A/N: This is it! We've reached the finale of A whole new world and let me say it has been a whole lot of fun writing for you all. This fic has been my longest one. We've had our laughs and cries, we've been scared and on the edge of our seat but most of all we've enjoyed the ride together.
I'm experimenting with another fic atm called Crossing the Veil if you want to check that out. I'm tossing between 1st and 3rd person perspective. As for other projects I currently am also working on a new Egyptian AU one featuring of course our boys.

I want to thank all of you for staying with me even throughout the droughts and I hope to see you over in my other fics too. Lookout for any random updates onto this fic in the future as in my spare time I do intend to draw this fic as a comic and I will update this to let you know where.
Thanks again everyone and I hope you enjoy!

Final

Yugi's POV

I wake to a beautifully lit room. Its white walls invite the happiest feelings of sunlight and the soft aroma of lavender makes me feel calm and clear. It's another beautiful day I'm graced with and the best part is I get to spend it with Atem.

I stretch long and wide, feeling my muscles protest and my joints ache. Thats weird I'll admit. I must have slept heavier than I felt. It feels like I've been in this bed for days but I remember spending long beautiful days with our friends. Moving around will help but first… where's Atem?

I feel for him first but I find nothing but the edge of the bed, so I try the other side only to find the same thing. Weird. I remember sleeping in a big King sized bed. Rubbing the sleep from my eyes I take a clearer look at her room only to find my memory must have been dreams. The room is still beautifully lit but this isn't the big open beach lodge I thought I was staying in. This is a hospital room. Albeit fancier than I recall. Bamboo panelling decorate one of the walls and white gossamer curtains hang from the window. A large pot plant adds some green to this stunningly white room and the furniture looks almost homely. Save for the machines beside my bed keep track of my vitals this almost looks like a rehabilitation room or a bed and breakfast. Why am I here? And where is here?

Wait whats the last thing I remember?

I remember swimming in the ocean with Atem but the more I think about it the more I feel that didn't happen. Which means everything I remember about that holiday must have been a dream. So…

I think I remember Kaiba's mansion. We raided Bakura… then we rested. Then he attacked, and we were in trouble. Bakura! What happened? Is everyone okay? Atem! Where is Atem!?

I swing my legs off the bed but they feel weak and scrawny. How long have I been in this bed that I feel this unused to moving?

It doesn't matter. I need to find someone to help me.

Just as I'm about to push myself off though the door opens and my heart somersaults with a mountain of relief I almost forget how to breathe.

"...yeah. If he doesn't wake today I'll be …" Atem… my dearest Agem trails off as he sees me. Tea is with him and both of them are so shocked to see me they drop whatever drink they were holding.

"Yugi…" Tea whispers. I'm so happy to see them! They're okay! Unless this is a dream too. Is this real? I dont know. Please let it be real.

"H-hi guys." I squeak. My voice feels strange, like I haven't used it in ages but that can't be right.

In a single moment Atem rushes to my side, climbing onto my bed with no care whatever about hurting me and nestles into me tightly. I can feel him shaking but only after do I touch his hair do I hear him sobbing. Why is he crying? How long was I asleep for?

"Its good to see you awake, Yugi. I'll bring everyone else here. I'll be right back." Tea says in a rush to leave.

So… now I'm with a crying Pharaoh who's sobs are only getting louder and his gripping hands are tugging at my clothes. He's saying something but I can't quite make out whether it's English or Egyptian. I need to calm him down. It hurts to see him like this.

"Hey, hey hey. Temmy. Its okay. Its alright. Breathe, love. Breathe. Its okay." I say gently to him. Slowly he tries to calm down, adjusting so its easier for him and he's no longer squishing me. Good, he's in a position now I can lift his head to look at me. Tears are staining his cheeks. His eyes are already red and puffy. There's such a wild mix of emotions swirling within its like he's struggling to pick one to stick with.

