Secret Sands

I. Hallway Mazes

Dark. Chilly. Quiet. These hallways are endless. How many steps have I taken? I could swear I've been down this same corridor - only about twenty times by now. I'll be driven mad by the echoes of my own footsteps in this pitch black darkness. The once ago pharaoh thought to himself and how amusing it would be if he was found weeks later in an abandoned hall dead. All the Shadow Realm duels, and crazy mad men threatening the world's destruction and a hallway does me in.' He imagined a newspaper headline - if he were back in Yugi's time. The thought made him chuckle but his humor soon waned as he realized he really was in a predicament. How many times did this make now? He ceased his walking, put his hands out to his side to find the wall, he sat down with a heavy exhale. The King of Games was exhausted. Should I just keep going? From what I do remember, these hallways are so vast and danger-

His thoughts silenced as sound hit his ears. They were very faint at first but moments later he recognized them as footprints. His head turned to the right - in the direction he was headed before stopping to rest. A bright light shone ahead and he could see there was a forked path. The light came from the left and grew brighter - the footsteps louder. He stood tentatively, surprised anyone would be awake at this hour. He himself awake- and lost- because he took a wrong turn somewhere on his way to his room. It was about nine then - he had to get used to reading time by use of a sundial again. He sure missed having a watch - he didn't realize how spoiled he became by his time in the future. 'My how time has changed compared to now. No not now, I mean- Then? Currently...

Finally a man in dark purple robes rounded the corner with a torch in hand. As the robed man made eye contact with Atem, he halted. The lost Egyptian also froze as those blue eyes locked on him with a surprised yet quickly amused gleam. "Dear cousin, why are you roaming these halls so late in the night?" He asked curious.

Atem offered the taller a polite smile. A bit of embarrassment revealed itself, slightly, in flushed hues along his cheeks. "I hadn't meant to wander this late, honestly. These hallways do appear similar in many ways, I don't quite have the routes memorized. On the way back to my chamber I managed to wind up here." He explained in a mutter.

"Is that so?" He asked calmly, though his eyes glistened with even greater amusement. His features enhanced by the flickers of fire dancing. "You are lost." He stated simply. Atem tensed visibly, causing him to chuckle slightly. "Is this not the same predicament you faced two nights past?" He questioned further. "Also, a few before then, if what I am told is correct." He added.

Atem sighed in defeat. So there existed quite the grapevine here as well. I wonder just how many people here know about this. Rumors were a part of human behavior and spanned across every inch of the earth it seemed. "How wonderful. So everyone knows of my embarrassing exploits." He mumbled with a shake of his head.

"I would believe so." The brunet began walking passed the annoyed other. Atem turned and followed, assuming he was leading him out of the maze. "The servants do what they can to entertain their masters. I imagine the whole palace knows the former Pharaoh cannot seem to find his way down a hallway." He continued a bit snide.

A step behind, Atem could just feel the cheeky smirk on the slightly taller's lips. He sure has a lot of Kaiba's jeer, but I suppose it would be the other way around. He refrained from remarking back, after all, this was the Pharaoh he was talking to.

"As humorous as the servants seem to find it - and a few priests and healers, it is very disappointing that the former Pharaoh continues to have difficulty. By now, you should have adapted to where these halls lead, at the very least, the path to your chamber." He scolded.

Atem frowned. He's getting after me as if I were a small child. "I was sealed away for a very long time in the Millennium Puzzle and then thrust into a future where such extravagant hallways were not present. I am aware of the foolishness I have showcased but I am getting better at memorizing routes." He defended assuredly.

The priest now pharaoh halted in step, turned to face the other sternly. "If something were to happen to you, the people would mourn. You were once their King. Don't treat your foolishness as mere embarrassment, your inability to know your every day surroundings is a tragedy waiting to happen. These halls are not walked in the night typically, your absence gets spread throughout and people look for you because of who you are and were. That is the only reason you have been fortunate to have someone available to lead you back to the main halls. It grows very cold down here once the sun goes down, you or someone searching for you, could grow very ill quite quickly. Also, there could be robbers, snakes any number of dangerous elements lurking late unto the night and if not properly equipped could take your life. I would say that you right now are definitely unequipped for a late night stroll down here. Why would you come all the way down here?"

