WHEN MEMORIES WOULD NEVER BE ENOUGH

Chapter Fifteen - Revelations and Negotiations

Underneath the town where the second massacre took place was an underground city....

Within the heart of those caverns where multitudes of robed and hooded individuals lived underground for a greater hope lay a throne - Hyperion's throne. Many kingdoms, including his own, fell for the regal and gracious-looking man who harbored a dark and hatred-ridden heart. His charisma not only attracted many fanatical followers who believed in his vision, but it had also fooled many others who compromised their kingdoms as well as their lives.

The handsome and tall emerald-eyed Atlantean sat on his throne wearing a puzzled frown on his face. Although he recalled his many successes, his heart remained unsettled. His anger, for each passing second, seethed inside him while he thought of strategic ways in achieving what he wanted: the resurrection of the Dark Queen.

Once he grew weary of looking at the cavern walls, he closely stared at his broad and smooth hands.

By first look, no one would have suspected that his hands killed victims in whichever way pleased his twisted whims. At times, his eyes and mind played tricks on him as he saw his hands turn crimson red - reminding him of the countless lives that he slew.

Although he could replay the bloodcurdling screams from his many victims, he was already deaf from their pleas and his heart had already hardened. In fact, his emerald eyes glinted their merciless gleam as he rendered the deadly blow or ordered his men to brutally slay his victim before him.

Throughout the years, however, his anger, greed, and lust for power had not subsided. For him, only two people stood in his way - Atemu and Xandra. His hatred still bubbled inside him as he thought about his cousin and mused, "The gods cannot keep protecting her from me. There will come a time that once their backs are turned, I will repeatedly strike down their favored daughter until she is dead. Once she left Atlantis and took the throne with her, the gods sank the kingdom."

A deep and malevolent voice echoed throughout the caves, saying, "Your race's wickedness angered your gods. You - most especially - angered your gods when you killed her father, and then your own. Once you have committed those acts, your gods lost hope in your race's change of heart. They deemed it best to decimate civilizations such as yours, before their diseased natures spread throughout the entire world."

"I only kill with just cause!" screams Hyperion as he flung the half-filled goblet against the cavern walls with all his might. Minutes later, he muttered with fanatical anger laced in his voice, "Her father was a traitor and a weakling. In the name of goodwill, he gave out the secrets of our race to inferior nations such as Egypt and Athens. My father, on the other hand, was too narrow in his vision. He wanted to rule the Nine Houses, as well as isolate Atlantis from the rest of the world."

Chuckling, the voice then asked, "And you? What is your vision?"

With eyes gleaming with evil, Hyperion replied, "I want everything.... As long as my cousin is still alive, I will never be able to fulfill my destiny."

"Your gods destined her to be the ruler of your race - throne, or no throne."

"Most of the gods are idiots! They handed the throne to another traitor!"

"A strong one, to say the least...." the demon thoughtfully muttered.

Spitefully chuckling, the Atlantean remarked, "She may have the iron will, but her heart is much too soft. She hides behind her husband, just as the coward that she always is and will be. Instead of helping him lead his army, she should be thinking ways of crushing his forces or usurping the Egyptian throne for her people. If he had not come to her rescue, then she should have been dead by now."

"If she is as weak as you claim, then how come she is still alive? You have been trying to kill her all these years, but have failed. Does that not show your lack of creativity or courage? Maybe it is you who is the weak one, and not her."

With hatred violently bubbling within him, Hyperion screamed, "Leave me be!"

After hearing a malevolent chuckle reverberate within the cave, a dark demon materialized before him.

Shortly thereafter, that demon changed his shape. Although the demon took Xandra's face, the borrowed gentle facial features were marred from a visage of deep-rooted wickedness, and the usually expressive almond eyes now glowed red. With a voice that had a mixture of Xandra's and its own, the demon said, "So haughty for someone who received my help just recently. You would be rotting in that dungeon, if it were not for my intervention."

As emerald eyes narrowed, the Atlantean asked through gritted teeth and clenched fists, "What do you want from me, Zork?"

Maintaining the borrowed appearance, but with the voice totally reverting back to its demonic nature, Zork replied, "What you want concerns me more."

Silence dominated for a long while.

Once calmed down, Hyperion intently remarked with such desire oozing from his tone, "I want to claim the mages' power. I have cursed the four mages, and they no longer pose as a threat to me. I also have already obtained three-fourths of the Scrolls of Passage. The fifth mage, however, remains at large. Unless all five mages are identified and defeated, their powers would never be released to me."

