Last chapter! Thank you everyone who reviewed, and I hope you enjoy!

Yami froze as he was finally able to view the entire temple, his eyes locking on a small and very familiar figure kneeling before the altar.

"Yugi!"

The figure knelt before the altar gave no sign initially that he'd heard Yami, instead bowing deeply so his forehead touched the floor. Kneeling up once again, the figure spoke a prayer softly, though it only came as a mumble to Yami's group, before standing and striking a small fire beneath a bronze bowl. Very soon, the scent of incense filled the air, and the young boy placed a bowl of water on the altar, offering it to the large hawk-headed statue of Horus behind it.

Only then did he turn round, looking over his shoulder and giving the group a pleasant smile. "Greetings, Pharaoh," he said softly, a humorous twinkle in his eye. "Come in, and meet my father."

"Yugi…?" Yami asked again, much more softly. "Is it… really you?"

The figure nodded with a bright smile, before turning and beginning to briskly walk the length of the hall toward the ensemble at the entrance. Yugi was no longer dressed in the slave attire Yami had grown so accustomed to seeing him in, but instead now wore a ceremonial kilt, held in place with a golden sash adorned with a scarab buckle. The buckle itself would be worth a fortune; made of gold and embedded with a large ruby to represent the sun the scarab carried, and emeralds to form the scarab's wing case. The broadcollar about Yugi's neck and shoulders was even more enchanting, the finely-smoothed beads it consisted of being made of gold, amethyst and garnet, each of which glinted in the light as he moved. A small crown sat on his head, with the protective Wadjet-snake on the very front, and in his right hand he carried a golden ankh. There seemed to be a soft aura about him that made the group physically feel more relaxed – not a visible aura, but just a pleasant atmosphere radiating from him.

After what felt like an eternity to Yami, Yugi came to a stop in front of them. "You are allowed in, you know," he said softly, a light sheen of tears coming into his eyes. "Dad won't harm you…"

"Yugi…" the Pharaoh whispered softly, reaching out one trembling hand to caress Yugi's cheek. "You're…"

Yami didn't have time to finish his awe-struck sentence, before a gentle sob came from Yugi as the boy flung himself into the Pharaoh's chest. "Yami…" he sniffed softly, wrapping his arms round his lover's chest tightly. "I've missed you so much…"

The Pharaoh returned the hug almost immediately, nearly squeezing the breath out of Yugi in his delight. "It's so good to see you again, little one," he whispered softly, swallowing a happy sob of his own "It's so good to have you back…"

Nuzzling his face gently against Yami's chest, Yugi gave a soft sigh, before loosening his grip again. "You'd all better come in," he stated. "There's a lot that I have to tell you."

Yugi led the assembly into a small annex room, a private space where they wouldn't be disturbed, and gestured for them to sit where they felt appropriate. Yami and Set both sat on a stone block, while Masika set herself down on the floor beside them and Jou and Hiroto stood by the entry, going into their guarding routine even when relaxing.

Yugi smiled softly round at the group, before taking a seat himself opposite Yami and Set, so that they could all see and hear him. He looked somewhat uncomfortable, almost nervous, and occasionally fiddled with the hem of his kilt as he let them all settle down.

Eventually, sighing softly to indicate he was ready to speak, Yugi began talking. "I guess the first thing to tell you is that yes, it was Seth who caused all that trouble," the boy stated. "Set, everything that happened while you were under his power, the Netjeru have said you can forget about. You shan't be called to account for it."

The High Priest looked visibly relieved at this, as if a great weight had been lifted from his shoulders, and he bowed deeply from his seated position. "Thank you, Khret-Heru." (1)

Yugi bowed in return, waving the High Priest's new name for him aside. "I'm still Yugi," he reminded the man with a smile. "Just as you will still be Set Nebkheprure when you journey west too." (2)

"Masika…" he turned to the girl with a smile. "Thank you for everything you have done for me, and for Yami and Set. Rest assured that you will be rewarded justly."

