As the small group made calls and started getting the throne room ready for the "get together," Atem laid Yugi on the bed with two pillows to make sure the boy was comfy. He sighed as Yugi snuggled closer to the giant pillows and wrapped the boy in the blanket he got out of the closet. Atem still could not believe this was real. Yugi, his Little One, was here sleeping and Atem wondered how the boy would react to this world. He knew Yugi was one of the Shadow Realm, if not then the boy would have suffocated on the journey and been in a coma or dead, not simply unconscious. Atem clicked his tongue.

He was rethinking on the plan to bring the boy so abruptly. He had other advisors who oversaw the duties of Halloween, mostly because he was too swamped with meetings and paperwork these days, but he should have gone into the human world to explain himself. Atem huffed out a frustrated breath. Yugi would not know he was Atem's soul mate until he proved it and Atem still had to meet whoever was caring for the boy and asked for their blessing.

As Atem pondered this, he heard Yugi shuffle in his sleep. His face was scrunched up and he seemed distressed. Atem placed his hand on the boy's head to soothe him; Yugi instantly calmed. Atem took that as a good sign.

He decided to use his third eye to understand Yugi's current state of mind. Atem saw happiness on the surface and a flickering face of an elder, also games, many games. Under that he could feel fear.

Atem did not appreciate that feeling. The fear emanated into scattered images of various malicious eyes, but in all that fear grew bravery and resilience. Yugi fought the battles he could as Atem deducted. Further into Yugi, Atem sensed great sorrow and self-hatred.

He let go. Atem stared at the sleeping boy as if he was burning himself. There were multiple flicks Atem saw in the self-hatred, all towards Yugi's own degrading and deprecation. Atem did not understand how such a pure soul could have such a low esteem. At that point, Atem made it his first duty as a husband to learn why Yugi held such pain and how to fix it. There were no exceptions.

In the throne room, servants were actively preparing for the arrival of the Three Leaders of the Shadow Realm; King Dartz and his family were on their way and Prince Noah had arrived within the hour. Queen Mai sat in the private courtyard with Jono and the children; although, they were well past the age of pre-pubescence. Mana and Ishizu were playing with one of the guard dogs, a brutish bull like boxer with stubby ears and long tail. Marik was sparing with Hiroto as Noah played chess with Shizuka.

Jono had a familiar look on his face that Mai knew very well.

"Hun, I don't think anything will get worse, even if we do have another war," she leaned onto Jono and rubbed his neck. Mai adjusted her periwinkle hawk wings. Without them, she would look completely human.

Jono put his arm on her shoulder and tightened the hold.

"I know, darlin,' but ya know I can't help but think. They never knew the real damage that monster did. We've found at least a dozen of Followers in the last three years, don't that sound wrong."

Mai hugged her consort and kissed him. Jono returned it with passion. This meant that if Zorc came back they could fight him again, no matter what.

Marik blocked Hiroto's attacks with ease, the trainee never matching his level. When an opening came, Marik came down hard with the wooden sword on Hiroto's leg.

"Oh, dammit, Marik, that hurt!"

Not my problem you can't take a hit. Marik smirked.

Hiroto huffed and went to watch Shizuka lose to Noah. Ishizu let Mana have the ball and went up to her older brother. They were cousins of Isis from her older aunt who thought she would never have children, but since their parents were killed, when Ishizu was a baby, they were Isis's other daughter and son.

Ishizu crossed her arms over her chest and said, "You can be such a show off. You know Hiroto can't sword fight without flying, he has not learned it yet."

Marik sneered and through his mind said, He needs to learn that he might not be able to always use those baby puke green pigeon feathers. So don't give me that look and say I was a show off, little sister.

Ishizu held her head up and walked back to Mana. Marik huffed and went back to practicing with himself.

Mahad and Akefia were in the dungeons, looking over the guards and making any inspections before the party. The two head supreme commanders, Karim and Shada, were overseeing the security team that would patrol that night. As the two men finished their rounds of the seals and traps, in case of a break out, they went to Akefia's office to retrieve the skeleton key. Akefia kept it locked in a safe that had several curses and seals, which could only be broken by him, but no one knew he moved it when he would not be in the dungeons.

Akefia knew first hand that any thief would dream to have a key that could open all the doors in existence and no one but Akefia could stop that person from trying to steal it. There had been dozens of attempts and all failed. Akefia lowered the seals and curses opened the safe and took out the key. He then strengthened the seals and curses. Both left together and headed to their chambers to get dressed.

Ryou was helping Isis with the organization of the tables and what was to be served. They had to be careful because most humans did not enjoy fresh uncooked meat and worms, so they went with soups and some skewered rodents.

"Ryou."

"Yes, Mage Isis."

"When we serve the food, don't tell the boy what it is. I am not sure people from his country eat rodents, in fact I think rodents are pets."

Ryou gave Isis an odd look.

"I am sorry to ask, but why would I need to be asked?"

Isis smiled slyly and said, "Because, you are to be the Queen's personal assistant Ryou."

His pupils dilated wide and jaw dropped. "R-r-really, I'm to be his majesty's assistant, b-bu-"

"Ssshh, it was Akefia's doing. Being the Queen's assistant ensures your stay in the palace and you can have dinner with us again."

Ryou's tears pooled on his eyes; he would have given Isis a hug if it were not for the others watching.

Atem left his chambers to see what he had left behind. He was hoping to find nothing crazy, but he had the nagging dread that he was to be expected at something. It was reluctant to leave on his side, but he had to investigate on the happenings of the palace.

At the sound of the door closing and the footsteps fading, Yugi shot up. He had woken as soon as he landed on the floor in the throne room, but years of bullying had taught him to play opossum. He looked around him and saw an immaculate room filled with fine furniture and drapes. The bed was all red and the furniture gold painted to match the marble floor. It was beautiful, but Yugi had to leave. The voice of Yami, he remembered it like he was seven again. A tender baritone and Yami had been talking to him as he pretended to sleep, calling him "Little One."

Yugi looked at the picture that Yami had mentioned. It was a drawing of him as a child in a frame with jewels in the sides. It disturbed him that the Grim Reaper would think of him after all these years. Yugi was sure he was not dead. Dying he read was cold or warm, but not falling and waking up. Yugi found his shoes and tip toed out of the room. He needed to find someone to help him.

Emerald eyes saw his future Queen sneak out of the room. Ryou put down the outfit that was made for the Queen by the palace tailors and followed. He supposed he should start his new job now.