The she-demon approached the Atlantean. Once face-to-face with Hyperion, it seductively sighed as it teasingly told the latter, "I know where you could locate the fifth mage. If you wish to obtain that information, then you would know what to do...."

With eyes glued on the demon, Hyperion then asked, "What do you want in return?"

After walking away from the Atlantean, Zork reverted to its original demonic appearance and voice. "I want you to remove an impediment for me."

Seconds later, Hyperion's eyes widened with understanding as he muttered. "The Queen...."

"In order for me to defeat the Pharaoh, I must remove all necessary obstacles."

The emerald-eyed man snickered. "I wanted to kill my cousin, but only for sport. If you truly ask me who I wish to kill, I am more interested in killing the fifth mage than my weakling kin."

The demon intently hissed, "Kill the Queen, and you would get your wish."

Minutes after absorbing the demon's words, Hyperion's emerald eyes went wide in disbelief. "My cousin is the fifth mage?"

With a sarcastic chuckle, Zork replied, "Surprised, are you not? You have underestimated her, as well as the Pharaoh. As you can see, I am actually not asking for much. You were bent on killing her in the first place."

"How would you be able to provide me the mages' power?"

"The chain of events has already started. My emissary will be finishing up arrangements with a pawn. As long as you keep your end of our covenant, and everything goes according to planned, that power will assuredly fall in your hands," said the towering demon, as its arms were crossed in front of its chest.

With a twisted and malevolent smirk, and renewed hope seeping through his soul, Hyperion intently responded, "You have my word, dark one...."

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Inside his personal study room, Atemu sat alone for hours as he pondered through everything - an overall strategy to beat the Atlanteans in their own game, the safety of the towns and the citizens, the palace's and each town's defensive status against the Sparti, the violent death of four-fifths of the Mages' Council, the protection of his royal court, Xandra's alleged involvement in Hyperion's release from the dungeons, and much more.

As much as Isis and Xandra attended to his wounds and injuries, he still suffered from the throbbing pain from his sprained right leg, the wincing sensation from his many cuts and bruises, and the draining effect from his recent ordeal. Much to Shimon's and Set's respective protests, the young monarch with the tri-colored mane refused herbal sedatives to help dull the pain.

At least, not now....

He wanted his mind to remain sharp, as he ran against time to concoct a plan to foil the enemy and spare as many Egyptian lives as possible while implementing his strategy. His personal feelings for those within his circle of confidence plagued him - Mahado's violent death, the brutal assault against his Uncle Akunadin, his fear for Xandra's safety....

"You now have to ask yourself who or what do you truly love the most,

and are you willing to sacrifice everything to protect the one that you love most?"

His expressive amethyst eyes were filled with worry. His conversation with the mysterious savior from the abyss replayed within his mind. As he pored through every map of his entire domain, his distraction proved greater. After many futile attempts in concentrating with more pressing matters, he resignedly placed the papyrus map in his hand on the study table. He stepped away and walked towards the balcony for some much-needed escape.

Amethyst eyes gazed into the night sky as their owner sought for an answer to his malady. The moon and the stars were partially covered with clouds - mirroring the ominous feeling within his troubled state of heart. The entire ambience brought out the entire gamut of emotions deep within the young Pharaoh, who now rested his elbows against the railing.

He let out a tired sigh, as he closed his eyes and mused, "It feels as if a trap has been set against us. All that trap waits for is the right chain of events to trigger before it ensnares everyone involved. I need to figure out a way out of this mess...."

An expected knock interrupted his thoughts. Glancing at the door, Atemu then said without leaving the balcony area, "Enter!"

After receiving permission to enter, Set walked towards the balcony area and slightly bowed before the monarch. "I apologize for my delay, great Pharaoh. You have called for me?"

"I did." The young Pharaoh motioned for the azure-eyed high priest to join him in his moments of contemplation before he asked, "Must you be so formal, even though we are by ourselves?"

With a slightly raised eyebrow and a sense of confusion hidden within, Set gingerly granted Atemu's request. Before he followed suit, he stared at the amethyst-eyed young ruler as the latter looked at the night sky. When he could not get a read on why he was called for this meeting, he then deeply sighed and leaned against the balustrade while telling the other, "You must rest. You are not well from your injuries yet."

A long moment of silence dominated between the two young men, as they respectively allowed their thought and troubles to drift with the gentle night breeze.

Once Atemu felt that he achieved the level of comfort needed between them, he then remarked with silent protest, "I am resting right now. We have not done this for a long time...."

With a semi-relaxed tone, Set interjected as he continued staring at the scene below them, "Are you talking about just spending time together in idle thought and chatter?"

