https://youtu.be/ZbjK52EkzEE

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"Well? How are you all today? I may say I am rather fine now-a-days, but how about you all? You ever feel like you're losing something?" Bakura sparked like he was advertising the treasures locked in his arms, "Well, fear not! For I have the treasures you feel are lost! All here, directly from Akhenamkhanen's tomb!" He exclaimed with glee as he forced up the mummy's head for everyone to look at, "Looky! I even brought this thing I found in the coffin! The traps weren't even that bad to get by~!"

Confirming your fears, you tightened your grip on Nymphi and forced her to look away by turning her and locking her in a tight hug.

That's Yami's father.

You weren't exactly sure how you know that's Yami's father, in fact, you could question why you're so certain. However, the aura the mummy presented was awfully familiar to you, and it was as though it was somewhere trapped in your mind, you felt you knew this man personally.

"Y-You defiled Pharaoh Akhenamkhanen's tomb?!" Shimon angrily exclaimed,

"I've come for the Millenium Items," Bakura growled with a smirk, "Well? Aren't you scum going to pass judgment on me?! I am the great Bakura, the King of Thieves!" He provoked with a loud laugh.

You quirked an eyebrow at Bakura. Compared to the man previous, the reactions towards judgment are very different. It was as though Bakura was asking for it for other reasons that may be proven beneficial.

"To step unbidden before the throne of the Pharaoh is a serious crime! You will not be forgiven!" Priest Shada glared at Bakura and aimed his Millenium Key at the thief,

"Oh, but these gold trinkets are the burial items I just took from Pharaoh Akhenamkhanen's tomb! But there's something I want much more than these! I want your Millenium Items. I'll ask you once nicely...will you give me all seven? Hmmm?" Bakura asked, his eyes eagerly darting on each Priest in the room.

"Heh..." Priest Seto smirked, "To think you can stand before the six Priests...takes some courage, you know. We'll make sure the canopic jar for your guts is a somewhat larger one."

"Listen well, Thief Bakura...the law and order of this world maintained by these seven Millenium Items. The only ones who can hold them are the priests who have trained their souls...and the Divine Pharaoh who rules this land. If a person like you, with a heart of evil, were to touch a Millenium Item, your very soul would burn away. The gods themselves would punish you with death." Priest Aknadin warned,

"Ohoho, is that so~?" Bakura rolled his eyes, "Then tell me, do those very same rules apply with the Orichalcos?" He asked with his eyes locking onto yours,

The whole atmosphere of the room drastically changed with everyone going silent.

"You didn't think I'd stop with the Millenium Items, did you? Why would I ignore the very vessel of a being that surpassed the Millenium Items? Oho, I am a thief of value, I am not your typical grave robber~" Bakura smirked, "I want not only the Millenium Items but also the very Queen of the-"

"No." Yami seethed in response, his body trembling in anger as he glared at Bakura. "She is not property to be tossed around."

"Great Pharaoh, worry not. The Great Queen shall not fall under the hands of such an evil thief." A Priest came forward and pulled out the Millenium Scale, along with the Scale's appearance came a new empty stone slab brought by the guards. However, it was silent as the Priest stared wide-eyed at Bakura with the Millenium Scale shaking. Priestess Isis, Priest Mahad, and Priest Aknadin also approached but soon halted in their steps upon using their items. Priest Aknadin turned to Priest Shada,

"Priest Shada, the shadows of that man's soul are deep. Be careful not to be drawn in by his evil." He warned,

Shada nodded and rose his Millenium Key, "Power of the Millenium Key! Lead me into this sinner's soul!" He proclaimed, as not even a second in, and a crack was loudly heard before Shada took a step back,

"Th....This sealing stone is too small for it!" Shada warned as he stared at the empty stone slab.

Strangely enough, you had a hunch that would be the case.

"His ka is coming!" Priest Aknadin warned as from his chest, a black fog snuck out of Bakura's chest and quickly took form. Still locking Nymphi to prevent her seeing this, you watched a beast with a snake's tail emerge, with giant wings and a very sharp helmet. It almost looked like a mythological character if you didn't acknowledge it's from Bakura.

"Ho...How can such a demon-" Priest Aknadin mumbled,

"Oh, this isn't a demon. This is a God....the Great Diabound!" Bakura laughed in response, "Hehe...what is evil, anyway? If I'm loyal to what you say is right, is that all it takes to make me good?"

