This story contains TRIGGER WARNINGS for rape, violence, blood, physical and emotional abuse, suicide (mentioned). READ AT YOUR OWN DISCRETION.

This warning applies to the story in general. NO SPECIFIC WARNINGS FOR INDIVIDUAL CHAPTERS WILL BE GIVEN!


My beautiful readers,

I would like to inform you that after chapter 22 I will be taking a bit of a break from uploading chapters. Just so you know!

Sincerely,

Pancake


Chapter 21

The day of the first ritual had come.

In the afternoon, servants helped Yugi get ready. A crimson tunic of an almost transparent fabric had been tailored for him especially for this occasion. The golden jewellery with rubies was new as well.

By the time the sun was drawing closer to the horizon, Yugi was pacing back and forth, past his bed and Kisara's. His hands were playing with a few fish and turtles from Abtu Sheta. The first nobles had probably already made their way to Hapi's temple. In the city of Waset a festival had begun and people were waiting for the herald who would announce that the ritual had been successfully performed.

Yugi had an awful feeling about tonight. Something bad would happen because of the lotion he had switched out – but what? He kept telling himself he had done it for Kisara but that alone couldn't soothe his conscience anymore.

Yugi felt like a papyrus that was slowly being torn apart. Surely, Atem would help if he knew about Kisara. But if he opened his mouth, Otogi would consider him a traitor and ban him from Tamiat. Yugi couldn't lose his home a second time, couldn't lose Jou, Anzu, Honda, Mai, and all the others. He couldn't risk Kisara's life. He couldn't risk Tamiat being bombed by Atlantis. He couldn't risk making everything so much worse – again.

Yugi left the game pieces on a small table and walked into Otogi's chambers. Cushions, plates, and scrolls were scattered everywhere. Otogi had become so irritated and aggressive he had forbidden servants to enter his rooms unless he was gone. Since none of them wanted Otogi to shout or have something thrown at them, they obeyed.

Last night Otogi had been woken up from his nightmare by his own screams. Even though there had been several walls between them, Yugi had heard it, as well as his curses afterwards and how he had smashed things against the walls. He had been sobbing too. Yugi still felt sorry for him.

In the morning, Otogi had gone to Lord Kek's villa and he hadn't returned since. Yugi entered the dressing room and stopped before Otogi's vanity. Otogi would have to return here before the ritual. He couldn't appear at such an important event without the wristbands that marked him as the ruler of Tamiat. Those lay in their red box on a velvety cushion. Yugi picked up one of them and let his fingers run over the sapphires and pearls.

Among all this fear and confusion, the sight warmed Yugi from within. The jewels really looked like the waves of the ocean and the gold they were attached to reminded Yugi of the beach. It felt like an eternity ago when he had sat in the sand with his friends, hearing the roar of the waves, smelling the salty breeze, feeling at home… Ra, he missed Tamiat so, so much.

Steps came closer and Yugi heard Otogi's voice. His pulse quickened. If Otogi found out Yugi had entered his chambers without permission…

There was only one exit, which meant that Yugi had to hide. The wristband still in his hand, Yugi hid behind a wooden partition wall. He sat down on a stool and breathed as quietly as he could. Otogi entered, followed by Lord Kek.

"Stop worrying so much, Otogi. Everything will be fine."

"I know!" Otogi snapped. Yugi could only see one of his shoulders from behind. He stood in front of the vanity and rummaged in a bowl of rings. "How is Kisara?"

"She's fine but annoying. She keeps trying to sing but my guards don't let her. According to her, she just wants to practise her skills to pass the time. But I know she wants some guest of my club to find her."

"I thought the walls of the Blue Crocodile are thick enough so no one can hear her."

"They are but better safe than sorry."

Yugi's vision blurred. He told himself he must have heard wrong. No, they had really said it. All this time…

"I hope that lotion really is as flammable as you said." Otogi took a box with an iron lock out from under the vanity. He produced a small key and opened it.

"I showed you, didn't I? That bit of water from the pond won't help him." Lord Kek took something out of the box: a small leather ball with a fuse. Yugi gave a silent gasp. "We only need to hit Atem with one of those gifts from that Atlantean general and he'll be dead. It would have been a lot easier if he had given you more effective ones but oh well…"

"All I care about is that the Pharaoh will be dead by sunset," Otogi spat, his hatred sending a shiver down Yugi's spine. Other than that, his body had turned numb. He didn't notice he was letting go of the wristband until it dropped to the floor with a soft thud.

