After Atem had sent Heba to the clinic with guards and his own Ka, Atem had patrolled the halls, engaging in battles several times throughout his search. It had been a long night. Very little of the palace hadn't been plundered or attacked. One of the few untouched areas turned out the be the treasury.
A robbery that didn't include a raid of money? It was both unusual and troubling. What sort of organized group were these Rare Hunters? And what did they want with all those strong Ka?
The group could be preparing to attack the palace, overthrow Atem and steal the throne. They could be selling information to Atem's enemies, or maybe they were men obsessed with being the strongest. Whatever their plan, Atem feared for his citizens the most. If these were men that delighted in death and bloodshed, they had more than enough numbers to devastate a small village. The possibilities were endless.
Atem rubbed his thumb and forefinger against closed eyes, trying to stop his mind from wandering again. He was so tired, it was hard to concentrate. A servant stood beside him, head bowed and holding out a sheet of papaya. Atem took the sheet, reading over it quickly with a critical eye.
"How long will it take to return the Hall of Shadows to its previous state?" Atem asked. The servant oversaw the maintenance of the entire room and adjoining halls. It was a unique job, one that required knowledge in both architecture and magic. Based on the wreckage that was spread through the room - including a five-foot wide trench that stretched half of the room - he was going to be as busy as Atem for the next few weeks.
The man, still bowed answered, a tremble in his voice. "To be honest my king, it is hard to know exactly." He said. "The Ka are all unstable because of the chaos, and while most can be controlled, a few are likely to be set off. But ah, I can be certain it will take no longer than a month to restore it completely."
That was a fair amount of time. Normally damage like this could easily be repaired in a week, especially in the palace. But this was not a normal hall.
"See that it is done." Said Atem, rolling the scroll back up and handing it to the man. "With that amount of time, I expect for your work to be impeccable as always. You will have the resources you need to accomplish your task."
The man bowed lower, not moving as Atem left the Hall. Shimon strode beside him, another scroll in hand and a quill scribbling notes with practiced ease. A small servant trotted beside them, holding extra ink bottles, quills and anything else the two of them might need as they assessed the damage through the palace.
"What is next on the list?" said Atem as they continued to walk up the stairs.
"The Denora household still needs to have their claims confirmed." Said Shimon, scrolling through the list. "Though I seriously doubt they lost that many artifacts. There have been several reports of them selling their heirlooms on the black market for months. It will be hard to dispute their claims since they've refused to update their records over the years."
"Or it might be easier." Said Atem. "If they didn't keep updated records, we don't have to compensate them for anything. They won't be hard to deal with. We'll give them a small token for their losses in good faith."
"A merciful gesture." Said Shimon. "But they will not see it that way. I wonder if it might not be easier to ignore them. If you give them an inch, it just encourages their greedy murmurings."
Atem gave a wry smile. "True. But Mahad knows better than to cave to their complaints."
Atem had given the man the task of compiling the damages done to nobles in this attack. Mahad would also determine if the monarchy should compensate them in any way, as a sign of good faith. Or at least that's what it would be called publicly. It was no more than another opportunity to play the game of nobility, return favors and bribe others to continue supporting Atem in his leadership. How awful that even after a fatal attack on the palace, men still focused on how the event could benefit them, and Atem had to play their game to prevent himself from being swallowed by it.
"Is there anything in the reports that needs to be seen immediately?" said Atem.
"Nothing that couldn't wait until the next day." said Shimon. "The council can oversee the other matters in your place. I'll make sure to give you a detailed report of what they find."
"I'll leave it you then." Said Atem. "Contact me if there are any new developments on Aknadin."
Shimon's old face frowned, a hard glint entering his eye. Atem hadn't much time to discuss Aknadin's betrayed with the council. Shimon was one of the few that had appeared surprised at the news. Once the surprise had passed, it had changed to anger for a more personal betrayal. A friendship that had spanned decades. No doubt years of serving beside the man had blinded Shimon to Aknadin's increasing contentious and power hungry nature.
The rest of the council hadn't been as blind. The man had become increasingly argumentative and outspoken these past months, though never enough to give them cause to believe he was involved with something like this. Had he just taken advantage of an opportunity? Or was he directly involved with the Rare Hunters? If he was, then the man had willingly tortured the prisoners from Kul Elna, members of his own group for information he no doubt already knew… Unless that was when he had changed sides.
It was another mystery to add to this attack. What was Aknadin's goal? Why had he gone after the Hikari? Why had the group attacked? Was it really a fake necklace that had been changing Isis's visions?
Regardless of the answers, the fact remained that they had been betrayed by a friend and ally.
