The anxiety was rushing through her veins as she stared on at him, watching him recite the chants with the spirit, clearly enjoying the way he repeated the words far more than the other. It was almost like watching a surgery there was so much tension in the air, and it was driving her madder by the second. Then with glowing eyes, she saw some kind of separation occur in his body. Like a shadow departing from its master is how she would've described it. For an instant, she saw two so similiar, yet so defiably different souls stand before her, but it was over before she could even think of words.

A smaller, more innocent replica of the man she knew now stood at her side, a weak smile on his fragile features. She grinned slightly and finally realized that this young boy was the Yugi Mouto she'd been hearing about for so long. At long last, she at least had one thing straight for a change.

The chanting continued without intervention, despite the separation as the four watched in dumbfounded amazement, but also in confusion as this ceremony seemed to go on for hours, when in all actuality, it was only a few moments. But it was as if these words that were being spoken were somehow delaying time and allowing the ritual to not cease.

For a distant moment, he turned to his colleagues, his transparent form dimming and fading away slowly. He spoke nothing, but his expression said everything to those beside him. To the little boy very much like himself he shared a look of dismal failure and heartbreaking departure, which his other self didn't understand. And then to the woman who watched with an unshaking stare, his eyes could only say one thing.

Before she could respond, he had been sucked into the corpse and was now fighting for control, the temple groaning and rumbling slightly with the Pharaoh's anger. He screamed horrifically, a cry that would shatter the bones of a frail child it was so shrilling as it echoed throughout, ringing endlessly in his companions' ears. His arms were flailing and shrouding his head from surrounding eyes as he continued to yell in tortorous agony.

Unable to bear seeing him in so much pain and suffering, she reached out and grabbed his hand, but to her utter terror, she could see his face beginning to decay and melt away as he screamed. She jumped back immediately as he tried to grab her again, the body he was in decaying rapidly with each lash out at her he attempted.

The small one next to her was beyond words and could only shut his eyes tightly and try to shield himself from his shadow's desperation, hearing the other cry out indiscernable terms in the Egyptian language. The other two were surprisingly stubborn and refused to scream and run away, and instead took stances next to the other frightened friends, as if to protect them from the mad Pharaoh that was now a hoarsely screaming skeleton - still decaying.

After a few moments of unbelievable horror, the man they knew as one of strong will was nothing more than a pile of disappearing ashes, blowing away with a mysterious draft of wind that brushed past the shocked quartet of friends. None of them could even begin to put into words what they had just witnessed, and none wanted to it was so blood-curdlingly unreal. Did they just see...rapid age, life, and death in a matter of mere seconds?

"Fearful souls that stand upon sacred ground..."the eerie voice of the spirit that once resided within the body spoke up amidst the silence. "What you have seen will haunt your eyes and dreams forevermore. You cannot erase it, the memory will never be depleted from your mind, and you cannot run from it."

"Where's my yami?!"Yugi cried at last, shouting out at the voice he detested so much. "What have you done with him?!"

"That question, young Yugi, I cannot answer. Only one among you knows that answer, and it is locked away in her memory, never to be recovered."the voice replied.

Yugi turned to the woman once again, her expression without emotion or concern despite all she had seen. "You...are the Reia from the dreams...aren't you?"he whispered.

She glanced back at him, an anxious glimmer in her eye as she spoke. "...I...I..."Nothing more would escape her throat after that, for no sound would dare to eminate from her voice she was so desperate for confirmation and consolation. No longer could she bear the burdens of loneliness, decay, fragility, and death upon her mind. Everything she knew had departed for parts unknown, and all she could focus on were her failures, until one faint memory found its way to her conciousness.

"I am."

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

The sweet fragrance in the air was all the more inviting as she approached the intricately designed door to his chamber, a slight nervousness pulsing through her body as she finally knocked. "My Pharaoh," she spoke timidly. "I apologize for leaving without notice. May I come in?"

"Certainly, Reia. You know fully well I can't refuse you."he replied as she opened the door to see him beam another one of his delighted smiles at her. She responded equally and bowed in his presence, shutting the door behind her as she walked in. "And no need to apologize for leaving. I know where you went anyway."

