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

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

Characters: Yugi, Atem, Otogi, Kisara, Seto, Dartz, Yami Marik (these aren't all but the most important ones)

Additional tags: puzzleshipping, healthy puzzleshipping, offershipping, toxic offershipping, blueshipping, ancient egypt, whore yugi

Welcome my beautiful readers!

A long time ago I made a poll about what I should write next and now the result is finally here. The difference this time is that I planned everything out and gave it a proper structure. While I (of course) find many things to improve with my next project, I think this story is a big step forward from my previous ones. But judge for yourself!

You will notice that I changed Dartz's hair because of my personal taste. We had a talk and he agreed to have it cut for this role, so it's all cool.

A giant thank you goes out to Yaminosonarhedgie who supported me while writing this thing, who cheered on me, listened to my babbling, and drew lots of amazing things for this story. Without you this fanfic would have turned out a lot differently, my amiga fantastica!

I hope you'll enjoy reading this story just as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Sincerely,

Pancake

Chapter 1

Yugi's home had always been a place of love and safety, a refuge from the otherwise cruel world. But now it was about to fall apart and for the first time in his life Yugi was truly scared.

He placed a palm on the tomb's cold stone door.

"If only none of this were happening. If only you were still here. If only I could stay…"

His fingers ran over the intricate carvings, which promised the one inside a happy afterlife. Yugi felt a hand on his shoulder and turned around. In front of him stood a tall man with long, white hair and a cane in his hands. He gave Yugi a tired smile.

"Are you talking to the mistress?" he asked.

"Yes, Master Pegasus," Yugi said. Pegasus cast the door a gentle look.

"Soon we'll be back together, my dear Cyndia," he whispered. The sentence sent a sting through Yugi's heart. "The sarcophagus turned out beautiful. Would you like to see it?"

Yugi glanced into the chamber to his left. Inside, a couple of priests were talking about what had yet to be organised for the…

"I'd rather not," Yugi said.

"Then let's go back."

Their steps on the granite floor echoed through the hall. A rectangular hole in the ceiling let in sunlight and thick vines dangled from its edges. During Yugi's childhood they had hung in the gardens for some time. But after several tries of him to climb them Mistress Cyndia had them moved here out of fear for his safety.

Pegasus stopped and pressed a hand against his mouth in an attempt to suppress the sudden, intense coughing. Despite being one head shorter, Yugi grabbed Pegasus' arm to keep him from falling over. Two priests hurried out of the preparation room and supported him as well.

"We need a doctor, quick!" one of the men said to the other but Pegasus waved a hand. The coughing fit subsided and once it was over, a bit of blood ran from Pegasus' chin.

"I'm fine. You can go," he said to the priests. They obeyed and without another word Yugi and Pegasus left the tomb. Yugi watched him closely in case he'd have to catch him after all.

They followed a short stone path and sat down on a bench under a few palm trees. Yugi handed Pegasus a handkerchief from his tunic's pocket and Pegasus dabbed the corners of his mouth with it.

"Such a lovely spot, isn't it? You can see all of Asphaleia from here," Pegasus said and gestured over the estate.

To the left lay the manor, consisting out of several white houses with reddish brown roofs and round pillars. They were surrounded by the gardens Cyndia had planted and tended to with so much care. Ahead of them was a field, spotted with a few trees and ponds here and there, and some horses grazing in the sun. A bit further away from them was a thin, straight line, a failed attempt at building a canal from many years ago. When Yugi looked to the right he saw the beach, the glittering teal sea, and a small harbour. Usually it was only occupied by their own ship and one that came from Hellas once a month to deliver all the goods Asphaleia needed for daily life. However, a galley with blue banners had docked there earlier – Atlanteans.

All of the estate was enclosed by a high wall and surrounded by a forest so thick and lush it resembled a jungle. Except for a few people, everyone avoided the surroundings in fear of the lion the guards set loose every now and then to ensure that no one wanted to come too close. That way Asphaleia remained a secret.

"Yes… It's a great view," Yugi said.

"My dear Cyndia and I have built a true paradise after our exile from Hellas. But the most wonderful thing we ever brought here was you," Pegasus said and caressed Yugi's cheek. Yugi tried to smile but he couldn't. He turned towards Pegasus and as he looked into the light blue eyes of the man who had raised him he blurted out:

"I want to stay."

Pegasus sighed.

"You know I don't want you to see an ugly thing like death. It's enough that you had to watch the mistress die two years ago…"

His face twisted in pain at the memory.

"But I don't want to go with strangers. So many of your friends have visited us over the years, some of which I really like. Why can't I go with one of them?" Yugi said but regretted it after seeing Pegasus' guilt-stricken expression.

