Thank you for these characters and their stories, Kazuki Takahashi. Requiescat in pace.

Chapter Sixty

Seto

I clenched my fists in fury as I watched Marik touch Dria's leg, and she flinched in response. I couldn't decide what made me angrier: the fact that Yugi had let her end up in such a position or that I had removed myself as a barrier between her and Marik. I'd said words I didn't truly mean and forced a wedge between us. Now, she was suffering, and I couldn't do anything about it.

The discomfort was evident in her eyes, and dread was buried just beneath it. She was afraid of how far Marik would push the boundaries of his game. She tried to put on a brave face and keep her reactions under control, but I knew that mask wouldn't last forever. Even Dria could only handle so much. I found myself wishing I could disqualify Marik and give Yugi the victory, if only to protect her.

I sighed in frustration as I realized I was truly angry with Dria for one of the first times in my life. She had voluntarily placed herself into this situation, even though she despised the proposal, and rightly so. Marik had threatened everyone else, playing on Dria's greatest weakness: her love for others. He knew that she would agree to his game if he insinuated the alternative of someone else taking her place. Given the options, Dria would always put herself in danger. While I loved this selfless side of her, I found myself despising this nature now. Though I didn't believe in destiny, and I didn't put my faith in anyone other than myself, I realized that I had to do both regarding this duel for Dria's sake.

Glaring at the field, I had a difficult time taking my eyes off her. Ra and Slifer were both on the field, but the odds were heavily in Marik's favor. Yugi made a stupid move, thinking that Slifer could destroy Ra with its second mouth, as if it would be that simple. Marik merely began to retaliate with Phoenix's special ability, preparing to incinerate everything before it. Would Slifer be destroyed that easily?

"Behold the rage of Ra as it destroys your Slifer!"

Although I wanted to watch the gods battle, I couldn't glance away from Dria. Her fists were firmly clenched, and her jaw was set as she watched the two monsters. I wasn't sure, but I thought I also saw tears gathering in her eyes. Was it in fear of what Marik would do should he win the fight? Or was there some other reason for the glassy look? My heart pounded in my chest as I realized that I felt the same terror. Flames covered the dueling platform, and in a flash, Slifer was gone.

"That's just the beginning. I plan to prolong your anguish for as long as I can."

Marik gleefully turned back towards Dria, grabbing her right hand once more and placing it against his nose. He inhaled slowly, as if mesmerized by her natural scent, which had always reminded me of soothing spices. I saw her hand quiver as he held it, and she twisted her head away as if she were trying to ignore him. He then stroked her right knee like someone would a pet, and she tightly closed her eyes in response. Since Yugi didn't lose any Life Points, Marik didn't touch her anywhere else. Ra then finally returned to the graveyard.

"That was a small taste of what lies ahead. But I assure you, the worst is yet to come."

Yugi narrowed his eyes at Marik, and every muscle in his body contracted in response to his rage. My body felt the same, especially when Marik regained Monster Reborn from Yugi's graveyard with his Zombie's Jewel trap card. Although it gave Yugi the opportunity to draw a card, I felt no reassurance that this duel would end well. Marik was a difficult opponent, and though I would never admit it aloud, even I would likely have trouble with him. There were so many opportunities for him to summon Ra, and he seemed to know every inch of the card. He could probably use it just as well as Dria could.

"Pick wisely, for you know what becomes of those I defeat. Their souls are banished for eternity, and their treasures become mine to keep."

Marik revealed another Millennium Item around his neck, one that Bakura had been wearing at the start of the finals.

"This Item is my trophy for eliminating your friend, and when I win this game, I'll be adding your Millennium Puzzle and your beautiful lover to my collection."

The mere mention of Dria's relationship with Yugi stung my heart. She wouldn't be in this kind of danger if she were with me. Why did she have to choose him, of all people? I briefly glared at the ground as I regathered my thoughts. It didn't matter to me what happened anymore. I'd pushed her away; it was Yugi's job to protect her now.

At least, that was what I wanted to believe. As I looked back up at her, every memory I had with her flashed across my eyes. I couldn't make this a clean break; she was just too important to me. It took every ounce of my willpower to remain in my position on the sidelines. Even if I wanted to help her, I couldn't. I had removed myself from the game, probably destroying my relationship with Dria as well.

"Draw your card so the suffering can continue."

Yugi stared at his deck for a few moments before making his move. I could barely believe what I saw. He had closed his eyes as he drew the next card, and for a moment, I felt a sudden rush of energy pass through my chest. As I glanced at Dria again, I saw her eyes flash red and a strange golden eye appear for a moment across her forehead. Though it was almost too fantastic to believe, what I was feeling must have been connected to Dria's magic. But why would I have felt it when Yugi drew his card?

