Two years later...
[Yuna's POV]
As Kisara was accepted, time passed by like a flash. After arriving at the rendevous spot the next day, Kisara was admitted promptly as an apprentice scribe of Shimon Muran, the Grand Vizier. Naturally, there were protests due to her unknown background, but the power of the Grand Vizier shut that down.
With no more hiccups, Kisara was able to adapt and find her place in this massive palace. As an apprentice, her status improved significantly, and she secured a dorm room at the corner of the palace and gained a much more stable salary.
Under this better environment, Kisara absorbed everything she was taught, and under my very eyes, she grew beautifully as her body matured, even reaching my height. Although I was disheartened that I couldn't hug her like before, I felt proud that I was able to witness her growth first-hand.
Time continued to pass as we survived together in our new life...
Day...
"Kisara, it's time to wake up..." I quietly nudged, and she groaned, "Come on, you have lessons in the morning..."
Hearing the word "lessons", her eyes fluttered open, and she yawned, "Morning..."
When she got out of bed, I carefully helped her dress into her outfit. Sighing, I adjusted her sleeve while Kisara still struggled to keep awake, "What did I tell you about sleeping so late at night?"
"But I almost finished the book..." Kisara whined, "It was just getting good..."
I clicked my tongue playfully and finished brushing her hair. Before she could say anything, I stuffed a small piece of bread into Kisara's mouth and pushed her out of the door. As we exited the room, Shada was already waiting outside for us, and they greeted each other with familiarity.
"Have you completed the work Master given to you?" He questioned as the two walked down the hallway.
"Of course, who do you take me for?" Kisara smirked, and Shada snorted.
Shada: "A smart, immature girl who still doesn't seem to understand how the real world works."
"What did you say!!" Kisara exclaimed and tried to glance at me as I averted my gaze. Sorry, but his statement perfectly described you, Kisara...
As the two bickered, they finally arrived outside of Shimon's classroom, "By the way. Apparently, the final sacred guardian has been chosen. Since we're Master Shimon's disciples, we will also attend the ceremony."
"Is that so? That sounds fun." Kisara readily agreed, and we put that thought to the back of our minds as the day began...
A few Hours Later...
When Kisara's classes finally ended, she followed Shada and Shimon as they walked to the inner courts of the Royal Palace. Like a curious child, Kisara's eyes darted around in admiration at this new level of luxury she was seeing for the first time.
"It was really different compared to the outer courts!" She exclaimed in shock.
"Shhh, you have to be careful. You never know what you say may offend someone important." Shada warned, and Kisara nodded frantically before covering her mouth.
"Relax, just be respectful as always, and you will be fine." Shimon laughed reassuringly, and Kisara calmed down.
As we stopped in front of a closed door, Shimon instructed the pair to mimic his movements before opening the imposing entrance. The moment the door swung open, we were met with a breathtaking sight.
At the centre of the room stood a towering throne, approached by a bright red carpet that stretched all the way to the door. On either side, massive quartz pillars supported the grand space, each flanked by heavily armed guards. Ornate golden decorations adorned the room, further emphasizing the opulence of the throne room.
Sitting on the throne was an elderly man around Shimon's age. Unlike his friendly and kind appearance, the man's features were sharp and severe, but not in a wrong way. Instead, he gave out the presence of a great and powerful leader who instinctively wants you to obey his words.
Besides, the man was a young boy around Kisara's age. Dressed in similar clothing to the pharaoh, the boy with gold and red hair stood proudly with his head raised high.
"Yami Yugi..." I muttered before shaking my head, "No, right now, he's Atem, the Pharoah's son." Knowing the content of the show, I was fully aware of Yami Yugi's real name. However, I always refrained from mentioning it due to being afraid of really messing up the storyline.
But looking at him now, I felt a strange sense of excitement as I was able to watch the backstory of the most famous character in my favourite anime live...
"We greet the Great Pharoah and the Young Lord..." Following Shimon, Shada and Kisara both bowed in silence as they held their breath in anxiety.
