The Missing Memories of the Pharaoh

by dodore

First story of mine any reviews and proof-reads are welcome as English is not my mother tongue. Atem is troubled by the decision of his partner who took the responsibility to challenge him in the Ceremonial Duel. The pendant that he got from Anzu acts strange and brings him back to his past to find his still missing memories which will make the his story complete

37. Chapter 37 Mistakes Part 6

Dedicated anyone who reads this story, hope you like the continuation of it. Thank you so much for you patience on the late updates. Disclaimers: strong language, swearing, hard themes, distressing/sensitive topics, mature topics (nothing explicit but still mature)

"Argh...Who are we waiting for? I cannot believe that some people dare to waste other people's time...We could have started the training long ago...but instead of that we have to wait for some insolent good-for-nothing people. Oh I want to show what all I can do and I do not want to stand here and do nothing…" Yuna fumed quite loud and stumped with her foot impatiently.

"Dearest...you need to calm down...who knows what has happened to that person…" Atem tried to hush and calm her gently.

"If something serious had happened we would already know about it because even little children know exactly how to send a message with a spirit and inform their Master's that they cannot come...not to mention their parents...no Atem, I know exactly that this is nothing but utter insolence and nothing else…What a pity that we arrived when there is some troublemaker around us who knows nothing but waste other people's time!"

Atem folded one arm gently around her reassuringly and whispered into her ear. "Dearest, please…stop being so grumpy…It is not worthy of it, you know, this is something that you cannot change...or...what is exactly something that troubles you so much?" He recollected what had happened the day before and his heart was also seized by worry.

"I am just utterly at the end of my nerves because I cannot show what I am capable of…I just desperately want to earn the place that we deserve here Atem and I do not want to wait any longer!" She stomped and Atem could not help but to chuckle.

"At least you seem to be in a good mood in this situation…" Yuna said.

Atem shrugged. "I have nothing to worry about…I am perfectly aware of what you are capable of." To his satisfaction the wide smile and the happy shine of his beloved's eyes replaced the furry and nervousness. He felt that Yuna relaxed in his arms. Then he quickly looked around and a strange thought crossed his mind and made him stiff and nervous at made

Yuna also felt that and asked him at once. "What is the matter Atem?"

"I just wondered…about this whole gathering thing...Could it be that the Masters decided that they will announce to the public you know that we are or were...?" he whispered.

Yuna interrupted Atem's worried question with a simple but definite. "No! That is definitely not the case. It would not serve anyone's interest if that information went to public…"

"Then why is every group with their Masters here now and why are we waiting for everyone to arrive? As far as I know groups gather separately each morning and not together like this…" He murmured thinking.

Yuna sighed. "Once a week every group gathers together along with their masters...it is the easiest way to announce important news…" Then she folded herself out of Atem's embrace and stepped behind him and put her hand playfully on Atem's neck who instantly jumped and cried a little."Why have you done that? Your hands are so cold…"

That reaction made her giggle childish. "To make you stop worrying."

"You could just have hugged me like I always do." He murmured back.

"That would not have been as effective in your case as this. If you are worrying this is the only thing that help you come out of trance…Atem listen, these gatherings are not so unusual, do not overreact it, it just a normal gathering to announce important news that implies to everyone…Oh come do not start worrying again or I will put my hands under your shirt and touch your back." She scolded as she caught his expression. "If I say everything is fine then it is fine, I know my people, you worry about something that is utterly unnecessary and groundless…"

Atem nodded, took a deep breath and nodded confidently. It was hard to admit and accept but he was unable to control what would happen therefore it was really unnecessary to worry about it. In this case he had to let things go on their way so that fate could decide what would happen to them. He was aware of all these but still he found it hard to accept this whole situation... How was it even possible that he, especially HE, the chosen one, the future pharaoh, and saviour of the whole world, end up in a situation where he could not control a situation and he could only let things go on their own ways and he could do not nothing but stand and watch helplessly? This place made him feel so utterly useless and weak…and he had to admit to himself that it troubled him much…

And then he heard someone speaking next to him. "I am so ashamed that she is part of our group…" This voice was full of confidence that Atem lacked at the moment and he wondered to whom the voice belonged. Next to them was a teenager around the age of seventeen. Her eyes were crystal-clear blue, he only saw only one person with a similar eye colour and that was his wife Yuna. Otherwise the resemblance ended. This young woman had long, straight, fair hair and a slender, strong figure with lean muscles which lacked the curves of his wife. In Atem's eyes Yuna was way prettier but he had to admit that this young woman had her own exotic beauty and aura. She had a firm confidence and such an inner power that could not be questioned. And it was also obvious that she liked speaking in the public and enjoying the attention of her fellow students who listened to her intently. What was she? Some kind of leader figure?

"She could not behave from the start that was clear and obvious and to tell you the way I see the truth is that all of us feel so much better when she is not around…I cannot spend time with Sloan in the mornings as he has to chase around that cheeky little monster…But what can we expect from her? She is nothing but a FOREIGN and foreigners as we know are nothing but trouble and good-for-nothing till they become like us...until then they are nothing but brainwashed idiots who know nothing and cannot properly behave..."

"You make a quick conclusion and categorise a lot of good people based on one bad example; don't you think?" Atem heard Yuna snap at her.

She turned her attention to them angrily. It was clear that she was not used to any interruptions. She eyed Yuna for some time and her gaze filled with something that Atem had not expected: disrespect and contempt. Her response was also full of look-down and disparagement. "Oh yeah, you side with that rubbish good-for-nothing lot because you stick together thick and thin, don't you?"

Yuna paled slightly and bit her mouth and balled her hands at her side but it was clear that she was deeply hurt.

"What is that supposed to mean?" Atem could no longer hold himself back he stepped ahead and looked into the blue eyes of the teen who looked at him with disgust.

"Oh holy Goddess, how could you not understand what I meant? She seems to have no difficulties interpreting my meaning. Or could it be that the darker the skin the more ignorant you are, hm?"

"What have you just said?! How dare you?" Atem felt outraged and speechless. Such an insult could not be tolerated.

"What is happening here?" Master Kelvan stepped in between them so that they had no other choice but to take a step away from each other. Still they continued eyeing each other angrily without saying anything.

"Young lady, Renate, young boy, Atem! I asked what is happening between you two?"

"I just stated something obvious, but the dark boy seems to have difficulties understanding our language…"

"Renate was talking nonsense and I could not tolerate it. She was impolite and hurt Yuna by implying that..." There he paused because something became visible for him and made him surprised.

"Holy Goddess. you have a nerve to talk about being impolite, you ignorant boy, if you call a young lady on her first name! I am "young lady Renate" to you and even she deserves the proper respect so you should call her, "young lady Yuna"no matter what!"

"Yuna has chosen me to be her partner." He indicated his necklace.

Renate made a face of disgust. "If I were you, I would think that decision over and choose someone who is more familiar to the traditions and customs and shows proper respect to you. Once you will get to know our traditions you will see the boys and the world differently do not be afraid."

"I perfectly know our traditions and I made a wonderful choice so there is no reason to change my mind thank you for your concern." Yuna snapped back indignantly.

"That is enough, I understand the situation now." Master Kelvan stated and his interruption made all of them silent at once. "Young lady Renate, my advice for you is the following: do not judge too quickly if you do not know something."

"Master Kelvan, you are mistaken, I knew exactly what I was talking about. It is obvious that..." Renate tried to protest but the Master interrupted him saying casually: "Apparently not." and his attention turned to Atem.

"And Atem my advice for you, is the following: if you are in a situation where it is clear that someone does not know the truth and does not see things clearly then do not waste your time and let things go into a bad direction…You should speak and do your guide each of you towards the truth and do not let the truth slip away…Stay focussed: letting your emotions ride you in a difficult situation will not bring you closer to your goal…" He told him calmly.

"But Master Kelvan, as I said you are mistaken in this." Renate stomped. "I saw the situation clearly. Actually, the situation is absolutely visible, you just have to look at those two." She gave them a nasty disparaging look as if he were disgusting.

"Your prejudice makes you blind and too closed up to find out the truth, young lady, Renate. Be careful about it." Master Kelvan reproached her in a gentle way.

"I would rather say that my experience makes me careful. After what has happened to us since that little cheeky foreign joined our group everything is a disaster!" Then Atem saw that she watched them cautiously then she became horrified. "Please do not tell me that you would also like our Master that you would like to join our group!"

"You can calm down, Renate…" Yuna hissed. "We already have our own group. we do not need to join any other group. Our master will be Master Isabel…"

"Holy Goddess I am so relieved now, we have more than enough troubles without you..." That sigh of relief was so absolutely artificial but earned a lot of sympathy and attention from her fellow students so Atem suspected that Renate loved playing and exaggerating to make the others listen to her as much as possible.

"See, Atem, this is what I have mentioned to you beforehand, do you remember?" He leaned closer to Atem, folded his fingers together and looked pensive. "This is the perfect example of that fact if you are not communicating clearly your thoughts…you all talked but still nobody got closer to the truth or the solution of the actual problem…That is why I am telling you, always form your thoughts clear, wise and do not let your emotions turn you away from your real goals.." As he looked into the eyes of the elderly master Atem felt that he felt more and more respect towards that man. How much knowledge and wisdom his students could learn from him! He would learn many things from Master Isabel he was sure but a little bit he sympathised and preferred that elderly man much better.

Then at once a shrill cry turned his and everyone's attention away from anything else. "Leave me alone and take that fucking spell of me, you son-of-a-BITCH!" As he turned his mouth popped open from surprise. The little girl that he met in the bath yesterday just entered seemingly unwillingly the hall behind a tall lanky teenage boy. Her face showed hatred and fury even though the teenage boy had just followed her wish and lifted the binding spell that bound them together. "Have you enjoyed that a little girl had to follow you like some dog, you sick motherfucker?!"

"Why don't you just finally stop talking for once?" The teenage boy snapped back apparently losing his patience. Then he took a deep breath to calm himself. "You know perfectly little lady Rheal that you would not have come with me otherwise!" Then he looked at Master Kelvan begging. "Master Kelvan, I am extremely sorry but I cannot do this anymore. This little foreign lady is utterly insufferable and so hateful that I cannot and I do not want to be her guardian anymore! Master Kelvan, please lift this burden from my shoulder, I simply had enough, I do not want to tolerate this anymore…"

Renate moved and the first time Atem saw the change in her. The expression that she wore now was full of kindness and gentleness as she looked at the young man...She stepped to him, put her arm around him and whispered something into his ears and instantly he relaxed and smiled and nuzzled his cheek into Renate's shoulder in return...Then he saw the silvery lace glittering around their necks and Atem knew at once that the teenage young man was Renate's chosen one...For some reason Atem also felt that even though they were young in age their bond was exceptionally strong…

Then the soft moment passed and the confident and proud glimpse returned to the Renate's eyes of Renate as she turned to Master Kelvan and spoke confidently: "Master Kelvan, I cannot witness that this cheeky little ungrateful foreign lady destroys everything around her…Her presence is nothing but a poison to our great group…She does not belong to us and she does not do the slightest to become part of our group… We have had enough of this…Since she has arrived she has done nothing but destroy the peace and harmony of the group and if we do nothing the situation will become worse. I am afraid that our great group which was strong and great will crumble and become weaker and weaker because of her…"

"Young lady, Renate, I am sorry to say but if a group crumbles and becomes weaker because of one person instead of closing together and doing its best to find a way to help each other in a difficult situation and if it cannot find the a solution for them on their own then that group was never strong and great at all…"

"Then we are a strong group after all Master Kelvan…" Renate spoke at once full of joy and confidence then she looked at their peers. It was clear that they must have had some secret discussion because most of them gave her an encouraging nod so she stood straight, threw her fair hair back and started speaking as a true leader would have done. "Because that is exactly what we have done…we have discussed and had the common opinion how to solve this difficult situation…"

The elderly man furrowed his eyebrows and crossed his arms around his chest and looked at her grimly. "Oh yes? And what would that be?"

"She cannot fit in this particular group but that does not mean that she would do the same with another master and with another group. Perhaps she has only issues with this group so we should give her a chance to let her go and try her luck with someone else." She said proudly.

Master Kelvan shook his head and Atem saw many emotions in the eyes of the elderly man: sadness, disappointment and gloom… He could really feel with him…The same emotions battled in his heart since he arrived here...But how would he decide? Would he let the little girl go due to the wish of the majority of the students? Or would he go against them? It was a tough situation.

"So if I understood the group's wish correctly: your solution is that when you face a difficult situation you will just leave it as it is and put it into the shoulders of others to cope with it. If I have to say with other words you just wish to run away instead of coping with the problem...Well this is the easiest solution…but it is the solution for the weaks and cowards…And honestly I know that this group is capable of much more than running away therefore I will not accept your wish. I want to see you use your wits, to fight for your group member and use every possible method you can come up with to make her fit in…"

"This little cheeky lady is useless to fight for! No matter what we do she just opposes and does not want to fit into this group! We have nothing common with her and she lost our trust and hope long ago. It would be better for her to have a blank page in another group, Master Kelvan! It is just a waste of time and energy if she stays with us...for us she is nothing but a lost cause and we do not see if that would really change..."

"Young lady Renate, I want more willpower, determination and fight from you and the group. I have just told you."

"Wonderful that is absolutely wonderful. So that means that you disregard the common wish and nothing is going to change. All of us have to suffer her insults, her demoralising behaviour, her horrible moods. We have to witness that she hates to be with us and she does not want to be with us. And we should be happy about it. Well we are absolutely not. Least of all I because I am the one who has to witness day by day that my chosen partner has to chase her so that she come to our sessions, and he is the one who has to suffer her insults the most..How can you disregard this group's wish when our wish is so reasonable and valid? You cannot be so unfair to us just because you care and about her so much more than any of us...it is time that you let go of your little favourite!" Her face became red from fury and she stomped her feet and the teenage boy paled and looked pleadingly at Master Kelvan.

"Master Kelvan, please, I really do not want to do this anymore...I had enough chasing her day by day and hearing her insults in return ..."

"I would have been if you let her go to do whatever she wants, if we had some luck she would get lost and never return. That would be the best of everyone. That way no other group would have to to deal with her and we would get rid of her as well." Renate said wishfully.

Master Kelvan turned to Renate then sighed and told her firmly: "How could you say something like that? How can you even think about something horrible like that? What kind of attitude do you show the others, especially to the younger ones, young Lady Renate? All your accusations are false and out of logic. My actions and decisions reflect and will reflect later on as well the opposite what you claimed. I care about your wishes but I see what is the best for all of you. Because I care about each of you. And because I care about each of you I do not want you to make a hasty and nonsensical decision guided by nothing but your raw emotions and your false assumptions about the future. I hope in a totally different future than the one you told me beforehand." Then he sighed and seemed to become involved in his thoughts for a moment then he said deceived. "Still I cannot go away from the fact what has happened beforehand, I am sorry but your actions made it clear for me that you are nowhere near the initiation ceremony young lady Renate.". Then he turned to Sloan. "Young boy, Sloan, your wish however is understandable and valid. You fulfilled this task without help so long without complaining. It is natural that you wish to have some rest now. I only ask you to remain little Rhea's guardian until we return to our training and study hall. There we will discuss who should be your successor. And now that our group is finally complete and our lost member has finally arrived..." He gave a kind smile to the little girl who did not look up but looked down to the ground the whole time. Atem was horrified. What a horrible experience this little girl must have had so far in this place...Apart from the Master no one seemed to like, to care about her, she was so utterly alone here...It was not a wonder that she was so sour and bad natured...

Even now she was completely forgotten and neglected because the whole group paid attention to Renate who seemed to turn ill. Sloan ran to her side and grabbed her elbows as she sank to the floor. She was shivering and she was in a shock. On his side Yuna also whispered compassionately. "Oh holy Goddess…Poor young lady…that is horrible…" It was hard to imagine that those two had just had an argument.

At that moment Atem heard the confident Renate stammer with fear. She was completely broken,and it was clear that she was on the verge of tear. It was a horrible sight to watch. "I am so-sorry Master Kelvan, I just forgot my-myself but I promise that I-I will be careful that this w-will never happen again…please f-forgive me and let me take my initiation ceremony like the o-others..." Then she knelt down and begged for forgiveness.

"Oh young lady Renate…" The master's eyes were full of compassion. "I had so high hopes for you but they are all crashed. You are so wrong in many ways therefore I cannot allow you to take the initiation ceremony…Please stop begging and stand up please…"

"Please tell me what I am doing wrong and I will correct my mistakes…I will do my best Master Kelvan…I am really desperate to show that I can amend all of them!" " Renate begged still on the ground.

"Young lady Renate, if you do not see your mistakes then you are not ready for your initiation ceremony and that is the end of this discussion. Once you realise them on your own, you will be ready and not earlier..." Master Kelvan told firmly.

"Master Kelvan!" Sloan stepped next to Renate and put a hand on her shoulder. "If young lady Renate is not ready to take her initiation ceremony then I am not taking mine as well…"

Renate reached up to him and let herself lift up. "No Sloan, don't do this…This is too much a sacrifice…"

Master Kelvan looked at him and agreed. "Young lady Renate is right. In your case I do not see any reason why you should not take your initiation ceremony...you are ready there is no question about it."

"No, I wish to take mine when young lady Renate can do hers…She is the best in the whole group…if she is not ready I do not feel that I am ready as well…"

Renate's eyes became wet and then Atem looked around and saw some student stand ahead from the other with determined faces. All of them seemed to be around the same age as Sloan and Renate.

"Sloan's right. If she is not ready, I am not ready as well…" a blonde haired boy said.

"I will not take mine initiation ceremony as well…" a short light brown haired boy joined.

"I will only take mine when young lady Renate can take hers…" a girl with shiny green eyes and wavy fair hairs nodded.

"I totally agree, she is the best in our group if she can't take hers it would be unfair if I take mine…" a long red haired girl with spreckels said.

"I agree I will wait till you allow young lady Renate to take her initiation ceremony…" a boy with shiny blue eyes whispered.

"That is right…I will also stick with her and wait as long as it is necessary…" a short haired said without hesitation.

"Everyone…" Renate looked around at the seven students who gathered at her side. It was obvious that she was astonished and also touched at this unexpected outcome to what had happened. "You cannot throw away all your preparations because of me…"

"Well I think a team should do things together and we are a team..."

"As for me I remember how many times you helped me and I think that it would be highly time that I give something back in return now..."

"I found it really unfair if the best one could not take the initiation ceremony whereas I who is far behind you do...I do not want that..."

"You were my inspiration and you will always be...without you I would have given up so many times..."

"You deserve to take the ceremony with those with whom you started your studies and that is us..."

"Without you I do not want to take mine as well...I also found that unfair and not well deserved..."

"As for me...I promised you that I will be by your side through thick and thin...I will not take mine initiation ceremony without you and I know that I am doing the right thing." Sloan was the one who finished the group of reasoning.

The elderly man looked around the group and nodded. "This team spirit is remarkable and I would be happy if that spirit would embrace others as well in the future who had been left out so far..."

"This spirit is something that others should earn...it is not granted for everyone for nothing...it will embrace those who deserve it…" Sloan told firmly and looked into the eyes of Master Kelvan meaningfully. "Master Kelvan, you heard this other wish...what would you do about it?"

"Naturally this wish will be granted…" Master Kelvan answered immediately. "And I would like to say that I really think that there is still much time till the great day comes and hopefully a lot of things will change…I will let everyone, continue their preparation as you have done beforehand, and of course everyone means everyone no exception. Young lady Renate will also continue her preparation and we will see if she becomes ready to take when the time comes...if she is still not then you can individually decide again whether you wish to postpone your initiation ceremony or not…"

"I believe in young lady Renate…"

"She will be ready for sure..."

"She was the most hard working student and she will not let you down you will see..."

"I agree."

"That is true..." They told one after the other.

Then Sloan hugged Renate and said with no doubt. "I do not care on which day I will take my initiation ceremony. I just want that we can take it together with her, my mind will not change no matter what...But personally I have no question that we will all do our initiation ceremony together on that particular day. If she sets her mind to something she will achieve it!"

"True!" "Well said!" "I agree!" The others cheered.

"On one point I have to disagree with you Sloan because you are mistaken. She is far from ready…but otherwise your belief is not ungrounded...because I see that she has all the potentials to succeed. I hope that I will see the change that is necessary for her to take the initiation ceremony…"

Renate looked up and her crying stopped at once as she stared at Master Kelvan in wonder. "You really think so Master Kelvan?" She hiccupped.

"I never thought anything else." He went to her and patted her shoulder. "Sorry to leave you all, but it is really time that I join the other masters. But we will have time to discuss things later on today... " Then he turned and left the group alone.

When he could no longer hear them Renate looked at the little girl furious and snapped at her. "That is all your fault you little bad-mouthed insolent young lady! Look what you have caused again!"

"It is just your fault you bitch. You are who fucked your chances up. No big deal it could be expected..." she mumbled uninterested.

"You have the nerve, you foreign little lady."

"Unbelievable…"

"You are absolutely disgusting…"

"You have no shame, haven't you?"

"It would be high time at least apologise for what you have caused…"

"Young lady Renate is right, this is all your fault. Since you came you made nothing but pain and trouble…"

Several voices hit accusations to the little girl who simply stared at the floor and stepped from one foot to the other and seemed utterly uninterested and bored about what was happening to her. She only muttered once. "Mother-fuckers, when will you finally leave me in fucking peace?…I do not fucking care what you think and do don't you see?" Nevertheless, Atem could not help but to feel compassion and sorry for her…To feel and face such hostility and hatred day by day could be horrible for such a small little girl…That was too harsh and not acceptable...

He walked to the group and opened his mouth to stop the other students when the little girl held her head up and her eyes engaged to his and an intense hatred flared up in them. "Go fucking away...and mind your own fucking business...if you do not want to get into some fucking big trouble"

"Uh...how touching to see when two foreigners try to stand up to each other..." Renate chuckled. "What a day, I never thought I would ever say this but, I totally agree with the little lady, you should do as she says, dark boy.."

"I will not go away before I say that..." Atem started.