Reia raised a confused eyebrow in response, curious of how he knew of her whereabouts when she was discreet in all of her actions. "I am pleased to know you are not angry with me, Pharaoh, but may I ask, how did you know where I had gone?"

Yami chuckled amusedly to himself and walked closer to her, an open hand waiting for her's to grasp. With a hesitant blink and heavy breath into her lungs, Reia accepted as he led them to a small veranda, just above the Nile that flowed gently below. The twinkle in his eyes caught her off guard yet again, capturing her immediate attention, almost on purpose she told herself.

"You went to the temple in the desert, did you not?"he said at last, receiving a stunned nod in reply from his guardian. "I knew that you would go there, to tell Derrik how sorry you were for his daughter's death and to seek punishment for your actions. Which may I remind you once more, you are not responsible for her death, the killer is. I give you my word I'll find him and make sure he suffers for what pain they have caused you."

An unnerving stare then took place between them, as if one was trying to find out what the other was thinking, probing their mind to discover their every secret. Her gaze then drew closer as she unconciously approached him, unaware of her actions completely, including tossing her lance aside, then her head fell against his chest to his surprise.

He however had no objections to her being so near to him, stroking gentle fingers down the flowing blue strands that fell down her back, the pale bronze shine of her skin glistening in the candlelight around them. With a content sigh he spoke softly. "Reia...what do you feel?"

Her grasp around him seemed to tighten, pulling him even closer to her own shaking body as she searched for her response, wishing to be honest as she knew he would want her to be. "I feel...closer to you, Yami. So much closer than the distance I have kept from you all this time..."

Yami couldn't believe all he had just heard. Was he being deceived by a cruel trick of traitors, or was she actually saying what he thought she was saying? Fingers groped helplessly for control on his back, the slender fingers slipping down with the perspiration he had been sensing since her embrace. He felt her nails dig into his flesh and cling to him for survival, drawing a tiny stream of blood from the broken skin and trickling down slowly.

Shakingly, she turned to look at him again, this time with eyes he had never seen. Passionate, beautiful, and bold green eyes stared into his, desperately seeking deliverance from her pain and agony she knew only he could provide. Her eyelashes then lightly tickled his cheeks as she reached for the one place her mind was presently focused on.

Seconds passed like hours as they melded together into one barely moving form, their strokes long and even, each returning with more desire than the last. Reia had long since denied all practicality in the matter and only continued, pushing aside rules and regulations she knew he could change, and that she also knew he'd immediately agree to.

One hand fell to her waist, rubbing gently up and down her side to steady her trembling, eventually finding its way over her heart, where again he stroked smoothly in an effort to calm the sporatic beats. The other hand was moving slowly up to her face, then back to her shoulder, unwilling to let her get away from him. Fortunately for him, her lance was several feet away, and out of her immediate reach should she break away suddenly.

That was beyond all trace of thought in her mind though, paying no heed to anything but him. For so long she had denied emotions and feelings for anything and she wasn't about to cut it short for even the world.

Except for the groan-like roar they heard from above, causing their kiss to separate unfortunately in confusion. Reia's gaze roamed across the skies, searching for anything that would've caused the ill-timed disturbance, when the roar occured again, this time louder and more...malicious it seemed.

"Forgive me for interrupting, my Pharaoh, but do allow me to serve you in another way as I investigate the present matter at hand."she told him with a smile, bending down to take her lance back in her grip. With another short, but desireful kiss to her soft lips, Yami responded with a nod and watched her leap onto the balcony railing, her eyes scanning the surroundings endlessly.

Again, the roar ensued from up on the palace roof-top, its eeriness echoing across the desert sands beyond. As she prepared to climb higher and reach her destination, Yami swerved around to see his priest standing only a few feet behind him.

"Lord Seth, what is the meaning of your intrusion at this hour?!"Yami shouted to his un-invited companion. "Answer me, immediately!"

Seth didn't reply and instead shifted his gaze towards the wary warrior atop the veranda railing, sharp emeralds staring at him, almost asking him to leave, though she said nothing. Reia detested the look in his eyes and jumped down from her position and took her place in front of Yami, brandishing her lance ready for attack. Seth only smirked and ran a long finger over one of the three blades, a small stripe of blood running down his palm.

