Chương 59: Loss and Reconciliation

Hi guys, I will apologise again for the delay. Happy New Year!! (I want to say it once more).

From the speed of this story, I think I can finish it at the end of this year? But we will see...

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[Yuna's POV]

"Where am I this time..." I mumbled and slowly opened my eyes, finding myself under the shade of a massive tree and lying on the comfortable soft grass: "My subconsciousness?" I blurted out upon noticing this familiar landscape.

Standing up, I quietly stepped into the sunlight and observed the scenery with a serene feeling: "Speaking off, where is everyone..." I mumbled.

*THUD*

I was suddenly swept off my feet as something hard struck my back: "Yuna!!!" A soft voice exclaimed with relief, and I felt two arms wrapping tightly around me.

Glimpsing at the woman behind me, my smile widened, and I returned the embrace. After a while, she broke away and pouted: "Do you know how worried I was!" Sulking, she reached out her hand and pulled on my cheeks.

"Sorry..." I apologised, and the woman reluctantly let go.

"You should be. If it weren't for me, you would've already died by now!" She said sternly.

"Yes, yes, I am very grateful that you're here to look after me." I smiled while rubbing my sore face: "If it weren't for you, I wouldn't know what to do."

"Hmph, that's right!" The woman's nose twitched, and she nodded proudly.

As we smiled at each other, the silence began to drag out, and I sensed the atmosphere becoming strangely solemn. The smile on the woman's face gradually disappeared, and she bit her lips wistfully: "Yuna... I don't think I can help you anymore."

I froze, and I stared at her with wide eyes: "What are you saying.... Is it because I keep getting myself into these situations?! I'm sorry, please don't leave. I promise I will do better!"

"No, no, no!" The woman hurriedly waved her arms: "I don't care about that!"

"Then!"

Examining my panic-stricken face, the woman chuckled: "Yuna, have you ever thought about what kind of existent am I?"

"Uhhh.... I always thought that you're like my guardian angel, like that magical cricket from the cartoons!" I answered honestly.

"Ugh... That comparison..." She groaned.

Sighing, the woman smiled wryly: "Unfortunately, I believed you're not ready yet, so the best response I could give you was that I'm a remnant of an ancient past that's currently residing in your unconsciousness."

"That's still pretty vague, though..." I muttered blankly, and she awkwardly scratched her face.

"But other than that!" I frantically stood up: "You still haven't explained why you have to leave!"

"Fu fu fu..." The woman patted my head: " I have used too much strength to manifest into the physical world, and protecting your soul from the Winged Dragon of Ra, I no longer have the energy to maintain myself here."

Slowly, she lifted her arm, pulling back her sleeve; I gasped in shock at the cracks running along her limbs.

"No way..." I gasped, on the verge of tears: "Then it's all my fault..."

*TAP*

I winced as the woman flicked my forehead: "Don't ever say that. I could never let you die."

Suddenly, I was pulled into an embrace, and she slowly stroked my head. I hesitantly reached out with my arms but was too scared that her fragile body would break under my strength, and my hands hung loosely in the air, unable to move.

"Don't ever blame yourself. As long as you're safe, I'm happy." She said.

"Why?" I sniffed and wiped my tears: "You're not my mom or anything, so why am I so important to you?"

"~Well, you will find that out soon~" The woman teased lightly, and I felt annoyed by the nonchalant response.

"I will miss you..." I murmured: "It's going to be lonely without you..."

"But you're not alone, though?" The woman gestured with her chin, and I turned around to find two dragons timidly observing me: "So smile; it's not the end of the world."

I tried to smile, but my lips kept drooping down. Noticing this, she giggled in resignation: "How about this, if you keep thinking it's your fault, then will you do one thing me to call it even?"

"Yes, of course!" I answered eagerly: "Anything for you!"

"Call me by my name."

I froze and stared at her in shock. She laughed and waited with anticipation as she urged me with her hands. Although I wanted to shout that she was asking for too little, her demeanour had already shown me that she had made up her mind, and there was nothing I could do to change it.

