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 32

Asphaleia. Home.

Several emotions – ranging from joy to shock to anger – conflicted within Yugi. He adjusted his leather armour and weapons, and told himself to focus on the task at hand.

He, Bakura, Kisara, and nine other soldiers were making their way through the forest that surrounded Asphaleia from its east, south, and west. Despite the salty breeze from the nearby sea, it was a hot day and Yugi wiped his sweaty forehead. While they were approaching Asphaleia's walls on the west side, Atem and his forces were attacking the front gate in the south. That way, the Atlanteans were distracted.

Yugi raised a hand and the group stopped amidst bushes and trees. The blood in his veins was tingling with nervousness, yet his mind was clear. Today Dartz would go down.

"Check for your bombs. And those of you who have a lantern, light it," he said and everyone looked into the linen sacks they were carrying over their shoulders. Bakura and two others had a lantern attached to their belts in a way so it wouldn't move too much while running. With flint stones, they ignited the oil soaked wick inside. "All right. Let's do this."

They split into three groups of four. Yugi's consisted out of Bakura, Kisara, and an archer. In the past the forest had completely surrounded the walls. By now the Atlanteans had removed a lot of the greenery so that between the walls and the forest lay a stripe of tree stumps and grass. On top of the walls Atlanteans were keeping an eye out for intruders. But right now they were paying attention to the battle at the front gate, pointing and talking.

"Go," Yugi whispered. He, Kisara, and Bakura sneaked towards the wall and emptied their sacks of bombs. Bakura lit the last one with his lantern and dropped it on the pile. All three dashed back into the forest.

"Hey!" someone from above yelled. Just as Yugi turned his head, Kisara shrieked and fell. The Egyptian archer in the forest took care of the Atlanteans, evidenced by more screams and curses behind them. Both Yugi and Bakura stopped, each grabbed one of Kisara's arms, and laid them around their shoulders.

BOOM!

The ground vibrated and the three almost fell over. Pieces of stone flew through the air and a few smaller ones hit Yugi in the head. Only once they had retreated into the forest, Yugi looked behind himself.

It had worked. The explosion had torn a hole into the wall, wide enough for at least three people. A black crater was left on the floor and tufts of grass and a few small bushes were on fire.

A horn sounded in the distance and shortly after that, a second one. Bakura took a horn out of a bag between the lantern and his pouch with more bombs and blew it.

The signal was clear. Now half of Atem's forces would make their way here and invade Asphaleia. Yugi and Bakura let Kisara sink to the ground beneath a tree. Yugi knelt down.

"How is your leg?" he asked. Kisara pulled the arrow out of her leather greave. It had pierced through but only a bit of blood seeped through.

"It's just a scratch. I can still run and all," she said and jumped back up to prove her point. "Now let's go save Seto and the others."

Yugi couldn't have agreed more. However, they had to wait in the forest a little longer until most Egyptian soldiers had entered the estate through the new openings. Atlanteans tried to stop them but as expected, they couldn't move their forces fast enough.

In the meantime, the rest of Yugi's group reunited. They reported having lost one soldier to an Atlantean archer.

"We will avenge her – now. Get out your weapons," Yugi said and the others obeyed. Yugi's hands tightened around his spear, Kisara had her knives, and Bakura pulled out his mace. With Yugi at the front, they stormed through the hole and into Asphaleia.

Battles were raging everywhere. People screamed, bled, died. Yugi knew exactly in which part of the estate he was. Not far from them stood a row of small houses where many of the servants had lived. Yugi noticed dozens of things that had changed – missing flower beds, bird houses, and swings – but he knew he had to suppress the urge to compare everything to how it used to be.

He led the group towards the mansion, a large white building with a reddish brown roof and round pillars. Just as he looked up, he saw a scarred face peek out from behind a window. It was as if Yugi's heart stopped for a moment, only to then hammer in his chest with rage.

"This way! Bakura, get a bomb ready!" Yugi commanded and lead them to a locked door. Bakura placed a lit bomb right on the handle and everyone stepped back. The following explosion destroyed the lock and a third of the door. Yugi kicked it open and rushed inside.

