The Lost Pharaoh

The Lost Pharaoh

Chapter 7: Cursed

Time seemed to stop after the world had gone dark. The pain was gone now, but it seemed he couldn't feel anything. Slowly the feeling in his fingers began to come back, until he was sure he was real. Had the whole thing been a dream? A pair of dull violet eyes opened carefully as if afraid more pain would come if were to move quickly. The surroundings appeared to be a big blur and mixed together. Piece by piece things began to take shape. The first thing he noticed was that he didn't recognize the place he was in.

Yuugi sat up carefully feeling his muscles stiffen as a way of rebelling against his movement. He wasn't in any pain but he felt like almost all his energy had been drained away. Yuugi rubbed his eyes hoping he was just hallucinating.

Where am I? W-what is this place?

The room was small and appeared to be a bedroom. Toys were strewn about and puzzles and games were either on the floor or scattered on the table near the bed. Yuugi was sitting atop a comfy bed that he didn't recognize, but somehow it fit with the atmosphere of the room. It looked almost welcoming. Yuugi slipped down off the bed mesmerized by the surroundings that he almost didn't see the plush white carpet sink beneath his feet.

"What?"

The floor suddenly disappeared falling into the darkness along with the toys and games.

"Ahhhhhhh!" Yuugi screamed as he pulled his feet back up on the bed, searching frantically for a way out.

Suddenly, he realized there was no way out. The room had no exits because surrounding it was the same ghostly shadows he had seen before he had ended up there. Everything was eaten up by it except for the bed he was currently sitting on. Yuugi was trying desperately not to panic but the truth was he was scared of being in the dark alone, especially if it was the kind of darkness that wanted to suck his life away. Yuugi shivered remembering the pain that had flooded through his body just before he passed out.

"Someone help me!" Yuugi shouted, feeling his eyes begin to water.

The shadows began to gradually close in, nearing the bed centimeter by centimeter. Yuugi tried to back away to the farthest corner of the bed but it was no use, he was surrounded equally on all sides. Yuugi headed for the covers to duck under only there were no covers. They too had disappeared and now he was vulnerable with nothing to protect him.

"YAMI!" Yuugi screamed, tears trickling down his cheeks, as the shadows consumed the entire room.

XXXXX

"I think he's waking up."

Crimson eyes opened gradually blinking away any blurriness that remained. He could feel his lack of energy still strong but at least he was awake now. Yami sat up noticing that he was no longer at Yuugi's school but in a bed with white sheets which inhabited the small room. It was then he realized what had happened.

"Yuugi," he whispered, jumping up from the bed.

"Whoa, hold on there!"

Yami felt someone push him back down on the bed. Had he been at his usual strength he would've been able to overcome it but his weakened state made it so he could barely even walk. He looked up with weak anger at the woman standing above him in a white outfit.

"You're still recovering, you can't get up yet," she said softly taking out the needles he hadn't noticed were in him.

"I'm fine," Yami insisted.

The woman raised her eyebrows, "Well you sure are brave, that's for sure."

Yami blinked in surprise, "What do you mean?"

She smiled, "I mean you're Domino High's hero. News travels fast from schools to hospitals. Everyone there including the firemen saw you rescue that boy from the building."

Yami's eyes widened, "Yuugi! Where is he?"

The woman blinked, "Oh, you mean the boy you saved? That's sweet of you to care so much for him. Actually, I'm a little bit surprised by his condition."

"Condition?" Yami's eyes widened further.

No...he has to be all right.

"From what I heard the firemen didn't find any traces of a fire, but the burns on your body was proof enough that someone went wrong. Also that explosion that everyone heard. But what amazes me is that your friend didn't have burns like you, even though you went inside a supposedly partly burning building to save him. Instead, he's in a coma."

"A coma?" Yami asked, feeling his muscles burn as he forced himself to sit up all the way.

She nodded solemnly, "Yeah...a coma is when a person lapses into such a deep sleep that it's possible he won't wake up. In fact...he...well, he...his condition doesn't look so good after the tests the doctors did on him."

"What's wrong with him?" Yami asked, sitting up to face her directly.

She was taken aback by the determination in his voice and felt almost obligated to tell him everything.

