Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ The Shadow of the Past; The Light of the Future ❯ Death Promise ( Chapter 16 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

Second one of the night! So cut me some slack! Oh, and I would like to thank the creator of YGO and the creators of DDR, because some of the music was found there, and Spiral's opening song, which is also an opening song here! Well that's all I have to say, lets get roll'n!

“Talking”

`Thinking'

~Place/Time~

-??? POV-

`la la la' - song(s)

^Flashback^

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Everyone is searching for a new world

To achieve that overflowing dream

Jumping over the horizon

Not knowing what's beyond there

We've been running

Jumping into hope, only to forget courage

Being swept away by the crowd

We lost something important

Yes! Yes!

I slaugh with a frown

That was the best smile I could make now

The mask overflowed with tears

And over the soggy mask

I once again hide myself with a new mask

I continue to walk along the flat battle field

Unable to wrap and struggling, yeah!

At a far cape, the dream

Waits patiently

Even with a clumsy search

I can probably arrive there

Yes! Yes!

I always turn my gaze away

The unseen heart invited

Me to run away

But at night I look up to the stars

Looking through binoculars

Searching for my place

I continue along the balanced battle field

Grabbing onto an unwithering flower, yeah!

The far cape, I'm

Beginning to her near even if I lose my way

The waves will probably tell me

Searching for a new world, hesitation and

Confusion, I probably knew it

If I don't stand and step out

There's something I can't obtain

Everyone is searching for a new world

To achieve that overflowing dream

Jumping over the horizon

Aiming for the cape of hope.

Yes! Yes!

Ch. 16: Death Promise

A couple hours after the mock duel, everyone, except Heba and Mana, assembled into the throne room, where Mahado bowed before the Pharaoh. “Great Pharaoh…” He said. “As captain of the royal tomb guard, I, Mahado, will take command of the soldiers stationed at Pharaoh Akhenamkhanen's tomb!”

“The thief Bakura could reappear at any moment.” The Pharaoh said. “Use as many guards as you need. Protect the tomb! I expect your best, Mahado!” Then Siamun cut in.

“We had set the most ingenious of traps… But Bakura sneaked past them easily, and robbed us of everything he could carry. If we only repair the traps, the tragedy will be repeated…”

“Do not worry.” Mahado said. “There is a new trap sure to catch any thief.” Then Seth cut in.

“Mahado… You won't get a second chance to clear your name. The next time the Pharaoh's tomb is robbed, you will be stripped of the priesthood!”

“Priest Seth…” Siamun said. “That is for the Pharaoh to decide!”

Then the young king spoke. “Mahado! Don't be blinded by your guilt. Think only of fulfilling your duties!”

“My lord!” Mahado said as he bowed a little more.

`Please, Mahado!' The Pharaoh thought. `Protect my father's tomb!'

Unknown to everyone, Heba overheard everything and she looked troubled by it.

~Outside: short time after~

“As soon as the reinforcements are ready, have them assemble in front of the palace!” Mahado called as he walked down towards the mentioned area when he noticed a pot. “You men go on ahead!” He said as he stood just a few feet from the pot and crossed his arms over his chest. “Come out Mana!” The pot remained still. “You can't hide from me!”

Then Mana came out and giggled. “You always find me Master.” She said as Mahado tapped his finger.

“How many times do I have to tell you, Mana?!” Mahado said. “The palace isn't your playground!”

“I'm not playing, Master!” Mana countered. “You're going to serve in the Valley of the Kings today, aren't you? I just came to see you off.”

“What about your magic practice?”

“I'll do it later!”

Mahado sighed as he closed one eye. “You'll never become a full-fledged sorcerer like that…”

“She can miss one day can't she?” Siamun said.

“Lord Siamun!” Mahado said as he turned.

“When the Pharaoh was little, his father would get mad at him for hiding in those pots.”

“But sir…” Mahado said as Mana giggled.

“Mahado…” Siamun said. “I just have one thing to say… Your duty is to inspect and reinforce the guard at the Valley of the Kings! If you strengthen the guard at the royal tombs, Bakura won't be able to slip in as easily. That is your duty… and nothing more.”

Mahado stayed silent which made the elder realize something. “Mahado… I know what you're thinking. But your spirit doesn't have the power to defeat Bakura! We need the combined power of the Pharaoh and the priests to defeat him next time!”

Mahado looked serious yet solemn. “Lord Siamun, you said the demons in a person's soul grow stronger with hatred… like Bakura's.”

“Not just hatred…” Siamun said. “The ka grows with strength from the heart.”

`Strength from the heart…' Mahado thought then said. “Then in place of hatred, I have my devotion to the Pharaoh! My faith in him cannot fail! This all happened because of my failure. The Pharaoh forgave me… he swallowed his sadness at the insult done to his father, and let me live.”

