A/N: This story is centered mostly around Joey and Kaiba, but for this chapter, I want to delve into the other characters more because their backgrounds are alternate from their canon counterparts. For this reason, Joey and Kaiba won't be in this chapter...much.

Warnings: This chapter is a bit more drama oriented. Not planning for any major humor.

Disclaimer: We're skipping that for today.

Chapter 10

Sorrowful Memories

Two hours after the near execution ceremony and the celebrations that followed after, Chief Atem returned to his golden palace. He sighed as he entered, his gaze falling to the marble tile beneath his feet. His footsteps were slow as he walked across the small living room to a plush teal colored sofa. After sitting down he let out another sigh while raising a hand to his forehead.

"Atem?"

The chief lowered his hand from his head as he shifted his gaze toward the new voice. In the doorway leading to the kitchen stood his wife, Mana.

Her mid-length brown hair shifted slightly as she tilted her head in concern. "Are you alright?" She took slow steps into the room, her long emerald-green dress swaying with each step she took. "You are not looking well."

"I'm fine," he whispered, leaning back against the pillows as Mana sat down next to him. "Dealing with Tzekel Khan has just become...more stressful as of late. He nearly killed a little girl today...he said the sacrifice was going to pay tribute to these so called 'gods'." A small smile lifted the corners of his mouth. "I'm almost sure that the two of them are lying, but...I'm grateful to them for saving that little girl. After all, if Tzekel Khan is willing to sacrifice innocent children...whose to say he wouldn't attempt to sacrifice one of our children Mana?"

Mana placed one of her hands on his shoulder. She used the other to gently turn his head so his violet gaze met her sapphire eyes. A soft smile graced her features as she spoke. "Atem, that will never happen. I realize Tzekel Khan is not to be trusted, but he doesn't have the power to do anything to our family..."

"He has that sister of his, Ishizu," Atem pointed out, his gaze drifting away from hers. "Tzekel Khan has arranged a marriage between her and my brother without consent from either one."

"That is true," Mana agreed, "but your brother is in love with Ishizu. She's beautiful, kind, and intelligent...a sharp contrast to her brother...except in the looks department. He's quite handsome."

Atem groaned. "If by handsome you mean disgustingly feminine then yes, Tzekel Khan is quite the charmer."

Mana giggled. "Oh, come on, he doesn't carry himself that way..."

"He doesn't have to," he interrupted. "His face and that ridiculous blonde hair is enough...not to mention the lilac colored eyes. Seriously that's just...weird."

"Darling, I don't believe we are supposed to say words like "weird" in this story," Mana stated, breaking the fourth wall after the authoress expressly stated that this was supposed to be a serious chapter.

Atem pulled away from his wife, opting to rise up from the couch. "It doesn't matter Mana. The point I am attempting to make is this: Tzekel Khan desires power. He already gained a great deal from his role as high priest, his position is practically equal to my own because of its importance to the people. I do not trust him nor do I trust his sister. For all we know, she could be just as psychotic as he is. Only a day has passed since she robbed the temple after all."

"Anzu was there as well," Mana pointed out, also rising up from the couch. "Are you going to call her a no good thief?" She crossed her arms in front of her chest. "Knowing her, she's probably the one who instigated the idea to begin with."

"Possibly," Atem relented, a slight groan slipping between his lips as he said the word. "Even so..."

"Even so nothing. You just want to place all the blame on Ishizu because of your history with Anzu."

Atem started to talk, but stopped. The last thing he wanted to do was argue with his wife. She was right anyway. His past relationship with Anzu made him bias to anything that could mar her reputation, not that her reputation was all that great to begin with. Her past was filled with struggle and hardships. Anzu's mother died giving birth to her and her father committed suicide a few years later, leaving Anzu's older brother, Honda, the only person left to take care of her. However, when she was twelve, her brother died in battle against an enemy tribe, leaving her without any family to support her.

Atem's father, Aknankadin, took her into the palace, telling her the story of how Honda had bravely given his life to save his in the battle. Anzu had taken pride in this and she became quick friends with the children, including Atem himself and his brother Mahad.

A year later, Aknankadin passed away, having succumbed to an unknown illness. His death made Atem, the eldest son of the bunch, the next chief of the clan. It was huge responsibility for him to take on at the tender age of fifteen, but he willingly took the burden of his birthright, jumping into his new position without any trace of hesitance. At first, some natives worried that the new chief was happy about his father's death.

