Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Seth's Magical Adventure! ❯ Dungeons and Dragons: Introducing Bahamut! ( Chapter 17 )

DISCLAIMER: I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh. Takahashi does, and he can't believe Seth and Bakura are the heroes now. I can't either. Seth is a terrible hero.

 

“Okay, we've got guards from both the northern and southern squadrons ready to be dispatched immediately, pharaoh. The western sector was asked to stay in the city for the safety of the people, and the eastern squadron still needs equipment before being deployed,” Malik said, as he walked with Atemu and Sith toward the antechamber, with Mana and Sceppiro further behind, “We have all forms of weapons from both our side and from Esper sympathizers living along the Egyptian border. The question is, do we hold fire?” Atemu blinked. That sort of movement was going much quicker than he ever expected. They already had a solid defense, but they still lacked one thing; a report. He nodded as Sith went ahead to clear the room for his arrival.

 

“Yes. We do not attack without Seth's report,” Atemu told him sternly, as they walked into the large chamber. Most of his priests, save for Seth and Akunadin, were waiting for him, and Sith was once more by his throne, her sword in hand. He smiled as he strode up the path to his throne and sat down, glancing at Sith.

 

“His delay worries me,” she said sternly, frowning, “Atemu, should I go and see if they're all right?” Atemu narrowed his eyes, considering that. Yes, he was also worried, but if he sent her, she could be killed. He shook his head. The risk was too great; if he lost her, they pretty much lost the battle. Even if they won, without her, Nesce would fall. Even Sceppiro would admit to that.

 

“No, Sith. You stay here,” he told her, “I can't risk sending you out. Without you, we have a slim chance to survive Rath's attacks. In fact…” Atemu stopped, and both he and Sith looked over as a guard came scrambling up to them, stumbling on the small stair. Sith narrowed her eyes as he looked up, his skin pale and sweaty in what was clearly terror. Many guards waited by the doorway, and curiously, Atemu looked at them all, “Yes?”

 

“G-great pharaoh! L-lady Sith, we have a huge problem!” he stammered, “Nesce is floating away! And it's… it's shooting out a terrifying ray! It's decimating another continent!” Everyone's eyes widened, and Atemu stood straight up as Sith dropped her sword. Sceppiro's glasses fell off dramatically, and Cyd cursed.

 

“Damn it, she's messing with our magic!” he yelled angrily, “She's gonna blow the entire kingdom apart!”

 

“How did she amass so much power so quickly!?” Sceppiro asked, terrified, “No Esper could ever do this to our kingdom! It's… it's impossible!”

 

“Are we truly doomed to destruction now!?” Sith demanded, kneeling to pick up her sword, “This is terrible news. Unless she found a way to warp and fabricate space, she should never have been able to do this!” Everyone glanced at each other, each one wondering what this truly meant and if an attack would be coming shortly. Atemu had no feeling that one would, but he did know that danger was definitely close by, even if they weren't the targets for it. He sighed, looking around at all of the priests, guards, and servants who were now completely engrossed into the terror of the situation.

 

“Everyone, calm yourselves!” he commanded, and silence fell as they all looked at him. Even Sith glanced at him with concern as he continued, “We can't let this falter us! We need to continue defending the palace until Seth and Bakura returns. Please, just calm down.” Silence continued onward, no one wishing to speak or go against him as the wind outside rushed quickly and quietly, kicking sand around the palace walls. Finally, Sith spoke.

 

“What do we do about this, sir?” she asked him calmly. He looked back, and then looked away, having no way to answer her. It was a difficult situation, since anything could mess their defense up, but he knew something had to be done. But whatever it was just wasn't coming to him. He sighed.

 

“I… I don't know, Sith…”

 

-----------------------------

 

“I think I speak for everyone in the world when I say that I hate cliffs!” Seth exclaimed as he and Bakura were currently in the process of scaling the large cliff they found just moments before. It was a slow, painful process, especially since Seth had never climbed up a cliff before. Bakura was going quickly, but only because he had the grappling hook; Seth had nothing but the rope Bakura left behind. Bakura looked down at him and mumbled.