Without even looking at the card, Yugi placed it face down on the field and ended his turn. My mind screeched to a halt; there was no way he could have possibly known what card he'd just drawn. I couldn't believe he'd do such a thing with Dria's safety on the line. I'd warned her that I'd kill him with my bare hands if he let anything happen to her. I just might get my opportunity if he didn't win this duel.

My eyes returned to Dria once more, and for the first time since my duel ended, I caught her gaze. She gave me a small smile, which was more than I deserved for how I'd treated her after losing to Yugi again. Her eyes spoke of her boundless trust in Yugi, her continuing affection for me, and her resolve to protect everyone from Marik. I knew that she would likely forgive me immediately if I offered an apology, but it would be a long time before I could do the same for myself. I just had to hope that I would have the chance to apologize to her, and that I wouldn't have to watch Marik take her from me as well.

Dria

I smiled widely when the Pharaoh drew Fiend's Sanctuary, feeling the current of magic swirl around me and pass through my chest. Though the Pharaoh had never acquired my foresight capabilities, he rarely hesitated to trust his instincts. Marik was baffled by his decision to play the card without even looking, and instead decided that it had to be a bluff.

"It seems that the impending threat of the Shadow Realm has clouded your thought process."

"Marik, you wouldn't understand."

The Pharaoh looked past Marik toward me and sent me a confident, nearly triumphant smile. I gave him a thumbs up in return, once again enjoying our silent conversations. Marik was frustrated with the Pharaoh's brief response, so he quickly played Monster Reborn to bring Ra back to the field again. He then proceeded to transfer his Life Points into Ra's attack points, joining forces with my bird-brained brother. It was a risky move, one that only a truly mad individual would even consider attempting. With the added help of Juragedo, Ra now had over 4500 attack points. The Pharaoh only had 3300 Life Points, and he had nothing to defend himself with.

"It's all over, Pharaoh!"

"Sorry to disappoint you! I reveal my facedown card, Fiend's Sanctuary."

Marik began to panic as the card activated. A Metal Fiend Token appeared on the field, and it changed the target of Ra's attack away from the Pharaoh and onto Marik himself. If this worked, the Pharoah would win the duel. I felt my body relax against my restraints, hoping that this nightmare was finally over.

"It looks to me like your little magic card didn't work!"

Marik had survived the attack. My heart faltered as his body became visible once again, and my mind couldn't process what had happened. Fiend's Sanctuary should have worked against Ra, just as I imagined Seto planned. What had Marik done to prevent himself from losing?

"It was the De-Fusion magic card I took from your deck. It separated me from my Winged Dragon of Ra just before its attack."

I had to give Marik credit; his move had been brilliant. To end his own attack before it began was no easy accomplishment. But there was still something else that Fiend's Sanctuary could be used for if the Pharaoh knew how to do it.

"Odion…help…"

Were my ears deceiving me? Had the good side of Marik woken up? I spared him a glance, but there was no change from his earlier constitution. I looked back towards Ishizu, who seemed to have heard the same thing I did. Her eyes glistened with unshed tears for her younger brother as she desperately clung to the hope that he would be saved. It was the Pharaoh's turn now.

"Your Metal Fiend may be protecting you, but it costs you 1000 Life Points each turn to keep it on the field."

The Pharaoh glanced between Yugi and me, making his thoughts clear to the both of us. Metal Fiend had to stay on the field, which meant both Yugi and I would feel the consequences.

I'm sorry to have to put you through this, Yugi.

No problem! Just win.

Dria, I'm -

I can handle it. Don't back down.

The three of us nodded in agreement as the Pharaoh made his next move, giving up 1000 Life Points to keep the token on the field. Yugi gritted his teeth against the pain he felt as more of his body vanished into the Shadows. Marik grinned widely at the Pharaoh's choice and turned towards me.

"So many places to choose from, my Lady, even though they'll all be mine soon. After seeing the mark he left behind on your neck, I need to leave some of my own so there's no question of to whom you belong."