Yugi beckoned the girl closer, and gently touched the top of the loop of the ankh to her forehead as she knelt before him. Silence fell over the room momentarily, broken only by Masika giving a soft gasp as a vision appeared before her mind's eye.

"Gran'ma!" Masika scolded. "You know you're not supposed to be up and about so much."

"But dear," the older woman chuckled softly. "I feel fine today. It's strange… I had a dream last night, that Isis herself visited me… She took my hand and led me across the desert and back again, and when I woke up my legs felt ten years younger."

Masika frowned softly at her elderly relative. "Gran'ma," she reprimanded. "You know it never lasts. You'll tire yourself out and make yourself worse."

"That's the most peculiar thing though…" Masika's senior replied. "I was up at dawn today. Usually, I'd only last half this long at a stretch, but I still feel as fit as you…" The elderly lady smiled softly. "I've even managed to complete all your cleaning chores for today."

Masika gasped. "A… All of them!"

The older woman nodded again, a bright twinkle in her eyes that Masika hadn't seen for far too long. "So how about you go fetch that young man you keep talking about, hmm? 'Lateef,' was it? I've been dying to meet him…"

Masika looked up at Yugi, tears of happiness forming in her eyes. "She's… she's going to be okay?"

The boy smiled and nodded. "Mother's going to look after her for you. She'll be in perfect health for a good while yet."

A soft sob escaped Masika at this news, knowing that the one thing she wished for above all others was to be granted, and she too bowed down before Yugi, seeming like she didn't dare raise her head before being told she could. "Thank you so much," she whispered fervently. "To you and all the netjeru, thank you…"

Looking almost unsure of what to do, Yugi slipped down off his seat, kneeling beside the girl and pulling her up into a friendly hug. "You don't have to speak to me like that, you know," he rebuked softly. "I may be a god now, but I was still human twice before. I'd rather you remembered me as that."

Giving the girl one more friendly squeeze, Yugi looked across to Jou and Hiroto and offered them both a smile. "That's not to say that I intend to not use my powers, of course," he stated with a wink. "You two can count on me watching over you personally in the future. Next time a bit of luck goes your way, just think about where – or who – it may have come from. They say you make your own luck, but…" Yugi's smile widened into a broad grin. "That's not always the case."

The two both glanced at each other, a grin just as wide as Yugi's crossing their faces almost simultaneously, before they returned their attention to the younger boy and saluted smartly. "You can count on us to watch over you and your lover-boy there too," Jou stated with a wink. "That is, where appropriate, of course!"

At this, Yugi laughed a little, before his face fell. "That… won't be necessary…" he whispered softly.

"Then what I suspected was true."

Set, Hiroto, Jou and Masika all turned as one to look at the Pharaoh, who wore a gravely sombre expression on his face. "Everything you've just said… they may well be rewards, but they're also parting gifts too, aren't they?"

Jou and Hiroto both stared at Yugi, horror on their faces, while Set and Masika both looked away, closing their eyes. Yugi simply gave a small sigh and nodded. "I'm sorry…"

"But… but why!" Hiroto demanded, before anyone else could find their tongue. "You're a god! You're all-powerful! You should be able to come down here if you wanna!"

Yugi simply shook his head. "I may be a God, but I'm not all-powerful. None of us are, really. Without due reason, I can't stay down here…" Yugi swallowed thickly, his voice starting to sound a little more hoarse. "And I've fulfilled my destiny. My name will be remembered now, and Kemet was freed from the tyrannical rule, so I have no other reason to come back." Yugi wiped at one eye with the back of his hand, brushing some tears away. A faint, painful sounding whisper crossed the boy's lips. "This is the last time I can come down."

A sober silence descended on the room again, each person waiting for someone else to say something – anything – in response to this. It was a silence that physically felt thicker as it grew; a silence that morphed from present to stifling to smothering, a thick blanket that became harder to escape from with every second that passed. Everyone avoided eye-contact, knowing fully well that the others were avoiding it too, and Masika even found herself holding her breath, in case it were too loud to be befitting of the moment.