From the location of the window Yugi knew where Dartz was. They rushed upstairs and found Dartz and Kek hurry through the corridors, followed by the blond major and ten soldiers. The floor plan was etched into Yugi's memory as if he had never left.

Whenever Dartz took a turn, Yugi exactly knew where he planned to go. He commanded the Egyptian soldiers to cut off the Atlanteans' paths, passing Cyndia's music room, Pegasus' studio, and the library. They chased Dartz back downstairs and into the throne room. Its marble floor was as shiny as ever.

Dartz stood beside the cushioned rosewood chair that had once belonged to Pegasus. Everyone was panting. Despite the circumstances, Dartz still exuded his usual arrogance.

"I hope you know this is pointless," he said. "Kill me and the other generals – especially my father – will take revenge."

"I won't kill you, even though the gods know you deserve it," Yugi hissed. "I will take you hostage and once your fellow generals arrive, I will let them know that you sold Egyptians into slavery. Which is illegal by Atlantean laws as well, isn't it? Say, what punishment do you think awaits you?"

Dartz's face paled but Yugi didn't feel sorry for him. He raised his arm and yelled:

"Attack!"

Atlanteans and Egyptians clashed. Yugi was about to charge at Dartz but a tall Atlantean got in his way. Yugi parried his sword until Yugi saw an opening – and slashed at the soldier's leg. He screamed and fell over backwards. In the meantime, Dartz, Kek, and any soldier who hadn't been killed or injured had fled through the double doors.

Yugi whistled and the other Egyptians followed him. Once more, they went after them with minor confrontations in the dining hall, the bathing chambers, and the main drawing room. With Yugi and the others blocking every possible exit, all the Atlanteans could do was go back upstairs. They ran into the library. It had no second door. They'd be trapped.

But upon entering, Yugi immediately leaped to the side. A shelf fell over with a loud thump, scrolls scattering everywhere. Yugi rolled over the stone tiles and watched three Atlanteans jump out the window. Two Egyptians had been trapped beneath a shelf. Only one of them was still moving.

"Two of you stay and help them! The rest comes with me!" Yugi said and approached the window. Right beneath it was a shed in which Cyndia had kept many of her gardening tools. He could still see Dartz's silvery-haired head from afar.

Yugi climbed out the window and dropped on the mud brick shed. From here it was only one more leap to the dusty ground. Pain shot through Yugi's ankles but he didn't care.

They reached the forecourt, which was scattered with corpses and puddles of blood. The fights were still ongoing but despite the chaos Yugi didn't let Dartz out of his sight.

Atlantean soldiers blocked their way, swinging their weapons at anyone who didn't wear a blue sash. A man with broad shoulders tried to hit Yugi with a spiked mace. Yugi dodged him several times, trying to slice at one of the few spots that wasn't clad in armour. But then the man suddenly collapsed with a groan and landed on his face. An arrow was stuck in his neck.

Yugi's eyes followed the direction it had come from and saw Atem, the bow still in his hands. Before their eyes could meet, Atem grabbed another arrow from his quiver and shot it at an Atlantean.

"Watch out!" Kisara said just as a knife flew right past Yugi. It ended up hitting an enemy right in the face before she could attack Yugi.

"Thanks," Yugi said and fought with Kisara back to back.

Soon the group had managed to make it through the forecourt and followed a path that led away from the main building, past the stables and a pond. No battles were being waged here yet.

The following path curled its way along a low slope. From here he could see Asphaleia's north side: a large meadow where horses used to graze, a small harbour right at the glittering sea, and not far from it a dry stone canal with a white wooden bridge arching over it.

Dartz and the others ran towards a building with statues at the front. Yugi stopped when he realised what it was. Everyone else came to an abrupt halt as well.

"What's wrong?" Kisara said, huffing.

"That's… That's my parents' tomb," Yugi said and forced himself to shake off any feelings that were about to overwhelm him. "Bakura, let's try not to use any bombs in there."

"We won't unless we have to." Bakura placed a hand on the pouch that hung from his belt. "Come on. We shouldn't give them any time to prepare."

