Battle of the Millennium

Chapter 2: Mahaad's Reward

The man Mahaad died to protect stood several feet away and he crossed the short distance between them and spoke, "Mahaad."

His king raised him to a standing position. The Pharaoh's next movement shocked Mahaad. He wrapped his arms tightly around the elder man, Mahaad stood there unsure of how to react, his arms pinned to his sides. He had imagined this moment often in the last three millennia, but hadn't pictured it like this often. "I've missed you," the Pharaoh whispered. Mahaad closed his eyes, savoring the rare show of fraternal intimacy. "I have missed you too, my Pharaoh," he said softly. Yami released him and stepped backwards, giving the priest his space.

"Thank you," the Pharaoh's voice was sincere and gentle. "You sacrificed yourself for me and I forgot you…" the king's voice broke and the end and he trailed off. "I forgot you for three thousand years," he continued bitterly.

"No, my Pharaoh, please don't think that way. It was the only way for the seal to work, you had to forget everything, especially your name. You know how powerful names can be. It was Lord Ra's name that Isis used to force him to retreat to the heavens," Mahaad reminded him.

"And yet, no other servant has done for me, what you have. I shall see you that you are properly rewarded." Mahaad flushed with the thought of reward. "I have all the reward I need in your service, my king." Mahaad said quickly. Yami's eyes sparkled with challenge, "You would reject a gift from your Pharaoh?" Yami asked, raising an eyebrow.

Mahaad knew that when the Prince had become Pharaoh, he had enjoyed teasing Mahaad and making his friend squirm sometimes. Mahaad was too serious and he had been left to his own devices for far too long.

"N-n-no, my king. I would never dream of insulting you-," Mahaad started. Yami relented, "Very well, but think about it."

"My Pharaoh is much too kind."

"Don't try and flatter me Mahaad. It won't get you out of this." Yami warned him.

Mahaad ducked his head in acknowledgment and embarrassment. He had failed his king and had tried to make it up to him by sacrificing his life and living in the Duat instead of the Fields of Reeds. The Pharaoh picked up on Mahaad's shift in temperament to a more serious and somber one.

"Is something wrong, my friend?" he inquired. Mahaad hesitated before answering. "Yes, my Pharaoh." Mahaad raised his head and continued, "The Enemy, he who seeks to swallow the sun, is breaking out of his prison in the Duat."

"WHAT?!" Yami bellowed.

Yami knew how bad the situation had just become. He also knew Mahaad would never jest about something so serious. He took several steps back, his eyes wide with horror.

It took a few moments for him to process the full implications of Mahaad's statement. This meant the world was in danger—again. He had saved the world several times, but this was truly worrisome.

Yugi who had been preoccupied with his math test, started at the intense emotion emanating from the Spirit of the Puzzle. /Yami, are you alright?/

/No, Yugi. I'll tell you about when we get home. You need to focus on your test./ To the Pharaoh's relief his host withdrew. He then turned his attention back to the magician.

"When did this happen?" he demanded, harshly. Mahaad hurried on, anxious to quell his Pharaoh's anger.

"The Enemy has been slowly breaking out of his prison since the fall of Egypt to the Romans, as there were fewer and fewer priests to combat him. However, as of late he has begun escaping faster and Karim and I are not entirely sure why." The Pharaoh rubbed his temples feeling a headache already beginning to form. Mahaad eyed him with concern.

"Thank you for bringing this to my attention." The Pharaoh's eyes glazed over and he zoned out for a second and then informed the magician that Yugi only had two more problems, and he would be done with school for the remainder of the day. "Mahaad, we need to act quickly or the world will be consumed by isfet—chaos, and the Enemy will destroy Ra and rule the world. Return to the Shadow Realm and keep an eye on the situation. I'll call for you again as soon as Yugi gets home." Mahaad inclined his head and was gone in a swirl of purple mist.

Mahaad reappeared in his study and wrenched open the door. He ran down the stairs and wrote a quick note to Mana on an ostracon—a scrap of pottery, as papyrus was too expensive for a simple note. He explained the situation and left it on the kitchen table for her to find. This done he went to Karim's house.

Weni answered, but Karim had been expecting his return. He dismissed his butler with a wave of his hand. He had cleaned himself up a bit since they last spoke. He had been seated on the coach sharpening his sword which now lay on the coffee table, alongside a jar of polish, a rag and a whetstone. He grasped arms with his friend and waited for the magician to speak. "He took it about as well as we thought he was going to," Karim grunted he hadn't expected anything better. After Mahaad had relayed his conversation with their king, Karim looked more troubled. He grabbed his cloak and fastened it on, and sheathed his sword. "I'll spread the word here. You need to go prepare for the Master's summons." Together they left the manor and parted at the path that led into town. Karim followed the path, while Mahaad returned to his house.

