YGO PSL | ❝ shadows in the city, like a demon in the dark, come to tear us apart. ❞

[inheritedpuzzle]

STARGAZING

( continued from here). it's time for sad duels and talking with dragon wife! )


[ It's so frustrating. Yugi feels as if his words can't pierce whatever dark cloud hangs over his other self. It sticks to him like wet clothes and he's unable to just rip them off. It's a side of Atem that Yugi has never seen before, and, part of him wonders if he really can help remove that shadow. He's unable to forgive himself for being human and having a moment of weakness. A moment with dire fallout and consequences, but, they overcame it. Dartz's soul is freed, the darkness beaten back for at least a little while, and they all lived to see it through.

Yugi can't think of more to ask for. He knows that his other self is looking for something or someone to tell him that it's alright in the end. Except, even if Atem hears it, will he believe it? Despite his constant reassurances and remarks, he can see how that shadow haunts the eyes of the usually confident spirit.

Well... Yugi isn't going to give up. He's going to keep trying to convince Atem and show him what he can.

It just might be something he can't do alone.

A determined look comes to his eyes and he is already walking past Atem. He isn't dismissing the older spirit or the look he gives him. Instead, he's pulling on his school jacket. He looks back at Atem, knowing it looks a little ridiculous that he has his jacket on over his pajamas and socks to top it off. It's as close as he's going to get to wearing slippers though.

Cultural habits never really die. ]

Come on, we're going. [ No room for debate in his tone. ] I can feel you want to ask me something. So, ask along the way.

[ They're going and that's final.

He just knows that if he tell Atem where they're going that he'll insist they don't. There will be a million reasons as to why they shouldn't, while ignoring the main reason they should. In Yugi's mind, there's one other person that can help him shake the shadow that hangs over his partner. She helped Atem when Yugi couldn't. Who else can he ask? ]

And don't think about backing out of whatever it is you want to ask me. I'll pester you the whole way there until you do.

Comments

[ifthereiswill]

[ As far as Atem is concerned, it's too late; he already is concerned about the events that have already happened, as nonsensical as that may seem. These events may have already concluded, and their consequences already played out, but he can't help but worry about their outcomes and what might have happened to the individuals who so closely resemble his friends.

Of course, there's little that he and Yugi can do aside from watch. Lunafreya's gasp draws his attention, however, and he turns to look at her as well. ]

What is it?

[ Of course he can see the swords that have suddenly appeared, and he also notes the creature that has just materialized, but he's not certain of the significance. It turns out that he doesn't have to wait for long, however. ]

Bahamut? [ The name isn't familiar to him, but that means nothing; there's quite a few monsters that he hasn't heard of, so he assumes this is just another one of those. Never mind that Bahamut looks unlike any Duel Monster that he's encountered thus far. ]

And who is that? [ The question slips out, even though Atem already has a guess as to the woman's identity. The similarities are hard to ignore, from the color of her hair to how she dresses, but what solidifies it for Atem is the trident that she carries. ]

Luna, is that-? [ He stops there as well, noting the way both the Trident and the Puzzle have begun to glow. ] What's going on?

[inheritedpuzzle]

[ There is almost so much going on at the moment that Yugi can't keep track of it. Whatever "Kaiba", the apparent Oracle, and Shiva are doing seems to fall to the wayside as Yugi stares down at the Puzzle. Concern takes his face. Why are both of them glowing? He glances at Atem, unsure of what to think or even say. All he knows is that Atem has remained a spirit, and only he and Gentiana can see him.

Then, he glances back at "Kaiba" and the Oracle. A Pharaoh with the Millennium Puzzle and an Oracle with the Trident. Maybe that's why the magical items are reacting. They're in proximity to themselves, no matter how ancient or the fact that this is nothing more than a reel of someone's memories.

The glow from the Puzzle finally dissipates, while the Trident's glow returns to that of what it was. Yugi goes to say something, but notices how Lunafreya's gaze has shifted to Atem. She often looks in the direction she presumes he stands in. This time, however, Lunafreya is looking directly at him as if she sees him. ]

Heika...