"Can't you get what the fuck is going on, you retard?! Shut the fuck up and turn around and get finally lost." Rhea snapped.

"I never thought that I will ever say twice but you should really listen to the little lady and do as she says..." Renate could hardly suppress her good mood.

Then a strict voice behind him reached him. "Atem, we have been waiting for you to realise to stop talking with the others. I think whatever you wish to tell little lady Sera and young lady Renate that can be postponed for sure…Please do not waste everyone's time and patience any longer…"

Atem blushed at once then stepped away from the group and joined Yuna who had just touched her necklace. Soon Atem saw the words appear on his own. "I suppose that little lady must be the one that you met yesterday…"

"Yes, that is her…" He grabbed his necklace and sent the message back.

"Do not pay attention to her, it is not your business…" Atem read the words.

"I just feel sorry for her. It must be hard for her to be in that hostile group alone…" He replied.

"Of course it is hard but that is her business and not ours...this situation is not our responsibility to think about: it is the task of her group to cope with…I am actually glad glad about it…we have enough problems and responsibilities without caring about someone like her...we cannot waste our time to such petty childish things..."

"Yuna?" Atem asked, surprised this time aloud.

"Shhhh...it is impolite to talk while a master can talk about anything later..."she quickly whispered and turned her attention to Master Isabel.

"….so to hinder any useless gossip and speculation I will now officially introduce you two people. Young lady, Yuna please come forward first…" Yuna straightened and tried to walk proud towards Master Isabel with as little limping as possible. When she was in front of everyone, she bowed a little to the audience then to the masters and stood straight. She was visibly proud and overjoyed to be among her people and at home again. "Young lady Yuna is my student and she will continue her studies where she left it so that she could take her initiation ceremony as soon as she can."

Atem saw that most students looked at each other questioningly and some of them whispered disbelieved. "I do not understand this at all…" "How could she take her initiation ceremony as soon as she can?" "Continues her studies? Have you ever seen her around here?" "Who is she anyway?"

The master signed silence and continued. "I knew you would be confused and would not understand therefore allow me to explain her special case…Most likely no students around her can remember her because all of you were really young at that time...and if you remembered about her she has has changed so much that you could hardly recognise her because 9 years is a great time...little lady Yuna at the age of ten had to leave our town to follow the last wish of her mother which commanded her to continue her studies abroad. She spent 9 years far from us but finally she returned to show how much she has developed and changed...I ask all of you and especially the students in my group to do your best to help her find her place again among us in all possible ways...She was, is and will be one of us no matter what has happened." She looked at Yuna and nodded. "Thank you young lady, Yuna, now you can join your group."

Yuna glimpsed at Atem and with a smile she barely touched her necklace. Do not worry, you will soon join me and the others. This will be so much fun, I cannot wait! Then she stepped down the podium and joined a group of students who greeted her excitedly. Atem smiled and looked at the elderly woman with excitement. How would she introduce him in front of the other students?

Master Isabel paused and when she became sure that everyone was listening again she continued gravely. "Before I continue something needs to be discussed and clarified however."She took a deep breath and continued speaking. "Your parents and each full member of the town was informed about what has happened near our town and we as your masters feel that it is time that you will also be officially informed now. A strong incredible evil force made the little guardians of the great power appear. That is not an event that had no precedent. There were always fools and tainted people who wanted to grasp the great power..."

Atem's smile vanished and a shiver went through his spine and looked at Yuna who became paler and stared at Master Isabel astonished. But the master did not cast any look at her but continued her speech. "What makes us worry is that this event could happen without our awareness. This is the first force and attack that was not sensed or detected by any of us and even the little guardian's cry did not reach the town which means that this person could have hurt them and we would not have known anything about it…Nothing similar ever happened before...It was just sheer luck that I and Master Kelvan were taking a walk around that area and we sensed the different atmosphere in the forest that always signs an evil presence. But unfortunately, no matter how much we hurried, the person who had called the power had already escaped when we reached the actual scene...But from what has happened and we have heard from our guards and full members we could conclude something. No person entered and no person left our barriers that day, so the person who committed this act is still with us..."

Most students started murmuring around him and Master Isabel remained silent some time then she signed that she wished to continue her speech. "And we know this fact as well: the person who was within the woods was not a full member of our society. That is why we called each and every one in this place who is within the town and has not yet earned full membership..I turn to you and ask now: who was in the woods yesterday? You who were there, please come forward and confess in front of everyone what you have done!"

Atem could have sworn that the Master glared at him meaningfully as if she knew from that start where he had been yesterday. Around him everyone started chattering but he could not comprehend what they were talking aloud. His heart thumped in his heart and then he felt the cartouche warm up but before he could take it out and read he heard a shrill nasty laugh behind him. He turned and saw that the little girl smiled nastily and found the situation funny. "The master is so naïve to believe that there is anyone who would fucking come forward and say: "I was in the woods:" …No one would be such a fucking retard to that in public...no one has enough courage to do that in public..."

"If you have nothing to hide then you can admit where you were without being afraid...that is not stupidity but honesty…" Atem looked at the little girl and then held up her head and cried out confidently." I was in the woods yesterday Master Isabel."

Everyone turned to him and the students near him instantly stepped away from him. Atem could read many feelings from their expressions: mostly disgust, fear, horror, astonishment and hate. Only the little girl did not step away but remained where she was and stared at him with widened eyes and her mouth rounded but soon she closed it and her eyes into a suspicious and distrusting glare. He slowly turned and walked into the podium feeling the piercing gazes of the others. As he walked to the podium Yuna hurried to him limping and grabbed his arm. She stared at him in disbelief and whispered to him in a low voice. "It was unnecessary to ruin your first impression. We could have discussed this in private with Master Isabel. Why have you not read your cartouche? I warned you not to do this…"

He grabbed her hand and whispered reassuringly. "No worries I have nothing to hide from the others."

Yuna folded her fingers around his and nodded. "That is absolutely true…And I will be on your side, I will side you...you will have many chances to make up this unfortunate incident…It will be fine…" She squeezed his hand reassuringly and encouragingly.

"It does not really matter what others think about me and what impression I make on them...I know it already anyway..." He pulled his mouth meaningfully.

"Atem, I am sorry to tell you that but you are so mistaken in that aspect. It extremely matters here what others think about you! It is perhaps the most important thing that you always have to keep in mind...Your impression that you make will determine your chances and life here...But you know I am sure nothing is lost, you will just tell honestly what happened yesterday then Master Isabel will introduce you as her student and with that you can still make a good impression after all...on my part I will do my best to correct the damage as well, once you are part of our group I will tell everyone what kind of person you are and that you are my chosen one and why I have chosen you... Atem...you deserve nothing less but to be treated the best way as possible...and once I will finally take that initiation ceremony you will take your rightful place namely as my equal partner...Everything will be fine, Atem, I know that." Atem could not help but smile as he watched how enthusiastic and fighting his wife was when it came to defend him and their relationship. That was what counted! Whatever situation would come in the future he could not help but feel utter happiness and gratefulness to have such a wonderful partner in his life. No matter what would happen he could say that he was so lucky!

He quickly looked to the Masters but to his relief at least their little chat had not seemed to cause any issue: they were actually deep into a discussion. Atem straightened himself and in his mind he tried to formulate that speech that he would soon perform but the look that Master Isabel gave to Master Kelvan made all his thoughts blank. He could have sworn that those two communicated with words because after some seconds Master Isabel only nodded quickly. In their eyes unlike the other Masters there was no doubt, no uncertainty, no indecisiveness, no no astonishment and surprise about what had happened but only sheer determination accompanied by strong will and inner strength. What an unbelievable, wonderful and strong pair they made each other! Together they seemed to be invincible against every hardship that life could make them face! The only sad thing in this situation was that in this case Atem seemed to be in their eyes one of the hardships in life...

Finally the elderly woman spoke up. "If you allow me my fellow Masters, I would like to take the task of questioning the young boy." Even though her words were polite and formal, her tone made no question about the fact that she wanted that no one objected to her. Not that she had to worry about that as no one seemed to be so keen on questioning him as she was.

Slowly Master Isabel turned to him and spoke ceremoniously, clear and loud. "I will ask you and you will answer in clear and loud that everyone in this place could hear. Understood?"

"Yes." Atem told her uncomfortably. That whole situation was so humiliating in many respects for him. For the sake of Ra! He was not just like any other human after all! He was the prince of Egypt, the future pharaoh and saviour of the whole word. No one should interrogate and speak to him like that. It was not acceptable and not normal! a mere human.

"Has everyone heard him?" Master Isabel turned to the crowd under them.

"No!" Several cries reached Atem's ear.

"Then I ask you again, have you understood what I asked from you?"

This crowd was clueless and ignorant of the fact who was standing ahead of them. This crowd needed evidence and he would give them. He would stand straight and firm. "Yes." He replied this time and his voice was like thunder this time reaching everyone's ears.

"I see that you found the right volume this time." She said. "Keep it up because everyone in this hall wishes to hear the answers."

"You will not be disappointed. You will hear my answers crystal clear I promise." He nodded curtly. He would show that he would not be intimidated. Even in this situation he had to show power and strength!

"Very well then. Then let's start with the most important questions first: What you were doing in the woods, Atem and why were you there in the first place?"

Atem took a deep breath and told everything what had happened. Slowly, clearly and loud enough so that everyone could hear. Like someone who was not feeling humiliated, like someone who was confident, like someone who was aware that he was powerful, someone who was not hurt by the injustice of these people who interrogated him, like someone who did not care what these people thought about him, like someone who never lost his calm...He was at that moment so grateful for Mahado and Mana that they played so many times those roleplays. The preparation paid off at last, he could play his role perfectly no matter what he really felt inside. For this performance that he made today he was sure that Mana would have jumped up in the air then run to him, hug around his neck and laugh at him cheerfully and Mahado would look at him proud and nod at him satisfied.

But what response could he expect here for the same performance? He watched Master Isabel once he finished his "play". The elderly woman hummed ahead of herself but did not speak for a long time but seemed to be involved in her own thinking instead. His pendant became suddenly warm and he could read the words.

That was your best performance ever Atem! You were so great! After that you will just be introduced to our team so you can stop worrying!

He looked behind his back where Yuna was standing and she beamed at him with a huge proud smile. Quickly he glanced at the crowd expecting warm, kind and encouraging reactions but instead of that he faced many cold, disbelieving, fearful, troubled, confused and doubtful faces. The only exception in that crowd was to his surprise was little Rhea. The little girl wore an expression full of concentration and did he see that right or was he just imagining? She watched him curiously! Then as she catched that he was looking at expression changed to disgust and hate. Atem felt uncomfortable under her gaze but could not help to find her really peculiar...

But at that moment he heard Master Isabel's voice which made his attention turn back to her. "I see, young boy, but now we have a new question that needs to be cleared...why have you not told us about this beforehand?"

Atem felt that a blush crept into his face and the first time since the interrogation started he hesitated. I do not want to involve Yuna into this mess, I want her out of trouble...What should I tell them?

He bit his lower lip and tried to find out a plausible reply quickly but then he saw Yuna step ahead next to him. "Because I suggested to him not to. I did not take this case seriously...I supposed that you would have stepped in like normal if it was a serious case...I could not even imagine that you could be unaware of this whole thing. Never such a thing happened before...I thought that our flow of information in this respect was flawless and cannot be played out...I am sorry for my mistake because it caused many troubles..." And she bowed low.

"A long time has passed and it will be highly time that we will have a discussion about this and many other things...to make the best of correcting your mistakes that you still have..." Master Isabel told her then turned back to Atem. "So young boy Atem..." she continued addressing him. "...the only action that I can be sure of now is that you listened to young lady Yuna. You decided to follow her advice and remain silent...otherwise we have nothing but your words..."

"And actions speak louder than words..." Atem glared at her, feeling a bitter taste in his mouth and panic rising inside him. This could not happen to him! He told the truth in the best way possible, he made no mistake and still he would be punished?! This is not fair! What could he expect from these people anyway? He and they were so different, and no matter how he tried he could not understand their way of thinking! And to be honest he got tired of doing that anyway...since he arrived here he felt utterly helpless, disappointed and humiliated over and over again without any particular reason.

"Well you have to admit that this business seems suspicious and unfortunate. And you have nothing to prove yourself..." Master Isabel told him firmly and she folded her arms in front of her.

Atem sighed. Everything was unjust here but could do nothing to convince these stubborn, stiff people to see reason. It is better to face his fate then with his head held high. "Suspicious or unfortunate my situation may be, I can only say that everything went the way I told you...If honest and truthful words do not count here then I can do nothing else but accept what you wish to do to me...this is your place, your ways I cannot have any influence on it but accept them the way they are..."

In the crowd he caught the expression of the little girl again who now stood and looked at him with a satisfied expression.

"No! Atem!" Yuna cried out. "That is not the way how things work here and I will not allow you to accept this so easily.." Then she turned to Master Isabel. "He may not be aware of it but I know it perfectly well that no one can be judged if there is no solid evidence against him! No one saw Atem doing anything wrong and no one has any proof against him! So in this case there is no evidence but his very words and that should be accepted as long as it is not proven otherwise. And his words tell nothing but his innocence so he is innocent! That's it!"

Master Isabel gave her a knowing smile and nodded. "It seems that you have not forgotten our customs and you can cleverly use them even in a stressful and tricky situation..."

Yuna's mouth turned to a confident smile. "I haven't forgotten a thing but improved. You will see in the training."

"Prove me what you are worth young lady Yuna." The Master told her seriously.

Yuna replied with another smile. "I will Master Isabel, you will be surprised I promise."

The elderly woman watched her thoughtfully for some time then she turned back to Atem and told him clearly. "You heard the young lady Yuna's words, Atem. They are absolutely right and I could not have told it better. You are regarded innocent as long as the opposite is not proved. Still you have to keep something in mind: Next time if you remain silent and do not report the occurrence of any unusual or evil presence then you will be considered guilty and you will be punished. It would not matter who advised you to do otherwise. Is this clear for you young man?"

"It is clear, I will do as you advised Master Isabel." He answered willingly. The burden that he felt so far seemed to be lifted from his heart at once.

Then the Master turned to the students and claimed. "Now I think you know the name of this young man now very well, but still let me introduce him officially as well. Atem came from Egypt which is the land young lady Yuna studied. He accompanied her for her journey and he will go back to his home after two really hope that he will spend his time here usefully and the right way and not cause any disturbance...That is all for today then. Our meeting is finished and you can leave and start your training with your masters as usual..."

"What?!" Yuna was clearly shocked. "This cannot be his introduction!"

The Master turned to her and asked curious. "Why do you say that young lady Yuna?"

"Because..." She hesitated for a moment then she replied politely. "Because you have not announced Atem as your new student. You only introduced me."

"And the reason for that is obvious young lady Yuna, don't you think? It is because Atem will not be my student." Atem felt the weight of her words hit him and Yuna equally hard. His wife could not comprehend what she heard for a while and Atem felt his heart beating faster and the burden on his shoulder came back at once. He hated to be here, to feel so humiliated, insulted again. Oh if he could just go home at once!

"Bu-bu-but.." Yuna stammered. "Why? Atem has the right to study just anybody else...What is the meaning of this? You told us that Atem will not be punished...!"

"Of course, I am not punishing him." Master Isabel stopped her at once. "I simply do not take him because I have enough students so I cannot take any more."

"But Master Isabel... Please think it over...I can develop the best if I have Atem on my side. He is my chosen one, you cannot separate us... "

The Master replied plainly. "What should I think over? There is no free place in my group in my group so I do not take him. And moreover...if you ask my opinion in this matter, I do not think he can help you at this point if you are in one group anyway."

Atem felt dizzy when he heard her words. They cut deep and hurt him more than anything had done so far here. He would not be able to stand at Yuna's side during her training sessions and he would not be able to learn along with her...if Master Isabel would make this happen they would spend so much time separate...no that is not he would allow without any fight!

"Master Isabel I would like to become your student. I wish to develop and learn! Please think it over!"

"As I told young lady Yuna there is nothing to think over. I have no place I cannot give it you..."

"Then what should I do?" Atem cried out desperately.

The elderly woman stared at him and seemed to think it over carefully what to reply to that question. Then she answered at last: "You can do whatever you want as long as you keep our rules." And at once she turned her back to Atem. "It is time that you go back to your group young lady Yuna!"

"Master Isabel if you do not allow Atem..." Yuna started her statement challenging but Atem stopped her by putting his hand on her shoulder.

"It does not matter at all Yuna. Please do not make anything that you would regret later on. Your job is to concentrate on your own training and your initiation ceremony." He muttered quickly. His voice sounded defeated and deeply hurt but he did not care. It did not matter now.

"But Atem...I want to train with you...as always..." Atem looked into her eyes and saw that she felt miserable and so much in conflict. She wanted to train so much but she did not want to let Atem down. And that moment Atem realised that he still could not let go of his role. He needed to be strong and confident...for her!

"It doesn't really matter. We can train after your training every day. It is fine this way…" His voice became more carefree and more confident at once. And before he forgot he also changed his position quickly.

Yuna looked at him suspiciously and raised an eyebrow at him as she argued. "No, it is definitely NOT right! You have the same right to train as everyone else and I will not let you be left out…I will not give up till Master Isabel becomes reasonable."

"Yuna, do not waste your time and energy on me but rather concentrate on your training." Atem warned her kindly.

"I love you Atem, and I will not let you down. I will not let this matter go so easily without any further discussions; I promise. You deserve to get a training along with me and you will get it, I will make sure of it…" Then she added. "I do not want to spend the time away from you..."

"Yuna..." Atem replied touched. "It is really fine, do not make such a big deal about it. It is not like we would not see each other and become separated from each other ...each day we will meet, talk and train together once you finish your training and your cooking with Master Isabel."

"But Atem what will you do when I am away from you?" Yuna asked sadly. "I do not want you to feel bad or like a cast out here..."

Oh Yuna it is too late for that but you are so nice... He thought but told her in a cool way. "Oh do not be silly dearest. Just because I will not participate on your training there are still a lot of things that I can do alone as well: practice, read, play with the Kuribohs...I will come up with something for sure to pass the time meaningfully while you are learning."

Yuna gave him a thin smile and Atem nodded to her encouragingly. "Go on! Do not make the others wait for you any longer!"

Yuna nodded back, slowly turned, looked back at him with a twinge of consciousness but as Atem signed her to go she smiled kindly and walked away and joined Master Isabel and her fellow students and then together they left the hall leaving Atem alone. When Atem was sure that Yuna was far away enough. that she would not see him anymore, he lowered his head and ran out of the place leaving everything and everyone behind as quickly as possible. Outside he leaned to the wall and let his composure break into pieces. He shivered and thought in panic:

Why?! Why is this happening again? Why could I not do anything against it? This cannot happen to ME! I want to be on her side, I want to learn with her together, I want to spend my time with her. I want to prepare for the task that awaits me in the future by getting to know new skills and knowledge from Master Isabel! I am sure she could have helped me by that if she wanted! But she doesn't want it. She wants to exclude me from their circles so that I could not cause any trouble. So that is what awaits me here: stay at home, and wait for the time that we can finally leave this horrible place. I feel so helpless and powerless here...I have no authority, no power...here, I am nothing but just an average man...I doubt that I have ever felt so weak, so exposed to the will of others, so useless...This place makes me even question if I can really become the chosen pharaoh who will protect mankind from the greatest demon...I cannot even control my fate here in this pathetic town...I have no influence on these people here so how will I be able to rule over a whole empire?

"Oh Gods, what should I do?" He sighed lost and lifted his right arm and touched his face. A huge tear of despair had just rolled down from his cheek and dropped to the ground. Now that no one was watching him he could his emotions free at last...

And then he heard someone tut-tutting near him. "Whining like a bitch and doing nothing." He looked down and saw the little girl glaring at him with a hateful expression. "Actually, I have not expected nothing particular from you, but it seems you can sink even lower in my eyes...l you are nothing but a fucking pathetic good-for-nothing son-of -a-bitch that is for sure...". She snorted expressing her disgust. "Is that all you are really fucking capable of?" She shouted vehemently.

"No that is not true, you are wrong..." Atem replied instantly but the truth was that he was not really sure about himself as well...He felt utterly helpless and incapable of controlling his fate at this place.

"Then what the fuck are you waiting for? Why are you just a whiny, crying bitch who cannot show something?!" She yelled at him. "You know what the fuck you are? You are a fucking disappointment over and over again...I fucking hate you!" Once she finished she turned and wanted to run away from him but at that moment she bumped directly into Master Kelvan who looked down at her kindly.

"Oh Little lady Rhea. I just heard your shout, what has happened?" The elderly man asked, looking extremely worried. He watched Atem and Rhea intently trying to comprehend what could have happened.

"I just lost my temper because of him that is all...and told him my opinion, that is all..." Rhea shrugged her shoulders.

Master Kelvan relaxed at once. "Little Lady Rhea..." He scolded her gently. "You said that you just needed a little bathroom time but you took such a long time that it made everyone worry..."

"I can imagine how much..." The little girl muttered sour and angry then she looked up to the elderly man and added in a much kinder tone. "You should not have worried about me...I can take care of myself, I am fine..."

"I cannot help but to worry about you..." Master Kelvan told her to which she replied in a weak voice. "Really you should not. I am going back to the group, Master Kelvan..." She nodded curtly and left them alone.

Atem tried his best to quickly dry up the last traces of his tears from his face with the arm of his shirt but he did not succeed as he heard Master Kelvan's steps coming closer to him.

"Holy Goddess, Atem! What has happened? Why are you so upset?" He inquired compassionately.

Atem looked up at the elderly man annoyed and wanted to snap at him. Is this supposed to be some kind of a joke? But when he looked into the kind clear blue eyes with a look of real interest he gulped and changed his mind.

"Master Kelvan, please, you know as well as I am what situation I have become into. I am not allowed to learn...I cannot help my wi-." There Master Kelvan raised his eyebrows and Atem corrected with a sigh. "I mean my future wife...That only task I have to perform here is to stay at home trying not to mingle with others and wait for Yuna..." He earned another raised eyebrow. "Fine...for young lady Yuna then. And to be honest, that is not the way I imagined my time spending here...I would have studied new things to improve myself...But that is the way things go here and I have to accept it...no matter how hard and unusual it might be for me, you know..."

