My second Yu-Gi-Oh FF published on here, and this one is a chapter story. It probably won't have too many chapters; ten at most. This is slightly AU, involves Puzzleshipping, in however you want to see it. Personally, I ship it platonically, in the diamonds quadrant, if that means anything to you. If it doesn't, maybe look it up. But, this means I ship it so hard like that, my stories can be read as Puzzleshipping in the flushed quadrant (romantically).

I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh, and all likenesses in this story are purely coincidental. I know I have other stories I really need to be working on, but I can't really help myself.

I hope you like the story!


The ancients would say that a child born with a birthmark showed how they died in a past life. It's not a belief that's very common nowadays, but it's a superstition that's persisted. Similar to how they say you can predict an unborn child's gender by the way a needle, hanging from a strand of thread, will sway. Or perhaps superstitions that a rodent seeing its shadow will bring the region a longer winter. Everyone knows the seasons are dictated by the Earth's tilt and the sun, and that a needle's sway in the air is influenced only by the hand holding it and the air circulation, and yet, our society continues to practice these things. If for no other reason than to acknowledge our traditions and respect our histories. Besides that, it's fun.

My uncle was born with several red dots under his left ear. There is no standing health problem associated with them, but they still won't go away. My Grandpa likes to say that in a past life, he had been killed my mosquitoes. A girl in the grade below me has a birthmark vaguely in the shape of a 'V', and she brags about dying by getting bit by something. Probably large, since her birthmark will be larger than a rat's bite when she's older.

I've got a birthmark. It's actually a rather clear shape, and there's really no squinting your eyes and tilting your head to make out a picture like you might when looking at the clouds. Just under my collar bone, easily hidden by most shirts, is a triangle. It's upside down, given we usually draw triangles with the point at the top as if it were setting on a flat surface, and it's got another shape on the inside; an eye. Not a very descriptive or accurate eye, mind you, but it's an eye nonetheless. However, this is the part where people go out of their way to see something else, like mouth with an olive in the lips, or a ball caught between a snapping belt. It doesn't matter. It's definitely an eye.

I wonder what sort of story they would make up for that one? I was branded to death? Tattooed to death? I don't know. I always thought it was kind of cool, but it never really meant anything until my Grandpa took me to Egypt when he had to meet with some of his old archeology buddies, who was publishing a book on some findings they had come across recently that were a direct result of work they had done with my grandpa. Legal issues, input, and other adult things that I don't particularly care about. I just went along because, since it was summer break and we lived alone, he couldn't find anyone to watch me while he was gone. He didn't know how long it would take, so we got me a pass port, packed, and went to Egypt.

"I thought these days were behind me." Grandpa groaned, shuffling through the book in his lap. I knew he wasn't even reading it. "This is all a bunch of baloney, if you ask me. There shouldn't be any question- they know that tomb was my life's work. And they try to claim it as their own? That isn't even their territory."

"Grandpa." I interrupted his grumblings. "You haven't been there in years, and you weren't the one that found this thing, right?"

"It's a bit more complicated than that." He sighed, dropping the book. "I may not be there anymore, but my work is deep in this tomb's roots, and six expeditions are still going on with the funding I got and the missions I've designed."

"Last time it was two." Last time, he said the others had run out of funding…. Before I was born.

"No, it's definitely six."

I rolled my eyes and leaned back, putting my earphones back in. We still had four hours until landing, and the first thing we'd do when we get there is check into the hotel. We're not actually doing anything until tomorrow anyways. I'm hoping he won't make me stay, playing nice the whole time. I've never been to Egypt. I hope to have some fun.

Once we were settled into the hotel, we went out toward the native market. I wanted to go to some of the more interesting restaurants the other direction, but Grandpa called them the 'tourist traps' and we instead went to a small, dingy restaurant that didn't seem to want us there until Grandpa started using his rusty Arabic. He'd taught me very little after he found out we were coming and I asked, so I understood he was saying something about ordering.