He pushed my hair aside and latched his mouth onto my neck. Goosebumps appeared again across my skin as he kissed the same spot the Pharaoh had left his mark, and my mind grew hazy as I felt the touch of the man across the platform instead of the one currently clinging to me. Marik seemed to know that I wasn't focusing on him anymore, so he changed tactics without warning. I couldn't stop the squeal of shock from escaping as he bit down on my skin, and I twisted my upper torso away from him as hard as I could in response to the sudden sting. I vaguely heard the Pharaoh and Yugi, maybe even Seto, shouting my name, but my focus was now entirely on this unwelcome attack. A sharp pain racked my body as his teeth pierced my skin, and I felt a tear drop from my eye as I opened them and stared at the Pharaoh. His eyes were full of despair as he watched Marik touch me in such an intimate way, and there was nothing he could do to stop it.

As Marik kissed the side of my neck a final time, he whispered in my ear, "I'm so glad that the Items aren't preventing me from doing this, my Lady. Aren't you curious why they stopped me from touching you earlier, but seem to be ignoring you now? Maybe even the gods have abandoned you to your fate. They know that you're supposed to become mine."

I refused to look him in the eye, instead moving my neck as far away asI could, though it was a barely discernible distance. It made me feel like I had some manner of control for the time being.

"You don't understand anything about that Item you possess, do you? They are nearly sentient beings, just like the monsters of my game. They respond to the will of their true owners. Seto made it clear that I matter very little to him anymore, so the Rod no longer protects me. The Pharaoh, though he strongly disagreed with my decision, still respected my choice to participate in this twisted duel. The Pendant is following his lead, though I can feel it crying out for permission to stop you. How do you expect to rule the world if you don't know the first thing about the magic you intend to use?"

He quickly pulled back from me, as if bitten by a snake, and scowled at my penetrating question. I finally met his gaze, keeping any further thoughts or emotions hidden. My exposure of an unknown weakness ignited his insecurity about his grand plan. He raised his hand against me, intending to strike me with his palm as if he were punishing an unruly servant. I didn't release his eyes as his hand came down, fully anticipating to feel a powerful sting on my cheek. An invisible barrier rose once more as my Pendant glowed brightly, preventing his hand from touching my face. I smirked at his unexpected defeat, enjoying the disbelief now clear across his face.

"I'm sorry, Marik, but you have not yet claimed possession over that part of my body, which means you are not allowed to touch it. Please try again later."

Marik tightened his fist in response before turning back to the field. I exhaled in relief that his assault was over, for now at least. Though he was trying to not look in my direction, the Pharaoh's eyes drifted to me again before he resumed his turn. I nodded slightly at him, knowing that my reassurance wouldn't take root until I was back at his side, safe from Marik.

"I reveal my magic card! This card allows me to increase the number of Metal Fiends I have on the field from one to three."

I smiled widely; he had understood how the tokens could be used even further. Now, my largest brother would finally make his appearance in this duel. Blue lightning crackled across the sky as he joined the game. Similar to Slifer before him, Obelisk's eyes glowed red upon seeing my predicament, and he angrily howled from his side of the platform.

"Stare into the face of defeat, Marik."

Distress permeated every inch of Marik's expression. He hadn't intended to give the Pharaoh the opportunity to summon Obelisk like he had with Slifer. This wasn't part of the strategy he had envisioned for defeating my lover. Obelisk wound up and struck Marik directly, sending him back towards the edge of the platform where he landed on his back. He had just lost 4000 Life Points, leaving him a mere 700 remaining. My voice joined the group below in excitement, cheering for the sudden and long-awaited turnaround of this duel. Suddenly, Marik began cackling once more. I snapped my head back towards the field, realizing that the good side of Marik would endure the more devastating side-effect of the attack. He was nearly gone now, only small portions of his body remaining.

"To think that poor soul was once your loyal servant. It's nice to see he's getting repaid by his exalted King."

There had to be something we could do to defeat the evil side of Marik without destroying his good half. Yugi and the Pharaoh were of the same mind, discussing how to accomplish that preferable outcome. My eyes widened as I realized what we needed, but I didn't know where he was at the moment. He had disappeared after his duel in the finals, and I hadn't seen or heard about him since. If anyone could help the Pharoah save Marik from himself, it was him.

"What I'm about to reveal will horrify you."

Marik had one more facedown card on the field. My mind reeled with the possible cards that he could have played to give him such confidence despite having just lost the majority of his Life Points. Marik walked past me to reclaim his position on the platform, but not before caressing my neck once again, briefly pausing over the small wound he'd left behind.

"Say hello to Metal Reflect Slime."

No, not that card! I pulled against my restraints in a panic at Marik's revelation. This was no ordinary trap, no ordinary monster. Why hadn't I considered that card a possibility? I should have known that Marik would have a card such as that in his deck.

"My Slime will now morph into the form of Obelisk the Tormentor."

