https://youtu.be/7LH95oiiFF0

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The amount of discomfort you had once the upcoming duels were solidified, couldn't even be described here as spoken at the moment.

You felt the full impact of Marik's Egyptian God card, and the only people who have experienced that at full blast are Mai and, most likely, Bakura; the two of them being in a coma with their minds stuck in the Shadow Realm. You were just fortunate enough to be abnormal in comparison to the two and be handled with mercy by Marik. Unfortunately for Joey, this does not comply with him. Marik will make that duel a Shadow Game, and Joey needs to be strategic. You watched as the four carts holding the finalists went up to the attic.

"The finalists are now headed to the roof to properly begin the first duel of the semi-finals." The announcer spoke over the phone.

"Well, this is it!" Tristan clenched his fists as he stared at Joey,

"The duels start now, so let's go!" Mokuba grinned as the door opened behind him, "Move it or miss it!"

You quickly turned around and followed Mokuba inside the room.

"Wait! Hold the door for us, Mokuba!" Tea gasped as she slowly turned around to the door.

"...close it on her." you whispered to Mokuba with a smirk,

"Nah, I ain't gonna." Mokuba giggled,

"Hold on a sec! We can't just leave like this! Somebody has to tell Serenity that Joey is about to duel!" Duke stopped Tea,

"He's right!" Tristan gasped, "That's my cue! I'll tell her!"

"Just hold on a sec." Mokuba reached out to a telephone attached to the wall, "this place is hightech, I'll just call." He grinned as he dialed her number, "Hey Serenity! Joey is about to duel, you coming?"

There was a moment of pause, "Oh, you sure?" He blinked, "....Well, alright." He hung up and looked at Tristan and Duke, "Serenity won't be watching, she said she'll stay with Mai."

There was a moment of silence, you gulped away the temporary anxiety and sadness of Mai and smirked at Mokuba. Mokuba made eye contact with you as though he caught on with your message.

Close the door on them, bro. You mentally teased,

"...Well, since you guys aren't moving, (y/n) and I will be headin' out. Bye then!" Mokuba smirked as his finger lingered to press the button. The three outside shrieked and immediately ran in the room.

"M-Mokuba y-ya can't just do that." Tristan panted,

"Well, what can I say? You guys are slow-pokes. Now come on! We got some stairs to run over!" Mokuba giggled as he quickly glanced at you before taking off towards the stairs.

You cocked an eyebrow at him, he could've just closed the door on them and left it at that. You shook your head in disappointment as you followed Mokuba towards the stairs.

"Someone's got hatred on these mortals."

Ignoring the Seal's remark, you quickly ran up the stairs towards the roof. You really wanted to be there to watch Joey and Marik's duel despite the gut-wrenching feeling of you knowing the victor. For once, everyone was silent as they ran up the stairs to see what's going on in the roof between the finalists. The moment you saw the top of the roof, you immediately halted in your steps, your feet froze and stopped moving. Everyone else didn't seem to notice - Tea did, but she looked back up and ran with everyone else. Are you surprised? No. Are you confused? Yes. Why can't you move? Your heart started beating rather quickly as you stared at the roof, now accompanied by everyone except you. For some reason, you were terrified to continue. You felt the need to leave, go back downstairs and leave this whole tournament. But for what? You can't ditch this tournament just like that, you gotta stick with it till the end!

You can't.

You jolted, it was as though a voice had shaken your whole body.

You can't go. You need to help us.

Help? Who are you supposed to help? You couldn't even help a close friend.

I can't bear it anymore, please vessel, get me out of here.

Your skin turned pale on the way this voice was addressing you, why is it talking to you like that?

Please...for 4,000 years I've been trapped...I want out.

Please.......get me out.

Another voice rang in, sounding a bit more feminine. You staggered back a few steps and grasped onto the rail so you don't fall. What in the hell is happening to you right now?

He's using us....I want freedom...

He? Who is he?

Summon the Leviathan and get us out of here...please...I want peace...

Your whole body started to shake, your hand held the rails tightly as you fell to your knees. Different voices rang out in your ears and your vision started to shift. For at least a few seconds, you were no longer staring at some wall with a rail. You were staring at the very same bronze-stoned room that the Leviathan showed you, the room where Dartz was. But this time, it felt different, the aura very much so felt different.

You didn't realize it until the last second, all the stones that were displayed in the entire room, all the designs.

They were people. And all their heads were jolted to your direction.

They were staring at you.

Your hands immediately went to your eyes and covered them tightly. What is happening to you right now. Why is this happening. What did you do to deserve this?

All of a sudden, you felt something hold your shoulder. Gasping, your head jolted away from your hands and you stared wide-eyed to see Yami kneeling in front of you, extremely concerned.

