Oh wow! I'm so pleased with all the reviews; you guys make me so happy! Well there is either going to be a sequel or this story is going to be a lot longer. Lol I indeed have plots and many things to write and without further ado, Chapter 12 of Gems of Amethyst and Ruby.
Big thanks to Daikaio who pointed out that serious mistake! Thank you a lot I was in another world when I wrote that…or I just read something with the name…for those of you who saw the corrected version…what? I didn't mess up…lol
Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-gi-oh, but I do own the keyboard that I typed the disclaimer with. Haha
Does the weaving of a riddle lead to the end?
The letter that had arrived seemed to unnerve Atemu to no end, but it only strengthened his resolve. Yugi was right there by his side in the argument that took place with the nobles of the palace. Abasi was one of the more vocal protesters.
"My Pharaoh, we must have the coronation. Egypt cannot be without a Pharaoh, do you know what that will do to the people?" Abasi paused, waiting for Atemu to answer when none was forth coming Abasi looked to Yugi almost pleadingly.
Yugi knew full well that Atemu would never agree to have the coronation ceremony especially with the fact that that his parent's killers were still on the loose. Atemu was taking the responsibility reasonably well, but it was quite the burden. Atemu had assumed that Yugi would be next on the list, and that simply was not an option.
Yugi shook his head lightly at Abasi and answered in a low voice, "I'm sorry, until they are captured there will be no celebration, nor a coronation. Egypt needs a leader that is true, but not while it's previous leaders have been murdered. We will not ignore the fact that they were killed, I refuse to."
Abasi nodded his head reluctantly; it wasn't up to him what happened to Egypt. He could only follow orders as they were given.
Yugi gently slid his hand into Atemu's and led him down the hall away from all the arguments. Their favorite spot in the courtyard came into view and they both sat down on a stone bench. The serenity that had once filled the palace with such joy had utterly deserted the place in favor of a less sinister atmosphere elsewhere. It was true that no one had set foot in the dining room since the removal of the bodies. That included Atemu and Yugi.
Yugi leaned forward slightly and whispered, "Lean back against me Atemu." It was a small request from Yugi and Atemu obliged with a heavy heart. "You're too stressed, we aren't going anywhere till you calm down."
Atemu immediately tried to pull out of the embrace but Yugi held him firmly. "We have to leave tonight Yugi! We can't stay, I'm not important! This about Egypt, the people…our people."
"I know that love. What good are we to our people being so stressed out?" Before Atemu could respond Yugi added, "Don't try to worm your way out of this. You are important. Whether you realize it or not. If you truly want to leave tonight then just lay back and let everything go. Recklessness is not the way to go about this."
Atemu let out a deep sigh, filled with all the tension he had been feeling. He recognized a losing battle, especially with Yugi's determined nature. It was truly nice to focus on Yugi and nothing else.
A riddle had accompanied the crude letter of the previous night:
"Start your journey when Anubis would prowl
Cross the sands of Egypt towards Ra,
May he grace you with the speed of time,
For time is of the essence, don't fall behind and don't fall ahead.
Two paths shall divide for you,
If you should follow in Seth's footsteps you shall find chaos,
But much nearer to your goal be the path of Thoth
Though maybe you have not his wisdom
For liars and murderers have cheated many, and outsmarted even the most intelligent
We who follow Ma'at you shall find
Should you take the plunge."
It was dusk, and two camels stood at the ready near the base of the palace steps. Each was laden with many provisions and stores for the long journey ahead. Egyptian citizens surrounded them in a circle of reverence and deep respect. They had all come to see their two beloved princes off.
Atemu and Yugi mounted their camels, and started off at a fast pace. It was more for show then actual haste; it was a sort of pronounced hope for the people of Egypt. Once the palace and people were out of sight though, they both simultaneously slowed and started searching the ground for any clue that might possibly reveal itself.
"We'll head towards the setting sun, we have to use the light while we still have it Yugi."
Yugi gave a small nod and followed after him. Anubis was the god of the dead; of course he would 'prowl' at night. To head toward Ra you would follow the sun, as to what the time part had to do with anything neither were sure.
The sun set fairly quickly and the chill of the night air bit and stabbed at the pair. Yugi shivered and pulled his cloak tighter about himself. It became clear that they could not go much farther without some sort of light. Atemu gently slid a hand in his pack and pulled out a thick torch. Atemu handed it to Yugi who unwrapped the linen to reveal the soaked cloth beneath. Atemu lit the torch with two jagged pieces of flint, and they were on their way. Three hours passed, the darkness danced and spun around the flame trying to smother it. For the dark hates the light, the light cannot stand the dark.
