A Thousand Years

by Lil' Dark

A spirit locked inside a golden pyramid. Two roommates and one journey. When Yami becomes Yugi's roommate for college, he never expected to see the cursed soul belonging to the Sennen Puzzle. He never expected the journey across Atemu's memories either. Or the love that comes with them. Monarchshipping story, rated M for a reason. Further warnings inside.

10. The Door

Hello everyone and welcome back to another chapter of 'A Thousand Years'. Last one was quite a filler, but this one will definitely hold some answers in regards to the mystery Atemu and Yami are looking for. That said, however, I have taken some artistic liberty with the Yu-Gi-Oh history as we all know it so that it will fit the story at the end of this journey.

There are no further warnings, so please, enjoy!

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Chapter 10

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Amethyst eyes stared at the books Yami had laid out, prior to their owner gently picking one of them up when he got the permission to do so. They actually didn't appear to be that old nor dusty and for a moment, Yugi wondered what he had gotten himself into. His grandfather had been very clear concerning Hamunaptra now that the truth was out; it was a dangerous and forbidden place. His roommate had been biting his tongue when those words had been offered, but Yugi took them more serious than ever. His grandfather had been right about the Puzzle all along, after all, and he was currently towing the weight of his regrets with him every day of his life as a reminder.

"These are history books", he whispered softly as he stared at the pages and turned them gently in case the book was older than he currently imagined. Crimson eyes turned to him in amusement and Yugi chuckled sheepishly as he was still aware of the fact they were about to dig in the past. Only the right kind of books would suffice in this situation, although he was glad Yami joined him in his silly chuckles.

"Yes, history books and floor plans of Hamunaptra as well as Kul Elna", Yami said as he opened the large cylinder-shaped containers prior to unfolding the paperwork that had been inside of them.

"But I- wait... I thought nobody had ever ventured deep enough into Hamunaptra? They would have found the Puzzle otherwise, right?", Yugi wondered out loud again and he was glad Yami nodded in confirmation.

"Very true, but these are drawings of when the Khemetians actually built the city. Obviously changes have been made and I think your grandfather found the Puzzle within a section that isn't on these papers. You see, both Kul Elna and Hamunaptra were used for rituals and they were secret magical ones", Yami said as he made sure the paperwork couldn't curl itself up again by pinning the corners down with something heavy. "And sometimes dangerous ones too, which the Sennen Items are a part of. It may be that the Pharaohs and Keepers of that time decided to keep the Puzzle as secret as possible. They could have decided to bury it in a place that was nowhere to be found just so it would remain a secret until forever", the pale man continued while he pointed at a particular empty spot on the floor plan.

"That would make sense... Especially because gramps said that where he had wandered off to didn't seem to have been visited for thousands of years, which was unlike the other parts of the city. Plus, if the Puzzle is as dangerous as everyone says it is... I can understand as to why people would keep it locked away without telling anyone", Yugi mentioned, although he nibbled his lip slightly while he glanced at Atemu. "Sorry", he whispered while rose-red eyes gleamed back at him almost eerily.

"It's all right, Yugi... We both know what the Puzzle is capable of and yes, it is very dangerous. Especially if all the Sennen Items together were nearly able to destroy Khemet", Atemu replied and Yami nodded while he opened the second history book and moved towards the pages a little further into the object.

"Very true, although you will only find that kind of information in our history books, not the ones Yugi has been studying at his school. As I told you, the Sennen Items were created roughly three-thousand years ago to win a war, although that backfired greatly. My family has been translating ancient scrolls ever since they were created, just so they would always be readable, and the scrolls from that time say the war started during the reign of Pharaoh Akunamkanon", Yami explained while he showed images of the mentioned Pharaoh. He was tall and wore purple robes upon this particular painting found in a tomb, while he was surrounded by ancient texts.

"My history is a little on the short side here, considering it's been a while, so I have no idea who he is. We merely studied Khemet in our first year at High School, which means you need to enlighten me all the way", Yugi mentioned while he stared at the pages of the book Yami had opened up while the other one laid on his lap without telling him anything. His companion merely smiled, however, as he took the second book from his roommate and leafed through the pages as well.