"(Y/n), are you okay?" Yami asked sternly. You took deep breaths as you looked around the area to no longer be in that bronze-stoned room. Not to mention you no longer heard different voices.

"...y...yeah..." You gulped and made eye-contact with Yami, "...Just...nervous."

"I know." Yami's eyes narrowed, "I am too, Joey is dueling Marik, and knowing Marik there's gonna be a Shadow Game. The only thing we can do is have hope, and believe in Joey."

"...Yeah.." You slowly nodded, "S....Sorry."

"What for?" Yami blinked in confusion as his hands interlaced with yours, "There's nothing to apologize for."

"No...I mean....for being like this?" You unconsciously accepted his hands as he helped you stand, "...I don't even know what's wrong with me-"

"It's all good, this whole tournament is messed up." Yami assured, "Now, let's go watch the duel. I'm sure Joey is eager to show you what he can do." His hand still laced with yours, he walked upstairs to the dueling arena, where the duel had just started.

"...Do you really think he'll win?" You asked Yami, "...Be honest with me."

Yami paused in his tracks. His eyes were at the duel for at least a minute, then he slowly turned his head to you with a sad look on his face. Your heart ached to see that look yet it was a clear answer.

No. Yami doesn't think Joey will win.

"....Faith and hope in your friends can only go so far, (y/n)." Yami whispered, his hand tightened grip with yours, "As much as I truly wish for Joey's victory, there's a feeling that Joey's victory would be in a utopian society."

You bit your lip and watched the duel ahead, as Joey took his turn.

"....It's not that I doubt my friend's success." Yami sighed as he lead you over to the side, "Joey is a really good duelist, it's just Marik doesn't play safe with others."

"If Marik weren't so crazy, would you still have this doubt?" You asked as Yami chuckled in response,

"No, I wouldn't." He shook his head, "Well, more of I wouldn't be taking it as seriously as I am now. Actually, it's not the matter of Marik's insanity."

You cocked an eyebrow, "What's that supposed to mean? This whole shadow-game thing wouldn't be happening if it weren't for that insanity-"

As if on queue, Marik let out a chuckle, "I think it's time to take this game to the next level!"

"Next level?" Joey repeated as a purple mass emerged from behind Marik. You slowly blinked at the mass that surrounded the whole roof,

"Not again!" Tristan yelped,

"...Speak of the devil." You groaned, "There we go."

"....Well, you're not wrong, (y/n)." Yami continued the conversation, "Marik's insanity is a factor to this, but I feel it's more of the power that resides in the Millennium Rod that gives Marik access to this."

"A perfect example of the 'too much power on the wrong person's hands' trope." You sighed,

"Yes, that's why I hope to win this tournament; to stop Marik and prevent more power onto his hands." Yami narrowed his eyes, "....Prophecies are never wrong, (y/n). I must duel Marik in the finals."

You perked up at Yami's statement. Prophecies are never wrong. The moment Yami said that, Shadi's words flew through your head once more,

"You must take the Great Leviathan and make sure it doesn't go to the wrong hands, as you are the rightful owner. Or else the world is to fall in the clutch for despair and vengeance."

You bit your lip as you recalled those words, a feeling reaching to you indicating that you need to leave. As in getting out of this whole tournament. You couldn't help but connect the unexpected voices to this prophecy of the Great Leviathan. Why else are you getting these scary flashbacks?

"...Yami," You took a huge sigh, "...I'm gonna head out for a few minutes to clear my head."

"Are you sure?" Yami turned to you with a concerned look, "I can go with you if you'd-"

"No." You quickly shook your head, "I don't want to take away the time here from you."

Yami frowned, "....I'd rather you be here with me."

You blinked, "What?"

"I'd rather you be here."

"Why?"

"I would feel more relieved and calm when you're here with me. That's why." Yami nonchalantly responded. You blinked at his response, quite surprised at his bold response. You figured he'd get all red and Yugi would come in trying to defend him but Yami still stood before you. Maybe he didn't register what he said?

"Besides, you never know when this duel will be over." Yami added, "If you leave, the winner may be decided."

Do you need to bribe this man or something?

Just as you were gonna go 'screw it I'm leaving', Yami immediately held your hand as though to keep you in place. It's like he read your mind because now you're trapped watching the duel. Of course, it isn't exactly a problem to watch the duel, it's for some reason you felt the need to be alone to figure things out. It felt the longer you stayed on this roof, the more likely weird occurrences will appear.

You needed to leave. That's the gist. It was as though your back, The Seal, was leaning towards whatever is downstairs, just not here. There was a random pump of adrenaline that flew in your system, as you slowly wriggled your hand from Yami's grasp. Thankfully around that time, he was incredibly invested in the duel as it seemed to reach its near climax. You could tell everyone was invested, but you couldn't focus as much as you wanted to. The moment your hand was free, you quietly and quickly escorted yourself down the stairs, as though something was calling you.

