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 36

Pain.

That was the first thing Yugi felt when he regained consciousness. His skin was hot and throbbing almost everywhere. Moaning, he opened his eyes.

The ceiling was of a yellowish white and as his vision cleared he understood that he was in a tent, lying on a bed. Someone appeared in his point of view and it turned out to be Atem. He had several cuts and bruises.

"Thank the gods…!" Atem said before he burst into tears. With a shaky hand, he stroked Yugi's hair. "I was so terrified I had lost you."

Yugi lifted a hand to Atem's face and noticed that it was completely covered by bandages. They omitted a sharp but fresh scent.

"What happened…?" Yugi whispered. Atem needed a moment to regain his composure. He sat up straight at the edge of the bed.

"After you let us escape, Bakura dragged me to the beach right below the cliffs. Your friends were already there. All we could do was watch as the tower and the rest of the mansion collapsed. I can't say how scared I was that you…" Atem gulped. "Then the others spotted you in the water. Your friend – Honda is his name? - swam out to rescue you. When I saw that you were still breathing…"

Atem covered his eyes, sobbing. If he had been able to move, Yugi would have hugged him. All he could do was pat Atem's arm and let him cry.

"Am I badly hurt…?" Yugi asked when Atem had calmed down. Yugi could barely lift his head, not to mention take a look at himself.

"You do have some pretty bad burns. But the doctors say you escaped the worst because you landed in water right after you were injured. You will have scars. It's too early to say anything else."

"Can I see…?"

Atem hesitated before he took a mirror from the bedside table. He held it to Yugi's face and the sight was like a punch in the gut. Almost the entire right side of his face was covered in bandages, except for his eyes and the area around his nose. Some of his hair was burnt away, making it look longer on the left. Atem tilted the mirror so Yugi could see his shoulder and upper body, also full of bandages on the right side.

"It's the same all the way down to your feet," Atem said and put the mirror away. "You're in good hands though. My doctors took care of you immediately once we were able to get you out of the city."

"The city…?" Yugi said, fear crawling down his back. Atem avoided his gaze.

"I'm afraid Otogi's plan worked. There were explosions and fire almost everywhere. The temple district still stands, probably because there weren't enough bombs to cover every area."

"And the people…?"

"You see… When me and my forces entered the city I commanded them to free the commoners from their houses. That's how most people could escape when the explosions started. But I'm afraid … a third of the city didn't make it. I'm sorry."

Yugi couldn't breathe. His vision went back to being blurry. One third of the city's population just… It couldn't be…! Atem took Yugi's uninjured hand and Yugi squeezed back, hot tears rolling over his cheeks.

"All these people… And my home… Is it all gone?"

"Most of it. I wish it were different."

No matter how much Yugi sobbed, his heart wouldn't stop aching. All the homes, the Red Lily, the marketplace, the shipyards… How could it all be reduced to rubble? Not to mention all the people who had suffocated or burnt to death in their own home… How could Otogi have committed such an atrocity?

"Otogi…" Yugi said. "What about him…?"

Atem rose and got something from a table in a corner. Only now Yugi noticed that his entire left leg was wrapped in bandages and that he had to use a cane. Atem came back with two golden wristbands, full of soot and scratches. The pearls and sapphires were either missing or cracked. Atem held up the one that was a little deformed.

"That's all we found of him. With a pile of bones." Atem pointed at the other one. "And this one was yours."

Yugi took it in his healthy hand. It was damaged just like him. Just like Tamiat.

"What about your leg?" Yugi asked.

"It's burnt pretty badly but it should be fine," Atem said. His expression hardened. "I don't appreciate that you made Bakura drag me away."

"It was the only way to save you. I won't apologise."

Atem sighed.

"I wouldn't either if I were in your place."

"And I'd be mad if I were in yours. I understand."

Atem lay down next to Yugi and he knew that Atem would have held him if his wounds had allowed it. Yugi asked him about each of his friends and learned that they had all survived, albeit with injuries. Relief swept through Yugi but it was tainted by drops of guilt. He may have been lucky enough not to lose anyone close to him but he knew everyone else wasn't. All that pain and grief… Not to mention that the commoners had lost their homes and all their possessions.

"We're doing what we can to help them," Atem said. "The nobles of the other northern sectors are already offering their assistance in clearing up what's left of Tamiat and rebuilding it. The survivors are to be housed in the villages outside the city."