Atem placed a hand on the vizier's shoulder. "Get some rest my friend." Said Atem. "Or better yet, find some good wine and sleep the day off."
"As appealing as the suggestion sounds." Said Shimon. "I'm afraid I would feel worse upon waking to find myself with both a headache, and guilt. I'm sure his highness does not plan to retire soon."
"I cannot find peace until I make sure certain things are in order." Said Atem. "Then you will find me sneaking away into the gardens, and all shall be as it was."
Shimon gave a small chuckle, bowing to the pharaoh.
Atem nodded in acknowledgement, splitting up with Shimon and heading down a different corridor. Two guards followed behind him for protection.
Not a few minutes later, Atem reached the palace clinic.
The place was bustling with activity. Many people had been harmed from the attack, and others had broken down the from mental stress of living through the ordeal. The physicians were working on over time, making sure that everyone was taken care of.
Atem avoided the more crowded portions of the clinic, not wanting to tell people to stop bowing as he passed when they had leg wounds that were still bleeding. He would return to them at another time, when things were less chaotic and his presence would serve as an inspiration rather than a hindrance. There were five specific people Atem had come here to see. He motioned for the soldiers to stay behind, and entered a private room.
All was as he had expected it to be. Bakura, still unconscious on his bed as his life slowly dwindling. Isis, hovering over the body of her brother, looking as if she hadn't slept for days. Heba, seated to the side of the room, out of the way and asleep in his chair. Mana sat beside him, the young woman rising during the commotion and staying with him for comfort. A good woman, and a good friend to Heba.
The last person present was the only one that looked awake. Seto sat straight in his chair, looking bored. Both he and Isis swept into a bow once they noticed Atem had entered.
"My pharaoh." They murmured, and Atem motioned for them to return to their previous position.
"How fares Marik?" said Atem.
The woman lowered her head again, red rimming her eyes. "He is very weak my king." She said softly. "Though the Ka did not originated from Marik, the damage done from such a botched separation has left him… I fear he…" Isis took a deep breath, straightening to lock eyes with the pharaoh.
"I can do nothing more my king." She said. "He will not last past morning."
Atem covered the distance in a few steps, laying a hand on Isis's shoulder.
"Stay by his side until then." Said Atem.
He did not question her analysis. She had the skill of both a seer and a physician to see the outcome.
Isis mutely nodded, taking Marik's hand between her own.
Atem left her to pray silently with her brother until he passed. Then she would mourn openly. They all would.
He walked over to Seto. The priest was somewhat ruffled compared to his usual appearance. The same could not be said about his gaze, which was as sharp as always.
"Still no changes? Said Atem.
"None." Said Seto. "As I said my king, I would be better use to you and the kingdom if I could venture from this prison and assist in the recovery."
"I can not risk that." Said Atem. "Not until Isis and the others clear you for duty."
"With all due respect sire, I am in better condition than much of the staff here." Said Seto, and he looked it. The man had a light in his eyes that had not been present before his bonding with the Blue-Eyes White dragon. "Kisara will not allow me to be corrupted."
"Perhaps." Said Atem, unable to help a small smile. He was still surprised by how much this woman had effected Seto's life. He never would have imagined that someone could break down his cold exterior of Seto's heart, but the woman had done it.
Regardless, they still didn't know why the dragon's unique corruption wasn't bleeding into Seto's soul and body. In fact, Seto was constantly cleansing it, making double the progress he had before. It was still months, maybe years away from being cleaned completely, but it was not an insignificant accomplishment.
"One more night my friend." Said Atem, "And then we won't have any other choice but to bring you back." There was so much to do…
"May I at least retire to a different chamber?" said Seto.
Over Seto's shoulder, Atem could see Isis next to her brother, tears glistening in her eyes. He understood the unsaid reason for the request.
"Yes, I think we should all retire to our beds." Said Atem, wanting to give Isis some privacy with her brother.
Seto stood up, making his way for the door. Atem went for the sleeping pair, softly shaking Mana. The girl stirred, mouth open and drooling.
" 'es my king?" muttered Mana, still mostly asleep.
"The bench is not a bed." Said Atem, unable to help a smile. He found delight in her innocent awakening from a calm sleep. The girl covered her yawn with a hand, starting to stand. Atem moved to wake Heba up as well but-
"I'm awake my pharaoh." Said Heba, opening his eyes without moving. Unlike Mana he didn't appear tired. He seemed as awake as Seto, shifting to help Mana get up. "Come on Mana, let's get you to a bed."