"You may rise." The man spoke calmly, and the three carefully raised their heads. As the man stared at Shimon, his serious expression disappeared, and he chuckled with amusement. "Welcome, Shimon. I see you have brought your apprentices with you."
"Yes, Your Highness, I hoped they could get some experience on the ordination ceremony today. I planned to have one of them succeed the Millennium Key one day." Shimon explained as Kisara and Shada exchanged surprised glances.
The Pharaoh stroked his beard and nodded, "That is fine. Also, how many times have I told you to address me as Aknamkanon."
"As I stated before, I simply can't do that." Shimon rejected, and Aknamkanon clicked his teeth."
Moving beside the throne, Shimon continued to exchange words with the Pharoah as Kisara and Shada curiously listened to the conversation.
"I heard that the new sacred guardian was a young priest who arrived not so long ago. Is that true?" Aknamkanon asked curiously.
"Yes, it as rumours said." Shimon nodded and stroked his beard, "I heard he was someone quite outstanding... I also heard he's..." Shimon leaned close to his ear before whispering something unintelligible.
"Is that so?" Aknamkanon frowned, "That would be interesting..."
"Yes," Shimon agreed before smiling softly, "How is the young lord?" He said to Atem, who perked his shoulders.
"I have been working hard to follow my father's footsteps." The prince answered, "I wished to be as great as him..."
"I believe you will reach your goal." Shimon nodded, causing Aknamkanon to laugh.
"Atem still have a long way to go!" He smirked and glanced at Kisara and Shada, "If only he could learn a bit more discipline, like your students."
"Fa... Father..." Atem blushed in embarrassment, and Shimon chuckled with a proud smile.
"Haha, I'm merely a lucky teacher," Shimon replied humbly, and Kisara's nose twitched at the Pharaoh's praise.
Kisara: "The Pharaoh really just praised us!"
"Quiet! What if he hears us?" Shada hushed, but he couldn't control the smile on his face.
Finally, after a few more minutes of waiting, the rest of the sacred guardians arrived one by one, each of them adorned with their own unique Millennium Items.
"I believe everyone is here." Aknamkanon returned to his serious expression, and his voice echoed deeply in the throne room, "It is time to ordinate the last of the Sacred Guardians."
"For quite some time now, the seat has been vacant, but finally, the artifact has chosen its new wielder! Bring him in!"
Slowly, the door of the throne room opened, and a young man entered. Dressed in bright blue priestly garments, the man bowed deeply, "I greet your majesty..."
Nodding in satisfaction, Aknamkanon raised his hand, and the servants swiftly arrived in the room. With professionalism, they carried a small cushion, and resting on the cushion was the still unowned Millennium Rod, the artifact that gleamed coldly in the light.
Immediately, all the other sacred guardians began to chant, their voices resonating deeply in the room. One by one, their Millennium items shimmered and glowed, reacting to their voices. Standing up from his throne, Aknamkanon brought his hands close to the Millennium Puzzle on his neck as the artifact activated.
"State your name, young priest."
"My name is Seto." The man announced his name as Kisara, and I simultaneously froze in disbelief. It has been so long since I worried about the events that would happen in the story as I was looking after Kisara. It has completely glossed over my mind that Seto will show up again...
From the start, I always had hoped these two would fall in love with each other, but that plan soon changed when I wanted instead to have Kisara live happily. While the process remained the same, the goal changed completely.
'Seto...' My eyes gleamed sadly, and I felt the heaviness in my heart. Even when I thought I had overcome my homesickness, it came back stronger than before...
"He's not him..." I muttered repeatedly to myself, "He's not my Kaiba..." I didn't feel anything when he entered the room. My heart didn't beat for him.
That's why my eyes gleamed while looking over Kisara's shoulder. Kisara, I promise that you will definitely find love! With me here, there will be romance!! With newfound determination, I continued to watch the ordination as my mind crossed various ideas on how to bring these two together...
