Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Fate of the Damned ❯ Put to work ( Chapter 2 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

By: Itavita

It's finally here! Chapter 2 of Fate of the Damned, coming atcha.

Don't worry all you Opal lovers, I'm going to get Opal ch 12 finished soon for you. ^^

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Yu-gi-oh or any of its characters and I make no profit from this story.

Ch 2

His guide's boots tapped noisily against the beautiful black marble tiles of the entry hall as they walked through the darkness. Ryou was completely blind within the castle, his eyes unused to the miniscule amount of light which permeated the room. His pupils dilated and his feet faltered with each step as he tried to feel his way down the pathway without tripping.

The demon grunted at his movements, grasping his arm painfully and practically dragged him along, Ryou trying to keep up. Minutes passed them by until his demon companion brought him through what felt like a doorway and into a wide, open area. Immediately upon their entrance, the torches hugging the walls began to light one by one, slowly bringing the room into view.

Rubbing his eyes at the sudden firelight, Ryou scanned his new surroundings, fear clenching his heart with each passing glance. The walls and ceiling were stained a deep crimson, almost as if blood had leaked into every crevice of the room and had been allowed to remain where it settled. The tiles under his feet were pure white, the black from earlier having disappeared at some point during his trip through the dark. Ryou shivered. These new tiles reminded him of sun bleached bones.

Flags and crests of houses long ago were hung over the red stone walls, their colors flashing in the orange glow of the torches. Beneath each of these banners stood severe looking demon guards with leathery wings, yellow fangs and large talons, their bodies covered in heavy armor. There were twenty of them in all, their backs straight and tall while their eyes were fixed before them, not acknowledging the new arrivals.

Tearing his eyes from them, Ryou instead looked far in front, near the very edge of the room. There, chiseled out of the rock itself, was a marbled throne, its natural markings weaving together to create an image of immense splendor. This had to be a seat of power, as it was elevated high above the ground on a platform where it could survey over all. The dais, along with the throne, was spectacularly made. It had been cut from pieces of the mountains located outside of the castle and draped in linens the color of fine wine.

Ryou couldn't help but be impressed.

He felt the demon beside him steer him toward the throne, the other's gait much less hurried than it had been earlier. The two passed the guards on either side of the room on their way, the men not sparing them a glance, causing sweat to build on the boy's brow. He was beginning to get unnerved by not only their appearance, but their utter lack of interest in him. Yes, it was unhealthy for a demon of any sort to pay attention to you, but when they refused to look at him, it made him feel as though he was being labeled a 'dead man walking.'

Finally coming to a halt, Ryou was forced to his knees facing the seat, hair hanging limply over his forehead. He waited with bated breath, ears perked for any sign of movement nearby. He knew the master of the house should be arriving soon.

Right on cue, the muffled sounds of heels clinking against marble reached him and Ryou stiffened. He saw the black haired demon kneel next to him out of the corner of his eye and felt the man's clawed hand rest against the back of his neck, quietly instructing him to show respect and keep his head bowed.

As the footsteps grew louder, Ryou couldn't hold back his curiosity and cautiously raised his eyes, looking through his bangs and catching sight of a tall figure coming into the room through a hidden door behind a low hanging war tapestry. The person headed toward the throne and as they reached the dais they were illuminated by the light.

It was a man with waist length white hair and ghostly pale skin, just like Ryou's. From the back, they could have been twins, but when the man turned around and sat in his throne, his face visible, he was so shockingly different the boy almost recoiled. The other's eyes slanted menacingly, giving him a cold and cruel expression, while his pupils were a misty blue, much different from Ryou's own emerald green.

He was well built, but not overly so, and dressed in a silken navy blue long-sleeved shirt and illustrious ebony pants, the material of which appeared thick and unworn. The elegant vest hugging his torso was of an icy blue, accenting the man's eyes and the rich sapphire color of his floor-length cape, which scraped the ground as he moved.