 

“Would you stop whining and get up here? Time's being wasted!” he called down, making Seth's already sour mood worse. He was still angry that Bakura compared them both to each other, but to see the thief taking charge made him want to yell until his lungs burst. He looked up, scowling as the sun shone resiliently on them.

 

“Excuse me for hating cliffs!” Seth snapped back, eye twitching, “It must be so easy to be you! Why, you just love everything, don't you!? Nope, nothing ever gets on your nerves!”

 

“At least I don't bitch about it until I kill everyone around me with boredom!” Bakura retorted furiously, “You think I like being stuck here, trying to save both our asses from oblivion!? I'm the one who was locked up and beaten for two days, you asshole. I'm the one who suffered from massive whippings and starvation for most of my life! You think I love anything in this damned world!? I'm just trying to get home so I have something to look forward to!” Seth stopped, and frowned. That was… true enough. He didn't want to admit it, but Bakura was right. He did suffer a lot of damage just from being with Rath; he suffered even more so long before then. It made Seth feel guilty for once concerning the thief. He sighed.

 

“…you don't love anything?” Seth finally asked, “To hell you don't, Bakura. You wouldn't be so mad at me if you didn't have something worth caring about.” Bakura stopped this time, and turned around, looking at the priest critically. Both simply stared at each other for a moment before Bakura spoke again.

 

“There is someone I do care about,” he finally replied, “But I do not love her. It would scare her away. But what does it matter? She will die if we don't move, so shut up and just keep going.” Seth looked down, knowing he shouldn't have asked that. Bakura had made it clear he cared about someone beforehand; that wouldn't have changed no matter what he actually said. Seth sighed again as Bakura shrugged and continued onwards. He didn't know what could be done, but he couldn't let the situation get too grim. It was his job as a priest, which he knew he already screwed up royally.

 

“Maybe it should matter,” Seth said, running to keep up after the thief, “Even if we're all doomed, don't you want to go out knowing you loved someone?”

 

“…and what will that prove, priest?” Bakura asked, glancing back, “Look, I appreciate you trying to correct your mistake, but you're making me feel worse about this journey, not better. Knight Sith is in a lot of danger because of you; right now, I could kill you for what you tried to pull, but I'm not going to. She begged you to help her, and why she did is something I'll never understand, but she did and I have to accept that.” Seth perked an eyebrow. That was quite an assumption Bakura gave him, and it was wrong. He intended to shatter that right then.

 

“First of all, I volunteered to help you,” Seth told him, “I did it for the pharaoh, not for his knight. You weren't there; she's not nearly as helpless as you think. She doesn't need any patronage from you.” Bakura stopped again, and this time glared furiously at Seth. Though not similar to Sith, Seth felt a ripple of magic rush through him, and felt hatred from the thief slipping out.

 

“She needed someone when she was attacked, and the only person who was strong enough, or even willing to help her, was me,” Bakura reminded him angrily, his eyes narrowing, “You would do nothing for her. I did all I could, and she was a muddled wreck when I was forced to leave her. Do you have… any idea how terrified that made me? How terrified it made her? Do you even care?” For a moment, Seth and Bakura continued to glare at each other, the latter awaiting any form of response from the former. But, when he got none, he said, “I didn't think you would.” Then, he turned again and stormed forward, not caring if he left Seth behind or not. Seth blinked, unable to believe that Bakura, of everyone, was talking to him about caring for people. It made him all the more angry.

 

“It was her own fault for leaving us!” Seth yelled, “She knew the danger! She…” Bakura growled and jumped back, landing with a mighty thud next to the priest, his glare returning.

 

“You don't get it, do you?” Bakura asked him, “No matter how self-righteous or self-proclaimed you are, you are no priest. A priest would've done everything he could to ensure his partner's safety. You're simply willing to let Sith die, and all the more power to her since it's her choice. You're the worst priest I've ever met, and the only reason I haven't slit your damn throat yet is because of her. I have half a mind to leave you here.”