Averting my gaze in embarrassment, I nervously utter the name that was in the back of my mind all this time: "K... Kisara..."

Instantly, her smile bloomed like a majestic flower, and she removed her veil, revealing a set of beautiful blue eyes: "Let me introduce myself again. My name is Kisara. Unfortunately, I don't have a last name, ~ but it's a pleasure to meet you. ~"

"Why do you hide your identity?" I find myself asking out loud: "I don't think it should mess up anything if you tell me who you are, right?"

"Well..." Kisara laughed embarrassingly: "I always thought it was a little cool to play a mysterious character...."

"....."

"Hey, don't look at me like that!" She yelled while blushing: "If you have already known, why haven't you said anything?!"

"I do have an inkling of suspicion since there's not a lot of people with white hair..." I answered: "Also, you looked like you were having fun, so I decided to keep my mouth shut..."

"Ah, my image..." Kisara collapsed on all fours: "The elegant and mysterious image I perfectly crafted is in tatters..."

'It was destroyed a long time ago when I first woke up here...' I thought and coughed awkwardly.

"Don't worry, I won't tell anyone," I assured and patted her shoulders: "Your secret is safe with me."

Kisara grabbed my hands and stared at me with eyes full of trust: "I know I can depend on you, Yuna!" Glancing at her sparkling face, I chuckled at how fast she ditched her elegant persona, and I couldn't help but think of all the times I acted differently with other people compared to being by myself.

Suddenly, as she held my hands, Kisara's body began to glow. Stunned, she observed her hands and her lower body begin to disintegrate into tiny particles of golden light.

"Wha... what's happening!" I yelled shakily.

"Looks like it's time..." Kisara muttered before smiling wryly: "Yuna, I wished I could have stayed longer, but fate said otherwise."

"No, you can't leave!" I pleaded desperately: "I needed you!"

However, Kisara giggled and shook her head: "No, you don't.... You never needed me; the reason that you're where you are was due to your efforts, not mine."

"Stand proud, Yuna, you are strong." Kisara smiled brightly, and I clenched my fists, holding back the tears.

"Oh wait, I forgot to tell you one last thing." She smirked: "This is a question you will probably ask me in the future; I will answer it now. I don't mind if you take him because....." Her words trailed off as Kisara's voice quietened.

"Huh, I can't hear you. Who am I taking!?" I questioned in confusion.

"I said," Kisara brought her hands close to her mouth: "I don't mind you..."

Her voice died out again, and realising that I could no longer hear her, Kisara closed her mouth. With a sigh, she smiled brightly as if it couldn't be helped.

"Just you wait. The next time you see me, I'm going to be much stronger!!" I yelled.

She listened and laughed, although no sounds came from her laughter...

With one final wave, Kisara has disappeared...

Staring at the ground where Kisara previously stood, I dug my nails into my palm to control my swirling emotions. Suddenly, something nudged me, and I glanced at Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand with its head lowered next to me.

Hugging the dragon and burying my face in its neck, I sighed in sadness: "Kisara...." I mumbled in despair, and Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand groaned with concern.

Gradually, I felt my consciousness wading. Realising I was leaving my subconsciousness, I thought about what was going to happen in the real world.

I'm definitely going to cry a lot when I wake up...

Let's hope nobody sees it...

Meanwhile...

[3rd POV]

"Why hasn't she woke up yet?" Seto snarled at the doctor, who was sweating nervously.

"I... I'm sorry! But, no matter how much we examined her, we couldn't find anything wrong with the patient's body!" The doctor explained nervously.

"Tsk..." Seto's mood worsened considerably: "Just get out of my sight..."

Once the doctor hurriedly retreated out of the room, he quietly observed the unconscious girl on the bed. Sighing, Seto closed his eyes as he remembered the indescribable duel that happened two days ago.

[Flash Back]

The atmosphere was bathed in deafening silence as everyone stared at the massive dark barrier with complicated emotions.

