the toast popped up, so he continued. The thought of that heaven-sent case file rejuvenating his energy. Everything was going to be okay.
It was as he finished making his coffee that he found himself looking down the hallway, conveniently in the direction of Yugi's bedroom.
He took a sip, wondering if he should call the team first about his discovery of the casefile, or - as he glanced back in the direction of Yugi's bedroom - he could try and find that connection to the guardian spirit. The symbolic piece of the spirit Yugi prized to cope with its passing.
Perhaps this was a stupid idea.
He chugged down the coffee, once again wishing he had the time to savor it. Another day. The cup being placed down on the counter and his feet walking over to Yugi's bedroom door.
He knocked. "Yugi? Are you home?"
Nothing. Only the sound of Hayate's own breath.
"Yugi?" Hayate turned the handle and peered inside. Feeling like he was his father back in his exploration days, encroaching on some ancient site he wasn't supposed to access.
The room was empty. He gulped.
I wouldn't be doing this if Yugi's life wasn't in danger. Hayate reminded himself. Though it didn't make invading his son's privacy any easier. He took a breath. Vowing to never speak of what he finds today except spirit related items. Whatever there might be. Couldn't be any worse than what Hayate used to hide in his teenage days.
Feeling a bit better with a vow undertow, he stepped inside completely.
He looked around. His son's room seemed normal for a teenage boy. Simplistic but not without personality.
The desk still had an upright set of well-used textbooks - each subject lined up in alphabetical order. A small pencil holder next to them, displaying a couple of modern mechanical pencils with Duel Monster's logos. A photo of his friends stood as the main attraction. Appearing to be joking around after a tournament.
The bed was well maintained, unusual for a boy but not suspicious, and his wardrobe still displayed his grandmother's old Astroboy stickers from when he was younger.
Hayate stepped further into the room, almost feeling as if he were trespassing onto a sacred space. Making him grateful Yugi wasn't home, and wouldn't be back until late judging by his recent habits.
He traced his hand on the old wardrobe stickers. Like his father, Hayate's mother also failed to get him into her side hobbies. She had been a fan of Astroboy since the original show aired on black and white television, being the first TV series she watched as a girl. She had been fascinated by anime and comics ever since.
As his fingers lined the edges, a sticker popped off and glided to floor. Hayate sighed, picking it up and placing it in it's original position.
He almost missed it. Only noticing it from the corner of his eye as he leaned over to stick the Astroboy sticker back on the wardrobe.
It stood on Yugi's old bedside table at the foot of the bed and was not visible unless you were right in front of it. In three layers, a square black box as the base, the gold millennium puzzle chest in the center, and a distinctive photo of his son at the top. Unusual, as Hayate didn't pick Yugi as the type to take and display photos of himself.
Then he looked closer. The angled eyes... That feeling of arrogance...
He gulped. This was it. Yugi's memorabilia. What his son was using to cope with the passing of the spirit.
Picking up all three from the base, he turned and placed it on the desk. Putting the uncanny photo next to him and opening the puzzle's old chest.
"What on earth..." he muttered. It was filled with several decks' worth of duel monsters' cards. He picked one up, recognizing it from the DVD's as a variant of Yugi's dark magician. "Why are these here? Shouldn't they be in the cupboard or the safe? Guess they must not have much monetary value..."
He put it to the side. Deciding that his lack of knowledge regarding the card game disqualified him from going through them. Maybe Anya would love to go over them if Yugi was willing to hand them over? Give the new recruit a job beside bottom line research.
Now the black box... titled 'Tomb - 1960'. In his father's handwriting. Labelled and dated like those other cursed games in that storage unit. Hayate furrowed his brow at the sight. He supposed Yugi would only have to ask, 'Grandpa, do you have any relics from your trips?' and the man would have bent over backwards to find whatever Yugi wanted, even if it he actually put his back out to do it.
With held breath, he opened it. His fists shaking along the edge of the box as he took in the contents, then his fingers clenched into his palms so hard nails nearly pierced his skin.
He reached in, pulling out a circlet style crown.
The design was of quality craftsmanship having a distinctive Egyptian design. Detailed wings swept out the sides with a large eye in the center. No doubt the piece would have been grand before it lost its sheen. An item fit for a king. Not belonging in the crowded streets of Domino City.
And yet, here it was. Underneath a photograph of Yugi which resembled the uncanny images on the DVD cases, and the old golden chest the millennium puzzle was stored in filled with cards belonging to a game his son loved so much.
All three together. As if set up like an altar.
