Authoress' Note: Thank you for your reviews and patience! Enjoy chapter eight!
Peace and prosperity lasted almost a full year before the Shadow Games started. Dark sorcerers once again learned how to control the terrible powers of the monsters locked in stone tablets. Day after day, Yami would come home exhausted after watching his supporters fall. Eventually only the pharaoh himself was left to duel the forces of evil and defend the fate of the very world.
Tea despised having to see her once lighthearted husband being burdened with a war with such massive consequences. He was still as loving as ever, but he was surrounded by an aura of perpetual worry. On the eve of what was hopefully to be the final, climactic battle, Yami was nowhere to be found. Tea searched all the rooms of the vast estate before she finally found him in the garden, carefully regarding the vivid sunset. The amber light gave his lightly tanned skin an additional glow as he turned. Tea proceeded slowly, unsure if he wanted to be alone. Her unasked question was answered when Yami smiled softly and held out his arms. "I was just thinking how I have to win, how I can't let this beautiful world be destroyed." he looked down at Tea, now firmly in his embrace, "I can't let them take you." The queen tipped her head back to peer intently into his eyes. "And you won't." she said with the utmost confidence. The she stepped back and took Yami's hand saying, "Come. I have something to show you."
Yami allowed himself to be guided through the torch-lit hallways, his mind concentrating on formulating his dueling strategy. His determination to win had been strengthened even more after Tea's reassurances. Yami felt his wife release his hand and he brought his mind back from mulling over his deck. He realized that they were in their bedchamber and watched as Tea pulled seven elaborate boxes from the chest that contained her infrequently worn robes of state. She beckoned to him as she said, "I wanted to give these to you before you duel tomorrow. I had them made as a wedding present, but they weren't ready until last month." As Tea spoke, Yami opened the boxes one by one. They each held a dazzling gold object. A pyramid-shaped puzzle, a large ring, a small orb, an ankh, a set of scales, a necklace, and a golden rod emerged, each emblazoned with the eye-shaped seal of the pharaoh. "Thank you, love." Yami said, leaning over to kiss Tea softly, "I can't tell you how much this means to me."
In the depth of the night, as Tea lay sleeping beside him, Yami stared at the ceiling. Unable to sleep, he had spent the past few hours becoming intimately familiar with every single crack in the stone. Bored, he suddenly remembered the golden puzzle Tea had given him. Yami slipped silently out of bed, lightly brushing Tea's forehead with his lips as he did so, and retrieved the puzzle. He had always had a proclivity for games and puzzles of all kinds. Therefore, he was surprised when, after manipulating the shining pieces for hours, he still had not solved it. With his mind finally focusing on something besides the upcoming battle, the pharaoh slipped into a dreamless sleep, still hunched over the puzzle.
Tea awoke just as the sun rose to find the spot beside her empty and cold. She panicked for a moment before seeing her husband sleeping in a chair. "He looks exactly the same as the first time I saw him." Tea thought to herself, feeling a warmth rise within her. As she moved closer, Tea could see the glint of gold in Yami's hands. Her hands moved by themselves, taking the puzzle and the final, contrary piece. Still basking in her love for Yami, Tea absently slipped the piece in and rotated it. With a loud click, it moved into the correct position, completing the pyramid. The noise concurrently brought Tea out of her reverie and woke Yami. He stared, astonished, at the finished enigma in her hands. Tea, too, was shocked to see what she had done. "I-I was just thinking about you and playing with it." she stammered. Understanding dawned on Yami's handsome face. "The gods must have guided your hand." he said, voice filled with emotion. "I will wear this today. As long as I have your love, nothing can harm me." With this he slipped the cord of the puzzle around his neck and pulled Tea against him.
The couple stood in that bittersweet embrace for hours, cherishing the time together but also cursing it because it might be their last. All that was said were whispered reassurances of love. The minutes slipped away much faster, it seemed, than they should have, and it was time for Yami to leave. Tea's resolution to not cry instantly crumbled and tears streamed noiselessly down her face. Yami's heart wrenched at the sight and he said passionately, "What I said in the desert was true. Nothing can take me away from you. Even if something does happen to me today, I will find you." he tilted Tea's head back to look into her eyes. " I love you." Choking back a sob, Tea proclaimed with equal intensity, "And I love you. No matter what happens, I'm yours forever." Yami and Tea sealed the promises with a kiss that joined the mind, body, and soul. The pharaoh pulled back and walked out of the room, glancing back only once.
Tea isolated herself in her chamber, unable to bear a running commentary of the duel. Throughout the day, however, she became increasingly optimistic. "Our love will bring him back to me." was her mantra. Just as the sun was setting, Tea heard footsteps in the corridor. With hope welling within her, she flung the door open. One of the few remaining ministers stood before the queen, despair written plainly across his face. In his hand was clutched the golden puzzle. He handed it to her saying, "This was all that was left. He sacrificed himself to seal the demons away." Tea managed to nod mutely and close the door before the grief-wracked screams tore out of her soul and echoed on the limestone walls.