A journey through Light and Darkness: Volume two.

I'm back everyone :D

This is the second of a most likely four part story detailing the journey of the Dark Magician Mahado and Dark Magician Girl Mana across an alternate monster world with those they meet along the way as they attempt to put a stop to the destructive ambitions of the Sorcerer of Dark Magic, Magus. It's the journey of a lifetime!

Here's a link to Volume one: The Rise of Evil:

/s/3735577/1/ (For some dumb reason the first part won't paste properly no matter how many times I try... This website has seriously irritating problems with certain words. Just copy what I was able to put, and past it after this website's name in your URL search bar.)

Volume 2: In these hands. Having lost Mana, Mahado has sworn to find her, even as Magus' deadly apprentice Maneya eagerly hunts him. Meanwhile, lost and alone, Mana has no choice but to leave her survival in the hands of a wanderer who wants nothing to do with her.

Disclaimer: Yu-gi-oh does not belong to me, nor do the monsters appearing herein, except for the characters of everyone other than Mana and Mahado. The storyline is also unique to myself.

The rain sizzled when it struck anything. The skyline over Zantro was badly polluted. The stench and decay of desperate living wafted even to the outskirts of the City of Refugees as it came to be known. A trail worn traveler entered the city. He was dressed for the summer that still held sway over the Southern Continent, but the endless acidic rain in Zantro often called for more covering clothes. He would need a wardrobe change later on he realized.

Weeks had past since the revolt at the Academy and Citidel, and yet the citizens of the Dark Magic Kingdom had not received any sort of statement from their leaders as to what happened. In reality they heard nothing because Magus quickly silenced anybody with an iota of political power in the kingdom, or anyone who opposed him either. Magus knew however he would have to explain the situation in a way to justify what had happened, for not even he could convince the whole kingdom to see his way.

Once he finally had his plan set he sent his minions to inform the populace that he was going to make an official statement on what had happened the night of his takeover. And now, he looked out from the podium he stood at to the crowd. As expected, nearly the entire population of the Kingdom's capital city had turned up for the statement. Many of them were getting restless and were throwing various questions at him.

"I must ask for silence from everyone. I also must apologize to you all for the long silence from the citadel. I know you must all be very frustrated at not knowing what has happened…" Magus was cut off by renewed questions and agreements from the crowd. Once things had finally quieted down he continued. "As you all should know, several weeks ago, at midnight, a group of fiends infiltrated the capitol city and began to attack our forces. This attack coincided with a revolt in the academy. What you might not know is that that same day in the afternoon, a messenger from the Cosmo Kingdom arrived to speak with the Dark Sage. The participants of the revolt were students from the academy, brainwashed against the Kingdom. The truth is clear. This can mean only one thing: The Cosmo Kingdom has betrayed the alliance pact they made with us at the end of the great war!"

Total silence now eclipsed the crowd. Every one of them was shocked. "Fortunately I quickly took control of our defenses and regained control of the situation, but not before a terrible tragedy took place. The High Archmage of the Kingdom, Lord Maze, the Dark Sage, was murdered during the assault."

Gasps broke out within the crowd. Fury began to overtake some of them, and they began to shout curses at the Cosmo Kingdom. "I have traced a net of spies within the kingdom, all the way to the Wizard's council. After ascertaining their betrayal I was forced to have each of them executed. The preemptive attack on us has been made, and in such situations in which the currant High Archmage dies, his heir moves to the position of High Archmage. As the heir of the now late Dark Sage, I am now High Archmage of the Kingdom, according to it's law.."

As Magus suspected, cheers of approval began among the crowd. His political position was always positive in the kingdom, ever since the end of the war. In reality the Wizard's Council wasn't involved in the slightest with the revolt Magus had started, but shortly after killing the Dark Sage he had them put to death as well to remove threats to him becoming the new leader of the Kingdom.

"As the New High Archmage I have taken immediate action to countering this Cosmo Kingdom treachery, the first step of which is place the cities of the Kingdom under martial law and institute a Call to Arms for any able citizens into our armed forces. The next step is a complete reconstruction of the Kingdom's political body and foundation, recreating it into what will now be called the Dark Magic Empire!" As Magus suspected some of the citizens were alarmed at what he said, but some of them seemed to welcome his new ideals and cheered him on further.

"I plan to make a counter attack upon the Cosmo Kingdom within weeks. I intend to destroy their advance before they come anywhere near the Western Continent. Never again shall a tragedy like their internment prisons happen again. We shall destroy the Eastern Kingdom that was plagued us for centuries!" Thunderous applause met his statement. The crowd was hanging off Magus' every word.

"I have one final statement to make here today. Of all the traitors who went over to the east, only two have escaped judgement. Therefore, as of this day, The Dark Magician, Mahado and his apprentice, The Dark Magician Girl, Mana are official traitors and fugitives of the Dark Magic Empire! Both know secrets of our inner workings and must not be allowed to escape from us!"

