Chapter 59: Loss and Reconciliation

Chapter 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...

[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.

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....'

I hope you enjoy it!