With this chapter, we begin Book 4: "Heavy Bleeds the Crown."
Seto now has two of the seven Millennium Items.
In this book, we will explore his journey to gather two more. We will then move on to Book 5, wherein he will gather two more. Book 6 will see him seek out the last, and then we'll see how the story wraps. I don't think I need to explain, at this point, that this story isn't about WHETHER the Millennium Items end up in Seto's possession, but HOW.
I've never been interested in a will-he-won't-he situation here.
So I won't make you wonder.
When I originally envisioned this story and how it went, I had an idea that "gathering the Millennium Items" would be only part of the narrative. I thought we would see a lot more after that. It's been long enough now that I understand … well. Younger Ice was much more optimistic.
I respect his enthusiasm, but as mentioned earlier: I'm a different person now.
I need to be more realistic about my projects.
Anyway. I think that about covers things. Let's see what those wild Kaiba kids are up to now, shall we? I'm sure it'll be something completely normal and not dangerous at all.
Verse One.
Despite the fact that Noa was his elder, Mokuba was still the head of Kaiba Manor while Seto was gone. There was no question that, whenever the house staff needed clarification on something, or if there was a situation that needed handling, they would go to Mokuba first. It was the natural state of things and, for his part, Noa didn't mind.
He was perfectly content to stand behind his young brother's shoulder and look threatening.
This was how Isis Ishtar found the two of them, when she arrived at their doorstep, wearing the Millennium Torque for the first time in years. She was dressed all in black, like she was in mourning. Her brothers were nowhere to be seen; she seemed to have come to the Kaiba Estate on her own.
She bowed her head solemnly when Mokuba stepped outside to meet her.
"Good morning," she said.
"Miss Ishtar," said Mokuba, slowly, carefully. "I don't think you were wearing that, last time I saw you." He gestured to his neck. "I'm guessing that means something important."
"It does." Isis's words were clipped, meticulously chosen, and it was clear that she was being exceptionally careful right now. "I did not intend for this ever to be my role again. It seems, however, that the gods have taken great amusement out of my . . . unfortunate shortsightedness." She gestured with one arm. "I have seen, in the weavings of fate, that your brother will win the day. Given Seto Kaiba's tendency to . . . abhor, I suppose I will say, ceremony for its own sake, I thought it would be best for me to make preparations ahead of time, before he returns home."
"He's gonna win the Eye?" Mokuba asked.
"He undoubtedly already has," said Isis.
"You've seen it."
"I have."
Noa tilted his head to one side. "Have you seen what happens when he wins them all? Does he win them all? Or would that be cheating. If you tell us, will it not happen? Is this like birthday wishes?"
"Noa," Mokuba said, and it was a warning.
"The only times this Torque of mine has ever been wrong," Isis said, ignoring the jibe, "have been when the subject of attention was your brother. Seto Kaiba has made a habit out of defying his destiny at every turn. Even if I did foresee failure in his future, which I honestly cannot, I would not put stock in it."
Mokuba smiled. "I feel like you're too smart to think flattering him would be enough to sway me. Which means you're telling the truth." He seemed quite pleased with his logic. "All right. What do you need?"
"Space," said Isis, "and quiet. Is there anywhere specific where you believe your brother would prefer to do this work?"
Mokuba thought for a moment, then something sparked in his eyes. "Follow me," he said brightly, then stepped inside the house.
Isis bowed her head again. "Thank you," she said, falling into step beside Noa as they both followed the young Kaiba down a central hallway.
She stopped dead when she saw Kisara.
Verse Two.
Kisara was used to people in Domino City staring at her by now; well, not used to it, but it was becoming a regular enough occurrence that she'd stopped thinking it was something she was doing. So it was that, when she came across Isis Ishtar, Kisara wasn't put off by the other woman's stunned expression and simply offered a wave.
"Hello," she said. "I take it you're involved in all this Millennium Item business."
"I am," Isis affirmed. "My name is Isis Ishtar." She inclined her head. "It is a pleasure to meet you."
"Kisara Mayer," said Kisara. "Likewise."
"Miss Ishtar is lining up to be next in Niisama's docket," Mokuba said. "Apparently you were right. He's won the Eye and he's coming home soon." His mood was clearly brightened by this news, and Kisara found herself smiling; whether it was from relief or some other emotion, she didn't know. If it was relief, she wasn't sure what was causing it. Was it because she'd been right about Seto Kaiba's victory? Was it that Mokuba seemed to be in a better mood?
Was it something else entirely?
Kisara had no idea, and she didn't see much point in guessing.
"You were . . . right," Isis repeated. "Is it safe for me to assume that you have some connection to Seto Kaiba?" When Kisara nodded, Isis's face softened; she smiled. "Good. That is good."
"Just . . . out of curiosity," Kisara ventured, "could I ask you why that's good? Like, I think I agree with you. I think it is good that we have some kind of bond. Bonds between people are good, after all. I guess I just don't understand why you, specifically, a holder of a Millennium Item, are saying that."
