Author:BradyBunch4529
Rating: PG-13
Summary:Atemu and Seto finally see what their past was like. Now they must fight to protect the one they both love.
Pairings:Atemu/Anzu/Seto
Disclaimers: Really not mine. So I won't claim to own them.
Reviewers:
Nightfall2525:Now that is a compliment! Good to know that everything worked in the chapter.
FadingHearts:Thanks. Me either! It's so hard to decide. Me too! Though I think that I have finally figured out the pairings and it should ben surprising, a definite twist! Don't worry about it! I always find them late too! You're right about not having to wait! That's always good! Even if I have writers block I try to only wait 2-3 weeks!
April( ): Thanks!
Veronica( ): It should be interesting. Thanks so much!
Chapter 9: Exploring
Atemu paced back and forth, his sandal feet making no sound on the sand as he peered out the gates. The palace had been a hive of activity since he had received the news that his wife was alive and well. His violet eyes were burning brightly, his face tight with tension as he waited. Standing slightly behind him stood Seth, his face a mask of indifference as he too watched the gate.
Atemu had wondered if he should dismiss everyone. After all who knew what condition Anasandra was actually in. Then Seth pointed out that the people would never believe that the Queen was returned if they could actually see her. So Atemu had reluctantly allowed everyone to be present during her arrival. With each passing moment, Atemu could feel himself winding tighter. If Anasandra didn't arrive soon, he was going to be a basket case.
"It'll be fine my Pharaoh," Seth spoke softly behind him. "You sent out added guards and the royal guard is with her. Taking her would be impossible."
"I know," Atemu sighed and stopped beside his High Priest. "But they are later than we were told." Atemu's eyes met Seth's, their violet depths begging for reassurance.
"They could have let her rest, or some injury that had been previously unknown could have shown up," Seth told him softly. "Let's give them some more time before we send out scouts."
"As you wish," Atemu nodded and looked towards the gate. "I will heed the counsel of my trusted High Priest."
"Thank you," Seth inclined his head. His dark eyes shadowed as he considered everything he had put the Pharaoh through since his sister had been taken.
Seth knew that he didn't actually blame Atemu. No, he blamed himself. All of his anger had been towards himself but Atemu had made a convenient target. The fact that Atemu was willing to forgive him so quickly brought with it a wave of guilt. An elbow nudged his side and he looked down to see his Pharaoh looking up at him. The warmth and understanding in those violet eyes had him smiling sheepishly.
A horse and rider pounded their way through the gate. The horses' hooves beat a drumming rhythm on the granite stones. Atemu's and Seth's eyes instantly swung that way, watching as the rider skidded to a halt at the Captains bidding. A quick conversation took place and then the Captain was striding towards them.
"Good news my Pharaoh," the captain called as he approached. "They are an hour behind the messenger. He reports that there were no problems and while the Queen remains confused, she seems to be in good health."
"Excellent," Atemu nodded and motioned towards a house slave behind him. "In an hour I want a bath waiting and the healers standing by."
"Of course my Pharaoh." The servant bowed deeply and then hurried from the room.
Atemu and Seth returned to watching the gate. United as they waited for the woman that they both loved to return to them.
Anasandra looked up with tired eyes as a figure entered her cell. The fury she saw in his familiar eyes had her wincing internally, even as she met his gaze calmly. His hand arched up and struck her across the cheek. Her head spun away from the blow, blood filling her mouth and stars in her eyes as she bounced off of the wall.
His hand wrapped around her hair and pulled her up. Anasandra felt the all-consuming pain and struggled to her feet to follow him. His fist repeatedly struck her; the only thing keeping her on her feet was his grip on her hair. She tried to pull away, reacting blindly and only succeeding in making him angrier.
"Stupid bitch!" He hissed in her face, tilting up to meet his burning eyes. "Nothing but a fucking decoy!"
"What…?" Anasandra slurred out.
"The Queen has been found by guards, wearing the millennium necklace around her neck," he told her harshly. Shaking her roughly before pitching her to theground. "You are worthless now."
Anasandra enjoyed the shock of the cold stones against her flushed and heated skin. Her brain spun and remained fuzzy as she tried to understand what her torturer had told her. Something about the Queen being found. She didn't understand how that was possible when she was right here. Then slowly awareness began to trickle back to her and she remembered her dreams.
A girl with short brown hair and brilliant blue eyes staring at her, laughing with a boy that looked like Atemu. Arguing with another boy that looked like Seth. Anasandra realized what this meant. Somehow her future self was in the past and that meant that everything was going to change. As awareness began to slip away from Anasandra again, she wondered idly if the girls presence meant that they would finally let her die.
Anzu watched the city come closer and closer. Panic was starting to well in her breast with every passing moment. Escape plans tumbled through her head though Anasandra vetoed all of them. For a moment she really wished that Anasandra was in front of her. Then at least she could hurt the Queen or strangle her. Anasandra was concerned about slipping away from this many guards.
