Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Countdown to Armageddon ❯ New Acquaintances ( Chapter 7 )

Sorry this one took so long. I had a lot of homework. Plus I recently got a major rush of inspiration for this story (later chapters) and I had to right it all down. n_n Congratulations to Solitaire for being the first person to figure out who those two fellows were!

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"words" - speech

'words' - thought

//words// - I'll explain later

/words/ - ditto

\lots of words\ - flashback

Large gaps mean a scene or time change.

Disclaimer: Yu-Gi-Oh is the intellectual property of Kazuki Takahashi, and is being used in this fan fiction for fan purposes only. All situations, opinions and characters not belonging to Kazuki Takahashi are the intellectual property of Blue September.

Warnings: This fic contains Yaoi and some amounts of graphic violence. You may also notice some OOCness in some of the characters.

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Chapter 7: New Acquaintances

"FATHER!"

Ouji jerked awake for the second time that night. Panting hard and covered in sweat he slid his face into his palms, waiting for the images fade away. It had been a few days since their arrival in Thebes, and every night he was plagued by the same nightmare; the blade, the body, the blood.

'Why?' he asked himself. 'Why did this happen?' He knew the answer though. It was because of him; because of who he was: the crowned prince of Egypt. He hadn't wanted to believe it at first, but the evidence had been thrown right in his face.

\They had just arrived in Thebesa few hours ago. There were joyous cheers coming from the crowd as they entered the city, but he hadn't paid attention to them Ouji was still lost in his own world, hoping and praying beyond belief that this was still all just some nightmare that he was having trouble waking up from. And when he did wake, his mother and father would be there as usual and everything would be the same as always. But in his heart he knew that would never happen.

He was in his new room, apparently. It was rather big. As a matter of fact he had a whole wing of the palace to himself. He remembered someone explaining that to him on his way there and something about a tour later… but back to the room. It was very spacious. There was a huge bed to right when he entered the room, decorated with fine silken sheets. At the end of the bed was a large chest full of extra clothes and beside a nicely carved night stand with a censer atop it, silently filling the room with the scent of burning incense. In the corner beside the stand was a full-body, polished-silver mirror and next to that was a vanity table covered in different, scented oils and a little make-up. On the other side of the room was a small entryway, covered by a long red curtain. He knew from earlier snooping that a personal study lay behind it. In the middle of the room was a couch and small table with sitting cushions around it, probably there in case he decided to eat in private or entertain a guest. A few shelves and cabinets for personal belongings lined the masterfully carved walls. Across from the double-door that had let him into the room was another pair of doors somewhat smaller than the previous. It was framed on both sides by a set of tall, curtained windows. The door itself led to a small balcony with steps leading down to his own private courtyard-garden. The person from before had assured him that it was protected by the strongest magic, so he needn't worry about attacks, though, attacks from whom, he hadn't figured out yet. Perhaps he would look around it later, but for the moment he would have been content to just curl up in a corner and die and since he couldn't do the latter the former would have to do.

Ouji sat in the corner nearest the bed, knees to his chest with his arms pulling them closer. There was no point in crying any more, but at least he could sulk. He still had no idea what was going on. No one had told him anything. People kept referring to him as 'Your Highness' and he didn't know why. The most he had managed to figure out was that the man who had attacked them was actually the pharaoh. 'So, everyone must think I'm someone else that looks like me. Must be important.' He fingered a strand of golden hair. 'Kind of hard to imagine, though, with my looks.' He stirred from his thoughts when he heard a soft rapping at the chamber door, but decided to ignore it.

The person on the other side must have figured it out and decided to enter on his own. When Ouji sat up he saw a man entering. From his eyes and posture he could tell that the man was elderly. Actually that was all he could really go by. The only parts of the man he could actually see were his eyes and hands. His body was covered in long, but thin robes indicating that he was of high stature and on his head was a small cylindrical hat with an eye in the centre. A small, cloth, veil covered the lower half of his face, leaving only his deep purple eyes visible. Behind him a servant-woman trailed, holding a tray of food.

The old man crossed the room looking for the child and finally spotted him in the corner. "Greetings Your Highness and how are we this fine evening?" Ouji couldn't see his mouth, but the look in his eyes told him that the old man was smiling.

"Wh-Who are you? What do you want?" he asked, looking ready to bolt.

"Ah yes," continued the old man, as if he hadn't noticed the boy's discomfort. "I suppose it is only natural that you would not remember me. After all, it has been nearly three years since I last saw you. My how you've grown."

"Three… years?"

"Yes my boy and I imagine that you must be hungry after such a long journey. Set the food down and you are dismissed," he said to the woman. She did as she was told and left. The man returned his gaze to the boy and laughed when he saw the suspicious expression on his face. "What is the matter Ouji? I can assure you the food is not poisoned."