Whether or not the crowd heard Magus, he wasn't certain. There was no new reaction from them. In that case his plan had gone off perfectly. He managed to take control of the Kingdom and change it into an Empire, and the public reaction was applause and support. It certainly is easy to do what you want once you've galvanized the blind masses against an enemy. And now his two biggest threats were enemies of the Empire.

"They'll soon have nowhere to run." he said to himself.

As the afternoon wore on the ocean spray leapt up off the scales of the Ocean Lord Daedalus and onto the people riding him. They were well soaked by now.

"So you can direct us to your city once we arrive?" Mahado asked Haruka.

"Yes. I know where we are. I know most of the Southern Continent very well. Once we arrive at the Emerald Coast we'll move inland to Stardust City and leave south west the following morning. We should arrive at my city by the end of that day."

"Good. I want to find Mana quickly."

"Calm yourself old friend. We have a whole continent to search!" Siegfried reminded Mahado.

Everyone could tell this was futile though. Mahado had been on edge all the past day, and nothing they said would change his mind. Everyone present just hoped Mana would make herself present as soon as possible…

"So she's moving southward?" Maven asked his second in command, Koran the Dark Red Enchanter.

"Yes sir. The locket Magus gave to her is reading her location at the Southern Continent. It would seem she found a way there on her own."

"Alright then. Steer course in that direction instead. I want to have this chase over with shortly if possible."

"Now then, if I were a fugitive from the Kingdom, where would I hide?" Maneya asked herself as she surveyed the Southern Continent from the top of the largest building in Stardust City.

"Zantro." Shadow replied simply.

"Why there?" Mayari asked.

"Zantro is a city of refugees. People uprooted by the great war traveled there, where they are joined daily by those uprooted by the actions of the Invader of Darkness here. It's easy to get lost in a crowd there. Furthermore, criminals also make their homes there. If any of them are separated from the whole and kidnapped here, they will without doubt be sold here, as laborists, thugs, or to brothels" Shadow explained.

"How do you know this?" Drake asked.

"I've been around."

"Alright then. Tomorrow were heading for Zantro as Shadow suggested. How far exactly is it?"

"I'm unwilling to fly you there if that's what you mean. It'll take a few days on foot."

"Then we set out tomorrow like I said. I suppose we'll find a room for tonight."

By that evening the group had arrived at the shore of the continent. After bidding Daedalus goodbye and thanking him, they moved inward and into the city. After that the group checked into a local inn and were just preparing to turn in for the night when Haruka noticed something.

"Alright, this inn has a hotspring! Nearly every major city in the southern continent has inns with them. I'm getting in." she exclaimed.

"What's a hot spring? Sounds painful." asked Kisara.

"No it's awesome. It's a body of hot water where men and women bathe together. There was a natural one near the village I lived at." Lance explained.

"Together? Why?"

"Because it's cool." replied Leon.

"Hot water? Why does the water need to be hot?" Orland asked. The Legendary Fisherman underwent a wardrobe change after arriving and now sported a light blue colored sleeveless tunic, sandals, and a hair band that controlled some of his normally unruly hair.

"It's more relaxing."

"Ha ha, I'll never understand land folk! Water's always relaxing, hot or cold!"

"Don't get your hopes up guys. This one's not co-ed." Haruka said to them.

Lance and Leon both groaned in disappointment at once.

"What does co-ed mean? Sounds educational…"

"Ahh well. How about it you guys?" Lance asked Mahado and Siegfried.

"Social bathing holds no interest for me." Siegfried replied as he walked off.

"I have bigger things on my mind."

"You know a comfortable dip would likely soak away bad memories of losing Mana." cajoled Laon.

"Not likely." Mahado assured, joining Siegfried.

"Ehh whatever. Just us then."

"C'mon Kisara! I'll show you how it's done!"

"I don't wanna Haruka."

"Yes you do!" Haruka forcefully replied, practically shoving Kisara into the ladies section.

Several minutes later both parties were in separate sections of the pool, separated by a wall. Kisara was having trouble getting comfortable. She was deliberately keeping herself submerged as low as she could without appearing to be attempting to drown herself, which was made difficult by the temperature of the water.

"What's wrong Kisara?" asked Haruka.

"I'm not comfortable, this water's too hot."

"You're not supposed to dive in it."

"I'm not."

"C'mon, sit up straight."

"No, you'll see my breasts!"

"So? That's bad?"

"I think so."

"C'mon Kisara. The guys can't see us. I have them too." Haruka insisted, pointing at her own chest.

"Do you have to be so loose?"

Haruka gave a sigh and moved over to Kisara.

"Go away!"

"I'm going force you to sit up straight."

Meanwhile the girl's talking was driving the guys crazy.

"That's it. One stupid little wall won't hold me back." Lance said to Leon as he walked over to where his weapon was laying.

"What are you doing?"

"I'm going to poke a hole in this damn wall."

"Awesome."

"Exactly."

Lance carefully drove his spear into the wall, just a small amount and carefully, so as not to make obvious damage to the wall. After a fairly decent sized hole was made he looked through it. He couldn't even see either girl, both were on the opposite side of a rock that jut through the center of the girls pool. He could only hear their fighting.

"Anything good?" asked Lance.

