The Age of Shadows

11

Zork knows. How can he not? He will fail and the prophecy will be fulfilled since Marik now has the God cards. A last ditch effort to preserve a decade-old plan to plunge the world into eternal shadows commences. He will draw the power of the Millennium Ring and the spirit who dwells within to desperately cling to his future of shadows. When Bakura made the deal with Zork to allow Yugi and the others safe passage to Egypt, he bargaining himself in exchange.

*

Back in 2019 

"Name your price," Bakura stands his ground before the evil that has plagued him from childhood. Brainwashed his sadness into hate - using him as a pawn in a plot before discarding him to be consumed under the shadows. He feels nothing but pure hate for this grinning behemoth standing over him. But the time to kill Zork is not now, the time to kill him is 5,000 years ago when the Pharaoh will be resurrected. He bows to Zork who sits atop his throne in the realm of Shadows. 

"My price is you," Zork states in amusement. Marik, who's been silent since they passed through the warp gate, steps forward.

"You can't!"

"He can," Bakura states with determination. "I accept your deal,"

"B-Bakura!"

"Excellent," Zork confirms their accord by sealing their souls, melding them as they once were within the Ring. It's painful for Bakura in so many ways, tearing open his consciousness. He's less accustomed to pain as he was in his Ancient Time. Once their souls are merged once again he feels the burning gold against his skin. He is that spirit once more. "Go, try and resurrect the Pharaoh. Your efforts are futile," 

Bakura grabs Marik's hand firmly and they hed towards the warp gate. He can feel the Shadows brushing gently against his skin, a chilling force of evil. Their own world isn't much better but here feels all too familiar to the crumbling city of Kul Elna. Bakura wouldn't be surprised if the sprits haunting him now were those of his family he was unable to avenge. 

"Don't tell the others about this. Especially Ryou if he asks" he warms Marik, who stares at him like a stranger. Distraught at his partner's inevitable fall to the shadows. "Promise me Marik,"

"I promise," he agrees, telling the truth for once. The warp gate opens once again so they can pass through. Bakura has freed the rebellion against the shadows but only at the cost of his life.

*

The ring burns so much now, searing through his skin until it wedged it's way under the flesh, creating thin waterfalls of blood trickling down Bakura's chest. His shirt hides most of it so Marik cannot see. And in a flash Bakura the resurrected is gone and in his place is the Spirit of the Ring, that husk of a person Marik remembers from Battle City. The Spirit stomps io to Marik, gripping his chin under iron strength.

"Marik Ishtar, it's been a while," the Spirit grows, roughly letting go or his face. His jaw is bruised and tender to touch. "You will hand me that wand and the power of the Egyptian Gods now!"

"No," Marik brandishes the wand in defence. He points it at the Spirit. His hand shakes, he sees Bakura beyond that shining object. His wonderful Bakura who healed his wounds and performed magic and walked down his former self. Reformed from this villain before him into something of a hero. Is that person entirely gone? His word drops, his defences drop. "O-Okay..."

He hands the wand over to the spirit and waves of shadowing darkness shoots from it, spiralling into the air like energy sources of evil. The Spirit grins. "You fool..." its shoulders shake as it laughs. "I am Zork, the manifestation of evil and hatred! And you, Marik, Bakura loves you the most. I think I'll destroy you first to watch him suffer..."