Chapter XXV: The Liar

"Tahir Re," she said to her audience, "Was the greatest court magician and designer of the Akhet Items. You see, he lived a very tragic life along with his sister, Ra Re but that never stopped him from living his life. Now, what I really love about Tahir Re is the form of his ka," with a wave of her hand, she made the shape of a little platypus of black mist with a blue tunic on and a magician hat, "It was this cute little magician named Magician Platypus. He was by far the cutest little ka you had ever seen! I want my ka to look like this. Father says we cannot choose the forms of our kas, well; I'd like to prove him wrong. I want a magician platypus for myself too, maybe it can be a Sorceress Platypus!" her audience grazed and drank on, staring at her blankly with bored and uninterested expressions while she adored the little mist form she had made only for someone to wave their hand right through it.

"I know you have a lot of things going on for you," Gamilla said, destroying the misted shape of Magician Platypus, "But I'd really like to know when you're flittering around two men."

"I'm sorry, Gamilla that is not what is happening. Bakura and I have made peace with one another and he is the man I am destined to be with. Ahmed is just an obstacle that I have yet to figure out how to get rid of."

"Regardless, both of them seem to be bad choices," she frowned, "I believe I found your nightgown at the canals this morning. I washed it for you, it's currently drying."

"Oh," Meskhenet said sheepishly, remembering earlier today. "Yes…I got distracted."

"Your lover?"

"I wish…" the truth was, she had hurried off to ask Zaim of anything he knew about the black book, but the minute she asked about it, he flipped. Yelling at her for dabbling in arts she didn't understand, thankfully Skylar pulled him away to take care of the mares. This confirmed her suspicions that the black book had something to do with the dark arts. She went over to the soldiers to tell them that a man named Ata was committing acts of sacrilege, a part of her felt bad because she didn't have definite proof and she had just used whatever secret he told her against him but from what his lackeys spoke of last night, it seemed he was up to no good.

"Geb to Meskhenet, are you listening?" Gamilla asked, irritated, waving a hand in front of the redhead.

"Sorry, what?"

Gamilla rolled her eyes and then pointed somewhere behind Meskhenet. Turning around, she spotted Bakura, leading Kek by the reins towards the Nile. Her first instinct was to run there and hug him, but remembering Gamilla there, she held herself back, waiting for him to come to her before he let his horse go to graze with the sheep. He came over to the girls, giving Meskhenet a smile before frowning when he saw Gamilla who gave him a disgusted look.

"I didn't think we were having company," he said, throwing an arm around her shoulders. "It makes it a little hard for us to copulate."

Gamilla stared at Meskhenet who gave her a sheepish smile. "Oh, he's joking. We don't—we've never…" she was too embarrassed to say so she just waved her hands.

"Yet," Bakura added. "We got close."

"Not something I wanted to hear," Gamilla replied, taking in a deep inhale. "Well, your nightgown should be dried by this afternoon so feel free to come by and pick it up." She assumed that was Gamilla's poor attempt at inviting her over, but she'd probably take it as to keep herself busy.

"Nightgown?"

"She apparently left it while bathing last night," Gamilla said, turning away from the two. Meskhenet shook her head frantically, waving her hands about. No, no! She didn't need Bakura knowing that! He gave her a devilish grin as Gamilla turned to look at Meskhenet who placed a hand over her face. "Oh, what's this you don't know about her bathing habits?"

"He doesn't need to know."

"She bathes in the canals near the farmland in the middle of the night," Ammit, Gamilla, why?! Gamilla gave her an amused look, "From what I heard you were pretty close to copulating."

"Thank you for the information," Bakura said, squeezing Meskhenet closer to him, but she pushed away at him, her face red hot. "Now if you would…" Gamilla shook her head but left anyways as Meskhenet escaped Bakura's grasp. "So you bathe in the middle of the night."

"You don't know when exactly," she retorted, trying to save herself.