"Oh yes...your situation is really special and challenging. As a prince you were used to a different place, kind of living and a different kind of treatment from your people..." Master Kelvan looked at him concerned. Then he paused and asked calmly. "Still if you ask me I firmly believe that all the experience that you will collect here will add to your character if you take the best of it the right way..."

"It will be hard to collect many experiences if I am not allowed to do anything here but sit at home without meeting a single soul the whole day..." He could not help but to snap back this time.

"And who told you that you are not allowed to do anything here, if I may ask?"Master Kelvan asked with much interest.

Fine, no matter how sincere he seems to be, he is making fun of me for sure...

"Your wife made that clear in front of everyone not long ago, I thought you heard her as well, didn't you?" Atem eyed the elderly man's reaction speculatively.

"Well, yes, I have been there and followed her speech carefully..." He nodded but then he shook his head. ..."but I did not hear her say that you cannot do anything here..."

Atem lost his patience at that moment. His eyes flashed angrily. "Are you making fun of me or do you think that I am a stupid capable-of- nothing foreigner like anyone else?"

"Neither the first nor the second. And just to inform you no one thinks that you are a stupid foreigner..it is rather the opposite if you really want to know..." He said patiently.

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"Oh people here do not think that you are stupid but rather someone who can be cunning and a potential threat...Stupid people can be easily neglected but you will be regarded with great caution and care. That is a great difference..."

"Oh wonderful...that is what I always wanted...People believe that I am a potential criminal..." He fumed. "Still they have nothing to worry about as I said I am not allowed to do anything here..."

"Atem, your judgement and perception about the things that is happening around you is led by your emotions right now that is why you could not understand clearly my wife's words..." Master Kelvan told him.

"I think your wife's words were clear and easily understood." Atem concluded.

"Oh do not be so sure about it...here...how should I say? People here, especially Masters in general, tend to speak in a special way...it is not instructional and clear-cut but rather vague allowing many ways of interpretation... naturally if you have a clear mind and with fair enough wisdom to that..."

"I see how I can interpret what I have heard differently?" Atem said skeptically.

"First of all...you have to recall exactly what you have heard with someone who is neutral and not emotionally involved in your situation. That can be me if you want. I can judge fair enough if you recalled it well enough or your mind made some modifications." He smiled.

Atem sighed but then he decided to get along with the elderly man. Actually, he had nothing to lose actually. "She told us that I would not be able to study along Yuna. And that she did not care what I did."

"Hm...I must say that you summarized the speech fairly enough. Just one more thing I am missing and I would like to know if you could recall it well. What was her reason why you had to do this ?"

"Because she had enough students and she could not take any more..." Atem mumbled hurt.

"Perfect. I am glad that you remember well and your mind and emotions do not make any alterations to it. Once you let your rigid expectations go and let your mind wander free without restrictions you have a great chance to see all the opportunities and chances that awaits you here...because there are even if you do not realise it right now...If you want you can turn to me any time if you need any guidance... " He turned away then looked back. "Oh and one thing you need to know...today afternoon at five we will have our first cooking lesson..hope the time suits you as well..."

"I do not think that I will be engaged to do anything else..." He whispered disappointed and let-down.

"It is a pity that you think so...but you have time to calm down and let your mind go free, young boy, there is no real rush...just like you would do with the task of a Sphinx." He added with a quick wind and Atem gaped after him astonished and his heart felt many warm feelings as he heard the elderly man saying the Egyptian idea...How many times he played that with his mother, Mana, Mahado and Yuna...How much home-sick he felt as he remembered about the many times with his beloved ones with which he solved some many hard, mysterious tricky questions or situations...Then he wondered how he would solve this situation if it were just a little game that he played with his friends? Perhaps it would be time to go home and let his mind wander free as a falcon...Imagine that he would be at home with his own people, playing games with his friend, riding on Light to the oasis, feel the sand under his sandals and the warm hot sun on his skin instead of shivering with this terrible cold, having some lessons with...with...what?! Why is he imagining this?"

There he stopped and his eyes rounded as the realisation hit him. He had the solution that is what he wanted to do here! He turned and started to run back shouting. "Master Kelvan, please wait!"

The master turned to him with a kind and patient expression on his face as he asked. "Yes, young boy? How can I help you?" Atem could also see that his students glared at him angrily and impatiently.

"Can you take a new student?" he spitted out at once.

"As a matter of fact I can. Why do you ask?" The master replied with a little smile in the corner of his mouth.

"Holy Goddess, please, do not let it turn out to be what I think this is about..." Renate gasped. Obviously she seemed to be utterly horrified about what Atem was intended to do. He barely registered the other students' similar expressions which displayed the similar thought as Renate. Atem quickly looked at the faces of the other students and he could see that the others shared her feelings. He noticed that little Rhea was again who looked at him with a different expression: she was just utterly bored and uninterested. But Atem could not care less about any of them, he had no intention to stand back now, no matter what anyone thought about this.

"I would like to join your group as long as I stay here if you do not mind."

"I don't. Would you like to join today's training or would you like to wait for tomorrow when you are officially introduced as my student?"

"Today's fine." He replied instantly, he was so glad what had just happened that he did not want to miss any minute. He was again in control of his fate! He found a purpose here as well! He would not be useless and good-for-nothing after all! He had a huge relieved smile on his face as he joined his group and together they started walking to their training place.

Then he felt a definite pull on his arm and then someone hissed into his ear. "The master might not mind it but do not think for a second that we, the group feel the same way. We do not need any other troublemaker. We had more than enough already...So I advise you to behave properly and do not cause any trouble for us..." Then she let him go and glared at him threatening.

"I won't be. I will show that you can trust me, I have no intention to be any nuisance for you. You do not have to worry about it." And as he knew that actions meant more than words he added quickly. "I will show that to you that I am worthy of your trust."

"Worthy of your trust?! What a fuckning nonsense..." The little girl glared at him hostilely and snorted.

"You know little lady Rhea, it would be high time to forget what had happened between us and make a new start, don't you think so?" he suggested heartily.

"You can forget that. I will never be able to fucking forget what you have done!" She fumed and continued glaring at him.

"Ooooh..." Renate chuckled. "You seem to have some history with each other..."

"Can be said." The little girl murmured the same time as Atem replied. "We just saw each other once yesterday! She came into our hot bath and accidentally I..."

"Shut the fuck up!" The little girl shouted at him.

Renate shrugged her shoulder and threw back her fair hair confidently. "I do not care what has happened between you two. But one thing is sure the biggest accident is that you two have become members of this group. Foreigners...nothing but trouble..."

"Renate..."

"Young lady Renate! Show proper respect and keep our customs if you dared to join us!"

"Fine, young lady Renate...in return I want the same in return!" Atem stood straight and glared at her challengingly.

"You are deluded, dark boy! You are a nobody, you are a mere boy, you are not a member of our community, you have not proved yourself worthy of any respect, moreover you are some strange foreign so what respect do you expect from any of us?"

"If you want to be treated with proper respect you also treat people with proper respect. That is not hard to understand." Atem insisted.

Renate gave him a cynical smile. "Let me make something clear for you because I see that you do not see your place here dark boy...Here you will never be famous and beloved because people are stupid enough to believe such a nosense that you are above of them for any reason...The truth is that you are inferior to any of us...yes even to her..." she nodded to Rhea. "She is even better then you because at least she is a lady."And compared to me you are nothing and you cannot claim respect from me! I am here at home and I am a young lady! And you? You are the one who came here without any invitation so you are the one who needs to prove yourself first. Forget that you are special because you are absolutely not!" Then she left him and joined back to her beloved Sloan who gave her a gentle stroke on her arm.

Atem clenched his hands into a tight fist.Just watch and see! I will prove that foreigners are also worthy of your respect.

...

"So...now that we have seated and gathered in our hall, let me turn to you young boy Atem for a couple of words. No matter how short your time may be with us, try to make the best of it...we are glad to have you with us...my dear group,please help Atem's journey with us as much as possible..."

Atem looked around and could conclude that none of his fellow students seemed to be overjoyed to have him in their group not to mention help him at all. No one stood up to give him any sign of welcome.

"We will be only glad when you go away...At least you will not stay with us for a long time unlike her. That is at least a huge relief for all of us..." Renate whispered to him. She was sitting at the table next to his own where he sat alone. The only person who was sitting alone in the hall was he and the little girl far away from everyone. She seemed as usual utterly bored and uninterested what was happening around her.

After some uncomfortable silence Sloan croaked his throat and signed that he wished to speak. Atem's heart leaped, at least he would get some welcoming words.

Master Kelvan nodded to the fair haired young man who started speaking at once. "Master Kelvan, I would be glad if we could decide before we start training and learning who would be responsible for little lady Rhea. It is a really important issue for me you see..."

No matter how many times he heard Atem her name he could not help but find it so nice, cute suiting to a little princess and not to the little grumpy, bored uninterested little creature she appeared to be...

"Not just for you but for the little lady as well." Master Kelvan went to Sera and gave her a gentle pat on her shoulder then turned to Sloan. "I hope that her next guardian will be as good and as capable as you were Sloan, we cannot allow her to wander around and have lost or get into some dangerous situation..." There he smiled at her kindly.

"You should not worry about this, Master Kelvan. I can take care of myself." Sera told him with a low voice. To Atem's surprise she sounded now calm, friendly and respectful. As if she were a different person...now she suited to her name. She must like him at least!

"I know you think so but still I would be much more relieved to have someone around you as a guardian..." He told her kindly and the little girl did not protest.

"Then as it seems it would be time to elect someone who should take this important task. Whom do you suggest?" He enquired.

There was another uncomfortable silence in the hall. Then he heard a familiar voice cuckling. Renate gave a meaningful look at Sloan and looked at Master Kelvan with a huge grin.

"I suppose that I just had a wonderful idea. Why don't we...?" She prolonged her statement willingly and slowly turned to Atem. "...give this special task to someone special? Let the new dark boy show that he can be useful for the team." Then she gave everyone a playful wink. "But what am I thinking? Foreigners do not like responsibilities and doing something for the group so I reckon we can drop this idea.."

Atem closed his eyes to calm himself. It was obvious that Renate was trying to lure him to take the task and most likely he should take that down but on the other hand if he was honest to himself he did not find the aspect to become a guardian unfavourable. That would also make his stay a meaning! At that thought he made up his mind. He smiled back at Renate and told her confidently. "You make judgements too quickly young lady Renate. I am willing to be Rhea's guardian for the short time that I spend here."

Rhea sighed and shook her head and mumbled bored. "Hurray! I cannot fucking wait this to happen again..."

Atem heard his fellow students sighed with relief and Renate looked at him suspiciously for some time then she shrugged her shoulder and turned to the others. "Who agrees with me that he should be Rhea's guardian?" All of them nodded in agreement and most of them seemed to become really relieved at that outcome.

Master Kelvan clapped his hand and nodded satisfied. "I have not anticipated this but I am glad that you decided this matter so quickly...Atem will be responsible for bringing little lady Rhea on time to each meeting and training session then. And now let us get down to business...today we will jump to our practical part at once and practice sword fighting..."

Atem looked around quickly and no one seemed to look at him but rather turned their back on him. The only person who seemed to be left out as him was Sera who seemed to be bored and uninterested. He turned to her and she hissed. "Leave me fucking alone!"

"But..." Atem stammered. "You also need a pair to practise."

"I will not fucking practice!" She hissed back. "So you can leave me fucking alone..."

"But how?" He asked astonished.

Then behind his back he heard Renate's voice. "Sloan? What are you doing?"

"I feel that it is only fair that I do this." Sloan said quietly.

"Oh Sloan you do not need to do anything. Let it be and stay with me."

"I can't. As I said that would not be fair."

"You will be disappointed. Mark my word." She told him.

What was going on with them? Atem turned to them and to his surprise he saw Sloan in front of him.

"Uh...hello?" He asked uncertain.

"Greetings." The young man replied brisk. "I suppose that I owe you one because you took a great burden off my shoulders. I must say you cannot imagine how big that burden this task will be so...it would be only fair if I trained with you today...naturally if you also want that...mind you if you decide to train with me I will not go easy on you, I am quite good..."

"That is absolutely fine I would not expect you to do otherwise. Let's fetch the wooden swords then and let's start practicing." He replied with a smile. It seemed that the day would not be so bad after all.

...

I thought that we would go on horse riding together and not sitting here waiting for you...

Atem looked out the window and much to his dissatisfaction it was already dark outside. It will be late for horse riding I guess...

He remembered that he missed his opportunity to meet her at lunch break. He had just wanted to go out of the hall when Sloan had run after him and put his hand on his shoulder. "It is up to you what you do Atem, but if I were you I would not take my eyes from the little lady Sera otherwise we will not be able to continue our training after lunch break."

"Does that mean that I will always have to stay here and keep an eye on her?!" He had snapped.

"I am afraid so. I told you you have taken a huge burden on your shoulders..." Sloan had nodded.

"Do not think that it matters to him. He took the task but he does not obviously take it seriously." Renate who had just joined them remarked acidly.

"Then you will be surprised." he replied back quickly.

Renate shrugged her shoulders and nodded to Sloan. "Let us go. After such a long time finally we can enjoy our lunch together in peace without worrying about the cheeky little lady. It was high time to have our privacy back..." Then she had thrown her hair back and turned her back to Atem and Sloan after giving Atem a look of sorry he had left him alone.

Then he had pulled out the cartouche and sent the message.

I am sorry but I cannot meet you now.

Are you fine, Atem? I am worried about what happened to you today... The reply had come instantly.

You do not have to. I have just become the student of Master Kelvan.

Holy Goddess! What? How?! That is wonderful news.

I know...It is quite a story.

There his stomach had growled loud and he had sent the message.

Yuna...would you mind bringing my lunch at our training hall and eating lunch together?

Oh Atem...The thing is that we do not have a lunch break now but in an hour...I am sorry...But wait? Why don't you just go home and eat your lunch there?

I must keep an eye on little lady Sera.

No, you don't have to. That is the job of her guardian and the senior students...

Yuna, I have just become here guardian and all the senior students went to eat lunch...

What? Atem, I cannot believe what I have just read...! We will definitely talk about this at home! I am sorry but I must go back to training. I will cause attention if I stare at my necklace all the time...

That day it seemed as if Sera had not really required any special guidance. She has been sitting at her place, mumbling her food. She had been such a sad sight as she had been sitting alone that Atem had gone to her and tried to accompany her. Perhaps a chat would make him forget how hungry he had been.

"Who the fuck called you here?" When she had looked up at him.

"I am your guardian and it is lunch time and none of us have any company so..." Atem tried to make her see reason.

"Get fucking lost. It is a pain and misery for me to endure your face each morning from now on..." She had murmured and had continued munching. Atem had watched her for a while then his stomach growled. There she had looked at him disdainfully. "Holy fuck, are you going to stay here with your stomach growling?! Go to Master Kelvan and ask him to bring your lunch and eat. I cannot believe that you could not find it out on your own..."

Atem had blushed and gone to Master Kelvan to ask him a favour...

...

Later when his training had finished, Master Kelvan had called him to him and told him that their cooking lesson would start immediately. During his lesson he had felt his cartouche warm up.

Where are you? I thought that you had finished. He read.

I am just having my cooking lesson with Master Kelvan.

Now? But why?

What is it Yuna?

I have just got 2 hour free time before I start the cooking lesson with Master Isabel.

But that means...that we will not be able to see each other...

Exactly! I will talk about Master Isabel about this. This is just a mistake that we had cooking lessons at a different time.

He could not help but doubt that Yuna's talk would bring anything. He would have been surprised if these events were a mere coincidence...but rather a well-thought plan that Atem did not like at all. How he wished to be mistaken this time. To turn out that it was just a silly mistake on the Masters that they could not see each other the whole day...He waited now patiently for his wife to arrive so that they could finally be with him. Absent-mindedly he stroked Winged Kuriboh's head who rested in his new favourite place: in Atem's lap. He saw that Atem was shivering slightly as he sat close to the window to look out at the sad gray weather which did not help to lighten his mood...Then he heard the sound of wings and saw Sky landing gently in front of the window. Atem smiled and let his loyal friend inside and patted her head. "So you have also returned from your hunt...only Yuna is still away from us..."

The falcon clicked her beak only and stared at the door meaningfully. Winged Kuriboh also jumped out of his lap and flew to the window happily.

She is here! Finally! His heart leaped happily.

Quickly he signed Fire Kuriboh and the little creature jumped to the fireplace and started warming up the dinner that he prepared for today...Then he heard the door slam loud and Yuna called grumpy. "I have arrived." Atem suspected from where her bad mood originated.

"We have been waiting for you! A minute or two and the dinner will be warm enough again to eat it." He told her warmly and gave her a welcome kiss. "What have you been cooking with Master Isabel for tomorrow's lunch? How was your day?"

Yuna snorted and dropped her package furiously on the kitchen table then stormed out of the other room and let herself sink to a chair and looked solemnly in front of her. Atem looked at Fire Kuriboh who nodded to him encouragingly as if he would have said. Do not worry, I will manage alone, you can go to her and cheer her up.

Atem stormed out of the kitchen and grabbed the hand of Yuna from whom the words seemed to erupt.

"Master Isabel does not allow me to take my cooking lesson the same time as you..."Fine then Atem can take his own the same time as I do'' I answered. 'It is better if you two stay some time separate. That way you can learn and help each other more.' I tried but I cannot make her more reasonable in this aspect. Oh Atem, I am so sorry...you really do not deserve this...it is because of that jerk that you have to suffer such injustice...but dearest I have been thinking a lot...if you want and wish so we can go home right now...I do not want you to suffer here...this not how I imagined your stay here..."

The idea was really tempting and he would have told her a definite "yes" if he had not become Sera's guardian and the student of Master Kelvan. Now he would seem to be a coward if he had not tried to at least try to stay...

"No, Yuna!" He replied half-heartedly. We will manage and endure this situation even if it is difficult and hard for both of us... it will not last much time and now that I got the chance to learn in Master Kelvan's group I feel quite all right...Yuna, please do let your once in a lifetime chance slip away because of me...that would not be fair!"

"But Atem, do not forget that you are the most important person, a stupid initiation ceremony is not worth to stay here if you do not really wish to...I want your best..." Yuna looked earnest.

"It is not stupid but it is important to you Yuna and we both know it. We will stay and you will take your initiation ceremony end of story." Atem reassured her.

Then they heard a high queek in the kitchen and Atem smiled relieved. "I think dinner is ready to eat." Then he rushed quickly out to the kitchen. He hoped that once he returned the topic of going home would not be brought up anymore between them. With quickened heartbeats he put his meal on the table. Even though the elderly man had chosen a fairly easy dish to prepare for the first time Atem had felt utterly clumsy as he had tried to follow the instructions. He was not at all familiar with using kitchen tools and cooking at all. As a child he had been interested in the work of the cooks but he had never been allowed to help them at all. He was the future pharaoh after all, no one could allow him to do such a menial task..The servants and cooks had always assured him that it was the greatest honour for them to serve the royal court and the family. In his mind he recalled the wonderful dishes that his servants and cooks had always performed day by day! Compared to that his cooking was miserable and totally unappetising to look at! He had felt really uncomfortable when Master Kelvan had leaned and inspected carefully the details of his first cooking. The dish that the Master created looked so good compared to his...

"It looks terrible..." Atem had sighed sadly.

"Yes that might be true. But as you should not judge the book of its cover you should not judge your food by its looks. As far as I see it, your food turned out to be nutritious, which will serve your mind and body well, the smell is also wonderful so the only thing that we should check now is.." There he tasted the dish and gave an encouraging smile and a wink. "Young boy, I must tell you that you have a natural instinct for cooking...It tastes fantastic..."

Atem looked at him full of doubt but then he also decided to taste his own dish...and he had to admit that it looked but it tasted good for his Egyptian taste..He could hardly wait to serve it to Yuna and hear her opinion. Hopefully she would like it as well! But his hopes shattered as he realised that Yuna watched the dish on the table and made a face at it.

Atem whispered ashamed: "I know that it looks disgusting but it tastes fine,I promise..."

"Oh Atem...I...I am sorry but I cannot eat that..." She said.

"Oh..." Atem was so disappointed in himself. How could he cook such horrible food that made Yuna sick to the stomach. that food that looks so disgusting.

"I am also sorry that it looks so bad...really..."

"No Atem, that is not the matter..." Yuna shook her head quickly but that did not make Atem better at all. His food was so disgusting to look at that his wife would not even taste it...

"Atem..." Yuna cooed gently. "Listen...it has nothing to do how the dish looks...I just simply can't eat it...do you get it?"

"Oh?" Atem gasped aloud. "You do not like it? Oh dear...what a pity that Master Kelvan made me do a dish that you do not like..."

"Actually as a child this was my favourite dish and Master Kelvan must have remembered that I loved it very much...but I will never eat this no matter how much I liked it..." Atem stared at her confused so Yuna admitted unwillingly. "It was that jerk's favourite dish as well..."

"Yuna..." He started gently and kindly. "you know, dear...just because he liked this it does not mean that you should not eat it as well...especially if you liked it so much..." Atem reasoned her but she shook her head and pushed her place away from her.

"I will rather starve than eat something that he loved so much." Then she looked up pleadingly. "Please Atem, I know you did your best and I am sure that you made an excellent job but would it be a problem if I just ate what I cooked and took it for lunch for tomorrow as well?"

Atem nodded. He would definitely not force her to do something that she relented. "It is a pity that I cannot taste your cooking but if it is what you really want of course go ahead and eat yours."

"I am so sorry Atem, I really do...please forgive me...and do not be angry because I will not eat from your first cooking...I am really sorry..." She apologised.

Atem smiled and felt for her. "I understand...do not feel sorry it is perfectly fine...as I said I am only sorry that I cannot taste your creation."

"Ah...you will not miss a thing...It tastes absolutely horrible.." She took unwillingly some portion of her own cooking on her plate. "You know that truth is that I burnt it off a little bit...Blah...disgusting..." For Atem it seemed that she had to struggle with each bite to swallow.