Ouji shot him another apprehensive look before moving over to the table to sample some of the food. Choosing a sweet-looking slice of honeydew, he bit in and licked his lips in appreciation, not having realized how hungry he really was.

"See?" said the old man. Ouji nodded.

"Whoof-" He swallowed. "Who are you?"

"My name is Shimon and since you obviously wouldn't remember this either, your Royal Caretaker and Principal Tutor."

Ouji peered at the man still just as confused as before and asked, "How is it that everyone here seems to know who I am? I'm sure that I've never met any of you before."

Shimon nearly choked on the air he was breathing. "You… you mean you no nothing of this place at all?"

"No, not really. Should I?"

Shimon sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose in frustration. He couldn't believe that something this important had been kept from the boy and worse still no one had even informed him of why he was brought here. "Ouji," he said placing his hands on the child's shoulders, "There are certain things… that you should be made aware of. However, I believe your father should be the one to tell you-"

"My father is dead," said Ouji flatly, before returning to the melon.

"…I… I beg your pardon?" Shimon questioned, not sure he'd heard right.

"He's dead… my father…" the boy repeated, placing the empty fruit-skin back on the tray. "They killed him… I saw…"

"But… but Highness… I'm afraid I do not understand. Was it not your father who brought you here just today?"

"No. You're all confusing me with someone else," he explained. "They're the men who killed my father. I was right there. They killed him without even giving him a chance to defend himself and then they destroyed our home!" He looked away from Shimon trying to fight the oncoming tears. "I think they killed Mother too, because… she wouldn't come when I was calling and then they brought me here."

Shimon shook his head sadly. Ouji was more mixed-up than he'd thought. How was he going to explain this? He was well aware of the fact that it probably wasn't going to go over well either.

"Come here," he finally said taking the boy by the arm and pulling him over to the mirror despite some slight resistance.

Ouji looked at his reflection. He'd been washed and dressed in new tunic, jewellery and slippers and the dye from his shorted hair had all been washed out, but other than that he didn't see anything out of the ordinary. "What am I supposed to be looking at?"

"Just a moment." He scurried over to the vanity, retrieving a small, round, hand-held mirror and returned to stand behind Ouji. He turned the boy slightly to the side, telling him, "Watch." He pulled his robe down a little, exposing the area of his back just below the neck. His fingers traced something that Ouji couldn't see, until he angled the hand-held mirror correctly allowing the image to reflect into the larger one.

"What… What is that?" Ouji asked studying the strange mark at the base of his neck. It looked like some kind of bird.

"It is a hawk; the symbol of Horus and a sign of your royal lineage."

"R-Royal?"

"Yes. It is the mark of the pharaoh, given to you as a babe, proof that you are the true heir to the throne. You see Ouji; the man who brought you here is not only the pharaoh. He is also your father."

Ouji spun around to face Shimon, puzzled expression on his face. "My… my… no… we lived at a vineyard… I-I can't be a… prince… I'm not!"

"Highness-"

"No! I-I'm not 'Highness'. I'm not 'Prince'. I'm not anything!" he shouted backing up to the bed. "And that man is not my father. He's just a murderer!"

"Ouji-"

"NO!" he screamed again. "It's not true!" He closed his eyes and covered his ears, trying to block the words. "I don't believe you. You're a liar!" Shimon moved over to the boy again to try and pry his hands away.

"Ouji, please listen-"

"Don't touch me!" he cried, shaking his head hysterically. Tears were rolling down his face. This couldn't be true. It just couldn't. That would mean that everything he'd known - Min; the Vineyard - was all fake. Was his mother really even his mother?

Shimon stepped back, wanting to give the boy a chance to calm himself. He had been afraid of something like this happening since the beginning of the whole ordeal. That taking him away would only do more harm than good. "Please Ouji, I need you to settle down," he said, approaching him more cautiously this time.

"Stay… away from me!" he sniffed.

"It's alright. I won't harm-"

"I said, STAY BACK!"

The old man's heart nearly stopped, as a large dent made itself known in the floor tiling with a loud CRACK! He counted himself lucky, for if he had taken another step it might very well have been him instead. He looked up from the mini-crater and just barely glimpsed the fading symbol on the boy's forehead. Deciding it would not be wise to press the issue any further, he chose the leave the boy be. But before he left…

"Oh! Rudiju tells me that this belongs to you." He pulled a small parcel from his robes and placed it on the ground. "I'll just leave it here. Goodnight Ouji." And he left.

