[ Power Within ]
Story By Lizzy

[ Chapter 1: : Times of Fear By Elizabeth ]

This story takes place in times before King Arthur, but not in Roman times. You can tell the traditions and language in this story. (I made up some names some for the kingdoms.) Enjoy!!!

In the land of Nogria* (No-gore-ea), Marik*(Yami Marik), son of Aurora, was now the new king of this land. He ruled all of Nogria with fear. All of his people fear the dark magic of his millennium rod, afraid of the powers he controls, what he’ll do according to his will. Although he would rather rule alone, he seeks a queen to rule by his side.
Inside the castle, Marik waits out on the balcony that over sees all of Norgria, as far as the eye can see. “Master Marik,” said a voice behind Marik. “What is it captain Umbra?” Marik asked impatiently. “I’m about to leave for the young women for your chose of your queen,” answered Umbra. “About time, I was starting to wonder when you would get going,” replied Marik. “You may go now, Umbra,” Marik ordered. “Yes, my king,” replied Umbra. He kissed Marik’s ring on his right hand to show understanding of his king’s order. After Umbra left the balcony, Marik turned around and leaned on the balcony rail looking down at the village. ‘I hope that fool will find the one I’m looking for,’ thought Marik. ‘I hope he finds her.’
Meanwhile, in the village, a teenaged girl was walking through the market. “MICHELLE! Wait UP!!” yelled a voice behind her. The girl named Michelle turned around. Michelle has jet black hair, sapphire blue eyes. She was a very beautiful girl. “Hi Maha,” Michelle replied. The girl who yelled to catch up with Michelle stopped in front of her, panting. “Do… you… know how …HARD it is to … keep up with you?!?” Maha finally said after catching her breath. “Sorry, I dozed off again,” answered Michelle.” Dose Mahado know you’re here again?” “Maybe,” Maha answered in the I- didn’t- runaway- again look.” You ran away again, didn’t you?” Michelle asked.” I got bored, and I wanted to get fresh air,” answered Maha. “You know you’re going to get in trouble with Mahado again,” Michelle stated. “I know. But you know how BORING it is reading ancient scrolls all the time,” Maha replied. “I’m a magician in training, not some 500 year old priest.” “You’re the apprentice of a great magician. That’s something you should be proud of,” Michelle stated. “You’re only aware of that because he was your father’s best friend.” Maha said angrily. “Sorry, I got a little mad.” “It’s alright, I understand,” Michelle said sadly. ‘He at lest knew my….’ “Hey, Maha, Michelle!” someone suddenly yelled. Michelle and Maha spun around.
Yugi, their friend, was running up to them. “Hey Yugi!!” Michelle replied blushing. “Hello Yugi, how are you doing?”Maha ask. “I’m doing fine. Shouldn’t you be with Mahado?”Yugi asked. “I don’t want to talk about it,” Maha said glairing at Michelle. “I should get going, or Mahado will find out I’m here again,” Maha said. Maha turned around and left, leaving Michelle and Yugi alone.