"Why are you crying?" I ask him gently but like I turned the flood gate he starts again, this time though he latches onto my neck, wrapping his arms around me and crying into my shoulder. Maybe its best I let him. Ckearly whatever has him so upset has been bothering him a while. I am worried though. Where is everyone else? What happened to Bakura? Where are we? He can't answer me right now. I should just try to soothe him for now. So I rub his back and rest my head against his. He smells so nice. It feels like it's been forever since I smelled this scent.

His crying is getting to me. I feel my own tears forming because it hurts to bare it. He's always so strong and he seemed okay before when he was talking to Tea, but the moment he saw me its like his entire being just shattered. I'm not too sure why but I feel like I've been asleep for longer than I feel I have and maybe that is why he's so upset. I worried him, right?

"Hey. It's okay. I'm here. Everythings alright. I'm sorry for worrying you but I'm her now and we're together. Everythings okay, Ife." I say in a gentle tone, hushing him like a doting parent. I want him to feel safe. I want his pain to stop.

His crying turns into pained laughter. He's still crying but it's kind of both. I am so confused.

He pulls back from me to look me in the eyes. His hands are trembling but they clamor to touch me. His fingers brush my cheeks softly like he's afraid of hurting me. He looks me over, taking me in for everything I am like it's the first time he's ever seen me. He seems lost for words and while his breathing is still rattled and sharp with quiet little sobs, the smile he wears is one worn by someone who's been blessed. He looks so relieved and yet afraid. It's a very deep fear I can't quite place. I'm worried. What exactly happened that has him so rattled?

"Atem?"

"You're back…" He whispers, more to himself though. He takes a hold of my face, gazing deeply into my eyes and pushing the bangs from my face. He's really getting a good look at me, as if I've been missing for ages but… it wasn't that long since we were together, right?

"Atem you're scaring me." My voice wavers and the smile he adopts is one I can trust. He laughs once and quickly wipes his tears away, as if I haven't seen them.

"I'm sorry. It's just, I've missed you so much. I … I've been waiting. I didn't expect you to wake up today." He says with a fresh attempt at sounding stronger than he is. That's sweet but concerning. How long have I been out for?

"How long has it been?" I ask, nervously.

He chews his lips, as if considering his answer before he nods. He must have decided something.

"3 weeks. Tomorrow it would have been 3 weeks."

3 … weeks.

My skin chills. I feel like everything I know is a lie. I remember facing Bakura at the mansion but could 3 whole weeks really have passed? 3 actual weeks?!

"Yugi?" His voice echoes in my mind but I just … can wrap my head around the fact it is been almost a month. What has he been doing all this time? Where did Bakura go? Where am I? Am I okay? Is everyone else? What's been happening since then?

"Yugi…?"

"S-sorry. Just… comprehending… how long it's been. It's… really been 3 weeks?"

"It has. I've been here everyday waiting for you to wake up. I've missed you so much and I never stopped praying. Yugi… I can't tell you how happy I am to see you awake. I feel like I'm dreaming." He says, his voice getting thicker with every word as his body fights the urge to cry again. His thumb caresses my cheek. I lean into the heat of his palm, enjoying how soft the pads of his fingers are. It might not have been long for me but for my body it feels like an eternity. My heart is fluttering like crazy.

"Tell me about it. I'm so confused and I have so many questions but I am very happy you're here. I know you're safe now." I say happily.

"I will answer all your questions but first, Yugi… kiss me." He says, not even waiting for an answer or for me to prepare. He slides his lips over mine in a deep, open mouthed kiss, holding my head to his with both his hands. I feel my mind melting and my body spinning. My heart clenches with so much adrenaline and then floats down to bow to him. I'm in heaven. I died and went to heaven. That's what happened. That's the only explanation.

No…

This is real.

I'm awake and he is safe and he is kissing me and everything feels right. This is so real!