Ouji slid to the floor in a broken heap. "It's a lie," he sobbed. "It's all just a big lie. It has to be." He laid there for a while trying to convince himself that none of this were true. It wasn't really happening. He'd wake up and his mother would pull him into her lap and rub his back just like always. He opened his watery eyes and spotted the package Shimon had left for him within arms reach. After dragging it closer he un-wrapped it and started at its content. "My puzzle…" he said pulling it to his chest. He hugged his golden treasure tightly taking comfort in the strange warmth that seemed to radiate from it and fell asleep.

That was how he spent his first night as an Egyptian prince; asleep on a cold stone floor.\

Ouji wiped the dampness from his face and climbed out of the oversized bed. He didn't feel like going back to sleep - nightmares - so he might as well do something productive. He went to the end of the bed and opened the clothes chest. Almost falling in as he dug through it, he finally found what he was looking for, the puzzle. After nearly losing it, he decided not to carry it around anymore and figured that the chest was as good a hiding place as any, at least until he found a better one.

A gentle breeze blew through the window, not too warm, but not too cold. Perfect. He'd go outside and work on it. He pushed open the light wooden doors to the garden, walked out onto the small outcrop and skipped down the steps. The garden was so beautiful especially with the light from the full moon shining on it. It gave off an air of magic. A sudden calm washed over him.

The first few yards before him were paved in limestone, five or six large potted plants scattered around the edge. Perfect for play, but for now he felt like being surrounded by nature, 'like back home.' Behind the terrace lay the actual garden which was where he set out for. The plants were thick and green. Clearly a lot of effort went into keeping them watered and healthy. There were many different breeds, but he couldn't really tell them apart in the dark.

Very little moonlight could get through anymore and he was beginning to think that maybe the middle of the night hadn't been the best time to go exploring. 'Was there someone in that bush?'

Just as he began to think he had lost his way in the maze-like arrangement he stumbled upon a small clearing. Unconsciously, he released a sigh of relief that he could see - though barely - where he was again. He found that place to actually be a small man-made fish pond. (Well, he assumed there were fish in it.) He could hear the melody of chirping crickets and croaking toads as they filled the night sky, calming him once more. Settling himself beside the risen, pool's edge he set to work on the puzzle.

After piecing a good third of it together, he was once again stuck. 'Maybe if I just try until I find a piece that'll fit…' He reached into the box and pulled out another golden piece. It was a special one, he could tell. It was different from all the others in that while they were mostly plain; it had an eye engraved on the center. He'd seen similar symbols all over this place; on the king's crown and on his weird gold pendant, on Shimon's hat and other places, he was sure. The dull lighting of the full moon reflected off the shiny surface making it almost seem to glow. Ouji found himself lost in the mystery of the strange marking. He couldn't tear his eyes away and so didn't notice the shadows quickly forming around him.

Twisting and churning, ebbing and flowing, they gathered themselves into a pitch black heap right behind the hypnotised boy. Gradually they began to take the shape of a human being.

Ouji was still staring at the puzzle piece when a strange shadow started to block the moonlight. Abruptly out of his daze, he wondered what the shadow could be. It wasn't there before and…

'…It wasn't there before? Uh-oh…'

Afraid of what he might find, he slowly turned around and was almost frozen by a pair of bright blue eyes. Well perhaps not so much 'frozen' as scared out of his mind. He quickly got to his feet dropping everything but the box and stared at the man.

The stranger had long straight lilac hair. He was very tall as well and wore a simple light-purple garb that stopped just above his ankles. Over it laid a black robe with delicate, little designs embroidered in dull, silver at the sleeves, hem and collar. On his feet he wore a pair of matching shoes. He had an ominous feeling about him. He practically oozed darkness, but something about him seemed… seemed… Ouji couldn't describe it. He looked the man up and down taking in every detail. In his hand he held a long turquoise staff, with a pointed tip and a glassy, green orb lodged at the end.

"E-Ex-c-cuse me, b-but wh… wh-wh-who-"

"Please. Speak slowly. I cannot understand you when you stutter," he said stepping down from the ledge.

"S-Sorry-um… Sorry."

"Better."

"Who… are you… may I ask?"

"Magus Caligo, though most simply address me as Caligo, of the Black Magician Clan, and you must be my master. A little younger than I expected though. Who is it you wish me to fight? I am at your service," he said lowering himself to one knee.

"Uh… What are you talking about?" asked Ouji. Why was everything always confusing?

"Well, where is the opponent you wish me to battle? That is why you summoned me here, is it not?"

"Summoned? No, I didn't summon anybody."

"But I am sure this isn't my world. I can feel it. If you did not call me how is it that I am here?"

"I don't know," shrugged Ouji. "I was just sitting there, playing with my puzzle and then you showed up."

