Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Beyond The Darkness ❯ Fly ( Chapter 6 )

[ P - Pre-Teen ]

Mai ran down the dark halls of the deep cave, which was lit only with the flickering light of wooden torches.
The shadows were dark and moving, but she knew the caves very well, and there were no other beings in there besides herself,
the harpies, and the child in her arms. She lifted the hem of her long white robe with one hand and clutched Yugi fiercely
with the other. Her purple cloak billowed out behind her and nipped at the harpy who was hot on her tail, still urging her
mistress with frantic squawks and loosing feathers along the way.

Yugi clung to Mai, his face buried in her neck as they raced at a break neck speed deep into the cave, until the shadows
were stronger than the light. When Mai stopped, her huge chest heaving from her exertion, Yugi slowly dared to raise his
head and open his eyes. With his arms around her neck, he observed the large cavern. The ground was a vast myriad of pure
pools of different colored water, most of them in varying shades of blue and green. Icy white and blue stalactites and
stalagmites threw their shadows on the wall. The light from the pool illuminated the cavern and caused crystalized
rainbows to appear through the colums of frozen water. All of the harpies were gathered in a
screeching, squawking, rambunctious flock around a small, bright blue pool edged with emerald moss.

The panting harpy beside Mai jumped into the crowd of her sisters, ruffling and shedding more feathers. Mai didn't wait
until her breath was fully recovered; able to move again, the Harpy Lady thrust herself amongst the the rumbling mob,
scattering harpies in her wake. Kneeling next to the pool, she peered into it's opaque blue depths. Yugi watched
curiously from within her embrace as Mai's dark violet eyes narrowed, causing gentle ripples to flow over the tiny pool
and erase their reflection. A blurry image appeared and the ripples stopped then the scene righted itself. Two huge,
decrepid, and hungry looking monsters with many limbs, slimy, decaying, barnacled, moldy green flesh, and 6 pairs of
pupilless, vacant bright red eyes trodded through a vast green forest, leaving a trail of acidic slime that burnt the
grass and left a trail of scorch marks in their wake.

Yugi whimpered at the sight of the monsters, burying his face against Mai's ample bosom. Mai's eyes widened in surprise,
and she waved her hand slowly over the pool. The image came into sharper focus, zooming in on the monsters. She pursed
her lips, eyes shooting purple sparks. When she spoke, her voice was full of trediption, anger, and fear. "He knows."
She whispered. "He knows."

Her soft words caused all the commotion of the harpies to stop. All of the beautiful birds' eyes were on their
mistress, awaiting what would happen next. Her body shook as her mind struggled against memories of the last battle.
She smashed Yugi against her fiercely as she drew in shaky breaths. Closing her eyes, her body stilled as she gained
control over herself once more. She stood up abruptly, back stiff and straight with determination and defiance, still
holding Yami's hikari tightly. /He knows./ She repeated. /But that doesn't mean he's won! We will fight to the death!/

Turning to her harpies, she assumed a general's stance. /Ready yourselves for battle. We can easily defeat Nize and Neza.
But that doesn't mean Pegasus will stop trying. No, Yugi is no longer safe here. We will fight Pegasus, but Yugi must be
taken away./

Mai's cold, hard eyes ran over her flock until she spotted the smallest harpy. She beckoned the reddish copper harpy over.
Turning back to the flock, she yelled, /Prepare for battle! Today, you shall feast upon the flesh of two of Pegasus'
strongest remaining minions. But, even if they are defeated, rest assured he will try again. We must fight with all
our hearts, unto our deaths, and try to prevent Pegasus from gaining his freedom. This is but a very small first battle
for the Shadow Realm. I fear we are on the brink of war. If it is, then we shall fight to the finish! We shall
sacrifice all to prevent Pegasus from gaining total freedom. He shall not win! He was defeated before; he will be
defeated again! We fought on the side of the Dark Magician, and we will do so again! Yami shall forever be victorious!
We shall fight in the Dark Magician's name until he comes back to finish what was started so long ago! Sharpen your
teeth and claws, girls, for it's play time!/

Mai's voice rose with strength and courage until it echoed off of the
cavern's walls. The harpies eyes glowed excitedly; they shrieked, baring their fangs, flexed their claws, spread their
wings and hoovered in the air. A few even nipped at each other, threatening to break out another squabble, but Mai's
piercing eyes, strong will, and the call to battle beckoned them into obediance. The flew from the cavern to ready
themselves for the confrontation with the Shadow Ghouls.