"I do not encourage you to engage in a match with me, Lord Seth."she spoke slyly, a certain sneaky pride ringing in her tone. "Nor do I discourage you from such an action. I've just been told by my superiors to forewarn those who oppose me and those I willingly protect."

Seth chuckled and finally spoke. "It is not a battle I desire, Guardian Reia...it is a war I seek." Before the Pharaoh or his guardian could react, Seth had already called upon his master dragon to attack.

Reia sensed the beast up above once more and quickly leapt back onto the railing and climbed up to the roof to meet head on with the all mighty dragon. It glared down at her with those icily fearless eyes, and she responded equally with a stare to melt iron easily. "So you're the Blue Eyes White Dragon..."she said coldly, the dragon bellowing once more at her, at which she smirked. "Do not fear, formidable one...I will see to it that your end comes soon."

"Seth, why have you done this?!"Yami demanded after dodging a stream of fire his priest had shot out at him.

"I have come to claim that which is mine, Pharaoh! Your death is all I desire, not your throne...not your riches...not even your Guardian of Soul. I want you dead and nothing less."Seth replied bluntly, sending another magic attack at the mind boggled ruler, who managed to barely escape the streaming blaze for a second time.

"I trusted you, Seth! Now you have turned on not only me, but purity itself! You will kill Reia, who is far more honorable than you ever have been and ever will be, to only seek a blood thirsty revenge for not getting that which I have. You will die before you take anything else away from her."

After he finished, Yami responded back with an attack of his own, a cascade of ice raining upon his former priest. Angered that Seth avoided his barrage of wintery pain, he tried this time with a dark aura, successfully pinning him to the wall, but Seth replied immediately with the same attack, Yami suffering the same consequences as both struggled to get free.

Meanwhile, above, Reia was dodging lightning attacks errupting from this superior dragon she had been beckoned to face. It snarled at her endlessly, frustrated that she managed to evade all of its attacks effortlessly. But he too was quick and agile, avoiding her lance's sharp edges. The anticipation was getting to them both when Reia lunged forward unexpectedly, aiming for the very heart of the dragon, but instead she missed and her concentration was averted to the arch in its neck as it heaved upwards, ready to throw down directly at her.

The ferocious lightning blast stunned her and pushed her backwards, her lance tumbling down into the river never to be seen again by her eyes. Two short breaths is all she could hear as she stared up into the cold blue fire one last time, failing to see any mercy glisten on the orbs of her foe, when in what seemed to be a life's time, the last thing she would ever see made her end come to be.

But she refused to scream nor cry for help as the blast collided against her and sent her crashing down to the Nile below, meeting sharp jagged rocks on the shore that pierced her body and ended her life.

Yami caught the glimpse of azure plunge to the surface and his eyes burned with anger and hatred towards the smirking Seth who had managed to free himself of the Pharaoh's powerful, but weakening magic. "Now that your guardian is dead, who is left to protect you, all mighty Pharaoh?" Seth seethed, readying another blast to end Yami's reign once and for all.

"I will protect him, Seth."

"What?!"

"Krayak...?"

There stood the emotionless shadow mage, his long staff at his side ready to strike, and fiercely glowing eyes locked with two pairs of sapphires. One a betrayed priests', the other's, the priest's pet. "Your betrayal has come to an end, Seth."Krayak said coldly, pointing his staff at the dragon roaring as it hovered above the Nile.

"You're a traitor, Krayak!!!"

Before Seth could do anything to stop the oncoming attack, Yami managed to pin his priest against the wall once more while Krayak allowed his supreme dark magic to eminate from his staff. The swarm of darkness rushed towards the roaring dragon and struck it hard, a loud shriek escaping its jaws as it deteriorated into nothingness. Krayak then glanced back at the infuriated priest, blazing yellow meeting cold and merciless blue for a single moment's time, each fighting urges to scream out at the other's treachery.

"If the Pharaoh wishes it..."the shadow mage began in his blank tone. "I do believe that the High Priest Seth should be banished forthwith from Khemet."

