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Ryou watched as sand swallowed the underground temple and laid the Millennium Items to rest. He should've been happy. A dark period in his life was ending. Instead, his heart heaved like it had during Amane's and his mother's funeral.
Over the next few years, Ryou threw himself into Monster World and his story, "The Thief King's Heist" became an incredibly popular campaign within his group. They played it as both the Thief King and his minions as well as the Pharaoh and his entourage, and they encouraged Ryou to publish it online. It took off, with other fans creating off-shoots and, now, there were whispers of Monster World debuting ancient Egyptian themed board blocks soon.
Ryou never played it with Yugi's group, though. He saw less of them the further he delved into Monster World. It was disheartening but he still met up with them on occasion, especially since he and Yugi attended the same university.
"Yes, another room cleared!" Yugi cheered and threw his fist in the air during one of their 'study' sessions. A few of the other students glared at him before returning to their work. The librarians said nothing, used to the constant chatter from college students. With an embarrassed chuckle, Yugi passed his Switch to Ryou. "Want to try?"
It had Luigi's Haunted Mansion booted up and Ryou fell in. He grinned at all the hokey haunted hijinks and made a note to pick up a copy later.
"By the way, Ishizu and Malik are flying in from Egypt tomorrow. They wanted to meet up, did you want to come?" Yugi asked, hovering over Ryou's shoulder to watch him play.
Ryou hummed, "it would be nice to see them again."
"Yeah," Yugi said. "Do you think they'd want to play a game?"
Ryou chuckled softly, returned Yugi's console, and went back to studying.
They met the Ishtars the next day and Ryou enjoyed catching up with them. But what really caught his attention was how Malik was acting during the visit. He shifted uncomfortably whenever Ryou spoke and never looked directly at him.
As Ishizu lamented her failed attempts to have her brothers withdraw from the Ghouls, Malik stole a sideways glance at Ryou and was surprised to find Ryou staring back. Malik grimaced and tried to cover it up by complaining about Rishid tricking him at the market; letting Malik believe that he was tailing Rishid for hours, only to turn around and insist they go home together.
It was too late. Ryou caught the sadness and discomfort darkening Malik's face before he turned. Sympathy rose in Ryou's chest as he remembered the times he'd made that same expression.
Malik refused to even glance at him the rest of the time. Unwilling to leave things as they were, Ryou cornered him on their way out of the cafe. "I need to pick something up do you mind coming with me?"
He quickly turned to his older siblings, the way you'd signal an overly friendly dog's owner to make them heel, but they urged him to go. Malik reluctantly agreed and they waved their goodbyes.
The two walked down the avenue wordlessly and when they'd walked two blocks, Malik caved. "Where are we going?"
"A store close by. They've got a book I've been waiting for. More importantly, did I do something to offend you? You've been avoiding me," Ryou said.
"Was it that obvious?" Malik asked and huffed when Ryou nodded. "It's not you. It's." He sighed and glared at a crack on the side of a building. "It's just difficult to be around someone after you tried to kill them."
"I understand," Ryou murmured.
"Can you?" Malik snagged the strap of Ryou's shoulder bag to stop him. "I used you and I was willing to let you die, how can you understand how that feels?"
Ryou shook Malik off. "The Spirit of the Ring did the same thing to my friends. He trapped them in lead figurines and used me to fight Yugi. After my friends were released, I couldn't look any of them in the eye, either. It didn't matter that it was the spirit who trapped them, it was my fault they were in danger in the first place. It felt awful, but it made me appreciate the second chance Yugi's group gave me. I want to offer you the same chance."
"You can't be serious, I haven't even apologized for what I've done."
"Then apologize already. You've obviously reflected on this long enough and I'm ready to move on," Ryou said.
For the first time that day, Malik held Ryou's gaze as he spoke, "I put you in danger because of a misguided grudge. It was wrong and I am truly sorry. "
Ryou nodded. "I forgive you. Now, come on we're not too far."
He led them into a hobby shop with film-wrapped comic books and signed posters lining the walls. There were only a few patrons meandering between racks of mini-figures, plushies, and dungeon blocks. Ryou ignored all of it, made a beeline towards a bookshelf, and snatched a book down. Through sheer willpower, he resisted the temptation to flip through the little paperback and reached for another book.
"You know, I had a sister," He said, as he pulled out a copy of Monster World's Player's Handbook. "Her name was Amane. I loved her dearly, but she died when I was young."
"That must have been difficult," Malik offered and Ryou could almost hear the screams of a man being skinned alive emanating from Malik's thoughts.
"It hurt, but what hurt more was not being able to do anything about it. The same thing happened with the Spirit of the Ring. I wanted to believe that I could help him without hurting Yugi. I promised to help him, but I couldn't do anything before he disappeared." Ryou's throat tightened, and he had to clear it through clenched teeth to keep his composure. "I don't want to lose anyone else."
Malik groaned, "It wasn't your fault your sister died, Ryou, and that spirit was manipulating you! You should've locked the Ring away."
"If I did, then he would've moved on to someone else! He needed someone and he chose me. And, I think, for a while, I needed him too. After Dad gave me the Ring, I never felt alone. He was always there, hiding in my soul. He also gave me hope that I could reach Amane if I tried hard enough. I couldn't let him go."
Malik raised his shaking fist and Ryou eyed it warily, worried about how much a broken bookshelf would cost. After a moment, Malik let it fall as he blew out a deep breath. "I get it. After what I did to Father, the only thing that kept me going was my hatred for the Pharaoh. When I banished my other self, I thought all our anger would vanish with him, but it didn't. I can't tell what is me and what was him anymore."
Ryou gave a sad laugh, "It's hard when they've woven themselves up so tightly around us, isn't it? Whenever I make a mistake or think I'm not good enough, it's his voice I hear."
The two stood there for a moment, mourning the mess they were left with. Eventually, they made their way to the long glass display case and Ryou began looking through the dice sets.
He narrowed his choice to two sets and, when the shopkeeper pulled them out, Ryou asked, "which one do you like?"
Malik only glanced at the golden hollow dice before he picked up the other set's D20 and turned it around in his hand. Ryou smiled when the dark purple turned lavender as it got closer to the light. He liked that one, it matched Malik's eyes.
"I guess this one?"
"Alright." Ryou added it to his pile. As the pair walked out of the store, Ryou put his paperback into his shoulder bag and held the rest out. Malik stared at it with an eyebrow raised, but Ryou gestured for him to take it, "I don't want to lose another friend. If you ever want to talk with someone who understands or want to play a game, I'll always be there."
"I think you're forgetting something." Malik smirked, "we live in different countries. I can't simply go to your apartment for an evening. Not to mention, I don't even have your number."
"Oh, that's an easy fix. We can still chat and play online." Ryou pulled out a pen and wrote his number and online name inside Malik's book.
Malik took everything and pulled out his phone. He pressed the button and waited…and waited. Cursing under his breath, he tried pressing other buttons. A few attempts later, he shoved it in his pocket and turned to Ryou with a tight smile.
"Well, new best friend, will you help me find the station? Ishizu will have my head if I don't make it back."
Ryou snorted, hearing the twinge of fear underneath his sarcasm. He pointed the way and the two started walking.