Hello everyone! Welcome to a new story of mine, and I have to be honest, this is the first time I'm posting a story like this. It's a new type of, genre, I guess, for me to do. I have no idea where it is going to go, but I thought of this idea a very long time ago and I just wanted to start writing it since I have the first part planned out. I will plan and write more as the thoughts come to me xD.

This is also an ALTERNATE UNIVERSE, so be mindful of that. Otherwise, I hope you like it as much as I do. Be warned though, when writing this story up, the things happening in the story frightened myself. So, yeah… I scared myself, but it was probably due to the fact that I was writing it dead in the night, and it was dark everywhere. O.O But, that scary part isn't in this chapter. Chapter three! Or, four…? I can't remember…

Anyways, enjoy!

PS: This entire fic is in Yugi's POV.

Secrets Underground

Chapter 1

The sound of zippers closing, water swishing, and the hearty laughter that came from my grandpa made the excitement in my stomach grow. Grinning, I took a sip from my water bottle before shoving it into the side of my backpack, giving the bag a final look-over before closing it up hurriedly.

"Done! Ha, I win!" I cried, kicking my bag triumphantly and looking at grandpa who then zipped his bag up and put it by the door of the hot, hotel room.

"Yeah, yeah, whatever," he grumbled playfully, walking into the small kitchen to take his water from the fridge. "Don't forget that my good luck was passed down to you."

I chuckled, crossing my arms and leaning against the wall of the kitchen. "Yeah, keep saying that, Gramps." He then in turn swatted me with his hands and we both walked to the door, our matching work boots causing our steps to be heard on the wooden floor. My boots were brand new though, while Grandpa's was dirty and obviously used.

"So, are you excited to go on your first archeologic dig?" Grandpa asked, picking his bag up and slinging it over one of his shoulder before going to the door and waiting with it opened as I went and grabbed my own.

"A little nervous, and worried," I admitted slowly, feeling the butterflies in my stomach acting up again. "I've never went into a tomb before, so naturally I'll be a little freaked out by everything."

"Ah, my boy, don't worry," Grandpa assured as we stepped out into the dim, orangey hallway. "You'll be fine. I'll be there with you, so don't you worry a thing."

I nodded, tightening the straps of my backpack before fixing the cream, brownish coloured jacket that I had on. "I know, but I just can't help myself. This is all so nerve-wracking."

"Yugi, there's one thing you should know," Grandpa began, only to get off when a shrill ring rang out through the hallway. The sound was coming from his pocket.

"Hello?" he answered, putting the phone against his ear as soon as he fished it out of his back pocket. I listened patiently, waiting for the elevator to arrive.

"Yeah, we're leaving right though. I'll tell you when I get there. Alright, see ya," and a click was heard, ending the call.

"Yugi," he continued, and I looked at him expectantly. "I love Egypt, and I know that people your age don't get to have an opportunity like this so early on in the field. All your hard work has paid off.

"I know, Gramps, but I don't feel ready. I'm only nineteen. I have no idea what to expect going down into that tomb," I explained as we stepped out of the elevator, through the dim lobby, and into the rays of the hot sun. I squinted my eyes as I looked around the busy street filled with little stalls and people that bustled about. It was Cairo, so naturally it would be this busy in the morning. The car horns began their daily and day long work of making noise, and I winced a bit by the sound. I wasn't so thrilled about hearing it so early in the day, but at this point it can't be helped.

"Yugi, you're just there to help the crew out, but mostly to watch what we're doing. We won't expect you to do anything more than just get us water or necessary tools. Relax, everything will be fine," Grandpa assured one last time before opening the jeep – which he would leave with one of his friends when he returned back to Domino – and getting inside. I did what he did and got in as well.

"You got special privileges because of your high knowledge of Ancient Egyptian culture, your sky high marks in your major in Domino University, and the fact that you're MY grandson. You're Solomon Moto's grandson. You've impressed the right people, Yugi."

