Mark (discontinued)

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Asmodeus I have made is based on Jewish legend; I don't know about it properly, so I just make the story according on my own twisted style, heehee :D
One more thing, Sugoroku Mutou mightn't be an expert in ancient languanges like I've exclaimed him for. I just add the fact for further fun.
As for Malik, I make him as supporting friend of Yugi and co; I like him (even though I like Yami Malik better :P )

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03


When Naya finally opened her eyes, she realized that she was inside her own room. She unconsciously let out a relief sigh; being inside her safe cocoon was truly made her relieved. She found herself sore and hard to move on, as many injuries she had gotten came on play.

She calmed her breaths and closed her eyes. She tried to bare her power out, trying to heal her wounds. When Kaya was still alive, she was the one who healed all her pain. Kaya was always a healer; her pure soul made it possible. After she died, the power was resided within her, making her able to use the same power. While healers commonly couldn’t use their power to heal themselves, Kaya could. She could heal almost all injuries and even illness.

So why didn’t she heal herself when she got sick? Naya knew the answer exactly. That was because Kaya didn’t even sick; at least not for common illness. She was cursed; the curse of painful death. Kaya was sacrificed herself, being a prolongation for her twin younger sister.

The fact that Kaya die by curse always made Naya feeling deep guilt within her heart. It was all her fault. If she just gave in and was being the one who died, Kaya was surely being alive. Naya always felt that she was the one who killed her sister.

She knew that Kaya would likely scold her for her remorse. Her older twin was a cheerful spirit; never let any sadness and pessimism turning her down even just for a second. She was the one who being all gloomy and darkly realistic.

Naya felt warmth of spiritual power lingering her person, enveloping her in tender caress of an almost sacred environment. She let it flowing out and she could fell her every injury closed and recovered even her broken bones and ribs. She sighed in bliss when the force of life filling her; it almost felt like she was dead and relived one more time. If she was ever being dead in the first place; truly she was. She was nearly dead by now, and by every tortures and abusive treats she received from Him.

She flinched slightly when stinging pain emerging within her chest and guts. Her innards was wounded, such a scarce and deep wound. She winced inwardly; it would be a long healing treatment.

When she finally restored her limbs back to life, she was exhausted beyond measure. She barely fought the urge to sleep and finally gave in. She closed her eyelids and was drifted back to the dreamland, gratefully without any nightmare accompanying her.


***


Naya opened her eyes again when she heard rustling sounds beside her bed. She turned her glazy orbs and found her grandfather sitting beside her; his deep orbs looking down at hers, full of saddened concern and happy relief. He sighed heavily before spoke in mild tone, “How are you feeling now, child?”

Naya forced a smile and retorted, “Much better, Ojii-sama. Almost all my injuries were recovered.”

“Your power is something superb, Naya.”

“Not mine. Kaya’s.”

He shrugged gracefully. “It’s yours now. No matter what you say.”

She was humphed exasperatedly.

“The one who found you inside the woods …was Seto Kaiba-san.”

Naya gasped in shock. “What?”

“He brought you to the hospital and waited for you while you were being treated and examined by doctor. Such a gentleman he is, despite his usual cold façade.”

Naya blushed slightly; she still disbelieved Kaiba would go as far as saving her. They were barely talking at school and brief moment at that! “Yes, he is. Maybe the rumors related him are all wrong.”

Takayuki smiled faintly. “Do you like him?”

Naya blinked at his blunt question. She wide eyed her grandfather in real dismay and disbelief. “Wha—what?! No! I just think that he might be nice person behind his harsh and arrogant manner; that’s all! Nothing else!”

Her grandfather just chuckled knowingly and Naya felt her cheeks grew hot and she was sure she was blushing furiously right now.

After her blush faded, she stated blandly, “Beside… I have no time to even like someone, Ojii-sama.”

Takayuki’ smile faltered. “It’s not right, you know that. Even with short time, you—you can still manage to fall for someone, to love somebody! Love, that’s the one feeling making life’s worthy.”

