The temple groaned loudly in their ears, nearly drowning out Reia's cry for help entirely, but was fortunately heard above the rumbling. Yami immediately laid flat on his stomach and tried reaching for her, but her grip wasn't holding long enough for her to grab his hand, let alone was he down far enough. "Hang on, Reia! Fight it!"he told her, trying to be encouraging, which in turn didn't help much.

She grimaced as she nodded, desperation written all over her face as she kept trying to regain her footing so she could at least climb back up. With every passing second, her grip began to slip and loosen, putting more strain on her injured shoulder as she fought for control. Losing hope in reaching her himself, Yami looked to his hikari for help. "Yugi, you're the only one who can reach her."

Yugi's face went blank, completely taken by surprise that Yami asked him to help save Reia, when even his yami couldn't reach her. "Me? H-...what can I possibly do?"he said nervously as he walked towards the edge.

"I'll lower you down and you grab her, then Joey, Tristan and I will pull you two up. Can you do that, Yugi?"Yami informed his light who was still shaking erratically. "Please, Yugi! It's the only way we can save her!"

Nodding slowly and getting himself in position, Yugi peered over the edge to look down at Reia who was still struggling to hang on before tumbling into oblivion. "I..I'm coming, Reia! Hold on!"

"Hurry, Yugi! My grip isn't going to hold much longer!"she replied in a painful yell, followed by another grimace at the stinging shooting through her body.

Taking his light by the ankles, Yami slowly began to lower Yugi down until near Reia, but as the little one was within reach of grabbing her hand, the ledge she was clinging to crumbled and she fell even further, barely managing to grab the edge of another shelf several feet below. "I can't reach her, guys!"Yugi called up to his comrades who were scrambling for another alternative.

"Here,"Tristan yelled, snatching the long lance that had been lying on the ground. "Try this!"

"Careful now, Tristan...that thing's sharp."Yami warned the brunette as he saw the three blades slowly lower down near his face.

Finally, Yugi caught the lance by the staff and turned it by 180 degrees, so the blade faced upwards and the edge of the staff was within Reia's grasp. "Reia! Do you have the strength to hold onto that?"he asked as he felt the blood rushing to his head worsen.

Glancing up at Yugi's shining amethysts, Reia managed to nod and rallied her strength to grab the end, lurching upwards just in time before the last ledge gave way and tumbled downward into the darkness. The muscles in Yugi's back were straining as he held onto the lance which in turn was Reia's lifeline at the moment, so if he let go, it would all be over. Gathering all of his determination, Yugi tightened his grip and waited for Yami, Joey, and Tristan to pull them up.

Little did they know though that they would have company...

A thunderous roar then penetrated the haunting temple and sent chills up Joey's and Tristan's spines. "I don't like the sound of that!"the blonde shouted, rather cannily as Yami began to struggle with his hold on Yugi and Reia.

"Sounded like..."Tristan started as he and Joey turned slightly to freeze instantly when two pairs of blue eyes locked with their gazes.

"Yikes!! Freaky Kaiba and a Blue Eyes! Yami, ya might wanna hurry!!"Joey urged as he dove out of the way of a lightning blast from the dragon.

"Foolish boy...I am more than what I seem."the anciently clad Seto told them coldly. "And it seems for a second time, the Pharaoh's reign is over. Give up, Pharaoh! There is no use in saving that worthless woman!"

"And for a second time..."an eerie voice rang in everyone's ears, including snatching the attention of the great dragon who roared again at the sound. "It seems you will be proved wrong, Seth."

As another downpour of rock and stone collapsed in front of the doorway to the second burial chamber, a figure walked out of the rising clouds of dust, yellow eyes piercing through the choking fog. The long black hair was more than familiar to the Pharaoh's eyes, and the blue face was a dead give away as the shadow mage effortlessly leapt over the massive gap to face head to head with Seth and his pet.

Seth growled under his breath and snarled as the mage stood almost pridefully with his long staff at his side. "Krayak...so again you have betrayed me. It's time I destroyed our alliance once and for all. Attack him, my beast!"he shouted as his dragon cast down its brilliant lightning blast at the mage who easily avoided it, but the aftermath made the situation for the other's more precarious. However, by his intervening, Krayak had created a diversion so that Yami and his friends could pull Reia and now Yugi too to safety.

