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!

Chapter 25

Shortly after the sun had risen above the horizon those who would join the first battle for Hut-Waret gathered in the mansion's forecourt. Even though the tension before a battle was by now familiar to Yugi, it was still hard to bear. Today even more so than usual.

Kisara took a deep breath before she approached Lord Seto and wished him well. Lord Seto cleared his throat and thanked her without looking her in the eyes. Meanwhile, Ryou was forcing himself to smile while he exchanged a few words with Bakura.

Yugi too struggled with pretending that everything was as usual. Despite the air being crisp, it felt a lot harder to breathe than on any other day.

"Should I wear the red robe tonight?" Yugi whispered and winked.

"I would like that. But…" Atem took Yugi's hand. "Are you all right?"

"Of course," Yugi lied. "I just… Be careful out there."

"I will be."

Atem gave him a kiss but Yugi's lie gave it a hint of bitterness. Everyone mounted their horses and, accompanied by drummers and trumpeters, they trotted out of the forecourt. The sounds of music and hooves faded away and left a heavy silence behind.

Yugi, Ryou, and Kisara looked at each other. They knew what to do next.

Without another word, they went inside and made their way to the stables on paths that were a detour but therefore empty. In a stack of hay they had hidden wide capes, scarves to cover half their faces, and leather breastplates.

Aside from that, each of them had a dagger and waterskins. They had also grabbed many bags: to hang around their shoulders, attach to their belts, and for saddles.

Each one bridled and saddled a horse and led it outside. Ryou guided them to a minor gate that was hidden between bushes and trees. No guards were patrolling in this part of the mansion.

Taia followed them quietly, as if she understood what was going on. Yugi didn't want to take her with them but he knew that she wouldn't only be scared if she was without any of them for a whole day. She'd also howl and draw attention to their absence.

Together they removed the wooden beam in front of the gate and pulled it open. Yugi knew this was their last chance to turn back. His hands around the reins were slightly shaky.

This time, things were different. They didn't have any carts and they wouldn't cross any bridges. Even if everyone else in Buhen dismissed the idea, the purple clover could make the difference between victory and defeat. It was worth the risk.

Under a bush, Yugi spotted Amerys, staring at him in an almost challenging way. Was it a good sign? Yugi hoped so.

Neither of them felt like talking. The roads were empty but they still chose the smaller ones, sometimes rode over empty fields, and avoided any structure, even if it was a (supposedly) abandoned village or temple. From some places they could see many black dots, smaller than ants, marching towards a slightly bigger one that had to be the walls of Hut-Waret.

Yugi was holding the map in his hands, constantly checking if they were on the right path. Luckily, they'd avoid the area around Sobek's Bridge. He wiped his forehead over and over, not sure if he was sweating because of the unexpectedly warm morning or his nervousness.

The further they travelled, the more the vegetation around them thinned out and green turned into a pale brown. Yugi recognised the desert roads and it slightly calmed his nerves. Yugi's back and thighs began to hurt but none of them wanted to take a break. They knew they were close.

The sun was past its highest point and Yugi took the last gulp of water from his waterskin. He squinted his eyes at something in the distance: a dark green spot. His heart fluttering, he checked the map several times and it really was true: They had reached the oasis…!

They spurred their horses and galloped towards it. Yugi jumped off his horse and knelt on the cool grass. It felt as soft as a cloud. All three laughed and it shook off the tension that had seized them for most of the trip.

Taia crawled through a bush and Yugi brushed a few twigs aside. Behind it lay a whole meadow of purple clover and the sight made Yugi grin.

After drinking from a nearby pond and refilling their waterskins, they got to work. While Taia splashed around in the pond, the other three plucked hands full of purple clover and carefully stuffed one bag after another with it. The flowers emitted a sweet but fresh scent that Yugi knew he'd have all over his hands for a few days.

Yugi had just begun filling his last bag when Taia started to bark at the direction they had arrived from. Yugi walked over to her and patted her wet head. Yet, she wouldn't stop growling.

"What's wrong, girl?" Yugi said and stared at the roads. His lungs froze and all colour drained from his face. "Someone is coming!"

Kisara and Ryou winced, then hurried to Yugi and Taia. Both had panicked looks on their faces.

"Hide! Quick!" Yugi said. They pulled their horses to a small clearing behind bushes and trees, attached all their bags to the saddles, then ran to crouch between some shrubs. Beside him, Taia was growling but Yugi silenced her with a "Shh!".