Yami wouldn't reply. He was nervously making his way to look over the balcony and view the remains of his beloved guardian, fearing the worst, which it was. Krayak was about to speak again, but before he could react, Seth had already darted out of the chamber and out of sight, leaving the Pharaoh and his mage in their grief - though Krayak felt none. He was just as cold and ruthless as a sorcerer, but he at least had the desire to protect those he knew who were honest and true.

The sight was excrutiating and even painful to see as Yami fell to his knees after beholding Reia's fallen and bloodied form near the flowing river. The jagged rocks below had sealed her doom, and there she was, her body pierced by the sharpness of stone, no signs of life detectable from his standpoint. He was about to run down and take her body away for himself, but when he saw the blood still pouring out of her like a red waterfall he could no longer find the strength to stand, let alone run.

He was shaking madly, fighting urges to scream and curse in the tongue, and constantly his mind swam with regrets, and of those memories he had just created moments ago which had now been shattered by rock and stone. Couldn't he have done anything to prevent it...? No, nothing could have saved her, and he was the one to blame. This must have been how Reia felt when that precious blonde soldier lay dead in her arms, only...Yami wasn't with Reia for her death. She had died an honorable death, but certainly a gruesome and bloody one indeed.

Krayak had remained silent for the Pharaoh's sake and allowed his gaze to steadily wander about the chamber, catching glimpses of the various objects that adorned the room. One in particular caught his eye, and in a moment, his mind recalled some of Khemet's scriptures, reminding him of the power that one object could contain should the Pharaoh agree to his proposal.

"My Pharaoh...though I know you grieve for Reia's death, you must think about your own survival."Krayak spoke up, again receiving no response. "Now that Seth has escaped, it is likely that he will return in an effort to kill you, my king. Though I do have an offer if his excellency would please listen."

Yami finally managed to rise to his feet by means of the railing and then turned to Krayak with half-lidded eyes, his conciousness clearly not ready to digest any ideas or schemes. "...Go on."he replied quietly with a heavy sigh as he leaned against the railing for support, his back facing the world so he wouldn't have to look at Reia's broken body below.

With a simple motion of his staff, Krayak directed the triangular object that had been wedged in the wall and placed it in Yami's trembling hands, the Pharaoh unsure of what it could possibly do. "Do you remember what purpose you created this item for, my Pharaoh?" Krayak asked, again in his monotone voice.

Yami nodded in reply. "Yes, to seal away my spirit should something happen to my body during my reign if there was no heir."

"Precisely. It is probable that when Seth returns, he will unleash his malice and cruelty upon you, and then upon Khemet. It is your duty to see to it that your reign is not overthrown by those below you, and it is my responsibility to protect you. Though I am aware of my great power, I cannot defend you against an entire army of evil, nor could Reia have done so."

"Then what is your master plan, Krayak?"Yami shot back irritably. "It seems I'm doomed either way. Should I stay and fight, you and my people will be slaughtered. If I choose to run, the people would still suffer, as would I with my cowardice..."

Krayak did understand the Pharaoh's point, running and hiding was no way to rule the people, but one day Yami could again reside over his kingdom if he approved of the idea. "You and I are both aware of the temple that lies near the tombs of your predescessors, and it is there where your body is to be placed for eternity. However, the item in your hands could change all that. If you were to seal your spirit within this item, thus leaving your body without its host, you could one day return to your glory and not be disturbed by traitors, nor painful memories that which you now hold inside your mind."

"Your plan seems...flawed, Krayak."the Pharaoh said in response to the proposal. "Should I depart from my body, would my vessel not simply decay in time before my spirit could be reborn again? What if thieves should come after it, what then would I do?"

"Once you have sealed your soul within your item, I will take your body to the temple and watch over it with my own spirit, protecting you until the time has arrived for your rebirth."Krayak replied, an almost prideful ring in his tone now at his genius.

