AUTHOR'S NOTE
Update: Fixed some wording-issues.
Also, since some people seem to expect daily releases I have to say this.
While there are other authors who do this (and they have my deepest respect for their creative power) I don't do this full-time. Thing is; unless a story is marked complete or aborted, there may be new chapters in the near or extremely far future. So, in short, just because there's not a chapter today doesn't mean the story is finished.
Done and over.
The duel had found its end. Their audience (namely Tea, Joey, Tristan, Ishizu, Marik, Duke) had more to wonder about than just the astonishing result though. When Yuugi and his counterpart split into two separate people, that was shocking enough – despite the obvious signs none of them (excluding Ishizu and Marik of course) had actually believed Yuugi housed an ancient pharaoh's spirit by the name of Atem inside his head – but when Yuugi not only bravely challenged this counterpart but also won the duel, it left their friends flabbergasted.
It usually had been said spirit who'd fought in Yuugi's stead, protecting his charge and everyone around, actually saving the world a few times. This duel proved Yuugi had outgrown the spirit and was ready to move on. Still he didn't seem too happy about his victory. As he fell to his knees, tears filles his eyes, only to drop onto the ancient ground. He barely noticed his other half nearing him and only heard half the encouraging words. A quiet sob was all the answer his darkness would receive as a shudder went through the smaller duelist's body. Unbeknownst to Atem, it wasn't the overwhelming feelings – Yuugi just suffered the consequences for something he hadn't told his other.
"A champion shouldn't be on his knees..", Atem tried again, holding out his hand in an offer to help Yuugi up. As he reached out, he finally noticed that something wasn't right. Yuugi was pale as a ghost and the trembling got worse by the minute. He was in shock! His usually bright eyes hazily looked up at Atem, a sad smile on his chalken face with lips that mouthed 'I'm sorry', before the youth unceremoniously went limp, his arms lacking the power to hold his weight. Almost instantly Atem knelt by his side, cradling the younger in his arms, calling his name to keep Yuugi aware, with little success. By then the others had awoken from their stupor and attempted to come closer, but none had counted on Atem's protectiveness. A glare that could murder by its intensity was thrown their way, stopping everyone in their tracks.
"A-Atem? What's going on?" - Tea made another step forwards but flinched when these sharp eyes focused on her form. Once she stood sufficiently still Atem turned back to Yuugi with a warning growl which became a sharp inhale when he noticed how silent and still Yuugi was. Swallowing hard the spirit held one hand under the other's nose. Then put his ear onto the slim chest.
No warm breath. No pulse. As if to balance the lack of a heartbeat in his partner, Atem's own picked up a notch, him being very much near a panic attack, as he felt reminded of what happened not too long ago. "Aibou... please.. you can't do that..", he whispered, now ignoring the careful steps approaching them. He was, in fact, not the least bit aware of anyone else's presence anymore. All his attention had turned solely to his partner.
"Atem..", Tea said so suddenly next to him that he almost lashed out by the way his frame jumped. What before was a fierce stare now had more of a resemblance to a scared rabbit.
"My pharaoh..", Ishizu joined, resisting the urge to bow when red eyes turned to her. ".. I am afraid this was the gods' will. It was fate. You need not to put the blame on yourself. This was hardly avoidable."
"What do you mean?! He isn't dead yet!", he growled again, but Ishizu shook her head.
"He is, my king. And he decided so himself", she said which made all eyes turn to her. Unfazed she continued: "I saw this future. Yuugi Mutou asked the gods to take his soul instead, should he win. He gave you a great gift, my king. He wanted you to live the life you never had."
"Why didn't you stop him!? Or me?! Or..", Atem began again, more memories flashing before his eyes, but before he could say any more, Tea cut in. Her tearstricken face all but evaporated his desperate anger, making room for his mind to catch up. They weren't the enemy, but friends who grieved for the same person as he. Reigning in his anger he just looked at her in silence for a moment before daring another glance at Yuugi, though his sight quickly began blurring and he closed his eyes to keep the tears from spilling.
"How are we gonna explain this one to the old man?", Joey asked, once the general shock had somewhat subsided. It was obvious none of them had fully grasped the situation yet; from the looks on everyone's faces they thought this had to be some kind of nightmare – or expected Yuugi to suddenly start laughing about a well executed but utterly horrible joke.
".. I will", Atem finally said. He was the most collected of them, despite still holding the empty shell that was once his partner in his arms. ".. something will come to mind."
"What, ya thinkin' we're gonna let you go alone?", Joey returned with a raised eyebrow. Atem realised he didn't have the energy to intimidate Joey at this point so he just sighed.
"It will be easier", Atem said. "Also.."
"Also?" - Tea, looking worriedly at the distressed pharaoh.
"... if he deems it proper to punish someone, you guys don't need to take it. None of you"
"Neither do you", was what Tea answered, her voice a gentle and almost careful tone as if speaking any louder would summon more disasters.
"It is my fault, after all. If I hadn't been so hellbent on getting my memories back.. Yuugi would.. Aibou.. he would..", his voice stumbled and he gave up on trying to finish the sentence. There was no further sound coming from him but the way he'd hidden his eyes behind his bangs and the way his shoulders flinched every now and then spoke for itself. Tea felt her heart go out for her peculiar friend, though she didn't know what to do. She knew he hated being hugged, so despite the urge to comfort him, she refrained from doing so, afraid to cause more discomfort. Looking for help she turned to Tristan and Joey who seemed likewise clueless.
"I think it may be wise to take the body of Yuugi Mutou and leave this place", Ishizu finally suggested, her steps closing in on both the spirit and Tea.
"My king. He is in a better place now. His soul was a pure one. I do not doubt he will pass the weighting and enter the afterlife safely. He will spend his time in utter bliss until the day you rejoin his side. But for now you must be strong, my king"
Atem shuddered once, then forced himself to calm down before he slowly looked up at Ishizu who nodded. He returned the gesture. There were no tears in his eyes left; just a downcast, forlorn look that spoke of the loss he'd suffered. He'd already replaced the mask he wore so well. Bringing his legs back under himself and taking Yuugi with him he stood, holding the body like precious cargo.
"Let's get him home."