"Well...it's just that his heart rate is much too slow I'm almost afraid it might stop any second. It also seems that his blood is running a bit thin and no one is sure what the cause is."

Yami jumped up from the bed and the nurse quickly blocked the door.

"You can't leave, you're not well," she said, trying to convince him to lie down.

"I'm fine! You must take me to Yuugi. I need to see if he's all right. Please, where is he?" Yami asked desperately.

After a moment's hesitation the woman sighed in defeat.

"He's through the double doors that say emergency on them. But you better hurry before the doctors come back. Right now they're calling your friend's family and notifying the school as well. His other friends are bound to find out soon."

Yami nodded and took off down the hall running despite how weak he felt. Almost immediately he saw the doors the woman told him about and he pushed them open, stepping inside.

Beep...Beep...Beep...

The steady rhythm of the machine lulled on chanting the same tune over and over again. The room was warm and quiet except for the noises coming from the machine by the bed. Yami approached the bed, his eyes reflecting sadness as he saw Yuugi lying there with different needles stuck in his arms. His face was completely pale and although Yami didn't understand what the numbers on the machine meant he was sure it wasn't good. With ease despite his weakened state, Yami knelt down on the bed. He put a hand on Yuugi's forehead.

"He's cold," Yami whispered, slowly taking his hand away.

For a moment, Yami just sat there watching Yuugi as the tube inside his mouth gave him air because he couldn't breathe on his own.

"Yuugi, I know you can't forgive me for endangering your life like this," Yami whispered, his eyes never leaving Yuugi's face. "I have put such a great burden on you and now it might cost you your life. You're young Yuugi, like I was before I sacrificed myself for my people. You deserve to live not die for my cause."

Yami lowered his eyes, "I owe you my life, Yuugi. Even though you hold the necklace, the source of my being, I am still obligated to protect you as you so graciously protected mine. Now..."

The pharaoh trailed off, his eyes slowly looking up at Yuugi once more. Yami reached out his hand and grasped Yuugi's hand in his. Yuugi's hand was cold to the touch that it almost made him seem inanimate.

"Yuugi...if you die because of this burden I have given you, I will...," Yami's eyes dimmed as he squeezed Yuugi's hand tighter, "I will give myself to your grandfather in return for your life. He may do as he likes with my life and my tomb. For I owe him that much."

Yami lowered his head just as several almost clear drops fell from his eyes. After thousands and thousands of years, trapped in spirit form, for the first time he felt a sadness as great as leaving his people. His lack of energy and strength still remained, as well as his lack of power, so the tears almost instantly disappeared after leaving his eyes. Yami reached over to the bureau beside the bed and took the necklace, putting it around Yuugi's neck. Then slowly he bent down until his forehead brushed across Yuugi's.

"Please, Yuugi...don't die now. Be strong. I trust my instincts, I always have. The moment I laid eyes on you in my tomb I knew you were the one to wear this necklace. I know you can defeat whatever has trapped your mind."

XXXXX

It was too dark to see anything but still he kept running. He didn't want to feel that pain again no matter what. The fear was too strong to fight so it overwhelmed him. Yuugi couldn't feel what he was running on, nor could he feel, smell or hear anything. He could only see darkness and he was scared. The shadows had tried to consume him as they had approached mercilessly. So Yuugi did the only thing he could and jumped off the bed in which he fell down and down until he was completely surrounded by darkness on all sides. Now he was running, knowing that whatever was after him could sense him.

He wasn't sure where he was going or how he was going to escape. He wanted to see Yami and his friends so bad that it hurt him. And the fact that he could no longer feel the weight of the necklace around his neck made him even more nervous. What if the necklace had protected him from the worst? Without it, he was weak and vulnerable...the perfect prey for whatever was after him.

I have to get out, I have to find Yami! I have to help him get his throne back...I can't die yet! We're going to Kemet together!

Despite the darkness Yuugi closed his eyes, running as fast as his legs could carry him. He could feel something cold crawling up his spine and knew that something was chasing him. He had to keep running, that was the only thing he could do. He couldn't give in...he wouldn't. Yuugi closed his eyes tighter before snapping them open to be greeted by darkness.