"That's fine, it makes it more interesting to tell you. As it is, Akunamkanon is said to be one of the last Pharaohs of the ancient times, because the rulers after him were left with a Khemet that was ruined by many things. There were droughts leading to famine and political difficulties; even after the war had ended. What people don't know, is that the Sennen Items caused all of this; as all of it happened after they had been used to win a war against the Sea People", Yami said while he showed another image. It was a relief upon a stone slab which showed one Pharaoh in all his glory at the same time he shot down the invading army from the sea with the Sennen Puzzle around his neck and a strange eye engraved where his usual one should be. Depicted behind him were five others, who each held an item as well.

"Sea People?", Yugi asked with a raised eyebrow and his roommate nodded while turning another page.

"Yes, they were said to be from different islands around the globe or to be soldiers who had turned to piracy. We know, however, that they were from Atlantis and on a conquest to gain back their relic", Yami said, before the shorter man waved for a time-out.

"Wait, what? Atlantis? As in 'the sunken city' Atlantis?", Yugi asked and he pointedly ignored the roll of Atemu's eyes, although he could feel the annoyance bleed across the link.

"Yes, although if it is sunken or not remains the question. That, however, is part of another division within our community and I know little about that", Yami answered while Yugi remained his stare at him and he sighed softly as he had to divert from his story unwillingly. "There are multiple divisions within our ranks and each one deals with different kinds of information. My division is ancient Khemet and the Sennen Items, albeit that the latter is self-appointed. In this case, however, the Atlanteans are a part of our research, because the book of which the Sennen Items originates from was their relic and they wanted it back. Hence why they started the war", the pale man continued in a way to get the conversation going again while he turned the page and showed an image of a thick book with the Items' eye on it's front.

"Atlantis is a myth", Yugi merely countered with a frown while he ignored the tanned spirit as much as possible. He couldn't, however, ignore the crimson eyes staring at him.

"Every myth is based on truth", Yami argued back and he had to bite the inside of his cheek as he didn't want to laugh when Atemu smirked in victory.

"Yugi, please, just accept what is for the moment. I'd like to hear the rest of the story before the end of the week", the spirit offered in an attempt to silence the shorter man and amethyst eyes turned to him for a moment, before his host gave up.

"Fine, you're right. So, Atlantis tried to invade Khemet", was his gentle answer while he turned back to the books in front of him and Yami smiled gratefully, before he also turned to the information at hand.

"Yes, they tried to invade Khemet. This because their relic was in the hands of Akunamkanon and his priests who were trying to translate the ancient texts. We know they succeeded at one point, or else the Sennen Items would have never been created, but even before the spell book had made its way into the hands of these priests, they had already been quite good with magic. With their magic, however, and the Items at their disposal, Akunamkanon's younger brother used the knowledge of the Atlanteans against them and with it won the war", Yami continued while he let both Yugi and Atemu read the translated texts written down inside the books.

"Where is the book now? Could it provide any insights?", the tanned man asked as he stared at the image of a thick, brown book with the eye on its front. He didn't recognise it, but perhaps it could help them. The thought was shattered, however, when Yami winced slightly.

"We don't know where it is and the ancient texts say it has been burned after Akunadin, who was the younger brother, won the war. In fact, he tried to burn the items as well, but clearly never managed. The magic was too great and it is therefore the items were sealed away in an attempt to safe Khemet from the wrath they unleashed. The murder of the entire family for creating the Sennen Items barely changed the fact Khemet was under a heavy shadow and it took years for the magic to fade enough so they wouldn't cause any more destruction", Yami said while he turned another page and Yugi sighed softly.

"There is not going be another destruction, right? We can search for more than an eternity for Atemu's memories, but as long as I won't go near other Items with the Puzzle, we'll be safe, right?", the shorter man asked for safety reasons, but Yami rose his shoulders ever so slightly in doubt.

"If you would stay away from other Items, I don't see a problem, but I'm not an expert. All of the Items are separated from each other right now and some are even lost to us. The Puzzle was for a long time too and we don't know everything there is regarding to the magic within the Items. We just know they are dangerous and have nearly destroyed a country. They won the war with people who were highly advanced, who could have created the Sennen Items for themselves, but never did. Why didn't they? Because they knew the dangers? If so, I can understand why they waged a war against Khemet: to get their relic back and to ensure the safety of the entire globe", Yami surmised, to which Yugi took a deep breath.