It took most of Hayate's willpower to not throw the blasted thing out the window. Here in his hands lay evidence of a guardian spirit. One who used his own son for its purposes and got close enough to him to warrant this set up at the foot of his bed. Almost as if he was worshipping a god.
Hayate took a deep breath, gently placing the ancient crown back into the box.
At least he couldn't sense spiritual energy emitting from it, not like the millennium puzzle, and the goal was to convince Yugi to go along with the plan. Hayate doubted his son would be willing to listen if he trashed what could possibly be his most prized possession.
Shutting the lid, as he no longer wanted to look at it, he stared back up at the photograph. Noting the casual way Yugi - no, not Yugi - leaned on the railing. Comfortable wearing his son's skin. Unsurprising if this was a guardian spirit like they suspected, but it still caused the hairs on his arms to rise. Wondering what this spirit took advantage of when it was in control.
"Yugi... What did you get yourself into?" he muttered. Glancing away to observe the rest of the room. The part represented his son. Wondering how different it would be if he developed on his own. Normally.
Putting the objects back where he found them, he realized he will need to get in touch with the team. They now had physical evidence of a guardian spirit taking over his son's life. Not just speculation based on previous cases, newspaper articles and images from old DVD's.
His breathing eased as rubbed the metallic feeling of the crown from his hands. Once Atsuko was done, they would have everything they needed. Yugi was going to be safe.
...
The team gathered round the office, each with paperwork and mounds of evidence in tow. No one was smiling. A sign they had all found what they were looking for in their missions. Suzuki leaned on his desk, his arms crossed and awaiting the reports. Miyuki and Anya stood near him, allowing the team to form a circle.
Hayate moved his chair next to his wife's desk, figuring it would be the best place to be. The casefile hung like a weight in his hand. A constant reminder on what they had to do.
Beside him, Atsuko was flicking through her own files, though Hayate knew it was only to give her fingers something to do. Her anxiety was getting the better of her professionalism.
"Well," started Miyuki. "Most of our research into the grave keepers comes from the Egyptian Spirit Hunter Division. They are well aware of the Ishtar family - it's a relatively unactive group that has existed since ancient times solely to assist an ancient pharaoh into the afterlife. There existence was tolerated as an offset religious cult since they never interfered with the regular public."
Anya nodded, passing around a file. "They had more issues with local necromancy than the Ishtars. The availability of well-preserved mummy's provides ample opportunity for dead raising. Though according to the Egyptian Division the Ishtars were active six months ago. It was brief, and the family now seems to live openly, having abandoned their old traditions in Favour of a modern lifestyle. Just as Yugi described."
"There's only one problem," grumbled Miyuki. Her pen tapping furiously on a notepad. "We made contact with the head of family. He refused to talk the moment he figured out we were investigating Yugi. All we got was confirmation that Yugi met up with him six months ago for a matter related to the millennium puzzle and that they are still in contact. Nothing we don't already know."
"Sounded like the two of them are on good terms," said Anya with a shrug. "The head of the family was Marik, one of the loose screws during battle city. Seemed to be doing better since then and has a deep respect for Yugi despite Marik's loss in the tournament."
"Guess we should have expected this," said Suzuki with a sigh. He took the report from Miyuki. "Ironically, the oldest families are the ones we know least about since they don't act out. It's how they survived so long... But at least we can confirm Yugi's story. Your turn, Hayate. What was this find you mentioned on the phone?"
Hayate paused. Now wasn't the time for details, but he could give a small overview.
"I found a useful case... but I want to discuss it when all the information is on the table. I also found an object connected to the spirit in Yugi's room," said Hayate, glancing away from Atsuko's disapproving gaze. "An ancient Egyptian circlet if you can believe it, and a photo of him controlled by the spirit. Neither with spiritual energy, but prominently displayed. Also, a bunch of dueling cards in the puzzle's old chest. Could be of improtance considering Yugi's love of the game.""
"How did he get a hold of an ancient circlet?" said Suzuki with a raised eyebrow.
"From my father. The crown was in one of his storage boxes from his gambling days. He adores Yugi... would give him anything if he asked for it."
Suzuki nodded. "Fair point. So Yugi's story is corroborated, and we have physical proof to use when we confront him later. That's useable."
Seated at her desk, Atsuko's head was down, staring at her fiddling fingers rather than making eye contact with the team. Hayate frowned, knowing full well she dug up the information they needed. The most likely cause behind her nerves.
"Atsuko," said Miyuki, lips pursed. "What is your verdict from the research?"
