章 86: Is Soul Stealing a Common Skill?

Sorry for the delay, this chapter may be a bit short but a much longer one will be released on Wednesday AEST

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[Yuna's POV]

Shortly after bidding farewell to Kaiba, I hurried to the airport, where Ishizu awaited me with a welcoming smile. She guided me to her private plane, and I immediately experienced the epitome of luxury.

Despite the comfort, the flight felt excruciatingly long, especially compared to the speed of Kaiba's Blue Eyes White Dragon Jet. Nonetheless, the atmosphere of being on a private plane was unparalleled. I used the time to relax, meticulously sort through my deck, and mentally prepare for the battle ahead.

When we finally landed, the intense desert heat hit me like a wave. The sudden temperature shift caught me off guard, but I quickly changed into a more suitable outfit, feeling a rush of relief as I adapted to the new environment.

"Please follow me," Ishizu spoke softly, "There's already a car waiting for us."

We walked briskly to the car and settled into the backseat. Ishizu exchanged a few words with the driver, and soon, we were on our way. As we sat facing each other, I couldn't help but be captivated by her serene expression.

"Ishizu..." I began, catching her attention, "What if I... lose?"

Her confident smile never wavered. "I have faith that you won't be defeated, Miss Sano," she replied, her voice steady. "So, victory is already assured."

"I see..." I answered though I sensed there was more beneath her calm exterior. "...Are you okay?" I asked, watching her closely. Her beautiful smile faltered for a brief moment, and I glimpsed a crack in her composed facade.

"Ishizu..." I gently placed my hand over hers, "Tell me... what's wrong?"

"It's complicated..." Ishizu muttered with a wry smile. "Watching you prepare so diligently, Miss Sano, I've never felt so useless before."

She sighed sadly, her gaze distant. "Even now, we rely on someone else to solve our problem because we lack the strength to do it ourselves. In that tomb, I felt utterly powerless against that evil being. While I managed to escape, my brothers stayed behind to fight."

"It has already been a week, and with each passing second, my worry grows. I have to face the possibility that Marik and Odion may not return alive..." Ishizu bit her lip, her nails digging into her palms as she struggled to hold back her tears.

"Ishizu..."

"No matter how much I want to rescue my brothers myself, I know I'm incapable..." Her tears began to fall, and the car was enveloped in a heavy silence. Watching Ishizu cry, I felt a heavy feeling in my heart. In my mind, I always thought of her as someone very mature and headstrong.

But now...

I grasped Ishizu's hand while she wiped her tears with a tissue, "I'm sorry for showing you such an unruly side of me..."

"Don't apologise..." I smiled, "You must be very worried..."

"Yes, of course." Ishizu chuckled, "These two were very stubborn sometimes, so I always felt concerned when I was away..."

"But isn't that what... having siblings is all about?" I replied, and she laughed.

"That's right..." Ishizu muttered softly.

Suddenly, she pulled me into her embrace. As my face was buried in her chest, I heard Ishizu's gentle whisper as she patted my head, "I always wanted a little sister. While Odion and Marik were everything I could've asked for, I couldn't share the same closeness. Does Miss Sano feel the same way?"

Ishizu stared at me with an expectant smile as I blushed. Averting my gaze, I nodded shyly, "It feels nice... with Ishizu-san..."

"Miss Sano is too cute..." Ishizu muttered absentmindedly, and the arms wrapped around me tightened, "I really wanted to spoil you. Will another villa suffice?"

"N... No, no!" I frantically shook my head, "It's more... than enough!"

"Fu fu fu," Ishizu giggled at my reaction, "I was only joking. So please don't take it to heart."

"Nn..." I pouted and glanced at Ishizu's mischievous expression. Hiding my face, I smiled softly, relief that Ishizu was able to return to her usual self...

An hour later...

After a long journey, the car finally stopped, and one of Ishizu's subordinates opened the door for us. Stepping out of the vehicle, I was once again reminded of the severity of the situation.

In the distance stood an ancient ruin from the remnants of an old civilisation. The ruins were half-buried by shifting sands, and the remaining structures that weren't wholly buried were eroded by the centuries of harsh weather.

As we approached the cave-like entrance, I spotted countless tents surrounding the outside. Occupying those tents were soldiers armed with intimidating-looking guns and military vehicles.

Noticing our presence, the soldiers simultaneously turned their heads, and I instinctively flinched.