Yugi was nearly asleep on his camel, not from fatigue but from sheer boredom. Atemu glanced at his lover beside him and smiled, only his Yugi could be so simple and sweet. Atemu was so thankful that he had him here with him. It would surely be a long and lonely trip without Yugi.
Both the camels stopped and Yugi almost fell to the ground, if it hadn't been for Atemu sticking out an arm. Two paths had divided as both wove their own way. Someone had made these crude paths, recently too. One was bathed in a flood of moonlight, the other filled with roughly cut cedar sticks lying in subtle patterns. Each of the cedar pieces had tips of ebony and ivory. (he he a cookie at who guesses what that means.)
"Well these are our two paths Atemu, but which is the path of Thoth? The moonlit one I would assume."
Atemu did not answer immediately; first he picked up one of the sticks and looked at it intently before lightly sniffing it. (No he isn't getting high, get your minds out of the gutter! Can you get high off a stick? Lol) "Yes Yugi, I believe you are right, for these are cedar sticks, smell it." Atemu lightly handed it to his lover and Yugi recognized the distinct sweet smell of cedar. (I love cedar, it smells so GOOD!)
Yugi gave a half smile, "Like I said, we'll take the moonlit path." Long ago Osiris had died in a chest of cedar, ebony and ivory crafted by his brother Seth. He had won the chest, and ended up keeping it for eternity. Seth had shut Osiris in the marvelous chest alive in a burst of bitter jealousy.
A tributary of the Nile came into view; the path led straight towards the water but did not appear again on the opposite bank. Atemu looked at Yugi questioningly, "You don't think ' take the plunge' was meant literally, do you?"
Yugi gave a nervous gulp, "They must be mad, the crocodiles come out at night Atemu!"
"I don't see another way…"
"Look." Yugi pointed across the bank, where currently a group of crocodiles were fighting at the water's edge. The strange thing was that a makeshift fence blocked the crocodiles from going in the water. "I wonder who built that Atemu. I guess we can go in the water, how far should we go?"
"I could only guess, but come we cannot waste time."
Yugi slow slid off his camel and gave Atemu the torch. He stepped into the water and starting walking till he was up to his neck in water. Atemu followed him out and held the torch aloft. Atemu reached his lover and hefted the torch above the water. Atemu guided the torch along the water's surface, lightly skimming the shimmering surface. A chunk of wood slid down and dropped into the murky depths, immediately extinguishing with a small hiss at the touch of water.
Yugi started walking to the side, so as not to go any deeper. He kept going till suddenly he fell under the water. Atemu heard the splash and swam over as fast as he could. Atemu flung the torch and dove into the water below. He groped around hoping to grasp Yugi. He tried opening his eyes only to see the murky depths below. Atemu's hand finally met something solid and he pulled it above the surface.
Atemu spit the water from his mouth and shook his sodden bangs from his face. In his hand he held a log. Oh Ra, no Yugi! Atemu dived under again without another thought. His hand found a crevice and he realized this must have been what Yugi had fallen through. Atemu pushed himself down into the hole and swam. He hoped that this would lead him to Yugi, and quickly.
Atemu groped and tugged at the walls around him pulling himself further into the tunnel. He could feel the muddy depths sloshing in and around him. The tunnel started narrowing and Atemu felt the beginnings of panic rising within him. He knew he wouldn't last much longer, the need for oxygen was making itself evident.
Atemu felt his lungs constrict and plead for air. His head started to get fuzzy; his hand slid down from the wall and he fell back. Terror set in and Atemu lost his head completely. He opened his mouth in a desperate attempt to get air, but only water flowed in. Something caught his foot and he pushed forward in one last desperate attempt to survive.
His head broke that surface and wonderful cool, crisp air came to his senses. Atemu gasped in air feverishly, making him feel light headed. Atemu suddenly remembered the reason why he had dived into the hole in the first place.
"YUGI!" Atemu was screaming at the top of his lungs. He had half a mind to go back in the tunnel when he heard a slight cough to the side. Atemu spun around and stared at the embankment before him.
There was a prone figure on the ground not breathing. Atemu dragged himself forward, his feet getting stuck the mud beneath him. Atemu made it to the shore and ran clumsily till he collapsed beside the figure.
Atemu grabbed Yugi's collar and flipped him over. Atemu held his hand above Yugi's nostrils; he wasn't breathing. No!