Atsuko frowned further, pausing her fiddling. Her voice soft as she spoke, "As much as I hate to say it, there is substantial evidence of a guardian spirit. All the markers line up."
"Even the strange coincidences? In the newspaper?" said Suzuki with a raised eyebrow.
Tears seemed to prick the edges of her eyes. "All of them. Ranging from escaped criminals lighting themselves on fire, a sudden decrease in crime despite record high statistics the year before, an exodus of problematic staff at Domino High School and several cases of unexplained insanity. I even found evidence of other millennium items present at Duelist Kingdom which could act as a spiritual motive for the tournament. It's the full guardian work up. This continued for a year, stopping just before the Duelist kingdom tournament. That was most likely the point Yugi made contact with..."
She went silent, unable to continue. Hayate reached out a hand to rub her back.
"Shame the Japanese division were caught up with that melancholic spirit outbreak," grumbled Hayate. "Guardian cases always go under the radar during busy periods."
"I doubt they would have been looking either way. We usually receive notice about guardians from direct relatives. Strangers won't notice the difference - as evident by Yugi's seemingly public possessions," said Miyuki, leaning back in her chair with a firm nod. "Even Anya thought it was normal."
At the mention of her name, their newest recruit hid her head in embarrassment. "I only wish I picked up on it before it got to this point. Would have been better for everyone."
Hayate couldn't meet her eye. Neither could Atsuko. He started to tap the table.
"I also found something unexpected," said Atsuko, shivering under Hayate's touch. Her fingers resuming their fiddling. "I've never seen it before. I wanted to discuss it before coming to conclusions. Be warned though... it is a bit confronting."
She opened her folder, bringing out an Egyptian exhibit pamphlet for the Domino Museum. Hayate couldn't recall the last time he went. Probably dragged there as a teenager by his history obsessed father. It was the last place he was expecting to see guardian evidence, ironic given all the old artifacts, but almost no museums were haunted. An odd phenomenon in their profession.
"This exhibit opened just before the Battle City tournament began," said Atsuko. She propped her elbow on the table and leaned on her hand with a frown. "It seems like too much of coincidence, doesn't it?"
They all stared at the image. Titled 'Witness the Tablet of Lost Memories! First time on display to the public!'. The tablet in question was an old Egyptian carving, depicting some kind of battle between a dragon and wizard with a person standing on either side of them. But as Hayate squinted, looking at the details, he stilled. Finally noticing what Atsuko was concerned about.
"That... Looks like a duel! Under the millennium puzzle!" said Anya. She gestured to the monster. "That's the blue-eyes white dragon and the dark magician! The monsters around the puzzle are the god cards... And the figure on the right looks exactly like Yugi! But wasn't this tablet made in Ancient Egypt? Why are there modern-day cards on an old tablet?"
Hayate couldn't have said it better himself. Feeling his jaw dropping as he noted the detail on the Yugi-like figure, with a long cape and Egyptian styled clothing and - most importantly - a circlet style crown. The exact one hiding in Yugi's bedroom.
"Didn't Yugi mention that Duel Monsters was based on a game from ancient Egypt?" said Suzuki, scratching his chin and leaning over to get a better look at the tablet. "This must be what he meant. The pamphlet also says the Yugi-figure is an unknown pharaoh. This could be our guardian spirit. The resemblance is as uncanny."
"Perhaps, but this is still bizarre...," said Anya, moving closer. "It would seem Yugi has a link to Egypt beyond the millennium puzzle. A five-thousand-year-old link if this pamphlet is to be believed. Could he be a reincarnation? But then we suspect the guardian spirit is this Pharoah and reincarnations are born with the old soul. You can't have two copies of the same soul existing at once."
Suzuki nodded in agreement. "It must be why he was approached by the grave keepers. They thought he was this Pharoah's reincarnation and needed him for some weird Egyptian ceremony. Would explain why they refused to talk if they think they're protecting their King, and why the ceremony went so well."
"Not quite," said Miyuki, squinting her eyes at the Yugi-look alike. "Yugi knew this Pharoah. He spoke of him like a separate person. This is not a reincarnation case. It's missing most of the markers, and I have a feeling there's something not quite right about our guardian theory despite the evidence."
"That's why I wanted to discuss it," said Atsuko, her frown deepening. "None of the evidence lines up with a reincarnation. Even if it did, it would be occurring alongside a guardian spirit, but it wouldn't explain why they seem so..." she paused, struggling to find words.