Hoof steps came closer until three horses with their riders came into sight. Two of them had pale skin and uniforms with a blue sash – Atlanteans. The other one was Egyptian with spiky, blond hair, and cold eyes. It was Kek.

"Search the area!" he commanded and the soldiers obeyed, spears in hand. "If Dartz and Otogi forbid me to join the battle for Hut-Waret, I want to at least have some fun with those deserters."

The Atlanteans checked one corner after another and soon found the horses. A tremor crawled up Yugi's spine. His fingers tightened around his dagger.

He'd have to use it. He told himself that Kek and the Atlanteans couldn't feel pain like he could. They were demons. He could either protect himself and his friends or die.

One of the soldiers came closer but when he brushed some twigs aside, Yugi's entire body turned to stone. The Atlantean pointed his spear at them.

"Lord Kek! I found them!" he called. Yugi urged his body to do something but it wouldn't obey, as if he was paralysed. "Get over here you three! Now!"

"Stay," Yugi whispered at Taia behind him. To his slight relief, she obeyed and the soldier apparently hadn't noticed her. All three climbed out of the bushes with wooden moves. Kek and the other soldier approached them.

"My, my this is even better than deserters!" Kek laughed and looked at Yugi. "What are you doing here, little whore? And those two are your colleagues, I assume? I like this one."

He caressed Ryou's cheek but Ryou slapped his hand away.

"I am not a whore! I am the brother of Lord Bakura of Busiris!" he said with a trembling voice.

"Busiris, I see." He grinned, then turned back to Yugi. "Otogi will be so glad to have you back. But he'll have to keep it secret of course. Otherwise, those idiots from Tamiat won't go to war for him anymore."

"Wh-What's that supposed to mean?"

"Ah right, you don't know. You see, Otogi had to somehow convince his soldiers to fight alongside Atlantis. So he told them that Atem rapes and tortures you. Otogi, the tragic hero, tried to free you but Atem decided to invade Tamiat for trying to take what is his. And those fools believed it! They already despised Atem but after hearing that story, they hate him even more than Atlantis. And all that just for you! How precious!"

Kek might as well have slapped him. How could Otogi… No, surely it was Dartz who had come up with the idea. Yugi felt the urge to retch at the thought of soldiers charging into battle, believing it was for him.

"He also told a similar story about your friend." Kek pointed at Kisara. "But she's not all that important to Tamiat, is she?" Ignoring Kisara's shocked and angry expression, he continued: "There's that one soldier who's particularly determined to get you back. Always giving those heroic speeches and everyone falls for them. Blond hair, brown eyes, for some reason well-liked…"

"Jou," Yugi whispered and gulped. At least he was still alive.

"Dartz sure is happy about how emotional these people are about you. That way, they don't even mind building ships for Atlantis for their other wars. Oh, and the soldier sure like all the brothels, even though they're really expensive. Luckily, there are ways around that."

Yugi imagined Atlanteans prancing around Tamiat's streets, taking food that wasn't theirs, threatening the whores of the Red Lily if they didn't want to sleep with them… And they accepted all that just because of a lie?! Yugi clenched his fists, his nails digging into his own skin.

"Anyway, you'll accompany me back to Tamiat. Surely, we can convince Atem to surrender if we have you as a hostage. But the ride here was long and I want to take a break first. Hey pretty one." He grabbed Ryou's wrist. "Why don't you come with me? I'm sure you'll help me relax just fine…"

He pulled Ryou with him. His eyes full of panic, Ryou writhed and hit Kek but he only laughed.

"No, stop!" Yugi and Kisara shouted as the two disappeared behind some bushes. The soldiers seized them from behind by their arms, even though Yugi and Kisara squirmed and cursed. Yugi tried to reach for the dagger in his pocket but the soldier's grip was too strong.

A growl came from the bushes and a realisation hit Yugi. He whistled and one moment later, Taia jumped out from her hiding place, barking. She bit the calf of the Atlantean who was holding Kisara. He let go of her, fell, and kicked Taia. Kisara took out her knife and threw it into the shoulder of the Atlantean holding Yugi. He let go and Yugi turned around to punch him. He snatched the soldier's shield and hit the other one with it until he passed out and no longer hurt Taia.

"DON'T! PLEASE!" Ryou shouted and all three darted into the direction the voice had come from. They found Ryou lying on the ground, Kek on top of him between his legs. Yugi attacked Kek from behind, trying to pull him away.