"I know I should have taken care of this much sooner. I didn't think that Atlantis would declare war on Egypt so soon. Now sending a message to my friends – not to mention them finding a way to come here and get you – is next to impossible. I'm sorry, Yugi."

Yugi took a deep breath of the salty air.

"I know it's not your fault. I'm just…"

Pegasus patted his back.

"You don't know the men yet. Don't judge them before you've met them."

Yugi chewed on his bottom lip, holding back the answer he had in mind: One of them was a war-hungry general and the other a procurer. He knew enough.

"Master Pegasus," a servant before them said. Yugi hadn't noticed him approaching. "Both Lord Otogi and General Dartz are now here and ready to speak to you."

"Very well. I shall receive them."

Yugi helped Pegasus stand up and entered the nearby palanquin with him. Six men lifted it and carried it back to the manor with synchronised steps. Every spot they passed along the way brought back memories: the stables where Pegasus and Cyndia had presented Yugi with his first pony. The hedges and bushes where he had played hide-and-seek with the servant children. The pavilion where Pegasus had been reading a scroll while Cyndia played the harp and Yugi fooled around with a kitten… All the while the sun had been setting behind the walls Yugi had been so eager to leave behind until the day Pegasus had told him he'd have to do just that…

Once they had reached the manor, they made their way into the throne room through a minor entrance. It was a small hall with stone pillars and shiny marble tiles. Like most of Asphaleia, the walls had been painted by Pegasus himself while the flowers in pots and vases came from Cyndia's gardens. Near the back of the room Yugi helped Pegasus climb the three steps to the cushioned rosewood chair. Pegasus sat down and Yugi took a seat on a stool beside him.

"Let them in," Pegasus said to a servant and Yugi gulped. Two other servants opened the main doors across from them and two men entered. Yugi knew in an instant who was the Egyptian noble and who the Atlantean general.

The noble was lean with long, black hair in a loose ponytail and golden earrings. He had a handsome face and Yugi estimated him to be in his early 20s. He walked in a casual way with a cup of wine in one hand that was already half empty. Yugi had heard many of Pegasus' guests say that the Egyptians' greatest talent was enjoying their excessive festivities and this man seemed to fit that prejudice perfectly.

The general had chin-length silvery hair with a blueish shine and seemed to be only a few years younger than Pegasus. He was wearing a metal breastplate, greaves, and an azure cape. Despite being a small island nation, Atlantis was known for conquering many parts of the known world with its superior tactics and weapons. From the general's cold grey eyes and brisk gait Yugi knew that he must have fought many battles.

"Thank you for coming, my friends. Welcome," Pegasus said.

"I should thank you for the invitation. I haven't slept in a proper bed since my father gave me the order to start the invasion. Besides, it's been some time since we've done business in person," the general said.

"That's true. But with my health declining…" Pegasus looked at the Egyptian noble. "And how is your sector doing, Otogi?"

"Tamiat is the same gem it's always been: whores laughing and flirting at every corner. Even though they're not as upbeat as usual since Dartz's unannounced visit to Egypt," Lord Otogi said and both he and General Dartz chuckled.

"My apologies. But since we're still mostly busy with the west side of the delta, Tamiat and its lovely whores should remain unharmed for quite some time."

"I only wish you had cut off the way to the south. Then I wouldn't have had to travel to the capital to deliver the north's taxes to the Pharaoh." Lord Otogi rolled his eyes. "The trip took even longer than usual with how damn low the Nile is these days. Not even my whores could make it less unpleasant."

"I'm sorry to hear that. Your father also always hated having to deliver the north's taxes to Waset if I remember correctly," Pegasus said. Lord Otogi's expression hardened for a moment before returning to a smile.

"True," he said. "Anyway, the Pharaoh didn't look too healthy, which is rather fitting when you consider the state Egypt is in. A Nile that has been low ever since the war with Nubia started in the south and now war in the north with Atlantis as well…"

"Do you think he'll send troops to aid the north?" General Dartz asked.

"No, he's too busy coddling the south. He only seems to care about wars his son has caused. To think that we'll have to call that brat Pharaoh once his father has…" Lord Otogi stopped, then looked at Pegasus. "How insensitive of me. Well, enough of the gossip. You wrote you wanted to talk to us about something important other than business?"

"Indeed," Pegasus said and let a hand run through Yugi's spiky hair. "It's about Yugi."

All three looked at him. Yugi fixed his gaze on his thighs and played with a blond curl of his bangs.

"Is that the boy you and your wife adopted?" Lord Otogi asked.

