A small boy walked down to the river to get some washing water. He dipped a sun-dried clay jug into the rushing water and pulled it out a few moments later. He figured that since he was here, he might as well get a drink. He cupped his hands into the water. As he drank, he heard someone talking from behind some grass and rocks, it was coming from not too far away.
"Are we all clear on the plan?" a man asked. "Yes." Another man answered. The young boy listened carefully.
"This village isn't very big, so they will go down easily." Another voice chuckled. 'What are they talking about?' the boy wondered. He thought a moment, then gasped slightly and looked behind him. He saw the village the men were talking about. It was his own village down the hill! He turned back around to get his jug but he lost his footing and feel into the river with a small cry. The men heard his yell, and they looked to see a boy climbing out of the river. The boy heard them laughing and turned to see their faces. He took one look and his eyes widened with fear. He left the jug where it lay and ran down to the village as quick as his short legs could carry him.
"They're going to attack us! The village! Run away!" He ran down yelling. People came out of their homes and watched the boy give out his warning. A young girl ran out and caught him by the shoulders.
"Khalil!" she exclaimed, "What is going on? Please calm down!" The boy caught his breath.
"The Tomb Raiders! They're going to attack us! I heard when I was getting water from the river!" the girl seemed a bit more interested. She heard whinnying of horses and looked up to see the Tomb Raiders looking down at them from above upon the large sandy dune. She swore under her breath as she ran into the home she had come out of with the boy. Both then waited in the farthest and darkest corner as she heard the army of pillagers run though the streets.
cecececececececececececececececececececececececececececececececececcecececec
The daylight shone brightly on the palace. The Kingdom of Egypt was at a new day. But there was one room in the palace that was still dark. A short man pushed back the curtain to the room. He stood as a dark figure from the light from outside
"My Prince," the figure spoke. "It is morning. We have a meeting today." He squinted over to the bed and saw something move from under the sheets. "Prince Atem, are you awake?" he heard some moaning from the bed. The man walked over to the other side of the room and slightly opened another curtain blocking the window. Sunlight came through the opening. Then the man looked at the bed again. He saw the prince looking at him sleepily from under his covers.
"Tell me Shimon," he said, "How long has the sun been up?"
"A few hours." Shimon answered.
"Alright." he said. "I'll be up in a few minutes. Where is the meeting taking place today?" he asked as he started to get out of bed. Shimon let a little more sunlight come in as the Atem walked over to another part of the room to change.
"The meeting will be by the courtyard." Shimon stated. "I will see you there in a bit." He bowed and left the room. After Atem was changed, he fully pushed back the curtain to the window. The room flooded with warm, bright sunlight. Atem looked over his kingdom. He said something that he had been saying a lot lately.
"I hope my people know that they can count on me to protect them. I want to be a good king." He stared out the window, lost in his thoughts. When he noticed that he had to get to a meeting, he snapped out of it and turned to go out the door. He walked a ways then stopped from something he thought he saw from his window. He went back to his window. His eyes widened. He saw in the distance, dark smoke rising from a village to the open sky.
cecececececececececececececececececececececececececececececececececcecececec
A number of pillagers ran through the streets of the small village. People yelled and screamed as their houses burned. The small market was trampled, the food with it. it made a big puddle of mush of ripe tomatoes and other various fruits and vegetables.
"Save some of the food for us you big idiot!" a voice yelled. The girl opened her eyes slightly at the voice. She looked out a window to see nothing but fire, smoke, and people running around franticly. She then saw the person who had spoken. She knew she had recognized the voice from somewhere. The teen crawled over to the opening and peered out. It was Bakura! Better known as King Thief Bakura, she hated him all the same. Probably more then anyone else. Bakura turned his head towards where the girl was, and she ducked before she was seen. She quickly went back to where she was hiding.
"Khalil!" she finally spoke, yet only a harsh whisper, but the little boy was gone! "Khalil...!" she said again a little louder. "Where are you?"
cecececececececececececececececececececececececececececececececececcecececec
As Atem looked out onto the horizon he saw about a dozen men on horses speed from the palace stables out into the distance. Atem knew he should go too, and had completely forgotten about the meeting. He mounted on his own horse and ran to the outside walls. As he approached the gate, a servant quickly asked,
"Prince, where are you going so quickly to?" He looked down at the servant and said,
"My people need me," and he was off.
cecececececececececececececececececececececececececececececececececcecececec
The young girl was still looking for Khalil. She was beginning to get very worried.
"Looking for something?" a voice said behind her. She spun around to see Bakura looking at her with a smirk on his face. "Do you have anything to give for a weary traveler?" he chuckled. "I suppose you don't remember me from when we first met."
