Coming Forth by Sundown
Chapter 11
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Drama/romance
Pairing(s): YamixYugi, JouxMai, brief mentioning of YamixAnzu and YugixAnzu
Spoilers: Post-series, thus, many spoilers, including Yami's real name
Warnings: None
"Has anyone seen Yugi or Atemu?" Marik asked, walking into the room with a map rolled up under one arm.
"They're still in there talking." Honda said, jerking his head toward the bedroom door. "They've been in there all afternoon. Seems unfair, Atemu is our friend too. He might think we'd also like to spend some time with him."
"But it's probably tougher on Yugi than the rest of us," Anzu broke in, coming to their defense. "Think about it…he was just barely getting over losing Atemu the first time and now this happens and he has to lose him all over again."
"I guess."
Anzu wanted to defend them further, but kept quiet, knowing it wasn't her secret to tell. She had volunteered to bring them snacks earlier and had seen them sitting together on the bed, close enough for their legs to touch, talking excitedly and laughing. She hadn't seen Yugi look so happy in months. And after seeing Atemu crying and miserable the night before, it was a relief to see him smiling. She was willing to put off disturbing them for as long as possible.
Marik, however, had other ideas. He plunked the map down on the table and said, "It's getting late, we need to decide on a plan. Someone go get them."
"I'll get them," Mai said, standing up. She crossed the room, knocked on the door, and opened it. "Guys, time to come out, we've got plans to make."
Inside, the cheerful murmur of voices died down instantly, and when they walked out both looked solemn and withdrawn again.
Immediately Anzu looked down and focused on the map. Part of her wished she had volunteered – maybe she could have gotten them a few last minutes. But looking at them now, she thought maybe it was better this way. The longer they put it off, the worse it would hurt in the end.
"So how are we getting to the tomb?" Yugi asked, sitting down and looking at the map that Marik had spread across the living room table.
"Helicopter. Excavators have access."
"You know how to fly a helicopter?" Honda asked.
Marik shook his head. "Gods, no. He does." He pointed at Rishid, who ducked his head, looking somewhat pleased at the admiring expressions being cast at him.
"I got my license last month."
"What about restricted airspace laws?"
"Rishid is part of the excavation team. If anyone radios with questions, he can tell them he is simply dropping off or picking up equipment," Ishizu explained.
Anzu did a quick headcount and said, "Er…if we're all going, there's going to be nine people in the helicopter. That can't be safe."
"The helicopter can hold up to six people. And I will not be going," Ishizu replied.
"Neither will I," Marik added.
"But Marik, you're the one who helped figure all of this out–"
"But there's only so much room in the helicopter, and you are Atemu's closest friends. You should be the ones there."
"Marik…" Atemu said, but Marik shook his head.
"Atemu, no. Your friends should be with you."
"You're my friend too."
"But they've been through more with you." Marik smiled. "Stop arguing, unless you want to have to leave one of them behind, and I don't think they'd take very kindly to it."
"Without Ishizu and Marik, there's still seven…" Anzu spoke up tentatively.
"The helicopter can hold seven," Rishid explained. "The limit is for safety. However there is also a weight allowance for equipment. Without any cargo, it will be perfectly safe to have an extra person."
"Oh, okay."
Ishizu checked her watch and stood. "You should all get going. Dusk will fall soon."
"Thank you Marik…Ishizu." Atemu stood, taking each of their hands in turn. "In case I don't return to tell you later, I appreciate…everything."
They both bowed their heads. "It has been an honour, Atemu."
He bowed back, then turned. "Let's go."
- - -
Nobody said much on the way to the airfield or in the helicopter. Atemu didn't even look at anybody, though he could feel them watching him. But only Yugi knew his suspicions about how the night would end. He hadn't asked Yugi to keep the secret, but because he hadn't asked him to tell the others, either, he knew that Yugi hadn't said anything. Still, they seemed to suspect that something was up.
It's better that they don't know. I cannot let anybody talk me out of this.
And his friends, if they knew the truth, would probably try.
On the other side of the helicopter, Yugi was staring out the window, his eyes unfocused.
I pledged my respect to Atemu…I promised to accept his choices, whatever happens tonight.
But if what Atemu thought would happen turned out to be true…
I accepted the Ceremonial Battle for him. This is no different.
Wasn't it?
No…this isn't like accepting the Ceremonial Battle. That hurt…but it was for the best in the end. So it was okay. But now…he's going to sacrifice himself. He's giving up his human spirit just for a bunch of people who turned their backs on him before. A strange anger flared up inside him. He's giving up his own happiness…for people who don't give a damn about him…
But Atemu didn't care about that, did he? He was doing this in the name of the innocent people who were being hurt. But why…why did he have to sacrifice himself? Why wasn't there another way?
