Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Guardians of the Watchtowers ❯ Welcome to Arawn ( Chapter 7 )

I think I made my deadline. Yay me!

Want to read something…odd? Then check out Raven's diary at: diaries.suchisthis.com/ravenwolf/

Thanks to Fanfiction reviewers:

Dark-Tyrell: I guess you reviewed for Ch. 5 on the day that I posted Ch. 6, so you didn't make it into that one's thank you list. My apologies for that. But thanks for reading and reviewing!

SoulDreamer and Dark Fairy7: for your continued support!

Tarika Rania: Yes, Kaiba is the Fourth Illuminite. You'll see in later chapters why he is not so "chummy" with Yugi and co. It plays a big part later on.

Thanks to Mediaminer reviewers:

Calupe: As usual, you are the only one who reviews from this site! Thanks a bunch! :) Oh, and keep writing too!

Disclaimer: No, I don't own Yugioh. And I kinda got this idea from LJ Smith's Nightworld series.

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Chapter 7: Welcome to Arawn

Yugi slowly opened his eyes, then raised himself to a sitting position. He took a quick glance around him. Wherever he was, it was really dark. The only "light" was from the dull-bright moon shining dimly above him. Yugi could only make out the outlines of some trees ahead of him. "Yami?" he called out softly. "Where are you?" The edge of his voice was rimmed with fear.

"Right here, Yugi," a calm, familiar voice assured him.

A small, orange-red flame brightened before his eyes, then began to grow in size and brilliance. Yami's face became illuminated by the flames, giving his features an unearthly glow. Yugi stared into the dark, crimson eyes, mesmerized. A flicker of the flame snapped him out of his trance, and he smiled in relief. "Yami. Where are we?"

"Arawn."

Violet eyes widened. "Arawn? Your home world? How-how did we get here?"

"The Elders used their magicks to open a portal and retrieve us. So the hunt has begun." Yami narrowed his eyes. He rose, brushing some dirt off with his free hand. His other hand still held the fireball.

Yugi got up as well, again looking around. "Is it always so dark here?"

Yami nodded. "But I can help with that." Focusing his magick, he tossed the fireball high up into the air, shouting, "Elea i'dolen!" The fireball shattered itself into a million pieces above them, effectively lighting the area around them. Yami turned back to Yugi. "The flames will follow us around, giving some light."

Yugi could now see that there were indeed several trees near them, as well as stone boulders to one side, and high, immense mountain structures to the other. He glanced back at Yami, who was also looking around. "What do we do now?"

The Guardian shook his head. "I'm not sure really. If we're here, then it's more than likely Raven and the others are here as well. We should try to find them."

Yugi nodded his agreement. They started walking towards the mountains, Yami being very alert and cautious of his surroundings. He knew Yugi's "light" presence would attract the dark creatures of this realm like moths to a flame. But he didn't want to tell Yugi, because he knew it would scare him. Yugi kept close to Yami. He had an uneasy feeling about this place. Like something really bad was going to happen. And soon too.

Suddenly, Yami stopped dead in his tracks, narrowing his eyes as he looked around. Yugi, too busy looking around, had failed to notice Yami's sudden stop, and collided into him from behind with a loud, "Oof!" Yami turned in surprise, and after making sure that Yugi was okay, turned his attention forward again.

Yugi felt Yami's body tense up. "Yami, what's going on?" he asked in a low whisper.

"Another portal is opening up." Yami wasn't sure who, or what, was going to come out of it. He readied his magick.

From Yami's fire-light, Yugi could see a large, dark mass starting to form. Soon, it was fully open. Yugi held his breath, waiting for something to come out of it, or for it to come to them. But nothing happened, the portal just kinda *staying* there, wavering in its place. Yugi let out his breath as he shot Yami a confused look.

In a sudden moment, the portal shifted, causing Yugi to jump and grab onto Yami's arm. Yami took a defensive stance, raising his other arm. The portal shifted and swayed some more, until finally two figures came tumbling out of it, landing in a heap on the ground. The portal promptly disappeared.

Yugi immediately recognized the long silver coat as Seto Kaiba's. He had his arm protectively wrapped around the other person's waist. Purple eyes widened as he recognized the girl's long, dark, red-streaked hair. Raven?!