Yami was the first one to move, feeling he should be the one to take the initiative. This was, after all, his parting gift – his mind could be at rest now.

Yugi wasn't coming back.

Sliding down from his seat, Yami knelt on the floor in front of Yugi, reaching out and pulling the boy close to his chest. This action finally caused the silence to break as a stifled sob came from Yugi, the boy burying his face against Yami's chest as he visibly struggled to hold back his tears. "Be strong for me, Yami…" he whimpered softly. "Be strong, and make Kemet great. Show the world what it takes to be a ruler, and…" Yugi broke down into full-blown tears as he spoke, clinging tightly to his lover's frame, never wanting to be torn away but knowing he would be soon. "And… n-never forget… I'll always love you…"

A second sob joined Yugi's as Masika broke down at these words, pressing her hands to her face and crying into them. Startled, Jou hurried across and pulled her into a soothing hug too, stroking her hair softly and gently shushing her, trying to help calm the girl. Hiroto stood by awkwardly, not sure what he should do, and while Yami visibly repressed his tears, Set sat stoically, his face solemn this time. "You told me more than that, Yugi," he stated flatly. "Why won't you tell him the rest?"

Yugi shook his head fiercely, still pressed tightly against his lover. "I can't…" he whispered. "I can't ask that of him… It isn't fair."

"Yugi, you're denying him the thing he wants most of all. You should at least let him have a choice," Set nearly snapped, evidently not happy about Yugi holding out. "Look at his face, and see with your heart. He still wants to be with you, and you're cheating him of the chance."

"Yugi…?" Yami enquired softly. "Is this true?"

Wiping his eyes with both hands, Yugi turned his blotchy, tear-stained face up to look at Yami. Upon seeing the small spark of hope in his eyes, Yugi felt the little resistance he'd been able to offer this last piece of information crumbling. "It… Yes…" he whispered. "There is still a way you can be with me…"

Yami looked almost hurt at this revelation, regarding Yugi with questioning eyes. "Then why didn't you tell me, little one?"

Yugi's head dropped again, and his voice came out almost inaudibly. "Because it will cost you your life."

Yami looked both stunned and confused at this, unable to understand why such a high price would be demanded. Eventually, though, recognition spread across his face. Yugi was being forced to journey west… but that didn't mean Yami couldn't travel with him.

"I…" Yami trailed off weakly. It was perhaps the first time in his entire life he'd come to such a tough decision – and not only that, but a decision he couldn't reverse. In this life, he had a kingdom. He had people he owed his life to, and they owed theirs to him. He had friends, he had advisors, and he had responsibilities. He loved every last person in his country…

But he loved Yugi too. Granted, Yami knew he would see him again whether it was now or later… but he didn't know if he could stand the wait.

"Pharaoh…" Set murmured softly. "I know this is a hard decision, but Yugi's time here is almost up. If you want to go with him, you'll have to choose soon."

Never before had Yami felt such a crushing difficulty in a single decision. It was more than difficult; it scared him. While he knew what awaited him after death, letting go was still the hardest part. Knowing everyone and everything he'd leave behind, knowing everything he wouldn't do or see, and knowing everything he'd miss… Was it all worth it, to be reunited with Yugi sooner rather than later?

Regret etched into his features, Yami raised his head, staring down at his younger lover, before reaching out and touching his hand, letting his fingers brush over the soft skin and gently entwining his fingers with Yugi's. At that moment of contact, he knew what his decision was to be.

"Set…" he whispered softly. "…give me your knife."

"No."

Yami turned to glare at Set, his eyes flaring up angrily. "I said give it to me!"

"Think for a moment, Yami!" Set snapped angrily. This caused the Pharaoh to recoil in shock – that was the first time Set had referred to him by his informal name. "If you take your own life, you'll be doomed to Duat (3) for eternity! You'll never see Yugi!"