"If you say so," Priest Seto rolled his eyes and aimed his Millenium Rod at Bakura, "Evil Ka! By the power of the Millenium Rod, I cast you onto the Holy Stone!" He proclaimed as a giant beam arose from the Rod and straight into the beast. With enough force, Priest Seto forced the beast into the stone slab....which broke not even moments later.

"You actually thought your stone slabs will seal my ka?" Bakura laughed, "At this rate, I'll be home with all seven Millenium Items and the-"

"Alright then, thief. You did it, good job." Priest Seto rolled his eyes, "How about you experience the real power of the Millenium Items?"

"Oh? That's a challenge I am ready to take!" Bakura's eyebrow quirked and watched Priest Seto mumble a chant, a stone slab appeared right behind him. Within seconds, a dragon appeared from within the slab and against the beast.

'...So that's how summoning is done..' You observed and shifted Nymphi to watch, "He just summoned a dragon."

"He did?" Nymphi whispered,

"Yeah, they're dueling."

"They are?" Nymphi raised an eyebrow, "But where are the cards?"

"It's not through cards." You shook your head, "It's done by actual magic, through stone slabs."

"Wow..." Nymphi stared in awe at the two beasts who fought, not before she looked at you with narrowed eyes, "....mommy...is that scary man going to take you?"

"He won't." Yami answered Nymphi, "Your mother is staying exactly where she is. No one is going to take her."

"Oh really?" Bakura overheard Yami, "Then why not assure your precious daughter by challenging me? If I lose, you take my head. If I win, I take your life, your gold finery, your wife, and the Millenium Items!"

"You have no ounce of respect. How DARE you say such things to the Pharaoh, the Divine King?! There will be no mercy for you!" Priest Aknadin scowled at Bakura,

"...Bakura," Yami's eyes narrowed, "...Why do you want the Millenium Items?"

"Oho?" Bakura smirked and pulled up the mummy in his hand, "Why not ask him?"

You sneered at him and forced Nymphi back into your arms to temporarily blind her once more,

"I knew it...It's the former King!" Priest Seto glared at Bakura, who pressed his foot against the corpse's spine "You barbarian! How DARE you step on the body of Pharaoh Akhenamkhanen? I'll flay that foot to the bone!"

Yami tensed up at this, his fists curled up and nails sinking in his throne,

"After all...Akhenamkhanen made them! He was the one who brought the Millenium Items into this world!" Bakura laughed,

"Bakura...the Great Pharaoh Akhenamkhanen ruled for forty years. He put an end to the wars between countries, and brought peace to this land." Priest Aknadin explained,

"Peace for you..." Bakura rolled his eyes,

"Pharaoh Akhenamkhanen wished for a Millennium of peace for this war-torn country...it is for that purpose that he made the Millennium Items!" Priest Aknadin continued,

"BWAHAHHAH! I KNOW THIS STORY!" Bakura loudly laughed, "To stamp out all evil...to purge all sinners...he left us these seven holy items imbued with the power of justice and righteousness! AAAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAH" Bakura laughed at the story, "Justice?! Don't make me laugh! Don't you know the truth?! The Millennium Items are forbidden artifacts of Black Magic! The evil power of the darkness dwells within them! The one who owns all seven of them can forge a contract with the dark spirits of the afterworld!"

Your eyebrow quirked with this new information. Despite Bakura being as he is, he never lied once when it came to information about certain things...that you've learned. Is that why he's so adamant about having the Millenium Items? Even so, why does he have so much hatred towards the lineage of the Pharaoh in the first place?

"...Have you ever heard the name of the village of Kul Elna?" Bakura asked, "That village is now a ruin, but a secret shrine is hidden there....and in that shrine is a tablet of the afterworld. The one who places all seven Millennium Items in that stone tablet will be given the power of the shadows by the evil God Zorc Necrophades!" Bakura explained while continuously stepping on the corpse. Each step sent shudders down your spine and tightened your grip on Nymphi so she won't see this.

"Did you ever think maybe that's why your Pharaoh made the items? Maybe Akhenamkhanen was after that evil power...just like me! Not just for Egypt...he wanted to rule the entire world with the power of darkness!"