However, thirteen year-old Anzu knew better than to believe that. Despite orders for her to stop hanging around the new ruler of the city, she stuck close by, offering a helping hand where she could. When the two of them were alone, Atem would sometimes allow his grief to billow to the surface. She would embrace him, allowing him to shed silent tears on her shoulder.

More years passed, with Atem and Anzu being together as nothing more than best friends, despite what Atem may have wanted back then. Anzu had other dreams for her life, dreams she never discussed with him or with anyone else. Mana came along around that time, her friendship providing the perfect distraction for a love that would never be experienced.

When Atem was eighteen and Anzu sixteen, Tzekel Khan came on the scene with Ishizu and his servant Kunta Kente at his heels. Ishizu was a year older than Anzu while Tzekel Khan was two years older than Atem. The young chief, lacking in necessary judgement at the time, signed Tzekel Khan on as the new high priest. Ishizu and Anzu became inseparable, causing the latter girl's relationship with Atem to fizzle, not that it really mattered to Atem anymore. He was slowly falling in love with Mana. After three months, the two of them married.

In the five years that have passed since then, Mana has given birth to his seven children. Doing so had not been easy for her. The first go around she ended up with quadruplets, the idea practically an omen of death for people living in that time. She survived by the skin of her teeth on that one and nearly died again when she had to give birth to a pair of twins a year after the first go. A year after that, Mana was given a slight reprieve, giving birth to one child and only one child.

Gazing at her now as she placed her hands firmly on her hips, Atem still couldn't fathom how the petite woman had found the strength to deliver all those kinds, run behind and take care of those kids while he handled the affairs of the city, and lose all the baby weight to boot.

She was truly an amazing woman.

"You are right," he told her, smiling softly as he took measured footsteps toward her. Mana was still glowering at him, but her tension eased when he placed his hands on either side of her face. "Anzu has been a very close friend of mine for years. It wouldn't surprise me if she did come up with the scheme to steal from the temple and Ishizu just played off of Tzekel Khan's mistake to escape from their punishment. After all, I think you and I both get the feeling that Lord Kaiba and Lord Joseph aren't who they claim to be. Most likely they are just strangers who stumbled into our land."

"Yes, but...they did stop the volcano from erupting," Mana stated, staring up into her husband's eyes. "It's possible that they could be who they say they are."

Atem shrugged. "In any case, you need to realize something Mana."

She raised an eyebrow. "And what is that?"

He smiled, closing the distance between them as he pressed his lips against hers. Mana blinked in slight surprise, but it didn't take much time for her to return her husband's kiss. Closing her eyes, she wrapped both her arms around his neck. His smile widened against her lips as he deepened the kiss, moving one of his hands to her waist while the other continued to caress her cheek.

After a long moment Mana pulled away, a blush on her cheeks as her eyes locked on something behind her husband. "Keep that up and we'll end up with another one of them." She pointed, giggling as he turned to face their youngest child crawling across the floor toward them.

Atem walked over to the crawling girl, his eyes brightening when she stretched her tiny arms out towards him. With gentle yet strong hands he picked her up in his arms, raising his daughter up high in the air as she cooed and giggled.

"How is my little flower on this fine day?" he asked, lowering his arms so he could hold her closer to him. She cooed again, smiling as she blinked her huge violet eyes. He laughed, turning his gaze back on his wife. "She looks so much like you Mana."

"But she has your eyes," Mana stated, moving to stand next to her husband as he cradled their little girl in his arms. "And the crimson strands in her hair are definitely from you too."

The two of them would have continued talking about the newest edition to their family, but that was when their servant Natubek entered from outside.

"Chief!" he exclaimed. "My apologies for interrupting again, but the gods are on their way here."

Atem's gaze narrowed on his servant as he handed the child to Mana. "Are you certain of this?"

"Yes," Natubek replied, lowering his head. "Also, I have received great news from the guards outside the city. Your younger brother has returned from his battle with the enemy tribe and will be arriving here at sunset."

Atem nodded. "Tell me, do you know where Ishizu is right now?"

"I saw her and Lady Anzu traveling with the gods earlier this morning," Natubek answered, " but I have not seen either one of them since then. Forgive me, sir."

"Do not concern yourself over it," Atem told him, smiling apologetically at his wife. "I would like you to find Ishizu. Have her meet my brother at the docking port while I stay here to deal with the gods. If Anzu is with her, tell her to come to the palace immediately."

Natubek bowed. "Very well sir."