Excitement takes a firm hold of me and I push into him, tasting and licking and exploring his mouth as my hands search for anything it can to grab at him. He laughs into the kiss as I drag him down on top of me and never let him go. Whatever is happening no longer matters for all of it pales in comparison to this feeling. I am in pure bliss and soaring the highest heights. There is no greater feeling than this I am sure of it. He is absolutely everything to me and all of him is right here, in my arms, with me. This fire igniting from his kisses burn under my skin like the sun. This invigoration makes me feel just how alive we are. My body has yearned for this more than I realised and somewhere inside I feel the absence of time between us. His desperation is livid proof of how long he's waited and I am only too happy to sate this need of his.

Soon… something that began as impatient need to feel touched again becomes something somewhat deeper. The fire that began as reigniting the spark of flames has become a blue ember so hot it can only lead to being scorched. My body is tender to every touch and only too eager to encourage more. Wordlessly and without permission I seek more of him against me. My hips roll into his, his hands grip them tightly. We're at each others mercy, clumsily letting our bodies guide us with nevermind to anything else. There is nothing else. Just him and me and this intense burn.

"Hey guys! I called -"

In an instant we rip apart from one another at the sound of her voice entering the room. He nearly falls off the bed but he saves himself the embarrassment by rolling off with class. I am as red as I feel and neither he or she is much better. Still… probably a good thing she interrupted or who knows how far we'd have gone just now.

"I'm sorry. Umm. I should have knocked." She's understandably flustered and I feel so guilty. I should have more control than that. Last time we were naughty in hospital I got kicked out.

"No it's okay. Sorry you had to see that." I say shyly and hiding behind my knees. Holding them to my chest was a sure way of making myself appear as small as possible but it also hid the proof of how hot I was burning for him. I suppose it'll go down but what I wouldn't do for a private bedroom with him right now.

He stands beside me, close to the bed and leaning heavily on his elbows beside me, a shy red grimace upon his face. I assume he's bending over to avoid showing her the tightness of his jeans too.

"I… probably should have known better to leave you two alone straight away. Anyway, I called everyone and they're heading over to see you Yugi. I also told a nurse and she's going to try contact your doctor." Tea says kindly. She's still nervous, but this isn't a surprise. This is a very awkward situation now. But at least I can work with this.

"Atem was telling me I've been asleep for a while. Ummm… can I ask what exactly happened?" I ask, hoping that will help alleviate the tension.

"Whats the last thing you remember?" Atem asks me softly. Tea comes over to stand on my other side. I smile at her, admiring how pretty she looks today. She's done something with her hair… I can't quite tell what though. Haircut maybe? It looks neater… not that she doesn't always have it neat but sort of fresher? Maybe it's just been a while since I've seen her. Regardless she looks happier… but again maybe thats because it's been a while. She leans over and gives me a long, firm hug; one I can feel she's needed for a long time. This is so nice. I feel bad for not missing them as badly as they missed me but in my mind it hasn't been long at all.

"We missed you so much." She says quietly. I missed you too, thank you, I'm okay… all of these didn't feel right to say back to her. I'm sure had I felt like it had been 3 weeks I would have missed them too. Thank you seems cold and arrogant and I'm okay dismisses their feelings. But I can't remain silent so as she pulls from me I smile and say the first thing that comes to mind.

"I'm sorry I worried you all." That's good. Yeah. She smiles sadly but shakes her head no to assure me it is fine. I'm sure I'm going to find out just how not fine it is though. "I remember bits and pieces of Kaiba's mansion. I remember Bakura but I don't remember what became of him. I remember he was angry and destroying things. He … threw me around a bit. I was hurt… pretty badly. After that it's all fragmented. I remember you were there." I said, looking at Atem who's waiting patiently for a chance to jump in. "And Marik… he was using the Rod. I remember … a beach but … that doesn't make any sense. We were fighting Marik and now I'm in hospital. If anything terrible happened I don't think it happened at the beach so maybe I dreamed that part." I said, frowning at my knees in thought. The more I think about it the more that seems likely.