 

“I'm the worst, am I?” Seth retorted, his own fury finally seeping, “At least I wouldn't make her so uncomfortable that she has to run away from me. You're no priest, either, Bakura, so don't ever tell me what I'm doing wrong. You'd have dragged Sith out of Egypt in a heartbeat if you were the one sent to find her. You'd have taken her somewhere no one found her, all for that `love' you mention so often.” Bakura's eyes widened, and the sand beneath him began to shift color. If he was angry before, he would probably slaughter something now. His breathing became rapid; he wanted to throttle Seth for what he said. He felt his mind snapping, all of the pain and rage from the past week filling him further with hatred.

 

“I would… never have… DONE ANY OF THAT TO HER!” Bakura roared, sending sprays of sand everywhere as his voice grew in pitch, “Never! NEVER! I would have brought her back! I would have convinced her not to go alone! I would have done EVERYTHING I COULD TO KEEP HER SAFE!” Seth finally realized he made the biggest mistake in his life by his accusation as he backed away. Bakura's sudden display was much more terrifying than anything Sith would have done for the same accusation. Advancing toward Seth, Bakura growled menacingly, screaming, “I WOULD NEVER HARM HER!”

 

“Bakura, calm down, I didn't…” Seth started, but Bakura laughed hysterically.

 

“Calm down!? Calm DOWN!?” Bakura screamed, eyes glowing in madness, “I will never calm down! You dare accuse me of wrongdoing!? You… you…” Bakura knelt down, trying to catch his breath, “…you…” Seth looked at him, and then looked up as a figure approached them, a wizened old man in a red cloak, his white beard falling to the ground as he walked forward, the sound of bell chimes playing as he did so. He looked down at Bakura, patting him on the shoulder.

 

“Easy, boy, you don't want to let your power unfold too quickly now,” he said calmly, and then turned to Seth, “I advise you to stop whatever slander you have for Bakura or Lady Sith this instant.” Bakura continued to breathe heavily, trying to keep his emotions from overflowing, his eyes widened in now what appeared to be exhaustion. Seth, however, kept his eyes on the old man.

 

“Who are you?” he demanded. The old man snorted, patting Bakura again.

 

“Who am I? I am the creator of all magic,” the man told him, “Some call me Bahamut, the God of Espers, but others call me Rougnes, the Mage of Omega. Whichever identity you choose matters not, for I've come to aid one of the newest guardians we have.” Seth's eye twitched, wondering just what was actually going on. Bahamut, the god of Espers was standing right before him, something he never thought would happen. Sith mentioned him, but only briefly. Now, he knew he was screwed.

 

“Bakura?” Seth asked, and when Bahamut nodded, he laughed, “Dear Ra, you have to be kidding me! He's a thief!”

 

“He is also able to handle our magic coursing through his veins,” Bahamut replied, his golden eyes moving from Bakura to Seth, “I'm quite sure you realize how he has our magic?” Seth shook his head, having no idea what this old man was even saying. How did Bakura get magic, and more importantly, how did it come from the Espers? Bakura was no Esper. Sighing, Bahamut said, “Come with me.” He bent down and picked Bakura up, slinging the exhausted man over his shoulder with much less effort than a man clearly Bahamut's age should have had. He walked forward, and Seth simply stared.

 

“Are you really… an Esper?” he asked. The man looked back and nodded.

 

“Yes. Just as Lady Sith and Lord Sceppiro are,” he replied, “Now, come. We have much to discuss before time runs out.” Seth hummed, but followed Bahamut anyway. Whatever was happening, it could be a turn for the better. At the very least, they had a magician on their side if Rath returned. They walked through the grasslands, Bakura falling unconscious as Bahamut carried him, and for moments, continued onward until they came to a small hut in the middle of the field. Grunting, Bahamut walked up the steps and opened the door, permitting Seth inside.

 

“So… you live here?” Seth asked, looking around the small house. It was a single room, with nothing but a table and three chairs. Bahamut nodded, laying Bakura on a mat near the wall and then sitting in one of the chairs.