"Solomon?" An older man behind the register asked, standing up.

Then they started talking and the younger woman walked away. Apparently, this was a place Grandpa had frequented when he lived here. We even got a discount. It was only just after dark, and we could have easily stayed out to visit a few shops, some attractions, we could have at least gone to see the Pyramids, but he insisted we return to the hotel and go to sleep.

Then, in the morning, he made me get dressed and walk out before I was ever fully awake.

"Wait, I forgot my IPod." I objected, starting to open the door again.

"You're in an entirely different country, Yuugi. You won't need that. Find some other way to amuse yourself." He insisted.

I sighed, dejected. No, I have a feeling that I won't get a chance to have any fun here. I'll be sitting around, following my Grandpa all day in the terrible heat while he talks boring things with his old frenemies.

Two of them were native, one of them was European. I think. It's hot out here, and even though Grandpa said I could wander around the property, there wasn't much to look at. I'm all for adventure, but even I can't find adventure in sand, rock, and brick walls.

"Where was it?"

"What do you mean? You just got here, old friend. There are other matters to take care of before we-"

"It's exactly where I predicted it to be, isn't it? It's that very same temple."

"Solomon…"

"Don't talk to me like that. I'll settle down and talk business once we're on the same page. I've spent my entire career searching for this place, and you come in like this, expecting to cut me out?"

"That's not what we're doing. See? We haven't even made a move until you showed up. Right? But we can't just go gallivanting off to the site. You haven't been here in nearly a decade; you don't know what's going on around there. We're barred off ourselves."

"What's this all about? Clearance has gone through by now."

I tuned them out. Sitting down a few feet away from the road, I watched the people. Someone rode a bike past a little while ago, and there is a somewhat steady stream of pedestrians. Across the street is a rather old looking building. It isn't a home, but some sort of business. I think. Maybe a community building made on a budget?

That man has been standing there for a minute already. Is he staring at me? Shoot, he noticed me looking. Now he's walking this way. Shoot.

"Hello there." He greeted me with a thick accent. He had white hair and some think eye liner. I think that's kohl, right?

"Uh, hi." I glanced around, then back up at the man. "Can I help you?"

"You look oddly familiar." He mused. "You aren't a tourist, are you?"

"No." I shook my head. "Well, maybe. I'm here with my Grandfather." I jabbed a finger towards him, and started to get up. It's sort of awkward talking to a person that's standing above me. "But I've never been here before. So unless you've ever been to Japan…"

"No." He denied, but continued to give me a weird look.

"Well… ah… I guess I should probably go check on my Grandpa…" I started to turn away.

"Wait a minute, Yuugi." I hesitated. "Have you ever heard of the Nameless Pharaoh?"

"Well, yeah. That's what my Grandpa's doing here." I've heard plenty about it on the way down. They found a tomb for a Pharaoh back when Grandpa was out in the field, and there was no record of who it was. They couldn't figure out how to get in, and they didn't have permission to go any farther in yet. It wasn't until a few years ago they let anyone in to investigate, and now, apparently, they've found the entrance. The book documenting all of this is the whole point of this trip. Of course, that isn't the only reason Grandpa wanted to come. He wanted to take a look at the tomb he helped to discover.

"Hmm." He mused, looking back towards my Grandpa.

"Well, I'll ah… wait a moment." I suddenly realized that he'd said my name. I don't think we'd had introductions. "Do I know you?"

He suddenly spread a wide grin. "I don't think so. I suppose I'll see you and your grandfather later." He bowed slightly, before turning to walk away.

I watched him go, mildly confused about what had just happened.

"Ah, Grandpa?" I approached the group of old men.

"What is it, Yuugi?" He didn't even look at me.

"Can I go walking around?"

"Now?" He gave me an exasperated look, changing his passive tune.

"Hold on, son." One of the native archeologists was talking to me now. I don't know any of their names, but I think his starts with an 'A'. Maybe. "Who was that you were just talking to?"

"I don't know. Some guy." I shrugged.