Along with a quiet smirk, the Pharaoh thoughtfully replied, "I do not consider time spent with a good friend as idle...."

A long period of uncomfortable silence once again transpired between the two. Set did not respond. Atemu, on the other hand, did his best to gauge what was inside Set's mind before jumping into any conclusions.

Out of the blue, Atemu then asked his high priest, "We have been friends and brothers since we were children, Set." After pausing for a couple of seconds, he then added, "I do not understand the cause of it, but there is a wedge that exists between us for many years now."

With the outmost authenticity laced in an unemotional tone, Set quietly said, "I did not mean to displease you, my Pharaoh...."

The amethyst-eyed young man closed his eyes. Shortly afterwards, he gazed into Set's azure eyes as he muttered, "You have never displeased me since I became Pharaoh, Set. That, in itself, is the root of the problem. For once after so many years, please talk with me just as you did before we assumed our responsibilities. We are friends first, no matter what happens."

A tightlipped Set replied, as he shifted his body to face Atemu, "We cannot allow our friendship and our personal regard for each other to interfere with our duties. You, Xandra, and I are bound by oath to serve Egypt. Those duties must always come first before our friendship."

"I wholeheartedly agree with you about focusing on Egypt and her needs. I, however, disagree with you when it comes to disregarding one's personal sentiments in lieu of duty."

For seconds, the high priest looked down on the marbled floor before facing the Pharaoh once more. "She told you about what happened, did she not?"

Atemu kept his gaze at Set, as he murmured, "She confided the conversation that you and she had in my absence."

"The soldiers and sentries have misgivings after they received orders from her - or someone that resembled her - to release the Atlantean from the dungeon. The citizens are looking for someone to blame for the massacres."

The Pharaoh then sighed as he turned his back from the balustrade and leaned against it. He crossed his arms in front of his chest. "Do you honestly think that she was the very one who released Hyperion from his cell?"

"I believe that she is innocent, especially after I have talked with her."

Pleased with Set's response - and most especially the authenticity behind the words - the young Pharaoh calculatedly asked, "Will you help me exonerate her, after the kingdom is once again safe from this latest threat? As our friend and brother, will you help us once more?"

Without any hesitation, the high priest replied, "You can count on me. You know that...."

"Thank you, Set. It means a lot to me knowing that you still care for us - not only as a friend, but much more than that...."

That last remark from the monarch startled Set. He stared deep into the Pharaoh's expressive eyes, as he looked sideways and murmured, "It is best that you now know about how I feel for both of you. You and she have been my very good friends since childhood. I feel guilty about my true feelings for her. I care for her more than I should have, but I do not have intentions in betraying your trust - or hers."

Atemu gave the high priest an understanding gaze. "I have known about your feelings for her all these years. She also feels the same way about you, too. I, however, chose not to say anything about it since people should be free to love each other the way that they wish to...."

"I did not mean to betray you...."

"Betray?" The young Pharaoh's expressive eyes went wide, as he gently smiled. He then shook his head and said, "No, Set. You should not feel guilty for something that you did not do. Neither you, nor she, betrayed me. If our circumstances were reversed, would you honestly think that I have betrayed your trust if I have loved her from a distance?"

"No...." the azure-eyed young man muttered, as he bit his lip.

Atemu then completely faced Set and rested his hands on his friend's shoulder. With a tone of reassurance and understanding, he then quietly stated, "You and she have been more than friends longer than she and I have fallen in love with each other. I do not harbor any ill thoughts about that issue, so why should you be uncomfortable about your feelings for her?"

Set heavily sighed and closed his eyes - trying to avoid eye contact with the Pharaoh. "You are the one that she loves with all her heart. She will do anything for you and Egypt."

With a gracious smile creeping from Atemu's lips, he went back to his original stance and gazed into the semi-covered moon. He told his friend, as feelings of warmth comforted his heart, "I love her as well, Set. She and I would do the same sacrifices for each other, for you, or for anyone who we love. After all, we are friends first and foremost."

Set raised an eyebrow from seeing the change in reaction from Atemu, as he interjected, "But...."

The Pharaoh heavily sighed. "I have always wondered, though, if matters would have been the same for the three of us if we were just mere citizens."

A saddened and empathetic Set thoughtfully remarked before long silence once again dominated between them, "As much as we have the same question in mind, we also know the answer to that inquiry...."

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

In an empty tavern at the outskirts of a town nearby Kuru Eruna, a platinum-haired figure helped himself to whatever piqued his curiosity and thirst behind the keeper's counter. After filling the wooden goblet, he left whatever funds he thought were equitable for what he took.