Isis laughed lightly; it was a musical sound. "If he has already crossed paths with you, then I have faith in his mission. You will prove to be instrumental in his success, in ways that you have already begun to show." Isis placed her fingers lightly onto the Eye of Horus on her necklace. "I have seen many ways that these coming days can unfold. The timelines where you have, by hook or by crook, avoided Seto Kaiba . . . well. Suffice it to say that the road to success is substantially darker and more difficult for him. Despite what some might believe—my dear brothers, for example—I do wish for Seto Kaiba to succeed. I would not deign to call him friend, but I am . . . fond of him, all the same."
Mokuba smiled. He didn't speak.
"Do you mean to say," Kisara said, "that I've managed to avert some kind of apocalypse just by making an impact on a rich man? Because I'm not sure how much I like that."
"It isn't so simple as that," Isis said, "nor do I mean to imply that you have not made your own choices, or that you are obligated to make an impact on a man, rich or otherwise. Nonetheless, your life is entwined with this house, and all who live here. Not just Seto Kaiba."
Kisara crossed her arms over her chest.
"I still don't think I like it much."
"Few people in my life have appreciated my insights," Isis admitted, "which is one reason that I rarely offer them. I am sorry if I've dampened your mood. It was not my intent."
"No, no, it's okay. It's not your fault."
Isis hummed quietly. "I hope you're right about that."
Verse Three.
Seto Kaiba was a perfectionist. He paid exquisite attention to everything there was to notice about his surroundings, and this was especially true in his own home. So it was that he immediately understood that things were tense in Kaiba Manor upon his return. Mokuba seemed put-together enough, which Seto didn't suppose was too much of a surprise; the young Kaiba had plenty of experience with managing the house for short periods, and he had a particularly strong poker face.
It was Kisara who first clued Seto into something . . . complicated.
Noa only further cemented it.
"Good afternoon, Mister Kaiba," said Kisara, when he stepped into the parlor. "Welcome back."
"Miss Mayer," Seto said. "I would ask whether you've been adjusting to the house, but somehow I don't think the answer will be a positive one." His eyes narrowed suspiciously. "What's happened? Something went wrong, and I think I need to know about it."
"You have a guest," Kisara said, gesturing behind herself. "Her name is Isis Ishtar."
Seto grimaced. ". . . Ah. I see."
Kisara quirked an eyebrow. "You don't sound like you need further clarification."
Seto shook his head. "I don't think I do," he said. "Here I'd hoped that I wouldn't have to deal with her soothsaying anymore. Of course, I should have remembered that that damnable necklace would be involved. I think perhaps I was hoping against hope that I'd have failed by now, so that I wouldn't have to deal with it."
"Speaking of damnable jewelry," Kisara mused, "I take it you've returned from the hunt."
Seto reached into a pocket of his coat and retrieved a tiny golden sphere. He spun it in his fingers, letting it dance off his knuckles. Every so often, the raised Eye of Horus that was the Millennium Eye's centerpiece would flash in the light, like it was blinking.
"How did it go?" Kisara ventured.
"It wouldn't do to complain," Seto said. "It was as straightforward a test as I could have anticipated, considering these things bend reality as a matter of course." He placed the eye back into his pocket. "They make me doubt my senses. I don't like that."
"I supposed that explains why you aren't . . . you know." Kisara gestured to her own eyes. "Wearing it? Or whatever it is you're supposed to do with it."
Seto hissed in a breath through his teeth. "Never," he said. "Even if I happened to be blind in one eye, I wouldn't replace it with this." He patted the eye through his clothing. "I struggled with hallucinations for years before I finally found a doctor ready and willing to work with me to solve the problem. The last thing I need to do is start actively chasing shit like this. It's more than bad enough that I've set myself on this course. I don't need to leap into the deep end."
Kisara frowned. Her brow furrowed. "I'm sorry," she said. "That must be hard."
"Hallucinating?" Seto asked; Kisara nodded. "I won't pretend it's pleasant, but I'm used to it by now."
Kisara grimaced and didn't reply.
Not with words.
Verse Four.
"You look 80% prepared to climb the walls and gnaw through the ceiling."
Noa turned to face his brother, putting on a neutral face as quickly as he could; they both knew it didn't work. He cleared his throat. "Ah. Well, uh. Yeah. I guess so. That sounds about right." He scowled at nothing, averting his gaze to a far corner. "It's time for the poltergeists to take charge again, apparently," he said. "This time, it's the one in the Ring."
Seto raised an eyebrow. "Bakura."
Noa nodded. "He was here. I was trying to . . . you know. Be a gracious host. Help him acclimate, get him comfortable. But his personal spirit of vengeance had other plans, so now he's . . . off into the fucking winds, I guess."
Seto crossed his arms. "There's more to this than you're telling me."
Noa grunted. "Seems he's prepping for his meeting with you."
