10 - destiny

After several hours worth of training it seemed that Atem had gotten better at controlling and using magic that it seemed almost second nature to him. Even Pegasus seemed surprised at how natural magic was to Atem even though this was the first time that the teen had ever willingly used magic.

"Well I have taught you all that I can actually teach you Yami-boy, the rest is up to you and Yugi-boy to discover on your own. Keep heading towards the mountains. There is a wise elderly mage named Dartz. He can teach you things that I can not. The journey up the mountains will not be an easy one as you and Yugi-boy will have to rely on each other. I am not certain how much longer your brother can keep his demonic influences under control. The demon within him is growing stronger and the demons that Zorc have transformed will keep coming after you both to prevent the prophecy from coming true. Seek out a demon named Merik, he can tell you more about the prophecy. He is one of the few demons that Zorc doesn't control." Pegasus stated as the two went back into Pegasus's house.

Yugi was awaking up as he stretched out his body letting out a long yawn.

"Yami-boy let me give you a change of clothes since the ones that you are wearing are completely ruined." replied Pegasus as he went up the stairs. Yugi trotted over to his brother tugging at his hand.

*Atem what's going on? You feel different. A part of me is actually afraid.* Yugi stated mentally. Atem turned to his brother a little bit surprised by what he had said.

"Pegasus was teaching me how to use some of my powers, this way I have a better understanding of what I am capable of." replied Atem.

*So that explains what I am sensing. So what do we do know?* Yugi asked.

"According to Pegasus we should continue heading towards the mountains. There we will find a demon named Merik who could tell us about the prophecy and an elder mage named Dartz who can teach us more about our powers." replied Atem just as Pegasus had come back with a change of clothes for Atem.

"Hopefully some of these will fit. Sorry Yugi-boy but because of the shape and form of your body, none of the items that I have will work for you." stated Pegasus. Atem went through the clothes finding a white tee-shirt, a pair of blue jeans, and a black leather jacket. Atem then went into a separate room to change coming back after a couple of minutes changed as he held his original clothes in his arms which Pegasus took from him.

"I shall take care of these you Yami-boy. Good luck you two and I hope that you find what you two are looking for." stated Pegasus.

"Thanks for everything Pegasus. Come one Yugi let's get going." Atem stated as he and Yugi left Pegasus's place.

"They are gone now Miss Ishizu. Was it a wise move for me not to tell them about their lineage or about the prophecy?" Pegasus asked as a woman stepped out of the shadows. It was the same woman that Shadi was speaking to after Atem had brought Yugi to his shop.

"I am quite certain. I am positive that in some way that they will find the truth. It still troubles me, how did those demons learn that both Yugi and Atem had traveled here?" asked Ishizu.

"You don't think that it's possible that Zorc is stepping up his plans?" Pegasus asked.

"I am not certain Pegasus. All I know is that I can not allow Zorc to obtain the power that is possessed by those two. It is all ready bad enough that Zorc has partical control over the younger one." replied Ishizu.

"Do you think they will succeed in completing the prophecy?" asked Pegasus.

"Let me ask you this Pegasus, after teaching Atem how to use some of his power what do you believe?" Ishizu asked.

"I believe that it could be possible. I have never witnessed a person who never took to magic so easily or so naturally. If magic is due to reemerge back into the world, I have a strong feeling that those two might be able to do it."

"This is why we must help them as much as possible. I made a promise to the elders that I would ensure that those two would complete the destiny that has been foretold since their birth." replied Ishizu. Pegasus nodded his head that he understood before Ishizu disappeared from his sight.

Yugi and Atem walked heading towards the mountains as Atem told Yugi about a prophecy and their lineage.

"I have a feeling that the two are intertwined somehow." Atem stated.

*How do you figure that?* Yugi asked mentally.

"When I was training with Pegasus, it felt natural for me to use my magic even though I have never used magic before. And remember those demons something about a prophecy when they attacked us." replied Atem.

*Strange as it may sound Atem. I think you have something there. Even I am beginning to feel at home in this demonic body and using some of my demonic powers All though I am still fighting against the demon inside of me. How do you think this Merik was able to keep his humanity?*

"I am not certain. I suppose that you can ask him when we find him." replied Atem.

They continued on finally reaching the mountain. Atem looked up at the mountain wondering how he was going to climb up this sheer mountain as he couldn't see any foot holds or hands holds and there didn't appear to be any paths. They could spend hours looking for away for Atem to head up the mountain.

*Atem I will scout around to see if I can find away to go up this mountain that doesn't involve me carrying you.* Yugi stated. It would be easier for Yugi to continue on his own but he remembered what Shadi and Pegasus had told him.