"Good. We've got to take care of each other now."

"Indeed." Atem caressed Yugi's cheek. "Say, how did you escape and end up falling in the ocean?"

Yugi told him, shuddering at the memory. Despite all that Otogi had done, Yugi couldn't help but hope that his death had been quick.

"There's something I'd like to do, I think," Yugi said. "I want to give Otogi a funeral."

Atem furrowed his brows.

"After he got a third of the city killed you want to… Are you sure he deserves that?"

"He probably doesn't. But I want to say goodbye. Put everything behind me. Does that make sense?"

"It actually does. All right, I'll send someone to retrieve his bones and a couple of his personal belongings if there are any left."

"Thank you. I'd also like to give him a game of Abtu Sheta."

"We'll see what we can do." Atem kissed Yugi's temple, then sat up. "But that will have to wait until you feel well enough. I'll have the doctors come here so they can check on you now."

The doctors examined Yugi over every of the next fifteen days, covered him in cooling balms, and changed his bandages regularly. Yugi's skin burnt and tingled but the doctors assured him it was all part of the healing process.

While he healed well, Yugi wasn't sure how to feel about the scars that would remain. If he were still dependent on the money he made as a whore, it would have been a disaster. Then again, his looks were also the reason why many had objectified him, why they had never seen more in him than a beautiful doll. His scars were proof that he had fought and survived.

Soon Yugi was able to sit and walk again. He still needed a crutch, had to move carefully, and was quickly exhausted. But the doctors asked Yugi to be patient with his body.

On the day of Otogi's funeral Yugi placed the damaged wristbands in his tunic's pocket. Despite Atem still needing a cane himself, he walked right next to Yugi, able to catch him.

The sun dazzled him when they left the tent. It was another warm day, albeit not remotely as hot as the day of the last battle. A palanquin was waiting, not far from Yugi's friends.

Kisara, Jou, Mai, Anzu, Honda, and Shizuka were all beaming when they saw him. Some of them even had to swallow their tears. Jou approached Yugi with open arms but Mai pulled him back.

"You'll hurt him! He's injured!" she said.

"Aren't we all?" Jou said and laughed. It was true that each one of them had at least a couple of cuts and bruises. The upper part of Jou's arm was bandaged and Honda's was in a sling. "It's just good to see you again, Yugi."

"It's good to see all of you too," Yugi said. But beneath his friends' smiles was still a lot of shock, grief, and trauma. "Any news? Good ones, I mean."

The others exchanged glances, unsure. Kisara stepped forward.

"Well, I received some letters from an Iberian merchant. He agreed to send a large food shipment our way within a month. So that's one worry less," she said.

"Ah, that's wonderful."

"So where are you about to go?" Honda said and nodded at the palanquin.

"Well, I… I'll give Otogi a funeral."

Jou, Anzu, Honda, and Shizuka looked at him with shock and disgust. Yugi had expected that.

"Why? He doesn't deserve it after what he did," Anzu said, arms crossed.

"I know. I understand if you all hate him by now. I just… It's complicated."

"I think I know what you mean," Mai said and the others turned their heads to her, confused. "May I join you?"

"And me as well?" Kisara added.

"Of course," Yugi said. It was clear from their expressions that Jou, Honda, Anzu, and Shizuka still had no support for the idea. However, they remained silent about their objections. Servants brought a second palanquin for Mai and Kisara.

"Oh and Yugi, " Mai said before they entered. "When you see Tamiat… Well, it's bad."

Yugi gulped, then nodded. But no warning could have prepared him for what awaited him.

The city walls were still standing but the inside had mostly been turned to rubble. Here and there a room still stood and the outlines of the streets were still the same. People were filling wheelbarrows with bricks, their eyes empty and their cheeks hollow. Yugi knew that before the debris they had had to remove the corpses of those who had lived here, maybe former friends and family. The thought made Yugi shudder.

They reached the temple district. While the different temples were still standing, they had been affected. Flying debris had damaged the buildings and statues. Parts of the gardens had caught fire and now all that was left of them was ash.

A group of priests received them right in front of the temple by going down on their knees. After Atem had allowed them to rise, the high priestess turned to Yugi and Atem. She had wrinkly skin and long, white hair.

"We have placed the bones in the former Lord Otogi's sarcophagus," she said. Like with every noble, the sarcophagus had already been built years in advance. "With only some bones I'm uncertain if the great Osiris will be able or willing to allow him into the afterlife but we shall do as you asked."