"Mine tastes actually fine. If you changed your mind..." He offered generously.

"Rather this than the one that he liked..." she said stubbornly then she made a sour face as she took another bite from her cooking. Atem pitied her and would have shared his own food gladly but he knew that it was no use. Her decision was made and would not be changed. Which was sometimes a pity but could not be altered. If it was something that connected to her father she was as stubborn as an ox...

"But let's talk about your day." She looked at him with a cheerful smile. "I want to hear everything that has happened."

...

After he told her everything she nodded happily and satisfied. She seemed to be more interested in listening and talking to him than eating. "Yeah...You can learn a lot from Master Kelvan, if you ask me he is also a great master. If you use this wonderful opportunity then you will be able to develop a lot. As for the group...it will be hard to win their trust in such a short time...even though you will be my chosen partner it will not count as much as if we were in the same group but still it is a good point that you have to use for your benefit...still you have to work really really hard, the group has to see that you are motivated, determined, accept the rules and the customs and you want to be accepted without any doubt. You have to follow the norm of the group without any question. And with that I mean...you know..." There she hesitated then she continued. "I know that you have a kind hear and you wish to help everyone but now this once it would be better if you tried your best to avoid and ignore the little girl as much as possible for your own good."

"Yuna! Holy Ra, that is...you are suggesting that I should treat her as horrible the others do?!" Atem cried astonished.

To his horror Yuna just nodded. "Exactly. Try to follow the norms of the group and try to become part of it. If they do not accept her and they keep their distance then you follow their example..."

"I have just become her guardian! " he protested. "I can't simply ignore her. Moreover Sera is only a little girl, and I suspect that there must be some reason why she is behaving so nasty. She needs a helping hand and not avoidance and ignorance!"

"Even if that is the case you cannot help her." she said simply and calmly.

"You can never be sure about it. Maybe I can." Atem protested.

"Believe me Atem this time you can't." Yuna shook her head gently.

"I could help you, why could I not help her?" Atem argued instantly, then blushed. "Sorry I did not mean to sound that I am boasting or something like that...I just..."

"You are just a great man and I love you for that and for many other reasons I cannot list." She smiled. "You are absolutely right: you helped me, you saved and changed my life and I cannot be thankful enough for that and I cannot forget what you have done for me...but Atem I know that it is hard to accept but you have to come to terms with the fact that here your situation is totally different...you are not a god incarnate here, you are not a prince the successor of the throne...you will not be respected and loved by the other...you are..." Then she fell silent and became embarrassed.

"...a nobody..." Atem finished sadly.

"No, that is definitely not what people regard you at all!" Yuna protested. "You will have many labels: foreign, different, unpredictable, cannot be fully trusted...People here do not accept differences easily...you are in a disadvantagous situation yourself so you will be hardly able to help anyone...your positions is different but if you use your cards well and you play good you can at least help yourself. You might have to work harder than I had to when I was young but still you are not in a losing position.

"What?! You?! But you were born here, you are not different from them..." Atem stammered.

"Oh Atem, today you could see with your own eyes that it is not absolutely true...because of that jerk I have have a darker complexion and darker hair than the people born here...I hate to admit it that I resemble that to that despicable man more then my mother...I only inherited the beautiful clear blue eyes of my mother...That jerk that jerk..." There she stopped and gulped. "dared to tell me all the time that I am a beautified version of himself...that I was his pride and joy...it took me such a long time till I could look at my image...every time I looked I wished to spit at myself...then I realised that I just have to look at my eyes, my curves and disregard the features I got from him and I can be fine...but today the hatred toward him flamed up again...again I was handled like a stranger and Renate dared to looked down on me...because of what I inherited such a nasty abnormal complexion that is neither dark like yours nor pale like my people's...he made my abnormal..."

"Please don't say that..." Atem said. "You do not look abnormal...you look special, unique, so wonderful, so beautiful...I love you this way so please do not speak disparagingly about yourself...No matter how they might have treated the others here you are the best..."

"Oh Atem..." Yuna softened then smiled. "Actually I was not handled differently when I was young. Mother and that jerk was a full member of the community, and everyone knew that, I was born and raised here so as a result of that no one questioned my origin, no matter how I looked I was the same as them. But after that day my life has changed in that respect as well...the others started keepin a little distance from me...I knew the reason for that...what that jerk did was despicable ,his act filthied me, moreover a crippled girl is not huge fun to play with anyway. I am not surprised now but it hurt at the time that the others felt uncomfortable in my presence and did not know what to do with me...they did not look down on me I was not a foreigner but I was not accepted as I had been before that day...I knew that I would need time and hard work to get my position back and I was ready to fight for it no matter what...and that was the time when fate brough them..my dear friends...Jonathan, Tristan and Mia were foreigners so basically they were looked down and they were disregarded by the others...I helped them to get accepted by the other and they helped me to find my place and myself again..."

"See? You also helped them!" Atem pointed out.

"Yes, that is true Atem but you forget the fact that it took more than two months to do that...and I was born here and not a foreigner! Atem, think about the fact carefully: it is not an accident that the minimum training time for a foreigners is 3 years no matter how prepared are they...for Johnathan and Tristan it took nearly a year to get accepted and that happened only because that they helped me from the very beginning and the group appreciated that. I as a native I gave my best to help them: I used every opportunity to speak favourably and point out their strenghts! For Mia it took one and a half year because she was not really willing to get accepted but if she would have been more willing for her the acceptance would not have taken much time...you know because she is a woman she had a huge advantage but even as a woman if you are foreign and you are not willing to give your best to show that you wish to get accepted the others will not do that no matter what native connections you may have. But to return to Johathan and Tristan's acceptance, if it weren't me they had to spend much longer to prove their willingness and competence...they could only get accepted in such a short time because a native was on their side...so Atem you have to realise that you as foreign man would need every possible help to yourself first...and only I can promise that you will be tolerated and not accepted in two months...you see you are in an unfavourable position as well and you are in no position to help anyone...you will have enough difficulties and hardships to cope with here without her, I am sorry...and even if you were not foreign but native two months would simply be not enough to help her even she would be giving her best to get accepted...sorry to disappoint you but I had to tell you so that you will not be disillusioned..."

"I know that what you say is the truth...still it is so disappointing..." Atem told her gloomly.

"Yes, disappointing but it cannot be altered...this is the way of life here Atem, if we stay we have to accept it, if you cannot, we can leave this place and go home...the choice is yours..."

"We will stay...but it is hard for me to accept this..." Atem sighed defeated.

"I know but you must...this time you have no other choice...this is a different place with different customs and rules and you cannot alter them..." Yuna sighed and looked behind Atem and then she gasped and a huge smile appeared on her face. "Atem, turn around, behind you! I cannot wait you to see that!"

"What? Where?" Atem turned perplexed then he gasped and ran to the window and leaned as close as possible to watch the wonder happening outside. Lots of little white things were falling to the earth. For some time he just stared and watched as if he were little boy again. He felt so touched and he relaxed as he watched the tiny white dots fall down and down...Atem forgot the cold, the bare landscape and every sadness and pain in his heart and let joy and warmth settle in his heart. "That is wonderful, winter is so beautiful, you were right..." He sighed to Yuna as she joined him to watch the falling snow.

"See, Atem? I told you that you will see the some wonderful gift from the angel of darkness and now you can see that I was right. And that is only the beginning. You can trust me I will be always be right in matter of my home even if it hard to believe."

Atem doubted that this miracle could be the gift of the darkness, but he did not contradict Yuna. She was right, that was here home, so why not let things go on the way as if it was supposed to be without arguing unnecessarily. He leaned to her and hugged her thight and silently he prayed that he made the right choice and not a terrible mistake now.

...

He hissed loud and shouted. "Holy Ra...I cannot believe this is happening..." as he lost his balance again. He lost count how many times he had slipped because of the muddy ground. The little white beauty that fell yesterday just melted because "it was not cold enough so that it could stay" as Yuna explained to him as he complained about the disappearance of it.

"Not cold enough..." he muttered in a low voice as an uncomfortable wind hit him in the face again. "Tsk.." he pulled his scarf and closed around his neck and shivered. He took a breath in and let it quickly out as he looked around and down at his boots covered with mud and dust and at the mud where his slipped footmark could be seen. He would clean them once he got back where they currently lived. He could and would not call that place "home", as this whole place was anything at all but home...How he wished to splash into his nice, sweet memories and exclude everything that was happening to him right now...but that could not happen, he needed to focus on the present and the task that he had to perform...he had not time for daydreaming...He could not help wishing that he could just walk on the nice pavement and not stumbling and slipping over and over because he had to run up and down like an idiot the whole morning without any success. He took a deep breath again but it could not stop his heart pounding against his chest as if it would like to break out. He leaned to a wall and had some rest...He did not like to stop as he would soon become extremely cold but he had to because he was so exhausted. He closed his eyes and the question came back to him again like many time this morning: Why was he doing this stupid thing anyway? Let someone else run up and down to search that little girl this cold (not cold enough -what a laugh!) windy morning and he could have his peace within a warm room instead of doing this idiocy...Hm..that would be so nice to pull the little Kuriboh to his chest for a little cuddle. It was a nice and comfortable feeling...These nice furry warm balls..how much he adored them!

But enough daydreaming already! That would not bring him forward! He clapped his hands together and sighed and bit his lips which he barely felt because they became quite numb of the cold. He shivered and looked down to the ground. His eyes sting and he sniffed. His nose was constantly running when it was cold. Yes for him it was cold, really, really cold!

Slowly he knelt down and picked a stone and drew an arrow into the mud. Then he threw the stone away quickly and sighed. How many times had he done this over and over? That was ridiculous but still he would try one more time...This seemed kind of hopeless but he would not give up! No way! The cold air filled his lungs as he drew as much air as possible and concentrated on the spell that he wanted to evoke. And yes the drawn arrow in the mud flashed up and the instructions appeared next to it: he should go forward 50 steps and then...the glow and the writing vanished instantly.

"Oh great. That is absolutely great..." he murmured ahead of himself as he straightened himself and started walking forward. That little spell should have given him the exact way to find the little girl but each time cast the spell he could not hold it enough time to get the full description of the way... How he hated that his power was reduced so much because of that stupid curse that was laid on men who were not married... He could really not understand this way of thinking...Why were young men and unmarried men more inferior than any unmarried women? These people were simply narrow-minded, that was what he thought about them...

But he could not allow his thoughts to wander; he had to move on no matter how useless all his efforts would be. He knew perfectly well that this way he would be would only detect Sera if she wanted...which he doubted. He was sure that the little girl was constantly moving around making him run round and round...It would be really better to go back to the warm house and forget the whole thing...But no, he could not...his pride and will should be harder than this! No he would never give up. But still it was quite unbelievable! It has been hours and no one in that team realised that he might need little helping hand! Well as far as he noticed he doubted that team would ever help him but rather enjoy and have a good time about his failure. He could easily imagine how the team, especially Renate would react if he went to them to ask for help. Renate's eyes would gleam up and nod vehemently to the other and shout out loud with a nasty chuckle. "See? I told you that he would not do it! You do not have a big mouth now, black boy?" No, he would never ask help from them on his own!

Then he heard a shrill cry and felt that Sky landed gently on his shoulder. She lowered her beak to the ground and avoided his Master's eyes. She was not used to failures and definitely had a hard time accepting that she failed this time. Atem saw and felt her disappointment and her pain so he reached up to her and gave her a gentle pat on her beak and murmured calmly and warmly. "Do not dare to think anything like that Sky! You have not let me down at all! You have given your best and it is not your fault that you have not found her yet. This is a place that you are not familiar with at home you would have found her at once..."

When he uttered the word home he felt as if someone squeezed his heart making him ache and sick all over his soul and body. He gave a sad sigh and closed his eyes imagining the sunshine, the sand, the faces, all the familiar people, everything that he LOVED and MISSED each and every minute here. If he were there everything would be so different! He would never have had to run up and down to find a little girl...He would have got the help of his friends and the royal court at once, he would have not left on his own! At home he could always count on his people, his godly powers, there he would be safe and he would never fail...At home he would never have had to spend so much time apart from his beloved, they could have spent all the time together...Holy Ra! This was ridiculous and shameful! He, the future saviour of the whole humanity could not even find a little girl! Each minute was utter pain and humiliation in this place...No! He had to recover himself, he did not have time for complaining. He was simply in the middle of a hide -and-seek game and he HAD TO win it!

And then he felt a glow on his chest and his heart became much lighter as he pulled out his necklace. Yes, he was not alone even here, she was thinking about him and was on his side! "What is it Atem?"

"No change...I have not found her yet...but sooner or later I will find her hiding spot! "

"Oh Atem...you see? I felt that this would happen! This should definitely not be your task! You hardly even know this place whereas the others lived here all their lives...I would like to go and help you in your search but I can't as I am not in your group..."

"I know, do not feel bad about it...that is the way how things are now..."

"I just wish that it had turned out to be so different...Atem I do not want to pressure you...and I know that it would make you feel bad and uncomfortable but I think it is time that you come back, and ask for help...I am afraid that your group mates will not help you on their own...and everyone is getting a little bit impatient here..."

He felt that the cold hit him again with full force. He shivered and exhaled and bowed his head and grabbed his necklace more vehemently and thought: "I know...I also decided to give this up and ask for help...I just cannot find her on my own..."

"I am so sorry Atem..."

"You should not be sorry Yuna, it is not your fault...I will be there soon." He placed the necklace back under his shawl and coat and let his breath out slowly. His shoulders dropped and his hands balled. He lowered his head and watched his muddy boots and soon he felt that he was shivering all over his body. He bit his lips but could not prevent the hot tears from appearing in his eyes. Then immediately he gasped loud with a cry after some cold had hit his head. Cold wetness was dripping over his neck and from his head.

"Holy Ra!" he cried out and looked up and saw two eyes glaring at him. A face that was pulled as if she had smelled something rotten and her eyebrows furrowed. She tutted and shook her head and climbed down from the house roof where she had been sitting.

"Rhea!" Atem cried out and even though he felt the cold water on his body he felt as if a huge stone had been rolled down from his shoulders. "Where have you been hiding all this time? I have been searching for you all this time!"

"And you did the most incompetent way to do that that is fucking sure..." Atem felt the heat creeping up to his face. "You cannot even do a simple thing like this...You are the most pathetic son-of-a-bitch guardian that I have seen so far...Not that it was a surpise but still, you are a big fucking disappointment..."

"You are quite harsh to call me "pathetic" just because I don't even know this place well enough. You know I have just arrived here and..." Atem tried to control his voice to sound calm and reasonable.

"No you fucking idiot! You are pathetic because you are fucking predictable and boring...that Sloan could at least make some fucking surprises and could make some interesting adaptations to changes but you..." She tutted again and pulled his mouth then without any comment turned and started walking away from him with confident steps.

"Wait...Rhea...!" he called after her.

"Argh...how much time do you need again to not forget to add that fucking title in front of a lady's name? So fucking lame again but not a surprise..."

"If you respect the customs so much then perhaps you could be at least punctual, don't you think?" he mumbled amused. He really wanted to find out what could go in the mind of this strange creature.

"I do not fucking care about being late or any of the fucking customs...I am fucking tired of this whole nonsense after all this time..." she turned and her eyes flared up again with contempt. Then she turned her head away again indignantly and crossed her arms in front of her chest.

So many questions came up in Atem's mind and he asked the first one that he wished to find out the answer. "How come that you came here at all? What made you come here?"

She became rigid and stopped at once. Then turned back and snapped back full of anger. " None is of your fucking business!" Then she took a deep breath and barked at him. "You cannot imagine what a pain in the ass it is to do this over and over again?!" Then she glared at him intensely for some seconds. Her eyes flamed up and she balled her fists tight. He tried to hide his discomfort as much as possible as he met and kept eye contact. Then it seemed that an amusing thought came into the little girl's mind as a nasty grin appeared in the corner of her mouth and she was amused. "Uuuuh! How original you are! You can actually stand tall and do nothing! So far I have seen you run away and cry like a baby!" She threw her head back and laughed at her own joke.

Atem tried to control his temper and stay cool. He would not go into the play of the little girl. Instead of that he took a deep breath and told her in a calm voice:"You do not know me well. I stick to my goal and I will not run away from any obstacles but rather face them no matter what."

Rhea stared at him for a second then she put her hand in front of her mouth and started chuckling in a nasty way.

"What is so funny?" Atem inquired.

"This whole conversation that we are having is just a fucking joke...that you have goals...that you will not run away from any obstacles...you are disillusioned or you do not know yourself at all..." she smiled as if you could smile at an unknowing child and shook her head.

"What are you saying?!" That little girl really started going under his skin. "You can tell whatever you like I will show you that you are wrong about me."

"Tsk...You will only show that I was right...Just wait and see..." she continued with a chuckle. "Sooner or later you will run away and do not even look back...you will be a mere disgrace"

"I will not run away. You do not know how dare you say something like that?!"

"I know more than enough about you already. Think what you want, you will change your mind soon. It is sure and inevitable." she shrugged her shoulders and started walking away again.

Atem followed her, one question to which he wanted to get the answer did not leave his mind. "You know I was just wondering why you appeared in front of me...you appear to be uninterested in anything, in group activities, in the training in general but you know I do not thing that is the truth... because if that would be the case then you could have simply stayed where you were and left me searching for you forever but instead you decided to come to me and bring you back to the others."

"Oh shit!" she stopped and looked at him with wide eyes. " I are the biggest fucking idiot of the all of them!" she fumed. "I just wanted to see how you could cope with this fucking simple task even though I expected the result but still...you can say I was just curious if you could show something interesting...but the more I saw the more disappointed I became in you...in the end I just saw that you were at the edge of giving up and that you would soon run to the others whining for help...so...if you use your brain then you could simply find out that soon the other fuckers who are not so useless than you would have found me quickly! So I just knew that there was no fucking reason to wait any longer I would have been detected soon enough..."

At that point Atem shivered and realised again that the cold water was still dripping over his neck. That icy touch of the water hurt him all over. The weather alone could have been enough but that was really torturous. He could hardly believe that he had been standing so long chatting disregarding it...He quickened his steps and took out a handkerchief from his pocket and tried to drip as much water as possible. As did that he muttered to Rhea. "What was your reason to pour water over my neck and hair? You can easily catch a cold in this weather you know!" How he wished that they would be in a warm place again. This place simply was nothing but an enormous pain...

Rhea just shrugged her shoulder and replied in a careless way. " You got it because you deserved it after all of the things that you have done! That way I could finally pay you back a little! What a whiny bitch you are, you deserve much worse than a little bit of cold water over your head!"

"What?! Aren't you overreacting a little?" Atem was astonished. "How many times do you need to hear that in the bath it was an accident?! You should forgive me and let me have a chance to prove that I am different from what you think!"

"You have already had many chances to prove yourself and so far fucking nothing happened...you are a hopeless son-of-a-bitch that is what you are! You are fucking incapable of doing anything. Give me some fucking great surprise first if you can and I will change my mind! But until then...in my eyes you will be what you are a good-for-nothing whiny crying bastard!" she shrugged and continued walking with confident but rather slow steps (it would have been so much better if she quickened her pace a little, as Atem was freezing next to her...!) and during their walk together she wore a bored, disinterested expression and did talk at all. He thought that she would yawn any time soon!

Finally they arrived! What a great feeling it was to finally step into the warm hall after so much cold and freezing! But then he felt a chill run up his spine again as he caught the expression of his fellow students'. It was clear that they were anything but happy to see them. From their expressions as they glared at him he could read the following annoyance, anger, impatience, no one showed any sympathy or pity towards him...Perhaps the worst was Renate's face whose face was literally scarlet red and she was biting her lip and trembled over her body. She walked to him with quick steps and stopped just in front of him. Then she lifted her hand and poked him on his chest over and over and she whispered to him in a hostile way: " What have you two been thinking?! Do you think that it is FUNNY to let others wait for you while you were hanging around and ENJOY each other's company?! Let me tell you something astonishing as it seems you failed to realise it: WE unlike YOU FOREIGNERS are here to LEARN! We wish to become BETTER and we do not have TIME to WAIT for two careless, time-wasting idiot truants!" Atem could feel her hot breath on his face and her spits as she toned some of her words with more vehemence.

"You totally misunderstand this...I simply could not find her no matter how much I tried..." Atem started and at that point he wanted to take a step to create some distance between them but Renate reached out and grabbed his coat and pulled him back so that their faces nearly hit each other.

"What a convenient excuse!" she whispered in a low voice." But you know what the problem is...I do not believe you! I believe that you did not want it well enough and you could have been so much better if you REALLY wanted! You want me to believe that it took you so long to find here?! A whole morning?! It is nearly midday!No guardian has ever spent a whole morning searching for anyone! Right now what I see is that you do not take your task seriously enough...not that it is a surprise for me and for the others...it was quite expected..." There she pushed her back and Atem had a hard time not to fall over. It was so humiliating!

Then he muttered in a bad mood. "But well if you imagined that I really had a hard time to find her because she hid away, well what can I do to find her earlier? Would you please be so kind as to help me with that?"

"Oh holy Goddess what a surprise! The black boy can actually speak quite polite! You've only forgotten the title "young lady" at the end but I see some improvement now...perhaps you will give more effort now that you see that we do not like playing around..."

Atem gritted his teeth but did not reply anything. Let her speak, he could not make her change her opinion yet, but he would soon!

"Sooo...just some tip for the future then...go to her place before she wakes up so that she has no chance to hide somewhere! Sloan did that many times till I asked him to stop that! He also needed enough sleep to perform during practice! Unlike you he needs his top form, but in your case it does not matter how much you sleep anyway! So tomorrow I want you to bring her to the training on time!" There she gave him a look-down smile then turned her back on him and walked away with confident steps.

A little bit ahead he saw that Yuna was looking at him with a sad and guilty expression. She was so close but so far away from him. then she touched her necklace with tembling lips and Atem felt the warm feeling on his chest and read:

I am so sorry, Atem...This is not fair, you do not deserve this...you have such a hard time here...This is not how I wanted things to turn out... I wonder if it is actually worth of this...perhaps it would be better if we...just go home and forget about this...

