1. An Approaching Storm
_(insert name)_ woke with a start. Her eyes roved the room for signs of danger, as had become her habit recently. Not recently, she had to amend, it has been years since I've felt safe. She noted the absence of her husband, though by the indentation of the mattress, it could not have been long since he had risen from their bed. She sighed deeply as she shifted into a sitting position; every muscle in her body ached and she felt exhaustion weigh down on her like an invisible boulder atop her shoulders. Still, as she forced herself to rise, an unrelenting pride held her back straight and head high.
Neither did her pride allow her body to shake at the cold in the chamber. The Egyptian nights chilled to the bone, even as a merciless Sun subjected one to energy draining heat in the day.
She shook herself mentally, when did she start having such brooding thoughts about her beloved land?
Still in crumpled clothes from the previous day, she padded silently across the expansive stone room, paying little attention to the columns covered with hieroglyphics and wall carvings painted in brilliant colors.
She stepped out onto the balcony adjacent to the room and was afforded a desert view like no other.
The building in which she stood, the Sun Temple, lay at the very heart of the desert, miles from the Nile and the city which housed the Pharaohs palace. It had been constructed to reach the sky, so that Egypt's priests could contemplate the Sun, but its great height inadvertently offered an unparalleled vision of the earth as well. _ paused to stare at the great sand dunes against a sky dominated by a full moon and dark clouds. The contoured shadows of ripples and undulating crests transfixed her with their majesty, mystery and dangerousness and filled her heart with a strange mix of emotions.
Her attention then shifted to the figure standing quietly within the shadows of the balcony. Her husband, also, she thought with a bemused smile, transfixed her with his majesty.
She stood at the threshold of the balcony for a time, watching the King of Egypt. His features were pleasant to the eye, his body was sleek and strong, with narrow shoulders and hips supporting a well-muscled torso and arms. His blonde, black and red hair lay scattered about a broad forehead. His expression was set and impassive, a firmness of his mouth and an inward pull of his brows reflected a fiery strength of character and inner conviction. His khol lined eyes were arresting, colored like red wine in a glass bottle, but _ saw in them a tiredness that he hid well from the rest of the world.
Presently, she stood beside her husband, and followed his gaze across the desert. He was staring intently at a thunderstorm many miles away. _ frowned as she watched the dark clouds and flashes of lightening; there was something wrong about this thunderstorm.
As if reading her mind, Atem sighed and spoke, "I fear that storm is the mischief of another shadow monster, the millennium puzzle has been reacting to it for many minutes now."
_ nodded, "And it looks to be rapidly headed towards the temples housing the stone tablets of sealed shadow monsters."
She glanced down at the glowing meter stone within the DiaDhank on her arm. It showed just enough Ba, her Lifeforce, to summon one or two high level monsters. "I will take care of the shadow monster before it has a chance to damage the temple, my King," she said, regretting her extravagant use of Ba during her last battle, where she had summoned the powerful Black Luster Solider.
Perhaps sensing something in her voice, Atem turned to look at her, taking her hands in his, "Wife, are you well?" he asked. "The storm is far off yet, rest a while more and see if your Ba will recover. I fear I am pushing you too hard."
_ shook her head, "Our Lifeforces have been slow to recover as of last two years, and the recovery slows as each day progresses. It takes several days for our Ba to recover after the summoning of a monster, whereas previously it only took hours. Unless we find the cause of this, I doubt that a few hours rest will replenish anything."
Atem nodded, "I have sent all the bearers of the millennium items to the far reaches of Egypt to learn what they can about the cause of this. I received a message by shadow monster while you slept, Isis continues to search for answers in Hermopolis, but fears it will be fruitless."
"Have her return then, Atem." _ reasoned, "After this battle neither of us will have enough Ba to summon anything for a while. If another shadow creature approaches and threatens the city or the temples containing stone tablets, we will need someone to defend them."
Atem nodded, "The shadow monsters keep appearing, and they grow more violent with each day, I do not know why or what I have done, but there are only seven millennium items, and unless we find more people like you who can use the DiaDhank without the need of a millennium item, I fear we will be overwhelmed."
_ smiled, "The appearance of these shadow monsters is not your fault, Atem, how can it be? Do not be so quick to saddle these blames upon yourself."
Atem looked into her eyes, "I am the Pharaoh of Egypt, the misfortunes of this land are my burden to bear." He then let a small smile soften his features, "I wish I could go with you."
_ laughed, "Even summoning Kuriboh right now would drain your lifeforce and send you straight to the shadow realm. I am too young to be widowed Atem, besides, I have grown fond of sitting next to you on a gold throne."
This made Atem laugh, "Is that so? You never seem fond of it when we are flocked by secretaries detailing crop counts or advisors outlining trade deals." Still holding her hands, he leaned forward and tenderly kissed her lips. _'s heart fluttered wildly as it always did, but before he had a chance to deepen the kiss, she pulled away, sensing that she would not be able to fully enjoy his company until she dealt with the shadow monster.
She stepped back and raised her DiaDhank to the sky, "I summon you, Burst Dragon, Level 1, come to my aide!" Her life force meter drained a small amount of energy as she performed the summoning of the low level monster.
The Pharaoh and his Queen watched as a surge of light revealed a small dragon. It flapped its wings, hovering at the edge of the balcony. It bowed to Atem before lowering its neck further so that _ could mount. She did so carefully, sliding her hand reverently down the creature's neck, never quite able to overcome her awe at the shadow monster despite having summoned them many times now.
_ locked eyes with Atem and nodded, determination hardening her gaze. She patted Burst Dragons neck once again and with a powerful stroke of its wings the dragon shot away from the temple balcony, heading steadily towards the faraway storm.
Atem watched his wife speed across the desert. "Come back to me," he whispered and steeled himself against the cold, knowing he would not budge until she returned.