Chapter 24

The tent was almost silent, the only noises was the flapping of the canvas and the distance sounds of laughter. The two occupants of the tent merely stared at each other for the longest time. One waiting for the other to speak, the latter not quite believing what he had heard. The pain that Yugi was experiencing was nothing to the complete disbelief he was feeling. His eyes narrowed as he regarded Het, even if what he had said was true it did not mean that anyone should go to these lengths to exact revenge. He was well aware of the dark powers the millennium items could yield but it was a choice whether the holder embraced those dark powers. A choice that Atem had fought against for years. He'd never used the millennium items for anything other than helping others and discovering the truth of his own past. He'd died in his first life in order to seal the darkness born from the millennium items and then, with Yugi's help, finally destroyed it. Het must not understand that otherwise he'd not be doing this. That was not to say that what happened to Haji was not tragic. To watch a friend slip into darkness and then for his father to be killed right in front of him, that was tragic but that did not make it Atem's fault nor his father's.

"You've got this wrong." Yugi said, finally putting voice to his thoughts.

Het raised an eyebrow, "Oh have I now? Pray tell me what have I got wrong?"

"Well for one Atem did not know exactly how the items were created, nor did his father."

"But his father still commissioned their creation."

"Had he known the cost I'm sure he would have never let them be created!" Yugi protested. "It was Atem's uncle behind the item's creations not his father, Aknadin knew the cost and hid the truth. When Aknamkanon discovered the truth, he tried to right that wrong."

Het merely shook his head, "It matters not, a King has ultimate control. If Aknamkanon did not know what it would entail to create them then more fool him."

Yugi frowned, trying a different approach, "And Haji's father. That is awful that he died but Atem would never have ordered that, never."

"Oh, and you know this for sure do you?"

"Yes." Yugi nodded, empathising his point, "I know him, and he would never give that sort of order."

"But those soldiers still killed in his name, he is still to blame."

"If he really is as bad as you're trying to make him out to be then why would he sacrifice his own life to save the entire world from the darkness Zorc was trying to bring."

Het got to his feet, moving away from the boy. Lingering for a moment by the entrance he took in the sounds of his men still coming from outside. This boy seemed to know a lot about the Pharaoh, he had to give him that but he still obviously had no idea of what had happened all those years ago. His ignorance wouldn't save him. If he continued to try and protect the Pharaoh then he too was just as guilty. Slowly he turned, facing the boy once again.

"Because he is a coward, unable to face the reality of the crimes he committed."

The boy shook his head, anger clear in his eyes, "You're wrong. Besides, you weren't there so how do you know what went on. Surely if Haji truly wanted revenge he would be here."

Het scoffed, "And I'm sure he would have been here if he could but unfortunately unlike the insect out there, he did not have a way to cheat death."

"So if he's not here then what's your stake in this?"

Yugi had a feeling he knew that answer but couldn't be sure. After so many years with the former Pharaoh he knew all to well that there were ways to cheat death, but given Het's story he couldn't see a way that Haji would have done that.

Het smirked, "My stake is that Haji is family. I am the direct descendant of him. When he made that vow all those years ago he gathered followers, all of whom lost something on that day in Egypt and all wanted vengeance. Haji and his followers kept the story alive, do not forget Haji heard a prophecy that one day the Pharaoh would be powerless and then he could have his vengeance. And he was right. That cave in that you were both in, that was the sign I have been waiting for."

Yugi shook his head, ignoring the pain as his body protested. He made to speak but Het cut him off.

"It is unfortunate that you were caught in this, but if you hang around with dangerous people then you might well get hurt."

"The prophecy said that he will escape, it said the eagle will survive."

Het just shook his head, "Poor delusional boy. Do you really think it meant him? No, he will die, and I will ensure it is the most prolonged, painful thing he experiences. He got off lightly in the past, not anymore."

