WHEN MEMORIES WOULD NEVER BE ENOUGH

Chapter Five: Truth or Consequence

Atemu called in Shimon to join them in the throne room. Minutes later, he once again asked Xandra, "How did you know that these butchers are from your fallen kingdom?"

Looking directly at Atemu's amethyst eyes, Xandra explained, "Unfortunately, I have seen their handiwork many times. I was next in line to ascend the throne as Queen and Regent of Atlantis. My people, who were once wise and virtuous, changed into greedy and power-hungry scoundrels. The Nine Minor Houses of Atlantis wanted my father to have the throne rotate among the Nine Houses. When my father refused them because he foresaw what would happen, their request became threatening demands. As the attempts on my life became too numerous to count, he sent me on exile under our Father Pharaoh's protection...never to return on Atlantean soil until it was my time to ascend the throne."

Shimon interjected, "The Greek gods punished your kingdom for its wickedness. You are supposed to be the only survivor. How did they escape the cataclysm?"

A grim Xandra stood up and went down a few steps from where she and Atemu originally sat. Turning to her companions, she then replied, "They must have followed me from Atlantis to Egypt – still seeking every opportunity to kill me. I do not know why they pursue me now, since there is no more Atlantean throne to usurp from me."

The young monarch with the tri-colored mane asked, "If my memory serves me correctly, the monarchs from those Nine Minor Houses were your blood relatives...were they not?"

"Those monarchs, as well as the assassins, were from my bloodline..."

Atemu blurted out, "Then we will increase security throughout the palace. Additional troops will patrol the towns."

Xandra shook her head. "It would not be that easy, Love. These assassins are not only quick and merciless in what they do, but they are also mystically gifted. Atlantis' destruction had cut off the assassins' power. Now that they are back, their magic must have been re-energized. Very soon, they would be able to restore their lost magic. When that time does come, no amount of sentries or thick walls can protect anyone from them."

The wizened counselor then proposed, "What about asking our allies if – "

"No, Shimon," Xandra interrupted Shimon as she dismissively raised her hand. "Hiding or fleeing from my husband, home, and people is not an option for me anymore. I was separated from my real father because of it. I did not give him a proper burial because the gods pulled the land and him toward the bottom of the ocean. I am tired of running away."

In her head, Narmer mentally communicated, "Our Brothers have already discussed your case and have decided, Sister..."

"Are you all right?" asked Atemu as Xandra's fellow mage relayed the information that she had waited for.

"Oh," Xandra stirred from her stupor and then gazed into her husband's amethyst eyes. She blinked a couple of times. "Y – Yes, I am all right..."

Sighing and then clearing his throat, Atemu then reiterated, "We will fight them. We have seven Millennium Items. We could always harness their respective magic to awaken the monsters from the stone tablets."

"We also have other alternatives," Xandra inaudibly murmured.

The elderly counselor frowned and then asked, "I beg your pardon?"

"I am sure that there are other means," Atemu remarked without giving much weight to what his wife had just told them. Gazing at his counselor and then reverting his gaze on Xandra, he gently told her, "Forgive me, my love, but Shimon and I still have matters to discuss... I do remember that our day is really not over yet..."

Xandra gave her husband an understanding smirk. Resting her soft hands over his strong ones, she said, "It is all right. I, as well as your present, will wait for you at our chambers." After giving him a kiss on the cheek, she then bowed to both men. "Excuse me..."

After Xandra exited the throne room, the two men's smiles waned. Their brows furrowed as heavier matters burdened their shoulders.

"Thank you, my Queen," echoed a rich voice throughout the vast and lush space.

Xandra and her guards, who were in the middle of the palace garden, stopped walking. Once she turned around, her eyes lit up. She then approached the one who uttered her name, asking, "Thank you? For what, Set?"

Azure eyes gazed deeper into hazel-brown as their owner said, "I thank you for explaining to the counselor and the Pharaoh about my return to the palace."

With a gentle smile, Xandra explained as she tightly held on her white linen cape, "I only had the opportunity to tell Shimon about my decision. Atemu is too troubled with tonight's incident at the palace. The two are speaking with each other this very moment. I am sure that Shimon will bring up the matter. However, I do promise you that I will explain the entire incident to Atemu before we fully retire for the evening. It would not be fair for you to face the consequences of following my orders."

"You did not have to do so, my Queen, but I thank you." Minutes later, the young high priest then frowned. "How did you know that I was needed at the palace?"

After slightly shaking her head, Xandra replied, "It was just a hunch, Set...nothing more. You also do not have to call me by my title. You, the Pharaoh, and I have been friends since childhood. Friendships are always a priority before title."