I chuckled nervously to myself as we drove down the road, the dust and dry wind blowing through my blond, ebony, and blood tipped hair. Grandpa was right. I did have a great opportunity, and excited I am. Very excited. Yet, I was also feeling very uneasy. There's a sinking feeling in my stomach, and I guess that has been the thing that's been bringing me down. I'm just being a big worrywart. I do have a lot of knowledge, and there's one thing I knew deep in my heart. Curses don't exist. Still, it scared me just thinking about it. Ugh! I have to stop thinking so pessimistically. Everything will be fine. Everything is going to be fine. I will enjoy this summer with my Grandpa, and I will swallow all this experience up as if it was my last chance to get a shot at my dream.

I'll be perfectly fine.

"So Gramps, which poor soul's tomb are we going into again?" I asked, turning towards him. As soon as I asked the question, I watched as his straight face turned into a big grin.

"We shall be entering the tomb of the Nameless Pharaoh!" he declared dramatically before turning back to the road, the grin still on his face.

"Oh yeah…"

"After many long years of searching for this famous King's resting place, we finally uncovered his tomb." Grandpa turned to look at me with a sincere smile. "I'm just so glad that I will be able to share this moment with you. I'm ecstatic to know that my own grandson will be there to uncover this King's throne. Oh Yugi, you will be amazed."

"Aw, thanks Grandpa," I replied rubbing his arm to show that I appreciated his words. "I'm glad that I'm here with you too. It will be kind of like a family thing."

He chuckled. "Yeah, I guess you're right. If the family includes the crew and their arguing…"

After a short moment of silence, I brought up another question to ask him. He never did tell me exactly at what stage they were on at uncovering this Pharaoh's tomb. I should at least educate myself as much as I can about what they were doing.

"So, how far are you guys at revealing this tomb?"

"Ah, yes," Grandpa began, casting a glance through the rear view mirror before staring straight ahead. "We've just found a lot of hallways that goes to nowhere for the past couple of years of uncovering this place, but only last week we across a mysterious door. However…"

"However what?" I asked quickly, not liking the agitated and upset tone that went through the last word. "Is there a problem? Did something go wrong?"

"It's just that they're trying to open it today," Grandpa explained. "They've been trying to crack it open for days, but it just wouldn't budge. They'll try harder though. Getting into this tomb is important. Who knows all that we'll find in there."

I looked out my own window, thinking deeply to myself. Certainly years of being locked and hidden away has sealed the door. It would take a lot of work to open. Grandpa's right though. Getting into the tomb, or through the door, would be a big deal. If this was the Nameless Pharaoh's tomb, it would be a great feat in for Grandpa and his partners. It would make history!

Staring out into the sands, a sign that we had left civilisation, the sun glared down on us even more than before. There was no shade, so I pulled the cloth down, hiding the window. We had a long while more to go until we reached the excavation site. Grandpa would notify me when we got there. Yawning, I slouched into the seat and my head leaned against the seat at a slant. Besides, I hadn't slept that much last night. This was the best time to catch some Zzz's before we arrived. Yep, I'll just do that.

I didn't know for how long I had been asleep because when I awoke I saw the driver's seat empty. Hearing shuffling in the back, I yawned and rubbed my eyes and then I took a look behind, only to see Grandpa pulling out our bags.

"Sleep well, sleepy head?" he joked, dumping my bag on my lap. I grinned, slowly getting out of the jeep and putting the bag on my back before slamming the passenger door shut.

I took one look around and I was shocked by everything that was going on. White tents were put up on either side of the area, and people and workers walked the middle with logs and sticks, and things that I couldn't even recognise. Looking up I put a hand to my forehead to block out the sun just so that I could stare at the pyramids which could be seen a distance away.

"Woah…" I said to myself, taking my camera from my bag and snapping a quick picture.

"It's cool, right," Grandpa said, walking up beside me to look at the scene as well. I was unable to say anything, so I just nodded instead.

"Hey! Solomon!"

The voice caused me and Grandpa to both turn around to look at the elderly man who approached. He had grey hair, slightly darkened skin - no doubt from the sun – and a grey beard. He was wearing a similar outfit to Grandpa. I didn't know him, but Grandpa obviously did. I tucked the camera away as Grandpa greeted the man.