As soon as he departed, Mana gave her husband a questioning look. "You are sending Ishizu to meet Mahad?"

"I am," he told her, his expression falling into a small frown. "It is a test to see if she loves him as much as he loves her. Anzu may also have some insight on how Ishizu feels about this marriage Tzekel Khan is forcing on her. The two of them attempted to leave the city together with tribute from the temple after all. If my assumptions are correct then it's clear she doesn't want this marriage even though my brother loves her."

"You would like to know Anzu's reasoning for wanting to leave as well," Mana asked, still feeling slightly insecure.

"Yes, but you don't have to worry Mana," Atem stated, placing a chaste kiss to her cheek. "This is just so I understand the situation and nothing more than that. Anzu has her own life to live. She isn't obligated to this city as we are."

Mana sighed, a soft smile on her face. "Yes, I suppose you are right." She turned away, winking at her husband once more. "I best take care of Iris here. She's getting fussy. Good luck my dear."

With that she was gone, leaving Atem to stand alone once more.

About an hour later, Atem found himself gaping at the two teens before him.

"A boat?"

Joey was thinking along the same lines as he glanced at Kaiba seated in the stone armchair next to his. The brunette's fingers laced together underneath his chin, his elbows resting atop his crossed legs as he narrowed his sapphire gaze on his rival's look-alike. Atem definitely found the look disturbing, but he kept his composure from slipping as he leaned back on his personal throne within the largest room of his palace.

"We really hate to be ascending so soon," Kaiba continued, "but some urgent business has come up. Family matters and such."

Atem narrowed his own gaze. "I see, but we all expected you to be staying with us for the next...thousand years..."

"Well, as they say in the spirit world there's your plan and then there's the gods plan," Joey chimed in, smiling broadly despite the confusion circulating through his mind.

"And our plan calls for a boat," Kaiba finished. "We're going to ascend in a horizontal pattern first and then vertical as we get further out to sea." He quickly glared at Joey, mentally telling him not to say a word about his explanation. Again, it was the best the young C.E.O. could muster with a migraine headache involved.

"Well, to build a boat large and glorious enough..." Atem paused, wracking his brain for a second, "would take about a week..."

"We don't have a week!"

Atem flinched in surprise at Joey's sudden display of fury. The blonde had risen to his feet, huffing and puffing like the big bad wolf as his eyes nearly bulged out of his head.

Kaiba reached out, grabbing the sleeve of Joey's shirt before roughly pulling the blonde back into his previous position in the chair. "Do you think Tzekel Khan could do it faster?"

"For the gods...we can have it done in three days," Atem stated, "and our boat will be of a higher quality."

Kaiba didn't like the sound of that, but Joey seemed to calm down considerably. "If that's the best you can do, we can accept that."

Atem smirked, seeing a small opportunity to expose the two teens. "Perhaps if you two weren't loaded down with so much tribute, you could leave sooner."

"I have no problem with expelling some of the..."

"I like it here," Joey proclaimed, cutting into Kaiba's sentence. "Three days is fine by me."

Kaiba turned, ready to kill the blonde, but he just kept talking, saying, "Three days is perfect! It'll give us more time to say goodbye to everyone."

Atem glanced between the two of them, noting the wide grin on Joey's face and the scowl on Kaiba's. At this point, he really wasn't sure what to make of the two.

At that exact moment, Natubek entered the throne room, bowing his head to the gods and then the chief as he spoke. "Sir, I present Lady Anzu as you requested." He left the room as Anzu pranced in, her arms crossed defiantly in front of her chest.

Joey rose from his chair again. "Anzu? What are you doing here?"

"I was called here," she replied, her gaze never straying from Atem. The cheerful demeanor Joey and Kaiba had become accustomed to in the last day in a half was completely wiped clean, replaced with a stoutness that rivaled Kaiba's own nonchalant attitude.

Said brunette rose from his chair. "We should take our leave Wheeler. I presume the chief has other business to attend to." He stalked to the doorway Anzu had entered in, his scowl revealing his annoyance to the situation. "Have the boat ready in three days or you will receive punishment directly from me."

Joey smiled apologetically to the chief once Kaiba had left. "Don't worry about him sir. He's just in a really bad mood today." He nodded at Anzu. "See you later." With that he left the throne room, but he stopped after rounding the corner. Anzu's sudden change in attitude had intrigued his interest.

Atem gestured to the armchairs. "Have a seat."