“How is your… brother doing?” Yugi asked nervously. “What… Oh! My brother, his doing fine,” Michelle answered. “Michelle?”Yugi asked. “Yes?” Michelle replied. “Um… there’s something I’ve wanted to tell you,” Yugi said. “What is it?” Michelle asked. “Michelle… I …….” “TRISTAN!!!! GET BACK HERE NOW!!!!!!” someone suddenly yelled, intrupting Yugi’s sentence. Two teenage boys were running, one from the other. “Tristan, you nimrod!” yelled the one with blonde hair. “Joey, can’t you take a joke!?!” yelled Tristan, who was running from Joey. “I was only kid-…” BAM! Both boys run into Yugi and Michelle. “Tristan…. Joey….. WHAT, IN THE WORLD, WERE YOU TWO DIMWITS DOING!?!?!” Michelle yelled angrily, lying on the ground. Yugi was lying on Michelle’s stomach, Joey on his knees, choking Tristan. “Oh... uh… hi?” Joey said, with a surprised look on his face, Tristan the same way. “Hi Michelle… hey Yug… didn’t see you two there…” Tristan said. ‘Joey, we’re in BIG trouble,’ he whispered in Joey’s ear. “Just… because… you’re whispering… in Joey’s ear… doesn’t mean … I CAN’T HEAR YOU, NUMBSKULLS!!!” Michelle yelled. Joey let go of Tristan’s neck and Tristan let go Joey’s. “It’s Tristan’s falte that he insulted me!” Joey finally said. “I tolled you I was only joking about you being unattractive!” Tristan said. “You were?” Joey asked. Michelle and Yugi got up from the ground. “Joey, your blonde is showing again,” Yugi toled Joey.
“On the inside, Yug, on the inside,” Joey stated. “And the outside,” Michelle added.
“Sorry about running into you two like, I know it was my falte…. Oh no,” Joey stated. “Joey, what’s wrong?” Michelle asked. “Don’t look now, but Umbra’s here,” Tristan answered. Yugi and Michelle turned around. Sure enough, Umbra was riding black horse, two guards, what looked like a giant wagon being pulled by one giant horse. “Order of king Marik, all eligible young women who are not married or old enough for marriage, must come with me at once,” Umbra declared. At once, all teenaged girls and young women started to clime in the wagon, with the look of fear on their faces. “Young lady, that means you,” Umbra ordered, pointing at Michelle. “But… I…” Michelle stuttered. “My lady, you don’t have much of a choice,” Umbra stated. Michelle looked over to her friends. Then started to walk to the carriage. “You can’t just take her away like this!” shouted a voice behind her. She spun around. Yugi looked like he was ready to fight Umbra. Umbra jumped down from his horse. “You have something to complain about, you runt?” Umbra asked. “Yugi don’t! It’s not worth it!” Michelle replied. “If I were you, runt, I would listen to your friend,” Umbra sneered angrily. “Here’s a news flash, Umbra, I’m not you. If I were, I would be working for a low-life like Marik!” Yugi answered angrily. “Why you little punk!” Umbra yelled with rage, grabbing Yugi’s shirt. “How dare you insult your king!” “Stop! Leave him alone!” yelled Michelle, in fear for her friend. She started to run towards Yugi to help him, but the two guards grabbed her before she could leave her spot. “Leave Yug ALONE!” Joey yelled grabbing Umbra’s arm. Umbra let go of Yugi, but Umbra kneed Joey in the stomach. “Sir, we should leave, or master Marik will be upset,” one of the guards replied. “Yes, we’ve spent enough time with these fools already,” Umbra answered. “Put the girl in the wagon with the others and lets go,” Umbra ordered. “Joey, Tristan, Yugi, help!” Michelle yelled. “They won’t help you, my lady, it’s too late now,” replied Umbra. Michelle was put in the wagon with the other young women, the wagon door shut and locked. The wagon was now leaving. “Yugi, Joey, are you two alright?” Tristan asked. Yugi was standing up, looking at the wagon, too far from him now. “I’m fine, Yug, are you?” Joey asked. Yugi fell to his knees. “MICHELLE! NOO!” Yugi yelled, crying. “Michelle….” Yugi repeated.