"That was definitely Marik." The European one insisted. "Stay away from him, Yuugi. He's a part of those traditionalists that don't want anyone going in that tomb. They've got it barred off and, even though we've got the permit now, they still aren't letting us through. There will be a court hearing tomorrow, but definitely stay away from that man. Alright?"

"Uh… sure." I don't really know what's going on, because I'm not paying as much attention to the technical stuff. "So can I go? Is there a game shop anywhere around?"

"Take after your grandfather, hu?" The first one that had spoken laughed. "It's just down the street, by the bank."

"Yuugi, hold on. I don't know about you wandering off on your own." Grandpa objected. "You don't know the area very well. It's not like you walking around Tokyo."

"I'll be fine. I won't leave the street, if the game shop is on it." I insisted. "I'll be back by…"

"Noon." Grandpa decided, giving in. "Hopefully by then we can sort this out and drive down to the site. I just want to have a look, alright? We're here for a while, and I haven't been here in years. Give an old man a break."

"Alright, alright." The old man that hadn't spoken yet shook his head. "You've gotten stubborn, old man. Here, I've got the book here." He pointed towards a table around the corner of the small building- which for some reason we weren't allowed into except for the bathroom -where there was also a few trunks littered around. I didn't linger to see what they were doing, I just started walking down the street in the direction they had pointed me.

Alright, now where's the bank? Banks are generally about the same, aren't they? ATMs, colored roofs, glass doors… is that it? Which means this is the game store? Well, I guess so.

There were a few young locals milling around, playing some unfamiliar games. There are two over there playing Duel Monsters, though. I guess it really is as popular as the commercials say.

I didn't even have a chance to play them- of course I brought my cards -before I had to start heading back to the building. Apparently it had already been nearly noon, and as soon as I realized this, I felt gypped.

I was crammed into the back seat between the European man and Grandpa as we drove to the site. They continued to talk about earlier details on this whole expedition- things that happened before even Mom was born -while I looked through my cards. Grandpa said to me in a passing that I should have left them in our hotel so they didn't get lost, but was quickly distracted by arguing of dates. I already know my deck by heart, and if there was anything I was going to bring with me to keep myself entertained, it was these.

What felt like an hour and a half later, at least, we arrived into some remote corner of the Valley of the Kings… which looked like any other part of the land around here. We didn't even pass any cool monuments or anything; directly to this boring corner. The only way I knew it was the Valley of the Kings was because the old men talking about it, and a group of traditionalists all gathered around an entrance that looked like a hole in the ground.

"Hey, hey." One of the native archeologists put their hands up as we approached the group. "We aren't here to fight. Solomon here has been working on this Nameless Pharaoh since before half of you were born. He just wants to get a closer look- we aren't going any farther in than we already have."

"No." A firm voice denied, and I recognized it as the same man that had spoken to me earlier. He's here? "None of you are worthy to enter this tomb."

"I'm not trying to stir up any trouble right now." Grandpa insisted, stepping to the front of the group. I just stuck by his side, not particularly comfortable wandering off at the moment. We're out in the middle of nowhere with a hostile group of strangers, and I don't want to step anywhere I'm not supposed to. Isn't this place full of tombs and sacred land?

"That's what you'll get if you don't back off." Marik- that was his name, wasn't it? -was holding a scepter of some sort that for some reason gave me goosebumps. He brandished it towards my Grandfather, but once he had stopped walking forward, Marik's expression shifted and his eyes rolled over to me. He gave an untrustworthy smirk as he eyed me.

I glanced back to the scepter and to him again, rather nervous. How had he known my name earlier? Maybe he heard it from these other archeologists, when they were talking about Grandpa coming here and bringing me? Is that it?

Wait a minute. No, I know why that scepter gives me the creeps! That symbol on it, at the end! It's the same eye symbol I've got as a birthmark, only this one is in on a ball instead of a triangle.

For some reason, Marik started laughing. "Of course, the boy may pass through."