Atemu lightly hit at Yugi's back, "Come on, breath." Atemu felt the tears come to his eyes, but stubbornly wouldn't let them fall. Atemu thumped Yugi hard on the back and was finally rewarded with Yugi giving a great heave for air.
"Thank Ra!"
Yugi started coughing and flipped on his side choking out water. He was vaguely aware of someone smacking his back lightly. His coughs reduced to mere wheezes before he turned back around and faced his rescuer.
"Atemu?" he breathed.
"I almost lost you, I was so afraid…Yugi." a breathless Atemu. Atemu pulled Yugi to him and hugged him tightly, never wanting to let go. Yugi lightly pushed away and looked at Atemu lovingly.
"I think I swallowed… half the Nile." In front of him Atemu gave a weak half chuckle.
Yugi pulled Atemu to his feet and they both looked at their surroundings. It was a type of under ground cavern. Someone had taken the time to place torches along the edge. The walls glowed and shimmered as their shadows danced across them.
There was a doorway to the far right, there was an old sheet serving as a makeshift door. They both walked toward it and pulled it lightly aside. Yugi fell back against Atemu as a cold gust of air blasted them both back in a heap upon the sand
A voice rang out through the still air breaking the deadly silence.
"Time is running out, we who follow Ma'at are running short on patience. Prince Yugi is to enter first, but watch your step."
The voice died away, the last words ringing throughout the cavern. Yugi turned toward Atemu, "Let's go."
The tunnel was far longer then either had expected, it was amazing. There had been spots where the sand would fall out from underneath them. The many pits along the way had slowed their pace considerably. Atemu had taken an old stick he found and would tap the sand before walking upon it. The tunnel finally climbed to the surface and about ten feet from the hole was an old temple of sorts. The high steps led to a small opening, serving one god, Ma'at. It had once been a magnificent temple; each day it would welcome the coming of the Priest of Ma'at. A long time ago great sandstorm had come and destroyed the temple, making the people believe that Ma'at had left the temple.
"Those who follow Ma'at," murmured Atemu. For Ma'at was the god of Truth and Justice, and everything right in this world.
Yugi nodded in comprehension, "They think they are following Ma'at by trying to kill me? What did I do…?"
"What did you do indeed."
The arch at the top of the steps read:"Ma'at is eternal and has not changed since when she came into being." –Ptahotep
They made their way through and stopped in the antechamber. The temple radiated that forgotten greatness; the vastness of detail was entrancing. The center of the room revealed a high seat that was once filled with offerings for the great god.
At the opposite end of the room, there came a cloaked figure. The hood hid his face, but his gleaming eyes could be seen easily.
"Welcome," came a sickly malevolent voice from beneath the hood. "We've been expecting you."
DUN DUN DUN! Lol Evil Cliffy, I guess you'll have to wait to find out who they are. This chapter isn't as good as I would have liked it, but I couldn't delay it any longer! I'm so sorry this took so long, and I am not going to let that happen again!
Sarah Costa: Did you get the lemon yet? You should have… I hope! Thanks for the review!
Yami Yuugi: You'll find out what the gems were for, I promise! Probably by the next chapter in fact!
Hikari Skysong: It was a bloody visual wasn't it? That's what I was going for, I'm glad it worked!
Spidy007: Sorry this took so long! Eek! I'm a bad person! Lol That would be a gruesome way to die. As an early warning the next chapter won't be pleasant! I think there will be a cliffy too!
Princess Nefertari AKA Krysta: Yep, complete irony. Awesome chapters on your story! You have me on tender hooks for both! They are both towards the climax aren't they? Oh I'm so excited! And I'm terribly sorry for the lateness, and thanks for getting my lazy butt in gear! This was really hard to write! I couldn't rely on too much dialogue! Next chapter will be easier though!
MysticMaiden 18: Aww, shucks! Lol
Daikaio: lol, you always make me laugh! That was on the slightly creepy side though. Thanks for the correction! Saved me there, bad authoress! Lol
Ailisa d. frieson: typical review eh? Nonetheless effective though!
Animestargirl: YEAH! You updated! Lol I was so happy! Is Deepest Dreams over?
Fluffys-sidekick: I'm glad you are patient, cuz I'm not! Lol I'm so mad I didn't get this out till now!
Atemu Yugi Lover34: hehe, I finally got it up! Took me long enough, darn the flow!
Keeper of the Times: Aww! That was so nice! Thank you so much that means a lot to me!
Quill Masters: Where are you my friend? Lol I haven't heard from you, hope you are doing good! I can't wait for more of your story!
Xamosy: That's okay about the late review, I updated late! Lol