"You're more invested in this than you were before," Seto noted. "This is about Ryo, isn't it?"
"Maybe," Noa said shortly, sharply. "Maybe I wanted to help him. Maybe he hasn't had enough of that. Maybe he deserves to be left alone for fucking once, and I know how that feels. Maybe I don't like how this whole Millennium Item nonsense keeps . . . fucking with us." Noa shut his eyes. Ran a hand over his face. "Just . . . fuckin' win this one, all right?"
Seto crossed his brother's past on his way to find Isis Ishtar.
"Two down," he said, "five to go."
Noa's eyes snapped open, and he glanced his brother's way. Something close to a smile rose on his face. "You did it. Crawford said you might be finished soon. So . . . you have it, then. The Eye."
Seto tweezed the Millennium Eye between two fingers, held it up, then placed it back in his pocket. "Did you see which direction the spirit of the Ring decided to go?"
"No." Noa shook his head. "He wasn't interested in that. All he wanted was to proselytize. Seemed real intent on me understanding that his cause was righteous." Noa cleared his throat. "You're part of the bloodline he's waging a private war against, Aniki. I don't know anything about the others, but I wouldn't expect any kind of leeway from him. If you want that Ring, you're going to have to pry it from him."
"Bloodline," Seto repeated.
"He said you're descended from the king. Atem. If you're wondering whether Mokuba is also on his hit list, I had the same thought." Noa offered something like his usual confident grin. "I called in Team Zephyr. Double shifts, half time, until he's found."
Seto nodded. "Good," he said.
"Spirit said he knew better than to make a target out of Mokuba. Said he learned from his mistakes."
"You believe that as much as I do."
"Mm."
Seto sighed. "Nothing is ever straightforward." He shook his head. "Keep a sharp eye out, and don't let anything lull you into thinking it's quiet."
Noa nodded. "I've got six pairs of eyes on him right now. He's out in the back garden." He smirked. "Kid thinks it's just Roland. Roland probably thinks it's just Roland. It's all good, Aniki. I know my way around paranoia. Go get this done. Leave the panicky bullshit to me."
Seto laughed quietly.
"Understood."
Verse Five.
Mokuba was clearly bound and determined to never let his brother out of his sight, now that he'd come back home from Pegasus's island. He kept a certain distance from Seto and Isis both, so as not to interrupt them or get in the way, but he obviously had no intention of leaving.
Seto sat before Isis and drew in a steadying breath. "So," he said, "what happens now?"
"Under normal circumstances," Isis said, "I would recommend that you rest before pressing forward." She paused. "Somehow, I don't think you're going to take my advice. You've never been one to go by halves."
Seto smirked. "You noticed."
Mokuba glanced over at Roland—who was standing at parade rest next to the back door—and pretended to throw up. Roland smiled for precisely two seconds.
"Instead," Isis went on, "I will begin this game by asking you a simple question. Understand, as simple as this question is, I need your answer to be earnest. I need you to be as honest as you can be, and as thorough as you can be." She paused, partly for effect. "What is your measure of the man who calls you his successor? Seti I."
Any trace of good humor left Seto's face; Isis maintained eye contact. Her face was untouched by anything remotely resembling concern. She didn't look embarrassed or apologetic. It was obvious to all present that, to Isis Ishtar, this was the most serious question she had ever asked anyone. This was a question that demanded an answer, whether Seto felt insulted or not.
Seto let out a low, tenuous growl.
"In a word: zealot." Seto spoke through his teeth. "He is dedicated to his cause to exclusion. All that exists to him is the path that he has chosen, and anyone unwilling to fit their destined space in his vision is an enemy."
"You are, I take it, unimpressed."
"That is the polite way of putting it," Seto said. "More to the point, I am uninterested. I do not take this role for him. I am uninterested in his opinions, his advice, or his warnings. He has given me no cause to consider him anything more than a distraction. In this moment, I have no intention of not treating him that way."
Isis nodded. "Good," she said. "That will suffice."
After a brief silence, Seto asked: "What, if anything, does this have to do with your Item?" He eyed the Torque suspiciously. "Am I to learn now that I will have need to trust Seti in the future? Is this something that you have foreseen?"
Isis smiled. "No," she said. "This has nothing to do with any vision I have, or haven't, had. It is simply a baseline from which we will begin. Now, as to my Torque." She reached up and touched her fingers to the cold gold around her neck. "Now that you have taken on this pilgrimage, it is no longer sufficient for you to understand this Millennium Torque as a tool by which one glimpses the future. That is not what it does." She paused. "Or, that is not all that it does. The nature of the Torque's visions are not so simple as that."
Seto quirked an eyebrow. "I'm listening," he said.
"Let us use a simple example to explain," Isis said. "I expect you will understand where I am leading you, but for the sake of clarity and thoroughness, I must ask that you follow along with me. All right?"
Seto grunted. "Fine."
"Thank you."
Isis reached out and took Seto's hands in her own.
END.
