Is she still asleep?"

The young Pharaoh stepped into the large bedchambers. Night had fallen gently. Outside the palace, the Pharaoh's subjects were sleeping fitfully, awaiting Ra to complete his journey through the twelve houses and rise with the strength and power of the sun.

"Yes, my pharaoh." A warm, gentle voice replied, sitting on the edge of a luxurious bed, gently caressing his fingertips against the cheeks of his brave, foolish student. Her blood-soaked clothes had been changed and now she rested in the soft embrace an embroidered linen nightgown much longer than what she normally wore. Settling himself in a vacant chair across from the bed, the young king sat, his gaze slowly ascending the form of the man before him. The same toned limbs, the pristine white robes, the golden Millennium Ring once again around his neck, its spines humming softly, as if pleased to be reunited with its old master. Atem's gaze traveled further up the magician's form. The chestnut hair peeking out from under his headdress, those warm brown eyes full of loyalty and devotion. The figure, noticing the king's intense gaze, flushed darkly with embarrassment, turning his head away to look again upon the face of his apprentice.

"Shouldn't you be sleeping as well….Mahad?" Even with his priest sitting not a foot away from him, the mere act of uttering his name brought new, deep anguish to the sovereign. Mahad's breath caught in his throat to hear his name once again sung on the chords of his king's deep, baritone voice. Stilling the hand that stroked his student's cheek, Mahad replied, "I will rest, my king. But only after I am assured of Mana's wellbeing."

The two shared a glance that even in the silence was deep and rich with meaning. Sighing, the pharaoh readjusted himself more comfortably in his chair. "Well then, if you insist, we shall wait together. Let us pray that the gods of Egypt show mercy."

Nodding once, sadly, Mahad and his sovereign turned to watch the sleeping form of Mana, hoping, praying, begging that her sleep was only temporary and not eternal.

"Isis. Have you heard? Mahad...he-he's returned…"

The priestess opened her eyes slowly, extinguishing the flame she had summoned over the clear scrying pool, the image projected across the rippling amber oil faded to black. Meeting the eyes of the clean shaven priest before her, Isis answered, "Yes, Shada. I know." Stepping out from behind a column, a thickly muscled priest asked, "Were you able to see anything?" Shaking her head in dismay, the priestess replied, "No, Kareem. Ever since Mana donned the Millennium Ring, she has become connected to it and, as you know, I can't see the future of a person with a Millennium Item." With a slight intake of breath, Shada's eyes widened. "Then...that means...you don't know whether Mana will live or di-" A strong voice cut him off.

"Shada! We mustn't lose hope!"

"Kareem is right!" Isis replied, standing and walking over to her fellow priests. "Mana is strong. Just like her Master. She'll be fine." With a sigh, Shada conceded. "You're right. Let's all go get our beauty rest. We want to look alive when Mana awakens." Realizing what he'd said, Shada winced at his own joke. "Shada's right," Kareem agreed. "Let's get some rest. Mana will be fine." As they walked toward the bedchambers, Isis added silently, Gods of Egypt, help us if we're wrong...

The cool Egyptian breeze lapped at the Vizier's robes as he stood on the Grand Balcony. Glancing overhead at the sky, littered with millions of stars, he prayed silently to his old king and beloved friend.

Akhnamkanen. For all my years and wisdom, I am completely at a loss. What has happened here is beyond the scope of our ancient magic. I fear something much worse, much more dangerous is at play.

Shimon searched the skies, as if waiting for a reply, but the night remained silent. Suddenly, the Vizier chuckled, a soft, hearty sound that seemed out of place in the stillness.

Oh, Akhnamkanen. I know you remember the countless times we used to find her and the young prince hiding in vases to escape their lessons. You used to get so cross with them! Suddenly, Shimon sobered. But that was years ago. Now that young prince is a young pharaoh and Mana, a young magician. What she lacks in accuracy, she makes up in heart. Though I fear, this time her heart has led her onto an irreversible path. A path of destruction…

Once more, Shimon stared expectantly into the sky. Heaving a sigh, he turned back in the direction of his own bedchambers.

