#(introducing Apopis // Apep)

[iilahalzili]

     "Tch. . . what a time to be reminded.” The shadows are toying with him, reminding him of the weakness he once had--being suppressed by a simple mortal like Rishid, begging and bargaining with his Hikari. . . being defeated by Atem and his little brat Yugi.

     “I wouldn’t have been forced to do such things if you didn’t destroy me to fragments. . .” Marik hisses aloud, glaring at the shadows lingering in the corners of his cabin, “I could have gotten that iadet’s soul if I was given my full power!”

     Do not argue with us, tifli, our power was not strong enough then--you needed an anchor. We could only give you so much with Ra’s power enveloping this wretched place.

     “Your power did nothing for me!” Marik snarls, baring his teeth at seemingly nothing, “If it was so strong to create me into the God of Shadows, then I should have been strong enough to devour Malik’s soul and that pathetic guardian! I would have been able to kill the Pharaoh and feed his soul to grow my power!”

     “Even now I am not strong enough to devour the souls needed for the Ritual!” He picks up the nearest item, a lamp that had been left over from the previous owner, throwing it with all his might at the darkness.      “You want me to become a devourer but you give me so little to work with!”

     Are you doubting us, child of nightmares? The shadows simply remain even with the lamp shattering against the wall, You will grow into it. . . but if you want to progress quicker. . . we can always take you there.      Tendrils of blackness reach out, twitching and writhing as they reach for Marik’s feet--a threat to drag him back to the deepest part of the Shadow Realm, shall we drag you to the Well of Shadows again, remind you what can be done?

     The mention of that place gets Marik to quiet instantly. Not that place. . . his body involuntarily twitches, a phantom memory of the searing pain.      Anything but that place.

     You must be patient, little one, when the time comes we will give you the gift you desire--you will become a Devourer of Worlds when you finish the Ritual of Dark Sacrifice. Until then, you must get the souls you can. Even if it is not Atem’s soul, a strong sacrifice will satisfy. . .