"You little…!" Kek said, grasped Yugi's hair and arm, and threw him. Yugi landed on the ground and the impact made him dizzy. Kek rose, produced his hatchet, and took a swing. He stopped when Taia attacked him, biting his arm. "You piece of shit!"

He sliced at her and Taia jumped back, wailing. Kisara stabbed his shoulder and Kek screamed, then cut her arm and shoved her away. He turned to Yugi, his eyes burning with hate. Yugi tried to crawl away with shaky limbs. Kek drew back his hatchet, its blade reflecting the sunlight.

A thick branch came down on Kek's head and he dropped to the floor. Holding the branch was Ryou. His whole body was trembling. Kek moaned and the others winced.

"Let's go," Yugi said. He, Ryou, Kisara, and Taia rushed back to their horses. The blood in his veins still tingling, Yugi mounted his horse and together they hurried away as fast as they could.

I messed it up. Again. How could I even think that I'm able to do anything right?!

That was all Yugi could think about on their way back to Busiris. Ryou had almost been raped and both Kisara and Taia were injured. None of this would have happened if Yugi had just known his place!

"There! I found them!" someone shouted. They had almost reached Busiris' outer walls. The sun was covering them with orange evening light. Only a little later, Bakura rode towards them, his face twisted in anger.

"Ryou, where in Ra's name have you been?!"

"We…" Ryou straightened his posture but his voice was still frail. "We went to the oasis. We got purple clover."

"You – did – what?! How could you have been so stupid?! Do you know what could have happened?" He glared at Yugi and Yugi almost fell off his saddle. "Was that your idea, whore?!"

"It was mine!" Ryou said.

"Do you even know how worried I was when we came back?! I had to promise our father on his deathbed that I'd take good care of you and now you… Just get back to the mansion already!"

Guards formed a circle around them and accompanied them back into the sector. Yugi looked down on the reins in his hands all the way to the city gates and to the mansion. He felt as if he was made of glass and expected someone yelling at him or throwing stones. He deserved it.

The gates of the mansion closed behind them and all three dismounted. Already, Atem was wrapping his arms around him but Yugi didn't react. Atem had been against Ryou's idea as well…

"Ra, I was so worried! Where have you been?" When Yugi didn't answer, Atem turned to Taia and petted her. "Why is there blood in your fur? Who cut you?"

"Kek," Yugi said and Atem furrowed his brows, both confused and mad.

"What does he have to do with anything? Let's go inside."

He took Yugi's hand and together they entered the mansion's foyer. Here it was cooler and the juicy scents of dinner were wafting through the halls. Yugi started trembling as they had reached a corridor. He freed himself with a pounding heart.

"Come on! Say it already!"

Atem stared at him.

"Say what?"

"That I should have known trying to get purple clover was a bad idea! That you knew I'd fail! That I'm just a stupid whore who needs others to make my decisions for me! Just say it already and let's get this over with!"

Atem's expression turning from confusion to shock was like watching a mirror break in slow-motion. He placed his palms on Yugi's upper arms.

"Why do you think I'd say such things to you? Did I ever make you think that's my opinion? When? Please let me know!"

"But… You must think that! Everybody does!"

"I swear to the gods that I don't and that I never have! You mean everything to me, Yugi. I'd never risk losing you like…"

Atem gulped. A realisation hit Yugi like a cold splash of water in the face.

"I know… It wasn't your fault… I just assumed you'd say the same as Otogi. But you're nothing like him and I didn't even consider…" Yugi wrapped his arms around Atem. "I'm so sorry I worried you."

Atem squeezed Yugi. His touch was so gentle Yugi scolded himself for comparing him to Otogi. Atem cared for him, took him seriously, and he had never insulted or belittled Yugi.

"I'm just glad you're all right. But please don't do such things ever again. I swear, we can talk about everything."

Yugi loosened the embrace and kissed Atem's chapped lips.

"I know. Thank you."

"…and I do not care about your opinion!" another voice said. Kisara entered the corridor, Lord Seto behind her. She approached Yugi and Atem, curtsied, then took Yugi's arm.

"See you later!" Yugi said before Kisara pulled him with her. Taia stayed with Atem.

"Let's go check on Ryou."

"Of course."

After a few more turns, they reached Ryou's chambers. Since they had been there regularly over the past weeks, no servant objected when they entered. They found Ryou in his study, which was full of shelves with scrolls and jars that contained medicinal plants. He was sitting in an armchair and wiping the corners of his eyes. He forced a smile.