"Hurry, Joey! I'm losing them!"Yami shouted to his two other friends as they immediately came to his aid and began hoisting the weight upwards to the surface. Reia's grip was slipping again, but she retained it for Yugi's sake and held on with every last bit of strength she posessed, while Yugi too did the same as they neared the top. Thanks to all the dust and life-choking bits of rock floating around the chamber, Yugi and Reia were welcomed by a thick cloud and coughing, each desperate for the necessary air to breathe.

Reia peered through the dust to catch faint glimpses of three figures, two human-like, and the other the dragon she had been hearing of. Upon realizing just what was at hand, she took in a deep breath and snatched her lance as she ran off into the fight, despite Yami telling her to stop.

Fortunately for her, none of the three had seen her, giving her the advantage for the element of surprise. Immediately taking use of her convenient edge, Reia climbed onto a barely standing statue, and was within leaping range of the dragon whom she had a score to settle with. Once again, she gathered her remaining courage and jumped off of the statue and onto the back of the mighty beast. "I'm not gonna let you get me this time!"she said with a grin.

Thanks to her timely actions, Krayak took the opportunity to seize Seth and put an end to his treachery as well, but Seth caught everything a split second before Krayak did and began to run off for the Pharaoh to push him down into the pit of blackness forever. However, the dust was still so thick, that Seth couldn't see where Yami or anyone else was for that matter, which was yet another advantage in Krayak's favor.

The dragon roared, and constantly tried to reach behind and snap its jaws at Reia, but she was too quick and had managed to keep her stance on its never still back. "This is for killing me once, Blue Eyes, now feel my wrath in full force for the last time!"Reia screamed at the top of her lungs as she drove the lance down into the back of the monster, hearing it screech in pain. Each of the three blades dove into the flesh, farther and farther until they could go no deeper and the creature surrendered to death, its head collapsing and landing in a thunderous crash on the ground.

Running blind, Seth clamored about for any sign of the Pharaoh, coming up empty as he found the edge of the gap, nearly falling into the endless abyss when a voice halted him. "Mind where you walk, Priest Seth...it may cost you."

"Ridiculous girl! You have no idea of the powers I posess!"Seth shot back sinisterly as he looked around for where she was coming from.

"Such as the power to murder an innocent girl?"the Pharaoh's voice too rang in the musty air, making Seth only more agitated.

Seth scoffed at the Pharaoh's poor choice of words. "Murder is such a frail term, Pharaoh...I prefer the word...suffer. Before, I made your guardian suffer with her inner self, which in turn took her life. And then now I made her suffer again, but I also didn't leave her friend out of the fun. You see...I found this weapon, a very sharp and striking lance, and thought since her teacher of former times died in such a horrendous way, why not make her death all the more appropriate? I pierced her...scarred her...I made her suffer."

Though she couldn't see through the clouded room, Reia felt him smile wickedly and then heard a chuckle to follow. She wanted to lash out and strike him herself, but found it better to stay on her guard and wait until she saw him clearly, then she would take her revenge for Jayne. "I do not suppose you feel any shame or regret for what you have done, do you Seth?"she said coldly to him, wherever he was.

Again, he laughed amusedly at her ridiculous question. "Now why would I feel such a thing, guardian Reia?"he replied maliciously. "Shame is nothing but the last line of poor defense against a superior enemy, and it will gain you nothing."

"Then if our defense is poor,"they all heard Krayak say, rather loudly. "How does your's fair?"

Before Seth could react, the dark energy of Krayak's magic radiated from his staff and struck the priest and sent him falling down into the bewildering darkness below, his cries growing quieter with each second until they were heard no more. With their visitor taken care of now, the five raced out of the still crumbling temple and out near the maze to begin their trek back to Cairo, but they had something else to do first.

"Krayak...?"Reia called out as she searched for the shadow mage who was no where in sight. "Krayak, please...I wish to speak to you!"

As if her simple plea was the way to his decision, Krayak appeared out of the dissipating smoke and stood before the five comrades who were all exhausted to a physical degree. "What is it you wish to say to me, young Reia?"he asked plainly, again no detection of curiosity or emotion in his voice.

Reia stared at him from her short distance, contemplating just what she was going to say to him. Her vocabulary was not like it once was in her previous life, so how she would begin a conversation with him she didn't have a clue on, so her best bet was to be herself. "Thanks, Krayak. Appreciate the help."