"Thank you. I appreciate that," Yugi said.

Together they mounted a boat that took them to Tomb Island. Yugi sat on a bench with Atem, not sure if the rocking of the waves made him calmer or more nauseous. They left the burnt smell of the city behind and instead got to enjoy the sea's salty breeze. From far away Yugi's home looked like a ruin and it tore at his heart. The tower was missing from the once characteristic silhouette.

They arrived at the island and found the tomb of Otogi's family unchanged. It was still a large stone building with two Osiris statues at the front and no windows. The priests lit several torches before the ceremony began.

Chanting songs and spreading incense, the priests carried the sarcophagus inside. They brought it into a chamber at the end of the corridor, next to what the inscriptions in the door indicated was a relative from over a century ago. Otogi's father lay in a different corner of the tomb. A choice Otogi must have made consciously.

The priests placed the sarcophagus on a long pedestal. They put certain objects in different parts of the chamber. It already had a couch, clothes, toiletries, and several games but none of Abtu Sheta. Until today.

The priests said their prayers and asked Osiris to somehow let Otogi enter the afterlife despite everything. There was no passion or sincerity in their words and Yugi understood why.

The ceremony ended and they were about to leave. But Yugi didn't move. The others gave him confused looks.

"May I have a moment alone with him?" Yugi asked. The high priestess cleared her throat.

"It's unusual but … so are many things about this. Very well."

Atem gave him a pat on the back before he and the others exited the chamber. The priests closed the doors. Yugi took a deep breath of the cool but stale air. He approached the sarcophagus, made out of gold and painted with a face that only slightly resembled Otogi.

"I should be much angrier with you. Somehow I'm not. I guess there's just no point to it now that you're gone. What you did was … beyond words. I don't think anyone in Tamiat will be able to forgive you for destroying their home. And I don't either. But…" Yugi gulped. "I can forgive you for what you did to me. For the insults, the manipulation, the lies… Even for that one night when you … really hurt me.

"That doesn't mean I'm giving you a free pass. I don't. What I'm saying is that I know you weren't consciously trying to cause me pain. You were broken and hurt yourself and unable to deal with all that. And … that's what I can forgive." Yugi paused. "I'm not sure you will be allowed to enter the afterlife. But maybe it's better this way. Because it means that after all this time you can finally sleep." He stretched out a shaky hand and caressed the sarcophagus' cheek. "Thank you for taking me to Tamiat back then. For giving me a home when I thought I'd never have another one. And for the good times, even if they were flawed too. I will make sure Tamiat is well taken care of." Yugi limped towards the exit. With one last look over his shoulder he said: "Goodbye Otogi."

He knocked and the priests opened the door for him to slide through. Afterwards, they locked it with several keys and said more prayers. Yugi didn't listen.

His lip quivered and a lump was growing in his throat. He felt arms around him and smelt Mai's perfume. Kisara also joined the hug.

"It's all right, sweetie. Let it out. We knew him too before all this happened," she whispered and together they cried, mourned having lost someone dear to them, someone who had once been funny and charming, someone who had changed so much without them being able to stop it. They had to accept the way things had happened, even if it hurt so, so much.

Once it was done, they left the tomb and the priests closed the heavy stone doors. Before Yugi knew it, they were back on the boat. Yugi was sitting on a bench with Mai and Kisara while Atem spoke to the high priestess. Mai and Kisara were still holding each other while Yugi patted their backs. He had let go of Otogi but it was as if there was still a part of all this clinging to him.

Yugi rose, grabbed his crutch, and limped towards the rail. He pulled the broken wristbands from his tunic's pockets. Atem approached him from the side.

"I thought about leaving them with Otogi but he always hated them," Yugi said.

"Then what do you want to do with them?"

"I think… I think I just want to get rid of them. I used to think they're beautiful and they gave me a lot of strength through all of this. But now all they do is remind me of that tragedy. I want to leave them somewhere no one can find them."

"Like here?" Atem said and gestured at the glittering sea. Yugi considered it, then held his hand out over the rail. His fingers were still clenched around the wristbands. Atem came closer and placed a hand on Yugi's back.

Yugi took a deep breath, then he let go.

The wristbands slid out of his grip and landed in the water with a barely audible splash.