Naya grimaced and moved to sit, with much effort. Takayuki instantly supported her and gently held her while she regained her most comfortable position.

“I don’t want to hurt anyone with my love, Ojii-sama. You know that, exactly; loosing someone who loves you much and whom you love equally is one of the most agonizing pains I’ve ever felt. I don’t want anyone else than me experience that feeling. For you, it can’t be helped, Ojii-sama, for I love you so much as I love Kaya and I know you do same for me and her. You have experienced the grief and will experience it within two years…”

“That’s nonsense!” Takayuki snapped; his voice was bitterly sad and sharp. “There must be a way to help you, to save you from this never ending pain, I know it! Isis-san previously called and said she and her husband would come to Japan within three days and helped us finding the solution to save you.”

Naya gaped. “Isis called?! When?”

“Before Kaiba-san called me and told me about you being assaulted and brought up to hospital. She said she had nightmare concerning you; it was a precognition, her gift most likely. She also said she knew you when she was here, working as museum guide.”

Naya nodded, confirming her grandfather’s words. “I do know Isis. I met her two years ago at the museum. She told me …things, both concerning myself or not, but the things she told were most likely having similar traits with our predicament.”

Takayuki frowned while trying to swallow her explanations. “Similar traits? Like what?”

“Things concerning magic, darkness, curse, et cetera; things like that… this one I’ve been burdened with can be considered as curse, according to her story. The one which caused Kaya’s death is also curse… by the same demon, He himself.” she trailed off.

Takayuki went silent. Naya huffed, startling the older Tendou. “Three days, huh? Did she say another word?”

The old man shook his head in denial. “No. She just simply said that she will do some researches back there and come in three days.”

Naya frowned. Maybe Isis did know something she didn’t know after all. The Egyptian woman was a good friend and colleague, but she was also mysterious and unpredictable. Naya trusted her for good, yes, but somehow she found uneasiness within her guts considering Isis’ thought.

“Maybe she had found out about this demon’s identity and way to get rid of him somehow within her ancient tombs. She is from the infamous Tomb Keeper family of Pharaoh Atem.”

Takayuki raised one brow questioningly. Naya chuckled seeing her grandfather’s innocence. “I will tell you later about the whole story concerning that Egyptian ancient history, Ojii-sama.”

The old man pouted in childish manner and successfully made the girl laughed heartily.

“I’m glad you can laugh like that again. I’m afraid you’ll be, well …broken; like last time.”

Naya’s laugh dimmed and replaced by her usual stoic seriousness; though twinkles of laughter still could be seen within her deep purple orbs.

“I’m okay, Ojii-sama, thank you. I’m getting stronger from the last time, both physically and mentally; I can endure Him, mostly. Don’t worry.”

Takayuki’s lips twitched into a small smile, even though it was faint and smothered by vague sadness. “I know you’re getting stronger. I have no doubt about that. But still… I’m worried.”

“That’s why I say don’t worry, Ojii-sama! Honestly!” She scolded him playfully.

Takayuki snickered in un-Tendou-usual-graceful-manner and retorted in mocking tone, “And there she is, play all-high-and-mighty while lying helplessly on her bed after being crumpled! Honestly!”

Naya just giggled innocently.


***


The researches Isis went through were unsuccessful ones, mostly. Helped by her husband and little brother, she read and browsed thorough many books and related net articles about Naya’s demon. After almost two exhausting days on national library and facing the computer, she grew tired and felt hopeless when suddenly she heard Malik yelped, finding something.

She and Rishid rushed beside the teen and looked over his shoulders at the old papyrus scroll he had found. Malik lifted it high enough so all of them could look at it clearly. There was a painting of dark, shadowy figure with red fiery eyes; the figure was depicted as a man wearing something that resembled armor with dark color. The painting was accompanied by several texts, written in both Egyptian hieroglyphs and, strangely, Aramaic.