Mana grumbled, shifting her weight for Heba to take a portion of it. The little man managed to get his weight beneath him, keeping hold of Mana as they walked from the room, leaving Isis and Marik alone in peace. Seto exited into one of the adjoining room where he was likely to sulk instead of get some proper rest.
Atem, Heba and Mana walked through the strangely restless halls, Atem's guards trailing behind. It was near morning, which meant servants were awake and preparing for the day. There was an added sense of uncertainty in their work. Some had already been awake for hours, roused from sleep by the commotion. It was going to be a long day for everyone.
Mana's fingers covered her mouth as she let out a long yawn, swaying as Heba led her through the area.
"Careful, we're almost there." Said Heba. Mana gave him a small nod, already dozing as she walked.
They reached her room, settling Mana into her covers. She was already asleep as Heba and Atem closed the doors to her room.
"She's exhausted." commented Heba outside the room. "I was surprised when she came bursting into the room, demanding to stay by me to protect me." He chuckled at the memory. "She wouldn't take no for an answer. It was good too, as she had to defend me few times from other hunters. No doubt her Ba needs time to recover."
Atem nodded, taking a step to lead Heba back to the infirmary.
The lad made no move to follow.
Atem stopped, peering curiously at Heba. The boy appeared to be struggling, a peculiar expression of pain on his face. His gaze was focused on the ground, fist clenched tightly by his side. He was trembling.
Atem motioned for the guards to move out of earshot, stepping up to the trembling boy.
"Heba, what is it?" said Atem. "Are you in pain?"
"Not in the way you think." Said Heba quietly, squeezing his eyes shut. "It's Marik. I'm… It's my fault he's going to die."
"It is not." Said Atem firmly. "You did not rip his Ka from his soul. You did not attack him while his back was turned."
"But I could have done something to stop it." Said Heba, opening his eyes to look at Atem. He looked lost. "Yugi could have done something to stop it."
Atem's eyes narrowed. He wondered if Heba would eventually feel this way. Guilty for things he could have fixed had he possessed the power of the Hikari. Yugi had been a sensitive subject as well as Heba's powers. No doubt he felt a touch of resentment towards his alter ego for both the attention and the way his current self was dismissed.
Then this had happened. Someone had been hurt in front of him, and he had been helpless to do anything. The anger had shifted from Yugi, to himself. Guilt for being unable to tap into his powers, and for resenting the powers in the first place.
It was a guilt Atem was familiar with.
"Heba." Said Atem firmly. "Do not confuse yourself with who is at fault here. You were powerless, without any sort of magic or aid to back you up, and yet you still tried to help. Did you not shield Marik from Aknadin's attack? Put yourself in danger to help him when you didn't know who he was? You did what you could."
"I could have done more."
"No, you couldn't have. In the heat of the moment it is always hard to think clearly, and other options are always clearer in hindsight. You did more than what most would have done and your bravery has allowed Isis time to say her goodbyes to her brother."
Heba's gaze was still on the ground. He didn't make a move, making no indication that he had heard Atem's words. Atem allowed the silence to stretch, unsure what he was waiting for. Then Heba's lips parted.
"I'm not brave." He said softly. "I'm a coward. I'm scared of disappearing."
Heba raised his head, violent eyes glistening. "Yugi doesn't remember me." he said quietly. "He doesn't remember anything. If he returns, if I become the Hikari... I'll disappear again."
Heba blinked furiously, taking a moment to gather himself. "I never wanted to become the Hikari." There was bitterness in his voice, a harsh tone Atem had never heard from the lad. It was particularly painful to hear from someone that had such a natural light about them. "I never wanted any of these things to happen. I was happy with my old life, with my family. I don't want this pain or responsibility."
The walls around Heba were crumbling, his heart shaken by this event as he spilled his guilt to Atem. That wasn't the only thing he shared. It did not escape Atem's attention that he spoke of becoming the Hikari, or that he knew he would disappear when Yugi returned. Atem has suspected it and while a confirmation was good, he still didn't like the idea.
The lad was still trembling.
Atem's heart clenched in sympathy for the lad. He understood that pain. That frustration of not wanting to give yourself up for the sake of others. For selfishly placing yourself first. Then the redoubled pain of realizing that guilt was still not enough for you to change yourself.
Atem opened his mouth, then hesitated for a split second. "I never wanted to become the pharaoh."
The confession managed to break through Heba. The boy stilled, turning to look at Atem, eyes widening in shock.
Atem had never told anyone this. It had been a secret kept in his heart for years, unable to voice it. Now he could.
It didn't hurt to say or think. It was merely a fact, an old burden he was deftly shedding by sharing with Heba.
