The next morning, in Egypt, voices were heard in a house. A yell followed, and then more screams and a dark voice followed. A minute passed and then a fire broke out in the house. Out of the house came two Egyptians. One was female, the other was male and on his back was the exhausted, injured temporary host of Yami Marik.
Yami Marik was in the burning building in his true body. He laughed madly and vanished.
*********
In Domino City that evening, Yugi, Atem, Joey, Tea, Tristan and Serenity were sat before the television, still finding no further news other than a mugging of a young duelist. They didn't know it was the duelist whose Duel Disk that Panik stole from the previous night, but it was irrelevant as Panik was back in the Shadow Realm.
Tea was only there by Serenity's insistence and Solomon and Yugi reluctantly agreed. The only reason Yugi allowed Serenity in the house since her keeping Tea's feelings for Atem a secret was because Joey persuaded him that if it were Joey, Yugi would have kept quiet out of his loyalty for his friend too.
As they saw nothing of interest in the news, they settled for gentle conversation, Tea and Yugi saying not a word to each other and the only ones willing to talk to the former were Serenity and Atem. Any conversations with no awkwardness were like long forgotten good memories.
As they had their conversation, a car drew up front of the shop. It was a cab. Someone was visiting. But who?
Yugi and Atem looked out of the window and saw to their astonishment, Ishizu and Odion Ishtar, sister and adoptive brother of Marik. They looked rather desperate and Atem had now already guessed why they were here.
They entered the shop and introduced themselves to Solomon, whom recognised them from when they said farewell to Atem.
"Yugi! Pharaoh! Look who's here!" called Solomon.
But by now, Yugi, Atem and the others were already downstairs and came to reunite with their allies.
"Hello, Ishizu, Odion." said Atem.
"My Pharaoh," said Ishizu in worship, "how are you these days?"
"Well, but eager to return home." replied Atem.
"We understand, Pharaoh." said Odion respectfully, "But things are going severely wrong once more."
"Yes, I know." said Atem.
"Our brother, Marik has been plagued by his dark side once again." exclaimed Ishizu despairingly.
The others gasped, except for Atem. "I guessed as much. This return was prophesised to me very recently." he said gravely.
"How did you know Atem was back?" asked Tea.
"The tomb guards informed us when he took residence here." said Odion.
"They also told us of how your mission in the Magical Garden failed, for which we convey our condolences, my Pharaoh." added Ishizu.
"It is okay, Ishizu." replied Atem.
"Do you know of a way to free my brother again?" asked Ishizu.
"I don't," sighed Atem, "but I promise you both that I will do whatever it takes to free Marik from his dark side once again."
"Thank you, my Pharaoh." said the two Ishtars.
"Have you a flight back to Egypt?" asked Atem.
"We haven't booked one." said Ishizu.
"Then find a hotel, and when an opportunity to save Marik arises, I will inform you immediately." said Atem.
"Thank you, Pharaoh." replied Ishizu and Odion.
YOU ARE READING