Isis scrutinized the scroll and shivering when she laid her eyes on the painting. This was definitely the very same one being as Naya’s demon.

“…It’s not entirely from ancient Egypt.” Rishid commented, frowned.

Isis nodded. “It’s Aramaic-Semitic script. It still contains Aramaic letters instead of hieroglyphs. Maybe someone back then translated them halfway into ancient hieroglyphs after retrieved it from Semitic people.”

“The hieroglyphs aren’t the problem, we can translate it. But the Aramaic… we have to find somebody to help us translate the whole script.”

Malik slapped his hand over his forehead. “How about Yugi’s grandpa? Sugoroku Mutou? He is an ex-archaeologist yet he is able to read many ancient texts, including Aramaic, I thought.”

Isis frowned. “I don’t want to drag Yugi and the others within this problem. I thought I’ve said it clear.”

“But Malik has a point. We don’t know someone other than Sugoroku Mutou who can translate Aramaic. We can ask Professor Bakura though, but he is away.” Rishid glanced at Malik who nodded for confirmation. Malik and Ryou were best friends; they often sent emails each other.

Isis pondered the idea for a while, and then she voiced her agreement. “But we have to keep it secret from Yugi and his friends. I don’t want them to get involved and be in danger again.”

Both Malik and Rishid nodded. Isis then took the scroll and scanned it to her laptop; they weren’t allowed to bring the authentic scroll back since it was library’s archive. She turned her look to both men and said, “Now we have to prepare our trip to Japan.”


***


Sugoroku Mutou was sitting on his chair behind the counter when the phone ringing. Yugi was at school and he barely opened the shop; there wasn’t much customer coming at nine in morning. He picked the speaker up and greeted the caller.

“Moshi moshi. Kame Game Shop, may I help you?”

“Hello, is this Sugoroku Mutou-san? I’m Isis Ishtar, if you remembered; I’m one of duelists who took part within Battle City Tournament two years ago.”

“Ah, Ishtar-san, off course I know you. Yugi told me a lot about you and your brother, Malik. So, how are you doing? And what brings you to suddenly call here? Do you want to talk to Yugi? But since he is in school so—”

“Ah, no, no, I don’t want to talk to him; actually, I want to ask a favor from you.”

“Hmm? Favor? From me? What kind of favor?”

“I want to ask you to translate an ancient script. Its language is Aramaic; both I and Rishid can’t decipher it since Aramaic isn’t our specialty. I heard you are able to decipher Aramaic, so…”

Sugoroku tipped his chin with his finger. “…Hmm, okay. When I can start then? Do you send the copy via facsimile?”

“No, I, Rishid, and Malik will arrive at Japan tomorrow morning. I will personally take it to you. But since this is a sensitive matter, please keep it secret from Yugi and the others.”

“I understand. We will meet tomorrow then.”

“Yes. Thank you, Mutou-san. Until next day.”

“Until next day, Ishtar-san.”

The phone was dismissed.


***


Seto Kaiba groaned while stretching his lean body on his bed. He had come home from hospital at five in the morning; straightly rushing to his room and changing to only his boxers, he already plopped down his bed and dozed off. He barely slept for two hours when his cell phone rang.

He wobbly stood up and marched to his pants which he flung on his chair and yanked his cell phone out of the pocket. He flipped the phone and barked his raspy voice.

“Kaiba…!”

“……”

“Who is this?!”

“……”

“If this is some kind of jokes then I will seriously track you down and beat your ass up!”

“……”

“WHO THE FUCK IS THIS?!!”

“…Found you… Kaiba…”

The voice from the other side was coldly raspy; sent chills down Seto’ spine. He shut his mouth up and listened carefully. But the voice didn’t reappear.

“…WHO. THE. FUCKING. HELL. IS. THIS?!!” his tone was deadly cold, intentionally masking his sudden fear.

“……Stay away… Kaiba…”

“WHAT?!”

