It was a sunny day and as usual he followed his mother. He watched her as she warmed up her muscles and he copied her stretching moves. He was nearly as flexible as her thankful his practices. Then her mother started her "ritual" which helped her release from her worries and helped her find her inner peace. She was magnificent as she did those elegant moves: those rolls forward, backward, the roll from a jump, her head-and handstand, the summersault and the cartwheel were always inevitable part of her routine. It seemed Atem that day by day she become more perfect and elegant and Atem watched her in a silent wonder. He wondered if he practiced enough. He wished to become as a great player in every games and in gymnastics as well. In the end of his mother's routine he clapped his hands to show how much he enjoyed his mother's ritual. As a result of that day his mother did a bridge so that he crawled under that and laughed. Her mother always made those time fun and she played with him after her practice. He hugged her when she stood up . In this place his mother did not play the role of the strict Pharaoh: she was only his mother. "Dear Mother! Watch me." He tried to imitate a dive roll but he just fell on the mattress with his stomach. His mother helped him to stand up and Atem was red from embarrassment. "Mother why can't I do that? I want to be as great as you."
"Atem that is not the way things work. You need to give yourself time, it is years of hard work and you need to start with the easiest moves not with the most difficult ones. Otherwise you can get hurt. It is like learning how to learn playing games. Priest Siamun always teaches you the easier games first and when you learn those you can learn the more complicated ones. With every game you need to learn the basics and then you learn the complicated techniques as well. And after that you can make your own style and tactics! It is much fun but it is a lot of work and practice as well. But if you devote your energy to your goal each day you will achieve a lot."
"Will you teach me Mother then?"
"Sure I do. But we will practice step by step. Everything takes time. Becoming strong takes time. Do not be hasty otherwise you can get hurt. Right now you can do some more stretches with me. That improves your flexibility."
Her mother made those time funny and playful. Even though he could not do anything spectacular move as his mother Atem felt that he was the happiest child in the world. He knew that he would start training with her when he was ready for it. And when he glimpsed towards the door of the training room he caught the sight of his father he leaned on the wall.
"Are you ready beloved Pharaoh? Can we start?"
"We have just finished. Be prepared Aknamkanon!"
"I am always ready Pharaoh...Atem just look how your father wins sword fight over a professional.„ said his father with a laugh. At those times his father smiled and laughed more often. Then he gently he added. "Let's start Ana!" And with these words he threw the wooden sword towards his wife. And then Atem watched the dance of his parents which his dear Father and Mother did in their sword fighting. His mother represented the swiftness and elegance, his father the strength and power. And strangely they were equal opponents of each other. Atem wished that these moments would never end.
But the careless happy times ended so suddenly that he could not comprehend it. His mind and his heart seemed to be numbed as he stood alone in the training room. It was only he who entered the training room and his steps were echoed from the walls. Beforehand he loved that sound but this time it just made him uneasy. He always thought that he could overcome every problem if he came to this place. His dear mother always came there as well when she needed some time to soothe her troubling thoughts. He thought that the pain would go away if he did his mother's ritual... If he could jump as high as his mother, if he could make the moves as quick, as elegant as his mother than perhaps his heart would be consoled a little bit. But he just stumbled and fell on the mattress. He tried over and over but the result was the same, he just fell. He was not elegant and swift at all. He was only clumsy...He remembered that his mother promised that they would start learning the basic moves soon, they would have enough time for that...But they had no time from now on as she left him... As he thought about it he was unable to get up anymore, he just stayed on the mattress and he sobbed his heart out. This place became suddenly no fun at all, he felt that the pain became worse and worse day by day...But if he could learn the routine of his mother than he would be fine he believed. It helped his mother as well...He sobbed his heart out because he realised that he was so awkward compared to his mother. How much time would he need to learn the routine to have the pain go away? Days, weeks or even years? No matter what he needed some solace...
Then he felt that someone raised him from the mattress and when the tears dried up a little bit he caught the sight of his dear father. He had changed so much in the following days. His smiling kind face disappeared and his expression was full of worry, seriousness. But he had become a strong Pharaoh whereas Atem let his sorrow control him. But now strangely his father was looking at him worriedly. Strangely he looked like as if he saw a ghost for a second but he composed himself and started speaking seriously.