"I WON'T DIE!"

Just as the words came out he felt his feet slipping. He couldn't see where to put a foothold so there was no way he could prevent the fall. Yuugi screamed as he fell downward toward more darkness. He could feel the cold enveloping him and the pain in his back seared up again. His eyes watered as he screamed loudly, hoping that it was all just his imagination...

And then it stopped. The pain was gone, and the cold feeling that chilled his soul. Yuugi wiped his tears away and opened his eyes. He blinked a couple times to make sure he wasn't imagining things. A light was just a short distance from his eyes and though it wasn't bright it was enough for him to see what was creating the light. Inside the ball of light stood the Dark Magician, posed as if attacking.

Or at least, it looked like the Dark Magician. Yuugi noticed that he not only seemed different by feeling, but by appearances as well. His protective armor was different, almost entirely black and bright blue. His face was streaked with strange black marks and his hair was longer, more wild...In fact, he looked almost menacing, but for some reason Yuugi wasn't scared. It stood there for several moments before it finally reached out its hand. Yuugi wasn't sure if he was dreaming, but seeing no other way out he grasped the hand of his favorite, most trusted card.

At first, he wasn't sure anything had happened. Then he realized he could hear something strange. It sounded like a muffled voice right by him and something peculiar, like a machine, in the back round. It felt strange to open his eyes after it felt like an eternity. Bright light from the sun greeted his eyes and he blinked to try and adjust to it. He waited a few minutes, wondering if he was still dreaming, until the feeling in his body began to kick in. His legs tingled a moment before he finally felt them again. Soon, his arms and the rest of his body began to feel like normal again.

Yuugi blinked as he felt something warm in his left hand that he lacked in his right. He waited for his eyesight to adjust, and for the room to come into focus, before he was able to move his neck slowly and look downward. There, sitting on the bed, was Yami who had tears falling down from his cheeks and disappearing into thin air. For a second, Yuugi wondered why he was so upset. Then slowly he shifted slightly.

"Y-yami?" Yuugi's hoarse, but quiet voice broke the tension.

Yami's head immediately snapped up, "Yuugi!"

Yuugi slowly pushed himself into a sitting position with Yami's help.

"How are you feeling?" Yami asked feeling his forehead.

Yuugi let a weak smile show, "Much better now, thanks."

"Yuugi, I...," Yami's eyes dimmed as he lowered his head, "I'm so sorry."

"What? Why are you sorry Yami?"

"I shouldn't have left your side at your school. I not only failed to protect you after you agreed to protect my life but you almost died."

"But I didn't," Yuugi insisted, sitting up all the way.

Yami shook his head, "Yuugi...I don't know if it's such a good idea that you come with me to Kemet."

"What?!" Yuugi bolted up from the bed so fast Yami almost lost his balance.

Yuugi grabbed onto his arm in protest, "You can't do that Yami! That's what helped me conquer the darkness was knowing that I'd be going with you soon and seeing how you lived and everything! I want to come with you, Yami, please!"

Yami's eyes dimmed.

"It won't make a difference now. We've all ready sealed the pact and I've still got a duty to protect your powers." Besides, Yami, how will you be able to get the necklace to Kemet without my help?" Yuugi smiled mischievously.

Yami's eyes widened considerably before a small smile appeared on his face.

"All right, Yuugi, you win. You can still come with me."

"YES!" Yuugi exclaimed throwing his arms around him.

Yami smiled as he embraced him before slowly pulling away, "Are you sure you're feeling strong enough to get up, Yuugi?"

Yuugi nodded, "Yep, and I'm feeling a bit hungry too. I just want to get out of here and go home."

Yuugi began sliding off the bed when all of a sudden he hissed in pain and collapsed on the floor.

"Yuugi!" Yami bent down quickly and helped him back up on the bed.

"It's my back...it really burns," Yuugi said with a whimper.

"Here, turn around and let me see," Yami said.

Yuugi turned around with Yami's help so he was able to lift up the hospital clothing. Yami's eyes widened with shock as he stared at the blue engraved symbol etched onto Yuugi's back.

"It's a curse," Yami said quietly.