“…Stay… away… from her…”

Seto snarled. “WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU MEAN BY ‘STAY AWAY’?!! AND WHO IS HER ANY WAY?!”

“…She… is… mine… forever…”

Seto stopped dead. Why did those words sound familiar?!

“…MINE… FOREVER…”

The phone was beeping, dismissed. Seto wide eyed, half confused, half angered. Still he felt a bit fear. The warning sounded familiar…

Forever…

It’s Him!! Seto thought frantically. It’s the culprit, dammit! The one who beats Naya senseless! Shit, if I knew He’ll call, I’ll have Him be tracked down! Shit!

Seto didn’t feel sleepy anymore. He straightly took long strides to his private bathroom and got some shower.

He felt like to talk to the old Tendou once more.


***


Yugi, Katsuya, Anzu, Shizuka, Hiroto, and Ryou were gathering in Kame Game Shop; Ryuuji wasn’t with them; he was busy preparing his new Dungeon Dice Monster Game promotion. They were chatting and dueling cards when the phone rang. Yugi was pacing to the counter to pick it up when Sugoroku dashed from upstairs and picked the phone firstly. Yugi and his friends looked at Gramps Mutou weirdly; while the old man just smiled silly.

“Kame Game Shop.”

“Sugoroku Mutou-san, it’s me, Isis.”

“Err… Yes! Nakawa-san, how do you do?” his voice was overjoyed.

Isis smirked inwardly. Yugi and the others had to be nearby. “We’ll arrive from airport at eleven. Will you come and meet us at Domino Museum on twelve? We will discuss this matter privately; while having lunch.”

He glanced at clock. It was ten pass thirty. “Off course, Nakawa-san! I will come to see you. Usual place, isn’t it?”

“Okay. Thank you. See you next, Mutou-san.” The phone was dismissed.

“Okay, see you later, Nakawa-san.” Sugoroku ended exaggeratedly, hung up the phone and humphed.

Yugi saw worries on his gramps’ face and asked, “Is it Nakawa-san?”

“Yes, Yugi. He said he wants to meet me and talks about new available RPG’s from Illusionary, Inc. We will meet at Domino Central Park and go to lunch together.”

“Okay. Need company?”

“Ha ha ha, no, no, boy. You just stay here and watch the shop with the others. I’ll be back soon.”

Yugi simply shrugged, though his mind kept aware of his gramps’ odd behavior.

An hour later, Sugoroku had his jacket and shoes on; he waved to the gang and went off for his appointment. Yugi watched intently as his gramps rushed off across the street, walking in hurry.

He frowned. Something was wrong. He ignored his task for staying on the store and took his jacket, deciding to follow his gramps. Katsuya and the others startled seeing him readied to take off.

“Hey, Yugs! Where’d ya wanna go? Didn’t Gramps say ya hafta watch the shop?” Katsuya chirped.

Yugi shook his head. “I’ll follow Gramps. Something’s wrong; I know it. Gramps hides something. I just wanna know.”

“Why do you think so?” Anzu asked.

“Nakawa-san has called few days ago and the selling for the games has been signed; Gramps himself did it, I saw it. It has to be somebody else. Gramps can’t lie.” Yugi grinned, remembering his gramps’ suck-lying ability.

His friends looked at each other. Then they stated in chorus. “We will go with you, Yugi.”

Yugi raised his brows questioningly. “But who will stay at shop if we all go?”

Katsuya smirked. “It has to be ya, Yugs. But ya slackin’ off, so why not we close the shop for a while and rollin’? I kindda thrilled fer this spyin’-n-trailin’ stuff.”

“Jou-chan…”

“Oh, come on, Yugs! Why it hafta be ya who get fun? We wanna go too!”

“But, the shop…”

“Well…” Ryou cut in mildly, “If you feel worry to leave the shop behind, I will take care of it for you, Yugi.”

Yugi smiled warmly to Ryou. “Thanks, Ryou-kun, but you’ll be alone.”

“It doesn’t matter.”