"Atem I made a mistake by letting you enter this place I realise that now. I thought that your pain will be soothed here but the effect was the opposite. Your pain seems to get stronger here. Atem I cannot watch you suffer so much. I do not come to this place as well; you should also do the same. Even if you visit this place you cannot bring her back. This place cannot help you anymore. "
"I know. But I cannot soothe my thoughts no matter where I am. Everything is my fault. That happened because of me."
His father raised his voice in an instant. "Stop that Atem for once! I can't see you suffer Son. If you believe this after you came here than the is only thing that is left for me is to prohibit you to come here. Have you understood it Atem? Stay away from this place and forget that nonsense idea!"
Atem started crying and ran out of the training room. He ran past Priest Siamun who was standing at the door. He could hear his voice as he ran away. "Honoured Pharaoh please excuse me but I believe that you made a mistake now. You should not have forced the Prince to run away from the pain. That path goes to nothing. I advised you that you should also face the pain as well instead of hiding it within your heart..."
Atem did not stop till he reached his room where he walked to the window and started thinking about his father's words as he watched the dessert... Perhaps that is the solution...If his father did that than he could also do that. He will dig away his feelings within his heart. Or...There is even a better solution! He should forget everything that connects him with his mother. All the pain and all the joy... With that way he would be able to go forward. Then he concentrated and let himself open the his soul room and started sealing away all those percious memories behind a door that he made for that purpose...
Atem laid his back on the tree trunk and he watched the passing clouds. It has been a whole month since Mana and Mahado came into his life. He felt there is a special connection between him and those two when his dear Father first introduced them to each other. He wanted to show them finally how much they meant to him. Atem knew that his father brought those two as mates with whom Atem could play for a month but he felt that their relationship became deeper than that. Still Atem was too shy to admit that he regarded them as friends...What if the two would not regard him the same way? They already had each other: they had been friends for years... Did they just regard playing with him as a necessary task which will end now? He took the bracelets out of the pocket and watched it carefully. Today would be the day when he would overcome his shyness and tell them that he chosen them as part of his future court. He hoped that they would stay within the palace within the palace and they would not go away. He felt selfish but he wished that they could stay together this way...
It was unusual that the future Pharaoh to choose some member of his court at the age of five. Mostly the priests and the magician masters recommend those whom they regard their successors but it is the Pharaoh or the future Pharaoh's right to make the choice official. Also there is an option that the Pharaoh and the future Pharaoh choose his own court according to his own will and let the Priests, Priestesses prepare those for their challenges. The reigning magician masters had not found any talented magicians so far therefore Atem had the chance to choose first place...And he thought that he found the best applicants! Once he saw Mahado train with Mana. They had not seen him but he saw everything they did. Even such a young age Mahado was a talented magician. Atem knew that when the time comes they can take the challenge which can make their nomination official...
Atem wanted to have Mahado and Mana in his future court. He hoped that the two would one day regard him as their friend as well. That would be a dream come true! He took out three bracelets which you should wear on your forearm. He had just found it within his room in his secret box. He had not opened the box since months but he felt a strong need to finally open the box and found nine pair of planned to give one to Mana, one to Mahado. If you wear one it meant that you were a nominee of the Pharaoh's court if you wear two it meant that you are official member of the Pharaoh's court. He looked at the third bracelet which was meant for Seto. Even he was just five years old he knew that he could not imagined his court without this three people. Within his mind he imagined Mahado his serious calm Magician Master, Mana with her cheerful spirit as his other Magician Master and Seto his strongest priest. What a team they would be! He just hoped that everyone would agree and then his dream would come true. He gripped the bracelets and put back into the bag and wanted to climb down when he heard voices under the tree.
"Mahado! Why don't you tell Prince Atem the truth? I am sure that he would understand it! That is your dream would you like to give it up?"
"I do not wish to beg Mana, if the gods does not want me to stay here than I cannot go against their decision."