 

“Sit, my boy,” he said, and when Seth did so, he continued, “…I'm sure you realize you are at war with magic, correct?” Seth perked an eyebrow. That much was painfully obvious. Anyone who had heard from Egypt knew magic was destroying them.

 

“You're stating the obvious, old man,” Seth informed him bitterly, frowning. Bahamut chuckled as he took out a mug and sipped from it.

 

“Indeed, but there is more to this war than you realize,” Bahamut stated, “Rath is not the cause of this war. She is simply a catalyst for what is to come.”

 

“For what… what's coming?” Seth asked, suddenly not nearly as bitter as he was before, “Is something going to wipe us out?”

 

“Easy, boy. Go at my pace,” Bahamut said calmly, putting the mug down, “This is a dangerous game we've all wandered into, and I've been forced to step in before this war kills you all. Now, you know very well that Lady Sith and Lord Sceppiro are the targets, correct?” Seth sighed. Why was a god asking him all of this? Stuffing the question away, he nodded.

 

“Yes. But why?” Seth asked, “If it's not Rath, what's going on? Why is she attacking? Is she working for someone?”

 

“Not someone, but something,” Bahamut replied, “Long ago, when she was sealed up, she found a portal to a place that no mortal, human or non, should go. Out of boredom and vengeance, she explored this terrible place, which exploited the hatred she held for her uncle, Claude, for sealing her away. Eventually, this hatred possessed her, turning her into a Dark Esper, and granting her too much power for this world to bear. Using my magic, I sent… many powerful warriors to stop her, and manipulated space to bring the only two capable of putting an end to her madness into your world.” Seth frowned. That barely made any sense to him; how did it connect to anything relative to what was going on?

 

“…are you saying that you warped our world?” he asked, “How?”

 

“I brought a tiny piece of the Esper world to this world, hoping that the Winchester line would be able to stop Rath in neutral ground. Did you not know? Nesce was never part of this world until nearly 1,000 years ago, right around the time Lady Sith was born,” Bahamut replied, and this time, Seth gasped in shock, “Yes, she is older than you would think. As is her brother. But that is not my point, young man. Right now, this world is going to crumble if we do not stop Rath.” Seth growled. He knew that already, though he didn't actually understand the damage being caused.

 

“Then why are we wasting time?” Seth demanded, “We have to tell the pharaoh!”

 

“There is little he could do to stop it,” Bahamut replied calmly, “Even as the pharaoh, he is not strong enough. No, the key is to win with Espers. Unfortunately, our power is slipping because of the capture of Aeroglyph, making this much too difficult for many of the lesser ranked forces we still have.”

 

“So then what do we do!?” Seth asked, becoming exasperated with Bahamut's explanation, which wasn't actually explaining anything Seth wanted to know, “If Espers are the answers, shouldn't we be working to get Nesce back!?” Bahamut chuckled, which came out as more of a wheeze.

 

“We need to place the king and queen of the Espers properly on their thrones,” Bahamut said simply, “That will allow them to transform into their deadliest forms. Only the purest and strongest of us can become that which mortals fear most. The most powerful creatures in existence, both in magic and mundane; they are the keys to this war.”

 

“What are these creatures!?” Seth asked him, “Are they panthers? We've seen Sith become one already.” Bahamut chuckled again, shaking his head.

 

“No. That form is powerful, but can only be reached with anger,” Bahamut replied, “This form… can only be reached when all else has failed. An Esper's true form is a dragon. Most of us are dragons, either naturally or in way of transformation. Others are more animal-like, but the strongest are nearly always dragons. I myself am a dragon; I've taken a human form as I watch this world.” Seth blinked, staring at the old man in disbelief. It was a hard concept to grasp; after all, this man looked ready to collapse in a moment's notice. How could he be a dragon, and if he was, why did he choose such an old form? When asked, Bahamut merely laughed and said, “My boy, you've not the knowledge to understand my age.”

 

“…all right, so the Espers are the key to this terrible war,” Seth finally said, agreeing with what Bahamut was saying, “But what does that have to do with Bakura? Why is he a `guardian' and of what? How did he even get magic? He is a simple thief.” Bahamut stared for a moment at Seth, and then turned to Bakura, who was fast asleep on the mat. His smile was small, but serene as he snored onwards.