However, his most alarming feature became apparent as he opened his mouth to speak, the surface of the two sets of elongated fangs glinting in the light.

'This must be the master of the house.' Ryou thought, his mind coming to a strangled halt as the vampire's voice broke through the silence.

"What have you brought me, Dorei?" the man asked, placing his elbows atop the arm rest of his throne. "It doesn't appear to be a demon of any sort, it's much too ugly to be a personal slave, and I'd be appalled if you had decided it was worthy of being one of my meals."

Ryou was a bit shocked at the 'ugly' statement. Did he really look that terrible? He figured his years in the prison had been poor for his health and done little for his appearance, but hadn't the demon described him as pretty earlier? Perhaps vampires had different opinions as to what was attractive.

"Master," the black haired demon beside him said, his tone respectful, "I found this human traveling through your forest during the early hours of the night. I did not know where he came from or his purpose for being there, but I believed he would be of some worth to you. The boy must be able to perform some sort of helpful task, sir, if you order it of him."

"Hmph." The vampire snorted, getting to his feet and coming down from the dais, stopping a few feet from Ryou. The boy felt the master's eyes on him and ducked his head lower. He was being appraised like a steer at an auction, and his cheeks burned with embarrassment and shame. It was times like these the boy wished he had never been born a lowly human.

"Get up." The sudden order took Ryou by surprise. He jumped to his feet, keeping his gaze trained on the floor. He wasn't certain whether the vampire had been talking to him or the demon servant kneeling with him on the floor, but Ryou would rather follow a command which hadn't been directed at him than unintentionally ignore one that was. The punishment for the latter offense was sure to be greater.

Feeling a hand grip his chin painfully, Ryou looked up, coming face to face with the master of the house. The other man turned the boy's head to the sides, scrutinizing his features. Forcing Ryou's eyes on him once more, the vampire asked, "What were you doing in my lands, human?"

Ryou didn't dare meet the man's stare, option to stare at the other's shirt. He swallowed to clear his throat and stuttered out his response. "I w-was running."

The master raised an eyebrow, jerking the boy's head forward, demanding more of an answer. "What were you running from?"

The human started shaking slightly, fearful of what the vampire would do to him when he told the truth. If this man knew where he was from, would he be returned to the demons or killed on the spot for being a runaway? Opening his mouth, he compelled his voice to work. "T-the demon prison, sir."

"The demon prison, eh? How did you manage to escape, human? I've heard news of attempts in the past, but no one has ever actually freed themselves." He peered at Ryou with more interest. "Tell me what you did."

"I had help distracting the guards from my friend, Malik. It was his plan, I just followed it and was able to run away."

"Ah, I see. So you reaped the benefits of your friend's work. Well then, where is your genius accomplice?"

"I-I don't know, sir. We were split up at the prison gates."

Ryou's chin was released from the vampire's grip and he listened to the man laugh cruelly. "After all this 'Malik's' planning, you two are still not together. Who knows? He may have been recaptured feet from the fence and taken back for torturing. Those demons do believe that punishments are the best element of an attempted break out."

He watched Ryou's expression twist into one of worry and panic. Grinning, he gripped the human's throat and threw him back to the floor. Returning to his throne, the vampire master sat, watching the boy struggle to his knees. He considered this captive quite amusing, and as he made himself comfortable he asked, "What does this Malik look like?"

The boy held back a sob as he took up his earlier position. Not only was he giving them both up as fugitives and providing the details behind their break out, but now he was expected to lead this man toward his only friend. Ryou felt disgusted with himself, but it was either answer the vampire's questions or suffer the consequences brought about by his defiance.

"He's about my height, with shoulder length blonde hair, dark skin, and violet eyes, sir." Ryou said, quietly. He didn't understand why this man was so interested in Malik. Was he possibly thinking of bringing the blonde here to the castle? If so, then at the very least they would be together again and his mind would be at ease knowing neither of them had to endure the horrors within the prison's torture chambers.