Otogi followed the sound and stumbled backwards when he discovered Yugi. Lord Kek moved the partition wall aside and his eyes widened. None of them moved.

"You're a liar," Yugi whispered. All of his muscles tensed up in anger before he shot up. "And a kidnapper and you … you want to be murderer too?!"

"Yugi…!" Otogi seized Yugi's arms, almost crushing them. "You don't understand-"

"I understand more than you think!"

Otogi slapped him. His palm left a burning sting on Yugi's cheek.

"Shut – up." He pulled Yugi closer and his minty perfume made Yugi feel sick. "You will do as I-"

"I will not help you murder him! No!"

"Either he dies tonight or Kisara will!"

Yugi felt the blood drain from his face.

"N-No. You wouldn't do that."

"Try me," Otogi hissed. His eyes were hard and cold like emeralds. But there was something else, something unpredictable that only needed a spark to cause damaged like a bomb. He looked at Lord Kek and nodded at the exit. Lord Kek left the room so Otogi could turn back to Yugi. He took a deep breath. "Yugi, all my life I've been at the mercy of a madman who tortured me for Tamiat's loss of independence, even after his death. I finally have a chance to escape him and I will not let it go."

"How can murdering someone free you?!"

"Don't you see? Once the Pharaoh dies, I'll be free from the vow of loyalty I had to make at his coronation. He'll be gone without leaving an heir behind. In all the resulting chaos me forming an alliance with Atlantis will be nothing but a minor detail! Tamiat will be safe from Atlantis' bombs and I will finally be free."

His voice was shaky with both excitement and fear. Yugi cupped Otogi's face. He spoke as calmly as possible:

"Otogi, no. You're not a murderer. You're the one who took me in, the one who is so well-known for his amazing parties, the one who does his best to make Tamiat a better place. You'll forget about these plans, we'll go back to Tamiat and we'll find another way to-"

"There is no other way! My father's been dead for years and he's still torturing me every fucking night. There's only one thing I can do to make him leave me alone and it's this."

"Otogi, please!" Yugi wrapped his arms around Otogi's neck. "I can't let you kill Atem, I-"

"Why not?" Otogi loosened the hug. His voice and gestures had something erratic and dangerous. "Are you a traitor? Do you not care if Kisara dies? Do you want Tamiat to be bombed?"

"No, of course not! But-"

"Then you will just play your part and do that ritual dance with him. Yugi, all I'm asking you to do is nothing. By tomorrow it'll be just me, you, and Tamiat."

Yugi was close to tears of desperation. His fingers dug into Otogi's tunic.

"Please, just sleep this over and you-"

"I will never be able to sleep until Tamiat is independent!" He grabbed Yugi's wrists. "You will go through with that ritual or I will slit Kisara's throat myself. Do you understand?!"

Otogi had never scared Yugi like this, not even the night he had raped Yugi. Since Yugi had no idea how to respond, Otogi said:

"Good. Now go and play your part. Just – do – nothing."


A palanquin brought Yugi to Atem's estate. He had no idea how he climbed out of it. He could hardly feel anything and it was as if the world was slightly spinning. The dark sphinx statues that lined the path to the building seemed smaller than usual. Or was it bigger?

Groups of guards, priests, and dancers in colourful costumes were already waiting in the forecourt. They all knelt down when Atem came out of his residence in a scarlet shendyt and a thick gold necklace, among other pieces of jewellery. Only once he greeted Yugi with a hug, Yugi remembered that he should have gone to his knees as well.

"Here we are… I fed Taia earlier her favourite food. Now she's all stuffed and will sleep for a while." Atem looked at Yugi and furrowed his brows. "Is something wrong? Your face is almost as white as chalk."

The truth wanted to escape Yugi's mouth but if it did, it'd kill Kisara. So he swallowed.

"I'm … just nervous."

"Are you sure? You look like you could faint any moment."

Yugi's eyes shifted over the stone tiles on the floor, then to the priests and dancers. They adjusted each other's clothes and held drums and tambourines in their hands. Despite the pressure, they were smiling and encouraging each other.

"What if I was too sick to take the ritual?"

"Well… I'd have to choose someone else. One of the priestesses since they're the only ones who know the choreography."

"Can't we postpone it?"