"I know where," he grinned, "I can do a stakeout, I've done plenty before." Even though last night, it had crossed her mind if they would bathe together, she didn't think she was quite ready for Bakura to see her naked or maybe she just wasn't ready to see him naked. "I saw you go to the prison house this morning."

"Yes, you remember the name Ata? He's Zaim's twin brother. He apparently did or does dabble into the dark arts," she shivered, wondering how she had ever thought of resurrection. She should know better. Resurrection was impossible. "I think he's up to something. He was trying to use me so I reported him to the guards."

"Dark arts? Sounds interesting," Bakura grinned, "What did you tell them? He was committing sacrilege against the gods?"

"Yes, that's exactly what I told them," she sighed and looked up, rubbing her neck. "I can't believe I was stupid enough to trust him even though I was warned." She gazed at Bakura who seemed to be deep thought. That's right; Bakura was a thief, tomb robber. Didn't he commit crimes by desecrating the graves of the deceased? They weren't the same, their crimes were different.

"I want to know something," Bakura said as he sat down. "You used to not like me stealing and now you seem to be completely alright with it." She wouldn't say she was completely alright with it, she just thought he had to make a living somehow, right? "Don't tell me you're putting up with it because you're in love with me."

"No," she said indignantly as she came to sit next to him. "I don't want you to change, that's all and I guess…stealing is a part of whom you are? I mean, how can you be Bakura the King of Thieves if you weren't a thief." She gave him a shy smile, she didn't agree with what he did but she wasn't going to nag at him for it. She leaned her head on his shoulder, nuzzling her face against it. He didn't say anything, just wrapped an arm around her waist and together they sat there for a long while with the sheep grazing. She wished things could be like this forever.

"What has your father said?" Bakura asked after a while.

She sighed, "I don't know…he hasn't spoken to me."

"And if he chooses Ahmed, are you really willing to run away?"

He doubted her. She supposed that was reasonable, she wasn't the most reliable person even when she did make up her mind. "Yes…" He gave her a look like he was saying 'are you really sure?' "I'm quite certain." When his look didn't change, she gave him a short glare before moving away. "Fine, don't believe me!"

"You say things you often don't mean," he replied, but she knew what he meant. He was calling her a liar. Did this have anything to do with the love potion? She wasn't a liar! She continued to glare at him only for him to return it. "Don't give me that look. You know exactly what I'm talking about."

"I slipped up once. I am not a liar!" she stood up indignantly, grabbing her crook and walking some steps away. The nerve he had, stupid jerk. "Well, if you don't think I can do it I guess I can't. Why are you even here? I might as well marry Ahmed then." She crossed her arms, hoping to get some reaction but she heard him give a low growl before she spun around. "Or, maybe if that's not what you want, you can just kidnap me. I mean that way I go with you and keep my word."

"No one's kidnapping anyone," a weak voice said as the Time Wizard appeared in front of her, startling her as she stumbled backwards. Time Wizard danced with his eyes close, twirling around with his wand in the air. She heard coughing and turned to see her father, weakly using his staff to support him as he came near. "I made my decision already." He came to stand beside her, giving her a hopeful smile before coughing some more.

"Father, you should rest. You didn't need to come all the way here." She told him, more anxious about his decision than anything but she was worried of his health. He waved her off. Her heart thumped lightly as she pursed her lips, worried about what he was about to say. She loved him with all her heart; she didn't want to hurt him… Ah, of course…Bakura has every right to doubt you.

"I'm sorry, Mes," he told her, placing a frail hand over her head. She took his hand into hers and brought his bony hand to her lips, kissing it lightly. He really was a weak old man and it hurt to see him in such a way. As a child, she always saw her father as this regal, dignified and strong man like Hakim was except wiser with lots of experience, but seeing him now…she knew his health was failing him regardless of what the doctor said. He meant so much to her, the mere thought of him dying brought tears to her eyes as she sniffled a bit. He was her pharaoh, as wrong as it was, it was true. Maybe the Pharaoh is great…but no man will ever be as wise or kind or loving as my father… "Deep down all I want is your happiness, I want you to be taken care of so that when I…so that when the time comes you will have a strong young man to rely on and not this feeble goat."

