Note: ~Thought speaking~

I originally had used less then and greater then symbols but doesn't seem to like those. Also I wanted to change the twins names to something Egyptian but I couldn't find anything fitting. Perhaps at a later date I will but until then bare with me. Sorry for the Japanese names :(

Ancient Past - Chapter 2

The Cold Dark Void

Atem followed the guard, his mind wondering. As he walked he let his fingers glide over the carved stone walls that held stories of the past. He was mainly thinking about the girl he had just shared his first kiss with. He noticed that every time he thought about her he got this warm, safe feeling inside. He had felt that way when his father had a heart and loved him. Also before his mother had died. It had been so long since he had felt that way, he couldn't help but smile to himself.

Hi mother died when he was very young of a fever. In Egypt, it was rare to get a fever and fatal if you did. The healers tried their best but to no avail the Queen died with her young son crying at her side. Atem hated healers. He never trusted them or their pathetic methods. He didn't believe in them.

The guard stopped and turned to face the prince, opening the door. Walking in, Atem immediately saw the Pharaoh's advisor. He hated him and promised himself that when he became Pharaoh that he would be the first to go. Then that stupid guard from the garden. Upon seeing the red-eyed boy, the advisor turned toward the Pharaoh. "Your Majesty, your son has arrived." The Pharaoh glanced at the boy before turning towards the others in the room and motioning his hand as if to spirit them away.

"Yes, I know, thank you. Now. Everyone, GET OUT!" All the guards followed the advisor out after bowing. Atem heard the fool whisper something as he whisked by, his robes brushing against the boy from being so close in order to make sure he was heard.

"Good luck." Atem could feel a knot forming in his stomach. What could have happened that his father was like this? He was so scared that his mind could only draw a blank.

"Now, Atem, I have something to discuss with you," he said, the anger seething through each word. The youth began shaking uncontrollably, his body betraying his will to try and be strong in his father's presence. He looked around the room, a wave of loneliness washing over him.

"Yes, father?" Atem did his best not to stutter, but he wasn't sure if he could do it again.

"Well, I-"

"Pardon me, My Lord, but the Pharaoh of Lower Egypt has just arrived," the advisor cut in, knowing he wouldn't get himself in trouble for interrupting with such important news. The Pharaoh bristled, a look of shock coming across his face at the new information that was given to him. He began waking towards the doorway, his thoughts turning away from the prince.

"He never announced he would be here. And to be here at this hour?" The cloaked advisor shook his head, unsure himself as to why their guest would be here.

"I know, but he says its important."

"It must be if he himself came. I'll talk to you later." He brushed past the trembling boy, leaving his room. As soon as the door closed, Atem fell to his knees, crying. He had never seen his father so angry. He shuddered as his body finally remembered to breathe. He felt like his heart was trying to pound its way out of his chest, his ears ringing with the sound. He leaned on his arms against the marble floor, watching teardrops hit it with a small plip sound.

Atem sang a voice. It was the one he had heard earlier. Atem It sang again. He looked up, holding back another sob and wiping his tears away with the back of his hand.

"W-who's there," he managed to choke out. He scanned the room, knowing for sure that everyone had been sent out.

Atem, come play with us. Atem stood, looking for the source of the mysterious voice. Then, he saw it again. The gold plated box with the Eye. He walked up to the table that it was on, making sure no one else was in the room. Carefully, he opened it to find an incomplete puzzle. There were four or five pieces missing from an upside down pyramid made of gold. Blinking, he lifted it out, examining it. Finish it. He looked around then picked up the remaining pieces, putting them in place.

"Ah. Pharaoh of Lower Egypt, I welcome you," Atem's father said with open arms. The other Pharaoh turned to greet the older man, his dark blue eyes peering at him through his brown bangs. "Lord Seto, what brings you to my realm?"

"Thank you, but I am here on business. We have a problem," Seto said as he adjusted his headdress.

"What sort of problem do you speak of?" The older man's gaze fixed on Seto's little companion at his side, the young Pharaoh's little brother. The boy hid behind Seto's legs, trying to keep his gaze away from the older man.

"It seems a few certain people have been summoning monsters every once in a while. I've tracked them. I also heard it's happening here. However, it's only one person."

"Oh? Really?" The young Pharaoh nodded, watching the other intently.

"My men found out that the boy doing it here is named Bakura. A true menace in your realm I am to understand."

"That damn thief?!" The brown-haired Pharaoh waited for his chance to speak again.

"There are only two people doing it in my kingdom but its causing quite a stir."

'Summoning monsters from the Shadow Realm, eh?' Seto fixed his ice blue eyes on the elder Pharaoh, waiting for a response. "Hmm, this could be a bit of a problem. Come, we should discuss this elsewhere."

"Yes, but where is your son? My brother would like to see him." The Pharaoh turned to a guard, watching him straighten as attention was brought unto him.

"Go find the prince and bring him here. Tell him that he has a guest."

"Yes, sire." He turned back to Seto.