Atem could feel his cheeks burning. What could he say? He makes some really good points. "I wasn't purposely coming 'down' here. I don't even know where I am at this point." He huffed knowing his reply probably made it worse. "I was in the gardens and fell asleep. When I awoke, I realized it had grown dark and made my way out. Unfortunately, I somehow made a wrong turn and from there..."

"This has happened quite a bit. Tell me, why do you spend so much time in the gardens? If I am to believe what Isis has told me, this was your explanation when she discovered you roaming about in a daze. How do you wander three floors down unintentionally?" He interrogated seeming very angry.

Why is he so upset? He almost sounds personally offended. Atem took a deep sigh. "I understand I am very foolish. You have brought up valid points as to the severity of getting lost so often. Don't berate and treat me like an enemy, Seto - Pharaoh Seto. If I have to mark the walls leading to and from my room, I shall. I swear I will not wander aimlessly again."

Pharaoh Seto's eyes glistened in the crackles and sparks of light from his torch. "I don't think the cleaning servants will appreciate that much. However if you are incapable of memorizing, perhaps that is the best course of action. You haven't answered my questions. Why do you spend so much time in the gardens? How did you find yourself three floors down from where you should be?" He repeated.

"I don't see how it concerns you." The King of Games retorted without thinking. The other glowered irate and he quickly continued his defense. "But in all honesty. I have no words to show why it is I visit the gardens. It is soothing and familiar. While there are lots I recall of my time here, some things are still a mystery. I know the gardens, I love them. It's a place I frequented before all of the battles with Zorc and that Tomb Robber. And you said three floors down? How strange a coincidence. It was exactly three down when Isis found me, and again when the servants found me. Is there something down here that is familiar for me as well?" He asked more to himself.

The Pharaoh relaxed a bit. "You don't remember?" He asked curious but offered no further insight. "That's very interesting. I advise ignoring the urge to roam these halls, regardless of what you once did down here, it is irrelevant now. And much too dangerous. As for the gardens, I understand. They are very comforting and offer reprieve from daily nuance. You would do well to not fall asleep or have a servant wait on you. This way you would not sleep until dark."

Atem sighed once again. "Isis suggested the same."

"And you have not taken her words to heart?"

"Those gardens... I would not enjoy them with eyes there. At least not some servant hand. That isn't why I go there every day." He stressed in frustration.

Pharaoh Seto narrowed his eyes. "And why do you go, knowing you may find yourself lost?"

"I... I am not sure. It is familiar, it is comforting... But currently, it is lonely. When I go, it feels like something is missing. But I am not certain as to what. Perhaps if I continue to go, I will remember or that missing piece will return."

Pharaoh Seto shook his head and began walking once more. "I would not dwell on old memories, cousin. A lot has changed since those times before war. What you are searching for... May exist no longer." He warned gravely. "Holding on to the past, will only halt your future."

Atem chuckled quietly. "I know someone that would deeply agree with you." While the now Pharaoh and the CEO of Kaiba Corporation long in the future had differences in character, they had some very familiar traits to link them. "In any case, I still would like to know what makes the gardens so dear to me." He replied softly.

"Your time there has changed you." The taller stated in an unreadable tone. "Searching for forgotten memories and idle feelings that may be nothing." He insisted determined.

Atem couldn't see his face as the Pharaoh took such long swift strides he could barely keep one step between them. "It has made me wiser." He corrected. "The ties I have to this hallway and that beautiful garden cannot remain forgotten. They are important to me- I wouldn't feel so deeply otherwise. I will not have anyone tell me it is not worth pursuing." The taller said nothing in response. It was quiet as they made their way up long chilly corridors.