"Similar," said Hayate, finding them for her. "And what's more. This one in the tablet is wearing the crown in Yugi's bedroom. It's definitely the same one."
"You mean, with the eye?" said Suzuki, leaning closer again. "Kinda creepy, but very Egyptian. I'm getting similar vibes from this as the DVD's."
"He has a crown in his bedroom. A piece of his guardian... A guardian who is almost a carbon copy of himself..." said Miyuki, shaking her head. "I know spirits prefer hosts who are like themselves in some capacity. Usually picking the same ethnicity and gender... . But this is beyond that. They could pass as twins if this tablet is accurate."
"Pharoah's were worshipped as Gods on earth. It wouldn't surprise me if the ritual required a near perfect host to be effective. Like that Aztec case we took on last year," said Atsuko. "Remember how the spirit would only accept a girl who looked like the goddess?"
"Otherwise, their 'Gods' would be upset?" said Hayate with a sarcastic tone.
"Exactly. I wondered if the grave keepers were of a similar mind. Maybe they consider Yugi the perfect host, so keeping him out of trouble and available is in their best interest. It worried me when I did some research on Ancient Egypt and the modern state of its polytheistic religion," said Atsuko, looking down as her fingers fiddled with the edge of her paperwork. "It's still active, but is mostly practiced in underground sects. They still worship the old Pharaohs and practice sacrificial rituals."
Anya stared closer at the image. "If this pharaoh is the spirit, I wonder what they were to each other? I mean, if he believes the spirit to be like himself then of course he won't be scared of him, right? It would make the possession less terrifying."
Miyuki shook her head. "No. He knows their separate. I sensed it when he spoke of the pharaoh."
Atsuko nodded in agreement. "Either way, it means our guardian case isn't as straight forward as we thought. I'm worried this mean Yugi will have more resistance than anticipated. What if he sees this spirit as family? An older brother? We never could give him a sibling..."
Her words made Hayate's heart plummet to the floor. It didn't cross his mind that could have caused a spiritual bond.
Having Yugi had been a near medical miracle. They were told by every physician that the chances were too low, too risky. Success meant potential disabilities and lifelong health problems... well, Yugi proved them wrong. Existing with perfect help without scientific intervention. But it wasn't meant to happen twice.
"We need clarification from Yugi himself," said Hayate with a firm nod. His finger continuing to tap. "Hosts always let off hints about their spirit when confronted, whether they realize it or not. Once he admits to its existence, we'll be able to discern their relationship and what this spirit is supposed to be. Until then, let's run with our guardian theory."
"I agree, though we still need to remove the barrier," said Miyuki. Straight forward as ever. "It will be painful for Yugi but it will be safer for everyone. You said you found a casefile?"
"I did," said Hayate. "A successful barrier removal post possession. Method provided and everything. The results were impressive... the kid is now an adult and didn't suffer any repercussions, which is a miracle in guardian cases."
"Yugi will hate us...," said Atsuko. Pausing her fiddling to rub her forehead. "He has a bunch of tournaments coming up that he was so excited for... And depending on his mindset after the removal he might not be able to attend graduation."
"He will thank you when he returns to his normal self," said Suzuki with a knowing nod. "Once the barrier is gone, whatever was taken from Yugi will return. It will take a while, but he will find himself again. Just be patient."
"But how long will that take..." muttered Hayate. His finger still tapping on the table. "And how many guardian vessels make a full recovery? Whatever was removed improved his confidence, which is why he is so successful now. If he loses his dueling title because of this or struggles at university... what will he do?"
"He will need to discover that afterwards, once he's safe," nodded Miyuki. "We're not saying it will be easy, but the both of you will be there for him. And his friends if they are genuine. His safety, and that of everyone else, comes first. "
Hayate frowned. "But Tatsuki..."
"Believed he lost everything. His sisters betrayed him, he lost his reputation at school and baseball, and the whole of Takayama knew about Haluk. Back in those days he would have been disowned for his actions. I doubt he thought he had anything left. But Yugi has you," said Suzuki.
"The other cases are all similar. Each vessel was chosen because they were vulnerable, and they chose death because they were still vulnerable. Yugi is standing on his now and there is no shocking separation from his spirit that will push him over the edge. He will recover."
Hayate glanced over to Atsuko as she reached for his hand, holding it tight.
"We don't know the spirit's plan," said Miyuki, with a scowl. "The sooner we remove the barrier, the easier it will be. Yugi should be able to make graduation after a few days off if we start tomorrow."