"There was no beach so I'd say yeah." Tea says lightly.

"Bakura ended up hurting you to the point the Millennium Shield broke. Do you remember that?" Atem asks me patiently. The shield broke? … ! Oh! I think I do remember that.

"Yeah… it hurt. I didn't know the shield could break but he threw me and everything became very trippy after that. The world sort of shifted from the backyard to the beach. It was nice. I wasn't in any pain and you were there but… you were crying. The beach was nice and I asked you to stay with me but you seemed really upset."

He looks very distressed now. His lips are trembling and his eyes are wide but he looks like he's hanging by a thread to keep himself calm. I understand why though. The more I describe it the more it makes sense: we weren't at a beach. I was in so much pain and I was at my absolute limit. The Millennium Puzzle is connected to my mind and the shield broke, which means in that moment it must have shattered my mind; I was dying. In that moment there I was dying and that beach is what I saw awaited me if I did. That was heaven. A beautiful paradise for eternity with him and my friends: is my heaven. If it wasn't for the vision that followed I might not have turned away from it. The vision of what could be. Was it real? Was it a premonition like what the Necklace can provide? I don't know but it was enough to bring me back. It was enough to help me turn down the prospect of eternal peace and experience the pain for the sake of fighting for that future.

I remember now… I came back. The power of the Puzzle was open to me and I took it all. The pain lasted for only a moment because after that every moment in time lasted an eternity. I could see everything but my sights were set purely on Bakura… or the soul I knew belonged to that name.

"Yugi?" Atem asks me. He sounds nervous but he doesn't need to be. I give him a warm, reassuring smile and he almost immediately calms down.

"I remember. I remember the fight with Bakura and how it went. I remember almost dying and you were right there with me. I remember harnessing the Puzzle's power and challenging Bakura. I remember the game we played and sending him to rest. I remember you asking me to come back to you. But I don't remember what happened when I let that power go. I remember the dreams I had while asleep here, but I know now they were only dreams. To me it feels like it might have only been a day or two at most… 3 whole weeks is a lot to catch up on though." I say. I can see them visibly relax with that response. I can see the questions forming but I think they understand enough to not stress about it. Afterall, they've had 3 weeks to adjust to the idea that I almost died; it's not so surprising I would have experienced something of an afterlife or near death experience.

"When you let it go, Mokuba took us to this clinic. They have the best doctors in the world according to them but there wasn't much that could be done for you other than monitor you. They did scans, they did tests, all of them came back as if you were healthy. All we could do was wait." Atem says, a little sadly. With no indication of what was wrong I can imagine his anxiety. No direction also means no way to estimate how long I'd be asleep for.

"They did find suggestions of your injuries though, before the Puzzle healed your wounds. It seems even with the healing of a Millennium Item not even they can completely fix a bone flawlessly." Tea says. That's interesting. What did I break?

"Oh?"

"According to their findings you had 3 broken ribs and a fracture in your skull. All healed completely but injuries like that are rarely seamless. We believe the Puzzle healed them because you did not have these indications before." Atem says with a small shrug.

"That does explain why it was so hard to move and fight back."

"Yes. If I wasn't so fixed on trying to get to you and protect you I'd have destroyed him with everything I had. The way he hurt you is unforgivable and I pray now the Gods grant him what he deserves." He says, with such deep anger it's almost unsettling. I touch his hand and it seems to evaporate, replaced with a dash of confusion before bashful shyness.

"He lost our game and is now in the Gods' charge. We no longer have to suffer his burdens." It felt strange saying the words and the looks they're both giving me makes me feel weird too so I laugh it off awkwardly. "Thats what they said to me anyway."

"They?"

