Atem waited nervously nearby as Yugi chanted quietly to himself in Egyptian. He recognised the names of the gods he prayed to, imploring them to honor their bargain and provide him their power. As he chanted the words the lights began to flicker and power began to build around him to push his hair and clothes.

Once he promised blood as payment he took the knife and cut his palm, dripping the blood on each of the symbols around him. As he did so the chalk on the ground became red, flowing like rivers along a path until the entire symbol he had drawn tinted the room crimson. He continued to chant the same prayer over and over again and each time the symbol pulsed brighter and the electricity in the room grew until finally white light began to glow from the sarcophagus and Yugi seized, grunting in pain as the circle around him grew arms to hold him down. His breathing was sharp and ragged, he couldn't speak but he gritted his teeth, clenched his fists and squinted in concentration before picking up the chant again, one last time before the arms released him and the white light pulsed brightly, temporarily blinding them uuntil it died down.

Yugi relaxed, panting and sinking to his knees. Atem could feel his exhaustion, like his energy had been ripped from him. The gravity he felt was intense, like weights had been tied to him and threatened to pull him beneath the earths surface. Atem was on the brink of panic, worried for his well being and if he should continue. The moment had lasted only seconds but in those seconds Yugi's life energy had been robbed of such vitality that he feared he might pass out.

"Th-thats … that part… done." Yugi pantied with much effort.

"Yugi you said earlier that the body should last a few days without a soul right? You don't have to do the next part right away, rest." Atem urged him.

He shook his head no as he shakily got to his feet, holding his hands out for balance as the world tipped and spun on him.

"No. The sooner we do this, the higher the chance your body will accept you. Besides… I don't have all day to do this." Yugi said breathlessly.

"Yugi…" Atem muttered quietly. He was so worried for him but they had come so far now and Yugi was determined… it was now or never. He knew this. "Whats next?"

"I need you to go within your soul room and stay there. You can listen in, even watch, but I need you to be within your room or part of you may stay with me." Yugi said.

Atem nodded, touching his cheek and kissing his forehead before retreating back to his room. Yugi appreciated the warmth greatly. He felt awfully cold now and even though he couldn't feel Atem's touch he could feel his affection and trust keeping his flame lit.

He approached the sarcophagus, knife in hand and touched Atem's body. The flesh filled the bandages and covered what was once exposed bone and skin. His body now held form and ever so slightly he felt the heartbeat in his chest. The body was alive but there was no soul within to keep it that way. He didn't have a lot of time before his body would shut down but he was glad that it worked. His body was here, alive and ready.

He took the knife, cut open the bandages across his face to free his nose and mouth so he could breath and loosened the bandages around his arms and chest before returning back to the circle to begin the next round of chanting.

This verse focused on praying to Anubis and the various gods of life and death and fertility. He begged them to aid him, to see his worth and devotion and recognise his humility. He told them he had been granted power over life and now sought to sew anew a soul that wished to reunite with its form. He asked them to open the way so that a travel once walked may be walked upon again and as he begged Anubis and Amun-Ra to see him he felt their hands surrounding him, blanketing him in white light and warmth.

He felt a clearing ahead of him like a parting of the waves and soon he felt Atem being carried away from him. He was calm, as if he had been soothed and once he had left his mind, his connection severed sharply, like a stabwound to his heart. Amun-Ra held Atem before him, sleeping soundly in the embrace of white light while Anubis stood behind him, a scythe to his throat, challenging his resolve.

He continued the chant, unwavering from their movements and determined to see this through and once they asked for the souls name, he told them strongly and with such fire and bravery that Anubis removed his scythe from him and granted Atem to sit his last test: would he be accepted by his body.

Amun-Ra set him down carefully over his body and as he joined with it a white light pulsed again, softly dimming to nothingness as the gods departed. The way between them was still open and until his body accepted him it would remain that way… all he needed to do now… was wait for it to close before he could move from this spot.

A long minute passed and soon he felt the connection snap… he was free to breathe again, free to move. The ritual was over and complete and Atem was safe within his own body. It worked.

Just in time too as the door opened, allowing Tea and Joey inside.

"Yugi!" Tea called to him.

"Is it over?" Joey asked as they cautiously approached.

"It's … done. Ch-check on him." Yugi said as he fell forward. He crumbled to the floor like his legs became paper. It was difficult to breathe and even more difficult to stay awake. He was drifting in and out of consciousness for a short while. One moment he'd be spoken to by Tea and the next she was telling Joey what to do.

"Atem needs to… go in the crate." Yugi whispered.

"He's safe Yugi. Joey's putting the -" She trailed off as the world became black again. "Yugi?"

"Hmm?" Yugi responded, barely awake. Time had passed again… he was in serious need of sleep… if they didn't leave now they'd have a tough time explaining this.

"Stay with us okay. The fakes in the sarcophagus and Joey's just washed down the chalk. The items are in the crate with Atem and he's safe and secure. Is that all?" Tea asked him.

"Mhmm." Yugi nodded.

"Okay lets go." Joey said as he pushed the crate with a trolly.

"Yugi needs rest, he can barely stand." Tea said sternly.

"Yug, come on. You can do this. Just a little more buddy and you can sleep all you like." Joey urged him gently, picking him up to make him stand. He swayed but pushed himself just a little more to try and look somewhat convincing. He wouldn't need to appear lively… he just needed to be not unconscious until he got to the car.

"We good?" Tristan asked as Joey closed the passenger door behind him.

"Yep. Let's go."

With that Tristan brought the car to life, the engine purring eagerly as they drove carefully and inconspicuously out of the museum carpark.

"Guys, Yugis burning up." Tea said worriedly as the touched his forehead.

"I'm okay… just get us home." Yugi said firefly. His cheeks were on fire, his ribs were stinging and his body ached. He hadnt expected more than fatigue but then he no longer had Atems soul within him to give him strength from his existing injuries.

Atem… He wished he had the energy to check on him himself. He trusted his friends and their assessment of him but he did want to see him for himself.

His phone began to buzz then and Tea slipped it out from his pocket to answer for him.

"Grandpa, it's Tea." She said before she was cut off. "What? Wait… what have you done?! Where? … let him go! Leon? Leon?!" Her voice was panicked.

"What's happening?"

"Leons got grandpa. He's waiting for us at home. He says he won't hurt him unless Yugi returns home now."

"Well we're going there so let's go kick his ass." Joey said vigorously.

"Get grandpa and take Atem to safety. Let me handle Leon." Yugi struggled to say.

"No offence dude but your barely conscious yourself." Tristan pointed out.

"Tristans right. There's no way were leaving you to fight that guy on your own. Not in that condition."

"Guys I'll have the items. I need my family safe. Please."

"Yugi you just brought someone back from the dead. Let us help you." Tea said, gently touching his hand in the hopes her touch would console him.

"New plan. We distract him long enough to get Grandpa out of there and then we bail." Tristan suggested.

"You keep the car running, tea and I will go in with Yug and get Grandpa." Joey confirmed.

"Guys…" Yugi whispered. He was so tired. Now wasnt the time to be blacking out but he couldnt follow the conversation anymore. He was so tired.

A/N: Ahh I love how spot on you guys were!