“I will accompany Bakura-kun.” Shizuka spoke, assuring. “If I go with you, maybe I will only be your burden.”

“Ya’re not a burden, Shizuka! Ya’re my sista!”

“I know, Onii-chan…”

“Fine, I’ll stay too.” Hiroto stated. “I’ll accompany Ryou and Shizuka. You guys just go. Don’t worry, Yugi, we will watch your shop.”

“Thanks, Honda-kun, Shizuka-chan, Ryou-kun.” Yugi smiled thankfully. “We’re off then.”

“Hurry, before we lose Gramps.”

“Right.”

They quickly went out the shop and trailed Sugoroku.


***


Sugoroku Mutou marched towards the building in front of him. Domino Museum was a large, classical style building and second oldest in Domino City after the City Hall. Even in busy days, the museum was lacking of commoners.

The old man noticed two figures standing under the shadow on the front doors and he recognized them as Isis and Rishid Ishtar. He had seen them though by a glimpse after the Battle City Tournament ended. He waved at them and they responded with same gesture.

“Rishid-san and Isis-san, I presume.” He greeted when he was nearby.

Isis smiled warmly. “Mutou-san. Guess we don’t have to introduce ourselves since we have known each other. Come, we talk inside.”

Sugoroku nodded and followed the couple into the museum; unaware of three pairs of eyes watched them from behind the bushes nearby.

“It’s Isis and Rishid! I know something’s up!” Yugi hissed, surprised.

“Yeah, it’s ‘bout two years we don’t see ‘em. Say where Malik is?”

“Maybe he’s left behind.”

“No! Look, it’s him.”

They watched as Malik Ishtar came by his bike—“Geez, the guy’s still ridin’ bike everywhere; I heard Ryou said ‘bout him got an accident durin’ his bike frenzy,” Katsuya quipped—and parked in the lot. He swung his legs from his bike and took some scrolls and books with him from his bag. He suddenly jerked his head up when he felt like hearing something. Or exactly, like hearing someone; sneezing.

“Shit! He has sharp ears!”

“It’s your fault, Jounouchi; you dork, for sneezing out of blue! He heard us!”

“Hush! Be quiet you two, Anzu-chan, Jou-chan!”

Malik looked around, confused, suspecting something; and when he found nothing, he went inside the museum with his scrolls and books. Yugi, Katsuya, and Anzu let out relief breaths and decided that it was the time to get closer, so they dashed out from behind the bushes and ran as silent as they could to the doors. They listened for noises from the building and they heard that the former group had had their discussion, whatever it was, within the inner hall; they quickly tiptoed entering the museum.

They hid behind the pillar for a while, trying to listen to whatever things Sugoroku, Isis, and Rishid was discussing about; but the sounds were too far from their spot to be heard clearly. Yugi and his two friends were about to move forward when they suddenly bumped onto someone’s back.

“Ouch!”

“Ouch!”

“Ma—Malik?!”

“Yugi?! Jounouchi?! Anzu?! What are you doing here?!”

“Err…”

“Malik? What is that?” Isis’ voice echoed from the inner hall.

“Eh, nothing, Sis, I—well I just stumble on a pot…” he stuttered, suddenly feeling nervous.

“Careful! The pot is rare and priceless. Don’t screw up, Young Brother; or I will smack you on the head!” Isis’ voice was as vicious as lion’s roaring.

Malik gulped and glared to the other three, who happened to be smiling sheepishly. He hastily grabbed Yugi and Katsuya by arms and dragged them to other empty hall. Anzu followed, feeling relief that she didn’t get dragged along.

“What the hell are you doing here?!” Malik hissed and glowered at the three. He repeatedly glanced in worry to the door connecting their hall and the hall Isis and the others were in.

“Well, Gramps got call this afternoon and I had odd feeling that something’s up to, so I follow him here.” Yugi explained shortly.

“That was my sister who called him. She asked for your Gramps’ favor.”