"Father…" she gave him a smile but a tear rolled down her cheek. He wiped it away, cupping her face in his hands.

He sighed, "I doubted you and I doubted Bakura," he peered over her, "I must apologize to you for that, Bakura. I didn't believe you could care for my daughter but who I really doubted was myself and your mother," he looked her straight in the eyes and all she could see was the love for her and many things reflecting in those brown eyes, mirroring her own. "I still see you as that little girl no matter what I tell Zaim," He chuckled and coughed, "And no matter what, I will always see you as that little girl. I wanted you taken care of, but in reality I keep forgetting that you can take care of yourself."

She didn't quite know if she could take care of herself. She didn't make good choices, but the time would come when she would've to learn as he did and as her mother before her. He touched her face, his hands lightly cold, where was the warmth she used to love? She held his hand, hoping to transfer her own warmth into him.

"Even on the day of your wedding, should the time come, I'll still see you as the little girl who ran around the house, pretending to be Court Magician Miriam while Hunter was your Enchanted Magician Platypus," he laughed and she let out a soft chuckle. She remembered those days; Hakim would pretend to be pharaoh while she played her fake magic with Hunter, back when they were all together. "It's the same as when I sent your brother to Thebes as a soldier," his voice broke and his eyes softened with sadness.

"Oh, Father," she hugged him as he brushed her hair, coughing lightly. "I'll always be your little girl, but I am a woman now and though I make bad choices, I'm going to need to spread my wings and fly." She touched the burn mark on his face lightly as if he was fragile glass. He merely smiled at her.

"Perhaps, you can entertain this old goat. Try summoning your ka?" he asked as he wobbled over to Bakura who had been watching them silently. She slowly walked behind him before catching Bakura's distant gaze. She beamed at him, happy to know her father made the choice she wanted; at least she wouldn't need to run away with Bakura. As her father sat down on the ground, she bent over to kiss him on the head before she came over to Bakura and awkwardly kissed him on the lips. She didn't really like kissing in front of her father, it seemed odd but his gaze was pulled to the sheep. She went to the Nile, taking in a deep breath as she concentrated on trying to summon her ka. Alas though, nothing happened which made her frown.

Suddenly, something pushed her nearly into the water, making her quickly spin around with a protest but she saw it was the Time Wizard, cheerfully dancing in the air. Diabound came too, enjoying himself by scaring her sheep which she had to stop so eventually he came to rest around her neck while the Time Wizard made flowers grow and did some magic. Diabound and the Time Wizard played with her. She guessed they were trying to cheer her up as she was trying to summon her ka. Diabound slithered around her and the Time Wizard splashed water on her, she laughed.

Every day was pretty similar, she tried to summon her ka much to her disappointment that she couldn't. Diabound and the Time Wizard were usually there to cheer her on. She still wanted to see Diabound fly, but Bakura insisted that Diabound would fly when he was ready. Her father and Bakura sometimes accompanied her with the sheep but her father seemed to be getting weaker and now ruthlessly insisted he was practically never hungry. He looked like he was getting thinner too which worried Meskhenet greatly. The doctor wouldn't speak with her, if anything he seemed like he was avoiding her, however she did see the doctor come out from her home occasionally. Whenever Zaim or her father was around, Bakura didn't dare touch her but she was fine with that.

One day, Bakura took off to scout out a tomb (she told him to be careful) and her father was stuck at home with the doctor much to his displeasure. She was out at the Nile with Zaim having dropped by some food Skylar made for her, having given her father his already, Zaim looked out at the sky distractedly. Meskhenet ate her food in silence as she watched him, expecting him to say something.

"What do you think if I moved to Thebes or Koptos?" Zaim asked absentmindedly. Right, he was trying to move away from Mallawi with Skylar and Issar. She wondered why he was trying to move when he lived here all his life especially since Nakia wasn't leaving either. She couldn't exactly imagine him living without his sister.

