Scales of Destiny

Authors' Note: Here's a prologue to a story written by me, Toxic, and the awesome Voices-in-my-head0304. I hope you like it!

Summary: The Millennium Scales have been passed from Shadi to another worthy of holding them. But as soon as she receives the mysterious scales, she starts having bizarre dreams about things that happened thousands of years ago. Each dream ends with a soothing voice and a calming face. Can she meet this mysterious stranger in Domino City?

Chapter Summary: A prologue, don't know quite how to explain it . . . . Set in Pharaoh Atem's (Yami) POV

Prologue

Five Thousand Years Ago

I stared outside at the horizon, watching as the day slowly bled into night. The featherlike strand of light that remained faded away, giving in to the crushing power of the darkness. My life is filled with it now. The darkness and shadows practically run in my veins. The Shadow Games are getting harder, and there are many more things at risk than there used to be.

My wife was in danger as well. Many enchantments had been placed upon her so that no harm may come to her, and I was confident in my Priests' magical abilities.

She could see the worry in my eyes I could in hers as well whenever she looked at me. The darkness was showing in my skin it was paler than the normal tan of the Egyptian hue.

I would sometimes drift off without knowing, my eyes darkening and clouding while I drift into the catacombs of my mind.

"Does something worry you my Pharaoh?" came a voice from behind me. I unconsciously flinched, startled by another presence.

"Every thing worries me now. I have no control over anything anymore," I answered as my body relaxed.

"That is not true. You should not be worried, your people are at your side, as am I," she whispered into my ear as I turned to face her.

Queen Zuka stared back at me, her brilliant green eyes boring into my violet ones. Her hand rested comfortably on her swollen belly, as if protecting our unborn child. The heir to my throne.

"You have always known the words to calm me," I smiled.

She smiled back, "I am glad that I can still make you smile."

She always could make me smile. She knew the shadow games were draining me and making me weak. And everyday she always bubbled full of hope no matter what trouble I faced, she prayed, and gave me the courage and willpower to win.

"You will always make me smile, for all eternity and a thousand life-times."

"I shall be yours forever?" I could see the joy gleaming on her face. It was like a disease, I couldn't help but smile.

"You shall be mine forever," I repeated.

"I would not have it any other way. Come Your Highness, you have been thinking too hard lately. Join me for dinner," she said as she began to walk out of the chamber. I took one last look at the night sky before walking out after her.

She disappeared into the shadows of our palace. Again I looked at the bloody orb hovering in the sky; I basked in the warm light of the setting sun. Wanting to keep it there forever, so I could remember the warmth during my next game, whenever that would be.

I walked into the dining chamber and Zuka's smiling face greeted me as she placed herself in the chair to the left of mine; leaving plenty of room for her stomach, as to not squash it.

"Shall we start now my pharaoh?" She still had the etiquette from her peasantry.

"Yes, Zuka, I suppose we shall." I murmured as I gently brushed my thumb across her cheek. Her skin was as smooth as the silk garb she was wearing; if not smoother.

Our dinners were silent as they have been since the wars broke out. We decided that unless it is a joyous occasion we should be silent. We have been silent with the exception of the news of Zuka's pregnancy; that was seven months ago.

Afterwards I escorted her to our sleeping chamber. As she laid on the bed I took off my necklaces and other jewelry.

"Oh no, my Pharaoh, your shivering," She piped up as I lay down on the bed. "I couldn't live with myself if I let you go through the night like this."

"Zuka I'm fine," I demanded but she insisted and eventually walked into the shadows of the hallway.

I waited impatiently as I paced around the room. "I should have gone with her." I realized in worriment.

In the distance a scream sliced through the too-still-air. I bolted at the door and stopped, dumbstruck, not believing what lay in front of my eyes.

And yet, it seems that that simple conversation on the balcony, and the perfect normal night had taken place years ago, but it truth, only an hour or two. Now I look at Zuka's pale body, her emerald eyes frozen open in fear. The baby she carried within her is dead, not even having a chance to live. A gaping wound lies near Zuka's heart, and blood seeps through her royal robes. Her Millennium Scales, gifted with powers like my own Millennium Puzzle, have droplets of blood spatter on them; the feather of Ma'at resting in its place. The crown she wore, so like mine with the Eye of Ra has been removed and spat upon, like she never deserved it. And next to her, in her left was the blanket that she had left to go get me.

It was the blanket a grateful citizen had weaved with the last of her yarn after I had saved her husband from the shadow realm. The blanket lay stained, a beautiful purple blanket with the Eye of Ra emblazed in the middle, a crimson splotch ruining the perfection that it once had.

"I should have gone with her." I realized, if I had gone this wouldn't have happened. She would still be alive. It's my entire fault.

Unshed tears are hidden behind my eyes, but I will not cry. I loved her so much. So much that I never took another wife, so much that I believed we would be together for eternity.

I rack my mind, trying to piece together who could have done such a sickening act, who could have murdered the Queen.

"It is not your fault, Pharoah." comes a sweet voice from behind me. I turn to find the Priestess Isis, her eyes closed and bowing.

"Yes it is Isis, I will not even be able to find the traitor. Nobody was here." I said guiltily.

"You know there is a way Pharaoh," Isis said sweetly, she bowed her head slightly, not meeting my red, swollen, eyes. "Shall I?"

"Yes," I answer as her Millennium Necklace glows and a brilliant Eye of Ra appears on her forehead. She gasps as she opens her eyes. There is an emotion burning through them that I recognize all too well. Hatred is running through her veins. "Who was it?"

"Where is Priest Seto?"

It then dawns on me. Priest Seto Kaiba. The Holder of the Millennium Rod. If Zuka was not able to bear an heir, he would become Pharaoh when I pass on. Without Zuka in the way, he could be the next Pharaoh of Egypt.

I pounded through the halls, my heart pounding, blood boiling, my thoughts racing.

"Where are you, you traitor!" I shouted, "I know you're here, you're here somewhere, and when I find you, I'll get my revenge, you'll regret doing your hideous deed…come out Seto, you traitor!" I wailed, my screams tearing through the cries over the lost queen.

My blood boils. A voice resounds inside my mind, echoing throughout it.

"I see you've seen my little 'surprise' my 'Pharaoh'?" came Kaiba's cackling voice.