Anzu had to admit that it could pose a problem. After the news had reached the Pharaoh, over a thousand men had arrived. And Anzu was stuck in the middle of all of them. Her tent had been placed in the center of the camp, with a circle of 30 men standing guard. That number had only grownonce they had begun the trip to the Palace. And they watched her like a hawk, every moment shadowed and watched. It had made going to the bathroom and washing up very interesting. With one of the guards now sporting a black eye.
Movement up ahead caught her eye and Anzu bit back a groan as people began to pour through the gates to the city. She rubbed at her face, ignoring the concerned glances of the guards around her. At that moment she was tempted to throw herself off of her camel and make a break for it. Unfortunately she had waited to long and now the crowd was close enough to see her and the cheering began.
Anzu couldn't help but smile and wave at the people, though she really wanted to cringe away from them. It wasn't their fault that she wasn't supposed to be here and she wouldn't punish them for reacting to her like this. After all she was the image of their Queen. The group continued through the city, guards alert as they watched for any possible danger.
Her eyes were wide as the inner gates swung open in front of her, the escort moving out of the way as Anzu and the royal guards entered. Anzu could feel her heart pounding in her chest, her hand having dropped to her lap as she clenched the material of the dress. Her eye moved wildly back and forth, trying to find some way out of this. Then the gates closed with a loud thud behind her, and she winced.
"Anasandra!" A familiar voice called and Anzu's eyes snapped open as she stared at Atemu rushing towards her. Just behind him Seth was moving towards her, a slight smile touching his lips. For a moment Anzu delighted in the love shining from both pairs of eyes focused on her. "Thank Ra you are safe!"
Then her camel was kneeling and Atemu's hands wrapped around her waist. He lifted her down effortlessly, pulling her close to him. His arms wrapped around her, tucking her against him as he pressed kisses to her face. Warmth spread through her and Anzu found herself leaning against him, arms wrapping around him as tears leaked from eyes.
"Don't worry my love," Atemu whispered as he kissed away her tears. "You are safe now. I won't let anyone hurt you again."
"We won't," Seth interrupted as he stopped next to the pair. His hand reached out and Anzu almost lost it when she noticed the fine tremors. His hand soothed back her hair, anger flashing through his eyes when he realized how short her hair was. "They cut your hair."
"No!" Anzu protested. "Yes! I don't know," she mumbled at their startled expression. "My name is Anzu not Anasandra. I'm really not who you think I am."
"It's all right my wife," Atemu attempted to soothe her as he brushed a hand down her back. "We were warned that you were having trouble remembering. It's completely understandable after everything you went through." Atemu watched her with worried violet eyes, his heart breaking at the torment in her familiar blue eyes.
"No," Anzu shook her head, shoulders slumping slightly. "I'm really not who you think I am!" When both men exchanged worried glances over her head Anzu almost screamed. "You've got to believe me! I am not Anasandra!"
"You are obviously upset from everything that has happened," Seth spoke softly. His hand wrapping around her arm as he urged her towards the palace. "Why don't we go inside and have the healers look at you."
"That's a good idea," Atemu agreed. Both men took her arm and guided her. Anzu tried to dig in her heels, still protesting as they moved deeper into the palace.
Yami stared at Ishizu in annoyance. The Egyptian woman stared back calmly, her dark eyes giving nothing away. He didn't understand why the woman wouldn't tell him what he wanted to know. How hard could it be to tell him what happened to Anzu?
"I don't see what the problem is," Seto finally announced. "She's got to be around her somewhere. We just need to keep looking."
"That's a good idea Seto!" Mokuba chirped, his hand tugging on Seto's trench coat.
"Then we'll split up and search this place top to bottom!" Junouchi announced.
"Really mutt? I wouldn't have guessed," Seto drawled mockingly and turned away from them.
"Stuff it Kaiba!" Junouchi demanded as he shook his fist at the young CEO. Seto didn't even look back, disappearing through the doors to the tomb.
"Kaiba wait!" Yami called after him. "We need to make arrangement for meeting back up here."
"I'll be back in 2 hours," Seto tossed over his shoulder without stopping.
"Well you heard him," Yami sighed and looked around. "Meet back here in two hours. If you find anything yell."
"Gottcha," Honda nodded and looked around. "Who wants to go with who?"
"I'll go with Shizuka," Otogi announced and wrapped an arm around the girl.
"Hands off!" Junouchi shouted and hit Otogi on the back of the head.
"That's a surprise," Honda muttered and rolled his eyes at Yami.
"I want to go with my big brother," Shizuka replied and wrapped her hands around his arm.
"See!" Junouchi laughed at Otogi.