"But Mahado, you should show Prince Atem your powers! You should let him see how talented a magician you are! Your great grandfather was part of the royal court as well!
Atem gasped silently. His ancestor was a magician master!
"Mana stop it! I wish to become as great as my great grandfather, but I need to practice more and more to achieve that goal. Every year there is a contest among magicians and I will participate. If the magician master believes that my abilities are worth I will be able to be part of the court. But now we were brought here to help the prince to overcome his loneliness..."
"Priestess Kiya told us..."
"That I can help him to find himself again...But even though that I tries I feel that I failed. I do not see that I was any help at all."
"Mahado! You cannot give up! The Priestess told me secretly that I will be the one who will be able to help you overcome your insecurities in need so here I am, the thing that I wanted to talk about with you is this! I think I have found out how to help Atem! We cannot leave this place without showing him that place!"
"Hang on Mana I cannot follow you! What are you talking about? What have you found out?"
"I have just found out Mahado how to find the room of the last Pharaoh! The secret room of the last Pharaoh! I know how to find it! Priestess Kiya and Priest Siamun were talking about it! They said that the Pharaoh brought all the objects to that room which were the personal belongings of the last Pharaoh. Atem will definitely remember something if he sees the room!" Atem's heart started pounding rapidly.
"Mana you were eavesdropping on Priest Siamun and Priestess Kiya?! How dare you?! Aren't you ashamed?!"
The girl pouted. "I did not do such a thing! I was just playing hide and seek with Atem while you trained alone and they were standing in front my hiding place!"
"Oh Ra! You are always at the wrong places Mana!" Mahado shook his head unbeliebebly.
"I was at the right place. I am so excited! I cannot wait to tell Atem!"
"Mana no! We will not do such a thing!"
"Why Mahado? Do you not wish to help Atem after all? This whole situation is so unfair! The priest and the priestess also believe that! They told so much about Pharaoh Ana. How close she and Atem was. Don't you think it sad that Atem does not remember anything about his mother? It is like she never existed for him. That is not right at all..." her face was red from anger. Then she started crying."It is so sad...He does not remember anything how much she loved him, the time they spent with each other. Even it is the Pharaoh's wish I do not think that it is right. Atem should remember...I firmly believe that that is the only way with which we can help him before we leave the palace. Even though Atem does not know I know that you and I consider him as our friend. We should help him not just because we were asked by the Priestess and the Priest but because it our role as real friend. But if you are afraid of his father then do not try anything and we will leave a place without doing a thing!" The girl patted with anger and looked at Mahado furiously.
Mahado's eyes flashed with fire."You are wrong Mana. You know that I would do anything for a friend. Don't you remember that I helped you to come into the palace with me? Don't you think that I have not realised that you hid into that pot in the first place?"
Mana swept away her tears and said determinedly. "I could not let you come here alone. Even if the Priestess did not tell my her prophecy...You are my best friend Mahado. We promised to each other that we will be the best magicians in the whole world. Together..."
"I know. And even though you were irresponsible I am glad that you chose to come with me. I saw that you were so determined so I did my best to help you. I would never let anyone to send you away because that was your wish. If your wish is to become my apprentice then I will fulfil it for you. Atem is the same thing. I would never force my friendship on him but I would do anything for him! If I know that Atem wished to do something for sure I would use my all my powers to help him! I consider him as friend as well." Atem looked surprised in the middle of the bushes and silently he whispered."My friend?" Ra had heard his prayers...
"But I need to know what he wished to do in the first place...Does he wish his memories to remain sealed away? There must have been a good reason why he has chosen to seal away those memories...If that is the case I would do everything to have those memories hidden away ...On the other hand...if he wishes to remember than I would do anything for him as well. Then I would support him to find the room. It should be Atem's choice if he wishes to find the room or not. I cannot force him to search for something that he does not want...That would not be right..."
"I have not thought about it...But you are right."
Atem heard that Mahado's kind voice and saw that he stroked gently Mana's head. "Because you are emotional and you want to act according to your heart's voice. And you are a child in some sense. That is why I need to look after you."