What a tempting idea it was! To go home and forget...it would be so wonderful but in his mind the words echoed with the nasty chuckle.

Just wait and see...Sooner or later you will run away and do not even look back...you will be a mere disgrace.

He grabbed his necklace and concentrated on the thought before he could change his mind:

No, do not think about such things. We will stay and you will take your initiation ceremony. You should please try not to worry about me...I am fine, really...

Then he put away his necklace and joined his group so that he could get over with this day and his introduction.

...

Constantly he thought about the last message that he sent. Had he made the decision? Was it wise to stay if he felt so miserable, so excluded and so misunderstood? Never in his life felt that the days passed so slowly. Holy Ra two months just simply fly away without realising at home but here...it feels like an eternity...He decided that he would not think ahead how much days would be ahead of him because that would make him mad...He just needed to concentrate about surviving each day as it came and not think about the remaining ones ahead of him...That was all he could do in this situation. This day had been particularly hard on him.

He had been unable to stop thinking about the way Master Kelvan had introduced him in the hall. "You may be surprised that we gathered together again. For my students the reason is well known but for the others I owe an introduction to make. I would like to introduce my new student Atem, son of Anna and Aknamkanon who came from a far away land Egypt and joined our group and will stay and train with us as long as he stays in our town."

At that point he had seen from the corner of his eyes that Renate was rolling her eyes, gave a long theatrical sigh and muttered something to the others who were close to her. Atem was quite sure what the discussion was about as he earned some angry and annoyed glances from his fellow students.

"Atem will make us face a situation that we have never experienced before. His appearance, his customs, his beliefs, his way of thinking of this world is more different from ours. These circumstances alone would cause many difficulties and hardships on the individual and the community far enough but his case is even more different and complicated. Atem has been raised to fulfill a totally different role than our members of our community can imagine and accept as a possible way. You have to bear in mind however that this role has determined his whole life so far and was absolutely acceptable for him and his people as well. In his land he will be the future pharaoh which means in short the following: he is beloved and adored by the people living in Egypt, he is considered to be a god incarnate and he will be responsible to rule over a whole kingdom when his time comes...So as you can imagine he has never lived the life as our people do and people and never been treated him the way we do young boys like him. That would cause strange unusual and difficult situations...his stay here will be definitely a challenge for him and for us both... I am not disillused I am sure that this is a challenge where there are so many difficulties and hardships that mistakes will be made...but I hope that no mistakes will turn out to be incorrigible. I hope and believe that the great power that lies within each of us will help to overcome the difficulties and hardships that this new situation will make us face...may the Goddess all the spirits and the great power in us help us cope with this difficult task..."

Well if Atem had not felt like an outcast and a freak before he sure felt like one after that speech...He had faced so many he had received, mostly his fellow students as he joined his group again. Then he felt and saw that his fellow students kept a little space between him and them as if he had some dangerous disease or if he looked or smelled disgusting...Well after what Master Kelvan had just prophesied this was hardly a wonder: he would cause difficulties and hardships so the others decided to avoid all of these to avoid any contact. That was absolutely fabulous.

He had not had much chance to find his place but after that he would have no chance at all to fit in somehow...He tried to disregard his fellow students nasty remarks and comments but he was not deaf so he unwillingly caught some: "pharaoh, ruler of people? Those people far away are simply nuts..." "they must be some freaks to think that little boy is a god incarnate, I have never heard something so ridiculous...honestly you just have to look at him, does a God look like him?" "well he must be crazy to believe such idiocy in the fist place...I would have told them to leave me alone with such bullshit...perhaps he enjoys attention?" "Well, we thought that we had trouble with little lady Rhea but I suppose there is bigger trouble ahead of us...at least she was raised like a normal person and does not believe that she is the ruler of the world..." "well even though she was not raised like that, she might believe that she is one the way she sometimes believes.." "both of them are freaks that is for sure..."

"You know black boy..." He heard Renate's voice behind him. She walked to him with a fake smile on her face. "I have been thinking a lot..." She continued loud enough that everyone heard her. She looked around meaningful and saw that she gained the attention of the others. "After listening to that speech I cannot help but pity and feel sorry for you..." Atem raised an eyebrow. He could hardly believe that it was Renate who was telling this. Perhaps she changed her mind and decided to give him a chance after all? Was she tired of giving him hard times? "...that you were raised to believe in such a fairy tale...a boy as god incarnate, ruler of some people? That is the greatest madness that anyone could ever make up! But we will show you what the truth is black boy, you will learn your real place do not worry. You will go back home knowing what you really are...no one but especially you do not deserve such a title that needs such responsibility. We will make you realise that madness and you will give up that stupid title! At least let's make your stay have some reason!"

"Wow...I finally heard something that I can fully agree with you and say that you said something worthy and interesting! Well if you achieve that that would be actually fucking great! His people would not lose anything, he is just a useless whiny shit anyway..." Rhea walked past him and Renate nonchalantly and gave him a look of pity and a sour smile then dashed off leaving the two of them alone.

Hope that she would not disappear into thin air again! I do not want to go after her again...

Renate whistled cheerfully. "I thought that you two foreigners got on so well...Or is this some quarrel between best pals?" Then she narrowed her eyes and became more sinister. " Or...some kind of theatre that you perform to deceive us?"

"You are wrong in all points again...you do not know anything, just like all of you, you are blind to the truth even though it is clearly in front of you! But you can't admit that you are mistaken, aren't you?" He murmured gloomily and left her and Sloan to find a place to sit down somewhere...somewhere where he could be as far away from these proud arrogant bunch of spoiled kids as possible. When would that horrible day finally end, holy Ra? He already had enough if it...

He would be so glad to join the others and listen to their conversation and get to know them personally. Beforehand he thought that he would have fun just to linger with them! He even imagined what a liberating experience it would be to chat with others without his title, his responsibility, paying attention to all the formalities and rules, without being a future ruler, without a god incarnate, but just a normal human being! He thought that it would be a life without all the restristrictions that he had to bear so far...But this was so much worse...he would rather have all the responsibility and formalities back but be in this hopeless and sighless situation which was anything but not fun and free!

In this state he was bound to the ground...he had no chance...he was excluded and prejudiced before he could have done anything to prove himself. That was it then. He would simply endure the time that he had to spend in this place rather alone then...he sat down at the farest desk possible and laid his face on his hands and calmed his mind and breathing. Soon he caught a loud conversation. He listened to it unintentionally: "Sloan! Do not do it! You are making a mistake! Please come back and think this over! You will definitely regret it if you act so unreasonably!"

He lifted his head slightly and looked to his left side to glimpse what the source of the quarrel was and he saw Sloan walk away with determined steps from Renate's group. Atem wandered where he would go...and...to his astonishment Sloan stopped at his desk and spoke to him. the first time that day he heard someone talk to him with a kind tone. "If you want to sit alone it is fine, just say it and I will leave you alone but if you wish to have some company well then I can sit next to you at least today and then we will see..." At that point Atem realised something. This day it was the first time he heard Sloan speak. He had not joined in the nasty comments, he had not laughed at him and now he had just spoken with a nice friendly tone. Atem felt the first time that day that perhaps there was still a ray of hope in this place. His sincerity, his politeness made him speechless. He had not experienced anything like that from this group at all? Was it even possible? Perhaps he was just dreaming! He must have fallen asleep!

"I do not want to influence you but I can give you some more useful pieces of advice which can help you not be so late tomorrow." He whispered to him so that Rhea could not hear him.

Atem smiled broad and felt gratitude to the young man. "I would be glad to have some company. Come and join me." He hopped over and hit the seat next to him so Sloan could hop down.

He hardly put himself comfortable when he saw Rhea running to the desk and put her hands on it and glared into his eyes furiously. Did she ever have a good mood? How can such a little girl have so much anger stored up in her little soul?

Atem wondered and patted the place on his other side before she could say anything "Would you like to join us as well? You are welcome." Sloan seemed to be rather displeased and hissed angrily at the idea.

"It is my place you ignorant jerk! Fuck of at once!"

Sloan stood up and gave Rhea a little bow. "Little lady, I am sorry to inform you but there are no reserved places. If you want this particular place then I advise you not to wander around aimlessly before a training or the lesson but take a seat as anyone else does on time. If you insist on sitting at this desk then please feel free and join us, little lady Rhea." Atem could not notice that even though Sloan used such a polite way of speaking, his tone had nothing kind, friendly and inviting kindness but rather bored and tired. It was not a wonder for Atem when he saw that Rhea stuck her tongue out at them and left them with a rude gesture. "Join you?! I would rather not sit down at all but stand the whole fucking day! Who the fuck do you think you are anyway?! Both of you are a pain in the ass!" She stormed away to the most remote place possible and hopped down and cast no glance at anyone but stared at the ceiling fuming and tapped her finger on the top of the desk.

"That little lady...unbelievable that she still does not see what she should do...she is wasting away her great chance that she could grab so easily...but that is her choice, she knows what she is doing..."

Does she really know what she is doing? Atem wanted to ask back but Master Sloan stood in front of the group and started his speech

"So..welcome everyone...now that we finally gathered let's start this day with mental exercises."

They had memory games, exercises training their logic and vision and Atem loved all these challenges. They were fun and it was great to have someone next to him who shared his enthusiasm. Sloan turned out to be a great sport and fun to be with. Inside he thanked the Gods that he had a companion and he did not have to be alone anymore.

After the warm up the Master gave out reading assignments to some student. Atem loved the way how he gave a reason why he wanted a student to read that assignment.

In the case of him it was the following kind words that he gave:

"For the young boy, Atem...to have a better glimpse into our ways and beliefs, our sacred script the Truth. That book is quite long so that will be your only assignment during your stay...hope you will find it useful and will help your development."

"Can he even read?" came a long elongated question that stang his pride.

Do not react but disregard, that is normal in this place...

But then Renate continued nastily. "Because if he can't then we are terribly sorry but we do not have time to read out such a long book for him no matter how much he really needs to get to know the sacred text. And...it would be a waste of time to teach him to read because thank the Goddess he will go away soon and he will not need that skill anyway."

"Thank you for your concern but I can read perfectly well in your way as well. And ah before you ask, I can also write." Atem folded his arms in front of his chest and made eye contact with her.

"See, at least she taught you something useful...because so far you have not show anything great to us...or are you just a slow learner black boy?" Renate grinned at him and kept the eye contact.

"Young lady Renate, if you want you can go over Atem's place and there you can continue giving unnecessary remarks to him. But that will not help you solve your issues that causes you trouble...rather than that you should concentrate on yourself so that you can improve. But it is your choice." Master Kelvan commented calmly.

As if something stung her, she broke the gaze and looked at Master Kelvan. confidently "I am concentrating and listening, you will not be disappointed in me Master Kelvan. I am sorry for the disturbance."

After all the assignments were distributed, Atem went to the bookshelves and searched for the book. Soon he lifted a huge book with the title Truth and smiled: Master Kelvan was right, he would really not need any other reading assignment during his stay.

Not far from him he caught the glimpse of Rhea who reached out angrily and took out a red covered book from the bookshelf and rushed back to her seat without giving him any glance. Soon Atem saw her hump down and throw the book with a force on the table.

"Books are the treasures of knowledge, you should keep them with respect little lady Rhea! You do not throw books around why can't you finally understand and behave like you should!" Renate gave an authoritative instantly and

"What is the matter with you, all the time little lady? Being foreign makes you ignorant and hard to remember things? Like handle the books with respect! Look into my eyes if I am talking to you, Rhea!" Renate glared at her with contempt and fury.

Rhea shrugged her shoulders, gave Renate a quick glance then sighed and put her head into her palms and muttered tiredly."Just fuck off already and leave me alone."

"What do you think you are? How can you allow yourself talking this way you little foreign jerk? You are disrespectful to us and that cannot be tolerated!"

"What do you expect of her? She is just reflecting what she gets from you! Disrespect and hostility!" Atem could not help crying out.

All the eyes turned to him at once with fury and horror.

Renate stormed towards him and growled. "Do not dare to ever talk to me like that foreign black boy! Do not dare to interfere with the way we handle our problems like if you knew better! Because you do not know anything and you have no right to do that! Is it clear what I just told you or should explain it to you in different way because foreigners seems to be slow on the uptake as it seems"

"I just..." Atem started but was interrupted.

"Is it clear what I just told you or should explain it to you in a different way so that you can understand? Answer me at once!"

"I understood you, you do not have to tell it again, thank you." Atem replied unwillingly.

"Then I will not tell you this again, so be careful what you do in the future."

"I will do what I feel right." Then he leaned towards Rhea and gently put a book onto her table.

The little girl growled and pulled a face and with a back of her hand she pushed the book away from her. "Take this piece of shit away. I do not want anything from you, your motherfucker."

Atem slided the book gently back to her direction. "You were in such a rush that you accidentally took off the wrong book from the shelf. That is your assignment not what you picked up ." Atem remembered very well that her reading assignment was "Tales and Myths of Our Village for Young Readers" so he was surprised when she picked a different one down.

The little girl's colour turned deep red then she picked up the book into her hand, stared at it for a second then she hit it on the table impatiently and took the other one in her hand and threw it at Atem with a furious expression. He could barely avoid getting hit or letting the book fall onto the ground. "If you so much care, what I am doing then you can bring this fucking book back to the fucking bookshelves and go back to your shitty place and leave me fucking alone!"

Atem gaped at her. Well he was not expecting that kind of reaction at all! It seemed that the little girl would explode from fury. "What the fuck are you still standing and staring at me you loser? Do as you were fucking told!"

Renate threw her head back and laughed heartily out. "Is this the side you really wish to take?"

"Young lady Renate, I am not taking sides." Atem shook his head.

"In this case you cannot avoid taking a side black boy." she smiled at him cruelly. "Either us or her. Your choice."

"I do not want you fucker, leave my fucking alone you fucking retard."

Renate's smile became broader. "Uhh...that day has come when I have to agree with the little cheeky girl." Then her face became grim. "Black boy, if you choose her after all of this, then you are out of your mind and hopeless." Then she strode away and Atem went back to the table where Sloan was sitting and clearly sulking with his book open in front of him.

"What is the matter Sloan?" Atem asked as he sat down next to him.

Sloan barely looked at him, pressed his lips together and said quietly. "Let me make something clear quickly so that you can decide what path you would like to choose and do not make any hasty mistakes. Atem, the way we handle our issues is not your concern, you should not comment on it in the public, especially not how a young lady handles important issues! Even if you do not understand it properly show respect and accept it that it is our custom and our way. In this case this is the situation that you have to come to terms with: Little lady Rhea is foreign, we have to show proper respect due to the fact that she is a lady but first she has to show interest, some initiation that she wants to belong if she wishes to get any further help. Otherwise she will remain an outcast, especially if she behaves so disrespectful. So you should leave her alone as well and do not support her unless she proves worthy. But that is the young ladies' task to decide not yours."

"But if I think that the way you handle things is not good then should I just remain silent?" Atem questioned.

"In the public yes you definitely should. It is not your task to judge the ways things go here. Just act like I told you and you can be in a good community after a while, you just have to be persistent. But if you can't accept this, and you have to make a public spectacle and go against the majority, that is also fine, we will just simply go on separate ways and you can do whatever you like without any support. Just like her you will be left alone and I doubt that as a boy you will be able to change that as long as you stay here."

"So I should just do everything without thinking." Atem murmured.

"No way quite the opposite, get to know our reason why we act like this instead of judging us without thinking! That is what is required from you. Everything is logical and reasonable. You just have to understand it, believe me. First get to know us and then you can make your opinion.

"But if I had to shut up all the time then how?" Atem pulled his mouth.

"Who said all the time? I said in public. When you accept how you should behave in the public I will answer all your questions and doubt that may arise in you. How does that sound?" Sloan gave him.

"It sounds much better." Atem said but then he asked. "Sloan, honestly what do you think would happen to Rhea if you handle her that way? What if she runs away because she can't endure your ways? They seem to be too harsh for a child."

"Honestly? I think that your worries are groundless. That thing is until she is not grown up this community will not let her run away, not that she ever wanted to do that but still. That is why she has a guardian and she gets proper education, accommodation whether she wants or not.

I believe that after a while she will see sense and she will change either with us or with another group. My parents told me that there was only one foreign woman who stayed here and could not change and she had to be excluded from the community so there is hardly any possibility that she would be incorrigible."

Atem gulped and murmured. "Oh really?" Then with a heavy heart he tried to concentrate on his reading but with no success the words meant no meaning. What should he do? How should he handle this situation? How should he know what was right and wrong here? Everything was so confusing...but one thing he would definitely keep, he would not make a haste decision but he would take his time and observe the situation. He could not allow himself to make any other mistake.

...

Now that he decided that he glimpsed into Rhea's direction as many times as he could. When he did that he took great care that no one noticed that he observed the little child with such interest. The more he watched the more confused and saddened he became...The poor thing was constantly watching everything with narrowed eyes and with a sulken expression arms crossed in front of her. She was the last one to stand up and move. Then slowly she walked to the bench next to the wall and sat on it and started watching everyone with narrowed eyes and a particular expression that was hard to read. Her posture and attitude showed nothing but boredom but still he was confused...How he wished to know what was going in that little mind! What past did she have? What wounds did she carry? Why did she behave like that? How could he help? No, Atem shook his head. Most likely that last question would not be his responsibility to find out...Perhaps it was highly time that he should again concentrate on learning new things and find his own place in this strange town. But why was this decision so hard to make?

...

What a long strange day this has been...like all the days here...

He let his breath out and watched his breath becoming that white little fog around him and disappearing. Then he looked up to the sky which did not help to lift his mood at all. It was full of grey clouds without any sunshine and Atem could not help but to think how horrible and depressing and hopeless it was to stay here. Everything here was just simply...so ugly, harsh and cold. He could not feel otherwise...And the lake only reflected that desolate place as well and his sad expression...

Also he put his necklace back unter his coat. The words that were written there were logical and made sense but still did not calm him. He wished if he could split himself into two and take two different paths...but that was not possible.

He turned and started walking back to their house when a shrill cry behind him reached his ears . "Hyaaaaah!" "Waaaaah!" The sound came from that stony hill. As he walked closer he detected the entrance of a cave and as he glimpsed inside he saw a little bright spot. His curiosity made him step into the cave and slowly walked to the place where the light came. The place was after a curve and as he peeped there he gasped in surprise.

He saw a little girl who was practising full of passion, vigour. Atem saw that she was trying her best to imitate all the moves that Master Kelvan had shown them that day. She was full of sweat, she must have been doing this for quite a while restlessly. Such determination and hard-work!

And on the ground he saw some books lying scattered on the ground! She must have been reading as well! And there was the book that Master Kelvan assigned her today!

He stood there watching Rhea's practice for a bit with great interest, but remained in the dark so that he would not disturb the little girl. Then his concentration lacked and his thoughts invaded his mind. What a strange contrast to the bored, disinterested girl that Atem saw in the last two days during the training! But why is she acting during the lessons that way and such now? What was going on in her mind?

And then his thoughts were suddenly interrupted when the little girl gave a painful cry and dropped the wooden practice sword so that she could grab her wrist instead. "Oh-oh-oh...No way, that can't be...Why does this hurt so much?"

Instantly Atem left his hiding place and ran to her side and touched her wrist and examined it carefully. Rhea stared at him in wonder and stammered. "You? What...are..you doing here?" Then she furrowed her eyebrows with annoyance and added. "You fucking asshole! Were you spying on me and following me or what, you sick bastard?!" And she pulled her wrist out of his touch and yelped then rubbed her wrist and pulled a hurt face. It was clear that she must be in great pain that she wished to hide it without success!

Atem knew better than to take her hand into his this time so he just explained to her gently. "It hurts because you held the sword in the wrong way." He walked to the wooden sword that was on the ground next to them and lifted up and mustered it carefully. "And this sword does not fit you at all. It is too heavy and too long for a petite girl like you. It is designed for older students. And the move that you tried to practice is also an advanced technique that Master Kelvan showed our group for the seniors. You should practice the basic moves and poses with a sword fit for your needs and with someone who can correct you if you do something wrong. If you continue what you were just doing you will just get even more seriously hurt then this. It is a clear warning sign so please take it seriously."

"You haven't answered my question, you jerk! Why were watching and following me you fucking ill bastard?" The little girl asked outraged. It was clear that Atem's kind advice did not reach her at all...

"I was not following you and watching you. I just wandered around because..." There he thought about Yuna who was taking her cooking session and felt a pang in his heart. "...because I had some time to pass by so I decided to take a little walk and then I heard your cries and became curious that is all."

"Fuck...I was so fucking careless...I should have thought that something like this would happen." Rhea muttered and turned slightly red."Shit!"

"Rhea, be reasonable and listen to me! You need a proper sword and a partner who corrects you, you should not hide here and practice all alone!" Atem tried to persuade her.

She pulled her mouth and crossed her arms around her chest and looked at him challengingly. "Uuuuuuh..." Then gave a shrill laugh. "Really?"

"Really." Atem nodded.

"Well I do not fucking see the reason why I should have a useless partner." She shrugged. "And I bet you cannot give any shitty reason to persuade my loser! So give up and get lost!"

Atem's eyes flared up and took a deep breath."Challenge accepted. I will give you a reason which will make you see why you should have a training partner."

"Uuuuughh..." She mocked him again amused. "Well I do not have fucking all day to play around so you get 5 reasons to win me over. I hardly doubt but I will enjoy seeing your face as you lose, you bastard! And if I win you will fucking get lost and never talk to me again? And you will keep your fucking mouth shut what you fucking saw today! Got it,you loser? Give me your hand. I will make the spell of promise so that I can make sure that you keep your fucking promise!" She grabbed his hand but before she could do anything Atem pulled it out of her hand unintentionally hurting her.

"Ouch! You fucking bastard! Are you such a coward that you do not dare to make the spell of promise."

"I am sorry...I did not want to hurt you..."

She snorted and mumbled. "Who believes you, you coward liar?

Atem disregarded and told her. "And what if I win? We haven't discussed that."