You can see him? [ Yugi looks between the two and has to fight down the sudden urge to smile. It isn't hard to remember how the two were the night before. Maybe, being able to see his other self, some of that sadness can disappear.

A gut wrenching scream cuts through the moment. Both Lunafreya and Yugi look back at the scene at hand. The Oracle is kneeling down in front of Shiva, her hand gently resting atop the Ice Goddess's head as another cry of anguish leaves her. Yugi feels the icy chill run up his spine as his heart sinks. He could only imagine what it must be like for her, but, now he can feel it to some degree. "Kaiba" even stands closer to the Oracle and Shiva. The large sword of Bahamut swings to the side and rests in front of the behemoth of a monster.

Gentiana steps up behind the group seemingly out of nowhere. ]

Aera. She was one of the first who bore the Trident and communed between the worlds. Those of her family were blessed with the ability to keep the peace in times such as this. The Oracles commune with many, yet the very first they learned to commune with was the Sword God, the Father of Legendary Knights, Bahamut.

[ 'Legendary Knights... she can't mean Timaeus, Critias, and Hermos.' Yugi looks back at Atem. 'Can she?'

The three Legendary Knights that did battle with the Great Leviathan God in Atlantis. The ones that had to be sealed as crystal dragons to recoup their strength until Dartz returned. The ones that were entrusted to him, his other self, Kaiba and Joey. Yugi turns his head up to look at the towering spirit. How tall is he...? ]

[ifthereiswill]

[ Atem also barely knows where to look or what should keep his focus most. He doesn't want to miss a minute of the scene unfolding before them, because of course it's important, but then the unexpected development of both the Puzzle and the Trident reacting to something, whether their counterparts from the past or something else, pulls his focus away.

That's nothing compared to the moment when Lunafreya uses the name she's chosen to call him. ]

Luna? [ In the past, when he's been in spirit form, she's never been able to see him, just relying on deduction to tell roughly where he's standing. Yugi's question echoes his own, because if she can, that's an equally unexpected development. ]

I don't understand. [ Of course, if that really is the case, then that's more than he could have ever asked for. But before he can ask any further questions, he's interrupted by a great scream, and his attention returns to the scene before them. He watches as the Oracle seemingly communes with Shiva, and then when Gentiana speaks, he focuses in on her once more.

Yugi's question is also one that came to his mind when Gentiana mentioned the Legendary Knights. 'I'm not sure, but I suppose it could be possible.'

Aloud, he asks: ] Just who were these legendary knights? [ He turns to Yugi again then, wondering if maybe a few more pieces of the puzzle that so far has been largely incomplete will fall into place. ]

[inheritedpuzzle]

[ Lunafreya's gaze turns back to Atem despite the scene playing out. She has known most of what Gentiana has chosen to show the two men. It was information and pieces of memories shared to her when she made the pact with Gentiana as a child. Though, she supposes, that now both will come to understand just who and what Gentiana truly is. However, how much of all this had tied to Ancient Egypt, even Atem's direct history... ]

The Pharaoh and his vessel would know the answer to their query already. It was them and their friends that fought alongside the Knights as the Orichalcos Leviathan God threatened to shadow both worlds. [ Gentiana tilts her head to look up at the looming creature. ] The Sword God entrusted the protection of worlds to his sons. When they were struck down and forced to withdraw, he reached out to humans to protect both worlds.

The Oracles.

[ Yugi quickly deduces what she means before looking back at Shiva and the woman named Aera. Which means all of this has been tied together even long before Atem ruled Egypt. Why? Is there even a reason? He feels the answers wouldn't be what he was looking for even if he had bothered to ask. ]

「 The Frostbearer has violated sacred rules between the worlds. Punishment must equal to that of the sin. 」 [ A booming voice cuts through the air. Yugi nearly jumps again before realizing that it belongs to none other than Bahamut. ] 「 What becomes of her is left to the hands of Man. She will not be welcome in the world which gave her life until atonement for her sins has been reached. 」

[ Aera raises her head. ]「 The sin rests with Man. She only struck out due to the betrayal we wrought! 」