The master's movements paused briefly, his eyes glazing over, and Ryou gasped as an odd feeling surged within him. It was gone as quickly as it had come, and the boy didn't understand what had happened. He heard the vampire mutter to himself, then the echoing footsteps of his shoes as they tapped against the stone dais once again. The feet halted in front of him just as before, but this time Ryou was not told to stand. Instead, the man spoke to him calmly.

"This human partner of yours resembles my half brother, another vampire lord who reigns over the southern region of this area. I'm going to bring the human here to my castle where he will stay until he is acceptable, and then I will give him to my brother as a gift. Hopefully your friend will entertain him and keep him out of my hair for a decade or two."

Too shocked to think, Ryou lifted his head and stared wide-eyed at the vampire. "W-what?"

His question was met with a wicked smirk. "You heard me, human. Your dear friend will be given to my brother. You, on the other hand, I can use. First, you need to be made presentable." The master motioned for the black haired demon to stand. "Dorei, take this human to his new quarters and leave him in the care of the main house slave. Then, gather a few men and search out the blonde human. I want him found and brought here in relatively good condition. If he is already back within the demon prison, do what you must to persuade the guards to hand him over. Report to me the moment you return."

The demon, whom Ryou supposed was named Dorei, nodded and bent down, taking hold of the boy's neck and pulling him up to his feet. The two left the room, heading to the right and down another dark hall. Ashen faced and depressed, Ryou didn't even care about keeping himself from stumbling, nor did he notice that now as he passed through the pathways and rooms the lights flickered on to show the way. No, he was far too upset over what had been said in the throne room. The master vampire was going to bring Malik back to the castle where they could be together, only to rip them apart in order to send the blonde as a present to another ruler.

The boy felt sick to his stomach. Would nothing in his life go as planned?

Ryou was still immersed in his misery when he was herded down a flight of stairs and into a dank cobble stoned hallway. The firelight emanating from the wall's brackets shown within his eyes as his bare feet slapped lightly against the floor with each step. Dorei had remained silent the entire trip, but as they reached a large chamber door at the end of the path, he turned to Ryou and spoke.

“This door leads to the slave quarters. I will let you in and leave to do as my master asked of me. Find Otogi, he is the head demon among the servants and will have you cleaned, fed, and put to work. The master will inform Otogi when he has chosen a specific job for you. Until then, follow the other's instructions.” The demon steered him through the door and closed it heavily behind Ryou, sealing him inside.

The human squinted. He could barely make out shapes and objects lying against the walls or on the floors. He began walking forward, the candles lining the walls jumping to life, just as they had when he exited the throne room. Eyes adjusting quickly, he made his way into the area, taking in the sight of suits of armor and numerous gruesome paintings which served as decoration.

He continued on silently, the only sounds in his ears being the beating of his heart. Soon, he came upon a fork in the corridor. The chattering of people could be heard from the right path, while silence seemed to suffocate the left. Sucking in a breath, he went to the right, the voices becoming louder until their echoes leaped from one wall to the next.

Suddenly, the floor sloped awkwardly and Ryou teetered on the edge, trying desperately to regain his balance. His motions may have saved him from falling head first down the stone incline, but they didn't help conceal his presence from the occupants in the room below.

Only now did Ryou take the time to observe the slave chambers which were laid out across the expansion of the floor. This room must have been at least fifty yards long and twenty-five yards wide, and it was filled to the brim with lesser demons, all of whom wore black or silver tunics much like Ryou's, only they were cleaner and well kept. Upon closer inspection, he also noticed that these tunics were secured sloppily around the servants' waists with a strip of clothe, making them appear as more of an ensemble than an enlarged shirt.

The human gave a small `Hm' in his throat, eyes roving to the demon's faces and discovering with a start that they had turned their attention to him sometime during his study of the room.

