"So that means… that night when I was wandering with Bakura, we did find a room in the Clock Tower that seemed very important to Pegasus…"
"Bakura?"
Joey suddenly reacted, looking around.
"Where is that guy Bakura? Haven't seen him since earlier!"
Yuto's heart sank hard! That bloody scene from the manga surged into his mind—Pegasus attacked by Bakura's dark persona, his Millennium Eye gouged out!
"Damn it! Pegasus has been gone too long; this can't be good!"
He cried out, a chill running down his spine.
"Quick, to the Clock Tower!"
Hearing Yuto's words, Tristan's face changed drastically. He immediately turned, leading Yuto, Yugi, Joey, and Téa as they sprinted madly toward the sinister tower deep within the castle!
Their heavy footsteps echoed rapidly through the ancient stone corridors.
Just as they reached the heavy wooden door of the tower—
Urrraaahhhh—!!!
A scream, shrill beyond human, tore from the top floor of the Clock Tower, shattering the silence and stabbing into their eardrums!
"Not good!"
Yuto's pupils shrank, adrenaline flooding through him! He smashed open the unlatched door and bolted up the spiraling stone stairs as fast as he could!
The top door was wide open. The stench of blood assaulted them!
The sight before them was ghastly: Pegasus, curled in agony on the carpet, his ornate clothes and half his face stained red, and where his left eye had been—only a mangled, bloody hollow remained!
Bakura stood with his back to the doorway, by the window, his normally gentle face twisted into an inhuman, greedy, cruel grin! His bloodstained right hand clutched a golden eye radiating eerie light—the Millennium Eye! And in his left, a short dagger gleaming with cold light, dripping with beads of blood!
"Bakura! Stop—!!"
Yuto's eyes burned, his roar cracking like thunder! Without hesitation, using the momentum of his sprint, he leapt like an arrow from the bowstring, delivering a furious flying kick straight into Bakura's back!
"Gwah—! Who?!"
Engulfed in darkness, Bakura was caught off guard. The enraged kick smashed into him, and with a strangled cry, he was hurled through the glass window, crashing out into the black void below the castle!
Glass shattered and scattered! Yuto ignored Bakura's fate, immediately diving to Pegasus's side and carefully lifting him from the pool of blood.
"Pegasus! Hold on!"
"Yuto… boy…"
Pegasus's one remaining eye barely opened, his breath weak, voice breaking.
"Sorry… I couldn't… keep… the promise…"
His bloodied hand trembled as he pointed toward a desk in the corner.
Yuto followed his gesture—there lay two cards, bearing the portraits of Seto and Mokuba Kaiba, faintly radiating with soul energy.
"Save your strength! Staying alive matters most!"
Yuto's chest felt heavy, but saving Pegasus came first.
Hurried footsteps arrived—Yugi, Joey, and the others, along with guards drawn by the scream, finally rushed in!
"Yuto! Mr. Pegasus!"
Yugi gasped at the horrific scene.
"How could this be…"
Joey and Téa turned pale, staring at the broken window and bloodstains.
"Quick! Get him to the infirmary—or a hospital—fast! Use the quickest transport!"
Yuto handed the dying Pegasus to the lead guard, his tone commanding. The guards swiftly lifted Pegasus and disappeared down the stairs.
Yuto hurried to the shattered window, leaning out to look below. Dense trees and jagged rocks spread under the night sky, the sea wind howling. There was no sign of Bakura. Not even a trace.
"Escaped… or dragged away by the darkness…"
Yuto's face was steel, his fists clenched tight. His gaze turned again to those two soul cards. He let out a heavy sigh.
"The Kaiba brothers' souls…"
"Pegasus is gravely wounded, and now the Millennium Eye is gone…"
Yugi's voice carried despair.
"The way to release their souls may be…"
"Damn it!" Joey smashed his fist into the wall.
"Staying here won't help." Tristan forced a deep breath, suppressing his turmoil. "We should leave this cursed place first."
The atmosphere was suffocating. Silently, they filed down the bloodstained stairs.
One by one, Joey, Tristan, and Téa descended. Yuto walked last. As he reached the stairs, he glanced back.
Yugi was still by the desk, his head slightly bowed, staring at the two soul cards. His silhouette blurred in the dim light.
Yuto paused, said nothing, and closed the door quietly.
When they waited below, it was quite a while before Yugi finally descended, his steps heavy. His expression was complicated, carrying faint weariness, yet his eyes shone brighter than before.
"Sorry to keep you waiting."
Yugi's voice was calm and steady.
"The Kaiba brothers' souls… have been released."
Yuto looked at him deeply, his gaze flicking toward the empty staircase behind—where he thought he'd glimpsed a fleeting corner of white cloth. Was it Yugi… or Shadi?
He didn't ask, only nodded.
"As long as they're freed, that's enough. Come on, let's take our spoils and head home!"
The luxury liner cut across the deep blue sea, the sunset dyeing the deck in warm gold. The sea breeze carried salt, sweeping away the castle's stench of blood and gloom.
Yuto stepped onto the deck, spotting the tall, commanding silhouette at the rail—Seto Kaiba. He wore a brand-new, expensive suit, his icy blue eyes fixed on the island of Duelist Kingdom fading into the horizon. His regained soul force made his presence more overwhelming than ever.
Yuto turned back into the cabin. Joey was giddily counting gold and jewels.
"Joey, give me a gold bar."
"Huh? Sure!"
Though puzzled, Joey quickly lifted a bar from the chest and handed it over.
Yuto took it and strode back onto the deck, approaching Kaiba.
"Kaiba."
Kaiba turned at the sound.
"Yuto… thank you."
Without a word, Yuto held out the gold bar.
"Hm?"
Kaiba frowned slightly, confusion flickering in his cold blue eyes.
"Joey's sister, Serenity, needs urgent surgery and treatment." Yuto's voice was calm and direct, meeting Kaiba's gaze steadily. "These hard assets Pegasus gave us… converting them to cash fast enough for massive medical bills takes too long, with too many uncertainties. Serenity's condition… can't wait."
Kaiba was silent for a moment. His eyes lingered on Yuto's face, then on the bar of gold, then past Yuto's shoulder, as if he could see the anxious blond youth inside.
Expressionless, he reached out and took the heavy bar. The motion was clean, decisive.
"I understand." Kaiba's voice was low and firm. Turning back to the sea, the wind tugging his hair, his tall figure stretched long in the sunset.
Yuto didn't linger, returning to the cabin. Joey was still marveling at the gold. Seeing Yuto return, he blurted out:
"Yuto, why'd you give Kaiba the gold? He—"
Yuto clapped his shoulder.
"I told him. Serenity's surgery and all medical expenses—KaibaCorp will cover them."
Joey froze, eyes wide, mouth slack, unable to believe his ears. Moments later, joy and gratitude crashed over him like a wave. The brash boy's eyes reddened instantly, his voice choked.
"R-really?! Yuto! Th-thank you!!!"
Overcome, he gripped Yuto's arm tightly, his love for his sister and relief pouring out.
Outside, the sea wind roared. Inside, laughter and Joey's tearful thanks mingled.
The ship carried with it victory's glory, heavy secrets, lingering darkness, and a solemn promise, sailing smoothly homeward.
The sun sank into the sea, heralding a brief calm—and deeper currents gathering unseen.
...
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