[ Bahamut, however, seems to be unmoved by the pleas of the Oracle. "Kaiba" instead scoffs, half-turning from the scene. ]

「 Subjects under my care have died this night by her hand. Damage has been done to what little remains of my Capitol after the battles against the Dark God. I would see her banished from my Kingdom. I suppose this means that her fate belongs with you, Oracle. 」

[ifthereiswill]

[ Of course, Atem's attention is focused on the scene in front of him, but he still doesn't quite know what the significance of it all is. Yes, he's aware that there's a connection to him because Egypt and people who lived there are featured in these memories. But does any of this have anything to do with him? Perhaps the answer to that is obvious and he should be able to figure it out, but as of right now, he doesn't really know. ]

So all of this is connected to us, is that what you're saying? [ Not only is he linked to Egypt but there's also that connection to the Knights of Atlantis. And, he supposes, now there's the links between himself, Lunafreya, and Gentiana, even the two women are more connected to each other than he is. He still feels like Gentiana just tolerates his presence, a notion that doesn't bother him very much. His connection with Lunafreya is something deeper, however, and so because of that, he remains open to getting to know Gentiana a little better in turn.

He listens as both sides discuss potential punishments, and he finds himself not liking where this conversation is going. Of course, he understands where both parties are coming from, and he supposes that banishment is a better punishment than death, if such a thing is possible. But from what he can tell, blame lies with both sides. ]

What did the Oracle decide to do? [ He's sure they're about to find out, but he can't help but ask that question anyway. ]

[inheritedpuzzle]

[ Yugi, on the other hand, is fascinated by the entire scene. The more pieces they find of what happened in Ancient Egypt? The easier they can understand what sort of life surrounded Atem. Someone like Isis and Kaiba existed. A magician could summon the Dark Magician Girl. Kaiba's past self was connected to the Blue-Eyes White Dragon, and also knew an Oracle. His mind is racing at how to put it all together. Except, there is no point in racing to conclusions. They need to know how all of this ends.

His gaze turns back to his other self as he speaks again. It's obvious to him that Atem is frustrated at some level. It seems like the picture never becomes clear despite how many pieces they obtain. The easiest answer would be for them to go and unlock those hidden memories the moment they returned to Japan. But, Yugi feels that isn't the best idea right now. ]

「 If none will accept her, then she will come with me. 」

[ The ancient Oracle speaks as if to answer Atem's question directly. She smiles brightly at the Ice Goddess. The swords pinning Shiva down disappear and let the wounded spirit monster move. Aera stands with Shiva as she levitates off the ground and holds her hand out to her. ]

「 She will act on my behest and walk as a mortal would. She would serve me and exist along side me as a normal woman would. Her powers are to be sealed unless the need arises. There is no need for further bloodshed. 」

[ "Kaiba" seems dismissive of the idea, waving his hand to show that he does not care what the Oracle does. Bahamut merely hums in low approval before nodding. Shiva glances at all parties and lowers her head in acceptance of her fate. She lifts her hand to place it within the Oracle's. The ice retracts and melts, leaving water where it once reached out in destruction. "Kaiba" instantly races down the alter to the wounded Isis and Mana.

A glow envelops the Ice Goddess. It comes as fast as it had come, leaving a woman just a hair or two taller than Aera. Pale skin, long black hair, and a gown of blues and whites hanging off her frame. The Oracle beams at her, clasping Shiva's hands within hers.

Yugi's gaze shifts back and forth between the ancient Oracle and Shiva, then to Lunafreya as Gentiana joins her. The dark haired woman opens her amber-green eyes to stare down at the two. The puzzle pieces clink together and Yugi's eyes widen slightly. It explains why the air is always cold around Gentiana; why he felt ice when she batted his arm away.

Gentiana is Shiva.

He looks back at Atem. Somehow, he feels like he shouldn't say anything now. Despite how large the scene was? Now, it seems to be that whatever is left to say should be shared between the Pharaoh and the Ice Goddess that his people trapped.