"No. According to the stars it has to be tonight." Atem brushed away Yugi's bangs. His face was twisted in concern. "Yugi… If it's really that bad, you can tell me now."

Yugi chewed on his bottom lip. He'd only have to say a few words and he'd be able to follow Otogi's command. That way Kisara would live. But he'd let Atem die. No, he couldn't just let it happen. Maybe he'd find another way after all.

"I'll go with you."

Atem hesitated.

"All right then. Maybe you'll feel better once the ceremony starts. That's how it is with stage fright sometimes."

Yugi nodded. Together they entered an open palanquin that was decorated with garlands of flowers. Guards, dancers, and priests assembled around them and once the leader of the royal guard gave the command, they started moving.

They left the royal district and headed for the temple. People were already waiting and cheered at the sight of the Pharaoh's palanquin. Most were nobles but a select number of commoners had been allowed to enter as well, among them the soldiers Atem had invited.

Yugi waved at them, yet he didn't pay them any actual attention. He couldn't possibly decide whether Atem or Kisara got to live, whether Tamiat would be bombed or a war for the crown would ensue. Not to mention that all those happy faces around them were expecting Yugi and Atem to please Hapi tonight, to bring a generous flood to Egypt. But the ritual was already tainted and it was Yugi's fault.

The palanquin stopped at Hapi's temple. In the forecourt, in front of the entrance, the high priest and his subordinates were waiting. They were all wearing robes in pure white and the high priest had a golden staff with an ankh on its top in his hands. Yugi and Atem left the palanquin and approached the priests. Under applause, they entered the first building.

Its halls seemed to have grown. At least Yugi felt a lot smaller in them than usual. The priests lead them through a few corridors, into chambers Yugi hadn't been in before.

He and Atem were led into different rooms. Like a puppet, Yugi let the priests take off everything he wore and make him take a hot bath. Afterwards, they dressed him in ceremonial clothes: for the bottom they gave him a skirt that ended above his knees and attached another piece of cloth to its back, almost like a train. It barely touched his ankles and was of a soft, transparent fabric.

They tied a cloth belt with white and pink lotus flowers around his hips. For his upper body they gave him a piece that covered half his back, his arms, and which had a hood for his head. It left free Yugi's chest, stomach, and lower back.

The clothes were mostly white with the occasional colourful accent or elaborate embroidery in Hapi's colours: blue, green, and black. For the jewellery, he got a choker, earrings, bangles, and anklets, all in gold. After painting a few hieroglyphs next to his eyes, they led him back into the first hall. The priests from before were waiting.

Most of the buzzing and chattering now came from the gardens. The audience must have entered the temple by now. Atem returned from his preparations only a little later. He wore the same as Yugi but instead of a hood he wore his nemes headdress.

"Are you ready?" the high priest asked.

"In a moment," Atem said, placed a hand on Yugi's back, and guided him into a shady corner. He placed his palms on Yugi's arms. "Shh… Breathe. You're shaking."

Atem was right. Yugi inhaled and exhaled but his legs still felt as stable as water. He still had no idea what to do.

"A-Atem, I…" Yugi began but couldn't continue. The words that might save Atem's life would take Kisara's and the other way around.

"It's all right," Atem said, his eyes full of gentility. "All this is scaring me too. But I know I can do this thanks to you. I trust you, Yugi."

He gave Yugi a kiss and Yugi had never felt so undeserving of Atem's kindness. Atem's scarlet eyes, his soft lips, his deep voice – all that was supposed to be gone soon? It was like thousands of needles stung him everywhere.

Just as Atem ended the kiss a priestess approached them.

"My Pharaoh, Royal Ornament? It's time."

Atem nodded and took Yugi's hand. They walked to the grand double doors that led into the gardens. Priests and guards alike assembled around them in an oval shape, the high priest at the front. The wooden doors opened and to Yugi it felt like being pushed down a cliff. Now all he could do was fall.

A wave of applause greeted them. The stone path was lined by so many people the grass below their feet was barely visible. Yugi scanned the crowd for Otogi but couldn't find him anywhere. Maybe he hadn't come after all? Yugi prayed that Otogi was still at his villa because he had understood the madness of his plan. Lord Kek was nowhere to be seen either.

Some of the priests were playing drums in their arms and Yugi and Atem walked in synch with their beats. Others were chanting songs that were calling on Hapi. The sun was already half hidden behind the horizon, painting the sky red like blood.