"Seto..." Aknamkanon's voice spread through the surroundings, "Do you swear on your honour and soul to carry out your duty as a Sacred Guardian?"
"I do..."
"Do you swear that you will use your powers to protect the citizens of Egypt and serve the Pharoah with your entire being?"
"I do..." Seto muttered, and Aknamkanon nodded in satisfaction.
"Then very well! As of today, I declare you, Priest Seto, as the sixth member of the Sacred Guardian!"
Carefully standing up, Seto raised his head, and he froze. Lifting her head, Kisara and Seto found themselves staring at each other in silence. The gazes lasted mere moments as the young priest snapped out of his shock and reached for the Millennium Rod. His hand touched the artifact, and the Millennium glowed faintly as if registering its new owner.
"This concludes the ordination. You will soon receive your new duties as a Sacred Guardian. As of now, you may all leave...." One by one, each Sacred Guardian bid their farewell to the Pharaoh as the ceremony ended, and the members went back to their respective duties...
[Kisara's POV]
When we left the throne room, Shimon turned around and smiled at us, "It was very intriguing, right?" Seeing our nod, he laughed, "Let's call it early for today; I will see you both tomorrow."
Still in a state of disbelief, my feet remained planted on the ground, and Shada nudged me on the shoulder in concern, "What's wrong? Did you see a ghost or something?" He joked.
"Sorry, I was just surprised by the ordination." I lied and smiled wryly, "I remembered that there's something I have to do, so let's talk later."
"Is that so?" Shada frowned, sensing that I was hiding something, "Then find me if you encounter any problems."
"Yes, I will, thanks." I smiled, and he also soon departed as I stood in the hallway alone. Thinking about the scene that transpired moments ago, my face turned complicated while Yuna patted my head.
"It's really him, right? The one that saved me a few years ago?" I asked, and Yuna assured my suspicion with a light nod, "What should I do?"
"Since Seto just became a Sacred Guardian, it will be difficult to approach him." Yuna voiced out her concerns, "Let's just keep our distance for the time being."
With nothing else left to do, Yuna proposed a visit to the library, and I eagerly agreed. But as if speaking of the devil, someone suddenly snatched my wrist before I could even take a step.
"Wait," A voice uttered, and I stared at Seto, who tightly held my wrist, "You're here, aren't you? The one that the slave traders captured?"
"Um ah..." My mind went blank by his sudden appearance, unable to formulate a word.
"Why aren't you answering me?" He clicked his teeth with a frown, "Are you really going to act like nothing had happened?"
"How... should I address you... Sir?" I stammered nervously, trying to gauge his reaction.
"Just address me like how you address people normally." Seto sighed, "Then let me ask again, are you Kisara?"
"My name, you remembered..." I uttered in shock before blushing in embarrassment, "I'm Sorry... I don't know how to respond. I never expected to meet you again..."
"Likewise..." Seto hummed as we bathed in an awkward silence.
I never thought about what I would say when I met Seto again years later. He was someone I should be grateful for, which makes it even more challenging to find a fine line on how to treat him.
"Kisara, are you listening?"
"Ah, yes?!" I jumped slightly, realising that Seto was still staring at me; I quickly bowed. "I'm sorry, I didn't hear you."
"Your mind is straying." He pointed out, and I laughed awkwardly.
"I apologise. I was still in a state of shock... I don't know how to feel..." I replied.
"I was never able to thank you properly yet. If it weren't for Seto that day, I would've still been a slave, or worse, I probably would've had an early death..." I smiled softly, "I will never forget this debt."
While I believed that Yuna would never let my life go down that path, it was ultimately Seto who saved me, and I will always be grateful for that.
But Yuna... I never questioned her judgement, not even once. However, I couldn't help but wonder why I should be in Seto's debt.
Looking back at her, Yuna's eyes matched mine, and she smirked. I suddenly felt a bad feeling as her pupils darted between me and Seto. "Hold on... Isn't this a perfect opportunity?" She mumbled to herself.