He did not allow the boy to get another word in, turning he walked away leaving the boy alone with his thoughts. The temperature outside had dropped, being so late in the night he wasn't surprised but it also meant it was time to turn in. However, he would not turn in before paying his special guest a visit. He couldn't hear sounds of laughter anymore, clearly his men had finished their fun and retired to their tents. Moving past the dying embers of the fire he approached the man sprawled on the floor. On either side of the man was a wooden post, each of which had a piece of rope attached to it. The other end of the ropes were secured around both of the man's wrists, ensuring he did not escape. Although given his appearance it perhaps wasn't necessary, he'd clearly broken his leg which restricted his movements. But Het wasn't going to take that chance, he'd waited too long, his family had waited too long for this opportunity, he was not about to let that opportunity escape.

Approaching the man Het gazed down, taking in his appearance. The Pharaoh was barely conscious, his eyes only half open. He was covered in blood, some of it fresh some not. Deep grazes littered his arms and any visible bit of flesh. In simple terms the Pharaoh was a mess, a broken bleeding mess. But this did not invoke any sense of sympathy from Het in fact he felt pleasure, savage pleasure. Let him suffer for what he did. He deserved it. The Pharaoh seemed to notice someone standing above him, his head turned weakly to look up at the person above. Het observed the slow blinks as the Pharaoh considered him but the once King made no comment. Whether he wasn't able to speak or just had nothing to say he did not know but it hardly mattered. Crouching Het smirked at the King, whose gaze followed him, clearly wanting to keep a perceived enemy in his eyeline.

"I won't ask if you're enjoying yourself Pharaoh, because it's as clear as day that you're not." Het said.

The Pharaoh made no response, only held his gaze.

"You know it's your own fault you're here. You have a lot to answer for, you and your father, but as its only you here then I suppose I'll just have to make do with just you paying the price."

The Pharaoh blinked weakly.

"You know that fact that I'm talking to someone who was born thousands of years ago is in some ways fascinating but also disturbing. You should be six feet under, rotting in hell for what you did." He reached out, grabbing the King's throat, "I am going to send you back there. But not before you suffer. You will pay for the crimes you committed, you will pay with your life but I am going to ensure that I prolong your suffering for as long as possible."

Releasing his hold on the King he pulled something from his waist band. A small flask. Unscrewing the lid, he held it to the former Pharaoh's lips and tipped it lightly so a trickle of clear liquid escaped. He did not remove the flask until he heard the once King splutter slightly. Replacing the lid Het got to his feet.

"Don't mistake that for kindness." He said, "I only want to ensure you don't expire on us prematurely."

The Pharaoh made no response, he was refusing to look at him now. Unconcerned Het walked away without another word, leaving the king with his thoughts.

The wind had picked up slightly, a steady breeze was shifting the sand. It made his wounds sting as the sand got caught in the bloody mess which was his body. He did his best to ignore it, besides there was not much he could do about it. He could hardly jump to his feet and run. No, he was stuck here with his body feeling as though it was on fire. The way he was lying was putting pressure on his broken side and nothing he did could relieve that pressure. The wind blew a fresh scattering of sand over him, causing him to cough slightly and as he did, he felt a trickle of blood ease itself from his mouth and escape down his chin. He drew a painful breath which turned into a shiver. The temperature was still dropping, normally this wouldn't have been a problem but in his injured state his body was unable to compensate for the temperature change and the nearby fire was too far away to offer him any warmth. He lay quite still, his blinks growing slower as the darkness crept into protect him from his current predicament. His thoughts turned to Yugi, he did not know if he was still in that tent but if he was then he hoped he would be in a better state then he was. His vision darkened. Perhaps they would let him go at sunrise, after all they'd got who they wanted they had no need of Yugi. A shiver engulfed him again as the wind blew once again. The darkness quicken its pace, its comforting arms wrapped themselves around him and pulled him down into the darkness away from his present and into a place of safety, free from pain.

At least for now he was safe.

The camp fell quiet as the last few occupants either slipped into unconsciousness or into slumber. Outside of the tents the only noises were the crackling of a dying fire and, if close enough to hear, the rasping breathing of the man on the ground. The only creatures that moved were two eagles which were still nestled in the nearby tree. Whereas previously the eagles had been sitting on separate branches the two now resided on the same branch. Each one was peering down with its beady eyes on the camp below watching for any movement, but there was none. The two eagles moved slightly as once again the wind picked up but they refused to take flight. It appeared they were far too content with their current position. Perhaps they were watching for food, or perhaps they were waiting for something. If they were waiting, then the question was what were they waiting for?

