Hello, everyone. How are you? I hope you are all safe and sound. Are you ready for a new chapter? I'm so glad that I decided to start uploading the chapters after having some of them ready because the newest chapters take a while to be written.

Let me thank some great people. First of all, my dear Demon Lionka. You have no idea how much your comments and reviews cheer me up. Then, I want to thank Julia who messages me after reading every chapter and tells me what she likes and what she thinks will happen next, and Kathy who not only tells me what she likes about each chapter but also creates a new drawing about her favorite part. Finally, I'd like to thank you all for reading this story. Let me remind you that if you message me or leave a review, I'll get back to you as soon as possible.

Now…let's get back to the story.

Chapter 4

When Joey returned to the living room, he found Yuugi and Atem discussing some band whose music was mostly of Egyptian origins. It seemed like they hadn't moved, but Joey noticed that the study's door was ajar and there were cups with coffee on the coffee table.

"Did you show Atem grandpa's study?" he asked carelessly, as he moved closer to the two boys. He placed a reassuring hand on Yuugi's shoulder and smiled at the boy as he rested on the arm of the sofa where both boys were sitting.

"Huh?" Yuugi indignantly replied, not sure what to make of Joey's strange behavior. Seeing the way Joey inclined towards the open door, he understood. "Oh, no. I picked up a CD to show him. Remember the one I got grandpa a copy for his birthday last year? That one. Atem likes the band, too. Ryou has my copy so I borrowed grandpa's." His whole face was illuminated with joy since he couldn't believe he had found one more fan of his favorite band. It wasn't a well-known one but it had a decent fan base.

"Ah, the one you designed the cover for." Joey stated as a matter-of-fact, enjoying a bit too much the way Yuugi turned tomato red. "I bet you didn't tell him that." Suspicious person in the room or not, Joey couldn't pass the opportunity to tease his little brother.

"You are the winner of that competition!" Atem exclaimed, wondrous. His fingertips caressed the cover, depicting a pharaoh's crown and cape hiding ruby red glowing eyes as desert sand covered the rest of the space.

Some time ago, the band had declared that they would use the artwork of a fan for their next cover. Atem had been impressed by the cover, feeling drawn to it. He knew his opinions were biased because of what he had discovered about his heritage and past, but he felt the cover was connected to him. Now, he wondered if he was right. He eyed Yuugi with suspicion. How much did the boy know?

"You didn't take any credits for it. Your name didn't become public. Why?" he asked with a bit more force than he intended. Wanting to soften the blow, he added, "The artwork is striking. I wonder what inspired you to create it."

Yuugi wasn't sure what had triggered Atem, but he didn't mind answering his questions. He talked about a dream of a young pharaoh walking alone under the scorching sun of Egypt. He explained that in his dream, the pharaoh's characteristics were all but a blur but he remembered that when the young man casted away his heavy crown and red cape, his bright red eyes reflected on the gold of the crown. The young boy was so intrigued by the dream that he found himself unable to stop thinking about it. When the competition was announced, he heard the demo that was provided as inspiration and started working on a different piece. But he couldn't stop thinking of the young pharaoh. His hands had a mind of their own and soon he had a draft that was nowhere close to what he had originally planned to design. His mother always told him that an idea will take you wherever it wants so he shouldn't resist it. Therefore, he worked on this new draft and finished it in less than a day.

"He was so into this drawing that we had to force him to take breaks for food and water." Joey commented as he moved and lazily lounged on the other sofa since his previous position wasn't comfortable. He was quite at home, but his eyes were attentive.

Yuugi blushed prettily, and Atem felt the urge to touch his cheeks to see if they were on fire. He quickly checked himself. "Dreams can be quite an inspiration, but this cover is so lively that I feel the eyes following my every movement." Yuugi gave him a wide smile of appreciation. "I thought they were supposed to credit the winner for the artwork."

"Oh, they wanted to. I met the band shortly after and talked with them about this. They wanted to credit me but I wanted to keep my anonymity. It'll probably sound silly, but I think it doesn't matter who created the cover. My drawing was meant for this album. That's all that matters." Yuugi rubbed the back of his neck as he added, "And before you ask, I didn't choose the pseudonym they used. It was all Michael's fault." This time even Yuugi's ears were red.