They reached the building with the square pond. Here it was even more crowded and they all cheered as Yugi and Atem made their way towards the shallow water. Mirrors that were attached to pillars and around the open ceiling directed sunlight the pond. That way the hieroglyphs at the bottom sparkled and looked as if the water was actually liquid gold.

They stopped in front of the pool. The high priest tapped his staff against the ground. The sound echoed and silenced the audience. He welcomed everyone to the ritual. What else he said Yugi didn't know. His eyes were still searching for Otogi. He spotted Lord Seto, Lady Isis, even Kajiki and his father but no Otogi and no Lord Kek.

The high priest moved out of the way so Atem could step into the glittering water. Yugi had no choice but to do the same. Two groups of priests were waiting in the middle and Yugi approached the left one. Drums were thudding in a rhythm that wasn't half as quick as Yugi's pulse.

One man was kneeling before Yugi, holding the silver tray above his head. Yugi took a handful of petals from a bowl and spread it on the water's surface while twirling. Atem did the same thing. Next was the sistrum. Both Yugi and Atem shook it in synch with the drums, walking in circles.

Yugi returned to the tray and placed the sistrum in the middle. To its right stood the pot of lotion. Yugi was sure his heart was about to jump out of his chest.

He had an idea. He pretended to accidentally push the pot off the tray – but it was caught by a priest. He put it back to where it had been. Yugi bit his tongue so he wouldn't curse the priest.

They all gave him confused looks when he hesitated. With trembling hands Yugi scooped up the lotion in both of his palms. He turned around and he and Atem walked towards the middle of the pond.

In another desperate attempt Yugi stumbled, hoping to lose the lotion if he fell. But another priest caught him around the hips. Only two steps later he and Atem stood right in front of each other.

Hundreds of eyes were on them. Some were already whispering because of Yugi's mistakes. Atem cleared his throat. Yugi knew why. His hands didn't want to move. There had to be another way! But Yugi's frantic mind couldn't find it.

He begged the gods once more that Otogi had changed his mind. Even though it made him want to throw up, he applied the lotion to Atem's chest, stomach, and lower back. Atem then did the same to Yugi. They turned around and walked a few steps. The other priests left the pond. The musicians began the ritual's song.

If they hadn't rehearsed so many times, Yugi might have forgotten the choreography altogether. But even though Yugi remembered everything, he was always a little out of synch with both Atem and the music. His moves were wooden and more than once he almost lost his balance and fell. Yugi looked around, searching for a bomb to fly towards Atem. The priests spread so much incense it was as if the hall was filled with mist and it made Yugi slightly dizzy.

Despite all that, they completed the choreography and lastly stretched out their arms and chests. Nothing had happened. Could it be…?

The crowd applauded. Yugi flinched when something landed in front of him in the water but it was only a flower. The audience threw dozens of them and Yugi's panic returned. He tried to make out any faces but by now the crowd was almost engulfed in incense. He whirled around when Atem took his hand.

"They're just flowers," he whispered, his brows furrowed in concern. Yugi was sweating, whether more because of the dance or his fear he didn't know.

They left the pond and walked to the high priest and his subordinates with dripping feet. They all had looks of disappointment on their faces. Yugi didn't care.

"Now that you've completed the first ritual…" the high priest said.

Yugi's heart stopped.

He saw it to his right.

A small leather bomb with a lit fuse flying from the crowd towards Atem.

Yugi didn't think.

He acted.

"Look out!" he shouted and threw himself against Atem. Both rolled over the floor as the ball hit the ground and exploded into fire. People screamed.

Three more bombs flew through the air, one hitting a priest, one the crowd, and another one the tiles not far from Yugi and Atem. Guards rushed to them, grabbed their arms, and pulled them up. They forced their way through the panicking crowd, into a safe corridor. Atem threw his arms around Yugi.

"Yugi, are you all right?"

To Yugi, everything was spinning. Whatever feelings he had seemed to be slipping away. He touched his own head and when he looked at his hand it was red with blood. His vision blurred and one moment later he fainted.


Yugi woke in a dark room he didn't know. The daze of sleep disappeared in the blink of an eye when he remembered what had happened. The realisation shot through his spine like icy lightning.

He may have saved Atem. But he had sentenced Kisara to death. Had Otogi already…?