If Atemu gave up his human spirit…would Yugi ever see him again?
I promised to respect his choice to do this.
He swallowed heavily, aware that he couldn't go bursting into tears now, because in this tiny space, everyone would notice. But his fists clenched as he pressed his forehead to the cool glass, a sick, unsettled feeling in his chest.
I'm sorry Atemu…I'm starting to wonder…if I can keep that promise.
Rishid set the helicopter down just as the setting sun was beginning to dip past the horizon. "The chamber is easy to locate," he said, turning as they all jumped out and stretched. "You can see the entrance right there. Go a few steps down, and the opening is on the left."
"The room will be pitch black, how will we see anything once the light is completely gone?" Mai asked.
"The excavators will have set lanterns around the opening. Take a few of them. Here, I have matches."
"You're not coming with us?"
"I mean no disrespect, Atemu, I would like to go with you," he said, straightening up. "But I need to stay here so that, if by any chance another person shows up, I can keep them away."
"I understand. Thank you, Rishid. I appreciate everything you're doing for me."
"Atemu, you ready?" Honda asked, turning to him.
Atemu nodded and started forward, the others hurrying to catch up. Behind him he could hear nervous conversation, including Honda speculating on what kinds of cool powers Gods got, and Mai declaring that if Hanif didn't give Jounouchi back after this, she'd kill him again herself. Atemu didn't mind – he was glad that they were doing their best to put on a positive appearance for him – but he didn't have the heart to join in.
Anzu and Yugi seemed to share his sentiments. Anzu seemed calm but quiet, and Yugi was actually hiding his expression from Atemu. Puzzled, he wondered why until they reached the entrance.
"Atemu, we'll get the lanterns and light the way, alright?" Anzu spoke up. "You shouldn't have to carry one."
Everyone else agreed, including Yugi, whose expression bordered on blank. Atemu frowned slightly at him, before following Honda and Yugi down the stairs, while Anzu, Mai, and Hanif followed him.
"There's an opening here!" Honda called up at them, waving the light and then vanishing from view. The opening became illuminated as Yugi entered as well and the light began reflecting off of the walls.
Inside, Anzu shivered. "I think I can feel what Marik was talking about…the magic."
Yugi, momentarily side-tracked from his private thoughts, nodded. "I can feel it too. The air is heavy."
Atemu said nothing, but he could feel it as well. He could also feel something else…a strange sense of release.
Has this place…this magic…been waiting for me? It wants to welcome me in. Whoever created this place…had hoped that I would return.
Any doubt he'd had of what he had to do was gone. Someone, thousands of years ago, had still believed in Atum's protection of his devoted followers. They'd built this room in the belief that the God who remained "ignorant of his duty" would someday see the suffering his absence had caused, and would choose to return to fix it. And they had gone through the trouble to build this chamber to warn the world…and to give him a way to return. Atemu had no right to betray that belief.
"You guys should stay outside the room," he finally said. "I don't want to risk…anything happening to you."
Only Yugi understood the true implications of this.
He's afraid we might be taken with him.
And as the others retreated to the entryway, nervous and solemn, another thought came to mind:
That means there's the possibility that we could be taken with him.
Atemu turned his back to them and faced the text on the wall. He could feel the power in the air roiling around him, as if excited to finally be in the presence of the person it had been waiting for.
I'm ready to go back.
The weight of the air seemed to grow. He closed his eyes, trying to focus. He should have had nothing to regret, yet he could feel a tug at his heart. One last concern nagged at him and kept him bound to the Earth, and he tried valiantly to push it aside.
He'll be okay.
Forcefully emptying his mind, he didn't dare turn or look back.
I no longer need my human spirit. I give it up…so that I can return to the universe in my true form and resume my proper place.
He felt the air move around him, ruffling his hair. His body felt strange…light, tingly, and finally he felt even the numbness of acceptance, knowing it was time to let go.
Suddenly, a cry broke the soft rush of magic. Muted exclamations followed. He felt something warm wrap around his body, and a voice shouted,
"Atemu, no!"
His eyes shot open. The feeling of acceptance shattered as he looked down into fierce purple eyes that stared back at him.
Aibou…?
Notes: *twiddles thumbs* Sorry this chapter is so...obviously being used just for set-up. But the next one is too important and has to stand on its own, I couldn't mix them. Enjoy your cliffhanger. x3 *prances away*