Yugi took a deep breath before they hurried to the tomb. The path to the wide entrance was lined by Cyndia's rose bushes, now overgrown. Yugi asked the gods for forgiveness for bringing weapons to a place of rest before they entered with slow steps.

A corridor led into the main hall. It was illuminated through a rectangular hole in the roof. Vines hung from its edges, slightly swaying. Several statues of Hellenic gods stood in the room and Yugi had no doubt that Atlanteans were hiding behind them. Dartz and Kek stood in front of the largest doors. Yugi gritted his teeth at the thought of them being so close to his parents' resting place.

"If you try to ambush us, I can assure you we have enough bombs to blow the face of each one of you away," Bakura said into the hall. He was holding one bomb in his hand, close to the lantern around his belt.

"I don't want to fight. I want to talk," Dartz said and turned to Yugi. "You know Pegasus and I were friends. He'd never turn me over to the other generals. So why would you?"

"Because I know that you were selling people into slavery."

"So did Pegasus. In fact, he and Cyndia were slave traders too until-"

"Don't you dare spew such filthy lies about my parents ever again!" Yugi hissed. "I'm not interested in anything that comes out of your dirty mouth. Surrender. Now."

Dartz's eyes gleamed with angry desperation but Yugi didn't care. Kek stepped forward, his arms crossed.

"Well, either way I had my fun." He laughed and pointed at Bakura. "Your brother is amazing. It turns me on so much when they whimper and beg, all pathetic…"

Yugi's mouth turned dry and for a moment he could feel the shadow of pain in his backside. Bakura's grip around the bomb in his hand tightened. He dropped it and pulled out his mace instead.

"You will pay for that!" he yelled and dashed towards Kek. Before anyone could stop him, Kek dodged Bakura's attack, kicked him in the gut, and ripped the bomb pouch from his belt.

"He's got it! Charge!" Dartz shouted. As expected, soldiers jumped out from behind the statues. Yugi and the others were ready to fight them and commands, groans, and the clash of metal filled the hall. Again, Yugi tried to chase Dartz but an Atlantean with a hatchet got in his way. While blocking his attacks, Yugi lost sight of Dartz and Kek.

Another explosion ended the confrontation. Like everyone, Yugi lost his balance and fell over. When he looked up, he saw that the entrance at the end of the corridor was blocked by pieces of what used to be the doors and a pillar. Dartz and Kek were nowhere to be seen.

The Atlanteans in the hall were confused. The fighting had ceased. Yugi rose, picked up the bomb Bakura had dropped, and stuffed it into his tunic's pocket. Kisara had already hurried towards the rubble. She searched for a way through and tried to remove smaller chunks but to no avail.

"This is pointless," she said and turned around. "Yugi, is there another exit?"

"No, I'm afraid…" Yugi began but then the shadow of a particularly long vine caught his eye. He looked up at the rectangular hole in the ceiling. "Someone give me a boost! Quick!"

Two Egyptians approached him and did as he had asked. They lifted him high enough for Yugi to grab the long vine. He climbed it as fast as possible. The crunching of the vine was a warning. Yugi reached the roof and pulled himself up.

"I need to go too!" Bakura said and the soldiers helped him reach the vine as well. It crunched even louder now that it had to carry someone taller and heavier. Yugi lay down on his stomach and stretched out his hand. Bakura grabbed it just in time. One moment later the vine ripped and fell to the floor. Yugi helped Bakura onto the roof.

"We'll come back for you!" Yugi called to Kisara and the others, then stood up. He scanned the paths and spotted Dartz and the others on a path that led back to the mansion. "There! Let's go!"

He and Bakura climbed down to the ground. They took a similar way back to the mansion, albeit Yugi knew a few shortcuts.

"I can't believe I fell for Kek's bullshit," Bakura said.

"Forget it! We have to focus on catching them!" Yugi said and Bakura nodded. They jumped over a fence and were back on the mansion's grounds. But Dartz was nowhere to be seen.

Just as Yugi was wondering where Dartz could be another explosion sounded on the distance. It was easy to locate in the east wing, thanks to a black column of smoke. Yugi and Bakura ran towards it and had to make their way through another court were Egyptians and Atlanteans were battling. Both dodged and blocked any attacks but it was nearly impossible to get through by themselves.