Without a word, Set smirked, bowed before her, turned around, and then walked away.

"Set - "

As soon as Set turned around to face her, Xandra said with a gracious smile and a slight bow, "I thank you for your loyalty and friendship, Set. The gods will reward you one day for your noble deeds."

Taken aback by Xandra's kind words and humble gesture, Set said, "It is my duty as high priest to serve the Pharaoh, his Queen, and Egypt." As he bowed and then turned around, his cape billowed behind him.

Intrigued and glad to speak with the high priest, Xandra intently watched as the tall figure slowly walked towards the palace halls. Once Set disappeared from her sight, she and the guards then marched towards the Pharaoh's bedchambers

The entire palace was almost quiet, save for an almost synchronized group of footsteps approaching the Pharaoh's chambers.

"This day is not over yet," whispered Atemu as he bent down and kissed a sleeping Xandra on the forehead.

Xandra stirred from her sleep. With a dreamy smile, she murmured, "It is still our anniversary, is it not?"

Amethyst eyes lit up. "Yes, it is. We still have a couple more hours left."

As Xandra sat up in bed, she said, "Your present is on your lounging chair."

An amused smirk crept over Atemu's handsome face as he glanced over to her with a raised eyebrow. "You did not try to cook anything for me this time, did you?"

With a lighthearted chuckle, Xandra replied, "I said that your 'present' is sitting on your lounging chair. The last matter that I want to hear is for our cooks to cry and beg you not to let me near any food preparation ever again." During this entire time, she kept her eye on her husband - still sporting his teasing grin - as he approached his chair.

Atemu heartily laughed. "Well, you did give me a good present that year you have cooked for me, Shimon, and the high priests. Aside from seeing seven different versions of contorted faces, your culinary skills – or lack thereof – gave Shimon days' worth of indigestion. You should have been there when they - as well as the cooks - begged me in many sugar-coated ways not to let you cook ever again."

Raising an eyebrow and crossing her arms in front of her, Xandra asked in feigned annoyance, "Is this the way you speak about your Sister and wife? This still amuses you so much because..?"

Now wiping some tears from the corners of his eyes while chuckling and shaking his head, Atemu replied, "I never laughed as hard as I did that day. Your botched cooking placed me in a good mood for more than a week." His eyes then further lit up as his trademark smirk became more mischievous. "Come to think of it, I am still having a good laugh at your expense."

With a wry smile, Xandra remarked, "Spoken like the Brother that I have known for years. You will never leave that incident alone, would you?"

Atemu glanced and teased back. "Now why would I let such a good laugh go to waste? I needed a good laugh, most especially after today's incident."

Xandra chuckled along with him, shook her head, and sighed.

This time, with wrapped present in hand, Atemu walked back and sat down beside Xandra. After opening the package, he then produced a thick royal purple silk cape with gold trimming in its edges. His smile of amusement then turned into a mixed expression of awe and delight. "This is beautiful! Where did you get this?"

"Connections from our foreign allies," Xandra responded with a smile. She then gazed into his amethyst eyes and held his hand. "Happy Anniversary, my love. I hope that you like it..."

"Thank you... I love it," the young Pharaoh whispered. He leaned over and planted a deep kiss on her lips.

This time, the kiss between them lingered much longer than the previous two - sweeping them away. They then instinctively lay on the bed as the kiss and embrace continued between them.

As they broke away from each other's embrace, Xandra touched his face and said, "Atemu, there is a matter that you need to know - "

Raising his hand, Atemu interjected, "If you are referring to Set's untimely return to the palace, you or he need not worry about it. Shimon explained to me that you ordered him to return and I understand your motives. However, you must be more cautious."

Xandra's heart raced further. "I thank you for understanding that matter, but that is not what I intend to share with you."

With his customary frown, Atemu asked with a raised eyebrow, "What is it?"

Looking more somber than she earlier did, Xandra said, "I have kept a secret from you for years. It is time for you to know what it is, and I would like you to come with me. Do you trust me?"

"You know the answer to that, my love," murmured Atemu.

Xandra then closed her eyes and chanted one of her usual spells.

Atemu was stunned as he saw a pentagram form in front of them.

Normal Disclaimer

Yu-Gi-Oh is the copyrighted property of Kazuki Takahashi.

Xandra / Emrys, other non-YGO characters / OCs, as well as this fan fiction belong to the author.

Thanks for reading and constructively reviewing. As much as this fan fiction stands alone, it is part of the Lost Souls Story Arc.