"Hick... Big Sister..." Serenity whimpered as the anxiety overwhelmed her.

It had already been some time since the dome was erected, and nobody could see anything inside. Finally, unable to bear it, Seto marched towards Ishizu and Odion with intimidating pressure.

"Tell me how to remove that thing." He ordered.

Ishizu calmly scrutinised Seto's expression and briefly glanced at Odion as they nodded at each other: "What the evil spirit within my brother has created was a Shadow Game. It was a duel created through a battle of sorcery, and outsiders could not intervene."

"Shadow Game, sorcery and evil spirit?" Seto fumed: "Don't bullsh*t with me! Destroy that barrier this instant!"

"Kaiba, calm down." Seto clicked his teeth and glimpsed at Yami Yugi, who approached from behind: "I know it's very hard to believe, but what she said is all true."

"Yugi..." Suddenly, he grasped his collar with anger: "You're sprouting that nonsense as well?!"

In a composed manner, Yami Yugi grabbed Seto's wrist: "Kaiba, I understand that you're concerned about Sano-san's safety, but we must be patient."

Listening to Yami Yugi's remark, Seto froze: "Me... Me concerned about her?" Stepping back, he explained flusteredly: "I'm only bothered by how long this duel will take and if we can finish everything within schedule!"

Slapping Yami Yugi's hand away, Seto hurriedly retreated to Mokuba's side, his head lowered to hide his embarrassed expression.

BOOOOOM

Suddenly, the entire tower rumbled deeply, and everyone was caught off guard: "Tsk... What's happening now?!" Seto shouted.

"This.... This isn't possible." Everyone swung their heads towards Ishizu. Her pupils were unfocused, and her body shook in nervousness: "Such energy... To reach this level...."

ROOOOAAAARRRRR

A thunderous roar echoed through the entire island, clutching their ears; the spectators couldn't fathom what being had unleashed such a devastating cry.

"Brother, look!"

Seto spun around from Mokuba's exclamation and gasped. Slowly, rising from the edge of the tower was a massive head of a dragon. The dragon's red pupils glowed ominously as the rest of its upper body was fully raised above the tower, displaying its majestic white mane, wings and claws.

"What in the world...." Tea mumbled while shaking in fright.

'Other me, what's happening!' Yugi asked frantically as Yami Yugi stared at the dragon in a daze.

"There should only be three Gods...." Yami Yugi mumbled: "But that one has a stronger energy than all three!" Yugi's eyes widened, and ever since he had known his other self, this was the first time that Yami Yugi had ever been frightened.

The dragon howled, and everybody covered their ears from the noise. It raised its arm and smashed into the dark dome, piercing through the barrier like its paper.

BOOOOOOM

Cracks ran along the dome, and the shell exploded, finally revealing what was inside: "Big Sister!" Serenity yelled upon seeing Yuna standing on the field.

Strangely, relief washed over Seto, and he let go of the breath he had been holding this entire time. Suddenly, his eyes widened as he gazed at Yuna and noticed another woman standing beside her.

Seto clutched his head as a sharp headache assaulted him. Kneeling, he groaned in pain. Gritting his teeth, Setostare at the woman once more and found out that she had already disappeared...

"Ten Thousand Dragon!" He snapped out of his daze when Yuna shouted: "Attack!!"

The dragon roared, and to everyone's absolute disbelief, Ten Thousand Dragon picked up the Winged Dragon of Ra and devoured the Egyptian God in one bite.

Even when the match finished, Ten Thousand Dragon continued to move, attacking Yami Marik with a deadly beam, and the people watching began to think that it was more than just a simple virtual illusion...

[Flash Back End]

For the last two days, Seto researched extensively on the monster Yuna had summoned. However, no matter how much he searched, the result would always return empty, as it was a card that he had never seen before...

Even when he secretly searched through Yuna's deck, the card of that monster vanished without a trace.

"K.... Kaiba?"