"Hey guys."

"Are you all right? Should we come back later?" Kisara said.

"No, please stay. I could use some distraction. I'll treat that cut on your arm, all right?"

Ryou got some bandages and a small vial while Kisara sat down on a couch. She flinched when Ryou rubbed the transparent liquid from the vial into her wound. Meanwhile, Yugi's shoulders began to feel heavy as if he was carrying a basket of rocks on his back.

"Yugi, why don't you sit down? Do you have an injury too?" Ryou said as he tied the bandage around Kisara's arm.

"I'm sorry!" Yugi blurted out. Kisara and Ryou blinked at him.

"For what?" Kisara said.

"I messed everything up, just like back then! If I had just talked to Atem, Kek wouldn't have tried to… We all got hurt and all that trouble was for nothing!"

"How is this nothing?" Ryou gestured to his right. On a pile lay all the bags they had filled with purple clover. "Regardless of what happened, we got what we needed! Even my brother admitted that this will be a great help!"

Yugi was lost for words. Like always, he wanted to deny anything positive but the proof of Ryou's words was right there.

"We knew what we got ourselves into," Kisara said. "None of it was your fault."

Yugi's cheeks glowed. Maybe he was wrong by always assuming that he was to blame for everything. The thought felt too good to be true.

"How much medicine do you think we'll be able to make of it?" Yugi asked and took a seat on an armchair.

"If we weigh it all and Ryou gives me the recipe, I can calculate it. Also, how many people we can heal with it," Kisara said.

"That'd be great! I can brew the medicine but calculating isn't one of my strengths," Ryou said. Soon Yugi and Kisara were kneeling on the floor, emptying the bags and bringing the purple clover to Ryou and his scale. A thought came to Yugi, small and fragile like a butterfly, that perhaps he could indeed make things better.

The medicine took long to make but eventually, it managed to heal a majority of Busiris' sick people. After a few weeks, the temples became less crowded and Busiris' army got back dozens of soldiers. Every single one of them was needed, especially after the battles for Hut-Waret.

Egypt reclaimed Hut-Waret, driving Atlantis out of the north's third biggest sector. While the northerners still hadn't forgiven Atem, they knew that all these victories were thanks to him. Nobles and commoners alike stopped hesitating when they kneeled for him and instead of spreading nasty words they preferred to crack jokes at the Atlanteans' expense. A sense of hope had returned to the north and it was thanks to Atem.

They decided to send some of the medicine to other sectors that also struggled with coal fever. Kisara did such a great job at determining how much went where that Ryou suggested she should work with the treasurers. After seeing Kisara's clean and flawless documents, the head treasurer was open to the idea. Knowing that Kisara had helped gather the purple clover, the other treasurers gave her a chance and soon found that Kisara's intelligence and skills could well compete with theirs.

Yugi too was treated differently since their trip to the oasis. Fewer whispers followed him and the servants didn't mind bowing to him anymore. Busiris began to feel less like a prison and more like a temporary home.

Yugi was sitting on a bench in Ryou's garden, shuffling the cards of Abtu Sheta. The sky was bright blue except for a few clouds. Taia was sniffing the different flowers yet again. She was changing as well.

She didn't mind being alone for a longer while and hardly barked at strangers. Now and then she turned her head and looked at Amerys on top of a wall. He remained distant but on rare occasions he let Yugi pet him.

Despite all the good things, Yugi couldn't forget what Kek had said. The people of Tamiat believed they were fighting to save Yugi and Kisara. Surely, this had been Dartz's idea! The thought of Egyptians fighting their own countrymen because of a lie made Yugi's organs contract.

"Excuse me?" a servant said and Yugi dropped a card. "The available nobles of the north have arrived for another meeting and the Pharaoh would like you to be present."

"Of course," Yugi said and his pulse quickened. He let the cards slide into his tunic's pocket, stood up, and gave Taia a pet on the head. "I have to leave for a while but when I come back you'll get a treat."

Taia pricked her ears at the last word.

Yugi sat down on his cushioned chair not far from Atem's throne and two steaming metal containers that spread the scent of pomegranates. He realised that the crowd had grown, albeit only a little. Atem greeted them with a short speech and everyone cheered for the liberation of Hut-Waret and a few smaller sectors. But Atem also had bad news.