It was strange at first, as if he had left a hole in his soul. Then he was starting to feel lighter and lighter. The warmth of the sun and the coolness of the wind were like a gentle embrace, as if they too were proud of him for moving on. He smiled.

"About everyone who got injured…" he said. "Where are we putting them currently?"

"Well, we set up a lot of tents and we're using whatever room the villagers can spare."

"What if we bring them to Asphaleia?" Yugi asked. "Only the ones who are fit to be transported of course. There's enough space."

"That's a great idea. I'll talk to Seto about it later. So… Does that mean you want to go to Asphaleia too?"

"No, I want to stay," Yugi said and looked at Tamiat's silhouette. "I want to see all of the city. And I want to help rebuild it as good as I can."

"All right but please do that only once you're well again. You may feel energised now but you're still injured," Atem said and after a long sigh Yugi had to agree.

For the following weeks Yugi mostly stayed in his tent but still did all he could for Tamiat.

He invited Jou, Anzu, and Honda every day and asked them how things were going. Anzu took care of her fellow whores, Honda was back to being a city guard, and Jou helped clean up the city. Together they gave Yugi a good overview of what was going on.

Mai helped out in Asphaleia and Kisara was planning out how to distribute the coming food from there. They wrote Yugi letters about their progress and Mai mentioned that many of the injured seemed to be rather comfortable in Asphaleia, not only because being away from Tamiat helped them recover emotionally.

Yugi ended up sending someone else to Asphaleia: Hanasaki. He told Yugi how many documents about shipbuilding – Tamiat's most important economic branch – had been lost and that it'd take a long time to collect them once more. Yugi suggested that he should check on Asphaleia's library and less than a week after that, Hanasaki wrote a letter, ecstatic about all the old and new knowledge he had found.

Architects and craftsmen also came to Yugi for advice and asking him to settle certain disagreements. Atem noted that Yugi was almost giving audiences, worried that it was hindering his recovery. Yugi assured him that if anything, being needed was helping him get better. Thanks to the doctors Yugi's wounds were indeed healing well. Walking and moving became easier and less painful but the doctors stressed that Yugi shouldn't overexert himself.

One day, Yugi decided to visit the mansion. It had been the subject of several requests and returning was inevitable. Atem noticed Yugi's nervousness and offered to accompany him. Together they took a palanquin into the city.

While there was still enough rubble to clean up for months the streets were starting to look cleaner. In some neighbourhoods the first scaffolding of new buildings were already sprouting.

"Remarkable," Atem said, peeking through a gap between the curtains. "Despite everything, they stay and rebuild their home. The people of Tamiat are strong."

"Yes. True that," Yugi said and placed his head on Atem's shoulder.

"The doctors say I shouldn't travel back to the palace yet with my injury so I'll see more of that amazing progress. Especially since travelling right now wouldn't be that easy, considering how low the Nile is…"

It was a concern that didn't get all that much attention right now but it was true. The flood would soon be due and if it were meagre again…

"I'm sure it'll be fine," Yugi said, even though he knew it was a rather useless phrase.

They reached the mansion where a group of architects received them with deep bows. They talked to them but Yugi paid no attention to their words. Memories of the last time he had been here flashed through him and it made him shaky and short of breath. Atem took his uninjured hand and squeezed it. The sensation of his soft skin brought Yugi back to reality.

The head architect – a tall woman with a tight hair bun – showed them around. Like everywhere, there was still a lot of debris but a few walls were still standing. Here and there, Yugi found things he recognised: the shards of a painted plate, a scrap of a shawl, a cracked vial of perfume.

"I know it's really devastating," the head architect said. "But we found the original plans of everything. We can restore it to be just the way it was."

"Is that necessary…?" Yugi asked.

"I'm sorry. What do you mean?"

"After everything that happened, maybe everyone would be more comfortable if the mansion looked a little different from now on. Things like changing the floor plan a bit, using other materials for certain things, new paintings for the walls… Do you think that would be possible?"

The head architect checked her scrolls, confused.

"It certainly is. We haven't begun reconstruction yet, so if this is your wish…"

"It would mean a lot to me and probably many others. If you and the other architects think it's doable, please let me know."

"Certainly, Royal Ornament. I'll check with them right now if you allow me," she said and both Atem and Yugi nodded. She walked away, her eyes still on her scrolls.

"I didn't expect that either," Atem said. "But it does sound like a good idea."

"Thank you. Hopefully that will make Tamiat's fresh start a little easier."