Malik quickly clasped his hands over his mouth, surprised by his train of words. Shit, Isis had warned him that Yugi and the others mustn’t be told about this!

“What favor? …Why do you suddenly clasping your hands over your mouth, Malik?!”

Malik wide eyed them in panic and shook his head frantically. He was about to back off when Katsuya swiftly managed to tackle him from behind and locked him within his strong arms.

“Wha—Jounouchi! What the hell—!”

“Anzu, Yugs! Tickle ‘im until he spills everythin’ he knows!”

“Stop, you jerk! Isis will—”

“Muffle ‘is mouth fer laughing, Yugs! Anzu, tickle ‘im!”

“No! Stop! Sto—mmppffhh!!”

Whatever Malik trying to do to release himself from Katsuya’s grip was futile; Yugi had his mouth muffled and Anzu was moving forward to tickle him to death.

Malik laughed hysterically while muffled; desperately wriggled and thrashed from their torture until he finally gave in. He nodded erratically to tell him that he was going to give them everything they wanted, if they released him.

Yugi winked to Katsuya who quickly released the poor boy while Anzu stopped her attack. Malik slumped to the floor, panting and exhausted.

The Egyptian boy looked at them tiredly and growled. “…For Ra’ sake, you are all demons! More than Apopis Himself! …Shit!”

The aforementioned group just giggled mischievously.

“Now, spill it out, Malik! Tell us things ya know!”

“…Let me catch my breath first, you jerk… Shit…” he still shocked from his previous tickling session. Katsuya snorted mockingly.

“Malik, we’re sorry for that. Now tell us, will you?” Yugi puppy eyed him.

Malik humphed exaggeratedly and gestured them to move to other room, afraid that Isis would catch them off guard. They followed him to the room which looked like store room for artworks. He closed the door behind them and gestured them to get closer to him; and began to tell them the whole plot.


***


“…This is…” Sugoroku trailed off. His hand clutched the copy of the Aramaic-Semitic script tightly while he read the texts thoroughly. He brought his own Aramaic notes and dictionary; so he could start as soon as he laid his eyes on the script. In front of him, both Isis and Rishid watched him somehow worryingly while the old man trying to decipher the texts.

“Have you found something, Mutou-san?” asked Isis.

Sugoroku frowned. “The texts mention about one powerful demon named Asmodeus, the king of demons in Jewish-Semitic legends, who reigns over chaos, wrath, animalistic lust, and darkness. He is known by His treacherous love and possessiveness toward Sarah, Raguel’s daughter as Raguel is a member of Tobias’s family; He kills seven men who have married her successively before Tobias himself conquers Him and weds Sarah. This story is also mentioned within the Apocryphal Book of Tobit.”

Isis nodded. She had heard about Tobias’ story. But she doubted that the texts only contained those small fractions of information. There had to be more…

“Anything else, Mutou-san?”

Sugoroku’s frown deepened. He muttered slowly, “…It says that Asmodeus will descend to Earth through the—darkness void?—while He searches for His bride aside Sarah whom He failed to own previously… well, the texts mention about Asmodeus’ plan to get bride and take her soul to His dark kingdom while He also tries to conquer the world… It’s kindda scary…”

Isis stiffened. Darkness void was as similar as Shadow Realm. That explained everything Naya had told her last time… that the demon would drag her within the darkness of Shadow Realm to approach her…

And the bride… Naya was the bride He was looking for! That was the reason He approached her! Two years left and Naya would be dragged inside the darkness forever; she would die painfully, miserably…

No! Isis shook her head in denial. She wouldn’t let the younger girl to die a painful death like such. She wouldn’t let that happened!

“Isis?” Rishid touched his wife’ shoulder gently, worried.

The Egyptian woman looked up at her husband with tearful eyes. Rishid gasped and asked her what had happened. Isis shook her head slowly and retorted, “I won’t let Naya die such cruel death. No way can I let her die like that…”

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Eheh, a little trailing off hehehe...
I feel like torture somebody, in this chapter Malik :D

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