"…Rena…you don't deserve to be with a failure like me…" said Atemu softly. He felt a deep guilt within his heart; thoughts of despair were in his mind. The defeated pharaoh flinched as he attempted to move his weakened body. A sharp pain ran through his muscles making him curse every few minutes. It was a long, gradual process, but in time, Atemu was finally able to get back on his feet. He limped towards the entrance of the cave into the daylight. He looked at the people around him. He looked at their vibrant smiles.
Will these people still smile? Or will these smiles be only a memory to them? thought Atemu grimly.
Suddenly his knees gave out. He collapsed on his knees and found Mana hugging him from behind. "PRINCE-SAMA!" yelled Mana with joy, "YOU'RE HERE TO SEE MY TRAINING!"
Atemu smiled, "Mana, its so good to see you…"
The two of them sat by the riverside. Mana used her healing magic to cure Atemu's wounds. After that, Mana continued to practice her magic; Atemu stared at the sky pondering about everything that has occurred. So much has happened in the past few days, it made it difficult to predict what would come next. Atem was in a daze for a few minutes. He began to wonder if it would even be possible for his marriage with Rena to take place.
"Prince…you look funny when you think." Said Mana.
"Really?"
"Really. What are you thinking right now?"
"…Rena…I hope she's alright." Said Atemu quietly, "…but she's strong…"
"Yeah, she is strong…I think she'll be fine." Said Mana cheerfully.
Atemu smiled. Yes, she'll be fine. I'll see her again; I know it.
"MY PHARAOH! PHARAOH!"
Atemu stood up and looked towards the direction from which he heard the voice. It was Shada accompanied by a small party of soldiers. Mana sat up and waved towards him. "Mana, if you were Pharaoh, why didn't you tell us that you found him?"
"I'm sorry, Priest Shada…" said Mana, "But, I found him not too long ago…and I didn't know you were looking for him."
"Its alright Mana." Said Shada. He turned to Atemu, "My pharaoh, we have found the location of Bakura and Rena."
The pharaoh's eyes widened, "Where are they?"
"The Forgotten Village of Kurelna." said Shada, "That place is infested with spirits…spirits that deeply loath the living. Rumor has it that travelers who come upon the village either never return or return half-alive. As for the ones who returned, you could say that whatever was there drove them into madness."
"…And Rena's there?"
Shada nodded in reply.
"There no time to delay," said Atemu boldly, "Lets get going."
Shada bowed his head. He turned to the soldiers that were with him and said, "You heard the Pharaoh, we're moving out!"
Mana ran to Atemu, "Prince! Look what I found!"
In her hands was Atemu's violet cloak. Atemu gladly accepted it. He put his cloak on and mounted a horse. He helped Mana get onto his horse.
"Lets go!" cried Atemu.
Atemu followed by Shada and the party of soldiers rode away into the desert towards the village of Kurelna. Atemu rode with a crimson fire in his eyes. He kept thinking to himself, "I'm going to see her…I'm going to see her…" There were still injuries present on his body, but his determination made him forget that he was badly injured a while ago.
"My Pharaoh!" cried Shada, "There it is, Kurelna!"