A servant informed them that it was time for their next meeting. Yugi and Atem took the palanquin back to the village. When they entered the tent, everyone else was already there. Atem sat down at the head of the long table and Yugi to his left.

The other seats were taken by Lord Seto, Kisara, Mai, Jou, and a few other officials whose names Yugi didn't know. Atem opened the meeting and let Lord Seto speak first. Only a small scar next to his temple remained of his head injury.

"Firstly, I just received a letter from King Rishid of Nubia. He is congratulating you on your victory over Atlantis," he said and handed Atem a scroll. Atem read it, then slid the papyrus to Yugi, his finger pointing at the last paragraph.

Besides, I think both you and Yugi of Tamiat will be glad to hear that the first laws on restricting slavery have been signed. It'll be a long time until it's fully outlawed but change is on its way.

Those lines made Yugi smile with hope. Atem thanked Lord Seto and he continued with the next items on the agenda. The other northern nobles too had sent letters, expressing their condolences and offering their help. After that, Kisara confirmed that the food delivery from Iberia would be shipped to Tamiat very soon. Jou updated them on how the people were doing and Mai told them that more ship architects had come to Asphaleia, intrigued by its library.

"Now, I'm glad that most people chose to stay and rebuild Tamiat," Atem said. "But that raises one question: Who will be Tamiat's next leader?"

Yugi felt a stone in his stomach. As far as he knew, Otogi had no living relatives who might have a right to Tamiat's throne. He knew of no other noble he'd entrust his home to.

"It should be someone who has a strong connection with Tamiat," Jou said.

"Someone who is respected both by the people and the other nobles of the north," Mai added.

"And who's had some experience on how to be a good leader," Kisara said.

"But who could that be?" Yugi asked and everyone chuckled. "What?"

Atem took his hand.

"I think we all agree that it should be you."

"Me?!" Yugi's free palm flew to his chest. The others had no objections. "But I don't even have a title!"

"Titles can be given," Atem said. "You already proved that you're a good leader to Tamiat. And that's why all the people who have questions or disagreements come to your tent these days."

"You were the one who took care of their problems when Otogi didn't. They fought in your name during the rebellion. They were relying on you to free them from Atlantis. They adore you, Yugi. Trust me, I talk to them a lot," Jou said with a wink.

"And you've been watching your parents be good leaders to Asphaleia while growing up, haven't you?" Kisara asked.

It was all true. Yugi knew that one way or another, he'd have dedicated his life to rebuilding Tamiat. But him, born as a slave and trained as a whore, becoming a lord…?

"No one will force you of course," Atem said. "If you'd rather we-"

"You don't have to force me," Yugi said and looked at everyone. Yes, the idea was new and even intimidating. But he knew he wanted it. He knew that this was his purpose and the thought of it filled him with joy and energy. "I want to do it. I want to do all I can for my home. If the people accept me, I'll be honoured to become the new lord of Tamiat."

Kisara was the first one who clapped and everyone else followed. Yugi's cheeks glowed, especially when his friends beamed at him.

"Very good," Atem said. "I assume you'll also want to take care of Asphaleia. To make it simpler I think we should classify it as another part of Tamiat and we'll work out the details later. What do you think?"

"Oh yes, of course. I'd never abandon Asphaleia."

"If you allow me, I will organise everything concerning Yugi's, well … coronation," Mai said with a proud smile.

"Please do. Oh, and Lord Seto, please have a new pair of golden wristbands commissioned," Atem said. "Feel free to spread the news, everyone. I think the people will be thrilled about this decision."

They ended the meeting shortly after. Everyone left the tent until Yugi and Atem were alone. Atem was standing in front of a map that hung on a metal rack. Yugi rose from his chair and hugged Atem from behind.

"As happy as I am about becoming the new lord… What does that mean for us…?" Yugi asked. Atem turned around, his arms wrapping around Yugi.

"I don't see why we can't still be together. I'll work on repairing my relationship with the north so I'll travel a lot. Besides, you'll come to the palace every year to deliver the north's taxes."

Yugi chuckled.

"We'll also be taking care of the fertility ritual every other month so…"

Atem looked to the side, his brows furrowed in concern.

"Right."

"I'm sorry, did I…?"

"Well, the flood is due next month and there's no sign of it being on time. Or that it'll be enough. The heat wave may have passed but the land is still incredibly dry." Atem sighed. "What if the flood won't come at all? What if the gods won't ever forgive me, not even now that peace has returned…?"