"Don't be afraid; they are here to prevent the evil spirit from leaving," Ishizu explained. "Times like this, I'm glad I dabbled a little in politics so I can do something like this."

As we approached the stairs leading down to the bottom of the tomb, Ishizu and I paused, taking in the sight of the deep tunnel and the evil presence that awaited us. Speaking in Arabic to a nearby soldier, she then turned to me with a worried smile.

"We will be going down there alone," Ishizu explained. "These men will wait for us. If we don't respond in two hours, a squad will be sent to locate us."

"...And if that fails?" I asked, curiosity mingling with apprehension. Her expression turned solemn.

"Then they will blow up the entire cave, resealing it," Ishizu replied without hesitation, "So there's no going back."

I took a deep breath, swallowing hard. "I'm ready... Let's go."

Under the watchful eyes of the soldiers, Ishizu and I cautiously descended into the ruins. The intimidating atmosphere weighed heavily on us, and we walked in tense silence, too nervous to speak.

When we finally reached the last door, Ishizu inhaled sharply, her face paling. "Ishizu-san..." I called out softly, and she nodded hesitantly.

"I'm sorry... I'm just preparing myself for what I might see..." she muttered, slowly reaching out towards the entrance of the tomb, "Here I go."

With a gentle push, the door opened, and a wisp of smoke blasted out, enveloping us. We gritted our teeth as the smoke cleared, revealing the room beyond. Stepping inside, I was able to see the scale of the situation that we find ourselves in.

Craters and rubbles littered the room, showing signs of a recent battle. Beyond the debris were two figures slumped against the wall, their body lifeless.

"Marik, Odion!" Ishizu cried and ran towards them, pulling the two out of the pile of sandstone.

Suddenly, the smoke began to coalesce back towards the coffin in the middle of the room. Gradually, the dark smoke rose and formed into a humanoid shape. When the smoke dissipated, a figure of a man could be seen.

He had muscular skin with pulsating veins, dirty blonde hair cascading down his back, and a few strands covering his ruby-red eyes. A blue jewel was embedded in his forehead. Thankfully, he wore a black cape and pants, sparing us an awkward confrontation.

"Have more souls arrived to offer themselves up to me?" the man chuckled, his gaze shifting to the frightened Ishizu. "Ah... you're that woman from before. Did you change your mind and come back for your comrades? Unfortunately for you, it's already too late."

"My brothers! What have you done to them?!" Ishizu screamed in anger.

"These fools thought they had the strength to challenge me." Anubis pointed with his chin and snorted. "They paid the price with their souls."

"You two..." Ishizu wept and embraced them tightly.

Turning his head, Anubis scanned me up and down before smiling arrogantly, "So, who is this little lady you brought before me?"

"Someone... who will defeat you," I growled with disdain, causing the man to bellow with laughter.

"You?! What will you even do?!" he snorted. "From what I see, you don't even have a complete soul! You have nothing to offer me..."

I smiled wryly, annoyed by his remark about my condition. Taking out my deck, I revealed the Winged Dragon of Ra. "Will you be interested... in this?"

Instantly, the man's eyes sharpened, fixating on the Egyptian God Card in my hand. However, before he could react, the card disappeared back into my system, and I smiled teasingly.

"Do I... have your attention now?"

His shoulders trembled, and he ground his teeth in anger. "Are you making fun of me?!" he roared. "What makes you think I won't just take it by force?"

"Because... you couldn't," I responded. "Only I have access to Ra. If you hurt me... forget about it." Knowing how much this guy desired the Egyptian Gods, I was confident he wouldn't do anything rashly.

"Tsk..." He clicked his teeth. "What is it that you want?"

"A duel," I demanded. "If you win, you get my soul and Ra."

"Although your soul isn't as valuable as these two, the Winged Dragon of Ra will suffice." He rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Very well, I will do it."

"Aren't you curious about what happens if I win?" I asked, adrenaline coursing through me, raising my confidence level.

"Fine... what will happen if you win?" He questioned.

"You will be destroyed," I said, clapping and smiling. "I also want Odion and Marik's souls back." Ishizu's tear-streaked face flashed in my mind, fueling my determination to beat this guy up.

The man scowled before bursting into laughter. "How bold... Very well, I accept your challenge." Lifting his arm, smoke gathered around us, and I felt the familiar oppressive sensation of a Shadow Game. Various small tablets floated around him, and the man smiled.

"I, the creator of the Pyramid of Light, the powerful sorcerer Anubis, challenge you to a duel!"

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