Raven groaned as she opened her eyes. Damn portals. Always with the rough landings. She scowled when she noticed the position that she was in- she and Kaiba were both lying on their sides, Kaiba's arm around her waist. Lying *very* close to each other. "Get off of me," she grunted as she shoved the human's arm off of her, then stood up. She brushed dirt and stuff off from her clothes.

Kaiba's eyes snapped open at the sudden movement. Shaking his head, he slowly raised himself to his feet. He cast a glance around the unfamiliar surroundings. "What the hell happened? How did we get here? And where are we?!" He stopped his parade of questions, noticing the two tri-colored haired boys staring at them. "What the hell are you doing here, Yugi? Somebody better tell me what's going on here!"

"We went through a portal. We're in a place called Arawn. Yami and Yugi were apparently sent here as well. Happy now?" Raven answered quickly with a roll of her eyes. She paused. "Oh, Yami, this is Seto Kaiba, the Fourth Illuminite. Kaiba, this is my cousin, Yami Naur." There, introductions made.

Yami regarded the tall boy closely. "*He's* the Fourth? Are you certain?" Something didn't seem right…

Raven noticed the suspicion in her cousin's voice. "Yes." And quietly, only to Yami, "I'll explain later."

Kaiba shook his head in frustration. "Fourth Illuminite? And that would be…?"

Raven let out a sigh as she quickly explained about the different realms, the Guardians, and their mission to find the Illuminites. There was a long silence as Kaiba absorbed all of this, until he burst out in an uncontrollable laughter. Both Raven and Yami rolled their eyes at his antics, waiting for him to finish. Yami brushed back the bangs from his face, his impatience starting to wear thin.

"You…really expect…me…to believe…all of that "magick" stuff?" Kaiba asked between fits of laughter. He took a few deep breaths to regain control of himself. He hadn't laughed like that in ages, and his chest and sides hurt from it. " `Magick' does not exist," he said in his normal voice. "And this," he gestured around them, "is all some elaborate set-up, including whatever took us here." He paused. "On second thought, this is rather *too* elaborate of a set-up. I must be dreaming then."

"Kaiba," Yugi said quietly, "all this *is* real. We are all in very real danger. This is no dream."

"Yes," Yami agreed. "And your foolishness will soon get you killed." He glared at the taller boy.

Dark blue crystals shimmering drew everyone's attention to Raven. She was standing, arms raised to the dark sky, eyes closed. "Rin i' mori, natul i' draug." As she said these words, the blue crystals sparkling loosely around her grew brighter, then closed in around her, enveloping her completely. A few seconds later, the crystals died down and faded away, revealing a wolf with reddish-black fur, her golden eyes glittering dangerously. With supernatural quickness, she sprang and leapt at Kaiba, knocking him flat onto his back, her front paws pressing into his chest. ~Let's see if you wake up after I rip out your throat, Kaiba!~ she snarled down at him, teeth bared. Why she had once felt "sorry" for this human, she had no idea. The feeling had long since past.

Kaiba stared up at the wolf, shock and fear evident in his face. His mind seemed to be having trouble processing what he had just seen. Raven was really…a wolf?! Well, he was right when he had told her that he thought she was "different" from everyone else. Kaiba could feel her anger radiating off from her, no doubt caused by his insolence. He really regretted laughing at her explanation of her world now. Smiling a bit shakily, he raised his arms in a "surrendering" gesture, something he rarely did. "Okay, calm down now. I-I believe you. All this *is* real, and not just some dream or illusion."

Raven did not move from her position, instead continuing to glare down at Kaiba. He seemed genuinely sincere…but humans could be so tricky. She felt a firm hand on her shoulder, and turned. Yami was knelt down beside them, and was looking at her with an odd expression on his face. "We have bigger things to worry about, Raven. Besides, I think you've made your point." He stood up.

Letting out what might have been a sigh, Raven slowly got off of Kaiba, who immediately got to his feet as soon as she did. He stared at her in wonder. He wasn't sure if it was from the realization that all this was truly real, from the discovery and shock of seeing Raven turn into a wolf, or from the fact that she (the wolf) had talked to him with her *mind*. It was all too much for him to handle right now.

Yugi came up to the group, glad that the tension had died down some. And that Yami had stopped Raven from killing Kaiba. "Should we try to find Bakura and the others now?"

Yami nodded. "Yes, we'll be much stronger if all four Guardians are together."

