Or at least you wouldn't have been sacrificed to a dark God.

[He knows why, understands why as much as he hates it. Marik was just hoping for some snide remark on Bakura's part to make him feel a bit better about everything but instead he just gives him that response.

He also knows he shouldn't be betraying the Pharaoh yet again but it's so engraved into him at this point. Atem has been nothing but cordial with him. That shouldn't warrant a kneejerk reaction from him but Marik finds himself wanting to stir up drama. Bakura always gets his scheming gears going anyways and it's been far too long.

Chen frowns as he looks at his trainer, Marik's expression having darkened and his lips twisted into a smirk.]

... He's here, you know. The Pharaoh. He's back at Kaiba and my place, relaxing, completely unaware of what's going on.

[He steps closer to the Spirit.]

He knows his name but still hasn't gone to the Afterlife. His powers have probably been reactivated but so have yours. I can feel it again... That darkness.

[He shudders. No matter how much he heals, how much he tries to distance himself, that power is intoxicating and he finds himself wanting to crawl back for more.]

I could turn a blind eye, if you wanted. Conveniently leave the door unlocked. Make sure no one else is there.

His friends aren't here to save him either.

[Joey's here but... he's busy with other things. He's not even sure the other knows Atem is in the world with them.]

Consider it... payment for everything you've done for me, since I've failed in my mission.