"A curse?!" Yuugi exclaimed. "What do you mean a curse? What kind of curse?"

"It's all right, Yuugi, calm down. This isn't the curse itself, it's a sign left on the victim who encounters a curse after it's been done."

Yami let the cloth fall and Yuugi turned around to face him.

"Then the curse must've been the shadows I saw around me."

"Shadows?" Yami asked, his voice darkening. "Yuugi, what do you mean by shadows?"

Yuugi didn't like the tone of Yami's voice knowing that it wasn't a good thing. He gulped and decided to tell as much as he could remember.

"I only remember being trapped by darkness. It wasn't just...dark, it was almost ghostly. I'm not really sure how to explain it. It almost appeared transparent but at the same time I couldn't see through it because it was too dark. And it hurt a lot," Yuugi shuddered.

"That's the shadow realm," Yami's voice lowered.

"What is that?" Yuugi asked quietly.

Yami didn't answer right away, an angry frown on his face.

"The shadow realm is a place I was hoping would have disappeared by this time from not being able to be used. It's a place where people are trapped in eternal darkness surrounded by their worst fears. Once they're in they can't get out, unless their body is revived by a millennium item. Otherwise there's no way out."

Yuugi glanced up at him curiously, "What's a millennium item?"

"The necklace I gave you is a millennium item, Yuugi. It can possess certain abilities greater than that of a normal human being. That was the source of my powers as a pharaoh, but I had another source that no one else knew about except whoever gave me my millennium item," Yami explained, looking off in the distance as if trying to remember a long lost memory.

"Do you know who gave it to you?"

Yami shook his head, "All I know is that I received a package the night my father died and inside it was the necklace along with a message telling me that I was the only hope for Egypt's salvation. The note told me that the shadow realm would be opened permanently and be exposed first to all of Egypt before the rest of the world, and slowly everyone would be consumed into eternal darkness.

"This was what I was supposed to prevent. In order to do that I had to summon my last remaining strength from my millennium item to use my life essence to rid Egypt of the corruption and evil source, along with whatever or whoever was tied to it. And that's what I did," Yami said softly.

Yuugi stared at him with big, worried eyes, "But Yami, if you sealed away the shadow realm, how can I have been in it?"

"That's what worries me Yuugi. Now I'm not so sure it was completely sealed. And if not, that means that someone had been using it even after I closed it. I'll just have to wait until we go to Kemet before I find out anything else. Until then you've got to stay close to my side, Yuugi. I'm not sure what the curse means or who sent it but no doubt they're after the millennium item."

Yuugi's eyes dimmed with fear, "But who would want to steal it? Does someone want to hurt you...or kill you?"

"I'm not sure," Yami answered.

"Yami, we have to tell your viziers right away!" Yuugi exclaimed grabbing Yami's shirt. "I'm sure they'll find a way to protect you, there has to be a way to stop them. They can't have enough power to overthrow you and all of Egypt!"

Yami shook his head and squeezed Yuugi's shoulders to get him to calm down.

"Don't worry, Yuugi. When we are able to go to Kemet I will find out at once who's behind it and have them sent to the shadow realm then once again seal it for good," Yami encouraged warmly.

Yuugi's face relaxed, "Promise?"

Yami laughed lightly, "Of course, Yuugi. Whoever is after me might accidentally hurt you thinking it's me. That is why you were trapped in the shadow realm, the curse must've been targeted at my necklace, but since you're wearing it you were hurt instead."

Yuugi nodded and bowed his head, "I'm sorry, Yami. Next time I'll make sure I stay by your side the whole time."

"That would make me feel better," Yami smiled.

Yuugi smiled up at him and they remained staring at each other until Yuugi slid from the bed to get dressed.

"Yami, how will we know when we're allowed to go to Kemet?" Yuugi asked, as he began to change back into his clothes.

"My viziers will send us a message," Yami said.

"And how will we get there?"

Yami smiled, "I'm not sure yet. I traveled here through a portal, but they're dangerous to travel by. The reason I wasn't hurt was because I am a spirit. I'm not sure that's the safest way this time."

Yuugi slipped on his jacket to complete his outfit before sitting back on the bed next to Yami.