The magician had enough time to grab his satchel and fill it with a scrying bowl and a small jar of olive oil. Using a scrying bowl and oil, he would be able to keep in contact with the other spellcasters of their Nation as well as Karim. After he had stored his supplies in a small pocket dimension, like Mana did with her spell book, he felt the familiar tug in the pit of his stomach of his signature summon. He reacted at once and reappeared in the Millennium Puzzle, this time in the Pharaoh's soul room.

He bowed quickly but the spiky haired teen dismissed it with an impatient flick of his wrist. Yugi stood slightly behind the Pharaoh, looking worried. While he was shorter than the Pharaoh, he mirrored the spirit's somber expression. He too was dressed in the blue Domino high uniform. Mahaad didn't blame him; the world was in danger yet again. Mahaad straightened and waited for one of them to speak. "Yugi and I have been talking, Mahaad. I brought him up to speed on the current events."

Yugi had often dreamed about meeting his hero the Dark Magician. He had looked up to the magician and knew that Yami had an inexplicably strong bond with him. It wasn't until after the Pharaoh regained his memoires that either of them understood why. Yugi respected Mahaad even more because of what he had sacrificed for his friend and king. Yugi had a playful look in his eye which defined the gravity of the situation. Leave it to Yugi to have a optimistic attitude when he world was about to end.

"Yugi allow me to officially introduce my servant Mahaad, the Dark Magician." Mahaad knelt before Yugi, but not as low as he had before the Pharaoh. Yugi blushed, deeply, embarrassed. "My Prince!' Mahaad said fervently. Yugi turned to look at Yami with bewilderment. /What do I do now?/ he panicked. Yami laughed softly through their mind link. /Say his name and stand him up. For him to say anything else without first asking permission would be a grave breech of protocol indeed./ Yami informed his light. Yugi followed the Sprit's instructions.

"Mahaad?" Yugi asked, after raising the spellcaster.

"Yes, my Prince?"

"What do you want most?" The sincerity of the question startled Mahaad. Mahaad looked at the Prince's eyes, sincerely contemplating the question.

"I wish to continue in my service as your eternal servant," he replied firmly. He saw Yami's quizzical expression and swallowed nervously. Yami narrowed his eyes in suspicion; he knew Mahaad was being evasive.

Yugi grinned, having an idea.

Would like to stay with us?" Yugi asked, breaking the tension between master and servant.

Mahaad's eyebrows knit together in innocent confusion. Mahaad's heart started racing, was Master Yugi suggesting that he was going to give Mahaad's card the Dark Magician to someone else? Mahaad knew that couldn't be it. With Master Yugi gazing at him expectantly, he knew he needed to ask for clarification. "My Prince? I don't understand." Yugi smiled warmly at him. To his dismay, Yugi repeated the question. "Do you want to stay here with us?"

Mahaad now knew that Master Yugi was playing a game with him. Mahaad tried another guess. "In the Puzzle?" he ventured, not daring to hope he might be at least temporarily freed from the oppressiveness of the Duat.

His heart started pounding in his chest as he waited for the response. "No, we talked it over and we want you to live with us, in the mortal world." The magician's expression changed to one of complete shock. That was the last thing he had been expecting. He recovered enough from his shock to remember his place before his superiors, and he slowly and deliberately sank to his knees. Yami raised an eyebrow, when Mahaad took his devotion a step further. He bowed his head to the floor so low his forehead touched the cold stone floor. His hands were extended, palms down in a gesture of worship and praise. "I bow myself before the king, my lord, seven times, seven times."

Mahaad was context to lay there basking in his pharaoh's mercy and glory. The Pharaoh however had other plans; he didn't want to wait and see if Mahaad was really going to do all forty-nine prostrations. Yugi turned as red as a tomato as he wasn't to people bowing to him at all, much less prostrating themselves. Mahaad heard Yami's boots click sharply on the stone floor, growing louder as he neared the prostrate magician. He was startled to feel his pharaoh grasp his hand and gently raise him into a standing position.

"We're going to Egypt, now." Yami informed both of them, having made up his mind. "My Pharaoh?" Mahaad sputtered, he was growing more overwhelmed by the minute.