"What the fuck? You can never win, you are a fucking loser!" she chuckled. "So it is useless to discuss it!"

"Still if I give you a reason that persuades you I want you to promise me in return that you would find a practice partner and start practicing with them tomorrow. And if I lose your get your wish, I will never disturb you, I will leave you alone and I will keep my mouth shut about what happened here. Is that a deal?"

"That is a fucking great deal." She smiled and eagerly grabbed his hand again and yelped. "Ouch."

"Be careful." Atem soothed her but earned a hateful glare and another "Shut up!"

Then she carefully murmured the spell that Atem also knew and promised in a boring and monotonous voice. "If he wins I will find a training partner and I will practice with them. I promise that in the name of the mighty sun god." Then she grumbled. "Your turn."

"If she wins I will never speak to her, never disturb her and what I saw today will never be revealed to anybody. I promise that in the name of the mighty sun god." A lightning rope wrapped around their wrist for a second and then broke into thousands of shiny pieces which disappeared around them. If you did not keep your word the rope would make a burn into your skin and everyone would see that you are a word-breaker. And that is a shame and makes you never to be trusted. Therefore everyone was really careful to make that promise!

Then at once the little girl started smiling and jumping around him and laughed around cheekily. "Are you so fucking stupid? I have already won this! Because it has not crossed your silly mind that I will simply disregard all your reasons just to get what I want?"

Atem smiled confidently. "You will not be able to resist the reasons that I will give you, so I will not lose."

She eyes him suspiciously then she chuckled. "You cannot give me such reason that would tempt me to choose that over that I can finally get rid of talking to you, you fucker?

"Then just listen and be amazed." He held up his forefinger. "Reason number one: you will not be alone anymore if you had a training partner."

Rhea gave a cynical snort. "Who the fuck cares about a friend? All your reasons are such bullshit? Then I have really won!"

Atem held another finger. "Reason number two: It will be more fun to train, your training will be more interesting that way."

"It is not about any fucking fun...so I do not care about that." Rhea answered quickly.

"Then reason number three: it will keep you always motivated even when your resolution would weaken."

"My motivation never becomes weaker, you retard! These reason are fucking rubbish so far...I will definitely win this..."

"Reason number four: a training partner will make you work harder and will make you go out of your comfort zone."

"I am out of my comfort zone with all these fucking idiots anyway and I am working hard enough so...your reasons are nothing but trash. I cannot wait to listen that fucking last reason and throw your ass out of this place."

Atem's eyes gleamed and held up his last finger. "Well then my final reason:a partner can help you to reach your goals easier and quicker."

The little girl looked up the first time with real interest then she became rigid and suspicious as she asked carefully. "What the fuck do you mean?"

"I mean that he or she can correct your mistakes,show their own moves and tricks that can help you develop."

Rhea gave a shrill laugh. "Oh come on do not make me laugh. Who the fuck would be so stupid to show his or her tricks to anyone here?"

"Anyone. You just have to ask them to help you."

She gave him a mocking smile and asked viciously. "Hm...That is fucking not bad at all after all. All right! You persuaded me and won. Spend your fucking free time with me and show all your fucking tricks then."

"I think you should find someone else because..." he let the sentence remain unfinished and quickly recalled Yuna's message on the necklace as he sent his worries and doubt about Rhea's situation. And her answer was: Sloan was right, it is their responsibility to handle the situation. And the way they handle it is the right one, I totally agree with it. You cannot help her anyway, you will not spend enough time here to make any change that would help her. This is not your task to handle this time, please accept it.

"Oh yeah I thought so from the beginning that you would not do that you incompetent useless fucker. Move your ass and leave me fucking alone! You have not persuaded me to this shitty partnering idiocy after all. So you lost this game."

"Wait you cannot change your mind this way."

She shrugged and turned her back to him. "Why not? You told me that anyone would be willing to show their tricks but that was just a fucking not true. I asked you and turned me fucking down. So I have the fucking right to make my decision based on that."

"I would be happy and willing to practice with you but I will not stay here long enough to help you much. So it would be better for you to choose someone else."

She turned and gave him a malicious smile. "Oh you would like to make others do that fucking hard work instead of you because you are sooo fucking WILLING and HAPPY to help me? No-no-no. Either you win your fucking price and show me all your best tricks and tips as long as you are here or you lose and get fucking lost."

Atem looked into the challenging eyes. A decision was never as easy as that.

"I win then. I will train with you."

"Tsk...as if it mattered that you won now fucker..." Rhea muttered indignantly.

"If we train together it would be better to call each other on our real names, don't you think Rhea?" Atem suggested.

"Oh fuck off you idiot!" She disregarded his suggestion and turned her back to him but looked back at him. "What the fuck are you waiting for? Show me which fucking sword we would use then."

Atem shook his head. "Not now because..."

"Because you are a coward! You filthy lying coward! If you promised then show me your fucking secrets!" Rhea shouted outraged then picked a sword whining she dropped it instantly.

"I told you not now because you are in no condition to train. Your wrist gives you great pains. You must heal first." Atem told her gently.

"Shit! I can't wait that fucking long!" She cursed and pressed her mouth together into a thin line.

"Tomorrow you will be as fit as fiddle, just come with me." Atem smiled at her and showed that she should follow him. The little girl gazed at him for some second then pouted and followed him with quick steps but without giving any comment.

...

"I do not need you fucking tea." She fumed at him but as Atem wanted to take away the hot mug of tea she gave him an angry look and quickly pulled the hot drink closer to her.

Atem turned away, he was chuckling noiselessly as he poured himself some tea to warm himself as well.

He closed his eyes to welcome the upcoming warmth of the first sip and then: What is this troublemaker doing here again ?" The mug slipped from his fingers and broke into thousand pieces. He glanced behind him and saw his wife suspiciously with arms crossed in front of her chest.

"Take a seat I will give you some tea and I will tell you everything...and clean up this mess. " He said quickly as he saw that his wife looked at the broken pieces with a pout then poured a mug of tea for his wife and as he was cleaning up he gave a brief summary of what had happened.

As he glanced up he saw that his wife looked grave at him and he could not comprehend the reason for that. The last time he saw her look at him that way was when they were children. A shiver passed over him as Yuna took a deep breath, held out her hand and glared furiously at Rhea and muttered. "Give me your hand then and let's get over with this."

Rhea pouted but put her hand into Yuna's with an equally intense glare and some seconds later a little purple light flickered around the hurt wrist and Yuna let Rhea's hand go. "It is as good as new. You will have no problems with it. But today I advise that you should go home and rest it just to make sure that the pain would not reappear again."

Atem lifted one eyebrow and looked at his wife with a meaningful look. He knew well that there was no need for any rest. They could have trained with Rhea just after her healing. Rhea seemed to sense the dishonesty as she glared at Yuna with hate and disgust and muttered something unintelligible as she reached down for her coat .

"Rhea, you do not have to go right now. You can stay with us and have dinner." Atem tried to save the day but Yuna snapped at him.

"And how may I ask? We have cooked for two people and not three! It would be better if you go now young lady Rhea..." She told the little girl and slightly leaned to the wall and waited for her to stand up and leave. The little girl who fumed and muttered dirty things under her breath and darted out of the house.

Yuna without saying a word started setting the table and hopped down on a chair, took out her cooking and grunted instantly. "Disgusting."

Atem who also remained silent whispered tentatively. "Take mine instead, Master Kelvan praised me that it turned out to be great..."

He recieved a grim look and without a word she started eating her meal with obvious displeasure.

"Yuna what is the matter with you?" Atem asked not trying to hide his disappointment from this voice. "Why have you sent her away? And why do you behave so strange with me?"

Yuna hit the table with her hands. "What ist the matter with ME? You should ask what is the matter with YOU!"

Atem blinked astonished then muttered. "I do not get you..."

"Have you lost your mind? What is so hard to get? I think so because since we arrived here you seem to lost your mind and act like an idiot..." Atem felt as if she just hit him in the face.

He could only utter unbelieving. "What?"

Without any compassion she continued. "First you take her guardianship not okay because that was not your business and you should have left out of it, but thank the Godess it turned out that you actually made a little bit of a good impression and Sloan decided to help you. Which you will undermine with this stupid, irresponsible, illogical training partner nonsense! You will be hated just like her if you start taking her side!"

"I am not taking her side I am just trying to help her, because she needs help!" Atem burst out.

"Let me make something clear because you do not get it! You are in an unfavorable position and you need to make really great impression to not be hated and excluded and you will be a no one. You have a great opportunity to learn a lot of things that would help you in facing the greatest evil and you will throw that away because you want to baby-sit a little girl whom you will not be able to help!"She will just pull you back and takes away precious time from you."

"I will just help her in my free time."

"In your free time you could do a lot of other more useful things instead of wasting away your time on a hopeless and useless cause." she snapped.

"I do not think that helping someone is ever hopeless and useless cause." He replied back.

"It is! You will not be able to help her!"

"If you have forgotten I have helped you as well! And she is also as lost as you were!" Atem answered back.

"Well it is quite a pity then that you decided to leave me on my own and give your help to someone else!"

"What are you talking about?" Atem paled. "I am helping you still and will help you always."

" Instead of wasting time with useless baby-sitting you could do more household chores so that I would have more time to prepare. Or cook dinner and lunch as well with Master Kelvan so that I do not have to waste my time with this stupid cooking. I should train instead of that. Or you could keep order in the house if you have so much free time to hang around with little girls and babysit them, that would also be more helpful if you ask me."

"You wish me to become your servant then?" Atem hissed. "We agreed that we share the household chores because it is fair that way!"

"That was when you seemed to be interested in becoming better and learn something. But that is clearly not your intention. But if you want to throw away your great chance then fine do it I do not care, if you are such an idiot! But use your free time well at least! Support me, help me and not her! If you have so much free time than at least do not waste it but do something useful like help ME support ME! I need much more help and support than her! You cannot help her but you can help ME if you have not realised! I am the one who still NEEDS YOUR HELP!" She was literally shouting and panting.

Atem stared at Yuna with wide eyes which infuriated his wife even more. "Yes Atem, you know I unlike you do not have the time and to play around carelessly and have fun. If you failed to realise I have an initiation ceremony to prepare and work as hard as possible. I have to hurry and train because I need to develop as much as possible and I do not have any time to waste!" With that she stormed out of the room.

Atem quickly left his unfinished meal on the table and ran after her and caught her as she was taking her coat. "Wait Yuna."

"Let me go Atem I told you I do not have time to fool around. I must train as much and as hard as possible and give my best."

"Yes you need to train and give your best but not like a maniac! You act like someone who has became hysterical because they have been neglecting his path of preparation all way long and wants to make up everything on the last second." He grabbed her arm and do not let her go.

"I am far from ready so I have to make up as much as I can!" She cried out savagely. "I am not ready so I have to do my best to improve as much as possible and I am running out of time. So let me go!"

Instead of that Atem grabbed her arm even firmer. "After all your preparation and training that you have done all over the years how can you believe that you are not ready?!" There he paused and furrowed his eyebrows. "I see...Something happened today, that's why you are in such a bad mood..."

Tears appeared in Yuna's eyes and Atem patted her gently. "Hey-hey. Sometimes a situation or a sentense has so many different readings that you cannot see in that particular moment because of your own heated emotions...Tell me now I am sure we will detect something hidden now..."

"No..." She sobbed. "That was crystal clear there was nothing to misunderstand..."

"Still I would like to hear it..." He nudged her and she gave him a feeble smile and cleared her face.

"I gave my best today...really my very best during our training session and I thought that I could impress Master Isabel...But when I stepped in front of her and asked her if I was ready for the initiation ceremony she just pressed her mouth together and answered gloomily that she would inform me when the time comes. Atem I do not know what I should do, I really gave today my very best and that was not enough to impress her...I do not know what to do...What should I do to get better? We will not stay long enough here to change much...I hardly have any time to improve...and I am not ready..."

"Hey-hey..." Atem soothed her gently letting her calm down again and after he collected his thoughts on the situation he started speaking to her. "It seems that you are no longer used to the way of the communication that people here seem to have. Or you were blinded by your emotion for a bit. If you recall your Master's words she did not comment on your performance at all. She just said that she would inform you when the time comes."

"But why cannot I take my initiation ceremony at once if she was satisfied with me performance then?" She wailed.

"Well there may be several reasons...The fist that comes into my mind ist that she was your tutor back then. And a lot of time passed since she last saw you. Most likely she just want to see more how much you have improved and learned during the time you spent with us...Do not be impatient...you cannot believe that you could show all your new skills and improvement within two days..."

"When do you think I would be able to take my initiation ceremony then?" She asked and Atem knew that he waited for an honest answer.

"Well... Actually I would not be surprised if she let you take the initiation ceremony just before our rise back home."

"What?! You cannot be serious! Why?!" She gasped.

"Well for that there are many reasons as well. But the most likely is that she would like to continue teaching you, giving you as much knowledge and advice that she can. And think about what message it give the others if you took that initiation ceremony without actually learning or doing anything extra...It would give the impression on the younger ones that the initiation ceremony it is not a big deal, there is nothing special and unique about it. Everyone can acquire the necessary knowledge even if you train abroad."

"That is absolutely not true!...Uncle Siamun taught me individually and I did my best to keep my cultural background! I did extra work to be at where I am right now!" She snapped.

"But how could the others know this right now? Only time will make them realise that your position is special and you actally acquired all the knowledge from your special training! And Master Isabel know that time is crucial so she is also patiently waiting and allows others to realise the truth... The time we stay here will be enough for that! You just have to be patient, work hard and do your best and everything will be fine, you will see!" He encouraged her but there was one more important reason that he did not revealed in order to not flare the anger of his wife.

Yuna gave a huge sigh then she nodded. "Fine...I see that you are right but still it is hard to be patient...But I will try my best..." She gave him the confident smile that he so much liked about her. Then she lowered her head and her lips dropped and gave him a really sad face. "I feel so miserable and so sorry for what I have said about you earlier...it was harsh and unfair..we are partners so chores must be split and I cannot order you what to do in your free time...I also know that it is in your nature that you wish to help people...still I have to tell you that in this case all your help I would like to ask you to stop involving with her...all your effort will be meaningless, you cannot help her no matter how hard you try..."

"Yuna... how can you above of anyone say this?" He asked and to her astonishment Yuna gave him a knowing smile.

"Above of all people I can say this...First of all I know our people...Atem, people need a lot of time to accept foreign people...because you are my chosen partner and you gave had a nice impression you might not be regarded with a cold attitude if you continue trying your best to adapt to the group's needs. You might not be accepted fully but you will have a nice and enjoyable stay without humiliation if you do not oppose the needs of your group..."

"Shall I let her down so that I can get some merits? Is that what you imply?"

"No...not at all...I am implying that you have at least a chance to be more or less accepted...but she will not be accepted no matter what you do and how much you help her. If someone is regarded with an unfavourable opponion it would take a lot of time to get accepted no matter if you are a little lady or not...she could have been accepted if she did not blew up her chance but now she needs to prove herself valuable...And Atem as she is foreign and made a horrible impression on herself it will take a lot of time to find her place here...it will not be two months...it took much more for Mia, Jonathan and Tristan as well...and all the foreigners who stayed here...Atem this is sure as I am standing there...be aware that you will not make her find her place here...you can only have some fun with her and then you will leave her on her own to cope with the loss...and she will be in the same boat as she is right now...she can hide in your protective shadow and care but once you leave she will be left alone and face the reality that she is still alone...only someone who stays here for a long time will be able to actually help her...if I were you I would encourage her to find someone who lives here and will not leave after two months because that would be for her benefit...apart from a little bit of fun and some nice memories she will not gain anything from you as a training partner please consider that and choose taking into consideration this as well. If you ask me, to continue taking her as a training partner is madness but I will accept it if you still think that it is the right thing for you...I just don't want you to have unrealistic expectations and be disappointed if things do not turn out the way you expected..."

Atem smiled at her gently and his heart warmed with kindness and love toward her. "My only condition if you still insist to be her training partner is..." Yuna continued. "You should do that when I am away at my cooking course and at your training time within the group. I am serious about that when I am at home I do not wish to be disturbed by anyone...This is the only thing I ask you to understand and respect."

Atem nodded. "I understand and respect that. I also have to mention that you made me realise a lot of thing and I will think over what you said and choose after that what will be the best for her."

"Perfect. Then let us go and practice a bit and learn in the training room? We cannot waste more time..." But Atem could not really comprehend what she expected from him because he watched the wonder what was in their garden.

"Oh...it started falling with great flakes when I started coming home... last time it was just a little and the weather was mild so it melted quickly..." At that point Atem gave her a cold look that made her laugh at once. "But that is the truth! I know that you freeze at the mild weather as well but for the snow to last the weather was not cold enough! But this time I am sure that the dark angel's gift will stay with us for some days..."

Atem glanced wishfully outside and wished with all his heart that he could go there and touch the whiteness that covered the ground so beautifully. Yuna bit her lip as she looked outside then looked at him and grinned and winked him playfully. "Why don't we go outside?"

"But you need to practice and learn..." Atem said reluctantly.

"And spend time with you...Atem I said that I do not want you to bring that little girl because I want to learn and practice without any interruption but the most important reason I have not mentioned yet...We spend so little time with you as we have separate lesson and cooking lessons that I just wish to spend as much time alone and have fun with you as much as possible...I so much miss our time together, you know...I feel guilty that it is because of me that I imposed that on us..." Then she slowly put her hand into Atem's and looked down into his eyes. "Atem, do not doubt and forget no matter if this is a hard time for us that you are more important for me than anything. Keep that in mind no matter what awaits us in the future... I will always be on your side..." Then she stepped back, put on her coat and all warm clothes and walked out to the garden. Atem quickly rushed after her and soon he learned all the fun that the dark angel's gift offers. And the first time he started to really see the beauty that winter can give you...

The next day he looked around at the beautiful white beauty and even though the cold hit him in the face again he could not stop admiring the beautiful landscape around him. The bare branches were full of white snow and sparkled with tiny little lights. Because the sun had also appeared finally! The lifeless brown ground had been also covered with the pure sparkling layer and beautified it magnificently. If only he did not have to start the chase again...but he would use all the tricks and tips that he gained from Sloan. He took a deep breath and felt some cold hit his face.

"Holy Ra! What was that?" He roared then his mouth rounded as he glimpsed at the little girl who was just squatting and was in the middle of making another snowballs.

"Rhea?!" he cried out joyfully.

"Wow, you are a genius, idiot! Well the way you stare around tells me that you are quite a retard. Shall I send another fucking ball into your face to start moving or can you do it alone? Do not waste the fucking time but move around! I want to see and learn your fucking training secrets!" She turned away and marched quickly towards their training place.

Atem blushed a little as he recalled a similar situation. Still this was so much different, his stomach felt as if it was in a knot that could not be untied especially as the Rhea shouted at him from a distance. "Come on or we will be late you fucking idiot..." Then she ran into the training place.

"Well I will definitely not be late today at least..." he muttered under his breath and followed her with slow steps. He was so asleep because he could hardly sleep because he was constantly wondering what he should do. He took the first step and heard that the snow made a pleasant snow under his boots. "I made up my mind and I have to take the consequence of it..." And with slow steps he also walked into the training place and imagined what this day would be like for him...

Well he expected more reactions due to the fact that he "managed" to bring the little girl way earlier than it was expected. The others barely cast a glance towards any of them but Sloan's smile broadened and nodded at him encouragingly. Rhea sat at the desk where he and Sloan had sat so when Sloan stood up he walked to the one before that and patted the place next to him. Atem slowly walked between the desk where Sloan and Rhea sat and without looking at anyone who stared at the ground.

"I really wanted to tell you this privately but you ran away so I had no chance. Rhea...I still believe that you need someone as a training partner because of the reasons we discussed yesterday. But I thought it over and realised that I should not be your training partner...you have to find someone else, who can help you in the long run and does not go away and leave you behind soon...that person will help you better than me... I am sorry but please understand that it is for your best..."

The knot in Atem's stomach seemed to become unbearable and his throat was so dry that he had to swallow constantly. But it seemed never to become better but worse. He could feel his heart in his throat and then he looked up and looked into the eyes of Rhea and he felt as if the world stopped around him. The little girl gave him such an intense glare that could have lit everything around her.

"You are such a dirty little fucking liar. So you changed your mind and gave up on me! Fuck up and never dare to come in front of me, you loser! I Who the fuck needs and trust such a bastard like you? " she chuckled and Atem felt as if his blood became ice in his veins. " You are a disgrace, no wonder you will never succeed, you coward!"

Sloan raised from his seat and said. "Little lady Rhea. Would you please mind your language? This is a place where right manners should be exercised."

"Shut the fuck up and do not get involved when you do not know a thing, you idiot. I will call him a fucking liar and a loser because this is what he always be no matter! He behaves, acts like that! I despise you so much, I know you very well that you too cannot be trusted! And I was right again!"

"Holy Goddess what is going on again with you foreigners?" Renate hurried and slammed her hands on the table.

"It is not Atem's fault, he had done nothing but came here and she started behaving like someone who has lost her mind."

Well that was the impression that Sloan had at least. Because he could not even say the monologue that he prepared in his head but he was just trying to gather his courage and prepare his throat but Rhea seemed to seem through him and found out that he wished to let her down. He looked into her eyes and began to apologise but the words stuck again.

When Rhea spit at him, he stepped back to avoid it and he told her. "You are wrong! I have not given up on you! We agreed that we will be training partners as long as I am here!"

The little girl's eyes rounded and could not utter a single word.

"What are you talking about?! Are you serious?! You decided to take her side after what we discussed yesterday?!" Sloan whispered.

"Sloan, I told you that he does not want to be part of the group. I am sorry that I was right and you had to be disappointed." Renate put her hand on Sloan's shoulder.

"Sloan, just because I help her it does not mean that I am against you but the opposite I would like to help you all. She needs help so that she can find her place here and become part of the group. She should not be left alone but she must be helped and encouraged. Guys, if we help her together, she will soon change, believe me. Stay with me and help her!"