Anzu crossed the room, plopping into the chair Kaiba had just been sitting in without a word, but her eyes spoke volumes. She wasn't happy to be here, that much Joey could see without having to use a shred of brain power.

"There are some issues we need to discuss Anzu," Atem began, his gaze softening as he looked at her.

"Like what?" she asked, her body tensing. "There isn't anything I particularly want to discuss with you."

Atem blinked, surprised by her words. "Anzu...why the hostility? We're friends, aren't we?"

"Of course," was her instant reply. "However, I am not happy with some of the decisions you are making regarding Ishizu. Natubek relayed orders for her to wait for Mahad at the docks and for me to come here. Those orders were yours, correct?"

"Yes."

"Then you must know why I'm upset," Anzu continued, crossing her legs. "Mahad seems like a wonderful man who deserves someone to love him completely and wholly. Ishizu cares about him, could sacrifice her happiness without thinking about it for him, but I don't think that's right. She needs to follow her heart instead of her twisted brother's rules. Doing so isn't fair to him or her." She paused, moving her arms so they laid on the armrests. "You know as well as I do that this marriage business is for Tzekel Khan to gain more power in this city. He wants to use Ishizu to control Mahad, turn him against you in order to cause a civil dispute. After that, he's more than likely to betray both of you and his own sister. He nearly sacrificed a little girl today. What's to stop him from killing off your children once he gets you and Mahad out of the way?"

Atem nodded, clenching his fists as he fought to keep calm. "Yes, I realize that Anzu. That is why I sent Ishizu to the dock...her actions yesterday have made her decision about the issue clear. I will not punish her for that. You are right Anzu. She should be allowed to marry someone she loves."

"That goes against years of tradition," Anzu stated, smirking slightly. "You aren't one to break the rules."

"You forget that I chose my wife without the consent of the royal council," Atem fired back, his gaze unwavering.

Anzu shrugged, her smirk falling into a scowl once more. "Fine, but that doesn't explain why you sent Ishizu to meet Mahad. What are you trying to do?"

"As I said before," Atem began, "Ishizu has made her decision clear. She doesn't want to marry my brother. Mahad will be saddened by this, but he will move on and find his true soul mate just as I have..."

"What is that supposed to mean?" Anzu cut in, her glare intensifying. "Are you still upset because I didn't choose you." A bitter laugh fell past her lips. "My, my Atem, that pride of yours is astounding."

The comment stung, Joey could tell by the look on Atem's face, but the chief didn't waver. He continued without pause saying, "This conversation has nothing to do with that..."

"You brought it up with the whole "true soul mate" bit," Anzu cut in again.

"Enough!" Atem rose to his feet, stalking toward her as he glared straight into her sapphire eyes. "The point of the issue is this: Ishizu needs to tell Mahad how she feels about the situation to his face instead of running away from him."

Anzu stared up at him unflinchingly. "And what if he can't accept it? He's not as strong as you are Atem. When your father died he completely poured all of his focus into training and fighting. In battle, he's a cold and ruthless. He kills the enemy even when their giving up and begging for mercy. In other words...Mahad has a very dark side."

"How would you know all that?"

"I..." Anzu trailed off, her gaze finally falling to the floor. She had said too much.

From his spot around the corner of the doorway, Joey waited for one of them to say something, but the silence dragged on for a long time.

Atem finally let out a sigh. "You left with him didn't you? You broke the law of our city and joined him a battle?""

Anzu couldn't look at him. "My hair is short like this for a reason you know." She finally gazed up at him and Joey noted the tears shining in the corners of her eyes. "The year you married Mana was the same year I became a soldier. I left with your brother and fought alongside him. It wasn't easy to conceal my identity, but I did it. Mahad doesn't know...even to this day. I fought and I killed...to avenge my brother."

Atem took a step back, his violet eyes reflecting emotions Anzu couldn't begin to name. "So that's why...that year when you disappeared..."

"I was killing scores of enemy tribes," Anzu finished, her voice cracking on the words. She slowly rose from the chair, her gaze still on the floor. "He forced me to kill innocent people too...even children. That's how I know."

Joey almost gasped upon hearing this, but he kept silent to watch the scene evolving in front of him.

"Is that why you wanted to run away?"

Anzu shook her head. "No Atem, not just that. It's because this place holds too many memories for me." She finally met his gaze, the tears finally slipping down her cheeks. "Everywhere I turn, everything I see..." she paused shaking her head while wiping away the tears. "I'm reminded everyday of something I have lost. My parents, my brother...you..."