"Please, come this way. Your brother may stay with my advisor until the prince comes if he wishes." Mokuba nodded as did Seto, who knelt down beside him, placing his hands on the small boy's shoulders.

"Stay with the advisor until then, okay?"

"Okay, brother," the boy said quietly while rubbing his eye with the back of his hand. With that, Seto stood and followed the Pharaoh into another room. The dark haired prince peered up and the cloaked advisor, his dark cobalt eyes trying to see if he could see the man under his hood. "He is coming, right?" The man bowed slightly in respect, his grasp firmly on his staff.

"Yes, Your Highness. They are summoning him now."

In the quiet of his father's room, Atem had one more piece left, bringing it up to examine it before placing it. The eye. The centerpiece of the entire puzzle. He watched the fire light reflect off its golden suface, the shine dancing across his face as he moved it about. He gently set it in place and examined it, holding it by it's chain. Suddenly, it started to glow. Atem, come play with us. Come play with us in the Shadow Realm! For Atem, the world went black.

"Your Highness! Your Highness, the Prince of Lower Egypt wishes to see you! Your Majesty!" The guard continued to knock, knowing he was in there. Upon not hearing anything, he pushed the door open and walked in. 'Strange. He was in here. I know it.' His eyes scanned the room, finding not a soul to be seen within the Pharaoh's chambers. He ran out and alarmed the other guards to search for the prince.

"What is the meaning of this?! Where is the young prince?" the advisor demanded as he slammed his staff into the marble, watching the guards scurry about searching like their lives depended on it.

"He is missing." The advisor looked around, then back at the guard, fear coming across his face.

"Well? FIND HIM!"

~Welcome, Atem, to our world.~ The voice seemed clearer in his head now and it almost sounded like two people were 'talking' at once. Everywhere Atem looked it was black. He walked around but it seemed like he was going nowhere.

"Hello?" His voice echoed, "Is somebody there?"

~Yes, Atem, and we want you to play with us.~

"Play? If you want me to 'play' then show yourself to me."

~As you wish.~ Two figures phased in front of him, one male and one female. Both had black hair and sickly, pale blue eyes. The girl had a scar on her right cheek and was wearing a white headband and sleeveless dress. The boy had a scar as well but it was on his left. He was wearing a white headband as well and a loose white, sleeveless shirt and pants.

"Who are you," Atem whispered.

"My name is Hikari."

"And I am Kage."

"There can be no light without a shadow. Your world is light and ours is it's shadow," They both said in unison again.

"And now..."

"We welcome you to it," Kage finished. Atem stared at them. He didn't know what to make of this. The one named Hikari walked up to Atem, who flinched at the sudden movement.

"My brother and I have brought you here. Would you like to play our game?" She smiled at him, enjoying his startled expression.

"Your brother?" Atem managed.

"We are twins," Kage cut in. Atem nodded, seeing a great deal of resemblance. Atem then creased his brow in confusion as his attention came back to the topic at hand.

"What game?" he demanded, his glare fixed on Kage.

"Why the one your father has come to love so much," the brother stated, nonchalantly. Atem's eyes widened at this, his mind trying to grasp on what he was being told.

"M-my father? He has been here?"

"Yes. He is quite the stubborn one," the sister began as she moved her hair behind her left ear, her gaze dull and lifeless.

"And speaks about you at times..."

"Which is how we found out about you," Hikari finished sweetly. It was a sort of sickly sweet as if she has something cruel in mind. She put her hand under his chin, tilting it up. "You have such beautiful eyes," she whispered in admiration.. Atem, too afraid to answer, stayed put even though he wanted to pull away. Her hands were so cold, lifeless it seemed. He remembered Miyu when he had taken her hand, the warmth that she held within her. Everything about her was so full of life. He was beginning to wonder if would ever leave this dreadful place. "You are afraid." Atem was brought back to reality, hearing the girl before him speak. "I see it in your eyes. Why are you afraid? Because you are unsure of what's going on? Is it us? This place?"

"All of it," he whispered, pulling away from her. It was then he felt something on his chest. He looked down to find the puzzle he had finished from his father's box around his neck. "W-what?" He lifted it slightly, seeing it was still intact from him completing it, its gold luster dull from the lack of light in this void.

"The Millennium Puzzle," the twins said in unison.

"What is it?"

"A key..."

"To this world," Kage finished this time. They always ended each other's sentences. Like they knew what each was going to say. Atem was beginning to find it annoying but he wasn't ready to tell them that.

"It was you I heard in my head before, right?" The twins nodded. "Who are you? Exactly."

"We are beings of this realm..." Hikari started, knowing of course that her brother would continue.

"Who challenge people who are worthy enough to play our game."

"And I still don't know what game this is." The sister continued to stare at the prince, her gaze examining him as though she could see through to his very soul. It gave the red-eyed youth the chills but he tried his best to keep his guard up.

"Do you really think he can do it. He's seems a bit emotional," Hikari whispered so Atem couldn't hear.

"Nonsense. That's what makes it fun for us," Kage answered just as softly. Atem glared at them which caught them off guard when they felt the blazing stare.