"The… the gods did. I challenged Bakura to a game. It was simple, one that didn't require anything of us. They stripped him of his every burden and weighed what was left and declared that he lost. I don't really understand the game but I was told that to put the good of him to rest I will need to help them. I know what I have to do but for now… 3 weeks have passed. What's been going on here since?" I ask them. My task now isn't a big one. It might prove challenging with the logistics but technically speaking it is simple. It just may take some time… and a lot of saving. It can wait.

"Oh boy. 3 weeks. Okay, strap in." Tea laughs.

3 weeks.

You'd think a lot would happen in 3 weeks. Well, you'd be right. While I was asleep everyone else was busy cleaning up after Bakura's attack.

Kaiba obviously had no issues paying for repairs on his mansion and postponing the duel between him and me.

The Ishtars returned home but not before paying for Bakura's cremation and assisting with repayments to fixing our home. Apparently though they did this greatly with Atems help. They could have paid for it themselves of course but Grandpa wouldn't accept the offer, so Atem stepped in and with their help donated his royal attire along with some of his personal things from his tomb to the Egyptian Museum of antiquities. This gave him a hefty sum and without permission he paid for the repairs and replacement of our things with a bit left over. He also had his duel with Kaiba and beat him, winning himself the identity documents he needs to travel, apply for work, get medical treatment… anything he likes. He's officially a citizen of the 21st century under the name Atem Sennen, a 17 year old Egyptian citizen staying in Japan under a permanent Visa.

Ryou and Tea are still dating. They're moving casually but aren't quite fully serious yet. Still, Tea has a certain glow about her and Ryou has never been happier. Furthering that they're exams from what I hear are going well. They're still getting their results back but so far Tea's eligible for an overseas scholarship as is Ryou. Joey and Tristan has done as well as expected but they're futures are looking bright: Tristan's applying for courses to help take over his fathers garage after school and Joey is determined to take the world by storm with his dueling. My exams of course have been put on hold and postponed until I'm well out of hospital but I have something I want to do first.

As for the city itself repairs are going quickly and buildings are being rebuilt. There was a city wide mass funeral for those that were lost. Curiously everyone seems to accept natural disasters as the explanation for what happened. Its kind of like mass denial or something. I'm not sure but we're not complaining. It means life as we knew it can continue on.

Aside from that, Atem spent almost every day by my side and life just seemed to go on normally.

Which brings us to today. I've been discharged from the hospital but I'm not going home. Not yet anyway. I mentioned earlier about having something I wanted to do; so before I go home I'm taking a slight detour with Atem.

"You sure you'll be okay?" Tea asks us. She's been worried since we told them what we're doing.

"Yeah, Tea. We'll be back in a few days. I promise." I say happily.

"I wish we could go with ya man. But plane tickets aren't exactly cheap." Joey says sheepishly.

"I did offer to pay your share." Atem chuckles.

"And be in debt to a Pharaoh? Nah thanks man." Joey snickers.

"Well we'll look after the fort til ya get back." Tristan gives us a thumbs up and a wink. I know they will. Knowing they're here looking after everything I have no worries at all. Grandpa will be fine and its only a few days.

"Thanks guys."

"We should go soon if we want to make good time." Atem says to me kindly.

"Right. Well we'll stay in touch and call ya when we're coming home." I say happily.

"Be careful guys."

"See ya soon buddy."

"Dont forget to have fun."

"Have you got everything?" Ryou asks.

I double check the dufflebag by my feet and feel for the golden items inside, happy to feel each of the items I should have: the Scales, Eye, Rod and lastly the Ring. I also feel the sealed box containing Bakura's ashes. We're all set. In my backpack is our travel information and money and the suitcase Atem has insisted on looking after has our clothes.

"We're good to go." I say cheerfully.

Atem brings up a portal beside us with ease and with one more wave goodbye we step on through.

He's gotten quite skilled at traversing the ways now and we find our destination almost immediately. The weather change was intense. We left a winter night in Japan only to walk out into a bright summer day in Egypt.