"Bakura that's enough." You hissed as Yami harshly gripped his chair and flew himself off his throne with his eyes glaring at the thief,

"Take your foot off that body." Yami hissed at Bakura,

"...Finally off the throne now are we, Oh Great Pharaoh~?" Bakura mocked with a smirk,

"That does it! To insult the Pharaoh means death! We priests will carry out your execution!" Priest Shada glared at Bakura,

"You're ALL in my way! I'll get rid of you all at the same time!" Bakura hissed in return as monsters flung into the battlefield and began fighting in seconds.

The negativity in this whole room was vibrating BIG time, you could feel it from possibly six miles out the door...no...possibly six miles from this whole pyramid. Bakura threw the body down and had his Ka attack all the monsters. The room was so tense, you could not remain seated in your chair. You rose from the throne and still had Nymphi in your arms, her eyes covered by your embrace.

Right as all this happened, Yami slowly descended the stairs and away from the throne.

"Yami-" You stared at him and tried to stop him until you saw his eyes. His eyes, no, his soul, swirled with such anger and sadness that held some form of determination you could not hold back. You tensed up and watched him swiftly walk around the battlefield and towards Bakura, who was occupied watching his Ka beat up each Ka the Priests summoned.

And just like that, Yami walked right next to Bakura and roughly pushed him out of the way.

"Move." Yami hissed as the whole battlefield was pulled to a temporary halt. Everyone watched Yami kneel before the body and lifted it into his arms,

"Ahh...an emotional reunion, eh Pharaoh? Some pieces might've fallen off on the way he-"

"Stay right there. I am going to destroy you." Yami turned with a glare and seethed before turning to a nearby servant,

"What is your name?" Yami asked,

"A....Amon..." The man stuttered,

"....This energy is affecting my wife. Privately take her to my chambers." Yami commanded and watched the man briefly freeze in place. Getting himself together, Amon nodded and with a bow, he ran over to you.

"G-Great Q-Queen of the Orichalcos, please." Amon gestured you to follow him. You stared at Amon before locking eyes with Yami,

"...I am going to slap you." You sneered, "What makes you think-"

"Just go. Please. This isn't safe for Nymphi to be here and you know it." Yami interrupted without a glance, "This will be all taken care of, I will join you once this is all over."

"....are you seriou-"

"I said go." Yami demanded,

"Yes, why not go, (y/n)? After all, it would hurt his feelings if he lost you again~" Bakura cooed. Gritting your teeth, you slowly walked down the stairs and with Amon. The last thing you saw was Yami heading over to Shimon, who looked panicked.

And just like that, you were separated from Yami.

"I...I'm sorry it has come to this, Great Queen of the Orichalcos..." Amon apologized, "I...I do hope everyt-"

"You're not to apologize." You assured as Amon stared at you in response,

"...I'll see what the Great Pharaoh wants and I will tell you," Amon suggested,

"Like a secret messenger or something?" You blinked, "Are you sure-"

"I am nothing but an obedient servant for the Great Pharaoh." Amon nodded, "Besides, missing out on such a challenge is upsetting, I can see it in your eyes."

You narrowed your eyes at Amon as Nymphi looked at Amon,

"Is the scary guy gonna win?" Nymphi whimpered,

"No. You heard what your father said." You assured, "He'll get what's coming."

"...okay! Are you going to slap him when you see him?" Nymphi asked,

"If he pulls that same attitude again towards me, yes." You nodded,

"Okay..." Nymphi nodded and you sneered at her,

"...don't tell him I said that." You watched her gasp,

"I am not!"

"Says the girl who told him about what happened when I was with Mai." You reminded her,

"Whaatt? No!" Nymphi shook her head, "I'm not gonna tell daddy."

"Ya better not." You smirked, "If you don't want your favorite toys magically gone."

"You leave Mr. Stuffers alone." Nymphi stared at you with wide eyes, "He did nothing wrong."

"Mr. Stuffers will be first if you snitch. Snitches get stitches." You nodded your head as Amon opened the door to a chamber that looked a little smaller than yours and Yami's. Rather it being dull, it looked more alive as it was filled with toys and games that may look off, but they felt familiar to you. Although there was no opening for a balcony, there was a large window that was covered with a white lace curtain. You looked around this room to realize this was a kid's room. Nymphi squirmed out of your arms and ran into the room,

"Is mommy going to play with me?" Nymphi asked Amon,

"...No...sadly." Amon shook his head, "She will be in the Pharaoh's chambers. Maybe later."