"Well however we get there, I sure can't wait!" Yuugi said excitedly. "The first thing I want to do is see your palace then maybe you could take me around the city."

Yami smiled, "We'll see, Yuugi. We may be exhausted the first day we get there."

"Even so, we'll have so much fun!" Yuugi said catching Yami off guard as he wrapped his arms around him again.

Yami chuckled and gently rubbed Yuugi's back as the room fell in a comfortable silence. Just then the door to the room burst open.

"Yug, we won't let ya die!" Jou shouted, his fists clenched with his sleeves rolled up.

Honda came in next flexing his muscles, "We'll save you, don't you worry!"

"Eh...?" Jou blinked as he saw Yuugi staring at him with wide eyes.

"YUUGI!"

Before Yuugi could blink Anzu had him in such a tight embrace he could barely breathe. Finally, she gently pulled away as tears dripped down her cheeks.

"Oh Yuugi, we were so worried!" she said as she started to cry.

Yuugi rubbed her back, "It's okay Anzu, I'm all right. Yami saved me."

"Yeah, way to go man! You're the talk of the school!" Honda grinned patting Yami's back.

"Oh?" Yami tilted his head in question. "I'm sure you all would've done the same."

"Not like you buddy," Jou said punching his arm playfully. "You really kicked butt!"

Yuugi laughed as Jou and Honda continued to compliment Yami who had an even more confused look. Anzu's tears had dried as she too joined in the laughter. She smiled and turned to Yuugi.

"I guess we were all lucky to have Yami there."

Yuugi nodded with a smile, "I agree."

"I'm so glad you're okay. Bakura's waiting for any news so we should probably let him know you're all right. I just hope your grandpa doesn't freak out."

Yuugi winced remembering that his grandpa was probably finding out about then.

"Well, at least I'm alive."

Anzu nodded, "That's for sure! Are you ready to get out of here?"

"Am I ever!"

XXXXX

The room was dark and quiet, a change from the previous day when orders had been going around. Now all was peaceful and going in the direction he wanted. So far, everything had flown smoothly with no problems and he wanted it to stay that way. He felt his goal in such near reach and he wouldn't give it up. Just then a knock sounded at the door.

"What is it?" he asked coldly.

The door opened and in stepped a guard looking distraught. He approached slowly and bowed slightly before standing up again.

"Sire, Shadii has escaped our clutches. I-I don't know how but when we opened the door to make sure he wasn't doing anything suspicious he was gone!"

"WHAT?! How could he escape? That was a one way door and unless one of you idiots got lazy there was no way he could escape!" he shouted threateningly.

The guard shook his head, "Honest, there were at least two guards standing watch day and night the whole time. There are plenty of servants as witnesses."

The cloaked man leaned back in his seat and tapped his finger on the armrest.

"I want him tracked down starting now," he ordered. "If word gets out about my plans I will never be able to reach my goal."

"If I may sire, he didn't know anything about the plans. He said he didn't even know anything about the city."

"You think I'm going to take that risk!" he snapped.

The guard shuddered and shook his head.

"Now, go! Start searching for him and don't give up until you find him!"

The guard bowed his head and turned to leave. Just then the door burst open as several more guards ran inside panting for breath.

"What is the meaning of this?" the cloaked man barked.

"Sire, we're sorry but it's an emergency," one guard insisted.

"We just got word from the witch that her curse wasn't fulfilled," another guard spoke up nervously.

"What do you mean it wasn't fulfilled?" he snapped standing up.

"W-we don't know, honest. She said she wants to see you immediately."

He clenched his fists in anger.

I knew I should've stopped dwelling on how well things were going. Now everything's in a mess!

"Get started on finding Shadii and I want him alive so I can have the pleasure of putting him to silence myself!"

The guard quickly nodded and left quickly.

"And the rest of you, get me transportation to see the witch. Once I find out the problem I will be able to make new arrangements. We must make sure that everything goes as smoothly as possible!"

"Yes sire," they muttered before following the other guard out to make preparations.

The cloaked man stood there by himself glaring out into space.

Whatever is going on I'm going to find out and then make sure that no one will get in the way of my goal. No one...

TO BE CONTINUED...