This story hit me in the middle of the night and was also inspired by a friend's dream of mine hahaha. I need to get this out of my head before it drives me crazy again because of the stupid plot bunnies! God I don't get why they couldn't bother me while I was on winter break, but no, they choose to attack when classes have started back up for me! -dodges as another one flies over my head- but anyways, I will do my best to survive this while typing the story!
Summary: Yugi is an Enchanter, the last of his race, with the ability to manipulate the elements. Ordered by his late grandfather to keep his identity hidden from the world, Yugi tries his best to live his every day life. When he is forced to reveal his status to save the Prince of Egypt, Yugi's life spirals into chaos as a battle for the last Enchanter ravages the land...
Shipping: Blindshipping
Rating: T for now, may change to M later
Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh or anything associated with the franchise!
Reviews are welcome!
xXXxXxXxXxXxXxXx
Whispers of the Enchanter
xXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXx
Spirit Heals
It wasn't until much later that Atem opened his eyes, finding himself in the same bed he woke up in earlier that morning. Hovering over him was Heba, a cloth in hand, gently mopping away at his forehead. The Prince swatted the younger man's hand away and started to sit up, only to be stopped by a sharp pain to the back of his head. That's when he remembered something hard had crashed against his head when he tried to leave, and crimson orbs narrowed at the person caring for him.
"Did you throw something at me earlier?" he asked hoarsely, wincing when any movement cause sharp pain to his skull.
Heba gave a nervous chuckle. "I had to stop you from leaving my home...so I chucked a vase at your head," he muttered the last part quietly.
"You stopped me from going to my father. Why? I need to get to him!"
The younger man fidgeted nervously. "Atem...I don't know how to tell you this...but..."
"Spit it out already Heba! I am in no mood for your games, especially after having a vase thrown at my head!"
Instead of physically telling the Prince the news he received after dragging an unconscious Prince onto his bed. The Enchanter left the room, came back with a piece of papyrus in hand, which he handed over to the scowling man.
Atem took the scroll and read the papyrus. By the time he was finished, his hands were trembling beyond control.
"I-Is this true? Is what is written here true? Father is dead?..." he murmured.
"I don't know. Whoever wrote this must have received a message of sorts. I will find out what I can for you but Atem...there's more."
"What more could there possibly be!?" wailed the Prince in despair.
Heba pointed to the lower section of the scroll.
By royal decree of the Council of Elders,
Atem is no longer crown prince of Egypt.
He is henceforth branded as a traitor,
wanted for the murder of his father, Pharaoh Aknamkhanon.
Should anyone see Atem, please turn him over to authorities.
A handsome reward shall be given for any information pertaining to his whereabouts.
The coronation ceremony for Akhenadin shall take place in a fortnight.
High Priest Set will also be anointed as Crown Prince.
The ceremony will take place at the royal palace.
Any and all are welcome to attend.
"I what!?" Atem screamed.
"Yes...they have deemed you as the murderer of your father it seems..." Heba whispered.
"Impossible! Why...and uncle Akhenadin was banished...why is he back? What in Ra's name is going on?"
"I don't know Atem, but from this moment on, you're no longer a prince, and you're a traitor to boot. It's not safe for you to step outside as of now."
Atem did not know what to say.
The process for embalming Pharaoh Aknamkhanon was to take place the next day. In the meantime Isis and Shada spent their evening huddled around a fire in the center of the village. Many were glad to see the eldest daughter of their former chief return, and gathered around to greet the priestess. Isis did not speak much, but merely inclined her head when people asked questions, instead leaning her head against Shada for comfort. The two Keepers had witnessed the death of their Pharaoh, which was traumatizing in itself. Neither really wanted to be apart from each other.
"Sister are you alright?" Ishizu asked quietly, placing a plate of food down in front of Isis.
Isis blinked a few times. "No...why didn't my Necklace warn me about this..."
"Not all futures were meant to be seen," Shada murmured, patting her on the shoulder.
"We could have saved him Shada. We were there...and yet...we have failed the Prince."
"We did all we could Isis. We protected the Pharaoh until the very end, though we both should have foresaw his own sacrifice," the Keeper of the Millennium Key said bitterly, angry at himself for failing to stop Aknamkhanon.
"Egypt needs a Pharaoh...we must get back to the Prince."
Marik walked over with a rolled up scroll in hand. A long strip of bandage was wrapped around his chest, covering up the arrow wound from earlier after Ishizu applied a poultice of herbs to help it heal. The village chief had gone out earlier to buy some necessities for the embalming ritual tomorrow, and when he came upon a disturbing message hung up in the middle of the streets, quickly stripped it off the wall, returning home to give to the two Keepers.
"Sister I think you should see this," he handed the scroll over.
The priestess took the papyrus from her brother, unfurling it to read the hieroglyphs inscribed on the course material.
"Shada! You need to see this!" she said urgently, thrusting the scroll into his hands.
Shada scanned over the contents, his fingers tightening on the papyrus when he finished.
"How can this be!? Prince Atem is a traitor for murdering his own father!? Akhenadin is going to be crowned as Pharaoh, and Set is the Crown Prince!?"
"Something is not right here. Set would never approve of this. Why on earth would he turn around and become Crown Prince?..."
"That's because Akhenadin stole his Rod and used its mind control ability on Set," a new voice said.