Sloan looked at him then shook his head. "She and you have done nothing so that I can believe you so far...have with your choice Atem, because I will never support anyone who hurt anyone or anything I value and treasure and she disrespects everything I believe in and everyone I loved anytime she can. And Atem, she does this willingly and that cannot be accepted no matter if she is a little lady, it must be shown that this behaviour will never be accepted. Do you still insist that you take her side?"

"I do not take her side but I will help her nevertheless. She needs support and I cannot decline it from her."

Sloan sighed and closed his eyes and his shoulders sacked. "I am disappointed that you chose this path but if this is what you want then I accept. And it means that our paths divert from now on. I cannot be with you anymore, we are really not on the same page...And mind you do not accept any help from this group or anyone here from now on because we cannot support anyone who takes her side. So it is time to go back where I really belong to." And with that he walked away with confident steps and head held high to Renate and to the group of seniors.

Next to her the little girl furrowed her eyebrows and glared at him suspiciously. She murmured in a low voice. "What is in your fucking mind, I wonder?"

Atem shrugged his shoulders and told her kindly. "I just want to help you."

She groaned said. "YOU above all people cannot help me. I will help ME!"

"Well you cannot know it in advance." Atem smiled.

"I do..." she groaned unkindly.

"Don't be so sure about it..." He put his hand on her shoulder and smiled at her. To respond to this gesture the little girl reached up and hit away his hand rudely. "No matter what you might believe I know I can help you. For example I can bring today's reading assignment now!"

Rhea grunted displeased but Atem walked to the bookshelves confidently. As he took off the books they both needed today he heard a chuckle behind him. He turned and saw Renate leaning to the self and giving a satisfied grin. "Well done black boy! You messed up your only chance. Not that I mind, you did not deserve Sloan's kindness, you and he are not cut from the same wood, he is the most well-behaved and respectful person whereas you...just like that other one, disrespectful and does not know how many great chances you simply throw away...At least we will get rid of you soon so you do not give us any more trouble..." Then she glided away carrying her book and sat down next to Sloan with a bright smile and engaged in a conversation with her group. Soon the group burst into a merry laugh and Atem felt as if his cheeks would burn.

He took their books and hurried back to his desk where the little girl sat with a grumpy expression. As he sat down he glanced at the group again and saw Sloan sat in a relaxed way with a kind smile on his face.

"You have already regret your choice, you coward jerk! It is written all over your face as you gape at them!" Rhea grabbed a book from his hand and with all her might she hit it to the desk then clasped it open and looked down with a vacant expression.

"I do not regret anything. I just wondered how they could so easily give up on you and me and live their life as if nothing happened..."

He received nothing but a low chuckle and the murmur "hypocrite".

"You misjudged me. You just really want to help you."

"I told you that YOU can't help me."

"Still, let's give it a try. Well...I think it would be a good idea that I read a little bit for you. Because I see you do not follow the text on your own...Just silently so that we do not disturb the others."

"Do what you fucking want. I do not care." She fumed.

"If you look here you will see that I will show you where I am in the text. It will help you learn easier. Gaining knowledge and observing others is essential to develop."

Rhea pulled her mouth and Atem started reading in a low voice. To his satisfaction he saw that the little girl followed his pointing finger with her eyes. He showed her the place where he was currently reading that way. They sat there for a while, he was reading the book and she was listening and watching his finger. Then at once she looked up and asked him "Why the fuck are you doing this now?"

"Because I just feel that it is what I need to do." He simply stated then without further comment he resumed reading.

He tried to disregard the fact more and more students gave them curious glances or murmures that he caught about them.

"Just shut the fuck up and mind your own fucking business!" Rhea jumped up and glared at each and everyone of the group. Everyone was shocked, even the book fell from Atem's hand.

As expected Renate jumped up and burst out. "That is outrageous. How dare you command us to do anything? You are just two..." Here her voice broke from the shouting. "You are just two strange foreigners! It is you who should shut up and leave us to do what we are supposed to do, namely read! But instead of doing that you are constantly murmuring and making plans how you should disturb our peace as soon as possible!"

"Just leave us fucking alone with your daydreams you fucking old hag!"

"You cheeky little girl. Now that you found another freak you can make conspiracies against us do not think that we will let you do as you please!"

Atem also jumped up and cried out. "And what is wrong with you? You are the ones who cannot stop glaring and talking about us since we started READING. Because that is what we also tried to do! What makes you imagine things about us? We have not done anything!"

"What do you think we are?! We are not complete idiots you know! Since she was here she was never interested in any books and never read anything but stared ahead of her! And you want me to believe that you were just reading?! What I could see is that you talked to her and she listened to you and you are using that book as an excuse!"

"How dare you accuse us? We have done nothing but you always have to pick up a fight with us! That is why nothing works fine here! You misjudge everyone and do not let them prove their right!"

"How dare you speak like that you black boy?" Renate sneered at him.

"This is enough." Master Kelvan stepped between the two parties. "Little lady Rhea you can see clearly that young ladyRenate is in a bad and angry mood and instead of helping her calm down you are just making her flames of anger flare up with your impolite attitude. That is not the attitude that I wish to see from you, you know..." He cast a serious look at the little girl then walked to her and knelt down to her and whispered so low that Atem could barely hear it. "You could be so much better, if you were more willing...I believe and trust you...you have so many hidden treasures that you have buried inside you... "

Rhea at first just stared at her feet then looked up, her eyes glistened and her cheeks flared up red. Her voice quivered and whispered to Master Kelvan. Please do not believe in me because you will only be disappointed...there is nothing good in me now...Please just give up on me and concentrate on the other ones. They are a hopeless bunch and do not deserve you, but do your best to help them as far as you can because you are the best at that..."

As a response he smiled kindly at her and gave a gentle pat on her shoulder. "I will do the best I can, but I will not stop believing in you, your treasures still lie hidden within you and will come forward sooner or later ..."

"There is nothing inside me..." Rhea shook her head.

"We will see." He said kindly then he stood up and turned to Atem. "I would like you to give me that book, young boy, Atem." Atem gave it to his hands and watched curiously what the elderly man was up to now as he walked to Renate who stood straight and proud. "Master Kelvan. Why did you not tell those two to stop talking and leave us reading? You should have scolded them."

"Young lady Renate, I will not scold or reproach anyone who do not deserver it."

"But they deserved it!"

"And why may I ask you young lady? From what I observed nobody was paying any attention to their own reading apart from those two."

"How can you believe that they were doing any reading and not talking to each other?"

"And how can you believe that they were talking to each other and not reading without any evidence? What I saw was that they were quiet and did not disturb anyone until you started talking and did not let them in peace... But if you need evidence then, Atem, little lady Rhea I would like to ask you what object did Gabriel make to win over the demonic force?"

"The sword of light." Atem and Rhea answered at the same time.

"There are cases where it is hard to get evidence and we need to wait but there are ones where it is easy to gain one and we need to make sure that we get one. Young lady Renate, you should have known that and should have acted according to that principle..."

Renate turned white collected herself quickly and a sparkle returned in her eyes. "Fine...I see...This time we made a mistake, we did not let them alone in peace...This will not happen again, I promise you Master Kelvan."

Atem did not like the malicious smile that she sent them but to which Rhea also sent an equally malicious and self-satisfied one."That was fucking what I always wanted. Thanks."

"Well that is not the rightway you should handle things, not at all...none of you follow the right path...but I hope that one day you will see this and act as you should..." Master Kelvan sighed then continued. "And now let each of you turn back to your assignments."

Renate and Rhea both looked questioningly at the elderly man who did not seem to add anything more than what he had just told them. Renate slowly sat down and signed to the students around her to come closer to which Sloan and others leaned to her closer and she started whispering something quick to which each of them nodded and started whispering to the other students next to them. Soon the table of seniors looked at each other and nodded in agreement and Sloan stood up and went to a group of younger ones. It was obvious what was going on...

"Tired of your fucking reading already? You did not last long, you weakling." Atem heard an impatient murmur on his side. He could not help but put the book in front of him to hide the smile that spread on his face as a result of that accusation. Things did not seem to be so bad after all.

...

"Time for train your intellectual part of your body is up. It is time to train your physical body now. Make pairs of two and start your warm up..." Atem's heart started beating fast.

Wait I have not read anything from my book. I had just read the Rhea's reading assignment. he thought. Well it seems that it takes more time to read out...I will read at home then...

As others stood up and went to the training field he turned to Rhea and nodded encouragingly. "Let's go and make a great entrance, training partner."

Rhea did not move at all but gave him a look of pity. "Forget it, jerk. I will definitely not go."

"But training is essential for you to get better."

"And I will fucking train but not now! I will only train with you after the lessons. Now I am not fucking not!"

"But..."

"No fucking but...This is my way and I will not change it. Accept it and fucking go and train if you want but leave me out of it now! Get fucking lost then!" she snapped and turned her head away. Atem realised that he could not convince her this time. He walked to the training field and looked around to find someone he could train with that day. Sloan to his disappointment was already paired up with Renate. Then he saw a young man standing alone and started walking to him, the guy gave him a nasty look when he realised that he was approaching, then he turned his back to him when he came close and walked away without saying a word. Soon he paired up with someone else. The same thing happened to him with three other young men. Then he walked to a young woman and the same thing happened.

Soon he was the only one who stood without a training partner in the middle of the training field.

Then to his surprise Renate left Sloan's company and walked to him and whispered into his ear.

"Do you remember what I told you before? You will be left in peace from now on. You can do whatever you wish with that little freak you will not be disturbed. What is the matter then? Why don't you bring her here and train with her if you so much wanted to team up with her? Oh?...Perhaps because she does not want to? What a pity for you if you wanted to train because she never participates in any lessons..." She chuckled then continued in a low voice. She moved her head to the direction of Master Kelvan who was watching them. "I know Master Kelvan, he will soon come over and ask the whole group which pair would like to accept you as a third member. And just to make sure you get it: no one wishes to be your training partner. Do not force your presence on anyone except your little nice partner please. If we leave you alone please leave us alone in return...I think even a foreigner can understand that this is fair and logical.

Then behind his back he heard Master Kelvan's voice. "What is the matter? Who would like to accept young boy Atem and train with him today?"

As Atem looked at each person in the group he could realise that truth in Renate's words...No one wanted to have him as a teammate willingly...And with a pang in his heart he made up his mind what to do and turned to Master Kelvan.

"I do not wish to train today. I would rather join back little lady Rhea and continue reading. I have not finished my assignment..."

With a sad expression the master nodded. "Fine I understand...But once you finish it, you can come and join us."

Atem nodded and walked back to their seat with slow steps, dropped him down and sighed.

How can I ever help her now that I am excluded just like her? How can I make others accept her this way? It would have been better if I never became her partner.

Then he glimpsed at her as she looked ahead of her with a face of total disinterest and his gaze fixed on her eyes and her eyes let him look into her soul. She glanced at him and snapped. "Stop staring at me you fucker and grab your fucking book and read! Or if you do not want then go back to them and fucking train!"

I am wrong. I made the right decision. And I will help her the best way I can within this short time.

Atem smiled and in a good mood he grabbed his own book. It would be high time to read the book that Renate girl suggested. He wondered what she wished him to know so much.

"What the heck happened, Atem?" Yuna stormed at him as he stepped into their home. "Everyone in our group is gossiping about you and that little girl. They tell me that you behaved like a rebel and refused to participate in your training session."

"It was not like that. I wanted to but they refused to take me. They turned their back to me and avoided me altogether."

"Where was Master Kelvan, what has he done?"

"He was there and could have made someone take me."

"So then why have you not joined?"

"Because I rather read my reading assignment instead of forcing myself on others who do not want me at all."

"Atem honestly what have you expected? That they will welcome your decision with open arms? And wait a minute! What do you mean by reading your reading assignment instead? What have you been doing in your reading time?"

"I read Rhea's reading assignment."

"Holy Goddess! That is outrageous. That little girl is making a fool of you she misuses you and steals away your chances and you like a fool let her do it. Have you lost your common sense? You should have grabbed your chance to prepare and learn as much as possible to the greatest challenge in your life which affects the whole world but instead of that you behave like someone who lost his mind and do not care about the real world but dilly-dally all day, have fun and play games with a little girl. It is time to grow up Atem and take responsibility!" she breathed as if she had run a long distance.

"Dilly-dally? Play games? Have fun? Is this how you think I am?" Atem thundered. "Just that you knew I have not skipped everything but just the pair training I have participated everything where you could work individually. But I will not beg for anyone to take me if they clearly refuse to give me a chance. And that is the problem here! I am constantly trying to find out what the best would be in this ugly cold place with cold hearted people who never show any affection and mistrust everyone and are unwilling to help anyone and an "irresponsible" foreigner has to do their job. My heart is full of troubles and worries about the future that I try to hide so that you should not worry about anything and you think I am a carefree person who wishes to have fun? Well I am sorry but since the day we arrived I have been suffering and not having fun!" he had to catch his breath now.

They stood and stared at each other for a while then Atem felt extremely horrible about what happened. He regretted what he said, now Yuna knew that he was suffering here and she would feel horrible. The only thing he always wanted was that she could prepare without worrying about him...He messed this up.

"I am terribly sorry. Please forget what I have just told you."

"No Atem it is not you who should say sorry but me..Even though you try to hide how much you suffer here you I know perfectly well that you do. I will never forget what a great sacrifice you've already made for me...I am grateful to have a partner like you and I should not have let my frustration out on you...It is not your fault that things do not go for me as I have imagined...Still...I cannot help but wish that you have chosen otherwise...Not because of me..." She shook her head and gave him a gentle smile. "But because this whole thing will not bring you any good...You just became an outsider for a lost cause...you should have enjoyed your stay here..you could have a nice partner with that young man Sloan... with him on your side you would have been tolerated and more or less accepted... And that is what you really deserved and not this situation you got yourself into for the troublesome girl...You will miss so many great training opportunities and getting to know so many worthier training partners...Your personality is so common with my people that you would have got on perfectly fine...Please do not make a face that is the truth...Being good, honest, brave hearted, hard-working, lacking any evil intentions and schemes, willing to adapt and learn...willing to fight stubbornly and being loyal and never giving up on anyone or anything " There she chuckled. "...But there is a great difference that distinguish you from my people. That you desperately believe in the genuine goodness of the human heart. without ever questioning if that person is worthy of your help...Helping people is your core...It would have been against yourself and your nature to abandon that girl...do not blush...all of that is true...but it is unbelievable how blind you are to your merritts whereas you see every possible potentials in other's...you are willing to fight for everything and everyone. Because you believe that people and beliefs are always worth fighting for till the end...actually there is only one thing I wish to ask from you...please do not get your hopes too high in this case...I do not want you to get disappointed this time...I love you so much and I do not want to see you get hurt for someone because you had so little time to help her..."

"I love you too...But dearest I cannot do anything but give my best and hope for the best outcome for her...Once it worked and I know that it will work this time too..."

Yuna laughed merrily then became serious and said: "I am afraid here you will definitely face more obstacles and burdens on your shoulder than in your home Atem...and you have put such an unnecessary and useless additional burden on your shoulder..." At that point she looked at him and the gentlest smile that Atem loved about her appeared on her face. "But you know the truth is...I wish that you would prove to me that I was mistaken...honestly..." Then she swallowed the last bit of her food and stood up abruptly from the table and laughed merrily . "I will be outside and do some practice on my own. Be quick and make up for the training that you skipped and watch and learn what you have missed. I think I can show you a trick or two..."

Atem nearly choked on his own food. "I have not skipped individual practice, I just did not have a partner to train with during the lessons. That is not the end of the world..."

"It might be if you fall behind and you cannot protect it...but do not worry I will not let you fall behind, I have paid attention and I will show all what I learnt and practice with you so that both of us can get better and well prepared for our challenges in our lives..."

"You are the best..simply the very best...I cannot believe how lucky I am to have you..." he whispered after she had left the room and went outside.

...

Days passed and with each one the burden on Atem's chest became a little bit heaviert. Atem wondered how much more weight he would be able to carry on before he broke under it...He expected it but it was much harder to actually cope with it on a daily basis.

During the regular trainings who always let him down when it came to pair practice... no matter what he tried to persuade her she refused to do anything but to sit next to him, stare ahead of her stubbornly. Atem had to let her behave her own way but deep down he was often worried whether he was doing the right thing...perhaps all his efforts and tryings would really be in vain... Time was so threateningly short and there should be so many things that this little girl needed. He knew it perfectly well...Time was his enemy in this matter to achieve all the things he planned out... Also the others did not make the matters easier as they decided to disregard them completely and refused to say anything unless there was no other option...It seemed that with the leadership of Isabel they decided that they would behave as if they were not present at all...What improvement could he hope for that way? Was it foolish to hope in a situation like that?

His soul was thirsty for friendly conversations and exchanging ideas after hours of loneliness and neglect on the part of his fellow students and to be honest he could not expect anything kind from her little partner as well...He became so much grateful for the private cooking sessions where he could spend some time without Rhea and the his group. The elderly man had an innate curiosity and interest about him, his home Egypt, his Egyptian customs, his ideas about the world. He was a great listener and a great person to have conversations with. He was such a great company and a great tutor...On top of all his cooking repertoire also widened enormously. He loved getting better and better at that wonderful new skill. Only one thing shadowed his time with Master Kelvan...His recurring uncomfortable questions that he felt too much private...

"You know Atem...I was wondering if you have at your home a lot of beautiful women who admire you very much and cannot wish to gain your heart and have a place on your side at the throne or just be within the palace...And even if they do not, you have allmight in your country and your word is a command, if you say any woman to love you they will definitely follow your orders...You can literally have any woman you can dream of, more princesslike, more beautiful women than Yuna can ever become. Why did you choose Yuna if you could have every woman in your kingdom?"

"How did your admirers take that you chose a woman who is less beautiful and less princesslike than them? What did you tell them?"

"Let's just assume that young lady Yuna wishes to come back to her home. What would you do then?"

"Well as far as I can see there are a lot of differences that can cause problems in the future. She is taller, has a different complexion than yours and she sees the world differently than you. How do you wish to cope with all these? Do you think that you will be able to do that?"

"What do you see in her that makes you think that you can love her for a lifetime?"

"Why do you think that she is so special?"

"How do you imagine your future with her? I mean you are young and as far as I know Pharaohs tend to have a harem with lots of admirers and beautiful ladies. How would you plan to do that if you have a partner who strictly believes in monogamy and faithfulness? Because that she will expect you, you should know that..."

"Even though you are a god incarnate she will never consider you as one. How would you accept that?"

At first he became shy and blushed and tried to disregard these questions and avoid answering them at all or answering as little as possible, but Master Kelvan did not stop urging him to give more detailed answers because that would not be enough. He decided not to mention these to Yuna who seemed to have her own worries. As the days and then the weeks passed by Atem was often saddened by the fact how often she became depressed and moody that Master Isabel still refused her to take her initiation ceremony, even worse she did not give her any encouraging words at all but avoided answering any questions about the topic. He encouraged and supported his wifeas much as he could but day by day he had to see the disappointment and sorrow in her eyes. He worried about her so much these days...Atem prayed to his gods to help her and give her and him enough power to get over this hard period. They were already halfway and Atem felt relieved that from now on the countdown would finally start. There would be less and less days they had to stay and endure here. Thank the gods for that! How he wished to leave this place behind him! It was painful to watch her sitting at their table at dinner time staring ahead of her with a vacant expression. Instead of eating she often played around with her fork or spoon and after a while she just stood up, excused herself and went out to take some fresh air. That last week Atem had really hard time to make her smile a little bit and even those smiles seemed forced and that terrified him.

He could no longer accept this any longer, he had to act at once. If this went on further, she would definitely get sick. "You can tell me honestly if my cooking does not taste good for you and you do not like it. I can prepare something else for you quickly from what we have at home. It will not take long, I know some easy things that I can easily make in no time. . You do not have to suffer unnecessarily if it does not taste the way you wanted it. Just tell me honestly what you want. You need energy to participate all your hard trainings and get better."

"I want nothing, I do not deserve it: I am useless and good-for-nothing... That is the truth..." She sighed, put her head into her hands and sobbed. "I wonder what you see in me...I am not good enough for you as well...you are so much better from me: a great Pharaoh, the saviour of mankind with all potentials I am nothing a useless cripple who is not good enough to take a simple initiation ceremony...you deserved so much better...it hurts that I know deep within my heart that I could have been so much better but because of that...that man I am nothing but this...how much I hate him...if he had not existed I could have taken this task so easily, Master Isabel would have let me prove myself without all of this...It would have been obvious that I am good enough in anything...I am not even good at cooking..." She pushed her plate with such a force that it fell down and broke into pieces...I wonder if I should give this whole thing up and run away and leave everything behind me..."

"Yuna, nowadays you seem to have a strange sense of humour." Then Atem saw how lost and hopeless her gaze was and he walked to her and told her. "Listen to me. You are perfect; absolutely perfect! And you are ready for that initiation ceremony...I know that very well..."

A sad grimace appeared on her face and shook her head then chuckled. "Well then, if that would be true then why cannot I take my initiation ceremony?"

This time it was Atem who gave her a sad grimace. "Oh come on my love. Do not tell me that you really cannot believe what is really going on here.."

"What?Do you honestly believe that they still have that in mind?" Her eyes widened with surprise.

"Yes, the only reason is me that you cannot take your initiation ceremony..." Atem admitted with a bitter taste in his mouth. "It is quite obvious what people think about me ...I am a foreign, who cannot be trusted completely, who can have a bad influence on your people, from whom the others have to be protected. Basically I am perhaps even a greater danger now that I took side of that little girl... It is quite logical that Master Isabel still insists to postpone your initiation till the very last day. It is also clear for me now that Master Kelvan shares her opinion. I am afraid he also believes that I am someone who is not enough for you and cannot love you enough.."

"What makes you think like that?" Yuna looked at him suspiciously.

"Oh that is not really important. Let's just clear this away and I will make you something else..." Atem tried to change the subject but Yuna persisted to know the truth.

"It is important. What has happened between you two? Tell me please, do not hide things from me anymore...Don't you trust me anymore?"

