Rider (Part 2)

DIMENSION: MANGA (The One That Saves the Day)

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Ancient Egypt

Eight years old, traversing the desert, and doing her best to-

"There it is!"

Get away. Her village had been attacked and left in shambles. Her mother carried away and her father killed in front of her. She had ran away from it, and succeeded, but now she had a bigger problem. She had wandered into areas that everyone kept treating her terribly. They weren't kind like her village. Every time she tried to approach for food or a bath, they tried to throw rocks at her to beat it.

But not this time. Someone actually laid claim to her as their property! That wasn't right, that man was scary, and she escaped the first chance she got. She'd rather die out in the sands than go back to him.

"There it is!"

No! They found her? She tried to run away from them, but eventually she would run out of steam. They saw her, they were grown men with grown horses. They were even carrying weapons. Would they use them?

Then, something happened. The men that were after her, their horses all fell and each of them started to cough.

"You okay?"

She turned and saw a boy, about her age. He looked just as dirty and disheveled. "They were going to catch me."

"Were." He started to walk. "Follow me."

She followed him for several feet, thanking him for his help.

"I can't do much. Look at me? We are both the same. Outcasts. You can't run away. You'll either die or get taken back if you escape. Kingdoms watch for each other's slaves."

"But I'm not, I was just. My village was attacked, and I lost everyone, and now I-!"

"I get it." He turned around and looked at her. "I'm Bakura. You?" She gave him her name. "One day, my name will be everywhere. On everyone's lips, no one can wipe my name from history. You, though? You should be careful. There is power in words."

He took her to an empty looking area. He turned and looked back. "The spirits say no." He seemed disappointed. "You need to go back. You'll die out here."

"But you survive," she protested.

"Not alone. My villages spirits protect me. I also have a monster." He grinned. "I'll show you one day. You have a monster too. Everyone does."

"I don't want to go back." She didn't care about monsters. "I hate him, he-!" She started to cry.

Bakura came over toward her, placing his hand on her back. "I can do something. For now. Come closer. You can't stay, but the village will help." She walked a little closer and felt gusts in the wind. Bakura was looking at something above them. "Without spiritual power, you can't see it." He looked at her with a toothy grin. "But it's amazing." The wind died down around her.

She looked around. "What happened?"

"We're going to help you to find a better master."

Her heart kept skipping several beats as the young boy was charging a horse into the town she had escaped from. Although young, he knew how to ride his horse well. Considering he had village spirits protecting him, she assumed they helped.

"Which one was it?"

She pointed out the mud-brick place in the middle. "The one with two levels."

"Is he the only man there?"

"Yes."

"Good." They rushed by it, and she clung on as she heard a terrifying scream. "Now you are dead and your slave is mine!" he yelled as he dashed off. They were followed after others, but none of their aims hit. Eventually they were back out in the sands.

As they were off the horse, she bowed. "Thank you so much, Bakura!"

"They think I took you. So, we have a couple of days to play." His mouth lit up in a wide smile. "Is that okay?"

"You saved me from someone who would hurt me, and gave me a second chance." She grinned. "Of course. As long as you want."

They played into the day and into the night. Both laughing and enjoying themselves, like they used to when they had family and a village. Eventually, she had to go back to the town again. If she turned herself in and said what happened, there was a better chance for a better owner.

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Later . . .

She fell, screaming from the air, straight onto a horse! It bucked, with the person in front of her just as bewildered. Until she caught sight of those familiar white locks. One of the few people she ever saw with long hair. "Bakura?"

"Heh. I guess what the spirits did does work. It's you again." Bakura continued to ride now that the horse was better. "Did you stop using your real name like I said?" She nodded. "Good. Then I guess I'll give you a name too. The more names you have, the harder it is to pin anyone down." He looked back at her. "You'll be Rider since that's what you just became." He looked in front again. "So? In trouble, Rider?"

"I stole a piece of food. I'm about to get whipped, but I do deserve it."

"No you don't. I know you, if you stole food, it's because you are starving." He kicked his horse harder and it started to gallop. "No one starves or whips my friend!" He galloped at a high speed, getting her details again. Getting some kills in again. A little nastier than last time.

Then they went to relax with games again for a whole day and night.

"How did I come to you?" she asked as she rolled the bone die. "Out of the air, and straight to you?"

"My village . . . suffers." Bakura looked at the die. "They don't do many nice things or have good feelings. But. You hit a spot with them. They tied your ka, basically your monster to my monster."

"Tied?" She didn't understand.

"Whenever you are in trouble, big trouble, as long as I am me, I will always come to help you." He grabbed the die. "You are my only friend. As long as I am me, I will be there."

"What do you mean as long as you are you, Bakura?"

"Never mind that. You going to roll the die?"

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