"Wait, what?" "The boy?" "You're not even making any sense anymore." "What are you talking about, 'the boy'?" "My Grandson? Why?" They all burst out into objections, and I shivered.

"Me?" I pointed to myself. Marik- and several of the other cloaked figures behind him -nodded. "Why?"

Marik stepped forward, closer to us. Or rather, towards me. Grandpa put a hand on my shoulder, but didn't seem to be worried that Marik might hurt me even though he was now bringing that golden rod towards my neck.

"Yuugi…" One of the other archeologist behind us started to say, and I heard footsteps behind me as if one of them were about to pull me back, but they stopped when all Marik did was hook one of the wings stretching from the ball with the eye at the end of the rod onto the neck of my shirt and pull it down to show off my birthmark.

"What is that?" The European archeologist walked around to get a closer look.

I jerked back, straightening my shirt. "Just a birthmark."

"The mark of a slave." Marik insisted. "The Nameless Pharaoh's slave. You are his faithful servant, you may enter his tomb."

"That's ridiculous. Just superstition." Grandpa scoffed. "My grandson isn't even from around here!"

"And he certainly isn't any sort of slave." One of the old men still behind me laughed.

Marik spread his arms, as if showing he meant peace or that he didn't care, as he stepped back to the other traditionalists. "Whether you allow the boy to enter or not is no matter. He is the only one among you who has been branded worthy to enter."

They pulled me back and I suddenly felt as if I were in a huddle. Everyone was whispering and stooping down to my level, but still not talking to me. They've mostly ignored me and dragged me around so far anyways.

"I don't know where they're coming up with this bullshit, but this might be our only way in."

"We'll send young Yuugi inside, and he can take pictures for us. Take notes. Son, have you ever been in a tomb before?"

"Has your grandfather taught you any hieroglyphics?"

"No one has been in there for thousands of years. There are probably traps. Do you really think my grandson should be going in there alone?"

"They've been inside! He'll be fine."

"You'll be fine, won't you?"

I nodded, but didn't get to say anything.

"See? Wait here, I'll go get my camera. It's got an empty memory stick."

"Make sure to take notes of everything, kid."

"We'll even put your name in the book too. What do you say?"

I don't really care about any stupid book or pictures, I just want to go inside. I want to know why my birthmark looks so similar to Marik's scepter. I want to go in.

"Yuugi, you be very careful." Grandpa addressed me directly. "Do you remember all those stories I've told you about my adventures?"

"I'm pretty sure you were exaggerating, though."

"I was. But not on the dangerous parts. Be very, very careful. Don't touch anything unless you have to. Make sure to photograph every bit of writing, architecture, and art in there."

Someone put a camera into my hand, and a notebook into the other.

"We're relying on you, Yuugi."

"Great. The culmination of decades worth of work- centuries of work -now rests in the hands of a fourteen-year-old."

"He's fifteen, he'll be fine."

I walked forward, toward the traditionalist group. They didn't threaten me at all. In fact, they themselves seemed rather eager to have me.

"Come, Yuugi. Be prepared to greet your ancient master." That part, however, sounds completely ridiculous.

Marik put a hand on my back, guiding me toward the entrance. A woman went in ahead of me, and I followed her down an incline until there was a sharp turn. Sunlight had quickly faded away and was replaced with torches. There was a small room here, with an ancient table- though surely not as ancient as the tomb itself -on top of which carrying lamps sat. We paused here and they moved to face me.

"Young Yuugi Mouto…" Marik greeted solemnly. "Here lies the tomb of your master. You hold more standing than we do, but we still ask that you leave your notepad and camera here."

"But you aren't going to make me?" I realized. They're acting like they respect me, which is sort of weird considering what I've gathered about aggression between them and the archeologists.

"No." The woman shook her head, making me look to her now. She and Marik looked very similar; they might be family. But perhaps more noticeably was the golden necklace she wore… which also has the eye on it. "But you hold a certain obligation towards this tomb, and you should respect it. We advise you to leave behind anything that might tempt the betrayal of your master."