Yami contemplated for a few moments, his brain not prepared to deal with even more thoughts over life and death for he had experienced enough for one day. Again, he peered over the balcony at Reia, for once seeing the beauty in the way her life had ended. Her long and radiant blue strands flowed and danced about in the water, and the moon made her pale bronze skin glow softly in the night. Though it hurt to see her in such a state, Yami couldn't help but be rather proud at her valiant effort to slay the blue-eyed dragon. But he often neglected the reason for him calling her into his service - to protect him from opposition and any pain of death to him at her expense, which was in turn her life.

Sorrowfully, he looked back at Krayak with glazed red violet orbs before he spoke. "And what of Reia? Is she to lie next to the Nile for as long as Khemet permits?"

"If you wish, I can take her body to the temple as well and lay her to rest in a separate chamber."Krayak replied, though with a heavy sigh, despite the Pharaoh's desire to honor Reia even in death.

Again, Yami fell silent and fought with his mind's wanderings of this woman he had finally managed to open up to him and of his predicament at hand. Should he be stubborn and defend his kingdom? Turn coward and flee for shelter? Or place his trust in hope that one day he could return and rule as just and fair as he always had?

"Very well, we will proceed with your option. But I have one more request that I must ask of you, Krayak..."

"And what is that, my Pharaoh?"

"Retrieve Reia's weapon so that she may rest with her lance at her side like that of her comrade who met her end prior to her teacher."Yami told him shakingly, but sternly as he tried to smooth out the trembles in his voice.

Krayak then bowed slightly in agreement of his ruler's request as he spoke. "I will do so, my Pharaoh. And, if I may, I would like to say personally that she was an honorable warrior who knew no fear or cowardice, nor do you, Great One."

Yami tried to smile, but failed due to his heavy heart as he approached the shadow mage who stood ready for the ritual. With a nod of approval, Yami cradled the object in his hands and began to chant quietly in the tongue, rays of light eminating from his body as he continued. The striking beams of color bounced off of Krayak's still blank eyes, watching the ceremony near its end as finally the Pharaoh's body slumped forward into the shadow mage's arms.

Hoisting the body over his shoulder, Krayak then snuck out of the Pharaoh's chamber and then into the brisk air of the late Khemet night. Ahead he saw Reia's broken body pierced between the rocks, and her lance stood vertical amidst the steady river currents that brushed past. Three sleek blades that were sharp enough to slit a single strand of hair in half reflected the moon's cold glow, pale white light shining about the area as Krayak reached for it. He took a moment to admire its structure, noticing the intricate designs etched into one of the blades. Krayak smirked a bit at what the symbol represented, but then quickly returned to his obligations.

Carefully, as to not damage her body further, Krayak lifted her dead form from the sharp rocks, her blood drenching his hand as he then threw her over his shoulder, and then hoisted Yami over the other. It would be a long journey into the desert this night, but it would be an even longer wait until he knew that the Pharaoh would return.

Chapter 28 - The Other Room

She had frozen stiff in surprise, her expression difficult to understand for it changed so much with the different memories she was experiencing. Which raised another question, were these actual memories of her ancient past (if she really did have one) or was it just the curse tricking her again? It had fooled her mind before, but could it really go this far?

Finally, she brought her gaze to look downward into Yugi's eyes, sparkling with tears over the loss of his yami, and apparently only she knew where he could be. "Reia...please tell me you know where he is."Yugi said shakily, seeing her own emeralds wavering in fear. "Please...I have to know that he's all right. Don't you...love him, anyway?"

"Yugi...I'm not sure what to think anymore..."she replied sadly, Yugi's face falling deeper into his despair.

"But, Reia...I know Yami loved you, I could tell by the way he talked about you. You're all he's thought about since he's met you. Don't you think you should at least return the favor, and think where he could be?"

Reia fell silent in contemplation, thoughts swirling in her mind, of the "memory" that had flashed before her. The kiss must have meant that she at least cared enough then, why shouldn't she now? He cared also, so much as to request his fallen guardian's body to be placed within his own sacred and private temple.

"I know where he is."she finally announced, a hopeful Yugi gazing up at her curiously.

"Please, tell me, Reia!"he shouted desperately. "I have to see him!"

"The...other room."

"What?"she heard them all say in unison.

"Whaddya mean 'other room'? I thought this was the burial chamber!" Joey protested, almost angrily.