Gulping, Ryou cautiously slid down to the level stone below and stood as still as his fear would allow. He couldn't stop the nervous quivering, however, when a wingless male demon with long black hair pulled into a ponytail moved from the group and stepped closer. He wore a crimson shirt along with dark pants and shoes and had deep green eyes, not unlike Ryou's. Once he was within a few feet of the boy, he spoke and his voice was cold and steady.

“What is it you want, human?” he asked, the material of his clothing scraping slightly as he crossed his arms over his chest. “Why are you so deep in our master's castle?”

“I-I was ordered to see the head servant, Otogi, and be placed in his care.”

The man raised an eyebrow and began circling Ryou, sizing him up. The boy shifted uneasily, his cheeks burning from the feeling of being watched. It was unnerving having some three-hundred odd demons gazing at him, most of them with hungry expressions. He picked at his clothing without really meaning to, fully aware of his haggard appearance and the fact that he hadn't bathed in weeks. It was a shameful idea that a horde of fiends were cleaner than him.

The demon finally stopped pacing around him, returning to his spot in front of Ryou once more. “I'm not seeing why the master would want to keep you alive since you don't appear to be of much worth, but the master's wisdom exceeds mine.” He said, his arms falling to his sides. “I am Otogi, the one you've been sent to see and the manager of sorts. It's my job to make sure everything here runs smoothly and no servant is out of place or boundaries. If the master has ordered me to take you into my care, then I shall.”

Otogi called over a small male demon with waist length blonde hair and a rather revealing silver outfit. He began instructing the lower servant in a strange tongue while Ryou, red faced, forced himself to look anywhere but at the boy's face or lower body. The conversation ended swiftly, the boy racing off to retrieve a bundle from behind one of the beds which filled the room and when he returned Otogi waved his arm at them as an order to move along.

The little demon glared at Ryou as he passed, tucking whatever he had grabbed into the sleeve of his own tunic and tilted his head toward the passageway, indicating the human to follow him. The white haired boy obliged, glad to leave the servant quarters behind, and made sure to stay a few paces behind the demon, the years of human to demon etiquette he was forced to learn kicking in. `No human, no matter how high of rank or noble of birth, should travel within four paces of a demon.'

After a few minutes of walking, they reached the fork in the path Ryou had come upon earlier. This time, he followed the blonde demon down the left hallway, his senses being assaulted by the nauseating smell of a marsh about thirty feet in. He covered his mouth and nose with his hands, the sleeves of his tunic only able to trap some of the stench.

The silence that had filled this way when Ryou had first passed it was slowly dissipating and being replaced by the croaking of frogs and humming of insects. Blinking in confusion, the human continued on, always careful he remain far behind the other. Not long after the smell was becoming unbearable did Ryou see a light forming in the distance. The flaming lights hung on the walls were lessening and being replaced by the soft light ahead the farther they went.

The dismal stone around him fell away gradually until they came out of the darkness and into a secluded part of the mountain, the rocks around him serving as the perfect form of protection and concealing anyone inside it from view. Nestled in the heart of this location was a large pond with weeds and other plants growing around its edges while insects and amphibians filled the air with their music. Ryou could also see fish speeding by under the surface, illuminated by the moon and stars, searching for food.

`Well, that would explain the smell.'

Keeping well apart from his demon companion, Ryou looked to him for instruction. He had a pretty good idea of what was expected of him, but didn't want to risk a beating or scolding by moving without instructions. The blonde boy didn't leave him waiting long.

“You are to bathe and get dressed in the proper attire of a servant of our master. Then, you will go up to the first floor of the castle to clean the libraries and sitting rooms. You are to work quickly and quietly. A slave is to be neither seen nor heard, but their job is still to be finished in due time.” He dug the bundle he had acquired from behind a bed in the slave quarters from his tunic and tossed it to the ground at Ryou's feet.

Ryou bent to pick up the black tunic and silver belt (which is what he recognized they were) and heard the demon's feet hitting the stone as he went back down the passage.