Goodnight, King Akhnamkanen. May your spirit watch over us all…

Some distance from the palace, an aged priest stood firmly in the glow of four tall columns, their capitals formed in the shape of lotus petals and their tops ablaze with magic fire and thick incense. All around him, etched on all the walls, the ceilings, the floor, were ka tablets. The priest's eyes drifted over each of them, coming to rest on the three largest tablets, the ones that housed the Egyptian gods.

"Lord Akhenaden!"

The aged priest turned to see his son, Seto enter the Shrine of Wedju. Bowing briefly, Priest Seto ascended the steps to stand at his Master's side. "I thought I might find you here." Crossing his arms, Millennium rod in tow, Seto continued. "I came with the intent on giving you a report about the ka hunt in the city, but it seems, now is not the time for that." Seto paused, looking expectantly into his Master's face. Akhenaden remained silent. With a sigh, Seto resumed. "This business with Mahad and that student of his needs to be sorted out immediately so we can focus our efforts and finding and crushing Bakura!" He spat the name like venom.

"Seto," Akhenaden began, appearing to tremble ever so slightly. "You do not understand. The magic that is at work here...it's beyond us."

"Beyond that mage's capabilities for certain!" Seto huffed. "What I don't understand is where she even found a spell of that nature. I'm no magician, but I know enough of the ancient scriptures to know that whatever spell Mana cast is no ordinary incantation."

"It's not."

Seto whirled around, staring into at the priest before him. "You mean, you know the origin of this magic?!" With a sweep of his arm, Seto demanded, "Master Akhenaden. Tell me...just who gave her this spell? Don't tell me she really found it among the scrolls of that sorry Master of hers!"

"Not who, Seto. Where."

"Where…? Just what do you mea-" Seto stopped as Akhenaden pulled a thick book from under the cover of his robes. "It can't be...Are you seriously suggesting…?"

"Seto," Akhenaden began, placing a calming hand on his son's shoulder. "The spell Mana cast is not Egyptian. In fact, it is not even of this dimension."

"Master Akhenaden," Seto replied in exasperation, his temper rising with each word. "You're not making any sense! Another dimension?!"

"Listen, Seto!" Akhenaden barked, stilling Seto in his tracks. "The spell Mana has stolen from the Millennium Tome is magic that has its origin in a country called Amestris. In this country, they do not practice magic like we do. And they do not even call it magic. They call it alchemy. The spell Mana attempted is known as the alchemy's one and only taboo."

"Taboo...?" Seto asked, shock and confusion closing around him like a vise. "What is it?"

After a long silence, Akhenaden looked his son directly in the eye, "It's called….human transmutation. In all the history of Amestris...in the history of their alchemy...no one has ever performed a human transmutation successfully."

"So that means-"

"Yes. Mana is the first and only person to do it and I fear, she is in terrible danger!"

"Then-then-" Seto stood, shaking himself out of his revelrie. "We must tell the Pharaoh at once!"

Mahad watched as grains of sand dropped from within the hourglass. Sighing deeply, he forced his eyes away from the hourglass, forced his thoughts away from how many hours had passed since he'd recovered Mana's bleeding form from the tomb. She still had not awakened. His pharaoh as well had fallen asleep, his head resting against Mahad's shoulder, his legs dangling from the chair. Mahad pulled his gaze from Mana to contemplate the sleeping young pharaoh beside him. His bronze skin glowed in the faint light of the torches that lined the large bedchamber. It was as if his very skin had been kissed by the sun. Mahad gently pushed a golden bang from his sovereign's eyes, curling the ends around his fingers, savoring the nearness of his king's presence. He bent his head to kiss the young pharaoh sweetly on the forehead when the door abruptly flew open, an alert, furious Seto emerged in the doorway with Master Akhenaden not far behind.

"Seto! What is the meaning of this?" Mahad glared at his least favorite priest as the pharaoh, who had been awoken by the slamming door, rubbed his eyes quickly. Sending his own curt glare in reply to Mahad, Seto quickly captured the pharaoh's gaze. "Pharaoh! You must assemble the court now!" Standing upright and moving closer to the fuming priest, the Pharaoh snapped, "Now?! What is so important that it cannot wait until morning?!"