He, instead, turns his attention to Lunafreya. The Oracle closes her eyes and gently shakes her head. What she has to say can be left until after Gentiana has finished sharing what she knows. ]

[ifthereiswill]

[ Part of Atem knows that he is also fascinated by the scene, but at the same time, he's still uncertain about what he might learn if and when he recovers his memories and if he'll like what he finds out. Even the scene that Gentiana's shown them has revealed things he didn't expect to see and didn't particularly enjoy watching either. Of course, he's aware that life is full of unpleasant things, but to see it so plainly in front of them came as a surprise.

Once the Oracle starts speaking, Atem turns his focus back to her for a moment, because he finds himself surprised by her statements. ]

She found it that easy to accept her, after everything? [ Referring to Shiva and what she's done thus far, that is. It doesn't seem like the worst possible thing, but he can imagine that people like the priest still standing there might not appreciate it very much.

As Yugi's already realized, Atem's also begun to connect the dots between Gentiana and Shiva, and of course, the revelation is surprising. But also, it explains a lot and puts things in considerably more context than they had to start with.

Perhaps he should say something, or make some kind of comment about what they've just seen, but he honestly doesn't know what he should say, if anything. He glances between Gentiana and Lunafreya, but at least the latter doesn't seem inclined to give an answer just yet.

So, he glances over at Yugi instead, as if wordlessly asking what he thinks about all this. ]

[inheritedpuzzle]

[ Yugi looks down in thought for a few moments before turning his gaze to his partner. 'Gentiana has always been by Luna's side... so does that mean she's been here for three thousand years? The entire time you've spent in the Puzzle, she's been living with humans? How did no one notice someone similar throughout history? Did she work with every single Oracle?'

Honestly, his mind is going so fast that he's not entirely sure how he feels about it as a whole. It doesn't bother him that Gentiana is a Duel Monster. After all, the two of them have special bonds with the Dark Magician and Dark Magician Girl. It also means that Lunafreya has known Gentiana is a Duel Monster all along... maybe her whole life. Even before she became the Oracle.

'That means Lunafreya is always in contact with a Duel Monster. I guess that's why she can talk to the spirits in our deck so easily.' Yugi shrugs slightly. It honestly doesn't bother him. 'What do you think, Other Me? She knew Kaiba's past life...'

It's only then that Yugi realizes that the scene has disapeared around them. They're back in the hotel room that belongs to the two women. He realizes his hand is still touching the Trident and he slowly pulls it away as it no longer glows. He glances up at Lunafreya, seeing her gaze has shifted to the side and her eyes closed. Did it take a lot out of her to show them that? ]

Aera believed that she should set the example that others should follow. The worlds were closer then; wars between nations using those of my kind were not uncommon. [ Gentiana finally answers Atem's question as she steps behind the couch Lunafreya sits on. Her hands raise to rest on the shoulders of the younger Oracle. ] The kingdom in which she hailed from was too at war, but itself. Two brothers fought for power of the kingdom, even believing they knew best how to lead and heal from the plague which struck it. Even then, Aera could understand the pain that the Frostbearer felt. She also was unable to be with the one that she loved.

[ Yugi frowns, feeling he doesn't really want to know the answer to the question he's about to ask. But, he can't help the fact that he does want to know. They know so little about Lunafreya's home and family... ]

Why? What was stopping her from being with him? She had children, didn't she?

[ Gentiana frowns gently then. Her gaze shifts to Atem, silently questioning if he too wishes to know more of the first Oracle. ]

[ifthereiswill]

[ Atem's expression turns thoughtful as he tries to begin processing all this. 'So it seems. She must have been here for at least that long, if I'm understanding everything correctly.' And then, in spite of himself, he smiles a halfway amused smile. 'People are not always so observant or curious, Yugi. It's possible that they saw Gentiana and had questions but didn't go much further than that.' There are those who would poke holes in people's stories, but there are also those individuals who don't desire to look too far outside their comfort zone.

Atem knows he can hardly speak as an authority would on this subject, but he has encountered those who seem unable to see past their noses. He'd also be the first to admit that he's been guilty of that very thing himself, but he always has his friends with him to knock him back down a peg or two when he loses sight of himself and what's important.