"You know what, Kisara?" She rubbed my shoulders with an ecstatic look, "How about treating him to a meal? That should spark things up..."
'Spark, what up!!?' I screamed internally while still maintaining a smile.
"Fu fu fu..." Yuna imitated my laughter as her eyes curved like a crescent moon, "Just listen to your big sister, okay?" She laughed ominously as I shivered at what was in her mind...
[Yuna's POV]
It was nighttime when I slowly opened my eyes. Feeling Kisara's arms wrapped around my body, I broke into a smile and quietly escaped from her embrace.
"Mmmmm, Yuna..." Kisara groaned, and I quickly stroked her head. To my relief, her expression softened, and she returned to sleep.
Carefully opening the door, I left the room to get some fresh air. Moving freely in the empty courtyard, I stared at the moon with a bittersweet smile, "To think the guy could have an expression like that..."
Under my careful instructions, Kisara offered Seto a meal, and he readily agreed. They spent the entire afternoon together. At first, both of them were pretty awkward, but with some patience, I noticed the two enjoying themselves as time went on.
Sighing, I ruffled my hair, "Let's just see how things go. Kisara really was having fun, so I have no right to step in..." I smiled wryly. Now I'm suddenly missing Kaiba, too...
As I was lost in my thoughts, I noticed footsteps coming closer towards me. Unbothered by the new presence, I nonchalantly turned my head and was surprised to see Priest Seto walking by.
'What's this guy doing here...' I frowned and floated beside him.
However, as I moved, my body accidentally nudged the vase placed beside the railings. The vase fell to the ground and created a loud, shattering sound that spread throughout the quiet palace.
"Who's there!?" Seto shouted, wary, his eyes scanning his surroundings. Cautiously approached the broken vase, he stared at it with suspicion, "Enough playing around, show yourself this instance..."
"Let's just go back..." I muttered with a chuckle as Priest Seto continued to patrol around the vase like a blind bat.
As I was about to leave, I felt a chill and instinctively dodged as a spear stabbed the spot where I originally stood. Stepping back, I turned around and spotted a tall centaur wielding a long spear in his hands. Beside the monster was Priest Seto. On his wrist was a golden device resembling the Duel Disk from modern times.
"Halt trespasser," Seto glared at me, "How dare you step foot into this place!"
'He saw me?' I frowned as he waited for an answer. As I moved, Seto's eyes seemed to be trained on me, and I sighed.
"Can you see me... right now?" I questioned, and Seto made a stupid expression.
"Then who else am I referring to?" Seto growled, "Now state your name, thief!"
"Tsk..." I clicked my teeth in annoyance, "I'm not an enemy...."
"I find that hard to believe." Seto muttered, "Fine... If you don't tell me who you are, then I will just beat it out of you! Mystic Horseman, attack!" The Duel Monster Spirit charged at his command, and I summoned my spirits to defend.
*BANG*
Mystic Horseman's spear was blocked by the Dragon Knight of Creation's sword, knocking him back. Seto groaned as he felt the force of my knight through his spirit. While Seto does possess a Millennium item, my spirits were still more powerful.
As he glared at my spirit, Seto's eyes widened upon his familiar appearance. Remembering that the Dragon Knight of Creation was one of the spirits that saved his village.
Now, we're stuck at a standstill; while Seto was still cautious of my presence, he found himself unable to attack his saviour.
"Stop..." I finally called out as the Dragon Knight of Creation lowered his sword, "I have no intention to fight..."
After much hesitation, Seto also gestured as Mystic Horseman calmed down, "You still haven't answered any of my questions yet. Who are you, and what are you doing in the palace?"
Knowing that Seto no longer had any intentions of attacking, I relaxed and nodded, "You can think of me as a spirit... Certain people could see me... I think that you could only see me because of the Millennium Rod." I pointed at the staff in his hand.
"A spirit? How am I supposed to believe that?" Seto scowled.
