There were lights. So many lights. Atem shielded his eyes as he jolted back to reality. They were inside the Acropolis, the diplomatic building of the monster realm. It was a beautiful realm, one that had been destroyed by war. Destroyed by men that Atem had led. It felt wrong here. He was out of his element, in an environment that he had learned to call hostile. Worst of all, the man he hated the most was sitting across the negotiation table: Mahad. The bastard himself.
It was Mahad, known to his monsters as The Dark Magician, who had led the monster forces. He was not the most powerful of their kind, but he was the most intelligent. He had led the ruthless war against mortals. For that, Atem hated him.
Atem ran his hand down his face and felt a jagged scar that had formed on his cheekbone. He was flashed back to the past. The Green waters of Nazir, turned red from the blood of monsters and men. The Red Eyes Black Dragon killing his men. Fighting the Celtic Guardian in single combat. Egypt burning. Agony. Her.
The ivory marble and gold covered doors creaked loudly as she walked in. Atem looked at her. The Dark Angel.
Her long golden blond hair fell across her shoulders. She had a few strands that fell across her face. Her green eyes were so vivid and full of life that they took him back to Nazir and its roaring green waters. However, her eyes also had a hardness to them that let anyone know she was not to be toiled with. Beneath them were pink lines. He couldn't tell if they were part of her skin or just drawn on. Slender legs. A curvy body. She was gorgeous, no doubt. The fact that she was in her battle gear, a powder blue and pink magician armor set with a magician top hat in the same clad, only added to her attractiveness.
Mana. Atem thought. The Dark Magician Girl.
She was Atem's 2nd most hated person, behind Mahad. She was perhaps even more ruthless than Mahad, because she always had killed Atem's men with a sickly seductiveness. She was so deceptive that many a time she had easily wooed his men to give up vital fort positions, plans, etc. The men ended up calling her The Dark Angel, due to her corrupted beauty.
She eyed him and sat next to her father, Mahad. She was about 20 in human years, nearly what Atem was. Mahad had a good 30 human years on them both, as he had long streaks of pale gray hair that streaked among his naturally purple hair. The two magicians sat tall and proud. Imperious even. Atem felt sick to his stomach just looking at them.
"Now we may begin to agree to the final terms, brokered by countless meetings between the lower levels of each side's bureaucracy" said Shadi, Atem's closest advisor.
"Very well" Mahad said in his tired but hard voice. "Let us hear them".
"The two sides, after many days of brutal bloodshed that has devastated both the realms of mortals and monsters, have agreed to an uneasy peace so that their children may be able to sing the songs of peace" Shadi said solemnly. "Here are the terms".
"Mahad, the leader of the monster realm has agreed to withdraw his troops from Nazir and end his siege on Kiaro, as well as return any monsters back to his realm. In return, the Pharaoh has agreed to release from captivity the Flamed Swordsman and Mystic Elf. As well, both sides will release all their lower level prisoners... "
"This is pathetic" Kareem whispered to Atem through gritted teeth. "They know they couldn't win without trapping the Gods, the cowards".
"I know" Atem whispered back.
"As well, the Pharaoh has agreed to relinquish control over the Gods…"
Atem rose to his feet. "Objection" he snarled. "Those Gods belong to me! I'm the Pharaoh, and they're mine by right".
Mahad met him in the eyes. "Nonsense. They're monsters. They belong here. And they're too powerful for us to seriously consider giving them over to you mortals" he said coldly.
Atem returned the cold stare "you're afraid of their power. Tough luck. They were in my realm before the war and that's where they'll return".
Mana got to her feet. "You're in no position to negotiate. You should be thanking us for agreeing to a stalemate, because we were obliterating your weak army" she said cooly. Her voice was sweet and seductive, but Atem was unwavered. At least that's what he told himself.
"Oh please!" Atem laughed. I crushed your army every time it had the misfortune of stumbling across me."
"Everyone, please!" Shadi urged nervously. "This is a delicate time, rhetoric will have to take a backseat to peace. Now will you two please sit down".
Grudgingly, Atem and Mana sat down. "Now" Shadi said. "We have a compromise in place. The Pharaoh will have control over Obelisk the Tormentor and Osiris the Sky Dragon. However, control of The Winged Dragon of Ra will remain with the monsters. Both sides agree to this condition?"
"I can live with it" Mahad stated. Everyone, consisting of both side's war councils, about 15 people in all, looked to Atem.
Atem looked down at his scarred hands and swallowed his pride "I agree to these terms" he said quietly. It was for his people, he told himself. It didn't make him feel any less empty.
"Very well" Shadi said. "Since that last piece of… negotiation has been dealt with, both sides may begin to withdraw their forces from the other realms."
"I have one more condition that must be met" Mahad said in his silky deep voice. "In order to ensure goodwill between our two realms, the Pharaoh will send his firstborn son, Yugi, to my realm to be my ward. In return, I will send my firstborn daughter, Mana, to learn under the Pharaoh. Therefor, we will both be hesitant to attack each other."
Atem couldn't believe what he was hearing. "You want me to send my firstborn son to become your ward?" Atem said those last two words quietly, his voice trembling with rage.
Mana shot up. "And you would also pawn off your own daughter like some cheap whore to a mortal and our sworn enemy? Have you no love for me, father? Mana asked, her voice angry with a trace of emotional pain in it.
"Mana, I love you more than words can describe. And I have no desire to take in a mini Atem under my watch. But you may visit me and our realm every so often, and Atem may see his son as well to be fair. This is to ensure peace, Mana" Mahad said with urgency in his voice. However, his tone made it clear he was not to be tested.
Mana looked down, still angry "yes father" she spat as she sat back down.
"You are going nowhere near my son, Magician" Atem hissed. "Even for you, such audacity is…"
"My Pharaoh" Shadi said. "This is for peace. This is to ensure that the children of Egypt…".
"But what about MY CHILD?" Atem shouted at Shadi as he balled his fists. "What am I doing if I can't protect my own son?"
"You owe it to your people to bring them peace, my Pharaoh. No matter the cost. You will still be able to see your son with good frequency. And once he comes of age, he may return".
"I won't get to see my own boy grow up" Atem said quietly as he fought back tears. No. He wouldn't look weak here. He was a Pharaoh, and Pharaoh's had to be strong.
"I'm sorry my Pharaoh, but it's for peace".
"Alright. At least give me the opportunity to say goodbye to him".
"It will be done" Mahad said. At last we may experience peace".
Everyone rose, except for Atem and Mana. The war council members began talking amongst each other, making the necessary arrangements. Atem pulled the millennium puzzle off his chest and stared into it.
What makes you think I'm afraid, puzzle? Atem thought. I'm not he lied. His hands were shaking. Tears fell silently down his cheeks. I'm too weak. I must be strong.
He looked up, ashamed and vulnerable. He made eye contact with the Dark Magician Girl and started into her beautiful green eyes. For a moment, it almost looked like they were filled with sympathy, not hate.