At the hospital, Yugi and Joey helped Duke and Bakura with the nurses into their rooms. Atem, Tea, Tristan and Serenity arrived as the doctors attended to Duke's injuries. Bakura was sleeping under absolute exhaustion from the physical stress he had endured to free himself from Zorc.
Eventually, the nurse confirmed that Duke just had to stay and rest under observation for a week or more. Another nurse said Bakura would sleep for at least an hour and he should feel fine, but will remain in hospital just to be safe for another day.
"Thank God they're both alright." said Tea.
"Yeah, poor Duke." said Serenity, much to Tristan's chagrin.
"And Bakura," said Atem, "He must feel really bad for the pain he couldn't help but inflict on Duke while fighting off Zorc."
"But how did Bakura fend off Zorc?" asked Yugi, "He never could before."
"That's a good question, Yugi," said Atem thoughtfully.
Everyone thought about this new mystery, but soon Atem came up with a theory.
"Zorc was killed, but these Dark attribute monster cards from Mirac's Machine brought him back," he said, "But what if Zorc's resurrection is not enough? What if he needs more power from that Machine to gain his strength and hold over Bakura?"
"So he may not be much of a threat to us, if he can't find and maintain a host body? He's just a dying parasite." said Joey, trying to simplify the theory.
"Possibly," said Atem, "For now."
"What d'you mean by 'for now'?" asked Yugi.
"Zorc said he was only resurrected by Dark Spellcaster cards. What if Mirac hasn't used the Egyptian God cards yet? If he hasn't and he is going to, then their power could very well build up Zorc's strength. And without the God cards, we may not be able to defeat him should he return to full power."
"How do we know he isn't gone for good since Bakura exorcised him?" asked Joey.
"I just sense he isn't gone. I can't explain it." said Atem thoughtfully.
"Okay." said Yugi, "So now what?"
"There's no hope of Mirac giving the cards back." said Atem, "There won't be any evidence of Zorc's return."
"What about Duke and Bakura?" asked Tea.
"Their injuries could have easily been caused in either lack of sleep or a regular fight." said Atem.
"We can all be witnesses." said Tristan.
"But we're all friends of Yugi and Atem's." said Tea, "He won't believe any of us."
"This is impossible." groaned Joey.
Tristan and Yugi let out an exasperated sigh. Atem felt that Joey had a point. There was nothing they could do for the time being. They were sitting ducks for Zorc's return to full power. Mirac was either unknowingly or willingly bringing evil times back to the world and he held the only cards that could stop it. Serenity was also worried. She herself had only met Zorc once in his duel against Yugi in the Battle City finals and that fight alone was a dangerous encounter. She could only imagine the horrors of what was believed to be their final battle. Tea was feeling guilty that she wanted Mirac to keep hold of the God cards. His antics had caused Joey, Bakura and Duke to get hurt, Kaiba to be put in danger, Zorc to return...and causing her and Yugi to become more distant, even with Atem around too.
They all sat in silence, deep in thought for a while. Duke was surrounded by his friends once they was allowed to see him.
"Hey, Duke." said Yugi.
YOU ARE READING