The Pharaoh then raised his hand and opened a portal to the Shadow Realm. They stepped inside and soon arrived in Egypt. Mahaad's head was still spinning, but he knew better than to ask questions when his king had a determined glint in his eyes. The Pharaoh blinked, his eyes adjusting to the sunlight since he had been in the Puzzle while Yugi had been at school. Here it was 8 o'clock in the morning whereas back in Japan it had been 3 in the afternoon. Japan was seven hours ahead of Egypt.

They were currently on the West bank of the Nile, with the rising sun to their backs. Mahaad thought this was odd but he didn't breach the subject, instead he brushed the sand off his deep purple robes his blue eyes scanned the surface of the Nile as he noted the blue-green water flowing north where it emptied into the Wadj-wer or Great Green, more commonly known to the Romans as the Mediterranean. The Valley of the Nobles lay nestled in between the cliffs in front of them. Mahaad was confused as to why they had come. He didn't ask any questions and mutely followed his king who seemed to have a specific objective in mind. The shorter man led the way into the Valley itself and his eyes scanned the rocks above the tombs, searching for familiar landmarks. He was aided in his quest by some of the green bilingual signs that indentified the tombs. They were written in Arabic and English and Mahaad couldn't read either.

Luckily these tombs weren't nearly as famous as the ones in the Valley of the Kings so there weren't nearly as many tourists with prying eyes. Eventually, Yami found what he was looking for. The Hikari while not fully merged with the Pharaoh was very aware of what was going on outside. The spiky haired teen stopped in front of an outcropping of rock, without a sign and raised his hand and spoke in a confident tone, "W'peh!" Open! The ground shook beneath them and a hidden entrance to one of the tombs opened. Behind him Mahaad couldn't stop the gasp that burst from his lips.

This was his tomb!

The Pharaoh descended a few steps into the darkness and turned to see the silhouette of Mahaad rooted to the ground at the entrance. "Well?" he asked. This snapped the magician out of his stupor and he followed his king down the steps to the bottom, where they were met with a huge smooth stone that blocked the entrance. The stone face was bare except for two seals, Mahaad's personal seal made with his signet ring and his pharaoh's too. The hieroglyphs themselves had faded with age.

Mahaad was still in a daze and reached out and tentatively touched his seal, and eyed the pharaoh's seal in awe. This was one of the few times he had ever seen the Pharaoh use his seal, and to seal Mahaad's own tomb! He doubted many servants had ever had such an honor. He eyed the cartouche-protected seal with reverential awe. The Pharaoh studied the seals for a moment before he spoke again.

"W'peh!" The pharaoh commanded in his usual confident tone. The seals broke and crumbled to dust. The stone guarding the doorway turned a bronze color and then vanished completely. Torches on either side of the newly opened hallway in front of them flared to life. Already they could see some of the tomb relief that lined the walls. They passed the glyphs detailing the curses to befall whoever entered the tomb unworthily, and wanted to inflict harm upon the deceased within. Yugi phased out of the Puzzle and examined one of the curses that talked about ringing the intruder's neck like a goose. He shivered. Upon reaching the end of the hallway, braziers lit up the main room. There were two antechambers one to the right and the other to left, with Mahaad's burial chamber directly in front of them. Typical Egyptian funerary scenes lined the walls.

Both men recognized they were now in a state of ritual. Things could take place outside of normal time and space. It was a time for a transition of state. While Mahaad had been bewildered upon their arrival, he collected his wits. He knew now, what the Pharaoh was going to do.

His king was going to resurrect him.

Mahaad inclined his head in deference to his king's authority. The torchlight cast eerie shadows across both their faces. The Pharaoh's eyes sparkled with anticipation, that Mahaad hoped was matched in his own expression. The pharaoh mutely gestured to a water basin with his right hand, which was now full of clear water. Mahaad tentatively walked over to it and submerged his hands in the basin and was surprised that the water was freezing. Nevertheless, he washed his hands and dried them on a linen towel. Pharaoh spoke the command word yet again and the doors to both antechambers and the burial chamber itself, opened.

Yugi phased out of the Puzzle to observe the ritual. The Pharaoh started things off by removing his jacket as Yugi had just come from school. He held it out and it vanished. This didn't faze Mahaad at all. The vanishing spell was one even Mana could do right every time. He merely observed as his king changed his Japanese school uniform for his old robes of Pharaonic authority. When his king was finished, Mahaad removed his helmet and leaned his staff against the wall. His Trajan purple robes of the Dark Magician were replaced by a simple white tunic belted in the middle with a brown sash. The tunic extended from his shoulders to his knees. His brown hair brushed his shoulders, his eyes now outlined with kohl. The only jewelry he wore was two gold armbands on his forearms, symbols of his noble status. While Pharaoh wore wooden sandals overlaid with gold, Mahaad wore less decretive ones. As a final touch Pharaoh had even elected to wear his cape for the occasion, along with the double red and white crown of unified Egypt.