And at that point the words erupted from him and he talked for a long time. About his pain, his sadness, his disappointments, his doubts, his fears, the uncomfortable questions that Master Kelvan asked him from time to time.

"Oh holy Goddess...How could I be such a horrible, selfish partner?" Yuna stared at him and put her head in her hand. Atem was puzzled at her reaction and wanted to contradict him but she hushed him. "No...that is true. I was so obsessed with myself, my training, my "problems". Whereas you were a great partner who stood at my side and listened and helped me in my need, I totally let you cope with everything alone, I was not helping you at all a little bit. I am so sorry Atem...Please forgive me..."

"There is nothing to forgive you...It is not your fault that I got involved so many uncomfortable situations...you tried to warn me that it will turn out this way."

"I am not talking about that..." She rolled her eyes. "It might be unbelievabel but this time it is not the fault of that little trouble maker. I am talking about the unnecessary pain and worries that Master Kelvans questions caused you because I did not tell you something important...Atem what Master Kelvan is doing is natural here, he has nothing against you. Actually, it is what every parent here does, but in my case the masters took the role of the parent because I do not have one anymore... How could I be such an idiot that I have not prepared you for that?! These questions serve nothing but to test the young man's firm resolution and his pure and clear love toward the lady of his heart...A weak love simply can not survive such a test and it is better to find that out..."

"And what about the questions do you as a woman get from Master Isabel?" Atem asked. "You must have got similar questions then...+

There Yuna seemed quite uncomfortable but she admitted. "Well we are not questioned that way. Young ladies in general are considered pure and honest from the start in case of love matters...We are women and not men...In my case Master Isabel does not ask anything but points out the negative sides and makes me reconsider my choice over and over. It should serve to highlight potential threats of my choice and makes a woman think not just by her heart but by her head as well...It is used so that woman never make any hasty decisions that they might regret in the future...That is why courtships last really long and couples have to live together some time before the actual marriage..."

Atem pulled a sad face and murmured. "Well I suppose Master Isabel do not have to think twice to highlight a reason why your choice might not be the best one..."

Yuna reached out and put her hand over his. "Atem look at me...please..."

He sighed but lifted his head and looked into the deep blue eyes. "Atem, this is just a stupid custom, it means nothing for me...No matter what she tells me; you were, you are and you will be the best decision in my life and that cannot be changed by anything or anyone. My feelings cannot be influenced and changed towards you because I already know who you are and I love you as you are, you are a wonderful person and that will never be changed no matter what. I know who you are the most...You are my love, my best friend, my brother, my partner, my soulmate, you are my everything, the best thing in my life and I will always love you and you will always love you...What I feel and know perfectly well is what counts and nothing else...And from now on I promise you that I will be a better partner and I will not let you suffer alone and be so obsessed with my preparation and my training ...we will spend more time with talking about our feelings...for that we will definitely have to make time...And Atem do not forget that my offer is still there...A word and we will go home...you are and will be the most important thing in my life and nothing else..."

"The same goes for me...you are the most important...therefore we will stay...everything will be fine...in the end you will take this initiation ceremony...and on the way I will help you...you can count on me..."

"And you can count on me as well...I will not let you down...never again...I will always be on your side." she whispered and leaned on to him and Atem felt desire rise in him when her tongue reached his own. It has been a while since they made love. All the circumstances did not help the desire sparkle between them. How much he waited that she would come to him again and initiate this...Just like that...He started touching and stroking her body with feverish desire murmuring impatient. "Please let me make love to you now...I need you, I want you so much..."

She chuckled and whispered into his ear with a voice full of lust and desire. "Today I decided to have a rest day and it has been some time since we could make love because of my period and because of my idiot mood after that...So...that means that we have plenty of time to make up for what we had no chance to do for some time...Bed or hot water, which one would you like to choose?"

"I will not bath I want you here and now." He moaned and let her guide to their bedroom. "Is it right for you as well?"

"Come already and stop thinking so much." She moaned back and pulled him into her embrace.

...

Atem held his love in his arms as she leaned to his chest and drew circles absent-mindedly on her back. The hot water surrounded them and Atem could still not cope with what had just happened to them. His mind was in turmoil, because even though they had just shared the most wonderful experience together which made him shiver just remembering about all the new feelings he experienced but at the same time he was terrified. They were never so close to each other, still he could not stop worrying and stressed about what he had done. He wondered how Yuna feel right now? The possibilities could be endless: she could be happy and elevated, content with his fist such performance, or she could be utterly mad and totally disappointed in herself or in himself, or she could feel horrified, worried, regretting everything that it all had happened? What would happen from now on? Oh holy Ra...He would go mad if he could not talk to her about it soon.

He stopped drawing circles at once and started stroking her back gently then pulled her closer to him into a tight embrace and desperately asked. "Why have you not stopped me?"

"I was not able to. I was so swept away with the sensations, with my feelings that I lost my control and my mind at once. It seems that I could not keep Master Isabel's warning." There she changed her voice and acted like the elderly woman. "Be always composed when you are with a man. Do not let yourself be swept away with your feelings till you are sure that you are safe. Think about the consequences of that act,if you do not take care the consequences can be really serious and they cannot be taken back. Also be aware that men are irresponsible in that situation and they are unable to think reasonable at that moment..."

"You really talk about things like that?!" Atem gasped.

Yuna shrugged her shoulders. "Well people are not shy away from topics like that here and they can openly discuss everything and they answer all your questions as well. And Masters have to prepare young ladies and boys for their love lives as well.. They tell the possible good and the bad things about it and can give great pieces of advice to make love life the best and avoid all the possible dangers and pitfalls.."

"I should have consulted her then before this happened." he said and touched his forehead. "How could I be so irresponsible? What have I done to you, to us just now?"

"Oh Atem, do not blame yourself. I was also there and I also wanted it...And see the positive thing. Due to our customs, if we are successful now, you can become my husband as a result of that. You can force me to marry you that way. Not that I have to be forced." She chuckled and winked at him but her smile gradually disappeared as she saw the expression that appeared on Atem's face.

"What is wrong? Holy Goddess, Atem you look sick and you are shivering all over your body!" She shrieked.

"Yuna, I do not know...I just feel so terrified and I feel as if my blood in my veins turned cold..." He admitted reluctantly. "The greatest demon will evoke in our world and we have to face and fight with it...This is not the place and the time that I would want a child to be born..And after our fight I just wanted to spend some more time alone with you...I would like to become confident in my role as a pharaoh and I would like to see you become a great priestess first...I do not think that we are both ready for a child now...I would like to be with you and only you for some time when the danger is over...Oh holy Ra,Yuna...think about it, if you get pregnant now...how can you do your initiation ceremony? You will never become part of this community but stay a young lady without a successful ceremony. It would be impossible for you in that condition.I do not want you to give that up because I made you pre-pregnant...I want to see you succeed, and be proud of yourself...This initiation ceremony is as important for me as for you..."

"Oh Atem you really care about me so much..." Tears swelled in her eyes. "I am also terrified...I wish that I had listened to the warning of Master Isabel...we have made a terrible mistake...I might joke around but I also do not think that we would be ready. And I would like to fight on your side and not let you down, when you have to face that demon and if I get pregnant I will not be able to help you anymore...we can't find and train a new priestess to use the Sacred Key in such a short time...you would have not just a priestess less but a Sacred Item less...Oh holy Goddess we would play into the hands of the demons if I got pregnant. We would mess everything we fought for. This would be horrible..."

"Hey-hey." The desire to comfort her made his own fear fly away at once. "That is fine. Everything is fine. Nothing is sure at the moment so, most likely we worry about nothing. Nothing is determined yet...It is useless to worry about something that will not even happen...please calm down and do not worry uselessly...And love if you have conceived, we will cope with the situation, we will find a way to solve the situation, we will not give up our fight...And if you have not conceived then this whole worry is useless...then we will decide when we will have the next heir to the Egyptian throne..." He heard Yuna calming down in his arms but his heart swelled up with pain and worry.

Calm down, calm down, think about your own words, nothing is sure right now...so it is useless to worry at this point...what happened has happened and cannot be undone but from now on I will not allow anything like this to happen. She is more important to me than that pleasurable experience that I experienced beforehand...I cannot let her suffer because of that...Please Gods, help us this time and I promise I will never make such a mistake again...

...

...

Atem felt as if the God of Time, Heh decided to play a sick game with never felt that the time went so slow in the morning hours as he spent it with his fellow students whose attitude and behaviour had not changed a bit at all...He knew that it was useless to hope that this would change even a little bit anymore...They were a bunch of stubborn idiots who were incapable of any change and flexibility...But still he hoped that he would be able to achieve at least something else which was more important for him...

Well to be honest he did not really see that his efforts would pay off. She still behaved like a brute without any manners or sensitivity to all of her group mates. Her swearing was still horrible to listen to as well...Naturally her situation was the same within the group as before.

Funnily after the slow morning hours the afternoon hours that he spent with Master Kelvan seemed to go with a much accelerated speed. The elderly man still asked questions that made Atem's cheek flared up but he decided to follow Yuna's advice. Just be himself and answer honestly to each question without shying away.He could not deny that he loved speaking and discussing with the elderly man. A special warm bond seemed to form between them: a great student-teacher relationship which was based on mutual trust, respect and friendship...

Also the training with Rhea never ceased to amaze him. The little girl who did nothing during the normal training lessons, was completely transformed during their private sessions. There she could not be stopped, he never saw anyone so motivated and so hard-working watching, learning and practicing all the moves he showed her. She became so much more composed and better in her skills in general which made Atem's chest swell with a proud feeling every time she watched her...

But at the same time he was not disillusioned, he felt in his heart that Rhea only endured these trainings and his presence because of her own selfish reasons..This fact did not matter to him because that reason was more than enough for him to hope that he could help her after all...No matter how much time they still had that would be enough to achieve one thing at least...

And naturally the time with Yuna was the one that flew by the quickest. He still felt the fear and worry in his chest but as time passed by after that mistake he managed to control them and finally push them back into his soul room and did not let them escape from it...His presence and assistance for Yuna was more important, he could not allow himself any distraction...He loved living with her, training with her, being at her side as comfort, discussing all things, doing housework, just sitting and watching the stars, playing in the snow...In some strange way this life would have attracted Atem if the circumstances were different. But this was nothing but a fleeing illusion; this is not the life that pharaoh can ever live...

They sat next to each other after their training practice and Atem drew hieroglyphs into the mud. The snow has melted for some time and no new one had fallen for two weeks. It was just rain and grey and cloudy sky and some rain that he witnessed nowadays. But drawing hieroglyphs helped him to bring his home closer. With all the sunshine and the so wished warm weather.

"I am sorry that you have seen so little snow, this year the angel of was not less generous as usual in this respect. But still you saw a lot of ice flowers and frost and the lake was often freeze so these were also nice gifts, don't you think? I am glad that you had a little chance to appreciate the presents of the angel of darkness..." Atem remembered his experience in the snow, the beauty of the various snowflakes, the ice flowers in the mornings on the windows. The whiteness covering the deadly dry plants...

"Well in a way I am sorry for you that you will have no chance to see the season of change...I am sure that you would have enjoyed it better...The flowers, the green fields...It would not have been without some cold weather but you do not have to wear so warm clothes all the time...There is more and more sunshine as well..."

"No, you do not need to feel sorry for me...I love nature this way as well..It is beautiful in its own way...It makes me calm down and relax and encourage me to turn inside and reorganise my thoughts and feelings...Still there is one thing that I cannot comprehend...How can you believe that this wonder is the gift of darkness? This season is sometimes too beautiful and wonderful and sometimes to calm to be the gifts of that horrible angel or god..."

"You are just prejudiced and refuse to see the truth. The angel of darkness is not horrible and evil but a kind being and loves you really much."

"Perhaps you believe in something that is not true." he argued.

"How can you believe otherwise if you see a lot of evidence around you. This is the season of the darkness and these cannot be anyone's gifts but his."

"But what about all the horrible deeds that he made in the past? How can darkness be loving if he supports burglars, killers, and death and all kinds of demons have a dark aura?" he asked.

"How can you be sure that what you believe is the truth?"

"How can you be sure that what you believe is the truth?" he challenged and was curious about her answer.

"Because if I look around I cannot see and feel nothing but the love, generosity and kindness that the angel of darkness feels towards us and I cannot believe that this angel wishes to destroy us...Don't you think so?"

"But what if these gifts are not created by him but by someone else? Like the angel of light?

"Because this season is when the angel of light steps back to give more space to the angel of darkness, so how would she be able to give and create such gifts if she is in the background right now? Hm?"

"Oh holy Ra, you seem to have answers for everything..." he exasperated.

"Believe me Atem, the more you learn the more you will see and understand from the real truth...Not just what you believe can be the truth...Be open and leave your prejudiced thoughts behind...Just accept and enjoy the gifts of the angel of darkness gives you as much as you can...Even if we cannot experience the season of change where the darkness and light go hand in hand for a while and create wonders...you will perhaps see the first sign of it..." There she pulled a sad face. There were hardly three weeks left.

"You will miss being here and you regret that we cannot stay longer..." He stated the obvious.

"I am really happy and grateful that you made it possible that we could come here...How is it possible that the time flies so quickly here?" There she looked at him guilty and stopped at once."And I know perfectly well that this is so selfish of me...when you had to endure so many hardships here and you cannot wait to go home but I still cannot help but I will miss this place much...I am really sorry that you have not experienced more pleasurable memories here during your stay...You benefitted nothing from staying here..."

"No,that is not exactly true...True that I did not got everything I wish and planned beforehand and I had different expectations that were crashed but...what I really wanted I still got. I wanted you to feel great and be happy to be here. And you feel this way after all... I am happy that I can see you happy...and do not worry you will definitely have many other opportunities to visit this place once our fight is over and peace and peace will return to Egypt..."

"But that will not be the same without you...you will not be able to stay here for a longer time anymore...a pharaoh cannot stay so much time away from his people...you will just come and go but not stay here like now...there would be so much to show you and we will never have the chance afterwards...because everything will change after we go home...and I am so sorry for that...so many lost opportunities...but let's not think about that but enjoy the present free time and concentrate a little bit on our training programme."

He slowly stood up and let Yuna's words sink into his mind...She could not imagine what thoughts and ideas her words evoke in him right now...But he needed to think everything over and before he could share anything with her.

...

He sat on a rock and watched the melting ice on the lake and then looked around and saw a lot of mud and puddles. He cannot help but think how dirty and kind of ugly and bare the place seemed without the the concealing whiteness and the strange and misterious ice...but this time he did not hate what he saw around him...his perspective changed and he could not pinpoint when the change actually happened...he saw that the dirt and mud was nothing but an intermisson and preparation for something great...He recalled Yuna's word as she whispered to his ear this morning after she looked out of the window. "I see and feel it...the beginning of the season of great changes has arrived..." But as he stepped out and looked at the mud and dirt he saw nothing special or different at all...Where was this beginning? Where should he look?

Then he directed his gaze to the trees, narrowed his eyes and walked to a particular tree he actually liked and gaped in wonder.

"What the fuck are you staring at with that fucking dreamy expression?" He heard behind him and he did not have to turn to know the origin of the voice. She seemed to appear out of nowhere which made Atem scared at the beginning but later on he expected Rhea's unusual appearance at some point.

"Hello Rhea. Nice to see you again today. How are you today? Where have you been? Why are you actually late? That is unusual, you are always on time. But today you are late...What has happened to you?" He insisted on greeting her in a kind way to which he always received an annoyed sigh or a simple "Hmpf" or "ugh" reply after which the girl sat down and showed his impatience. "I do not coming because I want to fucking talk to you but to get all of your damn tricks!"

"But today she did not seem to be impatient but she glare at him with a look full of distrust and disgust.

"I was here and there..Not that you will fucking care about it today so I will not waste my breath on it...So that is what you were doing till you waited...staring at a fucking tree like a piece of shit. Actually I know well that we have little time together so talk about more important things and not any useless shit if you wish to be still useful for me!"

"I just saw that little tiny buds on the branches...I found them interesting. And look at your feet, aren't those pretty?"

Rhea pulled her mouth and muttered. "Those are fucking snowdrops. Nothing special, they are always the fucking first flowers that appear at the first nicer weather...and they are the first to disappear as well..." She stomped at one of the flowers and Atem shrieked. "Why have you done that?"

"Because flowers are fucking good-for-nothing and useless."

"They are pretty and beautiful and each one symbolises one thing."

"And how can anyone use prettiness and beauty and symbols? Why is good that that fucking useless piece of shit symbolises consolation or hope. Just because it symbolises them it never fucking give it to me...Useless piece of shit..." She stomped at another flower and then she went to her knees and started pulling out one after the other. "I do not wish to see any of those useless shits..."

Atem grabbed her hand and gave her a look. "Stop it at once. What do you think you are doing? Mother nature is working hard and changing with the help of Ra the sun god, I will not allow you to destroy what they have made together for your sake. You should respect nature and the changes that are happening around us. You should rather reflect and realise what you need to change in yourself as well to get better. Change is essential in our lives to get better. That is what nature tries to show for us and you are stomping her message without considering her truth..."

The little girl gave him a look of contempt and mumbled as she pulled her hand out of his grasp. "Oh yeah..Now listen to me you I-know-everything-so-much-better-even-though-I am-unable- to- make- any single- change- in- my- life useless fucker! Do not try to fucking lecture me about changes because life would be much better without any fucking changes. Changes just make everything from bad to fucking worse...and soon you will see that changes do not bring anything but pain, and misery...and you will also just stomp on these useless shits without even thinking about their symbol of consolation and hope..." That was the first time that Rhea opened up like that and gave sight to her real self. And Atem saw the significance of that. That was the moment he hoped for. A real honest conversation or argument between them where he could share his own inner thoughts...And there was the chance for that...

"There are some changes that can cause you such great pain and suffering that you feel that your heart would break and never repare from it, that is true." He gulped as he recalled the changes that the loss of his mother meant for him. He stepped closer to her and knelt down so that they could be on the same level and she did not have to look up to him and continued that way. "But that is not how life is really supposed to be...you are great, wonderful, special and strong...these are all clouded when you are in pain and lost...but the time you open up your heart and soul again you will realise that life is about finding strength, peace, harmony, hope, happiness, kindness, goodness, love, friendship and courage to fight against whatever hardship, pain and demons comes into your way...Every person deserves this because that why we are really in this world...me and you as well, Rhea...you are a special and good person and you deserve the best in your life believe me...you have to believe in the people around you, to truth is that all of them wishes to help you. If you do not do that you cannot experience any good thing that life can offer you..." He finished his speech during which he recalled all the good and happy changes that happened in his life: his friends, his wife and the mistakes that he made and the ones that others made in their own lives..

The little girl stared at him for some time. Then she whispered to herself. "I have never heard you talk like that before...So passionate...so determined...Why is that so?"

"Because perhaps the time was not right for that...you have not opened up for me so I could also not open up for you..." he said with a kind smile.

Rhea looked behind him and her expression turned grave. "That is fucking bullshit and lies what you have just told me..."

"What?" Atem asked surprised and astonished.

"Because if these things were true you would be able exactly the one who could change his life for the better but that is not true... you like anyone else cannot do anything but bow and wait and accept what fate and this fucking life brings you without any fight and complaint...In this world there is no good and happy life, you cannot open up your heart and soul. You cannot rely on anyone in this fucking world Everyone fights alone that is why the most important thing is who POWERFUL you can become. How you achieve that is not important and does not matter."

How he wished that he could glimpse into the little girls soul with Sacred Key to get to know what exactly happened to her in the past...This little creature who lost her hope and her faith simply shocked and made her heart ache... He reached out and put his hand on her shoulder and whispered emotionally." How much pain did you endure in your life, you little soul? What or who have you lost in your life?"

"Just my faith in everyone I put my trust in..." She looked at him with honest eyes then she looked behind his back and gave him a nasty smile. "And soon just like me you will also lose your faith in everyone too...Time is up for you and me Atem..." Then she pushed his hand from her shoulder away and ran past him and stopped in front of Yuna. "I hope you like the changes, you bitch because your fucker boyfriend really does!"

"Get lost, you nasty little thing and leave us alone! I want to talk to Atem in private!" Yuna snapped back at her but the little one chuckled a bit and ran away without ever looking back.

Atem stared at her and he felt the pain in his chest spreading. Oh holy Ra! Yuna, his cheerful wife who told him excitedly through his cartouche that Master Isabel would want a private conversation with her about which she supposed could not be anything else but her initiation ceremony. And Atem could have sworn that what the two women had been really talking about, otherwise Yuna would not stare ahead of her with such a grave and sick expression.

"She told me that I cannot take it and I will not make it within two weeks that is sure...Atem, I want you to send a letter with Sky home and..." There her voice broke away.

"Oh Yuna...I cannot believe it...that is not right...but if you have to stay here more that is not a problem...I had a feeling that something like that might happen...so I decided that if this happened I will send Sky home with a letter to father that we will stay here a little more time...I have already written the letter, it is ready to be sent dearest..."

"Atem, don't send it but write a different letter and go home to Egypt..."

"Oh Yuna you cannot expect me to go to Egypt this way...We will stay here a little more time and continue preparing together just like before..."

"Nothing will be like before because...because today I have finally realised that Master Isabel was true...we do not belong together and the biggest mistake that we have ever made is that we have married each other...I want you to write a letter home to prepare your journey home. You will go home alone, I am the only one who will stay here..."

Notes of the author:

- Yu-Gi-Oh! and its characters belongs to Kazuki Takahashi please note that I try to be faithful to the storyline of the manga but in order to make the my own story complete and logical I may have made some alterations and will do if necessary

- the avatar that I used was found on pinterest at: pin/507147608010770878/ I does not belong to me, I would be wonderful if I could make my own pictures about the story but I am not on that level. I would be a dream come true if I could inspire artists to make pictures about this story. :)

- I set my story mainly in ancient Egypt but as I am not a historian, historical inaccurances are also possible

- Please note that English is a foreign English for me however I try to my best to improve my vocabulary and grammar, feel free to highlight my mistakes I will correct them as soon as possible

- As I work and have a private life the updates can take some time, but if I have some free time I devote it to the story.