[ Chapter 2: The Man in Black ]

“Michelle?” Yugi asked. “Yes?” Michelle answered. “Um… there’s something I’ve wanted to tell you,” Yugi said. “Yes?” Michelle asked. “Michelle… I…”

Michelle thought about this for a while. Before Umbra took her away from her friends, Tristan, Joey, and Yugi, Yugi was going to tell her something. ‘I wish Joey and Tristan didn’t interrupt Yugi, he was going to tell me something,’ Michelle thought. She was confused and scared; she was being forced to Marik, King of Nogria. But she wasn’t the only one; many other young women were going there too. “What’s Marik going to do to us?” some of the women asked with fear. “Is Marik going to make us slaves?” one of them said. “Do you think he’ll marry one of us?” Another one said. “He must want to, since he wanted all young women!” one of the stated. She was right. Only women were wanted, no men. Michelle shivered at the thought of her being Marik’s wife.
Meanwhile, Maha was sneaking back in Mahado, her master, temple. “If I’m quiet enough,” Maha said to herself. “Master Mahado won’t know I….OUCH!!” Maha yelled. She walked into something, or someone. “Maha…” said a voice. Maha looked up, it was Mahado. “Master Mahado!” Maha said with surprise. “Maha, did you leave, again?” Mahado asked upsettingly. “No. I mean yes… no, I mean…” Maha stumbled. “Yes, Master Mahado, I did leave again,” she finally admitted. “Maha, you know your not supposed to sneak off, especially at a time like this,” Mahado exclaimed. “I know… What? What do you mean ‘at a time like this,’ master?” Maha asked worryingly. “Did you not see Captain Umbra or the wagons?” Mahado asked. “Michelle has been taken by Umbra,” Mahado replied. “WHAT?!?” Maha exclaimed. “Why did you not stay with her when Umbra came for her?” Mahado asked. “Mahado, forgive me. I left before he came! Had I been there I would have gone with her,” Maha exclaimed. ‘I’m a fool. Why didn’t I stay with Michelle before this happened? Mahado will never forgive me for this!’ Maha thought to herself. “Maha…” Mahado started. “Master Mahado, I’m a fool! I let my guard down when I should have been protecting Michelle! It’s all my fault!” Maha exclaimed. “Maha, I know it’s not your fault,” Mahado answered. “Uh? But master…” Maha stared. “We’ll find Michelle, don’t worry,” Mahado said with hope in his words. ‘Besides, this is only the beginning, Michelle’s father always knew it,’ Mahado thought.
“Alright, ladies, we are here now,” Umbra replied to the women. The women started to leave the wagon. When Michelle got up to the door and started to past Umbra, he said, “And we don’t want any trouble, now do we?” Michelle walked on. ‘It’s official, I hate him,’ Michelle thought to herself. When she got out of the wagon, she realized that she and the women were at Marik’s castle, but it looked like they’re going to the dungeons. ‘This doesn’t look to good’ Michelle thought. Ever since the mishap with Yugi and Joey, Umbra has been keeping a close eye on Michelle.
Meanwhile, Marik was on the balcony near the dungeons. “It’s about time that fool finally arrived,” Marik said impatiently. “It took him long enough,” “Be patient, my lord,” said a voice behind him. “It takes time to go to every village in the kingdom,” “I know it takes time, priest Dartz, but I grow tired of waiting,” Marik replied. “But one thing I have been waiting to ask you, my king,” Dartz stated. “Who are you looking for, master Marik?” Marik turned to face Dartz. “A young woman who I once met, long ago” Marik answered. “She was beautiful,” Marik continued. “Hair black as the darkness of the moon, face carved from angels, her eyes…” Marik’s voice trailed off. “Master Marik?” Dartz asked. “Go to the dungeons,” Marik said as if nothing happened. “Let the women know I’m waiting to see them,” “Yes, my king,” Dartz answered back to his king, turned around and headed to the dungeons.
“To the dungeons now,” the guards called to the women. Each step Michelle took felt like she had entered the darkness, and there was no way out. In the hallways, it felt like her worst fears and memories were back to haunt her again, but no one to save her this time. Michelle felt like her flame of hope was now starting to die out, in the shadows of despair. It was to late now, there was no turning back. Michelle felt this way before, she didn’t want to feel like this again. At the end of the hallway, a group of guards were waiting for them. “Put the women in the cells one by one, and if there are some left, put the remaining with others,” Umbra ordered. “Yes sir,” the guards answered. One by one, he women were taken to the prison cells; Michelle was taken to a small cell with a skylight. “Don’t even think about trying to escape through the skylight, my lady, you won’t reach it,” Umbra whispered in Michelle’s ear. Michelle walked in the cell, one guard followed and picked up a shackle and locked it on her ankle. “Just to be sure you won’t go far,” Umbra said with a nasty smile on his face. Umbra left the cell; the guard shut the door and locked. “Sir, why are you being so harsh on that girl?” the guard asked. “None of your business,” Umbra replied. “By the looks of things, it looks like you’ve had a busy day, Captain Umbra,” a voice suddenly said behind them. Umbra spun around, it was Dartz. “Ah, Marik’s high priest, lord Dartz,” Umbra said with no surprise. “What are you doing here, my lord?” Umbra asked. “King Marik ordered me to come down here, Captain Umbra,” Dartz answered. “You may go,” Dartz ordered. Umbra bowed to Dartz slightly, and then left. “Pesky priest,” Umbra muttered in a low voice that no one could hear him. “What was that?” Dartz asked, making Umbra panic. “Nothing, my grace,” Umbra replied at once. ‘How the heck does he do that?’ Umbra thought to himself. Umbra walked out of the dungeons.