Seto instantly snapped out of his daze at the sound of someone calling his name. On the hospital bed, Yuna slowly opened her eyes, and she groaned in the discomfort all over her body: "How long.... was I... asleep?"

"Two days." Seto answered: "Do you need anything?"

"Water.... please..." Yuna croaked. To her relief, he complied and handed her a cup filled with water from the nearby dispenser. Carefully sipping the water, she sighed with relief as the cool liquid refreshed her dried throat.

"Have a rest, and I will go get the doctor," Seto explained. However, before he took a step further, Yuna grabbed the end of his sleeve and stopped him in his tracks.

"What is it?" He frowned.

"Kaiba...." Yuna called out hesitantly: "Have.... you... lost someone close.... before?"

Confused, Seto thought about her question and responded solemnly: "There's no one in particular that's ever "close" in my life other than my brother."

"That... so...." She mumbled, clearly disheartened.

"Now that I think about it..." Seto found himself speaking despite not wanting to: "When we were young and living in my fa.... Gozaburo's mansion, there was an old caretaker who looked after us. She treated us more warmly than everyone else, so I always had a favourable impression of that woman."

"Wh... what happened?" She probed, wanting to know more.

"It obviously didn't go unnoticed, and Gozaburo fired her as he assumed she would be a hindrance to my studies. It was only later on I found out that she passed away shortly after that incident."

"How did.... it feel?"

"That..." his eyes narrowed: "I don't remember. Naturally, the news saddened me, but that was it." Is that all of your questions?"

"Y... yes..." Yuna muttered stiffly, and her disappointment didn't escape Seto's observant gaze.

To his shock, she suddenly leaned forward, planting her face into his stomach. Caught off guard by her actions, Seto's body tensed, and his face contorted into a scowl: "What do you think you're...."

*Drip Drip*

The sound of droplets hitting the cold floor resonated faintly in the quiet room. Gradually, he felt his shirt dampened with tears, and his hand that tried to push Yuna away froze in midair. Grasping his shirt, Yuna quietly cried, pouring all of her suppressed emotions out like a raging river.

Kisara's last moment was still vivid in her mind, and no matter what she did, the tears refused to end. It was the first time Yuna had felt this much anguish, and her heart couldn't handle this pain.

For Yuna, Kisara was like her "Big Sister", someone whom she could comfortably talk to and who would always look after her, keeping her out of danger. So, with Kisara gone, what would be Yuna's fate now?

Suddenly, as she wept, Yuna felt warmth on her head. Opening her eyes, she saw Seto gently stroking her hair; his expression was cold, but Yuna could sense the gentleness in his action.

"Kai...ba...." She uttered in surprise.

Seto sighed: "I won't ask what made you cry like this, and you don't have to listen." He spoke dully: "But everything would be alright."

"Ah..." Yuna's eyes widened slightly. Although Seto's words were short, they were the exact things she wanted to hear the most...

"So don't cry anymore...." He muttered, and Yuna nodded.

As ten minutes passed by, Yuna was finally able to control her emotions and backed away from Seto. Glancing at the dark stain on his shirt, Yuna stared at her hands, and her face reddened with embarrassment.

"Wipe your face," Seto ordered as he tossed her a handkerchief: "If you don't need me anymore, I'm leaving."

Holding the soft fabric in her hands, Yuna felt the temperature on her face rise again: "Kaiba!" She yelled with her head lowered: "Thank... Thank you!!"

"Hmph," Seto snorted and covered his mouth, which kept trying to raise into a smile.

*CLATTER*

Suddenly, Seto and Yuna recoiled at the piercing sound of something hitting the floor. With a scowl, he stared at the two children, gasping in shock. Their hands were suspended in the air as the metal tray full of snacks they were holding.

"Big... Sister?" Serenity mumbled, and tears welled up in her eyes: "WAAAAAHHHHHH BIG SISTER!!!!"

"Big Sister...." Mokuba's lips trembled: "Did big sister really wake up?"