Lance was mostly disappointed in the lack of action, so he decided to screw with Leon a bit.

"Yeah it's getting wild." he replied.

"Hey move, it's my turn now."

"You guys are gonna cause trouble!" Orland warned from a separate section of the pool.

"How can you stand it Orland?" demanded Lance.

"I'm not interested in women! The sea is the only mistress for me!"

"You've been alone too long. Whatever Leon, go ahead."

Leon stepped up to the hole Lance made and peered through, but ended up bumping his head against the wall with a resounding noise when Lance suddenly gave a short yelp.

"What the hell's going on?" Leon hissed at Lance.

"It's Shadow!" replied Lance.

And Shadow had indeed entered the pool, Drake following him. Orland moved in and attempted to make conversation with them. And that wasn't the only problem. Leon glanced back at the hole he was looking through a second ago and saw one of Haruka's eyes gazing through it.

"Aha! Perverts! I knew something was up when I heard that noise a second ago, when you guys come out, I'm so gonna make you regret…"

"Shut up Haruka!" Leon hissed at her.

"Hell no Leon! Your getting a peace of my mind you…"

"Could you shut up already?" Shadow yelled at Haruka.

"Oh crap, Shadow's in there with them!" Kisara said to Haruka on the girl's side.

"That's not good. Alright, I've got an idea. Shadow should only know Lance. I'll go over and help them out."

"Were not allowed into the guy's section, remember?"

"No big, I'll just turn invisible with a technique and sneak over there."

Haruka made a number of handsigns and vanished from sight. Kisara could tell she had indeed turned invisible, for she could hear Haruka scaling the wall over to the other side. Kisara resigned herself to get back into the water, when she heard new people coming to join her. She looked and saw Maneya and her crew was the newcomers in the women's pool.

"Oh crud." she said to herself.

Meanwhile on the guy's section Lance was trying to stay hidden. Fortunately for the group Orland was keeping Drake distracted while Leon was trying to work out a plan. suddenly he heard movement behind him. He turned to look, and saw nothing. He turned his attention back to what he was doing, when he heard noises behind him again. This time he simply reached out quickly to feel whatever it was behind him without trying to look. His hand made contact with something spherical, pliable and firm. And round. He heard a shriek from behind him and something that felt strangely like a hand made contact with his face.

"What the hell?" he asked out loud.

"Leon, you idiot! It's Haruka! I turned myself invisible! I'm here to help you guys escape from Shadow here!"

"Why the hell did you slap me?" he asked her.

"You grabbed my breast!"

"I didn't know it was there! Your kind invisi…"

"If your going to help, then get helping Haruka!" snapped Lance.

"Oh yeah. Looks like Orland's distracting Drake. I'll go get Shadow. When the time seems right, book it for the door alright?" she said to the guys.

With that she snuck over, unseen, to Shadow, who was resting against the side of the pool. She considered her options and decided the easiest method would simply be to push his head under the water. What she didn't expect was that Shadow was stronger than she foresaw, and he managed to pull her in with him. Gasping from Drake and Orland and then a quick check with her own eyes revealed to Haruka she was visible again, and still naked. She had forgotten the Invisibility technique wore off with time.

"Woah awesome! A chick's in the pool!" Drake said.

"What are you doing in our side Haruka?" Orland asked.

Haruka was in no position to answer, she was busy grappling with Shadow and trying to keep him busy while Leon and Lance successfully snuck out. They managed to get back inside just in time, for Shadow eventually managed to regain control and throw her off him. Now that she was finally done Haruka took the moment to scream and cover herself.

"What the hell is going on here?" Shadow demanded.

"It seems Haruka likes you Shadow." Orland spoke up.

"Damn Shadow, freaking lucky. I mean, what are the odds of a woman sneaking into our bath just so she could see you…" Drake moaned.

"I already have a mate woman! Get back in your side where you belong!" Shadow yelled.

Haruka quickly took the moment to run back inside. Meanwhile the guys became aware of giggling from the other side.

"Hey, there's a hole in here! Check it out girls!" Mayari said from the other side.

Meanwhile Haruka, Kisara, Leon and Lance (all now wearing bath robes) met back up in the lobby.

"Well that was worth it." Leon spoke up. Since he didn't need to cut out as quickly as Lance did, he at least managed to see Haruka before he left.

"That was incredible embarrassing." Haruka complained.

"I'm just glad I was able to escape from Maneya…" Kisara said.

"Maybe we shouldn't tell Mahado about this?" Lance offered.

"Probably not." Kisara agreed.

"Well that was certainly interesting. Maybe we should get some rest now?" Leon asked.

The group decided he was likely right and turned in for the night.

So it ended slow. I wanted to end this first chapter on a lighter note, since this volume is where a few major plot twists that some may not enjoy will occur.

Also I hit writers block on how to finish this chapter and decided "Ahh hell I'll just throw in the obligatory hot spring scene..."

Anyway, please review if you have the time. Complains, suggestions and requests are all welcome. Keep in mind however that since I have the outline for this story pretty much planned out, I can't honor every request I receive, though I will if I like them or they peak my interest.