Yugi gasped as he came back in himself, his fingers were digging into the chair; Atem was gaping at the mirror and even the mage seemed a disturbed.

He looked around, distraught, as if he had forgotten where he was.

"Mahad" spoke Atem "What was that with the shadows?" he leaned on the chair, as if he suddenly couldn't stay up on his own anymore.

"I'm not entirely sure but, it seems to be an effect of whatever dark magic he used" he rushed to one of the book shelves, to out one and hurriedly checked it, then he did the same with another, and another and another "Atem, would you be kind enough to look for Mana, Seto and Isis so they can help me with this research?" he asked in a tone that sounded almost sarcastic.

Atem nodded and ran off.

Yugi stayed there, hugging himself thightly; Mahad walked to him and place his hand on the doll's shoulder; his head snapped up to look at him.

"Everything will be alright" he said reassuringly.

"Thank you" he said, a unsure smile on his face.

It took around a month to finally find what was that Yami did.

And to be honest? neither Yugi or Atem fully understood what had Yami done; but apparently the shadows had consumed his body and they became one single entity, whatever that meant.

Now they needed a plan, they knew what had Yami done, and how to free Yugi's soul but, if Yami was left free to do as he pleased all would be in vain, for it would take no time for Yami to trap Yugi's soul again and start the cycle once more.

Fortunately, Mahad knew a spell that would lock Yami in any object, all they needed was a vessel; and an excuse to invoque Yami, though they weren't sure what would make him appear.

But an opportunity presented itself.

It was autumn, almost midnight; Atem was returning to his chambers, he stopped in front of the slightly open door when he heard Yugi whisper the name; he could see the light of a candle and Yugi's shadow, standing up, notin the door's direction.

He peeked in, careful of not making a single noise, so he wouldn't be noticed.

He saw Yami's slender figure stretching his hands out for Yugi and embracing him; Yugi didn't move, head down; Yami kissed his hair, a pleased smile on his pale face.

"Yugi" he exhaled "Have you reached a decision?"

"I'm tired Yami" he said.

"You know how to stop this" with his arms still around Yugi he petted his hair "We could end this, right now, right here"

"I" he paused "I would like that, but"

Yami's hand stopped.

"But?"

"Would you give me some time?"

"What for?" he didn't sound pleased.

"Say goodbye"

"To who?"

"My friends"

They stood in silence, as Yami thought about what Yugi wanted, then he sighed.

"Ok then, I'll be back in three days. I'll be here at dusk of the third day"

Yugi nodded.

Yami let him go, he grabbed Yugi's face delicately and placed a peck on his lips, before blending into the shadows.

Yugi just stood there, looking at the floor.

After a couple of minutes of Atem gathering his courage he finally entered the room.

"Yugi?"

"I talked to Yami" he said, still not looking up.

"I know" he closed the door behind him "I saw everything" Yugi's face darted up to gape at him "We'll tell everyone tomorrow, so everything will be ready for when he's back" he took off his jewelry and put it away.

Yugi looked away as if he was ashamed of something.

"Yugi?" called Atem in a soft tone.

"I'm sorry" his fingers graced his lips.

"About what?" he said, finishing to get ready to sleep "You did do nothing wrong, in fact thanks to you we will be able to put an end to this cursed cycle" he laid down on his bed.

A small, shy smile appeared on Yugi's face and he got comfortable on the sofa after blowing off the candle.

Everything was ready for the third day. Yugi was frantic, to say the least, we walked with no rest around the room all day.

It was going to be simple, fast and easy; he knew the plan, he knew what to do and yet, if he had luns he would have been hyperventilating.

Atem had to be practically dragged out of the room, as he was too nervous to leave Yugi alone, fearing what the shadow demon could do if anything didn't go as planned.

When Yugi noticed the sun starting to set he felt fear rise in his heart, but he did his best to control it.

From the shadows rose a figure.

"Yugi" he said, startling the doll "Are you ready?"

"I'm a bit nervous actually" he said, making Yami chuckle, he closed the distance between them, one hand on the small of Yugi's back, the other under his wooden chin.

"Don't worry Yugi" he made Yugi look up.

Yugi reached out to Yami's dark body, it was cold and felt like silk.

"Are you ready?" he asked, his hand going down to Yugi's chest and stopped right over his heart would be.

With Yami's hand flat against his chest he closed his eyes, waiting for whatever Yami was going to do.

But he didn't move.

Slowly, Yugi opened his eyes. Yami's face was scrunched up in anger, Yugi almost fell back because of the fear.

Suddenly arms were on him, taking him away from Yami; Atem was there, and so were the others; Seto was holding a golden box in his hands, something was in it, but Yugi couldn't see, he felt like everything was moving to fast, the shadows were trying to move, but they couldn't, so they were stuck waving in their places, Yami was also trying to move, but he couldn't and his rage was visible in his eyes, it was terrifying.

Mahad covered Yami's eyes with his hands, Yami tried to stretch out to his neck, most probably to strangle him, Mahad put pressure on Yami's eyes and spoke in a language that Yugi couldn't understand, or was it just his frantic mind not being able to understand what was happening?

Well, he had a idea, it was their plan, but Mahad had never told the specifics of how he was going to do that.

Slowly, Mahad moved his right hand away from Yami's face, covering both eyes with his left; he reached back, to a dagger in his belt and took it; he positioned it under Yami's heart, with the edge up and stabbed.

A black, thick, liquid slowly bathed the dagger, just before it reached Mahad's hand he pulled it out and the golden box took its place, they let them fill with Yami´s blood.

They closed the box and Yugi was dragged out of the room.

Yugi was sitting on a sofa in a drawing room with view to Atem's private garden.

He was still shaking when Marik went to look for him.

"Yugi" he called "It's done"

Yugi stared at him, letting the words sink in. He darted up smiling and hugged Marik with all his strength.

"Thank you" he said, he let go "Is everyone alright?" Marik nodded.

The door opened and Atem was there, smiling, he ran to Yugi, who also ran to him and they hugged each other, smiling, Atem had tears in his eyes.

"Thank you Atem" Yugi tightened his grip "Thank you so much"

Atem just hugged back and nodded silently.

Mahad soon arrived.

"There's only one thing left to do" he said, somber "Are you ready Yugi?" he asked.

Now it was Atem who tightened his grip on Yugi, not wanting to let go; his eyes burned with tears that weren't coming out. Yugi nodded.

"Atem, please, let go" asked Yugi, his voice jittered slightly.

Atem didn't want to let, his mind, soul, body and heart refused to let go.

"Atem, please" begged Yugi. Atem did so reluctantly.

"Will I see you again?" he asked, tears streaming down his face.

As a response Yugi kissed his cheek before leaving the room with Mahad.

The next time Atem saw Yugi, his body had been reduced to splinters