Siamun looked solemn and stayed silent.

“Lord Siamun I will stake my life to carry out my duty! Well then… I must go.” He walked away after saying that.

`Master…' Mana thought as she turned to look at Siamun. “How could you say that, Lord Siamun?!” She yelled. “Telling my Master his spirit is too weak!” Siamun was a bit taken back by this. “My Master's magic is incredible!”

Unaware of the two, Heba happened to walk up and overheard their conversation.

“I know that…” Siamun said. “After all, he was summoned to become o priest because of his magical skills.”

“But Master hasn't used his other magic ever since that day. He sealed it away inside him, and now he just uses the same summoning magic as the other priests.”

“That day?”

“That day five years ago… when he became a priest and put on the Millennium Ring.”

Siamun looked as though he remembered something very important.

Heba quickly and quietly ran to where Mahado and the guards were and went up to him. “Mahado-sensei!” She called as she slowed to a walk.

“Heba?” Mahado said with a confused look on his face. “What are you doing here?”

As she caught her breath, she took off her lotus necklace and handed it to him.

“Why are you giving me your necklace?”

“It's a promise!”

“A what?”

She stopped him and placed the necklace in his hand. “Promise me and Mana that you'll come back.”

He stayed silent, a look of confusion was on his face still.

“That necklace is the only thing I have that rightfully belongs to me. I'm letting you have it so you have a reason to come back here!” A tear fell down from her eye. “It's like Atem said… `Don't be blinded by your guilt'.”

Mahado place a comforting hand on her shoulder, making her look up, and smiled softly. “I'll give you the necklace back soon.” He said as he walked away to join his men once again.

Heba, however, looked on as if she knew what would really come and tears fell from that realization.

~Valley of the Kings: Dusk~

The desert valley as barely a lit in the evening sky by torches as the men gathered around. “Listen all of you!” Said a guard. “Priest Mahado himself will guard the tomb of Akhenamkhanem until dawn! Let no living creature near this holy place!”

Mahado looked over at some rocks and his ring started to sense strong energies. `Where are you, Bakura?' He thought. While not far from where he stood, Bakura was sitting down behind a rock eating a garlic.

“Well, well…” He said. “A stray priest.” He sounded amused as he watched him enter the tomb. “Looks like he's going to inspect the tomb…” He then thought. `Five guards by the entrance, this'll be easy.' He went down quickly and knocked the guards down before walking down the entrance, where he saw the priest standing at one end of the bridge.

“I've been waiting for you… Bakura!!” Mahado called.

Bakura sneered then heard something coming from the entrance.

~Outside~

“All right! We did it!” Said a guard.

“Now the thief can't get out!” Said another guard as they placed tons of stone on the entrance.

“Raise the stone slab!” Commanded one guard and a group started to raise a stone slab upward. “If… before the third sunrise, Lord Mahado's soul appears on this stone tablet, then this tomb shall remain sealed forever!”

“If his soul appears on the tablet… it means that Lord Mahado has perished fighting the thief!”

~Back in the tomb~

“Well… Just as I thought…” Bakura said. “Akhenamkhanem's body isn't in this tomb at all, is it? Am I wrong? Not that I need his old bones.”

“By my order, the former pharaoh's body was reburied elsewhere…” Mahado said then shouted. “This tomb is yours, Bakura!”

Bakura laughed. “Don't boast yet fool! Do you really think I fell for your trap? I didn't come in here to grind up the pharaoh's mummy… I came in here for the Millennium Item hanging around your neck!”

“It's no use… Even if you steal the Millennium Ring, you cannot leave this place. This is our grave.”

Bakura laughed again. “Who do you think I am?! I'm Bakura, the King of Thieves!” He boasted. “And I showed you how weak you are the last time we fought back in the palace… this time you're done fore.”

“Do you honestly think you can defeat me?”

“What?!”

“In here, I can unleash my full power without worrying about innocent bystanders…” Some magical energy appeared on his arm to prove his point. “The Millennium Ring hides a dark power, it must have absorbed the evil of the last priest who wore it. For now, my magic keeps the evil at bay.” The ring began to glow. “But anyone not blessed with such powerful heka, would set their soul on fire the instant they put on this deadly ring… Bakura… The Millennium Ring is too much for you!”

“Is that so?!! Come out, Diabound!” The said monster was summoned.

`What?!' Mahado thought. `The form of his spirit beast has changed!'

“Each time my hatred grows…” Bakura explained. “Diabound evolves!!” Diabound did look different. For one thing, it was a bit uglier with veins popping and black marks all over its body.