"Why don't you just stay in Mallawi?" she suggested, nibbling on a piece of bread. A sheep came over and stole an apple while some came to lie down next to her, chewing. "It's where you're from."

Zaim frowned and turned to her. "No, it's not," he stated plainly. "I'm from Al-Faiyum." She blinked at him, going over that in her head. What? "Your father never told you?" He was from Al-Faiyum? Didn't she and Bakura passed that place when they were children? At least the oasis, she thought. Wait, did that mean her mother was from Al-Faiyum too?! She didn't know how to feel about that, she had always believed her mother was from Beni Suef. Zaim seemed to read her mind as he sighed, "Your mother was from Beni Suef. My family came from Al-Faiyum, your mother lived there for a while and your brother was born there. Your father kept the farm going in Beni Suef while your mother and brother lived with my family to help us out, but we all moved after…" he stopped himself as a distant memory passed through his mind, glazing over his eyes. He stared absently at her.

"After what?" she asked, tilting her head to the side. "Did something happen in Beni Suef?" she remembered now that the old man from the artist shop back in Beni Suef asked her if Nakia told her anything, something about the young people being unable to remember but he remembered. Was this the same thing? "Does Nakia know something?"

Zaim turned his gaze sharply towards her, slightly glaring. "Who told you?"

"No one…no one told me anything," she muttered, raising her hands in defense.

"Stop looking for trouble. Your mother and Hakim moved to Beni Suef to be with your father, that's all. Mashariq must've meant that, nothing else," but his tone told her there was something else. He just didn't want to say it.

Feeling uncomfortable under his hard gaze, she changed the subject. She could ask Nakia later. "I've never been to Koptos, only passed it by but maybe Thebes would be a good place? You need land though and the living expenses might be a little high…"

Zaim wasn't listening. "I have to go check on the mares. They eat more now and I can't have Skylar and Nakia doing my work, too much heavy lifting." He didn't say goodbye, just left with a far off look in his eyes. She frowned while watching him leave. Who cared that the Court had secrets. My family has them too apparently.

She heard a quacking noise and looked around, there weren't any birds here but then she saw it, the darter. Ata's darter flying overhead before safely landing on a tree, it ruffled its feathers and then stared at her in long intervals of silence before it made a loud noise and the atmosphere around the Nile changed. It grew cold and dark, clouds formed in the sky, dark clouds, covering up the sun. The rivers turned black which alarmed her flock, moving onto the banks and hills to get away from the river of darkness while the trees seemed to wilt while standing and the leaves decayed as if eaten by locusts.

She turned around and saw Ata, his hood over his face, golden eyes glowing behind the shadows of his hood. He reeked of death which made her cover her mouth and nose, taking a few steps back. He had his sinister smile plastered on his face; whatever air of friendliness he once had was gone, now it seemed he only had darkness.

"You sold me out," he said in a low voice. "I didn't do anything."

"You were trying to use me," she said, "I heard your lackeys. The oracle, the Dark Lord, you said you didn't do those things anymore but you do. You lied. You're not family, you're just a monster." She gripped her crook hard in her hand, slowly taking steps back as her flock gathered around behind her. "What is the black book?"

"Still curious, are you?" he chuckled, reaching a hand out as if he expected her to take it but the way he moved was stiffly, like a corpse, it frightened her. Her body shivered and her heart cried in fear, she heard his darter's squawk and it startled her, causing the black haired man to laugh. "It's my research. Everything that I ever found was in that book. Your father and Zaim took it away from me." The book was blank, what research? She saw nothing when she had looked inside, neither did Bakura or her father as far as she knew. "Do you want to know how to resurrect your mother?"

Her heart shook and something, in the back of her mind, begged her to ask, to know how. It was a small dark cloud bringing in rains she did not want, flooding her mind with curiosity because she really did want to know. No! Death was a part of life, that's what her father said. It kept the world in balance no matter how painful it was.

"I want nothing to do with you…" she said, her voice shaking.