Both Isis and Shada glanced up at the recognition of the voice, with the former running straight into Mahad's arms and crying hysterically.
"Mahad? Mana? How did you manage to get here?" Shada pushed himself off the sandy ground, walking over to greet his fellow Keeper.
"Isis told me the location of her village a while back, telling me to flee here should anything happen," Mahad explained, wrapping his arms around the weeping woman.
"The Pharaoh is dead," Shada said.
"I know. That crazy Akhenadin has declared himself Pharaoh and Set as Crown Prince," Mahad spat bitterly.
"We have yet to find the Prince."
Mahad exhaled a deep breath. "I don't know where he is either. I stayed behind to make sure he could escape...I only hope he has found sanctuary far from Cairo."
"Master I'll go search for the Prince!" Mana piped up.
He glanced at his apprentice. "Don't be silly Mana. It is our duty to locate the Prince, and your training is still incomplete at this stage."
"But Master I know these deserts better than anyone," protested the young apprentice.
"No. We must remain here until we can figure out our next step. The palace is no longer safe, and we have yet to discover where the Prince is hiding."
Mana pouted. "This is exactly why I should go and scout," she grumbled.
"Look after Isis for now Mana. I have to discuss things with Shada."
Watching and shaking his head as his apprentice led Isis away with the help of her sister, Mahad turned towards Shada and the two Keepers bore grim expressions on their faces.
"What happened?" Shada was the first to talk.
"I was overpowered after helping Prince Atem escape. They threw me in the dungeon with Set and others who were loyal to the Pharaoh. We were discussing how to escape when..." Mahad took a deep breath, "when Set's mind was taken over by Akhenadin using the Millennium Rod. Mana broke in and managed to get me out."
"So Akhenadin really is behind all this," the Keeper of the Key mused.
"What of the Pharaoh? I heard news he has..."
Shada closed his eyes, giving a dip of his head in confirmation. "Yes. He sacrificed himself...to protect the two of us...and the entire village here," the Keeper's voice was barely audible.
"So it was true."
"Mahad, we must do something or all of Egypt will be thrown into chaos. Akhenadin has someone, Thief King Bakura, who he has allied with to take over control of the palace. On top of that there's the fake Enchanter we have to worry about as well."
"Karim has fled as well, we must wait for him to send us a message. Once we have a solid plan, we'll break into the palace and free Set of his mind control. But there is one thing I know for sure we must have on our side."
"What do we need?"
"The real Enchanter."
Yugi sighed for the twentieth time that night.
"Meow?" Kuriboh wedged his way under Yugi's hand, begging to be scratched on the head.
"He's distraught Kuriboh. What should I do? I'm not good at these sort of things," the Enchanter said to his feline.
"Meow," Kuriboh purred.
After learning of the death of his father, Atem had locked himself in Yugi's own room, refusing to come out no matter how much the Enchanter tried enticing him in various methods. In the end he gave up, deciding to let the Prince mourn in his own way. Though Yugi was sure he heard crying every time he pressed his ear against the door. As much as he wanted to do something, it wouldn't help if he revealed his powers to the Prince.
"Should I cook something? I'm too nervous to cook anything. Maybe a bath? No, it's too late for a bath and I already took one," Yugi muttered as he paced the room.
"Meowrrr," the feline padded after his master.
Shall I lend my help?
"Spirit!"
The ethereal being materialized before the Enchanter.
His heart has been consumed by sorrow and grief. I can help soothe his soul and heal his shattered spirit.
"Please...he needs you more than ever...and I cannot do anything to worsen my condition."
Spirit smiled serenely at the Enchanter.
I will soothe his spirit.
Amethyst orbs observed quietly as the ethereal being floated towards the direction of his room.
"I'm counting on you..."
Atem wandered aimlessly in the dark void, his legs carrying him nowhere in particular as he meandered back and forth.
"Atem," a gentle, soothing voice called out.
"Who goes there?" demanded the Prince.
A woman with flowing hair bearing the traditional headdress of an Egyptian Queen emerged from the void. On her feet were delicate golden sandals, her wrists and ankles adorned with golden bands, while a robe of pure white covered her from head to toe.
"M-Mother?" Atem whispered.
The Prince never got to know his mother, as she had passed away during childbirth, leaving him to be raised by his father. But Aknamkhanon would always tell him stories of his mother, of how she was a gentle, kind, and loving Queen to her people.
"My dear Atem," his mother opened her arms.
He threw himself into her embrace, becoming a small child once more as she gently stroked his long locks.
"Mother!"
"You have endured a lot these past few days my son," she murmured softly.
"Father is gone...I'm all alone..."
"No my beloved son. You are not alone. We are with you in spirit."
The Prince pulled back to look her in the eyes. "How...how can I go on? I've lost everything..."
"You still have Mahad and the others. They are searching for you tirelessly. I know times are tough for you right now my son, but you must endure this. Think of it as a trial from the heavens that you must overcome."
"But I feel so weary..."
His mother bent down to press a kiss to his forehead. "Your spirit be soothed my son," she murmured.
A sudden jolt of energy seemed to energize Atem as he let out a small gasp.
"We will forever watch over you my son," his mother began to fade away.
"Mother! Wait!"
He was left alone in the darkness.
To be continued...
Review?
In case you are confused, that last part is Spirit posing as Atem's mother to encourage him to live on.
See you all next time!
Shadow Songstress~