“Then I'll release my magic heka as well…” Mahado said as the wind picked up a little and surrounded him. “Come my spirit!” Bakura looked surprised. “Magus of Illusion!!” His monster appeared, only it wasn't small and child-like. Instead it looked like an adult.

“Well… Looks like your spirit's grown a little… and gotten a lot more powerful, eh?”

“I've released my magic that was sealing the evil power of the Millennium Ring!! It won't be the same as last time, Bakura!!”

Bakura laughed. “But my Diabound has evolved even more! You and your puny ka will sleep forever here in this crypt!”

“Bakura… even if you manage to defeat me, there's no way to escape. While we've been talking, workmen have buried the entrance beneath hundreds of tons of stone. The only way out is into the darkness of death!”

Bakura laughed once more. “Then I'll make a counter prediction! I'll kill you, take your ring and get out of here alive and well! Let's go Diabound, attack! Thousand Poison Fangs!” He called out as the snake head was in incredible speed and looked as though there were seven heads, and were heading straight towards the other spirit, but it quickly moved behind him. `Behind me…' He thought with a look of surprise. `So fast!'

Then Mahado chanted some spell before calling out an attack. “Magic Blast!” This attack knocked Diabound down. “And now I give my heka to my spirit, to fuel a second attack.” Bakura looked alarmed. “Thousand Magic Blasts!” Diabound was once more knocked down to the ground. He waited until the smoke cleared, only to look surprised. `Diabound's gone!' He thought. `Did it walk through walls?' He looked to his side to be cautious.

“I see… By giving your heka to your spirit, you can double the power of its attack. That's not something just any sorcerer could do… You're a spirit sorcerer!” Mahado didn't look pleased by how Bakura figured out, but waited. “But just as a wizard has ways of fighting, a thief has ways of fighting too.” He stepped on a button, which caused to let blades come down.

`The Swinging Blade trap!!' Mahado thought as he moved so he wouldn't get chopped.

“Isn't it ironic? Once I've robbed a tomb, I know all its traps by heart. This time I can use them to my advantage!” Bakura laughed as he got on top of one of the blades.

`I can't move or I'll be cut to pieces…' Mahado thought. `If Diabound attacks me now, I'm through!' He took a deep breath as he called. “Magus of Illusion! Attack Bakura!!”

“No you don't…” Bakura said as Diabound appeared from above.

`What?!' Mahado thought. `He's above me!!'

“Diabound! Kill them both!” Bakura called. “Spiral Wave!!” The tornado-like attack came and hit both the priest and his spirit. He laughed while he watched. “You can regret your foolishness in Hell! You'll never catch the Great Bakura in a thousand years!”

Mahado and his spirit were withstanding the attack when he thought. `Great Pharaoh…' He noticed the necklace that Heba had given him.

“That necklace is the only thing I have that's rightfully belongs to me. I'm letting you have it so you have a reason to come back here!”

He remembered what she said. `Heba…' He thought once more.

Bakura continued to laugh as he jumped off the blade. “I'll kill the priests one by one… and take their Millennium Items. It's all going according to plan!!” He said then looked a little lost.

“I… I won't let that happen… Bakura…” Mahado said while struggling to get up.

`What?!!” Bakura thought. `He's still alive after Diabound's attack!!' He looked shocked.

“Theirs is one great spell that a spirit sorcerer can cast only once… I will give my life to fuse my ka with my ba, my spirit with my soul!”

`WHAT?!!' Bakura thought.

`Pharaoh…' Mahado thought. `My soul is your eternal servant…' He held onto the necklace in his hand. `I'm sorry Heba and Mana…' He chanted a spell as he thought of this.

Bakura only watched as the priest was killed by two blades and the ring flew out. What he didn't see was an orb come shooting out and went into the mage monster and began to change slightly. “One down.” He said with a grin which turned to surprise when he saw the mage-monster there. `His ka is still there?' He thought. `But he's dead!' Then he called. “It's just an echo! Diabound, finish it off!” Before Diabound made a move the mage-monster quickly attacked.

“Black Magic!” The monster called and let out a strong force towards the thief and his monster, which knocked the mentioned thief to the edge of the edge and fall into the dark pit.

~Outside~

As the sun rose that dawn, the guards showed a look of disbelief and morn.

~Palace~

“What?!!” Someone called. “Mahado…!!”

“With the rise of the sun…” Said a guard. “The stone tablet…”

`Mahado…' The Pharaoh thought with a shock expression on his face.

“Never mind that!” Seth said. “Did he kill Bakura?!! Was the Millennium Ring stolen?”

“We can't be sure…” Said a guard. “But we watched, and no one escaped the tomb…”

Atem walked up to the stone tablet, which held the hieroglyphic picture of Mahado, as his spirit monster.

