[Event] It couldn't last forever.

[helpusduelist]

[The lights going out had certainly surprised Henry, but he had been prepared for such a thing. He didn't fully understand the "electricity" that this place seemed to have, and thus, lacking that understanding, he had decided to prepare in case it disappeared.

Just like it had now.

Candles in that old-style holder and lit, Henry at least had some visibility despite the pressing darkness. Making sure to store away the others (at least after making sure Eleanor and Jack had ones themselves) he's started off into the Campus, looking for anyone lost in this darkness to help them find their way back to their dorms, or wherever else it was they wanted to go.]

Comments

[fluffydeathdealer]

It's only natural. This body is frail.

[Drawing his hair over his shoulder, he picks leaves out of it from when he hit the deck. His next words are callously cold.]

If Ryou had been in control at any time during those first two days, you two would never have met.

[helpusduelist]

...Hmm.

[That's all Henry can say to that. He doesn't honestly believe Bakura is kind; it's a sake of keeping the body intact, he believes. As it is, he leaves it at that, changing the subject.]

Tell me about your "Gods."

[fluffydeathdealer]

[Henry is smart. He sees things how they really are and Bakura appreciates that.]

Do you mean the actual Gods, or the God Cards?

[helpusduelist]

Both, eventually. For now, begin with the one that attacked us the other night. The "God Cards," I believe.

[fluffydeathdealer]

The "Winged Dragon of Ra"... It's a one of a kind. I don't know the details precisely of how it came to be in Malik's hands. Or what the significance of it being in the modern world is. I assume it's the same as all of the cards... that Industrial Illusions discovered their images and turned them into a childish game without realizing what they had converted. At any rate, though Malik has fakes, there is only one true Ra.

It's an ancient monster... and one that was originally only the Pharaoh's to wield. After all... in ancient Egypt, the Pharaoh was believed to be the son of Ra. Only he would have been able to handle it. It would accept no other master.

For Malik to bring it into this world not once, but twice... I think if your friend hadn't killed him, he'd have died on his own.

[helpusduelist]

[Henry's face grims and darkens as Bakura talks, staring into the fire with the intense focus of a warlord at planning. His fingers tap on his leg and he says nothing, for the moment.]

...Hrm.

[That's all. To know that it couldn't properly be controlled is... well, he's not sure. On one hand, to know that Malik couldn't bring that onto them in any good battle is nice, but an uncontrolled beast can sometimes be even more dangerous...

He finally leans forward, resting his elbows on his legs and lacing his fingers together, leaning his head against them in thought.]

[fluffydeathdealer]

...

[Well. He'll take that as a cue to keep talking.]

Originally, these games were played with actual summons, if I'm right. Magic was common enough in old Egypt. But by Ryou and Malik's time, it was long-since gone. The knowledge of how to do it is held only within me, now... Malik... and perhaps that guy.

I'm the one who taught Malik how to summon... that's why I was so surprised that he managed it. It seems the other Malik's darkness is enough to bolster his abilities.

For whatever reason, it feeds off of darkness.

[helpusduelist]

Actual summons, similar to what we do in our War Duels. It seems like something believable enough, considering us. Especially as Egypt's magic was still present, if Ishtar was any indication.

[That devil that feeds off darkness... Henry grumbles at that, clearly unhappy. There's so much that's coming forward to face them, and he has so much less to work with here. It's frustrating!]

I'll remember that.

[fluffydeathdealer]

'Ishtar'? Why would one of the Ishtar family have access to magic?

[He stares at Henry, honestly suspicious.]

[helpusduelist]

"Ishtar family"?

[Henry quirks an eyebrow, equally confused as he is suspicious.]

As far as I heard, Ishtar was her name, not her family.

[fluffydeathdealer]

Oh, is that so? I was confused for a minute there... Ishtar is the name of Malik's family.

If someone retained Egypt's magic, I don't know about it. There were remnants of it left behind after it was sealed, but for the most part, only the Items retain it.