"You… didn't want to be the pharaoh?" whispered Heba. "But… you seem to, I mean I would have never guessed."
"That's because I no longer feel that way." Said Atem. "It was when I was younger, angry because I had no say on my future. After my mother died, my father refused to acknowledge any other child but hers as the heir. I had a younger brother, but he died in child birth. That left the burden to me."
Atem clasped his hand behind his back, mind wandering as he reminisced. He'd spent a great deal of time with Mana and Mahad, sneaking from the palace and getting into all sorts of trouble. His poor tutors hadn't known what to do with him and his father had been too busy to discipline his son.
"I did the bare minimum of what was expected of me." said Atem. "But in an instant, it all changed. My father became sick, and I found myself not only alone, but ruling an empire I had all but ignored for most of my life."
He still remembered the pain of those first few weeks, his father's death burning fresh in his heart as politicians and magistrates tried to cajole him with false sympathies. It had made his anger and feelings of isolation worse. He had allowed so much to go, given more power to the council...
"All my lessons seemed so useless." He continued. "I leaned heavily on the council, always trying to do what I thought my father would have wanted. My hatred for the position grew as I felt a puppet in their games."
"What changed?" said Heba eagerly, hanging on Atem's every word.
"Little things." He said. "Overtime I gained more experience, but I still remember a single moment where I made the conscious decision to take control. To be my own man, different from my father. A village had been devastated by a sand storm and I was advised to send minimal aid as they did not trust the woman reporting the event. I still remember her, pleading for me to come see and help her village as those around me told me it was a waste of time."
A smile tugged on Atem's mouth, remembering the shocked faces of his counselors as he had stood up and approached the woman. She had nearly collapsed in fear, no doubt thinking he meant to punish her. Instead he had done something completely different.
"You went with her." Said Heba, catching on. "You went against the council's advice and went to see the village."
"I did" said Atem. "It was then that I realized the position I was in and the ability I had to help. My title was still a burden, but it was also a tool, one I didn't trust anyone else to use with integrity."
Heba gave a small chuckle, some of his customary cheer creeping back. "You know, I always thought it odd." He said. "You are the pharaoh, yet you don't sit upon your throne and demand that others come to you. You are actively involved, coming personally to see your friends in their sick beds, checking on their condition, escorting me…"
"I'm sure my ancestors are appalled." Said Atem, his dry tone indicating how much he cared about their opinion. Atem preferred to be an active ruler, seeing with his own eyes the results of his rule. "It was not easy to go against what everyone had come to accept as normal. I felt inadequate quite often and my decisions are still questioned every day… I'm sure the pressure was similar for Yugi, to complete his task as the Hikari, especially since he didn't have the memories of his family to help him through the hardships."
Heba looked away, his smile slipping from his face. Hopefully he didn't take Atem's words the wrong way, seeing them as an admonishment for not accepting his fate. Whatever Heba's thoughts, the lad kept them to himself.
"We should return to the clinic." Said Atem, allowing the subject to be dropped. "You'll be safest there until we can get you a permanent bodyguard."
Atem moved again to return but-
"Can you come with me?" said Heba.
His voice was so small Atem wondered if it had been his imagination. No, there was that silent plea in Heba's expression. Atem had not misheard. He nodded, unsure where the lad wished to go.
Heba walked forward, passing Atem as he walked through the halls. Atem motioned for the guards to stay back, feeling that something significant was going to happen. He didn't want anyone to intrude on whatever it was Heba was leading him to.
After a few silent turns through the palace, they emerged into a very familiar path leading to the outside. Atem stepped into the gardens, appreciating the gray light cresting over the horizon as it promised the birth of Ra. There was an anticipation in the slowly brightening world, a feeling mirrored in his heart as he followed Heba through the grove.
After a final turn, Heba stopped in the middle of the path, his focus on a spot farther down.
Atem came to stand beside him, knowing perfectly well where he was. He was not, however, prepared for what he saw.
Slumped against Atem's favorite tree, as if deeply asleep, was Yugi.
The lad was identical to the boy standing beside Atem. Same hair. Same clothes. Same soft childlike face. Yet he was somehow different. The same, but distinctly separate.
Atem stared, not understanding what he was seeing.
"Heba, what is this…" his voice trailed off. He had turned his eyes from Yugi to see something else even more alarming.
Heba was disappearing.
He was still there, solid in appearance and color, but the edges of his form were blurring. Like paint smeared before it could dry. The lad smiled sadly at Atem, his eyes gray in the growing light.
"I remember my pharaoh." Said Heba. "I've known for a while how I became the Hikari… and how to bring Yugi back."