Reia raised a shaking hand in her own defense and gestured that they return to the main level. "I will show you."she said simply, leading them back down into the main hall.

Upon reaching the main level, Reia told them to stay on the stone that was their means of transportation up to the Pharaoh's burial chamber. Her eyes drifted around them when her gaze found the long and ominous hallway, lined with torces down its dark pathway. With a smirk, she yanked the rope from before that she thought would end her life the previous day, and they moved forward towards the corridor. They stepped off and stared ahead into its forboding chasm, some nervous and some just tried to be strong despite the urge to scream and run away.

Slowly, they walked further down the path, every now and then an unfriendly looking critter whipping past on the wall, receiving a gasp from the female, but would immediately be comforted by little Yugi. She would smile in gratitude and then would continue leading the small party on to their destination.

"Man, this place is sooo creeping me out."Joey said, while clinging to Tristan's shoulder.

"Hey dude, don't look to me for salvation. Fend for yourself!"Tristan shot back to his coward of a buddy.

"B-but...what about bugs and such?!"

They then stopped suddenly, staring into the unbelievable as Yugi spoke nervously. "I don't think you'll have to worry about bugs, Joey..."

Up ahead was a kneeling figure, caressing the lifeless hand of the corpse resting horizontal in its casket. Triangulated red and raven hair reminding the party's sense's of someone else they knew. With a heavy swallow, Reia motioned for her companions to stand back as she stepped forward towards the familiar figure, and to also look into the casket, surprised that she was so brave as to attempt such an action.

As if her eyes could widen any further, her emeralds dialated quickly at the sight before her. Inside the peculiarly shaped box was a nearly identical replica of herself, eyelids shut and the body seemed perfect, except for the massive scar on the corpse's abdomen. The wound had closed and left in its wake a large bluish coloring over the stomach, slight lumps in the epidermis above the ancient wound covering its surface. But what surprised her even more, was that besides the scar, the body was again in perfect and preserved condition, much like Yami's "former body" they had discovered yesterday.

"Ok, this adventure just keeps getting weirder and weirder..."Joey said aloud as he watched Reia kneel cautiously next to the other familiar figure. "If that's who I think it is, then I officially declare myself insane."

"Ssshh, Joey...Reia needs the quiet to think."Yugi told the blonde gently, his eyes transfixed on the touching scene playing only feet away from them. Reia seemed far beyond confused and amazed, but more like bedazzled and ready to embrace whatever destiny threw at her. Even the potential possibility of the man they had just lost moments ago returning in his ancient self. Was this an illusion of that curse, or was it really who they figured it to be?

In the grasp of Reia's "former body" was yet another recognizable object, a weapon of sorts that reflected the astounded gleam in her eyes. Stretching out a trembling hand, she began to reach to take it for her own, but just as her hand had begun to clasp it, a sudden strength held her back. Reia gasped in shock and saw the firm grip on her wrist, causing her to retreat from her actions and breathe rapidly when the other figure at last spoke.

"Who are you to believe that you are worthy of holding a warrior's weapon, let alone stand in the presence of a pharaoh?"he shot at her, rather coldly as the other three froze at the sound of the voice.

Reia was silent in disbelief at what she was hearing and let a single tear roll down her cheek as she knelt next to him. Bowing her head deeply and bringing his hand to her heart she spoke. "It is Reia, my Pharaoh. Do you not remember my name, my voice, my face?"

The pulsating beats thumped against his fingers, making the blood in his hand circulate more quickly, when he finally began to turn his head. The golden bangs were the same, the eyes were the same, yes and even the peculiar stare was the same. "It cannot be you, is it? ... My Reia?" That did it for her. Immediately, she raised her head up to meet his exubriant red orbs soften into a gentle violet as her own green eyes flooded even more now with her tears. He carefully reached out to touch her face, his fingers running through her silken strands slowly to cherish the moment, and she shut her eyes to allow more tears to flow. Was any of this real, or was she dreaming again?

"If you truly are my Reia, there is only one thing she would say."

She smiled and brought her hand up to cover his as she trembled with her fragile words. "I am whatever you say me to be, my Pharaoh."