Something down in this tower is calling you, and you had to go. To where? You have no idea. You reached downstairs and stopped in your tracks as you began to feel dizzy. Where were you even going in the first place? Your vision began to fade as you realized you were in the very same ancient room from before. After registering where you were, the location zapped back to the tower. It was as though your vision was flashing that place where Dartz lay. Not knowing where you were going, you quickly darted over down a hallway. As you ran down this hallway, the modern teal hallways sometimes converted to a hallway with nothing but slabs filled with markings of people. You stopped mid-way as the same dizziness came upon you. You leaned against the wall and gently rubbed your temples. The feeling of pure irritation swept through your body, as you felt as though you wanted to rip yourself out of your body and run over to wherever is making you act up like this.

"....she's...."

...?

You froze in place with your eyes went wide open as you heard a faint conversation. You quickly averted your eyes down the halls to find no sign of people around you.

"....she's acting up...." A masculine voice faintly asked

".....reacting.....Seal is behaving......" You recognized that voice despite the low volume. That's Dartz.

"......a problem....?"

"....no...ritual will be.....Leviathan.....be mine..."

You couldn't catch much, but enough of the conversation to know that it isn't a pretty one. Dartz is doing something that's making you like this.

A door opening from in front of you stripped you from your concentration as you saw an Egyptian girl stand before you. She had a nude veil go down her back as she wore a nude-colored dress. She had black long hair and blue eyes that stared at you in shock,

"....(y/n)? What are you doing here?" The woman asked, "Are you alright?"

"Hi..." You shuddered as you greeted her. That weird irritation was still there as you remained focus on the girl, "...may I ask how do you know my name?"

"....my Lady, I am Ishizu Ishtar." The woman introduced herself, "I am a finalist in this duel, or, was a duelist. But I am here to make sure the Pharaoh wins this tournament for the sake of my brother and Odion."

Your eyebrow quirked, "...your brother?"

"Yes, my brother is unfortunately cursed with vengeance and pure anger, he's right now facing Joey."

"....your brother is Marik?" You cringed and watched her nod,

"Yes. Now what is it you're doing here when you should be-" She paused and stared at you with wide eyes, "...My lady, is it the Seal of Orichalcos? Now I think about it, there is a strong reaction of the Seal from you."

....okay pause.

"...I mean of no offense, Ishizu." You growled, "But you're the fifth person I've met who knows about the Seal. Tell me how you know-"

The vessel has had close relations with Egypt and the Millenium Items believe it or not." Ishizu explained,

....double pause.

"Wait...wait a damn minute." You laughed in disbelief, "you mean to tell me this goddamn Seal was also a thing in Ancient Egypt?!"

"A lot closer than you'd think." Ishizu gave a small smile, "But what is wrong with the Seal?"

You strongly debated on whether or not you should tell her about Dartz, but for some reason, she seemed very welcoming to that sort of energy.

"...It's-"

"Ishizu!" Both you and Ishizu heard a huge cry from down the hallway. Tensing up, you darted your eye in the direction to find Serenity running at Ishizu completely out of breath.

"Serenity? What happened?"

"It's...It's Joey!" Serenity gasped as tears were streaming down her face, "....he...he lost!"

Your heart stopped beating and your skin went pale. Even though you were expecting Joey to lose, it still shocked you. Maybe something inside kept insisting the other way around. As though on queue, a bunch of nurses ran into the room where Ishizu came out of along with a lifeless body.

You didn't want to see him. You really didn't. You couldn't take it when you saw Mai, how are you gonna take it with him? Ishizu quietly walked into the room to hold Serenity, who ran in along with everyone else. You stood completely still outside, still registering what had just happened.

"He doesn't look fine!" You heard Tea scream from inside. "He hasn't moved or spoken in twenty minutes!"

His soul is gone? Just like that? Just like Mai?

"Hey, (y/n)." Mokuba held your hand, "...you doing okay?"

You gulped and stared at the little boy, whose eyes looked extremely solemn,

"...Mokuba. Who won that duel." You knew that was a stupid question to ask, but you couldn't help it. The absolute denial was plain as day. Mokuba squeezed your hand and stared at the scene that lay in front of both you and him.

"...Marik." Mokuba answered.

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There were SO many alternative routes for this chapter, you have no idea! I was originally gonna put the voices around episode 9 or 10, but I figured it'd be a little too late as Season 4 is right around the door!

(So sorry for the short chapter as well, I need to space things out to prepare for the finale of this season!)

https://youtu.be/S7w6Fqa_Fn0