I knew it'd be hot but oh my god! The horizon is dancing, even in the shade of this building its still sweltering. I'm glad I took Atems advice and dressed for hot weather. Shorts isn't something I normally wear even in our summers but I am so glad I am.

"Wow…" Atem breathes.

"Yeah, good call on the choice of clothes. Its hot as hell here." I laugh but when he doesn't I look at him to see him standing with his head in the air, eyes closed and a look a pure delight on his face. He's in his element here. Its actually really cute. He got his body back towards the end of autumn and I've really only seen him in winter. Not to mention the smells of Africa, the heat of the wind and brightness of the sun … he's at home here.

"Look at you." I coo cheekily. He laughs now and with a wink in my direction he takes my hand and runs me into the sun. While he runs out into the wide open courtyard of Cairo, spinning in the sun with his arms outstretched I stand by and watch. He's like a kid in a candy store. It's absolutely adorable. And that laugh too. It's so endearing. I'm glad we came here. He looks so happy and free.

While he frollicks around I take my time to admire the scenery too. I've never been to Egypt but its so different to how I thought it'd be. I expected sandy roads and open bazaars. Camels everywhere and bartering merchants. I expected people walking around in packs and white buildings with square glass less windows. I was definitely not expecting carved roads and large pavements, modern cars and shops. Tall palm trees and modern electricity poles. Call me racist or old fashioned but this is pleasantly surprising. Aside from the heat and Arabic writings this wasn't much different to any other modern city. Of course Domino had its advantages and certain progression but Cairo is beautiful. I could spend months here admiring its secrets.

"Yugi… look." Atem calls to me suddenly and runs off across the road without a care for anything. He was supposed to look after the suitcase but I guess I'll lug it behind me too as I try to chase after him. I know he's excited but come on.

I find him by a railing overlooking an open part of the city but what caught his attention was the desert across a massive river. And in that desert were the Pyramids. They're huge… ginomous even… and we're so far away too. I knew they were big but how big are they up close? Its… stunning! I'm speechless. I want to go touch them. I wonder if there's any tours going. We should check it out. They're amazing!

"I used to swim in that river when I was Prince. Mana and I would feed the young crocodiles and Mahaad would get so mad with us." He says reminiscently. I look at him and see that of all the tourists here gazing upon the Great Pyramid, taking selfies and the like, he's gazing fondly at the river. It is beautiful. Its waters look clean and sparkle in the sun. The green around it is so vibrant and lively. But compared to the Pyramids? I guess he has a more sentimental connection the river.

"Do you think we can go down to it?" I ask him.

"I think we can take a river cruise so yes I'd say so." He says brightly. His smile is lovelier than love. I knew he'd be happy here, i just didn't expect this. It's just like when he got his body back for the first time. He even liked the way hot water felt. I will never get over his sense of wonder and the unique way he looks at things.

"Before we do anything we should check in and drop off our luggage. The Ishtars said they'd meet us at the hotel." I say as I check my phone for any messages.

"You're right. I'm getting distracted. The hotel should be… oh my Ra!"

I look at him quizzically before following his gaze towards what looks like a tourist stand. He races over and again I'm trailing after him. He's already looking at several pamphlets with great interest, reading out several things to me as if I understand what these words are. And he's normally telling me to stay focused. Ah well. We're not in that big of a rush and he's too cute to disturb. This was his home after all, its natural for him to be this stimulated.

…

We end up finding our hotel a few hours later. Of course the Ishtars were waiting but I had kept them informed of everything that distracted my little Pharaoh. We're weren't even checked in and he had already purchased several souvenirs for everyone back home. By the time we were finly ready to leave with Ishizu, Marik and Odion it was well after lunch time and nearing sundown. Thankfully with their influence travel wasn't an issue and once we were out of the city by car, Atem wasn't one either.