The night stretched on with no movement from anyone or anything. It was open as the sun began to emerge in the sky that movement began. A few individuals emerged from their tents, beginning tasks for the day. A couple of them picked up a pair of buckets and headed out the camp in the direction of the river, which was just visible from camp. The others made themselves busy preparing the camp for the day. Whilst some revived the almost extinct fire, others were gathering some rather sinister looking items. Ominous grins spread across their faces as they compared what they were holding, casting the unconscious man on the floor a look. As much as they wanted to try out the things they had found they knew that they had to wait. It was not time to get to work just yet. The sun climbed higher into the sky and finally Het emerged from his tent. He gazed about for a while watching as one his of his men moved into one of the tents, holding a flask of water. Het did not need to wonder who that water was for. He still hadn't decided what to do with that boy, he wasn't needed yet he had still tried to protect the Pharaoh. Even after what he'd told him he'd refused to condemn the Pharaoh for what he had done. Looking down he looked at the small wooden board in his hand. Despite its age the portrait on the board was in fairly decent condition. His family had made a point to look after it as best they could. He gazed at the portrait of a man who shared characteristics with himself. Both he and the man in the portrait shared dark hair, their facial features differed but there was some family resemblance there. He may be a direct descendant of Haji but over the thousands of years he could not claim to be the spitting image of him. But it mattered not, he was after all his descendant and as that he would ensure that Haji's vow as fulfilled. Moving across the camp he nodded in the direction of his men as they greeted him but did not stop to talk. Instead, he moved over to where the Pharaoh lay. Standing over him once again he gazed down on the King, who did not move. The Pharaoh's eyes were closed but he was breathing slow, rasping breaths. Despite his intention to prolong the Pharaoh's suffering for as long as he could, given his current state, it would appear that the Pharoah may not have that long. The injuries sustained in the cave in were serious. With that, not to mention the beatings his men had given him and the days of no medical attention were beginning to take their toll. Either way he was suffering and that was exactly what he deserved. Considering the King for a moment longer, Het kicked him hard in the hip. The reaction was instant. The Pharaoh's eyes opened and his facial expression twisted in agony for a moment, but he made no noise the only thing that indicated his pain was his breathing, which had turned harsh. His eyes searched around for his attacker, he soon spotted Het standing above him with a smirk on his face.

"Good morning." Het said, "How was your nap?"

The former Pharaoh made no response, not that Het had expected him too. His eyes closed briefly as he combated the pain he was feeling before looking back at Het. There was a weak look of anger in his eyes, had the Pharaoh been at full health that look might have been enough to make any man question just who they were up against but in his weakened state it had no effect on Het. Crouching beside the King he held up the wooden portrait still in his hand. He saw the King's eyes flick to it before turning back to him.

"Do you know who this is?" Het asked.

The Pharaoh frowned weakly, "S-Should I?"

His voice was barely more than a rasp.

"Well yes, your highness, you should." Het replied, "He is the reason you are here today. Had it not been for what you did to not only him but people he cared about then you wouldn't be here."

The frown did not leave the Pharaoh's face, clearly he wasn't sure what he was talking about. Het let out a sarcastic sigh.

"Typical. Well Pharaoh, when your father created the millennium items he destroyed this man's closest friend. He watched his entire village massacred for those items, items which you then used despite knowing exactly what the cost of making them was. He dedicated his life to getting revenge on you, sacrificed himself so you would get would you deserved."

A flicker of recognition entered the Pharaoh's eye.

"B-Bakura."

Het nodded, "So you do remember then. Good. Well, I think it's high time you paid for what you did to him. Perhaps you should experience what those poor souls in Kul Elna felt that day."

He stood, taking a step back from the King, another wicked smirk spreading across his face as he turned to his waiting men.

"Let us begin, bring something hot."

My friends, we are just over half way through this. Don't worry there's lots still to come so I do hope you are enjoying this!

To my dear reviewer Ram Ram, seeing your reviews this morning made me smile and actually leave the warmth of my bed just to update for you! I do hope this update makes you happy and I apologise in advance for the now wait until next week's chapter...