The door opened and Lord Seto entered with an oil lamp in his hand. Only now Yugi realised he was lying on a red divan and that he was wearing a simple, white tunic. Yugi sat up but the pain flashing through his skull made him regret it. He touched his hair and noticed a bandage.

"Don't worry. It's only a lacerated wound according to the doctors," Lord Seto said, his voice as cool as always. "You probably fainted because of the shock."

"I see," Yugi croaked. Silence.

"Don't you want to know what happened?"

"O-Of course I do."

Lord Seto raised an eyebrow.

"It seems someone was trying to kill the Pharaoh. We're interrogating everyone who was involved in the ritual. You see, one of the priests checked on the items for the ritual. He noticed that the lotion that was applied to the Pharaoh has been tempered with."

"It has…?"

"Yes. Apparently, it was only noticeable to experts like him. A few ingredients were different, making the lotion highly flammable. If one of those fireballs had hit the Pharaoh, he'd have died instantly. The people who were hit at the temple are injured but they'll live."

"G-Good."

Yugi pressed a hand against his mouth. He had to get to Otogi as soon as possible. If he hurried, maybe he could convince him to…

"Royal Ornament, please come with me."

"Why?"

"We need to interrogate you too."

Yugi's mouth went dry.

"Me? But-"

"I said we're interrogating everyone who had something to do with the ritual. Surely you understand that we can't make an exception for you."

There wasn't only the usual cold efficiency in Lord Seto's eyes. He looked at Yugi like a possible suspect. Did he know something?

"Y-Yes but I … I don't feel well…"

"It's just a few questions."

Knowing that Lord Seto wouldn't accept a no, Yugi followed him through the corridors of the main complex. Outside, it was dark but the torches on the walls provided at least a little light. Nervous whispers came from every room and corner, most likely speculating about what had happened. Yugi doubted that anyone at the palace would sleep tonight.

They reached the corridor before the throne hall. Two guards opened one of the massive doors when they saw Lord Seto approach, then closed it once they were inside. Yugi felt as if he had entered a lion's cage.

The path from the doors to Atem's throne was covered by a long, crimson carpet. Several fire plates were crackling at its sides and in other corners. Guards with spears stood at the walls. Atem sat on his throne while five of his advisers were seated to his left and right. In the area before them knelt one of Hapi's priests.

"That will be all for now," Atem said and a guard led the priest to one of the side doors. Atem's eyes fell on Yugi and his expression changed to one of worry. Despite his best efforts to hide it, Yugi could see from afar that Atem was shaken and tired.

"My Pharaoh, I'd like to question the Royal Ornament next," Lord Seto said as he and Yugi came closer.

"Why is that? He saved my life, Lord Seto. He deserves your respect, not your mistrust."

"I assure you that I don't mistrust him," Lord Seto lied. "I just think we should be thorough. It shouldn't take long anyway."

Atem shot him a disapproving look, then sighed.

"You're right. It's just part of the routine."

"Thank you. And there's someone else I'd like to question."

He waved at one of the guards in the back. Two of them disappeared through another side door and returned with a person between them: Otogi.

His eyes were so full of hate Yugi took a step back. The guards withdrew once Otogi was standing next to Yugi. Lord Seto took his seat to Atem's right.

"You are Yugi of Tamiat, Royal Ornament of Pharaoh Atem. Is that correct?"

"Y-Yes, my lord."

"And you are Lord Otogi, Lord of Tamiat, correct?"

"Indeed," Otogi said, already struggling to sound calm.

"Royal Ornament, please tell us what happened at the ritual earlier."

Yugi's tongue felt too big for his mouth.

"A-After we finished the choreography I saw these … things fly towards Pharaoh Atem. So I pushed him out of the way."

"And how did you know they were dangerous? According to everyone else, they looked like leather balls. While rather unusual for the occasion, those would not have been dangerous."

Yugi nibbled on his lower lip.

"I… I thought they were stones."

"That was lucky," Lord Seto said with a hint of sarcasm. "Royal Ornament, you've been checking every direction throughout the entire dance. Why was that?"

Yugi glanced at Otogi. His expression was clear: Don't – you – dare.

"I… I was really nervous," Yugi said. Lord Seto turned to Otogi.

"My lord, you returned to your villa right after the attack. Why?"

"Obviously, I was shaken. I wanted to go somewhere safe."

"Even though your whore could have been hurt?"

"I was in panic. I didn't think," Otogi almost snapped. Some advisers raised their brows but Lord Seto didn't care.