He rocked back on his heels, the ground crunching beneath his weight as he shifted forward again. "I know you're curious about what happened, and Yugi can't tell you because he doesn't know. Only I do." His eyes flashed to Atem again. "Would you like to hear my story?"
Atem nodded, eliciting a smile from the lad. Heba glanced at Yugi one more time before taking a deep breath.
"You remember what I told you when I woke up?" Said Heba. "I was with my family when My father came home, dark and possessed by a corrupted Ka. I didn't understand what was happening, but I do now. Somethings have leaked through the memories…" Yugi grimaced. "He killed my mother and brother, then turned to me. I would have died- should have died. But I was saved by the Hikari.
"He fought with my father, took his Ka and bonded with it. Then he turned to me and... babbled. He was clearly mad, overwhelmed by the Ka he held. It tried to escape but he grabbed me and then-" Heba breathed in sharply, absently massaging his chest. "He transferred the power to me."
Heba gave a shiver, no doubt remembering the experience with no small amount of discomfort. It couldn't have been easy. There was no way that was the proper way for a Hikari to be born. Even the simplest of bonds had words or ceremonies set aside for them to take place.
"That is how you became the Hikari?" said Atem, the accusation clear in his tone. "The previous Hikari just set the powers upon you without any consent or explanation."
"It is." Said Heba. "I don't know why. All I remember was a lot of pain and then darkness. Then the next thing I remember was waking up in your clinic. I do know this however. My memories, everything I am was given up in exchange for the ability to withstand the sudden change. It was the sacrifice I made - he made - to withstand the trauma and become the Hikari."
The lad was becoming more unfocused. The air around him was smeared with the colors of his form as it slowly disappeared further in an uneven pattern. It set an ache in Atem heart, watching this boy leave. He knew it was coming, that Heba would be gone once Yugi returned, but he still didn't like it.
Heba walked forward, his feet no longer making an impression in the sand as he knelt beside Yugi, gazing at him with a complicated expression.
"After the trial, it came to me." he said. "Like a thought from something I had dreamed and I knew that to get my memories back. All I would have to do was wish for them to return." He shook his head. "But I couldn't. I was scared to disappear. There is still a lot that I don't understand, but as I get closer to accepting my fate there is something that I have come to realize and it's that Yugi is… struggling."
Even the tears that fell from Heba's face smeared as he turned to face Atem, pleading with wide amethyst eyes.
"Please my pharaoh." He pleaded "Promise me that you'll look after him. If you do that then I think I can move on. He's in so much pain…"
Atem walked forward, kneeling beside Heba on the other side of Yugi. He didn't have to think twice about his answer.
"I promise you Heba." Said Atem. "I will not forget you, and I will do everything in my power to protect and help Yugi."
And he meant it. Both men had already lost and given up so much to protect Egypt. To help keep the world in balance. He wanted to protect them. To help the lad he had become fond of.
The response seemed to satisfy Heba. His smile softened as light peaked from over the horizon, piercing through Heba's form.
"Then I am content."
He was gone.
Atem hung his head, sending a silent prayer of thanks to the boy's sacrifice.
Goodbye Heba.
Someone stirred.
Atem raised his head in time to see Yugi lift a hand to rub his blinking eyes. The servant got to his feet, a movement Atem copied as he watched Yugi flex his hands experimentally.
"Fingers." He said, looking at said appendages. "Toes. Yup got all twenty. Nothing broken, got my nose." Yugi slapped his face comically a few times, a grin sprouting across his features. "I'm all here! Wow now I wasn't expecting that."
Then his attention turned to Atem. The smile managed to widen, a knowing glint in his eyes. "Now you my pharaoh, I did expect."
Thanks for reading! And for you for your patience. I'm going to try not to wait a month between releases again. That was just mean.
And thank you to those especially wonderful people: Walt-Disney and Anime, Bananarock509, Shinigami Merchant, angiembabe, A-Helping-Hand-of-Fire, TheKingInBoots, SilverWater123, Guildsnake, A random child, (ROFL) Mistoka, Mariatheartist, TheeandThy, and Lulumo. I think this chapter answered a few of your questions... And I was honestly not expecting some of you to dig (Or continue to dig) so far into my story. I assumed I was the only one that did that. lol. If Serenity is in this, than most likely Joey is as well... Most likely. I am allowed to change my plans for no good reason whenever I wish to.
I know I've said this, but I wanted to repeat it: This is not a blindshipping fic. I like to call it a bromance fic. Check out my other story if you want awesome fluff and drama.
Peace!