"Arthur!" he replied happily, walking forward. "I'm so glad to see you. How's it been?"

A chuckle. "Ah, the same. Glad you could make it down here so quickly. I didn't want you to miss this!" this man, Arthur, answered equally as happy.

"I would've never wanted to miss this!" Grandpa exclaimed, and then he looked over to me. "Arthur, this is my grandson that I've been telling you about. Yugi," and the two made their way over to me. "Yugi, this is Professor Arthur, a colleague of mine and a very old and dear friend."

I smiled awkwardly.

"Yugi, I'm so glad to finally meet you in person. Your Grandpa would go on and on about you. I do have to say though, that you look very much alike. In height too!" Professor Arthur laughed heartily and Grandpa chuckled, while I pouted. Five foot and three inches was nothing to be happy about.

"Anyways," Professor Arthur continued. "I'm so glad that you could be here too, Yugi. This moment right here could make history. Solomon has told me about your studies, and I have to say that I'm impressed. You've even learned to read hieroglyphics, most of it done on your own!"

"I can only read a few things. Nothing too major…" I said, feeling my face redden by the compliments.

"Nonsense!" Professor Arthur exclaimed. "If Solomon says that you can read hieroglyphics, then you most certainly can. Solomon is trustworthy, and he won't lie to me. If you're terrible, he'll tell me you're terrible. But he said you're talented, so I believe him."

"Thank you, Arthur," Grandpa said, and I smiled. They were indeed good friends. Great friends.

"Come with me, Yugi. You too, Solomon. Let me introduce you to the rest of the crew. You're right on time too. We were just about to go in," Professor Arthur explained quickly, and he led the way for us to follow.

We got into another jeep and was then driven by Professor Arthur to the excavation site. We drove deeper in the Valley of the Kings, and I looked around from the back seat as we drove off bumpily on the sands. There was shade in this cavern like place, so it blocked out most of the sun. It was still hot though and I fanned myself with my hands to have some cool air reach my practically drenched skin. Sweat lingered on my brow and upper lip, and I wiped it away hastily. Looking towards Grandpa, I didn't know whether I should face-palm myself or just stare in awe. How come he wasn't sweating like a pig?! Looking away, I gazed up into the sky sadly. I wished that I was back at the hotel. They had an AC.

Thankfully, it didn't take us too long to get to the place where the tomb was located. Professor Arthur stopped the jeep and we all piled out. A group of workers bustled about, and looking forward I saw a group of people look up as we approached.

"Arthur, there you are! We've been waiting for so long," one man said as we walked towards them. His blue eyes scanned me over before falling on Grandpa. "Solomon! Hey, glad you could make it."

"Always right on time, Jonathan," Grandpa replied, shaking the man's hand firmly. "This is my grandson, Yugi," Grandpa then announced to everyone, and one by one they came up to me to shake hands.

"Hi," I said to each of them, smiling as realistically as I could. These were all big people who knew what they were doing. I'm just a baby compared to these guys.

"So, Yugi. Excited?" Jonathan said, handing me a hardhat before putting one on his own head, covering his short, brown hair.

"Yes, but I'm also very nervous," I answered, putting the hardhat under my arm to get a hair tie from my pocket. My hair would never fit under the hat, so tying it was a must. Tying my hair quickly into a little ponytail so that it stayed down, I put the hat on my head as I watched Grandpa do the same.

"He's been nervous ever since we left the hotel. I tried explaining that he won't die in there, but he's still scared," Grandpa said to Jonathan, and the brown haired man just laughed.

"Not scared of curses, are you, Yugi?" he asked with a grin on his face.

"No!" I exclaimed, picking my bag up for the fourth time that day and putting it on my back. "I know that curses aren't real. I'm just, too excited I guess?"

"Well, whatever it is, everything is going to be fine," Jonathan assured. "I've been in there plenty of times and nothing has ever gone wrong. Trust me, you'll be okay."

I nodded. "Yeah, I sure hope so."

"Good," Jonathan said, and he turned around to shout out at some people. "Hey, Kevin! Sabrina!"

