A/N You know the drill... I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh or anything related to it.


After nearly a year had passed since their marriage, Safiya had become a proficient player, able to play against Atemu competitively. It wasn't until this point that Atemu felt that she was finally ready, and he arranged to take her to see his close friend, the High Priest Mahado. Safiya had met the priest before, but had never spent much time with him or been to his home. As they walked toward Mahado's residence, Atemu explained what he had planned.

"Safiya, you have been playing the shadow games for almost a year now, and I have never seen anyone learn so quickly as you."

"Thank you Atemu," she beamed.

"I think it's finally time for you to receive your guardian monster."

She slowed her pace. "You really think so?"

He stopped walking and stood beside her. "You have proven that you are a master of the shadow games. With these skills come great power and great risks. This includes having to protect the innocents from those who would use the powers of the Shadow Realm to release chaos into our world. All of the priests and priestess have guardians that allow them to protect the people. I have three guardians of my own, and soon you will also have your own guardian. In a sense, a guardian is as a protective…" He paused, looking for the right word. "Pet." He cringed at the use of the word, but it was the only way he felt that he could explain it to her.

Mentally asking his guardians for forgiveness, he continued. "These monsters fight in our places, allowing us to protect the people from any dangers that arise, both tangible and shadow. But there is one thing must remember." He turned to look her in the eye, reinforcing the importance of what he was about to say. "As I've said before, when your guardian fights, any damage it receives, you will receive also. That is why it is important to train and strengthen your guardian every chance you get, as I do when I play the games in the palace." As a side note, he added, "But the palace games are watered-down and played so that no player receives true physical damage."

"I understand." She nodded, allowing the weight of what he said to settle in. A few moments later, she asked, "But what if my guardian monster doesn't want me?"

His countenance lightened and he wrapped his arm around her waist. "How could anyone or anything not want you?"

She laughed. "No one would ever believe the high and mighty pharaoh of Egypt is a hopeless romantic."

With his arm still around her waist, he began to walk, guiding her toward their destination. "The only one who needs to know that I'm a hopeless romantic doesn't seem to have a problem with it." She leaned into his chest, breathing in his intoxicating scent. "And besides," he continued, "you don't necessarily choose it; it's more of an extension of who you are. In a manner of speaking, everyone's soul identifies with a certain guardian. And we're going to find out which guardian you have chosen."

Several minutes later, they arrived at the home of Mahado. It was on the far side of the palace grounds, but still within the gates. Mahado, being a humble man, chose not to live directly within the palace, and Atemu respected that. The Pharaoh let himself into the home, explaining, "He knows we are coming and he wouldn't hear it if I knocked, anyway."

He led her to the back of the humble home to find Mahado leaning over a small workbench, intent on his task. Atemu cleared his throat, alerting Mahado to their presence.

The man turned to face them. "Ah, Atemu, it's good to see you." The priest pulled Atemu into a firm embrace. After he released Atemu, he turned to Safiya. "It's good to see you, too, Queen Safiya. I'm honored to have you in my home." He bowed slightly.

"Please, High Priest Mahado, the pleasure is all mine," she said, returning the bow.

He laughed deeply. "You are truly a woman worthy of your title. And please, call me Mahado."

"Only if you call me Safiya," she said with a smile.

He laughed again. "You are the perfect match for Atemu. You have the aura of royalty, the good humor of a close friend, and the heart of servant." She smiled, and he regained his composure, becoming more serious, before continuing. "Now, Atemu has explained to me that you are ready to receive your guardian."

"Yes, so it would seem."

"Come here, my queen." Mahado motioned to his side.

Atemu nudged Safiya forward, and Mahado placed his hands on her shoulders. He closed his eyes and began to recite an ancient incantation that she could not understand. She recognized the language as an ancient dialect spoken only by the pharaoh, priests, and priestess. She looked to Atemu who had also closed his eyes, listening to the words and understanding them. Unsure of what to do, she remained still, waiting for Mahado to finish.

After some time, he lifted his hands from her shoulders and looked full her in her unscarred eye. A brief wave of confusion crossed his face before he spoke. "The guardian that your soul has identified with is one that I would never have imagined."