Krayak raised an eyebrow at her remark as she stretched out her hand for his in compliance of her gratitude to him. Hesitantly, he took her hand and held it for a moment as the other four watched as a kind of energy seemed to be exchanged between the two. "It was...the least I could do, Reia."Krayak replied with a once in a lifetime half-grin. "You have proved yourself worthy of protecting the Pharaoh, and now, I pass on my powers to you to serve him even more with, for my task...is complete."

"Huh?!"Yugi exclaimed in utter confusion. "What do you mean your task is complete, Krayak?"

The shadow mage looked to the smaller version of his Pharaoh with weakening eyes and a frail, but stern face. "When the Pharaoh submitted his spirit to the Millenium Puzzle, young Yugi, I took upon the responsibility of guarding the Pharaoh's body and that of his treasured guardian until their return. And now that they have both reclaimed their past, my task is done."

"So...what does this mean for you, Krayak?"Yami questioned gently to his honorable mage who was slowly fading away as he continued transferring his powers to Reia.

"I will pass into time and be no more, only my strength and the memory of my former self shall remain with you until the end of your own days."he replied blankly.

Reia could feel all the magical wonders of this mysterious mage pour through her veins and seep into her mind, but since she was inheriting what made Krayak who he was, Krayak would simply dissipate into nothing, she then becoming the sole keeper of his power. Though she appreciated the honor, Reia hated to see him give himself up after such a long fought battle for centuries, and it was over just like that. Without the power though to stop his end, she watched him continue to disappear when Joey broke the silence.

"Hey wait a second!"the blonde shouted to halt the ritual. "Was that you as the creepy voice intimidatin' us all in there?"

Krayak chuckled quietly before replying. "Define...intimidating, Joseph...If you mean toying with your mind and deceiving your souls into thinking your ultimate end was at hand...then yes, that was me."

The other four too laughed a bit as Joey growled in frustration as he yelled back. "Well, I want an apology then, ya sleezeball!!"

"Sorry...you shall not get one."Krayak responded back sneakily, Joey again boiling with humorous anger, but Tristan held him back. The shadow mage then looked back to the Pharaoh, his light, and the guardian and lowered his head in respect for the three. "My Pharaoh, it has been a privilege to serve you, and I sincerely hope that your reign will last forever. To you, young Yugi I owe my thanks for at last allowing the Pharaoh to return and regain that which has been his from the beginning. And to you, Reia"

A small pause in respect and admiration penetrated his sentence, his gaze meeting her's, and both were surprisingly stern as he concluded. "...From one warrior to another, it was an honor to serve alongside you and fight for the same sole purpose."

"And it has been my honor to protect along with you as well, Krayak. Thank you again."Reia replied with a smile and a salute over her heart.

Now looking like a ghost, Krayak glanced once more at the life he was leaving and whispered his last goodbye to the world. "Farewell to you, my Pharaoh and his comrades. May your lives be prosperous and honored."

And then he was gone...

Yami exhaled and looked at his friends, each bedazzled by the stunning exit of the shadow mage who devoted his very existence to the life of the Pharaoh. Smiling he spoke. "...Nice enough guy, wasn't he?"

They all smiled followed by a few short laughs and Reia, glancing over at her weapon walked back up to the temple entrance where the dust was still subsiding and placed it in the ground, the three blades glistening in the sunlight, and then whispered something in the tongue. When she came back at Yami's side, she spoke with a grin. "Now there will be something protecting this temple and commemorating Krayak at all times. Let's go home."

Chapter 30 - No Longer Forgotten

Rose petals were spread over the casket and headstone as the last few people stood to pay their respects for the fallen athlete who had met her end in a tragic way. Among these individuals were the victim's best friend, coach, mother, and another man whom she barely knew, only by reference from her friend. On this surprisingly sunny day, Jayne Carter was being laid to rest in the town cemetary at such a young age, but her influence had left a profound impact on the people she was with during her short lifetime.

One by one, the people took their leave after saying their last farewell's, except for two who remained for a few extra moments. With a long stemmed white rose in her hand, Reia knelt on the ground and stared at the headstone which read: 'Jayne, you have brought smiles to a dismal world, and we will remember you throughout time. Love, Mom and Reia.'