"We'll see," sighed Hayate. Tightening his hand on Atsuko's. "After we confront him with the evidence in the morning. Our urgency will depend on his reaction."
He glanced over at Atsuko, her eyes wide and her hand shaking in his. She buried her face into his shoulder, hiding her tears and holding back sobs. He kissed her forehead.
"Yugi will be okay," he said. Though he wondered if those words were meant to calm his wife or himself.
...
Yugi walked into his room. The warmth of euphoria filling his chest. While it had only been a few days since he had seen Tea, he had missed her more than he thought. Their visit was an excuse for her to pause her applications for a few hours and catch up, but it was more than that. The gang reunited for the first time since the kidnapping.
He glanced around, his smile fading. Everything was as it should be. Yet he could feel it in his skin that something was off. Though he couldn't quite place it.
With a shake of his head, Yugi put his bag down and returned to think about the meet up with his friends. Especially Tea, and the way she hugged him, tears in her eyes. They hadn't seen each other since school on last Thursday. His cheeks flushed as he remembered the candy smell of her perfume.
And with Joey's help, he explained the situation to the whole gang. With Tristan and Tea reacting the same as Joey at Burgerworld - with confusion and indignation at the suggestion that Atem wanted to hurt him...
Then Yugi shivered, breaking him from his thoughts. It had returned. That feeling of eyes on his back.
Though Astro and Atem stared at him, same as before. No other eyes on him.
He frowned in contemplation. Maybe someone had been in his room. They never caught the Pelorsi members who kidnapped him.
Yugi shook his head. Trying to calm down with a brief glance over at the picture of Atem. He was talking out loud before he could stop himself. "I wish you were here to handle those Pelorsi people... But I'm glad you missed meeting my parents... Some luck, right?"
He sat on his bed and turned to fully face the picture. Sitting with his legs crossed. Feeling stupid. "I wish you were here to tell me what to do. It's been six months and I feel the space you left behind more than ever."
"I hope the afterlife is as you hoped..." he muttered into the air. "And I hope you have finally found peace."
Yugi made a soft smile. "Maybe it's best you're not here. It's certainly not peaceful at the moment."
Atem's picture was silent, as always. Though Yugi found the eerie feeling to ease the longer he looked at it. So, he continued.
"You would have liked my parents... I think. They seem alright when they're not freaking out about your barrier thing. Good idea, by the way. I like not being controlled by an old man, though I guess he couldn't be older than you, huh?"
He laughed to himself. "That's weird to think about. Us being together was so natural, yet the idea of another spirit doing the same thing just feels gross. I doubt I could do it again. Well, for you I would if you needed it, but no one else. I'm warming up to the idea of normalcy..."
And he continued to talk. Getting it all off his chest, until the eerie feeling went away completely. Just like he used to six months ago, before Atem left, and he would sit on the end of Yugi's bed, and they would talk. About everything.
Granted, he was no longer around to give advice or comment on Yugi's worries, but better talking it out then bottling up his emotions.
I can feel you are stressed, Yugi. Now either stop hiding your thoughts or say what is bothering you. I don't wish to be driven mad by your emotions.
Atem would be supportive of his picture talking strategy. Yugi was certain. There was something Joey had said earlier that day when describing his parents' irrational belief that Atem would harm him.
Yeah. When your soul was taken by the Oricalchos, the Pharoah was a wreck. I swear he cared more about getting you back than saving the world. Damn good thing too, or I would have punched him more than once. The man went on a warpath for your sake, and they believe would rope you into some evil contract? They're nuts!
Tea had agreed. It was funny how you had to force him to have fun! I never saw him to take control unless it benefitted you both.
Or just you, Yugi! Laughed Tristan. He was miserable in the hospital after the fire. You probably don't remember, but he took over during your wound dressings when you were still out of it. Apparently stung like hell!
Yugi smiled to himself, before once again scanning the room. Looking for the source of the feeling from earlier. Another shiver ran up his back and the feeling retuned.
Unable to do much about it, he followed his routine in silence and went to bed, falling into an uneasy sleep. Praying that tomorrow will be a return to normal. Even if it's the last Monday he'll ever have as a high school student.
However, his heart flew into a panic almost the moment his eyes flew open at the crack of dawn. Knowing something was wrong before he understood the reality of the situation.
His gaze fell to the bottom of his bed.
Atem's photo, and the chests it was on top of, were gone.
Whelp. There it is. Hope you liked it!
The confrontation happens next chapter. I wonder how it will go... ;)
Let me know what you think! :)