However, his question was soon answered as soldiers finally arrived at the scene of the commotion. When they noticed Seto, they quickly saluted, "Sir! We heard a disturbance. Is there anything wrong?"
To Seto's disbelief, the soldiers completely ignored me, even when I was standing right next to them. Eventually, Seto could only dismiss the soldiers with a complicated expression, and when we were finally alone, he stared at me as if he tasted something disgusting.
"I... See..." He managed to muster these two words, and I smirked.
"Besides that... The reason I'm here was none other than to look after Kisara, that's all..." I smiled playfully, and Seto's face tensed at the mention of her name. I couldn't help but mess with him a little.
"Other than you, Kisara was the only person who could see me, and I took care of her..." I explained, "Since Kisara started living in the palace... It's natural for me to come along, too."
Seto: "But that doesn't explain..."
"This explained everything..." I interrupted him with a firm tone, "Besides... Why would human logic apply to me?" Fully embracing my spectral form, my words left Seto too stunned to speak.
"But you're still trespassing..." Seto tried to argue but was immediately cut off.
"Oh? Doesn't that mean your spirit is trespassing too?" I replied, "In a sense, I'm Kisara's spirit!"
In the end, Seto found himself unable to refute anything I said. Ultimately, he could only relax his caution, and my words finally seemed to get into his head. Typically, I would've excused myself and left while I still could, but I couldn't help but want to mess with him a little...
"As I said before... As for Kisara's spirit, I would usually always stay beside her, even today. I was there..." I smiled ominously, "You're quite fond of my Kisara, aren't you?"
Seto: !!!
"I don't blame you, honestly... Kisara is very beautiful, and I have always hoped that she would find a good man. However..." I wiped my nonexistent teardrops, "But after today... I was unlawfully attacked. How should I explain it to Kisara... Her only family member was unjustly attacked in the middle of the night..."
"Hold on..." Seto's stammered, and his composure began to crack.
"Ah... It was so scary..." I muttered and hugged myself, "To think he actually has such unpure intentions..."
"I... apologise..."
"Sorry, what did you say? I didn't hear you..." I replied nonchalantly, and Seto knelt on the ground.
"I apologise for my actions... I truly am sorry..." Seto responded while his head was lowered with shame.
"Hmmm, I guess I will let it slide this time..." I giggled and ignored Seto, gnashing his teeth in frustration. When I finally stepped away, he carefully raised his body, his face a mixture of anger and embarrassment.
"I have been away for quite some time now... I don't want to worry, Kisara..." I said, "Let's just forget what happened tonight... As long you keep quiet, I will ignore your moves on Kisara."
"Cease with these obscene thoughts!" Seto demanded with a flushed face. Taking a deep breath, he nodded with bitterness, "I will overlook this incident today..."
"Great...." I smiled in satisfaction, "Let's end it here for today... If I'm not there when Kisara wakes up, she will get worried, and the longer I talk with you, the more I feel my blood pressure rise."
"Please wait..." Seto stopped me, "Can you not tell her? I don't want to think of me as weird."
"Ok, fine..." I muttered as I stared at his handsome face. Turning my back towards him, I held in the sigh that was about to escape my lips, "I'm actually hoping for your success... I could only give her so much happiness, but Kisara deserves much more..."
With a sad smile, I glimpsed at him, "Don't disappoint me, Seto. Make her fall for you, okay? Like I did with him..." Without waiting for his reply, I flew away, escaping from sight.
When I made it back to Kisara's room, I carefully sneaked back into the bed. As I crawled into her arms, her expression finally relaxed, and I giggled.
Who cares about the trial of memories anymore? I thought with a confident smile. However, unbeknownst to me, that brief notion would indeed come and bite me in the future...
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I hope you enjoy it! I hoped to finish this arc in around five more chapters or less... And with that, we will finally reach the last arc of the official Yugioh anime!! What a journey it has been, and I'm thankful for you guys who are still here to see it!