The magician looked pensive. "Hmm… That sounds nothing like the rituals I have been told of."

"Oh… So," began the child, a bit timidly, "You don't look much like anyone I've ever seen. Where did you come from?"

"I come from a village high upon the Mountains of Mars" he said, rising, "surrounding the Shadow Plains. I am a g…" He trailed of when he realized from Ouji's facial expression that something was off. "Is there something wrong?"

"No, no… well… Sorry, I've just never heard of it."

"Well… There's no doubting now that I'm no longer in my Realm. Even the smallest of children know of the Mountains of Mars. So this is the Human Realm," he added looking around. "I suppose then that that must make you a human, correct?"

"Of course, what else would I be silly?" he answered a little warming up to the stranger a bit.

"I don't know," he replied observing the boy suspiciously. "How do I know you are not something else, an evil spirit perhaps, who brought me here to destroy me? Or worse, a spy sent to gather information regarding my clan, preparing for an attack?" His eyes narrowed slightly. "Yes, that makes more sense. Why else would a child be in the middle of the forest, alone, at this time of night?" He raised his staff threateningly and pointed it right at Ouji's forehead. "Well?"

"I…I…I… I…"

"I thought so." The glassy orb began to glow brightly, quickly filling with energy. "Prepare to be vanquished fiend!"

"Please don't kill me!" Ouji screamed, raising the puzzle box as a protective shield.

The magician caught sight of the box and immediately dropped to his hands and knees. 'It's one of the seven…' "Please. I am sorry. Forgive me Master! I had no idea!"

"…Uh… uh… I-It's okay," said Ouji, still backing away fearfully. "Really it is."

"No it isn't! I almost caused you harm. I deserve to be punished. No less than fifty lashes Master please!"

The magician seemed truly remorseful and Ouji felt some - though not all - of his fear fade. "I-It's alright. Honest! I forgive you and you don't have to call me master. Ouji's just fine."

"No Master I couldn't!"

'Oh boy!' he thought to himself. 'Well I'm the master right…' "Okay then. I order you to call me Ouji."

"But Master-"

"Y-You have to do what I say, right?" A nod. "Then call me Ouji… and could you please stand? It's weird having people bow down to you." Caligo rose, albeit hesitantly and looked down at the boy, who smiled up at him. "See, that's better, right?"

"Yes it is. Thank you little one." He smiled back. Then something came to him. "Why then, if you are not are not a fiend, are you out here all by yourself? Are you lost young one?"

"Oh, no, I was just walking… but I guess I did lose my way a little."

"Would you like me to help you get back?"

Ouji smiled sheepishly. "Would you?"

"Of course."

"Thanks, just let me get the rest of my puzzle," he said dashing over to the fallen pieces and placing them in the box. "Ready." He got a bit of a surprise when Caligo, strode over and picked him up with one arm. "Whoa!" He grabbed the mage's neck with his empty arm, to steady himself as he was lifted.

"This way is faster," was the explanation. To Ouji's amazement the staff once again shone, causing a playful wind picked up around them. Suddenly they were lifted into the air and propelled with wicked speed through the brush.

The boy laughed in mirth, excitement and a little bit of fear as his hair whipped around his face. It was almost like flying or at least what he imagined flying would feel like.

Unfortunately, the ride came to an end all too quickly when they reached the terrace and Caligo saw for the first time where the boy lived. 'A palace. And it looks enormous. Which means, that forest wasn't a forest at all.' He looked behind him as they landed to make sure. 'A garden.' He shook his head slightly at the thought of being lost in a garden and set the boy down.

"Wow! Can we do that again?"

"Perhaps another time. I imagine you should return to your chambers before someone notices your absence." Ouji looked up at the sky. Already it had started to lighten. Someone might indeed come to check on him in a while.

"Alright, but will you come play with me again… Caligo?"

"Yes Caligo and I will try," he said ruffling the boy's hair. 'Interesting colours,' he noted for the first time. 'And his eyes… my dreams… Could he have something to do with them? Is this what they've been trying to tell me?'

"Okay." Ouji ran back up the steps to his room, squinting, when he reached the top. The rising sun's light bombarded his vision. He turned back to say goodbye to his newly made friend. "See you Ca-un?"

But there was no one.

To Be Continued…

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Authoress' Notes:

Wahoo! Another chapter out and I really do like this version better compared to my other one.

VIH: Same here.

I'm still working on improving my description though, any suggestions? On a side note, I wish I could write this much when I have an essay due… I've also just come to realize that my initials are BS.

VIH: *snickers*

*glares* Next chapterYami officially meets Seto. PLEASE REVIEW!