Later, when Mahaddo had finished healing Atemu's injuries, the three friends had to return to the palace. They were gathered in Atemu's rooms.
"Yami? Can I ask you something?"
"Mmmm? Of course Yugi. You don't have to ask first."
"Well…there's a horse fair a couple of cities to the south…Jo and Duke are going, and it's supposed to be the biggest fair on this side of the Red Sea! Can I go? Please say I can!"
"Ooookaaaayyyyy." Atemu drawled.
"YES! You're the best! The absolute best! I'm going to my rooms to pack!" And Yugi was gone, racing like a maniac for his rooms.
"You really know how to make him happy." Mahaddo observed, grinning. "But you do know he's probably going to come home with another horse."
"Yes, I know, but I can't help it. He's so hard to resist."
"If you say so. Actually, I'm glad he left. I need to talk to you."
"What about?" Atemu asked, concerned. He could hear the tension in Mahaddo's voice.
"Do you remember that fight we got into several years ago with the boys from the other side of the river? And how it turned nasty?"
"How could I forget? We walked in the front gates covered with so much mud that Seto nearly had a heart attack because he thought we were demons or something."
"And do you remember how one of the boys managed to hit me with a dagger?"
"Yes. It took quite a long time to heal, if I remember correctly."
"Well…that's the problem. It never healed fully, and something's happened to it…"
"Get to the point Mahaddo."
"Well…it's begun bleeding again, but on the inside. The healers say I have a day or two left, at the most. I checked it with Shadow Magic, and it seems they were right. I'm going to drown in my own blood, and there's nothing anyone can do about it." Atemu stared at his friend. What was Mahaddo saying? He couldn't die! He was only nineteen!
"This isn't funny Mahaddo."
"I'm serious Atemu. I wouldn't joke about something like this."
"But…you can't! What will I do without you? Who is going to play pranks on the guards with Yugi and me? Who will keep me company when Yugi is away?"
"Not me, that's for sure." Mahaddo said, rather bitterly. "But I have a request."
"Anything Mahaddo. Just name it." The young Pharaoh was on the verge of tears.
" When I pass on to the next journey, and the Judgment beyond, I don't want to be buried."
"Not be buried? What else can be done?"
"I want you to put both my body and soul into a stone tablet. Make me one of your protectors, and I'll serve you again, on the dueling field. I'll never be too far away, and all you'll have to do is look into your heart and find me. Please. I can't spend years watching you from the afterlife. I have to be there, and be a part of it. I want to see what you do with Egypt. I want to see Yugi when he becomes a man, and I want to see him marry, just as I want to see you do the same. I want to be a part of it, instead of just a watcher. Promise me. You have to promise. I won't accept anything else."
"I promise." Atemu whispered. By now, there were tears running freely down his cheeks. Mahaddo smiled sadly and brushed them away.
"Save your tears Pharaoh, for a time when they are really needed. I won't be going anywhere, not really. Just another form. Don't cry."
"How…h-h-how is it going to…going to happen?"
"I don't know, but I believe it will be quick, and relatively painless. The healers say that my heart will just cease beating."
"Can you meet me in the stables an hour before dawn?"
"Of course not. We have an important meeting tomorrow."
"No, we don't. Consider it canceled."
"In that case…an hour before dawn you said?"
"Yes."
"I bet I'll be there first."
"I'll bet you aren't." Both young men grinned.
"I have to arrange some things. Until tomorrow Pharaoh."
"Until tomorrow."
"Oh, and before I forget, there's an attempted Tomb Robber waiting for you in the lock-up."
"He showed up when I was asleep, didn't he?"
"Yes. An hour before dawn then. Good night." Atemu sighed as the door closed. Before he could lose control and get himself into trouble, he leaped onto his bed and punched a pillow over and over again, taking his anger out on it. Not quite satisfied by the abuse of his pillow, the youth scooped up said pillow, buried his face in it, and screamed.
It was nearly an hour later, after Atemu had calmed down somewhat and a serving maid had left a tray of dinner at his door, that the teenager decided to pay a visit to his captive. He slipped silently out of his room and down the hall to a heavy door set into the wall. He opened it and quietly descended the stairs to the room where the guards who patrolled the cells could be found when off duty. The three men within sprang to their feet and bowed when the Pharaoh entered.
"I was told that there is a Tomb Robber down here. Take me to him." Atemu said coldly. The guards were surprised. Usually, the young man before them was a little more…up. Now, he seemed to be carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders.
This was sort of true. Though Atemu's outward appearance was that of a calm and collected ruler, inside he was a roiling mess of emotion.
"Of course. This way." The tallest of the guards moved out the door and down another flight of stairs, into the subterranean cells buried deep beneath the palace. "Here he is."
"Thank you. I'd like you and the other guards to remain upstairs until I am done down here. That includes these two." Atemu gestured at the pair of young men standing on either side of the door to the cell.
"All of- but sir, he could be dangerous!"
"Are you questioning my judgment?" The Pharaoh asked, turning his cold ruby gaze on the unfortunate man.
"Of…of course not. It will be done. Come on you two." the three guards fled back to the warmth and safety of the off-duty room. Once he was sure that he was alone, Atemu sent a thin tendril of Shadow into the lock. There was a click, and the door swung open on silent hinges. The Pharaoh stepped into the cell beyond, and the door shut itself again.