Chest heaving, the Harpy Mistress then turned to the smaller red one. /Follow me./ She ordered, and marched
swiftly back to her chamber. Closing the door securely, she turned to her harpy. "Yugi must be kept safe at all
costs. He is our only hope so far. We do not know where Yami is, or if he's truly come back. It is imperative that
the small one is kept far from Pegasus. Take him away. Far away, unto the seer Isis in the Mountains of Morning."

The harpy let out a startled squawk. /But, Mistress, that's in the earth realm! It's much more dangerous there;
that place has no magic of its own, it's all died out, it will be too easy for us to be detected./

Mai glared at the copper bird. /I know. But he must be taken to Isis. Her magic is far more powerful than ours,
even though she has distanced herself from the Shadow Realm. She has been banished from this realm for eons, since
before the Great War ravished these lands; Pegasus will not know of her whereabouts. I am not sure, myself. Fly
continually to the east, past the deserts, past the plains, past the oceans, past the moon. Fly
until u meet with the magic of the mountains. That is all I know to say. But you must be quick. Only in the Mountains
of Mourning will Yugi be safe. I hope./

She looked down at Yugi, who had been silent and trembling ever since he saw the Shadow Ghouls. He was wracked with guilt
that these creatures whom he'd just met were willing to risk life and limb for him. Even though he understood why, it
didn't sit well with him. And the new news of his journey back to the earth realm tore him apart; he was sure Yami was
here, in the Shadow Realm, and if Yugi was back on earth, then how could he ever reach Yami? He didn't care for himself;
Yami was the one who held his heart, the one who mattered the most. He didn't put any of these feelings into words,
for Mai was swift and sure in her decision and would most likely not back down. Besides, what else could they do?

Gazing down into his soft, fear darkened purple eyes, Mai brushed a wavy golden bang to the side of his soft face.
Surprisingly, she actually smiled at him. "Little one, sweet hikari, you have brought hope to our hearts. That is a gift
in itself. I can feel a great power within you. Always stay focused and true to your heart, and this world may yet be
saved. " She walked over to a table laden with various brightly colored bottles, took one, opened it, and bade Yugi drink.
The contents were hot, sweet tasting, and made him feel very drowsy. Mai had given him a sleeping potion. She brushed
a gentle kiss against his forhead before handing him over to the harpy.

As the reddish copper bird reached out with extended claws to receive the child, she accidentally scratched her mistress's
exposed hand, drawing a deep line of blood. Half out of Mai's arms and nearly asleep, Yugi let his grief birthed tears
fall down his face. A few hot crystal drops fell onto Mai's hand, blending in with the blood then over riding it. The
flesh came together, the blood evaporated, the wound healed by Yugi's pure tears.

The harpy gaped in astonishment while Mai smiled. /I knew you had great power, small one. You are a child of the light,
and one of your gifts is healing. Where darkness destroys, light heals. Remember that, little hikari. Good luck and
farewell./ Those words drifted through Yugi's potion-fogged brain before he fell into a deep sleep and was pressed
against an extremely fluffy body, it was as if this particular harpy had extra down on her.

The bird cradled the sleeping boy, gazing at her Mistress before leaving. Mai turned and rummaged through the old, worn
trunk again. She handed the harpy a fine, sheer white linen cloth. /Long ago, this belonged to a very powerful pharaoh.
It has magical properties of invisibility and protection, amongst others. The magic can be easily activated, so be careful.
If worse comes to worse, wrap Yugi in this. Save it only as a last resort, after you have met with Isis and receive her
commands. I am sure Yami would want Yugi to have this./ She heard her other birds ready and shrieking war calls. /Go.
Now. Leave by the back tunnel. Hurry, there is little time left./

Squaring her shoulders and summoning her magic, Mai turned and left the copper harpy alone with the folded, ancient cloth
and small, innocent boy. Holding Yugi tightly, she turned and quickly made her way out of the cave. The back entrance
was a small, dark hole high in one of the walls of the cavern. The bird flapped her wings upward, through the hole, then
disappeared into the dark purple mist as her sisters lie in wait to ambush the Shadow Ghouls.