"That doesn't answer my question", he stated with a worried expression and his roommate sighed softly, prior to turning back to his books.

"All I'm trying to say is that I don't know, but that you can be right. If we make sure the Puzzle doesn't get close to any of the other Sennen Items, we might be able to stop them from destroying everything all over again. Although I must disagree on us having an eternity to solve this mystery. We don't", the pale man answered gravely and he could see how Yugi's worry grew.

"What do you mean we don't?", was the returned question which made Yami nibble his lip slightly.

"Well, I will only be here for roughly six months, as my certificates don't take that long to finish. Some, I will have finished within five months or less, so I'd like to figure everything out before I have to return to my work once more at the library", the pale man answered while he looked at gleaming rose-red eyes. Atemu remained silent as he watched both his host and roommate, before he glanced at the book upon the table. Would it really be possible to find things concerning his past in these six months or was that just their own attempt at wishful thinking?

"You want to try and solve the mystery of the Sennen Items in six months while nobody else has ever done it before in the past three-thousand years?", Yugi asked and Atemu tilted his head slightly as he wondered the same. Was that even possible?

"No. At least, not all of the Items. My current concern is the Puzzle and freeing Atemu from his prison. With the right information and a little bit of luck as well as my sister's cooperation, we should be able to get very far in the small time frame I have established for myself", Yami answered and he smiled while his roommate sighed softly, before the other pointed at the paperwork atop the table.

"And this is going to help us?", he asked, but that made the taller man shake his head gently.

"Not all of it, but I need these to complete my own research while I'm hoping to find Atemu's origins. Your grandfather said he would send the recordings of where he found the Puzzle to you and I'd like to have them so I can link them to Hamunaptra. Plus, even though the Sennen Tome is lost to us, I am hoping someone wrote down secret texts concerning the ritual. Even though that may have cost them their lives", Yami answered and slowly, Yugi nodded.

"I'll send you the e-mail I got earlier this morning during class. Gramps found what he was looking for and his friend helped him digitalise it so he could send it over. Plus, he asked Arthur Hawkins about the tape in regards to Hamunaptra itself. It's attached to my e-mail as well, although I have no idea what that one is about", were the gentle words while the shorter man took his phone out of his pocket. Yami handed him the e-mail address upon which he wanted to receive the recordings, prior to raising up from his seat to get his laptop out of his bedroom.

"Is there anything I can do to help at all?", Yugi asked with a small frown, considering he knew absolutely nothing and wasn't sure if he would be useful if Yami already knew the entire books by heart. It almost relieved him when the taller man shook his head and although it meant he would be separated from his handsome roommate, Yugi rose up from the sofa as well as he still had a mountain of homework to complete.

"Not that I can think of, as I'll be looking into your grandfather's recordings and make notes to see if I can find a connection. Although I hope Atemu will stay with me. Perhaps the images of what we see can jog his memories?", Yami asked as he turned to the tanned spirit whose rose-red eyes were gleaming warmly at the same time the other male nodded.

"I will stay", Atemu answered and he was looking forward to helping the other man while his host would be unavailable. He actually preferred it this way, as he wasn't waiting for Yugi's questions to what could be his past. Yes, with the other man's knowledge, he knew Atlantis was a myth... but so had the Puzzle been for years and look at where it was currently sitting. He wasn't asking for Yugi to become gullible, but at least a sense of cooperation concerning the information they were given would have been nice from the start.

"Great", Yami answered with a smile, before he walked away to his bedroom and Yugi sighed softly as he stared after the leaving man. Then, slowly, he turned to Atemu.

"Good luck, especially if we only have six months at the most", the shorter man murmured, only to be stared at by those rose-red eyes while the spirit behind them was measuring his words for their worth. He probably didn't score that high, but Yugi didn't care as he picked up the book bag he had brought inside earlier to start on his homework. None of this really interested him, he had to be honest with himself in that regards, although it stung him slightly when Yami returned with an excited grin on his lips.

"You'll still come tomorrow with me to meet my friends, right?", he therefore asked as an afterthought and crimson eyes turned to him, before the pale man nodded slowly.