"I don't have a master." I let out, already realizing I should just play along. Fortunately, they didn't catch on that I wasn't who they thought I was. They just laughed.

"You don't have to enter if you do not want to. You, the vassal of the Nameless Pharaoh. But we cannot stop you from going to him if you wish to serve him as you were born to. Should he call to you, you must go."

Alright, all this talk is really giving me the creeps. I mean, I don't believe in this one bit. Do I look like a slave? Especially to some mummy that's been dead for over 5000 years? No, I don't think so. But… I still want to go inside. And… I don't really feel right going in to take complete advantage of these people.

I set the camera and notepad down on the table. I'll just tell Grandpa that they made me leave them behind, but I'll describe it as best I can. And maybe I'll be able to come back and take pictures without a guilty conscience another time?

"A wise decision." Marik approved, and the woman turned to lead the way deeper into the tomb.

I traveled with her in front of me and him behind me for a good distance. We had to go through a collapsed part of the tunnel, where it looked like everything had been crushed down. They assured me that whatever had happened had happened hundreds of years ago and it's completely stable now.

All of the sudden, the halls seemed to get clearer and the walls were in incredible shape. You don't see tombs in this good of shape even in the movies! The ground got smoother, and my footsteps began to echo. To have the structure to create an echo, it's actually really cool. But then, it opened up into a large room with the path going straight down the middle. On either side of the path, the ground dropped away entirely. It got really dark the farther down, and it was impossible to see the bottom.

My heartrate picked up and I stopped, only a few steps in, to look back. The woman had fallen behind me right before this room, holding open a curtain that had obviously been installed within the last few years. It had acted a door, hiding what lied inside of this room.

Neither of them had followed me out here.

"Go on." The woman insisted.

"Aren't you coming?" I objected, getting a bad feeling about this. I could fall and die and never be found down here. There's probably traps that they don't want to trigger, or maybe they intend to lock me down here. What am I doing?

"We aren't allowed." She insisted.

"We are barred from entering this room. We always have been." Marik explained, making it sound as if they've been down here for a long time. Longer than just the few months it's been open for investigation.

I swallowed. Right. I can come in because I'm this Nameless Pharaoh's slave. Which doesn't really make any sense, and doesn't sound all that great even if it were possible. Turning back the other direction, I looked about the room to see where I was going. At the other end of this long, narrow path is a simple pedestal. There's no sarcophagus or mummy anywhere… just a pedestal with something sitting on top. I can't make out what it looked like from here, but it's clearly the point of the entire place. And there are hieroglyphs everywhere. Large symbols all along this path...

I started walking again. A shiver went up my back and I glanced back to the others quickly. "In or out, you're freaking me out just standing there like that." I complained.

They looked to each other, as if I was missing something, and then let the curtain close completely. I was left alone, but the feeling of being watched didn't go away. I started down the path once more. I was getting antsy, and looking at the pictures all over the walls, I just knew something else was going on. Is one of their friends hiding around here somewhere?

Almost there. I was creeping along at a snail's pace, but now I'm nearly there. I heard the curtain move on its rod behind me, and I looked back reflexively. They were both peeking back in, but a look of… terror? Surprise? Something came over their faces about the time I lost my balance. Almost as if someone pushed past me, or a gush of wind came through that I hadn't expected, but neither were true. I just lost my balance, and the curtain shut rather abruptly.

I would have caught it easily if I were on a larger space, or if I had already reached the other end. But I hadn't quite gotten there yet, and my right foot came down only half way on solid ground, and the other half over the edge of the ledge. My balance was only thrown off more and my heart stopped as I realized my mistake. I could feel myself falling over the edge, in slow motion, and I knew I had to try to catch myself. I didn't have time for any of that, though, because something clasped down on my wrist and I felt my weight shift towards the solid ground. I continued to fall, but now, onto the more stable, safe floor that the pedestal stood on.