"All right Yugi, I will wait here." Atem replied sitting down on to a nearby rock. Yugi spread out his wings taking off into the sky. Yugi felt free as he circled the mountains flying high above the clouds. It scared him at how natural it were beginning to feel even though he was trapped in a demon form. He just hoped that the demon with inside of him didn't manage to take him over again. So far he has been able to suppress the demon but it seemed that the demon half of him was growing stronger. Yugi flew around spotting a couple of small paths on the mountain. The only thing was that they were on the opposite side of the mountain. Yugi flew back towards Atem as something seemed to feel back towards Atem as something seemed to feel off to him. Suddenly without warning Yugi was attacked by a dragon. The dragon forced Yugi down to the ground as the dragons claws tore into the fabric of Yugi's wings. Yugi screamed and howled in pain as his scythed tail swung swiping at the dragon. The dragon backed off of Yugi snarling as Yugi snarled back. His wings were a mangled mess as the dragon moved to attack Yugi again. Yugi dodged out of the way as part of the demon reared it's head fighting against the dragon. Instinct kicked in as Yugi fought against the dragon as the power began to flow inside of Yugi's body. As the dragon took a couple of swipes at Yugi, the power surged forth from out of Yugi's fingers tips zapping the dragon as his scythed tail swung digging into the dragon's scales. The dragon roared as fire began to spew from it's mouth. Suddenly without waring something attacked the dragon from behind.

Atem could feel something was wrong when Yugi didn't come right back. When Atem looked up he could see a dragon heading in the direction that Yugi went in.

*Oh no Yugi!* Atem thought to himself as he scrambled to his feet running in the same direction that both Yugi and the dragon went it. The dragon could really hurt Yugi and Atem couldn't allow his brother to be hurt. Atem arrived to see Yugi down onto the ground. Both of his wings were a mangled mess as magic lept from his finger tips at the dragon. Atem summoned up his magic attacking the dragon getting its attention. Yugi lept on top of the beast driving his scythed tail into the dragon as the dragon roared as the fire blast missed Atem. Then out of nowhere another demon appeared who was a manscorpion (a half human/half scropion that is featured from the role playing game dungeons and dragons). The demons lept on top of the dragon stinging it with his venomous tail. Atem willed another blast of magic to form in his hands much bigger than the first one.

"Yugi get back away!" Atem yelled out as both he and the manscorpion lept of the dragon allowing Atem to release the blast. The magic hit the dragon dead center bringing the huge beast down. Yugi limped over to Atem bruised and beaten. "Yugi are you all right?" Atem asked as Yugi shook his head no. Atem could tell that Yugi was in pain. The manscorpion walked over to Yugi and Atem. His upper human half looked to be Egyptian as his long white spiky hair fell down to his waisted he stared at both teens through his dark Amethyst glowing eyes which has cat-like slits. "Are you Merik? Pegasus sent us to find you. He told us that you would be able to tell us about this prophecy that the demons want to prevent from happening." stated Atem.

"I am. Come with me so I can look over his wounds." Merik replied. Atem knelt down offering to carry Yugi on his back. The demon didn't object as he carefully climbed onto Atem's back.

"You were pretty bave to face that dragon alone Yugi." Atem whispered to his brother.

*Thanks for coming after me Atem. That dragon would have killed me. I don't understand why it attacked me.* Yugi replied.

"It is because like many of the demons that do exist in this realm, it is being controlled by Zorc's power. Zorc will not rest until he sees either the human destroyed or he gets full control over you." replied Merik as he entered a cave near the base of the mountain that was well concealed because Yugi never saw it. Yugi climbed off of his brother's back hobbling over to the fire as Merik carefully inspected Yugi's wings. Some of the wounds were healing slowly. "It will be a while before you can freely move around. That dragon certainly did a number on you. But all ready your powers are healing the wounds. There are very few whom are able to ignore Zorc's commands. I am one of them. Yugi you can be another if you manage to purge the demon out of you. This is were you come in Atem. No person alone has the power to purge a demon by their selves. Both of you together have incredible powers but Zorc only needs one of you. According to the prophecy, one of the two shall possess the darkness the other light. Only together shall have the power to destroy evil and bring about magic to the world. But if you shall fall then evil will reign supreme." stated Merik.

"That explains why those demons wanted me dead. Without me Yugi wouldn't stand a chance against Zorc's power. I am the only one who is preventing Zorc from having his way." added Atem.

"Technically the demons weren't even supposed to be here which means Zorc know what you are up to and plans to stop both of you no matter what."

*Something has been bothering me Merik. How where you able to keep you humanity?* Yugi asked mentally.

"My sister. She died in order to save me from Zorc's control. Now she acts as a guardian making sure that Zorc's plans never come to pass. Both of us possessed powers much like you when I came into contact with Zorc's book and this happened to me. She turned to both Pegasus and Shadi for help. We never made it to see Dartz because she died while trying to purge me of my demon. Now I remain here to help others who happens to fall under Zorc's curse." replied Merik.

"Merik you and your sister, do you know how you got your powers. Or did it just suddenly appear?" asked Atem.

"From what I had found out, it happens to be in our families blood. It is probably no different for you. But I can't tell you whom had the power for you have to discover that for yourself." replied Merik. At least Atem and Yugi knew a little bit more about the prophecy, Zorc's plans, and how magic happened to be a part of them.