"What do you want?" The girl asked, Bakura looked at her and saw something in her eyes behind all the fear. He grabbed her wrist and started pulling her to the door,
"You're coming with me." The girl fought back.
"No way am I coming with you. Let me go!"
"You won't have much of a choice." Bakura answered. "Maybe if you come with me I could spare some of the meaningless lives in this village...if that'll make you happy."
There was a big explosion and the walls stared to crumble. The girl protested,
"I'd be happy if you let go of me. So leave me and my village alone and get lost!" she managed to break free, and Bakura tried to grab her again.
"You're coming with me weather you like it or not!!" he yelled.
"NO!" she screamed, and with that a black wall of energy came out in front of her, saving her from Bakura's destruction of her home, but still knocking her unconscious.
cecececececececececececececececececececececececececececececececececcecececec
Atem rode to the village, wondering who did this and hoped many people were still alive. My people are depending on me... He thought. As he neared the village, he saw pure panic and madness. People were running into the streets as their houses set fire. Atem went to the middle of the town and looked around. He got off his horse and stopped a young boy running.
"Tell me," he said. "Who did this?" the boy was shaking.
"I-It was the P-Pillagers..." stuttered before he ran away. Atem stood and got back on his horse and continued riding through the streets. He was looking for someone from the palace, one of those who he saw from his bedroom window, that or the criminal person behind all the destruction. He could not find anyone. He tried to stop someone who could give him any kind of information.
"Excuse me-- Hey Miss-- You There I-- ...WHAT'S GOING ON?!" He shouted, his sudden voice caught a woman's attention.
"It's Bakura's doing, My Pharaoh.: She answered quickly. "It was Bakura and his pillagers!" Atem nodded in understanding.
"Do you know where he could be?"
"I saw him running towards the east side of the village." The women answered. Atem thanked her and was off again. As Atem rode, he heard a voice.
Prince Atem! We're here!" Atem looked to see Mahad, Seto, and Shada riding on their horses towards him.
"What's going on?" asked Shada.
"Bakura is destroying the village." Atem answered, "We must find him and stop him!" They all nodded. "He's headed east." Atem continued. "Let's move out."
Bakura angrily walked through another sector of the village.
"That girl will pay..." he mumbled. "And I know how to do just that. Heh... I'll make an offer she can't refuse. And if not, I'll happily do it by force!" He stopped when he saw a white horse. Be backed away behind a crumbled wall.
"...A woman I talked to said Bakura would be around here." Atem said over his shoulder. "He can't be too far."
Bakura smirked. "Ah, Prince Atem. What a nice surprise." He thought. "I thought you would come, so I have something special in store for you..."
The east streets were not as crowded as Atem, Mahad, Seto, and Shada rode through.
"You said earlier that about ten men came here before you." Mahad noted. "Where are they now?" Atem sighed,
"I don't know. Hopefully safe, perhaps at the palace."
"What cowards." Seto scoffed. Shada shook his head and they continued looking.
Atem thought for a moment.
Let's split up and search," he said. "There are people who need help... Mahad? Why don't you help the village people over where we were before?" Mahad nodded and rode off towards the panicked screams. "Seto and Shada... Seto can go north, and Shada can head south. Find and help anyone in danger, and keep an eye out for Bakura." He finished, pointing in two different directions.
"What will you do, Prince Atem?" Shada asked. Atem answered, "I'll be in the east quarter and be looking as well. Find Bakura and take him down."
"Be safe." Seto acknowledged. Atem reassured him and the three went their different ways.
Bakura moved swiftly as to not be seen through the back ways of the village. "My plan is coming together," he though to himself.
"Hello? Anyone here?" Bakura heard. He saw Atem looking around for anyone who needed help.
"He's making it too easy," Bakura whispered with a smirk.
"It's really quiet here..." Atem thought. No one's around. Suddenly a spear went whizzing in front of Atem's horse. Another one came from behind. Atem barley had time to react as a third one went by. The horse bucked him off and galloped away. Atem got sat up from his lying down position and groaned. He looked around for anymore spears or weapons. Nothing. "What was that?" He asked himself. "someone obviously doesn't want me here." His thoughts were interrupted by a high, weak voice from inside a ruined home.