"He's right…" Yugi whispered softly, squeezing Yami's hand lightly in the hope of soothing him. "If you take your own life, you'll never pass the weighing of the heart. For you to come with me…" Yugi gave a small, regretful sigh again. "Someone else must damn themselves."

"And before you argue, Pharaoh," Set cut in, rising from his seat. "I already spoke to Yugi about this, when he relayed the original message to meet him here. He couldn't dissuade me, and nor shall you." Set tugged his ceremonial robe back, and pulled out a knife with an intricately designed handle and a wickedly curved blade – the very same one he'd used to kill Yugi, all that time ago.

The High Priest's voice softened. "It was because of me that you two were split apart the first time. It was because Seth possessed me that you were split again. Please, Pharaoh…" he urged softly. "My heart shall never be at rest until I make it up to you. Regardless of what the netjeru decreed, my heart is still heavy with guilt. For the sake of your love, please let me damn myself…"

Yami was visibly shocked by this offer, and slowly shook his head. "Set…" he whispered softly. "You've been my trusted friend since I was a child. No matter how much I may have resented you, you always looked out for me. I can't wish this upon you."

Set fixed the Pharaoh with a cool, emotionless gaze. "My Lord," he murmured. "Please, consider it my last act of service. I have already prepared myself."

"But…"

Set interrupted Yami before he could find a solid base from which to protest. "Yugi doesn't have long, Pharaoh. If you don't take my offer now, you may not be able to find him in the afterlife."

Yami turned to look at Yugi, who lowered his eyes wordlessly. That was confirmation enough for him that what Set was saying was true. He was obviously pained by this realisation, but it enabled him to come to a decision.

Yami closed his eyes and turned his head away. "Very well," he uttered in an undertone. "If it must be this way, I will have it no other. But…"

Drawing in a deep breath, trying to calm himself, Yami strode forward to Set. He stood and looked the priest in the eye, matching his gaze, before reaching up and removing his crown, placing it on the stunned priest's head. "Let it be this way also. You will succeed my kingdom in my name, with these people present to witness this transition by word, to later be confirmed by ceremony."

Momentarily at a loss for words, Set eventually caught up with himself again, bowing deeply to show his agreement. "As you wish it, my Lord…"

"Then, for my first act as Pharaoh…" he stated, his voice thickening as he raised the blade up to Yami's chest with a shaking hand. "I command you. Go with your lover to the next life, and watch over Kemet from there."

Set hesitated briefly, a fleeting moment of indecision flashing across his eyes, before he bit lightly on his lower lip, drawing in a deep breath through his nose to steady himself. A single, soft gasp of pain escaped Yami as the blade thrust forward, slipping between his ribs and piercing his heart. The Pharaoh slumped forward into Set's arms with a weak groan, clutching onto the man for support. "Thank you…" he whispered faintly, hissing as Set tugged the blade out.

"For you, my Lord…" Set replied, his voice cracking as a single tear slipped out. "Anything." He pressed a light kiss to the Pharaoh's forehead, before giving the man a final, encouraging hug. "Take my love and yours to the afterlife, and bring this land your blessings."

Stepping forward, Yugi bowed before Set before carefully taking Yami's dying body from his arms, hugging the Pharaoh close. With a soft moan of pain, Yami made a visible effort to hold on to Yugi, his eyes beginning to look more distant even as the boy kissed him lightly. "We'll be there soon," he whispered reassuringly to his lover. "I love you."

Looking up at the others, Yugi nodded his head to them, swallowing a lump in his throat as tears came to his eyes again. "Thank you all…" he whispered. "We'll be waiting for you…"

With those words and a soft smile on his face, he and Yami left to join the gods for the final time.

End
(1) Khret-Heru: translates as 'Son-of-Horus'

(2) The Egyptians believed that, when you died, you were led west to the Hall of Judgement

(3) The Underworld of the Kemetic religion

Yes! T'is the end! ;; Still an epilogue to come though (I'll be working on it by the time this is posted!) so stay tuned, okay? Oh, and please review!