"It's more complicated than that." Pegasus took a deep breath. "Eighteen years ago my dear Cyndia and I visited a former acquaintance. He was a cold-blooded man – and a slave trader."

Yugi shuddered at the last word. Pegasus and Cyndia had taught him to fear and despise the very idea of slavery ever since he could remember. They had told him all about the violence, the humiliation, the rapes and had always hugged and assured him they'd protect him from such barbarism with their lives.

"One of his slaves was a young woman who became Cyndia's handmaid for the time of our visit," Pegasus continued. "Cyndia learned that the woman had a baby boy. As she and Cyndia grew closer we tried to save her and her child from her owner but there was nothing we could do. Her owner had planned a special path for her, a life even worse than that of other slaves, so full of cruelty and humiliation that…"

Yugi hugged himself. He had heard the story many times before but being reminded of what his mother had had to endure always sent cold shivers down his spine.

"Cyndia and I were forced to leave without saving the poor woman. But before we could reach our ship the woman found Cyndia and begged her to take care of her child, to give him a life free from the torture she had to endure. Her owner was already chasing after her and before Cyndia could offer her help she had already given her child to Cyndia and run off. Her owner found her later that day but by then … she had already killed herself."

The hall was silent. Cyndia had always cried when she had told Yugi what his mother's last words to her had been: "Tell him I love him!" Even though he didn't remember her, Yugi still prayed that his mother was now happy and safe in the afterlife.

"I see," Lord Otogi said, taken aback. "I didn't know…"

"It's fine. Now you understand, we didn't only adopt Yugi. We saved him from a fate that's worse than death. We saved him from slavery." Pegasus once more patted Yugi's hair. "We raised him like our own son and gave him the best home we could. We had him taught in mathematics, history, literature, and more. He's fluent in three languages. And we've kept him safe here in Egypt, one of the few places that doesn't allow something as heinous as slavery." He sighed. "But after my dear Cyndia passed away I've been getting sicker each day. I know I'll join her in the afterlife soon and before that happens I need to make sure that our Yugi is taken care of. That's why I'm asking both of you in the name of our partnership and friendship: please consider taking him in. He's kind and smart and will be no burden."

Both Lord Otogi and General Dartz seemed to be thinking about the request. Lord Otogi came closer until he stood right in front of Yugi. The minty scent of a perfume reached Yugi's nose.

"Could you stand up?" Lord Otogi asked and Yugi obeyed. Lord Otogi circled him, examining him from his pink hair tips to his ankles. "A slender body and a pretty face… Skin brighter than an Egyptian's but a little darker than that of the people of Hellas… And the shape of his eyes, I've never seen that. Where is he originally from?"

"I can't say for sure but according to his mother's owner she and her husband were from far beyond the great mountains," Pegasus said.

"Hmm… Beautiful, educated… Do you also know how to behave yourself in company of guests?"

"Of course, my lord. Master Pegasus and Mistress Cyndia had many visitors over the years and I've enjoyed helping to accommodate them," Yugi said. Lord Otogi stroked his chin.

"These are excellent conditions. I assume we'll yet have to teach you in a few other departments but other than that I see no problem. You can become one of my whores."

Lord Otogi might as well have splashed ice-cold water into his face.

"Your what?!"

"I'm afraid there's been a misunderstanding," Pegasus said, stood up, and placed his hands on Yugi's shoulders. There was a type of severity in his voice he hardly ever showed. "There's no way I'll let my child become a whore. My dear Cyndia and I saved him from slavery and swore that he'd never have anything to do with it!"

Lord Otogi's brows furrowed in confusion.

"Slavery and prostitution are two completely different things. Yugi can have a good life in Tamiat."

"It will only be a good life if he isn't forced into that repulsive business you consider normal!" Pegasus snapped and pulled Yugi closer to himself. Lord Otogi glared at Pegasus, his eyes as green and hard as emeralds, dark shadows underneath them.

"I don't think I'm expecting too much if I want him to be able to supply for himself. He's eighteen, isn't he?"

"He won't be a whore!" Pegasus said but then added in a less hostile tone: "Surely Yugi can entertain your guests without being sold to them."

But Lord Otogi's expression didn't change.

"I doubt any of my guests are willing to pay for a conversation with him. I'll only let him come with me if he's ready to become a whore."

"Then he won't go with you," Pegasus said. Lord Otogi shrugged, took a gulp of wine and returned to his previous spot.

"Suit yourself."

Pegasus turned to General Dartz.

"Dartz, what do you say? I know you have a daughter who is only a few years younger than Yugi. I'm sure they could be like brother and sister."