"Why don't we do it this way," Yami tried to reason with everyone one. "The Ishitar's stay together. "Me and Otogi will go together and you three can go together." There was some mumbling from Otogi but soon everyone had split up, drifting in an opposite directions.
Ishizu was taking her group towards the far back corner. As Yami watched a passage opened up in front of them and they disappeared into it. Honda was leading the way out of the tomb, then disappearing further down the hall. Yami looked at Otogi and he shrugged.
"Where do you want to go?" Otogi asked as he looked around. "I got to tell you that I don't have much experience with Egyptian pyramids."
"Good question," Yami sighed and glanced around. "I'm not really sure." He stopped and his Millennium Puzzle began to glow, swinging towards the picture of Slyphier. An answering glow flared to life in its eyes and Yami found himself moving towards it without thinking.
"Where are you going?" Otogi demanded, hurrying to keep up with the Pharaoh. "There's a wall there!" Otogi cried as Yami continued towards the wall without slowing. Otogi winced, certain that Yami was going to slam into the wall. When he finally opened his eyes again, Yami was disappearing through the wall. Otogi yelped and dove after him, just barely managing to keep up with the Pharaoh. He landed with a thump on the other side and groaned. "That hurt." He winced as he pushed himself to his feet.
"This way," Yami told him shortly and continued without looking back.
"I'm fine," Otogi told him sarcastically. "Thanks for asking," He mumbled and scrambled up after him.
He looked around nervously. The path was old and dusty, cobwebs hanging from the ceiling. Which Otogi was almost touching as he continued along, the path was dark, only occasional flashes of light apparent form the torches lining the walkway. There were several paths branching off from the one they were on but Yugi ignored them and continued on.
Their steps rang sharply through the path. Echoing back at them as they continued, a soft scurrying sound reached their ears and Otogi jumped slightly as he peered into the darkness. "Are there rats in the desert?" Otogi asked nervously.
"It's probably scarabs or bugs," Yami told him.
"Scarabs?" Otogi repeated sofly. "I saw a movie where the scarabs would eat you. Are they those types of scarabs?"
"Could be," Yami agreed, looking over his shoulder at him. "Why?"
"'Cause I don't plan on being a snack for a bunch of bugs for several years yet. Hell decades," Otogi told him shortly.
"I'm sure that we have nothing to fear," Yami told him.
"So you keep saying," Otogi muttered and stepped closer to Yugi. "But I have my doubts."
Yami came to a stop suddenly and Otogi barely managed to avoid crashing into him. Yami stared down into the black abyss in front of him. Then his hand reached out and pressed a figure etched into the wall and flames suddenly leapt up in front of them. Otogi yelped and jerked back but Yami remained calm.
The flames raced down the chute in front of him, outlining a stone staircase. Yami moved down the stairs, following the flames downwards. Otogi hurried to keep up, his green eyes flicking back and forth. To his surprise on either side of the staircase were etchings of the Dark Magician and the Blue Eyes White Dragon. He wondered what could be down here that they were protecting.
"Hey Yug, did you see the pictures?" Otogi asked as he waved at the walls.
"I did," Yami replied easily. "Seth and I agreed that to guard the inner sanctuary we would place our favorites."
"What?" Otogi asked confused. Yugi's voice was deeper, more commanding as he spoke. Even the body in front of him was moving different than what Otogi was used to. This was something beyond having the spirit take over Otogi decided. The hand that rested on the staircase was casual, not seeking guidance for where he should go.
The head was held stiffly, only staring straight ahead. The pace was different, slow and deliberate now. As they reached the end of the staircase, Yugi turned away from the flames. "Yugi the light goes the other way!" Otogi pointed out but Yugi didn't slow.
Otogi shook his head and rushed to keep up. The light disappeared quickly as they were swallowed up by the darkness. Otogi swallowed thickly, his eyes straining to find Yugi in front of him. He slammed into something, falling to the floor and staring up at Yugi in amazement.
"Here," Yami murmured to himself and pressed the symbols in front of him in order.
"Here what?" Otogi demanded as he struggled to get up.
The floor opened below them and they fell into the darkness.
Seto strode down the corridor with Mokuba hurrying to keep up. He found where the main corridor intersected with this one but kept going. The darkness started to swallow him and he found himself slowing to allow Mokuba to grab onto back of his trench coat.
He clenched his fist around the Millennium Rod as he moved deeper into the darkness.
"Where are we going Seto?" Mokuba asked hesitantly.
"This way," Seto told him shortly.
"Do you know where you are going?" Mokuba questioned anxiously.
"Yes," Seto told him as they continued relentlessly through the darkness.
"How?" Mokuba asked.
"I just do."
"Okay." Mokuba paused for a moment. "Do you think we are going to find Anzu?"
"I'm sure of it," Seto told him easily. "She has to be here. Obviously it was a trick earlier."