Towering above was Yami, he too coming with Reia to express his sympathy over the passing of the girl he never honestly knew that well, but Reia had more than filled him in over the past few days. More so than coming for Jayne's rememberance, he accompanied Reia for reasons of comfort and stability, yet still displayed his remorse for the young woman dying in such a way. He was surprised during the memorial service that Reia managed to keep calm despite all she had undergone, but then he figured that all of her 'adventures' must have prepared her for this very event, so she could be strong for Jayne's mother and the other's who took the death with far more difficulty.

Choking back a sob, Reia stroked a petal on the rose and whispered quietly so Yami would not intrude on her privacy, which he respected and backed away to allow her more space. "I know you're probably expecting a big speech, Jayne, but I guess I havn't had time to prepare one, so be happy with what you get. I...well, I really don't know what to say except that I miss you and I wish this never would've happened. Of course no one wants someone to die and then say goodbye at their grave. But...Jayne, I've lost you once before, and to lose you again hurts so much, please forgive me for not protecting you as I promised I would."

She stopped when she heard a faint voice in her mind, making her chuckle as she replied. "I hear ya. I know you're happy though to be up there with your dad. Been a long time hasn't it? I think I'll be understanding how you felt pretty soon when I realize how lonely I am without you. However...I do have Yami...he's here for me as you were. Don't know if he'll do as good a job like you did, but I'll give him a shot." Again, she paused as her eyes glistened with forbidden tears she refused exit. Shutting her eyes, Reia placed a soft kiss to one of the pure petals and laid the rose down as she spoke. "I love you, Jayne. Hope to see you again soon."

Reaching out a hand for her to grasp, Yami grinned down at her and lifted her to her feet as he replied with a faint smile of her own. "I could tell that wasn't easy for you, Reia. Saying goodbye is quite possibly the most difficult thing anyone in life must go through, and you've had to do it several times. I can't even begin to imagine how you feel now."

Taking in a deep breath to prevent erratic trembling, Reia looked back into his eyes firmly without shaking. "I feel pretty tired and run down, but even after all I've been through and seen, I still feel strong and ready to take on anything. Losing my best friend once was hard enough, then losing her again hurt even more, but then someone else came along just in time to save my life." Reia now smiled brilliantly and looped her arms around his waist as she leaned into him. "Had it not been for you, and Jayne would have still died, I wouldn't be alive. You got me through this, Yami, and I can't think of a way to tell you how grateful I am."

"I can think of one way."he replied with a mischievious grin as she laughed quietly, reaching up to brush his golden bangs out of the way. Both afraid of an interruption, they simply stared at eachother, until they thought it safe to make their move. Of course, ignorance was bliss.

Groaning in frustration, Yami shook his head and simply connected with her by surprise, Reia's eyes widening in shock, then finally closing to enjoy the moment. As if he could've pulled her any closer, Yami did and held her as tight as possible against him, his hands holding her by the waist and her lower back. His fingers moved magically up her spine, massaging away her tension methodically as he continued their long sought after kiss that was nearly interrupted by a loud voice.

"Hey, what's the hold up-? WOW!!! Yugi...Tristan, check it out!"

Popping their heads out of the car, the three teens eyed the scene in amazement, and Yugi blushed as he turned away. "Uhh...guys, I don't think they want us spyin' on 'em. It's a romantic moment you know?"he said sheepishly.

"Aww, c'mon, Yug! This is what we've been waiting for! I ain't gonna miss it for the world!"Tristan replied as he grinned broadly.

"Man, where's my camera?! Just when ya need one, ya don't got one, ever notice that?"Joey growled as he dug around in the car for his camera apparently.

Tristan sighed heavily and the blonde's stupidity. "Well, duh, Joey...it's not every day people take camera's to funeral processions."

"...Oh yeah. Well, if we get them to stop and to go to another place, I could take a picture and it wouldn't be a problem!"Joey announced to a dissatisfied Tristan. "Hey, lovebirds!"he shouted across the cemetary. "Why don't ya save the rest for later! I wanna get it on film!"

But clever Yami and mischievious Reia paid them no mind and simply continued, not letting their kiss break for anything since it took them so long to get it in the first place. It went on and on for what seemed to be hours, when in fact it was only minutes, which was good enough for them, but they did eventually have to stop for air and respectful reasons. After all, they were sharing their first present day kiss in a cemetary, so they had to watch their surroundings.

Before Joey could round the couple up, Yami interrupted him and shouted back. "Just get in the car and don't say a word. We'll be there shortly."