General Dartz's eyes ran over Yugi's body and a grin flitted across his lips. He put on a friendly face and approached Yugi.

"I can't just leave an old friend in the lurch, can I? When the war with Egypt is over, I can take him with me to Atlantis where he'll be well taken care of."

Pegasus' grip around Yugi's shoulders relaxed.

"Thank you so much. Once I know Yugi is safe, I can die in peace." He looked at Yugi. "Aren't you relieved too?"

Yugi hesitated. The truth was that there was something that didn't feel right about General Dartz to him. Then again, he trusted Pegasus and if he thought General Dartz was the right choice…

"Of course," he said and bowed. "Thank you for your kindness, General."

Over the next days, Yugi didn't spend much time with the guests. He was with them only during meals and in the evening when they played games or Yugi entertained them by reading a story or playing the lute. While Lord Otogi mostly talked to Pegasus, Dartz's attention was on Yugi.

He asked him questions about his favourite food, games, music, and more. Yugi told himself that General Dartz was only trying to get closer to him because he was generous enough to take him in. Yet, Yugi couldn't help but feel uncomfortable about how General Dartz sought his company whenever possible.

Yugi placed the scrolls about Atlantis and the cities of Northern Egypt back in one of the library's wall-high shelves. He took a deep breath of the scents of papyrus and ink that had always soothed him.

Yugi heard steps, turned around, and swallowed. General Dartz was walking towards him. He was wearing a white tunic and playing with a bronze dagger. He twirled it around his fingers so swiftly he must have been practising those little tricks for years.

At the door stood two Atlantean soldiers, smirking as if they knew something Yugi didn't. Something was wrong.

"There you are," General Dartz said and looked around at the many shelves that were filled with scrolls about all kinds of subjects, from fairy tales to shipbuilding to accounts of history. "Your library really is big. For a private one at least."

"Well… Every guest we ever had always brought a couple of scrolls and on the rare occasions Master Pegasus left he always returned with at least a chest full of them."

"And you like to read?"

"Y-Yes," Yugi said. It had been his only way of learning about the world beyond Asphaleia's walls.

"Then I'll make sure to extend my own library soon. I want you to feel comfortable in Atlantis after all."

"Only if it doesn't bother you. Or your daughter or wife," Yugi said and wanted to leave the room but Dartz stepped in front of him. Yugi moved a little backwards, trying to gain as much distance as possible to Dartz and the blade he was spinning around.

"You'll hardly get to see my daughter because I sent her to school in Athens. As for my wife, she can hardly leave her room ever since she gets these violent headaches every day that make her scream like a lunatic."

"I … I'm sorry. That must be awful for her."

"Even more so for me! It's a terrible burden to have a wife who's too sick to fuck and too healthy to die." Dartz laughed but Yugi was paralysed. "Sadly, adultery is punishable by death in Atlantis and we don't even have proper brothels. But luckily, I'll soon have you."

Yugi stared at him.

"E-Excuse me…?"

Dartz stepped closer and brushed Yugi's blond bangs out of his face.

"It's so much work to hide an affair in my position, not to mention finding someone who's willing to risk the penalty. But if I took in the child of my dead friend, no one would suspect anything if I came into his chambers every other evening and…"

General Dartz's chuckle danced down Yugi's spine on icy feet. He opened his mouth.

"N-No…! I'll tell Master Pe-"

Yugi tried to flee but Dartz pushed him against one of the shelves and pressed the bronze blade against his throat.

"And why would you do that? Yugi, the poor man is on the brink of death and he won't be able to find someone else to take care of you. The least you could do for him is assuring him that you'll be happy with me."

Yugi was struggling for breath, his heart pounding against his rib cage.

"N-No…!"

Dartz whistled and the two soldiers closed the door. They joined their general with the same malicious grins on their faces. Was Yugi now experiencing the same terror as an animal that was about to be devoured by its predator?

Dartz stepped back and the soldiers grabbed Yugi's arms.

"Undress him. We already know he has a pretty face so let's see what his body has to offer…"

Dartz let his dagger slide into his belt and sat down on an armchair. He watched as one of the men untied Yugi's belt while the other caressed Yugi's back. They commented on Yugi's dainty shape and expressed their envy of their general. To Yugi, their voices were nothing but an unclear rumble.

This couldn't be happening! Not here, not in Asphaleia, the place that had equalled safety from the cruelty of the world! It had to be a nightmare, it just had to…!

Yugi flinched when he saw his belt drop to the floor. Both soldiers' hands wandered underneath his tunic, ready to pull it up and over his head.

No! No, he couldn't just let them! He pleaded his frozen limbs to move, to let him fight back!