“My ladies, lord Marik will see all of you very shortly,” Dartz announced to the women. “As some of you may know, lord Marik will only choose one of you ladies to be his wife,” Dartz continued. He walked to the back of the dungeons to get the first group of women. He walked past Michelle’s cell and didn’t even look at her. ‘That was a close one, but what am I going to do?’ Michelle thought to herself. She looked up to the skylight. ‘Even if I could reach the skylight, I would still have this shackle on my ankle. So I’m still trapped here no matter what. I’m trapped like last time,’ Michelle thought. Michelle felt like she was more than trapped, she felt alone. ‘I haven’t felt this lonely since my father died.’ Michelle thought. She closed her eyes and tried to fall asleep.
When her eyes closed, she saw herself standing in darkness, all alone. “Father, father!” a voice suddenly called. Michelle spun around. She saw a little girl running past her. The little girl had long black hair, big sapphire blue eyes, and a cute child like face. She was running to, who seemed to be, her father. He was a tall, handsome man, who looked like he was in his twenties. He had short black hair, sapphire blue eyes, like hers. “Michelle, I have something for you,” her father told her. He pulled out a gold necklace with a pure diamond on the chain. In the diamond was a golden eye-like symbol. “It’s beautiful, father!” the little girl exclaimed. “It’s called the millennium crystal; let it be your light in the shadows,” her father told his daughter. “This crystal affords you special powers, Michelle,” he continued. “Father, surely you are joking!” the child told her father. “You know I do, my child,” he answered. Then he picked up his daughter and spun her around, then put her back down. “Father, I love you and I always will,” the child told her father. “I’ll always love my little girl,” her father told her, then hugged his daughter. Michelle looked at them with tears in her eyes. The father and daughter started to fade.
Then she saw the father protecting his daughter from someone. A man in a black cloak with a crossbow in his hand was ready to fire his arrow. He shot the first arrow; it hit the father’s shoulder. “Father!” the little girl cried. “Michelle… run,” her father ordered her. The man shot the second bow; it was aiming for the girl, but her father protected her again; the bow stabbed his arm. “Father no!” the girl yelled. “Father, stop, before it’s too late!” the child cried. “No, Michelle. Run or he’ll get you too,” her father warned her. The third bow was shot; this one hit his heart. “FATHER, NO!!” The little girl cried. Her father fell to the ground. “Father, Father!” she cried. “Michelle… take… care… of… your mother… and your… brother,” her father said weakly. “Father, don’t leave us. Don’t leave mother, don’t leave Andrew, and don’t leave me alone,” the child cried. “You’re… not …alone… my little… girl. I’m… always… right there… with you.” her father said. “I’ll always… love my… little… girl…my… little…Michelle,” he said. “FATHER!!!!” The little girl cried. “How sad. Don’t worry, you’ll join him sooner then you think,” the man said; and he shot the last bow. “AAAHHH!” the child screamed. An outline of a figure protected the little girl. Then the image started to fade away; of the girl, her father, the men in the black cloak, and the outline of the figure were gone. Michelle stood there crying.
That was her memories of her father. He died when she was five, but it hurt her to see her father die, because he was more than just her father. He was her best friend. All she had left to remember him was a necklace he gave her. “Father, I don’t want to be alone again,” Michelle said to herself. “I’ve been down that road, and I don’t want to go down that road again,” ‘Wake up, wake up, my lady,’ a voice suddenly said. “Who’s there!?!” Michelle yelled. ‘My lady, please, wake up,” the voice repeated. Michelle woke up.
She looked around, expecting to see someone, but didn’t see anyone. “Who’s there” Michelle whispered. “My lady, it’s alright. Dartz isn’t here, you’re safe,” said the voice. “Show your self,” she whispered. Someone walked out of the shadow of the prison cell. It was a man, dressed in black; Michelle couldn’t see his because his face was covered with a black cloth from the nose down. She had the feeling that she met him before. “Don’t worry, my lady, I’m not here to hurt you,” he whispered to Michelle. He kneeled down by Michelle. “Who are you?” Michelle asked. “My name is not important. But I’m here to save you, my lady,” the man answered. He took a key from his pocket. He put the key in the shackle and unlocked it. “How can I trust you if I don’t know?” she whispered. The man looked up at her. He put his hand on her cheek. “My lady,” he whispered. “You shouldn’t be treated like this. You don’t belong here, Michelle, daughter of David. Marik shouldn’t treat a beautiful young woman like this,” Michelle was surprised. “Sir, how did you know my name?” Michelle whispered. “That is not important, my lady,” he replied. He was looking into Michelle’s eyes. “Your eyes, their full of fear,” he said to Michelle. “But yet, you know there’s hope, in the times of darkness,” he continued. Michelle was blushing; she felt ashamed for not trusting him. “We must leave now, my lady,” he whispered. Michelle nodded. ‘I know I can trust him,’ she thought to herself. She got up and followed the man.
“Hey!” a voice suddenly yelled. Michelle looked over. One of the guards spotted them. “It’s too late, they spotted us,” the man said. “How did he get in there?” “Who cares!?! Stop him! He’s taking the girl!” the guards started to yell. “Hold on,” the man whispered in Michelle’s ear. He gripped Michelle; the guards entered the prison cell. “I won’t lose you again, not this time,” he whispered to Michelle.

[ to be continued... ]