"It seems that Atlantis' reinforcements have arrived. From now on the war will be a lot harder for us. Of course, they still won't stand a chance against us. Egypt will be victorious!"

The nobles applauded and some shouted words of encouragement. A middle-aged woman with wristbands full of rubies came forward. She bowed.

"My Pharaoh, I am the lady of Djanet, a small sector close to Hut-Waret. I will forever be grateful to you for freeing us." She turned to Ryou and Yugi. "But I also have to thank you for the medicine. Almost all of my soldiers are healed and able to fight. And you saved my youngest granddaughter from terrible pain. I will never forget that."

A warm glow spread on Yugi's cheeks. All eyes were on him and Ryou but there was no hate or disgust.

"You're welcome. I'm glad we could help," Ryou said and Yugi nodded.

"You certainly did." The lady sighed. "But nothing can bring back those we lost. I'm sure you already heard of that game the Atlanteans liked to play. Choosing random people, pulling a bag over their heads, dragging them away…"

The nobles mumbled in agreement while some looked to the floor and covered their mouths.

"I have indeed heard of that cruelty. I can assure you that everyone they so cowardly killed will be avenged," Atem said.

"Thank you. I'm afraid there's another issue. We're starting to run low on food, like many other sectors. The last flood wasn't generous and the Atlanteans took a lot of what was ours."

"I understand," Atem said in his normal voice. But Yugi knew the remark about the flood must have hit a sore spot. "We will import as much food as we can. For that, we'll need to reclaim enough sectors at the shore to the great sea. Our strategists shall consider this."

"Wonderful. One last thing…" She chewed on her bottom lip before she continued. "We all heard about Lord Otogi's betrayal. Now the Egyptian soldiers are forced to fight their own. Those from Tamiat are easy to spot after all since they don't share the Atlanteans' skin colour. While our soldiers do what they must, killing their fellow Egyptians is terrible for their morale. I believe that we'd be stronger if we fought with unity and that we should consider solving this issue somehow. I understand though that Tamiat is of great use to Atlantis and therefore under strong protection."

Most nobles agreed while some were convinced that the people of Tamiat were no better than Otogi. The subject made nervousness course through Yugi. He was kneading his hands when his and Atem's gazes met. Atem's eyes darted to the nobles, then back to Yugi. After a moment of hesitation, Yugi nodded.

"Royal Ornament, you're from Tamiat yourself. Would you like to add to this?" Atem asked and everyone looked at Yugi. Even though he was sitting, Yugi could feel his knees turn to water.

"Y-Yes. I don't think that the people of Tamiat want to fight you either. They hate the Atlanteans just as much as the rest of us. Tamiat only sided with them because the former Lord Otogi told them many lies, some of which involved me. Otogi may have had the best intentions for Tamiat but those lies are the reason his people are on the other side of our battles. I'm sure that they'd fight alongside us if only they knew the truth. Someone only needs to convince them, someone they trust and hold in high esteem…"

"Like you?" Ryou said and Yugi winced. "You said yourself that those lies involve you. If you're so important to them Otogi used you in that manoeuvre, your word might convince them to stop."

The nobles – even Lord Seto and Bakura – nodded. Some whispered, no doubt unconvinced that a whore should be able to hold such influence but no one spoke up.

"W-Well, I'm sure there's at least one person I could convince. His name is Jou and he's one of the soldiers. I recently heard that he's both well-respected among his comrades and determined to win those battles for me. He's a friend of mine too," Yugi said.

"Then we should try to get a hold of that soldier," Lord Seto said.

"You should accompany us to the next battlefield, Royal Ornament." There was something provocative in Bakura's voice. "Not as a soldier of course, more like an observer. It'll be a bit further away from Busiris so we'll have to make camp somewhere there though. It'd be the perfect opportunity since that's where most of Tamiat's soldiers are fighting right now. It won't be all that comfortable though…"

Yugi took a deep breath.

"I don't mind that," he said as calmly as he could.

"The more important part is that it won't be all that safe," Atem said and glared at Bakura.

"I don't mind that either." Determination surged in Yugi's chest. Where it came from, he didn't know. "I'm sure the royal guards will protect me while I'm on the lookout for Jou. If you allow it, my Pharaoh, I would like to try and find him. I came here to be of use, after all."

The crowd whispered, confused and surprised. Atem had his brows furrowed in concern but Yugi didn't blink. He felt shaky but the thought of saving Tamiat's soldiers gave him strength. Atem sighed and one moment later, he agreed.