"Yes, I'll still come with you to the nightclub you guys have picked out. Although I don't drink", Yami warned his roommate, but Yugi waved that away because that didn't matter.

"Which is fine, we go to a dance club to dance and we don't mind if you don't drink. As long as you won't mind that we do take a glass or two", the shorter man answered in return and Yami shrugged slightly, before he let Yugi go to his own bedroom to study while he settled down on the sofa beside Atemu. For a moment, he was silent, but then he glanced at the spirit with a slight frown on his face.

"Yugi drinks more than just two glasses, doesn't he?", was his soft question and rose-red eyes looked at him in amusement, before Atemu tilted his head slightly. "Yeah, don't answer because he is still your host and I don't want for him to have a feeling you stabbed him in the back... Besides, your silence says more than a few words possibly could", the pale man continued and he cleared his throat while the spirit smiled knowingly.

"Just like your question speaks a thousand words of you not really wanting to go?", Atemu asked teasingly and he chuckled softly when pale cheeks coloured red at the same time Yami wasn't looking at him. It made the tanned spirit laugh some more, especially as his companion cracked a smile too and chuckled.

"Not really, but I promised myself and my sister I would at least attempt a few moments in which I would socialise with other people instead of with just my books. I tried to counter that with having to undergo class projects, but she didn't accept that", Yami explained and both men chuckled softly, before their attention was captured by the footage of the first film. Yugi's grandfather was speaking to himself softly while he showed the room he had 'fallen' into as the older man had explained a few days ago and Yami gently scribbled down some notes as he watched.

"What's that?", Atemu asked softly as he pointed at the screen and the pale man quickly paused the image, before he let it re-run to get a clearer view. The entire room was very dark and with Sugoroku pointing his flashlight elsewhere, they couldn't see anything of what he was currently capturing on tape. Luckily, Yugi's grandfather had some sense in regards to what to film next and both crimson as well as rose-red eyes continued to stare at the engraving of the Sennen Eye on the wall. Beneath it, in a niche carved into the stone wall, sat a golden box with inscriptions and slowly, Yami glanced at Atemu to see if he recognised it.

"That is the box which contained the pieces of my prison. Yugi has kept it and shown it to me with his grandfather translating the inscriptions to: 'The person who solves this puzzle will have their wish granted', with the other text being: 'The one who solves me, will receive my dark knowledge and power'. I know Yugi's wish was to gain friends and even before I was completely sane, I used the dark magics within the Puzzle to protect myself", Atemu clarified while his incorporeal hand pointed at the box which Sugoroku got on tape from a very close-up perspective.

"Did the Puzzle grant his wish?", Yami asked softly as he glanced at the other man and slowly, Atemu nodded which only created a smile on pale lips.

"After I emerged, the bullies stopped harassing him because they eventually knew they'd end up in an asylum if they tried; even though nobody knew how or why. Still, he did manage to make friends after defending his former bullies from being beaten up and through the games they played, they stuck together", the tanned spirit answered, before their focus returned towards the screen of Yami's laptop.

"That's nice to hear, especially as it means the Puzzle did something good with its magic instead of the dark things it's known for", Yami answered, before he took a few notes as he watched how Sugoroku recorded another wall at the same time he muttered something softly. Turning the volume up, the pale man re-winded the film once more, prior to letting it repeat itself.

"Remarkable... How did I get in here?", were the softly spoken words and both men frowned slightly in worry, although they continued to watch while Yugi's grandfather moved the camera around the room. Aside from the Sennen Eye engraved upon the wall as well as the golden box, it was dark and therefore seemingly empty, which didn't change throughout the entire recordings at all. Yami sighed as he had had hoped to have seen at least something else, especially the entrance so he could have warned his family as they would go looking for it, although he was relieved to see Sugoroku eventually found his way out of the chamber with the golden box underneath his arm. Instead of entering within the temple, however, sunlight shone at the end of the tunnel and when the other man emerged, he stood among desert sand and palm trees whilst looking out over a village in the distance.

"That's Kul Elna", Yami muttered, prior to pausing the film while he tried to glance at the structures they could see. "And from the looks of it, he's standing somewhere south from the town's edges", he continued while he set his laptop aside gently so he could look at the maps and put his finger down on where he guessed Sugoroku was standing.