~Which is why we won't be finding them any time soon.~ Raven had been surveying their surroundings, and now looked back at the three boys. ~The Elders know of our power as a group. Which is why they have separated us. They also know that we need all four of us to open up the portal back to the mortal realm.~

"So we can't go home?" Yugi asked. Yami sensed his unease at this, and wrapped an arm around his shoulders.

The wolf shook her head. ~I'm afraid not. Now come. It's not safe to stay out in the open.~ She started to head off in the direction of the mountains. The others soon followed, Yami keeping his arm protectively around Yugi, Kaiba slowly bringing up the rear.

"Where are we going?" Yugi asked Yami, looking up at him.

"I'm not sure, really," Yami answered. "Raven?" he called up to her.

~To Eiru's house. It's near the base of those mountains.~

Yugi looked up at Yami, a question forming on his lips.

"Eiru is a friend of Raven's," Yami answered before Yugi could ask his question. "She's a very powerful Spellcaster."

"Are you *sure* you know where you're going?" Kaiba called from behind. "I mean, we're in the middle of *nowhere* here."

~I've spent much time hunting in and exploring Arawn, Kaiba. I know my way around.~ She sounded annoyed.

"Hmph," was all Kaiba replied.

The four continued their journey, all a bit uncertain in where they were going. Except, that is, the wolf. Confidently she wound her way around the shrubs, boulders, and large trees that blocked their path towards the mountains, until at last, they came upon a large, bright pink and blue house. It looked so out of place in this world of darkness. Raven shook her head. She seriously needed to talk to Eiru about redecorating. She let out a few short barks, as well as a mental message, ~Eiru? It's Raven. And I… need your help.~

The large, wooden door opened, and a young blonde girl stepped out. She wore a blue and pink outfit, complete with a short pink cape and spirally blue hat. In one hand, she carried a magickal wand with a golden spiral top. Her green eyes lit up when she spotted Raven. "Raven!" she exclaimed happily. She ran over and knelt down to give the wolf a hug and a peck on the cheek. "I wasn't expecting you back so soon."

The wolf nodded her head as Eiru released her. ~Well…yes. Our plans…changed.~ She looked over at Yami and Yugi.

Eiru jumped up and rushed over to hug Yami as well, who had to drop his arm from around Yugi's shoulders. They embraced tightly, and the sorceress gave Yami a peck on the cheek, who smiled in return. She then turned her eyes towards Yugi. "And who is this adorable little boy?" she asked sweetly.

"My name is Yugi," Yugi said shyly.

"I'm Eiru. Welcome to Arawn." She gave him a hug, her eyes widening as she pulled back. "Why…you're a …" she whispered.

~Yes.~ Raven walked up to them. ~And so is Kaiba over there.~ She nodded towards the tall, brown-haired boy. ~They are the reason why we need your help.~

Eiru nodded, understanding immediately. "Yes. It is not safe for them here. Please, come inside, all of you." She headed back into her house, the others following. Inside, hundreds of lit candles were everywhere, reminding Yugi of Yami and Raven's place. Eiru led them into a large room, its walls lined with shelves full of books and odd objects. In the center of the floor, a large circle made up of strange designs was drawn upon it. Eiru gestured for everyone to get into its center, and once everyone was seated within it, she muttered something and waved her wand around a wide circle. Dark magickal energy rose from the strange designs around them, continuing till they reached the ceiling, forming a protective shield around them. Eiru nodded in satisfaction.

"What's that for?" Yugi asked curiously, looking at the dark purplish waves around him.

"We are sitting on a place of great power, and this spell will conceal your presence to the other creatures of this world," Eiru explained.

~Thank you.~ Raven said. ~I knew I could count on you.~

Eiru smiled. "What are friends for? Now, why are you and Yami back in Arawn so soon? I thought the Elders had sent you on a mission?"

Raven sighed as she and Yami began to tell Eiru all that had happened…

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Yay, they are in Arawn. Now the fun can began! :)

Translations:

Elea i'dolen!: Reveal!

Rin i' mori, natul i' draug.: To remember the dark, become the wolf.

I think that's it.

Oh, if you couldn't guess from my descriptions, Eiru is the Dark Magician Girl. Yeah, I have no idea how she actually sounds or acts, so I kinda made her…bubbly. *shrugs*

Stupid homework takes so long. I'll update when I can…month maybe? Thanks for reading and PLEASE review! ;)