I watched as a woman and a man stepped away from the table and walked towards us. The woman, Sabrina, was dark skinned – probably Egyptian – and wore shorts with a blue t-shirt and her jacket over it. She also had long black hair which was tied up into a ponytail. Her grey eyes pierced Jonathan's as she came forward.

"What?!" she snapped, crossing her arms and cocking her hips. "I was busy! You know, preparations has to be made before we enter."

"Yeah, Jon," Kevin said, standing next to Sabrina. "We were looking at the layout, and I'm not sure if the beams are strong enough. It might cave in if we don't act soon."

"What?!" I yelped, hearing that. Cave in?! That can't happen. I don't want to be trapped in there!

"Oh, look what you did!" Jonathan said, walking up to my shaking form. "You've gone and scared him!"

"Atleast he's worried by it!" Kevin shot back, and looking at him I saw that he went into a deep conversation with Sabrina once more. He was quite pale and had jet black hair, and he looked a bit Korean… but I couldn't be too sure. He wore long pants that were tucked into his work boots, and looking back to the table I could see that his jacket was laying on the table since his white shirt was all that people could see on him.

"Who's the kid?" Sabrina asked, approaching me, and behind her so did Kevin.

"This is my grandson, Yugi," Grandpa introduced once more, and seeing him Kevin and Sabrina's eyes went wide.

"Solomon!" they exclaimed, and surprisingly Sabrina broke out into a wide smile and hugged my grandfather.

"You're back! I thought that you wouldn't make it," she said, letting go.

"I always make it. What's with you all? Losing faith in me already? I'm not that old," he joked, and Sabrina laughed.

"Yeah, well, that's what I like about you. Full of surprises," she said.

"Hey, Solomon," Kevin then said, shaking his hand. "Glad to see you here."

"Same thing. So, how serious is the support?"

"Not too bad, but…"

At this point, the two had walked off and I couldn't hear what they were saying anymore. Sabrina however walked over to me and shook my hand. She was wearing work gloves and they felt rough in my palms. As she let go, I wiped my hands on my pants to get rid of the awful dirt that had clung to them.

"Hope you have fun today, Yugi," Sabrina wished me with a small smile. "This should and will be a great experience for you." As I could see her close up now, I saw the dark lines and looks of age on her face. Plus, she looked to be the age of someone old enough to be my mother. Hmm, maybe that's why Grandpa's close to her. She probably reminds him of his daughter.

"I hope so too," I said.

"Okay crew! Let's go!" Jonathan shouted, and one by one we all gathered next to a hole in the rock. Slowly I made my way to the hole as well to stand next to Grandpa who gave me an assuring smile.

"Don't worry," he mouthed, but that didn't stop the flutters that went on in my stomach.

One at a time I watched as they all entered the hole, and I just stood there, standing in fear when it was my turn until Jonathan gently urged me forward. Taking a step, I put on the light that was on my hat as I stepped into the darkness. Entering I found myself with the others in a small area. We all could barely fit inside, but up ahead I saw Professor Arthur.

"This way," Professor Arthur said, and we all followed him through a door that had most likely always been there way before we were even born.

As I stepped through the door, I paused slightly to stare at the entrance that would lead me down into the unknown. The door was metal, and covered all over it were lines that protruded out of it. They looked like veins even though they matched the dark, almost black colour of the door. And, right in the top centre of the door sat a dirty, but very much golden eye of Horus.

The eye seemed to be staring at me as I looked at it, and I gulped deeply when I felt my stomach doing flops. Somehow I remained transfixed on the eye, my heart pounding against my ribcage as I stared at it. Thankfully another gentle shove from Jonathan snapped me out of it. Smiling at Jonathan apologetically, I took a last look at the eye and stepped in, ignoring the warning bells by shoving them to the back of my mind.

So. How was it? Did you like it? This was just the beginning. Things should get interesting next chapter! I really do hope you enjoyed this chapter, but let me know by just leaving a lovely review. Constructive criticism is forever encouraged by me, so feel free to point out any mistakes that I made.

Review please! Reviews inspire me to write~