Smiling wryly, Yuna spread her arms, and the children leapt onto the bed, tightly clinging onto her from both sides. Clicking his teeth, Seto frowned at the mess Serenity and Mokuba made as he instinctively wanted to order the two to leave.

However, when Seto witnessed Yuna smiling with joy, his thoughts wavered, and he unclenched his fists: "You have been through a lot... Rest well." With that, he quietly left the room as the sound of three people crying reverberated behind him...

A few Hours Later...

"Hey, hey, if it has been a few hours now, are you still going to keep hanging onto the patient?" Noah scowled with discontent.

Yuna chuckled and shrugged as Noah's words merely made Mokuba and Serenity hug harder, and she couldn't bear to reject while being under their whimpering gazes.

The last couple of hours were uneventful, and the doctors thoroughly examined Yuna. Thankfully, she had suffered no severe injuries, well, injuries that could be detected from the medical devices, at least...

With the remainder of the time, she asked about what happened shortly after her duel. Mokuba explained that both she and Marik were unconscious and sent to the infirmary. Marik seemed to have woken up much earlier than she had, and around that time, Joey and Bakura had also recovered. Despite Serenity not wanting to admit it, it was evident that a great weight was lifted off her chest.

Suddenly, they all heard footsteps in the hallway, and a knock swiftly arrived on the infirmary's door. Since Yuna was told to stay in bed, Mokuba went and opened the door for her, but he instantly froze upon the three figures standing outside.

"May we come in?" Ishizu asked with her usual soft tone, and Mokuba blinked blankly while making room for her to enter. Naturally, following behind the woman was Odion and, of course.... Marik...

"Serenity... Mokuba.... Noah... Please leave..." Yuna calmly requested. The three immediately wanted to protest, but under her firm gaze, they had no choice but to exit the room obediently.

As the sound of the door closing resonated behind her, Ishizu approached the bed and smiled: "I'm glad you're alright, Miss Sano; you have given us quite the scare."

"Thanks to your bravery, the foul spirit that plagued my brother's mind has been eradicated.... If it wasn't for you...." Unable to finish, she kneeled, placing her hand over her chest in a deep bow, her head almost touching the floor.

The two Ishtar brothers stared at their sisters in shock: "Sister, what are you doing?" Marik uttered in disbelief.

"Odion Ishtar, Marik Ishtar, I order you to bow this instant!" Ishizu's stern shout triggered the childhood instinct in the men's hearts, and they frantically followed after her and knelt on one knee.

"For saving the heir of the Tomb Keepers and my family, the Ishtars will forever be Miss Sano's debt, and we shall follow any orders the lady has."

Odion: "We shall follow...."

Marik: "W... We shall follow..."

"What..." Yuna's eyes bulged in disbelief, and she hurriedly waved her arms in a panic at the declaration that seemed to be executed on a whim: "I can't... It's too much..."

Straightening her body, Ishizu's eyes were full of amusement as if she had heard something unbelievable: "Despite being ancient Tomb Keepers, the Ishtars still have significant wealth and political influence in the modern world, so almost everyone wanted to have a good relationship with us. This is the first time that someone has rejected my sincere offer..."

"Are... you mad?" Yuna asked hesitantly and sneakily crawled to the other end of the bed.

"Quite the contrary," Ishizu smiled: "It convinced me that my decision wasn't a foolish one. So don't feel stressed by this gift."

"O... Okay..." Yuna eventually nodded.

"Good." Ishizu grinned with satisfaction: "Other than that, there is another purpose for our visit." Glancing at Odion, they both nodded and quietly exited the room, leaving Marik and Yuna alone.

As the door closed, the atmosphere instantly turned quiet: 'This is too awkward...' They thought in unison.

"Um...." Marik rubbed the back of his neck: "About what...." Instantly, he held his breath as a suffocating pressure swept through the room.

Behind Yuna was a vast shadow that covered the entire side of the wall. Gradually, two pairs of pupils took shape, one small and yellow like the nectar of a flower while the other sharp and red like blood. Marik felt himself having difficulty breathing, and he grasped his chest in discomfort.