Mahaad turned and entered the antechamber on the right. It contained mainly food items. Baskets of bread, jars of wine, honey and olive oil lined the walls. A small sarcophagus was in the center of the room, which he recognized as his favorite hunting hawk. Other large jars containing leeks, cucumbers, onions, poultry, pomegranates and dates cluttered the room. Mahaad entered the other antechamber. Instead of food it contained everything else he might need for the afterlife. Changes of clothing were marked in chests, both his robes of office and other less formal tunics. Other chests contained jewelry, sandals, kohl and other oils. In one corner a chariot leaned against the wall, an ivory senet board not too far away. Next to the chariot was a box of small blue shabti figurines. Several daggers, a khopesh, and various staves were against the far wall as were other marks of his office. He opened one chest along the left wall and removed a small bag tied with a string and exited the room.

When he returned to the main chamber, the Pharaoh was patiently waiting, holding a censure. Mahaad felt the heat rise in his face, as he was embarrassed that the Pharaoh was doing things, his father should have been doing on his behalf. The Pharaoh smiled reassuringly at him. Mahaad took this as his invitation to proceed. He carefully opened the bag and poured some of the precious Kapet incense into cup of the censure. Mahaad knew that this type of incense was the most prized in all of Egypt and was the kind of incense his king and the gods used in the afterlife. Mahaad lit the censure with his magic and pharaoh set it down to rest on a chest next to the basin Mahaad had used earlier. The sweet aroma began to fill the tomb. Mahaad closed his eyes and breathed deeply. The smell brought memories of his life serving Lord Amun at Karnak to his mind. Meanwhile Pharaoh approached the burial chamber and laid his hand on the lid of the sarcophagus.

He spoke another command word and the lid vanished.

"Mahaad."

The priest opened his eyes and turned, the pharaoh beckoned him with his index finger. Pharaoh indicated that Mahaad should retrieve the scroll from within the sarcophagus. Mahaad tried not to think about how strange it was that his body was close enough to touch. Mahaad grabbed the scroll careful that he didn't disturb any of the amulets he had been embalmed with. Mahaad inclined his head and extended the scroll to his king. The Pharaoh carefully broke the wax seal and found the correct spell he needed. Pharaoh read several spells until he had covered the proper spells found in Going Forth by Day more commonly known as the Egyptian Book of the Dead. Mahaad felt warmth spread throughout his whole body and there was also a faint glow around him that dimmed as soon as the spells ended.

In one final ritual, the Opening of the Mouth, Yami took the sacred netjeri blade and touched Mahaad's mouth, ears, nose and eyes to allow them to be used again in the mortal world. At the end of this Mahaad's senses were sharper and he was beaded with sweat. He leaned heavily against the wall, trying to keep the dizziness from overwhelming him. His breathing was also labored and heavy. "Are you alright?" Yugi asked, breaking his silence.

Yugi stepped closer to Mahaad with a concerned expression on his face. "Yes, my Prince." Mahaad then gathered his wits and tried to stand erect, detaching himself from the wall. It didn't work very well and a bout of vertigo overcame him and he collapsed against the wall yet again. Pharaoh narrowed his eyes. "You lied," Pharaoh said coolly. Mahaad hung his head. He slid down the wall and sat there gathering his strength. He was mildly surprised when the Pharaoh sat down beside him. "We'll wait until you actually feel well enough to travel." The Pharaoh reprimanded. Mahaad didn't reply, but accepted the criticism. Even though the Pharaoh was doing him a great service, Pharaoh was still the incarnate of Horus and as such, could severely punish Mahaad.

/Yami?/ Yugi broke through the spirit's thoughts. The spirit turned to face his shorter partner.

/We need to hurry, Grandpa doesn't know where we are./ His voice was even but Yami picked up on the worry, coming from his lighter half.

/I know Yugi. But Mahaad is weak. If we move him too quickly he could pass out. He needs food./ Yugi knew they didn't have any with them. He looked at the antechamber to the right with its ancient food mocking them. His eyes suddenly lit up, he had an idea.

/Yami, what about the false door?/

/It was used so that the deceased's relatives could place food offerings./ Yami answered and continued staring ahead.

/What about-/ Yami's eyes widened too in understanding.