 

“Do you not find it so odd that despite wherever Lady Sith may be, Bakura is there to help her?” Bahamut asked him, smiling gently as he looked at the thief, “Do you not find it odd, that despite everyone else's disapproval, he continues to look after her specifically? That his feelings do not change? A normal human would forget her.”

 

“A normal human would obsess over her and wonder why she doesn't care for them,” Seth corrected sternly, “Old man, you don't know what we're like. We don't `un-care' for people simply because they don't care for us. And Bakura? He's a special case. He wouldn't leave even if Sith stabbed him in the heart.” Bahamut issued a low growl, and shook his head. His golden eyes gleamed for just a moment as he stared critically at the young priest.

 

“You do not see my point, child,” he stated firmly, frowning, “My point is that he is her guardian while she is in this world. All Espers are appointed one when they come to a new world. Sceppiro has one, as does Cydandilus. The only two who do not are myself and Tiamat, for we do not need them.”

 

“Why him!?” Seth blurted out, as Bakura stirred, wrinkling his nose, “Why did you choose him and what happens if he died?” Bahamut blinked, and sighed. This was taking more time than he would have liked, but if he planned on stopping this before something far worse came, he had no choice but to answer.

 

“Because he is one of the few who accepts Esper magic freely, and is able to use it with as much force as Lady Sith herself,” Bahamut said, narrowing his eyes, “I chose him because I knew he would work well with her. As to his death… if he dies, she will have to find another guardian. Either through his family or through any soul resembling his own. Without one, an Esper is in a lot of danger. Not through physical damage, but through social and customary ways. In a way, a guardian is much like a tutor in the ways of the world.” Seth bit his lip, realizing that the ways Espers worked was much more complex than he ever imagined. He wondered if Sith had any idea of this. Unfortunately, as he spoke, Bakura chose that time to ask a question as well.

 

“Then what of the pharaoh?” Seth asked, right as Bakura stated, “I do not have family, nor will I have children. What then?” Bahamut looked at them both, and snorted softly.

 

“The pharaoh was entirely from Claude Winchester. He wanted his daughter to live the life she was meant to have. She is, after all, royalty. And, with the only kingdom close to Nesce being Egypt itself, he felt it was only right,” Bahamut replied, chuckling, “You would be surprised; Sith does not view Atemu as a partner yet. He is just a friend.” Seth inwardly laughed, knowing if Atemu heard this, he might very well feel dejected by it. Bakura himself simply grinned as a new opportunity opened up. And, because of his habit, he couldn't control himself.

 

“So I have a chance!?” he asked hopefully, and Seth sighed, grabbing the Millennium Rod and hitting Bakura over the head with it.

 

“Thief, shut up before I kill you!” he scolded, “You're talking to the god of the Espers right here.” Bakura growled, glowering as he looked up at Seth.

 

“I don't see you groveling before him, Priest Pretty Pants,” Bakura snorted, smirking. Seth's eye twitched angrily, and he gripped his item a bit tighter. He wanted to keep his anger in check, but it was just no use. He was stuck with Bakura.

 

“I'm a high priest! I don't need to grovel!” Seth yelled back, “You're just an immature, vile thief who has no concept of humility!” Bakura raised a highly amused brow as he stared at Seth. Then, he laughed. He laughed so hard, he nearly cried.

 

“Me? Humility!? You are going to scold me about humility!? You, who were willing to let Sith die so you didn't have to do your job?” Bakura asked, his grin wide with psychotic amusement, “You must be kidding me!” Seth issued a low growl, angered again that anyone would actually bring that up. He was about to scream again, but this time, Bahamut finally stood up, and silence fell as both humans looked at the old man.

 

“As much as you boys amuse me with your constant bickering, I implore you both to silence yourselves,” he said calmly, “Master Bakura, are you quite well to stand now?” Bakura blinked, unable to understand why he was addressed as such. He was no master, something that anyone could have plainly seen. But, he stood up anyway, and found that he was definitely strong enough; his nap did wonders to speed his healing up.