Atem chuckled, but didn't stay on the subject, seeing how embarrassed Yuugi was. It was impressive that the band's leader had chosen Yuugi's pseudonym, even if it was that one. Not that Yuugi couldn't pass for the little prince. Atem vouched to go back home and re-read the book picturing Yuugi as the prince. It seemed quite fitting.

"I think grandpa used to tell us a story about a pharaoh with crimson eyes." Joey offered, his hand lazily creating circles on the back of the sofa. "Probably that's where inspiration came from. Only he didn't originally have crimson eyes. Do you remember it, Yuugi?"

"I actually do." Yuugi confirmed. "When you first told me your name is Atem, I mentioned the pharaoh Atemu. I guess you were named after him?" He asked Atem even though he already knew the answer. It's not like Atem is a common name. When Atem nodded, Yuugi continued. "They say Atemu was a handsome man with great ideas. He loved his country and he wanted to make sure Egypt would thrive under his reign. It's said that he had grape colored eyes, a rare color. Of course no one cared much because the pharaoh and his heirs were gods incarnated. But people still talked about it and princesses from faraway places gathered in the court to meet the Egyptian prince."

"It sounds like a fairytale." Atem whispered, bitterly. He had heard the story before. He had heard more than the story. However, it wasn't meant to be common knowledge. So, how did Solomon Mutou know it?

"Only it wasn't. Even though Atemu was supposed to be the bright future of Egypt, his name is scratched out of all great documents and when you find some information about him is either about his early years or as an association with the Time of Terror and Darkness. " Yuugi frowned, deeply. "In the archaeological circles his name became a synonym of darkness, even though there are no direct references to this." No, it was more than that. Being a student of archaelogy himself, Yuugi had tried to search information about Atemu and discuss him with his professors. The books came short and the professors didn't think Atemu was worth their time. It was as if all they cared was that he was born, became pharaoh and then…then suddenly someone else was Pharaoh and Atemu was forgotten. "We know that after his father's death, he became pharaoh, and that during his brief reign Egypt first became even richer than before and then was almost destroyed. All information about those events are gone so we only know that Atemu's name was not referred to any texts after his age, as if he disappeared or people wanted to make sure no one knew about him. The last official source we have about him was that of his coronation and that the day he was crowned, his eyes turned from grape colored to crimson red." Yuugi finished his story, deep in thoughts.

He always enjoyed the story of pharaoh Atemu; such a great mystery. However, it never sat well with him. He always felt unsettled thinking of him as evil. Pharaoh Atemu and his crimson eyes often haunted Yuugi's dreams but that wasn't something he had shared with others. He felt a strange yearning for those eyes that he couldn't explain and he didn't want his family and friends to make fun of him.

"Do you believe he was an evil man?" Atem dared to ask, his hands clutching the side of the sofa even harder.

Yuugi wondered why Atem's parents had decided to name him after the pharaoh. Was it because of his crimson eyes? It was an unusual color for sure but due to lack of evidence against the theory Atemu was the bringer of darkness, the name had a bad connotation. Were his parents unaware of it? Not everyone was that versed in ancient stories and myths as their grandfather was. Maybe they had read about the pharaoh with the crimson eyes and had thought it was fitting.

"I don't know." Yuugi carefully said, reaching for one of the cups of coffee he had served when Joey left the room. He needed something to hold to keep himself from fidgeting. He felt like he was slipping to the deep end; the current too strong for him, and yet he resisted with all his strength. He knew most people familiar with the pharaoh believed he had been crazed about power and somehow had almost destroyed Egypt but Yuugi's heart couldn't accept it. Still, the fact his gut told him Atemu couldn't be evil wasn't an acceptable answer, so he used his logic. "I think the information we have about him isn't enough to fully judge him. My gut feeling tells me there is more to the story but someone went through a great trouble of making sure we'll never find out. Such careful secretion can only be deliberate."

Atem felt Yuugi was hedging his opinion to the best of his abilities. Of course no one could know exactly what had happened but secretly the older boy wished Yuugi would clearly tell him Atemu couldn't be evil. He knew it wouldn't change anything but desperately he needed someone to tell him that.