Atem's violet eyes widened at that. "Me? What do you..."

"I loved you!" Anzu interrupted, more tears cascading down her face. "I couldn't tell you...I wanted to, but I couldn't because..." she trailed off, barely lifting her shaking hands. "I can't...I won't do this. I have to go."

Joey quickly darted behind a tall plant as Anzu rushed to the doorway. Seconds later she ran out, tears streaming out behind her as she did. Atem followed, but he stopped at the doorway, his outstretched hand falling to his side as his gaze lowered to the floor. Had he been thinking clearly, he would have seen Joey cowering behind the plant next to him, but all his thoughts were centered on the nineteen year-old girl as he turned and walked back into the throne room.

For a moment, Joey stayed where he was, taking in all he had witnessed. He was shell-shocked to say the least. After all, Anzu was a mirror image of Tea aside from the tan skin. To envision her fighting and killing people was something he simply couldn't wrap his head around.

Of course, he realized that Tea and Anzu were two completely different people despite their looks. After all, Anzu's personality was a complete contrast to Tea's, but it didn't really matter. Joey only saw that one of his best friends, different personality or not, was crying her eyes out and he didn't like it.

Meanwhile on the docks, Ishizu was having similar issues with love.

He had arrived twenty minutes earlier with the army, smiling triumphantly as he announced his victory. The small crowd that had gathered cheered while Ishizu stood a few paces back, dreading the words that needed to be said, though she suspected that he would hide his feelings once she conveyed what she truly felt, pretend to understand and all that madness.

So his reaction...was quite the surprise.

"What!?"

"I'm sorry, but that is the truth of the matter." Ishizu stated, flinching a bit due to the intensity of his voice.

Mahad, the younger brother of Chief Atem, clenched his fists as he took a step closer to her. She stepped back, refusing to let him touch her. She had made her decision and she wasn't about to change her mind because of Mahad's declarations of love or because of her brother's threats. She was her own person and she was going to follow her heart.

Still, it probably would have been a better idea to do all this when the crowd had been around. Now the dock was completely deserted and silent.

"How can you speak of such things?" Mahad questioned. "After everything we've been through, you'd do this?"

"Do what?" Ishizu asked. "I'm only telling you the truth. I don't love you Mahad. You're a good friend and I care about you, but I have never nor will I ever be in love with you."

Mahad gritted his teeth. "You will marry me." Without warning he locked his hand tightly around Ishizu's wrist, squeezing to the point of pain as he pulled her closer to him. Ishizu attempted to protest, but Mahad silenced her by slamming his lips against hers. After a few seconds, Ishizu found the strength to push him as far away as she could.

"I will not!" she screamed, slapping him hard across the face. She turned around, about to break into a run, but Mahad gripped at her long hair, pulling her back into his arms once more.

"You don't have a say in the matter Ishizu," Mahad stated, whispering in her ear as he held her against him. "Your brother and I made a deal. I get you and he gets to rule this city after the chief is done away with."

Ishizu's eyes widened as she lost all feeling in her limbs. "What?"

"Before I left to fight, Tzekel Khan and I made a deal," he repeated, smiling vindictively, a look so uncharacteristic for him. "You see, I love you Ishizu and I'll do anything to have you. Even give up my claim to this city's throne."

"You have no claim to the throne," Ishizu stated, "It belongs to...the first born child of Atem's family...that would be any one of the quadruplets. They get to decide between themselves who gets the throne, that's how Atem wants it to be." She struggled, the feeling returning to her as she began to fight against Mahad's grip again. "Now let me go!"

"Fine!" He shoved her and she plummeted to the paved ground. A gasp escaped her as she hit the ground, her gaze snapping back as Mahad stalked toward her once more. She backed away from him, having no idea how to defend herself other than kick him where it really hurts. Unfortunately, she wasn't in the best position to do so. What she needed to do was get to her feet and run like a mad woman, steal something from the temple, grab Anzu, and leave the city for good. Actually, at that moment she could have just ran clear out of the city without doing any of those things. What mattered was getting away from the manic man in front of her.

With that in mind she shakily got to her feet and took off, pure adrenaline propelling her forward as Mahad chased her across the docks. Most of the civilians were in their homes now, preparing for the Age of the Jaguar that Tzekel Khan announced earlier that day. Ishizu growled, inwardly cursing her brother. She knew he was a power-hungry maniac, but she never dreamed he would sell her out like this.