Reia laughed gratefully and hugged Yami once more as she spoke. "Is it safe to say something, Yami?"she asked, tilting her head upwards to look at him.

"I think so, now that I've got the peanut gallery in a secure location."he replied, brandishing his teaseful grin that Reia delighted in so much.

She took in a deep breath and gazed for a moment into his eyes as if it were the last time she would ever do so, then lazily dragged a finger over his cheek. Yami sensed her tensing up again and began rubbing the muscles of her back, but it didn't seem to work as he now became worried about her. "Reia...what's the matter?"he cooed gently as she shuddered as if she was cold.

Tears though finally came past her eyes and rolled down her face as she still looked up at him with a sorrowful smile, Yami becoming more and more confused with every passing second. "Yami, now that I have finally accepted my past and have dealt with the present, my future lies ahead of me...and it is not here, but still with you."

His eyebrow rose in puzzlement at her words, positively confused at what she could possibly mean. "Reia...I don't understand. What are you saying? You are here, with me, and you have a great future."

"Y-yes, I do have a future, but not here. I have to move on and accept what my heritage has had planned for me since my beginning."she replied shakily, but maintained her beautiful smile to keep him from screaming out desperately.

The look in Yami's eyes was horrified and deep, the pupil's dialating wide enough to make anyone who would dare to stare into them get lost in a chasm of darkness. What she was saying he didn't want to believe, let alone accept, not now that he finally had her and his memories back. "Then if you're not with me...where will you go?"he asked in a cracking voice he knew didn't provide her much support in her actions.

"Just as Krayak departed from this world because his task was complete, mine is as well, however, something tells me there's more to accomplish. Please, Yami...my Pharaoh, I must obey the future's will and fulfill my own life."she told him, with more poise and composure in her tone now, and Yami was still beyond words.

"So...you will leave me to accomplish your other task now that you have fulfilled part of it?"

Reia nodded in approval and spoke again. "Yes, my duty in the past was to protect you, I failed, so I was to return and guard you once more with my life in the present, but now...something else calls me to defend it, and my duty to you is done. Though...I regret it being the end already."

"Then stay with me."Yami told her tearfully, his voice trembling and choking for fear of breaking into an uncontrollable outcry.

"I want to, but I can't, Yami. My future lies elsewhere, however, in the end it may lead back to you, but I don't know that. Yet, if you believe that, then it will happen."she replied just as gently as before, stroking away his tears. As she continued to caress his face, he heard her sing quietly to soothe his shivering.

"Life isn't complete without death, death isn't possible without life, and what lies inbetween is for fate to decide. No matter how hard we try to break the cycle, it cannot be stopped, and soon the end will come for me, but the beginning will appear for you. Embrace the future and love the people as you have loved me...and as I have loved you."

"Wait, Reia! Don't leave!"Yami cried out to her as she began to glow in an intense light, while he frantically searched around for another alternative, when he spotted something. Reaching down, he snatched the white rose Reia had previously laid next to the grave and gave it to her with more tears in his eyes. "I know you meant it for her, but I mean it for you. Please take it."

Still brandishing her angelic smile, she took the rose gratefully and reached over to kiss him softly, her glowing touch sending a tingling sensation up his spine. As she broke away, she spoke in a whisper while fading away. "Love the people, Yami. Promise me you will love them."

"Yes...I promise I will love them like I love you."

The light engulfed the area and surrounded every shadow and dark alley with its glow, encasing society in a warm aura that would soon leave them empty, however fulfilled. And then, floating down from the sky, a pure white rose petal fell into his hand as he stared at the headstone, which read: 'Reia, you have brought smiles to a dismal world, and you will be remembered throughout time. Love, Jayne and Yami.'

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sweeping past the skies and plains, to where life barely lived, monuments and sculptures still stood tall and only legends were foretold of. Deep within these sacred lands was another pathway that led into nothingness, yet no one had ventured to see what laid beyond its barriers. Though, whoever would dare to enter the forbidden chasm would meet their end under the penalty of death by the jade gaze.

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(Epilogue)

The sun was setting in the west, painting the sky as it always did and casting shadows over the long distance where great structures stood amidst the blowing sands of the coming night. He stared at her, she at him, yet both were completely unaware of the other's presence. Eyes transfixed on one position and on one goal as they just stared, without noticing they were there.