"You said my father comes here and plays?"

"Yes, he comes to play. He is quite the regular here," the brother answered, a glint in his eye. "He has spoken of you a few times and does quite well at the game."

"You see, there are stakes to this game and he talks about you because..."

"He places you at stake when he plays," They both finished. Atem's face paled. His father would put him on the block so that he could play some stupid game? He was willing to put his last son up as a bet so that he could gamble. Atem felt the knot from earlier starting to grow again. He clutched at his chest, a fistful of his white shirt in his grasp.

"Only sometimes though. And he's obviously won those times," Hikari said softly. She didn't seem want to see him as upset as her brother did.

Atem barely registered what Hikari said. His father was using him. He blinked back tears that tried to make themselves known. He didn't like his father as he was now. Cold, heartless, and abusive. Was it their fault that he was that way? He looked up at the two, a tear escaping it containments.

"Is my father's behavior the way it is because of you?" He voice was shaking, but he tried to keep it together. The brother's face broke into a cruel grin at the sight of the broken male before them, his pain a delicious nectar for them.

"His behavior? You mean when he's in one of his little moods? He's probably that way because he's a sore loser." Kage crossed his arms a moment. "Like we said before, stubborn." Atem shook his head, bringing his hands through his hair in fear so he could feel something. The blackness of the void was suffocating him, making him feel as if there was no air left. His eyes darted about, hoping there was something to look at other then them or the darkness.

"I want to leave," he blurted as he began rubbing his arm.

"But we want to play."

"I will not be him! I want to leave," Atem shouted, his eyes focusing on them once more.

"Atem, just calm down," Hikari soothed, rubbing his arm. He jumped at the touch. He didn't even notice that she had gotten closer. He could have sworn that he had backed away from her awhile ago. Of course, her cold hands weren't helping as he pulled away from her again. "Do you remember your father telling you about a card game?" Atem nodded, making sure she didn't reach to touch him again. "That's the game we play." Atem remembered his father teaching it to him a few times. He had learned quick and earned a real smile from his father. The only one he had seen in only Ra knows how long.

"But I don't want to play your little game. I don't want to be here anymore." His first sentence caused Kage to start laughing. Atem didn't like it. It sounded empty. Why were these people so 'dead?'

"Little? Oh, this is no 'little' game, young one. I really don't think you have any idea what it is."

"And I don't care either," Atem interjected. He didn't think Kage was going to let him go. And Hikari? He still couldn't figure her out. She was like her brother, but she seemed to care at least a bit. It was a good thing. He didn't want to know what would happen if they were both that way. Atem thought he might have some chance of getting out of this mess if he could convince her to let him leave this 'Shadow Realm' as they called it.

"Please let me leave. I don't want anything to do with this," he said, finally letting his tears fall. It was hurting him to hold them back so he just gave up. However, he wouldn't give up on getting out of here. He moved to wipe his tears away, freezing as he heard the sister's emotionless reply.

"Are you afraid of losing?" she asked, surprising him.

"Losing?"

"You have to play if you want to leave," Kage said, victory practically written across his face. "And if you lose, then you will just have to keep playing until you win because otherwise you're not leaving." The prince paused, running over everything he was just told. A mixed look of confusion and relief came over his face, at least glad he wasn't going to be giving anything up.

"I thought there were stakes involved?"

"This is your first time. We do it with everyone. Nobody wins their first game here," Hikari said with no emotion in here voice. The lack of emotion diminished the last bit of hope Atem had of convincing her to let him go.

"Fine," Atem said, defeated. "I'll play your game."

"I am not going to tell him that his son is missing. What if the prince snuck out of the palace walls. He'll have my head." The advisor kept ranting and cursing to himself as he paced back and forth. The guards were searching everywhere, leaving nothing concealed or undone. There was now a search party in the kingdom. The advisor made sure that the Pharaoh was not disturbed and most importantly that he didn't find out.

"So you've never seen these creatures that are summoned by these people?"

"Never," the Pharaoh defended. "If Bakura is the one doing it we'll be lucky if we see him. He is a snake. And he has a partner I believe. Any who've seen Bakura say that there is always a cloaked figure with him." The older man said, taking a quick swig of his drink more out of anger then to quench thirst. Seto remained still, not interested too much in the food that was brought to them as much as he was in their conversation.

"He lives in the outskirts."

"Yes, I know," the older man replied, gritting his teeth a bit. Seto smiled, understanding.

"He's that good," the younger mused, finally giving in and enjoying some of the fruit that was present in the small feast.

"Unfortunately. We've given up on trying to catch him," he spat bitterly. Seto thought a moment, eating some grapes as he did.

"So, then, what are we going to do about it?"

"That, my friend, is a good question," the older Pharaoh mused, leaning forward against his elbows on the table, his brow creasing in anger. "Bakura has long been a thorn in my side. Nothing would make me happier to catch and torment that vermin." Seto watched him intently, feeling a darker aura from the man across from him. Something about him disturbed the younger man, something he was beginning to feel he was better off not knowing about.

End chapter