At first, nothing happened. But then – and Yugi had no idea where that bolt of strength came from – Yugi slipped out of the men's grip and slapped the soldier to his left so hard he stumbled and fell, pushing over a potted plant in the process. The other's eyes had widened and Yugi pushed him into one of the shelves before he understood what was going on.

Run! - That was the only word going through Yugi's mind. But the energy left him as quickly as it had come. Yugi's legs were so shaky they were hardly able to support his own weight. Dartz jumped up from his armchair and Yugi wanted to rush towards the door. But after four steps he stumbled and fell right into Dartz's arms.

"My, my, and here I thought you were a good boy. I think you need a good spanking," Dartz whispered and grabbed one of Yugi's butt cheeks so tightly Yugi let out a moan of pain. His hands ran over Yugi's body to the hem of tunic and pulled it up, despite Yugi's attempt to wriggle free.

Tears of desperation came to Yugi's eyes. Dartz's arms were like burning hot chains that wanted to crush Yugi. He pushed and squirmed while also pulling his tunic down over and over. Yet, it moved further up, revealing his thighs and butt, causing one of the soldiers to whistle.

Yugi's hands ran over Dartz's chest and stomach, his mind racing and searching for some way to defend himself – until he felt a metal hilt. The dagger! Yugi pulled it out of Dartz's belt, forced some distance between them and swung the blade at Dartz's face.

Dartz shrieked, released Yugi, and stumbled. Yugi fell backwards on the floor and dropped the dagger. Dartz was groaning as he slowly raised his head. A gash was running from his forehead, over his nose, to the corner of his mouth. He was covered in blood.

He glared at Yugi, his face twisted with so much hate Yugi knew he had just gotten himself into even more trouble.

"You will pay for this once Pegasus is dead, you little…!"

Yugi shot up, hurried towards the door, and ran. He fell over his own feet twice, but he didn't stop. He had to tell Pegasus! He'd never let Dartz have him if…

But when he reached Pegasus' chambers the sound of violent coughing cut through his thoughts. He entered the bedroom and found Pegasus writhing on the mattress, the doctors pinning his wrists down and forcing medicine into his bleeding mouth.

By the time the fit subsided and the doctors let go of him, Yugi had caught his breath. The doctors were putting away blood-soaked towels and reorganised their medicine boxes when Pegasus noticed Yugi at the door frame. He gave Yugi a tired smile and gestured him to come over. Yugi obeyed and sat down on the chair besides the bed, his limbs still tingling with fear.

"You look distressed, Yugi," Pegasus croaked. Yugi chewed on his bottom lip. How weak and fragile he looked, the man who had easily picked Yugi up and carried him on his back as a child.

Dartz had been right with one thing. Pegasus wasn't able to find him another home before he died. If he told him about Dartz's true intentions now, all it would do was cause Pegasus another fit and who knew if he'd even survive that? He may still be alive but Yugi was already on his own.

"I just … heard you from outside and I got scared you were…"

Yugi looked down at his thighs.

"Not yet." Pegasus took Yugi's hand. "How about you read me that story you loved so much as a kid? The one about the prince who reconquers his kingdom with the help of those thieves… What were their names again?"

"Amerys and Taia," Yugi said and he could almost have laughed at himself for remembering that detail in a situation like this. "Of course I'll read it to you."

Yugi stood up and walked to a shelf in the corner, both dizzy and numb. The scroll Yugi needed was right in front of him, yet he pretended to search for it with a shaky hand.

So this was it? The best he could do was let Pegasus die believing his son was safe when in reality Dartz would torture and rape Yugi to get his revenge? He would be at the mercy of someone who saw in him nothing more than an object… Just like his mother… Everything Pegasus and Cyndia had done for him… It had been in vain…

It was as if someone else was moving his body when he reached for the scroll with his favourite childhood story. The tag dangling from it still had the same colour as ten years ago: emerald green.

Just like the eyes of…

The realisation that hit Yugi breathed a shred of hope back into him. There was one last chance for him to avoid a fate worse than death. There was still Lord Otogi.

But Lord Otogi's condition of taking Yugi in had been clear.

Yugi had to suppress the urge to retch at the thought of having to sell his own body. He could have cried in disgust when he pictured holding still while someone touched him like Dartz and his soldiers had earlier. His insides contracted painfully at the imagination of how dirty and used he'd feel after one of his customers was done with him.

Yet, if he had to choose between all that and a man who was hell-bent on tormenting him until he'd wish he could make the same decision as his mother … he knew which was less terrible.

Yugi had no other choice: He had to become a whore.