 

“I'm fine,” he replied, looking around, “Worried as hell, but fine. Now, what's this about me guarding Knight Sith? Was it always like that?” Bahamut hummed a bit, and opened the door to the outside as a fresh breeze began to blow.

 

“Not at first, but when we realized how dangerous this situation was becoming, we appointed the task to you,” Bahamut replied, smirking gently, “Now, come. I've explained all I can with the time I was given. We must make haste and return to Egypt.” He walked out the door, and for a moment, both Seth and Bakura stared at each other in disbelief. Bahamut was going to help them! Bahamut, god of the Espers, was going to help them, a lowly priest and an even lowlier thief. It was… unbelievable!

 

“Do you think we could trust him?” Bakura finally asked, “What if he's working for Rath?”

 

“I doubt he is,” Seth said calmly, putting his item away, “I don't think he'd be screwing us over with so much trouble brewing around.”

 

“But aren't you even worried?” Bakura asked, frowning slightly. Seth, who began forward, stopped and looked down. Yes, he was worried, but only because he knew firsthand how destructive magic was. They were running out of time. He looked back at Bakura.

 

“Yes, but we can trust him,” Seth said sternly, “I don't think Bahamut would lie to us.” Bakura nodded grimly, finally agreeing. He opened his mouth to speak again, but Bahamut's voice cut through again. And, it sounded much sharper than a man his age should.

 

“Come along now, my children, or I'll leave without you both!” he called sternly. Both Seth and Bakura rushed out of the house, catching up to the old man rather quickly as he walked down the dirt path from his house into a field of wildflowers. The scent was thick, but very enticing to them both. Bakura found himself sneezing within seconds as Bahamut said, “So, now, you both realize the severity of this war, correct?”

 

“No,” Seth said, “All you explained is why Bakura is a guardian and what happened in the past. You still haven't told us what we're fighting.” Bahamut chuckled, leading them through a patch of long grass.

 

“That is the thing, my boy,” he replied calmly, “We are fighting nothing, literally. Oblivion, and all its magic, cannot be explained or deciphered. It possesses objects and people with its evil, infusing them and transforming them into monsters. Only with the five most powerful of Espers were we able to seal away Oblivion, but Rath has opened it up again, resulting in monsters of all forms appearing where none shall exist.” Bakura frowned again as they continued on.

 

“How the hell did she do that!?” he asked, “And how will you seal it up?”

 

“She did it out of boredom and with lack of knowledge on the forbidden spell, X-Zone,” Bahamut replied, “As to stopping it… I do not have an answer. I would hope that Lady Sith would know that spell. Three of the original five Espers are sealed as statues, watching over all worlds like guardians. Only Tiamat and I remain. We… need three strong Espers in order to even attempt this ritual.” Bakura looked down, not liking where this could lead. Sith knew X-Zone. He had the feeling she knew it. And, he didn't want her having to use it. He knew very well she could be sealed up in a statue, if what Bahamut just said about three of the five were true. His eyes narrowed.

 

“I won't let you involve Sith in this,” he said sternly. Bahamut looked at him, and for a moment, they stared. Then, he smiled.

 

“I expected no less from her guardian,” he replied gently, continuing to lead them off, “Unfortunately, she's already been involved simply because she's related to Rath. We may very well need her.” Bakura looked down, sighing. He couldn't actually stop Bahamut, but he didn't want to think that Sith would have to leave their world if everything being said was true. And he knew Atemu wouldn't be able to handle that either.

 

“Just promise me she won't die,” Bakura growled, as they passed a bed of heather, which was completely foreign to him. Bahamut looked back at him again, and then looked ahead, grunting.

 

“That, my friend, will be up to her,” he replied, and finally stopped when they came to a clearing of clawed grass. Scorch marks formed a perfect circle, and in the center of that circle was a giant, polished stone, its black surface glittering in the sunlight. Bahamut slowly walked up to it, touching it as it began to glow.