Yugi spotted Atem's nemes headdress near a palm tree. He fought his way towards him and cut the sword arm of the Atlantean Atem was facing. Atem slit his throat and he dropped to the ground, choking. Atem and Yugi's eyes met.

"We need your help to get Dartz!" Yugi said.

"Lead the way," was Atem's answer and he gestured his team members to follow him. As a group it was much easier to make it to the door which had been blown to shreds. Its leftovers were burning, just like a few baskets next to it.

They entered and found themselves in a corridor near the laundry. Yugi smelt something scorched not far away and they followed the scent. They ended up in front of Pegasus and Cyndia's office. Smoke was steaming through the cracks between the door and its frame. Yugi tried to open it but it was locked.

"There should be a statue by that staircase over there! Let's smash the door in!" Yugi said and so it happened. After four thrusts, the door burst open. More smoke emerged from the inside and made everyone cough. Despite his watering eyes, Yugi ran inside, covering his mouth and nose.

Only two of the many shelves were on fire. The windows were too small to climb through and Yugi saw no other exit. That was, until he noticed a shelf that stood at a strange angle. Behind it was an open door.

"They went this way!" Yugi said and everyone dashed through the passage. It led down a staircase and through a tunnel. It had to be the only place in Asphaleia that Yugi had never seen before. An open door lay at the end.

They were back outside but Yugi had no idea where. It was like being in another wide corridor with a floor and walls out of stone but without a roof. Yugi spotted a white bridge above the construction in the distance and he knew where they were. They were inside what was a failed attempt at a canal – or at least that's what Yugi had been told. The area had been off-limits for safety reasons ever since he could remember.

The canal would end not far from the harbour. Dartz and the others were riding towards it on horses.

"They're too far away. We can't catch up!" Bakura said. Yugi checked the distance between the Atlanteans and the bridge and had an idea. He took the bomb from earlier from his pocket.

"Soldiers, follow them!" Yugi said and they obeyed. "Atem, I need you to aim at that bridge. Bakura, light this bomb."

Both did as Yugi said. Yugi stuck the bomb to the tip of Atem's arrow and a moment later Atem shot it. It hit its target but at first nothing happened. Then flames burst from inside the bridge. It was on fire and collapsed shortly after. Just in time to block the Atlanteans' path. Yugi, Atem, and Bakura ran.

By the time they reached the others, the Egyptians had subdued most of the Atlanteans. They were either dead or cowering in a corner with their hands up. A few of them were trying to climb over the smoking rubble, among them Kek. Bakura dashed towards him and grabbed his foot. But Kek kicked him in the face and Bakura hit the floor with a bleeding nose.

Dartz too had just gotten up and tried to flee. Before he could get anywhere, Yugi threw his spear and hit Dartz's calf. He screamed and rolled back to the ground.

Once Yugi was close enough he pulled his spear out of Dartz's flesh – accompanied by curses – and held the bloody tip to his neck. Despite all that Dartz had done, Yugi didn't enjoy how his faces twisted in fear. At least not much.

"All right. I surrender," Dartz said as if he had a choice. He looked at Atem. "Let's talk about this, Pharaoh. I will command my forces to leave Egypt. And about that business deal, I'm sure I can convince you not to mention it to the other generals. You see, I'm sure you need a lot of money to rebuild Egypt and I made a lot with-"

"One more word and I will slit your throat!" Yugi said, rage pounding through his veins. Atem eyed Dartz with contempt.

"If you honestly think I will accept the money you made from enslaving my people, you deserve every punishment you'll get in Atlantis," he hissed.

"I happen to agree," someone else said. The voice belonged to the tall muscular man kneeling in a corner, hands tied behind his back.

"Rafael, don't you-"

"I no longer take orders from you, General," Rafael said and rose. "Pharaoh, as major and second-in-command, let me assure you that I share your disgust for the general's actions. I only found out about all this when you did too. You have clearly won this battle and we shall leave Egypt as soon as possible. If you allow, I will take care of everything until then."

"Traitor," Dartz spat. Both Yugi and Atem glared at him, then examined Rafael. With his erect posture and unblinking eyes it was hard to doubt his sincerity.

