There's absolutely no honorable way to fight against a thief. In fact this was a key example of doing whatever it takes to survive. My heart was pounding so hard I couldn't focus to use my millennium item. I had to hold my own against him, he threatened to harm my son and I couldn't allow that to happen, no matter what.

"So you do like to play rough now I understand why your Pharaoh is so fond of you." The thief said licking a strand of blood from his right cheek, "This will be worth it."

We had been fighting for what it seemed like hours but I'm sure that wasn't the case.

He began to laugh like a lunatic, which made me feel even more on edge. He stopped and looked at me for a moment before he pounced, sending us to crashing to the ground. I hit my head on the ground which made my vision double and blur. I dropped my item leaving me nearly defenseless. The thief had that same wide grin on his face from earlier and he had a fist full of my hair, which I now regret letting grow so long.

I watched him bring it up to his nose and inhale deeply, "That same sweet smell."

"Get off of me!" I shouted at him as I thrashed around.

"I might as well enjoy the time I have with you here. Then I'll put an end to your pointless struggling." He told me yanking my hair until our faces were only a breath apart, "You've put up a good fight, priest. But you're in the way. I have plans to-"

My room was flooded with light from the door that had been thrown open. I could see Atem's silhouette in the door way. I felt a sense of relief knowing that soon the thief would disappear into the shadows or better yet be captured again. I began to sit up though the thief was still crouched on top of me. But then I felt the same chilling wind swift through my room.

"Oh Pharaoh it's so nice of you to join us." He laughed. The thief gripped my ankles and dragged in towards the dark gateway. I struggled but that Thief had the upper hand on me again. Why does this keep happening!

I felt my hands being grasped tightly. I held onto Atem's hands as tight as I could, but from his grip alone I knew Atem would do whatever he had to do to hold onto me.

"Even now you show weakness." The thief cackled, "If you want him back come to the place where your father had my people slaughtered."

Atem's presences disappeared and everything went black.

Atem POV

I didn't let go did I? I couldn't have. He just disappeared. It was as though he was never there at all. I had just made it to on my bed, to sleep when something told me to go back. It was such a strong feeling that I found myself running. My suspensions where correct when I enter the Priest wing of the palace, all of the guards posted there were badly injured or near death. The feeling I had was increased tenfold when I forced open Seto's bedroom door. That filthy thief had my Seto pinned on the floor with his hands entangled in his hair with that same grin as before.

When he opened up that portal, to escape amongst shadows, I knew what he intended to do. I rushed over and grabbed a hold of Seto. The darkness was engulfing him at the point I couldn't see him anymore but I could feel him until I heard the thief speak to me and then nothing at all.

Seto could feel the cool desert sand underneath him. Seto laid still as he listened to his environment. He could hear a tarp flapping in the wind. Taking a deep breath he could smell the smoke from a fire and the aroma of something being cooked over it. Seto opened his eyes with caution. He didn't know where he was and didn't want his captor to know he was awake.

Scanning his eyes around the tent Seto watched the shadow of his captor standing in front of the fire. Seto slowly crawled towards the other side of the tent. Seto slipped under the flap to escape but realize, once he was outside the tent, he had no idea where he was. Everything was covered in darkness not even the stars helped illuminate the desert.

"Thinking about escaping?" The thief asked grabbing Seto's arm.

"Let me go!" Seto shouted thrashing around to no avail as he was dragged out around the tent.

The thief threw Seto down beside the blazing fire, "Why did you bring me out here."

"To draw your precious Pharaoh out of the safety of his palace and to finally have some company." He told him as his eyes scanned over Seto again.

"You wouldn't."

"I believe we both know I would and will. That is once we've arrived at our destination."

Back at the palace the unharmed guards and soldiers were awaiting their orders while the Pharaoh and his council were discussing the plan of action.

"Collateral damage!" Atem shouted, "How dare you call one of my priest that."

"My lord. This is an obviously a trap set to draw you out. If this thief is indeed one of those from the Kul Elna. The chances of him still being alive are bleak. Even if he's still alive at the moment-"

"So you suggest leaving him to suffer at the hands of the same man that entered our late Pharaoh's tomb!" Mahado shot back, "When did this nation allow a criminal to-"

"Priest Mahado, I suggest you watch how you speak to this council." The man the favored Mahado told him, "We suggest you accept the inevitable everyone."

"Pharaoh!" Mahado said with pleading eyes but was only met with a blank stare, "Pharaoh?"

"Where am I?"

The thief dragged Seto across the desert, his hands bound by a rope that was secured to the horse that the thief was riding. He told Seto he was going to break him emotionally and physically once they arrived back to the now ghost village where he'd grown up. Seto kept a steady yet dragging pace behind the thief despite the burning sand below his bare feet and the blazing sun above them.

"What do you call yourself?" Seto looked towards the question. His mouth was too dry for him to be able to speak. The thief looked back, "Well? Are you giving me the silent treatment now?" he said hopping off the horse, "I asked you for your name."

Seto opened his mouth but nothing came out again. Seto hadn't noticed but he was exhausted and his legs felt as though he wouldn't be able to take another step.

The thief scoffed as he got his water jug from satchel. He took a drink from it before putting it to Seto's lips. Seto leaned forward to drink but missed it completely as he fell face first into the sand. The thief quickly yanked him from the sand. His frown deepened as he looked at the unconscious captive.

"I should just kill you. You're slowing me down as it is." He told the priest as he unsheathed his dragger. He placed it as Seto's neck with just enough pressure not to slice the skin, "If I kill you now. How different will the future be?"

Seto opened his eyes slowing. He felt a soothing hand rubbing his throat as a steady flow of cool water went passed his lips. He looked up and saw the thief. It was night and they were beside a campfire, which was keeping them warm.

Seto closed his mouth causing the water to run over his lips and chin, "Good you're awake." He said as he moved Seto's head off his lap, "Despite what I want my plan will go smoother if you're alive."

"Take me back." Seto told him as he struggled to stand, "I need to get back."

The thief laughed, "If I take you back now. I'd have to bring you back in pieces." He said pulling his dagger out, "What will it be?"

Seto plopped back down on the cooling sand. He considered running but with the way his legs felt he didn't bother trying.

"What do you mean by 'where are you'?" Mahado asked the confused looking Pharaoh.

Atem scanned his eyes around the room seeing seemingly familiar faces. His eyes fell on Isis and he smiled and thought, "Thank goodness Ishizu is here maybe she can tell me what's going on."

"Pharaoh, we're awaiting your command." Simon Muran told him.

"Uh…"Atem didn't know what to say. He wasn't sure what the issue was to make a decision on it, "I'll leave it to you to decide." He said as he backed away slowly. He could tell by the look on the faces of the younger people in the room that wasn't what they wanted to hear.

Atem escaped from the room and took a deep breath as he tried to figure out what was going on. The last thing he remembered was holding the three god cards and then he was in the middle of a meeting with more tension than he cared to deal with.

"Pharaoh, what's wrong?" Isis asked upon entering the hallway, "I understand that everything is still secret from most but to let that stop you from-"

"Ishizu, I don't know what's going on to be honest."

"Ishizu?"