"You want to know," he stated mockingly, "As I did. I wanted my mother back to," he placed his hands on his chest and gave out a hollow laugh. "They took her away from me…because of Zaim. It's his fault, everything is his fault…Nakia, Mother, they were ruined because of him!" she shrunk back from his shouting as it reminded her of how Zaim used to shout before he would hit her or call her names. He didn't do that anymore but the damage was done, it still frightened her. Ata seemed to notice and he lowered his voice, "I just wanted to fix what he ruined."

"You can't change the past," she told him, "No one can."

"Ah, but that's where you're wrong. The Dark Lord can and so can your father, he just doesn't want to." Lies, he was lying, her father couldn't change time. He told her that. "You think I lie? Well, what about the doctor? Hasn't he told you your father is dying? Didn't Zaim tell you why your father suddenly wanted you join the Queen's Guards? Ahaha, you're so gullible. They've all lied to you. He's sick, he's dying. Your old man is dying!"

"Shut up!" a flame came to her hand as the one inside burst and without restraint, she let it fly towards Ata who easily moved to the side, dodging the spell. She was breathing hard as her heart beat fast inside, a squirming feeling within as her insides coiled. He was lying…he had to be, her father wouldn't…the doctor, the doctor… But she knew deep inside that Ata must've been telling the truth. That's why everything changed. That's why the doctor is avoiding you. "I don't believe you."

"Ask him yourself, but of course," he paused, "He'd just change the subject."

"Get out," she told him, her body shaking as she clenched her hands into fists. "Leave, get out of Mallawi!"

"Not until I have what I want," he told her.

"Get out!" she screamed, another fireball appearing in her hand as she blasted it at him. Her insides were unraveling into a mess of fire, burning brightly and angrily, trying to keep the darkness away. He was mad. He was lying.

Ata waved his hand in the air and a black flame countered her spell, engulfing it into nothing and then he came at her, proceeding to walk closer as he readied another spell. Frightened, she moved back only slightly, her sheep becoming restless behind her. She blasted energy spells at him only for them to disappear and ripple in front of his form as if he had a barrier around him. His pace quickened and his arm flung out as if he was shoving someone aside only for her to get thrown in the air. Her sheep scattered while she rolled on the ground, getting up quickly and commanding the water to obey her.

Streams of water shot out from the Nile, ribbons spiraling around each other until they formed a large cyclone of black water, arching down onto him but as if he had no fear at all, he easily threw out a wind sickle, cutting the water in half and sending the blackness down onto the banks of the Nile, soaking her sheep and her, all besides him. He called out a spell, Freeze, but she countered with a spell of her own. Tapping her crook in the ground, she made dirt and debris rise in a windstorm around him, blinding his view while she scurried off to shoo her sheep away, readying another spell at the same time.

Damn it, I'm not strong enough! A windstorm burst out around her, knocking her off her feet while her flock ran up the hills and away. She jumped to her feet, sending blasts after blasts at him before she went up to higher ground. She tried to freeze him but it did little good, he sent thunder down at her! She danced away, sending a fireball at him. Ata caused the earth to rumble, making her lose her balance as she rolled downhill again, hitting bushes and twigs until she was down at his feet. He smiled down at her, a mocking smile as he stomped a foot down unto her chest, feeling the wind get knocked out of her, she gasped out in pain.

"Learn to choose your battles," he hissed, leaning down towards her, his mouth opening almost as if he was Apep himself trying to eat her. Screaming, she sent a shockwave through the air, throwing him back as she rolled onto her stomach, breathing hard. He was right, she shouldn't have made the first move, but she was so angry. Wobbling, she got up and glared at him. "Give up!"

"Never!" calling to her magic within her, she spun her hands around each other, causing embers and sparks to appear, hitting the ground and sizzling into the air. A mini firestorm came within her hands, glowing red, orange and yellow, burning through the darkness and illuminating her. The faster she went the stronger the flames grew until from her hands burst out a glowing phoenix of fire, screeching and crackling the phoenix raised its wings and took to the skies, gathering the elements around it until it changed colors and then it turned its sharp eye onto Ata who looked at it with a glare. Screeching the bird came down, hurtling, its large wings brushing against everything and turning it into ash, it got closer and closer to Ata but he merely stood there, a smile curling onto his lips. She knew he won. That spell took all of her energy, she used too much of her baa. Her magic wasn't meant for offense, mostly entertainment. Collapsing onto her knees, she coughed, trying to catch her breath, too weak to watch her spell back fire.