Retreating to a corner, he slumped on a chair and thoughtfully sipped his drink - his eyes scanning the area and his adrenaline still pumping from what just happened earlier.

A group of thieves just learned the hard way never to cross paths with Bakura, the King of Thieves. After killing two of the five men in self-defense after they tried to steal his gold, he saw the other three accomplices drag the bodies and flee. The other patrons - and including the tavern keeper - scurried out in fear for their lives.

With a malevolent and wild glimmer in his eyes, the thief silently snickered in satisfaction as he recalled how everyone ran out to the night.

That pleasure, however, proved short-lived as a cloaked and hooded figure stepped inside the tavern. The new arrival stood a few feet from the thief's table, as darkness cloaked the identity.

At first, Bakura ignored the mysterious figure and drank from his goblet. However, irritation festered within him for each passing second. He then glowered at the transfixed figure, but kept silent.

"Are you not going to invite me to join you?" inquired the mysterious new arrival with silent sarcasm.

The platinum-haired thief bellowed, as he slammed the wooden goblet on the table, "Who are you? Show your face!"

Remaining transfixed in the spot where he stood, the figure deadpanned, "My identity is none of your concern."

"And I say that it is. Now be gone!"

"Temper, temper.... I will grant your request. I could have been a great asset to you...."

With a mixture of piqued curiosity and familiarization dawning upon him, Bakura then murmured, "Step out into the light, stranger...."

As the figure granted the request by approaching the table and taking off the hood, the thief sarcastically and coldly muttered, "You have some nerve, old man. I do not know if I should call you courageous, or insane. I have already stolen the Millennium Eye from you, so you are useless to me now."

Akunadin snickered back, as he remarked, "What if I tell you that I will grant you great powers?"

Taking the last swig of drink from his goblet, the thief dismissively replied, "All seven Millennium Items will fall within my hands very soon. I have always worked alone, and the last thing that I need is a pathetic old man to bog down my plans."

"What if I give you assurance that through my help, all the Items will fall in your hands before dawn three nights from today?"

Although Bakura was stunned from what he just heard, he kept his composure as he glanced at Akunadin's eye socket where the Eye once sat. "You jest, old man! If you do not wish to end up just as the High Priest Mahado did, then run away from me while you still can."

Gesturing with his right hand, the elderly high priest said, "Once I walk out this door, your once-in-a-lifetime opportunity will be lost. No Items, no power, and no retribution for you...." Seeing that the thief was non-reactive, he then sarcastically gave him a slight bow and headed towards the exit.

Without stirring from his seat, Bakura flatly but audibly stated, "I am listening, old man. What is your proposal?"

Akunadin stopped dead in his tracks before the exit. As he kept his gaze outside the tavern, he matter-of-factly replied, "I will give you access to a secret passage leading inside the palace, as well as a map revealing where the Tauk, Ankh, and the Scales are located. I want you to steal the other three Items. With the exception of High Priest Set, stop anyone who bars your way. Once you are successful, you and I will meet where the Stone of Destiny lies."

The thief's eyes flashed in anger, as he grunted, "You have never mentioned anything about the Millennium Rod!"

In a calm and reassuring voice, Akunadin replied, "High Priest Set is the wielder of the Rod. I will deal with the High Priest Set personally. Once I secure the Rod, I will bring it with me when we see each other."

With a wary tone and a raised eyebrow, the platinum-haired thief asked, "What made an Elder High Priest have a change of heart? We you not supposed to protect the Items from thieves such as me?"

Akunadin then handed a rolled-up map to the thief - the latter staring at his hand and maintaining his non-reactive stance. "In order for you to release the power of the seven Items, the portal between the physical world and the Shadow Realm must be opened. Once the dark demon from the Shadow Realm manifests itself within our world, then great power will be bestowed upon those who help make that possible. Once the darkness envelops this world, you will now have all the strength to exact retribution against your enemies."

After staring at the elderly high priest for minutes and trying to access his trustworthiness, a pacified Bakura then relaxed and accepted a rolled-up papyrus from Akunadin. With his eyes glinting as visions of a fallen Atemu raced through his brain, he then murmured, "Very well, then, old man. You and I will work together. When do you wish for me to steal the Items?"

With a satisfied and warped smirk on his face, the elderly high priest replied, "Be ready to carry out your mission two nights from now...."

End of Chapter Fifteen

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Author's Notes

Yu-Gi-Oh is the copyrighted property of Kazuki Takahashi. Emrys / Xandra, Hyperion, and this fanfic are the author's property.

This fanfiction was written for entertainment purposes only, thereby releasing the author from all liabilities.