"I appreciate your cooperation, Major," Atem said. "You and General Dartz are now officially my prisoners. Guards, bring them away."

Two soldiers forced Dartz to stand upright, ignoring how he grimaced in pain. They took away his sword and Yugi ripped the bronze dagger in its sheath from his belt.

"I'll take that", he said. Dartz gritted his teeth as if he suppressed several insults he wanted to throw at Yugi. Yugi didn't care. He approached Bakura who was sitting on the ground, wiping the blood from his face. Yugi offered him a hand, which he took. "Let's go to the harbour. Maybe Ryou and the others are on Dartz's ship."

"You're right."

Together with a few soldiers they climbed over the leftovers of the bridge. Some were still burning and smoking, others had already turned completely black. They followed the canal until they reached a set of stone stairs that lead out of it. They made their way past more greenery and a fence which Yugi had only seen from the other side until now. Like expected, the harbour was close and the only ship there was Dartz's, evidenced by its blue banners.

Yugi took a deep breath of salty air before they approached the jetty. Only three Atlanteans were there to point arrows at them. Yugi and the others lifted their hands.

"There's no need to fight," Yugi said. "Your general has been taken captive and your surrender is about to be issued."

"S-So it's true?" one of the Atlanteans asked. "Lord Kek just came by and he…"

"What did that bastard do?!" Bakura demanded. Yugi placed a hand on his chest to stop him from charging at the soldiers.

"He was here a moment ago. When he saw the ship wasn't ready yet, he told us the general is beaten and that we should flee with him. He took the Egyptian prisoners, loaded them in a cart, and most of us followed him. He said something about Tamiat…"

Yugi bit his lower lip. So Kek was trying to make up for leaving Otogi behind in Busiris by bringing him the hostages? Well, it was the only place for him to go…

"I don't believe it until you let us search that ship," Bakura said. "And in case you haven't noticed: We outnumber you."

The Atlanteans couldn't deny it. They dropped their weapons and let the Egyptians tie them up. Meanwhile, Yugi and Bakura checked every cabin on the ship but no one else was there. Bakura cursed and smashed the doors.

Yugi leaned against the wooden rail. Slowly, his heartbeat normalised. Now that he knew that they hadn't been able to save his friends, he couldn't fully enjoy their triumph over Atlantis. Yet, one thing was clear: He wouldn't stop until he had saved every single one of them.

Yugi spotted something at the shore and narrowed his eyes. It was the writhing body of a man with blond hair.

"Jou?!" he called and ran over the plank and down the jetty. Bakura followed him. It really was Jou, tied up, gagged, and wet from the waves. With shaky hands, Yugi removed the white piece of cloth from Jou's mouth, then gave him a hug.

"What happened?" Yugi asked while cutting open the ropes that bound Jou's hands together.

"Good question. All we knew was that we were supposed to be shipped to Hellas. Just now Lord Kek appeared and loaded us into a cart, talking about Tamiat… That guy, Lord Seto, helped me escape. They were in such a hurry they didn't bother picking me back up."

"My brother! Is he all right?" Bakura said. Jou looked down at the sand, rubbing his now free wrists.

"He's still alive. But Lord Kek had a special interest in him so last night he…"

Yugi's breath froze in his lungs. It was as if he could see Ryou's tears, hear his cries of fear, feel the sharp pain and the humiliation. It had to be even worse than what Yugi had gone through. Kek revelled in the pain of others and he knew no mercy.

Bakura walked away, pulled out his mace, and unleashed his anger on a nearby palm tree. He hit the trunk dozens of times, cursing Kek.

"I'm going to kill him!" Bakura yelled. "I'm going to kill that bastard!"

"You are," Yugi said firmly. His fingers dug into the skirt of his tunic. "You need to be patient only a little longer. Once we rid Egypt of that Atlantean plague we will go to Tamiat and save everyone. Including Ryou."

Bakura considered those words. He kicked the palm tree one more time, then stomped away.

Yugi gulped. It was hard to take his own advice. He too wanted to end everyone's misery now and not wait one more moment. They were so close.