"A child? I am seven years old! You are just three years older than me."
At this point Atem decided to climb down the tree and jumped between the two children. "Atem?" They cried in union.
"Well...I think that Mahado is right. The choice should be mine. I should decide what to do. First I would like to tell you that I would like you two to become part of my future court." Atem reached out the bracelets. "I am sure that we would make a perfect team if you two wish it as well.I saw you two train alone and I know that there will be no better master magicians in the whole world than you two!"
The reaction of the two could not have been different. Mana jumped up and down crying. "I will be within the court of the next Pharaoh. I will be the best magician girl. Thank you Prince Atem!"
Mahado looked embarrassed and scolded the girl. "Mana! Behave yourself a little bit please. Please apologise Prince Atem." Then he just stared at the bracelet within his palm. "Are you sure Prince Atem? I am very much honoured but it is a responsible task. Would you not prefer to see my perform in the contest next year to be sure? Do you think that I am the most suitable for the position?"
Mana stood with her hands on her hips and started scolding the older boy. "Of course you are. You will be the best magician. Atem believe me he is modest but he is the most talented magician that I have seen."
"Mana, you are talking to the prince..." Mana became red in an instant.
Atem smiled and answered. " Mahado I am sorry but you are wrong this time. Mana was not talking to the prince but she was talking to her friend. Because that's what we have become during this month...Mahado I am sure about my decision: we can be the best together. But I want you to ask you something two things from you if it fine for you..."
Mahado bowed in front of him and answered. "Anything Prince Atem."
"If we are among ourselves could you please call me simply Atem? I would like you to behave natural. Regard me a normal boy and not the prince those times..."
Mana hugged him which made Mahado scratch his head."Of course Atem." Mahado sighed and gently pulled away Mana before she could choke him with her hug. "Are you sure that is what you wished for..." then after a little hesitation he said with a smile. "...Atem?"
Atem laughed. "Yes, that is exactly what I wished for!"
Then Mahado shook his hand and hugged him with a firm but kindly.
"I promise you that we will be the best."
"I know." nodded Atem. "And Mahado...?"
"What is it Atem?" asked the young boy gently. This time he could say his name naturally.
"To answer your question...what I wish is...to get my memories back. The truth is that I have already found the room with the help of my falcon Sky...But I could not manage to enter it. I was horrified what I would face in there. Therefore I would like to ask you two to help me to make that big step with me. Without you I am unable to make it. Please help me to make the necessary steps."
"We will always be there for you Atem." said Mana with a broad smile.
"I will not let anything bad happen to you Atem. You do not need to worry about anything." nodded Mahado.
Then Mana looked at Mahado confidently. "So who was right? As always: the incredible me!" Then she started running towards the palace. "Let's get back Atem's memories!" Mahado shook his head and walked after the girl and gave an apologetic smile to Atem.
As Atem started following the energetic young girl as well until he saw from the corner of his eyes that something was moving among the shadows. He turned and rushed to the place where he saw the movement. To his surprise a black cat was looking up to him and meowed. Atem let out his breath, he seemed to get anxious for nothing.
"Atem! ATEM!" heard Mana's cry. "Are you coming or not?"
"Coming!" yelled back and ran after the girl and the young magician boy.
Notes of the author:
- Yu-Gi-Oh! and its characters belongs to Kazuki Takahashi please note that I try to be faithful to the storyline of the manga but in order to make the my own story complete and logical I may have made some alterations and will do if necessary
- the avatar that I used was found on pinterest at: pin/507147608010770878/ I does not belong to me, I would be wonderful if I could make my own pictures about the story but I am not on that level. I would be a dream come true if I could inspire artists to make pictures about this story. :)
- I set my story mainly in ancient Egypt but as I am not a historian, historical inaccurances are also possible
- Please note that English is a foreign English for me however I try to my best to improve my vocabulary and grammar, feel free to higligh my mistakes I will correct them as soon as possible
- As I work and have a private life the updates can take some time, but if I have some free time I devote it to the story.
Notes about this chapter:
- Same as in chapter 11 as this was originally part of chapter 11. :)