"It's Mana, my king. I fear I know what has happened to her."

Atem's eyes widened at Akhenaden's admission. "You do?!" He blinked, then narrowed his eyes. "Then tell me right now!" Stepping in front of Seto, Akhenaden replied, "Your highness, this is something all your sacred guardians must hear…"

"Fine." Atem snapped, adrenaline pulsing through him. "Assemble the other priests! The court shall convene in five minutes!" With a bow, Seto and Akhenaden turned away to do their king's bidding. Striding toward the door, Atem called out, "Mahad. Let's go. We'll get to the bottom of this."

"No, my pharaoh."

"No…?" Atem's eyes widened in shock. Mahad never disobeyed a direct order. Stunned, Atem turned to face his magician. "Why, Mahad…?"

"I will not leave Mana." Silently to himself he added, She's in the mess because of me.

Suddenly, he felt a warm hand on his shoulder. "Then bring her, my friend. Perhaps being near the others will do her some good."

Nodding, Mahad tenderly gathered his apprentice in his arms. With Atem in the lead, he carried Mana bridal style toward the sacred court, his heart lodging deeper and deeper in his throat.

When the trio arrived, all the other priests had already gathered in the great hall. "Mana!" Shada quickly shouted out, before furrowing his brows in confusion. "Wait...she's still not..." Mahad cradled Mana's head against his chest and stared into the despairing faces of his fellow priests. Atem cleared his throat and ascended the steps to his throne. Shimon took up his position beside him. "Now," the young sovereign said, his voice carrying effortlessly through the long hall. "Master Akhenaden, I believe you have something to share with us."

Stepping before the throne, Akhenaden relayed his discovery to the court, telling them of the strange country of Amestris, their secret magic called alchemy, and the taboo of human transmutation.

"But," the young pharaoh interrupted. "You say the others who have attempted this human transmutation have all failed."

"Yes, your highness. According to my research, two alchemist siblings attempted to resurrect their deceased mother. The brothers, Edward and Alphonse Elric, did not succeed. However, Edward lost his leg and his younger brother lost his entire body in the process."

The priests gasped. What sort of magic was this?

Akhenaden cleared his throat. "Well it appears that Edward was able to save his brother by binding his ka to a suit of armor, but at the price of his arm. They are not the only ones. Each person who attempted human transmutation paid a similar high price, what in their language is called a toll, for casting this forbidden magic."

"Everyone," Atem began, his voice carrying a note of hope, but also of caution. "Except Mana."

Akhenaden slowly shook his head. "Pharaoh, I'm afraid no one escapes without paying the toll."

A gasp behind them caught the court's attention. The young girl in Mahad's arms stretched her limbs and jumped to the floor. "Mana," Mahad cried, absolutely stunned. "You're-you're awake!" Lifting his cape in one swift movement, the pharaoh bounded down the steps, crushing Mana in a strong, protective hug. "Mana! Mana! You've come back to us!" The other priests signed in joy. Isis wiped tears from the corners of her eyes as Kareem and Shada happily gripped each other's shoulders. Priest Seto, though his expression remained stoic, seemed to have the slightest twinkle of relief in his eyes...but no, they must have been misreading that.

Giggling, Mana freed herself from Atem's crushing grip. "Come back? Where did I go?" Yawning, Mana stretched again. "I had the strangest dream. There was this weird circle and this strange white, formless room and some guy with a creepy grin and-"

"Mana! Don't ever do that again! You know better than to be casting high level magic at your level much less otherwordly forbidden arts!"

Shrieking, Mana scurried behind Atem, clutching at his deep purple cape. She popped her head out ever-so-slightly to glance warily at the tall man. "Pharaoh," she whispered hastily, though her idea of whispering was not very subtle. "There's a strange man here dressed in priestly robes! And he keeps yelling at me! Make him go away!" She pointedly stuck out her tongue at the man, who gawked in confusion and shock. "Mana!" Atem scolded, prying Mana's hands from his cape. "Stop fooling around and show your Master some respect!" Mana frowned, her eyebrows furrowing in confusion,

"But Pharaoh, I have no Master."