Where the Dawn Doesn't Break
Chapter One: Paramount Loss
"I was just guessing at numbers and figures
Pulling the puzzles apart
Questions of science, science and progress
Do not speak as loud as my heart."
Yami took pause to admire his work. He had carved the form of the Egyptian god Anubis from a block of ebony, and the finished product was about half a foot tall. Despite the statue's small size, it was beautifully ornate and teeming with meticulous detail. Anubis' pupils were hollowed out of his eyes, his dog-like hands sported tiny claws, and his robes were decorated with complex patterns and tiny hieroglyphs. Yami gingerly placed the relic on top of Yugi's dresser and fondly recalled the conversation that had driven him to create the piece in the first place.
"Hello Aibou," Yami greeted as his hikari returned home after classes. The usually stoic spirit offered a warm smile that was reserved for Yugi alone.
"Hi Yami," the young boy returned. "You might be surprised to hear that World History was actually interesting today."
"Oh?" the former pharaoh prompted.
"Yeah, today was the start of a three-day lecture over ancient Egypt. The professor talked about the various Egyptian gods and their roles in the afterlife. It was all very intriguing."
Yami reclined on the bed, allowing a pleased grin to spread across his face.
"I appreciate that you take so much interest in my past, Aibou. So which god is your favorite?"
Yugi pondered this question for a moment. His huge violet irises rolled upward and he rested his chin in his hands as he thought.
"Well," he began, "there are several cool ones. I like Ra since he was such an integral part of Egyptian society, being the sun god and all. Osiris' story is neat too, how he was chopped up into several pieces that had to be gathered back together by his lover. But I guess my favorite would have to be Anubis."
"Anubis?" Yami confirmed. "Why Anubis? He's a rather dark god. He does monitor the gates to the underworld."
"Yes," Yugi agreed, "but he is not evil. He has scales to measure the weight or worth of a person's soul, but he's very fair. He is dark, sure, but a just ruler. He doesn't misuse his power." Here Yugi paused and looked up at Yami shyly.
"He reminds me of you, I suppose."
Yami checked the time. It was already past three, and he anticipated Yugi would be back at any moment. The spirit felt silly, almost childish, at the excitement that bubbled within him as he imagined Yugi's face upon seeing the carved statue for the first time. Yami collapsed on the bed and marveled at his cut and calloused hands. It had been excruciating to keep his little project a secret for the two weeks it took him to fashion the tiny relic. He could hardly wait for his hikari to get home from classes.
The time dragged on. Five minutes, ten, fifteen. Thirty minutes passed and Yugi still hadn't returned. Yami kept waiting for the young boy to burst into his room, throw down his backpack, and begin babbling about school, yet the room maintained an almost depressing silence in Yugi's absence. Growing concerned, the former pharaoh descended the stairs to ask Mr. Mutou if he had heard from his grandson. The spirit was halfway down when it happened.
A mental snap. A sudden break. The mind link was severed.
Emptiness flooded Yami's heart. He no longer felt a connection to Yugi. The shock overwhelmed him to the point that he involuntarily dropped to his knees, trembling, before tumbling the rest of the way down the stairs. There was a void, a crushing pressure within Yami's chest. He just didn't feel whole anymore.
Grandpa Mutou, curious as to what was causing such a racket, rounded the corner of the living room to find Yami lying in a crumpled heap, eyes wide, drenched in cold sweat. The elder rushed to the spirit's side, clutched his shoulders, and carefully helped him to his feet.
"Yami, are you feverish?"
"Solomon," Yami responded in a dread tone, "something is very wrong. Yugi must be in danger."
The elder put on a nervous smile and averted his gaze.
"Come now, there's no need to worry. Sometimes Yugi goes home with Jounouchi or else stays at the arcade for a while after school. You shouldn't be jumping to conclu…"
Rrriiiing!
The telephone cut him off.
Rrriiiing!
To Yami, each resounding ring sounded eerily like a death toll.
Rrriiiing!
Solomon bowed to excuse himself from the tense conversation before crossing the threshold to answer the phone.
"Hello and thank you for choosing Kame Game Shop where we have just received a new supply of…"
"Is this Mr. Solomon Mutou?"
The elder shifted uncomfortably on the balls of his feet. Clearly whoever called was not the least bit interested in cards.
"It is. How may I help you?"
The nameless voice on the other end of the line sighed heavily before continuing.
"This is Deputy Carson with the Domino City Police Department. Your grandson is Yugi Mutou, isn't he?"
Deputy Carson was stalling.
"Yes, I am Yugi's grandfather. He is alright, isn't he? Why are you calling?"
Silence. It was excruciating. Solomon began to sweat. Yami was glaring intently at the receiver as if it would make the reply come any quicker.
"I hate to be the one to tell you this Mr. Mutou, but I'll just come out and say it. Your grandson was a passenger in a taxi that was run off the road by what we expect was a drunk driver. By the time paramedics arrived on the scene, the gas tank was punctured and the cab had been on fire for at least 15 minutes. Considering the pressure and heat of the blaze, there was really no chance for survival. Both the driver and your grandson were killed, I'm afraid. The alleged drunkard who ran them off the road has yet to be caught, but we have eyewitnesses who claim to have seen the license plate number."
Solomon was speechless. His pupils dilated and his heartbeat raced as he tried to comprehend what he had just heard.
"But my boy…" the elder whimpered.
"I'm afraid all that was left besides the bare metal frame of the car was a belt buckle and a gold pyramid necklace. I am deeply sorry. I can assure you that the perpetrator will be promptly caught and arrested. In the meantime, would you like the buckle and necklace delivered to your house? I'm afraid it's the best we can do right now."
"Yes. Yes, that's fine," Solomon replied in a monotonous voice. He was still in shock.
"I will have someone deliver the items immediately. Again, I am sorry for your loss. If you have any further questions just give us a call. Goodnight, Mr. Mutou."
Click.
Beep, beep, beep, beep…
Solomon didn't move. The receiver dropped from his frozen palm and hung suspended from its cord, swaying back and forth, back and forth, like a convict in a noose.
Beep, beep, beep, beep…
"Solomon," Yami whispered. "What happened? Where is Yugi?"
The elder looked up, gazed at Yami detachedly like he was some sort of zoo animal, then began shaking violently. He slid to the floor and started sobbing between his shriveled fingertips.
"No," Yami muttered. "No, no, no, no, no. Not Yugi. Please Solomon, please tell me otherwise."
The elder Mutou slowly met Yami's piercing glare, and the ensuing silence was the spirit's answer. It was confirmation of Yami's worst fear.
Sweet, innocent, little Yugi was dead.