We have several hours by car to travel and during the whole trip Atem told us countless stories. Some I had heard before but many were new even to me. He spoke everything. Even small memories most would deem unimportant like the time he bathed his feet in the Nile, or the time he once rode his young mare along the river with Seto as young teens, before he was King. Every word he spoke was precious and connected to a very precious memory. I absorbed all of it and loved every second. The face he wore when he speaks of his history is divine and I want to nurture this spirit of his.

The sun sets on Egypt and we are well into the desert now following a dry road to a town that doesn't exist anymore. Its now the night is setting in I can feel my skin is hot still. I did put on plenty of sunscreen before we even left Japan but it seems it might not have been enough. I've almost finished my second bottle of water but I'm still thirsty. Atem on the other hand seems unaffected. He finished his first bottle but I think he drank it more because of how much he was talking. Well, its night time now and when we get back I packed cream for this situation. I'll just have him massage it into me later… among other things.

Kul Elna is a deserted ruin nestled in a crescent of dry mountains and large sand dunes. There is no water access and no vegetation. Few wildlife can be found here and the moonless night meant in a few hours it would be hard to see. But here is where the Gods need me, as well as several hundred people who have been waiting for this for too long.

It has been 5000 years since anyone lived here and now… it is time those that did rest in peace.

"Yugi… are you sure about this?" Ishizu asks me. If she's asking if I'm sure I know what I'm doing then the answer is no. I'm just following the path laid out to me… but if she's asking if I'm sure of why I'm doing this then yes. I have a promise to fulfil and it is about time the people here have their burdens lifted.

"Yes. I'm sure." I say strongly. She looks uncertain but she smiles all the same and unclasps the Millennium Neclace to hand to me. Now, with all 7 Millennium Items, they can finally rest.

Together Atem and I walk towards the center of town. With Necklace in hand it shows me faint visions of what Kul Elna looked like in the past. They don't last long; they're mere flashes in the blink of an eye but its enough to know where things were and most importantly where exactly the spot was where the ritual took place. I stop at what once was the centre of town. Nowadays it's no different to any patch of road but here is where the magic was performed. Here is where the Items were born.

"Here?" Atem asks.

I am grateful for this moment. Atem lived through many horrors in his time but this was one he didn't witness. Thanks to the Necklace I am both here and there watching but he is spared this.

"Here."

"What do we do?" He asks curiously.

"I need the Key." I say patiently. He seems surprised but he obediently slips it off and hands it to me. Kneeling down I gather the remaining items from the duffel bag and carefully arrange them in the sand. Mine is last to join them and finally Bakura's ashes. I sit him in my lap, close my eyes and reach for the Hods to hear me. Nothing happens at first and I sense Atems confusion but after a moment the wind picks up. It's natural to anyone else but I feel their warmth on it, caressing us all in their wisdom and power. The Gods of this country are seen as dead or forgotten but the reality is they've never left. Much like us they have evolved. They take much more abstract forms that we are ignorant to, but their love remains if we just allow ourselves to feel it.

With their whispering touches I open Bakuras urn and allow the wind to carries his ashes with it. The sand buries the Items only once the wind has moved on the earth no longer hides them. They're not there to be hidden. With the wind and sand they are as forgotten as the Gods themselves and with them now safely in their charge, all of those souls can now rest.

Its over. Millennium Items. Shadow Games. 5000 year old vendettas. With a single sigh of the wind its over. All of it. And now… as I look upon the man who once ruled this land, the only remaining remnant of a time wrought with magic, I feel my new life beginning.

He smiles at me and offers me his hand … which reminds me of something. I had forgotten but it is part of why I am still here now. The future I fought for and the future I came back for. I remember a vision of Atem and I standing in the sunset of Egypt… the Nile and the Pyramids can be seen from our rooms and he glows in Ra's holy light. He tells me that he is going to ask me a question and in three years he will ask me the same question. When I ask him what it is, he smiles, not unlike the one he's giving me now and he asks:

"Will you marry me?"

I dont know what the future for us holds, but what I do know is that with those for words, my future is him.