But Yuugi wasn't done. His voice grew stronger and more serious. "There is one thing I can say with certainty, though. If Atemu was evil reincarnated, the bringer of darkness, the Gods would have been angry at him, really angry." His amethyst eyes found Atem's crimson ones and held them. "Do you know what the worst punishment for a man, even worse a pharaoh, who has angered the Gods is? Do you know the punishment for this blasphemy?"

Atem caught Yuugi's line of thoughts. In a hoarse voice, he replied, "His name is erased and forgotten, never mentioned anywhere ever again."

A soft smile appeared on his face and Yuugi thought it suited him so much better than that guarded expression he had all morning. It transformed him so much that the young boy felt it was like when the sun came out of the clouds after a particularly cloudy day.

"So, since we know Atemu's name, since we have proof he existed as well as of his early years up until his coronation, we know whatever he did or happened to him couldn't have been as bad as what people think." Yuugi concluded, unintentionally leaning a bit closer to Atem as if he wanted to show his support to him, even though he didn't know what really bothered the other boy.

"It still makes an interesting story."

Yuugi had forgotten Joey was still in the room until his brother spoke. He had been so into the story of the pharaoh and his own need to reassure Atem. He quickly pulled back, hoping Joey hadn't noticed how close to the other boy he had been. But Joey had his own agenda and his attention was mostly focused on Atem.

"I bet it's not the first time you've heard this story, right?" Joey directed his question to their guest.

The clouds hid the sun once more and Atem's mask was up again. "I've heard a slightly different version of this story but more or less it's what Yuugi said."

Atem cursed himself for letting his guard down. He was there for information and even though Yuugi proved an excellent companion with an uncanny ability to say the right thing to help him feel welcomed and relaxed, he wasn't there for the company. Even worse, Yuugi's brother wasn't to be ignored. No, Atem shouldn't forget himself again. So he innocently laid his trap and let his victims fall in it.

It was clear that Yuugi's family knew things most people didn't. Information about Atemu was still available if you knew what to look for but most people wouldn't remember the pharaoh. They would simply skip his reign or think of his story as a fairytale. No one cared much about what happened or could tell you much about Atemu.

"What else did you hear about the pharaoh?" Yuugi asked with interest, his eyes sparkling with curiosity, oblivious to the fact he had played himself into Atem's trap.

The older boy took a sip of his coffee, enjoying its bitterness. It was good coffee. Certainly better than the coffee he usually had in the mornings. "Nothing really important or life-changing." He slowly said, taking his time while weighting his audience. Such a lie. He knew so much about Atemu and his reign but he also knew the story Yuugi and Joey had heard. "Unimportant facts like…did you know that it wasn't just princesses who visited the young prince. There were some princes, too."

Joey's eyes narrowed hearing Atem's comment. He quickly managed to school his expression but Atem was looking for a reaction so he didn't miss it. Yuugi's expression hadn't changed. He was still curious, thinking of the new information wondering how that fit the puzzle pharaoh Atemu was. His relaxed stance and sparkling joyous eyes confirmed what the older tricolor haired boy had come to suspect. Yuugi didn't know anything, but his brother was an entirely different story.

"He was the only heir to the throne. Of course some princes would want to check the competition." Joey covered up his slip up. "Especially if he got all the princesses." His smile was teasing, but too tight to be real.

"I'm sure that's it." Atem complied, all too easily, dropping the subject. His smile was as fake as Joey's but it appeared more natural. Smiling in such a fake way and yet looking like he meant it was part of his job. Casually, he checked his watch. "I don't wish to be rude, especially after you both have been so hospitable towards me, but I think I should return home." He hadn't managed to enter the study but he had gathered enough from talking to the two boys and being in that house to go back home and talk to his roommates.

Yuugi immediately shot up as if he was hit by electricity. Atem probably wanted to rest. He had said he was working before they met and he had been so exhausted. Probably the caffeine and the food had given him a jolt of energy but exhaustion finally was catching up with him. "We'll drive you home." He offered, already fishing for his things. Before Atem could protest, he checked his watch and added, "You probably don't even know where we are and the next bus to the center will be here in about an hour."

Atem didn't protest. He needed to get back home as soon as possible. Hopefully, he could catch some sleep before having to work again that night. He gathered his things and followed the other two boys out. As Joey went to get the car, the crimson eyed boy thanked Yuugi for having him over and asked if he could have his number. Yuugi looked surprised but also pleased, a soft blush appearing on his cheeks. He told Atem his number and the other boy saved it on his phone. Yuugi resisted the urge to ask him if he would call him. He didn't want to sound desperate, but he knew well enough that he wanted to see Atem again.

