NeferNeferi: The duel scene is here and he'll find out about his 'wife problems' very soon.
Roanna Luna: I'm sorry to hear about that. Isn't it annoying when the maintainance starts at the wrong time? I think they should do those at night or when the traffic is light.
Yeah, I know how it sounds in English. It could be because I've done a crappy job of translating it that adds to the problem as well as Youlan not putting more descriptive details to the story. But since she wrote this, I can't do much about it.
But ... if I were to write the final four lines of this chapter:
"Once the elder had finished his proclamation, Atem found himself suddenly caught up in Tameri's warm embrace. Chuckling slightly at her, he gave her a quick kiss on the cheek, tasting the salty tears that were still flowing down her face.
"Tameri sighed softly and spoke, breaking the silence. 'I'm so happy that you won. For a moment there, I thought you would surely lose the duel.'
" 'I told you I wouldn't lose this fight and I didn't. You should have had more faith in me.' Atem flicked the top of her nose playfully.
As the pair were talking, the others in the arena were clearing out. Some were leaving because there was nothing more to watch while others left, understanding that the couple needed time to themselves."
Well, it's not that great either since I wrote it very quickly.
Chapter 22
When the eldery man who was presiding over the duel uttered the order to start, Wati lifted the sword in his hand and charged towards where Atem was standing. Everyone watching were anxious for Atem because he hadn't made any motion to evade the attack! He merely stood there, waiting for the other to charge towards him.
"Oh ..." All of the girls covered their faces, not daring to look any more. Among them was Tameri.
"CLANG!" The sound of metal striking could clearly be heard. The girls found that they haven't heard the wretched yelling from anyone and one by one, they lifted their heads.
"Huh?!"
"That ... that's?!"
Everyone present couldn't believe what they were seeing! Atem had blocked Wati's sword!
"How is this possible?!"
"Until now, there wasn't anyone who was able to stop Wati's sword!"
"Who is this man?!"
Everyone seemed to have the same questions in their hearts.
'What?!' Even Wati was frightened by this. 'This ... this guy could actually block my sword?!' He moved away for a moment before starting another charge. But no matter how he hacked or pierced, Atem would always find a way to block it, his eyes holding no fear in them.
'Hmm ... such a difficult opponent ... this is the first time I've come across one ...' Wati thought. At this moment, sweat was dripping down his face as his body violently heaved with each breathe he took. Watching Atem, he noticed that he looked pretty much like how he was before the duel started, still standing there with a look of ease on his face.
"Hmph ... I'm not going to admit defeat!" Once more, he continued to vigorously hack away but it was a complete waste of strength since Atem was easily avoiding his attacks.
"KA!" Atem waved his sword slightly. "Whoosh!" It didn't seem to cause a grave injury, at most it was a scratch on the skin. This was because Atem had been using a blunt sword and he was trying to avoid killing anyone. Yet this wound had accurately injured a vital part of the body. Although it wouldn't be life-threatening, it would cause the person to be in a lot of pain, to the point that they would avoid moving, if possible.
"Oh ... you ..." Wati found himself unable to even stand now.
" ... Do you still want to continue this?" Atem asked him.
"Of ... course ..." Wati was very persistant, despite the people surrounding him advising him to give up.
" ... A venerable adversary, persistant to the very last moment, while not easily admitting defeat ... but ... no matter what, I must win ... therefore ... I am sorry ..."
Wati fell to the ground in defeat. The man in charge promptly made his judgment. "The victor in this match is Uro!"
Immediately Atem was embraced by Tameri. Her face had remnants of tears on it.
"This is so wonderful ... you won ..."
" ... Didn't I say this before? I won't lose."
He smiled. At this time, the others all understood and left the area, leaving the pair of lovers to tell each other of their feelings.
Author's Corner:
Youlan: Heh ... you two were so sweet at the end ...
Pharaoh: Damn ... what's so sweet about that! I've mentioned this before! I don't love my own younger sister!
Tameri: Heh ... But you sure know how to act ... it feels like I was really with my lover ...
Seto: Damn ... Why do I have to be their lightbulb [Rika: Don't look at me. That's what she wrote here!] in the next chapter?!
Youlan: Hey! You've ... you've revealed the plot!
Seto: Uh ...
Posted on September 1, 2004.