My heart dropped as the slime became my loveable hulk of a brother. I had been fighting against the nagging feeling of despair, trying to believe with all my heart that the Pharoah could win this duel. Now, that hope was struggling to stay afloat. Every move Marik made was tactful, almost seeing the moves his opponent would make long before they were even considered. My head dropped as I turned my eyes away from the duel.

Though I had done my best to hide it, fear of Marik began to grow within me. This was a different fear from what I had experienced during Joey's duel, when my magic ran wild. I was still in control of my emotions, but that didn't mean I was immune to them. I was terrified of what Marik would do to me and the two men I cared for above all else. It was horrible enough that he was claiming 'ownership' over portions of my physical body, especially when I wanted nothing more than to strike him with all my power each time he touched me. But the mere thought of losing both Yugi and the Pharaoh to this madman was almost more than I could bear. Warmth suddenly flooded my chest. I opened my eyes and looked down to see the Pendant glowing with a soft light. A small smile crossed my face as I understood what the magical item was doing without summoning a memory. I returned my eyes to the field, feeling my courage renewed.

Marik had created a near perfect defense of his Life Points. Having combined Slime Obelisk with Revival Jam, and having instituted Jam Defender, it would be very difficult for the Pharaoh to take away the remainder of Marik's Life Points. Unfortunately, Marik had also begun to turn the tables, causing the Pharaoh to lose 1300 of his remaining Life Points. Yugi was now over halfway gone, and if the Pharaoh didn't do something quick, he would be lost.

Marik turned back towards me, heading straight for my neck once again. I shivered as I tried to predict where he would go next, hoping that he would stay within the boundaries of general human decency. After leaving a trail of salvia on my throat once more, his gaze returned to me, the madness growing ever more prevalent.

"I think I've held myself back long enough, my Lady. It's time for you and me to get better acquainted. I'll begin here."

My eyes widened as Marik's thoughts became clearer to me. I shifted my body every way I could to avoid his touch, but there was only so far I could go. Tightly gripping my waist, Marik's tongue ran across the top of my blouse, just barely above the swell of my breasts. Again, my mind replaced the figure in front of me with the man across the platform, and I bit down on my lip to hold back any kind of sound of either pleasure or fear. There was a slight taste of blood in my mouth as I continued to struggle against Marik. He pulled down on the neckline of my blouse, dipping lower and biting with the same force he had used on my neck. My body temperature rose against my will, and I felt his smile against my chest as he realized my unwilling, but nevertheless purely physical, reactions to him. He finally released me, and my body collapsed weakly against my restraints. I tightened my fists as my mind finally cleared. I had agreed to this, and now I had to fight on for as long as possible.

Dria, please, don't let him do anything more to you. I can't bear to watch any longer.

The Pharaoh's love and pain flowed freely across the bond between our Items, making it evident just how much he was suffering from this aspect of Marik's game. Though I hoped he already knew, I shared my own love and even fear with him.

Keep fighting, Pharaoh. We're not done yet. Yes, I'm concerned about how much more he'll do in this duel. Yes, I'm terrified about what'll happen if this duel doesn't turn out as we hope. But my trust and belief in you outweigh that fear. That truth is something he can never touch or take away from me. I have absolute faith that you can save me, Yugi, and even Marik himself.

"Hold on. Listen, please. You must overpower my dark side at all costs, and don't worry about protecting me."

An unexpected voice demanded our attention. The good Marik had taken over Tea's body once again, begging the Pharaoh to do what must be done to save everyone from his dark half. As he had made clear to me earlier, he understood and accepted what that would mean for his own life, and even so, he was unafraid.

"Please forgive me, Pharaoh. My family and I were charged with protecting your tomb until your return as a personal favor, and personal devotion, to the Lady Alexandria. I always resented this task. He was created out of my anger. Now, he must be destroyed, and I shall go with him."

My heart went out to Marik as he begged the Pharaoh to end it all. As much as I wanted to hate him for what he'd done, I only saw myself in his actions. How often had I ignored the requests of others to fulfill my own desires? Although I knew fate had a hand in life, I had fought against it many times as well in hopes I could bring about something better, whether it was for others or for myself. My very existence was something that went directly against those natural rules. To conquer one's fate was an entirely human wish.

"I'm sorry, sister, but there isn't another way. You must take down the evil force that now controls my body, Pharaoh."

There had to be some way we could save him, but we were running out of time. One way or another, this duel would end soon. Marik drew his card to begin the next turn.

"I activate the magic card Mining for Magical Stones."