/-the offering stela?/ Yami finished. /That should work, Aibou./

"I'll be right back," the Pharaoh told Mahaad.

"Pharaoh?" Mahaad asked. Pharaoh ignored his query and left the chamber. The magician just buried his head in his hands, and soon heard the all too familiar sound of sandals, slapping stone as he descended the stone steps. Mahaad raised his head and saw the man carrying a stone stela roughly two cubits high (about 3 feet). Mahaad made a move as if to get up. Pharaoh shot him a warning look, "Stay there," he instructed. His king set the offering stela down and began scanning the top section looking past Mahaad's titles until he found the htp di nsw, or "the offering which the king gives," which started the offering formula. He found it and began to read, his rich baritone voice reverberating off the walls:

"Hesbet zep 1 mej hem Hor netcher nefer Atem ankh jet redinek hem ab pen hetep di nsw Wsir netcher redi neb Abjw dif peret herw et henqet kaw apdw ses menhet het neb neferet wabet anch netch im en ka en bak Mahaad mes Waset."

"Year 1 under the majesty of Horus the good god Atem ever living. My majesty gives you this stela as an offering that the kings gives to Osiris, the great god lord of Abydos that he may give an invocation offering, bread, beef, oxen, fowl, alabaster and clothing, all things good and pure on which a good lives, to the ka of the honored servant Mahaad born of Waset."

Mahaad watched as the stela glowed and the items listed as part of the invocation offering appeared. Pharaoh smirked in satisfaction and walked over to the fresh food. He picked up a basket of bread and a jug of beer and sat beside the priest who was giving him a quizzical look.

He broke the loaf of bread into smaller pieces and handed some of them to Mahaad who took them gratefully. The magician nibbled one of them seeing if he could handle it, before eating more to his immense relief. He tore off a larger chunk and chewed it. The bread tasted just like it had back at the palace, warm and fresh with a bit of honey to make it sweet. Mahaad wasn't sure if it was the fresh food or the spells, but at least his stomach had settled and his headache was gone. He smiled. Meanwhile Yami had eaten the other half of one of the loaves. Pharaoh then took the jug of beer and poured a cup for himself and then one for his servant.

He pressed the cup into the priest's hands, and Mahaad took a small sip. Yami noted that he looked less pale and some color had returned to his face. The priest took another sip. Yami pressed his own cup to his lips before Yugi cried, /Yami! We can't drink Grandpa-/ Yami's eyes shifted to his lighter half.

/Yugi it's only two percent alcohol. Children drank beer all the time. It is more of liquid bread than anything else./

Yugi made no further protests as Yami drained the cup. Mahaad drank a little bit more and eventually he too set down his cup. He felt a bit stronger and less dizzy. "We need to get back, my friend." Yami said as he patted Mahaad's forearm, before getting to his feet. His clothing shimmered for a moment and he reappeared wearing his blue school uniform.

The Pharaoh extended his hand to Mahaad who grasped it and he helped the elder man up. Mahaad closed his eyes and Yami began chanting. Mahaad focused on the words and used Pharaoh's magic to guide him. In a matter of minutes, they opened a portal to Yugi's bedroom and stepped through. The sun had now set and it was dark, the moonlight filtering in through the skylight above.

Yami noted the moon's position and calculated that the ritual had taken nearly four hours!

A bout of vertigo seized the magician and he swayed dangerously on his feet before nearly collapsing. Yami caught him just before he fell, and gently lowered him to the ground. "You need to sleep." He dashed to the closet and grabbed some extra blankets and assisted Mahaad onto the couch.

He covered the priest with a blanket. Yami called upon his Shadow magic and reached into the Duat. He pulled out an ivory headrest which he gave Mahaad who nodded gratefully, too tired to say anything. Mahaad passed out quickly, within a minute or two. It gave Yugi enough time to come up with an excuse that might hold water against his Grandpa's fury. Yugi had taken over as soon as the priest fell asleep. He left his room quietly and had to keep himself from running down the stairs. He peeked around the corner and didn't see anyone. /Maybe we weren't missed Yami./ His spirits rose. He checked the counter and noticed that it was closed. Grandpa rarely closed the shop early.

"Grandpa?" he called nervously. He approached the closed kitchen door and his heart sank, there were not only voices coming from within but there was light spilling in the dark hallway from under the door. He took a breath and turned the handle, stepping into the room.

Author's Notes:

This story takes place after Yami regains his memoires and just before the events of Serpent's Shadow.

/…/ Yugi to Yami

/.../ Yami to Yugi

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