"Royal Ornament, why did you hesitate when you had to apply the tempered lotion to the Pharaoh's body?"

It was as if the question put a noose around Yugi's neck. Lord Seto was only waiting for one wrong word to let it choke Yugi. He shot Otogi a quick look.

"I-I don't remember. I was too nervous."

"Right. You were nervous." He said the last word almost mockingly. "Didn't you have your début here at the palace only a few months ago? Back then you seemed perfectly comfortable with a large audience."

Yugi's eyes darted at Otogi.

"Dancing for mortals and dancing for and with a god are completely different things! How dare you even compare them?" Otogi said, playing with the wristbands he hated so much.

"The question wasn't directed at you," Lord Seto said calmly. "But do tell me, my lord: Why were your servants preparing a horse and your luggage when my guards came to fetch you?"

Otogi hesitated, almost panting.

"I was planning on leaving anyway. I've been away from Tamiat for far too long."

"Can you confirm that, Royal Ornament?"

Yugi felt as if he was balancing on a rope, only he had no idea where to put his foot so he wouldn't fall.

"I think so," he croaked.

"You think so? Wouldn't Lord Otogi have taken you with him? Or was he planning on just leaving his most beautiful whore here?"

"I… I…"

"What does this have to do with anything?!" Otogi said. "The Pharaoh was almost murdered and you think this is the right time to meddle in our private affairs?!"

Lord Seto was not impressed. He turned to Yugi again.

"Royal Ornament, you care about the Pharaoh on a personal level, don't you?"

"O-Of course."

"Then you must also have a personal desire to see the assassin punished, right?"

Yugi glanced at Otogi, then at the floor, then at Lord Seto.

"Y-Yes."

Lord Seto folded his hands and leaned forward. He spoke loud and clearly:

"Then I'm asking you in front of many witnesses, the Pharaoh, and Maat herself: Do you think Lord Otogi was involved in the attempted assassination?"

Cold seized Yugi's body, yet he felt a drop of sweat run over his forehead. Once more, his gaze travelled to Otogi.

"Yugi," it came from Atem. Yugi had forgotten he was even there. For the first time since entering, Yugi looked at him. "If you can, tell me that neither you nor Lord Otogi had anything to do with this."

The mask Atem usually wore in public was cracking. Beneath was the person who had faith in Yugi, the one in whose arms Yugi could feel safe, the one who understood him like no one else. Yugi had already betrayed him. He couldn't do it again.

He hung his head in shame and a few gasps came from the other advisers.

"Lord Otogi," Lord Seto said. "Due to the suspicion of you trying to kill the Pharaoh, I hereby have you arrested."

"Arrest me?! How dare you?!" Otogi grabbed Yugi's arms so tightly Yugi almost shrieked. "Yugi, tell them I had nothing to do with this! Do it or I'll…"

"You'll do what, my lord?" Lord Seto asked. Guards were approaching them. Before they could surround them, Otogi dashed towards one of the fire plates and pulled another leather ball with a fuse out. Those who understood jumped up or clutched their chests.

"O-Otogi," Yugi said and raised his hands in an attempt to calm him. "Please don't."

Otogi's body was trembling. His eyes were full of dread but like a cornered animal, he was ready to do anything to save himself.
"YOU WILL NOT TAKE TAMIAT AWAY FROM ME!"

He held the fuse into the fire, then threw the bomb. Yugi and everyone else dashed to the side, screaming. But when the ball exploded it wasn't with fire; it was with a dark grey smoke that engulfed everything. Yugi coughed and his eyes watered so much he couldn't see.

A shrill sound, some kind of whistle, echoed through the hall. The wide double doors burst open and several kinds of noises spread: shouted commands, screams of attack, curses, blades clashing against one another, steps. Yugi was pushed to the ground, a dull pain in his shoulder.

When the fog cleared up, Yugi flinched. Half a dozen guards lay on the floor, either writhing in pain or motionless. Two other men lay on the ground, with weapons but without a uniform, and stared into nothing. Blood was splattered on the floor. Guards and advisers alike talked to each other in panicked voices, gave commands, and demanded answers. Yugi didn't hear what they were saying.

He looked around but Otogi was nowhere to be seen. All that remained of him was a small golden thing, lying on the crimson carpet that lead out of the hall and into the darkness. Yugi picked up the golden wristband and held it in his shaky hands.