"Hello?" Atem called out. There was no answer. He walked slowly to where the voice had come from. He stood in the doorway before going inside, but found nothing. He walked over to a doorway and pushed back the curtain. There was still no one there, just a dark room. Someone must have taken a young girl, it sounded like, away. Maybe Bakura...? A few moments passed and he heard something from outside. He pushed back the curtain again and came face-to-face with Diabound. "Oh, great." He muttered. He got ready to fight. Bakura came around from behind his monster, and before Atem could summon a monster, Bakura just chuckled and yelled out "Attack!" Atem braced for impact, but instead, Diabound's attack hit beside Atem, making the rest of the house crumble.
cecececececececececececececececececececececececececececececececececcecececec
Mahad ventured the west side of the village. All the people were gone. He suddenly sensed something wrong. He quickly looked around, got on his horse, and rode as fast as he could east, where Atem was. "Are you alright Prince Atem?" he asked himself.
Shada and Seto were walking through the barren streets, searching for any one in need of help. Shada stopped at one house in particular and peered inside. "Seto, come here." Shada said.
"Do you sense something?" Seto asked. Shada looked around and nodded.
"Yes, I do." They both entered the home. They both started looking around. Seto suddenly went to a far dark corner. "Shada, look." Seto spoke.
"It's a young girl." Shada came over and saw the black-haired girl lying on the ground. "She's still breathing. She's the one we must have sensed." Shada said. He took out his Millennium Key and held it by the girl. Shada was shocked. After a moment he spoke, "She has a great power within her."
Seto replied, "We should take her to the palace, maybe we could use her." Shada argued back.
"We could at least get some kind of information about what exactly when on here. But what I don't get is that this girl is in the middle of an open area, and the fallen stone walls are around her. What could have done this? Maybe her power?" He turned his head to the sound of a galloping horse. He suddenly saw Mahad go by. Seto came out carrying the girl.
"He's heading to the east quarter, where Prince Atem is." Seto stated. They both knew something was up. They mounted the girl on the horse and Seto walked them both to the palace. Shada rode towards where Mahad was headed.
"Where are you Prince?" Mahad whispered to himself as she wandered around the streets. Shada came up behind him.
"What's wrong Mahad?" He asked.
"I feel that something has happened to Prince Atem," He replied. "I cannot find him anywhere." They both started searching. After a few minutes, they saw Atem somewhat stumbling out of some ruins holding his arm.
"Prince Atem!" they both said as they ran to him. Atem was a little roughed up from the collapse. "Are you all right?" Shada asked. Atem answered,
"I've been better. Where's Bakura?" They both shook their heads. Atem closed his eyes and sighed. After a moment's rest, the three of them head back to the palace. The sun almost had set, and Atem was determined to stop Bakura before he attacked again.
cecececececececececececececececececececececececececececececececececcecececececec
A couple days passed since Bakura's attack. In his room, Atem sat on his bed, facing out the window. He was now much more rested and he began to recall the incident from before. He fell back on his bed and closed his eyes. A few minutes later he thought he had heard something. Atem ignored it until he heard it again, like something near moving around. Atem opened his eyes just a little. A girl's head suddenly popped into his view causing Atem to jump a little. "Mana! You scared me!" Atem stated. Mana gave a little giggle and said,
"Sorry. I'm just checking on ya!" The two friends began talking as Mana brought up an interesting subject. "Hey," She began, "Did you know about a girl found in the rubble? There were no even rocks around her. It was weird. It's what Mahad told me and Shada and Seto told him." Atem was a little curious.
"A girl? Where is she now?"
"She's in a resting room. She was just starting to wake up when I passed by... You haven't been up too much. It's probably why you don't know." Mana answered. Atem stood and started walking towards the door.
"I'll go see her. I have some things I want to ask about what happened."
"Shada's idea!" Mana sang. "I'll lead the way!" Mana sprung from her seated position and ran ahead of Atem. As they neared the room, Mana quickly spun around. "Last time I saw her, she was sleeping." Mana informed the prince. Each word she spoke got more and more quiet. "So shh..." Atem nodded and smiled. Atem knew that Mana had always acted this way, even when they were kids. Mana and Atem stood in the doorway, making the room slightly darker. Just like Mana said, there was a girl in the room. She sat on the bed, her long black hair reaching down her back and her crimson eyes stared off into space. "Hey there," Mana said nicely from the doorway. The girl turned and smiled at the words, but none for herself to say. Mana continued, "Can I come in?" The girl nodded,
"Yes, you may." she spoke quietly. Atem and Mana both entered the room. The girl asked, "Can you tell me where I am?"
"You're at the palace." Atem answered.
"T-The palace? Wow... " The girl stuttered. Mana nodded. After a few minutes of the girl being in awe of where she was, Mana spoke again.
"My name is Mana, and this is Atem. Erm... Prince... Atem"
"Hello." Atem smiled. The girl smiled back.
"Hello... My name is...Anika." She said softly. 'The Prince? Right here? Wow again! He seems really nice, as I thought he'd be. And I get to meet him!' Anika thought, and still, to her own surprise, remained calm.