Yugi squeezed him as tightly as his injuries let him.

"The flood will be here soon. You'll see," Yugi said, hoping he was right.

The people were delighted at the prospect of Yugi becoming their new lord. Their smiles and cheers gave Yugi more confidence and he wanted nothing more than to be the leader they deserved.

It was on a day free of audiences that Kisara came to his tent with an important announcement: The food delivery from Iberia was about to arrive in Tamiat's harbour. Yugi was both relieved and happy to hear this and he agreed when Kisara suggested they should receive it in the city together.

The commoners greeted their palanquin with cheers and called "Lord Yugi!" and "Welcome my lord!". Yugi waved at them, only slowly getting used to being addressed this way.

The harbour consisted mostly out of scaffolding but it was able to receive the large ship from Iberia with its green banners. A crowd had gathered and the sailors seemed confused upon being received like heroes.

Kisara handled the transaction and signing of the papers as if she had been doing this all her life. The food was unloaded and it would be delivered all over the north.

Later that day, Yugi travelled to the mansion. Nearly all of the rubble had been cleaned up by now. All the different houses were under construction and workers carried tools, stone, and doors from one place to another.

The head architect greeted them and took them for a tour. A few rooms and halls were close to being done and Yugi liked the end result already. Everything was familiar but at the same time it was new and different.

She led Yugi into what would become Yugi's chambers. Here too it smelt of fresh paint and wood. The rooms had a new layout and the bedroom now faced the city instead of Tomb Island.

"I love it," Yugi said, turning to see every corner.

"I'm glad to hear that," the head architect said. "It will take a few years until everything is done, especially the tower. We're finishing this part of the mansion first. That way you will be able to move in soon without being bothered by the construction noise too much. In about a month I'd say."

"That would be wonderful. The closer I am to the people the better," Yugi said and the head architect smiled.

Two more months passed and Yugi's skin kept healing. It would remain reddish and bumpy on one side of his body and it was the same for Atem's leg. Both were soon able to walk without crutches or canes, even though the doctors emphasised that they shouldn't do any straining activities for some more time.

Everything was starting to look brighter – except for one thing. The flood came but it was even lower than in the years before. Hapi's priests measured at multiple places every day but the differences were minuscule.

Atem hid in Yugi's arms for comfort a lot but he didn't want to talk about the whole thing. Yugi couldn't blame him but he wished he could walk up to the gods themselves and ask them why they were still insisting on punishing Atem.

It was a question that became unnecessary one morning. Yugi and Atem were sleeping in the new canopy bed in Yugi's chambers. Yugi was starting to become aware of the sunlight falling through the cracks of the shutters but he was still half asleep.

He woke up instantly when the doors flew open. He sat up, dizzy, and his eyes fell on Jou. His hair and clothes were soaking wet.

"Yugi, you've got to look outside! It's a miracle! It's-" Guards grabbed Jou's arms and dragged him away. But Jou kept calling: "Look outside, Yugi! Go look!"

Yugi and Atem exchanged confused expressions. Nevertheless, they rose, opened the shutters and stepped on the balcony.

Yugi winced at a strange sensation. The ground beneath his feet was wet. The plants in the garden below them bowed under the weight of water on their leaves. The sky above them was cloudy and grey. Countless water drops were falling down.

"Rain," Yugi whispered and held open his palms. He heard steps behind him and saw Lord Seto, clad in a wet morning robe.

"My Pharaoh, messages are pouring in from all over the north. These clouds are everywhere and they bring this … sky water to the dry land. The priests say they know this phenomenon only from legends. It truly is a miracle…!"

A broad smile spread on Yugi's lips and his heart fluttered like a hummingbird. He turned to Atem. His lip was quivering, his eyes filling with tears.

"Thank you, Lord Seto. You may go now," Yugi said and Lord Seto left them alone. Yugi gave Atem a hug and felt his body tremble.

"They… They forgive me," Atem said, his voice cracking. "All the horrible things I've done… They forgive me…!"

"Yes," Yugi whispered. "And they sent a miracle to show it."

It was as if a tight knot inside Atem finally loosened. He wrapped his arms around Yugi and sobbed in relief and happiness. Finally, he was able to let go of all the fears and guilt that had plagued him for so long – and Yugi knew that no one deserved it more than Atem.