[helpusduelist]

They may have descended from her. Ishtar was the name of an Egyptian Sorceress who had followed Rosenkreuz to serve him loyally. I never met her, but I heard the woman was a dangerous, deadly force.

[He shakes his head some, sighing.]

It may be that it bled out a while after my time.

[fluffydeathdealer]

Who knows? I don't know shit about Malik's family beyond their name.

[He shrugs a little and tosses his hair over his shoulder again, finally done with coming the damn leaves out of it.]

If you have any questions about Ra or the magic, feel free to chime in. I don't mind talking about things like that.

[helpusduelist]

I would appreciate any and all information you can give. I have a feeling we may need to face it again, and if so, it would be best if we were prepared to a point of at least standing a chance.

[Aka "start talking about everything"]

[fluffydeathdealer]

[He nods, thoughtfully. One hand rests on his hip pocket, where that card is resting. It's comforting, somehow...]

Rosenkreuz made a mistake, during the last battle. I wasn't lying... The Blue-Eyes White Dragon could have brought him victory. I never said the Ultimate could. But... I doubt Rosenkreuz would have been able to use it to its full ability. He's strong, but he doesn't resonate with it the way his ancestor would have.

[helpusduelist]

For one as interested in his ancestors as Rosenkreuz is, that's surprising. I can understand it, though -- the three attacking individually would have prevented Ra's summoning at all.

But I have the feeling you mean in a different way.

[fluffydeathdealer]

The Blue-Eyes White Dragon has the strength to defeat God. That memory came to me as I saw him standing there.

It isn't about strength. Ra's attack strength was high, but...

That creature is irrevocably tied to that family line. In the past... it belonged to the rival of the true wielder of Ra. If he had put his faith in the Blue-Eyes... it might have surprised him. The true strength of the Blue-Eyes lies in its pure soul... and its loyalty to its master.

He had multiple options. Even if the connection between him and the Dragon wasn't strong enough, if he had interrupted the summons, or kept the dragons separate... the attack would have ended before he died. Malik would have been vulnerable and he could have called out another monster to 'win'.

[helpusduelist]

I see. I'll be certain to remember that and pass the word onto him, just in case that situation comes up again.

[Tied to the family line... Henry vaguely wonders how this Spirit is so knowledgeable, or if this info can be trusted. But it can't hurt to file it away, even if only suspiciously so.]

Is there any way to take down Ra once it comes to the field?

1/2

[fluffydeathdealer]

Run.

2/2

[fluffydeathdealer]

There is one other option, if Ra is summoned.

There's two other God cards. Either or both of them together can defeat Ra... but obtaining them would be difficult.

As far as I know, only Obelisk is here... And his owner won't give him up.

[helpusduelist]

[Henry gives somewhat of a snort; he's seen what the Millennium Items do, and he sure as hell doesn't want to touch these "God Cards" either. He's had enough of all this Egyptian magic for a life time, thank you very much.]

So it's imperative we keep Ra from ever appearing in the first place.

[fluffydeathdealer]

[How boring! He can't help but pout a little. But... he's right.]

Ra can't come out without the other Malik or me. Keep the other Malik away, and Ra won't be a problem.

I wouldn't try to summon that bastard in a million years.

[Though maybe he could use Diabound... Considering its effect. But they'd never agree to that, he's sure.]

[helpusduelist]

Hmm... that's a relief, at least, but it won't be that simple. Nothing in life ever is.

[Wars and betrayal and twists and demons and turns... so much has happened in such a short time for Henry. It would be dizzying to anyone else.

After a moment, as if in afterthought:]

Thank you.

[fluffydeathdealer]

...eh? Why?

[He looks honestly blank. As far as he knows, all he's been doing is talking. It's hardly an effort.]

[helpusduelist]

For the information. Whether offered in selfishness or not, it may end up truly helping us some day. And for that, I'm thankful.