You narrowed your eyes at this but silently complied as you blew a kiss at Nymphi as a farewell. The child didn't really seem to care as she bolted at the toys and began entertaining herself. The doors closed and you were escorted to the Pharaoh's chambers.

"...Maybe by now it's all over-" Amon mumbled,

"No..." You shook your head. As much as you wanted it to be, you still felt the negativity that didn't seem to die down at all since you left.

"....It...It will be!" Amon nodded as you and he walked into a familiar long hallway. Soon greeted by the same guards from earlier, they opened the doors while closely examining Amon.

"T...This is as far as I go, I will let you know of the Pharaoh's plans when he makes them." Amon gave a bow on your presence once more. You sighed and stared at him,

"...Alright, thank you." You thanked and were whisked into the bedroom. The doors closed behind you as you took a heavy sigh,

"...this is literally no different from the previous times...dragged like a ragdoll and forced to stay put." You groaned as you sat on the bed, "....what else is new."

The only thing you could do is wait for news.

You waited....

and waited........

........and waited......

It seemed like an hour since you've been in here. You even memorized the design of the walls in this room. You frowned and stared at the doors. Any minute now....come on.....aaaannnnyyy minute....

What makes this whole thing nerve-wrecking is how the negativity never died down at all throughout this long-ass wait.

"Great Queen of the Orichalcos." A knock came along with a familiar voice,

Startled, you ran to the door and opened it to see Amon staring at you with a sad smile,

"Amon! What's the news?" You asked, "Is everything-"

"Well....Bakura fled." Amon vaguely summarized, "...He's gone....and...I have news from the Great Pharaoh."

"...I do not like where this is going." You sneered,

"...He has demanded you to stay in his chambers until further notice." Amon informed, "And I am to bring you water, so I will return."

"Are..." Flabbergasted at the news, you stared at Amon in shock, "...Come on....you can't be-"

"I am deeply sorry," Amon apologized with guilt in his soul, ".....but you can't leave the chambers unless the Great Pharaoh allows. If you are to try and leave, the guards are supposed to keep you inside."

"....How bad is this situation?" You asked,

"... Real bad..." Amon whispered with his eyes struggling to keep it as vague as possible, "I deeply apologize, Great Queen of the Orichalcos...I shall return with your water." He gave a deep bow and took off, just like that. Not even seconds later, the door was closed on you without you even touching the handle.

You could only glare at the door and mentally curse at literally everyone in this damned pyramid.

Meanwhile, Amon did his duties as requested by Yami and got himself an empty bowl. He went outside the pyramid and filled up the bowl with clean water that he found in a barrel close by. Noticing some water splashed onto his skirt, Amon lifted the bowl of water and headed to the servant's quarters to get ready to return. He entered the busy quarters and set the bowl on a flat slab to dry himself with a few extra clothes nearby.

"Amon, could you come help? This silk is stuck and I can't get it out." A servant called out to Amon,

"How bad is it? I need to hurry to give the Great Queen of the Orichalcos water." Amon rushed over to the servant to help them with the trapped silk.

Just as Amon looked away from the water to attend to another servant's problem, a white, pale hand seeped out of the nearby curtain. The hand held a tiny bottle that was already opened, and carefully poured all the contents inside the water. He poured it so gently it didn't make a sound - if the room was silent enough, anyone at least inches from the water would hear the tiniest drop; it was as though the man had prepared his whole life for this moment, his whole attention was directed to the contents inside the bottle that leaked and mixed with the water Amon had prepared for you. Watching the final drops fall in, the man carefully dipped the bottle into the water to give it a mix. After a couple of stirs, the man gingerly held the bottle up and pulled out a handkerchief in order to wipe the remaining contaminated water from the bottle to prevent noise. Knowing Amon would return, the man had no choice but to carefully place the bottle next to the water and slip his hand back into the curtain; right as his hand was hidden from plain view, Amon hurriedly entered the room and swooped the poisoned water to bring over to you. Once the coast was clear, the man slipped away from the curtains and slowly made his way over to your chambers.

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https://youtu.be/zJQRLjnX7MM