Noticing the presence, Yuna raised her hand, and the shadow vanished: "Marik..." She muttered softly: "Why?"

'Why....' Marik repeated the word in his head, unable to comprehend her intention.

Yuna stared at him calmly and crossed her arms. "We both... know.... not everything could... be blamed on the spirit...."

Marik flinched and gazed at the floor. He couldn't formulate any words and shamefully bit his lips.

"You... killed...."

"You.... swindled...."

"You... stole...."

Each word was like a sharp knife stabbing into Marik's chest, and Yuna glared coldly: "You also hurt.... people I.... cared about...."

"So... Why..." She clenched her fist: "Why... do you... do it?"

Marik's heart churned in disgrace: "Because I was blinded by revenge, and I became a selfish, greedy and cruel person... I'm not asking for forgiveness for what I have done, but I genuinely regret my actions... I know it's impossible to fix the damages I have done, but no matter how difficult the future is, if it can even heal a little bit of the destruction, I will gladly walk it."

"Yuna Sano..." Marik bowed: "I'm sorry....."

Yuna stared at Marik with a complicated emotion. Despite wanting to berate him, she also knew his past, and she felt unsure of how to act: "Do you....truly promise?"

With determination, Marik took out his Millennium Rod and held it between them: "I shall, and I will prove it to you right now...."

"In the name of Marik Ishtar, I will create this shadow game. In this game, the player Marik Ishtar should never break his promise to Yuna Sano. If the vow was broken, I will lose, and my soul will be forfeit to the great darkness."

Instantly, the artifact shined, and Yuna frowned as she sensed an ominous power, but the energy disappeared before it could envelop the room.

"I hope this has demonstrated my resolve." Marik answered calmly: "If I ever stray from this path, I will die."

Yuna gulped at this recklessness and was momentarily impressed: "I still... haven't... forgiven you..."

"I understand." He nodded: "It's foolish of me if I wished for you to forgive me."

With nothing left to say, they stood opposite of one another, trying to gauge the other person's emotions. Eventually, Marik remembered another matter and dug into his pocket: "I forgot, but I will give you this."

Grabbing the card from his hand, Yuna scowled deeply upon seeing the image of the giant golden-winged chicken: "I know it must have been difficult for you to accept this card, but Winged Dragon of Ra can greatly help you in your future duels."

Tightly clutching the card between her fingers, Yuna recalled all of the painful memories of the Egyptian God's attack, and she subconsciously trembled. However, knowing that Marik was right, she bit her lips and sulkily tossed the card away: "Fine..."

Marik's face stiffened slightly at the mistreatment of the Egyptian God but still explained with a smile: "Here's also the inscription for Winged Dragon of Ra's chant. You must memorise it to wield God's full power."

As Yuna stored the scroll somewhere safe, Marik coughed, unable to endure under her cold eyes: "It will be best if I return to my sister's side. I sincerely hope for your recovery and your victory in the next battle... I will say this again... I'm really sorry..."

"Marik... wait..." Yuna suddenly said, and his hand stopped on the doorknob.

Gesturing him to come closer, Yuna brought her hands to her chest, and when they were face to face, she smiled. Marik blushed at her beautiful appearance, as he had never noticed it before, and he felt his heart beating slightly. However, her following words shook him from that dream.

"This is... for... hurting... Mokuba." She uttered with a lifeless smile, and before Marik could register what was happening, she swung her arm with a blinding speed...

Outside Yuna's room, Odion and Ishizu patiently waited for Marik's return. In their hearts, they were anxious that their little brother was going to do something stupid, but they decided to put their trust in him.

As Marik eventually stepped out of the room, they were stunned by the state of his face; half of it was entirely swollen with a bright red mark on his cheek, and when Marik opened his mouth, a small trail of blood dripped down from his lips.

Ishizu/Odion: 'What in the world happened in there....'

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I hope you enjoy it!