"So, where should we take you?" Joey required an address when they entered the car.

"Would you mind dropping me at the center, by the mall?" Atem politely asked, knowing that no matter how much Joey wanted to find out where he lived, he had no good reason to demand to know. "I've promised one of my roommates to pick up something for him from there."

Atem could easily walk from the mall all the way to his place. He didn't think that even if Joey knew where he lived, it would make a difference but he didn't want him to know anyway. And he didn't want Yuugi to see the neighborhood where he lived in. His world was such a stark contrast to Yuugi's and Atem couldn't imagine Yuugi walking the dirty streets of his place or meeting any of his neighbors.

The drive to the center was mostly silent, each boy lost in his thoughts. When Joey stopped the car, Atem found himself reluctant to leave. His eyes sought those of Yuugi and he was pleasantly surprised to find out the boy was already looking at him. He leaned closer to Yuugi, his amethyst eyes having captured his attention once more. And suddenly, it wasn't Yuugi sitting by his side, not exactly. In his place was a boy who looked so much like Yuugi but was dressed in a creamy-colored clothe that was something between a dress and a cloak; draped and flee-flowing secured with a beautiful crimson gold pin. His face was covered by a silk purple veil but his eyes were so bright that they could have been the only two stars in a dark sky.

A car's horn broke the illusion and Atem pulled back, as if he was bitten. Without a word, he opened the door and left the car and its passengers almost tripping on his way out. Yuugi tried to reach for him, but he didn't get a chance. Immediately, Joey started the car since he couldn't stay on that spot any longer; the driver behind him was quite impatient. Yuugi stole a last glance at Atem but the boy was nowhere to be seen. The young boy fell back to his seat and closed his eyes.

What had just happened? Atem had come so close to him that Yuugi could feel his breath on him. He had looked at him as if he wanted to tell him something and then… then he acted like he had seen a ghost. Even more unusual, Yuugi could swear that Atem's eyes had sparkled with a strange light and something had shifted in them. He'd also thought that the car was suddenly way too hot and it shook but Joey didn't seem to notice so he dismissed it as a fragment of his imagination. But what had made Atem run? He hadn't even said bye and that seemed unlike the polite man who had asked for his number.

Abruptly, Yuugi felt really tired. His eyes started closing and before he knew what was happening, everything went blank. However, even though everything around him was dark, he could still feel the motion of the car. He opened his mouth to say something but no voice came. As he started panicking, he felt himself sinking in a state much like the one when you are between a dream and reality, just before you wake up.

He swore his eyes were still shut, yet he could see the glowing sand much like the one he had drawn for the album's cover. Everything around seemed glossy as he took in a small lake in the middle of the desert. However, that wasn't the most surprising fact. Sitting by the water, looking at him with an adoring expression was a young man that looked so much like Atem but was dressed in ancient Egyptian attire. It was obvious the young man was rich since his wrap-round skirt was very fine and almost see-through. His arms were full of golden bracelets that reflected the sun's light. Yuugi felt dizzy just by looking at them and before he knew it he was back in the car feeling as if he had run a mile.

"Did you have a good nap?" Joey joked, but when he noticed how pale Yuugi was, he turned to check on his brother. "Yug', are you alright?"

Yuugi looked around, his hand shaking as he tried to push a sweaty blonde bang away from his eyes. He noticed that they were back to their place. He took a shaky breath and nodded. "I think I may be more tired than I noticed. Those long hours of revising may have caught up with him." He didn't want to worry Joey and he definitely couldn't explain what he had just experienced.

As Joey helped him out of the car and back in their house, Yuugi couldn't help but feel sad. His heart yearned for the look the strange man who looked like Atem gave him. He shook his head to clear it of any such thoughts and followed Joey's instructions to get some decent hours of sleep. Soon, he was asleep.

So, here it is. The first big piece of the puzzle this story is going to be. There are so many hints in this chapter about what will happen next that it's unreal. I won't say any more. I'll let you discover everything on your own. As always, feel free to tell me what you think about this chapter.