`Pharaoh…' He thought he heard him. `My soul is your eternal servant.' The young king thought sadly. `Mahado… I won't let your death go to waste…'

“The most important thing is whether or not he killed Bakura!” Seth shouted. “If that thief escaped, there's a chance he's stolen the Millennium Ring! We should search the tomb and find Bakura's body! Immediately!”

“No…” Kalim said. “It's too soon. If he's alive, then he might be hiding within the tomb waiting for the chance to escape.”

“What if he's already out…” Akhenaden said. “If the Millennium Ring has fallen into his hands, it will lead to disaster…”

“Priestess Isis…” Siamun said. “Can you see Bakura's future with the Millennium Tauk?”

Isis closed her eyes for a moment before opening them again. “No… I can see nothing…”

“This is all because of Mahado's incompetence…” Seth said. “Isis!! Why didn't you foresee the effects of Mahado's actions before they happened!!”

“I cannot see the futures of those who hold the Millennium Items. You know that Seth.”

“Therefore…” Siamun said. “The fact that you can't read Bakura's future, means either he's dead… or he's taken the Millennium Ring.”

“Yes.” She said as she turned to the Pharaoh. “I'll send my ka, Spiria, to the Valley of the Kings and use her Clair-Voyance to search while I stay here.”

“I'll leave it to you, Isis!” Atem said.

“Great Pharaoh…” Seth said. “If Bakura is alive, he may be hiding in the city, I would like to send my troops there to scour the city for him. It's urgent, Great Pharaoh…”

Akhenaden looked shocked as the young ruler looked unsure.

“Hey you!” Said a guard. “You can't be in here!”

“Master Mahado!” Mana called.

“Please let us through!” Heba called.

“Get back! This is sacred ground!”

“Let us in! I have to see my Master!” Mana cried.

“What is this?!” Seth said. “Throw those two out!”

“Mana!! Heba!!” The young ruler said. “It's alright! Let them through!”

“Yes sir!”

Mana and Heba went up, but Heba stopped short seeing the stone slab while Mana walked up to it. Mana looked at it disbelievingly then started to cry.

“It can't be…” She said. “Master!!” She cried as she fell to her knees.

“Mana…” Atem said as he bent down to her level as Heba walked up the stone tablet.

“Your Highness…” Mana said through her tears. “You can call the spirits from the stone slabs can't you? Please… let me see my Master again…”

The young king looked at her as if trying to find words to explain.

“His soul is wounded in battle Mana…” Heba said, her hand on the stone slab. “He needs to rest.”

Mana just looked at her. “How would you know?”

Heba looked at her, with the saddest look anyone has ever seen. “Because I felt it coming…” She said as tears came down her eyes. “I knew this was going to happen after he set out to the Valley of the Kings! And I could feel his wounds right now…”

Mana looked at her with a shocked expression. “How?”

“I don't know! I just felt it coming and I knew that I can't do anything about it!” Heba said as she looked away, tears continue to fall.

Isis, though concerned about what she heard, walked up and changed the subject. “Besides, your `heka' isn't strong enough for you to see spirits yet. You still don't house a spirit ka in your soul, do you?” Mana was silent as tears continue to fall. “You must train harder. Then you can follow in Mahado's footsteps.”

“I…” Mana said as she wiped away her tears. “I'll become a great sorcerer.”

“I've had enough!” Seth shouted. “This just proves my point! Shall we continue to let our tears of sadness flow into the Nile?!! We must act Great Pharaoh! Let me send the troops into the city at once!! Let me save the people from Bakura's threat!”

The Pharaoh still didn't look sure.

“Since we don't know if Bakura's alive or dead, it would be wise to stay on our guard.” Siamun said.

Heba, on the other hand, had a bad feeling about this and knew that Bakura's alive, but something constricted her voice and something in her head said `no'.

“I will allow you to station troops.” The Pharaoh said. “But whatever you do, the soldiers must not threaten the people! Your target is Bakura!!

“Yes sir!!!” Seth said.

Then the stone tablet began to glow lightly.

“What the-?!” Siamun said as Heba, who still has her hand on the stone, has her hand go through to her wrist and felt something being placed on her hand and brought her hand towards herself and the light disappeared.

She looked at what was in her hand and her eyes went wide. “My necklace!” She smiled. “Looks like you did keep your promise.”

“Promise?” Mana asked.

“It's a long story…” She said with a sad smile on her face.

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Feeling sad and lonely

Cause I can't find you

Call your telephone

Ad there's never no answer

Said you love me

Kissed me

We were in heaven

Said I'm sorry

Love you, want you forever

Every night I look at the sky

Call your name

And wonder where you are

Every night I look at the sky

Baby, miss you

Won't you come back