"Does that mean anything?", Atemu asked with interest as he watched Yami frown at the same time he tilted his head in curiosity. Crimson eyes glanced at him with that same small hint of confusion while the pale man nibbled his lip as his mind raced a hundred miles per minute.

"Yes, but I'm not sure what... Can you place your finger here? Let me turn the map of Hamunaptra so that it lies the way it should", Yami answered and even though he couldn't touch the scroll, Atemu did as his companion asked of him whilst the latter turned the other piece of paper and slowly traced a line across them both. "You see, Hamunaptra lies west of Kul Elna at a pretty much linear point of view. For Sugoroku to emerge south from the town, means he has gone through a tunnel. What I didn't tell Yugi yet, because he didn't ask, was that Hamunaptra is the resting place of Akunamkanon. It is where he was buried prior to the Sennen Items having been forged. The others of his family were murdered for creating the Items after the death of their great Pharaoh and they were then seen as the objects to destroy Khemet. The ancient texts say that his family was sacrificed to the Gods in order to appease them whilst afterwards, the family was removed from history. Only the Keepers knew what had happened, as they were tasked to lock the knowledge away so no one could ever unleash the dark magic again", Yami explained, although when Atemu tilted his head slightly, he stopped speaking.

"I didn't ask before either, but his entire family was murdered? They simply wiped an entire line from existence?", was the question in disbelief and the look of dread only grew upon the tanned face when Yami nodded in answer.

"Yes, they were, because the people needed someone to blame for everything that happened at the time as there was a drought and famine; both of which were caused by the Items after Akunadin forged them and won the war. We know most of these things because we were able to keep the stone slabs, as well as their warning labels, preserved throughout the centuries. The image of Akunamkanon I showed earlier was of him warning everyone to never use the Items again whilst the people prayed for the freedom of his soul; after it would be judged by the Gods, of course", Yami said softly as he looked back at the book where Atemu knew the image was somewhere between its pages.

"But an entire family? For what one man had done?", the tanned spirit asked and it made him feel uneasy. Why, he didn't know, but the sound of genocide didn't sit well with him. Couldn't they have punished solely the one who had ordered for the Sennen Items to be made?

"Unfortunately, that was the way back then, although I must say that for the women... it was the better option. They would have been sold into slavery and prostitution otherwise and personally, I'd rather be dead than that... Or be engulfed by the dark magic like what happened to his brother. The people were never able to convict him, so they sought out other ways to redeem themselves in the eyes of their gods...", Yami replied softly and he wished he could touch Atemu again to reassure him. That this all had happened a long time ago, but he couldn't, because the spirit was connected to the Items in a way he couldn't imagine. Which was why his last answer might not have been an appropriate one as he watched the worry in rose-red eyes bloom to life and he sighed while stretching his hand out to signal he wished to touch the other man's hand gently.

"It's all right, Até, that won't happen this time and especially not with either Yugi or you. There are no other Sennen Items here who can cause destruction, so we're safe. You control the dark magic within the Puzzle and even though I can't imagine how hard it must be, I do have faith in you", he whispered reassuringly and although those beautiful irises still gleamed with uncertainty, Atemu gave a small smile either way as he allowed for Yami's words to settle in his soul. He would do anything to keep the dark magic at bay and although it wasn't easy, he had to do something. Especially now that he knew what it could do and the tanned spirit trembled slightly, before he heaved a fake sigh.

"Thank you", he replied softly and Yami kindly smiled in return while still wishing he could do more for the other man. If only he could touch him to tell him all would be well in the end and that they would find the answers so Atemu wouldn't have to live with the burden of the Puzzle any longer. "I really appreciate your words and they reassure me greatly. It is horrible what happened to this family and I sincerely hope they rest in peace", were the spirit's soft words and they gently pulled Yami from his train of thoughts, before he nodded in agreement as he hoped that too. Especially because Atemu did, who actually had all rights to be angry for he was the one locked inside the Puzzle... even though they didn't know the reason why, it was the royal family who had ordered for the seal to be made; which could have made forgiveness be a hard feeling to gain. Yet, the tanned spirit managed it and Yami smiled as that thought made him feel warm inside.