"Where do you think you're going!"

Ishizu felt herself being yanked back again, the force of the tug caused her to fall flat on the ground again. This time, Mahad knelt, pinning her arms down so she couldn't escape his hold.

"Let go! Let go of me now!" She let out more screams and closed her eyes, not wanting to see the face of her attacker. "Someone help!"

"I'll be happy to oblige!"

Ishizu's eyes flew open and locked the brilliant Seto Kaiba as he slammed his fist into Mahad's jaw. The impact sent him flying but freed Ishizu from her confinement. She rose up on her elbows, staring at Kaiba in complete shock as he stalked toward the man with his hands curled up into tight fists. Seconds later a swarm of guards rushed around Mahad, ceasing him without warning.

"What is this about!?" he questioned, glancing between his brethren. "Don't you people know who I am? I'm the chief's brother!" He focused his gaze on Kaiba. "And who are you pale-face?"

Kaiba slammed his fist into Mahad's nose. Blood immediately spurted out, staining his shirt as he glowered at the man.

"Seto Kaiba," the brunette muttered. "Do you know the penalty for assaulting an unarmed and defenseless woman?"

Mahad growled. "I don't answer to you. That name means nothing to me!"

One of the guards slapped him across the face. "This is one of the two gods Tzekel Khan foresaw in his vision. You have disgraced our city with your disrespect."

Kaiba smirked as Mahad's gaze widened. He was suddenly apologetic for his crimes, but the young C.E.O. wasn't about to let him slide for what he had witnessed him attempting to do.

"I should have you executed," he stated, "but I'm feeling merciful today." He nodded at the guards. "Put him in the deepest dungeon you have here. I'll decide his fate later."

"Yes, my lord!"

"No! Let me go!" Mahad screamed as the men dragged him away. "I just finished vanquishing our enemies...you can't do this to me. I'll have your heads for this I swear!"

Ishizu watched the display, completely frozen in place as her breathing began to slow. Her mind was still racing, but as the seconds turned into minutes, it began to register that she'd been saved.

"Ishizu."

Her gaze snapped to the brunette as he knelt to her level. For a long moment she stared into his eyes, relief filling her soul.

"Are you alright?" he asked.

"I...believe so," she answered, barely nodding her head. "I just...didn't expect Mahad to react that way. You see..."

"There's no need to explain," Kaiba cut in, glaring somewhere behind her. She didn't look back. Mahad's enraged expression wasn't something she wanted to see.

"Thank you." She smiled up at him despite the shakiness of her voice. "You saved me from a terrible fate. For a moment I was certain he was going to..." she couldn't complete the sentence, "Thank you."

Kaiba simply nodded, wrapping an arm around her shoulders as he helped her stand up. She was still shaky from the trauma, but he figured she would be alright after a day or two. "I'll take you to your home. Where is it?"

Ishizu shook her head. "No, I can't go home...Tzekel Khan...he set this up. He...Mahad just told me that he was planning on selling me out so he can take claim of Chief Atem's throne." She lowered her gaze, her body slumping as her emotions clouded her judgement. Leaning her head against Kaiba's chest, she allowed all the tears she'd been holding back to fall.

Kaiba blinked, completely taken aback when Ishizu's body began to shake uncontrollably. With shaky fingers she grabbed the front of his shirt, willing herself not to make a sound as the tears continued to fall. His body was stiff as she continued to cry, but after a long moment he finally wrapped one of his arms around her waist, barely pulling her closer.

There wasn't anything else he could do.

A/N: And that ends this chapter. This didn't turn out how I had originally planned and I actually like this result better strangely enough. Though, I think I may have rushed the ending a bit because Kaiba seriously came out of nowhere. Even so, I hope you all enjoyed the chapter. Below, I have listed the ages of all the characters in this story, (all the age talk can get confusing. I wrote it and I got confused.) Some of the new editions to the character line-up are below too. If you guys have any questions, let me know. Have a lovely day!

By the way, in later chapters, we're going to meet more of Atem's children so stay tuned.

Joey = 18

Kaiba = 19 (Technically he is a year older than everyone in the original series.)

Anzu = 19

Honda (At the time of his death) = 19

Ishizu = 20

Mana = 20

Atem = 21

Tzekel Khan = 23

New character editions

Mana = Mana

Honda = Tristan

Natubek = Shadi

Kunta Kente = Odion (If anyone out there has seen Roots, you'll know where this name comes from.)