 

“So… why are we stopping?” Seth asked, looking around the field. There was nothing there but flowers of all kinds, in all colors, surrounding them like watchful guardians themselves. All felt silent, save for the crashing of the waves below the cliffs. Bahamut didn't answer at first; he merely closed his eyes as he touched the stone.

 

“…Bahamut?” Bakura called, after getting no response from the man, “Did you hear us, sir?”

 

“I heard you!” Bahamut snapped, opening one golden eye, “Shush! I am trying to concentrate! Transforming back into a dragon takes a lot of energy, and even you have no authority to disrupt me, Guardian Bakura.” Bakura blinked, and stared as Bahamut continued to close his eyes, remaining totally silent. Then, he looked over at Seth.

 

“…wait, did he say he's turning into a dragon!?” Bakura repeated, eyes widening. Seth snorted, and laughed, nodding.

 

“Yes, he did,” Seth confirmed, crossing his arms, “Apparently, only really strong Espers are dragons in human form. And he's pretty sure Sith is one of them.” Bakura's eyes widened further at that thought. A dragon! That would definitely explain Sith's abilities in magic… and in jumping in the air. But he'd never seen her transform into a dragon, nor did she ever speak about it.

 

“But… if she's a dragon, how'd she…” Bakura was stopped when Bahamut growled again.

 

“I never said she was a dragon, boys,” he said gruffly, his beard wrinkling, “I said she could turn into one, but only when everything else she can do fails. Now, enough speaking. I must concentrate just a bit more!” Seth hummed, but neither he nor Bakura spoke again. They waited for moments on end, and finally, something happened that they could never explain. The sky darkened for only a moment, and sent thunderclaps on the land, dancing and twirling as they hit. But they didn't appear to hurt the flowers beyond, even as they smelled of smoke upon impact. Bahamut opened his eyes just as he himself was struck with a bolt, and though Seth screamed, his voice was muffled out by voices of over a thousand Espers above, so high in the sky that no one could ever see them. A mighty roar sounded, and wind blew, wind so powerful that it would've destroyed the palace if it blew there. Bakura found himself bracing for a buffet of gale, but none came, and slowly, so slowly, the wind died. Bakura looked up to where the old man stood, but he was no more. Instead, a huge, black dragon stood, its wings glowing with all colors, and its halo spinning atop its head. It looked down.

 

“B…Bahamut!?” Bakura asked, shaking with terror as he stared at the dragon.

 

“Do not fear me, Bakura,” the dragon replied, “I am the same old man you saw before. I am simply in the form I was born with.” Bakura's eye twitched as he looked on at the dragon, unable to believe he had actually seen an Esper transform. But, there it was, right in front of him. The dragon stared at them, and then huffed, lowering its head as it said, “Climb quickly. We have little time to help them.” Bakura and Seth simply blinked, and then, quickly, Bakura scrambled to get onto Bahamut's neck. When Seth didn't follow, Bakura turned.

 

“Priest, come on. We need to hurry before Egypt gets slaughtered,” he said simply. Seth sighed, and reluctantly walked over, climbing up onto Bahamut's neck. Bahamut himself rose up, and the two humans slid onto his back. Then, he jumped, his wings flapping majestically as the wind kicked up dirt and flowers, spraying them everywhere. He was in the sky within mere seconds, and ascending quickly as Bakura and Seth looked down. The land fell under them, but it was vast grasslands. No desert was in sight as they flew. Seth bit his lip as he looked on, and only one thought was swimming with him, despite all he had learned.

 

“How far away from Egypt are we?”

 

-----------------------------(End Chapter)

 

And so, after spelunking up a cliff that is obviously NOT in Egypt, Seth and Bakura face not Rath, but Bahamut himself as they reach the top. After some very confusing exposition, where Bahamut is sure Sith and Sceppiro are the keys to stopping the attack, they now leave for what they hope is Egypt. But, can they get there before Rath attacks the palace? What help will Bahamut be for our heroes? And, will Sith and Sceppiro actually turn into dragons? Find out next chapter, so click that Review button!