Good, he didn't feel like having someone watch him as he bathed, anyway.

Slipping out of his tattered and worn clothing, the boy slid into the icy water, teeth chattering and limbs shivering. He gave himself time to adjust to the temperature before taking a deep breath and plunging under the water, wetting his hair. Ignoring the fish that scattered in alarm at his sudden movement, Ryou scrubbed his hair and skin viciously, fighting a losing battle against the grime and dirt caked in after weeks of abuse.

Coming up for air, he panted slightly, wiping his bangs from his forehead and out of his eyes. Leaning back, the boy allowed his muscles to relax for the first time in ages, the scent of the water only bothering him minimally. He closed his eyes and steadied his breathing, taking in the crisp night air like it was a delicacy. How long had it been since he was able to sit, completely care free, and watch the stars? Had he ever even been allowed? If he had, he couldn't remember.

Several more dunks into the water and Ryou thought himself clean enough for his purposes, especially since he had no soap to use. Climbing up the bank and attempting to stay relatively unsoiled, he seized his new outfit in his hands and dressed quickly, careful not to muss up is hair when he pulled the shirt down over his head.

Squeezing the excess water from his white hair, Ryou flung it back behind his shoulder, listening to it hit his back with a wet smack. He hesitated before deciding to stuff his old clothing into his shirt sleeve and started back up through the tunnel.

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Ryou scrubbed the floor vigorously, his eyes narrowed in concentration. He had made it up to the first floor and managed to find most if not all of the libraries and sitting rooms. He would have never made it if it hadn't been for the lights that followed him wherever he went, almost like magic. The cleaning supplies laid out for him in the corner of the first room were a big help, too.

Hours had gone by while he worked, the job at hand taking his mind off Malik for the time being. In a way, he was thankful for this short reprieve. Right now, he sat hunched over on his hands and knees, back aching, cleaning the tiles of the last sitting room.

Sighing, he sat up and wiped his forehead, arching his back faintly and listening to the pops this action caused. He scratched his head and yawned as he plopped the brush he had been using back into the bucket of soapy water at his side. Dropping his arms to his sides, Ryou moved around uncomfortably, stopping when his legs were crossed out in front of him, his bottom on the floor.

The boy closed his eyes and allowed his head to roll back, arms flung out behind to support his weight while his hair pooled over his back and shoulders. He was snapped to attention, however, when the sounds of voices outside were heard. Perking his ears, Ryou got to his feet and collected his equipment, hurrying out of sight. Like the blonde demon had said, servants are to be neither seen nor heard.

Slipping under one of the heavy curtains hung over the windows, Ryou peeked around the cloth, and glanced into the hallway. The voices came closer until finally a pair of demons came into view, one male with short brown hair and a dark outfit like Dorei's, and the other female with shoulder length black hair and a severe looking face. She, too, wore pants and a shirt like Dorei's, only it accentuated her more feminine features.

Ryou's heart jumped to his throat as he saw who was between them. The two demons were dragging a very familiar blonde across the floor. He may have been torn, bloodied, and bruised, but the white haired boy would recognize his best friend anywhere.

Malik had arrived.

TBC

Holy monkeys, I'm really sorry for the late update. I bought the Sims for PC and I've been addicted to it ever since. I downloaded some Yu-gi-oh skins for the game, so right now I'm trying to get my virtual Bakuras and Marik and Malik together. xD

Hoping you all enjoyed this chapter. I tried to make it a little longer than the first chapter to make up for the wait. :/ Don't worry, I'm going to finish Opal ch 12 next, then over the weekend I'm going to make myself finish ch 13 of Opal and ch 3 of Fate. They should be up by Monday or Tuesday if Sims doesn't get to me first.

Any questions you may have for this story will (hopefully) all be cleared up next chapter.

Please leave me a review if you enjoyed the story. It helps motivate me to stop playing Sims long enough to write when I have nice reviews. xP