"Wherever they are, and although I am not a religious person, I'm sure they have heard you", the pale man replied gently and Atemu smiled warmly, before he was glad Yami settled back down at his side to watch the second film he had received from his host. It just... felt good to have him sit beside him, even though he had no body to feel with and it confused the tanned spirit greatly while he accepted the warmth brewing in his soul with both hands. Why it didn't sit well with him to hear of an entire family being murdered, he didn't know, but that's why he tried to focus upon Yami's soothing voice as well as the next recording.

"This one was made by mr. Hawkins and although I have seen Hamunaptra before, I am curious as to where Yugi's grandfather disappeared through", the pale man said softly, which took Atemu from his musings while he glanced at his companion with a curious frown.

"You've been to the city? Even though it's filled with traps?", was the spirit's question and his companion hummed softly while a small blush appeared upon his cheeks.

"Yes... I grew up in Kul Elna and the city was very close by, so of course I tried to visit... and managed to not get caught for doing so", Yami answered while nibbling his lip, although there was a cheeky grin on his lips too, before he chuckled when Atemu did laughed in mirth. It was such an honest and pleasant sound, the pale man couldn't help himself as it made his chuckles louder into a laugh of his own.

"It doesn't sound like you at all, to run off from home to investigate a burial site in the middle of the night", Atemu answered with a grin on his lips and Yami nibbled his lip with another chuckle, before he scratched himself behind the ear.

"Yes, well... I still blame my brother for sparking my interest in going to the city, as I was barely ten at the time with him being thirteen, but I can't blame him really as he was caught and punished severely for even going out. As a true coward, I stayed silent because I didn't want to be on the receiving end of my adoptive father's temper and my brother never told on me because he didn't know I had followed him. Still, I blame his bragging for what I did that night to this very day", the pale man answered softly and Atemu tilted his head slightly as he could hear the sadness upon Yami's voice for remembering that time. Was it both a good and bad memory?

"Sounds bitter sweet", was therefore his gentle reply and Yami nodded, before he focused his attention upon the recordings again to see the city he had once seen by night during daylight for a change. At least, some places were lit by the sun, as that's where the roof had collapsed no matter how much his family had tried to preserve it. The walls, however, were almost devoid of any kind of texts and Atemu frowned as he remembered that Yami had said the Khemetians had always made images of whatever they did in life.

"There is nothing on the walls... Why not?", he asked softly as he gazed at the structure, but aside from an altar inside a room and what could have been a book holder on a foot, there was absolutely nothing.

"It is because Hamunaptra was officially used for magical rituals and they were kept a secret, even from their own people. It was said not even Akunamkanon was as versed in the magic as some believed for him to be, but that's more a rumour than truth if I'm honest. Either way, Hamunaptra is practically devoid of inscriptions, aside from a very few walls of which the biggest one is engraved by the late Pharaohs image as well as his warning text so that nobody would ever dare attempt using the city or the Items ever again", Yami said, before he was able to show it when the camera moved to the wall in particular.

"That's one of the other walls, which has an engraving of the Eye on it- What just happened?", the pale man said as he gazed a the screen in surprise, before he re-wind the film to play it again. On it, the mentioned wall was clearly visible, together with Sugoroku examining it, until he vanished suddenly. Both men were silent as they watched how it happened and Yami was truly at a loss for words while he paused the film at the same time mr. Hawkins called his friend's name.

"Can't believe that wall was a door all this time... How did he do that?", Yami asked with a frown on his face, although neither the film or his mind could come up with a possible explanation. His family had taken care of the city for three-thousand years... How could they have missed a door?

"Nobody knew this was a door?", Atemu asked softly and still surprised, the pale man slowly shook his head in answer as he gazed at the map next and then back at the screen. It made sense and it definitely fit into the floor plan as well; even with the tunnel of which nobody knew it existed.

"What if they did know?", the tanned spirit asked next and crimson eyes gleamed as Yami let that thought run around in his head. It didn't make sense... and yet... It made perfect sense.

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Thank you all for reading this chapter and if you have the time, please leave an update. Hopefully I'll get the eleventh installment up soon as well, but it is still work in progress together with BD. See you all then though, byebye!