I felt my body begin to shake as the card appeared on the field. It would allow Marik to bring back Monster Reborn once again, which would allow him to summon Ra back to the field.

"Victory is mine now, and with it, will come ultimate power!"

Marik stalked back over towards me, his maniacal cackle ringing in my ears. Before I could even try to stop him, his arms wrapped around my back and his mouth returned to the boundary line of my blouse. I clenched my eyes shut again, blocking out as much as I possibly could. His tongue trailed up to my neck, and he found a new spot to wound as part of his personal pleasure. His hand drifted down to my right knee once again, hiking it up around his waist before grabbing my right hand and threading his fingers through mine. Tears gathered in my eyes as I felt nausea rising in my throat.

Dria, no! Stop him, please!

The Pharaoh's pained cry echoed in my mind as he wavered between finishing the duel or punching Marik as hard as he could, even if it meant surrendering the duel. I forced my eyes open and caught his gaze.

My body will heal. He cannot touch my heart, and he cannot touch my mind. Stay the course.

Marik finally released me, having left behind more than a few bruises on my neck and waist from the force of his assault. I glared at him fiercely, feeling my eyes blaze with red once more. He laughed at first, thinking my rebellion to be a sign of reluctant affection, until my mouth twisted into a frightening smile. There would be a special place waiting for him in the Shadow Realm once he lost this duel. I would make sure of it. The shadows could make me a vindictive person, and this time, I wouldn't hold that side of my personality back. The only one who could convince me otherwise would be the Pharaoh. Marik took a faltering step backwards as his own fear of me became evident in his eyes.

"Not only will I defeat you, but I'll spare your good side from the Shadow Realm."

Marik scoffed at the Pharaoh's confident statement; how he would come to regret it. After playing one card facedown and summoning his Swallowtail Spiked Lizard in defense mode, his turn was over. Pharaoh needed to destroy that monster quickly, if possible, before it was able to restore Marik's Life Points by a sizable amount. As the Pharaoh began his turn, my attention was drawn towards the group below.

"Can't you see that Yugi's got himself a dilemma here? If Yugi beats Marik, then Marik's good side goes to the Shadow Realm. As if a creep like Marik has a good side."

"Stop it!"

"It's alright. I've done nothing but cause them pain, and they should be angry with me."

Joey continued to berate Marik, demanding that he leave Tea's body alone. Every insult that Joey fired off, Marik accepted with full responsibility. He understood the consequences of his actions, and he was trying to help in whatever way he could before it was too late. He apologized multiple times and even offered a small bit of encouragement that Yugi could still win the duel.

I fixed my eyes on Tea's body, hoping to get Marik's attention. He bowed his head low when I finally did, and when he raised it again, I saw his eyes glistening with tears. He could see every mark left on my body by his dark side, who was only a manifestation of his own personal desires. He had wanted me as his own with a wild longing, and now he was seeing the impact of his unbridled hunger. Even though he wasn't the one attacking me, he still felt responsible since he was the source. A gentle smile crossed my face before I lost his attention. I whispered to him, "Everything will be alright. I forgive you, Marik. "

Tea's eyes widened as my words flew into her ears, and tears slipped from her eyes. No one else seemed to notice my words, and if someone had, he was kind enough to feign inattention. Just as I had told the Pharaoh, this burden wasn't meant for any one person to bear alone. I was just as responsible as Marik was for everything, and I wouldn't pretend I'd played no part and let him suffer the consequences alone.

From across the platform, I noticed Yugi and the Pharaoh share a look. One of them must have had an idea, and they were determining how to best execute it. Both turned their eyes on me once their conversation was finished, their eyes asking whether I still trusted them. I smiled and nodded my head in response, mentally preparing myself for whatever they had planned and whatever Marik might do in the meantime.

"First, I place two cards facedown. Then, I summon Gazelle, the King of Mythical Beasts. That ends my turn."

Only when he lost 300 more Life Points was his turn truly over, and a little more of Yugi slipped into the darkness. I wouldn't let anything happen to Yugi; I'd take his place in the Shadow Realm if necessary.

Marik cackled again, returning to his position in front of me to lay claim to another part of my body. He lifted the bottom of my blouse and ran his tongue just above the edge of my shorts, from one hip to the other. I bit down on my lip once more, tasting my own blood once again as I held back any reactive sound. Thankfully, Marik seemed more concerned with defeating the Pharaoh than enjoying my reactions, so this attack only lasted a few moments in comparison to the others. A dark thought crossed my mind that he was only biding his time, and that he would return to finish what he'd started with full enthusiasm.

It's now or never, my love.