"Oh...I like that name." Mana started, "So did you ever--"
"Mana?" She was cut off and she sighed.
"Hey Mahad!" She said like she wasn't skipping her lessons. "What's up?" Mahad shook his head.
"You can't be late." he said. Mana sighed.
"Nice meeting you Anika. I'll be back after my magic lesson if you want." Anika smiled.
"Sure." Atem nodded to Mana as she left. He sat by the bed.
"Hey." he said. Anika was a little nervous.
"Hey" She echoed. Atem drew in a breath and began speaking again.
"Are you doing ok?"
"Yes, I'm fine... I know where I am now." Anika answered, however she had a question of her own." But can you tell me how I got here?" Atem responded,
"Mana told me that one of our priests brought you here after..." he trailed off. Anika was a little hesitant.
"After...what?" she asked. Atem sighed heavily.
"...After...Bakura...destroyed your village..." Anika gave a small gasp as she suddenly went into a flashback.
Bakura's face, the flames, the destruction, the pain... "Anika...?" Atem murmured, drifting into her thoughts. "Are you all right?" Anika got out her trance.
"I'm...sorry... I was just thinking... I can see it all, it's right in front of me, but I can't seem to remember..." Atem nodded, showing he understood.
"You just woke up." He stated. "However, I think you still need to rest, it'll be easier on you later." and said,
"Thank you, Prince." Anika smiled.
"You can call me Atem." Atem replied, and Anika's smile grew a little.
"Alright." She said. A few seconds later,
"And you're welcome." Atem stated. "Do whatever you need to get better. Let me know if you need anything. You're the guest here."
"Ok." Anika said as Atem left the room so she could sleep. "There is something about her." Atem thought to himself. "What could it be?"
cecececececececececececececececececececececececececececececececececcecececececec
Anika awoke the next day. She got out of bed and stood in the doorway. After looking up and down the hall, she decided to explore a little. Walking up and down corridors, going from room to room. Her journey took her from a small hallway to a larger room. It was lit with morning sunlight.
"Anika?" She heard. She jumped to see Atem standing on another side of the room.
"Oh...Atem... I--I..." "I'm in trouble! I know it!" She thought. Atem asked,
"Did something wake you?" Anika, still startled, shook her head.
"J-just looking around..." Atem looked at her,
"If you are so curious, I could give you a little tour while you're here." He smiled a little. "I have nothing planned." Anika calmed down.
"I guess it'd be alright... if it's not in your way." She said quietly. "Not at all." Atem stated ,then asked, "Are you hungry?" And invited her to breakfast.
The breakfast was great, but to Anika it was wonderful. She'd never seen so much food at once! She ate happily, but politely. After the meal, the tour began as Atem showed Anika around the palace. About half-way through to tour, Anika looked out a window,
"Wow! What a great view!" she exclaimed. Atem looked out the window, too.
"It is a great view." Atem agreed. "You can see so far out." As Atem turned back around, Anika realized that they were facing her village, and she should be able to see it right on the edge of the horizon, but there was nothing. Anika was concerned, but kept walking. Atem showed her the rest of the palace, but the thought of her village never left her mind.
Later and into the night, Anika and Atem were in the guest room where Anika was staying. Atem had a small request to ask of her.
"Tomorrow, I'd like to ask you some questions about what happened a few days ago, if you're comfortable talking about it." Atem mentioned. Anika nodded.
"It's alright. I'd be glad to help." She stated. Atem thanked her.
"Good night." He said.
"Good night..." Anika echoed. After Atem was out of the room, She lied down on the bed. What happened to my village exactly? Why am I the only one here? Where is everyone else? She gasped when a horrible thought crossed her mind. No way, she continued thinking. Anika wanted to know the truth. She waited for about a half hour before getting up to peer out of her room. She quietly and quickly slipped out of her room, through the hallways, and outside into the courtyard. The guard were out, but most were in one particular area. And to Anika's luck, the front gate was slightly ajar. Good, Anika thought. This is something I want to do alone with no mess. She went though the gate and walked towards the village.
Anika it was the dead of night as Anika neared her village. She climbed up on a dune, and as she reached the peak, she gasped at what she saw below. Nothing but rubble. Her village was gone. She slowly walked though the streets. "No..." she whispered. "This can't be..." she was shaking a little. She ran to her home, there was nothing there either. She just stood and stared. Anika trembled as she stood in the middle of the destruction. She stood there for a very long time
"I thought I'd find you here." A voice said from behind her. Anika gasped and spun around to see a dark figure walking towards her from the shadows.
cecececececececececececececececececececececececececececececececececcecececececec