He also has one eye on Lunafreya, thoughts mirroring Yugi's, because he can't help but wonder what the cost of showing them visions like these is for her and Gentiana both. He imagines that it shouldn't be terribly difficult for Gentiana, given who she is, but Lunafreya is still human, even though she carries the mantle of the Oracle.

But she seems whole enough as far as he can tell, although that's not going to be enough to cause him to stop worrying about her.

For now, though, he just continues to listen to Gentiana's continued explanation, and when Yugi asks his question and the dark haired woman turns her attentions towards him, he nods by way of answer. They've come this far, and there's no denying the fact that stories from the past are every bit as important as forging ahead in the present.

Atem might be a displaced spirit from the past, but that doesn't mean his interest in past history has gone by the wayside. ]

If you don't mind, please continue. [ Of course, if she wishes to stop, he won't argue. ]

/gently starts wrapping this stuff up unless we wanted it to continue in another thread >.>

[inheritedpuzzle]

[ Yugi returns the half-smile with his own. His other self is right. Most people don't think to look, let alone look a second time at something. Maybe that's why their group of friends pulled together the way they did. They saw things that people didn't; value in games and people. ]

The brothers of her kingdom were destined to war. Unto them was given the power to banish the plague of darkness from their lands - a plague which the healing powers of the Oracle's family had combated for many years. The eldest, the ability to absorb the plague of darkness into him, and the younger the ability to wield the magic inherit to their family line. One believed that to eradicate the darkness was to destroy it, the other believed he could house it within himself and control it. Perhaps the Oracle would have been with her beloved - the younger - if he had not been chosen to be king. The Proclaimed King and Oracle worked together tirelessly to heal the kingdom, leaving no room for themselves. Strained peace fell between the brothers until the elder believed his birthright and throne robbed as the darkness contorted his mind. He made a plea to the source of their magic and yet was rejected as the darkness kept him from channeling their magic. The King sought to cut his brother down to release him and their Kingdom from the darkness and they struck blows on sacred ground.

[ Gentiana raises a hand from Lunafreya's shoulder and gestures to the Trident the younger woman still holds. ]

The Oracle attempted to quell their fighting yet remained unsuccessful, even with aid of the Frostbearer. [ A sadness takes her eyes then. ] Aera placed herself between the brothers in one final attempt of keeping the brothers from slaying one another. A blow was struck and the Oracle cut down.

[ Yugi's eyes widen. Lunafreya's ancestor did all that she did only to die trying to save the people she loved? He can't help but feel maybe that's why Lunafreya is so willing to give everything she is to her calling. She is like her ancestor... except in a world where magic is thought to be made up and just bedtime stories. He thinks then how hard it must be for Lunafreya to be what she is and yet lie to the world at the same time. He never thought her life was easy, but, there just seems to be more he may never really know. ]

The younger sister followed in Aera's path, and the Lady to the Oracle has remained at the side of each one ever since. A promise was made to the Frostbearer's first true human friend and the Lady shall keep it ever more. [ Gentiana is aware of how vague it remains. The raised hand then rests atop Lunafreya's head. ] The eldest disappeared into the darkness, and the King carried on the duty of his bloodline. The Oracles and Kings worked together through the centuries thereafter, bound together by their shared history. However, the Oracles and the Lady herself are bound by the history of the Pharaoh's kingdom as well.

The Pharaoh after the Other Me -- the one that looks like Kaiba. He let all of you go in an attempt to keep the Shadow Games hidden? [ Yugi only looks back at Atem once Gentiana has nodded. ] I bet that's why Aera was there. Maybe she decided to help him do that. But, why did he want to erase any trace of the Shadow Games?

[ Gentiana's amber-brown gaze turns to Atem once more. ] A great darkness had fallen upon the Pharaoh's kingdom after the death of the previous Pharaoh. The Lady knows not what it was as the Frostbearer was not summoned out of fear of retribution for the death of her own beloved. The answer lies within the memories of the Pharaoh himself.