Ata created his own creature, of water, a three headed beasts with a snake for a tail. It was hard to see what exactly it was but it was large, made from the black waters of the Nile and roaring a thunderous shout that it only shook the earth. The phoenix and it battled briefly before the three headed beasts all at once, devouring the flaming bird and dissipating the last light of the battle.

"You lose, little girl," he spat as he came walking towards her.

No, she couldn't lose, not like this. I'm not strong enough. I am a fool… when he got close enough to her; she shut her eyes out of fear like a coward, waiting for some impact, a hit like what Zaim used to do. Instead, she heard him shout and give off a cry of pain. Opening her eyes, she saw a glowing white snake in front of Ata's face, his left eye bleeding as he covered it. The white wings rattled as the snake gave out a low and long hiss and flicker of his tongue. Ata threw the snake aside only for it to bounce and roll on the ground, rising its head and hissing sharply until it opened its mouth and sent little energy blasts of white with electric blue at Ata who produced a barrier around himself. However, the power of a ka, regardless of size, was stronger than that of a human. The barrier shattered and Ata was hit a couple of times. Smoke sizzled from where he was wounded and a substance darkened his clothes. He turned his attention to her only for Diabound to slither in front of her.

It was odd because as Diabound stood there, rising his head in a challenging manner in her defense, she could've sworn she saw him change, grow in length and size as if he just got bigger. She was much too tired to actually pay any attention as her focus was drawn to Ata who scoffed when she heard gravel crunching beneath shoes. Slowly turning, she saw Bakura was there, standing. He apparently had just come back from his tomb as he had a bag, presumably with gold, slung over his shoulder.

Ata laughed, "I had hoped to meet in better circumstances, Bakura."

"I presume you're Ata," Bakura gave him a crooked smile. "I had only wished to meet you to give you a piece of my mind, but I see that's not possible. It seems I'm at a disadvantage. You're a magician and I'm—well, I'm just me."

"That's all I need," Ata replied. "I don't wish you harm, Bakura. I never had meant to hurt you either, Meskhenet." She glared at him. He sure seemed to have killing intent when he was battling her. "I'm afraid I must've taken my anger out on you. You just look so much like Roheesa."

"Get out," she told him, staggering to stand. "Stay away from me, my family and Mallawi. No one wants you here."

"You blame everyone as liars. You're the biggest one of all," he turned his attention skyward and immediately the world began to brighten. The clouds disintegrated like they were never there and the rivers turned back to blue, the vegetation no longer wilted and decayed but fresh with life once more. "I'll see you around, Mes-khe-net." He pronounced every syllable clearly and it sent a cold chill down her back as she nearly collapsed again, but Bakura supported her to stand by holding her around her waist. Ata waved with his bloody hand, regarding Diabound with contempt and then with a gust of wind, he was gone.

As if she had been holding her breath, she exhaled deeply, falling to the ground as Diabound turned to her. She started to hyperventilate while the fear receded but she couldn't control her body, it shook and shivered, feeling cold and numb as the tears spilled out. I am weak. She couldn't catch her breath, it was like she was suffocating as she heaved, her stomach aching.

"Khenet, Khenet!" Bakura called to her as she laid a hand on his chest, trying to push him away. He had to come and save her. As grateful as she was, she was ashamed too. She was going to join the Queen's Court, her primary duty would be to protect the Queen of Egypt but she couldn't even protect herself. She couldn't summon her ka. She was a magician…Bakura was just a regular man, a thief and yet he had outdone her in every way. Why was she so weak…? Bakura grabbed her by the shoulders, "Khenet, look at me." He cupped his hands over her mouth, "Come on, Khenet, breathe…" her breathing slowed down as she exhaled and inhaled into his warm hands, feeling her hot breath on her mouth, she gasped as she began to calm down.