"You think so?"
"Hmm. The Egyptians were known for their ability to discourage tomb raiders," Seto told him easily as they dodged around a statue in front of them.
"True."
The rod began to glow as Seto slowed at an intersection. The corridor in front of them came to an abrupt halt but Seto could just make out the carving in front of him. The Ultimate Blue Eyes White Dragon stared back at him. Grief filled Seto suddenly, almost choking him as he stood there, he could feel tears gathering in his eyes. He fought them back and lifted the Millennium Rod and fitted into the center head eye. There was a click and the wall slid back and over.
"Wow," Mokuba muttered as torches lit automatically.
"Come Mokuba," Seto told him as he stepped through the wall and into the passage behind it.
As Mokuba move through the passage the wall slid closed behind him. He jumped slightly at the soft click, moving closer to Seto as they began to move down the passageway. The torches lent a soft light to their surroundings but did nothing to block the darkness that crept along the edge of the path. Seto didn't look left or right, focused on what was ahead.
This path was familiar to him, something he had done a hundred times before. He didn't need to look around to know what was coming. The corridor ended in front of him and he stepped to the left and slid through the opening that was hidden there. Mokuba scrambled after him, inhaling as gold suddenly flashed in front of him.
"What is this place?" Mokuba whispered.
"Treasure room," Seto answered shortly as he strode forward and down the stairs.
The room he was descending into was endless, flickering torches only highlighting the front of the room. Two gold statues stood at attention at the head of the stairs and at the foot. To Mokuba's surprise it was the more conventional statues of Iris and Ra rather than anything to do with duel monsters. The stairs were of the same white marble as the rest of the pyramid but the banister was made of a shiny blue rock, etched with the symbols that Mokuba had seen above.
It took Mokuba a minute to realize that the blue stone banister he was looking at were actually sapphires melted together. He could feel the breath catch in his throat as he stared around in amazement. Gold statues, jewelry and precious stones littered the floor. At the edge of the light a fountain splashed away. Seto was moving through the treasure room, heading away from the light when Mokuba finally caught up.
"Seto did you see all of that stuff?" Mokuba questioned anxiously. "I really thing that the banister is made of sapphires."
"It was," Seto told him with a sigh. "To match her eyes."
"Seto are you okay?" Mokuba asked anxiously. "You've been acting funny. And how do you know all this stuff."
"The same way that I could read the Egyptian God card," Seto told him. "I just do."
"So where are we going?"
"The inner chamber."
"What's that?"
"Where Anasandra actually lies. Along with the several things that might actually help us." Seto explained as he led the way through another passage way.
"Wasn't that her tomb upstairs?" Mokuba asked as he grabbed the back of Seto's coat.
"No," Seto replied easily. "That's the chamber that we used to make everyone believe it was her. It's no more than one of her servants. The real tomb is downstairs."
"Oookay," Mokuba drawled out. He was really become convinced that Seto was starting to lose him mind.
A sudden rumbling had him swinging around and Seto tensing in front of him. To the side a wall was swinging open and Yugi and Otogi stepped out of it. Otogi looked like someone had beaten him and then shook him upside down for a while. He was covered in cobwebs, hair disheveled and breathing hard. Yugi on the other hand was calm and collected, not a hair out of place.
"Seth," Yami greeted with an inclination of his head.
"Pharaoh," Seto replied easily. "I see you found your entrance."
"And you found yours," Yami responded in turn. His violet eyes glinted in the torch light before he turned and lead the way down the pathway.
For a moment Mokuba could swear that Yugi was wearing something different. Gold glinted at his neck before it was gone and Mokuba blinked again. He shrugged it off and hurried after the rest of the group. In the next instant they were stopping and he watched as Seto and Yugi took up positions in front of the wall. It seemed to gleam strangely and his head titled to one side as he considered it.
Then Seto and Yugi's hands extended towards it and as Mokuba watched the slab began to glow and pulse in front of them. Ripples of water and flashes of light sparkled within it. Slowly a figure began to appear before them, its feature indistinct and unrecognizable. Mokuba and Otogi gasped as the features suddenly became clear and they realized they were looking into Yugi's eyes.
But he was dressed differently, gold circling his throat and a crown on his head. His violet eyes were harder, more challenging; his features more finely drawn. This Yugi was dressed in a white shift that ended just above his knees, with a cape of white hanging from his shoulders. Gold bands circled his waist and arms, the skin tanned and toned.
"To enter you must past the test to prove that you are worthy," Pharaoh Atemu told them. "So by the order of the Pharaoh and the High Priest let the test begin."
A/N: Well there's another chapter. I really hope that it was worth it. I know that I didn't hit on Anzu and Atemu too much. That'll be in the next chapter. I promise! Make sure you tell me what you think. If you don't review, thanks for stopping by. And I'll see you soon.