I stayed there, catching my breath, completely terrified for a minute or two. I almost fell and died. What a stupid, stupid mistake! I just… I just tripped! I should have fallen and died… but I didn't. It felt like someone grabbed my wrist.

I sat up and looked around, but I was just as alone as I had been before. That uneasy feeling in my brain wouldn't go away, and my stomach was churning. What just happened?

Standing up, I looked around once more. There are no torches in here, as opposed to the rest of the tomb. All the light is filtering in through the curtain and practically radiating off the golden box on this pedestal… with the same eye symbol as my birthmark, the woman's necklace, and Marik's scepter. What even is this? Is it really possible that my birthmark has to do with these people?

My hands hovered over the box, but I didn't touch it. What's inside? How long has it really been here? What does this eye mean? I… I don't know what any of this is! I can't handle this.

Something came over me and I rested my hands on either side of the surprisingly warm metal box. Then a strange sensation fell over my hands… as if someone else were resting their hands on top of mine.

I've been waiting for you.

"Wh- who said that?" I whispered, unable to raise my voice any higher.

Open it.

I shifted my hands, about to lift the lid with my thumbs, but I hesitated. No, something extremely weird is happening here. I take it back, maybe those traditionalists know something? There's definitely something supernatural going on. This isn't right.

It's yours. Open it.

"Who are you?" I objected, withdrawing my hands and looking around. "Who's talking to me?"

Return to me, Hikaru.

I turned on my heel and ran out of there. Straight over the bridge, through the curtain, past Marik and the woman, and back through the passage we'd come down. I reached the table much faster than I remember leaving it, but I didn't linger. I grabbed the camera and notebook and took off.

Straight through the crowd of traditionalists and to Grandpa and his friends, I was panting hard and shivering. I no longer felt like I was being watched, but I still had that uneasy feeling. Goosebumps on my arm, and it's hotter than summer in Tokyo out here.

"Yuugi, are you alright?"

"I'm sorry, I didn't get any pictures." I rushed, giving the camera back. Someone else took the notebook. "I couldn't bring it in." They'll think I wasn't allowed, but it isn't a lie anyways.

"Did you at least take any notes?"

I shook my head. "But I remember a lot."

"Come on, let's talk about it." Grandpa, realizing I was shaken, immediately guided me back toward the vehicle. That evening, they quizzed me for hours and started talking about returning there. But not for at least two weeks. They had other work to do, and they intended to try and negotiate with the traditionalists to let me bring in a camera.

I just wanted to go back to the hotel. Grandpa let me, giving me the key after my interrogation was over.

Pulling out my duel monster cards as I sat on my temporary bed, I laid them out in front of me, as if preparing for a game against someone. Not that I ever got to play with a lot of other people; I don't have a lot of friends. Mostly I just participate in competitions and occasionally I'll talk someone in class into playing with me. It's a popular game… I'm just not a popular kid. Nevertheless, I loved this game. I can spend hours playing, practicing, shuffling my deck and building strategies. So this is what I did to calm down, to think about what happened rationally.

There was definitely a presence in there. Someone that saved me, someone that wanted me to open that box. They didn't seem threatening, granted, but I wonder if somehow that was the Nameless Pharaoh? The one who Marik and that woman were convinced I am meant to serve? Is that what this birthmark means? What about their gold-things? Does that mean they have pledged themselves to be his loyal servants? Do they have birthmarks like this too? No… they can't. They acted like I was special for this birthmark. That I was allowed into that room because of it, and they weren't. Is it that presence that's stopping them from coming inside the tomb? Why do I have this birthmark? What does it even mean?

I get the feeling that the answer to those questions is inside that box. And… that presence hadn't seemed upset to see me there. They didn't seem threatening at all.

Alright. Fine. I have to go back.


This is the exposition, clearly. I've got the first five chapters written out, and they at least will be published quickly enough. Typically I try for one a day, but I might not wait that long even.

I would love to hear what you think of the story! Encouragement, critiques, and guesses about what might happen are all encouraged.