As if by pure magic, the room's torches burned ablaze with their high-rising flames, voices singing extolling Egyptian praises that echoed in the vast temple, and the body which was lying in the casket had simply vanished, making the present day Reia, the only Reia. Not only that though, the Pharaoh's appearance had changed as well, removing his ancient attire and replacing it with his casual outfit, more familiar to the rest of them.

"Yami!!"Yugi shouted excitedly as his former shadow looked to him with a grin and opened his arms wide for the little boy to run into. With an ecstatic smile, Yugi collapsed in his yami's arms, memorizing the man all over again as they shared their hug. Reia watched the sweet scene play out before her as did Joey and Tristan who were both beyond belief, their expressions completely unreadable since they varied so much as it was.

"My little Yugi, I am so glad to be with you again. Being apart was unbearable, even though it was for such a short time, it seemed more like an age."Yami told Yugi in a shaking voice as he held his light desperately. Yugi responded the same as he too clung to Yami like it had been years since they had seen eachother, and both feared to let go for simply the fear of losing the other.

Joey couldn't help but sniffle as Tristan gave him a tissue, the two enjoying the tender moment. "It's so beautiful, Joey! I think I'm gonna cry!"Tristan told his best buddy, he too holding back a happy sob.

"Hold me, man!!"Joey replied, as Tristan and the blonde met in a hug, and when they realized just what they were doing, they immediately jumped back in surprise. "I knew you were gay, man, I so knew it!!"

"Who the heck are you talkin' about, dude? You're the one huggin' me!!"

"That's enough you two."Reia finally interrupted amidst the arguing and laughter. "Need I remind you we're in an old temple which is cursed, so don't do anything to make it mad."she teased as the two quickly halted their bickering under her command.

Yami looked to Reia again, capturing her gaze instantly as she smiled warmly. "It's good to have you back, Yami. Don't know what I would have done without you."

"Nor I you, Reia."he replied, as Yugi backed away to let the two share the moment they had long sought after. Leaning towards her slowly, with their eyes closed, the moment drew nearer and nearer, but was sharply cut off by a thunderous rumbling and grinding of lurching stone. "Dang it, now what?!"

"Uhh...I think that's a sign for us to get outta here!"Joey shouted as the ground began to shake erratically as well.

Yugi's gaze shot about sporatically, trying to see if he could figure out what was causing the sudden problem, when he instantly discovered the cracking ceiling several feet above. "The temple's going to cave in! We have to leave, now!"

Just as a statue in the corner collapsed, it's stone base sending sharp pieces of rock flying in all directions and dust flitering into the air, the group began to make their way out of the chamber, Reia taking the rear.

"Take your weapon, young Reia..."the mysterious voice of the spirit echoed in the deteriorating chamber. Afraid she was delaying her party and their chances for escaping, Reia at first silently refused to go after it, but when the spirit urged her again, she gave in and ran to retrieve the ancient lance. Snatching it out of the empty casket, Reia dashed back to the doorway and followed her friends out into the main chamber.

Arriving at the gap, Yami urged the four others to step onto the stone transport, since five clearly couldn't fit. The ride was precarious and shaky, but just as they made it to the other side, the gap began to widen, making it impossible to cross for Yami. Or...so it seemed. If he could jump far enough, he could manage to swing across by his favorite rope that nearly cost him his life yesterday, but the situation was different now and his life depended on it.

"Come on, Yami! You can do it!"Reia shouted across the gap, who stood right on the very edge waiting for him.

Taking in a deep breath, Yami backed up and prepared his run. "Reia...in case I don't make it across, I want you to know...!"

"Save it for later, ya loser. Come on!!"

Chuckling to himself, Yami, backed up as far as he could and started his run, leaping off of the edge, and just managed to grab the rope and swing over to the opposite side. Because of his landing though, the ground crumbled from beneath his feet and sent Reia plunging downward onto a ledge just beyond their reach.

Screaming in pain since her shoulder was still healing, and had undergone more than its fair share of anguish, Reia wailed at the agony as she tried to pull herself back up, but to no avail. "Yami, I can't hold on!"