Diabound nudged her knees, rubbing his head on her thighs as if for comfort. When she had calmed down, she hugged Bakura and wept into his chest, shaking and cold. He wrapped his strong arms around her and held her there for a good long minutes. "Don't do that again," he told her. She gripped his tunic tightly as she shook her head.

"He—he called my father a liar. He…he said he's dying, Bakura…" she sobbed. She didn't want to cry but it was all coming out and she couldn't stop it. Bakura squeezed her tighter, not asking questions as she sniffled and wet his shirt. "He's not dying…he can't…he can't leave me. Not like Hakim…not like Momma."

"Khenet…" Bakura was about to say something but he didn't say it, instead he helped her up. He lifted her face towards him, wiping her tears away with his hands. "Khenet, your father is ill."

Horrified, she looked him in the eye, seeing if what she knew he was saying was true. He thought her father was dying too. No! They were all wrong! Her father was just ill. He'd get better. Stepping away from Bakura, she glared at him, her tears turning to anger, a fading anger from the dying embers inside. "You're wrong! You just don't have faith. The gods will heal him. He's done nothing wrong."

"People don't have to do wrong to be punished," Bakura muttered, reaching a hand towards her face but she slapped it away.

"You're lying!" she told him before she turned around and ran off towards her home. Her flock had long fled the scene, probably headed to Mallawi to invade it for food as they would be too frightened to return to the Nile. She cried and sobbed as she ran home, not even realizing she left her crook back at the Nile. She bumped and shoved into people, wiping her tears and feeling a large hole growing inside her chest. It was hollow and yet it ached so badly wherever it touched, especially right at the center of her heart.

When she got home, she instantly ran to her father to get to the bottom of everything, but when she came to his room, the door was open and the doctor was there while her father lied on his bed, looking thin and weak as he slowly looked at her. Her heart stopped beating as everything Bakura and Ata said came flooding her mind, bringing more tears to spill over. They weren't lying… her father had, the doctor, Zaim…those were the ones who had lied. The people she trusted and yet the ones everyone told her were bad had told her the truth.

"Mes, it's too soon to be home," her father said, coughing.

"Please, don't say it," she begged, coming over to her father and dropping to her knees at his bedside. "Don't say it…please…" The doctor glanced at her father who signaled him to go away. He bowed his head and quietly left while her father placed a thin hand over her head while she sobbed uncontrollably. "Please, don't say it…don't…"

He chuckled, "I wish it wasn't so."

"No!" she shouted, looking at him but there was no anger, no sadness, no fear on his face, just plain calmness as if he expected the end to come, as if he was ready for it and he would embrace it. It pained her heart that throbbed like a bleeding wound. How could he be so calm?! He was going to leave her all alone. She would have no one. No one… "You can't…Father. What about me?"

"Mes," his eyes watered as if he finally realized what he would be losing. "Oh, Mes…" he weakly came over her to give her a frail hug. "I don't want to leave you, but my time is coming soon. This is why I wanted you to marry, to see you taken care of. And your dreams…oh, I never wanted you to take the burden of my work but perhaps this way you could ease my old heart…bring peace to what was broken. I think you're onto the right step." She had no words to say to him, only for the comfort of his hug and to weep. "I had hoped to find another wielder, but I'm afraid I was too late."

"You're not dying…you're just ill, that's all. The gods will make you better. I—I'll go to the temples and pray, I'll pray really hard," she said, laughing a little.

"I need you here," he told her. "You can pray here, Mes." He smiled and coughed. She wouldn't accept him dying because there was still hope and time. "I want to see your ka. Can you grant this old man one last wish?" She just nodded, not really understanding or paying any attention to what he was asking. He stroked her head and told her a story she couldn't remember until she fell asleep there as his bedside while he lied back down and wept.

Author's Note: I had meant to post sooner but work :P